Lorna Balian's charming Christmas story is reissued with full color added by her daughter Lecia. Margie writes to Santa Claus asking him for a new teddy bear since her teddy, Herold, is looking a bit shabby. Her bossy older brother Arthur believes that Santa Claus is a humbug and plans to prove it by creating a trap to catch him. Lorna's delightful illustrations show that Arthur might be wrong about Santa after all. An endearing Christmas tale that will delight both boys and girls alike.

Our thoughts

A wonderfully written story by Lorna Balian. The illustrations are fantastic. I haven't read her other works, but I'll be certain to get them. I loved the story.

Keep your eye on the bear!

a great book!

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court.  But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection.  Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks.  But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

A dazzling first novel, The False Princess is an engrossing fantasy full of mystery, action, and romance.

Mom's review

Imagine being a Princess for 16 years and then having everything ripped from you, by your parents? The King and Queen receive a prophecy about their only child. She will die a violent death before her 16th birthday. They exchange her with another child, raise this child and call her their own for 16 years. When her 16th birthday passes, they literally call back their 'real' princess and throw her away. Makes you wonder what kind of person could do such a thing. I must admit I had no love for the king and queen. Nalia/Sinda, however, just stole my heart.

This book has a lot of twists and turns. It will keep you entertained. For a while, you won't easily recognize who is good and who is evil. There are wizards, magic and of course, a dashing earl's son.

Loved this story and hope for more!

Lucas's review

Ok, but too girly!  Liked the wizards.  It was fun when Nalia/Sinda discovered her magic.

Lucas here giving my review of D. Robert Pease's book

Noah Zarc 2 Cataclysm

Awesome!!!I loved this book.  Noah is so much fun.  Science and science fiction combined. 

Imagine living on Mars because Earth is ruined.  What an idea.  Mr. Pease has some fantastic ideas!  I love when science is a big part of stories.  I'm just a little younger than Noah, can't imagine doing the stuff he does. Piloting a spaceship through an asteroid field???  What a life he has!  

This book is even better that Mammoth Trouble.  I zipped through it quickly.  Can't wait for more adventures with Noah.

5 ice cream cones!!!

by Howard Temperley

Illustrations by Michael Kline

received from NetGalley

reviewed by Mom

about the book:
The phenomenon of the dinosaur is one that continues to fascinate people of all ages. A fun-filled history of the many species of dinosaurs, their eras, and interesting facts about them, this book is not only informative, but funny and captivating as well. Featuring amusing and attractive illustrations, this unique edition discusses a variety of topics, from the Velociraptor and Pterodactylus to the Jurassic Era and dinosaur extinction.


My thoughts:
What a fabulous book!  If you have a child anything like mine, he or she will love this book.  Most kids have a fascination with dinosaurs at some point in their young lives.  This book perfectly helps with explaining just about everything about dinos.  It is all done in rhyme to make it easy for the kids.  Remember Schoolhouse Rock?  Well, this reminds me of it.  Rhyming songs about dinosaurs.  The illustrations are fantastic.  They are funny without being frightening. 
I loved this book and recommend it to others.  My only complaint, now I can't get some of the rhymes out of my head.

5 stars

Ever have a nightmare?  Of course you have, we all have.

Now you can find out who you should blame for your bad dreams, and who you can thank for your good dreams.

All you need to know about our little-understood world of dreams and nightmares is explained in this amusing fantasy tale, which revolves around the four human members of the Jackson family – together with their cat, Jackson – who all dwell in a house known as “Jacksonville”.

The story introduces you to the Dremlocks (dream releasers) and the Inkybyes (dream demons) and you will discover some astonishing facts about hamsters.

Following a visit to the International Pet Emporium, Pa Jackson and his son, Jacques, return home with a newly-acquired pet hamster of their very own. But there is more to the larger-than-life proprietor, Mister Laurie Van Rentaal, than meets the eye and this will turn out to be not their only meeting with the gigantic Dutchman.

As events unfold leading up to and beyond Fathers’ Day, find out what happens when Pa Jackson decides to celebrate his special day with The Great Jacksonville Cheesefest, whereupon his family’s ultimate dreams develop into their most horrendous nightmares ever…

We loved this book.  I especially love Sjaak the hamster.  He helps keep the Inkybyes away.  The Dutchman with his igvana (iguana) is also a fun character.   

