Hilde Cracks the Case: Hero Dog! (Review and Giveaway!)

Ooo have I got a good one to share with you today. I'm always excited about kid authors, and this next author just about blows my socks off--Hilde Lysiak is one awesome chica! I've been perusing her website and news stories for the last hour and am so impressed... But I'm getting ahead of myself! First, her book to be reviewed. And then, make sure to see below for a giveaway!

Hero Dog!
(Hilde Cracks the Case #1)
Written by Hilde Lysiak & Matthew Lysiak, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-1338141559
Publisher: Scholastic
Date of publication: September 12, 2017
Age: Grades 1-3
Genre: Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: ARC from publisher

Themes: journalism, detective work, dogs, neighbor relationships

Nine-year-old crime reporter Hilde Lysiak is starring in her very own early chapter book series—inspired by news stories Hilde wrote in real life! In this first book, there's been a break-in on Orange Street! Cupcakes have been stolen, and soon a pie goes missing, too. Hilde and her sister/photographer, Izzy, must interview witnesses and follow the clues. Can Hilde crack the case in time to post her news story online?

What really makes this book for me is not so much the story, but the people and inspirations behind it. I mean—hello!—awesome child reporter writes her own book series about the crimes she solves?? That's just so legit. Too legit to quit. Hilde is sharing what she loves and doing it in a way that demands to be taken seriously. It's awesome for kids; it encourages them to pursue their dreams and work hard for what they love.

I will still comment on the story, of course. The journalistic aspects are well incorporated into a Nate-the-Great-style mystery, with some great characters (or perhaps I should say suspects) and dramatic build-up. The illustrations add some fun support to the story. My only small complaint would be a number of exclamation points. I felt like there was a lot of excited yelling in my head as I read it. I'm sure that won't bother the kids who read it—the book will, I'm sure, be much enjoyed. Definitely recommended!

Also recommended: doing a journalism classroom/library study—get started with the Scholastic curriculum guide, which has a LOT of useful material!

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Hilde Kate Lysiak is the reporter and publisher of the Orange Street News. Since starting her paper at the age of seven Hilde has written and published hundreds of stories in her hometown of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. Hilde has been recognized for her work in the New York Times, NBC Today Show, GMA, The Washington Post, and thousands of other media across the world.

Giveaway!

I'm partnering with Scholastic to provide a giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a copy of Hilde's first book—book 1, THE HERO DOG! (U.S. addresses only) Enter using the widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top Early Readers/Chapter Books of the Month (Sept 2017)

This post seems to be a bit dominated by small rodents. But don't worry, I threw in a ghost story, just to keep you on your toes.

There's a Pest in the Garden
Written and illustrated by Jan Thomas

My rating: ★★★★½

ISBN: 978-0544941656
Publisher: HMH Books
Date of publication: June 6, 2017
Age: Grades K - 2
Format: library book

Themes: vegetables, gardening, animals, humor

There’s a pest in the garden and he’s eating all the vegetables! The beans, corn, and peas are rapidly disappearing! Good thing, then, that Duck has a plan to save the day (well, sort of).

I'm always a fan of Jan Thomas because I'm always a fan of funny books. And boy did this one fit the bill! I love it when a story takes unexpected, hilarious turns, which this book does beautifully. The illustrations feature her traditional characters and style, with bold colors and lines simply done. Really, the story is short, sweet, and great for beginning readers--and also totally hilarious. As a readaloud, this would be a lot of fun to encourage predictions and questions from your storytime crowd. Definitely recommended.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Fergus and Zeke
Written by Kate Messner, illustrated by Heather Ross

My rating: ★★★

ISBN: 978-0763678463
Publisher: Candlewick
Date of publication: June 13, 2017
Age: Grades 1 - 3
Format: library book

Themes: field trips, mice, classroom pet, museums, friendship

Fergus loves being the class pet in Miss Maxwell’s classroom. He does everything the students do, until the teacher plans a field trip to the museum — without Fergus! He doesn’t want to miss the fun, so he stows away in a backpack and sets off for an adventure. When he arrives at the museum, Fergus finds it a little overwhelming — huge and full of exciting things to see. Luckily, he meets a new friend, Zeke, who knows the ropes, and together they explore everything from moon rocks to butterflies to a giant dinosaur skeleton ("A playground!" says Zeke). But when the time comes for the bus to leave, Fergus is worried that he’ll be left behind. Will he make it back to school to take his place as class pet once more?

A traditional story of friendship that has all of the classic elements. These two mice are hardly alike, but of course, opposites attract and they enjoy a simple adventure, much in the vein of Frog and Toad. I was not overly wowed because its traditional feel also means that it felt a tad unoriginal and predictable. However, it could make for a good pre-field-trip read or is a great recommendation if for a reader that's really into mice books (because, my goodness, there are a lot).

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Ghost Attack
(Monster Itch #1)
David Lubar

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-0545873482
Publisher: Scholastic
Date of publication: June 27, 2017
Age: Grades 2 - 4
Genre: Mystery, Horror
Format: library book

Themes: ghosts, allergies, cousins, mystery

When Alex and his cousin Sarah are visiting their grandparents, Alex gets terrible red, itchy hives. Yikes! He's allergic to a ghost! Even worse, the ghost won't leave him alone -- he wants Alex and Sarah's help. Can they solve the ghost's mystery and get rid of Alex's awful rash before it ruins everything?

