Tag Archives: book review

The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail by Richard Peck

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The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail is a novel by acclaimed author Richard Peck. The story is told from the perspective of a young orphaned mouse. He lives with his aunt in London, in a place near Buckingham Palace called Royal Mews.  Everything about his life is a question mark. He does not know anything about his parents, and he does not know his own name. His tail is even naturally shaped in the form of a question mark. He is much smaller than other mice his age, so people start calling him “Mouse Minor.”

Life is difficult for Mouse Minor. On his first day of school at the Royal Mews Mouse Academy, he is bullied by bigger mice. The bullying gets worse over time, so he tries to escape from the school. However, he is discovered by humans who are amazed to find a mouse dressed in a school uniform. This triggers a series of events that leads to a wild and exciting adventure, which will ultimately reveal the secret of Mouse Minor’s identity.

I really enjoy the characters in this book. My favorite character is Mouse Minor himself, but I like the other characters as well. Mouse Minor makes a friend named Ian, and I like how well they get along together. I also think this book flows really well. The story is full of twists and surprises. It is also surprisingly realistic, even though the story is about human-like mice. It reminds me of another favorite book of mine, which is Kate DiCamillo’s The Tale of Despereaux. Both books are quite similar and extremely enjoyable to read. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail by Richard Peck is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby. 

Book Review: Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress By Dai Sijie

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Recently, I read this book for my school’s international novels unit, and I’d have to say that this is one of the best books I’ve ever read, and probably one of the only times I actually really enjoyed reading a book that was assigned to me.

This book is set in China during the Cultural Revolution. The author actually based the experience of the main character, whose name is not explicitly revealed, and his friend Luo, on his own experiences being re-educated under the communist regime. The boys in this book, who are part of a group the ruling party classifies as “young intellectuals”, are sent away to the Chinese countryside under Chairman Mao’s re-education program, where they are “re-educated” by the peasants. However, ironically, the two boys end up being the ones exposing the peasants to Western ideas, which the author makes apparent since the start of the book, with the violin and alarm clock in their possession, which the peasants have not seen before.

The two boys are sent into a small village in the mountains, for the reasons above. Early in the book, the abilities of the boys are made apparent. The main character’s main talent is playing the violin, while Luo’s ability is being able to retell and tell a story with great emotional effect. Luo’s ability eventually allows them a slight reprieve from the grueling labor they are forced to do in the village, and they get to watch and retell films for the village.

Luo and the narrator eventually meet the daughter of a tailor, one of the wealthier people in the region they are in. He eventually falls in love with her, and they have a relationship together. Meanwhile, Luo and the narrator go to visit a friend nicknamed “Four-Eyes”, who was also sent to be re-educated, similarly to them. As the story goes on, he grows more suspicious of the other two, likely due to his paranoia.

A prevalent, repeated theme throughout the book is the unlikeliness that the boys will ever be allowed to go back to the city, as their parents were branded “enemies of the people” by the new regime. The boys frequently mention that their chance to return is around “three in a thousand.” However, they still do everything in their power to be considered to be allowed to return to the city. The concept of a power balance is also explored by the author throughout the book, as he establishes how the peasants are supposed to be the ones in power and educating the boys, but the items such as the alarm clock that Luo brings to the village govern the life of the villagers to some degree, and at the same time exposes and educates them about the outside world.

I won’t spoil the rest of this book, but this book was for sure one of the better books I’ve read throughout this year. I really enjoyed the perspective and detail the author put into writing this book, using an experience he actually went through to paint a vivid picture of what it was like. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes historical fiction or just want a great book to read in general.

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library.

The Count of Monte Cristo Book or Movie Review

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The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is a literary masterpiece with numerous movie adaptations. The novel’s essence, with its tale of betrayal, revenge, and redemption, remains intact across various film interpretations. However, as with any book-to-movie transition, inherent differences arise due to the nature of these two different mediums.

With hundreds of pages, Dumas’ novel provides an immersive experience, allowing meticulous character development and exploring plot intricacies. The book offers readers a glimpse into the complexity of Edmond Dantes’ mind, unraveling his psychological and emotional evolution with unparalleled depth. The novel also has subplots and details, enriching the narrative with layers that may be challenging to fully capture in a shortened movie format.

