My Comfy Chair

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday - Un Lun Dun

2011-09-12T10:21:00.003-04:00

Un Lun Dun published in U.S. by Del Rey in Jan 2008
Author: China Miéville
Purchased personally

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday again, and I'm proud to be part of this great tradition started by Shannon Whitney Messenger promoting middle grade books.

I was browsing through Mac's Backs, a wonderful independent bookstore near us, and I happened upon Un Lun Dun without ever having heard of it before. As I very much enjoyed The City and The City, I bought the book to see if China Miéville could do as good a job with middle grade as he had with adult science fiction.

Like some wonderful mix between The Phantom Tollbooth, No Passengers Beyond This Point and Neverwhere, this book takes kids on a wonderful, somewhat scary but ultimately fantastic voyage through an abcity beneath London populated by fantastical creatures who have seeped down from London.

Filled with wordplay and incredibly imaginative characters, this should be appealing to 5th to 7th graders, as well as many older teens and adults who are willing to give it a try. While the main characters are girls, this is a book that will appeal equally to boys and girls. I would strongly recommend it.

Five stars!

Purchase a copy on Amazon.com
...or on Amazon.co.uk

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday was started by Shannon Whitney Messenger. She, and others frequent MMGM posters are:

Shannon Whitney Messenger at Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Joanne Fritz at My Brain on Books
Shannon O'Donnell at Book Dreaming
Brooke Favero at somewhere in the middle
Myrna Foster at Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen at Write About Now
Kimberley Griffiths Little at Kimberley’s Wanderings
Barbara Watson at Novel and Nouveau

If you watch those blogs today, as well as Shannon's blog, you are likely to find other great middle grade book recommendations.

Digital Debuts: Enchantment by Charlotte Abel

2011-08-24T15:37:00.003-04:00

Enchantment
Author: Charlotte Abel
Purchased from Amazon.com

Enchantment is an absolutely delightful and original book. It could be described as paranormal romance, but it is a far cry from the girl-meets-werewolf/vampire stories that abound. It combines magic, treachery, humor and thrills, as well as a rampant simmering sexuality that might seem out of place if you had not dealt with a teenage girl recently.

Channie Belks lives a hardscrabble life with her parents and siblings, crammed together in a small shack in the Ozark Mountains, but everything is about to get a lot worse. Her father's gambling leads to a nasty run-in with a powerful mage family, and the family has no choice but to leave in a hurry. Unsafe among any of the magic folks, they hide in a town of Magically Disabled people (like you and me). Channie, who has never been to a regular school, is suddenly faced with a very unfriendly student body, and prevented from using the one power she has that might have allowed her to make friends.

On the other hand, she meets Josh, a hot BMX racer with a killer smile, so perhaps you could call it even. Except for the curse.

That is what Enchantment is like, though I could never do it justice. Every corner hides a pitfall, but Channie faces them all. Not happily, or even nicely, but she faces them. We get carried along for the ride, and it is a wild one. I absolutely love the wonderful Ozark language and mentality, funny and different while never getting in the way. The book is flat out fun to read.

Younger readers, or squeamish parents, may have a little trouble with the obsession with sex. It is barely ever acted on or visible, and most girls over the age of 13 will have read stronger stuff, but I thought I should point that out. As for the magic, the folklore and the snappy plot, I can see those appealing to all ages.

Highly recommended. Five Stars!

Pick up a copy of Enchantment on Amazon.com or on BarnesAndNoble.com

Interview with Wren Emerson

2011-07-05T14:54:00.001-04:00

In mid-June, I posted about a wonderful Digital Debut: Wren Emerson's I Wish..., the first book in a Young adult series titled The Witches of Desire. Recently, I was lucky enough to get Wren to spare a bit of time to answer questions.

Thus, I bring you my first interview, with the talented Wren Emerson:

1) When did you start writing, and when did you start thinking of yourself as a writer?

That's a hard one. I've always written. Not always with the clear intention of getting published, but I've always felt compelled to put words on a page and express myself that way. When I heard about indie publishing and decided that's what I wanted to do for a living, I started to think of myself as writer. Wild horses wouldn't have pried that out of my mouth to another living person though. I still don't necessarily bring up my writing when I talk to people in real life. I'm actually a little shy about the idea of people who already know me in a real life context knowing that I write.

I anticipate changing that when we move this summer. I plan to introduce myself as an author to the new people we meet and that's all they'll ever know me as. I guess what I'm saying is that it's much easier for me to reinvent myself than to try to change the impression of me that people already have as a non-writer.

2) Did you start by publishing short stories, or dive right into a novel?

I find short stories to be really hard for me. I'm working on several right now for different projects and oh boy. I started with I Wish and in a lot of ways I think it was far easier to write than any short story ever will be for me. I just don't think short, I suspect.

3) I've seen that you like to outline. Have you always written like that, or is it a learned habit?

I haven't. I've also never finished any fiction projects I've ever started. If there's ever been a person who can write themselves into a corner, it's me. Having an outline gives me the opportunity to work out my plot holes in advance and address them before I'm 30 pages in. I highly recommend everyone try it.

4) Do your characters seem real to you? Would they be people you would like to know, or perhaps like to be?

I've heard authors talk about how their characters talk to them or tell them what to write. I've never experienced that in my entire life no matter if I worked from an outline or let the characters develop organically. If I thought of my characters as real I wouldn't be able to put them through the conflict they need to make a good story. That's not to say I don't take the time to flesh them out and figure out their personalities as much as possible, I just never feel like they are real.

5) What would be the ideal writing day for you? Place, setting, music, aromas?

Oh my gosh, my ideal? I'd love to write on a screened porch overlooking my crystal clear in-ground swimming pool with the trees of the forest that surrounds my secluded property swaying gently in the background. A soft breeze would blow the scents of the spring blooming flowers to me and my music would be the soft hum of woodland animals and insects go about their day.

The reality: I wrote I Wish during January of this year. I squeezed writing time around the minions' school days. My house has terrible insulation so it was cold (like FRIGID) most of the time. I did the bulk of my writing propped up in bed on my laptop with the blankets pulled up to my armpits. When the kids were home, I dealt with constant interruptions to deal with their needs and requests or to break up yet another argument. I listened to a lot of 90s music to put myself into a teenaged frame of mind and to mask some of the arguing. Most evenings I'd type with one arm pressed against my side since the littlest minion would often crawl into bed with me and fall asleep against my side.

6) If there is one bit of advice you could give a beginning writer, what would it be?

Well, I can't say enough good things about outlining, of course. But my main advice would be write every day. If you at least get some words on a page you can polish them and start the editing process. The more time you spend writing, the more you'll produce in a shorter amount of time. There's definitely something to say for applying butt to chair on a regular basis.

7) How did you come up with a name like Thistle Nettlebottom?

I needed a name that would sound really odd. I Wish was originally built around the idea that there was a girl traveling with her family from some unknown danger and hiding in plain sight. Ok, I asked myself, how do they afford to travel? Ramona will be an author. Ok, so she's a famous author that already makes her harder to kill unnoticed. Well, if she were to give her granddaughter a crazy name it would make her that much more noticeable to the public eye. And from there it was just a little trial and error until I found a name that was both crazy, yet still sounded good together.

8) Perhaps most important of all, when is the sequel to "I Wish..." likely to come out? Any hints about what we will see or what it will be called?

I was hoping for a mid July release, but we've got a move coming up so I'm pushing it back until at least August so that I don't make myself crazy or become tempted to put out a really poor quality book. It will be titled Your Word is my Bond, a play on the old saying "my word is my bond" and it refers to Ramona's power. In this book she is the catalyst for a lot of huge changes for Thistle personally and the entire town of Desire. Ben's history is explored, who he is and where he came from. And probably the biggest thing I can say is that the ending I have planned is a game changer. I'm a little nervous about what fans are going to think about it because it has the potential to cause some pretty intense debate, I think. But it's going to be *good*.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog. The questions were fun to answer. If anyone would like to talk shop with me about any aspect of indie publishing you can catch me on Twitter @wrenem, my blog: http://wrenemerson.wordpress.com, or by email wrenemerson(at)gmail(dot)com. I love meeting new people so don't be shy!

Excerpt from I Wish... (The Witches of Desire):

When a two hundred and fifty pound man takes a swing at your face, the last thing you want is to be blind. But that’s exactly the predicament I found myself in while fighting Shep Claphan one September afternoon. I could hear voices murmuring around us, but I couldn’t hear him. I knew less about Shep’s past than I did about my own, but I always imagined him as a soldier or a stunt man or a martial arts expert. And he was attempting to kick my ass. Not exactly a challenge when you consider that I was 5’7″ to his 6’4″ and weighed half as much.

I didn’t hear his foot lash out until it caught me in the stomach. It stung, but it was obvious since I was still standing that he pulled most of the power of that kick. What I did hear was the gasps of the people that surrounded us. I swung in the direction the kick had come from, but I didn’t hit anything. Chuckles from the peanut gallery.

He kicked the back of my leg, forcing me to take a knee. Behind me. I swept my leg along the ground, hoping to knock his feet out from under him, but he was too fast. I followed the movement into a standing position and punched in short efficient jabs. I was gratified to feel one land somewhere soft. It wasn’t a solid connection and judging by the way it slid off his body, it was most likely his shoulder. At least now I had an idea of what his position was. I swung at him again, but missed by a mile, judging from the reactions of the people watching.

“I can see you. I can dodge you if I can see it coming. You can’t see me so you don’t have that advantage. You need to use whatever other information you can gather. Listen for my breathing. Hear the leaves and sticks being crushed under my feet. Smell me sweating if you have to. When I move in close your body knows it, it feels my heat and the air I disturb around you. Listen to what your body is telling you.”

Shep’s voice was normally a sound I enjoyed, the deep bass mellow and soothing and a perfect match to his barrel chested body, but right then I just wanted to slap him. He wouldn’t end practice until I managed at least a couple of good hits, but my past experiences with this had been less than impressive. I didn’t expect much more from this one.

I tried to push back my irritation. His advice was sound even if the last thing I wanted to do right now was admit he was right. I took a deep breath and tried to narrow my focus. Shut out the whispers and giggles from the people around us. Shut out the aches from my muscles and the deep throbbing of forming bruises. Ignore it, it doesn’t help me.

I didn’t hear him move so much as I felt the way his shifting body crossed the sunlight on my face. When he swung at my face I was ready. I knew the direction he was coming from and I grabbed his arm and used it for balance as I kicked him twice in his ribs under the arm I held immobilized. Hearing his breath exhale with a sharp woofing sound was gratifying, but I didn’t pause to celebrate the minor victory. I dropped his arm and danced backwards out of reach before he could grab me. I’ve been flipped by Shep before and it ranks high up on my list of things I’d rather avoid.

An advantage to my attack I hadn’t anticipated was that his breathing was now audible to me. My next punch was a thing of beauty, connecting solidly with his jaw. I wasn’t using full power either, but it had to have hurt him at least half as much as it killed my hand.

“Shep, your head feels like it’s filled with rocks.”

“You know, I’ve heard that from every woman in my life.”

By now I was really in the moment. There’s just no other excuse for the stupidity of my next idea. I ran towards Shep, jumping while still a few feet from him, planning to plant a foot in his chest and execute a neat back flip and while he was still awed by my finesse, I’d land a killing blow. If life were an action movie I would have been able to execute it flawlessly- probably in Matrix style slow motion. Real life rarely comes with slow-mo though and so this is how it really happened:

I ran at him and leaped, all according to plan. When I planted my foot in his chest, however, he grabbed it and gave it a vicious little twist. I landed face down in the dirt and breathing was suddenly a skill that needed relearning in a hurry. The only blessing was that the hilarity of the crowd watching us was somewhat muffled by my gasping.

Shep gave me a hand up and pulled off my blindfold. I still couldn’t take a full breath so he waited patiently while I stood there, squinty eyed and wheezing.

Finally he said, “You shouldn’t showboat. You could have finished me, I was hurting and you had the edge.”

“You- are a- really- bad winner.”

The friendly backrub eased my wounded pride a little. As he worked the knots from my tense shoulders I took a moment to check out the people who’d just watched my humiliating defeat. I could only hope that there weren’t any cute boys around to witness my literal fall from grace. Lucky for me, it seemed that the only people at the Sunnydale Motor Court on a weekday afternoon in the fall were all either elderly or families with young children. So unless I was willing to date a man who needed regular diaper changes, I didn’t have to worry about having blown my chances with the potential love of my life.

“Come on, I think Ramona wanted to leave as soon as we were done here. You know how she is about having plenty of time to check into a hotel before a book signing. If she doesn’t have enough time to get beautiful she’ll cancel the signing and then her publicist is going to give her sh- crap.”

“And crap rolls downhill. I get it.” I gave Shep an affectionate punch in the arm and started back to the RV without argument. I wanted to grab a quick shower at the facilities here before we hit the road and I knew he wasn’t kidding about my grandmother’s desire to greet her public looking fantastic.

Every life hinges on a series of days that change everything. The thing about days like that is that you never see them coming. Looking back, that shower marked the last time that everything in my life was normal. If I knew then what was in store for me, I think I might have just kept walking past the showers and down the road. I guess that’s why change takes you by surprise. I doubt anyone would seek out life altering transformations willingly.

