Audible Book Review: Quake!: Disaster in San Francisco, 1906 by Gail Langer Karwoski

This is an easy listen and would be good for school children..
Quake!: Disaster in San Francisco, 1906
By: Gail Langer Karwoski
Narrated by: Terry Bregy

Length: 4 hrs and 12 mins
Release date: 04-08-11
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Historical Fiction, Middle Graders
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Buildings were weaving in and out, the street pitched like a stormy sea and bricks were raining down all around him.... Experience first hand through young Jacob what it was like living through this country’s most destructive earthquake!
©2006 Gail Langer Karwoski (P)2011 Audio Bookshelf

Review:
Jacob is a young Jewish boy of 13 (he celebrated Bar Mitzvah his last birthday) living in San Francisco in the early 1900s. His father runs a meat stand and Jacob helps by delivering the orders through out the town. One of his stops is to deliver meat to his Uncle Avram who runs a produce market. While making the delivery, Jacob, discovers he is being followed by a small dog. Uncle Avram encourages Jacob to take the dog home since Avram’s wife won’t let him take the dog in since they have an infant to care for. But Jacob suspects his father will not allow him to keep the dog. His father, his little sister, Sophie, and Jacob have been struggling since his mother died during the past year. There is little happiness in the house as father and children suffer with grief.

The next morning Jacob leaves early to take the dog away as his father has insisted. Along the way to Uncle’s home the dog gets skittish and soon is pushing Jacob away as a wall is shaken down by an earthquake. Jacob and the dog, later named Quake, dodge through panicked crowds and falling buildings until they are lost. As Jacob tries to head home, Quake takes him to a cluttered hole in the ground where they rescue a young Chinese boy, San. The two boys and dog set off to try to find their families.

Jacob and San end up first in Union Square and later in Golden Gate Park searching desperately for their families. There are frightening rumors that the quake has damaged many other states and at first, they think no help will come. Along the way of their search, San faces racial discrimination and bullying but the boys also find a temporary tent home with a young Irish family who helps them.

The story is an easy read and does a good job describing the setting of 1906 San Francisco and the various class (wealth) separations and immigrant communities. The young boys and dog will help to keep children interested. I think this would be a good book for middle graders to learn about the time, the event and the negative aspects of racism. I recommend this to families to read or listen together.

Audio Notes: Terry Bregy does a nice job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and accents for the immigrant characters. I was glad to have this as a free audio.

Source: 6/10/2022 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Pax by Sara Pennypacker

This is a beautifully written story of friendship, loss and growth.

Pax
Written by: Sara Pennypacker
Narrated by: Michael Curran-Dorsano
Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:02-02-16
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Animals, Middle Graders
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Pax and Peter have been inseparable ever since Peter rescued him as a kit. But one day the unimaginable happens: Peter's dad enlists in the military and makes him return the fox to the wild.
At his grandfather's house 300 miles away from home, Peter knows he isn't where he should be - with Pax. He strikes out on his own despite the encroaching war, spurred by love, loyalty, and grief, to be reunited with his fox.
Meanwhile Pax, steadfastly waiting for his boy, embarks on adventures and discoveries of his own....
From best-selling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes a beautifully wrought, utterly compelling novel about the essential truths that define us and the devastating costs of war. Pax is destined to become a beloved classic.
©2016 Sara Pennypacker (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Review:
I was drawn by the cover and blurb of this title. I had hoped it would be good for my grandchildren to listen to but I think they would have to be middle grade and up.

Peter has raised Pax since a young kit who lost his parents. Peter is now 12 and his father has enlisted in the military to help protect the homeland. His father insists that Pax be dropped off in the woods as he delivers Peter to another town to live with his grandfather while father is away a war.

After arriving at his Grandfather’s Peter realizes what a mistake it was to have left Pax behind.
He takes his backpack and a few supplies to return to the woods to get his beloved Pax. Two hundred or so miles away, Pax waits at the edge of the woods for ‘his boy’ to return for him. Finally, the little fox must move to find water and food. Pax meets a vixen and her little brother. The young kit is thrilled to play with Pax but the vixen smells humans on Pax and wants nothing to do with him. Pax makes friends with an older fox who agrees to travel with him to try to go back home to meet with Peter.

Peter meets a gruff female who lives a secluded life. She was traumatized by her experience as a soldier and withdrew from society. She isn’t thrilled to have a young boy show up in her barn but she can’t send him back out without helping him.

The story is told in alternating views for Peter and Pax. They both run across obstacles and dangers along their journey to find each other. I really liked the warm bond between Peter and Pax. They grow in their new situations and they find friends to help them and whom they help. The author uses the story to comment on war, love, injury, society, friendship and even environmental issues. I liked how it makes the reader/listener think about our behavior towards each other and nature.

The reason I hesitate to recommend this for younger listeners is because there is death and loss that might be difficult without parental guidance. Not that the young haven’t dealt with these issues before in classics like Old Yeller, The Yearling and even Bambi, Dumbo and the Lion King. I found the story beautifully written, engaging and sweet. I do recommend it - perhaps for family listening.

Audio Notes: Michael Curran-Dorsano does a wonderful job with the narration. He captures the feelings of Peter and Pax, as well other characters. His narration pulled me in and kept me listening. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of this story.

I selected this audio as a children’s title when on sale at Audible. It qualifies for my Audio Challenge.

Audible Book Review: The Zoo at the Edge of the World by Eric Kahn Gale

This is surprisingly engaging and thought provoking.

