Born Later Literary Opinions Group (BLLOG: Ages 11-13)

Born Later Literary Opinions Group (BLLOG: Ages 11-13)

BLLOG (that is, "Born Later Literary Opinions Group") is the SUPER-COOL advanced reader review group for peeps ages 11-13. Each month we read one ARC (or "Advanced Reader Copy") of a book which has yet to be published--sorta like a really, really cool sneak peek!--along with one already-published book.

THIS MONTH (February) we're reading THE BFG by Roald Dahl and THE CABINET OF EARTHS by Anne Nesbit (that ARC we mentioned!)! We're meeting on a SUNDAY sometime next month! (Date TBD)

If you are interested in joining, call the store at 612-920-5005 and talk to Chad!

Check out our reviews below of the books we've been reading and enjoying recently.

The One and Only Ivan (Hardcover)

By Katherine Applegate, Patricia Castelao
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780061992254
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: HarperCollins, 1/2012
Other Editions of this Title

CONGRATS to Katherine Applegate for winning this year's BLLOGBERY AWARD! Awarded annually, beginning this year, the BLLOGBERY honors the favorite book, chosen by the BLLOG members, from the past year. This is also our most recent book.

Among the rave reviews:

"I (HEART) this book! It was so CUTE! I would so go see this if it were a movie!" -Emma

"The bluntness of the chapters add to the intensity of this story of a gorilla with a hidden talent who befriends a baby elephant. This novel was both heart-warming and depressing, bringing us to the realization that animals have feelings, too." -Olivia

"A beautiful, moving story." -C.K.

 

 

 

Otherworld Chronicles: The Invisible Tower (Hardcover)

By Nils Johnson-Shelton
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780062070869
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: HarperCollins, 12/2011
Other Editions of this Title
“I can't BEGIN to talk about how AWESOME this book is! (Well, that may well be a big flippin' lie as I just began telling you how good it is). In short: I LOVED IT! I loved it so much, I wanna name my first kid or dog or hamster after any of the characters. 4 stars 4 sure!

-Marlowe

The Apothecary (Hardcover)

By Maile Meloy, Ian Schoenherr
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780399256271
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Putnam Juvenile, 10/2011
Other Editions of this Title

We start with a typical teenage girl Jane after World War II, one day she finds a weird car stalking her on her way home from school. So her and her parents have to flee to England (I can’t tell you why, you’ll just have to read the book). When she goes to school she meets this kid named Benjamin and his dad is the apothecary. One day his dad disappears and Ben and Jane have to find him...I thought that it was a really good book usually I’m not really a fan of mystery but I really liked this one.


-Tristan, BLLOG book club

 

I loved it. This book was difficult to put down. I’m looking forward to the movie! It was so magical and Janie is quite relatable to me. I find Sergei, Janie, Janie’s parents, Pip and Sarah very charming and lovable characters. This story is full of action, drama, romance and, of course, magic! This has a very good storyline and beautiful art. As I’ve said before very lovable characters. A villain that I wouldn’t have expected and a spectacular magical experience that will last for a lifetime. I hope there’s a sequel!


-Z, BLLOG book club 

Wonderstruck (Hardcover)

By Brian Selznick, Brian Selznick
$29.99
ISBN-13: 9780545027892
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Scholastic Press, 9/2011
“Sooner or later, the lightning comes to us all.” With this, a quote from Gregory Maguire, Brian Selznick opens his new, electrifying story, Wonderstruck. Within these 639 pages, twin tales are told: the words belong to Ben Wilson's story, opening in 1977's Northern Minnesota; the charcoal pictures, full-spread and numbering more than 460, to Rose, in 1927's New York City—two children, fifty years apart, whose lives are intimately, profoundly linked, and are brought together by a bolt of lightning and Ben's quest to find his father. A mystery, an adventure, and a wonder, Selznick’s trademark cinematic style, employed to brilliant effect in his 2007 Caldecott-winning The Invention of Hugo Cabret, serves the story even better here, strengthening and underlining the many powerful themes, among them acceptance, family, love, and friendship. To family or friends, I have frequently listed Hugo as an all-time favorite. I like Wonderstruck more.

