Book Reviews
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The Deep End
In book #15 of the wonderful Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, written by Jeff Kinney, Greg Heffley and his family hit the road for a cross-country camping trip, ready for the adventure of a lifetime. But things take an unexpected turn, and they find themselves stranded at an RV park that’s not exactly a summertime paradise. When the skies open up and the water starts to rise, Greg and his family wonder if they can save their vacation—or if they’re already in too deep.
And while you’re at it you definitely don’t want to miss the all new adventures of Greg’s best friend Rowley, who has two books of his own out—Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid Rowley Jefferson’s Journal and his second book Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure.
These books are great for kids 8-12.
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Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
For readers 8 – 12. The author is Chris Grabenstein.
Mr. Lemoncello is a billionaire, who made his fortune from the creation of whacky and creative games, and he couldn’t have done any of it without his local library. When the library is turned into a parking garage, he funds a new library, which takes 12 years to build.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, by Chris Grabenstein, is the story of an eccentric billionaire named Luigi Lemoncello and his plan to share his love of libraries with the children of Alexandriaville. Mr. Lemoncello gives a great deal of money to have the former Gold Leaf Bank renovated as the town’s new library.
When Kyle learns that the world’s most famous game maker has designed the town’s new library and is having an invitation-only lock-in on the first night, he is determined to be there. But the tricky part isn’t getting into the library – it’s getting out. Kyle’s going to need all his smarts, because a good roll of the dice or lucky draw of the cards is not enough to win in Mr. Lemoncello’s library.
Twelve-year-old Kyle Keeley is obsessed with the board games of Mr. Luigi L. Lemoncello, the world’s most renowned game maker. Big news hits his town when Mr. Lemoncello transforms Alexandriaville, Ohio’s old bank into a state-of-the-art, into a technologically advanced library, and he’s holding an essay contest where twelve students from the middle school can spend one night in a lock-in before the library’s opening. Although Kyle misses the essay deadline, he rewrites his essay to email it to Mr. Lemoncello despite a reply that the sending had been unsuccessful. But Kyle’s knowledge of games and his friends’ knowledge of books and libraries are put to the test when they have to play the biggest game yet; having to escape from the library using only their wits and the clues scattered around the library’s different sections.
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The Seventh Most Important Thing
Here’s a great book for kids 8-12. The author is Shelley Pearsall
This story of anger and art, loss and redemption will appeal to fans of Lisa Graff’s Lost in the Sun and Vince Vawter’s Paperboy.
Arthur T. Owens grabbed a brick and hurled it at the trash picker. Arthur had his reasons, and the brick hit the Junk Man in the arm, not the head. But none of that matters to the judge-he is ready to send Arthur to juvie forever. Amazingly, it’s the Junk Man himself who offers an alternative-120 hours of community service . . . working for him.
Arthur is given a rickety shopping cart and a list of the Seven Most Important Things- glass bottles, foil, cardboard, pieces of wood, light bulbs, coffee cans, and mirrors. He can’t believe it-is he really supposed to rummage through people’s trash? But it isn’t long before Arthur realizes there’s more to the Junk Man than meets the eye, and the “trash” he’s collecting is being transformed into something more precious than anyone could imagine. . . . Inspired by the work of folk artist James Hampton, author Shelley Pearsall has crafted an affecting and redemptive novel about discovering what shines within us all, even when life seems full of darkness.
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Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans
Here’s another great book for readers 8-12. The author is Russell Ginns.
For Samantha Spinner it just isn’t fair. Her uncle Paul disappeared, and here’s what he left:
Samantha’s sister Buffy got a check for $2,400,000,000.
Samantha’s brother Nipper got the New York Yankees.
And Samantha got a rusty red umbrella with a tag hanging off its worn handle. The tag says “Watch out for the RAIN.”
Thanks a lot, Uncle Paul.
But really, after all the strawberry waffles, stories, and puzzles they’ve shared, how could Uncle Paul just leave without saying goodbye? And what is the meaning of that mysterious message?
The answer is simple: Sam knows in her heart that Uncle Paul is in danger. And if he taught her anything, it’s that not everything is exactly what it seems. Which is why we should pay close attention to that rusty red umbrella, and never trust a monkey at a hula-hoop contest.
The RAIN is coming, and Samantha Spinner is about to find herself mixed up in some super-important, super-dangerous, super-secret plans.
And if she’s brave enough and smart enough, she just might find Uncle Paul.
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The Mystics #1 Heroes Reborn
This graphic novel is for kids 8 – 12.
