November 2013 - Library of Clean Reads

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Kid Konnection: Treasure Hunters by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein

Treasure Hunters by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 978-0316207560
Published September 16, 2013
Hardcover, 480 pages
Ages 8-12

Who knew James Patterson could write fun middle-grade books? (I must add this one is co-written with Chris Grabenstein.) When I saw this book at Costco, I picked it up thinking my son and I would enjoy reading it together, especially since it's filled with cool drawings. I was right. This was an action packed adventure tale of four siblings looking for treasure that would ultimately probably lead to their missing parents.

The story is told by Bick, as he tells us right from the first paragraph, whereas his sister Beck is the one doing the drawings. They are 12 year-old twins with one older sister, 14 year-old Storm, who's a socially awkward genius, and Tommy, their 17 year-old dude brother. They were all homeschooled on their sailing ship. Their dad is a world-famous oceanographer and treasure hunter, and the kids are his crew! But when both their parents go missing, the kids take action, following clues left by their parents to track them down.

Of course, the thugs, gangsters and dubious characters they meet and outsmart along the way, including all the dangerous situations they get in and out of (shark-infested water fights, anyone?) only served to make this a book my 9 year-old son absolutely loved. The twins are funny, and Bick's remarks about his family members are affectionate. The siblings work together, using each other's strong points to survive and cope being without the parents they respect and look up to.

This was a fun book to read with my son. The illustrations are great and I would say this book is part graphic novel, minus the dialogue bubbles. I just think that the illustrator Julianna Neufeld's name should be on the front cover since half the pages are illustrations and are an integral part of the story. This is a perfect book for reluctant readers. And it looks like it's part of a series, so we look forward to reading the second book.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read. There are fight scenes but they are cartoonish.

Reviewed by Laura & Son

Disclosure: I bought this book and was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Every Saturday, Booking Mama hosts a feature called Kid Konnection—a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, visit Booking Mama.

Friday, November 29, 2013

I, Spy by Jordan McCollum

I, Spy by Jordan McCollum
Durham Crest Books
ISBN: 978-1940096001
Published April 27, 2013
Trade paperback, 312 pages

This was a fun spy novel. Told in CIA operative Talia Reynold’s first person point of view, we get to experience her adventure as she balances her relationship with boyfriend Danny with her Top Secret occupation. Danny is an aerospace engineer and things get mixed up and messed up when she is on a secret mission targeting Fyodor Timofeyev, a Russian aerospace executive and possible spy. How can she possibly tell her boyfriend what she does for a living?

Talia proved to be an interesting character because she lets the reader in on a few CIA secrets and debunks certain spy myths too, and one can’t help smile at her funny rendition of situations in which she’s found herself. The fact that she’s a gun-toting tough Mormon girl who cannot drink alcohol but lies through her teeth (and more) to get her job done had me rolling my eyeballs. One cannot pin her as a devout Christian when she is clearly doing things the Bible condemns.

Apart from this, I have to say I liked the setting because Ottawa is less than two hours from Montreal where I live and I enjoyed all the mentions of Canadian places and stuff. This was a light and fun book to read. If you like light and humorous mysteries with a quirky spy girl taking the lead, this one’s for you.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read. I will count this book toward my Reading the World Challenge

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Skellig by David Almond

Skellig by David Almond
Delacorte Press
ISBN: 978-0385326537
Published April 28, 2009
Hardcover, 208 pages
Ages: 8-12

I don't think I would have picked up this book if it weren't for the fact that it's on the list of books to read for the Battle of the Books competition in which my daughter is participating in her first year of high school. We read it together and although it kept us turning the pages to discover the mystery of who or what is Skellig, overall, we weren't wowed by it.

Michael and his family have just moved into an old dilapidated house. His baby sister is ill and he is unsure if she will die. There is tension in their family and Michael copes with these new changes by spending time with the strange man he discovered named Skellig, who looks like a sick hobo lying in the condemned garage that is off limits because it will collapse any day. He shares his secret friendship with Skellig only with Mina, a homeschooled girl who lives in his new neighborhood. Together they help Skellig and are fascinated by this fantastical creature who is like an owl-man.

From the beginning, it's clear that Michael is hurting. My daughter and I could relate to his situation and felt for him. When we first meet Skellig, we were not impressed with him, rather he was somewhat disgusting. He changes for the better in the way we view him as the story progresses however, but we never quite understood who he was and how he ended up sick in that garage. His conversations with Michael are short, uninspiring and do not reveal much about him.

The author's allusions to mankind's evolution mixed in with angelic-like interventions were contradictory and failed to touch us as I think it was meant to. We chose to see it more as an allegory of how imagination and creative play can help in coping with stressful situations in life. This was supported by the fact that Michael's baby sister was never given a name and referred to simply as the baby. Mina, who was different from Micheal's guy friends, helped Michael nurture that magical feeling of discovery.

