Risky Pursuit by Nancy G. West

RISKY PURSUIT

by Nancy G. West

Fire and Ice Young Adult Books

YA Mystery

292 pages

High school senior Decker Savage, burdened by his baby brother's death and dreading his parents' impending divorce, sees his mother with a scruffy stranger and follows him to a dark house. He hears shouts upstairs, a man hits the floor, and the culprit escapes. Decker follows the victim's ambulance. Through their mutual love of baseball, they become friends; but the elderly man can't remember who attacked him, and Decker fears the assailant will return. His grades crater, his relationships go south, his baseball skills are erratic, and by entering the man's house, he broke the law.

He suffers anonymous attacks and receives threatening notes. If he doesn't forget the man and the house, he, his family, and his friend will be the next victims. Will Decker be able to uncover the culprit's identify, solve the mystery, and stop the attacks?

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON   /    PUBLISHER

You can find a small excerpt of the book on the publisher's page.

MY TIDBITS

Tension mounts with every turn of the page in a book with bite and a teen, who carries a world of trouble on his shoulders.

Decker is in a bad spot after the death of his brother and the approaching divorce of his parents. But his life isn't all dark. He's already landed a baseball scholarship and has a pretty bright future ahead of him...if he can steer the family issues. When he sees his mother meeting a strange and suspicious man at a dingy cafe, he decides to follow the guy, since it appears his mother might be having some troubles. Against better judgement, he follows the man into a dark house, and while there, hears an argument right before the same man injures the other and the EMTs show up. Even more sure that something isn't right, he decides to befriend the injured old man at the hospital, but the guy has lost his memory. All of Decker's efforts, however, are being noticed, and now, the lives of his family are being threatened too. 

Decker starts this book out with a ton of baggage. It's not said what exactly is going on during those first pages, but the fact that he's sneaking around to spy on his mother speaks volumes. The reasons for his attitude and actions, as well as other background information, pops up slowly during the story, dribbling in the information bit for bit as it's woven right into the scenes. By doing this, the author sets the action and immediate tension on center stage and lets it drive each moment forward...and there is a lot of drive in these pages. Decker gets himself into very sticky situations, which aren't really his fault, but the possible threats they carry make it impossible for him to ignore everything. His resolve and desire to help those that he loves make him easy to root for the entire way through.

This isn't a light read but carries quite a bit of darkness and bite. Decker is facing dangerous players, and that comes across with the brutality it requires. So, he has a lot to steer, while under the weight of baggage from the past. (His life is anything but simple). Still, there are moments I wanted to slap him, since some of his actions lack common sense and brought him unnecessarily into more danger or bad predicaments. It definitely keeps the tension high.

The intrigue and mystery is well-laid, and the side characters carry personality as well. It's hard to guess what will happen next or even if Decker can make it through. Fans of crime drama, mystery, and dangerous predicaments are going to enjoy this one.

Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger

Today's read heads into the jungle. Since I haven't been there (literary speaking, of course) in awhile, I thought I'd take a peek. Plus, this is the prequel to the prize winning Elatsoe book...which I've heard about but haven't gotten to yet. So, I'm heading into this one with very fresh eyes. It is almost 400 pages long, which makes me flinch, since it's for middle graders. But on the other hand, it is for upper middle grade and recommended all the way to 16 years. Anyway, I'm curious to see what it's about and if it's as magical as I think it might be.

Grab those adventurer hats because I bet we're in for quite the ride.

Today's post is also part of the weekly MMGM (Marvelous Middle Grade Monday) list, where fans, lovers, and knowers of middle grade literature place their recommendations for the week. If you're looking for literature for this age group (around ages 8 to 12), it's worth taking a look. You'll find that HERE.

SHEINE LENDE

A Prequel to Elatsoe

by Darcie Little Badger

Illustrated by Rovina Cai

Levine Querdo

Middle Grade Fantasy

391 pages

ages 10 to 16

Darcie Little Badger's Elatsoe launched her career and in the years since has become a beloved favorite. This prequel to Elatsoe, centered on Ellie's grandmother, deepens and expands Darcie's one-of-a-kind world and introduces us to another cast of characters that will wend their way around readers' hearts.

Shane works with her mother and their ghost dogs, tracking down missing persons even when their families can't afford to pay. Their own family was displaced from their traditional home years ago following a devastating flood - and the loss of Shane's father and her grandparents. They don't think they'll ever get their home back.

