Reader Views

Horace Helfin’s Horrifying Halloween

 

“Horace Helfin’s Horrifying Halloween” by John Philip McCarthy is the story of nine-year-old Sally Connors and her friends who must try to stop the evil Goblin King before he conquers the planet.  Aided by the elf Horace Helfin and his apprentice Hector, the group must defeat the evil Goblin King before he turns everyone into his mindless red eyed slaves.  Can Sally and Horace defeat the Goblin King before it’s too late?

After coming to Earth, the Goblin King began to possess people to gain access to certain facilities.  He enslaved the owners of a major chocolate factory on Halloween and used their factory and workers to mass produce chocolates that would turn people into his minions.  Can Sally and Horace reverse the evil spell?

The book had a pretty interesting idea for the plot, but the author failed to develop the suspense and intrigue that would have captivated readers.  The scenes tended to jump back and forth and I was often left wondering how certain things had happened.  Problems were often solved just a little too easily by some freak occurrence or magic that had not been revealed or developed prior to the scene.

I would recommend “Horace Helfin’s Horrifying Halloween” by John Philip McCarthy to people who like fantasy books.  I think that this book would be most enjoyed by young readers, eight to ten-years-old.  This is the second book in the “Horace Helfin” series.  I would recommend reading the first book in the series before this one because it would help readers to understand the characters a little more as well as referencing events that happened prior to“Horace Helfin’s Horrifying Halloween.”


Horace Helfin’s Horrifying Halloween
John Philip McCarthy
Boathouse Entertainment (2012)
ISBN 9780961482916
Reviewed by Ben Weldon (age 14) for Reader Views (1/13)

Sandlot Summit

“Sandlot Summit” takes place in 1984 during the cold war.  The Soviet Union and the United States are on the verge of World War III.  The Secretary of State from the U.S. jokingly suggests fighting the war in a single contest between champions of each country.  Shockingly, General Zolotov from Russia agrees to play baseball with three conditions:  the players had to be twelve years of age or younger, the American team could only place nine players on its roster, and the Soviets are allowed to select a national all-star team, while the Americans had to use a local team from a single town. 

Felix Farley, a baseball coach who is not very good, accidentally gets picked to coach the American team.  The President thinks that Felix coaches an all-star team, but they confused Felix with someone else.  So, a war is being fought between a Russian all-star team and an American team that has had very few wins and is coached by a goofball.  Will Felix fail and America become a part of Russia?  Or will Felix somehow coach his team to victory?
 
“Sandlot Summit” is for girls and boys ages 9 and up.  Kids who enjoy baseball and/or funny stories will love this book.  My favorite part of the book happens at the end when the baseball game is over and they decide who wins the game (a.k.a. war).
 
Overall, “Sandlot Summit” by Rick Fishman was easy to read and a very funny story.
 
 
 
Reviewed by Evan Weldon (age 10) for Reader Views (1/13)
 
“Sandlot Summit” by Rick Fishman is about a twelve-year-old boy named Fredder Farly who loves baseball. When his dad is called to go to the White House, Fredder goes too, but when his dad Felix Farly tries to see the President he is thrown out. But Fredder gets in and learns the Cold War between the U.S and the Soviets is to be settled in a kid’s baseball all-star game. His dad is going to be the coach, and he has two weeks to find a team and decide the fate of the Cold War. Will he be able to get a team and beat the Soviets or will the U.S be no more?
 
 My favorite character was Fredder. He had to show teamwork to hold the team together. He was beaten to the point of giving up but he was always rallied by his team. This book inspires teamwork and is a great way to show what a good person is.    

I would recommend “Sandlot Summit” by Rick Fishman to people who love baseball. I think that I would have liked this book even more if I was more familiar with the rules of baseball. The characters were easy to get to know, but there were a lot of them and were sometimes hard to remember.


