Loralee Evans's Blog: Loralee Evans, page 13
April 26, 2023
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is a delightful story about four gifted children who are brought together to help the kindly Mr. Benedict take on the sinister Mr. Curtain in Mr. Curtain's bid to take over the world.
Posing as youngsters interested in Mr. Curtain's exclusive "school" (actually a training ground to recruit followers) they infiltrate Mr. Curtain's domain and look for ways to stop him from taking control of society. Will they be able to do it with Mr. Benedict's help, and the help of other good guys, like the mysterious (though constantly sad) Miligan, and Mr. Benedict's other friends? Read the book and find out! It's a great book for kids as well as adults. I was delighted to find out that this story has been made into a series on Disney plus. While I cannot give an opinion on Disney's adaptations of the book, since I haven't watched them, I still think it's pretty great that such a fun story has been put on film!
Posing as youngsters interested in Mr. Curtain's exclusive "school" (actually a training ground to recruit followers) they infiltrate Mr. Curtain's domain and look for ways to stop him from taking control of society. Will they be able to do it with Mr. Benedict's help, and the help of other good guys, like the mysterious (though constantly sad) Miligan, and Mr. Benedict's other friends? Read the book and find out! It's a great book for kids as well as adults. I was delighted to find out that this story has been made into a series on Disney plus. While I cannot give an opinion on Disney's adaptations of the book, since I haven't watched them, I still think it's pretty great that such a fun story has been put on film!
April 5, 2023
A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck tells the story of siblings Joe and Mary Alice and the few weeks every summer they spend with their very interesting grandma, from the time they're little to the time they're young teenagers.
The brother and sister who are from Chicago, have various adventures with their grandma who lives in a small town, from "borrowing" a boat to go fishing where they're not legally allowed to fish, to helping an abused young woman and an overly controlled young man escaped their situations with the help of some old clothes, and old lantern, and a ghostly legend. The stories are delightful and while funny, also teach the reader valuable life lessons about honesty and owning up to mistakes. The ending of the story is especially touching. I recommend the book to young people as well as adults. A Long Way from Chicago was published in 2000.
The brother and sister who are from Chicago, have various adventures with their grandma who lives in a small town, from "borrowing" a boat to go fishing where they're not legally allowed to fish, to helping an abused young woman and an overly controlled young man escaped their situations with the help of some old clothes, and old lantern, and a ghostly legend. The stories are delightful and while funny, also teach the reader valuable life lessons about honesty and owning up to mistakes. The ending of the story is especially touching. I recommend the book to young people as well as adults. A Long Way from Chicago was published in 2000.
The Hope of Elephants by Amanda Rawson Hill
The Hope of Elephants by Amanda Rawson Hill is a novel told in free verse by a young cancer patient.
Her dad has had cancer several times, but now it's her turn. And why is the "Elephants" in the title part of the story? Because Elephants don't get cancer. At least they don't get it at the same rate humans do. The story itself is told in lovely free verse poems, using a balance of humor and grief. I found it to be sweet and painful at the same time, and I would recommend this book to young people and adults. Especially those who have been affected by any type of cancer.
Her dad has had cancer several times, but now it's her turn. And why is the "Elephants" in the title part of the story? Because Elephants don't get cancer. At least they don't get it at the same rate humans do. The story itself is told in lovely free verse poems, using a balance of humor and grief. I found it to be sweet and painful at the same time, and I would recommend this book to young people and adults. Especially those who have been affected by any type of cancer.
Secrets of the Looking Glass (The Lost Wonderland Diaries book 2) by J. Scott Savage.
Secrets of the Looking Glass by J. Scott Savage is a fun book for kids and adults. Friends Celia and Tyrus are off on another adventure.
Tyrus is a book geek, and Celia struggles to overcome her dyslexia. I love the combination of the two characters and how they complement each other. In this story, the two friends are split. Meaning each one has a part of him or her split off, and each becomes two separate people. Tyrus becomes Ty and Tyrus, Celia becomes Lia and Celia. Not having read Carroll's original works I can't compare them, but I really did enjoy this story. I love how the characters are so relatable and have realistic struggles that they work courageously to turn into strengths.
