The Key: A Taylor and Alan Adventure (Volume 2)
by Jackie Mae and Alison Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite .
Siblings, Taylor and Alan are your typical kids for the most part. They do the same things as most kids their age except for one thing, they have been swept away on strange adventures. Today their only focus is to attend the opening of the new movie theater and see their favorite movie sequel, but that is to be delayed when they are swept away to an adventure in the past. The Key: A Taylor and Alan Adventure (Volume 2) is that adventure in the Land of Baltimore in the time of the Women's Suffrage Movement. Taylor and Alan are tasked with finding and protecting a key for a terrible wizard. Jackie Mae and Alison Taylor combine to write a tale of adventure and history that delights the reader.
The Key in set during the time of the Women's Suffrage Movement, and so there are historical facts about that movement and people involved in it that are included in the story, as well as historical facts about the Land of Baltimore and the residents of the area and time period, such as baseball player Wee Willie, and author Edgar Allan Poe. Jackie Mae and Alison Taylor do a wonderful job of combining a compelling story with historical facts making the book something enjoyable and educational for children of all ages. The reading level may be listed as 4th thru 6th grade, but it you have an advanced reader, you will probably want to introduce the book a loot sooner.
View all my reviews
The Juice Of Life: (Children's Picture Book On How To Be Grateful) (Ages 4-8)
by Assaf Marcus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
As a parent and an part of Children's Ministry, I am always looking for books to teach and instruct children of all ages.
I got this book and the author's other book, Peaceful Lion.
I loved it! It really spoke to the level of children, but not just young children. In fact, I am thinking of sharing this one with our youth group kids. Although it is written in easy to understand terms, I think the story itself will appeal to the teens and make more sense to them than a number of other things.
Once again I find that the author has done a wonderful job, and given me a book that I want to share with the kids and I think will work wonders in explaining and getting across the message.
View all my reviews
The Peaceful Lion And The Nagging Crow
by Assaf Marcus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Books for kids and helping them to understand abstract concepts are always something I love. I have kids, I am active with other children's programs and schools and so I am always looking for something I can share with those children.
I got The Peaceful Lion and the author's other book, The Juice of Life.
This book is so spot on. It explains the abstract concept of not allowing someone else to influence your attitude in a way that the youngest of children can understand.
I will be using this book with a couple of different children's groups, and with one in particular I will be adding some concepts because of their ages, but this is something that I think every primary school age teacher should have in their own personal libraries. In fact I might just have to buy some copies for some of my favorite local teachers!
View all my reviews
The Shayton Chronicles Book 1:
Destiny Sets
by Karen Fainges
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite
Here on Earth the stories of vampires are a bit twisted and not so true, but in another parallel dimension there is a world called Shayton that is inhabited by real vampires and they are nothing like the stories. On Shayton the world is in danger of collapsing and the ruling Council is always on the lookout for ways to correct the issues and stave off the collapse. Lisa is the daughter of the king, but she has been banished from Shayton and lives on Earth. Now the council wants her back, and selects a human to bring with her for a purpose, providing a godChild. The Shayton Chronicles Book 1: Destiny Sets follows Lisa as she is brought back and conceives not one but two children and the lives of Lisa and Tony, the children and Shayton that follows their conception and birth. Karen Fainges takes a paranormal or fantasy novel and adds the elements of a family saga to give a new and different novel on the idea of vampires and their coexistence with our world.
The Shayton Chronicles Book 1: Destiny Sets begins what promises to be a unique and fun novel series. Even though it could be called paranormal or fantasy, I think the best genre label for it should be family saga. It follows Lisa and Tony, then their children around through life to the point where they are once again reintroduced to their parents. Talkar is followed as he fights for his place in the world of Shayton, then as he leaves and finds a fulfilling life on Earth with Molly, and later a child with another species. Karen Fainges does a wonderful job of creating a story that you want to follow from the beginning, characters that you relate to and feel for. Although this book spans a great deal of time, it almost feels as it is all happening within moments of each other. This is definitely a good book for adults, highly mature young adults and those loving the idea of a new approach to vampires.
The Shayton Chronicles
Book One - Destiny Sets
Book Two - Tamal's Journeys
Book Three - The Children of Tamal
View all my reviews
Hildof and the Seven Given Souls - Book 1
by Abraham Mehmet
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite
Leon has grown up in the Village of Hildof with his six best friends never thinking that life could be any different than what it is now. One day the village is invaded by Mudgies and all the parents are taken to the Castle of Calibar to be slaves. The children were in the woodss and were saved, and a wizard named Tildor finds them and tells them a wonderful story. Leon is really the Prince of Calibar and it is his destiny to save the world. The seven friends embark on a journey to rescue their parents and save the world from th evil sorceress Savina. Along with Tildor, they met another great wizard Randoff who gives them guidance. When Leon is offered great power to save the world, he requests that it be split among the seven friends. Abraham Mehmet and Pinar Hakki have written a story that will inspire and encourage children who have the chance to read Hildof and the Seven Given Souls.
