Category Archives: Reviews

Jan28

Kids With Super Powers Rule

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Priscilla the Great by Sybil Nelson

What if you’re 12 years old with Super Powers? Which super power would you have? Pricilla Sumner doesn’t have a choice. She discovers the hard way that fire can shoot from her fingers. And the fun continues from there.

Priscilla the Great by Sybil Nelson is a book that combines a comic book heroine with a Spy Kids plot. Priscilla likes to hang out with her best friend, Tai, and talk about boys. But when she discovers a secret so intense it can fry her friends, literally, that’s when things get interesting.

Unlike some comic books, it seems more realistic. Ok, really. There’s a nice emotional connection that comes from the first person narrative of Priscilla. You feel you have the super powers with her. Suddenly, fire shooting from your fingers is a problem along with a possible first kiss with a boy.

Priscilla and her mother don’t get along well. Her mother is so busy with work, she seems to hardly know Priscilla exists. But as her powers grow, she realizes her mother is the key.

Noting clues, such as her father upset she appears on a local TV show and her mother gone for long periods of time, Priscilla starts to put together a bigger picture. Everything is revealed when she finds herself in mega trouble. And it will take trusting her mother, figuring how to use her powers, and relying on herself to save her family.

Though I’m not a big super hero fan, I enjoyed the realistic, narrative writing style. I started to get sucked in relating to the fact most teens try to wish they were something else. Along with the combination of teen and super hero problems, Nelson combines an adventurous plot.

Though I might have chosen different super powers, I found relating to Priscilla easy and fun. There are some older teen issues. Priscilla and her mother have a simliar talk about boys that most preteens should have. If you have a child that hasn’t had Family Life ed in school, you might want to look through to see if you want them to wait until they are a bit older. In the end, I was won over by the witty and super Priscilla. This an enjoyable first book to a super series.

Rated 4 Stars ****
Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords.

*Read the interview with Sybil Nelson.

Dec29

Caterpillars Don’t Check Email-A Cutting Edge Epicture Book

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Caterpillars Don't Check Email by Calee M. Lee

Looking for a way to charm the little one over and over? Take a look into this new Epicture Book. Caterpillars Don’t Check Email captures the imagination. It propels you into the world of a caterpillar and a little girl, and what a caterpillar really wants.

A little girl and caterpillar meet. What do they want? Definitely not email, coffee, or a carrot. This picture book leads you to the realm of possibilities, and leaves you with a message you’ll want to share on your Iphone again and again.

The illustrations are photos of the girl and caterpillar on their adventure. The photos capture some classic moments as she tries to please the caterpillar. Attempt after attempt fail. After much trial and error, the girl discovers the final truth of what a caterpillar really wants. You’ll discover the secret too if you read this lovable tale of fascination with nature.

**** 4 Star Rating
Available on Amazon.com

Dec20

An Otherworldly Adventure for the Young at Heart

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Otherworld Tales: Irish the Demon Slayer by C.T. Markee

You’re an average kid hanging out with your friends. Then, weird things start to happen. Boulders try to run you over. The trees start to talk to you. Then, you’re cornered by a lady that seems like a witch from a fairy tale. Could it be real?

Otherworld Tales: Irish the Demon Slayer by Charles Markee starts out like any other day. Riding bikes on trails near their houses, a group of boys race their BMX bikes. Pete, nicknamed Irish, hears a warning voice before a boulder comes out of nowhere and almost kills them. Thinking it was an earthquake, the boys head home until they run into a strange old woman. She talks of Celtic legends as if they are real.

But when Irish’s sister, Kathy, goes missing, the prophecy from the old woman seems to come true. Irish must face the demon Abaddon and find his sister. Journeying into the Otherworld, Irish and his friends, Streak and Huff, soon discover a hidden world with the Queen of the Sidhe. They must overcome obstacles, warriors, and learn from each other to save the world from a terrible demon.

This is a great adventure for anyone who loves Celtic lore. From Ogham sticks to the Tuatha de Danann, Markee twists in Irish poetry appearing on a helpful Ogham stick to meeting the legendary Celtic warrior, Cuchulain. The legends mix into an adventure story packed full of fighting, suspense, and cheering for the good guy.

I really enjoyed the Celtic references in this book. It really made it fun. I think some of the explanations might have slowed the pace, and some of the kid character’s dialogue needed more variety in the slang. But overall, it’s a fun read for those that like a great adventure.

**** 4 Star rating
Available as ebook or paperback on Amazon.com. Also available as an ebook on Smashwords.com.

*Read an interview with Charles Markee.

Oct30

A Book for the Wereperson at Heart

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Year of the Werecurse-Werewhat? by Debi Faulkner

October is the month for spooky, creepy fiction. If you like that plus a touch of some ole’ fashion normal kid problems, this book is for you. Imagine moving to a new town. Your family just inherited a mansion and for some reason, the villagers are afraid of you. Welcome to the world of Jack Henry, your average geeky 11 year old, that loves comic books and a glance at beautiful girls from afar. His only problem was waiting for the new copy of a thriller comic book in the Gargoyle Knight series. You know, simple preteen problems, until he came to Whereville.

