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It's been a month since Benjamin Putter's father passed away. It's hard for an eleven-year-old to describe what it feels like to lose a loved one but Benjamin is convinced the lump he feels in his throat is a golf ball caused by his loss. If that isn't enough, he hears his father's voice coming from his urn imploring him to scatter his ashes on the 18th hole of the famous Augusta National golf course. He has no idea how he's going to get there but he knows he must.

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Sammy Shine is perfectly content living in a shoebox in Hank's room. All of that changes when Hanks' brother sends Sammy on an accidental adventure in a remote control airplane.

No matter how hard he tries, Sammy can't avoid crashing into the Great Woods. He's totally unprepared to face life in the wilderness and he has no idea how to get home. To top it off, his plane disappears. Luckily, he meets some new friends, including a mouse named Phoebe, who agree to help him find his plane. The evil weasel, Mustela, and his band of rats try to thwart their plan.

It's hard to resist Sammy, the adorable mouse from the black and white illustrations. They convey so much more than the lacking in suspense plot. Though the character development falls short at times, young readers will still manage to fall in love with the adorable Sammy
even if they have to slowly skip along instead anxiously running ahead.

Ample illustrations and short chapters lend itself to a great read aloud book or a step up from the first chapter book for the early reader. I'm splitting my review on this one for a 5 star on the illustrations to a 3 star on the story.

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

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With winter coming, Mr. Bear and his family must prepare for their long winter nap. Just when they turn off the light they hear, "DO-RE-MEOW" from across the hall. With Miss Cat across the hall, the Pigs and Mice on the second floor and Mr. Owl and the Kangaroos on the top floor, it's nearly impossible for the Bear family to sleep at all.

Faced with a plethora of problem neighbors, the Bear family realize moving away isn't an option. Instead the neighbors try compromising by changing places in the Brownstone. It takes a lot of tries to get it right.

Keeping track of  humorous scenarios and constant reshuffling feels like putting together a puzzle. The cartoon like illustrations adds to the zaniness. Besides creating plenty of snickers, The Brownstone perfects the importance of compromise.

Rating: ★★★★☆

This book can be purchased on Amazon:

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When author, Gary Paulsen, rescues an elderly poodle named Corky from animal shelter, he discovers a spunk and lack of fear that makes the dog an amazing guard dog who returns the favor of saving a life. Gretchen, a dog who drinks from a mug, convinces the author that animals have an understanding and way of communicating that goes beyond what our minds can fathom. Who knew a mare would actually have the capability of protecting a jackrabbit from coyotes or that a bird could not only mimic a president but maybe even feel lonely? Some fascinating insights into the relationships animals have with humans.

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Marty can't imagine his life without his beloved beagle, Shiloh. Rescuing Shiloh from the cruelty he endured while living with Judd Travers was the best thing he ever did. Now it's just a matter of time before he gets the debt to the veterinarian he incurred to rescue his dog paid off. In the meantime,  Judd works to improve his reputation.

While Marty watches Judd struggle to become a better person, he meets Rachel, the new girl at school and the preacher's daughter. As he slowly gets to know her and her family, he can't help but wonder why she seems fearful of her father. When someone sets fire to the woods, Marty can't help but notice the stark difference between those who blame Judd in parallel to the fire and brimstone teachings of the preacher and the those who band together to help each other. Will the search for Judd's dogs and the rebuilding of lost homes unite the family and community?

While A Shiloh Christmas is less about the dog and more about the love of family and a person's ability to change, the bond that Marty shares with his dog keeps him grounded when he can't control what goes on around him. Though the story delves into the serious subject of abuse, themes of love, acceptance and the willingness to change will tug at the heartstrings of the mature middle grade reader.


                                     This book can be purchased at the following retailers:

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Ebook received at no charge in exchange for an honest review.

A walk into Fablehaven opens to a world of magical creatures and artifacts and someone must take care of them. Each of the five preserves, including Fablehaven, has a caretaker With so many different artifacts as well as creatures from trolls to fairies, it's hard for those caretaker's to keep them straight. The knowledge that has been passed down from generations of caretakers finally appears in print, giving Fablehaven lovers a chance to sort through all things magic and learn the backstories of some of their favorite magical beings.

