Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Adventures of Gracie & MonkeyBear: Winter, Book 2 is a children’s picture book written by C.S. O'Kelly and illustrated by Jordy Farrell. Gracie and MonkeyBear loved having adventures, and so Gracie was thrilled to announce that there had been a visitor to their backyard the night before. Snow was lying thick on the ground as the two explorers started to examine the evidence, and they could hear strange sounds coming from the corner of the yard where there was a pile of shoveled snow. Approaching more closely, they noticed that a tunnel had been dug into the snow and the noises were coming from inside. They climbed inside and discovered a yeti, who was understandably quite concerned about his yak. Yomo Yak had made that classic error of judgment and licked the ice. Now, his tongue was stuck, and there was nothing Yeshi Yeti could do to help his friend. Gracie, however, had a plan, and she was quite sure it would work. Solving problems like this one was all in a day’s work for her and MonkeyBear.

C.S. O'Kelly’s children’s picture book, The Adventures of Gracie & MonkeyBear: Winter, Book 2, is a picture book that deftly interweaves fantasy, humor and kid-size steampunk fantasy. Once I discovered, along with them, the yak with his tongue stuck to the ice, I couldn’t help but revisit in my mind the classic movie, The Christmas Story, and feel once again that uncanny blend of humor and pity at the poor yak’s plight. This book also provides yet another compelling reason why all kids should have a dog as their companion. Gracie and MonkeyBear’s friendship is a marvel to behold, and their adventures show how incredibly well they work together as a team. And it’s all about teamwork and compassion and ingenuity. Jordy Farrell’s illustrations are marvelous and highlight the Jules Verne-like atmosphere that makes this book so special. The flying sled is marvelous, and its occupants even more so. Designed to get kids and adults dreaming and imagining, this book does its job perfectly. The Adventures of Gracie & MonkeyBear: Winter, Book 2 is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Praxx lives with his mum and best friend Zobott on Ekkadora, a planet far from Earth in the story Praxx and the Ringing Robot by Paul Ian Cross. Praxx has many important jobs but he does not always do what he is supposed to do. He has to clean up the place and take care of the pets, and he makes Zobott do it, whose cleaning up causes more problems in the household. Praxx finds Ribbit, his pet frog, inside Zobott’s storage box, and also his alarm clock in there. There is a worm in his mum’s bag, and their rocket is parked in the house. Mum understands that Praxx has again asked Zobott to do the chores. Who will clean up the mess? Read the story to find out.

I like the concept of doing the household chores properly and the author gets it across to young readers beautifully with the help of Praxx and Zobott. The story is wonderfully silly and will make readers smile. The illustrations are colorful and lively, and they breathe life into the story and characters. The pictures also give clarity to the concept and make it palpable to readers. The pictures and the sounds coming from the robots will encourage little readers to try their hand at doing chores at home like Praxx and Zobott. This book is delightful. It is good for bedtime storytelling, and can be used for fun and interactive sessions in classrooms and school libraries while helping children understand how to take care of their pets and do the household chores.

Reviewed by Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite

The Stone of Integrity is the third book in M.J. Evans’ The Centaur Chronicles. After returning from the quest to discover the Stone of Courage, Carling, the future Queen of Crystonia, is summoned by the Minsheen historian. He entrusts Carling with a rare, ancient map. On her way home, she and her companions are pursued once again by the evil Heilodius Centaurs. Safely tucked inside her Duende village, Carling is thankful for the security and comfort of home. But this feeling is short lived. Within days, Vidente the Wizard returns to her. It is time to gather the purple Stone of Integrity for her royal Silver Breastplate. With the map in hand, Carling and her faithful adventurers set out to discover the mysterious island of Hy-Basilia; another quest, another stone, another invaluable lesson. Frightening sea creatures, menacing Centaurs, a handsome young fisherman, a crafty witch, and veiled fairies - who can be trusted? Carling’s search for integrity comes at a great cost; not everyone is trustworthy.

