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Invisible World | Suzanne Weyn | Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

Straight up, witches are cool. And for real? Who did not sit right up and pay attention during the Salem witch trials in history class? This girl was on that like white on rice. When I saw Invisible World by Suzanne Weyn up for grabs at a book signing, I chose it because I thought it would be a cool read — also I LOVE historical fiction and feel like there isn’t enough of it in YA to sate my appetite. Unfortunately, Invisible World turned out to be a disappointing read where I was left unsatisfied.

Invisible World Suzanne Weyn Book Cover

Elsabeth James has magical powers — she’s a mind reader AND also? She can like see things from other people’s perspectives quite literally. Elsabeth and her family — father, sister and governess decide to sail to America because there’s opportunities for her dad to do science things. Unfortunately, the ship they are on sinks and well, Elsabeth washes up on the shore of a Gullah Island (Which FYI I can’t say without thinking of the TV show). There on the island, she ends up falling for this guy whose name I forget because I am writing this review a few months after I finished the book. Anyways, she also learns voodoo magic too, while on the island and begins to heal. UNFORTUNATELY! Elsabeth ends up sold as an indentured servant to these people in Salem, Massachusetts, and obviously you can guess where the story is going.

Gullah Gullah Island GIF

So, because Elsabeth has powers you would think she’d be kind of a badass right? Unfortunately she’s more of a wet blanket. She spends a lot of the book being all mopey and such, and I was like come on let’s get to the magic. Maybe she’s a product of her time? But I don’t know, I was just hoping for a character that would knock my socks off and unfortunately that did not happen at all.

I do like, however, that Invisible World included a Gullah island, as that’s a piece of history that we don’t often hear about. I also liked that people of color got to be the heroes for once, instead of there being a white savior. However, once we get to Salem, the book takes a turn for the worse, as the witchcraft/bad guy is kind of hilarious, unintentionally. I know I probably thought the suspense stuff was funny because I am older than the intended audience, and you know, some books just don’t cross the generational divide.

Also? The romance within didn’t feel all that believable to me. I didn’t swoon or highlight pages or anything. I was like, oh that’s nice she has a beau now. It was pleasant, but nothing I really rooted or cheered for, ya know? Also, the romance happens like SUPER fast, like bam out of nowhere she’s in love with this slave. Which okay, yeah that adds in drama – the whole interracial thing. And I would have loved it if that was the book’s focus. Unfortunately, to me, I personally felt like the book suffered from lack of a strong focus and trying to do too much with too few pages. Perhaps budding history buffs will love this book, but I’ve read better (Witch of Blackbird Pond FTW).

Disclosure: Picked up at an Oblong Books event.

Other reviews of Invisible World by Suzanne Weyn:

In (Parent)thesis – “Yep. I am reeling by the badness.”
Bibliophile Support Group – “I read it quick, it flew by, and wasn’t boring”

The Fire Horse Girl Kay Honeyman Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

You know when you absolutely love a book and you want to shout it from the rooftops and then let everyone and their mother know just how great the book is. You are absolutely convinced that everyone should be reading it. THEN come to find out, the book ends up not getting a whole lot of attention despite being totally awesome and legit and full of plot lines that WE ALL LOVE. Friends, that book is The Fire Horse Girl by Kay Honeyman. This book is 100% legit and honestly deserves a parade or something to make up for the lack of coverage on the blogs — which HONESTLY to me, if something isn’t being splashed all over book blogs in MY OWN PERCEPTION that means it is being sorely neglected. YOU GUYS STOP NEGLECTING THE FIRE HORSE GIRL.

The Fire Horse Girl Kay Honeyman Book Cover

Raise your hand if you love reading historical fiction. Raise it up high if you love books staring fierce females who are headstrong. Raise it up to the ceiling if you are a huge fan of when girls dress like boys in order to have freedom. PREACH IT SISTER FRIENDS. Anyways. The Fire Horse Girl has those elements IN SPADES. So, basically Jade Moon is a female born in the year of the fire horse which is kind of a big deal on the Chinese zodiac, I guess. Basically, this is a very bad thing because it means that she’s not exactly submissive but very independent and stubborn, actually. Jade Moon lives in China with her dad and Grandfather. Her mother died in child birth, and because Jade Moon is a fire horse girl everyone blames the family’s bad luck on her. When the opportunity comes to go to America, Jade Moon sees the road to opportunity and her dreams. She will do whatever it takes to get to America. In fact she kind of grabs her dreams right by the horns and I 100% support it and find it awesome.