This was a different kind of book, one that was interesting to read but was just an okay read for us.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura & Tween Daughter

Disclosure: We borrowed this book from the library. We were not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Monday, November 25, 2013

The Intrigue by Marion Chesney (audiobook review)

The Intrigue: The Daughters of Mannerling Book 2 by Marion Chesney
AudioGo
Released Oct 1, 2013
Narrator: Charlotte Anne Dore
Length: 5.1 hours
Unabridged

This is the second book in the Regency romance series The Daughters of Mannerling. The first book is The Banishment. Now that Isabella is married and failed to secure Mannerling, it falls on the shoulders of the second eldest sister Jessica to get Mannerling, their former home that was gambled away by their father. It now belongs to new owners who have a marriageable son named Harry. The problem is that Harry is a drunkard and a scoundrel who wouldn't think twice about ravishing a young lady. Jessica has her reservations, especially after she meets Professor Robert Sommerville, Harry's level-headed cousin. But once again, her family is counting on her just like they did with Isabella.

Once again, I found this book similarly fun and delightful to listen to. The story continues, and Jessica, like her sister before her struggles between duty to her family and what her heart begins to tell her after she spends time with Robert at his estate. A new character in the form of Mrs. Trumble enters the picture as the governess to the girls. There is a mystery about her because we don't know where she is from and who she really is. But she cares for the girls more than their selfish mother Mrs. Beverley.

This book's narrator is different from the first. Charlotte Anne Dore does a good job narrating. She has a bit of a raspy voice that is livelier than Lizzie Stanton who narrated the first book. She does a great job with wise Mrs. Trumble's voice compared to snobbish Mrs. Beverley's voice and then sweet Jessica's voice, but I did not like her rendition of Robert's voice which was low and made him sound weak.

Apart from this, I enjoyed this second book in the series with its new characters. I look forward to the third book. I'm sure Chesney will be introducing other interesting characters and revealing more on Mrs. Trumble.

Note: This book is rated S = sexual content. There is a brief bedroom scene. Not too descriptive.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to AudioGo and Audiobook Jukebox for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? November 25 edition

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia who now blogs at To Be Continued. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. The host for November is Crystal at I Totally Paused! You can also view the touring blog list here for the upcoming months.

My giveaway of Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? finishes tomorrow. Please visit this post for a chance to win a copy of this children's book that I think is a must-read for all families who deal with Alzheimer's Disease.

Okay, on to my exciting mailbox this week.

For Review:

These all came in from Penguin. More YA books for me! I'm on a roll.

A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller

Welcome to the world of the fabulously wealthy in London, 1909, where dresses and houses are overwhelmingly opulent, social class means everything, and women are taught to be nothing more than wives and mothers. Into this world comes seventeen-year-old Victoria Darling, who wants only to be an artist—a nearly impossible dream for a girl.

After Vicky poses nude for her illicit art class, she is expelled from her French finishing school. Shamed and scandalized, her parents try to marry her off to the wealthy Edmund Carrick-Humphrey. But Vicky has other things on her mind: her clandestine application to the Royal College of Art; her participation in the suffragette movement; and her growing attraction to a working-class boy who may be her muse—or may be the love of her life. As the world of debutante balls, corsets, and high society obligations closes in around her, Vicky must figure out: just how much is she willing to sacrifice to pursue her dreams?

The Rule of Three by Eric Walters

One shocking afternoon, computers around the globe shut down in a viral catastrophe. At sixteen-year-old Adam Daley’s high school, the problem first seems to be a typical electrical outage, until students discover that cell phones are down, municipal utilities are failing, and a few computer-free cars like Adam’s are the only vehicles that function. Driving home, Adam encounters a storm tide of anger and fear as the region becomes paralyzed. Soon—as resources dwindle, crises mount, and chaos descends—he will see his suburban neighborhood band together for protection. And Adam will understand that having a police captain for a mother and a retired government spy living next door are not just the facts of his life but the keys to his survival.

Landry Park by Bethany Hagen

“Downton Abbey” meets The Selection in this dystopian tale of love and betrayal

Sixteen-year-old Madeline Landry is practically Gentry royalty. Her ancestor developed the nuclear energy that has replaced electricity, and her parents exemplify the glamour of the upper class. As for Madeline, she would much rather read a book than attend yet another debutante ball. But when she learns about the devastating impact the Gentry lifestyle—her lifestyle—is having on those less fortunate, her whole world is turned upside down. As Madeline begins to question everything she has been told, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana, who seems to be hiding secrets of his own. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty—her family and the estate she loves dearly—and desire.

Fans of Ally Condie, Kiera Cass, Veronica Roth, and even Jane Austen will be enthralled by this breathtaking read.

Blues for Zoey by Robert Paul Weston

Kaz Barrett isn’t saving for college. Every penny he earns working at the sketchy Sit’N’Spin Laundromat is for his mother. He plans to send her to a top-notch (and very expensive) sleep clinic in New York. His mother suffers from an extremely rare neurological disorder that causes her to fall asleep for days at a time. Both he and his kid sister, Nomi, worry that one day, maybe tomorrow, their mother will fall asleep and never wake up.

At the start of summer, everything seems on track. Come September, Kaz will have earned all he needs and more. However, when anarchic, pink-haired Zoey walks past the laundromat’s window, Kaz’s ordered life begins spinning out of control. Smart, mysterious, and full of music, Zoey is unlike anyone Kaz has met, but there’s another side to her that he can’t quite figure out.

When he goes looking for answers, he finds a whirlwind of lies, half-truths, and violence. And in the eye of the storm, he’ll discover that you really can’t con an honest man.

Dangerous by Shannon Hale

How far would you go to save the ones you love? And how far would you go to save everyone else?

