Skip to main content

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

By


Brief synopsis (no spoilers): Aru spends most of her time lying about how awesome her life is, but when she takes one lie too far she sets off a chain of events that becomes much more than she bargained for. 

Category: Juv/YA fic

Why I chose this book: Recommended by Rick Riordan  

My personal opinion: This book is exactly like Rick Riordan's books on Greek and Egyptian mythology - snarky misfit teenager of single parent swept up in to an adventure. The writing style is slightly less mature and Aru and Mini both end up being annoying at some points. However, there were enough different elements with the Indian and Hindu culture that it kept my interest, even though I knew the basic story plot from other RR novels. I do feel like I was given a short introduction to culture and have an interest in learning more. Overall, if you like early RR you will probably enjoy this one too.  

Warnings:
Language: None
Violence: Nothing gory
"Adult" situations: None
Death: None 

Movie rating equivalent: PG

Protagonist description: Aru lives with her Mom at the Museum of Anciant Indian Art and Culture. She just wants her Mom to notice her and spend time with her and wants to fit in with her classmates. She is young and immature at times, but she wants to do the right thing. She gains some confidence and learns to use her unique talents as the book progresses.  

Point of view of story: 3rd person 

Book length: shorter side of medium

Story flow: Linear

Grammar and spelling issues: Lots of Indian and Hindu names, places, and words. There is a short glossary at the end of the book and descriptions in the story that help the reader know what they are. 

Character connection (no spoilers): Would love to know more background on Boo and Aru's mother. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

By
Summary: Every book needs you to turn the pages. But not every book needs you to tap it, shake it, jiggle it, or even blow it a kiss. Innovative and timeless, Tap the Magic Tree asks you to help one lonely tree change with the seasons. It begins with a bare brown tree. But tap that tree, turn the page, and one bright green leaf has sprouted! Tap again—one, two, three, four—and four more leaves have grown on the next page. Pat, clap, wiggle, jiggle, and see blossoms bloom, apples grow, and the leaves swirl away with the autumn breeze. (Amazon) Attention Span/reading level: Perfect for my three year old. I would say that ages 2-10 would really enjoy something like this. It really keeps kids engaged and makes them feel like part of the story. There is one word to one sentence per page. Good uses for book in teaching: Interaction, that the reader takes part in making the story, what a tree can do (leaves, blossoms, fruit) Favorite part:      Child: The fact that ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Balancing Act by Ellen Stoll Walsh

By
Summary: Two mice make a teeter totter. Soon a frog comes along and wants to join. Can the mice balance all the friends who want to play with them? Attention Span/reading level: 3-6 years old, usually 5 or less words on a page Good uses for book in teaching: Balance, science Favorite part:      Child: When the frog joins in     Mine: That the mice keep playing at the end  Least favorite part: None:   W arnings/negative feedback: None.  Review: This is a really simple but fun way to introduce the idea of balancing and weight to kids. It's fun to show them how it must be equal on each side to balance. Showing that size can affect weight is shown on the page where all the animals are on one side with the big bird on the other. This could be a fun activity to replicate with toys if doing a science lesson at home. 
Post a Comment
Read more

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

By
Brief synopsis (no spoilers) Vin relies on her fighting skills, and a little extra "luck" to survive in the thief's world. Then comes Kelsier, a master thief and planner, showing her that what she calls luck is really much more. Kelsier and his crew plan to use a variety of special powers to free an entire population of slaves, including themselves, from tyranny. But, as always, there's far more to the story. Category Science Fiction or Fantasy Why I chose this book Rated highly on the library site My personal opinion (the review) Definitely the best story I've read in the past year. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series. Special abilities, fighting, romance, social justice - this has it all. And not a single bad word or uncomfortable situation. Warnings Language: None Violence: frequent, some mildly graphic "Adult" situations: None Death: Some, and of major characters Movie rating equivalent PG-13 Protagon...
Post a Comment
Read more