FRONT PAGE FACE-OFF
JO WHITTEMORE
Contemporary Middle Grade
Aladdin
ISBN# 978-1416991694
240 pages
$5.99
Paperback—Available March 9, 2010
Rating: 4 Enchantments
Thirteen-year-old Delilah James is one of the top reporters at Brighton Junior Academy. Her goal is to become a Junior Global Journalist. Everything seems to be working in her favor until Ava, a French exchange student and rival, comes and steals not only her spot as top reporter but her crush as well. Delilah finds an ally in the most unlikely place. Paige just happens to be part of the elusive Debutantes, alias “Little Debbies”. Paige promises to give Delilah the inside dirt in exchange for some info on the rival group. Will Delilah be able to do this and still win the boy?
This is a fun, hilarious tale that is sure to keep you laughing. Delilah’s attempts to win back her spot as lead editor are humorous. Delilah is very likable and fun. Her relationship with her stepfather is funny too. I found myself smiling over Delilah’s attics which are downright hilarious. One especially funny scene happens when she’s at the country club trying to get an interview with the Swirlie Bandit. What happens when she tries to get the attention of her crush and still get her interview are downright hilarious.
What I really liked about this story was that the so-called nasty girl really wasn’t that bad after all. Whittemore does a great job multi layering her characters with fun quirks and personalities without them being the usual cardboard stereotypes. Delilah’s friend Jenner is great too as a surfer with a mega sweet tooth. You can’t help but cheer for Delilah and what happens. A great heroine for all!
Jo Whittemore has written THE SILVERSKIN LEGACY, a young-adult fantasy trilogy. This is her first middle-grade novel. She currently lives in Texas. For more on Whittemore’s books check out her website: http://www.jowhittemore.com/
Kim Baccellia
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
February 2010
Showing posts with label Middle Grade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Middle Grade. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Monday, November 23, 2009
Enchanting Review: The Blue Shoe: A Tale of Thievery, Villainy, Sorcery and Shoes
THE BLUE SHOE: A TALE OF THIEVERY, VILLAINY, SORCERY, AND SHOES
RODERICK TOWNLEY
Illustrated by Mary GrandPré
Middle Grade Fantasy
Knopf
ISBN# 978-0-375-85600-6
255 Pages
$16.99
Hardcover--Available Now
Rating: 4 Enchantments
An engaging fantasy read, THE BLUE SHOE is a well told story featuring Hap, a young cobbler's apprentice who ends up sent away to the frightening Mount Xexnax, when he tries to save a mysterious beggar from the same fate. Actually Hap doesn't mind, as he hopes he'll be reunited with his father who was sent there a few years earlier because of his own begging, but what Hap stumbles upon is something he hadn't expected. And it's not going to be easy to break out and return to the small town of Apalanap.
Imaginative characters, setting and storyline, readers looking for a fun and intriguing middle grade fantasy read shouldn't miss this one. I especially loved the crazy characters of the Mayor and his wife and the way the story flipped from what was happening with Hap and Sophia back to what was going on in town. I liked how the sand that covered the town from a storm turned to glass shortly after Hap's departure to Mount Xexnax, making things difficult for the more evil characters to move around the small town. That scene is almost comical and very laugh out loud worthy and is hands down one of my favorites in the whole book. Told mostly by a mysterious narrator, THE BLUE SHOE moves at a good pace. Hap's biggest mistake is trying to save the mysterious beggar in the blanket from ending up at Mount Xexnax, a decision that has him stealing a stone from the mysterious blue stone. A move that not only ruins the shoe, but gets him exiled to Mount Xexnax in place of the beggar. And when his crush Sophia tries to break him free from prison the night before, Hap refuses, instead wanting to be reunited with his father. Sophia isn't so easily swayed and ends up stowing away on the wagon and going with, which is one of my favorite scenes in the book. However, Mount Xexnax is worse than all the stories and rumors made it seem and Hap suddenly finds himself appointed the one to save everyone there, especially when the guards find Sophia and hold her hostage in the main building, which is where THE BLUE SHOE really becomes a page turning read as you hope Hap can find Sophia and escape without capture.
Roderick Townley’s books have received many stars and accolades. You can read more about him at www.rodericktownley.com. He lives in Kansas.
Mary GrandPré is perhaps best known for creating the jackets and illustrations for the Harry Potter books. She has also illustrated many fine picture books. You can read more about her work at marygrandpre.com.
