Pets for the Holidays

As you may have noticed, I took a short break from posting reviews. I needed to catch up on my day job and enjoy the holidays a little. Now I am back with a new review and more to come.

"Double Trouble #1: Show & Tell"

By Abby Klein

Illustrated by John McKinley

For Ages 5 – 10

Abby Klein is at it again with "Double Trouble." Think "Ready, Freddy!" with twins. Rated 3.75 (mishchief, humor, pets)

Fans of "Ready, Freddy!" will be happy to know Abby Klein has a new series of adventures coming out in 2012. Freddy’s twin cousins, Kasey and Kelly, offer double the excitement in this new paperback series. Second grade will never be the same. When their class studies pets, everyone is allowed to bring one pet to school for Pet Day. Kasey and Kelly can’t wait, but they have a problem. Too many pets and no idea which one to take. How about Harry the tarantula or Zippy the turtle? Maybe their rabbit or hamster or gecko would be a good choice? Whether setting up an all-out pet race to decide which pet goes to school, teaching dogs new tricks or enjoying mayhem at Pet Day there is plenty of fun for young readers to enjoy in Double Trouble.

As a kindergarten and first-grade teacher, Klein does a good job keeping young readers interested with relatable characters and situations while offering solid behavioral messages with which parents can agree. McKinley brings his energetic illustrative style, that readers have come to know in the "Ready, Freddy!" books, to "Double Trouble." So it will seem very comfortable for kids to begin this new series. Although the books may slightly skew to young girls, boys will find many of the stories just as entertaining as their favorite "Ready, Freddy!" books.

Scream Like You Mean It

Halloween is over. For all of you vampires and werewolves inspired by the season and just now coming off your sugar high, I have a couple reviews just for you.

"Killer Pizza: The Slice"

By Greg Taylor
For Ages 10 – 14
 Four months after the first "Killer Pizza" tale ends, "The Slice" begins. Toby, Annabel, and Strobe are back in action in a new fast-paced adventure with new monsters, perilous fights and interesting locations. Rated 4.5 (violence, peril, monsters)

Our "Scooby Gang" begins their adventure in New York City, where they are scheduled to take part in a training program for promising Killer Pizza employees. This trip is not about pizza though. It is about monsters. Note: If you missed the first book you need to understand that Killer Pizza is a successful pizza chain that acts as a front for monster hunting and relocation.

In New York the team is sent to meet a Dekayi girl at Central Park and bring her into headquarters so that she can be protected from her own kind. Very little is known about the Dekayi, beyond their existence. Things take a predictable but thrilling turn. Soon the Dekayi monster-girl, who we come to know as Calanthe, is living with Annabel in Hidden Hills. The gang protects her, learns about her people, and tries to help her assimilate into normal everyday teen life. It’s easier said than done.

True to the first book, “The Slice” stays solidly in the B-movie fun zone and mixes in a little “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” with “Men in Black.” It delivers a zesty entrée of action, monsters, and humor that will have preteen and teen readers turning the pages. Hopefully Greg Taylor won’t make us wait too long for the next sequel. There is plenty of peril, frights and gross out moments. If your preteen or teen is prone to nightmares, be cautious with this take out. Otherwise, order up and enjoy this tasty treat.

"Wolven: The Twilight Circus"

By Di Toft

For Ages 9 – 12

What do you get when you combine werewolves, cryptids, the military and your average teenage boy? An action-filled adventure called, "Wolven: The Twilight Circus." Rated 4.25 (monsters, violence, peril) 

In this follow-up to "Wolven," Nat Carver, the average teenage boy and a royal wolven named Woody run away and join the circus. The first tale left Nat, his family and Woody on the run from the British government and on the world’s "most wanted" list.

Now, traveling with a special circus of mythical and magical creatures Nat is becoming more aware of special skills such as telepathy, hyper-sensitive smell and even a shape shifting. His new skills will be tested as they face evil vampires (not all vampires are evil) and their arch nemesis Lucas Scale, a twisted werewolf who made a deal with a demon for greater power.

Reading the first book helps, but it’s not necessary. Toft does a great job adding humor and gross-out moments for preteen readers. The action is plentiful and the characters are well-developed. Readers become emotionally attached to Nat, Woody and the other strange creatures of the circus and will enjoy the supernatural lore and magical moments of illusion without much of the gore that can be found in edgier young adult materials. It is a very solid addition to the "Wolven" series.

What's So Punny?

Ready for a new review? Of course you are. Why else would you be here? Before I get to the next book, I want to announce that my reviews have been picked up by The Post and Courier newspaper in Charleston, South Carolina. Yay! Now for a new review.

"Seriously, Norman!"

