Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Rosean Mile's "The Scales of Six" is the unique story of independent curator Gail Weaver. While she is collecting relics in Indonesia, she discovers a wonder plant that grows widely in the region of Sumatra. It can turn any type of hair into beautiful locks. Smuggling plant clippings into the United States of America, she starts a cosmetic company by manufacturing a brand of shampoo made from the Sumatran plant. With her sister Fran and an Indonesian scientist, Gail embarks on a life of finance, business, legal battle as well as romance. However, her greatest challenge is the ephemeral plant itself and the story takes a turn that nobody would expect.

"The Scales of Six" is an intriguing story that centers on greed and the force of nature. Author Rosean Mile successfully incorporates the elements of financial struggle, business competition, vanity and romance in her novel. Together with an old myth that surrounds the Sumatran plant, all these elements come together to produce an interesting story that should excite the readers. I particularly like the development of the plot with its exciting build up of suspense and the mixing of the traditional and contemporary world. Exotic Indonesia is absolutely the right setting for the traditional and the surreal while the corporate world of America provides a real and ruthless world of contemporary business. In a world that is becoming very obsessed with monetary success, "The Scales of Six" is surely a relevant read.

Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite

Young Penny is on a field trip with her class when she sees something from the corner of her eye. She goes to the water to explore and sees something that looks like a bowling ball and yet, it isn't. Upon further inspection, Penny sees that she has come upon a penguin. In "Penny and the Penguin", Kirin Daugharty explores the puzzle of why penguins have wings and yet, they do not appear to fly. Penny does her best to explain to the penguin that its wings are not being appropriately used. She even tries modeling for the penguin and yet, the penguin does not seem to respond. Penny becomes motivated to teach the penguin to fly and she tries various methods until finally giving up in frustration. And then, she sees the penguin jump in the water and she has the surprise of her life!

This book will appeal to young children because of its subject matter and because it is appealingly presented. The questions posed and their potential solutions are those that most young readers would think about. The book incorporates both thought and emotion and as such, is the perfect story to get children involved. There are beautiful illustrations which complement the story and they facilitate the learning of the child reader. I particularly liked the 'Penguin Fun Facts' at the end of the book. When a child has just enjoyed a story of fun and imagination, it is the perfect time to encourage a bit of education as well.

Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite

"Giants in the Land" by Clark Burbidge is the first of a proposed series. There is a small village in which giants have always been available to protect the people as well as help them to sustain a working community. The giants are revered but also, taken for granted. One day, they simply disappear from the village without so much as a word. The town council meets and all agree that someone must search for and bring back the giants. But there are no volunteers until Thomas finally speaks up. He is then sent on his way across a vast, unknown expanse in search of the giants. Thomas's journey is fraught with environmental and living threats. He has doubts about his own abilities but at the time of his greatest need, he receives help. He finally meets a giant who has problems of his own and Thomas realizes that his own journey is far more serious than for simply convincing the giants to return to the village.

This book is well-written and developed so that children and adults will both relate to the multiple messages. The author skillfully explains how one's small choices and acts eventually combine and determine the character of each and every individual. Teachings are not thrust at the reader; rather they are presented and acted through so that learning naturally occurs. And the end result becomes the journey itself rather than the end of the journey.

Reviewed by Kathryn Bennett for Readers' Favorite

"Seventh Dimension" by Lorilyn Roberts is a book that puts us right into the thick of today's society. Everywhere you look these days, there are hurt feelings, broken homes, cheaters, bullying, and all sorts of negative self-doubts.

Shale Snyder is a girl who has been a victim of what happens in society today. Emotionally, she has been damaged, thanks to bullies and torment in school and a broken home that left her abandoned. Like many others in her situation, she longs for something else deep down and she hopes to someday find what it is she is longing for.

Then one day in an Alice in Wonderland type-twist, Shale is transported to a garden. In this garden she meets a donkey and a rabbit who both talk. They tell her something about the garden and the King whose garden it is, until evil transports them and pulls them into the seventh dimension. There Shale must learn several lessons and look to within herself as she does so.

