Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Unique and thought-provoking story!
I began reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel and then I tried the audiobook. I prefer the audiobook to reading it on my own, especially because the accent lends to making the story more real. Life of Pi tells the story of Pi’s life, from childhood to adulthood. His family owned a zoo, other people constantly teased him about his name, until one teacher started calling him Pi. Pi experiments with several different religions and decides he likes them all. His father eventually decides to sell the zoo and move to Canada. The family shares a ship with some zoo animals. A storm causes problems and the ship begins to sink. Pi takes the lifeboat, not knowing that some animals are already on it. The hyena really turned my stomach. The tiger finally kills the hyena and Pi manages to train the tiger so they coincide peacefully together. They eventually land on the coast of Mexico and the tiger runs to the jungle. Pi doesn’t see him again. This story is interesting and I am going to watch the movie next. 4 stars for the unique and thought-provoking content.

Oregon & Washington: 50 Hikes with Kids by Wendy Gorton

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Adventures on the West Coast!
Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to read and review Oregon & Washington:50 Hikes For Kids by Wendy Gorton! This wonderful guide includes hikes under 4 miles, easy to moderate trails and scavenger hunts. The book is broken down into the sections of each state, Oregon and Washington, giving details for the specific areas and what outdoor fun is available for kids, acting as a guide to help with choosing the adventures by feature, season and the things needed to prepare for the great outdoors. The idea of taking a nature journal along the way is great to create a reminder of the adventures and can be used for taking notes on the scavenger hunts. The best book for planning outdoor adventures in the upper west coast of the United States, 5 stars!

The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables by Catherine Reid

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to read and review The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables by Catherine Reid. Prince Edward Island is the setting of L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series and this book brings all that Anne saw to the reader’s eyes with beautiful photographs, both old and new, plus the wonderful descriptions given by L.M. Montgomery in the stories of Anne and also her own personal journal writings. Also, an in-depth look into Maud’s life experiences, both happy and difficult, this book opens her world up to us and shows the similarities between herself and the fascinating character she created in Anne. 5 stars for this reverent and beautiful dedication to the author of a true classic!

Where I Found You by Heidi R. Kling

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review Where I Found You by Heidi R. Kling. Sienna is still reeling from her mother’s disappearance that occurred five years ago. Her father is trying to move forward, but still honor his lost wife at the same time. It’s assumed that she went down in a plane crash over the Indian Ocean. Sienna reluctantly agrees to go with her father to a community across the world in Indonesia that has been struck by a Tsunami which caused disaster. While there, Sienna’s eyes are opened and her empathy for those who have suffered through the Tsunami and lost so much overcomes her own feelings of loss. She meets and helps several people and gains a close, wonderful relationship with a young man named Reni. She discovers that Reni is searching for his father and she does everything she can to help him. This touching, beautiful realistic fiction story opened my eyes to the horrible tragedy and suffering of the Tsunami victims, many things I had never thought about or heard of. I enjoyed learning about another culture also. I’m anxiously awaiting the sequel!!! 5 stars.

Fishbone’s Song by Gary Paulsen

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review Fishbone’s Song by Gary Paulsen. This story is told in lyrical form and tells the tale of an orphan raised by a philosophical old man. True to the adventurous heart of Gary Paulsen, this book relates everything to nature and how to live it. 3 stars!

Stranded

Posted on by lynndellwatson

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I read Stranded by Melinda Braun as a Riveted free read download. Thank you Riveted! The story instantly grabbed me, as someone is trapped in a vehicle underwater and struggling to escape is described in terrifying detail. Emma survives the car accident, but her sister Lucy does not. Emma has to deal with survivor’s guilt and the recurring nightmares of not being able to save Lucy. Her counselor tries to help Emma and, while sitting in the counselor’s waiting room, she sees a brochure describing a week long adventure. She believes that this is the answer to pull her back to life. The camp turns out to be adventurous and terrifying. A freak storm, injuries, a forest fire and wild animals threaten the campers’ survival. Intense and character building, the story has something for every reader to enjoy – 5 stars!