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Moraline
Cintia Alfonso Fior
2023 Gold Medal
228 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite
Moraline is alone in the forest, grieving after a cruel prank by her classmates when she encounters a scarred, magical man who tells her that the four winds of the universe are out of balance, and she must help to restore them. Although she doubts her ability at first, she discovers that she is being directed by mystical powers as she makes new friends, saves a little fox, makes a foreign student feel more welcome, and assists a friend in dealing with loss. Her positive effect on others is eventually felt not only by her friends but also by a far broader audience, including her hostile peers. Moraline by Cintia Alfonso Fior portrays a delightful little character who learns about caring for people from different backgrounds. She also gains an understanding of environmental preservation as she embarks on one compassionate expedition after another with her friends.
The book will captivate its readers with thrilling adventures and exploits, as well as rich depictions of nature and mystical characters that left me in awe. In addition to beautifully detailed physical attributes, the characters are portrayed as highly engaging and having extensive backstories, to the point that anyone would be interested in speaking with them in person. This compelling book deftly incorporates several life lessons that are best learned at a young age, such as the necessity of trying to comprehend the motivation of bullies rather than just reacting vengefully. The numerous, seamlessly woven themes span a wide range, including activism, racism, animal welfare, child labor, empathy, magic, and more. I hope that all children who can understand the principles in Moraline get to read it since it will help not just their generation but also the future of life on earth. Fantastic job, Cintia Alfonso Fior.
Moraline is alone in the forest, grieving after a cruel prank by her classmates when she encounters a scarred, magical man who tells her that the four winds of the universe are out of balance, and she must help to restore them. Although she doubts her ability at first, she discovers that she is being directed by mystical powers as she makes new friends, saves a little fox, makes a foreign student feel more welcome, and assists a friend in dealing with loss. Her positive effect on others is eventually felt not only by her friends but also by a far broader audience, including her hostile peers. Moraline by Cintia Alfonso Fior portrays a delightful little character who learns about caring for people from different backgrounds. She also gains an understanding of environmental preservation as she embarks on one compassionate expedition after another with her friends.
The book will captivate its readers with thrilling adventures and exploits, as well as rich depictions of nature and mystical characters that left me in awe. In addition to beautifully detailed physical attributes, the characters are portrayed as highly engaging and having extensive backstories, to the point that anyone would be interested in speaking with them in person. This compelling book deftly incorporates several life lessons that are best learned at a young age, such as the necessity of trying to comprehend the motivation of bullies rather than just reacting vengefully. The numerous, seamlessly woven themes span a wide range, including activism, racism, animal welfare, child labor, empathy, magic, and more. I hope that all children who can understand the principles in Moraline get to read it since it will help not just their generation but also the future of life on earth. Fantastic job, Cintia Alfonso Fior.
Recommend this book:
The Cat That Wanders by Itself
Mrs. D.
2022 Finalist
329 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Steve Leshin for Readers' Favorite
The Cat That Wanders by Itself by Mrs. D. answers the question: what if your cat could speak to you? A calico cat who goes by the name of Nyda is the answer. As told in the first-person narrative, Nyda is the only female in a litter of kittens who navigates her way with the help of her mother and brothers. She certainly lives up to the title of the book, wandering into one adventure after another, which takes her away from the safety of her mother, while learning to be an independent and confident cat in the course of time. In each chapter, Nyda faces a new challenge as she seems to get into more mischief, something any cat owner can relate to. She faces indoor and outdoor confrontations with spiders, dust, frogs, and new people, until arriving at her new family home.
While reading The Cat That Wanders by Itself, I was reminded of my own feline friend of years gone by, C.C. the Cat, a rugged male tabby, who seemed to get into more trouble with each passing day yet would always come back home where purring and an occasional brush against your leg would be his way of saying, "Hello, I’m back." Nyda tells her story well, with the help of the author, Mrs. D, of course, and the illustrations by Saima Malik are marvelous. The Cat That Wanders by Itself is a delightful tale, suitable for children and cat lovers of any age.
