94. PIrate Stew

Pirate Stew. Neil Gaiman. Chris Riddell. 2020 [December] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Pirate stew! Pirate stew! Pirate stew for me and you!

Premise/plot: When the parents go out, they hire PIRATES to babysit their two children. The entire picture book is one long (illustrated) poem. Much of the action takes place as these pirates are preparing a meal for the two kids. A stew, of course, guaranteed to turn any who eat of it into a pirate. The kids say NO THANK YOU. But will the parents?

My thoughts: The illustrations were fun and amusing. The LACK of rhythm in a rhyming poem not so much. Granted, I take rhyming poems seriously. I expect if you go to the effort to make something rhyme that it will have a NATURAL and AUTHENTIC and GENUINE rhythm to it. Yes, it technically rhymed but it sounded neither natural to human speech OR rhythmic. You can suspend your disbelief a bit if the rhythm is right.

I do think Gaiman is well enough known as an author that he could have anything published. (And I do enjoy *some* of his work. I do. It's just not everyone can right a *good* picture book.

I do think that the ridiculous, silly, over-the-top ingredients might make kids laugh. 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

93. The Kids of Cattywampus Street

The Kids of Cattywampus Street. Lisa Jahn-Clough. Illustrated by Natalie Andrewson. 2021. [July] 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I am going to tell you some stories about the kids who live on Cattywumpus Street.

Premise/plot: The Kids of Cattywampus Street is a collection of stories. Each story focuses in on one of the kids who live....you guessed it....on Cattywumpus Street. Lionel. Lindalee. Hans. Evelyn. Charlotta. Rodney. Mateo. Ameera. Emmett. Bob. Ursula. Each story is relatively short and has a couple of illustrations. The characters overlap here and there--you might find Hans and Lindalee in a story about Lionel, for example. But essentially each story can stand on its own.

My thoughts: I just want to take a moment to quote the jacket copy of this one:

Lovers of Roald Dahl and Louis Sachar's Sideways Stories from Wayside School will be captivated by the adventures of this very special group of friends who live on the same street.

I don't know if I should laugh or cry. I love (or tend to love) Roald Dahl and Louis Sachar's Sideways Stories are a treat. But this book is a hundred million miles away from being anything remotely like those two examples. The stories are NOT delightful, extraordinary, magical, etc. (These are words from other places of the jacket copy.)

Most of the stories are bland, boring, pointless, forgettable. True, there are a handful of stories that are more memorable in comparison with the others. I won't be forgetting Hans horrific appetite for waffles. (This one felt slightly, slightly, slightly Neil Gaiman-ish). Charlotta's story was straight from the Twilight Zone--a doll house that she couldn't afford shows up one day, she finds she can shrink herself down (and the other family members) down so they can fit into the dollhouse. But for the most part, the stories stumble around and are lost.

If it wasn't being praised as an extraordinary book (Lemony Snicket) and compared to Dahl and Sachar, would I appreciate it more? Probably. Perhaps. I would have started with ZERO expectations and might have been surprised by a few stories. Instead, I went into the book expecting it to deliver something worth my time and effort--something delightful, charming, captivating, etc.

And the jacket copy can't even be bothered to get the names of the children correct. 

Reading is 100% subjective. Perhaps as an adult reader this one just isn't for me. Maybe a child would find the stories all kinds of wonderful. We don't all have to laugh at the same jokes after all.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

92. Wuthering Heights (Easy Classics)

Wuthering Heights. Stephanie Baudet. 2021. [July] 96 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: It was a mistake to walk the four miles across the moor to Wuthering Heights.

Premise/plot: Stephanie Baudet has adapted Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights into an illustrated chapter book. The jacket copy reads, "adapted and illustrated for children aged 7+".

Wuthering Heights is a classic told within a framework. The same is true of the adaptation.

My thoughts: Hate is a strong word. And it's not a kid-friendly word. I know a few households where the word 'hate' is a "bad word" and not allowed. Yet. I hated Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. I have reread it once? maybe twice? Nope. Nope. Still nope. I see nothing beautiful, romantic, redeeming in its dark pages. 

Yet now and then a summary of Wuthering Heights proves useful. I didn't like the actual story/storytelling of the original novel. But I liked this summary of the original story well enough. (Did that make any sense???)

