The BookReport

Linda is Reading: A Book of Secrets

When our customers are excited about a book they've read, they'll often share their enthusiasm. In this post we present a piece from guest reviewer Linda James:

The acclaimed biographer Sir Michael Holroyd has written a fascinating tale, A Book of Secrets: Illegitimate Daughters, Absent Fathers (Farrar, Straus & Giroux ) about the lives of the famous Bloomsbury women: Vita and Virginia, the hidden life of Eve Fairfax and the life-in-novels of Violet Trefusis. A master craftsman of the biography, Holroyd offers his reader the intensity of a various and diverse love stories and intrigues; and the the literary achievements and mystery of lost letters and unread manuscripts.

Sarah Reads: Moon Over Manifest

Welcome to a new monthly column from Sarah India, a local 4th grader who we came to know through her love of reading. Sarah is always hungry for new books to read, and if you come across her in one of our stores she'll make great suggestions and hand-sell you a stack of books! Since she's so well-read and such an awesome bookseller-to-be, we asked her to let us know what she's reading.

Hi, I'm Sarah India! I go to elementary school and I'm in 4th grade. I love to read! I think the most important detail about reading is that you find a book that interests you. Sometimes kids and their psrents need some help finding the best books for them. There are so many good books to read that sometimes it gets hard to know where to look and what to read. So, I am writing this blog to give boys and girls and update on the best books ever! I hope this will make it a little easier and more fun for you. I will give a monthly review about a book I have read, and I will share a few tips on how I find books in a bookstore.

My first tip to finding a good book is look for Newbery Award winners. Most of the time they pick great books of all kinds. A recent award winner is Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool (Delacorte Press, 16.99). This month I am reviewing it.

The Jake Files: Redwall

Redwall, the Legend Begins is the first book in the series by Brian Jacques. The story is set in an abbey on the edge of Mossflower Wood and tells the story of a group of mice who have been there as long as anyone can remember. The mice give aid and help to creatures in need from surrounding areas. Mathias a young mouse is the main character of this book.

In Redwall Abbey much is peaceful until the evil rat Cluny the Scourge comes to conquer Redwall with army of rats, weasels, and stoats. Martin the warrior the ancient warrior mouse of Redwall was said to have a powerful sword. To save Redwall Abbey Mathias must embark on a quest to find the sword. On his journey he meets many friends and slays his enemies.

These mice all possess qualities very similar to humans. They are loyal to each other, respect their elders, and have abbeys and churches. Some of the mice resemble valiant heroes willing to fight for honor and glory. A few of the mice are very adventurous and  the book follows the story of a heroic mouse on his quest.

I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good adventure story. There wasn’t a part in the book that I think the author should have changed. I guarantee that any book lover would enjoy this book.

Order Redwall by Brian Jacques — or any of the books in the series — right here!

Ruby Reads: A Horse of Her Own

Hi I’m Ruby. I’m 8 years old I love riding horses and reading books about horses, I go to Los Encinos School. My best subject in school is reading.

The name of this book is: A Horse of Her Own (Square Fish, 7.99). It is written by Annie Wedekind. Annie Wedekind wishes she could sing better. If Annie were born with a totally different skill set she would want to speak dozens of languages. Annie prefers to write her books in a little run down cafeteria, when they closed, her mother bought a table from that shop and Annie still writes at that table.

The Jake Files: A Wizard of Earthsea

BookHampton is pleased to welcome Jake Taylor, our newest book reviewer. He'll be writing occasionally about books for kids.

A Wizard of Earthsea

by Ursula K. LeGuin

 

Hi I'm Jake Taylor and I am eleven years old. I go to Stella Maris Catholic Regional School in Sag Harbor. I enjoy reading books, playing tennis and competitive swimming.

A Wizard of Earthsea is a very interesting book, about redemption, power, and friendship. This book takes place in the world of Earthsea. Earthsea is a place of many islands, which are all populated.