Truth Teller review by Ursula Lygarlis

Hello there happy Bookies! I am so excited about my first ever guest blog post!

I am secretly a book hoarder as well, so don't be ashamed of your overflowing attics. At least you have one, there are only so many places you can shove books when you live in a toadstool. This new creation they call MineEye has been fabulous for such pleasant problems. Now, I can just pop over and grab a book for my kindle. I just hope that those eensy weensy books in there don't overflow out. I don't know where I would put them!


Oh my, I have become quite distracted. I stopped to tell you about Kurt Chambers' Truth Teller. I loved it!! Of course, I grabbed it at first because it was free, perma-free as he says,but  I never expected to be so incredibly blown away. If anyone follows me on Twitter, I'm sure you saw me talking about it. Even poor Grimnien couldn't get a dance in edgewise.

download

So, there's a girl. Her name is Charlotte. Somehow, Charlotte is transported from her vacation place at some beach town into a medieval time period where everyone rides horses and magical beings are running rampant. Middleton, Swallow and their son Elderfield take Charlotte into their home and care for her, promising to do what it takes to return her home. Little do they know, this quest is one of grave danger. They must work together to find Goffer, the only being able to get Charlotte back across the realms and home to her own family.

I am clearly not a middle grade child, however, I LOVED this story. I just couldn't seem to put it down. The themes that we would want our youth to read are just so well written that children will not even notice. The typical coming of age storyline for both Elderfield and Charlotte are just so perfect for a MG reader. They are able to see Charlotte blossom as a person and rise to the occasion to protect herself and those she loves. Then there are those other themes we love to see in Middle Grade fantasy: good v evil, independence, family, friendship.

"Every story has a hidden truth." -Middleton, Truth Teller

I would consider Truth Teller a wonderful mash-up of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Harry Potter. I know Shelfie here often speaks about a Through the Cabinet genre and this wonderful story by Kurt Chambers fits in here perfectly, but you will have to read it to find out why!

Enter for a chance to win Wrath of Siren, book 2 in the series.


What Inspired Truth Teller?

     "I really fancied the idea of writing my own book ever since I was young. I always struggled with reading as a child, but loved reading fantasy books like Lord of the Rings. The only problem I found was they were often heavy reading even for adults. I thought it would be great if someone wrote a book just like this, but that was aimed at children like me to make them easier to read. I kept this idea in my head for years and years, but never put in into practice until I reached my mid 30's.

    Working with children inspired me to start writing. I helped run a local Brownie pack. Anyone who has ever worked with children will know just how inspirational they are. That is how Truth Teller was created. An idea I had from way back in my childhood eventually became a reality." -Kurt Chambers

Dragon of the Month Club

Also can be bought at Barnes & Noble

*I got this book from the author for free, this in no way affects my opinion of the book.*

Dragon of the Month Club

by Iain Reading

• First book in the Dragon of the Month Club series
• Age 8-12 interest level
• Independently published through Create-Space December 18, 2014
• 236 pages
• Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Adventure

Summary

     "The very unlikely friendship of Ayana Fall and Tyler Travers began on a Tuesday afternoon in the maze of bookshelves at the back of the old library."-First sentence of the Dragon of the Month Club

     Every month on the thirteenth there's a new dragon to conjure. This dragon ranges in difficulty and rarity of materials. Each dragon takes two people to "conjure" it through a step of precise steps. However, one mistake while conjuring a steam dragon leads to disaster. Ayana and Tyler find themselves fighting for their lives and they need all the help they can get. Along with five dragons, a few new friends, and even more enemies, will the diverse group survive their journey home?

The 39 Clues: Unstoppable Book 2: Breakaway

     The 39 Clues: Unstoppable Book: Breakaway, written by Jeff Hirsch, was first published January 28th, 2014. It is the second book in the Unstoppable series, a spin-off on the hit series The 39 Clues.

     Last time you saw the Cahills, the most powerful family in the world, they were looking for the serum. In Breakaway they found the thief and while Amy, Dan, Jake, and Atticus are running for their lives Nellie Gomez, Amy and Dan's baby-sitter, is looking for the serum in Peirce's secret lab. Peirce is sending all hid goons after Amy, Dan, Jake and Atticus, but what he doesn't realize is Nellie, undercover as Dr. Nadine Gormey, is in his own lab. But betrayal is everywhere. Is Dan really planning to leave Amy and the rest of the Cahills and will Amy betray even her own brother to keep everyone safe?

     Jeff Hirsch was born in Richmond, Virginia to a nurse, his mom, and a dad who worked in the tobacco industry. He always wanted to do something artsy, but it wasn't until Junior High that he started writing. He went to college at East Carolina University and UC San Diego where he studied play-writing. He currently lives in New York’s Hudson Valley with a couple cats, a dog, and his lovely wife who’s also a writer. This is his fourth book(to see more check out amazon.com).

