37. Squirrel on Stage

Squirrel on Stage. Vivian Vande Velde. 2022. [October 25] 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Squirrels tell the best stories. Wonderful squirrel stories I have heard include:
adventures such as "My Death-Defying Escape from A Cat,"
tragedies such as "Uncle Whiskers Drops a French Fry and Watches as a Seagull Steals It Away,"
romances such as "How Your Father and I Met in a Trash Can,"
and comedies such as, "Nearsighted Cousin Chatter Mistakes a Lawn Ornament for Her Brother."

Premise/plot: Twitch the squirrel and Sweetie the Library Rat have an adventure. Sweetie persuades Twitch, who is reluctant, to go see the school play. The librarian has written a stage version of Cinderella. Sweetie loves this story so much. But a squirrel and a rat have a hard time seeing the action on stage....leading to hilarious results as they move closer and closer to the action on stage.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. The narration alternates between Twitch and Sweetie. It's a fun adventure of two friends who love stories. It was fun to see these two appear on stage in the production of Cinderella. I definitely recommend this series.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

35. Lily to the Rescue: The Three Bears

The Three Bears (Lily to the Rescue #8) W. Bruce Cameron. 2022. 144 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Everyone knows that Maggie Rose is my girl, and I am her dog. Even squirrels know, because they see me coming at the end of my leash, and they scamper quickly up a tree and then stare down at me. 

Premise/plot: This Lily-to-the-Rescue book might contain the most action of all in the series. After a mama bear is "rescued" and brought into surgery, it is learned that she has recently had cubs. They need to be found quickly. The whole family sets out [perhaps with some other workers/employees] to look for the bear cubs. Lily, of course, goes along. As does the family's other dog. Bryan, Maggie Rose, and Craig are only supposed to look for the cubs on the trail....but when they follow a deer off the trail, well, this grand adventure turns into a misadventure fast. Can these three siblings and two dogs survive in the mountains all night long?????

My thoughts: I would say this one was so compelling I had to read it in one sitting, but, I read all the Lily books in one sitting. Nevertheless, it was packed with action and adventure. There are some "in peril" moments that would have definitely had me on the edge of my seat if I'd been younger. 

I do enjoy this series. If there were more books [there don't appear to be anymore at this point] I would definitely read them.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

190. The Last Last-Day-of-Summer

The Last Last-Day-Of-Summer. (Legendary Alston Boys #1) Lamar Giles. 2019. 304 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: First of all, Grandma's Teacup-Pig calendar lied. It said the last day of summer was September 21. Everyone already knew September was a bad month with no good holiday in sight after Labor Day. Fourth of July was at least two months gone; Halloween was more than a month away. But the real last day of summer was the last Monday in August.

Premise/plot: Otto and Sheed Alston are cousins. Not just any cousins, SUPER-adventurous, legendary cousins. On this last day of summer, they head off for a final adventure. But this adventure quickly turns into a great big MISADVENTURE with potentially epic consequences. It starts with a stranger. A stranger, Mr. Flux, bearing forth a gift--a camera. But not just any camera, nope, this camera has special abilities that lead to TROUBLE. After a click (or two), the boys realize--with a little help from a super-hero????--that the camera FREEZES TIME. And their hometown (and almost everyone in it) is frozen in time. NOT good news. It will take a LOT of brainstorming, guesswork, trial and error, to get things set right. They'll have to work together, yes, but also learn accept help from others as well. 

My thoughts: This was such an entertaining read. I thought it was well-paced with a clever premise. Lots of playing around with TIME. It had its surprisingly deep moments. But overall, good, action-packed, adventure-packed read. I enjoyed both of the main characters.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

165. Race to Fire Mountain

Race to Fire Mountain (Future Hero #1) Remi Blackwood. 2022. [August] 144 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Jarell raced up the five flights of stairs to his apartment, but he couldn't escape the memory of his classmates' laughter. Or his teacher's very angry face.

