Into the Wild book review

Hunter, Erin, Into the Wild. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2003.

Into the Wild is the first book in the 6-book series, "Warriors." The series is about Trust.

This book is about four clans that have shared territory for generations. Firepaw, a young tabby apprentice, lays paws on trying to find the future. The clan cats dislike Firepaw because he is a kittypet, they say. Firepaw tries to find the enemy and realises it is ShadowClan. Firepaw lost one whom he loved ... Spottedleaf. Ravenpaw and Bluestar lost Redtail. Graypaw lost Lionheart.

Firepaw was a kittypet because he lived with twolegs, aka humans. His name was Rusty, a normal housecat.

In the end, Fireheart thought that Tigerclaw was the enemy.

This is Aidan's favourite passage from the book: "'Did they fight well, Whitestorm?' she asked. 'Like warriors,' Whitestorm replied solemnly. Bluestar met his yellow-eyed gaze and gave a slight nod. ... Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Graypaw, from this moment, you'll be known as Graystripe. StarClan honours your bravery and your strength. ... Bluestar stood and studied Firepaw for a long moment before speaking. Firepaw, from this moment, you will be known as Fireheart. StarClan honours your bravery and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan.'"

Ghost Hunter book review

Paver, Michelle, Ghost Hunter. London: Orion Children's Books, 2009.

Ghost Hunter is a book about the Eagle Owl Mage who will try to conquer the living and the dead. Torak meets another friend during the battle. His friend’s name is Dark.

Torak was separated from Renn two times. Wolf was badly injured and Wolf’s mate was injured as well. In the end, Wolf had only one cub to live with.

My favourite part of this book was the ending, “Then they grabbed Renn’s gear and headed off into the morning, with the wolves trotting behind them and the ravens sky-dancing overhead.” It makes me feel happy.

I was surprised that the Eagle Owl Mage didn’t die.

I wished that there were still more books in this series because two other Soul Eaters could die.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to hear old, scary, and powerful stuff.

Oath Breaker book review

Paver, Michelle, Oath Breaker. London: Orion Children's Books, 2008.

Oath Breaker is a book about one of Torak’s best friends being killed. Torak tracks the killer to the Deep Forest and that is where Wolf thinks that Tall Tailless is not-wolf. He finds out about another enemy who is a Mage but not a Soul Eater, and is the one who set the fire.

My favourite part of this book was when Torak confirmed his place in Wolf’s pack.

Michelle Paver is a very good writer. When I read her books, I feel like I’m there.

Outcast book review

I finished reading this book aloud to Aidan last night. 

Here's Aidan's book review. 

Paver, Michelle, Outcast. London: Orion Children's Books, 2007.

Outcast is a book about a boy who had the Soul Eater mark on his chest. People saw it and cast him out and then hunted him. The part of being outcasted saved Otter Clan from destruction. The book is also about a person who caused a disaster. She was very powerful. In the end, the old man called Fin-Kedinn, fosters Torak into all the clans.

My favourite part of this book was when Torak realised that Renn's mother was the Viper Mage. I was really surprised to learn this.

The funniest part was when Wolf saw fish in the trees.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Thought.

Soul Eater book review

I finished reading this book aloud to Aidan this morning. 

Here's Aidan's book review. 

Paver, Michelle, Soul Eater. London: Orion Children's Books, 2006.

Soul Eater is a book about finding a dog that Torak calls, “Wolf.” It turns out to be a journey that saves the world.

My favourite part of this book was when Wolf was the last animal coming out of the gap in the cave entrance.

The funniest part was when Torak and Renn rescued the wolverine, it snarled at them and Wolf came up and the wolverine left.

I hope that Renn’s bow will be destroyed ... this would be an example of parting with something great, for instance, Fa.

I think there should be an Exodus-type book about the past of this series and the characters. Included in this book would be stories about Fa and it would start off long, long ago when the Soul Eaters were healers. We would find out what joke Torak told Fa at the beginning of Wolf Brother, and this would be the ending: “Torak woke with a jolt from a sleep he’d never meant to have,” (the first line from Chapter 1 of Wolf Brother).