But I didn’t know and so it was with visions of cute boys and clean hair dancing in my head that I went from my old life and headlong into the insanity.

Thanks, Wren, for sharing your thoughts and an excerpt of your book. If anybody wants to read more, you can pick up I Wish... on Amazon.com or on Barnes&Noble.com.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Nate Rocks the World

2011-07-04T10:20:00.002-04:00

Nate Rocks the World independently published.
Author: Karen Pokras Toz
Free copy sent by author after request

I have a backlog of books to review, most with partial reviews saved in draft mode, but I decided to do a Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (woefully neglected for the past several weeks) on another self-published book.
Nate Rockledge is ten years old, and he has many of the difficulties boys of his age face. His mother is a truly terrible cook. His father reminisces endlessly about past glories. His thirteen year old sister taunts him mercilessly.

But Nate has a secret. Like a fourth grade Walter Mitty, Nate dreams of heroic adventures where he saves the day, and often the life of the cute Madeline who lives across the street, although Nate does.not.like.girls! Unfortunately, after saving the day, he is left with little but the comics he draws and the wish that he could do something real. Little does he know how close the chance for real heroics is.

I love the way the author seamlessly blends Nate's real life and his fantasies of heroism and excitement. Middle grade readers, especially on the younger end, will easily relate to the loose boundaries between real life and fantasy, and will also instantly relate to the real trials and tribulations Nate faces with his family and friends.

I can easily recommend this book for both boys and girls in third through fifth grade. I'm glad to have had a chance to read it.

Four out of five stars.

Buy 'Nate Rocks the World' on Amazon.com

Normally, there are several bloggers who participate in Marvelous Middle Grade Monday, but since it is the 4th of July holiday here in the United States, most are taking a holday. The only other I have found so far is Deb Marshall, who is Canadian. She profiles Leslie Carmichael (Lyranel's Song and The Amulet of Amon-Ra), and has an interview with the author plus a giveaway. See her post HERE.

Review: Hogwash by Karma Wilson

2011-06-20T21:13:00.001-04:00

Hogwash! published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers June 2011
Author: Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jim McMullan

Every once in a while, a picture book comes along where everything just works perfectly. This is one that is destined to be a classic. The sense of humor is enhanced by clever rhymes and fabulous illustrations. I had to share this with my wife, who has taught younger kids and has an early childhood education background, and she couldn't stop raving about it. With most books sent to us by the publisher for review, I pass them on to local schools or libraries, but we're hanging on to this to share with our (not yet born) grandkids.

The story is a wonderful, boisterous tale of a farmer determined to clean up his animals, and a bunch of pigs determined to stay muddy. It has a sense of fun and engagement similar to Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, another great book, although I think Hogwash! is even more perfect for reading over and over. I particularly love that the language is rich and beautiful while remaining accessible to young children. The text rhymes, but it is done cleverly and never dumbed down, so that a child would love the rhythmic sound without necessarily even realizing that it rhymed. My wife also noted that the signs the pigs post for the farmer are of a size and style that would encourage beginning readers to pick out the meaning, but still introduce new words.

At the risk of gushing, if you have a young child or grandchild, especially one who loves rhymes and fun and reading aloud, please order a copy of this. You could get it from a library first if you don't believe me, but trust me, you'll buy it eventually.

Five Stars!

Buy from Amazon.com
Buy from Amazon.ca
Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Digital Debuts: Wren Emerson's I Wish...

2011-06-17T12:09:00.000-04:00

I Wish... (The Witches of Desire) published by Lakehouse Press May 2011
Author: Wren Emerson

This is my second review in a series called Digital Debuts in which I review debut books for young adults (or younger) by authors who have chosen to publish in eBook format only, at least to start. Usually, these will be self-published, or as good as self-published, and thus usually under $5. They are also great books that will entertain and provoke, but not disappoint.

Product description:

Thistle Nettlebottom knows her life isn't exactly normal. She travels the country with her secretive mother and bestselling author grandmother in a pink RV going from book signings to crazy research trips. She's never been to public school or had a boyfriend, but she can pick a lock and hotwire a car. One day the phone rings and they set a course to a tiny town that's not on any maps. Suddenly, Thistle finds her whole life changing.

From this rather odd beginning, we launch quickly into an almost dystopian world where Thistle, whose real name turns out to be something else, must cope with the Witches of Desire. That is to say, witches in the town of Desire, and a more competitive, nasty lot you will have trouble finding anywhere.

Desire is a matriarchal society, and Thistle faces a constant struggle to stay safe, and even alive, due to powers she never knew she had. If only her powers would let her know who was truly a friend and who was not. Or let her know whether to pursue the enticing-but-verboten Ben or the handsome-but-too-compliant Evan.

In her debut novel, Wren Emerson weaves an exciting and different world, and you will quickly find yourself lost in the intrigue and danger. Meant for older teens and young adults, this is only the first in a planned series, and I am sure that readers will be lining up to buy the sequel when it comes out.

In fact, my biggest objection to the novel was the somewhat abrupt ending, a common objection with YA books in series these days. If this were a traditionally published print book and we had to wait six months to a year for the sequel, I would hold that against the author, but since this is published as an ebook, I may let it slide... if she will hurry up and get the sequel out.

I Wish... is $2.99, and well worth the price. Give it a try, and let me know what you think. I believe this is a series, and an author, you will want to follow.

Four stars out of five.

Buy 'I Wish...' on Amazon.com
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
Buy on Amazon.de

Review: Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell

2011-06-05T22:31:00.001-04:00

Me...Jane published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in Apr 2011
Author/Illustrator: Patrick McDonnell

I received a review copy of this picture book from the publisher a while ago, and originally intended to feature it on Earth Day, but something stopped me. The book is beautiful, hardly a surprise given Patrick McDonnell's skill and experience. It shows Jane Goodall as a child and how her way of viewing the world led to her eventual inspirational work with chimpanzees.

Great stuff, and I have read a number of great reviews by people who are either huge fans of Dr. Goodall, or of Mr. McDonnell. The problem that I have with the book is that the audience it is aimed at doesn't know Ms. Goodall is or what she did, and the book really doesn't explain. In many ways, the best part of the book is the afterword which actually describes Dr. Goodall's passion and work.

All of the work is left to the parent or other adult reading to the child. Even the big reveal which shows the photograph of Dr. Jane Goodall does so without explanation or identification. I love to read picture books to kids, and love science and picture books which show science. I just wouldn't choose this one without preparing a clear explanation of who Jane Goodall is, a job which the author neglected to do in any form accessible to the audience.

Three stars out of five.

Buy 'Me . . . Jane' on Amazon.com

Digital Debuts: Leanne Beattie's Cage of Bone

2011-06-04T17:38:00.001-04:00

Cage of Bone, Amazon Digital Services in May 2011
Author: Leanne Beattie

This is my first review in a series called Digital Debuts in which I review debut books for young adults (or younger) by authors who have chosen to publish in eBook format only, at least to start. Usually, these will be self-published, or as good as self-published, and thus usually under $5. They are also great books that will entertain and provoke, but not disappoint.

Veronica Campbell, known as Ronnie to the few friends she has, finds her life crashing around her after her popular older sister, Katherine, commits suicide. Ronnie's mother is a mess, her father who had left them a year before has a new girlfriend, and Ronnie has trouble dealing with the kids in school. Not that she wants to deal with them. She doesn't want anything but to get her sister back, or at least to understand why Katherine would kill herself.

That might sound depressing, but through all the pain and anger, Ronnie shows signs of the strength and intelligence that will help her survive. She finds a cool guy at the record store, and though all the girls drool over him, there are signs that perhaps he has noticed her, past the combat boots and spiked hair and leave-me-alone attitutde.

This is a book for older teens and young adults. There's some drinking, some drug references and sexual activity that would not be right for younger teens. For those old enough and mature enough to handle it, the story is compelling and important, dealing with both the loss of loved ones and the loss of innocence. It is also a story of hope, although not a campy, easy hope. My only complaint might be that the story wound up quickly, but that is only a complaint because I wanted to know more about Ronnie, more about Griffin, more about how they all turn out.

Mostly, it is a book you should read. This is Leanne Beattie's first novel, but she has a deft and knowing touch when it comes to teenagers. I certainly hope to see more from Ms. Beattie, which is where you come in. Cage of Bone is $2.99, and worth much more. Buy her book. Share it with your friends. They'll thank you.

Five stars!

Buy from Amazon for $2.99

Published my first book, but one aimed at teens-YA is coming

2011-06-04T15:43:00.000-04:00

I last posted on My Comfy Chair a month ago, even though I have many reviews partly written and books read that I want to share with you. As many of you may know through Twitter, Facebook and my author blog, http://BenLanghinrichs.net, I have just released my first collection of stories titled Savage Fire.

The reason I haven't said much here is that the book is not appropriate for children and younger adults. It is aimed at 18 years and older. If you happen to be 18 or older and like horror, humor and bizarro, you can find Savage Fire on Amazon for the Kindle or on Smashwords for all digital formats.

But what about the teens and young adults? I haven't forgotten you. Sometime in the next six weeks, I plan to release another collection of stories called Rock the Monkey House, which is aimed at teens/young adult.

Stay tuned for more details!

Children's Book Awards 2011

2011-05-04T11:49:00.000-04:00

I'm very excited to see so many books and authors I recognize. Let me know if there are any particular favorites of yours below, and I'll see if I can get a copy and review them.

Illustrator of the Year

David Wiesner for Art & Max

Author of the Year

Rick Riordan for The Lost Hero

2011 Winners and Nominees:

K-Grade 2:
• Little Pink Pup by Johanna Kerby--Winner!
• Shark vs. Train by Tom Lichtenheld
• How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills
• Hot Rod Hamster by Cynthia Lord
• Even Monsters Need Haircuts by Matthew McElligott

Grades 3-4:
• Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown by Jarrett J. Krosoczka--Winner!
• Finally by Wendy Mass
• Bad Kitty vs Uncle Murray by Nick Bruel
• Encyclopedia Mythologica: Gods & Heroesby Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda
• Babymouse #12: Burns Rubber by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

Grades 5-6
• The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan--Winner!
• Zebrafish by Peter H. Reynolds and FableVision
• Big Nate: In a Class by Himself by Lincoln Peirce
• It's a Book by Lane Smith
• Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Teen Choice:
• Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan--Winner!
• Burned (House of Night, Book 7) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
• Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
• Fang (Maximum Ride) by James Patterson

Review: The Very Fairy Princess Takes the Stage

2011-04-29T11:25:00.000-04:00

The Very Fairy Princess Takes the Stage Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, May 2011
Authors: Julie Andrews, Emma Walton Hamilton
Illustrator: Christine Davenier

I haven't had a chance to read The Very Fairy Princess, which came out a year ago, but since picture books should stand on their own, I decided to give this a try. Even aside from my curiosity about a celebrity author like Julie Andrews, I'm glad I did.

The first word that comes to mind when picking up this book is sparkly. In fact, it might even be the second and third words as well. Geraldine may look like an ordinary girl with scabbed knees, but inside she knows she is a fairy princess. She wears a fairy crown whenever possible, and loves pink and sparkles, so it is a great disappointment when she finds that her ballet teacher wants her to be the Court Jester instead of the Princess in their spring performance.

Gerry is unhappy about her costume, yellow and red without a hint of pink, and her jester's hat barely fits over her crown, which she insists on wearing. All in all, Gerry is having a hard time finding her inner sparkle, but then something happens which reminds her what it is to be a fairy princess. All ends well, of course.

This book is intended for children in kindergarten and first grade, and I am sure there are some who will complain about the gender stereotypes. It might be fun to share My Princess Boy with children who read this to show that all sorts of children can love fun and sparkles and pink, whether they are boys or girls. Mostly, I like the message that every one of us has an inner sparkle, but we sometimes need to share that sparkle to keep it alight.

I recommend this for fairy princes and princesses in kindergarten and first grade.

Four stars out of five.

Find this on Amazon.com (U.S.)
Find this on Amazon.ca (Canada)
Find this on Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom)

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Earthling Hero

2011-04-25T09:24:00.000-04:00

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday again, and I'm proud to be part of this great tradition started by Shannon Whitney Messenger promoting middle grade books. This week, I am pleased to share a book that is unusual in two ways. First, Earthling Hero is self-published, and second, it is in eBook form only. The self-publishing didn't worry me, as I have read some great self-published books, but a middle grade book only available in electronic form?

Fortunately, I gave the book a chance. It didn't hurt that it is available on both Amazon and Smashwords, so if you have a Kindle as I do, you can buy it that way, but if you don't, Smashwords has it in various formats, so that you can easily read it on-line or on another eReader. It also didn't hurt that the book is 99 cents!

In Earthling Hero, Mikey is 11 and a bit of a loner. He hikes in the mountains where his scientist parents live, and generally keeps to himself. All this changes when he wakes up one morning to find a boy in his room who looks just like him. Soon, he is embroiled in foiling a plot that threatens the planet. Oh yes, and he makes a couple friends as well.

This book is a mix of action and science fiction, villains and heroes. It is campy and sublimely, blissfully unconcerned about rigorous scientific explanations. It reminds me of some of the great stories from my youth, ranging from The Enormous Egg to the Tom Swift books (link is an ebook of the full 28 Tom Swift novels for $1.99 - well worth buying as well). On top of it all, Anita Laydon Miller captures the voice of the middle grade characters beautifully.