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
October 2009
RODERICK TOWNLEY
Illustrated by Mary GrandPré
Middle Grade Fantasy
Knopf
ISBN# 978-0-375-85600-6
255 Pages
$16.99
Hardcover--Available Now
Rating: 4 Enchantments
An engaging fantasy read, THE BLUE SHOE is a well told story featuring Hap, a young cobbler's apprentice who ends up sent away to the frightening Mount Xexnax, when he tries to save a mysterious beggar from the same fate. Actually Hap doesn't mind, as he hopes he'll be reunited with his father who was sent there a few years earlier because of his own begging, but what Hap stumbles upon is something he hadn't expected. And it's not going to be easy to break out and return to the small town of Apalanap.
Imaginative characters, setting and storyline, readers looking for a fun and intriguing middle grade fantasy read shouldn't miss this one. I especially loved the crazy characters of the Mayor and his wife and the way the story flipped from what was happening with Hap and Sophia back to what was going on in town. I liked how the sand that covered the town from a storm turned to glass shortly after Hap's departure to Mount Xexnax, making things difficult for the more evil characters to move around the small town. That scene is almost comical and very laugh out loud worthy and is hands down one of my favorites in the whole book. Told mostly by a mysterious narrator, THE BLUE SHOE moves at a good pace. Hap's biggest mistake is trying to save the mysterious beggar in the blanket from ending up at Mount Xexnax, a decision that has him stealing a stone from the mysterious blue stone. A move that not only ruins the shoe, but gets him exiled to Mount Xexnax in place of the beggar. And when his crush Sophia tries to break him free from prison the night before, Hap refuses, instead wanting to be reunited with his father. Sophia isn't so easily swayed and ends up stowing away on the wagon and going with, which is one of my favorite scenes in the book. However, Mount Xexnax is worse than all the stories and rumors made it seem and Hap suddenly finds himself appointed the one to save everyone there, especially when the guards find Sophia and hold her hostage in the main building, which is where THE BLUE SHOE really becomes a page turning read as you hope Hap can find Sophia and escape without capture.
Roderick Townley’s books have received many stars and accolades. You can read more about him at www.rodericktownley.com. He lives in Kansas.
Mary GrandPré is perhaps best known for creating the jackets and illustrations for the Harry Potter books. She has also illustrated many fine picture books. You can read more about her work at marygrandpre.com.
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
October 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Enchanting Review: Matisse On The Loose
MATISSE ON THE LOOSE
GEORGIA BRAGG
Contemporary Middle Grade
Delacorte Press
ISBN# 978-0385735704
$16.99
160 Pages
Hardcover--Available July 14, 2009
Rating: 3 Enchantments
Matisse is in trouble. It’s not bad enough that he has some of the strangest parents around or that his older sister had an almost unhealthy love for the color purple, but he’s gone and done something that could not only cost his mom her job as head of security for the museum, but also take away his freedom.
Matisse is an interesting and somewhat unique middle grade character with a talent for art. Easily embarrassed by his family, although who wouldn’t be with the description of his father’s homemade barbecue on the opening pages of the book, Matisse is desperate to prove he’s not as weird as them. As a talented artist who makes copies of the museum’s masterpieces, the reader kind of gets the idea that Matisse is headed for trouble when he decides to see what his version of the picture would look like hanging on the wall.
MATISSE ON THE LOOSE was an okay middle grade read. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t dislike it either. There were some aspects of the story that seemed rushed along, and every time Matisse tried to get the real painting back, there was always something holding him back. I did really like the scene where the cop was chasing him through the museum, with Matisse panicking he’d been found out, when the cop was merely the son one of the volunteers who wanted him to meet. The situation at the end with the real Pierre Matisse did seem a little farfetched to me and sort of pulled me from the storyline. All in all, I liked the characters in MATISSE ON THE LOOSE, but some of the scenes did pull me from the story.
Georgia Bragg’s father, mother, and brother are all artists, and Georgia is too. She was a printmaker, a painter, and a storyboard artist before becoming a writer. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two children, and two cats.
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
June 2009
GEORGIA BRAGG
Contemporary Middle Grade
Delacorte Press
ISBN# 978-0385735704
$16.99
160 Pages
Hardcover--Available July 14, 2009
Rating: 3 Enchantments
Matisse is in trouble. It’s not bad enough that he has some of the strangest parents around or that his older sister had an almost unhealthy love for the color purple, but he’s gone and done something that could not only cost his mom her job as head of security for the museum, but also take away his freedom.
