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A. J. Mcdonald

Bookworm

Yukon, OK | Member Since 2006

9
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 13 reviews
  • 33 ratings
  • 0 titles in library
  • 27 purchased in 2013
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  • Magic Tree House Collection: Books 17-24

    • UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 3 mins)
    • By Mary Pope Osborne
    • Narrated By Mary Pope Osborne
    Overall
    (181)
    Performance
    (80)
    Story
    (83)

    Jack and Amnie are taken on a series of adventures by the Magic Tree House, accompanied by companions such as Teddy, the enchanted dog. With the Magic Tree House, you can experience far away places like Australia and learn about the past on a whirlwind tour through the history books.

    A. J. Mcdonald says: "Two thumbs up from my 6yo"
    "Two thumbs up from my 6yo"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I haven't actually listened to this myself, but it kept my 6-1/2 year old happy and quiet for two days in the car. Afterwards she had to play "Jack and Annie" (the main characters in the series). If your children enjoy this series, they are bound to enjoy this listen. It's nice that the books are short enough to keep a young child's attention.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • The View from Saturday

    • UNABRIDGED (4 hrs and 41 mins)
    • By E. L. Konigsburg
    • Narrated By Jenna Lamia, Jan Maxwell
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (27)
    Performance
    (20)
    Story
    (22)

    Did Mrs. Olinsky choose the four members of the sixth grade Academic Bowl Team, or did they choose her--and one another? Four stories-within-in-a-story, interspersed with the ongoing narrative of the team's triumphant march to the state championship, introduce each member of the team in his own her own voice, and bring the dynamics of the group into focus.

    Fay says: "Not just for kids. Konigsburg is ageless."
    "Engaging story from beginning to end"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I read a lot of kids and young adult books because I want to be familiar with what my kids are reading. This time I picked the book. I chose it based on the good reviews and the fact that Jenna Lamia was one of the narrators.

    The story grabbed me from the beginning. I loved how the 6th graders each told some of the same events from his or her own perspective. I spend a lot of time with middle schoolers, as a parent and a volunteer, and these characters were true both in their actions and their motives.

    I loved the character of the teacher. I loved how she was all about decorum, yet she sometimes struggled with her own emotions and impulses. How many teachers have I had, or have my kids have, that were firm but good? Those were always the most memorable.

    The incompetent administrator was wonderful comic relief. With apologies to all the competent administrators here in audible land, I am sure that we all know someone in such a position who constantly says and does things that make us wonder how on earth he ever got appointed.

    The theme of "smart kids get ahead," while common, is also one that is dear to my heart. But the true prize was the prize of lasting friendship. I love books that portray boys and girls at this age developing good, deep friendships.

    The narrators also were wonderful; I love what Jenna Lamia puts into every performance. Jan Maxwell was perfect as the voice of the teacher.

    This was a book I enjoyed from beginning to end, one I couldn't wait to get back to after I had to put it down.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 7 mins)
    • By Winifred Watson
    • Narrated By Frances McDormand
    Overall
    (1012)
    Performance
    (471)
    Story
    (466)

    Miss Pettigrew is a down-on-her-luck, middle-aged governess sent by her employment agency to work for a nightclub singer rather than a household of unruly children. Over a period of 24 hours, as she becomes caught up in the life of Delysia LaFloss, her own life is changed - forever. This charming, funny, light-hearted 1938 novel was a bestseller on its first appearance. Read by Academy Award winning actress Frances McDormand, who stars in the 2008 film as Miss Pettigrew.

    Holly C. Salley says: "Adorable"
    "Delightful"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Like Miss Pettigrew, I truly couldn't wait for the door to open to adventure one more time.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Looking for Alaska

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 11 mins)
    • By John Green
    • Narrated By Jeff Woodman
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (396)
    Performance
    (285)
    Story
    (286)

    Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words - and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the "Great Perhaps." Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny, screwed-up, and dead sexy, Alaska will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps.

    Looking for Alaska brilliantly chronicles the indelible impact one life can have on another.

    Leslie says: "Great Story! Great Narrator!"
    "YA story with all the vices"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Why do so many YA stories seem to be so depressing? And why are all teens supposed to be strung out on alcohol or drugs or both? The story was somewhat predictable but the characters were well written.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Shepherds Abiding

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 9 mins)
    • By Jan Karon
    • Narrated By John McDonough
    Overall
    (145)
    Performance
    (58)
    Story
    (58)

    Since he was a boy growing up in Mississippi, Father Tim has lived what he calls "the life of the mind". Except for cooking and gardening and washing his dog, he never learned to savor the work of his hands. And then he finds a derelict nativity scene: twenty figures, including a flock of sheep, that have suffered the indignities of time and neglect.

    Robert says: "Shepherds Abiding"
    "Inspiring"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This is my fifth Christmas to listen to this audiobook. The first time I listened, I didn't even know this was part of a series. I soon fell in love with the characters and ultimately listened to the entire series in order. But I come back to this one every year. This year I am listening with my 16 yo daughter. Every year I laugh at Uncle Billy and Rose, hope with Hope, and stress out a bit with Father Tim as he takes on a project that would be overwhelming for a man half his age. Every year I return to my roots as Father Tim returns to his, and I remember with him the true meaning of Christmas.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • I Am Half-Sick of Shadows: A Flavia de Luce Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 24 mins)
    • By Alan Bradley
    • Narrated By Jayne Entwistle
    Overall
    (235)
    Performance
    (210)
    Story
    (208)

    It’s Christmastime, and the precocious Flavia de Luce—an eleven-year-old sleuth with a passion for chemistry and a penchant for crime-solving—is tucked away in her laboratory, whipping up a concoction to ensnare Saint Nick. But she is soon distracted when a film crew arrives at Buckshaw, the de Luces’ decaying English estate, to shoot a movie starring the famed Phyllis Wyvern.

    Frobertimus says: "The Character who brought me back to Cozy Mystery"
    "Typical Flavia -- our favorite girl detective"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Flavia has wormed her way into our hearts and we eagerly await each new adventure. We loved the Christmas setting and all the action at Buckshaw.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Adoration of Jenna Fox

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 44 mins)
    • By Mary E. Pearson
    • Narrated By Jenna Lamia
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (91)
    Performance
    (42)
    Story
    (40)

    Who is Jenna Fox? Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a coma, they tell her, and she is still recovering from a terrible accident in which she was involved a year ago. But what happened before that? Jenna doesn't remember her life. Or does she? And are the memories really hers?

    Jay says: "Thought provoking but..."
    "Great YA Fiction"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This was a great book for my daughter and me to enjoy and discuss together. It is a typical "coming of age" story but it gets into so many ethical questions: from medical technology to a parent's expectations of her child.

    Jenna Lamia is a fabulous narrator; we love her storytelling ability.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Beyond Tuesday Morning

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 53 mins)
    • By Karen Kingsbury
    • Narrated By Kathy Garver
    Overall
    (84)
    Performance
    (21)
    Story
    (20)

    It's been three years since the terrorist attacks on New York City, but FDNY widow Jamie Bryan keeps waking up to the same aching pain of that one Tuesday morning, when she lost her husband, Jake.

    Sherri says: "Another great listen from Karen Kingsbury"
    "Mixed"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    The writing in this book, or maybe the editing, was poor. The trip to New York changed dates and lengths of time more than once. (At first it would go into December, but later ended up being early November, and switched several times from 3 to 6 weeks and back.) Then the writing-- a couple times she said things like, "She did a quiet laugh," instead of "She laughed quietly." I could almost forgive it when she was writing the scenes with the little girl, but then she continued in some of the adult scenes, like she forgot where she was.

    The story itself was predictable and not too believable.

    As for the narrator, she was ok, but at times she seemed to get her voices mixed up.

    The redeeming quality was the MESSAGE of the book, which I found to be quite inspiring. I just wish that message could have been presented with better writing.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Paint the Wind

    • UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 4 mins)
    • By Pam Munoz Ryan
    • Narrated By Kathleen McInerney
    Overall
    (17)
    Performance
    (3)
    Story
    (5)

    A puzzling photograph, a box filled with faded toy horses, and a single fractured memory are all that Maya has left of her mother. In Grandmother's house in California, she lives like a captive, tethered by Grandmother's rules: no talk of her mother, no friends, no foolishness of any kind...until a shocking event changes everything.

    Rob says: "For horse lovers"
    "Great book for girls and moms"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    We were looking for a horse book that featured a girl. Maya is a strong and smart girl, but she still has a lot to learn about life and relationships. She makes some mistakes and she knows it, but she learns to make the best of her situation. Meanwhile the story itself is one that draws you in from the very beginning and keeps you wondering what will happen next. I will be looking for more by this author.

    My 3rd grade horse-loving daughter listened to this book first and encouraged me to listen as well.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Anna Karenina

    • UNABRIDGED (33 hrs and 39 mins)
    • By Leo Tolstoy
    • Narrated By Nadia May
    Overall
    (776)
    Performance
    (250)
    Story
    (252)

    Considered by some to be the world's greatest novel, Anna Karenina contains two plots: the tragedy of Madame Karenina, in love with a man who is not her husband; and the story of Konstantine Levin, a sensitive man whose personal philosophy is Tolstoy's reason for writing about him.

    D. Littman says: "A classic, classically read"
    "Absolutely Loved it"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This was my introduction to Tolstoy. I loved the narrator. I found that taking the book in short chunks, vs. trying to listen to it start to finish, was best for me. Tolstoy's character development is unmatched, and the book really piqued my interest in Russian history. I will definitely try more Tolstoy, thanks to Audible.

    3 of 4 people found this review helpful
  • Longitude: The True Story of a Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

    • UNABRIDGED (4 hrs and 20 mins)
    • By Dava Sobel
    • Narrated By Kate Reading
    Overall
    (146)
    Performance
    (18)
    Story
    (19)

    In 1714, England's Parliament offered a huge reward to anyone whose method of measuring longitude could be proven successful. The scientific establishment, from Galileo to Sir Isaac Newton, had mapped the heavens in its certainty of a celestial answer. In stark contrast, one man, John Harrison, dared to imagine a mechanical solution, a clock that would keep precise time at sea, something no clock had been able to do on land. And the race was on.

    Eric says: "Great book with interesting history and science..."
    "A fascinating story BUT"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    the writing leaves something to be desired. Or is it the narration. I tried to listen to the short novel twice, but I'm afraid my attention kept wandering. Too bad, b/c the story itself begs to be told. It just needs a better delivery.

    2 of 6 people found this review helpful

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