Book Review: The Revenge of Magic: The Last Dragon by James RileyBo

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Six months after the attack in Washington D.C. that took his father from him, Fort Fitzgerald battles constant nightmares. In every dream, the Old One wants the location of the last dragon. Fort has never even seen a dragon and has no idea what it all means.

In the meantime, Gabriel, the new kid at the Oppenheimer school has been assigned Fort's roommate. Fort must keep Gabriel with him at all times. The weird thing is that this new kid,  has the same nightmares as Fort. He also holds secrets that Fort must uncover if he wants to save his father. He will need the help of his friends, Jia, Cyrus, and Rachel to keep the Old Ones from returning to earth.

A magical fantasy that will have readers wondering what twist will end with the thrilling resolution. An action packed story with an ending that will leave the reader excited for the next installment. 

Rating: ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Aladdin (Oct. 8, 2019)

ISBN: 9781534425729

Ages 8-12

This book can be purchased from the following retailer.

Book Review: The Key of Lost Things by Sean Easley

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The magical Hotel Between has named Cam the new Concierge-in-training. His new job doesn't go as smoothly as anticipated when his missing friend, Nico, unleashes fifty-two cats all with corresponding cards of the deck in the hotel. Cam struggles to find the cats end up scattered all over the world.

As if the cats aren't bad enough, things get worse when the Embassy Gala for foreign leaders goes horribly wrong. Cam learns his twin sister, Cass, may somehow be involved as she fights his efforts to protect her by keeping her in the hotel. Could she and Nico be working on the wrong side and helping the hotel fall into the hands of Mr. Stripe?

Adventure abounds in the magical world of the Hotel Between while Cam struggles in his new leadership role. At times, it's frustrating to watch Cam ignore his loyal friends working at the hotel. Even more frustrating is Cam's overbearing protectiveness of his sister. Nevertheless, the world building saves this story for those who love magic.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

 Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (September 3, 2019)

ISBN: 9781534437876

Ages: 9-12

Book Review: Oh, Rats! by Tor Seidler

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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.**

Jack Frost: The End Becomes the Beginning by William Joyce: Book Review

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Since the guardians victory over the evil Pitch during Bright Night, most of them have settled into their public roles. However, Nightlight has become isolated from the other guardians as he transitions into Jackson Overland Frost or Jack Frost.

Jack's transformation has not been easy. He has keenly felt the force of evil as he transitioned to half human and half his former self. In order to stop the Nightmare King and bringing the Dark Ages to an end, Jack must tell the story of his past but will it be the end of him if does?

Those who have read every book in series may enjoy the long backstory but others may find it confusing and hard to follow. While Jack Frost's whimsical character is relatable and easy to connect with, his actions get lost in the storytelling.

Rating ★★★☆☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Nov. 20, 2018)

Ages: 7-11

ISBN: 9781442430563

Book Review: Spy School British Invasion

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Thirteen-year-old Benjamin Ripley and his friends find themselves regrouping while stranded in Mexico trying to catch the leaders of SPYDER. The plan: To go rogue from the CIA and team up with the British M16. Operation Tiger Shark takes the spies to Britain in search of the elusive Mr. E. But first, their new found key leads them to a storage space under the British Museum. Unfortunately, a mishap during their library search ends up with damage to priceless British artifacts which puts Ben and his group at the top of British enemy list.

For a time, the group hides out in a secret room in the Tower Bridge until they break their way into the estate of the brilliant hacker, Orion, who helps them encrypt the information on a flash drive that gives them the coordinates of Mr. E's secret hideout. Erica's dad, Alexander, pilots Orion's helicopter as a back up plan while the rest of the crew, Erica, her mom, Catherine, Murray, Mike, Zoe and Ben set out through Britain to their final destination of Paris to bust the SPYDER spy ring.

