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Nara And The Island, Jess Verzello
Nara And The Island, Jess Verzello
Children's Book and Media Review
Nara lives with her father on their quiet, small island. She dreams of finding an adventure on the island next to hers, but she would have to find a way to get there first. Then one day her father tells her that he has fixed their boat and that she can explore the other island while he looks for the “big fish.” On the other island she finds a large, green, noisy world to explore and meets a boy named Aran. Together they explore the island, and he shows her his favorite secret place which they now share as friends.
League Of Archers, Tessa Mcmillan
League Of Archers, Tessa Mcmillan
Children's Book and Media Review
Elinor Dray can’t handle being a novice nun. Mercifully, the Reverend Mother uses Elinor’s archery skills to supplement the nunnery’s scarce provisions. Escaping the abbey, Elinor rejoins her friends, the League of Archers, to hunt and daydream about Robin Hood’s deeds. One night, Elinor meets a mysterious archer who is shot by a poisoned arrow. While the man dies in the abbey, Elinor learns he is Robin Hood and the Reverend Mother is Maid Marion. As if planned, the constable arrives to arrest Marion (still a wanted criminal) and take Elinor to Baron Lord de Lay’s castle. The baron spreads …
Chase Garrety #1: The Lost Planet, Emilee Bell
Chase Garrety #1: The Lost Planet, Emilee Bell
Children's Book and Media Review
Chase Garrety is literally dropped into the heart of the action in a galaxy connected by controversial political ties. As Chase deals with his amnesia and random powers, he must trust strangers to guide him in his journey to discover his past and find his mission. While unsettled by the conflict and lies that he encounters almost constantly, Chase chooses trust and honor, even when faced with death. Misunderstandings flush out both friend and foe, as well as a sister he can't even remember, and Chase discovers he has a major role to play in ending the corruption infiltrating the …
Fablehaven: Dragonwatch, Olivia Noli
Fablehaven: Dragonwatch, Olivia Noli
Children's Book and Media Review
Dragonwatch is the first novel in the second Fablehaven series. The story continues just a couple months after the finale of the previous series. Kendra and Seth Sorensen are on their grandparent's magical preserve during the summer, but trouble soon takes them to Wyrmroost, a magical preserve for dragons. Kendra and Seth's powers make them the only eligible candidates as the new caretakers. Accepting the job has its risks as enemies exist within and without the magical stronghold, but Kendra and Seth ultimately save the day and strengthen their preserve. Unfortunately, word spreads that another dragon preserve has fallen, leading …
Yours Sincerely, Giraffe, Sarah Rawle
Yours Sincerely, Giraffe, Sarah Rawle
Children's Book and Media Review
Giraffe is so bored that he decides to do something about it. Pelican is starting a new mail service, so Giraffe decides to write a letter to whomever it reaches on the other side of the horizon. Pelican delivers the letter to Seal, who then delivers the letter to Penguin. Even though Giraffe does not know what Penguin looks like and Penguin doesn’t know what Giraffe looks like, they continue to send each other letters and become great friends! Giraffe decides to visit his new friend, so he dresses up in what he thinks Penguin looks like. When Giraffe arrives, …
Michael Vey #6: Fall Of Hades, Abigail Packard
Michael Vey #6: Fall Of Hades, Abigail Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
Michael and his friends are to capture the Joule to cut off the Elgen’s money and power. Michael and the Electroclan go to Taiwan to rescue Hatch’s ex-right-hand man, Welch, who has extensive knowledge of Elgen protocol. They also rescue Tara, Torstyn, and Quentin, three of Hatch’s rogue electric children. Michael and the crew head to Hades, a newly rechristened island that hosts the Elgen’s main headquarters. But on the way, Gervaso’s friend betrays them and their plan is compromised. The team is able to make it to Hades and into the prison that dominates the island. They recruit the …
Flashfall, Carly Schmutz
Flashfall, Carly Schmutz
Children's Book and Media Review
Set in a futuristic, dystopian society, Flashfall is an adventurous, fast-paced read telling the story of two oppressed teens, Orion and Dram, who rebel against their overlords and change the course of their world in the process. Orion and Dram are Subpars, assigned to mine a precious element called Cirium, which the central government collects—they are told—to create a barrier that protects their world from the intense radioactive rays of the sun. The barrier does not protect the Subpars and they are dying from over-exposure, or Flash Fever, every day. Orion and Dram are exiled to a dangerous outpost where …
Adrenaline Crush, Lisa Packard
Adrenaline Crush, Lisa Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
