Claude in the City by Alex T. Smith: Book Review and Giveaway

Tweet

Get ready for a fun adventure with Claude, the adorable dog, and his best friend,

 Sir Bobblysock.

Claude and Sir Bobblysock set out on their first visit to the city.

On day one, they visit a fancy cafe, discover the best beret shop in the world, visit an art gallery, and witness an art theft. Will Claude and Sir Bobblysock have what it takes to foil the robbery?

The next day, Claude rushes a sick Sir Bobblysock to the hospital. Quirky characters and a play on words with the doctor's name will have young readers snickering at every turn of the page. The pen and ink illustrations are a throwback to early readers of the sixties and seventies. The strong writing will make parents wish their first books had been as charming as Claude in the City. The splash of reds give the book a cartoon-like feel. It's almost impossible not to fall in love with Claude.
A HIGHLY RECOMMENDED early reader.

Purchase from the following retailers:

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Peachtree Publisher (April 2013)

Pages: 96

ISBN 13-978-1561456970 


Giveaway Details:

One of my lucky readers will receive a copy of Claude in the City. Please use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read the terms on the Rafflecopter form and agree to them.

Contest ends April 26, 2013 at 11:59 EST.

**I received the book at no charge from the publisher to facilitate the review. No monetary compensation was exchanged and I was in no way obligated to give a positive review.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review & Giveaway: The Passage by James Killgore

Tweet

In 1862, the midst of the Civil War, fifteen-year old Sam Wood tempts fate when he forges his grandfather's name and convinces his best friend, Albert, to enlist in the Confederate Navy.

Unfortunately, life on board the ironclad CSS Arkansas proves to be more grueling than Sam had imagined. Hours of hard work leave him exhausted and disillusioned. It strains his friendships and morale.

As the Arkansas forges down the Yazoo River and on to the Mississippi toward Vicksburg, the passage becomes a fight for life and death in which Sam is ill-prepared. When the horrors of war become reality, he must question whether the cause of war was worth the consequences.

Sam says it best himself, "War had not made a man of me. It had only killed the boy I was."

The Passage by James Killgore contains a chilling lesson that war does not always make a man. A well researched novel that leaves the reader questioning whether there is any glory in becoming a soldier. The lessons learned are profound and the reference to the real CSS Arkansas make The Passage a story that will hit home to Civil War History buffs. Highly recommended historical fiction suited for teenagers ages 12-16.


Publishing Information:

Peachtree Publishers (October, 2006)
Pages: 249 hardback
Ages: 12 and up
ISBN 13 1-56145-384-6

Purchase from the following retailers:

Contest Details: One of my readers will receive a copy of The Passage by James Killgore. 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 4/18/2013 at 11:59 EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review & Giveaway: Rough Waters by S.L. Rottman

Tweet

After the death of their parents, Scott and his older brother, Gregg, are sent to live with an uncle they didn't know they had. Going from a bustling California suburb to a small town in Colorado proves to be difficult for both of them.

Their uncle puts them to work at his white-water rafting company to help make ends meet. Scott takes his job seriously and especially looks forward the days he gets to help on river trips. Though he revels in the thrill of the rapids, he also gains respect for the hazards the hidden in the white caps. Gregg, on the other hand, becomes rebellious. He experiments with drugs and alcohol and makes choices that not only endanger himself, but those around him as well.

Both boys struggle to learn how to survive on and off the water as they adjust to their new family dynamic. A budding romance brings welcome relief to the family tension. After getting past the cliche of having both parents die and discovering a long lost family member, the excitement picks up. Rottman's skill in describing the river adventures makes the reader feel as if they're part of the ride. The river becomes a thrilling place to learn that actions can have life changing consequences.  Recommended for the reluctant early young adult reader and will especially appeal to the outdoor adventure loving teen.


                                                             Publishing Information

Publisher: Peachtree Publishing (May, 2012)

ISBN 13: 978-1-56145-413-6

Ages: 13-17 (Grades 7-12)

Purchase from the following Retailers.

Giveaway Details: Winner will receive a paperback copy of Rough Waters. Use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read the terms on the form and agree to them. Contest ends 4/2/2013 at 11:59 EST

**I received a copy of this book at no charge to facilitate the review. No monetary compensation was received and my review was in no way influenced by receiving a copy of the book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: The Fourth Stall Part III

Tweet

Mac and Vince have taken down their shingle in the fourth stall of the bathroom for good. As they start seventh grade, they enjoy their retirement from solving everybody's problems. Jimmy Two-Tone has offered a fifteen percent cut to take over their successful business and all they have to do is sit back and collect their pay.

t's not enough that their old nemesis, Staples, is back in town trying to cozy up to them so he can prove he's capable of taking over custody of his sister. It gets worse when all havoc breaks loose at their middle school. Mac and Vince try to get to the bottom of it and in doing so, uncover a plot to take down their school by Kinko, a third grade crime boss in the next town over. Will Mac and Vince have what it takes to stop the organized crime ring?

A fitting conclusion to The Fourth Stall Trilogy. The witty humor carries part III in story that fans of the protagonist, Mac, might find  a let-down compared to the previous installments. However, the hilarious quotes from Vince's grandma always balances out any disappointment in they story line. Fans of The Fourth Stall still won't want to miss this. Good to Recommended for the the budding crime novel enthusiast.

                                                       

   Publishing Information

Publisher: Waldon Pond Press (Feb. 2013)

ISBN 13: 978-0062120052

Pages: 304 hardcover

Ages: 8 and up

Purchase at the following:

**I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes only. ARC copies have no monetary value and in no way does receiving a review copy influence my reviews. No monetary compensation was received.