Review: The Boy, The Boat, and The Beast by Samantha M Clark

THE BOY, THE BOAT AND THE BEAST

by Samantha M Clark

Paula Wiseman Books

Middle Grade Adventure/Mystery

 256 pages

The Graveyard Book meets Hatchet in this eerie novel about a boy who is stranded on a mysterious beach, from debut author Samantha M. Clark.

A boy washes up on a mysterious, seemingly uninhabited beach. Who is he? How did he get there? The boy can’t remember. When he sees a light shining over the foreboding wall of trees that surrounds the shore, he decides to follow it, in the hopes that it will lead him to answers. The boy’s journey is a struggle for survival and a search for the truth—a terrifying truth that once uncovered, will force him to face his greatest fear of all if he is to go home.

This gripping adventure will have readers hooked until its jaw-dropping and moving conclusion. Samantha M. Clark’s first novel heralds the arrival of an exciting new voice.

MY TIDBITS

With hints of dark shadows, dangerous secrets, adventure and hope, this is a beautiful tale which places a boy against his deepest fears.

A boy is born on the beach. Probably not born but finding himself there with no memory of anything else is as if he was embarking on the world for his first time. All he knows are the fears surrounding him—in the forest and in the water. Only on the beach is he safe...and not even there. When a mysterious light flashes a few times and disappears, he grabs at the hope that his true life and parents exist and simply need to be found. And so his journey begins.

This isn't a normal tale, which becomes clear when reading the first page. The writing opens up to a very mysterious and artistically described world. Nothing is clear, allowing the boy's confusion to seep through while joining his longing to figure out who he is and where he belongs. It touches the heart and draws in, allowing the reader to completely sink into the boy's fears, hopes, dreams and determination.

The writer has excellent control of the middle grade voice. Each sentence fits perfectly to the boy, how he thinks and how he views things. There's a haunting hint of fantasy while reality glides just outside of the attainable distance. The battles the boy faces are vivid and his fears completely understandable. He does the best he can with the knowledge he has, making his thoughts a logical pole even in the chaos. It's a lovely mixture which keeps the tension high as he makes his way across the island and faces monsters which are worth being afraid of.

The end wraps the story up nicely and brings the necessary sense into the entire book. It's at the end when the boy's journey, his fears and his battles truly are understandable and gain a somewhat logical footing. It's an emotional moment, where the artistic side of the rest of the book meets a well grounded point.

This is a wonderfully written book which takes a deep look into fears and describes a touching journey as a boy learns to face them. It is, however, a story which follows a more dreamy direction where the basic foundation itself is the mystery. While the book is a literary gem, I'm not sure many middle grade readers will enjoy it. But when the right ones get their hands on this book, they are in for a real treat.


And here she is...

Samantha M. Clark loves stories about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances because if four ordinary brothers and sisters can find a magical world at the back of a wardrobe, why can’t she? Until she finds her own real-life Narnia, she writes about other ordinary children and teens who’ve stumbled into a wardrobe of their own. She grew up in different countries around the world and now lives with her husband and two funny dogs in Austin, Texas. Samantha is the regional advisor for the Austin chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and she explores wardrobes every chance she gets. Visit her online at SamanthaMClark.com.

Review: The Piraroo by Marko Kitti

THE PIRAROO

Tales from Puffington Hill

by Marko Kitti

Illustrated by Ant Carlos de Ituiutaba

Middle Grade Adventure/Mystery

336 pages

Dear Reader,

I’m afraid you’re soon going to meet a tarantula the size of a kitten. You’re also going to bump into a whopper of a seagull who is the British Champion in Poop Bombing. Not to mention an extraordinary, furry creature whose ancestor once belonged to a notorious pirate captain.

You’re also going to meet a ten-year-old boy called Max, the owner of the tarantula, whose life is about to turn upside down in this nail-biting adventure that includes petnappers and disgusting healthy smoothies!

So I am warning you, Dear Reader: Should you decide to read about Max and his animal friends, your life will never be the same again.

Yours sincerely,
MK 

MY TIDBITS

After reading and loving the Jesper Jinx series from this author, I was curious and excited to see where he was heading next. I was not disappointed.

Max leads a pretty normal life. His mother is a little over zealous in her determination to win a health smoothie contest with the most disgusting flavors, his younger sister is a pain in the neck, and his father is busy keeping both of them happy while working, but, at least, he has his pet spider. Until his spider dies and becomes bird food. But that's exactly what needs to happen to set off an exciting, informative and fun adventure.