The Cat That Wanders by Itself by Mrs. D. answers the question: what if your cat could speak to you? A calico cat who goes by the name of Nyda is the answer. As told in the first-person narrative, Nyda is the only female in a litter of kittens who navigates her way with the help of her mother and brothers. She certainly lives up to the title of the book, wandering into one adventure after another, which takes her away from the safety of her mother, while learning to be an independent and confident cat in the course of time. In each chapter, Nyda faces a new challenge as she seems to get into more mischief, something any cat owner can relate to. She faces indoor and outdoor confrontations with spiders, dust, frogs, and new people, until arriving at her new family home.
While reading The Cat That Wanders by Itself, I was reminded of my own feline friend of years gone by, C.C. the Cat, a rugged male tabby, who seemed to get into more trouble with each passing day yet would always come back home where purring and an occasional brush against your leg would be his way of saying, "Hello, I’m back." Nyda tells her story well, with the help of the author, Mrs. D, of course, and the illustrations by Saima Malik are marvelous. The Cat That Wanders by Itself is a delightful tale, suitable for children and cat lovers of any age.
Recommend this book:
Halley Harper, Science Girl Extraordinaire
Summer Set in Motion
Tracy Borgmeyer
2022 Honorable Mention
139 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Halley Harper, Science Girl Extraordinaire: Summer Set in Motion is a children's adventure novel written by Tracy Borgmeyer. Nine-year-old Halley Harper is a science prodigy. Labeled lovingly as Miss Disaster by her parents due to her tendency to cause minor accidents like clogging up sinks with her experiments, Halley is excited at the prospect of being sent to Camp Eureka -- a science camp for kids -- with her best friend, Gracelyn. Upon arrival, Ms. Mac, the Camp Director, announced to the assembled kids that they were going to perform experiments related to Newton's Laws of Motion. Halley and Gracelyn are grouped with a boy named Nathan in Team Comet. However, someone was trying to sabotage Camp Eureka to shut it down forever. Will Halley be able to prevent that from happening?
A fun-filled adventure story with valuable lessons on science for kids, Halley Harper, Science Girl Extraordinaire: Summer Set in Motion is an absolute joy to read. The narrative follows Halley Harper, a sweet young girl who finds it difficult to fit in except in things involving science. She is a quirky character with a colorful and vibrant personality. Her spunky attitude, combined with her thirst for knowledge, makes her an immensely likable character young readers will find easy to root for. I particularly enjoyed her friendships with Gracelyn and Nathan. Author Tracy Borgmeyer also infuses the narrative with some fun ways to teach Newton's Laws of Motion that'll appeal to youngsters interested in science. This is an entertaining adventure novel for preteens.
Halley Harper, Science Girl Extraordinaire: Summer Set in Motion is a children's adventure novel written by Tracy Borgmeyer. Nine-year-old Halley Harper is a science prodigy. Labeled lovingly as Miss Disaster by her parents due to her tendency to cause minor accidents like clogging up sinks with her experiments, Halley is excited at the prospect of being sent to Camp Eureka -- a science camp for kids -- with her best friend, Gracelyn. Upon arrival, Ms. Mac, the Camp Director, announced to the assembled kids that they were going to perform experiments related to Newton's Laws of Motion. Halley and Gracelyn are grouped with a boy named Nathan in Team Comet. However, someone was trying to sabotage Camp Eureka to shut it down forever. Will Halley be able to prevent that from happening?
A fun-filled adventure story with valuable lessons on science for kids, Halley Harper, Science Girl Extraordinaire: Summer Set in Motion is an absolute joy to read. The narrative follows Halley Harper, a sweet young girl who finds it difficult to fit in except in things involving science. She is a quirky character with a colorful and vibrant personality. Her spunky attitude, combined with her thirst for knowledge, makes her an immensely likable character young readers will find easy to root for. I particularly enjoyed her friendships with Gracelyn and Nathan. Author Tracy Borgmeyer also infuses the narrative with some fun ways to teach Newton's Laws of Motion that'll appeal to youngsters interested in science. This is an entertaining adventure novel for preteens.
