Endless Summer Fun

My boys and I were recently watching "The Endless Summer," a pretty interesting surfing documentary from 1966. Surprisingly they really got into it. The movie got me to thinking about Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end to summer, and spending time on the beach. It all reminded me of a very nice picture book I read this summer.

"Wave"

By Suzy Lee
For Ages 4 – 8
If you have spent any time on the beach during the summer, you have surely witnessed this book in real life. "Wave" follows a small girl discovering the joys of ocean waves. Rated 4 (fiction, summer, no words)

Without a single word, Lee, brings the tale of a young girl discovering the beach and ocean waves to life with charcoal, acrylics and a touch of digital manipulation. The illustrations focus the reader on the simple give and take between the waves and the little girl. First, she chases. Then, she is chased. The waves crash forward and then recede. It’s a simple ballet that ends as a wave finally splashes down upon the girl leaving her wet from head to toe -- and smiling from ear to ear. That is when the little girl discovers other wonders of the sea, such as starfish and shells.

This delightful tale of childhood exuberance and curiosity is wonderfully illustrated with a elegant palette of blue and grey. The simplicity of style and illustration make this a wonderful book for bed or nap time with your children.

The Adventures Continue

Now that my kids are going back to school I am thinking about adventure. We've had adventures and travel all summer and now we begin the adventure that is the school year. Here are two quick reviews for middle grade readers.

"The Loser List"

By H. N. Kowitt
For Ages 9 - 12
It’s not "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," but kids who like that series will like this book too. Rated 3.75 (school story and bullying)
This diary style story follows comic book lover Danny Shine through the school year at Thorn Underwood Middle School. Bullies, graffiti, sharpie tattoos and stolen comics keep this enjoyable story moving at a fast pace. Sure "The Loser List" is similar in style and content to the Wimpy Kid books, but the message is very strong and enjoyable. Be who you are and be proud of it.

"The 39 Clues: Vespers Rising"
By Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordan Korman, Jude Watson
For Ages 9 - 12
The hunt for the 39 clues may be over but, the Cahill’s story is far from finished in "Vespers Rising." Rated 4 (mystery, historical adventure, peril)
The newest edition in the 39 Clues series introduces us to a new family – the Vespers. With a history lesson on the creation of the secret formula, Gideon Cahill, Madeleine Cahill and Grace Cahill we learn about the newest threat to Amy, Dan and the rest of the Cahill family. Action, adventure and historical facts are blended into fast fiction and an enjoyable read. As in all the other books in the series there is a great deal of peril and even some deaths. So it can get pretty intense for some readers. Fans of the series will enjoy the family background and the adventure.

Not Your Parent's Pixies

My last review was of a picture book about girls being proud of who they are. It showed how girls needed to embrace their inner strength. This time I am sticking to that theme but raising the minimum age limit to 13.

"Entice"
By Carrie Jones
For Ages 13 and up
Looking for a coming-of-age novel with a good, strong, female character who is just trying to find herself? How about one with supernatural monsters, vampire-like pixies and a little Norse mythology? I know it sounds like a stretch but, "Entice" actually pulls it off rather successfully. Rated 4 (supernatural, violence, romance)

The third book in this entertaining pixie series by Carrie Jones begins where the second left off. Our heroine, Zara, has just become the one thing she has always seen as evil. She has become a pixie. More precisely, a pixie queen. Don't fret if you have not read the previous novels. This one can be read by itself, although knowledge of "Captivate" would help.

Zara is a normal teen with normal teen problems. She also has this whole evil pixie war thing happening in her town and teens keep going missing. That said Zara is strong and strong-minded. She wears her heart on her sleeve, is loyal to a fault, impulsive and a pacifist that truly sees the dangers in the world. She is a leader without even knowing her own strength. Now back to the pixie queen bit.

In order to save her boyfriend, who happens to be a werewolf, Zara must travel to Valhalla. Obviously mere mortals cannot make the trip, so she relies on her inner strength to become the thing she fears and hates most -- a pixie. The pacing is quick, but much of the action seems a little hackneyed but Zara's character development is engrossing enough to make you overlook the shortcomings. As Zara, her friends and family try to find the entrance to Valhalla, she struggles with who she is. She struggles with mixed emotions about her lost boyfriend and the other male in her life, her pixie king. This is a struggle to which every teen will relate.

"Entice" is well-written, with quick banter and humor laced throughout the action. There is mystery, horror. tragedy and romance all entwined in this haunting tale. Jones creates imagery that lingers with you long after you close the book. The romance is always just under the surface and never overly sexual.
This is a good book for girls into the fantasy genre with supernatural elements. I said of "Captivate" that, "the quality writing and imagery keep it from being another Twilight or Vampire Diaries. The character development and toned-down sexuality keep it form being gossip girl with monsters." I'd say this holds true for "Entice" as well. So you can follow the real story of friendship, love, family and finding your inner strength.

Be All You Can Be

I recently finished reading “Entice.” It's a young adult novel about pixies, the supernatural and the choices that make us who we are. I was going to review it immediately, but after thinking about it for a little I decided to highlight a book for younger girls first.

