Seasoned Readers Late Summer Nights

Sosuke Natsukawa

9780063095731

Publisher's Synopsis:

The Cat Who Saved Books is a heart-warming story about finding courage, caring for others – and the tremendous power of books.

Grandpa used to say it all the time: 'Books have tremendous power'. But what is that power really?

Natsuki Books was a tiny second-hand bookshop on the edge of town. Inside, towering shelves reached the ceiling, and everyone was crammed full of wonderful books. Rintaro Natsuki loved this space that his grandfather had created. He spent many happy hours there, reading whatever he liked. It was the perfect refuge for a boy who tended to be something of a recluse.

After the death of his grandfather, Rintaro is devastated and alone. It seems he will have to close the shop. Then, a talking tabby cat called Tiger appears and asks Rintaro for help. The cat needs a book lover to join him on a mission. This odd couple will go on three magical adventures to save books from people who have imprisoned, mistreated, and betrayed them. Finally, there is one last rescue that Rintaro must attempt alone . . .

Sosuke Natsukawa's international bestseller, translated from Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai, is a story for those for whom books are so much more than words on paper.

"Books have tremendous power."

MrsK's Review: Reality/Sci-Fi Fantasy

Meet Rintaro a high school student whose grandfather has just passed. I don't know if you have experienced the death of the one person whose life touched you in such a way that your entire world seems out of focus once they are gone, yet, Rintaro is about to experience a very real "altered reality" in his grandfather's "seasoned secondhand" book shop.

Meet Akiba, a concerned high school student. Since Rintaro will be moving, she begins stopping by the bookshop in hopes that Rintaro will return to school before he leaves.

Meet Tiger the Tabby, an unusual tabby cat with a "to-the-point" attitude. It seems that the cat is in need of Rintaro's help. Do not assume you know what the cat might need... just understand that the cat is quite outspoken, sometimes there, sometimes mysteriously missing, and very determined to drag Rintaro into other dwellings in which valuable books of knowledge are being mistreated.

Will Rintaro step up to the challenge, a challenge that will rescue books from disappearing... or will he remain locked away in his sorrow and just leave his grandfather's bookshop behind? Could Rintaro get stuck forever in a labyrinth? What might you say to someone who reads 100 books a month? Is it realistic to "abridge" a book so that everyone can experience great literature as quickly as listening to a song? But of course..."Logic and reason are never the best weapons in an irrational world."

Amazing insights, wondrously crafted, a page-turner of a different kind...

Enjoy, MrsK

"... books become imbued with a tremendous power, whether it be good or evil.

And when the soul of such a book becomes distorted..."

Meet the Author:

  Born in Osaka, Japan. “Books can't live your life for you. The reader who forgets to walk on his own two feet is like an old encyclopedia, his head stuffed with out-of-date information. Unless someone else opens it up, it's nothing but a useless antique.”

Sosuke Natsukawa is a doctor in Nagano, Japan. His first book Kamisama No Karute (God's Medical Records) won the Shogakukan Fiction Prize and received 2nd Place at the Japan Bookseller Awards. It sold over 1.5 million copies and was adapted into a film in Japan.

 Louise Heal Kawai  Japanese translator. I most wanted to convey the visuals that are so important in the original. My goal was to have the reader caught up in the quests as if they were there themselves. Whirling paper, booming music, and falling books, the visuals were essential to capture. (I hope I was successful.)

Another important aspect of the novel is the author’s thoughts on books and reading. Rintaro, the cat, and particularly Rintaro’s grandfather all express ideas on the topic of reading which I guessed (correctly) would be quoted in numerous reviews. The original Japanese was beautifully stated so I had to be sure that I translated these phrases in a way that would appeal to the English language reader, hopefully sticking in their mind. I tried to take extra care with the wording. Again, I hope I was successful.

Lemony Snicket

ISBN: 9781324090625

Publisher's Synopsis:

For more than twenty years, Lemony Snicket has led millions of young readers through a mysterious world of bewildering questions and unfortunate events. With this latest book—a love letter to readers young and old about the vagaries of real life—longtime fans and new readers alike will experience Snicket’s distinctive voice in a new way.

This true story—as true as Lemony Snicket himself—begins with a puzzling note under his door: You had poison for breakfast. Following a winding trail of clues to solve the mystery of his own demise, Snicket takes us on a thought-provoking tour of his predilections: the proper way to prepare an egg, a perplexing idea called “tzimtzum,” the sublime pleasure of swimming in open water, and much else.

"This morning I had poison for breakfast."

MrsK's Review: Mystery

Lemony Snicket tells us... right up front... "that everything that happens in this book is true..." Well, I don't know about you, but for me, that's an intriguing hook!

