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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love an engaging book with a bit of mystery and multiple narrators. And this fit the bill perfectly. I loved it so much that I had my children start listening to the audiobook on our way home from school each day and they are enjoying it, too.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
The characters in the book were extremely lovable, especially Mortimer. Also, there were a few twists here and there that caught me off-guard but story was amazing. The way death is dealt with to make sure young readers understand and get comfortable with was clearly visible.
How could I resist another Rebecca Stead? This is written from three points of view, but each chapter is headed with the person who it is about so no confusion - advantages of being a junior book I expect. There were a couple of events that you knew how they were going to turn out but I am an adult so probably not so obvious for the intended age group. The characters and what they got up to all felt pretty believable.
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked up this book because it was on a list of "Ghibli-like books" I saw on Instagram. I don't know if I'd agree with the "Ghibli" moniker, but it's a very sweet story.
I think the best thing is, despite the "aging cat" description, Mortimer (and all the little mice in the story!) survive, because it is a kids' book, after all. Very, very much a kids' book.
But sometimes you need a palate cleanser after reading a bunch of fantasy books (both adult and YA), and this did the job. It's a very sweet yet predictable story, but it works.
I think the best thing is, despite the "aging cat" description, Mortimer (and all the little mice in the story!) survive, because it is a kids' book, after all. Very, very much a kids' book.
But sometimes you need a palate cleanser after reading a bunch of fantasy books (both adult and YA), and this did the job. It's a very sweet yet predictable story, but it works.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What a charming book! I started reading this, and then just couldn't put it down. I loved the way it was told - through three different perspectives. But it was done in such a unique way!
I will say that this book deals with a couple of heavy topics, but it handles them beautifully. And it's not at all a heavy or dark read in spite of the topics. Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass manage to keep the story fun and lighthearted and interesting. I was clearly engaged from the start. Very sweet read! Highly recommend.
I will say that this book deals with a couple of heavy topics, but it handles them beautifully. And it's not at all a heavy or dark read in spite of the topics. Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass manage to keep the story fun and lighthearted and interesting. I was clearly engaged from the start. Very sweet read! Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Grief
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
A wonderful mystery involved cats, mice, libraries, and fires. As an adult and librarian, I loved this book, which is like a little love letter to libraries and their power to transform lives and communities. Yet, a local mystery (with a surprise twist at the end) gives structure to this story and keeps us reading to find out if our young sleuth can solve the mystery!
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No