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Can You Survive? Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Ryan Jacobson likes to tell people he was “this close” to becoming a teacher, and those who have seen his author presentations agree that he should have been. Ryan uses his passion and talent for storytelling to get students excited about books.

He has long loved to read and write, but in truth, Ryan never planned on becoming an author. It wasn’t until he read a Magic Tree House chapter book that his love of children’s stories was born. In the years since, he has launched a successful career as an author and presenter. He has written wonderful, imaginative adventures for readers from kindergarten to high school, and he offers school presentations as a chance to share his work with others. He has presented at nearly 100 schools, organizations and special events throughout the state of Minnesota.

Ryan lives in Mora, Minnesota, with his wife Lora, sons Jonah and Lucas, and dog Boo.

About the book:

He’s the world’s most famous detective, and thanks to this brilliantly adapted book, he’s you! The cases, the clues, the suspects, they’re yours to sort through in this exciting Choose Your Path book. You are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. You make the choices. But be careful; the wrong decision could lead to your doom.

My take on the book:

I really enjoy this series and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one as I remember reading not only Choose Your Own Adventure books as a kid, but I also remember reading Sherlock Holmes. Of course, since this is a ‘Can You Survive?’ book, you get to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and try to solve 3 mysteries in the book.

Another excellent book from Ryan Jacobson, who seems to have a real talent for crafting these ‘Can You Survive?’ adventures (Lost in the Wild, The Call of the Wild).

The best part of this book for me was that it has inspired me to re-read the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. I anticipate it will do the same for other dads and their kids when they read this book together.

Can You See What I See? Toyland Express by Walter Wick

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Walter Wick has opened millions of eyes to a world of treasures big and small in his award-winning, bestselling I SPY and CAN YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? picture-puzzle books. Walter discovered his passion for building picture puzzles by accident. One day when cleaning out a drawer, he scattered odds and ends on a glass tabletop and photographed them. The photo appeared in a magazine and caught the eye of Jean Marzollo, editor of Scholastic’s Let’s Find Out. This photo inspired the first I SPY book, with riddles by Jean Marzollo, and led to their long collaboration.

In his more recent CAN YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? series, Walter’s detailed photographs convey subtle hidden stories. Walter meticulously constructs 3-D sets for CAN YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? in his Connecticut studio. For videos and more photos, visit www.walterwick.com or www.facebook.com/walterwick.

About the book:

CAN YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? TOYLAND EXPRESS, the eighth title in the bestselling search-and-find series, follows the life of a toy train from the workshop to the attic, only to be rescued at a yard sale and brought to life once again in a new home. As readers search for more than 250 hidden objects, they will also notice how the train takes on various transformations along its journey.

Behind the scenes video:

My take on the book:

Walter Wick’s latest offering in his Can You See What I See? series is simply fantastic! This is a great book for all ages. My young daughter loves looking at the vivid photographs and it’s so much fun for me to see her describe the things she sees. It’s also fun to see her find objects I don’t expect her to find!

Be sure to check out the video below to get a behind the scenes look at how Walter Wick produced this book. I’m kind of inspired to do something similar since it seems to be as much fun putting the book together as it is to look at the finished product!

This book would make an excellent holiday gift so be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a SIGNED copy!

Giveaway:

One (1) winner will receive

·         A signed copy of Can You See What I See? Toyland Express!

(Prizing courtesy of Scholastic)

Comment below to enter the giveaway! You can get an extra two entries by posting this review/giveaway on Twitter (leave a comment) and also by liking Book Dads on Facebook (leave a comment).

You will have until 11:59 PT on Sunday, December 11th to enter. (U.S and Canada only please). I’ll be choosing the winners then and notifying them by e-mail. If I don’t get a response within 48 hours, I’ll pick new winners.

An Accidental Adventure #2: We Dine With Cannibals by C. Alexander London

Review by Chris Singer

About the author (from his website):

C. Alexander London is an award-winning author of nonfiction for grown-ups (under a slightly different not very secret name) and, as his official biography says, he really is an accomplished skeet-shooter, having once won a 12-gauge tournament because no one else had signed up in his age group. He’s also a Master SCUBA diver, and, most excitingly (to him) a fully licensed and accredited librarian. He used to know the Dewey Decimal System from memory. He doesn’t anymore. While traveling as a journalist, he did indeed watch television in 23 countries (Burmese soap operas were the most confusing; Cuban news reports were the most dull). He survived an erupting volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a hurricane on small island in the Caribbean, 4 civil wars (one of them was over by the time he got there, thankfully), and a mysterious bite on his little toe in the jungles of Thailand. The bite got infected and swollen and gross and gave him a deep mistrust of lizards. Although he has had many adventures, he really does prefer curling up on the couch and watching some good reality television or reading a book. Like Oliver and Celia Navel, he enjoys danger and intrigue far more when it’s happening to somebody else.

About the book (from his website):

In their second unwanted adventure, We Dine with Cannibals, Oliver and Celia will travel from the ruins of ancient temples to the shadowy forests of the Amazon. They’ll need all their reality TV survival skills when they ride a llama, race the rapids, and even fly an airplane! If that’s not enough excitement for you (it is decidedly too much excitement for Oliver and Celia Navel), they’ll be forced to learn the proper etiquette for a cannibal feast and confront the strangest and most brutal rite of passage ever devised by human imagination: Dodgeball.

My take on the book:

The second installment in London’s An Accidental Adventure series has readers following the Navel twins on another reluctant adventure. This time they travel to the Amazon Rain Forest where they must use all of their reality-television survival skills to avoid becoming the guests of honor at a cannibal feast!

We Dine With Cannibals is a tremendously fun and action-packed reading adventure which is sure to leave readers wanting more. The story is filled with twists and turns to keep readers guessing at what is going to happen next. I love how London uses information (real facts sprinkled with some myths and legends) about the Amazon Rain Forest to set the landscape for Oliver and Celia’s adventure. This not only sparks interest in the story itself, but is practically guaranteed to send young readers to the internet in search of more information about the Amazon.

I have no reservations about recommending this and the first book in the series, We Are Not Eaten By Yaks, to parents, teachers and librarians.

Be sure to check out Book Dads later this week as I will be posting an exclusive interview with C. Alexander London.

Beware the Snallygaster by Patrick Boyton

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Patrick Boyton is the author of the nonfiction book, “Snallygaster: the Lost Legend of Frederick County.” He lives in Frederick, Maryland, with his wife, son and pug.

About the book (from the publisher):

For generations, the people of Middletown Valley have told tales of the Snallygaster – a mysterious creature that dwells deep in the caves of South Mountain. Some say it’s a myth. Some say it’s real. But this Halloween, best friends Holly and Peter are finally going to get to the truth behind the legend…if it doesn’t get to them first!

My take on the book:

I didn’t realize it right away, but this book is based on a real legend. In fact, before writing this children’s book, Patrick Boyton wrote a non-fiction book about the Snallygaster legend.

The book is a quick read and will be enjoyed by young readers who enjoy scary adventures. It’s well written and entertaining, but I felt the ending was a bit rushed; and at times, some of the story’s mysteries and suspense was spelled out too easily and quickly for readers.

All in all though, this would make a fun read for Halloween, especially if you live in the Blue Ridge Mountains where the story takes place.

Because it’s based on a real legend, I think there’s even more potential learning opportunities here for young readers. Not only can they read Boyton’s book but they can use the internet to research and learn even more behind the Snallygaster legend. I was impressed on the number of sites and references I found when I googled “Snallygaster.” There’s even lots of pop culture connections to the legend and I think many kids would enjoy researching more about the legend.

My Birthday is September 11 (And Other Short Stories) by Nicole Weaver

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Nicole Weaver was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti. She came to the United States when she was ten years old. She is fluent in Creole, French, Spanish and English. She is a veteran teacher of French and Spanish. She is the author of a children’s tri-lingual picture book titled “Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle.” The story is about a Haitian little girl who resided by the beach in Haiti. Her second trilingual children’s picture book will be published by Guardian Angel Publishing. The book titled, “My sister is my Best Friend ” will be published in 2011.

About the book:

Growing up is filled with new experiences and they partner emotions. Our trials in life teach us compassion and help us to empathize with others. Our difficulties make us who we are, helping each of us to find our place in the world.

In this collection of short stories, simple acts of kindness make a world of difference in the lives of individuals. The theme of compassion weaves through all five stories, inspiring readers to discover this important lesson in life; we were created to help others.

My take on the book:

This is a nice collection of stories which touches on topics from bi-racial adoption and bullying to overcoming the tragedies of 9/11 and natural disasters through giving and paying it forward.

While touching on these topics, this collection for middle and teen readers shares the common theme of being stories about children dealing with real life struggles, and how kindness and empathy can turn someone’s life around for the better.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the stories:

* “My Birthday is September Eleven” – The title story of the collection is about a boy who was born on 9/11/01 and finds it hard to celebrate his birthday because of the tragic events of that day.

* “Zebra Boy” – A bi-racial boy stands up to a bully because of the support from his best friend.

* “The Good Samaritan” – An anonymous donor contributes the money necessary to help a group of fifth-graders pay for a life-saving surgery for a classmate.

* “No More Hunger” – Ronald becomes impoverished after a devastating hurricane destroys his village in Haiti. Unable to survive on his own, he is rescued from certain death by a kind stranger.

* “A New Life” – A bi-racial boy finally escapes a difficult past when he is adopted by a caring couple.

The stories are well-written and can be useful for inspiring an excellent discussion between middle and teen readers and their parents and teachers.

As I read the stories, I kept thinking of Gandhi’s quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” I think these stories hold that kind of potential for young readers. They may be inspired to make a positive difference in someone’s life by either contributing financially to a cause, showing empathy for others or even standing up beside someone being treated unjustly.

The Apothecary by Maile Meloy

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Maile Meloy (www.mailemeloy.com) is the award-winning author of the short story collection Half in Love and the novels Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It, Liars and Saints, and A Family Daughter. This is her first novel for young readers. She lives in California.

About the book:

It’s 1952 and the Scott family has just moved from Los Angeles to London. Here, fourteen-year-old Janie meets a mysterious apothecary and his son, Benjamin Burrows – a fascinating boy who’s not afraid to stand up to authority and dreams of becoming a spy. When Benjamin’s father is kidnapped, Janie and Benjamin must uncover the secrets of the apothecary’s sacred book, the Pharmacopoeia, in order to find him, all while keeping it out of the hands of their enemies – Russian spies in possession of nuclear weapons. Discovering and testing potions they never believed could exist, Janie and Benjamin embark on a dangerous race to save the apothecary and prevent impending disaster.

Watch the book trailer:

My take on the book:

I received “The Apothecary” in the mail a while ago. It came in this fancy package with this little antique-looking jar filled with glitter or something. It actually was kind of a turn-off to be honest. I wasn’t crazy about the title even, and admittedly I didn’t read the synopsis on the back cover either.

I had forgotten about it until about a month ago when I came across the book trailer. The trailer was very cool (watch it below) and I decided I had to give the book a chance.

I wasn’t disappointed at all. It was a very unique story and I really enjoyed the historical aspects of the Red Scare and the Cold War combined with the elements of magic and fantasy. While the magic, fantasy, mystery and intrigue of the plot will be what draws teen readers to this book, I loved the historical and political aspects included in the novel.

The novel is a quick read. I breezed through it over a weekend. This is Meloy’s first crack at writing for teens and I was impressed with her effort. There was great balance in the story. Even while there was an underlying tension in the story where the main characters were struggling to save the apothecary and solve the mystery, there were also light moments of humor thrown in to keep readers wanting more.

I enjoyed the main characters (Benjamin and Janie), but Pipp steals the show. I won’t give things away, but if this was a movie, he’d be the character everyone would be talking about.

If I had to make one small constructive criticism, I felt Meloy struggled with how she wanted to end the book. While the rest of the story was really paced quite well, I think some readers might labor a bit near t

Cold Case by Julia Platt Leonard

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Julia Platt Leonard has been a television reporter, pastry chef & bread baker for Todd English, and a food consultant. She lives in London with her family. When she’s not dreaming about what’s for dinner or thinking up new stories, she is a freelance copy writer and recipe tester. Cold Case is her first novel.

About the book (from the publisher):

When 13-year-old Oz Keillor finds a dead body in his family restaurant, he is soon caught up in a mystery where the stakes are high. His older brother is the prime suspect, and Oz quickly finds out that the murder may be tied to the death of their father years earlier, who was accused of selling nuclear secrets to rogue governments.

With the fate of his family in balance, it’s up to Oz to try and crack the case, with the help of his best friend, Rusty. It’s a quest that has more twists and turns than the dusty roads of New Mexico—with the answer being closer to home than Oz ever could have imagined.

My take on the book:

Although aimed at middle readers, I think older teens and even adults will enjoy this twist-filled murder mystery set in Los Alamos, New Mexico. I particularly enjoyed the subplot centered around the accusations of Oz’s father selling nuclear secrets while working at the nuclear facility at Los Alamos Laboratory.

I think what middle readers will enjoy best is that the book is written well enough to make readers feel they are trying to solve the mystery along with Oz. Readers who enjoy mysteries or television shows like CSI will really find this book intriguing.

Although the subject matter (homicide) seems a little bit strong for a younger audience, I think the author handles it appropriately for the intended audience. My only quibble with the story is why Oz’s mother was away dealing with a family emergency while all of this was happening with her two sons. I just didn’t find it very believable. All in all though, this is entertaining and action-packed read which will definitely appeal to young readers.

Human Body Detectives Series by Dr. Heather Manley

Review by Chris Singer

About the author (from her website):

Heather Manley was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. She studied biology at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Initially she focused on wildlife conservation and animal biology, however, with some exposure to naturopathic medicine, this health care philosophy rang true for her. She switched to pre-med and graduated in 1993 and earned her doctorate from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon before moving with her family to Hawaii where she became licensed and continues to practice today. She began her writing once her children were born and realized the importance of teaching them, by example, about healthy food and lifestyle. Telling them what to eat was not enough, so she created and wrote educational adventure stories that have evolved into the Activity Workbook and Audio CD Human Body Detective series and now in picture story book format!

About the series (from publisher):

The Human Body Detectives stories feature two young “Human Body Detectives,” Merrin and Pearl, who magically enter different systems in the body to solve health mysteries. Through action packed educational adventures, listeners learn how the various systems work and which foods best fuel each system. The accompanying workbook’s activities, puzzles and colorful stickers reinforce what the kids learn.

Case File #1: The Lucky Escape

Merrin and Pearl’s little brother Robbie has swallowed a penny. Now through magic and imagination they find themselves on an adventure through his digestive system where they must grab the penny, save Robbie, and narrowly escape his poopy diaper.

Case File #2: Battle With the Bugs

Merrin and Pearl’s little cousin Max is sick, threatening everyone’s Mexican holiday. This time the girls find themselves in Max’s body, witnessing firsthand the immune system in action. They befriend a white blood cell warrior who leads them into battle against the offending bacteria…

Case File #3: A Heart Pumping Adventure

During breakfast with her dad, Merrin is concerned about his eating habits and his heart. A few moments later, she and Pearl are riding on a red, pillowy, donut-shaped boat, floating on a red-colored sea and surrounded by hundreds of these grape-like things! Where are the girls and where are they headed?

My take on the series:

After reading this series, I wasn’t surprised at all to learn that Dr. Heather Manley made Babble.com’s list of Top 50 “Mompreneurs.”

The Human Body Detectives series is just fantastic! I would have really benefited from something like this while I was in school. While I was a good reader, I did much better in classes where I was excited about and enjoyed what I was reading. So although I did well in language arts classes, I often struggled

NERDS (Book 3: The Cheerleaders of Doom) by Michael Buckley

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Michael Buckley is the author of the New York Times bestselling series and Today Show Al Roker Book Club pick The Sisters Grimm. He has also written and developed shows for Nickelodeon, Disney, MTV Animation, the Sci- Fi Channel, the Discovery Channel, and VH1. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Alison, and son, Finn.

About the book:

Matilda “Wheezer” Choi, the asthmatic who can fly and kick butt courtesy of her nanobyte-enhanced inhalers, loves pro wrestling and hates anything “girlie.” Maybe that’s because she grew up with six brothers—or maybe it’s because her home life has become a battle zone in the conflict between her parents. Unfortunately for Wheezer, when a former member of NERDS turned villain gets extensive plastic surgery in order to become a cheerleader, Matilda must swallow her pride to successfully infiltrate the squad.

The newest supervillain, Gerdie Baker, assisted by the criminal mastermind Simon, has created a device that opens portals to other worlds, which she and the other cheerleaders have been pillaging. But the alternate realities are starting to get awfully close together, so it’s up to Wheezer and the NERDS to stop the cheerleaders before the worlds collide.

My take on the book:

Buckley’s latest is another wonderful read in his imaginative and entertaining spy spoof NERDS series. Book 3′s storyline focuses on another NERDS team member, Matilda Choi. Matilda is called by the codename, “Wheezer” because she uses technologically-enhanced inhalers which help her fly through the air (even space) and blast bad guys.

