Review of Frankie Dupont #3 Science Fair Sabotage and Frankie Dupont #4 High Seas Heist by Julie Anne Grasso

What a perfect book for a young child. The age range of 8-12 is great for this book, boy or girl. Frankie Dupont is just like a young modern day Sherlock Holmes trying to solve the mystery at the science fair as to who stole the robot computer chip. The book is a simple but a fun engaging read. Even I was trying to figure out the clues and who-dun-it. I love how Frankie's mind works and how the book takes you through how he solved the mystery. A recommended read!

Amazon review

Such a fun read for young readers. The age range of 8-12 is perfect for this book, boy or girl. Frankie Dupont is just like a young modern day Sherlock Holmes trying to solve a mystery along with his dad, a few friends and his trusty sidekick dog. This was a fun mystery as it involved two mysteries that end up being surprisingly related. The book is a simple but a fun engaging read. I was trying to figure out the clues and who-dun-it as i read along. I love how Frankie's mind works and his fun gadgets and scientific knowledge he uses to solve the mystery. Sure made me want some chocolate too. A recommended read!

Amazon Review

Book review - Finn's Rocket: a Surfer Catches Air by Serena Schreiber

What a great book for a high intensity  middle grade adventure. The connection between Finn and his younger sister, Gabi made for an intense emotional journey as Gabi is kidnapped and sent to space by a crazy wanna be astronaut woman. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives in the book as you got to know the main characters personally and their situations. The story strayed a touch here in there but for the most part it was hard to put the book down. I had to know what was happening next. It was an interesting quick journey into space and back again as well. I would recommend this to any middle grade reader who loves space, rockets or just an intense thrilling book!

Goodreads Review

Review of the book The Headmaster's Cave by D.S. Allen

This book is great for middle grade readers. The main characters, George, Katie and Dougie all behave in ways that are believable for their age. I hate books that over mature their characters. These kids were perfect from what they discussed with each other and the ways they behaved. However, if I was that age stuck in a cave captured by a mad man I'd be bawling like a baby. Good thing these kids are smarter than I am. The story had a lot of mystery and wonder and keeps you wanting to know what will happen next. The kids show thoughtfulness, reasoning and friendship. I really love that George has his dog Flan along for the ride as well. It gave the story more interest involving a boy and his dog.
The only thing I wish the book did was explanation first thing their location better. It took me a bit before I realized they were somewhere in the United Kingdom and that's why their realized was realised and they used a torch rather than a flashlight. Just make sure your child understands that so they're not confused.

Goodreads Review

Review of the book The Knights Before Christmas by Joan Holub and Scott Magoon

I read this book aloud to my 5 year old daughter. This is her review:
"The book was awesome and funny. My favorite part was when they saw Santa and thought he was trying to get in ( they thought he was an invader) and Santa just kept trying to get in. I also liked when the Knight said, 'Jingle bells, Invader smells, Jingle all the way.' I also liked when they took all the gifts and presents Santa threw at them and decorated the tree with them. I also love that the author made the book and that she was so thoughtful."

Mom's review: This book was really adorable. A fun play on the old Christmas poem T'was a Night Before Christmas. The story was funny and creative. The Knights all had their own personalities and funny quirks and Santa's persistence made for an enjoyable read. I liked all the little extras going on in the background of the illustrations and little sayings and singings of the Knights. Definitely a recommended book for all ages of young children. The pictures even kept my toddler entertained.

Amazon

Review of the book Gorgon (The Whipeye Chronicles #2) by Geoffrey C. Saign

I love the main characters in this story, Sam (Samantha) and Jake.  They have a fun friendship that I feel like really shows how 12/13 year olds would behave towards each other and the situations that arise.  It's believable and they haven't been matured past their real age like so many stories do.  It keeps the youthfulness in the story.  Sam's knowledge of animals and quirkiness is one of my favorite parts of the book.  There's so many varieties of animals in the book and I love it when she randomly stops in a high stress situation and spouts off the animals name and scientific aka name. She hasn't been glorified into a crazy girl hero. She's a regular girl chosen, along with Jake, to help the world of KiraKu and the Great Ones.  The story takes you on a intense journey as they try to get the antidote for a poison that Sam's dad and Jake's mother ended up with after a battle with a giant Komodo dragon sent by the power thirsty Gorgon.  Definitely a recommended book for early teens.  The concern Sam has for animals really keeps the fighting to a minimum and little harm to people or animals.

Goodreads Review

Book Review of Brink of Dawn by Jeff Altabef

Review
Brink of Dawn by Jeff Altabef

A great young adult book with a new plot line.  In continuing on their journey, Juliet Wildfire Stone and her best friend Troy Buckhorn make some big decisions and discover even more exciting and frightening things about Juliet's powers and what is supposed to be her destiny as Alpha in the Order of the Twisted Arrows.  The book took me somewhere that I didn't see coming which was refreshing after reading so many predictable young adult books lately.  I really enjoyed getting to know the other teenagers that they meet up with that are also "twisteds." They each had unique abilities and different back grounds which were enjoyable to read about.  I also appreciated that the book wasn't full of distracting, unnecessary teenage bedroom situations.  What little love relationship discussion was mild and appropriate and didn't take away from the story.  I would feel comfortable recommending this to any teenager (or adult) wanting to go on a suspenseful ride.  I think the only thing I had a hard time with in the second book was a few violent situations in which people were murdered. If you are sensitive to that be mindful.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which this was.

Goodreads Review

Review of The Mystic Princesses and the Whirlpool by P.J. LaRue

 The Mystic Princesses and the Whirlpool 
by P.J. LaRue

The Mystic Princesses is a good story for early readers as the plot line is fun and adventurous. The Mystic Princesses all have their own magical powers inherited from the God or Goddess parents and will be used to protect Harmonie whom the Children of Ares are after. I really enjoyed the girls all practicing their different magical abilities. The abilities are all very different and will invoke the imagination of those reading about these unique princesses.
There were some issues that I had while reading the book. It skimmed past the full introductions of the Mystic Princesses so I had a hard time visualizing what the girls looked like and what their personalities were like. Also, a lot of the situations they were in seemed a little rushed, like the book was compressed down so it jumped through big periods of time and then would focus on little situations that didn't really focus on the plot. It also read very, "next, after, then, last" which distracted from the story. Maybe a different choice of words to progress through the story may have helped.
Overall I could see my young daughter really getting into the princesses and their fun powers. Especially the part about riding dolphins and sliding down rainbows!
I received an copy of this book in return for my honest opinion, which this is.

Goodreads Review