Wednesday 20 July 2022

Cold as Ice - Sarah Mlynowski - Whatever After Book 6

Cold as Ice
Whatever After Book 
Sarah Mlynowski
Scholastic
ISBN 
9780545627368
eISBN 9780545627375
ASIN B00NJ7A3MQ


I have been reading these stories with my girls for over 6 years now. I read a few of these stories with my oldest starting in 2016. Now my youngest is reading them to me, and her sister has handed down the first several stories in the series. We had started reading them in 2016 but my oldest skipped around a bit and read a couple of volumes to her Aunt and Grandma while on a road trip. So this was my first time encountering this specific story. My youngest insists we review everything that we read together, so this review from 2022 is part of that effort. Between reading with my oldest and youngest this is the fourteenth time I have read a book in this series. The stories have great staying power. Even as an adult I can enjoy these books, not only the first time but rereading them again and again.

Mlynowski does a wonderful job with this book and the whole series to date. My oldest was a reluctant reader. Back then when we read, I would read two pages for every page she read to me. The whole family loves these stories from 8-years old to 80 years old. It is a great series. The stories are fun and entertaining, but also have some valuable lessons and insight. This one a little more so than some of the others. My mother in law and Sister in law recall my oldest reading this to them in the car on the road trip to a cottage and enjoying the story greatly. The cold story contrasted with the August heat and humidity. 

My youngest daughter and I give this story a emphatic 5/5 stars. After reading each day she took some time and reflected on that days reading. She was surprised by some of Abby’s behaviours early in the book, and said it reminded her of her sister Abby. She was concerned, that Abby in the story; was becoming the villain. But the twists and turns in this story captivated her immensely.

As a family we always enjoy Mlynowski’s twists on old tales. Even my 14 year old son sticks around to listen to his sisters turn to read, for these books.  This one is one with some great lessons. And this time Abby learns and then teachers or coaches based on her own lessons and reflections. Another great take on a familiar tale. The writing is excellent. My daughters and I love reading them together. The retelling in this story surprised both of us at several different points. It is a great read in a wonderful series.










Books by Sarah Mlynowski:
Magic in Manhattan Series:

Bras & Broomsticks
Frogs & French Kisses
Spells & Sleeping Bags
Parties & Potions

Whatever After Special Editions:
Abby in Wonderland
Abby in Oz



Upside-Down Magic Series:
Upside-Down Magic #1
Sticks and Stones #2
Showing Off #3
...

Other Books by Sarah:
Milkrun
Fishbowl
Monkey Business
As Seen on TV
Me Vs. Me
Gimme a Call
Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have)
Don't Even Think About It
Think Twice
Know It All
A Nice Fling is Hard to Find
A Little Bit Broken
Cruisin'
Party Girls
The Two-Month Itch
...

Books Coauthored:
See Jane Write (with Farrin Jacobs)
How to Be Bad (with E. Lockhart and Lauren Myracle)
...

Books Contributed To:
Girls' Night In
Girls Night Out
American Girls About Town
Fireworks
Vacations from Hell

...

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