Premise/plot: After a bad day at school, Jarell realizes he has lost his house key. While waiting for his older (and much annoyed brother) to come home to let him in, he decides to visit his cousin Omari in his barber shop. He meets his cousin's new business partner, and, well, his life won't be the same again. He's given the VIP treatment, and, well learns that he can access another realm through a magical mirror. He is in fact...wait for it, wait for it...the future hero. He travels through the mirror to a magical realm, Ulfrica, and action and adventure await....

My thoughts: I do enjoy the travel-to-another-realm-through-magic genre or sub-genre. This one is for younger readers--I'd say mid-to-upper elementary school. It is illustrated. But it is not an early chapter book or graphic novel. This first book sets the stage and establishes characters. Further books probably will hold even more action/adventure in a fantasy realm.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

143. The Sisters Grim: The Fairy-tale Detectives

The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-Tale Detectives. Michael Buckley. Illustrated by Peter Ferguson. 2005. 284 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence (of the prologue): The dense forest branches scratched at their faces and arms, but Sabrina and Daphne couldn't stop running, though they had long since passed the point of exhaustion. Fear was fueling each step now. Another thunderous bellow rang in the distance, followed by the terrible sound of falling trees and shrieking animals.
"We have to find a way to stop it," Daphne cried between gasps. Sabrina knew her little sister was right. But how? They were two children versus a vicious monster.
"I'll think of something," Sabrina said, dragging her sister behind an enormous oak tree for a much-needed rest. Sabrina squeezed her sister's hand to reassure her, while she forced oxygen into her burning lungs. Her words were empty. She didn't have a plan. The only thing going on in her head was the thumping of blood roaring through her eardrums. But it made no difference. It had found them. Splintering wood and damp soil rained from the sky as the tree they stood next to was violently uprooted. The two girls looked up into the horrible face above them and felt hot breath blow through their skin. What's happened to our lives? Sabrina wondered. When had their world become unrecognizable? And what had happened to her, the eleven-year-old girl who only two days ago had been just an orphan on a train? 

 Premise/plot: Sabrina and Daphne are young sisters with a legacy or heritage about to catch up with them. When their parents disappeared over a year ago, the two had been placed into foster care or social services. Bounced from home to home, now the girls are on their final journey to a new home. A mysterious relative has stepped up to claim them. Now Ms. Smirt, their social worker, has only to deliver them to Ferryport Landing and her work will be done.

Smirt had made a mistake when she chose a career with children, Sabrina thought, especially since she didn't seem to like them. Ms. Smirt complained whenever she had to touch their sticky hands or wipe their runny noses, and reading bedtime stories was completely out of the question. She seemed to especially dislike the Grimm sisters and had labeled them rude, uncooperative, and a couple of know-it-alls. So, Sabrina was sure it was Ms. Smirt's personal mission to get the girls out of the orphanage and into a foster home. So far it had failed miserably. She'd sent them to live with people who were usually mean and occasionally crazy, and who had used them as maids, house sitters, or just plain ignored them. But this time she had gone too far. This time Ms. Smirt was sending them to live with a dead woman. (2-3)

This 'dead woman' is their grandmother Grimm. Eccentric, yes. And the environment is odd at best. And their are certain rules the girls will have to adjust to...but it soon becomes clear...at least to the reader that this will be a loving, adventure-filled home.

Here is a description of the house beginning with the living room: (can you guess why I like it???)
It was enormous, a much larger room than seemed possible in a cottage so small. Each wall was lined with bookshelves, stuffed with more books than Sabrina had ever seen. Stacks of them also sat on the floor, the tables, and every other surface. A teapot perched precariously on a stack that looked as if it would fall over at any moment. Books were under the couch cushions, under the carpet. Several giant stacks stood in front of an old television, blocking any chance that someone could watch cartoons. On the spines Sabrina read the strangest titles: BIRDS OF OZ, THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN EVIL QUEEN, and SHOES, TOYS, AND COOKIES: THE ELVISH HANDCRAFT TRADITION. Mrs. Grimm led them through another door where a dining room table sat littered with books, open and waiting to be read. Sabrina picked one up and rolled her eyes when she read the title: 365 WAYS TO COOK DRAGON. (15)

And it doesn't take long for the adventures to begin....but I won't spoil them here!!! This is one you'll have to read for yourself.