On the other hand, constrained by time limits, film adaptations must distill the novel’s essence into a finite duration. This often involves streamlining the narrative, potentially sacrificing some of the novel’s depth for brevity. Characters may be condensed, and certain subplots may be omitted to create a more streamlined and accessible viewing experience. However, this condensation does not necessarily diminish the story’s impact; it offers a different perspective, emphasizing visual storytelling, performances, and cinema to convey emotions and critical moments.

The power of cinema lies in its ability to bring stories to life immediately. The visual spectacle, coupled with a carefully curated musical score, can enhance the emotional resonance of pivotal scenes. The beauty of cinematic landscapes and actors’ charisma breathe life into characters, making them tangible for audiences. Yet, the challenge lies in balancing the need for brevity with the desire to retain the essence of the source material.
The Count of Monte Cristo, in both books and movies, is a captivating exploration of human nature, vengeance, and the indomitable spirit. Each medium, the written word or the silver screen, brings unique strengths to the narrative, offering audiences distinct but complementary experiences of this classical literary. Whether reading the novel or watching a movie adaptation, the tale of Edmond Dantes continues to captivate and resonate across generations.

So which is better? This is a subjective question, depending on the individual and preference. Some readers like me prefer the novel because of the reading experience. I appreciate the depth of the story, the subplots, and the character’s descriptions. Others may like the movie for the immediate emotion and the visual performances. Maybe you want both. Either way, it’s well written, and that’s why the Count of Monte Cristo earned its name in classical literature. What would you choose, a book or a movie?

Happy choices!
Bella H.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby. 

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

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In my English class, my teacher made us read The Outsiders, which is one of the most famous novels of all time. The Outsiders is about a group of friends with different backgrounds and personalities. The book’s main character, Ponyboy is a member of the Outsiders. At the start of the book, we learn about the rivalry between the Greasers and the Socs. Ponyboy is a Greaser, which are lower-class people, and the Socs are upper-class people. The book at the start leads us in the direction of the Socs being people without any problems, but throughout the book, we learn that the Socs do have problems of their own. While reading The Outsiders, I was very entertained by the story’s conflicts and the bond between the characters.

At the beginning of the book, we get to meet the protagonist, Ponyboy. Soon after, he gets jumped by a group of Socs while on a walk, but luckily gets saved by his friends, Steve, Two-bit, Johnny, Dally, and his two brothers Darry and Sodapop. Later in the book, Ponyboy runs into two female Socs. Through one of the girls, Ponyboy learns that Socs also have problems just like Greasers. Throughout the book, Ponyboy and his friends go through several life-changing events and character development. At the end of the story, Ponyboy learns that the world isn’t as black and white as he thought.

While I read the book, I had an amusing time reading it because of its various conflicts. Learning about each character’s different problems such as their love life and a character’s family problems makes the book a compelling read. Another part of the book I enjoyed was how the author demonstrated the bond between the characters. S.E. Hinton does an extraordinary job of showing how much each character cares about each other by using many events that demonstrate their powerful bond.

Overall, The Outsiders is one of the most captivating books to read. The most outstanding aspect of the book is the relationship between the characters. The author manages to show the bond between the main characters and even the friendship of side characters. Another marvelous part of the book is the different conflicts that each character suffers through. I highly recommend this book to other people of all ages since it can entertain a wide range of people.

-Matthew R.

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Cold Girls Book Review

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The book Cold Girls by Maxine Rae is about a girl named Rory Quinn-Morelli and her life before and after her best friend Liv’s death. The before story begins when Rory joins choir and she is placed next to Live in the alto section. They slowly start to become friends as Liv starts making small talk to her. The two start hanging out at each other’s houses and sneaking out to parties together. Soon Rory realizes that she is falling for Liv, who has a boyfriend. A few months later Rory is accepted into her chosen college and Liv is not. 