Recommend this book:
People of the Sun
The Eye of Ra book 3
Ben Gartner
2022 Bronze Medal
262 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
People of the Sun is the third book in The Eye of Ra series by Ben Gartner. John and Sarah's trip to their Aunt Lorraine's home in Santa Cruz, California, doesn't quite turn out the way they thought it would, as an unexpected earthquake leads to a chain of events they could've never foreseen. Their future selves pay them a visit to warn them that the world is in grave danger, and John and Sarah must travel back in time to Aztec-ruled Mexico to stop the past from changing. But maneuvering history is never easy, as John and Sarah quickly discover after being held hostage by a cruel general with nefarious motives. Additionally, the battle between the Aztecs and Hernan Cortes's men puts them all in peril.
Spy Kids meets Back to the Future. A wondrous adventure odyssey for middle graders, People of the Sun, is a treat for sci-fi lovers. Author Ben Gartner's approach to the narrative makes the time-tested premise of time travel feel refreshingly unique and innovative. Despite the non-linear narrative style and the intricacies of the plot, the story is easily accessible, and you find yourself immersed within the first couple of pages. The characters are colorful and full of life. Their vibrant personalities make them easy to root for and thoroughly enjoyable to read. John and Sarah's sibling dynamic provides the narrative thrust to the story. I had an absolute blast with People of the Sun, and I highly recommend it to preteens and young teenagers who're into sci-fi.
People of the Sun is the third book in The Eye of Ra series by Ben Gartner. John and Sarah's trip to their Aunt Lorraine's home in Santa Cruz, California, doesn't quite turn out the way they thought it would, as an unexpected earthquake leads to a chain of events they could've never foreseen. Their future selves pay them a visit to warn them that the world is in grave danger, and John and Sarah must travel back in time to Aztec-ruled Mexico to stop the past from changing. But maneuvering history is never easy, as John and Sarah quickly discover after being held hostage by a cruel general with nefarious motives. Additionally, the battle between the Aztecs and Hernan Cortes's men puts them all in peril.
Spy Kids meets Back to the Future. A wondrous adventure odyssey for middle graders, People of the Sun, is a treat for sci-fi lovers. Author Ben Gartner's approach to the narrative makes the time-tested premise of time travel feel refreshingly unique and innovative. Despite the non-linear narrative style and the intricacies of the plot, the story is easily accessible, and you find yourself immersed within the first couple of pages. The characters are colorful and full of life. Their vibrant personalities make them easy to root for and thoroughly enjoyable to read. John and Sarah's sibling dynamic provides the narrative thrust to the story. I had an absolute blast with People of the Sun, and I highly recommend it to preteens and young teenagers who're into sci-fi.
Recommend this book:
 by Leah Cupps is a gripping middle-grade novel following the main character Harley as she tries to track down a missing statue and save the world. When Harley finds one of the statues of the Three Kings of Mayan history and legend, she hopes it will make her dad see th...){kind=link}
Harley James & the Mystery of the Mayan Kings
Harley James Adventures Book 1
Leah Cupps
2022 Bronze Medal
172 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Kristen Van Kampen (Teen Reviewer) for Readers' Favorite
Harley James and the Mystery of the Mayan Kings (Harley James Adventures Book 1) by Leah Cupps is a gripping middle-grade novel following the main character Harley as she tries to track down a missing statue and save the world. When Harley finds one of the statues of the Three Kings of Mayan history and legend, she hopes it will make her dad see that she’s mature enough to explore on her own. Unfortunately, the statue is stolen before she gets the chance to tell him about it, and she soon learns that if that statue is reunited with the other two, it could result in the end of the world. Together with her friend Aly, and Deacon, a boy she’s not sure she can trust, Harley must face her fears and get the statue back before it’s too late.
With strong characters and lots of action, Harley James and the Mystery of the Mayan Kings by Leah Cupps is not to be missed. The story is filled with exciting scenes that are sure to keep the reader in suspense, such as when Harley and Aly were almost trapped inside a temple, or when they nearly go over a waterfall. The book is well written, and the first-person narrative gives the reader a chance to get to know Harley, who is a likable and brave character who readers will root for. The occasional illustrations throughout the book are well drawn and enhance the reading experience. The book would be a fun way to learn about the Maya, and I feel I gained a lot by reading it. I found myself hooked from the first page and thoroughly enjoyed the book as a whole. I would certainly recommend it.