With fabulous illustrations and detailed definitions, it's easy to visualize the magic inside the preserves. Handwritten notes add humor and insight. Especially funny was the warning to Seth about not exchanging batteries with the satyrs for gold. The Kindle version does not transfer the illustrations or the handwritten notes well. In fact, there were many spots where there would be random notes in the middle of sentences. This reference book is definitely one that works best in print form. I would not recommend the electronic version. However, the print version would be the perfect companion to the Fablehaven series. Pay careful attention to references for the new sequel and be prepared to meet some new creatures.

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FTC Disclosure: Book received at no charge in exchange for an honest review.

Holiday time and Eddie his Mum, Tom, Lilly and Tilly prepare to explore the outdoors with a camping trip. After a long ride to the campsite, they finally get camp set up. After a night of listening to owls hooting, Eddie spends the next day exploring the beach, learning to make a fire, and making Damper Bread. While fishing Eddie meets a new friend named Max and his puppy, Bouncer. When Bouncer disappears, Eddie puts his new found survival skills to work.

While the story gives a realistic view of family life with illustrations to match, the camping tips at the end provide delightful activities for the family. The Chocolate Bananas are not only surprisingly easy to make but deliciously yummy too. A fabulous introduction to camping for the budding outdoor enthusiast.


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With their dad's abandonment and their mom too busy working and trying to quell her boyfriend, Bull's temper, Jake and Tyler Wilder develop survival skills they will need in their upcoming endeavor. When they witness Bull shooting another man, things only get worse. After their mother is taken away in an ambulance after been severely beaten at the hands of Bull, the two brothers flee in fear for their safety and run off with their dog to find their father who is rumored to be living off the land in Wyoming.

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To an eleven-year-old explorer named Martin, not much can top finding a frozen giant egg. Who cares if bullies taunt him and he disappoints his father because of his lack of interest in football? At least he has his egg to care for in his makeshift lab in his barn. As long as he has his outdoor world in Menominee Springs, Wisconsin to explore and such fabulous finds, he is perfectly content. Martin becomes the proud owner of what he thinks is a deformed lizard that hatches from the egg when it finally thaws. He's always wanted a pet but never expected his new lizard turns out to be a real dinosaur. The Tyrannasaurus Rex, Martin names Rufus, quickly attaches to his new owner.

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Joshua never understood why his grandfather repeatedly warned him about lightning. But when he and his best friend, Finn get too close to the windows during a terrible storm, his grandfather's warnings take on new meaning. In a flash of lightning, Finn is snatched through the window. A hand  grabs Joshua as well and the pair are taken to another realm where they must work as slaves to provide the energy to power the strange world.

Even worse, the two friends are separated and Joshua must devise a plan to find Finn. Together with his new friend, Charlie, they escape their work quarters only to find themselves on the Lightning Road in the face of a frightening "child collector" and beasts scarier than anything they could have imagined. Joshua must find courage he never knew existed to face the battle of his life against the fallen Greek Gods in the Lost Realm of Nostos. Will he have what it takes to rescue the kidnapped children and return them to earth?

Galanti creates a vivid mythological world with plenty of action that will keep the attention of the reader. At times terrifying, Joshua and the Lightning Road also touches on more heartwarming aspects like friendship and what it really takes to make a family. A solid recommendation for the fantasy, adventure fan. Strong, relatable characters and imaginative world building make this debut children's novel one you will hope will continue in a several book series.

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Photo of Seidler by Charles Gold

Some of my favorite email exchanges are with the authors of the books I read and review on my blog. 


      Interview with Tor Seidler:
         author of: Firstborn, Toes, Brothers Below Zero, 
                Brainboy and theDeathmaster        






Tell us about your experience doing research for Firstborn. How long did you spend observing wolves? Where?

