Book review - The Eureka Key

Title: The Eureka Key
Author: Sarah L. Thomson
Genre: adventure
Similar books: Mission Unstoppable by Dan Gutman
                     Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Rating:

cautiously optimistic

Summary(provided by publisher): This smart, exciting new adventure series with an interactive puzzle-solving element is National Treasure meets Indiana Jones for middle-graders.
When middle school puzzle master Sam and history wiz Martina win a contest for a summer trip across the US, they discover they've been drafted into something vastly more extraordinary. Joining another kid on the trip, Theo, a descendant of George Washington himself, they must follow clues to find seven keys left behind by the Founding Fathers. Together the keys unlock Benjamin Franklin's greatest invention--a secret weapon intended to defend the country. Each key is hidden in a unique location around the U.S., protected with puzzles, riddles, and traps. This has kept the weapon safe . . . until now! Gideon Arnold, a dangerous descendant of the infamous Benedict Arnold, is on the chase.
In competition with Arnold and his thugs to reach the artifacts first, Sam, Martina, Theo, and readers must use their wits to solve ingenious puzzles, escape death-by-booby-trap, and, by the end of the series, save our nation by uncovering many of its greatest secrets.

My opinion: There are some great elements in this book. You've got a team made up of disparate personality types and a nicely complex plot. That plot is well set-up for a full series; clearly each book will focus on finding one of a series of keys leading to a final confrontation with Arnold for control of all of the keys and, thus, the mystery weapon. There's plenty of room there for complications, different types of puzzles to introduce and solve. The inclusion of historical trivia and the use of the national parks as settings is a great element as well. There is a danger, with a beginning like this, for the strong structure of the larger plot to become stale and predictable if there are not enough new elements introduced in each further novel. And with the characters not only needing to learn to work as a team but all having slightly abrasive personalities, this book lacks the charm of more established team series like Percy Jackson. 

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Picture books for everyone

Peanut Butter & Cupcake by Terry Border

This book in great on two levels. Looking at it in terms of the lesson learned: the new kid trying to find his place in the neighborhood, searching for new friends and playmates, is universal. Peanut Butter is a great character, approaching each new kid or group with optimism, not flagging even in the face of repeated rejection. The surface is where this book really shines, though. Not only are the photos highly entertaining, there is a repeated refrain "Hello. I'm new here and I like to play. Maybe now, maybe later, or even all day. I'll make you chuckle deep down in your belly. And we'll go together like peanut butter and..." Each instance of the refrain ends with a different food item: hamburger, cupcake, egg, spaghetti, etc. That alone is enough to elicit groans and giggles from kids and parents alike. Add in a wide range of food based puns and it's pretty much a surefire hit.

Non-fiction book review - Stickmen's Guide to Aircraft

Stickmen's Guide to Aircraft by John Faradon

This book has plenty of cool facts presented in small chunks, making it a book one could easily browse through in brief spurts. Visually it leaves a little to be desired. While stickmen allow the illustrations to focus on the aircraft themselves, some of the illustrations are not particularly dynamic or engaging while others are a bit noisy and cluttered. A decent choice for young fans of airplanes and forms of flight but not something that will encourage a new enthusiasm. 

Book review - Waylon! One Awesome Thing

Title: Waylon! One Awesome Thing
Author: Sara Pennypacker
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Melonhead by Katy Kelly
                     Alvin Ho series by Lenore Look
Rating:

a solid read

Summary(provided by publisher): Waylon has lots of ideas for making life more awesome through science, like teleportation, human gills, and attracting cupcakes by controlling gravity. But it's impossible for him to concentrate on his inventions when he's experiencing his own personal Big Bang.
Arlo Brody is dividing the fourth grade boys into two groups. Waylon would rather be friends with everyone. Well, everyone except the scary new kid, Baxter Boylen.
Waylon's older sister, Neon, is shooting away from the family. He wishes everything would go back to the way it was before she started wearing all black and saying "What's the point?" all the time.
Just when it looks as though Waylon's universe is exploding, something happens to bring it all together again, and it is, without a doubt, One Awesome Thing

My opinion: This new offering from Pennypacker has all the charm of Clementine with a different quirk factor. Clementine was bod, impulsive, and borderline reckless. Waylon is more thoughtful and cautious. He's ruled by logic, science, and the wonders of the natural world. Now, Clementine's voice was instantly distinctive. Waylon's voice, on the other hand, is still developing. Of course, Waylon is older than Clementine was at her introduction so the more restrained voice may be a part of that. He's also dealing with different issues, concerns of bullies and fitting in with his peers, understanding the changes in his older sister. The plot is familiar but charming. A solid, gentle read for upper elementary.

Advanced Reader copy provided by NetGalley.

The Great Owl Repaint Project part 3

After moving all of my craft supplies were kind of muddled. Now that I've unpacked everything and gotten them back into a sensible sort of order, I've been able to get back into my typical crafting habits. Recently, that has meant working on my owl repainting. (Check out the previous owls, Clara and Leif) Here's my latest installment. 

The before:

 
This particular owl presented an unusual set of issues given it's high gloss finish. Even sanding didn't put a dent in the gloss. This has left the paint a little fragile but the acrylic finish coat helps.

The after:
 

I modeled the coloring after the Southern White-faced Owl

This owl is the mother of the family. Her name is Beatrice.

Book review - Flawed

Title: Flawed
Author: Cecelia Ahern
Genre: dystopia
Similar books: Rite of Rejection by Sarah Negovetich
                     Soulprint by Megan Miranda
Rating:

an interesting beginning

Summary(provided by publisher): Celestine North lives a perfect life. She's a model daughter and sister, she's well-liked by her classmates and teachers, and she's dating the impossibly charming Art Crevan.
But then Celestine encounters a situation in which she makes an instinctive decision. She breaks a rule and now faces life-changing repercussions. She could be imprisoned. She could be branded. She could be found FLAWED.
In her breathtaking young adult debut, bestselling author Cecelia Ahern depicts a society in which obedience is paramount and rebellion is punished. And where one young woman decides to take a stand that could cost her everything.

My opinion: The dystopia trend is definitely on it's way out. It seemed, recently, that every version of the oppressive society had been written. Ahern has brought us a new variation. Is it restrictive? Sure. But rather than limiting choice, it limits morals. It evaluates the decision making process of its citizens rather than their actions exclusively. In presentation, this is fairly standard. We see Celestine perfectly accepting of society's rules until they have a direct negative impact on her life and she finds herself the unwitting center of a burgeoning coup. I was intrigued by the role of the media and the political complexity of the plot. There is room for the future volumes of this series to go in some fascinating directions. Now, characterization isn't great. Celestine is the only truly distinct character. Most everyone she encounters is given a surface treatment at best. So, I'm intrigued but hesitant, especially as the dystopia genre is overdone. It's much harder for the author to distinguish her work.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Books on screen

Curious George

As is often the case with film versions of picture books, this movie bears little resemblance to the original book. Really, though, does it need to? Curious George is a pop culture icon. Kids who have never read a Curious George book know George. And honestly, the first book would not have made a particularly good movie. It has questionable morals and a less than solid plot. The movie is not based on the books so much as the spirit of Curious George. That's what makes this movie work. It truly captures the blend of mischief and wonder that characterizes George. Will Farrell is likeable as Ted (this naming of the man in the yellow hat is the one thing I don't particularly like about this movie) and the plot is kid friendly, yet complex enough to entertain the parents watching with them. 

There are two more Curious George movies (which I have not seen) and a PBS kids series (which I enjoy and thoroughly recommend).