Cara > Recent Status Updates

Hard to believe I never read this when I was growing up. Hope my expectations aren't too high.

Started this series when it first came out, but started having less time for serious reading around 2006. Fortunately, the characters and plot are all coming back to me quickly. I really liked the first three books in the series, and I hope I can get through this one in a reasonable amount of time.

Not all the stories are as dark as some of the first, I'm glad to say, but they're all a bit mysterious and strange. This fits well with the premise of the books.

Each section of the book delivers new insights into the characters and events. I've been surprised more than once by the new information.

Under the Rug & A Strange Day in July: I wasn't expecting such dark stories. To me, the stories aren't good matches to the illustrations. In "Under the Rug," the illustration shows a middle-aged man, but the story seemed to be about a boy. For "A Strange Day in July," the characters match for me, but the tone doesn't. I'm wondering if this dark trend continues through the rest of the stories.

Archie, Boy Wonder: liked the detail in the beginning, but didn't get the rest of it.

I'm a sucker with books for quirky characters, & this one has them. Yah, they are described on the front flap of the dust jacket, but reading about them in the story is better. The story gives you just enough hints to wonder and keep reading. Loved the quote on pg 76, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about." How does this fit into the whole story? I'll just have to find out.

I'm hooked so far. Is it adventure, mystery, history? I want to know more about Caleb and why he acts the way he does. What about Nathan? What's his story? Why is this crew looking for a lost ship?

I'm curious as to how all the parts to the story are going to wrap-up. I'd call this "gentle" historical fiction; the story seems to have come before the historical details.

It's interesting how the stories from the past are coming together. I'm enjoying it.

Reading to E. He likes it so far.

Love the writing style, very nostalgic and smart.

Liking it so far. Easy to read. Had to read "one more chapter" before turning off the lights.