Humor and action are written big in this book. Max is a wonderful ten-year-old, who does the best he can given his situation. He's clever, yet misunderstood at times. His love and curiosity for animals not only makes Max easy to cheer for but gives him just the right touch of sweetness which is hard to ignore. It's simply fun...and something kids can easily relate to...as he deals not only with his wacky family but with the crazy problem which stumble his way.

The author meets the readers on a more personal level by addressing them directly. This adds an immediate connection which draws in and makes the reader feel involved. Although hitting on fantasy, the animals in the book also poke reality and offer the reader some interesting insights on lesser known animals in some spots...not everything is sheer imagination. I found this connection to be a nice touch. 

One of the best aspects of this book can be found in the illustrations. They are bright and bold, and there are many of them. Although the length of the book might appear daunting, at least a third of the tale seems to be illustrations. These not only add life to the book but make it perfect for even reluctant readers. So, this receives kudo points from me!

All in all, it's simply a fun read and highly recommendable for especially boys and reluctant readers, or those who love an adventurous, humorous read.

And here he is...

Marko Kitti is a Finnish writer and illustrator. He is best known for his humorous Jesper Jinx children’s book series. Born and raised in Finland, Marko now lives in the small town of Santa Venera in Malta.

Marko’s scribblings are listed here: http://markokitti.wordpress.com/books/

https://jesperjinx.com

Review: The Haunted Serpent by Dora M. Mitchell

THE HAUNTED SERPENT

by Dora M. Mitchell

Sterling Children's Books

Middle Grade Mystery/Paranormal

240 pages

ages 9 to 12

Spaulding Meriwether, Thedgeroot Middle School's new resident weirdo and son of questionable television ghost hunters, just wants to fit in. But after a revenant chases him through the woods, Spaulding suspects there’s something afoot in Thedgeroot. (At least he thinks it’s a foot. Maybe it was a hand. It’s hard to tell when you’re running away.)
Then he notices the chimneys of the abandoned factory at the edge of town puffing smoke—and his dead next-door neighbor materializes, along with David, the missing pet boa constrictor that supposedly ate him. Spaulding can’t help wondering if these strange happenings have anything to do with his undead friends in the forest. Of course, Spaulding just has to investigate—but he may be biting off more than he can chew.

MY TIDBITS

Ghosts, the living dead, and a huge conspiracy mix with tons of humor and a character who shows how hard school can really be.

Spaulding...or should his nickname be Boat?...has been handed over to live with his aunt while his ghost-hunting, TV- star parents keep him 'safe' from their job. Unfortunately, that means Spaulding is thrown into a new school where he knows he'll never fit in. To make matters worse, he swears he sees strange things going on in the forest, not to mention the huge boa constrictor which sunbathes on his aunt's roof. But soon Spaulding discovers that these are the least of his troubles.

Middle grade fans of mystery, ghosts, zombies and silly moments are going to enjoy this read. There's never a boring moment as Spaulding and his 'more or less' friends discover that magic, ghosts and other paranormal things might not be impossible after all. The mix of mystery with danger makes the tension high the entire way through, while still including enough funny moments to keep it light-hearted.

Spaulding is a treat. He's a nerd extreme, but he isn't the only one. To discover that everyone might have their own awkwardness makes him and his friends endearing. The other characters have their very own quirks, and it's easy to hate the bad guys and cheer the good ones on. The mystery itself is full of twists and turns, which keep the reader guessing until the end.

As an extra bonus, black and white illustrations pepper the pages, each offering Spaulding's hilarious and maybe insightful thoughts. This keeps the story fun to read while giving a good look into Spaulding's character. The funny 'Notes to self' which start off each chapter and giggles all on their own.



And here she is...

Dora M. Mitchell is a writer, illustrator, and children's librarian livin gin a small Northern Claifornia town that dates back to the Gold Rush. She writes surrounded by dark woods where the evidence of mining days can still be found hidden away among the trees—the inspiration for the setting of The Haunted Serpent. Her latest illustration work can be seen in The Boatman by Kat Hawthorne (BookFish Books, 2015). Visit her online at doramitchell.com

Review: Spamly Warthington: (almost) Secret Agent by Kyle Schaberg & Jack Schaberg

SPAMLY WARTHINGTON:

(almost) SECRET AGENT

A Royal Mystery

by Kyle Schaberg & Jack Schabert

Illustrated by Amber Schaberg

WriteWind Press

Middle Grade Mystery / Spy

Sure, being a spy-in-training is cool, especially when your best friend Mortimer Goldpots is a genius inventor of gadgets and you get to cruise around town in your very own mini-convertible. Still, after all the training and study Spamly's gone through, he's itching to get out in the field and prove himself. 
  