Then Shane's mother and a local boy go missing, after a strange interaction with a fairy ring. Shane, her brother, her friends, and her lone, surviving grandparent - who isn't to be trusted - set off on the road to find them. But they may not be anywhere in this world - or this place in time.

Nevertheless, Shane is going to find them.

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON   /   PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Magic weaves right into the daily life of Shane in a way, which feels so natural that it draws in perfectly for the exciting adventure.

Shane lives in a world where magic is as normal as breathing, although some have larger leanings in that direction than others (who might not have it at all). Shane's talents follow those of her mother, who can contact ghost dogs, and uses these to help locate missing persons, except that Shane can call on ghost turkey vultures as well. Since this would put many people at unease, this second talent is kept secret. When Shane's mother goes missing with a boy after encountering a fairy ring, Shane is determined to locate her...even if it means heading into another world.

I was surprised how well this author melds fantasy with a sense of reality. The book begins with Shane and her mother on the search for a missing little girl. The tension grabs right away, while the wholesome relationship between the mother and daughter shines. When it's said that the dogs accompanying them are ghost dogs and Shane calls upon the ghost vultures, it's as natural as shaking a hand and took me a little off-guard. The magic weaves in constantly in the same manner, allowing readers to sink into it with as much casualness as Shane and the others have for it. This creates an original atmosphere as the world building already makes it rich and full.

Although almost 400 pages, this read packs tension and excitement to keep the pages turning. I'll admit that I found myself skimming through several paragraphs, though, simply because I was curious what would happen next and the descriptions or side details slowed it down. But then, I'm an action girl and tend to have a short attention span sometimes. There's also a voice shift later on, which distracts for a moment (not sure why it's there). To say that I didn't enjoy this book, though, would be wrong. The story is very grabbing and interesting.

As for the characters, they are easy to like and very understandable. The actions make sense even when they make mistakes. They help each other out when necessary and show respect to those around them. There are some more dangerous situations, thanks to some very deadly creatures, but especially for those who have read Elatsoe already (or know about it), it's clear that everything turns out fine, and this softens the blows on this front. 

This is an exciting read, which grabs and offers a very rich, fantasy world.

And here she is...

Darcie Little Badger is a Lipan Apache writer with a PhD in oceanography. Her critically acclaimed debut novel, Elatsoe, was featured in TIME as one of the best 100 fantasy books of all time. Elatsoe also won the Locus Award for Best First Novel and was a Nebula, Ignyte, and Lodestar finalist. Her second fantasy novel, A Snake Falls to Earth, received the Newbery Honor, was a LA Times Book Prize Finalist, and was longlisted for the National Book Award. Darcie is married to a veterinarian named Taran and splits time between California and Texas.

 

Higgledy Piggledy and the Pot of Gold by David J. Tomlinson

 I thought it was time for a little, wholesome fun and ran across today's read. This one is for readers, who are working on their skills before hitting larger, middle grade novels. I found the trio on the front adorable...and they might seem put together but I wonder if there might be some light chaos involved as the adventure unfolds. Or silliness. Or both? Hopefully. I also hope the illustrations are plentiful and fun.

First, I have to open it up and take a peek. So, let's find out!

HIGGLEDY PIGGLEDY AND THE POT OF GOLD

The Adventures of Higgledy Piggledy, Book 1

by David J. Tomlinson

Illustrated by Janna Mattia

4U2B Books & Media

Chapter Book

80 pages

ages 8 to 12 *

COMING JULY 15th!!!

(* While this is the advertised age group, I'm recommending it for 6 to 9 year-olds)

Welcome to the town of Oinkers!
Up on the hill lives Higgledy Piggledy, a fun-loving pig with a nose for adventure. With his clever sidekicks Snowy the sheep and Harem Scarem the hare, there’s never a dull moment in Oinkers—especially when cranky Mayor Crackling gets caught up in their mischief!

Higgledy Piggledy loves his crooked cottage, but Mayor Crackling does not. It doesn’t look like all the other houses in the village. The mayor wants it to be knocked down! As the bulldozers close in, a rainbow appears in the sky, leading to a hilarious chase for a pot of gold. But where lies the real treasure? That’s for Higgledy to reveal.

GOODREADS   /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Animal adventure meets with fun tones and some important messages about doing your best to create an entertaining read.