The Jacksons are a great family.  They just need to learn to stay away from cheese.  The cheese celebration on Father's Day was a hoot.  Wait till you find out what happens when the neighbors come over...think a dog and a cat.

A great book, I think all kids will have a good time reading this story.  Not too scary.

we rate it 5 ice cream cones

received from NetGalley for review

about the book

The earth breeds giants and ogres of indescribable horror -- the heavens hold omnipotent gods and goddesses, abounding in courage, strength and wisdom.

Zeus, the almighty king of the gods, who cannot resist feminine beauty -- mortal or divine, and his jealous and vengeful wife, Hera.

Perseus, fearless mortal warrior, who takes on an impossible challenge: slaying the monstrous Medusa, whose glance turns men to stone.

The Minotaur, half-man and half-bull, the horrible fruit of a queen's unspeakable desire, who annually destroys the young victims sacrificed to his terrifying power.

A fantastic world of spells and curses, magic and mystery, forces that create and destroy at will

My Review (Mom)

Good reference for the younger audience.  A bit simplified, It would not be useful if looking for information about one of the lesser known myths.   

Easy and fun to read.  Kids who liked book similar to Percy Jackson will enjoy this book.  It is a quick, fun read.  I've always enjoyed Greek Mythology and enjoyed visiting these old friends.

My review (Lucas)

I LOVED this book.  I love reading about Zeus and the Minotaur.   Mom's right, if you like Percy Jackson (and I do!!) You'll love this book.  

Mom gives it 4 stars because she thinks it's too simple, but I'll give it 5 ice cream cones because I think it's great!

ZUTO: THE ADVENTURE OF A COMPUTER VIRUS

about the book

Zuto: The Adventures of a Computer Virus takes place inside a strange, little-known world: a personal computer, the perfect setting for a fast-paced, funny, one-minute-long story.

Zuto, a smart, sneaky computer virus, leads a happy life in his secret hiding place: the Recycle Bin. There, among heaps of junk full of surprising treasures, he plans his tricks. Everything changes when a far more malicious program invades the computer . . . and threatens to end all life in it. Together with his Recycle Bin friends—outdated, buggy programs—Zuto sets off to save his world.

Readers curious about the truth behind this rollicking adventure story will find it in the Zutopedia appendix, which explains concepts such as computer viruses, IP addresses, and binary numbers.

Zuto was first published in Israel, where it was recommended by the Israeli Ministry of Education and voted in the top ten favorite books by children in grades 4-6 nationwide.

Want to read a cool book?  Zuto is a virus.  I hate computer viruses.  Always seem to get one on my PC.  This book makes me think twice about a virus.  Zuto is a funny virus (Yes, I know he's not a real person, and computer viruses aren't really alive).  This was a funny book.  Mom got it from NetGalley to read and review and she let me help write the review.  I liked the story.  It's fast and fun, also helps kids understand basic info about computers.  

I give Zuto 4 ice cream cones.

Hi, Lucas here.  Today I have the honor of introducing one of my favorite authors.
KAREN POKRAS TOZ
author of the NATE ROCKS books.  She has a new book out

and it is FANTASTIC.  I don't usually like books about girls but Millie is okay!  :)  She gives advice to other kids in her school, only she does it with a fake name.  She calls herself Amanda.  Now, she didn't intend to do this.  Her cool younger brother played a neat trick on her (ha ha) and posted her diary online on a fake blogsite (wish I had thought of that).  Millie at first is mad at him, but she soon discovers it's kind of fun having a bunch of kids follow her blog and ask for help.  

Read this book, even if you are a guy (there are some awesome boys in this story, including Millie's brother) you will like the book, and you'll kind of like Millie, too!

Oh, and there's a contest.  You'll have to ask your parent's permission to enter (you have to be over 18 to win, I think) but they can enter for you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What can you win?  Some really cool stuff:

and

or

or my favorite

Just for the record, I give Millicent Marie 

a great big

5+ ice cream cones

Above is a picture of Karen Toz.  She's a really cool writer.  Check out her Nate Rocks books!  They are just awesome!!!!

EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHADOWS

NIGHTMARE BOOK 2

by

Robert Gray

Ever since encountering The Source and its minions on Halloween, Eve Hallows has found life surprisingly quiet … not to mention adorably boring! So when Dad receives a Ouija message that she must return to Gravesville, Eve couldn't be happier—at least until she discovers the Director of URNS, also known as the Grim Reaper, has a special job for Eve … one that will lead her to New York City and to the true identity of The Source. 