Harley James and the Mystery of the Mayan Kings (Harley James Adventures Book 1) by Leah Cupps is a gripping middle-grade novel following the main character Harley as she tries to track down a missing statue and save the world. When Harley finds one of the statues of the Three Kings of Mayan history and legend, she hopes it will make her dad see that she’s mature enough to explore on her own. Unfortunately, the statue is stolen before she gets the chance to tell him about it, and she soon learns that if that statue is reunited with the other two, it could result in the end of the world. Together with her friend Aly, and Deacon, a boy she’s not sure she can trust, Harley must face her fears and get the statue back before it’s too late.
With strong characters and lots of action, Harley James and the Mystery of the Mayan Kings by Leah Cupps is not to be missed. The story is filled with exciting scenes that are sure to keep the reader in suspense, such as when Harley and Aly were almost trapped inside a temple, or when they nearly go over a waterfall. The book is well written, and the first-person narrative gives the reader a chance to get to know Harley, who is a likable and brave character who readers will root for. The occasional illustrations throughout the book are well drawn and enhance the reading experience. The book would be a fun way to learn about the Maya, and I feel I gained a lot by reading it. I found myself hooked from the first page and thoroughly enjoyed the book as a whole. I would certainly recommend it.
Recommend this book:
Secret Magic
Evie Everyday Witch, Book 1
Elena Paige
2022 Silver Medal
167 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Marta Tandori for Readers' Favorite
Secret Magic: Evie Everyday Witch Book 1 is a charming chapter book written by Elena Paige for younger middle-grade readers. Evie Everyday is a young witch who just wants to be a lamron – that’s the word “normal” spelled backward. She enrolls in a new school and does her best to blend in with the other kids, turning her purple pet cat into a diary, her bat into a pair of glasses and hiding her corncob in her backpack. The only problem is that no one seems to wear any color except for black and everyone acts a little weird, especially Mrs. Rogers, the school principal. One minute, everyone is mean to Evie and the next minute, everyone thinks she’s just the greatest. Then there’s Izzy, a friendly girl after Evie’s own heart, who’s convinced that Evie’s a witch. Evie does her best to stay away from Izzy – even if it means hurting the other girl’s feelings – in order to keep up appearances of being “normal”. Until the unthinkable happens…her corncob starts popping corn all over the class, her glasses turn back into her bat and chaos ensues. Evie suddenly realizes that being “normal” isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be…
Evie is the perfect young protagonist. She’s quirky and charming with a bubbly personality that won’t let anything get her down. When faced with a problem, she looks for a solution yet, at the same time, she’s just like any young girl wanting to fit in with her peers, making her a very relatable figure. Her friend, Izzy, is equally likable. She embodies what it means to be a good friend, which is an important attribute to convey to young children at a time when they’re learning to develop friendships that can sometimes be fickle and turn hurtful. The narrative in Secret Magic is age-appropriate and easy to follow. Paige does a good job combining elements of magic within the storyline without letting it overpower the central theme of her story. The character of Mrs. Rogers is a little over the top but appropriate in context with the nature of the story. A likable young protagonist and a bit of hocus-pocus make for a winning combination in Secret Magic, the first Evie Everyday Witch book in what promises to be a great series.