Jade Moon definitely deserves to be the main character because she is utterly fascinating. In a time when girls basically had to sit down and shut up, she’s all I am woman hear me roar. And I am like YOU GO GIRL, GET ON WITH YOUR BAD SELF! Because I think in all caps. Pretty much every single person in her life tells her she is not good enough because she does not submit and because of her whole birth during the year of the fire horse and being a girl. Instead of getting down and depressed, she gets determined. It results in good life choices. So basically I would totally send a Valentine with chocolates to Jade Moon because she is awesome. Straight up.

If you are looking for a long, slow meandering book, The Fire Horse Girl is NOT for you. If, on the other hand, you want a book that draws you in from the first chapter and won’t let you go until the last page, The Fire Horse Girl might as well be your next read. The dialogue comes across as fairly authentic. I wasn’t like okay people do not talk like that ever. Lady go outside and listen to people talk. Instead, I was all YES I COULD HEAR THIS CONVERSATION. PLEASE SPEAK MORE. Seriously, Kay Honeyman’s book is wonderfully written and the word flow might as well be perfect because I never had to reread a paragraph to clarify what the heck was going on.

YOU GUYS! I never ever get to read about this setting — 1923 and no flapper focus. I’d be lying if I said I read too many flapper books because one can never have enough flapper books. However, The Fire Horse Girl has interesting historical things going for it! It covers immigration and Angel Island. It covers little China in San Francisco and actual China, itself. There are Tongs, paper sons, and the Chinese Exclusionary Act. It’s kind of my inner history nerd’s dream come true. Like, my inner history nerd wants to write a ballad or an ode or a haiku to this book.

The romance in The Fire Horse Girl isn’t exactly the sweep you off your feet sort. It’s very, very, very slow to develop. And that development is only after a ton of bumps in the road along the way. Plus, the two characters who fall for each other really don’t get along very much. So, basically it’s my ideal romance. And yes, there’s not like any kissing scenes or anything. So, if you’re like OH NO SEXUAL CONTENT, you will like this book.

Obviously if you can’t tell by my mad ramblings, I am a huge fan of The Fire Horse Girl and totally want to push it on you. Like, this is one of those books that deserves more attention. It deserves to not be shoved aside by the more flashy paranormal or dystopian books. Instead, The Fire Horse Girl by Kay Honeyman deserves a spot right on center stage for it’s unique setting, strong writing, and FIERCE leading lady, Jade Moon.

Disclosure: Received for review

Other reviews of The Fire Horse Girl by Kay Honeyman:

City Of Books – “a must-read for any historical fiction lovers“

Confessions Of A Readaholic – “I was immediately captured by the gorgeous writing”

The Dragonet Prophecy Tui T. Sutherland Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

I won’t even pretend that I didn’t immediately add The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland to my TBR pile because of the raging dragon on the cover. OH MY GOODNESS YOU GUYS I WILL FOREVER AND ALWAYS READ BOOKS WITH DRAGONS ON THE COVER. Surprisingly, I actually really enjoyed the first book of the Wings Of Fire series. I’m surprised because typically I prefer books with human characters, romance, and aimed at an older age level. However, The Dragonet Prophecy is a fast paced middle grade book with earnest characters who exemplify loyalty and friendship. Plus, it has a really cool world with interesting mythology.

Wings Of Fire The Dragonet Prophecy Tui T Sutherland Book Cover

The dragons are all at war with each other. You see, there are various races and tribes of dragons who live in various parts of this island shaped like a dragon — there’s an awesome map in The Dragonet Prophecy that shows you what the land looks like. The queen of the Sand Dragons was murdered by a scavenger and unfortunately she did not select an heir, and thus she left behind three daughters who are warring for control of the Sand Dragon tribe. Each sister has brought in factions of dragons from other tribes. The war has been raging for almost 20 years leaving many dead dragons in it’s wake. Fortunately, there was a prophecy stating that five dragonets would be born and eventually save the day. The five dragonets are taken by this faction known as the Wings Of Peace and hidden underground, where they bond and train with each other and aren’t exactly treated kindly or with love by their guardians. Fed up with being kept in the dark, the dragonets decide to escape and see what is going on in the world. It is then that the bounds of their friendship will be tested.