With The Book of Shrieks offering zero help and a new URNS agent driving the school boys—and Eve!—crazy, Eve's beginning to realize this whole saving-the-world nonsense isn't what it's cracked up to be. 

All this and she still has to find The Book of Shadows

My review

Even better than the first book!!!!!!

If one lives in our world, as I do, this book is fabulous.  If one lives in Gravesville, it was horrible- horrible and ten more horribles!

I love the characters in this story.  Eve reminds me of human Marilyn living amoung the Munsters.  She's different but pays no attention to the differences.  Mom is a snake headed, petrifying gorgon.  Dad is a shapeshifter and brother Sam is a ghoul....The family is a tight unit.  You can palpate the love they feel for each other.

Due to recent events, Eve is made to feel 'unwelcome' in her hometown of Gravesville.  Why?  Well, she's human and not a monster.  Humans are scary, they are trying to kill the monsters.  Strange things are happening in Gravesville and Eve must fix them, along with her 'human' friends.  We meet a few new characters, including a succubus.

We also learn more about how Eve came to live in Gravesville. 

This is a perfect combination of YA, Horror, Paranormal and Fun! 

I give it 5/5 ice cream cones and eagerly look forward to the next book in the series.

That's a hint Mr. Gray...please keep me in mind when looking for reviewers for the next book!!

I'm going to do something a little different with this post.

I had to read a book and write a report over the summer.

The book I chose is

THE HITCH-HIKERS GUIDE TO THE GALAXY

by

DOUGLAS ADAMS

I've passed in the report but not yet received my grade.

I'll upload the report.  It contains most of the information I use when I review a book.

NAME: LUCAS                 DATE: SUMMER 2012

SUMMER READING FORM  GRADE 6

TITLE OF BOOK: THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY

AUTHOR:    DOUGLAS ADAMS

GENRE:       PROSE  FICTION

SETTING: The Starship Heart of Gold, modern day.   The fictitious, luxury-planet producing planet of Magrathea in the Horsehead Nebula.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MAIN CHARACTER: 

Arthur Dent:  A human who lived in a house scheduled for demolition before the destruction of Earth.  He is kind and formal.

Ford Prefect:  A human-like alien from Betelguese.  He does research for The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and is quite intelligent.

Zaphod Beeblebrox: A relative of Ford.  He is very cunning and relaxed. He has 2 heads and 3 arms.

Trillian McMillan: Zaphod’s girlfriend.  She is generally a smart, normal human.

MARVIN: a highly intelligent but paranoid and depressed robot.

THESE ARE ALL THE MAIN CHARACTERS OF THE BOOK.  EACH ONE PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN THE PLOT

PLOT SUMMARY: The book starts off when a normal human, Arthur Dent, wakes up and goes outside to protest the destruction of his house.  His house is being demolished to make way for a bypass.  A bypass in a British synonym for interstate.  Arthur lies in the mud in front of the trucks.  His friend Ford (the alien) comes and brings him to the pub to talk to him about the end of the world.  They then hitchhike onto a VOGAN spaceship as Earth is destroyed to may way for a galactic bypass.  The pair of friends are ejected into space and are picked up by The Heart Of Gold spaceship driven by Zaphod and Trillian.  They think they’ve gone mad when they see non moving water and waving buildings as well as other weird things created by the ‘improbability drive’ in the ship.  Ford gets to see a relative of his, Zaphod, and Arthur gets to see Trillion whom he tried to date once on Earth.  They soon discuss the planet of Magrathea, a luxury planet-producing planet, that stopped producing planets and pretty much shut down 5 million years ago.  They proceed to navigate the ship to the planet.  Upon arrival, they are hit by a missile which results in the creation and demise of a whale and a pot of flowers.  

Soon, they land on the desolate surface and explore.  They find an underground tunnel into which Ford, Trillian and Zaphod explore.  Arthur and Marvin stay behind to guard the tunnel entrance.  Trillian, Ford and Zaphod are captured and brought to a planet catalogue and later to a feast where there is something in the food that affects their sanity.  They are unaware of events occurring around them.  All this is courtesy of two lab mice.  Arthur meets a person named Slartibartfast who teaches him about Magrathea and how the Earth was actually a super computer set to figure out the ultimate question. (They already have the answer, 42.  They just need the question).