 Seidler: By my standards, I did a lot of research for Firstborn. Beyond the whimsical premise of the animals speaking in complete sentences, I wanted the story to be as close to nature as possible.  I read fictional and nonfiction accounts of wolves, but more importantly I had a friend who was a great source of information: Jean Craighead George, author of Julie of the Wolves, among many other books.  Best of all,I went wolf watching with Jean in and around Yellowstone Park in late May and early June, 2005.  The wolves had been reintroduced into the park in the mid 1990’s, and by the time of our visit they were pretty well established.  The pack we observed in the northeast corner of the park had twenty-six members.  We would arrive before sunrise and set up our viewing scopes on a hillside above a creek.  Often we got to see the alpha male lead the other hunters back from their night hunt on the other side ofthe creek and distribute food among the pack’s six new pups.  An amazing experience!  In more recent years I’ve also visited the wolf reserve in northern Westchester County.  But there’s nothing like seeing animals in the wild.

What did you find most challenging about writing your book?

 Seidler:There are always a lot of challenges for me in writing any novel, but in this one I think the biggest was figuring out how to tell the story.  I initially wrote it from an omniscient point of view, focusing solely on the wolves.  The story began with Blue Boy, the alpha male wolf, awaiting the birth of his pups.  But the story wasn’t quite lifting off.  When I hit on the idea of writing it from the point of view of a bird, a magpie who attaches herself to the pack, it seemed to give the material another dimension.

After writing a book about animals, do you have a favorite animal? Which one and why is it your favorite?

 Seidler: I’m a great believer in bio-diversity, so I like all animals.   But I must say in studying the wolves I gained a deep respect for them.   Their life is very hard.  Few live to see their first birthday.  But the way they learn to work together, both socially and in the hunt, is awe-inspiring.  I also have a soft spoke for coyotes, who lead much more individualistic lives than wolves.

Unlikely friendships develop in Firstborn. Did you observe any unlikely animal behavior or relationshipsin doing research? 

 Seidler: I’ve read about unlikely relationships developing between different species, but to be honest I didn’t observe any in my wolf watching.  I love the idea of multi-culturalism, though, and I’ve written about it before in the animal world, especially in a book called The Wainscott Weasel.

Your book involves conservation efforts for wildlife reintroduction. Are there any conservation efforts you would like to encourage in your young readers?

 Seidler: I’m a fan of all conservation efforts, be it joining the Sierra Club or encouraging your parents to recycle orminimizing your carbon footprint.  I have a particular fondness for the World Wildlife Fund.

 What made you want to become a writer?

 Seidler: Reading.  I enjoyed books so much as a kid that I thought, “Hey, maybe I can do that!”

What suggestions do you have for young readers who might like to become writers someday?

Read. And then read some more. And don’t accept what people tell you. Look at things with your own eyes and reach your own conclusions.

 Is there anything you would like to add about your writing and/or books?

 Seidler: Well, I hope some of you enjoy them!

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FTC Disclosure: ARC received at no charge from publisher to facilitate my review.

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

The dry season has left the small town of Sultana, Manitoba struggling. The tourists no longer want to camp along the nearly dry riverbed. The loss of tourism causes financial hardship to the residents who depend on it to eek out a living. Cody gets nervous about his best friend's mom restaurant job. If she loses it, his friend, Eric and his twin sister, Rachel will have to move. Cody will do anything to keep his friends in town. Even if that means creating a hoax that will bring visitors to Sultana.

Cody, Eric and Rachel set to work on creating an "ancient Egyptian" tablet, which chronicles a group of travelers from Egypt who make it up the Mississippi River only to find themselves stranded in Manitoba. When Dr. Murray (some type of retired doctor) "discovers" the tablet along the riverbed, it brings a buzz of activity to Sultana. The group of friends find themselves in a bind with seemingly no way out.

Oertel takes an implausible event and turns it into a delightful archeological adventure sure to hook readers who will no doubt want to read the next book in the series. Solid middle grade book that will appeal equally to boys and girls while peaking their interest in archeology.

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Book received at no charge from publisher to facilitate my review.

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Not many sports stars transcend time. Each generation makes way for new heroes. But when a legend like Joe DiMaggio paves the way, even new baseball fans will delight in turning back the pages of time.

In a time when baseball was the biggest sport in America, Joe DiMaggio wanted one thing. No way would becoming a fisherman like his father fill his plate. Instead, Joe made money in his teens playing baseball. He didn't have to talk about how good he was, he let his bat talk for him. Not only did his dad take notice, but the New York Yankee's discovered Joe as well and signed him to America's greatest team while only nineteen. Brought in to fill in Babe Ruth's shoes, the young kid proved himself worthy and quickly earned the nickname of "Joltin Joe"and a spot in the history books. Always classy, Joe DiMaggio earned respect even outside of the 'stat' books.
 
