Reviewed By Lois J Wickstrom for Readers' Favorite

Beverlee Beaz the Brown Burmese by Regan W. H. Macaulay is a story about an imaginative brown Burmese cat. Everything she sees becomes something even more amazing. For example, a black and orange butterfly becomes a parrot and her meadow becomes an emerald-colored jungle. Her imagination takes her all over the world and lets her see many wonderful creatures. But sometimes her imagination gets her into trouble. Beverlee’s imagination takes a form that Beverlee can see and touch.

Author Regan W. H. Macaulay was in the sixth-grade when author Emily Hearn visited as a guest instructor and guided Macaulay’s class through an assignment where they each created picture storybooks by hand. Macaulay's story has changed quite a bit since then, but that was the beginning of Beverlee’s adventures. Thanks to Alex Zgud’s drawings, the young reader can see what Beverlee sees. If it’s real for Beverlee, it’s real on the pages. This probably isn’t a bed-time story because after seeing Beverlee Beaz’s imagination at work, children will want to talk about the fun they have with their own imaginations.

In this tale, Beverlee’s imagination gets her into trouble in the real world. The coolest thing is that the cat, Beverlee Beaz, doesn’t seem to figure out where the world stops and her imagination begins. The combination of real-world and imaginary animals leads to a dramatic rescue at the end, which wouldn’t have been possible without Beverlee Beaz’s imagination. After making sure this adventurous cat is safe, the animals discuss the fun of imagination, too.

Reviewed By Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Oink and Gobble and the Men in Black is a children’s picture book written by Norman Whaler and illustrated by Mohammad Shayan. Oink the pig and Gobble the turkey are the best of friends on the farm at Little Bottom. When strange men (both dressed as Men in Black) arrive after an unusual event had taken place, the animals investigate the event. During this investigation (unbeknownst to the Men in Black), Oink and Gobble speculate what the unusual event may have been, as well as look into what the Men in Black are up to. After looking too suspicious, Oink and Gobble return to the farm after which a shocking and hilarious truth finally reveals itself.

I very much enjoyed the humor in this delightfully entertaining tale. The ironic ending had me both laughing and in shock, which does not happen very often. I believe it is the talented Norman Whaler’s writing style which kept me immersed in the story from beginning to end, with each turn of the page leaving me wondering which exciting details were about to be discovered next. Oink and Gobble definitely make such an unlikely pairing of best friends, but their detective skills are quite hilarious, as is their ability to blend in with the background. Readers will find themselves turning each page with a smile and laughter as Oink and Gobble get themselves into deeper and deeper trouble with the farm’s visiting duo. I highly recommend Oink and Gobble and the Men in Black for younger audiences aged from 5-12, not only as a book to be read to them, but it would also be ideal as a book for beginners to practice fun reading skills on their own.

Reviewed By Gail Kamer for Readers' Favorite

In AJ Vanderhorst’s The Mostly Invisible Boy: Casey Grimes Book 1, an eleven-year-old boy struggles with the real fact that he can’t be seen all the time. Why? How to fix this? Casey doesn’t know. He just knows every day there are times when he is invisible. While out exploring one day, he climbs an enormous old oak tree, and his life changes forever. In the branches, Casey discovers he lives on the edge of his regular world and that of a fierce outlying region of another. One that involves monster control, witches, and Trickery School. He’s no longer sort of invisible, he’s fully visible to everyone, but his presence is not accepted by some. He adopts a new identity but that too leads to serious consequences for him, his young sister, and others in his new world. How will Casey handle his identity crisis? Like a true trooper!

AJ Vanderhorst’s The Mostly Invisible Boy shares the ever sensitive worry of young people—fitting in with others and the struggle with their own identity. The theme is shared through the eyes of an eleven-year-old Casey who really is invisible sometimes in his regular world but wishes to be seen. Vanderhorst connects to the deep feelings many middle school children deal with day in and day out. The Mostly Invisible Boy would make a great book for counseling classes in school settings as well as a shared reading with children and parents. If you are searching for a way to broach this subject with a troubled young one, this is the book for you.

Reviewed By Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Realabilities: Omnibus is a collection of educational comic books created by Nava R. Silton, Ph.D., and illustrated by Christopher Gomez. Most kids dread when the coach tells the team captains to start choosing their players. Who will be last, and how will they get past the humiliation and pain of rejection? In the first book in this series, The Real Goal, Ezra has been appointed one of the two soccer captains, and he learns an inspiring lesson when he chooses the least likely players to be on his team. Ezra is offended by the other captain Greg’s cruel comments, and his new teammates are more than ready to show Ezra that they have the right stuff. Uno’s math skills come in handy at a crucial moment, Melody’s enhanced hearing allows her to sense where the ball is, and Seymour’s ability to visualize likely events before they happen means their team is unstoppable.

Nava R. Silton’s Realabilities: Omnibus introduces young readers to differently-abled kids as well as those with mental health disorders, and she does so in a collection of stories that are fun, illuminating, and inspiring. Far from seeing kids who are different as less than, these stories display the superhuman possibilities in every kid. The Real Abilities team that forms as a result of that first soccer game sets the stage for the following stories. Each of the six personalities is skillfully drawn and authentic, and watching as they work together is grand fun indeed. Christopher Gomez’s artwork does a masterful job of helping to make these comics enlightening and entertaining. Who says learning can’t be fun? They should check out this comic book series. Realabilities: Omnibus is most highly recommended.

Reviewed By Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Meet Brandon, a smart and adventurous boy in the story Brandon Goes To Beijing by Eugenia Chu. Brandon was very excited that he was going to visit Grandpa and Grandma in Beijing. This was his first trip to China and he was happy that his cousins from California - Sean, Kayla, and Connor - were going to be there. The flight to Beijing was long and Brandon couldn't contain his excitement. He kept himself amused by reading and watching movies on his iPad. Brandon and his cousins went sightseeing, savored Chinese cuisine, learned many interesting facts about China, and enjoyed time with their grandparents. While running and chasing his cousins on the Great Wall, Brandon saw a black and white animal but no one else had seen it. Brandon saw it again when they visited one of the alleys in the mini-village and he learned it was a panda. It was a bit strange that only he saw the panda and no one else did. He kept seeing it wherever he went. Did Brandon actually see the panda? Would he be able to solve the mystery before he flew back to Florida?

The story is educational and informative and captures the places of interest and the sights and sounds of China beautifully. The story is all about family love and bonding. Children also learn some Chinese words. The author adds some mystery and adventure to the plot, making readers curious and excited to learn more about the disappearing panda. It is a happy story and will encourage young readers to explore faraway destinations. Eliza Hsu Chen's black and white sketches make the story tangible and the glossary is helpful for understanding Chinese words. The author brings China to life through the eyes of Brandon and that makes the story more magical and exciting. It is a good storybook for tutors and parents to introduce children to the culture and facts about China in a fun and interesting way.

Reviewed By Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

The Eye of Ra by Ben Gartner takes you back to ancient Egypt for an exciting adventure. John and Sarah Tidewell are two siblings with different opinions about leaving Colorado behind to move to Maryland. Sarah is looking forward to the adventure and is thrilled at the idea of seeing what else is out there while John doesn't want to leave the familiarity of his favorite hiking trails and his friends behind. When taking one last hike before they leave for good, the siblings stumble upon a mysterious cave and make the most shocking discovery: ancient Egypt lies on the other side. John wants nothing more than to return home before the door closes, leaving them trapped in Egypt forever, but Sarah longs to see what the world of the past has in store. Now they're in for a whole new adventure where they meet new friends, encounter dangerous cobras, solve the mystery of a tomb robbery, and fight to find their way back home, all while solving an even grander mystery that neither saw coming.

Ben Gartner delivers a story that brings a history lesson to life through an action-packed mystery and adventure that teaches kids about ancient Egypt. The mystery they uncover revolves around the culture during the time, specifically centering around the tombs. The historical details bring the setting to life by being subtly woven into the daily lives of the characters and through lessons taught to John and Sarah as the story progresses. The story teaches about the beliefs during the time and even their equivalent of a board game. The two siblings have vastly different personalities. Their difference of opinion creates a minor conflict between them which is worked out throughout the adventure as they're pushed to work as a team to solve a mystery, help their new friends, and find a way to return home.

The tone is whimsical and lighthearted, serving up an equal amount of discovery as it does adventure while subtly educating children about ancient Egypt in a way that never feels like a lesson. The story is a great read for all ages as it's enjoyable with action-packed moments and a mystery with several exciting twists and turns. Gartner captures key details of Egypt that help create a stunning visual for children. The Eye of Ra is a delightful tale of adventure and mystery that will make children fall in love with history and discover ancient Egypt while delivering action-packed moments, surprising moments, and relatable characters.

Reviewed By Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite

The Cat Detectives in Russia: The Case of the Missing Faberge Egg is designed for upper elementary children and all animal lovers. R.F. Kristi blends two of her favorite topics - cats and mystery - to create an adorable, yet inquisitive Siberian kitty detective, Inca. When her human mom traveled to Russia to display her famous cheeses, Inca was excited to visit her mother country. Inca and her detective agency are intrigued by the mystery surrounding a very expensive Faberge egg that goes missing with no clues left behind. Inca must solve this mystery quickly to clear the name of someone dear to her, but could one of her new friends be involved in the theft?
 
R.F. Kristi has found her niche writing about felines and suspense. The Cat Detectives in Russia: The Case of the Missing Faberge Egg is the ninth in her Inca Cat Detective series. Charming friends and mysterious places will draw young people in with Inca as she takes on a new case that could implicate a royal cousin or her new robotic friend. The plot involves the characters traveling to famous historical buildings in Russia, allowing children to learn about the rich culture of the Russian people. The animals are fitting for their breed while adding personality to their individual characters. Overall, this book will feed a child’s imagination while educating them about different cultures, how to make new friends, and entertain them with the mystery surrounding a theft. This is an author that parents can point their children towards, knowing they can trust her to enrich their lives through books. I would like to mention the illustrations which complement the book beautifully.

Reviewed By Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

What Happened to Stephan? by Haifa Swarka is an adventure story that tackles the topic of bullying, friendship, and violence in a very unconventional way. Stephan woke up one morning in his second-floor apartment to realize that he was completely different from other boys. His face was thick with hair and his eyes were big and red. He had two sharp fangs protruding from his upper jaw. He screamed when he saw himself looking like a beast and did not want to face his parents. He did not want anyone to see him like that. His parents were worried that he was not responding to their knocks on his door to open it. When his father opened the door, he saw a monster jumping out of the window. His screams brought the neighbors to their apartment. Stephan's parents thought he'd been swallowed by the monster. His classmates were dumbfounded. Stephan had disappeared mysteriously. Would his parents and friends be able to find Stephan?

The story tackles friendship, violence, and bullying in an unusual way, making it an engaging story. All the characters contribute to the plot in a way that makes them memorable, real, and relatable. The narration is detailed and descriptive, making the scenes and characters vivid. The existence of a monster and the mysterious disappearance of Stephan have been seamlessly woven together, adding to the element of mystery, suspense, and curiosity along with some good life lessons which will encourage children to have a positive outlook on life. It is a good story for all students to work towards eliminating the monster that hides inside them. Parents and educators can use it for storytelling and reading aloud sessions at homes and in classrooms to educate children about the negativities of bullying and to perceive the world differently.

Reviewed By Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

In Dragon’s Shadow by Allison Morse, royal twins separated at birth will find out whether they'll fight side by side or against each other. After the death of her mother, Kylie has a tough time adjusting to normal life, particularly school, due to her rage and her stint at the residential placement. Her only solace is science; her efforts to find out more about the amulet which was given by her late mother thrusts her into another dimension－the kingdom of Hamadriad. Prince Jarlon, Kylie’s twin brother, shouldered high expectations from his people as an heir to the throne. Other than blood, the twins are also bound by a dark prophecy placed by a powerful enemy－a dragon－when they were still in their mother's womb. Jarlon will be the one to kill the dragon with the help of his sister. However, he needs to hurry before the dragon's malevolence infects Kylie.

The premise is undeniably intriguing and having the protagonists' perspectives from two different worlds easily gives depth to the world-building of Morse's Dragon’s Shadow. That said, the realm where magic exists and different beings reside, particularly a villainous dragon, outweighs the normal world. Clear-cut prose with a subtle flair gives readers an engaging narrative and a well-paced plot. The characters are deftly fleshed out and easy to relate to emotionally. Both Kylie and Jarlon share the same stubbornness and impatience. As they brave the obstacles, I kept hoping that their personality flaws wouldn't rear their ugly heads. I had a soft spot for Tryffin and found the dynamic of his relationship with Jarlon interesting. As the story unfolded, the question of whether they could get past their differences completely and forge an unhindered friendship kept me guessing. I was surprised by the story development for Richard - the truth about him was a good twist for me. Overall, Dragon's Shadow is a good read for YA and older readers, a great addition to the fantasy genre.

Reviewed By Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Liana Gardner's 7th Grade Revolution is inspired by true events. The 7th grade class receives news their revolution has succeeded, which puts them in charge. Events take a stranger turn following the students meeting for a policy vote. They discover the FBI has evacuated the school and overhear the plan the FBI has to find a treasure hidden somewhere in the school. The students must work together to defend their school from the FBI and to follow the clues left by the history buff - whose home was converted into their school - to find the hidden treasure.

Liana Gardner draws inspiration from real students who led a revolution in their school as part of a project. Gardner's 7th Grade Revolution brings this to life, beginning with the students succeeding, but the story quickly weaves in a thriller and adventure twist, tying in a mysterious connection to history. The illustrations found throughout are unique and lovely, adding to the mystery with the use of darker colors, shadows, and shading. The adventure takes place entirely inside the school, which works perfectly for the thrilling mystery they discover through a hidden staircase and a secret cavern. The school's connection to history ties into the Revolutionary War, thanks to the original owner being into history, so its history and secrets are linked to the history of the war. The students defend their school in ways reminiscent of Home Alone, which sees a similar gathering of items they have around them and making weapons to help defend their school. Treasure hunting is the largest focus throughout the plot as the students race against the FBI to find this hidden treasure, which is paired with a conspiracy angle highlighted in the actions of these suspicious men seeking the treasure for unknown reasons and, in doing so, evacuated the school.

The story also explores friendship and teamwork through these students, each from different situations and backgrounds, who bond over fighting for their school and following clues to treasure. The extreme circumstances allow them a chance to see each other in a new light, to trust each other, and to understand each other. The characters focused on are mainly Rhonda and Dennis, but several other characters are included throughout, each playing a key role in either the fight against the FBI or searching for the treasure as each uses their skills to uncover secrets. With stunning illustrations, 7th Grade Revolution is a treasure hunting adventure exploring themes of friendship, growing up, teamwork, and history.