In Too Deep

As the weather continues to grow warmer more people are planning summer vacations. Where do you like to go? The mountains? The beach? I grew up at the beach so I love to return as often as I can. I even like spending time at an aquarium when possible. It just makes me feel more at home. Strange, I know.
I even like reading books that take me to the beach or ocean. That is why I recently read a book called "Dark Life," which takes place on the ocean... and in it.

"Dark Life"
By Kat Falls

For Ages 10 - 14
The post-apocalyptic story of "Dark Life" is packed full of suspense, and peril. This undersea tale is set in a science fiction backdrop right out of the movies, but the plot is pure action-adventure with good guys, bad guys, and governement conspiracies. Rated 4 (science fiction, action, peril, violence)

In a future where land is scarce and the population is extremely crowded the new land rush is under the sea. You won't find Ariel or Sebastian the Crab in this tale of pioneers farming the ocean floor for a land deed. This intriguing post-apocalyptic story follows 15-year-old Ty, the first child born under the sea, and his family. His parents helped develop the underwater homesteads and Ty's younger sister has a way with the sea life. When "Topsider," 15-year-old Gemma runs into Ty he feels obligated to protect her. Throw in a missing brother, a gang of pirates, government conspiracies, plenty of undersea wonder, science-fiction, action galore, and a touch of teen romance and you have a pretty exciting book.

The science fiction and futurescape are only backdrops to this tale. The real story is in the character building, the battle to survive on the frontier, the terror of the Seablite gang, and the suppossed government conspiracy. The premise is intriguing and there are enough twists to keep the plot from becoming too predictable. The "dark gifts" the undersea children develop are an interesting aspect of the story as well. Maybe they will be explored more in future adventures.

Katt Falls delivers a very cinematic action-adventure from the opening sequence right to the end. She smartly sprinkles a few slower paced chapters in so you can catch your breath, stretch your legs, and dive back into the nail-biting suspense. "Dark Life" is a fun book, but it's not for the young or faint of heart. Ty, Gemma, and just about all the pioneers face life-threatening situations on a regular basis. Older kids and teens should enjoy it though.

Get a Clue!

There are no shortage of adventure series for young readers and preteens. The series are trying new things as well, using new media and video to compliment the story lines. One such series has been very popular, "The 39 Clues." They are fast-paced mystery-adventures that wisk readers to exotic locations around the world. "The 39 Clues" include an online game, collectible cards, and a sweepstakes. Another series, set for release in May, using a 360-degree media approach is "Trackers," but I'll review that one at a later date.

"The 39 Clues: The Emperor's Code"
By Gordon Korman
For ages 8 - 12
This fun adventure-mystery is very fast-paced and filled with interesting facts about China, emperors, Kung Fu, and Mount Everest. Intrigue abounds and it will have you guessing and striving to solve "The 39 Clues." Rated 4 (danger, adventure, education)

We have now been following young Amy and Dan Cahill, and their au pair Nellie Gomez, around the world for seven books. "The Emperor's Code" is the eighth book in the series. In the first installment we learn that Amy and Dan were orphaned as youngsters and forced to live with their not-so-friendly aunt. Then their beloved grandmother dies. The funeral brings together an interesting assortment of Cahill relatives and an interesting proposition. Dan and Amy can each take a two million dollar inheritance or tear up the check and search for 39 clues that could make them the most powerful people in the world. They choose the hunt and thus the adventure and danger begin.

Dan and Amy have been to France, Austria, Russia, Egypt, Australia, South Africa and now they are in China. Their last adventure was more cold and ruthless than previous books. It also brought the first real casualty to the story line. However it did answer one question — Dan and Amy are Madrigals. The end is coming, but can Dan and Amy keep their sanity and family intact through the last couple books.

As we begin book eight Amy and Dan are struggling with the revelation of their Madrigal lineage, their parents' possible dicey past, and trusting anyone. They are in China trying to discover a clue of which the last emperor, Puyi, had knowledge. Things get interesting when Amy and Dan get into a nasty argument and Dan runs off. Then the Kabras show up and kidnap Dan. After escaping he ends up traveling with another cousin, Jonah Wizard; all the time hoping to find Amy and wanting to quit the hunt.

