children's books

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: “Stella” by McCall Hoyle

Kay Goodnight Uncategorized , , , , ,

Once again, I’ve stumbled across a book I would have loved when I was young(er), another book whose cover invited me in with a story that intrigued me enough to stay for the whole party.

STELLA is a juvenile fiction book by McCall Hoyle staring Stella, a beagle recently retired from service as an explosives dog (dog’s that sniff out potential bomb threats). When she misses a scent at the airport that results in a fatal explosion and the loss of her handler and friend, Connie, Stella is racked by guilt and plagued by anxiety attacks. Now loud noises terrify her almost as much as being left alone. Unable to control her fears, Stella fails three times with new owners. With three strikes against her, Stella is given one last chance with a dog trainer and her daughter, Cloe. But it’s supposed to be only a temporary reprieve. “Don’t get attached,” Cloe’s mom warns.

Told from the point of view of Stella, this book delves into the mind of a dog who lives by her nose. The swirling scents of her world inform Stella through her keen sense of smell. Among them are the comings and goings of animals, the gun-bearing intentions of neighbors, and a strange chemical smell emanating from Cloe just before she has epileptic attacks. Stella’s dilemma – how to pass this information on to the humans in her life and warm them against danger.

Loaded with touching moments, Stella struggles with her own fears and tries to overcome them for the sake of Cloe. Packed with action as well as being informative, STELLA is a book I’d come back to again and again for a hearty dose of fun.