Matisse is an interesting and somewhat unique middle grade character with a talent for art. Easily embarrassed by his family, although who wouldn’t be with the description of his father’s homemade barbecue on the opening pages of the book, Matisse is desperate to prove he’s not as weird as them. As a talented artist who makes copies of the museum’s masterpieces, the reader kind of gets the idea that Matisse is headed for trouble when he decides to see what his version of the picture would look like hanging on the wall.
MATISSE ON THE LOOSE was an okay middle grade read. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t dislike it either. There were some aspects of the story that seemed rushed along, and every time Matisse tried to get the real painting back, there was always something holding him back. I did really like the scene where the cop was chasing him through the museum, with Matisse panicking he’d been found out, when the cop was merely the son one of the volunteers who wanted him to meet. The situation at the end with the real Pierre Matisse did seem a little farfetched to me and sort of pulled me from the storyline. All in all, I liked the characters in MATISSE ON THE LOOSE, but some of the scenes did pull me from the story.
Georgia Bragg’s father, mother, and brother are all artists, and Georgia is too. She was a printmaker, a painter, and a storyboard artist before becoming a writer. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two children, and two cats.
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
June 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Enchanting Review: The Siren Song
THE SIREN SONG
ANNE URSU
MG fantasy
Aladdin
ISBN# 978-4169-0590-5
435 pages
$6.99
Paperback-Available now
ANNE URSU
MG fantasy
Aladdin
ISBN# 978-4169-0590-5
435 pages
$6.99
Paperback-Available now
Rating: 4 Enchantments
Life hasn’t gone back to normal for both Charlotte Mielswetzki and her cousin Zee. Both are heroes who’ve battled against the Greek Gods and won. But who could they tell? No one would believe them.
Now Zee’s acting strange and Charlotte’s parents want her to go with them on an educational cruise. Just when things couldn’t get any stranger, Philonecron, an angry demigod reappears. One thing you don’t do is get the Gods angry as they don’t forget. Philonecron wants revenge but this time he’ll strike not just the world but those closest to Charlotte. Can she find the strength to win this time around?
This is the sequel to The Shadow Thieves. I loved the first book and couldn’t wait to read the sequel. This Lemony Snicket meets The Lightning Thief tale takes place right after Charlotte and Zee help save the world. At times the back story weighed this story down. Also the parents come across at times as one dimensional. But once Charlotte is on the cruise, the story picks up. The egotistical Poseidon and his cruise ship with an assortment of Greek Gods and demigods bring life to this tale. I love the antics of these Gods and know I wouldn’t be brave enough to face up to them. I especially liked the spunk of thirteen-year-old Charlotte. She faces down a Greek God which is no small feat. Fans of other Greek fantasies will also enjoy this tale with one spunky heroine.
This is the second book in the Cronus Chronicles Trilogy. Anne Ursu has also written for Glamour magazine and ESPN.com. She lives with her husband, son, and their cats in Cleveland, Ohio. Check out more on the Cronus Chronicles at cronuschronicles.com
Kim Rapier
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
July 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Enchanting Review: The Gecko And Sticky: The Greatest Power
THE GECKO & STICKY: THE GREATEST POWER
WENDELIN VAN DRAANEN
Middle Grade
Knopf
ISBN# 978-0-375-84377-8
194 Pages
$12.99 US/ $14.99 CAN
Hardcover--Available May 26, 2009
Rating: 5 Enchantments
THE GECKO & STICKY: THE GREATEST POWER is a highly entertaining read. Thirteen year old Dave and his talking gecko, Sticky, end up caught in the midst of a bank robbery by the dastardly villain Damien Black. But this isn't the first time Dave has met Damien. In fact, Sticky knows him too. The ancient wrist-let that Dave wears around his arm, gives him both the power of the gecko and invisibility. It was taken from Damien and Damien would really like it back. Dave however, wants to get back the money and the tiger eye ring that Damien stole from Ms. Kulee, the first customer of Dave's courier service.
An engaging read, THE GECKO & STICKY: THE GREATEST POWER is definitely one of my favorite books of the year. I loved the humor and the voice of the narrator, who talks directly to the reader, sharing secrets that even the characters don't know. It was filled with fun characters, from Dave and the unusual talking gecko and kleptomaniac Sticky, to even Damien and his love for his 1959 Eldorado Biarritz and the hilarious Bandito Brothers, a bad guy mariachi band. One of my favorite scenes is when Dave and Sticky break into Damien's and are searching for a way out of the tunnels below and into the house and come across the monkey in a cage, who's main job is brewing coffee for Damien. Absolutely hilarious what happens when the invisible Dave breaks the monkey out of the cage and the monkey starts following them.
