{Q&A/Review with Bailey}: Ramona's World by Beverly Cleary

Page Count: 240

Published on: August 25, 1999

Published by: Harper Collins

Genre(s): Childrens, Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Source: Paperback 

Age Rating: Young Adult

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Book Depository: {click here}

Bailey's Rating: 3 star

Goodreads synopsis:

Ramona Quimby can't wait to start fourth grade. With a new baby sister to brag about, new calluses to show off, and a new best friend to get to know, everything's going to be great!

Or is it? When Ramona's spelling is atrocious, her teacher, Mrs. Meacham, is firm about her needing to improve. Then a scary incident at a friend's house leaves Ramona feeling at fault. Who knew growing up could be filled with such complicated situations?

~~~

Hey, guys!

     Bailey and I finally sat down and reviewed a few books and I'm so happy with the content that we've compiled for you. Bailey is currently 9 years old and so freaking smart. She loves to read. She's so hilarous and she has the best commentary about the books she reads. 

I loved doing this interview/review with her. She's so passionate about what she reads. I hope you enjoy this review! In the next year, we're going to start writing full on reviews and get her writing skills to develop. 

~~~ 

Q: What is Ramona's World about? Can you summarize it a bit?

B: It's about Ramona's fourth grade year and all the ups and downs that she goes through. 

      She has a baby sister now and she falls through a ceiling at a friends house and scrapes up her legs. At the end, her classmate Susan comes to her birthday party but cries because the book her mom read was made fun of because it said that you shouldn't eat birthday cake because someone might spit on it. Which I think is offensive because it isn't the book's fault. It's the author of the book's fault not Beverly Cleary. 

Q: What would you rate this book? Why?

B: 3 stars. Because I don't like how she calls "10" 'zero-teen' and "11" 'one-teen'.

Q: What did you like about this book? What did you dislike?

B: I like Ramona, except I don't have a baby sister and she only has one big sister. I have three. I like how they call Beatrice "Beezus" and how when they're taking care of a cat named Claude that they have a two story cat tower. I like that the baby get's its head stuck in the cat tower, but Ramona helps figure out how to get the baby out without hurting her. 

Q: Are you going to continue with more Ramona books?

B: I already have. Ramona books are good. I've read Ramona Forever, but I don't remember anything and I really want to read it and I'm screaming! AHHH!

Q: Do you have anything else to say to the people reading this?

B: I like chickens. If a chicken and a dragon had a baby I'd call it a Cragon and it's name would be Ramona or Roberta...depends....maybe even Beatrice. I don't know. I'll figure it out....

(Bailey is looking through Ruby and Olivia by Rachel Hawkings) "WHAT IF I CUT YOU!"

Happy reading!

Olivia & Bailey

~LivTheBookNerd & Beetle~

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{Q&A/Review With Bailey} Ruby & Olivia by Rachel Hawkins

Page Count: 240

Published on: October 24, 2017

Published by: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Genre(s): Middle Grade, Mystery, Paranormal

Source: Paperback ARC - via publisher -- given to her by me

Age Rating: PG

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

Bailey's Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

A spooky middle-grade story that's full of fun, friendship, and humor--perfect for fans of Ingrid Law and Lisa Graff.
Ruby is best friends with Emma, but she and Emma's twin sister Olivia are definitely not friends. Unfortunately, Emma will be away for the summer, while Ruby and Olivia are going to be stuck at a community service day camp for troublemakers--together. 
To kick off the spirit of service, the campers are outfitted with bright pink polka-dotted t-shirts with smiley faces on the front, then tasked with cataloging the contents of an abandoned mansion. Sorting through objects in an old house sounds boring, and working with each other is that last thing the girls want to do, but the stuff is actually pretty cool. There's everything from mink stoles to golf clubs to stuffed deer heads . . . and . . . wait . . . is that stuffed deer head watching them? 
When the taps run freezing cold and doors slam inexplicably, Ruby and Olivia wonder if the other campers are having a bit of fun, or if the abandoned mansion is looking for new residents. To solve the mystery, Ruby and Olivia will have to put their grudges aside and figure out how to be a team with or without Emma.

~~~

Hey, guys!

Today Bailey and I are bringing you an amazing Q&A review for Rachel Hawkin's Ruby and Olivia. Back in late October, I recieved an ARC for Ruby and Olivia and I reviewed it. It wasn't one of my absolute favorite middle grade novels and Bee wanted to read it, so I just gave her the ARC. In the past few weeks, Bailey has read and reread this book...she loves it...so we had to review it! I hope you love this review. We worked really hard to make this great and I'm so proud of how far she's come. Enjoy!

My Review of R&O: {click here}

~~~

Q: What is Ruby & Olivia about? Can you summarize it a bit?

A: It's about these kids who go to a mansion because Olivia's sister, Emma, is shoplifting and steals lipstick and Olivia takes the blame. Ruby did a prank at a different school where she did something with glitter in the hallways, so both of them are sent to Camp Chrysalis. They are sent to the Live Oak House mansion to clean up and they went to creepy rooms and creepy things kept happening, like a kid got bit by the house. 

      The reason that it's called the Live Oak House is because the house is built around a live tree. The tree actually almost killed Ruby and Olivia because it was kind of possessed by the spirits of Mr. Rexhall's dead twin sisters. 

Q: What would you rate this book? Why?

A: 5 stars. It's a good book! I like how it has an actual plot and the characters are cool. I like how it's a mystery...like one of the kids' hands gets bit and it was the end of the chapter!...I was like.... (holds up hands in awe) woah, I gotta keep reading! Olivia reminds me of you because she's respectful and well behaved and you might take the blame if Sarah stole a cactus or something. I don't think she would, but if she did I think you'd take the blame so she could go to a cool camp. 

[Sarah is actually my twin sister. She's a lover of plants, baking, and skincare. She would never steal anything, but she sure does love plants.]

Bailey continued to reread passages of this book to creep me out. She succeeded and I had to take the book from her so we could finish this interview review. 

Q: What did you like about this book? What did you dislike?

A: I liked that there were creepy dolls involved. That is the best kind of story. [Me: why??] I just like creepy dolls. I like their horrifying faces. It reminds me of when I look in the mirror.  [GUYS I'M NOT KIDDING SHE LITERALLY SAID THAT AND GIGGLED! WHO IS THIS CHILD???]

I didn't like how silent Wesley is. He barely said anything. I don't like it when other people give other people the silent treatment in books...and I don't like how he hides behind his hair. 

Q: So this book is a standalone. If it had a sequel would you read it? Do you think it needs a sequel?

A: Definitely. There is no way I'm saying no to a sequel. I think it needs a shorter sequel or something. You can't just end the story with the house disappearing. What happens next? I need to know!

Q: Do you have anything else to say to the people reading this?

A: I think this book was amazing....and I like chickens. 

Q: Why do you like chickens??? Why???

A: They supply you with food and they make noises like "quak" or "BOCK"

~~~

Thanks for reading this review! We hope you enjoyed it!

Happy reading!

Olivia & Bailey

~Liv & Bailey the Book Nerds~

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{Q&A/Review With Bailey} Jorie & the Gold Key by A.H. Richardson

Page Count: 247

Published in: 2015

Published by: Serano Press

Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Childrens, Middle Grade
Source: Paperback -- provided by author/publishing house

Age Rating: middle grade

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Bailey's Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

When Jorie and Rufus planned another summer of adventuring, they didn’t plan on sharing it with a snooty, stuck-up, bossy 10-year-old Nigel. When the Wizard Grootmonya calls on Jorie to remedy another disaster in Cabrynthius — the theft of the Magic Stones, Jorie grabs the Gold Key and the three children descend to the enchanted land beneath the Tarn. There they find more extraordinary adventures that bring them face to face again with the wicked Lord Fodomalk and his evil butterfly. Their troubles grow as the fiendish dragon not only snatches Nigel, but confines him to a cold dank cell with the illusive Professor Schrinch (yes, he’s still alive and as sneaky as ever). Jorie and Rufus — and the persnickety Nigel — are joined by all their old friends in this rollicking tale of magic, strange impersonations, and hair-raising exploits. They help Master Nigel with his confusion of the world beneath the Tarn and discover strengths in their new friend that even he didn’t know he had. Aside from spurts of jealousy from Rufus and impatience from Jorie, Nigel learns about bravery and friendship as he struggles with belief and enchantment. Follow this feisty threesome back to the evil, dark world of Shyloxia and the beautiful, bright world of Cabrynthius, where live all manner of creatures, naughty and nice. Do they recover the Magic Stones? What does that Gold Key open for them? Do they survive the shadowy world of nasty characters? Do Jorie and Rufus accept Nigel into their world? And what about Chook — that beloved baby dragon? And if you want to know how Jorie and Rufus survived their first summer adventures, pick up your copy of Jorie and the Magic Stones.