A little creepy at the beginning, an intriguing mystery in the middle, and thoroughly satisfying by the end--a fun read to recommend! A touch of humor keeps things light as Alex and Sarah figure out the clues to helping a haunting ghost. It keeps readers engaged; it's easy to solve the mystery right along with the characters. While I do hope these two main characters gain a little more depth in the subsequent sequels (there's little hints about their strong loyalty to each other, even as the play jokes and have fun, which I think is brilliant and should be further developed), I admit that it's a great story and perfect for the upcoming Halloween season.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

A True Home
(Heartwood Hotel #1)
Written by Kallie George, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin

My rating: ★★★★½

ISBN: 978-1484731611
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Date of publication: July 3, 2017
Age: Grades 2 - 5
Genre:
Format: library book

Themes: mice, hotels, forest animals, courage

When Mona the Mouse stumbles across the wondrous world of the Heartwood Hotel in the middle of a storm, she desperately hopes they'll let her stay. As it turns out, Mona is precisely the maid they need at the grandest hotel in Fernwood Forest, where animals come from far and wide for safety, luxury, and comfort. But the Heartwood Hotel is not all acorn souffle and soft moss-lined beds. Danger lurks, and as it approaches, Mona finds that this hotel is more than a warm place to spend the night. It might also be a home.

You know when you feel all warm and cozy with your hot chocolate by the fire and a blanket in your lap and loved ones all around? That's what this book does to you. Okay, I may be exaggerating a bit, but this is definitely a heart-warmer. Mona is so sweet, brave, and kind (maybe too much so a time or two, even?), and her past so tragic, that you can't help but love her. The story itself is well developed, with Mona gaining more and more courage with each opportunistic event, culminating in a fantastic climax. Truly, this was a joy to read and I highly recommend it (it's especially perfect for fall).

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Top Middle-Grade Fiction of the Month

Oops, this was supposed to go up last week. But guess who just started her brand new job as an elementary school librarian?? That's right. This girl. Dream job: attained. So, yeah...I may be a littel swamped at the moment. But! I'm excited for lots of new content for the blog (for example, the decorating of my new library) and to review even more books as I share them with students. So, of course, here are some more reviews! My favorite middle-grade reads from the month...

Beyond the Doors
David Neilsen

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-1101935828
Publisher: Crown Books
Date of publication: August 1, 2017
Age: Grades 4 - 7
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Format: ARC from author

Themes: family relationships, memories, nightmares & monsters, humor, doors

"When a family disaster forces the four Rothbaum children to live with their aunt Gladys, they immediately know there is something strange about their new home. The front entrance is a four-story-tall drawbridge. The only food in Aunt Gladys’s kitchen is an endless supply of Honey Nut Oat Blast Ring-a-Dings cereal. And strangest of all are the doors—there are none. Every doorway is a wide-open passageway—even the bathroom! Who lives in a house with no doors? When they discover just what Aunt Gladys has been doing with all her doors, the shocked siblings embark on an adventure that changes everything they believe about their family and the world."

This is the second book I've reviewed of Mr. Neilsen's (see Dr. Fell back here), and may I say, his writing is still so fun. It's creepy, yes, but with just the right amount of funny. I mean, how would you like it if you were stuck eating Honey Nut Oat Blast Ring-a-Dings cereal for every meal? I also enjoyed his ability to tell the story from the point of view of each of the four siblings (alternating between the four with each chapter), each with their own unique personality and depth. It made it even more interesting and, at times, totally hilarious (I mean, one of the characters is a seven-year-old girl obsessed with all things cute and fluffy). His strong writing voice, reminiscent of Lemony Snicket, is sure to please readers of all ages.

I will admit, though, that I wasn't quite as much of a fan of the story itself as I was his first. The writing, yes, but the plot... The premise of this story, while very original and unique, became a bit difficult for me to follow. The traveling through space and time and memory became very layered very quickly (think like the movie Inception) and I was a bit lost trying to follow along. I hope younger readers would not be daunted by it. Still, I would be quick to recommend it to fans of Lemony Snicket, Neil Gaiman, and the like. And, if you can listen to the audio book, DO, because Nielsen is a very talented performer.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart
Stephanie Burgis

My rating: ★★★★½

ISBN: 978-1681193434
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Date of publication: May 30, 2017
Age: Grades 3 - 7
Genre: Fantasy
Format: ARC from publisher

Themes: dragons, chocolate, responsibility, failure & success

"Aventurine is a brave young dragon ready to explore the world outside of her family's mountain cave . . . if only they'd let her leave it. Her family thinks she's too young to fly on her own, but she's determined to prove them wrong by capturing the most dangerous prey of all: a human.

"But when that human tricks her into drinking enchanted hot chocolate, she's transformed into a puny human without any sharp teeth, fire breath, or claws. Still, she's the fiercest creature in these mountains--and now she's found her true passion: chocolate. All she has to do is get to the human city to find herself an apprenticeship (whatever that is) in a chocolate house (which sounds delicious), and she'll be conquering new territory in no time . . . won't she?"

