The Dogs YA

This book had me hooked before I even got it.  I had seen a early promo for the book and begged the publisher for a copy so I could review it, and The Dogs by Allan Stratton did not disappoint, it is awesome!  It is a well paced book, with twists and turns that will keep you guessing all through the book.  It includes a creep factor that rivals some other famous authors, and one thing is for sure, you will be up past your bedtime reading this book, I was.
Cameron and his mom have been on the run for a long time, every time Cameron's mom thinks his dad catches up to them they have to move again.  But this place is different, it feels different.  Cameron is the one that thinks someone is watching him, should he tell his mom, or is he just creeping himself out with all the stories the kids at school are telling him about the old farm house he and his mom are renting that has his mind playing tricks on him.  But when Jacky the boy who used to live on the farm starts talking to Cameron and Cameron starts investigating the farms history, people start looking at Cameron differently.  Cameron's world starts to fall apart and he feels alone, if his mom is wrong about him maybe she is wrong about his father too.  Can his dad help, can Jacky, can anybody, and how do the dogs fit in?  This is one awesome YA / paranormal / thriller / crime / mystery book, so as you can see it has a little in it for everyone.

5 STARS

Akaela YA

What is a girl (even a girl with special artificial integrated technology implants) to do when her daddy goes missing?  Go find him of course.  That it what Akaela, her brother, and two of their friends set out to do after rescuing Akaela's brother from Mayakean incarceration.  But will the foursome make it to the Gaijin's factory where the think their dads are being held or will there be other more costly obstacles in their way?
This was a great futuristic, spell weaving, fresh, all round wonderful book.  I was really cool with all the artificial integrated technology one can only hope will someday be available to people that need replacement parts.  It was kind of sci-fi meets steampunk, one word awesome especially if you like that technical, mechanical, building things, and I do. 

5 STARS

Summer Bingo MG

When I first saw this advertised I thought I have to review this for my niece going into middle school this year she will love it.  She will, but this book is so much more than what I thought it would be, it is a great book!  The characters are so believable, at times I felt like I was there and wanted to pull Summer aside to give her some of the advice she seemed to so desperately want.  I felt so bad for her, the story starts out on her 13th birthday and it is Summer, her sister J.C. and their mother Maggie.  Even though they have nothing, Summer's mom is making her birthday cake out of ingredients you can not eat by themselves, they seem very happy to just have each other.  Than they win the money and not everyone is happy anymore.  You would think money would solve all their problems, but in their case it seems to start them, and it gets worse when they move to a new town.  Now Summer needs to find new friends in a new school, and even start over proving herself to a new softball coach.  Even though some things get better for the family toward the end there are still other problems left to be seen, so I am not sure if there are plans for a second book, but it sure would be nice to see how things are going for this little family in a year or so, so how about Summer High (School)?

5 STARS

Awake YA

This is a great book, it was a little slow to start but than it picked up speed and there was no stopping the story or the reading of it, the story had me hooked like a big old fish at that point.  The characters were a wonderful mix, although I have to admit I found Noah and his family a bit unbelievable at first but as the story developed I saw how his family might have become and acted the way that they did.  This book has a little something for everyone in it, action, romance, cult/paranormal (?), action, oh, did I mention action?  Running, chasing, stabbing, and some kissing too, but I won't tell you in what order, you will need to read how Scarlett, who can't remember anything since before she was four, meets up with Noah.  They fall in love, she ends up back with her real parents and the cult, where Noah saves her, hopefully, before her locked away memories , and her parents secrets, can kill her.  There are some twist and turns that could easily set up a second book, I really hope that happens so it will answer some leftover questions.

5 STARS

Max the Brave (Picture Book)

“Are You My Mother?” meets “I Want My Hat Back” in the hilarious new picture book, Max the Brave (Sept. 8), by author and illustrator Ed Vere. Follow fearless Max as he encounters every other creature except the one he’s searching for…mouse. Check out the trailer!

 

“A cat-and-mouse game to be laughed at and reread.” – Kirkus

“Full of playful humor...enhanced by the humorous text, character expressions, and a not-scary monster to boot. Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal

“Both the punchy text and illustrations command attention, and plenty of readers will get a kick out of feeling superior to Max.” – Publishers Weekly

 

Website: http://books.sourcebooks.com/maxthebrave/

 

Activity Kit: http://sourcebooksftp.com/Email/MaxTheBrave/MaxTheBrave-ActivityKit.pdf

 

Educator guide: http://sourcebooksftp.com/Email/MaxTheBrave/MaxTheBrave-EduGuide.pdf

 

 

WATCH FOR REVIEW COMING SOON!!!

 



Jerry's Magic MG

This is a good book, especially for reluctant readers and those still being read too.  It is the first of the Jerry's Magic series.  Jerry Shore is ten years old, and since he lost his dad in the Great war, WWII, five years earlier, he has been learning to be the man of the house.  To help him with this and some anger issues, The Wondermaker, Wilcox, a homeless man in the area has been giving Jerry magic items and teaching him the Look, which can put people under your power, but only if your intentions are good.
This is a great book, it is a wonderful story while at the same time teach some awesome life lessons without it being so, in your face, toward the reader.  Some things are a little dated since the book is set in the 50's but maybe kids would enjoy learning and hearing about radio broadcasts and kid superheroes from their grandpa's time.

5 Stars

For a review of the second book Jerry's Madness please go to May 2015

Daughter of Dusk YA

This was a great book and the second in the Midnight Thief series.  It is action packed but what do you expect when the main character, Kyra, is a thief, assassin, and a demon rider.  In this sequel to the Midnight Thief, Kyra must not  only battle her own feelings between her human and demon rider blood, but also her allegiance with the Forge, with their leadership problems, and the Makvani and her own problems there.
This book moves as fast as a demon rider, and will leave you behind if you let it.  The excitement is contagious and you will find yourself holding your breath while cheering on Kyra during all her exploits.  You go girl!
5 STARS