Now, something strange is going on with his family. His new house can’t stay in the same pattern for long, making it a clear adventure just to go to the bathroom. But more unravels when the full moon arrives. Can he keep his family safe from their own were curse? Will the villagers ever treat him normal? Or is that impossible with a family that is clearly cursed with an unusual ability? You be the judge in this new take on what it is to be “Were”.

If you love the Goosebumps series or books like it, you’ll enjoy this interesting way of looking at werepeople. Werewolves tend to be the most written about wereanimal. But what if there were more types? Peacocks? Sea Turtles? Sloths? It does create a bit of a family problem, especially since the curse seems to be affecting his parent’s ability to judge what is safe versus unsafe. The main character, Jack Henry, seems to be the only one aware of the problem until he finally convinces his sister being a werepeacock is a bit different. Of course, one can infer it’s part of the curse.

This book kept my attention until the end. And I did enjoy the conflict of the Science teacher and town bullies out to get the poor, Jack Henry. Miserable underdogs appeal to me.

If you like a story to get you into the Halloween mood and that could take you through the next few weeks, this is a book to start now. As many good horror fiction tales, it goes through a good portion of the school year, making it a great read all year long. A definitely enjoyable children’s horror fiction that turns Jack Henry into a were-Harry Potter hero.

**** Four Star Rating

Available in Amazon.com and Smashwords.com ebook editions.

Oct16

A Haunting Tale For Halloween Reading

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Haunting at Heidelburgh Mansion by Tracy Marchini

October is the time to get into a Halloween mood. Haunting At Heidelburgh Mansion is a great short story that includes characters from the “Hot Ticket” children’s series by Tracy Marchini. Juliet is the odd ball at her school, bullied by the most popular kids. She manages to get through the sixth grade with her good friend, Lucy. Like most kids at this time of year, they are trying to figure what to do on Halloween.

Trick or treating is for little kids, and Juliet isn’t invited to the big Halloween party given by her nemesis Cindy Newsome. Only thing left to do is crash the party. After all, it plans to be the coolest party in town, given at a supposedly real haunted mansion. But when Juliet finds out that the ghost in the mansion is real, they have a most unusual request. And of course, it’s the only way to help rescue her friend, Lucy.

I think this short story is a great way to get into the Halloween spirit. If you want a good read that gives the feel of a Scooby-Doo mystery, this is a story for you. There is even a sneak peek of the first book in the “Hot Ticket” series at the end of the short story. For 99 cents, it’s a great ebook to begin getting into the Halloween mindset. It’s definitely a “Hot Ticket” read.

**** 4 Star Rating
Available at Smashwords.com and Amazon.com.

Link to the “Hot Ticket” series by Tracy Marchini on Amazon.com.

Sep30

Codename: Dancer is YA For Glee-sters

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Codename: Dancer by Amanda Brice

If you love “Glee” and “Dancing with the Stars”, this is a book you have got to try. Set at a performing arts boarding school, this is a mystery packed full with teens, dancing, and accidental mishaps.

Dani is starting her freshman year at her dream school. Little does she know that a film crew is there to shoot a new reality show. They need dancers to be paired up with teen celebrities. Waffling only slightly about trying out, Dani nails it.

Added to the cast, the mystery begins. Falling set pieces, fake bombs left in her bag, and a fire set to the dance studio start to point fingers at her as the suspect.
But luckily, Dani is surrounded by her fellow cast members that believe, with a little gumshoe thinking, they can solve the case.

I grew up as a theater geek. So any book with a performing school related background catches my interest. With a simple connect the dots plot line, it’s a straight forward mystery.
There wasn’t a huge amount of guess work on who done it. If you like real complicated, intense mysteries, this might not be for you. But overall, it delivered a good, basic suspenseful plot that delivered complete with twist ending. However, it is a bit simple minded on the who-done-it aspect. For a clean, fun read with teens obsessed with texting, cute teen stars, and dance, this is a definite read for you or the teen in your life. (less)

**** Four Star Rating
Available on Amazon.com and

Aug2

A New Take On Friendship

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The book, Jimmy Stone’s Ghost Town is a cross between the Wimpy Kid series and the TV series Ghost Hunters. Written by Scott Neumyer, this book takes the reader into a 10 year old boy’s world of childhood problems, an alcoholic dad, bully victim, and ghosts.

Jimmy has a lot of problems for a kid. His dad drinks, his mom is gone, and he’s getting bullied at his new school. But when a classmate decides to give him some pointers on how to save himself from the school bully, Jimmy’s life takes a turn for the better. But then, on an adventure together in the woods behind his house, Jimmy and his new friend, David, find a challenge that will test their friendship even further-ghosts.

This book starts out a bit slow, with a lot of background information telling why Jimmy is in the new town he dubs “Boredsylvania”. The story really starts in Chapter 7 where David saves him from the class bully gang in the boy’s bathroom. From there, things get a bit weird and interesting, like if the “Wimpy Kid” series involved ghosts. There is a lot of mystery to the secret world that Jimmy and David discover, but it really didn’t pull me in like some books do. However, the cliffhanger ending makes me wonder what will be in the set-up sequel. Plus, there was some mild swearing that might delight any upper grader, but should be acknowledged for parents.

