Review: The Stars of History: Charlie Chaplin

The Stars of History: Charlie Chaplin by Swysen Bernard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 our of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

I learned a lot about Charlie Chaplin that I never knew while reading this graphic novel. It was clear that Charlie started out with a hard life, but he was able to pull himself up and become the star he is now known to be. I also had no idea about how he was treated through the trials of McCarthyism.

I really enjoyed learning more, and perhaps I will look into the autobiography that is mentioned!

Thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for a copy of this book!

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Review: When the Emperor Was Divine

When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it

This book was interesting, right from the start. The writing, never mentioning the name of the characters, made me interested to know more about the family.

I find the stories of what we have done to our fellow Americans throughout the years to be sad, but interesting. We cannot change if we do not learn from the past.

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Review: Admission

Admission by Julie Buxbaum
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

This books is a fictionalized version of the "Varsity Blues Scandal" that tore through headlines about parents paying for raised test scores and fake athletic abilities to get their kids into great schools.

This novel takes the perspective of a child who didn't know it was happening, and the toll it takes on her life and relationships. It was written in a style that showed before and after the story broke in alternating chapters, showing what was known and perhaps what should have been known. It also shows what this sort of thing can do to relationships within a family and those of friendships and romance once the story broke.

I really enjoyed the book, and I will be looking for other stories from the author in the future.

Thanks to Random House Children's Delacorte Press and NetGalley for this Advanced Readers Copy.

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Review: The Case of the Gypsy Good-Bye

The Case of the Gypsy Good-Bye by Nancy Springer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 out of 5 stars - I'll tell you to read it, even if you don't ask.

The reason this got 5 stars is because it nicely tied up the end of this series. There were no open ended questions still lingering, and no wonder if another book could still be coming. (Though, I wouldn't be sad if there was another!)

In this newest case, Enola is hunting for a kidnapped Duquessa, Lady Blanchefleur. She was last seen going into the Baker Street Underground Station, and hasn't been seen since! While Enola is hunting for the missing Duquessa, Sherlock is hunting for Enola. A mysterious package has been dropped off at their home in the country, and it is addressed to Enola from her mother.

The story ties up with a nice, happy ending... with the possibility for future adventures!

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Review: The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline

The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline by Nancy Springer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

I loved how this one tied in the historical figure of Florence Nightingale.

Enola has to work to determine how, why, and who has kidnapped her landlady in the latest installment of the mystery series. Her landlady had followed her husband to the Crimean War many years before. It was what lead to her extreme deafness and left her a widow. Now Enola has to determine how that past has a connection to the current state of affairs.

Sherlock is also pulled into the case through other means, and Enola works to keep her freedom while also running into Sherlock several times.

I really enjoy Enola's spunk and fortitude to keep going through all her trials!

Can't wait for the next one.

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Review: The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan

The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan by Nancy Springer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

I really enjoyed that we got to re-meet a previous case in this book. I also really enjoyed that Enola works with Sherlock but still doesn't trust him to know where she's living or working.

Time for book #5 in the series!!

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Review: The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets

The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets by Nancy Springer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

In this book, Dr. Watson is missing... and Enola is on the case!

Enola visits Mrs. Watson and determines that there was a sinister bouquet in among all the flowers that had been delivered. The language of flowers is a way to send a message without using any words at all, and many do not understand it. It's like a secret language and code all wrapped up in one.

Enola takes a room for rent next door to Mrs Watson and waits for another bouquet to be delivered to see what she can learn. She finds clues, finds them, and sends a coded message to her brother through the newspaper columns on how to find Dr Watson.

Looking forward to reading the next in the series!

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