Children's Review: Caleb and Kit

Note: Top Shelf Text received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

It's no secret that middle grade is my favorite subset within children's literature. I love middle grade as a whole, but recently I've found myself feeling uninspired by the titles I've picked up. Caleb and Kit, however, left my love for middle grade reinvigorated, and I can't wait to recommend this title to students, colleagues, and friends this year.

Caleb and Kit is a story told from the first person perspective of Caleb, a twelve year-old boy who lives in the suburbs with his mother and older brother. Throughout the course of the novel, Caleb experiences many challenges that come with being twelve. He has his first crush (and subsequently makes various silly decisions because of it), has to face an unkind peer at school, and has his first experience with lying to his parents.

More challenging, though, is Caleb's unique circumstance: he has cystic fibrosis. As a person with CF, Caleb lives with a strict routine, and he struggles to come to terms with the impact that his needs have on his family and friends. On top of that, Caleb's family dynamic is changing, with his father's engagement to a girlfriend who doesn't seem interested in Caleb at all. All of this feels a bit overwhelming to Caleb, but he finds relief in a new friendship with a very odd girl named Kit. They meet in the forest between their houses, and there Caleb can forget all about the various hard things going on in his life. Except that Kit is running away from something too, and soon the outside world creeps into their magical haven. This story gave me Bridge to Terabithia vibes, what with the forest setting and strong, imaginative friendship between these two characters.

In addition to feeling emotionally invested in these characters and their lives, I also learned a lot through reading this book. Cystic fibrosis is a chronic illness that I knew of but wasn't familiar with, and because the story was told from the perspective of Caleb, I was able to learn a lot about the daily life of someone with CF. My friend Katharine, (who you may know from Instagram as @kathareads and who blogs over at From A to Pink) also has cystic fibrosis and recently read this novel too. I was waiting for her opinion on the portrayal of CF, and after reading she commented that this was one of the most authentic portrayals she's read. I really hope to see this title gain more attention this year, and you can bet it'll be on my list for a certain book club (hint, hint) in the future.

This title will be released on September 12, 2017.

Bottom-Line Rating: 5/5
(Wholeheartedly endorsed for readers of all ages.)

Title: Caleb and Kit

Author: Beth Vrabel

Publisher: Running Press Books

Price: Pre-order for $10 on Amazon

ISBN: 076246223

Format: Hardcover

Source: Running Press Books

Children's Review: Artie Conan Doyle and the Gravedigger's Club

{image via Goodreads}

I am a fan of all-things Sherlock Holmes, so anytime I hear about a new spinoff of my favorite detective series I am guaranteed to give it a try. Artie Conan Doyle and The Gravedigger's Club is the first in a new series that I'm looking forward to following. The mystery stars a young Arthur Conan Doyle (the author of the original Sherlock Holmes) as he solves mysteries around his hometown in Edinburgh. In this first adventure, Artie and his best friend Hamilton are exploring a local graveyard late at night when they spot a ghostly woman and the paw prints of a gigantic hound. Soon, they're on a quest to discover the mystery behind the two sightings, as well as the culprit of several robberies carried out by a mysterious society known as The Gravedigger's Club.

I loved that this book carried elements of some of the tales of Sherlock and Watson -- the idea being that these events in Artie's life would later influence his storytelling -- and I also loved how the story was steeped in historical detail. Though the mystery is the main focus of the plot, this also featured a theme of friendship, particularly as it relates to the hero-sidekick relationship that we see in this type of story. Recommended for middle grade readers who enjoy detective stories (and potentially a great summer reading pick)!

This title will be released on June 15, 2017.

Bottom-Line Rating: 4/5

Title: Artie Conan Doyle and The Gravedigger's Club

Author: Robert J. Harris

Publisher: Kelpies, 2017

Price: Pre-order for $9.94 on Amazon

ISBN: 1782503536

Format: E-book

Source: Net Galley

Note: Top Shelf Text was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

Children's Review: The Night Parade

{On Goodreads}

I tend to lean towards European literature, so when an opportunity to read Katheryn Tanquary's The Night Parade popped up, I thought I'd better indulge in a new culture. I'm so glad I did because The Night Parade was among my favorite children's books read this year. The story follows Saki, a typical thirteen year-old girl who's forced to accompany her family on a trip to visit her grandmother for Obon, a three-day festival in which families honor the spirits of their ancestors. That's the first thing that I love about this book: it highlights and celebrates Japanese culture in such an interesting way. Tanquary wove the culture into the book so seamlessly that the reader can follow Saki's journey as she moves from resenting the antiquated traditions to celebrating the unique way in which the small village has remained true to its culture, all while learning an incredible amount about Japanese family structures and traditions. 

