Early Book Review: Help Wanted, Must Love Books by Janet Sumner Johnson, Courtney Dawson

Help Wanted, Must Love Books, written by Janet Sumner Johnson and illustrated by Courtney Dawson, is a picturebook currently scheduled for release on March 2 2020. Shailey loves bedtime, especially reading with her dad. But her dad starts a new job, and it gets in the way of their bedtime routine. So Shailey takes action! She fires her dad, posts a Help Wanted sign, and starts interviews immediately. She is thrilled when her favorite characters from fairytales line up to apply. But Sleeping Beauty can't stay awake, the Gingerbread Man steals her book, and Snow White brings along her whole team. Shailey is running out of options. Is bedtime ruined forever?

Help Wanted, Must Love Books is a story that many parents and children can relate to. Routine band job changes for an adult in the house can throw everything else out of whack- like  how her father's new job affected Shailey's bedtime reading. I love how she interviewed characters from some of her bedtime stories to become her new reader, and how some of the auditions went terribly wrong. I thought the story and its execution was very imaginative and well done. The illustrations were wonderful, and added some great detail to the story on each page. I love the imagination the character has, and the way her father works hard to find a solution for the problem. Not every solution in real life will be this easy, but showing that it can happen might give young readers the hope and determination to find solutions for their own bedtime or family disappointments. The addition of resumes from the characters at the end of the book was a fun touch.  

Help Wanted, Must Love Books is an adorable picture book with plenty of references to storytimer favorites and lovely artwork. This might become a new bedtime favorite for some young readers. 

Early Book Review: Okay Kevin: A Story to Help Children Discover How Everyone Learns Differently by James Dillon

Okay Kevin: A Story to Help Children Discover How Everyone Learns Differently by James Dillon is currently scheduled for release on April 21 2017. Kevin never smiles at school, but he is different at home. He jumps up and down when his favorite football team scores a touchdown, and screams "CANNONBALL!" when he jumps into the swimming pool. But at school he feels that he isn't 'okay.' Other kids in his class are much quicker at putting their hands up and answering the teacher's questions, and Kevin feels that he will never catch up. One day, his reading teacher asks him to help out with the school store, and Kevin slowly begins to realize that he had really been 'a okay' all along.

Okay Kevin is a story that offers a look into the mind and emotions of one student that does not learn the same way as his classmates. He cannot keep up with the pace of reading skills as his classmates. This goes on through several grades in school, leaving Kevin feel like he is not okay, that he is different in a bad way. His mother and reading teacher do thier best to help him understand that there is nothing wrong with him, but Kevin still feels bad about himself. It is only when he is offered the change to work in the school store, and shows off his math skills, that Kevin gets the reinforcement and confidence in himself that he needs. He starts to see that he is okay, and might not learn the same way as his classmates, but he has his own skills and talents that make him smart in his own way.

Okay Kevin is a story that can help those struggling in school see that they are not alone, and that other people understand how they feel. It can also help those that have no problems academically understand and have some empathy for those that might. This is an important book for children of all abilities to be exposed to, in the interest of empathy and self confidence. 

Through providing an insight into Kevin's thoughts, feelings and coping strategies, this picture book for ages 5-8 is a source of support for children who, like Kevin, find school difficult and feel that they are 'behind' their peers. The book, which draws on the author's experiences as the principal of an elementary school, is also the perfect springboard for discussion around difficulties at school, academic ability, self-esteem, confidence and recognizing strengths.

Book Review: The Book Club Murders by Leslie Nagel

The Book Club Murders is the first book in the Oakwood Mystery series by Leslie Nagel. Charley Carpenter has poured heart and soul into her clothing store, Old Hat Vintage Fashions. She’ll do anything to make it a success, even join the stuffy Agathas Book Club in order to cultivate customers among Oakwood, Ohio’s wealthy elite. Although mixing with the most influential women in town has its advantages, Charley finds the endless gossip a high price to pay. But after two women with close ties to the Agathas are brutally murdered, everyone falls under threat—and suspicion. When key evidence indicates that both murders are the work of the same hand, Charley realizes that the killer has arranged each corpse in perfect imitation of crime scenes from the Club’s murder mystery reading list. She uses her membership in the Club to convince Detective Marcus Trenault to use her as an inside informant. Not that he could stop her anyway.

The Book Club Murders is a solid opening to a cozy mystery series. I will admit that there were a couple times that I felt like there was a previous book out there, but author quickly gave me the character building that I needed to fill in the blanks. I enjoyed the main characters Charley, partly because we share the distaste for schmoozing and dressing up. She is a smart, witty character and I liked her strong friendships with two important secondary characters. I thought the angst between her and Marcus was a odd though it was eventually explained. I still found it not completely understandable- at least in the path it took. I thought the mystery was very well done, as was the danger to Charley and her friends. There were some real surprises along the way and I enjoyed the majority of the ride. It was not perfect, but it has enough going for it that I will be picking up the second installment, The Antique House Murders, which is schedule for release in May of 2017.



The Book Club Murders is the start of what promises to be a fun cozy mystery series. I like the setting and character build up here, and hope the series only gets better from here. 

