* * The Landing
Author: John Ibbitson
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press, Ltd. (October 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554532388
ISBN-13: 978-1554532384

Book description: Will Ben ever escape the Landing? The hardscrabble farm on the shores of Lake Muskoka cant generate a living, so Bens Uncle Henry sells goods and gas to cottagers from the dock known as Cooks Landing. It had never been much of a living and since the Depression hit, its even less.

Book review: It was easy to identify with Ben because he feels trapped in the world he lives in. I liked how he likes to play the violin and he keeps practicing and hoping that he’ll be able to leave and play violin elsewhere. Not much of a climax and at the ending you wonder what happens next, but the character’s world and quest really draws you in. – N.C., age 14

* * Oracle of The Morrigan
Author: Tiffany Trent
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Mirrorstone (September 23, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0786949740
ISBN-13: 978-0786949748

Book description: The origins of the Unhallowed revealed!

Taking a gut-wrenching step into the unknown, Siobhan agrees to do her part to gather the rathstones and open Hallowmere. All alone, she is thrown back in time to the beginning of the conflict: twelfth century Scotland, a time when Fey and mortal lived side by side in peace.

But trouble is brewing and Siobhan already knows the cause. Will she be able to break down the walls of her fear in time to do her part?

In this dark historical fantasy series, six teen girls are propelled into an ancient battle between dark vampiric fey and the mortal world.

Book review: The sixth book in the series. A far more exciting book than the third. I was drawn into the war between the evil fairies against the humans. I really like how the author describes how Siobhan uses her gifts of sight – she can discern peoples emotions and whether or not they are human or fey. This was very well done and I could really get into it.
- N.C., age 14

* Between Golden Jaws
Author: Tiffany Trent
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Mirrorstone (March 25, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0786947977
ISBN-13: 978-0786947973

Book description: Corrine and her friends race to London, in the hopes of finding a rathstone that will help them end this terrible war with the Fey. The girls search the Victorian city only to find that their plan has led to more danger than ever before. With the girls’ lives on the line, the Fey Prince offers Corrine a deal: become his consort and her friends can go in peace. Will Corrine fall into the Prince’s arms to save her friends? Or can she find another way?

In the third book of the Hallowmere series, author Tiffany Trent weaves a dark tale of romance, deception, and dangerous fairies.

Book review: This is the third book in the series and it doesn’t explain the first two books very well – the resolution is very weak. The first two books really need to be read first for a proper review. Otherwise, I found Between Golden Jaws difficult to understand or grasp the characters and references without having read the first two books.
- N.C., age 14

* * Black Dragon Codex
Author: R.D. Henham
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Mirrorstone (August 26, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0786949724
ISBN-13: 978-0786949724

Book description: What happens when an evil black dragon becomes your ally?

Snatched from the street by a young black dragon, Satia seems destined to end her life as a snack. But her position as a menu item quickly changes when her black dragon captor runs into two young red dragons and a wanna-be Dragonlord. In a quick twist of events, the black dragon is transformed into an ordinary teenaged boy. Always one step ahead of their pursuers, Satia makes a bargain with her captor: her life in exchange for her help. But now she must live up to her end of the bargain. With no magic and only the strength of two humans, how will Satia outwit the Dragonlord and his minions?

Book review: The best book of the first three (and each book is better than the last) yet this is not a series and the books can be read in any order. I like this book because it has magic, dragons, great characters and lots of action – total fantasy. Ages 8 and up will enjoy this very much. – R.C., age 14

* * Emmy and The Home For Troubled Girls
Author: Lynne Jonell
Illustrator: Jonathon Bean
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (October 14, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805081518
ISBN-13: 978-0805081510

Book description: Emmy Addison is an ordinary girl—almost. If you don’t count the fact that her parents are rich (very), her best friend is a boy (and a soccer star), and she can talk to rodents (and they talk back), she’s very ordinary indeed. But she hasn’t been that way for long . . . It was only a few weeks ago that Emmy and her friends Ratty and Joe got rid of the evil Miss Barmy, the nanny who had nearly ruined Emmy’s life—and the lives of five other girls who went missing. Miss Barmy is now a rat. How much harm can she do?

