This picture book is done in the same style as the Lego City Adventure books, but is a different size and format. It is not one of the Leveled readers. The artwork is bright, vibrant and fun. In this book a new building is going up in Lego city and from excavation to completion we watch the workers in Lego city construct a new building. It is a fun, light, easy read that will be enjoyed by young readers.
I bought and downloaded this book immediately upon finishing Eternal, which is set in the same world. The story is written around a menu for a new restaurant. Quincie Morris inherited a restaurant when both her parents passed away; her Uncle is running it in trust for her until her 21st birthday. The story begins when the restaurant is closed for renovations - it is being re-imaged as Sanguini's: A Very Rare Restaurant, a theme restaurant with a vampire chef and vampire Goth theme decor. And the chef is to be the unlife of the party. But a few weeks before the grand reopening, the chef, a close family friend, is murdered and it looks like a werewolf attack.
Soon they find a person who appears to be the perfect fill-in, Henry Johnson, a chef whose food is amazing but seems to be struggling with the vampire appearance. But things are not always what they appear. A wedge is driven between Quincie and her best friend, a half-werewolf named Kiernan. Soon she is isolated, not attending school and spending all her time with her uncle and the new chef preparing for the grand reopening.
This story was amazing, I did not want to stop reading it, and often kept reading when I should have put the book down. I read it in less than 48 hours. The story was great, with amazing twists in the plot. The surprises kept coming. The story is told in sections following the menu for the new restaurant, from antipasto, primo, secondo, dolce and finally conforno. I loved the story and how it was written and cannot wait for the third book in this world to come out in 2011.
(As a side note: this was the first book I read on my Blackberry using the Kobo eReader app. I think reading on the Blackberry actually increased my reading speed. There were some pictures in the text that the eReader app and desktop application did not display. Not until it became obvious did I go back and compare with the epub version and find out that there were about a dozen images missed throughout the text. Kobo should have an indication that an image is missing but that is just my opinion.)
This was the first book I read by Cynthia Leitich Smith. I was amazed by the story, the characters and the world creation. This book was so good that I bought and read Tantalizeimmediately upon finishing this story. Set in the same world as Tantalizebut with a new set of characters, this story is fast-paced, riveting and extremely addictive. It is a story of love, but a love that can never be. It is the story about falling and possibly about redemption.
The story is told in alternating chapters from the perspectives of Zachary a guardian angel and Miranda his 17 year-old charge. But maybe Zachary loves Miranda too much; in an attempt to save her life he reveals himself in full radiance. Miranda is kidnapped by a vampire and is being trained to be Vampire Royalty, a Princess. Zachary is stripped of most of his powers and spirals down until a former colleague appears and tells him he has a new mission and gives him a start and an address. When Zachary gets there it is Miranda's new home and he becomes her personal assistant. He tries to assert his influence and save her soul.
Can an angel who is out of grace redeem himself and more importantly complete his initial mission guarding the soul of Miranda? As the story goes back and forth between their two views, we see both sides of this story. Yet both of them will need to learn who they really are at the core of their being and through that what sacrifices they must be willing to make to live up to who the are.
This story was incredibly addictive. I did not want to put it down. It was hard to go back to work from breaks reading it. Cynthia Leitich Smith has done an amazing job creating a world, and populating it with characters you cheer for, root for and a few who you hope get what is coming to them. She wrote a previous book in this world called Tantalize and has a third book coming out in 2011 called Blessed.
Books by Cynthia Leitich Smith: Young Adult Books:
This book was one of my few disappointments this year. The illustrations are okay, the story is okay, but it was not great. The story is that of a Stick man who gets chased by a dog, then thrown in a river. All he wants is to return home to his family.
What would you do if on your 18th birthday you encountered alternate versions of yourself, from ages 6, 29, and 70? That is exactly what happened to Grace Kwon. She soon must find a way to balance friends, high school and her parents all while hiding her alternative selves and figuring out why they are here and if she can find a way to make them go back to their own time. At the same time she is trying to salvage the school play that was going to be cut because of budget issues. This was a great story, well told and wonderfully illustrated.
MINX Graphic Novels:
The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007) Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007) Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007) Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007) Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007) Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007) Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008) Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008) The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008) Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008) Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008) Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)
All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased) Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg ( (Unreleased)
Draugr is the first published novel by Arthur Slade. It was the 7th novel he wrote. It is set in a small town in Manitoba, with three American teenagers visiting their grandfather. The first night of their visit their grandfather tells them ghost stories and tales from his homeland, Iceland. The next day the three youngsters Sarah, Michael and Angie have a very strange encounter; it is almost as if their grandfather's tales are starting to come true. And as the old saying goes 'truth is stranger than fiction'. Soon they find themselves experiencing things that should not be possible but are really happening. In less than 3 days they have a life-changing experience.
