Early Book Review: This is Sadie by Sara O'Leary and Julie Morstad

This is Sadie is a picturebook written by Sara O'Leary and illustrated by Julie Morstad. It is currently schedule for release on May 12 2015. Sadie is a little girl with a big imagination. She has who lived under the sea and been raised by wolves. She has had adventures in wonderland and visited the world of fairy tales. She whispers to the dresses in her closet and talks to birds in the treetops. She has wings that take her anywhere she wants to go, but that always bring her home again. She likes to make things, boats out of boxes and castles out of cushions. But more than anything Sadie likes stories, because you can make them from nothing at all. For Sadie, the world is so full of wonderful possibilities. This is Sadie, and this is her story.

This is Sadie is a charming picturebook that celebrates reading, imagination, and creativity. Sadie becomes the characters of the books she reads, or listens too, and lives the action. She creates things and her own adventures. She has the freedom and imagination that all kids should have, and uses it perfectly. I loved the illustrations that show both the reality and the imagined world of Sadie in the best light. I hope young readers, and their parents, are inspired by Sadie to use their own imaginations to get lost in a book or create like young Sadie.

This is Sadie is the perfect book to encourage imagination, reading, and invention. young readers already well versed in the glories of getting lost in a story or making up their own stories will be further encouraged and vindicated to continue on the path, while those that are a little less eager might find the inspiration to do so in this book. I highly recommend it in homes and as a story time read. 

Book Review: Dr. Critchlores School for Minions by Sheila Grau and Joe Sutphin

Dr. Critchlores School for Minions is a middle grade novel written by Sheila Grau and illustrated by Joe Sutphin. It is the first book in a new series.  The main character is Runt, a werewolf stuck in the human minion dorm and with a habit of being a little too nice. In his efforts to be the best Junior henchman ever he uncovers a plot to sabotage his boarding school. Oh, did I forget to mention that he attends the world's finest training program for aspiring minions to Evil Overlords? There are troublesome zombies, a friend that keeps losing his head, explosions, and a headmaster that is not at all himself, to keep Runt on his toes.

I love a story with unexpected heroes. Runt is one of those heroes. In Dr. Critchlores School for Minions Runt is not exactly a stand out, except for the fact that he has lived there since he was seven and left behind by his family. He is a quick thinker and knows his way around the school better than anyone. The school is his home, and when a shocking video appears showing some of the schools toughest graduates running for little girls everything is on the line. Soon the sabotage escalates and Runt is trying to figure out who is behind it while trying desperately to excel. Friendship, thinking fast, and unexpected discoveries will keep readers engaged in this fast paced read. I think this is just the thing to get some reluctant readers eager to read the next book in the series.

I highly recommend Dr. Critchlores School for Minions for readers that want something a little different. In a school where being a minion is a career goal, there are surprisingly few evil deeds and plenty of detention for bad behavior. Runt is a great character that many will be able to relate to or at least sympathize with, while the cast of other characters will certainly keep the interest and keep those pages turning.

March 20th is a Big Day!

Not only is March 20th the first day of Spring (thank goodness!) it is also the birthday of three great children's authors! Bill Martin Jr, Lois Lowry, and Louis Sachar. I think we should celebrate by reading or listening to the work of these great authors while thinking about Spring and warmer weather.. Are you in?

Bill Martin Jr has some great choices for the youngest readers!

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Here Are My Hands 

The Bill Martin Jr Big Book of Poetry 

Ten Little Caterpillars 

Chicka Chicka ABC

Louis Sachar is great reading for silly fun or more serious moments.

Wayside School Boxed Set 

Holes 

There's A Boy in the Girls' Bathroom 

Small Steps 

Kidnapped At Birth? 

Lois Lowry is for a more mature set.

The Giver Quartet 

The Silent Boy

Autumn Street 

Number the Stars 

A Summer to Die 

Do you have a favorite from one of these authors that I did not list? Share your favorite in the comments!

Terrific Picks for Reluctant Middle Grade Readers

It is hard to engage middle grade readers if they are not already somewhat interested in reading. Finding something that is high interest and challenging enough to help them grow as readers, but not frustrating for readers that are reluctant or easily discouraged is incredibly hard. But, thankfully parents, librarians, and teachers have been trying to create book lists for this group, and authors seem to be publishing more and more for them in recent years. Here are some of the books that I have seen hold the attention and keep some of these readers going. This is far, far from an extensive list never mind comprehensive. I am trying to stick to books that are not on every list you might have already read. Do you have more titles to add? Please comment with them to share with other searching folks.

