Junior Owlets: Where the Moutain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

For January, the Junior Owlets read Where the Moutain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin.

MinLi and her parents live in the shadow of the Fruitless Mountain, a bare mountain where nothing seems to flourish.  They work hard, but have barely enough to eat.  Every night, MinLi listens eagerly to the stories her father tells about the Jade Dragon, the evil Magistrate Tiger, and the Old Man in the Moon.  MinLi’s mother hates the stories.  She says they are useless, and only make MinLi a dreamer.  MinLi decides she will find the Old Man in the Moon to try and change her family’s fortune.

- Really liked how the legends tied into the story.
- Liked the characters, particularly Minli.
- Really kept your interest.
- Liked mystical creatures & magic.
- Liked how the characters evolved and came to udnerstand the true meaning of happiness.
- Very thought provoking.
- Lots of adventure.
- Ended way too soon.
- Good book for all ages.
- Loved the illustrations.
- Liked the multiple storylines and how they tied up. Stories within stories.
- Loved the language.
- Feel good book
- Some parts were slower.
- Liked everything tied up together.

Final score: 9.166661 out of 10.

The next meeting of Junior Owlets will be on Saturday the 4th of Feburary 2012 at 9:00am.   The book up for discussion is Feather Brain and we we have a special guest, the book’s author, Maureen Bush!

From the book’s description:

Lucas has dinosaurs on the brain, but he’s a little short on friends. When he gets a new book on how to make model dinosaurs, he’s inspired to make one immediately. He’s not so inspired by his new dinosaur-making kit: all the box contains is a test tube of clear liquid and a few instructions. But when he mixes the liquid into his papier-maché goop, he gets much more than he bargained for, including the most unlikely friend.

If you’re a kid in grades 3 to 6 and are interested in joining Junior Owlet’s, we’d love to have you.  Membership is free and open all year.  Just give us a call at 403-287-9557, email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca or just drop in to one of the meetings.

Published in: on January 14, 2012 at 5:15 pm  Leave a Comment  

Senior Owlets: The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

This month, the Senior Owlets read The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness.

Todd Hewitt has never seen a woman. His mother was the last to die. He doesn’t remember her. When his people came to the planet to colonize it, everyone was infected with the Noise germ. The infection caused men’s thoughts to become audible. The infection also killed all women. Todd is the youngest, counting down the days until his 13th birthday. The he will be considered a man, and let into the secrets. But the, Todd from the girl in The Swamp.

Comments from the Senior Owlets:
Believable characters.
Really liked the dog, Manchee
Author did incredible job with all characters.
Characters were all very distinct and believable.
Really liked the portrayal of The Noise. The different fonts helped.
Some parts dragged.
Possibly more for a male audience with some of the violence.
Very deep themes.
Very symbolic.
Great discussion.
Made reader think.

Final score: 8.025

For the next meeting (on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012) the book up for discussion is Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.

From the book’s description:

Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first.

Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

If you’re a kid in grades 6 to 9 and are interested in joining Senior Owlets, we’d love to have you. Membership is free and you can join any time. If you’d like more information, call us at 403-287-9557, email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca or just pop into one of the meetings.

Published in: on January 11, 2012 at 1:53 pm  Leave a Comment  

Fledglings: I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

In the hubbub of the holiday season, we’ve fallen a bit behind on posting the reviews from Owlets and Fledglings, but as they say: better late than never.

The December selection for Fledglings was I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak.

Ed Kennedy admits he is a screw up.  He drifted in school, didn’t go to university, and now drives a cab because it’s easy.  But all that changes when Ed is hailed a hero after stopping a bank robber.  And now he has received a card in the mail.  It lists times and addresses.  Should he follow them?  Ed is not sure what to do, or what it all means.

Comments from the Fledglings:

Liked the characters.
Characters had depth and reasoning.
Liked interchange between characters.
Found them believeable.
Ending was a bit confusing.
Opening chapters sucked the reader in.
The whole idea was intriguing.
Really liked the characters, the plot, the seting.
Believeable dialogue.
Very funny in places, poignant in others.
Even secondary characters were well done.
Kept interest to very end.
Even the stinky dog was great.
Very deep book, multi-leveled.
Really like the author’s self insertion.

