The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielson

The first time I heard someone compare The False Prince: (Book 1 of the Ascendance Trilogy) by Jennifer A. Nielson to Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, I admittedly balked a little. I mean really, Harry Potter AND The Hunger Games? But I put the hardcover in my Amazon cart anyway.

The second time I heard the comparison made, I decided to check my library system to see if I could get it sooner. All the copies in the county were checked out. And there were quite a few.

The THIRD time I heard that it was AS. GOOD. AS. HARRY POTTER. AND THE HUNGER GAMES (!), I said, I need this book now...and downloaded it to my Kindle.

So, how did it measure up?

Considering my HIGH expectations, it did well.

I can't say that it was quite the page-turner that The Hunger Games was, but I certainly didn't want to stop reading at any point either.

I enjoyed this book as well as the first few Harry Potters (BLASPHEMY! you say), but whether the series becomes a true classic remains to be seen. I mean, that 7th Harry Potter book was genius. Pure storytelling genius.

Here's a summary:

The royal family is dead but few members of the Kingdom know. One of the princes, however, was lost at sea years ago. A power-hungry regent chooses four orphans who look similar to the missing prince and begins training them. One will become Prince Jaron. The other three, knowing too much of the treacherous plan, will be killed.

Sage, an unruly boy full of spunk, is our narrator. He doesn't want to be a prince, but what choice does he have? Full of twists and turns, we watch this unique character face challenge after challenge in his unusual way.

And it is Sage's character that makes this book great. Jennifer Nielson did an excellent job crafting this boy...making him someone stubborn yet lovable. He's always fighting the system, but the more we get to know him, we see that his intentions are honorable and worthwhile. I don't know if I loved him at first, but I watched him become a man and grew to LOVE his character.

While this book has some adventure, the violence is more comparable to the first Harry Potter novels than any of The Hunger Games books. One orphan is killed early on to prove that the regent is serious about his evil plot, but it isn't graphic.

So, despite my balking (like a chicken), I consider this book a 5 star read. Adventure, a little romance, a good fairy tale...

If you want to know if Sage ranks up there with the likes of wizard boys and the tributes of district 12, you'll just have to read it and decide for yourself.

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

It is rumored that Abraham Lincoln met Harriet Beecher Stowe at the beginning of the Civil War and said, "So this is the little lady who started this great war."

Despite changing the course of America's history, this is a book many people have heard of, but far fewer have read.

Well-drawn characters are interwoven in a web of stories that portray life in the slave states. Through unimaginable trials, most of the slaves in the story buckle under pressure and lose hope. However, some stay strong and true to their Christian faith.

Uncle Tom is a strong character who looks to God for guidance. When all the other slaves buckle under the pressure of a tyrannical slave-owner, he stands strong in his faith and doesn't budge.

What a beautiful example of true Christianity! Tom realizes that no matter what is done to him on Earth, he will be rewarded in Heaven for sticking to his morals and his God.

Well-written, although definitely written with an anti-slavery slant that sometimes comes before the story itself, this book instantly rose to be on my list of most wonderful, life-changing, powerful books.

I highlighted a few parts of this classic as I read. One sentence that struck me was this: "It's pretty generally understood that men don't aspire after the absolute right, but only to do about as well as the rest of the world." This is only too true. How often do we do things just because it is commonly accepted? Whether or not they are right?

Highly recommended for teens and adults.

Favorite Board Books

Are you thinking about stocking stuffers yet? Here are some perfect ones for your littlest listeners! Today we're talking board books. Our current favorites are...

Baby Baby Baby! by Marilyn Janovitz

What do babies love more than...well, babies? This rhyming book is full of fun. Listen to the rhythm. It sounds like a song.

"Bitsy bouncy baby
On a bumpity lap
Mommy's little baby likes to
Clap Clap Clap!
Teeny tiny feet
Tippy toes prance
Daddy's little baby likes to
Dance Dance Dance!"

My little Y is really enjoying this story. He asks for it over and over, saying, "Baby Baby Baby boooook". It's pretty darn cute!

Another big plus for this book, is that it shows a traditional family, which is unfortunately becoming more and more unusual. It shows baby playing with mom, dad, Grandma, Grandpa, and the puppy and kitty.

Yay for family!

Little Quack by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Derek Anderson

This is an endearing story about a duck who is afraid to leave his nest. The pictures are adorable, and the story even throws in some counting. You can't beat this cute story.

Here's a glimpse into the book: "Come, little duckling!" Mama called once more. "Paddle on the water with me."
"No, Mama, no!" cried Little Quack. "I'm scared! I'm just too scared!"
"You can do it," Mama said.
Little Quack looked at the water. He sniffed the water. He touched the water with his foot. Could he do it? Did he dare?"
Find out in the story.  :)

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

I hope you've seen this book by now. It is one of my personal all-time favorite stories for children.

Bear's friends are having fun in his cave while he sleeps and sleeps all winter. Will he miss all the excitement?

Here's a taste of the rhyme...

"In a cave in the woods,
in his deep, dark lair,
through the long, cold winter
sleeps a great brown bear.

Cuddled in a heap,
with his eyes shut tight,
he sleeps through the day,
he sleeps through the night.

The cold winds howl
and the night sounds growl.
But the bear snores on."

Bubs and I can read this whole story with our eyes shut.  :)

What are your favorites?