The Emerald Atlas, by John Stephens, channels The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe into a confusing and overly long mishmash fantasy adventure for three children named Kate, Michael, and Emma. Instead of a wardrobe, the magic conduit is a book known as "the Atlas," and instead of bringing them to a different world it brings them to a different time. I had difficulty keeping track of which characters were doing what, where, and when. Also, the story seemed to be drawing to a close several times but then it was extended by some crisis or another. 
Perusing people's comments about Charles Boardman Hawes' Newbery Medal winner, The Dark Frigate, posted on Goodreads, I was gratified to learn that I was not alone in having difficulty finishing this book. The arcane language, which is full of "thee's" and "thou's" and "quoth he's," made me feel as though I was reading Melville instead of a children's book. The story was actually quite interesting for me, as I enjoy reading about seafaring adventures and pirates. I also relished the quiet menace with which Hawes so subtly infuses his villain, the pirate captain Tom Jordan. Jordan is usually referred to as "the Old One" in the book, and he does seem to exude both the wisdom and cynicism that old age can bring. He is truly terrifying. I doubt if I will be recommending this book to kids, though, unless they are intent on challenging themselves with something completely different than they've read before. 
I loved the first two Penderwicks books, so I picked up The Penderwicks at Point Mouette expecting a great read. I was not disappointed. Jeanne Birdsall's third book in this warmhearted series finds the family on vacation again, but this time they are not all together. Mr. Penderwick and his new wife, Iantha, are out of the picture in England, and Rosalind, the OAP (oldest available Penderwick) is in New Jersey vacationing with a friend. The story centers, then, on the younger three sisters, Skye, Jane and Batty, as well as the girls' very good friend, Jeffrey Tifton, who joins them for the two-week stay at a small cottage in Point Mouette, Maine. Rosalind's absence necessitates Skye's appointment as acting OAP, a role she feels herself ill-equipped to handle. It turns out that Skye does still need some practice being in charge, but her mistakes are harmless and quite funny. Jane, the budding author of the family, suffers from writer's block while she attempts to write a new Sabrina Starr book. She also develops a very dramatic crush on a local boy named Dominic, who inspires her to write (pretty bad) poetry instead. The man who lives next door to the Penderwick's rented cottage, Alec, becomes a good friend, and there is a surprise twist at the end of the story which involves him. This book is full of interesting, well-developed characters and humor. I loved it!
