{Trailer Sunday} The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one...except the "thing" inside her.When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no "normal" Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch....

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of "them." The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help--and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

{Steampunctober} Steampunk for kids

Today we have a special little collection for those of you looking for a little of steampunk for your little ones.

 The Diamond Thief by Sharon Gosling

No one performs on the circus trapeze like 16-year-old Rémy Brunel. But Rémy also leads another life, prowling through the backstreets of Victorian London as a jewel thief. When she is forced to steal one of the world’s most valuable diamonds, she uncovers a world of treachery and fiendish plots.

Meanwhile, young detective Thaddeus Rec is determined to find the jewel and clear his name. Will Thaddeus manage to rescue the jewel? Or is it really Rémy that he needs to save?

The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann

Don't get yourself noticed and you won't get yourself hanged.

In the faery slums of Bath, Bartholomew Kettle and his sister Hettie live by these words. Bartholomew and Hettie are changelings--Peculiars--and neither faeries nor humans want anything to do with them.

One day a mysterious lady in a plum-colored dress comes gliding down Old Crow Alley. Bartholomew watches her through his window. Who is she? What does she want? And when Bartholomew witnesses the lady whisking away, in a whirling ring of feathers, the boy who lives across the alley--Bartholomew forgets the rules and gets himself noticed.

First he's noticed by the lady in plum herself, then by something darkly magical and mysterious, by Jack Box and the Raggedy Man, by the powerful Mr. Lickerish . . . and by Arthur Jelliby, a young man trying to slip through the world unnoticed, too, and who, against all odds, offers Bartholomew friendship and a way to belong.

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

Alyss of Wonderland?

When Alyss Heart, heir to the Wonderland throne, must flee through the Pool of Tears to escape the murderous aunt Redd, she finds herself lost and alone in Victorian London. Befriended by an aspiring author named Lewis Carrol, Alyss tells the violent, heartbreaking story of her young life. Alyss trusts this author to tell the truth so that someone, somewhere will find her and bring her home. But he gets the story all wrong. He even spells her name incorrectly!

Fortunately, Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan knows all too well the awful truth of Alyss' story and he is searching every corner of our world to find the lost princess and return her to Wonderland so she may eventually battle Redd for her rightful place as the Queen of Hearts.

The Looking Glass Wars unabashedly challenges our Wonderland assumptions surrounding mad tea parties, grinning Cheshire cats, and a curious little blond girl to reveal an epic battle in the endless war for Imagination.

Freaks by Kieran Larwood

Weirdest. Crime Fighters. Ever.

Sheba, the fur-faced Wolfgirl, can sniff out a threat from miles away. Monkeyboy clambers up buildings in the blink of an eye -- then drops deadly stink bombs of his own making (yes, THAT kind)! Sister Moon sees in the dark, and moves at the speed of light. Born with weird abnormalities that make them misfits, these FREAKS spend their nights on public display, trapped in a traveling Victorian sideshow. But during the day, they put their strange talents to use: They solve the most sinister crimes. And in a dank, desperate world of crooks and child-snatchers, they're determined to defend London's most innocent victims: the street urchins disappearing from the city's streets.

The Dead Gentleman by Matthew Cody

The dead are up and walking, and the Gentleman is at the door...

Featuring a kid hero, time travel, and otherworld portals in unexpected places (maybe there are monsters under your bed), The Dead Gentleman is a wild ride between parallel New York City timestreams—1901 and today. Eleven-year-old Tommy Learner is a street orphan and an unlikely protege to the Explorers, a secret group dedicated to exploring portals—the hidden doorways to other worlds. 
But while investigating an attercop (man-eating spider) in the basement of an old hotel, Tommy is betrayed—and trapped. And it's then that his world collides with that of modern-day Jezebel Lemon, who—until the day she decides to explore her building's basement—had no bigger worries than homework and boys. Now, Jezebel and Tommy must thwart the Dead Gentleman—a legendary villain whose last unconquered world is our own planet Earth, a realm where the dead stay dead. 
Until now. Can two kids put an end to this ancient evil and his legions of Gravewalkers?

The Brimstone Key by Derek Benz, J.S. Lewis

Max---the leader

Natalia---the brains

Ernie---the changeling

Harley---the muscle

A year ago, the Grey Griffins were just regular kids from Avalon, Minnesota. That was before they learned about the existence of evil fairies, werewolves, and other things that go bump in the night. Now they are monster-hunters, celebrated heroes, and allies to the legendary Templar knights---but even heroes have to go to school.