     I would recommend this book to anyone between the ages of 8 and 12 boy or girl. If you like this book try The 39 Clue series and the Cahills vs. Vespers series. Also visit the39clues.com for fun games and puzzles.

To buy the book go to one of the following websites:

• Google Books 
• Barnes and Noble  
• Amazon
• Scholastic
• Powells

*I got this book from Netgalley.com*

The Fire Within

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to meet a real dragon? Well,  The Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey is the closest you will ever get.

David Rain was just looking for a place to live while he went to college, but when he moves in with the Elizabeth Pennykettle and her daughter Lucy he gets more than he bargained for. He ends up trying to rescue squirrels, write a book and much more. Is he up for the challenge? Read the book for more.

David is just an ordinary 20 year old guy. Going to college, finding a place to live then he meets the Pennykettles. The Pennykettles look like any other person but once you get to know them you find out they are not. Talking to clay dragons, treating them like they are real. The Pennykettles  are unusual, but how. You would have to read the book.

The Pennykettles live at 42 Wayward Crescent in Scrubbley, Massachusetts. The house is full of clay dragons and the "Dragon's Den", where the dragons are made is off limits. David rented a room in the house and grew to like it he even got his own"special dragon" for his room. There is something weird in this house, but what? I don't know, you have to find out for yourself.

Chris D'Lacey was born December 15, 1954 in  Valletta, Malta, Europe. He is married and has no children. D'Lacey didn't always want to be a writer. In fact when he was a teenager he wanted to be a rockstar. He now lives in Devon, England.

The Fire Within is a good book with lots of adventure. I would recommend this book to people who like dragons, fantasy and fiction. The Fire Within is the first book in The Last Dragon Chronicles. It was first published in 2001 by Watts Publishing Group in Great Britain. It was first published in the U.S. by Orchard Books in 2005.

IL: MG - BL: 4.1 - AR Pts: 7.0

Pollyanna

 I liked Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter because Pollyanna is always so happy and glad about everything. Even though it was published in 1913, Pollyanna is written like any other book you might pick up at a book store today. The language is a little out of date because of when it was written, but other than that it is pretty easy to understand. I recommend this book to people who like classics, realistic fiction, orphans or just family.

When Pollyanna's father dies she is sent to live with her strict Aunt Polly who only takes her in because she believes that it is her "duty". Aunt Polly believes that Pollyanna was an unnecessary child giving the fact that the world was already full enough. The small town where Pollyanna is sent to live is full of people who are quite unhappy, but Pollyanna finds a way to turn things around. How can one little girl change the whole town's mood? Read the book to find out.

Aunt Polly's house is located on a hill outside the town of Beldingsville, Virginia. The people of Beldingsville were always unhappy until Pollyanna came along and changed everyone's outlook on life. When Pollyanna gets into a terrible accident it effects the whole town. Everybody wants to see her to give her a message to make her happy about something in the horrible situation she is in.

Aunt Polly is bitter and uncaring in the beginning of the book. She doesn't care about anything but doing her duty. Throughout the book though, Pollyanna changes her attitude so that in the end she is kind, loving and caring to Pollyanna.

Eleanor H. Porter was born in Littletown, New Hampshire on December 19th, 1868. Porter married Jon L. Porter in 1892. She started a singing career at  the New England Conservatory of Music but by the early 1900s had given it up for writing. She published her first book Cross Currents in 1907 but her first big hit was Miss Billy, published in 1911 followed by Miss Billy's Decision in 1912. However it is Pollyanna and Pollyanna Grows Up that she is still remembered by today.

IL: MG - BL: 5.2 - AR Pts: 8.0

The 39 Clues

The Maze of Bones, by Rick Riordan and the first book in the 39 Clues series, is about "orphans" 14-year-old Amy and 11-year-old Dan Cahill in the hunt for the 39 clues.

At  Amy and  Dan's grandmother's funeral the race for the 39 clues is announced. Amy and Dan Cahill along with the rest of their family are in the hunt. With Amy and Dan's richer more experienced relatives always trying to kill them, the race becomes harder with every step. The grand prize is to make the winner the most powerful Cahill of all.

The Cahills, who have been shaping the world for centuries, are split into four branches: Ekaterina, Tomas, Janus and Lucian. Ben Franklin, Mozart and Napoleon are just a few of the many Cahills.

The 39 clues take Amy and Dan all over the world. With the help of Nellie, their au pair, they travel wherever is needed to find the next clue. They go to Paris and Philadelphia along with a few other places with Nellie. Starting in Philadelphia Amy, Dan and Nellie trace Ben Franklin's life to find the second clue.

To go along with with the books they have made the39clues.com. You can become an agent and join the hunt for the 39 clues with cards, clues and missions. 

The authors also take famous real people and turn them into Cahills. In book six they take Amelia Earhart and make her searching for the clues during her dangerous flight. Read the books to learn more.

