Tag Archives: children’s book review

Oct28

Charming Picture Book For Trick-o-Treaters

Posted on by
Standard

A Ghost Went Trick or Treating by A. J. Cosmo

There is nothing better than a good story to set the mood for Halloween. A picture ebook called “A Ghost Went Trick or Treating” is a charming story about the lessons learned on Halloween Night. If you are looking for a nonviolent, friendly and safe story for Halloween, this is a great book for your little Trick or Treater.

A mysterious ghost Trick or Treater is adopted into a group of children. Figuring he needs some help, they take him around with them. But when one of them gets into trouble, bullied by the local teens, the ghost comes to the rescue. Plus, there is a surprise twist to the plot. I’m not including spoilers. But if your child likes cute monsters, they will enjoy the surprise.

This is a great story to begin Halloween week. It can be read again and again as a lead up to the big event on the 31st. I highly recommend this for younger Trick or Treaters, but for older siblings as well. The author, A.J. Cosmo, teaches compassion in situations where sometimes, just a nice gesture can be returned in kind.

***** 5 Star Rating
Available on the Kindle only.
This is a Kindle Select book and only available on Amazon.
For your copy of “A Ghost Went Trick Or Treating” click here.

Aug2

A New Take On Friendship

Posted on by
Standard

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

Posted on by
Standard

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

Posted on by
Standard

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.