Higgledy Piggledy is an adventurous pig, who enjoys life...but he's not always as orderly as the mayor of the town would like. The mayor has his very own ideas at how things should be run, even when it comes to Higgledy Piggledy's house, which is in a bit of disarray. Trying to satisfy the mayor's desires at least a bit, Higgledy Piggledy agrees to fix things up and repaints his house. At the reveal of his renovation, it's clear he painted it in a rainbow of colors. That is not what the mayor meant. And so, the adventure begins.

This adventure is written with slightly large font for easy reading with illustrations here and there for visual fun. The illustrations are well done and bring across the characters nicely as well as the various scenes. The writing fits well to those readers, who are sure of their words but need a little more time before attacking more difficult middle grade reads. So, although this one is sold for middle graders, I'd recommend it for a lower group, ages 6 to 9. Not only that, but the story and situations are more fitting to this lower age group.

The story itself is entertaining. Higgledy Piggledy and his friends are quite fun and carry just enough of an edge of mischief to draw readers in. The mayor is over-the-top, which adds another layer of humor as well. The writing allows many ridiculous details to constantly come through to keep the entire tale light and silly. All of the add-ins, however, caused a little confusion at times (sometimes less is more), especially for the reading level. The lovely illustrations add more understanding to the scenes, but a little more would have added another level of fun (but then, I'm an illustration fan). Plus, some of the silliness didn't come across right (for example: the rainbow house is portrayed in a black/white drawing with wiggly, two shaded stripes.) Still, these are small criticisms and the read is enjoyable, all in all.

It's a fun read with tons of potential and excitement, and I have no doubt that chapter book readers will enjoy it. Because Higgledy Piggledy is a fun pig.

And here he is...

David J. Tomlinson spent more than twenty years working in London as a TV comedy scriptwriter, script editor, and producer. He now lives on the coast in his native North Yorkshire with his partner, Julia.

Fluffy McWhiskers: Crunchazaur Kaboom by Stephen W Martin

Today's read promises tons of smiles and even more  cuteness. How do I know that? Because I have already reviewed the first book in the series here  a few years ago. I'm not sure what the dinosaur character on the front will have to do with overloaded cuteness caused by Fluffy, but we'll find out.

So, get ready to smile because I have a feeling that this book is anything but serious.

FLUFFY MCWHISKERS

CRUNCHAZAUR KABOOM

by Stephen W. Martin

Illustrated by Dan Tavis

Margaret K. McElderry Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING JUNE 10th!!!

Fluffy and Potato use their cuteness powers to battle an insatiable kaiju monster threatening the city in this adorable and hilarious sequel to Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion.

Crunchazaur is hungry. Really, really hungry. In fact, he can’t seem to stop eating everyone he sees. When it looks like everyone in the city might be gobbled up by the kaiju monster, Fluffy McWhiskers and Potato are called to put an end to Crunchazaur’s destruction.

And while Fluffy doesn’t normally want to hurt anybody with her cuteness explosions, the other attempts by her and Potato to satiate the monster don’t even make a dent. Could the only way to stop the starving Crunchazaur be making him go KABOOM?

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Super cuteness meets silliness and a hint of danger to draw giggles, laughs, 'Aw's, and even a gasp or two.

Crunchazaur emerges from the water and is hungry. The giant dinosaur-like monster loves to eat everything, especially the residents of the town. Total destruction is unavoidable unless Fluffy and Potato come to the rescue. But they're off on an island, enjoying life. Plus, if they take on the task of saving the world, it means they need to bring their cuteness to ultra-dangerously levels in order to make Curnchazaur explode. But they don't really want to do that because that's not really a nice thing to do. Add that such cuteness levels will cause other issues, and a ridiculous, fun adventure is unavoidable.

This book follows Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion, and while it can be read alone (and will cause giggles galore), it is more understandable after reading the first book.

It's never said why Crunchazaur comes out of the water hungry...it's as if everyone knows he's been there...but then, this is a super fun read with quirky, ridiculous twists the entire way through. The illustrations stay rounded and friendly with bright colors, while Crunchazaur tears through the town and consumes everything and everyone in his path. For more sensitive readers, this might be a bit much. While there isn't any visual gobbling (nothing gory in the slightest), the friendly town animals hang in the air near his open jaws to make it clear what's happening. This same not-so-direct-destruction also hits with the explosions caused by cuteness-extreme. It's clear the surrounding characters are 'gone' but not directly shown where they went or what happened. It stays age appropriate, especially at the end when the eaten animals meet a happy ending, to keep everything in the positive light. 