This series has gotten better with each book and I can’t recommend it highly enough. This book has been my favorite. I loved Matilda’s toughness and her fiery personality. You know right away that she’s not going to be pleased going undercover as a cheerleader. Wheezer has a lot of preconceptions about cheerleaders and has to change her way of thinking in order to complete her mission. It’s a great lesson for kids about learning not to judge someone based on their looks or on ideas you’ve only heard about but have never seen in person for yourself.

Like in the other NERDS books, young readers will once again find the James Bond-style gadgets, villains and story-lines hilarious and wildly entertaining. Each book is also filled with cool lessons on spy tools such as how to make invisible ink and secret code making and breaking.

Word is Michael Buckley is working on the 4th book in the series. It’s not out yet so you have some time to catch up. Check them out at your local library or bookstore.

Amulet (Book 4: The Last Council) by Kazu Kibuishi

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Kazu Kibuishi is the founder and editor of the Flight Anthologies, a critically acclaimed comics series, as well as the creator of Daisy Kutter: The Last Train, a winner of the YALSA Best Books for Young Adults Award.

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Kazu moved to the U.S. with his mother and brother when he was a child. He graduated from Film Studies at the University of California Santa Barbara, and then moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. He currently works as a full-time comic book artist.

About the book:

Kazu Kibuishi’s thrilling, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling series continues!

Emily and her friends think they’ll find the help they need in Cielis, but something isn’t right. Streets that were once busy are deserted, and the townspeople who are left live in fear. Emily is soon escorted to the Academy, where she’s expected to compete for a spot on the Guardian Coucil, a group of the most powerful Stonekeepers. But as the number of competitors gets smaller and smaller, an awful secret is slowly uncovered – a secret that, if left buried, means the certain destruction of everything Emily fights for.

Book Trailer:

My take on the book:

This was my first introduction to Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet series and I really was quite impressed. I actually wanted to get my hands on the first three books before reading this one, but all of those copies at my local library were either checked out or already on reserve (a good sign I would think).

Since I couldn’t get any of the previous books in the series I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t have a clue about what was going on in the story. I was relieved to see that I was able to follow the story and that it didn’t take me long to pick up on what was going on.

It also was pretty easy to see why this series was so popular. Kids enjoy stories with heroes and The Last Council is definitely reminiscent of classical tales of good versus evil. Kibuishi’s illustrations are fantastic and the story is action-packed as well. Middle readers, especially those interested in fantasy/science fiction, will particular enjoy this book.

I’m planning on checking out and reviewing the first three in the series. Be sure to show your readers the book trailer above. It’s very well-done and will definitely spark their interest.

Giveaway:

Two winners

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Jonathan Auxier, raised in Canada, now lives with his wife in Los Angeles, where he works as a screenwriter. This is his first novel. You can visit him online at TheScop.com.

About the book (from the publisher):

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes is the utterly beguiling tale of a ten-year-old blind orphan who has been schooled in a life of thievery. One fateful afternoon, he steals a box from a mysterious traveling haberdasher—a box that contains three pairs of magical eyes. When he tries the first pair, he is instantly transported to a hidden island where he is presented with a special quest: to travel to the dangerous Vanished Kingdom and rescue a people in need. Along with his loyal sidekick—a knight who has been turned into an unfortunate combination of horse and cat—and the magic eyes, he embarks on an unforgettable, swashbuckling adventure to discover his true destiny.

Watch the trailer:

My take on the book:

I had two thoughts after finishing my reading of Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes. One, I can’t wait to tell my kidlit friends at the Corvallis Public Library about Peter Nimble, and two, Peter Nimble is going to be the first chapter book I read aloud to my daughter.

I was amazed to learn that Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes is Jonathan Auxier’s first book. It’s an absolutely fantastic and imaginative adventure story full of fantasy, mystery, suspense and lots of surprises sure to captivate middle readers.

I really enjoyed Auxier’s use of the 3rd person for his narrative, which will remind adult readers of Charles Dickens, Roald Dahl and C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series. I was thoroughly entertained by the witty narrator and the pacing of the story is just perfect. It’s not so fast-paced that you feel like you’re just glossing over the details and finer points of the story in order to hurry towards a triumphant conclusion; yet there’s not one slow moment in the plot that might bog down or discourage younger readers.

While the elements of fantasy will certainly captivate readers, I think it’s the characters which solidify this book’s place as an instant classic. Peter Nimble is the classic hero who comes from nothing to become something. Although blind and orphaned from almost birth, Peter has become the best thief in the world. For Peter, becoming a thief was about survival, and the only way to make the best out of his difficult life. Teachers and young readers can have terrific discussions about the moral implications and dilemmas presented by Peter’s characterization. Peter’s blindness is also a metaphor throughout the story for issues involving faith and

NERDS (Book 2: M is for Mama’s Boy) by Michael Buckley

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Michael Buckley is the author of the New York Times bestselling series and Today Show Al Roker Book Club pick The Sisters Grimm. He has also written and developed shows for Nickelodeon, Disney, MTV Animation, the Sci- Fi Channel, the Discovery Channel, and VH1. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Alison, and son, Finn.

About the book (from the publisher):

NERDS combines all the excitement of international espionage with all the awkwardness of elementary school, and the results are hilarious. A group of unpopular fifth graders run a spy network from inside their school. With the help of cutting-edge science, they transform their nerdy qualities into incredible abilities! Their enemies? An array of James Bond–style villains, each with an evil plan more diabolical and more ridiculous than the last.

My take on the book:

The second book in the NERDS series starts right where it leaves off, with a storyline featuring around NERDS team member Duncan Dewey. Duncan bears the codename of ‘Gluestick’ due to his propensity for eating paste. Like all of the NERDS, Duncan has nanobyte upgrades. His upgrades allow him to stick to any service.

In this story, readers get to meet Duncan’s family members who know about his secret agent duties with NERDS. Like Book 1, there is an important mission for the NERDS, but the backstory centers around the theme of fitting in and believing in oneself. It’s an excellent theme to explore with middle readers, many who will find themselves relating to and finding a lot in common with Duncan and his family.

Young readers who enjoyed Book 1 will once again dive right into this action-packed story and will be clamoring for Book 3 in the series. Parents will have fun reading along as well and will definitely get a kick out of Buckley’s clever and entertaining story.

NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society (Book 1) by Michael Buckley

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Michael Buckley is the author of the New York Times bestselling series and Today Show Al Roker Book Club pick The Sisters Grimm. He has also written and developed shows for Nickelodeon, Disney, MTV Animation, the Sci- Fi Channel, the Discovery Channel, and VH1. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Alison, and son, Finn.

About the book (from the publisher):

Combining all the excitement of international espionage and all the awkwardness of elementary school, NERDS, featuring a group of unpopular students who run a spy network from inside their school, hits the mark. With the help of cutting-edge science, their nerdy qualities are enhanced and transformed into incredible abilities! They battle the Hyena, a former junior beauty pageant contestant turned assassin, and an array of James Bond–style villains, each with an evil plan more diabolical and more ridiculous than the last.

My take on the book:

This book was so much fun, I can hardly wait to get started on the next one! Michael Buckley has really set the bar high here by creating an engaging, clever and action-packed series for middle readers. Both girls and boys will enjoy reading about the James Bond-style gadgets and Transformer-like abilities (called “upgrades”) each member of the NERDS possesses.

Parents and teachers will also appreciate the unique manner in which the story addresses the theme of bullying. The story also features excellent examples of teamwork (both good and bad); lots of geography and science-related references; and really well-done graphic illustrations which highlight each of the NERDS.

I’ll have reviews of Book 2 and Book 3 in the series over the next several weeks. It should give you plenty of time to get to your library and read Book 1!

14 Cows For America by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez (in collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah)

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Author Carmen Agra Deedy was born in Havana and immigrated to Georgia with her family during the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution. She has been writing and traveling around the world telling stories for almost twenty years. Her books have received numerous awards and honors. She lives in Georgia. www.carmendeedy.com and www.beautifulmartina.com.

About the illustrator:

Illustrator Thomas Gonzalez, also born in Havana, moved as a child to the United States, where he became friends with Carmen Deedy. An artist and painter, he directed advertising campaigns for such clients as Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, NASCAR, the NFL, and McDonald’s. Gonzalez lives in Georgia.

About Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah:

Collaborator Wilson Kimel Naiyomah, a native of Kenya, received an MS in molecular biology from Stanford University in 2008. He was awarded a Rotary International World Peace Fellowship and began studies in peace and conflict resolution in Australia in spring 2010.

About the book:

In June of 2002, a very unusual ceremony begins in a far-flung village in western Kenya.
An American diplomat is surrounded by hundreds of Maasai people. A gift is about to be bestowed on the American men, women, and children, and he is there to accept it. The gift is as unsought and unexpected as it is extraordinary.

A mere nine months have passed since the September 11 attacks, and hearts are raw. Tears flow freely from American and Maasai as these legendary warriors offer their gift to a grieving people half a world away.

Word of the gift will travel news wires around the globe. Many will be profoundly touched, but for Americans, this selfless gesture will have deeper meaning still. For a heartsick nation, the gift of fourteen cows emerges from the choking dust and darkness as a soft light of hope and friendship.

My take on the book:

My wife and I lived 40 miles away from the World Trade Center. Like many others, we have both been profoundly affected by this atrocity. While our daughter is too young to be told the story of September 11th, some day she will and the first book I’m going to show her about it will be 14 Cows For America.

This is a beautiful book on so many levels. Not only is it a beautifully illustrated and touching story, but there’s so many wonderful lessons for young readers. It powerfully puts forth the message that all of humanity is one and when one of us suffers through such an atrocity, we all truly suffer as one. We are all brothers and sisters and to see our brothers and sisters of the Massai in Kenya grieve together with all of us is very powerful.

On another level, I appreciate how this book dispels myths many may have about people in Africa. I loved reading Wilson Kimeli Naimoyah’s afterword where he discusses getting a scholarship to come to the U.S. and study medicine. Naimoyah is proof positive that everyone has the potential to be who they want to be. Wilson’s visit back home and the book’s description of the Massai people also shows that just because a culture lives much simpler than us, doesn’t mean they are any less capable of being an intelligent and wonderful people.

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Guys Read (Thriller) edited by Jon Scieszka

Review by Chris Singer

About the editor:

Jon Scieszka is the National Ambassador for Children’s Literature emeritus and the bestselling author of more than twenty-five books for kids, including The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, Math Curse, Robot Zot!, and the Time Warp Trio series. Jon founded Guys Read to encourage a passion for reading among young boys, with the philosophy that boys love to read most when they are reading things they love. A former elementary school teacher, Jon lives in Brooklyn with his family.

About the book:

This is the second installment in Jon Scieszka’s Guys Read Library. If you’ve read volume one, Guys Read: Funny Business, you already know what you’re in store for: ten stories from young readers’ favorite writers. In Guys Read: Thriller, you’ll find a teenage terrorist, the world’s worst private detective, a roomful of snakes, and more, from the likes of M.T. Anderson, Patrick Carman, Gennifer Choldenko, Matt de la Pena, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Bruce Hale, Anthony Horowitz, Jarrett Krosoczka, Walter Dean Myers, and James Patterson, not to mention illustrations from Brett Helquist.

My take on the book:

This latest book in the Guys Read series is an incredibly entertaining anthology. I was really impressed with the diversity of the stories in this volume. The stories differ in style, location, ethnicity and moods. There’s a lot of variety in this collection and definitely something for every middle reader.

