Death at Willow Creek Mine - J.D. Savid

Publisher:  Outskirts Press
Pages:  126
Source:  Review copy from author
Genre:  Adult, Literary Fiction


From Publisher:
 After the death of their parents, three brothers arrive in northwest Nevada to live with their widowed aunt. In time, Aaron, the oldest brother, fulfills his dream of reopening their aunt’s historic old gold mine, where he runs the mill that processes the ore. The youngest brother, Hector, works underground, extracting gold ore. Nathan is the middle brother. Mentally handicapped but physically strong, he undertakes menial jobs with joy and gusto. He especially enjoys walking to the small community of Rabbit Brush for the mail, and to the community’s garbage dump. Hector is easily irritated by Nathan’s foolish and sometimes dangerous antics, and Aaron worries that this could escalate into violence. He works to keep both brothers in check, but eventually, tragedy strikes—resulting in the ultimate cover-up.



My Thoughts:

I would like to say I really enjoyed the book but I didn’t.  I can’t say it was a bad book because it wasn’t.  It was just slow. It was well written.  The story line  seemed to progress slowly.  There was definitely a lot to think about after you finished the book. The summary on the back of the book talks about the three brothers who have inherited the mine.  Aaron the oldest sees everything through the lens of the Bible.  Nathan the middle brother is mentally challenged and Hector the youngest works in the mine extracting the ore.   The summary talks about a tragedy and an ultimate cover-up.  You don’t find out what happens until the last couple of pages.  By then it was kind of a let down.  As I read I kept thinking about a slow lazy summer day that sapped all of your strength.  That is how slow the reading went for me.  I am sure that there are people out there who would love this book but it just wasn’t a right fit for me.  If I gave stars I would have given this three and a half stars.  It was middle of the road for me.

About the Author:

J.D. Savid has published several articles and written short stories in his writing career, and was an award-winning correspondent for the Humboldt Sun in Winnemucca, Nevada. Death at Willow Creek Mine is based on an actual historic gold mine that Savid inherited from his adopted father. Over a period of 28 years, he explored nearly all of the 2,000 feet of underground workings. Although it’s been inactive for 70 years, the mine is estimated to have produced millions of dollars in gold.

Laugh With the Moon - Shana Burg

Publisher:  Delacorte Press
Pages:  256
Source:  Review copy from publisher for tour
Genre:  Middle Grade, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction

From Publisher:
Thirteen-year-old Clare Silver is stuck. Stuck in denial about her mother’s recent death. Stuck in the African jungle for sixty-four days without phone reception. Stuck with her father, a doctor who seems able to heal everyone but Clare. Clare feels like a fish out of water at Mzanga Full Primary School in Malawi, where she must learn a new language. Soon, though, she becomes immersed in her new surroundings and impressed with her fellow students, who are crowded into a tiny space, working on the floor among roosters and centipedes.  When Clare’s new friends take her on an outing to see the country, the trip goes horribly wrong, and Clare must face another heartbreak head-on. Only an orphan named Memory, who knows about love and loss, can teach Clare how to laugh with the moon.   Told from an American girl’s perspective, this story about how death teaches us to live and how love endures through our memories will capture the hearts of readers everywhere.

My Thoughts:  
I can't imagine being thirteen and losing my mother.  I have had many students who have had to go through this heart-rending situation.  What made this story even more emotional was knowing that Clare's father pulled her from everything and everyone she knew and loved and moved her to Malawi for six months.  Her father was excited to go back to a country he had worked in before.  Clare had decided to give her dad the silent treatment for the entire six months.  It's funny how meeting someone who has lost more than you have, and learning that there is always a silver lining if you look for it hard enough can help you heal and grow.  

Clare is stubborn, intelligent, artistic and very loving.  She has let the pain of losing her mother guide her for too long.  In Malawai she learns she has much to offer others as well as watching as others who have lost so much more give everything.  This was not an easy book to read.  It is a book I will put at the front of my class on the first day of school and recommend to all of my students.  I am trying to create global minded students.  My students may not be able to travel to Malawi or any other country less fortunate than we are here in the USA.  Through books like this one they will learn so much about what it takes to truly give of yourself.  They can learn that the simplest gesture can make a difference.  The fact that the book is full of information and facts because the author has been to Malawi holds great weight with me.  I loved the vocabulary throughout the book.  It is something else my students will love.

The book was so wonderfully written I could envision Clare's first encounter with a hippo and her shock at the school compared to her school back home.  The author did a wonderful job of bringing the reader along with her to Malawi.  I felt like I was a character walking beside  Clare, Memory and Agnes.    I will definitely read more by this author.  I look for great books to recommend to my students and my parents for their children.  This book is not just for middle schoolers or young adults.  This is a book that even adults will enjoy.  If you read no other book this year, this is the one you must read.

Want to find out more about this book?  Check out these other stops on Shana's Book Tour:

7/17: Mr. Schu Reads

7/17: Sharp Read

7/20: Journey of a Bookseller

7/22: Nerdy Book Club

7/24: From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle Grade Authors

7/25: Read, Write, Reflect

7/26: The Musings of a Book Addict

7/30: The Pirate Tree

7/31: The Pirate Tree

Find out more about Shana:

Check out her Bio here

Watch her book trailer here

Resources for Educators here

Follow her blog here

Student Saturday: Holes - Louis Sachar

Publisher:  Scholastic
Pages:  233
Genre:  Middle Grade Mystery
Student Reviewer:  Chandler


This book was about a kid named Stanley Yelnats and he goes to a camp, but not the camp he had thought.  Stanley got accused of stealing a pair of shoes from a famous baseball player.  So he gets sent off to a boys' camp in their Texas desert.  The camp counselors make all the boys their dig a hole 5 feet wide and 5 feet deep everyday for the rest of the time they're there.  stanley had to spend 6 months in the camp for stealing.

I always knew that Stanley was innocent because at the beginning of the story he gets picked on by all the other students.  In the middle of the book he learns to stick up for himself.  This one boy takes Stanley's notebook and flushes it down the toilet.  Stanley and the other boys there only get about a gallon of water for the whole day.  Most of the teachers there would  make fun of Stanley and compare him to the kids kid's even though they said his name on it.  At the end of the story, Stanley was proven not guilty and got to return home to his family and friends.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys comedy.  I would love to read this book again because it suits me.  This is definitely a book that I would give a five thumbs up.

The Island Horse - Susan Hughes

Publisher:  Kids Can Press, Ltd.

Pages:  160 pgs

Source:  Received a copy for review

Genre:  Grades 2 - 5, Animals, Historical Fiction

From Goodreads:

It's the early half of the 19th century in coastal Nova Scotia, and almost-ten-year-old Ellie is adjusting to the recent death of her mother. But just when she finally begins to feel happy again, Ellie and her father move to remote Sable Island, a tiny, windblown crescent of grass and sand in the Atlantic. While her father works, Ellie explores the island, feeling alone and furious with her pa for making them leave their beloved home. Even meeting a spirited island girl named Sarah does little to dispel her anger and grief. Then one afternoon, Ellie encounters a wild stallion grazing on the dunes, and slowly forges a secret connection with the beautiful horse she names Orchid. But Ellie soon learns that Orchid and his family are threatened, and it may be up to her to save them. Based on historical fact, this early chapter book is a touching exploration of loss and loneliness and the redemptive power of love and friendship

My Thoughts:

This is definitely a book for anyone who loves horses, or historical fiction.  There are so many themes here; moving on when things get tough, moving past loss and grief, facing hardships, and most importantly, friendship.  Ellie was a very believable character.  You  could see and understand her feelings.  I don’t think I would have wanted to leave the only home I’d ever known, especially if my mother had been buried there.  I enjoyed learning about Sable Island.  I had never heard of it and so learning some history is always a good thing for me.  I look forward to passing this on to students who will really enjoy this book.

Author Bio:
Susan Hughes is an award winning author whose books include Case Closed?, No Girls Allowed, Earth to Audrey and Virginia.  She has loved horses since she was a child and has long dreamed of setting a story on Sable Island.  Susan lives in Toronto, Ontario.


Website:  http://www.susanhughes.ca/ 

Celtic Run – Sean Vogel

Publisher:  MB Publishing, LLC

Pages:  160

Source: Review copy from Pump Up Your Book Tours

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery

Celtic Run Synopsis by Sean Vogel:

Jake, a 14-year-old gadget whiz, didn’t plan on a summer full of treasure, thieves, and danger. He just got lucky.

While in Ireland on a class trip, Jake stumbles upon the first clue to a treasure missing from the Spanish Armada. Jake sees the riches as his chance to buy back the family sailboat and restore a piece of the life he enjoyed before his father was critically injured in an accident. Desperate to find the treasure, Jake teams up with Zach, his nemesis and class bully, and two girls in a clue-hunting chase across the Dingle Peninsula.

Dodging would-be thieves, exchanging wisecracks with Zach, and concocting ingenious devices to get them out of scrapes, Jake leads the team as they connect piece after piece to the 400-year-old mystery.