There are more than a few funny moments, which the illustrations enhance along with the little speech bubbles of various town animals' comments. So giggles and laughs are guaranteed. But then, this is a tale of nonsense to simply have fun with and it does that very well. 

Readers, who love superheroes, silliness, and tense moments, will enjoy this quite a bit.

And here they are...

Stephen W. Martin is a writer on Netflix’s Emmy-nominated Trash Truck along with Frederator’s Bravest Warriors. Stephen is also the author of several picture books, including Charlotte and the Rock, Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion, and I Can’t Draw. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and dog. Visit him at Stephen-W-Martin.com.

 

Dan Tavis is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Noodle and the No Bones Day, Noodle Conquers Comfy Mountain, and Common Critters, among others. He lives in New Hampshire and has been doodling ever since his first math class in elementary school. Learn more at DanTavis.com.

 

What If You Fall For Me First? by G.F. Miller

What's summer without a little romance to add to those beach or pool hours...or just sitting in the sun. Or next to the air conditioner? 

Okay, reading is possible everywhere. 

Today's read hits the romance direction (obviously) but doesn't steer into the YA branch. Rather, this one is for those upper middle graders out there. I'm assuming there will be middle school drama and quite a bit of situation humor. I hope there's a lot of humor, anyway.

Let's jump in and see how this one goes!

WHAT IF YOU FALL FOR ME FIRST?

by G.F. Miller

Aladdin

Upper Middle Grade Romance

368 pages

ages 10 and up

COMING...

JUNE 10th!!!

A girl determined to ditch her goody-two-shoes image and the cool guy classmate she enlists to help her get more than they bargained for in this relatable and swoon-worthy middle grade rom-com.

Sofia has had enough of everyone thinking she’s sooo nice. “Sweet,” “innocent,” and “goody two-shoes” are how her classmates would describe her, but there’s more to her than that. She wants everyone—especially her forever crush, Mark Chen—to see that she has other sides.

To help her level up to Official Cool Girl, Sofia enlists trendy and confident Holden—the guy who everyone else has written off as a total player and a first-class jerk. Under Holden’s guidance, Sofia learns to revamp her style, ride a skateboard, and stand up for herself. At the same time, Holden learns that when he’s alone with Sofia, it’s safe to drop the cool guy act and just be himself.

When their efforts start to pay off, Sofia is faced with a choice. Should she stick with the plan—and risk losing herself in the process—or take a chance on the person everyone says will break her heart?

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Fans of middle school drama with fun characters and awkward situations are sure to enjoy this read quite a bit.

Sofia is sick of being seen as the super nice, sweet girl and wishes she had more sass. Not only is she very small for her age, but her clothes are purchased by her grandmother (not a fashion guru). All of this combined make her desire to win over her crush's heart nearly impossible...especially since he's after a girl who screams power on the volleyball team. So, Sofia ends up seeking help from the 'bad boy' of the class, Holden, who agrees to help her change her image in exchange for letting him use her metamorphosis to gain more viewers on his social media. Since his divorced parents shove tons of money his way, he even happily agrees to flip the bill. While the visual changes in Sofia are undeniable and she's picking up some edgier skills, her underlining niceness is hard to mutate. And that will cause either defeat or victory...depending on what the true goal really is.

This book nods back to the first one in the series. So, it's a good idea to read that one first even though this second book concentrates on different main characters and takes on a life of its own.

Sofia is easy to connect with and will find sympathy with many young readers as she struggles to fit, what she considers, the ideal...especially with thoughts focused on her crush. It's fun to watch her attempts to change and easy to root for her every step of the way. She makes mistakes, but most are more than understandable and make her sympathetic. There's a lot for her to go through to find herself, and the steps to this discovery are ones that readers can follow in their own lives or surroundings. The confusion and tough decisions she faces as she learns how to see herself and others is something this age group often faces themselves.

Holden offers the right zest to Sofia's awkwardness. While he first appears put together, it becomes more and more clear that he has his own problems to deal with and that he's not really the jerk he portrays himself to be. His way of coping with the divorce of his parents and their over-flood of money to him is also one some readers will be able to identify with. And it's nicely and naturally handled. He's a character, who grows on the reader, and is also easy to root for by the end.

This is a fun and grabbing read, and while there is quite a bit of drama, which might have been shortened just a teeny bit, it's exactly what fans of relationship difficulties and social life steering are sure to enjoy. Those who enjoyed the first book are going to want to take a look at this one as well.