In the meantime, Amy and Nellie are searching everywhere for Dan. They even recruit an uncle, Allistair Oh, to get information. They finally discover Dan is with the Wizards and decide they must stay on the hunt in order to find them. The dizzying adventure culminates at the top of the world (Mt. Everest) with the Holts, Kabras, and Dan and Amy fighting for a single vial of liquid.

This installment of the hunt has less ruthlessness and mortal peril, although danger still exists. The action is fast and furious and the historical facts are very interesting and blended well with the fictional plotlines. From the Great Wall to the Shaolin Temple there is something for every reader in "The Emperor's Code." I was particularly intrigued by the experimental French helicopter and ascent to Everest's summit. Answers are coming quickly now, but so are the questions. What is Nellie's story and how do the Madrigals fit into the Cahill family? With two books left in the series it will be interesting to see how everything is wrapped up — or if doors will be left open for another series.

My family has read each book in "The 39 Clues" series. Some are better than the others, but all have been fun and interesting. I know my son is looking forward to the last two books — and so am I. The ninth book, and next to last installment, in the series "Storm Warning" is set for release May 25.

Middle School Cool

What makes a book a good vacation book? Is it adventure, friendship, mystery, humor, depth of character? Does any good book also make for a good vacation book? The way I see it, you can read any good book while on vacation, but vacation books are generally lighter reads and just for fun. They are not going to win Newberry Awards, but they will entertain you. They can be about any subject at all. Actually, they are often about school life and friends. Which brings me to my new review on "Cinderella Cleaners."

"Cinderella Cleaners #1: Change of A Dress"
"Cinderella Cleaners #2: Prep Cool"
By Maya Gold
For Ages 9 - 13
The "Cinderella Cleaners" series is fun, fast-paced, and lighthearted. The stories focus on friendship and middle school drama with hairbrained schemes and hijinks for a little added excitment. Fairytale overtones spice up the adventures with happily ever after moments. Rated 3.5 (humor, disobediance, lying, friendship)

Diana Donato is a theater obsessed eighth grade girl, living just outside Manhattan in a small New Jersey town. She lives with her loving father, rigid stepmother, and spoiled stepsisters. "Change of A Dress" is the first book in the series which will have four or five out before the end of the year. The stories follow Diana and her best friend Jess as they get themselves in and out of trouble, build relationships, meet new people, scheme, and generally live normal middle school lives.

So how does "Cinderella" fit into the story line — aside from being the name of the family business, and the whole stepmother/stepsister bit, that is? Well, the first book also contains "Cinderella" overtones with a red carpet appearance and VIP party (the ball), a lost shoe, a special dress, a lot of manual labor, and a prince. Only this time the prince is the hottest young actor on broadway.

On suggestion from her stepmother, Diana is forced to begin working at the family dry cleaners, which means she won't be able to try out for the her school's Fall theater production of "Our Town." Diana is devestated. Things don't seem so bad when she is befriended by the highschool girls, Cat and Elise, who also work at the cleaners. While at work Diana comes across two VIP tickets to the gala opening of the hottest new broadway play. Now all she has to do is figure out how to attend, what to where, and how to appease her stepmother.

The second book in the series is "Prep Cool." Again we find Diana and Jess mixed up in typical 13-year-old behavior. Not as many "Cinderella" references in this storyline as the first and that is probably a good thing. The same players are back plus a few new ones. When Diana and Jess get the chance to go to a dance at the extremely upper crust Foreman Academy things get a little interesting. Jess hits it off with one of the prep school boys and that does not sit well with the queen of the prep school girls. She steals Jess' new iPhone and begins to text mean and insulting messages to all of Jess' friends. Diana, with the help of her friends from the cleaners, devises a plan to sneak into Foreman Academy and steal back the iPhone. Things are never simple though. Diana must act the part of a prep school student, fool the teachers, take a pop quiz, and not get caught by the mean girls... or anyone else. It is all quite exciting.