The central focus character for The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland is Clay. Clay is a Mud Wing dragon and what this means is that he’s happiest in the mud and the dirt. He’s not exactly the brightest lightbulb in the room but he has a big heart and cares strongly about his friends. He experiences growth in that he learns to be confident in himself and his decisions. Plus, his patience is extolled as a virtue, which is a good lesson to teach children. Further, free will and destiny are explored on a elementary school level that adds a nice amount of depth to the book.

The relationship between the five dragonets particularly pleased me. The five dragonets each have various roles to play within their group. Tsunami is the fierce fighter of the group, she is the strongest. Starflight is the scholar. Sunny is the cheerful one. Glory is the one who often gets underestimated, so she’s like the secret weapon. Clay is the dependable one. Team work is one of the biggest themes within The Dragonet Prophecy teaching great lessons about working together to solve problems and overcome adversity as well as cooperation.

The world building is fairly basic, however I think that the target age group — 3rd-7th graders will love reading about the world of the dragons and the various tribes and factions. It’s pretty cool how each separate faction of dragon has special abilities and drawbacks. No one is written as the perfect warrior. In nerd terminology, each character has a certain amount of hit points, none of them have unlimited hit points which I really respected.

If you’re looking for a particularly fast moving fantasy book to hand to a kid who might not be quite ready for Pern or Eragon, hand them a copy of Wings Of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland. It has a cool map, pictures, and a storyline that is filled with action. The values espoused within the book are excellent ones for children to learn. Both boys and girls will really enjoy this tale of warring dragons.

Disclosure: Received for review via Amazon Vine

Other reviews of The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland:

Charlotte’s Library – “story of friendship, impossible expectations, and a world at war.”

Escape Through The Pages – “engaging writing, good characters, some great action and mystery”

Fantasia – “has me bursting with tremendous joy”

Cleopatra’s Moon Vicky Alvear Shecter Audiobook Review

by April (Books&Wine)

I am a little miffed that there are not MORE young adult books set in ancient times. For serious, this is an era that is ripe for the picking and if you do it right nerds like me will snap those books up without a second thought. Y’all, Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter left me wanting in the best possible way. It left me wanting more Egyptian-set books. I wanted Roman setting books. I wanted books set in Carthage. I found that to use one of FYA’s phrases — ancient setting historical fiction is one of my YA ‘milk cartons’. I loved Cleopatra’s Moon so much that after reading it, I found myself immediately disappointed that there were no other fiction books by Vicky Alvear Shecter. For real, this book was so WELL DONE that I figured heck, I will be pleased with whatever else the author writes, and so was devastated that so far there isn’t anything else fiction-wise.

Cleopatras Moon Audiobook Cover

How many of you are like damn, I wish I could do my eye makeup as well as Cleopatra? I hope I’m not the only shallow person out there. Anyways, she’s a historical figure who has always fascinated me. I mean, hello — gorgeous, powerful and a real life love triangle? GET OUTTA TOWN. But really, I don’t know all that much about her and even less so about her children. When I heard about Cleopatra’s Moon and how it was all about her daughter, Cleopatra Selene I knew I had to read it eventually. Then we flashforward to summer when Audiosync was doing their free weekly audiobook promotions and Cleopatra’s Moon was one of the offered books. Of course, that was downloaded and eventually listened to in October. And yes, you guys I know I am a failure at immediately reviewing, but I think we’ve all got this problem from time to time.

ANYWAYS, here’s what the book’s about — so we start out with Cleopatra Selene’s early life where she idolizes mom for more than just her awesome make up. Then we get lots of tragedy in the form of those asshole Romans who are all WAHHH KILL KILL KILL. Well, not quite. Anyways, so Cleopatra Selene gets sent to Rome with her two brothers and she’s an orphan and everyone hates her dead mother. AND SO she has to cope with that. And there’s a slight romance. But mainly, Cleopatra’s Moon is about staying strong and true to yourself in the face of adversity. It’s kind of one of those timeless sort of themes, and thus I loved this book and the plot because I felt that not only could I learn, but I could also empathize.

Cleopatra Selene is my favorite type of character. She’s a headstrong young lady who fights hard for her family. She doesn’t let her enemies push her around. Yet, she’s also not an idiot — I mean, she knows when to shut up and come up with a smart plan rather than walk her way into trouble. I love that while it seems the entire world is down on her family and calling Cleopatra Selene and her mother whores, Selene keeps her head up high. She’s the sort of character I absolutely rooted for the entire time, even when she was getting close with a certain male who is THE WRONG MALE. I cared enough to wish her a happy ending considering all the tragedy that surrounded her.

