Story’s End Marissa Burt

353 pgs.

Target audience: Middle Reader

Rating: Wizard

 

In this compelling sequel to “Story’s End,” the Talekeepers’ lies are finally exposed – the lies about the Unbinding, the lies about the Muses breaking their oath, the lies about Story never having a King, and the biggest lie of all – how Tale Master Archimago defeated the Muses and saved Story. Una, Peter and their fellow rebels are working hard to educate all the characters about their true Backstory and to motivate them to fight against the Enemy, Fidelos, who has returned. Una, who was written in from the Land of Readers, has a secret of her own, one which could spell the end of all who live in Story. The Enemy is desperate to find the Lost Elements which would allow him to rewrite Story thereby eliminating all who oppose him. Fairy tales become topsy-turvy in this cleverly written fantasy. Since characters live in districts according to their genre like the Dystopians, Horror Hollow or the Romantics, there is something for everyone. The imagination  of the reader is stretched and pulled in thrilling new ways. After all, what child hasn’t dreamt of diving into a book’s story? The twists and turns, fairytale puns, overturned stereotypes will delight readers both young and old. For maximum enjoyment it is best to read “Storybound” first. Recommend to fans of “Inkheart” by Cornelia Funke. (This book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com).

 

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The color of rain Cori McCarthy

351 pgs.

Target audience: Ages 13-17

Rating: Wizard

Rain has lost all members of her family, taken by the authorities, except her little brother, Walker, who desperately needs a cure for the Alzheimer-like disease that’s been decimating the population of Earth City. The sick, the Touched, are treated with contempt and disgust. Rain needs to get to the Edge where the Mecs could help him. To pay for this she’d do anything, even prostitution like her friend Lo. After Walker has an accident her plea for help is answered by a charming pilot, Johnny, and Ben, his Mec assistant. Johnny offers her safe passage in return for her complete willingness. Despite Ben’s whispered warnings she agrees. Once on board, Walker is frozen in a capsule for the duration. She awakens to find dozens of girls like herself including Lo classified by color and pimped out to crew and passengers. Rain is made a red which means she’s exclusively Johnny’s girl. Fierce competition and fear keep the girls alive. Johnny’s methods are cruel and sadistic and he’s intensely possessive of his redhead. Rain is determined to visit her brother and with Ben’s reluctant help she discovers the true mission of this strange ship and what it means to the missing Touched from Earth City. This well written story is fast paced, nerve-wracking, and disturbing all at the same time. Rain is a likeable character and her plight is so horrific that the reader can’t help but root for her. The sex is mercifully not romanticized and details glossed over but the violent punishment and retribution dealt by Johnny are graphic and not for the faint at heart. Rain’s terror of what Johnny might do to her brother and her confusion about Ben's motives for helping her ring true. Recommended for older teens. (This book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com)

 

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Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

369 pgs.

Target audience: Young Adult

Rating: Wizard

 

Despite the family tradition, Vanessa applies to the New York Ballet Academy because she needs to discover what happened to her sister, Margaret. She disappeared in her freshman year from the same institution after being cast in the lead role in the school production, The Firebird. It will come as no surprise that Vanessa is also chosen for the lead role by the perfectionist and overbearing choreographer, Josef. The male role is given to the gorgeous and charming Zeppelin who takes a keen interest in Vanessa despite his relationship with the senior queen bee, Anna. Another student, Justin, who’s secretive and standoffish manner keeps her from heeding his advice to avoid Zep. Along with the usual struggles against initiation rites, grueling schedules and senior cliques, she and her friends try to solve the mystery of Margaret’s disappearance. When one of her friends drops out without any obvious reason and the school seems oddly unconcerned, the girls’ research leads them to some frightening facts about the school’s bizarre reputation for student disappearances – each one cast in the lead role to perform Josef’s tailor made “Danse du Feu.” The rehearsal room with its eerie blackened wall with white dancing silhouettes, demonic summoning and ritualistic dancing take this teen romance to the next level. The story starts slow but picks up pace with the added supernatural element and becomes hard to put down. The descriptions of the ballet steps and routines are realistic and add to the believability of the plot. This debut balances teen romance, mystery and the occult well and leaves the reader anxious for more after the cliffhanger ending. (This book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com)

 

 

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Hocus Pocus Hotel Michael Dahl

Illustrated by Lisa K.Weber

204 pgs.

