Reviewed by Alysha Allen for Readers' Favorite

Joe, Jemima, Charlie, and Max have opened the large Shadows From The Past book again! Join the children and Max on another fantastic time-traveling adventure in The Shadow of The Minotaur by Wendy Leighton-Porter. Joe and Jemima Lancelot have recently discovered that their time-traveling parents are lost in the past. Their only hope lies in the children finding them and bringing them a special key that takes them home. With their friend Charlie and talking Tonkinese cat Max at their sides, Joe and Jemima bravely step into the past. As the children and Max search for the missing Lancelots, they experience history in ways never imagined. This adventure sends them to ancient Knossos. It's a race against time as Joe, Jemima, Charlie and Max help Prince Theseus to kill the fearsome half-man, half-bull creature known as a Minotaur. With the assistance of a lovely young princess, the children and Max find a way to get into the labyrinth where the gruesome beast feasts on humans so as to aid the young prince. Only, once in the Minotaur’s dangerous lair, they find themselves trapped with no hope of escape. With the children locked deep within the Minotaur's labyrinth and their only help now a hostage in the palace, one special hero tries to save the day. Can he get help before it's too late? Will the children suffer the same fate as the twins' parents and be forever lost in time? Or worse, be eaten by the mighty Minotaur?

Another wonderful book by master story-weaver, Wendy Leighton Porter! The Shadow of The Minotaur is the second book in the Shadows From The Past series. This book is action packed and filled with adventure around every corner. The reader, young or old, won't be able to put the book down to the last page. I loved that it came with a helpful pronunciation key to help the less experienced reader. I love the Shadows From The Past series. The author has an extraordinary ability to combine history with fiction in such a realistic manner. It gives the reader the feeling of being there, next to her characters. She then explains in detail what is history and what is fiction so that the reader won't become confused. Although this book is rather gory in parts, I didn't find it offensive. Contrarily, the goriness only added to the intensity and believability of the story. This is a must-read for any youngster. I recommend this book to children ages 7-10, but I believe anyone would enjoy it. I certainly did!

Reviewed by Mary T. Kincaid for Readers' Favorite

Shadow of Atlantis by Wendy Leighton-Porter is about three children and a cat named Max, traveling back in time to the island of Atlantis. They arrive in Atlantis right before the volcanic eruption that destroyed the island and sank it into the Mediterranean Sea. An Atlantean family befriends them and they are able to tell them about the impending danger to Atlantis. The reader meets twins Jemima and Joe, Charlie, their friend, and Max, an extraordinarily large cat. In Atlantis, they learn about the disappearance of their parents who are lost in time, because they began their time travel without the key they needed to return through the portal of an old book: Shadows From the Past. This book opens the portal that allows them to travel to the past. It is opened with a key that Jemima wears on a chain. In the box with the book was a pouch of gold owl charms which allow the children to understand the language of the land, and to understand Max, their Tonkinese cat.

This is a wonderful story of adventure back into mythical history. It is a fun read, well developed and executed. The descriptions and characters are appropriate for the age intended. Children looking for adventure will enjoy this one. They will enjoy the speculation that Atlantis was in the Mediterranean Sea. The culture, customs, and society are covered by the introduction to the family of Medon, the fisherman. The high priests of Poseidon decide that the tales of Atlantis’s destruction are sent by the spies of Athena, and try to cause trouble, but Max figures out a way to rescue them. I give this book a five out of five stars and recommend it for all history buffs and adventure lovers.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea: Vols. I-III is 3-volume collection of humorous adventure stories for young readers written by S.D. Moore and illustrated by Bobbi Switzer. PJ was the smallest kid in his class, and he sometimes got teased about that by his classmates. His dad was also away quite a bit lately for business, which had been getting PJ down, but PJ’s mom had the perfect idea for making her little guy smile again. They were going to Mr. Peppy’s Pet Store to pick out a pet for him, and he would be able to choose whatever type of pet he’d like. Once they got there, his mom and Mr. Peppy started talking, and PJ wandered around the store considering who he would take home. A goldfish? Nah, you can’t really do much playing outdoors with a fish, and a guinea pig was an awful lot like a rat which his mom hates. A dog would be kind of cool, but PJ remembered what his mom said about the responsibilities involved in taking care of a dog. Then PJ heard a voice call his name -- it was a parrot. Mr. Peppy explained that his name was Split Pea, a name the bird earned both for his coloring and the split in his wing feathers from having been caught out in a storm. PJ knew almost instantly that Split Pea was the perfect pet and best friend for him. They left Mr. Peppy’s together and proceeded to go off on adventures.