Readers looking for a fun read that will make you laugh, should definitely pick up THE GECKO & STICKY: THE GREATEST POWER. The next book in the series is due out October 2009.
Wendelin Van Draanen is the winner of the 1999 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Children’s Mystery Book for Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief. Sammy Keyes and the Search for Snake Eyes is a 2003 Edgar Award nominee. Visit Wendelin Van Draanen's Web site at www.wendelinvandraanen.com for the latest on The Gecko and Sticky, Sammy Keyes, Shredderman, and more.
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
May 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Enchanting Review: Doc Wilde And The Frogs Of Doom
DOC WILDE AND THE FROGS OF DOOM
TIM BYRD
Action/Adventure Middle Grade
G.P Putnam’s Sons
ISBN# 978-0-399-24783-5
192 Pages
$15.99
Hardcover--Available May 19, 2009
Rating: 4 Enchantments
DOC WILDE AND THE FROGS OF DOOM is a very imaginative adventure tale that boys will be sure to love. When Grandpa Wilde goes missing and the only link is a photo of him, Doc Wilde along with his two children, Brian and Wren, must go on a search that will take them from New York to Boston to the small country of Hidalgo to try and find him. Along the way, the family finds themselves targeted by several unusual breeds of frogs that haven’t been seen before.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started DOC WILDE AND THE FROGS OF DOOM, but the story quickly drew me in within a few pages. Immensely detailed, it soon felt like I was on the trail of Grandpa Wilde right along with the family. The mystery element was strong throughout the entire book and the characters of Doc Wilde and family are bigger than life. I especially enjoyed the scenes where Brian was dangling off the Empire State building trying to collect one of the mysteriously appearing spying frogs, not to mention when the family finally arrives in Hidalgo, and goes deep into the forests in search of grandpa. An interesting start to what should be a very entertaining series, readers looking for something different will no doubt enjoy this tale.
Tim Byrd lives with his adventurous son and a treacherous cat near Atlanta, Georgia. He is often barefoot, prone to irony, and interested in everything. He knows how to tie a tie, but doesn't care to. He has been a dishwasher, shoe salesman, waiter, soldier, game designer, independent filmmaker, and outdoor guide. He wants to be a kid when he grows up. Check out the website for the series at www.docwilde.com
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
April 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Enchanting Review: Melonhead
MELONHEAD
KATY KELLY
Illustrated by Gillian Johnson
Contemporary Middle Grade
Delacorte Books
ISBN# 978-0385734097
224 Pages
$12.99
Hardcover—Available March 10, 2009
Rating: 4 Enchantments
What can I say about MELONHEAD? It’s an entertaining, at times truly hilarious read. Adam Melon aka Melonhead isn’t exactly your typical ten year old boy. Not only is he a budding inventor, but it seems he’s a magnet for trouble. Within moments of the reader first meeting him, he finds himself stuck up a tree with his foot lodged in a hole, and nothing seems to be able to free him—until the jaws of life get involved. But that’s nothing for Melonhead, as he’s used to this type of thing, including the press coverage an event like this causes.
When the science teacher at school comes in to speak to his class about the school-wide reinvention challenge of taking two old inventions and blending them together to make something brand new, Melonhead and his best friend Sam quickly partner up to come up with the best reinvention ever. Only along the way they find themselves adjusting their planned project when they discover the reflection pool isn’t as deep as they thought, hence no need for the submarine they were thinking of making.
Written in an easy to read style, MELONHEAD is a book that’ll keep your attention the whole way through. Ms. Kelly creates a fun world, filled with interesting characters. I especially enjoyed the way she describes the characters, from the way Melonhead talks about his mom’s breathing in the first chapter when she comes racing up to the tree he’s stuck in to the introduction of how he met his good friends Madam and Pop. MELONHEAD is a good kick-off to what should no doubt be a humorous, fun filled series.
Katy Kelly lives and writes full-time in Washington, D.C. with her artist husband and their two daughters. MELONHEAD is her fifth book for young readers.
Gillian Johnson is a UK-based author/illustrator who lives in Oxford with her husband and two sons.