And here she is...

G. F. Miller absolutely insists on a happy ending. Everything else is negotiable. She is living her Happily Ever After with the love of her life, three kids, two puppies, and some chickens. She cries at random times. She makes faces at herself in the mirror. She believes in the Oxford comma. And she’s always here for a dance party.

It's Busy Down in the Woods Today by Rachel Piercey

 The moment I saw today's read, I had to get my hands on a copy...but when I received my copy in the mail, I was over the moon. I haven't read it yet. I haven't even opened the cover to peek inside because I'm just enjoying the anticipation of diving in first. So, why am I so excited? Well, not only does the cover hint at tons of details in lovely illustrations (and I do love searching details), but it's also beautifully bound with cloth on the edge and the vine/flowers are in gold. It just gives a high quality and special impression.

But since a book isn't formed by it's cover, I guess it's finally time to sit down and see if my expectations are met or not.

(Note: This one is heading to my possible favorites of the year list.)

IT'S BUSY DOWN IN THE WOODS TODAY

Brown Bear Wood

by Rachel Piercy

Illustrated by Freya Hartas

Magic Cat

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 6

COMING JUNE 17th!!!

Discover how the animals of Brown Bear Wood spend their days and search for over 100 hidden things in It’s Busy Down in the Woods Today, a brand-new picture book from the creators of the internationally bestselling If You Go Down to the Woods Today

Enter the charming world of Brown Bear Wood. It’s a busy place! Visit the school, the bakery, the grocery store, and many more exciting places in this classic picture book that teaches little ones all about what goes on in their communities. Find out how Bear, Professor Owl, Mama Fox, Grandpa Toad, and more beloved characters help Brown Bear Wood run smoothly every day.

With delightful read-aloud poems and hidden items to search for on every page, It’​s Busy Down in the Woods Today holds the attention of young readers and creates an immersive, cozy world that encourages them to step into imaginative play.

Features

• 12 fully illustrated scenes
• 100 things to search and find
• Hours of fun!

Other books in the Brown Bear Wood series:
Grand Old Oak and the Birthday Ball
If You Go Down to the Woods Today
The Great Easter Egg Hunt
I Love You Always
A Search-and-Find Coloring Book

GOODREADS     /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

This is a woods to dive into and enjoy, while learning about the various jobs people...ummm...animals do.

Every page of this books screams love and care. The illustrations are well done and carry many details to guarantee that there is something new to discover with every visit. As the reader visits the woods, they are introduced to several of animals including the teacher owl, the mouse doctor, and many more. 

First, there's a two-page spread introducing the surroundings and forest around each profession. A few short, rhyming verses introduce the scene and set the tone. The illustration covering the spread is extremely detailed with tons of life and so much going on. But this isn't only for gazing fun. There's a list on these pages of items or animals the reader should find. Some of these are simple, while others take a bit of searching. 

After each of these search spreads, the animal and their profession gain center stage as the various activities they perform are showcased in little sections spread across the two pages. For example, the teaching owl paints with the students, drinks a tea while they play outside, and so on. The small illustrations, which depict each moment, are also very detailed even considering their smaller size. They are accompanied by a short, rhyming text to highlight each moment. 

While this is a delight on the illustration end, the story direction is also well done. The rhymes flow seamlessly and naturally right along with the joyful, visual moments. There's a lovely sense of happiness and community, which is hard to miss. While the joy of living and working together comes across in each moment, readers also learn a bit about the various jobs people do and how they contribute to life and/or the community.

While this book is a little more difficult to use as a read aloud in larger groups, it's a very fun read for cozier settings. I see little readers enjoying these pages quite a bit and getting lost in the scenes, especially as they search and discover all of the goodness held in the illustrations.

And here they are...

Rachel Piercey is a freelance poet, editor, and tutor. She has co-edited three children’s poetry anthologies with the Emma Press and regularly performs her work and runs poetry workshops in primary schools. Piercey’s poems for adults have been published in various journals, including The Poetry Review, Magma, and The Rialto, as well as two pamphlets with the Emma Press and one with HappenStance. Together with Freya Hartas, she is the author of the Brown Bear Wood series, including Grand Old Oak and the Birthday Ball and If You Go Down to the Woods Today. She lives in London. 