In short, I highly recommend Earthling Hero for middle graders, boys and girls alike. Funny, exciting and accessible to readers of different levels, the only way this book might be more appealing to middle graders is if it were a graphic novel. Not aiming to be a classic, it nails its place as great, easy entertainment.

Five Stars!

Three easy ways to buy for 99 cents...
Find this on Amazon.com for Kindle
Find this on Barnes & Noble.com for Nook
Find this on Smashwords in lots of formats, including for on-line reading

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday was started by Shannon Whitney Messenger. She, and others frequent MMGM posters are:

Shannon Whitney Messenger at Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Joanne Fritz at My Brain on Books
Shannon O'Donnell at Book Dreaming
Brooke Favero at somewhere in the middle
Myrna Foster at Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen at Write About Now
Kimberley Griffiths Little at Kimberley’s Wanderings
Barbara Watson at Novel and Nouveau

If you watch those blogs today, as well as Shannon's blog, you are likely to find other great middle grade book recommendations.

Magical Middle Grade Mystery Tour

2011-04-13T22:39:00.000-04:00

They do many wild and wonderful things over at From the Mixed-Up Files…of Middle-Grade Authors, a group blog of some very cool middle-grade writers. The latest is a Mixed-Up Middle-Grade Skype Tour.

The contest works like this: each season a group of five or more authors will set off in the Mixed-Up Middle-Grade Skype Tour Bus. You’ll have about a month to enter your class, club, or group to win a Skype visit from one of that season’s authors, along with a copy of their book, and more. For every retweet and/or Facebook reposting, you’ll get another entry. To increase your class or group’s chances, invite other adults- parents, teachers, or group members to leave comments at http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2011/04/catch-the-bus-win-an-author-visit/. Each entry must be made in a separate comment. At the end of the month, a winner will be drawn for each Skype author visit. You’ll have six months from that date to schedule and conduct the visit. Authors and winners are paired randomly--you don’t enter to win a visit from a particular author. The winning entry will also receive a copy of the author’s book.

The first group of authors to hit the virtual highway has been announced. If you want to know more about any author, click on their name or enter it in the Amazon search box to the right, and you can see what books they have written.

Sydney Salter

Sydney Salter writes middle-grade and young adult fiction. She is the author of My Big Nose & Other Natural Disasters, Jungle Crossing, and Swoon At Your Own Risk. Sydney lives in Utah with her husband, two daughters, lazy cats, big hairy dogs, and a pair of quiet tortoises. When not writing, Sydney likes to read, think up adventures, experiment with new recipes, sample exotic chocolates, hike with her family and go to movies and rock concerts with her husband.

Bobbie Pyron

Greetings to all my readers! I was born and raised on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. When I was young, I wanted to be a mermaid (or a frog) when I grew up. Instead, I became a librarian and a writer. I now live in Park City, Utah with my husband, three dogs and two cats. I write for teens because I love their honesty and courage. I love the fact that teens ask all the big questions: Who am I? How do I want to be in this world? Can I make a difference? Some of my favorite authors who address these questions in their books for teens include: Chris Crutcher, Laurie Halse Anderson, Sarah Dessen, Pete Haughtman, E.L. Going, and Jerry Spinelli. Who are your favorite authors?

Tom Angleberger

Applying for a job as a newspaper artist, Tom Angleberger was mistakenly assigned to cover local government meetings. Fifteen years and countless town council meetings later, he is still writing instead of drawing, currently as a columnist for the Roanoke Times in Roanoke, Virginia. He began work on his first book while in middle school. Tom is married to author-illustrator Cece Bell. They live in Christianburg, Virginia.

Kate Messner

Kate Messner is the award-winning author of The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z, winner of the 2010 E.B. White Read-Aloud Medal, as well as Sugar and Ice (Walker/Bloomsbury, 2010), the Marty McGuire chapter book series with Scholastic (May 2011), SeaMonster's First Day, a picture book coming from Chronicle in Summer 2011, and Over and Under the Snow (Chronicle, Fall 2011). Kate is also a National Board Certified middle school English teacher.

Beverly Patt

Beverly Patt writes from her suburban Chicago home, which she shares with her high school sweetheart husband, four wonderful kids and faithful dog, Hally. Before becoming a writer, Bev worked as a Sick-Bird-Catcher, Waitress, Licorice Inspector, Family Counselor and Special Education teacher. HAVEN is her first novel. Close on it's heels is BEST FRIENDS FOREVER: A WW II SCRAPBOOK (Marshall Cavendish).BEST FRIENDS FOREVER: A WWII SCRAPBOOK received a starred review from SLJ and has been named to the Great Lakes, Great Books Spring 2010 List.

Hillary Homzie

Hillary Homzie's background as a writer and performer of sketch comedy informs her novels for tweens, THE HOT LIST (Simon & Schuter/Mix) and THINGS ARE GONNA GET UGLY (Simon & Schuster/Mix). Her Aladdin chapter book series Alien Clones from Outer Space has been adapted as an animated TV series in Australia and may be shown in the US in the future. She lives in Napa, California with her family.

Hurry on over to From the Mixed-Up Files - Catch the Bus to enter your class, club, or group to win a Skype visit from one of these great authors. This round opened April 6th, so don't waste a minute!

Mahvelous Middle Grade Monday - Fashionista Edition

2011-04-11T06:30:00.000-04:00

The Time-Traveling Fashionista, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in Apr 2011
Author: Bianca Tuertsky
Illustrator: Sandra Suy

Product description:

Louise Lambert has always dreamed of movie starlets and exquisite gowns and longs for the day when she can fill the closet of her normal suburban home with stylish treasures. But when she receives a mysterious invitation to a vintage fashion sale in the mail, her once painfully average life is magically transformed into a time-travel adventure.

It is Marvelous Middle Grade Monday, and I couldn't resist highlighting this delightful, or as Louise learns to say when she travels back in time, simply mahvelous, debut novel by Bianca Tuertsky. It is listed as young adult, but the heroine is twelve and I think girls from nine and up will enjoy this. Released this week, there is still time for you to be the first to read (or introduce to your favorite middle grade/tween/teen girl) this fun and fashionable story.

Louise loves vintage fashions, and those tweens and teens who share her fascination will adore the twenty-five luxurious color illustrations of the glamorous dresses and clothing of the early 1900s, created by the talented Sandra Suy. Those of us who are less taken with fashion will still enjoy Louise and how she deals with her sudden lurch from ulta-ordinary shy twelve year-old with frizzy hair and braces to glamorous seventeen year-old actress, Alice Baxter.

The story is fun and exciting, and has appeal on different levels for those obsessed with fashion and history, as well as those who simply like a girl with dreams. The fixation on fashion is a bit hard to take in the first few pages if you aren't interested in such things, but anybody who will pick up a book called The Time-Traveling Fashionista probably doesn't fall in that category. The biggest regret most readers will have is that they have to wait another year before the next Time-Traveling Fashionista book is released.

Four stars out of five.

Find on Amazon.com
Find on Amazon.ca
Find on Amazon.co.uk (to be released in May)

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday was started by Shannon Whitney Messenger. She, and others frequent MMGM posters are:

Shannon Whitney Messenger at Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Joanne Fritz at My Brain on Books
Shannon O'Donnell at Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster at Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen at Write About Now
Aly Beecher at Kid Lit Frenzy
Brooke Favero at somewhere in the middle

If you watch those blogs today, as well as Shannon's blog, you are likely to find other great middle grade book recommendations.

Sunday Sharing - The Little Island

2011-04-10T08:02:00.000-04:00

Our youth minister has changed the schedule some, so I will not officially teach Sunday School until May 1st, but I still have a chance to share books with the preschoolers in Sunday School, though I don't run the rest of the lesson. Thus, I am able to offer another Sunday Sharing post. After class, I'll update the post to talk about how the kids reacted to the book, sharing their reactions with you.

The Little Island, reissued by Doubleday in 2003 (first published in 1946)
Author: Margaret Wise Brown (written under the name Golden MacDonald)
Illustrator: Leonard Weisgard
Caldecott Medal winner

Years ago, I shared this book with my own children, as well as children in earlier Sunday School classes (I think I first taught Sunday School to preschoolers when my own daughter was three, and she's twenty-four now). My copy of the book was published in 1973, and has Golden MacDonald listed as the author, so I was surprised to look it up on Amazon and see Margaret Wise Brown as the author. She is the author of many books we have loved over the years, including The Runaway Bunny and Goodnight Moon, so it is fun to find out that she wrote The Little Island as well.

This is the story of a tiny island, and the flowers, trees and birds who live there, as well as the fish, lobsters and seals who swim nearby. It is also the story of a little kitten who visits the Island, and discovers something about faith and about being part of a bigger whole.

This is not a religious book, but then very few of the books I share in Sunday School are overtly religious. Instead, this is a book about being part of the world around you, and the changing seasons, and what it is to be alive and joyful. I hope it can spark conversation about how each of us is part of the world, even in ways that we can't see.

As I won't be the actual teacher, I can't craft a lesson around this book, but since I usually read to the kids while they have a snack, I can certainly entice them to stay still long enough to share their thoughts. (If you haven't learned yet, feeding people is a good way to retain their attention, whether it is preschoolers, teenagers, business people in a meeting or a person on a date. Food is attention's friend.)

I like this book a lot, its gentleness and beauty, as well as the messages it gives. Some may find it old fashioned, with too little action for youngsters of today, but I think children enjoy what they see that we enjoy. I'll let you know how they respond, but I can easily encourage you to get this book regardless.

Find on Amazon.com
Find on Amazon.ca
Find on Amazon.co.uk

Update: The kids were very happy with The Little Island, as well as with their Teddy Grahams, pretzels and water. Henry liked the kitten best, but was upset he didn't swim down with the fish to see how the island was part of the world. In general, a successful sharing. By the way, I am holding of using A Wish and a Prayer until I can use it as part of a lesson.

Thanks for stopping by for Sunday Sharing.

Review: If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period

2011-03-31T12:34:00.000-04:00

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period, Harcourt Children's Books in Sep. 2007
Author: Gennifer Choldenko

A few weeks ago, I reviewed Ms. Choldenko's book, No Passengers Beyond This Point (my review). I had requested the book, but the author included another book along with that, If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period. She explained that this latter book might fit well with my goal of promoting diversity, multiculturalism and acceptance.

I planned to hold off and wait, but this is a uniquely compelling book. I have to admit, it took me a little longer to get into the story, which is told in alternating chapters by two 7th graders.

Kirsten is white and struggles with her weight, her parents who fight almost constantly, her little sister who needs her support but drives her crazy, and the other girls at the exclusive Mountain School who vacillate between friendship and cruelty.

Walk is black and is starting at Mountain School for the first time due to a scholarship, after attending a rough public school where he had good friends but few opportunities. His mother, Sylvia, is a single mother trying to cope and help Walk avoid the dangers she sees everywhere.

Kirsten and Walk don't have much in common besides being in 7th grade at Mountain School and being two of the best students in the class. Even that is starting to slip away for Kirsten when they are thrown together and Kirsten discovers a secret that shakes them both to the core.

This book has an intensely personal feel which will draw kids in. Both main characters are struggling to find a place and identity with school, friends and parents who alternate between helping them and hurting them. Adolescent hormones swirl around as an undercurrent, but the strongest currents are those of finding one's place. I appreciated greatly that the parents were fully developed and complex.

As I said, I had a little trouble getting into the book at first, skipping back and forth between these two loosely connected people, but both Kirsten and Walk became more and more compelling as the threads of the story drew them closer. I think middle grade students would be drawn in even more quickly due to the way that the characters of the two are drawn, making them easy to relate to for children going through this volatile age.

I would strongly recommend this for children in the target age range, 9-12. I would especially recommend it as a book to have available in classrooms and libraries where multiracial issues are likely to resonate.

Five Stars!

Find this book on BarnesAndNoble.com
Find this book on Amazon.com
Find this book on Amazon.ca
Find this book on Amazon.co.uk

Review: Amy Hodgepodge - All Mixed Up!

2011-03-22T19:51:00.000-04:00

Amy Hodgepodge - All Mixed Up!, Grosset & Dunlap, May 2008
Authors: Kim Wayans, Kevin Knotts
Illustrator: Soo Jeong

Amy Hodges is starting 4th grade, and is very nervous. She has always been homeschooled, but has asked her parents if she can go to a real school. After her first day, she is not sure whether she made a good decision. Some people aren't very nice, and Amy isn't sure whether she really fits in. When the mean girls say she looks weird, she worries that she won't ever fit in because she is a mix of Korean, Japanese, white and black.

Soon, Amy finds out that there are other people who are mixed up too, Cole and Lola have parents who are black and white, Pia has parents who are white and Chinese, and so forth. When Amy tells of her four origins, they nickname her Amy Hodgepodge, which she finds to be a wonderful way of embracing her heritage.

As the story goes along, Amy faces other fears, and discovers there are other ways that people can be different that are also hard to face. With courage and acceptance, she and her classmates find ways to accomplish their dreams.