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
March 2009
KATY KELLY
Illustrated by Gillian Johnson
Contemporary Middle Grade
Delacorte Books
ISBN# 978-0385734097
224 Pages
$12.99
Hardcover—Available March 10, 2009
Rating: 4 Enchantments
What can I say about MELONHEAD? It’s an entertaining, at times truly hilarious read. Adam Melon aka Melonhead isn’t exactly your typical ten year old boy. Not only is he a budding inventor, but it seems he’s a magnet for trouble. Within moments of the reader first meeting him, he finds himself stuck up a tree with his foot lodged in a hole, and nothing seems to be able to free him—until the jaws of life get involved. But that’s nothing for Melonhead, as he’s used to this type of thing, including the press coverage an event like this causes.
When the science teacher at school comes in to speak to his class about the school-wide reinvention challenge of taking two old inventions and blending them together to make something brand new, Melonhead and his best friend Sam quickly partner up to come up with the best reinvention ever. Only along the way they find themselves adjusting their planned project when they discover the reflection pool isn’t as deep as they thought, hence no need for the submarine they were thinking of making.
Written in an easy to read style, MELONHEAD is a book that’ll keep your attention the whole way through. Ms. Kelly creates a fun world, filled with interesting characters. I especially enjoyed the way she describes the characters, from the way Melonhead talks about his mom’s breathing in the first chapter when she comes racing up to the tree he’s stuck in to the introduction of how he met his good friends Madam and Pop. MELONHEAD is a good kick-off to what should no doubt be a humorous, fun filled series.
Katy Kelly lives and writes full-time in Washington, D.C. with her artist husband and their two daughters. MELONHEAD is her fifth book for young readers.
Gillian Johnson is a UK-based author/illustrator who lives in Oxford with her husband and two sons.
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
March 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Enchanting Review: The Sapphire Knight
THE SAPPHIRE KNIGHT
MICHAEL SULLIVAN
Historical Middle Grade
PublishingWorks
ISBN# 978-1-933002-84-2
96 Pages
$12.95
Hardcover—Available Now
Rating: 4 Enchantments
The story starts off with a young man traveling through the night, who stumbles upon an old man huddled by a campfire. The older man offers to tell a story and share the campfire in exchange for food. Grudgingly, the traveler gives up an egg and a chunk of bread to hear the incredible tale that is THE SAPPHIRE KNIGHT.
I enjoyed THE SAPPHIRE KNIGHT. While we never learn too much about the knight himself, the reader follows along on the journey to save the music that’s being stolen from the knight’s hold. Along the way, he comes to realize that its not only there that the music’s been stolen away from, its being zapped from everywhere and its up to him to set it free. Mr. Sullivan creates an interesting and vivid world to set the story. From the Lady in White to the supposedly evil Queen of May, the characters are intriguing, especially the Lady in White’s castle and her defense systems. I especially liked the part where the knight first meets the Queen of May.
I was glad to see that this is the first book in a series. Hopefully we’ll learn more about the mysterious knight in future books. An enjoyable historical, THE SAPPHIRE KNIGHT will appeal to readers who enjoy a hint of sorcery and magic mixed with heroic knights.
A self-proclaimed non-reader, Sullivan has taken his knowledge of the reluctantly un-read and found ways to turn them into avid word crunchers using tactics such as the undead. Author of Connecting Boys with Books, Sullivan has become a reading specialist the nation over and fills much of his time with speaking on that subject. The rest of his time is spent with his muse-the children. Sullivan tours during the school year as well as during the summer and claims that, "the kids tell me what they want to read...so that's what I write."
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
February 2009
MICHAEL SULLIVAN
Historical Middle Grade
PublishingWorks
ISBN# 978-1-933002-84-2
96 Pages
$12.95
Hardcover—Available Now
Rating: 4 Enchantments
The story starts off with a young man traveling through the night, who stumbles upon an old man huddled by a campfire. The older man offers to tell a story and share the campfire in exchange for food. Grudgingly, the traveler gives up an egg and a chunk of bread to hear the incredible tale that is THE SAPPHIRE KNIGHT.
I enjoyed THE SAPPHIRE KNIGHT. While we never learn too much about the knight himself, the reader follows along on the journey to save the music that’s being stolen from the knight’s hold. Along the way, he comes to realize that its not only there that the music’s been stolen away from, its being zapped from everywhere and its up to him to set it free. Mr. Sullivan creates an interesting and vivid world to set the story. From the Lady in White to the supposedly evil Queen of May, the characters are intriguing, especially the Lady in White’s castle and her defense systems. I especially liked the part where the knight first meets the Queen of May.
