Book Review: Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews

Swan for the Money
by Donna Andrews
Meg Langslow Mystery

Minotaur Books
ISBN-10: 0-312-37727-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-37727-5
Publication Date: July, 2009
List Price: $24.99

Review: Money, trophies, roses, and- and murder? This is what Meg Langslow has to deal with when she agrees to help her mom by organizing a Rose show. Meg is in probably in her late 20s or early thirties. She is very glad when her parents take up a “safe” hobby little does she know that what she thinks to be safe can become a whirl wind of danger right before her eyes. Swan For The Money Donna Andrews is filled with twists, and it is defiantly a page-turner.

When Meg Langslow signs up to organize a rose show for her mom she expects it to be fairly normal, but it turns out to be anything but normal. For starters the estate on which the show is being held has a cruel, uptight, and downright nasty owner. When Mrs. Winkleston’s (or Wrinkleston) dog is stolen, and there is suspected animal cruelty going on, Meg’s Grandfather can’t help but investigate. But when a dead body is found on the grounds the investigation really heats up. While the body isn’t Mrs. Winkleston’s it is a look- alike. When the real Mrs. Winkleston is poisoned, but survives, everyone is a suspect. Who is the real murderer? Will the Rose Show still go on? Will Mrs. Winkleston survive? Meg Langslow is on the case in Swan For the Money!

I found Swan For the Money to be a fantastic book! Donna Andrews made all of the characters interesting and unique. Not only that, but they were very easy to relate to! Andrews also made a topic that isn’t funny very funny. For example, everyone jokes about how the killer was disappointed about how he killed someone nice and friendly instead of the mean Mrs. Winkleston. Also, I loved the fact that this book was a page-turner. I found it amazing how many interesting twists she put in this book. One second you think that your favorite character is out of the suspect list, but the next second they are the prime suspect. While this book had many good parts to it, it also had a few weaknesses. One thing I didn’t like was that at some points it got gore. When there was a scene describing a crime scene, it got very gory, when it didn’t need to be. I know that if there is a murder scene in a story, it will be fairly gory, but this went over the top. I am going to rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars- due to the gore. I wouldn’t recommend this book for anyone under 6th grade, because it might scare younger kids. Overall I found Swan For The Money to be a fantastic book!

Review written by Kayley (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Breakthrough Promotions for providing a copy of Swan for the Money for this review.

Have you read Swan for the Money? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Monster Slayers by Lukas Ritter

Monster Slayers
by Lukas Ritter
Non-series

Wizards of the Coast Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-7869-5484-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-7869-5484-1
Publication Date: May, 2010
List Price: $9.95

Review: Finding monsters. Adventures. Kidnapping. The new book Monster Slayers by Lukas Ritter covers it all. The author starts his book with action and doesn't let up until the last page. Monster Slayers tells the story of a young boy whose whole life changes in one night of terror. Evin, the innkeeper’s young son has his whole village captured by monsters which starts Evin on his journey to rescue his family and friends from the gnolls, the evil monsters of this book. Teaming up with his best friend Jorick, and the elf wizard Betilivatis they meet, Evin and his band of adventurers set off to save the day.

Evin slowly begins to lose his memory and his friend Jorick doesn't believe him. Then Evin begins to see Betilivatis talking secretly to an unseen entity. As the plot unfolds the suspicions Evin has about Betilivatis begin to escalate and as his fear for the villagers increases, Evin becomes more confused.

Monster Slayers took me on a thrilling adventure. This book dared me to keep turning pages. There are enough plot twists and turns in this book to keep any reader engaged. This is one of those books you stay up all night to finish. Actually, I was up until 2:03am! The plot forged action and suspense into a novel as sharp as a sword! I enjoyed the author's descriptions of mythical monsters, fantastic friends and peculiar places. It was nice to read a book that was not so formulaic! I was not able to figure out what was going to happen in the next chapter, and I think this is what drew me in the most.