While this description may make it sound like the issue of race is a big part of the story, it really isn't. One of the best things about this book is the way it tackles the issue of different backgrounds with subtlety, never letting it overshadow the real story of Amy finding out who she is and what she is capable of. I appreciate books that handle diversity and multiculturalism without being swamped by them.

I strongly recommend this book for parents with kids dealing with diversity, as well as for classrooms and libraries. I look forward to reading more books about Amy Hodgepodge. My only concern is that this is listed on Amazon and some other sites as intended for ages 9-12, but the language, writing style and characters are more appropriate for ages 7-9, especially second and third graders.

Four stars out of five.

Find on Textbooks.com (special price under $2 until April 20)
Find on Amazon.com (under $5)
Find on Amazon.ca
Find on Amazon.co.uk

Cupcake Giveaway Update

2011-03-22T06:50:00.000-04:00

Oh my gosh! My nephew from Thailand, Henry, was here doing college visits, and I completely forgot to do the drawing. I am so sorry. Somebody throw in a drum roll, please.

The signed paperback copy of It's Raining Cupcakes by Lisa Schroeder goes to...

Vivien!

Thank you to everybody for entering and for your patience with my absentmindedness. In the future, do not hesitate to nudge me if I appear to have fallen asleep.

2nd Crusader's Challenge - Norman Needs a Nudge

2011-03-21T14:39:00.001-04:00

For our second Crusader's Challenge, Rachael has posed the following task:

Write a flash fiction story (in any format) in 100 words or less, excluding the title. Begin the story with the words, "The goldfish bowl teetered" These four words will be included in the word count.

Here is my entry, and it is a children's story of a fantasy nature, so I guess it is in my genre:

Norman Needs a Nudge

The goldfish bowl teetered as Norman swam. He dashed against the side, willing the bowl to topple. It trembled, but would not fall.

Norman slowed, his gills fluttering in agony. He wasn't heavy enough. It was no use. His opportunity, in her frilly pink Princess Cathy dress, would dance away without him.

Then Norman caught sight of a shadow slinking along the wall. Seizing his chance, he swam up until he shot out of the water. As anticipated, Esmerelda swiped her paw through the air. She missed Norman but caught the rim, and the bowl hurtled over the side.

Freedom.

There you have it. I can't wait to go read the other selections.

Sunday Sharing - A Wish and a Prayer

2011-03-20T09:11:00.000-04:00

From now until June, I am teaching my preschool Sunday School class again, so I thought I'd do an occasional post called Sunday Sharing. In each post, I'll share a book with you that I plan to share with my class. After class, I'll update the post to talk about how the kids reacted to the book, sharing their reactions with you.

A Wish and a Prayer, published by 4RV Publishing in June 2010
Author: Beth Bence Reinke
Illustrator: Ginger Nielson

Some of you may remember that back in January, my very first review was of another book by Beth Bence Reinke, In My Bath, an absolute delight of a book. In A Wish and a Prayer, Beth Bence Reinke has again teamed up with Ginger Nielson, who provides lovely illustrations for this story of a young boy, Jason, whose pet parakeet, Sonny, escapes through an open window.

Over the next few days, Jason hopes and wishes that Sonny will return. His friend Scott says that wishes made at 11:11 will come true, and Jason tries that. Another friend, Tasha, suggests throwing pennies into a fountain and making a wish. In these and other ways, Jason wishes for his parakeet to return, but to no avail.

Finally, when his mother hears about all the wishing, she talks to Jason about wishing and praying, and asks who hears wishes and who hears prayers. That night, Jason prays to God, and the next morning, guess who is back?

As you might guess, this is a message book. Like most, the message can feel a little preachy, and is only appropriate if your religious beliefs match those of the message. On the other hand, the book is fairly open and nondenominational, so there will be few objections from any Christian denomination. My wife is Unitarian, and she might hesitate, but would probably read this to one of our children if they were of that age.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I like that Jason's friends are both black and white but that it is never mentioned, just visually understood. I like the age-appropriate way Jason thinks and reacts. There are also good uses of sound effects that I think my preschoolers will like when I read aloud. I'd recommend this book strongly, with the caveat that it wouldn't be appropriate for public schools or for families who do not believe in God, or who are not comfortable pushing their faith onto their children. I would give this four stars out of five.

Now, I need to get ready for church. Afterward, I'll share what my kids think.

Update: The best laid plans and all that. They haven't found another Sunday School teacher yet, and while I would have been happy to team teach with a parent, the Youth Minister wanted to make a point by canceling Sunday School for the week. So, no sharing except with you. Sorry.

Find on Barnes & Noble
Find on Amazon.com
Find on Amazon.ca Find on Amazon.co.uk

Review: It's Raining Cupcakes (signed copy to give away)

2011-03-15T23:06:00.000-04:00

It's Raining Cupcakes, published by Aladdin/Scholastic March 2010
Author: Lisa Schroeder

Isabel is twelve and lives in the small town of Willow, Oregon. In fact, she's never been anywhere but Oregon, though she longs to travel the world like her Aunt Christy, who is a flight attendant and sends Isabel postcards from all over. Meanwhile, her parents are more interested in turning an old laundromat into a cupcake store, which sounds pretty cool, but not as good as traveling.

When Isabel hears about a baking contest for kids where the finalists get to go to New York City, she sets her mind to creating the perfect recipe. Then her best friend, Sophie, who is practically perfect, also decides to enter the contest. Even worse, her mother thinks Isabel should enter a cupcake recipe because it would be good publicity for the shop, but Isabel isn't sure that's a good idea.

Though the pink, confectionery cover makes it appear as nothing more than a light, fluffy read, the book covers some interesting territory as Isabel's mother struggles with her own confidence and anxieties. Though it is somewhat unusual for a middle grade book to deal with both Isabel and her mother's search for the strength to follow their dreams, the messages are not heavy handed. As you might hope, things end happily, if not fully resolved. Isabel learns valuable lessons about her mother, her practically-perfect friend, and her own ability to think about other people's dreams as well as her own.

I would recommend this book for middle grade and young tween girls. Isabel and Sophie are great fun, and I wouldn't mind reading more about them in another book.

Four stars out of five.

I have a paperback copy of It's Raining Cupcakes, kindly signed and sent to me by the author. If you would like it, leave a comment and make sure you are following this blog. I'll choose a winner on Friday, so don't delay.

Find on BarnesAndNoble.com
Find on Amazon.com
Find on Amazon.ca
Find on Amazon.co.uk

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: No Passengers Beyond This Point

2011-03-14T08:46:00.000-04:00

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday again, my sixth week of this great idea started by Shannon Whitney Messenger. This week, I am pleased to talk about a book that I think may become a classic, No Passengers Beyond This Point by Geniifer Choldenko.

When I was quite young, probably second or third grade, I read The Phantom Tollbooth for the first time. Frankly, I was a bit creeped out, but the story was captivating, and I wound up reading it several more times during my childhood. Mind-twisting and scary, humorous but disturbing, the book spoke to me in some odd way.

That's the kind of book No Passengers Beyond This Point is. Crazy and scary and captivating, it is like a cross between The Phantom Tollbooth and Neil Gaiman's Coraline (the book, as I've never seen the movie).

No Passengers Beyond This Point, written by the talented Newbery Honor winner Gennifer Choldenko, is told in three voices, starting with Finn, the 12-year-old boy who worries excessively, and continuing on with India, his teenage sister, and then Mouse, his 6-year-old sister. One of the great strengths of the book is the voices of Finn and Mouse. India feels a bit less authentic, although she adds some comic relief in her obsessions. The three live together in a small house with their mother, having lost their father shortly before Mouse was born, but the story kicks off quickly with the house lost to foreclosure. Their mother is a teacher and can't afford to quit her job midyear, so they are sent to live with their uncle outside of Denver.

The craziness starts when their planes lands someplace that is only clear about where it is not (according to the signs, it is Not New York and Not San Francisco and Not many other places). Still, they are met by a driver, Charles, who is expecting them and has a sign with their name on it. One glimpse of the fantastical feathered taxi, and they know that something is very strange, but they can't find a way back as they are whisked along to a series of adventures, both wonderful and scary.

In classic fashion, the children realize they want nothing more than to go back home, but it takes all of their different strengths and weaknesses to stop the momentum of craziness. Even then, it is unclear whether they will run out of time before they find a way back.

There are friends and villains along the way, and some who may be one or the other, but the three siblings also discover each other. They are brought closer together by the adversities they face, even when they are separated by events.

As you can probably tell, this is not the easiest book to describe, and it may feel confusing at times if you don't let yourself go with the nuttiness, but I think it has a lot to offer middle grade children. Never preachy, it nonetheless strengthens messages of the importance of family as well as perseverance. I know that as a child, this is a book I would have returned to over and over.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday was started by Shannon Whitney Messenger. She, and others frequent MMGM posters are:

Shannon Whitney Messenger at Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Joanne Fritz at My Brain on Books
Shannon O'Donnell at Book Dreaming
Brooke Favero at somewhere in the middle
Myrna Foster at Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen at Write About Now
(Added) Kimberley Griffiths Little at Kimberley’s Wanderings

If you watch those blogs today, as well as Shannon's blog, you are likely to find other great middle grade book recommendations.

2011 Kiddo Award Winners

2011-03-11T11:40:00.000-05:00

James Patterson's ReadKiddoRead.com announced the first annual Kiddo Awards: books picked as the very best books of the year for getting kids absolutely addicted to reading.

In the first stage of the award selection, the ReadKiddoRead board, children's book reviewers, librarians, authors, and others picked a short-list of forty books which they felt met the criterion. Then, the public was given a chance to winnow that selection down to four, one for each age group. Their mandate:

What makes a book a Kiddo winner? These are the books that kids find unputdownable. These are kids' favorites, and keep them reading. The books that are guaranteed to make your kiddos readers for life.

Below are the winners. In a separate page, I'll list all winners and the runners-up (because once these kiddos have read the winner, they'll need more to read).

Picture Books

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
Author: Eric Litwin; illustrated by James Dean

Early Readers (ages 6 & up)

Henry Aaron's Dream
Author: Matt Tavares

Middle Grade (ages 8 & up)

Big Nate: In a Class by Himself
Author: Lincoln Peirce

Tweens & Teens (ages 10 & up)

The Heroes of Olympus, Book One: The Lost Hero
Author: Rick Riordan

Review: The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester

2011-03-09T15:40:00.000-05:00

The Girl Who Could Fly, published by Square Fish/Macmillan in Feb. 2011
Author: Victoria Forester

The Girl Who Could Fly is a good book, but it doesn't make me happy to say that. Some books only aim for good, and if they attain that, everyone is happy. I wanted to love this book, and it had the potential, but it fell short over and over. Lots of kids will read and like this book, but the words that kept running through my head were those of Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront:

I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it.

The back cover says, Piper McCloud lives with her very normal ma and pa on a very normal farm in normal Lowland County. But Piper isn't your normal girl. Piper isn't normal because she is able to float off the ground, and eventually to fly around whenever she is able to clear her mind and think only of the sky. The problem is, her parents don't want her to be different. They hide it as long as they can, but when people in the town discover her odd ability, there is a media uproar followed by the arrival of the aptly named Dr. Letitia Hellion.

Piper is taken away to a special school called I.N.S.A.N.E. (Institute of Normalcy, Stability, and NonExceptionality), where everyone else has special abilities, but nobody is allowed to use them. Her struggle to first accept her own ability, and then to free herself and the others from the evil Dr. Hellion, make for an exciting and fun plot.

I have trouble pinpointing any one spot where The Girl Who Could Fly goes off track, because there are a number of mistakes that a good editor should have caught. Piper's use of idioms could be a lot of fun, but it is overdone and distracting. There is a critical character introduced early on, mentioned again near the end, and then completely ignored, probably stripped out crudely to play a role in a sequel. The villain is given a human side, but at just the wrong time, and then dealt with too easily. The children are too gullible at first, and too easily convinced later.

Again, none of these make the book bad. It is a fun, light read. But it coulda been a contender. It could have been The Mysterious Benedict Society-good. With some very careful editing and rewriting, it might even have been From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler-good. It has that potential, but it falls short... far short.

I recommend this for readers who like a good, light read and have finished all the other good books they can find.

Three out of five stars.

Read more about this book on Amazon.com
Read more about this book on Amazon.co.uk
Read more about this book on Amazon.ca

Review: The Great Wall of Lucy Wu

2011-03-08T11:29:00.000-05:00

The Great Wall of Lucy Wu, published by Scholastic in Jan. 2011
Author: Wendy Wan-Long Shang

It is seldom that I read a book where the voice of the main character is so crystal clear and perfect that I completely forget there must be an author involved. Lucy is a short, Chinese girl who loves basketball. She looks forward to a perfect 6th grade year, finally out from under the shadow of her beautiful older sister who is off to college. Lucy has a room of her own for the first time, and looks forward to decorating it the way she wants.

But life has some surprises in store for Lucy. Her parents want her to go to Chinese school on Saturdays instead of playing basketball, and then announce that a great-aunt she didn't know she had will be sharing Lucy's room for four whole months. Lucy thinks that her perfect year is ruined.

This book is beautifully written, and draws you along with Lucy as she discovers that life may not be what you expect, but that doesn't mean it isn't good. While she deals with bullying and racism, they are not heavy handed, and the most important lessons Lucy learns are about herself.