Chapterbook Options:

The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich: Melvin Beederman Superhero by Greg Trine

Meet Melvin Beederman. He's a pretty good superhero, even though it always takes him five or six tries to get launched and flying. His weakness (every superhero has one) is bologna, which makes it hard to go into a deli. Still, Melvin manages to keep the city of Los Angeles free of nasty villains--once he's airborne.

Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost! by Cornelia Funke

Nine-year-old Tom Tomsky can't catch a break: He's a klutz, his sister Lola pretty much hates his guts, and--this is a big "and"--he just found a ghost camping out in his cellar. Lucky for Tom his grandma's best friend just happens to be the world's foremost ghosthunter. Under her expert tutelage, Tom learns the tools of the trade--which just happen to include buckets of graveyard dirt--and soon finds he has to face down not just the ASG (Averagely Spooky Ghost) in the basement but the IRG (Incredibly Revolting Ghost) in town. All while keeping the nettlesome Lola off his trail....

Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf: A Year Told Through Stuff by Jennifer L. Holm

Ginny has ten items on her big to-do list for seventh grade. None of them, however, include accidentally turning her hair pink. Or getting sent to detention for throwing frogs in class. Or losing the lead role in the ballet recital to her ex-best friend. Or the thousand other things that can go wrong between September and June. But it looks like it's shaping up to be that kind of a year! Here's the story of one girl's worst school year ever -- told completely through her stuff.

My Haunted House by Angie Sage

Araminta Spookie lives in a wonderful old haunted house, but her crabby aunt Tabby wants to move. Aunt Tabby is determined to sell their house—Araminta "has" to stop her! With the help of a haunted suit of armor named Sir Horace, a ghost named Edmund, and a lot of imagination, Araminta hatches a plot for an Awful Ambush that is so ghoulish, it just might work!

Skeleton Man by Joseph Bruchac

Ever since the morning Molly woke up to find that her parents had vanished, her life has become filled with terrible questions. Where have her parents gone? Who is this spooky old man who's taken her to live with him, claiming to be her great-uncle? Why does he never eat, and why does he lock her in her room at night? What are her dreams of the Skeleton Man trying to tell her? There's one thing Molly does know. She needs to find some answers before it's too late.

Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka
How did Jon Scieszka get so funny, anyway? Growing up as one of six brothers was a good start, but that was just the beginning. Throw in Catholic school, lots of comic books, lazy summers at the lake with time to kill, babysitting misadventures, TV shows, jokes told at family dinner, and the result is Knucklehead. Part memoir, part scrapbook, this hilarious trip down memory lane provides a unique glimpse into the formation of a creative mind and a free spirit.

Timmy Failure series by Stephan Pastis

Timmy Failure, CEO of the greatest detective agency in town, perhaps the nation, is about to crack the biggest case of his generation. Told in text and illustrations, this story is great for Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans.

Ungifted by Gordon Korman
When Donovan, the class clown and infamous underachiever, pulls a prank that inadvertently results in him being sent to a school for gifted kids, hilarity ensues.




Graphic Novel Options:
The Lunch Lady series by Jarrett Krosoczka
This graphic novel series about the superhero-like antics of the school lunch lady is a surefire hit.

Star Wars Jedi Academy series by Jeff Brown
In a galaxy far, far away, young Roan is sent to the Jedi Academy where he studies under Yoda. This graphic chapter book will be a sure-fire hit with Star Wars fans.

To Dance: A Ballerina’s Graphic Novel by Siena Cherson Siegel
To Dance tells and shows the fullness of her dreams and her rhapsodic life they led to. Part family history, part backstage drama, here is an original, firsthand book about a young dancer's beginnings -- and beyond.

Bone by Jeff Smith

After being run out of Boneville, the three Bone cousins, Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone, are separated and lost in a vast uncharted desert.

