The Sixty-Eight Rooms

The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Welcome to a new view of the Thorne Rooms from the Art Institute of Chicago. The Thorne Rooms are miniatures that depict different times and places in history. While on a field trip, Jack and Ruthie discover the magic of the Thorne Rooms. It goes beyond the historic details of each room. Jack find a key and when Ruthie holds it, the key takes her on an unforgettable journey to the present and the past.
Malone grew up in the Chicago area and shares the lives of two elementary students living in the Midwest. Her background in art history and her familiarity with the Thorne Rooms clearly shows. It was nice to read a book placed in the Midwest. I enjoyed the magic of walking around a miniature room with Ruthie and Jack. It was exciting to see how the past and present collided. Towards the ending, I felt it could have ended in several places, but Malone continued to include tidbits for a second book. I am intrigued to see how the story unfolds.
Cassandra Campbell shared the story. She has a comfortable voice with pleasant differences between characters. I enjoyed the distinctive qualities between the historic characters. I hope Campbell returns for the second Sixty-Eight Rooms book.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone
Series: Book 1, The Sixty-Eight Rooms
Read by Cassandra Campbell
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 6
Total Time: 7 hours

The Flint Heart

The Flint Heart by Katherine Paterson

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Jump into the world of British fairy tales! John Paterson and his wife Katherine freely adapted Eden Phillpott's original story, The Flint Heart. They modernized the tale for today's readers. If you are a lover of fairy tales, find this treasure. Brilliance Audio also included an amazing afterword with Katherine Paterson.

The story reminds me of Alice in Wonderland. The pieces fit together, but in unexpected ways. Mysterious creatures and inanimate objects come to life! Reader Ralph Lister is enjoyable to hear. His UK training is appreciated considering this is an English story.

When you finish this tale, you might be interested in finding the original. The Flint Heart is an old story and isn't easy to find. I recommend Google Books to view of copy of Philpott's original tale.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
The Flint Heart freely adapted by Katherine Paterson & John Paterson
Read by Ralph Lister
Produced by Brilliance Audio
Number of Discs: 4
Total Time: 4 hours, 10 minutes

Operation Yes

Operation Yes by Sara Lewis Holmes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Operation Yes intrigues the reader with the toy army men on the cover. I personally never read the back cover. I liked the army men and figured that the story would be about army men coming to life and saving their owners. Yes, it would be a novel like Toy Story the movie.
I was wrong. After listening to the first track I questioned if I should continue. The story was about Bo, Bo's mom and Bo's cousin Gari. They all worked for the various divisions in the military. I am not too familiar with military life, so this was really eye-opening information. This was a fantastic novel about making your voice heard, living on a military base and learning to open yourself up to new experience. I would highly recommend this book to readers who are looking for realistic fiction or children of today.
Jessica Almasy read Operation Yes. When the story began with a male character, I was taken aback. Usually, male main characters are read by male readers. But Operation Yes is more than Bo; Operation Yes is about Bo and Gari and Miss Loop and all the students in school. I enjoyed Almasy's reading. I especially enjoyed the dynamic sessions in the taped space.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
Operation Yes by Sara Lewis Holmes
Read by Jessica Almasy
Produced by Brilliance Audio
Number of Discs: 6
Total Time: 6 hours, 28 minutes

It Happened on a Train

It Happened on a Train: Brixton Brothers, Book 3 by Mac Barnett




Steve Brixton is finished with being a detective. After discovering the ghostwriter's secret, he is set on throwing away the entire Bailey Brothers series and his own detective agency. Yet, a mystery catches his attention during a train ride. He agrees to come out of retirement, just this once.
The mystery, the danger, the humor! I love the Brixton Brothers books. Every time a another book appears, I cannot wait to get my hands on it. Barnett writes a story that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. I would highly recommend reading the Brixton Brothers (starting with book one, because they do follow an order), to anyone who wants a mystery or humorous story. If the reader enjoys both genres, it's a perfect fit!

Arte Johnson returns to read book 3. Johnson brings perfect animation to the Brixton Brothers. He isn't flamboyant but straight forward in his approach. I hope all future Brixton Brothers books will be read by Johnson.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
It Happened on a Train by Mac Barnett
Series: Book 3, Brixton Brothers
Read by Arte Johnson
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 4
Total Time: 4 hours