You know that saying about being careful what you wish for? When the royal pig is swiped from the royal palace, the grown-ups who run the spy-in-training agency assign Spamly the task of retrieving it. Diving headfirst into the case, the pint-size hero soon finds himself in a battle of wits with his soon-to-be arch enemy. One thing's for certain: it'll take every last drop of what Spamly's learned—and some of what he hasn’t—to save the pig's royal bacon. 

A Royal Mystery delivers a roller coaster of adventure, excitement, laughs, twists, turns, and intrigue all without having to stand in line or sit in the seat recently vacated by a kid with bladder-control issues. 

Find your favorite reading spot and settle in—Spamly's epic journey awaits. Just don't turn the pages too fast—we'd hate for your fingers to catch on fire. 

Hey, it happens.

MY TIDBITS

James Bond, watch out! Here comes Spamly, and he's as interesting as his name.

Spamly was a normal kid until a boring day of listening in on a courtroom for educational reasons leads to a short adventure. Next thing Spamly knows, he's a spy in training.High tech gadgets, fighting skills and all that other good stuff become part of his daily life. When a mission has him trying to discover the kidnapper of the royal pig, the real adventure begins.

While stuffed with all the excitement and action of a 007 movie, this story is still as quirky as the character's name. Spamly is a very good spy with a wonderful, high-tech partner at his side. The two go back and forth in a fun relationship. But then, all of the characters are colorful and carry whimsical traits to keep the humor high. It's fast-paced with surprises around every bend, and a bad guy to really enjoy.

The book as a distinct narration style, which holds thick most of the way through. It jumps around as energetic as the bouncy thoughts of Spamly's brain and adds humorous tidbits all over the place. It's a style readers will either love or have troubles connecting to. Either way, Spamly never has a boring moment, and spy fans are going to get their fill of thrills.

And here they are. . .

Kyle Schaberg is a guy that believes just because you get older doesn’t mean you have to grow up. When he isn’t documenting the adventures of Spamly, Kyle enjoys collecting action figures, watching movies, and trying to keep up with his little boy. 

Jack Schaberg is a mid-Michigan-based author who enjoys sharing his slightly off-kilter writing style with readers everywhere. In addition to the Spamly Warthington book series (book #2 is in the works), Jack's co-written two books on business and several screenplays, three of which he also produced and directed. When he's not writing, he's deciding what to write next.

Review: Mona Lisa's Ghost by Nancy Kunhardt Lodge

MONA LISA'S GHOST

Lucy Nightengale Adventure Series, Book Two

by Nancy Kunhardt Lodge

Wilwahren Press

October 2017

Middle Grade Fantasy / Mystery

192 pages

What would you do if a classmate claimed to be the reincarnation of the real Mona Lisa, and that she is going to steal it because Leonardo never gave it to her way back in 1504?
Lucy Nightingale doesn’t believe her friend, Melissa. In fact, she suspects Melissa might be delusional, or at least brainwashed. But when the painting vanishes without a trace, Lucy and her best friend, brainy Sam Winter, embark on a harrowing adventure to save their friend and find the painting before it self-destructs. Yes, the painting is not well. Just before it was stolen, the Louvre Museum scientists used a scanning machine to measure the paint layers. The machine set off a molecule-smashing syndrome which will suck it into a Black Hole if someone doesn’t rescue it by injecting it with healthy molecules. This fantasy mystery is SLARP’s first case, (SLARP standing for Sam and Lucy’s Anomalies Research Project.) Like modern day 007 and Q, Lucy is the brave field agent and Sam is the funny inventor. Lucy and Sam solve a mystery that would shock the world if it were ever made public.
Mona Lisa’s Ghost is the second book in the Lucy Nightingale Adventure Series. As a former professor of Art History with a PhD in Renaissance Art History, my aim is to bring art and artists to life for children. If there is a message in this book it is to see beyond the surface of people to their true essence, as Leonardo did when he succeeded in capturing Lisa’s playful, yet mysterious soul. 