Early Book Review: Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies by Carmen Oliver, Jean Claude

Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies is a picture book written by Carmen Oliver and illustrated by Jean Claude. It is currently scheduled for release on March 1 2016. All the students in the class are assigned reading buddies, except for Adelaide. She already has a great reading buddy, a bear! Adelaide is quite persuasive as she explains to her language arts teacher and the reader, that bears really do make the best reading buddies.

Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies is a fun picture book. I never knew bears were such great reading partners, although I do not recommend anyone go out and try their hand at getting one of their own! Did you know that bears sniff out good books, or that their claws are just right for turning pages? Adelaide knows this, and tells her teacher and the readers about all the things that make her bear the best reading buddy ever. While the idea of snuggling with a bear for reading, along with although bonus features listed in the book, is terribly tempting, I think I will stick to kids and cats as my reading partners. I think the silliness will keep the target audience reading, while helping them become better reading buddies and cheerleaders for themselves and each other as they grow their reading skills.

Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies is a fun book that will encourage readers to find the perfect reading buddy, whether it is a stuffed bear, cat, dog, sibling, parent, or classmate. I do not recommend a real bear, but the book makes it temping. A fun book encouraging new readers to keep reading and growing, regardless of who their reading buddy is. 

Novels that Span the Centuries

Some people have a love for novels that take place in one specific time period. Others have several favorites that they enjoy reading about. Each of these novels artfully span the centuries rather than staying in one short period of time. These are not the lighthearted fare that I normal suggest, but much more reaching and intense. Explore these new times and places, they are all well worth the journey reading them will take you on. 

Specimen Days by Michael Cunningham is his first book after The Hours. Similar to the previous bookSpecimen Days is a compendium of three stories in which we see a similar group of characters. There is a small boy, a young woman and an older man. The first section of the book, entitled "In the Machine", is a ghost story, which takes place during the peak the industrial revolution, as people face the difficulties of the new machine age. The second section of the book is called "The Children's Crusade". This portion is set in the early twenty-first century and plays within the traditions of noir thrillers as it follows the pursuit of a terrorist group that is apparently setting off bombs at random locations throughout the city. The last section is titled "Like Beauty" and takes place in a New York one hundred and fifty years in the future. At this point New York is almost overwhelmed with refugees from the first inhabited planet Earth is able to establish contact. The poet Walt Whitman is a muse and prophetic figure that ties all the sections together. Specimen Days is haunting, genre-bending, and transforming work about life in one of the United State's greatest city and a thorough meditation about America's destiny.

Ireland: A Novel by Frank Delaney is an epic tale that explores the passionate Irish spirit. Seanchai, a traveling storyteller, arrives unannounced on the doorstep of a home in the countryside on a winter night in 1951. To trade for food and shelter for the night Seanchai offers his hosts and their neighbors to listen to his tales. He tells tales Ireland's history. Nine-year-old Ronan becomes so enthralled in the tales that he is determined to find the storyteller again after he leaves under mysterious circumstances. Ronan's quest for Seanchai becomes much more than expected. It soon becomes a journey of self-discovery and an immersion into the sometimes-conflicting histories of Ireland. As the long-unspoken secrets of his own family begin to reveal themselves, he becomes increasingly single-minded in pursuit of the old man, who he fears may already be dead. However, Ronan's personal path also leads him deeper and deeper into the history and mythology of Ireland itself, in all its drama, intrigue, and heroism.

Ireland travels through the centuries, bringing together Ronan's quest for the Storyteller with a rich unfolding of defining moments of Irish history. Events include the harsh Ice Age to the green but troubled world of political conflict and tourism. Readers are introduced to fool hardy kings, fabled saints, pure monks, great works of art, cunning Norman raiders, powerful tribal leaders, poets, politicians, and lovers. Each story demonstrates the true wonder of Ireland and the connection between the people and the land. Ireland is a beautiful novel by an author whom is passionate about his country.

The Lazarus Project by Aleksandar Hemon starts in 1908 when 19-year-old Lazarus goes to the home of George Shippy, the Chicago chief of police. His visit is supposed to be a simple letter delivery, but Shippy shoots Lazarus twice, killing him. Shippy releases a statement claiming that Lazarus was a terrorist. Olga, Lazarus' sister is left alone, grieving, and destitute in a city brimming for unrest. In present day, a young writer, Brik, becomes obsessed with Lazarus' story and the details as to why things happened the way they did. There has to be more to the story. As Brik investigates with a friend, his story becomes intertwined with Lazarus'. They retrace Lazarus's path across Eastern Europe with scenes from history and today. Photographs enhance the tale and draw readers deeper into this original and entertaining novel. In The Lazarus Project, Hemon creates a novel that has both haunting historical feel with a sharp wit and heart wrenching voice.

The Monsters of Templeton: A Novel by Lauren Groff is a novel that spans two centuries. It is partially a contemporary tale about a girl's search for her father. It is also part historical novel and part ghost story. I found The Monsters of Templeton to be spellbinding story about a town's hold on a family's secrets. 