The attention to detail in Ransome's watercolor will bring back fond memories for grandparents wanting to share a blast from the past while reading to their grandchildren. Joltin' Joe Dimaggio scores a home run to the young baseball lover looking for a hero.

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                        The Disappearing - Book 1

For Tim and his friends the seaside town of Briny Deep is the perfect place to grow up together. Nothing bad ever happens. Nothing until a stranger comes to town and a young girl disappears. Now Tim has more to worry about than his recurring nightmare in which a stranger chases him but he alway awakens before getting caught. When one of his own friends disappear, he and his friend Max set out to solve the mystery behind the disappearances and the stranger with the yellow hair. A jarring conversation overheard by Tim leaves him with more questions than answers about what might those closest to him are hiding.

The short novel length will appeal to the reluctant reader upper middle grade reader. However, the older teen may not find the story stimulating enough, especially since the plot relies on the cliche of a recurring dream. However, the cliffhanger presented by Torres will have the paranormal science fiction fan reaching for the next installment.

In the two weeks since his best friend, Luke, disappeared Tim hasn't found many clues to his whereabouts. He has learned the name of the stranger with the yellow-hair, Canary. He is certain if he could find out more about a place called Earth, he may be able to find his friends. In the meantime, Tim overhears a conversation that makes him worry about his remaining friends, Max, Emily and Nina. In his quest to solve the mystery of the missing children, he stumbles across a secret  tunnel. His discovery takes him from the only home Tim has ever known.

Instead of starting where the previous book left off, The Return, begins inside Tim's recurring dream, making it hard for the reader to get into the real story. It takes several chapters to follow the plot, potentially losing those who haven't read the first installment. Luckily, the excitement builds and leaves a surprise twist for the protagonist.

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**FTC Disclosure: Complimentary product received to facilitate review. No monetary compensation was received.

Less than a year ago, my prescription changed for my reading glasses. Even after reusing the frames, it still cost me $200 to have the lenses replaced.

While I knew I could order glasses over the internet, I never dared to try. I finally got a chance with Firmoo. The only thing I regret is not trying Firmoo sooner. For less than $50.00, I can get a pair of prescription glasses which includes both the frames and the lenses. Best of all, the glasses were the right prescription and fit well.



The ordering process is a little more extensive than a most online purchases. I had to obtain my prescription from my last optometry visit. Luckily, the optometry office at the mass merchandiser was very accommodating and not only gave me a copy of my prescription, but also measured my pupil distance.

Once I received my prescription, the ordering process was easy. I input the numbers and waited for my glasses. With Firmoo, you have to be patient. My glasses were shipped from outside the country and it took over three weeks for delivery. For the amount of money I would have saved compared to my last purchase, it's definitely worth the wait. The quality of my Firmoo glasses were as good as the more expensive pairs I own. The glasses fit comfortably, even after hours of use. My glasses came packages well and also included a nice case, a cleaning cloth and a small screwdriver for adjustments.

Sunglasses at Firmoo

I already have a pair of sunglasses picked out at Firmoo for my separate driving prescription. I have wanted a back up pair and don't mind waiting a few weeks to save a large amount of money.

I'm so happy Firmoo found me. I'll be using them again when my teenage son needs a pair of glasses.

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I love author interviews. It gives me a chance to share the faces and personality behind the names on book covers. 

Featuring Amy Herrick: Author of The Time Fetch








1. The Time Fetch is your first book for young readers. What inspired you to write for children?

AH: Learning to read is kind of like learning to ride a bike.  It’s a very wobbly business at first and there’s a lot of different skills you have to bring together to make it work.  In the beginning you’re very klutzy and you’re focusing with all your might and then all of a sudden----Presto! Alacazam! It clicks! You’re doing it!  That time of your reading life, when you first take off and you’re free and you’re flying and nobody is holding on, is the golden time, the glorious time.  It is the time when you first realize all the treasures that reading can hold—that it can entertain you, that it can allow you to travel through space and time, that you can get yourself terrified without having to actually put yourself in danger, that it can give you the power to see inside of other people’s heads.At this age, when you love a book, it takes you over completely.  It sears itself on your memory and you carry it with you for the rest of your life.Imagine writing a book that someone would experience in that way.  I thought I’d give it a shot!

