Early Book Review: Rose and the Silver Ghost by Holly Webb

Rose and the Silver Ghost is the forth book in the Rose series by Holly Webb. It is currently scheduled for release on March 3 2015. Time has flown since Rose left the orphanage behind for her new family at Mr. Fountain's magical house. But when the stern Miss Fell comes to stay at the mansion, Rose can't help but notice the extra attention Miss Fell gives her. When Rose sees the flash of a face in Miss Fell's mirror-a face that's familiar and foreign at the same time-her suspicions are confirmed that Miss Fell might know more about Rose's past than she's letting on. Can a hidden picture, a silver mirror, and a timid ghost lead Rose to the truth about her family?

Rose and the Silver Ghost is a wonderful continuation to a solid series. I liked that there was significant character growth and fresh conflict that both continued the larger story arch and set up a whole new batch of problems and solutions as well. Rose and her friends face huge odds, and learn more about Rose's past and their own gifts in the process. Change can be uncomfortable, and scary, but finding answers and facing evil seem to quench that fear while in the heart of the moment. The teamwork between the friends, and the comradery they share is at the heart of the book. I rather saw the Rose family connection coming, but was surprised by the depth of trouble they faced. I was pleasantly surprised and wondering just how they would get themselves out of several situations.

Rose and the Silver Ghost is part of a series I would recommend to independent readers that like action, magic, and adventure. The characters are solid with significant growth, particularly in this installment. 

Best Young Adult Novels Retelling Fairy Tales New Perspectives and Life Given to Classic Stories

There are some stories we all know very well, from books or movies. Some authors have taken a chance and added new twists to classic fairy tales. Here are some that surpassed expectation.

Beastly by Alex Flinn is a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Kyle Kingsbury was a golden boy. He had everything a high school boy could want; good looks, popularity, good grades and money. When he behaves beastly toward a classmate, she appears in his bedroom and makes that adjective true in looks as well as deed. His superficial world falls apart and he has to transform himself inside to earn the love that can transform his exterior. This is a fun, entertaining read that dos not become trite or corny which is always a danger in this kind of story. Finn has also written his take on Sleeping Beauty titled A Kiss in Time, and many other tales since

Princess of the Midnight Ball
 by Jessica Day George is the retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses. Here the story is set in nineteen-century Europe. Rose and her younger sisters are trapped by their mother's bargain to dance every night until their dancing slippers are worn. Galen is a soldier with a knitting hobby and a personality that has him being polite and kind to the elderly. What I really love about this retelling is that the princesses are feisty with minds and plans of their own; they are not simply waiting around for rescue. While the romance aspect seems a little thin, there is a sequel to the book, which follows Rose on to the next stage of her life. Again the author has done many more fairy tale related books since. 
Robin McKinley has retold a few fairy tales, and done all of them very well. Spindle's End is her version of the Sleeping Beauty story. Everyone knows the basics, infant cursed to die on a birthday after sticking her finger on a spindle. While tat stays the same, in McKinley's version our heroine is raised by a peasant fairy and grows up wild, preferring pants to skirts and able to communicate with animals. Twists to the original tale have her stronger and more capable than one might expect in this story, and it reads extremely well. Surprises make the read so much more intriguing and entertaining. . If you have not read any of McKinley's novels I strongly suggest exploring her work, she has never disappointed me.
Magic Circle by Donna Jo Napoli is the unique retelling of Hansel and Gretel from the witch's point of view. She was tricked and forced to live as a witch, alone until she takes in two lost children. She fights the evil that has invaded her life. The book is intriguing, beautiful, surprising and disturbing on several levels. It was a great read and one of many reimaginings of fairy tales by this author that I have found to be fantastic.
Before Midnight by Cameron Dokey and Mahlon F. Craft is a retelling of Cinderella, and part of the Once Upon a Time series of fairy tale reimaginings. This retelling is full of strong women and matters of family, loyalty and courage. While most of the basic elements of the known story are here, the characters do not blindly slide into their usual molds. No one in inherently evil or doormats to be mistreated and abused. The changes and twists inn this version of the classic tale captivate and entertain.

