Enslaved Series by Katie Clark

This review is for all three books in this series.  This is a must read.

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Christian, Science Fiction
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Vanquished Book 1
Imagine a future where society is divided into three classes; Lessers, Middles, and the Greaters. Every dystopian society must have someone at the top who perverts life. In this case the Greaters have control of everything that affects the Middles and Lessers including medicine that could cure people. They have also outlawed religion. In this story we meet Hana who's mother has become deathly ill. She has cancer. Hana's society is so controlled she has a curfew, isn't allowed to date, and has grown to believe everything the Greaters have told her. But, when her mom gets sick and she is told there is no medicine for her mom she begins to open her eyes and look around at what is really happening. A medic named Fischer at the hospital tells her that there is a power higher than the Greaters who can help her mom. He shows her a forbidden Bible and encourages her to seek the truth. Her eyes are opened to so many things that are wrong in her world. She realizes that a lot of what is wrong has been created by the Greaters who supposedly have society's best interest in mind.
This is a great and unique dystopian because it isn't just about questioning the upper end of society, but their forced outlawing of religion.  Unfortunately, it is beginning to parallel our world way too much.  This is a book I would definitely recommend. 

Deliverance Book 2

This book picks up right where the first one ended. In this sequel we get more of a Hunger Games feel. Hana is in the Greater City where the president takes and interest in her, just as President Snow did in The Hunger Games. However, this is not as similar to the previous mentioned series from this point forward. Hana really wants to help. Unfortunately what she does is often inadvertently  at the cost of others. She is now a 'Greater'. This puts her in a position to learn what is truly happening with the government. It also puts her in the crosshairs of the president. He knows she has become a threat. She has found a pocket of Christians that have not let the government take away their belief system. Now she must find a way to let people know what is really happening, and at the same time protect those she loves. The suspense just keeps getting higher and higher.  One suggestion for the reader is make sure you own all three books because you are going to want to read them one after another.

Redeemer Book 3
In this book there are so many changes for Hana. She's been stripped of being a Greater. This in itself opens the door for her to truly find and do what she must for the greater good of society.  This book is so suspenseful and full of twists and turns you can't put it down.  The author has done an excellent job of tying everything up. It has a very satisfying ending. This is also a series I would definitely reread. I believe every time I read it I will see something a little bit different, something I missed the first time. Will I recommend it?  You'd better believe it. I will also be looking for other books by this author in the future. She is one awesome writer.



Author Bio

Katie Clark's published works include multiple children's books including A Tour of Your Muscular and Skeletal Systems, Animal Actors, Police Horses, and more. She is available for classroom visits and Skype chats to discuss her books. 

You can find her in the following places:

Website
Goodreads
Twitter
Facebook

Book Trailers
Enslaved Series
Beguiled Series

A Collection of Children's Books

Here is a collection of books  to put a smile on any child's face. They would make wonderful gifts.

Moo Moo the Happy Cow by Uncle Amon

Source: Purchased

This book is a series of short bedtime stories about a young cow named Moo-Moo and her mother. They are sold to another farm where they are loved very much.  Moo-Moo loves meeting all of the new animals and becoming their friend. She even has her first crush.  Like all of Uncle  Amon’s books this is wonderful for bedtime with small lessons sprinkled throughout.

Dragon’s Soup by Michael Yu

Source: Purchased

This is probably one of my favorites of Michael Yu’s stories.

This is a wondrous twist on the old tale “Stone Soup”. In this story a dragon wanting to change his ways and become kinder and gentler leaves his cave looking for friendship. He becomes hungry and asks a bear to share some food and is told that times are hard and he has none. The dragon devises a plan that will feed not only himself, but those who will become his newest friends.

Otto The Grouchy Owl by Rachel Yu

Source: Purchased

This book reminded me so much of my neice. Otto the grouchy owl doesn’t want to help his mom. He only wants to play. His mom insists he take some soup to his aunt. He complains to all of the barnyard animals about having do to something to help his mom He learns very quickly that sometimes helping others not only makes them feel better, but makes him feel better as well.

There are Monsters in My Room by Michael Yu

Source: Purchased

This is a cute story of a brave, young five and a half year-old girl who no longer runs to her mom at night. She has taken things into her own hands. She puts up stuffed animals and towers in front of her door all in an attept to keep undesirables (witches, gobins, and monsters out of hr room.