Tyrus is a book geek, and Celia struggles to overcome her dyslexia. I love the combination of the two characters and how they complement each other. In this story, the two friends are split. Meaning each one has a part of him or her split off, and each becomes two separate people. Tyrus becomes Ty and Tyrus, Celia becomes Lia and Celia. Not having read Carroll's original works I can't compare them, but I really did enjoy this story. I love how the characters are so relatable and have realistic struggles that they work courageously to turn into strengths.
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis was not the first book written in the Chronicles of Narnia, but it was the first that happened in the series' timeline.
It follows the story of two friends, Polly Plummer and Diggory Kirk (who later became the Professor Kirk in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe). They become friends after Diggory and his mother Mable, who is dying from some unexplained disease, move in with Mable's brother and sister who are both unmarried so that they can more easily care for their sister. (Diggory's father is away in India, at this time, and can't help.) One day, the two friends stumble upon an adventure when Andrew, Diggory's unscrupulous uncle, decides to use them in an experiment traveling between dimensions. They find themselves first in what they called "The Wood Between the Worlds" a sort of between place they compare to the shared attic back home that all the houses in their row of houses share. After this, they find themselves in Charn where they (mainly Diggory) accidentally wake up Jadis, the evil queen who is the cause of so many of Narnia's troubles later. And then, after a mishap at home in London, they, Uncle Andrew, the queen, a horse named Strawberry, and Strawberry's owner Frank, find themselves in a brand new Narnia. Diggory, hoping to find some fruit in this new world that would cure his mother, wants to ask Aslan the Lion for some help. But first, Diggory, having brought Jadis, needs to do something to protect Narnia from her. Overall, the story is lovely, and a great tale that will entertain and cheer both children and adults. The story was first published in 1955.
It follows the story of two friends, Polly Plummer and Diggory Kirk (who later became the Professor Kirk in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe). They become friends after Diggory and his mother Mable, who is dying from some unexplained disease, move in with Mable's brother and sister who are both unmarried so that they can more easily care for their sister. (Diggory's father is away in India, at this time, and can't help.) One day, the two friends stumble upon an adventure when Andrew, Diggory's unscrupulous uncle, decides to use them in an experiment traveling between dimensions. They find themselves first in what they called "The Wood Between the Worlds" a sort of between place they compare to the shared attic back home that all the houses in their row of houses share. After this, they find themselves in Charn where they (mainly Diggory) accidentally wake up Jadis, the evil queen who is the cause of so many of Narnia's troubles later. And then, after a mishap at home in London, they, Uncle Andrew, the queen, a horse named Strawberry, and Strawberry's owner Frank, find themselves in a brand new Narnia. Diggory, hoping to find some fruit in this new world that would cure his mother, wants to ask Aslan the Lion for some help. But first, Diggory, having brought Jadis, needs to do something to protect Narnia from her. Overall, the story is lovely, and a great tale that will entertain and cheer both children and adults. The story was first published in 1955.
March 1, 2023
Shawn the Sheep: Spring Shena-a-nigans - Movie Review
Shawn the Sheep, produced by Universal Studios, is a fun protagonist that children and adults as well, can relate to. Shawn, the leader of a group of good hearted sheep live on a farm with the farmer, a near-sighted, single, middle-aged farmer, and Farmer's dog, Bitzer.
The group of them have all sorts of adventures and misadventures in this particular movie, Shawn the Sheep: Spring Shena-a-nigans, as well as the other movies Shawn and his pals are in. There is no actual dialogue in any of the Shawn the Sheep movies. Everyone, including the Farmer, mumble or issue other nonsense sounds. However, what happens is quite clear even without words from the expressions and behavior of the characters. I personally like this, since the story can be enjoy by anyone regardless of language. I enjoy all of the Shawn the Sheep stories, and recommend them to adults and children alike.
