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samarie04's review
4.0
Good book but kind of nutty
Sweet little book, but definitely for older children. Maybe around 4th-7th grades. It's not overly complex, but not exactly lower level either.
Sweet little book, but definitely for older children. Maybe around 4th-7th grades. It's not overly complex, but not exactly lower level either.
notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
4.0
evil, good, weather, children, aging, magic. I enjoyed this fantasy about Zac Sparks, and his life in Five Corners. might even read the others in the series!
humanbookworm's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
dannb's review
3.0
This is a 3+ for me...there a few places where I struggled to stay with it I don't know if it's intended to be YA or not, but it reads like it is...I believe I downloaded it for free via Pixel of Ink...I love how it led me to Job 38 too.
coolladybug99's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bookishlybecca's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best and most enjoyable books I've read so far this year! I love literally everything about it. A tad slow to start, but once I really got into this book, I couldn't put it down.
Thoughts:
1. I became really attached to Zac. He might actually be one of my favourite characters - ever. He's just such a kid. He's so full of life, and the way he sees things is really refreshing and fun to read. He also has this maturity and seriousness to him too though. He has a good mixture of qualities actually, though in no way is he perfect. He's just a 10-year-old boy trying to deal with the death of his mother and the realization that he is now an orphan and has no one else to turn to. I also really liked Chelsea and her brother, Ches.
2. The writing in this book was phenomenal. The way Mike describes things so simplistically, yet with such eloquence blows my mind. He portrays all of his characters perfectly and weaves his plot with such precision that you don't even realize what's coming next most of the time.
3. This book just feels like it's so alive. It contains so many youthful characters and has this weird, but fascinating, energy to it. I don't even really know how to describe it. It's something I've never felt before and that excites me!
4. The plot is literally unlike anything I've ever read before. It had me guessing most of the way through, which made the explanation and unveiling of things that much more satisfying. I never once felt disappointed or overloaded with information. It made me feel like a kid again, being read to at night, and not knowing what was going to happen next; feeling that excitement and longing for the story to never end.
5. The ending was beautiful. Not only because of the last scene that took place - between Zac and Mr. Porter - but also because everything was resolved. Mike didn't leave anything unsaid or unexplained. In a way, it makes going into the next book even more exciting, as I'm really not sure what to expect!
I may come back to this and write some more later. There's just so much I could/want to say! <333
Thoughts:
1. I became really attached to Zac. He might actually be one of my favourite characters - ever. He's just such a kid. He's so full of life, and the way he sees things is really refreshing and fun to read. He also has this maturity and seriousness to him too though. He has a good mixture of qualities actually, though in no way is he perfect. He's just a 10-year-old boy trying to deal with the death of his mother and the realization that he is now an orphan and has no one else to turn to. I also really liked Chelsea and her brother, Ches.
2. The writing in this book was phenomenal. The way Mike describes things so simplistically, yet with such eloquence blows my mind. He portrays all of his characters perfectly and weaves his plot with such precision that you don't even realize what's coming next most of the time.
3. This book just feels like it's so alive. It contains so many youthful characters and has this weird, but fascinating, energy to it. I don't even really know how to describe it. It's something I've never felt before and that excites me!
4. The plot is literally unlike anything I've ever read before. It had me guessing most of the way through, which made the explanation and unveiling of things that much more satisfying. I never once felt disappointed or overloaded with information. It made me feel like a kid again, being read to at night, and not knowing what was going to happen next; feeling that excitement and longing for the story to never end.
5. The ending was beautiful. Not only because of the last scene that took place - between Zac and Mr. Porter - but also because everything was resolved. Mike didn't leave anything unsaid or unexplained. In a way, it makes going into the next book even more exciting, as I'm really not sure what to expect!
I may come back to this and write some more later. There's just so much I could/want to say! <333
literaryliz98's review against another edition
4.0
An umbrella that can control the weather, a cane that causes endless trouble, and an interesting cast of characters make up an interesting story. I quite enjoyed it. I think it would make a fun movie, kind of like Matilda.
stephanieshepherd's review against another edition
4.0
I've enjoyed the writings of Mike Mason ever since I discovered The Mystery of Marriage while engaged. When I heard that he had written a children's/young adult book, I was eager to see what he would do with it! The Blue Umbrella tells the tale of young Zac who is orphaned after his mother's tragic (and weird!) death. He is sent to live in a small town with his two spinster aunts and that is just the beginning of the strange things that start happening to him!
The start of this book reminded me so much of the Lemony Snicket books. (I've only read the first couple of those). Everything is going wrong. Everything. Even when you think it might not get stranger or worse, it does! However, from what I read, this book is a great option for kids if you are looking for a Lemony Snicket-look-alike from a trusted Christian author.
I would say more about the book - because I was very much enjoying it - but my own tragedy befell me while reading this book ... I left it in the hotel in Memphis when we went to the zoo! *gasp* Imagine my shock and sadness when I got home to finish this and couldn't! :) So, this book will be going back on my list to add to my library for my girls when they get older AND myself so I can see how it ends!! :)
The start of this book reminded me so much of the Lemony Snicket books. (I've only read the first couple of those). Everything is going wrong. Everything. Even when you think it might not get stranger or worse, it does! However, from what I read, this book is a great option for kids if you are looking for a Lemony Snicket-look-alike from a trusted Christian author.
I would say more about the book - because I was very much enjoying it - but my own tragedy befell me while reading this book ... I left it in the hotel in Memphis when we went to the zoo! *gasp* Imagine my shock and sadness when I got home to finish this and couldn't! :) So, this book will be going back on my list to add to my library for my girls when they get older AND myself so I can see how it ends!! :)
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