Freya Hartas is a UK-based illustrator specializing in children’s books. She lives in the vibrant city of Bristol with her partner and their ancient black cat, Katsu, and works from her cosy, cluttered desk in a shared studio down the road. She graduated from Falmouth University in 2014 with a first-class honors BA in illustration. Hartas loves to conjure up humorous characters, animals, and monsters, creating the most fantastical worlds for them to inhabit and get lost in.

Iron Man: Something Strange! by Dean Hale

Today's read heads into the comic direction and a classic: Iron Man. This is the fourth (?) in the Mighty Marvel Team-Up series. I haven't visited that one (I don't believe, anyway), and the first three center around Spiderman . Anyway, I'm curious to see how this one goes, especially since it heads toward those readers, who are building their word skills before hitting middle grade reads. 

Let's take a look!

IRON MAN

SOMETHING STRANGE!

by Dean Hale

Illustrated by Douglas Holgate

Abrams Fanfare

Chapter Book Science Fiction/  Graphic Novel

96 pages

ages 5 to 9

COMING...

JUNE 17th!!!

Iron Man must team up with Doctor Strange to outsmart an otherworldly force that threatens New York City in this new Mighty Marvel Team-Up early graphic novel series!

There’s chaos at Avengers Tower! When the communications system goes down at the tower, technical genius and super hero Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, thinks there will be a quick and easy solution.

But when Iron Man learns that the root of the problem is the arrival of the otherworldly creature Gargantos and it’s missing children that are loose across New York City, Iron Man quickly finds that he’s out of his depth. Luckily for him, mystical expert Doctor Strange arrives to team up with Iron Man and save the day!

The two heroes must find the missing gargantots within the hour or Gargantos will return to take its anger out on the city. Can the two heroes gather the mystical toddlers in time?

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With tons of action and a layer of humor, this read takes young Marvel fans on an exciting adventure with Iron Man and Doctor Strange.

Iron Man enjoys helping where he can and gives a short explanation of where his abilities came from. So, when he gets a call to help with a communication breakdown, he's ready to go...until he discovers that he's only there to fix telephone wires. Before he knows it, though, the overly simple task expands into an impossible adventure as he faces an alien creature, and it's missing children, who are causing havoc all over New York City. Luckily, Doctor Strange can help, but even then, it's not an easy task.

Iron Man and Marvel fans receive a nice dose of action, fast-paced scenes, and humor to round it off nicely. The alien creatures pose a huge problem, which promises high stakes, and yet, the graphics and problems stay completely within what is appropriate for the age group. It keeps everything tense but remembers to buffer for the audience. The back-and-forth between Iron Man and the other Marvel characters puts a smile on the face, while the action keeps the tension high. Plus, the problem keeps a fun pace.

As to message goodness, there is the sense of helping others and going the extra mile, but in this book, it hits on asking or accepting help from others. It's not possible to do everything alone. And the 'too easy' also hit with the right twist to show the nonsense of that statement. So, there is something to learn from these pages.

But this series is about the Marvel goodness and bringing it to beginner readers, and it does that nicely. The favorite superheroes are there and come across with personality. The illustrations bring across each moment with excitement and clarity, making it fun to read.  The text builds word skills without frustrating, stays concise, and works well with each graphic. 

This is a fun read for fans and holds an exciting and fun adventure.

This is the fourth book in the Mighty Marvel Team-Up series. The first three focus on Spiderman. Find out more by visiting the link above to the Publisher.

 

Miles in Time by Lee Matthew Goldberg

Today's read hits the science fiction genre again! See, I told you there were more out this year than usual (at least, as far as I can tell). I enjoyed the colorful cover on this one, and it heads into the time travel direction...which is a change-up from the other scifi reads I've been hitting lately. It's the first in a new series and hit the shelves early May. So, you can pick this one up immediately if you'd like.

I really don't know too much about it but hope it packs tons of action. I am curious how it will handle the entire time traveling issue, since this is a difficult theme to address if trying to stay logical.

Get ready because it's time to launch into this read!

MILEW IN TIME

Miles in Time, Book 1

by Lee Matthew Goldberg

Wise Wolf Books

YA Science Fiction

306 pages

Solve the mystery, save the future…

14-year-old Miles Hardy spends most of his time as an amateur Sherlock Holmes and running his detective agency with his good friend and loyal assistant, Kevin. However, in sleepy Frontier, Iowa, it’s been hard to snag a case bigger than finding some old lady’s missing cat—until Miles’ genius older brother, Simon the inventor, winds up dead.

