Early Book Review: Gargoyle Hall: An Araminta Spookie Adventure by Angie Sage

Gargoyle Hall: An Araminta Spookie Adventure by Angie Sage is a children's chapter book that is currently scheduled for release on August 11 2015. Araminta Spookie is a unique girl with a very special family. Uncle Drac keeps bats and goes of on expeditions to bring them home. There are three ghosts in the house, one that just happens to be a dog, and a best friend and her family that lives in the same house.when a great aunt comes to visit it is decided that Araminta has been "helpful" one too many times, so her family decides to send her to boarding school. On arrival, Araminta is surprised to discover that her best friend has stowed away in her trunk and that Gargoyle Hall makes her haunted home seem positively cozy. Strange moans and clanks echo down the halls and the two class leaders are equally creepy. Most of the other students have been scared away, but Araminta is determined to find out what-or who-is menacing the school.

Gargoyle Hall is the sixth book in this series, so I did feel a little like I was coming in late since I have not read any of the others, but I caught up to the spirit of the series fairly quickly. The writing is accessible to reluctant readers and avid readers alike and has a good mix of humor and spookiness to keep everyone entertained. Araminta is a strong willed, and slightly odd, young lady with good intentions. She is always trying to be helpful, but the majority of the time her 'help' causes more difficulty and chaos than expected. The adventures of Araminta, who reminds me of a kind hearted Wednesday Addams, are illustrated by Jimmy Pickering with black and white artwork. The pictures add a great deal of atmosphere and emotion to the story, helping younger readers identify with the characters even more. I found the adventure and the writing to be great from readers that need high action books to hold their interest and for those that love a touch of the spooky. 

Gargoyle Hall is a great chapterbook for adventure and series fans. I think my two children, who often feel intimidated by chapter books and love anything remotely spooky will be hooked on this series in short order. I am bringing home the first book of this series, My Haunted House, as soon as possible for their perusal. 

Book Review: How to Marry a Royal Highlander by Vanessa Kelly

How to Marry a Royal Highlander is the fourth book in the The Renegade Royals series by Vanessa Kelly. I have not read the previous books in the series, but I did not feel lost. The book can stand well on its own. At sixteen, Alasdair Gilbride, heir to a Scottish earldom, fled the Highlands and an arranged betrothal. Ten years later, Alasdair must travel home to face his responsibilities. Perhaps the distracting woman traveling with him can help him solve his problem, and find happiness in his future as well. After one escapade too many, Eden Whitney has been snubbed by the ton. The solution: rusticating in the Scottish wilderness, miles from all temptation. Except, of course, for brawny, charming Alasdair. The man is so exasperating she’d likely kill him before they reach the border; if someone else weren’t trying to do just that. Now Eden and Alasdair are plunging into a scandalous affair with his life and her reputation at stake, and their hearts already irreparably lost.

How to Marry a Royal Highlander is a fun historical romance with intelligent and witty characters. Eden and Alasdair have been introduced and thrown together in a previous book in the series, but the hints of their love hate relationship and the excitement that brought Eden's sister and Alasdair's friend together were done well enough and naturally enough that I understood the relationship and personalities involved very quickly. I loved Eden's self sufficiency and independence. She is smart and feisty, but still carries a sense of vulnerability. Alasdair is chivalrous and loyal, but with a teasing exterior. The banter between the pair is fabulous, even when they are not saying what they need to say to each other. This story works mostly because of the stubbornness of the characters, and the fact that they will not just come out and tell each other what they are thinking, instead trying to manage each other. This frustrates me most of the time, but it really worked in this instance because it was so true to form for the characters. The murder attempts and family drama adds a special suspense to the story, but I feel like at one point it started to get too drawn out, though I was happy with the eventual conclusion.

How to Marry a Royal Highlander is a solid historical romance with a good balance of humor, action, and character development. I really enjoyed the story and think I will be exploring more book from Kelly in the near future. 

Early Book Review: Gryphons Aren’t So Great by James Sturm, Alexis Frederick-Frost, and Andrew Arnold

Gryphons Aren’t So Great is a children's graphic novel by James Sturm, Alexis Frederick-Frost, and Andrew Arnold. It is currently scheduled for release on September 8 2015. The Knight's best friend is her horse, Edward. They go everywhere together and do everything together! But when the Knight gets a gryphon, suddenly all she talks about is how awesome her new pet is. Edward can't help it, he's jealous! When the gryphon turns out to be more of a peril than a pet, and Edward comes to the rescue.

