Bookworm for Kids

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Review: Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

KINGDOM OF THE WICKED

by Kerri Maniscalco

JIMMY Patterson

Young Adult Fantasy

448 pages

COMING...

OCTOBER 27th!!!

From the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series comes a new blockbuster series…

Two sisters.

One brutal murder.

A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself…

And an intoxicating romance.

Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe – witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost-even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked-princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems…

BOOK DEPOSITORY

MY TIDBITS

Mystery combines with witches, demons, and curses to form a tale, which is darkly beautiful and sinfully dangerous.

Although they help their family run a restaurant in Sicily, Emilia and her twin sister aren't humans. They are witches, born in a special bloodline and constantly hiding from those who would do them harm. Their strongest charms are the pair of necklaces around their necks. They never remove them or allow them to touch because their Nonna claims that doing so would bring Hell to Earth. Not that they completely believe Nonna's tales. But when Emilia finds the body of her sister sacrificed with the heart ripped out of her and a man licking her blood, Emilia is determined not to let the murder go despite the warnings of approaching evil and eternal fires. But even Nonna and the others aren't aware of the true scope of terror about to be released.

From the very first page, this book grabs and refuses to let go. Emilia and her sister are a wonderful pair—love each other fiercely but yet have their own personalities and secrets. And their Nonna is simply a treat. When this group appears in the delicious setting of red wine, oranges, tomatoes, fresh bread and spices, it's hard not to want to get lost in their world. The author paints a rich culture and family scene before allowing the darker contrast to settle in. And then, the hook is so deep, that it was impossible to put this one down.

This is a world of magic and secrets...of monks chanting while dangerous creatures lurk in the shadows, promising to fulfil every heart's desires but with terrible costs. Lies weave with half-truths and trust is a commodity which no one can afford. And it was simply fun to join Emilia as she heads so determined from one cursed situation to the next, but not encountering anything with simplicity or direct results. The evil is twisted and cunning and has a long term goal. It creates a tight weave and made it hard to guess what would happen next. Even when the book ends, it's unclear if it's for good or worse.

I also found it intriguing that the seven demon princes (the ones in this book are all super hot and amazing, of course) each carry simple names like Lust, Wrath, Greed and such. The author allows the temptations to flow free, and it's understandable why they have an allure, and yet, it's clear that each one is deadly and has their own scheme in place. It's simply a wonderful mix, which shows how hard it is to resist sins.

My only complaint is that book two won't be out until next year because I would have snatched it up already and been lost in the next stage of this adventure. In other words, I enjoyed this one.

Monday, October 19, 2020

Review: Charley's Horse by Judith Shaw

CHARLEY'S HORSE

by Judith Shaw

Middle Grade Fiction

ages 8 to 12

Eleven-year-old Charley is crazy about horses. She’s learned everything about them—except how to ride.

Now her world is falling apart. Her parents are splitting up and plan to ship Charley off to a riding camp for the summer. She wants to stay home and fix things, but the lure of her very own horse for the summer is hard to resist. She’ll live with girls who love horses as much as she does, and she’ll finally learn to ride.

It doesn’t turn out that way. From her first day at Secret Lake, Charley feels like an outsider. Her grumpy summer horse won’t look at her, riding lessons are terrifying, and Jane, the camp bully, is out to get her.

How will Charley survive eight weeks of horse camp hell? Friendship with a mysterious black horse is all that makes camp life bearable.

Charley’s Horse is a heartwarming tale of friendship, courage in the face of fear, and the ability to find peace and healing in unexpected places. You don’t have to be a horse-mad girl to love this book. Children of any age will find something to value in Charley’s summer story.

BOOK DEPOSITORY

MY TIDBITS

Young horse lovers will enjoy following Charley as she steers through her life and finds solace and friendship in a horse.

Charley loves horses and would do anything to be around them. So, camp should be her dream come true. But life is throwing several things her way, which make this hard. Camp only takes her away from the problem between her parents—their splitting up and she wishes she could stop it...which she can't do from camp. At camp, things aren't rosy either as she deals with the other girls, instructors and a horse, which is not what her ideal one should be. Somehow, she's got to work everything out.

This is a wonderful book for all those middle grade/preteen horse lovers out there. It dives into the realm of horses, and lets readers connect with someone, who loves horses as much as they do. Of course, not path is without stumbles, and this keeps the book interesting and adds just the right amount of tension to keep those pages turning. Plus, the situations are ones readers will be able to sympathize and connect some with their own lives.

Charley's problems are easy to understand, and while some of her reactions aren't always quite as logical, it's still fun to follow her as she tries to deal with the problems. There are a few messages, which will give the reader a little food for thought, but mostly, readers will simply enjoy falling in love with horses all over again.

Saturday, October 17, 2020

Review: A Cauldron of Bats by Michael Buxton

A CAULDRON OF BATS

by Michael Buxton

Hardie Grant Egmont

Board Book/ Novelty Book

12 pages

ages 3 to 7

Introduce the idea of collective nouns to young children with this fun lift-the-flap book.

Open the flap to reveal a funny scene that illustrates weird and wonderful collective nouns for animals that fly!

BOOK DEPOSITORY

MY TIDBITS

With flip-flapping fun, listeners learn some funny ways to described groups of certain animals in the English language...and adults might just learn something new, too.

English can be an odd language, even for those of us who speak it from birth on. This cute book takes some little known words, which are the true way to describe groups of certain animals...words even us adults don't realize are used in that context. While this is a language lesson, the illustrations keep it far away from feeling preachy or boring.

