Powers--Ursula K. Le Guin

Title: Powers
Author: Ursula K. Le Guin
Pages: 502 p.
Publisher: Harcourt
ISBN: 9780152057701

This is the third book in the Annals of the Western Shore series. The first was Gifts
The second one was Voices and I have somehow not posted it here. I must have been pregnant.

Powers is about a young slave boy named Gavir who is able to both remember the past exactly (photographic memory) and remember things that haven't happened yet (predict the future). He doesn't understand his visions until after they have already happened. He is happy enough for a slave, trusting his "Family" completely, until a tragedy strikes and he questions his entire existence. He escapes slavery and begins looking for his true home and identity.

Le Guin is a good story teller and has created a likable, albeit naive character. All of her main characters are flawed in some way--Orrec, Memer (from Voices) and now Gavir. The ending of this book links it to the previous two and hints at more stories to come. It looks as though Le Guin is gathering her heroes... perhaps in the end they will change their oppressive world and get rid of the conflict of occupied countries and slavery?

Although the story itself does stand alone, fans of the first two will want to read this one as well.
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Reading:
On My Nightstand:

Eclipse--Stephenie Meyer

I read this a while ago and just forgot to blog about it, because well, I forget things now. And have very little time. It's amazing how much time 2 children can eat up.

I can't even give a proper summary or review. Criminy. I liked it, not as much as Twilight. I don't like how it's turned into a straight-up romance instead of the vampire story I liked. I don't really like Jacob.... and Bella has become a bit of a twit. I just wanted to slap her.

I guess it sounds like I didn't like it... but I did enjoy reading it. I swear.

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Reading:
On My Nightstand:

Lady Friday (Keys to the Kingdom)--Garth Nix

Title: Lady Friday
Author: Garth Nix
Pages: 304 p.
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 9780439700887

I did not want to read this book. This might be surprising to those of you who have read my love letters reviews of the rest of the series (Mister Monday; Grim Tuesday; Drowned Wednesday; Sir Thursday ). Of course I *wanted* to read the book. I just didn't want to read it now--I thought I would read it while in labor and it would get me through it because I love this series so much. And then I started thinking what if I start it and then labor is really quick and I don't finish it and you know I'm not going to have the time once baby #2 is born. And that would be horrible! So I had to read it right away.

I'm going to spare you the summary of the series. Partly because you should just read the former reviews and partly because I'm not in the mood for intelligent coherent sentences.

In Lady Friday, the fifth book of the series, Arthur must find the 5th key and the 5th part of the will. Lady Friday has given him, the Piper and Superior Saturday the chance to find the 5th key by abdicating her control. Of course Arthur smells a rat and doesn't trust her "abdication." He decides to look for the will first and use the will to help him locate the key. Along the way he meets up with his old friends Suzy Turquoise Blue and Fred Initial Numbers Gold.

Once again Arthur's story is alternated with Leaf's. After defeating the spirit-eater from Sir Thursday she is hospitalized on Earth. Unfortunately for her the hospital is run by "Dr. Friday." Leaf is kidnapped by Dr. Lady Friday and transferred to one of the second realms. She learns of Lady Friday's unusual addiction and tries to battle her and get in touch with Arthur.

Fans of the series will not be disappointed in this latest installment. We know by now that of course Arthur will find the will and the key. He is the rightful heir. But will he use the keys? Will he sacrifice his humanity to save his Denizen friends? How far will he go to do the right thing?

In my last review (of Sir Thursday) I mentioned the previous trustees as having characteristics of the 7 deadly sins. Mister Monday--Sloth; Grim Tuesday--Avarice; Drowned Wednesday--Gluttony. I think those are the only ones that are really clear-cut. I'm not sure where Sir Thursday fits in. We've got Lust, Wrath, Envy and Pride left. Sir Thursday could fit Wrath--he did command an army. Lady Friday could fit Lust if you expand the definition to more than just sexual lust. She could also fit Envy--she was jealous of humans and their ability to sleep and dream and be mortal. I'm curious to see if I'm the only one who can see the connection... anyone else out there have any ideas?

Edited 5/14 3:3o pm: Ha! So I'm not reading too much into it! According to wikipedia (which we all know is the source of all knowledge), Lady Friday is afflicted with Lust. Ha ha! And yes, Sir Thursday is wrath. I didn't read any of this before I wrote my reviews. So of course now I'm wondering if the entire world is so much smarter than me. Sigh.
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Reading:
On My Nightstand:

New Moon--Stephenie Meyer

Title: New Moon
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Pages: 563 p.
Publisher: Little Brown & Co.
ISBN: 9780316160193

I was a little hesitant to read this because I had heard that it was not as good as Twilight and I loved Twilight... but I wasn't disappointed. Sure, it wasn't as good as Twilight, mostly because Edward's role in the book is largely reduced. But it was still good and the ending made it all worth it.

Those of you who have read Twilight will remember the star-crossed lovers, vampire Edward and human Bella. They overcome great odds and danger to be together. Unfortunately Edward and his vampire family cannot truly change their nature and it's a risk every time klutzy Bella spends time with them. She manages to slice her finger open at her birthday party and that starts a chain of events resulting in the Cullen family moving away to protect her. Of course being a typical teenage girl Bella doesn't see them leaving as a means to protect her, but rather as an indication that they never really loved her, and she feels especially rejected by Edward. After many months of numbness she discovers that she can hear his voice in her head if she does stupid reckless dangerous things. She starts on a path of danger, accompanied by her friend Jacob Black, who is harboring secrets of his own as well as a crush on her.

Most of the story centers on Bella and Jacob's deepening friendship while she struggles to remember Edward while not actively remembering him. Once Jacob starts behaving strangely it's easy to guess what his dark secret is and to predict an eventual confrontation between him and his natural enemy Edward. Jacob is not a replacement for Edward--for either the reader or for Bella. It's not until Edward re-enters Bella's life that the story really picks up.

There were quite a few typos in the book but most readers will probably skip right over them anxiously reading quickly to get back to Edward. The ending is as happy as it can be for these two perfectly (mis)matched lovers, leaving plenty of room for another sequel, hopefully after Bella graduates and Carlisle fulfills his promise. Fans of Twilight will eat this one up too.

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Reading:
On My Nightstand:

Twilight--Stephanie Meyer

Title: Twilight
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Pages: 498 p.
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
ISBN: 0316160172

I don't know why it took so long for me to read this book. I mean, for me to pick it up in the first place. Once I started, I zipped through it.

Bella moves to a rainy, dismal town to stay with her Dad when her mom marries a traveling baseball player. At first she hates the town, until she discovers Edward--a strange, alluring boy that she can't stay away from. Turns out Edward is a vampire, but he's a "good vampire" that doesn't drink human blood as much as he may crave it. Much like Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Edward drinks only animal blood and fights his desire for humans.

Bella and Edward fall in love, but being in love with a vampire has its obstacles.

When I say that I zipped through this book, I meant it. I loved it. I loved the unnatural forbidden relationship, much like Buffy and Angel, I loved Edward and his vampire family. The plot is interesting and thrilling and it's hard to put down the book. I can't wait to get my hands on New Moon--the sequel.

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Reading: King Dork--Frank Portman
On My Nightstand: More

Across the Wall--Garth Nix

Title: Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories
Author: Garth Nix
Pages: 305 p.
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 0060747137

This is a collection of short stories that are either new--like Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case--or previously published--like most of the others. I only read the first one, the only Tale of the Abhorsen, Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case.

Those of you that remember the Abhorsen series, will remember Nicholas Sayre as Sam's friend. This story is told from his perspective. He's back in Ancelstierre but yearns to go back to the Old Kingdom and see Sam and Lirael. He's given his chance when a mysterious free magic creature escapes from Ancelstierre and goes on a murderous rampage, heading for the Old Kingdom. Only Nick knows what the creature is and attempts to warn Lirael.

I liked the story, I liked reading Nick's side of things, but the very end was way too short. I wanted more between Nick and Lirael. I understand that this was just a story, and it was Nick's story of the creature, not a Lirael-Nick story, and I guess it's a good thing that I was left wanting more. But I really really hope I get more someday...

