The Cybrarian's Book Reviews

What Makes a Home Perfect?

2011-08-26T05:56:00.000-07:00

Frankie’s Perfect Home by Beverly Stowe McClure

Frankie wishes he had a perfect home. What exactly is a perfect home? ‘One that doesn’t have someone’s claw on his nose, or their tail in his eyes or their foot in his mouth’ he grumbles. Face it, with three brothers his mama and him, Frankie’s home is just too crowded.

The young armadillo makes up his mind that enough is enough and strikes out to find a perfect place to call his very own. He travels across the countryside exploring nooks and crannies everywhere: the muddy area beside the creek, a dark hole under a farmhouse, the corner of an old abandoned barn, the hollow log and even a tunnel secluded under the roots of an old tree that seems absolutely perfect until he discovers one small problem… it is already occupied…by someone really scary. On his adventure Frankie meets many of his neighbors, and some of them are not so friendly. He is sleepy and hungry…and very lonely.

Join Frankie on his quest and help him discover the most important thing he needs to make his new home positively perfect.

Ms. McClure is a talented storyteller and this well crafted tale will not disappoint. The illustrations by Alex Morris are a perfect compliment to this delightful story that children will enjoy over and over again.

Greenbrier Academy Cybrarian

Like this post? Tweet it. Go ahead, you know you want to!

Bug Invasion! Book Review of The Bug That Plagued the Entire Third Grade by Lori Calabrese

2011-08-25T05:57:00.000-07:00

Matt, like many young boys, is fascinated by things that are creepy, crawly and captivatingly interesting. He loves to look through his books on backyard bugs and once was even able to identify a very interesting hickory horned devil caterpillar he found in his cellar.

It is easy to see how the news of the upcoming Bug-A-Fair excites the lad. After all, whoever wins this prestigious science fair is sure to capture the teacher’s praise and become the most popular kid in class. Matt is dreaming of that honor and his quest to become Student of the Year as he pulls a fine specimen off the grille of his father’s car – one that is sure will win him first prize at the Fair, but another bug bugs him as it travels throughout the third grade.

Join Matt and his class for a very exciting day in this very clever tale of more than one kind of bug causing havoc in the third grade classroom.

Ms. Calabrese’s rhyming tale is sure to be one that is read over and over. This witty story will tickle the funny bone of the young reader as they join Matt and his class on a day that turns much more exciting than anyone anticipates.

The full color illustrations by Chet Taylor are sure to delight their audience as they perfectly compliment this entertaining tale.

I highly recommend this book - it is definitely a story that will be read over and over again and sure to become a favorite story time request.

Greenbrier Academy Cybrarian

Like this post? Tweet it. Go ahead, you know you want to!

Percy Jackson, demigod

2011-08-24T05:57:00.000-07:00

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)
By Rick Riordan

Publisher: Hyperion/Miramax
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology
ISBN: 978-0786838655
Paperback: 392
Recommended for Ages: 9+

I have just discovered this series and must say - I am a fan.

Initially Percy Jackson seems like your typical twelve year-old, with a closer look however, you begin to notice he has a few problems to deal with. He’s a little hyper, suffers from dyslexia, is a little hotheaded and, unfortunately, keeps getting expelled from school after school because strange (and dangerous) things always seem to happen to him. Trying to keep him safe, his mother desperately tries to get him to Camp Half Blood where Percy can be with other Half-Bloods (one parent is a god and the other mortal) and train to defend himself against the monsters that attack these heroes in the real world. The mystery begins to unravel and the adventure soars as the young hero learns his father is Poseidon, god of the sea, and one of the “big three” of the Olympian gods. Percy must battle mythological monsters like the Minotaur, Furies, and even Medusa.

The story is chock full of adventure tying in ancient Greek mythology with a fresh urban feel as the young demigod learns the fate of the mortal world is in his hands as he alone can solve the mystery of Zeus’ missing master lightening bolt and stop a war of epic proportion from erupting between the gods.

The book is exciting and suspenseful and I am ready to dive into the next book of this series. This adventure should translate well when it makes its theatrical debut currently scheduled for February 2010. It has great promise to be exciting and action packed.

Greenbrier Academy Cybrarian

Like this post? Tweet it. Go ahead, you know you want to!