Book Blast with Excerpt: Valentine’s Day is Murder By Carolyn Arnold

Valentine’s Day is Murder by Carolyn Arnold


Jimmy finally takes a vacation--and a chance on love--only to be abducted. His female companion originally thinks he had cold feet about their relationship, but Sean and Sara know there’s more to it. Jimmy isn’t the type to just up and disappear, let alone leave a lady stranded.

Setting out on their private jet, Sean and Sara reach the tropical paradise of Ocho Rios, Jamaica with sightseeing as the last thing on their minds.

With a gold coin being their initial tie to Jimmy’s kidnapper, Sean and Sara even speculate about the involvement of pirates. Yet as the hours pass, and there’s no word from Jimmy’s captors, Sean and Sara will need to figure out the real motive before it’s too late.

With help from their friend, Adam, back in Albany, the pieces come together and not a moment too soon.

Strap in for an adventure that will take you to the beautiful island of Jamaica and have you wanting a piƱa colada.

About the Author

CAROLYN ARNOLD is the bestselling author of the Madison Knight series, the Brandon Fisher series, and the McKinley Mysteries. Her love for writing dates back to her teen years, but her passion was reignited in 2006 when a fellow employee said "tell me a story." Since then Carolyn has never looked back.

Her writing has since been compared to New York Times Bestsellers such as JD Robb, Mary Higgins Clark, Sue Grafton, Michael Connelly, Tess Gerritsen, and more.

Carolyn was born in 1976 in a rural town of Ontario, Canada, and she currently lives with her husband and two beagles in a city near Toronto.

For more information on the author visit https://carolynarnold.net/

Amazon – http://ow.ly/G4Yl6
Amazon UK – http://ow.ly/G4Ynv
Barnes & Noble – http://ow.ly/G4Ype
iTunes – http://ow.ly/G4Yqv


Excerpt:

Chapter 4 Pineapples & Alibis
There was no answer in her room. She may be out by the pool.” The front desk clerk lowered the phone’s receiver and gestured toward a wall of windows that faced a pool, and, beyond that, the sea.
Thank you,” Sean said.
No worries.” The clerk smiled and flipped some papers over that she had been working on when they had approached her to call up to Meredith’s room.
Tourists, clad in bathing suits in a spectrum of colors, dotted both the poolside and the beach. It had Sara wishing all she and Sean had to do was enjoy the scenery.
The sun was beating down, the warmth all-encompassing, but thankfully, the humidity wasn’t extreme. Sara still wished to slip out of her dress to reveal the bikini she wore underneath. The thought of the rays kissing her skin was almost too much to dismiss from her mind.
She scanned the horde of vacationers and spotted Meredith lying out on a lounge chair. She sat up as if she sensed Sara watching.
There she is, Sean.” Sara nudged her head toward Meredith.
She doesn’t look too upset, does she?”
Sara put a hand on Sean’s shoulder. “We’re not going to assume she’s behind this.”
He stayed put. “She’s not behind this and yet she’s new to his life and he’s never gone missing before.”
We promised on the flight we would give her the benefit of the doubt, unless something came up to convince us of her involvement.”
I’m starting to rethink that decision.”
If Jimmy trusted her—”
Yes, then we should too.”
That’s right.” Sara pressed her lips, hoping she conveyed more conviction than she felt at times—this being one of those times.



Early Book Review: Ready, Set, Kindergarten by Paula Ayer and Danielle Arbour

Ready, Set, Kindergarten is a picturebook by Paula Ayer and Danielle Arbour which is currently schedule for release on March 2 2015. This charming tale of a little girl’s experience touches on the many milestones children concur while getting ready and going to school for the first time. The child can count out plates when she helps Dad set the table, call out letters when she walks with Mom, and help her stuffed animals say sorry after they fight. With a little help from Mom, Dad, her cat, and faithful toy mouse, she’s now ready for her new adventure, kindergarten!

Ready, Set, Kindergarten is a picturebook great for families approaching the milestone of kindergarten. It uses clear, simple language and pictures that are colorful and still somehow soothing. It reaches out to parents that might be worried their child is not ready with some things they can do with their child to get them ready, and helps show children that kindergarten is safe, fun, and a great place for learning.