Sandlot Summit
Rick Fishman
Outskirts Press (2008)
ISBN 9781432718688
Reviewed by Keith James (age 10) for Reader Views (10/08)

Nick McCaffrey vs. the Ghosts of The Presidential Assassins

“Nick McCaffrey vs. the Ghosts of The Presidential Assassins” by E. M. Marz is about teenaged Nick McCaffrey, who can hear and see ghosts, and his best friend Gene the Genius. When his class takes a field trip to Washington, DC he hears how different presidential assassins’ stuff like Guiteau’s skeleton are being stolen, but he knows that the presidential assassins are coming back to life to kill the current president. Who is doing it and how can he stop it?
 
The characters were easy to get to know and to relate to. My favorite character was Gene.   He has an IQ of 176 which is more than Einstein. Nick, his best friend, is much bigger than Gene.  Since everyone thought Nick was crazy when he said he could see ghosts, he decided to play the bad boy and lie about seeing ghosts so he wouldn’t get sent to the hospital again.
 
This wasn’t exactly an educational book, but I did become more familiar with the names of the presidential assassins.  

I would recommend “Nick McCaffrey vs. the Ghosts of The Presidential Assassins” by E. M. Marz to people who like adventure and action.  I could not put this book down until I finished it.


Nick McCaffrey vs. the Ghosts of The Presidential Assassins
E. M. Marz
CreateSpace (2012)
ISBN 9781480295865
Reviewed by Evan Weldon (age 10) for Reader Views (1/13)

My Own Magic

“My Own Magic” by Kim Votry is a book about a twelve-year-old girl named Morgan and her best friend named Natasha. When a new teacher by the name of Anna Prosaic comes to teach the students how to write a novel for the NaNoWriMo contest, everyone thinks that it is impossible.  Who could write 6,000 words in thirty days?  That’s twenty-five pages!  Everyone was sure that was impossible. 

Morgan is very suspicious as to why a famous author would come to teach at her school; she thinks the teacher must be a witch who is there to steal the students’ imagination.  A bunch of coincidences keep happening that make Morgan even more convinced that Mrs. Prosaic is a witch.  For example, one day when Mrs. Prosaic opens the window, a crow flies down and lands on a branch nearby.  This (a crow) is on the students’ list of “witchy” things, right along with warts and brooms.  But the thing that absolutely convinces Morgan is that her friends are falling to the witch’s spell and enjoying NaNoWriMo.  Is she right?  Are her friends falling under the spell one by one or is she just jumping to conclusions?
 
The book is different from books that I usually read in the sense that it inspires writing and creativity and imagination.  It is a very interesting way to see the struggles and successes of someone doing NaNoWriMo.
 
I would recommend “My Own Magic” by Kim Votry to people who are interested in writing a book of their own and to people who like a book with a message.  The message of this book is that NaNoWriMo is possible and even fun for ordinary people.  As a consequence of this book, even I might be willing to try NaNoWriMo.


My Own Magic
Kim Votry
Third Place Press (2012)
ISBN 9781609440589
Reviewed by Evan Weldon (age 10) for Reader Views (1/13)

Little Isaac’s Big Adventure

My first praise for “Little Isaac’s Big Adventure” by Tracy Schuldt Helixon is the wonderful artwork by Jack Foster! WOW, each page was exciting to read and Miles couldn’t wait to get to the next to see what was going to happen!

“Belieeeve” rustles the leaves. Little Isaac is just too little to play baseball with his brother Jack and too little to ride the spaceship ride at the fair. He is just too little and it’s getting him down. Wondering when he would get big, he got a push on the swing from Dad. “Belieeeve” whispered the wind.

Dad gives Isaac another big push on the swing and Isaac lands right on a cloud. The cloud begins to take him on a ride, helping him to be able to do things he never thought he could do being so little.
 
When Isaac brings back his brother’s balloon he found in the sky, Jack wanted to go too! But Dad didn’t think that it would be possible to do that again because it takes a big push and a little guy!
 
What an amazing story to help children realize that they can do anything they want. They just have to wait until the right time. While they are small they can do things that bigger people cannot do.