After a few months of being best friends Rory realizes two things 1) Liv knows Rory likes her and 2) Liv might like Rory too. Just as Liv leans in to kiss her, Rory backs away (because she doesn’t want to be the person to hurt Liv like people have before) and suggests that they leave the party. The two have fun and dance the night away. They both get tired and suggest going home. A car that runs a red light hits their car and Liv dies. 

The after story follows Rory after she reconnects with Liv’s parents and old friends. She starts finding peace in life and opening up to her therapist. The story ends with Rory finding letters Liv was going to give to her for her birthday. She lies down and listens to music she and Liv liked. 

One thing I loved about this book is how the author set it up. Maxine Ray created the story so both the before and after story would switch off each chapter. This showed the reader how she was affected by Liv in so many ways. I rate this book a 10/10 because all the emotions were so raw and real (I cried a few times while reading it). 

Cold Girls by Maxine Rae is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library.

Nineteen minutes By Jodi Picoult

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My English teacher  suggested this book to me on Wednesday (Feb 28) and, in just four days I finished it. This book is over 400 pages but was such an easy read. 

I’m not going to summarize the book, because there is no way too without spoiling it, but it’s basically a book about a school shooting and a deeper dive into the each person in that situation, including the shooter, and the legal issues behind it all.

The book has an insane twist at the end. You will be hooked at the start of the book and will want to read it all the way through, and possibly skip some parts to get to the “juicy” parts, but you should read every detail there possibly is.

In my opinion, this has got to be the best, most attention grabbing book I have read. It brings light to many things and aspects and uses specific moments and people to capture the reader. It also brings up the past to show a more in depth and explaining certain situations and who the characters are to one another. 

There aren’t enough words to describe this book and I don’t know how to make you want to read it, but just do. Trust me you will be shocked, amazed, confused, happy, angered all at once with the many plot twists Jodi Picoult has put into this book.

After reading this book, I will begin to read Small Great Things by her too and will let you know how it goes.

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby. 

-Zina K

Book Review; Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

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Ok, hear me out, even the cover of this book is beautiful. This book is beautifully written to the point that when there was a huge plot twist, I screamed in disbelief. This book was a heartwarming romance novel that I got for Christmas, I would never ever pick this book out for myself. I never expected to be interested in a book whose whole genre is people making out, but this one was much deeper than that (of course there was still making out). 

To start off, I love the main character, Madeline. She is amazingly written, so I will give you three reasons why she is one of the most realistic characters I have read about lately.

  1. She’s biracial. As someone who is biracial, whenever I read about someone like me, I immediately fall in love with the book because there is not a lot of biracial representation. She is ½ Japanese and ½ Black. I like how her ethnicity wasn’t everything, that happens often in books.
  2. She’s not perfect. I know, I know, I know, every main character isn’t perfect, but a lot are, or at least, their flaws are glamorized. Madeline’s flaws are presented in such a way that they appear suddenly, but you know they are always there. It’s like this; Say you know someone is super self-centered. You can see a little bit of their self-centeredness in everything they do, so when they do something really selfish, it doesn’t surprise you. It’s like that.
  3. She’s relatable in a way that teenagers get. She is written for the readers, but she is so well written that you believe she could be one of the readers. She’s completely lovestruck, but it’s not all she is. She has a life beyond that. She’s a nerd, but only in a way where you have nothing but school and books. Madeline is a teenager through and through 

Now let me actually give you a book review, sorry about that little tangent.

Madeline is not allowed to leave her house, if she does she will probably die. Madeline has SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency), so she is basically allergic to the world. Almost everything could trigger a hospital visit. 

The only people that Madeline has contact with are her mother, her nurse (Carla, who is amazing by the way) and her architecture tutor, but even that is a rare thing. Madeline’s father and brother both died in a car accident when she was a baby, so she only has her mom.

Around her 18th birthday, Madeline gets new neighbors across the street. She is immediately star struck by the teenage boy, Olly. I don’t want to describe him in detail but let me just tell you that Madeline uses almost half a page describing him. The two of them hit it off and start emailing each other.

The book is really sweet and surprisingly chaotic at the end. I have never been in love, or even in like, but I think that Madeline and Olly’s relationship is an accurate representation of teenage romances. It’s a pretty good romance book that I would recommend. 

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

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**This review will contain spoilers**

I’ve heard many great things about this took so decided to take a look at it for myself. It follows female main character. Lucy Hart and her adventure with wanting to adopt seven year old, Christopher Lamb. However, there are other plots beyond Lucy trying to build a family such as a subplot of romance, adventure, etc.

Lucy came from a traumatic childhood and wants to adopt Christopher so that he won’t grow up to be in the same position as herself–single and needing money. Lucy would comfort herself with books from her favorite author Jack Masterson who wrote the Clock Island series. The Clock Island series consists of a multitude of books that revolve around an array of characters and their journey on this island where the Mastermind lived there they would complete puzzles and riddles.

Knowing this comfort Lucy had a kid, she introduced Christopher to the books as well to provide a solace for him like she had when she was little. However, Jack Masterson hasn’t written in years but randomly decided to host a competition for someone to win the lone copy of his newest release. Whoever wins can do whatever they want with the book–sell it for money, send it to a publishing company, keep it to themselves, etc. Lucy is picked along with three other contestants at the opportunity to get this book.

While on the island, Lucy solves puzzles and riddles that help advance her position in getting the book. However, in the end no participant ends up winning but they all get rewarded with what they always wanted. In this case, Lucy always wanted to adopt Christopher and be able to afford her own living area which Jack Masterson has given to her.

The Wishing Game was truly a wholesome read and I encourage it for anyone who just wants a quick read for their 2024 reading journey!

-Madison C.

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Hating Game Book Review

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The Hating Game is an amusing and riveting read. The witty and charming characters, Lucy and Joshua make you yearn for more of their tangled love story. The evocative plot brings the book to life. In parts of the novel, the plot may get repetitive and languid. Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are a match made in heaven, however much of a cliche that is. Lucy is the bubbly girl next door who is kind to everyone, and Joshua is the cold-hearted guy whose heart is closed off to everyone.

They have a steamy office romance that involves obsessive behaviour that one may experience from their first feelings of love. The intimacy of their relationship really draws you into the pages with their open and sweet conversations as the book moves on. Joshua does hold a soft spot for Lucy who has her guard up towards her coworker and supposed nemesis because of their conflict, gunning for the same top position.

This is your typical enemies to lovers but with a splash of office romance in it. A love triangle appears for a short while causing jealousy and sparking outrage in the two. They both have jealous natures which causes most of the conflict in the story. However, as you read on, your heart aches for the two as they may just close off their hearts to each other. The slow burn that the author involves makes you want to get to the end faster and you just cannot put the book down. This book captures the essence of your typical forbidden office romance.

If you enjoy a steamy office romance, enemies to lovers, or forced proximity, The Hating Game by Sally Thorne checks off all of the boxes.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

A Wrinkle in Time-Book Review

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A Wrinkle in Time is the first book in Madeleine L’Engle’s Time Quintet. It is a science fiction book with some elements of mystery. The story is about a girl, Meg, who has not heard from her father since he disappeared on a government mission. She seems to be struggling without his presence, only focusing on classes they bonded over like math and science. Meg has a hard time making friends as she is an opinionated young middle schooler. Her younger brother, Charles Wallace, is a child prodigy who also is “socially awkward” compared to others. One day on the way back from school, they meet another kid named Calvin who is older than Meg. They are visited by Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which,  beings from another dimension that Meg’s father is lost in. These beings take Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin into the 5th dimension to find their father. 

This book experiments with time travel and scientific theories like the 5th dimension. However, it is not the average science fiction story. The tale gets quite deep and emotional at times when the characters go through their family issues. It is relatively simple to understand, however, it can be complicated once they describe “tessering” (traveling between space and time in dimensions). Overall I would give this book a 7/10. It was interesting but the pacing of the book seemed a bit off. I did not feel that there was enough time spent during the “final battle” and the conclusion seemed rushed. But I would recommend this book for sixth graders who enjoy complex science fiction.

-Janna G.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby.