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Showing posts from July, 2014

Power Play, Storm Clouds & Wedding Bliss - Hero's Sword Book #1, #2 & #3 | Author: M.E. Sutton

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About the Books Book 1: Title: Power Play (Hero's Sword Book #1) | Author: M.E. Sutton | Year published: November 20, 2012 | Publisher: Delabarre Publishing, LLC | Number of pages: 64 | Recommended age: 8 to12 Summary: All Jaycee Hiller wants to do is survive eighth grade. Mostly that means hanging with her friend, Stu, avoiding the cheerleading squad, secretly crushing on Nate Fletcher, and playing her favorite video game, Hero’s Sword. When she receives a new video game controller, Jaycee finds herself magically transported into the Hero's Sword video game world. Survival takes on a whole new meaning. No longer battling with a plastic joystick, Jaycee picks up a real sword and bow & arrow and readies herself for battle. Can she save Lady Starla's rule in Mallory, keep herself in one piece, and maybe even learn something about surviving middle school?

Sir Princess Petra (The Pen Pieyu Adventures Book #1 & #2) | Author: Diane Mae Robinson

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About the Books Book 1: Title: Sir Princess Petra (The Pen Pieyu Adventures Book #1) | Author: Diane Mae Robinson | Year published: 2012 | Publisher: Tate Publishing | Number of pages: 68 | Recommended age: 5+ Summary: Princess Petra's unusual birthday request sends the royal court into a frenzy, but when she agrees to undertake a knight's quest they can't stop her. Armed with a cake knife and outfitted in the best royal pots and pans, Petra sets off to face a dragon and win her real armor before encountering a bog witch, and an army of the kingdom's worst enemies. Will Petra's kindness and acceptance prove to be more valuable than weapons and armor?

Eccentric and Ecclectic. An exhilarating review of Jumble Tales

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Jumble Tales by Steve Morris By S. Shove "Ecobitch" (Cardiff) An ecclectic collection of tales that show how fickle Fate and Luck can be, this collection is cram packed with what ifs and if onlys and with each tale being the perfect length for a quick read at the bus stop, waiting in line or if you have a spare five minutes this is a superb book to have in your bag, just in case. Each tale has its own character based on dark humour, gritty real life and even a touch of romance and they even manage not to feel like short stories that rush to get everything but instead guide the reader through at a leisurly pace to ensure maximum enjoyment and impact. Morris writes in a very easy and accessible manner that a wide variety of readers will enjoy and this collection has a little tale for everyone, be you the hardened football fan, the old romantic, the action lover, the dark comedian or the cutting edge scientist.

Silver Eagle (Dutch Version) - Pulsating war memoirs of unsung hero

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Silver Eagle - Het waargebeurd verhaal van Clancy Lyall. Veteraan van de Band of Brothers. By Karl Brockmann 'SILVER EAGLE', het waargebeurd verhaal van Clancy Lyall. Veteraan van de Band of Brothers werd geschreven door Clancy's goede vriend Ronald Ooms. Na de Japanse verrassingsaanval op Pearl Harbor en het onmiddellijk vertrek van alle jonge mannen uit zijn dorp om bij het leger of de koopvaardijvloot te gaan, besloot de toen 16-jarige Clancy dat hij niet kon achterblijven. He loog over zijn leeftijd en gaf zich vrijwillig op bij het leger. Hij maakte deel uit van de 101ste Luchtlandingsdivisie en vocht zijn eerste gevecht op het Europese strijdtoneel tijdens de D-Day Landingen. Na een nauwe ontsnapping aan de dood werd hij overgeplaatst naar Easy Compagnie 506, de beroemde 'Band of Brothers'. Hij vocht zij aan zij met zijn strijdbroeders tijdens Operation Market Garden, onderging de barre weersomstandigheden en meervuldige beschietingen van d

Have You Seen My Tail? (Katie-Jane, Book #2) | Author & illustrator: Kathryn Harper

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About the Book Title: Have You Seen My Tail? (Katie-Jane, Book #2) | Author & Illustrator: Kathryn Harper | Publication Date: July, 2014 | Publisher: Green Cup Publishing | Pages: 36 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 8 Summary: Anyone who has ever struggled to accept - or longed to experience - change of any kind will be able to relate to Katie-Jane's second story, "Have You Seen My Tail?" Using rhyming verse, and laugh-out-loud moments, Katie-Jane begins this story feeling bored. She is surprised and shocked as she meets a butterfly, a frog and a snake; who are all struggling to accept the recent big changes in their lives. Different perspectives help all four characters to accept their own situations, and embrace change in the way life offers it to them. "Have You Seen My Tail?" is the second book in the six-part Katie-Jane series, designed to encourage the reader to 'be the very best version of you.'