I was glad to see that this is the first book in a series. Hopefully we’ll learn more about the mysterious knight in future books. An enjoyable historical, THE SAPPHIRE KNIGHT will appeal to readers who enjoy a hint of sorcery and magic mixed with heroic knights.
A self-proclaimed non-reader, Sullivan has taken his knowledge of the reluctantly un-read and found ways to turn them into avid word crunchers using tactics such as the undead. Author of Connecting Boys with Books, Sullivan has become a reading specialist the nation over and fills much of his time with speaking on that subject. The rest of his time is spent with his muse-the children. Sullivan tours during the school year as well as during the summer and claims that, "the kids tell me what they want to read...so that's what I write."
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
February 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Enchanting Review: Dandelion Fire
DANDELION FIRE (BOOK 2 OF THE 100 CUPBOARDS)
N.D. WILSON
Middle Grade Fantasy
Random House Children’s
ISBN# 978-0-375-83883-5
480 Pages
$16.99
Hardcover--Available February 24, 2009
Rating: 3.5 Enchantments
Henry York has two weeks left in Kansas with his Aunt and Uncle before he’s going to be sent back to Boston and his parents--well, one of them, whoever gets custody in their sudden unexpected divorce. Two weeks to explore the cupboards and find out where he’s really from and who he really is. Two weeks really isn’t a long time to make his way through all the cupboards, a timeframe that gets even smaller when what looks like a freak accident seems to render Henry blind.
An imaginative tale, DANDELION FIRE is nothing like I’ve read before. From the unusual raggant, the creature that Henry believes was sent to find him, which has to mean someone in one of the cupboards is out there looking for him too. I have to admit, some of the early chapters were a little hard to follow since I hadn’t read Book 1 in the series, but by the 100 page mark I was totally immersed in the story and actually enjoyed the parts with Uncle Frank and Aunt Dotty not too mention what was happening to Henrietta at times more than Henry. The story splits soon after Henry‘s blindness, following Henry as he fights to get away from the mysterious and evil Darius and get back to the farmhouse; Uncle Frank and Aunt Dotty along with Anastacia and Penelope, along with a few surprise guests; and Henrietta, who finds herself alone in one portal, escaping from being held hostage and trying to find the only person she thinks can help her, Eli. Filled with vivid imagery, a compelling story that makes you wonder if things will work out and the entire family will ever be reunited again, fans of middle grade fantasy will no doubt enjoy this addition to the 100 Cupboards series.
Nathan D. Wilson holds a Master's degree in Liberal Arts from Saint John's College in Annapolis, Maryland (2001). He served as a part-time Lecturer at New Saint Andrews from 2001-2004, and was promoted to Fellow of Literature in the fall of 2004. He still teaches part-time. Visit him online at http://www.ndwilson.com/ and check out the 100 Cupboards website at www.randomhouse.com/kids/100cupboards
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
February 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Enchanting Review: Boys Are Dogs
BOYS ARE DOGS
LESLIE MARGOLIS
Contemporary Middle Grade
Bloomsbury
ISBN# 978-1-59990-221-0
208 Pages
$15.99
Hardcover--Available Now
Rating: 4 Enchantments
When Annabelle returns from summer camp, she’s in for a whole lot of changes. She knew her mother was moving them into a house with her boyfriend Ted, aka Dweeble, but there’s also the change in schools, from an all girls elementary to Birchwood Middle School and the biggest surprise of all--a cute new puppy--to deal with. Getting used to a new school is hard enough, but dealing with boys, especially bullying, jerkish boys is harder than Annabelle originally thought it would be. But then she comes up with the idea to start applying her puppy training manual to dealing with the troublesome boys at school.
BOYS ARE DOGS is a really fun middle grade read. Annabelle’s a very likeable, spunk tween who comes up with a unique way to deal with things, especially the annoying boys she’s forced to deal with at school. Her newfound friends at Birchwood, including neighbor Rachel, who unfortunately is the younger sister of one of the bigger jerks of the entire school. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Annabelle’s out eating lunch with her new friend Rachel at school and finds out the boy who sent her to the wrong classroom that morning on the first day of school is none other then Rachel’s older brother, Jackson.
Ms. Margolis does a great job capturing what its like dealing with a new puppy and struggling to fit in at a new school at the same time and I loved the uniqueness of Annabelle applying the puppy training manual to dealing with boys. Anyone looking for a fun middle grade read won’t go wrong picking up BOYS ARE DOGS.