Secret Magic: Evie Everyday Witch Book 1 is a charming chapter book written by Elena Paige for younger middle-grade readers. Evie Everyday is a young witch who just wants to be a lamron – that’s the word “normal” spelled backward. She enrolls in a new school and does her best to blend in with the other kids, turning her purple pet cat into a diary, her bat into a pair of glasses and hiding her corncob in her backpack. The only problem is that no one seems to wear any color except for black and everyone acts a little weird, especially Mrs. Rogers, the school principal. One minute, everyone is mean to Evie and the next minute, everyone thinks she’s just the greatest. Then there’s Izzy, a friendly girl after Evie’s own heart, who’s convinced that Evie’s a witch. Evie does her best to stay away from Izzy – even if it means hurting the other girl’s feelings – in order to keep up appearances of being “normal”. Until the unthinkable happens…her corncob starts popping corn all over the class, her glasses turn back into her bat and chaos ensues. Evie suddenly realizes that being “normal” isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be…
Evie is the perfect young protagonist. She’s quirky and charming with a bubbly personality that won’t let anything get her down. When faced with a problem, she looks for a solution yet, at the same time, she’s just like any young girl wanting to fit in with her peers, making her a very relatable figure. Her friend, Izzy, is equally likable. She embodies what it means to be a good friend, which is an important attribute to convey to young children at a time when they’re learning to develop friendships that can sometimes be fickle and turn hurtful. The narrative in Secret Magic is age-appropriate and easy to follow. Paige does a good job combining elements of magic within the storyline without letting it overpower the central theme of her story. The character of Mrs. Rogers is a little over the top but appropriate in context with the nature of the story. A likable young protagonist and a bit of hocus-pocus make for a winning combination in Secret Magic, the first Evie Everyday Witch book in what promises to be a great series.
Recommend this book:
My Magic Mirror
Adventure and Mystery in the Magical world of Fantasy
Anushka Bhattacharjee
2022 Gold Medal
104 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
My Magic Mirror is a children's fantasy adventure story by eight-year-old author Anushka Bhattacharjee. Nine-year-old Ara is not pleased when she and her five-year-old brother Felice have to move to Toronto, Canada, because of their mother's new job. One day, while exploring the mirror in the basement, the siblings are sucked into it and find themselves in the story of the three little pigs. After Ara relates the story to her brother, Felice proposes an audacious plan to save the pigs from the Big Bad Wolf. Ara and Felice start helping the pigs one by one, only to realize the Big Bad Wolf may not be as bad as they previously thought. They uncover an underlying conspiracy that was making pigs disappear in the small town of Pown. Now, can they return back home?
Anushka Bhattacharjee spins an absorbing yarn that will have kids transported to a magical world full of talking animals. My Magic Mirror is a captivating read filled with eye-catching illustrations that make the story all the more immersive. The characters are vibrant and brimming with life. Their colorful personas make them pop out of the pages and keep you entertained until the end. My Magic Mirror offers plenty of exciting moments while teaching kids the valuable lesson of working together and how everything is not always how it seems. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Any child who loves adventure and fantasy stories will have a wonderful time reading this book. Recommended to kids under the age of twelve.
My Magic Mirror is a children's fantasy adventure story by eight-year-old author Anushka Bhattacharjee. Nine-year-old Ara is not pleased when she and her five-year-old brother Felice have to move to Toronto, Canada, because of their mother's new job. One day, while exploring the mirror in the basement, the siblings are sucked into it and find themselves in the story of the three little pigs. After Ara relates the story to her brother, Felice proposes an audacious plan to save the pigs from the Big Bad Wolf. Ara and Felice start helping the pigs one by one, only to realize the Big Bad Wolf may not be as bad as they previously thought. They uncover an underlying conspiracy that was making pigs disappear in the small town of Pown. Now, can they return back home?
Anushka Bhattacharjee spins an absorbing yarn that will have kids transported to a magical world full of talking animals. My Magic Mirror is a captivating read filled with eye-catching illustrations that make the story all the more immersive. The characters are vibrant and brimming with life. Their colorful personas make them pop out of the pages and keep you entertained until the end. My Magic Mirror offers plenty of exciting moments while teaching kids the valuable lesson of working together and how everything is not always how it seems. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Any child who loves adventure and fantasy stories will have a wonderful time reading this book. Recommended to kids under the age of twelve.
Recommend this book:
The Midnight Glass
D. T. Vaughn
2021 Finalist
265 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite
The Midnight Glass is a children’s fantasy by D.T. Vaughn. Eleven-year-old Wyatt Dumont, his irritating sister Roxanne, and their widowed mother move to the eerily dark town of Davenport. No one is allowed to leave Davenport and its gates are kept locked. They feel out of place among the odd-looking residents who also think the Dumonts are strange too. Some aren’t human but are elves and wulfyns. When Wyatt finds a particular piece of glass with an unfamiliar inscription and has to sit at a haunted desk at school, his curiosity overcomes his fear. Why is the desk haunted? Why did dragons cause mayhem at the festival? Why are others looking for the glass and why are scary giant spiders in his room? As Wyatt learns more about Davenport’s history, unknown danger looms.