Saki carelessly (and accidentally) invites a maleficent spirit into her world with the opening ceremony on the first night of Obon. For each night of the festival, she ventures into the spirit world in an attempt to lift the curse. While she navigates the rules of this strange new world, she is guided by a series of spirits. During the day, Saki must also navigate the social scene in her grandmother's small village-- this is where Tanquary does an excellent job of capturing the young teen mindset and writing from that perspective. Saki's encounters with the other children her age force her to reflect on her friendships at home in Tokyo. From the lessons she learns in both the real and spirit world, Saki has a change of heart and finds herself more in touch with her family and her heritage. I loved the resolution of the book and found that the lessons hidden within were ones that young readers could identify with and reflect on after reading. The spiritual elements of this book place it under the fantasy category, but I felt that it was an unconventional type of fantasy. The connection with the Japanese folklore reminded me a lot of the films by Hayao Miyazaki, so if you've enjoyed those films I suggest picking up this book after it's publication on January 5th!

Bottom Line Rating: 4/5

Title: The Night Parade

Author: Kathryn Tanquary

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
ISBN:1492623245
Price: Pre-order from Amazon for $12.98
Format: e-ARC
Source: Netgalley

Expected Publication Date: January 5, 2016

Note: Top Shelf Text was provided with a copy of this text by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

Children's Review: The Day the Mustache Took Over

{on Goodreads}

When I first saw the cover and premise for this book, I was so excited. Finally! A book for boys that's goofy, funny, and full of mischief. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I've been seeking suggestions for "boy" books to add to my classroom library collection, and I thought that this was going to be a winner for sure. However, after struggling to get through this book (honestly, I had to talk myself into finishing it!), I can say that it is full of mischief, but I didn't find it the least bit funny. I normally don't like to publish negative reviews on here (after all, it seems silly to tell you all about a book and advise you not to buy it) but I decided to share it for a few reasons: first, I want to be fully transparent, because I don't actually love every single book that I read (although I have to say I do love the majority), and second because if I were in a bookstore, I would definitely be motivated to buy this book for a young reader.

I connected with the premise because I've worked so many years as a nanny, and I find that caring for children is way more fun and easy when I can put on my silliest of hats (figuratively speaking) and let fun guide our way. In The Day the Mustache Took Over, which makes its debut on September 1st, twin boys Nathan and David are faced with yet another new nanny to take care of them. The boys are so terribly behaved that they've left a trail of nannies in their wake and their parents are out of options. That is, until Martin Healey Discount shows up at the door. Martin becomes the boys' new "manny," and though he puts on a stern face for their parents' sake, it turns out that Martin is more trouble than even the boys. In the end, he tricks the boys into doing their chores by pretending that they're defying their parents.

While the premise was of interest to me, the biggest problem for me in reading this book was the writing style. I could not follow anything that was going on, and I felt like the dialogue was so fast and disconnected that nothing made sense. It almost felt like I was hyped up on sugar while reading it (if that makes sense) because everything was disjointed and the whole premise turned from funny to outrageous in the space of the first chapter. Though I understood why the parents played minor roles, I also felt like their lack of discipline and boundaries for the boys was completely unrealistic, and I felt unsure about how the message in this book would translate to young readers. Would they find it funny? Would they try to follow the footsteps of Nathan, David, and their crazy manny? The latter possibility had me flinching from the trouble that could ensue in real life. From a teacher perspective, at times the language that was employed by the manny character could also have been out of reach for some young readers-- the character used unusual vocabulary in order to convey silliness, but I could see some of the language being inaccessible for some audiences. Though I certainly wouldn't stop a young reader from picking up this book of their own volition (after all, what they're reading is less important than the fact that they are reading), I won't be buying this for my classroom library and I don't see myself recommending it to parents.

Bottom-Line Rating: 1/5

Title: The Day the Mustache Took Over

Author: Alan Katz

Illustrator: Kris Easler

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's

Expected Publication Date: September 1, 2015

Price: $13.99

Pre-Order on Amazon

Pre-Order on Barnes and Noble

ISBN: 1619635585

Format: E-book

Source: Advanced Reader Copy provided by Net Galley

Note: Top Shelf Text was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

Children's Review: The Mister Max Trilogy

This review is going to be a little out of the ordinary, because today I am here to rave about more than one book. Today, I want to tell you about my new favorite middle grade trilogy!

The Book of Lost Things (Mister Max #1)

It seems like middle grade books all have the same start: our main character is just another ordinary kid, until something extraordinary happens and forces him/her into a wild and unpredictable world. That's pretty much what happens to our main character in this trilogy too. Max finds himself alone in the world when a planned trip to India with his parents goes awry and he is left to stand at the docks, wondering where his parents have disappeared to and how he's going to live on his own. Thankfully, Max isn't entirely alone, as his grandmother just happens to live right next door. She offers to take him in, but Max suddenly realizes that this is an opportunity to become independent (never mind the fact that he's only twelve years old). While Max and his grandmother work to uncover the mystery of where Max's parents went, he establishes his own business. It just so happens that Max is quite good at disguising himself, and he's so resourceful in helping the townspeople to solve their problems  that he soon transforms into Mister Max, mysterious Solutioneer. Max uses the vast array of costumes from his parents' theatrical company, and while he solves many mysteries, his identity stays successfully hidden. 