The three teenagers are supposed to be visiting for 2 weeks but on their second day there, they are told their grandfather has unfinished business and they will be going home the next day. But the house is attacked that night and their grandfather goes missing. Soon Sarah must summon strength and courage she did not know she had; she will have to defy adults she respects and risk her life to save those who are closest to her. This is a story that has an open grave, strange legends, beasts walking the night, and maybe a Draugr, a dead man walking again. It is both frightening and wonderful.
This story is wonderfully written, like ghost stories told around the campfire, but with a depth of details and great characters. The readers find themselves wrapped in a talk at once both exciting and addictive. You will not be able to put the book down. Considering it is Slade's first published novel, it has a level of polish and skill rarely seen in an author's early works. It is an incredible story.
I have enjoyed the 13 books by Kenneth Oppel that I read before reading this one. But I approached the premise of this one with a bit of hesitation; I should have known better. With each book of Oppel's that I read, I become more and more impressed with his skill, talent and range of creativity. Ben Tomlin is an average teenager; he struggles with some anger issues, but his parents uproot him from his home in Toronto and move him to Victoria so his father can start a new experiment.
The experiment was a little different. They were going to raise a chimpanzee as if he were part of the family. Soon Ben has a younger brother named Zan. They are going to raise him as if he is human and teach him American Sign Language. Zan is learning at an amazing speed - he is averaging two new signs a week and soon he is combining them by himself. Helping with project Zan gives Ben an idea and he starts project Jennifer. Jennifer is the girl of his dreams and he will do whatever research he needs to win her over. Soon everything starts falling in place. Things are going well with Jennifer, project Zan is getting a lot of press. But then things take a turn for the worse; Zan gets some bad press and Ben's dad seems to be giving up on the project.
Soon Ben feels like Zan is really his little brother and cannot imagine his life without him. But in science, if a project does not go well, it is sometimes terminated. Ben is now willing to risk everything for Zan whom he once resented. Told from Ben's perspective, the story is believable and incredibly addictive. I stayed up really late reading it when I should have gone to bed early. I just could not put it down. Oppel has written a story about adoption, family, relationships and coming of age. It is an amazing book.
The King's Taster (2009) Peg and the Yeti (2004) Peg and the Whale (2000) Emma's Emu (1995) Galactic Snapshots (1993) Cosmic Snapshots (1993) Follow That Star (1992) Cosimo Cat (1990) Colin's Fantastic Video Adventure (1985)
Coteau Books' motto is Amazing stories, Amazing kids. This series by Arthur Slade lives up to that motto. I have now read two of the three and they are great stories. Walter the 'Wart' Bigger Bronson and Cindy his best friend witness a ghost in their school and they follow it to the historic Bessborough Hotel. While there, they are transported back in time to 1936. Walter and Cindy are twelve year old detectives and they investigate the paranormal.
This book is a ghost story that is both intense and humorous. Walter states early in the book: "The main reason this time travel and ghostly otherworldly stuff happens is because I live in Saskatoon. The problem with Saskatoon is that no one believes it exists. Oh sure, the people who live here, Saskatonians (or Saskatoonians or Tooners), they know the place is real, but step outside the city limits and no one believes there is, or ever was, such a place as Saskatoon. … Saskatoon is the Bermuda Triangle of the prairies. It's the ghost capital of Canada." So after encountering a ghost who led them into the past they must now figure out what is bothering the ghost and how to settle its spirit.
Ghost Hotel and the whole Canadian Chills series studies the world of the mysterious, the unknown and attempts to answer questions. It helps readers explore questions and 'what ifs' that often arise in life. Wart and Cindy have a great friendship and the characters are believable, and as they delve into the mystery they must find inner strength and character in order to get through this mystery together. It is a great story in a great series. Books by Arthur Slade: The Dragonfly's Journey (1996) John Diefenbaker: an Appointment with Destiny (2000) Dust (2001) Tribes (2002) Monsterology (2005) Villainology (2005) Megiddo's Shadow (2006) Jolted (2008) Shades: 17 Startling Stories (2011) Flickers (2016) Crimson (2018) Death by Airship (2019) ...
Caroline Jayne Church has a wonderful style when it comes to sight and sensory books for young readers. This is the fourth of her books that we have enjoyed together as a family. Almost every page has something to experience by touch and/or sound. The book will spark imagination and wonder, as a boy dreams on Christmas eve about what he will receive the next day, and flaps to open his presents with him. It is a fun story that will be read again and again.