Mr. Getaway and the Christmas Elves by Sally Huss

Source: Purchased

When  the classroom teacher is sick after Thanksgiving break Mr. Getaway the substitute teacher comes to the rescue. The students know with him they will go on a learning adventure. This time he takes them to Santa’s workshop where they watch them work and learn what love is all about.

Whistle Beans by VS Grenier

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

This is a book every parent should read to their children. Especially if they are having trouble getting them to eat their vegetables. Through the tale of SugarPaw, who doesn’t eat vegetables we learn about the importance of vegetables. Who knows you just might learn to like your vegetables.

Skulls by Mike Artell

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

This is one of the coolest books I’ve read.  This book is full of a variety of skulls. But, it isn’t enough just to show the reader all of the cool skulls. The author tells us a little bit about the animal it came from and usually a great little unknown fact to go along with it. For example, did you know a nine-banded armadillo can hold its breath for almost six minutes or jump three to four feet straight up in the air?

Looking at the skull of the elephant leaves you wondering how it’s head is so big. Looking at the skull of a hippopotamus explains why they are the most dangerous animal in the world. One of the scariest and flimsiest looking skulls is that of the rattlesnake.  There are teeth on the lower and upper jaw and two humongous fangs. Looking at the variety of skulls tells you a lot about how animals survive. The Tiger’s skull shows a massive area for being able to sniff out its prey, not to mention it two massive fangs on top and bottom.  Words underlined in the text have a glossary in the back.  This is followed by a page of links for more information about plants, animals and other cool facts.

Where Do They Go When It Rains? By Helen H. Wu

I have always wondered where many of the animals go when it rains. This book tells about a monkey who is headed home when it starts to storm. He wonders the same thing. As he heads home he sees many animals and watches where they go. Great book for curious minds.

Danny and the Great Big Squirrel by Galit Glatter

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

Danny’s family took a trip to visit his grandfather in a nursing home. Danny saw all of the wonderful squirrels who searched for nuts. He decided he wanted  to feed the hungry squirrels. He and his mother take nuts out to the squirrels and feed them. The next day he asks his father to go with him. What happens when his nuts are taken by the biggest squirrel and where did it come from?

Blackie’s Magic Coat by Bat-Oren

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

Blackie was a dog who was afraid of big dogs and thunder, until he received a magic purple coat. He wore it everywhere. He believed the coat was magic which gave him the confidence to not fear the things he had feared before. But what will happen when he outgrows the coat?

It’s Fun to Be a Panda and a Koala by Francois Bissonnette

This book is full of facts about Pandas and Koalas. You learn where they live and what they eat, how they escape predators. The book is told from the perspective of the bears. This is a wonderful book full of wonderful packs.

Maggie Mouse Gets Lost by Haley Moonspur

When Maggie Mouse goes exploring she gets lost in a flower patch. Her mom looks high and low for her. She finally finds her in a flower patch because she remembered she needed to sit still.

Maggie Mouse Tells the Truth by Haley Moonspur

Maggie Mouse is playing with her baby sister while her mom bakes a pie. While trying to hide from her sister under a table she knocks over a frame. The frame breaks. She knows she should tell what truly happened but she is afraid she will get in trouble. What will happen  when she decides to do the wrong thing and tell a lie?

Books For Kids: Happy Monsters by Uncle Amon

In Argo Takes Flight, Argo the monster thought of nothing but flying from the time he was born. One day his parents told him and his siblings it was time to learn to fly. All of Argo’s siblings were successful, but Argo was not. He refused to try anymore. He stayed at home while his siblings practiced. His mother told him he had to keep trying. What would happen if he was unsuccessful again?

In Gigi Makes a Friend, Gigi is a garden monster. When her family moves to a new garden in front of a mansion by the sea she is reminded of the rules. There are only two of them. The first is not to eat too much off of one plant or branch because humans  might notice and the second is not to talk to humans.  What happens when Gigi talks to a human girl?

In Sunny’s Great Idea,  Sunny is a sunshine monster. There is a problem with this. When it is rainy or gloomy outside, sunshine monsters can’t be seen.  Sunny decides to do something about this so that they can go to school and see their reflection. What great idea has she come up with?

