Mini Review: The Magician's Nephew by CS Lewis

Title: The Magician's Nephew
Series: The Chronicles of Narnia #1
Author: CS Lewis
Illustrator: Pauline Baynes
Format: Paperback, 202 pages
Pub. Date: 1983
Source: Little Free Library


Book Description:

When Digory and Polly are tricked by Digory's peculiar Uncle Andrew into becoming part of an experiment, they set off on the adventure of a lifetime. What happens to the children when they touch Uncle Andrew's magic rings is far beyond anything even the old magician could have imagined.

Hurtled into the Wood between the Worlds, the children soon find that they can enter many worlds through the mysterious pools there. In one world they encounter the evil Queen Jadis, who wreaks havoc in the streets of London when she is accidentally brought back with them. When they finally manage to pull her out of London, unintentionally taking along Uncle Andrew and a coachman with his horse, they find themselves in what will come to be known as the land of Narnia.

Review:

★★★

Confession time: I've never read the Chronicles of Narnia.

I'm a huge fan of the films, and I know they're beloved classics, but I never read them as a kid. I happened to find the first two at my local little free library, and decided to give them a go. Better late than never, right? I didn't realize that this book, while meant as a #1 to the series, was published 6th, and apparently people skip it.

I sort of understand why. I found this book, honestly, kind of boring. It's almost entirely world building and setting up for the rest of the chronicles. If I had read the other books in the series and come back to it, I feel like I would have appreciated it more. But as a first book, it's like a 200 preface.

Not that it's bad. It's enjoyable enough. I appreciated the origins of not just Narnia and the witch, but things that are so signature to the stories like the lamp post.

I also really liked the illustrations that are sprinkled throughout the book. I didn't realize the books had drawings, and it was a pleasant surprise.

I'm glad I read this book, and I look forward to continuing my adventures in Narnia, but I probably won't be reading this again.

Mini Review: The Ghost Children by Eve Bunting

Title: The Ghost Children
Author: Eve Bunting
Format: Paperback, 163 pages
Pub. Date: September 1st 1991
Source: Garage Sale


Book Description:

When Matt and Abby go to live with Great-Aunt Gerda in Sierra Madre Canyon after their mother dies, Matt is put off at first by the life-size wooden dolls whom Aunt Gerda talks to and calls her “children.” However, when someone vandalizes the dolls and two are stolen, it is Matt, with the help of his new friend, Kristin, who foils the would-be thief and returns the dolls to Aunt Gerda.

Review:

★★★

I first read this book as a kid, and I remember being particularly creeped out by it. I felt similarly towards a lot of books about dolls and dummies (like The Dollhouse Murders and Night of the Living Dummy, for example). I came across my old copy on one of my bookshelves and decided to give it another go as an adult, to see if it holds up.

And, it doesn't. Not quite. The intrigue and inherent spookiness is still there, but it's not nearly as scary as I remember. It lingers in a sort of mysterious tone, as opposed to horror or thriller. Obviously, this book is for children, so it did its job for its intended audience, and I've just grown up.

The tone is what really sells this book. It's all a bit spooky and ominous, although it is extremely predictable in some parts. And in other parts, there's big plot holes that don't ever really get filled in.

Still, it has that enjoyable 1990's nostalgia to it, in the same way that RL Stine's Goosebumps series does. But, I find those enjoyable to reread. As for The Ghost Children, I have fond memories, but it's time to say goodbye from my shelf.

If you enjoyed the Goosebumps book or if you have a kid who likes spooky stories, this is a good one to check out. But if you're an adult, it won't hold that same creepiness for you.

Review: Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Title: Breadcrumbs
Author: Anne Ursu
Illustrator: Erin Mcguire
Format: Paperback, 312 pages
Pub. Date: January 2nd 2013
Source: Half Price Books


Book Description:

The winner of numerous awards and recipient of four starred reviews, Anne Ursu's Breadcrumbs is a stunning and heartbreaking story of growing up, wrapped in a modern-day fairy tale.

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a stunningly original fairy tale of modern-day America, a dazzling ode to the power of fantasy, and a heartbreaking meditation on how growing up is as much a choice as it is something that happens to us.

In Breadcrumbs, Anne Ursu tells, in her one-of-a-kind voice, a story that brings together fifty years of children's literature in a tale as modern as it is timeless. Hazel's journey to come to terms with her evolving friendship with Jack will deeply resonate with young readers.

Supports the Common Core State Standards

Review:

★★★

I remember there being so much hype around this book when it came out. It seemed like everybody was reading and loving it. I remember seeing the beautiful, snowy cover all over the place. So, finally I caved into the hype and decided to give this one a read. I have mixed feelings about this one. While I didn't hate it and have most definitely read worse, I couldn't help but to be disappointed in the story.

I'll start out by saying, Anne Ursu is an unbelievable writer. She is so poetic and her writing becomes almost song-like. It's slow and soothing and easily pulls you into the story. The winter and snow is so well described, it conjures up images of fantastical mountain castles and a nostalgia of winters that we had as children.

I like the story conceptually. It's inspired by a classic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale called "The Snow Queen." It's easy to see where the author drew her inspiration from, and I think the overall story plays off of it well.

My troubles lie with the main character, Hazel. I didn't find her very relatable, or even very pleasant. I was okay with her bleakness- I was that kid growing up too. But what bothered me was how selfish she comes across. She is so unhealthily attached to her friend Jack. She "allows" him time to play with other friends, as though she actually has the power to decide who he can or cannot be friends with. She refers to him as "hers" which is possessive and creepy.

We're told that Hazel is very bookish, and a fan of all these wonderful books. There's a lot of literary references. We're told how imaginative, how creative she is. But the other tells and doesn't show. We never see her being creative or reading a book or being content with herself. It as though her entire personality and existence is tied to Jack's friendship with her. She's judgmental to those around her, and doesn't really seem to learn a lesson or reflect on how she acts to change for the better.

I wish I would have found myself cheering for her. This is a story where I know I am supposed to! I'm supposed to root for her to go on her quest, to brave whatever nasty magical things are to be found in the forest, to defeat the biggest evil of them all and to get her friend back safe and sound. But I didn't have that connection to her, so I didn't really care what happened, and that's not what you're looking for in a book.

I'm also not quite sure who this book is for? The flowery language and deeper messages read much older than the middle grade crowd that I think it's aimed towards. I think a lot of kids would be bored by the slow build and language of this story.

The illustrations make up a bit for the issues I had with the writing. They are absolutely beautiful, and do a good job of capturing the essence and tone of the passages they accompany. It was a nice little pick-me-up each time I came across one.

I also appreciate that Hazel is of Indian descent.

I know I'm in the minority here. A lot of people really enjoyed it. And I wanted to. Really I did. It wasn't for me though. The writing was descriptive at times but lacking very much in character development.

Review: Goth Girl and the Fete Worse than Death by Chris Riddell!

Title: Goth Girl and the Fete Worse than Death
Series: Goth Girl #2
Author: Chris Riddell
Format: Hardcover, 218 pages
Pub. Date: September 25th 2014
Source: Half Price Books


Book Description:

Preperations are under way for the Full-Moon Fete and the Great Ghastly-Gorm Bake Off.