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Reading: King Dork--Frank Portman
On My Nightstand: more

The Book of Night with Moon--Diane Duane

Title: The Book of Night with Moon
Author: Diane Duane
Pages: 390 p
Publisher: Warner Books
ISBN: 0446673021

This book is set in the same universe at Duane's Young Wizards series, but is about cat wizards instead of the human Nita and Kit. Nita and Kit do make a brief appearance, as well as the senior wizard Carl, but other than that it's all cat. It took me quite a while to get into the story. Cats are responsible for maintaining the transport gates at Penn and Grand Central Station that wizards use to make transits without having to use their own energy on transit spells. Something goes horrible wrong with one of the gates and the cats in charge have to go to the downside--the reality that our reality is based on--to see what the problem is. While there they run into even bigger problems. Once the story got going I was more interested in reading it and wound up finishing it quickly. I'm not much of a cat person, but I enjoyed reading their views on the inferior species--humans. I was surprised at how many references to cat balls there were, but they were funny so it was okay.

I don't think it's necessary to read this in order to appreciate the Young Wizards series. It was a good enough read once it got going, but not on par with the other books.

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Reading:
On My Nightstand:

Wizards at War--Diane Duane (contains spoilers)

Title: Wizards at War
Author: Diane Duane
Pages: 552 p.
Publisher: Harcourt
ISBN: 0152047727

I read the first book in this series, So You Want to be a Wizard, when I was around 10 years old. That would be TWENTY years ago.

And I still love it just as much as I did then.

Wizards at War is the eighth book in the series. Having read the first 7 is required to truly understand and appreciate the eternal conflict between the Lone Power and the wizards. In this book the wizards must deal with expanding dark matter called pullulus. The pullulus is causing the universe to expand too quickly, causing senior wizards to lose their power and their faith, and causing regular humans to lose all emotion but anger. This is a dangerous situation and it's up to the young wizards to sort it all out. While Nita and Kit search for a powerful weapon to help defeat the pullulus, Dairine and Roshaun discover the pullulus is just a distraction--a diversionary tactic used by the Lone Power to cover up an even more important mission. The young wizards join forces to battle the Lone Power and help usher a new benevolent Power into the world, but not without casualties.

Spoiler:
In previous books Kit's dog Ponch began "making worlds" and exhibiting wizardly power himself. At the end of this book we know why. Each species is given a Choice--we learn that the Powers That Be offered the dogs more power and wisdom but only if they walk the new way alone and leave their human companions. The Lone Power offered them the world but only if they kill the people first. The dogs refused both offers. The Powers That Be understand their choice is made from loyalty and allow them to have some power but not all wizardry until they are faced with the Choice again. At the end of the book the dogs are faced with the Choice again and this time Ponch chooses the new way--in order to save Kit and his humans. Ponch becomes more than what he is, he becomes the dogs' version of the One, the Godlike Power that exists in every species. Ponch must leave Kit in order to do this but not without heartache and tears. There is a happy ending though and Kit discovers that Ponch exists in ALL dogs now and is not truly gone.

I sped through this book in just a few days. Fans of the series will not be disappointed. Duane has done a wonderful job of universe-building and it's easy to forget that this is fantasy and not science fiction. I look forward to reading the next one and hope there is a next one. This book had a finale feeling to it, but there's enough loose ends to warrant another story. And fans certainly want one.
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Reading: Dunno yet.
On My Nightstand:

Avalon High--Meg Cabot

Title: Avalon High
Author: Meg Cabot
Pages: 288
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2006
ISBN: 0060755865

Ellie starts her junior year at a new high school in a new town miles away from her friends and old school. Her parents are both professors--medieval scholars--and on sabattical to research their particular topics. Ellie's mother is an expert on the Tennyson poem the Lady of Shalott (who Ellie is named after--Lady Elaine who committed suicide after Lancelot spurned her for Queen Guinevere). Her father is studying an old sword. This brings Ellie to Annapolis and Avalon High. Although not excited to start a new school, Ellie changes her mind when she runs into Will, a boy she feels she has met before but just can't place. Ellie is instantly attracted to Will, but unfortunately he's dating the most popular girl in school, cheerleader Jennifer. Ellie's new friends try to hook her up with Will's best friend Lance but she definitely prefers Will, and Lance is smitten with Jennifer. Will's evil step-brother Marco turns out to be his half-brother and exposes Lance and Jennifer's secret relationship and then tries to kill Will.

Each of the characters is based on legend--A. Will Wagner is King Arthur, Jennifer is Guinevere, and Lance is obviously Lancelot. Marco is Modred and there's a teacher Mr. Morton who is clearly Merlin, although not as powerful or wise. Ellie's role seems obvious in the beginning but turns out to be a surprise.