S.D. Moore’s collection of humorous adventure stories for early readers, The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea: Vols. I-III, is a grand selection for early readers, but it’s also one of those books that you’re going to want to share with younger children at story time. It might even spur some reluctant readers to start trying reading books on their own. Moore’s stories are silly and fun, filled with the kinds of things that get kids, and some adults, giggling, such as using stinky socks to cover up the gaps in Split Pea’s wings (which didn’t work) and following as PJ tries to borrow false teeth for his class photo. Bobbi Switzer’s illustrations are awesome and give these stories a graphic novel feel. They’re brightly colored, hilarious and beautifully showcase the growing friendship between PJ and Split Pea. Moore includes a Bonus Activity Book at the end of the stories which includes a word search, pages from the stories to color, and a maze. The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea: Vols. I-III is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Barbara Fanson for Readers' Favorite

The purple hands on the front cover intrigued me so I had to read That Curious Sign on Aisle Nine, written by Kyle Morey with Laren Bright. And of course, when I read the sign on page 8, I also wanted to know what was behind the sign. But, what happens if you touch him? This book is a real page-turner that will have both children and adults curious as to what happens next. What a surprising twist right at the end! You’ve just got to read That Curious Sign on Aisle Nine.

The illustrations by Dwayne Bruce in That Curious Sign on Aisle Nine are excellent! Lots of color tones, the big, bold illustrations jump off the pages and add so much to the story. I like the rounded, feathered edges of the artwork and how sometimes a foot steps out. We can see the fear in the curious boy’s face, as the artwork demonstrates the story accurately. Authors Kyle Morey and Laren Bright have written a best-seller; That Curious Sign on Aisle Nine is a rhyming adventure full of mystery that will have children and their parents wondering what happens next. From start to finish, children will be entertained with words that sing from the page. That Curious Sign on Aisle Nine has a winning combination of an intriguing and entertaining story, sprinkled with the right amount of fear, and wonderful illustrations—an absolute joy to read again and again. That Curious Sign on Aisle Nine is a must-have picture book for every child’s bookshelf.

Reviewed by Kristen Van Kampen for Readers' Favorite

Rocket-bye by Carole P. Roman is an enjoyable picture book that takes young readers on an exciting journey. It is about two people in outer space. They soar above trees and see cities look small. They see stars make up constellations, and soar past each planet. They visit Mercury, and then romp past Venus, and then later ride the rings of Saturn, and they dart past Uranus. They have a splendid journey exploring outer space. But how will this fun adventure come to an end?

I absolutely loved Rocket-bye by Carole P. Roman. The book rhymes perfectly, and has a nice rhythm to it. It's a fun, enjoyable book and is perfect for a bedtime story. The pictures by illustrator Mateya Arkova are simple and beautiful, and depict the story very well. The pictures also show real constellations behind the characters, which helps if someone wanted to learn about the constellations. The book is also a great way to learn about space, as the characters visit the planets in order, as well as mentioning the names of some constellations and stars. Carole P. Roman clearly put a lot of time into writing the book as it is well developed and planned out. I liked how the author described what everything looked like when the characters were on the rocket. I also liked how the story seemed to include the reader. Rocket-bye is a stunning book that is perfect for all children. I would recommend this for young readers.

Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

Twelve-year-old Will Burns knows there is no such thing as Father Christmas, but he loves the holiday season for all the other wonderful things it represents. In Fraud at Snowfields by Daniel Klock, Will is amazed the day after Christmas, though, when a surprise guest presents him with an invitation to attend Snowfields – the renowned training school for the highly secret White Christmas Organization, the WCO. Hidden from the rest of the world, Snowfields becomes Will’s home as he and a group of other first-year students learn all about making, storing and distributing Christmas presents and trouble-shooting any problems that would lead to a child’s disappointment. Due to his keen observations and quick thinking, Will stumbles upon a mystery at school that has far reaching effects. Sworn to secrecy, Will helps a task force try to track down the source of illegal magic until everything begins to go wrong on Christmas Eve. Even with everyone helping, can Will and his teachers solve the mystery and prevent the ruin of this Christmas holiday?

For a delightful and entertaining story fit for children who no longer believe in Father Christmas but hold the magic of the holidays in their hearts, Fraud at Snowfields by Daniel Klock is as perfect as the best cookies and hot cocoa. It is easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit as the clever boys and girls go about their lessons and work to make the holiday they love perfect for all children and adults around the world. This book is a delightful mixture of Polar Express and Hogwarts, with plenty of action and a wonderful main character who is clever but not full of himself. It feels like there could be a sequel and I'm sure that it would be well received! This book is truly worth reading, not only for the great story, but for the lessons about generosity, kindness, and dedication to a higher purpose. Well done and thoroughly enjoyable!

Reviewed by Stephen Fisher for Readers' Favorite

The FunGkins: The Battle For Halladon by C. Raymond Gray is a fantastical tale about FunGkins. This is a magical race of beings that for centuries were enslaved by the evil Leprechauns and forced to mine gold, and suffered many hardships, until they were able to escape. Many of them found their way to America by disguising themselves as rats on board the Mayflower. The story begins with Clara and her family in Pirate's Cove. After picking mushrooms in the forest, Clara's father found a really big one and the FunGkins send Jack One, and Jack Two to retrieve it. It is a special mushroom that contains powerful magic the FunGkins need to supply the magic necessary to maintain their realm. As a reward for helping them, Clara and Aunt Tilly get a tour of the Mushroom Valley. Everything seems wonderful until a tall, dark stranger overhears a tale of little people. When he appears on the Gooday's doorstep, they invite him in. Our heroine, Clara, calls her Aunt Tilly. When Clara spies on him with her magic telescope, she becomes terrified, and sends out a warning to the FunGkins.

The author does an amazing job of describing everything in this tale so vividly that you, as the reader, can picture in your mind as if you are actually there. With all of the splendor, magic and wonder that could put Oz to shame, C. Raymond Gray's story telling reminded me instantly of the great J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. What I really liked was how when our villain appears the writing style became lyrical. By the story's end, you are left hanging in suspense for the next installment. The FunGkins is a wondrous, captivating book that can be enjoyed by all ages. All I can say is ... Wow!

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Sir Princess Petra's Mission: The Pen Pieyu Adventures, Book 3 is an epic fantasy and adventure novel for children written by Diane Mae Robinson and illustrated by Michael Bermundo. When Princess Petra is summoned to the royal throne room to appear before her father, the King, she quickly got the idea that the newly enlarged Royal Rule Book and the grin on her father’s face meant she had trouble. Indeed, there was a new royal seal-of-approval mission that she must complete under pain of losing not only her knighthood, but that of Bograt, the bog witch who had been knighted after an earlier royal mission. She is, at least, able to wrest a legal concession from her father on the part of the order that mandates that she travel unaccompanied to the hitherto unexplored land of the Boogy Gobees by citing a previous sealed rule that a knight’s steed and any other knights of the realm would accompany a questing knight on any mission. So, accompanied by Bograt and her dragon friend and steed, Snarls, Sir Petra sets out for unknown parts to capture and bring back a car-panther.

