"Ye toads and vipers!" Karen Cushman has a talent for developing characters I really care about. Meggy is no exception. A real crank, talented insult-giver, and whiney when she arrives in London. But nonetheless, Meggy holds to her principles even when those principles create a moral dilemma f...
The middle ages has always held a great deal of appeal for me, so I decided to revisit an old favorite. The Midwife's Apprentice tells the story of a young girl who has no name, no family, no home and not future. All she knows is getting through today. She is called Dung Beetle by the more for...
This is one of my favorite books. It's an easy read, with some light humor and an interesting story. Plus, it has a bonus of the Newbery Honor Award and some medieval history.Catherine, the 14-year-old daughter of Sir Rollo, is a wonderful character, and I admire her vivacity and spirit. Her funn...
My only complaint about Matilda Bone? It wasn't long enough! The author could easily have lengthened the story--expanding on Matilda's growth from a self-centered, self-righteous, snooty girl to someone who learns of the importance of friendship, sacrifice, and an appreciation of others. The a...
When I first saw Rodzina I almost didn’t read it because I did not like the cover, but you should never judge a book by its cover so I decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed. This book is very enjoyable. Unlike some books, it just took off, literally, on an orphan train, and I was ho...
Spring also meant we could finally remove the heavy winter underwear that covered us neck to ankles in scratchy gray wool. I felt almost bare naked and so free. We finally moved into the wooden boarding house. Though it was little and crude by Buttonfields standards, the feel of a real house abov...
Head down, he was lost in thought. Fitz, the ugly little Fitz, had proved himself caring and brave. But what of Will himself? What was he? A liar and a thief, no good to anyone. He could do nothing for Samuel and the Duchess. Couldn't save Nell. When Grace was menaced by the young louts, he stood...
The sky should not be blue this morning, she thought, but cloudy, dark, and ominous. She stirred the embers of the fire and sat beside it, reluctant to face what was to come. One by one, the others woke, stood, and stretched, until only Desdemona Cork still lay on the ground, curled around hersel...