Arthur is guided by guards to the feast where he refuses to eat the food.  

The mice attempt to take Arthur’s brain.  It is during this attempt when the effect of the drugs from the food wear off in his friends.  They then attempt to escape.   They hide behind a computer.  The guards are shooting at the computer.  Suddenly the life support systems in the guards suits fail and they die.  Arthur, Trillian, Zaphod and Ford escape to their spaceship via an escape ship left by Slartibartfast. The arrive in the Heart of Gold.  Marvin begins sulking about how bad his existence has become.  They blast off and go to a restaurant at the end of the universe for lunch.  

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS BOOK?

In my opinion, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” was little funny, but very bizarre and difficult to follow.  I wouldn’t recommend it for most people, but those who like science fiction may enjoy this book.

Would you like to read a fun kid's book?

Try

BOGOF

the Supermarket Cat

by Adrian Marshall

illustrated by Hilda Phillipse

about the book:

Taking a nap on a car roof is not a new experience for Tiddles, but this time it leads to him becoming BOGOF the Supermarket cat. After a hair-raising ride on the roof of a car Tiddles finds himself in a Supermarket car-park. Deciding to explore he meets a shop worker called Fred, and then finds his way into the Supermarket. Tiddles is discovered by Mr Brown the Supermarket manager and Fred. They are surprised that he managed to get into the shop and because he seems so clever they find him some work to do, and name him BOGOF.

Disaster strikes later in the day, the car BOGOF came on has disappeared! How will he get back home? Will he carry on working at the Supermarket? And who knows what exciting adventures are just around the corner for BOGOF the Supermarket Cat!

Visit BOGOF's web site at http://bogofthesupermarketcat.co.uk for FREE Wallpaper/Background, and find out about BOGOF's next exciting adventure.

MY THOUGHTS

Imagine seeing our world through the eyes of a cat. BOGOF the cat (also known at Tiddles) tells us how he became a supermarket cat. Yes, that's right, he's a supermarket cat. He has a job keeping mice and rats away from the market. BOGOF is a delightful animal, curious as only a cat can be. I can already picture this as a tv show for children. All the adventures of BOGOF and his friends. What does BOGOF stand for, you ask? Well, you'll just have to read the story to find out! You'll laugh out loud when you find the answer. He's definitely a cat with a charming personality.

I thoroughly enjoyed this short story. I look forward to more adventures with BOGOF and buddies.

Received from author for honest review.

Mom reviewed The Librarian on

http://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com/2012/08/yesterday-taylor-and-wes-turned-boring.html

She gave it a 5 star rating and I agree!  

We read L.Frank Baum's 

Wonderful Wizard of Oz

years ago, and I loved it.  I loved the way Mr. Hobbs 

used the characters to create a new story, and to explain how

the written word can affect us all.

Mom tells me 'a new story, a fabulous story, becomes a part of you.'

well, these two stories (and I'm waiting for part three) are fabulous.

I recommend both books for kids who like fantasy stories.

FOG

a spooky eerie book

even the cover is spooky

Mom received a copy from NetGalley to review.

She loved it, me, not so much.  

I like fun books, this book was strange.  I liked Christina, I liked the way she fought the mean Shevington's.  I wish she had kicked them both.  

I love the idea of living on an island off the coast of Maine.  I wouldn't want to leave for anything.  Christina doesn't want to leave, but has to for school.  

If you like strange, spooky books, then try this one.  I want to read the next book, I want to see the Shevington's brought down to their knees.   Mom has already purchased book two and three and sent them to my Kindle.  Will let everyone know what I think after I'm done reading.

floors 2

3below

by Patrick Carman

received from NetGalley for review

Charlie had his chocolate factory. Stanley Yelnats had his holes. Leo has the wacky, amazing Whippet Hotel.

Now that Leo has uncovered a few secrets behind the wacky Whippet Hotel, he'll have to save it!

Leo has explored the zany, wonderful Whippet Hotel from basement to top floor, with trains, flying goats, and mazes (among other things) in between. But even Leo doesn't know every secret of the Whippet - and when he discovers that there's more beneath the hotel than he'd thought, it doesn't take long for more adventures to unfold!

our review

This is an amazing book! A continuation of the wacky, zany world of Merganzer D. Whippet, and new brothers Leo and Remi. An old nemesis is attempting to overtake the Whippet hotel and the boys must save it from her evil clutches.

