Mysterious Summer Reading

I've just returned from a wonderful vacation in Disney World with my family. The first attraction we rode at the Magic Kingdom was The Haunted Mansion . We always love that one. This time we discovered some new extras. The Disney imagineers have been hard at work. There are new interactive additions in the line and a few special surprises from the hitchhiking ghosts. The mysteries of The Haunted Mansion got me to thinking about reviewing mysteries.

“The Mysterious Four: Hauntings and Heists”

By Dan Poblocki
For Ages 8 – 12
There's a new Scooby gang in town and they want your help in solving the mysteries of Moon Hollow. This is a quick read for young readers. It's fun and help them practice using logic. Rated 3.5 (mystery, interaction, mild creepiness)

When Viola Hart moved with her family to the small town of Moon Hollow, she thought “there can’t be excitement everywhere.” But Viola loved a mystery and knew how to find them anywhere. Upon investigating her new neighborhood she makes quick friendships with Rosie, Woodrow and Sylvester. The corners of their yards come together in back of their houses, so this is where they convene their a new club – a mystery club.
The story progresses with several different kinds of mysteries. Each member of the club shares a story then asks questions on how to solve it. The mysteries are only slightly interactive since the answers are quickly provided, but they are fun and will help children use logic. The gang expose con artists, uncover the truth behind a local river monster and shed light on a far bigger mystery of the paranormal.

The book comes with a code for a free download of the e-book which contains an extra mystery. Young readers will enjoy the adventure and you can be encouraged that the mysteries entice children to pay attention to detail.

Bilingual Anyone?

Do your children take a foreign language class? Both of mine did, but no longer. The school system they attend now does not offer a language class until middle school. We have to supplement their language lessons at home. That got me to thinking about books that include a second language, such as "Bebe Goes Shopping." My children always enjoyed that one, but here is another:

“The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred”

By Samantha R. Vamos

Illustrated by Rafael Lopez

For Ages 4 - 8

If you’ve ever read “The House that Jack Built” you’ll understand the progressive-structured nature of this tale. The farm maiden and all the animals come together to make rice pudding. Rated 3.5 (rhyme, Spanish, recipe)

The story of the farm maiden build as she and the animals work together to make a rice pudding for the evening fiesta. Vamos uses repetition and relationships to expose children to Spanish words and their meanings. The accompanying illustrations, by Lopez, use vibrant colors and layers to evoke a folk art style that matches well with the traditional progressive-structured narrative. Readers will enjoy this rhythmic tale as a read-aloud at story time. They’ll also enjoy the rice pudding recipe and glossary of words, which can be found at the back of the book

A Summer Techno-Adventure

I read a lot of books. I'm not complaining about it either, I love books. But I have a hard time not reading all the books in a series once I get started, which can make reviewing new books difficult. Sequels get me every time. I just have to know how the author extended the story. Sometimes they do a great job. Sometimes they don't. Occasionally they leave the first book with a second already planned. Such is the case with the book I review for you today.

“Trackers, Book Two: Shantorian”

By Patrick Carman
For Ages 9 – 12
It's like "The Usual Suspects" for the teen set. The entire story is told from the confines of an interrogation room. The twists and turns keep you guessing about what's really going on through this fast-paced techno-mystery. Rated 4 (mystery, adventure, peril)

Taking up where Book One left off; Adam, Lewis, Emily and Finn are still in custody and being questioned by the FBI. In Book One we discover that Adam and his friends are high-tech experts capable of infiltrating anything and finding anyone. Soon they catch the eye of the Internet Security Directive, led by a man named Lazlo with the help of teen, tech genius Zara. The Directive wants Adam and his gang to work with them to catch Shantorian, a super-villain determined to shut down the Internet. It’s a complicated plot with several twists. Ultimately the team of friends find themselves in FBI custody being questioned for the theft of four billion dollars.

Adam is calm and collected in both books as he lays the entire story out for Agent Ganz. Evidence is offered in the form of videos which can be seen online, or the scripts that can be read at the back of the book. The pacing is fast, with little time spent on details other than those essential to the story. As the story unfolds the mystery becomes less about the theft and more about who Lazlo and Zara really are. Adam is the only character that ever truly gets developed but readers will find it easy to relate to him. Reluctant readers and tech-savvy preteens should enjoy this tale.

Train, Train...

I was thinking about summer travel recently and all the places people go. I don't know about you, but my children enjoy new places, especially those with subways, light rails, or monorails. Families with children who are fascinated with trains and subways will enjoy this picture book and if you are traveling to a city with special transportation opportunities this book should prove fun for the car.

