Can I please have a dragon?

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
Bruce Coville

genre: children's fantasy, middle grade reader
pages: 151
series: A Magic Shop Book
rating: ****

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher is a story about a boy (Jeremy) who buys a dragon's egg and hatches.  Afterwards he must raise the dragon, who becomes his best friend, and eventually send the dragon home.

This is a great book, like The Monster's Ring, you have a protagonist who deals with bullys, parents, and teachers.  Jeremy must learn to care for his dragon, while protecting the family pests as she grows, and keeping her existence a secret.  It dosent' help that a girl in his class has made it her goal to track him down and kiss him!  Jeremy learns responsibility and sometimes doing what is best for someone else may not be the easiest thing for you to do.  HMMM....sounds like a parenting lesson there.

Anyway, it's a great summer read full of laughter and excitement and of course dragons.

- Caren

Children's Books Galore....

Farley Follows His Nose
Lynn Johnston

genre: picture book
pages: 32
rating: ***

Farley Follows His Nose is a picture books based on Farley from For Better for Worse.  It's about time!  Farley goes through the day, after his bath, chasing smells.  He goes across town and even gets lost before returning home.  During the day he helps a little find his way home.

It's a sweet book with artwork reminiscent of the comic strip.  I enjoyed following Farley following his nose.  It has some repetitive words for the enjoyment of little people.  Big bright colorful drawings.


When Stella was Very Very Small
Marie-Louise Gay

genre: picture book
pages: 32
series: Stella and Sam Series
rating:***1/2
 
When Stella was Very Very Small follows little Stella as she learns about her world.  Her imagination transforms her world into amazing experiences.  In the end she grows up and begins teaching her very very small brother Sam all she has learned.

This is a sweet, yes I used that word again, book.  The artwork looks like watercolor.  I love the drawing of Stella this tiny little red-haired girl.  She is adorable. I love her vivid imagination and how she sees everything differently.  It's a great book for small kids.


Clara and Asha
Eric Rohmann

genre: picture book
pages:40
rating: *****

Clara and Asha follows Clara through a dream like world with her friend Asha.  Asha's a giant fish.  But that doesn't stop the pair from having amazing adventures.

This is a true picture book.  Beautiful dreamlike artwork with few words.  It is a treat for the eyes.  I loved searching the pictures to find any hidden object.  Not that it has hidden objects.  It's just that the artwork is amazing and deserves searching.  Loved this book and will read it again before I take it back to the library.

Happy reading
Caren

Better learn to follow directions...

The Monster's Ring
Bruce Coville
genre: middle readers, fantasy
series: A Magic Shop Book, book 1
pages: 100
rating: ****

I was about to start reading Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, when I saw it was book 2 in a series.  So, of course, I looked for book 1 and checked them both out.  The Monster's Ring is book 1.  I will be returning to my dragon books shortly, don't worry.

The Monster's Ring is about Russell Crannaker.  A elementary student who is bullied by a bigger boy, smothered by his mother, and not listened to by his father.  Poor kid.  While escaping from the bully he wanders into a magic shop.  The shopkeeper sells him a ring, he didn't know he needed.  What follows is a tale of not  following directions and learning to stand up to a bully, as well as standing up for that same bully.  Of course Halloween, a full moon, and talking rats have a part to play.

I loved this book.  I loved that this boy stood up to a bully.  I loved that he had compassion to want to help the bully out when he needed it, and I loved that he learned to fly.  It's a fun, quick read.  There are plenty of parts kids would love.  Like turning in to a monster for the school Halloween party and pouncing at the principal, and the streaking scene at the end (pun intended, relax it's a clean book).  This probably a boy book, but I have a feeling girls will like it as well.  I plan on handing it to mine after I write this up.  She'll love it.

So grab some spooky music and some candy corn and read The Monster's Ring .  It's laugh out loud 
                                                                                  funny, I promise.

-Caren

Not Harry's Basilisk.....

The Basilisk's Lair
R. L. LaFevers

genre: children's fantasy, middle grade reader
series: Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist Book 2
pages: 150
rating: ***1/2

OK, technically a Basilisk isn't a dragon, but it is close enough.  When I saw the cover of this book in the library, I thought it looked cute.  I loved the title, too.  I couldn't find the first book, so I started with book 2.

