Book Review: Rising Water by Marc Aronson

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

In June and July 2018, the world sat riveted to their television screens, grasping at every bit of news of the twelve members of the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach trapped deep inside the Tham Luang Cave Complex. Families and strangers wept and cheered when news reached them that the boys had been found alive.

Author, Marc Aronson, puts the emotion aside to bring the engrossing back story about the initial cave exploration of the soccer team and the ensuing rescue. Detailed accounts of the rescue teams from different countries show just how well the international community worked together to save the lives of team. From the top cave divers who were flown in from around the world to the brave Thai Navy Seal who lost his life placing oxygen tanks along the way, the reader gets a glimpse into just how dangerous the rescue mission really was. The account of the three day rescue is truly spine chilling. Aronson's attention to detail from press releases, interviews, press conferences, and television from sources of many countries involved in the rescue, gives a complete and accurate account of the near disastrous rescue mission. 

Rising Water keeps the reader engrossed in what feels like a new story all over again. Kudos to Aronson for highlighting social issues of the stateless team members. A definite must read for those who love real life adventure.

Rating: ★★★★★

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (March 19, 2019)

ISBN: 9781534444133

Ages: 10-14

Lu by Jason Reynolds Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review

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

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

Book Review: The Player King by Avi

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Cruelty and hard work make up the only life Lambert Simnel has ever known. Orphaned as a young boy, Lambert doesn't know anything of his past, not even his real age. The whisper, "Boy, I know who you really are," of the friar, Brother Simonds give Lambert a hint of his destiny.

Brother Simonds purchases Lambert and takes him away to school him on the art of becoming king. According to Brother Simonds, Lambert is the previous king's nephew, and rightful heir to the throne.       Lambert takes his cue from the street actors he's watched and strives to become a convincing king. Will the friar's selfish motives turn into a disaster for Lambert or will he sit upon the throne of Ireland? Though Lambert nearly convinces himself, truth prevails and brings an unfortunate twist of fate.

Readers of historical fiction will enjoy Lambert's adventure and may sympathize with his quest for belonging. A solid first person account of what might have happened in the history of Ireland.

Publishing Information 

Publisher: Atheneum

ISBN: 978-1-48143768-4

Pages: 208

Ages: 9-12

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Book Review: Charlie Bumpers Vs. the Puny Pirates

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Charlie Bumpers joins forces with his best friends, Tommy and Hector, on what he's sure will be his best soccer team ever. With the three of them on offense, Charlie figures they can win every game.

That is until he meets the other players.

To Charlie's dismay, his other teammates not only have no experience with the soccer ball but they lack size and speed as well. As if the team isn't dismal enough, their coach won't even put the terrific trio together at the same time. Instead the coach opts to have the players learn each position. Though the league doesn't keep score, Charlie can't help but count every loss.

To add insult to an already frustrating season, Charlie and his friends have to sell candy bars for the team but end up creating another disaster instead. To top it off, Charlie's brother films every bad play.

While Charlie learns life doesn't always work out the way he wants, he does find out what growing up really feels like. He also discovers his brother isn't as bad as he thought.  As always, Harley offers a touching glimpse into friendship and family life while creating a relatable story line.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Peachtree Publishers (September 1, 2016)

ISBN-13: 978-1561459391

Hardcover: 160 pages

Grade: 3-7

Ages: 8-12

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands: Book Review

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

Lucky to escape the orphanage to become an apprentice apothecary, Christopher Rowe realizes he has it better than other apprentices. His master, Benedict Blackthorn, treats him with kindness while teaching him how to solve codes and puzzles and how to create complex medicines and potions. 

The murder of his master by the Cult of the Archangel turns Christopher's world upside down. With the help of Tom, the baker's son, he determines to find his master's killer. Armed with a cryptic clue left in haste by his master, Christopher must use the puzzle solving skills he's learned before it's too late.

A brilliant debut by Sands brings together a smart and brave protagonist with an intriguing plot and a breathtaking adventure that will have the reader glued to the pages with nervous anticipation. In addition to the action, the historical background and touches of humor add to an already outstanding story.

