Zanta Claus:There's a new Claus in Town by D.C. Little

Genre: Adult, Humor, Fantasy
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Zanta Claus is the perfect story to read to start off your Christmas Holiday. David Kringle is Santa's brother. He is a successful writer who has Santa's support one hundred percent. Unfortunately not everyone loves what he writes. His latest best seller has put some of the elves in a bad light. Martin has been named in several of his books. When it is time for his family meal with his brother and family, he learns just how upset Martin is with him. To say the ride was frightful is an understatement. But, David isn't going to let this ruin the surprise he has for his brother. He has finally figured out what he wants to do with his life and he sees it as a compliment to his brothers life. David wants to become the Zanta Claus. As Zanta Claus he will reach out to all of those children and adults who no longer believe in Santa. He gets his brother's support and takes it before the Fairy Tale council where he is granted a one year trial. He has one year to set everything up and make it work before he meets back with the council. I loved that everything was the opposite so as not to take away from Santa. David's outfit was black with red fur and his shop was setup in the South Pole. They didn't make traditional toys, they went more with what would get the attention of those who no longer believed in Santa.  Will he succeed?  You will have to read it to find out.

This was a super funny book. I kept picturing Tim Allen and Will Ferrell as I read. I could see this as a great Christmas movie. I loved that the author gave Zanta his start with what appeared to be a mismatched group of elves and reindeer. Like all "Hallmark" type Christmas story, there was even a love story to go with it. It is so fun to read that I found I was finished before I knew it.  I definitely will reread this each year because in my book it is just that good.  I am so glad I was asked to read and review this book.


Author's Bio
D.C.'s passion for life has always burned bright. His writing is directly focused on providng readers a break from the realities of life through moments of laughter and joy.
. 

Two Intriguing Books by Michael Phillip Cash

The After House – Michael Phillip Cash

Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Out of all of Michael’s books, I have to say this one is probably my favorite.  First, I love ghost stories.  I don’t mean those that are full of horror and gore.  But, ghost stories in general.  I always have and always will.  In this story we start off with Eli, a whaling captain who finds himself in trouble. The whale they have harpooned has turned on them all and destroyed their ship. Then we switch to the present where we find Remy and her daughter moving into a 300  year old house that just happened to have belonged to Captain Eli.  Remy is divorced from her cheating and abusive husband.

Captain Eli is not happy that Remy and her daughter Olivia have moved in. They are nothing like the last renter who painted scenes of whaling on the walls. He was able to do this because Eli whispered in his ear at night.  The Captain tries to scare them away.  Olivia can see him and she kind of takes things into her own hands.  The Captain changes his tune and actually begins to protect them because in real life, someone is trying to kill Remy.  Throw into all of this the mayor of the town who has started dating Remy and you have the ingredients of a great story.  I could definitely tell you so much more. When I love a story I have a tendency to do that and spoil it for everyone. So, I will stop right here and tell you that you really must get this book and read it. If nothing else you really want to find out who is trying to kill Remy and what really happened to Captain Eli and his cabin boy.

Witches Protection Program – Michael Phillip Cash

Genre: Adult, Humor, Suspense

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

In the beginning of the book I felt sorry for Wes.  Everyone wants their family to approve of them. It seems that everything Wes tries to do, ends up in failure.  Add to this his dyslexia and you see why his father is so disappointed in him. I hated the idea that his father compared Wes to the rest of the family. After his latest mess up he is assigned a new partner named Alastair, and placed in the ancient and secret Witches Protection Program, where he is to protect the good witches of New York from the bad witches. This is hard for Wes because he has never believed in witches. His first assignment he has to protect a good witch named Morgan from her aunt. Morgan Pendragon is the heiress to the Pendragon Cosmetics Company. Her aunt is trying to use a spell on cosmetics to wreak havoc on the world. One thing that set this book apart from the author’s other books was the use of humor.  Michael is a very versatile writer and it shows in his ability to sprinkle humor throughout to hold your attention. All of his characters are well developed.  I loved the idea that his setting was New York, because it is such a diverse city.  I would say that this is a book you won’t be able to put down once you pick it up, so make sure you make time for just that reason.

The Rocket Book by Peter Newell

Genre: Children, Humor
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

From Goodreads:
"When Fritz,
the Janitor's bad kid,
Went snooping in the basement,
He found a rock snugly hid
Beneath the window casement.

He struck a match with one fell swoop;
Then, on the concrete kneeling,
he lit the rocket and-she-oop!
It shot up through the ceiling."

