Suzanne SelforsRezensionen

very good - Ruthie

Representation: Biracial main character, side Black character
Trigger warnings: Blizzard

6/10, it was ok.

This story takes place in the dark, dank village of Runny Cove. There, orphan Isabelle works her fingers to the bone at the Magnificently Supreme Umbrella Factory, struggling to support herself and her Grandma Maxine. That is, until Isabelle discovers that she has inherited Fortune's Farm, the last place on earth where magic grows. Now Isabelle must use the magic to save the people of Runny Cove without spilling the secret of Fortune's Farm to the world-or worse, to the greedy factory owner, Mr. Supreme, who wants to exploit the magical fruit for his own selfish purposes.

More content than you would think, judging by the cover! Well-written. A teen visitor at the library recommended this to me, and I'm glad I read it.

Kids have recommended this book to me -- and I'm super glad they like it. It didn't really appeal to me at all.

Argh! Great worldbuilding, interesting characters and then -- the main superpower that drives the plot? Is stupid. It bothered me the whole book.

This was so interesting as it was written in 2 hour increments by so many authors who wrote in a public setting one after the other. I wanted to write a chapter, too. More of a read for how a book could be a collective writing and for the experience.

A magical, romantic fantasy with chocolate! Loved every single part of it.

children's chapter book (grades 2-4, younger as a readaloud)
Funniest when read aloud by a skilled reader; younger readers will still enjoy the charming illustrations and silly plotlines but may struggle a bit with the vocabulary (and may miss the subtleties of Gizmo's evil villain voice). So not one that I'd necessarily group with the moving up/beginner chapter books, but I think it will be great for experienced readers and definitely as a read-aloud.

Very well done, Suzanne Selfors! Funny and sweet! I don’t know who I loved more, Wedgie (the dog who thinks he’s a superhero) or Gizmo, the evil genius guinea pig. They are both full of personality and lend hilarious perspectives to this dual-voice story.

This is very funny little read. Wedgie reminds us of our Harry and Gizmo, while more evil than our sweet cavies, is hilarious.

The authors themselves, in an Afterword, cite the Redwall series as their inspiration, and without even having read the Afterword, I had the same sense while reading Braver. Personally, the only Redwall novel I've read is the first and I've never gone on because it struck me as a very highly anthropomorphized story in which medieval knights fought each other but simply as animal characters.

I actually liked Braver better than the little I've read of Redwall. Although there was more anthropomorphizing than I would like, definitely more than you'll find in Richard Adams, there was still enough animalistic nature to satisfy, definitely better than what I've seen in Brian Jacques.½

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This book has everything I like in a book, dogs, action, adventure, treasure hunting, dogs. (I like dogs). It been years since I read the first book but, the theme in the first book is the same in this book: follow your passion and don’t let anyone stand in your way. Unlike other series I have read this book does not dump everything that happen in the first book all in to the very first pages of the story. Instead it lets out little bits of information as the story progresses remaining you without slowing the story down.

I never like Lorelei and I do not like her at all in this book. She back stab Homer giving it the right tension to make me want to root for Homer even more. I wasn’t sure about Hercules but, I end up liking him. I like how much dept each character has.

The story is a bit predictable with a few good twists and turns. None the less this is an enjoyable story with a lot of humor. I will be looking for the third book: Smells like Pirate.

Points:

Characters: 5/5

Writing: 5/5

Plot: 4/5

Total: 14/20= 4 *stars*

Recommended Ages: Gr. 3-5

Plot Summary: Gizmo is a new home because his master Elliot is now part of a blended family. Unfortuntaely, Gizmo's cage broke in transit and Gizmo has to temporarily be housed in Jasmine's Barbie dreamhouse in Jasmine's room. Elliot doesn't like it and doesn't trust Jasmine. When Gizmo waits until everyone is asleep to explore the house, he finds a cereal box and stuffs himself full. The next day Elliot accuses Jasmine of feeding him something she shouldn't have and they all rush to the vet, much to Wedgie's dismay. The Barbie dreamhouse is moved into Elliot's room and tension remains between the new siblings. Meanwhile, Gizmo is totally unaware why his stomach hurt and proceeds with his plans to try to take over the world. He wants to move to Peru where guinea pigs are from, until they watch a documentary and he discovers they eat guinea pigs in Peru. What's worse, Jasmine's grandmother, who lives with them, is from Peru! Now he has two enemies: the grandmother and Wedgie who lovingly tries to help Gizmo often. Will he succeed in his plans to take over? Will his new cage ever arrive? Will the family ever figure out what actually happened to his stomach?

Setting: suburban-ish, Wedgie barks at a neighbor dog and buries a bone in the yard

Characters:
Wedgie - dog, wears a cape, always excited and loving
Gizmo - guinea pig, wants to take over the world
Elliot - Gizmo's owner
Jasmine - Elliot's new step-sister
Gweneviere - guinea pig that Gizmo is obsessed with from the pet shop

Recurring Themes: loyalty, blended family

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: Well written, perfect example of voice and perspective. It's a fun, quick read.

Genre: Fantasy - talking animals

Pacing:
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Activity:

This was fun! And well-written! Tight pacing, awesome premise, great characters, plus quirkiness, and humour and slapstick that even made this adult laugh. And yes, Jewish representation! People of colour! A sasquatch! Will be checking out the next one at some point, probably. 100% would recommend to a kid who wants light fantasy and likes laughing.

