Another Journey to the Center of the Earth

I recently finished reading Edgar Rice Burroughs' book At the Earth's Core.  It took me on a similar, yet different, kind of journey than Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth that I enjoyed so much a few years ago.

Burroughs deals much more with life in the center of the earth and the relationships between the humans of the outer world and the creatures of the inner world.  True, the story is as fantastical as can be with giant beasts and battles at every turn, but it certainly keeps your interest.

I must note that this book was written from an evolutionary standpoint.  In the inner world, the humans are subservient to the Mahers, or giant lizards.  There is also some mild mature themes such as the outer-earth human choosing a mate from the inner-earth and the mention of the way they dress (or half-dress).  These are handled rather delicately and are not over-exaggerated.

This book would probably be for high school and up.  Some of the battles are gruesome, and the Mahers have very disturbing temple practices.  It is a good page turner, but almost reads more like a modern CG movie script.  The ending could be viewed as genius or unsatisfactory, depending upon how you look at it.  In other words, the conflict is left unresolved.

Summary:
Genre:  Science fiction
Rating: ***
Possible Objectionable Content:  evolutionary themes, mildly sensual themes, violence
Reading Level:  high school and up

Download for Free:  At the Earth's Core

Daddy-Long-Legs

When I first heard the title of this book, it made me think of the wispy little spiders with long legs.  But I assure you, this book has nothing to do with spiders.  It is the story of an orphan girl through the letters she writes to her secret benefactor.  The orphan girl calls her benefactor Daddy-Long-Legs because all she has ever seen of him is his shadow with really long legs.  It is a delightful story with a twist at the end.  Perfect reading for middle school and up.  A true classic.

Summary:
Genre:  orphanage life, college life, romance, correspondence 
Rating: ***** (five stars)
Possible Objectionable Content:  The main character is very independent and can get a little defiant at times.
Reading Level:  Middle school and up


Download for free:  Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch

I have chosen a very special book for my first review.  Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham received the Newbery Medal, and it well deserves it.

Based on the true life story of Nathaniel Bowditch, a young boy who was self-educated, this book details his journey from boyhood to manhood.  Bowditch was best know for writing the "Sailor's Bible" (The American Practical Navigator).

This book contains nothing objectionable whatsoever and is a wonderful read for middle school and up.  The fast-pace of the story also makes it wonderful for reading aloud.  Boys will probably find this book more interesting than girls, due to the nature of the sea adventures, but I enjoyed this very much myself as a young teen girl.

Summary
Genre:  Biography, nautical, adventure
Rating: ***** (five stars)
Possible Objectionable Content:  None
Reading Level:  Middle School and up