I was really pleased to see a few of my favorite authors included in this series (Walter Dean Myers and Jarrett Krosoczka). There were also a few authors in this anthology I wasn’t familiar with so their inclusion here was a nice introduction for me. I especially enjoyed Patrick Carman’s “Ghost Vision Glasses.” It was not only a terrific read, but a great way to end this collection. Another of my favorites was Matt De La Pena’s “Believing in Brooklyn.” De La Pena was completely new to me and this story has motivated me to check out more of his work.

Teachers and librarians should welcome this anthology into their classroom with open arms. The stories make excellent read-alouds and librarians can display other books written by the authors in this collection. Just maybe one of these stories could spark a middle reader to want to check out more books from an author they enjoyed, which is exactly the purpose of Jon Scieszka’s Guys Read series. Every story included in here has the potential to do that, which makes it a must-have in opinion.

E is for Environment by Ian James Corlett

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Ian James Corlett is the author of E IS FOR ETHICS and E IS FOR ENVIRONMENT. He is well known in the world of children’s television and has created, written for, and/or developed many popular children’s series, such as The Adventures of Paddington Bear, Rolie Polie Olie, Will & Dewitt, and his namesake series, Being Ian. Ian is also a renowned voice actor. He is the voice for literally hundreds of animated characters as diverse as Baby Taz of the Baby Looney Tunes and Dad in Johnny Test. The father of two and husband of one for more than twenty-five years, he currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Palm Springs, California.

About the book:

These days, there’s a lot of talk about being green, buying organic, and protecting our planet. But making eco-friendly choices can be hard for busy families, and helping kids think about their earth’s future is no easy task. Luckily, Ian James Corlett—an award-winning children’s TV writer and author of E IS FOR ETHICS—is back with a guide that makes saving the environment a fun family adventure. Best of all, Elliott and Lucy—who made values and morals so accessible in E IS FOR ETHICS—are here to help.

Like your own kids, Elliott and Lucy wanted to be good to the environment, but sometimes, they could get a bit careless.

They kept the water running when they brushed their teeth.

They didn’t turn off the lights when they left a room.

They loved using lots of paper when they did arts and crafts.

In these stories, Elliott and Lucy learn that being good to the environment isn’t a big chore—it’s actually pretty cool! (And they get to teach Mom and Dad a thing or two along the way). With this engaging, read-together book, families will see that the small things they do every day can make a big impact. Teaching your children about the planet has never been so easy or entertaining—and before you know it, they’ll be reminding YOU to recycle!

My take on the book:

I reviewed Corlett’s last book, E is for Ethics here back in October of 2010. I really enjoyed that book and definitely was looking forward to E is for Environment.

I wasn’t disappointed at all. It’s an excellent book and like Ethics, the 26 stories are short, entertaining and to the point. The questions asked in the middle of the story are really helpful to keep the reader and listeners, if reading aloud, engaged. Additional discussion questions are at the conclusion of each story and can be useful in planting the seed for further conversation with your children.

Probably the best feature of all the stories though is that the stories are written from a kids point-of-view. This makes the messages in each story infinitely more relevant and interesting. It’s great to see the children in the stories develop into true problem solvers for the environmental issues they discover. They make terrific investigators (a trait which comes very naturally to children anyway) and love the initiative they take to research answers to these problems.

One of my favorite stories was “Energy Vampire Hunter,” a very cute and entertaining story which teaches a fact many people are probably not aware of (You’ll have to read it to find out!). Ano

A Storm Called Katrina by Myron Uhlberg and illustrated by Colin Bootman

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Myron Uhlberg is the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of a number of children’s books. He has authored five children’s books, among them the Schneider Family Award winner “Dad, Jackie, and Me.” He recently published a memoir of his life in Brooklyn, New York, growing up the oldest hearing son of deaf parents. A retired businessman, Uhlberg lives with his wife in CA.

About the illustrator:

Colin Bootman was born in Trinidad but moved to the United States at the age of seven. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York, he has illustrated numerous books for children, including Dad, Jackie, and Me. Almost to Freedom was a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book. Bootman lives in New York City.

About the book:

Ten-year-old Louis Daniel hates it when Mama treats him like a baby. But when Hurricane Katrina blows through the Gulf Coast on a fateful August night, followed by broken levees and rising floodwaters threatening New Orleans, Louis feels like a little kid again. With no time to gather their belongings save Louis s beloved horn Daddy leads the family from their home and into an unfamiliar, watery world of floating debris, lurking critters, a winsome black-and-white dog, and desperate neighbors heading for dry ground. Taking shelter in the already-crowded Superdome, Louis and his parents wait and wait. As the days pass, the electricity goes out, the air conditioning dies, the bathrooms are closed, and people around them begin to bicker as they run out of food and water. When Daddy fails to return from a scouting mission within the Dome, Louis knows he s no longer a baby. It s up to him to find Daddy, with the help of his prized cornet.

My take on the book:

Everything I’ve ever read by Myron Uhlberg has been outstanding and although my daughter is a bit young for some of them, I have been collecting them for her to read when she’s older. A Storm Called Katrina is no exception and might be Uhlberg’s most powerful book yet.

The power in this story comes through the eyes of ten-year-old Louis Daniel. We follow Louis’ journey with his parents after they are forced to leave their home to seek refuge at the Superdome. Through Louis, we see the fear, sadness, devastation and tough choices people face during a natural disaster.

It’s hard to believe Katrina happened 6 years ago (we’re coming up on the “anniversary” this August 29th) and while most of the country hasn’t thought about Katrina in a long time, the devastation is still very real for many as recovery is still ongoing in parts of New Orleans.