The Zoo at the Edge of the World

Written by: Eric Kahn Gale

Narrated by: Julian Elfer

Length: 4 hrs and 44 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:03-03-15

Publisher: Recorded Books

Genre: Middle Grade

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Marlin is not slow or mute; he is a stutterer, and that makes it impossible for him to convince people otherwise. He is also a Rackham: the youngest son of the world-famous explorer Roland Rackham, who is the owner and proprietor of the Zoo at the Edge of the World, a resort where the well to do from all over the world can come to experience the last bit of the wild left in the world at the end of the nineteenth century.
In order to impress a powerful duke who comes to visit the zoo, Marlin's father ventures into the jungle and brings back a mysterious black jaguar, now the only one in captivity. Everyone is terrified of the jaguar, including Marlin - until one night when the jaguar confers upon him a powerful gift. Soon Marlin finds himself with a difficult choice to make and, finally, something to say. If only he can figure out how to say it.
©2014 Eric Kahn Gale (P)2015 Recorded Books

Review:
Marlin is a bright 11-12 year-old boy but people don’t realize it because he is an extreme stutterer. He can talk to animals when no human is around, but it is painful for him to try to speak to humans. At least his father accepts his difficulty, unlike his older brother, Tim, who taunts him and does everything to bully him.

The two boys are sons of Roland Rackham, a famous explorer who has established the Zoo at the Edge of the World resort. The zoo contains many dangerous jungle species behind cages made to keep the animals in but allow the wealthy guests to see them mostly in their habitat. Rackham struggles to keep the resort afloat financially although he won’t let anyone else know of his financial troubles. He has been trying to buy more land on the edge of British Guiana forest rather than allow sugar planters to take over and destroy the wild. One of his competitors for land is an old English ‘friend’, a wealthy duke, who is visiting the resort with his family. The duke’s real goal is to find a way to discredit Rackham and his business.

Rackham captures a black Jaguar and sets him in a cage to be a special exhibit. Everyone is afraid of the ‘man-eater’ cat. Marlin discovers the mysterious Jaguar is wise and magical. Jaguar bestows a special power on Marlin. The gift alone would change Marlin’s life but it also creates a special bond with the Jaguar. Rackham decides to create a one of a kind spectacle by pitting the cat against some other jungle creatures. Marlin can’t allow the confrontation to occur but his solution results in other troubles.

As the week of events progresses Marlin discovers secrets he wishes he didn’t know. Ultimately, he must make a choice to stand up and try to speak out. But will it be too late?

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this but I was quickly drawn into the story. I liked Marlin’s character and the friends he’s made and new friends made during the week. Marlin is kind to the animals even when not all of them are kind to him. He doesn’t set out to cause trouble but it dominoes. Each action tumbles forcing him to make hard decisions. The genre says 5-7 year old but apparently it is supposed to be 5th to 7th grade which is much more fitting. There are moral lessons to be pondered and that would make for great family discussion.

The story is well written with enjoyable descriptions. This was a surprisingly engaging and intriguing story. I note that the kindle and print versions have charming illustrations.

Audio Notes: Julian Elfer does a beautiful job of narrating. His accent works perfectly for Marlin, the edge of the world and the world of animals that comes alive. I totally enjoyed the audio although I imagine the illustrated version would be lovely too.

This is from my Audible TBR shelf. It qualifies for Audio Challenge, Mount TBR and "Z" in Alphabet Soup.

Audio Book Review: Jennings Books: According to Jennings (1954) by Anthony Buckeridge

This is a very enjoyable, old-fashioned, easy listening, story break.

Jennings Books: According to Jennings (1954)

Author:  Anthony Buckeridge

Narrator:  Simon Vance

Audio Book Length:  4 Hrs 29 Min

# of Audio CD's:  4

# of MP3 CD's:  1

Download ISBN:  978-1-926910-41-3

Genre: Middle Grade, Classic

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

In this audiobook - the space-craze sweeps through Linbury Court School and the corridors reverberate with 'voom-voom' noises as rockets, piloted by "Butch Breakaway" Jennings and his "bald-headed scientist," Darbishire, take off for the moon. As Mr. Carter prophesies, the craze wears off, but not before Jennings has stuck his head into trouble; nor before he and Darbishire have helped General Merridew, that peppery but most distinguished of Old Boys, to recapture some of the wilder moments of his lost boyhood.

Review:
This visit to Jennings and his class mates shares more fun with “silly little boys” trouble (as Mr. Wilken’s would say). The boys are in a space craft minded phase with chases between sets of boys. They manage to ‘capture’ a visiting dignitary, General Merridew, by locking him in the library instead of another team of boys who were thought to be there. Mr. Carter and Mr. Wilkens are appalled espcially when the key has disappeared with Darbishire. They make a plan to go through a window. Meanwhile Jennings and Darby return and release the General who begins to remember his own days of play and shows them a trick that catches Wilkens ringing the bell.

The boys run into more trouble trying to make sure their team is ready for the upcoming swim meet. Sneaking into the closed pool area ends up leading to more trouble and ultimately a punishment that will keep them back at school when their mates head out to an anticipated soccor match with a big celebrity. Jennings and Darby finish their assignments and decide they must get to the game as they were instructed to deliver the assignments to Wilkens “as soon as” they were done. They manage to get a lift from the famous player and then stumble upon a bugalar in the locker room. During the following confusion and hunt Mr. Wilkens is detained as the thief due to miscommunication.

This is the second audio-book I have enjoyed in this series. This is a delightful tale of school boy pranks and missions gone wrong with unintended trouble that all turns out well. Thank goodness. Although this is not exciting reading it provides a pleasureable break and a look at older, gentler times with childhood fun.

Audio Notes: Once again the narration is perfectly fitting for the characters and subject. Gotta love listening to Simon Vance. :-) It is spot on and makes it smooth, easy entertainment.

Also see review for: Jennings' Diary by Anthony Buckeridge

I received this audio from Post Hypnotic Press for an honest review..

Audio Book Review: Jennings' Diary by Anthony Buckeridge

This is a charming story for middle grade, young adults or adults who might enjoy a nostalgic view of boyish mishaps.

JENNINGS BOOKS: JENNINGS DIARY (1953)
Jennings' Diary by Anthony Buckeridge
read by Simon Vance

Audio Book Length:  4 Hrs 28 Min
# of Audio CD's:  4
# of MP3 CD's:  1
Audio CD ISBN:  978-1-926910-35-2

In this audiobook - it is the Easter term at Linbury Court School and Jennings has been promised five pounds by his aunt if he keeps up his diary every day. When he and Darbishire devise a code for entries, things really start to happen - the nasty incident of Wilkins's mark book is only one of them.

Review:
Jennings is a young English boy away at boarding school for the Easter term. His Aunt gave him a diary for Christmas and promised him five pounds if he writes in the diary each day. When he returned to school one of his classmates found the diary and began teasing him. Jennings entries are rather dull and common-place, tending towards his routines, “ate breakfast”, or the weather with those entries looking a lot like: “hot toddy” instead of “hot today”.

After rescuing his book he decides to write in code in case it gets taken again. Now the entries look like: "Hah-ooh cinosrepus! 'Selbanev, Nosnikta, Senoj-Nitram,'..." Jennings makes an innocent entry about his sometimes impatient forms teacher, Mr. Wilkins, known as Old Wilkie. Mr. Wilkins sees the entry that reads something like ‘Wilkie - lost link’ and takes it as an insult setting the two at odds.

Jennings records his attempts to start a museum with all the ‘treasures’ that young boys are apt to find. He and his best friend, Darbershire, sneak off one day in search of a gift for the school nurse who has been kind to Jennings. One misstep leads to another but the resulting gift giving and confusion is really quite sweet.

Jennings and Darbishire find a genuine fake Roman carriage wheel which causes no small trouble with Old Wilkie and the boys’ museum. The cumbersome wheel assemblage becomes even more of a problem as the boys try to take it to the curator of the Dunhambury Museum.

At one point Old Wilkie confiscates the diary but lends it back to Jennings a few weeks later so that he can transfer the entries from his notebook. Jennings goes through a bad day when he thinks he has lost the diary. Not only will he have to face Old Wilkie when he can’t return the book, but he is afraid the police will find it and think it is about Russian spies due to the nature of his code.

The story is a very charming view of the mischief of young boys in a gentler setting than today’s world. The convoluted, though often innocent, thinking and actions of Jennings makes for awkward and funny situations.

I hope to share it with my own 10 year old grandson. It is not fast action and adventure as we think of them today but it is action and adventure for young boys in a historic time setting.

Audio Notes: I have to state that I would probably enjoy any audio read by Simon Vance. Vance is a consummate narrator who manages to share multiple voices and personalities in his smooth British accent. He does a wonderful job with the school boys, the teachers and headmaster, moving from one to the next so that you can picture the whole scene. This is a book I would probably not pick up in print but found great enjoyment listening to. I am looking forward to listening to more of Jennings’ adventures as shared through Vance’s magical presentation.

I received this audiobook from Post Hypnotic Press Books for review.

Audio Book Review: The Time Fetch by Amy Herrick

This is a different fairytale adventure for middle grade and up.

The Time Fetch 

by Amy Herrick

read by Luci Christian
Audiobook
Unabridged   7.75 hour(s)
Publication date: 08/27/2013

Gernre: Middle Grade, Fantasy

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
Under normal circumstances, a Time Fetch sends out its foragers to collect only those moments that will never be missed or regretted. It then rests, waiting to be called back by the Keeper, who distributes the gathered time where it is needed in our world and others. When eighth grader Edward innocently mistakes a sleeping Fetch for an ordinary rock, he wakes its foragers too early, and they begin to multiply and gobble up too much time. Soon the bell rings to end class just as it’s begun. Buses race down streets, too far behind schedule to stop for passengers. Buildings and sidewalks begin to disappear as the whole fabric of the universe starts to unravel.

To try to stop the time foragers he has unleashed, Edward must depend on the help of his classmates Feenix, Danton, and Brigit—whether he likes it or not. They all have touched the Fetch, and it has drawn them together in a strange and thrilling adventure where the boundaries between worlds and dimensions are blurred, and places and creatures on the other side are much like the ones they’ve always known—but slightly twisted, a little darker, and much more dangerous.

A fast-paced tale of mythology, danger, friendship, and a shocking centuries-old secret, The Time Fetch is a magical adventure that reveals the extraordinary hiding just inside the ordinary.

Review:
This is a fun but ‘grim’ tale as in scary fairytale. Edward is a skinny, nerdy type kid who buries himself in his books and finds a world away from the mean kids at school. He lives with his strange Aunt who is always talking about mystical things like the summer and winter solstice. His Aunt encourages Edward to bring other children home, especially the cute girl next door. Edward isn’t about to invite anyone to meet his strange Aunt. Especially not Feenix, the snobby girl next door who succeeds in subjecting even teachers to her embarrassing, mean taunts.

One day Edward slips into his Aunt’s garden and finds a strange looking rock to take into science class. As he heads to school weird things begin to happen and an odd man tries to take the rock from him. An athletic, cheerful boy, Danton, begins to take an interest in Edward, most likely because of the good food Edward always brings from home. There is also a cute but strange girl, Birgit, who seems nice enough to even Edward and Danton. But she doesn’t talk ... to anyone. She hasn’t talked since a traumatic event in her childhood.