The group of them have all sorts of adventures and misadventures in this particular movie, Shawn the Sheep: Spring Shena-a-nigans, as well as the other movies Shawn and his pals are in. There is no actual dialogue in any of the Shawn the Sheep movies. Everyone, including the Farmer, mumble or issue other nonsense sounds. However, what happens is quite clear even without words from the expressions and behavior of the characters. I personally like this, since the story can be enjoy by anyone regardless of language. I enjoy all of the Shawn the Sheep stories, and recommend them to adults and children alike.
Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder is an enjoyable story about a little boy named Almanzo Wilder growing up in New York state in the 1800s.
He's nine years old and his father doesn't think he's old enough to be trusted to train horses. But little Almanzo's burning dream is to train horses someday. Through all his growing up, he has a lot to deal with. From school bullies threatening to beat their teacher up, to cousins visiting and teasing the colts with Almanzo getting blamed, little Almanzo has a lot to deal with. Will all his growing and learning convince his father that Almanzo is big enough to help train the colts? Read the book and find out!
He's nine years old and his father doesn't think he's old enough to be trusted to train horses. But little Almanzo's burning dream is to train horses someday. Through all his growing up, he has a lot to deal with. From school bullies threatening to beat their teacher up, to cousins visiting and teasing the colts with Almanzo getting blamed, little Almanzo has a lot to deal with. Will all his growing and learning convince his father that Almanzo is big enough to help train the colts? Read the book and find out!
The Sword and The Scoob- Movie Review
The Sword and the Scoob, a Scooby Doo adventure, is a fun, family friendly adventure that involves the members of Mystery, Inc., Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, and Fred.
This time while visiting an English town where Shaggy's ancestors lived, they're mysteriously transported...somewhere. Is it into the past?! To deal with a wicked sorceress, Morgan LaFai, and save Camelot as well as a clueless but goodhearted King Arthur. Can the gang save the day this time? Scooby Doo: The Sword and the Scoob was directed by and .
This time while visiting an English town where Shaggy's ancestors lived, they're mysteriously transported...somewhere. Is it into the past?! To deal with a wicked sorceress, Morgan LaFai, and save Camelot as well as a clueless but goodhearted King Arthur. Can the gang save the day this time? Scooby Doo: The Sword and the Scoob was directed by and .
February 1, 2023
Mysteries of Cove: Fires of Invention by J. Scott Savage
Mysteries of Cove: Fires of Invention by J. Scott Savage is the first book in an exciting series.
Trenton Coleman finds himself teaming up with a new friend, Kallista Babbage, the daughter of a *gasp* inventor to uncover clues her father left behind when he mysteriously disappeared, and find themselves building a strange machine. But for what purpose? In an underground community where invention and inventor are bad words, can Trenton and Kallista still convince people that there's a purpose to this strangely shaped invention her father left behind for them to find and put together? Read the book and find out!
Trenton Coleman finds himself teaming up with a new friend, Kallista Babbage, the daughter of a *gasp* inventor to uncover clues her father left behind when he mysteriously disappeared, and find themselves building a strange machine. But for what purpose? In an underground community where invention and inventor are bad words, can Trenton and Kallista still convince people that there's a purpose to this strangely shaped invention her father left behind for them to find and put together? Read the book and find out!
The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite books in the Narnia series.
In it, Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole are drawn to Narnia to rescue a kidnapped prince. But because of a fear of heights that Jill has, the pair start to muff things up. First, Jill accidentally pushes Eustace off a cliff, then Eustace doesn't recognize an old friend (since time passes different on Narnia than on Earth). And this isn't the first mistake the two friends make! But with a gloomy yet likeable guide and with the help of Aslan, the two friends might just stand a chance of rescuing the prince!
In it, Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole are drawn to Narnia to rescue a kidnapped prince. But because of a fear of heights that Jill has, the pair start to muff things up. First, Jill accidentally pushes Eustace off a cliff, then Eustace doesn't recognize an old friend (since time passes different on Narnia than on Earth). And this isn't the first mistake the two friends make! But with a gloomy yet likeable guide and with the help of Aslan, the two friends might just stand a chance of rescuing the prince!
Loralee Evans
Hello, I am the author of The King's Heir, and The Birthright, both published by Cedar Fort. They are based on stories from the Book of Mormon, and both have similar characters in them, though either
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