Karmack by J.C. Whyte: Book Review

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Ebook received at no charge for review purposes.

Curtis "Sully" Sullenburg and his band of tough guys have terrorized the school for years. Proud of his reputation as a bully, he not only picks on other kids but antagonizes his teachers as well. Sully's life turns upside down when he meets a short creature with a big nose he names Karmack. Soon after meeting Karmack Sully notices that every time he picks on somebody or pulls a prank, something bad happens to him in return. Not only do bad things happen to him but to the rest of his gang of bullies as well.

It turns out that Karmack is a creation of nature whose purpose is to restore balance. If he fails at his mission, Sully and his friends will meet their doom. Sully realizes he must change his ways and convince his friends to do the same. If only he weren't the only one to see Karmack, it would make his job a lot easier.

Those who have ever been bullied will enjoy the boomerang effect of bad deeds coming back to those who deserve them. Anyone who has played the part of bully will learn why their actions hurt. Strong characters, fun action and a bit of fantasy help the story progress without preaching. At times Karmack's written dialect slows the pacing, but all in all a solid middle grade story.

Rating:   Recommended ****

Publishing Information:

 MuseItUp Publishing (June 6, 2013)
ASIN: B00D91LYIY

140 Pages

Ages 8-12

This book can be purchased from the following retailers:

The Super Book for Super Heroes: Review and Giveaway

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

What "child" hasn't dreamed of having super powers and saving the world? The Super Book For Super Heroes allows children of all ages to create the own super hero universe by providing endless hours of creative activities aimed at drawing the ultimate super hero and villain with gadgets a plenty. 

Readers can create a Secret Code Wheel and learn to send secret messages on their way to becoming an expert on all super powers. Just the right combination to create their own super hero and giving that hero just what he needs to save the world.

My child's creation

 With easy to follow instructions, the reader can create super heroes in all shapes and sizes. It would be wise to watch out for the villains as they are out in force as well. The best super heroes are nothing without a nasty villain to conquer. What type of villain will you create? One that can be easily conquered or one who nearly destroys the world before your super hero uses every last drop of energy and power to eke out victory? Only time and your imagination will tell.

It doesn't take a child good at art to enjoy the Super Book for Superheroes. Ready to assemble masks and an array of super hero stickers give a jump start to those who might feel timid about drawing. Step by step illustrations slowly build confidence in their own creative endeavors. A great activity book to pull a child away from the T.V. and video games. Just be sure to keep the refrigerator clear and have plenty of magnets handy for all of the cool displays that will appear proudly on its doors.

Rating: Recommended ****

Publishing Details:

Laurence King Publishing Ltd. (Oct. 2013)

Pages 128

ISBN:  9781780673059

This book can be purchased from the following retailers:

Giveaway Details:

One of my lucky readers will win a copy of The Super Book for Super Heroes by Jason Ford. Use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read the terms on the form and agree to them.Contest ends 12/9/2013 at 11:59 EST.

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The Other Side of Free by Krista Russell (Book Review & Giveaway)

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

When his Aunt Winnie sends 13-year-old, Jem, away from Charles Town into care of former slave named Phaedra, Jem struggles with resentment and anger.  Though lucky to escape his cruel master, Phaedra's demands make Jem feel like he has never found freedom. Instead of doing what he wants, Jem spends his time running errands for Phaedra at Fort Mose, a fort in Florida occupied by runaway slaves who have pledged their allegiance to the Spanish against the British in exchange for freedom.

Jem really wants to join the militia, but Phaedra insists he is too young. Instead, he runs errands for her and explores the forest where he finds a baby owlet he calls Omen. His adventures in the forest also lead him to the discovery of a slave rebellion. The English blame the Spanish for the uprising and declare war. Jem must overcome a series of missteps to help the people at Fort Mose, or face certain death.

After living in harsh slave conditions,  Jem's resentment toward Phaedra seems out of place. However, solid writing in handling a mature subject matter easily outweigh any character flaws. Though the younger middle grade reader may find The Other Side of Free challenging, the older reader may find the little known events in 1700's slave history fascinating. A solid piece of historical fiction by author Krista Russell.

Rating: Recommended ****

Publishing Information:

Peachtree Publishers (Oct. 2013)

ISBN:  978-1-56145-710-6

Ages: 10-14

This book can be purchased from the following retailers:

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read the terms on the form and agree to them. Contest ends 12/04/2013 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Prize fulfillment is by the publisher. Blog owner is not responsible for prize fulfillment

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Book Review and Giveaway: Darling, Mercy Dog of World War I by Alison Hart

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Review book received at no charge by publisher

Darling likes her comfortable home in England as a much loved family pet. When the British military drafts her into the war, Darling devises a sneaky plan to run away to return the children she loves. That is until she saves a wounded soldier and discovers her calling as a mercy dog.

Upon completion of her military training, Darling saves the lives of countless soldiers and witnesses the horrors of war. She must learn to dodge bullets, dig in the trenches to find the wounded, and hardest of all, ignore the dead.

The descriptions of battle introduce the young reader to the tragedies of war without being too gory. The focus on the narrative from a dog's point of view further the real point of courage and bravery as well as love and devotion. Anyone who has ever had a loyal dog as a best friend will have no trouble connecting to Darling and admiring her acts of heroism. A quick afterward on the history of dogs in World War I help the young reader further appreciate the loyalty of man's best friend.

Rating: Recommended ****

Publishing Information:

Peachtree Publishers (Oct. 2013)

ISBN: 978-1-56145-705-2

Ages: 7-10

This book can be purchase from the following retailers:

Giveaway Details:

Use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read the terms on the form and agree to them. Contest ends 11/30/2013 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Prize fulfillment is by 

the publisher. Blog owner is not responsible for prize fulfillment. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway