Review: Edge of Yesterday Series by Robin Stevens Payes

EDGE OF YESTERDAY

Edge of Yesterday Series, Book One

by Robin Stevens Payes

Small Batch Books

Middle Grade Science Fiction/Time Travel

ages 9 to 12

When thirteen-year-old geek-girl Charley Morton decides to build what she believes is Leonardo da Vinci's design for a time machine for the middle school science fair, she has two thoughts in mind: to win first prize and to travel back in time to meet her idol, Leonardo. Her goal: to find out how the Renaissance artist, engineer, scientist, musician, anatomist, and inventor managed to do it all.

MY TIDBITS

As a fan of time travel, science and everything history, I was looking forward to diving into this series. It's as fun as it sounds!

Charley would love nothing more than to be just like her idol, Leonardo Da  Vinci—a renaissance man...girl. And she's on her best way of doing just that. With the school science fair approaching, she's got herself set on perhaps bringing Da Vinci's version of a time machine to life. With her best friend Billy, a potential genius in his own right, at her side, she's sure their experiment will be great. Until strange things start to happen.

The author doesn't keep the intention behind this book a secret—to encourage girls to stay in the sciences, technical and engineering fields. And she does a great job. Charley is, in many ways, very normal for her age. She's at the verge of becoming a teenager and faces the social problems that girls have at this age. Her main concentration is, however, on her interest for everything Da Vinci. While heading through adventure, the areas of history, science, engineering, language and music all are touched upon. The author makes sure never to shy away from any information and keeps facts close while allowing fiction to flow along beside the tidbits of knowledge. It's a nice mixture, which shows that science and learning aren't necessarily boring but offer adventure too.

The writing fits the intended age group well and touches upon familiar concerns such as friendship, family and beginning relationships between boys and girls. The vocabulary is, generally, at the right level. Sometimes, Charley explains what is considered a 'difficult' term, which does pull out of the story and, considering this book hits lightly upon harder concepts such as quantum physics, isn't necessary. The scientific terminology and theories are presented without hesitation and at a level readers have a chance of understanding. These descriptions might be a little too detailed for some, while others will enjoy the dive into physics and such. There's also a dash of Italian, which allows the readers to get a taste for the language.

With all of this packed in, the story still is fast paced and interesting. Charley and her friends are easy to cheer for and the situations come across very naturally. The only thing which bothered me was the cliffhanger ending, which forces the reader to continue to the next book to see what happens next. Luckily, the story is exciting enough that readers will want to accompany Charley on the next leg of her journey anyway.

DA VINCI'S WAY

The Edge of Yesterday, Book Two

by Robin Stevens Payes

Middle Grade Science Fiction/ Time Travel 

Coming...

October 2018!!!

MY TIDBITS

Note: This book cannot be read as a stand alone but continues where book one left off.

Charley finds herself in Florence in the year 1492. Her idol, Leonardo Da Vinci, has been expecting her thanks to his mysterious apprentice. Not only is Charley still confused after a sudden time travel but is having a difficult time fitting in with past and different culture. Da Vinci claims he wants to learn from her, while she wants to learn from him. But all of that takes a backseat as the adventure flies forward. After all, time travel is not a simple thing, and Charley might be in over her head.

Charley is discovering Florence and the time period, and the reader sets out on this journey and learns with her. The author brings the scenes to life with taste, sound, and many details to enable the differences to become clear while still maintaining enough familiarity to hold the readers' interest. An interesting cast of characters is introduced in these pages, each with vibrant personalities. But then, Charley isn't boring either. Her mouth tends to get the best of her, and her actions often place her in danger. Her inability to listen to Da Vinci's recommendations and stubbornness give her spice, but also make some of her decisions ridiculous for a 'smart' girl. But she's still a character to cheer for the whole way through and has a lot to learn and discover.

Fantasy steps up more in this book as Charley's devices come more into play. The entire time travel aspect stretches a little further from known scientific theories, while history and more personal matters come into play. Again, the tale ends with a cliffhanger, leaving most questions and mysteries open and unanswered—something I'm not a huge fan of in a series.

Girls who love adventure, science fiction, and history will enjoy reading this. Even more reluctant readers will enjoy diving in, considering each book stays short and too the point.

EXTRA INFORMATION!!!

According to a study by the Girl Scouts, 74 percent of girls report an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). The problem starts when they decide to pursue a career—only 13 percent express an interest in STEM as their top career choice. The result is some 200,000 STEM jobs going unfilled annually in the United States despite the fact that women in STEM fields earn 35 percent more than their peers.