Nonfiction Options:

Aliens are Coming: The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Broadcast by Meghan McCarthy

It was an ordinary night in October of 1938 until a news bulletin interrupted the dance music on "CBS" radio-aliens were invading the United States!  Aliens Are Coming!" tells the true story of the Halloween radio prank that duped much of the country into believing that Martians had invaded. The book uses excerpts from the actual "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast and includes information about the importance of radios in the 1930s (before the time of televisions and computers) as well as facts about Orson Welles and H. G. Wells, author of the novel on which the broadcast was based on.

The Lego Ideas Book by Daniel Lipkowitz
Featuring all-new LEGO® building projects, tips to supplement and enhance your LEGO creations, inspirational builds, and expert advice from LEGO Master Builders, The LEGO Ideas Book will keep kids of all ages creating for hours.

Weird But True series by National Geographic Kids
These uniquely sized books contain weird but true facts that take up a page or less and they are accompanied by great colorful photographs and writing that is catchy, making this a great hi-lo series.

The Visual Dictionary of Star Wars, Episodes IV, V, & VI: The Ultimate Guide to Star Wars Characters and Creatures by David West Reynolds and Alexander Ivanov

Any of the Visual Dictionary books will capture the attention of the readers interested in the subject matter. there are books on just about everything with a multitude of pictures and great detail.

Book Review: The Aesir Kids by James Grant Goldin and Charlotte Goldin

The Aesir Kids by is a middle grade novel co-authored by James Grant Goldin and his daughter Charlotte Goldin. The story takes some recognizable and well known bits of Norse mythology and expands on the stories to create something new and exciting. this books follows the adventures of  children of the Norse gods. they have incredible strength, magical weapons, and monsters for pets. They also have problems with school, bullies, family issues, and attacks by giants. When Asgard, the home of the gods, is threatened with utter destruction it is up to the children of Thor, Sif, Loki, Freya, Balder; and some very special friends, to save it.

The Aesir Kids features some high adventure and multifaceted characters that will create interest and excitement. Thrud (the teenage daughter of Thor) has to balance fighting trolls and giants with her after-school job waiting tables at Valhalla. Fire (son of the three mysterious Norns) is out in the world for the first time and has to learn a lot more than school can teach him. Magni and Modi (Thrud's younger brothers) whose strength is matched only by their impulsiveness. Ull is the greatest skier of the gods, that is except for maybe Skade, the four-year-old goddess of skiing. Together with Tjalfi, his sister Roskva, Forsetti, Noss, and Hela (who each have gifts of their own) this special group of godlings need to save thier home, and all the none worlds. It is only by mastering their gifts and trusting in each other that they can defeat Loki and save the universe.     This is a fantasy novel based on many actual characters from Norse mythology, and it feels a little like reading some of my favorite classic tales. It's the first published collaboration between author James Grant Goldin and his ten-year-old daughter, Charlotte Goldin.

I greatly enjoyed The Aesir Kids. I have always loved reading ancient Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology, and this story felt very true to the tradition. the characters all had their virtues and their faults, and in the end there is an idea of right and wrong that is vindicated. the fact that the author and his daughter worked together to create this story made it even better for me. I am eager to see what this team can do next.

Early Book Review: The Pirates Bed by Nicola Winstanley

The Pirates Bed is a picturebook by Nicola Winstanley. It is currently scheduled for release on March 10 2015. A pirate is sleeping snug in his bed when a great storm comes up at sea. The pirate sleeps on, but his bed is awake and scared of the thunder and the angry waves. Tossed this way and that, the ship finally crashes, sending the pirate to a tropical island and his bed off to sea.  At first, the bed is happy and enjoying its freedom. no more smelly feet, snoring or scratchy wool. It floats in the now peaceful water, meeting friendly gulls and playful dolphins and basking in the sun. But soon the little bed begins to feel like something is missing.

The Pirates Bed is the story of a bed lost at sea. I think it will capture the hearts of little pirates everywhere. The travels of the bed tell a great story, the ocean and the world is an awesome and sometimes frightening place. This story captures both sides of that coin. The story is not only a fun adventure, with illustrations that do a great job of capturing the adventure of the bed and the mood of the story, but it also is heartwarming. No matter how much people, or beds, think they do not need someone or something in their lives to care about, they do. Even small pirate cabin sized beds need someone to depend on, and to depend on them. 

The Pirates Bed is both a sweet bedtime or storytime book to share, there is another much deeper meaning that can reach the adults and children alike. I loved the story for both the story and its layers of meaning below the surface.

