Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

The Sleeping King is a remarkable book about climate change, written by Laurel Colless. Hidden away in Gum Tree Rest Home in Australia since his parents’ murders years earlier, eleven-year-old Peter Blue is woken from his sleep by a tall stranger, Tollen, who has a very long beard and an important message. Earth is dying. Pollution levels are at an all-time high, causing floods, superstorms and wildfires and, what’s more, the Dark Ones have discovered Peter’s location. Peter must move quickly to locate the book called The Wayfinder which will guide him, not only in stopping the Anthrog forces (which feed on the stench of human greed), but also ensuring that the destructive cycle causing these disasters comes to a screeching halt.

Laurel Colless has presented one of the most well-written and exciting books I have read in a very long time, which not only entices children to read about important issues which affect the future of life and the future of our planet. Embedded in such tragedy at a young age, the main character of the story – Peter Blue – has talents which instill hope and warmth and love for this planet that is so deep. Having been raised in Australia and surviving one of the worst firestorms in Australian history, I remember all too well growing up in the bush. For me, reading The Sleeping King was like watching a Cinemax film with subtitles – every single detail was written so well that the images played out perfectly in my mind. At one stage, I thought it might be on a story line par with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – but only the wardrobe was the star of the scene, leading to more amazing secrets of Peter’s past. The rescue of the baby wallaby was both heart-wrenching and inspiring, causing me to both laugh and cry in so many places.

With our planet being abused and climate change being held as fake by some of the biggest players in the crime scene, I feel it is absolutely imperative that The Sleeping King be read by all people, young and old, as the harsh facts are being swept under the carpet far too often. I enjoyed The Sleeping King immensely and feel it should be stocked in libraries at home, school, hospital, social offices and more. This is a message which is too important to ignore. I applaud Laurel Colless for her brilliant tale and look forward to reading further titles by this talented author in the future.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

In Spartan and the Green Egg (A Trip to the Rainforest, Book 1) by Nabila Khashoggi, mind power makes everything possible. Spartan’s dad brought him a book from his trip－a book about how to contact aliens from outer space. It sounds far-fetched, but then a green alien egg appears when Spartan and his friends attempt communication. Outside the treehouse, the egg transforms into a giant capsule-like spaceship. Spartan and his friends - Max, Tor, and Katie - and Spartan’s dog, Grimm, embark on their first exploration of the Amazon rainforest. Famed for its biodiversity, the world’s largest tropical rainforest is a perfect place for the young explorers to learn about different kinds of living plants and animals species. Also, they are able to meet native people of the rainforest and learn about their culture.

Deftly illustrated by Manuel Cadag, the beautiful, detailed drawings and bold colors of Spartan and the Green Egg are undeniably vibrant. The strong message of friendship, patience, empathy, and understanding is further enhanced by the highlighted real problem of the rainforest; deforestation. Here, Spartan and his friends lend a hand in fighting for the survival of the rainforest and its inhabitants against irresponsible loggers. All in all, this is an essential and imaginative book for inspiring even the youngest readers about exploration, as well as caring for the environment and learning about different cultures around the world. This is a commendable work from Khashoggi and a great start to the comic series. Where will the young explorers go next? I look forward to their forthcoming adventure.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Doodle and the Magic Christmas Float is a holiday-themed children’s picture book written by Cindy L. Shirley and illustrated by Cleoward Sy. Doodle was a little girl who lived with her grandparents, Mimi and Paw-Paw, on their farm in the town of Tinsel. There were lots of fun things for Doodle and her friends to do on the farm, and they spent many happy afternoons after school playing there. One afternoon, they went exploring in the woods nearby and found an abandoned trailer. Its paint was faded, and several of its tires were flat, but Doodle’s imagination was captured by the sign still attached to it that indicated that the trailer had a name, and it was “Magic.” The excited children ran back to the farm and asked Paw-Paw if he could help fix that little trailer, and he jumped right on his trusty tractor and drove over to see it. Paw-Paw’s an inventive sort, so he was able to quickly hook it up to the tractor and bring it home, and between him and Doodle, they figured out a perfect plan for Magic, the trailer.

Cindy Shirley’s holiday-themed children’s picture book, Doodle and the Magic Christmas Float, is a charming and beautifully illustrated book that pays tribute to the imagination and ingenuity that is present in every little boy and girl -- as well as some very fortunate adults, like Paw-Paw. I Ioved following as he and his granddaughter see the possibilities hidden in that old, broken-down trailer and transform it into something special and, yes, magical. And throughout the story, that theme of recycle and reuse appears in a number of clever and fun ways. Cleoward Sy’s illustrations are marvelous! The predominant reds, whites and greens he uses in each panel enhance the Christmassy feel of the tale, and the facial expressions of the characters work very well indeed. This is a grand selection for story time that is guaranteed to get children even more into the Christmas spirit than they may already be. It’s also a challenging and worthwhile option for more experienced young readers to try on their own. Doodle and the Magic Christmas Float is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Beedog: An Insect Discovery in Portugal is a children’s educational picture book written by Addie Broussard and illustrated by Joyeeta Neogi. Cora and her friend, Manny, were all ready for a fun-filled day at Carvalho beach in Portugal. They had their beach towels, sand buckets and frisbees ready and waiting. Cora’s mom drove them to the beach where they marvelled at the beauty of the beach and the surrounding hillsides. Cora and Manny were having a grand time building a sand castle and playing when they suddenly discovered a strange insect that seemed to also be building a sand castle. Cora thought it looked like a bee, but she wondered about how its eyes were different, and the digging behavior was definitely strange. When they got home, they decided to try to find out what their little 'beedog' actually was.