Using his knack for uncovering hidden truths, Miles stumbles upon a secret lab where his late brother, Simon, created a groundbreaking time machine. Among the discoveries is a chilling video Simon recorded before his death, revealing his fear of being followed and a dire warning: if anything happens to him, Miles must use the time machine to uncover who is after the invention and stop them. The stakes couldn’t be higher—if the device falls into the wrong hands, the future itself could be at risk.

From suspicious classmates to shadowy corporations, no one is above suspicion as Miles races against time to solve his first real case. But one wrong move could change everything—and running into his past self is strictly off-limits.

Can Miles crack the case, save his brother’s life, and protect the future? Or will time run out before he uncovers the truth? Grab your copy of Miles in Time today and find out!

MY TIDBITS

Mystery mixes with science fiction and a bit of thriller to create an unique and exciting read.

Miles is a born detective. That is, if he gets a chance to prove himself outside of locating a missing cat. He has a friend to help if a case finally appears...and it does but not in a good way. His older brother is dead, and while Miles knows he loved to invent things, he had no clue that he had a secret lab. There he discovers a video and a time machine. His brother explains in the video that he's being followed and watched, and wants Miles to use the machine to travel back, find out who killed him, and stop his death. With suspects coming from every direction, Miles finds himself racing against more than just time to solve the case and, hopefully, save his brother.

From the very first page, the reader is drawn into Miles' character and world. He's a nice guy, who just happens to be a fan of Sherlock Holmes, and wants to chase his dream. His family life isn't perfect, which makes him that much more realistic and easy to sympathize with. It also adds an interesting twist, when he faces his brother's death and discovers the lab. All of this lays the groundwork for an interesting character and plenty of room for depth. But this book isn't about emotions as much as it weaves around mystery and action.

The time travel mixed with Miles' detective desires already invites in and promises quite the adventure, but by adding the high-stakes, it packs plenty of action and tension, too. The clues aren't easy to thread together, and there are many uncertainties along the way. It keeps the pacing high and draws in from beginning to end.

This is an exciting beginning to what promises to be a grabbing series, and I'm looking forward to see what will come next.

About the author

Lee Matthew Goldberg is the Anthony, Lefty, and Prix du Polar nominated author of fourteen novels including THE ANCESTOR and THE MENTOR, and THE GREAT GIMMELMANS along with his five-book DESIRE CARD series. After graduating with an MFA from the New School, he’s been published in multiple languages and his writing has also appeared as a contributor in CrimeReads, Pipeline Artists, LitHub, Chicago Quarterly Review, Electric Literature, The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Jewish Book Council, The Millions, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, LitReactor, Mystery Tribune, The Nerd Daily, Monkeybicycle, Fiction Writers Review, Cagibi, Necessary Fiction, the anthology Dirty Boulevard, The Montreal Review, The Adirondack Review, The New Plains Review, Maudlin House and others. He is the publisher of Fringe Press, the co-curator of The Guerrilla Lit Reading Series, and lives in New York City. Follow him at LeeMatthewGoldberg.com

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Certified YA Reviewer

KittyBerry Approved

Happy Book Birthday, The Lost Book of Undersea Adventure by Teddy Keen!

Today's read hits the shelves tomorrow and is one in a series of books by the author. I have not read nor seen the other ones in the collection but get the impression that they are strong stand-alones, each with a different adventure.

I, actually, thought this one was a picture book for the younger readers out there, when I first saw it since it's packed full of illustrations. But it's definitely one for the middle grade audience...which thrilled me quite a bit. I adore illustrations in 'older' reads and find it a shame there are more books packed with them (although I do understand the cost issues). So, I'm excited to dive in and see what this book holds.

Before I babble on more, let's just open it up and see what's inside.

THE LOST BOOK OF UNDERSEA ADVENTURE

from the letters of the Unknown Adventurer

by Teddy Keen

Frances Lincoln's Children Books

Middle Grade Adventure

96 pages

ages 7 to 11

COMING TOMORROW, JUNE 3rd!!!

This was meant to be a journal of my quest to find the legendary sea nomads, but six days ago something happened that turned my world upside down . . . You are about to read an adventure story so real you’ll be able to taste the salt water on your lips. I don’t know how it will end but I’ll keep writing this journal as long as I’m able. One day I hope I can give it to you.


