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Cody and her friends love everything about codes and have formed their own club to learn how to use them. When Cody and Quinn observe strangers in the house of the neighbor recluse, they are curious. Then his house catches fire and they find a code. Where will it lead?
It leads to a book kids will love. The mystery is strong, and the codes help propel the story forward. There’s a code in almost every chapter the reader is invited to solve (the solution is at the back of the book). At the end, there is more information on codes that kids can use after they’ve finished reading the story. The characters are a little thin, but that’s something only adults will care about. The target middle grade audience will love this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-secret-of-skeleton-key-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
It leads to a book kids will love. The mystery is strong, and the codes help propel the story forward. There’s a code in almost every chapter the reader is invited to solve (the solution is at the back of the book). At the end, there is more information on codes that kids can use after they’ve finished reading the story. The characters are a little thin, but that’s something only adults will care about. The target middle grade audience will love this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-secret-of-skeleton-key-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sophie Foster has never quite felt like she fit in with her family. Turns out, that's because she isn't human. When she meets Fitz, her entire life changes as she leaves the Forbidden Cities of the human world to join the Lost Cities of the Elves. But her presence stirs up trouble in the Lost Cities as two different hidden factions start fighting over her. Can she navigate this new world and figure out who to trust?
This set contains the first three books in the series in paperback. They are filled with twists, turns, and surprises as well as wonderful characters and a fantasy world I would love to go visit. If you enjoy Middle Grade fantasy, you need to read these books, and when you do, you'll devour these three books as quickly as you can.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-keeper-of-lost-cities.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This set contains the first three books in the series in paperback. They are filled with twists, turns, and surprises as well as wonderful characters and a fantasy world I would love to go visit. If you enjoy Middle Grade fantasy, you need to read these books, and when you do, you'll devour these three books as quickly as you can.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-keeper-of-lost-cities.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
When sorting books in the basement of the town library, Ricky Kidd stumbles on what he thinks might be a treasure map. Soon, the entire town is buzzing about it, and the race is on to find the treasure that the town miser hid before his death. Can Ricky and his friends find the treasure first? Is there even a treasure to find?
It’s been a while since I first read this series or revisited the characters, but I quickly fell back under their spell. The characters are absolutely wonderful with hints at hidden layers. The plot is strong with wonderful clues and twists before the end. And there are some great laughs and nice thoughtful moments along the way as well. The target middle grade audience will love it, and any mystery reader will enjoy it as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-race-for-park-street.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
It’s been a while since I first read this series or revisited the characters, but I quickly fell back under their spell. The characters are absolutely wonderful with hints at hidden layers. The plot is strong with wonderful clues and twists before the end. And there are some great laughs and nice thoughtful moments along the way as well. The target middle grade audience will love it, and any mystery reader will enjoy it as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-race-for-park-street.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated When Dreams Come True in Books
Jun 18, 2018
When Dreams Come True by Rebecca Emin is the story of the awkward phase when children transition from being children to becoming teenagers. It is a middle-grade novel, written in first person, from the point of view of a thirteen-year-old girl named Charlie. Readers follow Charlie as she struggles with the changes she and her friends; Max, Toby, and Allie are going through.
This book is a fairly simple plot with not much happening but this did not in any way make the book boring. It was a quick read with characters who were relatable. I wish the plot line was more explained and fully developed. The writing struggled a bit with not having a uniquing voice and the dialogue was a bit unrealistic.
Other than the underdeveloped plot and unrealistic dialogue, When Dreams Come True was a good read.
I give this book 3/5 stars.
I received this book from Gingersnap books via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
This book is a fairly simple plot with not much happening but this did not in any way make the book boring. It was a quick read with characters who were relatable. I wish the plot line was more explained and fully developed. The writing struggled a bit with not having a uniquing voice and the dialogue was a bit unrealistic.
Other than the underdeveloped plot and unrealistic dialogue, When Dreams Come True was a good read.
I give this book 3/5 stars.
I received this book from Gingersnap books via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated The Missing Map of Pirate’s Haven in Books
Jun 20, 2018
Will the Accidental Detectives Find the Pirate Treasure?
Ricky, his brother Joel, and their friends are off to San Diego to help Lisa’s uncle paint his new house. When they arrive, they learn a local legend about a pirate who has buried his treasure in the area. It sounds crazy until Joel finds a couple of silver coins. Meanwhile, Lisa’s uncle is acting strangely. Can Ricky figure out everything that is going on?
I’ve read this book a couple of times now, although it’s been over a decade since the last time I read it, so pieces of the plot came back to me as I was reading. Even so, I was still blown away by how well plotted the book is, with all the clues needed in very plain sight. The characters are strong as well, and they provide some wonderful laughs along the way. The Christian elements is woven in seamlessly and never overwhelms this plot driven middle grade book.