Maisie Danger Brown just wanted to get away from home for a bit and see something new. She never intended to fall in love with a boy at space camp. And she certainly never intended to stumble into a frightening plot that just might destroy everything and everyone she cares about. But now there's no going back - Maisie's the only thing standing between danger and annihilation. She must become the hero the world needs, before she loses her heart . . . and her life.

Equal parts romance and action-adventure, this explosive story is sure to leave both longtime Shannon fans and avid sci-fi readers completely breathless.

After reading the synopsis, I couldn't pass this one up from Sourcebooks:

Under the Jeweled Sky by Alison McQueen

Sophie never meant to come back to India, yet when her new, diplomat husband is posted to New Delhi and she steps once again onto the country's burning soil, she realizes her return was inevitable. As her ill-fated marriage begins to unravel, it sets in motion a devastating chain of events that will bring Sophie face to face with a past she's tried so desperately to forget, and a future she must fight for.

After reading and reviewing Depression and Your Child, the author kindly offered me her first book, which I've already started reading. Mental Illness, Psychology and Neuroscience are all fields that interest me a lot:

Living With Depression: Why Biology and Biography Matter Along the Path to Hope and Healing by Deborah Serani

One out of four Americans will experience mental illness in their lifetime; major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability in the United States for ages 15 through 44. However, only a fraction of those suffering will seek treatment; 25 percent will seek treatment for symptoms. Stigma claims the other 75 percent, wedging depressed individuals into a life of silent suffering.

In Living with Depression, Serani outlines the various forms of depression, describes the different treatments, and outlines methods for living with depression and getting the help you or a loved one needs. Tips on how to choose a good therapist, negotiate the labyrinth of healthcare, and minimize stigma are addressed, as is learning how to use biology and biography as tools of empowerment. Listings of national and global resources make this a ready resource for everything you need to know about depression.

After reading and reviewing the first two books in this trilogy, the author has sent me the final installment:

Trophy: Decision by Paul M. Schofield

IMAGINE AN EARTH RESTORED TO PERFECTION under the care of ten women Guardians who answer only to a governing computer. Imagine a peaceful, colonized Solar System. This is what the New Victorian Empire has accomplished in the 477 years of its existence. Now mankind faces extinction because of a genetic mutation caused by the catastrophic collapse of Earth’s environment in 2065 A.D., the year the Empire began. The Keyhole anomaly, a wormhole in space, offers a solution: time-travel to transport genetically sound humans from the past. The Empire has narrowly defeated the Freedom Movement for control of the Keyhole, and the rebel leader, Dr. Eng, has escaped back in time through the strange anomaly. She continues in her quest to rebuild her forces, defeat the Empire, and capture people from the past to bring forward to the present. The Empire is determined to stop her and press on with their plan to prevent mankind’s extinction. Lieutenant Janet Rogerton and her dynamic team are challenged with a secret assignment that will determine the survival of the human race. And unknown to everyone a third organization holds the key to mankind’s future. The Decision is at hand. Will the human race survive?

TROPHY: DECISION is the third book of the Trophy Saga, a future look at a pivotal time in mankind’s history. It concludes the story of the continuing struggle to prevent the extinction of the human race.

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. This is where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read. The kidlit version is hosted by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

Read and reviewed:
Maggie at Sea: A Maggie McGill Mystery by Sharon Burch Toner (reviewed by Sandra)
Daughter of the God-King by Anne Cleeland (good historical romance and espionage)
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (a beautiful story)
Poppy and the Fat Puppy by Eli Jay

Bookish Post:
Mary Elizabeth the Spotless Cow Book Spotlight and 25$ Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Currently Reading:
I, Spy by Jordan McCollum
Trash by Andy Mulligan (This one's really good. I'm reading it with my daughter for Battle of the Books competition at school.)

Hope you all have a great reading week!

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Kid Konnection: Poppy and the Fat Puppy by Eli Jay

Poppy and the Fat Puppy by Eli Jay
Outskirts Press
ISBN: 978-1478700036
Published Aug 30, 2013
Softcover, 40 pages

This is the third book in a series featuring the adventurous balloon named Poppy. We haven't read the first two books.

Poppy meets Fat Puppy in the park. He has no home and he is cold and hungry. Poppy wants to help Fat Puppy and so takes him the see Dr. Helpman the vet who states that the dog is very sick and overweight. He prescribes a well-balanced diet and exercise. When the puppy asks if Poppy will help him find a home, Poppy says he must first get better. Poppy helps Fat Puppy eat well and they have fun exercising. Once the dog "turns into a happy and healthy dog" he gets a new name and a new home.

I read this book with my 9 year-old son and we thought it was just okay.We liked that Poppy befriended the lost dog and helped him get better, having fun with him as they did outdoor activities, such as running, hiking and swimming.

We get that the author was promoting the message that eating well and exercising are important but it was the way the message was conveyed that had us frowning. Fat Puppy is told that he must first get better before a home would be found for him. Does that mean that if you are overweight and sick you don't deserve a home? Also, we wondered why the puppy was considered to be "very sick"(he didn't look it and it wasn't explained) and why he was overweight if he was without a home and hungry? Where did he come from? How did he get lost or alone? Since he was a puppy, where was his mother?