Target audience: Ages 8 to 11

Rating: Wizard

 

Today at Blackstone Middle School, Charlie Hitchcock or Hitch, like so many unfortunate souls before him, receives the dreaded summons from the school bully, the biggest boy in seventh grade, Tyler Yu. But when he meets Ty in a back alley it is not to use Charlie as a punching bag, but to make use of is famous detecting skills. Ty lives with his parents in the Abracadabra Hotel which was built as a refuge for retired magicians. The prospects of Ty using his wages to buy his dream motorbike drop when a magician disappears before Ty can collect his rent money. Other odd and spooky happenings prompt this unlikely pair to form an investigative team. Ty’s knowledge of the hotel layout and Hitch’s acute visual memory plus cryptic messages from the elevator operator ensure success.  The boys turn the hotel upside down while discovering lots of magician’s tricks as they go. Brightly colored illustrations combined with the Sherlockian notes drawn in black and white by Hitch are sure to appeal to the budding detective who can use Hitch’s diagrams to solve the mystery along with them. This delightfully funny and entertaining first volume will surely become a fan favorite. (This book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com)
 

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Daniel X: Game over by James Patterson (Audiobook, unabridged, 4 CD's)Narrated by Milo Ventimiglia
Target audience: Young Adult
Audiobook Rating: Wizard
Book Rating: Fairy

The fourth volume in the alien hunter series begins in a video arcade in Tokyo where Daniel is in pursuit of numbers seven and eight on the alien outlaw list. Milo Ventimiglia deftly portrays Daniel’s easy, comfortable banter with family and friends as well as the sarcastic repartee he saves for his alien prey. The suspense rises exponentially as the plot to brainwash addicted video gamers into becoming non virtual killers unfolds. The narrator transforms the very short chapters that would be distracting in book format into edgy layers of anticipation for the listener. Although Ventigmiglia's expert performance sets the perfect pace for this non-stop action adventure punctuated by explosive battle sound effects, his efforts cannot compensate for the implausibility of the story. Daniel’s abilities – manipulating matter to recreate anything he can visualize including his dead parents and friends who can fight, invent, interact with others all from his own brain, broadband internet in his head, ability to download a degree in engineering directly to his cerebellum, to transform into anything, time travel, enhanced senses - to name but a few referred to in frequent asides to the reader are over the top and far fetched even for the science fiction genre. There is virtually no character development making the story just a laundry list of alien battles. The “Maximum Ride” series by the same author would be a much better choice. (Audiobook provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com).

 

 

 

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The witch’s curse by Keith McGowan

Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka
296 pgs.
Target audience: Ages 9 to 12
Rating: Wizard

Once upon a time a royal hunter and his knights ignored the warnings of  curses and sought game in an enchanted valley. After years of successful ventures the prince was cursed by Monique, a powerful witch, to remain in the valley forever tracking down and killing animals who were once children. In a small town not far away lives Sol and his sister Connie who recently escaped from Mrs. Holaderry, their neighbor and author of “The witch’s guide to cooking with children.”  The children’s only hope remains with their Aunt Heather who lives on the other side of the mountains. After leaving a note for their one friend, Gertrude, owner of the store “All Creatures, Big and Small,” they board a bus bound for their last remaining relative. When the bus breaks down, Sol and Connie wander and become lost in the forest located unfortunately for them in the famed enchanted valley. Gertrude has her magic cane back and is able to send a thrush into the valley to help guide the children to safety. However Monique is cunning and knows just how to lure lost children to her bespelled streams where the water will turn them into prey. Even though Sol and Connie become caught up in her web, begin the transformation and are separated, they use their talents and love for one another to change their fate. In addition to the main perspective of Sol and Connie there are passages telling the stories of Gertrude, the cursed hunter and the poor thrush who is desperate to complete his mission. This delicious fractured fairy tale will beguile younger kids with the spooky magic and adventure while the gothic undertone will appeal to tweens. Tanaka’s lovely soft brushed black and white illustrations are a perfect match for McGowan’s ghostly yarn. (Book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com).