Final score: 8.8928571 out of 10.

The next meeting for Fledglings will be on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.  The book up for discussion is Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly.

From the book’s description:

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

If your a teen in grades 10 through 12 and are interested in joining Fledglings, please email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca, call us at 403-287-9557 or just drop into one of the meetings.

Published in: on January 3, 2012 at 2:34 pm  Leave a Comment  

Senior Owlets: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

This month’s selection for Senior Owlets was The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly.

The summer of 1899 was one of the hottest in rural Texas.  It was also the summer that Calpurnia (Callie) Tate, the only girl in a family of seven children, discovered her grandfather.  Grandfather had always lived with the family, but he was a distant, awe-inspiring presence that she and her brothers feared.  That summer, Callie and her grandfather became aware of each other when she asked the right question about grasshoppers.

Comments from the Senior Owlets:

Particularly liked the humour.
Great story.
Love the characters.
Granddaddy’s and Calpurnia’s relationship is such a joy to read about.
Characters well drawn.
A quiet novel.
Calpurnia symbolizes the evolution of the “new woman”.
Liked the scientific approach.
Like how the quotes from The Origin of Species foreshadowed what would happen.
Really good insight into the life of a young woman in 18993
Scientific detail was a definite plus.

Final rating: 8.3333333 out of 10.

In January, the Senior Owlets will meet to discuss The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness.

Todd Hewitt is the only boy in a town of men. Ever since the settlers were infected with the Noise germ, Todd can hear everything the men think, and they hear everything he thinks. Todd is just a month away from becoming a man, but in the midst of the cacophony, he knows that the town is hiding something from him — something so awful Todd is forced to flee with only his dog, whose simple, loyal voice he hears too. With hostile men from the town in pursuit, the two stumble upon a strange and eerily silent creature: a girl. Who is she? Why wasn’t she killed by the germ like all the females on New World? Propelled by Todd’s gritty narration, readers are in for a white-knuckle journey in which a boy on the cusp of manhood must unlearn everything he knows in order to figure out who he truly is.

If you’re a kid in grades 6 to 9 and are interested in joining Senior Owlets, we’d lo’ve to have you.  Membership is free and you can join any time.  If you’d like more information, call us at 403-287-9557, email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca or just pop into one of the meetings.

Published in: on December 8, 2011 at 7:24 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Junior Owlets: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

This month’s Junior Owlet’s selection was When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.

Miranda’s world is turned down when her best friend Sal wants nothing more to do with her.  He won’t even talk to her and tell her why.  Now she has to find new people to eat lunch with.  She has to walk home from school by herself, and pass by the homeless man who is always saying weird things.  And who can she tell about the mysterious notes that seem to predict the future?

Liked how it wrapped up all the stories in the end.
Confusing in parts.
Characters were very well developed.
Laughing man was really scary at times.
Excellent book.
Really like concept.
Definitely a book for an older reader.
Really made you think.
Difficult read for younger reader.
More a thinking book then an action book.
Little difficult to understand time concept.
Really like the characters.
Really got a taste for Miranda’s life.
Dragged in places.
Does help if have read A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle.
Like it better if have read several times.

Final score: 7.917647 out of 10

At January’s meeting the book up for discussion will be Where The Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin.

In the valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life’s questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family’s fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.

If you’re a kid in grades 3 to 6 and are interested in joining Junior Owlet’s, we’d love to have you.  Membership is free and open all year.  Just give us a call at 403-287-9557, email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca or just drop in to one of the meetings.

Published in: on December 3, 2011 at 2:37 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Fledglings: The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

The Fledglings book club met this week to discuss The Luxe by Anna Godbersen. 