Early Book Review: Dino-Mike and the T. Rex Attack (Dino-Mike) by Franco Aureliani

Dino-Mike and the T. Rex Attack is the first book in the Dino-Mike series by Franco Aureliani. This is a early chapter book currently scheduled for release on March 1 2015. Michael Evans travels the world with his dino-huntin' dad, a famous paleontologist. As dad searches for and digs up dinosaur bones Mike does some exploring on his own. On one trip he winds up finding a live T. Rex! After tracking what could not possibly be real, Mike meets a mysterious kid that seems to know why and how the real dinosaur got here as well as a plan to get it back where it belongs.

Dino-Mike and the T. Rex Attack is a fun and sometimes silly read that will appeal to newly independent readers. I think my own young readers will love this book, although they will want the awesome dinosaur jacket that Mike gets from his dad in the story. Mike is a smart kid that knows a great deal about dinosaurs, and I would hope so considering his fathers line of work. While exploring the woods during his father's dig he discovers another kids around his age, a T. Rex, and an older boy. The fate of the dinosaur, and anything it might consider a meal, rests in the hands of these kids- and one wants that dino to stay right where it is. this book introduces a great new series for those first getting into chapter books as well as those that are just dino-mad. I think this book definitely has an audience and will be a hit with many in its target audience.

Dino-Mike and the T. Rex Attack has entertaining and accessible language as well as great illustrations. I think it will encourage reading with many new readers, and keep them eager to see what might happen as the series continues. An added incentive to read this book for young graphic novel fans is that the author just happens to be the Eisner-Award winning creator of Tiny Titans.

Book Review: Bone Deep by Gina McMurchy-Barber

Bone Deep by Gina McMurchy-Barber is a middle grade novel, and the third book in the Peggy Henderson adventure series. I have not read the previous books, and while I suspect they offer a broader knowledge of the characters it does not seem absolutely necessary to read the series in order.

When archaeologists discover a two-hundred-year-old shipwreck, Peggy Henderson decides she’ll do whatever it takes to take part in the expedition. But first she needs to convince her mom to let her go, and to pay for scuba diving lessons. To complicate matters even more, Peggy’s Great Aunt Beatrix comes to stay, and she’s bent on changing Peggy from a twelve-year-old adventure-seeking tomboy to a proper young lady. Help comes in the most unlikely of places when Peggy gets her hands on a copy of the captain’s log from the doomed ship, which holds the key to navigating stormy relationships.

Bone Deep is one of those great middle grade novels that are high on adventure and understanding the mind of the young characters while also teaching. Peggy is a tomboy, always wearing her favorite jersey and nonchalant about her hair. she is more interested in hanging out with her best friend and archeology than anything ladylike. so when her great Aunt Beatrix come to stay with them, just as she has engineered an opportunity to take part in an underwater excavation she thinks everything is ruined. Readers get to join Peggy as she conspires to get her SCUBA certification, goes through cl;asses, and dives. We get to read along as she explores the diary of a sea captain and negotiates family relationships and personal responsibility. I felt like Peggy was a very realistic character, and the things she learns and explores throughout her adventure will stick with readers, because you never know what small piece of information would be useful later in the story.

I would recommend Bone Deep for middle grade readers that enjoy adventure, mystery, and/or science. The combination of a head strong main character and real history and science make for an engrossing tale that will have even reluctant readers turning pages happily.

Book Review: When Lunch Fights Back: Wickedly Clever Animal Defenses by Rebecca L. Johnson

When Lunch Fights Back: Wickedly Clever Animal Defenses by Rebecca L. Johnson is a nonfiction book for children. This book introduces readers of all ages to living things with some of the strangest defenses known to science. There are termites that blow themselves up to save the colony, fish that produce copious amounts of slime, lizards that run on water, and much more. Readers that love to learn about nature, animals, and some odd animal abilities will devour this book.

When Lunch Fights Back: Wickedly Clever Animal Defenses is a book that my kids loved.  My daughter loves anything animal related and my son loves anything that can be called gross or weird. this book made both of them happy. I think the real photographs along with the explanations of how these defenses take place were very well organized and explained so that young readers can get something out of it while older readers are learning even more and are not bored.  Most of these defenses and odd animal abilities were not new to me, but some of the information was. I learned something, as did my children. I think this book can be a regular repeat read for many children.