When the Griffins enroll at Iron Bridge Academy, a school to train young recruits in the fight against the forces of evil, they find themselves at the center of a whole new adventure. The Clockwork King, a Templar foe from days past, has returned to finish the plan he set in motion decades ago. A plot to steal the souls of changelings---humans infused with fairy blood and supernatural abilities---in order to power his army of clockwork war machines.

In The Brimstone Key, authors Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis deftly blend the mystical wonder of steampunk with magic and adventure to create an action-packed thrill ride.

I hope you find something interesting for you and your kids in this list, and if you have some books to suggest please share.

{Trailer Sunday} Bad Unicorn by Platte F. Clark

It wasn't Max Spencer's idea to fight robots, lead an army, or save the world—it just so happens that he's the only living person who can read the most fantastical book ever written: The Codex of Infinite Knowability. The Codex is no ordinary book, and among other things, it describes a unicorn named Princess the Destroyer.

Princess the Destroyer is no ordinary unicorn. She loves nothing more than hunting down, killing, and eating other creatures. After all, what's the point of having a sharp horn on your forehead if you don't use it for destructive purposes? And right now Princess has a very definite purpose: Find Max and retrieve the lost Codex for an evil sorcerer and his mysterious master. If she can do that, she's been promised an all-the-humans-you-can-eat buffet in Texas.

Stuck in another world and with a carnivorous unicorn on his trail, Max must find the courage to save himself, his friends, and, oh yeah...the entire human race.

{ARC Review} The Treasure of Way Down Deep by Ruth White

Publication date:  August 27^th, 2013

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

ISBN-13: 9780374380670

Synopsis

In 1954 Ruby Jolene Hurley turned thirteen, while blowing the candles to her cake she made the a far out wish, to find the treasure of Way Down Deep that was hidden by the towns founder in hopes of escaping the pirates he had stolen it from.

Finding the treasure could change a lot of things for Way Down Deep, its neighbors after mining sites start to close and an evil wind starts to blow on the town’s direction.

Review

The treasure of Way Down Deep by Ruth White is not your typical children’s book, it touches some a subject that a lot of children’s books try to stay away from death, in this case the death of a pet, so you as a parent should be aware of all the questions this might lead to and in my opinion it isn’t a subject you would want to leave up in the air.

I like that even if the story revolves around Ruby not everything in the story is about her, in this short book we get to know a lot of the inhabitants of Way Down Deep, be it educators, towns people, people that live in the same boarding house as Ruby and some of Ruby’s classmates.

For being such a small book I feel it not only lets us know other characters but it also handles more than one subject, such as death, the attitude of some adults, greed and how one can better oneself if one really wishes to do so.

Adults and kids can enjoy this book and even compare some of the points given here, so if you are looking for a book that will help you interact with your child you may want to consider this one.

Rating:

{Trailer Sunday} The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

Series: The Books of Beginning #1

Publication date: April 5th, 2011

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

ISBN-13: 9780375868702

The Emerald Atlas brims with humor and action as it charts Kate, Michael, and Emma's extraordinary adventures through an unforgettable, enchanted world. 
These three siblings have been in one orphanage after another for the last ten years, passed along like lost baggage. 
Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about. Until now. 
Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey through time to dangerous and secret corners of the world...a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem. And—if an ancient prophesy is correct—what they do can change history, and it is up to them to set things right.

{Review} Bowling Alley Bandit by Laurie Keller

Publication date: June 04, 2013

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

ISBN-13: 9780805090765

Synopsis

Fresh out of the baker and into Mr. Bing's life comes Arnie the Doughnut how is half of the time a regular doughnut and the other half just a chocolate covered sprinkle doughnut.
This time we follow Arnie the Doughnut in his life at the bowlling alley where he goes from karaoke enthusiast to crime solving doughnut. Follow Arnie as she show's us why he loves the bowling alley so much and how he tries to keep it a safe place.

Review

If you like to read books from the first book and then mover from there then you might want to check out the first Arnie the Doughnut book by Laurie Keeller, but if you don't mind I don't think it would be hard at all to feel up the holes in the story.
This story is more limited on the age range, I like middle grade books that both me and my little cousins can enjoy but this one is more for the little little ones and even if it was amusing to see a doughnut survive a bowling alley it was really obvious at times.
Little kids, in my opinion, will enjoy this story it is accompanied by good art work that makes the story more dynamic and I can imagine little kids having a blast during a little reading time accompanied by a great narrator.
The thing that made this book shine for me is that it doesn't paint Mr. Bing as an old man without energy, no Mr. Bing goes out for walks with Arnie, he bowls and enters tournaments. Mr. Bing is by no means the primary character yet I love the fact that he is in a children's story and that he breaks the old man mold.

Rating:
For adults

For kids

{Trailer Sunday} Hetty Feather by Jacqueline Wilson

Publication date: October 8, 2009

Publisher: Doubleday Childrens

ISBN-13: 9780385614443  

London, 1876 and Hetty Feather is just a tiny baby when her mother leaves her at the Foundling Hospital. The Hospital cares for abandoned children - but Hetty must first live with a foster family until she is big enough to go to school.

Life in the countryside is hard but with her 'brothers' Jem and Gideon, she helps in the fields and plays imaginary games. Together they sneak off to visit the travelling circus and Hetty is mesmerised by the show, especially Madame Adeline and her performing horses.

But Hetty's happiness is threatened once more when she is returned to the Foundling Hospital. The new life of awful uniforms and terrible food is a struggle for her. But now she has the chance to find her real mother. Could she really be the wonderful Madame Adeline? Or will Hetty find the truth is even more surprising? 

{Review} The Barftastic Life of Louie Burger by Jenny Meyer Hoff

Publication date: June 11, 2013

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

ISBN-13: 9780374305185

Synopsis

Young Louie Burger likes to spend his time in his big closet preparing comedy routines for his shows and comedian posters, but when his sister asks the big question “Are you really a comedian if you don’t perform in front of others?” Louie’s closet is in danger of disappearing and he can’t get that questions out of his head, especially with the fifth grade talent show coming up and several people telling him he should perform.

Now Louie isn’t in danger of losing his comedy stage but also of losing his best friend when  a new friend comes into Nick’s world and Louie feels set to the side. Can Louie get his confidence and perform with an audience while getting back his spot as Nick’s best friend?

Review

The Barftastic Life of Louie Burger had me worried at first; there was an excessive use of the word barf, I say excessive because it is a word we don’t hear so often and here you might get to see it on every third page or so. I thought the book would lose all relevance and the word barf would be the only thing I would end up remembering from this book; I was gladly proven that I was wrong.

 Louie is a flawed character, he feels real and you can feel his change moods along the story. I like how he doesn’t make it a big deal that he is the only male sibling in his family and how he takes the time to play with Ruby his quirky and adorable little sister that isn’t afraid of marching at her own beat.

The lessons Louie learns in this book are valuable for every kid to remember, bullies aren’t funny and you should not make fun of someone else just to escape the bully-radar, being afraid is natural but there are some rewards for those that decide to take the risk any way, don’t judge others by their appearances   you might be stealing yourself of a wonderful opportunity.

I would have wished that the character known as Thermos would have had a more complete part to the story, I know this is Louie’s story but I think this character could bring a story really worth telling to the table. The way this character gets bullied and the way Thermos fits into the story would have helped give this story the extra kick it needed to be a great story.

I loved that the parent figures weren’t shadows or blurbs on the background of the story, Louie Burger has a family who spends time together, the parents issues aren’t oblivious to the children yet they are just there enough to enhance the main points that this books is trying to make.

Yes, I do think The Barftastic Life of Louie Burger is a book worth checking with your little owns.

Rating:

 

{Trailer Sunday} It's a Book by Lane Smith

Publication date: August 10. 2010

Publisher: MacmillanChildren

ISBN-13: 9781596436060

Playful and lighthearted with a subversive twist that is signature Lane Smith, IT’S A BOOK is a delightful manifesto on behalf of print in the digital age. 
This satisfying, perfectly executed picture book has something to say to readers of all stripes and all ages.

{Trailer Sunday} The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Series: The School for Good and Evil #1

Publication date: May 14, 2013

Publisher: HarperCollins

ISBN-13: 9780062104892

At the School for Good and Evil, failing your fairy tale is not an option.

Welcome to the School for Good and Evil, where best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

With her glass slippers and devotion to good deeds, Sophie knows she'll earn top marks at the School for Good and join the ranks of past students like Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Snow White. Meanwhile, Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks and wicked black cat, seems a natural fit for the villains in the School for Evil.

The two girls soon find their fortunes reversed—Sophie's dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School for Good, thrust among handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication.

But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are . . . ?

The School for Good and Evil is an epic journey into a dazzling new world, where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one.

{Arc Review} The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

 Publication date: April 16, 2013

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

ISBN-13: 9781250026903

Synopsis

Andy and Terry live in a tree house writing books, now they don’t live in your everyday tree house; they live in your dream tree house.

Right now they face a horrible problem, they both have to write a book they promise to deliver last week. And they will find out that writing this book will be particularly hard to write not only considering the distractions their tree house provides such as a bowling alley, man eating sharks, lemonade fountain.  But also the strange adventures they will get themselves into which may or may not include giant bananas, sea monkeys and flying cats.

