Saturday, October 20, 2012

Review: Die schrecklichsten Mütter der Welt


Die schrecklichsten Mütter der Welt
Die schrecklichsten Mütter der Welt by Sabine Ludwig

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I listened to this book as an audiobook in German. I should probably write the review in German, but I am not going to. The book is a good romp and a fun idea. But at some point, the back and forth trips to the island and the weird fascination of the "bad guy" with the robots gets a bit too much like slapstick. I would have liked to see more character development and less trivialized action. It was a lot of fun, but lacking in depth for me.



View all my reviews

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Review: Orientation


Orientation
Orientation by Allis Wade

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



It is a bit sadly that I rate this book only at 4 stars. The book touched me deeply enough that I cried in several places and at the end of the book. The tears were not for sadness at the events in the story, but rather for the recognition of the feelings, thoughts, and experiences. I am also convinced that it is an important book for gifted students, most especially highly gifted students. Why then 4 stars rather than 5? Although I can't imagine how it could have been done otherwise and still cover the same material, the book is most definitely didactic - it just isn't either completely a story or completely a treatise on Dabrowski. It is a melding of the two that works, mostly, but at the expense of making the story somewhat awkward. There are also, as another reviewer remarked, a number of typos and word usage errors (commiserate, rather than commensurate is the most glaring). Still, it is a important book for upper elementary and middle school aged gifted kids - a welcome support for their needs in a number of dimensions.



View all my reviews

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Review: If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back?: Surviving in the Land of the Gifted and Twice Exceptional


If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back?: Surviving in the Land of the Gifted and Twice Exceptional
If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back?: Surviving in the Land of the Gifted and Twice Exceptional by Jen Merrill

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is a fun read and is especially good if you need encouragement and humor to help you get through some difficult times. The book is not meant to be a guide through getting through issues, though. I found that a tad disappointing. I enjoyed reading it, but there isn't much to refer to when you are done.



View all my reviews

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Review: Keeping the Castle


Keeping the Castle
Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I enjoyed this one, but it brings to mind my completely deficient background. I have read some of the books and authors that the book ostensibly mimics, but not thoroughly or recently enough to recall the details. I understand the irony, but for me, the appeal of the book is its lightheartedness. I am growing weary of the "save the world from evil forces" genre and the "dire things happening in the modern world" genre. It is nice to have just a fun romp through a ridiculously incongruous representation of 19th century nobility.

It probably warrants re-reading with an eye for allusions to the classics, but I probably won't get around to that. Sigh.



View all my reviews

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Review: How to Scratch a Wombat: Where to Find It . . . What to Feed It . . . Why It Sleeps All Day


How to Scratch a Wombat: Where to Find It . . . What to Feed It . . . Why It Sleeps All Day
How to Scratch a Wombat: Where to Find It . . . What to Feed It . . . Why It Sleeps All Day by Jackie French

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This book isn't quite as adorable at the Diary of a Wombat pair, but it has a lot more information in it. I would choose this book for the slightly older children that I enjoy working with the most - 8 to 12 year olds.



View all my reviews

Review: Wombat Goes Walkabout


Wombat Goes Walkabout
Wombat Goes Walkabout by Michael Morpurgo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is a "where is my mother" style book that highlights the abilities of various Australian animals, as well as the fire danger of the Australian bush. Cute, but more anthropomorphic than the Jackie French books.



View all my reviews

Review: Diary of a BABY Wombat


Diary of a BABY Wombat
Diary of a BABY Wombat by Jackie French

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I have been on a wombat kick lately - reading several books about the adorable (but stinky) creatures. This book is every bit as cute as its predecessor, Diary of a Wombat. I may just have to go out an buy it.



View all my reviews