Everyday kids become powerful and stop the spread of evil!
In the ancient times of Gods and heroes, evil attempted to seize the world disguising themselves as six different gods. While they were spreading all their power of destruction, six heroes, each with extraordinary powers and brandishing sacred weapons, rose against these incarnations of evil. The evil was defeated and sealed in a secret place within the red desert on the planet Mars.
Today, enter six young heirs: Yuko of Japan, Parvati of India, Amir of Egypt, Abigail of Germany, Miguel of Mexico, and Neo of Greece suddenly pulled from their everyday lives. About to face the greatest threat that the contemporary world has ever known, in a flash, they get to discover just how worthy successors they may be of the ancient heroes.
Getting to Know the Authors
Philippe Ogaki – Born in the Agen neighborhood of Nouvelle-Aquitane, France in 1977, Philippe has always dreamed of becoming a cartoonist. But not believing his dream was possible, he turned to studies in industrial design, which he later completed with a degree in interior design at Boulle school.
Patricia Lyfoung – Passionate very early about drawing, she did her graduate studies at the Estienne school then at the Gobelins in Paris. She first worked as a storyboard assistant at Marathon Animation on the Totally Spies series and Martin Mystery. She is the author of The Scarlet Rose from Papercutz
Patrick Sobral Patrick Sobral worked as a porcelain decorator for twelve years before devoting himself exclusively to the job of comic book author
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Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Young Minli lives in the Valley of Fruitless Mountain, where she and her parents spend their days working hard in the fields. At night, Minli listens to her father’s tales about the Old Man of the Moon, who knows the answer to everything.
Minli sets out on a quest to find the Old Man of the Moon – he will know how she can bring good fortune to her family. Along the way, she meets many magical friends including a talking fish, a powerful king, and a dragon who can’t fly.
Written by Newberry Honor award-winning author Grace Lin this timeless story has stunning illustrations that really add to the wonder of this great adventure story. Grace Lin is also the author of the beloved The Year of the Dog and The Year of the Rat.
For all you Science Fiction and Fantasy fans this is a great book for you. And for those of you who think you don’t like Science Fiction or Fantasy, give it a try because Minli is a heroine that you would want to be best friends with. And besides that, who doesn’t love a dragon that can’t fly or fish that can talk?
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Sally Lockhart Mystery
“Beware The Seven Blessing. . . .”
When she first utters these words, sixteen-year-old Sally Lockhart doesn’t know their meaning. But when an employee of her late father hears them, he dies of fear. Thus begins Sally’s terrifying journey into the seamy underworld of Victorian London, in search of clue that will solve the puzzle of her father’s death. Pursued by villains and cut-throats at every turn, she at last uncovers two dark mysteries. One involves the opium trade; the other, a stolen ruby of enormous value. Sally soon learns that she is the key to both — and that it’s worth her very life to find out why.
This is a great book for kids of all ages from the award-winning Philip Pullman better known for His Dark Materials trilogy. There are four books in this series: The Ruby in the Smoke, The Shadow in the North, The Tiger in the Well, and The Tin Princess. Try them — you’re going to really like them.
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You Should See Me In A Crown
Liz has always believed she’s too black, too poor, and too awkward to shine. She’s planned an escape route from her small town via an uber-elite college, but has no money to get there … until she’s reminded of her school’s scholarship for prom king and queen. Liz fears the spotlight, but must face the gauntlet of social media trolls and catty competitors if she is to win the scholarship.
The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She’s smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen.
Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams … or make them come true?
You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson, is a smart, hilarious, black girl magic rom-com that you’re going to enjoy.
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Simone LaFray Book Review
Simone LaFray and the Chocolatiers’ Ball
Steve O’Farrell, author
Simone LaFray had never questioned one thing – the character of her father. A fourth generation chocolatier and owner of a world famous patisserie, in her eyes he could do no wrong. However, her eyes were trained to see everything that was wrong. A covert agent with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this extraordinary 12-year-old was living a double life, walking in the veiled footprints of her mother, icing eclairs, dusting pastries, and darting between the shadows. What could be sweeter? When a notorious thief returns to Paris seeking revenge against her mother, a series of unforeseen and potentially devastating events ensue, leaving Simone to question everything. Her father can’t be the man they say he is, can he? Her concealed life is evaporating, the store hangs in the balance . . . and did I mention she needs a ball gown? Life in a French patisserie may not be as sweet as you thought. Simone LaFray and the Chocolatier’s Ball pulls the invisible girl out of the shadows and into the spotlight. Is she ready?