Leslie Margolis lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her fairly well-trained six toed mutt named Aunt Blanche and her less-well-trained husband, Jim. She is also the author of the young adult novels FIX and PRICE OF ADMISSION. Visit her online at www.lesliemargolis.com
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
December 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Enchanting Review: Boys Are Dogs
BOYS ARE DOGS
LESLIE MARGOLIS
Contemporary Middle Grade
Bloomsbury
ISBN# 978-1-59990-221-0
208 Pages
$15.99
Hardcover--Available Now
Rating: 4 Enchantments
When Annabelle returns from summer camp, she’s in for a whole lot of changes. She knew her mother was moving them into a house with her boyfriend Ted, aka Dweeble, but there’s also the change in schools, from an all girls elementary to Birchwood Middle School and the biggest surprise of all--a cute new puppy--to deal with. Getting used to a new school is hard enough, but dealing with boys, especially bullying, jerkish boys is harder than Annabelle originally thought it would be. But then she comes up with the idea to start applying her puppy training manual to dealing with the troublesome boys at school.
BOYS ARE DOGS is a really fun middle grade read. Annabelle’s a very likeable, spunk tween who comes up with a unique way to deal with things, especially the annoying boys she’s forced to deal with at school. Her newfound friends at Birchwood, including neighbor Rachel, who unfortunately is the younger sister of one of the bigger jerks of the entire school. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Annabelle’s out eating lunch with her new friend Rachel at school and finds out the boy who sent her to the wrong classroom that morning on the first day of school is none other then Rachel’s older brother, Jackson.
Ms. Margolis does a great job capturing what its like dealing with a new puppy and struggling to fit in at a new school at the same time and I loved the uniqueness of Annabelle applying the puppy training manual to dealing with boys. Anyone looking for a fun middle grade read won’t go wrong picking up BOYS ARE DOGS.
Leslie Margolis lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her fairly well-trained six toed mutt named Aunt Blanche and her less-well-trained husband, Jim. She is also the author of the young adult novels FIX and PRICE OF ADMISSION. Visit her online at www.lesliemargolis.com
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
December 2008
LESLIE MARGOLIS
Contemporary Middle Grade
Bloomsbury
ISBN# 978-1-59990-221-0
208 Pages
$15.99
Hardcover--Available Now
Rating: 4 Enchantments
When Annabelle returns from summer camp, she’s in for a whole lot of changes. She knew her mother was moving them into a house with her boyfriend Ted, aka Dweeble, but there’s also the change in schools, from an all girls elementary to Birchwood Middle School and the biggest surprise of all--a cute new puppy--to deal with. Getting used to a new school is hard enough, but dealing with boys, especially bullying, jerkish boys is harder than Annabelle originally thought it would be. But then she comes up with the idea to start applying her puppy training manual to dealing with the troublesome boys at school.
BOYS ARE DOGS is a really fun middle grade read. Annabelle’s a very likeable, spunk tween who comes up with a unique way to deal with things, especially the annoying boys she’s forced to deal with at school. Her newfound friends at Birchwood, including neighbor Rachel, who unfortunately is the younger sister of one of the bigger jerks of the entire school. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Annabelle’s out eating lunch with her new friend Rachel at school and finds out the boy who sent her to the wrong classroom that morning on the first day of school is none other then Rachel’s older brother, Jackson.
Ms. Margolis does a great job capturing what its like dealing with a new puppy and struggling to fit in at a new school at the same time and I loved the uniqueness of Annabelle applying the puppy training manual to dealing with boys. Anyone looking for a fun middle grade read won’t go wrong picking up BOYS ARE DOGS.
Leslie Margolis lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her fairly well-trained six toed mutt named Aunt Blanche and her less-well-trained husband, Jim. She is also the author of the young adult novels FIX and PRICE OF ADMISSION. Visit her online at www.lesliemargolis.com
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
December 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Enchanting Review: Libertad
LIBERTAD
ALMA FULLERTON
MG contemporary
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
ISBN# 9781554551064
215 pages
$11.95
Trade-Available now
Rating: 4 Enchantments
Libertad and his brother Julio live near the Guatemala City Dump. After the death of their mother, the brothers decide to go to America to search for their father. They have to survive on their own on the long and dangerous journey to the states not knowing if they will find their father but longing for libertad—freedom from the garbage.
This story gives readers a glimpse of the lives of two children who live across the border and what they have to do in order to find their long lost father.