Long before Richard Scarry or Dr. Seuss, an American artist delighted a generation of children and their parents with hilarious, topsy-turvy illustrations and slightly subversive tales told in rhyme. This was illustrator/author Peter Newell.

Originally published in 1912, The Rocket Book remains as profoundly enjoyable and incredibly popular as ever. This classic work will delight readers of all ages with the story of how a rocket launched from the basement floor of an apartment building and how it interrupts the day.

Peter Newell (1862-1924) began his career as an artist drawing portraits, using crayons as his medium. In his fantastic humor, many believe, is the first appearance of the gentle humor of the absurd which The New Yorkerhas subsequently developed to such a high level.

My Thoughts:
Oh my, what a fun book to read  The rhymes were charming.  We see the consequences of on bad act and how they are perceived.  The janitor's son finds a rocket in the basement and lights it. The rocket takes off and goes through each of the floors above it.  On each floor we have a different incident taking place that is destroyed by the rocket coming through. The people in the apartments seem to be oblivious to what truly happened until it reaches the top floor.  I loved the way each floor had a two stanza rhyming poem to explain what happened.  I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. This is one of those charming books to be enjoyed by young and old alike.  The pictures definitely have an old time feel.  If I were to meet the author I would have to say, "More Please."

Time Square Time Shift – S.W. Lothian

Genre: Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Suspense, Humor
Source: I received a review copy from the author

 This is another wonderful series from this author.  In this series we meet Dr. Rex Hudson and his family.  Dr. Hudson and his assistant are in Peru at Machu Pichu looking for something important.  They find a black oblisk and have it shipped back to his home.  Once home he shares the exciting find with two of his three children, twins Eva and Lewis.  While inspecting it the three of them are sucked into it and find themselves in Time Square where all time goes through.  Unfortunately when they are sucked through the youngest son Thomas is left at home with his aunt who had been staying with them while their father is away.  Once in Time Square Dr. Hudson realizes by bringing back the oblisk he has upset time and time travelers everywhere are stuck.  He and the children must find a way to get back home and get the oblisk back to where it belongs.  Unfortunately the oblisk is stolen making their job more difficult.  The children are set to the task of helping to rescue those stuck in time.

Like his previous books in the Quest Series, S.W. Lothian is a master at creating time travel stories. The oher thing I love about his books is that he has the ability to tie adventure, suspense and humor all together in one book.  This is definitely the recipe for hooking a middle grade reader. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read and review this book. It is one I will put on my shelves at school and then sit and wait impatiently for the next book in the series.

Author Bio From Amazon

S.W. Lothian is a funny and cool guy from Australia. His kids call him 'Phil Dunphy', because he reminds them of the dad from Modern Family. He isn't sure whether this is a compliment or not, but he takes it as a compliment.
As an imaginative kid he dreamed of creating exciting worlds and funky characters, and thought he'd be the most famous person to ever do this. He loved to draw and was dux of Art in High School. Top of his dream list was to be an animator. He loved watching all those classic cartoons on TV - Scooby Doo, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Road Runner, Wacky Races, The Simpsons, the list goes on and on.

BOOM! Reality hit. The dreams were parked as the corporate world beckoned. Then, 25 years later, the long-held dream to create erupted like a jam donut in a microwave and S.W. started writing fiction for kids of all ages.

His books can be summed up as fun-action-packed-time-travel-adventures-for-the-kid-in-everyone. He writes stories to excite, inspire, teach and thrill. Stories with awesome edge-of-your-seat fun. Stories that let kids escape to new places, and adults remember the dreams of their own childhood.

His debut novel, The Golden Scarab, was a 2013 READERS' FAVORITE BOOK AWARD FINALIST.

S.W. Lothian can be followed via

Twitter 

Facebook 

Websites: www.swlothian.com and www.timesquaretheshift.wordpress.com

Student Saturday: The World According to Humphrey - Betty G. Birney

Student Reviewer: Emily   

From Goodreads:

You can learn a lot about life by observing another species. That’s what Humphrey was told when he was first brought to Room 26. And boy, is it true! In addition to his classroom escapades, each weekend this amazing hamster gets to sleep over with a different student, like Lower-Your-Voice-A.J. and Speak-Up-Sayeh. Soon Humphrey learns to read, write, and even shoot rubber bands (only in self-defense, of course). Humphrey has friends, adventures, and a cage with a lock-that doesn’t- lock. His life would be perfect, if only the teacher, Mrs. Brisbane, wasn’t out to get him!