Wizard Genesis... [The Lost Years of Merlin by TA Barron - book 1] Book Review

2011-08-23T05:57:00.000-07:00

The Lost Years of Merlin is the initial installment of the five book series chronicling Merlin’s life as a boy, a prequel to Arthurian legend. It follows the ambiguous details of Emry’s obscure youth and the path he followed leading to the emergence of his magic and the wizarding name he proclaimed of Merlin. Barron’s imagineering of this portion of the great wizard’s life gives new depth to the renowned character as we see his life through the eyes of a young boy.

The story opens with a dream sequence foreshadowing a time magic escaped his fingertips to unleash a fire kindled in Branwen’s defense (the woman claiming to be his mother) the very fire whose flames took his sight leaving him blind until he learned to use his gift of “second sight”.

Emrys, now 12, is desperate to know of his past and why he has no memory of a time before five years ago when he and Branwen washed upon the shore. She claimed to be his mother but would not speak of their past or where they came from. Instead she taught him the lore of the Celts, Druids and those more ancient. She felt his lost memory was a blessing, the young boy considered it more of a curse. The pair shared a lowly hut they constructed themselves on the outskirts of a small village. Whenever anyone from the village was ill or injured, they would come to Branwen bartering for her services as a gifted healer as she was well acquainted with the old ways and herbal remedies. When in need of her services the villagers sang praises to her unique talents, but the truth of the matter was, they were afraid and thought her to be a sorceress or demon. One day the village bully came to their hut and set fire in an attempt to free the village of this “she-demon”, as he and two of his minions grabbed Branwen by the legs and began dragging her into the fire, Emrys’ fear and rage swelled within, coursing and raging as he ran forward trying to help his mother. He could not control it any longer and felt the bully, Dinatius, should burn for this. He could envision the fires and wished they would consume the bully. At the thought, an enormous tree branch shuddered and cracked as if struck by lightening; it fell upon the young bully trapping him as the branches exploded into flames. As the spine shivering shrieks erupted from the inferno Emrys knew what he had done as he plunged into the flames trying to save the boy. His dream vision had come to pass.

As the young half-blind Emrys struggles to learn the secrets of his past, the magic within him, and his true identity he comes to the realization he must leave this place, returning to the place he had washed upon the shore to make the attempt to voyage back to the mist-shrouded isle of Fincayra, an enchanted isle that lies between earth and sky. He asks the woman who calls herself his mother to join him in his quest. With great sadness she declines, but takes a jeweled pendant from her neck, presenting it to him. She calls it the Galator and tells him its power is great – if it cannot keep him safe it is only because nothing outside of heaven can. Mighty waves crashed over his feeble raft tossing it about as a mere twig on the outraged sea. The storm swelled and he thought about calling upon his powers to save him but after the last fiery encounter with his magic, he became less afraid of the violent storm than trying to unleash a magic he might not be able to control. The waves pounded over him and when he felt he could hold onto his little wooden raft no more the mysterious shrouded isle appeared and he is again washed upon the shore.

As he comes to and regains a bit of strength he ventures further into the strange land. The colors are so vivacious he can sense them, even through his half-blinded eyes. He can feel the plushness of the forest floor and he meets a merlin, its wing broken in battle with a rat, a strange girl of the forest called Rhia, and a tiny but brave giant named Shim. Emrys discovers that blight has come upon the isle that is somehow entwined with his own destiny. He must decipher the riddle of the dance of the giants to change the fate of this land and discover the secrets within himself.

This is an engaging and enjoyable tale you will want to experience many times over. It explains the roots of the greatest wizard of legend and myth in an epic saga filled with wonder and adventure.

THE LOST YEARS OF MERLIN (book 1)
By TA Barron

Publisher: Philomel
Genre: Juvenile Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0399250200
Hardback: 336 pages
Recommended for Ages: 9-12

Greenbrier Academy Cybrarian

Like this post? Tweet it. Go ahead, you know you want to!

Peter and the Starcatchers: a Prequel

2011-08-22T05:57:00.000-07:00

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson, and Greg Call

Have you ever wondered what happened before Peter Pan? How did Peter meet Tinkerbell?Peter and the Starcatchers is a best-selling children's novel that was published by Hyperion Books. It is written by humorist Dave Barry and suspense writer Ridley Peterson, the book provides a backstory for the character Peter Pan, and serves as a prequel to J. M. Barrie's novel Peter and Wendy. It was illustrated by artist Greg Call.This book introduces us to characters both new and old as we explore the high seas.

Peter and his ragtag group of orphans are forced into slavery and being delivered to their new master on the island of Rundoon by the leaky vessel known as The Neverland. Rundoon is known to be governed by a barbaric king, whose acts of torture and abuse--such as the time he fed his father to his pet snake--are well-known throughout the empire. The boys know they need a way out…now! The answer? They needed a leader. Peter gains leader status by being the oldest and, of course, being able to spit the farthest. The orphans quickly realize they need his help and look to him for help in planning a way to escape what appears to be a forlorn fate. This leaky ship is hardly more than a rusty bucket of bolts infested with rats. Life looks grim for the boys as they are being served meals that sometimes…well…are still moving, the boys know they have little to look forward to, even if they could escape the torture and abuse of the second-in-command, Slank.

As it happens, as the ship was loading these poor boys, a large trunk was placed in the hold of the vessel, and locked up tight. There is clearly something very special and magical about this trunk--whoever touches it is healed, begins to sense of the beauty if the universe, and feels a profound sense of happiness and well-being. Peter is determined to find out what treasure this trunk holds, and in doing so he runs across Molly Aster, the only daughter of the man who is scheduled to be the ambassador on Rundoon, and who has--oddly enough--booked his passage separate from his daughter.

Initially, Molly clearly knows more about the trunk than she will tell Peter, but she is forced to take him into her confidence as Black Stache, the most dangerous pirate on the high seas, successfully attacks first Molly's father's ship and then heads for "The Neverland."

What the trunk holds is much more than simple treasure; the contents are so powerful as to be connected to the ongoing struggle between good and evil that pervades the universe. Peter and Molly valiantly try to fight off both Stache and their ship's own Slank from the trunk, but the battle for it takes a backseat as a violent storm whips up, and all the boys, Molly, Stache, and Slank wind up on an island inhabited by savages where visitors are promptly fed to a vicious beast in order to strongly discourage them from ever returning.

Thanks to Molly and Peter, the trunk of starstuff is safe, returned to the Starcatchers and Molly's living father. Peter however, in his surviving exposure to the starstuff, has gained the permanent ability to fly. It is also uncertain as to whether or not he will ever age. Peter learns he will be an outcast, and even though Molly will return to London, he decides to stay on the island, so he can be the person he "really is" and not "a circus sideshow". The orphan boys decide to remain with him, and Leonard Aster creates a fairy, which they name Tinker Bell, to protect Peter.

Peter and the other orphan boys are soon taught by the natives how to build a house, and they learn to survive on the island, which Peter names "Never Land" after finding a plank that said "Never Land" from the ship that wrecked on its rocks as he watches Molly, and only Molly, on the ship containing a few starcatchers, Leonard, Alf, and of course, Molly sail back to England.

This book is filled with wonderful imagination and adventure. I can't wait to read the next installment in the series.

Greenbrier Academy Cybrarian

Like this post? Tweet it. Go ahead, you know you want to!

Wishes and Fishes and Misunderstandings Galore!

2010-08-16T02:30:00.000-07:00

If Wishes Were Fishes is a new release from 4RV Publishing, written by NA Sharpe and illustrated by Ginger Nielson. It is the humorous tale of what can happen when people do not say what they mean....clearly.

JT Trumanowski is a six-year old with a BIG problem…his grandparents! How do you survive a whole weekend alone with them when you do exactly what they say and still end up in so much trouble?!

JT adores his grandparents and is thrilled to be invited to spend the weekend with them. He tries hard to follow their requests to a “T” with one disastrously humorous result after another. “Why can’t they just say what they mean?” he wonders. Talk about a failure to communicate! Join JT as he discovers people may mean what they say, they just don’t always say what they mean…clearly.

Millicent Prendergild, Cybrarian
Cybrarian Chronicles
News from the Realms

Want to share this post? Tweet it!

The Giving Meadow

2010-08-13T03:37:00.000-07:00

The Giving Meadow
Written by Stephanie Burkhart
Illustrated by Stephen Macquignon

This is a delightful story that follows the life of a very hungry caterpillar from the moment he hatches from his tiny egg in a beautiful meadow. He travels through the meadow and meets many helpful friends along the way.

This heartwarming tale teaches life lessons of friendship, selflessness and sharing, caring, and kindness. Ms. Burkhart's charming tale is one little ones will want to hear over and over again and they will be enchanted by the adorable illustrations from the talented illustrator, Stephen Macquignon.

Millicent Prendergild, Cybrarian
Cybrarian Chronicles
News from the Realms

Want to share this post? Tweet it!