I like this book a lot because of it's mystery and action. I recommend this book to people who like mystery and action. The Maze of Bones is the first book in the 39 clues series. This series has multiple authors including Rick Riordan and Jude Watson.


Gordan Korman writes books 2, 8 and 11. Korman wrote his first book at 12 years old. He has written over 65 books. Korman currently lives in Long Island, New York. 

Rick Riordan writes books 1 and 11. Riordan has written many children's books including the Percy Jackson series. Riordan lives in San Antonio, Texas.

Jude Watson writes books 4,  6 and 11. She is the author of many children's and young adult books. Watson currently lives in Katonah, New York.

Peter Lerangis writes books 3, 7 & 11. His books have sold over 4.5 million copies and has been translated into 28 languages. He writes young adult books. Lerangis currently lives in New York City, New York

Patrick Carman writes book 5. He has always been a story teller. He writes young adult and children's books.

Mararet Peterson Haddix writes book 10. She loved to read as a child and participated in lots of activities.She has moved a lot as an adult and currently live in Columbus, Ohio.

Linda Sue Park writes book 9. She writes lots of children's books. She is currently living in Rochester, New York.

IL: MG - BL: 4.3 - AR Pts: 7.0

The Amulet of Samarkand

The Amulet of Samarkand, by Jonathan Stroud, is the first book in The Bartimaeus Trilogy.


Bartimaeus, a five thousand year old djinni, and Nathaniel, a magician's apprentice alternate as the first person narrators for the story. After Simon Lovelace humiliates Nathaniel in public, Nathaniel starts plotting revenge on Lovelace. Summoning Bartimaeus is hard enough on its own but controlling him is almost impossible. When Bartimaeus is sent after Simon Lovelace's most prized possession Nathaniel  gets caught up in a whirlwind murder,theft and revenge.

This book takes place in London, England which is ruled by the powerful magicians who live there. Unlike Harry Potter, the commoners in the busy and populated city are aware of the wizards around them. In fact, they form a resistance to steal artifacts from the wizards which are occasionally used against them.

I would recommend this book to anyone, child or adult, who likes magic or fantasy. Stroud's series is packed with this and much more.

 "Jonathan Stroud, a former children's book editor, has written several books for young adults in England, where he lives." -inside back cover

The Amulet of Samarkand  awards

• winner of a Boston Globe (USA)
• winner of Lancashire Children's Book Award (UK)
• Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis (German Youth Literature Award)
• the WH Smith Teen Choice Award (UK)  

IL: MG+ - BL: 5.9 - AR Pts: 19.0

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

                            


   Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson is about Molly Aster, a starcatcher in training, and Peter, an orphaned boy. Molly and Peter are on a mission to keep a box of a magical substance that gives the user an unlimited amount of power for a limited time called starstuff from Black Stache and a group of evil people called the others.






Character

•  Peter:  orphaned boy and protagonist
•  Molly Aster:  Peter's friend and second protagonist 
•  Black Stache:  captain of the pirate ships Sea Devil and Jolly Roger
•  Alf:  sailor
•  Slank:  first officer and second in charge of the Never Land
•  Smee:  second in charge on the Sea Devil and Jolly Roger
• Fighting Prawn: chief of the Mollusk people  

 




  Peter and the Starcatchers takes place on Mollusk Island an island inhabited by the  a tribe that throws visitors to the island down a big hole with Mister Grin, a 25 ft. man eating crocodile. Mollusk Island is mostly dense jungle but has a thin strip of beach surrounding the jungle. In the heart of the island is a steep mountain from the top of which you can see the whole island.

  
  I liked Peter and the Starcatchers because it is a fun book and you never want to put it down. I would recommend this book to fantasy lovers. This was written as a prequel to Peter Pan and the beginning of the Neverland Series.  I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book it was such a good book.

The Dollhouse Murders

    The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright is about twelve year old Amy as she tries to uncover the mysteries of the dollhouse. Dolls move by themselves, lights go on and off and murders are revealed.


    Amy’s great-grandparents were murdered but the murderer was never found. Amy’s Aunt Clare suspects her fiance Tom was the murderer because he was drunk and angry at her grand parents the night of the murder. The true killer comes as a shock to all!
 
   Secondary character Louann, Amy's younger sister, is mentally handicap. In the beginning of the story, Amy believes Louann is a burden because she always has to care for her. This makes it difficult for Amy to keep friends and therefore makes it difficult for Amy to appreciate and love her younger sister. Through the aid of the dollhouse mystery, Amy learns to love Louann and have friends while taking care of Louann.
 
    This book was nominated for the Edgar Award for the best mystery book in 1984. Two years later, it  was chosen for the Young Reader’s Choice Award in 1986, an award given out by the kids from the Pacific Northwest. The Dollhouse Murders also received the Mark Twain Award for humor the same year. I think it clearly deserved all these awards because it was a great book.