Review

The story has a strange way to interlace itself from one strange setting to another, it doesn’t have the “it kept me in my toes” kind of feeling but it did make me curious with what Andy and Terry would do next.

The illustrations in this book may attract more of the young male population, but in its content I find just one thing that the a girl might find uncomfortable. All in all I do feel that besides the illustration this book keeps a well-balanced content that could interest both boys and girls.

Even if I say that the illustrations favor the x chromosome porters it goes perfectly well with the flow of the story.

I found this story entertaining, fun, cute and perfect for both parents and children to read together. If I was reading this with one of my small cousins (the advantage of having a big family there are always small kids with whom to share books) it would be with one that is graduating from picture books and is looking for a more content but isn’t still ready to leave the animation behind.

Rating:

{Guest Post} If you’re tired of vampires, try Capture the Flag by Kate Messner

I’m not gonna lie, I love a good vampire/witch/werewolf/fantasy book but sometimes I want to read something else.  I know, strange, right? But just like someone said: Pam cannot live on bread alone (or something) I believe Pam cannot live on vampires alone.  I need to switch up my reading every now and again and try something different.  After all, you can’t live on a strict diet of cake, can you? No.  Maybe.

So, what does one read when one needs a break from the fantasy genre?  A quick switch to a delightful middle grade book called Capture the Flag by Kate Messner.  Capture the Flag is a fun multicultural read that will appeal to most everyone. Four children of differing ethnic backgrounds are thrown together to help solve the mystery of a missing valuable piece of history. The tale takes place in Washington DC so there’s lots of regional attractions for readers to recognize plus fun connections to famous artists. 

This group of tweens use their talents and pool their wits to help solve the mystery and look for the missing valuable artifact.  It’s delightful to see kids who think they can’t do something special discover that they are indeed brave and daring when they need to be.  The story also shows how culturally sensitive kids today can be. 

Like that idea? Then a companion piece to Capture the Flag is The Obsidian Mask by Caroline Ludovici.  Obsidian Mask is involves young teens who meet at an archeological dig in the Middle East.  The kids’ parents, famous archeologists, uncover some fascinating artifacts that capture the interest of the locals.  There’s kidnapping, theft, and lots of bad guys to keep you interested.  If you didn’t think archeology and ancient history could be interesting, give The Obsidian Mask a read; you can practically see the uncovered jewels of the ancient warrior queen sparkling in the sand. 

Never read a middle grade book? Why not give it a chance?

PammyPam @ Unconventional Librarian

{Trailer Sunday} My Sister Jodie by Jacqueline Wilson

Publication Date: April 1st, 2008

Publisher: Doubleday UK

ISBN-13: 9780385610124

Pearl and Jodie are sisters. Pearl is the younger one, small, shy and anxious. Jodie is nearly three years older, bold and brash and bad and Pearl adores her. When their parents get new jobs at Melchester College, a Victorian Gothic mansion, the girls spend a bizarre summer holiday in the boarding school with just a few leftover children for company.

Things start to change now they are in their new home. Jodie has always been the leader but now it's Pearl who's making new friends. When term begins, their strange summer is over. But things keep on changing. Jodie really doesn't fit in with the posh teenagers in her class. Pearl is blossoming.

Maybe she doesn't need Jodie as much as she used to. But Jodie needs her. And when the school celebration of Firework Night comes around and a tragic event occurs, Pearl realises quite how much she does need her big sister.

{Trailer Sunday} Stitch Head by Guy Bass

Publication Date: August 01, 2011

Publisher: Stripes

ISBN-13: 9781847151834

Forgotten by his creator years ago Stitch Head is trying to fulfill the promise he and his creator made when he was born, living through the shadows of Castle Grotteskew he tries to bring a peaceful existence to the new creations of the professor but whit a new creation discovers his secret and the freak circus arriving to town will just be the beginning of his journey.

{Review} Be Happy!: A Little Book for a Happy You by Monica Sheehan

Publication Date: March 23, 2010

Publisher: Little Simon

ISBN-13: 9781442406766

Synopsis

Have fun!

Be kind--be brave!

And be the best YOU.

Review

This little picture book is a great book to share with adults and kids. The great thing about this book is that it explains things that one needs to be happy, and it's full of all those things that money just can't buy, in a way that anyone that picks this book up can understand.

The pictures used here are adorable and help highlight the points this book is trying to get across.

If you have time do read out this book, I doubt you will regret it! It is a fast, easy and full of those little things we sometimes forget on the high speed race of our daily life.

Rating: