Top Ten Tuesday

Hey everyone! How are you all? I'm super busy- today I have two performances!! I'm very excited for tonight- but no less for this list. Let's get to it! Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish. This week's topic is top ten fave characters in a certain genre. I've decided to go with middle grade because I just adore all those characters!!

1. Percy Jackson 

This boy is the love of my life. Quite literally. Ever since My English teacher recommended The Lightning Thief to me in 4th grade I have adored him. Getting him back in the Heroes of Olympus series is so nostalgic it hurts! Every time he says something about the past I'm like "OMG I was there!!" I can't wait for House of Hades

2. Harry Potter

I recently realized that by the time Harry was my age he had met and survived the Dark Lord three times, destroyed a horcrux, fought off a hundred dementors and won the Triwizard Tournament. I feel so under- accomplished.

3. Artemis Fowl 

A 12 year old criminal mastermind. Enough said.

4. Sabrina Grimm

From The Sisters Grimm series. A hotheaded girl who looks out for herself and younger sister. I related to her so much and still do. She is awesome. Highly recommended!!

5. Puck (originally from A Midsummer's Night Dream)

Again from the Sisters Grimm, this boy is a hero in denial. Soo funny and cute I just wish I had a friend like him!!

6. The Characters from The Thief Lord

I just had to refresh my memory from the internet on this one, but I loved this cast so much! Scipio and Prosper and Hornet and Mosca and BO BO BO. It was such a pleasure reading this because it is one of those books that is middle grade but isn't really, ya know?

7. Jen Talbot

If you haven't read The Shadow Children series by Margaret Petersen Haddix go do it now. Jen has a small part in the series but a big part in the story. She is so inspirational- she made me cry

8. Fred and George Weasley

I shouldn't have to say why. 

9. Petra and Calder from Chasing Vermeer

 These two are smart, nosy, and kick-ass. Just the way I like 'em. 

10. Just because I'd be kidding myself if the whole cast of Harry Potter wasn't on this list....

    


Well that's my list, leave me yours (I won't check it out now but I will eventually I always do) and I hope you see this on Tuesday cuz this is my first scheduled post so.... I hope I did it right:) 
-Esty

Review: Takeoffs and Landings

Takeoffs and Landings

Margaret Peterson Haddix

YA

A journey to the center of their hearts. Ever since their father's sudden death eight years ago, Chuck and Lori's mom has spent most of her time on the road as a motivational speaker, leaving them and their younger siblings in the care of their grandparents. But this trip is different; this time, their mother has invited Chuck and Lori along in an attempt to reconnect with her eldest -- and now most distant -- children. 
Lori is so angry with her mother for her constant absence she can barely look at her, and Chuck, as usual, tries to make himself invisible. From the start the trip seems doomed. But slowly, walls built up over the years begin to show cracks. Laser-sharp glares are finally and painfully turned inward. And in the end secrets are finally revealed -- secrets that will change all of their lives forever....

So. This author is a friggin' genius and I've thought so since I read Among the Hidden in 4th grade. Since then I've read a number of her other books and most of them seem to have the same kind of theme. A different kind of world, whether in the future, an experimental enclosure, or some faraway fictional country (fantasy). Takeoffs and Landings takes place today (well, more or less. 2001) and is about regular kids who live in a regular place. I was overjoyed to see that Margaret Haddix did as much as a good job as she always does.

I really loved this book. It was sad and hopeful and pretty emotional most of the time but it was never cheesy or stupid. Poor Chuck and Lori had it rough. Their dad dies of an accident when they were little and then their mother starts to travel so much they never see her. I really empathized with Lori. I also have a lot of little siblings (thank god) and I would resent my mother had she left me, too. As for Chuck, my heart broke for him. Considered fat and stupid, he has not an ounce of confidence or self respect. As you read, you discover more and more about the incident and what led to the anger, guilt and ignorance that the characters feel toward each other and it shows you what damage not talking about something can do.

The point of view alternates between Chuck, Lori and their mom, which i felt was important to the plot because it was centered around the family, not one particular member. It was a beautiful read, really recommended. Grade: 80%