Student's Thoughts:
This book is one of the best books I have ever read!  Humphrey is a hamster that lived with Mrs. Mac and she brings him to school because he is the classroom pet.  One day Mrs. Mac tells Humphrey  something.  She is moving back to Brazil!  The truth is she was a sub teacher for about two years for Mrs. Bristone because her husband got hurt in a car accident. I recommend this book to someone who loves animals and is up for laughing and adventure.

 

Scary School, by Derek the Ghost

Publisher:  HarperCollins

Pages:  256

Source:  Review copy from publisher

Genre:  MG, Humor

Scary School would be the perfect book to read aloud to the class at the beginning of the new school year.  As a teacher I’m always looking for that book that will hook my reluctant readers.  This is that book.  Imagine a school where monsters and humans go to school together.  Imagine that all of your teachers are monsters.  Hey, the students already think teachers are monsters for giving homework so this isn’t a far stretch of the imagination.  Imagine you are on a tour of the school with your tour guide Derick the Ghost.  He had died the previous year in a terrible accident at the school.  The new kid, Charles Nukid thinks everyone is real friendly when they holler, “Hey new kid”.

The teachers and other members of the school are wonderful to read about.  I laughed and laughed  when I read about Nurse Hairymoles.  She can cure whatever ails you. 

However, she makes sure you get something that is even worse.

The Ghoul Games were cool.  We are always talking about starting our school year by building community with our students so they learn up front to get along.  This book is a subtle way to teach students life lessons such as; no one is better than anyone else just because they are different. 

Will I recommend this book to my student?  You bet I will.  Currently I have an electronic version.  However, I will be purchasing a copy for my shelves along with a copy of the sequel “Monsters on the March”.  The illustrations by Scott M. Fischer are absolutely wonderful. 

Check out the book and then purchase the second one, to be released March 26.  This is a definite must read.  It is a book both young and old will enjoy.

Chomp - Carl Hiaasen

Pubisher:  Knopf Books for Young Readers (releases March 27, 2012)

Pages:  304

Source:  Received a review copy from publisher

Genre:  Middle Grade, Humorous Adventure

From Amazon:

Wahoo Cray lives in a zoo.  His father is an animal wrangler, so he’s grown up with all manner of gators, snakes, parrots, rats, monkeys, snappers, and more in his backyard.  The critters he can handle.  His father is the unpredictable one.

When his dad takes a job with a reality TV show called “Expedition Survival!”, Wahoo figures he’ll have to do a bit of wrangling himself—to keep his dad from killing Derek Badger, the show’s boneheaded star, before the shoot is over.

But the job keeps getting more complicated.  Derek badger seems to actually believe his PR and insists on using wild animals for his stunts.  And Wahoo’s acquired a shadow named Tuna—a girl who’s sporting a shiner courtesy of her old man and needs a place to hide out.

They’ve only been on location in the Everglades for a day before Derek gets bitten by a bat and goes missing in a storm.  Search parties head out and promptly get lost themselves.  And then Tuna’s dad shows up with a gun. . .

It’s anyone’s guess who will actually survive “Expedition Survival”. . . .

My Thoughts:

One of my favorite places to visit is the Florida Everglades. It is only a few hours south of where I live, and a place I consider to be extremely beautiful and dangerous.  There is a particular tourist attraction that takes customers on an  airboat ride.  My first trip with them was thrilling because we had someone with a Steve Irwin personality.  He loved describing everything; birds, plants, gators, the whole eco-system of the Everglades.  The highlight was getting to hold a live alligator.  When I was given the opportunity to read and review Chomp by Carl Hiaasen I was so excited.  It had gators, reality TV, and the Florida Everglades. In my mind it was everything you could ask for in a book.

The story starts off  funny, with a serious undertone that runs through it.  Wahoo’s father has been unable to work since a frozen iguana fell from a tree and hit him in the head causing a concussion.  His mother has picked up the slack.  Now she has been called out of the country to teach her clients for a few months.  With their finances in a mess she takes the job, leaving her husband and the zoo in Wahoo’s hands.  Shortly after she leaves, Wahoo’s dad  receives a call from “Expedition Survival” wanting to use some of their animals in their reality TV show.  Wahoo’s father Mickey accepts and tries his hardest to work through his pain.  Then he meets Derek, the biggest jerk. 

Derek was one of those characters that you will love to hate.  He is so full of himself as a star that he thinks when he snaps his fingers people should jump.  He makes decisions that could get him killed just because he believes what everyone on the show tells him.  This puts not only himself in danger, but also those around him.

