Frankie D. Vegan Vampire's First Halloween by Sally and Brian Dutra

 This cover screams Halloween...but then, so does the title. Since we are hitting the spooky holiday tomorrow, I had to make sure to sneak this read in too. It's a chapter book thought for those readers who have a very good handle on their words but aren't just quite ready for middle grade reads...but getting close. This is the second book in a series, and I haven't read the first one so I'm not sure what to expect. I assume this will include some monsterly fun, though.

Who dares to sit down with me and take a peek?

FRANKIE D, VEGAN VAMPIRE'S FIRST HALLOWEEN

by Sally and Brian Dutra

Illustrated by Tiffani Brown

Kids Can Press

Children's Book

172 pages

ages 7 to 10

How do vampires celebrate Halloween? Everyone’s favorite vegan vampire is about to find out in the second book of this hilarious early chapter book series.

A few months since leaving his vampire life behind him in Transylvania, Frankie is still learning the basics of acting human. But the good news is that Halloween is coming, and Frankie learns that on this treasured holiday, humans like to dress up in “scary” costumes, such as witches, zombies and ... VAMPIRES! In other words, this could be his family’s chance to finally show their fangs and blend in just by being their true vampire selves. The only problem is a mean boy named Eddie, who might have uncovered Frankie’s secret vampire identity. What if Eddie exposes him and his family? Would his friends ever forgive him? Would his family have to leave? Where would they go?

Writing partners Sally and Brian Dutra have captured early readers’ hearts with this highly entertaining series about Frankie, a winsome misfit boy vampire. Full of deadpan humor and numerous playful twists on the vampire trope, this easy-to-read Halloween story hits all the right notes. Readers will identify with the challenges Frankie faces as he navigates the often-confusing complications of fourth grade and being a newcomer. The story features themes of friendship, family and kindness, as well as the difficulties of dealing with bullies and adjusting to life in a new culture. With black-and-white illustrations by Tiffani Brown on every spread, this book is perfect for young readers who enjoy a little creepy with their funny, at Halloween – or anytime!

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With light humor, sticky situations, and monsterly troubles, this read follows a young vampire as he does his best to fit into the human world.

Frankie is a vampire just like the rest of his family, and they need to make sure that nobody knows what they are as they live in a very normal, human town. Frankie finds the secret especially hard to keep from his best friend, and sometimes, wonders if the boy has noticed that something is off. It's already hard to start a new school and not stick out in the neighborhood with his family. Even his younger brothers aren't very good at hiding their abilities. When Halloween rolls around, Frankie's constant fight to keep everything secret seems to gain a bit of a pause...but then, things go crazy again.

This is a longer chapter book and works great even for the younger end of the middle grade audience. The font, short chapter length, illustrations, and text are well placed for advanced chapter book readers but also, occasionally, work those word skills. The illustrations add a fun touch and bring everything to life, too.

The story is silly and humorous but also brings in friendship drama as Frankie steers everyday situations as best he can. His family members are supportive but cause just as much (if not more) difficulties for him as he tries to live as human a life as possible. Each one brings tons of personality, and there's a lovely sense of warmth along with the chaos. The forming friendship difficulties will ring true with readers and the problems he faces aren't much different from those of many kids that age. The vampire angle adds a fun twist, humor, and unexpected surprises, of course.

It's an enjoyable read not only for Halloween, but listeners are sure to enjoy following Frankie and wishing they could be his friend too.

And here they are...

Brian and Sally Dutra are a husband-and-wife writing team with a combined background of improvisational comedy, fiction writing and screenwriting. They live in Portland, Oregon.

Tiffani Brown began drawing at a very young age. Constantly drawn to shows designed by Disney, Nelvana and so many more, she wasn’t shocked when the dream of being an artist came and stuck to her like glue. Little did she know she would get the chance to work in a studio that was so important during her childhood.

As a creative designer and illustrator with more than thirteen years of experience, including five years in the animation industry, Tiffani has painted backgrounds and objects for two award-winning shows for kids – Nelvana Studios’ Esme & Roy and Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go!