The Haunting of Drang Island Northern Frights #2 Arthur Slade Orca Books Publishers ISBN 1551431114 eISBN 9780986855528 There are three books in the Northern Frights series by Arthur Slade. They are some of his earliest published works and each is a story based on Norse mythology. They were published under the name Arthur G. Slade by Orca Book Publishers. Even though they are currently out of print, they are really worth tracking down.
Michael Asmudson and his father arrive on Drang Island to spend a few weeks camping together, while his dad does research on the myths and legends that surround the island. Michael's first night on the island he meets a strange, strong-willed determined girl named Fiona Gavin. And also that first night, both their tents are vandalized with animal blood written as a warning.Soon it appears that the legends, myths and tales of spirits, strange sacrifices and sea serpents that surround the island might not be that far from the truth. Soon Michael, his father and Fiona find themselves in mortal danger. Michael must make hard decisions, make sacrifices and take risks to do what is right.
This book was an amazing read. As a teenager I too was fascinated by Norse and Celtic legends and myths. To see them come back to life in a modern day Canadian setting was amazing. Every time I had to put the book down, I regretted it and wished I could just pick it up and keep reading. The story is very well written, the characters believable and the plot full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing right until the end. Books by Arthur Slade: The Dragonfly's Journey (1996) John Diefenbaker: an Appointment with Destiny (2000) Dust (2001) Tribes (2002) Monsterology (2005) Villainology (2005) Megiddo's Shadow (2006) Jolted (2008) Shades: 17 Startling Stories (2011) Flickers (2016) Crimson (2018) Death by Airship (2019) ...
It was very humorous to find out that a story about a father ghostwriting for his daughter was written by a father and daughter team. This is not my favorite story in the MINX line, but it was a good read with strong female characters that learn to bond together. There are hints at abuse, bullying at school, issues of blended families. There are a lot of good topics covered in this book.
Tasha is headed for a breakdown. Her mother's new boyfriend is a writer who is spurring his daughter on to follow the family vocation. He is overbearing, obnoxious and pigheaded. His daughter starts attending Tasha's school and things get even worse. Then for the holidays they have to take a trip together to America; Tasha is about to lose it.
I loved Mike's first graphic novel in this series, and it provoked my tracking down the others. I was a little disappointed in this one, compared to the series as a whole, and especially compared to Re-Gifters. There are some good themes and topics but as a whole it just did not resonate with me the way some of the others have.
MINX Graphic Novels:
The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007) Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007) Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007) Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007) Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007) Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007) Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008) Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008) The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008) Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008) Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008) Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)
All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased) Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg ( (Unreleased)
This is a wonderfully fun picture book. It is the story of a dog who eats like a king. For he is the cook's dog but the cook, cooks for the king. Then one day there is a new king, and he does not seem to like anything the chef makes. The chef travels the world to try to find new dishes for the new king but he does not seem to like anything. But then the dog discovers a secret and shows the chef, and things are about to change for the better. The story is fun, and young readers will ask for it again and again. The illustrations are wonderfully done, with great details and a fanciful style. Books by Kenneth Oppel:
The King's Taster (2009) Peg and the Yeti (2004) Peg and the Whale (2000) Emma's Emu (1995) Galactic Snapshots (1993) Cosmic Snapshots (1993) Follow That Star (1992) Cosimo Cat (1990) Colin's Fantastic Video Adventure (1985)
Some books are so anticipated and so hyped they cannot help but disappoint. This book felt a little that way for me. I know the Hunger Games is dystopian fiction, and the story was resolved but to me it felt flat. I knew that not everyone would survive, and I must admit I was a little surprised by some who died and some who lived. But overall it left me wanting either something more, or something else. The best way to put it is the book left me vaguely unfulfilled. I could put my finger on it directly, until about three quarters of the way through it was living up to expectations. And it is one of the best books I have read this year. But there is this little nagging when I think about the book and the trilogy. I am sure my opinion on this matter will be in the minority but so be it.
As we know from the end of the last book, District 13 was not annihilated as the Capital of Penam would have us believe. A team from district 13 has rescued Katniss from her second trip to the arena of the Hunger Games. But how much can a human body and mind take? Katniss is struggling to keep herself together; she also has plans and motives all her own, no matter how other people want to use her. The resistance's goal is to use her as the Mockingjay, a tool to unite the rebels in the different districts, and a herald that can unite the people in a single cause against the capital and its peacekeepers.
The story is written at a good pace. The reader will find that they cannot put the book down. They will addictively read and read, even when they should go to bed, or back to work. You will want to find out what is going to happen next, and what is going to happen to Katniss, Gale, Peeta and the others we have come to care about in the first two books. You cannot help but appreciate the characters and watch as they grow and change through the books. Even though the end of the book left me feeling a little off, this is a great book in a great series. If you have not read the trilogy, do!