Miles really enjoyed the story. He was mostly excited to see the clouds and the animals made out of the clouds through the story. “Little Isaac’s Big Adventure” by Tracy Schuldt Helixon is one of those books I will buy for others as gifts for birthdays and such! Totally awesome book!!! We love it!


Little Isaac’s Big Adventure
Tracy Schuldt Helixon
Guardian Angel Publishing (2012)
ISBN 9781616333218
Reviewed by Miles Cassells (age 2.5) and Mom for Reader Views Kids (1/13)

Granny’s Clan: A Tale of Wild Orcas

“Granny’s Clan: A Tale of Wild Orcas” by Dr. Sally Hodson tells about wild orcas in the ocean. A new baby is born into the family and the eldest Orca, Granny, leads them to go fishing with the new baby. The next day they have an Orca family reunion. They go to where the boats are and while children wave they do tricks. The book is almost written like poetry. “In cold dark waters, a tiny newborn struggles to breathe. Little one, I am here to help.”
 
I learned that a “spy hop” is when whales leap into the air and they look around. I also learned that Orcas have family reunions like us. They do a lot of things similar to people. I loved “Granny’s Clan: A Tale of Wild Orcas” by Dr. Sally Hodson because it’s all about Orcas and what they do and how they react to people. The Orcas are beautiful in their natural habitats. They are very kind and gentle. I really like that a female scientist who studies whales is the author. People who love to go under the water and explore and be with animals would like this book.


Granny’s Clan: A Tale of Wild Orcas
Dr. Sally Hodson
Dawn Publications (2012)
ISBN 9781584691723
Reviewed by Grayce Richardson (age 8) for Reader Views (1/13)
 

Firestar: Krysalys Chronicles of Feyree: Scroll 3

“Firestar” by Claudia Newcorn is the story of the majestic realm of Lampion that is besieged by an army of fire daemiani.  In a grand saga of trust and betrayal, war and magic, a loyal band of Feyree must stick together to rid themselves of their daemiani oppressors.  But will simple loyalty and bravery suffice, or will the land be thrust into a new rule of destruction and fire? 

Forced by his evil herald, the Firelord of Nonetre plotted to invade the realm of Lampion.  With a few devastating strikes against Lampion’s heart, Firelord Tizon was in control.  But a few determined Feyree still held out against the invading forces.  Armed with only hope, determination, and a few powerful dragon tears, will the Feyree be able to hold off their fiery doom?

The book was a very fun read.  It was however, very complicated.  It had a very thick plotline that was very hard to get interested in from page one, especially since this was continuing a storyline from two prior books.  It didn’t help that the book would change scenes and characters suddenly.  All in all though, this was a very entertaining read after I learned who was whom and what had happened in the previous books.  I would highly recommend reading the two prior books before this one. 

I would recommend “Firestar” by Claudia Newcorn to people who like fantasy and adventure books.  “Firestar” was the third and final book in the “Krisalys Chronicles of Feyree” trilogy.  It was an entertaining, if slightly long, read.  I intend to read the other books in this series.


Firestar: Krysalys Chronicles of Feyree: Scroll 3
Claudia Newcorn
Shalako Press (2012)
ISBN 9780984681167
Reviewed by Ben Weldon (age 14) for Reader Views (1/13)

Fairminded Fran and the Three Small Black Community Cats

One day when Fairminded Fran was walking behind her school, she saw three, small black cats crawling around a dumpster. She went to get a closer look, but they just ran off. The next day she asked her classmates if they knew about the cats, but no one did. Some students didn’t even care. Fairminded Fran then went to ask her teacher and told him that she wanted to leave out food for the cats and try to help them. He agreed and would go and leave food out for them with her. Fairminded Fran soon begins to make a big difference for the cats and soon finds their Mom! Read on more in “Fairminded Fran and the Three Small Black Community Cats” by Linda Elder to find out what happens next! It truly is amazing.
 
This is a good and short book with beautiful illustrations. This book is actually a true story in some ways, but the story is amazing. It’s just about a girl who has such a love for animals she can’t help but try to help them. “Fairminded Fran and the Three Small Black Community Cats” by Linda Elder shows that you don’t have to be a certain age to stand up for what you love, especially if it’s the thing you love the most.


Fairminded Fran and the Three Small Black Community Cats
Linda Elder
Foundation for Critical Thinking (2012)
ISBN 9780944583470
Reviewed by Madeline McElroy (age 11) for Reader Views (1/13)

Ava and the Little Folk

“Ava and the Little Folk” by Neil Christopher and Alan Neal is about a little boy named Ava who just wants to hunt, but when the hunters come by his house, they never stop to get him. One day, Ava heard the hunters coming, as he waited outside. Ava noticed something. He noticed that the hunters didn’t sound as loud as usual, neither did the wolves.

It was a foggy day, so Ava couldn’t see the hunters as they came closer. Ava was shocked when the hunters stopped at his doorstep. They didn’t look like hunters to him. Why? Because they were as tall as Ava’s knees, and had footprints no bigger then the tracks of a rabbit! Ava asked the man how he was a hunter. The man replied, “I find that hard to see myself. What do you think?” Ava stared and replied, “But you’re tiny!” The man paused and said, “One day you will learn that a real man decides his own size. I am as big or little as I choose to be. We all are.” Ava then heard more sleds approaching. Ava stared when the little man gave him a stare as he hopped onto the sled. “Come on, Tau! Aren’t you coming?” Ava's eyes went wide, “I get to hunt?” he asked nervously. The little man smiled and said, “Of course!” and off they went.
 
“Ava and the Little Folk” by Neil Christopher and Alan Neal is a fun little book about a legend of a type of people called Inugarulligaarjuit, meaning supernatural race of little beings. Ava, a young village boy who has no mom or dad, is found, cared for and taught to hunt and live with the little folk. This is a cute book with good illustrations. Lots of the words used in this are very old, and I did not know lots of them, but a helpful glossary is provided in the back to help the reader understand more, so I suggest if you buy this book for you or your children, to go over the glossary with them before reading.


Ava and the Little Folk
Neil Christopher and Alan Neal
Inhabit Media (2012)
ISBN 9781927095027
Reviewed by Madeline McElroy (age 11.5) for Reader Views (1/13)

Atlantis: Fall of the Gods (Volume 2, Atlantis Trilogy)

“Atlantis: Fall of the Gods” by David Speight is the story of Aedon, a prince of Atlantis.  As Aedon’s friend and fellow prince Faeraud is possessed and falls towards the dark side, Aedon must remain strong and protect Atlantis from the gathering darkness.  The book is full of difficult choices that Aedon must make to protect the realm.  Tempted with offers of power and recognition, Aedon must realize the truth before it is too late to save the Asterian moon and its inhabitants.  Will Aedon be able to avert this impending catastrophe? 

During the time in which the book takes place, the ancient race of humans is highly technologically advanced and has a vastly extended life span.  Also, for the most part, animals are intelligent and can talk.  Earth also has a second moon called Asteria that is home to the advanced race of people known as the Asterians.  The Asterians are a civilized race living on their moon and are a large part of Atlantean society.  Little does anyone know that they will soon be the target of a catastrophic attack. . .
 
The book had a lot of simultaneous storylines and could be a little confusing.  The book started off fast and didn’t really introduce the reader to the characters very well. 

There is definitely some Christian symbolism in this book, but I think it would still appeal equally to Christians or non-Christians.  The author claims that many of the elements of the book are taken from the Bible, history, legends, and various archeological finding.  It is not, however, an educational book but pure, far-fetched fantasy.
 
I would recommend “Atlantis: Fall of the Gods” by David Speight to people who like fantasy.  Overall the book was entertaining, but at times it seemed as if the author was trying to have too many individual plotlines running at once.  It was a fun, if a little tedious, read.  This was the second book in a series, and I would recommend that readers start with the first book.


Atlantis: Fall of the Gods (Volume 2, Atlantis Trilogy)
David Speight
CreateSpace (2013)
ISBN 9781481810159
Reviewed by Ben Weldon (age 14) for Reader Views (1/ 13)