The Book of Secrets (Mister Max #2)

In the first two novels, Max establishes his business as a Solutioneer and forges friendships with some unlikely characters (another great element of middle grade fiction). Though these books follow the typical middle grade plot, I felt myself drawn in by Voigt's style. Specifically, I loved the way that she described Max's unusual eyes. For every character introduced, Voigt gave a beautiful description of the strange color of Max's eyes from that character's point of view. I thought that this was a rather unique strategy in conveying Max's mysteriousness and it resulted in some of the strongest imagery that I've come across in my middle grade reading. I just loved the way that Voigt used descriptive and figurative language and I felt like I was reading a book that could quickly become a favorite for both adults and children. There is nothing childish about the way that Voigt writes. I wanted to share a few favorite quotes from the first two books that demonstrate Voigt's talent:

"The Baroness's mouth worked but no more words came out, the ones she wanted to utter being so huge and hard that they couldn't make their way up her throat, as if those words were bricks or stones or chunks of wood."  (The Book of Lost Things p.166 )

"She shrugged, and grimaced. She had a wide, flexible mouth, good for grimacing and grinning, and probably sneering, too." (The Book of Lost Things, p. 186) 

"The idea floated to the surface of his mind like a photograph appearing in developing liquid, a clear image where just seconds ago there had been blankness." (The Book of Lost Things, p. 356). 

"Do you fear danger?" she asked. "Yes!" answered Max Starling, before either of his other two roles could silence him, and then he laughed. "I'm afraid I do. But I can forgive my fear, even if I can't approve of it, or want to be in its company." (The Book of Secrets, p. 329) 

Can you tell why I think this could be the kind of book that teaches a young reader to love the written word?  

In The Book of Kings, the third (and final) installment of the Mister Max trilogy, Max sets off to find his parents. Max is uniquely gifted in crafting situations so that the people involved feel as though they've arrived at realizations and decisions all on their own, when really he has been carefully and strategically putting the puzzle pieces into place. In The Book of Kings, which will make its debut on September 8th, Max finds out that his parents have been taken to a tiny South American country called Andesia. There, they've been forced to play the role of king and queen under the scrutiny of a mutinous and menacing military general. Max and his grandmother intend to arrive in Andesia disguised as...well, that's the problem. They can't decide on a pair of roles that would explain there arrival without arousing suspicion. Though Max doesn't like the idea of arriving in Andesia with a group of people, eventually he concedes that the best plan includes the band of characters he's picked up along the way, all of whom feel more like family than friends. The group sets off to Andesia and there engages in a risky improvisation with the "king" of Andesia, who is of course Max's father and who needs rescuing. Along the way there are shifty characters, intrigue, mystery, and lots of guesses to be made by the reader. I can honestly say that I did not correctly predict the villain in this story, and I was genuinely in suspense as I waited to see if Max would achieve success in his rescue mission, or if his penchant for disguise would be uncovered and his plans ruined. Again, Voigt's style is just fantastic and I drank in her writing with all of the fervor that I could. I felt myself wanting to get to the end but drawing out the reading experience so that I could let the language simmer. I would definitely recommend this for readers who don't need a lot of fast action to hold their attention; though the bulk of the action occurred in this third installment, it was more of a slow and stealthy action than anything else. I think that Voigt's writing would capture the interest of readers who enjoyed The Mysterious Benedict Society, as there are some riddle and puzzle aspects to the plot (although this book is less whimsical than that series). Though this book marks the end of the trilogy, there seemed to be a hint of a story yet to come, and I have to say if Voigt ever chose to continue Max's story I would be first in line to read it. 

Also, I just need to say a quick word about the illustrations in this book. They are fantastically detailed. I loved that my advanced copy had sneak peeks of the unfinished art and I cannot wait to see the final product. Bruno has real talent for making Voigt's characters come to life in his illustrations.

Bottom Line Rating: 5/5 

Want to buy the first in this series? 

Amazon

Better World Books

Barnes & Noble

Want to buy the second in this series?

Amazon

Better World Books

Barnes & Noble

Title: The Book of Kings (Mister Max #3)

Author: Cynthia Voigt

Illustrator: Iacopo Bruno

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2015

Expected Publication Date: September 8, 2015

Pre-order on Amazon 

Pre-Order on Barnes & Noble

ISBN: 0307976890

Format: E-Book

Source: Advanced Reader Copy provided by Net Galley

Note: Top Shelf Text was provided with an advanced copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

Children's Review: Piper Green and the Fairy Tree & Too Much Good Luck

{on Goodreads}

Piper Green may just be my new favorite character in children's chapter books. She's a spunky little girl navigating the everyday with all of the humor and sass that can be so exasperating and endearing in children. She lives on Peek-a-Boo island, which is the first thing that I love about this story. She and the other children who live on the island ride a lobster boat to school each day, and it's on the first day of second grade that Piper's whole world is turned upside down. Instead of the teacher she's expecting, Piper has a new teacher, who seems like a princess at first but actually has a bad attitude and a penchant for calling Piper's parents. I love that Potter has created a character that's just so real; she's not a perfect little girl, or a mermaid, or a prodigy, she's just an ordinary kid who says exactly what she thinks and views the world through a quirky lens. Just when Piper thinks that this whole year is going to be a bust, her neighbor Mrs. Pennypocket lets her in on a little secret: there's a fairy tree in Piper's front yard. The cast of characters around Piper (including the fairy tree) help her to come to terms with the new changes in her life and in the end, she thinks that second grade might not turn out to be so bad. Besides Piper, my favorite character of the whole book has to be her little brother, Leo, who thinks he's married to a post-it note named Michelle. This is one book that I'll be sure to have on my classroom shelves, and I have more than a few little friends in mind for gifting it to when it comes out on August 4th.

But wait, that's not even the best part! Not only is Piper Green and the Fairy Tree coming out on August 4th, but the second in the series, Piper Green and the Fairy Tree: Too Much Good Luck is also being published on that date. I am doing a happy dance, because you guys, this second book was just as perfect as the first. 

{on Goodreads}

In this book, Piper's world is expanded a bit more as we are introduced to more of her friends from school.  Piper is devastated when she finds out that their class pet, a rabbit name Nacho, has to be removed from class because of a new student's allergies. At first, Piper isn't the most welcoming, but with the help of the fairy tree, she eventually makes friends with the new girl. Potter does a great job conveying Piper's inner conflicts without turning Piper into a "mean girl." It's pretty clear that consequences don't always occur to Piper before she acts, and that's part of what makes her character so realistic for this age group. I can see Piper Green becoming a popular character in elementary classrooms and can't wait to follow this series in the future.

Bottom Line Rating: 5/5

Recommended for grades 2-4 (ages 7-9)

Title: Piper Green and the Fairy Tree & Piper Green and the Fairy Tree: Too Much Good Luck

Author: Ellen Potter

Illustrator: Qin Leng

Publisher: Random House Children's 

Expected Publication Date: August 4, 2015

ISBN: 0553499246 & 0553499270

Format: #1 in hardcover and #2 in paperback

Price: You can get the pre-order discount on Amazon

Source: Advanced Reader Copies received from Net Galley

Top Shelf Text was provided with advanced reader copies of these texts for review from the publisher.

All opinions are my own.

Children's Review: The Order of the Owls

{Click here to view it on Goodreads}

The Order of the Owls is the first in a series featuring a feisty and fearless girl named Minerva Mint. As a baby, Minerva was found abandoned in a train station, bundled into a travel bag with a volume of The Universal Encyclopedia. Also in the bag was an envelope with the deed to Lizard Manor, a crumbling estate that's rumored to be haunted but really is filled with an array of eccentric creatures, such as the band of foxes that reside in one of the five lounge rooms. Minerva is taken in by kindly Mrs. Flopps, and together they live in the manor while Minerva waits for her parents to come claim her. In this first adventure, Minerva makes friends with Ravi and Thomasina, two children who live in the nearby town. What I most liked about the book were the characters: Minerva is seemingly undaunted by her distressing past and eager for an adventure while Ravi finds his new friends' antics to be a distraction from his homesickness for India. Thomasina is the rich girl living in a house that is the stark opposite of Lizard manor. Despite Thomasina's background, her character is surprisingly not snobby and unaffected by the difference between her lifestyle and those of her two new friends. I liked that she was a departure from the classic formula for the "mean girl" in this tale. The plot itself is driven by Minerva's desire to find her parents, but the mystery of Minerva's past is made even more threatening when a couple tries to claim her as their own in order to get their hands on the deed to the manor. Though the adventure is not particularly fast-paced, I read the book in just a couple hours and find myself looking forward to the next in the series. I was expecting some elements of magic or fantasy to be involved, but the book is rather comforting in its ordinary setting and realism and reads like a remix of Pippi Longstocking and Annie.  I would recommend it for readers in 2nd to 4th grade and to those who prefer their characters to be smart, outspoken, and up for anything.

Recommended for ages 7-10 years (grades 2-4).

Bottom Line Rating: 4/5

Title: The Order of the Owls (Minerva Mint #1)

Author: Elisa Puricelli Guerra

Publisher: Capstone Young Readers, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-62370-038-6

Length: 154 pages 

Format: Hardcover

Price: $9.95 on Amazon

Source: Public Library

Children's Review: The King of Quizzical Island

{on Goodreads}

The King of Quizzical Island has a question, what's it like at the edge of the world? No one can give him the answer, so he readies his sails and sets out to find it himself. He happens upon a series of fascinating and strange lands, including Jigsaw Land and Vertical Land, "where everything stands on end." As he continues on his journey, barely surviving the Sea of Dreadful Dreams (but prevailing against the Night Mares), his ship is beached upon another sandy shore, where he spies a familiar-looking castle. Could it be that the edge of the world doesn't actually exist?

The King of Quizzical Island is a fantastic tale of curiosity and discovery. The King's biggest realization is that the world is actually round, but his inquisitiveness and can-do attitude are what make him a memorable character. I was smitten with this story from the first time I read it, as it reminds me of one of my absolute favorite picture books. The rhymes are brilliant and illustrations are quirky, and I just love the immense amount of imagination that went into the King's travels; his adventures are sure to have little readers asking question and yearning to discover more about the world around them.