I would recommend it for adults that want a refresher course on the book. Perhaps before deciding if they want to read or reread the original. I don't think this is a story that is appealing or appropriate for children.
 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

91. The One Thing You'd Save

The One Thing You'd Save. Linda Sue Park. 2021. [March] 72 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "Imagine that your home is on fire. You're allowed to save one thing. Your family and pets are safe, so don't worry about them. Your Most Important Thing. Any size. A grand piano? fine."

Premise/plot: The One Thing You'd Save is a verse novel that asks and answers the question what ONE THING would you save? It is set in a middle grade classroom--a teacher and her students. Each poem is written from a point of view of either the teacher or one of the students. Everyone gets a chance to participate in this homework assignment. As the conversation progresses, so do points of view.

My thoughts: I may be in the minority. I've been reading through some five star reviews of this one, and the consensus seems to be that it is wonderful, amazing, fantastic, marvelous, has potential for awards come the end of the year, etc.

I didn't dislike it. I appreciated that it required WORK. All the poems are written in sijo, a Korean poetic form of three lines of 13 to 17 syllables...the three lines can be divided into six shorter lines. (This information is found in an author's note.) 

I think there is substance to be found. If readers were to read it carefully through two or three times, each time they'd notice more, appreciate more, see connections that aren't super obvious on a superficial read through. 

But I didn't engage with it personally. I wanted to like it more than I did. I don't know if it was because it was poetry (which I struggle with sometimes) or the multiple points of view (sometimes one narrator resonates more with me) or the subject (I could have been putting up a wall so that I wouldn't have to think about it too closely.)  

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

90. Fox & Rabbit

Fox and Rabbit (Fox & Rabbit #1) Beth Ferry. Illustrated by Gergely Dudas. 2020. [April] 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:

Fox: I see a whale.
Rabbit: Me too.
Fox: I see a carrot.
Rabbit: Me too.
Fox: Now I see a crab.
Rabbit: Me too.
Fox: I just made that up. I didn't really see a crab. Stop copying me.
Rabbit: I wasn't copying you. I was just being nice.
Fox: Humph.

Premise/plot: Fox and Rabbit are best friends who star in Beth Ferry's graphic novel for young readers. There are five stories in this early chapter/graphic novel:

• Fair, Fireworks & Fred
• Sand, Swimming & Sunset
• Surprises, Swamps & Seeds
• Gardening, Growing & Groaning
• Squeeze, Sweet & Sour

Each story gently leads to the next. The first story starts off with some cloud gazing, one cloud reminds them of COTTON CANDY which leads them to notice the fair that just happens to be close by. The two have a day of it--enjoying themselves more often than not. But the pair can't help noticing the fair is the UN-FAIR fair. It isn't easy to WIN a game and get a prize. FRED (who will go on to star alongside Fox and Rabbit on all their subsequent adventures) is a stuffed lion that is eventually won by the end of the day. A beach ball is another prize...

The second story occurs at a beach. Remember the two just won a beach ball! Fox and Rabbit share another day of fun--mostly. Sometimes a friend has to coax the other along a bit. In this case, Fox has to coax Rabbit into the water.

Rabbit: I feel a crab!
Fox: There are no crabs.
Rabbit: I see a whale!
Fox: There are no whales.
Rabbit: I hear a shark!
Fox: How can you hear a shark?
Rabbit: It's a singing shark.
Fox: There's no such thing. That's just Sparrow fighting with some sea gulls.

At the end of a very long day, they discover a message in a bottle...

The third story is the adventure of following a treasure map to Surprise Island....this time the two are doing a friendly bicker about whether it will be a good surprise or a bad surprise (bad surprises are zingers.)

The fourth story is about the two planting the seeds that were the surprise on surprise island. This story actually has a bit of a surprise at the very end....poor Rabbit!

The fifth and final story (in this collection) features a seedling. Turns out that one of the seeds planted is a LEMON. And when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade for a lemonade stand naturally!

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love Fox and Rabbit. A few weeks ago I reviewed the second book in the series. I thought it was adorable and practically perfect in every way. This first book did not disappoint. I am excited to read the third book of the series soon--it is newly published.

I love the humor. I love the friendship. I love the give and take between two friends who are close to one another. I love how they each make the other a better person. I love the dialogue. I love the illustrations.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

89. Delicious!

Delicious! Poems Celebrating Street Food Around the World. Julie Larios. Illustrated by Julie Paschikis. 2021. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:

Syrian shawarma wrapped in a pita?
Biryani? Pork carnitas?
Maybe I'll get a hot falafel.
Schnitzel? Pretzel? Sesame noodles?
Cajun? Lebanese? Cuban? Thai?
So many choices! What should I try?

