Sabine's comments (member since Apr 12, 2009)

Sabine's comments from the Fans of Tristi Pinkston group.

Thanks. I actually have the Fablehaven books and the 13th Reality books, but she has started Fablehaven, along with several other books, reads the first chapter. Acts like she likes it, but then won't pick it up. Is it okay for me to say, you pick the book, but then I expect you to read the whole thing before starting another book?

I would like to purpose a topic question if I could. I am trying to find age appropriate books for my daughters. One is 9 in 4th grade, one is 6 in 1st grade. Both are pretty good readers (1st grade is about Magic Tree House Level, 4th Grader has read things such as first Harry Potter). I need something to give my first grader as she gets over Magic Tree House, and not Junie B Jones (Sorry, she doesn't need to read about a whinny kid she has that one covered :))But more importantly something that my 4th grader will find interesting. I read a ton of books for kids, but I don't know if kids would like say THE GIVER as much as I did. Does anyone have a 4th grader, and what did your kids like? My daughters interest include soccer, soccer, and more soccer. She did love the graphic novel RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE by Shannon Hale, but that is the only thing in a long time to make her want to sit and read instead of me timing her and forcing her to get in her homework reading time. Sorry to take over this post Tristi, but it is hard to love reading so much and see that your kid could care less about it. I just know I have to find the right thing for her.

Daron, Great list. I think for sure Lord of the Rings is symbolic. So much fantasy is. There are a few on your list I am going to have to pick up. Thanks for sharing.

Here are the ones I came up with of the top of my head:
The Giver by Lois Lowery
Number the Stars by Lois Lowery
The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
Reunion by Fred Uhlman
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
(Are you noticing a pattern?)
The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen Randall
The Lord of the Ring by JRR Tolkein
The Screwtape letters by CS Lewis
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

I loved Dragon Slippers as well. It is by far my favorite of her books. There is really something magical about it. The second one I would say no. I didn't feel like it had that same magic. It was a little slow, but still very likable. The third one was a lot closer. I loved the new world it described and the relationships with the dragons.

I just read Dragon Flight and Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George. I enjoyed them both, though I liked Spear a little better.

Okay then I can add Juliette because everything she has done is amazing. Her Daughter of the Forest series with 4 books is a beautiful dive into Ireland and folklore. The Wolfskin duo is based on the Isle of Skye with Nordic traces throughout. The Blade of Fortriu trilogy is Scotland. And Wildwood dancing is one of the funnest YA books with mixing of many fairytales. Anyone who likes fairy tales and fantasy could pick up any of her series and find a great read!

By National do you mean American? I have to admit that Utah has a great author base. You, Shannon Hale, Jessica Day George, Mette Ivie Harrison, Brandon Mull, Brandon Sanderson, James Dashner to name a few. And of course my fav author of all time is Juliette Marillier but seeing as she is from Australia. I do like Neil Giaman, but I am going to go out on a limb and say Dean Koontz. Mostly because he has the best character development ever, plus I never thought I would read a horror book. It was not my forte, but then I read Life Expectancy and Jimmy Tock is one of the best First Person narratives ever. Koontz has a way with metaphors as well and I sometimes find myself going back and reading passages just for the metaphors. Oh and I love Card. The Ender Shadow Series is amazing, but I love Enchantment and Stone Tables best.

I loved MY FAIR GODMOTHER by Janette Rallison! I laughed so hard at some parts I thought I might cry. I am thinking of buying the book for one line.

I loved Austenland. I know that SH took some slack for the kissing scenes and when she said this I was dying. There is a point when people need to stop bashing the harmless books. Sometimes I wonder if people really believe what they are saying or if they just want to make a problem. I would give Austenland to my nieces in HS before I gave them several other YA books that have fallen across my path. Austenland is truly a favorite in my view.

Heather, I post all our book club books on my blog. I have been keeping track since we started 4 years ago. In October I posted a blog entry of all those books. Here is a link to it if you are interested....

http://writinginberlin.blogspot.com/2008...

The list includes which books I picked and which book was my favorite book we read each year. There are some great ones there.

These is my Words was our first book club book four years ago. I love the Attolia series. Eugenedes (did I spell that right?) is a great character. Our book club book this month is Left to Tell. Next month is my pick and I am doing Stargirl. I love that book.

I am reading the second Mistborn book by Brandon Sanderson. I am having a bit of trouble getting into it because I read the other one so long ago, but I loved the first one and generally everything by him is great. Elantris is one of my favorite books! I know I will end up loving this one too, I have heard nothing but good.