Day 24: 45 Days of Summer

Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

Okay, I had this book checked out from the public library forever and had to return it. I admit, I almost returned it without reading it. But then I decided to crack it open (ha, ha).

I am SO glad that I took the time to read it (and incur the late charge).

I can only describe this book by using the publisher's words: This is From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankwiler meets Chasing Vermeer.

And to that I would add "meets Monuments Men."

4th grade me would have ADORED this book. And grown-up me is kind of in love with it too.

Best for: grades 4-7.

Day 10: 45 Days of Summer

Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects by Sophie Maletsky

I discovered this book (and the publisher) at a recent Library convention. YAY for providing hours and days of fun and crafting for the tween daughter! 

Have a crafty teen/tween in your house? 
Too hot to go outside? 
Too rainy to go outside? 

GET THIS BOOK! And a gift card to your local #craft store. 

Best for: middle school and high school (and adult!)

Day 7: 45 Days of Summer

Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett. Illustrated by Matthew Myers

For every kid who’s ever wanted to write their own book. 

Or felt that a book needed more action and battle scenes. 

Not that I’m recommending you draw all over library books, but Battle Bunny is a terrific adventure. 

And a fun idea for all those books headed for the garage sale bin. 

Go Agent Alex!

Best for: Kindergarten - 2nd grades

Review: Heist Society (Carter)

Title: Heist Society
Author: Carter
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Adventure, Thieves
Pages: 287
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Okay, a small confession...when I booktalked this title for Summer Reading in June and made it a "Top 10" title for 7th grade, I had not actually finished it.  Shhhhh!  It will be our little secret.  Having finally hit a funk in my reading, I remembered that I needed to finish this title.  So this is how I spent my Saturday night.  Time well spent, I promise!

Katarina Bishop is the daughter of a thief, from a family of thieves.  She grew up helping her father pull off some notorious heists.  But what Kat really wants is to give up the family business and become a "normal" teen.  She enrolls herself in a boarding school, lies about her past, and tries to blend in.  It takes all of three months before she's expelled and back in the family fold.

When her father is accused of stealing 5 very rare, very valuable paintings from the wrong guy, Kat has 14 days to prove he is innocent.  And the only way to do that is to figure out who did steal the paintings, where he hid them, and "return" them to their rightful owner.  Of course, the only way to return the paintings is to steal them back.  Which Kat sets out to do, with a group of teenage thieves who are also part of the "family."

The entire time I was reading, I could picture the settings and the characters in my head.  It would not be a surprise to me to see this book come to life in theaters soon.  In fact, I was casting the roles while I was reading.  Think "Ocean's 11" in Europe, with teenagers.

Kat is a great character.  Strong, smart, and witty.  You root for her the entire time.  Hale, her co-conspirator/possible love interest, is the perfect match for her (if only she would realize it).  The rest of the characters are terrific...Marcus the butler is quite possibly my favorite. 

The writing immediately draws you into the story.  There is just the right mix of details, adventure, and intrigue to keep you reading.  In fact, you will want to finish quickly in order to find out just "whodunnit."  This is anything but a typical story of thieves and heists.  Carter has added twists and turns and originality to set this story above the rest in the genre.  A thoroughly enjoyable read with an intriguing cast of characters.  There must be a sequel...One can only hope.

Leonardo Da Vinci: The Genius and the Exhibit

This is Day 4 of our Washington, DC adventure.  It has been HOT (broke a 116-year-old record when it hit 100 degrees yesterday) and we tend to cool off by visiting the museums, most of them Smithsonian-affiliated...think "Night at the Museum!"  Today, we decided to venture off the Smithsonian beat and find the National Geographic Explorer's Hall.  Completely worth it!!  There was an exhibit of Leonardo Da Vinci's drawings and inventions that was amazing!  It also included an exhibit of "25 Secrets of the Mona Lisa."  Art fans would really enjoy this. 

All I can say is WOW...such a genius.  And hooray to National Geographic for having such a great museum to explore.  Not too big, and the best museum store.  What else would you expect from the people that publish great books for adults and kids and run the NatGeo channel?

Above and beyond his paintings (yes, he's the "Mona Lisa" guy), I have always been fascinated with the inventions of Da Vinci (that's the geeky scientist in me), and would love the opportunity to have just one hour to talk with him.  Since that is never going to happen, I have to settle for what is written by him and about him.  Here are two wonderful "teen" biographies of the man that you might enjoy reading:

Leonard da Vinci: The Genius of the Renaissance by Phillips (published by National Geographic!)

Leonard da Vinci (Giants of Science series) by Krull



So, if you could invite anyone from history to dinner, who would it be?  And why?