When Lunch Fights Back: Wickedly Clever Animal Defenses has a good balance of photographs and information. It does not over or underwhelm readers, avoiding boring the older readers or making the younger readers feel left out. this would be a great high interest book for grabbing the attention of nature or oddity loving reluctant readers.

Book Review: Lug, Dawn of the Ice Age by David Zeltser

Lug, Dawn of the Ice Age is a middle grade novel by David Zeltser. Lug is a caveboy who would rather paint than hit other people or animals with rocks. When Lug and another caveboy are banished for failing to catch a jungle llama, he thinks he is alone. Soon Lug finds others who believe in him; his clanmate Stony and a new friend, Echo, a girl from a rival clan who can talk to animals and just may be prehistory's first vegetarian/animal rights activist. Together they face even bigger challenges. Lug discovers the Ice Age is coming and he has to bring the warring clans together to save them not only from the freeze but also from a particularly unpleasant migrating pride of saber-toothed tigers.

Lug, Dawn of the Ice Age is a wild ride, with social commentary on the side. In a world where hitting someone in the head with a rock is the height of social discourse. Everyone needs to follow the rules of the ‘Big Man’ who leads their tribe or risk death or banishment. Lug had to hide his love of art, since brute force is the only thing that gained acceptance, he is bullied and an outsider even before being banished. Failing to capture a jungle llama for a competition against another clan was the trigger to get him banished, but even before that he really did not fit in. Lug is a thinker, dealing with bullies and being different. In his journey with Stony after being banished he discovers that his differences are not necessarily bad. His observations and art are what make him special, just like the odd things about his new friends are in truth their strengths. So while readers are entertained by kids fighting for survival and humor winding its way through the tale, they also get encouragement to be themselves and follow their own convictions. 

Lug, Dawn of the Ice Age is a great survival tale, full of adventure and humor. There is also a great deal about coming of age and being treat yourself. I think readers with a variety of interests will greatly appreciate the book, and come away from it both excited and feeling ready to face their own challenges. 

Early Book Review: Shaun the Sheep: The Flock Factor by Martin Howard and Andy Janes

Shaun the Sheep: The Flock Factor is a chapter book from the Tales from Mossy Bottom Farm series by Martin Howard and Andy Janes. It is currently scheduled for release on November 25, 2014. It’s talent-show time on the farm, and the roosters and chickens are banding together in hopes of beating out their rivals, the sheep. Meanwhile, Shirley, a sheep whose flair for singing is as large as her frame, has a big problem; a massive case of stage fright. Can Shaun the sheep convince his jittery friend to wow the mole judges and take home the prize?

Anyone that has watched the claymation movies or shows from the makers of Wallace & Grommet, Shaun the Sheep, or even Timmy Time for the youngest readers, will recognize the setting and humor found in Shaun the Sheep: The Flock Factor.  Shaun is the smarter than average sheep, who thinks and plots constantly, sometimes with the help or hindrance of the farmer’s dog and other barnyard animals. In this story, Shaun and the sheep have challenged the chickens in a talent contest, and frankly it does not look good for the sheep. Mad cap mishaps and Shaun looking out for his fellow sheep make the story move along and readers laugh and enjoy the ride. The humor is multi layered, making it a fun read for new readers all the way to adults. 

I would recommend Shaun the Sheep: The Flock Factor to readers of all ages, particularly those that enjoy British humor and shows like Wallace & Grommet, Shaun the Sheep, or even Timmy Time.

Book Review: The Magician's Fire by Simon Nicholson

The Magician's Fire is the first book in the Young Houdini series by Simon Nicholson. Manhattan was a tough place for kids in 1886, especially when you are alone or feel that you are. Young Houdini spends his days practicing magic tricks with his two best friends, Arthur and Billie. At least when he is not making enough money to pay for his room and to eat. But when Harry's magical mentor, Herbie, disappears after a performance at the theater, the three friends band together, determined to rescue the beloved magician. With nothing more than a mysterious puff of purple smoke, an ominous threat, and a menacing Bulgarian for evidence, Harry, Arthur, and Billie embark on a dangerously thrilling investigation that pushes their skill, and friendship, to the limits. Can Harry find Herbie and learn what it means to be a true friend before it's too late? 


