Beverly Stowe McClure's Blog: Enter Beverly's World of Writing, page 15

First Day of School Jitters

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters by Donna M. McDine

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A child’s first day at kindergarten, with new kids, a teacher, and facing the day separated from your twin for the first time in your life, is frightening. Who will you talk to? Who will you play with?

Multi-Award-Winning author Donna M. McDine’s latest picture book, DEE AND DEB OFF THEY GO, KINDERGARTEN FIRST DAY JITTERS, is an adorable story about Dee and Deb, fraternal twins who learn the answers to the above questions. Told from Dee’s point of view, the reader follows Dee through the first day of kindergarten as she discovers a whole new world.

The artwork by Award-Winning Illustrator Jack Foster is bright and colorful. His drawings of the two girls, with their big eyes and freckles on their cheeks, sometimes smiles on their faces, other times puzzled looks in their eyes show the emotions the girls feel on being away from each other. Foster’s excellent drawings bring the story to life making the reader love Dee and Deb. At least this reader loves the girls.

The author and artist have done a remarkable job resulting in a story that young readers should find interesting and fun, especially children that have a twin. I recommend DEE AND DEB OFF THEY GO, KINDERGARTEN FIRST DAY JITTERS. This would make a nice addition to school libraries and classrooms, public libraries and, of course, your own private library.

Goodbye, Dee and Deb.

I was given a copy of this novel for my honest review.

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A Deliciously Scary Story

The Mission by L.X. Cain

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Have you ever visited a building that you’d almost swear was alive? The place seemed to be breathing and whispering your name. If so, were you brave enough to go inside, or did you run away as fast as possible?

In Author L. X. Cain’s short story THE MISSION, Cody and Luke go to the Mission where rumors claim that a naked woman can be seen in the doorway carvings when you shine a light on the archway just right. Well, thirteen-year-olds are curious, and Cody doesn’t want Luke to laugh at him the way the other kids at school do, so to prove he’s not chicken he goes inside the Mission, while Luke waits outside. When Cody shines the light over his head, he sees the illusion of a woman’s face, but before he can tell his friend, a frightened squeal from outside changes the boys’ night of adventure into a nightmare. Luke has disappeared, and Cody is the only one around to solve the mystery and possibly his friend’s life.

L. X. Cain has written a deliciously scary story. I don’t want to spoil anything, but vivid descriptions of what the boys are facing make the reader wonder whether they’ll survive or not. To find out, I recommend you read the story. I think you’ll be happy you did.

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Is It The End Of Earth?

Nomad by Matthew Mather

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


What if an unknown object is traveling toward Earth at high speed? What if Florida is gone and there’s only black water, dark skies, no day or night, and gray snow is falling, and only three people are left alive?

In Author Matthew Mather’s novel, NOMAD, a mass tens of times larger than the Sun has been discovered, a mass that is perhaps only months away from reaching Earth. Astronomers are calling it Nomad. What happens when … if … the mass reaches Earth? Thus begins the search for a way to stop Nomad. Told in alternating points-of-view, the reader follows along with Ben and Jess, her mother Celeste, and a host of other characters, drawn into the coming devastation, unless Nomad can be stopped.

From Italy to Utah to Australia and Germany, and places in between, Jess faces not only dangers she never dreamed of, but truths about her family, as well. I really like Jess. Even though she has a wooden leg, she’s tough and brave, yet she’s also vulnerable. The author describes the settings and the scenes so vividly that the reader almost feels like she/he is there, with the character.

Can they stop Nomad in time to avoid a collision with Earth? If not, will Jess and the others survive? There’s also a neat … well, I don’t want to spoil the end, so I’ll let you read the book to find out the family secrets. Happy reading.

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The Knights Before Christmas

The Knights Before Christmas by Joan Holub

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Christmas is the season of reindeer pulling a sleigh, a chubby little man with a white beard, a bundle of toys on his back, stockings hanging by the chimney, and three knights guarding their king. Wait a minute. Three knights? A king?

