VVMBookBlog

Guys Write for Guys Read edited by Jon Scieszka

This is an awesome book for guys and girls who want to find out more about a favorite author. It also has wonderful (often funny) stories about when the authors were young. Although I started to read this book cover to cover, I realized I really wanted to read about the authors I recognized. When I had those authors read, I went back to read the others. I will also admit I loved the “random fact for each author.” One author actually makes money playing a kazoo. Another author ran away from home in his teens to live with the carnival.

If You are looking for short funny excerpts about boys this is the place. This is also a great resource if you are looking for a book. Read about each author. Then read his books. Each author has a bibliography (list of books) at the end of his excerpt. Guys Read is also a great book if you just want to read a little at a time. Each author’s excerpt is only a couple of pages. Once you read this book, you’ll know what book you want to read next!

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall

A family of four sisters and their father leave for a summer vacation with their dog hound. They are headed to a cottage which happens to be on a very large estate with a mansion. In the mansion lives a snotty lady and her son, Jeffrey. Although the four sisters are pleased with their accomodations, they can’t help but explore the mansion and its grounds. This causes more problems with the snotty lady and her fiance. Wild soccer games, a close call with a bull, run-ins with the neighbor lady, and romance fill the summer activities.

As I was reading this book, I kept thinking it was somewhat dull, yet I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen. The events and kids in this story kept the book interesting. Rosalind is the oldest sister who falls in love with the garden keeper. Batty, the youngest, is best friends with Hound. Skye is the pretty blond who loves soccer. Jane is the dreamer. She is also a writer. Although these four girls are quite different they all band together in times of difficulty especially when Jeffrey’s mother is mean and rude to them.