Dragons and chocolate? I mean, honestly, what's not to love? And that's just the premise. Then you start reading it and it just wins you over that much faster. Burgis' character voice (in this case, it being an extremely frustrated dragon-turned-human who thinks chocolate is manna from heaven) is spot on. Aventurine is hilarious. And sassy, spunky, scared, sad, and all sorts of other "s" adjectives. She experiences a full range of emotions and wonderful development. Really, it wouldn't have been a successful story without such a strong main character; it's so well done. Kids will love it and I will definitely recommend it.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Posted
John David Anderson

My rating: ★★★½

ISBN: 978-0062338204
Publisher: Walden Pond Press
Date of publication: May 2, 2017
Age: Grades 6 - 9
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Library eBook

Themes: bullying, friendship, middle school, written communication

"When cell phones are banned at Branton Middle School, Frost and his friends Deedee, Wolf, and Bench come up with a new way to communicate: leaving sticky notes for each other all around the school. It catches on, and soon all the kids in school are leaving notes—though for every kind and friendly one, there is a cutting and cruel one as well.

"In the middle of this, a new girl named Rose arrives at school and sits at Frost’s lunch table. Rose is not like anyone else at Branton Middle School, and it’s clear that the close circle of friends Frost has made for himself won’t easily hold another. As the sticky-note war escalates, and the pressure to choose sides mounts, Frost soon realizes that after this year, nothing will ever be the same."

Ah, middle school. Boy, does it suck. And here is a novel that really makes you think about why that is. What I loved most about this book were the characters—each with their own quirks and talents, but overall, written in a way to be widely relatable. It was easy to put one's self into the story. I also appreciated the philosophical undertones, especially in regard to words. Because, honestly, whoever came up with "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" saying should, himself, be stoned. Words do hurt. And this story carefully examines the ramifications of all sorts of words—words said to friends, whispered behind a back, or written anonymously for all to see.

On a more critical note, however, this wasn't as perfect as I would've hoped. The ending seemed to drag, especially with a bit of a double climax (in fact, there seems to be two parallel storylines, which both had to be wrapped up). And the way Anderson kept referring to the "war" of words was a bit overly dramatic—not the metaphor, but the referencing to it and how it began, because he just kept repeating himself. Overall, it's not one that I would be quick to recommend to my elementary school students, but I can see it being a fantastic classroom study in a middle school class. Also, a definite recommendation to those who enjoyed Sticks and Stones or Goodbye Stranger.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Top Picture Books of the Month (August 2017)

There were a lot of great picture books published this summer, but here are some of my favorites. You'll notice most of them are based on humor... (what can I say, I love to laugh)

Whobert Whover, Owl Detective
Written by Jason Gallaher, illustrated by Jess Pauwels

My rating: ★★★★½

ISBN: 978-1481462716
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Date of publication: July 18, 2017
Age: 4 - 9 years
Genre: Mystery
Format: ARC from publisher

Themes: forest animals, detectives, mystery, humor

"Help Whobert Whover, Owl Detective, keep his woods safe in this hilarious who-who-dun-it. What happened to Perry the Possum? Whobert Whover, Owl Detective, is on the case! Did Debbie the Duck whack Perry with her wicked wings? Or did Freddie the Frog soak Perry in his sickening slime? And what if the culprit is closer to home than Whobert expects?"

Whobert is adorable. Yes, I'm TOTALLY biased because—hello—I run a book review blog called Literary Hoots. But, sadly, he's not quite as wise as you might expect for an owl... (*giggle*). Okay, sorry, let's keep going. Really, the book, overall, is just awesome—but it takes a couple of read-throughs to really appreciate it. The writing has great flow, with a repetitive pattern of Whobert looking for clues, making an accusation, being totally wrong and starting again. Then the ending exploits that nicely and wraps up quite humorously—perfect for a readaloud or storytime.

The illustrations support the text beautifully because this is where the real humor comes in. Look closely at the clues illustrated—what is Whobert missing that the intrepid reader could discover? It's brilliant and demands to be looked at repeatedly, encouraging the reader to be their own detective. In storytime or with a child on your lap, this is a fantastic picture book to try out. I really hope more Whobert adventures are in the works.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Monster's New Undies
Written by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Tad Carpenter

My rating: ★★★½

ISBN: 978-0545879736
Publisher: Orchard Books
Date of publication: June 27, 2017
Age: 3 - 5 years
Genre: Humor
Format: library book

Themes: monsters, underwear, rhyming, humor

"These are my undies! / A sweet work of art! / Uh-oh! My undies! / They just fell apart. Monster is JUST FINE with his old undies, thank you very much. But when his undies fall apart, what's a monster to do? His mommy takes him shopping, of course! But finding the perfect pair of undies is not going to be easy..."

Rhyming text all about underwear? I would never NOT use this in storytime. Fun to read aloud and content kids love (I'm sorry, kids will never NOT laugh at underwear books—trust me, I did a whole underwear storytime). My only complaint is that it might be a tad too long; I honestly didn't know you could poeticize about underpants for so many pages. And the ending felt a bit abrupt. Still, with appealing illustrations and the chance to repeatedly rhyme words like "buns" and "rump," I know kids would have a lot of fun with it. See for yourself!

Find it at your library or on Amazon

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors
Written by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Adam Rex

My rating: ★★★★½

ISBN: 978-0062438898
Publisher: Balzar + Bray
Date of publication: April 4, 2017
Age: 5 - 10 years
Genre: humor
Format: library book

Themes: games, battles, legends, humor

"You've played the game. Now read the legend of how it all began...Long ago, in an ancient and distant realm called the Kingdom of Backyard, there lived a warrior named ROCK. Meanwhile in the Empire of Mom's Home Office, a second great warrior sought the glory of battle. And his name was PAPER. At the same time, in the Kitchen Realm, in the tiny village of Junk Drawer, lived a third warrior. They called her SCISSORS. These three were the strongest, smartest, and fastest in all the land. Time and again they beat the most fearsome opponents they could find: an apricot, a computer printer—even frozen, breaded, dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets! But when the warriors finally meet each other, the most epic round of battles begins...and never ends. That is why, to this day, children around the world honor these worthy adversaries by playing ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!"

There's been a lot of buzz about this one—and for good reason. The writing is just so clever and the illustrations so totally epic. And of course, the two together make for a hilarious homage to a rather simple game. Who knew you could make Rock, Paper, Scissors so totally awesome? Gosh, even the publisher-provided summary is rather glorious. The length of this book, though, does lead me to say it'd be better for an older audience—grade-schoolers will love it. I think it'd make for a great classroom study, in addition to it being just an all around fun read.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Blue Sky, White Stars
Written by Sarvinder Naberhaus, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-0803737006
Publisher: Dial Books
Date of publication: June 13, 2017
Age: 4 and up
Genre: Poetry
Format: library book

Themes: The United States of America, the flag, patriotism,

"An inspiring and patriotic tribute to the beauty of the American flag, a symbol of America’s history, landscape, and people. It depicts a stirring tableau, from the view of the Statue of Library at Ellis Island to civil rights marchers shoulder to shoulder, to a spacecraft at Cape Canaveral blasting off. This book is an ode to America then and now, from sea to shining sea."

Man, I missed the ball on this one—what a perfect read for the 4th of July! I only missed it by a month or so. While the writing is poetic and evocative, it's Nelson's illustrations that make this book so successful. I'm a huge fan of his skill; the detail and realism in his paintings are awe-inspiring. Naberhaus outlines, while Nelson fills in the details. So, really, his work was perfect for Naberhaus' writing. Definitely take the time to really pore over the art in this book. This is one that can be appreciated by people of all ages.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Be Quiet!
Ryan T. Higgins

My rating: ★★★★½

ISBN: 978-1484731628
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Date of publication: April 4, 2017
Age: 4 - 9 years
Genre: Humor
Format: library book

Themes: forest animals, humor, book writing

All Rupert the mouse wants is to star in a beautiful, wordless picturebook. One that's visually stimulating! With scenic pictures! And style! He has plenty of ideas about what makes a great book, but his friends just WON'T. STOP. TALKING.

Genius, really. Pure comedic genius. Higgins has delivered a story that not only makes you laugh out loud, but even explores aspects of the book writing and illustrating process. It's so meta; it breaks the fourth wall before the book even starts. The illustrations, with their comic-like word bubbles and action contributes to the humor even further. This would be such a great readaloud—the more dramatically read, the better (and it allows for a lot of drama!). Give this one a try!

Find it at your library or on Amazon

The Explorers: The Door in the Alley (Review and Blog Tour!)

Welcome to Literary Hoots for this stop in the blog tour of The Explorers: The Door in the Alley! I'm excited to share my thoughts on this most adventurous of adventure stories. And talk about a pig in a teeny hat, of course.

The Explorers: The Door in the Alley
Adrienne Kress

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-1101940051
Publisher: Delacorte
Date of publication: April 25, 2017
Age: Grades 3 - 6
Genre: Mystery
Format: ARC from publisher

Themes: adventure, secret societies, missing person, friendship, exploring, maps

"This is one of those stories that start with a pig in a teeny hat. It’s not the one you’re thinking about. (This story is way better than that one.) This pig-in-a-teeny-hat story starts when a very uninquisitive boy stumbles upon a very mysterious society. After that, there is danger and adventure; there are missing persons, hired thugs, a hidden box, a lost map, and famous explorers; and there is a girl looking for help that only uninquisitive boys can offer."

Reviews of the Week 1/9

I'm going to try to read more chapter books this year. There's so many excellent early readers and so many good middle-grade novels, that I often forget about all those readers in between. So here's a good way to kick that resolution off...

  

Reviews of the Week 8/29

So I'm going to try something a little bit different, namely posting all the reviews for one week on Monday, instead multiple posts. We're going to see if this works as I start to do some reformatting for the blog this next month...

  

Inspector Flytrap

Inspector Flytrap
(Inspector Flytrap #1)
Written by Tom Angleberger, illustrated by Cece Bell

My rating: ★★★

ISBN: 978-1419709654
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Date of publication: August 2, 2016
Age: Grades 1 - 4
Genre: Mystery, humor
Format: library ebook

Themes: mysteries, detective work, humor, animals, Venus Flytrap

Inspector Flytrap (no, don't call him Mr. Flytrap) of Inspector Flytrap Detective Agency, along with his goat assistant Nina, are only concerned with solving BIG DEAL mysteries. No, this venus flytrap does not care to find a missing pickle paperweight, but will take on the mysterious blob on a Da Vinci painting, a giant stinky shoe, a kidnapped rose, and other such cases. He's confident he can solve them, even if Nina likes to eat everything, including the evidence.

A venus flytrap detective, who gets around on a skateboard pushed by his goat assistant and discovers things like Da Vinci snot...yeah, it's completely nonsensical. Which is why it's also completely hilarious and I can tell kids will love it. Is this my preferred reading? No. But Angleberger and Bell, the dream team, can totally pull it off. His writing is carefree and fun, while her illustrations support the story quite beautifully.