Overall, this book is an exercise in friendship and boy bonding. I think the author’s voice is something a Tween boy could relate to. There is a good mystery plot to it since Jimmy has to save the fantasy world of “Ghost Town”. It’s worth a try on your list if you like some paranormal/fantasy fiction for your child’s bookshelf. Give the book a scan yourself before letting your 10 year old delve in to it.

*** Three Star Rating– Jimmy Stone’s Ghost Town is available as an ebook at Smashwords and the Kindle Bookstore.

Jul6

A Book With A Twist In Misfortune

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My Sparkling Misfortune Cover

My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond

Books often give you the perspective of the hero. What would it be like to hear from the villain’s point of view? In the book, My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond, the villain gets his say. Well, at least that’s what Lord Arkus calls himself at the beginning. In a twist of fate that makes this story so appealing, he is turned into a hero, in which he doesn’t really realize, not even at the end. This is the endearing quality to the tale that made this middle reader novel stand out among others.

Lord Arkus is a card holding villain. He’s established himself and attends the conventions. But when a turn of fate tosses him out of his castle and finds his army captured, he must take drastic action. Capturing a gormack, an evil spirit, to assist him will solve his problems and lead to the start of new plans. But by mistake, he captures a sparkling, a valiant and good spirit. Thus, begins the start of an adventure of a villain going down the wrong path towards righteousness.

I really enjoyed this new perspective into villainy. It kept my interest until the end, with twists and turns that are a great surprise as you watch Lord Arkus slowly turn into a hero. By the end, you are hoping for him to vanquish his former evil friends, the villains that take advantage of his new heroism. Though most of it seems to happen by chance, it is soon apparent that the sparkling, or good spirit, might have a hand in things. Overall, I think children will love this new take on good vs. evil, esp. since it’s such a good tongue and cheek adventure. Boys and girls will be cheering for Lord Arkus by the end, even if he doesn’t want it. This is a definite add onto any reading list.

5 stars rating: *****
Available in Paperback and Hardback Editions at Amazon.com. Ebook editions available as Kindle and Smashwords editions.

**For an interview with author Laura Lond on this blog site, please link here.
**Link to her second book’s review, My Royal Pain Quest.
To continue with your INDIEpendence Day Blog tour event, link back to the Indibles Writers Blog.

Jun14

Summer Reading For The Goblin In Your Life

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Goblin Brothers Adventures Vol 1 by Lindsay Buroker

Looking for good summer reading for your child? Here’s a great fantasy adventure with a twist, the main characters are goblins. Not your ordinary goblins; the kind you might think that smell bad and maybe eat cats. No. These are a book worm and science obsessed pair of goblins that will win you over. Enter the world of Goblin Brothers Adventures by Lindsay Buroker. Enjoy short stories of how two goblin brothers get into and out of all sorts of trouble.

From saving human children, surviving bullies, or even almost being turned into goblin slaves, these two brothers get into all sorts of problems. But there seems to be an underlining theme to all the stories, they stick together. No matter what problems they encounter, Malagach and Gortok never give up. Their interest in books and science are a charming balance of skills they use to solve their problems.

I would recommend this book for children that still enjoy a good fantasy read, but may have trouble focusing on a full chapter book. The short story adventures can be read aloud and enjoyed one at a time. This is especially wonderful for kids that have trouble reading. Your child will enjoy this as a start to their summer reading adventure.

**** 4 Star Rating
Available as a Kindle and Smashwords editions.
An interview with the author, Lindsay Buroker, is available in the Interviews Section of this blog.

For more information on Lindsay Buroker, visit her website at: http://www.lindsayburoker.com.

Mar14

YA Realistic Fiction That Asks, “Would I Do That?”

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Snow Burn by Joel Arnold


Review for Snow Burn by Joel Arnold

What if you save someone’s life? What if you knew they were a criminal? Would you do it? This is the main focus of the book Snowburn, a YA suspense novel, that kept me turning the pages until I found the answer. With about 30,000 words in length, it’s a quick read for teen or adult. With the added bonus of page turning suspense, it’s a realistic fiction treat for the mind.

Two teenage boys, Vince and Tommy are unlikely friends. Vince, the football jock and Tommy, the band geek, find a common interest in drums and horror films that begins an unusual friendship. But Vince loves to walk the edge. He convinces Tommy to camp in the snow, building an igloo and digging in from an unexpected blizzard. The groan heard nearby turns out to be a man caught in the blizzard as well. Vince and Tommy save him only to find the life changing decision puts them at risk as well.

I enjoyed this YA for the suspenseful situation that the author creates. It’s a predictable event, but executed in a way that drives the reader to the solution. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I usually don’t enjoy realistic fiction, but found this story propelled me forward to it’s climax. There was a bit of a let down in the ending, again predictable. But it did seem necessary to the theme of the book. Teenagers that enjoy realistic fiction and survival stories should enjoy this one. I think even adults will find this a quick, but interesting read.

Rated 4 Stars-Available on Smashwords in several ebook formats.