A Mom's Choice Award Winner!

MY TIDBITS

This is the second book in the Lucy Nightengale Adventure Series, and I read this one before grabbing the first. I would, however, recommending reading the first book first, since the events and characters in book two build off of the story in book one.

Lucy and Sam have started up SLARP (Sam and Lucy's Anomalies Research Project) and hit their first 'case'. During a class discussion at school about the results of a scientific scan on the Mona Lisa, Lucy notices a chaotic, stormy, and purple swirl engulfing the background of the painting. And it makes her feel terrible. Sam explains that its a problem with the molecules within the painting, and the only way to save it is for Lucy to head to Paris and see what she can do. While there, Lucy runs into a classmate, who claims to be the reincarnation of the woman portrayed in the Mona Lisa, and she's determined to steal her painting back. Even Lucy isn't ready for the adventure which ensues after that.

This is a fun book packed to the gills with adventure, imagination and even some wonderful art and history tidbits. With a bit of the feel of the relationship between James Bond and Q, Lucy and Sam head off to save the Mona Lisa from turning into a black hole. There's definitely a huge amount of fantasy thrown in with the action and scientific nods. A massive amount. Everything from shape-shifting monsters to aliens to time travel. . .and anything else the imagination allows. . .is tossed in. Oh, and we can't forget Lucy's mentor, the Wise One or a dog from another planet who loves to sit in a rocking chair.

There are super-duper amazing gadgets created by Sam, all of which are top secret and could be stolen by some unknown evil group. . .if the group even exists. And Lucy has her own 'super power' of high frequency thought, which brings things into existence and gives her a direct, mental link to Sam in the most dire of circumstances. Sam, meanwhile, is a class all of his own, and while Lucy dives from one perilous situation into the next, he is off to some top-secret conference up north, which was founded by a Viking long ago. As said, there is a lot going on, which shoves at imaginations borders and ventures beyond. At times, it gets a little chaotic, some questions are left open or unexplained, and more science friendly readers will question a thing or two, but the tale is nothing if not fast-paced and provides an explosive ride.

On top of all of this, art and history facts weave into the mystery and teach readers something along the way. In this book, the history behind the Mona Lisa as well as an introduction to Leonardo da Vinci flows amidst the fun. The author does a wonderful job at keeping the historic facts from becoming dry, while making sure some sit and won't be forgotten. It's an intriguing and clever mixture, which is sure to help kids gain a greater appreciation for art and the artists.

Middle graders who love adventure, science fiction and whose fantasies know no limits are sure to enjoy this series.


And here she is. . .

Nancy Kunhardt Lodge has a Ph.D. in Renaissance art history. She taught at Tufts, Boston, and American Universities. She has written scholarly articles and delivered papers at Renaissance conferences in Italy and the U.S., among them the Frick Collection of Art, the Corcoran Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian Resident Associates Program. She is a member of SCBWI and the College Art Association.  She has written two novels in the Lucy Nightingale Adventure Series. Dr. Lodge is the granddaughter of Dorothy Kunhardt, author of the children’s classic, Pat the Bunny. She lives in West Newbury, MA. with her husband and two Corgis, Wilbur and Charlotte.

You can find more about her at www.nancylodge.com

Review: The Boy Who Swallows Flies by Michael F. Stewart with Giveaway!

The Boy Who Swallows Flies 

by Michael F. Stewart

February 15th 2018

Middle Grade Mystery / Superhero

Winner of the Claymore Award! 

Warning – Rated Kids-Only for Bug Violence 

Jarrod can view the memories of any bug. He just has to eat it. It’s not the tastiest of superpowers and, let’s face it, fly memories aren’t all unicorns and rainbows. Eating insects also doesn’t net him many friends, and Bug-boy is an unavoidable nickname. But Jarrod’s ready to prove that he and his bugs are worth more than ridicule.
When he swallows a fly while biking, he’s in for a shock. The bug saw a room stacked full of sick dogs and puppies in crates. It’s a puppy mill, and Jarrod needs to save the animals. But the flight range of the common housefly is five miles. Even if the police believed him, with no evidence, they can’t help. It’s up to Jarrod.
Trained cockroaches survey neighborhood basements. A fly taped to a window makes an excellent sentry. Every beetle, mosquito, caterpillar—don’t eat the fuzzy yellow ones—spider and centipede is his edible sidekick.
Will Jarrod save the dogs? Or is it all too much to swallow?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

MY TIDBITS

Filled with tons of bugs and a boy learning his place in the world, this is a fun adventure with a great message.

Jarrod loves his bugs, and he knows them inside and out. Too bad, that's the only subject he's a whiz at. . .the only thing in life. He doesn't have many friends, gets bad grades and, to top it all off, has to wear a helmet thanks to his unexplained seizures. When he discovers that the seizures have something to do with swallowing bugs, everything turns around. Now, he not only has to stomach eating his best friends, but needs to find away to solve a terrible crime and save the lives of puppies in the process.

The author definitely grabs at the heart-strings with Jarrod. The boy is a loser—at school, at home and at life. He wants to fit in but can't. He does have one best friend on his side, which offers a ray of hope, but otherwise, it's hard not to feel for him. His interest in bugs is something which will thrill especially boy readers. And it's not just a fleeting interest. Jarrod knows his bugs even from the science side, which adds a couple little interesting tidbits of information on the bug world along the way. 

The story is relatively short and holds a great pace, making this one even reluctant readers won't be scared to pick up. The yucky, bug eating fun—along with a few gross moments—make it an humorous treat. Put all of this with a bit of mystery and puppies who need dire help, and it's entertaining until the last page. Of course, how Jarrod gets through this mess is full of all sorts of unexpected twists and hard to guess what the end will really be.

Everything is wrapped around a message of staying true and believing in oneself—a message which never grows old. Jarrod doesn't have to do this completely alone as he finds a bit of support and friendship along the way. 

And here he is. . .

 

Michael F. Stewart is winner of both the 2015 Claymore Award and the 2014 inaugural Creation of Stories Award for best YA novel at the Toronto International Book Fair.
He likes to combine storytelling with technology and pioneered interactive storytelling with Scholastic Canada, Australia, and New Zealand’s, anti-cyberbullying program Bully For You. In addition to his award winning Assured Destruction series, he has authored four graphic novels with Oxford University Press Canada’s Boldprint series. Publications of nonfiction titles on Corruption and Children’s Rights are published by Scholastic and early readers are out with Pearson Education.
For adults, Michael has written THE SAND DRAGON a horror about a revenant prehistoric vampire set in the tar sands, HURAKAN a Mayan themed thriller which pits the Maya against the MS-13 with a New York family stuck in the middle, 24 BONES an urban fantasy which draws from Egyptian myth, and THE TERMINALS–a covert government unit which solves crimes in this realm by investigating them in the next.
Herder of four daughters, Michael lives to write in Ottawa where he was the Ottawa Public Library’s first Writer in Residence. To learn more about Michael and his next projects visit his website at www.michaelfstewart.com or connect via Twitter @MichaelFStewart.
Michael is represented by Talcott Notch. 

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Review: October Jones by J.D. McFarren

October Jones

The Lightning Pines Mystery

by J.D. McFarren

Middle Grade Mystery

ages 9 and up

October Jones is an adventurous, street-smart, and scrappy boy whose curiosity often leads to trouble, but ends up being his saving grace. When a series of crimes occur in Lightning Pines Cemetery, October thinks he knows who is behind it all, but his mission to solve the mystery is hindered by a meddling teacher, class bullies, false leads, and getting grounded. His impulsive nature and penchant for mischief leads his own father to believe that October might be the prime suspect. With the help from his pragmatic sister. April and his two best friends (Joey Franklin and Randy Cho), October works to solve the mystery of Lightning Pines and to clear his name. 

MY TIDBITS

Packed with curiosity and a good dash of trouble, this sleuth is sure to get to the bottom of things. . .even if he winds up with house arrest and detention on the way.

With already the second letter from his teacher in hand, October Jones knows he's in trouble.but luckily, his father is too busy to immediately take notice. The cemetery has been vandalized. While his father waits for the police to gather their evidence, October takes things into his own hands because he has an idea who the criminal might be. But nothing is as clear-cut as October had hoped, and he ends up getting himself put into the suspect spotlight instead. He has to clear his name, but it will take all kinds of rule breaking, wiggling, and luck to do it, especially since he's no longer sure who the real criminal is.

