Youngtimer: Time Flies by G.G. Fulton

Genre: Middle Grades, Science Fiction

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

From Goodreads:

A TIME MACHINE IN THE HANDS OF A 12-YEAR-OLD! WHAT. COULD. POSSIBLY. GO. WRONG?

In this second book in the "Youngtimer: Adventures In Time" Series, best friend's Carly and Patti are happy to have the summer off from school, and are determined to make the most of it.

Carly's time machine is calling their names!

In between saving her "only" brother, Brad, from a difficult situation involving a 6'6", 275 pound linebacker, and a run in with the school drama queen, Carly and Patti are off on more great adventures as they carry out Carly's big plans: I Heart Grampa; Time Flies; Extra Extra Hunger; and De-Bully Lulu.

Come along for the ride to non-stop fun and adventure.

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in this series and it is just as enjoyable as the first. Carly, along with her best friend Patti set off on several adventures.  This time things don’t go quite as smoothly. This series is really enjoyable.  Adults and kids can both relate to the characters. They and their time travel are very believable. This is a series my students will definitely love to read. The adventure of time travel will be enough for some people. The idea of traveling back through time to witness parts of history make this even more worth the read. If you haven’t checked out this series yet then you had better get started, to see what you have been missing.

When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Good Person by WIGU

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

When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Good Person
Genre: Children/Middle Grade Non-fiction
Like all of the other books in this series, children learn so much. In this particular book, two young boys are getting ready to go to a funeral. They don't want to go, but their parents insist they must because it is the right thing to do. Once at the funeral they learn so much about Mr. Beckett and the life he lead. He was a friend to everyone. He believed that you had to be the best person you could.  After listening to all that the different adults had to say Brendan and Blake decide that they want to grow up to be like Mr. Beckett and be the best person that they can be.  I love the lessons that are taught throughout this book.


If You Were Me and Lived in Italy by Carole P. Roman

Genre: Children's Picture Book
This is another book that takes the reader on a journey. This time we visit Italy. Italy is the home of the Roman Empire.  I also learned that the Catholic church is considered an independent state and the capital is Vatican City. Italy is also home to so many wonderful old ruins, such as the Colosseum. One other ting I learned is that March 8th is International women's Day. If you want to learn all about Italy, the country and it's culture then get your hands on this wonderful book and share it with a child.

Navy Seals For Kids by Eric Z
Genre: Children's Nonfiction Picture Book
I had always heard how grueling the training to become a Navy seal was. I really had no idea how truly tough it is until I read this book. This is a small book packed with a tone of information about what it takes to become a Navy seal. I now understand why so many who try the program wash out. It is not for the faint of heart. I have a new respect for these people we call Navy seals.



A Home For Kayla by Kim English

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Once there was a stray dog who found herself hungry and cold. A kind lady picked her up and took her to an animal shelter. The brown dog was given food to eat and clean water to drink and put in a cage.  She had no name, only a number she was given, the number twenty-two. She watched people come in looking for a forever dog.  She watched a lot of her new friends find their forever home. No one seemed to want her. Everyone assured her that someone would want her. One day a young girl named Katie and her father came into the shelter. Katie walked past all of the other dogs and stood in front of number twenty two.  Will this cute little brown dog find a home? This is a story with a great message of how important it is to find your pet at your local animal shelter.

The Doll's House by M.J. Aldridge

Genre: Adult, Thriller

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

From Goodreads:

The bestselling author of Eeny Meeny and Pop Goes the Weaselbrings back Detective Helen Grace, who is hot on the trail of a twisted serial killer in this gripping new thriller.

Detective Helen Grace is on the trail of a twisted serial killer in this gripping thriller in the “taut, fast-paced”* international bestselling series.

Ruby wakes up in a strange room. Her captor calmly explains that no one is looking for her. No one wants her. Except him.

When the body of a woman is found buried on a secluded beach, Detective Helen Grace is called to the scene. She knows right away that the killer is no amateur. The woman has been dead for years, and no one has even reported her missing. But why would they? She’s still sending text messages to her family.

Helen is convinced that a criminal mastermind is at work: someone very smart, very careful, and worst of all, very patient. But as she struggles to piece together the killer’s motive, time is running out for a victim who is still alive... 

My Thoughts:

Let me start off by saying that I loved this third book more than the last one.  This one kept my heart pounding.  I felt like I was in that room with Ruby.  I felt the fear/terror she felt every time her captor was there. He expected her to behave in a normal manner at times. This in my opinion was part of his delusion. This book starts off with our favorite detective finding a body buried on the beach, then later two more. She knows it isn't a coincidence. This serial killer was more terrifying to me. He kept his victims for prolonged periods of time and even after they were dead he kept their loved ones believing things were okay because they received text messages from them. That scared me realizing that this could and has happened in our present time.

When Helen discovers Ruby Sprackling has disappeared she is sure that Ruby has fallen victim to this same serial killer. She is determined to do everything in her power to make sure Ruby comes home.  I found myself often holding my breath. There is so much tension in this book. If you haven’t read this series I would suggest you pick this series up and get started.