Premise/plot: Delicious! is a picture book poetry collection celebrating street food. It opens with "Carts in the Park," set in New York City. Each poem brings readers to another country, celebrates another culture, and introduces (perhaps) a new food. Each poem is complemented with a full page illustration. The illustrations are bright, bold, beautiful.

Countries visited include the United States, Mexico, Israel, Morocco, Australia, Russia, Peru, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Greece, Senegal, and China.

At the end of the book, the author shares "an international menu of sweets and treats" which provides readers with more information about each country (culture, food) celebrated within the book.

For example, to accompany the poem, "Winter Meal" (Russia), she shares:

Brrrr! Winters in Russia can get very cold, so food carts in Saint Petersburg usually sell hot drinks and savory pastries during the winter. But while winter days are short and dark, summer days are long: during the "white nights" of midsummer, the daylight in Saint Petersburg never totally disappears.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I think it's a treat of a book. I liked that the poems were short. It may seem like a little thing, but poems about serious subjects or abstract subjects can be intimidating. I like that the poems were about FOOD. Everyone can relate to food, to eating, to enjoying good company while eating. While not every reader may not want to eat a FRIED SCORPION (for example), this book has plenty of good conversation starters.

I liked the diversity. Each poem takes us to a different place, and places most likely out of our comfort zone.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

88. Before They Were Artists: Famous Illustrators As Kids

Before They Were Artists: Famous Illustrators As Kids. Elizabeth Haidle. 2021. [April] 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: What sparks an artist's beginning? Did young artists realize they were destined for art? Were they summer art campers, comics clubgoers, or members at all the museums? Did their pets sit still for portraits, waiting to be sketched? Did their parents hang Picassos and read art history books aloud? A lucky few were born into artistic households. Art making was expected, a family tradition. Yet many didn't realize they could publish their creations until after they grew up. Still, the experiences they gathered in childhood made them expert storytellers later.

Premise/plot: Before They Were Artists is a celebration of six illustrators. It is a nonfiction graphic novel. Each artist--Wanda Gag, Maurice Sendak, Tove Jansson, Jerry Pinkney, Yuyi Morales, and Hayo Miyazaki--has a biographical sketch and as the title implies focuses on how they came to become artists. 

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one! I loved that they started with Wanda Gag! I love, love, love, love Millions of Cats. It was fascinating to read more about her and to see her creative process. The other stories were also interesting and informative. It is only natural that each reader will have a favorite of his or her own. But really all the stories offer value and insight. 

As I mentioned before the book is packed with information and details. Readers may know some details--but there is plenty to learn.

One of my favorite I didn't-know-that-facts I discovered was that Wanda's brother was paid to hand-letter the story Millions of Cats because Wanda did not like mechanical looking print!

I would like to see this turned into a series. So many illustrators. So many authors. I'd love to see more behind-the-scenes work showing the process of book making.

ETA: There is already a book for authors....and I reviewed it in 2019. In my defense, 2019 feels like YEARS ago. BEFORE THEY WERE AUTHORS.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

87. Fred's Big Feelings

Fred's Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers. Laura Renauld. Illustrated by Brigette Barrager. 2020. [January] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hello, neighbor! It's a beautiful day. Come in. Look around. What do you see?

Premise/plot: Fred's Big Feelings is a picture book biography of Fred Rogers (aka Mister Rogers of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood fame). Renauld has chosen to tell the story of his life with a special emphasis on his feelings. This makes sense since he openly talked on the show about how it was okay to talk about feelings and essentially taught viewers of all ages how to cope with emotions and feelings.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, LOVED this one. I thought the writing was excellent! The illustrations were wonderful.

Here's an example of the narrative:

Freddy took refuge at the piano. Soon, his feelings were flowing through his fingertips. Worry fretted and fussed....and faded. Sadness wailed and whimpered...and waned. Anger crashed and clattered...and calmed. Music allowed Freddy to express himself, but it was his grandfather McFeely's message of unconditional love that boosted Fred's self-esteem: "You made this day a really special day just by being yourself...and I happen to like you just the way you are."

Isn't it both beautifully written and TRUE to the spirit and legacy of Mister Rogers?! 

I think my favorite spread shows Mr. Rogers in iconic moments from the show.