Book review: This sequel is very original and it’s fun to read. The rodent characters and the shrinking people are hilarious. Emmy is easy to relate to if you’ve ever had trouble fitting in. Very good for younger people ages 8 – 12. – R.C., age 14

* * The Stowaway
Author: R.A. Salvatore & Geno Salvatore
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Mirrorstone (September 9, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0786950943
ISBN-13: 978-0786950942

Book description: Barely a teen and already guarding a secret that could jeopardize his young life, Maimun is marked for death. With the help of a mysterious stranger, the boy escapes his village and flees out to sea, stowing away on the pirate hunting ship, Sea Sprite, where he comes across a most unlikely ally: the dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden. With a half-demon determined to destroy him, and a crew of sailors resentful of the trouble he’s caused, Maimun must find the courage to prove his worth, both to his friends and to himself.

Book review: Good, but there are characters in it from other short stories and I would like to read about them. This book is great for readers who love Dungeons & Dragons. A good start for a new fantasy series. – R.C., age 14

* * Flames in the City: A Tale of the War of 1812 (Time Spies)
Author: Candice Ransom
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Mirrorstone (October 14, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0786949732
ISBN-13: 978-0786949731

Book description: The Time Spies pop back to Washington D.C. in the midst of our second battle with the British, the War of 1812. Our nation’s capitol is under siege and its citizens–including President James Madison–are forced to flee. But there’s more at stake in this battle than the fate of one city. America stands to lose countless historical treasures too, including a great symbol of our independence, the portrait of George Washington. Can the Time Spies help First Lady Dolley Madison rescue George’s picture before the British burn the city to the ground?

Book review: This is a fun series that your child can really get into. Candace Ransom weaves facts and history together once again in a delightful story. What I like most about this series is that it makes kiddos more receptive to actual history lessons they will later have in school, leaving them with some familiarity and an open mind and that’s got to help their grades! Homeschoolers could easily use these books as tie-ins for history lessons.

* * * Smart-opedia Junior
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Maple Tree Press (October 14, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1897349300
ISBN-13: 978-1897349304

Book description: How hot does it get on the Sun? What really went on aboard pirate ships? What was life like for children a hundred years ago? Hot on the heels of the best-selling Smart-opedia for ages 8 to 12, comes Smart-opedia Junior. This cool book is designed to provide hours of entertainment and education. Children simply open it up and start reading about any topic that interests them. The knowledge provided not only satisfies children’s curiosity but also sparks their imagination and creativity. Seven detailed chapters are divided into more than 70 entertaining and thought-provoking subjects. Ideas and concepts are arranged in clear themes, carefully introduced from small to big and from the inside out. Readers learn first about their own bodies, then their families, moving on to the community, the world, and finally the universe. Featuring colorful illustrations, Smart-opedia Junior: The Amazing Book About Everything makes learning an absorbing adventure and an exceptional treat for the eyes.

Book review: I was already a fan of Smart-opedia for all it’s compelling facts packed from cover to cover. I am excited to share this junior version with my younger kiddos. Got a kiddo in the ‘why’ stage? This is a great book to get lost in, parents and kids the same!

Learn about bodies, houses, cities, history, plants and animals, the world and the universe. These are the kind of books I recommend for long car trips or waits at appointments. Keeps kiddos noses in the book and reading. Just be prepared to be entertained by all the facts and idea your kiddo absorbs.

* * * Wabi Sabi
Author: Mark Reibstein
Illustrator: Ed Young
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers; Library Binding edition (October 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316118257
ISBN-13: 978-0316118255

Book description: Written in lyrical, spare text and haiku, and accompanied by breathtaking collage art by Caldecott Medalist Ed Young, this book follows a little cat in Japan as she searches for the meaning of her name–but finds much more.

Book review: You know this will be a great book just holding it in your hands; the striking cover artwork entices you to open the book for more. The concept of ‘wabi sabi’ might seem too complicated for kiddos, but the story is told well with great illustrations and I can’t think of a better creature to ultimately express that ‘Wabi sabi is the feeling you get when you find harmony in the imperfect that is beautiful,’ (to quote from another review) than a cat. I think kiddos will ‘get’ this book because kids themselves live ‘wabi sabi’ accepting people, things and themselves for what they are and taking delight and joy in them.

It was no mistake pairing this idea with the children’s genre. Great book!

* * Johnny Appleseed
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: John Burke
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (August 26, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060591358
ISBN-13: 978-0060591359

Book description: Everyone knows the legend of Johnny Appleseed, the man from Massachusetts who planted apple trees all the way to California. But the true story of Johnny Appleseed, or John Chapman, is even greater than the legend. In deft and lyrical prose, Jane Yolen tells the whole story of an individual who forever changed the landscape of America.

Breathtaking paintings by award-winning artist Jim Burke illuminate the historical detail of this man’s life while capturing all the magic and mystery of his legend.

