Reviews

Archive for the ‘Children's Fiction’ Category

The Lost Hero
The Lost Heroes of Olympus: Book One
by Rick Riordan
Publisher: Disney - Hyperion Books
Publication Date: 10/12/2010
ISBN: 9781423113393
Review By: Toni Rakestraw

Our family really enjoyed the Percy Jackson series, so we thought we’d dive into the next series featuring the demi-gods of Camp Halfblood. We read them aloud so everyone can enjoy them, one chapter at a time.

At first, the three different points of view threw me a little. Throughout the book, we get two chapters from Jason, two from Piper and two from Leo, pretty much in that order. I got used to it; in the end, I can see why the author wanted the story presented from all three viewpoints. It was effective, even though it took awhile to get used to.

Jason, Piper and Leo are the new kids on the block at Camp Halfblood, so of course they immediately are chosen to go on a quest. Jason’s storyline is leading to more in the next few books… he grew up with the Roman deities, which, while they are based on the Greek, they have slightly different aspects. This doesn’t become clear until you get well into the book. As a son of Jupiter (otherwise known as Zeus), he has a lot on his shoulders. Yes, that’s right. Poseidon and Hades weren’t the only ones to break that pact back in the Percy Jackson books. Admit it, are you really that surprised?

What makes this interesting is that Hera (or Juno, in the Roman), must work with Jason in this book, and we all know how she feels about Zeus’ shenanigans.

Piper is the troubled daughter of a movie star. This leads to some interesting situations. I thought it was great to have a daughter of Aphrodite finally be more than a primping beauty queen. There is nothing giggly about Piper.

Leo had a hard life from the start. Luckily, as a son of Hephaestus, he knows how to get the job done. He really grows a lot in this book; I look forward to seeing how he turns out.

The book takes you on an interesting journey as you meet many of Greek mythology’s most famous characters, like King Midas and Medea. I won’t spoil the story by elaborating on all the amazing updates these and other characters have made through Riordan’s pen. Suffice it to say that this book is full of adventure, lots of laughs, and some surprises.

If your kids like adventure, they’ll love this book. If you like the fun adventures that are only available in Young Adult literature, you’ll enjoy it, too. I give it a full five stars from our house.

Disclosure Statement: I did not get anything for reviewing this book. My daughter bought it so we could all enjoy it.

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Toni Rakestraw has been writing and editing for over 15 years. Learn more about what editing can do for you at Unbridled Editor.

The Atomic Weight of Secrets or The Arrival of the Mysterious Men in Black
The Young Inventors Guild: Book One
By Eden Unger Bowditch
Publisher: Bancroft Press
Publication Date: 03/15/2011
ISBN: 9781610880022

A book about science is a welcome novelty at a time when most juvenile fiction centers around magic and witchcraft. The Atomic Weight of Secrets is the first in a trilogy about five brilliant scientists, who just happen to be kids.

They are taken from their equally brilliant parents and brought to a farm in America by the men in black. These men in black are bizarrely attired in black bunny ears, or tutus, or furry coats and flippers, as though they went shopping at Value Village and grabbed all the black clothing and costumes to randomly mix and match for their wardrobes.

The children do not know why they have been taken by these weirdly dressed men. They don’t know why they haven’t heard from their parents. Nor do they know if their parents are safe or in danger.

Faced with all these uncertainties, the children decide they must escape the men in black, and rescue their parents. In order to do so, they will need to combine their brilliant minds and invent something spectacular.

The story is well-told and entertaining, with a great deal of mystery and suspense cut with anticipation of the next appearance of the men in black and their fantastic costumes.

As the first book in the Young Inventor’s Guild series, this book resolves little. The few things that do get accomplished by the children seem to be done for them rather than by them in the end. However, the mystery and storyline are strong enough to create a good deal of anticipation for the second book in the series, in hopes there are more answers to be found there.

Title: Avatar: The Last Airbender–The Lost Adventures
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Pub Date: 07/27/2011
ISBN: 9781595827487

If you were fortunate enough to have a young cartoon fan in the house during the three years Avatar: The Last Airbender series aired, you’ve probably been introduced to Aang, Katara and Sokka, the three protagonists at the heart of the story.

You also maybe familiar with the nearly fanatical devotion that the series inspired in its loyal viewers.

So it’s not surprising that the story extended into comics. The Lost Adventures collects the out-of-print, fan-favorite comics previously published in Nickelodeon Magazine and with the Airbender DVDs, plus over seventy brand-new comics pages.

The quality of storytelling and illustration are as consistent with the animated series as the stories are. Kid-friendly and fun to read, The Lost Adventures is sure to be a hit with any Airbender fans in your household.

Midway Monkey Madness
Part of the DC Super-Pets Series
By Sarah Stephens
Illustrated by Art Baltazar
Publisher: Capstone
Imprint: Picture Window Books
Pub Date: 01/01/2011
ISBN: 9781404863057


Midway Monkey Madness is about Superman’s pet monkey, Beppo the Super Monkey, and his friend Gleek, the Wonder Twins’ pet space monkey at a carnival.

Beppo was on the ferris wheel eating a chocolate covered banana when he heard screaming. He flew to the rescue to find that a giant evil ape named Grodd was freeing all the animals.

The Wonder Twins came to help get the animals back in cages while Gleek and Beppo kept Grodd busy. Using their brains against the giant ape’s brawn helped them all save the day.

The book is about 50 pages long and very easy to read. There are more pictures and jokes at the end of the story.

I think this book is great for kids 5 to 7 years old. It is a good book for any kid who likes super heroes or pets.

There’s A Wocket in my Pocket
by Dr. Seuss

This book is about a boy that has a whole lot of creatures living in his house.

They can pop out everywhere!

Their names rhyme with the places they are hiding.

My favorite creature is the Nink in the Sink.

My favorite picture in the book is of the Zower in his Shower.

I think kids who are learning how to read should get this book because it is REALLY fun!

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If You Give A Pig A Pancake
by Laura Numeroff

If you give a pig a pancake all sorts of other things happen, like he wants some syrup.

And that will lead to all kinds of other things.

The funniest part was when the pig made a tree house.

I like this book because in the first part the pig wanted some syrup with his pancake and at the end he wanted a pancake with his syrup.

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