Click Here To Start ~ By Denis Markell – 4.5 Stars

Tags

Adventure, Computer Games, History, Japanese-American Fighters, Japanese-American Internment Camps, Juvenile Fiction, Mystery, WWII

Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Books For Young Readers, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: July 19th, 2016

Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Ted Gerson has spent most of his summer playing video games. So when his great-uncle dies and bequeaths him all the so-called treasure in his overstuffed junk shop of an apartment, Ted explores it like it’s another level to beat. And to his shock, he finds that eccentric Great-Uncle Ted actually has set the place up like a real-life escape-the-room game!

Using his specially honed skills, Ted sets off to win the greatest game he’s every played, with help from his friends Caleb and Isabel. Together they discover that Uncle Ted’s “treasure” might be exactly that–real gold and jewels found by a Japanese-American unit that served in World War II. With each puzzle Ted and his friends solve, they get closer to unraveling the mystery–but someone dangerous is hot on their heels, and he’s not about to let them get away with the fortune.

Click Here To Start is a fun and exciting adventure from start to finish. First, I thought the concept of basing a story around the computer game Escape-the-Room, highly original. And if that isn’t enough, the author throws in WWII, the Monument Men, the Nisei Brigade (the Japanese-American unit that served during the War), and the internment of Japanese-Americans in this country. And making things even more appealing for history and literature lovers there’s the many references to classics such as Farewell to Manzanar and The Maltese Falcon. What I loved about this though, was how Denis Markell made his story educational, yet he does so in such an interesting way that kids won’t mind. The three main characters, twelve-year-old Ted, Caleb, and Isabel are written wonderfully. As an adult reader I found them to be engaging and hilarious, particularly Ted, the narrator. I thought Markell perfectly captured that tween voice: charm, snark, angst and all. I think kids reading this will complete relate to them. The only reason I’ve knocked off 1/2 a star is because there were a few scenes where a couple of the adults, mainly Ted’s dad, come across as rather dim-witted. This really isn’t enough to spoil the story though. The plot is engaging and filled with puzzles aplenty which will keep readers guessing right up to the exciting conclusion. This is the kind of book where kids will thrill to the mystery and suspense, and parents and teachers will be more than satisfied with the educational aspects which will lead to some great discussion, as well as the diversity of the characters, (Ted is half Asian and half Jewish). I have no qualms in recommending this for upper elementary and middle-school aged kids. I think it’s a great book to share in classrooms, book discussion groups, and with the family. As a former children’s librarian I will even go so far as to say that I hope Click To Start is nominated for this year’s Newbery Award. This is a literary award given annually here in the U.S. to the author of “the most distinguished contribution to American literature for young children.” Yes it is that good! While it may be a standalone, the ending hints that there may be more adventures out there for this intrepid trio. Personally, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there are, because I’m certainly interested in whatever else may be in store for them.

The Accidental Alchemist ~ by Gigi Pandian – 4.0 Stars

Tags

Alchemy, Cosy Mysteries, Gargoyles, History, Paranormal

 This ebook was provided to me by NetGalley and Midnight Ink in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Herbalist Zoe Faust is looking to start over. She leaves France and buys what she thinks is the perfect fixer-upper in Portland, Oregon. Then she discovers a three and a half foot living, breathing gargoyle in one of her shipping crates. Dorian Robert-Houdin was brought to life in the 1800s by a magician. Unfortunately he is now in danger of turning back into a statue and seeks Zoe’ s help in translating an ancient text. You see, in addition to being an herbalist, Zoe is also a three hundred year old Alchemist. While she’s trying to process this, Charles, the contractor who she hired, shows up dead on her front porch. And finally, fourteen year old Brixton, responding to a dare to break into her “haunted” house sees the walking talking Dorian. So much for a peaceful, uncomplicated life!

The Accidental Alchemist is a really cute cosy paranormal mystery. Zoe is interesting and likeable. Because of her personality and some of her actions though I found it a little hard to believe she’s 300 years old. She’s also a Vegan and this is discussed frequently. So much so that I did find it distracted from what otherwise was a great story. Dorian is absolutely adorable and his frustration over no longer being in France is hysterical! Plus he can cook! Brixton is a wonderful character who you instantly like even when you know he has some devious intentions. And finally, the possibility of a romantic relationship with Detective Max Liu is introduced without taking over the story. Ultimately this is a very different sort of cosy which seamlessly integrates both fictional and historical characters. I would very much like to see more books about Zoe and Dorian as they make a fantastic sleuthing team.

The Secret Journal of Ichabod Crane ~ by Alex Irvine – 5.0 Stars

Tags

Freemasons, History, Horror, Legends, Love Stories, Mystery, TV shows

  I received a print copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.

Are you a fan of Sleepy Hollow? Then you will enjoy The Secret Journal of Ichabod Crane. The book delves into the complicated mind of Ichabod, and gives you greater insight into what makes this fascinating man tick. It includes secret case files, Freemason puzzles, Ichabod’s recollections of the Revolution, passages from his mentor George Washington’s mysterious Bible, and his own amusing thoughts on modern day life and technology. I especially loved his “Things to remember” list:

– turn off lights by pressing switch.

– the big box in the kitchen keeps food cold and it will last longer than a day.

– images on the television? might be real.

– taxes are really high.

– coffee shops are everywhere.

The book also shares Ichabod’s private thoughts regarding Abbie, Katrina, and other characters featured in the show. Interspersed throughout are exquisite drawings, photographs, newspaper articles, and letters that he has collected during his long journey. The front and back cover further give this the look of a real journal. I highly recommend this to fans of Sleepy Hollow, and if you’re not a fan yet, you will be after reading this.

September 11th ~ 13 Years Later

Tags

Heroism, History, Murder, Politics, Terrorists

It’s amazing to me that it was thirteen years ago when the most despicable attack on our country was made by evil individuals whose twisted agenda, made a mockery of a peaceful religion. I was still a children’s librarian and was setting up before we opened. The phone rang, shattering the silence. It was one of my colleagues who worked on the circulation desk on the main floor. She told me to go on AOL because a plane had just crashed into one of the WTC towers. I immediately went online and watched, horrified as the smoke and flames poured out of the building, never guessing that this could be a deliberate act. I went upstairs where everyone was gathered around the computer. Then the second plane hit. I heard gasps, then people crying including myself. I felt as though someone had just punched me in the stomach. Okay, one plane, maybe the pilot had a heart attack, but two? How could this happen? We were the United States. Who could possibly hate us this much? As the unimaginable events continued to unfold throughout the day, our Assistant Director set up the tv in our meeting room so we were able to take turns watching the news coverage. It was surreal. You didn’t really want to see the horrific images, yet you felt like you had to bear witness to what was happening, especially the incredible heroic actions of firefighters, police, and even ordinary citizens. No matter how many years pass I will always remember everything regarding the events of that day. My husband calling to check on me. Which library patrons came in. The conversations. The reactions. For me, September 11th was the day we lost that secure feeling that as terrible as the fighting was in the rest of the world, particularly the Middle East, it would never touch us here at home. That our foreign policies could never inspire such hatred and resentment that people would actually want to kill as many American citizens that they could. September 11th, 2001 was the day our country lost it’s innocence.