Here I Come To Save the Day

I have been very busy the last couple weeks, so it has taken me a little longer than normal to get a new review up. It's summer and that means I'm spending a great deal of time with my kids. But I've got a fun superhero graphic novel for you today.

"Sidekicks"
By Dan Santat
For Ages 6 - 10
What do pets want more than anything? To spend time with their owners, of course. And if their owners are superheros, they may have to become sidekicks to get it. Superheroes, super-pets and super-villains make bring plenty of smiles to the adventure. Rated 3.25 (superheroes, family, comic violence)

Captain Amazing has been watching over Metro City for a long time. A very long time. He's getting old. That point is driven home when he bungles the take down of some villainous nere-do-wells. Captain Amazing decides it's time to take on a sidekick. Since he is out saving the city all around the clock, his loving pets decide to tryout for the part. So his hamster and newly acquired chameleon begin training, even though they don't seem to have any super powers. Amazing's dog gets into the act with a super power and his long lost cat, who can shock people, returns to the scene.

This story is less about crime fighting and more about sibling rivalry, loyalty and family. The pets are there for each other and Captain Amazing, no matter what. Santat, brings the highly energetic storyline to life with lovable characters and just enough heartstrings to bring a little depth to the shallow plot. Young superhero fans will be delighted by the easy-to-read structure and vibrant illustrations. Expect young readers to read "Sidekicks" a couple times before they begin looking for a sequel.

Get a Clue

I receive a lot of mysteries to review. So I'm sure I will post more throughout the summer, but this next one is the last of my mystery binge. I need to read something else.

“Jack Gets a Clue: The Case of the Beagle Burglar”

By Nancy Krulik

For Ages 5 – 10

If Dr. Doolittle were a young boy and a detective, he might be in stories similar to "Jack Gets a Clue." This simple mystery series is great for emerging readers. Available July 1. Rated 3.5 (mystery, talking animals, humor)

Young Jack has a pretty cool secret. After squirrels pelted him with acorns, Jack discovered he could speak with animals. So when his friend Leo’s homework goes missing and Jack’s dog Scout gets blamed, Jack knows he has to prove his dog’s innocence. He teams up with Elizabeth, who enjoys solving mysteries, to follow the clues to the homework stealing culprit.

This is a short chapter book series for young readers, similar to “Nancy Drew and the Clew Crew” or Encyclopedia Brown.” It’s fun and fast-paced with just enough mystery to keep young readers interested. If you like Krulik’s series, “Katie Kazoo Switcheroo,” or you are just a budding detective, “Jack Gets a Clue” is for you.

More Summer Mysteries

I'm still on my mystery kick. I've got two more that will make for good summer reading. The first one has a historical bent to it. Enjoy.

“The Midnight Tunnel: A Suzanna Snow Mystery”

By Angie Frazier

For Ages 5 – 10

Think Nancy Drew set in 1905 in Loch Harbor, New Brunswick. From a dark and stormy night to a Sherlock Holmes-style detective, this fast-paced mystery is perfect for young girls. Rated 3.75 (mystery, danger, history)

Suzanna is a young girl who has been trained by her parents, the managers of a luxury resort, to be well-mannered and proper. Of course, Suzanna would rather be a detective, like her uncle Bruce Snow. He is the Sherlock Holmes of Boston. One dark and stormy evening the daughter of a wealthy guest goes missing and Suzanna thinks she may have seen it happen. Though no one believes her, Suzanna sets out to find the truth. She is very excited when her uncle is called, but quickly finds disappointment upon meeting him and his assistant for the first time. They are very sexist. Nevertheless Suzanna sets out to follow the clues and make sure justice is served.

Although the story begins slowly the place and time are superbly set. Children will be surprised to see the amount of work kids as young as 11-years-old had to do at the turn of the century. When the mystery begins it is fast-paced and intriguing with twists and turns enough to keep readers guessing. Young female mystery buffs will eagerly await Suzanna’s next big mystery.

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.