Yes, THE KNIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, an adorable picture book by Author Joan Holub, is the story of three knights guarding their king. While the story has similarities to Clement Clarke Moore’s A VISIT FROM SAINT NICHOLAS, it is a totally different story with three knights that you can’t help loving; at least I couldn’t. Brave Knight with his lance, Polite Knight with his pen, and Silent Knight wearing his nightie really mean good, but they aren’t quite sure what to do with an invader, a red-and-white knight and eight dragons. What follows is an adventure that will have young readers giggling and reading the book over and over again, or asking Mom or Dad to read it over and over.

The illustrations by Scott Magoon are perfect for the story. The expressions of the Knights in each scene show their emotions. And Santa Claus is the jolly old man the reader expects him to be. A beautiful combination of story and artwork.

I highly recommend Joan Holub’s THE KNIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS for young readers and for older readers too. Merry Christmas. Now, I’m off to read the book again.

I was provided a copy of this book for my honest review.




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The Story of Joseph and Mary

Joseph's Cradle by Stephanie Burkhart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Expecting a new baby in the family, whether in times past or in today’s world, is a big event. Mom prepares for the baby’s arrival by sewing little outfits or buying the latest styles for him or her to wear. Dad makes sure the soon to be addition to the family has a crib or cradle to sleep in, as well as other items to make the little one comfortable.

In Author Stephanie Burkhart’s newest picture book, JOSEPH’S CRADLE, Mom and Dad do the same. Dad builds a new cradle for his child. Mary knits booties and clothes for the baby. And so they wait for the happy day to arrive. This is a sweet and gentle story about the parents of Jesus and how they might have passed the time in the months before his birth.

The artwork by Matthew Hughes is realistic for the timeframe of the story, with beautiful, soft pastel shades for the scenery and characters that very well could be from hundreds of years ago. The illustration at the end of the story is my favorite in the book.

A lovely story for this special time of year and for anytime, in fact. Children should enjoy learning about the Christ Child’s family. This book would make a nice addition to school libraries, public libraries and of course your own library.

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The End of the World?

Blood Mage by K.R. Yaddof

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


What if America were attacked by some unknown enemy and all major news stations, papers, and the Internet were destroyed? What would you do? Tough question, right?

This is the world of Alexis Richmond, soon to turn eighteen, her family and friends, in Author K. R. Yaddof’s YA novel BLOOD MAGE, Book one in The Mages Series. After the attack and the destruction of the entire U. S. congress, Alexis’ father becomes leader of the free world. As if there isn’t enough chaos in her life and the lives of her family and friends, Alexis soon discovers she’s a sorceress and a mage. Add a touch of magic and you have a story of secrets and surprises and wondering exactly who the good guys are and who are the bad.

The author has written an interesting story about war, violence, and survivors trying to do the best they can under a bad situation. There are a lot of characters to keep track of. A touch of romance gives the story some normalcy to the characters’ world, from the turmoil and fear and worry about family and friends and what the future holds in their changing lives.

Could what happens in BLOOD MAGE actually happen in the real world? Almost anything is possible. Now I’m off to read the second book to see what trouble awaits the characters next.

Happy reading.

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Danger, Adventure, Romance, Mystery

Sanctuary: A Tall Pines Mystery by Aaron Paul Lazar

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


What would you do if an injured girl, who happened to be your cousin, showed up on your front porch one day? She’s not only been beat up, but the bad guys are after her and likely followed her to your house.

If you’re Marcella and Quinn Hollister in Award Winning Author Aaron Paul Lazar’s novel Sanctuary, you take the girl to a place where you hope she’ll be safe and try to solve the mystery she brings with her. As Marcella and Quinn learn more about his cousin, Kitty, and the men that are after her, their lives become endangered too. Why are the guys after Kitty? Why are they trying to kill her? Marcella gets clues through visions of what happened to Kitty and actually feels like she’s experiencing the scenes from Kitty’s viewpoint.

Aaron Paul Lazar has written a story that will keep you wondering who’s guilty and what Kitty, a young girl, has to do with the events as they unfold. At least it did me. A variety of characters keeps the action moving. One of my favorites is Roberta. Now there’s a lady you don’t want to mess with. Thelma, Marcella’s mother is also a unique lady. As for Kitty, she’s so broken and vulnerable that I wanted her problems to be solved so she could live a normal life.

