Thursday, November 1, 2018

Review: Braidy Von Althuis and the Pesky Pest Controller by Cassidy Dwelis


Braidy Von Althuis:
And the Pesky Pest Controller
by Cassidy Dwelis
Precursor Publishing
Middle Grade Fantasy / Adventure
323 pages



This book has won a 5 Star Seal from Readers' Favorite!

Ten-year-old Braidy von Althuis just wants one thing: to fit in. The other kids at school think he's weird, and for good reason. Despite his oddities, Braidy wants more than anything for his dad to be able to come to Township Day, a fun-filled event at school, but Mr. von Althuis refuses. "It's too dangerous," he says. Things change for Braidy when Mr. von Althuis gets sick, and, even wose, this pesky pest controller won't leave Braidy alone! Will Braidy be able to get his family to Township Day without his world falling apart? Braidy von Altuis and the Pesky Pest Controller is a tale of frienship, family, magic, and mayhem that takes a look at what it means to be bullied and how to rise above it. This book is suitable for children aged 8 - 11.
 



MY TIDBITS

Braidy is an average kid. Well, sort of. His family is a bit odd, and he is a loner at school, something he wants to change. But life isn't easy....especially his life...and he soon finds himself battling more than a run at simple acceptance.

 This is such a fun read, and that while mixing in several important messages about friendship, acceptance and family. Braidy is and isn't an average kid. His family is more than strange, and this alone is enough to set him apart, but his own interests don't necessarily match up with those around him either. What I appreciate about this tale is that Braidy desires acceptance but not to the point where he dislikes himself or steps back from who he truly is. He isn't the only one with oddities either. The author has woven a world of characters who are diverse in many ways. Each one is interesting and leaps off the page, and each one has their own struggles. Add the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter, and it's a nicely balanced blend.

Humor and magic make this a read, which might have been heavy on the message end, into an exciting and fun tale. It's quirky, and this is exactly what it needs. Boredom never enters the pages as Braidy goes from one situation to the next, sometimes in a little over his head. Friendship and family come through, although sometimes in strange ways, and make the adventure sit. It's a read kids are sure to enjoy and I can't wait to see where the series goes next.



And here she is...

Elaborate storytelling is something that has entertained humankind since its start and Cassidy’s goal is to take the words on the page and forge them to life, like a star being born. Using a variety of media, Cassidy uses her hands to weave magick on the canvas and visualize elements extant before only in dreams. By utilizing an expressive and traditionally-inspired quality to her work, Cassidy brings worlds and characters of all sorts into existence.

Cassidy Dwelis currently resides in Colorado, and has recently acquired a BFA in both Illustration and Game Art.  Cassidy’s dream is to start her own independent publishing company in the Denver area, and she also strives to help others bring their imagination to life.

My Website, where people can purchase my books, find me on social media, and buy my art: 


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