“This is why so many organizations have launched STEM initiatives for girls, including the Girl Scouts, NASA and the New York Academy of Sciences. While encouraging interest in STEM is important, what they are missing is the need to teach a growth mindset that will enable lifelong learning, instill purpose and teach the kind of grit that powers through life’s setbacks,” says writer and educator Robin Stevens Payes.

Payes is tackling this problem on multiple fronts as she launches her EDGE OF YESTERDAY media company with her interactive website gamification modules, book series and teaching curriculum. “There isn’t a lot of STEM content for middle school girls that teaches the social and emotional skills they need to succeed,” says Payes. To address that, Payes is engaging young women in the media they love most—gaming, novels, videos, podcasts and social media, and combining this with innovative lesson plans—to teach girls how to succeed in STEM and in life.

Science fiction has been a gateway for generations for STEM achievers. In her science fiction series, the EDGE OF YESTERDAY, which continues with the DA VINCI’S WAY (Small Batch Books; October 2018), Payes introduces readers to heroine Charley Morton.  The eighth-grader creates the science fair project of the century—or perhaps the 13^th century—when she finds a way to travel back in time to meet her hero, Leonardo da Vinci. Payes uses da Vinci’s Key to Universal Learning:

On the EDGE OF YESTERDAY website, Payes encourages interactive learning by inviting young readers on a time travel journey to the Heroes of History, including da Vinci, Emilie du Chatelet, Albert Einstein, Hedy Lamarr, and present-day Renaissance heroes Tiffany Shlain, Diana Gabaldon, Erich Robinson-Tillenburg. The Teaching Lab opens channels to create STEM fan fiction complete with the inspiring Word of the Week.

And here she is...

ROBIN STEVENS PAYES is the author of Edge of Yesterday, a serial science fiction story and interactive web platform designed to blow young minds, tap creative juices, and explore the truths our stories are telling us in IRL. She works with teens through the Maryland Writers Association teen clubs, Girls in Technology, and the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning.

12 Days of Clink Street with Guest Post from Author C.J. Bentley

THE SHIELD

The Finder Series, Book One

by C.J. Bentley

Middle Grade Fantasy

101 pages

 ages 9 and up

People lose their belongings. That is a fact of life. It can happen by accident, but sometimes it can happen when you put them in a very safe place and forget where that safe place is. Not many people are good at finding them again.
A young, gutsy girl with a kind heart, who's searching for her own identity growing up in the 1960s, just happens to be very good at finding things. Can she be the one to help return whatever is lost - anywhere and at any time - to its original owner?
With the help of a beautiful yet mysterious wise woman and a chivalrous knight she does just that. She finds and returns his shield, lost in battle, which unbeknown to her holds a secret that is important to his King, the safety of the Kingdom and the life of the daughter of his best friend.
The Shield is the first story in The Finder Series, taking our heroine on extraordinary journeys back in time. Her first adventure takes place in Medieval England in 1340 where she meets King Edward III, his wife Philippa and their son, who will later become the Black Prince.

I reviewed this book earlier this year and really enjoyed it. You can find my review here!

Welcome, C.J. Bentley!!!

All I want for Christmas……………………

‘What would you like for Christmas this year dear?’  I addressed my husband as I joined him at the breakfast table with the toast.

‘Hmmmm….’ Was the reply from behind his newspaper.

Undeterred I continued.

‘Would you like a ticket to fly on the Branson Virgin Galactic to view the earth from space?  I think it only costs around two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and flights are due to start in 2018.’

‘Hmmm……’ once again.

‘What about a new car?  The Volvo is showing its age now, something bright and sporty, one of those flashy Italian ones with the strange names.  No, it might be a bit tricky for you to get in and out of with your back’.

‘Hmmm….’ Once again the monotonous reply.

‘What about a holiday?   A trip to Africa.  To one of those safari camps that trick you into thinking you are camping but is in fact five star luxury under canvas’.

‘Hmmm….any more coffee dear please?’  Still from behind the paper.

I was going to have to up my game.

‘Of course dear, are you listening to me?’ as I poured him another cup and added milk.  Or is that paper more important?’

‘Hmmm…..’

This was getting boring, always tenacious I continued.

‘What about a boat?  Something big, we could moor it on the Med’, big enough for the children to stay on with us in the school holidays, I could see you in a Captain’s hat on the poop deck, you would look quite dashing’.

‘Hmmm….’  Back came the usual reply.

