Entries Categorized as 'Review'
Posted by Ruth
Categories: Adventure, All Ages, Fantasy, Fiction, Review
Tags:Animals, Donkeys, Funny, Lloyd Alexander, Wolves
1 Comment »
Our rating: 
When the newly-elected King Bromios receives his prophecy from the oracle pythoness, Woman-Who-Talks-To-Snakes, he becomes very angry when all he hears is about ashes and rags, and he orders death to all who serve her. Meanwhile, Lucian, a young man working at the palace, accidentally uncovers a scheme that the King’s right-hand men are involved in, and has to run for his life. On the way, he meets Fronto, a former poet who has been turned into a donkey and he begs Lucian for assistance. The trio is completed when Joy-In-The-Dance, a girl of marvels and mysteries, rescues Lucian and Fronto from a tricky situation. Together, they set out on a journey to The-Lady-of-Wild-Things to find help for Fronto and advice for Lucian.
A well written book, with hilariously twisted Greek mythology throughout. Lloyd Alexander creates a magical and enchanted atmosphere in The Arkadians, while Lucian and Joy-In-The-Dance’s relationship is strikingly similar to that of Taran and Eilonwy, in the Prydain Chronicles.
Posted by Ruth
Categories: Fantasy, Review, Younger Readers
Tags:Animals, Dogs, Dragons, J. R. R. Tolkien
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Our rating: 
Roverandom is a little dog, but one day, after not being polite to a wizard, he is turned into a small toy dog. He has many adventures, including a trip to the moon, where he becomes good friends with the man-in-the-moon, and his dog, Rover, and a visit under the ocean with some mermaids. But all the while, he keeps an eye out for the wizard in the hope that he may get his real doggy life back again.
I only gave this book two stars because parts of the plot seem a little slow, but it’s a very enjoyable book, and I certainly liked reading it. J.R.R. Tolkien wrote this fantasy story for his young son, after losing his toy dog at the beach. They never found the toy again, but the story served as a consolation.
Posted by Becca
Categories: Fiction, Review, Younger Readers
Tags:Animals, Cats, Eleanor Estes, Quick Read
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Miranda is a large cat who lives in Ancient Rome. She lives happily with her owners until Rome is invaded by Barbarians. The family packs up and leaves for a country house, leaving Miranda and her daughter hiding in an urn. In the fire that follows, Miranda sets out to find and rescue all the lost cats in Rome before it’s too late!
I liked this book. Eleanor Estes’ style of writing is wonderful. She wrote in a simple way, making it easy for children to read. Don’t let that discourage you, though. Estes’ books are enjoyable to older readers, too.
Posted by Rebekah
Categories: Adventure, All Ages, Fantasy, Fiction, Review
Tags:Animals, Dragons, J. R. R. Tolkien
1 Comment »
Our rating:
When farmer Giles is fortunate enough to drive a large and somewhat deaf giant away from the village of Ham, he acquires quite a reputation, which he is forced to try to maintain when a large dragon, Chrysophylax the Rich, becomes a threat to the citizens of Ham.
This is a hilarious story with a wonderful way of putting things bluntly. (if you’ve ever read The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame, the styles are similar) The farmer does use a bit of language (unfortunately) but the storyline is great. Crysophylax is such a funny dragon! (Although I’m sure he doesn’t think so.) A very enjoyable book. Farmer Giles of Ham is also included in A Tolkien Miscellany
Posted by Jordan
Categories: Adventure, All Ages, Fiction, Incredibook!, Review
Tags:Funny, Good Read Aloud, Howard Pyle, Long Read
3 Comments »
Our rating:
Robin Hood is an outlaw for shooting the king’s deer and killing one of the king’s men. This is the story of his life as an outlaw with his merry men. They all live in Sherwood Forest and try to correct the evils done by the Sheriff of Nottingham and the greedy clergy. There’s Little John, Will Scarlet, Will Stutley, Friar Tuck and Allan a Dale, stout yeomen all. An enjoyable story of daring deeds and true friendship.
I really enjoyed The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. A clever story with wonderful humor and valorous characters (except the bad ones; they’re bad all through). The old English is hard to understand at first, but, as thou gettest deeper into the story, ye find thyself speaking it quite merrily. (See?) This book is a lot better if you hear it on audiobook, so I will include a link to it. Buy The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, read by David Case from Amazon.
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