They encounter all sorts of crazy things, new floors of the hotel, subbasements and new people while on their quest. (The monkeys are the best)

Perfect book for middle graders, especially boys. They will love the constant energy of this book. The two brothers make a fabulous team. They have learned to work together.

I encourage everyone who loves wild stories to read this book. It's a barrel of laughs, as well as a deeply mysterious (but fun) story.

*****5stars*****

THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY

BY NIKKI LOFTIN

PUBLISHED BY PENGUIN YOUNG READERS, USA

AVAILABLE AUGUST 21, 2012

REVIEWED BY DONNA @HTTP://BOOKLOVERSPARADISE.BLOGSPOT.COM

about the book:

When Lorelei's old school mysteriously burns down, a new one appears practically overnight: Splendid Academy. Rock-climbing walls on the playground and golden bowls of candy on every desk? Gourmet meals in the cafeteria, served by waiters? Optional homework and two recess periods a day? It's every kids's dream.

But Lorelei and her new friend Andrew are pretty sure it's too good to be true. Together they uncover a sinister mystery, one with their teacher, the beautiful Ms. Morrigan, at the very center.

Then Andrew disappears. Lorelei has to save him, even if that means facing a past she'd like to forget – and taking on a teacher who's a real witch.

What Lorelei and Andrew discover chills their bones – and might even pick them clean!

MY REVIEW 

A truly fantastic middle grade level story.  Just the right amount of spookiness to keep the reader enthralled and entertained.

 The main character is Lorelei Robinson, a young girl facing her own demons.  Her mother has died of a tragic accident and her father has remarried the proverbial wicked stepmother.  Both Lorelei and her brother Bryan dislike Molly, the stepmom, and the feeling is mutual.   

The kids are enrolled in a new charter school close to home.  Splendid Academy is a kids dream come true.  Take the classes you like, skip the ones you don't....just don't miss a meal.  It's obvious to no one except Lorelei and her friend Andrew, the kids are being fattened up for some reason.  Lorelei has her suspicions, they are being fattened up to feed the witches...but when she brings her suspicions to her father he laughs and tells her she needs to see a psychiatrist!  Seems the adults are clueless in this tale. 

 This book is a combination of Roald Dahl (I love his work) and Grimm's tales.  The author does a fabulous job of creating the story.  A 5 star book I recommend to lovers of classic tales.

5 STARS*****

RECEIVED FROM NETGALLEY

for review

Publication Date: June 12th, 2012

MEET KATIE SUTTON, WORLD AUTHORITY ON HOW TO HANDLE GROWN-UPS.

A must read novel for anyone requiring tips on how to control this bizarre species by (undiscovered) genius Katie Sutton - a fabulous, funny new teenage character who rivals Georgia Nicholson with her wit.

Katie is an expert on operating grown-ups. She knows exactly how to get the best out of them, so she decides to write a guide to help the world's long-suffering teenagers do the same.

But then Katie's mum starts dating the awful Yellow-Tie Man. Suddenly Mum is acting completely out of character and totally out of control! For everyone's sake, Katie needs to use all her expertise to get rid of him - and quick!

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

 

 

MY THOUGHTS (LUCAS)

 

Written in the diary viewpoint of Katie Sutton.  Kattie offers advice on how to "train" your parents, remember, it's been sooooooo long since they were kids, they can't remember what it's like!

 

This is a middle grade (young) book.  More for a girl than a boy. 

 

Katie is a likable character, full of life and fun, but some of her advice didn't work for me.  My mom, unfortunately, knows all the tricks.  Can't pull anything over her eyes!

 

I don't understand British humor, so I missed out on some of the funny stuff. 

 

I think this book will appeal to young girls, but probably not to boys.

 

3 ice cream cones. (out of possible 5)

Check out Mom's review of the book
CYNDI HAZARD
EMPATHIC DETECTIVE

at http://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com

BOOK LOVERS PARADISE: TODAY WE ARE FEATURINGauthorL.S. HULLINGER and he...

BOOK LOVERS PARADISE:
TODAY WE ARE FEATURINGauthorL.S. HULLINGER and he...: TODAY WE ARE FEATURING author L.S. HULLINGER  and her new novel CYNDI HAZARD EMPATHIC DETECTIVE about the book: Twelv...