My thoughts: I have always meant to reread this series. I have. I remember absolutely loving it. I enjoyed rereading it. It was just a delight. And it's definitely been long enough--fifteen plus year--that it's like reading the book for the very first time. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

110. Endurance in Antarctica

Endurance in Antarctica (Survival Tails #2) Katrina Charman. 2018. 272 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Samson panted, trying to stay cool as he kept pace with the dogs at the front of the pack. Each dog was determined to stay one step ahead of the others, trying to prove himself.

Premise/plot: The second Survival Tail book stars the [sledding] dogs for the Antarctica expedition led by Ernest Shackleton. It is narrated primarily by two dogs--Samson and Bummer. A third dog, Sally, occasionally pops in with her point of view. The novel opens in 1914--but their journey will not be a quick one, a safe one, or even remotely go according to plan. The ship, Endurance, becomes trapped/bound in sea ice--for months if not a full year. Ultimately, the ship goes down--the men do not. But what is to become of man...and beast...without a ship? 

My thoughts: I have extremely mixed feelings on this one. I do. I've read up on Shackleton and the Endurance. And read up quite recently--a couple books this year alone. So I know very well what does happen to the dogs [and ship's cat]. It was not good...at all...especially from their point of view. So the author has had to lie for about eighty percent of this book. The focus is almost exclusively on the dogs. And so if you are curious about the human explorers...this isn't for you.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

94. Cat Ninja: The Silent Master of Kat Fu

Cat Ninja (book 1) The Silent Master of Kat Fu. Matthew Cody. Illustrated by Yehudi Mercado. 2020. 160 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Metro City. You may have found my secret lair, Cat Ninja, but you're too late! Your feeble feline brain is no match for Master Hamster!

Here we have another cat battling evil in Matthew Cody's Cat Ninja. As a kitten, Claude was trained as a ninja by a previous owner. Now Claude has a 'new' family. Marcie and Leon have no idea that their pets, Mr. Squeaks and Claude, have secret identities. Mr. Squeaks is EVIL Master Hamster, and Claude is battling evil as as Cat Ninja. So what will happen when their dad buys a dog????

The book contains several 'chapters' of adventures. Each is like an episode. 

The Great Hamster Heist
Le Chat Noir!
You Only Live 9 Times
The Life and Times of the Fury Roach
Family Squabbles

I had different reactions to each chapter. Some chapters I enjoyed. Some I really did not. I thought some chapters were delightful and fun. And others more drudgery? Though I think that is 100% subjective. I think there will be plenty of readers who will stay engaged the whole way through. I lost interest.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

80. The Last Firehawk: The Ember Stone

The Ember Stone (The Last Firehawk #1) Katrina Charman. Illustrated by Jeremy Norton. 2017. 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: TA – RAAAA! A horn sounded through Valor Wood. Tag watched as owls of all sizes swooped down from the trees. Training time! Tag thought, excitement bubbling in his tummy.

Premise/plot: The Last Firehawk: The Ember Stone is the first in a new series for young readers. It is animal fantasy packed with plenty of action and adventure. Tag, our protagonist, is an owl who wants more than anything to become an Owl of Valor, a warrior. He wants to help battle against the evil Thorn, a vulture. And quite by accident Tag may have made quite a significant contribution...in an unexpected way. He happens upon an egg that hatches....wait for it, wait for it....the last firehawk. And it is this new friend who may make all the difference in the world. And it starts with the friends--Tag, the firehawk, and Skyla (a squirrel) searching for the Ember Stone. 

My thoughts: I liked this one just fine. I wasn't personally on the edge of my seat. But I wouldn't necessarily expect to be. Part of me wishes it wasn't an owl book. Again, that is just me. I do like animal fantasy in general. This is definitely that plus a good old-fashioned quest-to-save-the-world action packed novel. The first books in such series are rarely the best of the bunch--just a fact. 