Celebrity cooks are arriving at the hall for the big event, and as usual Maltravers is acting suspiciously. On top of all this, Ada's elusive lady's made Marylebone has a surprising secret, and everyone seems to have forgotten Ada's birthday!

Review:

★★★★

So, my aesthetic and interests are definitely slanted more to the "goth" end of the spectrum. So when I see a book with goth in the title, especially about a goth girl, it's a big sell for me. Plus, there's illustrations and the binding is super pretty. I haven't read book one of the series but figured I'd give this one a try. I didn't feel like I was missing anything from the first book.

First, let's talk illustrations. They're super fun. They're done in a style that reminds me a bit of the Series of Unfortunate Events. Sort of dark, but well detailed and a bit whimsical. There's also fun little footnotes used to further explain things.

I think this is a book that works on two levels, sort of like Shrek. I know that's a weird comparison. But have you ever watched a movie or tv show for kids, and realized you and the kids are watching two different shows? Like they're laughing at a fart joke, but you're laughing at a more adult one? That's sort of how this book works. There are so many jokes and word play and references that I'm sure kids don't get. Not dirty ones, but for example there's a chef in this book named William Flake. His pet's name is Tyger, Tyger. As an English grad, I laughed. There's also a chef modeled after Gordon Ramsay whose signature dish is "A Nightmare in the Kitchen". I love Kitchen Nightmares. There's poodles named Belle & Sebastian, which is a band. The book is chockablock full of these sort of in-jokes, and I loved it.

It blends fantasy really well. There's vampires, there's a magical circus. There's pastries that defy physics. There's even a bear who's a housekeeper. I found it both silly and endearing, and I think that's good in a kid's book.

There's even a little mini-biography included in a sleeve on the back cover of the hardcover edition that helps to tie up the loose ends.

The only criticism I have is that the end scene is a bit sudden and rushed. It felt very "rips-off-the-mask-of-the-housekeeper I would have gotten away with it too if it wasn't for those meddling kids".

This is a fun read for kids or kids at heart. It's written in a similar vein to Series of Unfortunate Events or The 9 Lives of Alexander Baddenfield. It's a bit dark but a lot of fun, and I'd definitely read the other ones in this series.

Review: Hades Speaks! by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Title: Hades Speaks!: A Guide to the Underworld by the Greek God of the Dead
Series: Secrets of the Ancient Gods
Author: Vicky Alvear Shecter
Illustrator: J.E. Larson
Format: Hardcover, 128 pages
Pub. Date: September 1st 2014
Source: Blog Win


Book Description:

Hades, god of the dead, welcomes readers on a dangerous tour of his underworld kingdom, filled with monsters, furies, giants, and vampire demons. Along the way, he reveals ancient death rites and sinister curses, tells hair-raising stories, and cracks jokes to die for. With his witty voice and ghoulish sense of humor, Hades is the perfect guide through this fresh and imaginative work of nonfiction that reads like a novel. Includes a glossary, bibliography, and index.

Review:

★★★★★

It's no secret that I love mythology. I have a degree in ancient civilizations and classics for a reason! No matter if they're historical texts or picture books, I'm always a sucker for myths. Of the Grecian pantheon, my favorite god is the often misunderstood and underrated Hades. So when I saw this book, I had to give it a go. I wasn't disappointed.

Hades Speaks! is a book that stands apart to me because it's actually written from the perspective of Hades giving the reader a tour of the Underworld. That's such a cool way to present this information, especially since it's a middle grade-ish age book. It makes learning fun, and makes it easy to forget that you're even learning at all.

I appreciated that Hades wasn't boring or cookie cutter. He had some depth and development as a character. He was bitter towards his siblings and a bit of a complainer- which if you've read anything about Hades, that's pretty accurate. But he cracks a few jokes and just wants to clear up his side of history that pop culture has gotten wrong. There's even a reference to Harry Potter & Fluffy.

The journey through the afterlife of the fallen Greeks is a very enjoyable one. There's a good flow. The information is explained by way of story telling, so it's not just an information dump of Greek facts. You're introduced to different monsters and underworld inhabitants that aren't really mentioned much, at least here in the US. (Shoutout to my girl Hecate who never gets much representation).

There's also illustrations throughout the book. They're well done, and really accentuate the texts.

If you, or your children, are interested in learning about Greek gods, this book is a great way to learn. Hades Speaks! should be a welcome addition to any classroom or library. I look forward to reading other books about the gods in this series.

Review: The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill

Title: The Tea Dragon Society
Author: Katie O'Neill
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: October 18th 2017
Source: Oni Press


Book Description:

From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever After comes The Tea Dragon Society, a charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons.

After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own.

Review:

★★★★★

This is the best graphic novel that I've read in 2017. I absolutely loved it.

For me, the most important part is of course the artwork. The aesthetic is adorable. It's a lot of kawaii, pastel type illustrations. It catches the eye and is well done. The tea dragons- there are different types of tea dragons, to match different types of tea of course- are the absolute cutest. They are reminiscent of Pokemon almost. I want stuffed animal versions of them, to be completely honest with you.

In addition to the artwork being visually appealing, the drawings are well paired with the text, so when blended together, it goes nicely.

Which brings us to the text, naturally. It's a heartwarming, feel good sort of book. I was very much more upset than I expected when I ran out of story and pages. The tone is very sweet, and very cozy. It feels almost like a bed time story, it's playful but has a focused plot, and has characters that you want to know more about as the night wears on.

So many different types of characters are represented in this book, without making a fuss. It's simply "these folks are all together" and that's sort of beautiful in a way. There's LGBT representation, disability representation, different skin tones and even different species all harmonious in the same place.

This is a great book for those who love either dragon or teas, as well as kawaii style artwork. And of course, children who enkIt's a quick read but it has lovely characters and a charming plot.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

HALLOWEEN COUNTDOWN! Review: The Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: The Isle of the Lost
Series: Descendants #1
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Format: Hardcover, 311 pages
Pub. Date: May 5th 2015
Source: Won/Publisher


Book Description:

Twenty years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon and made to live in virtual imprisonment on the Isle of the Lost. The island is surrounded by a magical force field that keeps the villains and their descendants safely locked up and away from the mainland. Life on the island is dark and dreary. It is a dirty, decrepit place that's been left to rot and forgotten by the world.

But hidden in the mysterious Forbidden Fortress is a dragon's eye: the key to true darkness and the villains' only hope of escape. Only the cleverest, evilest, nastiest little villain can find it...who will it be?

Maleficent, Mistress of the Dark: As the self-proclaimed ruler of the isle, Maleficent has no tolerance for anything less than pure evil. She has little time for her subjects, who have still not mastered life without magic. Her only concern is getting off the Isle of the Lost.

Mal: At sixteen, Maleficent's daughter is the most talented student at Dragon Hall, best known for her evil schemes. And when she hears about the dragon's eye, Mal thinks this could be her chance to prove herself as the cruelest of them all.

Evie: Having been castle-schooled for years, Evil Queen's daughter, Evie, doesn't know the ins and outs of Dragon Hall. But she's a quick study, especially after she falls for one too many of Mal's little tricks.

Jay: As the son of Jafar, Jay is a boy of many talents: stealing and lying to name a few. Jay and Mal have been frenemies forever and he's not about to miss out on the hunt for the dragon's eye.

Carlos: Cruella de Vil's son may not be bravest, but he's certainly clever. Carlos's inventions may be the missing piece in locating the dragon's eye and ending the banishment for good.

Mal soon learns from her mother that the dragon's eye is cursed and whoever retrieves it will be knocked into a deep sleep for a thousand years. But Mal has a plan to capture it. She'll just need a little help from her "friends." In their quest for the dragon's eye, these kids begin to realize that just because you come from an evil family tree, being good ain't so bad.

Review:

★★★ ★

Upon watching the "Descendants 2" film on the Disney Channel a few months ago, I suddenly remembered that not only does this book series exist, but that I had a copy of the first book.

So, away I read.

Ultimately, this was a pretty quick read that held my attention really well.

I like the concept of having a new yet familiar world, filled with new yet familiar faces. The children of the most infamous Disney Villains all live, study, and survive on the Isle of the Lost. I thought that Melissa de la Cruz did a really good job of world building the island. It was vivid and descriptive, and it answered a lot of questions that I had (from seeing the movie before I read the book). I also liked that she took four separate villain children and gave them four distinct backgrounds and life experiences, though they're all from the same small place, and shoved them to work together. It was interesting to see how relationships changed and grew, and to see how they all interacted with each other, especially since they all know the heinous things that each of their parents have done in the past.

There are a lot of callbacks to Disney films in this book, and I adored that. If you were a fan of Disney animated classics growing up, there are a lot of familiar characters that make appearances, and you get new insight into some of the motives of these movies.

There's a little tease of a romance, but it doesn't really come to fruition in this first installment of the series. I hope that changes in the other books. There's also not a lot of description of the "good" enchanted land of Auradon; I assume that will come later too.

The only thing that really didn't vibe well with me was the personalities of the four villain kids who are the main characters: Jay (son of Jafar), Carlos (son of Cruella), Evie (daughter of the Evil Queen), and Mal (daughter of Maleficent). There was a lot of time dedicated to explaining what the sins of each of their parents was: what they had done to be villains, how they had failed, how mean they were. All fair explanations, but... We know. We saw what happened in the films. It's not something that needs to be constantly readdressed like "Oh remember Jafar wanted the lamp!?" We need to know more about who the villain children are, and I never really got a sense of who they were, on their own. Perhaps this changes when they no longer have such strong, imprisoning ties to their parents in later books, but in this book it seemed lacking for the kids, or redundant for the adults.

Like I said though, I enjoyed this book. It was a fun, nostalgic read that took me back to all the Disney books that I loved as a kid, and still love now in adulthood. It's a great book for kids and young teens who still love Disney, or who like series such as Ever After High or Monster High.

I look forward to continuing the series when I track them down.

Review: The Dragon of the Month Club by Iain Reading

Title: The Dragon of the Month Club
Author: Iain Reading
Format: Paperback, 236 pages
Pub. Date: December 18th 2014
Source: Author


Book Description:

The Dragon Of The Month Club is the exciting first installment in a new book series that tells the story of Ayana Fall and Tyler Travers, two best friends who stumble across an extraordinarily magical book and soon find themselves enrolled as members of a very special and exclusive club - The Dragon of the Month Club.

On the thirteenth of every month a new dragon conjuring spell is revealed and the two friends attempt to summon the latest Dragon of the Month. The varieties are almost endless: Air Dragons, Paper Dragons, Fog Dragons, Waterfall Dragons, Rock Dragons, Tree Dragons - not to mention special bonus dragons for all the major holidays, including a particularly prickly Holly Dragon for Christmas.

But one day when a conjuring spell somehow goes wrong Ayana and Tyler find themselves unexpectedly drawn into a fantastical world of adventure based on the various books scattered all across Tyler's messy bedroom. Traveling from one book-inspired world to the next with nothing to rely on but their wits and a cast of strange and exotic dragons at their disposal they must try to somehow find their way home again.

Drawing inspiration from some of literature's most memorable stories - from 19th century German folktales to the streets of Sherlock Holmes's London - the adventures of Ayana and Tyler bring these classic stories to life in delightfully strange and unexpected ways. Filled with fascinating detail and non-stop action these books will spark the imaginations of readers of all ages to inspire a life-long love of reading and seeking out books that are just a little bit off the beaten track.

Review:

★★★★

I couldn't resist when I was offered a chance to read this book. I love fantasy and dragons, plus I'm a sucker for books that use other books as part of their plot (like Inkheart, for example). All in all I was really happy to have read this book.

First, I would like to clarify that this book is more of a middle grade level than a young adult level. It doesn't matter to me, but it might if you have a child.

Anyway, I really liked the friendship between Ayana and Tyler. I felt that it was well thought out and it seemed like they really care about each other. I love that they get into these dragon-summoning shenanigans together.

A lot of detail and planning went into this book, and I appreciate that. Each dragon that Ayana and Tyler summon is an individual, with its own personality, traits, and story. It was kind of cool, because honestly who really pictures a dozen different kinds of dragons? Not me! There's also the detail that comes into play as the pair find themselves in a booklover's dream- a fantasy book land. There's so many references and it makes my literary heart happy.

It got a little muddled at times, because there's so many worlds and dragons and things going on, but ultimately it didn't detract from my reading experience very much.

I recommend this to the late elementary/middle school crowd, to any kid who loves fantasy, magic, dragons, or who loves books in general. It's an engrossing adventure that kids are sure to love.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Billy Bobble Makes A Magic Wand by R.S. Mellette!

Title: Billy Bobble Makes a Magic Wand

Author: RS Mellette

Format: egalley

Pub. Date: December 8th 2014

Source: Mother Daughter Book Reviews.



Book Description via Goodreads:

"Everyone needs a little magic in their life."

Twelve-year-old Billy Bobble and his best friend Suzy Quinofski didn't mean to change the universe. Billy, a quantum physics prodigy, just wanted to find a way to help his hoarding, schizophrenic mother – and maybe impress a coven of older girls in high school. Suzy, his intellectual equal, wanted to help her friend and cling to her last remnant of childhood, a belief in magic. Together they made Billy a real, working, magic wand, and opened a door to the Quantum World where thoughts create reality, and all things – good and bad – are possible.

Review:

★★★

I think this would have been a book that I would have liked a lot when I was younger. There's a lot of action and suspense, and it's overall a pretty entertaining read. I'm seeing it labeled as a children's book, but personally I think that it would work better in the young adult genre, because there are a lot of smart explanations and science bits that might be a bit off putting to a younger reader.

This book is a relatively short one at about 200 or so pages, but it's not necessarily a quick reading. The beginning chapters were a bit slow moving and rough for me. I'm the first one to admit that I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to science and math. While I appreciated that the author tried to take the time to explain the background information and science behind the story's adventures, it took me a while to get through it. I'm glad that I stuck through to read the rest of it, but I can see people setting it down right away.

Once you get past that, the story picks up and is super fun. Both main characters are extremely likable and crazy smart. This book takes the fantasy aspect of magic and blends it well with fact-based science. I can see kids and young adults who love science picking this up and loving it, in the same vein as the Artemis Fowl books.

Unrelated to the novel itself, I really like the cover for this. It's quirky and fun, just like the book inside of it. It's eye-catching and I gotta say, I love the flamingo.