October Jones is not the average sleuth, although he is smart in his own way and wears curiosity like a second skin. High intellect, special investigation skills and technology, however, have nothing to do with him. This mystery is solved with common sense, tons of wrong deductions and the ability to squirm around rules and troubles with finesse. October Jones is a character especially boys will easily relate to and see some of themselves in his antics along the way.

Despite October Jones's sharp corners, he's a nice kid who really tries to do the right thing. And he has a great ring of friends to prove it. Even his older sister, who can be a pain at times, has a nice relationship with him as does the father, although he has no choice but to punish October at times. The interactions are natural, supportive and caring even when everyone doesn't always agree.

As to pacing, this story isn't easy to set down. Something is always happening, and it's never simple to guess what surprises will pop up next. October's deductions are logical and sound, but that doesn't mean they're always right. It's this uncertainty which keeps the reader guessing until the end. To the joy of reluctant readers, the end doesn't take forever to reach. The story is quick, short and holds action the entire way through, keeping even readers with lower attention spans glued to the pages. After all, October Jones is probably not a long novel reader himself.

Summed up, this is a great beginning to a fun series. The mystery is very age appropriate and comes across as natural as the adventures of the kids next door. . .just much more exciting.

And here he is. . .

My name is J.D. McFarren. I'm a writer and candle maker living in the Hudson River Valley of upstate New York, in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. I have a masters in Cultural Development and work at a private college.

I write both fiction and nonfiction for children and adults with publications in Voices: The Journal of New York Folklore, Helen: A Literary Magazine, and Warm Brothers Magazine. I am the author of October Jones: 
The Lightning Pines Mystery, which is the first in a planned series of books for kids.

Ten-year-old October Jones popped into my head and wouldn't leave me alone
for a few months before his story came to me one day while I was walking my
dogs through a local cemetery. October and his friends are fun to write about, 
and a lot of the places in the book are based on where I grew up. I miss being 
a kid, but writing about October lets me relive my childhood with all of its
mystery, excitement, and wonder.

https://authorjdmcfarren.wixsite.com/authorjdmcfarren
https://www.facebook.com/JDMcFarren/
https://www.amazon.com/October-Jones-Lightning-Pines-Mystery/dp/138738273X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519052750&sr=8-1&keywords=october+jones+mcfarren
http://www.lulu.com/shop/j-d-mcfarren/october-jones-the-lightning-pines-mystery/paperback/product-23448497.html
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/october-jones-the-lightning-pines-mystery-j-d-mcfarren/1127757332?ean=9781387382736
http://online.fliphtml5.com/eiis/sxwp/#p=16

Review: The Children of Manor House by R.A. Douthitt

THE CHILDREN OF MANOR HOUSE

by R. A. Douthitt

Middle Grade Mystery/Thriller

318 pages

Mikey and his friends thought they had successfully freed the ghosts of the children in the garden, but they were mistaken. Now faced with a new mystery, Mikey and his friends must enter a haunted mansion, uncover its secrets, and finally bring the killer to justice once and for all in this final book of the Children series. Can Mikey trust a ghost to solve a mystery one last time?

This series is the

Winner of the Moonbeam Children's Books Award 

Bronze Medal

 MY TIDBITS

In a whirlwind of ghosts, mystery and layers of hidden secrets, this is a breath-catching ending to a series which is sure to keep young mystery fans on the edge of their seat.

Mikey and his friends have one goal, save Lexie from the evil gang of ghosts, but the rescue mission ends with an unexpected twist. Another murder mystery unfolds, this time one which involves the most well-known family of the town's history and present. Mikey promises to solve the mystery, but he already has his hands full with the full-fledged murderer still on the loose—one who landed his father in the hospital. To top it all off, Mikey's birth mother shows up and wants him back in her life too. It's an attack from all sides, emotional and simply deadly. Somehow, Mikey has to sort it all out before he looses everything, even the lives of his family.

This is the third novel in the series and should not be read as a stand-alone. The first chapter opens up as a continuation of book two, and the reader will be lost without the necessary background information.

What an ending to the series! If Mikey thought things were tough in the first two books, this one takes him on a high-speed roller coaster ride. Every twist, every turn leads him and his friends into a thicker weave of secrets, mystery and danger. It's impossible not to feel sorry for the boy, especially when his long-time run-away mother appears and hits him with an emotional concrete wall. Luckily, Mikey is surrounded by support: friends, family and unexpected newcomers too. While many think his ghost stories are crazy, others believe him. And this trust goes a long way.

