Monday, October 16, 2006

Review: Art Fraud Detective

The Art Fraud Detective by Anna Nilsen. Advanced activity search book, ages 9 and up.

Rating: Four stars out of five

Far from your typical mystery -- this book falls into the "secretly educational" category! The security guard of the Museum of Art needs YOUR help to track down four gangs of infamous national art forgers -- by tracing their path through the Museum of Art. Apparently thirty of the paintings in the gallery have been swiped and replaced by crafty replicas! Your mission: identify the changes in each painting and record what each forger stole to convict them in court. Can you make it?

Not only is the book a great spot-the-difference activity, it also includes short but specific information about the artists that did the classic works of art, such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Picasso, and many more. The computer drawn 3-D art makes the book look "high-tech". So why did I give this book 4 stars? I haven't even finished it yet but I'm more than half way through, and just recently I discovered I had just about all my solutions turned upside-down when I thought I was doing so well. Very frustrating. But that's my personal opinion. I think any art lover would greatly enjoy this book. It even comes with a magnifying glass that doubles as a bookmark!

reviewed by Belinda Z., age 12

Note: A younger version of this book would be Mystery, a picture book by Arthur Geisert. If you enjoyed Art Fraud Detective, we would highly recommend Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet (young adult chapter book, ages 9 and up).

Review: Jack and Jill

Jack and Jill by Louisa May Alcott, young adult classic, ages 9 and up.
5 stars out of 5

Jack and Jill went up the hill
to coast with fun and laughter.
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
and Jill came tumbling after.

Thus this classic novel begins, and the reader need not be familiar with any other of Alcott's works to read this treat. The two main characters (Jack and Jill, of course), as suggested by the rhyme above, go sledding down a tricky hill and receive numerous injuries that land Jack and Jill in bed for many months. During this time the children learn more and grow more spiritually, physically, and emotionally. When they finally come out from bedrest their lives are all changed for the better. Told in Alcott's classic style for her stories, this book is very inspiring for one's own self-improvement. Great for a family read-aloud!

reviewed by Belinda Z., age 12

Review: The Return of the King (Book Three)

The Return of the King by J.R.R.Tolkien, young adult classic. Ages 9 and up.
Book three in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

5 out of 5 stars

The final book in the Trilogy, where all good joins in a final attempt to destroy the Ring of Power. A deceitful guide leads Frodo and Sam to Mordor... or where is he leading them? The rest of the fellowship, not knowing whether Frodo is even alive, tries to give him a last chance by engaging Mordor's army; but will they succeed? I am reading the last part of the book now, and it has all been very exciting. Tolkien uses the same style of following the groups in the fellowship, sometimes leaving you in a very exciting scene, which makes you just *have* to read more.

reviewed by Teresa Z., age 11

Review: The Two Towers (Book Two)

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien, young adult classic. Ages 9 and up.
Book two in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.


5 out of 5 stars


The Fellowship has been scattered, but they all still fight to give Frodo a chance to carry the Ring ever closer to Mount Doom. But evil also begins to know this, and works even harder to prevent its destruction. The forces of good will join together for a last battle, but all hope is with Frodo. This is a very exciting book full of suspense and adventure. Tolkien writes this book following the scattered fellowship, spending a few chapters on each group: Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn; Pippin, Merry and Gandalf; and Frodo and Sam.

reviewed by Teresa Z., age 11

Review: The Fellowship of the Ring (Book One)

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R.Tolkien, young adult classic, ages 9 and up. Book one of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

5 out of 5 stars


In the peaceful Shire where Hobbits eat and bask in the sun, Frodo Baggins is given the task of destroying the Ring of Power, the source of all evil in Middle Earth. He goes to Rivendell, where others join to help him with his burden. But many trials lie in their path. Will they be able to carry the Ring to Mount Doom to destroy it? Although not as exciting as the books that follow it, The Fellowship of the Ring is an excellent classic.


reviewed by Teresa Z., age 11

Review: The Hobbit

The Hobbit by J.R.R.Tolkien, young adult classic, ages 9 and up.
5 out of 5 stars

This book is an important preface to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. We'll follow Bilbo Baggins the Hobbit, Gandalf the Wizard and several Dwarfs through caves and fighting orcs and goblins. Bilbo will find Gollum and the Ring, and finally, Bilbo will come face to face with the terrifying dragon Smaug. Very exciting! Classic precursor to Lord of the Rings. I like it because you are introduced to some important characters, like Gandalf the Wizard, and he plays a major roll later on in the Trilogy.

reviewed by Teresa Z., age 11

Friday, October 06, 2006

Review: Operation: Red Jericho

Operation: Red Jericho by Joshua Mowll. Book One in a series.
On board the research ship Expedient, two teens, Becca and Doug Mackenzie, are waiting for news about their missing parents. But as they wait, they stumble upon their uncle's secrets and a mysterious organization.
With a mysterious island, Operation: Red Jericho always keeps you on your toes. Sheng-Fat, a mastermind criminal, will stop at nothing till he gets zoridium, an explosive!
I love this book and would recommend it to anyone over the age of ten. I couldn't set it down! It's exciting and full of cool pictures and maps and sketches.

reviewed by Jacob G., age 11
(Note: The sequel, Operation: Typhoon Shore, will be out on October 24th.)

Review: Tom Sawyer

Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, five out of five stars.
Tom Sawyer is my favorite book ever! It's really great for boys because Tom often thinks they way many boys think. Although, it is still a good book for girls too. It is jam packed full of great adventures like the time Tom, Huck Finn, and Joe Harper ran away from Home to Jackson Island or the time Tom got lost in a cave with Becky Thatcher. Tom Sawyer is always up to mischief and always has a crush on a girl. I love the book so much I've read it five times! I highly recommend this book to anyone! It is a five star book.

reviewed by Jacob G., age 11

Introducing our BIRTHDAY CLUB!


Hooray! Introducing the Tweedle Bros. Birthday Club! Just sign up in the shop, or email us with "Birthday Club" in the subject line, with your child's name, mailing address, and birthdate (including year). Birthday boys & girls will receive a postcard in the mail to bring into the store for a FREE birthday gift from the Tweedles!
Did we mention it's free? (And it's from us?)
P.S. Our mailing list is always private and never shared with anyone.