As such, the release of this book is very timely and along with the beginning of a new school year throughout most of the country, teachers can discuss the anniversary of Katrina with their students. I recommend teachers and librarians look to

War and Watermelon by Rich Wallace

Review by: Chris Singer

About the author:

Rich Wallace is the author of many award-winning books for children and teenagers, including Wrestling Sturbridge, Sports Camp, Perpetual Check, and the “Kickers” and “Winning Season” series. He lives with his wife, novelist Sandra Neil Wallace, in Keene, NH.  A note from Rich:  ”Bloggers might like to know that, like Brody in War & Watermelon, I was 12 years old in 1969 and living in suburban New Jersey, just becoming aware of the war and the music and the other world-changing events of that summer. I also had an older brother who was eligible for the draft, which caused considerable concern in our household and informed the events of this novel.” Learn more about Rich and his books on his website, www.richwallacebooks.com.

About the book:

It’s the summer of 1969. We’ve just landed on the moon, the Vietnam War is heating up, the Mets are beginning their famous World Series run, and Woodstock is rocking upstate New York. Down in New Jersey, twelve-year-old Brody is mostly concerned with the top ten hits on the radio and how much playing time he’ll get on the football team. But when he goes along for the ride to Woodstock with his older brother and sees the mass of humanity there, he starts to wake up to the world around him-a world that could take away the brother he loves.

My take on the book:

I was really intrigued by the description of this book when I was offered an opportunity to read and review it.

I wasn’t disappointed either. War and Watermelon is a quick read and I read it over the course of a day and found it hard to put down.

Although War and Watermelon is recommended for ages 9-12 years, I thought it was definitely more of a young adult novel. There are some pretty heavy duty issues addressed in this novel, mainly focused around whether Brody’s older brother Ryan will enroll in college before he gets drafted to go to war in Vietnam. I didn’t have an issue personally with any of the subject matter in the book (the “activities” at Woodstock i.e. drinking beer, smoking pot and language). I just think it’s a book more suited for young adult readers ages 12 and above.

All in all, this book makes an excellent summer read. I think librarians and teachers would be interested in adding this to their classrooms as well. Wallace does an excellent job of bringing the political turmoil of the late 60s to life for readers, even if it is through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy. Don’t worry though, the book isn’t just centered around the topic of the Vietnam War. There’s a few laughs in here, as well as some football (Brody has made the local team as a running back/linebacker). I’d have no problem recommending this book to a male teen reader in your life.

Hope For Haiti by Jesse Joshua Watson

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Jesse Joshua Watson is an award winning, NY Times Bestselling illustrator and author whose work includes Hope for Haiti, Chess Rumble, and the Hank Zipzer series.

Whether hammocking in Brazil, exploring in Hong Kong, dodging taxis in Russia, studying art in Europe, dancing in Jamaica, or raising kids in Port Townsend, Washington, Jesse connects with people. He loves both the differences and the similarities that are so colorfully displayed across our diverse world. Jesse’s passion and appreciation of people is voiced through his brush and on his canvas.

About the book:

The earth shook, and his whole neighborhood was gone. Now he and his mother are living in the soccer stadium, in a shelter made of tin and bedsheets, waiting in line for food and water. But even with so much sorrow all around, a soccer ball inspires a small but powerful link between a heartbroken country’s past and its hopes for the future. Jesse Joshua Watson has created an inspiring testament to the strength of the Haitian people and the promise of children.

My take on the book:

For me, I have no doubts as to why soccer is called ‘the beautiful game’. Not only is it a game which is simply beautiful to watch but, because it is the most popular game in the world and such an integral part of so many peoples lives, it often can be used as a metaphor for life.

I’ve experienced this in action. While visiting for several weeks in a rural village in Uganda, I would get approached and greeted on a pretty regular basis because I would often wear soccer jerseys. I would get asked “Which football team do you support?” or “Are you a supporter of Arsenal (or Manchester United or some other English Premier League team)?’ If I had a soccer ball with me, I drew even more attention and more people who almost immediately became friends. Just because of a game. It’s powerful when you really think about it.

In Jesse Joshua Watson’s book, soccer becomes an even bigger metaphor. In the wake of such a horrible disaster, soccer brings some normalcy back for the children. Soccer is a game they most likely played everyday. Even amongst their immense sadness, the power of play and of playing soccer can bring back memories of good times. The young boy in the story even dreams of playing for his beloved Haiti and of scoring a winning goal.

This is a book which can and should be used in schools to teach children not only about Haiti, but also about hope in the midsts of great and seemingly insurmountable adversity. Young readers will certainly be inspired by the boy in the story and a creative teacher will be able to find a host of interesting activities that can be tied in with this book. Teachers can also pair it with another fantastic book about the earthquake in Haiti: Eight Days (A Story of Haiti).

Hope for Haiti is a beautifully written and illust

Super Diaper Baby 2 (The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers) by Dav Pilkey

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Dav Pilkey has written and illustrated several popular award-winning books for children. The Adventures of Captain Underpants, which has nearly one million copies in print, was an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists and a Publishers Weekly “Cuffie” Award winner for the Funniest Book of the Year; Dog Breath was awarded the California Young Reader Medal; The Paperboy was chosen as a Caldecott Honor Book. Mr. Pilkey also illustrated the IRA-CBC Children’s Choice Award-winning Dumb Bunnies books.

About the book:

George and Harold (the co-stars of the enormously popular Captain Underpants series) are in big trouble again! Their mean principal, Mr. Krupp, has had it with their comic books. But the boys aren’t giving up, and they decide to create an all-new epic novel about a subject they’ve never tackled before!

Dr. Dilbert Dinkle started his career as an ordinary, everyday evil genius/inventor/bank robber. But when he awakens one day transformed into a walking, talking puddle of pee, he vows to destroy every toilet in town. Will the devious Dr. Dinkle and his conniving cat, Petey, ruin restrooms for the rest of us? Or could this be a job for the death-defying, dynamic duo of Super Diaper Baby and Diaper Dog?

