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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Once again, I found myself cracking up while reading a book by Shawn Robinson. This book is targeted for younger audiences than for the Arestana stories, partly because of the length. The Arestana books are longer and a bit more involved, although the Jerry the Squirrel books (same universe) would be perfect for kids of a similar age. As I read this book, I wondered what must it be like to live in Shawn Robinson's head, ha! He is so random sometimes, but it's hard to read his books without letting go of the seriousness of life, even if for a short period. How would I classify this book? Well, it takes place in a real place (Canada), so one might be tempted to think it could bear some resemblance to realistic fiction. But that's about all that's real in this book. From there, we jump into fantasy and sci-fi mixed in with a good 'ole fashioned spy story. Except without the danger. Or at least not much danger. Unless you count a thumbtack popping your opera costume. I found myself giggling out loud as I read the ridiculous things that happened to Annalyn and I could totally picture elementary school kids eating this up during a book fair. No, it's not a deep book and you don't get in-depth character development in these books. But they're a lot of fun and a nice break from the seriousness of this world.
Thanks to #ShawnPBRobinson and #BookSirens for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to #ShawnPBRobinson and #BookSirens for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We LOVED this book! It was super cheesy funny which my daughter thought was the best thing ever! My Canadian husband even sat to listen and laugh at some of the Canadian stereotypes and humor. Will definitely read the rest of the series.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love comedic nonfiction books - and it’s so nice to see an author that’s passionate about what they write. Four out of five fluffy cows!
I love comedic nonfiction books - and it’s so nice to see an author that’s passionate about what they write. Four out of five fluffy cows!
Very cute, very funny series about a 10 year spy in Canada. I enjoyed this book and Annalynne the spy. My daughter will love this series and can't walt to read the next in the series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ten-year-old AnnaLynne has been recruited into CSIS the Canadian Security Intelligence Service which is spread so thin with its few agents either busy or on assignment, that she is needed to retrieve a box of tissues from the Norwegian Intelligence Service whose operatives have stolen it from AnnaLynne’s sick family.
This story is a tween spoof on the spy genre trope. Sure, there are sleek vehicles and fancy spy gadgets, but they don’t work quite the way one would expect. There are undercover hijinx and even a great chase and narrow escape. Plus, one has to simply love an autopilot that can find its way to HQ using the coordinates “Just down the road from Amanda’s place by the tall maple tree.” I found the rivalry between Canada’s hockey players and Norway’s Skiiers to be hilarious and I can just see curious kids googling Etterretningstjenesten. My husband who is learning Norwegian had fun with it. There is much to be said for this story.
It is marketed for ages 7-13, but I feel that may be a bit ambitious. The story while fun and full of laugh-out-loud moments is probably a bit too outlandish for that age group as they are moving away from the silly kid stories that stretch suspension of disbelief, and into serious middle-grade fiction. I am thinking second grade would upper end of the age range I would recommend this series of books for. Though, I do believe that once introduced to the series readers in that age group will happily carry it with them into older grades as new books come out.
This story is a tween spoof on the spy genre trope. Sure, there are sleek vehicles and fancy spy gadgets, but they don’t work quite the way one would expect. There are undercover hijinx and even a great chase and narrow escape. Plus, one has to simply love an autopilot that can find its way to HQ using the coordinates “Just down the road from Amanda’s place by the tall maple tree.” I found the rivalry between Canada’s hockey players and Norway’s Skiiers to be hilarious and I can just see curious kids googling Etterretningstjenesten. My husband who is learning Norwegian had fun with it. There is much to be said for this story.
It is marketed for ages 7-13, but I feel that may be a bit ambitious. The story while fun and full of laugh-out-loud moments is probably a bit too outlandish for that age group as they are moving away from the silly kid stories that stretch suspension of disbelief, and into serious middle-grade fiction. I am thinking second grade would upper end of the age range I would recommend this series of books for. Though, I do believe that once introduced to the series readers in that age group will happily carry it with them into older grades as new books come out.
If you want to find out how the LAST box of tissues in Canada is stolen by the Etterretningstjenesten (Norwegian Spy Agency), then this is the book for you! It’s Annalynn to the rescue! I teach third graders and I think this book would be good for that age or younger children. The silly level of the book is fun, and would be entertaining for a reluctant reader. However, I thought the storyline was so far fetched and goofy that I am not sure if kids would see the point. Who steals tissues and why wouldn’t the family’s colds go away without having a box? Either way, it’s a quick read with a problem and solution. As far as being a mystery, there are not clues to follow, it’s just an adventure.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Disclaimer: I read this book because I was offered to download it in exchange for an honest review on Booksirens.com.
I'd like to rant this book, but you know what? This is one of the books I hate but won't rant about.
Let me show you.
The book is hilarious, childish and boring.
The book has so much of bad talk about the Norwegian and Canadian spies [which I dislike].
And the mystery? Just because they had nothing bigger to do.
The 'caaaaugggggh' part is hilarious.
The rest of the book is childish.
And the chase scene is boring.
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Final thoughts:
A book I'd love to hate.
I'd like to rant this book, but you know what? This is one of the books I hate but won't rant about.
Let me show you.
The book is hilarious, childish and boring.
The book has so much of bad talk about the Norwegian and Canadian spies [which I dislike].
And the mystery? Just because they had nothing bigger to do.
The 'caaaaugggggh' part is hilarious.
The rest of the book is childish.
And the chase scene is boring.
-----
Final thoughts:
A book I'd love to hate.
A charming little read. Very funny and Annalynn is fabulous. Really fun book. I read the first book in the series too. I received a free copy from BookSirens, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is yet another charming adventure with our secret agent Annalynn the Canadian spy! Her mission this time is to discover why Canadians have stopped liking hockey. With Annalynn on the case there is sure to be a fun solution to this.
Really fun read. I received an advance review copy for free from Booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Really fun read. I received an advance review copy for free from Booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.