The writing team of Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple have created numerous gems. Yet, Monster Academy is still in the coal stage. It greatly reminded me of the story Ghoul School by Kevin O’Malley. Had I read Monster Academy first, I would have probably preferred it, yet, I did not. So, if you like Ghoul School (previous reviewed here) you’ll like this (and the reverse is true too, of course). The premise is simple: a “naughty monster” (which of course, means that they […]
Some Ghouls Do
Halloween. There is probably no better holiday. Okay, I am not into the spooky aspects of the day, but the fun and child-like qualities of the holiday is what get my spirit flying. And, of course, CANDY! And Stumpkin has all the fun of the holiday. This pumpkin is perfect: rounder than a basketball, more orange than a traffic cone, not any bad sides! However, he has one small flaw: he has a stump and not a steam. Therefore, nobody wants him to be their […]
Put on your bow tie and pull up a comfy chair and get ready to read
At first, I was not sure if I would like Giraffe Problems by Jory John. But because I usual do enjoy Lane Smith’s illustrations, I thought it would be something to attempt. The fact I was not sure I was going to like the book is the fact the story has been done before and there was nothing really fresh about it. However, while I am not “jumping up and down” over the story the ending is refreshing and comforting. The giraffe of the story […]
“The worst thing about being naked and then being hit by a car is that road rash is a problem for skin.”
I might be a little burned out with poetry or just have heard and read so much of Neil Hilborn, that I am not jumping up and down over The Future by him as I have with his other book or with other Button Poetry Poets. Yet, The Future is still amazing. He knows what he is talking about with depression, life and death. He has lived, and is living, his subject matter. He “gets it” and wants to share that with you. He is […]
The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans
Based on a true story, Rice from Heaven: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans gives a softer view of a very true hardship the people of North Korea face. When a village in South Korea decides to secretly send balloons filled with rice to feed the hungry people of North Korea, they are faced with many obstacles: the other villagers do not want to give aide to the enemy. The North Korean soldiers could see the balloons and shoot them down. They do not […]
Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse or does he?
Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell has some interesting elements. It is a softer version (text and illustration wise) of Enemy Pie by Derek Munson. Chloe, the narrator of our story knows that Adrian cannot have a horse. Why? Because he cannot have a horse in town. Or in his small house. Or the fact it takes a lot of money to take care of a horse and he has raggedy clothing. It is not until her mother gives her a […]