Book Review: Northwood by Brian Falkner and Donovan Bixley

Northwood is a middle grade novel written by Brian Falkner and illustrated Donovan Bixley. Cecilia Undergarment discovers that the dog next door is being mistreated. She is determined to help him, but her daring rescue sends her and the dog, Rocky, on an amazing adventure into the dark forest called Northwood. This forest is rumored to be home to black lions, and no one that goes in seems to come back out again. Cecilia and Rocky discover even bigger mysteries about the forest, like a castle and people that live seemingly trapped there by the maze and lions. Can Cecelia figure out the mysterious of the forest and find her way home, or will she having the leading role in the next mysterious disappearance story?

Northwood begins in Cecelia's neighborhood, and her strange home made of balloons. Then comes the fact that she can talk to animals, and needs to rescue the poor dog next door. Somehow these facts come together and lead to Cecelia and Rocky floating away into the depths of the Northwood, and beginning an even more dangerous trek through the dark wood.  I loved that all the strangeness found in Cecelia's life and the Northwood are eventually explained, but that process does not take away the wonder that their existence brings. Black lions, the mysterious fog, impossibly hard trees, and more are all introduced and explained wonderfully. The characters and language are used extremely well and left me feeling like I am missing the magic that might be hiding the the world around me.

I think Cecelia is a great character, she is smart and strong minded. I think that her tenaciousness and flexibility to do what needs to be done in order to do the right thing makes her a great role model. Evan's love of and misuse of big words,  Avery's personality, and the variety of other characters come together nicely to make the story exciting and fun to read. There is plenty of 'kid' humor- with names like Tony Baloney and Cecilia Undergarment how can you doubt it. However, there is also a message about doing the right thing (particularly when it is not easy) and some sensitive topics handled beautifully. The setting descriptions are very well done, and the illustrations are equally delightful. The book is an all around win, with my only disappointment being that there were still some lose ends that I would like to have seen tied up at the end.

I greatly enjoyed Northwood and would highly recommend it to middle grade readers, and just about everyone that enjoys fantasy like fiction that feels like it could happen because of the writing style. Fans of Lemony Snickett style asides and getting a few good snickers out of silly names and such will particularly enjoy the story.

Book Review: Michael Recycle Meets Bootleg Peg by Ellie Bethel, Alexandra Colombo

Michael Recycle Meets Bootleg Peg is a picturebook written by Ellie Bethel and illustrated by Alexandra Colombo. This is a book in the Michael Recycle! series, but it is not necessary to read the series as a whole or in order to appreciate it. Michael Recycle is a caped-clean-Earth-crusader. He is on the job, turning his attention to the high seas after his favorite restaurant's menu is rendered fishless because of overfishing. Michael aims to rights another environmental wrong as he searches for the culprit, Bootleg Peg, and receives aid from the ocean creatures in the process.

Michael Recycle Meets Bootleg Peg is a colorful and fun adventure that highlights the need to pay attention to how our actions affect the world in both big and small ways. Michael is an echo aware hero that works to keep the environment healthy. Bootleg Peg is a mean pirate that is more worried about her own green and enjoyment than the way her actions affect the creatures she captures or the world in general. The confrontation is exciting and the solution novel. I loved the use of ocean creature to help solve the problem.

Michael Recycle Meets Bootleg Peg is full of bright and fun illustrations that will interest most younger readers. The environmental message could come off as a little heavy handed to older children and adults, but I think it will be well received by the intended audience and will be a good tool in teaching environmental awareness and care.

Book Review: Loose Screw by Rae Davies

Loose Screw is the first book in the Dusty Deals Mystery series by Rae Davies and Lori Devoti. Lucy Mathews is crime reporter turned antiques dealer. She is not a big fan of confrontation, and does her best to keep everyone happy. When Lucy trips over the body of a buckskin-clad relics trader, her ex-boss asks her to cover the story. She tries to tell him no, but old habits die hard and soon she finds herself directly in the path of a killer and the exasperating, if attractive, detective in charge. Can Lucy catch a killer or is this the last confrontation for her?

Loose Screw was a mixed bag for me. I loved the mystery portion, and can relate a little to a main character that often has a hard time telling the people around her no. However, I think that Lucy's character occasionally crossed the line from sweet girl trying to stand up for herself, to utter doormat willing to let hot guys talk down to her. The mystery was awesome, there were lots of little clues and red herrings through out the book to keep me thinking and guessing. Some of the secondary characters added great color and interest to the story and the setting, while also giving Lucy a bit of a safety net. However, I was let down by the romance aspect of the story, doubting sometimes which way it was going to go and how the relationship would solidify. Honestly, I never felt like the connection was ever made beyond Lucy thinking he was attractive but infuriating, and him being generally condescending and thinking Lucy needed to be protected from herself.

Loose Screw was a quick read with some great elements, particularly in the setting and mystery aspects, but if you are quickly annoyed with misogynistic romance then you might want to give it a pass.