Recommended for ages 4-8 (Preschool - 3rd Grade)

Bottom Line Rating: 5/5

Title: The King of Quizzical Island

Author: Gordon Snell

Illustrator: David McKee

Publisher: Candlewick, 2009

ISBN: 0763638579

Format: Hardcover

Price: $15

Source: Purchased, University Store

Children's Review: Once Upon a Marigold

{on Goodreads}

Christian is a runaway, living in a forest cave with his foster-father (who just happens to be a troll) and two dogs with big personalities. Though the world that he lives in is full of interesting places and creatures, he's explored little and is starting to feel the need to leave home in search of adventure. He spends his free time writing to Marigold, a lonely princess isolated by a curse. With an ailing father and a dismissive mother, Marigold finds solace in her friendship with her mysterious pen pal. Christian loves everything about Marigold, and would do anything to meet her in person, including taking a job at the castle. When they finally get to meet in real life, Christian uncovers a plot that has Marigold in danger, but in trying to rescue her, he gets himself in a whole mess of trouble. Their hopes of being together lie in the hands of the most unexpected of heroes, as everything they know about their own lives comes into question.

I am a big fan of fairy tales and love quirky spinoffs that question the classic roles of prince and princess, hero and damsel in distress. Though this story doesn't depart too much, the characters themselves are so unique and imaginative that the story feels like a fresh take. In fact, my favorite characters were actually the minor ones, like Queen Mab the frazzled and forgetful toothfairy, and Ed the ambitious troll. Ferris did an excellent job of creating a world in which normal wasn't an option, giving her the freedom to bring anything into play. Not only did I like the humor and just plain silliness of the story, but I was particularly taken with the bits of wisdom that were not-so-subtly slipped into crossroad-type moments for the characters. Ferris clearly had some messages to send to her audience, and even for older readers (like myself), the points to take away are definitely worth thinking about. Although I thought the book had a nice, succinct ending, it's part of a trilogy, and I do plan on reading the next two books.

Recommended for ages 9-12 (Grades 4-7)

Bottom Line Rating 3/5

Title: Once Upon a Marigold

Author: Jean Ferris

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers (Reprint), 2013

Price: $6.29 on Amazon

ISBN:  0544054008

Format: Paperback

Source: Public Library

Book #30 of 2014

Children's Review: A Fine, Fine School

{on Goodreads}

Mr. Keene is an excellent principle and loves seeing all of the students learning every day. One day he calls the school together for an assembly and announces a big decision: that school is going to be held on Saturdays, too! Pretty soon, Mr. Keene has the students coming to school every day of the year! The students and teachers begrudgingly show up each day, but it's not until Tillie shows Mr. Keene all of the learning that she's missing outside of school that he realizes there are other important things to learn in life.

When I'm home for the summers, I pick up a stack of library books each week to bring to my babysitting jobs. This was in my pile this past week and it is just perfect for the start of summer. The lesson here is that children learn so much outside of school, that not everything is about lessons in the classroom. To our main character Tillie, teaching her brother to skip and learning to climb a tree are just as important as knowing her numbers and letters, and she's right. We often get caught up in the idea that children miss out on learning during the summer, but it's important to remember that there are other kinds of learning that are just as exciting and essential in life. As someone who loves school, this is a good personal reminder that the holidays are a perfect time to explore other interests and chase different dreams.

Recommended for ages 4-8 years (Preschool-3rd grade)

Bottom Line Rating: 5/5

{P.S. Sharon Creech is the author of numerous books for children of all ages. I encourage you to check out her other works!}

Title: A Fine, Fine School

Author: Sharon Creech

Illustrator: Harry Bliss

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2003

Price: $12 (on Amazon)

ISBN: 0060007281

Source: Public Library

Format: Hardcover

Children's Review: Mrs. Morgan's Lawn

{on Goodreads}

Mrs. Morgan is the meanest neighbor, ever. Every time the neighborhood kids accidentally kick a ball onto her lawn, she keeps it. Nothing is allowed to touch her precious lawn, not even the falling leaves. The kids can't imagine what she could possibly be doing with all of their confiscated toys, but it's probably something evil. Their parents tell them that's just how some people are, but Mrs. Morgan must have been born mean. When one little boy goes to speak to Mrs. Morgan about his favorite missing soccer ball, she pretends she doesn't know what he's talking about. The balls continue to be locked up, until the boy does an unexpected favor for Mrs. Morgan while she's in bed with a bad cold. As it turns out, Mrs. Morgan might not be a mean old lady after all. 

This book was a favorite when my brother and I were little. I recently unearthed it while raiding our shelves for books to add to my classroom collection, and I'm surprised that it's in such good shape, considering that I still have it (mostly) memorized, meaning that it got considerable use between the two of us. It's not one that you could find in just any bookstore (it was published in the 90's), but it's worth ordering online. The biggest lesson comes at the end, and is perfectly summed up by the little boy's observation that, "some people are full of surprises."