 

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I am Jack by Susanne Gervay

Illustrated by Cathy Wilson
126 pgs.
Target audience: Ages 8 to 12
Rating: Wizard

Jack lives with his mom and sister, Samantha. His dad left and remarried. Rob, his mom’s boyfriend is a steady presence at home. While his family life is safe and welcoming, his school life becomes more terrifying every day because of George Hamel, popular rugby player and bully. After the kids overhear Jack’s mom talk to the coach about the dangers of playing rugby, George launches Jack’s new nickname, Butt head. Jack can never seem to find a good time to tell his mom what’s happening. His new status at school spreads like wildfire and soon even his friends are ostracizing him, all except for Ana. The more he’s picked upon, the worse his headaches get, so much so that he fakes illnesses to stay home. What should he do? He doesn’t want this problem to affect his family. What if his grandma dies or Rob leaves? After all, his dad left, he could lose everyone he loves. The author takes on the topic of bullying effortlessly with genuine compassion. Jack’s emotional and physical reactions are true to life. Kids will easily identify with him and want to see him triumph. The author includes a list of anti-bullying internet resources for both kids and parents. This is an excellent addition to the growing need for anti-bullying literature. (This book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com).

 

 

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Marco Impossible by Hannah Moskowitz

247 pgs.
Target audience: Middle Reader
Rating: Griffin

Middle school children Marco, Stephen and Sasha have been investigating minor transgressions since they were five – lost dogs, missing socks, stolen lunch money and the like. But ever since Marco came out, the new exchange student from England, Benji, has been the sole focus of the group’s attention. When Marco hears that Benji’s band will be playing the high school prom, he drags Stephen into an impossible scheme to crash the prom and confess his undying love for Benji on stage. The Prom Heist as Marco calls it, becomes so complex that it requires the involvement of four of Stephen’s five siblings, faked permission slips, fixing broken down buses and much more. While the kids are planning and organizing, hate crimes are popping up at schools in the area. For some reason, the hate crimes at their school are focused on gay bashing one person, Marco, who has been receiving threatening notes and found his locker smashed in. Nothing is resolved with this theme other than the school bully getting caught in the end by the kids and nothing definitive done by the school administration. The story is told from Stephen’s perspective revealing him to be a sweet boy and a bit of a pushover. The friendship between Marco and Stephen seems insincere because Stephen will stop at nothing to help his lovesick friend who in turn consistently treats him like his personal doormat. Marco does redeem himself barely, but not until the very end of the story. Looking at this book from a purely adventure and mystery stance, it will appeal to those who love crazy hijinks. Stephen and his siblings are wonderful characters who will touch your heart and make you laugh. (This book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com)

 

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The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

325 pgs.

Target audience: Young Adult

Rating: Wizard

 

Outside the boundaries of the United Commonwealth Colonies the earth is a corrupted wasteland after the Seven Stages War. Cia lives with her family on the outskirts of the Fire Lakes Colony where they work in a nursery growing genetically enhanced plants that can survive outside in the wild. Cia’s graduation day approaches and the chance to be chosen. Only those selected for the Testing are allowed to study at the university in the capitol of Tosu City. For the first time in ten years four students from Fire Lakes including Cia are chosen. Cia’s own father had been chosen at his graduation and she hopes to follow in his footsteps. On the eve of her departure, her father confides to her about his experience and his suspicions about the true purpose of the Testing. His last warning to trust no one lingers at the back of her mind as she and the others arrive at the Testing Center. The living quarters are monitored by secret cameras, students who fail a test either mysteriously vanish or take their own lives. The tests are arduous, timed and dangerous and students who perish under these conditions are unceremoniously removed. Cia is among a small group of candidates who reach the final phase where they are deposited into the wild hundreds of miles outside the protection of the Commonwealth. Their task is to find their way back to Tosu City. The tests are tame compared to this cruel, suicidal mission. Loyalties are tested and friendships formed and pulled apart. The plot has enough twists and turns to keep readers interested, enough romance to offset the horror of their world and enough suspense to bring them back for the next volume.  (This book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com).