With simple text and illustrations on nearly every page, this is a great beginning chapter book. Plus, the silliness and interspersed comics breaks make it a surefire winner with those who may be more reluctant about reading. The flytrap and goat are very aware that they're a plant and goat, and thus aware of their limitations. Therefore, the way they work around these AND work to solve weird mysteries makes for an engaging, humorous story. While I don't love snot or stinky shoes or sarcastic goats, I would still recommend this to the right kid. This is right up there with Captain Underpants and the like.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Review: The Curse of the Were-Hyena (and giveaway!)

You guys, full moon means only one thing right? Well, if you thought werewolf, think again. Yep, it's the Full Moon of the Were-Hyena (even more creepy than the werewolf, seriously). This blog tour goes all month long and is all over the interwebs. As for me? Check out my review below and a giveaway! Also, stay tuned for an interview with Bruce Hale that is in the works!

The Curse of the Were-Hyena
Bruce Hale

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-1484713259
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Date of publication: July 5, 2016
Age: Grades 3 - 6
Genre: Mystery, Horror
Format: ARC from publisher

Themes: shape-shifting, monsters, friendship, teachers, curses, humor

"What do you do when your favorite teacher starts turning into a were-hyena?

a) Flee in terror?
b) Try to cure him?
c) Bring him carrion snacks?

Mr. Chu, the coolest teacher ever, has developed some very unusual habits, like laughing hysterically for no reason, sniffing people's homework, and chasing chickens. When best friends Carlos and Benny decide to find out what's happening to him, they get caught up in some moonlight madness. And it looks like just the beginning of the weirdness that has arrived in the town of Monterrosa. . ."

Hilarious and creepy. Yes, two for one special! Turning into a hyena makes for some terrifying situations...but with a lot of laughs. I mean, it is a hyena after all. But seriously, Carlos and Benny keep things light at the right times, while also have some great depth as characters. I also really enjoyed the character, Mrs. Tamasese, who (while being totally kick-butt awesome) provided a little of the needed adult supervision. Along those lines, it did bother me a bit that the kids' parents were (once again) totally ignorant or absent or silly, but I realize kids like reading about being the heroes in such situations.

Otherwise, the story is quick-paced and starts off immediately with an action-packed grabber. The mystery of who's behind it all kept me guessing through most of the book, too. There's some scattered illustrations throughout the book that also help keep the story going. Overall, kids will have a lot of fun with this one, especially if they're looking for scary (but not too scary). Great for reluctant readers, too, with the quick, high-action storyline. Definitely give this one a try!

Find it at your library or on Amazon

The Full Moon of the Were-Hyena Howling Good Giveaway!

★ ★ ★ ★

Ten winners will receive a copy of Bruce Hale’s The Curse of the Were-Hyena. Four Grand Prize winners will receive The Curse of the Were-Hyena plus an advance reading copy of the second book in the series, Mutant Mantis Lunch Ladies! And as a bonus, Grand Prize winners will also get a signed photo of Bruce Hale disguised as a were-wolf!
Click here to enter!

Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom

Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom
David Neilsen

My rating: ★★★★½

ISBN: 978-1101935781
Publisher: Crown Books
Date of publication: August 9, 2016
Age: Grades 3 - 6
Genre: Mystery, Horror
Format: ARC received from author

Themes: playgrounds, childhood, friendship, monster, good vs evil, community

When the mysterious Dr. Fell moves into the abandoned house that had once been the neighborhood kids’ hangout, he immediately builds a playground to win them over. Soon, kids from across the city are flocking to the ever-expanding structure to play for hours on end. But it's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt. In a flash, Dr. Fell has them fixed up—totally healed!—and only Jerry, Nancy, and Gail find it odd. In fact, these three seem to be the only people in the whole neighborhood not bewitched by Dr. Fell and his extravagant wonderland. As the number of injuries increases, they alone must find a way to uncover the doctor's secret healing power—and his darker ulterior motive—without falling under his spell.

This book is amazing. Creepy, hilarious, exciting, disturbing, and completely brilliant all in one. Yes, it is that awesome. I read it practically in one sitting. While it is a spooky mystery, the humor is what really made me love it. With a bit of a parody undertone (what with the kids attending McKinley Grant Fillmore Elementary or Washington Madison Hoover Elementary or Lincoln Adams Coolidge Elementary), it definitely feels like Jerry, Nancy, and Gail (I mean, seriously, even their names) fell right out of Beaver Cleaver's neighborhood into the 21st century. I seriously laughed more with this book than any I've read in a while. Granted, I was picking up on a lot of the satire that may be missed by some younger readers, but kids will still get plenty of laughs.

Okay, but beyond the humor, there was a wonderful dose of creepy. The story moves along quickly, leaving just enough hints and ideas to keep the reader guessing at the mystery of Dr. Fell. There's some truly eerie scenes that will keep even the most reluctant of readers on edge. And the characters themselves were surprisingly deep; Neilsen could've easily stuck in some flat caricatures to go with the Beaver Cleaver theme and gotten away with it. But Jerry, Nancy, and Gail each have some insecurities and fears that really made it easy to be invested in their characters.

My only complaint—the tiny, half-star complaint—was the ending. Definitely exciting and scary, but let's just say Neilsen left room for a sequel, which left me a bit frustrated. On the whole, I seriously want kids to read this. They'll have a lot of fun, especially with the recent rise in popularity of spooky stories, or titles like Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and Scavenger Hunt.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Hey I'm participating in Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday! Check it out here!

Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter

Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter
Beth Fantaskey

My rating: ★★★

ISBN: 978-0544582491
Publisher: HMH Books
Date of publication: March 1, 2016
Age: Grades 4 - 7
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery

Themes: murder, newspapers, 1920s Chicago, gangsters, friendship, gender stereotypes

It's 1920's Chicago, the guns-and-gangster era of Al Capone—and not only is ten-year-old Isabel Feeney selling the Tribune on the street corner, she wants to be behind the scenes reporting for it. It's her dream to be just like the famous Maude Collier, front page journalist and top crime reporter. She can't believe her luck when she stumbles not only into a real-live murder scene, but also into her journalist hero. But when it's a loyal customer that's landed in jail as the top suspect, Isabel—smart, curious, loyal, and full of spunk—fights to defend the honor of her accused friend.

A thoroughly enticing representation of a nitty-gritty era! It is an excellent historical piece, touching on the effects of the Prohibition, the Great War, women in the work place, influenza & polio, and the news media. And of course, the regular headline of gangsters and murder, which makes the book particularly exciting. A full range of characters, with their own motives and ideas, fit well in the time period and are believable.

However, it was not my favorite. While the cast of characters on a whole was appreciable, Isabel herself became rather annoying. Which is unfortunate when the whole book is told from her perspective; the writing was repetitive and a tad immature. And every. single. shock. in the story line marked the end of a chapter. Like a chapter had to end with a cliffhanger. Yes, it drives the story, but for such a long book, the effect starts to wear off after a while. I admit, I started to roll my eyes every time it happened.

In the end, I can see kids really enjoying it. And I wouldn't mind recommending it, since it will satisfy their need for excitement and I'd be glad they'd be getting a good, historical piece. But I'm still not the biggest fan.

Good readalike for Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko (who also does Al Capone Does My Shirts) or really any strong-female-lead-in-a-historical-fiction.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

The Screaming Statue

Hey guess what? I have a guest-post on the Cybils blog today--a truly terrifying book list!

The Screaming Statue
(Curiosity House #2)
Lauren Oliver & H. C. Chester

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-0062270849
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date of publication: May 3, 2015
Age: Grades 4 - 6
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction

Themes: murder, friendship, curiosities & marvels, orphans, New York City, dime museum

Pippa, Sam, Thomas, and Max are happy to be out of harm’s way now that the notorious villain Nicholas Rattigan is halfway across the country in Chicago. But unfortunately their home, Dumfreys’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders, is in danger of closing its doors forever. But their troubles only get worse when the four friends discover that their beloved friend, famous sculptor Siegfried Eckleberger, is murdered. As they investigate, they find clues that his death may be tied to the murder of a rich and powerful New York heiress, as well as to their own pasts.

Yep, these four awesomely extraordinary kids are at it again. The second book in the series added some further depth to the characters, keeping the reader invested in the story. For instance, turns out Max does have some heart. We continue to delve into their mysterious past and Rattigan is as terrifying as ever. Which, I'm not going to lie, (spoiler alert!) I was a bit upset at the end because of him—a good upset, you know, like a I-need-the-next-book-now-please upset.

Which brings me to the story itself. This one was a bit tidier than the first—not so many murders and clues thrown at you—but I sure got depressed by the continuing tragic saga of whether or not Dumfrey's museum would have the funds to survive. Plus the drama between the residents...it all created a rather stressful subplot. A minor, personal-preference complaint, really. Overall, a fantastic follow up to book one. I'd definitely recommend the series thus far.

And guess what? I'm hosting a giveaway of both books in the series! Just check out yesterday's post, the Curiosity House Blog Tour!

Find it at your library or on Amazon

The Nocturnals: The Mysterious Abductions

The Nocturnals: The Mysterious Abductions
Written by Tracey Hecht, illustrated by Kate Liebman

My rating: ★★½

ISBN: 978-1944020002
Publisher: Fabled Films Press
Date of publication: April 19, 2016
Age: Grades 2 - 6
Genre: Mystery

Themes: nocturnal animals, abductions, friendship, sports

Dawn, a serious fox, Tobin, a sweet pangolin, and Bismark, a loud-mouthed, pint-sized sugar glider—three unlikely friends who form a brigade of the night after a random encounter with a blood-thirsty snake. It's just in time because something is threatening their night realm. Animals are disappearing without a trace. Together with the help of a wombat, a band of coyotes and many others, Dawn, Tobin and Bismark journey to the depths of the earth in a wacky, high stakes game that will determine all of their survival. (see the book trailer here)

Points for creativity, that's for sure. I will say that I have never read a book where the main characters include a pangolin and sugar glider. Actually, there's all sorts of fascinating creatures that the reader is introduced to and little tidbits of actual animal facts. It's quite informational, actually...up to a point. The food chain seems to be a bit ignored, among several other fictional elements created to make the story work. I wouldn't normally mind a kiwi bird being used as a hockey stick in a story, but the juxtaposition with actual facts make the whole story come off a bit farfetched. This is furthered by a lot of convenient plot points to make the story work. For instance, the way the three main animals become friends in the first place happens all in about one page with little concern for depth or believability. The characters themselves are quite flat, but characters indeed. Tobin is delightfully sweet, which is a nice balance to the rather annoying Bismark (I wish he'd stick with the random vocabulary just one foreign language). Altogether, it's just...cute.