There are illustrations on every page.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

32. Tuesday: The Curse of The Blue Spots

Tuesday--The Curse of the Blue Spots (Total Mayhem #2)  Ralph Lazar. 2021. 196 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It really annoys me when one gets into a Total Mayhem situation before breakfast. Which is exactly what happened to me this morning.

Premise/plot: Dash Candoo is having another adventurous day. And his adventures--or misadventures--once again start before breakfast. (Though most of the adventures take place at his very unusual school.) In this one, the school is preparing for its face-pulling competition...and after the class drinks from the water fountain...the whole class breaks out in itchy blue spots! Coincidence??? Or sabotage???

My thoughts: I would recommend this one to fans of the first book, Into the Cave of Thieves. Both books take silliness to an extreme. The books are heavily illustrated. Not much text per page, and what text is there is very silly and action-oriented. You definitely have to suspend all disbelief and just go with the flow. Throw away logic and 'the real world' and just embrace the crazy silliness of Dash's world.

For better or worse, I will say this: the second book is very similar to the first book. I'm going to predict that ALL the books in the series will be formulaic, repetitive, predictable. The good news is that sometimes that is exactly what kids need. Series books exist for a reason. It's not laziness on the part of authors, publishers, teachers, or librarians. Series books for young readers especially--think elementary school--are intentionally formulaic. So for the intended audience, this isn't necessarily "bad." For adults, well, the novelty of it may wear out by the series end. (Personally, I'm debating how many days of the weeks I'm willing to commit to reading so I can review them.)

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

13. Monday Into the Cave of Thieves (Total Mayhem #1)

Monday: Into the Cave of Thieves. (Total Mayhem #1) 2021. [August] 208 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It REALLY annoys me when one gets into a Total Mayhem Situation before breakfast. Which is exactly what happened this morning.

Premise/plot: Dash Candoo (our young protagonist) is not having the best of days. Depending on how you define best, I suppose. His day is packed with action, adventure, danger, mystery, and a two-tailed Devil-Cat. After he handles the 'total mayhem' around breakfast time, Dash is off to school--along side his best friend, Rob Newman. But he doesn't attend just ANY old school. And his school day, well, it looks very little like yours....

My thoughts: If you want a book that is wacky, silly, funny, and super-packed with adventure and ACTION, then I do recommend this one. It is the first in a new series. I love that it's a super quick read. I think the fast pace plus the illustrations will make this one appealing to even reluctant readers.

 

© 2022 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

97. DJ Funkyfoot: Butler For Hire

DJ Funkyfoot: Butler for Hire (DJ Funkyfoot #1) Tom Angleberger. Illustrated by Heather Fox. 2021. [March 2021] 112 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: My phone rang. “Greetings,” I said. “I am DJ Funkyfoot, and I am at YOUR service.” “Good,” said a prickly voice. “I’m Cactus Kwame of Cactus Kwame’s Roller Rink and Disco Rodeo. I need a DJ for our big Disco Rodeo Roller Boogie Contest tonight!” “Ah,” I said. “I’m afraid you have made a common mistake, sir.” “No way!” said Cactus Kwame, and he was extra prickly. “I never make a mistake.” “Yes, sir,” I replied, even though I knew he HAD made a mistake. I am a butler who serves tea, not a DJ who plays music.

Premise/plot: DJ Funkyfoot is looking for work as a butler. Unfortunately for him those are seemingly hard to come by--at least where he lives. Fortunately for us readers, however, since this leads to DJ Funkyfoot taking a job as a NANNY. (DJ Funkyfoot takes a job as a nanny for ShrubBaby or "M'Lady ShrubBaby" as she comes to be called.) There is a BIG difference between the two:

“So,” said the small shrub. “What is the very important difference between a nanny and a butler?” “Well,” I said, “a nanny’s job is to say no. A butler’s job is to say yes.”