HELLO ALL OF THE KISSING! Friends, there is definitely some making out action in Cleopatra’s Moon. Plus, there’s totally an ancient love triangle, but we all know who we want to win (Juba, you’ll meet him in the book). And there’s this intellectual chemistry between Juba and Cleopatra Selene that really had me saying HECK YES MORE OF THIS, because for real, how often do we get books where the characters kind of flirt and connect on a brainy level as opposed to a purely sexual level. Frankly, I loved this sort of connection because it’s so different and compelling. I will say, some of it is painful to read in the oh how my heart aches for these characters sort of way. Yet, I think it’s worth the pain for the subtle not so overwhelming romance storyline.

As for the history, I haven’t really taken any classes that explore Egypt in depth — tragic, I know. I cannot tell you how much accuracy is contained in Vicky Alvear Shecter’s version of history. However, when I was listening to the interview at the end, it sounded like she really knew her stuff. That’s right. The audiobook has a bonus author interview that was fascinating to listen to. Like, I learned that Shecter is very interested in Hannibal and while listening I was like can you please write me some historical YA fiction about Hannibal please and thank you. I kind of figure that maybe you lovely blog readers don’t entirely mind being privy to the random thoughts that pop in my head as I read books, and that was one of them — my sincere wish for some Hannibal and his g-d elephants fiction.

Confession time. At first, I was not entirely won over or in love with the audiobook version of Cleopatra’s Moon. I was listening to it on my computer and it was kind of static-y and I know it’s not my speakers because they are too high quality for that. AND SO THEN, I was like maybe I should start this over on my phone and well, it was still a little static-y but that eventually went away. I also ended up getting used to the narrator’s voice and finding it rather appropriate for Cleopatra Selene. The narrator is Kirsten Potter and she has a very articulate, serious and sincere voice. Like, she just sounds like a mature young woman. Her voice is sort of deep, but I thought it worked because hello this book would sound awkward with a valley girl type voice. Like, if I was narrating it would sound awful hahahaha. Anyways, Cleopatra’s Moon is produced by Oasis Audio and is 12 hours and 29 minutes unabridged. However, you’ll want to stick around for the author interview at the end because it’s utterly fascinating. I totally recommend Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter if you are anything like me — nerdy with an interest in historical swoons and kickass eye make up.

Disclosure: Downloaded during AudioSync Summer Promotion FOR FREE!

Other reviews of Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter:

Bunburry In The Stacks – “shines in its beauty as a story, and narrator Kirsten Potter brings it to life as few others could.”

The Book Smugglers – “This is the type of historical YA I yearn for, I burn for, I want to squeeze close to my heart and buy copies of for everyone because it is that damn good.”

Forever Young Adult – “The level of detail is enough to conjure opulence and wealth without plunging into an over-flowery snoozefest”

Sunrise Over Fallujah Walter Dean Myers Audiobook Review

by April (Books&Wine)

Why do I like reading military based books so much? I’ve never been a soldier. I’m scared witless of guns. But, I love reading about camaraderie. I love reading about bravery and courage under fire, so to speak. When I first came across Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers, it was at the library in 2009. I was living in a place I call hell. I had initially taken the book out because I liked the cover and I knew a little tiny bit about Fallujah. Unfortunately, I returned the book unread. Flash forward to this year, 2012, and seeing Sunrise Over Fallujah in the Audible sale. For me, audiobooks are an easy way to read free time non-review books. Since 2009, I have become a big fan of Walter Dean Myers, and so coming across Sunrise Over Fallujah again, I absolutely could not pass that up. Y’all, this is what we call A GOOD LIFE CHOICE.

Sunrise Over Fallujah follows Robin Perry, a young soldier in the Civilian Affairs branch of the military. He is sent to Iraq where their mission is to basically stabilize Iraq and help the Iraqis rebuild. The book starts with Robin questioning why he signed up for the military, for war. He is briefed on his company’s mission. They go over friendly fire and the rules of engagement and what not. Then we move into Robin forming bonds with the other members of his company, notably Jonesy who wants to open up a blues club when he gets back from fighting and Marla, a tough as nails blonde soldier. We see the company interact with the Iraqis, we see them look for weapons, then turn around and collect toys for the children. Yet, the book is not immune to tragedy, much like most people involved with war. It’s kind of hard for me to describe the plot, so I’ll just say it’s a bit of a coming of age, but with a soldier.