Gryphons Aren’t So Great is a cute graphic novel for the easy reader and youngest independent readers. Knight is described as a girl in the summary, but honestly there is no gender definition in the story, the Knight is just a brave kid in armor. Every reader can imagine themselves in her place. the horse, Edward is a brave partner to the knight, but feels left behind and unimportant when the gryphon and knight spend more and more time together. I think most readers (young and old) can relate to the feeling, and seeing their own experience in print will help them understand that everyone has had that experience.  It can also help them get a better grasp on their feelings and how to manager them. Beyond all that, the artwork and story are simply good, sweet fun and worth exploring.

Gryphons Aren’t So Great is the second of four adorable picture books from the creators of Adventures in Cartooning. It is a sweet and accessible story that even the youngest readers can relate to and enjoy.

Young Adult Romances with Aliens

Do you enjoy paranormal teen romances, but are sick to death of vampires, angels, and faeries. If you are looking for something a little different, why not try some alien romance?

The Dark Side of Nowhere by Neal Shusterman
Billington is boring and ordinary, that is until Jason discovers that he is actually an alien, as are some of his classmates. Left on earth after a failed invasion, the aliens maintain human form through DNA injections. Grant, the janitor at Jason's school, has managed to reestablish contact with their planet. The adults are off on another invasion, and Grant has been assigned to train the teen aliens to fight the humans once more. Jason has other plans, like thwarting the mission and remaining human, and to stay with his very human girlfriend.


How I Stole Johnny Depp's Alien Girlfriend by Gary Ghislain
David's father is a famous French psychiatrist with an interesting new patient. Zelda believes that she is an alien. She also believes that she is on a mission to bring Johnny Depp, her soul mate, back to her planet. Moreover, she can't return to her home planet until she has sex with Depp! That's not great news for David, who wants Zelda for himself. Nonetheless, he assists her on her quest, following her from Normandy to Paris and barely escaping other Vahalians who also want to find their way back home.

Being by Kevin Smith
Teenager Robert Smith is a foster child whose stomach aches land him in the hospital for a routine endoscopy. Not fully anesthetized, he overhears the doctors discussing the fact that his innards are filled with machinery not made by humans. Barely escaping government agents, he lands on the doorstep of a girl named Eddie. Eddie has a penchant for creating fake IDs. Together they flee from England to Spain, where they try to live a normal life and fall in love, until they are eventually found.

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
Ten years ago, nine young aliens fled their planet after its decimation by vicious Mogadorian invaders. With only their keepers to protect them in hiding on Earth, the teens move constantly from place to place relentlessly hunted by their foes, for whom the teens' mysterious growing powers are a threat. The catch? The Mogadorians can only pick them off in numerical order. Number Three is dead, so Number Four (aka John Smith) is next which sends John and his teacher on the run once again. In his new town, John falls in love for the first time, which means he no longer wants to run. Befriended by another teenage boy who believes in aliens and conspiracies, John sets out to find the other survivors and to fight the Mogadorians so he, and they, can live peacefully on Earth.

I Was A Teenage Alien by Jane Greewnhill

Oas is sent to earth to retrieve her brother, who is masquerading as a human boy. Though she looks like a bug in her true form, she's pretty darned cute as a human, and manages to act like one while on earth. That includes everything from eating pizza to finding a human boyfriend.

Early Book Review: If He's Noble by Hannah Howell

If He's Noble is the seventh book in the Wherlocke series by Hannah Howell. It is currently scheduled for release on July 28 2015. Like all of Howells books this book can stand on its own, but readers that have read some books from the Murray or related series will come in with a better understanding of what to expect from her characters. 

For Lady Primrose Wootten nothing has been ordinary since her father the Baron died and his wayward family filled the estate with greed and treachery. Primrose knows if she can just track down her brother, he can send the odious relations on their way. But instead she finds this enormous, powerful stranger, and forgets entirely what she was doing in the first place. Sir Bened Vaughn is an honorable man, and he knows he has no right to desire Primrose. Yet he does have an obligation to help her, and as they learn more about her brother's disappearance, he realizes that means staying by her side and wondering how much longer they can resist temptation.