"Cinderella Cleaners" is a fun series. The stories are fast-paced and entertaining. The characters are easily relateable, the relationships are well-developed, the dialogue is believable, and the plotlines are fun. The series does not break new ground, but it is far more suitable for young readers than "Gossip Girl." The only real drawback to this series may be the fact that it unknowingly glorifies breaking the rules. Although Diana is a good girl, she still breaks the rules. She lies to her parents, sneaks out, and "borrows" clothes from the cleaners. She feels guilty about all of it and she does receive punishments, but never for the big things. After all, the stories do borrow from a fairytale — Diana learns lessons and everyone ends up happily ever after.

For more adventures with Diana and "Cinderella Cleaners" look for "Rock & Role" in June and "Mask Appeal" in August.

It's Cool

Summer vacation is cool even if the weather is hot and the humidty makes everything sticky. I've spent time in dry heat too. It's not much better. So swealtering heat is not cool, but summer vacation is. Confidence is cool. Inventions can be cool. Imagination is cool. And opening a brand new book is definitely cool... at least to me. So when I saw this new book, "Mac Slater Hunts the Cool" I thought, "this could be cool."

"Mac Slater Hunts the Cool"

By Tristan Bancks
For Ages 8 - 12
A quick-paced story about imagination, being yourself, and questioning what is cool, "Mac Slater Hunts the Cool" is entertaining and interesting. Unfortunately it lacks depth and misses the chance to be great. Rated 3.5 (dangerous stunts, cliques, mild bullying)

Mac Slater has never thought of himself as cool. He lives in an old bus next to the artists' village in Kings Bay, Australia. His mother is a diehard hippie and his father is a protester. His best friend Paul is an outcast as well, but together they work well. They both like to invent - currently it is a flying bike. So it strikes both Mac and Paul as odd when some hip young corporate types offer Mac a chance to hunt cool things, film them, and post the videos on the Coolhunters website. Only one catch. Mac has to compete with the "it" girl fashionista, Cat, to see who will get the gig and a chance to fly to New York.

The story questions what "cool" is and where you can find it. This is a pretty good idea and it provides for some fun adventures and plenty of humor. The story briefly explores class structure in high school, from geeks to jocks, but it balks at the chance to delve deeper into teen psyches. "Mac Slater Hunts for Cool," is a quick paced story about friendship and imagination. It's about being yourself and happy with whoever that is. That's cool.

Tristan Banks' background in acting and filmmaking comes through in the pacing and structure of "Mac Slater Hunts the Cool." It sort of reads like a movie. Unfortunately it reads like a mediocre movie with no real depth. On the surface it is enteratining and fun. It's light and humorous, but it misses too many opportunities to be a great book. Not cool.

If your kids want to read something fun and interesting, this story is cool. This is a planned series so maybe Bancks will explore more depth as the story continues, but don't expect more from "Mac Slater Hunts the Cool" than what is on the surface.

Is It Really the End?

I don't know about you, but I prefer to take paperback books with me when I travel for summer vacations. Unfortunately for me some of the best reading this summer is coming from new hardcover books. I was particularly looking foward to the newly released book from Brandon Mull. That is why I purchased it last week and spent a couple days reading it.

"Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison"
By Brandon Mull
For ages 10 - 15
This fast-paced fantasy adventure is filled with magic, mystery, fantasy creatures and a battle between good and evil. "Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison," is a fun and engaging epic with creative plot twists and deft character development. Rated 4.5 (perilous situations, violence, death, magic)
The fifth book of Brandon Mull's "Fablehaven" series finds Amy, Dan and the rest of the Knights of the Dawn facing what appears to be the eminent destruction of the world. Dan and Amy are on separate quests which could be the only hope for success in the final battle to come. Dan still acts impetuously and Amy still lacks confidence in her abilities. Strangely these characteristics lead to a few interesting turns of events. When the demons doublecross the Sphinx (imagine that, deceived by demons) he must work with the Knights of the Dawn to prevent the demon horde in Zzyzx from destroying the world. As the doors to the demon prison are opened all creatures of light converge on Shoreless Isle for the final battle.

We've followed Amy and Dan from the beginning as they were introduced to a fantasy world that existed within our own, but hidden by the limitations of our own vision. Each book brought new dangers and new powers. And each book brought the Society of the Evening Star closer to releasing the demon king from his magical prison.We've seen Dan and Amy get involved in the fight as they and slowly became the keys to success. Mull finishes the Fablehaven series with fast-paced adventures, perilous situations and plot twists that will keep you guessing. He answers old questions, introduces new characters and leaves some new questions unanswered.

