Category Archives: book reviews

Last summer, I read and reviewed Poison Study, the first book in this trilogy. When I attended the Pennwriters Conference this spring, I was delighted to see that Maria V. Snyder, the author, was a presenter. I purchased the third … Continue reading →

All the great things I heard about this book were true. It earns a top rating from me. The Scorpio Races takes place on an isolated, stormy island. Every November, the Scorpio races are held. These are deadly races in … Continue reading →

I picked up this book at a used book store and couldn’t resist. It’s a middle-grade mystery involving Shakespeare and 500-year-old British history. Some of it is factual. Other details were fabricated based on historical reality in order to construct … Continue reading →

Last month, I attended the Shenandoah University Children’s Literature Conference, and I got to hear Blue Balliett speak about writing middle-grade mysteries. Of course, I had to purchase two of her books and get them autographed. This stand-alone book is … Continue reading →

Emmaline Roke’s story begins in the 1830s, in England. Her father worked a shop in a pleasant village, and all is well until her father’s death. At this point, the family is evicted from the shop, and Emmaline’s mother is … Continue reading →

Wow, I really enjoyed this book. It’s hard to write about without spoilers, though. So here’s the short version—without spoilers. For spoilers, you’ll have to scroll down. I picked up this novel because it was recommended by a literary agent … Continue reading →

I re-read this book for a YA/kidlit class I’m teaching later this month. Gary Paulsen was one of my favorite authors as a kid. I devoured each of his books, loving the way his characters expanded their horizons to develop … Continue reading →