“A nanny’s job is to be wise and wonderful and to help a child grow up safe and sound. This may require the nanny to tell a child no or even ‘Absolutely not!’” 

“Sounds awful,” said the small shrub. “What about a butler?” “Well,” I said, “a butler’s job is to do whatever they are asked. This may require them to say, ‘Yes, ma’am’ or ‘Absolutely, sir.’” “Sounds a lot better,” said the small shrub. “Can you give me an example?”

The book chronicles their many misadventures of the day...some of which ends up on the television!

The show’s studio looked like a giant kitchen, but it was full of chickens with cameras and microphones. One enormous chicken came running over to us. “I’m Little Red Hen, the host of this show. One of our contestants just quit, and we need a new one. Who will help me? Who will be on my show?” “We will!” hollered ShrubBaby. “One moment,” I said “Would you please tell us why the other contestant quit?” “He thought it was too dangerous,” said Little Red Hen. “Now put on these hats, and let’s start baking!”

“Welcome to Extreme Cake Bakers Showdown: Ultimate!” clucked Little Red Hen. “Today we have the country’s best bakers taking on our toughest challenge yet: the world’s tallest wedding cake!” Chickens started hauling out huge pans, big bags of flour, barrels of frosting, and fifty-two-foot-tall ladders. “Our contestants today are the best of the best. Jacques Raptor from Paris, Datrice the Camel from Rome, and . . . what was your name again?”

“Sorry, hip-hop star, there’s no time for chitchat. You only have twenty-two minutes to bake your cake. Starting . . . NOW!” It ended badly.

My thoughts: DJ Funkyfoot was so over-the-top absurd that it was hilarious. I loved, loved, loved every moment of it. The world is entirely peopled with PLANTS and ANIMALS. (There's not a human in sight.) This one was a joy to read. I look forward to recommending it when it releases next spring.

 

 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

57. Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes. Jonathan Auxier. 2011. Abrams. 397 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Now, for those of you who know anything about blind children, you are aware that they make the very best thieves. As you can well imagine, blind children have incredible senses of smell, and they can tell what lies behind a locked door--be it fine cloth, gold, or peanut brittle--at fifty paces. Moreover their fingers are small enough to slip right through keyholes, and their eyes keen enough to detect the faintest clicks and clacks of every moving part inside even the most complicated lock. Of course, the age of great thievery has long since passed; today there are few child-thieves left, blind or otherwise. At one time, however, the world was simply thick with them. This is the story of the greatest thief who ever lived. His name, as you've probably guessed, is Peter Nimble.

Did I enjoy reading Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes? Yes. Definitely. Am I excited that there will be another book in the series, Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard? Yes. I look forward to reading it. And it appears to have a heroine, and be at least partly set in a bookshop. So, I'll definitely read it when it's released. But did I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes in the same way that I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED The Night Gardener?! Not really. The Night Gardener is probably--not counting rereads--my favorite book of 2014.

Who is Peter Nimble? Who are his parents? Where did he come from? What does Peter know about his past--if anything? What do readers know about his past? Yes, he's an orphan who raised himself on the streets. Yes, he's a thief by necessity and manipulation. (Peter "being taken care of" by Mr. Seamus.) But is he destined for more than that? What does his future hold for him?

I liked Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes because it is a fantasy, a grand old-fashioned fantasy. The concept of his "fantastic eyes" is just intriguing. Pairs of magical "eyes" that he can put in and take out that do unusual, fantastic things--though not without risk and danger! And the adventure he lands in and the people he meets...it's just a compelling story, one that's easy to recommend.

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

53. Time School: We Will Remember Them

Time School: We Will Remember Them. Nikki Young. 2020. 112 pages. [Source: Review copy] [j fiction; speculative fiction; time travel; history; World War I]

First sentence: “Has anyone ever asked where you come from? Do you know? Mr Mundair?” “Yes, Miss. I came from Kirkshaw this morning.” Ash Mundair. Already firmly established as the class joker within the first few weeks of the Year Sevens beginning their secondary school careers.