Early Book Review: The Undertaking of Lily Chen by Danica Novgorodoff

The Undertaking of Lily Chen by Danica Novgorodoff is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on March 25 2014. The tradition of ghost brides in China is explored as a fairly hapless young man, Deshi, accidently  kills his older brother during an argument. Deshi's parent charge him with the duty of finding his brother a bride to keep him company in the afterlife, and he promises to do so. However, corpse brides are hard to find, and Deshi's journey is far from smooth. Along the way Deshi runs into Lily, an angry young girl running from her own problems, who just might be the answer to all of Deshi's problems. There is only one catch, Lily is still breathing.

 
In The Undertaking of Lily Chen, I was introduced to the ancient Chinese tradition of burying brides with the dead, which is still upheld by some in modern times. The subject is make even more interesting by the situation that brings this knowledge to the surface. Two brothers fighting and a tragic accident shine light on the perceptions parents have of their children, and how those children come to view themselves (even as adults) because of those expectations. Deshi and his brother have been filling the roles their parents expect them too. Similarly when we meet Lily she is trapped by similar chains, the expectations of a father and a culture with limited concern of her real self or future happiness. The characters are all not the most sympathetic- but there were all very dynamic and I was intrigued by them and their story. The one thing that did disappoint was some of the artwork. The watercolor landscapes and some scenes were absolutely amazing. However, I did not care for the character`s look. I thought they looked off balance and out of proportion for the majority of the time. Thankfully Novgorodoff's voice and storytelling ability tilted the balance and made this a very interesting read.

The Undertaking of Lily Chen is a moody, sometimes beautiful and sometimes disturbing, literary graphic novel. I would recommend it to readers that like unique graphic novels, but warn readers that crave extremely well drawn characters, that they might be disappointed on that front. The majority of the artwork is beautiful, and the concept and story itself are wonderfully told. If you can look past the flaws I think most readers will enjoy this read.

Early Book Review: Shapes in Math, Science and Nature: Squares, Triangles and Circles by Catherine Sheldrick Ross, Bill Slavin

Shapes in Math, Science and Nature: Squares, Triangles, and Circles is a children's concept book written by Catherine Sheldrick Ross and illustrated by Bill Slavin which is scheduled for release on April 1st 2014. This book discusses the tree basic shapes (squares, triangles, and circles) and their importance in the world. These shapes are everywhere and are extremely important in the disciplines of math and science. The book is full of interesting facts about these shapes, and their three dimensional counterparts. Explanations of these shapes and the applications in geometry, engineering, school, and much more can inspire young readers.

Shapes in Math, Science, and Nature is a book that introduces the history and current practical applications of geometry and much more. I really enjoyed the variety of puzzles and activities that are included throughout the book to bring home the points already made, and to encourage readers to take their new knowledge to the next level. I think this book would be a wonderful resources for classrooms, parents, and particularly home schooling families working with geometry or engineering. Young readers that are particularly interested in math, nature, science, or engineering will enjoy exploring the book to further their understanding.
 
Shapes in Math, Science and Nature is an introduction and expansion of information about the basics of geometry. It covers the applications at home, in school and just about everywhere in between. Puzzles and activities add to the fun factor and make the book a great classroom and study resource.

Early Book Review: Joy in Mudville by Bob Raczka and Glin Dibley

Joy in Mudville is a picturebook written by Bob Raczka and illustrated by Glin Dibley. This follow up to the famous poem Casey at the Bat is scheduled for release on April 1 2014. On the day after Mighty Casey struck out Mudville team's fans are full of gloom and despair. However, there is a new day and a new game and this time Casey has proved his might at bat. This time it is the Mudville pitcher that is starting to wane. A rookie, that just happens for be female, steps up to the mound to prove that a girl can play ball as well as any boy?

Joy in Mudville is a book that sets out to prove that girls can be just as good at sports as the guys. However, I am not sure that is what it does. It shows that Joy, our rookie pitcher, and her catcher are creative but not that she is a great baseball player. She pitches one ball like a football, another like a tennis ball, and the third like a basketball. While she manages to get all three pitches in the strike zone, which is quite an amazing feat considering her pitching style,. While I fully believe that everyone can play sports well based on skill rather than gender, I do not think that this story really shows that. I think Joy is either very confused or going a bit far in her example of just how awesome she is. Frankly I do not know of any baseball players, regardless of gender, that would pitch a ball by hitting it with their glove and acting like you are serving a tennis ball. I think just showing a female being a great pitcher would serve children and adults much better than this. I know it is supposed to make the story fun, and show just how amazing a female pitcher can be, but fun could have been achieved with different tactics.

I would recommend Joy in Mudville to serious fans of  Bob Raczka and Glin Dibley.  I did enjoy the artwork, but the story itself makes it hard for me to recommend.

Early Book Review: Never Underestimate a Hermit Crab by Daniel Sean Kaye

Never Underestimate a Hermit Crab is a delightful picturebook by Daniel Sean Kaye, and is scheduled for release on March 18th 2014. You might think that hermit crabs are among the most dull and boring pets. However, you should know that behind those shells, there are adventurous astronauts, disco-dancing dynamos, and critters that just love being stylish. Take a quick peek into the secret lives of hermit crabs and you will find a lot more than you'd imagine!