It may well be that mostly girls discover The Great Wall of Lucy Wu, but I hope boys give it a chance as well. Like Harriet the Spy, a book the author cites as a childhood favorite, this is a book that any child facing the trials and triumphs of middle school would enjoy.

Five Stars!

Read more about this book on Amazon.com (on sale 32% off)
Read more about this book on Amazon.co.uk (on sale 9% off)
Read more about this book on Amazon.ca (on sale 28% off)

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday - Math Doesn't Suck

2011-03-06T23:30:00.000-05:00

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday again, my fifth week of this great idea started by Shannon Whitney Messenger. This week, I'm doing something a little different. While there are many, many wonderful fiction books for middle graders, there are also some very important and worthwhile, even marvelous, non-fiction books.

Danica McKellar is an actress (I will forever think of her as Winnie on The Wonder Years), but she is also a very smart lady. She has written a series of fabulous books about math. Now, I can hear a few of you cringing out there.

What's marvelous about math?

The answer is, there's a lot that is marvelous about math, but a lot of girls don't think so. (Some boys, too, but this post is for the girls.) In fact, a lot of girls are not only scared of math, they think that liking math is bad. Not cool. Not attractive to boys.

In Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail, Danica McKellar shows that you can be smart AND attractive. She doesn't just preach it, though. She actually makes math fun and appealing, and does it in a way that will speak to middle grade girls. She carefully and cleverly goes through each topic that middle grade girls need to learn, using examples and techniques spiced with girl concepts like pizza and shopping and crushes. Interspersed throughout are quotes and encouragement from real middle grade and older girls, and a few boys, about being smart and fabulous.

You see, there was a time when Danica McKellar was a young girl frightened of math. She once sat so paralyzed by a test that she wrote nothing down for the whole period. But somehow (and she explains how), she found her way to becoming a math major in college. And pretty and fabulous too.

Trust me on this. This book could make a huge difference in a young girl's life. Don't hesitate or think about or cringe at the idea of math. Math can be marvelous, but it's a lot more likely to feel that way to a special girl in your life if you buy her the book.

Buy 'Math Doesn't Suck' or the books for older girls on Amazon.com
Or on Amazon.co.uk
Or on Amazon.ca

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday was started by Shannon Whitney Messenger, but others have taken up the task in recent weeks, including:

Joanne Fritz at My Brain on Books
Shannon O'Donnell at Book Dreaming
Brooke Favero at somewhere in the middle
Myrna Foster at Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen at Write About Now

If you watch those blogs today, you are likely to find other great middle grade book recommendations.

Drumroll please - winners for MG book giveaway

2011-03-04T08:21:00.000-05:00

My first giveaway features two books I have recently reviewed. I used Virtual Dice on Writing.com to make the selections, as I didn't have a hat handy.

12-year-old Matt Lively is obsessed with trying to somehow stretch time to make summer last indefinitely. Convinced he is living the ideal time of life-in Missouri,1950, between the 7th and 8th grade-he longs to experience extraordinary adventures before he is forced to confront high school, and eventually, boring adulthood. Along with his best friends, Rob Linehart and Wally Carter, Matt begins the summer with pranks, problems and fun. A mysterious and ominous tramp, Thatcher, accosts Matt and Rob and tells them things he should have no way of knowing. As Thatcher captures the boys' attention, he invites them back in time to save a life or two and recover a treasure, but mostly to change history in a way that will preserve The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn for posterity. Join Matt, Rob and Wally on their time-traveling adventure of self-discovery.

Tom Sawyer and the Ghosts of Summer donated by Pill Hill Press

...and the winner is: Shannon O'Donnell

A brand new adventure starring The Grey Griffins! Max---the leader Natalia---the brains Ernie---the changeling Harley---the muscle A year ago, the Grey Griffins were just regular kids from Avalon, Minnesota. That was before they learned about the existence of evil fairies, werewolves, and other things that go bump in the night. Now they are monster-hunters, celebrated heroes, and allies to the legendary Templar knights---but even heroes have to go to school. When the Griffins enroll at Iron Bridge Academy, a school to train young recruits in the fight against the forces of evil, they find themselves at the center of a whole new adventure.

Review copy of The Clockwork Chronicles #1: The Brimstone Key sent by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

...and the winner is: Joanne Fritz

I will contact the winners today to arrange shipment. Thank you to everybody who entered. This was fun, so I'm sure I'll do it again soon.

Review: The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker

2011-03-03T12:06:00.000-05:00

The Liar Society, Sourcebooks Fire in March 2011
Authors: Lisa & Laura Roecker

With pink hair and way too many freckles, Kate might be mistaken for an ordinary, happy-go-lucky teenager, but there is nothing ordinary about her. Ordinary teenagers don't get emails from dead friends. Ordinary teenagers don't pit themselves against secret societies. Ordinary teenagers can make it through a tennis match without running off the court and chasing phantoms.
Kate is not ordinary, but she is a heck of a lot of fun, at least when she isn't struggling with the death of her best friend. Dr. Prozac thinks she needs to put it all behind her, but Kate doesn't think it's over. Not by a long shot.

The Liar Society is one of those unique books that fall through the cracks in the bookstore genres. Part mystery, part thriller, part romance, it lives a life of its own that will sweep readers in and carry them along for the ride. Kate is a real teen living in an unreal situation, and you find yourself cheering for her even when she does the most stupid things. (No, Kate, don't get in the car! No, Kate, don't go there alone!, No, Kate, no!)

For those who think in S.A.T. terms, Kate is to Nancy Drew as You are to Barbie. Complex, fun and willful, she loves her full-fat Mocha Frappes and can't decide between the ultra-geeky Seth who has adored her since birth and the edgy Liam who seems torn between her and her arch-nemesis. Decisions, decisions.

There will be some who feel like the ending is neither neatly solved nor cleanly happily-ever-after, but it is still satisfying. It feels real in a way that only a slightly paranoid teen book can. I, for one, look forward to more books by the Roecker sisters, and a chance to find out what Kate gets up to next. I strongly recommend The Liar Society for teens and young adults, as well as parents who want to join in the fun. (Parental note: There is some drinking and implied sexual activity)

Five Stars!

More about The Liar Society on Amazon.com
More about The Liar Society on Amazon.co.uk (not available yet)

WIP Before Wednesday - HC SVNT DRACONES

2011-03-01T11:24:00.000-05:00

Last week I was in Germany presenting on various technical topics, so my Writer's Crusade posts were all I could manage. Now, back in Shaker Heights, Ohio with the sun shining in the window and trying (unsuccessfully) to convince me it is warm out there, I am back to my WIP.

My wife is an excellent proof reader with a real eye for misused grammar, typos and repeated words, but I have never really let her (or begged her to) read my rough drafts before. She usually sees a story long after my writing partners have picked it apart. This time, I decided to ask her to read it in its rough form. Partly, I think I wanted her to know how much polishing goes into it before she usually sees it.

Given my wife's intelligence and sheer competence, it should not surprise me that she could immediately identify a structural issue with my troll story.

"You need a map," she said. "Oh, and a timeline."

I hemmed and hawed, but of course she is right. I have an entire adventure with only the haziest idea of location or time. I have virtually no sense of perspective, but even a rough map with woods over here and the river over there, Mount Dreadful in the distance and the all-important HC SVNT DRACONES labeled could only serve to make the progress of our fearless (when not trembling) trolls. (I can't tell you how happy it makes me that the HC SVNT DRACONES, Here be dragons, is really on my map.)

With two books of adventures written, I know some geographical issues that need to work for the second book even though they aren't important for the first. Unfortunately, I have forests where there need to be rocky plains, a stream where one couldn't be. In short, I have a mess.

If you are looking for me this bright, sunny and miserably cold Tuesday, you will probably find me holed up in my office, trying to figure out how to move a river or make it flow uphill. With any luck, I can tackle the time line later this afternoon.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday plus our first giveaway

2011-02-27T23:37:00.000-05:00

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday again, my fourth week of this great idea started by Shannon Whitney Messenger. I am back from Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and decided to focus on one of my favorite books from my childhood. For those interested in the giveaway, details are most of the way down this page.

When I was growing up, my whole family was obsessed with the Wizard of Oz books. Aside from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and a couple of the sequels, it was hard to find these books, mostly published between 1900 and 1920, but my parents searched and discovered many of them. Fortunately for kids today, many have been re-released in the past few years, so it much easier to track them down now than it was forty years ago.

After the first few books had made L. Frank Baum rich and famous, he became increasingly desperate to write something other than Oz books, but his fans were relentless. He compromised by writing outside-of-Oz books which dealt with the wonderful lands outside the Deadly Desert, but which were still filled with the wondrous, magical creatures and people that his young fans demanded.

In my opinion, the very best of these non-Oz Oz books was Rinkitink in OZ (click on image above or this name to find out more ordering choices). A delightful story of a young prince who sets out to rescue his parents with only the help of three magic pearls, a very fat visiting king and a quarrelsome goat, this story has stood the test of time wonderfully. The humor, the adventure and the excitement are as lively today as they were in 1916, and the language is surprisingly fresh and easy for modern children to follow. Those few words which are out of date today are easily understood in context, and the pace is faster than some of the OZ books, and thus more palatable for today's youth than some of the others.

Best of all, this is a book practically begging to be read aloud. It would be perfect for either a classroom or for parents who want to share the story with their children. This is a book not to be missed. Please note that my link above is to the hardcover only because it has the cover I knew as a child. The book is in the public domain, and can be had for free or very little on Kindle, or in low-priced mass paperback from Signet and others. And if you and your kids like this, there are many other Oz books as well. (Hint: After L. Frank Baum died, Ruth Plumly Thompson wrote a few Oz books that are equally excellent.)

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday was started by Shannon Whitney Messenger. I don't know yet whether she had a chance to post today, but a few others have taken up the task in recent weeks, including Joanne Fritz at My Brain on Books, Shannon O'Donnell at Book Dreaming, Brooke Favero at somewhere in the middle and Myrna Foster at Night Writer. Sherrie Petersen has an awesome MMGM post with an interview and giveaway bonus. If you watch those blogs today, as well as Shannon's blog, you are likely to find other great middle grade book recommendations.

For those who have patiently read all the way down to here, I am giving away two books that I have reviewed for My Comfy Chair.

To enter the giveaway, make sure you are a follower and post a comment letting me know which of the two books you would prefer. For this giveaway, I am going to request only U.S. or Canadian entries, as I don't know the cost of shipping overseas. If your profile doesn't list an email address, let me know how to contact you for a physical address if you win. Winners will be chosen on Friday, so you have until the end of the day Thursday to enter.

My review of Tom Sawyer and the Ghosts of Summer
My review of The Brimstone Key

Review: Wish by Alexandra Bullen

2011-02-27T09:58:00.000-05:00

Wish, published by Point/Scholastic in Jan. 2010
Author: Alexandra Bullen

I happened on this book almost accidentally, as Amazon had it available for free for Kindle as some sort of a promotion. I downloaded it, and promptly forgot it. I found it again while looking through my Kindle for something to read on my way home from Germany.

Olivia and Violet were twins, but very different. Where Olivia was quiet and studious, Violet was rebellious and exciting. This book starts a few months after Violet dies, with Olivia and her parents struggling to cope with her loss.

After they move across country to San Francisco, Olivia has even more trouble coping with her new school. Shy and withdrawn without her sister, she has trouble connecting with the teens in her new school, especially the ultra-cool ones. Her parents are no help. Her mother has thrown herself into her high-powered work, and her father putters about the house doing endless projects, but neither seems able to focus on Olivia.

A chance visit to a small and highly unusual shop leaves Olivia with an opportunity she cannot pass up. She has the chance to make three wishes come true, and there is no doubt in her mind what her first wish will be.

Unfortunately, there are three wishes, and the latter two are much harder. Therein lies the story, and it is a clever use of the classic three-wishes scenario. Should she wish for the handsome and cool Soren to notice her? Should she wish for something for someone else? Olivia learns a lot about herself and life as she tries to make those decisions without causing disaster.

I found the book charming and compelling, and there might have even been a tear in my eye at the end (but I'm an old softie). It isn't perfect. Some situations are resolved too easily, and I wish the author had developed the side characters more, but I would still strongly recommend this book to teens who like romance. (Parental note: there is some teenage drinking, although it is not celebrated, just realistic.)

Four stars out of five.

Find out more about 'Wish' on Amazon.com
Find out more about 'Wish' on Amazon.co.uk

Following 221 of 217 Crusader blogs

2011-02-25T22:52:00.000-05:00

Not sure whether the jet lag from my trip to Germany is getting to me or what, but I seem to be following more Crusader blogs than there really are. Too tired to figure it out, but I assume I am following them all (which is what the first challenge required).. G'night.

Review: The Brimstone Key (Grey Griffins - Clockwork Chronicles Book 1)

2011-02-25T07:29:00.000-05:00

The Brimstone Key, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, June 2010
Authors: Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis

As I have mentioned before, there are so many wonderful books for children that I don't bother to review books here that I can't recommend. That said, there are some I recommend enthusiastically, and some that I have more trouble with.