Rating ★★★★★

Publishing Information:
Publisher: Aladdin (Septemter 1, 2015)
ISBN: 978-1481446518
Ages: 8-12

This book can be purchased from the following retailers:

Temple Run by Chase Wilder Set of 3 Paperback Books Giveaway

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I've teamed up with Egmont Publishers to offer my readers a great giveaway. Check out the set of three paperbacks we are giving away.

Temple Run Book One Run for Your Life!: Jungle Trek

Chase Wilder    

You're a lucky kid--for your birthday, you're having a destination party: a campout and scavenger hunt in an exotic locale. Depending on the choices you make, you will reach safety in time to enjoy your party, or you will be kidnapped and held for ransom, buying Guy and Scarlett time to make off with the treasure. You decide!

Temple Run Book Two Run for Your Life!: Doom Lagoon              

Chase Wilder    

You are an intern and will be accompanying the curator of an antiquities museum during school vacation on a dive to a newly discovered historic shipwreck. Depending on the choices you make, you will either be stranded at sea, drown, explore the wreck, or discover buried treasure. You decide!

Temple Run Downloaded Apptivity Book 

 Temple Run Downloaded is a cool, fast, addictive mobile game, and fans can relive the excitement with this activity book shaped like a tablet. Race down ancient temple walls, along sheer cliffs, and avoid evil monkeys as you challenge your brain to solve these fun puzzles. Temple Run Downloaded includes mazes, brain teasers, puzzles, 4 gatefold pages, and 4 sticker pages, with exclusive info about this favorite game and characters. Full color illustrations throughout.

Giveaway Details:

Please use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read the terms on the form and agree to them. Contest open to U.S. and Canada residents only. Ends 10/4/2014 at 11:59 EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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: Double Vision Code Name 711 by F. T. Bradley

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 Linc Baker thought his work as a junior secret agent with Pandora had come to a close. He learns all too soon that Pandora isn't finished with him.

When Pandora receives a threat on the president's family from within their ranks, they assign Linc the task of keeping the president's daughter, Amy, out of harms way. When the latest Dangerous Double, Washington's coat,  winds up missing, Linc springs into action to help find it before it is acquired by the wrong person. According to legends, the coat will make the owner invincible and must be kept safe. Linc investigates the Culper Ring (America's first Revolutionary War spies) to try to find clues to the coat and its location.

Linc, the lively and likable protagonist, carries the adventure that is a reminiscent twist on the National Treasure movies. Young readers will likely miss the comparison to similar story lines and endear themselves to their new spy hero.

Rating:  Good to Recommended ***1/2

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Harper Collins (Oct. 15, 2013)

Ages: 8-12

ISBN-13: 9780062104403

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**I received an advanced reader's copy of no value from the publisher to facilitate my review.**

Book Review: Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island by C.K. Volnek

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In 1587 over 115 colonists disappeared without a trace from Roanoke Island, North Carolina. When twelve-year-old, Jack Dahlgren, moves to Roanoke Island with his family, he is thrust in the middle of the the evil legends and forces that caused the disappearance of the colonists.

After his little sister is severely injured in a terrible accident and taken to the mainland, Jack ends up alone in the middle of a hurricane. Battling his guilt about the accident and his desire to be grown up, he discovers a real life monster intent on killing him.

With the help of a ghost dog, a huge mastiff, and a Native American shaman named Manny, Jack must figure out the meaning behind the clues he's given, battle the evil forces and save his family.

 Jack's bravery in the face of nail-biting danger had me so engrossed in the story I could hardly put it down. C.K. Volnek does an excellent job weaving the history and legends of the "Lost Colonists" in a spell binding story. I was so fascinated by the book I had to do my own research on the "Lost Colonists" and found Ms. Volnek's novel to be well researched and a scary twist on the legends. Great character development lends The Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island into a strong debut novel. Highly recommended for boys and girls who love ghost and other scary stories.Ages 8-12 but will appeal to older middle school children as well.

Publishing Info.

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Spark Books
• Publishing Date:November 30, 2011
• ISBN-10: 0615568351
• ISBN-13: 978-0615568355 

 Available as paperback and Kindle editions.

Click on the retailer links to purchase this book.