-Chad (Note: This was not officially a BLLOG book, as yet, but we DID read FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF BASIL E. FRANKWEILER, which this stellar book plays homage to!)

Dead End in Norvelt (Hardcover)

By Jack Gantos, Jack Gantos
$15.99
ISBN-13: 9780374379933
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Macmillan Young Listeners, 9/2011
Other Editions of this Title
“Dead End In Norvelt is the kind of book you would read on a hot and lazy summer afternoon. The story starts with Jack who has just gotten out of school for the summer. His mother volunteers him to work for the old lady down the street. Jack (as expected) isn't too pleased about his new plans (especially since he has to report for duty at 6 A.M.) but complies with his mothers orders. Summer speeds by and Jacks time is is filled with writing obituaries, Bomb shelters, and loads and loads of history. In the last few pages of the book the climax comes quickly and suddenly not leaving a lot of time to wonder how it will end. The plot leaves you at a sweet conclusion- Some people will do anything for love. Readers beware the ending is fairly unsatisfying leaving you wanting something more.

 

-Emily

The Tanglewood Terror (Hardcover)

By Kurtis Scaletta
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780375867583
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9/2011
Other Editions of this Title
“Tanglewood Terror is a very odd mix between Fantasy, SciFi, and Realistic Fiction. Its a story about mushrooms overtaking a small town. Our main character, Erik is very concerned. The Mushrooms continue to swallow the town and Erik now has to find the source and destroy it. The Tanglewood Terror is definitely not the average read. With so many parts to the story this novel will keep those SciFi and Fantasy reading until the end. Good Book.

-Emily

Cosmic (Hardcover)

By Frank Cottrell Boyce
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780061836831
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Walden Pond Press, 1/2010
Other Editions of this Title
“I loved this book. I thought it was really interesting and I really liked Liam and how he pretended he was an adult and related everything to World of Warcraft. I also liked how he and Florida got along and how everyone bought his act.

-Carter

Breadcrumbs (Hardcover)

By Anne Ursu, Erin Mcguire
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780062015051
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Walden Pond Press, 9/2011
Other Editions of this Title
“

Breadcrumbs is a mix between fantasy and realistic fiction. The story starts off with a young for fighting for her best friends (Jack) attention. He has found his place in a group of boys who are not particularly nice. Jack is suddenly taken away by a Snow Queen and disappears. This leaves his best friend to go off in search of him. Along the way she overcomes many obstacles to find her best friend. If you enjoy fantasy, Snow Queens, magical forests and much more this book is for you. The only downside is the characters are a bit hard to relate too.

-Emily

Ursu is like a wizard, weaving together all the greatest fairy tales and stories into one tight, beautiful book. Richly-drawn characters w/ a powerful theme of love and friendship at its core. I really liked this story!

-Kaston (Chad's slightly weirder alter ego)

Sparrow Road (Hardcover)

By Sheila O'Connor
$16.99
ISBN-13: 9780399254581
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Putnam Juvenile, 5/2011
Other Editions of this Title
“I loved this book so much. I love how the characters are so well-defined, and the plot is amazing. I could picture almost every character in my head (which I often have trouble with). Overall, I think this book was amazing, with a great storyline and excellently established characters. Big thumbs up!

-Ali

The Shadow Thieves (Hardcover)

By Anne Ursu, Eric Fortune
$17.99
ISBN-13: 9781416905875
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 4/2006
Other Editions of this Title
“This was a thoroughly enjoyable book. The characters are well-developed and the plot imaginative. I particularly liked Ursu's thoughts on how a Greek god could become complacent. The creative character names were also a plus. I recommend this book to any fantasy lover, especially fans of Percy Jackson. Definitely a good read!

-Andrew

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