Reviews | Page 4 of 24

Invasion of the Scorp-Lions is age appropriate scares for older elementary

Invasion of the Scorp-Lions is the third book in the Monstertown Mystery series by Bruce Hale on Disney Hyperion. It’s a series of books aimed at upper elementary school readers that feature Benny and Carlos. They’re two typical students who are most likely in the fourth grade at Monterrosa Elementary. What’s atypical is that this particular school is it has a history of monsters, strange animals and spooky happenings.

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The Battles of Tolkien, deep end-yet also accessible Middle Earth

The Battles of Tolkien is a fascinating book on many levels. It’s a book about books that ends up making you want to read the books that it’s talking about. Even if you haven’t read The Lord of the Rings you’re almost certain to know a little bit about its mythology. Maybe you saw one of the films and were curious about reading the books, but never got around to it because of cat videos or actual real-life responsibilities. The surprising thing about The Battle of Tolkien is that it is a deep dive into a detailed world; yet, the book is as appealing to non-Tolkien’s as it is to fans.

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Press Start! Game Over, Super Rabbit Boy is early elementary gold

Do you have a child in elementary school? If you do, look for the Scholastic flier that teachers send home in the folders. Somewhere in that flier you’ll see Press Start! Game Over Super Rabbit Boy!, it’s an early chapter book that your child will want to read over and over.

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I Love Construction Vehicles (and I Love Rescue Vehicles) review

With an almost 5 and 7 year old in the house I Love Construction Vehicles and its sister, I Love Rescue Vehicles is tailor made for them. These are activity sets, with a book, models they put together, reusable stickers and a vehicle that they can play with. Each of these sets are great gifts, to quote a popular game show, if the price is right.

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Oscar and the Amazing Gravity Repellent, doesn’t repel, is amazing

Oscar and the Amazing Gravity Repellent by Tina L. Peterson is a book that hooks you from the title, baits you with curiosity once you start reading it and reels you in once you’re 20 pages deep. It’s a story with characters that any student 8 or older will relate to and does so in a way that surprising and very mature. By ‘mature’ I mean that there aren’t any juvenile pranks, body noise jokes, aloof parents or other things that might be in an upper elementary to middle school book. If your reader is down Wimpy Kid, but looking for something with almost no pictures, a strong sense of storytelling and lots of imagination then they’ll love this book.

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How to Capture an Invisible Cat, fast paced, funny creative YA for all

There an known unknowns and unknown knowns, as the saying goes. Paul Tobin, the author of How to Capture an Invisible Cat is a writer whose work I followed for years, yet I never knew his name. He’s written comic books for Adventure Time, Prometheus: Fire and Stone, Predators, Bionic Woman, Plants vs. Zombies and lots of other title that I buy or read for fun. He’s also the author of the most enjoyable children’s book that we’ve read in the past six months out too.

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That’s (Not) Mine is instant fun for all (ages)

Some books that we read take a moment for their cuteness to be realized. Other books are immediately catchy, ones that can be read on many levels and have artwork that adds to the experience. That’s (Not) Mine is easily in the second category. This second book from Anna Kang with illustrations by Christopher Weyant features the same characters from I Am (Not) Small and delivers belly laughs to children 7 and younger.

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And Then it Rained on Malcolm, needs more sunshine

And Then it Rained on Malcolm is about a young boy who wants to play, but it’s raining. It rains on him within the first four pages, so if you’re thinking that the title of the book leads up to a grand finale, it doesn’t. If anything, that’s what makes And Then it Rained on Malcolm so frustrating. The illustrations in the book are huge, taking up every square inch in this already massive book-this is one of the great qualifiers for an entertaining children’s book.

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