Book review: This is a great book to share with your kiddos. Yolen combines history, fact and legend retelling the great adventure that was John Chapman’s life.

* * * The Day Leo Said I Hate You!
Author: Robie Harris
Illustrator: Molly Bang
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (September 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316065803
ISBN-13: 978-0316065801

Book description: In a reassuring manner, Robie H. Harris and Molly Bang portray what happens when a little boy feels SO frustrated and SO mad at a parent who has said NO all day long. In this family book about what it feels like to say–and hear–those other three words, Harris and Bang delicately navigate the most profound bonds between a parent and a child.

Book review: A real delight! I just can’t wait to share this one with my five-year old who doesn’t just hear no from Mom all day long, but also from everyone else in our family because he’s the littlest one. As usual Robie Harris cuts right to the heart of the matter in a way kiddos she targets can understand and in The Day Leo Said I Hate You! she does so in a sensitive and humorous way. Good job!

* * A Practical Guide to Wizardry
Author: Susan Morris
Reading level: Ages 6-10, 9-12
Hardcover: 80 pages
Publisher: Mirrorstone (August 26, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0786950420
ISBN-13: 978-0786950423

Book description: So, you want to be a wizard?

How do you make a magic wand? Why does a wizard wear robes? What goes into a potion of invisibility? Arch Mage Lowadar invites you to join his school for talented young wizards and explore the magical world of wizardry. In this fully illustrated guide, readers will learn all about what it takes to become a great wizard–from the gear and magic items you need to the secrets of writing your own spells in the language of magic.

A companion to the New York Times best-selling Practical Guide to Dragons and Practical Guide to Monsters, this lavishly illustrated book explores the magic and wonder of wizardry for young readers.

Book reviews: Love this series. In Practical Guide to Wizardry every young wizard and every young-at-heart wizard will delight in this artfully illustrated guide. Everything you need to know can be found in these pages. Perfect for this time of year (Halloween) for Harry Potter lovers and for kids in the role playing stage.

* * * The Dragonfly Secret
Author: Clea and John Adams
Illustrator: Barbara L. Gibson
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Feather Rock Books, Inc.; 1 edition (October 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1934066133
ISBN-13: 978-193406613

Book description: Love and hope transcend all boundaries when a boy and a dragonfly meet. An impossible encounter? Lea journeys through a beautiful garden to discover the boy’s secret. As she follows his clues, Lea meets people who need her help. And at the end, the unexpected secret is revealed. Part mystery, part surprise, this timeless story that celebrates the dragonfly’s gift to others is sure to leave a lasting impression. Beautifully illustrated, The Dragonfly Secret gently encourages children and adults to explore life’s infinite possibilities. Because of it, readers may look at nature in an entirely new light.

Book review: I absolutely love this book…because it’s true! A dear friend of mine who lost her son recounted a similar tale from her very real experience with a dragonfly delivering the same message to her. Definitely a book that encourages love, hope and joy even when separated from our dear loved ones.

* * Mysteries in Our National Parks Series
Author: Gloria Shurzynski
Illustrator: Alane Ferguson

Book description:

Running Scared: A Mystery in Carlsbad Caverns National Park – “Jack and Ashley’s search for eight-year-old Sammy has left them hopelessly lost in a twisted maze of tunnels deep inside Carlsbad Caverns. Bats are everywhere, and the echoes of their screeching cries sends a chill through the trio. The only light is the candle in their lantern. What will happen when it burns out, leaving them in total darkness?”

Buried Alive: A Mystery in Denali National Park – Who was that man in the Park Service uniform who brought Jack and Ashley Landon into the wilds of Alaska’s Denali National Park along with their friend Nicky Milano? Whoever he was, he has given them a dogsled ride to certain death unless somebody finds them soon. Their troubles are about to get a whole heap deeper as the first rumblings of an avalanche turn into a deafening roar!

Out if The Deep: A Mystery In Acadia National Park – A baby whale is the latest mammal stranded on the beaches of Acadia National Park. When the Landons run to get help, they don’t notice Bindy Callister slip away. When they track her down, she’s acting strange—she knows the strandings are no accident. She even knows those responsible. But she’s too scared to tell. Time is running out; and now the kids too are in real danger—unless Bindy talks!

Review: I can’t decide what I like best about this series – the fact that each mystery takes place at one of our great national parks (cool because after reading a story you can take your child to visit the actual park especially if it’s nearby) or that the Landon family is a foster family and each book introduces us to a new kiddo spending time with them. Never heavy handed, the series brings conservation and care for others to the forefront while entertaining with plausible mysteries and adventures sure to delight this age group. I’m reading them to my 6th grade sun who needs encouragement as a reader. We just started with Running Scared and he’s hooked.

