Review: Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee

Summary 
A luminous retelling of the Snow Queen, this is the story of unlikely heroine Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard who doesn't believe in anything that can't be proven by science. She and her sister Alice are still grieving for their dead mother when their father takes a job in a strange museum in a city where it always snows. On her very first day in the museum Ophelia discovers a boy locked away in a long forgotten room.  He is a prisoner of Her Majesty the Snow Queen.  And he has been waiting for Ophelia's help.As Ophelia embarks on an incredible journey to rescue the boy everything that she believes will be tested.  Along the way she learns more and more about the boy's own remarkable journey to reach her and save the world.

A story within a story, this a modern day fairytale is about the power of friendship, courage and love, and never ever giving up.

Review
Every now and again, you come across a book that inspires your imagination and opens your belief for a moment to believe the impossible.  With the magic of the Chronicles of Narnia combined with a splash of the modern day fairytale, Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy, escapes the young reader on a page turning journey that will get them hooked from the start not wanting to put it down.

Not only is this just a beautifully written story that tells a tale of love, loss, friendship and courage but it’s also filled with elements of mysterious creatures, animals and people coming to life heightening any imagination and curiosity. This story featuring an unlikely heroine will inspire the young reader that anything is possible if you believe and to never give up on what seems impossible. Even though this book is geared towards the young reader, it is one of those stories that anyone would fall in love with. 

Without wanting to give anything away that will spoil this wonderful book, I promise you that it will probably be one of the best stories for the young reader this year. I strongly recommend you adding it to their reading list because it is one that people will be talking about.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles 

Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Publication date: 1/28/2014
Pages: 240

Review: The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson

Book Summary
Fans of The City of Ember will loveThe Mark of the Dragonfly, an adventure story set in a magical world that is both exciting and dangerous.

Piper has never seen the Mark of the Dragonfly until she finds the girl amid the wreckage of a caravan in the Meteor Fields.

The girl doesn't remember a thing about her life, but the intricate tattoo on her arm is proof that she's from the Dragonfly Territories and that she's protected by the king. Which means a reward for Piper if she can get the girl home.

The one sure way to the Territories is the 401, a great old beauty of a train. But a ticket costs more coin than Piper could make in a year. And stowing away is a difficult prospect--everyone knows that getting past the peculiar green-eyed boy who stands guard is nearly impossible.

Life for Piper just turned dangerous. A little bit magical. And very exciting, if she can manage to survive the journey.

Review
In her children's debut, The Mark of the Butterfly, Jaleigh Johnson brings to life an engaging fantasy adventure that will be quite the page turner for the young reader. Once you get past the first couple of chapters, the story really takes off and encourages you to jump right in. 

We are introduced to a young girl named Piper, whose life as a scrapper hasn't been that easy. Between losing both parents and trying to take care of herself, survival has been dependent upon the salvaging of items found in the fields after the Meteors storms that hit her town. Tired of living this life, all she wants is to find a way out to a better life that is far away from the one she currently has. 

During one of the storms, while trying to find her best friend, she discovers a young girl named Anna, who is badly hurt with no recollection of where she came from. While trying to help her, she notices that she has a tattoo of The Mark of the Butterfly. Never having seen this before but knows anyone who has is part of the Dragonfly Territories, which is protected by the king. She decides that if she can bring her back home, there might be a reward given for her return.

Things turn when she get a knock at the door. When a man claims to be her father pushes through her door, a sense a fear overcomes Anna. Piper gets the feeling that he really isn't and judging by the way he is so desperate to get to her, there is more to this girl that appears. When things take a dangerous turn, Piper decides to put her plan into action. Not knowing what to do or how they are going to get there, she grabs what she can and the girl and head for the only way out of the town, which is the 401 train, the only way to the Dragonfly Territories. From this point on, the reader is taken on an exciting adventure that is filled with plot twists and turns that are themed with magic, danger, and friendship. 

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. I felt she had well thought out characters as well as a story that was easy to follow along with the right pace. At times, I thought the characters seemed more mature than their ages but considering their experiences in their lives, it added a wholesome depth that gave them their appeal. 

One part of the story that left me disappointed was that I felt like we were left hanging with what happened to Micah. I thought he was such an important part of the story that connected her life there which if it wasn't for her searching for him, she wouldn't have found Anna. As a reader, it would've been great to get closure on that because even though she wandered what happened, knowing would've closed that part of her life to begin her new journey. That's just me but when you read the book and see what happens, you might feel differently. Who knows, fingers crossed, optimistically hoping maybe they'll be another book that could possibly revisit and wrap this up. Hey, just throwing that out there...It's definitely worth the read. I would add this book to the reading list. Ideally my recommendation is for the young middle school age range but this is one that others can appreciate as well.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles 

Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Publication date: 3/25/2014
Pages: 400

Review: Kobee Manatee: Heading Home to Florida by Robert Scott Thayer

Summary
Kobee Manatee takes a rare summertime trip from Florida all the way up to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. But he needs to get home before winter sets in or he’ll die from the cold. Kobee meets two new friends along the way; Tess the seahorse and Pablo the hermit crab. Will their twelve hundred mile journey south be a safe one with so many unforeseen obstacles ahead? This beautifully illustrated children’s informational picture book about the rare and threatened manatee is for parents, grandparents, children, teachers and librarians who want a captivating adventure that can be enjoyed again and again.

Review
In this beautifully illustrated and educational picture book, we are introduced to a warm and adventurous West Indian manatee, who is trying to get home to Florida to survive the cold. Along the way, he meets Tess the seahorse, who is lost and want to go home and Pablo the crab who is scared because he lost his shell. Since both are headed in the direction, Kobee invites them to tag along for a story about friendship and their journey filled with obstacles along the way that give the young reader a fun story that can read over and again. One of the best parts of this book was the educational elements that includes facts throughout the pages that help them learn more about the manatees. Ideally for the young reader between 4 and 8, if they love the water and are up for a cute little adventure, add this to their reading list!

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Publisher: Thompson Mill Press 
Publication date: November 5, 2013
Hardcover: 32 pages

Review: When I Grow Up, I Want To Be a Teacher by Wigu Publishing

Summary
Carlee always wanted to be a teacher when she grew up, until her mother is hired as a teacher at her school! Some of her friends are even in her mother's class. Carlee is worried. What will her friends say? Will her mother do something to embarrass her? Carlee vows never to become a teacher like her mother, but as she journeys through the first day of school with her own new teacher, Carlee makes some surprising discoveries.

Review
When I Grow Up I Want To Be A Teacher is just the right book for those kids approaching the age where they are embarrassed by the actions of their parents. The perfect example, Carlee, is one that many can relate to. Just like so many others who have dreamed forever to become something, she faces the dilemma of reasons why she doesn't want to. When she finds out her mother is going to be a teacher at her school, she like so many other her age embarrassed by their parents, worries about what others think. What I find enjoyable about her story is how she gained so much insight about herself and learning how important the role of a teacher plays. Teachers don't just literally teach, they can expose you to infinite possibilities that open your mind to be anything you want to be.

Her story is enjoyable, filled with beautiful pictures to accompany, great historical bios that highlight some of our history's most innovative and creative leaders that brought something important to our lives. Carlee's dilemma not only inspires the young reader to explore different goals but gain valuable insight of the important role teachers can play in their lives. This would be a great read to introduce the reader to exploring what they want to be when they grow up and that every job has an important purpose no matter what it is. 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Publisher: Wigu Publishing, LLC.
Publication date: 12/3/2013
Pages: 62

Review: The Grey Witch: and Other Stories by Diana Mitchell and Susan Whiting (Illustrator)

Summary

Enter a world of magic and mayhem.

In the world of the Grey Witch anything can happen, and often does. What happens when a witch tests her spells on her unsuspecting cat, or casts spells to oust unwanted intruders? She turns toys into real creatures and sometimes they are not what she expects. She grows candy apples on trees and turns her cat blue by mistake. One witch makes an unusual flying machine for a little boy’s Halloween treat. Another enjoys water-skiing with her dog and cat. She upends the Coast Guard and confuses the police, but all is well when the blue witch creates magic for the children she loves.

Review

The author, Dianna Mitchell, of The Grey Witch, beautifully crafted the perfect bedtime story for young children. We are taken through the lives of many different colored witches, each presenting the challenges they go through as a witch with their trusty cat sidekicks. It was a great, short chapter book for children who are learning to read, or as a bedtime story read by adults to children. I know it was always my favorite thing to read a chapter a night, and this would be the perfect book for that sort of scenario.

The story starts out with one witch, and progresses through the trials and errors in her witch craft and relationship with their cat before moving off to the next witch. Stories involving witches are captivating to all audiences, and the unique aspect of Mitchell’s writing is the characteristics of the witches. The witches are good people who interact with the local children and who appear to be loved by the community. It was a refreshing point of view, to have the witch be viewed in a positive light, as compared to many stories where the withes are the antagonist. 

Besides the captivating stories intertwined with each witch, the art work in this story is simply lovely. It truly expressed the messages of the story. The images were so whimsically drawn, the fun and joy within the story was expressed through the illustrations. It is obvious that each picture was extremely well thought out and accurately expressed the events occurring within the stories. 

The Grey Witch is a joyful story with many components that young children would love to listen to or even attempt to read themselves. The illustrations allow for a visual interaction with the audience. Young children would be enchanted by these stories as well as older children first learning to read, it is a great bed time story for all children.

Reviewed by Rachel Keane

Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.
Publication date: 11/2/2013
Pages: 52

Review: When I Grow Up I Want To Be...in the U.S. Army! by Wigu Publishing

Summary
When Jake's teacher assigns a "career" project, Jake decides he wants to be a soldier in the United States Army. Jake and his father visit an Army surplus store to find items he can use to present his project. As they search the store, each item makes the history and proud spirit of the U.S. Army come to life for Jake and readers alike. Through Jake's discoveries, readers are introduced to the history of the U.S. Army, what soldiers' duties include, and the equipment they use.

Review
There isn't a kid who hasn't been asked what they want to be when they grow up. You usually get the standard answers of cop, firefighter, teacher or veterinarian but when they want to be a soldier, it really takes on a special meaning. When I Grow Up, I Want To Be in the Army is not only one of those books that will inspire kids but it was fun and educational. 

The book centered around a young student who was asked to do a project for school. He was to answer the question of what he wanted to be when he grew up in the form of a project to be presented in class. Just like every other kid who wants to be a millions things, he talked with his dad, and narrowed down the possibilities when he discovered that his dad and father were soldiers. While taking a trip to the Army surplus store, we see Jake's project come to life.

Growing up as a grandchild of a retired Army soldier, this was such a delight to read. There was so much about the Army that I didn't know despite growing up and being around a military family. It was filled with such an engaging story that was complimented with beautiful illustrations, historical facts and real life pictures that really captured everything that I feel the Army is about. You learn about everything from the weapons, the levels of service, the types of personnel and honors. What I thought was really special for me that will honor the bravery of their work was in the beginning of the book, there is the Soldier's Creed. It sums up everything of who they are. Whether you are a child of a military parent or someone who wants to learn about the army, I feel this would be such a valuable book that will not only educate and inspire but really will help your child really appreciate the value of our service members. 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Publisher: Wigu Publishing
Publication date: 8/29/2013
Pages: 56