Willie Upton returns home after a disastrous affair with her professor. She expects to be able to hide at home with her mother who has changed from free spirited hippie to strict born-again Baptist. However, the death of the monster changes everything. The very fabric of the quiet town her ancestors founded has shifted. Willie also discovers that the stories her mother had told her about her own history is not quite true. She starts digging for the complete truth about her family history, only to discover that the secrets of her family run much deeper than she expected. The dead tell their own tales through journal entries, letters and editorials in this haunting story. Dark mysteries become known, stories from the past are put to rest, the truth about more than one monster is revealed as the past and present blur.

Burning Bright: Stories by Ron Rash uses the lives of unforgettable characters to demonstrate the beauty, starkness and violence in Appalachia. The stories range from the civil War era to present day. Together the picture painted of the region by these stories with all of its complexities like some books can capture the true essence of a person. Appalachia is dichotomous with elements of exceptional beauty in the harsh rugged landscape, as well as the effect of siren or muse to those that visit or live there. In one story, "Back of Beyond," a pawnshop owner profiting from stolen goods helps his brother and sister-in-law when their son threatens them. In the title story, a small town woman marries an outsider, who becomes the prime suspect when an arsonist starts fires in the Smoky Mountains. These stories shed light on an area that often goes unexplored.

These books carry the reader across the boundaries of time and place. I highly recommend all of these to give you a new perspective on your own place in time and understanding of others.

Pirates in Romance; Swash Buckling at Its Best

Pirates are sexy. Women are fascinated by them, and men want to be them. They are dangerous, daring and have their own code of honor. They are the sea faring bad boys that captivate many romance readers. They offer readers adventure, mystery and romance. We want to save them and hope that they can somehow save us. If you want to get on board come along and check out these high seas adventures with pirates and the people that cannot help but love them.

Lady Pirate by Lynsay Sands is a twist on the typical pirate story. In this story, as you might have guessed by the title, it is the heroine that plays the role as pirate. Valoree pretends to be her murdered brother to sail the seven seas and is known at Captain Red. She is about to inherit a castle, by only if she marries a nobleman and becomes pregnant. While she would be more than happy to return to the sea and ignore the inheritance her crew votes and takes action. The pirate crew helps her search for her perfect mate, chaos and laughter ensues. The crew is rooting for one Lord Thurborne, but Valoree is looking for someone less willful so she can walk all over him. This is a funny historical romance.

The Care and Feeding of Pirates by Jennifer Ashley is a tale about Honoria Ardmore. She is currently a proper lady, but that was not always the case. Four years ago she wed the pirate Christopher Raine in secret before he was scheduled to be hanged. Now Honoria's life is back on track. She is engaged to another man, but Christopher walks back into her life and wants his wife. They strike a deal and she agrees to accompany him on a journey. If she is not crawling back by the end of the voyage Christopher will agree to a divorce. However, he is bound and determined to get what he wants, and he wants Honoria. Sparks fly in this adventure, which is the third entry in Ashley's Pirate series. Each book does stand well on its own, though you may want to read the rest after this taste.

Blow Me Down by Katie MacAlister blends a few subgenres. It is both contemporary and pirate romance. Amy is a single mother that works too much. Her daughter convinces her to try a virtual reality game called Buckling Swashes, and Amy soon finds herself obsessed with the game and the character of Black Corbin. She discovers that Black Corbin is the game creator, playing the game like her, and both are trapped in the virtual world because of a plot by a disgruntled employee. They must work together to save themselves and find a way out of the game. This is a fun read that will be appreciated by many different kinds of readers.

A Pirate of Her Own by Kinley MacGregor is about Captain Morgan Drake, a reformed pirate being followed by writer Serenity James. She is set on unearthing his past. But, Drake is determined to stop her so he kidnaps her and takes her aboard his ship, The Sea Wolf. They are both tenacious and strong willed, but become overwhelmed by mutual attraction. This is the second novel in the Sea Wolves series. MacGregor's writing style and voice might seem familiar, as she writes popular paranormal books under the name Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Looking for a Hero by Patti Berg is a time traveling romance about an eighteenth-century pirate in the twenty-first century battling for his heart. Mogan Farrell, better known as Blackheart, is tossed off his ship during a duel with his nemesis Thomas Low. Somehow during the fall he is transported to St. Augustine and meets the widow Kate Cameron. Kate is captivated with the pirate who charms her daughter Casey, and he is enthralled with the pair. Kate wants real love and more children, but Morgan is set on revenge. Morgan gets his chance when Thomas Low is transported to St. Augustine as well. The likeable characters make this a great read for pirate and time travel fans.

Pirates by Linda Lael Miller is another pirate novel with some time travel. Phoebe Turlow is recently divorced and needs a break from her dead end job. Somehow once in the Caribbean she takes the wrong elevator and ends up in 1780. To make matters worse she does not simply land on the beach, but in the home of the infamous pirate Duncan Rourke. When they meet Rourke believes that Phoebe must be a spy, but his servant sees things a little differently. The couple slips through time in both directions, but will they both end up where they belong?

Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey follows former pirate Sir James Malory. He is from a well-known family in 1818. Georgie Anderson travels from Connecticut to London to find her missing fiance, whom she has not seen in six years and is heartbroken. After finding out that he is now married with children, she just wants to return home.

Georgie disguises herself as a cabin boy to travel on the Maiden Anne. That is where she recognizes James from a fight she had witnessed several years earlier. James recognizes Georgie as well but instead of calling her out on the disguise orders his "cabin boy" to help him in a variety of very private functions. Eventually they need to get past the games and deceptions and admit how they feel. This is a must read for fans of Lindsey and those looking for a good, spicy read.

Mysteries Featuring Librarian Protagonists; Librarians Solving Crime

Librarians are by nature curious and great puzzle solvers. Solving problems and the puzzle of what people versus what they mean is a major part of daily life in any library setting; I see it first hand every single day. Therefore, when I see books that feature librarians I cannot resist taking a look and see how the librarians are portrayed and if I can immerse myself in the story. Here are five great examples of fun cozy mystery series featuring crime-solving librarians.

Abby and Ophelia Mystery series by Shirley Damsgaard features a librarian in a small town. Ophelia Jensen is a thirty something that has to deal with a horrendous supervisor, dwindling funding and the joys of working with the public. Thankfully, I can say that I have not dealt with the personnel issues that Ophelia has to deal with in the series, but the rest is par for the course. The interaction Ophelia has with the public is very realistic and chuckle inducing. The mysteries also carry a supernatural element, since Ophelia is a natural born witch with a psychic gift. Her grandmother Abby is also a witch and plays a major role in Ophelia's daily life. If you normally avoid paranormal or witch focused novels I suggest you step out of your comfort zone and try this series. It is fun with twists in the mystery plot that are intelligent, intriguing and continually surprising. The series starts with Witch Way to Murder and currently has seven books with room for more in the future.

Charlaine Harris, best known for the Sookie Stackhouse series, has also written several other books. Her Aurora Teagarden series follows a librarian in her twenties that takes part in a club that studies real crimes from the past. In the first book of the series, Real Murders, someone is reenacting some of those crimes on members of the club. A love triangle, red herrings and great pacing keep this series moving ahead with new mysteries in each book. This is a southern mystery series that has the same combination of wit and impending doom, but no supernatural twists to disguise the horror that real people can inflict on others. As a bonus, the Hallmark channel has begun turning this series into movies, and the first one has aired already and I loved it. Honestly I loved this series, which is eight books long, but it is not my favorite series from Harris. My favorite Harris series is the vampire and librarian free Lily Bard series which starts with Shakespeare's Landlord is made up of five books.

The Cat is the Stacks series by Miranda James, a pen name for Dean James, offers something unexpected. In the majority of mysteries featuring cats or librarians offer female leads, but starting in Murder Past Due we get to follow librarian Charlie Harris and his cat Diesel. So, if the simply draw of a librarian mystery does not peak your interest, the new perspective should. Charlie has just lost his wife and returns to his home town to try and rebuild his life. His cat Diesel is a huge maine coon that he walks around with a leash. The mystery is solid and the characters build through out the series. It is a fun cozy mystery for anyone that loves mysteries, cats or librarians.

The Scrappy Librarian series by Marion Moore Hill starts with Bookmarked for Murder. This series follows Juanita Wills, the head librarian of an Oklahoma town's public library. She has an insatiable curiosity and a driving need to solve puzzles which leads her into investigating crimes that she should steer clear of. The stories are mainly about our lead librarian's determination, natural intelligence and satisfying curiosity despite the treat of personal danger. The research skills and tenacity possessed by the scrappy librarian is what saves the day. Currently the only other book in the series is Death Books a Return. Both books are worth exploring and enjoying.

The Reading Group Mysteries or Megan Clark series by D.R. Meredith focuses on a reference librarian with a love for mysteries. In the first book of the series, Murder in Volume, a member of her book club is murdered. This brings mystery and true crime too close to home. As the series continues, Megan and her Murder by The Yard book club work together to solve mysteries. The series does a great job of delivering a mystery and developing the characters and their relationships as they go through their sleuthing. There are five books in the series.

There are more cozy mysteries out there featuring librarians; however these are my favorites from those that I have seen and read. There are mysteries like this for just about every profession now, librarians, chefs, store clerks, secretaries, you name it. There is a cozy mystery out there for everyone. I hope everyone will give at least one of these a try, even if you haven't set foot in a library for years. 

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!

What Should You Read Next? Great Resources to Help Decide

I am often looking to read book by new authors or on new topics. Reviews and suggestions help, as does stopping in a library or local bookstore and browsing the shelves or asking the staff for suggestions, but sometimes I still feel at a loss. Here are some resources to help you decide what to read next.

NoveList is a resource available through public libraries to help readers find authors, titles, award winners, and author biographies. There is an author read alike search feature that allows you to search their database for authors that have similar writing styles to authors you already know and enjoy. Other services offered include book discussion guides, genre outlines to help you read more great books in your favorite genre and a popular fiction list, which gives suggested titles for just about ever genre.

BookBrowse is another reader's advisory website available for use by patrons of subscribing libraries free. Readers can search for new reads by genre, age group, geographical setting, theme and time period. Like NoveList, there is a way to search for authors that you might like based on your previous reads. 
No matter what you are looking for, be it something very specific or a vague desire for anything good, you will find suggests that meet your needs.

Overbooked is a website for readers. It specializes in literary, genre fiction information, and readable non-fiction. The site offers booklists by genre, starred review lists, author connections, and a social space for readers that often have overflowing piles of books to read but still can not stop looking for more, myself included. What I love about this website is that it is run completely by volunteers, so all reviews and suggestions come from people that truly love books and reading.