1899. Manhatten, New York.  The Holland family is the envy of many.  They are old money.  The daughters, Elizabeth and Diana are everything young debutantes are expected to be.  Society is unaware that the family is struggling financially after Mr. Holland’s death.  It seems Elizabeth may have to marry rich to keep the family afloat.  But Elzabeth’s carriage slips on the icy roads and overturns near the East River.  Her body is never found. 

Comments from the Fledglings:

Well written. 
Typical plot.
Loved the descriptions of settings and clothing. 
Very like novels from the late 1800s. 
Setting was the best part of the book. 
Story itself was quite predictable. 
Descriptions were fabulous.
Characters were very believeable.
All of the characters were well drawn and had both good and bad qualities. 
Definitely better than thought it would be.
Everyone loved the cover — DRESSES!
Not a typical teen roamnce. 

Final rating: 7.625 out of 10

The next Fledglings meeting will be Tuesday, December 13th at 4:30pm.  The book being discussed is I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. 

protect the diamonds
survive the clubs
dig deep through the spades
feel the hearts

Ed Kennedy is an underage cabdriver without much of a future. He’s pathetic at playing cards, hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey, and utterly devoted to his coffee-drinking dog, the Doorman. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery.

That’s when the first ace arrives in the mail.

That’s when Ed becomes the messenger.

Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question remains: Who’s behind Ed’s mission?

If your a teen in grades 10 through 12 and are interested in joining Fledglings, please email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca, call us at 403-287-9557 or just drop into one of the meetings.

Published in: on November 16, 2011 at 4:45 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Junior Owlets: The Boggart by Susan Cooper

This month, the Junior Owlets (grades 3 to 6) read The Boggart by Susan Cooper.

When the Volnick family inherits a castle in Scotland, they have no idea tht is had been the home for centuries of a mischievious, pratcal joke loving shapeshifter known and the Boggart. Accidentally transported to Toronto, the Boggart finds many opportunities for mischeif making and trickery.  It’s up to the Volnick children to get him back home.

Comments from the Junior Owlets:

Loved all the characters.
Really enjoyed the humour.
Some parts slowed down, but if continued picked up again.
Computer part went on a bit long.
Some extremely funny parts.
Kept wondering what the Boggart would do next.
Glad that the Boggart got homesick at first rather than continuing to do tricks.
Liked the descriptions of the characters.
Liked how the Boggart’s description was elusive.
Would have liked more details.
Loved the theatre scene.  Good nex of funny & pathos.
Believeable characters.
Good build to climax.
Although an older book, it stands up well today.
Laugh out loud funny.

Final score: 9.1571428

The next Junior Owlets meeting will be on Saturday the 3rd of December at 9:00am.  The book under discussion will be When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.

By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it’s safe to go, and they know who to avoid. Like the crazy guy on the corner.

But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a kid on the street for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda’s mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then a mysterious note arrives, scrawled on a tiny slip of paper. The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows things no one should know. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she’s too late.

If you’re a kid in grades 3 to 6 and are interested in joining Junior Owlet’s, we’d love to have you.  Membership is free and open all year.  Just give us a call at 403-287-9557, email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca or just drop in to one of the meetings.

Published in: on November 5, 2011 at 3:04 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Senior Owlets: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

This month’s selection for Senior Owlets was The Maze Runner by James Dashner. 

He wakes up in an elevator.  The only thing he remembers is his name: Thomas.  The door opens, and he steps out into The Glade.  There are other boys there.  They have all arrived the same way Thomas did, with their memories wiped clean.  Beyond the stone walls of The Glade is The Maze, where the wall change every night, where the Grievers wait.  Every day the boys run the Maze, trying to solve it. 

Comments from the Senior Owlets:

Really enjoyed. 
Well written.
Excellent concept.
Liked the characters. 
Left with more questions after reading. 
Interesting idea.
Makes one think of a great computer; Greivers were the viruses and kids were the programmes. 
Wonder about the mind cleanse…was it selective for each?  How did certain characters have skills such as cooking?
Who were the first kids?
Kept reader interested. 
Liked how you didn’t notice things until Thomas did.

