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| Sasha with Thor and Sassy |
Kim here. A couple of weeks ago Joan’s son, Austin, wrote a guest post for What Women Write and did a fabulous job. The rest of us thought it might be fun to have our kids write a post as well. Today I’d like to introduce my ten-year-old daughter, Sasha, who has kindly agreed to bail me out this week because I couldn’t think of a single thing to write about. Sasha will be a sixth grader in the fall and she is a serious ballerina and voracious reader. She’s currently devouring the
Warriors series by
Erin Hunter. (Erin Hunter is a pseudonym for four writers, Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry, Victoria Holmes, and Tui Sutherland.)
Here’s Sasha…
I am currently reading the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. The reason why I was drawn to the series is that I have a deep love for animals, such as my dog, Thor, and my cat, Sassy.
In the books, the cats live by codes like human laws. For example, the cats have to hunt for the clan before themselves and humans have to put their children’s needs before their own (or they should).
Another thing that I like about the series is the author gives the cats human personalities. When I first met Squirrelflight she really annoyed me because she always has a strong opinion, doesn’t like to be told what to do, wants to tag along with EVERYBODY, and is hyper. I realized that she reminded me of someone I know. My little sister, Ashlyn. Hollyleaf always knows how to resolve conflicts between clan mates and she is observant. She also reminded me of someone. I can’t quite put a finger on who, um...oh yeah ME.
I would recommend this series to people who love animals and want to develop a relationship with the characters.
Warning: some characters do die so it may not be suitable for young kids.
Makes you wonder what your favorite feline is thinking about.
Thanks for the great review, Sasha. I will definitely have to look for that series.
ReplyDeleteSasha, you might like a book by my friend Erin Cashman called The Exceptionals. I haven't read it, but I know it's about a young girl and her ability to communicate with animals. Have your mom check it out! Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sasha! I will ask my granddaughter if she knows about this series! Actually, I think I'll look for it myself! love, Stephanie
ReplyDeleteGood review, Sasha. Thank you. You are a good wordsmith... and funny :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great post, Sasha. Like your mom, you are a great book reviewer!
ReplyDeleteLoved hearing about Squirrelflight and Hollyleaf, Sasha. Don't you just love when you can see people you know in the characters in books(and especially yourself)? It really gets me thinking when that happens. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful series, Sasha, I'm definitely going to check it out! I love reading (and writing) about animals, too. Terrific review!
ReplyDeleteThe following comments are from Sasha, not Kim:
ReplyDeleteAndrea and Marion - thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Julie - my mom looked up the book and thinks I will love it. Thanks for the good suggestion.
Stephanie - they are good books and I am sure you and your granddaughter will love them.
Joan - thanks for the complement.
Vaughn - yes it makes me feel like i have a special connection with that character.
Erin - Julie told my mom about your book and I am definitely going to buy it. Thanks for stopping by.
Great review, Sasha. Loved how you compared Squirrelflight to Ashlyn and Hollyleaf to you. I'm deeply drawn to characters I can relate to or ones that have qualities I wish I had or strive to develop. Your passion for the Warriors series reminds me of how I was hooked on the Nancy Drew books at around your age. I just couldn't read enough about my favorite sleuth. I longed to be her. Today there are many more quality series for young people to choose from than in my youth. Unfortunately, many kids will miss out on the struggles, adventures, and discoveries within them because, unlike you, they don't love to read.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't familiar with this series before I read your review, but now I feel like I can make an informed decision about whether or not I want to read the first book. Your use of humor made the review fun to read and showed an impressive level of maturity in your writing. I loved your last line and don't think I can look at another cat without wondering what it is really thinking! Very well written review, Sasha- I'm so proud of you!
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Sasha. I love how you identified your sister as a strong match to one cat (Squirrelflight), and you feel you're more like another cat (Hollyleaf) that has a completely different personality. Since I come from a family of 6 kids, I know how it feels to feel so different from siblings even though I'm related to them. Enjoy the rest of your book!
ReplyDelete-Your cousin, Dan
Dear Sasha - Great job with your first book review! You zeroed in on what interested you and why you love the book series. In mentioning your love for animals you introduced us to your own beloved Thor and Sassy.
ReplyDeleteI thought your assessment was very mature as you compared animal codes to human laws and I chuckled at your tongue-in-cheek add-on (or theyshould!).It showed a developing sense of responsibility.
I noticed with amusement your comparison of Squirrelflight and Ashlyn's negative qualities, with Hollyleaf's and your positive qualities. I smiled, because it was so human, and so charmingly stated.
Then with your obviously organized mind, you finished with your recommendation of the series, providing yet again an excellent reason, and finish off with a great punch line!
Really good job Sasha.
In fact I think you could consider critiquing young childrens' books and sending your critiques to a parental magazine. You might even suggest having a "10 year old's column" if you felt you could manage to do one a month consistently. Your thoughtful considerations would be most helpful to parents wanting to purchase books for their children. I say, BRAVO!
Love, Cousin Paula
Thank you for this review, Sasha! My daughter also loves ballet and animals and is a voracious reader, so I am going to get this book for her! (I think Squirrelflight would remind her of her younger brother...)
ReplyDeleteSasha,
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing. I enjoyed this book review! You gave specific examples of why you liked the book, and you shared how you related to the book. You gave specific examples of how you related to the characters and used humor too! You are a very talented writer. I agree with your Cousin Paula, your reviews would be very helpful to parents (and I would add other children) in choosing books - but only if you had the time in your busy schedule! Bravo! Good job with your first book review! One question: How do you find time to do everything you do?
Jessica
Thanks for the review, Sasha! My neice loves animals and this sounds like the perfect book for her. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteMy daughter loves Warriors and reads and rereads them. Right now she is rereading a book called The Stolen Dragon of Quanx and can't put it down. It seems to be along the lines of these books.
ReplyDelete