If He's Noble is a fun romp with high excitement and great characters. Primrose is a strong but sheltered girl dealing with the danger of a deviously deadly aunt looking to take over her family's holdings. Bened has earned a title by saving the life of a important but foolish noble, after spending most of his life in service to others. They find each other in the woods, and soon Bened knows that Primrose is in more danger than she is ready to admit. His gift helps predict and defend against the dangers they face in search of her brother, but he cannot protect himself from everything. Many characters are introduced and new family members found for both families, and the action does get a little complex in places, as do the character relations, but it all comes together well at the end. I think Primrose is one of my favorite heroines from Howell in a while, though I think she was a bit more of a risk taker than I expected from her after awhile. I also found the big bad to be a little too evil and calculating, more of a Cruella De Ville style villain than anything realistic. All in all, a satisfying but not quite perfect romp through the woods with deadly intent fast on the heels of our heroes.

If He's Noble is just as much fun and full of adventure as fans would expect. Howell maintained the level of quality in characters and action that I look for and expect from her books. While I still think Primrose fell into bed a little early, and her aunt was a little too much, I still highly enjoyed the book. 

Book Review: The Princess and the Fog: A Story for Children with Depression by Lloyd Jones

The Princess and the Fog: A Story for Children with Depression by Lloyd Jones is a helpful picturebook for readers of all ages. Once upon a time there was a Princess. She had everything a little girl could ever want, and she was happy. That is, until the fog came. It came slowly and unnoticed, but as it built it changed the princess. Soon she did not want to do her favorite things, or anything really. A persistent friend offered to listen, and soon the princess was able to share with others about the presence of the fog and how it made her feel. They banished the fog, at least for now, and have a plan to keep it from taking over again.

The Princess and the Fog is a wonderful book to help explain how depression can sneak up on children and adults alike, and how it can feel. It really can feel like a heavy fog that takes the wonder and joy out of things we once loved. The princess in the story is talented, smart, and well liked before the fog hit, but loses interest in the world around her once it surrounds her. this metaphor is just about perfect for depression, and the illustrations do a great job of capturing the emotion and thickness of that fog.

The Princess and the Fog is very helpful book for the many children and families that are dealing with depression. It can help the children and adults understand how it feels, give them understandable vocabulary to use, and find paths to breaking through the barriers that depression can raise. It is a wonderful discussion starter and tool that everyone can use to foster understanding and find tools to work toward solutions. The book also includes an essential guide for parents and carers by clinical pediatric psychologists, Dr Melinda Edwards MBE and Linda Bayliss.

Book Review: When Santa was a Baby by Linda Bailey

When Santa was a Baby is a sweet picturebook by Linda Bailey. Here is a delightful answer for every child that has wondered what Santa was like as a baby or child, and the adults that have fielded those questions. This book shows how strong, smart, and unusual Santa was as a baby and young child. It shows the beginning of his gift giving, home at the North Pole, and more. Most importantly it shows readers of all ages that it is the things that made Santa unusual and different that turned out to be the very best of him.

While Christmas seems awful far away, I have to recommend When Santa was a Baby. This picturebook tries to answer an age old question, what was Santa like as a child? While I am a huge fan of the Christmas movie that answers most Santa origin question, this one handles it slightly differently with a focus on his youngest years. Did you know that Santa first Ho Ho Ho'd as an infant, or that he made friends with a rather short fellow that shared his love for toy building? 

When Santa was a Baby is a sweet and beautifully illustrated picturebook that has a lighthearted look at Santa's earliest years, but a deeper message that is one we can all appreciate. Santa's parents worried for him, but supported him and the things that made Santa so different from others turn out to be the very things that the world seems to love and cherish about him most.

Early Book Review: I Know Sasquatch by Jess Bradley

I Know Sasquatch is a picturebook by Jess Bradley which is currently scheduled for release on August 1 2015. Everyone knows that Bigfoot, or Sasquatch are big, creepy creatures with razor-sharp teeth, long claws, and stinky fur. At least, thats what most people think. But nobody's actually ever met one, except Jess Bradley!

I Know Sasquatch is a quirky and colorful picture book that combines photographs and illustration to tell Sasquatch's real story. The result is a creative and fun picturebook that just might jump start your reader's own creativity. The author shares her experiences with meeting Bigfoot and what she learned from him. He is not scary or dangerous, he is sweet and apparently smells like blueberries and enjoys chewing bubble gum. For instance, he is not a big fan of all those blurry pictures that make him look mean and scary.