I would recommend Ready, Set, Kindergarten to any family with parents or children worried about being ready for kindergarten. I think it would also be good for use in preschools and day care centers as the children in their care get ready to face kindergarten as well. 

Book Review: Alistair Grim's Odditorium by Gregory Funaro

Alistair Grim's Odditorium is the first book in the Odditorium series by Gregory Funaro. Grubb, age twelve (or thereabouts), has never known anything beyond his miserable existence as a chimney sweep. All of that changes the day he stows away in the coach belonging to a mysterious guest at the inn that he is tasked with cleaning. Grubb emerges from Alistair Grim's trunk and into the wondrous world of the Odditorium. Fueled by a glowing blue energy that Grubb can only begin to understand, the Odditorium is home to countless enchanted objects and an eccentric crew that embraces Grubb as one of their own. When the Odditorium comes under attack, Grubb is whisked off on a perilous adventure. Only he can prevent the Odditorium's magic from falling into evil hands, and his new family from suffering a terrible fate. Grubb knows he's no hero. He's just a chimney sweep. But armed with only his courage and wits, Grubb will confront the life-or-death battle he alone is destined to fight.

Alistair Grim's Odditorium is a middle grade fantasy novel that hints of steampunk. Grubb had a very rough start to life, but that start has given him some skills that serve him well on his adventures in 19th century England. Grubb does not expect anything from anyone, and coming to the Odditorium is both a blessing and a curse. It gets him away from a less than pleasant situation and throws him into a much more caring but dangerous situation. the Odditorium is fueled by magic, and secrets abound. Fairies, banshees, sinister skeletons, and much more await Grubb. I really like that through it all Grubb uses wit and his good nature to get through most scrapes. Those that are honorable seem to come out on top (at least most of the time) here. Even when mistakes are made, characters work to make it right.  the characters are widely varied in personaklity and persuation, but they all grew and developed as the story continued. However, I will admit that I fully expected the revelation that came about on the final page, but I still greatly enjoyed the journey.

Alistair Grim's Odditorium is a fast paced and unique offering for the middle grade market. I seriously think it has the potential of becoming as well known and remembered as Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Wrinkle in Time for the level of adventure and virtuous characters that face huge obstacles. I would recommend this for reluctant and avid readers alike. 


Book Review: Dragons Beware! by Jorge Aguirre and Rafael Rosado

Dragons Beware! by Jorge Aguirre and Rafael Rosado is the graphic novel follow up to the middle grade hit Giants Beware! (which I loved). Scrappy Claudette sets out once again with her pal Marie and her little brother Gaston to right wrongs and fight evil. Claudette is out to get the dragon who ate her father's legs, and his legendary sword. But as usual, nothing is as simple as it seems, and Claudette is going to need Marie and Gaston's help more than ever.  

Dragons Beware is as full of adventure and charm as Giant Beware was. Claudette is as determined to be exactly who she wants to be as ever, and proves herself to be strong, smart, and lucky. Gaston and Marie prove themselves to be great as friends and companions on their grand adventure. I like that no one fits in the expected stereotypes even when they appear too. The illustrations and the adventure are high and bright and well worth the time of all readers, regardless of gender or age.

Dragons Beware is a wonderful sequel and a great choice for parents that want to show their children that girls can be anything and anyway they want to be. it is okay for boys to be scared or brave and to love cooking. It is okay for girls to love being a princess, or to be the dragon fighting knight. Funny, fast, high-energy storytelling in an inventive and perilous fantasy landscape makes Dragons Beware! a fantastic follow-up to 2012's middle-grade hit Giants Beware!


Blog Tour Book Review: The Missing Alchemist by Caldric Blackwell

The Missing Alchemist by Caldric Blackwell is a middle grade fantasy novel.


Having grown up in an orphanage, Craig Pike appreciates his comfortable life as a student of Cornelius, a famous alchemist. But when Cornelius is kidnapped, Craig leaves comfort behind to search for him. Craig teams up with Audrey Clife, a clever archer, and together they travel across mysterious lands and battle otherworldly creatures. Their journey reveals that Cornelius's kidnapping is only a small part of an evil alchemist's elaborate grab for power, and the only people standing in his way are Craig and Audrey...




