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REVIEW: My Monster Burrufu by Alberto Corral

December 15, 2011 By 2 Comments

Title: My Monster Burrufu
Author: Alberto Corral
Illustrator: Alessandra Sorrentino
Pages: 102
★★★★★

Synopsis: (Taken from Amazon.com) Seven-year-old Olivia has just moved to a new house — the same house where a lonely monster named Burrufu lives hidden in a secret attic. One night, unable to resist the smell of delicious cookies, Burrufu sneaks out and is discovered by Olivia. The two soon learn that you can find friendship in the most unexpected places. ‘My Monster Burrufu’ is a story of overcoming fear, a curse, and a most unusual monster who learns from a little girl how to trust his heart.

Review: I found My Monster Burrufu to be a cute short story of a little girl, who in a way, reminds me a bit of my Carli. She is outgoing and friendly and has a ton of energy. But most importantly, she pays no attention to society standards of “normal” and will befriend just about anyone who needs a friend.

Burrufu is a monster that is used to being an outcast and so therefore hides in the attic, writing novels to pass the time. He hates rejection and more than that, he hates the idea that he scares people. So when Olivia finds him, he doesn’t really know how to react. Naturally, defensive. He didn’t want to be hurt!

Although the book was a bit simplistic in writing, it definitely has a great message and would make a good read aloud. The book says that it is good for ages 9 and up, but I think it is more appropriate for ages 6-9. If you’re a teacher or a parent looking for a good read aloud; a book during quiet time, or bed time, then I do recommend My Monster Burrufu. It’ll open the lines of communication and help children learn about the importance of tolerance and acceptance.

Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Books, Children, Ratings, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: Huber Hill and the Dead Man’s Treasure (Book & Gold Coin Giveaway!)

August 17, 2011 By 17 Comments

Book Trailer


Welcome to one of the stops on the Huber Hill and the Dead Man’s Treasure book tour. :)

Info

Title: Huber Hill and the Dead Man’s Treasure
Author: B.K. Bostick
ISBN:978-1599559117
Pages: 288
Review: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

When his grandfather dies, Huber Hill is devastated—until he opens Grandpa Nick’s mysterious box. An old gold coin and directions to a hidden Spanish treasure send him and his friends off on an mind-blowing adventure, but he’s not the only one on the hunt. Filled with dangerous animals and cryptic puzzles, this book will have you on the edge of your seat until the last page.

Review:

Something I really remember as a child is watching movies or reading books that really, truly, took me on an adventure. A good book takes you out of your body and enters you into a world that you’ve never known; a means of escape from the mundane existence of work, school, work, and school. I found that in Huber Hill and the Dead Man’s Treasure.

We meet Huber (meanly nicknamed “Puber” by the middle school bully, Scott) and his twin sister, Hannah. While Hannah is the golden child, Huber has a hard time finding acceptance in his own home and at school. The internal turmoil Huber must have felt really touched me. Although he was very strong and just let things slide off, “Like water off a duck’s back”, I still felt so incredibly sorry for him. I also liked Huber from the very start. It’s kind of hard not to.

I think Huber Hill and the Dead Man’s Treasure would be a great book to read with your child. It’s so adventurous that I believe it’ll really encourage reading! I could just imagine laying in bed with my daughter when she’s about 7 or 8 and reading a chapter a night. As I close the book, she looks up at me and begs me to read more. Any novel that would be a great read to read with my child, and not just finish in one night, is a necessity.

If you enjoy adventures and if you were a big time Goonies fan, then I really recommend you pick up this novel. It’s adorable and addicting.

Note from B.K. Bostick:

You’ll notice at the end of the trailer, an image appears- “Treasure for Alyssa.” Alyssa is my twelve year old neighbor who is suffering from a brain tumor. She’s had four surgeries and is currently undergoing radiation. I’ll be donating 100% of my profits from pre orders and all book sales during Oct. 1-16th (first two weeks of release). The publisher is creating a poster site for Alyssa at www.treasureforalyssa.com. They are still working on it and I’ll email you again when it goes live. Once again, please do not distribute the trailer or Alyssa’s website until finalized. At that time, I’ll definitely need your help in spreading the word about “Treasure for Alyssa.”