Hildof and the Seven Given Souls is not just a great adventure story that will attract young boys and girls to read it. There is so much more in this story. The value of friendship and everyone standing together against a foe instead of just one person, the power in numbers, that one person is not more important than the others, and that Light is the ultimate and can overcome any darkness and evil. Abraham Mehmet and Pinar Hakki did a wonderful job merging these values and ideals into a story that is still interesting enough to capture the attention of children. I would love to recommend this book to my own daughter's fourth grade class, they would love it. I think it would be perfect for any classroom with lots of teaching moments in the book.
View all my reviews
The Way
by Mary E. Twomey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite .
The Fountain of Youth has been discovered, but it only works on people with B type blood. The only problem, it makes you anemic when you bath in it, so you must consume O type blood. If you have the bad fortune of being born with A type blood, well you are second class, the slave labor class. The Way separates people into classes by blood type. Baird, Blue and Griffin are born into this world and raised in what could be called an orphanage. They have a secret, Blue is more than she seems, she is the Light. A prophecy of old told of how the Light would come into the world and heal the world. Baird takes is as his role to train Blue to be the master assassin that she will need to be to complete the prophecy. While Baird is trying to hide Blue, she unknowingly reveals herself to Prince Liam and his entourage. This may be a good thing as she is whisked away by them to hopefully fulfill her mission. Mary Twomey creates a world of classes in which the second class with bring forth the hero to save the upper class.
The Way is a wonderful story of coming of age in a fantasy world where people are valued only for their blood type. As long as you have the right type, you are ruling class, but if you have the wrong type you are either the slave class or food. Enter Blue, who at nineteen is extremely naive and has a prophecy weighing her down. She is said to be the Light which will save the world. Mary Twomey layers so many elements in this story. There is the arbitrary assignment of value based solely on blood type, then you have the whole prophecy of being "the one" on a young girls heads. Add to that a forbidden romance or attraction between people of two different classes, and you have a wonderful story. Perfect for young adults, but even adults will find meaning and enjoyment in this story.
View all my reviews
Mary of the Aether
by Jeffrey Aaron Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite .
Living in a small town can have it's ups and downs. For Mary everyone knowing her and her father, who seems to be much too old to actually be her father, is one of the downs. Mary would rather live where she can fade into the background more easily. Mary has never fit in, and now at fourteen, her father spins an unbelievable tale that she is a Lightbearer from another world, and the last of the kind. Talk about not fitting in anymore, now she is going to stand out, unless she can keep people from knowing. The worst is that there are Lookers out there searching for her. She's not sure she can turn to the only friend she really has in Kristen, she has a big mouth, but maybe the guy she is crushing on. Aiden is a bit like Mary, not really an outcast, but not the most popular boy in town either. Can he be the one to help her? Mary of the Aether follows her story once she learns of her true nature, and what happens as she is searched out by others who want to destroy her. Jeffery Aaron Miller once again uses his unique knack for writing about other worlds to draw you in and to have you totally engaged in the story.
Jeffery Aaron Miller is a wonderful writer, who can take you to a fantasy world yet still keep you in touch with the real world and it's own conflicts. Mr. Miller just has a wonderful knack or ability to create these other worlds that are mixed with our own world, and yet the issues of growing up in this world, poverty and unpopularity, are intertwined with the lofty goals of the other world. There is so much in his storytelling to admire and to recognize for the youth of today. I find his writing and storytelling abilities to be fascinating. Mary of the Aether is another series that follows Mary and her truth as a Lightbearer and her quest to preserve that as the last living Lightbearer. This is a great book for the young adult and teens. The issues they face in the real world are dealt with, while giving some adventure and fun to the whole story with the other world and it's own realities.
View all my reviews
The Rebirth of Dino Earth
by Pat Hatt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Rebirth of Dino Earth is a wonderful rhyming tale for children and adults alike. It introduces some of the favorite dinosaurs of children today, along with a Freaky Alien crew. In the mix is a moral, that no matter your size you are special and have something that only you can do.
The book is well written and engaging. Children of all ages will enjoy the colorful pictures and the rhyming verse. Pat Hatt reminds me of the much loved Dr. Seuss, in that he created a story that kids would enjoy, with characters they would like yet at the same time wrapped a lesson into the story. That was always my favorite part of Dr. Seuss stories, and I am pleased to see that another writer is carrying on that tradition in such a remarkable way.
View all my reviews