If none of these sites have helped, you find another book to read then there are still several options. Websites like Good Reads, Library Thing and Visual Bookshelf on Facebook can also help you decide what to read next based on you reading habits. Book clubs, librarians and random browsing in a library or bookstore can also yield good results. In the end, only you can decide what you like, but here are some tools to help you choose your next book, or bookshelf in my case.

Three Paranormal Mystery Series You Will Love; Spooky Mysteries that Keep You Guessing

There is an ever increasing number of books to chose from when trying to decide what to pick up next. Luckily, no matter what genre or combination or genre you are looking for there is someone out there writing and publishing it. The hard part is finding books that are worth reading in each little niche, rather than ones that are just being written to fit into the next big craze. If you like mysteries with a touch of the paranormal or mystic here are some series that are great reads but not often brought up in book lists or discussions.

Anyone who looks for novels touching on the paranormal has heard of Charlaine Harris and her Sookie Stackhouse series, which I also enjoy. However, that is far from Harris's only series. Harris has three other series to her credit and a selection of stand alone books. The Harper Connelly quartet is absolutely fantastic, and my first recommendation. In Grave Sight we are introduced to Harper, a smart and loyal woman who gained a strange ability when she was hit by lightning. She can sense and find dead people, and then figure out how they died. Harper and her step brother slash manager Tolliver go to a small Midwestern town to try and solve the mystery of a teenager's disappearance but get more than they bargained for because someone has a lot to hide. Harper and Tolliver have a strange relationship, which you see explained through the series. The characters are deep and edgy and the mysteries and puzzles found in each of the books are challenging. This series is not light and fun like the Sookie books, although there is some humor. Everything is more real and quite a bit darker than what you might have already read from this talented author. On a side note I do also recommend the Shakespeare series by Harris, it is free of psychic or supernatural aspects but full of dark reality, mystery and intriguing characters.

On a much lighter note you might be interested in Victoria Laurie's Psychic Eye Mystery series. Here we see Abby Cooper; Psychic Eye who had been trying to keep her gifts at bay for most of her life. Just when she has decided to try and use her gifts to make a living and help people one of her clients dies, and she never saw it coming. To make it even more challenging for Abby she just might be a suspect, the real killer is after her and the led detective was her own blind date. The mystery is well done, but it is really the great characters and fun, engaging writing that makes the series a must read. Each book has been high quality with new twists and turns and great character development. 

Another great mystery series with some mystical elements is Madelyne Alt's Bewitching Mystery series, which starts with The Trouble With Magic. Maggie O'Neill is dissatisfied with her job, and honestly her life. So she takes a leap of faith and takes a job as a clerk in an antique shop Felicity, her new friend and employer just happens to be a practicing witch and helps Maggie in her ever continuing journey to figure out what she really wants. Along the way Felicity is accused of murdering her own sister and Maggie is introduced to the mystic, a coven of witches and hunky and mysterious Marcus. The story is absorbing and the mystery surprising. The cast of characters is charming and really well fleshed out. No cookie cutter or flat players in this story. What makes the read even better is knowing that more is coming. At last count there were five books in the series.

This is only a small sampling of this unique cross section of genres. Other suggestions for readers that enjoy the type of books I've mentioned above include Shirley Damsgaard's Abby and Ophelia Mysteries, Wendy Robert's Ghost Dusters series, Terry Garey's Nicki Styx series and Casey Daniel's Pepper Martin Mystery series.

Early Book Review: Pigsticks and Harold and the Incredible Journey by Alex Milway

Pigsticks and Harold and the Incredible Journey by Alex Milway is an early reader book that us currently scheduled for release on May 27 2014. Pigsticks is the last in a noble line of explorers, and he is determined to follow in his forepigs’ footsteps. however, he needs an assistant to do the heavy lifting. His help-wanted ad draws a motley crew of candidates, so he chooses a hapless delivery hamster named Harold. The unlikely pair set off from Tuptown with plenty of tea cakes in tow, Pigsticks is breathless with excitement while Harold is struggling for breath under all the gear. They take long trek through jungles, over deserts, and up a giant ice-topped mountain. When the last crumb of cake is stolen by a herd of thieving goats and their goal is nowhere in sight the doubt whether they will ever discover the Ends of the Earth?

Pigsticks and Harold and the Incredible Journey is a charming tale that will make newly independent readers and those that need a wee bit of help smile. The tale has everything young readers might want; cute animals, adventure, humor, and some daring do. I loved that the path taken by Harold and Pigsticks mirrors the journeys many imaginative youngsters might take in their own backyard. I love the twist that brings them home and allows for the opportunity of further adventures. I think my two imagination fueled adventure seekers will adore this book, if I can let go of it long enough for them to enjoy it.

I would recommend Pigsticks and Harold and the Incredible Journey to readers that are just starting out with chapter books and to reluctant readers that think they cannot handle, or would not enjoy, reading a chapter book. The story is engaging and fun, while encouraging readers to go out and use their imaginations and have adventures of their own.

