We don't do stars...
We don't do thumbs...
We read children's books and grade them in 10 categories:
literary quality
plot
voice
originality
descriptive ability
humor (if attempted)
illustrations (if present)
believability of characters
believability of situations
overall reading enjoyment

There is no grading curve. There are no points for classroom participation. There is no extra credit.
If you disagree, come speak to us after class.

The Grading System

A+.....this means (guess what) we think it's great. So great it surprised even us.
A.....this means it's pretty darn good. A book we'd recommend to just about everyone we know.
B.....better than most. Not exactly Shakespeare for kids, though, if you get our drift.
C.....mediocre. Like the color beige, it didn't stand out.
D.....we didn't like it. There were more bad aspects than good ones.
F.....it reeked of badness. We read it over and over when we are in dire need of hysterical laughter.
F-.....We're pretty sure Dante had a circle of hell for the people who wrote these...and a lower circle for those who published them.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Reporter's Review: The Season, by Sarah MacLean


Scholastic, 2009
Overall Grade: B

Seventeen-year-old Lady Alexandra Stafford (a.k.a. Alex) wants nothing to do with the demands of her first London Season in Regency England—in particular she wants nothing of what her mother sees as the primary point of the season: finding a husband. She is sure she will be bored to death by the countless young earls and dukes who care for nothing but her title and her good looks. However, the season turns out to be anything but boring as she faces some dangerous prospects: discovering a traitorous spy, solving a murder, and finding true love.
Sarah MacLean has a clear eye for unfolding both plot and a love story, and The Season was both exciting and romantic. It never felt completely true to the era—the language often seemed modern and the main characters’ ideas and ideals at times seemed imposed upon them by a member of the modern world.
However, the intriguing plot and clear voice made the story quite enjoyable—and if you love lush descriptions of period dresses, you should read The Season at least once.

Literary Quality: B
Plot: A
Voice: A
Originality: B
Descriptive Ability: A-
Humor: B
Illustrations: n/a
Believability of Characters: C
Believability of Situations: B
Overall Reading Enjoyment: B

Possibly objectionable topics*: mild language; kissing (but this is Regency England we’re talking about…you don’t really have to worry); some violence and possibly scary political intrigue

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I loved this one too. It was so cute! :)