Apart from these unanswered questions, my son thought the illustrations and the story were simplistic. Even children's books need a good plot.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura & Son

Disclosure: Thanks to the author and Bostick Communications for sending us this book for review. We were not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Mary Elizabeth the Spotless Cow (Book Spotlight and 25 $ Amazon Gift Card Giveaway)

Today I'm spotlighting a cute children's book with a great message. (My review will be posted on December 9.) When you buy this book, 50% of net proceeds go to Phoenix Children’s Hospital Child Life Program to make a difference in the lives of children with critical and life threatening illnesses. What a compelling incentive to buy the book and give it as a gift!

To celebrate this book, there is a Rafflecopter giveaway of a 25 $ Amazon Gift Card.

About the book:

The story of "Mary Elizabeth The Spotless Cow" takes us on the journey she travels to figure out how to get the cows at a new farm to like and accept her.

While she hopes to find friendship at her new home, instead she learns what it means to be different from everyone else. (Spotless!) Mary Elizabeth uses clever ideas and a sense of humor to help her on her quest for friends at the new farm.

This inspiring tale shows how perseverance in spite of obstacles, using a sound thought process to arrive at solutions and the importance of having fun, using humor and enjoying playtime can build friendships.

Purchasing information: From now through December 31, 2013, you can purchase Mary Elizabeth The Spotless Cow from the Sweetles website for only $12.00 (List price: $17.99).

When you buy this book, 50% of net proceeds go to Phoenix Children’s Hospital Child Life Program. Visit http://www.sweetles.com/product/books/mary-elizabeth-the-spotless-cow-book/ for more information.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
Ballantine Books
ISBN: 978-0345505347
Published Oct 6, 2009
Trade paperback, 301 pages

This was a beautiful and bittersweet novel that explored family ties, lost love and the longings of the heart that transcends cultures and fear.

Henry Lee is a recently widowed Chinese American who begins to reminisce of his childhood and his first love when he sees that the boarded-up and forgotten Panama Hotel is now being reopened, and the new owner has discovered the belongings of Japanese families who were sent to internment camps during WWII. The story alternates between the present (Henry as a fifty-six year old man) in 1986 and the past (Henry as a twelve year-old boy) in 1942. Henry meets Keiko, a Japanese American girl at school. They bond because they are the only Asian children in their preppy school and then form a friendship which is cut short when Keiko and her family are sent to an internment camp and they lose touch with one another.

This story was good on many levels. Henry is still struggling with his widowhood, he worries about his strained relationship with his grown son and the recent news about the Panama Hotel that has him wondering about his past. Then there is the historical aspect of the feud and hatred between the Chinese and the Japanese that affected even the children of the second generation of these cultures who neighboured in America. I loved the historical part more than the present one because I learned more about how WWII affected Japanese families. Canada also had internment camps and it is shameful to see how North America dealt with its own citizens.

Keiko was a lovely character. She was strong and had a positive outlook in life despite the harrowing circumstances of her people. Henry was a quiet sort of character who stood up for what he thought was right even when it cost him dearly. He was loyal and long-suffering. Although some think of this as a sad story, I saw it more as one of second chances. The past cannot be changed especially when there are circumstances beyond our control, but the future is still bright ahead of us.

We read this for our book club and really enjoyed discussing it together. The paperback version from Ballantine Books includes questions for discussion and an interview with the author that gave me more insight on the story's topic. The title is perfect for this novel. It's also a squeaky clean read with a beautiful story. Highly recommended.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library. I was not told how to rate or review this product.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Daughter of the God-King by Anne Cleeland

Daughter of the God-King by Anne Cleeland
Sourcebooks Landmark
ISBN: 978-1402279850
Published: November 5, 2013
Trade Paperback, 368 pages

Hattie Blackhouse is a young woman who lives in Cornwall while her famous archaeologist parents are in Egypt most of the time exploring newly discovered tombs. She decides she's had enough of her monotonous life in Cornwall and travels to Paris, to her parents' townhouse in search of her childhood friend Robbie. Once there, she discovers that her parents have disappeared, and that her own life may be in danger. Something is afoot and Hattie wants to find out. She embarks on a trip to Egypt where her introduction to espionage, adventure and romance begin.

Author Anne Cleeland knows how to mix witty dialogue, strong characters, an espionage plot and romance together. Hattie Blackhouse may be small in stature, but she is intelligent and feisty. I like that she was also naive and vulnerable at times as it made her more real. Berry, the spy who is somehow embroiled in her parents' disappearance kept me guessing whose side he was on. I liked Miss Bing, Hattie's companion who was extremely knowledgeable, astute and could deal with shocking situations with a poker face. She was a great secondary character.

The story takes place during the Napoleonic era just after the emperor was exiled and this adds to the intrigue. Most of the novel takes place in Egypt and I learned a few things about its history, the British craze to own artifacts excavated from the Valley of the Kings, and how war can make traitors out of anyone. There are some heavy themes in this novel, but the author keeps them light and the romance overshadows them. Hattie, who's led a sheltered and uneventful life, seems to deal with certain situations a little too well, and sometimes with little emotion, like when a man is killed in front of her and there is no mention of how this made her feel.

So although light and fluffy, what I like the most about Cleeland's novels is that the writing style and language is clever and has the feel of being written two centuries ago. No modern idioms. If you like historical romance set in an exotic place with espionage, intrigue and adventure then this one is sure to please.