M.J. Evans is a fabulous storyteller. The Stone of Integrity is the continuing tale of fantasy and adventure in the land of Crystonia. Evans pens incredible descriptions of her imaginary land; the reader is transported with ease into the mystical realm. In each of the books in the series, the young heroine learns valuable life lessons. In The Stone of Integrity, she must discern the true motivations of others, while learning to trust in herself. Like Shakespeare’s Hamlet, she must learn "to thine own self be true.” The cast of characters is balanced in personality - witty, wise, girlishly vain, grand or small - each plays a significant part in supporting the growth of the main character. The antagonist remains a constant threat, keeping the adventurers hyper vigilant and often running for their lives. Page upon page, prowess, loyalty and devotion are continually tested, along with internal conflicts of the mind and heart. I thought the veiled emotions of the fairies was a brilliant inclusion to the story! There is never a dull moment for the young adventurers. The plot action continually moves from beginning to end, making it ideal for the young adult reader. The story concludes, but it is not the end for the future Queen of Crystonia. One more stone remains.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Magdalena Gottschalk: The Crooked Trail by M. Gail Grant follows Magdalena upon her thirteenth birthday when she discovers secrets in her quaint town of Lily Brooke. After an exploration through the woods with her friends, Gabriel and Hubert, leads them to a hidden cave, they find lanterns, sacrificial drawings on the walls, and a bizarre and empty tree house. To find answers behind the cave, they turn to their other friends for help. A strange book called Demonic Enchantments, and an even stranger conversation between the preacher and Magdalena's mom, reveal possibly sinister secrets the adults of the town may be keeping. When they realize they may have freed something demonic from the cave, the friends band together to find a way to fix their mistake before it's too late.

M. Gail Grant has a charming style with sweet descriptions, often using old-fashioned phrases and language that perfectly fits the personalities of the children and the quaintness of the town. This is a town that seems idealistic on the surface with a nosy neighbor, hardworking farmers, and a baker that found his calling at a young age. But Grant crafts a darker and sinister underbelly to the town in a secret that the townspeople have banded together to keep hidden. This is the mystery the children strive to solve in an adventure that often reminds me of the classic mysteries of Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys, except with demons and magic. Magdalena Gottschalk is a tale of adventure and friendship, courage and heroism, a coming of age story perfect for young adults. The delightful world and wonder of adventure will appeal to all ages.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Meet Harry the mouse who lives in the English countryside in Harry the Happy Mouse: Book 2: Summer by N.G.K. Harry lives under a bridge with his wife and today he is feeling happy and is thinking of good things. Every summer evening after eating, he strolls along the stream to see who he can meet. The favorite part of the evening is meeting other animals and having long talks with them. One evening he finds a frog stuck on a log. Harry rescues the frog and he advises the frog to help someone so that it can make him feel grand. As the story progresses, readers find the good deed moving along through many characters who help someone and feel happy. “When you help someone else, it makes you feel grand! So when someone needs help, just give them a hand.”

The story has a lovely message for young readers and I like the rhyming couplets which give good movement and fluidity to the tale. The illustrations are wonderful and they bring all the characters and scenes to life. The chain of helping others and being happy has been created well by the author and it is a good story to encourage children to be kind and helpful to others. Stories like this have a beneficial impact on young readers. This uplifting story can be used for read aloud and interactive sessions in classrooms and also makes a charming read for bedtime story-telling, as it will not only teach children to do good things for others, but will also put a smile on their faces.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Crossroads and the Dominion of Four by C. Toni Graham is a delightful story that will appeal to both young and adult readers with a love for fantasy and stories with magic. We are introduced to four young characters who are destined to defend the “Otherworld” and rise as the Dominion of Four spoken of in the prophecies. They have to overcome untold challenges and fight deadly enemies and magical creatures to fulfill their destiny. But one powerful druid and her underlings could impede their mission to battle evil and restore harmony to the magical world. The future looks grim, but Jake, Conner, Seneca, and Shayna must rely on their magical gifts and the power of teamwork if they hope to defeat what stands against them and fulfill their destiny.

I was blown away by this story and I loved how the author makes readers develop a great liking for the characters. I love it when characters have to be tested in ways they never expected, and then there is this sense of uncertainty that permeates the narrative, making readers feel like something awful could happen at any moment. C. Toni Graham has successfully created a sense of urgency and uncertainty in the story and they are great elements that enhance the suspense. Crossroads and the Dominion of Four is character-driven and skillfully plotted, a story that also showcases the theme of teamwork in a brilliant way. It is balanced and deft, beautifully paced, and filled with elements that give readers superb entertainment. A great story!

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters by Christa Avampato is a gripping story about a young girl’s search for answers and clarity regarding her mother’s mysterious death. While the NYPD has given up on the case and thinks that Nora, the renowned anthropologist, simply slept and never woke up on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, her thirteen-year-old daughter, Emerson Page, thinks there could be more to the story than the simplistic explanation the police has given. Her search for answers will take her on a dangerous journey into hidden and mysterious places beneath New York City, a magical world of secrets, where she’ll discover dread truths about her mother, her mother’s final wish, and her destiny. While time is swiftly passing by and a powerful threat lurks too close, does she have what it takes to continue her mother’s work?