Have you ever written things down in your mind or on slips of paper? Once you enter the later seasons of life... let me tell you... I can relate to writing all things down. The trouble is sometimes those slips that are meant "to be" reminders get shuffled into a void of no return. As for Mr. Lemony Snicket, who has just eaten his breakfast and the realization that he, in fact, does not have much time before the poison will finish his life.

While you ponder what the first thing you would be doing, consider Mr. Snicket's choice of retracing his steps from yesterday's outing. A day spent purchasing all of the ingredients that he had just eaten.

Seriously, who wouldn't want to retrace what was purchased that might have had poison in it?

This in fact... an incomparable read... a treasured moment in time... a mystery that has elusive threads that unravel... and a moment-by-moment sense of intriguing discoveries... 

Enjoy, MrsK

Meet the Author:

Lemony Snicket had an unusual education and a perplexing youth and now endures a despondent adulthood. His previous published works include the thirteen volumes in A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Composer is Dead, and 13 Words. His new series is All The Wrong Questions.

Marta Perry

ISBN: 9780425232361

Publisher's Synopsis:

It has been almost a year since the Amish community of Pleasant Valley lost Ezra Brand to a tragic accident. Since then, his wife Rachel has struggled to raise their three children and run their dairy farm...

Rachel's friends and family have come forward to help. But all of their constant advice, however well-intentioned, puts undue pressure on Rachel. And when Ezra's best friend, Gideon Zook, asks her permission to build the greenhouse that Ezra had always promised her, she finds his presence too painful a reminder of the past.

As spring turns to summer, and Rachel puts her heart into growing the plants that have always brought her joy, can she discover the courage to embrace new beginnings?

"It wouldn't do to let her young ones suspect that their mamm had been crying."

MrsK's Review: Romance

Rachel has one desire, to remain on the land that her husband wanted to farm. So much has changed since his accident. Now it seems her family and the Amish community support her moving back home with her parents. But, is that really the best for her and their children? What about the dreams Ezra and her had shared? Why couldn't she remain on the farm and sell her beautiful plants at the market? Are there other possibilities that would keep her on their farm?

Gideon had been Ezra's childhood friend. Gideon had been the one who was with Ezra when the fatal accident occurred. Even though he was the carpenter who built their windmill, why would he want to be the one to build the present Ezra had planned for her? Would Rachel even let him be on Ezra's farm after what he wasn't able to stop? What isn't boding well... is the persistent pressure Isaac was putting on Rachel to sell the farm to him. Even if Isaac is her brother-in-law, what could Ezra do?

When an Amish novel finds its way into your home... the beautifully inspiring "wholeness" of family life, community, and hope becomes an inspiration that lifts the darkness of your own troubles while it promises moments of comforting page-turning...

MrsK

"Forgiveness is only right..."

"We forgive as God forgives us. But God is God. We are not so gut at it as He is."

Meet the Author:

Marta Perry is a Pennsylvania-based author of over 35 novels, many of them inspirational romances. She uses her rural Pennsylvania life and her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage in writing her books, especially in her Pleasant Valley Amish series for Berkley Books and her new Amish-set suspense series for HQN Books.

Marta and her husband live in a centuries-old farmhouse in a quiet central Pennsylvania valley. They have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren, and when she's not busy writing her next book, she's usually trying to keep up with her gardening, baking for church events, or visiting those beautiful grandkids. 

  

Spring into a Egg-citing New Title: K-12

Bountiful New Explorations

Rachel Piercey

ISBN: 9781419751585

Publisher's Synopsis:

My woodland’s full of animals,

of every different kind.

So shall we stay here for a while

and see what we can find?

Experience the everyday wonder of nature in this first book of poetry, exploring a magical woodland year. With poems by acclaimed writer Rachel Piercey, join Bear on his journey from spring to winter with lots of friends to meet, places to explore, and things to spot along the way.

MrsK's Review: Seek & Find Read Aloud

If you go down to the woods today... you might find... playful critters; flowers and trees; changing seasons; and of course delightfully woven poems. This is a wonderful experience for the entire family or for an early morning "Look & Find" discovery. 

*Homeschooling parents, there are so many avenues for your learners at any age. Animal research projects, creative writing pieces, extended outdoor "walk-abouts," as well as sketching to label journaling experiences. Nature explorations is a must "beyond the covers" activity,

MrsK

Meet the Author:

 Rachel Piercey is a London-based poet, editor and tutor who also writes for children. She studied English Literature at St Hugh’s College, Oxford, where she was President of the Oxford University Poetry Society and won the Newdigate Prize in 2008. She also has an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway.