2. Where do you get the inspiration for your characters? Are they modeled after anybody you 
know?

AH: Edward was the first character I created.  In the beginning, he was the only one.  He was inspiredby my older son, who was pretty lazy as a kid and still who tends to be in his head a lot, trying to figure out the true nature of reality.Then Feenix showed up because I felt that Edward needed a nemesis. In the beginning she was much nastier than she ended up being.  I wanted someone who was all fire and restlessness and always in trouble and she was based largely on my younger son who is a wild thing and who spent most of his middle school and high school years in detention.  Danton came in a side door and I wasn’t expecting him to be so important, but I realized that if Edward needed a nemesis, he also needed a sidekick who could center him and the reader, and who represented a more balanced, natural way of being in the world.
Brigit arrived, I think, because I wanted the symmetryy of two boys and two girls.  Her shyness is based largely on my own early, always blushing years.

3. Speaking of the writing process, how long did it take to write The Time Fetch and what part of writing takes the longest.

AH: It took me a long time to write this book.  I worked on it over several years.  I wrote a complete draft, which I ended up scrapping because it felt too lightweight to me.  The hardest part for me is always the first part, the getting a story off the ground—like a kite.  The kite has to have the right shape and weight and tail and then you’ve got to get lucky with the weather and the wind.  Once you’ve got it up there, it gets easier and easier to just let the string out.

4. What is the most important message from your novel you would like readers to grasp?

AH: I was trying to explore a lot of ideas that interest me in this book. But probably the one I’d most like readers to take away is voiced by Mr. Ross, the science teacher.  He’s talking about entropy —the tendency for everything in the universe to move from a state of order to disorder, to die, to fall apart.   He says to his students:  “But think about it, my young seekers. There may be ways to slow entropy down. Even reverse its progress.  You can align yourself to fight alongside the powers of order and creation.  You can battle to keep things going, even join the ranks of those who devote their lives to making greater harmony and knowledge.  Or you can sit back and allowthings to run down.”

5. Tell us what it is like to see the final cover of your novel and see it in print?

AH: Doesn’t matter if you’re four years old or ninety-four, it’s always gratifying to have other people react with thought and care to something you’ve made. When you feel like an illustrator and a designer have created a cover that really catches the heart of what you’ve tried to do, it’s hard tostop thanking your lucky stars and kissing strangers on the street.  That’s the way I felt when I first saw this book with its cover on.

6. Who are some of the children's book authors you look up to?

AH: Oh so many wonderful authors I read over and over.  Last night I was rereading George MacDonald’s Princess and Curdie written back in 1872.  The goblins in this story are as well-imagined as any fairytale creatures lurking under beds or feet.  It is said that George MacDonald influenced many around him and many who followed—including Lewis Carroll, C.S. Lewis and Madeleine L’Engle, each of whom have influenced me and so many other readers and writers.   Afew others I keep by my desk: E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web (for White’s perfect, delicate, hilarious touch), Katherine Briggs’ Hobberdy Dick (a moving historical fantasy about a moment intime when old beliefs are giving away to new ones), Susan Cooper’s The Dark is Rising (suspenseful and often verging on the good-edge of scary, this is a story which uses mythology, Arthurian legend and ancient Celtic folklore)

7. What advice would you give to young readers who dream of becoming writers someday?

AH: Read a lot. Keep a journal.  Ask other people for their stories (especially the old folks!) and write the good ones down in your journal. Be brave!

8. What kind of feedback have you received that has helped you in writing your next book? Will there be a sequel to Time Fetch? Tell us about your next project

AH; Since so many people have asked me if I was planning a sequel and since I feel I’m not quite ready to let go of Feenix, Danton, Brigit and Dweebo, I’ve decided to give it a try.  The Time Fetchwas a winter solstice tale, so this next one will be a companion story that takes place at the summer solstice.


Check out my review on The Time Fetch.

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