In Halloween Celebrates,  Halloween the monster loved the month of October. The day after Halloween he was sad. He wanted every day to be Halloween. He lived with all of the other Holiday monsters. He let it be known that he wanted to be the center of attention. What advice do you think they had for him?

In There’s a Monster Under My Bed, Fluff-Puff is an under the bed monster. He lived under Steven’s bed with his mommy. One night Fluff-Puff made too much noise and are almost discovered. This goes on for a week before Steven discovers the monsters. What will happen?

This is a wonderful  book full of wonderful stories.

Man of Darkness by Carmela Ben-Nun Moshe

When a young boy is ready to go to bed he begs his parents to sleep in his room and keep the light on.  His parents assure him that everything will be okay. When a dark shadow man shows up the boy orders him away. The man of darkness leaves and things change. There is no darkness. What will happen to all of the people and animals when there is no nighttime

Two Green Bananas by Miley Smiley

Two green bananas find themselves in a fruit bowl with an apple and an orange. The apple and orange make fun of the green bananas and tell them that no one would want them because they have no smell and are green. They run away outside. What will happen to them?

Plush Stories by Francois Bissonnette

In Caramel is Bored, Caramel the bear is bored. Chocolate the bear makes all kinds of suggestions. Caramel bear tells Chocolate what they would really like to do. Chocolate shares a way that Caramel can do everything they want to do. Read this story to find out the solution.

I Piggy Pooh is Cold, Piggy Pooh thinks it is cold in the house. When she asks the other animals they all think it feels fine. You must read this book to see what solution they come up with to help Piggy.

Camelea Like a Seagull by Suzanne Gohier

Camelea was preparing for her brother’s birthday by playing hide-and-seek with her.  She hid among the red hummingbird plants. She loved the way they looked. As she prepared for her brother’s party she asked her mom to braid her hair to look like the hummingbird plants. She was so full of energy she had to run it off. She ended up at the pond where she saw a seagull floating on the water. Watching the water moving up and down calmed her down. She enjoyed her brother’s party. When she had trouble falling asleep she remembered the seagull on the waves. A charming book.

Find it here and here.

The Tale of the Clownfish and the Great Shark by Lily Lexington

Jasper the clownfish constantly made jokes. He did whatever anyone ever dared him to do. One day his friends dared him to swim to the bottom of the ocean and steal a tooth from the shark who lived down there. When he is captured by an electric eel he finds himself saved by the great whale shark.  Will he be eaten or is there another chance for him?

Shimmer the Glowworm  Finds Her Glow  by  Shelby Herman

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

Shimmer the glowworm sits in her Me Tree. She refuses to dance or play with the other glowworms. She doesn’t feel like she is ready or really fits in. She is sent out of the cave to try to find her glow. She meets several creatures, an owl, raccoon, chameleon and others. As she helps them with their problems she begins to glow. Read this wonderful book to find out what helped her find her glow.

Three Monkeys Bundle by Rob "Nanook" Natiuk

Genre: Children's Picture Books
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Great group of stories to teach simple lessons through the antics of 3 monkeys and their friends.

Treehouse Lane  Book 1

Tale 1 – Move in, Shout Out

In this first  tale Booey, Hooey, and Fooey are looking for a treehouse to move into. They find an ad in the paper and go to meet the person in charge. They buy the treehouse without seeing it first. Will it be a great treehouse, or will they be sorry they bought it?

Tale 2 – Will a Gorilla Become a Pal

In this second tale as Booey, Hooey, and Fooey continue to work on their treehouse, they are visited by Kabooley the gorilla and Jerry the giraffe. Both of them want to become friends with them. Can these three monkeys become friends with two very different animals?Tale 3 – Strangers in Coconut Town

The three monkeys and Kabooley take a trip to Coconut town.  He teaches them how to cross the river by giving a snack to the crocodile and the turtle. But, when they get to the town they see three blue faced monkeys running toward them. Shortly after that they see some monkey cops coming to arrest them.

Tale 4 – Kabooley to the Rescue!

This is a continuation of take three. Kabooley ran back to track down the true robbers and bring them back to the jail. He needed to rescue his friends from jail. They found out how true a friend he was.

Tale 5 – The Big BIG Day!

