Entries Categorized as 'Review'

A Mystery for Mr. Bass

Our rating: ***

Prewytt Brumblydge has been having lots of bad luck, and when he gets sick he decides to go home and try to figure out what’s wrong with his new dating method. When Chuck and David find the bones of a Mycetian and show Mr. Bass they decide not to tell anyone but someone finds out and tells it to the newspaper. Prewytt Brumblyge admits to putting the bones where they were found but says that he won’t put them back where he got them from despite an old Mycetian rhyme.

This book holds many surprises. I especially like the fact that Ta comes to Earth.

Henry Reed, Inc.

Our rating: ****

Henry Reed’s father is an American diplomat to Italy, so Henry hasn’t ever seen the USA. This year, his Uncle Al and Aunt Mabel invite him to stay in Grover’s Corner, New Jersey, for his summer vacation. Being an industrious young man, Henry and the neighbor girl, Midge, start a research firm, Henry Reed, Inc. But Midge isn’t a full partner until she can catch the rabbit she promised to the firm. Henry thinks catching it will be easy, but this bunny has a mind of its own!

Henry Reed, Inc. is a hilarious string of events, some resulting from the pursuit of the rabbit. Henry and Midge also have to battle the grumpy Apples, the next door neighbors to the firm, making for even more fun. The silliness continues in four more books about Henry’s attempts to make money during the summer.

Anne of Ingleside

Our rating: ***½

Anne is now a mother of five, soon to be six. This book chronicles a few years of the Blythe family’s life, from Aunt Mary Maria’s visit that goes on, and on, and on, through the many escapades of the usually well-meaning children.

This book doesn’t really have a definite on-going plot. Each of the children have their own little “adventures” of various sorts, and Anne herself is not very predominant until the very end, which does happen rather abruptly. I didn’t find it to be a highlight in the series, but it is worth reading if you have enjoyed the other Anne books.

The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

Our rating: ****

This is the story of how Tommy Stubbins, the son of Jacob Stubbins, the shoemaker, first met the Doctor and became his assistant. Soon after Tommy begins to learn some animal language, a purple bird of paradise named Miranda arrives to tell Doctor Dolittle that Long Arrow, a great Indian naturalist, is missing. Doctor Dolittle decides to take a voyage, even though he won’t be able to meet Long Arrow. To decide where to go, they play a game called Blind Travel. They end up choosing the very spot that Long Arrow was last seen in, Spider Monkey Island. They set off at once with Bumpo, Crown Prince of the Jolliginki; Jip the dog; Polynesia the parrot and Chee-Chee the monkey and encounter some wonderful adventures.

There’s something about the Doctor Dolittle stories that I really like. They are so much fun. I left half the book out of the review, as it would take a really long review, not to mention give some of it away, if I told you all of the wonderful details. Some of the animals are great, and the Wiff-Waff is so funny, not to mention fun to say. “Wiff-Waff.” Anyway, I enjoyed this book a lot.

Stowaway to the Mushroom Planet

Our rating: ****

With the disappearance of Tyco Bass, David and Chuck have started the society for young astronomers as Mr. Bass wished. They decide to have Dr. Frobisher as a speaker, but his secretary, Horatio Q. Peabody, is jealous and goes instead. Meanwhile, Mr. Theo Bass comes to visit David and Chuck, and he wants to go to Basidium. In the preparations, Horatio figures out their plans and stows away on the spaceship. David and Chuck’s nightmares come true, as a scientist is loose on the Mushroom Planet!

The second book is as good as the first. Lots of excitement, and it’s fun, too. Of course, everything comes out right in the end.