The action never stops with the Spy School kids and grown ups. Be prepared for a wild ride through Britain and Paris as well as some double crossing antics. A fun addition to the Spy School Novels.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (April 30, 2019)

ISBN:  9781534424708

Ages 8-12

I'm Ok by Patti Kim: Book Review

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Ever since Ok's dad died, he and his mom have struggled to make ends meet. As the man of the house, Ok feels a big responsibility to help her out. Though he would love to win the cash prize at his school's talent show, Ok realizes he lacks in the talent department. Instead he hatches a plan to start his own hair braiding business. With a few library books and a little practice, Ok is ready.

While he dreams of making big money, the reality is the girls at school can't pay Ok much. To make matters worse the strange girl, Mickey McDonald blackmails him and in doing so inserts herself into an unwitting friendship. The class bully, Asa, also gives OK unwanted attention. If that weren't bad enough, Deacon Koh of the First Korean Full Gospel Church starts dating Ok's mom.

It's enough to make OK want to get away. He hatches an escape plan but will it work?

Quirky humor helps lighten the load of heavy grief. Readers can't help but feel for Ok and will relate to the other characters as well.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster (Oct. 9, 2018)

ISBN: 9781534419292

Ages 10 & up

Book Review: Bounce Back Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream by Hena Khad

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Zayd can't wait to take over as captain of the Gold Team. What he didn't plan was getting injured and watching his team from the bench.

With his family focused on his uncle's wedding, Zayd can't get sympathy from home. Instead he must find a way to lead on his own from the bench. But maybe the wedding is the diversion he needs to get his mind off how much he hates his crutches.

Will Zayd get back into the game before the season ends? Will he become the leader his team needs? Basketball fans will love following Zayd on the court while others will relate to the strong family ties off the court. Relatable characters make for a solid story in the series.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date:  October 2, 2018
ISBN:  9781534412047
Pages: 144
Ages: 7-10

Lu by Jason Reynolds Book Review

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As co-captain of the Defenders, Lu shoulders the responsibility of leading the track team to their upcoming championship. But Lu faces his own hurdles before he can lead the team to a win.

Just before the big week, Lu finds out his mom is expecting a baby. While his mom struggles with morning sickness that lasts all day, Lu tries to help her with her business, stepping up as delivery boy. He faces inner turmoil at the discovery that his dad acquired his coach's Olympic gold in a less than moral way. Will he be able to convince his dad to return it?

Not only does Lu face hurdles with his parents but with himself as well. He can't seem to get over  the real hurdles on the track. Lu has poor eyesight caused by being an albino. When he loses a contact, the coach discovers he can barely see. The coach comes up with a brilliant idea to teach Lu how to get over the hurdles without the contacts.

In one of life's great lessons, Lu learns winning gold in life doesn't always mean on the track. Relatable characters mixed with a realistic look into middle class family life make a dazzling gold medal ending to Reynolds Track series.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (October 23, 2018)

Series: Track (Book #4)

Pages 224

ISBN: 978-1481450249

Ages: 10 and up

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

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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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"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

On Point (Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream #2) by Hena Khan: Book Review

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Zayd loves being on the best team in the fourth grade. With his hard work attitude, he's sure the season will be amazing. With his best friend, Adam, on the team, how could it not be? 

The team gets off to a rough start, with some losses. To make matters worse, Adam decides to drop off the team and play football instead. His new friends take him from Zayd, leaving Zayd bewildered and discouraged. As if life at school and on the team aren't bad enough, Zayd's home life is so centered on his uncle Mamoo's wedding preparations that nobody seems to notice his disappointment.

Luckily, Zayd continues to work hard while immersing himself in his culture and family. In doing so, he comes to some small realizations about life he passes on to his uncle. A charming look into family through sports.

★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 29, 2018)

ISBN: 978-1534412019

Ages 7-10

This book can be purchased on Amazon

Ghosts Don't Ride Bikes, Do they?( Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol #2) by Andres Miedoso: Book ReviewBook

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Desmond Cole knows a lot about ghosts. After all, he created the Ghost Patrol. Desmond is sure that ghosts don't ride bikes but his new friend Andres doesn't know what to think.