My Thoughts:

I seldom read books twice unless a long period of time has passed.  I read this book twice to make sure I had not missed anything.  I don't know if it is my desire to one day visit Ireland, my love of all things Irish, all coupled with characters that were very believable that made this such a wonderful book to read.  I was with them throughout their adventures.  I loved the way they had to go from one clue, and research different parts of the island to find what they were looking for.  I loved the way that Jake became more mature and assertive as time went on.  I really enjoyed the way he could come up with gadgets to help them out.  Once scene came to life in my mind that I could see Maggie dancing and hear the music in my head.  Maybe it is because my daughter did Irish dance for a couple of years.  I have a small collection Irish music.  Books like this make me want to research my family to see where we come from.  I know my great-grandfather and two of his brother's came from Ireland and settled along the Ohio River.  That is all I know at this point.  I will definitely recommend this book to my students.  I see this is the first in a series so I look forward to seeing what other adventures Jake will get himself into.

After reading all about Sean Vogel you can click on a link and visit his wonderful website where you will learn much more about him and Ireland.  Then click on the link to read an excerpt from chapter 1.  You won't be sorry you did.

Sean Vogel Bio:

Growing up in a small town in Michigan during the 1980s, Sean was provided with an excellent garden for cultivating his writing career. With only a few simplistic video games and three television channels, he became an accomplished daydreamer and a creative outside adventurer.

A son of a garbage truck driver, Sean often received “gently used” items from his father’s route. With a bit of imagination and a little tinkering, these items were reborn as tools for battles against backyard bandits. These childhood experiences would later serve as the foundation and inspiration for Jake McGreevy’s gadgetry expertise.

Seeking his own adventures, Sean joined the Army via an ROTC scholarship at Colorado State University. Living in Germany for several years gave him the opportunity to travel extensively in Europe. During his time in the Army, he served in the Field Artillery and Signal Corp, rising to the rank of Captain and receiving the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Iraq.

Sean started drafting novels out of boredom during long deployments in the military; a pen is easier to carry than a guitar. But he soon fell in love with the frustrating, yet satisfying science called writing and has been hard at work ever since.

When he’s not helping his main character Jake get out of tangles, Sean is a department manager for a large aerospace company. He lives in Denver with his wife and their two dachshunds.

Visit his website here

Read Chapter 1 here

Submerged - Dani Pettrey

Publisher:  Bethany House

Pages:  320

Source:  Received a review copy from publisher

Genre: Christian, Romance, Suspense

From the Publisher:

A sabotaged plane.  Two dead deep-water divers. One single clue.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again.  She has a past, and a reputation—and Yancey’s a town that doesn’t forget.  She’s returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bailey’s own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives.  He can face the fear a murderer may be threatening his town.  But facing the reality of Bailey’s reappearance is a tougher challenge.  She broke his heart…but doesn’t seem to be the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago.  And he’s not the same guy she left behind.

Racing against the clock and a rising body count, Bailey and Cole must move beyond the hurts of their pasts to work together until the truth of what is hidden in the depths finally surfaces.

My Thoughts:

This sucked me in right from the beginning.  We get a good look at how things we do in our teens can scar us.  It doesn’t matter if we come to the Lord and he takes away our sins, we have a tendency to hold on to things because we thing we don’t deserve forgiveness.  This  is how Bailey feels.  When she has to return to the home of her teen years she believes EVERYONE will remember her the way she was and not see her for the person she has become.  I loved how Cole could see the difference and instead of pushing Bailey to recognize and accept the change in herself he prayed that God would open her eyes. 

The suspense was awesome.  I know this is only the first book in the series.  I can’t wait to find out more about Landon and Jake, and the mysterious missing brother Reef.  We were left with just a small look at their character.  There is so much more to be learned.  If you are looking for a book that will hold you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, this is it.  If you are looking for a book that has a Godly message but doesn’t preach at you, then this is definitely the book for you.  You will fall in love with Piper who is  one of the kindest, most loving people.  She would do anything for you.  Cole is the very protective brother who runs the business with his siblings. Gage is the bottomless pit who always has Coles back as long as he is well fed. Kayden comes off as tough.  It is almost as if she THINKS she must prove herself to be equal in a man’s world. 

Landon the cop, and Jake the mysterious man who drifted into Yancey and works for Cole leave us wanting to know more of their life.

I must mention one other thing about this book.  I would never have thought I would become interested in Russian History.  This book not only teaches you a lot of Russian History, but if you are like me, you feel you must do more reading on the subject.  I love books that make me want to learn more.  I will definitely recommend this author and look forward to reading more of her books.  Shattered, the second book in her series should be out in February of 2013.

Author Website 

Author Bio  

Facebook

Tandem - Tracey Bateman

Publisher:  WaterBrook Press

Pages:  320

Source:  review copy from publisher

Genre: Adult, Christian, Fantasy

About This Book:

Six months ago, brutal murders shook the small Ozark town—murders that stopped after a house fire reportedly claimed the killer’s life. Lauryn McBride's family auction house has taken responsibility for the estate sale of one of the victims—the enigmatic Markus Chisom. Submerging herself in Chisom’s beautiful but strange world, Lauryn welcomes the reprieve from watching Alzheimer’s steal her father from her, piece by piece. She soon realizes that centuries-old secrets tie Abbey Hills to the Chisom estate and a mysterious evil will do anything to make sure those secrets stay hidden. Even the man who grew up loving her may not be able to protect Lauryn from the danger.

When Amede Dastillon receives an unexpected package from Abbey Hills, she hopes it might be the key in tracking down her beloved sister, long estranged from her family. Visiting Abbey Hills seems the logical next step in her search, but Amede is unusually affected by the town, and when mutilated carcasses begin turning up again in the small community, the local law enforcement isn’t sure if they are confronting a familiar evil or a new terror.

Two women brought together by questions that seem to have no answers.  Can they overcome the loss and darkness threatening to devour them—or will their own demons condemn them to an emotional wasteland?

My Thoughts: 

I will be the first to admit that I grew up loving vampire stories.  I always felt sorry for them because, raised as a Christian I always wondered, what happened if you were a Christian and were bitten and became a vampire.  Evidently Tracey Bateman had these same kind of thoughts.  One thing I really loved about this book is that it showed both kinds of vampires.  It showed those who were evil and those who truly wanted not to be what they were.

I loved the way Amede decided to follow in her father’s footsteps believing there was the possibility of redemption.  I also loved the way she helped Lauryn McBride realize the changes she needed to make in her own life so that she would not have the regrets that Amede had lived with.  I enjoyed the fact that I didn’t feel preached to.  The reason this is so important is that I have a student who has been reading adult books for quite a while.  She will devour anything about vampires.  

I know that she will be just as surprised at the ending as I was.  It took a major twist that has made me think about this book all day long.  Will I recommend this book?  You’d better believe it.  It was very good.  Since this was the first book I’d read by this author I figure I’d better check out some of her others.  I had read about “Thirsty” quite some time ago.  I was afraid I wouldn’t like it.  However,  I now have it on my to be read list.  If you aren’t sure whether this is a book for you then click on the link below and read the first chapter.  I guarantee you will like this book.

Author Bio:

Tracey Bateman lives in the Missouri Ozarks with her husband and family.  With more than thirty novels in print, including Thirsty and Tandem, Tracey spends all her time telling tales, creating characters, and dreaming of other worlds.

Links:

Tracey Bateman's Web Site 

Tracey Bateman featured in Christianity Today 

More Info 

Read Chapter One 

  

FTC Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange 

Fruit of My Spirit - Deanna Nowadnick

Publisher:  Rhododendron Books

Pages:  114

Source:  Review copy from author

Genre:  Christian Inspirational Memoir

From Goodreads:

Fruit of My Spirit is a memoir of missteps and misdeeds in which Deanna Nowadnick writes of the hugeness of God’s love and faithfulness. Reframing life in God’s grace, she discovers an indescribable, indefinable, inexplicable love that has encircled her without fail throughout life.  Fruit of My Spirit is for anyone who’s ever questioned God’s ability to love and forgive, who’s ever wondered about their place in God’s family or God’s place in theirs. Deanna offers hope for those who dare to question, who secretly wonder, and who fear to ask. Through stories of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, you will experience the enormity of god, too.

My Thoughts:

Deanna has written a book that gives us a lot to think about.  Through her stories of how God has walked with her and develop her spiritual gifts, we get to look at our own lives and see how God has helped us. 

She shows us that God doesn’t promise us we will have no struggles. She shows us that God can use any situation or struggle we have to help us grow.  Her life lessons learned through raising her children show us how God often uses our own children. 

As I have gone through several financial and physical challenges this year I have had that rebellious side of me that complained often and questioned God, asking “why me”?  After reading this book I have to ask, “why not me”?  This book is both a lesson and inspiring.  I hope Deanna continues to write.  I feel that God will use her to inspire and bless those of us who read her books.