Caves, Cannons and Crinolines by Beverly Stowe McClure

2010-08-06T02:27:00.000-07:00

Beverly Stowe McClure is an award-winning, multi-published author. In Caves, Canons and Crinolines she delves into the pages of history, bringing them to life in this young adult historical novel. The story has been inspired by events of the American Civil War, and chronicles the hardships and triumphs of her engaging characters as the horrors of war invade their lives.

Fourteen year old Elizabeth (Lizzie) Stamford and her family live in war-torn Vicksburg. The family is deeply involved with the war efforts – the father is a doctor working diligently in the nearby hospital tending to the wounded; brothers Willie and Joseph are serving with the troops in Virginia. Not unlike many of the surrounding families, Lizzie, her mother and young tender-hearted brother Nat, have to abandon their beautiful home after a shell comes crashing through the home. They seek refuge in a local cave and begin to set up housekeeping in this dingy hole in the earth in order to avoid the blast of cannons and gunfire. Every time the artillery fires the ground shakes and dust and dirt falls all around them in their cave. McClure’s vivid descriptions draw you right into the chaos and fear of the time.

I was immediately drawn into the story with the emotional letter from Lizzie to her brother Willie. She is quite upset with the separation of the family, and life is no longer as they once knew with the city under siege. Civilians are caught in the middle and no where is safe…not even the caves, but they do their best to find shelter and survive this ordeal…and the precocious girl hatches a plan. She cuts her hair, and, disguised as a young man, enlists to wage battle against their attackers.

Soon she finds war is not as black and white as she once thought. Living through the horrors of battle and seeing the fields littered with corpses, she is quite overwhelmed and overcome with it all and she quickly retreats towards home. In her journey she meets a Yankee soldier and finds he isn’t at all what she expected a Yankee to be like. She learns many life lessons in her adventures including compassion and the “enemy” is not necessarily the monster she imagined but, confusingly enough, has beliefs and ideals that are very much like her own.

I highly recommend this story. The characters are compelling, the story well written and thought provoking. Please, if you have a chance, stop by Realms of Thought for a guest post and interview with Author Beverly Stowe McClure!

Millicent Prendergild, Cybrarian
Cybrarian Chronicles
News from the Realms

Want to share this post? Tweet it!

In My Bath - a Splashy Adventure!

2010-06-25T02:15:00.000-07:00

In My Bath by Beth Bence Reinke and Ginger Nielson (Paperback - May 5, 2010)

This is a delightful story of a young boy with a very active imagination. Join the adventures and fun of frolicking through the waves and meeting many playful water-loving friends along the way. This book captures the fun of bath time and the many adventures that are only a splash away.

Ginger Nielson’s illustrations are delightfully whimsical as she whisks you away in this imaginative tale.

Today’s giveaway is sponsored by our generous author – your very own rubber duckie tub toys to create your own bath time adventures with that favorite preschooler. Imagine the fun as you read this delightful story together and splish-splash your way into adventure. Leave a comment for a chance at the drawing. Good luck!

Millicent Prendergild, Cybrarian
Cybrarian Chronicles
News from the Realms

Want to share this post? Tweet it!

In My Bath - Bathtime Giveaway Tomorrow!

2010-06-24T03:19:00.000-07:00

Join us tomorrow for our Cybrarian book review of In My Bath by Beth Bence Reinke, illustrated by Ginger Nielson and register for a special bath-time giveaway! We're part of Beth's blog tour - we can hardly wait!

Millicent Prendergild, Cybrarian
Cybrarian Chronicles
News from the Realms

Want to share this post? Tweet it!

Just Breeze is Just Wonderful!

2010-05-28T03:15:00.000-07:00

Just Breeze
by Beverly Stowe McClure

The perils of middle school are real – ask anyone who has survived the ordeal, or is about to go through it. You worry about everything – about fitting in, having the right look, the right clothes, the “right” friends. Will you be popular…at least enough to not be a total social outcast? These are real worries that every middle-schooler must learn to deal with. Breeze Brannigan is no different.

Breeze is the tallest student in her class, towering over even the tallest of the boys. She has fire-red hair that is always out of control, wears shoes that she believes are “canoe sized”, and a blinding smile, literally…when the light hits her braces just so… you get the picture. All the boys in her class think of Breeze as a buddy, a pal, one of the guys as she is a “Ms. Fix-It” and can fix anything. Then there’s her family. A practically perfect older sister – you know the type: petite, blonde and (of course) the captain of the cheerleading squad; an annoying little brother (well, aren’t they all at that age?) and let’s not forget her mother…did I mention her mother is going to be one of her teachers this year?! Breeze does not have high hopes for her eighth grade year.