This book is worth reading, and I think science kids will like it a lot more than I did. The beginning's a bit rough, but if you stick through, you're rewarded with a fun magic adventure.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: The Disappearance of Emily H. by Barrie Summy!

Title: The Disappearance of Emily H

Author: Barrie Summy

Release date: 5/12//15

Publisher: Delacorte Books For Young Readers

Summary from Goodreads:

A girl who can see the past tries to save the future in this compelling tween mystery.

A girl is missing. Three girls are lying. One girl can get to the truth.

Emily Huvar vanished without a trace. And the clues are right beneath Raine’s fingertips. Literally. Raine isn’t like other eighth graders. One touch of a glittering sparkle that only Raine can see, and she’s swept into a memory from the past. If she touches enough sparkles, she can piece together what happened to Emily.

When Raine realizes that the cliquey group of girls making her life miserable know more than they’re letting on about Emily’s disappearance, she has to do something. She’ll use her supernatural gift for good . . . to fight evil.

But is it too late to save Emily?

Review:

★★★

I'll admit it to you here, the reasons why I picked this book up are more personal than anything. My girlfriend's name is in fact Emily H. I took it as a sign to read this one. In short, it's a cute, quick read that I think younger audiences than me would appreciate more.

One of the big things that this book has going for it is the blending of realistic fiction and fantasy. It's really detailed and well-written as a realistic fiction. That is, there's a girl who is missing and a mystery to solve. Likewise, there's a clique-ish cast of girls who are mean bullies. It's a very real situation to believe, on the surface.

But then there's Raine. Raine has these "sparkles" or little touches that were passed on through her family that allow her to see pieces of the past. She wants to use her gift for the greater good in order to help find out for once and for all what happened to Emily. This gift is a cool touch, but is one that I feel isn't very well explained. I got the overall concept and it works on some level, but lacked a bit of information. Regardless, it was this gift that gave this story a nice fantastical pop.

There's also a little bit of romance, but I appreciated that it wasn't a main focus of the plot. It was sweet to read about though.

This book tackles a lot, sometimes more than enough at once. Despite that overload, the theme of bullying in this book is an important and a clear one. It's a little sad how many books on bullying have come my way lately, but I understand their importance in the world. I've been Raine's age and it can be a nightmare. I think while it's dealing with tough stuff, the author keeps a good balance of serious and less serious, both of which balance well to create a well-paced, fairly cohesive story.

I think that readers that are closer to Raine's age- that is, 8th grade- will really enjoy this one. It's got a well-written, well-paced story that deals with issues like bullying that are prominent throughout junior high. It has a nice blend of relatability and paranormal aspects, with a touch of romance and cuteness.

I was provided a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Get it Here:

Amazon | BN

Praise:

"The Disappearance of Emily H. has everything--a quirky, believable heroine, a complex mystery that keeps you guessing, and even a touch of the paranormal. Readers won't put this one down until the final sparkle." ~Gordon Korman, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Magic exposes the extent of vicious school bullying in this arresting middle school mystery." ~Kirkus Reviews

"In this mild action-adventure, readers will value the captivating, emotional roller coaster young girls experience with friendships and new beginnings."
~School Library Journal

About the Author:

Barrie Summy grew up in Canada on a steady diet of books and tobogganing. She tries to read a book a week and always breaks for tea and cookies at three oclock.

Barrie lives in California with her husband, their four children, a veiled chameleon, and Dorothy the Dog.

Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

Follow the rest of the tour here!

Giveaway:

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Mini Review: Lucas Mackenzie and the London Midnight Ghost Show by Steve Bryant!

Title: Lucas Mackenzie and the London Midnight Ghost Show
Author: Steve Bryant
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: February 24th
Source: Month9Books, LLC


Book Description via Goodreads:

“Lucas Mackenzie has got the best job of any ten-year-old boy. He travels from city-to-city as part of the London Midnight Ghost Show, scaring unsuspecting show-goers year round. Performing comes naturally to Lucas and the rest of the troupe, who’ve been doing it for as long as Lucas can remember. But there’s something Lucas doesn’t know. Like the rest of Lucas's friends, he’s dead. And for some reason, Lucas can’t remember his former life, his parents or friends. Did he go to school? Have a dog? Brothers and sisters? If only he could recall his former life, maybe even reach out to his parents, haunt them. When a ghost hunter determines to shut the show down, Lucas realizes the life he has might soon be over. And without a connection to his family, he will have nothing. There’s little time, and Lucas has much to do. Keep the lights on! Lucas Mackenzie’s coming to town.

Review:

★★

Ultimately, I don't have too much to say on this book. I was really excited when I got the chance to read it, because I love books that are given a circus-y setting. I don't know why I'm fascinated by it, but I'm the first to admit that I am. I was hoping that it would be something like the Cirque du Freak books, which is one of my favorite young adult series. Plus, I love the cover. And I should know by now that that is not the best way to judge.

Anyway, that's not what I got.

I don't have a lot to say about it, because I found to this book to be really, really boring. That's a very weird and rare thing for me to say. Normally if I don't like the book I can pick a reason, like bad writing or bad character development. This book wasn't badly written per se, though it did use outdated language that made it a bit irksome at times.

I just felt like nothing was happening. I expected action or excitement or even to be creeped out at a book that has "London Midnight Ghost Show" in the title, but at the end of the day I was left just glad that the book was over so that I could go and read something else.

By all means, give this book a try. I think this is just one of those times where a book and me aren't meant to be friends. Maybe this will be right up your alley. But for me, it was a swing and a miss.

I was provided a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Nightbird by Alice Hoffman!

Title: Nightbird
Author: Alice Hoffman
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: March 10th 2015
Source: Wendy Lamb Books


Book Description via Goodreads:

“I love the way Alice Hoffman creates the most ordinary people and then turns their lives magical. . . . [Nightbird] is like reentering a wonderful dream that you vaguely remember.” —Lois Lowry, two-time Newbery Medal–winning author of The Giver


In her first novel for middle-grade readers , bestselling author Alice Hoffman tells a bewitching story of love and friendship that is truly magical.

Twig lives in Sidwell, where people whisper that fairy tales are real. After all, her town is rumored to hide a monster. And two hundred years ago, a witch placed a curse on Twig’s family that was meant to last forever. But this summer, everything will change when the red moon rises. It’s time to break the spell.

What Other Authors Are Saying
"I loved Nightbird. Such a clever mix of fantasy and reality; the fantasy is so persuasively meshed with the story that the reader accepts everything. Alice Hoffman enters brilliantly into the twelve-year-old mind and winds her account of a disordered family into the twists and turns of an elegantly crafted narrative in which past and present unite to solve a magically intriguing problem of witches, feathers and owls." —Penelope Lively, winner of the Carnegie Medal and the Booker Prize

Review:

★★★★★

Wow. I don't know what I was expecting entirely, but I know that this book blew me away.

What I perhaps liked best of all was the tone with which this story was told. It's slow and dreamy like the summer days that Twig spends in the orchards. It's slow without being boring, the space is filled with absolutely beautiful prose. Hoffman describes everything in the scene from the clothes the characters wear, to the delicious pink apple pie that they eat, to the look of the sky at the present moment with precision and fluidity. It's easy to be swept up into the scenes, as I found myself to be.

