I just want to start off by saying that the author of this book is my uncle, (woot woot!), and I am really hoping that his talent at writing runs in the family and that I got some of it. I would take even being just half as good as he is. His book, "Jacob and Lace", is a story of surviving even when all the odds are against you. The main character, Jacob, has is life completely uprooted when his mom wakes him up one morning and runs out the door. He chases her to the bus stop and they leave everything that he has ever known behind. She takes him to a place where he meets wonderful, strange, and caring people. He also witnesses the uglier side of life and sees the consequences that come from ignoring people for the cause of "minding your own business". There is a brightness though that comes in the form of a girl named Lace. She teaches Jacob adventure, hope, and forgiveness. This story will keep you sucked in from the first page to the last.
This is one of those books that you simply cannot put down. Each page is filled with rich story and interesting and relatable characters. I actually snuck this book under the covers after my husband had fallen asleep. There aren't very many books that I will risk waking my husband up for. I just could not wait until morning to find out what happened next.The scenery is vibrant and the characters are full of detail and life. This is definitely an unforgettable story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. 5 out of 5 stars. This book is appropriate for readers of all ages and I strongly suggest that you get a copy. You won't regret it.
You can check out the author here - Tory Anderson. Click here to get your copy of "Jacob and Lace". Feel free to read other reviews here.
I know that I had the "Throne of Glass" series posted as my 'coming up next' book, but I have so much that I want to say about that series and it's going to take me a while. So I am throwing this book in before those ones. "The String Quartet," by Dan Hupalo, is written for elementary to junior high age kids. The story follows four 8th grade students through their adventures traveling between worlds. A magic cello and the quartet's powerful music is what powers their adventures. The group of 13-year olds has to learn to harness the magic to save a friend, and ultimately a kingdom.
The story itself is pretty good. The author has good imagery and his writing flows, but someone desperately needs to do some editing. There are countless amounts of spelling and grammatical errors throughout the text. Which, in a book meant for children, is a big no-no. They are still learning proper grammar themselves, so throwing in a book that is incorrect would only be confusing. There are also a handful of swear words included, and I don't agree with 13-years olds swearing. That was a deal breaker for me. I give this book 2 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for an appropriate book for your child, don't pick this one.
If you have any books that you are thinking about letting your child read, but you aren't sure if it is really appropriate...let me know! I will check it out for you and tell you how it really is. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reading Deals in return for an honest review.