This is a book that will make you think. While it is geared towards young adults and teens, it can certainly convey its message to an adult audience as well. Lorilyn Roberts writes a book that is unique and intriguing. The message of hope and love is clear. It is a story of healing and being able to accept love even if you think you are not worthy of it because everyone is worthy of love. The message in this book alone makes it worth reading for anyone. I would especially recommend giving it to someone you might know who is hurting. Maybe they suffered from bullying, too, or just need a hand in guidance.

Reviewed by Lauren Lichliter for Readers' Favorite

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"The Jericho River" by David Carthage is a fascinating coming-of-age story that follows the main character, Jason Gallo, on the search to find his father. Jason is swept into the dream-world called Fore, where his mission is to find and rescue his father by bringing him back to the real world. Fore is a land separated by a river that carries along with it much of Earth’s history, from the early days of the Fertile Crescent until modern times. Jason travels and searches along this route in his quest. On his journey Jason also gathers allies as well as enemies and encounters Lumins, magical creatures that live side-by-side with humans in Fore.

This novel is wonderfully creative and enthralling. We receive a short history mini-lesson in the form of Jason’s father, the professor, and then we live the history through Jason as he travels along the river. Carthage weaves the two worlds together in a masterful style that is all his own. The plot is a carefully crafted idea that brings together both history and the imagination of the author. This book is captivating and creative, a completely new idea in a young adult world littered with so many plots dealt with over and over again. The author took history and then blended it with the magic and the creativity of Fore to produce a fantastic and original young adult novel.

Reviewed by Dr. Oliva Dsouza for Readers' Favorite

An easy, simple way to teach positive affirmations to your children. A new way to teach the alphabet to the young ones. Each affirmation is a joy to read with important meaning. Every child is special in his or her own way and the best way to bring them up to be confident, loving and intelligent is to encourage them to believe in themselves and their abilities. Each verse takes ample examples from nature to help the child to relate to the emotion being spoken about in the verse.

"A-Z the Universe in Me" by Michal Y Noah does an amazing job of teaching children the importance of being loving, sweet, free and joyful. This is a magical book that any parent would love to read to their child. The simple and easy poems/rhymes are fun for children to memorize and recite. They can learn so many things about nature and how all good qualities exist in all of us. The method adopted to teach is very innovative. Any parent who wants to nurture their child in a loving and positive manner will fall head over heels in love with this book. Positive emotions and affirmations help us to have a positive outlook in life and exposing children to all things positive right from their younger years is a step in the right direction. Teaching our children to be joyous and happy right from the start will eventually help us to build a society that is loving, peaceful and positive. With mind-blowing illustrations by Chrissy Fanslau, this book is a sure fire winner all the way.

Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite

Secrets abound in the tiny neighborhood of Gordonston, an affluent neighborhood outside Savannah. The four members of the Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club have been meeting for the last ten years in the neighboring dog walking park. While their dogs romp and play, they share cocktails and the latest gossip. When one of their members Thelma Miller passes away from throat cancer, we start to see the secrets that the other three members have been hiding. Two members are hot for Thelma's husband, and hope to snag him, while the other one holds a deep hatred for him. In addition to the ladies we also meet several neighbors that use the dog park, and each one has something to hide, whether it is an affair that they don't want revealed or perhaps it is a secret job no one knows about. One thing is for certain: the residents of Gordonston will do anything to protect their secrets even if it means murder!

I loved the way Mr. Whitehead presents this story. In the first chapter he opens with someone digging a hole, which firmly hooked me because I knew a murder was going to be committed. But I couldn't figure out who would be killed or even who the murderer would be. "The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club" provides the reader with an interesting cast of characters, all of whom seem to be honest, upstanding citizens, but once their stories are revealed they are anything but that. Instead we learn of the dirty little secrets that they have kept hidden. Duncan Whitehead creates several interesting characters but does a fantastic job of making each one unique so that I never had to wonder who I was reading about. In addition to well-crafted characters, the author also provides a fast moving plot filled with mystery, suspense and intrigue along with several twists that left me breathless with anticipation as to what might happen next. All I can say about the ending is that I never guessed who would be revealed as the hit man or the Director. A real page turner that is perfect for anyone who enjoys a story filled with secrets, mystery and devious characters. Even though I loved the ending I can only hope that Mr. Whitehead will continue this story with a sequel; after all there are three more jobs to be completed! On a scale of one to five I would give this book a six because it is just that good!