The work she did on those shows opened doors to four other in-studio projects where she’s worn different hats: background painter, color key artist, visual development artist and character designer. During these awesome experiences, another door opened to a completely different creative challenge that she’s loving – children’s book illustrating for Kids Can Press …who knew?!

Whether she’s working on a TV production, a book illustration or something completely different, she aims to bring the same thing to every project: genuine curiosity about the story being told and enthusiasm for figuring out the best way to tell it visually.

“There’s something magical about creating images that might spark a kid’s imagination or help them see a story in a whole new way. Simply put, I love what I do.”

Tiffani Brown is based in the Greater Toronto Area.

The Intergalactics by Erik Jon Slangerup

It's time for another scifi read...and that with dystopian flair. I saw the cover and knew I had to take a look at this one. The cover, I think, screams danger and seems to fit well with this week's creepy, scary thoughts. Although I'm pretty sure this read isn't horror, I'm still looking forward to the danger and action, which it appears are held in these pages. It involves a lab-grown hybrid as the main character and takes place somewhere out in the broader universe.

So, let's sit down and see what this book holds.

THE INTERGALACTICS

by Erik Jon Slangerup

Aladdin

Middle Grade Science Fiction

336 pages

ages 8 to 12

A mutant boy questions the truth of his existence after crash-landing far from everything he knows in this fast-paced, action-packed middle grade sci-fi adventure perfect for fans of The Last Kids on Earth.

Brinx wasn’t born. He was created.

As one of the gene-spliced, vat-grown experiments living on Base Lab 9, Brinx’s existence has always been focused on one surviving the tests forced on him by his creators, with the goal of one day reaching the Graduation Center. Brinx doesn’t know what awaits him there—and it’s not like anyone ever comes back to tell—but it must be better than Base Lab 9.

When Brinx narrowly survives his final test, he boards the armored transport vessel en route to the Center along with the other graduates, including his best friend, Jang—only to have the vessel downed by a meteor shower. Now Brinx, who’s stranded with a handful of other survivors, has to stay alive in an uncharted region of their planet that’s teeming with monstrous flora and fauna, all while trying to find Jang, who’s among the missing—or worse.

GOODREADS      /     AMAZON     /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Get ready for action and tension because these pages keep that coming the entire way through with little room for breath in between.

Brinx was created in a lab as part of an ongoing, huge project to form ultimate hybrid survival beings. All sorts of hybrids. The goal is to survive 1000 deadly tests. Brinx's life is dismal, to say the least, but he has found a beam of light in a fellow hybrid as a best friend. Together, the two graduate and are sent off to take on their new roles, but underway, their transport ship is hit with meteors and crash lands on a planet, where everything is out to get them. Brinx and his friend are separated during the crash, but a few other hybrids have survived, and Brinx bands together with them to figure out what to do and, maybe, find his friend as well. Surviving is almost impossible as everything is completely unknown and nothing intends to let them live. But the biggest surprise comes when they discover a hidden society beneath the surface and learn that there is more to life than they thought.

Anyone who enjoys action, danger, survival, and original worlds is going to devour this read. The author heads off into the far corners of the universe, where nothing resembles Earth. Even the characters carry unique attributes from webbed hands to blue skin and more. The imagination is vibrant and grabbing, making this a world to get lost in...and what a dangerous world it is! Nothing is safe, warm, and fuzzy. From Brinx's 1000 dangerous trials to the impossible planet, every moment means possible death. And there are enough deaths in these pages to make that clear. Tension packs every page as very unexpected situations hit, one right after the other. The sudden shift to the underground world later on, might slow down the danger just a tad bit, but it opens up a whole new direction of possibilities. And while this book wraps up nicely, it still leaves room for more to come.

This is a read which is hard to put down. It's also not one for wholesome moments and sensitive readers. Still, it stays appropriate for the middle grade audience. There's also the wonderful twist that Brinx and the other hybrids do not fight each other. Instead, they band together to survive and use the various strengths each one has to try to get through the impossible situations. And they need all the help they can get because nothing is going to give them even a moment's pause.