Compared to the first book, this one takes ghosts up to a whole new level. While some need help and give a hand where they can, Mikey and his friends are up against some very evil, vengeful terrors. The suspense seeps from the pages, the danger is real, but yet, the author still keeps it tight enough to stay fitting for the intended age group, readers ages nine and up. It's creepy and the heart races, but it never tips into horror, gore or harsh violence.

Mikey and his friends aren't just ghost hunting and mystery solvers, they are a normal bunch of kids. The relationship side expands in this book too, allowing the characters to grow and form more intense bonds. Mikey has to battle more personal issues, which, for him, are harder than the ghosts. But all of these are problems and things normal kids of that age face. Add the corny jokes of his friends and the silly banter that sometimes gets thrown in, and the gang stays natural and comes across as a regular bunch of friends from down the street.

I can only recommend this series to mystery and ghost fans. Not only kids will love this one, but it's written so well that adults who are young at heart will be enchanted by this series as well. Definitely, not one to miss.


 And here she is. . .

R. A. Douthitt is the Moonbeam Award-winning author of the Children series and The Dragon Forest trilogy. She resides in Arizona with her husband and their little fat dog. 

Review: The Children in the Garden by R.A. Douthitt

THE CHILDREN IN THE GARDEN

by R. A. Douthitt

Middle Grade Mystery/Thriller

414 pages

Now that Mikey and his friends have solved the mystery of the children under the ice, they are off to solve another murder mystery with the help of a little girl ghost and her dark secret of the children in the garden. Can Mikey catch the killer before he hurts what he loves most...his family? Or will the killer catch him first? Find out in this thrilling sequel to The Children Under the Ice!

This series is the

Winner of the Moonbeam Children's Books Award 

Bronze Medal

 MY TIDBITS

This is a wonderful mystery, which holds all of the thrills, chills and intrigue while still keeping it perfect for the middle grade audience.

Mikey has solved the first mystery, The Children Under the Ice, and is waiting to play his part in the up-coming trial—something he's pretty nervous about. But when a ghost appears, it's clear he won't have time to dwell on his fears. The girl needs Mikey's help to solve not only her own death, but that of several boys as well. The case isn't nearly as clear cut as the first one, and soon Mikey finds himself wrapped up in more murders and clues than he bargained for. If he isn't careful, not only could the killer escape, but he and his entire family might become the next victims.

I love this series! The author masterfully weaves a murder mystery which holds all the excitement of an adult mystery, but sizes it down just right for kids. Mikey and his friends come across as an average group of kids not only in the relationships, but the way the handle things, joke around or even get on each other's nerves. Mikey might be able to communicate with ghosts (at times) but he still comes across as normal as the kid next door. He makes decision as best he can, values his family and friends more than anything else, stumbles through things like everyone else.

There's never a dull moment in this book. Every scene locks the reader in and offers more to the mystery. Levels upon levels of secrets, twists and turns make it hard to guess where the entire thing will end. Some aspects are predictable letting readers have the satisfaction of knowing they were right, while other twists lead to completely unexpected results. In this book, there is a little more paranormal fantasy built in, which gives the mystery an interesting twist.

In many ways, this borders on a thriller and maybe even the horror end of things, keeping a creepy and tense air the entire way through. But it never goes too dark. The murderer is dangerous and the threat real, but it doesn't tip into violence or gore. Even the ghosts, despite the danger they pose, have borders which keep the scary moments from going overboard. The tension remains high, and not once does the author talk down to the readers but meets them on their level.

In other words, this is perfect for mystery and ghost loving middle graders who are ready to dive into a serious murder mystery and sink into an exciting adventure.



 And here she is. . .

R. A. Douthitt is the Moonbeam Award-winning author of the Children series and The Dragon Forest trilogy. She resides in Arizona with her husband and their little fat dog. 

Review: The Magic Man by Anne Digby

THE MAGIC MAN

Jug Valley Mysteries, Book 6

by Anne Digby

Straw Hat

Middle Grade Mystery

94 pages

A prizewinning rabbit escapes and there's a £100 reward on offer. For the five friends in Hands, finding the runaway rabbit is their last chance of delivering on their promise to help JVJ meet its target for the Lifeboat Appeal. After all, they pride themselves on their detective skills. But will detective skills be enough in this intriguing & exciting story?