This is a fascinating story deftly told, a tale of courage and a gritty investigation, featuring a young protagonist who will take readers by surprise. The plot is fast-paced and readers are pulled into an exciting world filled with mystery and exciting stuff. Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters features excellent writing, brimming with vivid descriptions and dialogues that are compelling as they enhance the different elements of the story. Here is a story that will enthrall both young adult readers and adults, a well-plotted story with powerful themes seamlessly woven into its fabric. Christa Avampato was able to win my heart from the very beginning of the story with a powerful hook, and managed to keep my eyes glued to the pages, unable to stop reading. The prose is excellent and seduces the reader right off the bat. This story is engaging. A huge success for a novel!

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Hidden Village: A Story of Survival in WW2 Holland is a historical young adult adventure by author Imogen Matthews. Focused specifically on how the events of the Holocaust affected Holland during the 1940s, the hidden village of the title refers to the true-life story of a group of Jewish people hiding from the Germans and Hitler’s agenda. The village of Berkenhout, hidden in the woods of Veluwe, is the new home of Sofie, a Jewish Dutch girl torn from her friends and her normal life. Secrets abound in Berkenhout, and security there may not be as secure as everyone hopes. As Jews and gentiles, Dutch and other nationalities come together to protect one another, a disaster lurks and threatens to engulf them all.

I am a huge advocate of historical fiction for young adults, particularly when it’s as well-researched as The Hidden Village. Imogen Matthews has taken a truly fascinating concept straight out of occupied territory and crafted a beautiful story that removes us from the overdone fiction of the battlefield to the real places where ordinary people became heroes that weren’t venerated. A blending of religions occurs as people protect one another, regardless of their beliefs. Sofie and Jan are strong central characters who are still young and naïve despite their horrendous circumstances. The plot itself is slow and steady, but filled with tension and fascinating details of the everyday lives of people trapped in an unbelievably pressured situation. The Hidden Village is recommended for readers of all ages, and especially to those looking for a heartfelt emotional journey.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

The Hidden City of Chelldrah-ham series by Stephan von Clinkerhoffen continues with Book 3, Belas Rift. Through a swirling inter-dimensional portal, Stig and Meg find themselves in Anet’s world, Earth, or specifically England. The humans can’t see Stig and Meg. Except for their shadows, they are invisible just as Anet was invisible to them in their world. The pair runs into all sorts of trouble, trying to manage their way in the human world and learning about it as well. At the same time, the pair tries to stop Anet who’s hell-bent on destroying their Motherland.

It’s interesting to see our world through the eyes of the two Manna. “It just tastes of salt and chemicals.” I find Stig’s disgust of a bag of chips amusingly satirical; we humans really need to lay off the junk food as well as other destructive habits. The growth of the protagonists’ characters and their relationships is deftly done. The wonderful descriptive quality of the narrative is maintained and is as engaging as ever, complementing the great artwork. There’s plenty of action and suspenseful moments in its appropriately paced plot, just like its predecessors. That said, Belas Rift is not quite a standalone. I do feel that readers need to read the series’ books accordingly to be able to grasp the unique and imaginative world-building, the continuation of the plot, and to be able to acknowledge the character development. On the other hand, there’s no doubt that Belas Rift is another solid work by Stephan. Fans of the series will not be disappointed with this third book.

Reviewed by Joel R. Dennstedt for Readers' Favorite

There is much wisdom and humor in Tom Hoffman’s final installment of the Orville Mouse Adventurer series: Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Sagacious Sapling. But it’s hard to tell the difference.

“Sophia says the things you’re used to never seem weird.”
“Anyway, how do you know ants don’t throw up when they’re upside down?”

Devoted fans familiar with this terrific series (including old adults who hide behind reviewing jobs to disguise their guilty but glee-filled indulgent pleasures) will greet with happy recognition this latest and greatest metaphysical adventure starring Orville and Sophia, their sidekick Proto the Rabbiton with his tag-along robot dog, Squeaky, and introducing a most sagacious new little buddy, Leaf.

No need to reveal the plot line of Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Sagacious Sapling. Tom Hoffman’s uniquely appealing creation, mighty but fearful Orville, declares it precisely: “Let’s go save the universe.” What does need mentioning is the incredibly satisfying and stimulating camaraderie of Hoffman’s characters as they band together to fulfill – against some mighty intimidating and powerful odds – such an infinitely important mission. What holds readers glued to Hoffman’s books and keeps them coming back for more is the deeply human warmth and friendship shared between such small but courageous creatures. In the end, it is these friendships based on love and humor that assure our grand crusaders' ultimate success. And, along the way, generous allotments of subtle wisdom and tasty snapberry pies for me. Er … for us, the appreciative readers.