Look! Mister Rogers feels playful. He is taking a juggling lesson. Mister Rogers feels sad. One of his goldfish has died. Mister Rogers feels welcoming. He invites Officer Clemmons to soak his feet. Mister Rogers feels joyful. He visits with special guests, like cellist Yo-Yo Ma, dancer Ying Li, jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, and even Koko the gorilla.

Or perhaps my favorite bit tells of when Mister Rogers went to Congress to speak about public television. 

All of this book was wonderful. It was just a joy to read. It is a wonderful tribute to a life lived well.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

86. I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912

I Survived The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912. Lauren Tarshis. Illustrated by Scott Dawson. 2010. 112 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The Titanic was sinking. The gigantic ship had hit an iceberg. Land was far, far away. Ten-year-old George Calder stood on the deck. He shivered because the night was freezing cold. And because he was scared. More scared than he'd ever been before.

Premise/plot: George, our young hero, is sailing with his sister, Phoebe, and his Aunt Daisy on board the Titanic. The good news? The title reassures readers that George will in fact survive to tell the tale. The bad news? Well, the other characters may or may not be so lucky. (After all, this isn't We Survived The Sinking of the Titanic.) 

The book chronicles George's last day on the Titanic (well, really more like the last day and a half). During this time, he fits in a flashback with a panther. (I'm not lying).

My thoughts: I would respect the I Survived series more if they didn't try to do too much. Like fit in a flashback episode with a panther. I remember another I Survived story fitting in a flashback with a rattle snake (or possibly another kind of dangerous, poisonous snake). Because if you're in the middle of a blizzard, of course, you're going to take your mind off of it by thinking about snakes. I've only read a handful of books maybe there are more examples? Maybe these are two rare exceptions? Quite possibly I'm just not the target audience for these! 

I do like the humor and lightness of this one. There's not really a sense of DREAD and DOOM. After having read a YA book where there is an overwhelming sense of dread and doom, it was a relief to take a few steps back and settle into a book where there's some comfort in knowing that the book characters aren't going to die even if they are on the Titanic.

It's not that I disliked the book or thought it awful--I didn't. I will say that ANY book (or almost any book) that gets a young person interested in both a) HISTORY and b) reading history and historical fiction is worth it. I mean that.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

85. No Buddy Like a Book

No Buddy Like a Book. Allan Wolf. Illustrated by Brianne Farley. 2021. [February] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: We learn important stuff from books. We learn to speak and think. We learn why icebergs stay afloat...and why Titanics sink.

Premise/plot: Another case of what you see is what you get. This is a picture book (in poetic form) about books. From cover to cover this book has one job and only one job: to celebrate how reading engages one's imagination.

My thoughts: This rhyming picture book celebrates the act of reading taking time to highlight how awesome, wonderful, spectacular it is to engage one's imagination by reading. Books fuel the imagination. Imagination fuels books. Much love to be spread.

I loved the theme--obviously. I liked the poem well enough. If rhyming picture books about books are your thing, then this one is definitely for you.

There are dozens of picture books celebrating books, reading, the imagination, curiosity, etc. I happen to like some of the other books a bit more than this one. But this one is solid enough. 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

84. Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World

Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World. (Sydney and Taylor #1) Jacqueline Davies. Illustrated by Deborah Hocking. 2021. [February] 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Taylor is a hedgehog who lives with his friend Sydney in a burrow under Miss Nancy's potting shed. Sydney, being a skunk, likes to nap in the burrow. He likes to warm his feet by the fire. He likes to listen to the strong, steady heartbeat of the earth, which you can only hear underground. Taylor likes those things, too. But sometimes Taylor gets ideas. Big Ideas!

Premise/plot: Taylor may just be having his biggest idea yet--to explore....you guessed it...the WHOLE WIDE WORLD. He has a map and everything. But he also has a mostly reluctant best, best friend. Will Taylor and Sydney leave their oh-so-cozy home to go on an expedition? How far will they go? Is the world as dangerous as  Sydney thinks it is?

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved this one. I loved the characters. I loved the writing. I loved, loved, loved the illustrations. As an illustrated chapter book it is just excellent. How could anyone not love hanging out with these two? How could anyone not learn to love to read when you've got characters like Sydney and Taylor?

