Kids Books - Fiction
The Ether: Vero Rising (An Ether Novel)
By Laurice Elehwany Molinari
This story is based on Vero, a boy that finds out he's not human, but in reality a guardian angel. I like it cause of everything on angels. It talks about the Ether, which is the space between heaven and earth, where both Angels and Demons dwell, just on different sides, and STILL hate each other. A must read! CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT BOOK!!!
Animas, Book Two Flight of the King
By C. R. Grey
Flight of the King was a decent second book. It's definitely good enough that you will stay glued to the very last page. It gives you the feeling that this is a real world and it's very solid and believable. (It's really similar to the Spirit Animals series, so if you're into that, check this one out!) I did find it lacking in some depth with the characters. Most of the book was action, evil plots, and crazy machines, which is fine, but I really wanted more chemistry and interaction between characters, because those are the best parts of the book. But there just wasn't much talking, and when there actually was talking, it was about serious matters, like 'how do we sneak aboard that ship', or 'we have to be careful so they don't spot us.' Hardly any wit or banter! Overall, Flight of the King was a good book, with a solid plot, (but I had trouble understanding what kind of timeline this is in, since they use both old and futuristic technology) and somewhat interesting characters. I recommend to fantasy fans, especially those who have read Spirit Animals. Fine for all ages, but elementary ages will probably enjoy these more. Can't wait to read the next book!
Nick and Tesla's Special Effects Spectacular: A Mystery with Animatronics, Alien Makeup, Camera Gear, and Other Movie Magic You Can Make Yourself!
By Bob Pflugfelder, Steve Hockensmith
MEGA SPOILER ALERTS! (Warned you..) The thing is, I'm not big on science. Or movies. *collective gasp* I'm more interested in other things, and reading is one of them. When I first picked up this book, I had a lot of uncertainty and prejudice because well, I just didn't like any of the things the front and back cover talked about.. Consider my opinion absolutely flipped. I love this book - it's not just the same plot used over and over again in books, it's actually something fresh and new, with mystery wrapped into one big huge package. As the story unfolds, it keeps on getting better and my curiosity kept on building and building until - boom - the climax! (You should prepare to drop your jaw, it's that surprising). Anyway, on with the summary (which is the spoiler part.) Apparently this book is the latest in a series (got to remember to borrow one of the other books in the series, because I haven't read any of them..) Nick and Tesla are kid detectives. Their parents went missing while on a mission. Nick's mind is fully occupied on the problem and he is trying to find information or evidence about their parents by searching on the computer 24/7. Tesla wants to take her mind off of the looming problem by doing experiments and things like that - because she's afraid of what will happen if Tesla and Nick interfere. Anyway, Nick reluctantly helps Tesla build a camera for their friend (and action-flick maniac) Silas, who is directing-producing-writing-and-acting his own small film, Bald Eagle. Their other best friend, DeMarco, promises to take everyone onto the set of "Metalman," (rip-off of Iron Man.) How, you ask? Why, his aunt is the line producer of Metalman, which is directed by Cash Ashkinos, Silas' favorite director! While at the set, Nick and Tesla notice protesters making up horrible chants about the star of Metalman, Damon Wilder. Shortly after, the foursome oversee one of Damon Wilder's scenes.. and he goes wild? Damon Wilder goes absolutely bonkers during the scene, but when they investigate the armor, they find orange stuff all over it! They think it's definitely itching powder, which is really serious and causes your body to itch like crazy? Who could have done such a thing - and it's narrowed down to three suspects. Throughout the book, Nick and Tesla investigates the trailers and rooms of the three suspects, and even Damon Wilder's trailer.. but is able to find nothing but a draft of the script Damon Wilder and Jack Wiltrout (the writer of the movie) is working on. They also find out that the protesters were yelling about Damon Wilder because of a viral video online. The viral video online showed Damon Wilder hurting people, screaming, and "acting" (pun intended) even worse than the itching powder incident. Don't you think they have full right to think that he's kind of crazy + really hurtful and shouldn't deserve to be the star? Meanwhile, someone