Then there are the characters, who I also loved. Twig is a loner by force, because her mother insists that it is what is best for the family. Because of this, Twig is a bit shadowy and mysterious, but not nearly as much as her secret brother James that no one in town knows about. Because of a curse inflicted hundreds of years earlier, he is "cursed" with beautiful blue-black feathered wings. James was perhaps my favorite character. He's torn between wanting to be normal and fit in, and the love and need for freedom and the open sky. Things get more complicated when the long-abandoned house next door gets occupants- descendants of the witch who cursed them. James becomes smitten with the neighbor girl, Agate and their romance was beautiful to read about. It's sweet and forbidden and complex, but I couldn't help but to cheer them on. There's also a brilliant cast of side characters, including a friendly journalist, a sweet historian, and a kid almost forgotten from Twig's past.

This book is written with a very realistic sense of fantasy. That is, I could (at least while I was reading the book) completely believe that somewhere out in Massachusetts there exists this small, cozy town wherein lies a mysterious winged figure that no one can quite glimpse or understand. The places described, like the orchards behind Twigs house, the town's prized forest, and even the diner that helps to sell Twig's family's pies and treats, they all felt incredibly real.

This is a middle grade level book, but I definitely believe adults and teens can enjoy it too. After all, I'm in my 20s and I loved it. I recommend it to fans of books such as Matilda, or anyone who wants a little more magic in their reading list. This was my first reading experience by Hoffman (despite the fact that I know I own at least two other titles), but it definitely will not be my last.

Thank you to Wendy Lamb Books who provided me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Series Review: Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency by Iain Reading!

A few months back, I reviewed the first book in the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency, Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold. I really enjoyed it, and you can read my review by clicking here. The author was awesome enough to send me the rest of the books in the series. I'll talk a little about what I liked about each book, but because I read them all in a row, I'm doing a series rating.

I give the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency series:

★★★★

Four stars!


Title: Kitty Hawk and the Hunt for Hemingway's Ghost
Series: Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency #2
Author: Iain Reading
Format: Kindle Edition, 339 pages
Pub. Date: September 10th 2013
Source: Author


Book Description via Goodreads:

Kitty Hawk and the Hunt for Hemingway's Ghost is the exciting second installment in a new series of adventure mystery stories that are one part travel, one part history and five parts adventure. This second book in the series continues the adventures of Kitty Hawk, an intrepid teenage pilot who has decided to follow in the footsteps of her hero Amelia Earhart and make an epic flight around the entire world. After flying across North America Kitty's journey takes her down south to Florida where she plans to get a bit of rest and relaxation before continuing on with the rest of her long and grueling flight. As Kitty explores the strange and magical water world of the Florida Keys her knack for getting herself into precarious situations sweeps her headlong into the adventure of a lifetime involving mysterious lights, ancient shipwrecks, razor-toothed barracudas and even a sighting of the great Ernest Hemingway himself. This exhilarating story will have armchair explorers and amateur detectives alike anxiously following every twist and turn as they are swept across the landscape and history of the Florida Keys all the way from Key West to the strange and remarkable world of Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas.

Kitty Hawk and the Hunt for Hemingway's Ghost is a perfect book to fire the imaginations of readers of all ages. Filled with fascinating and highly Google-able locations and history this book will inspire anyone to learn about and experience as much of our amazing world as they can - just like Kitty Hawk herself.

Review:

★★★

In the second chapter of Kitty Hawk's series, we're taken away to the Florida Keys on an adventure. This one is probably my least favorite of the series so far, but it is still an enjoyable and educational read.

This book is encouraging of learning, that is, there is a ton of information in the story that is true. From the specific locations that Kitty visits or flies over, to some of the people she meets, to the animals that she encounters, there is a ton of real life knowledge threaded into the story that ensures that, whether you want to or not, you're going to learn a thing or two.

Kitty Hawk is a character that more kids should read about. She's independent and strong, and so very smart. She keeps her cool in the toughest of situations and uses her brain (mixed with skill and some luck, of course) to save herself and anyone else in trouble too. She's a good role model to have.

The setting of this one is really gorgeous. I'm sure that most people who read this book will enjoy the back drop of the Florida Keys and the waters around them. It's well described and vivid, and it definitely lured me in a bit since when I was reading it, I was in my own freezing back drop of Illinois.

Long story short, if you liked book one, you'll enjoy book two well enough. It's an adventure book that can be read by itself, but I recommend book one too, for a middle grade or young adult audience.

Title: Kitty Hawk and the Icelandic Intrigue
Series: Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency #3
Author: Iain Reading
Format: Kindle Edition, 306 pages
Pub. Date: April 19th 2013
Source: Author


Book Description via Goodreads:

Following in the footsteps of her hero Amelia Earhart, Kitty Hawk sets off on an epic flight around the world and arrives in Iceland's capital city of Reykjavik where she finds herself immersed in a beautiful alien world of volcanoes, Vikings, elves and trolls. Before she knows it Kitty is plunged head first into an amazing adventure that sweeps her across a rugged landscape where humans and nature exist side-by-side in an uneasy truce and magical realms seem to lie just out of sight beneath the surface.

Kitty Hawk and the Icelandic Intrigue is the dazzling third installment of the Flying Detective Agency series featuring Kitty Hawk, an intrepid teenaged seaplane pilot with boundless curiosity and a knack for getting herself into - and out of - all kinds of precarious situations.

This is a perfect book to fire the imaginations of readers of all ages - armchair explorers and amateur detectives alike. From dangerous criminals and corrupt government officials to mystical beings and clashes with the elemental forces of nature, this book has it all. Come and join Kitty Hawk as she experiences the strange and extraordinary world of the Icelanders, and unravels the Icelandic Intrigue.

Review:

★★★★

This third book in the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency picks up the next chapter of Kitty's flying adventure. She finds herself in Iceland in a new story of action and this time, even fantasy.

I have a fascination with Icelandic custom as well as the country as a whole. It's so pretty looking, and is a place that I would love to go visit, so I was drawn in immediately by Reading's descriptions of the landscapes. I learned a lot, as can be expected from all of the books in this series. There is a cornucopia of information in this book that helps you learn more about what Kitty is going through as you move across the plot itself.

A plot which I really enjoyed. The first two books had fantasy elements, of course. Though this book series is an informative one they are still works of fiction. However, this book had my own personal preference of fantasy. That is, just below the surface, there is a land of magic. Kitty's new adventure involves plots involving Vikings and elves and trolls, all set in this gorgeous Iceland scenery. The plot was exciting and well paced, and kept my attention.

Kitty continues to be the tough heroine that she's proven herself to be throughout, with her head on her shoulders and her heart set and determined on her goals. I found that the character development was a bit weaker in this book than in the ones previous, but it didn't hinder me too much from reading it.

My one critique of this book is how it ended. I won't go into details, but it made the book end on a bit of a low note for me. The series doesn't end here, but it did put a bit of a damper on my reading.

I think this book will appeal to anyone who likes a young adult fantasy adventure, and those who liked the first two books are sure to enjoy this one as well.

Title: Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic
Series: Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency #4
Author: Iain Reading
Format: Kindle Edition, 321 pages
Pub. Date: February 16th 2014
Source: Author


Book Description via Goodreads:

Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic is the thrillingly cryptic fourth installment of the exciting Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency Series featuring the intrepid teenage seaplane pilot Kitty Hawk and her various adventures of mystery and intrigue as she follows in the footsteps of Amelia Earhart on an epic flight around the world.

