Customer Reviews

Voices in St. Augustine (Mom's Choice Award Recipient)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although this book was written for kids, I found myself soaking up every bit of the story and learning wonderful new things about "The Old City" that I grew up in. Jane Wood's fun and witty writing-style kept me hooked and wanting to read the book from cover to cover. Jane truly made the history of St. Augustine come alive in a most enjoyable way. I wish we had "history lessons" like this when I was a kid. Kids will like the mystery and adventure surrounding this fun and educational read. In this first book of the series, everyone will fall in love with the Johnson family and want to read even more zany adventures the family has in store.

I've lived near St. Augustine most of my life and thought I knew a lot about it's history. Jane R. Wood proved me wrong in such a delightful way! While her books are suppose to be for children (and, they certainly do reach them with her wonderful style of writing), I think adults should take a walk through the history of St. Augustine with her too! You will enjoy the read AND learn more than you expected!

So far Jane Wood has 3 books out and they are all awesome. As a teacher my students can't wait to begin the school year by reading her books. I teach ESE students with severe mental and physical disabilities. Most of them had never read a book before and these students are ages 16-22. After quickly getting hooked on Jane's first book they were like sponges wanting to learn to read. Two years ago I worked with severe street kids that were often in and out of jail. Again, they had never been interested in reading. After the first book they were hooked. Then I shared Jane's books with a group of gifted students. Although they were used to reading all the time they couldn't wait to read her next two books; one involving a pirate and a princess on Amelia Island and the next one, involving manatees and "Trouble on the Saint John's River". Not only do the students learn about history but the books have characters they can relate to and that makes it more interesting. For teachers, of any grade or ability level get the books and Mrs. Woods is even available for school visits!

Even if you never liked learning about history, Jane Wood's books will change all that. She has created interesting characters who find themselves in interesting situations where they end up learning about history while having fun. Although her books are geared for kids aged 10 to 14, even grown ups will enjoy them -- and will learn something too. I highly recommend all three of her books for kids of all ages.

Ms. Wood knows her history and knows young people, and she has created a book that is interesting and accurate from a history perspective. It is clear she knows and likes young people in her presentation. It is also clear that she has a good grasp on the history of the nation's oldest city. I have purchased all three books she has written for my grandchildren and neices, they all tried to read at one sitting. I would recommend her writing to anyone. These are adventure and action stories for young people, something they can enjoy while being instructed.

Joey Johnson hears voices but has no clue who they belong to and why he's the only person to hear them. What I liked about this novel in which Joey's quest takes him to St. Augustine, is that all of the characters here are believable. Joey has a brother he sometimes doesn't get along with, he meets a girl he really likes and his mother is always there for her children. But also this is a book for anyone who wants to know more about the country's oldest city. The author has written a story that moves quickly and has a very nice ending that should lead to a series of novels about these characters.

Gary Roen
Reviewer's Bookwatch

This was a very good read. It used some of the history of St. Augustine and wove it into the story