When Feenix sneaks the rock away, Edward and Danton follow her to the park. Birgit follows them sensing something bad is going on. Feenix goes missing, while back at school time seems to be speeding by and no one remembers Feenix. Finally the other three young people remember and return to find her. Feenix only escapes the woodland when Danton and the others rescue her.

Although this is an unlikely team, they end up working together when they realize that the rock that Edward brought to school has had a strange, dangerous, effect on their community. Feenix has learned that it is a “time fetch” and a few of the tiny creatures inside have escaped. Now the little ‘buzzers’ are multiply and eating memories, mass and time itself. The world is in danger of being consumed unless the four youths can puzzle the way to stop the time bees without getting caught by the unraveler.

This was a very different and strange tale. I felt the beginning dragged a little getting to the more exciting and dangerous parts of the story. There were some behaviors, like the bullying and parental disrespect, that I didn’t like. I enjoyed the science lessons and ponderings that added philosophical questions. I very much liked how each of the children found strengths in themselves that were needed to succeed together. The story is pretty fast paced (after the slowness) and has some surprises that I think would keep the attention of older middle grade students. I would classify this as a fairytale adventure, including a positive moral.

Audio Notes: The narration was effective to portray the quirky characters. There was excitement and wonder in the reading that added to my enjoyment of the story. I’m not sure I would have picked this as a print book but I did like it as an audio.

I recieved this CD audiobook for reviewing from Highbridge Audio through AudioBook Jukebox.

Audio Book Review: Once by Morris Gleitzman

This is a remarkable story of occupied Poland lived through the eyes of a story telling young boy.
Once
By Morris Gleitzman
Read by Morris Gleitzman


Published by Bolinda Audio
Series: Once Series, Book 1 
Published:    August 01 2005 
Read by:    Morris Gleitzman 
Number of CDs / Tapes:    3 
Duration:    3 hours  
Available Date:    August 01 2005 
ISBN:    1740949021 

Genre:    Fiction; Childrens
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Description:
Felix lives in a convent orphanage in Poland. He is convinced his parents are still alive and that they will one day come back to get him. When Nazi soldiers come to the orphanage Felix decides to escape and make his way home.The journey to find his parents is a long and difficult one, as Poland is occupied by the Nazis and a dangerous place for a Jewish boy. Felix manages to live and look after himself and another orphan, Zelda, with the help of a kind dentist, Barney, who is hiding and looking after a number of Jewish children. When the Nazis discover them, Barney makes the ultimate sacrifice for the children – electing to go with them on the train to the death camps, rather than taking the option of freedom offered by a Nazi soldier, one of his grateful patients.

Review:
"Once I was living in an orphanage in the mountains and I shouldn't have been and I almost caused a riot." And so opens a surprising, fictional tale to paint a picture of the Holocaust as seen from the eyes of a child.

Felix is a young boy living in a convent orphanage in Poland. He is a great story teller creating "once upon a time" bright tales to cheer the other children. Felix believes that his parents, who owned a book store, will be returning for him any day. One day Nazi soldiers come and he sees them burning books in front of the building. This sets Felix on a frenzy to find his parents and save the books in their shop from the book-burning Nazis.

Felix leaves gifts, a whole carrot and a treasured storybook, to his friend in the orphanage and sneaks away. It is dangerous enough for a young child in the woods and along the empty paths but he doesn’t have any understanding how dangerous it is for him, a Jewish boy. Felix makes it to the town only to discover that his parents shop and the home above have been taken over by others. The books are gone and the new people are ready to turn Felix in to the Nazis.

Felix heads off to the city and along the way stumbles upon a farm where he hopes to find welcome and food. To his horror he finds dead chickens and dead people. But the little girl is alive and he runs off with her as his new charge to protect. Felix and Zelda see many people being herded into the city by Nazi soldiers. He doesn’t understand but tells Zelda they are going to city to find their parents.

In the city Felix and Zelda are hidden with other children by a brave dentist, Barney. They struggle along in the basement until Nazis discover them and push them out to the trains. Barney could stay to secretly treat the Nazi soldiers but he decides he must go with the children. In spite of the trauma and horribly cramped conditions, Felix finds a way to share. But are they all doomed to travel to the death camps or is there a chance for escape?

This short, quicl story is wonderfully and remarkably set out from the view of a young boy with a great imagination, a sweet naivety and an unsinkable determination. The horrors of the occupation are subtly told but visual enough to be chilling. I would say the delivery and story are 'delightful' except that is not an appropriate word for the gravity of the setting. I recommend this to those who like  history, especially told from a different perspective and with a child’s wonder.

Audio Notes: Morris Gleitzman does a marvelous job reading the story as the young boy Felix. He manages to express the myriad emotions of friendship, confusion, fear, tenderness, horror and more. His reading made the story even more poignant and alive.

I received this audio from the 2013 summer SYNC YA program. I am so glad for SYNC as otherwise I would not even know about this book.

Audio Book Review: The Deliverers: Sharky and the Jewel by Gregory S. Slomba

This is a fun adventure - perfect for middle schoolers and more.

The Deliverers: Sharky and the Jewel
    by Gregory S. Slomba
    Narrated by Jimm Singer


 LENGTH    5 hrs and 17 mins
    RELEASE DATE    01-16-13
    PUBLISHER    Gregory S. Slomba
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy Adventure
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Twelve-year-old Eric Scott is called by Stig, a talking owl, to journey to another world to save a fishing village from a band of bloodthirsty pirates. Once there, Eric discovers that delivering the town is but one of the problems he'll have to solve.