These two are best friends. There's definitely an interesting dynamic going on between the two. Taylor may dream big and have all these plans, ideas, goals, dreams, etc. But when it comes to putting them in action, well, Taylor isn't the big, bold leader you'd expect...not all the time. You see when hedgehogs get scared, well, they roll up into a ball. Sydney may seem reluctant and more of a follower, but Sydney also knows just how to handle danger. These two need each other. They are better for knowing each other and accepting each other.

Definitely recommend this one.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

83. History Smashers Titanic

History Smashers Titanic (History Smashers #4) Kate Messner. Illustrated by Dylan Meconis. 2021. [April] 224 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mention The Titanic, and most people think of the disaster at sea. But the truth is, the first victims of the Titanic died while the ship was still being built.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. This is a nonfiction book written for young readers (elementary aged) about the Titanic. The first two chapters tell the story of the building and early sails. (The Titanic picked up passengers from several different ports--and also let folks off.) The third chapter tells of the many warnings (four if I counted correctly) that came from other ships sailing in the area of numerous icebergs. Chapters four through seven focus on the disaster itself--hitting the iceberg, the distress calls, the loading of the lifeboats, the sinking, the rescue. Chapters eight through ten focus on the aftermath: the investigations, the changes in policy, the hunt to find the wreck, the current state of Titanic, etc. The book also includes a timeline, an author's note, and bibliography.

My thoughts: The past few generations have been fortunate to have access to great nonfiction. This one has photographs, illustrations, sidebars in comic style, charts and more. I also appreciated ALL the quotes from primary source materials. The narrative style is written in a compelling way.

Depending on if this was your first or your fiftieth book to read about the Titanic, you may or may not encounter information that was new-to-you. But I thought it was packed with information. Some of it familiar. Some of it new-to-me. Granted, I am closer to having just read a handful of books than having read them all. And I've not read any over and over and over again. 

One thing that I personally was not aware of was the ship The Californian. This ship was closest to the Titanic but didn't respond to the distress calls.

The book did challenge my perspectives a bit. Which I think is what it was intended to do. I would definitely recommend this one.

Quotes:

Historians wonder if more lifeboats would have made a big difference. Some argue it wouldn't have, because there simply wouldn't have been time to launch them all. Even with twenty lifeboats, the crew ran out of time to load passengers before the ship went down.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

82. Cat Kid Comic Club

Cat Kid Comic Club. (Cat Kid Comic Club #1) Dav Pilkey. 2020. [December] 176 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hey, guys...welcome to the first meeting of the Cat Kid Comic Club!!!

Premise/plot: Baby frogs learn how to comic in Dav Pilkey's new graphic novel Cat Kid Comic Club. Li'l Petey, Flippy, and Molly take turns teaching (guiding, advising, helping) the frogs how to create their own comic books. This includes brainstorming, writing and revising, drawing, learning to accept failure, critiquing etc. Their works are presented throughout.

My thoughts: I have absolutely no idea why it is called the Cat Kid Comic Club. The only possible cat is Li'l Petey. There are some fish characters and some frog characters. (Though they look to me more tadpoles than frogs). But while cats may be scarce--or actual (human) kids--comics abound. Some of the teachers have to learn how to be chill as they read some of the comics. Not every comic will appeal to every reader. (Some comics are 90% bathroom humor). But I think there's a good variety. Humor is to be found--even if not in every single comic.

My personal favorites were Dennis the Toothbrush Who Wanted to Be a Dinosaur Lawyer and Monster Cheese Sandwich.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

81. Hard-Boiled Bugs for Breakfast

Hard-Boiled Bugs for Breakfast and Other Tasty Poems. Jack Prelutsky. Illustrated by Ruth Chan. 2021. [January] 144 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hard-boiled bugs for breakfast, hard-boiled bugs for lunch, hard-boiled bugs at suppertime, Crunchy! Crunchy! Crunch!

Hard-Boiled Bugs for Breakfast is a new poetry book by Jack Prelutsky. Each poem--and there are over a hundred--is accompanied by an illustration. Most of the poems fall into the category of silly, nonsensical, fantastical, imaginative, ridiculous. A few are more heart-felt. Though this is a collection of 'tasty' poems, not all poems center around food and eating. There are plenty of just your ordinary old living life poems: you know, family life and relationships, school and homework, holidays. I especially liked the poems for some of the holidays.

