Shadow Stalker by Renee Scattergood

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

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

Brief Synopsis:

A young shadow stalker is destined to enslave the people of the Serpent Isles, and the Galvadi Empire want this child of prophecy dead. Auren Trasks perfectly normal life is disrupted when the Galvadi invade, and she learns a startling secret about her past. A secret that will change her life forever.

Auren has literally lived a fairly protected life. She has lived with her step-father Kato whose job was to protect her. Protect her from what?  Ahhh… there are so many secrets that slowly unfold.  Auren like a lot of teens rebels against her step-father. When their land is invaded Kato whisks her away where she learns who and what she truly is. He trains her harder. This of course makes the tension greater.  The author leaves you asking so many questions as she complicates Auren’s life.  The world building the author has done is extraordinary.  For me I loved the fact that this is written as a series.  I loved how real Auren’s character felt.  Her teen behavior is spot on.  This book grabs you from the very beginning. I am always telling my students that when they write, their hook must grab the reader or else they have lost them from the very beginning. Scattergood’s story hooks you so well you can’t help but go along for the ride. The pacing is nice. We watch Auren change and grow in so many ways. She had created characters that you both love and hate. Kato was one of those characters.  I loved how protective he was of her, but really hated the way he demonstrated his protection at times.  If describing this book to my students, which I will, I would tell them that the scenes are electrifying.  I could picture this book as a movie in my head. The tension is tight enough you want to hold your breath to see what will happen next.  Although I received a copy of this first book to review, I have purchased #2 and #3.  I can’t wait to read them.  Well done Renee Scattergood.

You can visit her author website here.

Five Charming PIcture Books

I have had the privilege of reading several children's books lately. Unfortunately, until tonight I had not had time to write their review.  Here is a handful of the books I have read recently.


Lulu and Lainey...a French yarn by Lois Petren
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

First, let me tell you how beautiful the watercolored pictures are in this book. It enhances the charming story of a young girl named Lulu who loves to visit with her grandmother. When they are together they knit. One day Lulu takes her favorite ball of yarn with her and loses it in the park. This is a cute book that children will love. They can try to predict what happened to her ball of yarn and then read the book to find out what adventure her ball of yarn had.

If You Was Me and Lived in Cuba by Carole P. Roman
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

For me, this book was very personal. I was introduced to the Cuban culture when I married my first husband. Reading Carole's book was like going home. The food and celebrations were taught to my children. I am still close to Popi we lost Mami a couple of years ago. She would visit family in Cuba every few years and then tell me all about her trip to her former country. Carole gives the reader a look at the lives and the cultures of the people of Cuba.



Oh, Susannah, Things that Go Bump by Carole P. Roman
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Susannah has been invited by her best friend to attend a slumber party at her friend's house. As much as Susannah would normally love to spend time with Lola, a large part of her doesn't want to spend the night. Lola lives in a very old house that makes all kinds of strange noises. Lola's brother Kai loves to tease Susannah. He tells her the house is haunted. This story reminded me of ghost stories I would tell my sisters and cousins scaring everyone including myself. We lived in a 100-year-old house. Susannah learned that children often fear the unknown when there truly is nothing to fear.

Oh Susannah, It's In the Bag by Carole P. Roman
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Susannah is having a terrible day. She didn't complete her homework because she didn't understand it. As her day goes on more things pile up. She handles things b cramming them into her backpack and ignoring them. susannah learns a valuable lesson. She learns you can't avoid unpleasant things . you must face them and if needed ask for help. Now if I could only get my middle school kids to understand this.





Navy Seals For Kids H.A.L.O - Eric Z
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

My students love Eric Z's books. They are middle school students who love to learn about many of the things Eric writes about. They just don't want to read 300 pages to get the information. This book gives readers a look at the Navy Seal's job. The books take you from the planning of a mission to its completion. It has actual pictures which makes it even more appealing.

I Am Sleepless: Sim 299 by Johan Twiss

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

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

In some ways this book reminded me of the Ender’s series, because the hope of success in the war are children. However, that is where it deviates. The powers in charge have used human babies and injected them with something that often kills the baby. If they are lucky the serum works and they become one of many  species with specific gifts. Aiden is a freak among these freaks. He has two gifts. When they are in the pit practicing against each other he is suddenly able to meld his two gifts together. In this way he is able to anticipate his opponent’s moves and win.  This creates some enemies.  Each of these “gifts” comes with a defect. For Aiden the defect is he never sleeps. I loved that these species had identifiable characteristics. Aiden has the gift of a vibrant and a puzzler. He has green hair and gray skin. Most vibrunts are blind, but he is not. He also has the gift of a puzzler where he can figure complex things out.

They get the shakes and usually can’t sleep. Aiden is the youngest person to make it through most of the simulators. He is currently in sim 299. Three of his rivals end up with an invitation to that sim. They enter to seek revenge. They end up needing each other. Dixon is an agulator who can change the density of his body. Zana is a Mek. She is blue and although she is a dwarf, her engineering genius holds lots of promise. Unfortunately they usually sabotage their own work.  Aiden has two other friends  that help him . They all become like family.  But things are about to take a twisted turn. Someone doesn’t like what is happening and enters the game to shake things up.

It took me a little time to get the different type of characters straight and understand their gifts and defects. Once I understood it, I loved it. The world this author has created is beautiful.  It seems it is a simple world and then you realize how complex it is. The plot is fairly complex as well. There are a lot of hidden secrets. I loved the book so well that I bought the second book. I am really looking forward to reading it.