Monster On The Hill

Monster On The Hill
Author: Rob Harrell
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Todd

Monster On The Hill was an interesting tale about a monster, one who has suffered seven years’ worth of growing depression. Instead of giving his town pride by scaring and attacking it and giving the local tourism a boost, he spends nights staring at the ceiling of his home wallowing in growing misery. What makes this story interesting though is that the monster, Rayburn, is not instantly cured of his depression. The story shows several aspects of depression that people may not understand about it: it can happen without you noticing right away, it can last a very long time, it is not something that just goes away if things get better, it’s something that shouldn’t be dealt with alone, and a lot of hard work might only ease the burden a little bit. However, Rayburn shows just how much that little bit of hard work and relief can mean. If you want a book that shakes up the idea of monsters that attack your town, this might be the one you’re looking for. The subtext is just a good bonus.

You Make Me Smile

You Make Me Smile
Author: Layn Marlow
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Sue

Summary: A young girl looks out her window at a wintry gray day.  But it is a very special day!  The first snow of the season is starting to fall.  It is cold outside, but she is bundled up and starts to build a snowman – a smiling snowman.  Dad takes a picture of her and her happy snowman.  Unfortunately the seasons change, and the snowman melts, but “if you wait….we can share a snowy smile again”.  The last page shows the picture that Dad took of her and the snowman. 

Review: Such a cute story!  There are very few words, but the illustrations tell a lot of the story.  It is a simple story that will make you smile. 

The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two

The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two
Author: Catherynne M. Valente, Ana Juan (Illustrator)
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Todd

Summary: September misses Fairyland and her friends Ell, the Wyverary, and the boy Saturday. She longs to leave the routines of home and embark on a new adventure. Little does she know that this time, she will be spirited away to the moon, reunited with her friends, and find herself faced with saving Fairyland from a moon-Yeti with great and mysterious powers.

Review: I shall continue to implore that you to do READ THIS SERIES!! This tale in the series is a bit different, but for good reasons. The first half of the book takes a while to find the plot as it’s about getting into fairyland (but that makes sense considering September and how she’s feeling about herself, growing up, and her trips into Fairyland.) September is growing up and she is now a teenager with responsibilities and worries, a heart that while not so new is still so raw and wanting to be hidden, and the lingering fear that her time for adventures grows shorter and may have passed completely. For her the magical age of childhood is slamming shut fast.

But one of several lessons, powerful ones that even adults need to be reminded of from time to time, is that just because one grows up does not mean that one has to let go of life’s magic or burrow away their heart where it can’t be shared. I will share half of one of those secrets, because like the narrator I care about the one who reads this. That secret is: “What others call you, you become.” And that is a theme that September struggles strongly against, as she doesn’t know her life’s goal just yet. And finally we learn what happened to the fairies that have been absent from their land, as well as getting to understand just how wicked and callous they could be for those unfamiliar with that concept. After all, the kind fae that September has met are the exceptions, not the rule, to their kin’s behavior. A thoroughly good read that is geared a bit more towards the older range of children, but can still be enjoyed by the younger ones with patience.

Spirit Animals: Wild Born (Book 1)

Spirit Animals: Wild Born (Book 1)
Author: Brandon Mull
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Aleece

Summary: As a dark force engulfs the land, the fate of Erdas has fallen on the shoulders of four young strangers who each have forged a rare bond with their spirit beasts -- a bond that gives great powers to all of them.

Review: This book is the first in the series and each book within the series is written by a different author (similar to the 39 Clues series and Infinity Ring series).  I really like the concept of this book because I feel it hasn’t been done before.  When children reach the age of eleven, they take part in a ceremony that requires them to drink a special nectar which helps them call a spirit animal (if they can call one at all).  Four children from different parts of the world not only summon spirit animals but they summon the fallen four, which before they were summoned were all but whispers in legends.  This was a fast paced book that kept your attention and went back and forth between the four characters perspectives and showed how each interacted as well as bonded with their spirit animals.  There was a lot of action that propelled the story and I enjoyed that each kid had their own unique background and I felt that it became more realistic when each kid struggled with their spirit animals and the situation in different ways.  I will be looking forward to the next book.

Macadoo of the Maury River

Macadoo of the Maury River
Author: Gigi Amateau
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Deb

Summary: This is the second book in the Horses of the Maury River series and told through the viewpoint of Macadoo. Macadoo is a Belgian horse who as a colt challenged his father in order to protect his mother and the rest of the herd.  He learns from that experience that his purpose in life is to help and serve others.  He moves on to other stables and has friends come and go, but finds courage to move ahead. Macadoo eventually finds a good home and friends where he learns to teach children therapeutic riding and vaulting.

Review: This book reminded me of the classic tale,  Black Beauty, because it is told through the eyes of the horse and he must undergo disappointments before finding his forever home as in Black Beauty.  Horse lovers will enjoy this touching story about courage and friendship.

In the House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods

In the House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods

Author: Matt Bell
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Lydia

There are no words to describe Matt Bell’s first book; mesmerizing, confusing, and surreal only begin to scratch the surface. Although the long title may sound pretentious, it fits with the level at which this book operates. This book cannot be just read; it must be read and re-read, savored and puzzled over.

The book contains no dialogue, and is set in a fictional place somewhere between reality and a fairy-tale. There are mythical monsters, a moon which falls out of the sky, and a woman who can sing objects into existence. It is a heartbreaking novel centered around one unnamed family—primarily the husband and wife—who long for a child but are unable to conceive one. The novel ruminates on marriage, and what happens to that union when it is based solely upon the desire for children.

While the book is complex and at times a dense read, the language is too beautiful and full of imagery too ignore. In the House Upon the Dirt Between the Lake and the Woods is a massive undertaking, and I think Bell achieved his goal of creating a dreamlike and fantastic world. I eagerly await his next novel.

Disney Princess: The Essential Guide

Disney Princess: The Essential Guide
Author: Naia Bray-Moffatt
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Sue

Summary: This book covers the lives and friends of the Disney princesses – Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Tiana and Rapunzel.  There are at least six pages devoted to each princess.  In each section there is information about each princess’s history, favorite things, friends and enemies, their prince, and the world they live in. 

Review: If you, or your child, love the Disney princess stories then this book will become a favorite book.  Beautiful illustrations, cut-away views of castles, village maps, and an assortment of facts make this a fun book to look at and read.  Little Disney Princess fans will be able to escape to a wonderful dreamland.