 

 

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The reluctant assassin by Eoin Colfer
Target audience: Young Adult
Rating: Wizard

From the man who brought us the popular “Artemis Fowl” books, comes a new wickedly fun and deviously intricate science fiction series featuring a wormhole machine, a teen almost FBI agent called Chevron, Garrick, a magician turned assassin, his young assistant, Riley and W.A.R.P., the Witness Anonymous Relocation Program. The FBI has been using this time machine to transport high profile witnesses  to Victorian London until it’s safe to return them for the trial. But with all great technological advances, there are glitches. Mutations keep popping up among those returning from the past. The current problem lies with the crime banker by the name, Terry Carter, who has decided that life in the past where anonymity is to his advantage is much more preferable. He changes his name to Tibor Charismo and sets up a nice little crime network for himself using the ready supply of waifs and criminals on the streets of Victorian London. Complete success at this enterprise requires eliminating all those from the future who can identify him including the scientist who created W.A.R.P. and Riley’s FBI parents. He employs the service of the notorious assassin, Garrick. Riley escapes into the future followed by his master and chaos ensues as Victorian and modern day London collide with spectacular results. Colfer creates villains worthy of hatred and reluctant heroes destined to become favorites. The non stop action, crazy science, mobsters from both centuries, and the shear genius of the plot execution will have kids craving the next installment. (Book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com).

 

 

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Day of doom by David Baldacci

272 pgs.

Target audience: Middle Reader

Rating: Wizard

 

The Vesper and Cahill families are at it again and with Baldacci at the helm of the last volume, the pulse pounding pressure may be to much for Dan and Amy Cahill to overcome. Seven Cahill hostages have been taken by Vesper One with the promise of their release in return for retrieving a series of bizarre ransoms. Once the Cahills find the last clue they realize that the Vesper’s plan is more diabolical and heinous than they had originally thought and could destroy millions of people. The race against time splits the group into two directions. One to find the hostages in the Cascade Mountains and Dan and Amy to D.C. to head off Isabella, suspected to be Vesper Two and finally meeting up under the Rocky Mountains for the hair-raising standoff between good and evil .The squabbling for control within the Vesper camp and the strained loyalties among the Cahills creates an emotional frenzy making the book hard to put down. It’s up to the few remaining Cahills to decipher the clues, solve the puzzle, find their missing friends and save the world. The author injects a healthy dose of history, geography and geology into the storyline. The “39 Clues” series is akin to a kid’s version of the classic movie, “It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world,” and will have readers glued to the page right up until the exciting conclusion.  (This book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com).

 

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Darwen  Arkwright and the Insidious Bleck by A. J. Hartley

441 pgs.

Target Audience: Middle Reader

Rating: Griffin

 

To Darwen Arkwright it seems like forever since he and his friends, Rich and Alexandra, formed the Peregrine Pact to protect their school from monsters. Darwen is a mirroculist, someone who can travel through mirrors into the strange world of Silbrica. Mr. Peregrine, a local shopkeeper, introduced Darwen to his powers and is one of the gatekeepers of Silbrica. When Mr. Peregrine shows up at their school as the new world studies teacher, the children know something’s up. Darwen ventures alone into Silbrica one night and sees a young boy pulled through a mysterious portal by an enormous tentacled beast. The next thing he knows their world studies class is taking a field trip to Costa Rica. Of course this is just a ruse to cover up their new mission to find and close the breaches in the barrier between Earth and Silbrica which the octopus-like Insidious Bleck is using to take children. Once in Costa Rica the kids uncover a much more sinister plot to destroy the rainforest and the world. Although the constant bickering between the three friends does become tiresome, it is still a great adventure story told in a fast pace narrative. There is enough backstory provided for those who haven’t read the first book, “Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact.” The author touches on many subjects including environment, land development, archaeology, history, Costa Rican life, betrayal, loyalty, and friendship. Each chapter is headed by clever black and white illustrations. Recommend to fans of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” by Trenton Lee Stewart. (Book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com).

 

 

 

 

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Viva Jacquelina! by L. A. Meyer

360 pgs.
Target audience: Young Adult
Rating: Dragon

In this tenth volume of the “Bloody Jack” series, Jacky Faber is on assignment for British Intelligence. Her mission is simple: proceed to Spain and spy on Napoleon and the French for the crown. However nothing is ever simple when it comes to Jacky, adventurer and mischief maker extraordinaire. After she becomes separated from her travel companions and arrives in Spain alone, she makes her way to the Iberian Peninsula where she is to translate for the commander of the British Forces. The Peninsular War against Napoleon leaves Jacky alone again and far from Madrid. Armed with her trusty shiv, fiddle, seabag and her wits, Jacky finally comes to Madrid and secures a job as an assistant and model for the famous painter, Fransisco Goya. Jacky’s usual spunky charm and jaunty flair places all the male students at studio Goya under her spell. The one female student, Carmelita is not convinced and in a jealous rage betrays Jacky to the now underground Spanish Inquisition. The non stop adventure and hijinks don’t let up even at the end. Will Jacky ever make it to China to reunite with her true love, Jaimy? In the immortal words of the famous Jacky Faber, “…I didn’t have much money left, but, hey, I had my fiddle and my wits. What more did I need?” Readers will delight in this fantastic, historical romp filled with songs, love, battles, disguises, betrayal and will greatly anticipate the subsequent volume. (Book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com)

 

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Alien attack by Max Chase

111 pgs.
Target audience: Ages 7 to 10
Rating: Wizard

Peri is a pilot and a first year cadet at the Intergalactic Force Academy. It’s the year 5012 and all the planets in the Milky Way have banded together to form the IFA, an elite group of fighters sworn to protect and defend the galaxy. On a routine mission in their space pod, Peri and his half-Martian friend, Diesel, are attacked by an alien ship. But just before their pod is annihilated by DeathRays, they’re transported back to the station which is under attack. The two pilots are immediately forced aboard a cloaked ship that looks like a giant egg and told that they have their orders which of course they know nothing about. As Peri and Diesel desperately try to figure out how to fly this ship, the space station explodes leaving them as the last defense against the alien invasion. The black and white illustrations do a great job of bringing the text alive. The ship is stock full of cool gadgetry and fighting abilities. Add to that Martian curses, monstrous aliens, the deadly vortex that eats spaceships alive and it’s a recipe for an unstoppable adventure series. (This book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com)

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Crewel by Gennifer Albin

357 pgs.
Target audience: Young Adult
Rating: Griffin

Imagine living in a world where every aspect of your life from where you live, what you eat, where you work and when you die is controlled. Then imagine being chosen to join the Spinsterhood, an elite group of women who have the power to manipulate the weave of time and control the world of Arras. The Spinsterhood brings one brings power, eternal beauty and privilege. One night Adelice is torn from her home and family to train at the Guild as a Spinster. She soon discovers that the Guild is full of secrets and the real power belongs to the men who run it. Adelice has the  ability to weave time without a loom attracting both positive and negative attention. Her constant questions and need to uncover the truth behind all the secrets put her life at risk. However she does gain the help of two handsome guards with questionable motives. Her special skill singles her out as the best replacement for the current Creweler, the most powerful Spinster who extracts the raw materials from the ruined Earth to form reality keeping the world of Arras running smoothly.The Guild cannot function without the Creweler, but fear giving this power to a girl with such a rebellious nature. Adelice’s character is bold and naturally curious. Her snarky comments add humor to the serious storyline. The plot clips along at a nice pace, but the concept of weaving becomes a bit muddled as the romantic element takes over. Although the author deals deftly with the theme of gender roles, the discrimination against same sex relationships is barely touched on. This is an intriguing new take on dystopian romance and will do well where this genre is popular. The cliffhanger ending will have readers hungry for the next installment.

(This book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com).

 

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Glitch by Karla Oceanak

151 pgs.
Target audience: Ages 7 to 13
Rating: Dragon

In the seventh volume of this alphabetical adventure,

ten-year-old Aldo Zelnick finds there are far too many glitches in his plans for a perfect Christmas. His wish list grows rapidly to include items he saw in a catalog including a snow cone machine and an inflatable backyard log flume. Though every time he turns around it seems a certain gnome Christmas decoration named Griswold is lurking about. Aldo is sure he’s reporting back to Santa, so he puts a new plan into action to give, give and give galore in order to get his awesome presents. The voice of Aldo rings true and his perspective on life will appeal to both kids and adults and make them laugh out loud. The hilariously clever illustrations pair nicely with Aldo’s unique sense of humor. This is an excellent choice for vocabulary building for each volume contains a glossary. This installment features words beginning with the letter “G” indicated by an asterisk. This series is highly recommended to fans of “Big Nate” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” (This book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com)

 

 

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How not to be killed by a zombie by Baron specter
Target audience: Chapter book
Rating: Wizard