I said it in my review of ALL THE RIGHT STUFF and I just wanted to reiterate that thus far, Robin is my favorite of all the Walter Dean Myers main characters that I’ve ‘met’. Robin starts off the book with one of my favorite character traits EVER, he is PRICKLY, you guys. Like, he gets pissy because Marla gives him the nickname Birdy. And it sticks, to Robin’s dismay. But then, as we progress and see the day to day life of war and as Robin really gets to bond, he starts to change. He starts to not mind the nickname. And you guys, ‘Birdy’ goes through some serious life changing events, and I am glad to say that with each event, Robin develops as a character. You can’t go through an experience like the ones Robin has and not change, so I respect that Walter Dean Myers didn’t make Birdy perfect and statics.

I’m glad to read a book set during the Iraq war, as usually the ones I tend to read are set during different wars. Sunrise Over Fallujah wasn’t the typical war book where I spent the whole time in fear for the characters. Or the type where every single battle is described in detail. But rather, Sunrise Over Fallujah goes into the ordinary between fighting bits and I liked that, I feel like I don’t know enough about that. Plus, most of the war books I read don’t have female combatants, so that was a nice little change too. I also liked reading about a war that has happened in my lifetime, in a place that people who actually matter to me in real life have been and have fought. Afterwards, while I don’t UNDERSTAND because I have never been there and most likely never will be in the military, I found myself feeling more empathy towards the experiences of the service people I know.

I’ve seen a few reviews on goodreads for Sunrise Over Fallujah that were lukewarm, which set my brain to wondering. I was thinking about the audiobook experience and how it affects my perception of the books I listen to. Would I have felt the book mediocre if I had read the print version? The audiobook version is published by Recorded Books. The narrater is JD Jackson and he really brings Robin to life. I thought he was a wonderful casting choice. Is that what they call it — the choice of narrator? Anyways, I digress. I thought that JD Jackson brought Sunrise Over Fallujah to the next level, where the characters felt real and three dimensional to me, rather than flat as the reviews say. And now I am wondering how much of my impression and feelings are due to the audiobook rather than Myers’ words. That stated, I did really, really enjoy Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers and would recommend that you give the audiobook which is only 7 hours and 27 minutes unabridged a shot, especially if you are looking to diversify your reading.

Disclosure: Purchased with an audible credit, although I also once borrowed this from the library a very long time ago but returned it unread.

Other reviews of Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers:

Crazy QuiltEdi – “a thought provoking book that makes us wonder what the war, indeed any war, accomplishes”

Bookin’ Las Vegas – “JD Jackson is amazing as the voice of the book.”

Advice From A Caterpillar – “a jolt of reality about the war our children have already inherited”

The Revolution Of Evelyn Serrano Sonia Manzano Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

It never fails to surprise me how some of the books not getting big buzz turn out to be hidden gems. The Revolution Of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano was a book that I picked up on a whim at the Book Blogger Convention. None of the other books we could choose from for our grab bags looked interesting to me, and so not know anything about the book except that the word ‘revolution’ is in the title and it’s published by Scholastic, I put it in my bag. Friends, apparently I am a GREAT decision maker under the pressure of a line, because I ended up really liking The Revolution Of Evelyn Serrano.

Set in 1969, with El Barrio, or Spanish Harlem as a backdrop, The Revolution Of Evelyn Serrano is all about social justice. Told through the eyes of Evelyn – who by the way insists on being called Evelyn, her middle name, instead of Rosa because too many girls in the barrio are named Rosa- we see The Young Lords which is an activist group comprised of Puerto Ricans insist on cleaner streets. You see, the streets of El Barrio are filled with trash. Evelyn must also deal with her mother and Abuela who is her grandmother being continually at odds with each other. Also? Evelyn is spending the summer working at a drug store and making a few friends outside of the barrio. I found The Revolution Of Evelyn Serrano to be an honest look at what life is like in El Barrio and what actions can drive social change.

I rooted for Evelyn the entire time, even when she was not being entirely fair. She is a dynamic character who experiences a coming of age, and I love that. She’s on the cusp of deciding whether to embrace her Puerto Rican roots or grow wings and fly away (not literally, y’all). She’s a good girl who cares about her family, even when there is conflict between members. Plus, Evelyn takes a page out of her sassy grandmother’s book and learns to stand up for her beliefs. I love that.