After he’s flung from a ferry after seeing something so dangerous he would be killed for his silence, the Unknown Adventurer washes up on a deserted island. Completely alone, he puts his survival skills to the test and begins the journal he promised his younger siblings he would write. But after a while he notices that it is not all what it seems on the island and something mysterious lies across the lagoon. Something he must investigate.

Take a deep breath. You are about to enter dangerous waters.

This is a thrilling tale of survival, friendship and underwater discovery that transports you to remote seas that whisper of ancient legends you can only begin to imagine.

Presented like an artist’s journal, with handwritten sections, smudged notes, and stuck-in pages and illustrated in breathtaking detail, this is a story that will spark a sense of adventure in every reader. A new exhilarating book from the Unknown Adventurer, author of The Lost Book of Adventure and Journey to the Last River.

GOODREADS   /   TEDDY KEEN'S WEBSITE

MY TIDBITS

With notes, photos, sketches, and more, this book immerses the reader into the adventure while teaching skills, history, social sciences, and more along the way.

Two kids discover a bottle floating in the ocean and open it to discover the journal and notes of an Unknown Adventurer. From here, the book switches into the journal, where the Unknown Adventurer describes his journey from his desire to find legendary sea nomads, to his moments floating alone in the ocean, and to his amazing time on an island. Not only are there secrets, which he does his best to uncover, but the journal records every step he took to survive. And there are plenty of dangers. The tension mounts as he discovers a strange happening across a dangerous lagoon...and he's sure he's in more than a little danger.

With the use of photos, notes, scribbles, maps, and more, every page documents the engaging adventure of an unknown traveler. While the first pages give his backstory as he explains his fascination for the nomads and heads out on a ship to learn more about them, things quickly take an exciting turn, which leads from one dangerous situation to the next. The reader discovers everything right along with the Adventurer and can fever with him at every moment. At the same time, the notes offer insights with real life information (how-tos, history, culture, and more) as the Adventurer shares his thoughts with each new obstacle he faces. It's a clever way to broaden a reader's horizons while never leaving the action.

At first, I thought this might actually tend toward the younger end of the intended audience level due to the vibrant illustrations/photos on each page, but the text and information is very well placed for even the upper end of the middle grade audience, especially those who love a little mystery and some practical points on survival skills along the way. It's engaging and holds just enough of a realistic touch to capture the imagination and the dream of possibilities.

This is a well-done read, which takes an original twist and is sure to delight more than a few adventure fans.

I Think You're Grand by M H Clark

Today's read nods to the wonderful relationship between kids and their grandparents. I do enjoy books, which give off warming vibes while celebrating relationships and create those inner, fuzzy feelings. This book looks like it promises to do just that. Plus, the bears on the cover look so kind!

Ready to take a peek with me and see if this is one to snuggle up with?

I THINK YOU'RE GRAND

A Book for My Grandparent

by M.H. Clark

Illustrated by Kelli Flitton

Compendium

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

JULY 1st!!!

A grandparent has a way of bringing magic to everyday moments--from afternoons of adventure to evenings enjoying tasty treats. This adorable, illustrated gift book is a chance for a grandchild to thank Grandpa or Grandma for all the memories they've created together and the lessons they've shared along the way. Artwork of a bighearted bear and their grand-cub pairs with sweet rhymes to highlight this special intergenerational relationship. Written from the perspective of a grandchild, this touching book makes a memorable gift sure to pull on the heartstrings.

GOODREADS  

MY TIDBITS

This is a celebration of the relationship between a child and their grandparent, and explores all the things that grandparents do with their grandchildren.

A little bear loves to spend time with its grandparent. From simple moments to activities and more, the grand-bear accompanies the little bear with care and love. The scenes illustrate various activites to ensure a sense of familiarity, while sticking to, mostly, outdoor scenes so as to keep a hint of the forest and bears. Otherwise, these bears take on very human aspects, making them easy to relate to. The wonderful relationship comes across clearly and radiates with wholesome goodness from one scene to the next.

The illustrations are done in lighter tones to create a gentle atmosphere, while just enough details draw the reader in. This isn't a tale, but rather, a lyrical journey through the moments grandkids and grandparents might spend together. The rhymes flow smoothly and are well suited to the intended age group. It's a gentle read, which invites to quieter, relaxing moments...especially thanks to the calmer impression radiating from each scene. 

It's a lovely ode to grandparents and a nice read for those snuggly reads together or for groups in calmer settings.