Barry and his friends Mitch, Stan, Jared and Amy live in the town of Marshfield which has four cemeteries. All the bizarre things they’ve seen in the local graveyards prompted them to form a group called the zombie hunters. The third adventure in the “Graveyard Diaries” series begins with zombies roaming the largest cemetery beheading wild animals. One night Barry is walking his dog and he hears someone calling a dog named Lucy and the answering bark of a dog but he can never find anything. His own dog is also called Lucy and disappears the next night. Barry and Mitch team up with the ghost of a young girl whose ghost dog is also missing. It’s a job for the zombie hunters. If they succeed more than one lost dog will be spared. Each chapter includes an entry from Barry’s journal, a humorous poem and helpful hints on how not to be killed by a zombie like making them eat lots of salt. The black and white illustrations are clever and set the tone for the book. The author includes a map and a list of zombie facts. This eerily fun book is recommended to fans of the “Goosebumps” series by R. L. Stine.

 

BIBLIO: 2012, Magc Wagon/ABDO Group, Ages 8 to 12, $27.07.

REVIEWER: Mary Thompson

FORMAT: Chapter Book

ISBN: 978-1-61641-900-4

 

 

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The ice gate of Spyre by Allan Jones

150 pgs.
Target audience: Middle Reader
Rating: Wizard

Trundle, a valiant hedgehog, teams up again with his friend, Esmerelda, Jack the minstrel, and a dopey ex-pirate named Ishmael to find the fourth legendary crown of power. According to legend they must head to the Ice Gate of Spyre. So they set off in their sky boat to the floating island of Spyre where they crash land into a tree full of vampire bats. After they narrowly escape exsanguination, the group discovers one of the legendary galleons assigned to deliver the crowns long ago. However the ship and crew was turned to stone before delivery was made. In order to get to the icy peak of Spyre for the crown, they must fight mobs of monastic llamas and enormous, ravenous, snow snakes. Snappy pirate dialogue, inane proclamations from Ishmael pepper this fantastic animal adventure. Kids will enjoy finding and following the many clues in the prophecies that guides the quest. Readers do not need to read the books in order, the author provides a short summary in the form of a prologue. (This book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com)

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Spiral by Roderick Gordon

437 pgs.
Target audience: Middle Reader
Rating: Wizard

 This fifth installment in the thrilling “Tunnels” series finds our intrepid heroes, Will and Chester, hiding out at Parry’s estate while undergoing intense training exercises. The Styx have begun implanting bombs inside random people set to detonate during major events so as to have maximum deadly effect. This paves the way for the Rebecca twins to implement the conversion Phase of impregnating humans with eggs which will eventually consume their hosts. Drake is gathering all his old friends with special abilities in a last ditch effort to thwart the evil Styx. One such rebel, Professor Danforth, has invented a machine that can purge Styx programming from the brain. But is this small group enough to save humanity or will everything spiral out of control? As with previous books in this series, the action is relentless from disaster to narrow escapes to betrayal to deadly battles to faceless monsters, and back to disaster upon disaster, all the way to the cliffhanger ending, it never lets the reader rest. It is wise to read these books in order due to the tremendous detail of the world the author has created. (Book provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com).

 

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River odyssey (Submarine Outlaw series v. 3) by Phillip Roy

229 pgs.
Target audience: Middle reader
Rating: Wizard

All Alfred wants to do is explore and after building a one-man submarine with the help of junkyard owner Ziegfried, he does just that. He lives with his grandparents off the coast of Newfoundland and spends most of  his time exploring with his submarine crew, Hollie, a stray dog, and an uncannily intelligent seagull, Seaweed. His adventures have earned him the title, Submarine Outlaw because he doesn’t have a permit for a submarine. In this third outing, at the advice of his grandmother, Sheba, he sets out on a trip to Montreal to find his dad who left right after his mom died giving birth to him. He follows the St. Lawrence river south past Anticosti island and Quebec. The dangers of river travelling include getting tangled with shipwrecks, rescuing cats in the fog, losing the sub in the fog and running up against the police. But Alfred wouldn’t have it any other way – he is resourceful, smart and remarkably calm and logical under pressure. He uses his wits and ingenuity. Included in the storyis a fair amount of Canadian seafarer’s history and geography. This will appeal to young readers especially boys with a keen interest in exploring and technical aspects of sea travel.
(Book provided for review by Children's Lit. - www.childrenslit.com)
 

 

 

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