Book Review: The Veiled Detective by David Stuart Davies

The Veiled Detective
by David Stuart Davies
The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Titan Books
ISBN-10: 1-848-56490-2
ISBN-13: 978-1-848-56490-9
Publication Date: November, 2009
List Price: $9.95

Review: Calling all Sherlock Holmes fans: this incredibly very well-written book with classic characters like Dr. John Watson, Sherlock Holmes, and Professor James Moriarty by author David Stuart Davies will fulfill your “Who done It” reading pleasures. The book's title is The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Veiled Detective. This is the first book of the re-released series. This mystery book is filled with action and adventure , I assure you that all your senses will be awakened.

The initial setting of the story is in Afghanistan circa 1880 where a drunk army medic named Dr. John Walker is dishonorably discharged from the army due to his inability to follow Army directives. During his journey back to England, he meets Captain Reed a professional thief who was also dishonorably discharged from the Army. As Dr John Walker was looking forward to a better future in England, Captain Reed Offered him employment and he accepted without due diligence. It turns out that Captain Reed was a senior operative of Professor Moriarty, also known as 'The Napoleon of Crime' in London. Professor Moriarty's crime syndicate was centered in London and some of his criminal schemes were undermined by a Witty detective named Sherlock Holmes. The sharp mind of Sherlock Holmes did not go unnoticed by Professor Moriarty, he found Sherlock Holmes intellect up to par with his. To keep a tab on Sherlock Holmes, Professor Moriarty devises a plan to spy on him, he decides to send Dr. John Walker in disguise as Dr. John Watson to become Sherlock Holmes friend and future roommate. As time passes and Dr. Watson gets to know Sherlock Holmes really well, he finds a true friend in Sherlock Holmes. This new friendship leads to Dr. Watson rejecting Professor Moriarty's devious plans knowing that the consequences will be dire. Will Sherlock Holmes outwit his most cunning adversary? Or will he perish and leave all of London in peril?

Review written by Ohm (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Titan Books for providing a copy of The Veiled Detective for this review.

Have you read The Veiled Detective? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Freefall by Ariela Anhalt

Freefall
by Ariela Anhalt
Non-series

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN-10: 0-15-206567-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-15-206567-6
Publication Date: January, 2010
List Price: $17.00

Review: “A rush of power surged over him. Luke never felt so much in control as when there was none, when all that existed was Luke and the air and the inevitable stop at the end. It was all up to him in those moments. He had decided that he was going to jump and that he was going to land in the water below, and there was absolutely nobody that could stop him. He had all the power.” Bringing suspense and truth to the next level, Freefall (written by Ariela Anhalt) is a wonderfully crafted art that will last for many years to come. What could possibly be more agonizing than witnessing the death of a student? A trip to Luke’s mother’s house?

Before becoming best friends with Haden Applegate, Luke is barely known by anybody. It is because of Haden that people even know Luke’s name. For both of them, fencing is the most important thing in the world. Each of them practices every day, finding time out of their busy homework schedules to get better than the day before. Haden of course is the leader of the team. All things must end sometime and that happens when Russell comes into the picture. It does not matter to Haden that Russell is better than everyone on the team except for himself. Russell and Haden hate each other from the very beginning and have no trouble admitting it. Drunk driving, girls, and fencing are now the least of his worries as Russell dies and Haden is to blame for the crime. From here, Luke must make a choice from what he saw that night. Will Luke be able to defend his friend or will he go against him? Just like the cover explains, “Sometimes the truth is a long way down”.

Mind boggling. Heart breaking. An outstanding book to the end of its fall. Freefall is a perfect example of a troubled teenager who in the end realizes who his true friends are and that the right thing to do is to forgive his mother for what she had done. I rate this book five stars because of the unimaginable detail and description. I felt like I could see through Luke’s eyes, seeing everything that he sees. I would recommend this at the reader’s book 13 and up because of its swearing. This is not a drawback of the book, but makes it more mature for older readers. My favorite part of the book was most likely the tension that never seemed to cease for Luke. I myself have found connections with Luke that I thought were quite interesting. At the age of just 14 years, Ariela was starting Freefall. Her imagination must be incredible to have come up with such a remarkable manuscript. I have no doubt that Ariela Anhalt’s fame will only increase. Good minds like hers will definitely shape the reading world of the future.

Review written by Brandon (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy of Freefall for this review.

Have you read Freefall? How would you rate it?

Book Review: THE GECKO & STICKY: Sinister Substitute by Wendelin Van Draanen

THE GECKO & STICKY: Sinister Substitute
by Wendelin Van Draanen
THE GECKO & STICKY

Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-375-84378-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-375-84378-5
Publication Date: January, 2010
List Price: $12.99

Review: Humor, suspense, and excitement, these are three topics that appear in the book The Gecko & Sticky Sinister Substitute. This book is written by Wendelin Van Draanen and illustrated by Stephen Gilpin. The main characters are Dave (a schoolboy with super powers), Sticky (Dave’s talking pet gecko), Ms. Krockle (Dave’s horrid science teacher), and Damien Black (Sticky and Daves arch nemesis and master of disguise). Dave attends Geronimo Middle School. The Gecko & Sticky Sinister Substitute is the most recent book in the series of three books.

It all starts when Dave notices that Ms. Krockle, his wacky science teacher, is absent. A very much odder event was that she is absent on dissection day. Even odder on top of that is the substitute. He looks familiar, but Dave can’t identify him by name. Although Dave can’t Sticky can see right through his disguise. The substitute is Damien Black. Damien Black has been trying to get a magic wristband and his gecko back from Dave. Damien Black keeps returning day after day in different disguise. Sticky thinks that Damien must have temporarily kidnapped Ms. Krockle for his purposes. How does Dave fit this dilemma? What will happen to Damien? There are a lot of unanswered questions.

This book was amazing and very cool. This is one of those books where once you have read it, you wish you had one of the character’s lives just for awhile. After finishing the book you have vivid dreams for weeks, because the book is so descriptive. An example of this description is in the book when it says “Ms. Veronica Krockle had never seen eyes as deep or as dark as Damien’s. They were like pools of ink or orbs of onyx.” In addition to the book being every descriptive it is also like riding a rollercoaster in the dark; you don’t know what is going to happen next. One moment there is hate that saturates the air, and then suddenly love melts their hearts. This book also keeps you on the edge of your seat. An example of this is in the book it says “Damien had the spark of a new idea.” What could this idea be? This book is also insanely funny. An example of this is in the book is when it says “And now Damien was, hose to nose with a vacuum so strong it could whisk him through a painful plop into a man- eating dragon’s sand pit.” Once you read the first chapter you have to read on because the characters and setting are so interesting. Both young and old people will love to read this humorous, fiction. Once you start reading you just can’t stop because there are points at the ends of chapters where you can’t stop. This book is also cool because Sticky Dave’s pet gecko speaks Spanish! Finally, this book also makes for a good learning experience. What else could you ask from a book?

Review written by Devin (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of THE GECKO & STICKY: Sinister Substitute for this review.

Have you read THE GECKO & STICKY: Sinister Substitute? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Pillow Book of Lotus Lowenstein by Libby Schmais

The Pillow Book of Lotus Lowenstein
by Libby Schmais
Non-series

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73756-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73756-2
Publication Date: December, 2009
List Price: $16.99

Review: The Pillow of Lotus Lowenstein, by Libby Shmais is such a cute book. Lotus Lowenstein has a dream of moving to Paris one day, and is determined to do anything to get to go there. When she ‘does’ move to Paris she wants to become an existentialist. But right now, her life is anything from her dream of living in Paris; she lives in Brooklyn, with an out of work dad, and a mother who thinks she is IT. Lotuses friend Joni also loves the French culture. So she decided to start the High Schools first French Club in hope of others seeking the greatness of the French culture. At the first meeting, they meet a cute boy named Sean, who also loves the French Culture. Sean worships Jean-Paul Sartre. Sean is the cutest boy according to Lotus, and is determined to get him together with Joni! Finally, there is Ms. G, and she is one of the schools teachers, who helps create the French club. If it weren’t for her, the French Club wouldn’t have gotten anywhere! The first French club meeting is when Joni and Lotus met Sean. Lotus believes Sean is the best thing that has ever happened to her. He is intelligent, cute, and very cultured. But little did Lotus know, Joni feels the same way about the new kid Sean. Sean, being the way he is, sees nothing wrong with accepting both Joni, and Lotuses affection. But something happens when Ms. G takes the French Club on their first field trip. Will Sean choose Lotus over Joni, or will he choose Joni over Lotus? Will Joni, and Lotuses friendship ever be back to the way it was?

I loved this book because it was so adorable, and I always had a smile on my face. This is because of Lotuses strong eye for fashion, and if he didn’t like the way someone dressed, she told them she didn’t like the way they dressed! I also liked how Libby Shamis included Lotuses diary entries, and work assignments, it really helped the reader understand Lotuses character a lot! One good example is the diary entry she wrote Things I Cannot Stand, and some of the things she cannot stand are; t-shirts with ridiculous sayings, Sudoku, people who listen to your phone calls then comment on them, and people who do not take your advice. The Pillow Book included drama, boys, and adventures, which are all three things I enjoy, and want to keep reading about. I would highly recommend The Pillow Book of Lotus Lowenstein if you are someone who loves, cute and entreating books. Also I believe many younger girls my age (eleven), and even some girls in high school would love this book. I can promise everyone who is looking for a cute book to read, will fall in love with The Pillow Book of Lotus Lowenstein, by Libby Shmais.

Review written by Briana (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of The Pillow Book of Lotus Lowenstein for this review.

Have you read The Pillow Book of Lotus Lowenstein? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Noodle Pie by Ruth Starke

Noodle Pie
by Ruth Starke
Non-series

Kane Miller
ISBN-10: 1-935279-25-4
ISBN-13: 978-1-935279-25-9
Publication Date: March, 2010
List Price: $15.99

Review: Noodles, markers, and strange foreign cousins. Do you like….well…most of these? If so, you’ll love Noodle Pie by Ruth Starke! It’s about a young boy discovering family, friends, and strange (but delicious!) Vietnam cuisine. Noodle Pie is centered on Andy, a boy from Australia who has no idea of his Vietnamese heritage. Andy goes to visit Hanoi, Vietnam, where he is called Anh. When he arrives with his father, he finds his extended family lined up from the most important person in the family to the least important person. The very last person is a girl named Minh, because girls are not well-respected. Her parents are divorced, and she is the daughter of the youngest girl. When they get to the house and restaurant, Andy is so surprised! The restaurant is not at all like Aussie restaurants. It's dirty, small, and doesn't even have tables and chairs. Andy’s father brings a lot of gifts for the family; a rice cooker, pots and pans for the family restaurant called Phuong Nguyen, a Game Boy, and rainbow colored gel pens. While on the plane, Andy is very confused, yet astonished. Back home in Australia, his father is only a gardener, yet he's wearing gold rings, expensive suits, and nice watches! Andy is anxious to know the truth.

Later, when all the gifts are being handed out, Andy sees the light and decides to give a very special box of gel pens to Minh. There are glitter, fluorescent, neon, and metallic pens, with 'every possible color gradation and type'. Andy gives her the whole box, and watches her face light up as she looks at it. Unfortunately, his Auntie Mo is very disapproving of this behavior. Usually in every fairy tale, there's a greedy, mean and selfish person. Auntie Mo is that person. After she makes Minh say a very formal thank-you, Andy reflects on how none of the other relatives said thank-you, including Auntie Mo. One night later, Andy is awakened at about 5:30 in the morning by a loudspeaker announcing the daily news, since most Vietnamese don't have the money for a newspaper or a radio. After a breakfast of pho (noodle soup), baguettes, and bananas, Andy, Minh, and their grandmother go to the market to buy food for Phuong Nguyen. Along the way, Minh gives Andy a new nickname: Noodles, because he ate his pho so slowly! So, 'Noodles' tries to get back at her by calling her 'Cheeky'. A little bit later, Andy goes to the restaurant to help out. He's very surprised to see his aunts kneeling on the sidewalk, chopping vegetables. He's also surprised at the change in Minh's attitude as she laughs and is absorbed in her work. Andy finally starts to wonder where all the customers are, and why they would even come to a place like this. Then, the lunch hour arrives, and Andy is overwhelmed by the stampede of people rushing in for lunch. After the family eats a delicious late lunch, Andy and his father go out to wander the streets. After a few days, Andy sees Minh wandering around. One day he follows her, and discovers that she's selling the pens he gave her! Andy is outraged, and confronts her. Minh explains she is trying to get money to go see her mother in Saigon. After that, Minh and Andy cook up a plan to make Phuong Nguyen even better, with real menus, tables and chairs, and a new name-Noodle Pie! Will they be able to make it work? Will Minh see her mom? Will Andy ever figure out his father? You'll have to read the book to find out!

All in all, Noodle Pie was a really good book. I liked how when Andy saw Minh, it was getting very suspenseful until you finally found out what she was up to. Also, I thought all the Vietnamese cuisine sounded really delicious. It made me want to try it, and I'll probably try to find a Vietnamese restaurant somewhere! I also loved all the family connections in this book and how Andy and Minh finally became friends. One thing I did not like about this book was that the extended family was so greedy and ungrateful for the gifts they got. I didn't think real Vietnamese people would be so mean about stuff like that. Also, this book made me really hungry! All the cooking sounded mouth-watering, and I hope I'll get to try some of the cuisine someday. Noodle Pie is a great book, and I hope the author will get to write other books because they'll probably be supreme!

Review written by Emily (6th grade student).

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

Have you read Noodle Pie? How would you rate it?

Book Review: The Ectoplasmic Man by Daniel Stashower

The Ectoplasmic Man
by Daniel Stashower
The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Titan Books
ISBN-10: 1-848-56492-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-848-56492-3
Publication Date: November, 2009
List Price: $9.95

Review: Have you read a good mystery recently? I have! The book, The Ectoplasmic Man by Daniel Stashower comes from The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes series. This book takes place in the late 1800’s in London, England. Harry Houdini is performing in London, and while there, he becomes a suspect in a recent theft of important letters concerning the Prince of Wales and another woman. These letters concern the private life of the future King of England. Bess Houdini visits 221 B. Baker Street because she fears someone from Houdini’s past means him harm.

Although Sherlock Holmes declines to aide in Houdini’s protection, Watson attends Houdini’s performance that night, on the behalf of Bess Houdini. Dr. Watson accidentally rescues Houdini from his water trap trick only to have Inspector Lastrade arrest Houdini. Just then, Sherlock Holmes reveals himself from the crowd, and promises then and there to prove Houdini’s innocence. He asks Houdini one favor - Do not escape from Scotland Yard until asked to, and Houdini gives his word he will wait.

This book manages to mix real life people with fictional events and characters. The book brings these two larger-than-life men together in a believable, enjoyable mix of adventure and dialogue. I enjoyed this book because it is an enthralling read that took me from the streets of London to the countryside of England. Daniel Stashower captured the essence of the greatest detective in his book. It felt as if Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself wrote this book. Stashower did this by his use of dialogue and the descriptions of Victorian England. It felt as if I was actually there.

Having read The Hound of the Baskervilles, there is a distinct similarity between the writing styles of the two authors. I couldn’t tell The Ectoplasmic Man was written by someone more than 100 years later. There was nothing about this book to dislike whatsoever, in fact, I recommend this book to any reader - Sherlock Holmes fan or otherwise.

This book is part of a re-released series of Sherlock mysteries written by multiple authors. I look forward to reading the other books in the series - “The game’s afoot!”

Review written by Jonathan (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Titan Books for providing a copy of The Ectoplasmic Man for this review.

Have you read The Ectoplasmic Man? How would you rate it?

Book Review: Hunter Brown and the Consuming Fire by The Miller Brothers

Hunter Brown and the Consuming Fire
by The Miller Brothers
The Codebearers Series

Warner Press
ISBN-10: 1-59317-357-1
ISBN-13: 978-1-59317-357-9
Publication Date: September, 2009
List Price: $13.99

Review: Some books are simply meant to be read, but other books are worth talking about. In this 2nd book by the Miller Brothers, Hunter Brown experiences swords, arrows, and the mysterious flame. Hunter Brown and the Consuming Fire is a special book for all ages. Intriguing creatures like snarks, fangworms, and the Xin are only part of what is in this book. Hunter Brown, Trista Golden, and Bobby Bungle (Rob) are in high school and discovered a new world called Solandria, which put their lives in jeopardy.

After returning from his first trip to Solandria, Hunter Brown waits for a sign from the Author, who is the creator of all things and people. The Author saved Hunter from dying, although Hunter was never really alive in the first place. After Hunter meets Rob, a boy who has been to Solandria before, and Trista, Hunter’s sister’s best friend, then Faith, a Thunderbird, carries all three to Solandria. But when they get to Solandria, they learn that the Resistance is in trouble and only the flame can stop it. Philian, the newest captain, trains the three people to fight better. Trista later shoots a giant fangworm. Everybody tries to rescue Hope, a young girl who Hunter likes. Hope gets captured by the Shadow, which are the evil people and creatures. There is a surprise and shocking ending and you’ll have to read the book to find out for yourself.

The Miller Brothers made me want to keep reading on and on until I finished the book. This book kept my interest by having surprises on nearly every page. On a scale of 1 to 20 this book scores a 19 because of all the adventures. (The first book gets a 17.) I hope the third book gets a score of 20. The Hunter Brown series is now one of my favorite sets of books due to all the action inside. When Hunter receives a surprise at the end of the book, I wanted to find out what it was. Unfortunately, I will have to wait until fall to find out what happens to Hunter Brown. Can Hunter really save the Resistance or will it fall to the Shadow? Find out in September in the next installment in the series, For the Way of Truth and Life!!!!!!

Review written by Adam (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Warner Press for providing a copy of Hunter Brown and the Consuming Fire for this review.

Have you read Hunter Brown and the Consuming Fire? How would you rate it?