Flight of the Mite by Grayson Smith

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Title: Flight of the Mite | Author: Grayson Smith | Illustrator: Alana Kyle | Publication Date: 2013 | Publisher: Peppermint Toast Publishing: Independent | Pages: 32 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 8 | Reviewed by: Renee and Dominic (Mother and Son)   Information About The Book: A tale of wonder and imagination, Flight of the Mite is a children's read-aloud picture book, written by Grayson Smith and illustrated by Alana Kyle. As a tiny mite stares in wonder at the nighttime stars, she becomes certain that if she were only able to travel to them, she would meet a world of wondrous creatures. She determines to build a flying contraption, and through persistence, ingenuity, and wise counsel, journeys to the nearest star. There she encounters the Others of her dreams and finds herself on an adventure where she learns that her imagination is her most important tool! This story of imagination, courage, and determination is perfect for the little mite in your life! Flight of the Mi

Day of the Phoenix - A pulsating political page-turner

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Day of the Phoenix By Neal James Steve Marshall was ready. This time there would be no mistakes – no-one to derail the plan, and no-one to step outside his ideas for the perfect Britain. Anyone standing in the way of progress would be brutally mown down. Infiltrating the British Democratic Party was the ultimate solution to the establishment of a Fascist state – a state controlled by him and him alone. Marshall had toiled hard and long at the plan since the debacle of 1992. The Organisation had come within a whisker of success, and but for some strokes of outrageous fortune, MI5 and its head, the imperious George Watkinson, would have been all but consigned to history. This time it would be different. Neal James takes this sequel to ‘A Ticket to Tewkesbury’ into a frighteningly possible future… Find out more

What if...? by Jessica Barondes

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Title: What if...? | Author: Jessica Barondes | Publication Date: January 7, 2014 | Publisher: Sense and Sensability Press | Pages: 145 | Recommended Ages: 10+ | Reviewed by: Renee (Mother) Summary: Life is complicated for the average tween, but try being the smallest girl in 7th grade and navigating the choppy waters of middle school without a mom. Such is the plight of Penelope “P” Ziegler, until she decides to take matters into her own hands and find a wife for her hopelessly quirky dad. Despite Dad’s objections, P is sure—with all her heart—that there’s a woman out there who will make them both very happy!

Gorilla Dreams - Animated, bubbly and exhilarating storytelling

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Gorilla Dreams By Sue Hampton Mr Eden tells his class two gorilla stories: one crazy, one lyrical. Meet Gilbert on his skateboard, or join Sanyu in a world that's much more real - and dangerous. Sue Hampton has twenty books across different genres for children and teenagers, including TRACES (top three in The People's Book Prize 2012) and FRANK (bronze in The Wishing Shelf Award 2103). Her writing has been praised by her hero Michael Morpurgo ("terrific" "enthralling" "beautifully written"). An ex-teacher based in Herts, Sue now visits schools to inspire pupils. She is also an ambassador for Alopecia UK and has seen that stories can change lives. In her work you can always find love, courage and the right to be different. ... .. Find out more

Jack the Boogey is my Real Name: The Truth about "The Boogeyman"

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About the Book Title: Jack the Boogey is my Real Name: The Truth about "The Boogeyman" | Authors: Davon Washington & Chase Washington | Illustrator: Ana-Gabriela Stroe | Publication Date: January 1, 2014 | Publisher: Bedford House Books | Pages: 32 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 8 Summary: Have a child that's afraid of the dark? Are you a little curious about what happens when the lights go out? This delightful children's picture book will not only enhance the night time reading experience but bedtime in itself will never be the same. Jack The Boogey encourages kids to push through their fears, persevere and always do the right thing. One of the world's most feared creatures may have just become the most loved.