It may not be the best book of the series but it is a fitting end. Although Mull says, in an afterward, that he may revisit the world of "Fablehaven" and its characters in the future he has made it clear any new book on the subject would not be a sequel. I thoroughly enjoyed the "Fablehaven" series. If you enjoyed Harry Potter and have been looking for a series to fill the void, this one will do it admirably. Thank you Brandon Mull. I look forward to your next series of books, whatever they are.

In a Real Pickle

A new book by Promitzer puts a strange spin on summer vacation.

I am still reading summer vacation books and I may be doing that for some time to come. My column for June will cover paperback books for summer. Pick up a copy of Lowcountry Parent, Upstate Parent or Palmetto Parent to read it. Or, wait until July and I'll include some of the reviews here. Anyway, I finished reading an intersting book that takes place over a summer vacation a couple weeks ago and thought you may be interested. You can find it in bookstores now.

"The Pickle King"
By Rebecca Promitzer

For ages 12 - 16
This interesting story is as strange as the cover art of glowing pickles and an eyball in a jar. An exciting mystery-adventure with twists turns and a few supernatural elements set in a dismal rainy town. Rated 3.5 (gruesome imagery, perilous situations, ghosts)

Set in the nowhere town of Elbow, "The Pickle King" follows Bea, an 11-year-old girl, whose father is missing and whose mother is in a sanitatium. Bea lives in her family home with a close friend of her parents. They don't have much money and she longs to change her fortune with a sunny summer vacation. Unfortunately, summer vacation in Elbow is dismal. It rains incessantly. It's not a pretty rain either. Dark and hard, the rain is actually blamed for causing some residents to lose touch with reality.

Bea and a few of the other students stuck in Elbow for the summer are forced to spend time together - it's a school thing. When Bea takes a photo of a mysterious dead body strange things begin to happen. The mystery involves ghosts, shady men, secret societies, missing persons, and swamp people living under the refuse in the city dump. It's plot is a little wonky but the suspense, twists, and turns tend to make up for it.

Bea and the other "Raintown Convicts," as they come to call themselves, act as a makeshift "Scooby Gang" and embark on a gruesome quest to uncover the towns' many buried secrets. Though forced together the gang become friends risking their lives for one another from attacks by giant rats and demented surgeons. Whether it is a bag full of human intestines, a secret stairway covered in roaches, or a mansion stocked with human parts, the grizzly details and descriptive narrative are what keep this story interesting.

Everything culminates in a showdown between Bea and a centuries-old tycoon. That's right he is avoiding death with a steady supply of replacement parts and organs harvested from the town's discarded and forgotten residents.

The narrative has holes and the mystery is a little out there, but Promitzer's gift with language and description draws the reader into this uniquely odd town with quirky characters you may actually relate to and mysteries you'll want to solve.

Summer Sensibilities

It seems it has been a very long time since I last posted a book review. I have gotten so into highlighting illustrators, writing opinions, and conducting interviews that I have had little time to post reviews. I am still reading though, so the reviews are coming. I'll get things started with a short one.

“Scones and Sensibility”
By Lindsay Eland
For Ages 8 – 14
"Scones and Sensibility," is a break from the average fantasy oriented teen fare. With allusions to "Pride and Prejudice" this airy novel is a great summer read about love and freindship. Rated 4 (humor, friendship, no fantasy creatures)
Tired of vampires, pixies, and werewolves? You’ll find none of that in this delightful tale of friendship and matchmaking. Enamored with Jane Austen’s heroic Elizabeth Bennett, from “Pride and Prejudice,” young Polly Madassa tries to live her life as a close as she can to the refined and ladylike manners of her 19th century heroines. This also puts her very out of touch with the modern world around her. While working in her parents bakery Polly decides it is her calling to encourage love to bloom throughout her sleepy little New England town. Nothing ever works out so easily, but that also adds to the fun. Be sure to have a pastry in hand before you begin reading, "Scones and Sensibility" will make you hungry. This light and airy novel will be a fun summer read for girls looking for something without blood, battles and the end of the world.