Review: Wanderville

Wanderville by Wendy McClure

Are you familiar with orphan trains? Children from New York (or other big cities) were sent out West to live "better lives" with families and big open spaces. Yet, many children were fearful of the unknown.

Jack, Frances, and Harold were a couple of children sent out to Kansas on an orphan train. They didn't want to leave, but they couldn't escape their traveling fate. After hearing awful orphan stories on the train, they decide to "jump ship" in the middle of Kansas. They meet up with another orphan named Alexander who gives them a new look at life in the prairie wilderness.

When I began reading this story, I thought it would be historical fiction mixed with fantasy. I was completely wrong. The magic of Wanderville and the letdown was realized at the same moment as Jack, Frances, and Harold. It was rather ironic and heartening to relate so well to the characters. Just as the children came to grips with their new situation, I knew that this wouldn't be a fantasy story, but reality (albeit in history). Don't let the knowledge of no fantasy elements steer you away from reading Wanderville!

McClure mixes historical fiction with a kid's today approach. The book is set in history, but the children face many emotions and circumstances that kids' today can encounter. The emotions of loss, fear, hope, friendship, and survival are very relate-able to today's audience. The theme of overcoming circumstances is largely woven throughout the text in different ways, but not overpowering. The story ends with a gentle cliffhanger - one that will have readers imagining what's going to happen next. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment in 2014!

I think this story would be very appropriate for 3-6 graders. The author offers many different situations that can open the floor to great classroom, book club, or family discussions.

Reviewed from an Edelweiss copy. Thank you, Razorbill!

Review: The LIEographies

 Alan Katz, author of the Silly Dilly Songs, has created a new series for young readers: The LIEographies, or "Absolute Untrue, Totally Made Up, 100% Fake Life Stor[ies]" about historic figures. He begins with Thomas Edison, Babe Ruth, and Harry Houdini. (Other historic, as well as modern, individuals also make cameo mentions in this series.)

If readers appreciate humor and ridiculous reads, this is a series for them. The books are easy to read and quick to finish. They're a great way to introduce children to historical figures (even if nothing is true about them.) The author does include a "For Real!" section which suggests additional (true) titles they can enjoy. I would have liked to see more in the "For Real!" section instead of just titles for more information.

I hope readers realize the stories are false and humorous. Is there a possibility that readers will believe these ridiculous stories? I'm not sure. I hope they never end up in a school report! These books would work well for comparison biography reports. I don't need to read these stories again, but if readers want something outrageous this is for them. I would recommend these titles to students around third grade.

Reviewed from NetGalley copies. Thank you, INscribe Digital!

Review: Jim Morgan and the King of Thieves

Jim Morgan and the King of Thieves by James Matlack Raney

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Welcome to ye olde days in England. Prepare ye selves for pirates, treasures, thieves, and mysteries. James Francis Morgan is old enough (eleven years old to be exact) to make his own decisions and run his life ...until his Father, Lord Morgan returns. Life as he knows it has turned upside down in one day and he's on the run.

Raney crafted his story for young male readers. (Ladies, you'll enjoy this tale, too!) He hits on some popular themes without going overboard on the swashbuckling or drama. He offers dashes of humor throughout as well as an occasional word that might need to looked up in the dictionary. Being set in England there is a sprinkling of British jargon. I believe you can share this tale with middle schoolers and/or tweens. It's fun, not too long, and excellent chapter lengths. I also think this would make an excellent audiobook (with the right reader, of course). I love a good audiobook!

Reviewed from a Smith Publicity copy. Thank you!

Smith Publicity also shared an ebook with me to giveaway! If you'd be interested in reading Jim Morgan and the King of Thieves, please leave a comment below with your email address.  The giveaway will close on the last day of the blog tour (May 24, 2013). Good luck, readers! 

Thanks for following the Jim Morgan Blog Tour!

Blog Tour: Jim Morgan and the King of Thieves

Thanks for following the blog tour of Jim Morgan and the King of Thieves by James Matlack Raney. Sarah of Smith Publicity put this tour together and I am thrilled to be a part of it!

The blog tour began on Monday, May 13th and it goes until Friday, May 24th. The participants include: Nerdophiles.com , Oops! I Read A Book Again (http://oopsireadabookagain.blogspot.com) , TracysNook.com , You Can Read Me Anything (http://kellysessionswoodward.wordpress.com) ,  I Am A Reader, Not A Writer (http://www.iamareader.com/) , Hook of a Book (http://www.hookofabook.wordpress.com/) , Readalot (http://readalot-rhonda1111.blogspot.com/) , Learning & Growing the Piwi Way (http://piwiprincess.blogspot.com/) , and Silk Screen Views – (http://silkscreenviews.wordpress.com).

Please stop by the other websites and blogs to read their reviews and author interviews. You can also sign-up to win a copy of the book! I will be posting my review and a giveaway opportunity later today. Happy touring!

Review: Graphic Novels

During the summer months, I love to read graphic novels. I enjoy a few during the school year months, but it seems that graphic novels collect on my to-read shelf more during June, July, and August. Recently, I picked up Lunch Lady and the Mutant Mathletes, Tower of Treasure, and Nursery Rhyme Comics from my local library. These three stories are vastly different, but equally enjoyable.

Lunch Lady and the Mutant Mathletes by Jarrett J. Krosoczka The Breakfast Bunch along with the loveable lunch ladies of Thompson Brook school return with another unbelieveable adventure! Principal Hernandez asks Dee, Hector, and T to join the Mathletes. Reluctantly, they follow the principal's request and discover a local school rivalry.