The interactions between Evelyn’s mother and Abuela are quite tense. You see, Abuela was never all that great of a mother. Instead of caring for her child, she helped lead revolutions throughout Puerto Rico as a way to make up for a past. When Abuela arrives unannounced in NYC, she takes Evelyn’s room and is not the best house guest. Yet, she fully inhabits her personality and with her faults come strengths as well. Abuela is one of the people to embrace the Young Lords, the social activist group. She finds herself sweeping trash off the street and assisting with the Lords’ social justice efforts. I found it admirable that she didn’t let her age lull her into complacency or not caring.

Sonia Manzano’s The Revolution Of Evelyn Serrano is a very quick read. It has short chapters and large print. Interspersed within the text are Spanish and Spanglish terms, but the author rarely does that thing where she defines the word right after a character says it. Instead readers are given context clues,which I LOVE because it doesn’t break up the natural flow of the book. I think the interesting characters and the tight plotting really help to move the story along at a satisfactory clip, which is especially good if you are doing a readathon or just want to get through a pile of your owned books.

I’d be utterly remiss if I did not mention the themes of social justice within The Revolution Of Evelyn Serrano. As well all know, life is not fair, nor is it just. But that does not mean we should sit back and be blasé about it. The cool thing is that Sonia Manzano shows people who are willing to sit up and take action to improve their station in life. The Young Lords want to use the church for free breakfast for children, day care, and a clothing exchange. It was so wonderful to see people who look beyond themselves. And actually come to think of it, you could pair this book with All The Right Stuff by Walter Dean Myers for a vivid discussion of the social contract.

The Revolution Of Evelyn Serrano is not going to get the fanfare of bigger books, and that’s just fine. Yet, I don’t think you should miss out on it, because it’s a wonderful, quiet novel about one girl’s coming of age and pride in her heritage. It’s based on true events in history, and for once an event that I had never even heard of. Well-written and fast paced, Sonia Manzano’s book is definitely worth a few quiet hours of contemplation, especially for middle graders.

Disclosure: Picked up at Book Blogger Convention 2012

Other reviews of The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano:

Novel Novice – “I was profoundly touched and moved by this book!”

You Decide: Should I Read It Or Not? – “I was more proud of my heritage than ever after reading Sonia Manzano’s book.”

3 Below Patrick Carman Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

It is such an incredible pleasure to return to the wacky world of the Whippet Hotel and it’s employees. 3 Below by Patrick Carman is the second book in the Floors series, but it is just as enjoyable as the first book, plus if you have not read the first book, it is not all that hard to follow, although I totally recommend you read Floors as well. Here’s the thing, if you are a kid or a grown up looking to re-capture that feeling of magic in a mostly ordinary world, you know the same feeling you got with Roald Dahl, then I think Floors and it’s sequel, 3 Below are the books for you.

3 Below picks up slightly where Floors leaves off. The book opens with a rooftop wedding, between main character Leo’s dad and Remi’s mother. It’s very adorable and sigh-making. Merganzer Whippet makes a grand entrance and sends the two on a cruise, leaving Leo and Remi behind to watch the hotel. ONLY OMG, the hotel owes like $700,000 in back taxes and this bad lady is totally on a crusade against the Whippet. In order to come up with the money, Leo and Remi must brave the 3 floors below the Whippet. Y’all, these floors are just as fun as the ones in the first book.

Leo and Remi are fantastic heroes. In 3 Below we get to see Remi take more of center stage, now that he is Leo’s step brother. The two are tasked with saving the hotel and they absolutely rise to the challenge. What I like is that Leo and Remi are good kids. They work hard. They think outside the box. Plus, they never expect the answer to be just handed to them, but rather work for it. They are the kind of child characters that I enjoy reading about.

I’d be remiss if I did not mention my main boo, Betty the duck. She’s back and better than ever in 3 Below. This time she has ducklings. Plus an appetite for animal crackers. OH and a pivital role. Also, Betty has such attitude for an animal, I LOVE IT. Seriously, more ducks in kid lit, please?

What I love the very most about 3 Below by Patrick Carman is the imagination used in book. The design of the Whippet Hotel seems like something that could have come straight out of Roald Dahl’s head, and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible. It’s a hotel that seems to step outside the bounds of normal, where if you have the right key, almost anything can happen. I feel like these are the perfect books to fuel a child’s imagination and dreams. Plus, 3 Below does not stagnate. Rather, we get three brand new floors, each as imaginative as the top floors and a few new, wonderful characters.