Bottom Line Rating: 5/5

Recommended for ages 5-8 (grades K-3)

Title: Mrs. Morgan's Lawn

Author: Barney Saltzberg

Publisher: Hyperion Paperbacks for Children, 1998 (Originally pub. 1993)

ISBN: 078681294X

Source: Home Collection

Format: Paperback

Children's Review: The Hidden Gallery (The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book II)

{on Goodreads}

Maryrose Wood's The Hidden Gallery is endearing, humorous, and entirely shrouded in mysteries about to be uncovered! This second installment in the series lives up to the first book in its lively tone, plucky characters, and looming mystery. As the blurb states, "something wicked this way comes," and it's up to Miss Penelope Lumley to get to the bottom of it, all while being a top notch governess to her three formerly wild pupils. Yes, she still has to placate them when upsetting situations have them howling at the moon, but overall Alexander, Cassopeia, and Beowulf are on their way to becoming civilized young children. When Lady Ashton has the family relocate temporarily to busy London, Penelope looks forward to taking the children on educational tours of the city. As soon as they arrive, Penelope feels overwhelmed and lost but is saved by the valiant (and handsome) Simon Harley-Dickinson, who soon becomes a close friend to her and the children. While in London, Penelope continues to search for answers regarding her long-lost parents, the strange circumstances of the children's abandonment in the woods of Ashton place, and the mysterious condition of Lord Ashton, who takes to scratching and howling when the full moon shows itself. These many enigmas are puzzling, and yet Penelope may just be close to finding some real answers.

This series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. I love the historical features of the book, as Wood is deft at subtly incorporating lessons in history, literature, and the like, while still keeping the story accessible to readers. Penelope Lumley is such a wonderful character, full of wisdom and grace and devotion to her three pupils. What I love especially about this sequel is that we start to find out more about the perplexing relationship between Penelope and the children, all while even more mysteries are being added to the plot! Definitely a must read for fans of the first. This series would make a great gift for any young voracious reader, as you really do need to read the whole series to find out all the answers!

Bottom Line Rating: 5/5

Recommended for readers age 8-12 (grades 3-7)

Title: The Hidden Gallery (The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book II)

Author: Maryrose Wood

Publisher: Balzer & Bray, 2011

ISBN: 9780061791130

Price: $6.99

Format: Paperback

Source: Amazon

Book #11 of 2014

Children's Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey

{on Goodreads}

This second installment in the series picks up six months after the resolution of the four friends' first assignment as The Mysterious Benedict Society. This time around, the children and their families are reuniting at Mr. Benedict's- and he has a surprise for them. Just as they arrive, eager to enjoy each other's company, it is revealed that Mr. Benedict and Number Two have been taken by none other than Mr. Curtain. In this sequel he returns as the villain, have escaped the clutches of the government's top agents. It seems as though Mr. Benedict's big surprise- a sort of scavenger hunt on an international scale- is cancelled. The children know that it's up to them to disobey orders and save Mr. Benedict and Number Two, as they're the only ones who could solve the clues he's left behind. And so they set off on their second adventure together, during which they find out more about each other and about themselves; though they must learn how to play to each other's strengths in order to survive and rescue their friends.

Although I am a huge fan of this series overall, this sequel was not quite as impressive as the first novel (see my review for it here). It was a little slow to start- I wouldn't say I was completely captured (and by that I mean exclaiming aloud as I read) until about 300 pages in (for reference this book is 440 pages). My impatience for some action/more intellectual stimulation led me to pick up the book less often, resulting in a longer read time and therefore...more impatience. Once the story got going though, I was totally caught up in it. I loved that the four children's characters were developed a bit more in this book. There was conflict within each of them and their actions were reflecting their new depth, resulting in more dynamic relationships. In addition to that, the stakes were completely different (think personal rather than global) and the injuries sustained more serious- a definite draw for young male readers. I'll definitely be picking up the third installment at some point this year.

Recommended for grades 3-7 (ages 8-12).

Bottom Line Rating: 4/5

Title: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey

Author: Trenton Lee Stewart

Publisher: Little, Brown & Co., 2008

Price: $7.20 (Paperback, on Amazon)

ISBN: 0316057800

Format: Hardcover

Source: Public Library

Book # 6 of 2014

Children's Review: The Mysterious Howling (The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book I)

{on Goodreads}

The first book in this series introduces us to Miss Penelope Lumley, a fifteen-year old recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females. She has accepted a position as a governess for the children of Ashton Place, but when she arrives at the sprawling estate, she finds not the hopeful, young pupils she's expecting, but rather a trio of wild children whom Master Frederick Ashton had found in the woods while hunting. Penelope is taken aback, but as the wise founder of her alma mater once said, "No hopeless case is without hope." Penelope sets about educating and acclimating her new wards, and soon finds out that Mistress Ashton- who has no interest in playing the role of mother- expects the children to be fully adjusted in time for her first Christmas ball as lady of the house. It seems as though the children have little chance of being ready for the party, but Penelope takes on the task with all of the determination of a true Swanburne girl.

This book was serious and playful in equal measure. I loved the character of Penelope; she is a confident, bright young woman with a true sense of justice and a kind heart. I found myself thinking that perhaps I could try to be a bit more like her. Besides the endearing qualities of Miss Lumley (and the children), Wood has created a quirky and intriguing environment for this series. This first book ends with a subtle foreshadowing and a somewhat eerie cliffhanger. I couldn't wait more than a day before ordering the next two in the series, as I am keen on discovering whether my own predictions are correct.