Picturebook Review: Little Red Writing by Joan Holub and Melissa Sweet

Little Red Writing is a picturebook written by Joan Holub and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. This story is loosely based on Little Red Riding Hood, as you might have guessed from the title. Little Red Pencil is at school and her class is tasked with writing a story. In doing so Red works through many perils of storytelling, such as getting lost in the adjective forest, and in the end faces off with a cranky pencil sharpener to save the day.

Little Red Writing is a great picturebook to inspire young readers (and listeners) to tell their own stories. Red faces the prospect of making up her own story. Like her, many writers fall pray to using too much conjunction glue, a jungle of adjectives, and dealing with adverb drama. The story is also about bravery, the fact that courage is not about denying fear but recognizing your fear and doing the right thing anyway. I think both aspects of the story can lead to great discussion and storytime fun for all ages. The artwork by Melissa Sweet perfectly matches the mood and action of the story and gives readers even more to play with and discuss. Each pencil in Little Red's class, and the school faculty, is clearly an individual and cleverly described. The words and writing tools in the pictures are splendid and can offer reading challenges and I Spy style games for one on one or small group reading.

I highly recommend Little Red Writing to readers of all ages. I think young aspiring writers will get a special thrill from the story, and the strong character of Little Red Pencil might inspire girls and boys alike to recognize their own imagination and courage. Libraries, schools, and home collections would all be enhanced by the addition of this great picturebook.

My Reaction to a Chapter Sampler of Unhinged by A. G. Howard

I was lucky enough to get my hands on the first chapter of Unhinged by A.G. Howard, the second book in the Splintered series. I cannot express my love fully for Splintered, or my excitement to get my hands on Unhinged. In the mean time, here are my thoughts on what I have seen so far.

The Blurb: In Splintered Alyssa Gardner went down the rabbit hole, was crowned Queen of the Red Court, and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the boy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly appealing Morpheus. Now she need to focus on the real; world and graduate high school. However, her newly released mother is acting overly protective and suspicious and the mysterious Morpheus is tempting her with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland; where she also belongs. Can she leave Jeb and her parents behind again, for the sake of a man she knows has manipulated her before? Will her mother and Jeb trust her to do what’s right?

After reading the chapter sampler of Unhinged:
Unhinged takes place about a year after Splintered. Alyssa is living in the human world and is doing her best to repress her netherling side. The actual action starts right away, with Alyssa being whisked away into Wonderland by Morpheus just as she wraps up a date with Jeb. Morpheus demonstrates that Wonderland is destroying itself in her absence and works to convince her that she needs to face off with the Red Queen again. However while Alyssa is concerned, she fully believes that her place is in the real world and she needs to tend to her life here. Thus begins the battle between Alyssa and Morpheus, and Morpheus and Jeb, and so much more.

I will start by reminding you all that I loved Splintered, and am mightily looking forward to reading Unhinged. If you have not read Splintered yet- I recommend going and doing so immediately. Unhinged is not scheduled to be on the shelves until January 7th 2014, so you have the time. I am so looking forward to seeing where Unhinged takes us. What I know so far is that it looks awesome, and that Morpheus enters the real world. I believe at least half the story takes place in 'reality' rather than Wonderland.

Are you excited? Well, to make things even cooler, there is The Moth in the Mirror (Splintered Novella), an e-book that tells about Morpheus digging through Jeb's memories of the adventures he had while he was alone in Wonderland. I am downloading it today and will let you know about its awesomeness as soon as possible! AND- the third book in the series is currently set to be called Ensnared and will be published in 2015.

Saturday Book News Review

I have set up a bunch of Google alerts to help give me blog post ideas for my work on the Cheshire Library blog. But, since I only need to post there once or twice a week, I have much more interesting fodder for writing than I need. So begins my weekly post of new bits and like around the web that relate to book news.

For instance, The Guardian reports that Jim Carrey is self-publishing a children's book. Not just any children's book, but one about a wave's metaphysical understanding of his existence and his part of the world at large. My biggest question on this article was not about the book, by why they ran a goofy picture of Carrey rather than a normal one.

The New York Times ran an article about how authors are starting to tackle bullying in a more determined manner. While bullying and the struggle to fit in has always been a part of literature of all genres, it has gotten much more attention and become the focus of many more titles lately. One I am eager to get my hands on is an collection of essays “Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories,” (HarperTeen 2011). It includes true stories from writers such as R. L. Stine, about how they faced bullying and how it honestly does get better. The best part is that a portion of the proceeds go to charity.

On a similar note, the Mercury News published an article about how books are tackling a variety of very tough ideas. Crisis and struggles such as school shootings, rape, sex, war, terrorism, post-traumatic stress disorder, homelessness, discrimination, substance abuse, death, and grieving might have always been found in books, but they are becoming easier to find and can hopefully help young readers (and their support systems) deal with how this things affect them both directly and indirectly.

BuzzSugar published an article about popular young adult books that you should read now, before they hit the big screen. The picks run a wide gamut of styles, from John Green's The Fault in our Stars to The Spook's Apprentice by Joseph Delaney and the eagerly awaited The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

And then there is Amazon buying Goodreads, which could change a great many things, but we wont see the fall out of this decision for a while.

Have you read any interesting book news you want to share?