In a book about the origins of the Soul Eaters, there would be one new named Soul Eater - the one who burned in the fire - and they would all be Healers. Around the fifth chapter, the Healers would become Soul Eaters. One main character would actually be Fa. There could also be a history of Renn and Wolf. Wolf’s story would start off with his mother pregnant, and end with a duck bone in his throat. Renn’s story would start off with her father preparing to leave for the Far North and would end with, “Let him go!” the stranger said. This was the scene where Torak wanted Wolf to be released from Oslak.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Spirit Walker, or anyone who is interested in animals.

Aidan's reference to an "Exodus-type" book is based on the book, Transformers Exodus, 

in which Transformer origins are explained and some history is described. Michelle Paver's book series has greatly inspired Aidan's imagination. He often makes predictions or expresses desires for what could happen next. He also likes to ponder the author's motivations for story lines and events. And during this third book, he has been thinking back to events from earlier stories, wishing to have more details revealed and explained.

Spirit Walker book review

I finished reading this book aloud to Aidan this evening. 

Here's Aidan's book review. 

Paver, Michelle, Spirit Walker. London: Orion Children's Books, 2005.

Spirit Walker is a book about a sickness that spreads through the clans. The boy called Torak tries to find a cure and he doesn’t even know who his enemy is until the end.

I would recommend Spirit Walker just as much as Wolf Brother. I’m looking forward to reading Soul Eater next.

My favourite part of the book was when Tenris told Torak he had lied about the cure. I think it was a turning point because Torak had spent a whole long time just looking for the cure.

The funniest part of the book was when Wolf refused to get into the canoe. Another funny part was when Wolf got squirted in the muzzle by fulmar chicks.

I liked the new characters, including Tenris and the orca, Notched Fin.

Independence Day

A1: "Mom, can we go to Deep Cove?" I was working at my client's office about 1/2 an hour away from home. It was 3:15pm and Austin had just returned from picking up Aaron from preschool about 5 blocks away.

M: "Well, that's pretty far from home, but it's a nice day and I had been thinking the same thing before you called."

A1: "Can we have some money for ice cream?"

M: "That's what your allowance is for."

A1: "What about Aaron? He doesn't get allowance."

M: "Well then, you and Aidan will have to agree to buy Aaron an ice cream by splitting the cost, or else none of you should get any."

I left A1 with instructions to let Dad know where they were going and not to call me to complain if Dad says, "No." Skye was working downstairs.

Around 3:45, I received a text message from Skye asking if it was ok with me for the boys to go to Deep Cove. I responded, "Sure. I'll pick them up on my way home."

I reached Panorama Park at 5:15 and found the boys on the path near the beach. They were all happy and Austin was drinking water from a Tupperware container he had obviously filled at home. I was impressed that he had thought to pack water for the trip.

Austin excitedly told me that he had bought himself two slices of Deep Cove Pizza and he had $0.02 left over. Aidan had bought himself some ice cream and he had $1.51 left over.

M: "Did Aaron get some ice cream too?"

A1 & A2: "Yeah!"

A2: "We bought Aaron a small dish of vanilla ice cream."

M: "You shared the cost?"

A2: "Yes, Austin paid half and I paid half."

A1 and A2 explained that they had decided before they left the house, how much money they were willing to spend. So, they brought only that much ($10 and $5, respectively) down with them and left the rest in their wallets. Now comes the reason for the packed water bottles...

A1: "I wasn't going to be spending any of my money on water, so I filled up water bottles to take with us." Good thinking!

I asked how everything went and if they all enjoyed going down to Deep Cove (about 10 blocks from home) on their own. I received a very balanced answer.

A1: "Aaron got a little upset when I accidentally hit his chin with the scooter, and Aidan tread on the heel of his boot. We weren't really paying good enough attention at the start, but we got better at it. We made sure that Aaron was always farthest away from cars when we were walking on the sidewalk, even if Aaron got mad at us for that."

I was really proud of all the boys, and I told them so. This was a big step and they handled the responsibility beautifully.