MrsK's Spring Walk-About Resources:

        

Jessica Khoury

ISBN: 9781338652390

Publisher's Synopsis:

In the Clandoms, everyone is born with wings, with tight-knit communities formed around bird types: Jay, Falcon, Crow.

Ellie Meadows dreams of growing up to join the Goldwings -- the famed knights who defend all the people of the Clandoms. It was a Goldwing, after all, who saved her life on that terrible day her parents were killed. There’s just one problem: Ellie is a Sparrow, and the Goldwings are almost invariably picked from the higher clans like Eagles and Ospreys. This rigid hierarchy means that Ellie is destined to become a farmer.

Determined to honor her parents' memories and prove herself worthy of the Goldwings, Ellie sets out on her own for the capital. But her journey will be dangerous. Foul creatures called gargoyles lurk behind every cloud, ready to slay anyone unlucky enough to be caught outside in a storm -- just as Ellie's family was.

Soon her path intertwines with a colorful band of fellow outcasts, each with their own aspirations... and their own secrets. Ellie's new friends offer not just roadside companionship. They'll challenge her ideas of right, wrong, and what truly makes a hero.

"Was it just the lightning that had woken him?

Or had some inner sense detected danger?"

MrsK's Review: Grades 3+ Fantasy

Nox is an outcast in the Forest of Bluebriar. He and his fellow outcasts have a mission, one in which they will be compensated for theft, as well as the one true quest that Nox must see through to completion.

Ellie is a sparrow who has spent all of her flying moments preparing to join the knighted Goldwings. Becoming a Goldwing has never been an accomplished feat for the Sparrow clan, yet, Ellie is determined to win the yearly competition. She knows that her calling is to defend all life from the dreaded gargoyles behind the clouds. What begins as the first leg of the competition, becomes an "off-coursed" journey with Nox and his group of outcasts.

Fantasy is a wonderous adventure, especially when it is woven with self-discoveries... Delightfully detailed characters... Foes that you don't want to be foes... and an honored quest that is as old as time.

Once you enter the covers of Clandoms, you will be experiencing an adventure that will lead you to the sequel.

Such a delightful tale of adventure... a must-read to share experience for all fantasy or Robin Hood fans. A perfect read-aloud for a family storytime!

MrsK

Meet the Author:

   Jessica Khoury wrote her first book at age 4, a fan fic sequel to Syd Hoff's Danny and the Dinosaur, which she scribbled on notebook paper, stapled together, and placed on the bookshelf of her preschool classroom. Since that day, she's dreamed of being an author.
When not writing, Jess enjoys spending time with family, playing video games, and oil and watercolor painting. She is also a professional mapmaker and spends far too much time scribbling tiny trees and mountains for fictional worlds. Jess currently lives in Greenville, South Carolina. She is the author of the Corpus trilogy, The Forbidden Wish, Last of Her Name, and The Mystwick School of Musicraft.

Jason Fry

ISBN: 9780062230201

Publisher's Synopsis:

Treasure Island meets Battlestar Galactical in book one of the swashbuckling sci-fi adventure series SLJ called space opera in the classic style in a starred review, from New York Times bestselling author Jason Fry.

The relationship between Tycho Hashoone, his twin sister, Yana, and their older brother, Carlo, isn't your average sibling rivalry. They might be crew members together aboard the Shadow Comet, but only one of them can be the next ship captain. So when the Hashoones find themselves in the midst of a dangerous conspiracy--one that will pit them against space pirates, Earth diplomats, and even treachery from within the family--each sibling is desperate to prove his or her worth. The only trouble is, if they don't work together, none of them may make it out alive.

Perfect for fans of fantasy adventures like Ranger's Apprentice and such space-age epics as Star Wars, The Jupiter Pirates: Hunt for the Hydra is a wholly original saga about a galaxy on the brink of war and one unforgettable family caught in the crossfire.

"Outside the viewports, lays deep space, 

filled with stars like spilled jewels."

MrsK's Review: Grades 4-6 Science Fiction

Welcome to the intergalactic world of the Jupiter Pirates. Where various space cultures are having disputes that might lead to a galactic war.

Meet the Hashoones, for generations, their spacecraft, Shadow Comet, has been known as an entrepreneur business among many. Whether they are considered space pirates or space privateers, their goal is to be guardians of the cargo for the sake of their homeland. Enemies of their Grandfather want them destroyed. Enemies of their Father and Mother wanted them to abide by the galactical rulings (codes). The newest generation, well this saga is all about their training, learning, and deciphering what their mission might be. 

Tyco has been in training as the Comet's newest navigator. With a few of those intercepts, he has learned that it's not just the cargo... before boarding, it's all about answering the ultimate question, "What is the ship's allegiance?"