~~~

Hey, guys!

Bailey's been asked by Serano Press to review the next book in the Jorie series and she's finally able to write a review! I hope you all enjoy it. She has a fun time reading and reviewing for LtBN blog. Here are her thoughts on Jorie 

& the Gold Key! 

Bailey's Review for Jorie & the Magic Stones: {click here}

~~~

Q: What is Jorie & the Gold Key about? Can you summarize it a bit?

A: This book is about Jorie when she's called back to Cabrynthius to find the Magic Stones. She has to go to a place called the Cave of Fire and she has to unlock a door to find a magic blanket. By then, a boy named Nigel is captured by the evil wizard Lord Fodomalk. They go on the magic blanket to meet up with the great wizard Grootmonya and save Nigel.

Q: What would you rate this book? Why?

A: 4.5 stars. Because it was a really good book. I really liked the plot. I like the drawing style of the cover. 

Q: What did you like about this book? What did you dislike?

A: That even though the evil wizard is evil, he has a daughter (Anwyn) who is really cool and who was in love with Greddan. I like the magic stuff too.

I just didn't like the name Rufus on a person. It makes them sound like a dog. 

Q: Are you going to continue with the series?

A: Yes if there are more books.

Q: Do you have anything else to say to the people reading this?

A: No.

Other Reviews By Bailey: {click here}

Enjoy!

Happy reading!

Olivia & Bailey

~LivTheBookNerd~

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository

@LivTheBookNerd on Books Amino

{Q&A/Review With Bailey + Author Guest Post} Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold ( Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency #1) by Iain Reading

Page Count: 262

Published on: December 3, 2012

Published by: Amazon Digital Services

Genre(s): Mystery, Middle Grade, Adventure, Children's
Source: Paperback -- provided by author

Age Rating: middle grade

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Bailey's Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is the thrilling first installment in a new series of adventure mystery stories that are one part travel, one part history and five parts adventure. This first book of the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series introduces Kitty Hawk, an intrepid teenage pilot with her own De Havilland Beaver seaplane and a nose for mystery and intrigue. A cross between Amelia Earhart, Nancy Drew and Pippi Longstocking, Kitty is a quirky young heroine with boundless curiosity and a knack for getting herself into all kinds of precarious situations.

After leaving her home in the western Canadian fishing village of Tofino to spend the summer in Alaska studying humpback whales Kitty finds herself caught up in an unforgettable adventure involving stolen gold, devious criminals, ghostly shipwrecks, and bone-chilling curses. Kitty's adventure begins with the lingering mystery of a sunken ship called the Clara Nevada and as the plot continues to unfold this spirited story will have armchair explorers and amateur detectives alike anxiously following every twist and turn as they are swept along through the history of the Klondike Gold Rush to a suspenseful final climatic chase across the rugged terrain of Canada's Yukon, the harsh land made famous in the stories and poems of such writers as Jack London, Robert Service and Pierre Berton. It is a riveting tale that brings to glorious life the landscape and history of Alaska's inside passage and Canada's Yukon, as Kitty is caught up in an epic mystery set against the backdrop of the scenery of the Klondike Gold Rush.

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is a perfect book to fire the imagination of readers of all ages. Filled with fascinating and highly Google-able locations and history this book will inspire anyone to learn and experience more for themselves as Kitty prepares for her next adventure - flying around the world!

~~~

Hey, guys!

      Bailey has been reading this book for quite a while, but we're finally putting a review up! She's super excited to tell you guys about it, so enjoy!

Edit: This review was supposed to go up weeks ago, but for some reason it did not. I just double checked the HTML and I'm still not sure what went on, but here is Bailey's review!

~~~

Q: What is Kitty Hawk & the Curse of the Yukon Gold about? Can you summarize it a bit?

A: Kitty Hawk decided to go to Alaska, to study humpback whales. In that time she was captured by 3 men and she eventually escaped. She eventually finds out about the Yukon Gold curse and she has a big adventure. 

Q: What would you rate this book? Why?

A: 4 stars

Q: What did you like about this book? What did you dislike?

A: I really liked her name. I love cats. I liked that it had a cool curse. I like magic and curses are kind of a part of magic. I didn't really dislike too many things except that she got captured. Except that was a part of the plot.

Q: Are you going to continue with the series?

A: Yes. 

Q: Do you have anything else to say to the people reading this?

A: I like cats. I needed to read this book because the main character's name is Kitty Hawk. 

