George and the Unbreakable Code by Lucy and Stephen Hawking: Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Something mysterious has happened to the world's computers resulting in banks giving out free money, people getting free food because the supermarkets can't charge. Computer glitches resulting in free airplane tickets sounds great until the aircrafts are shut down too. Best friends and neighbors, George and Annie, set out on a cosmic space adventure to find out who is hacking computers and causing the strange events on earth.

With the help of a computer named Cosmos, Annie and George pass through a portal that will take them to space. Here they meet up with an army of space robots and a villian with a quantum computer dressed in a onesie. The seriousness of what is happening on earth is undercut by the silliness of the villain.

The budding scientist and computer wiz might love the non-fictional information dumps rampant throughout the book. However, many readers will find the information distracting from an already ho hum plot. The fiction and non-fictional information did not enhance one another as much as it should for a children's book. Best read by an older middle grade reader who loves scientific facts and has an open mind of what might happen when facts meet fiction.

Rating:  ★★★✬☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers (9/6/16)

ISBN: 9781481466271

Ages: 8-12

This book can be purchased on Amazon.

Book Review: The Jupiter Pirates Hunt For The Hydra by Jason Fry

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ARC copy received at no charge to facilitate review.

Siblings, Tyco, Yana, and Carlos Hashoone all want nothing more than to be the next captain of the  family's privateer, Shadow Comet. Only one will get the honor.

In the meantime,  they must work together for the good of the Jovian Union as they learn what it takes to keep the dreaded Jupiter Pirates at bay. At only 12, Tyco is given an increasing amount of duties, one of which is to keep watches on the bridge. He finds himself and family in the middle of a conspiracy by Earth to infiltrate the Jovian Union. Will he finally be able to prove himself to the formidable captain, Diocletia, his own mother?

While the plot weakens at times, the strong sci-fi world building makes up for it. Interesting characters, especially the colorful Hashoone grandfather, Huff, will capture the readers attention. Though I would have loved to seen a more powerful antagonist, it does not distract from the action and great family dynamics. Science fiction with fantasy elements make The Jupiter Pirates Hunt for the Hydra, a solid introduction to a promising series.

Rating:  Recommended★★★★☆

Publishing Details

Publisher: Harper Collins (Dec. 23, 2013)

ISBN-10:0062230204 

ISBN-13 978-0062230201 

Pages: 256

Ages 8-12

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**Advanced Reader's Copy received at no charge to facilitate review. **