By Chris Raschka
For Ages 10 - 14
It's "39 Clues" without the deadly enemies and family fortune and... well, the 39 clues. This meandering journey of observation and imagination is filled with big ideas, adventurous travel, quirky characters and humor. Rated 4 (bad language, perceived peril, adventure)

Best know as an illustrator on books such as, "Sourpuss and Sweetiepie," "I Pledge Allegiance" and "A Ball for Daisy," Chris Raschka makes his fiction debut with this adventure that seems to be more about enjoying the journey than reaching any destination. Everything begins when Norman Normann miserably fails his high school entrance exam. A good score would have gotten him into an exclusive high school. His well-meaning but oblivious parents hire Balthazar Birdsong, a highly-unorthodox personal tutor to prepare him for next year's exam. Balthazar gives Norman a dictionary and the directive to read it from cover to cover. Balthazar also encourages him to observe the clouds, and use his imagination.

When the dictionary entries seem to for tell the future Norman learns that his father sell bombers for a living and is mixed up with some strange and shady characters. Before long Balthazar is teaching Norman and his friends Leonard, Anna and Emma. They decide to rescue Norman's father, Orman, from the bomber business and track him halfway around the world. Good thing the tutoring seems to have prepared Norman for anything that he may face.

"Seriously, Norman!" is filled with unique perspectives, definitions, absurdity, puns and wordplay. There is plenty to like and plenty to dislike. The ideas seem to ramble as the story meanders from one event to another. Parents who are concerned about their children learning and using bad language should be aware of pages 220-221, which cover a four-letter word beginning with the letter S. It does nothing to propel the story, so if you are reading the book as a family feel free to skip those two pages.

Although "Seriously, Norman!" is entertaining, I think I prefer Raschka's picture books.

Gone to the Dogs

I took my family to the state fair last weekend. We had a great time walking through the animal paddocks looking at cows, sheep, chickens and so much more. So I am going to stay with animal inspired reviews for a little longer.

“LaRue Across America: Postcards from the Vacation”

By Mark Teague

For Ages 4 – 8
Ike LaRue fans cheer! He's back on an eventful trip across the country with none other than Mrs. Hibbins' cats. Rated 4 (pets, travel, imagination)

We catch up with Ike as he and his owner, Gertrude, are preparing for a vacation cruise. All goes awry when their neighbor Mrs. Hibbins is hospitalized. Gertrude volunteers to watch her cats, cancels the cruise and begins a cross-country road trip instead. Sounds like a good idea with two cats and a dog, right?

Ike sends postcards from the road, that tell his melodramatic version of events. At each stop he implores Mrs. Hibbins to allow him to send the feisty kittens’ home. But it is not meant to be. His exaggerated memories are brought to life in black and white and contrasted against the colorful realities of roadside America. As fate would have it the family roadster breaks down in Death Valley, CA where they meet a cruise captain. They end up cruising back home. Teague creates a fantastic romp across America in this fourth adventure with Ike LaRue.

What’s good: Masterful illustration style, sense of humor and smart story.
What’s bad: Slightly choppy pacing.

“Floors”

By Patrick Carman

For Ages 9 - 14

Think "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" set in a hotel and throw in some ducks. Rated 4 (mystery, preteen, mild peril)

Eccentricities, mystery and zaniness abound in this creative adventure that longs to be placed on the shelf next to “James and the Giant Peach,” "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" or just about any other book by Dahl. Leo is a 10-year-old boy who works with his father as the maintenance crew of the Whippet Hotel in New York City. The Whippet is no ordinary hotel. Owned by the highly eccentric Merganzer D. Whippet, it is filled with strange rooms, creatures, flaky staff, odd guest, and ducks of course. According to Merganzer, they are very useful creatures. Unfortunately Merganzer is gone and nothing is as it should be.

When a mysterious box and message show up, Leo learns that he has four days to discover four hidden boxes and save the hotel. From what, he does not know. That’s when the really odd stuff begins. Leo’s adventures take him to hidden floors, hidden rooms, hidden elevators and much more. Ghosts, fire-breathing dragons and flying goats make appearances during the search for boxes. There is a sense of danger but no real threat. A disgustingly mean hotel manager, an incredibly bratty hotel guest and a true friendship round out the tale. This book has everything, including depth to the characters. My kids had me read it with them twice during the first week we had it. And we enjoyed it both times.
What’s good: Extreme imagination and pure fun.
What’s bad: Old plot presented in a new fashion.

Animal House!