In this tale we find our jungle friends playing in a soccer game. The prize is a whole lot of food. They are playing a group of orangutans. Do they stand a chance? Read the book to find out.

Go Bananas  Book Two

Tale 1 – The Awesome Threesome

The three monkeys and Kabooley headed to Coconut town to get some ice cream. They promised to bring back some lollipops  to the rhino who guards the bridge and the turtle and crocodile. They took most of their money and gave it to a family in need. Will they have enough to help their friends

Tale 2 – Adventures at the Circus

The three monkeys and their friend the gorilla wanted to visit the circus in town but the three monkeys only had sixteen cents between them and the gorilla only had twenty-seven cents. It would cost them four dollars to get into the circus.  Will they be able to go? How will they get in?

Tale 3 – Hooey’s Wonderful Not-So-Great Day

 Hooey woke up thinking he was going to have a wonderful day because the sun was shining brightly. It seemed from the minute he slid down the tree and got a splinter, then got bonked in the head with a coconut that his day was not going to be so great? What do you think? Will he have any blessings to count?

Tale 4 – Can’t Miss This Mess!

 Hooey was a messy monkey. Booey was always telling him something bad was going to happen if he didn’t clean up his room. Read this wonderful tale to find out just what could and did happen.

Book 3, Go Flying High

Tale 1 – Fooey’s  Banana-Licious Birthday

It is Fooey’s birthday and his sister Booey made his delicious cake. But what happens when he tries to blow out the trick candles on his cake? What special gift does he want from Kabooley?

Tale 2 – Kabooley’s Awesome Ride

Kabooley took the monkeys to the rodeo. Hooey had a surprise for Kabooley. He signed him up to ride the big brahma bull. He only had to stay on for ten seconds to win a hundred dollars. Do you think he can do it?

Tale 3 – Fooey’s Best Day Every Day!

The day after Fooey’s birthday he was sad. He wanted to have a birthday everyday and not have to wait 364 days until his next one. His brother Hooey and sister Booey come up with a great idea. Can you guess what it is?

Tale 4 – Pick a Picnic

The three monekeys set out for a picnic. They walked and walked to find the perfect place to have a picnic. They wanted a place no other animals would try to eat their food. Do you know where they had their picnic?

Tale 5 – Full of Hot Air Adventure

Kabooley the gorilla came by the monkeys treehouse to take them on a hot air balloon ride. Read along to see what great adventure they will have.

Book Four, Swing Low, Swing High

Tale 1 – Where’s Kabooley

When Kabooley doesn’t come around for several days the monkeys set out to find him. They find him in his house very sick. Read to find out how they help their friend.

Tale 2 – Storm Warning

When a big storm coming from all directions heads for the treehouse, guess who comes to help the three monkeys stay safe?

Tale 3 – A Really Big Visitor to the Jungle

The hippos get a really special visitor from North America. Can you figure out who would visit them?

Tale 4 – Can You

Kabooley visits the monkey and tells them about something special he bought in Coconut Town. Can you guess what it would be?  What will happen when he lets the three monkeys try it out?

Tale 5 – Mother Monkey Rhymes

This last tale is a remake of Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes into Mother Monkey Nursery Rhymes. The author has done a fabulous job recreating them to fit the monkey theme.

Book Five: Christmas Treehouse

Tale 1 – Christmas Tree Hunt

Booey, Hooey, and Fooey are three monkeys who live in the jungle. One day they received a package from their uncle. It was full of decorations for a Christmas tree. They set out through the jungle to find the perfect Christmas tree to decorate. When they realized there were no Christmas trees in the jungle they came up with the perfect solution. Can you guess what it was?

Tale 2 – Joyful Jungle Bells

It is Christmas and the three monkeys wanted to go to Coconut Town to buy themselves Christmas presents. They meet their new neighbors who will have nothing since the father is in the hospital. Will they be selfish and buy themselves gifts or will they discover what the true spirit of Christmas is?

Tale 3 – Grandpa Monk and Sunny Paws

In this tale Grandpa Monkey is telling the three monkeys the story of Sunny Paws who delivers candy and presents to all of the jungle animals. The songs that accompany each story is really a fun take on a familiar song.

Tale 4 – Laughter the Day After

In this story we find the three monkeys and their gorilla friend making New Years resolutions.  What kind of resolutions do you think they made?