Final score: 8.866 out of 10

The next meeting of Senior Owlets will be on December 6th at 4:30pm.  The book up for discussion is The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly. 

The summer of 1899 is hot in Calpurnia’s sleepy Texas town, and there aren’t a lot of good ways to stay cool. Her mother has a new wind machine, but instead, Callie’s contemplating cutting off her hair, one sneaky inch at a time. She’s also spending a lot of time at the river with her notoriously cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist. But just when Callie and her grandfather are about to make an amazing discovery, the reality of Callie’s situation catches up with her. She’s a girl at the turn of the century, expected to cook and clean and sew. What a waste of time! Will Callie ever find a way to take control of her own destiny?

If you’re a kid in grades 6 to 9 and are interested in joining Senior Owlets, we’d lo’ve to have you.  Membership is free and you can join any time.  If you’d like more information, call us at 403-287-9557, email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca or just pop into one of the meetings.

Published in: on November 4, 2011 at 9:35 am  Leave a Comment  
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Fledglings: The Amanda Project by Amanda Valentino & Melissa Kantor

This month’s selection for our teen book club, Fledglings, was The Amanda Project by Amanda Valentino & Melissa Kantor. 

Mysterious, charismatic, and one of a kind — the only way to find Amanda is to think like Amanda. When enigmatic freshman Amanda Valentino arrived at Endeavor High, she chose three people — Callie, Hal, and Nia — to guide her through the choppy waters of her new school. Except she didn’t tell them about each other. When Amanda leaves, the three must reluctantly work together to figure out why. But once they start piecing together the cryptic clues that Amanda herself is leaving for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew about her is false. The more they dig, the mystery of where — and who — Amanda is deepens.

Comments from the Fledglings:

Much better book than thought would be.
Great characters.
Good chracter development.
Good documentation of social stratas in schools.
Very believeable characters.
Excellent mystery.
Kept you engaged.
Modern day mystery that captured attention. 
Lack of romance appreciated.
Lots of questions left unanswered.
Would have liked it to be longer. 
Book with such impact.
Intriguing idea to link with an interactive website.
Wonder what sequels are / will be like. 

Final score: 8 out of 10.

The next Fledglings meeting will be Tuesday, November 15th at 4:30pm.  The book up for discussion will be The Luxe by Anna Godbersen.

Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn.Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions. White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups. This is Manhattan, 1899.Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan’s social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City’s elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone — from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud — threatens Elizabeth’s and Diana’s golden future.With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city’s gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan’s most celebrated daughter disappear…In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.

If your a teen in grades 10 through 12 and are interested in joining Fledglings, please email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca, call us at 403-287-9557 or just drop into one of the meetings.

Published in: on October 21, 2011 at 9:10 am  Leave a Comment  
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Senior Owlets: Aarial by Collin Paulson

This month’s selection for Senior Owlets was Aarial by local author Collin Paulson.  Mr. Paulson was kind enough to join us for the meeting and we had an interested chat about the book and his writing. 

Dylan has never known a loving home and family.  He has been passed around through different group homes his entire life.  He is a troubled boy, miserable with his life and its challenges.  Dylan creates a fantasy world where he can do anything.  He is no longer at the mercy of others.  He is able to control is own destiny and make decisions for himself as the power of Aarial guides him on his quest. 

Character and setting excellent.
Drew reader in.
Some language seemed out of place. 
Some bits in Aarial were a bit awkward.
Enjoyed references to Calgary.
Really enjoyed realism of classroom.
Charcters in classroom were realistic.
Interaction between characters was excellent.
Favourite characters: Mr. Peters, Ted Dylan, Acorn.

Final score: 8.6

The next Senior Owlets meeting will be Tuesday, November 1st at 4:30pm.  The book up for discussion will be The Maze Runner by James Dashner. 

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

If you’re in grades 7-9 and are interested in joining Senior Owlets, please give us a call or visit us to register, or just drop into one of the meetings!

Published in: on October 11, 2011 at 3:40 pm  Leave a Comment  
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