I love Arthurian legend and I loved this twist on the once and future king. Cabot has written a realistic fiction romance novel with elements of fantasy and suspense. Knowledge of Arthurian legend enhances the reading, but is not required. Girls will definitely be drawn to this story, but the romance is not so overwhelming so it turns off boys. Although the characters are in high school, there's nothing preventing middle schoolers from enjoying the story. The romance never progresses past the kissing level.
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Reading: Doughboy--Pete Marino
On My Nightstand: Lots more

The Frog Princess--E.D. Baker

Emma is a princess escaping a boring prince-suitor by running to the swamp when she stumbles upon a talking frog. Claiming he is an enchanted prince who needs a kiss to return to his human state, the frog asks Emma to help him. Reluctant at first, Emma complies and instead of turning the frog into a prince, she turns into a frog. The two frogs embark on an adventure to return to their normal human selves.

The prince-frog needing a kiss from a princess is a classic story. The twist of Emma turning into a frog is a nice touch, but I was somewhat disappointed with this story. I think it's more of a juvenile or tween book than it is a teen book. I may have it classified incorrectly... there wasn't anything "wrong" with it, the writing was okay, it just felt like a teen book would have been a little deeper.

I think tween girls will love this book. It's a fairy tale with a fun twist. It's easy to read and has the appropriate amount of adventure, romance and magic.
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Reading: Nothing yet
On My Nightstand: Stress Free For Good-Fred Luskin; In Control: No More Snapping at Your Family, Sulking at Work, Steaming in the Grocery Line, Seething at Meetings, Stuffing Your Frustration.--Redford Williams

Sir Thursday (The Keys to the Kingdom)--Garth Nix

I think I am officially in love with Garth Nix.

Those of you who are unfamiliar with the Keys to the Kingdom series need to start with Mister Monday, then go on to Grim Tuesday, and finally Drowned Wednesday. This is not a series you can pick up in the middle and fully appreciate.

Arthur's dealing with the longest week of his life. Although it's just Thursday to his family, months and months have passed by for him because of his travels to the House and it's alternate time scheme. Thinking that he can go home after dealing with Drowned Wednesday and getting the 3rd Key and the 3rd part of the Will, Arthur is dismayed to discover that a spirit-eater is impersonating him on Earth. He cannot go back home until he destroys the spirit-eater and he can't do that at all because he's been drafted into the Army of the Glorious Architect. While he's at boot camp his friend Leaf returns to Earth and battles the spirit-eater. Arthur survives boot camp, but spends most of it not knowing who he is after he's been cleaned between the ears. It's not until Arthur is in battle that he begins to remember himself and his important mission.

Arthur must battle Sir Thursday at the same time he battles the curious New Nithlings led by the Piper. He must win the 4th key and free the 4th part of the Will while trying to avoid using it and turning more into a Denizen than he wants to be. He wrestles with the knowledge that saving the people of the House and the people of his world will require sacrificing a little bit of his humanity each time he uses his power.

Although it takes a while for the action to really begin, I loved this book. Leaf's battle against the spirit-eater is told in alternating chapters with Arthur's story. There's more religious allegory here too--Mister Monday is said to have failed because of his sloth (laziness), Grim Tuesday because of his avarice (greed), and I think it's clear Drowned Wednesday's sin was gluttony (she turned into a whale!). Although I enjoy seeing the underlying religious story, it's not necessary to understand or appreciate the series. Kids who don't pick up on it won't be missing out and people who don't want to see it won't be offended.

The book is a major cliff-hanger and I hope we see Lady Friday soon!

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Reading: Dunno
On My Nightstand:

Skybreaker--Kenneth Oppel

I loved this book. Loved. Devoured. Could not stop reading even though I was so tired and knew I would be up early the next morning.

Matt Cruse and Kate De Vries from Airborn have another sky adventure. Now a student at the Air Academy, Matt is struggling with his studies. Thinking that he would do well because of his natural skill, he is surprised by his difficulty with the numbers and physics and theory behind air travel. Kate offers him a chance to salvage a "ghost ship" and make his fortune. He, Kate and a young gypsy girl catch a ride with a new ship--a skybreaker--capable of flying at the dangerously high altitudes the ghost ship travels (in skyberia). Not only do they have to deal with airborn creatures, they also have to contend with pirates after the same loot.