Other Things I Have Read, And Plan on Reading

I tend not to write reviews on the short stories or books that are deep into a series. But I thought a weekly wrap up post about other things I have read but not posted full reviews of might be a nice. Lets see if I can remember to do this weekly, or at least monthly.

This week I picked up the latest in meg Cabot's Heather Well's mystery series. Size 12 and Ready to Rock is the fourth book in the series, and I am glad to say that the fifth book is schedule to come out sometime this year (called Size 12 is the New Black). If you do not know the series (for shame) it starts with Size 12 is Not Fat, where we meet Heather Wells, former teen pop star. Now she is a little heavier that in her glory days, her mother has run off with her manager and Heather's money. She has also lost her boyfriend Jordon, a fellow pop star, to a newer model. Heather is now working in a residence hall at New York College, but her dorm seems to be curse. Each book in the series includes a death that takes place in the dorm, and Heather and new landlord Cooper, who just happens to be Jordon hunky brother, work the cases. Luckily Cooper is a private detective and cares more about Heather's safety than her dress size.

Yeah, so the series sounds like just another series catering to women that cannot wear a size two, but I am glad to say that although Heather does worry about her attractiveness from time to time, the stories are more about her dealing with the chaos that is her life, and the mysteries that she seems to stumble into. I love her personality, and that she always comes out on top, against all odds. There is a good amount of Heather dealing with the problems of the teens that live i the dorm, or residence hall, that she works in as well as office and academic politics. So the series is about much more than her size; it is about living life, following your own path, and standing up for what is right, and protecting those around you. If you have not read this series, I recommend it for teens and adults alike- most libraries will have it in the adult fiction section.

I also read The Vampire Hunter's Daughter (Part 1) by Jennifer Malone Wright, which is being release in serial format via Amazon for the Kindle.

The offical blurb is:
"Fourteen-year-old Chloe witnesses her mother’s murder at the hands of a vampire. Before the vampire can kidnap her, there is an unexpected rescue by a group of vampire hunters. Overwhelmed by the feeling of safety, Chloe passes out and they whisk her away to their small community. When Chloe wakes, she comes face to face with the only other living relative, besides her mother, whom she has ever met: her grandfather. Chloe’s mother kept her hidden from the family; now, Chloe tries to unveil the family secrets. Through her grandfather, she learns her mother was a vampire hunter. In fact, her entire family is descended from the powerful bloodlines of vampire hunters. Chloe agrees to join the family she has never known for one reason only: Chloe vows to kill the vampire responsible for her mother’s murder. With vengeance in her soul, Chloe is even more determined to follow through on her vow when she discovers the true identity of her enemy and how he is connected to her. The Vampire Hunter's Daughter is the first in a series of short stories by Jennifer Malone Wright."

I enjoyed the first part of the story, which was a free download. However, I have yet to download any of the following installments. I cam close, but with my backlog of reading, I could not get myself to pay for the next installments. If or when I do, I will download one of the groupings of several sections that I found to be available.

What is on my plate to read next??
In progress is Wild Children by Richard Roberts, which I am about of a third of the way through. So far I find it very interesting and will be a book I recommend for my library's collection unless the rest of the books suddenly changes in quality.

Waiting for my attention:
Physical Books:
Black Heart by Holly Black
Cold Days (the latest Dresden Files book) by Jim Butcher
The Space Between (the second book in a new Disney series) by Kiki Thorpe
Last Kiss Goodnight (first book in a new series) by Gena Showalter
Love Under Cover by Jessica Brody
Honeyed Words by J.A. Pitts

E-Books from Netgalley, Amazon, Etc
The Choosing by Jeremy Lallo
Lord of Lightning by Suzanne Foster
Sojourner by Maria Rachel Hooley
The Soul of Anime: Collaborative Creativity and Japan's Media Success Story by Ian Condry
The Book of Deacon (Volume 1) by Joseph Lallo and Nick Deligaris
Ex-Heroes (Ex-Heroes #1) by Peter Clines
Poison by Bridget Zinn
Coyote's Daughter by Corie Weaver
Daisy Madigan's Paradise (A Morgan Sisters Novella) by Suzy Turner
Cadaver by Jonah D. Ansell
Cow Boy by Chris Eliopoulos
Billy Frog by Guilllaume Bianco
ZED by Michel Gagne

I may well have left some out- in fact I know I did. I have not mentioned my cooking, gardening, and crafting books hidden about my house, never mind the books downloaded onto my netbook rather than my iPod. I am pretty sure there are more novels awaiting my attention on my desk, and countless books yet to download, but I digress.

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Book Review: Shelf Life: Fantastic Stories Celebrating Bookstores

Shelf Life: Fantastic Stories Celebrating Bookstores is a collection of short stories edited by Greg Ketter. They are all well written, and all have a bookstore as a major componant of the story. You might even call the bookstore the main character in the tales. Genres of the story range from science fiction, fantasy, horror, and historical or speculative fiction. The collection is a joy to explore for everyone that loves books, libraries, or bookstores. A treasure for every bibliophile.

The contributing authors are David Bischoff, P.D. Cacek, Ramsey Campbell, Charles de Lint, Marianne de Pierres, Harlan Ellison, Rick Hautala, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Gerard Houarner, John J. Miller, A.R. Morlan, Lisa Morton, Melanie Tem, Patrick Weekes, Jack Williamson, Gene Wolfe. The introduction is written by Neil Gaiman, and the cover art is done by John Picacio.

