Review: Du Iz Tak?

Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My daughters would have loved this as kids. They thoroughly enjoyed confusing their mother with Spoonerisms, backwards words, words in other languages (predominantly German, Russian, Spanish, French, Italian) - all in the same sentence.

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Review: Hitler's Daughter

Hitler's Daughter by Jackie French
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is more interesting to me as an exploration of philosophy than as a good novel. It would make a good discussion book for middle school aged kids. The story isn't as strong as Pennies for Hitler, because of the narrative style - Anna is telling the story about someone else's story. That gives it a bit too much distance from the reader. The ending makes it more personal, but by then, it is a bit too late to get involved with the character.

Still, it has some interesting questions that are relevant even now with regard to various political situations. How much moral responsibility do we have for our parents' choices, our politicians' choices, our country's actions?

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Review: Emily of Deep Valley

Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While I enjoyed the premise of this book, it doesn't particularly stand out for me. I have not read the Betsy-Tacy books, so I wasn't invested in the location or the characters. It was sweet and interesting, but it didn't grab me by the heart and refuse to let go like Anne of Green Gables does.

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Review: Hello, Universe

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I should probably give this book a higher rating. It held my interest long enough to finish it. The various children are unique and worth reading about. But, as a child, I would have been terrified by the problem situation. Even as a mature adult, it is scary to me. It is almost too real and too well written. That said, I am quite the wimp when it comes to scary situations. If realistic, scary situations appeal to you, the book is worth reading.

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