I loved the story, I loved the relationship with Kate and Matt and the jealousy that arises when Matt befriends the gypsy girl and Kate befriends the young captain of the skybreaker. The adventure was good, the writing was good. There was a typo, but they did a much better job proofreading this one than the last one! Although it can be read as a stand-alone, it's so much better if you've read the first one and know the history. The story wraps up nicely but it would be great to see other adventures in later books.

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Reading:
On My Nightstand: Stormbreaker--Horowitz, others.

Drowned Wednesday (The Keys to the Kingdom)--Garth Nix

Oh Garth Nix, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways....
1. Sabriel 2. Lirael 3. Abhorsen 4. Mister Monday 5. Grim Tuesday 6. Drowned Wednesday.

I devoured Drowned Wednesday in just a couple of days. Arthur is at the hospital recupperating from a broken leg and telling Leaf all about his crazy adventures in the House when he decides to be proactive, return to the House and deal with Wednesday instead of waiting for her (she had already sent him an invitation to lunch that he couldn't refuse and claimed that transportation was arranged). Just when he decides not to wait for Wednesday's transportation and to do something instead of be vulnerable, his hospital room is flooded and he and Leaf are transported to a huge sea. Leaf is picked up by the ship meant for Arthur, but Arthur is stranded on his hospital bed. He manages to get picked up by a salvage ship, but not before disturbing some buried treasure and being marked with "the red hand" so he can't escape the wrath of the pirate who "owns" the treasure. Arthur must defeat the pirate, rescue Leaf, confront Drowned Wednesday, find the Third Part of the Will, get the Third Key, and save a whole bunch of lives before Wednesday is over.

This is a great adventure series that should appeal to loads of people. There's the familiar story of a boy who has been chosen to save the world when all he wants is to be left alone, but there's so much more to it. There's a lot of depth that older readers will appreciate. There's humor. Arthur is a very likeable character (did I say that last time?). I can't wait for the rest of this series!
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Reading:
On My Nightstand: Girls Dinner Club--Jessie Elliot

Grim Tuesday--Garth Nix

I finished the second book in The Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix last night. It took a little while for me to get into it. It wasn't as initially gripping as the first one was, but once the story picked up, I liked it.

Arthur thinks he can just go home and rest when he's done with Mister Monday, but once Tuesday hits he's faced with a whole new challenge! Grim Tuesday is the wielder of the Second Key and a cruel slave-driver. He's opened a pit to Nothing so that he can copy great works of art and sell them to the other Days. He's a cruel master and things are not going well. He tries to trick Arthur into handing over the First Key and Mastery of the Lower House by claiming that Monday owes him for all of the "stuff" he's given him over the centuries and that Arthur must repay Monday's debt. Arthur doesn't fall for it and is sent to the Pit. He must escape the Pit, find the second part of the Will, claim the Second Key, battle Grim Tuesday and control the leaking Nothing before he can even think about going home.

I can't wait to start Drowned Wednesday and I think Thursday comes out in March. This is a really unique series and there's so much in it on so many different levels. I highly recommend...

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Reading: Dunno yet
On My Nightstand: Girls Dinner Club--Jessie Elliot, others are coming

Mister Monday (The Keys to the Kingdom) -- Garth Nix

I don't know why I waiting so long to start this series. I finally picked the first one up just to see if it's really YA since so many libraries have it in J. I think it's YA. Definitely middle school, and that's YA in my library...

Arthur Penhaligon is starting seventh grade in a new school. Unbeknownst to him the entire seventh grade is forced to participate in a cross country run on every Monday, and naturally he's starting school on Monday. Even though he's a severe asmastic Arthur doesn't have a note from his doctor because he didn't know he needed to bring one... he tries to do the run anyway and winds up passing out.

While he's struggling to breathe he witnesses a strange interaction between a couple of men who just appeared out of thin air. A man being wheeled in a bath tub carriage gives Arthur a key (the minute hand to a huge clock) in the hopes that Arthur will die and he can take the key back having fulfilled his part of a Will demanding he give the key to a mortal. But Arthur doesn't die and is instead revived by the Key. Thus enters Mister Monday, the lesser Key to the House, and the strangeness begins...