Something strange is going on at the bike park and Andres wants to get down to the bottom of it. Not one kid at the bike park has managed to land the Kicker, the biggest jump at the park. The strangest part about it is that every kid falls off the bike before the jump but their bike keeps going to and crashes on the other side. Andres enlists Desmond's help and they discover a ghost is knocking kids off so he can ride their bikes over the hill.

The ghost mystery doesn't stop. When all of the bikes disappear the next day from school. Andres and Desmond set out to find the culprit. Another surprise about ghosts awaits. The early reader may want to form his own ghost patrol and help solve the mystery. Though lacking some character development and not as strong as the first book in the series,  the reader will still enjoy the ghost antics and look forward to the next installment.

★★★☆☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Little Simon / Simon & Schuster (December 12, 2017)

ISBN: 978-1534410428

Ages 4-6

This book can be purchased on Amazon

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

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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

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Car by Kate Dopirak and Illustrated by Mary Peterson: Book Review

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Little car doesn't want to go to bed. Instead he zips around town saying goodnight to all of the other vehicles he's friends with. From honking to tractors to hearing toots from taxis and buses, Little Car enjoys his night on the town. When the ferry arrives to take the last load of cars, Little car motors on to the waiting platform. With sleepy eyes, Little Car tries to make it back to his garage. Will he make it?

Though the rhyme works with the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, it's also perfect to read aloud. Shades of blue have a calming effect parents will love at bedtime while the budding reader will love the Little Car's bright color. A solid bedtime story that youngsters and parents will enjoy over and over again.

★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Beach Lane Books (Feb. 13, 2018)

ISBN: 9781481488037

Ages: 4-8

This book can be purchased HERE.

Point Guard (Home Team #3) by Mike Lupica Book Review

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Gus can't wait for the basketball season to get underway. Being from the Dominican Republic, those around him expect him to be a baseball guy but his skills on the basketball court back up his confidence. With his friends Jack and Teddy trying out for the team, Gus looks forward to an awesome season.

Tryouts don't go as planned when his friend Cassie shows up to try out for the boys team. Cassie excels in many sports the 8th grade boys basketball team proves no exception. As Gus grapples with mixed feelings of having to answer to a girl and trying to maintain his friendship with Cassie, he is forced to question his place on the team.

Those who love sports will have no problem relating to the dynamics between the players. Even though the story touches on some side social themes, it does lack depth at times. Otherwise, a solid story.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Simon & Shuster Books for Young Readers (April 4, 2017)
ISBN: 9781481410038
Ages: 8-12



This book can be purchased on AMAZON.

Gears of Revolution (Mysteries of the Cove #2) by J. Scott Savage: Book Review

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With the mysterious disappearance of Kallista's father, Leo Babbage, Trenton and Kallista work together to sort out the clues he has left behind. After discovering a compass, they set off with it in hand on the home made mechanical dragon they call Ladon. Not only do they hope to find Kallista's father but they also want to learn more about their hidden mountain city of Cove.

Instead they are shot down by a group of Whipjacks and find themselves in a city called Seattle, much different than their own. The people of Seattle have to scavenge their food instead of growing it and have made an alliance with the dragons through offerings. When Kallista and Trenton realize that the Order reveres the dragons, they try to hide the fact that they have killed one.

The Whipjack leader, the 'dimber damber' Cochrane, convinces the Order to let him use Kallista's and Trenton's mechanical skills instead of killing them. Their work just may end up inadvertently help the city gear up for war.


Savage escapes the dreaded boring middle book of a trilogy by skillfully creating a fantasy world, further developing characters, and building a plot that morphs into an intriguing adventure. Steampunk and dragons come together for a unique middle grade adventure sure to elicit excitement that will build throughout the book and have the reader anticipating the third.

