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October 12
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Edie
gave
 
to:
Well Witched (Hardcover)
by Frances Hardinge
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Edie said:
"The premise of this book is very interesting, the need for 3 unlikely friends to have to fulfill the wishes of strangers (or people they even dislike) because one of them stole money from a defunct wishing well....but it REALLY takes a long time to g...more
The premise of this book is very interesting, the need for 3 unlikely friends to have to fulfill the wishes of strangers (or people they even dislike) because one of them stole money from a defunct wishing well....but it REALLY takes a long time to get into the story and I found myself plodding along even at some of the more interesting parts. I did like the sense of discovering that a friend really isn't a friend after all....that was probably one of the greatest strengths of this book....less
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Edie
gave
to:
Diamond Willow (Hardcover)
by Helen Frost
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in October, 2008
Edie said:
"The writing, part poetry, part narrative is done in a rather unique way and I felt a real connection to the main character. But the narratives of the deceased relatives, in animal form, reallly didn't work for me.
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October 04
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Edie
gave
to:
The Leanin' Dog (Hardcover)
by K. A. Nuzum
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Edie said:
"A story of how a dog and a girl save each other. the girl, almost paralyzed by her mother's death, freezning to death in the cold while in a diabetic shock (or so it seems) cannot step off the porch of her cabin in the wilderness until the dog comes ...more
A story of how a dog and a girl save each other. the girl, almost paralyzed by her mother's death, freezning to death in the cold while in a diabetic shock (or so it seems) cannot step off the porch of her cabin in the wilderness until the dog comes into her life. This is more an impressionistic piece than a fully realized book, the girl and her dad almost stereo types than unique characters but he writing is strong and the story is sweet in is resolution....less
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September 17
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Edie
gave
to:
Tracking Daddy Down (Hardcover)
by Marybeth Kelsey
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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recommended for: grades 4-6
read in September, 2008
Edie said:
"While this book is somewhat predictable (the ne'er do well Daddy really is ne'er do well ) and the new "step" daddy really has a heart of gold and does the right thing and finally wins the heart of our narrator Billie Wisher, the voice of B...more
While this book is somewhat predictable (the ne'er do well Daddy really is ne'er do well ) and the new "step" daddy really has a heart of gold and does the right thing and finally wins the heart of our narrator Billie Wisher, the voice of Billie, an independent, more "innocent" than she realizes young girl who loves her "real" daddy and only wants to believe the best about him, is really genuine and grabs you from the very beginning she matter-of-factly describes her father's role in robbing a bank. I think young readers will be drawn to her honesty and desire to believe the best, even in the fact of the worst.
Edie...less
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September 12
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New comment on Beth's review of
American Wife: A Novel
(see all 2 comments)
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September 01
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Edie
gave
to:
I'll Pass For Your Comrade: Women Soldiers in the Civil War (Hardcover)
by Anita Silvey
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in September, 2008
Edie said:
"This is a well documented, well researched and well written book that pays tribute to the women who masqueraded as men to fight in the Civil War. Anita Silvey packs a lot of information into this brief (less than 100 pages ) book that will appeal to...more
This is a well documented, well researched and well written book that pays tribute to the women who masqueraded as men to fight in the Civil War. Anita Silvey packs a lot of information into this brief (less than 100 pages ) book that will appeal to reluctant readers as well as more serious ones. There's plenty to learn too both in terms of big issues (all the things women couldn't do legally, like own land, appear in court) and small ones( with hoops in skirts sometimes ladies' dresses caught fire because they couldn't control just where those skirts went). As often as possible Silvey gives specific examples of individual women and their roles, and includes, when she can, what happened to them after the war. A winning book in all respects. ...less
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August 28
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New comment on Jean's review of
The Underneath
(see all 4 comments)
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August 24
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Edie
gave
to:
The Porcupine Year (Hardcover)
by Louise Erdrich
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in August, 2008
Edie said:
"This quiet book continues the story that began with The Birchbark House. Omakayas and her family have been forced from their homeland and are traveling to join their relatives to the north. Erdrich writes of their difficulties so matter- of-factly ...more
This quiet book continues the story that began with The Birchbark House. Omakayas and her family have been forced from their homeland and are traveling to join their relatives to the north. Erdrich writes of their difficulties so matter- of-factly that sometimes it is hard to really appreciate their great struggles, they seem to just survive and near starvation never appears too real, yet that may just be the way of her people, to struggle with dignity and not bemoan what life has cast before them. The final family story, of Old Tallow, is wrenching and I could almost not bear to hear about another burden placed before her, yet it is over quickly, a sharp prick, then gone but not forgotten. This is a graceful book about a graceful people, especially one girl growing into her womanhood....less
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August 20
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Edie
gave
to:
Careless in Red (Hardcover)
by Elizabeth George
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in August, 2008
Edie said:
"I have become a HUGE Elizabeth George fan after reading the book in which Inspector Lindley's wife dies. The "sequel" was an interesting study of those who struggle to survive the misfortunes of life; an aunt upon whom three abused and neg...more
I have become a HUGE Elizabeth George fan after reading the book in which Inspector Lindley's wife dies. The "sequel" was an interesting study of those who struggle to survive the misfortunes of life; an aunt upon whom three abused and neglected children are foisted and who tries to do the right thing without any clear understanding of their needs or her own, an older sister who is hardened by life but waiting for someone to really care about her, and two young brothers, one of whom is the caretaker/friend of the other. While the book rushes toward disaster for almost everyone, I held my breath, waiting for the miracle, that, just as in life, didn't come.
Well this book looks at grief--Lindley who is still trying to come to terms with his wife's violent death, a female police inspector whose husband brutallly disappointed her 15 years ago, a family whose much loved son is murdered, a murder of 18 years past which still is unsolved, and lots of issues of filial love, parental love, sexual obsession and disappointment. There are some lovely resolutions, perhaps a bit forced, but comforting about the last book, and some that are not resolved. But a fine look at interpersonal relationships and some of life's truths as well....less
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Edie
gave
to:
The Trouble Begins at 8: A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West (Hardcover)
by Sid Fleischman
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in August, 2008
Edie said:
"This is the perfect combination of subject and author. Fleishchman has just the right amount of hyperbole, tongue-in-cheek humor and nitty/gritty details to pay homage to hisw subject. And there are wonderful photographs of the subject and the myri...more
This is the perfect combination of subject and author. Fleishchman has just the right amount of hyperbole, tongue-in-cheek humor and nitty/gritty details to pay homage to hisw subject. And there are wonderful photographs of the subject and the myriad places he visited/lived which add to giving a complete picture. Even thoughs well familiar with Twain's writings will learn something new and have fun along the way....less
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