The Brimstone Key is the first book in a new middle-grade, steampunk-inspired series about the Grey Griffins, Max, Harley, Natalia and Ernie, with a bonus almost-Griffin, Brooke. These are no ordinary kids. Even in elementary school, they have faced monsters and werewolves and demons of one sort an another, and each has some extraordinary ability. Now, they are off to middle school at Iron Bridge Academy, a school with more than a passing resemblance to Hogwarts in the Harry Potter books.

At school, things go quickly wrong as changelings like Ernie start to disappear. The Griffins are embroiled in something big, bad and dangerous that seems connected to an adventure they had before getting to the school where they first saw a reference to the Clockwork King.

There are many creative ideas that show up in fits and starts throughout the book, but the inspirations seem to be video games and role-playing cards, as well as derivative ideas from other books, especially the Harry Potter books. The heroes are conveniently given powers or ideas or clues at the exact right moment, so what appear to be insurmountable obstacles are overcome much too easily. The pacing is also that of a video game with a whole series of dangerous situations that get resolved and lead to the next series of dangerous situations.

If the only competition this book had was far better books such as those I have been highlighting on Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays, I would not recommend it. In reality, the competition is also those same video games and role-playing cards. I used to cringe as my older son devoured Goosebumps books by the dozen, reading and re-reading them, but these sorts of books fill a need as well.

This isn't great literature, but it will appeal to many reluctant readers, and to those who have grown up with video games and television shows that also offer heart-stopping dilemmas that are resolved all too conveniently.

Three stars out of five.

Find the 'Grey Griffins: The Clockwork Chronicles #1: The Brimstone Key' on Amazon.com
Find the 'Grey Griffins: The Clockwork Chronicles #1: The Brimstone Key' on Amazon.co.uk

Crusader Challenge explained (spoilers)

2011-02-24T16:45:00.000-05:00

If you haven't read it, you should go to First Crusade Challenge - My Life in Code first, or this will just confuse you to pieces. I will break to down to the requirements:

1. The secret is that I know pi to 26 decimal places. I will leave it to you to figure out why I specifically memorized that many.
2. The lie is in the comment (in green) that I will go back and provide documentation in the code once the code works. Programmers often promise it, but virtually never do it.
3. My quirk is in the whole post, in that I really do tend to think in code (and sometimes have vivid dreams in code - nightmares with infinite loops on occasion).
4. My annoying habit is that if asked an opinion, I tend to go on and on.
5. One of my strongest character traits is a willingness to stretch the boundaries.
6. One of my very favorite things in the world is Pie, and another is math, but particularly Pi. Makes March 14 a real celebration in our household (if you don't know what I mean, think about the date).

And just in case I haven't sealed my identity as too geeky for words, I should point out that I added a couple of tricks into the code as well. For example, the test If Trim(filiguline) = slim_waterfowl fails in code, but is true in the reading.

This was a lot of fun, as were many of the challenges, but probably you learn the most about a person by how they approach the challenge, not the words they use.

First Crusader Challenge - My Life in Code

2011-02-22T17:28:00.000-05:00

As part of Rachel Harrie's Writer's Crusade, which I blogged about recently, we are occasionally issued challenges. I have been busy at my conference, but with only one (of three) presentations left to do, I thought I'd stop and give it a go.

The rules call for no more than 300 words in any format (emphasis mine) that include a secret, a lie, a quirk, an annoying habit, my best character trait, and my favorite thing. To make it more challenging, we must include the words bloviate, fuliguline, rabbit, and blade. What follows is my response in 162 words:

One of my strongest character traits is a willingness to stretch the boundaries, so I am going to take the in any format literally, and write my response in code. LotusScript actually.

I should caution the reader that there is a falsehood embedded in the code, a sad fact but a requirement of the challenge. Tomorrow, I will reveal what it is, but feel free to guess.

Even if you are not a programmer, take a look at the code. I think you will find it makes a weird sort of sense. I assure you, it not only compiles, but the output even makes sense. I will show the output tomorrow as well.

Review: Tall Story by Candy Gourlay

2011-02-22T13:51:00.000-05:00

Tall Story, published by David Fickling Books in May 2010 (in Feb. 2011 in U.S.)
Author: Candy Gourlay

I was intrigued by Tall Story as soon as I heard of it, because while I am not as tall as Bernardo in the story, I am taller than most (6' 6 1/2", or 2m for you metric folks). Additionally, I am very eager to find books that explore diversity and acceptance in various manifestations.

The story is shared between Andi, a 13 yeaar-old girl who lives in London, and Bernardo, her giant 16 year-old half-brother, who lives in the Philippines with his aunt until the government gives him permission to leave. This wait has dragged on for years. Andi and d Bernardo have pretty much given up hope that he will ever come to live with their mother and her new husband in London.

But just when Andi and Bernardo seem to have settled into their respective lives, Andi playing basketball with a passion and Bernardo learning to cope with his new height, things start happening very quickly. Soon, both are disrupted and stranded in new situations that force them to rethink their views of themselves and others.
This parallel storytelling, with chapters alternating between Andi and Bernardo in first person, is both powerful and a little confusing. While each chapter is clearly labeled, it is easy to forget and be perplexed for a half page about whose perspective you are in. On the other hand, this helps to reinforce the sense that the dislocations in Andi's life are as potent and real to her as Bernardo's are to him. Throughout it all, there is a magic realism that pervades Bernardo's old village, but seems to travel with him around the world.

A fascinating story with clear and appealing characters, I would strongly recommend to both boys and girls. A strong sports theme makes this especially interesting for sports-oriented kids, although most others would like it as well.

Four stars out of five.

Buy 'Tall Story' on Amazon.com
Buy 'Tall Story' on Amazon.co.uk

Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

2011-02-21T20:06:00.000-05:00

Anna and the French Kiss, published by Dutton/Penguin in Dec. 2010
Author: Stephanie Perkins

I'm not sure where I first heard of Anna and the French Kiss, but everything I have heard has been positive. Actually, positively glowing would be more like it. While I don't review many YA books for My Comfy Chair, my curiosity was piqued, so I picked up a copy.

At its base structural level, this is pretty standard YA romance fare with heartthrobs and heartbreak and misunderstandings. What raises this book so far above its genre is the sheer appeal of its characters, and the believability of their reactions to the people and situations they face.

Anna Oliphant is looking forward to her senior year of high school in Atlanta, but her newly famous father decides to send her to a boarding school in Paris. Rough life, but Anna isn't happy to leave behind her best friend and familiar life. What follows is a blend of humor and melodrama as Anna falls for the gorgeous Étienne St. Clair with his to-die-for English accent and his very steady girlfriend. He even seems to like her back, but throughout the tumultuous, emotional year, they can't seem to get on the same page.

As I said, standard fare, except that Stephanie Perkins has imbued these characters with all of the anguish, but little of the angst, of real teenagers coming of age and sorting through their feelings for parents, friends and love interests. Instead of rolling your eyes as the latest complication keeps Anna and Étienne apart, you find yourself cheering them on.

There is enough sexual tension that very young teens might be uncomfortable, but not enough that parents need worry. After all, what Anna longs for is indicated in the title. You'll have to read the book to see if she gets it.

I heartily recommend this for teenage girls who will love both the exotic Étienne and the city of Paris which provides a backdrop to the story, although not from a tourist point of view, but a teenager in a strange land point of view. I even think teenage boys might be interested, if only to get a glimpse of what the girls around them are really like. Of course, I couldn't blame any parents who picked this up and couldn't put it down again either. I was supposed to save it for a trip, and couldn't stop reading it.

Five Stars!

Buy this book on Amazon.com
Buy this book on Amazon.co.uk

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday - Swallows and Amazons

2011-02-21T14:40:00.000-05:00

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday again, my third week of this great idea started by Shannon Whitney Messenger. I almost didn't make it this week, as I am busy presenting at a technical conference (Lotus Notes Development) in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

My pick for this week is a little less obvious, as the Swallows and Amazons books were published back in the 1930s and 1940s, but they are a wonderful and timeless set of books. There is no magic or fantasy, except for the magic of the children's imaginations. In the first book, the Walker children, John, Susan, Titty and Roger, have a chance to spend a week at the edge of a lake. With a telegram of permission from Father and the full support of Mother, they take a sailboat and spend the week exploring and adventuring. Their sailboat is the Swallow, and thus they are the Swallows, but they soon meet to do battle with Nancy and Peggy Blackett, the Amazons, and their Uncle, whom they refer to as Captain Flint.

Dreamy and full of innocent imagination, these books may be a little slow paced for some middle graders raised on television and video games, but they are excellent for more quiet and reserved children who will see the excitement of real children making their own adventures. A child may need to look up some of the sailing terms, but most make sense in context.

I grew up on these books, available in Canada even while they were difficult to get in the United States, and it is exciting to see them re-released. Buy the first and share it with your child, and if he or she responds, there are twelve more available which all share the same charm and quiet sense of adventure.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday was started by Shannon Whitney Messenger, but it looks like she didn't have a chance to post today. A few others have taken up the task this week, including Joanne Fritz at My Brain on Books, Shannon O'Donnell at Book Dreaming, Brooke Favero at somewhere in the middle and Myrna Foster at Night Writer. Why not head on over to check out these great blogs and show a little love for the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday effort?

Buy the first book, Swallows and Amazons, from Amazon.com
Buy the first book, Swallows and Amazons, from Amazon.co.uk

Time to Read

2011-02-17T18:06:00.000-05:00

I'm off on a trip for business, and taking with my a varied set of books, displayed above. The first three are for My Comfy Chair review (and pleasure), while the last is for technical review (and napping).

This rare opportunity to actually have time to read is presented because I have a fifteen hour trip ahead of me. I'd better put it to good use. Now, how to choose? Even better, which would you choose? (That way, I can blame it on you.)

Update: I couldn't wait, and read Anna and the French Kiss before I took off. Review soon, but in the meantime, I got another book to take on my trip. More decisions...

WIP Before Wednesday - a new Tuesday feature

2011-02-15T07:54:00.000-05:00

While most of my writing here on My Comfy Chair is focused on the wonderful, amazing and fabulous books written by other authors, I decided to spend one day a week focusing on my own adventures in writing.

While I wrote stories as a young boy, I didn't really pick up writing again until 2008, when I joined the writing community at Writing.com. I started writing poetry and flash fiction, with occasional longer stories, and for almost two years, I was satisfied with writing within and for that community.

In October 2009, I heard about a private group within Writing.com called Let's Publish!, and decided to take the plunge. It was and is a great group of critique and support partners, focused on getting stories and poems published. With the helpful, and sometimes scathing, advice of that group, I started submitting poems, and then stories.

I admit it. I went wild. I submitted like crazy, and eventually got the hang of finding more prestigious places and places that paid and so forth. One full year of maniacal submissions, rejections and acceptances.

317 submissions. 222 rejections. 56 acceptances (25 poems and 31 stories). A note from Orson Scott Card's assistant that he loved my writing. A slew of contributor copies on my bookshelf.

In October, 2010, I stopped submitting cold turkey. I had already written a couple of novellas which were badly in need of rewrites (and still are), but I decided to focus on a middle grade troll novel that was nagging at me.

I started writing about Bernie, a forgetful and easily distracted 11 year-old troll, his friend Tish, and her Granny Mac. Once I started writing, I kept going and going, writing about their adventures with giants and dragons. When I finished one book, I hadn't written enough, so I wrote a second book about their adventures.

I am currently in revisions on that first book, which is shorthand for staring at 25,000 words and trying to figure out how to fully realize these characters I have in my head. I can visualize Bernie, but will the middle grade reader relate?

And so, to draw this rather long post to a close, that is where you find me in my adventure. With any luck, each Tuesday I will post a status update. Most will be much shorter than this, I imagine. Thank you for accompanying me on my journey.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday - Enchanted Forest Chronicles

2011-02-14T05:00:00.000-05:00

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday again, my second week of this great idea started by Shannon Whitney Messenger. This week, I wanted to suggest a truly wonderful and magical set of books, The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, by Patricia C. Wrede. This set of four books, and you definitely should buy them as a set, is a favorite in my household. All three of my kids, one girl and two boys, have loved the feisty, fearless heroine, Cimerone, who simply refuses to be a proper Princess.

There is something for everybody in these stories, from dragons who mostly want to be left alone to wizards who don't want to leave anybody alone. Woven into the stores is a web of magic which keeps the Enchanted Forest together, and only Cimerone can keep it together. Fortunately, she has help from the dashing (well not-so-much really) Mendenbar, and Kazul, King of the dragons, as well as the reclusive witch, Morwen, and her talkative cats.

These books are magically addictive and often laugh-out-loud funny. Make sure your kids keep them where you can read them too after they've gone to bed. Middle grade boys and girls will both love these adventures, and never think of wizards and dragons and princesses quite the same way again. Patricia Wrede has written many other books, often for slightly older children, but these are absolutely perfect for middle grade and tweens.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday was started by Shannon Whitney Messenger, so why not head on over to her Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe to see what she's featuring today. (I do hope she remembered, as she is a bit forgetful)

Buy the Enchanted Forest Chronicles on Amazon.com
Buy the Enchanted Forest Chronicles on Amazon.co.uk

Review: A True Princess by Diane Zahler

2011-02-12T13:32:00.000-05:00

A True Princess published by HarperCollins in Feb. 2011
Author: Diane Zahler

I love a good fairy tale, and have even had a few of my own published over at the wonderful Enchanted Conversation. Because I care so much about classical fairy tales, I always view modern reinterpretations of older fairy tales with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Still, the anticipation usually wins out, and I was excited to hear about A True Princess.