8/10

dis is a very interesting novel i must say. Infact interesting is an understatement. Dis book is superinteresting. Katrina finally knew what she wanted after all and she got wat she always wanted, with an angel as a boyfriend to back it up. If she didnt help out d bum who turned 2 be an angel, who knows wat her life would be like. There is really a lesson 2 learn from dis book. Thumbs up suzanne

This goes in the "not very good but some kids will like it" category. It took me ages to finish because it was so easy to put down. The back matter about mythical creatures was more interesting than the story.

Meh. Enjoyable enough, I suppose. Will have to get some kid responses. I suspect my rock-star readers in 2nd and 3rd grades will like it.

I liked [b:Coffeehouse Angel|6013810|Coffeehouse Angel|Suzanne Selfors|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312031585s/6013810.jpg|6189055], even though I have to admit I got frustrated at times.. But at all the right times! Does that make sense? No? Hmph, I didn't think so :|
Let me clarify: it wasn't the story itself that frustrated me, it was certain events that occurred in the story that gave me the urge to scream into my pillow.. (OK, so I'll admit it.. I screamed into my pillow..) and that only made me appreciate the story more!

Also, I would like to point out right about now that I would really really like a cute Ratcacher mug! Yes people who have not read [b:Coffeehouse Angel|6013810|Coffeehouse Angel|Suzanne Selfors|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312031585s/6013810.jpg|6189055] yet, the main character, Katrina --but moat people call her: 'The Coffeehouse Girl-- called her cat Ratcatcher, yeah.. Ratcatcher! (I'm seriously hoping I spelt Ratcatcher right.. ;) ) Which, I personally thin k is quite a cute name for kitty. More accurately, it looks cute on paper but I'm not 100% about how cute it sounds out loud :|

Over & Out, T xx

I liked [b:Coffeehouse Angel|6013810|Coffeehouse Angel|Suzanne Selfors|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312031585s/6013810.jpg|6189055], even though I have to admit I got frustrated at times.. But at all the right times! Does that make sense? No? Hmph, I didn't think so :|
Let me clarify: it wasn't the story itself that frustrated me, it was certain events that occurred in the story that gave me the urge to scream into my pillow.. (OK, so I'll admit it.. I screamed into my pillow..) and that only made me appreciate the story more!

Also, I would like to point out right about now that I would really really like a cute Ratcacher mug! Yes people who have not read [b:Coffeehouse Angel|6013810|Coffeehouse Angel|Suzanne Selfors|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312031585s/6013810.jpg|6189055] yet, the main character, Katrina --but moat people call her: 'The Coffeehouse Girl-- called her cat Ratcatcher, yeah.. Ratcatcher! (I'm seriously hoping I spelt Ratcatcher right.. ;) ) Which, I personally thin k is quite a cute name for kitty. More accurately, it looks cute on paper but I'm not 100% about how cute it sounds out loud :|

Over & Out, T xx

This book started out with a great concept, the daughter of a famous romance writer trying to cover for her mentally ill mother and write a new romance novel in her name, whilst trying not to fall apart. A girl discovering love for the first time.

But it ended up pretty shallow & mushy. The cupid character it inserted was really lame and boring. The way the myth was told was just... it was supposed to be a new "spin" on the version the "gods" falsely spread, but there was absolutely nothing exciting about it. No real romance, no actual details.

And Alice's romance was the same. Girl meets guy, then gets completely distracted by some crazy cupid guy and forgets about her romantic interest except to have one kiss, let him get shot by an arrow and have an allergic reaction to prove cupid is real, and use him to drive her around everywhere.

Just... lame. Which is a shame, because this story could have been really amazing if the writer had just given it more depth and creativity.

It actually made me tear up a couple of times, which middle grade rarely does. This was sweet, but not overly so and the characters all had unique quirks, but also very normal shortcomings. (I love the fact that Selfors allowed Leilani to be kind of mean in the way only an insecure eleven-year-old can be.) The book managed to be message-y without being preachy and sweet without being treacly and I appreciated it very much for both of those reasons.

And thank you for not killing the cat.

This is a cute series for elementary grades. Each book focuses on a different imaginary creature. Book one is about a sasquatch. Ben is facing a boring summer at his grandfather's house until he discovers strange creatures on the loose. First it's a baby dragon that the cat drags in. Knowing he needs a partner in crime, he elicits the help of town troublemaker, Pearl. Together they go to the abandoned button factory where an animal doctor has supposedly set up shop. While delivering the baby dragon, Ben forgets to bolt the door and a Sasquatch gets out. Mr. Tabby gives them a Sasquatch catching kit to lure it back to the button factory. It leaves a pretty messy trail around town, but eventually they haul it in. With the successful capture, they land a great summer job. To be continued since there are 6 books in the series.

I would expect kids to like this. It's an easy read. Ben and his grandfather are likable characters. My only criticism is that the first half of the book was more about the dragon which diluted the impact of the Sasquatch. Sasquatch deserved more screen time.

(Title, Author) This book is about a young girl who wants to be part of the popular group at school so she has her own sleepover to make that happen. Although her Great Grandmother sends the wrong invitations so she gets the people that she doesn't want in her sleepover coming. In the end she turns what she thought would be the worst sleep over in her life into the best one. This book helps people realize that thinking positively about people no matter what they are like can change people's lives for the best. It also says that just by being kind and accepting people for who they are and helping them find their strengths you can help them become the person the best person that they can be. (connection, age Group, What other books relate to this One)( Talk about the book design and the font)
(Summary, Design, Recommendations)