As a former bilingual teacher, I often heard similar tales from my student’s families of the struggles and hardships of trying to cross the border. My own family was migrants from the interior of Mexico. I heard many stories too while growing up.
Fullerton paints an accurate portrayal of the harsh lives of those who struggle to come to American. The rhythm of this story pulls the reader along as Libertad and his brother encounter others who either try to take advantage of them or show acts of kindness. We see the street children of Mexico City, the allure of sniffing glue to forget, and the fear of la migra—immigration police.
Fullerton states in the back of her book that over 80,000 unaccompanied migrant children attempt to enter the United States. This is a fact. I saw this as a bilingual teacher in an L.A. county school. This book is a must read. If anything to get a taste of what others go through in their search for libertad.
Alma Fullerton was born in Ottawa and grew up in a large military family. She's lived all over Canada and in Europe and now resides in Ontario with her husband and two daughters. Check out more at www.almafullerton.com
Kim
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
October 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Enchanting Review: Barnaby Grimes: Curse of the Night Wolf
BARNABY GRIMES: CURSE OF THE NIGHT WOLF
PAUL STEWART & CHRIS RIDDELL
Middle Grade
David Fickling Books
ISBN 978-0-385-75125-4
224 Pages
$15-99
Hardcover--Available September 9, 2008
Rating: 5 Enchantments
BARNABY GRIMES: CURSE OF THE NIGHT WOLF hooks you from the start and doesn't let go.
Barnaby Grimes is a 'tick-tock-lad', a sort of cross between a messenger and a delivery boy, but a tick-tock has to be faster than a messenger and twice as sharp as a delivery boy. But when 'Old Benjamin', a former coachman and friend of Barnaby's suddenly disappears without a trace, Barnaby finds himself wondering what happened to the old man. The trail leads to Dr. Cadwallader, a physician who's giving his cordial to the poor of London. It seems to work all right, all the clients Barnaby finds himself delivering letters to for the good doctor rave about the man and his potion. Yet Barnaby still isn't convinced. It all seems too good to be true. Is it?
BARNABY GRIMES: CURSE OF THE NIGHT WOLF is a really enjoyable read. The level of detail makes you feel like you've stepped back in time to Old London and are highstacking right alongside Barnaby as he delivers the letters, fights off a wolf and travels to the seedier areas of London. Full of action, the pace is constant with barely a moment to catch your breath as the story moves at a brisk level.
A definite must read for those who enjoy a boy-centric middle grade and those who enjoy the mix of mystery and historical. Look for the next book in the series, RETURN OF THE EMERALD SKULL to release February 2009.
Paul Stewart is a highly regarded and award winning author of books for young readers. He lives in Brighton, England. Chris Riddell is an award winning illustrator and political cartoonist. He lives in Brighton, England.
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
September 2008
PAUL STEWART & CHRIS RIDDELL
Middle Grade
David Fickling Books
ISBN 978-0-385-75125-4
224 Pages
$15-99
Hardcover--Available September 9, 2008
Rating: 5 Enchantments
BARNABY GRIMES: CURSE OF THE NIGHT WOLF hooks you from the start and doesn't let go.
Barnaby Grimes is a 'tick-tock-lad', a sort of cross between a messenger and a delivery boy, but a tick-tock has to be faster than a messenger and twice as sharp as a delivery boy. But when 'Old Benjamin', a former coachman and friend of Barnaby's suddenly disappears without a trace, Barnaby finds himself wondering what happened to the old man. The trail leads to Dr. Cadwallader, a physician who's giving his cordial to the poor of London. It seems to work all right, all the clients Barnaby finds himself delivering letters to for the good doctor rave about the man and his potion. Yet Barnaby still isn't convinced. It all seems too good to be true. Is it?
BARNABY GRIMES: CURSE OF THE NIGHT WOLF is a really enjoyable read. The level of detail makes you feel like you've stepped back in time to Old London and are highstacking right alongside Barnaby as he delivers the letters, fights off a wolf and travels to the seedier areas of London. Full of action, the pace is constant with barely a moment to catch your breath as the story moves at a brisk level.
A definite must read for those who enjoy a boy-centric middle grade and those who enjoy the mix of mystery and historical. Look for the next book in the series, RETURN OF THE EMERALD SKULL to release February 2009.
Paul Stewart is a highly regarded and award winning author of books for young readers. He lives in Brighton, England. Chris Riddell is an award winning illustrator and political cartoonist. He lives in Brighton, England.
Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
September 2008
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