Carlo is the older brother, at sixteen he is the ship's piloting controller. His training is exceptional, trustworthy, and crucial when preparing to board other spacecraft.

Yana is Tyco's twin sister. her training has been in monitoring the ship's sensors and engineering systems. 

Their allegiance is with the Jovian Union and its struggle with Earth. Yet, sometimes when the threat of war begins, allegiances might need renegotiation.

Enjoy this quick-pacing galactical series where the "moons of the outer solar system have formed the Jovian Union against Earth's government...

MrsK

"Laws don't come floatin' out of deep space...

they look like the folks what made 'em."

  

Meet the Author:

In addition to Jupiter Pirates, I've written or co-written more than 30 novels and short stories set in the Star Wars galaxy, including The Essential Atlas, The Essential Guide to Warfare, The Weapon of a Jedi, and the Servants of the Empire quartet.

I spent more than 12 years at The Wall Street Journal Online, where I wrote or co-wrote the Real-Time and Daily Fix columns. My non-fiction work has appeared on ESPN.com, Yahoo! Sports, Poynter.org, Deadspin, and Baseball Prospectus. I blog about the New York Mets at Faith and Fear in Flushing and live in Brooklyn with my wife and son.

 

Coyote Peterson

ISBN: 9780316452403

Publisher's Synopsis:

Wildlife expert and YouTube phenomenon, Coyote Peterson, is back with the sequel to the bestselling Brave Adventures: Wild Animals in a Wild World. Once again, Coyote and his crew voyage to new environments and encounter an even more eclectic ensemble of the planets' animals. From a slimy octopus to elusive tree climbing lizards to nomadic wolverines--this book promises to be another fast-paced, wild experience. Coyote will take readers for a hike through a snake infested island, kayak the ocean to discover a migrating pod of killer whales, and track a pride of lions across the South African savanna! You don't want to miss these never-before-told brave adventures, guaranteed to be a hit with Coyote's 13 million fans as well as animal lovers around the world! Includes over one hundred hand-drawn, black-and-white illustrations throughout.

 MrsK's Review: Grades 6-8 Animal NF/Reality Fiction

Have you ever gazed up at the clouds to locate imaginary animals? Have you ever wanted to know more about a real lion, panda, whale or lizard? Have you heard of famous wildlife explorers like Jacques Cousteau, Steve Irwin, or Jane Goodall? Even if you can't answer yes to these "I Wonders," this is a must experience book!

Meet Coyote Peterson, a wildlife explorer for all ages. As a young boy he had amazing "back yard" adventures that lead to hours of discovery at the library and with Zoo books. Today, he is bringing his wildlife adventures into your hand with thrilling animal quests. Some of the animals are ones he has "longed" to meet, some are newly discovered, all are uniquely created in environments around the world.

Journey with Coyote to Snake Island, tide pools, and Orcas Island. Jump upon the back of a dangerous Caiman reptile. Dive into the Great Barrier Reef for a moment with a Eastern Pacific green sea turtle. Head "outback" in search of the King of the Savannas. Or head to Alaska to meet the phantom of the wilderness, the fearless wolverine.

Grab your explorer journal, a pencil... for when you enter the covers of this book you will want to note the animal facts... sketch your own version of the animal... and maybe begin your discoveries of the amazing animals beyond your own backyard.

MrsK

https://www.youtube.com/@BraveWilderness/videos

Meet the Author:

Since early childhood, animals have played a significant role in Coyote Peterson’s life. As he passed through high school and into college, Coyote discovered his second passion in his love for film and television. While a student at The Ohio State University, he studied video production, writing, and directing. His deep admiration for wildlife and video production inspired him to combine the two mediums.

Today, Coyote is proud to be an Emmy Award-winning host on YouTube’s “Brave Wilderness” channel. With an adventurous nature and a joyful curiosity for wildlife, Coyote’s personality creates a friendly and inviting space while getting up close with animals to uncover the true stories behind some of our planet’s most misunderstood creatures. Known for his trademark leather cowboy hat, backpack, and bandanna, many of our youngest fans are driven to emulate him as he educates viewers about the world of animals and fosters a future that conserves environments and their species. Forever dedicated to the joys of storytelling, Coyote is constantly honing his craft to ensure audiences of all ages can partake in his animal adventures. Coyote’s vision for the future of the Brave Wilderness brand is vast. Whether he is diving into the water to catch a giant turtle or putting himself up against the sting of a bullet ant, he aspires to educate and entertain above all else!

Emily Inouye Huey

ISBN:  9781338789942

Publisher's Synopsis:

Sam Sakamoto doesn't have space in her life for dreams. With the recent death of her mother, Sam's focus is the farm, which her family will lose if they can't make one last payment. There's no time for her secret and unrealistic hope of becoming a photographer, no matter how skilled she's become. But Sam doesn't know that an even bigger threat looms on the horizon.

