It’s the mid-1980s and twelve-year-old Cayenne and her family live in their van and travel wherever they feel like going. They dance around campfires It’s the mid-1980s and twelve-year-old Cayenne and her family live in their van and travel wherever they feel like going. They dance around campfires and sing, and aren't held to one area. They have a mostly good life, only when you aren't in one place for very long it's hard to feel like you belong somewhere. Lately money is tight, and things are a little strained now that Cayenne's younger sister is getting bigger. It's a surprise, when at the start of her seventh grade year, Cayenne‘s parents decide to settle down in one town. Her father now has a job, which helps the situation. Cayenne is excited to be able to make friends because she'll be in one place. She's never gone to school, but she's happy to be there, and she really wants to be part of the popular crowd. She's making some friends, and in social studies they are learning about The Titanic, which she finds interesting. Cayenne can relate to the different classes on The Titanic; fitting in isn't as easy as she thought it would be. While her new house seems amazing, it’s nothing like the houses the other kids live in. She has chickens in the front yard and they still don’t have a lot of money. Her dad seems to be working hard, but her mom is not too happy with their new life. Will Cayenne be able to fit in with the girls she wants to hang with? There is a new boy she thinks is cute, but does he like her too? Will her family stick around long enough for her to find out? You'll have to read this book to know what happens!
Told as a novel in verse, Unsinkable Cayenne by Jessica Vitalis is a book unlike any I’ve ever read. Although I’ve read a lot of historical fiction, I don’t recall reading any from the mid 1980s. I was a child growing up then, so it was interesting to go down memory lane with all of the fads and clothing, as well as the music. I could also picture a lot of what was happening very easily because of my life experiences. I tried to think about if a new student like Cayenne moved into my school back in the 80s and how people would have treated her. I hope people would have been nice, and I think overall it was easier for kids then to wear hand me downs and not always have the latest fashions. The author did a great job making Cayenne's experience realistic. My heart went out to her as she struggled to fit in both with her friends and with her family. Her dad had been in Vietnam and smoked a lot of marijuana in his bedroom. This definitely made it challenging for Cayenne when people stopped over, especially friends from school. All she wanted was to have friends and to have her family be happy, but what a challenge everything was for her! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and likes the 1980s or learning about The Titanic. I think anyone in fourth grade or up who has ever worried about fitting in and struggled to find the balance between their school and home life will enjoy this book. I look forward to reading more books by this author....more
The last installment in the Bubba and Squirt series- this was a satisfying end to an exciting quest!
Bubba and Squirt are siblings who have traveled tThe last installment in the Bubba and Squirt series- this was a satisfying end to an exciting quest!
Bubba and Squirt are siblings who have traveled the world looking for their missing father. Thank goodness for the magic portal they can access in their backyard, which allows them to reach far away places in seconds. Racing against time they face their most dangerous obstacles as they try to find two legendary lost pearls in Japan. If they have any hope of saving their father and the other people they found trapped by the same magic (in their last adventure) then they must turn back time and change events that happened long, long ago. Will they be able to do what needs to be done? Is it possible to change the past? And if they manage to succeed- what else will change? You'll have to read this fast paced adventure to find out!
The Bubba and Squirt series is perfect for young readers looking for a quick read. Each book is filled with alternating chapters told by Bubba and Squirt and the books are a great length for reluctant readers. The siblings have a good relationship and they each bring different skills and perspectives to the tasks at hand. I like the legends and mythology that ties into each story. I loved the underwater aspects of this adventure and the way Bubba and Squirt figure out what they need to do. A series that will not only draw readers in, but they will learn about different places and cultures along the way. I know I learned a lot about Japan and pearl divers (I had never heard of them until I read this book). It's always nice when you get to the end of a series and everything is wrapped up- which this one did!...more
4.5 Fabulous book about friendship and middle school (and basketball too, of course). Great pair of unlikely best friends. I liked this book more and 4.5 Fabulous book about friendship and middle school (and basketball too, of course). Great pair of unlikely best friends. I liked this book more and more as I read and got to know the characters. Loved seeing the lessons Marco and Isaac learned throughout the book. ...more
Five children are orphaned in Lowdar after their last adult family member was exiled from the community. Now the children live on the streets and lifeFive children are orphaned in Lowdar after their last adult family member was exiled from the community. Now the children live on the streets and life is even harder. When they find a diamond, it turns out to be no ordinary gem. They have met Lucky, a princess in a magical species. Lucky needs to return home, but there are many beings trying to stop her at any cost. The children agree to bring her home and Lucky promises they will be rewarded. A canoe, named Charlie helps them on their way and they have many dangerous terrains to pass- from water to mountains. Four of the five children have a special gift given to them by their mother before she died, and the items help them on their way. During their travels they get split up and their lives are in peril. Encounters with Queen Rose show the children what evil is capable of and they hope to help stop her from taking over the kingdom. Will the children meet up with each other again? Will they get Lucky home? Can Queen Rose be defeated? You will have to read this fabulous fantasy to find out!
Lucky Diamond by Valinora Troy was a fast paced fantasy that kept me captivated. It is the first in a series, but I was happy that everything wrapped up at the end of the story and I wasn't left on a cliffhanger! The siblings each have their own personality and I enjoyed seeing the way they interacted with each other. The magical elements were fascinating and I loved discovering more about the special items given to each child by their mother. I could easily picture the settings throughout the fantasy land and while there are places that sound beautiful, there are others I wouldn't want to visit! I liked trying to figure out who could be trusted and how they would get out of certain situations. I would recommend this book to anyone in 4th grade or up who enjoys fantasy, magic, and adventure. This was a page turner! I look forward to reading more books by this author. ...more
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