Bottom Line Rating: 5/5

Recommended for readers age 8-12 (grades 3-7)

Title: The Mysterious Howling
Series: The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book I
Author: Maryrose Wood
Publisher: Balzer & Bray, 2010
ISBN: 9780061791109
Price: $6.99
Format: Paperback
Source: Amazon
Book #8 of 2014

Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

{on Goodreads}

Looking at Lincoln is a great book to share with the little ones in your life during any time of the year, but especially today! Abraham Lincoln was born 205 years ago today and to honor his birthday, I picked out a very special read- one that I would highly recommend to mark this holiday. Maira Kalman examines Lincoln from a great perspective, that of a child with a curiosity that fuels her to find out about the little and big things that made Lincoln one of the most admired Presidents in the history of our country. Our narrator finds out so many interesting tidbits about Lincoln's past: that he went to school for only one year, his favorite dessert was vanilla cake, and other things that create a great picture of who Lincoln was as a regular man. She digs into the history of Lincoln's time as President too; how he worked so hard to abolish slavery and bring the country back together during the Civil War are some of the focal points of this depiction. This book honors the memory of President Lincoln and gives young readers a chance to find out about our country's history along the way.

As Kalman notes in this book, there are over 16,000 books written about President Lincoln. He is one of my favorite Presidents, and there are so many great ways to introduce his memory to a young reader. I picked this book because I wanted to target young readers who may have no idea who Lincoln was. I think the book's best feature is the tone of curiosity that is carried throughout. Who was Lincoln? What did he like to do? Did he have any pets? These are questions that are relevant to a younger age group, and this book is sure to have them engaged with its colorful illustrations and attention to the details that matter to young readers (Lincoln did have a dog, by the way, whose name was Fido). Note: I am especially in love with the cherry blossom painting (having lived in DC for the past two years). As February also marks National African American History Month, this is a great way to tie the two themes together. It mentions some prominent African American activists, such as Sojourner Truth. The introduction of these figures is an opportunity to take this mini history lesson a step further.

Recommended for Kindergarten-3rd Grade (ages 5-8)

Bottom Line Rating 5/5

Title: Looking at Lincoln

Author: Maira Kalman

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books (An Imprint of Penguin Group), 2012

Price: $17.99 (I paid $13)

ISBN: 9780399240393

Format: Hardcover

Source: Amazon

Children's Review: The Cabinet of Wonders

{on Goodreads}

The Cabinet of Wonders is the first in the Kronos Chronicles, in which we learn of the adventures of Petra Kronos, a young and vibrant girl living in the kingdom of Bohemia during the time of the Hapsburg Empire. Petra's father, Mikal, is a brilliant inventor with a magical talent for working with metal. He receives a commission from the young prince to build a clock- one that is unprecedented in its beauty and its magical abilities. Mikal succeeds, and is returned to his home without payment and without his eyes. Petra is horrified by the injustice, though her father is adamant that his injury is for the safety of their family. Determined to infiltrate the castle and recover her father's eyes, Petra sets off for Prague with her tin spider, Astrophil. He is just one of her father's inventions, and his unrivaled intelligence helps Petra out of more than one tricky situation. In Prague, Petra makes friends with a pair of siblings- Romanies with the connections she needs to get into the castle. Petra plans to steal her father's eyes and return home, but there are countless obstacles cropping up, including the intimidating and notorious John Dee. Petra finds herself in more danger than she could have predicted, and even worse, she has put her friends in danger too. 

Marie Rutkoski has captured my attention with The Cabinet of Wonders, and I am anxious to follow the series and explore more of her work. I loved that the story was set in a period of real history, Rutkoski did an incredible job of weaving magic into the story in such a way that it felt like it was naturally part of the historical setting. Petra and her friends are so likeable and so genuine, and their relationships have room to grow- something that I am looking forward to in the next two books. I am eager to see what becomes of Bohemia, as I became very fond of the quirks of Petra's home. Another reason to add this to my favorites list? Petra is what we refer to as a 'mighty girl'- that is, she is a female character who exhibits independence, integrity, and intelligence, all role model traits for young readers (both boys and girls!). 

Recommended for grades 5-9

Bottom Line Rating: 5/5

Title: The Cabinet of Wonders

Author: Marie Rutkoski

Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre Ltd., 2008

Price: $16.95 (Paperback on sale on Amazon for $3.20!)

ISBN: 0374310262

Format: Hardcover

Source: Public Library

Book #3 of 2014

Children's Review: Splendors and Glooms

{on Goodreads}

Splendors and Glooms takes place in foggy, gritty London, where master puppeteer Gaspare Grisini enchants little Clara Wintermute with his expert puppet shows. Clara begs her mother and father to invite Grisini to her birthday party, and Grisini takes his show to her dazzling estate to perform. Lizzie Rose and Parsefall, Grisini's wards and assistants, both find themselves enchanted with Clara, whom despite her extravagant lifestyle has had a childhood just as tragic as their own. It's Clara's sad existence that leads her to fall for the tricks of Grisini, who reveals himself to be a much more sinister man than Lizzie Rose and Parsefall thought possible. After Clara goes missing, the children realize that only they have the ability to help return Clara to her grieving parents, but they must flee London in order to avoid being jailed on suspicion of helping to kidnap her. They travel to an old estate where Grisini's nemesis awaits them, not knowing that they are putting themselves in even more danger, not knowing that the witch has something she desperately wants from them as well. 