Enter Cam, the new boy at school and things are definitely beginning to look up. Cam is like no boy Breeze has ever known. He speaks with an accent that assures you he did not grow up locally. He’s…polite. What’s up with that?!? Obviously he must be from Mars, Breeze thinks. And…Cam has a secret. A big one that must be protected at all costs. Don’t you just love solving a mystery?

This is a wonderful story that captures the true spirit and angst of the character’s age. Ms. McClure is an excellent story teller with an innate talent for creating characters that are easy to identify with. You feel an immediate connection to both her characters and storyline. It is easy to recognize the life situations that are a sort of “rites of passage” we all navigate through and the author weaves an intriguing story around it all filled with style and grace.

This award winning book is a reader's choice favorite in the 2009 Editors and Preditors Readers Poll and it is easy to see why.

I highly recommend this book, not only for the young adult audience Ms. McClure writes for, but for anyone who enjoys a brilliant story with engaging characters. I have thoroughly enjoyed this author's work and can hardly wait to see what she will delight us with next.

Millicent Prendergild, Cybrarian
Cybrarian Chronicles
News from the Realms

Want to share this post? Tweet it!

Just Breeze by Beverly McClure - Just Released!

2009-10-05T02:00:00.000-07:00

Just Breeze
by Beverly Stowe McClure
Visit: http://justbreeze.wordpress.com/ for a great new contest!

Product Description

Eighth grade starts out the same as every other year for Breeze Brannigan. She's still the tallest student, boy or girl, in her class, wears shoes that would fit an elephant, and her smile reveals dazzling braces that blind everyone within ten feet. Then she meets Cam, the new boy in school who speaks with an accent and must be from another planet, for none of the earthling boys she knows are so polite. He also has a secret, a secret that could mean life or death for Cam and his mother and that Breeze must help him keep.

If you are familiar with Ms. McClure's work you know exactly what I'm saying when I tell you I can't wait to review this one! If you're not familiar with her work - do yourself a favor and check it out! You won't be disappointed, she is a wonderful author of middle grade and young adult novels.

Want to share this post? Tweet it!

A lot of things can be said about Owen Birmbaum (SLOB By Ellen Potter) Book Reivew

2009-06-19T14:56:00.000-07:00

A lot of things can be said about Owen Birmbaum. He is twelve years old and the fattest kid in school. It’s not mean – it’s statistics. He hasn’t always been this way – only for the last two years. Another thing you can say about Owen is he is an easy target for bullies – even his gym teacher has targeted him as a source of personal entertainment and new feats of humiliation are orchestrated with each and every class.

Owen is not the only one having trouble. He is very close with his little sister Jeremy. Her name is actually Caitlyn, but she belongs to a club called GWAB (Girls Who Are Boys) where the girls are required to refer to one another by boy names, wear boy clothes, and cut their hair short. Things have not always been this way for Owen and Jeremy.

One thing Owen has going for him is he is smart. Really smart – he has an IQ one point shy of genius status, but he doesn’t brag about it. This eccentric kid invents really cool things like the Nemesis – a device kind of like a TV that shows things from the past, and Owen really needs to see something from a specific date and time in his past because that is when everything changed so dramatically for this brother and sister.

This story is laden with the trials, tribulations and miseries of middle school life told directly from this quirky kid with a heart that is even bigger than he is. Throughout all the humorous events of the story, the author engages you with this tale of two compelling kids that you can’t help but root for, particularly as snippets of their past are slowly revealed and Owen discovers the answers are not in the past, but in the present, and this is what will determine the future.

This story is humorous, honest, and above all else heartwarming.

SLOB has been awarded the Junior Library Guild Award and, in my opinion, is destined
to receive many more accolades.

SLOB
By Ellen Potter

Publisher: Philomel
ISBN: 978-0399247057
Hardback: 199 pages
Recommended for Ages: 9-12

Like this post? Tweet it. Go ahead, you know you want to!

The Seven Songs of Merlin {Merlin the Early Years series by TA Barron} book review

2009-06-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

This series is a prequel of sorts to the legend of Merlin beginning in the early years when Merlin is first coming into his magical powers. This is the second story in the five book series chronicling the great wizard’s youth.

As the story opens, Merlin is 13 years old and has the privilege of attending the great council meeting with the ambassadors of nearly every race of fantasy that reside on the enchanted isle as they must decide what to do with the Treasures of Fincayra. He has been charged with the guardianship of the Flowering Harp to heal the lands for the harp only responds to a heart true and wise – the heart of a wizard.