Can a 12-year-old boy, a talking owl, a headstrong girl and an outcast dwarf save a village, much less an entire world? Find out as they set out on the journey of a lifetime to defeat an immortal pirate, face their fears, and fulfill an ancient prophecy.

Review:
Eric is a sweet twelve-year old boy who holds himself responsible for the death of his father even though a young boy wouldn’t be able to hold a man falling off a mountain. One afternoon Eric is approached by an owl who speaks to him and tells him that he is being called on a mission. Stig, the talking owl, explains that the mission isn’t in the world as Eric knows but through a secret door to another world. Eric isn’t sure how a young boy like him can help but he agrees to go.

A guardian of the gates delivers them to the world where they are to help a fishing village fight oppressive pirates.  They are welcomed by Kate, the mayor’s daughter who immediately declares them to be the deliverers promised in an long ago legend!

An outcast dwarf joins the three friends as they help the townspeople plan a way and find the courage to face the villainous Pirate Sharky and his band of cutthroats. Each offers different skills including  wisdom, strategy and fighting expertise. The small team journeys through the dwarf lands in the mountain, to seek aid, even though big folk aren't welcome. Then they proceed (through choice of execution or going forward) out the locked doors to the forbidden wasteland beyond where no one has returned. Eric realizes that only together can they make the mission a success.

The story is wonderfully plotted with messages of friendship, bravery, sacrifice, forgiveness, second chances and more. It is a fun listen with lots of ‘magical’ characters and full of action.  I think this would be a fun story for families to listen to together so they could discuss the characters, the action and the lessons shared.

Audio Notes: Jimm Singer does a really fine job of making the characters come alive. His voices for the children are good and his accents for other characters, the stuffy British owl, Stig, the despondent, rough dwarf, and others, add wonderful depth and make the listening fun.

I received this from the author through Audiobook Jukebox.

Book Review: Quest for the Scorpion's Jewel by Amy Green

This is a fun read as youths face dangerous adventures and begin to learn to trust in God's 'rescue'.

Quest for the Scorpion's Jewel
Amarias Adventures: Book 1 by Amy Green

• File Size: 403 KB
• Print Length: 172 pages
• Publisher: Warner Press (July 1, 2011)
• ASIN: B005GFSZLK

Genre: Fantasy Adventure, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: July 1, 2011
The "Amarias Adventures™" begin when 15-year-old Jesse befriends a band of young warriors and risks his life to find a cure for the poisoned Parvel. Though Jesse has a crippled leg, he is asked to join the remaining warriors—part of an elite fighting force known as the Youth Guard—on their mission for the king. Facing danger at every turn, Jesse, Rae and Silas journey over treacherous mountains and across a scorching desert. To make matters worse, an unknown enemy seeks to end their quest before it has even begun. Where is Parvel’s God when they need Him most? And with so little information to guide them, how will they ever complete their mission and find the Scorpion’s Jewel? Will they even escape with their lives?

For more action-packed adventure, look for Book 2 in the "Amarias Adventures™: Escape from Riddler’s Pass."

Review:
Young Jesse is disregarded and disrespected by many due to a limp. He lives with his Aunt and Uncle who take advantage of working him even as they barely feed him.  Yet Jesse is kind and spirited. Jesse is quick to help when a team of Youth Guard, the elite young people trained to serve the King, show up at the Inn with an injured warrior. The guard team is supposed to be four strong but they have already lost one and now their leader, Parvel, has been poisoned.  Jesse sneaks out to get special herbs needed to save Parvel.

Silas is the strong team member and Rae is the feisty, skilled female warrior.  Although he isn’t strong, Jesse is resourceful and crafty. They agree to accept his help to complete their mission. The three set out to seek an audience with a hostile foreign king. Along the way they face treacherous mountain paths and desert sand storms.  Jesse comes in handy with strategies to survive the dangers.  They are fortunate to meet a trader in the desert who will guide them into the city.

However, unknown to the Youth Guard, there is a long term group dedicated to eliminating all Youth Guard members. The team is confused when they have to run and hide from Captain Demetri of the King’s Patrol. Demetri boasts of the corruption of the King while the youths are in cells facing execution. Jesse reveals to the taunting jailor that another injured team member remains at home. Their new friend credits God for helping them escape. The book ends with the teens racing back to Parvel before Demetri can kill him.

The story incorporates a wide gamut of character traits: prejudice, deception and corruption set off against  bravery, loyalty, faith, and more. I liked how Parvel consistently, though gently, shared his faith and how Jesse ponders the intervention of God. The writing is easy and fast paced. This is good entertainment and would make a fun read for middle grade children and even older “kids at heart.”

I picked this title up from NetGalley to provide an honest review.

Book Review and Giveaway Link: Jack Templar Monster Hunter by Jeff Gunhus

This is a fun adventure that had me laughing out loud! I look forward to sharing it with my Grandson.

Jack Templar Monster Hunter: The Templar Chronicles: Book One

by Jeff Gunhus

• File Size: 322 KB
• Print Length: 197 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0988425904
• Publisher: Seven Guns Press (October 17, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B009SRYACA

Genre: Middle Grader, Adventure
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 2012

If you're not a monster hunter, don't read this book!

Seriously, this book is not meant for you. By reading it, you run the risk of attracting monsters to your position and being attacked. So, unless you are willing to join the fight...just walk away.

Still here? OK, don't say I didn't warn you. Let me introduce myself. I'm Jack Templar and I'm an orphan.

Recently, I discovered that I came from a long line of monster hunters. You know, vampires, werewolves, zombies, you name it. Turns out there was some kind of truce between monsters and the hunters that kids under fourteen were off-limits. I didn't find out about all this until the day before my birthday. Yeah, you guessed it, my fourteenth birthday. So, all bets were off. The monsters were coming to get me.

