The Untold Story of Olive Osmond

Genre: biography/nonfiction
Ages: All

Growing up in the 70's and being a girl, I was in love with the Osmond Brothers and especially Donny Osmond. I watched every show they ever did and had all the records and posters and could (and still can)sing all of their songs! I also loved their family and the values and morals and standards by which they lived and conducted themselves. So, when I ran across this book about the spiritual matriarch, Olive Osmond, I knew that I wanted to read it! What a beautifully written book (written by her son Virl). It really told a lot about the woman who would lovingly be referred to as "Mother Osmond" by millions around the world. Even Elvis Presley revered her and would call her up to talk to her! I loved reading about her growing up years and then her marriage to her husband! It was so neat to read about her hobbies and abilities and her love of motherhood! What an inspiring book! I couldn't put it down! The world lost a wonderful woman when she passed away, but I'm sure the angels in heaven rejoice at having her with them! Very well written book!

Ruby Holler

Genre: Fiction
Ages: 4th grade and up

This is a lovely story about 2 high-spirited orphans and their struggle to find a place where they fit in. It is a really interesting surprise when they find a couple who accept them for who they are and love them faults and all. Very touching story and humorous too! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and some of the "surprises" that were found between the covers of this book! Very well written....it's a keeper!

Hate That Cat

Genre: Fiction/Poetry
Age: Grades 3 and up

This is the second book in a series. The first one was called, Love That Dog which I read years ago and loved. This one continues to follow the same little boy as he writes letters back and forth to his teacher about what he is learning about Poetry. As a cat lover, I didn't think I would like this book because I thought it would be negative towards cats, but it is very endearing and I absolutely loved it. It was also fun to read the different kinds of poems that the child writes as he learns about different poets' styles and then the poets' poems are in the book too. Great little book!

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Genre: Fiction
Ages: Middle School to Adults

I am a HUGE fan of the Twilight sagas and was surprised to find this book out. It is a very SHORT read and I finished it in just a couple of hours. It is told from the point of view of one of the new vampires that was created to battle against the Cullens. It is was very interesting to read from this point of view although a few times, it was a little confusing. The ending is predictable because you already KNOW what is going to happen to this vampire girl from reading the other books, but the point of view makes it an interesting story and gives the reader insight into the lives of the new vampires that are created in the story.

Dork Diaries

Genre: Fiction
Ages: Middle Grades 3-6

This was a fun book to read because it was written like a young girl's journal so you feel like you are reading someone's private thoughts. It follows a young girl as she enters a new middle school and her struggles to fit in, make new friends, and not be bullied and teased. VERY funny! I finished it in one night and really enjoyed it. It reminded me of The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books except this time, the main character is a girl! A couple of my students read this book at the end of the year after I told them about it and LOVED it! It was hard to get them to put it down!

Getting Started

Well, since I have a love for reading, I decided to start this blog just to have a place for me to write about the books that I have read, or am reading. I believe in the value of ALL books so I read everything from the easy children's books to books appropriate for my 5th-grade students, to adult selections. I love romance books, but find that I prefer those that are clean, wholesome romance books and not the raunchy trashy kinds. Anyhow, this blog is basically just for ME to think about things I have read and how I felt about them.