Book Reviews
As book publishers, we are also book readers; always have been and always will be. DJ's mantra is "So many books, so little time." DJ's always reading at least three or four books at a time, depending on her mood and what she's interested in reading at any given moment.
Book Reviews Rating System
DJ never goes anywhere in the car without a bag of current reading materials. It is a serious addiction, but a healthy one, she thinks. So, it makes perfect sense for her to share what she's read with all of you.
DJ reads a wide variety of books, so they're identified by the following: C (Children), JFic (pre- and early teen), YA (Young Adult), A (Adult)
DJ's ratings follow our own rating system which is as follows:
- 1 star ★ = This book was not for me.
- 2 stars ★★ = OK, but not one of my favorites.
- 3 stars ★★★ = A good book.
- 4 stars ★★★★ = A great book that's worth reading!
- 5 stars ★★★★★ = An excellent book! A must-read!
Ragweed by Avi, illustrations by Brian Floca, is my 4th Avi book and, as with the first one I read, I love this book and I've become a big Avi fan.
In the first Avi book I read, Poppy's Return, Ragweed was mentioned several times. Not just because Poppy named one of her sons Ragweed but because he was named after his uncle Ragweed, a mouse who was independent and left his home in Dimwood Forest to find his way in the world.
Midnight Magic by Avi was another fun book to read. After reading a couple of books by Avi where the main characters are mice or insects, it was a delightful surprise to read one that was about a boy, who was a magician, his master, a princess, and her parents the king and queen of Pergamontia. The story wouldn't be as intriguing, of course, without a bad guy, and there is one in the guise of the assumed trusted Count Scarazoni.
The End of the Beginning by Avi, illustrations by Tricia Tusa, is a tiny book, small only in its size, with a big-as-life story that teaches many lessons given by the main characters, a snail named Avon and an ant called Edward. Avi is my new favorite children’s book author, and he has more than 70 books to his name! These stories will entertain me for many months to come.