Now I am an incredibly patient person, forty years married one had to be, but how much longer could I continue with this one sided conversation, my patience was beginning to wear thin.  It hadn’t always been like this.  When the children were young and at home they had probed us both with questions for requests well before the festivities.  Then came the secrets and giggles as they returned from shopping trips with Dad, who smiled at me from over their bag-laden arms.

Things change, life happens.  Children grow and have children of their own.  It is only fair to share.  This year it was the turn of the partner’s parents.  It had been my choice to have us all together so the alternative year it was to be just the two of us.

Don’t think I don’t love my husband, I do, very much but it will be a very quiet Christmas this year.  The high point would be the telephone calls from the children on Christmas morning.

I continued.

‘I know, we will donate money to a good cause, a charity, like we did for the children when they sponsored an animal each at the zoo.  You could sponsor an elephant, you’ve always liked elephants’.

‘Hmmm….’

‘I didn’t tell you but I give money to Save the Children, have done for the last few years in fact, my secret gift to myself’.

‘Hmmm…’ 

I was starting to get annoyed.

‘Or I could just buy you a new shirt and tie for work and golf balls like I normally do’.  I glared once again at the back of the newspaper.

‘Hmmm…’

‘Well that’s that then, golf balls it is’.

‘Hmmm….any more coffee in the pot?’

‘I’ll make more, this is stone cold’.

And here she is. . .

Originally heralding from the North of England, C.J Bentley has traveled extensively and enjoyed living in a variety of countries across the world from Dubai to Doha, Qatar and now the countryside in the South of France. A background in teaching and childcare she has always enjoyed creating adventure short stories. However, it was when she became a grandma and with her grandchildren growing up that she discovered that books seemed to contain only stories of vampires, zombies and farts that she decided seriously to take matters into her own hands and put pen to paper which today she calls The Finder Series.

Website – https://www.cjbentleyonline.co.uk/Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/CJBentleyAuthor/Twitter – https://twitter.com/CJBentleyAuthor

Review: Skavenger's Hunt by Mike Rich

SKAVENGER'S HUNT

by Mike Rich

Inkshares

Middle Grade Adventure/Fantasy

COMING TOMORROW. . .

NOVEMBER 14th!!!

After young Henry Babbitt tragically loses his father, he can't help but remember the promises of the great adventures they would now never take. Then, on a snowy Christmas Eve, his grandfather reveals that he's tracked down a series of mysterious century-old clues left by Hunter S. Skavenger, the eccentric magnate who launched the first and greatest scavenger hunt. 
Hours later, on Christmas Day, Henry finds himself magically transported back to 1885, where he teams up with a ragtag band of youngsters in a quest to solve Skavenger's elaborate puzzle. From New York to the Mississippi riverboats to the streets of old Paris, Henry and his new friends face off not only against brilliant competing teams, but also Skavenger's own dark and elusive nemesis: Hiram Doubt.

MY TIDBITS

This is a fun mixture of time travel, history and a good dose of quick paced adventure, making it an entertaining read.

Since his father's death, Henry's life has been anything but adventurous. His mother keeps him safe as can be, and he doesn't argue with her. The yearly visit to his grandparents on Christmas Eve starts with his mother's warning not to spend to much time listening to his grandfather's ridiculous tales, but this is one warning Henry refuses to heed. This time, his grandfather has a special story waiting, one that involves old articles about a mysterious scavenger hunt started by Hunter S. Skavenger in 1882. Hoping to learn more, Henry sneaks back into his grandfather's study in the middle of the night to find a single ledger sheet which transports him back to the last scavenger hunt in 1885.

The story starts out with a pull at the heart strings. Henry is sitting at the museum waiting for his mother as the last child there and already sitting for a long time. His life hangs around him like a weighted cloud, and it's hard not to feel sorry for him. His mother isn't exactly warm, but it's clear she cares for him and is battling her own troubles. When the adventure starts, the reader can only cheer for Henry and be thrilled that he gets a chance to do something adventurous.

Henry has to find his independence, and the dash across time and the world with an evil group on his tail does exactly that. With new friends, he learns to be daring and take risks. There's something happening on every page, and the riddles add a bit of thinking fun. The dabs of history make it interesting for information buffs as Henry runs across numerous historic figures and learns some facts along the way. Although this is a great mixture to liven up history for young readers, there were so many different figures and places (none which went deeper than a brief meeting) that it began to feel like a historic line-up.

The ending comes full circle and wraps everything up while leaving a cute twist and potential for upcoming adventures—which are certain to bring more fun.


