Book Review: Oh, Rats! by Tor Seidler

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review

Phoenix loves his bushy red tail. It's his favorite part of being a squirrel. As he's admiring in reflection in the water, while trying to impress a girl, he's swooped up by a red-tailed hawk named Walter. Soaring over New Jersey, Phoenix gets an earful from the hawk who won't stop talking. He thinks his luck has turned when Walter loses his grip and drops Phoenix. Fate changes quickly when Phoenix lands on fresh tar on the streets of downtown Manhattan. The tar chars off his glorious fur, leaving him looking like a sewer rat.

Luckily, the brother and sister team of Lucy and Beckett rescue Phoenix and bring him to home, an abandoned pier, where he is nursed back to health amongst the wharf rats. When the rats learn of a plan to demolish the wharf to make room for a new development, they enlist Phoenix with his excellent climbing skills to sabotage the city's electrical grid. Will their plan work? And an even bigger question is the dilemma that Phoenix must face when Walter returns and offers to take him home.

A light-hearted look at the deeper concepts of cooperation, finding yourself, and creating belonging amongst strangers.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Atheneum/Caitly Dlouhy Books 

Publication Date: August 27, 2019

ISBN:  9781534426849

Ages: 8-12

**Review books are donated to my local Little Library. No payment received for posts though purchases through affiliate links help support this blog.**

Book Review: The Boy, the Boat and the Beast by Samantha M. Clark

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review

What wonders would the world hold if one day you woke up not knowing who you are? When a boy wakes up on the beach in a world he doesn't recognize, he struggles to discover why he's there and who he is. Food and water comes easily to him but his bigger desire to know his place in the world doesn't come easy. An eerie feeling for a young boy.

It doesn't help that an unknown voice occupies his mind. A voice he nicknames "the bully" because of the negative thoughts it fills his brain. As if the bully isn't bad enough, a monstrous beast sits ready to devour him if the water doesn't pull him under first.

The boy focuses his energy into building a boat in an attempt to get back to his parents. The boy's adventure captivates the reader though the melancholy tone makes for slower reading. Perhaps slowing down is a good thing as it helps the reader catch the allegories of the story and appreciate the lyrical writing. A solid fantasy for those who love solving mysteries.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (June 26, 2018)

                                                                              ISBN:  978-1-5344-1255-2

Pages: 256

Ages: 8-12

Dear Sister Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

"Dear Sister," so begins a series of letters written by an older brother to his annoying sister. The letters follow the rocky start when little sister comes home from the hospital to sweet overtures when big brother leaves for college.

The brother grades his sister on whininess, annoyingness, afraid of the darkness and refusal to eat lima beans. Readers will love the humor of the brother’s candid reports and letters. Subtle changes in the letters as the sister grows expose surprise feelings.

Careful attention to the simple handwriting and childlike sketches by Joe Bluhm give additional clues to feelings the brother has toward his sister and vice versa. Definitely worth spending time poring over the illustrations and comparing them to written words. No boy should with a little sister should miss Alison McGhee’s touching story, best described with three H’s: honesty, humor and heartwarming.

★★★★★

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Publication Date: October 2, 2018

ISBN: 9781481451420

Ages: Ages 10 and up

Written by Alison McGhee & Illustrated by Joe Bluhm

Power Forward (Zayd Salem, Chasing the Dream) by Hena Khan: Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Zayd knows he must practice hard and often to make the gold basketball team, especially since he's smaller than the other guys on the team. Unfortunately, skipping orchestra practice to sharpen his skills does nothing to advance his goals.

When his mother finds out Zayd has traded his violin for basketball, she grounds him for the two weeks leading to try outs. Not only is he not allowed to play basketball, he's not even allowed to talk about it. Even worse, his punishment doesn't end until after try outs, meaning he will have to miss them. Zayd's Pakistani-American family lends support in distinct generational ways but will their firm but loving stance be enough to get him through? In the end, honesty and understanding on both sides endears the reader to Zayd and his family. 

A solid start for the series, Power Forward will have the young reader wondering what happens next.