Bad guys, action, romance and family loyalty make SANCTUARY an adventure you don’t want to miss.

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A Little Bug With a Heart of Hope

Little ones, whether they’re children or animals, need friends. They need food and water. They need lots of things life has to offer; they especially need a home where they feel safe.

In LITTLE BUG, Author Karin Larson’s new picture book, Little Bug goes in search of a friend to play with. When he doesn’t find anyone, he decides he’s hungry and goes hunting for food. Again, he’s not successful and thinks, well, he’s thirsty, maybe he’ll search for a drink of water. Nope, no luck there, either. He is having a bad, bad day. What’s a little bug to do?

Karin Larson has written a sweet story about accepting things we can’t change and making the best of a situation. Little Bug doesn’t get angry and have a tantrum when he can’t find what he’s looking for. Instead, he keeps on trying. Will he ever find what he’s seeking? Or will he be content with what he does find? Only Little Bug, and you, the reader of the story know.

Eugene Ruble’s winsome illustrations show Little Bug’s different emotions with each situation just perfectly. You gotta love a little bug with big eyes and a heart full of hope that he’ll find what he’s looking for. Does he? I’m not telling, but Little Bug will.

I recommend LITTLE BUG for school libraries, public libraries, and of course your own private library. The book will be fun for parents and children to read together, or just to read by yourself in a quiet corner of your house.

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Star Light, Star Bright

Wish You Weren't by Sherrie Petersen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Have you ever wished on a star? Did your wish come true, or were you happy that it didn’t?

In WISH YOU WEREN’T, middle grade novel by Author Sherrie Petersen, almost twelve-year-old Marten is outside the hotel where his family is vacationing, watching the Perseids Meteor Shower with his mom, six-year-old brother Aldrin, and friend Paul. When Aldrin breaks Marten’s Han Solo action figure, the figure that belonged to Marten’s father when he was a boy, Marten is furious and he wishes on a shooting star that his brother wasn’t there. His wish doesn’t come true, of course, none of his ever do. At least not at first.

Then the family visits the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, and while his parents are off to a meeting Aldrin is causing trouble one minute, and the next minute he’s gone, vanished into thin air. What follows is a mystery, a fantasy, and the story of a boy who makes some amazing discoveries about his family and also about himself.

The characters are well-developed and for the most part act as kids their ages would act. Aldrin, being the baby of the family, sometimes gets away with things that add to the sibling rivalry. Marten thinks he’s being taken advantage of when Mom asks him to take care of his brother. They’re just a family trying to survive.

As the reader travels back in time with Marten, the author introduces interesting facts about the universe, and at the end provides links to other astronomical sites. A fun story that young readers should enjoy. I recommend this book for school libraries and public libraries, as well as your own private library.

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How Not to Gossip

The middle school years are tough. Friendships are so important, and some kids will do most anything to have friends. Sometimes a girl may have the wrong idea about what a friend is.

In 30 DAYS OF NO GOSSIP, middle grade/tween novel by Author Stephanie Faris, seventh grader Maddie Evans is Editor of the “Troy Tattler,” Troy Middle School’s unofficial gossip newsletter. If you want to know what’s going on in school or in other student’s lives, ask Maddie, AKA “the queen of gossip.” She just wants to be popular and she believes that gossiping about others is the way to do it. She even plays matchmaker for her best friend, Vi. But Vi has had enough, so she challenges Maddie to stop gossiping for 30 days. What follows is the story of a girl who discovers what makes a true friend.

The author has created characters that might be found in most any middle school in the country. I like Maddie because she’s so true-to-life. A seventh-grader’s heart is easily broken. Most everything is a major catastrophe at that age. I was really cheering her on to succeed in her attempts to do what her best friend asked of her. This book would make a great addition to middle school libraries, where young readers might see themselves or their friends in the same situation that Maddie and her friends are in. I highly recommend 30 DAYS OF NO GOSSIP. Moms and Dads might enjoy the story, too, and understand their children’s behavior a little better.

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