Enter to *WIN*

What you are winning: A copy of Huber Hill and the Dead Man’s Treasure with a magical gold coin, as in the book!

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8/17/2011 until 08/31/2011

Filed Under: 4 Stars, Books, Children, Genre, Reviews, Young Adult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: Wolf Camp by Katie McKy (103)

May 22, 2011 By 4 Comments

Title: Wolf Camp
Author: Katie McKy
Illustrator: Bonnie Leick
Pages: 32
ISBN: 978-1933718255
[Rating:3]
Purchase: [Paperback] [eBook]

Synopsis

(Taken from Amazon.com)
In a delightful mix of intrigue and humor, a young girl named Maddie goes to a Wolf Camp and comes back with disturbing new habits–wolf-like habits. Kids will be fascinated with the idea of transformation into an animal, and parents will recognize the sense of change their children undergo at summer camp.

Review

What is there to say? I was not overly impressed. The language was a bit too simple, forced, and awkward. I am not entirely sure what to pinpoint in the writing style but it bugged me.

The lack of detail of the actual trip to Wolf Camp was upsetting. Maddie sees a flyer for Wolf Camp and her parents allow her to go. She writes them a letter on one page and then she’s home. I just thought for a book about Wolf Camp, that there would actually be more details at home.

What made the book semi-interesting was the wonderful illustrations by Bonnie Leick. I know that kids would find the pictures interesting and that, enough, would be able to keep its attention. The rest would be required of the person reading the story to breathe a little life into the words.

While not overly thrilled with Wolf Camp, some may like it. Although it is not one I would personally purchase, I would borrow it from the library.

Filed Under: 3 Stars, Books, Children, Genre, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: Go the Fuck to Sleep (102)

May 21, 2011 By 5 Comments

Title: Go the Fuck to Sleep
Author: Adam Mansbach
Pages: 32
ISBN: 978-1617750250
[Rating:5]
Purchase: [Paperback] [eBook]

Synopsis

(Taken from Amazon.com)

Go the Fuck to Sleep is a bedtime book for parents who live in the real world, where a few snoozing kitties and cutesy rhymes don’t always send a toddler sailing blissfully off to dreamland. Profane, affectionate, and radically honest, California Book Award-winning author Adam Mansbach’s verses perfectly capture the familiar–and unspoken–tribulations of putting your little angel down for the night. In the process, they open up a conversation about parenting, granting us permission to admit our frustrations, and laugh at their absurdity.

With illustrations by Ricardo Cortes, Go the Fuck to Sleep is beautiful, subversive, and pants-wettingly funny–a book for parents new, old, and expectant. You probably should not read it to your children.

Review

My daughter Katelyn is 10 months old and does not sleep through the night. In fact, I am quite happy if I only have to get up once or twice a nice at this point in time. When parents complain about having to get up early (as in before 8am) or had to get up in the middle of the night after a long period of having a baby sleep through the night, it irritates me. I have not had a full nights rest in 10 months. TEN MONTHS! So stop your quacking!

I miss sleep.

I heard about this book and I just had to read it. I mean I just had to. I needed something to help me laugh over the fact that I have a baby that is not fond of sleeping. Go the Fuck to Sleep was hilarious and it definitely helped me feel a little better about the sleep situation.

I think Go the Fuck to Sleep would be the perfect gift for parents to be who have a little sense of humor. The perfect baby shower gift and “just because” gift for any parent facing a baby who doesn’t believe in sleeping.

Filed Under: 5 Stars, Books, Children, Genre, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: 98 Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic #YA #Cancer

May 12, 2011 By 8 Comments

Title: Never Eighteen
Author: Megan Bostic
Pages: 204
ISBN: 978-0547550763
[Rating:2.5]
Purchase: [Paperback] [eBook]

Synopsis

(Taken from Amazon.com)

Austin Parker is on a journey to bring truth, beauty, and meaning to his life. Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. The doctors say his chances of surviving are slim to none even with treatment, so he’s decided it’s time to let go. But before he goes, Austin wants to mend the broken fences in his life. So with the help of his best friend, Kaylee, Austin visits every person in his life who touched him in a special way. He journeys to places he’s loved and those he’s never seen. And what starts as a way to say goodbye turns into a personal journey that brings love, acceptance, and meaning to Austin’s life.