PURCHASE

Description: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5fWMXkqDapHVTOVUJL0hafrSC-T53WoMF2slGZ7iUc87b2_W3egRzoKq7_JMO3s9I54B2PdwyUmIj9k6gBODr6OJJ0Nv15d3WqueFA7hxHeSp3JX6q33a0y4cmtmuAL65Uup/s1600/Goodreads.png

The Author

Caldric's Website /  Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook 


Caldric Blackwell realized he loved reading when he read about a bunch of people (with single-syllable names) and their pets (also with single-syllable names) in kindergarten.

Exposure to a host of great authors while studying at the University of California, Santa Barbara inspired him to begin writing fiction. Although he began writing short stories for adults, he eventually migrated to writing children's books. His debut work is an early chapter book titled The Enchanted River Race. His next release is a picture book, The Boy Who Couldn't Cry Wolf.

Outside of writing, Caldric enjoys hiking, gardening, and playing a variety of string instruments. Caldric currently resides in California.


 

Brought to you by Worldwind Virtual Book Tours


The Missing Alchemist is a book that has just about everything you expect from a fantasy novel. The is the orphaned hero, his pure mentor, the unexpected but skilled fighter (which I was glad to see cast as a girl), as well as monsters and magic. There was the dangerous, epic journey and the battles and risks taken because of the need to do the right thing regardless of the risks. The story itself was very well told, and full of drama and magic. what left me a little disappointed was the characters. Audrey was the most complex character in the whole thing, with the most complete backstory. I would have like a bit more character development, and a wee bit more variety in the fights. Not every magical creature has to be evil and beaten down, I really enjoy when a solution is found by outsmarting or striking up a deal or friendship with an opponent on occasion rather than just using violence.  That being said, for a high adventure story this book still hits the mark, it just did not thrill me like it will those looking for an action driven tale.

The Missing Alchemist is a perfect choice for a middle grade reader that likes an action driven story. There is a dangerous journey, a variety of perils, and magic and/or danger around every corner. there is a strong and smart female character as well as a male protagonist, so just about all interested parties will have a character to connect to. However, readers that need significant character development and a strong connection to the characters might be a little disappointed.

Book Review: Platypuses: Web-Footed Billed Mammals by Rebecca E. Hirsch

Platypuses: Web-Footed Billed Mammals by Rebecca E. Hirsch is a children's non fiction book. It details what makes a platypus so special, and the commonalities and differences it has with several other mammals such as the beaver, dolphin, giraffe, or wild dog. Key traits of platypuses; their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle-; are covered and compared with those of other mammals. Charts and sidebars support key ideas and provide details. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, readers will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a mammal and how mammals are alike and different from each other.

Platypuses: Web-Footed Billed Mammals is a well organized non fiction offering for children. the information is set up in an interesting manner with images and photographs that catch the eye and keep the interest of younger readers. I liked the graphs and comparisons with other mammals, some of which will be familiar to all readers and others which are much less familiar. the combination makes even information readers might have already known more interesting because of that dichotomy.

Platypuses: Web-Footed Billed Mammals is a good book to offer readers interested in nature, animals, and science in general. the organization is solid and the text and image combinations capture and keep the interest of readers easily. 

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.

Picturebook Review: This Book Just Ate My Dog by Richard Byrne

This Book Just Ate My Dog by Richard Byrne is a charming picturebook. When Bella's dog disappears into the gutter of the book, she calls for help. But each of her potential helpers disappear too and she realizes it will take more than a tug on the leash to fix things.

This Book Just Ate My Dog is an interactive picturebook that is fun and encourages imagination. Bella's dog, and everyone that tries to help, disappear into the book with only the dog's leash remaining as evidence. A simple tug of that leash will not work, so it is up to the readers to follow directions and help Bella and the rest to safety. The result is fun, and engaging for readers of all ages. This would make a great book to share for story time, but not so much around bed time since it is liable to get everyone excited and laughing.

This Book Just Ate My Dog uses the physicality of the book which results in an experience that is  just plain fun! The illustrations and lettering are a perfect pair, and the interaction will excite readers of all ages.