This fourth book in the series brings Kitty to the emerald hills of Ireland where she meets a handsome stranger and is quickly swept up in a perplexing hundred-year-old family treasure hunt involving secret codes and puzzling clues that lead her on a fast-paced adventure that carries her from Dublin to London - from the decks of the ill-fated ocean liner Titanic to the temples of ancient Egypt and the streets of Jack the Ripper - until she finally unlocks the mystery and discovers the long-hidden treasure.

Much like the earlier books in this series, Kitty Hawk and the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic is a perfect book to fire the imaginations of armchair detectives of all ages. Filled with fascinating and highly Google-able locations and history the reader will find themselves immersed in brand new worlds that are brought to life before their very eyes as Kitty Hawk experiences the stories and history of a doomed ocean liner and unravels the Tragedy of the RMS Titanic.

Review:

★★★★

This is the fourth book in the Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency series by Iain Reading. These are adventure books that follow young pilot Kitty Hawk on a series of mysterious adventures that launch her all over the world in order to solve them all and learn along the way. The fourth book is an enjoyable addition to the rest of the Kitty Hawk lineup.

I was drawn in immediately by the cover and title. There are a few points in history by which I am fascinated. Somewhere near the top of that list, is the sinking of the Titanic. I was excited to see that this book deals with the ship. I knew a lot of the information already because of this fascination, but there was still things I didn't know previously and a lot of information to boot. This book weaved in stories of Jack the Ripper and the Titanic among other things, but did so in a way where it didn't seem encyclopedic. As usual, the book was descriptively written and made me want to travel, just as all the other books in the series have. From Ireland to England and even to Egypt, this adventure spans all over and I would love to travel with Kitty, despite all the strange mysteries she gets herself into.

For the first time in this series though, the characters fell short for me. I didn't connect or cheer for Kitty Hawk as much as I had in the first three books previous. She made a few decisions that set me aback a bit. She was still likable enough, but she wasn't quite as admirable in my eyes, and I hope this gets remedied in a future KHFDA book.

This will sure to be fun for young adult fans of mystery and adventure, or even just those who are as fascinated by the Titanic as I am.

Mini Review: The Trouble with Peer Pressure by Darlene R Wood!

Title: The Trouble with Peer Pressure: A Simple "My ADHD Story" for Young Teens
Author: Darlene R Wood
Format: Paperback, 32 pages
Pub. Date: October 20th 2014
Source: Darlene R Wood


Book Description via Goodreads:

When the world seems too difficult for a person with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) to cope with, peer pressure just seems to compound any situation. Somehow, some way we just need to figure out how to get along with everyone in this small world.

Review:

★★★★

I was drawn to this book for a few different reasons. The first of which is because I'm in school to be a teacher, so gaining any additional insight into the minds of young people is a great help. The other reason is because my girlfriend has ADHD, and I often fail at learning to step into her shoes. She was only recently diagnosed in adulthood, though she's struggled with school and learning for a long time. So, I thought I'd check this book out in order to learn a thing or two.

The first thing that really draws the attention is the illustrations. They're really well done, with good, vibrant colors. This is good for keeping the attention. And I found that each illustration was well corresponded with whatever topic was being discussed in the book at that present moment.

This book is written in choppy, short sentences, but I think that's a good thing considering the subject matter and intended audience. It's also written in a first person narrative, so those who know what it's like to live with ADHD can easily relate, and those who do not know this life are forced to put themselves in that position. There's a lot of questions narrated in this book, making it easier to think out loud and to formulate a discussion.

That's actually how I think this book is best used- a discussion starter. It opens the doors to have a bigger, more meaningful conversation but leaves something to be desired in the actual story itself. I don't think that the themes of ADHD and peer pressure always blend together in this book, but I understood the point well enough. I think this is the type of book best shared between parents and children, used as a communication or educational tool. It's a solid book that I'm sure parents and educators alike will find useful.

Thank you to the author for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Audiobook Review: Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard by Lars Guignard!

Title: Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard
Author: Lars Guignard
Format: Audible Audiobook
Narrator: Bailey Carlson
Pub. Date: February 26th 2013
Source: Mother Daughter Book Reviews & Fantastic Press


Book Description via Goodreads:

If you love fantasy books for middle schoolers like the Percy Jackson series or young adult adventure books like Harry Potter, you’ll love this!

Introducing book 1 of the new kids’ adventure books from best-selling author Lars Guignard:

Zoe and Zak are lost in exotic India, where gods and magic still exist. Before they can find their way home, they just have to do one little thing…

…Save a mythical creature from an ancient evil that wants to rule the world.

When Zoe Guire goes along on her mom’s business trip to India, things get very weird, very quickly. An elephant god speaks to her from the bottom of a swimming pool… She and her classmate Zak get locked in a trunk and shipped off to a strange city near the foothills of the Himalayas… and a crazy snake charmer tells them they’ve been chosen to protect a mythical creature called the Ghost Leopard from an ancient evil that wants to take over the world.

As they travel deeper into the majestic mountains known as the Realm of the Gods, things get even weirder. If she and Zak want to make it back to their parents, they’re going to have to tap into powers they never knew existed.

Because if they don’t, things will never be the same for any of us ever again.

Review:

★★★

I'm still getting used to listening to audiobooks, and I have to say this one was really pleasant to listen to. I really enjoyed the narrator, Bailey Carlson's, reading of this book and I think kids will love it too. She does different accents and inflections for the different characters, and it really helps the story come to life. It's never confusing to know who is speaking because each voice is distinct. I was really happily surprised by this!

And now for the book itself. I don't think that the "fans of Harry Potter" bit is true- I think this book is a bit younger than that. For example, one of the characters is referred to as "rhino butt" throughout the book. It was cute the first time, but as an adult it got old quickly. Similarly, there's a lot of language repetition like "Did I mention?" and "...or something". It makes it sound more like conversation and less like a book which isn't bad, but it did get a bit redundant.

I also really didn't care for the main character/narrator Zoe. I felt that she came off older than 6th grade, and a bit pretentious. At one point she references how she reads a lot about animals and there's no creatures that have never been photographed.... Which is weird because new creatures are discovered all the time. I grew to like her a bit more as time moved by, but at the beginning it was rough going. I did however like that she is adopted and is okay with it, it added a nice touch of diversity.

All that being said, the story itself is pretty cool. There is a lot of information in this book, and I think that's great in a book aimed for kids. No doubt readers will walk away having learned something. This book is set largely in India, and sometimes Zoe uses a different language like Hindi, and then the meaning is explained. I really appreciated this aspect. There's also a lot of mythology from the Indian philosophies, like the names of different gods and goddesses and what they represent or did. I wish I had a book growing up that focused on Indian tradition- I didn't learn about it until I got to college! Everything was well explained.

The writing was well detailed and easily to visualize. It didn't take much to imagine yourself on the streets of India or in the mountains or in the big fancy hotel right alongside Zoe and Zak. There's magic and powers and evil powers and a ghost leopard- what's not to like? It's written in a diary-esque type format which makes it seem like the story is being told directly to you, which was cool. There were also quite a few moments with humor in them that made me snicker aloud.