I loved Wahoo’s character.  He not only truly cares about the animals but about people.  The story is full of bullies.  Derek bullies everyone on his show into doing what he wants.  Tuna’s father is the biggest bully of all.  Tuna is the young girl who shows up to hide from her abusive father.  We get a good look at reality TV and it makes you wonder how real it is.  Like Hiaasen’s previous books, “Hoot”, “Flush”, and “Scat”, we find environmental themes running throughout this book.  It is another great book to add to the shelf, to your collection of books by this great author.  I can’t wait to put this on my shelf at school.  The timing could not be better.  We are currently reading “Flush” as a class.  I know I will have students “chomping at the bit”. 

Eight Reviews to Finish Out 2011

This will be my last post for 2011.  I have been working hard for the last two weeks to catch up on books I had to read and review, and reviews I needed to post having already read the book.  If you are an author and I didn't get to your book in 2011, please be assured I will be getting to it in 2012.  I read an outstanding number of books this year from several different genre's.  I am a full time middle school teacher and I managed to publish my first novel.  I think I can say that I've had an extremely busy, yet fulfilling year.  I hope you enjoy these last reviews of 2011.  See you in 2012.

The Jinx  - D.F. Lamont

Publisher:  Lulu

Pages: 128

Source:  Review copy from author

Genre:  YA, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Adventure

About the Author:

D.F. Lamont has been writing for 20 years as a journalist and PR professional.  “The Jinx” is is first book for young Adults.

About the book:

Stephen Grayson, is a 13-year old whose run of bad luck gets so bad he worries he is endangering his family. Fearing he is cursed - or is turning into a super villain - he flees home to protect his loved ones, only to find that he is in the middle of a tug-of war between a cult obsessed with order and misshapen monsters known as “Chaons” who seem bent on hunting him down. It's a fun story for kids aged 8-13, and anyone who loves YA books and suspense

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this book very much.  I like science fiction, but it takes me longer to read it than any other genre because my nerdy brain is always trying to figure out the science and if it is real, could it really happen, etc.  I loved the characters in the book.  I think any kid who has ever had a bad day could identify with Stephen and his first day of school.

I would have liked to have learned more about  Daedalus.  Maybe we will see more of him and Stephen in another book.  I’d gladly read another adventure about them.  This is a book I will definitely recommend to my students and to anyone who loves Science Fiction/Fantasy

Links:

Readers can read the first chapter free - and get links to purchase ebooks (Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iPad) as well as softcover versions at:

http://thejinxbook.tumblr.com/

My Facebook Page for The Jinx is: http://www.facebook.com/TheJinxbyDFLamont

My author page on Goodreads is: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5134556.D_F_Lamont

Dead End in Norvelt – Jack Gantos

Publisher:  Farrar, Straus & Giroux

Pages:  352

Source:  Review copy from NetGalley

Genre:  Middle Grade, Mystery

Jack is caught between his arguing parents.  His mother has grounded him for firing a Japanese gun his father owned.  She has also volunteered him to help Mrs. Volker, a neighbor who writes obituaries.

Mrs. Volker has arthritis in her hands and can no longer write or type up the obituaries for the Norvelt News.  Through the obituaries she tells the history of the deceased.   The deceased have recently become the original women of the town of Norvelt. Jack loves this new job since he loves history.  He has one problem, if he gets overly excited his nose will begin to bleed.  As the elderly women of Norvelt begin to drop like flies, people are beginning to wonder if it is murder.  Mrs. Volker examines the bodies and pronounces each death that of natural causes.  Not everyone is convinced.  Could she be hiding something?  This was a wonderful book full of history and lessons that the reader won’t mind learning.  The mystery was enough to keep you reading, yet not so difficult you couldn’t figure it out.  Highly recommended reading.

Grandma Hazel's Funny, Funny Kidz Jokebook  - Rob Loughran

Publisher:  Bubba Caxton Books
Pages: 84

Source:  Received a review copy

Genre:  Jokes

Here, within these pages you will find all the jokes you, and your parents, and your grandparents ever told.    These are simple and most importantly clean jokes.  I sat in our yard swing reading these and chuckling.   My husband kept looking over at me and of course he had to ask and I obligingly told him the joke.  After all, I believe in sharing the laughs.  I look forward to sharing this book with my

students.