The Basilisk's Lair, follows  Nathaniel Fludd as he learns to be a Beastologist.  His Aunt Phil is the current Beastologist.  They receive news that the Basilisk has escape and must chase him down and capture him before he destroys surrounding villages.

Nate is a fun character.  He has weaknesses, he's not real sure of his abilities, but when the chips are down you can count on him to pull through.  He has a pet gremlin named Greasle, who has an attitude.  The story is fast paced and descriptive.  The drawings are fun.  They look like pen and ink drawings and add to the adventure of the story.  I really like the bones that mark the beginning of each chapter, they increase as you read!  For those of us that need one, there is also a glossary to explain words, people, and places.

I must say, this is not the same sort of Basilisk from the Potter books.  This one is somewhat...ridiculous.
It's a great summer read and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

-Caren

Summer of the Dragon....

Pillage
Obert Skye

genre: children's fantasy, middle readers
series: Pillage Trilogy
pages: 312
favorite quote: "I had fallen from vents, scaled buildings, and flown on the backs of dragons, yet somehow all of those things seemed a bit less amazing now."
rating: ****1/2

I went to the library, trying to avoid the summer rush of kids once school gets out.  I never made it to the adult section.  The children's section held my attention and when I left books filled my bag.  Oddly enough, most deal with dragons.  Except for one, it had dinosaurs- same thing.

Pillage, is book one in the Pillage Trilogy.  It's a short, fat book with a beautiful picture of a dragon carrying a postal box dripping with letters.  Anyway, the basic story is Beck, a teenage boy, is moved to his uncle's house after his mom dies penniless.  Beck has had a rough life and it only gets rougher...and odder.  He notices he has the ability to command plants and finds these odd rocks in his uncles garden.  A garden his has been forbidden to enter.  Through a strange turn of events and secret passageways, dragons hatch.  Beck must save the town and break an ancient family curse all at the same time.

I really enjoyed this book.  I loved how each chapter started with an excerpt from an ancient text describing the fate of Beck's ancestors.  It's a very quick read.  The pages magically fly by.  It's a lightweight fantasy, meaning it has magic, dragons, and curses but no epic worlds full of unusual creatures and languages.  It's a good first fantasy book.  The writing is crisp and witty.  Beck sounds and acts like a teenager.  The first chapter is brilliant!

A great summer read.

-Caren

Love to learn

The Sea, the Storm, and the Mangrove Tangle
Lynne Cherry

Genre: Picture, children's
Pages: 40
Rating: ****

Lynne Cherry has a long list of environmental books for children.  The Sea, the Storm, and the Mangrove Tangle, follows the life of a mangrove seed from pod to mini ecosystem.  It shows the link between the mangroves and the animals that live within the branches and roots.  It also shows the protection the groves give during storms.

This book is beautiful in its story and illustrations.  The cover pages are have a beautiful map of the world locating the areas where mangroves grow.  It also illustrates the animals that survive because of the mangroves.  This book is a beautiful learning tool. 

I highly recommend it to parents and teachers alike.


-Caren

Beach Fun...

When a Dragon Moves In
Jodi Moore
Howard McWilliam, illustrator

Genre: children's picture book
Pages: 32 pages
rating: ****

Summer is here and many are making plans to visit the beach.  When a Dragon Moves In, is a story about a little boy who builds the perfect sand castle. Of course if you build a perfect sand castle a dragon will move in.  The little boy has fun with his dragon, until he gets the little boy in trouble. 

I loved this book.  The illustrations are bold, bright, and colorful.  They follow the story beautifully.  As the child reads, or is read to, the illustrations tell a secondary story.  It is funny and brings back memories from my own childhood.  I could have used a dragon!

It's a perfect read for summer.

- Caren

Suspense...

Capitol Murder
Phillip Margolin

genre: suspense
pages: 344
rating:**

I received a free uncorrected copy from a Goodreads giveaway.  The review is my own opinion.

Capitol Murder follows Dana Cutler and Brad Miller, along with a few others, as they try to solve cases involving the serial killer Clarence Little and a terrorist plot to blow up Fed ex field.  It's a tangled web of clues linking senators, terrorists, nd call girls.

I love mysteries.  I enjoy suspense and spy thrillers.  I do not like gore or brutality to women.  This book had both.  There were several times I thought about putting the book down and not finish it, but I kept reading.  The story would have been enthralling without the gore and brutality, I felt it was unnecessary.  I probably won't read another one of his books for that reason.