And here he is...

Erik Jon Slangerup writes action-adventure novels for young readers—usually something with a monster, robot, or spaceship in it. His books include The Intergalactics and the Far Flung Falls series. He has also written several picture books. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Erik is the father of six, which has been his greatest adventure yet. Discover more at ErikJonSlangerup.com.

Happy Book Birthday, Be My Howlentine by Dona Herweck Rice!

 

It's time to shout-out another book birthday! Today's read slides into this week's Halloween spirit...while hinting at Valentine's Day? I find the mix smile worthy and a bit quirky, but hey, monsters need love, too. I'm expecting all sorts of fun and humor in this book. Also, there should be some warmth and 'love'. 

Let's settle down into those chairs and see what this book holds.

BE MY HOWLENTINE

by Dona Herweck Rice

Illustrated by Kelly Kennedy

Curiosity Unlocked Books

Picture Book

36 pages

ages 4 to 8

A feel-good mashup of two favorite holidays—Halloween & Valentine’s Day

In Monster Town, every day is Halloween, until Wolfie O’Howler falls head-over-paws for the witch next door. Determined to show Selena Witchington how much he cares, Wolfie hatches a plan to bring Valentine’s Day to town for the very first time. He and his monster friends work together to create a celebration that’s equal parts spooky and sweet, with heart-eyed jack-o-lanterns, mummy-wrapped gifts, and a serenade under the full moon.

This charming tale blends the excitement of Halloween with the warmth of Valentine’s Day, offering a story that sparks laughter, empathy, and a genuine love of reading. Children ages 4–8 and their grown-ups will love the clever wordplay, expressive artwork, and the spirited residents of Monster Town. Join the fun!

You’ll love the spirited residents and playful storytelling—perfect for Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and any monster-themed storytime.

Reading can spark clever wordplay as well as conversations about holidays and courage,  and extend the fun beyond the book with creative and engaging ideas for classroom or at-home activities

Be My Howlentine is a fun, emotionally intelligent story that kids and adults will love.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Spooky monsters and creepy haunts slam against unexpected moments of hearts and love to create a fun mix.

Halloween and Monster Town are as intertwined as can be until Wolfie hears a song and his heart goes pitter-patter. He's not sure what these feelings mean until he sees his new neighbor and knows that he's in love. He tries his best to carefully and secretly lay hints of his budding affections, but nothing runs smoothly. Since Halloween dreariness and scares are all he knows...and he's aware that these aren't going to help him this time...he decides to reach out to the rest of the town for help.

This is a lovely read for the Halloween season! At first, I wondered if this read would snuggle too close to Valentine's Day, but it stays firmly planted in the spooky and monsterly realm while adding a dash of the lovey-dovey holiday. And it does it in such a fun way. Wolfie is a wonderful werewolf, and it's easy to root for him as he tries his best to figure out how to approach the love of his life. The monsters of the town come along with Halloween goodness in creepy style. Vampires, skeletons...everything is represented to let creepy fun radiate from every page. But of course, these monsters are a community. All are ready to help Wolfie as best they can, highlighting teamwork and the fun of trying something new. 

The illustrations present Monster Town with Halloween goodness and make it a place that readers might want to visit. The color tones remain in the dark, dreary direction with details of ghostly shadows and creepy corners at every turn of the page. Even when the pink hearts mix in, it's like dabs of sudden color which doesn't drown out the original feel of the town completely. There are so many things to explore that readers will come back and study the scenes themselves.

This makes a lovely read-aloud as the story runs smoothly and keeps a quick-pace. It fits the age group well and will keep even more reluctant readers' attentions. At the end of the book, the author adds several activities which can make this book into an entire theme. So, there's a lot to enjoy in these pages.

Invisible by Eloy Moreno

I've had today's read on my stack just waiting to be grabbed up...and wow, have my fingers been itching, too. But I don't play favorites, so it had to wait. That means I'm super excited to, finally, have the chance and dive in. Originally, this was published in Spanish but has reached the English market with power...as I understand. It is a serious read and hits on the theme of feeling invisible. From what I understand, this one will twist the gut hard and leave more than a little food for thought.

So, let's dive in and see how it goes.

INVISIBLE

by Eloy Moreno

Sourcebooks Young Readers

Tween Contemporary

336 pages

ages 10 to 13

When a thirteen-year-old boy is bullied at school, he discovers an ability to turn "invisible." An emotional and compelling portrayal of bullying and mental health, perfect for fans of RJ Palacio's Wonder.

"...I decided to find a new power, one so great they wouldn't be able to hurt me at all. And I finally found it."

"Which power was that?"

"I have the power to make myself invisible."

A boy wakes up in a hospital room with no memory of how he got there.

As time passes, the pieces of what happened that fateful day start falling into place, and the boy remembers his secret: he has the power to become invisible.

But the boy is hesitant to tell anyone the truth. What will they think of him if they find out the reason he gained this ability? And what if it makes everything worse?

Told in alternating perspectives following the boy, his friends, his parents, his teacher, as well as his bully, the events of that day are slowly revealed through flashbacks. A heart wrenching and powerful read for anyone who has ever felt "invisible."

GOODREADS     /       PUBLISHER       /       AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

There are books, which are written for young readers but, actually, leave real food-for-thought for all ages. This is one of those.

A boy wakes up in the hospital in pain but unable to remember exactly what happened. His parents take turns staying with him, and a couple of friends visit as well While most of his memory remains, he can't seem to remember anything about the accident. Worse yet, he realizes that he's lost his superpowers, especially that of being invisible. These were the only defenses he had against the drastic bullying he faced. When his parents introduce a new doctor, he decides to open up and the truth is harsher than anyone expected.

The author hits the gut by taking the usual, sugar-sweetness of imagination and twisting it into a last defense system for a boy in a very tragic situation. This boy is bullied hard, not just at school, but the band of kids manages to take it to other parts of his life. Although the boy seems to have a couple of friends, none really provide help. The boy's feeling of isolation pierces readers, especially since everyone has felt this way to a certain extent at one time or another. The boy translates all of this into monsters, which constantly follow and haunt him...and this sets off the light coating of bittersweet sadness as he develops so-called superpowers to offer a last chance of defense. While all of this is already enough to hit hard, the author then weaves the tale from different points of view and makes each character human and lays their thoughts and reasonings bare. Even that of the bully. These switches in POV are always clear, keeping confusion at bay to make the story and situations bring a realistic weight...and that is not easily forgotten.

While I haven't read this in Spanish, the English translation flows very well. While, sometimes, it's almost lyrical, others, the text punches, quick and short. The insights from the other characters dance and step in between with exactly what is needed to make the meaning sit. So, it's a delight to read from the literature side of things. As to the book in total...it's not a light read and destroys any sense of fuzzy feelings. It lets the boy's pain come across clearly and sticks with the reader long after the book is laid down.

This is the type of book, which classrooms and homeschoolers are going to want to take a peek at. There is a study guide available, which helps teachers or groups steer through this book with some questions, discussions, activities, role plays, and more. Of course, this won't be for every reader due to the depth and direction, but for those wanting to dive in, it's well worth the read.

You can learn more about Eloy Moreno...

Instagram: @eloymorenoescritor

 https://www.eloymoreno.com

Venus Washington Collective Set by Maisha Oso

Today, I'm presenting an entire series of books...three, together in one set. The Venus Washington series by Maisha Oso is a chapter book series, which appears to center around a very, lively girl and various life adventures she tackles with grace. Or, I'm betting, humor. From birthday excitement to games of eye-spy, this promises to be a series with some silliness and tons of heart. Flipping through the books, I also see quite a few illustrations with friends and family. Let's see what this one is all about

VENUS WASHINGTON COLLECTIVE SET

by Maisha Oso

Illustrated by Courtney Lovett

Simon & Schuster

Children's Fiction

304 pages total

ages 5 to 9

The three books in the Venus Washington series full of hilarious misunderstandings and hijinks are perfect for fans of Junie B. Jones and Dory Fantasmagory and now available together in one shrink-wrapped paperback collection!