This book is a companion book to the popular A Practical Guide to Monsters published several years ago. This prior published book is used extensively throughout this novel, and this book depends on it a great deal. Although the ending may be predictable, the book is still worth the read! (You know how a roller coaster is going to end, but you still go on it!) I challenge YOU to stop reading this book, once you begin!

Review written by Jonathan (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates, Inc. for providing a copy of Monster Slayers for this review.

Have you read Monster Slayers? How would you rate it?

Book Review: February by Gabrielle Lord

February
by Gabrielle Lord
Conspiracy 365

Kane Miller
ISBN-10: 1-935279-50-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-935279-50-1
Publication Date: February, 2010
List Price: $10.99

Review: Tick, tock, tick, tock. The last few minutes of Callum Ordman’s life are fading away. In this exciting sequel to the first book January in the 365 series, written by Gabrielle Lord, Cal is still on the hunt to solve the Ordman riddle. His sister still in a coma and he is still being blamed for it. Cal struggles to keep going on. This book is guaranteed to keep you reading.

Cal is struggling in a tank of oil to keep his head above the surface. He knows he’ll either die of lack of air or die from the oil. At the last second the cover to the hole is opened. Cal climbs out to see a girl named Winter. Winter helps him and Cal goes back to his hideout in an old house. He hangs there for awhile then his friend Boges comes by. He suggests a blog for Cal for some public appeal. Cal goes with it and does get some support from people. Later Boges tells Cal that his mom moved into his uncle’s house. Days later Cal thinks his hideout has been compromised so he moves and finds a part of a sewer where he thinks no one would look. Wandering around, he finds a familiar house. He finds out it was where he was interrogated by the first gang. He runs, and after a series of hair-raising events, you won’t believe what he falls into. He barely escapes his latest predicament and is chased by the goon. He ends up in a railway station. Cal looses the goon but gets stuck on a train track, seeing a train bearing down upon him. Could he be at death’s door once again?

This sequel deserves 5 stars. It releases suspense from the first book, but adds more in the end. So when you think Cal would die from the oil, you find out he won’t. But then you know he is stuck on a train track. The pages and chapters are in the same format as the first book. I couldn’t just put this book down once I started. I recommend this to thrill lovers and people who read the 1st book. Do you think Cal can outwit his pursuers once again?

Review written by Zach (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Kane Miller for providing a copy of February for this review.

Have you read February? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History by Adam Selzer

The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History
by Adam Selzer
Non-series

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73650-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73650-3
Publication Date: December, 2009
List Price: $12.99

Review: The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History written by Adam Selzer is a very funny but factual book. The book has factual information about American History like what I learn in school but it is more fun to read than a normal history book. Before I knew what this book was about, I thought,”Nonfiction? Boring!” But this book changed the way I view nonfiction books.

There are eleven chapters in this book. The first chapter starts with early settlers to America. It includes what the historians thought happened before Christopher Columbus "discovered" America. The rest of the book takes the reader throughout history: the Revolutionary war, the late 1700's - early 1800's,the Civil War, the 1900's including the industrial revolution, WWI, the roaring 20's, the Great Depression, WWII, 1947-1989 which included the space race, a change in pop culture, and the civil rights movement. The book concludes on a chapter of recent events such as 9/11, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the election of Barack Obama. You can learn all of this from the internet, text books, and class lectures but what makes this book unique is the funny parts in it which were written or pictured in each chapter. For example there are pictures with captions that are funny because they depict history in an unexpected way. In the chapter about the late 1700's and early 1800's there was a humorous “try at home” experiment about flushing corn down a toilet because John Quincy Adams liked corn and was the first president to have a toilet in the White House. All history books have review questions at the end to help you review the chapter this book has a review about silly facts or jokes in the chapter.