★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 8, 2018)

ISBN: 978-1-5344-1198-2

Ages 6-11

This book can be purchased on Amazon

Book Review: Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol: The Haunted House Next Door

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Moving to a new house is hard enough. But for a normal kid like Andres, his move proves far from normal. In fact, he discovers his house is haunted after weird things start happening like silverware flying out of drawers and furniture rearranging itself. Andres' parents don't see what he sees, leaving Andres scared and alone. Alas! Along comes his not so weird neighbor, Desmond Cole, Ghost Patrol with his ghost gadgets . Together they discover Zax, a friendly ghost living in the basement. Andres can't help feeling sorry for the ghost after he gets sick eating lasagne and strikes an agreement with him. Will it be enough to calm Andres' fears? Stay tuned.

Andres Miedoso's Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol Series strikes a new friendship and a new chord for young readers making the transition from picture books to chapter books. Short chapters with simple words and plenty of illustrations make the transition smooth. An engaging storyline helps encourage the reader to follow through to the very end and will hook the reader with anticipation for the next book in the series.

Rating:★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Little Simon (December 12, 2017)

ISBN: 9781534410428

Ages: 4-6

This book can be purchased HERE ON AMAZON.

Claude on the Big Screen by Alex T. Smith: Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Claude takes care of the important work of hanging his costumes out to dry, with his trusty sidekick, Sir Bobblysock, supervising from his lounge chair. After the work is over, Claude pulls out his new trampoline and the shenanigans begin. With each bounce he gets a view of the action on Waggy Avenue where he sees a gorilla sporting a cup of tea and his curiosity gets the best of him. Why would a gorilla be drinking a cup of tea?

With Sir Bobblysock bouncing along beside him, Claude shoves the trampoline in his trusty beret and heads toward the action on Waggy Avenue. Tripping over the clothesline doesn't slow Claude down. He shoves it with all of the costumes inside of his beret too. His excitement builds when he finds Waggy Avenue lined with cameras, spotlights, and microphones. An invitation to watch the filming a movie lands Claude a front row seat. Unfortunately, his inability to sit still shuts out the lead actor and actress. Will Claude and Sir Bobblysocks have what it takes to save the movie?

As always, Claude's zaniness leads to chuckles which turn to laughter with the continued absurdity of his antics. The ever endearing Claude, with his snazzy sweater and classy beret, help the young reader navigate from the picture book into the next reading level through bizarre and lighthearted fun.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Peachtree Publishing (October 2017)

ISBN: 978-1-68263-009-9

Ages 7-9 (Early Chapter Book)

This book can be purchased through Amazon.

Pablo and Birdy by Alison McGhee and Ilustrated by Ana Juan Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

As an infant, Pablo arrived on the Island of Isla nestled in an inflatable swimming pool with nothing but his lavender parrot to protect him. Adopted by Emmanuel and embraced by the locals, Pablo grows weary of the stories they tell about where he came from. After 10 years, Pablo wants the truth.

Although Pablo doesn't want to hear about the possibility of being a pirate baby or coming from a place where people live underground anymore, one legend intrigues him: The legend of the Seafaring Parrot. Pablo dares to wonder if his parrot, Birdy could be the bird of the legend. But Birdy can't talk or fly and the locals insist that the Seafarer remembers every sound. At the time that Birdy starts to mumble, strong winds begin to blow on Isla which makes Pablo ponder the saying: winds of change mean fortune lost or fortune gained. 

While Pablo seeks courage and tries to find his place in the world, a scraggly dog looks for love and acceptance. The committee, a group of parrots all with distinct personalities, add humor to the poignant search of belonging. Be ready to shed a tear or two in this endearing tale of friendship, courage, and loss. Detailed illustrations capture the sweetness of a beautifully written novel.

Rating ★★★★★

Publishing Information

Publisher: A Caitlyn Dloughy Book/Atheneum (August 22, 2017)

ISBN: 978-1481470261

Ages: 8-12

This book can be purchased from the following retailer:

Book Review: Charlie Bumpers Vs. The Perfect Little Turkey by Bill Harley and Illustrated by Adam Gustavson

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Book received at no charge in exchange for an honest review.

Thanksgiving at the Bumpers' house looks to be a grand event. With fifteen people slated to attend, Charlie Bumpers can only imagine the incredible feast. Nothing can go wrong. At least that's what Charlie thought until he finds out his bratty cousin Chip will be staying at his house and sleeping in his room. What ensues nearly destroys Charlie's Thanksgiving.

