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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The kids get new neighbors! The kids with the new 2 boys just build a tree house and of course, find a mystery. They find lost objects, a secret room, and save the day.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was a bit confused by this book. Not the story, but the dynamics-I feel like there was a message, but it was so inconsistent that I couldn't decipher what Warner was trying to share. The parents of the new friends in this book are distant...kind-of...sometimes. I couldn't understand if this was supposed to be a negative or just an illustration of another type of family. In any event, it was off-putting and strange. I wasn't much of a fan of this book, though the mystery was mildly entertaining.
I would only recommend to those dedicated to the series, otherwise this would really only work for children who are still honing their reading skills.
I would only recommend to those dedicated to the series, otherwise this would really only work for children who are still honing their reading skills.
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
*** WARNING: This review contains spoilers!!! ***
I really enjoyed this one! There was so much that I liked about this book.
I liked the introduction of Jeffrey and Sammy Beach, and I liked that they - like Mike - were different from the Alden children, yet they still all got along.
As a parent who likes to see positive role models in books, I liked how the Alden children kept reminding the Beach boys that they should ask for their parents' permission before doing new things. :P I also liked that they were sensitive to not wanting to intrude where they might not be wanted.
I even liked that Henry and Jessie sometimes had other plans, and weren't a part of all the activities. This book wasn't explicit about the children's ages, but Benny did say, at first, that he wished the Beach boys (aged 8 and 10) were older, which I think implied that Benny was older than they, so maybe he was 12? That would put Henry in his early 20's, and maybe he and Jessie were both in college, home for summer vacation!? I don't know, but it was kind of reassuring to see that they did sometimes have better things to do than play with little kids all the time.
I thought the mystery was just mysterious enough for a children's book - nothing criminal, and not too far-fetched.
And even though this book had an almost obligatory food business overnight success story a la Mike's Mother's Place and Benny's Buns, it was nice that someone besides Benny came up with the winning ideas.
Despite being such a pleasant read, I just couldn't bring myself to give this book 5 stars - though I would have given it 4 1/2 stars if 1/2 stars were possible here. I was really just hoping that the book would tie up one sort of loose end and somehow reunite a grown-up Willy with his rocking horse.
I really enjoyed this one! There was so much that I liked about this book.
I liked the introduction of Jeffrey and Sammy Beach, and I liked that they - like Mike - were different from the Alden children, yet they still all got along.
As a parent who likes to see positive role models in books, I liked how the Alden children kept reminding the Beach boys that they should ask for their parents' permission before doing new things. :P I also liked that they were sensitive to not wanting to intrude where they might not be wanted.
I even liked that Henry and Jessie sometimes had other plans, and weren't a part of all the activities. This book wasn't explicit about the children's ages, but Benny did say, at first, that he wished the Beach boys (aged 8 and 10) were older, which I think implied that Benny was older than they, so maybe he was 12? That would put Henry in his early 20's, and maybe he and Jessie were both in college, home for summer vacation!? I don't know, but it was kind of reassuring to see that they did sometimes have better things to do than play with little kids all the time.
I thought the mystery was just mysterious enough for a children's book - nothing criminal, and not too far-fetched.
And even though this book had an almost obligatory food business overnight success story a la Mike's Mother's Place and Benny's Buns, it was nice that someone besides Benny came up with the winning ideas.
Despite being such a pleasant read, I just couldn't bring myself to give this book 5 stars - though I would have given it 4 1/2 stars if 1/2 stars were possible here. I was really just hoping that the book would tie up one sort of loose end and somehow reunite a grown-up Willy with his rocking horse.