“Subway Ride”

By Heather Miller

Illustrated by Sue Rama

For Ages 4 - 8

Lively illustrations and fun facts factual about the ten subway systems around the world make "Subway Ride" a must for children fascinated by transportation. Rated 3.75 (fun facts, transportation, world travel)

Five children head into the subway system for a trip to the park. Once on the train, each stop brings them to a new city, including: Atlanta, Moscow, London, Chicago and New York. In all, the children travel to ten different cities before reaching their final destination. When the doors open they leave the station and head out for a fun-filled day in the park.

Miller utilizes minimal text and flowing rhymes in an effort to keep the pace lively. Unfortunately the text sometimes comes across stilted, acting like a hiccup in the story's momentum. Rama’s vibrant digital collage and watercolor illustrations are easy for young readers to follow and add a pleasant energy to the story. The use of blushed lines and bright colors bring a sense of action and depth to each subway station. Young fans of trains and public transportation will be enthralled with the easy-to-digest information about landmark subways around the world.

Where For Art Thou...

Summer is fast approaching so now is the time to begin a summer reading list. You can add the last title I reviewed, "The Brass Monkeys." Although the book I am reviewing tonight is not Shakespearean in nature, "Romeo and Juliet" does play a significant role and it would make a good summer read for a preteen girls. 

“The Romeo and Juliet Code”

By Phoebe Stone
For Ages 9 – 12
A coming-of-age story set during World War II, this tale combines mystery, romance and humor to create an compelling narrative of the era. Rated 4 (mystery, war, romance)

It’s 1941 and the Germans are bombing London. Eleven-year-old Felicity Bathburn Budwig is is secreted out of the city by her parents and taken to her father’s family home in Bottlebay, Maine. There, she is unceremoniously left with The Gram, Felicity’s grandmother; Aunt Miami; Uncle Gideon; and “Captain Derek,” a 12-year-old adopted orphan recovering from polio. Shortly after her parents leave Uncle Gideon begins receiving letters from Felicity’s father, who is now in Portugal. However, he won’t let Felicity see the letters. Why? She teams up with Derek to discover where the letters are and break the mysterious code in which they are written. Throughout the story Felicity uncovers secrets about her family and finds her own place in the world.

Although at times it can be tiring, Stone's lyrical prose is easy on the ears and does a fantastic job of describing America on the brink of World War II. Stone uses humor, romance and mystery well to break the stress of self discovery and war. The characters are well developed and, event though the novel feels a bit old fashioned, readers will identify with Felicity and her scheming ways.

Funky Monkeys

Time for me to make up for lost time and load you up with some reviews. Expect several over the next few days. Yay, book reviews!

“Brass Monkeys”

By Terry Caszatt
For Ages 9 – 12
Think Jake Ransom, Alice in Wonderland, and Phantom Tollbooth all rolled into one. This school fantasy, adventure is a fun and strange trip that makes a great summer read. Rated 4 (fantasy, evil teachers, mild peril)

After being forced to transfer schools; Eugene, an awkward, eighth-grade boy and his mom move to a northern Michigan town in the middle of winter. Strange things begin happening as soon as they arrive in town. Several local kids take Eugene into their ranks, especially after they discover his nickname is Billy Bumpus. Evidently they had been given a message that “B.B.” was coming to town to save the school and all the students. Weird, huh? And things got even weirder on the first day of school. Then he meets his English teacher, Ms. “Ming the Merciless” Mingley – that's right, even weirder. Using a favorite tool of children’s literature, things really get moving when Eugene enters another world; an underworld. He begins and epic journey to save his fellow students and find McGinty, a legendary teacher who can stop Ming in her tracks.

The action is non-stop, the characters are believable and Caszatt develops the underworld of literary allusions and unused school supplies without error. He subtly makes a comment about poor teachers and the misguided education system sucking the life out of students. But he also shows how a few inspired teachers can make all the difference in the world. This is a page turner of a book that even reluctant readers won’t want to put it down until the story is over.

I See Paris, I See France...

Now that spring break and Easter vacation are over it's time for me to get back to work on the book reviews. The good news is I read a lot. So I have plenty to review.

"The Underpants Zoo"

By Brian Sendelbach

For Ages 3 - 7

There's a new zoo in town and you've never seen anything like it. There are more than zany animals that keep this tale fun for all. Rated 3.5 (humor, rhyme, underwear)

It's ridiculous and absurd. All the animals are in underwear. Hippos have hearts on their underpants, zebras have stars. What kind of underwear does a lion wear? How about a penguin? Sendelbach keeps this silly story moving with easy to read rhymes and fun illustrations. Kids will giggle with delight as ants join the party. This one is easy to enjoy as a read-aloud, especially with emerging readers.