I’ve read this book a couple of times now, although it’s been over a decade since the last time I read it, so pieces of the plot came back to me as I was reading. Even so, I was still blown away by how well plotted the book is, with all the clues needed in very plain sight. The characters are strong as well, and they provide some wonderful laughs along the way. The Christian elements is woven in seamlessly and never overwhelms this plot driven middle grade book.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated School for Psychics (School for Psychics, #1) in Books
Jul 10, 2018
I'm 19% finished with this book and I have to put it down. My life is too short to read books that I cannot get into.
I was really excited to read this book. The advertising was spectacular and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read a "Harry Potter with millenials." Unfortunately this book has fell so flat I'm having to DNF it. The characters seem to be extremely chiche & their descriptions were just awful. If this is supposed to be adult fiction you really don't need to have a description being "the hot" guy. I would expect more from any author.
The plot line seemed interesting enough but the writing has ruined any chance for me to enjoy it. It reads like a mix between young adult and middle grade fiction. This would be all fine and dandy if it wasn't being advertised as adult fiction.
All in all, I would not recommend this book.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*
I was really excited to read this book. The advertising was spectacular and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read a "Harry Potter with millenials." Unfortunately this book has fell so flat I'm having to DNF it. The characters seem to be extremely chiche & their descriptions were just awful. If this is supposed to be adult fiction you really don't need to have a description being "the hot" guy. I would expect more from any author.
The plot line seemed interesting enough but the writing has ruined any chance for me to enjoy it. It reads like a mix between young adult and middle grade fiction. This would be all fine and dandy if it wasn't being advertised as adult fiction.
All in all, I would not recommend this book.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated The Wanderer in Books
Oct 7, 2018
Not A Lot Going On
This book is intended for middle grade readers, so I was expecting a simple story. It ended up being to simple. The author underestimates what the reader will follow and comprehen, and the story greatly suffers because of this. The characters were interesting, but I would have liked the writer to spend more time explaining the characters past and showing them develop new relationships. Cody and his dad particularly had a relationship that I would have liked to know more about.
I did enjoy the story style of change back and forth between Cody's and Sophie's journals. They both had unique views on the events happening around them, and Cody's point of view gave the reader some much needed insight on Sophie.
Overall this was a quick read, and it did have some strong points; however the story feels as if its missing something that keeps it from being anything special.
I did enjoy the story style of change back and forth between Cody's and Sophie's journals. They both had unique views on the events happening around them, and Cody's point of view gave the reader some much needed insight on Sophie.
Overall this was a quick read, and it did have some strong points; however the story feels as if its missing something that keeps it from being anything special.
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated Deaf Child Crossing in Books
Jan 26, 2019
Awful MC
Deaf Child Crossing is a middle grade read that tells the story of two nine year old girls. Megan is deaf, and Cindy is the new girl that just moved in to her neighborhood.
I liked Cindy she was a realistic, and tried her best to be a good friend. Unfortunately Megan was the main focus of the book, and she was awful. I will say she was technically realistic just now very likeable. She treats Cindy horribly through most of the book, but it gets played off because Megan is working through stuff. I know this happens in real life but I hate seeing it in literature. It is not okay to treat people like crap just because you are going through something!
I know this book gets a lot of applause for having a deaf character, but I really feel like there has to be better books available.
I liked Cindy she was a realistic, and tried her best to be a good friend. Unfortunately Megan was the main focus of the book, and she was awful. I will say she was technically realistic just now very likeable. She treats Cindy horribly through most of the book, but it gets played off because Megan is working through stuff. I know this happens in real life but I hate seeing it in literature. It is not okay to treat people like crap just because you are going through something!
I know this book gets a lot of applause for having a deaf character, but I really feel like there has to be better books available.
Lindsay (1706 KP) rated The Sleepwalking Vampire (The Decoders #3 in Books
Mar 29, 2020
The Sleepwalking Vampire is a unique story. This book got some original to it. Though this one was more entertaining and interesting read. I am not into vampires much at all. The way this book is focused on a friend's family member and her problem. It different in a way as the child think she is a vampire.
They think she a real one or at least one of them does. This mystery seems funnier. The way this one goes makes it believable. These detectives not own need to solve one mystery but two. They find out that jewelry is going missing.
This book and whole series is a good one for middle-grade children. If you enjoy solving puzzles and riddles and trying to figure out who done it? This book and series are good for your child or children. I do recommend it and each book has its mysteries to solve. This is a good Halloween story or book.
They think she a real one or at least one of them does. This mystery seems funnier. The way this one goes makes it believable. These detectives not own need to solve one mystery but two. They find out that jewelry is going missing.
This book and whole series is a good one for middle-grade children. If you enjoy solving puzzles and riddles and trying to figure out who done it? This book and series are good for your child or children. I do recommend it and each book has its mysteries to solve. This is a good Halloween story or book.
North! or Be Eaten (The WingFeather Saga #2)
8.0
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First they found themselves On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. Now they must make their way...
Middle Grade Young adult Fantasy Action Adventure