Not only that, but I also found out that if monsters around the world could choose one human to kill, it would be me. Why? I haven’t a clue, but the hunters I've met talk about a prophecy and that they think I'm the One...whatever that means. I’d like to find out some day, but for right now, I’m just trying to stay alive.

If you want to hear a story that will scare you, gross you out and forever change the way you look at the world around you, then you came to the right place.

But, if you want to keep the illusion that the world is a safe and orderly place, then get out of here and stop wasting my time.

Do your duty, come what may.

JT

"Gunhus brings young readers a monster-filled romp...complete with action, cliff-hangers and surprise reveals." -Kirkus Reviews.

Review:
Jack Smith is on the eve of his fourteenth birthday when strange things begin to happen. The day before his birthday he wakes up and discovers muscles, strength and agility he didn’t have before. He is thrilled with this but then alarmed to meet a real vampire on his way to school. The strange thing is the monster recognizes him and threatens attack for his birthday.

Jack helps some friends by facing up to a bully in the lunch room. When he is called to the principal’s office he is faced with another monster... more than just the usual nasty lady. She also seems to know he will have an interesting birthday.

Later in the day Jack runs into a young girl, Eva, who introduces herself as a third degree hunter. She tells him that he needs to begin training and then has to explain that he is from a long line of monster hunters. He has been protected at sunset on his fourteenth birthday he becomes fair game.  She is attacked by Harpies and Jack jumps in to protect her. Too bad she didn’t get to tell him that his fighting releases the monsters from waiting till the next day.  Now the he has to fight off attacks without additional training.

There are surprising allies and foes as Jack, Eva and Jack’s young friends, battle their way through vampires, zombies, werewolves and other monsters. Through the day he learns his real name is Jack Templar and that he is believed to be a special hunter. His dream girl from school is used as bait to draw him to the Lord of the Creach, the head Vampire, who wants to slowly torture, then kill him. Although Jack might like to think it is a “very complex, very creepy, dream”, too bad it’s not.

The story is told by Jack as the narrator.  It is filled with great humor and written in a tone and tempo suitable for middle readers but entertaining for adults too. There are a few typos and questionable grammar in a place or two but that didn't interfere with the entertainment.  The reader is hooked from the very beginning with taunts of ‘be brave and read on or close the book and stay away from dark places.’ The attitude had me chuckling out loud! There is appropriate young boy humor including nose picking friends and lunch room bullies. There are lots of mishaps and a few tender moments. Lots of questions remain as Jack survives his introduction to the dark world of monsters and sets off to Monster Hunter Academy which sounds like another fun adventure. If you are prepared to face monsters and have fun doing it then grab this book and get started. And don't forget: "Do your duty, come what may."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One of Jack’s friends, Will, spends a lot of time in detention:

He was constantly in trouble because his mouth ran full-time and typically went twice the speed of his brain. You know how sometimes inappropriate things come into your head but a little voice stops you from blurting it out because you know it might be rude? Well, Will didn’t have that little voice.  Location 167.

I received the eBook for an honest review as part of a BookBlast Tour.

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Jack Templar: Monster Hunter

Orphan Jack Templar has no memory of his parents and only the smallest details from his Aunt Sophie about how they died. The day before Jack's fourteenth birthday, things start to change for him. At first it's great: A sudden new strength helps him defend his nose-picking friend "T-Rex" from the school bully, and even his crush, Cindy Adams, takes notice. But then a mysterious girl named Eva arrives and tells him two facts that will change his life forever. First, that he's the descendent of a long line of monster hunters and he's destined to be in the family business. Second, that there's a truce between man and monster that children are off-limits...until their fourteenth birthday! Jack has only one day before hundreds of monsters will descend on his little town of Sunnyvale and try to kill him.

As if that weren't enough, things get even more complicated when Jack discovers that the Lord of the Creach (as the monsters are collectively known) holds a personal grudge against him and will do anything to see that Jack has a slow and painful death. To stay alive and save his friends, Jack will have to battle werewolves, vampires, harpies, trolls, zombies and more. But perhaps the most dangerous thing he must face is the truth about his past. Why do the other hunters call him the last Templar? Why do they whisper that he may be the "One?" Why do the monsters want him dead so badly? Even as these questions plague him, he quickly discovers survival is his new full-time job and that in the world of monster hunters, nothing is really what it seems.

Author Jeff Gunhus

Jeff Gunhus grew up in Cyprus, Greece, and Saudi Arabia where there was a distinct lack of television. He quickly found books were the gateway to incredible adventures, fascinating characters and unbelievable discoveries. Now, with five children of his own (all who watch too much television, in his opinion), he has enjoyed revisiting his old books and reliving those adventures all over again.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

Kirkus Reviews

"Gunhus brings young readers a monster-filled romp to read at their own risk. In the first few pages, Jack, the storyteller and main character, warns readers not to read about these real-world monsters that would seem to only exist in fiction. The tone is set--sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek and likable; rooting for Jack is easy...Gunhus masterfully introduces fully realized characters with whom readers can connect almost instantly. The pacing is quick but not rushed, and events seamlessly progress, complete with action, cliff-hangers and surprise reveals. "

Amazon Reviews

Watch out Percy Jackson here comes Jack Templar

Move over Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, there's a new kid in town - Jack Templar, and he will take you on a wonderful adventure of good vs evil, with friends and enemies at every turn. The twists and turns keep the reader on a roller coaster of entertainment in the way of JK Rowling and Rick Riordan. ~ Penny Brein

Fast paced adventure through and through

Written for middle school aged students, this book is action-packed from the beginning and will hold the attention of young readers. Not only that, as an adult reader, it was hard to put down, so parents will enjoy it as an easy read. ~ bluejellybean

Kids will love it!

Not only will kids love it, adults will too! I don't want to give the plot away but this is a book worth reading. This book is creatively written drawing in the reader to be a participant in the story. There is lots of action with enough blood and guts to be interesting without being gross. Girls will like it too with the strong female role models and the hint of romance. Even though this is a children's book, I couldn't put it down. I will definitely be adding this to my classroom library. I am looking forward to reading the book in this series and sharing it with my students. Awesome book! ~ pixiep

Purchase

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Book Trailer

WARNING

Yeah, you read it right. I’m a monster hunter. Back before I actually became one, I would have thought that sounded totally awesome. And don’t get me wrong, in a lot of ways it is. But most of the time, I’m either running for my life or hiding in the shadows, praying the monster chasing me doesn’t pick up my scent. And I’m almost always scared to death. In a few pages, I think you’ll see why.

     But there are a few things I need to warn you about before I tell you my story.

     First, this isn’t a cartoon. These are bloodthirsty creatures who will stop at nothing to kill. They are scary. Very scary. Second, the only way to stop them is to kill them first…and that gets gross and messy. Third, this is all real.

     You think I’m kidding, don’t you? I can almost see you smirking as you read this. But this isn’t a joke. Monsters are real and the story I’m about to tell you really happened. If you’d rather walk through life believing that monsters are only found in books or on the movie screen, then you should shut this book right now and go do something else.

     I give you these warnings because the story I’m about to tell you isn’t for everyone. Not everyone can handle it. The blood. The gore. The monsters.

     This life was thrust onto me. I had no choice but to take up a sword and fight. But you can still walk away and pretend this dark world doesn’t exist. Or you can walk through the door that I’m about to open and find out the truth about the world around you.

     But I warn you (and this is a big warning), if you read this book, if you learn about the monsters that roam among us and the hunters who fight them, if you decide to learn the truth, then you will become fair game for the monsters to chase.

     Make sure you understand what I’m saying.

     If you read this book, you will be part of this world and the monsters will come after you too. You will start to see things that no other humans can see. The shadows will move when you walk near them. The creatures of the night will seek you out, testing the doors and windows of your house, looking for a way in.

     And, at some point, they will find you, just like they found me, and you will be forced to defend yourself.

     So, think carefully before you turn the page, because once you do, there’s no turning back.

     Ever.

     Once a monster hunter, always a monster hunter.

     See you on the other side.

     If you’re brave enough.

Blog Tour $50 Giveaway

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Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Audio Book Review: The Lost Flower Children by Janet Taylor Lisle

This is a short, sweet story dealing with loss.
The Lost Flower Children
by Janet Taylor Lisle (Author),
Caitlin Davies (Narrator)

• Audible Audio Edition
• Listening Length: 2 hours and 23 minutes
• Program Type: Audiobook
• Version: Unabridged
• Publisher: AudioGO
• Audible.com Release Date: November 1, 2012

Genre: Fantasy, Middle Reader
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Motherless Olivia and Nellie go to live with their elderly Great-Aunt Minty, who knows little about children, but a lot about her overgrown garden. Then one day, Olivia finds an old teacup in a flowerbed--and, later, an old story about eight children transformed into flowers. Only the person who finds their teacups can bring them back. Now the two sisters know what they must do.

Review:
Nine year old Olivia and five year old Nellie are struggling with the death of their mother.  Olivia feels lonely and misses her while Nellie creates a set of strange rules to cope with her loss. When their father has to find a new job, they are sent to live with their elderly Great-Aunt Minty. Aunt Minty lives in a cottage with a lovely but overgrown garden. Aunt Minty must learn volatile Nellie’s rules if she wants to avoid rants and tantrums.

Olivia takes advantage of the situation by reading from the large library of books she finds in the house. Among the books she finds a story about lost children who disappeared during a tea party in the garden. The story says that some evil garden sprites put a curse on the children turning them into flowers. They missed the youngest child who had slipped into the house so they made her mute so she couldn’t tell what she had seen. The curse could only be broken when all of the teacups and teapot were found and reassembled.

Having found one tea cup the girls set out to dig through the garden. Aunt Minty thinks it is harmless and they are all a bit surprised as they begin to find one cup after another as they clean out weeds and clean up the garden. The relationship between the girls and Aunt Minty grows gently. The ending brings surprises, changes and leaves a little mystery.  I think middle readers would enjoy this bit of sweet fancy and its gentle message.

Audio Notes: Caitlin Davies does a beautiful job of keeping the tone light and mysterious. She captures the protectiveness of Olivia, the whiny pitch of Nellie and the gentle soothings of Aunt Minty. Well done!

I received this for review from AudioGO through AudioBook Jukebox.

Audio Book Review: The Magician's Apprentice by Kate Banks

WOW - this little story is remarkable - truly more than I expected!
The Magician's Apprentice
Author: Kate Banks; Narrator: Charlie Thurston

• Type: Unabridged
•  ISBN-13: 978-0-7927-8948-2 
• Package: 3 CD Audiobook 
• Length:  3 Hr 33 Min
• Publisher: AudioGO (December 11, 2012)

Genre: Fiction, Middle Grader Fiction (?)
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: August 7, 2012 | Age Level: 10 and up
Baz has always dreamed about leaving his dusty little town, so when a stranger comes to his family's home and asks him to be a weaver's apprentice, Baz is eager to start his journey. He and the stranger travel for several sunrises and sunsets until they reach the land of Kallah, where Baz starts his apprenticeship—and soon learns that his master is very cruel. Baz is disheartened, and when the master trades Baz for a sword to a magician, Baz expects no better from his new owner. But as Baz travels further into the depths of the desert with this kind-hearted and wise magician, he learns to re-examine his beliefs about people, the world, and himself, discovering that everything is connected in a continuous journey toward destiny and that no person or thing can ever really be owned.