* * Poultry in Motion: Supernatural Rubber Chicken

When Jennifer, the coolest girl in third grade, rudely informs Lisa that she can’t join her club, Lisa asks Ed, the supernatural rubber chicken, to make Jennifer super-gracious. But Ed gets confused and makes Jennifer super GRACELESS instead. Suddenly all the cool girls can’t stop tripping over their own feet, slipping on spilled drinks, and causing chaos. Lisa and Nate must quickly scheme to come up with an even better supernatural wish before third grade dissolves into merry mayhem.

Book review: Slapstick humor that will encourage a struggling reader to stick with it. A good series for parent and child to read together taking turns.

* * * Island of The Mad Scientists
Author: Howard Whitehouse
Illustrator: Bill Slavin
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 264 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press, Ltd. (October 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554532361
ISBN-13: 978-1554532360

Book description: Aviatrix Emmaline Cayley, test pilot Rubberbones and the rest of their wacky household face a new adventure in the wilds of Scotland in this third installment in the Mad Misadventures series. On the run, the friends decide to rendezvous on the Scottish island of Urgghh, a place devoted to scientific experimentation where they believe they will find refuge. Unfortunately, not only are the scientists mad – the island is anything but safe. A villain known as the Collector, who devotes his time to kidnapping inventors, lives next-door. Journey with our friends to the Island of Mad Scientists, where Emmaline and Rubberbones catapult into the middle of the Collector’s devious schemes. Drunken pirates, a kilt-wearing mechanical man and Queen Victoria come to their aid! Squabbling scientists, a bungling ex-jewel thief and other nefarious fellows hinder them!

Book review: Best out of three in the series and the funniest! It has all the main characters from the series with lots of explosives and a ‘bad’ monkey. – R.C. 14-yrs. old.

* Masterpiece
Author: Elise Broach
Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (September 30, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805082700
ISBN-13: 978-0805082708

Book description: Marvin lives with his family under the kitchen sink in the Pompadays’ apartment. He is very much a beetle. James Pompaday lives with his family in New York City. He is very much an eleven-year-old boy.After James gets a pen-and-ink set for his birthday, Marvin surprises him by creating an elaborate miniature drawing. James gets all the credit for the picture and before these unlikely friends know it they are caught up in a staged art heist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that could help recover a famous drawing by Albrecht Dürer. But James can’t go through with the plan without Marvin’s help. And that’s where things get really complicated (and interesting!). This fast-paced mystery will have young readers on the edge of their seats as they root for boy and beetle.

Book review: 4th graders will like this one. Easy to read; the adventures of a bug. A mystery that reminds me of The Littles. Will definitely draw readers in. – R.C. 14-yrs old.

* * * Search for the Pegasus (Endless Quest)
Author: Roger E. Moore
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Mirrorstone (July 8, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0786947187
ISBN-13: 978-0786947188

Book description: In Endless Quest, readers become heroes in their own fantasy quest. Fight a dragon; ride a flying carpet, or fling spells at an evil wizard. The adventure is endless and the choices are yours!

In the latest Endless Quest adventure your best friend Clarion the pegasus has been kidnapped by the Evil Blue Hag. It’s up to you and your friends, a noble gnome and a colorful leprechaun, to save Clarion before it’s too late.

Book review: I liked this one very much. The action starts right away and the characters are funny. – J.D.C., 11-years old

* * * A Visual Encyclopedia of Earth
Author: Michael Allaby
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books (September 23, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1426303661
ISBN-13: 978-1426303661

Book description: Written by renowned international authority Michael Allaby, this lively encyclopedia gives kids a rock-solid foundation, reveals the latest research on fragile ecosystems and climate shift, and engages young readers with riveting information, eye-catching illustrations, and, of course, peerless National Geographic photography.

Book review: National Geographic and Encyclopedia – two things that go together like chocolate and peanut butter. You know it’s going to be good and this book doesn’t fail. Awesome photographs and endless detail about the planet on every topic. Absolutely necessary for the home library.

* * The Literary Adventures of Washington Irving
Author: Cheryl Harness
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books (October 14, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1426304382
ISBN-13: 978-1426304385

Book description: Follow the narrative from Washington Irving’s birth in New York City to his meeting with his namesake George Washington. Learn of his years as a businessman, lawyer, traveler, and a diplomat representing the views of the United States in the courts of Britain and Spain. Discover what inspired such classics as Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Witness the excitement generated by this American publishing phenomenon as his books are devoured by readers of all ages on both sides of the Atlantic.