A review copy arrived from HarperCollins the day before yesterday, and I can honestly say I was entranced. The book looks even better in hand than it does online, what that wonderful read-me-now quality. Fortunately, this charming and exciting book by Diane Zahler lives up to its promise.

In fairy tale fashion, the story starts with 12-year-old Lilia overhearing her cruel stepmother threatening to send her to work for the away, but things change rapidly as Lilia takes matters into her own hands and runs away first. Like many of the best early fantasy stories, Lilia is a strong and independent girl, though not without her weaknesses. Girls of around this age will love her spirit and smarts, and boys will love the scenes with the Elf King and the dreadful Odin.

While the story uses the core of the Princess and the Pea, which makes certain parts a little predictable, there are different stories woven together, and the romantic entanglements are more complex than they appear at first, although all both satisfying and age-appropriate. Who will get the Prince? How will they vanquish the Elf King? Fortunately, the book is not too long, as kids are likely to beg to stay up and keep reading it.

I would recommend this strongly for girls, and for boys who like mythical adventures and fairy tales. It is aimed well at 9-12 year-olds, although I think it would have a lot of appeal for strong readers who are a little younger as well.

Four stars out of five.

Incidentally, Diane Zahler has written one other fairy tale retelling, The Thirteenth Princess, based loosely on "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," which I am now eager to read. Hers is a name to watch for the kind of exciting fairy tale fantasy which so excites young readers.

More about A True Princess on Amazon.com
More about A True Princess on Amazon.co.uk

Review: Manolito Four-Eyes by Elvira Lindo

2011-02-10T17:39:00.000-05:00

Manolito Four-Eyes published by Marshall Cavendish Children's Books Oct. 2010
Author: Elvira Lindo
Translated by: Joanne Moriarty

His name is Manolito García Moreno, but nobody in his neighborhood would know who that was. Everybody calls him Manolito Four-Eyes, because he has worn glasses since he was five years old. His explanation of his first name, Manolito, gives us our first taste of his unique voice and perspective:

I was named Manolito after my dad's truck, and the truck is named after my dad, whose name is Manolo. My dad was named after his dad, and so on back to the beginning of time. In other words, in case Stephen Spielberg wants to know, the first velociraptor was called Manolo, and that's the way it went right on up until today.

Manolito Four-Eyes lives in a part of Madrid called Carabanchel, and his life is filled with adventures and colorful friends and neighbors. His girlfriend, very briefly, is The One-and-Only Susana, and his best friend, Big Ears López, is also his arch-rival for her affections, until she ignores them both.

In Manolito's eyes, everything that happens is dramatic and earth-shaking. He charges through life getting into and out of trouble with reckless abandon. Besides Big Ears, his favorite companion is his grandfather, as they both seek to avoid getting in trouble with Manolito's mother, a fire breathing dragon of a woman, except when she is not. At one point Manolito says of her:

That's how my mom is-not even the Pope is capable of making her change plans. I'd like to see the Pope try to tell my mom to celebrate a birthday or not. My mom is the maximum authority on the planet; even extraterrestrials like Paquito Medina know that.

It is a funny, wild ride through Manolito's life, and kids will enjoy every minute of it. This is one of those books that the reluctant readers, boys or girls, will probably enjoy the most. Even though Manolito Four-Eyes is a crazy little kid in Madrid, kids will identify with his heart, his style, and his irrepressible nature.

My only problem with the book is that while the translator has done a marvelous job capturing Manolito's voice and style, there are times when expressions or descriptions don't the age group. I don't mean that the language is too complex, which is often a good thing, but that there are jarring turns of speech that don't sound like a kid at all. Nonetheless, I strongly recommend this book, especially for rambunctious or reluctant 4th and 5th graders.

Four out of five stars.

Read more about Manolito Four-Eyes on Amazon.com
Read more about Manolito Four-Eyes on Amazon.co.uk

A Writer On a Crusade (as Part of a Quest)

2011-02-07T14:35:00.000-05:00

In most of my posts thus far, I have focused on reviewing books for kids. That is what this blog is all about, and I hope that I can share my findings with the kids, parents, librarians and teachers who all share a common goal - finding a good book to curl up with on your comfy chair (or bed or beach or tree house or magic carpet).

But when I am not busy reading and reviewing great books, I have another passion. I won't talk about it as often, but I want to write my own books. I've published lots of stories and poetry, but I am actively working on a middle grade fantasy with trolls and giants and dragons.

Just as lots of cool books send the hero on a quest, I am on a quest to write and publish books for kids to enjoy. When I heard that Rachael Harrie was starting a Writer's Crusade, I decided that a crusade sounded like a great adventure on my quest, so I am joining today. If you want to know about the Second Writer's Platform-Building Crusade, you can read about it here. If you'd rather read about ghosts and magic, skip to my next post about the magical Eva Ibbotson for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday - Eva Ibbotson

2011-02-07T06:21:00.000-05:00

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday, started by the marvelous Shannon Whitney Messenger herself. This is my first time joining in, so I thought I'd talk about an author whom all three of my kids have loved. Eva Ibbotson is well known for her romance novels, aimed at both YA and adult audiences, but she also wrote several wonderful books for children 8-12. I have included five above.

Eva Ibbotson's stories are a mix of magic, humor and warmth, but there are also valuable lessons for children underlying the fun. In The Great Ghost Rescue, for example, Humphrey and his family are ghosts forced out of their ancestral manor, but when they go searching for a new place to haunt, they accidentally land in a boarding school. There, a boy named Rick discovers them, but instead of running in fear, he listens to their tales of woe, and sets off to ask the Prime Minister of England to set up a sanctuary for ghosts. Besides being a fun book, it is a great way to spark discussions about protecting our environment.

In almost all of these stories, there are both girls and boys who play a strong role. Perhaps because of that, the books work very well for readers of both genders. Silly, sly, warm and gentle, these are stories that are excellent for reading aloud.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is brought to you by Shannon Whitney Messenger, who started it. Head on over to Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe to see what she's featuring today. Also, she's been listing other participants in MMGM, so follow them as well and spread the joy of middle grade. So far:

Shannon Whitney Messenger writes about The Maze of Bones (39 Clues, No. 1).

Joanne Fritz writes about The Wonder of Charlie Anne, which sounds lovely.

Shannon O'Donnell writes about Wolf: The Journey Home

Brooke Favero writes about The Mysterious Benedict Society, which I blogged about recently as well.

Wonderful to see the idea of Marvelous Middle Grade Monday spreading!

Review: My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis

2011-02-04T13:53:00.000-05:00

My Princess Boy, published by Aladdin (Simon & Schuster) in Dec. 2010

Author: Cheryl Kilodavis
Illustrator: Suzanne DeSimone

My 24 year-old daughter suggested that I read My Princess Boy, as she had heard a lot about it, including some very divergent opinions of the rightness of letting a young boy dress in "girl clothes". While it is slightly scary taking on a controversial topic in a new review blog, my goal of emphasizing diversity and acceptance here at My Comfy Chair made this a must-read.

For those who have not heard of My Princess Boy, it is a non-fiction picture book about the author's four-year-old son who likes to dress in pretty dresses and pink and sparkles.

I received a review copy from Simon & Schuster, and dropped everything to see how this topic might be handled. I was nervous. What if I liked the way the story was handled, but didn't like the book itself? What if I objected to the tone, but thought the intent was good.

I needn't have worried. I read the book through, and liked it, but realized after I finished that I was still thinking too much about the reaction and not enough about the story. I started again, but this time soaking up the story and the flow and the illustrations. This time, I liked it even more. I read it to one of my cats, Pandora. My cats often have to sit in as listeners when I don't have a small child around.

This time, I fell in love with it. The message is one I have always believed, that there are plenty of people in the world who will judge your children and tell them what they can't do or be. As a parent, you have a chance to tell them that they can do or be anything, but especially themselves. Cherl Kilodavis freely acknowledges in interviews (which I watched after I finished the book) that she had her doubts and worries when her son started to dress in frilly dresses and dance around, but she overcame them. She realized that her son was who he was, and loved beautiful things. She stopped describing them as "girl things" and focuses on how they are "pretty things", and it makes all the difference.

To bolster this idea, Suzanne DeSimone took an unusual approach in leaving the faces without eyes or mouths or other features. While this may sound distancing, it makes the people us, without specific races or genders. I had a little trouble when I first opened the book, but I think it was a very creative way of making this a book about all of us and all our children. After a few pages, you don't see the approach, but simply the engaging characters.

I can't wait until it is my turn to teach Sunday school next, as I definitely want to share this with my pre-schoolers, many of whom dress up without much regard to "boy things" or "girl things". I think they will like the story, but I think their parents and older siblings need to hear it as well.

I heartily recommend this for children and families, for libraries and for classrooms.

Five Stars!

Find 'My Princess Boy' on Amazon.com
Find 'My Princess Boy' on Amazon.co.uk

Road Trip Wednesday - Groundhog Day

2011-02-02T17:28:00.000-05:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a "Blog Carnival," where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question and answer it on our own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

Road Trip Wednesday #65 - This Week's Topic:Happy Groundhog Day! If the groundhog sees his shadow, we get six more weeks of winter (and we're hoping he doesn't, since 2/3 of the US is covered in blizzard right now).

In the movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray has to relive the same day over and over. What books would you pick to read over and over for the rest of your life?

My answer: I love so many books, and especially YA and middle grade books, that it is hard to narrow them down, but I think I'd choose:
The Lord of the Rings
Swallows and Amazons
Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)
Which Witch?

Oh my gosh, I'd better stop or I'll be listing books all day.

Review: My Dad by Anthony Browne

2011-02-02T15:08:00.000-05:00

My Dad, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux in April 2001
Author/Illustrator: Anthony Browne

In this marvelous and warm picture book, a child tells about his dad with a touch of exaggeration, but tons of love. The illustrations show the dad, always dressed in pajamas and a bathrobe, wrestling with giants, walking a tightrope clothesline, and jumping over the moon, among other exciting feats.

Young children will love the pictures, but mostly will love to share this with their own amazing dads. Very little emphasis is made on the gender of the child, so this would be equally appreciated by boys and girls, ages 1-4. I strongly recommend this as a book for children and their dads to share.

Four out of five stars.

See more about My Dad on Amazon.com
See the board book version of My Dad on Amazon.co.uk

Review: Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look

2011-02-01T21:38:00.000-05:00

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters
Author: Lenore Look
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham

In Lenore Look's earlier book, Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things, she introduced second-grader, Alvin Ho. Scared of practically everything, but with an indomitable spirit that allows him to face his fears, Alvin takes on a whole new set of scary adventures when his father takes him camping.

As in the first book, Alvin can be a bit over-the-top, but young readers will laugh and relate to his wild overreactions. Each chapter brings a new set of mishaps, from buying night vision goggles with the emergency credit card to setting traps around his campsite. Alvin's father almost uses up his store of Shakespearean oaths as he tries to keep Alvin and his little sister, Anibelly, from ruining the camping trip. In the nick of time, Alvin meets a friend who proves that Alvin isn't the only one scared of the woods.

This book is well paced and appropriate for grades 2-4. I like the way Alvin's Chinese-American heritage is part of him, but not a focus of the story. He is just another kid, facing the sometimes-scary world with a never-ending set of good ideas that don't turn out quite the way he expects.

I strongly recommend this, as well as the earlier Alvin Ho story.

Four out of five stars.

See more about Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters on Amazon.com
See more about Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters on Amazon.co.uk

Review: There's Going to be a Baby by John Burningham

2011-01-30T21:33:00.000-05:00

There's Going to be a Baby, published by Candlewick in Sept. 2010
Author: John Burningham
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury

I was browsing for new books at our Shaker Heights library, and I couldn't believe I hadn't seen this book before. John Burningham has written many great books for children, including a favorite, Hey! Get Off Our Train. Helen Oxenbury is well known for writing and illustrating wonderful picture books and board books for the very young, especially her beloved Tom and Pippo books, for example, Tom and Pippo Go for a Walk.

A collaboration between these two seemed promising, but the true test is to read the book. The cover has a wonderful old-fashioned feel to it, and you simply can't help but fall into the illustrations inside. This is a book rich with illustrations, as a young boy imagines what the baby his mother tells him is coming will be like.

Part of what makes this book different than a number of other books about siblings is that it focuses so much on the imagined baby. The boy asks lots of questions of his mother about what the baby might do or become, but then his imagination takes over. There are pages with no words, but wonderfully warm and comic scenes where the baby cooks pancakes or plants a garden.

I can't recommend this book strongly enough. Small children will delight in it, and parents will be happy to read it again and again.

Five Stars!