On December 7, 1941, Japanese airplanes attack the US naval base at Pearl Harbor. Fury towards Japanese Americans ignites across the country. In Sam's community in Washington State, the attack gives those who already harbor prejudice an excuse to hate.

As Sam's family wrestles with intensifying discrimination and even violence, Sam forges a new and unexpected friendship with her neighbor Hiro Tanaka. When he offers Sam a way to resume her photography, she realizes she can document the bigotry around her -- if she’s willing to take the risk. When the United States announces that those of Japanese descent will be forced into "relocation camps," Sam knows she must act or lose her voice forever. She engages in one last battle to leave with her identity -- and her family -- intact.

MrsK's Review: Grades: YA Historical Fiction

Sam is facing the goodness of being an American. She is gifted with the talent of "seeing" the world through the lens of a camera. Yet as a young Japanese American, the crucial day of December 7, 1941, will stretch Sam's world into a life that wasn't of her making. When all she has been raised to value as an American becomes fear, hate, and ugly, Sam will be torn from her truth... We are Americans.

This book is excellently woven with the horrendous truth of what fear does to neighbors, friends, and communities, as well as how the power of "humanity" can "shine" through the ugliness of fearful deceptions. Educating through history is the "key" to raising up the next generation. Empathy is the hope of understanding. Yet, in today's society, the truth gets derailed and lost. Read and discuss the weaknesses of humankind, as well as the strengths of those who stand for individuals that are being "irrationally" persecuted.

MrsK

Meet the Author:

 
Emily writes historical fiction for children and teens. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University and is a former teacher. During World War II, Emily’s family was evacuated from their homes and farms in California and Washington State. Her grandparents, Charles and Bessie, met and married in Wyoming’s Heart Mountain Internment Camp. Her father was born in the camp hospital. When the war ended, the family was sent to Utah, where they started over and where Emily still lives, now with her husband, Robert, and their four children. Besides books, Emily’s passions include education, the arts, the outdoors, and her family.

IL's New Year Book Discoveries

 New Year book picks...

Hours inside leads to great discoveries...

Explore these titles...

Grab a quilt and a cup of hot cocoa!

 Family Story Time:

Steven Kellogg

Publisher's Synopsis:

Pinkerton's natural canine urge to chew on things while teething coincides with a chaotic visit to the museum's collection of dinosaur bones.

MrsK's Review:

There is no better author/illustrator than Steven Kellogg! Pinkerton is one of the classic "chaotic" pups of enjoyment. In this sweetness of fun, Pinkerton is teething, and as a great Dane bones are essential. While Emily is preparing for her class trip to the Natural Museum of History, she reads to Pinkerton about dinosaurs. Her teacher has invited the class to dress-up in dinosaur costumes for their "Dinosaur Day" of exploration. Thinking that she could take Pinkerton with her, she hides his identity in a dinosaur costume. What, oh what, would a teething pup do in a museum of dinosaur bones?

With delightful word choice, chaos revealing illustrations, and humorous giggles... Pinkerton will take your heart and fill it with joy!

You can not go wrong with a Steven Kellogg read aloud!

MrsK

Meet the Author:

Steven Kellogg is an author and illustrator who has contributed over 90 books for children. He is best known for writing books about animals, for which he credits his grandmother.

Grades 2-3

Poppy Green

Publisher's Synopsis:

Winter has finally arrived in Silverlake Forest and Sophie and her friends are having some snowy fun! While playing one day, they accidentally wake a hedgehog named Pippa who has been hibernating all winter. Though Pippa is a little foggy at first, Sophie, Hattie, and Owen show her all the fun things to do in wintertime. There’s ice skating on the pond, sledding down snowy hills, snow-animals to build, and so much more! The only problem is now that Pippa’s awake, will she ever be able to get back to sleep?

"Is that what I think it is?"

MrsK's Review:

One morning when Sophie wakes up... her excitement brings her to the window. Snow! A snow day for Silverlake Elementary, is there anything better than that? Nope!

Sophie and her forest friends will have many delightful moments in their "glistening winter wonderland." Why not build a snow wall for a snow fight? Or maybe learning to skate backwards on the pond for the first time is a grand act of balance. Going sledding can lead to new friends, especially if they are ones who hibernate. There's always room for a mystery... especially when it's locating something special that is lost during all of the fun.

Sometimes you discover a delightful story, one in which the illustrations are too adorable not to browse. This is a fun-filled childhood story line with an adorably "spunky" main character. This is a series that brings to life characters that will not be forgotten.

