Book – **** Book Two of Cinda Williams Chima’s Seven Realms series is stronger than Book One. Han Alister continues to grow into his new life as a wizard, while Princess Raisa (in disguise) becomes the center of his universe.
Book – **** Cinda Williams Chima has created a lovely beginning to her fantasy series, Seven Realms. Lots of interesting characters in her clan, royalty, and wizard communities with a detailed history that shapes the present-day society.
Amazing documentary of a 13-year-old Mongolian girl taking on a century’s old role of capturing and training wild golden eagles to hunt. Beautifully filmed.
Book – ***+ Charlie N. Holmberg’s creative fantasy of a girl, Ceony, co-opted into “paper folding” for life, the lowest specialty you can bond to as a magician.
Book – ***+ Brandon Mull’s 5th novel of the Knights of the Dawn takes them on D&D type adventures through deadly puzzles, complex plot twists, and battles to prevent the rival Society of the Evening Star from opening the demon prison Zzyxx.
Animated musical on the theme of the Voice or American Idol, where an unsuccessful theater owner tries to recover by staging a singing contest. Nicely done and entertaining for both children and parents.
Excellent coming of age story where family, friends, and love seem bound to misunderstand each other. Hailee Steinfeld was great in the title role.
Good story and characters, fantastic CGI, but hurt by clumsy editing and slow delivery of the plot and how the various characters are connected to it. If you drift successfully through the first third, you should enjoy the rest of the movie.
Book – **** David Baldacci YA novel of magical Wugmorts was a very quick read full of fun ideas and fantastical danger.
The Oregon Historical Society’s comic creator’s panel came with a comics show that had excellent interactive features, including several comic creation activities that fully involved my grandson and me. Who knew an actual superhero would show up?