Book Review: Charlie Bumpers Vs. Really Nice Gnome by Bill Harley & Illustrated by Adam Gustavson

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Charlie Bumpers can't wait until his teacher posts the parts for the school play. He knows which part he wants, the Evil Sorcerer Kragon. Playing the bad guy sounds awesome. Instead, he gets the part of the Nice Gnome. He can't think of anything worse. Any part would be better than the Nice Gnome, even if it is the biggest part in the play. Too bad he can't just trade.

In fact, Charlie does try to trade parts but his teacher, Mrs. Burke, won't let him. When trading doesn't work, Charlie tries two other times to rid himself of such a nice part, even going so far as to rewrite all of his lines. All to no avail. 

Luckily, his big brother Matt gives Charlie a special set of sneakers to add to his costume, sure to put put the part of the Nice Gnome somewhere in the "cool" spectrum. Even better,  Charlie saves the play elevating him to hero status.

The younger middle grade reader will delight in Charlie's antics while at the same time will relate to the disappointment of not always getting what you want. Author, Bill Harley, pegs elementary school humor in a sequel that won't disappoint. The illustrations by Gustavson elicits additional laughs. The reader will anxiously wait the next installment.

Rating:  Recommended ★★★★☆


Publishing Information:

Publisher: Peachtree (April 1 2014)
Pages: 160 
ISBN: 978-1-56145-740-3
Ages: 7-10

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**Disclosure: Book received at no charge from publisher to facilitate review. No monetary compensation was received. As always, I am free to give an honest review based upon my actual experience.**

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Book Review: Out of the Blue by S.L. Rottman

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

With his mother's new promotion, Stuart Ballentyne faces yet another move. He and his mother head off to Minot, North Dakota where his mother will take command of the Air Force base. Though they have moved a lot, this move challenges Stu in ways which he has never experienced.

While his eight year-old neighbor, Billy, tries to befriend him, Stu notices odd things about the situation across the street and wonders about his young neighbor. Unfortunately, his older brother started college and did not make the move with them, nor did his father. This leaves no one for Stu to confide in about his suspicions. Instead, Stu keeps tries not to meddle. When he does finally intervene, it is not without serious consequences.

Stu's helplessness at what he witnesses leaves a gripping reminder that abuse can happen anywhere. The realistic look on the effects of deployment on the family and community will hit a chord to any teen who has a parent in the military. A strong plot-driven novel with a powerful social message recommended for the teen reader.

Rating:  Recommended ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers  (Reprint March 2014)

Pages: 288

ISBN 13- 978-1561457861

Ages: 12 and up

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Book Review: Coming Home (Bushido Chronicles #1) by Jason Brick

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review. 

When Connor Morgan and his mother move to Portland, Oregon to escape his abusive father, he finds himself facing a new set of problems. While struggling to land a spot on the varsity wrestling team, he faces three of his teammates who would like nothing more than to destroy him. It's bad enough that they chase him from the locker room in his underwear past the girl he likes outside into the cold, but worse, he discovers the dark secret of his teammates.

It turns out the bullies are possessed by ancient Japanese spirits who not only want to destroy him but the entire school and beyond.

Some of Connor's other team mates help protect him as he learns his destiny and how it fits into Japanese Samurai legends. He will have to learn to trust those closest to him as he prepares to fight the enemy. Though the romantic aspect seemed forced at times, plenty of action mixed with and interesting take on Japanese legend holds the reader's interest and will especially appeal to those interested in wrestling and the martial arts.

 Rating:  Recommended ★★★★☆

Publishing Information: 

Publisher: Bree Noa Publishing (March 15, 2014)

Pages: 272

Ages: 14 and up

ISBN: 978-1-938445-12-5

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Book Review: Bugged! How Insects Changed History by Sarah Albee and Illustrated by Robert Leighton

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Throughout history, humans have been getting sick and grossed out by bugs, literally. In fact, bugs have destroyed entire empires. Do you have the insatiable curiosity that wants to find out how bugs make people sick? Do you want a look into what famous person may have died from a mosquito bite? Did you know that bugs might have taken down entire armies. If you want to find the relationship to bugs and diseases, you may just be the next budding epidemiologist.

Reader take warning: Sara Albee does not write for the squeamish. In fact, she warns the faint of heart to stay away from the "TMI" side boxes but who can resist a "Pox Box" that reveals, "More awful tropical afflictions?" With all of the creepy illness causing parasites and horrible diseases spread by mosquitos, the reader will never want to skip hand washing and mosquito repellent again.

The reader can't help but getting the the creepy, crawlies from reading about bugs but their intrigue will help them push past the stomach jitters to delve into the fascinating historical facts.

Rating: Recommended ★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (April 2014)

ISBN: 978-0-8027-3422-8

Ages: 10-14