Echoes of Distant Thunder – Frank P. Slaughter

Publisher:  Arbutus Press

Pages:   279

Source:  Received a review copy from author

Genre: Historical Fiction

From Goodreads:

Twenty-year-old Michigan farm boy Will Castor finds his life changed forever as he is thrust into the harsh realities of nineteenth-century combat on the last day of the battle of Chickamauga. Wounded physically and mentally, Will escapes the battlefield aided by a war weary Confederate deserter, but can t escape the echoes of death and horror that will remain with him for the rest of his life. Returning to Michigan after the war, Will deals with guilt and recurring nightmares from his war experience, finding relief in the numbing effects of a bottle of whiskey and the bawdy houses of East Saginaw. He joins the rough and tumble world of Michigan s lumber boom as a land looker seeking the majestic white pine. Alone in the vast northern Michigan wilderness, he comes face to face with his demons and must make a decision life or death. Echoes of Distant Thunder is a compelling historical drama vividly portraying Michigan s rich history, landscape and participation in the Civil War. Author Frank P. Slaughter, a reenactor with Battery D First Michigan Light Artillery, brings stark realism to the battle scenes with his knowledge of Civil War tactics and munitions. On this the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, Will Castor s story could be the story of veterans from all wars as they continue to fight the battles that can t be left on the battlefield.

My thoughts:

This is a definite must read for anyone who loves the Civil War time period.  This is not just  a story of the Civil War.  This is Will Castor’s story of survival.  Survival can’t always be measured in the physical sense.  Anyone who has gone to battle must survive mentally as well.  Will must learn to put the demons that haunt him to rest if he is to have any kind of decent life.

This book was very authentic in its portrayal of the battle field.  This has to do with the fact that Mr. Slaughter is himself a re-enactor.  I felt as if I was on the battle fields at times.  This is not a comfortable feeling.  There again this book is not a feel good book.  Most books that are historically accurate take us out of our comfort zone and force us to face many unpleasant things.  This book is like that.  We as readers are forced to face the devastation of battle both upon the land, humans both body and mind.

I have a couple of friends who are not only history teachers, but find the Civil War to be their favorite topic.  I will definitely recommend this book to them.  I would also read any other book by this author.  It is not often I read a book so full of history that does not at some point bore me.  This book kept me drawn in until the end.

The Meaning of  Life and Other Stuff – Jimmy Gownley

Publisher:  Atheneum

Pages:  160

Source:  Received a copy for review

Genre:  Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

Product Description

Amelia McBride may be growing up, but she’s feeling down. If there’s one theme to her life, it’s that nothing lasts: not her parents’ marriage, not Aunt Tanner’s support, not the clubhouse for the Gathering of Awesome Super Pals (G.A.S.P.), not even her new spot on the stupid cheerleading squad. And while she’s learning all kinds of things about foot fungus, cheerwitches, and Reggie—who thinks Rhonda is CUTE?!—there’s still one thing Amelia can’t figure out, and that’s the meaning of life. It takes a grownup sort of tragedy for Amelia and her friends to realize that even when the world is scary, and life is as mystifying as ever, some things—like friendship—do last.

In Jimmy Gownley’s touching seventh installment of Amelia Rules!, Amelia may not find all the answers—but she does know how to ask the right questions. Who needs answers, anyway?

My Thoughts:

This is the seventh graphic novel in the Amelia Rules series.  This is a graphic series I would definitely recommend to my students.  They will definitely be able to identify with her.

Amelia is a typical middle schools student with the same typical problems as middle school students today.  Her parents are divorced, she has earned a reputation as a “bad kid”, and she faces how to help a friend whose father is serving in combat.  These are all realistic things that my middle school students face.  I’ve read these in e-book format and will definitely purchase these in physical form for my shelves.  Really nice graphic novel.  This is coming from someone who really doesn’t care for a lot of graphic novels.  This one I recommend.

Everneath – Brodi Ashton

Publisher:  Harper Collins

Pages:  384

Source:  Received an ARC from publisher for review

Genre:  Young Adult, Fantasy

Description from Amazon:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.
Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance—and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.
As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.

My Thoughts:

I immediately thought of school as I read this book.  We are currently teaching a unit on Greek mythology.  I have a student, who loves all things to do with Greek mythology.  This book will be passed on to her.  I know she will love this as much as I did.    This is a modern version of Persephone.  Nikki Beckett has just returned to her home town after being gone for half a year.  Rumors go around that she was involved in drugs.  That could not have been farther from the truth.