Never Underestimate a Hermit Crab is a picturebook that surprised me. When I looked at the black and white over I did not have high hopes, however the illustrations inside were charming and sometimes quite funny. I loved the idea of hermit crabs being aspiring astronauts and martial artists. The connection between boring looking hermit crabs and their interesting lives to the children that could be reading or listening to the story makes the story even more impressive to me. The book is fairly simple, but that is a part of its charm. I really enjoyed this book, and think that children that read or hear this book will be begging for a new pet in short order.

I highly recommend Never Underestimate a Hermit Crab for public library, school, and personal libraries. Te book is charming and includes a care guide for hermit crabs at the end, which will come in handy when they reading of this book inspires the young readers to request a new pet. I think the book will particularly appeal to animal lovers, and has the added bonus of reminding children that people are like hermit crabs, regardless of how we look there is infinite possibilities in each and every one of us.

Early Book Review: Water Can Be . . .by Laura Purdie Salas

Water Can Be . . .by Laura Purdie Salas is being republished on April 1st 2014, but was originally released on January 1st 2014. This non fiction picturebook uses beautiful illustrations and rhyming verse to explore water and its many aspects. For example;  "Water can be a, Thirst quencher, Kid drencher, Cloud fluffer, Fire snuffer".

Water Can Be . . is a look at many of the aspects on water and how it can be experience through out the year. I liked that the illustrations and verse matched up perfectly to give readers a seamless experience. There are very few pages on each page, but some of the words might prompt discussion about what the author means, and how they might experience water as a 'kid drencher' or other phrase that is used to describer water. While the language could be difficult for younger readers, there is a definition section at the end of the book to help explain any words leave readers confused.

I would recommend Water Can Be..  for library, home and school collections. It would be a great discussion starter about the nature of water, the environment, science, the seasons, and water fun. The beautiful illustrations and text come together and will hold the interest for most readers.

Early Book Review: Hidden by Loic Dauvillier

Hidden by Loic Dauvillier, Marc Lizano, and Greg Salsedo is a children's graphic novel currently scheduled to be released on April 1 2014. This graphic novel is gentle and moving, while dealing with an emotional story. Dounia shares a story of her own childhood with her granddaughter, a story that she has never told before. Dounia was a young Jewish girl in Paris during World War II. She was hidden away from the Nazis by neighbors and friends who risked their own lives to keep her safe after her parents had been taken to concentration camps. The story continues as World War II ends.

Hidden is a graphic novel that brought me to tears while finishing, and makes my eyes well up again just thinking about it in my attempt to write this review. The words by Loïc Dauvillier and the art by Marc Lizano and Greg Salsedo,come together seamlessly in this comic for young readers. Dounia is a normal child, with friends and school, just like any child that might see this story. However, because of other people she is treated like she is different in ways that makes her unwanted. Thanks to friends and neighbors around her Dounias survives and is reunited with her mother when the war ends. There is no graphic violence included, but there is a feel for the horrors that was felt by children and adults in the time. Dounia's mother, at the time of their reunion, does clearly show the effects of her time in the concentration camps. Hidden can start some discussions about family, history, and prejudice (of all kinds) that are extremely important to have.

Hidden is an extremely well done graphic novel, one that can touch everyone that picks it up. The story, artwork, and historical significance would each be reason alone to own this book. However when all the factors are put together this book becomes a must read and something I would suggest being used in elementary school classrooms when ever the subject of World War II is discussed. Schools and public libraries should all seriously consider adding Hidden to their collection.

Book Review: Captured by the Pirate Laird by Amy Jarecki

Captured by the Pirate Laird is the first book in Highland Force series by Amy Jarecki. In this historical romance Lady Anne is married by proxy to a baron old enough to be her grandfather, and with a reputation that has her more than a little nervous about her future. She boards a ship to go meet new husband, only to be awoken by cannon fire as pirates attack the ship. Laird Calum MacLeod has a reason for plundering the ship, but no idea that Lady Anne will be part of the take. With no other choice, he takes Anne to his crumbling keep on the isle of Raasay and sends a letter of ransom to her husband. Against all logic, and the odds, Anne and MacLeod come to understand each other and the plights they face. Will they risk everything to be together, or follow the path of duty which just might destroy them both.

Captured by the Pirate Laird is a historical romance with a lot going on. Lady Anne is facing a common dilemma of the day, a marriage brokered by two old men with no concern of her desires of happiness. Calum is facing another common plight, trying to eek out a happy life for his people with very few resources, in a rough terrain, and turbulent time. Pirating is his last resort to get enough food and supplies for his people, since the animosity between the English and Scottish and making survival near impossible. Scottish laird Calum and the English Lady Anne each come to the story with strong minds, hearts, and understanding. So many things could go wrong, and some do, keeping the story exciting and moving quickly.  There are some twists and turns and fantastic characters. I am interested to see where the larger story arch of the series goes from here.

If you enjoy historical romance set in 16th century Scotland, or are just a sucker for a man in a kilt, then I would highly recommend Captured by the Pirate Laird. The story is rich in detail and the characters are very well fleshed out. I am intrigued to see who gets romanced in the next book. There was a teaser in the back of this book, but I skipped it so that I would not get excited for the next book and then just have to wait for it.