Book Review: Charlie Hernández & The League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Charlie Hernández can't seem to catch a break. First his house burns down then his parents go missing. If that isn't bad enough, he grows horns and feathers. It goes from bizarre to creepy when he moves in with Mrs. Wilson and has to stare at her unusually odd doll collection.

A quick search of the lost and found gives Charlie a hilarious jacket to hide his new feathers. He can't seem to hide from Violet Rey, the girl he has a crush on. She discovers his secret and they become partners in mystery solving. Their first task leads them to a cemetery and introduces them to a shadowy world of Hispanic myths, full of mythical creatures like La Calaca and El Cadejo.

The Hispanic myths and adventure combine for a thrilling tale with strong characters that will have the reader glued to the pages. A whole new world opens up for those not acquainted with the Hispanic culture. Hispanic and Latin children can stand proud at the thrilling look inside their mythical world.

Rating ★★★★★

Publishing Information

Publisher: Aladdin (Oct. 23, 2018)
Ages: 10-14
ISBN: 9781534426580

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

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review

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

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

The Explorer by Katherine Rundell Book Review

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

When their plane crashes in the Amazon rain forest on their way back to England, Fred, Con, Lila and Lila's brother, 5 year-old Max fight to survive. Finding shelter and edible fruits poses proves challenging for the inexperienced children. Through their resourcefulness, the children find things like mixing ground up grubs and cocoa give them a paste and the protein they need for survival.

Max stumbles onto a map and convinces the other children to follow it to the X. The course of their adventure presents new dangers from predators and the elements. They manage to build a makeshift raft and travel down the river where they discover the remnants of an ancient city. To their surprise, a mysterious lives amongst the ruins. He refuses to give the children his name but Max assumes he is the missing explorer from 1925. Does the explorer hold the key to the children's chance at rescue?

Rundell captures the beauty of the Amazon through vivd description of everything from the lush vegetation to the smells of the rainforest. Both the setting and adventure will captivate the reader and perhaps motivate further exploration. It may also inspire the reader to gain further understanding of the effects of imperialism in the Amazon. Despite the lack of depth in the characters, the suspense will hold interest to the end.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Simon and Shuster Books for Young Readers (Sept. 12, 2017)

ISBN: 9781481419451

Ages: 8-12

Purchase this book HERE.

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

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

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.

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:

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

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

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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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 Giveaway: Firstborn by Tor Seidler

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        Book Giveaway: 
Firstborn by Tor Seidler



In Firstborn, Seidler eloquently introduces an outdoor world of beauty and true to life wilderness danger while exploring the meaning of true friendship. A touching tribute to family togetherness, love, devotion, and forever friends.

                Giveaway Details:

Please use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read the terms on the form. Winner will receive a hardback copy of Firstborn by Tor Seidler. Giveaway ends 4/14/2015 at 11:59 EST.





Check out my review.
Read the interview with author, Tor Seidler.

FTC Disclosure: Prize provided by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received by blog owner.
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The Troubles of Johnny Cannon by Isaiah Campbell Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review

Racial tensions and cold war hysteria fill the town of Cullman, Alabama. It's 1961 and twelve-year-old Johnny Cannon finds himself smack in the middle of the the town's troubles. Johnny's problems go from bad to worse when his older brother goes off on a secret mission, leaving him in charge of his ailing Pa. Johnny befriends the African-American pastor's son, Willie, drawing ire of the Klu Klux Klan and if that is not enough, his father's antics in their backyard shed and his secret radio station bring more unwanted attention from the CIA.

Though Johhny would rather be hunting, he ends up face to face with Fidel Castro and embroiled in  the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Though the story grows increasing more implausible, Johnny's lessons about friendship and the true meaning of family add heart to an already strong character.

Well developed characters and Johnny's original voice make for a fun adventure that will leave the reader with troubles of his own while hiding under the covers with a flashlight after bedtime to discover the fate of his new hero.

Rating: Highly Recommeded ★★★★★

Publishing Information:

Publisher: S&S Books for Young Readers (Oct. 14,2014)

ISBN: 978-1-48140039-8

Pages 

Ages: 8-12

This book can be purchased from the following retailers: 

Middle Grade Author List for Boys

Tweet My list of awesome middle grade authors for boys. These authors write great books for boys. Their work encompasses ages 8-12 and middle grade 10-14. Lists are always a work in progress and more great authors will be added when I find them.

Lynn Reid Banks
Dale E. Basye
Holly Black
Judy Blume  
Michael Buckley
Sheila Burnford
Beverly Cleary
Andrew Clements
Eoin Colfer 
Sneed Collard  
Christopher Paul Curtis
Roald Dahl 
Kate DiCamillo 
Tony DiTerlizzi
Neil Gaiman  
Dee Garretson
Fred Gibson 
Will Hobbs 
Anthony Horowitz  
Brian Jacques
Jeff Kinney
Rudyard Kipling
Matthew Kirby
E. L. Konisburg
C.S. Lewis
Jack London
Dean Lorey 
Brandon Mull
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor 
Mary Norton
Wendy Orr
Linda Sue Park 
Katherine Paterson  
Gary Paulsen 
Rick Riordan 
Thomas Rockwell
J.K. Rowling
Louis Sachar
Angie Sage
Darren Shan
Obert Skye
Lemony Snicket  
Jerry Spinelli
Will Weaver 
E.B. White

Passion For Middle Grade

Tweet Okay, I'll admit it. I have a soft spot for middle grade novels. I love the versatility. Middle grade books can be enjoyed by any age. From Charlotte's Web by E.B. White to Beyonders by Brandon Mull, middle grade encompasses a whole array of great reading.

What is middle grade? 

In the publishing world, middle grade usually refers to books for ages 8-12. However, most publishers like to divide it out further by adding ages 10-14 for upper middle grade to young adult. Many middle grade novels are also considered young adult like the Harry Potter Series. The Harry Potter books are a great example of a series that moves from middle grade to young adult. The main character in a middle grade novel is usually 12 years old or younger. However, sometimes the main character is 12 years old, and the novel fits closer into the young adult category. Many Newbery winners fit into the middle grade category. Early Readers and Chapter books are not considered middle grade, but fit into a category of their own.

When is my child ready for middle grade?

The beauty of middle grade is that even younger children are ready to listen to a middle grade book before the age of eight. As far as reading middle grade on their own, there are a lot of middle grade novels written for lower middle grade. These tend to be 100 pages or less. When your child has mastered the chapter book and is looking for a new challenge, it is time to move up. I don't put an age on that. I have known 8 year olds that are ready for books beyond 100 pages and are reading far beyond their age. I have also known 8 year olds that are struggling to move past the chapter book. Even for those that struggle reading the chapter book, it is still a great idea to introduce them to some of the classic middle grade literature like Stuart Little or Frindle.
Many 10 year olds are ready for the upper middle grade like the Fablehaven series.

Most importantly, don't put limitations on your child. Let them read whatever they want and provide them with good books.

Coming soon: Book lists for middle grade.