Note: This book is rated S= sexual content and V = violence (mild). There are two sex scenes, one of which is explicit. There is one scene with killing.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to Sourcebooks for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Maggie at Sea: A Maggie McGill Mystery by Sharon Burch Toner

Maggie at Sea: A Maggie McGill Mystery by Sharon Burch Toner
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781481021449
Published: December 5, 2012
Trade Paperback, 236 pages

This is volume 5 in the Maggie McGill Mystery series. In this story Allie is invited to go on an all-expense-paid 3-week cruise to Central America and through the Panama Canal. Posing as a photographer, she is on the lookout for anything illegal taking place on a student organization cruise called Sea Study. Allie invites Maggie to accompany her on the cruise to relax and recoup her energies, following the loss of her home and dear friend, Timothy. We see a new side of normally up-beat Maggie as she deals with grief and loss.

The reader reconnects with several characters from the previous books and is introduced to a new “holy man”, if you will, Kritsana, a Laotian refugee, who is very insightful and somehow, all-seeing. Kritsana helps Maggie and Allie as they become involved in an intricate mystery that threatens their very lives.

I love the descriptions of the cruise ship and the various ports-of-call. I learned about molas, intricate appliquéd fabrics sometimes made into clothing. These beautiful art forms are made by the Kuna Indians from the islands off the coast of Panama, evolving from the custom these people had in the 1500’s of painting their bodies into complex and beautiful designs.

As in all of the Maggie McGill mysteries, whether they are in their home surroundings or elsewhere, Maggie and Allie enjoy their food and Earl Grey tea. The author goes into delightful descriptions of both the food and the surroundings.

I found the development of the mystery slow moving and it is somewhat unclear how Maggie and Allie become involved in it, but apart from that it is a delightful story. The undercurrent running through the story, as in all of the books, is the very close, loving bond between mother and daughter. I recommend this clean read.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Sandra

Disclosure: Thanks to Sharon Burch Toner for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Mailbox Monday, Girl's Night Out with Lauren Oliver (author of Delirium trilogy) and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? November 18 Edition

In The Hall of the Mountain King by Allison Flannery

This beautifully illustrated story brings to life Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg's musical masterpiece and Henrik Ibsen's timeless characters. Geared toward children 5-9, the story will delight readers as the action mirrors the movement of the music it's based on. Includes a CD with orchestral performances of "In the Hall of the Mountain King" and four other pieces from the "Peer Gynt Suite." Lesson plans and a puppet-making sheet are available from the author's website.

Books I bought on sale at BookOutlets.ca:

As you can see these are all YA books. I'm still in a YA reading mood.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Partials by Dan Wells

Entwined by Heather Dixon

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

The Dressmaker by Posie Graeme-Evans

Lauren Oliver came to Montreal for the Girl's Night Out event at the Jewish Public Library today. We must have been about 300 moms and daughters. I listened to the audio of Delirium and have Pandemonium on audio and ebook format but I wanted to have the physical books so I bought them! The evening was a hit. There were door prizes throughout (I won a signed poster of Pandemonium which I will donate to the library) and Lauren graciously answered the girl's questions after she spoke about her writing career. She was very candid about her personal life, talking openly about her depression, her family and her writing experiences. All of us walked out of there with a loot bag that included tea, soap, lip gloss, hand and body lotion, facial wipes, moist wipes, a pen, buttons, coupons and a hardbound copy of The Gypsy King by Maureen Fergus. I also bought a copy of Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall.

It was a great evening!

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. This is where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read. The kidlit version is hosted by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

Read and reviewed:
Tandem by Anna Jarzab (audiobook)
The Banishment by Marion Chesney (audiobook)
If I Were You and Lived in...Norway by Carole P. Roman (educational children's book)

I also interviewed Max Wallack, co-author of Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? Please visit this post for a chance to win a copy of this children's book that I think is a must-read for all families who deal with Alzheimer's Disease.

Currently Reading:
Daughter of the God-King by Anne Cleeland

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman (with my son)

Trash by Andy Mulligan (with my daughter for Battle of the Books competition at school)

Hope you all have a great reading week!

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Kid Konnection: If You Were Me and Lived In...Norway by Carole P. Roman

If You Were Me and Lived In...Norway by Carole P. Roman
CreateSpace
ISBN: 978-1481979948
Published Sept 12, 2013
Softcover, 30 pages

If You Were Me and Lived In... is an educational series meant to introduce and expose children to different cultures. This book, the 6th in the series, taught us about Norway, a country my son and I knew little about, so we enjoyed reading it and realizing how similar Norway is to Northern Canada.

We learned so many interesting facts that caught my son's attention. Some of them were that for parts of the year the sun never sets and shines all day and all night in Norway. Imagine that! Author Carole P. Roman covers simple facts that appeal to children such as the food they eat, what children do for playtime and introduces us to words used in Norway and includes a pronunciation list in the back of the book.

The illustrations are simple but colorful. Overall, this was a fun book to read and we think young children will enjoy learning about Norway. It would be a useful resource when teaching young children about different cultures. Because we have friends all over the world, we love learning about different cultures and we think this series is a good one.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura & Son

Disclosure: Thanks to the author and Bostick Communications for sending us this book for review. We were not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Friday, November 15, 2013

The Banishment by Marion Chesney (audiobook review)

The Banishment: The Daughters of Mannerling Book 1 by Marion Chesney
AudioGo
Released Oct 1, 2013
Narrator: Lizzie Stanton
Length: 4.4 hours
Unabridged

This is the first book in The Sisters of Mannerling series. I believe there are six books. The author is Marion Chesney who is actually M.C. Beaton whose books and audiobooks I have seen plenty of times but never read or listened to.