Review

Sounds like a depressing but inspirational piece, no? Would you be surprised if I told you that not only was it written in the most simplistic manner possible but that every trite situation in which Austin would want to redeem himself or help a friend was used?

  • Dying Kid (Check)
  • Divorced Parents (Check)
  • Infedelity (Check)
  • Crush on Best Friend (Check)
  • Drug Dependent Friend (Check)
  • Rape (Check)
  • Rich Grandparent (Check)
  • Gay Friend (Check)
  • Abuse (Check)
  • Bullying (Check)
  • Drinking (Check)
  • Death (Check)

Imagine, as you will, a dying kid of 17. He decides that he wants to have “one last talk” with people that he has had issues with during his life time; to make amends before the inevitable. So he wants to take a “journey” with the only girl that he has ever loved. She also happens to be the his best friend. Imagine that. Also, by “journey” (you noticed the quotation marks) I mean, “Have her drive his pathetic ass around and then leave her to wait in the car hour after hour without so much an explanation while he accomplishes his tasks.” And he’s supposed to love her? Ppsh.

I know. I know. He’s dying of cancer so I should be easy on him. But I can’t. Not with a character that lacks in identity. I can’t relate. I can’t sympathize. Austin was not made real to me. It was like reading a bad story in a creative writing class. Where was her teacher, here? Why didn’t anyone encourage her to move beyond the predictable?

Austin and his driver, Kaylee, have the same exact voice. Kaylee is just as boring as he is and their dialogue between each other is predictable and superficial. But, anyway — all the activities in Day 1 up until the kegger feels like it should have taken all day and night and when he finally says that it’s only 9pm, I went, “Sure….” Plus the conversations he has with each person takes about 5 minutes, tops. How meaningful can a “last talk” be in just five minutes? However the reader was made to believe that his conversations took place over an hour or more. But really, the tasks were so brief that they almost seemed pointless.

Never Eighteen was just that bad. I really do not now what people were thinking giving it 5 stars, as I believe I am being rather generous at 2.5. I mean, the concept is great (for the most part) and I actually finished the book (in a few hours). But that’s about it. 5 Stars? People are really putting it up there in the “perfection” category, like nothing could be changed for the better? This book was just as good as the Harry Potter Series or The Hunger Games? I really do not think so and to say it was is insulting to the masters. Or are people just being nice?

One thing that I believe Bostic has some talent with is her poetry; two poems of which are shared in the novel. The poems were touching and meaningful. I think poetry is where her true talent is revealed and I think she should leave the teen YA genre behind and focus on her poetry.

It’s a good thing that this book hasn’t been officially released yet, because it needs a lot of work — like an entire rewrite. Maybe that sounds totally harsh, and it is — but someone has to be honest and it may as well be me.

Filed Under: 4.5 Stars, Books, Children, Genre, Reviews, Young Adult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #97 This is Me From Now On by Barbara Dee

May 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
This is Me From Now On

Book Cover

Title: This is Me From Now On
Author: Barbara Dee
Pages: 272
ISBN: 978-1416994145
[Rating:4.5]
Purchase: [Paperback] [eBook]

Synopsis

(Taken from Amazon.com)

Sometimes your life just needs a little jolt.

This is what Evie’s new friend Francesca tells her, and soon enough, Evie’s life has had something more like an earthquake. Francesca thinks life is dull unless you go after everything you want and say everything on your mind all the time–and sometimes that includes giving other people a little behind the scenes help to give them what she thinks they want.

Evie can’t always tell if she’s horrified or fascinated by everything Francesca convinces her to do, but ultimately, she comes to see friendship–and life–in a whole new light.

