Heart of the Child Challenge Update

So, I realized the other day that I am moving in May and that I may or may not have access to the internet or a library for a month (or more) after that. So, instead of spreading out the books over the next few months, I decided I ought to try to finish them all before I move.

As a result of this decision, I have a bunch of books on hold at the library. We've got a rather small library (it drives me crazy!), and they only have one copy of pretty much every book, so I often have a long line of books on hold there.

And without further ado, here is a brief review about the only book that I have finished to date.

The Amusement Park Mystery, by Gertrude Chandler Warner

I kind of have mixed feelings about this book. It was my favorite book for several years, and it really was the book that cemented my love for reading to myself (and for mysteries). It's the first book that I remember checking out from the library on my own accord and completely reading by myself on my own accord. I have a lot of fond memories of the book.

However, upon re-reading it, I can't believe how dumb it was. It made me really sad. The writing was poor and very very repetitive. Also, the kids don't really solve the mystery. It just kind of unravels at the end. Mostly, I am going to remember from the third graders perspective and pretend that I didn't re-read it.

Hatchet is the next book on my list. Hopefully it will go better than the first!