Eat Stop Eat: The Radical New Approach to Nutrition That Can Burn Fat, Improve Your Health and might Just Save Your Life Brad Pilon Strength Works Inc.
A few years back, I read a book called God's Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis, a medical doctor who had become convinced of the medical advantages of fasting. In this book, based upon personal experience and extensive research, Brad Pilon has become convinced that intermittent fasting is an excellent tool for optimal health, wellbeing and weight control. In this short book he does an amazing job of drawing together different resources. Drawing from cutting edge research and a wide range of medical and scientific resources he presents a very convincing argument. In this short book, under 100 pages, he covers the following topics:
Table of Content: Preface How it All Started Introduction The Fasted State The Disappearance of the Fasted State Forget Everything You Have Ever Read About Fasting Fasting and Your Metabolism Fasting and Exercise Fasting and Your Muscle Mass Fasting and Hunger 39 The Health Benefits of Fasting Decreased Insulin Levels & Increased Insulin Sensitivity Increased Lipolysis and Fat Burning Increased Glucagon Levels Increased Epinephrine and Norepinephrine levels Increased Growth Hormone Levels Increased Weight Loss and Increased Fat Loss Health Benefits - The Conclusion The Eat Stop Eat Way of Life What to do While Fasting Eat Stop Eat Conclusions Eat Stop Eat Frequently Asked Questions References
This was a wonderful little book; it was a reminder for me but for many it will be new material well worth reading and considering. As the subtitle states, the information just might save your life.
The ghost in the machine is a common theme in science fiction and fantasy and has been for many years. But what if a story were set in the future when most people spent more time plugged into the net then they do in real life interacting with other people? Telly Kade is a typical 23rd century teen, living most of her life in the lairs in a virtual world. But then her best friend goes missing supposedly to commit suicide. Telly cannot handle that and goes in search of Kimmie66, even if it means breaking the rules of VR and laws, to find out who she really was and what happened to her. Her search for the truth will lead her into a deeper understanding of the VR world and of the real world.
The short-lived MINX graphic novel line was supposed to feature stories about strong women and girls and be quality graphic novels for young women. This was a great story well written and with interesting plot twists and surprises. I plan on keeping the whole series set aside for my daughters for when they are older, but I will probably pull this one and a few of the others out again and again from time to time to reread.
MINX Graphic Novels:
The P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (May 2 2007) Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, and Sonny Liew (Jun 6 2007) Clubbing by Andi Watson and Josh Howard (July 11 2007) Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim and Jesse Hamm (Aug 1 2007) Confessions of a Blabbermouth by Mike Carey, Louise Carey, and Aaron Alexovich(Sep 12 2007) Kimmie66 by Aaron Alexovich (Nov 7 2007) Burnout by Rebecca Donner (Jun 24 2008) Water Baby by Ross Campbell(July 8 2008) The New York Four by Ryan Kelly (July 22 2008) Janes in Love by Cecil Castellucci (Sep 23 2008) Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki (Oct 14 2008) Token by Alisa Sheckley (Nov 4 2008)
All Nighter by David Hahn (Unreleased) Janes Go Summer by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg (Unreleased)
This books states that it is intended for cat lovers both old and young. I am not really a cat lover but my daughter, wife, mother-in-law and sister in law all are. This book captures the essence and spirit of a cat and the cat's relationship to the family and the environment it loves in. My daughter loved the book and wanted it read again and again. It is well written and wonderfully illustrated. It has a good discussion guide for helping young children articulate about owning pets and even about their own family dynamics. This is a book we will enjoy over and over again.
This is the third and final book in this series. This book has seven short stories meant to teach a lesson. They are a little dark but not so scary that most young readers would not enjoy them. They are sort of a book version of ghost stories kids would tell at a sleep over to try to scare each other. Each of the three books in the series is enjoyable and well written but this one is my favorite in the series. In this volume we encounter a phantom text messenger, a black cat that brings good luck not bad luck, and being haunted by the face of whom you lied to last. We also encounter a skeleton that gets up and wanders away and mysterious hitchhikers who perished years ago. Also, it has a story where snobs learn that sometimes they get what they deserve not what they want. And finally there is a story about a family that ends up getting some help from a friendly phantom. Each of the stories is fun and frightening at the same time, in such a way that children will love them.
Arthur Slade is one of my favourite contemporary authors. I have set the goal of reading all of his books this year because there were a few of the older and out of print ones I had not read yet. This post is a small homage to his work, and I will keep it up to date as new books come out, a visual bibliography.
Build This City