Review

I was excited when Barbara Dee contacted me about reviewing her books, This is Me From Now On and Trauma Queen. Explaining to me that they are books that send a good message to children, I had to see. One of my biggest issues with children and young adult books is when the author fails to send the readers, who are young and impressionable, a good message they could walk away with. Dee has managed to write a book that is not only entertaining, but it does send a good message. High-Five to Barbara Dee!

This is Me From Now On is about a middle school student named Evie who is BFFs with Lily and Nisha. You now the type — attachedatthehip. That is until another girl, Francesca, moves next door with her actress Aunt. Francesca is beautiful but she is also incredibly strange. To say that she dances to the beat of her own drummer would be an understatement. Whatever social rules you have come to know, Francesca will break them all.

In middle school, image is everything (oh I remember middle school all too well) and Francesca is flat out embarrassing. That’s too bad because Evie is stuck with her on a very important project for a class. Her BFFs just don’t understand. Soon Evie finds herself alienated from her soul sisters and thrust into the unpredictable world of Francesca. Francesca is a lot to handle, but there is nothing boring about her. You’ll want to keep reading, just to find out what she says and does, next.

This is Me From Now On is a wonderful and interesting tale about the various people who come into your life and force you to stop and smell the roses, dance in the rain, and take chances. This was my first novel by Barbara Dee and I am very excited to have another one, Trauma Queen, waiting for me. It is very refreshing to read something that I will want to pass along to my daughters when they are older.

Filed Under: 4.5 Stars, Books, Children, Genre, Reviews, Young Adult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #84 Do Princesses Have Best Friends Forever?

December 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Title: Do Princesses Have Best Friends Forever?
Author: Carmela La Vigna Coyle
Illustrated: Mike Gordon and Carl Gordon
ISBN: 1589795423
Pages: 32
★★★★★

Synopsis: (As taken from Amazon.com) In the first new Princesses book in four years, Carmela LaVigna Coyle celebrates friendship as two girls play dress-up, make forts from blankets and sheets, stomp in the mud, and generally do all the things that best friends do. Let’s make two bracelets with a double pink heart/And THEN we can wear them when we’re apart. I wish that our play date would never, ever end/That’s how it feels when you have a best friend.

Review

The book Do Princesses Have Best Friends Forever is not particularly long. It’s the perfect size in length for4-6 year olds. That being said, the length of the book and the adorable graphics illustrated by a father and son team — will surely keep their attention.

The actual story itself is less than desirable. I just didn’t get it. We are introduced to Princess #1 who invites her new friend over. However when we meet her friend (Princess #2) they act as if they have never met. Then the story proceeds to be a series of “how can I make this rhyme” type of story. Yet the rhymes offer no real substance. For example:

Do Princesses sing on the way to the zoo?
Yes! Maybe my mom will sing along, too.

Alright.. sure? What is this really teaching me? How does it really flow with the earlier story? It doesn’t. Another one:

How do zookeepers pick up the poop? The zoo must own a very big scoop.

I mean, really? What does this have to do with Princesses having best friends forever? Because the title of the book is Do Princesses Have Best Friends Forever? I’d like to see it be a book that answers the question. It doesn’t have to rhyme to gain a child’s attention, but if there are rhymes, they need to be clever.

Maybe a story of two princesses butting heads — letting their “royal” titles get in the way of their friendship. The things they do to each other when they are angry to up one another. Maybe someone getting their feelings hurt. Then their making up? I have no idea — but I would like to see it have a moral to the story and/or a real point in regards to the title.

A good story isn’t about the wonderful illustrations or the rhymes, but what the reader walks away from it remembering. What did they learn? Did it teach them a new concept like alphabet or numbers? Or did it teach them how to be polite or social manners of some sort? Is the book meant to be completely comical or satire in some way?

Either way the book falls flat on the actual story. However if you have a young reader, they may enjoy the illustrations, the fact that they are “princesses” (even self-titled) and they may giggle when the author says, “poop”.

Overall: The book is one you should get at the library. Something to borrow, but I wouldn’t purchase it myself.