It's fun to try to guess why the animals are dressed and acting they way they are (in the illustrations). And while older readers/listeners will recognize the pattern right away, it's still entertaining to flip the flap and find out what's going on. For example, flies in business suits and crowded around a table is silly, and yet, that's exactly what a swam of flies is called—a business. It's intriguing and fun for all ages.

Friday, October 16, 2020

Review: Juan Has the Jitters by Aneta Cruz

JUAN HAS THE JITTERS

by Aneta Cruz

Illustrated by Miki Yamamoto

North Atlantic Books

Picture Book

32 pags

ages 4 to 8

An interactive children's book about inclusion, diversity, and the power of math to help one boy with autism thrive amongst his peers.

Juan claps his hands to get his Jitters out. They make his tummy swoosh and swirl. They happen when there are too many people, too much noise, or too many changes to his day. Juan doesn't like surprises!

Tomorrow there is an athletic event planned at school, which makes Juan very nervous. But his teacher has the perfect solution! Math--Juan's favorite subject! Counting, sorting, and matching help Juan to calm his Jitters. They focus his mind and keep him engaged. By making math part of the day's athletic games, and by appointing Juan the official judge, he can have fun and feel included. The class is calling it the Mathletic Games!

Juan Has the Jitters is an interactive children's story about how one boy manages his autism. It is a lesson in the power of inclusion, as the class takes steps to normalize Juan's special qualities. Colorfully illustrated, this book invites young readers to help Juan as he counts, matches, and sorts both people and objects from the games. Parents of children 4 to 8 years-old can use this book to help teach kids about diversity and the beauty in what makes every one of us unique. Teachers will find the book meets Common Core standard and nurtures multiple domains of scholastic development.

BOOK DEPOSITORY

MY TIDBITS

Inclusion, awareness of others and autism come together in a tale, which holds a message but still manages to keep to a fun situation.

Juan has the jitters. He often does when something falls out of the usual routine. So, he handles it with an amazing amount of control. But he's not alone as his teacher and class have a fun day, which manages to help him cope with his jitters and enjoy himself as well.

This book is well done and does a good job at presenting Juan as a normal kid, who simply approaches things/life a little different. He needs rhythm in his routine, and when the strays away, he uses clapping and counting to keep himself grounded. The author does a great way of presenting is problem by letting it simply happen. Listeners/readers get to watch Juan in his life and see how things work out wonderfully. It's a warming book, which offers tons of smiles, encouragement, and shows how great things can be. And it deserves a thumbs up for that.

As a mother with a child with autism, I could only smile and wonder, though. It's never said what Juan's problem is...in a introduction or afterword or anything. Listeners will want to know what's up with Juan because it's clear something is and curiosity is part of life. Plus, Juan's way of dealing things only works for a smidgen of those with autism. I've also very rarely come across a kid who is so self-aware of his issue as Juan is at that age.

Still, I do find this to be an excellent book in many ways and am impressed with how seamlessly all aspects are placed together. This book will be a wonderful addition to any group discussions focusing on autism or for those children, who know someone who has a very similar like Juan, to help them better understand the person.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Review: A Curse of Gold by Annie Sullivan

A CURSE OF GOLD

A Touch of Gold, Book Two

by Annie Sullivan

Blink

YA Fantasy

Curses and queens. Pirates and kings. Gods and magic. The final saga of a cursed queen, a vengeful Greek god, and a dazzling kingdom in the balance.

After barely surviving thieving, bloodthirsty pirates and a harrowing quest at sea to retrieve her stolen treasure, Kora finds readjusting to palace life just as deadly. Kora’s people openly turn against her, threatening to overthrow her as heir to the throne—a cursed queen who has angered Dionysus. When Dionysus puts out a challenge to kill the girl with the golden touch and burn down her kingdom, it’s not just her future on the throne in danger. Kora’s life and entire kingdom are now on contract.

As bold and brave as ever, Kora sets out to find Dionysus, the very person who is trying to kill her, on the mysterious disappearing island of Jipper. Kora has no other choice. If she wants to save her kingdom and have any chance at reversing her father’s curse, she will have to enter into a deadly game with Dionysus, the greatest trickster the world, or the underworld, has ever seen.

BOOK DEPOSITORY

MY TIDBITS

With a dive into Greek mythology, this book twists and turns with the gods, Midas' touch, and a heroine, who is hard not to root for.

Kora is determined to break the curse set on her father (and by blood, her) thanks to Dionysus. But it's not an easy task as she runs up against creatures and gods alike. Luckily, she's not alone and even finds help in unexpected places.

Note: I did read the first book in this series and would highly recommend that the series be read as such. This second one can be read as a stand-alone, but it does take some time to sink in, and the characters will seem different if book one was read first.

Anyone who enjoys tales with twists on Greek mythology is sure to enjoy this one. The gods are sneaky and cruel as always, but there are several surprises too. Plus, I enjoy the fact that this is a retelling of Midas' Touch...a tale I haven't seen a lot of retellings on yet. The book is packed with action and doesn't leave a moment for boredom. Kora has her hands full, not only with the gods, but with her seafaring friends as well. I especially enjoyed Titus' place in this book... it was an interesting twist on his character and did help to make Kora even more likeable than before.

Romance. There is some, but it doesn't steer the entire plot. Not by any means. Kora's main goal is to break the curse, and that's what this tale is about. So, anyone hoping to smolder on this end, will be disappointed. Still, there is some there, and it adds a sweetness to the tale that would be missing otherwise.

While I enjoy Kora's adventure, I did find many things a bit rushed. Not in the sense that it was confusing or too quick, but rather, the action scenes and other moments could have simply been built out a bit more. So, I felt hurried along when I would have loved to linger.

But it's definitely worth a read to anyone who enjoys these types of retellings.