inside the set wants to sabotage DeMarco's Aunt Zoe's movie and fire Aunt Zoe and Cash Ashkinos? What do they do to solve the mystery now? They do just what Nick and Tesla, the genius detectives would do. They play Sudoku against a security guard, go dumpster diving, use a grappling hook to retrieve all kinds of stuff, fly a stunt dummy named Michael, wear zombie makeup and pretend to be an extra, sneak inside trailers, watch viral videos of crazy actors, and just about everything you can think of.. but will they make it? Will they save Aunt Zoe and Cash Ashkinos' movie and propel them toward the Hollywood path.. or will they push them backward into a pit of car-washing commercials? But what about the phrase, "Pay or Play?" It's the key to everything and you can get to the bottom of this all even before Nick and Tesla do! Extras: What I especially like was all the step-to-step instructions about how to make the props that Nick and Tesla used, like a stunt double and even the zombie makeup (Cool!) I rate this book 5 stars.. it's amazing! If you like Sudoku, Hollywood, movies, adventure, mystery, suspense, totally awesome characters, zombie makeup, stunt doubles, geniuses, and more.. then read this book! If you don't like any of those things, just try it. You might be in for a surprise like I was :)
Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage: A Mystery with Hoverbots, Bristle Bots, and Other Robots You Can Build Yourself
By Bob Pflugfelder, Steve Hockensmith
In this book Nick and Tesla, two twins, help their friend Silas find his father's quite valuable stolen comic book in order to save his store Hero Worship, Inc. With the help of their Uncle Newt, a brilliant but quirky character, the twins build their own robots which are used to recover the comic book and then are used to defend against the thief and his own army of robots! This is the second book of the series. The neat thing about this story is that it contains instructions and blueprints for five different robot projects that actually work. My son and I are currently building the Explorer Bot and so far it has been a fun venture
Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #4: The Intrepid Canadian Expedition
By Jeff Brown
In this story Stanley goes to Canada and meets a boastful boy. They enter a snowbaord competition and they accidently fly off to somewhere else.
Cloneward Bound: The Clone Chronicles #2
By M.E. Castle
Thank you to Egmont USA for sending me this free copy of the book for winning a giveaway on DogoBooks. Fisher Bas is recovering from his battle; and Two went missing. One day a few weeks later, Fisher receives a note from Two that says he is searching for his mother (Spot-Rite ad woman) in Hollywood. With Two missing, what will happen? With a two day class field trip coming up in Hollywood, Fisher goes to whatever limits he can to find Two; only to find out he’s become a YouTube sensation and goes by a new stage name, Basley Bas. In a funny, quirky sequel, Cloneward Bound is the story of a desperate 6th grader in Hollywood doing whatever it takes to get his clone back and not get noticed. What I thought about it: Cloneward Bound was a truly fabulous book. I actually think I liked it more than the first book. This book ups the action and the suspense, and is a pefect companion to the first book. I thought the setting was very awesome: Hollywood, with fake music and television celebrities. Also the cover is great, and I think it is so funny that Fisher is getting hellos from famous people and everyone thinks he is an internet sensation even though he isn’t. Fisher is frantically trying to figure out a solution to his clone being popular so he, himself, isn’t the center of attention. So, very interesting themes in this story, and a lovely plot. Can’t wait for the final book in the series! XanderStars: Action: 9 out of 10 XanderStars Suspense: 9 out of 10 XanderStars Well-Written: 9 out of 10 XanderStars Page-Turning: 8 out of 10 XanderStars Overall: 9 out of 10 XanderStars
The Black Reckoning (Books of Beginning)
By John Stephens
This book looks really good- I would like to read it. I have read The Emerald Atlas and The Fire Chronicle. This book seems a little dark though.
Till Death Do Us Bark (43 Old Cemetery Road)
By Kate Klise
In the third edition to 43 Old Cemetery Road, a mysterious dog arrives at the door of the mansion. Seymour is overjoyed, where as his parents, ghost Olive C. Spence and old man Ignatius B. Grumply are less excited about it- especially when the dog begins to bark all night long! The dog used to belong to the late Noah Brett, maybe that is the reason for his barking? Or perhaps Bretts' kids fighting like cats and dogs over his money is the reason. I love this series, and I hope you do, too!