Dyna is a huge adrenaline junky and risk-taker no matter what the challenge. One day she goes too far and everything ends in disaster. She wakes up in the hospital to find out that she fell off a high cliff and shattered her leg. Realizing she might never be able to go on adventures again, she goes to a physical therapy group where she meets a young veteran who lost his leg. As she slowly begins to heal, she realizes that she won’t be truly happy always playing it safe. Her physical therapy group encourages Dyna to take risks again, …
The Perfect Place, Shelby Bunker
The Perfect Place, Shelby Bunker
Children's Book and Media Review
Treasure's daddy is always accepting new jobs and leaving his family while he prepares the new place for their arrival. But after Dad’s most recent move, it doesn’t seem like he’s coming back for them this time. While Mom goes off in search of Dad, Treasure and her younger sister Tiffany are forced to spend their summer with strict and stuffy Great Aunt Grace, who they are quick to nickname GAG. As Treasure spends the summer wondering if she’ll ever see her dad again and wondering if they’ll ever settle in the perfect place her father so desperately seems to …
The Menagerie, Becky Jamieson
The Menagerie, Becky Jamieson
Children's Book and Media Review
It's hard being the new kid in town for Logan Wilde. He is the only son of an overworked man and a woman who ran away from their family, and he has yet to make any friends in the small Wyoming town. However, his simple reality changes quickly when Logan finds a griffin in his bedroom. This young talking griffin leads Logan into the menagerie of magical creatures where he becomes friends with fellow seventh-graders Zoe and Blue. Logan helps Zoe and Blue find the other five griffin cubs that have escaped their enclosure at the menagerie and are hidden …
The Menagerie, Becky Jamieson
The Menagerie, Becky Jamieson
Children's Book and Media Review
It's hard being the new kid in town for Logan Wilde. He is the only son of an overworked man and a woman who ran away from their family, and he has yet to make any friends in the small Wyoming town. However, his simple reality changes quickly when Logan finds a griffin in his bedroom. This young talking griffin leads Logan into the menagerie of magical creatures where he becomes friends with fellow seventh-graders Zoe and Blue. Logan helps Zoe and Blue find the other five griffin cubs that have escaped their enclosure at the menagerie and are hidden …
Max Flash: Mission 1: Game On, Becky Jamieson
Max Flash: Mission 1: Game On, Becky Jamieson
Children's Book and Media Review
All his life Max Flash has practiced magic tricks and being an escape artist. However, like most kids he also has a passion for video games. Now Max is being asked to put these skills to use in a way that he had never thought possible. It is his mission to enter a virtual world filled with video game characters that are bent on killing him and escaping through a portal into the real world. With the help of computer programmers on the outside Max stops the game characters from leaving and manages to pass through the portal just before …
Moo, Sarah Rawle
Moo, Sarah Rawle
Children's Book and Media Review
Reena never suspected that her family would actually move to Main. But when they do, they meet a crazy old lady, Mrs. Falala, who Reena and her brother Luke end up helping with Mrs. Falala’s many animals. At first it’s difficult, but soon they become comfortable friends. Reena helps take care of Mrs. Falala’s stubborn cow, Zora, and prepare her for the fair while Luke teaches Mrs. Falala how to draw. Preparing Zora for the fair is hard work. Fortunately, Reena makes friends with Zep and Beet and they teach Reena how to train Zora. Throughout the training process, Reena …
Pyramid Hunters: The Iron Tomb, Tessa Mcmillan
Pyramid Hunters: The Iron Tomb, Tessa Mcmillan
Children's Book and Media Review
Sam Force is dreading his yearly Cairo vacation with his Egyptologist uncle, Jasper. Upon his arrival, Sam learns Jasper is wanted by the police. Escaping the authorities himself, Sam uses his wits and three new mysterious friends to search for Jasper. Following coded clues left by Jasper, Sam learns about the Panehesy: a buried merchant ship that carried an ancient-Egyptian treasure. Sam is threatened by the Short-Haired Man who also wants Jasper. Sam uncovers the buried Panehesy and finds Jasper trapped inside. Jasper tells Sam that the ship holds The Ark of the Covenant, an artifact many believe is the …
The Honest Truth, Nancy Haight
The Honest Truth, Nancy Haight
Children's Book and Media Review
Mark runs away from home with his dog, Beau, to climb Mount Rainier. Only twelve, he has carefully planned his route to confuse those he knows will be searching for him. The cancer Mark has been fighting since he was five has returned before recovering from his last round of treatments and he sees his death coming. Mark wants to climb Mount Rainier and die there. His journey encompasses a train ride, the scary streets of a strange city at night, a gang of teenage thugs, a bus trip, lots of walking, rain, and a dip in an icy river …
The Emperor's Ostrich, Rachel Waddam
The Emperor's Ostrich, Rachel Waddam