So while there are a lot of liberties taken, I was still engrossed with the climax (even though it was not at all what I would've expected). The mystery itself was fun and unpredictable. It's definitely targeted towards the juvenile audience because it is, itself, rather juvenile. It's cutesy. Which, I don't mind recommending, but I don't know that I'll be anxious to read the sequels. If you are interested in a fun, random story featuring animals that don't usually get the spotlight, give this a try.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

(I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review)

Judging By Its Cover: Warren the 13th and The All-Seeing Eye

Welcome to the "Judging By Its Cover" review series: which is when I pick a book at the library based solely on the enticings of its cover...

Warren the 13th and The All-Seeing Eye
Written by Tania del Rio, illustrated by Will Staehle

My rating: ★★★

ISBN: 978-1594748035
Publisher: Quirk Books
Date of publication: November 24, 2015
Age: Grades 4 - 6
Genre: Mysteriously Spooky Steampunk Fantasy Graphic Novel (Okay, we'll go with Mystery)

Themes: orphan, hotel, witchcraft, family relationships, heritage

Meet Warren the 13th. He's the lone bellhop, valet, groundskeeper, and errand boy of his family's ancient hotel. It's a strange, shadowy mansion full of crooked corridors and mysterious riddles—and it just might be home to a magical treasure known as the All-Seeing Eye. But if Warren is going to find the hidden treasure, he'll need to solve several other mysteries first: What is the strange creature lurking in the hotel boiler room? Who is the ghostly girl creeping around the garden's hedge maze? And why is the hotel's only guest covered in bandages?

Yes, the illustrations of the cover caught my eye, so I checked out the book. And, boy oh boy, the rest of them did not disappoint! All of the illustrations were expertly rendered with utmost style and finesse. Staehle used his fantastic designs to carry the creepy Victorian theme by using a monochromatic scheme (red) in a wood-engraved-style with classic typography. Basically, the illustrations are why I liked the book.

 

As for the actual story, however...well, it left a bit to be desired. Probably because the illustrations set the bar so high. It was fine. That's about it. The characters were sub-developed, cliche, and cute; the plot a bit twisted and broken, with odd little jumps and sudden discoveries. It was just okay. (After reading more about the creation of the book, and the fact that Warren is Staehle's brainchild, it feels like del Rio wasn't quite as invested  in the story as Staehle. But that's just my observation.)

So will I read any sequels? To be honest, I won't read them so much as look at all the pictures. Still, the simplistic story might be good to recommend to kids who love Tim Burton, Neil Gaiman, The Series of Unfortunate Events or other such spooky tales. And I'd definitely show the illustrations off to people of all ages. See them for yourself!

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Sizing Up Sequels: 3 Chapter Book Series

I finished a bunch of books this week that were all sequels and decided to review them together, since I've already reviewed the first in each series more extensively. So consider this a start to a new book list category of posts called "Sizing Up Sequels" to check-up on series continuations. Because, obviously, I've got to make sure they're still good...

The Shrunken Head

The Shrunken Head
(Curiosity House #1)
Written by Lauren Oliver & H. C. Chester

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-0062270818
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date of publication: September 29, 2015
Age: Grades 4 - 6
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction

Themes: murder, thievery, curiosities & marvels, orphans, New York City,

Three orphans have happily called "Dumphrey's Dime of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders" home. Of course, that's because they're quite extraordinary—Phillipa with her mind reading, Sam with his amazing strength, and Thomas with his contortionist body. But when a fourth orphan shows up, a girl named Max who can throw knives with frightening accuracy, strange things begin to happen. The newest exhibit—Mr. Dumphrey's prize shrunken head—is stolen, and leaves in its wake a trail of deaths and murders. Could the head really be cursed? The four orphans are determined to solve the case, and in the process, stumble upon the shocking truth about their pasts.

The book itself is an "oddity and wonder"—I'm still trying to figure out just how to describe it! It's so perfectly quaint with endearing characters and a fascinating storyline, yet is punctuated with touches the weird, the terrifying, and the gruesome. Basically, it feels like you're cuddling with the Addam's family (snapsnap). I reveled in its uniqueness. Plus the periodically-placed illustrations are just fantastic. Look at that cover!

The four orphans are just about my most favorite characters that I've read in a juvenile mystery. Yep, I said it. Their individual "powers" are not distracting or awkward in the story, but really contribute to their personality, depth, and endearing qualities. Then, their interactions with each other just build on all that and make me love them all the more; there's punches of humor, touches of the emotional, and surprising discoveries. Having the chapters be told in their alternating points-of-view helps, too. Seriously—you get invested in these kids!

Which is why I may have gotten frustrated with some elements of the story. It does drag a bit in the middle ("oh wow yet another murder...and yet no one is particularly worried about the kids") and is weighed down by some confusing side elements and discoveries ("yet another possible clue!"). I wish that some of that bulk had been trimmed down so that the ending was that much more of a pow (fantastic twist there at the end, by the way).

So overall, yes, I do want to know what happens next! I would definitely recommend it, but I bet I'd have to push the sell a bit harder. The extra murders and length make me wonder if younger kids will really go for it, yet the cover/marketing is targeted at them—turning away some older readers. A bit of tough sell. But a fantastic read for sure!

