Review: Something Is Bugging Samantha Hansen by Nancy Viau

SOMETHING IS BUGGING SAMANTHA HANSEN

by Nancy Viau

Schiffer Publishing

Middle Grade Contemporary

184 pages

Ten-year-old Samantha Hansen loves science! In the beginning of fourth grade, she never let a moment go by without talking about rocks. Now she's back with a new obsession: insects! Upon learning that the local apiary is for sale, she goes into action to save the honey bees. Will her someday boyfriend Todd or her best friend Kelli be part of her plan? Will That Kid Richard get in the way? Sam's lists of insect facts and funny thoughts highlight her quest to keep the bees in the community, the challenges she faces at school, and her ongoing struggle with her temper. Join Samantha as she looks to science for answers and does her part to change the world.

MY TIDBITS

Entomology meets the difficulties of being in the fourth grade in this tale about a girl, who can change things if she tries.

Sam takes to the new topic in their science class like a bee to honey. When she discovers that a local bee farmer, one that her class was supposed to visit, is selling his farm to a house developer, she's not sure what to do. But she knows she has to do something. Add trouble with her best friend thanks to a boy, a stray dog, a difficult older sister, and Sam's own temper issues, and she's in for quite the experience.

Especially younger middle graders (ages 8 through 10) are going to enjoy this tale. Sam is a spunky girl who finds herself in a couple of sticky situations, ones she's not sure how to handle. This uncertainty and the topics chosen fit very well to the age group and are easy for middle graders to identify with. There's a dash of first love and the beginning steps to the problems that can cause, as well as the troubles which shake up things on the friendship front for girls this age. And all of this is handled with believable answers and in a wholesome way.

The addition of entomology, and especially bees, adds a nice, science direction. Sam is a list girl, and this gives the reader the opportunity to learn more about this insect. This information flows into the rest of the tale smoothly and never comes across as preachy.

Sam was a little hard for me to warm up to. She has some temper issues (which the author does solve in a clever way by the end of the book). This and her pushy attitude made her hard to like. Still, the story is cute and well written. And the relationship to her mother and grandfather are a treat.

Review: Just One Thing by Nancy Viau

JUST ONE THING

by Nancy Viau

Illustrated by Timothy Young

Schiffer Publishing

Middle Grade Contemporary

ages 8 to 12

144 pages

Every child about to enter middle school will be able to relate to this heart-warming, funny story. Anthony Pantaloni needs to figure out one thing he does well one thing that will replace the Antsy Pants nickname he got tagged with on the first day of fifth grade, one good thing he can own before moving up to middle school next year. It seems that every kid at Carpenter Elementary has a claim to fame: Marcus is Mr. Athletic, Alexis is Smart Aleck, Bethany has her horse obsession, and even Cory is known as the toughest kid in the school. Ant tries lots of things, but nothing sticks! It doesn t help that there are obstacles along the way a baton-twirling teacher, an annoying cousin, and Dad's new girlfriend, to name a few. Just One Thing! is chock full of hilarious adventures that will keep young readers cheering until the very end. For ages 8 to 12.

MY TIDBITS

With tons of humor and lots of heart, this story jabs into the core of middle grade insanity and the question of whether or not a kid can ever make it out with even a little bit of self-esteem intact.

Ant, otherwise known as Anthoni Pantaloni, has managed to maneuver his way from being stuck underneath a dark cloud. . .until he hits the fifth grade. Thrust into the new nick-name 'Antsy Pantsy', Ant struggles to find his identity while dealing with a frustrating cousin, his father's new romance and a mom who appears to be fading out of existence in some far away place named Paris, France.

This book had me and my son smiling and giggling the entire way through. Ant is an average boy stuck in an unfortunate situation, but not one that surpasses reality. His problems are fairly normal, but mount from one moment to the next. Most of it isn't his fault but still, he has to deal with the fall out. It's easy to feel for him and understand the problems he's going through. Although many situations are giggle worthy, the meaning and reality behind them still hit home. Life isn't easy and problems aren't always simple to solve. Still, there's a lovely dosage of hope and the encouragement that help sometimes comes from the most unexpected places. It's these moments which bring forth those fuzzy warm feelings and make it a read to enjoy.

One of the best things about this book are the illustrations/doodles. Simple sketches decorate every few pages, illustrating what Ant is doodling himself. They're funny and chucked full of imagination. As an extra bonus, there's a blank page at the end of some of the chapters, which invites kids to leave their own doodles.

The messages in this book are clear (learning to love yourself, friendship, understanding, never giving up, etc) but they are weaved masterfully into the story insuring that they never feel preachy.

Summed up, this is a fun read for kids ages 8 to 12 with tons of good things. The illustrations and invitation to add own doodles catches the attention and draws in. And the short length of 144 pages is just right to catch the eye of reluctant readers too.


And here she is. . .


Nancy Viau is the author of City Street Beat (Albert Whitman & Co.), Storm Song (Two Lions/Scholastic), Look What I Can Do! (Abrams Books), Just One Thing! (Schiffer Publishing) and Samantha Hansen Has Rocks In Her Head (Amulet Books). Her stories, poems, and activities appear in Highlights, Ladybug, and many other magazines. She is a member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and the founder of The KidLit Authors Club (www.kidlitauthorsclub.com), a marketing group consisting of authors who sign, present, and visit bookstores, libraries, festivals, and conferences together.

You can find more about her. . .
 www.NancyViau.com


All about. . .


Timothy Young has worked as an animator, sculptor, toy designer, graphic designer, puppet maker & art director. He is very pleased to have fulfilled a childhood dream to write and illustrate his own picture books.

You can find out more about him. . .

http://creaturesandcharacters.com/