See more about There's Going to Be a Baby on Amazon.com
See more about There's Going to Be a Baby on Amazon.co.uk

Review: The Dog in the Wood by Monika Schröder

2011-01-29T14:54:00.000-05:00

The Dog in the Wood, published by Front Street in Nov. 2009
Author: Monika Schröder

Suggested by a local children's librarian in Shaker Heights (yay, librarians!), this is a book written from a perspective that may seem unusual, even a little uncomfortable to some. Fritz is a ten-year-old boy living in Germany in April 1945 as the Russians move in. His story reminds us that ordinary Germans suffered greatly after the war, and that the aftermath of any conflict can be a scary, confusing time.

The Dog in the Wood is very well written, and will be fascinating to children who are interested in history and different cultures. Fritz should be easy to identify with for the 4-6th graders at whom this is aimed, but parents and teachers should be aware that it might be a good book to read in parallel. Some of the scenes are disturbing, although more because of the disturbing nature of the times than any desire on the author's part to upset. Still, people close to Fritz die, and others are taken away, and that is enough reason to be careful.

That said, the book is worth reading, and would be an excellent book for a 5th or 6th grade teacher to use in a class. I would recommend strongly, but with a degree of caution.

Four out of five stars.

See more about The Dog in the Wood on Amazon.com
See more about The Dog in the Wood on Amazon.co.uk

Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

2011-01-27T11:32:00.000-05:00

The Mysterious Benedict Society, published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Apr. 2007Author: Trenton Lee Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society was recommended to me by Jessica Morales (@JessLMorales), a friend of my daughter. When I got it from the library, I realized that I had seen it before, and it turns out my son read it a couple of years ago.Long story short, I loved this book. It is a wonderfully woven plot with lots of mysteries and clues, all layered on top of some serious issues that many authors would be afraid to tackle. It reminded me a little of From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, which I assure you is high praise indeed, but even more of a lesser known book by Ellen Raskin, The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel). These are all wonderful books that make kids think, but make the thinking a huge amount of fun.

In The Mysterious Benedict Society, four gifted children find themselves trying to stop a nefarious plot to control people's minds by the conniving Ledroptha Curtain. Fortunately, on their side they have the mysterious Mr. Benedict and his helpers. At every step, they are close to be caught and brainswept by Mr. Curtain and his helpers, the Executives, but the children manage to escape again and again using wits, luck and courage.

Mingled in with the plot are many little clues and mysterious and word plays that would also make this a great book to read again and again. Kids will feel smart as they catch on to the name of the island and other subtle jokes that are not necessary to follow the plot, but make the read endlessly fun.

This book is aimed at grades 5-9, but is entertaining enough to be enjoyed by readers of all ages. I heartily recommend this book.

Five Stars!

More about The Mysterious Benedict Society and sequels on Amazon.com
More about The Mysterious Benedict Society and sequels on Amazon.co.uk

Review: There's a Dragon in the Library by Dianne De Las Casas

2011-01-24T07:53:00.000-05:00

There's a Dragon in the Library, Pelican Publishing, coming out Jan. 29
Author: Dianne De Las Casas

I requested and was sent an electronic pre-release copy of There's a Dragon in the Library. I curled up in my comfy chair with my cat, Percy, and read him the book aloud. Since my youngest child is fifteen, and since I didn't have a print copy to take in to try out on my pre-school Sunday School class, Percy had to sit in.

Max is visiting the library when he see a very small dragon hatch out of an egg. He tells his mom, but she laughs and says he has a great imagination. The next week, he finds the dragon again, and it is bigger and hungrier. In fact, it is nibbling on the books. Max runs and tells his dad, who doesn't believe him either. Each week, Max finds a bigger, hungrier dragon who is eating more and more books. Nobody believes him, until the day they can't miss the dragon any more.

In general, I liked this book very much. Children, especially those 4 to 5 years old, will relate to the way the grownups don't always listen to them. Grownups will relate to the implicit messages woven into the story about caring for your books, and the list of ways for children to take care of their books which is added at the end. Everybody will enjoy the illustrations which bring the story to life.

I do have two small problems with this book, which prevent me from being completely enthusiastic. One is that the illustrations so completely fill the pages that there are a few spots where I missed the words. That can lead to confusion until you catch on. The second is that while I like the rhyming parts in a picture book, and like the way they sound when read aloud, it sounds a little awkward when Max keeps saying the same thing in language that feels a little unreal for his age. This may not be a problem since adults are likely to be reading, but it doesn't feel quite right to me.

Overall, I recommend this to parents, teachers and librarians for use with 4-6 year olds. The message is good, the story is fun, and book works well for either reading aloud or for a child paging through and looking at the illustrations.

Four stars out of five.

See more information about There's a Dragon in the Library on Amazon.com

Making History (A Little Less) Horrible

2011-01-23T12:29:00.000-05:00

Many kids find the subject of History a little intimidating, a lot boring and a whole lot incomprehensible. Years ago, while on a trip to London, my kids discovered a series that is slowly making its way to the United States - the Horrible Histories by Terry Deary (and others, including Martin Brown).

There are many books in the series, but I have pictured a few of the particularly good ones above. Each book is filled with horrible, gruesome stuff that will appeal to middle grade boys and girls, but they are also packed with history. My older son was never a huge fan of history, but he loved these books, and I will always remember the day he came back from taking the A.P. European History test laughing because there were a few questions he had known the answer to because he remembered them from the Horrible Histories he had read in middle school. And yes, he got a 5 (top score) on the Advanced Placement test.

Teachers, parents, librarians: take a look at these books, and make sure they are in your classroom or home or library. They may kindle a love of history which will serve your kids far into their later education, and they are great fun to read as well. (Yes, I've read a dozen or more.)

See more information about Horrible Histories on Amazon.com
See more information about Horrible Histories on Amazon.co.uk

Review: Crush du Jour by Micol Ostow

2011-01-21T10:16:00.000-05:00

Crush du Jour, published by Simon Pulse in October 2007
Author: Micol Ostow

Paranormal romance may be at a peak of popularity right now, but it is a relief to know that there are still good contemporary romance novels out there. Micol Ostow has captured a fun and flirty style with Crush du Jour, where the teen angst is played with a light hand, and the mix of romance and restaurants makes for a quick but delicious read.

Laine is an over-achiever, both in school and with a succession of flirtations that never develop into the real thing. In the summer before her senior year, she swears she will forego guys and concentrate on more important things, but her plans go quickly awry when she gets a job teaching cooking to a bunch of campers, and is teamed with the dreamy Seth. Her pledge to stay away from boys is sorely tested, but even more so when Seth offers her a job in his family restaurant, Hype.

Laine may excel in other areas, but she is a disaster as a waitress, and her slips and falls are all noted with glee by Callie, a gorgeous honey-haired waitress who has her own plans for the scrumptious Seth. It doesn't seem that things could get any worse, until Laine's mother, a noted food critic, writes a terrible review of Hype.

Laine's troubles and turmoils are all blended together with her love of food, and spiced up by the yummy guys who seem attracted to her despite her awkwardness. Her mixups and moods make this an entertaining, light read with plenty of laughs and heartache to spread around.

I would recommend this heartily for 11-15 year old girls, but also for anyone who likes a fun, light romance.

Five Stars!

Buy "Crush du Jour" from Amazon

Review Guidelines

2011-01-20T15:03:00.000-05:00

5 Stars - I enthusiastically recommend, and encourage you to buy a copy to keep.
4 Stars - I recommend with enthusiasm, but have a few small concerns.
3 Stars - I recommend this book for some readers, but not for everybody.
2 Stars - I can't recommend this book, but know some others may like it.
1 Star - I do not recommend this, and have serious objections to it.

I am committed to giving honest reviews, but you will find very few overly negative reviews here. If a book would receive fewer than three stars, I am likely to post a review on Amazon or Goodreads, but not here. My purpose at My Comfy Chair is to find and share books that you and your children will read and enjoy, so I only post reviews here for books I can recommend.

I review books for any age up to early young adult. See the links at the right hand of the site to help you find the appropriate topics, such as "picture books", "middle grade", "tweens", "teens" and "young adult". Obviously, the boundaries of these categorizations is fuzzy, and should not be seen as a restriction, but simply a guideline.

If you have a book you would like to submit for review, see the "guidelines link" and read the Submission Guidelines.

Notes on content:

Books for middle grade through teens may contain some scary situations and some romance, but nothing terribly graphic in terms of violence, swearing, drugs or sex.

This is an open and affirming book review site. I welcome books with characters of various religious, cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds. I will happily review books with married characters of the same gender, but will warn readers in case any adults are uncomfortable with such arrangements.

Submission Guidelines

2011-01-20T14:47:00.000-05:00

I am happy to review books for any age up to young adult, but aim mostly at younger readers. Picture books, chapter books, middle grade and early young adult are all fine, but the guiding principle is that these should be safe for parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians to buy, recommend or read aloud.

Books for middle grade and early young adult may contain some scary situations and some romance, but nothing terribly graphic in terms of violence, swearing, drugs or sex.

I am happy to receive review copies in electronic or print form, but I do not guarantee a review here. While I rate on a five star system, very few books will appear here that receive one or two stars. I may review those on Amazon or Goodreads or elsewhere, and probably will, but this site is for books I am comfortable recommending.

This is a multicultural, multiracial open and affirming book review site. I welcome books with characters of various religious backgrounds. I will happily review books with married characters of the same gender, but will warn readers in case any adults are uncomfortable with such arrangements.

Please send any submissions to BLanghinrichs (-at-) gmail (-dot-) com

Review: Tom Sawyer and the Ghosts of Summer by Tim Champlin

2011-01-20T08:35:00.000-05:00

Tom Sawyer and the Ghosts of Summer, published by Pill Hill Press in July 2010
Author: Tim Champlin

I bought Tom Sawyer and the Ghosts of Summer without knowing anything about the author. I stumbled on the book because it was displayed on the publisher's website and the blurb sounded interesting.

I want to be clear from the beginning, this is not a derivative work like the many which fill bookstore today. This is an original story written by someone who clearly loved the Mark Twain books growing up. Tom Sawyer and the Ghosts of Summer is a great, nostalgic adventure story the way they used to be written. The two main characters are boys in the 1950s having the kind of real adventures that boys do, exciting without having to be contrived. While there is time travel involved in part of the book, by the time you get to it, it almost feels like the rest of the boys' imaginative adventures.

This is the sort of book which made me want to start My Comfy Chair. From a small press, and not available in most libraries and bookstores, it is a wonderful book that deserves to be read.

I can easily see both kids and grownups enjoying this book. Heartily recommended for boys and girls aged 9-12. Buy it for your kids, but don't miss the chance to read it for yourself as well.

FIVE STARS!

Buy 'Tom Sawyer and the Ghosts of Summer' from Amazon

Review: The Interdimensional Dumpster by Ray Conner

2011-01-19T09:06:00.000-05:00

The Interdimensional Dumpster
Author: Ray Conner

Description: Have you ever wondered if you were meant for greater things than sitting on a couch playing video games? That's how 12 year old Willie Ford felt until that fateful day his parents told him how he was found in a dumpster 10 years ago. The Interdimensional Dumpster follows Willie and his friends as they unknowingly return to that same dumpster. They end up in a strange, yet familiar land and must help save it from an evil king.

Review:
A fun, fast read aimed at 9-12 year old boys who like adventures, heroes, video games and dragons. Will is a fairly ordinary boy who likes video games, especially Peril in Placidia, set in a world with kings and castles and dragons. But then comes the day his parents tell him how he came to be found in a dumpster, and quickly everything changes.

Before long, Will and his friends find themselves back in that dumpster, and through to a place that feels awfully familiar to the video game playing boy. Is he inside a game, or is something more mysterious going on?

The story moves quickly, and is sometimes rather obvious and convenient, but it looks like a good book for either reluctant readers who will see themselves in it, or young readers who simply need another good, light book.

I bought this for my Kindle after seeing a mention of it on Twitter. I recommend it, but suggest that girls or readers of either gender who are more discerning may like a somewhat similarly plotted, but better written, The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson.

Three stars out of five.

Order from Amazon

Review: In My Bath by Beth Bence Reinke

2011-01-18T22:28:00.000-05:00

In My Bath, published by 4RV Publishing LLC in May of 2010
Author: Beth Bence Reinke
Illustrator: Ginger Nielson

I had a surprise in the mailbox today. 4RV Publishing sent me a delightful picture book, In My Bath, about a boy taking a bath and the wonderful adventures he imagines. I settled back in my comfy chair, and was soon lost in the bright, imaginative illustrations. The boy in the bath, whose name we never learn, frolics and plays with his animal friends as he scrubs and floats and dives. Kids will laugh at the games he plays as he cleans himself and his bath toys.

This book will entrance and entertain 4-8 year olds, as well as their parents, although I do wonder who will clean up the mess after the belly flops and fun are over. Heartily recommended. 5 STARS

Welcome

2011-01-17T21:26:00.000-05:00

Thank you for stopping by My Comfy Chair. The place is a bit sparse now, but I soon hope to surround my chair with books and reviews, and perhaps a few stories and poems. My aim is to keep this family-friendly and child-safe, so while you visit and browse through my books and reviews, you will find nothing more scary than a dragon or giant.

I plan to start with some old favorites, although they may be new to you, but as time goes on, perhaps I'll get the chance to read some upcoming books and share my reviews so you know what to anticipate.

Pardon me while I settle into my comfy chair and read my first book. I think I'll start with The Interdimensional Dumpster by Ray Connor. See you soon!