The last few posts have been inspired by storms. Although there are still plenty of storms brewing in the world today, I am going to switch gears and focus on animals for a bit. Here are two quick ones:

“Colonel Purple Turtle's Purple Turtle Journal”

By Rocknoceros

Illustrated by Missy Sheldrake

For Ages 3 – 6

Colonel Purple Turtle keeps a journal where he shares stories about all his friends and neighbors in Soggy Bog. Rated 2.5, because the CD is enjoyable (animals, journal, CD)

Rocknoceros is a band from Virginia that makes original music for children. This is their first book. Inspired by songs from the CD, Colonel Purple Turtle, the book is an effort to catch the same spirit and humor that is captured in their music. While I enjoyed the songs on the CD, I was left a little flat by the book. The journal entries didn't really tell a story. The writing became captions for the illustrations.

The illustrations were a mixed bag as well. If the entire book had been illustrated in the line drawings that were sprinkled throughout it would have been very nice, with a touch of whimsy and character reminiscent of A.A. Milne. However, most of the full-color art appears overworked. That said, the Truman Coyote illustration did intrigue me. Rocknoceros could easily create more books, but they may want to consider hiring a writer to adapt their songs in the future.

What’s good: The songs are the CD are fun and entertaining for young kids.
What’s bad: A serious lack of story.

“Not Inside This House”

By Kevin Lewis

Illustrated by David Ercolini

For Ages 3 – 8
When Livingstone Columbus Magellan Crouse goes exploring he always brings home a treasure. Rated 4 (pet care, parental relationship, humor)

It begins with a bug, but his mother will have none of it. Not in her house. He doesn’t fuss or complain he just goes exploring. Each time he returns with a bigger potential pet – a mouse, a moose, even a whale. When all was said and done, and all the animals were back in the wild, Livingstone returned home with a little bug. His mother shrugged and hugged her son.

Lewis rants and rolls through the progressively more outrageous situations in this mild-mannered suburban household. Ercolini captures the ridiculousness with a flair that will have children giggling at each spread. It is a delight for story time and could start some interesting conversations about pets.
What’s good: Pets, adventure and charm.
What’s bad: Although the rhyme is not perfect it is fun.

It's the End of the World As We Know It

I am going to continue the storm theme for a couple more reviews. This one however throws a great deal more destruction and disaster into the mix beyond just a storm.

“Ashes, Ashes”

By Jo Treggiari
For Ages 12 - 16
What happens if the storms really are the beginning of the end? Are disease and war next to come? "Ashes, Ashes" picks up the story with the survivors and the relationships they build as they try to withstand the harsh conditions and the mysterious bad guys. Rated 3.75 (danger, suspense, teen)

After the floods, earthquakes, and plague there isn’t much left of New York City. There are survivors. Sixteen-year-old Lucy lives by herself in an area near the marshes. It used to be part of Central Park. Now, it's just part of the devastated landscape. Most of the survivors band together and live in a commune in the crumbling city. They survive, but just. They hide from the doctors who kidnap and run tests on any people they can grab - looking for a cure to the plague.

Lucy is different than the rest of the survivors. She never had vaccinations. Her blood may carry a cure. When she joins the survivors in the commune, the doctors discover who she is and will do just about anything to get her blood. Even capture her friends and infect them with the plague. “Ashes, Ashes” is a fast-paced, action-paced tale of friendship.

Teen readers interested in tales of post-apocalyptic life and dystopian societies will enjoy "Ashes, Ashes," at least until they get to the end. It falls a little short and seems a little weak.

Crazy Weather, Anyone?

We had a few tornado warnings this week The kids had to run their drills during the school day. It must have made a big impact because that was the entirety of our dinner conversation that day. All of the storms got me to thinking about books where weather is a character in the story. I've read several over the last few months. Here's one your preteen readers may enjoy.

“Troubletwisters”

By Garth Nix and Sean Williams
For Ages 9 - 14

Storms and special powers deliver an exciting tale as siblings battle evil in a small ocean-side town. Rated 3.75 (peril, creep-factor, mystery/action)

Shortly after their father arrives home from a long trip, Jack and Jaide are caught in a very strange storm. why is it strange? First, it is in their house. Second, strange voices emanate from the storm. Thirdly... aren't the first two enough? Jack's and Jaide's father manages to get the siblings out of the house just before the entire thing is destroyed. They have no idea what is going on, but their father seems to know something. Unfortunately for Jack and Jaide, they are shipped off to live with their Grandma X and her two unique cats in a small Portland town before their father explains anything. You'd think with a start like that this story would be off and running from page one. Unfortunately it takes a while for the to get moving. However, when it does get moving “Troubletwisters” is non-stop action. As the story progresses Jack and Jaide discover they have special powers and they must learn to wield quickly. Evil is coming and it wants to claim the preteen siblings, just as it does rats, insects and even some people. Jack and Jaide are in a great deal of peril thought the story and the creepiness factor is high. Younger or immature readers may want to steer clear of this series. But fans of Garth Nix’s and Sean William’s other works should enjoy “Troubletwisters” as well.