Kickers Book 3: Benched by Rich Wallace

Ben gets a red card for dangerous moves.  Does this mean his team will fail?

Alfred A Knopf Books for Young Readers sent me a hardcover copy of this book for review (thank you).  It is currently available in the market and is written for ages 7-10.

It's soccer league play-off time and the Kickers are looking for a tournament spot.  But when Ben plays rough, he ends up benched.  If he's benched, how can he help his team?

Mr. Wallace writes a fast paced story that will keep young ones reading.  He knows about the sport he's writing about, and he also knows the temperament of nine-year-old boys.  He expresses Ben's disappointment well and makes Ben think about what he can do from the bench. 

It's written for middle schoolers and I'm sure they will relate to Ben and his problems.  They'll also learn some solutions to use if they find themselves in the same position.

This is good reading for any active child because it will grab their attention.  Check it out at your local bookstore, it's on sale there now.  And happy reading!

A Good Horse by Jane Smiley

If you had trained and cared for a colt that grew into a beautiful horse and won shows with you as a rider, what would you do if someone else tried to claim the horse as the foal from his stolen mare?

Alfred a Knopf Books for Young Readers has published this story in hardcover and graciously sent me a copy for review.  It's for ages 11 and up, and is available now at your local bookstore.  It's the sequel to The Georges and the Jewels, but does well as a standalone read.

The Lovitts live on a small farm and don't have much money to buy new stock.  So Abby's father travels the states and looks for horses with good potential.  They then work with the horses until they are well-trained and hope to sell them for a good price.  They're a religious family and pray over decisions they need to make.  They had no idea they were buying a stolen mare.

Ms. Smiley obviously knows horses.  She has great descriptions of horse attributes and discusses how Abby must ride the horses to get the most points.  I learned a lot about the horse world from this book.

The story has a smooth flow and reads well.  This book should appeal to any young one that likes animals.  There are several hard decisions to make in this story and they have something to teach the reader, also.  And don't forget the first book in the series, The Georges & The Jewels.  Both books together would make a fine gift.

Happy reading!

The Trouble with Chickens by Doreen Cronin

If you ended up with popcorn with feet (chicks) in front of your nose asking for your help, would you bother?  After all, chickens are chickens and dogs are dogs...

Harper Collins Children's Books will be publishing this book in hardcover in March, 2011.  I got my ebook for review from them and Net Galley (thank you).  Kevin Cornell did the illustrations.

This is Ms. Cronin's first children's picture book and I certainly hope it isn't her last!  Her animals characters are devious, she creates scenes that will make you laugh out load, and Mr. Cornell's illustrations reminded me of the movie "All Dogs go to Heaven".

J J Tully is a former search and rescue dog, but he sure never expected to be asked to find a missing chick!  Ms. Cronin's animals are sneaky, brave, and smart - but not all at the same time.  The story line is funny and this book was a joy to read.

I highly recommend this for your young ones or for yourself.  I'm going to buy myself a copy to put in my own library.  It's too cute to pass up! 

Happy reading.

The Year Money Grew on Trees by Aaron Hawkins

Imagine being fourteen years old and signing a contract to pay the property owner $8,000 at the end of the apple season after the harvest?  Would you do it?  Or would you rather work at Slim's Scrap Yard for practically no wages?

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt published this book in hardcover in September.  I downloaded an ARC ebook from Net Galley to read for review.  (Thanks to both of you!)

What first caught my eye about this story is that it is based in New Mexico - which is where I live.  I always enjoy reading stories that show me a little more of life in other parts of this state.  Farmington is in the northwestern part of New Mexico, near the Arizona border and an Indian reservation.

Mr. Hawkins chose an unusual approach to this story.  It reads a bit like a story from the depression because that's what it's like for folks in small New Mexican towns.  Jobs aren't easily available, and there's not an awful lot of opportunity to make money.  So Jackson decides that since the landowner told him he can make $20,000 on a crop of apples, what's $8,000 for her?  Unfortunately, he did no research on what kind of supplies he might need or just how much work it took to keep an orchard up and harvest it.