~~~

Guest Post:

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is the thrilling first installment in a new young adult series of adventure mystery stories by Iain Reading. This first book of the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series introduces Kitty Hawk, an intrepid teenage pilot with her own De Havilland Beaver seaplane and a nose for mystery and intrigue. A cross between Amelia Earhart, Nancy Drew and Pippi Longstocking, Kitty is a quirky young heroine with boundless curiosity and a knack for getting herself into all kinds of precarious situations. 

After leaving her home in the western Canadian fishing village of Tofino to spend the summer in Alaska studying humpback whales, Kitty finds herself caught up in an unforgettable adventure involving stolen gold, devious criminals, ghostly shipwrecks, and bone-chilling curses. Kitty's adventure begins with the lingering mystery of a sunken ship called the Clara Nevada. As the plot continues to unfold, this spirited story will have readers anxiously following every twist and turn as they are swept along through the history of the Klondike Gold Rush to a suspenseful final climactic chase across the rugged terrain of Canada's Yukon.

Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold is a perfect book to fire the imagination of readers of all ages. Filled with fascinating and highly Google-able locations and history this book will inspire anyone to learn and experience more for themselves. 

There are currently five books in the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series: Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold (book 1), Kitty Hawk and the Hunt for Hemingway's Ghost (book 2), Kitty Hawk and the Icelandic Intrigue (book 3), and Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic (book 4), and Kitty Hawk and the Mystery of the Masterpieces (book 5). Each book can be read as a standalone.

“In the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series, the heroine finds herself in a new geographic location in each book. The series will eventually have a total of 13 books in it (maybe more) and her flight around the world will be completed in the end,” says Iain. “The books are sequential but one could definitely read any of the later ones before reading the earlier ones.”

For more information, go to http://www.kittyhawkworld.com/

About the Author:

Iain Reading is passionate about Root Beer, music, and writing. He is Canadian, but currently, resides in the Netherlands working for the United Nations.

Iain is the author of the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series, The Wizards of Waterfire Series, and the dragon of the month club. To learn more, go to http://www.amazon.com/Iain-Reading/e/B00B0NGI6Q/

Connect with Iain on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

~~~

Happy reading, all!
Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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@LivTheBookNerd on Books Amino

{Q&A/Review With Bailey} Jorie & the Magic Stones by A.H. Richardson [#BaileyTheBookNerd]

Page Count: 268

Published on: December 26, 2014

Published by: Serano Press

Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's, Middle Grade

Source: Print: Paperback - from publisher

Age Rating: Middle Grade

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Book Depository: {click here}

Author Website: {click here}

Bailey's Rating: 3.5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

When Marjorie went to live with her frosty maiden aunt, she couldn't imagine the adventures she would have with dragons - good and bad - and all the strange creatures that live in a mysterious land beneath the Tarn. The spunky 9-year-old redhead forges an unlikely friendship with an insecure young boy named Rufus who lives with his crusty grandfather next door. When Jorie - for that is what she prefers to be called - finds a dusty ancient book about dragons, she learns four strange words that will send the two of them into a mysterious land beneath the Tarn, riddled with enchantment and danger. Hungry for adventure, the children take the plunge, quite literally, and find themselves in the magic land of Cabrynthius. Upon meeting the good dragon, the Great Grootmonya, Jorie and Rufus are given a quest to find the three Stones of Maalog - stones of enormous power - and return them to their rightful place in Cabrynthius. Their mission is neither easy nor safe, and is peppered with perils in the form of the evil black half-dragon who rules the shadowy side of the land. They have to deal with a wicked and greedy professor, the tragic daughter of the bad dragon, caves of fire, rocky mountainous climbs, and a deadly poisonous butterfly. Jorie must rely on her wits and courage to win the day? Can she do this? Can she find all three Stones? Can she save Rufus when disaster befalls him? Can she emerge victorious? She and Rufus have some hair-raising challenges, in which they learn valuable lessons about loyalty, bravery, and friendship.

~~~

Hey, guys!

      I was asked by Sereno Press and A.H. Richardson to review Richardson's middle-grade novel Jorie and the Magic Stones, but I was sure that Bailey would enjoy it much more than I would, so I asked them if they cared if Bailey did a guest review over it and they loved the idea! So thus began the process of Bailey's reading journey for this book. When she got the book, she was so excited! She was so tickled that the package was addressed to her. 

