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Book Reviews
Our daughter, Katie Stephen, has reviewed some of her favorite books. Click here to read her most recent review of historical fiction writer, Ann Rinaldi. To read some of Katie's past book reviews in our archives, click here .
Special Book Review Section by Students
This is a special review from an eight year old customer of ours. His grandmother brought him in to find some books to read. He was interested in some of the Usborne Books internet referenced readers and his grandmother bought several non-fiction titles. He was also interested in a pirate's pistol we had in the store (the last one!). His grandmother had told me earlier that he was a reluctant reader. As a special incentive to him, I told the child that if he read one of those books and wrote a short report for me, that I'd give his grandmother a discount on the pistol. His grandmother called me later that same day, excited that he had not only read one of the books, but he had completed a one-page report (see below). She came back that same afternoon with her grandson and the report in hand. He was beaming! I was so proud of him, and asked him if I could publish his "report" on our website. He grinned back at me and said, "Sure!" as he hugged me on his way out the door. By the way, he got the pirate pistol! This is the reason why I'm in this business of promoting and encouraging literacy!!
Night Animals by David Harmon,
8 years old, Jacksonville, FL
 I learned about night animals in this book. They are nocturnal which means up all night. I am learning about bushbabies. They run and jump from branch to branch at night. Tarsiers have big bulgy eyes. Tarsiers have the biggest eyes of any animal their size. Fruit bats love fruit and eat upside down. Other nocturnal animals are racoons, koalas, owls and wolves.
Walk Two Moons - A review by Rosie Brown
The following is a book review of another one of my "favorite" books. I've read this book several times now. I've read it on my own, once to my son Tim, and once to Mrs. Morris' fifth grade class in Fishweir Elementary. My daughter Katie has read it too. It's one of my favorite books because it's not really predictable, but Ms. Creech does an incredible job of drawing you into her books, her characters, where you really begin to care about the people in her story. Rosie Brown is a wonderful young girl whom I met in our store a few weeks ago. I recommended that she read this book, and her mom bought it for her. Rosie is an eleven year old homeschooled girl from Orange Park, Florida, who loves reading. She enjoys playing the piano, soccer and jazz. She tells me that she is obsessed with three things. 1) Monkeys, 2) Penguins, and 3) Andy Griffith. :)
And now...a wonderful book review by Rosie Brown on Sharon Creech's book, Walk Two Moons
Little did I know the day I walked into Treehouse Books is the day that I would "walk two moons" in the moccasins of a young girl named Salamanaca Tree Hiddle . This is a book I just couldn’t put down! It is the bittersweet story of a thirteen year old girl’s journey . She travels from Euclid, Ohio to Lewiston, Idaho to find her mother in the hope of bringing her home. I liked Salamanaca’s perspective about life, loss, love, and hope. I grew to love her Gram and Gramps and laughed at their silly nicknames for one another. I admired her friendship with Pheobe Winterbottom, even though Pheobe was sometimes difficult to get along with. Author Sharon Creech does an excellent job of tying in suspense and adventure with friendship and romance. There are Indian names, mysterious letters, snake bites and lunatics. There are also lasting friendships, compassion, and the strong bonds between mother and daughter, husband and wife. As I read this book I could hear singing trees, and feel blackberry kisses. I am so glad Mrs. Patty Wall recommended this book to me, and I strongly recommend it to you! “Rush, Rush, Rush" and read it today! Rosie Brown
Staff's Pick
The Tale of Desperaeaux
by Kate DiCamillo
 Patti is reading "The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo, this past year's Newberry Award winner for Mrs. Morris' 5th grade class, at Fishweir Elementary. Each week Patti read portions of the book to the kids. After the last chapter, everyone enjoyed a bowl of homemade soup. (If you've read the book you'll know the importance of the soup!) Below is a picture of the students in Mrs. Morris' 5th grade class. They are such a wonderful group of kids and were very attentive! Click here for a link to a Teacher's/Parents/Students guide to the Tale of Despereaux
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