I made a list of my favorite poems in this collection:

• My Lizard
• My Family's Last Picnic
• The Stir-Frying Pandas
• If I Had No Homework
• On the Last Day of December
• Ow!
• I Love To Sleep All Morning
• I'm Thankful for the Sunshine
• It's Mother's Day
• A Chicken on a Mountaintop

If you are a teacher looking to share select poems with your classroom, then this would be a good, solid resource. I liked the variety of poems--the topics and subjects, the narrative style, the length. I think this collection offers something for everyone.

A Chicken on a Mountaintop:

A chicken on a mountaintop
Was at a total loss.
She felt a need to cross a street--
There was no street to cross.
That chicken didn't fret too long
But simply used her head,
And sat and sat and sat and sat,
And laid an egg instead. (106)

Perhaps that one isn't my all time favorite from this collection, but it's fun and short. 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

80. Anne's Tragical Tea Party

Anne's Tragical Tea Party. Kallie George. Illustrated by Abigail Halpin. 2022. [February] 72 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Anne Shirley danced through the door of Green Gables. Her arms were full of branches covered in colorful leaves. “I found these in the woods where Diana and I have pretend tea parties,” said Anne. “I am going to decorate my room with them. Don’t they look beautiful?” Marilla frowned. “They look messy. Mind you don’t drop leaves everywhere.”

Premise/plot: Anne's Tragical Tea Party is the fourth book that Kallie George has adapted from L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. In this illustrated chapter book, Anne invites Diana over for an 'ordinary' tea party with disastrous results. But all may be ended when Anne saves the life of Diana's younger sister. Life is never dull with Anne and friends!

My thoughts: I love, love, love the Anne books by L.M. Montgomery. And I am loving each and every one of these chapter book adaptations. George does a great job adapting the material. And the illustrations are always so wonderful and charming.

I highly recommend the series.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

79. Inspector Jacques

Inspector Jacques. (Jack Russell Dog Detective #10) Darrel and Sally Odgers. 2010. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Sarge was eating breakfast when the postman rattled the mailbox.

Premise/plot: Sarge's wedding may be getting closer, but for Jack and his sprat, Preacher, plenty is going on in the town of Doggeroo. There's an Inspector Cook in town with his dog--a French dog--Inspector Jacques. These two think Sarge is a criminal--an art thief! Can Jack (and Preacher) prove that Sarge (and his fiancee) are innocent? Can they show show these inferior detectives who the real criminal is?

My thoughts: I liked this one! I can't remember if it's in this book or the previous book that readers learn that Foxie has puppies as well. After ten books, readers are getting to know all the humans and pets in town. The series has a cozy feel to it. Jack is definitely being a parent first and foremost in this one. It's sweet to see this relationship developed. As for the mystery, it's a bit silly, but I didn't dislike it.

This series was originally published in Australia. I believe that ten were published in America. Ham Heist may have been as well, but, it's so far out of print that I'm not likely to find it to complete my collection. (I'm not paying $21 for it!)

I love this series as a whole. Some titles I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED so much. Others I "merely" liked a great deal. I do recommend the series if you can still find it.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

78. The Blue Stealer

The Blue Stealer (Jack Russell Dog Detective #9) Darrel and Sally Odgers. 2009. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: "There's a new dog in town," grumbled Foxie. 

Premise/plot: Jack Russell and his sprat, Preacher, are back working another case in The Blue Stealer. The mystery in this one involves both dogs and humans. A burglar is making the rounds in Doggeroo, and his accomplice is a dog. Can Jack and his friends bring these criminals to justice with a little help from their humans?

Meanwhile, it seems Jack Russell's human, Sarge, has fallen in love and is getting married...

My thoughts: I really LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. The mystery had more substance than previous mysteries in this series. (Some books the mysteries are so light and fluffy that they hardly qualify as mysteries.) I really loved all the dogs working together. And Preacher and Jack together are so super adorable. I loved the nose maps, the glossary, and the Jack's Facts.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

77. The Kitnapped Creature

The Kitnapped Creature (Jack Russell Dog Detective #8) Darrel and Sally Odgers. 2008. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: It was past breakfast time, and my food bowl was empty. I was about to leap out of my basket and assess the situation when I remembered something pawfully important. I was sharing my basket with someone else.

Premise/plot: Jack Russell is now living with his sprat, Preacher. He is teaching his son not only how to dog but how to detect. And there is a case to solve in this one, of course, the Awful Pawful is back in town and has been KIDNAPPED. Jack witnessed this himself. But can he get help (human help) in time to 'save' this unfriendly cat?

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved The Kitnapped Creature. I love the narrative style. The writing is just super fun.