ON THE DAY I DIED

STORIES FROM THE GRAVE

BY

CANDACE FLEMING

Who doesn't love a good ghost story?
This book is literal 'ghost' stories.  The ghosts are the ones telling their stories to real live Mike Kowlaski.  Yes, it happens late at night at an old run down cemetary.

All the stories are skillfully bound together.  Mike is the individual chosen to hear and repeat the stories of these sad ghosts, thereby allowing them to 'move on'.  All the ghosts are teenagers from various periods in Chicago's history.  Yes, one even lived in the 20's during the reign of Scarface himself.  Capone makes a cameo in one of the stories.  Kids are going to love this story!!

Some of the stories are better than others.  More than one may bring a tear to your eye, one or two may have you rolling your eyes, burt all are sad.

The nine stories are spooky and delightful at the same time.  Readers will enjoy this compilation of eerie stories from Candace Fleming.

Lucas here, just want to say 

congratulations

to my friend Julia for winning the drawing contest held by

the authors of 

The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow.

To see Julia's awesome drawing, go to Fairday's blogsite

http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/2012/06/drawing-contest-winner-announced.html?showComment=1340125927977#c7474191208827397638

Julia is a fellow 5th (now 6th) grader with me at Whitin Middle School.

Again,

congratulations Julia

and thank  you to Jess and Stephanie for giving us the opportunity to send in our drawings for the contest.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT STEVE COTLER

AND

CHEESIE MACK AT

http://stevecotler.com/

FOR A REVIEW OF THE LATEST CHEESIE MACK BOOK

CHECK OUT MOM'S BLOG AT

http://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com/

NIGHT BUDDIES AND THE PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE SCARE

BY

SANDS HETHERINGTON

about the story

When pineapple cheesecakes start disappearing from the world's only Pineapple Cheesecake Factory across town, Crosley, a zany red crocodile, enlists the help of young John Degraffenreidt to straighten things out. In this adventure-fantasy, the unlikely pair sneaks out of John's house by becoming invisible, thanks to the I-ain't-here doodad Crosley uses from the bunch of whatchamacallits hanging on his belt.

On the way to the subway they get better acquainted, and John finds out the wacky reason Crosley is red, and also what happens if he gets any water on him. They get on the Night Folks Limited train and ride all the way to the Cheesecake Factory where they meet the giant manager, Big Foot Mae.

There is danger ahead, but the Night Buddies must stay with their "Program" (the Night Buddies word for Adventure) if the world's supply of pineapple cheesecakes counts for anything. And it surely does, especially to Crosley who is totally goofy about the things and never seems to get his fill.

MY REVIEW

What a delightfully fun story. A red crocodile living under the bed, best kind of monster a kid could have in his room. John Degraffenreidt is a young boy who does not want to sleep at night (parents, does this sound familiar?). John and his new friend , night buddie, Crosley the red crocodile, engage in a wonderful adventure. They are going to the only Pineapple Cheesecake factory to discover why the cheesecakes are disappearing.

This is a fantastic story, hopefully the first of many adventures with John and Crosley. It will certainly hold the interest of the young reader. Crosley has his own vocabulary that will keep the reader on his toes. This is a story full of imagination and fun!

GARDEN OF THE LOST SOULS

BOOK TWO

OF

FLIN'S DESTINY

about the book:

(from Amazon.com)

After Flin and Flowell get carried away inside the stomach of a giant jellyfish, Flin stumbles upon a leprechaun village just below the Earth's surface. A magical jadestone keeps this village, called Clover Cavern, alive with magic and hidden from others. This stone was once given to the leprechauns by Flin's great-grandfather, Hovgard Newby, hundreds of years earlier. When this precious jadestone is stolen, Flin is asked by Froggit, Head Leprechaun of Clover Cavern, to find it and save the village from death. While Flin is busy trying to find the stone, Flowell, one of his best friends, gets captured by Blade, an evil threat in the underworld, and must be rescued before it's too late.

MY REVIEW

This is the second book in Flin's Destiny series.  It is a middle grade book perfect for the young reader.  

There is a fantastic leprechaun village, Clover Cavern and Flin is recruited by Froggit, head leprechaun, to find a stolen jadestone.

This story is full of fun and adventures.  Appropriate for the middle grade student.  Characters are engaging and the story hold the readers attention.  The vocabulary is challenging but not too difficult.

If young readers enjoyed Cobble Cavern (and I know everyone did!) I strong encourage them to read Garden of Lost Souls.