Having toppled the evil King Stangmar (his estranged father who was bewitched) and freeing Fincayra from a terrible blight Merlin sets out with the magical harp to restore the enchanted world into a flourishing Merlin has only one month to complete a quest to find the soul of the Seven Songs of Wisdom and journey to the Otherworld in order to obtain the elixir that can save his mother’s life. On his quest he makes a number of discoveries not only about his past, but about what lies within. The challenge is enormous. He has begun to discover the powers within him, but has not as yet mastered the ability to control these emerging powers. He has learned some of the stories of the wisdom of the Druids, the Greeks and the Celts, but us far from truly understanding the true meaning of it all. He has learned his true name and pieces of his past but now must also learn the secrets that sleep within his innermost being. He has already lost his father in the battle, and now his mother, poisoned by a deathshadow meant for her son, is the first victim of the renewed surge of evil sweeping the land.

Merlin is an emerging personification of yin and yang. He is full of contradictions that compliment each other and open his eyes to the possibilities of what destiny has in store for him as he follows the winding path to wizardry. Contradiction and controversy are rampant in the epic Arthurian legend, and Mr. Barron has imagineered an early life worthy of these legendary roots as the keeper of knowledge, particularly of the arcane secrets.

As in all epic journeys, great adventure and unfathomable danger lie in wait for the boy who would be wizard. He must battle the ogre Balor He is accompanied on his great quest by a merlin hawk named Trouble, the forest girl Rhia, and a mournful jester named Bumbelwy. There are captivating characters and backstory for the Arthurian legend that begin to emerge through this tale. This is a tale that will not disappoint the most demanding Merlin fan. It will engage you and take you of the ride of your life.

THE SEVEN SONGS OF MERLIN
By TA Barron

Publisher: Philomel
Genre: Juvenile Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0399250217
Hardcover: 336 pages
Recommended for ages 9-12

Like this post? Tweet it. Go on, you know you want to!

Ghost of Haunting Pasts [Ghost for Rent by Penny Lockwood] Book Review

2009-05-28T21:09:00.000-07:00

Eleven year-old Wendy Wiles’ world seems to be crumbling all around her. Her parents are talking divorce, she has to move away from her beloved modern city apartment to a broken down old-fashioned farmhouse in the country, and her brother, Mike…well, he just loves to get on her case and constantly tease her like older brothers sometimes do. Just as Wendy thinks things can’t possibly get worse, mysterious things begin to happen.

Her new best friend, Jennifer, tells her the old dilapidated house they moved into is haunted! Strange things are happening everywhere and Wendy isn’t the only one seeing weird sights. Strange music fills the air and a sudden gust of wind has leaves swirling into ghostly human shapes that dance about; a shimmery vision of a young boy dressed in old fashioned clothes plays a haunting melody on the piano, and a young woman’s face that appears in the mirror are all clues to the mystery that must be solved. Mike, Wendy and Jennifer dig through old library records on their quest to unravel the truth about what happened at that old house so many years ago. The clues slowly begin to fit together to unlock the secrets hidden in the murky past when a mysterious skeleton key suddenly appears to confirm the rest of the mystery.

This spine-tingling paranormal is a great read for kids aged 9-12. This is a page-turner that will keep them engaged beginning till end.

GHOST FOR RENT
By Penny Lockwood

Publisher: Hard Shell Word Factory
Genre: Paranormal
ISBN: 0-7599-0340-9 trade paperback
0-7599-0337-9 e-book
Paperback: 65 pages
Recommended for Ages: 9-12

Like this post? Tweet it. Go ahead, you know you want to!

'Nothing is ever what you think it will be" [The Seer by G. Clifton Wisler] Book Review

2009-05-22T05:41:00.000-07:00

Scott Childers appears to be a normal 14 year old, trying with all his might to fit in. Problem is, Scott has a secret he desperately wants to hide…and it’s a whopper. He is actually an alien from another planet with the power to travel through time, to plant thoughts into someone’s mind, and to see things before they actually happen. Scott is a Seer.

The Seer, by G. Clifton Wisler, is an action packed adventure that follows a lonely teen, forced into the life of a wanderer, never quite belonging anywhere, or able to stay in a place too long, for fear of his secret being discovered leading to his capture as a possible dangerous alien. He is accompanied in this lonely life by a strange little man, Tiaf, his teacher and companion from his home planet. Although Scott is an Antrian by birth, Earth is the only home he has ever known. Tiaf spent his life among other telepaths and seers and had been taught all the mysteries before their home planet became the victim of a super-nova. They are the last of the ancient race that sped through space looking for a new planet to call home.