A good pre-read to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

The Odds of Getting Even

The Odds of Getting Even
(Tupelo Landing #3)
Sheila Turnage

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-0803739611
Publisher: Kathy Dawson Books
Date of publication: October 6, 2015
Age: Grades 5 and up
Genre: Mystery

Themes: judicial system, fugitive, framing, family, friendship

The trial of the century has come to Tupelo Landing, NC. Mo and Dale, aka Desperado Detectives, head to court as star witnesses against Dale's daddy—confessed kidnapper Macon Johnson. Dale's nerves are jangled, but Mo, who doesn't mind getting even with Mr. Macon for hurting her loved ones, looks forward to a slam dunk conviction—if everything goes as expected. Of course nothing goes as expected. In no time flat, Macon's on the run, Tupelo Landing's in lockdown, and Dale's brother's life hangs in the balance. With Harm Crenshaw, newly appointed intern, Desperado Detectives are on the case. But it means they have to take on a tough client—one they'd never want in a million years.

I love these books and these characters. This one might not have reached the level of the earlier books, however. It's still quick-witted and funny, but I'm confused about Macon Johnson's character. Throughout the story, he's admitted to be a no-good drunk of a dad by everyone, but the whole underlying drive behind plot is how protective he is of his kids. Why is he protective now? I'm just not sure Turnage did a good job with him. Also, the suspect was a bit too obvious from the beginning (here comes a stranger to town!) but I still love how the kids go about figuring it out.

I still love these books. They're great mysteries with plenty of light-hearted humor. I'd still recommend the series.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

The Case of the Stolen Sixpence

The Case of the Stolen Sixpence
(The Mysteries of Maisie Hitchins #1)
Written by Holly Webb, illustrated by Marion Lindsay

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-0544339286
Publisher: HMH Books
Date of publication: September 2, 2014
Age: Grades 2 - 5
Genre: Mystery

Themes: detective work, sidekicks, thievery,

Twelve-year-old Maisie is a noticing sort of person. She's convinced she would make an excellent detective if she ever got the chance! But instead, she spends her days polishing the banisters at her grandmother's boarding house or fetching fish for the lodgers' dinner. Finally, Maisie's big chance to prove herself arrives when her friend is falsely accused of taking money from his employer. While the grown-ups turn a blind eye to the whodunit and justice goes un-served, Maisie and her canine sidekick, Eddie, search the streets for clues to crack the case.

This is a fantastic simple mystery that really has some charm. The setting in Victorian England definitely lends it a "Sherlock Holmes" air, but the characters keep it approachable for kids of all ages. Maisie is spunky and smart, but not afraid to own up to mistakes. And Eddie is just plain adorable. There may be a few challenges in the vocabulary here and there (I got to look up what a "hansom carriage" was and now I know it wasn't a mispelling of "handsome," ha!) but it's great for beginning readers and as a read aloud. Also, the illustrations are adorable--not overwhelming; a great addition.

I recommend it, especially to the budding detectives out there. I think it's a step up from Cam Jensen and all the charm of A Little Princess. Also, it's a good precursor to the Enola Holmes Mysteries (Nancy Springer).

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Book Scavenger

Book Scavenger
by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-1627791151
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co
Date of publication: June 2, 2015
Age: Grades 4 - 6
Genre: Mystery

Themes: ciphers, San Francisco, scavenger hunts, friendship

For twelve-year-old Emily, the best thing about moving to San Francisco is that it's the home city of her literary idol: Garrison Griswold, book publisher and creator of the online sensation Book Scavenger. Upon her arrival, however, Emily learns that Griswold has been attacked and is now in a coma, and no one knows anything about the epic new game he had been poised to launch. But when Emily and her new friend James discover an odd book, they're sure it's from Griswold himself, and might contain the only clue to his mysterious new game. Racing against time, Emily and James rush from clue to clue, desperate to figure out the secret at the heart of Griswold's new game—before those who attacked Griswold come after them too.

I enjoyed it. Let's start with that. Besides the fact that the main character loves books and is named Emily, I thought she was believable and likable. Unlike Escape from Mr. Lemocello's Library (which Bertman's book will be compared to throughout its life—unfortunately, because Bertman's is much better), the main character is not simply solving a game. She's dealing with best friend issues and figuring out what it means to be a friend. She's dealing family issues and identity. There's a bully at school she despises. I could go on, but the point is: Emily has depth and I appreciated that. If it had simply been about the puzzle, I don't think I could've finished the book.

But don't get me wrong—the puzzle is fascinating, too. Mainly because it ties in actual location history (San Francisco) and actual literary history (especially stuff surrounding the life of Edgar Allen Poe) that it becomes fun and educational. So I definitely appreciate the book. It's not my favorite, because it can be a tad childish, but still recommendable.

Better readalikes than Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library would be other puzzle mysteries like The Westing Game.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

The Skunk

The Skunk
Written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Patrick McDonnell

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-1596439665
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Date of publication: April 14, 2015
Age: Grades K - 3
Genre: Mystery

Themes: suspicion, escape, following, city life

When a skunk first appears in the tuxedoed man's doorway, it's a strange but possibly harmless occurrence. But then the man finds the skunk following him, and the unlikely pair embark on an increasingly frantic chase through the city, from the streets to the opera house to the fairground. What does the skunk want? It's not clear—but the man is desperate to escape!

Count on Barnett to write something strange, yet intriguing. Although with not as much humor as I suspected (which bummed me out a bit), it still is a fantastically written story in it's pure Hitchcock-like simplicity. Combined with the simple illustrations and monochromatic color scheme, it's a classic-feeling story for kids and adults alike. And, the best part, the simple text and story make for a great beginning-reader. The confusing motive of the skunk and surprising ending make it great for any reader. See what you think.

Find it at your library or on Amazon