Children's Book and Media Review
The young Emperor is going to take the throne, but Grandfather Spirit thinks he’s not ready, so he sends him off on an adventure accompanied by an ostrich to protect him. Grandmother Spirit has had enough of this meddling, so she sends Maid Begonia chasing after her errant cow. Along the way, Key, a boy who is bound to save damsels in distress, joins the group as the emperor’s ostrich and Begonia’s cow refuse to be separated. Back home, a trio of men are plotting to take the throne while Begonia’s mother sets out to find her daughter. All the …
Crown Of Three #2: The Lost Realm, Tessa Mcmillan
Crown Of Three #2: The Lost Realm, Tessa Mcmillan
Children's Book and Media Review
Escaping the zombie plagued Idilliam, Gulph finds a shaky sanctuary in the lost underground realm of Celestis. Meanwhile, the wizard Melchior arrives at the Trident camp and takes Tarlan on a journey to rejuvenate his wizarding powers. Once Tarlan leaves, Elodie’s adopted father, Lord Vicerin, attacks the Trident troops but Elodie pretends to turn on her soldiers to spare their lives. When Elodie returns with Vicerin, his true intentions are revealed. Vicerin poisons his wife and then blackmails Elodie into marrying him so he can lay claim to Toronia’s crown. Secretly, Gulph makes his way back to Idilliam to free …
Bob And Joss Get Lost!, Jess Verzello
Bob And Joss Get Lost!, Jess Verzello
Children's Book and Media Review
When Bob becomes bored, he and Joss decide to jump on a boat and go on an adventure. But when their boat is shipwrecked on a tropical island, Bob finds that survival in the wild isn’t the easiest. They face new monsters, learn to build a shelter, and scavenge for food. Bob can’t help but freak out while Joss seems to keep his cool. When Joss comes back with beach towels, a snorkel, and fins Bob realizes that they crash landed on the other side on the island where the resort is! They make it back home safely, but soon …
Ace Dragon Ltd, Aylea Stephens
Ace Dragon Ltd, Aylea Stephens
Children's Book and Media Review
While John is walking down the street one day, he hears a noise and discovers the Ace Dragon LTD. After learning what LTD means, the voice he hears tells him that it can make fire come out of its mouth, fly, and spin straw into gold, but before any of that can happen, John has to fight it. He meets up with the dragon and they fight. John wins, so John and Ace Dragon LTD. go flying and skywriting together. They get stuck on a golden moon, but luckily Ace is able to spin gold into straw so that they …
How To Find A Fox, Ariel Woodbury
How To Find A Fox, Ariel Woodbury
Children's Book and Media Review
This little girl is on a mission to find a fox! But when looking in a fox hole and leaving fox bait out doesn't work, she decides to try a different approach. After spending the day searching for a fox, the girl is very tired. She takes a rest and discovers that sometimes the fox wants to find you instead! How to Find a Fox is a fantastic book. The sneaky fox eludes the little girl on every page and children will love looking for him and enjoy his (sometimes silly) disguises. The illustrations are incredibly well done with vibrant …
Blackthorn Key #2: Mark Of The Plague, Tessa Mcmillan
Blackthorn Key #2: Mark Of The Plague, Tessa Mcmillan
Children's Book and Media Review
The plague is sweeping through London’s streets. Christopher Rowe wants to help by using his departed master’s apothecary, but strict rules deny Christopher, still only an apprentice, the right to open the shop to the public. Desperate for money, Christopher finds a cryptic note from Master Blackthorn about a hidden treasure. While Christopher and Tom are out following a clue, an intruder breaks into the apothecary. This break-in entangles Christopher in a deadly conflict between two competing doctors, Melchior and Galen, who claim to be healing plague victims in their own ways. After Tom is falsely diagnosed with the plague, …
Fog Diver #2: The Lost Compass, Aylea Stephens
Fog Diver #2: The Lost Compass, Aylea Stephens
Children's Book and Media Review
Chess and his crew have escaped the slums, but that doesn't mean that they are out of danger in Port Oro. The fog is threatening to consume the rest of their small world, and Lord Kodoc is determined to use Chess for his own purposes. In Port Oro, Chess is recruited to help search for the one thing that can stop the fog's progression: an ancient machine called the Compass that only Chess with his fog eye can find. As Chess fights off Lord Kodoc, driftsharks, ticktocks, and does everything he can to keep his friends save, he discovers a …
Michael Vey #2: Rise Of The Elgen, Abigail Packard
Michael Vey #2: Rise Of The Elgen, Abigail Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
Michael Vey and the rest of the Electroclan have narrowly escaped the Elgen and head back to Idaho to regroup. However, when they arrive they are surprised to find the Elgen waiting for them. All is not lost though when a mysterious “voice” calls Michael and helps him and his friends escape the Elgen. Michael has no choice but to trust the voice which brings the entire Electroclan back into the foray with the Elgen as they travel to Peru to find and free Michael’s mom. With the help of each member of the Electroclan and some new friends discovered …
Nemesis, Abigail Packard
Nemesis, Abigail Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
Instead of becoming a slave to her father King of Serubel, Princess Sepora flees to Theoria, the neighboring enemy kingdom. But finding a new life is difficult, particularly since she is the last known Forger—someone who can produce spectorium, a commodity used to power nearly all of the five kingdoms. Despite her determination, she is captured and sold as a slave into the Theorian king’s harem. Outraged, she confronts Theoria's new king Tarik, who inherited the throne after his father's death by an incurable plague sweeping the kindgom. Serubel has cut off all trade of spectorium and a war looms …
Michael Vey #1: The Prisoner Of Cell 25, Abigail Packard
Michael Vey #1: The Prisoner Of Cell 25, Abigail Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
Michael has a secret: he’s electric. He can shock others by touching them and then “pulsing.” After a particularly bad encounter with the school’s bullies that pick on him because of his small build and Tourette’s syndrome, Michael snaps and shocks them. Another student, popular cheerleader Taylor, sees this encounter. Come to find out she is also electric; she can “reboot” people’s minds to make them momentarily confused. Michael and Taylor, with the help of Michael’s best friend and brainiac Ostin, go looking for some answers only to discover that they are two of seventeen children that survived a terrible …
Bartholomew Biddle And The Very Big Wind, Jarrett Bell
Bartholomew Biddle And The Very Big Wind, Jarrett Bell
Children's Book and Media Review
Bartholomew Biddle is a boy who hates math and loves adventure, but soon finds himself being swept up by his trusty bedsheet and a powerful gust of wind. As Bart travels and meets new friends in strange lands he must decide where he truly belongs among pirates, pilots, parents, and friends. What will he do when he finds himself where the wind doesn't blow--will he return home? Ross's story follows this fantastic character as Bartholomew questions the role of pleasure, persistence, and adventure in boyhood. Ross's writing is unique in that it is written entirely in 450 poetry stanzas of …
The Space Between Us, Lisa Packard
The Space Between Us, Lisa Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
Gardner Elliot has always lived in the NASA settlement on Mars: his mother was an astronaut who gave birth to him there. All Gardner wants is to go to Earth, and one day finally he has the chance. However, he soon discovers that his body cannot take Earth's gravity and NASA plans to send him back to Mars immediately. Before they can, Gardner escapes his confinement to go see his pen pal, Tulsa. To Gardner, his adventures with Tulsa, Earth's blue water and green grass, and even seeing a horse for the first time is amazing. Gardner and Tulsa are …
We're In The Wrong Book!, Carlie Smith
We're In The Wrong Book!, Carlie Smith
Children's Book and Media Review
Ben and Bella are bouncing around the sidewalk of their own book when their dog bumps into them and sends them tumbling into the wrong book. The two kids must wander through several different types of books in order to make it back. First they visit a counting book, then a comic book, a history book, a puzzle book, an e-book, a craft book, activity books and finally a monster book before they arrive safely where they belong. In each book, they must use the signature elements of the genre to escape and move to the next stage of their …
Good Night, Chirp!, Shelby Bunker
Good Night, Chirp!, Shelby Bunker
Children's Book and Media Review
Chirp, the chick, is restless. He is supposed to be sleeping, but he’d rather embark on an adventure. While the other hens in the henhouse slumber on, Chirp slips out to go catch the moon. On the way he meets many of his farm animal friends and invites them to join him. But they are too sleepy. Only Kitty is up for the challenge. Kitty even knows where to find the moon. On their way back home, Chirp and Kitty get lost in the woods. They hear scary noises, but it’s just the Owl family. The owls show Chirp and …
A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room: Part One, Lisa Packard
A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room: Part One, Lisa Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
Violet, Klaus and Sunny are now with Dr. Montgomery Montgomery. He's an expert in reptiles and very strange. Even though the Baudelaires' are supposed to be with their closest living relative, they suspect Montgomery is not related to them at all. As they are getting to know him and getting to be themselves and be in a safe and loving place, a new assistant for Montgomery shows up, which is actually Count Olaf. Violet and Klaus try to tell Montgomery who the new assistant is, but he won't let them finish their sentences. Montgomery doesn't trust his new assistant and …