The Banishment is a Regency romance. Beautiful Isabella Beverley, the eldest of five equally beautiful sisters live with their wealthy and haughty family at Mannerling, an opulent mansion. But soon they are all in for a shock when Mr. Beverley gambles away the estate and all its contents. The girls who've lived a lavish life and only ever been served hand and foot are now reduced to a modest country home. Snobbish Mrs. Beverley and her daughters cannot reconcile themselves and feel it is Isabella's duty to try to marry Mr. Judd, the man who won Mannerling. They are obsessed with getting Mannerling back. But Isabella learns some humility and becomes attracted to the Irish Lord Fitzpatrick.

This was a fun and delightful book to listen to. I enjoyed following Isabella's journey from haughty self-absorption to a woman who learned that brick and mortar cannot make up for love. I liked Lord Fitzpatrick's honest character who treated Isabella like an equal even as he recognized her naiveté. When society shunned the Beverleys he and his aunt were kind to them even when Mrs. Beverley did nothing to deserve it. The plot is simple but good.

The book is narrated by Lizzie Stanton who does a good job although at times I found her voice a little monotone. I like British voices and this was a pleasurable way to pass the time when driving to work. I'm looking forward to the second book in this series.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to AudioGo and Audiobook Jukebox for sending me this audiobook for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Tandem (A Many-Worlds Trilogy Book #1) by Anna Jarzab

Tandem (A Many-Worlds Trilogy Book #1) by Anna Jarzab
AudioGo
Released October 8, 2013
Narrator: Amanda Dolan
Unabridged
Length: 11 hours

Sasha Larson lives with her physicist grandfather since her parents passed away when she was a young child. She’s a smart sixteen year-old who’s has a crush on Grant Davis for the longest time and when he asks her to the prom she’s thrilled. But Grant turns out to be Thomas Mayhew who’s come from a parallel universe. Grant is actually Thomas’ analog (an alternate version of himself) and Thomas has kidnapped Sasha to bring her to his universe because she is the analog of Princess Juliana. He is an agent who works for his government.

This all sounds very confusing but the author manages to make it plausible and it’s not a confusing concept in the story. When Sasha arrives to The United Commonwealth of Columbia which is actually an alternate version of Earth, she discovers that she must impersonate Princess Juliana to prevent a revolutionary war. If she succeeds she gets to go home, but if she fails she is stuck in Juliana’s life forever. The problem is that she begins to have feelings for Thomas and he for her.

Overall, this is the first time, I think, that I read a book set in parallel universes, and so I found the premise different and refreshing. I began by liking the strong character of Sasha but as the book progressed I found her a little too whiny and she no longer came across as strong but more like a victim of her situation. Despite this, I still liked Sasha. Juliana, on the other hand, was unlikable and I wonder how her story will continue in Book Two. I liked Thomas and I felt more for him because he has a lot at stake. There is a love triangle in the story which is supposed to build romantic tension and make the reader get into the characters’ psyches but I didn’t quite feel that with this book.

The world-building is good and for the most part I could accept the parallel universe theory, although one scene where Sasha is made to experience fear to bring up images of Juliana is so far-fetched that I had to really suspend disbelief to accept it. The story finally ends with a cliff-hanger, leaving me with questions I want answered.

I listened to the audio book version of this book and enjoyed Amanda Dolan's narration very much. She has a good strong voice and I could distinguish the different nuances for the different main characters who are all young. If I get to Book Two it will be through audio again. I find that long books are easier to “read” through audio. This was an enjoyable book but it didn’t blow me away.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read. I don't remember any questionable content. There were two fighting scenes with a bit of blood but nothing over the top.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to AudioGo and Audiobook Jukebox for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Monday, November 11, 2013

When Someone You Love has Alzheimer's... (Interview and Giveaway)

Two days ago I posted my review of Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? by Max Wallack and Carolyn Given. (Read my review) This is an excellent book to help children learn about Alzheimer's, a disease that is striking many today. I was so impressed by Max, one of the authors because he is only 17 and has already accomplished so much. I think this book is so important that I am giving away a copy to one of my readers. But before I tell you about the giveaway, please help me welcome Max to Library of Clean Reads!

LCR: Hi Max! What made you want to write a children’s book about Alzheimer’s?

MW: I grew up being a caregiver to my great grandmother who had Alzheimer’s disease. I felt I had a lot to share with other child caregivers. I wanted to provide them with an explanation of the disease that would be non-scary but would provide them with some useful coping mechanisms so they could still continue to have meaningful relationships with those suffering from this disease.

LCR: That's wonderful, Max. If there was one message you want to give caregivers, what would it be?

MW: I would want them to know that the person is the same person they have always been. They have not changed into someone else or into a stranger. They are still capable of more than many people think. It is important for caregivers to find modes of communication that are still working.

LCR: I agree. You were young when your grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Do you think children and teens can play a role in helping families cope with this illness?