The Midnight Glass is a mesmerizing fantasy for 4th to 6th graders who are fond of similar magical stories like Harry Potter. The prologue is an extremely suspenseful, impressive beginning. I loved the rest of this exciting story with its unique characters and themes. Wyatt and his friends, a wulfyn and an elf, are adorable too. Magic, bullying, and scary creatures are not in short supply in this novel. D.T. Vaughn is imaginative in his writing. His character development and drama in The Midnight Glass made me think that this would make a nice movie. It’s entertaining and sentimental in parts with realistic family issues. I highly recommend this children’s book and hope to read more from this author.
The Midnight Glass is a children’s fantasy by D.T. Vaughn. Eleven-year-old Wyatt Dumont, his irritating sister Roxanne, and their widowed mother move to the eerily dark town of Davenport. No one is allowed to leave Davenport and its gates are kept locked. They feel out of place among the odd-looking residents who also think the Dumonts are strange too. Some aren’t human but are elves and wulfyns. When Wyatt finds a particular piece of glass with an unfamiliar inscription and has to sit at a haunted desk at school, his curiosity overcomes his fear. Why is the desk haunted? Why did dragons cause mayhem at the festival? Why are others looking for the glass and why are scary giant spiders in his room? As Wyatt learns more about Davenport’s history, unknown danger looms.
The Midnight Glass is a mesmerizing fantasy for 4th to 6th graders who are fond of similar magical stories like Harry Potter. The prologue is an extremely suspenseful, impressive beginning. I loved the rest of this exciting story with its unique characters and themes. Wyatt and his friends, a wulfyn and an elf, are adorable too. Magic, bullying, and scary creatures are not in short supply in this novel. D.T. Vaughn is imaginative in his writing. His character development and drama in The Midnight Glass made me think that this would make a nice movie. It’s entertaining and sentimental in parts with realistic family issues. I highly recommend this children’s book and hope to read more from this author.
Recommend this book:
Secret of the Starflower
Rainbow of Spectra
Jessica Kopecky
2021 Honorable Mention
118 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Tiffany Ferrell for Readers' Favorite
Secret of the Starflower: Rainbow of Spectra is a work of children's fiction by author Jessica Kopecky. Sandy wasn’t like the rest of the seahorsicorns that she knew growing up in Spectra. While everyone at school had pretty colors and could vanish as a way to protect themselves against chomperfish, Sandy had a strange rainbow mane and couldn’t vanish at all. Instead of disappearing, a beautiful starflower would appear, much to her dismay. Because of her bright colors, Sandy had to remain hidden when she looked for food, and oftentimes she’d go hungry. When her hunger got the better of her, she’d join the other seahorsicorns to eat, but was often bullied and pushed away because of her colors and how she attracted chomperfish. When the mayor of Spectra came to her and told her it would be best if she left since she attracted too many chomperfish, she found herself in a lonely life, until she got a knock on her door and a letter from a seahorsicorn who loved adventure. The two continued to write to one another and a friendship was built. Would this newfound friend help Sandy come out of hiding, or will she remain in the cave where it was safe but lonely?
I thought Secret Of The Starflower was an emotive and enlightening read. Sandy's experience of being teased for being different is a subject that I can see kids understanding. It also teaches a very good lesson that being different isn’t a bad thing, and what makes us unlike others can be seen as a strength and not a weakness. The main character Sandy is very well written and a muse that the young reader will relate to. The illustrations are also beautifully done and fit perfectly with the storyline. They are bright and colorful which will also grasp and keep a child’s attention. I think Jessica Kopecky has done a wonderful job and I can’t wait to read Sandy the seahorsicorn’s next adventure.