Rating ★★★★★

Publishing Information

Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-62972223-

Pages: 352

Ages: 8-11

This book can be purchased from the following:

Middle Grade Book Review: The Thief's Apprentice (Master Duplexito and Mr. Scant #1) by Bryan Methods

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A stunning discovery about his father's butler, leaves Oliver Diplexito fearing for his safety. The butler, Mr. Scant is the infamous thief known as the Ruminating Claw and to Oliver's dismay, he wants to enlist him as his apprentice in his notorious crime sprees. In a surprising twist, Oliver learns that Scant doesn't want the museum artifacts that disappear but rather has desires to find and return them to their proper place. With nighttime jaunts to the British Museum and other places where valuable art has disappeared, Oliver encounters members of an elitist society who want the priceless artifacts and will fight to get them.

A thrilling plot with lots of action make this a promising series. A few of the fight scenes are a little far fetched but easy to overlook in Method's debut novel. A fun adventure sure to appeal to those who love secret missions.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Carolhoda Books (10/1/2016)

ISBN: 978-1512405798
Hardcover: 272 pages
Ages: 8-12

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Picture Book Review: Never Follow a Dinosaur by Alex Latimer

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A puzzling set of footprints lead Joe and his sister Sally on a quest to find out where they came from. They most certainly had to come from a dinosaur and not just any dinosaur but a hungry, heavy dinosaur with very tiny feet.

As Joe and Sally follow the clues, they discover that besides being hungry, the dinosaur loves swimming and dancing but also has a headache and a sore foot. Joe and Sally must prove to their dad that the dinosaur is not extinct so they build the perfect dinosaur trap. Latimer's hilarious penciled illustrations of the dinosaur trap adds fun to the craziness of their quest. The lovable dinosaur wins the hearts of the determined siblings in such an absurd way that the young reader will be looking all over for tracks so he can find a lovable dinosaur too.

Rating ★ ★ ★ ★☆

Publishing Information

Never Follow A Dinosaur

Written and Illustrated by Alex Latimer

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (September 2016)

ISBN: 978-1-56145-704-5

Ages: 4-8

This book can be purchased on Amazon

Waiting for Augusta by Jessica Lawson: Book Review

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Book received at no charge in exchange review.

It's been a month since Benjamin Putter's father passed away. It's hard for an eleven-year-old to describe what it feels like to lose a loved one but Benjamin is convinced the lump he feels in his throat is a golf ball caused by his loss. If that isn't enough, he hears his father's voice coming from his urn imploring him to scatter his ashes on the 18th hole of the famous Augusta National golf course. He has no idea how he's going to get there but he knows he must.

As he begins his journey, Benjamin meets up with a spunky girl named Noni who is determined to travel with him. Together they face obstacles that seem insurmountable. They also face the ugly inner demons of lingering racism and have to come to terms with what they see and hear as opposed to how they feel.

Strong writing and plot pacing make for a poignant and heart warming story. However, young readers may be turned off by the heart breaking subject matter. While it's written for middle grade, it may be too deep and unsettling for the younger end age group.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 10, 2016)

Pages: 336 hardcover

ISBN-13: 978-1481448390

Ages: 8-12

This book can be purchase from the following retailer:

Book Review: Walter Plume and the Dehydrated Imagination by Rebecca Lynn Morales

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When Walter discovers he has a super power of bringing dead grass and plants to life, he can't help but wonder what kind of world he has stumbled upon that gives him his magic. He's not prepared to find an elf named Aimee and a bunch of other unhappy elves who think his purpose for entering their world is to save them.

After meeting the evil Ickabod Von Snot (one of the funniest antagonists names I've ever seen), Walter understands why everybody seems so sad. Ichabod's rules are so restrictive that they squash the fun and imagination of the residents in the newly discovered world. Walter must make it to the Fountain of Whimsy to save the elves and bring life back but Ickabod tries to thwart him at every turn.

Beautiful imagery leads to spectacular world building in this fantasy that will leave the young reader glued to to pages. Relatable characters add to the magic of the story with never a dull moment.

Rating: ★★★★☆