Shelf Life is a compilation of short stories that exceeded my expectations. Typically, with any anthology, there is at lest one short story that stands out as less interesting or a lower quality than the rest. It is not always that the one story is bad, sometimes it just does not fit into the theme or mood of the collection as well as the rest. There was no such story in this group, while there were still some that stood out as absolutely fantastic. Every story brought a bookstore to life and had me roaming its floors. I really enjoyed the book, and found myself moving slowly through it so that I would be able to savor each story to the fullest.

Shelf Life is a book that I highly recommend to everyone that finds themselves getting lost in books, wandering through library stacks, and exploring the shelves of any bookstore they can find. It would be a thoughtful holiday or birthday gift for any bibliophile on your list.

In Case You Missed it..

On Saturday I had my very first guest post. I rambled on about reading series, and the pitfalls and successes that are prevalent in those books. If you are interested in my thoughts, and would like to share your own, please visit Ahmad Darkside's Musings. Here is the first paragraph of that guest post:

I read, and I read a lot. I can find something good and something bad in just about everything I read. This includes my favorite, and least favorite reads. However, one thing that always makes me sad is an idea or series that starts with incredible potential, and then starts to falter. Sometimes this happens early, and you only need to read the first couple books before calling it quits. Other series keep you entertained into double digits before you can finally let go, or simply keep reading because you do not want to miss your big question being answered or the former level of quality returns. There are many series in adult and young adult that have kept me reading well past the point where I was reading more out of obligation than interest, and on rare occasions this has pleasantly surprised me. However, in most cases I either stop reading the series (eventually) or just hope it ends sometime soon.

Guest Blog: 7 Ways to Encourage Reluctant Readers

Guest Blogger: Steve Reifman, author of Chase Against Time.

7 Ways to Encourage Reluctant Readers

Reading is a tremendously appealing, satisfying activity, and children will become hooked once the adults in their lives consistently build it into their daily schedules. The key is getting children started. The following seven strategies will help even the most reluctant reader become more enthusiastic about the endeavor. By employing the strategies described below, reading will become something that students do willingly, even eagerly, and the adults in their lives will not have to resort to trickery, bribery, manipulation, or any other tactic that will, at best, lead to temporary compliance. After all, we’re striving to make reading a joyous lifelong habit.

1) Start with the child’s passions. Children will be more excited about reading when they can choose books or magazines related to their interests. This suggestion is far and away the most powerful one when it comes to encouraging those who are reluctant to read. When kids own the choice of what they will read, motivation increases significantly.

2) Make reading a social experience. Children who don’t enjoy reading alone often enjoy reading with somebody else. Children can read with their parents, siblings, other relatives, and friends. Some children even start mini-book clubs and discuss books related to their common interests. Asking children to read to their younger siblings and cousins can powerfully impact their own motivation to read.

3) Read aloud to children. Many parents regularly read aloud to their children when they are very young, yet stop this activity as the kids get older. Parents should read aloud to children throughout the elementary grades. Doing so makes reading more enjoyable, improves listening skills, builds comprehension, lengthens attention spans, and grows the imagination.

4) Take advantage of new technology. Children who may not find books interesting may enjoy reading the same texts on smart phones, computers, and electronic readers, such as the iPad or Kindle. Technology makes everything seem cooler and more engaging to children, and we should capitalize on this fact when it comes to reading.

5) Be a role model to children. When children see their parents reading frequently, discussing what they have read, and carrying books around, they will value reading to a greater extent. The power of modeling cannot be underestimated.

6) Camouflage reading. Parents can increase the amount of time their children spend reading by subtly building the activity into other, seemingly unrelated activities. Examples include reading menus at restaurants, reading the directions to board games, and looking at various websites together. Children who may not yet enjoy reading for its own sake may enjoy it tremendously when it’s incorporated into other engaging pastimes.

7) Be sure children read books that are appropriately challenging. Many times kids don’t want to read simply because the books they encounter are too difficult. This seemingly obvious point is frequently forgotten. None of us want to encounter frustration, and we will go to great lengths to avoid experiences that make us feel this way. Appropriately challenging books are those in which students can fluently read approximately 95% of the words. Encountering a small number of difficult words can help children grow in their reading skills, but encountering too many of these words can interfere with fluency and lead to discouragement.

Commit to trying one or more these ideas to help your child become a more enthusiastic reader. Teaching the whole child means that we focus on developing children’s academic skills, but just as important, we focus on children’s attitudes about these skills. We want to raise children who read well and read because they want to do it, not because they have to do it.

Steve Reifman is a National Board Certified elementary school teacher, author, and speaker in Santa Monica, CA. He has written several books for educators and parents, including Changing Kids’ Lives One Quote at a Time and Eight Essentials for Empowered Teaching and Learning, K-8. Steve is also the creator of the Chase Manning Mystery Series for kids 8-12. Each book in the series features a single-day, real-time thriller that occurs on an elementary school campus. For weekly Teaching Tips, blog posts, and other valuable resources and strategies on teaching the whole child, visit http://stevereifman.com. You can follow Steve on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/stevereifman.