Within the first chapter of reading, this book became one of my favorite children's novels that I've read in recent years. The historical element is described in so much detail and with such accuracy that it could be a great historical fiction read in addition to it's role as an enchanting fantasy. The story is quite sophisticated, both in its themes and in the language, and deals with such mature topics as orphans, hunger, misfortune, and social class. Much of the book is morbid, but the children's integrity gives hope to the reader throughout. The magic in the book is subtle in that it does not overwhelm the reality of life in London, and it plays an important role in the lives and fates of all the characters. I was held in suspense throughout much of the book, and look forward to exploring more of Ms. Schlitz's work. 

Bottom Line Rating: 5/5
Recommended for ages 9-12 (grades 4-7).

Title: Splendors and Glooms

Author: Laura Amy Schlitz

Publisher: Candlewick, 2012

Price: $7.99 (paperback)

ISBN: 0763653802

Format: Hardcover

Source: Public Library

Book #1 of 2014

Children's Review: Madeline at the White House

Madeline at the White House by John Bemelmans Marciano

 This is the story of Madeline's trip to the White House, where she meets the President's only daughter, Candle, who most of the time feels lonely and bored. Candle is isolated, but finds that she has a true friend in Madeline. The girls take a ride on a magic tide of cherry blossom throughout the capital of our country, and readers get to see the sights rendered in perfectly enchanting watercolors. 

Madeline at the White House was gifted to me by my mother while I was attending college in Washington, D.C. (I've since transferred back to Massachusetts.) When I was a child, Madeline was my favorite literary character (for obvious reasons- although my name is spelled a tad different), and I still have a collection of Madeline dolls for every season and occasion. What I love most about this book is the backstory- it was originally a collaboration between Ludwig Bemelmans (the author of the original Madeline) and his dear friend, Jacqueline Kennedy. Not only am I a huge fan of the Madeline series, I'm also a huge fan of Jackie Kennedy. That woman emanated class as First Lady, and her style is iconic and endlessly inspiring. I loved that this was an idea that the two of them worked on, but sadly it never came to fruition as Bemelmans passed away before they could collaborate further. His grandson, John Bemelmans Marciano, came upon the project while researching his grandfather's life, and decided that it was time to bring the book to life. I wouldn't go so far as to say that this book is the masterpiece of the Madeline collection, but I did enjoy the book and would recommend it for any young readers who already enjoy the adventures of Madeline. This would also be a great gift for any children as a precursor to a trip to D.C., as they would be able to make text-to-world connections between the illustrations and the monuments, as well as make text-to-self connections between Madeline's experience and their own. 

Bottom Line Rating: 3/5

Recommended for children ages 3-5 years (Preschool & Kindergarten)

Title: Madeline at the White House

Author: John Bemelmans Marciano

Publisher: Viking Juvenile, 2011

Price: $17.99

ISBN: 9780670012282

Format: Hardcover

Source: Gifted

Children's Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society

{on Goodreads}

The Mysterious Benedict society is the tale of four children: Reynie, Constance, Sticky, and Kate. These four come together through a series of tests, for which they found an advertisement in the newspaper offering "special opportunities" for those who passed. The circumstances of the tests are quite mysterious, and they lead the children to come under the guidance of Mr. Benedict, a strange and fascinating man who offers them a part in a most important mission: saving the world from a dark and dangerous man and his sinister plan. The children are each brilliant in their own right, and volunteer to work as a team on behalf of Mr. Benedict. They are led to a prominent preparatory school on an island, in which they enroll as new students, expecting to complete their mission shortly and return to Mr. Benedict. They soon find out that the plans being hatched are far worse than they could have imagined, and that their fruition is imminent. The children must work together quickly, without arousing the suspicion of those on the island. They face many obstacles, the least of which is the alluring draw of offers to take part in the evil plan itself.

This is one of my all-time favorite children's series. There are three books and a prequel, and each one is as amusing and enthralling as the next. What makes the series special is that the children are brilliant for their age. They have all faced difficult childhoods and are independent beyond their years, which makes the book mature in both its themes and language and suits young readers who like to be challenged. This book was recommended to me by a little girl that I babysat many years ago, and I am so grateful that she showed it to me. Even in my second time reading it, I was enchanted by it. Each character has their own endearing quirks, and the villainous circumstances of the children's mission mirrors the very situations that we face in today's world. Definitely a must read for children {and adults} who love the work of Lemony Snicket, as well as those who seek a unique read. 

Bottom Line Rating: 5/5

Recommended for children grades 3-7

Title: The Mysterious Benedict Society

Author: Trenton Lee Stewart

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, 2007

ISBN: 0316057770

Format: Paperback

Price: $8.00

Source: Public Library

Genre: Children's Fiction

Book #60 of 2013