Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The Book Review Club (May 2012)

I'm not sure where April went! But here we are, gathered together on the first Wed. of the month for our monthly Book Review Club. And it's May! There's an interesting selection of books reviewed. Just scroll down past my review for the links. You'll be so happy you did!

SABLE ISLAND, THE WANDERING SANDBAR by Wendy Kitts
(listed for 7-9 year olds, which makes no sense to me. I loved it!) 

About a month ago, I found myself seated next to Wendy Kitts at a book signing here in San Diego. It turns out Wendy is a fellow Canadian, originally from Moncton, New Brunswick, but now living in Toronto, Ontario (my hometown). We started chatting and immediately hit it off. Love it when that happens! Wendy spends several months a year in San Diego, so we've planned to get together the next time she's down. I'm looking forward to it.

 I bought SABLE ISLAND and had Wendy sign it for Child #4's upcoming birthday later this month. Then I snuck-read it for this review. SABLE ISLAND is 90-page, non-fiction book about Sable Island, a small island (42 kilometers by 1/2 kilometer), often shrouded by fog, in the Atlantic Ocean. The book is printed on thick, shiny paper with lots of fantastic photos (many taken by the multi-talented author!) and neat sidebars. This gorgeous book is full of cool tidbits.

Some cool tidbits:
-When you walk on Sable (means "sand" in French) Island, the sand actually sings. You need certain conditions for this (super dry sand, round quartz grains). Not all singing sand sounds the same. In case you were wondering.
-There is only one tree on the island. A Scots Pine. The tree's nickname? The Sable Island National Forest. Yes, we Canadians have a wry sense of humor! Make that humour!
-Between 200-400 wild horses live on the island. How they got there is a mystery. There's a great story in the book about how Diefenbaker, Canada's 13th Prime Minister, saved the Sable Island horses.

That's it. You'll have to read this seriously fascinating book for additional cool tidbits. ;)

 Learn more about SABLE ISLAND and  the author by visiting Wendy Kitt's website.  

Oh, and speaking of cool things, be sure to check out the great reviews below!

MIDDLE GRADE/YOUNG ADULT BOOK REVIEWS
Staci of Life in the Thumb: PHANTOMS IN THE SNOW by Kathlee Benner Duble (middle school, adventure)

Stacy Nyikos: WHERE THINGS COME BACK by John Corey Whaley (young adult)

Ellen Booraem of Freelance Ne'er-do-well: AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES by John Green

Sarah Laurence: FEED by M.T. Anderson (young adult)

ADULT BOOK REVIEWS
Scott Parker: EMPEROR MOLLUSK VERSUS THE SINISTER BRAIN by A. Lee Martinez (science fiction)

Patti Abbott: DEFENDING JACOB by William Landay

Beth Yarnall: NEARLY DEPARTED IN DEADWOOD by Ann Charles (mystery)

Jenn Jilks of Cottage Country: FALLEN by Traci L. Slatton

Prairie Rose of Prairie Rose's Garden: THE FLIGHT OF GEMMA HARDY by Margot Livesey

Alyssa Goodnight of the Writers' Road Less Traveled: THE RESTORER by Amanda Stevens (paranormal romance)

Note to Reviewers: Any errors (broken link, missed review, etc), just shoot me an email or leave a comment. Thank you so much for your reviews!