Tyler Reynolds's Blog - Posts Tagged "middle-grade-summer-reading"
What Would You Do?
Today I'm reviewing The Player King by Avi. I read it because Mom bought it at a book fair and said I would find it fascinating. I'm not in favor of parents forcing kids to read certain books. But it worked out okay this time.
What would you do if you were an orphan, a servant in a tavern, and some priest came and told you you were royalty. It's 1486 in Oxford, England, and Lambert Simnel looks a little like the young Earl of Warwick. Two powerful men tell Lambert that he IS the missing Earl who should be king. They teach him manners and give him a crown. They even raise an army to fight King Henry VII.
What will a peasant boy do with so much power? Who are his real friends and enemies? And what life does he really want? No one ever tells Lambert the truth. But I love how he figures out each powerful grown-up's secret fears and needs. They think he is nothing so they can just use him.
But, by making him king, they are giving him power. Who will he choose to raise up or destroy? No one asked if he wanted this power. If he had a choice, what would he do?
This book is a great ride and a quick read, and it left me thinking what I would do with grown-ups kneeling at my feet. Awesome story--plus, it's true and part of history.
On the Dudes Summer Book Bingo card, here's how this book qualifies:
HISTORICAL, EVIL TWIN, MOM MADE ME READ IT, BACK IN THE DAY, I LEARNED SOMETHING.
Find the Bingo card and see how I'm filling out my card here: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
What would you do if you were an orphan, a servant in a tavern, and some priest came and told you you were royalty. It's 1486 in Oxford, England, and Lambert Simnel looks a little like the young Earl of Warwick. Two powerful men tell Lambert that he IS the missing Earl who should be king. They teach him manners and give him a crown. They even raise an army to fight King Henry VII.
What will a peasant boy do with so much power? Who are his real friends and enemies? And what life does he really want? No one ever tells Lambert the truth. But I love how he figures out each powerful grown-up's secret fears and needs. They think he is nothing so they can just use him.
But, by making him king, they are giving him power. Who will he choose to raise up or destroy? No one asked if he wanted this power. If he had a choice, what would he do?
This book is a great ride and a quick read, and it left me thinking what I would do with grown-ups kneeling at my feet. Awesome story--plus, it's true and part of history.
On the Dudes Summer Book Bingo card, here's how this book qualifies:
HISTORICAL, EVIL TWIN, MOM MADE ME READ IT, BACK IN THE DAY, I LEARNED SOMETHING.
Find the Bingo card and see how I'm filling out my card here: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
PIrates!
This week I'm reviewing a true classic by Robert Louis Stevenson: Treasure Island!
I don't want to give anything away, but just the name tells you there is a treasure hidden on an island. And Jim Hawkins is a kid who's caught up in the middle of it.
Long John Silver befriends him and takes him on board a voyage to find the treasure. But can you really be friends with a pirate? Jim has both friends and enemies on the ship. And, when they get to the island, everybody starts double-crossing each other--well, not everybody. You'll have to read for yourself to find out who the good guys are.
Basically, if you've ever seen a pirate movie, this is what it was based on. And, to me, this is still the best story. Also, they talk like in "ye olde dayes", which adds to the atmosphere and didn't really slow me down. Get ready for blood-curdling chills and swashbuckling action!
On the Dudes Summer Book Bingo card, here's how this book qualifies:
HISTORICAL, BACK IN THE DAY, MEME-RELATED (there are a lot of pirate memes).
Find the Bingo card and see how I'm filling out my card here: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
I don't want to give anything away, but just the name tells you there is a treasure hidden on an island. And Jim Hawkins is a kid who's caught up in the middle of it.
Long John Silver befriends him and takes him on board a voyage to find the treasure. But can you really be friends with a pirate? Jim has both friends and enemies on the ship. And, when they get to the island, everybody starts double-crossing each other--well, not everybody. You'll have to read for yourself to find out who the good guys are.
Basically, if you've ever seen a pirate movie, this is what it was based on. And, to me, this is still the best story. Also, they talk like in "ye olde dayes", which adds to the atmosphere and didn't really slow me down. Get ready for blood-curdling chills and swashbuckling action!
On the Dudes Summer Book Bingo card, here's how this book qualifies:
HISTORICAL, BACK IN THE DAY, MEME-RELATED (there are a lot of pirate memes).
Find the Bingo card and see how I'm filling out my card here: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