MY TIDBITS

This is a sweet, quick mystery which feels a bit like cotton candy with a magic twist.

The five friends of Hands (the mystery solving club) want to raise the funds to help the JVJ with their Lifeboat Appeal, and they're still missing 100 pounds. They've arranged a fair/sale but the promised advertisement from the paper falls through. Not sure how to lure the crowd in, they run into a magician, who promises to help for free. . .and it appears that he has real magic! Mix that with a missing rabbit, a 100 pound fine and more festival mishaps, and the five kids have their hands full.

This is such a short, cute read! The five Hands slide together seamlessly, making for a beautiful display of friendship, working together and getting along. It's a pure treat to watch these kids. They try their best to help, run into problems but always do their best to get things back in order. Even when they don't agree, there's no malice or meanness involved.

I have read the other books in the series and love the slight bit of magic added to this one. Even at the end, it's not really clear what happened. . .only assumptions can be made. There is a mystery but it flows more in with the rest of the tale. A sense of wonder glides off the pages, allowing the imagination not to lose to pragmatic reality. Even in real life, dreams and magic might exist.

I highly recommend this series to mystery lovers ages 8 to 10, who enjoy wholesome reads and great bonds of friendship. Especially reluctant readers will appreciate the quick pace and lean page amount. And it's even a great addition for homeschoolers.

Review: The Children Under the Ice by R. A. Douthitt

THE CHILDREN UNDER THE ICE

by R. A Douthitt

Middle Grade Mystery

270 pages
ages 10 and up

Twelve year old Mikey hates hockey, but loves newspaper reporting, he’s quirky that way. One night, Mikey discovers the newspaper story of a lifetime when he falls through the ice of the Sherman Oaks Pond and sees the ghosts of children with a secret. And that’s when everything falls apart. No one believes Mikey’s story, not even his dad, the town Sheriff. 

Now Mikey has to let go and trust a ghost to help him solve a crime...can you trust a ghost to solve a crime?

MY TIDBITS

This is one of those books, which demands a flashlight under the blanket and will be read until all hours of the night.

Mikey really isn't wild about his dad's obsession with making him into a hockey star. He'd rather write for a newspaper. When a weird accident causes Mikey to fall through the pond's ice and be declared dead for a few seconds before he's revived, he sees the ghosts of the children who died in the pond around 15 years before. And one of them looks just like him.

This book packs a punch and is not for the more gentle reader. Right away on the first page, the author pulls into a goose bump raising scene--a murder is witnessed by four boys. The second they're caught, it's clear what will happen next. It isn't gruesome, but there is a no nonsense feel to the story. It's dark, it's a mystery and it does send chills up and down the spine. But it holds even more than that. 

Mikey is a normal kid, fighting normal problems. He has friends, some truer than others. He has a loving family, in which the parents are divorced, but he is loved despite the stumbling blocks. And he has a little trouble trying to figure out who he is, especially in relationship to his father and the dreams that the two don't share. The dialogue and relationships with the other characters comes across naturally and realistically. 

Not a single, boring moment seeps in as Mikey is thrown into a mystery. The clues are carefully placed, not too obvious and always with a slight twist. It's hard to see where the whole thing is going and how it will end. It keeps the readers on their toes, while maintaining a lovely sense of tension the entire time. The paranormal aspect weaves in seamlessly, just enough and never too much. It's a bit spooky at times, so there might be the need to check those closets and under the bed, but with Mikey and his friends, it never goes too far into the horror end. In other words, great for kids ten and above who seek a little thrill and chilling moments.

The ending wraps up all loose ends and prods on to continue the series as another eerie moment hints at the next mystery to come.



And here she is. . .

As an artist, R. A. Douthitt had always wanted to illustrate books for children, but never thought about actually writing books. But, with the help of self-publishing tools, she's doing just that. In 2008, her first book, The Dragon Forest, was published. Fast forward to 2017, she has now completed two series for middle grade readers. Her latest series, The Children Under the Ice, The Children in the Garden, and The Children of Manor House, is now available and is receiving excellent reviews from readers of all ages. Next on the agenda? R. A. Douthitt is currently writing and illustrating a Dragon Forest spin-off series called The Elves of Vulgaard to be released this summer. Her dream of illustrating books for children is finally coming true!

www.thedragonforest.com
https://www.facebook.com/ Author-Ruth-Douthitt- 245592525512882/

You can find her other books here!