(follow me on Instagram for cool updates on

book mail, bookish parcels, and bookish shenanigans)

      Over the next couple weeks, we Bee had some issues with homework, got sick, and misbehaved like nine-year-olds do and didn't get a chance to read. As the school year soon came to a close, both of our lives were consumed by school (and work for me), so the review never got written even after she finished the book. We finally got to discuss the book and write this little review, so I hope you guys are encouraged to check the book out. Bailey enjoyed reading it and I loved hearing her thoughts about it! 

~~~

Bee's Q&A Review:

Q: What is Jorie and the Magic Stones about? Can you summarize it a bit?

A:  Um. It’s about Jorie who faces an evil dragon, some greedy creatures, caves of fire, rocky mountain trails, and a poisonous butterfly. She discovers her courage, how long she can stay, and she tests her friendship a couple times.

Q: What would you rate this book? Why?

A: probably 3.5 stars. Because I have a hard time remembering everything in the book very well.

Q: What did you like about this book? What did you dislike?

A:  I liked that they make Jorie’s name shorter because her full name is Marjorie, I liked the dragons, I liked the magic. I like any book with magic in it. I magic…I like fairies—they’re apart of magic.

Q: Are you going to continue with the series?

A:  No duh….I’m just going to say “no duh” every time because I’M CURIOUS!

(Bailey is going to be sent book 2 to review and she is so excited!)

Q: Do you have anything else to say to the people reading this?

A: I loved it and I hope other people like it too.

Other Reviews By Bailey: {click here}

Enjoy!

Happy reading!

Olivia & Bailey

~LivTheBookNerd~

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository

@LivTheBookNerd on Books Amino

{Q&A/Review With Bailey}The Hostile Hospital (The Series of Unfortunate Events #8) by Lemony Snicket

THERE MAY BE SPOILERS FOR BOOKS 1-8. BE WARY 🙂

Page Count: 255

Published on: January 1, 2001

Published by: HarperCollins

Genre(s): Fiction, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Mystery

Source: Print: Hardback

Age Rating: Middle Grade

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Book Depository: {click here}

Twitter: @@danielhandler & @lemonysnicket

Bailey's Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Dear Reader,

Before you throw this awful book to the ground and run as far away from it as possible, you should probably know why. This book is the only one which describes every last detail of the Baudelaire children's miserable stay at Heimlich Hospital, which makes it one of the most dreadful books in the world.

There are many pleasant things to read about, but this book contains none of them. Within its pages are such burdensome details as a suspicious shopkeeper, unnecessary surgery, an intercom system, anaesthesia, heart-shaped balloons, and some very startling news about a fire. Clearly you do not want to read about such things.

I have sworn to research this story, and to write it down as best I can, so I should know that this book is something best left on the ground, where you undoubtedly found it.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

~~~

      Bailey has been obsessively reading The Series of Unfortunate Events (out of order most of the time, but she doesn't care. She just reads and reads) and watching and rewatching the first season of the show. I have been soooo busy with finals and preparations for finals, but I figured that Bailey has been wanting to review TSoUE for the longest time. She decided that she wanted to review her favorite book from the series. So here are some of her thoughts on the book. She's planning on reviewing all of the books this summer (mainly because I'm so busy at the moment), so keep an eye out for that!

Q: What is The Hostile Hospital about? Can you summarize it a bit?

A: Violet has an unnecessary surgery and they have to do it in front of a huge crowd or they it won't be seen as an accident. They're still running from Count Olaf. Count Olaf disguises his name with an anagram.  

Q: What would you rate this book? Why?

A: 5 stars. Because it's a great book. I like how they use alphabet soup to figure out the anagram for Violet's name. 

Q: What did you like about this book? What did you dislike?

A: I liked that in the middle when they were going to give Violet the surgery Klaus and Sunny disguised themselves as doctors and Count Olaf's associates (hook hand and long nose) they thought Klaus and Sunny were the powder face women who work for Count Olaf. 

Q: Are you going to continue with the series?

A: No duh. I've already finished all the books.

Q: Do you have anything else to say to the people reading this?

A: I have one thing to say to the author! Stop telling the readers to put down their books!

I do recommend this book to the people.

Other Reviews By Bailey: {click here}

Enjoy!

Happy reading!

Olivia & Bailey

~LivTheBookNerd~

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository

@LivTheBookNerd on Books Amino