Billy and The Monster Who Loved to Fart | Author: David Chuka

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About the Book Title: Billy and The Monster Who Loved to Fart | Author: David Chuka | Publication Date: January 31, 2013 | Publisher: Pen-n-a-Pad Publishing | Pages: 34 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 8 Summary: In the first book in this epic tale, we discover that Billy loves Monster and Monster loves Billy. They play together. They have a bath together.They even go to school together. There's just one thing that threatens to spoil their friendship. Monster loves to Fart!...and everyone blames Billy for it! Will Monster make Billy the uncoolest kid at school? Will Monster cause an irreparable hole in the Ozone layer? Will Monster and Billy both learn how to behave properly in a social environment? Get your copy today and enjoy this funny book for kids (and also adults), that's not just big on laughs but also teaches a valuable lesson for social situations.

Live by the Sword (or Pen?): A Review of “Jumble Tales” by Marc Johnson Books Blog

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Yet another excellent review of "Jumble Tales" The landscape that used to be the medium of the short story is quickly becoming an arid wasteland left to the childish musings of novelists interested in making a quick buck. Some, like Cormac McCarthy, have completely abandoned the medium as pointless. There are a few writers out there who are valiantly trying to keep the short story alive. Steve Morris is one of them. With his second short story collection, Jumble Tales, Mr. Morris illustrates eighteen individual stories with grace. His strengths lie in his ability to seamlessly bring us into the narrative, providing the reader with just enough to follow through the tale without being bogged down with trivial information. Many of the stories introduce a type of twist at the end, which, for the most part, is used effectively. There are times, however, that some of these twists seem a bit forced. For me the twist at the end of The Best Policy was jarring and, for me,

Maisy and the Missing Mice by Elizabeth Woodrum

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About the Book Title: Maisy and the Missing Mice (The Maisy Files) | Author: Elizabeth Woodrum | Publication Date: September 24, 2013 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 75 | Recommended Ages: 6 to 10 Summary: Maisy Sawyer is not your average fourth grade student. She is a detective with a special skill for solving mysteries. She loves black and white mystery movies, cherry lollipops, and her dog, Reesie. When a thief known as The Black Boot steals the school's mascots and her lollipops, Maisy sets out to solve the case. Can she help return the mice to their home in the science lab? Will she ever see her beloved lollipops again? Find out in the first book in The Maisy Files series.

A Different Kind of Safari by Helen C. Hipp

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About the Book Title: A Different Kind of Safari | Author: Helen C. Hipp | Publication Date: March 19, 2013 | Publisher: A Different Kind of Safari LLC | Pages: 32 | Recommended Ages: 5 to 10 Summary: What do you need to feel happy about being different? Based loosely on real life experiences, this heartwarming and powerful book illustrates how self-awareness, and courage help a young boy named Raymond learn the difference between seeing things as they appear to be and seeing things as they are. Feeling "different and lonely" Raymond befriends a hippo while on Safari in Africa. Unlike other grey hippos, this hippo is pink. Ray is soon carried into a world beyond labels and challenging assumptions. You will never guess what happens next!

Starchild: The Age of Akra & The City of Souls by Vacen Taylor

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About the Books Book 1: The Age of Akra Title: Starchild: The Age of Akra (Book 1) | Author: Vacen Taylor | Publication Date: March 6, 2013 | Publisher: Odyssey Books | Pages: 135 | Recommended Ages: 10+ | Reviewed by: Renee (Mother) Summary: When Mai is chosen to take a pilgrimage to the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts to train with the oldest and wisest master of their people, an ancient prophecy is set in motion. The events to come have been predicted but are not unchangeable. When the Starchild returns to the planet of Sage, the foreknowledge of the prophecy begins to gain strength. Four children come together and become linked to the events that lie ahead. In The Age of Akra, the first stage of their journey has them facing the deadly spiderflax, only then to be confronted by a creature of the underworld, an evil Dementra called Amual. The struggle to bring peace to the world of powerful energies lies in the hands of these four children and a strange little lizard.