Book Review

Just Read: “The Wildseed” by Marti Dumas

Kay Goodnight Uncategorized , , , , , , , , ,

Hasani has two goals after seventh grade ends – to expand her makeup YouTube channel and figure out a way to reunite her parents.

When an emotional outburst causes her undiscovered magical abilities to boil to the surface, Hasani is contacted by Les Belles Demoiselles, a charm school that teaches young ladies to harness their magic.

As excited as she is to understand her newly discovered abilities, Hasani has a lot of catching up to do. The other girls had grown up in a magical family. Hasani did not. The others come from homes of distinction and wealth. Hasani does not. So she is snubbed as ‘that scholarship girl.’

As Hasani struggles to learn as much as quickly as she can, she also sees the possibilities. Could her magic help her launch her channel to new heights? Could it make her dad leave his new bikini-wearing fiancée and return home where Hasani thinks he belongs?

Maybe it could. But at what cost to Hasani and those closest to her.

—

To be honest, when I selected this book, I expected another story about a school for young witches inspired by JK Rowling’s Harry Potter. I’m delighted to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Is this book about witches? Yes. But it’s not about casting spells. Instead, it’s story is about a school that teaches young ladies of means not just how to use charms, but how to BE charming. So, truly a finishing school for young ladies.

Dumas does a masterful job of helping readers connect to Hasani through her thoughts and her actions without overwhelming readers with either. Her settings are unique and fun, literally flowering off the page. I would highly recommend this book to witches or all ages.

@momteacherwriter, www.martidumasbooks.com

Just Read: “Mr. Gedrick and Me” by Patrick Carman

Kay Goodnight Uncategorized , , , , ,

In MR. GEDRICK AND ME, Stanley Darrow’s family is in need of help to bring a grieving family together after his father passes away. The house is a mess. Mom is stressed out over a looming work deadline. His sister, Amelia, shuts herself in her room. And his brother, Fergus, has developed a tendency to exaggerate the facts more than just a little bit.

Reminiscent of the magical fun of Mary Poppins, Mr. Gedrick arrives at their front door with just the touch of magic the Darrow family needs to put the joy back into their lives.

Told in first person by the main character, Stanley, Carman layers her tale with humor and puts a fresh twist on a nanny-saves-the-family theme. Several mysterious happenings keep the reader guessing. In the end, and with the subtle guidance of Mr. Gedrick, the Darrows find their individual strengths and talents. By bringing these strengths together, they rediscover the joy and power of being ‘family’.  

Carman does an outstanding job of delicately infusing a message without being preachy – that real magic can happens when families work together. Loaded with the quirky humor only the perspective of a nine-year-old can bring, MR. GEDRIK AND ME is a read kids will be certain to enjoy.

Just Read: “The Great Shelby Holmes” by Elizabeth Eulberg

Kay Goodnight Just Read , , , , , ,

I picked up THE GREAT SHELBY HOLMES instantly intrigued by the title character’s name, Shelby Holmes. I’ve been a fan of Sherlock Holmes since, well, forever. The books. The movies. The series. I loved them all. Eulberg perfectly captures all the best (and quirkiest) qualities of Sherlock in plucky nine-year-old Shelby Holmes. Her focus is on solving crimes and her success as a detective has made her a celebrity in the neighborhood and a thorn in Detective Lestrade’s side.

But what “Holmes” would be complete without a “Watson”.

Once again, Eulberg delivers.

John Watson moves in downstairs and is introduced to Shelby when something explodes upstairs (one of Shelby’s experiments, no doubt). John’s mom was in the army, so moving from place to place every couple of years had foster in him a talent for quickly making friends. With school still a few weeks away, John yearns to begin the friend-making process. But the only option so far is Shelby Holmes. And the concept of ‘friendship’ completely eludes Shelby.

When Shelby gets called in on a dog napping case, suddenly the “game is a-foot”. Watson tags along (often clueless but always eager to help). Together they follow the clues, leading them to a solution to the crime and ultimately to a unique friendship.

A wonderfully written story, moves quickly, will hold your interest, and has several laugh-out-loud moments. Established Sherlock Holmes fans will love it, but it will also appeal to and foster a new generation of Conan Doyle fans. (Side note: Shelby owns a dog named Sir Arthur. How great is that!)  

Just Read: “What Big Teeth” by Rose Szabo

Kay Goodnight Uncategorized , , , , , ,

Do you like books with magic? How about witches, werewolves, and other equally mystifying and somewhat terrifying creatures? Then WHAT BIG TEETH by Rose Szabo will be an interesting read for you.  

Eleanor Zarrin runs away from school after an alarming incident between herself and another pupil. With nowhere else to go, she returns home. Even though Grandma was the one who suddenly sent her away to boarding school all those years ago. Even though nobody wrote to her while she was away.  Or visited her. Even though they all forgot about her – stopped loving her.

Eleanor didn’t fit in at school. But she doesn’t fit in with the multiple generations of creatures that make up her family either. Grandma is a tarot-card-reading witch. Grandpa, one sister, and her cousin constantly shift between human and wolf. Mom sprouts polyps on half her body and sits in a tub of water even while eating. And then there’s Arthur, a family friend who hides behind dark glasses, appears from nowhere, never eats, and only drinks a dark brew prepared by her other monosyllabic sister.

When her Grandma suddenly passes away, she charges Eleanor with protecting their family. But her family treats her with suspicion, often casting fearful glances her way. Why would they fear her? What is it about herself that even she doesn’t understand? That’s the question that draws you into the story and keeps you reading.

To be honest, I didn’t think WHAT BIG TEETH was a good fit for me. I was wrong. And I’m going to tell you why.

Szabo humanizes even this mismatched group of not-quite-humans. She grounds you in the setting, makes you believe in the unbelievable, and writes monsters readers can sympathize with. Because we all need to belong, all need to be loved. We all want to feel safe and secure. It’s a universal need for humans and (I suppose) for monsters alike. But beyond that, Szabo creates a story blooming with intrigue, mystery, and the complicated relationships of the ultimate dysfunctional family.