Scott had always thought of his ability to see into the near future as a curse but came to realize his special talent was a gift. He could not understand why he would have these visions if he wasn’t meant to help those around him – even though this interference would threaten to expose his secret. This gift came with a lot of responsibility. It was a lonely life, always being on guard to keep his secret hidden meant moving…a lot.

This fast paced tale is filled with adventure and suspense that will keep you glued to the edge of your seat waiting to see what will happen next.

THE SEER
By G. Clifton Wisler

Publisher: Lodestar Books
Genre: Science Fiction
ISBN: 978-0525672623
Hardback: 134 pages
Recommended for Ages: 9 – 12

Like this post? Tweet it. Go ahead, you know you want to!

Where Do Ideas Come From? [The Lost Lake Dig by PW Cross] Book Review

2009-05-05T05:59:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered where ideas come from?

This creative tale explains exactly that. It was 1750 on a hot summer day at the swimming hole when Joey first met the strange little man called Frendric. The adventure begins in a parallel universe with a portal right behind Joey’s house where an idea vent was zealously erupting in glowing balls called squirts (small ideas) and gushers (larger ideas).

Frendric is one of the dwarves that mines the ideas. The problem he is faced with is bringing in a large gusher. These gushers are a bit too much for the miners to handle, driving them to insanity, and that is why they need help from a young human – one still innocent enough to be able to see their world and help get the gusher back safely so the ideas can be harvested and get to the human for whom they are intended. Adults, as in many fantasy stories, no longer have the innocence and purity needed for such a task. Young Joey agrees to help them on their quest as long as he can bring his dog, Lady, along and if they want to leave and come back home they are permitted to do so. The dwarves readily agree. As Joey first encounters their world he makes a happy discovery. His best friend Ben (who has recently moved away) has also been asked to join the quest. The boys are thrilled to be together again and eagerly agree to help the dwarves mine the ideas so they can safely be brought into the human world.

There are a couple of elements about this book that make it very special. The story takes place in 1750 which is only important as having a time of historical reference for some of the ideas that have been mined and some they see that glimpse a more current era. Secondly, by giving the dwarves very specific jobs (winders, seers, finders diggers) in the mining and revealing some of the ideas they have discovered, the readers are being presented with some unique learning experiences in a very creative way. This is to be greatly commended.

This story is a wonderful fantasy adventure that leaves the reader anxiously anticipating a sequel.

THE LOST LAKE DIG
By PW Cross

Publisher: Appalachian House
Genre: Juvenile Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0966280081
Paperback: 288 pages
Recommended for ages 9-12

Dragon Sighting at Orlando Mensa Conference! [Magic, Mensa & Mahem by Karina Fabian - Book Review]

2009-04-21T07:33:00.000-07:00

This year’s Mensa World Gathering is being held at the infamous Orlando theme park, BillyBeaver™’s Fantasyland. Since the Interdimensional Gap between the Mundane world and the land of Faerie has not been opened long, the Church has asked a very cynical dragon named Vern and his partner Sister Grace, a High Mage of the Faerie Catholic Church, to chaperone…er, accompany… the members of the Faerie community that have been invited to attend this auspicious event in the human world. The attempt to make sure everything runs smoothly is a purely precautionary measure, of course. What could possibly go wrong?!

Vern is a highly trained private investigator who is quite certain his talents could be better spent in activities beyond babysitting the pranking pixies as faeries go wild in the Mundane world. After all, this “dragon-eye, PI” is an immortal with the knowledge of the ages, and is renowned as a professional problem solver and agent of the Faerie Catholic Church. Needless to say, babysitting a bunch of mischievous magicals is NOT what this hero has in mind for his next big case! It soon becomes very apparent, however, that real trouble is brewing and threats of an upcoming Interdimensional war must be waylaid. The dragon’s mad sleuthing skills play a vital role in solving this humor-laden mystery.

Vern’s very cynical quick wit would give even Simon Cowell* a run for his money. The dragon’s sarcastic demeanor totally compliments the poised and calm Sister Grace in a perfectly comical blend as the pair quip their way through a series of unpredictable misadventures like dealing with a dwarf who has high hopes of being “discovered” on his trip to the human world, and elves quite enamored with themselves as they buzz all over the place high on artificial flavorings and declaring war on the state of Florida! Magic, Mensa & Mahem is filled with colorful unique characters that will capture your heart and your imagination.