Venus Washington has a planet-sized imagination and a talent for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary…which sometimes get her into super-sized trouble! One day she’s uncovering the toe-tally gross secret in Grandma’s lasagna, the next she’s masterminding the wildest birthday party in town, and then she’s pretty sure she’s blasting off to Venus itself.

Packed with humor, heart, and just the right amount of chaos, these three books bring together Venus, her besties (and frenemies), her loveable family, and Hamsterburger the hamster. Perfect for fans of funny, fast-paced chapter books that kids want to read again and again!

This zany shrink-wrapped paperback collection includes:
Venus Washington and the Lasagna Drama
Venus Washington and the Birthday Blowout
Venus Washington, Eye Spy

GOODREADS     /     AMAZON      /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With tons of energy and a knack for taking everything extremely literally, Venus is a girl who brings chaos with her like a tornado.

This is a set of all three books in the Venus Washington series and is just right for those readers, who are sure of their words and are just settling into slightly longer tales. The books hover around a young girl, who takes everything said very literally and acts without thinking. Her twin neighbors tend to quickly get swept up into her adventures as accomplices, and her family (mother, father, baby brother, grandma, and grandpa) swirl through her antics with care and patience. Tons of patience. 

The three tales go in very several directions, making sure each adventure is different than the last. Lasagna Drama shoots off into silliness after Venus' grandfather states the grandmother put her foot in the lasagna. Birthday Blowout goes crazy as Venus is put in charge of her brother's 1st birthday party decorations and takes her father's statement that he doesn't want a boring, adult part to the extreme. And Eye Spy takes an insane direction after her father says that her mother has eyes on the back of her head, and that she's going on a trip with her to a place just like her name. All adventures pack humor and surprises, and will have readers wondering what in the world Venus will be up to next.

The books fit the intended reading audience wonderfully. The situations come from familiar moments of daily life, and the statements, which send Venus into her own directions, are often ones readers have probably heard themselves. The chapters are kept short to help readers get needed breaks, but the plot is quickly paced, making this one hard to put down. The plentiful illustrations not only entertain but also assist readers to understand what is happening. It creates an enjoyable read for the age group.

There are messages surrounding friendship, family, patience, and more in these pages. Venus is a force to be reckoned with, she's very quick and extreme in her reactions, and that guarantees plenty of smiles. I'd love to say that she's kind-hearted...and she is to an extent...but she also tends not to see beyond her own bubble, which leads to most of the silliness but also showcases a little lack of respect and thoughtfulness. For example, she ignores the teacher, talks back to adults, and causes literal damage. All of this receives mostly sighs or laughs from the adults with few consequences (she was grounded once). However, this is a fun read on the pun end of things. The literal way Venus understands sayings and statements will have readers thinking about such statements themselves. There will also be a few they haven't heard before. 

Summed up, this is a fun read with tons of humorous moments...and a character who always brings adventure and surprises.

And here they are...

Maisha Oso is the author of picture books Buster the Bully, My Hair Is a Book, Before the Ships, and the It’s Almost Time For… series, as well as the Venus Washington chapter book series. She writes stories to empower, entertain, and encourage emotional intelligence in young children. A former strategy and analytics professional from New York City, Maisha is currently working in her most challenging role to date: a stay-at-home mom of three tiny humans. Visit her at MaishaOso.com.

Courtney Lovett has a BFA in visual arts and animation from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She works in different artistic disciplines, including illustration, character design, and animation. As a Black American and a native of the DC-Maryland-Virginia area, her work reflects her heritage and upbringing, focusing on perspectives that are often underrepresented or misrepresented in art and media. Visit her at CourtneyLovett.com.