A Review of Space Case by Stuart Gibbs

Space Case by Stuart Gibbs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story takes place over a little more than two days on the Earth's first moon colony. It begins with our hero Dash having to make an unpleasant visit to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Which in itself is an adventure few of us would want to have. While in the communal restroom our hero hears one of the scientists talking about a great discovery. The next morning that very scientist is dead. Only Dash Gibson believes that the death is not an accident and it is up to him to prove it. What follows are often harrowing adventures for this young "lunarnaut".
I thought this book was fabulous. The mystery was everything a mystery should be with clues given that provide the reader with enough evidence that they could go back and reread and say, it was there all the time why didn't I see it. There was also a great twist that I should probably have seen coming but didn't. I was, however delighted by it and I think young readers will be as well.
Gibbs did an extraordinary thing here. The canon of this book is so thorough that even though this is science fiction, it is completely believable. One can imagine that he somehow time-traveled and is writing a non-fiction account of a future event. The world is so completely fleshed out.
The characters are great even the minor characters are developed fully so that when reading their scenes you think, I know that guy.
This is a truly wonderful book that I look forward to recommending to students. It will be great for readers who love science fiction and for those who love a great mystery. Even more remarkable that even for those who don't love science fiction, it is written so factually that it will be enjoyable.

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A Review of Woof By Spencer Quinn

Woof by Spencer Quinn
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Well, I am in the minority but I did not like this book. First of all I found the narration confusing. I know it is the point of view of the dog, and it reads like a dog wrote it. Can you say, SQUIRREL? So instead of the one day it has taken me to read the other Bluebonnet nominees this takes me a week. I kept putting it down. I had to make myself read it, and what kind of Children's book do I want to make myself have to read.

A quotation throughout this book that comes from Birdie's father is "No loose ends" and yet that is all that there was. It was like the author said, Oh crud my editor said it can't be more than 300 pages, better finish this fast. From the Climax of the story to the last page was less than five pages. I have to say I am actually angry right now that I wasted a week of my life reading this book. Who cares if the characters are well-developed, the story isn't.

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