Knee Deep – Jolene B. Perry

Publisher:  Tribute Books

Pages:  176

Source:  review copy from author

Genre:  Young Adult, Contemporary Fiction

Warning:  Due to the topic matter involving an abusive situation, this is not for anyone under age 14 unless read with parents or parental permission.

From Goodreads:

Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen.  He’s her soul mate.  He’s more uptight every day, but it’s not his fault.  His family life is stressful, and she’s adding to it.  She just needs to be more understanding, and he’ll start to be the boy she fell in love with.  She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.

Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in hr large blanketopias.  He’s the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she’s play opposite in Romeo and Juliet.  Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close.  This is new.  Is Ronnie falling for him?  Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.

Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both.

My Thoughts:

This is a book every teenage girl and boy should read.  I’ve known 8^th grade girls in relationships that turned ugly like this.  We as teachers suspected it was an abusive relationship but between guidance and parent conferences we were powerless.  We were told that we were reading more into the situations.  Then she ended up with a broken wrist.  She still thought it was her fault.

Ronnie, as a teen thinks she has found Mr. Right at the age of fourteen.  Teens are so fickle there is no way they could know at that age who they are made for.  Because of this belief system, when the relationship turns abusive she takes credit for it.  I’ve seen this behavior before.  It is hard to understand, but they are convinced the abuse is their fault. 

The author has done a wonderful job with all of the characters.  They are very believable.  The way they respond to each other is spot on.  I would have liked to see the mother more involved with the situation.  I felt she was pretty much oblivious.  

I loved the way the book ended, because it gives teens hope.  This is not a feel good book, nor is it an easy subject.  I applaud this author and rank her up there with authors like Laurie Halse Anderson and Jay Asher who willingly take on the much needed to be discussed, tough topics.  I will definitely look for more work by this author.  I will also recommend it highly to my students and parents.

Jolene Perry's Bio:
Jolene grew up in Wasilla, Alaska.  She graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in political science and French, which she used to teach math to middle schoolers.


After living in Washington, Utah and Las Vegas she now resides in Alaska with her husband, and two children.  Aside from writing, Jolene sews, plays the guitar, sings when forced, and spends as much time outside as possible.

She is also the author of Night Sky and The Next Door Boys.

Links:

Knee Deep web site:

http://knee-deep-book.blogspot.com/

 

Knee Deep Twitter hashtag:

#KneeDeep

Knee Deep GoodReads page:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12987551-knee-deep

Jolene Perry's Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002038196677

Jolene Perry's Twitter:

https://twitter.com/#!/JoleneBPerry

Jolene Perry's Website:

http://www.jolenebperry.com/

Jolene Perry's Blog:

http://www.jolenesbeenwriting.blogspot.com/

Jolene Perry's GoodReads:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4944599.Jolene_B_Perry

Student Saturday: Queen of Shadowthorn - Tony Abbot

Publisher: Scholastic
Pages:  128
Genre:  Middle Grade, Fantasy
Student Reviewer:  Austin

The Secrets of Droon:  Queen of Shadowthorn was written by Tony Abbott.  This book is number 31 in a series of books about the adventures of Eric Hinkle and his friends Julie and Neal.  Most of the story is in the imaginary world of Droon.  The children get from the the real world to Droon by going through a closet in Eric's basement.  There is where the adventures always begin.  The main characters are Eric, Julie, Neal, Keeah, Galen, and Salamandra.

In the beginning of this story, Eric loses his special powers of being able to read other languages and use silver sparks as magic.  This time the three friends work together to save Jaffa city from evil hand of Ko.  They encounter Salamandra who has returned from the future to help the four friends on this journey.  Meanwhile, Keeah, Neal, and Julie become trapped in a basement-like area and Eric and Galen have to find the silver thorn to rescue them.  The thorn had been lost by Salamandra on a previous trip to Droon.  To find it Eric and Galen travel to the upper (real) world.  It turns out to be hidden behind a book in the library.

When they finally return to Droon, they discovered that their friends had already escaped and were fighting Ko's beasts.  Eric and Galen helped them fight the beasts.  Eventually the beasts retreated leaving the group to celebrate the close call.  Eric then returned Salamandra her long lost silver thorn.  She explained to the friends that the silver thorn magically transforms into a land boat.  The friends take a ride in the land boat and end up in a fight with the evil Gethwing and his minions.  IN the end Gethwing and his minions are sent back in time and Eric still is waiting for his powers to return.

As a reader of mystery and fiction, I found this book to be even more amazing than previous book in the series, Escape from Jabar-Loo.  I can't wait to read the Special edition #5 that comes next in the series.  I would recommend this book to anyone for preteens and fiction lovers because the story was packed full of action and suspense.