Filed Under: 3 Stars, Books, Children, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #63 We the Children by Andrew Clements

March 10, 2010 By 3 Comments


Title: We the Children (Benjamin Pratt & The Keepers of the School vol. 1)
Author: Andrew Clements
ISBN: 1416938869
Pages: 160
★★★★★

Synopsis: (Taken from back of book)

Benjamin Pratt’s harbor-side school is going to be bulldozed to make room for an amusement park. It sounds like a dream come true … or is it more like a nightmare? Something about the plan seems fishy, and Lyman, the new assistant janitor, seems even fishier.

When Ben and his friend, Jill, start digging for answers, they find things that the people with money and power don’t want them to see. Could the history hidden deep within an old school building actually overthrow a thirty-million-dollar real-estate deal? And how far will the developers go to keep that from happening?

Ben and Jill are about to discover just how dangerous a little knowledge can be.

Review:

I received this ARC from the publisher, which was a real surprise since.. It’s Andrew Clements! I don’t think you could go through childhood and not know who Andrew Clements is! Needless to say I was very honored and excited to be reviewing in advance the first novel in a new children’s series, Benjamin Pratt & The Keepers of the School.

The first book in the new Clement’s series is titled, We the Children. We are introduced to an incredibly likable character named Ben whose parents are going through a rough divorce. He alternates visits between his mother and his father (his father living on a boat). Ben doesn’t mind living on a boat, because he loves sailing himself (and even competing in races!) Ben is a thoughtful, smart little kid who still manages to have his head on his shoulders even though his life has made a drastic change.

One day the janitor hands him a golden coin; a coin that must be a century old! With this simple act, Ben is thrust into a new world of information and puzzles that are meant to be unfold. He has to work hard and work fast in order to save his school!

I found this book an adorable read. It had enough puzzle action to have me wondering what was going to happen next, so I can only imagine how much kids of the appropriate reading age group would just love this book! I can not wait to find out what happens next in the series. What IS the secret behind the school and will Ben unleash it in time?

Filed Under: 4 Stars, Books, Children, Reviews, Young Adult Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: #61 Horrid Henry’s Underpants

March 8, 2010 By 1 Comment

Title: Horrid Henry’s Underpants
Author: Francesca Simon
ISBN: 1402238258
Pages: 112
[Rating:3.5]

Synopsis: (Taken from Amazon.com)

Horrid Henry makes a deal with his parents in return for eating his veggies; accidentally wears girls’ underwear to school; tries to prove he is sicker than his brother; and writes the meanest thank-you cards ever (and makes money on it too).

Francesca Simon is one of the world’s best-loved children’s authors. She is the only American to have ever won the Galaxy Book Award, and her creation, Horrid Henry, is the #1 bestselling chapter book series in the UK—with a hit TV show and over fifteen million copies sold! Each book contains four easy-to-read stories and hilarious illustrations by the one and only Tony Ross, so even the most reluctant of readers won’t be able to resist Henry’s amazing talent for trouble!

Review:

Rarely do I ever see a major protagonist who is also an antagonist .. Henry is mean, a bully, and generally unlikeable. In fact, Henry is just absolutely horrid (har, har).

Basically Henry has a pretty normal family – a younger brother named Peter (dubbed “Perfect Peter”) and two loving parents who only want what is best for him. Somehow, though – Henry is all about being just plain nasty and manipulative (a true sociopath in the making!) (Anyone want to put dibs on an adult version titled “Homicidal Henry”?)

The book is split into a few stories, all of which Henry is trying to accomplish some self-absorbed selfish task. In the first story, his family is trying to coerce him into eating his vegetables but all Henry wants is junk food, junk food, junk food. They agree that if he eats his vegetables every day for 5 days, they will take him to his favorite fast food restaurant. Henry agrees – but that doesn’t mean he’s going to give in easy to his promise.

Horrid Henry has humerous bits – and I think it’s an entertaining read for it’s age group (9-12) though I think kids as young as 5 would really enjoy this type of book. I think it would allow children, through reading, to live out their fantasies as being “tricky”. I do encourage parents to, after their children have read the stories, to discuss it with each other. After all, we wouldn’t want Henry to suddenly become a hero.

Filed Under: 3.5 Stars, Books, Children, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,