Premise/plot: Four friends: Jess, Nadia, Tomma, and Ash find themselves running late for school one day--they catch the morning train--just barely. But they sit in the last car, something they've never done before. They soon notice that all is not as it should be! Their train is now a STEAM TRAIN. The destination remains the same--the village where their school is located. But they've gone BACK IN TIME.

What was Hickley School like in 1918?!?!

 My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love time travel stories. I do. I would recommend this one to anyone who loves time travel stories OR to those with an interest in world war I.


© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

16. Running Out of Time

Running Out of Time. Margaret Peterson Haddix. 1995. 184 pages. [Source: Library] [action, adventure, speculative fiction]

First sentence: The light woke Jessie, though it was just a glimmer downstairs.

Premise/plot: Running Out of Time is a premise-driven, action-packed middle grade coming of age novel. Jessie, our heroine, is thirteen and about to be sent on a mission by her mother with life and death implications.

Jessie’s family is one of the families living in Clifton. To Jessie, it’s home, just home. To the world, however, it’s a tourist attraction, a field trip destination. In 1984, give or take, a group of adults decided to move to this new town, Clifton, and live like it’s the 1800s. (The starting year was in the mid to late 1820s. The year now is 1840.) Jessie’s parents were part of this group. Jessie’s mom is now having major regrets. Their lives are in danger, Jessie must escape and get help.

How will Jessie cope with the real world? Can she find help? Will any adult believe her? Who can she trust?

My thoughts: I was shocked that I only gave this one three stars the first time I read it. Why? Because it’s been almost ten years and I haven’t forgotten the story and characters. The premise intrigued me. The idea of a community living “in the past” and their children and potential grandchildren being clueless that they were being watched as education or entertainment. Something very Truman Show about it (though this was published in 1995). It has a dystopian thriller tone to it.

Technically it may be weak in that it is premise driven. It has a few info dumps that aren’t all that subtle. But I found it compelling all the same. I found Jessie brave and resilient.

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

15. The City of Ember

The City of Ember (Book of Ember #1) Jeanne DuPrau. 2003. 270 pages. [Source: Library] [futuristic; dystopia; mystery; series book]

First sentence: In the city of Ember, the sky was always dark.

Premise/plot: Lina and Doon have come of age—along with their classmates—and are ready to receive their work assignments. It’s a big day: the mayor himself is there to witness. Doon longs to draw a great assignment like electrician, to perhaps work on the big generator himself. Lina, well, she wouldn’t mind being a messenger and running around the city every day. Could there be a more important job for a kid than helping to keep Ember’s residents in touch with each other?! Doon gets the job messenger; Lina gets a job in the Pipeworks. Eew! Fortunately these two are friendly and eager to trade jobs. If Ember wasn’t a dying city perhaps they’d have little contact with each other. But. Ember is dying. Doon is observant, not gullible, and doesn’t believe the propaganda put out by the mayor. Lina comes to believe Don’s instinct is right. She happens to find a typed official looking document that might be of great importance. The problem? It’s a little chewed up thanks to Poppy—Lina’s baby sister. But she has salvaged some of it and is prepared to solve the puzzle. Could this document be the salvation the community needs? Or will it cost her her freedom or even her life? Doon and Lina will have to work together to solve the mystery before Ember loses its power forever.

My thoughts: I love and adore this book. It’s one of my absolute favorites to reread. I love the alternating narratives. I love both Doon and Lina. I love the glimpses of life in Ember. We are given hints here and there, but not a huge info dump. We learn about this world as we experience it, not a big history lesson. I do wonder what it would have been like to live in Ember when it was new and thriving. I actually think it would be a great video game, to play out a generation or two in Ember...before playing the events of the book. This world fascinates me.

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The 39 Clues: The Emperor's Code

The Emperor's Code. (The 39 Clues #8). Gordon Korman. 2010. Scholastic. 176 pages.


The sneezing began the instant the pet carrier passed the passenger's nose.