MrsK

Meet the Author:

Poppy Green can talk to animals! Unfortunately, they never talk back to her. So she started writing in order to imagine what they might say and do when humans aren’t watching. Poppy lives on the edge of the woods in Connecticut, where her backyard is often a playground for all kinds of wildlife: birds, rabbits, squirrels, voles, skunks, deer, and the occasional wild turkey.

Tracey West

Publisher's Synopsis:

In the ninth book, a Dragon Master named Mina arrives at the castle. She tells Drake and his friends that her kingdom in the Far North Lands was attacked by a magical Ice Giant. Everything there was frozen -- but Mina escaped! Only a fire dragon can unfreeze her land and defeat the terrible Ice Giant. But Rori and Vulcan are no longer at the castle! Can the Dragon Masters find them in time to help their new friend?

MrsK's Review:

Danger... quests... and dragons! Adventure has once again arrived at the Kingdom of Bracken. When Mina, a dragon master, arrives from the Far North Lands... you learn about the fabled Ice Giant. Mina's quest is to find the one dragon that will keep her kingdom from being frozen forever!

Fantasies have an amazing way of unlocking or fears of "inabilities," and bringing forth our inner strengths. This series is a must for every beginner reader who enjoys a quest into a fantastical kingdom!

MrsK

Meet the Author:

Tracey West is the bestselling author of more than 200 children's books. She is currently working on the Dragon Masters series, which is part of the Scholastic Branches line. Her past series include Pixie Tricks, Scream Shop, and Hiro's Quest.
She currently lives in New York's Hudson Valley with her husband, Bill, and their three dogs, one cat, and five chickens. She is a proud stepmom to Will, Shannon, and Zane.

Grades 4-6

Jason Pamment

Publisher's Synopsis:

Iris knows this because she’s read them all. However, as a thirteen-year-old stuck in the tiny town of Bugden, real adventure seems like a distant dream. But when Iris and her best friend, Sam, stumble upon an unusually dry river on the outskirts of town, they’re led to a discovery beyond anything Iris has ever read about: a hidden city and a forgotten tale of friendship.

MrsK's Review: GN

Iris is an avid reader of adventure stories. With an adventurous spirit of curiosity, and a suddenly exposed "tiny" town for exploration, Iris and Sam begin their journey into the "un-inhabited" tiny town. Where is everyone? How long has this "tiny" town been in existence? How long will they have to investigate this grand adventure?

Just when they think they have all the time they could dream of... ominous clouds begin rolling in. Iris does not want to give up her discovering. Sam is getting more concerned about the storm. When they discover the truth about this "tiny" town... will it be too late for them to escape the rising waters?

Graphic novels are a delight for readers of every age, this novel is so well crafted. There are dangers portrayed in the illustrations. The storyline moves with "cliff-hanging" choices. The characters are so realistically portrayed... you forget you are the reader and not in the story!

Enjoy this grand, yet "tiny" adventure,

MrsK  

Meet the Author:

  For the past decade or so he’s been designing award winning animated short films, commercials, music videos, TV shows and video games. His strengths are in conceptualizing the look and feel of a production, designing environments and illustrating background artwork. He strives to make artwork that is broadly appealing and immersive, featuring bold colors, fun shapes and evocative lighting.

Trudi Truett

Publisher's Synopsis:

Cruz leaves his tranquil home in Hawaii to join 23 talented kids from around the globe to train at the Explorer Academy with the world's leading scientists to become the next generation of great explorers. But for Cruz, there's more at stake. No sooner has he arrived at the Academy than he discovers that his family has a mysterious past with the organization that could jeopardize his future. In the midst of codebreaking and cool classes, new friends and augmented reality expeditions, Cruz must tackle the biggest question of all: Who is out to get him, and why?

"To Discover. To Innovate. To Protect."

MrsK's Review:

Cruz has been chosen to train at the world's prestigious Explorer Academy. Hawaii's surf is much more safe than the expectations of those who believe he has what it takes to become the next generation of famous explorers. What would he do if he failed everyone's expectations?

Lani is his best friend, she will never let him down. Yet, now he will be 4,882 miles away from her friendship and insights. Even though she should have been chosen, Cruz believes that Lani would have been the better choice.

Aunt Marisol continues to teach anthropology at the academy, Cruz's mom had been a neuroscientist until a horrible lab accident took her life. Was he accepted because of the "ties" to the academy? After his mother's death, his dad moved back to Hawaii and opened a surf shop. Their life was ordered. The waves were safe. His friends were on the island. He surfed, hiked, and rock climbed... what will his life be like at an academy?

