Neil Flambé and the Crusader's Curse

 

For today’s book club, we’re talking about Neil Flambé and the Crusader’s Curse. When things start going wrong for expert gourmet chef Neil Flambé, he finds his normally delicious-tasting recipes rejected by food critics and his regular customers. Suddenly Neil finds himself in the cook-off of his lifetime and facing a dark curse that has been plaguing Flambé chefs for centuries.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I thought the character names were très entertaining, especially Jean-Claude Chili and DBC (Deep Blue Cheese). I found Neil too temperamental at times, and I thought he could’ve treated his friends and family a bit nicer, but I guess that’s what happens when the reputation of a world-class chef is at stake!

What did you think of the book? Here are some questions to consider:

1. How did Neil’s friendship with Isabella develop during this book?

2. What’s your opinion of Neil?

3. Was DBC a good match for Neil?

4. What was your favourite part of the book?

5. If Neil could cook you any meal, what would it be?

6. What’s the best meal that you’ve ever cooked (or helped cook)?

Let me know!

Click here to check out OWL’s interview with the author Kevin Sylvester.

-Kim, owlblog@owlkids.com

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Book Club: The Golden Compass

A few of you have raved about The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials, Book 1, by Philip Pullman. So we added it to the Book Club list and we’re ready to start the discussion. Feel free to share your opinion on the book, answer my questions, and even ask your own!

But first, a note: this book did include intense battle scenes and mature concepts so younger readers might want to wait a few years before tackling this one.

The Golden Compass Synopsis
Lyra Belacqua is a 12-year-old girl awaiting the arrival of her uncle and guardian, Lord Asriel, at Jordan College. She spies on him and learns of a magic material called “Dust”. She then meets Mrs Coulter, an adventurous woman, and agrees to go to live with her. Before her departure, the Master of the College secretly entrusts Lyra with an alethiometer: a “truth teller” which resembles a golden pocket-watch that can answer any question asked by a skilled user. Lyra’s journey takes her to the cold far North where she discovers the shocking truth.

I loved how this book let my imagination run wild! This strange world is somewhat familiar yet so different than the one we know. I found myself rooting so intensely for Lyra, that I couldn’t put the book down. I also found myself drawn to Lyra’s personality. She’s tough but she values friendship and loyalty. Talk about leaving readers on edge, as the ending is a cliff-hanger, driving us to read the next in the series, The Subtle Knife.

I want to hear what you thought about this book! Here are my questions for you:

1. Did you like Lyra? If so, did you like her instantly, or were you more fond of her as time passed?

2. Why do you think the author stressed that Lyra is not an imaginative child?

3. Is “Dust” good or bad?

4. Is Lord Asriel a hero or a villain?

5. What kind of animal would your dæmon be and why?

Looking forward to your feedback.

-Kim, owlblog@owlkids.com

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Mystery at the Olympics: Rush for the Gold

Note from the Editor: I’m handing over today’s post to Kendra Brown, OWL Assistant Editor. Take it away, Kendra!

With our Olympic issue on newsstands now, we thought it would be the perfect time to take a look at the new book, Mystery at the Olympics: Rush for the Gold by John Feinstein.

Set at the Summer Olympics in London, England, this new book in John Feinstein’s sports mystery series brings back reporters Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson. But this time, Susan Carol isn’t a reporter — she’s an Olympian. It’s her first Olympic Games, and the talented swimmer is ready to dive in and go the distance for the gold medal. And she’s not the only one. Sports agents, sponsors, and the media all seem to be willing to do anything to help Susan Carol win. But what Stevie wants to know is: how far will they go for the gold?

You’ll have to read the book to find out! But first, read what Priya, Meg, and Tessa thought about it:

 

Priya, 10

This realistic fiction story is great. There is a lot of action and surprises in the story. It has many lessons you may not have known before. This book will keep you swimming and reading! 8/10

 

 

 

 

Meg, 11

I really enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end. The ending was surprising, and I like that. The beginning of the book is slow and lags a little bit, but it does pick up speed, so you should keep reading. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery and enjoys a modern twist. It is also good for people who like sports.  7/10 

 

Tessa, 11

I really like how the book was written and how the author described how it felt to swim the butterfly and win an Olympic medal. I didn’t like how much information was about the agents and their companies. Overall, this is a great book to read. The end will surprise you! 8.5/10

 

 

Mystery at the Olympics: Rush for the Gold is available now. If you read it, come back and tell us what you think!

-Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com

 

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OWL Blog Book Club: Banjo of Destiny

Today’s Book Club discussion is about Banjo of Destiny by Cary Fagan.

This book, nominated for the Silver Birch Express Award, was recommended by OWL reader Rose. Rose read this book in class and liked it so much that she asked for it to be part of the Book Club.

Thank you for suggesting it, Rose!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis
Jeremiah Birnbaum comes from an extremely rich family. He lives in a house with nine bathrooms, a games room, an exercise room, an indoor pool, a hot tub, a movie theatre, a bowling alley and a tennis court. His parents make sure that he takes lessons in etiquette, ballroom dancing, watercolour painting, and classical piano. Jeremiah doesn’t complain because he wants to please his parents. But one day, by chance, he hears the captivating music of a banjo, and he is suddenly obsessed with the instrument. When his parents forbid him to play one, he decides to learn anyway — even if he has to make the instrument himself.

I really enjoyed this book. The reason I liked it so much was because I loved how Jeremiah found something that he loved and followed that passion. His determination to build and learn to play the banjo is admirable. Nothing was going to stop him from pursuing his dream!

For those of you who read the book, I have some questions to start the discussion. Feel free to ask some of your own, too!

1. Do you think Jeremiah was right in not telling his parents that he was building and learning how to play the banjo? Did he have any other options?

2. Luella was a strong force in Jeremiah’s life. Do you think he would’ve learned how to play the banjo if he wasn’t friends with Luella?

3.  When Jeremiah first saw the man playing the banjo sitting on the porch of an abandoned farmhouse, it was a turning point in his life. Do you have a turning point in your life where you were inspired to learn something? If so, what was it?

4. What do you rate the book out of 10, and why?

I’m looking forward to reading your answers.
-Kim, owlblog@owlkids.com

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