- Caren

Tea Time...

Agony of The Leaves
Laura Childs

Genre: cozy
Series: A Tea Shop Mystery #13
Pages: 301 (including tips, recipes, and preview)
Rating: ***1/2

Agony of The Leaves, finds Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop in another murder mystery.  This time it's her ex-boyfriend Parker Scully who is found murdered. 

I walked into the library this week and came across the newest installment of the Tea Shop Mystery series.  I love this series. I have read a handful of these books, I did not know there were 13 books!  I've made my list of the books I haven't read. I love the characters, the setting, and I love tea.  I have been drinking hot tea since I was 5 years old.  Interesting story there, but I will save it for another time. On with the book. 

Upfront I must say I was ticked off when she killed off Parker, I liked him.  At the same time, writer's have to kill off popular characters or it gets boring.  There was a stretch in the middle where the plot slowed.  I still enjoyed the story and reading about the characters, but it was a little slow.  I also didn't like how the killer came way out of left field.  I understand how the clues could point to this person, but they never made to my suspect list.

It was a good read and the last 150 pages or so are really good, but it's not as good as the other books in the series.

-Caren

With a Southern Drawl...

Wishbones
Carolyn Haines

genre: mystery, paranormal, southern, cozy
series: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery, #8
pages: 325
rating: ****

Disclosure:  I am attending 'Daddy's Girl Weekend' and needed to read a book by Carolyn Haines.  She'll be there!

Wishbones, follows Sarah Booth Delaney as she makes her first movie (Body Heat).  She travels to Los Angeles and then to Costa Rica with past love interest Graf Milieu.  Things get tricky when a dead body shows up near her house in LA.  They get downright unusual with ghost sightings and accidents on the set.  Rumors fly the movie is cursed.  Can Sarah solve the mystery before she become a ghost?

This is my first Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery.  I've check one out several times before and never got around to reading them.  Had I know that Mrs. Haines was a neighbor (she's from Mississippi) I would have made it a point to read one.  Anyway, I'm usually not one for tales with ghosts, but Jitty is a hoot.  I really enjoyed the movie reference and the sprinkling of movie stars in the book.  It added an element of fun.  The writing is snappy and sounds southern.  I hate a fake southern voice, it's right up there with a bad southern accent.  The plot was faced paced and full of twists and turns.  I loved it.  I will have to read more of these books.

I do have one question:  What kind of dog is Sweetie Pie?
- Caren

New read...

Elegy For Eddie
Jacqueline Winspear

genre: mystery, cozy
series: A Maisie Dobbs Novel, #9
pages: 331
rating: ***

I received a 'uncorrected proof' from Goodreads.  The book was free, the review is my own opinion.

Elegy for Eddie, occurs in 1933. Private Investigator Maisie Dobbs is asked to investigate the death of Eddie Pettit.  A gentle yet slow man.  Once she starts she finds a tangled web involving powerful people and friends she loves.  She even questions the involvement of the man she loves.  Set during Hitler's rise to power, issues of the day are woven throughout the book.

Elegy for Eddie, has a strong plot and is well written and researched.  It has the feel of an early spy novel.  At the beginning I got a little lost in the flashbacks, so it was hard to get involved in the story.  I've never read a Maisie Dobbs mystery before and felt out of the loop on who was who, as well as events mentioned from past books.  The book can be read alone, but it gets a little confusing in places.  Once I passed the third chapter, the story was faster paced and more interesting.  Usually, when I read a book, a movie plays in my head, not with this book.  I had difficulty 'seeing' the book.

It was OK, well written, just not my cup of tea.  Probably won't read another one.


- Caren

Time to Plant your garden...

The Goodbye Cancer Garden
Janna Matthies
illustrator: Kristi Valiant

genre: picture book
pages: 32
rating: *****

I came across The Goodbye Cancer Garden while cruising the local library. I am so glad I did.

The Goodbye Cancer Garden is about a family who plants a garden after the mother is diagnosed with cancer.  It is a coping mechanism for the kids and away to count down to a time when she should be well.

I loved this book.  I have family members with cancer and have wondered how my kids would react to such news.  This is a great book for not only talking about cancer and its treatments, but also about hope.  It takes a difficult subject and handles it with care, and at the same time it is cheerful.

The illustrations are beautiful.  The family is bright and cheerful.  The kids are adorable.  Most importantly the mom rocks her bald head!