I thought this book was great. I would recommend this to sixth graders and older. I say this because a lot of the jokes you have to know a little bit more about history than a child younger than 6th grade would know. An example is when it kind of makes fun of Christopher Columbus and how he knew the world was round. I give this book four out of five stars because it was funny and informational. Something I did not like about the book was the book did not tell all of the background to the jokes, which made the book confusing at times. This however could be an example of why the reader needs to have solid background knowledge before reading the book. Also there were some failed attempts at jokes within the book like the pickle jokes. However if this book were my history book I would want to do my history reading every day!

Review written by Kevin (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History for this review.

Have you read The Smart Aleck's Guide to American History? How would you rate it?

Book Review: FDR's Alphabet Soup: New Deal America 1932-1939 by Tonya Bolden

FDR's Alphabet Soup: New Deal America 1932-1939
by Tonya Bolden
Non-series

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-85214-X
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-85214-5
Publication Date: January, 2010
List Price: $19.99

Review: Tonya Bolden’s FDR’s Alphabet Soup is a well-written nonfiction book where she paints a clear picture of what America’s economic situation was like six decades ago during the great depression. The author elaborates on many programs/agencies that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, along with his administrative staff, developed to tackle the economic depression. The metaphor called "Alphabet Soup" was coined due to vast amount of acronyms utilized to name FDR's New Deal programs such as FERA - Federal Emergency Relief administration, PWA – Public Works Administration and the FDIC - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation etc.

Several months after Herbert Hoover became President in 1929, the Great depression was triggered by the mammoth stock market crash. Since the Republican strategy for prosperity in America is via trickledown economics and Herbert Hoover was a republican president, his economic recovery plan to help Big businesses instead of common man did not improve the economy. His economy revival plans lead to even more unemployment, poverty and homelessness. To show their disgust towards President Herbert Hoover’s economic policies, the homeless people called their shantytowns “Hoovervilles”. It is circa 1933 and Americans are desperately longing for a new direction for their economic wellbeing. Enter new President elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his “out of the box” thinking. FDR introduces bold plans for a sweeping economic recovery. His trickle up economic plans are met by stiff political, ideological, and legal challenges but he prevails and successfully improves American economy during his Presidency.

This book is an excellent read not only for learning American history but the grave similarity of trying times six decades ago to the current economic crisis. The author’s use of 1930’s era pictures, primary source documents and slang words/phrases gives an authentic feel to the narrative. Those who read this remarkable book will not be disappointed. I would recommend this book for readers 10 and above due to the subject matter complexity. All in all, this book deserves 4 out of 5 stars!

Review written by Ohm (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of FDR's Alphabet Soup: New Deal America 1932-1939 for this review.

Have you read FDR's Alphabet Soup: New Deal America 1932-1939? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

The Dead-Tossed Waves
by Carrie Ryan
Sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73684-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73684-8
Publication Date: March, 2010
List Price: $17.99

Review: Tragedy, romance, and a great plotline. Do you love all these great characteristics in a book? Of course! Then you should read The Dead-Tossed Waves, a sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. It’s a great book about friendship, and the importance of never abandoning friends- even in hard times.

The book starts off with a girl named Gabry, whose best friends Cira and Catcher want her to come with them out past the Barrier that separates the town of Vista (where they live) and the forest. Gabry knows this is dangerous, because Mudo (zombie-like creatures) wander the forest to look for humans to bite, and therefore Infect. When someone is bitten by a Mudo, they become Mudo. Gabry is anxious, but instead crosses the Barrier with her friends and others to an old amusement park. They turn around, and see a Mudo-like Breaker stagger into the clearing. Catcher tells Gabry to run, but she sees an Infected lurching over to her. Catcher saves her, but is bitten. He forces her to go back home before she's hurt. The next day Gabry tries to find Catcher; she travels past the Barrier on the beach and meets Elias, a boy who she later finds out is in a mysterious cult that worships Mudo, and when she finally finds Catcher, he tells her he is immune to Mudo. A few days later, Gabry must enlist the help of Catcher and Elias to find her mom who has disappeared. Gabry, Catcher and Elias traverse to find her, and when they finally do, her mother tells a tale of Gabry's mysterious young years. Trying to experience more than the world they already know, they come across Mudo, foreign strangers, and a heartbreaking love triangle that revolves around them.

The Dead-Tossed Waves is a great book filled with apprehension and pauses in the storyline. I personally thought it was an amazing page-turner suspense thriller that I couldn't put down until you read through it all (which is what I did in one night!). I liked that some parts left the reader hanging, like the time in between when she was at home and visiting Catcher. The author also threw in a lot of twists, like Gabry meeting Elias, Catcher's immunity, and other things. It was also really helpful that the author explained the Mudo, Infected , and Breakers, because I didn't read the first book, The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Otherwise, I wouldn't have understood the concepts very well. Also, I liked how she made Catcher be immune to Mudo bites, because I liked his character. In the beginning, I thought Catcher was really brave and it hadn't changed by the end of the story. In addition, I LOVED Gabry's 'hush-hush' past, because it totally changed the story and made it infinitely more interesting because Elias is wrapped up in it all. One last thing I liked was that Gabry was daring, brave, and willing to break the rules for her best friend Cira when Gabry looks for Catcher in the old run-down town. Some things I found unnecessary were all the blood, and violence at some points. I also disliked how the author made Gabry's mom seem so irresponsible, the way she just left Gabry all alone to take care of herself and the lighthouse. Nonetheless, all in all, The Dead-Tossed Waves is an amazing book. I can't tell you any more, but if you like how it sounds, read it! I can guarantee that you will love it.

Review written by Emily (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Dead-Tossed Waves for this review.

Have you read The Dead-Tossed Waves? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Ortega by Maureen Fergus

Ortega
by Maureen Fergus
Non-series

Kids Can Press
ISBN-10: 1-55453-474-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-55453-474-6
Publication Date: March, 2010
List Price: $16.95

Review: Humorous! Fantastic! Thrilling! Ortega, written by Maureen Fergus is a grand tale of a smart mouth gorilla and a demanding, self-centered scientist. How the two vastly different characters come together is no mystery at all once their stories are known. When there is trouble there will most definitely be Ortega with an angered scientist and a loving mother trailing behind. Right about now you would hear Ortega’s booming laughter and smug smile and then find yourself laughing with him.

All Ortega remembers of his childhood is that he was taken away from his mother at a young age because he was needed in a scientific lab. Painful surgery results in him having the ability to speak English. Growing up shows Ortega to be the worst trouble maker Dr. Whitmore, a head scientist, has ever seen. For his whole life until the age of eleven, Ortega has been living in his room all alone. Then, when Ortega is being forced to go to school, he faces a challenge that he fears. With riots to harm him and people to ridicule him, he is expected to make friends and do well in this strange new habitat. After a terrible start, Ortega believes that he may actually survive school and be able to complete this session of Project Ortega. But like the many things in Ortega’s life, trouble finds him once again and this time, he may not be able to get out of it.

A sensational read, Ortega shows how anyone can make friends no matter how different the person may be. Like many great adventures, Ortega finds himself gliding through every danger he comes across and always barley makes it past that danger. What makes Ortega such a wonderful read is that after starting off in the book as a smart mouthed, sarcastic, trouble making gorilla, Ortega learns important life lessons that change his attitude of people as well as life. I give this book five stars for its phenomenal humor and life lessons. Maureen Fergus has made reading a pleasure more than anything else. I also recommend this book to the ages of 9 years of age to adulthood because the humor found in the book is truly funny stuff - such as the cat and dog battles of Ortega and Dr. Whitmore. Books like Ortega are going to keep children reading for a long time, maybe even forever. If these books are like Maureen Fergus’s Ortega, I would not be very surprised at all.

Review written by Brandon (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates, Inc. for providing a copy of Ortega for this review.

Have you read Ortega? How would you rate it?