Diane Mae Robinson’s epic fantasy and adventure tale for children, Sir Princess Petra's Mission, is the third book in this original and highly acclaimed series about a princess who’d really rather be a knight. However, readers new to the series will find enough background information in the accompanying synopses of Books One and Two to enable them to enjoy this book on its own. I’d be somewhat surprised, however, if those new readers don’t find themselves planning to read the previous books after finishing this one. Sir Princess Petra is a brilliant role model for both girls and boys who may feel somewhat out of the mainstream with their goals, attitudes and ambitions, and she fulfills that function marvelously. Robinson’s series is also a perfect introduction to epic fantasy for children that is never patronizing and always filled with the imagination, action and adventure that make epic fantasy work so well. Michael Bermundo’s illustrations bring Petra and Snarls to life so well. I loved seeing the variety of expressions on both their faces in the illustrations presented throughout the book. Sir Princess Petra's Mission: The Pen Pieyu Adventures, Book 3 is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Nashella Zarek for Readers' Favorite

"The Taste of Snow" by Stephen V. Masse tells the story of Nicole, a young girl in Austria who receives a magical candy cane from a shopkeeper during the Christmas season. Nicole is skeptical at first, but then decides to take the candy cane and begins to think constantly about the idea of magic. After tasting the candy cane, some unusual things begin to happen to Nicole, some of them good and some of them not so good, and Nicole cannot decide whether this is the result of the magical candy cane or nor. Is the candy cane the reason for Nicole’s sudden outbursts? Will the magic that is held in the candy cane be enough to keep Nicole safe through a terrifying night alone in an Austrian blizzard? "The Taste of Snow" follows Nicole through some truly harrowing circumstances, and also celebrates the magic that is Christmas.

"The Taste of Snow" by Stephen V. Masse is a beautiful and well-crafted story. Stephen Masse has a gift for language that is rich but easily understood even by young readers. The reader can easily imagine life in Austria with all its rich holiday traditions. I was drawn to both Nicole, the older and supposedly wiser sister, as well as her younger sister Ashley, who is full of mischief and spirit. Young readers will like Nicole because although she tries hard to do the right thing most of the time, she still makes mistakes and young readers will identify with that. The story is full of vibrant and well-drawn characters, and readers will feel highly compelled to read on to see what awaits Nicole next. "The Taste of Snow" is a wonderful, magical story that introduces readers to a new culture and will leave them rooting for the spunky heroine as she learns about true magic.

Reviewed by Faridah Nassozi for Readers' Favorite

In A Pigeon's Tale by S.A. Mahan, a baby pigeon was forced out of the coop before he was ready, into a dark night full of ruthless predators. Away from his family, he flew alone in search of a safe place to call home again. After a very tough journey, he finally found his home with a flock of pigeons in a far away town. Young Squeaker was taken in by the leader of the flock - Old Dude - who would go on to raise him as his own and teach him great life lessons. Under Old Dude's strict orders, Squeaker would later leave his new family in search of a human family. Squeaker's wonderful journey started at old George's farm, to his next pigeon family under Old Dude's protective wing, to his goose family and then to the most exciting chapter with his human family. Come follow the brave pigeon as he learns about life and takes on endless challenges; and be a witness to his mighty role in saving the world from extinction.

A Pigeon's Tale by S.A. Mahan is an immensely inspiring tale about life, love, kindness and courage as seen through the eyes of a mighty brave pigeon. S.A. Mahan's flawless writing brought this beautiful story to life through a style that was fun, natural and just right for the theme. It is amazing how these contrasting characters were blended into one compelling story. The book portrays the most beautiful, most caring and most inspiring relationship between Squeaker and Old Dude, Squeaker and Henry, and then Squeaker and his human family. It was simply incredible the way Old Dude and those after him took the young pigeon under their protective wing like he was their own blood; it is the kind of love I wish existed for the countless abandoned and suffering kids around the world. The story is a one of a kind children's book with great lessons for children and for adults too. From kindness and being good to one another - even to complete strangers - to listening to the wisdom of the elders and believing in God, to sustainable energy, we can all learn a lot from this moving story. A Pigeon's Tale by S.A. Mahan is one of the most flawless and compelling children's books I have read.