A truly uplifting book about a difficult subject.  A must read.

Fun Read....

Art & Max
David Wiesner

genre: children's picture book
pages: 40
rating: *****

Art & Max is a picture book.  It tells the story of two friends, that are also lizards.  Art is an artist and Max wants to paint, too.  Max paints Art, not a picture of Art, he paints Art.  What happens when Max tries to 'fix' Art?  Read the book.

Ok first let me say this book is laugh out loud funny.  The pictures are wonderful.  Each page has a simple sentence or two.  I loved this book.  What happens to Art is so unpredictable.  Then how Max tries to return him to normal is incredible.  I loved it.  I think I said that already.


Caren

New Fave....

Books Can Be Deceiving
Jenn McKinlay

genre: cozy
series: A Library Lover's Mystery
pages: 291 ( including project, guide, and recipe)
rating: ****

Books Can Be Deceiving, is the first in a new series.  Lindsey is the director of the Briar Creek Public Library.  The head of the children's department is an old friend of hers, Beth.  Beth has dreams of being a children's picture book author.  But a cranky boyfriend throws a monkey wrench into her plans.  It gets worse when he ends up dead and the police chief finds Beth as the best suspect.  Can Lindsey solve the case before Beth is thrown in jail, or worse she becomes the next victim?

I loved this book.  LOVED LOVED LOVED.  I have read one of McKinlay's other books, Buttercream Bump Off.  I like it, but I like this one more.  The characters are smart and witty.  There are a few sharp old ladies, too.  A naked artist and a handsome boat captain.  What more can you ask for?  Ok, the plot is really good and flows well.  It's a quick read, mainly because I just didn't want to put it down. 

For the record.  I love the library.  You can find me there, haunting the stacks at least once a week!

Great Book, get a copy today.
Caren

Happy 100th Birthday Girl Scouts...

Here Come the Girl Scouts
by. Shana Corey
Illustrated by. Hadley Hooper

genre: children's picture book
pages: 40 pages
rating ****

First, I must say I am a former Girl Scout and I am the mother of two Girl Scouts.  So I am biased!
Oh...I hope you have bought your cookies ;)

Here Comes the Girl Scouts, is a picture book about Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts.  Each page describes Julia and how she started the scouts.  Each page also carries a quote form the original handbook.

I loved this book.  The pictures are wonderful.  They show Juliette as she grows up and how she was different form most of the girls of the times.  Other pictures show Girl Scouts playing, camping, and having fun.  It shows the true purpose of the scouts, which is not to sell cookies, but to turn out brave, intelligent , socially minded women.  I get a kick out of pictures of the original badges, dairy maid.  I also really enjoyed reading the bio in the back of the book that goes into more detail of Juliette's live.

I highly recommend this book to grownups and kids alike.  If you think Girl Scouts are only about cookies, read the book.

That didn't last long....

Well, that job didn't last long!  No, I wasn't fired.  Let's just say...it wasn't the right place for me and leave it at that!  On with the review.

Fiber & Brimstone
Laura Childs

genre: cozy
series: Scrapbook Mystery
pages: 322, with recipes
favorite quote: "Why is there always a crazy person loose in the French Quarter?"  (seriously!)
rating: ***

OK... I bought this book because I thought it took place during Mardi Gras and I was going to read it during Mardi Gras.  It's not, it takes place at Halloween!  But it is set in New Orleans!  This is the first Scrapbook Mystery I have read, I have read most of the Tea Shop Mysteries, same writer.

Basically, Fiber & Brimstone follows Carmela as she tries to solve the murder of Brett Fowler.  Carmela owns a scrapbook shop.  Her best friend, and sidekick, Ava owns a voodoo shop in the French Quarter.  The two meet interesting characters and explain New Orleans lifestyle and history as they try to solve the murder before they become the next victim.

I liked Fiber & Brimstone, not as much as the Tea Shop Mysteries.  Mainly, I liked it because it is full of interesting characters, including the city of New Orleans.  Trust me it is a character in the book, and in real life.  I live near New Orleans and have been there many times, so reading about the places I have been is a lot of fun.  New Orleans is crazy year round, and it's insane during Mardi Gras, now Halloween is not far behind!  Back to the book.  The story is faced paced and well written.  The plot is good, especially since we have recently had ponzi schemes in the news. 