I was doing what dogs do when I heard a squeak. Next came a whine. The whine quickly grew to a yelp, and then to a screech.
Preacher was awake.
That's my boy! I thought. I was as quiet as a Jack could be, but he detected the Jack-gap when I left the basket. I was proud of him.
I trotted back and stuck my nose under the blanket. The screeching stopped.
"You left me!" yipped Preacher
"I had to do what dogs do before breakfast," I explained. "You should do it too."
Preacher peered over the edge of the basket. "I can't get out."
"Of paws you can," I said.
"I can't. I can't I --"
I pushed my nose under his fat tummy and flipped him out of the basket.
"Come on," I said. "No puddles in bed."
Preacher picked himself up. "You flipped me."
I bustled Preacher down the steps. (2-3)

Preacher is a lot like Jack--though he's still got a LOT to learn about life. He makes nose maps just like Jack. Well not quite like Jack. Here's one of his nose maps:

Preacher's map:
1. Sleepy place.
2. Dad's toy.
3. Dad's eatie.
4. My eatie.
5. Ouchie-claw creature.
6. My chewie thing.
7. Snappy Snarly thing.

I was proud of him, but I had to explain that Jacks don't have toys. (7)

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

76. The Buried Biscuits

The Buried Biscuits (Jack Russell Dog Detective #7). Darrel and Sally Odgers. 2008. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: The Case of the Buried Biscuits began early one morning.

Premise/plot: Jack Russell has another mystery to solve in his seventh adventure. This one involves two boys who are up to no good. The problem? Dogs are getting the blame. Biscuits are being stolen--and buried--and Jack Russell KNOWS its not any of his dog friends. And when he investigates the scene, his nose is pointing him to two BOYS that have been hanging around. This may be the toughest case for him--in some ways--because his human, Sarge, isn't exactly letting him investigate it properly.

My thoughts: I definitely appreciated this one more than The Sausage Situation. What I loved most about this one was that Jill Russell has quite a big surprise--leading up to the cutest tail wag ever. Of course, readers also get plenty of Jack's Facts (and his end-of-chapter glossaries and nose maps).

Jack's Facts:

• Dogs wag tails. Now and then, tails wag dogs. This happens if a dog is especially pleased. This is a fact. (63)

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

75. Ways to Make Sunshine

Ways to Make Sunshine (Ryan Hart #1) Renee Watson. Illustrated by Nina Mata. 2020. [April] 177 pages. [Source: Bought]
 

First sentence: I am a girl with a name that a lot of boys have. So when the substitute teacher takes roll and calls out, “Ryan?” she looks surprised when I answer. I wish Ms. Colby were here.

Premise/plot: Ryan Hart starts in this realistic chapter book for young readers. Set in Portland, Oregon, Ryan is enjoying--or "enjoying" her last days as a fourth grader. Every day seems to have its challenges. Some days are super-fantastic and she's loving her life just as it is--cooking with and cooking for her family, hanging out with her friends, just living in the moment. Other days are less so. (And that's so realistic.) Some days she's anxious about things going on at school, at church, at home. (For example, at school and church there are a handful of opportunities where she'll have to face her fear of speaking in public--a church program and a talent show.) Her challenges at home include her family moving, struggling with money, and....something that will change everything forever. And then there's that PESKY brother, Ray. This is very much a character driven novel with each chapter being written almost episodic. 

My thoughts: I read the second book first. I really loved Ways to Grow Love. I loved it so much that I sought out the first book and BOUGHT it. I already knew some of what happened in this one because it's mentioned now and then in the second book. (Like what happened on Easter, what happened at the birthday party, etc.) I do recommend both books. I would love a long, long, long series starring Ryan Hart. 

One thing I appreciated in both books is that the Hart family is religious. The family attends church and believes in God. This shouldn't be so unusual that it stands out and is worth mentioning except this is so super rare in books. Normal, every day, ordinary, nothing-special faith-filled moments are excluded from most books. And if faith is mentioned in books, it is usually done in a negative way, something to rebel and react against. (Like the sooner you divorce yourself from faith the happier you will be.) Yet the book isn't preach-y. Just unassuming and natural. 

That being said--and I did find it very refreshing to have faith mentioned at all--I would hope the Easter service was more than just all the kids in Sunday School standing up and reciting poems and essays. Because if a Sunday School talent show--one kid did play a musical instrument--is ALL that the church does for Easter, well, I would leave wanting more.