Addie Broussard’s educational picture book for children, The Beedog: An Insect Discovery in Portugal, is a book filled with beach time fun that also teaches kids about travel to other countries and the different types of animals and insects one might encounter. I loved watching how Cora and Manny use their computer skills to research the beedog and identify it. Joyeeta Neogi’s illustrations are brilliant and lots of fun. From gorgeous views of sandy beaches to a whimsical picture of a bee holding a sand shovel, each panel is boldly colored and works to reinforce the story. The Beedog: An Insect Discovery in Portugal is an ideal selection for story time, but the print size and carefully limited vocabulary also make it a perfect choice for a new reader. It’s most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

The Deadly Scarab is the third book in the Crime Cats series, both written and illustrated by Wolfgang Parker. After a botched robbery by Corwin Bachert, Clintonville’s young resident superhero, Jonas Shurmann, suddenly finds himself in possession of a mysterious ring. Rumored to have once been worn by the boy king Tutankhamun, not only does the ring, which bears upon it the most unusual, animated and beautiful scarab, bring with it mysterious visions, but it also sends young Jonas’ mind into a tailspin as voices in Jonas’ head convince him that two new people in town are out to destroy him. With time definitely not on their side, Jonas’ best feline friends, Catbob and Neil Higgins, work furiously to try to bring their friend back to the safe side of reality, saving him from the darkness hidden within the ring. If they fail, they could lose their superhero friend to the darkness forever.

I have been a long-time fan of the Crime Cats series and was so excited to see a new book had been released. Wolfgang Parker’s remarkable tale of a young boy who has the ability to literally speak to and understand cats is the perfect recipe for many wondrous adventures. The curious robbery at the beginning of The Deadly Scarab set the perfect scene for introducing the mysterious ring. It was wonderful to see Jonas’ home and school life explored much more deeply than the previous books, and with Catbob and Neil Higgins coming to the rescue of our junior superhero, it made for quite a twist. Mayhem and mystery are jam-packed into the pages of The Deadly Scarab, and I could not sing the tale’s accolades loudly enough if I tried. I wholeheartedly recommend The Deadly Scarab, as well the first two books in the Crime Cats series, to all young readers aged 7-15 years who enjoy a great mystery entwined with a plot line filled with action, adventure, humor, friendship and, of course, a love of all things feline.

Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

Don’t worry – Skylar Robbins is on the case in Skylar Robbins: The Mystery of Shadow Hills by Carrie Cross, Book 1 in this series. Skylar is a fairly typical 13-year-old who wants nothing more than to be a private detective. With her detective tools and the training she received from her late grandfather, Skylar is set to spend the summer with her obnoxious cousin while her parents are touring Europe. Living in a house that may be haunted, at the foot of the Shadow Hills in Malibu where a coven of witches is said to practice black magic, just may make up for having to deal with Gwendolyn. As the summer progresses, Skylar has made friends in her summer school art class, including Kat, a want-to-be white witch. Together, the girls try to grow gems, create a love potion, and figure out what the coven in the hills is doing.

Carrie Cross has captured the spirit of the title character beautifully. It is easy to relate to Skylar as she experiences hurt, annoyance, indecision and success like most girls her age, and there are lessons for readers hidden in her solutions to problems. Skylar is eager to please her new friend, Kat, but realizes that the friendship is rather one-sided. Skylar takes steps to stick up for herself and learns some valuable lessons from her interactions with all the people she encounters. By the time her parents return from their trip, Skylar has things pretty well figured out and is ready to embark on a new mystery as soon as she is home and the new Skylar Robbins Detective Agency starts advertising. Well written with non-stop action and plenty of twists and turns , Skylar Robbins: The Mystery of Shadow Hills is a great read for children and tweens, sure to capture their attention and inspire them to grow and explore. I'm certainly not a child, but I loved reading all about Skylar and following her adventures. Full of good lessons for children of all ages.

Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Dotty and the Dream Catchers is the third book in the Dotty series, written by Emma Warner-Reed. Eleven-year-old Dotty Parsons – a Guardian of the Sweeps – is finally beginning boarding school, but is hesitant to attend due to the horrific recurring dreams she has been having. The dream has her pursuing a young girl named Sarah into the forest each night, while being tailed by the evil Mordecai. When the boarding school temporarily closes, Dotty discovers a shocking secret of betrayal between the Vagabond King and Madam Orla, before reluctantly seeking out the assistance of Mordecai himself. That, and the fact that several girls have fallen into a coma while Dotty sleeps, makes solving this mystery a matter of urgency.