Jackson has family to help him, so he promises to share percentages of his "profits" with them.  It's heartwarming to watch the children each do what they can do to help the orchard.  Jackson gets a book on growing apples and gleans what knowledge he can from a nearby neighbor.  It's a lot of hard work with long hours and they all chip in.  Unfortunately, the crop doesn't bring in the dollar value Mrs. Nelson quoted...

As your young one reads, there are mathematical equations included to show how they figure out how much pesticide they should buy, how much to sell their apples for, etc.  They will also learn about farm equipment used on the trees or ground.  And Jackson will teach them a few things, too.

This reads like a classic story, and I enjoyed it.  Why not pick up a copy at your local bookstore for your own budding entrepreneur and give him/her some insight on the challenge of taking on something new when you know nothing about it.  Happy reading!

because of mr. terupt by Rob Buyea

It's the start of fifth grade and they have a new teacher this year.  But they sure didn't expect one like him!

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers sent me a hardcover of this story for review.  It's written for ages 9-12 and is currently available at your local bookstore.

This story touched me, it's special.  The seven students all come into class with their own baggage and their own expectations.  Amazingly, Mr. Terupt doesn't respond to them the way teachers have in the past.  He sees more of what they do (and what they don't) and he handles any problems promptly and with unusual techniques.  None of them are quite sure why he doesn't get more upset, or why he allows them more freedoms and more activities, but they sure are starting to enjoy their classes.  And they are learning a lot about each other, too.

When Mr. Terupt is injured in an unfortunate accident and goes into a coma, they learn even more about themselves.  They also learn how much Mr. Terupt has given them by coaxing them to use their strengths.

I had a very special teacher mentor in grade school and another in high school.  Their belief in me made me what I am today (with the help of Mom, my major cheerleader).  Teachers who really care can be a very strong influence on a child.  Mr. Buyea was a teacher himself, and draws on his experience to give you a true look into one classroom.

I'd recommend this book as good for young readers of both sexes.  It demonstrates how your home life and the problems there can influence how you do in school and why you act the way you do.  It's not all peaches and cream, but it is a positive book overall. 

Go check it out at your local bookstore, it's on the shelves now. 

The Nightwood by Robin Muller

Never go in the Elf woods at night, you may never return!

This oversized hardcover children's book was provided to me by Tundra Books.  It was first published by Doubleday Canada in 1991, but this anniversary edition is something special.  It is well bound, the illustrations are unearthly, and it would make a lovely gift for a collector.

There is a Celtic tale about Tamlynne, an enchanted knight that the Elfin Queen has captured.  The young daughter of the Earl of March sneaks out when she hears the Elfin music and meets Tamlynne by accident.  It doesn't take long until she falls in love with him.  However, the Elfin Queen's magic keeps him captive in the forest. 

Her parents try to keep her away, but she finds a way to escape - and just in time because the Elves are leaving.  She decides to steal Tamlynne away, but the Elfin Queen and her minions capture her.  Can a mere human beat the Queen in a fight of wills?

This is a classic folktale.  If your child has an interest in fantasy or folktales, they will enjoy reading it.  If you are collector of very nice book editions of a traditional story, this book will work for you, too.

I highly recommend this book for any fantasy enthusiast.  Check it out at your local bookstore.  I bet you'll buy a copy - it will grab you when you open the cover...

Happy reading!

Hubknuckles by Emily Herman

Every year a mysterious ghost comes to visit on Halloween.  But this year Lee decides she's old enough to prove he isn't real...

Crown Books for Young Readers has published this story with an updated design on it's 25th anniversary.  (Thank you for my copy to review).  It's hardcover, has illustrations by Deborah Kogan Ray, and is available at your local bookstore.

What a great book for Halloween!  This is a very cute ghost story about a little girl who thinks she's smart enough to prove that their annual ghost visitor is actually one of her parents.  So she sneaks out of the house, speaks to the ghost, dances with him and then comes back to tell the rest of household it has to be her dad.  But what if it's not?

Ms. Herman says that Hubknuckles visits their house in Maine on an annual Halloween visit.  Do you have your own pet ghost???

This book is for ages 5-8.  The illustrations are cool and the story line is more humorous than scary, but it's a fun book for all ages.  Share it with your haunts.  Maybe even give it as a Halloween Treat to your little one.  Look it over at your local bookstore.  And happy reading!