Reviews – Page 51 – BookBunnies

Caramel reviews Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs and Anjan Sarkar

Caramel is systematically going through Stuart Gibbs’s Spy School series. So far he has read and reviewed the first two books: Spy School and Spy Camp. He has also read and reviewed the graphic novel version of the first book: Spy School: The Graphic Novel. Today he talks to Sprinkles about the graphic novel version of the second book, Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel, published first in 2023.

Sprinkles: So Caramel you reviewed Spy Camp last week. And now you will tell us a bit about the graphic novel version of that book, right?

Caramel: Yes.

S: So let’s get started.

C: Sure. This book is essentially the same as the original book.

S: But usually in graphic novel versions, there are some parts that are shortened or completely taken out. How about this one?

C: Yes of course. There are some parts that we do not see in the graphic novel version, but the main story is essentially the same. Ben Ripley goes to a summer camp for spies. And dangerous things happen. So it is very much the same book. And it is still very good.

S: That is great! So I saw that the person who illustrated this one is the same person who illustrated the graphic novel version of the first book. So do the characters look like they did in that first graphic novel?

C: Yes.

S: So someone could just pick this up right after finishing the other book and they would be just fine.

C: Essentially, yes.

Caramel is reading Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs and Anjan Sarkar. — Caramel is reading *Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel* by Stuart Gibbs and Anjan Sarkar.

S: Okay, so I think the characters did not look like what you had thought they would look like in that first book. But by now, maybe you got used to them?

C: Yes.

S: So tell me a bit more about the illustrations.

C: They are very colorful and they show action really well. Like when they are pointing at something. And the facial expressions are very expressive.

S: That is cool. I know you have read a lot of graphic novels in your short life, so if you had not read the actual books, do you think you would still think these graphic novels are good books?

C: I think so. They can definitely stand on their own.

S: So would you recommend someone to start with the graphic novels? Or do you think the original books are worth reading too?

C: If you can I think you should probably start with the original books. But if you have only the graphic novels you can still have a lot of fun reading. Only the graphic novels are much newer, and the original series has a lot more books.

S: True. There are about eleven books I think. And there are graphic novel versions of only the first two.

C: Yes. And it seems like they are coming out one book a year. At best. But the series has a lot more books to read.

S: Kind of like the Wings of Fire books, then, where there is a whole series of fifteen books, but the graphic novels are not all out yet.

C: Yup. And you know I have been waiting for the next graphic novel. It will be Winter Turning, the graphic novel version of the seventh novel.

S: I think it is coming out at the end of this year, Caramel. I am guessing that you will read it as soon as it does.

C: I’d like to.

S: Okay, so let us come back to Spy Camp. So if you were to describe it in three words, what would you say?

C: Colorful, hilarious adventures.

S: That works! So are you ready for the next book?

C: Yes! Book Three, here I come!!

S: So let us wrap this up then. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Gibbs and Anjan Sarkar, and he is ready to dive into the third book of the Spy School novels! — Caramel loved reading *Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel* by Stuart Gibbs and Anjan Sarkar, and he is ready to dive into the third book of the Spy School novels!

Marshmallow reviews Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson

A few weeks ago Marshmallow reviewed Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, the first in the author’s Seeds of America trilogy. Today she is writing about the second book in the series: Forge, first published in 2010.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like historical fiction books or emotional roller coasters, or if you have enjoyed reading other books by Laurie Halse Anderson, then this might be the book for you.

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Curzon is a soldier, but some people don’t see him that way. He is a runaway slave during the American Revolution and has signed up to fight for the Patriots until the end of the war. Life for him is dangerous as he is posing as a freed man. If the wrong people find out the wrong things about him and his past, he would lose his newly gained freedom. Unfortunately, because of his skin color, some of his fellow soldiers do not treat him well. One in particular, named John Burns, is a constant menace and a thorn in Curzon’s side.

Curzon is a character we met before in the first book of the trilogy, Chains. There he was serving as a slave for a Mister Bellingham, who would enlist Curzon’s help to further the Patriot cause. Then, Curzon met Isabel, the narrator of that book, who, together with her sister Ruth, was also a slave. Curzon and Isabel escaped together after Ruth was sold away by Isabel’s evil “owner” Mrs. Lockton. Afterwards, Isabel wanted to try to find Ruth, but Curzon suspected that she was dead. Isabel and Curzon eventually split, and Isabel would not stop looking for her sister. Curzon then enlisted in the Patriot Army.

In this book, Curzon and the other soldiers in the Patriot Army must endure the dangers of the Valley Forge. They face starvation due to shortages in their supplies and the freezing cold that could steal their health, their limbs, and their lives. Curzon starts to make friends with some of the other soldiers, one being Ebenezer Woofruff. Ebenezer is trusting and has a kind nature, especially after Curzon saved his life (which led to Curzon’s enlistment). At Valley Forge, Curzon and his fellow soldiers struggle to build a hut or cottage to shelter in during the winter. The conditions are rough; their breakfast, lunch, and dinner consist only of water and fire cake, made of water and flour. But even in these harsh times, Curzon still thinks and worries a lot about Isabel. Time passes and he begins to miss her, even though he does not want to.

Valley Forge is full of surprises and old acquaintances began to appear. Curzon’s old “master” Bellingham comes to Valley Forge with Isabel in tow as his slave. Bellingham practically enslaves Curzon once more, and he is separated from his friends. Isabel and Curzon are mutually unhappy with each other, but their situations are bad so they eventually come together and try to work together again to regain their freedom.

Marshmallow is reading Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson. — Marshmallow is reading *Forge* by Laurie Halse Anderson.

Marshmallow’s Review: I found Forge to be a very interesting and very well written addition to the Seeds of America trilogy. Narrated from the perspective of Curzon, this book in some ways complements the story of Chains while it continues it. I recommend having read the first book, but (unusually) I think Forge could be read and understood without it as well.

The author does a great job of setting up and developing the time period displayed in the books. The characters are all very human, and their suffering and emotional distress are very impactful to the reader. This book continues to deal with the atrocious practice of slavery and shows the impact that had on the slaves through these characters. The injustice and inequity of slavery and racism is important for people to remember, realize, and recognize as part of American history.

Reading Forge can be a very good way for people to learn about these times. I would highly recommend reading this book for the historical content and for the character development, plot, and overall story.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.

Marshmallow rates Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Forge* by Laurie Halse Anderson 100%.

Caramel reviews Spy Camp by Stuart Gibbs

Caramel has recently begun the Spy School series by Stuart Gibbs and just can’t have enough! So far he has read and reviewed the original book, Spy School, from 2012, and the graphic novel version of it, Spy School: The Graphic Novel, which came out ten years later, in 2022. Today he talks about the second book in the series, Spy Camp, originally published in 2013. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking followup questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, you only recently discovered the Spy School series by Stuart Gibbs, and since then, you are inseparable from these books! So why don’t you tell us about this second book in the series?

Caramel: Okay. Ben Ripley learns that he has to go to a spy summer camp.

S: This is the same main character as before, right?

C: Yep.

S: Okay, so do his parents finally realize he is going to a spy school? Do they know the camp is a spy camp?

C: No. They think the camp is just a regular sleep-away camp.

S: Okay, so tell me more. What happens at the camp?

C: It is like spy school but it is more in the wilderness. The spy school was more urban.

S: I see. Does Ben have friends from spy school at the camp?

C: Yes. Zoe, Chip, and Jawa are three of Ben’s friends from school. Also there is Erica Hale, she is the daughter of Alexander Hale and the granddaughter of Cyrus Hale. And if you go many many generations back apparently she is related to Nathan Hale, who was a famous spy for the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War.

S: So she is spy royalty more or less.

C: Yep. And Ben really likes her.

S: Do they date?

C: He has a crush on her, but no they do not date. They are mostly friends.

Caramel is reading Spy Camp by Stuart Gibbs. — Caramel is reading *Spy Camp* by Stuart Gibbs.

S: Okay, so you told us about Cyrus and Alexander, Erica’s grandpa and father. Do they play an important role in this book?

C: Yes, but I cannot tell. But I can tell you that Cyrus is a mighty spy. Or I might say, he is a force to reckon with.

S: Hmm that is an interesting turn of phrase Caramel! Okay, so tell me, is this book as funny as the first one?

C: Yes. And just as exciting!

S: Okay, so I am guessing the first two words you would use to describe the book would be “hilarious” and “exciting”?

C: Yep.

S: How about a third word?

C: Hilarious, exciting, and adventurous.

S: Okay, so are you ready for book three?

C: No. I will first read the graphic novel version of this one, I think.

S: Okay, sounds good. So let us wrap up this review then. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Spy Camp by Stuart Gibbs and is (almost) ready for book three! (He says he will first check out the graphic novel version of book two.) — Caramel loved reading *Spy Camp* by Stuart Gibbs and is (almost) ready for book three! (He says he will first check out the graphic novel version of book two.)

Caramel reviews The Cult of LEGO by John Baichtal and Joe Meno

Caramel is a huge LEGO fan. He has already reviewed one LEGO book for the book bunnies blog; you might like to check out his review of The Big Book of Amazing LEGO Creations With Bricks You Already Have by Sarah Dees if you are curious. Today he talks about The Cult of LEGO, a neat book by John Baichtal and Joe Meno, first published in 2011. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking followup questions.

[Saturdays are usually Marshmallow’s review days, but this week she is away on school business, and Caramel has had a lot to say about a lot of books recently. That is why we have a review from him this time. Watch this space next Saturday for more reviews from Marshmallow!]

Caramel reviews The Cult of LEGO by John Baichtal and Joe Meno. — Caramel reviews *The Cult of LEGO* by John Baichtal and Joe Meno.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, I know you love to play with LEGOs, but I did not expect you would grab this book from my paws when it arrived. I had intended to read it myself.

Caramel: Heh heh heh! Anything LEGO is my domain!

S: Hmm, I can see that. I had not thought that this book would appeal to you so much, because I thought it was mainly about the LEGO as a cultural phenomenon.

C: Well, there is that, too, but it also shows you a lot of cool LEGO creations from all sorts of people around the world, and they are awesome!

S: So you mainly appreciated the pictures then? I know it is a beautiful hardcover book with almost three hundred pages, full of pictures. And they are full color and very detailed. I can definitely see why you would like them. But did you read the book as a whole? Did you read the text part, too? –

C: Yes, of course. Because it was interesting.

S: Cool! So tell me what it is about then.

C: It’s about LEGO as a cultural phenomenon, like you said. And about what people do with it, and it explains what kinds of different LEGOs exist, and the history, too, how it got started, and so on.

S: Hmm, I can now see actually why I should have known you would enjoy this book. It is after all about LEGO and it is full of facts!

C: Yes!

Caramel is reading The Cult of LEGO by John Baichtal and Joe Meno. — Caramel is reading *The Cult of LEGO* by John Baichtal and Joe Meno.

S: So let us look at the book more carefully. Can you tell me your favorite LEGO creation in the book?

C: My favorite LEGO creation in this book is the Boba Fett costume that someone made with LEGOs. The person made it and then actually wore it! It is probably not very comfortable but it is definitely cool!

S: Of course, I should have expected your favorite would be something about Star Wars!

C: Of course! There is another one that I really liked.

S: I also saw that you had a favorite quote from the book that you wanted to share with our readers.

C: Yes. Somewhere there is the quote:

“The little LEGO has become the perfect tool for expressing our imagination.”
The Cult of LEGO

And I really like it!

S: I can see why! It captures the essence of why LEGOs have been so amazingly successful. They are so versatile; the bunnies playing with them have the freedom to do whatever they want with them. I can see this with you, Caramel. How you keep tweaking your space ships and robots and so on. Your mind is always creating, revising, renovating, and the LEGO is exactly flexible enough to let you do that.

C: Exactly.

S: Okay, Caramel, I think this is a good place to end our review today. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading The Cult of LEGO by John Baichtal and Joe Meno and knows he will read and reread this book for many more months and years to come. — Caramel loved reading *The Cult of LEGO* by John Baichtal and Joe Meno and knows he will read and reread this book for many more months and years to come.