The Golden Hour

The Golden Hour

By Maiya Williams

Description: Mad TV writer Williams makes her children's book debut with this entertaining novel about a pair of siblings who go back in time. Thirteen-year-old Rowan and 11-year-old Nina have been sent to stay with their eccentric great-aunts in Maine after their mother is killed by a drunk driver. The elderly sisters run a small curiosity shop, stocked to the hilt with unusual items; among them, Nina (a prodigy pianist) discovers an original Beethoven composition that the world has never seen. Soon Rowan and Nina befriend twins, a boy and girl who introduce them to the town's old hotel. Rowan's great-aunt warns him away from the place, citing strange occurrences and referring to the hotel as a "portal." Of course, the four young people enter the hotel (which is accessible only during "the golden hour" just before sunset and "the silver hour" at sunrise) and come upon the "alleviator," an elevator of sorts that will transport them to any year and locale they choose-but only for seven days. When Nina turns up missing, Rowan suspects her destination and soon the other three are on their way to Paris in 1789. The plot grows rather murky as the children take different places within French society just before Bastille Day. - Barns and Noble

This book was a good read. I would like to read it with my children when they turn 8 or 9. I felt this story was fun, a little predictable, but still fun! The question arises, where would you go, if you could go anywhere, any time, anyplace? I think I would go... to Egypt at the time of the Great Kings. The time when the pharaohs ruled. Or maybe I would go on a Voyage with the Vikings. This book is fun because it opens your imagination.

My favorite characters in this book are the "sidekicks" the friends that go on the journey. Twins, Xanthe and Xavier were very well written. They have a lot of personality, and it makes you feel you knew them. I wish that she described more about the actual time travel, and about what it felt like. There were a few things that she could have put more detail in
Over all, I really enjoyed this book!

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Pretend You Don't See Her

PRETEND YOU DON'T SEE HER
By: MARY HIGGINS CLARK

Description: All the elements are in place: an appealing, plucky working-girl heroine placed in instant danger; a virile, adoring would-be lover kept at arm's length until the curtain; a cute moppet (also in danger); a doting but somewhat foolish mother; a dead dad whose spirit is ever-present in times of crisis. What's lacking is any real suspense, or, in this case, a satisfactory windup. Lacey Farrell is a comely young real estate saleswoman in Manhattan who has a client, Isabelle Waring, murdered virtually before her eyes, then has to spend most of the book on the run from the killer, whom only she can identify. In the process she goes into the witness protection program, and the most interesting part of the novel (Clark is always good on research) is the details on how this works. The plot, however-involving Isabelle's certainty that her daughter was murdered, the suspicion that falls on the wealthy man who owns Lacey's real estate firm and his scapegrace son, and a hit man who remorselessly pursues Lacey-is perfunctory in the extreme. When the real villain is finally unmasked-in a few throwaway sentences-the reader has almost forgotten he existed and is given no clue as to how and why he did all his evil deeds.

There are very few adult authors that I really like. Mary Higgins Clark is one of them. She does a good job of combining a touch of romance, mystery, suspense and drama together without it being too much. Her books are always clean and not to gory. I really liked this book! In fact I stayed up all night trying to finish it before i had to leave to head home (It's my mom's book).

Mary Higgins Clark weaves a tale of murder that just makes your skin crawl! She has such a way of describing us as human beings, small things that we do, that we don't notice very often. She writes so that you can not only see what is going to happen. But so that you feel along with the Characters! If you want a good romance/suspense, try one of Mary Higgins Clark's novels, I have yet to find one that I didn't love!

Gracie's Girl

Gracie's Girl
By Ellen Wittlinger

Description - It's bad enough that her mother gives all her attention to a community soup kitchen, but now Bess Cunningham's best friend, Ethan, wants to volunteer there too. Bess has made so much progress in her attempt to gain popularity at her new middle school—she's got a wild new wardrobe and is working on the school play—that the idea of helping out seems lamer than ever. That is, until Grace Jarvis Battle comes into her life.

Gracie is a sweet elderly woman who is not unlike Bess's grandmothers—except Gracie lives on the street and eats out of Dumpsters. Because of Gracie, Bess quickly becomes involved with the soup kitchen. When her mother spearheads an effort to establish a permanent shelter for women, Bess knows that this is the best way to help Gracie. But the shelter won't be ready until Thanksgiving. With it getting colder, Bess and Ethan try to help Gracie on their own. Will it be enough?

In examining how homelessness can affect anyone, acclaimed author Ellen Wittlinger puts a human face on an all-too-common problem - Barns and Noble

I thought that this book is really interesting! It gave me a few things to think about. First of all, as Ellen Wittlinger wanted, I thought about the problems of our society. How often do we see someone in need and not help. The comment is made that "the problems are so large, you begin to feel hopeless yourself. As much as you do, there's still so much more you weren't able to do." The book then goes on to give us hope. Hope that everything little thing that is done to help, is a great accomplishment! I was thinking about the problems that our society does face, and I just think that if everyone would do a little more. Many of the homelessness problems would go away. Proper care would be given. It makes me want to do my little part, to help the world be a better place.

On the other hand, I saw what trying too much can do. Bess, the main character of the story, felt like her parents were never there. I wonder where the line is, how can we help out in the community without hurting our own families. What's the "Better" thing to do? Bess makes the comment that "when two things are important, it's hard to know". I know that Family should always come first! This is a wonderful knowledge that I have and a firm belief that Family is the most important thing! But I know too many people who claim to believe the same thing, and yet forget in the midts of so many "Projects" that take up our time!

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The Secret Garden

Frances Hodgson Burnett's
The Secret Garden

Illustrated by
Inga Moore

Description: The beloved original text now offered in a definitive gift edition by esteemed illustrator Inga Moore. "Then she slipped through the door, and shut it behind her, breathing quite fast with excitement, and wonder, and delight. She was standing inside the secret garden." First published in 1909, THE SECRET GARDEN has entranced readers with the courage and strength of two unhappy and withered children who become determined to make their lives and the lives of others around them more joyful. In this remarkable new edition, Inga Moore’s beautifully observed illustrations capture the wonder of the secret garden springing to life under the tender care of Mary Lennox; her spoiled invalid cousin, Colin; and Dickon, a Yorkshire boy. - Border's book description


This is a perfect example of a "Classic" that I have never read. I have seen the movie, and I must admit, the movie follows the book really well! I love the idea that there is somewhere on this earth that is "perfect". Hidden and unknown to the world around it! I love the magic that Frances Hodgson Burnett creates when writing.

The description of Dickon and the Garden allows me to be lost in the magic. The passages where it describes what the air is like on the Moor is amazing! It makes me want to open the windows and the doors, and feel the sun on my face! Mary, believes in magic. I think that there are different kinds of magic. Burnett spun a magic web when she wrote this book!

It makes me wonder what kind of limitations we place on ourselves. How many times do we believe that we can't do something, only to be able to, if we had the courage to try. As a parent, how am I holding my child back, saying "Oh you can't climb on that" or "Oh you will fall if you do this" Where do we draw the line of discovery, and limitations?

There are many versions of this book that have been released. However I strongly recommend the one illustrated by Inga Moore. This particular Illustrator is amazing. She has many, many beautiful pictures that are found throughout the book. Many pictures are not contained in a little box, but spread amongst the words on the page.

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