All in all, I thought that this was an enjoyable book. I think that kids in the late elementary/early middle school age will like this book the best. This book is like a mix of the Animorphs series, "The Wild Thornberries", and a pinch of "Percy Jackson" for good mythical measure. If you or your child is a fan of those things- I'd recommend it!

Thanks to MD Book Reviews & Fantastic Press for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Blog Tour Review, Excerpt & Giveaway- Flunked: Fairy Tale Reform School by Jen Calonita!

Title: Flunked: Fairy Tale Reform School
Author: Jen Calonita
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: March 3rd 2015
Source: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Advanced Praise:

“Charming fairy-tale fun.” –Sarah Mlynowski, author of the Whatever After series.

“Flunked is spellbinding and wickedly clever. Gilly is smart, spunky, and a hilarious narrator!” –Leslie Margolis, author of the Annabelle Unleashed and the Maggie Brooklyn mysteries.

“Flunked is a fresh and funny take on the enchanted world. (And who hasn’t always wanted to know what happened to Cinderella’s stepmother?”)” -Julie DeVillers, author of the Trading Faces identical twin series and Emma Emmets, Playground Matchmaker.

“A reform school where all the teachers are former villains. Kinda writes itself, right?” Betsy Bird’s Librarian Preview

About the Book:

OUR MISSION:

To turn WICKED DELINQUENTS
and FORMER VILLAINS
into FUTURE HEROES


Gilly wouldn’t call herself wicked exactly…but when you have five little brothers and sisters and live in a run- down boot, you have to get creative to make ends meet. Gilly’s a pretty good thief (if she does say so herself).

Until she gets caught.

Gilly’s sentenced to three months at Fairy Tale Reform School- where all of the teachers are former (super-scary) villains like the Big Bad Wolf, the Evil Queen, and Cinderella’s Wicked Stepmother. Harsh. But when she meets fellow students Jax and Kayla, she learns there’s more to this school than its heroic mission. There’s a battle brewing and Gilly has to wonder: can a villain really change?

Excerpt:

There’s a boy up there, standing on the crystal chandelier! He has slightly curly blond hair and is wearing a uniform—­a navy sweater vest over a white shirt with khaki pants—­but his boots are muddy. He’s stepping on priceless crystals with cruddy boots? Is he insane?

“Jax! What are you doing up there?” Kayla whispers heatedly.

“I’m cleaning the crystal for Flora,” Jax says and rolls his eyes. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m making a break for it.”

Kayla applauds. “Yay! This time I know you can do it.”

I shade my eyes from the light bursting through the stained-­glass window next to the chandelier Jax is perched on. “Busting out? Why?” I ask Kayla. “I thought you said this place was cool.”
Jax laughs loudly and looks at me. I feel slightly stunned. I’ve never seen violet eyes before. “FTRS was fun for a while, but strange things have started happening and I don’t want to be here when something bad goes down.”

Strange things? What kind of strange things? Why does Kayla suddenly look pale?

“He’s exaggerating,” Kayla tells me, but she doesn’t sound convincing.

Drip. Whatever Jax is holding is leaking. Kayla and I move out of the way so we don’t get wet. “Grease,” Jax explains to me. “It lubes the window.” He swings the chandelier, and as it nears the window, he uses a fork to try to pry the window open. “A few more tries and I’ll have it.”

“Then what are you going to do, genius?” I ask. “You’re two stories up.”

Jax’s eyes gleam. “I’ve jumped from higher spots before.”

“It’s true,” Kayla says to me. “Jax once jumped from the gym to the dining hall turret. That was three stories up. We call him the Escape Artist. One time he even managed to break into Azalea and Dahlia’s rooms and borrowed their keys to the indoor pool so the whole dorm could take a midnight swim.”

“Impressive,” I tell him. “And I thought I was good at tricking obnoxious royals.”

“She stole a dragon’s tooth clip from one this morning,” Kayla fills him in.

“Nice,” Jax says. “Your first pull?”

“No, I’ve been doing it for a while,” I brag.

“Me too,” Jax says. “My father is a farmer. You can only get so far trading vegetables. I needed to kick things up a notch.”

For some reason, I don’t think any of us are going to make the transformation Headmistress Flora is looking for. “Why do you want to break out so bad?”

“I’ve got places to see, and Enchantasia isn’t one of them.” Jax swings the chandelier so hard the crystals clang together. The window latch pops open, and I watch Jax leap from the chandelier to the tiny window ledge. I’m in awe. Jax looks down at us smugly before pushing open the window. “Are you sure you two don’t want to join me?”

“There’s no time for us,” Kayla says. “Get out of here. Wait!” Her eyes widen. “You deactivated the alarm on the window, right?”

“There isn’t one,” Jax insists. “If there was, I wouldn’t be able to do this.” But when Jax lifts the window, we hear:

EEEEEE! EEEE! EEEE! Unauthorized exit! Unauthorized exit!

The shrieking sound is so intense that Kayla and I cover our ears. Within seconds, Flora is out of her office and running toward us.

Swoosh!

I feel something brush past me and I whirl around. When I look up at Jax again, a large, muscular man with a long mane of hair is hanging on to the window ledge, his furry hands pulling Jax back by his shirt. How did the man get up there without a ladder?

“Mr. Jax,” the man says in a low growl, “we really must stop meeting like this.”

Quiz:

You've read the excerpt now take the quiz! If you get sentenced to Fairy Tale Reform School, it will help to have an ally. Take the quiz and find out who your mentor would be.

Click here!

My results:

Professor Wolfington!



Professor Wolfington (formerly known at The Wolf) is the professor of history and a student favorite at Fairy Tale Reform School. He's more than happy to help you reform, but DON'T mention Granny.

Name: Xavier Wolfington

Occupation: Professor of history

Likes: Peace, quite, and spin class

Dislikes: Talk of his former life

Enter the world of Enchantasia at HappilyEverAfterScrolls.net.

And don't miss Fairy Tale Reform School: Flunked, coming from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky in March 2015!

Buy It Now!:

Amazon | B&N | BAM | Indigo | IndieBound

About the Author:

Jen Calonita is the author of the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series and other books like Sleepaway Girls and Summer State of Mind, but Fairy Tale Reform School is her first middle grade series. She rules Long Island, New York with husband Mike, princes Tyler and Dylan, and Chihuahua Captain Jack Sparrow, but the only castle she’d ever want to live in is Cinderella’s at Disney World. She’d love for you to drop her a line at jencalonitaonline.com or keep the fairy tale going at http://books.sourcebooks.com/enchantasia/
Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Review:

★★★★

I was first drawn into the cover for Flunked. I mean, look at how pretty it is! Plus, it's no secret that I have a deep-seeded love for all things fairy tale and fantasy. I knew I had to read this one, and I'm so glad I did.

Prepare to get swept into the land of storybook legends, where gnomes and fairies and humans live together in (general) harmony. The princesses that we all know and love rule over the kingdom, the commoners live in anything from cottages to giant boots (Just ask Gilly!), and the day's news is magically transmitted to your scroll so that you never miss a beat. Part of this harmony is caused by the Fairy Tale Reform School: a boarding school run by Cinderella's (previously) wicked stepmother and a few other baddies we know- Snow White's mom and the big bad wolf among them. Their goal is to take young hooligans and teach the villainy out of them to make them upstanding citizens of Enchantasia. After getting caught on her third offense of petty theft to help feed her starving family, it's hear that Gilly is shipped.