Maybe you have a child that just wants a dose of magic after tearing through The BFG and Matilda, this book, 3 Below and Floors should help to fill that need. These books contain wonderful characters, an imaginative setting, and a very quick moving, engaging plot.

Disclosure: Received for review.

Other reviews of 3 Below by Patrick Carman:

Catie Flum – “I wish I had enjoyed this more, since Floors was so good”

Five Minutes For Books – “I would peg Floors #2: 3 Below as just right for kids eight and older”

Other Books By Patrick Carman:

Floors

Drama Raina Telgemeier Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

There’s nothing quite like a nice middle grade book on a weekend afternoon. Friends, I tore through Raina Telgemeier’s Drama, a book with themes that were familiar to me and thus peaked my interest. ALSO! Drama is a graphic novel and I love those to pieces. I started the book today thinking, okay I will just read 50 pages. Oh, hey I will just read 100. Wait, wait, did I just read ALL THE PAGES? Seriously, I started reading at 8 a.m. and did not put this down until I finished it at 9 a.m. It took me an hour, but then, I am a 25 year old adult and not a 12 year old.

Callie, the main character, is a super huge fan of theater. However, she’s not one for the stage. Rather, Callie is on stage crew and specializes in set design. She’s in seventh grade, but that doesn’t stop her from being ambitious and hard working. This year, her school is producing Moon Over Mississippi. Callie wants the sets to be extra special, so she’s got some effects up her sleeve. The drama in Callie’s life isn’t just on-stage with the play though! She also has some boy drama going on as well.

Friends, Drama has a winner in Callie. She’s a GREAT protagonist. Loyal to her friends and hard working, Callie has two attributes that I really admire. Plus, omg, she is SO awkward when it comes to boys, I just love it. I also loved her passion for the stage and for set design. She has big dreams and it is awesome to see a girl so driven at such a young age. Plus, I could totally relate to her and her boy troubles at that age.

I think what I enjoyed the most about Raina Telgemeier’s Drama were the two elements of the theater and the inclusion of characters who are gay. You guys. I did theater stuff back in the day, including both of my middle school years (my middle school only had seventh and eighth grade). In seventh grade we did a play called Recess where I played Shirley the new kid. In eighth grade we did A Christmas Carol and I played urchin #1, I had one line solo – ‘ee’s a villain. I sang my freakin’ heart out of that one line. Anyways, the theater means a lot to me. I loved seeing the huge, entire background of the theater in Drama. Telgemeier totally nails it in her latest. I love all the little details and the pieces she includes, how the characters are a team — both the people on stage and the people backstage. Plus, stage crew is totally awesome and I have such a soft spot for them.

Like I mentioned in the previous paragraph, I just love that Telgemeier included gay characters, and like it wasn’t some big coming out story but characters who just happen to be gay. AND IN A MIDDLE GRADE BOOK NO LESS. Seriously Drama is the first middle grade book that I can actively remember reading that has gay characters. Unfortunately that means ignorant people will try to ban it because it portrays gay people in a positive light, but I just loved the characters who were. They were genuinely good, bubbly people.

I would be remiss if I did not discuss the graphics within a graphic novel. Telgemeier’s lines are clean and smooth. I think that if you liked the style of art within Anya’s Ghost, you will like Drama’s art. My copy starts out in color, but then switches to black and white. I have to say that the color makes a huge difference. Not that black and white was bad, but the color really makes it pop. Plus, I think reluctant readers will flock to this book.

Honestly, I think Drama by Raina Telgemeier is a coming of age story that should totally be in a classroom library. It definitely has kid appeal for both girls and boys. Plus, the graphic novel form is a great way for kids to practice literacy in a different form and it’s wonderful way to tell the story. Also in this day and age of bullying, kids should get the chance to see gay people in a positive light. I loved Drama and I will definitely be looking for a copy of Smile in the near future.