Reviewed by Ty Mall for Readers' Favorite

"The Illusion of Secondhand Smoke" by Janice M. Van Dyck is about Maria DeLuca, a successful motivational speaker, whose personal life is anything but happy. She is into drugs and is having an affair with a married man. She is not without her reasons for giving up on Mike, her abusive husband, even before he got cancer. Years before, her brother Tee was murdered by someone in town over a rumor. Everybody thinks that their reason why the murder occurred is the right one, but Mike, on his deathbed, gets his neighborhood buddies and family together. The missing pieces he fills in about Tee’s death shock everyone more than the secrets they think they have successfully hidden from everyone. And all those dark secrets tumble into the light of day.

I was surprised by how insightful the main character Maria is. A lot of writers don’t choose a character’s profession well, but this author did, and made great use of it. I really connected to these characters in their struggles, because of how well this author described events from each character’s perspective, with no explaining. I thought Jeremy would have been bitter. I enjoyed watching the pieces of the plot fall into place. And even after I started figuring things out, this book kept me guessing. The last few chapters were definitely unexpected. I was also surprised by the discussion questions and the notes at the end. This is a great book.

Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

Author Janet Pucino has been there and done well in the world of business. Now she writes "Not in the Club: An Executive Woman's Journey through the Biased World of Business" for the enlightenment of the person who is entering or is considering a possible entry into a corporate organization. The author admits in her introduction that she would not change any of the choices she made in positions, roles, and on-the-job challenges for they helped her develop strength and management acumen (p.13). She defines 'The Club' as a group of people in a company that values its members' contributions and surrounds them with a social network of power that leads them to opportunities and financial success(p.9). Nicely put, but the author also writes that 'The Club' won't be on any organizational chart. It is a group of people who may have power over others and require conformity to a set of rules or a code of conduct which might include golfing together or sharing a pitcher of beer at lunchtime. But as women ascend the ranks of management, they are often not admitted into 'The Club' or if they are, "their ideas and solutions are routinely dismissed or devalued by Club members" (p.31). Janet Pucino writes so that the reader will know how to survive. On p.80, she writes: "Although aggressive behavior from men is accepted, when it comes from a woman, it's perceived as irrational or out of control."

"Not in the Club" is a well-written, authoritative book with a good bibliography that should be read and absorbed by women thinking of entering corporate life. Its pages are filled with practical advice from the author. She recommends checking what percentage of the senior management team of a company are women, and tells the reader to "learn from others, leverage the critical elements of success, demand resources and support, be aware of your contributions and make informed choices that are right for you and your organization." Pucino writes clearly and potential corporate members should take her advice to heart.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Most of us think we know why this country had a civil war. However, there are many misconceptions as to the true reasons why the South wanted to secede from the United States of America. Walter Coffey deftly describes the facts surrounding the Civil War month by month. When we hear the words 'The War Between the States' most of us think of slavery; but was that really the motive of the Northern states? Most wars are fought over money and politics. 'The War Between The States' was no different. The North was industrialized and to protect against imports stealing profits they wanted high taxes placed on imports. The high taxes on imports greatly affected the Southern states. “Foreign trading partners tended to raise process to offset the tariff increases." The Southern States wanted a smaller Federal government and great power at the state level. The North wanted bigger Federal government. Slavery did play a role but more on an economic level than the humanitarian level.

I have always enjoyed history especially when it comes to the War Between the States. Walter Coffey states the facts but not in a dry or boring manner. He makes this book entertaining as well as educational. Walter Coffey dedicates one chapter to each month; in each chapter he supplies spurs and battles; he does this with precision. Civil War Months: A Month-by-Month Compendium of the War Between the States covers January 1861 through May 1865. This book should be in all high school and middle school libraries.