Secret of the Starflower: Rainbow of Spectra is a work of children's fiction by author Jessica Kopecky. Sandy wasn’t like the rest of the seahorsicorns that she knew growing up in Spectra. While everyone at school had pretty colors and could vanish as a way to protect themselves against chomperfish, Sandy had a strange rainbow mane and couldn’t vanish at all. Instead of disappearing, a beautiful starflower would appear, much to her dismay. Because of her bright colors, Sandy had to remain hidden when she looked for food, and oftentimes she’d go hungry. When her hunger got the better of her, she’d join the other seahorsicorns to eat, but was often bullied and pushed away because of her colors and how she attracted chomperfish. When the mayor of Spectra came to her and told her it would be best if she left since she attracted too many chomperfish, she found herself in a lonely life, until she got a knock on her door and a letter from a seahorsicorn who loved adventure. The two continued to write to one another and a friendship was built. Would this newfound friend help Sandy come out of hiding, or will she remain in the cave where it was safe but lonely?
I thought Secret Of The Starflower was an emotive and enlightening read. Sandy's experience of being teased for being different is a subject that I can see kids understanding. It also teaches a very good lesson that being different isn’t a bad thing, and what makes us unlike others can be seen as a strength and not a weakness. The main character Sandy is very well written and a muse that the young reader will relate to. The illustrations are also beautifully done and fit perfectly with the storyline. They are bright and colorful which will also grasp and keep a child’s attention. I think Jessica Kopecky has done a wonderful job and I can’t wait to read Sandy the seahorsicorn’s next adventure.
Recommend this book:
Bag Boy and Sweet Slob
Dave Shelton
2021 Bronze Medal
40 Pages
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Children - Grade 4th-6th
Reviewed by Soumya Sreehari for Readers' Favorite
What would you do if you had someone to call whenever you needed a bag for anything? Do you know someone who always keeps her room messy? Your sister, daughter, cousin, friend? What if the one with the bags and the one with the messy room met and became friends? That is exactly what happens in Dave Shelton’s story – Bag Boy and Sweet Slob. Randy Rassman collects all kinds of bags and keeps them handy because he believes they will be useful someday. Tandy Taylor is oblivious to the mess in her room and finds excuses every time her mother asks her to clean the room. She is a kind-hearted girl who just does not want to clean up her room’s mess. When Randy and Tandy meet in school and find that they can help each other, a friendship is born.
We all tend to have that one quality that is noticeable more than any other. A quirk, so to say. Randy is the bag collector; Tandy is the kind girl who never cleans her room. That is how they get their names – Bag Boy and Sweet Slob. Dave Shelton has weaved a beautiful story around these two characters about friendship, kindness, helping others, and caring for the environment. There are lessons to learn, both for children and for grown-ups. The illustrations by Richard Peter David are brilliant. They bring the story alive on the pages. I adored the two sweet characters and enjoyed their story. The story of their meeting, helping each other, and generating a business idea is endearing, to say the least. I highly recommend this book wholeheartedly for a heart-warming read.
What would you do if you had someone to call whenever you needed a bag for anything? Do you know someone who always keeps her room messy? Your sister, daughter, cousin, friend? What if the one with the bags and the one with the messy room met and became friends? That is exactly what happens in Dave Shelton’s story – Bag Boy and Sweet Slob. Randy Rassman collects all kinds of bags and keeps them handy because he believes they will be useful someday. Tandy Taylor is oblivious to the mess in her room and finds excuses every time her mother asks her to clean the room. She is a kind-hearted girl who just does not want to clean up her room’s mess. When Randy and Tandy meet in school and find that they can help each other, a friendship is born.
We all tend to have that one quality that is noticeable more than any other. A quirk, so to say. Randy is the bag collector; Tandy is the kind girl who never cleans her room. That is how they get their names – Bag Boy and Sweet Slob. Dave Shelton has weaved a beautiful story around these two characters about friendship, kindness, helping others, and caring for the environment. There are lessons to learn, both for children and for grown-ups. The illustrations by Richard Peter David are brilliant. They bring the story alive on the pages. I adored the two sweet characters and enjoyed their story. The story of their meeting, helping each other, and generating a business idea is endearing, to say the least. I highly recommend this book wholeheartedly for a heart-warming read.
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