Cruz will learn that coincidences are not without reason. It will take a character of potential, the ability to perform tasks without endangering life, and an attitude of endurance. Living and competing with international students can be a strengthening experience... then again... it could lead to expulsion!

"Come visit me in Mexico where giant crystals grace.

Trek to frigid Iceland where I roam from place to place.

Look for me in France where old art is on display.

Seek me in New Zealand; let the insects light your way." 

National Geographic has a winner in this Explorer Academy series. Trudi's crafting of a story with scientific wonder will inspire new readers to want to know more. Having this book in your home library will be an outstanding source for research. Just as home encyclopedia's provided hours of discovery for my generation... this series will encourage the same sense of exploration!

MrsK

Meet the Author:

Ever since writing her first play in the fourth grade, Trudi fell in love with storytelling. As a TV reporter, she got to tell other people's stories. Now, she tells her own!

Trudi writes the EXPLORER ACADEMY series, National Geographic's first fiction series for kids. Her other fiction titles include MY TOP SECRET DARES & DON'TS, THE SISTER SOLUTION, STEALING POPULAR, and THE SECRETS OF A LAB RAT series (all from Aladdin). She's also the author of more than 90 nonfiction children's books.

Trudi's married to her college sweetheart, Bill, and lives to serve her cats, Pippin, Woody, and Emmylou. When she isn't reading, she's wrestling yarn from the kitty gallery to crochet or baking bread. And yes, Trudi Trueit IS her real name.

Inspired Reading for Grades 4+

 

Getting ready for Summer...

One of the greatest expectations of summer has always been the moments in which I could begin checking out books at our local library for my lazy summer adventures. Back in the day, we would visit the library during Memorial Day weekend and have the delightful opportunity to browse book shelves for our "out of school" summer kick-off. There was no reading incentives, nor any summer reading logs. It was a time of simplistic "joy" to leave the library with a stack of books that promised "grand" adventures!

So... for your reading enjoyment... here are a few book explorations...

Grades 4-6

Dragonspell by Donita K Paul

Once a slave, Kale is given the unexpected opportunity to become a servant to Paladin. Yet this young girl has much to learn about the difference between slavery and service.

A Desperate Search Begins…

A small band of Paladin’s servants rescue Kale from danger but turn her from her destination: The Hall, where she was to be trained. Feeling afraid and unprepared, Kale embarks on a perilous quest to find the meech dragon egg stolen by the foul Wizard Risto. First, she and her comrades must find Wizard Fenworth. But their journey is threatened when a key member of the party is captured, leaving the remaining companions to find Fenworth, attempt an impossible rescue, and recover the egg whose true value they have not begun to suspect…

MrsK's Review:

Can you imagine entering through a narrow passage... danger is everywhere... your breathing is shallow and quick... the urge to turn back is screaming within your mind? Then all thoughts of escape flee the moment you enter the cavern! Dragon eggs! Eight to be exact... Only one "thrums" to her, enchantment beckons Kale. 

This is such a "charming" dragon tale. The plot entices you to step into Kale's adventure. The dragon's are cunning, dangerous, unpredictable... and yet... protective if you have been called. The settings, well, how would you run away from cliffs with crashing waves, damp caverns, and forests with the unknown?

Join Kale on this quest...

MrsK                                                                     

Pages and Co. The Book Wanderers by Anna James

Eleven year-old Tilly has lived above her grandparents' bookshop ever since her mother disappeared shortly after she was born. Like the rest of her family, Tilly loves nothing more than to escape into the pages of her favorite stories.

One day Tilly realizes that classic children's characters are appearing in the shop through the magic of `book wandering' - crossing over from the page into real life.

With the help of Anne of Green Gables and Alice in Wonderland. Tilly is determined to solve the mystery of what happened to her mother all those years ago, so she bravely steps into the unknown, unsure of what adventure lies ahead and what dangers she may face.

MrsK's Review:

From the beginning hook, your adventure with Matilda (Tilly) as she "pushes open" the door to her grandparents book store will bring delight to your day. Be ware that this book (series) will cause some discomfort if you have to do anything else during the day! 

Tilly is a curious reader. There is always so much to experience from a great story. Revisiting her favorites never ceases to bring her many hours of explorations. Reading isn't just a past time, in fact Tilly can loose herself within the covers of a book as if she had been written into the story. In fact, while she is reading her mother's favorite story... that is exactly what happens!

Tilly's teacher has encouraged her students to reconnect with their favorite characters over the break. As well as, read a book that they have never read before. At first that seems impossible given the reality of living at her grandparent's book store. Yet, there must be a book somewhere with in all of the nooks and crannies that would "call" to her. What Tilly never expects is meeting a girl with red braids sitting in her favorite reading corner. Plus, she discovers a mysterious box of books that had been her mother's when she was young. From that point on... well let's just say that Tilly will never be far from an adventure, unraveling a mystery, or being unnerved by an evil character.  