MW: Absolutely! I was definitely a hands-on caregiver. I was a member of our family team of caregivers. Great Grams was not a quiet, low-stress individual. Her care was a challenge, but we all worked together to give her the best possible quality of life. Statistics show that more and more young people are becoming caregivers to family member with dementia. “1.4 million children ages 8 to 18 provide care for an adult relative; 72% are caring for a parent or grandparent; and 64% live in the same household as their care recipient. Fortunately, most are not the sole caregiver.” (National Alliance for Caregiving and the United Hospital Fund, Young Caregivers in the U.S., 2005)

LCR: Those are some sobering statistics. I’ve seen books for children to help them understand Alzheimer’s but few ones for teenagers. Being a teenager yourself and being involved in research for Alzheimer’s, you are an inspiration. Do you see yourself writing another book, but this time for teens?

MW: Not any time in the near future. In the past few months, I’ve actually been asked to coauthor several books, but I just don’t have the time right now. As a 17 year old college junior and an Alzheimer’s researcher, as well as managing PuzzlesToRemember, I keep pretty busy. I am very enthused about some of the research I am doing right now, which seems to be getting some very encouraging results. We are applying to begin clinical trials and I think my time is best spent on this work. I will also soon be beginning the process of applying to medical schools for 2015.

LCR: That is amazing! No wonder you have been referred to as a whiz kid. You started a non-profit organization when you were just 13. Why?

MW: I actually started PuzzlesToRemember when I was 12. During the last few months of Great Grams’s life she was in and out of several hospitals and nursing facilities, mostly because of urinary tract infections that often accompany incontinence. Whenever, I visited her, I noticed that patients who were working on jigsaw puzzles seemed calmer and “more there”. After Great Grams’s death, I researched this and discovered that remaining cognitively active, especially with creative endeavors, can help postpone the point at which an Alzheimer’s patient can remain cognitively functional in society.

I began collecting puzzles and distributing them to facilities caring for Alzheimer’s patients. Soon, I realized that the type of puzzles Alzheimer’s patients needed, those with low piece count, large piece size, bright colors, and memory-provoking non childish images, were hard to find. I wrote to Springbok puzzles and asked them to start producing puzzles for this audience. Their response was, “We can and we will get this done.” Since then, we have worked together to produce the Springbok PuzzlesToRemember. I accept no royalties for my efforts. Instead, each year Springbok gives me an allotment of puzzles that I can direct to be sent to any facility in the US at no cost to myself or to the facility. By now, PuzzlesToRemember has distributed over 26,000 puzzles around the world.

LCR: That is such a generous act. I thank you immensely for the puzzles you sent our non-profit community centre. Okay, let’s get to know another side to you. If you could travel back in time, where would you go?

MW: I’d rather go forward in time and see what advancements have been made in various fields.

LCR: Favorite ice-cream?

MW: Strawberry

LCR: Favorite book

MW: 1 + 1 = 3 by Danny Siegel

LCR: Favorite movie?

MW: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

LCR: Any hobbies?