This book is an inspired read. Fabian writes with a quick witted fresh approach that will keep you thoroughly entertained and rolling on the floor laughing. You have to pay attention – you don’t want to miss any of the humorous one-liners or groan-worthy puns in this truly enjoyable tale.

______________________
*Reference to an overly cynical celebrity icon from the Mundane world

MAGIC, MENSA & MAHEM
By Karina L. Fabian

Publisher: Swimming Kangaroo Books
www.SwimmingKangaroo.com
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1934041789
Pages: 232
Price: $13.99

Rebel in Blue Jeans (Beverly Stowe McClure) A Must Read for your YA Library

2009-04-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

In the blink of an eye, Rebel Ferguson’s world turned upside down and shattered. Her mother’s announcement that she was leaving the family behind…to be with the drummer of a rock band came as quite a shock. This simply couldn’t be happening - after all, parents don’t run away….do they?

What an attention grabbing opening scene!

I thoroughly enjoyed Rebel and would most definitely recommend it. Ms. McClure has an amazing sense of the relationships between her characters. The characters in this novel are very realistic and easy to identify with. The story is told from the sixteen-year-old protagonist’s point of view and you are immediately pulled into her world. Having to cope with the imminent divorce of her parents, a budding romance with a childhood friend, and all the attention she is getting from a very cute college guy (who just happens to have a really bad reputation), Rebel Ferguson finds many challenges being thrust upon her and faces them with courage and humor. She is lucky to have the help of some compassionate friends that are determined to help in her time of need by providing the support and voice of reason she needs to get her past the feelings of betrayal and anger.

I think the author definitely knows her audience and young adult readers will relate to the contemporary theme of dealing with the parents’ pending divorce, the support system of friends and family teens rely on, dealing with new relationships and established relationships that take an unexpected turn into something completely new. Suddenly, it seems like everything Rebel depended on in her world has changed. She feels as though there isn’t anything she can count on – people are not what they seem and nothing is turning out the way she always thought it would. The author shows some tender moments where the teen identifies very strongly with her love for animals and all the pets she keeps in the country home.

Ms. McClure has done an excellent job of capturing the range of emotions the young protagonist is going through, the roller coaster of feelings from the cornucopia of life events she is experiencing. In the midst of all the serious and intense story threads woven into this tale, Ms. McClure has built in many humorous antics from some of the characters in this book to lighten some of the scenes and make this a very enjoyable read. I definitely give this book a five star rating and a place on my bookshelf with my other favorite books.

Rebel in Blue Jeans can be found at retailers where books are sold, online at Amazon, and through the publisher.

REBEL IN BLUE JEANS
By Beverly Stowe McClure

Publisher: Twilight Times Books
www.twilighttimesbooks.com
Genre: YA Fiction
ISBN: Paper: 978-1-933353-49-4
1-933353-49-X
1st edition October 2008

Rock of Realm (Lea Schizas) A Modern Day Fairy Tale for the Whole Family

2009-04-18T13:07:00.000-07:00

Rock of Realm by Lea Schizas is an exciting tale full of adventure, excitement, and surprises. While written for a young adult audience, the tale is ageless and makes for a great reading experience the whole family can share.

Fourteen year old Alex Stone and her best friend, Sarah, have just finished a babysitting job and are heading home. With Alex’s frisky pet German Shepherd Butch, and Butch’s pet squirrel Pops by their side the girls decide to take the shortcut through the park. Out of nowhere, a small pink stone falls from the sky hitting Alex on top of her head. Nearby the girls find a pouch with gold glitter. While both items seem innocent enough, the girls joke about the possibility of them being magic and recite a chant they had read in a book written by their favorite English teacher. Suddenly, nothing would ever be the same.

Being of royal lineage in a parallel world (a little detail her parents had not discussed with her) Alex finds she and her friends have been transported into the alternate realm and are on the adventure of a lifetime. In this world Alex and Sarah can understand everything Butch and the wise-cracking Pops say. They meet new friends who help them on their quest and learn powerful lessons of friendship and love as their adventure unfolds. Join Alex and her friends as they learn things are not always as they appear.

Lea is an amazing storyteller. Her characters are so interesting and colorful you find yourself wrapped up in their tale and encouraging them on their quest from start to finish.

I can hardly wait for the next adventure in this series!