Book Review: The Adventures of Quinn Higgins: Boy Detective--The Case of Blackbeard's Treasure

The Adventures of Quinn Higgins: Boy Detective--The Case of Blackbeard's Treasure by Douglas Quinn is the 4th book in the Quinn Higgins series. From the back cover:
When his dad takes Quinn to visit his Aunt Kim and cousin Summer McPhee at Ocracoke Village on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, little does Quinn realize the adventure awaiting them.
Once there, Quinn discovers that his Aunt Kim is unable to pay the mortgage and is about to lose her home. Soon, Quinn and Summer come up with a crazy idea. If they can find the buried treasure of the infamous pirate known as Blackbeard, which is supposed to be buried somewhere on Ocracoke Island, they can save the house.
There are two big problems. Treasure hunters have been looking for Blackbeard’s treasure for over three hundred years and still haven’t found it.
The second problem is a man named Pegleg Peterson, who claims to be a descendant of one of Blackbeard’s crew, and who has been looking for the treasure all his life. Pegleg Peterson is not a nice man and doesn’t appreciate any competition, especially from kids.
Will Quinn and Summer find the buried treasure before Pegleg Peterson? Or is the treasure lost forever, never to be found?

This book is a wonderful chapter book for ages 6-9 and good for both boys and girls. Quinn Higgins is the kind of kid the reader really wants as a friend, as the adventures he has are what every kids dreams of.....pirates, bigfoot, haunted houses, etc. This particular book actually introduces the reader to Summer McPhee, who is about to have her own series of books.
So, if you're looking for a chapter book for an elementary schooler, pick up one of the Quinn Higgins, Boy Detective series. My nephew actually has my copy of one of the other books in the Quinn Higgins series, and Everett has decided that he's keeping it....and Everett isn't much of a reader either.

What Are We Celebrating Today ---5/17/2012?

Oh, I itch tonight, and I don't even know why. I must have eaten something I'm allergic to, but for the life of me, I can't figure out what it is. I've looked over everything I had for dinner.
So, today we are celebrating.....
1). Flower Moon: A Native American celebration of the full moon in May. It’s name references the blooming of springtime flowers in May. When you go out tonight to celebrate the full moon, be ware of werewolves.....LOL...and yes, I know tonight isn't a full moom.
2). Pack Rat Day: Yes, finally a day for me!!I'm a pack rat and I come from a long line of pack rats...LOL My biggest vice is books....I love books, as I love to read. I do try to give some away, but boy it's difficult sometimes. Apparently, a lot of us are pack rats to a certain extent....so celebrate it today!
3). World Hypertension Day: Every year, 17th May is dedicated to World Hypertension Day (WHD). This is an initiative of the World Hypertension League (WHL) to promote public awareness of hypertension worldwide. If you'd like to know more: http://www.ish-world.com/default.aspx?Home
4). World Information Day: This use to be called World Telecommunications Day....The main objective of the day is to raise global awareness of societal changes brought about by the Internet and new technologies. Oh yes....new technology...it changes daily it seems.
I hope all of you had a great day.

I Am An Addict....

I guess the first step is admitting you have a problem. Well, I'm an addict. I've been an addict for years and years. I don't think most people know of my addiction, apart from Connie C. and my family.....maybe a few other people suspect.
Well, I'm 'volunteering' again next week and the week after, so I can feed my addiction. You see, if I 'volunteer' I earn $10 credit an hour, and boy can I use that credit. I had an $85 voucher last week, and with coupons and discounts, I ended up with about $200 worth of merchandise. It was great! I had Angela with me for the shopping. She only bought a couple of items, which really surprised me. They didn't have the few items she was looking for though.
The credit I earn this week is mostly going for gifts. Having 10 nieces and nephews means lots of birthdays and lots of Christmas presents. I also want to pick up some special items for my soccer kids. Though, I think there are a few items I would like.
Ah, I guess if I have to have an addiction, this is the one to have. I'm really not hurting anyone. My husband would beg to differ I bet...he HATES my addiction. But, he just doesn't understand. My kids get it. They are almost as addicted as I am. And I do come by this addiction honestly, as my mother started it and fed it throughout my childhood.
Ah, I feel so much better getting this off my chest. Being a reading and book addict is hard....thank goodness many of you will understand. I bet even one or two of you are addicts yourself. I'm sure Connie C is too.... Thank goodness Scholastic books needs me to help out a few days. It not only gives me book credit, but a change to look over all of the books. I have a box with my name on it that I am slowly filling with books I want.

Happy Thursday May 10th

Ah, I'm finally able to get on the computer today....I've been 'volunteering' at the Scholastic Book Warehouse. I'll be there 5 more days over the next couple of weeks, including tomorrow. By volunteering and helping out, I get  book credit....and one can never have to much money in book credit. LOL
It seems to be a very light holiday day....
1). Lupus Day: The month of May marks Lupus Awareness Month in the United States. In order to bring together a variety of awareness programs, World Lupus Day was started in 2004 to coincide with the 7th International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Related Conditions. Today is the day that marks World Lupus Day. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system thinks that every thing in your body is something to be destroyed. People with lupus have an overactive immune system.
2). Confederate Memorial Day: This holiday is celebrated in both North Carolina and South Carolina. This day was chosen since it's both the anniversary of the death of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson (1863) and the capture of Confederate president Jefferson Davis  (1865).
Have a good Thursday!

Today -- May 9th, 2012

I never did get yesterday's posted....I would say I got too busy, but that wasn't it exactly. Let's just say things didn't quite work out as planned.
1). Lost Sock Memorial Day: Oh, I love this one!!!! THis holiday recognizes your drawer full of unmatched socks, and each unmatched sock represents a missing sock. I never throw away our unmatched socks, because it may show up someday. And with Angela, we have a TON of unmatched socks.....oh my goodness. Someday soon I need to sit down with the basket of unmatched socks and see what I have....and what I can match up.
2). Accounting Day: The first Accounting Day was believed to be held in 1972. It's believed by some that the San Diego Chapter of the California Society of CPA's organized the event to interest young people in pursuing an accounting career. The purpose of Accounting Day is to promote the accounting profession, to provide an opportunity for networking among accountants in public practice, industry, and government, and to provide quality continuing education for attendees.
3). Mother's At The Wall Day: The Mother's Day at The Wall ceremony is an important event for the nation and the families of our veterans. The ceremony allows us to remember and honor those who have given their lives to our nation's defense as well as recognize the sacrifices of the loved ones — in particular the mothers — they left behind. I do believe that we sometimes forget that there are a lot of loved ones left behind when our military personal goes off to serve. Those left behind need our love and support also. One year when my brother had to go overseas, we had my neice come live with us for that time.....it was an experience, as Rebecca was 2 and Angela was 3.
This time I'm getting it posted early. LOL. I hope you enjoy your hump day.

What Are We Celebrating Today...5/2/12?

1). Baby Day: This holiday celebrates babies!!! I would assume it means human babies, but I don't know why you couldn't celebrate all babies. Baby animals are adorable.... There is a movie called Baby Day, and it aired in 1913. It was a black and white silent movie...and I've never seen it.
2). Great American Grump Out: If you missed the 10th annual Grump Out on May 4, 2011 the good news is that you can continue to grump or do your grouchy thing. BUT, on May 2, 2012 you'll be asked once again to knock it off with your grouchy thing and put a lid on it --- just for 24 hours. (It's not for a lifetime, just a mere 24 hours. If you get your 8 hours of sleep, that means you only have to go for 16 hours.) After that you can go back to your old self again. Apparently, this one is NOT for me. LOL
3). Brothers and Sisters Day: This holiday is a day to cherish your siblings. Sure, there's times when you love your brothers and sisters, but there's also times when you want to disown them. I will admit that I put a price tag on my baby brother during a yard sale....no one bought him though (sigh). I guess this is called brothers and sisters day, since we already have a siblings day....
4). National Play Your Ukulele Day: Ohhh, this sounds like fun....and no clue who came up with this holiday. Ukuleles always remind me of Hawaii, though I've never been to Hawaii. So, go out and play your ukulele today....or find someone that will play for you.
5). Robert's Rule of Order Day: This holiday honors a book containing rules of order intended to be adopted as a parliamentary authority for use by a deliberative assembly written by Brig. Gen. Henry Martyn Robert in 1876. Huh, you wonder.....well, basically these are the rules we follow during any kind of meeting.

Hmm...maybe I will give one of my brothers a call....nah, it's kinda' late there. I'm sure both of them are in bed already. Hope you have a great Thursday!