I Know Sasquatch is a book that will capture the imagination of both young readers, and the adults that share the book with this. This would be a great story time book or summer reading starter for even the youngest of readers. 

Early Book Review: Wolf Trouble by Paige Tyler

Wolf Trouble is the second book in the SWAT series by Paige Tyler. It is currently scheduled for release on August 4 2015. There's never been a female on the Dallas SWAT team and Senior Corporal Xander Riggs prefers it that way, but only because a woman might through the group of alpha werewolves into a tailspin. Thankfully, Khaki Blake is no ordinary woman.  When Khaki walks through the door attractive as hell and smelling like heaven, Xander doesn't know what the heck to do. Worse, she's put under his command and Xander's protective instincts go on high alert. When things start heating up both on and off the clock, it's almost impossible to keep their heads in the game and their hands off each other.

Wolf Trouble is a solid follow up to Hungry Like the Wolf. Xander is a gruff but good hearted guy. He knows woman can do anything guys can, but the instant attraction he feels for Khaki sends him reeling and acting like a chauvinistic pig, Khaki is just trying to fit in and prove her meddle while ignoring her attraction to Xander.  As you might have guessed, this attraction denial does not go well, it never does. Add in some on the job training, tough assignments, and an insane ex and we have a wild ride and some serious action. I liked the characters, and the mythology of this werewolf series. I like that while it holds some familiar ground (serious alpha males and paranormal skills) there is a learning curve for the participants of the story as well as the reader.

If you enjoyed Hungry Like the Wolf then you will like Wolf Trouble. If you have not read the first you could still enjoy this book, but reading in order gives you a better grasp of the pack and secondary characters. A solid, fun read for a weekends enjoyment.

 

Young Adult Adventure Novels: Tales of Survival and Adventure for Teen Readers

Young Adult readers have many different media sources marketing to them today. Getting them to read can become increasingly difficult if they do not already enjoy reading. Adventure and survival stories are often the genre of books that will capture the imagination and interest of the more reluctant readers of this age group. Here are five of the best adventure books to offer your reluctant teen reader.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi offers readers a female lead on the high seas. The story that takes place during an 1802 transatlantic journey that turns mutinous and even more dangerous than expected. Thirteen-year-old Charlotte must decide whom to side with and find her courage in order to survive. This is a fantastic historical novel with a real feel for the time and place of the story as well as the emotions of the lead character. Thankfully, if your reader enjoys this book Avi is a prolific writer of quality historical and realistic fiction.

Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt is the first book in the Tillerman series. Four siblings must find a way to survive when they are abandoned by their mother in the middle of Connecticut. They struggle to find their great aunt in Bridgeport only to discover that she has past away and the home is not the safe haven that they had hoped to reach. This is a story of survival, family and discovering the history of where you have come from. If your readers enjoy this book, they can continue reading about these siblings in the six books that follow.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen focuses of thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson. He is riding in a two person aircraft when the pilot haws a heart attack and dies. Brian must crash land the plane then survive in the Canadian wilderness alone. He must plan ahead, survive and find his way home with only the hatchet his mother gave him as a gift, a tattered windbreaker and clothing. Life and death situations are frequent and Brian discovers how to move past self-pity and survive. Paulsen is a master of description and shows his skill in Hatchet. He also wrote several other books that fans of Hatchet would enjoy, such as Dogsong.

The Island on Bird Street by Uri Orlev brings World War II to life. Alex is on his own in a ruined home in the Jewish ghetto of Warsaw. He must find a way to stay hidden and survive. The book is an easy but enthralling read that really gives readers a human connection to the holocaust. Alex is a courageous and resourceful character that holds on to his faith that his father will somehow return. The Island on Bird Street is inspiring and everyone should have an opportunity to read it. Do not cheat and just watch the movie, the book is well worth adding to your permanent collection.

The Cay by Theodore Taylor is a historical novel that tells the story of eleven-year-old Philip fleeing his home when war comes to close to comfort. The ship is torpedoed and he is left blinded from the blast and adrift with a cat and black ship hand. They eventually make it to a deserted island where Philip learns to deal with his lost eyesight and grow to realize who unimportant skin color is. Philip grows as a person and becomes able to fend for himself despite his blindness. Survival, unexpected friendship and adventure on the ocean make the book a great read for young adults especially.