•  Amazon link
• Listen to Sample at Audible

Reviews:
Baz is a young man ready to journey from home to be apprenticed for a new career.  He has no idea what the career will be but he anticipates the adventure. When the day finally arrives a stranger takes him away to deliver him to be a weaver’s apprentice. Baz is willing to do the job but his master is cruel; he takes the possessions of the students and practically starves them to death. After losing a friend and his small dog to the brutality of the master Baz plans an escape. Baz takes with him a small key he has treasured and hidden since he found it, but before he can succeed in his plans Baz is traded to another stranger.

Although Baz expects cruelty from his new master he soon learns that the old man is a gentle-hearted, philosophizing, wise magician.  They travel together through villages, across the desert and into the mountains where it is rumored no one ever returns. Along the way the magician shares and explains riddles of life and wisdom with Baz.

Ms. Bates is apparently an author of many children's books but I really hesitate to classify this as a Middle Grader genre.  The tale may appeal to a younger audience but it is much more than an interesting adventure. I found this story to be profound and wonderfully expressed. The writing is lyrical and the views on the meaning of life are thought provoking. The view encompasses a oneness of all beings and creation. Although that is not necessarily consistent with my Christian beliefs there is a part of me that can see all souls and physical elements of the world as being connected parts of God’s creation. There are many tidbits of wisdom that I found marvelous. These include recognition of the illusions of life, the idea of change being continuous and truth usually being broader than what a person first sees through their limited perception. These insights on the meaning of life are beautifully woven and shared through the journey and the friendship of Baz and his mentor.

AUDIO Observations:  The narration is exquisite. Absolutely perfect for the rhythm, mystery and unique synchronicity of the story. I am likely to look for more books narrated by Mr. Thurston as he did such a masterful job on this one.

This is a story I may want to get in print and it apparently has some simple drawings that add to the text. But, whether in print or audio, this is a keeper that I plan to enjoy again. I highly recommend this story and audio.

Words I noted while listening:
      Lyrical, riddles, profound, change, truth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Quotes I noted:
(From Track 27)

“No,” said Todas. “Intention does not come from the mind, although the mind thinks it does. Intention comes from here.” Todas pointed to his heart again then closed his hands in prayer.

Baz asks

“Where do you come from?”
“Where we come from is not important,” said Todas. “It is where we are going that matters.

(From Chapter 7 Track 29)
Baz questions if magic is deception and dishonest; Todas replies:

“That's not how I see it. I am simply showing my audience that not all is as it seems.  The world is bigger, its secrets  greater. True magic is not just to amuse it's to bring people closer to the truth, to reality. The magician’s task is not to show power, but to dispel illusion. Power is nothing but an illusion. Magic represents the capacity for transformation and change inside all of us.  Is that lesson not worth something?"

I am thankful I had the opportunity to review this for AudioGo through AudioBook Jukebox.

I will add this to my New Author and Audio Challenge lists.

Audible Book Review: 39 Clues by Rick Riordan

I love when history and geography are wrapped in a fun read!

The 39 Clues, Book 1: The Maze of Bones

• UNABRIDGED
• by Rick Riordan
• Narrated by David Pittu 

Genre: Ages 9-12
My Rating: 4.0

Product Description
What would happen if you discovered that your family was one of the most powerful in human history? What if you were told that the source of the family's power was hidden around the world, in the form of 39 Clues? What if you were given a choice - take a million dollars and walk away...or get the first Clue? If you're Amy and Dan Cahill, you take the Clue - and begin a very dangerous race.

Review: This book is like Where in the World is Carmen San Diego meets Rat Race or It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World. Oh and lets not forget National Treasure too.

The elderly Cahill matriarch dies leaving a huge fortune and mystery. Instead of dividing the wealth among her many heirs, she leaves a Will that allows the heirs to choose: Walk away with a million dollars or take a clue that will lead to an amazing but undisclosed treasure.  Many people take the money but a few brave individuals and families opt to follow the clues.

Amy is a timid, but intrepid, 13 year old. She was very close to her grandmother and knows that Gram would want her to find the treasure. Dan is a 10 year old math whiz who has a hard time sitting still. The children have been living with a critical and unpleasant Aunt since their parents died.  Although the Aunt wants them to take the money (which of course she would ‘hold’ for them), the kids decide to take the clue as a team.

The clue sets them off solving riddles that lead them through haunts of Benjamin Franklin. They have to use their combined skills to figure out history clues and numeric puzzles.  There are shaky alliances with other family members but they learn pretty quickly that they can’t trust anyone as they narrowly escape one attack after another.

I used to love playing Where in the World is Carmen San Diego and similar history or geography games .  The clues are tricky enough for adults and might require a child to do some research but that is a positive learning point.  There is a website to join and get hints too. The plot is fun and the characters are diverse with a devoted butler, devious Uncles, jealous cousins, enthusiastic if bumbling family teams.  Some of the chase gets a bit wacky but I doubt that would bother a middle grader. Each clue centers around a different historical figure or event and I think that is a fun way to learn.

The narrator does a nice job with the voices and the excitement. The books have trading cards with puzzles that would give a challenge for middle graders so it might be more fun to get the actual books. But you will have to get all 10 books to solve the mystery. I enjoyed the listen and at some point will continue with the series but I have some other series that have my attention more right now.

Three word description: fun, educational, adventure.