Nikki has actually been in the Everneath.  She is back among her people for only six months.  She is pursued by Cole from the Everneath and yet she is still in love with Jack.  Cole is an Everling and Nikki is what they called a Forfeit.  They capture a human and feed off of their energy for one hundred years.  Nikki survived the one hundred years.  She is  given six months to put her human life in order and then she must return to the Everneath.  If she doesn’t go back with Cole, where he wants to make her his queen, then she will be sent to the Tunnels.  She must decide which is worse, to be with Cole and feed off of other human’s energy while she has immortality, or to be stuck in the Tunnels where she will become part of what keeps everything running.  This was a refreshing take on mythology.  You expect one thing to happen and then you have that nice little twist.  I am looking forward to reading the second book when it comes out.  One last thought.  The cover of this book has probably been my favorite of all the books I have read this year.  It just truly popped out there in that red dress.  It was gorgeous.

Journey to Christmas Creek - Melinda Elmore

Publisher:  DWB Publishing

Pages:  50

Source:  Purchased

Genre:  Young Adult, Native American

On 10/04/2011 DWB Publishing author, Melinda Elmore lost her husband, Tommy, unexpectedly. She has a 13 yo daughter at home, and they had no insurance. Her book, Journey To Christmas Creek is a story Tommy told their children, and is being released by Dancing With Bear Publishing on 11/01/11. 100% of the royalties will go to the Elmore family to help them in this time of need. Please help promote this book and buy a copy. You will get a wonderful holiday, Native American, YA read and be helping out the family too.

My Thoughts:

This was such a wonderful story.  However it was another one that I had written up in a notebook and just came upon.   This is the story of bravery and stepping out on your own when you are not sure it is the right thing to do.  It is a story following your heart and being strong, and facing your fears.  The author's husband told this story to his children every year.  It is kind of a metaphor for Melinda's life now.  Follow Spotted Buffalo and his family as they must pack up in early 1800's and move to land where they can find buffalo and other things that wills sustain them.  They are not sure where they are to go.  When they make camp for the night Spotted Buffalo decides to go ahead so that he can impress his father by finding their new land.  His sister, Gentle Tears follows and he must take her with him.  Something happens and Gentle Tears must save her brother.  Read and find out what happens in this heart warming story.  

Links:  Melindaelmore.webs.com

www.dwbchildrensline.com

Shadows and Fire - Jennifer Fales

Publisher:  Outskirts Press, Inc.

Pages:  116

Source:  I received a review copy from the author

Genre:  

From Goodreads:

In the parallel world of the future, mankind has created its own worst enemy - a supernatural species of animal-human hybrids that exact a high toll in return for peace. Step into the dark, and occasionally funny, world of the domes where a brother and sister bridging the gap between these two species struggle to reunite with one another. Meet the menagerie of creatures that impact their lives and a man who would bring redemption, providing he doesn't get lost along the way. 

My Thoughts:

This was a unique book.  It was a little too short, leaving me wanting more.  I am glad that this is just the first book in this series.  The world building and character building are unique and wonderful.  A mixture of animal and humans have created a unique hybrid character.  The two twins were total opposites who obviously have a greater purpose once they are together.  The problem is we don't know yet what that purpose is.  I look forward to reading more from this author.

About the Author:

Jennifer Fales is an east coast girl transplanted to the west coast just shy of a decade ago  English is her native tongue, followed closely by sarcasm.  Her interests run the gamut from science to the supernatural, with a little kickboxing thrown in for good measure.  She currently lives in Corona California with her boyfriend.  This is her first novel.

Website:  jenniferfales.com

Lawn Boy and Lawn Boy Returns by Gary Paulsen

Publisher:  Yearling Books, 2007
Pages:  88
Genre:  Middle Grades Adventure
Source:  Purchased

Lawn Boy received a gift like no other for his birthday. His grandmother gave him his grandfather's old riding lawnmower. Since he needed a new inner tube for his bicycle he decided to mow a couple of lawns to earn the money. Little did he know when he traded out lawn mowing with a stock broker that his life would change. Here he was, only twelve years old and had more money than he knew what to do with and was the sponsor of a boxer. He had accomplished all of this without his parents knowledge. What would happen when they found out?

This was a really fun and quick read. I can't wait for my students to get their hands on it next year.



P ublisher:  Wendy Lamb Books, 2010
Pages:101
Genre:  Middle Grades Adventure
Source:  Purchased
In the sequel to Lawn Boy, we find the Lawn Boy's business has grown out of control. Now he has lawyers and accountants and bigger problems with taxes, and people who want a piece of his action. I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first one. A must read for all middle schoolers who like adventure.