Molly Spungle: The Secret of Red Stone

 

by Jessie L. Best

 

As a fellow author and retired elementary teacher, I was invited to be a beta-reader for the manuscript of this delightful, magical tale! Molly Spungle is confronted by a wicked sorcerer, along with the other residents of her true fairytale land, in his efforts to gain all power and rule. However, despite the many challenges and lost battles, Molly and her band of growing friends work together against his evil intent to restore balance in the world and realms of magic. There is even a spark of continued adventures for Molly at the end of this book. Reading this fantastical story as a child, family, or as a class brings out an enchanting hope of goodness!

 

 

HARRY POTTER and the Cursed Child

 

by JK ROWLING, JACK THORNE and JOHN TIFFANY

 

If you are a fan of the famous Harry Potter series of books and movies, this new Harry

 

Potter tale will be a delightful addition! Though written in a script format for a play, this book

 

recaptures the flavor of Harry Potter's life experiences as a child to youth, propeling it

 

forward into his life as a husband and father and how this affects his own children! The

 

script format made it a faster read for me, but having read all the previous books, I could

 

easily imagine the scenes as they unfolded. A tale of Harry Potter magic rekindled, you will

 

love the twists and turns of this lastest story...and what will come next!

 

 

 

MERMAID'S SISTER - by Carrie Anne Noble

 

This was indeed a very charming tale about two girls adopted and raised by a fae woman. Being a fan of mermaid stories and fairy tales, I could not pass the chance to read this book when I heard about it. So glad I did as the author's storytelling was enchanting and hopeful, despite the many different challenges that thronged the lives and paths of the endearing story characters. Thanks for sharing this wonderful tale, Carrie Anne Noble! Well done! I look forward to more enchanting young adult stories that she writes and publishes!

 

 

 

Billy Bobble Makes a Magic Wand -

 

 

Billy Bobble Makes A Magic Wand by R. S. Mellette is a tantalizing tale of how two 12 year old child prodigies work together using their math and science knowledge/theories to create a magic wand to help in life's many challenges. However, when Billy tries out the wand at the high school they are attending, an explosion occurs and Billy vanishes!  Suzy Q, his cohort in the creation, is taken into custody by the police and interrogated as if she were the perpetrator! When Billy suddenly reappears out of nowhere, reality as we know it comes undone. Join Billy and Suzy in a wild ride of sheer genius, dumb luck, magic and wishes as their unique adventure takes on many a twist and turn. This mid-grade/YA novel was really a fun read!

 

I have to admit that having seen the NOVA documentary on the String Theory several years ago really helped prepare me for the theoretical and scientific thoughts presented at the beginning of this creative, modern tale. There were also a couple of crude, inappropriate words used in this story that made me frown as an educator and parent of young readers. I do not feel such vocabulary has a place in middle-grade or young adult novels. However, I look forward to reading what Billy B. and Suzy Q are up to in their next book of adventures!  Bring it on in Billy Bobble and the Witch Hunt! Check out this first book at:

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1940180090/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1940180090&linkCode=as2&tag=mothanddaugbo-20&linkId=TTJO3CJSRESKE57L

 

 

 

The Magnificent Cats of Lahaina -

written by Hilo Witz and Sarah Mazor and illustrated by Mary Kuzumkali Biswas, is an entertaining picture book for a child's bedtime story or any other snuggle time with a parent or caring adult.  Young, emerging readers will also find it enjoyable as they are challenge themselves in reading and developing new vocabulary, while being exposed to a bit of touristy atmosphere in Hawaii.  The book's illustrations are colorful and fun, helping readers to visualize the story of these kitty-cats and how they work together to solve a BIG problem using each of their unique abilities.

 

 

Part of this story was written in a rhyming stanzas, but though it seems unique to

 

have other, non-rhyming paragraphs in the same story, both are full of pertinent

 

information.

 

I appreciated this opportunity to read The Magnificent Cats of Lahaina for the authors illustrator, to share my review for them and all future readers!  It is a fun read with a great message, especially for those that love animals!

 

 

WICKA by Christy Deveaux -  A magically delightful adventure of discovery for readers of varying ages! 

 

This was an enjoyable, easy read for teens, young adults and adults alike.  The story had a fun, magical theme to it with a twist of mystery...components that I love in a story.  Christy's writing flows nicely, but it did take some adjustment for me as a reader to find that some of the conversation and thoughts of different characters were all wrapped up in the same short paragraphs.  I found myself having to go back at times to figure out which character being represented in that same paragraph said, thought or did what.  Some of the spelling favored British English over American English, which bothered me somewhat when the main character, Elizabeth Blake, was an American from the state of Michigan.  However, the story was engaging, enchanting, romantic.  I enjoyed the author's approach to the ancient history and variety of "witch hood" magic...and how it all enfolded in the life of a high school student as she comes to discover herself, the worth of family, and the importance of living with purpose and goodness.  Like the imaginative series of Harry Potter, Twilight, and many others...Christy's magical storytelling is one of hope of a brighter, better future by working together despite the existence of darkness.

 

I appreciated the opportunity to read WICKA and review it for the author...and future readers.  It is a delightful read!  I look forward to enjoying the following books of this series!

 

 

 

CRESS by Marissa Meyer I just finished this wonderful young adult novel titled CRESS by Marissa Meyer! This is book 3 in her Lunar Chronicles series and I just loved it! It left me hankering for more, just like book 1 (CINDER) and book 2 (SCARLET) did! Way to go, Marissa with your futuristic fairytale adventures and I can hardly stand waiting for book 4!So if you love fairytales with a sci-fi twist to your fantasy...this series is a must! We are loving these adventures in our home! Will these become movies in our near future?  Marissa...keep these wonderful adventures coming! :o)