When the novel opens, Amy and Dan Cahill are still trying to process the news of which family branch they're from. (And they are NOT happy.) Will they ever get comfortable with the truth? Only time will tell. One thing for sure, both are losing patience.

Dan and Amy are losing patience with each other. They are fighting more than ever before. And one fight will even lead to an unexpected separation...will time apart help them realize how much they love (and need) each other?

But Dan, at least, and perhaps Amy to a certain degree, are getting tired of chasing clues. (I'm glad I'm not the only one. It was refreshing to know that I wasn't the only one getting bored with all the excitement and danger.)

This one is set, for the most part, in China. 

The first seven in the series: The Maze of Bones, One False Note, The Sword Thief, Beyond the Grave, The Black Circle, In Too Deep, The Viper's Nest.

My thoughts: I do struggle (at times) to stay interested in this series. A few of these have surprised me, however. I do care enough to want to know what happens in the end. So that's why I'll keep reading this series despite the fact that I'm not liking each title.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

The 39 Clues: The Viper's Nest

The Viper's Nest. (The 39 Clues #7). Peter Lerangis. 2010. Scholastic. 190 pages.

Amy Cahill didn't believe in omens. But black snow was falling, the earth was rumbling beneath her feet, her brother was meowing, and her uncle Alistair was prancing on the beach in pink pajamas. She had to admit, the signs were not promising.

Viper's Nest is probably my least favorite of the seven 39 Clues books which I've read. (The first six in the series are: The Maze of Bones, One False Note, The Sword Thief, Beyond the Grave, The Black Circle, and In Too Deep.) The series stars the brother-sister team of Dan and Amy Cahill. (Amy being the older, and Dan being the one with the incredible photographic memory.) Both children are part of the world-wide search for the thirty-nine clues. They're doing well, so far. They've been able to survive quite a few dangerous challenges. They've outwitted a few of their opponents. They've been surprised by the actions of some of the members of their own 'family' both past and present.

This adventure, for the most part, takes place in South Africa.

If you like action, adventure, and mystery these books may satisfy. I'm hoping to enjoy the rest of the series more than this one!


© Becky Laney of Young Readers

In Too Deep (39 Clues #6)

In Too Deep (The 39 Clues #6) Jude Watson. 2009. Scholastic. 206 pages.

The sound of rushing water filled Amy Cahill's ears. If she kept her eyes closed, she could imagine she was standing under a beautiful tropical waterfall. Unfortunately, she was hiding in an airport bathroom.

The first five in the series are: The Maze of Bones, One False Note, The Sword Thief, Beyond the Grave, and The Black Circle.

The mystery continues to unfold as this brother-sister team (Amy and Dan) search the world for the remaining clues. In Too Deep brings us to Australia. We're introduced to several new characters--Isabel Kabra and Uncle Shep--and mysteries--how is Amelia Earhart connected to their clues?

But the search for clues isn't all that is occupying their minds. No, Amy is starting to have flashbacks, have memories, of the fire that killed her parents. And she's not sharing these with her brother, Dan. Can Amy's memory help them know who to trust now?

In Too Deep isn't my favorite of the series. But. I'm still happy to continue on with the series.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Black Circle (39 Clues #5)

The Black Circle (The 39 Clues #5) Patrick Carman. 2009. Scholastic. 176 pages.

Amy Cahill liked to be the first one up in the morning. But not if it was because someone was screaming outside her hotel-room door.

The first four in the series are: The Maze of Bones, One False Note, The Sword Thief, and Beyond the Grave. The last adventure, last clue, left us in Cairo, Egypt. Where will this next clue lead the Cahill brother-sister team of Amy and Dan? Russia! When these two receive a mysterious telegram from "NRR" these two decide to act on their own--leaving their nanny and cat behind. But they soon realize that this one clue is much too big to try to solve alone. Who should they trust? What family secrets will they learn? Is NRR a friend or foe?

I'm really starting to enjoy this series. At first I had my doubts. But now I find myself looking forward to starting the next book. I think the books are cleverly written. I like the humor. I like the suspense.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers