The Familiars #2: Secrets of the Crown

The Familiars #2: Secrets of the Crown
by Adam Jay Epstein
4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Todd

Summary:
When human magic disappears suddenly from Vastia, it falls on the familiars, Aldwyn the telekinetic cat, Skylar the know-it-all blue jay, and Gilbert the gullible tree frog--to find the Crown of the Snow Leopard, an ancient relic that can reverse the curse.  They learn that the only way to do this is by following in the purple paw prints of Aldwyn's father, who'd gone missing while searching for the Crown years earlier. This magical spirit trail extends into the Beyond, where our heroes encounter new enemies and danger, while Aldwyn learns about his mysterious past. 

Review:
A cute story that anyone with a love of magic can enjoy. Each step the heroes take on their journey leaves you wanting to learn even more about the world that surrounds them. And while not an overt theme, one can read the story as a child who has just found a home for himself, who happens to come across a connection to his parents, and starts to truly seek out who his parents really were.  And then asks that child the questions of: will you be happy from what you’ve learned, just how much do your parents define you, and even if you can’t see any reason to like them, should you want to do honor to their memory? This was a great book that I highly recommend!

Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me

Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me

Author: Richard Fariña
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Reviewer: Lydia

Richard Fariña’s book was a hidden surprise for me; I’ve never heard of him before, but his quirky style is very reminiscent of such authors as Thomas Pynchon or David Foster Wallace. Set in the Beat era, this short book follows the adventures of Gnossos Pappadopoulis as he rambles, meanders, and gallivants through his college years and life in general. There are encounters with bears, a run-in with a fraternity, and did I mention lots of aimless meandering?
Fariña’s style, like Pynchon’s or Foster Wallace’s, is not for everyone. Sentences begin and then end three lines later without much regard for punctuation, obscure references are made regarding everything from art to history to religion, the reader rarely knows who is speaking, and in actuality, there is no real plot line. In the end, as much as I enjoyed the strangeness and humor of this novel, Fariña’s style sometimes becomes overwrought and tiresome.

Bone

Bone

By: Jeff Smith

5/5 stars

Reviewer: Will N.

What is Bone, I hear you ask?  Bone is...wait, what?  You didn't ask?  Well...uh, it doesn't really work if you don't ask.  So, just go on, go ahead and ask.  You can, I don't know, whisper it or something, or write it on your hand.  Go on, I'll wait.

....we good?  Ah-ha!  Excellent.  So!  What is Bone, you just now asked?  Good question (if I don't say so myself).  Bone is an all-ages comic boo - hey, hey hey!  Get back here!  You asked so now you'll have to listen to the whole spiel, capiche?  Yes, I know I said all-ages comic book, but that doesn't mean it's just for kids!  This is for all ages, I'm telling you.  Just trust me on this.  Sit down.

There.  *Ahem*  So, this is a story of humor, and epic fantasy.  It follows three strange creatures, cartoonish cousins from a place called Boneville, as they stumble into an uncharted valley unlike anything in their experience.  There they find themselves pulled into a troubled kingdom filled with ancient conflict, and encounter princesses, dragons, monsters, and more.  We are talking fantasy epic here, think Lord of the Rings, only with more of a sense of humor.  Did I mention it's funny?  And that it is a fantasy story?  You have that look that tells me you get the idea, and that I should stop talking now.  I suppose I will, since part of the fun is figuring out the story as you go.

Bone was independantly published, written and drawn entirely by cartoonist Jeff Smith.  The series has won over twenty one awards.  It may take a little while to get going, but it is well worth the attempt.

Little Pink Pup

Little Pink Pup
by Johanna Kirby
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Dawn

Summary:

When Pink was born, he was the runt of the litter. His piglet siblings were much larger and pushed him out of the way to get food. He was so small that the Kirby family did not think he would survive. So, they brought him into their home, where he encountered Tink, the family’s pet dachshund. Tink just had her own litter of puppies and when she saw Pink, she immediately welcomed him into her family and nursed him back to health

Review:

This is such a wonderful, heartwarming story. I’m so glad that Johanna Kirby chose to turn Pink and Tink’s story into a children’s picture book. Written in clear, simple text, this story is inviting for beginning readers. The full-color photos were the perfect choice for illustrating this non-fiction tale that will definitely appeal to a wide audience. This book is perfect for teaching children about accepting people who are different.

Three Black Swans

Three Black Swans
by Caroline B. Cooney
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Deb

Summary:

Missy and Claire are teenage cousins who happen to look alike.  Missy is given an assignment at school to plan a ‘hoax’ and present it to class.  Her ‘hoax’ is to go on the school tv program and announce that she has found her long lost twin, her cousin, Claire.  The ‘hoax’ creates all sorts of complications and new discoveries.  Are they really twins, were they adopted and is there someone who has seen their program on YouTube and knows the truth about them?  

Review:

Caroline Cooney is at her best with this realistic fiction novel.  There are surprises and twists that keep this story moving and makes the reader wonder what is really going on with the girls. Great story!  

Smile

Smile
by Raina Telgemeier
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Sue
Rebecca Caudill 2013 Nominee

Summary:

This graphic novel about the author, Raina Telgemeier, is about her rather dramatic dental experience after her front teeth were severely injured when she was in sixth grade.  Falling when she was running into her house sets the scene for the whole book.  Not only does Raina have to deal with numerous dental procedures and surgeries, but she is also going through all the middle school and early high school experiences.

Review:

I really enjoyed this graphic novel!  It was fast paced and quite entertaining.  The descriptions of Raina’s dental work were presented in such a way that you could really empathize with the middle school, and then early high school, situations that she went through.  Some of it was hard not to wince at, but Raina was a real trooper.  The book ends on a positive note with Raina learning her new friends are true friends, and that when she smiles at someone, they smile back.  J

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If the Walls Could Talk: Family Life at the White House

If the Walls Could Talk: Family Life at the White House
by Jane O'Connor
5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Helen

Summary:
A lighthearted look at the First Families of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. These are funny, surprising stories of the most famous home in America and its occupants.

Review:
Interesting, amusing and exceptionally well-illustrated. Also, these walls have quite a bit to tell about the house and its occupants. As an example, during President John Tyler’s presidency, the White House was such a mess that it was called the “Public Shabby House:, President William Howard Taft was so large he had to have a jumbo sized bathtub installed, big enough for 4 people; and President Lincoln didn’t mind that his younger sons Tad and Willie, kept pet goats in their White House bedroom.