THE TIME-TRAVELING FASHIONISTA

Author: Bianca Turetsky
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Poppy (April 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316105422

Book Description:

What if a beautiful vintage dress could take you back in time?
Louise Lambert has always dreamed of movie starlets and exquisite gowns and longs for the day when she can fill the closet of her normal suburban home with stylish treasures. But when she receives a mysterious invitation to a vintage fashion sale in the mail, her once painfully average life is magically transformed into a time-travel adventure.

Suddenly onboard a luxurious cruise ship a hundred years ago, Louise relishes the glamorous life of this opulent era and slips into a life of secrets, drama, and decadence. . . .

Dreamy and imaginative, The Time-Traveling Fashionista features thirty full-color fashion illustrations to show gorgeous dresses and styles throughout history.

My Thoughts:

What young lady hasn't dreamed of living in a Cinderella world of beautiful clothes and luxury? In The Time-Traveling Fashionista dreams come true.

The star of our book, Louise Lambert, receives a mysterious invitation which propels her back into time--into a world of glamour and drama; a world in which she finds herself in the lap of luxury. How does she respond?

This is a well-written, fairy-tale story that I think every young woman will enjoy reading as much as I did. I also absolutely loved the many beautiful full-page fashion illustrations.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

Dewey the Library Cat

Author: Vicki Myron
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Reprint edition (April 12, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780316068703

Book Description:
Now everyone's favorite library cat can inspire a new audience of young readers with his story of courage and love. Like the hardcover, this paperback edition of the middle-grade adaptation of New York Times bestseller Dewey features an 8-page photo insert of the Dew!

In the tradition of Marley: A Dog Like No Other, this is the story of a cat who was more than a pet, and the amazing effect he had on the people around him. Abandoned in a library book drop slot in the dead of winter, this remarkable kitten miraculously endured the coldest night of the year. Dewey Readmore Books, as he became known, quickly embraced his home inside Spencer's public library, charming the struggling small town's library-goers, young and old. As word of Dewey's winning tail, or rather his tale, spread, the library cat gained worldwide fame as a symbol of hope and proof positive that one small cat could change a town, one reader at a time.

My Thoughts:
A kitten is dropped into a book return slot at the local library. It is found tucked into a corner, under one of the books. Scared, weak, and cold, it is nursed back to health by library friends.

This is the true story of a handsome, orange male tabby named Dewey; his love for the library and everyone around him. Everyone also loves Dewey. The story takes the reader through Dewey's life and adventures and ends with his death, which is handled in a gentle and inspirational way by the author.

I am passing this book on to my granddaughter who loves cats. I think she will love Dewey.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

The Duck Song / Review

Author: Bryant Oden
Illustrations: Forrest Whaley
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 31 pages
Publisher: Flinders Press;
1st edition (September 1, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0984395598

Book Description:

A determined duck pleads for grapes at the most unlikely of places: a lemonade stand. The story and song in this comical, musical picture book will delight both adults and children, who can play the song aloud with the touch of a button on the cover while learning important lessons about persistence and compassion. A music CD featuring 12 original children’s songs is included.

About the Author
Bryant Oden is a former child care counselor, a supervisor at a treatment center for children, and an ESL teacher at the college level. He has written more than 70 children’s songs. He lives in Boulder, Colorado. Forrest Whaley directs and animates movies, with more than 115 million views to his videos on YouTube. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

My Review:
This is a delightful children's book about a duck who loves grapes, with lots of brilliant color and nice illustrations. The volume also comes with an audio CD which includes 12 original songs. This would make a great holiday gift.

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

The Lost City of Atlantis (Traveling Trunk Adventure 2)

Author: Benjamin Flinders
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 133 pages
Publisher: Flinders Press
(September 1, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0984395555

Book Description:

The Traveling Trunk Adventure series follows two brothers who find themselves scattered across history, from the New World to the Great Wall of China. Each chapter book includes an educational component and a daring mix of comedy, peril, and timeless values.

When brothers Ethan and Dallin are transported back to the ancient city of Atlantis, they find that Poseidon’s wrath has been kindled—something of his has been stolen and he will destroy the entire city to get it back. Together the boys seek to unravel the mystery, all while escaping from a three-headed dog and his master, outwitting a corrupt magistrate, and battling a slithering thief from the Underworld. Along the way to discovering what Poseidon seeks—as well as finding a way back home—they also make new friends and work to reunite an enslaved girl with her father.

My Review:
This second book in the Traveling Trunk Adentures series is just as exciting as the first, Pirate Treasure. 8-12 year old readers should enjoy the adventures of two brothers, Ethan and Dallin as they travel throughtout history in their magic trunk. The stories are well-written and creative. The two book series would make an excellent birthday or holiday gift.

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

Pirate Treasure (Traveling Trunk Adventure / Review

Author: Benjamin Flinders
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 111 pages
Publisher: Flinders Press
(September 1, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0984395547

Book Description:
The Traveling Trunk Adventure series follows two brothers who find themselves scattered across history, from the New World to the Great Wall of China. Each chapter book includes an educational component and a daring mix of comedy, peril, and timeless values.

When a cursed treasure chest transports two children, Ethan and Dallin, back in time and into the New World, they find themselves aboard not just any ordinary ship, but on a merchant vessel transformed into a renegade pirate ship that same morning. Mistaken as thieves, the brothers must use their wits and humor to navigate the dark secrets of the brig, to survive walking the plank, to learn how to talk, fight, and hurl insults like a pirate, and solve the mystery that turned Captain Black Bart into a wannabe pirate. Yet even if they can save the pirates from themselves, they still must unravel the curse that brought them there and figure out how to get back home.

My Review:
A great tale of adventure for young readers. Easy to read with nice illustrations.

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

The Yellow Hummer

Author: Ivet Graham Morgan
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 34 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press (February 25, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1432747843

Book Description:
A broken Christmas, a saddened child and a heartbroken grandmother are the elements of this touching story for beginning readers which shows that people are always more important than things.

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

Is There A Monster Over There?

Author: Sally O. Lee
Paperback: 36 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (February 13, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1450531024

Book Description:

Ms. Lee's latest book, "Is there a monster over there?" tells the story of Mabel (and her cat, Tiffany) who are afraid of monsters. Mabel thinks they are hiding under her bed or in her closet. One day, she decides to face the monster, and she learns an important lesson about overcoming fears.

My Review:
This book is about Mabel, her cat Tiffany, and Mabel's fear of monsters. It is a story that most children can identify with. I read "is there a monster over there?" to my 3 year old granddaughter, which she seemed to like, although I don't believe she fully understood it at this time. The illustrations are delightful, though, and the story is captivating.

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)