Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 - Sally M. Walke

I read this book because in the ignorance that has become my life after school I had never heard of the Halifax Explosion. I don't actually enjoy reading many informational books, but I figured a good children's book was the way to go to get just enough information. Plus, in my quest to be a Children's Librarian I really need to know more informational books.

This one was fine, I have it three stars on Goodreads overall, but in terms of informational books, I'd probably give it four. The book does a good job of weaving together stories about people from the time - enough to keep my interest throughout the book. I did lose focus when it described the events leading up the explosion in great detail, though I have no doubt others will love the specifics.

I'll certainly recommend this to people who enjoy reading informational books, but it didn't make me want to start reading them all the time.

Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale

This book is Young Adult, not Children's, but I figured I can do what I want with this and at the moment I want to write about how much I love Shannon Hale's books. I have read all of the Books of Bayern, Princess Academy as well as both Austenland novels (what can I say? They're a guilty pleasure).

So I picked up Book of a Thousand Days knowing with almost certainty that I would love it, which I did. The book itself follows Dashti as she pledges service as a lady's maid to Saren. Both girls get locked in a tower when Saren refuses to marry the man her father has chosen for her.

Saren might be an annoying character, but through the eyes of Dashti you feel the same compassion that Dashti does. Throughout the book, Saren orders Dashti several times to pretend to be her. In the last instance, I was afraid that this book would turn into something we see too often in cases of deception, but I should have known better. Hale creates a face paced novel that weaves together an interesting ideas on faith and social classes that leaves the reading thinking throughout the book, with of course, the satisfying happy ending I have come to expect from her.

I highly recommend picking up this title or any of her others.

The Fairy-Tale Detectives: Sisters Grimm Book 1

I picked up the The Fairy-Tale Detectives because I don't read many mysteries and felt I should try to expand my knowledge of the genre a bit. I thought this would be a great one for me in particular because I love retellings - especially fairy tale retellings.

And the book was fine - certain twists were particularly cute (insinuating that Prince Charming has at one time been married to all the princesses was my personal favorite). But I wasn't wow'd. Particularly because I was expecting a mystery book and it felt more like an adventure book after their grandmother gets kidnapped.

All in all it was fine and I may recommend to some children, but I won't be handing to to a lot.