I always look forward to Krosoczka's Lunch Lady books. The Lunch Lady is encouraging with the students at school. She also unveils new and hilarious weaponry to save the Breakfast Bunch. For followers of the Babymouse seris, these books are an excellent addition to read.

Tower of Treasure by Scott Chantler Dessa is a traveling acrobat who is on the lookout for her twin brother. He was taken years ago and it's her mission to be reunited with her family. She mistakes a stranger for the kidnapper and ruins the traveling circus show. The boss sends her out to find food and money to make up for the lost of profit. Her co-workers help her out, but also land everyone into more trouble.

Chantler doesn't fill the pages with needless conversation or sound effects. He lets the art speak for itself. His series will appeal to elementary and middle school children. Especially if they enjoy adventure during the medieval period. I look forward to the next book in the Three Thieves series.


Nursery Rhyme Comics: 50 Timeless Rhymes from 50 Celebrated Cartoonists by Chris Duffy Nursery rhymes stand strong on their own. Offering the art of celebrated cartoonists adds a wonderful, unique twist that will make this book a popular choice for children and adults. Some rhymes will be familiar and others will be new. The introduction by Leonard Marcus and the editor's note by Chris Duffy add beautiful depth to understanding the history of nursery rhymes.

Review: Swirl by Swirl

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Swirl by Swirl is getting heaps of attention, but I didn't care to find the book. My co-worker passed it to me and said, "This is a great book. It looks like your type of storytime book." Okay. I'll give it a chance.

It's wonderful! A beautiful piece that weaves non-fiction and fiction together. Swirls surround us every day if we look closely. They protect and comfort. They are powerful and beautiful. Swirl by Swirl can be a fantastic storytime book. The colors are dark and detailed (another reason I did not seek out this book). The publishers kindly shared the artwork medium - scratch board. Scratch board? Wow! WOW! I appreciate this read for it's wonderful story that can be shared with all ages and the amazing talent of a scratch board artist.


Reviewed from a library copy.

Review: Prudence Wants a Pet

Prudence Wants a Pet by Cathleen Daly

Have you desperately wanted a pet? When you are young, it can be difficult to own a pet. Some children beg, whine or cry. Prudence asks - over and over again. Every rejection turns into an opportunity to find her very own, one of kind pet.

I love the creativity of this story. It brings a pet rock to a whole new level. This book would go along well with A Pet for Petunia by Paul Schmid.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Review: Rats on the Page

Rats on the Page by Michael Dahl

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Return to the Library of Doom! When I saw the title at my local library, I was trilled! I thought the Library of Doom was at an end. Lo, and behold, on the children's shelf, was a new library book. Michael Dahl created a wonderful easy reader with suspense, adventure, magic and rodents. Many readers love to discover dark sides, especially in literature, not so much in reality. I found this title uniquely dark for myself, because I am not a fan of rodents. If you enjoy a good rodent book, pick up Rats on the Page for a quick read. I look forward to discovering more books in this new series.

If you missed the original Library of Doom series by Michael Dahl, I would encourage you to go back and read the first series.

Review: Secrets, Monsters, and Magic Mirrors

Secrets, Monsters, and Magic Mirrors: Stone Arch Fairy Tales Volume 2 by Donald B. Lemke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Graphic novels are one of my favorite reads. They lend themselves well to the adaptations and retellings. Editor Donald Lemke gathered together a solid collection of fairytales that include Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast, Princess and the Pea, Thumbelina and Snow White. Each story is retold by a different author and illustrated by a different artist. Readers will delight in the different stories brought to life in pictures. I look forward to discovering Volume 1 in Stone arch Fairy Tales.

In particular, I enjoyed illustrators Jeffrey Stewart Timmins (Rapunzel) and M. A. Lamoreaux (Princess and the Pea). I also appreciated the added historical information at the end of each story. History behind the stories are fascinating. It's wonderful to know that stories don't spring up from under rocks. Stories are created, edited, shared and recreated.

Digital copy received from Capstone. Thank you, Capstone!

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Review: The Thirteenth Princess

The Thirteenth Princess by Diane Zahler


"My name is Zita, and I am the thirteenth princess. My twelve sisters are legendary, even in faraway kingdoms, but I am sure that you have never heard of me."


Zita was the last princess born. The king lost his wife and his daughters lost their mother. In his grief, the king banished his youngest daughter to the servants' quarters. Zita struggles not be noticed by her unhappy father, yet yearns to know her sisters. Triumph and tragedy mingle when the princesses discover an abandoned dumb waiter in the castle.

Diane Zahler recreated a new twist on the classic tale of The Twelve Dancing Princesses from the Brothers Grimm. Zahler's adaptation is beautifully written for middle school fairytale lovers. She adds mystery, adventure, magic and splashes of romance. If readers enjoy this classic tale, I would also recommend Entwined by Heather Dixon.


Reviewed from a library copy.

Review: Geocache Surprise

Geocache Surprise by Jake Maddox

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Tim was looking forward to spending the final day of summer with his friends at the beach. But his friends had other plans - geocaching. What on earth is geocaching? It couldn't be better than a day hanging out at the beach.


A geocache fiction book for kids!? How fantastic! Geocaching is a new(er) outdoor craze that is very entertaining. Anyone can do it! The big ticket item needed is a GPS device. Tim didn't own one in the story but receives one in the end. The story called for it, but it seemed unrealistic. Jake Maddox does explain the sport very well and it can definitely interest others into going geocaching. He doesn't leave you hanging for more information either. At the end of the book, Maddox shares more information about GPSs and geocaching. I would highly recommend going on a geocache adventure of your own.

Reviewed from a library copy.

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