The Magician’s Fire is an action packed mystery for the middle grade set. Harry is a shoeshine boy with a keen eye for magic and fine details. Billie works in a glue factory, and is very street smart and practical. Arthur has a father that pretty much ignores him, and has emerged himself in books, making him very smart and a great researcher. Together they make a fabulous team for creating and pulling of new magic stunts and for solving mysteries. However, astray search for Herbie and face the dangers of that mystery, they also face issues of trust and friendship. The combination makes for a great read, full of action and puzzling out who the culprit is and how the friends will come together to save the day. 

I would highly recommend The Magician’s Fire to all middle grade readers because there is a little something for everyone. It is historical fiction, mystery, action adventure, coming of age and magical read.  

Book Review: Bob’s Hungry Ghost by Genevieve Cote

Bob’s Hungry Ghost by Genevieve Cote is a picturebook about a young boy that really wants a dog for his birthday, but gets a ghost named Fluffy instead. Unfortunately, Fluffy doesn't fetch, sit, or go for walks. All Fluffy does is eat everything, and soon all of Bob's things and even Bob himself end up in Fluffy's belly. Will Bob find a way to tame his unruly and very hungry ghost? Will Fluffy realize that eating Bob wasn't a very nice thing to do?

Bob’s Hungry Ghost is a creative look at how children, and adults, handle disappointment. bob is less than thrilled with a ghost for a pet, particularly when the ghost in question does not do any of the fun stuff he had planned to do with a dog. He pouts, and after a while starts to be less than friendly to his new pet. Fluffy in turn eat everything, including Bob. it is then that Bob reads the guidebook about having a ghost for a pet, and when Fluffy comes to think about the little boy in his belly. All ends well in a sweetly silly book about appreciating what you have. And everyone will want a ghost for their birthday after reading this book.

I would recommend Bob’s Hungry Ghost to picturebook readers of all ages. The story is perfectly illustrated and a fun read about appreciating what you have and accepting disappointment gracefully. My favorite part of the story is the realization that the possibilities of what we do have are often much better than what we might have had.

Early Book Review: In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang

In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang is a young adult graphic novel currently scheduled for release on October 14 2014. Anda loves Coarsegold Online, the massively-multiplayer role playing game that she spends most of her free time on. It's a place where she can be a leader, a fighter, a hero. It's a place where she can meet people from all over the world, and make friends. Gaming is, for Anda, entirely a good thing. Things become more complicated when Anda befriends a gold farmer, a poor Chinese kid whose real life job is acting in game to collect valuable objects to be sold to other players. While against the rules in Coarsegold, but Anda realizes that questions of right and wrong are a lot less straightforward when a real person's real livelihood is at stake. 

In Real Life is a graphic novel that really tackles some tough topics. It tackles the lack of respect women and girls get in gaming, the technicalities of what is right and wrong in game,  how goos some of us have it, how bad other people’s live can be, and how game life and real life can effect each other. Right and wrong is rarely as cut and dry as we would like to believe. There are shades of grey, even in fictional worlds. Anda is a girl that is great with computers and offered a chance to take part in a new game, in an all girl guild. While trying to make a name for herself she has the chance to help eliminate gold farmer, only to see that doing something that removes players breaking the rules is still not always the right thing to do. Taking the time to talk and learn about another gamer brings about great understanding, but also causes trouble that is not easily resolved. The art work was a perfect pairing with the story and dialogue, resulting in a perfect glimpse of how complicated life can be. 

In Real Life is a sensitive, thoughtful look at adolescence, gaming, poverty, and culture-clash. I think every computer savvy reader, and every gamer, will get something remarkable from this book. Readers that are neither internet or game savvy should still give this graphic novel a chance, it does a good job of explaining why some people love gaming so much as well as how complex the ties of the internet and economy are.

Book Review: The Case of the Stolen Sixpence (The Mysteries of Maisie Hitchins) by Holly Webband Marion Lindsay

The Case of the Stolen Sixpence (The Mysteries of Maisie Hitchins) by Holly Webb and Marion Lindsay is a children’s chapter book in the tradition of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries. Maisie Hitchins is twelve years old, and is fascinated with detecting. She takes the time to notice things, which leads her to believe that she would be a great detective if she only had the chance. However, she spends most of her time helping her grandmother run a boarding house and running related errands. When Maisie has the chance to solve the mystery of who would toss a puppy into a canal and who has been stealing money from the nearby butcher shop she is on the case!

The Case of the Stolen Sixpence is the great start to a series. While introducing a varied cast of characters, it never felt like the characters were being explained only to set up the rest of the series, which sometimes happens. Maisie is a smart, well intentioned girl with an eye for detail. Her actions occasionally have less than wonderful consequences, but she is a character that steps up and tries to right any wrong, especially those that she has had a hand in. I really liked her spunk, honest, and willingness to look for the truth even if she might not like the answer. The black and white illustrations compliment the action and mood of the story and its characters perfectly. The action is fast and the book holds many surprises and quirks to keep readers turning the pages. 

The Case of the Stolen Sixpence is a delightful mystery complete with tricks, disguises, danger, and a little dog too! Readers that like action and mystery will dive into this book and might not come up for air right away.

Early Book Review: The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents Macbeth by Ian Lendler and Zack Giallongo

The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents Macbeth is a graphic novel by Ian Lendler and Zack Giallongo. It is currently scheduled for release on September 30, 2014. The Stratford Zoo might look like a normal zoo, but when the zoo closes for the night the animals perform, and watch, Shakespeare's greatest works. While they are not all great actors, or audience members, the have heart and the basic gist of Macbeth complete with murder, madness, and plenty of ketchup. 

The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents Macbeth is a fun look at a piece of classic literature with a twist. While certain plot points and details are not quite what literature majors and scholars remember, it is a fun and entertain entry to the world of Shakespeare for young readers. The fact that is it a graphic novel, with animals and plenty of laughs, will draw in reluctant readers and hopefully get some youngsters interested in Shakespeare. A lion plays the role of Macbeth, and rather than straight murder he devours his victims, with lots and lots of ketchup. Because we all know that ketchup can make just about any meal more appetizing, right?  There are remarks from the audience, and everyone comes out all right in the end despite being eaten earlier. All in all the story is fun, with pictures that offer humorous and important details, while imparting the basic themes and ideas of the original play. 

The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents Macbeth and its story of after-hours animal stagecraft is paired with adorable and accessible artwork. I think that this book just might be the gateway for some reactant readers to develop interest in theater in general, and possibly Shakespeare. I look forward to Romeo and Juliet coming out as book two in this new series of graphic novels for young readers. 

Early Book Review: The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud

The Whispering Skull is the second book in the Lockwood & Co. series by Jonathan Stroud. It is currently scheduled for release on September 16, 2014. It has been six months since Anthony, Lucy, and George survived a night in the most haunted house in England and Lockwood & Co. hasn't made much progress. A team of Fittes agents always seem to be near, and Anthony challengestheml to a contest: the next time the two agencies compete on a job, the losing side will have to admit defeat in the paper. When Mr. Saunders, hires Lockwood & Co. to be present at the excavation of Edmund Bickerstaff, Saunders needs the coffin sealed with silver to prevent any supernatural trouble. All goes well-until George's curiosity attracts a horrible phantom. When Bickerstaff's coffin is raided and a strange glass object buried with the corpse has vanished. Inspector Barnes believes the relic to be highly dangerous, and he wants it found. The teams go head to head, and there is more at stake than a ad in the paper.

The Whispering Skull is a perfect follow up to The Screaming Staircase. We see more of what makes George, Lucy, and Anthony such real characters, more about their teamwork, and more troubles for each of them to face. I loved that Stroud explores how each of the very different children come together, and how each of their gifts could be great strengths or weaknesses depending on the situation and use. The adventure is high, as is the danger. Every single character is in life threatening situations again, and they each also face situations that have them doubting themselves and each other. the combination had be holding my breath on occasion, and kept me turning pages long after I should have gone to bed or starting doing my household chores. The secondary characters received a bit more depth in this book, and I am very interested to see where stroud takes the world he has created next. 

The Whispering Skull is  amusing, chilling, and ingeniously plotted sequel. The characters are well defined, relatable, and far from perfect. However, they face huge obstacles and come together to use their strengths and friendship to come through in the end. Stroud is definitely a must read author for the middle grade set.