I love Garth Nix. I loved the Sabriel trilogy. This isn't quite as great as that trilogy (at least not yet) but it's still pretty good. It's a great fantasy about a young boy who has to save the world when all he wants to do is be home and have friends. Kids who like Harry Potter will like Arthur and this series. There's so much more to it than a simple save the world scenario. Nix has created a really unique idea that I don't want to diminish by trying to explain. Careful readers will recognize the religious allegory, but it's not necessary for the story... kids who don't pick it up won't be any less satisfied. I think younger middle school kids will like the fantasy elements and older teens will like the deeper meanings.

I can't wait to start Grim Tuesday next...

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Reading: Grim Tuesday--Garth Nix
On My Nightstand: Drowned Wednesday-- Garth Nix

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince--J.K. Rowling

No spoilers here.

Much better than the last one...it felt much tighter, like it was actually edited. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say that I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next one and the conclusion of the series.

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Reading: Nothing
On My Nightstand: ??

Stravaganza: City of Flowers--Mary Hoffman

No time for a proper review... loved this book, not as much as the first one, but I still enjoyed it. It wraps up the series nicely while still leaving it open. Hoffman says on her website that she might write more but with different characters.

This one wasn't quite as strong as the first two, but I still recommend it. The entire series would be great to use in the classroom or as recreational reading.

Someday I'll write a better review, but not today.

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Reading: Nothing
On My Nightstand: Lots

Gifts--Ursula K. Le Guin

Take a gander at the date my friends, yes, that's right. I read another book. And it didn't take me 2 months! I'd tell you my secret but I don't feel like it.

Orrec and Gry are friends from childhood growing up in a mystical place. There are different families or lineages, much like clans, and they each have their own unique "gift." Some are benign like communicating with animals, but others are more sinister like "unmaking" (killing). Orrec's lineage is with the unmakers. Gry's family are callers--they can communicate with animals. While Gry uses her gift to train horses, her mother uses hers to call animals to the hunt--luring animals to be slaughtered. She pressures her daughter to do the same, but Gry would rather not call animals to be killed. Orrec longs for signs that he has the gift as well, until he and his father begin to believe that he has the "wild gift"-- a gift that cannot be controlled. To protect his family he blindfolds himself--he cannot harm them if he cannot see them. He and Gry learn to live without using their gifts.

Gifts is by the same author who did the Earthsea books. I loved those books. Gifts is not quite as strong as them, but it's still a pretty good book. The plot is interesting and the characters are well-developed (except for one who only exists to be an outsider that needs explanations so they can start the narrative), although Orrec is slightly annoying at times. Readers who enjoyed Lois Lowry's The Giver will also enjoy this one.

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Reading:
On My Nightstand:

Airborn--Kenneth Oppel

Crikey, I'm a loser.

I finished Airborn months ago. I liked it, liked the story--adventure, fantasy, little romance. Had some wicked errors--unnecessary words and at one point a character was referred to by a different name--but I still liked it. I think a movie is in the works.

I don't have the energy for a proper review.

I haven't been reading much. Too hard. Brain hurts. But I have lots on my nightstand waiting to be read. Soon as the boy can feed himself...

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Reading: As if
On My Nightstand: the Complete Hitchhikers's Guide to the Galaxy--Douglas Adams; a couple of YA books that looked good; Ultimate Breastfeeding Guide; American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Nutrition and Caring for your Baby up to age 5, can't remember the exact titles.

The Puppet Wrangler -- Vicki Grant

12 year old Telly is sent to stay with her aunt so her parents can deal with her rebellious older sister. Telly's aunt is a producer for a children's television show with puppets. While helping out with the show, Telly discovers that one of the puppets is actually alive.

Funny. Exciting. Main character Telly is great. She narrates the story and includes footnotes that are hysterical. Some farting humor, but who doesn't love that? The puppet, Bitsie is funny too. I think we've all imagined our dolls/stuffed animals/toys coming to life and what they would be like. It's funny to think of a puppet on a kids' TV show being so gruff and ornery and having to say lines like "Bitsiest Best Friend."

The kids like it and are responding to it, so I'd say okay to it being Top Shelf. It was certainly entertaining and different and stands out from the rest of the "problem novel" crap we usually get.

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Reading: Don't know yet
On My Nightstand: Lots