Bangor Public Library Children's Department

Online Read and Review Program

Several months ago, the Bangor Public Library started a new book review program called the "Online Read and Review Program".  In this program, we asked our younger patrons to read books and let us know what they thought.  We asked them to give us a brief description of the book and their opinion on whether or not the book was worth reading.  We then asked them to rate the books on the following scale:

* Your time is valuable.  Don't waste it reading this book.
** Lame!
*** Eh, whatev!
**** You should kinda be excited about this!
***** What are you waiting for?!?!?!

 

When you see the star-grading system, you know that this book has been read and reviewed by one of our younger patrons.  So remember, just because they are young doesn't mean they don't have something to say.  Writer's Beware!

 

Pet Hotel: A Big Surprise
by Kate Finch
Reviewed by Flora
Rating: **
(This book has not been published so a photo image is unavailable)

This book is about twins named Charlie and Meg who, with their family, run a hotel for pets.  Their next customer is a woman named Carmen with a grumpy tabby cat, Matilda, who doesn’t like to play.  But Carmen says that Matilda hasn’t always been this way, and all she wants to do run away and nap!  And one of the Charlie and Meg’s other guests, Elvis the cockatiel, keeps bugging Matilda!  Does he know something about her that they don’t?  Or, is he just getting in the way?

I thought this was a good book, but they needed to explain the characters a bit more.  Especially for people who haven’t read the book before.  For example, they never said that Saffron, Charlie and Meg’s great-great aunt, was their great-great aunt until half way through the book!  The author could just briefly say who they are to refresh your memory a bit!  But I loved how Kate Finch described Elvis the cockatiel.  He was quite cute.  I also liked how she put fear into Elvis as well.  Overall, it was an okay book.

 

Family Tree: Better to Wish
By Ann M Martin
Reviewed by Flora
Rating: ***

 This book is about a girl named Abby and her sister named Rose, and their adventures through life.  They deal with life and death, happiness and depression.  And find out the true meaning of friendship, family and love.

This book was much better than I thought it would be.  But it was kind of scary how realistic it was.  The father was an absolute jerk!  But, if it weren’t for the realism, I don’t think this book would be as good.  However, I wouldn’t recommend this book for kids under the age of 8.

 

If you would like information on this program, come in and talk with a children's librarian.