I loved the characters, the setting, the relationships. This isn't an action-packed read with mysteries to unpack and bad guys to defeat. This is "just" a book that follows a girl through three to four months of the school year. It is all about the feels--her making sense of her life, how she's feeling, etc.

Quotes:

• “I do not have a boy’s name. I have my name. My name is Ryan and Ryan means ‘king’ and that means I am a leader—”
• Dad is always telling me our people come from royalty, that my ancestors lived in Africa and were kings and queens and inventors and hard workers. Mom tells me their strength is running through my veins.
• My brother’s name is Raymond. We call him Ray. His name means “protector” and Dad says he should be keeping me, his little sister, safe. But mostly he is just bossy and nosy and sometimes he treats me like I am a glass thing that could break.
• Here’s the thing about ice cream. No matter how sweet it is, no matter if it’s given to you even when you aren’t supposed to have it, no matter if you’re told you can come back for seconds—it doesn’t take away the sadness.
• “How you wear your hair is your choice and no matter what you choose, it’s not going to determine if you’re beautiful or not. The only thing that will determine that is how you treat others. If you are mean to people, if you act ugly toward them, that’s what takes your beauty away.”
• “I’m not a leader. I’m a girl who gets so scared standing in front of people that I freeze and forget my words. That’s not a good leader at all.”

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

74. The Sausage Situation

The Sausage Situation (Jack Russell Dog Detective #6) Darrel and Sally Odgers. 2007. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: The sausage situation began on a day when crime was a long way from my mind.

Premise/plot: Jack Russell, dog detective, stars in his sixth adventure in this early chapter book mystery. In this one, his neighbor, Foxie, fears there is a sausage thief about. Sausages were delivered to his house--his human--and he feels very possessive of them. When a neighbor/friend picks up those sausages, well, Foxie alerts Jack Russell that a crime is in progress. But Jack has doubts--big doubts. 

My thoughts: I have loved, loved, loved some in this series. But this one may be the weakest. Jack, our narrator, is still adorable enough. He's got his Jack's Facts, glossary, and nose maps. Much of the formula is the same. If you like earlier books in the series, you'll know what to expect. But the "mystery" didn't work for me.

Jack's Facts

• All dogs know exactly how to make their people feel guilty. Nice dogs do this only when their people deserve it. I am a nice dog. This is a fact. (2)
•  Human-type food does not belong on the ground. Therefore eating human-type food that has fallen on the ground is not stealing. It is cleaning up a mess. This is a fact. (8)
• If a Jack Russell wheezes, it is sick. If a pug wheezes, it is just being a pug. That is a fact. (58)

Glossary

• Pawsed. Stopped to think, done by a dog.
• Su-paw-rior. Superior, the way Jack Russells are.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

73. The Monster Missions

The Monster Missions. Laura Martin. 2021 [June] 320 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: The morning before I left the Atlas forever started the same as every other.

Premise/plot: The Monster Missions is an action-packed premise-driven middle grade adventure novel. Set in a world where ALL the continents are under water, Berkley and Garth are young scavengers on board the Atlas. But when their deep dive goes horribly, tragically wrong, well, their futures look dim. Facing separation from their families, they are given two options: going to a work ship to pay off their so-called debt OR joining the crew on the submarine Britannica. They choose the submarine. But did they make the right choice?

The Britannica has a special mission--a crucial mission--though it is kept hush, hush. The oceans are full of SEA MONSTERS. And it is Britannica's job to research, track, and rescue. Berkley and Garth will receive quite the education...to prepare them for exciting adventurous dangers and thrills ahead. But they may not have to wait long for the thrills.

My thoughts: This one has it all: action, adventure, thrills, dangers. The world building was solid, in my opinion. I'm not sure I suspended my disbelief completely, but, it was so well-paced that I always wanted to keep turning pages.

The genre lends itself to the "boy book" category. Sea Monsters. Pirates. Danger. Thrills. Action. But the narrator, Berkley, is a girl. I think there's plenty for both boys and girls to enjoy.

This one could easily be read by mid-to-upper elementary students. Sensitive readers (who are usually self-aware of their comfort zones) may not appreciate the intensity of the danger and thrills. But for those always looking for a new adventure and are all about action, this one may prove quite satisfying.

As an adult, my favorite line was "I lay in bed a second longer, wondering why beds were always the most comfortable right when you had to get out of them..."

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers