Alvin is My New Favourite Name!

I have a new favourite boy in my life and his name is Alvin, Alvin Ho.

Think - Scaredy Squirrel as a Asian Grade 2 boy living in Concorde, Massachusettes.

A True Princess

Do all young girls love reading stories about princesses or even dream of being a princess themselves?  I know I did and my love of princesses even followed me into my teens when I would devour books about young Princess Elizabeth before she became Queen of England.

If you do love princess stories I think you will like "A True Princess" by Diane Zahler who has previously written another, "The Thirteenth Princess" based on the fairytale "The Twelve Dancing Princesses".  This  one is also based on a familiar fairy tale but I dont think I will reveal which one. It would only spoil your guessing. 

This story begins, not in a palace, but in a poor cottage in the woods, where Lilia is an adopted daughter in this family after having been found floating in a basket in the river when she was a very small child. She is the adored "sister" of Kai and Katrina but their new step-mother has always treated Lilia with disdain and dislike. After hearing plans to have herself sold off Lilia decides to leave and head north up the river to see if she can find her own true roots.  But before she goes more than a few miles her beloved brother and sister catch up and insist on accompanying her. All goes well until they come to the menacing and enchanted Bitra Forest. "Stay on the path" they are warned....or they will be lost forever.  You know what is going to happen... Kai races after their dog into the forest and the girls chase after him and find themselves.....lost.

There is a price to pay to find their way to safety and Lilia and Katrina are allowed to head to the northern castle to discover a treasure fit for an elf-king or his greedy daughter. Only they discover much, much more.

While this story is somewhat predictable, Lilia is a likable character...loyal to her friends and courageous to boot.  There are enough twists and turns to keep you engaged and of course they all "live happily ever after".  A dream come true.

It has been a very long time since I have posted comments about the books I have read. During the past 8 months I have read many many titles, some good, many so-so.  I am always searching for the best.

This book, "The False Prince" by Jennifer A. Nielsen, was one of the good ones....so good I read it twice. The first time for the story...the second to see how the author did such a brilliant job of saying things that had such deeper meanings that you don't really get until the end.

Imagine you are an orphan living from day to day in an orphanage where there is never enough food and you are constantly getting into trouble. Imagine a nobleman abducting you away from this life with the devious plan of having you or two other chosen orphans, impersonate long a long lost prince in order to gain control of the country that is in danger of civil war.

This is what happens to Sage who has no intention of going along with this plan but the only other option is now death. Unwillingly he participates, but always with a smart comment that makes you laugh and shake your head at his audacity and with a more devious plan of his own.

This is an extraordinary adventure that has layers of treachery and deceit. When the truth finally unfolds you will be captivated 

Sage is  clever, witty and more wise than you can imagine. Yet he has great depth and it is this and his compassion for his fellow orphans that endears him to the reader.

Read it. Perfect for grades 4-7.