Review: The Sand Castle Mystery

The Sand Castle Mystery by Carolyn Keene

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Fun, quick read and well-appreciated by my kids who like to hear something more light-hearted in the car on occasion. My daughter is 7 and likes Nancy Drew, particularly the version found in the Clue Crew books but the Notebooks interest her as well, probably because of the age similarity. The narrator does an excellent job portraying the younger children and the culprit was a surprise to us all.



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Review: Break No Bones

Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I like the tv show. I like the books. I wish I could love the books...but I can't. I have read enough of them to realize that the plot format is:
1. Random death that Tempe can't explain
2. Personal crisis in Tempe's life
3. Other related deaths magically discovered and they conveniently link together to prove Tempe's theory
4. At some point, Tempe will make a bad decision that could include going alone to a dangerous spot, keeping secrets from the police or trusting someone not worthy of trust
5. Case closed, everyone goes home

This one had enough forensic information to push it to 3 stars but the story itself is more of a 2 1/2 star.



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Review: The Secret of the Old Clock

The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



My daughter and I have read the Clue Crew books and a few of the notebooks and we're finally starting on the original Nancy Drew! I love sharing this character with my daughter, making her the third generation Nancy Drew fan in our family!

Life is so different - sweater suits for casual wear, no cell phones for emergencies, robbers that are easily caught and quickly confess, dirt roads, etc. Wonderful reminders of days gone by.



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Review: Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind

Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind by Peter W.D. Wright

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I read this book as part of my preparation for the upcoming IEP program for my son. As someone who has repeatedly complained that the schools 'teach to the test' I was interested in discovering the law behind my opinion. First, I was surprised. The history of the public education system's performance problems began to get the public's interest 40 years ago. When I was in elementary school there were already measures in place to address the failing school system.

The book is nothing more than the background of NCLB, a copy of the law and an explanation of what it actually means, which means it was just what I was looking for. Succinct, helpful and informative.



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Review: Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide

Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide by Peter W.D. Wright

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Excellent resource for the IEP process. I feel that so many parents are unaware of their ability to advocate for their children and don't know that they have the power to push back against schools' decisions. It's intimidating to go against a school, especially when you don't understand the laws completely or are unsure of what to request. This book walks you through the entire process and is filled with advice designed to help you get the support your child needs. I recommend this for any parent that believes their child needs an IEP.



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Review: Toxin

Toxin by Robin Cook

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



This was not a medical thriller. Instead, it was a commentary on the USDA that involved an angry, violent, out of control and unlikeable surgeon. I simply quit reading when Dr. Reggis stormed into the meat processing plant. I'm a reader who, in real life, has enough concerns about the meat industry to buy locally raised, locally butchered meat from people I know. Even with that ideological slant in Cook's direction I was not able to finish this book. Usually when I give up on a book I will skip ahead and read the last chapter just to find out how it ended...not this book, though. I disliked this book so much that I have no curiosity about the end. I am just assuming the end would be as annoying as the beginning and middle and wrote it off.



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