MW: Pool, ping pong, swimming, computer games, biking

LCR: Thanks so much, Max! It's a pleasure for me to help you promote your book and your work, knowing you will be an inspiration for young ones. My son was impressed with you too and asked me if he could write a book too.

~~~~~~~~~

If you want to buy a copy of this wonderful book, visit Amazon. Fifty percent of this book's proceeds supports Alzheimer's research and the care of Alzheimer's patients!

About Max Wallack:

Max has an impressive resumé. He began to take university courses while still in high school and began lab work when he was just 15! He has been interviewed on CNN, Metro West Daily News, The White House Blog, Fifty Plus Advocate, and AARP The Magazine Blog. You can learn more about him on his website: www.PuzzlesToRemember.org. He is also an editor for the AlzheimersReadingRoom.com, and you can read his most recent article here.

And now for the giveaway!

I am giving away one copy of Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? to one of my readers. Entering is easy.

Mandatory:

Leave a comment about why you want to win this book. Include an email address. If you do not include an email address your entry will not be valid.

Extra entries:

MUST be a separate comment or it will not count.
1) If you are a follower, new or current, leave a comment telling me so.
2) Leave a comment on the review post for this book for another chance to win.

*Buttons for following found on top left-hand corner of blog.
*Giveaway ends November 25, 2013.

*Open to US and Canada.

*Please read my Giveaway Policy before entering my giveaways.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? Nov 11 Edition

Camelot & Vine by Petrea Burchard

Telling lies is second nature to Casey Clemens, whether to strangers on national television or to her mother on the phone. Casey's got a decent condo, a cleaning lady, and a rich boyfriend (never mind that he's married). If Casey feels dissatisfied, all she has to do is fantasize about her hero, King Arthur.

It feels like an acting career, sort of, until the day before Casey's 40th birthday, when she loses everything she never cared about, falls through a gap in time, and accidentally saves the real King Arthur's life. He's grateful, but he has enemies, war encroaches, and an actress with an honesty problem has no place in a war camp. Not if she wants to make it back to the 21st century alive. Not that she could go back if she wanted to. Not that she wants to.

Poppy and the Fat Puppy by Eli Jay

Our adorable little green balloon is back to the rescue! While continuing his educational adventures, Poppy the Wandering Balloon meets a homeless and depressed fat puppy in the park. Distraught by the puppy's sadness, Poppy helps his new friend in need. Together, they embark on a journey of getting healthy, fit, and having some good old-fashioned fun! Poppy would love to adopt the puppy as his own. But only Dr. Helpman, the local vet, has a real solution to help aid Poppy in his dilemma to save the fat puppy from a sad and lonely existence....Find out how Poppy saves this remarkable puppy, and how you can help save a stranded puppy of your own....

Mary Elizabeth The Spotless Cow by Salvatore Barbera

The story of Mary Elizabeth The Spotless Cow opens with a new cow, Mary Elizabeth, arriving at the farm and takes us on the journey that Mary Elizabeth must travel to figure out how to get the other cows to like and accept her.

Mary Elizabeth longs for friendship and acceptance but instead, finds out what it means to be different from everyone else. By using her ingenuity and sense of humor she is able to overcome obstacles such as discrimination and subtle bullying in order to achieve her ultimate goal of friendship.

There Once Was a man From the USA - 50 States Limericks by Joshua Kraushar

There Once Was A Man From the U.S.A. is a book of limericks about each of the fifty states in alphabetical order. The book contains several illustrations from the talented Victoria Rose Weiss. Many of the limericks have very little connection with the states mentioned but some are directly related to several of the others. Although it may seem simplistic to use the same rhyme scheme, it turned out to be much harder than one would think. Try rhyming words with Massachusetts, (not that's something that you would normally do) and you might find it more difficult than you would imagine. If you are a child, a teen or a geographically challenged adult who needs an easy way to remember the fifty states, this may be the book for you.

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. This is where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read. The kidlit version is hosted by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

Read and reviewed:
The Thunderbird Conspiracy by R.K. Price (reviewed by Sandra)
Will in Scarlet by Matthew Cody (interesting MG take on Robin Hood legend)
Why Did Grandma Put her Underwear in the Fridge? by Max Wallack and Carloyn Given (must-read for kids who have a relative with Alzheimer's)

Currently Reading:
Daughter of the God-King by Anne Cleeland

Sky Jumpers by Peggy Eddleman (with my son)

Skellig by David Almond (with my daughter for Battle of the Books competition at school)

Hope you all have a great reading week!

Friday, November 8, 2013

Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? by Max Wallack and Carolyn Given

Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? An Explanation of Alzheimer's for Children by Max Wallack and Carolyn Given
Puzzles to Remember Inc
ISBN: 978-1489501677
Published June 29, 2013
Softcover, 40 pages

If it's not the title that strikes you then it will be the fact that this book is written especially for children to help them understand Alzheimer's disease because the reality is that more and more young children and teens today are becoming caregivers.

I first discovered this book while doing research for literature related to Alzheimer's and dementia. I work with seniors who have this disease. I contacted Max Wallack who graciously consented to send a copy for me to review and to donate to our Day Programs library at work. It is an excellent book that I will highly recommend to all families who have children that deal with a relative who has Alzheimer's.

Julie is a seven year-old girl who lives with her parents and grandmother. Julie loves her grandmother and they do many activities together, like shopping and playing games. But then her grandma starts forgetting things which makes her upset, and she starts to behave oddly. Julie's parents take the time to explain to Julie that her grandma has Alzheimer's and what this means. The story continues with Julie's experiences with her grandma and how she feels about some of the things that happen with her grandma. This is what makes the book brilliant. Through Julies's eyes we get to understand about an illness that is emotionally difficult, the effects it has on a child, and how to best deal with it.

I read this book with my 9 year-old son who I could see paid rapt attention to the story. He told me it helped him understand more about Alzheimer's although he said he knew some of the things because of the time he volunteered in my Day Programs and from what I tell him about my work. We both felt that this book deals very well with situations that are important for children. It is a reassuring book that will help a child better understand the conflicting emotions, such as frustration, fear and anger that a child can experience when a member of the family has Alzheimer's. This is a beautiful book that accomplishes the explaining of a complex disease in a simple (but not simplistic) manner. It's a book from which all can benefit, adults included.

I highly recommend this book to all parents to help foster a generation of youths who are compassionate and educated about a disease that is striking more and more seniors and consequently will touch the lives of more and more children.

Please note that fifty percent of this book's proceeds supports Alzheimer's research and the care of Alzheimer's patients. I was so impressed by Max Wallack who is only 17 and has already done so much to help individuals with Alzheimer's.

Please stop by on Monday to read my interview with him and for a chance to win a copy of this insightful book!

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.
To read more reviews, please visit: Alzheimer's Speaks Blog, Alzheimers.net, Alzheimer's Reading Room, Memory Memos, Moving in With Dementia

About the authors:
Max Wallack is a 17 year old junior at Boston University, as well as a researcher in the Molecular Psychiatry in Aging Laboratory at Boston University School of Medicine. Max was a caregiver to his great grandmother who had Alzheimer’s Disease, and, in 2008, he founded www.PuzzlesToRemember.org, a 501(C)3 organization that has supplied over 23,000 puzzles to Alzheimer’s facilities around the world. A member of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, Max gives research presentations at national conferences and publishes articles about his work in scientific journals. Max plans to become a geriatric psychiatrist, working with Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers.

Carolyn Smith Given is a mother of four, a caregiver, and a resident of the Blackstone Valley in Massachusetts. Since 2000, she has taught English Language Arts and Literature at both middle and high school levels, and currently performs medical research to support her husband's multiple myeloma therapies. For fun, she attends her children's weddings, invents gourmet vegan entrees, maintains a humor blog with more than 80 first person narrative vignettes -- all true – at www.carolyngivenwriter.blogspot.com. She enjoys any and all writing projects that come her way.

Reviewed by Laura & Son

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending us this book for review. We were not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.