A giveaway for copies of this book is running on Goodreads until November 17th! here


And here he is. . .

Screenwriter of Cars 3, Secretariat, The Nativity Story, Radio, The Rookie, and Finding Forrester. Obsessive reader & proud Portlander—which might offer a hint on my view of food carts, brewpubs and wine. Big on travel, both near and far.

Sneak Peek: The Shield by CJ Bentley

THE SHIELD

The Finder Series, Book One

by C.J. Bentley

Clink Street Publishing

Middle Grade Time Travel

101 pages

People lose their belongings. That is a fact of life. It can happen by accident, but sometimes it can happen when you put them in a very safe place and forget where that safe place is. Not many people are good at finding them again.
A young, gutsy girl with a kind heart, who's searching for her own identity growing up in the 1960s, just happens to be very good at finding things. Can she be the one to help return whatever is lost - anywhere and at any time - to its original owner?
With the help of a beautiful yet mysterious wise woman and a chivalrous knight she does just that. She finds and returns his shield, lost in battle, which unbeknown to her holds a secret that is important to his King, the safety of the Kingdom and the life of the daughter of his best friend.
The Shield is the first story in The Finder Series, taking our heroine on extraordinary journeys back in time. Her first adventure takes place in Medieval England in 1340 where she meets King Edward III, his wife Philippa and their son, who will later become the Black Prince.

SNEAK PEEK

When writing ‘The Shield’, a story about a young girl who with her friends finds a shield in one time and returns it to the owner in his, it was necessary to set the scene for the loss of Sir Kay’s shield, the prologue introduces us to the knight we come to know as Sir Kay and the setting for the loss of his shield.

He wondered if he was injured but that meant moving and he really didn’t want to move yet, maybe he could just lie here looking at the sky, but then he remembered. He had to move, had to complete his journey and his mission, his King and the future of his country depended upon the message he carried in his shield’s secret hiding place. 

Where was his shield? Sword?  Horse?

He cautiously moved his head to one side mentally noting his helmet was missing. 

He heard, as his senses recovered and then saw a stream, swollen with recent rains, as he moved his head to the other side it appeared to be all around him, it gurgled its way in its hurry to reach the river and then onwards to the sea. 

He moved one leg gently over the edge of the bank and into the water, as the water hit his foot the cold made him catch his breath but it had the desired effect of making him more alert. He didn’t seem to be injured, if he could only get his other leg over the bank he could launch himself upright, not an easy thing to do dressed in chain mail armour but he needed the momentum, so it had to be done.  As he rolled onto his side to let his other leg fall into the stream he felt a sharp, stabbing pain.   He was injured.  He needed to move, to get to safety the villains may still be around. 

He knew who could help him but he had to find his horse to get to her, she was good with herbs and potions, better than any and she knew all about his mission so would heal him quickly to get him on his way to the King, oh, how he needed his horse, where was he?

Ignoring the pain as best he could, he rolled over and bent both his legs over the bank and using all of his remaining strength pushed himself into an upright position.  He was not on an island as first thought but facing the bank of an inlet of land pushing out into the water, a grassy bank covered with wild flowers and young trees with a scrubby planting of young hedge to one side. 

On a better day he would have chosen such a place to sleep in the dappled sunshine, it had a magic about it but now he needed to move and to find his horse quickly to get himself out of danger. 

Following the prologue we are introduced to the main character, a girl, she is living in the nineteen sixties aged ten years and four months and it is the start of the school summer holidays.  She is a girl who has a big heart and is loyal to her friends, she is searching for her own identity and changes her name on a regular basis something her parents show their love for her by treating it as just something she does.  Her older sister however just thinks it’s weird.  They decide to take a picnic and go fishing for small fish in the local stream and eventually find a shield in the silt at the bottom of the stream.  After discussions they decide to take it back to their street and as they are carrying it towards their street they see a strange sight…..

And here she is. . .

Originally heralding from the North of England, C.J Bentley has travelled extensively and enjoyed living in a variety of countries across the world from Dubai to Doha, Qatar and now the countryside in the South of France. A background in teaching and childcare she has always enjoyed creating adventure short stories. However, it was when she became a grandma and with her grandchildren growing up  that she discovered that books seemed to contain only stories of vampires, zombies and farts that she decided seriously to take matters into her own hands and put pen to paper which today she calls The Finder Series.

Website - https://www.cjbentleyonline.co.uk/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CJBentleyAuthor/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/CJBentleyAuthor