Is there any fantasy better than some of the classics? If you have not experienced a book in which you are lead into an adventure with other book characters... this is the one to begin your summer explorations!

MrsK                                                                      

 New Kid by Jerry Craft

Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade.

As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?

MrsK's Review:

Middle School... a time when nothing seems "normal," fair, or safe. Jordan is an artist, actually a cartoonist who works out his thoughts and feelings with his creative designs. Have you ever felt like you were in a free fall without a parachute? That's exactly how Jordan feels... every day. This year, Jordan is being sent to a private school. A school across town. A school that will stretch his ability to remain comfortable with all that he has known. What were his parents thinking?

Life isn't always safe. Life isn't a promise that one never has to change. Life isn't meant to remain the same. Seasons come and go. Life is a series of choices, acceptance, discoveries, and understanding. How do you fit in? What do you say when others want to force you to accept their ways? How do you view adult actions when it "feels" so wrong? Is it right to think someone is a bully without knowing their story? Middle school life... how do you survive?

Sometimes there is a good read that brings a surprise... the type of a self-discovery that causes a reader to "rethink" what it would be like. This graphic novel is that type of read. The beginning of a school year is always filled with excitement, doubt, and that forever feeling of self-awareness. This is a story that every reader has experienced, especially going into middle school. This is a graphic novel with so much personality it's bound to be a story that is passed along to friends!

MrsK                                                                    

 

Grades 8+

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Kirsten Raymonde will never forget the night Arthur Leander, the famous Hollywood actor, had a heart attack on stage during a production of King Lear. That was the night when a devastating flu pandemic arrived in the city, and within weeks, civilization as we know it came to an end.

Twenty years later, Kirsten moves between the settlements of the altered world with a small troupe of actors and musicians. They call themselves The Traveling Symphony, and they have dedicated themselves to keeping the remnants of art and humanity alive. But when they arrive in St. Deborah by the Water, they encounter a violent prophet who will threaten the tiny band’s existence. And as the story takes off, moving back and forth in time, and vividly depicting life before and after the pandemic, the strange twist of fate that connects them all will be revealed.

MrsK's Review:

Kirsten must find a way to survive. There is no one that will make her path easier, nor was there anyone who could prepare her for what the world would become. One moment she is on stage, in a play with a famous actor... and the next she's forgotten amidst adults who are rushing head on into chaos.

Violence... how do you live in a culture in which no one feels safe, life is forever in a survival mode, and there is no place to call home? Having a heart to do something good is a favorable choice, yet how Kirsten deals with a past connection brings her full circle with that one moment in time that changed her world.

There was no way of knowing that this book would be published and placed into my reading pile prior to Covid 19. As we experienced our altered reality, Kirsten's character settled the panic of those days. Strength in a wisdom about who you are and what you value is something that we should never give away...

This is a journey of loneliness, angst with strangers, hope in our humanity, and wisdom in knowing that we all have a desire to make small moments valuable.

MrsK  

                                                                   

                     

 

I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall    

Before

Jess hadn’t seen her survivalist, off-the-grid dad in over a decade. But after a car crash killed her mother and left her injured, she was forced to move to his cabin in the remote Canadian wilderness. Just as Jess was beginning to get to know him, a secret from his past paid them a visit, leaving her father dead and Jess stranded.

After
With only her father’s dog for company, Jess must forage and hunt for food, build shelter, and keep herself warm. Some days it feels like the wild is out to destroy her, but she’s stronger than she ever imagined.

MrsK's Review:

"There are two beginnings to this story..."

With in her notebook, Jess leads us into her story of survival. So often, life as we knew it is changed by circumstances beyond our control. Jess has been recovering from a fatal car wreck. Her life with her mother is packed safely away for her future and she is flying into the Canadian wilderness to a new life with a father she knows very little about. Learning about survival in her father's world will be brief. Her survival in the wilderness will determine the outcome for her future. Sure, surviving the physical and emotional pain of the wreck took every ounce of grit and determination. Yet, survival on your own... that's an unfolding series of events that determines your next breath. Especially when someone could return to check in on you... or kill you!

Are you ready for a YA survival adventure that will be like no other? Jess is one of those characters that will remain in your literary repertoire for years to come. Survival adventures have a way of helping us to move forward when life seems unbelievably unbearable. Great novels flicker through your mind when you least expect it. Survivors in the wilderness... in wrecks... in family crisis... in self-doubt... so many avenues become "presented" as reminders that life remains worth living. This is a book to keep and shelf next to some of the best survival adventures every penned!

MrsK