Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets

I have always wanted to read the Harry Potter books, but had just never gotten around to it. I thought this book challenge was the perfect opportunity! I have always LOVED the movies, and everyone has always preached about the books being even better (per usual). Although I still am obsessed with the movies, I am falling in love all over again while reading the books. I think I put off reading the books because I thought it would just seem boring since I had already watched the movies and knew what was going to happen. I am so glad that I was wrong! Some of the story lines in the books differ from the movies, and there are so many more details. I am just on the second book and have learned so much compared to what I learned from the movie. Some of the relationships seem a little different as well.. I think that the feelings and chemistry between Harry and Ginny are much more apparent, and Draco is much meaner. He was obviously a little stinker in the movies as well, but I think he is just more evil in the books. He says much harsher things and says them more frequently. For example he makes comments about the Weasley's "being poor" in almost every encounter he has with Ron. I get so mad!

I am just so blown away with J.K Rowling and her ability to create such vivid images with her writing! Her details are amazing and never disappoint!

Becca

Walk Two Moons

I found this book by googling "best children's chapter books." I read several different lists and this book was on almost every one. I read the description and it seemed like something I would be interested in. I am not that far into the book, but it has caught my attention. Salamanca Tree is a 13 year old girl that just moved into a new house and new town with her dad. She is disappointed with their new home (she claims it is small and lacks water or trees) and does not seem thrilled with the situation at all. 

So far, I am enjoying all of the diversity of this book. Everyone seems to have different cultures, appearances, and home lives. Salamanca "Sal" has a strong personality and I am enjoying her as a main character. One quote that I particularly liked was "do not judge a man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins." I think it is obvious that the book is based around this quote. 

My biggest question right now is where is Sal's mom? She talks about her a lot of mentions that her mom "wasn't coming home" and that is when her and her dad moved. She is currently on her way to visit her mom with her grandparents. At this point, I am not sure if her mom is dead or alive. 

I think there is going to be a lot of depth to this book! I'm excited to see where it goes!

Becca

Where The Red Fern Grows

I first read Where The Red Fern Grows when I was in third grade. I honestly did not remember much about it except that it made me cry. Rereading it as an adult, it still makes me cry!

The book begins in present time and the main character, Billy, is grown. He comes across a dog fight and one of the dogs reminds him of dogs that he had when he was a young boy. Then, we jump back in time and learn what happened with Billy and his dogs. The author, Wilson Rawls, uses foreshadowing. I thought this *hint* about what was going to happen in the book would make it less emotional, it didn't.
“It's hard for a man to stand and watch an old hound fight against such odds, especially if that man has memories in his heart like I had in mine. I had seen the time when an old hound like that had given his life so that I might live.”

The author of this book honestly does a phenomenal job with descriptions and details. I was able to vividly picture the entire story. I think the emotional attachment that you develop for Billy and his dogs is because how well Rawls describes the relationships.

If you decide to read this book, be sure to have your tissues ready!

Becca

The Boxcar Children

I am on Chapter 7 of The Boxcar Children and I am enjoying every word! The bond that these siblings have is so strong and wonderful. I have several siblings and there is nothing that I wouldn't do for them; just like there isn't anything that Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny wouldn't do for each other.

My teacher read this book to my class when I was in second grade. I honestly am surprised at how little I actually remember. At this point in the book I am so sad that they are orphaned and have no one to help them. I am hoping to find out what happened to their parents. I am also curious about what kind of lifestyle they lived before becoming orphans. They have such great survival instincts and are so humble. This makes me think that they did not come from wealth. Before they found the boxcar to "live" in, they were just walking and walking and sleeping wherever they thought they would be safe. When they did find the boxcar, they were so excited and grateful. They were able to picture it as a home opposed to viewing it as a dump like most people would. I can't wait to find out what happens next! I am hopeful that a loving adult will want to help these children! They did mention that they have a grandpa, but they think that since he did not care for their mother, that he will not care for them either. I wondering if maybe they are wrong about him....

Becca

The Wild Robot

I started reading The Wild Robot yesterday. I am already (almost) half way through! It is such a cute story, so far! Roz is a robot that washed to shore on an island that is inhabited by a bunch of different animals. She is struggling to survive on the island. She has faced a bear attack and dangerous weather conditions. The animals are very afraid of Roz and consider her a “monster.” This originally made me feel sad for her because she is so innocent, but then I learned that she does not have any emotions. Therefore, she is not affected by the other animals thinking she is a "monster."

This book is really focusing on survival. How different species of animals interact, where they are on the food chain, and different ways they survive. Roz is trying to learn from them to increase her survival rates. When the animals asked Roz why she was secretly watching them, she responded, "I have learned you all have different ways of surviving. I would like each of you to teach me your survival techniques.” From the stick insect “Roz learned that camouflage could help her survive.” (pg, 41) She has also learned that “playing dead” was an effective survival technique from an opossum.

This book is not at all what I expected, but I am really enjoying it! A robot learning from animals puts a fictional spin on learning nonfictional qualities about different species. It is a fun read with educational aspects!

Becca

A Wrinkle in Time

I am on chapter 3 of A Wrinkle in Time, and I am loving it! The characters are all so wonderfully written and unique. I catch myself feeling sorry for Meg. She is known as a "moron" and therefore, very insecure. Meg is constantly comparing her below average looks to her mother's beauty. Luckily for Meg, her mother is not only lovely on the outside but on the inside as well. She is very encouraging, loving, and supportive. So far, I like how much this story is promoting acceptance. It emphasizes Meg's unique qualities and showing them in a positive light. For example, just because Meg does not do well at school does not mean that she is not smart. She is still brilliant, just in other ways that not everyone has seen. Your unique qualities are what help make up who you are!

Along with loving the characters and relationships, I am also enjoying all of the "mystery." Some of the questions I have at this point are: "Where is Mr. Murry?", "Who is Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Who?", "How does Charles Wallace 'read' people so well?", "What on earth is a tesseract?", and so many more. This book definitely has my wheels turning and my imagination active! I cannot wait to read more!

Becca

After You by Jojo Moyes

I am currently reading the book After You by Jojo Moyes, which is part of the Me Before You series. I read Me Before You a few years ago and delayed reading After You because it has been hard for me to accept Will's death. I thought the book started out a little slow. When she falls off the top of her apartment building, my interest peeked. I thought this would be a life-changing event for Louisa, but I am not quite sure that it was. If it does not end up being a life-changing event for her, then I don't understand why it was added.

It was not until Lily showed up on Louisa's doorstep that I was truly engaged in this book. Some thoughts that ran through my head were: "Could this really be Will's daughter?", "She's a teenager, how old would Will have been when he had her?",  and "Did Will know?". It was Louisa's question that really struck me as the most important: "Would this have made a difference in Will's decision to end his life?"

Also, Will's dad is having a baby with his new wife! What?! That threw me for a loop as well. There are many things happening that keep me engaged in the story. Louisa is such a funny and likable character, and I am excited to see where it goes!

Becca