Harley adeptly handles family relationships with humor through Charlie, the middle child who never seems to catch a break. However, this time he does when his older brother quits picking on him long enough to help him out and his annoying sister sticks by him for once without trying to get him in trouble. A heartwarming look into family life with Charlie finding a new definition for family. The reader can't help but relate to the real life scenarios and characters while they learn tolerance and acceptance.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (Sept. 1, 2015)

ISBN: 978-1-56145-835-6

Ages 7-10

This book can be purchases from the following retailers:

Book Review: Fluff Dragon (Bad Unicorn Book 2) by Platte F. Clark

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Book received at no charge to facilitate my review.

Fresh off the defeat of a killer unicorn, Max Spencer and his friends want nothing more to return home. Instead they are trapped in the magical world of Margus. Unfortunately, Max is the only one who can read the Codex of Infinite Knowability so when it stops working, he has to figure out how to reboot it before he and his friends can return.

Max, his friends, and a cast of zany characters must thwart the evil Rezormoor Dreadbringer, who wants to acquire the Codex and find the recipe for reproducing a fluff dragon, a creature essential for making hair pieces for the powerful men of the kingdom. The humor in the first part of the book makes it hard to take the plot serious but it ends up working in the end. The reader will get plenty of laughs while still recognizing the danger for Max and his group.

Book 2 of the Bad Unicorn Trilogy, Fluff Dragon is a case where the second installment is better than the first.

Publishing Information

Publisher: Aladdin (4/14/2014)

Pages: 384

Ages:8-12

ISBN-13 9781442450158

Rating:  Recommended ★★★★☆

This book can be purchased at the following retailers.

Book Review and Giveaway: Claude at the Beach by Alex T. Smith

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Book received from the publisher at no charge to facilitate review

Claude the dog with the red beret needs a vacation. What better person to spend it with than his best friend, Sir Bobblysock. After packing all sorts of useful things like tambourines, whipped cream, and sticky tape, the two head off on and adventure to the beach.

Claude's relaxing day at the beach winds up filled with excitement as he rescues a swimmer from a shark, enters sand castle building contest and has a surprise waiting in his hunt for pirate treasure.

Who knew strutting around in red underwear held up by tape could be so fun?
Kids will never get enough of Claude and his hilarious antics. Quirky illustrations endear the reader to already loveable characters. Claude will leave his fans hardly able to contain their excitement for his next adventure.

Rating: Highly Recommended ★★★★★

Publishing Information: 
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (April 2014)
ISBN: 978-1-56145-703-8
Ages 7-9

This book can be purchased from the following retailers:

Contest Details:  

To celebrate the April release of Claude at the Beach, I am giving away a hard copy to one of my lucky readers in April. Please use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read the terms on the form and agree to them. Contest ends 4/20/2014 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

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Book Review: Kevin's Point of View by Del Shannon

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After the death of his father in a mountain biking accident, twelve-year-old Kevin Tobin creates an fantasy world to help him cope with his loss. The retreat into his imagination add stress and confusion for his mother and sister.

When a package is sent to Kevin by mistake, he finds a dangerous electronic device inside which sends him, his best friend Tony, and the pizza delivery guy, Scratch, to the hospital. Instead of going home to recover, Kevin and Tony are sent on a wild ride for their lives as the evil protagonist, Devin and his thugs hunt them down in pursuit of the time altering device, the influxitron.

Kevin and Tony are thrust into one nail biting crazy escape after another. They receive help along the way when Kevin's older sister, Betsy and her pizza-delivery boyfriend, Scratch, nearly run over them during one of their wild escape attempts. What starts our as a confusing imaginary world for Kevin, becomes a clear way for Kevin to gain the courage he needs to face his pursuers and save his sister and their friends.

Though it starts out as Kevin's point of view, the other characters broaden the perspective. Kevin's best friend, Tony adds sarcastic humor to the ever thickening plot which ends in Kevin's point of view again in a clever and surprising unexpected twist.Ages 8-12 though I recommend it for the older middle grade reader ages 10 and up. It will appeal to teenagers as well with the addition of the two teenage characters.

Publisher Details

• Publisher: Flatiron View Books
• Pages: 402
• ISBN-13: 9780615401232

 ** Disclaimer: I received this book at no charge from the author for review purposes only. My opinion was in no way influenced by the author. 


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