Watch the trailer:

My take on the book:

If you are familiar with Dav Pilkey, you already know his books are huge hits with young readers, especially reluctant readers. In this 2nd book in the Super Diaper Series, fans will once again be treated to lots of laughs and silliness. I love Pilkey’s artwork and the Flip-O-Rama’s cracked me up as well. I have no doubt kids will love this book and will be asking for more!

Still, I can’t help being torn. Torn because I feel a bit like a stuffy old snobby elitist as I’m thinking about this, but I just can’t get over the intenshinal spelling and grammatical errors. Maybe it’s the former English teacher in me or just the Scrabble player in me, but damn I can’t get over it. I’d personally have a hard time sharing this book with my daughter because of it. If that makes me a prude or a square, so be it.

However, I also understand that for some kids, reading doesn’t come

The Emerald Casket by Richard Newsome

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Richard Newsome traveled all over Asia and Europe in researching The Emerald Casket, and makes hi home in Sherwood, Australia, with his wife and three children. You can find out more about Richard, and the mysteries yet to unfold in the final book in the Archer Legacy.

About the book:

(Ages 8-12) It has only been a month since Gerald Wilkins became the richest kid on earth. One month since he found out his great-aunt Geraldine had left him all her fortune and, with it, a murder mystery, clues to a diamond heist, and a target on his back. One month since a villain made off with the contents of the diamond casket, an object of unspeakable power. And you thought your school vacation was eventful.

As book two of the Archer Legacy opens, Gerald, Ruby, and Sam come upon papers, drawings, and reams of research, all indicating that Gerald’s family has been protecting a secret concerning nothing less than the fate of the world. Now Gerald and his friends are off to India to try to find out the truth. Friendships will be forged and broken. A city buried under the sea will be rediscovered. A whole mess of pigeons will be involved. And Gerald is going to have to make a choice between his love for his friends and the darkest desires of his heart.

It’s entirely possible that this month might be even more eventful than the last.

My take on the book:

The Emerald Casket is the second book in The Archer Legacy (check out our review of the first book, The Billionaire’s Curse). The Emerald Casket begins right where the first book left off, and provides readers with a fast-paced, adventurous thriller far more exciting and enthralling than any of this summer’s supposed blockbuster movies.

This book makes great summer reading for both boys and girls, who will definitely enjoy the Indiana Jones-like action. They will likely develop a strong affinity with Newsome’s trio of charismatic heroes (Gerald, Ruby and Sam) as well. Throw in the many twists and turns in the story and you have the makings of a classic series.

Parents will enjoy reading along as well. I found myself not wanting to put this one down and am already looking forward to the final book in the series.

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

C. Alexander London is an award-winning author of nonfiction for grown-ups (under a slightly different not very secret name) and, as his official biography says, he really is an accomplished skeet-shooter, having once won a 12-gauge tournament because no one else had signed up in his age group. He’s also a Master SCUBA diver, and, most excitingly (to him) a fully licensed and accredited librarian. He used to know the Dewey Decimal System from memory. He doesn’t anymore.

While traveling as a journalist, he did indeed watch television in 23 countries (Burmese soap operas were the most confusing; Cuban news reports were the most dull). He survived an erupting volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a hurricane on small island in the Caribbean, 4 civil wars (one of them was over by the time he got there, thankfully), and a mysterious bite on his little toe in the jungles of Thailand. The bite got infected and swollen and gross and gave him a deep mistrust of lizards.

Although he has had many adventures, he really does prefer curling up on the couch and watching some good reality television or reading a book. Like Oliver and Celia Navel, he enjoys danger and intrigue far more when it’s happening to somebody else.

About the book:

Eleven-year-old twins Oliver and Celia Navel do not like adventures–in fact, they would have preferred it if they had been left out of this story altogether. But, unfortunately for the twins, they live on the 4-1/2th floor of the Explorers Club with their parents–world-famous adventurers and daredevils. They’ve been dragged from adventure to adventure their entire lives, when all they’ve wanted to do is watch television. Now, their mother has gone missing and their father has bet the evil Sir Edmund S. Tithletorpe-Schmidt III that he’ll make one of the greatest discoveries in history. And the stakes of his bet? Oliver and Celia will be his servants until the end of high school. Which, when you have only just finished fifth grade, is a long way off. So, the twins must give up their summer vacation to explore Tibet, where they fall out of airplanes, battle Yetis, discover secret caves, fly over waterfalls, and ride one very large yak. If they can survive their ordeal, decipher the clues, and outwit Sir Edmund, they might just reunite their family, save the world . . . and get cable television.

My take on the book:

This book is just a tremen

Review by Chris Singer

About the author:

Jon Scieszka is the creator of Trucktown and the author of The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!, the Time Warp Trio series, Caldecott Honor Book The Stinky Cheese Man, and many other books that inspire kids to want to read. He has worked as an elementary school teacher and is the founder of a literacy initiative for boys (www.guysread.com

About the illustrator:

Shane Prigmore is currently a development and story artist at Dreamworks Feature Animation. He was a principle character designer on the stop motion feature CORALINE. Shane lives in California.

About the book:

The campaign is going well. The SPHDZ word is getting out. 1000′s of kids have signed up to say they are SPHDZ. But things haven’t gotten any easier for Michael K. The SPHDZ are still trying to blend in to our Earth culture, but not very successfully. They’re still mixing up Thanksgiving, cartoon plots, holidays, and commercials. This makes it especially hard for Michael K. to both hide the SPHDZ from Agent Umber and accomplish the SPHDZ Mission. He’s forced to enlist the help of fellow fifth graders, Venus and TJ.

When they (Michael K. and the SPHDZ) are given the assignment to write and perform the school play, Umber thinks he’s closing in on the aliens…the kindergartners playing the turkeys.

My take on the book:

Like the 1st book in Jon Scieszka’s Spaceheadz