If you want a fun read centered in a crazy city, give it a read.  My only real problem was the typos.  There were quite a few in the edition I read and it got annoying.

Happy reading
Caren

House of Mouse...

Lots to do in Line
Meredith Lyn Pierce

genre-  nonfiction
pages- 268
rating-****

I received this book from Good Reads- First reads.  The review is my personal opinion.
First, I must say I have never been to Disneyland.  I have been to Disney World, like 8 times.  I have used Hidden Mickey books and the like before and they are very helpful.
I liked this book for several reasons.  1- when you are stuck in line with kids you NEED something to do.  I like how this book gives you options of what to do in line.  You can look around the line at the wonderful "set" the Disney imagineers have come up with and answer multiple choice questions.  Another option is a scavenger hunt, and another option is looking for "collections".  All sound like fun.  I have two kids and they love to compete against each other.  Reason 2- I like learning more about Mickey and his world.  Disney World is stuffed full of hidden details, I imagine Disneyland is the same way.
Great Book- I only wish they had one for Disney World.


-Caren

Attack of the Jersey Devil?

Death in a Difficult Position
Diana Killian

genre- cozy mystery
series- A Mantra for Murder Mystery
pages- 295
rating- ***

I won this book from Goodreads First Reads program.  It was even signed by the writer! The review is my honest personal opinion.

This is my my first yoga mystery.  I don't yoga...I try hard not to break a sweat.  But I do enjoy watching people exert themselves.  It's even better reading about it from my comfy lazy girl chair.

Death in a Difficult Position, is centered around AJ Alexander, owner of Sacred Balance yoga studio.  She dates the handsome police officer and her mother is an actress on a TV show that is a cross between Golden Girls and Murder She Wrote.  AJ finds herself in a difficult position when the local preacher takes aim at the evils of yoga.  It's even more difficult when a former coworker is accused of murdering the preacher.  To add to the mix, the Jersey Devil makes a few appearances.

I enjoyed the book.  I didn't like the character of the womanizing, preacher.  That stereotype rubs me the wrong way.  I liked the most of the other characters, they were well rounded and interesting.  My favorite was the AJ's mother, Elysia.  Her personality was smart, fun, and intelligent.  I liked her better than the main character.  I enjoy reading books with 'local color'.  Adding the Jersey Devil added plenty of color.  Not so much that it overpowered the book.  The Devil had the good sense to linger in the background. 

There were a few places were the story dragged, in the beginning.  I had difficulty keeping some of the extra characters straight.  The bummer was I didn't like Lily, the accused.  She wasn't very nice and I didn't care if she went to jail for murder or not. 

Over all the story was good.  It was well written and a quick read.  Just right for my first week back at work.

-Caren

Surprise....

Sorry for the break.  But I just got a real job.  Now, I work for money instead of books!  I will still do book reviews, but not as many as before.  The job will have to come first.  Those writer's who have sent me books to review, please be patient.  They will be read this summer, when I can devote myself to them in honesty and not rushed.  Trust me, rushed books do not make for good reviews.

Thank you for hanging in there,
Caren

Move over Indiana...

The Explorer's Code
Kitty Pilgrim

genre:  suspense, thriller
pages:  358
rating: ****

The Explorer's Code is a suspense/thriller that follows Cordelia Stapelton and archeologist John Sinclair cross the globe in search of a land deed left to Cordelia.  Of course, religious zealots and the Russian mob also want the deed and are willing to kill anyone that steps in their way.

Sounds cool huh.  Well, it is.  At first the narative was a little dry and unemotional.  It took a while to get past that.  I also felt lke Sinclair was patronizing, instead of concerned.  These were the only problems I had with the book.

The plot was well written and fast paced.  There was more than one time I wondered how our heros were going to get out of a mess.  Each time the pair found a clue to the location of the deed, the Russians were on their tail.  I didn't know who was a good guy and who was a villian.  Spy's aren't very trustworthy!  The locations were amazing,  London, Monaco, Turkey, and Norway, and the amount of research must have been enormous. I really enjoyed the sections on the Flu Pandemic of 1918 and wish the author had spent more time on that.   It has an element of armchair traveling, I'm sure I will never make it to Ephesus.

The Explorer's Code, has a little of everything: spy's, arctic exploration, desiese, archeology, subnmarines, supermodels, family secrets and tragedy's.  358 pages full of excitment.

-caren