“Not All Princesses Dress in Pink”

By Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple

Illustrated by Anne-Sophia Lanquetin

For Ages 4 – 8

This book is all about being a girl in today's world. Does your daughter want to be a princess or a tomboy? How about both? It's fun, it's action-packed and it will make every little girl smile. Rated 3.5 (princesses, tomboys, self-confidence)

Does your daughter want to be a princess? Maybe she does, but she wants to do it with her own panache. Some princesses wear soccer cleats and baggy shorts with their “sparkly crown.” And some princesses where their jewels while they fix things with power tools. Some princesses even drive dump trucks – while wearing a sparkly crown if they want. Girls of all ages will relate to the princesses in this book and smile.

Not so much a story as it is a message, “Not All Princesses Dress in Pink” makes sure everyone knows that princesses can wear and do whatever they want. It’s an important message for young girls to hear. “Not All Princesses Dress in Pink” keeps the reader’s attention with whimsy, color and energy and would make a good choice for any read-aloud story time.

Geek Power

My wife and I went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows a little over a week ago. We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Several people showed up to the movie in costume. We saw Harry, Hermione and Ron waiting in line. Every generation seems to have a movie or show that inspires fans to dress up as characters. Just take a look at Comicon and you'll see what I am talking about. Today I'm going to review a book that goes right to the heart of fantasy books, games and geeks.

"Geek Fantasy Novel"

By E. Archer

For Ages 11 - 14

What would you get if you could take an online fantasy game and turn it into a book? Probably something like “Geek Fantasy Novel.” Fairies, battles and fantastical lands fill the pages with adventure. Rated 2.75 (fantasy, peril, heroism)

Ralph is your basic run-of-the-mill geek. He know the world of computers and fantasy gaming as well as anyone. He's even created his own online games. The one thing that makes Ralph a little different isn't obvious to anyone but himself -- he is forbidden from ever making a wish. When Ralph is invited to set up a wireless network for his royal relatives in England his life gets very interesting. Several wishes, exploding bunnies, mixed up fairytales and disgruntled narrators later, you’ve got a fun but frustrating adventure.

This fast-paced jaunt through fantasyland is schizophrenic and confusing, but many kids will relate to Ralph and see their own childhood imagination games in the story. They'll enjoy the geek turned hero aspect of "Geek Fantasy Novel," but don't expect it to be the next "Harry Potter."

Proud To Be Me

My boys went to the summer matinee yesterday. They saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid. One of the main messages was to be yourself. It made me think of a book I read a little over a month ago.

“I’m Me!”

By Sara Sheridan
Illustrations by Margaret Chamberlain
For Ages 4 – 8
You don't need to pretend when when you love being yourself. That's what "I'm Me!" is all about. Rated 3 (imagination, family time, bad manners)
Little Imogen and her aunt always find it fun to pretend, but as this story shows us, sometimes being yourself is the most fun of all. Imogen’s visit to her aunt’s house begins with a little peek-a-boo through the mail slot. The adventure progresses from there. As Imogen begins to say what she wants to do today, her aunt jumps in with suggestions. A pirate, a princess, even an astronaut, but Imogen always replies with a simple no. When Imogen finally reveals that today she just wants to be herself, they rush off to the park to play and swing and buy ice cream.

The colorful illustrations mirror the energy of the text and add a playful style to this fun tale for afternoon story time. Although some children may point out that the aunt is being rude to constantly interrupt this playful story will be a hit with children who know who they are and their aunts.

Family Vacation

I just returned from a camping trip with my family. It was great - hiking, fishing, cooking over the fire. The entire affair got me thinking about a graphic novel I just read.

"Bad Island"

By Doug TenNapel

For Ages 9 - 14

Think Land of the Lost meets Gilligan's Island. A sailboat vacation turns into a strange science fiction alien romp on a deserted island. Rated 3 (aliens, family bonding, peril)

Mom, dad and two children hop on a sailboat for a family vacation, get caught in an unexpected storm, wash up on a deserted island and end up in the middle of a alien kidnapping gone awry. The sporadic flashbacks to the alien war and abduction explain the strange island and it's inhabitants. Honestly though, that is not what this story is about. The aliens and strange fantasy style creatures are just here for teen interests. This tale is about family time, what it means to be a family and sticking together through thick and thin.

TenNapel made a big splash a couple years ago with "Ghostopolis" but "Bad Island" never really climbs to that level. The illustrations, reminiscent of "Kim Possible" are lively enough to carry the character personalities deep into the content, but the tale seems disjointed and a little over the top. I know what you're saying. "It's a graphic novel. Of course it's over the top." I guess I just don't buy the whole alien war/kidnapping angle.

I did, however, enjoy the castaways trying to escape the hostile island for their suburban peace bit. Each individual int he family had to learn to trust the others, lean on their strengths and work as a cohesive unit to escape. That was fun, humorous and entertaining.What can I say, it wasn't horrible and it wasn't great. Preteen boys will probably love it as they do most graphic novels. I know my son has read it several times already.