Disclosure: Received for review

Other reviews of Drama by Raina Telgemeier:

Rather Be Reading – “I can only describe Drama as a total delight”

Vikki Vansickle On Writing, Reading, & Other Pipedreams – “I have a mad girl crush on Raina Telgemeier”

A Book And A Latte – “a fun read full of heart, with great graphics”

The Eleventh Plague Jeff Hirsch Audiobook Review

by April (Books&Wine)

When I have the chance to legally download free audiobooks, I don’t turn it down. The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch read by Dan Bittner was among the first pairing offered up by SYNC this summer. The Eleventh Plague is the story of a boy, Stephen Quinn trying to survive against the odds in a world on the cusp of apocalypse.

The Eleventh Plague

After P-11, which is a harsh virus, spreads and kills a large percentage of people, America’s societal structures break down. The vast majority of the remaining population survives by roving in nomadic scavenging bands. There is also an unsavory group of people called the slavers who obviously go around enslaving people. So, the nomadic lifestyle is pretty harsh, but this is the world that Stephen Quinn grows up in.

Stephen is wandering around with his dad when suddenly an incident occurs and his dad ends up in a coma. Stephen finds his way to a place called Settler’s Landing. Settler’s Landing is like blast from the past and is comprised of a group of people living together in a community taking care of each other.

Of course, there is a threat to the safety of Settler’s Landing as this happens in most YA dystopias. However, what makes a book stand out is the characters’ reactions to the threat. Unfortunately, I was not entirely riveted by Stephen. I found him fascinating in the beginning and at the end, but had a lot of trouble paying attention during the middle. I just kept zoning out, honestly thinking about things like what I am having for dinner and whether I will have to commandeer hangers for my clothes. I know, I know. Awful. Take that as you will.

The audiobook of The Eleventh Plague is narrated by Dan Bittner and is produced by Scholastic Audio. It is 7 hours and 3 minutes long. Dan Bittner’s voicing is quite earnest and matches the tone of The Eleventh Plague. I think it works very well for the book and is pleasing to my ears. Honestly, this is not my favorite audiobook by far, but also it is not the worst.

Disclosure: Downloaded for free as part of SYNC YA.

Other reviews of The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch:

Mundie Moms – “In the end this was a good read for me”

The Book Smugglers – “a terse, bleak environment that is believable because it is so understated”

Smash Attack Reads – “All in all, it didn’t deliver the total package”

Capture The Flag Kate Messner Book Review

by April (Books&Wine)

Oh say can you see by the dawn’s early light, THE Star Spangled Banner has been stolen, y’all. It’s up to four intrepid children to save the historical artifact in Kate Messner’s latest middle grade book Capture The Flag. Messner does a bang up job writing a book for kids that reminded me a lot of the film National Treasure in that it makes history and it’s artifacts interesting for the masses.

Capture The Flag

Three children — Anna who idolizes Harriet The Spy and is kind of brash and annoying, José who has a quote notebook and always has a backpack with Harry Potter paperbacks on him at all times (AKA my FAVORITE) and Henry who is a major video gamer– are all trapped at the Washington DC airport because of a blizzard. While there, the news breaks that the original flag that inspired the national anthem has been stolen. Three have this very strange and fascinating connection between them. A connection that relates to the protection of art throughout the ages.

I mentioned a fourth kid – Sinan. His parents are Pakistani and part of an international orchestra. Unfortunately due to racism and xenophobia, the orchestra is blamed for the stolen flag simply because they were non-Americans who were performing for a gala at the Smithsonian the night the flag disappeared. The kids bond with Sinan who has a poodle named Hammurabi and draws cartoons to better understand phrases like ‘it isn’t over until the fat lady sings.’ Anyways, they all want to find the flag and the real villain, both of which are at the airport.

Kate Messner totally deserve commendation for incorporating diversity in a natural way. Yet Capture The Flag also addressing the very real life problem of racism and xenophobia on a child’s level. I thought she handled it well without being overly saccharine or preachy, but keeping the story fun.

Capture The Flag is a fast paced, adventurous read. I think that it’s more of a book that is for those who are actually kids rather than adults reading children’s books, like it doesn’t quite have the works on multiple levels feeling that The Westing Game does. However, I do feel Capture The Flag is a great read especially if you have younger relatives or work with kids. I honestly don’t think this book would be hard sell to actual children at all.

Disclosure: Received for review at BEA.

Other reviews of Capture The Flag by Kate Messner:

The Adventures of Cecilia Bedelia – “an entertaining adventure/mystery featuring protagonists from different ethnic backgrounds”

The Reading Zone – “the perfect middle grade mystery”

My Tower Of Books – “an enjoyable book with spunk”