I have been quite looking forward to the new installment in the Dotty series for some time, and Emma Warner-Reed has certainly delivered on a wonderful, action-packed tale filled with fun, excitement, adventure and suspense. Great-Uncle Winchester, or Winnie, as Dotty affectionately calls him, is just as formidable (yet loving) in Dotty and the Dream Catchers, and seems to know when problems have befallen young Dotty. Pip makes a welcome return as well, as do the many other favorites which readers of the Dotty series have come to know and love. I very much enjoyed reading Dotty and the Dream Catchers and wholeheartedly recommend it to young readers aged 7-14 who are devoted fans of light-hearted humor, mystery and secrets that are veiled by magic.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library by Jessica Haight and Stephanie Robinson is a wonderful adventure and magical mystery story, the second in the series, where readers are taken to Begonia House in the opening scene. Thurston Begonia is no more and the local librarians are shocked to discover that a rare collection of artifacts will be donated to the Ashpot Library. Fairday Morrow has recently moved to Ashpot, Connecticut with her family, and her parents have bought Begonia House, which is supposed to be full of surprises. The kids in the school keep asking about it and Fairday’s parents decide to throw a Halloween party. Fairday and her friend, Lizzy Mackerville, plan a book themed party. Along with Marcus and the DMS (Detective Mystery Squad), they discover notes written in riddles and come across the Talking Library. Now they have to find the bookworm that is eating all the words and destroying the books. Will they succeed?

This book is filled with adventure, magic, and fantasy, and will leave young readers intrigued by the strange happenings. The story is fast paced and will keep readers on their toes, wanting to know what is going to happen next. The plot is unique, imaginative, creative, and fresh and I like how the authors bring the written word, grammar, books, and libraries alive. The illustrations add to the appeal of the book and it is a good read for all those kids who love mysteries. The characters are interestingly portrayed and the concepts will not only encourage children to read, but will make them more imaginative and adventurous in their thinking and creativity.

Reviewed by Mary T. Kincaid for Readers' Favorite

The Shadow of Camelot by Wendy Leighton-Porter continues the time traveling adventures of Joe, Jemima, Charlie, and Max the cat. This time they travel back to Camelot because they were called by Merlin the Magician. Merlin was trying to understand a prophecy about an event that would save King Arthur from the Saxon invaders. Max, the cat, plays a role in this adventure because he retrieves Excalibur for King Arthur after the children discover that it is magic. The sword was owned by Arthur’s enemy, the Saxon king, Aelle. The two cats in the story, Midnight and Max, sneak into the Aelle’s tent and drag the sword away so they can hide it in the bushes. Because they have gold magic owl charms, the children can understand Arthur and the Saxons, as well as Max the cat. This tale combines many of the Arthurian legends that have been handed down. It is a charming retelling by blending the stories together.

I enjoyed the story. I found the use of history, myth and legend to be entertaining. This is not the Disney version, but it is a ripping good tale. The descriptions advance the story which is well plotted. The dialogue is realistic and believable, even coming from a man from Gaul, Lancelot, who turns out to be a relative of Joe and Jemima. I love the part that Max plays. He gives the Britons instructions on winning the battle by painting a face of a cat on their shields. Arthur won the Battle of Badon without any fighting because King Aelle was so afraid of the cats on the shields. It was very entertaining. A five-star read.

Reviewed by Darin Godby for Readers' Favorite

Sirius, the Hero Dog of 9/11 is a story about a patrol dog that was killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11/2001. It gives details concerning what this dog could have heard before that awful day’s events. Sirius could see the height of the two tallest buildings in the world, the Twin Towers. There was a diverse number of people that would come from all over the world to New York City. While authorities searched daily those who would make deliveries to the Twin Towers, some of the greatest work would be done by the patrol dogs who would sniff for dynamite and other things that could cause trouble.

When the first plane hit, Sirius’s owner, David, left him to go rescue people trapped in the building. However, when the second plane hit, it was the building in which Sirius had been left and soon black smoke filled the air. Sirius remembered the words of David: "Sirius, I promise I will come back for you." He held on to those words, but as time went on, the future appeared bleak. Soon the towers began to crumble and the one he was in came down tumbling down. While Sirius passed away that day, his spirit was alive and could hear David calling out for help. Sirius stood above where David was buried and barked until others came and rescued him. David couldn’t ever hear or see him again, but four months later they were able to dig to where the kennel remained. David came and wrapped Sirius’s body in an American flag and did what he said he would do in coming back for him. Today there remains a beautiful memorial garden where a granite monument is situated in honor of Sirius, a police K9.

This would be a very educational book for children to learn about some of the events that surrounded 9/11. Parents and teachers could use this tool as a way to enhance the child's understanding of how people felt the effects of that awful day. Children reading this book would be drawn into the story line with such vivid detail as well as great illustrations.