The reform school is like if you took the castle from the Magic Kingdom and combined it with Hogwarts. You can ride pegasi, get lost as the hallways keep changing, and take cool classes like sword-fighting. I really liked the world that Calonita was able to create. By taking familiar stories from childhood and adding this new twist, it makes for a very cool setting that I was eager to learn about over the course of the book.

Gilly is fascinated too- until she starts noticing some sinister and shady behavior happening at the school, especially as it prepares for its five year anniversary ball, which all the Royals will be attending. Soon she and her friends find herself going against the villains that they've only heard about in legends in order to save the school, the Royals, and themselves.

The action is well paced and Gilly is a character that we can all look up to. She's determined and strong, and even though she was placed into a reform school in order to redeem herself of her wicked ways, she has a heart of gold and learns just what exactly she's prepared to fight for, even if it means making some pretty tough decisions along the way. She's a hero you'll cheer for time and time again, alongside her new cast of friends.

I really hope that this is the start to a series. I would love to see what happens next and live more of Gilly and her friend's adventures. I think this is a great book that middle grade kids (and even younger kids) and lovers of fairy tales will both enjoy. Thanks so much to Sourcebooks Jabberwocky for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Aesir Kids by James Grant Goldin & Charlotte Goldin

Title: The Aesir Kids
Authors: James Grant Goldin & Charlotte Goldin
Format: Kindle Edition, 385 pages
Pub. Date: December 3rd 2013
Source: Mother Daughter Book Reviews


Book Description via Goodreads:

THE AESIR KIDS.

They're the children of the Norse gods, with incredible strength, magical weapons and monsters for pets. They've got problems with school, bullies, family issues and attacks by giants.

And when Asgard, the home of the gods, is threatened with utter destruction, it's up to the children of Thor, Sif, Loki, Freya, Balder...along with some very extraordinary friends...to save it.

THE AESIR KIDS tells the story of...

THRUD, the teenage daughter of Thor, who has to balance fighting trolls and giants with her after-school job waiting tables at Valhalla...
FIRE, young master of flame, the son of the three mysterious Norns and perhaps the key to saving the Nine Worlds...
MAGNI AND MODI, Thrud's younger brothers, whose strength is matched only by their knack for getting into trouble...
ULL, the greatest skier of the gods...except for, maybe,
SKADE, the four-year-old goddess of skiing...
TJALFI, the human boy who can run like the wind...
ROSKVA, Tjalfi's sister, who can hear something happening many miles away...
FORSETI, the level-headed son of Balder, who's as good with a bow as he is with a written test...
NOSS, the beloved daughter of the Goddess of Love...
HELA, the sensitive little girl who hates her destiny of growing up to be the Goddess of Death...

Along with other gods, godlings, light-elves, trolls, dwarfs and creatures, these young heroes must find a way to save the universe...and find the core of courage within themselves. THE AESIR KIDS is a fantasy novel based on many actual characters from Norse mythology. It's the first published collaboration between author James Grant Goldin and his ten-year-old daughter, Charlotte Goldin.

Review:

★★★★★

I'm a sucker for books that deal with mythology, especially Norse myths because I don't see them around too much. So when I came across The Aesir Kids, I couldn't resist. And I'm so glad I didn't. This book is absolutely fantastic.

The Aesir Kids is a flawless blend of action, adventure, storytelling, and education all in one book. This book smartly introduces a wonderful list of characters from Norse mythology, including Thor's children. Each character has their own unique story to tell- and what stories they are! From giants to lightning fast horses to the sons of Loki, these tales are full of life and adventure. It's very easy to lose yourself in the story because the worlds of Asgard and Midgard (among others!) are so beautifully described.

The writing itself is well done, very detailed and descriptive without being too much. I also admire how this book is written for a younger audience but still manages not only capture the imagination of adults as well, but still manages to teach without the dreaded "info dumping". I know it's going to sound weird but this book made learning fun. All of the pantheon and characters are broken down and explained so I was rarely confused, and yesterday I was telling my girlfriend about this book and she looked at me, impressed, because I was rattling off Norse gods and myths when that is not a skill that I usually offer.

I really enjoyed the way that this book is presented. That is, the way that it features several different characters and their stories, as opposed to one. These different stories or blended seamlessly into one rich story line, making it a bunch of little adventures wrapped in one epic story. These varied tales helped me get to know the characters better, and helped me to get a better understanding of the book as a whole.

If you or your child love the movies "Thor" or "The Avengers" or the Percy Jackson books- this is the book for you. It's a fast paced, well written adventure from start to finish and I absolutely loved it. I'll definitely be recommending it in the future, and I'll be rereading it too. I'd recommend it to kids from about 5th grade onward to adulthood, and would also suggest reading it aloud- I think it would lend itself well as a bedtime story!

Thanks to Mother Daughter Book Reviews & the authors for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Hidden Like Anne Frank by Marcel Prins & Peter Henk Steenhuis

Title: Hidden Like Anne Frank: 14 True Stories of Survival
Author: Marcel Prins & Peter Henk Steenhuis
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: March 25th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Scholastic


Book Description via Goodreads:

Fourteen unforgettable true stories of children hidden away during World War II

Jaap Sitters was only eight years old when his mother cut the yellow stars off his clothes and sent him, alone, on a fifteen-mile walk to hide with relatives. It was a terrifying night, one he would never forget. Before the end of the war, Jaap would hide in secret rooms and behind walls. He would suffer from hunger, sickness, and the looming threat of Nazi raids. But he would live.

This is just one of the incredible stories told in HIDDEN LIKE ANNE FRANK, a collection of eye-opening first-person accounts that share what it was like to go into hiding during World War II. Some children were only three or four years old when they were hidden; some were teenagers. Some hid with neighbors or family, while many were with complete strangers. But all know the pain of losing their homes, their families, even their own names. They describe the secret network of brave people who kept them safe. And they share the coincidences and close escapes that made all the difference.

Review:

★★★★

This is one of those books that will stay with me long after I've read it. It's a combination of hopeful, sorrowful, and haunting that lingers on the mind, whether you'd like it to or not.

Hidden Like Anne Frank is a collection of fourteen stories of children who were forced to go into hiding in order to survive during World War II. Different ages, different genders, and different social classes are all represented. They're told in the first person: the survivors themselves are the ones telling you their stories. While they are all hopeful to a degree (after all, these are survival stories), these people went through so much devastation. It's heartbreaking to see that so many children needed to do this just to escape with their lives, losing so much more in the process.

This book is written at an easy-to-read level, making it a great book for young adults who are wanting to learn more about the war. Each foreign word (be it in German, Hebrew, Dutch, or otherwise) was italicized and explained so that there was no confusion about terminology. Each story is also paired with photographs of the children, the places they hid, and the areas where they came from. It was fascinating to see history through their eyes.

I also thought it was nice that at the end of the book, there's photographs of each of the survivors as they are today. The photographs make it seem all the more real.

I think this book is a good one to have as a middle school or high school teacher to offer students who were interested in Anne Frank's diary. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in reading about World War II or the Holocaust. It's emotional but well done, and leaves you a bit in awe of just what some people have to do in order to survive.

Thank you to Scholastic who provided me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.