Book review: A great way to experience history and literature – through the eyes of a writer. I even recommend this one for 12-Up to round out their experience when they begin to read Washington Irving in high school. As usual Cheryl Harness does an EXCELLENT job. When you need history and biography to come alive, count on Cheryl Harness!

* * Every Planet Has a Place
Author: Becky Baines
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books (September 9, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1426303130
ISBN-13: 978-1426303135

Book description: Look up! Discover that Every Planet Has a Place. The Earth is just one of many planets in our solar system. Why is this the perfect place for us to live? Which are the “gas planets?” And why have we changed what we think of Pluto? Then Zigzag into other questions: what does Earth look like from space? Will I ever live on Mars? What experiment can I do to swing a planet into orbit?

Book review: What I like about this book is that it allows little ones to explore a concept that would otherwise still be over their heads. How else can you envision space and the solar system when you are that young? Baines does an excellent job of making the abstract tangible.

* * A Deb Is a Bed for a Bear
Author: Becky Baines
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books (September 9, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1426303092
ISBN-13: 978-1426303098

Book description: Welcome to the snug world of bear dens. Kids will explore these intriguing places, and find our how, when, and why they are used. Then they’ll Zigzag through an adventure of discovery: if a den is a bed for a bear, what’s a bed for a tiger? Who else hibernates? Imagine a bear in your house…what would make it happy? Kids will come away knowing more than they think, and wanting to know even more!

Book review: Photographs and handwritten notations make this nature book series fun, funny and accessible to little ones without losing them in too much detail.

* * Castle in The Mist
Author: Robert J. McCarty
Illustrator: Stella Mustanoja McCarty
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Barking Planet Productions (July 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0978692810
ISBN-13: 978-0978692810

Book description: After a year of peace Bik, the warrior-chief of Stone City, is preparing for war because his children have been kidnapped by Prince Ukko the leader of the Black Hawk tribes. The children are held prisoner in the Castle In The Mist. This is the story of how the dogs came down from their planet, to the land of the Forest People, to free the children and prevent war. Planet of the Dogs Volume 2

Book review: Following Planets of The Dogs the story continues. (See description for previous book.) This is a self-published book and the format could use some tweaking, but the story is well-written, engaging and a favorite among kids. Worth a read. McCarty can really tell a story!

* * * African Critters
Author: Robert B. Haas
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 96 pages
Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books (September 9, 2008)
Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1426303173
ISBN-13: 978-1426303173

Book description: With a dramatic first-person narrative and close-up photography that brings kids into the thick of the action, National Geographic photographer Robert B. Haas gives us a rare glimpse into the struggles for survival in the African wilderness. We accompany him in his jeep, camera primed and ready to react. With stories and photographs that portray actual events, we wait patiently to spot leopard cubs coming out of their cave to play; we are charged by protective adult elephants who surround a new-born; we move side-by-side with a clan of wild dogs as they hunt impalas.

All the stories in the book are intimate, engaging, and true. Haas shares his work with readers, teaching the key lessons that all wildlife photographers live by: patience, persistence, and an intense interest in animals. “When we are out there, we are working inside a world that is both fascinating and historic.” This beautiful and inviting book draws readers into Haas’s passion for Africa, for conservation, and for finding harmony between the actions of humans and the survival of wild animals.

Book review: Join in on a safari – breathtaking photos and narrative lead you on a journey through Africa. A Must read. All the stories are true and make each a gripping experience for the reader. Kids are especially interested in animals at this age (9-12) and this book is sheer nirvana.

* * * How to Get Rich in the California Gold Rush: An Adventurer’s Guide to the Fabulous Riches Discovered in 1848
Author: Tod Olson
Illustrator: Scott Allred
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books (September 9, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1426303157
ISBN-13: 978-1426303159

Book description: How to Get Rich in the California Gold Rush follows the adventures of the charming, witty, fictitious Thomas Hartley as a way of offering a fascinating and fully historical portrait of life in the California gold fields. Archival imagery pairs with delightful and humorous artwork to produce a visual feast for the eyes. The inimitable Mr. Hartley’s guide is a unique snapshot of a key period in the economic development of our country—and a fun romp through time.

Review: I love history books like this that bring the past to life. It’s easy to forget this isn’t fiction. Outstanding illustrations, numerous notations and pages crammed with detail and facts with a narrative that reads like a story. Perfect for reviving and sustaining a young reader’s interest. As a Californian and mom, I heartily recommend this one.