Tyler Reynolds's Blog, page 4
September 28, 2021
Incoming Laughs!
Dudes Book 6 launches on October 1st! And it's gonna be a blast. There will be special discounts on both the ebook and the paperback for the first week, so watch this space (or sign up for my Readers List to get them delivered to your email inbox: https://emilykayjohnson.us20.list-man...)
September 17, 2021
A Preview Snippet of The Dudes Adventure Chronicles, Book: 6
A voice said:
//A new item has just been added to the laundry hamper. Weight of combined household hampers now equals 76% of a full load//
I realized it sounded like the AI on Zombie Bash III: Space Station Offensive, the one that calmly tells you there are no other heartbeats detected in the habitat ring.
“The default voice is customizable to the user,” Nate explained. He pointed to the shelf above the sink where a smooth, black cylinder sat. I recognized the glowing blue swirl on the side.
“You have a virtual assistant. What’s her name?” I asked.
“It’s better not to name them or apply gender pronouns,” Nate said, dead serious. “It’s a tool, not a person.” Nate was the only person I knew who was equally thrilled with and terrified by robots.
The virtual assistant warned:
//Eight minutes until school transport arrival//
Most people use their smart speakers to play music or order Cheesy Thingies. Some people use them to organize all their other web-connected gadgets. But Nate was a little more creative.
The phone rang, but Mrs. Howe didn’t answer. She looked toward the smart speaker. “Play message,” she said. A recorded voice came out of the speaker:
//I am speaking James from the Internet Computer Service. I have detected a problem with your internet computer device. Call now to give your bank account number and clear up this problem//
That sounded wrong in so many ways, but Mrs. Howe’s lipstick stretched in a wry grin. “That was too easy, Nate,” she said. “It had to be a phishing scheme. No one gets my bank account number--ever!”
“Good job, Mom,” said Nate, approvingly.
The phone rang again. This time the message went:
//You are in trouble with the Internal Revenue Service. You will be arrested unless you press 9 now.//
Mr. Howe, who was just entering the room, raised his eyebrows. “Like the IRS would ever call you!” he scoffed.
Nate gave his dad a thumbs up. “Good catch, Dad,” he said.
//I’ll get you next time// said the AI.
A chill ran down my spine.
Then Nate turned to me. “I’ve devised a series of tests to keep Mom and Dad on their toes,” he explained. “I’ve heard that older people are susceptible to scams.”
//School transport arrival is imminent. Please exit the habitat ring,//
“Time to go,” said Nate, heading toward the front door.
I hoped I was imagining the cruel edge in the AI’s voice as she warned:
//Better take your survival kit. Weather shields are advised.//
Nate and I grabbed our backpacks, flipped up our hoods and left for school.
//A new item has just been added to the laundry hamper. Weight of combined household hampers now equals 76% of a full load//
I realized it sounded like the AI on Zombie Bash III: Space Station Offensive, the one that calmly tells you there are no other heartbeats detected in the habitat ring.
“The default voice is customizable to the user,” Nate explained. He pointed to the shelf above the sink where a smooth, black cylinder sat. I recognized the glowing blue swirl on the side.
“You have a virtual assistant. What’s her name?” I asked.
“It’s better not to name them or apply gender pronouns,” Nate said, dead serious. “It’s a tool, not a person.” Nate was the only person I knew who was equally thrilled with and terrified by robots.
The virtual assistant warned:
//Eight minutes until school transport arrival//
Most people use their smart speakers to play music or order Cheesy Thingies. Some people use them to organize all their other web-connected gadgets. But Nate was a little more creative.
The phone rang, but Mrs. Howe didn’t answer. She looked toward the smart speaker. “Play message,” she said. A recorded voice came out of the speaker:
//I am speaking James from the Internet Computer Service. I have detected a problem with your internet computer device. Call now to give your bank account number and clear up this problem//
That sounded wrong in so many ways, but Mrs. Howe’s lipstick stretched in a wry grin. “That was too easy, Nate,” she said. “It had to be a phishing scheme. No one gets my bank account number--ever!”
“Good job, Mom,” said Nate, approvingly.
The phone rang again. This time the message went:
//You are in trouble with the Internal Revenue Service. You will be arrested unless you press 9 now.//
Mr. Howe, who was just entering the room, raised his eyebrows. “Like the IRS would ever call you!” he scoffed.
Nate gave his dad a thumbs up. “Good catch, Dad,” he said.
//I’ll get you next time// said the AI.
A chill ran down my spine.
Then Nate turned to me. “I’ve devised a series of tests to keep Mom and Dad on their toes,” he explained. “I’ve heard that older people are susceptible to scams.”
//School transport arrival is imminent. Please exit the habitat ring,//
“Time to go,” said Nate, heading toward the front door.
I hoped I was imagining the cruel edge in the AI’s voice as she warned:
//Better take your survival kit. Weather shields are advised.//
Nate and I grabbed our backpacks, flipped up our hoods and left for school.
August 6, 2021
You'll Want to Be in This Class!
Summer Reading is winding down and schools across the country are starting up. I chose this week's book because, even though it is about school, it's a wacky good time to help you look forward to the coming year and all the wacky fun you and your friends will get up to.
The book is The Unteachables by Gordon Korman. And the kids in it aren't friends at first. They're the "bad" kids who get stuck in an 8th grade class together to make a hard time for the "bad" teacher, Mr. Kermit.
Each chapter is told from the point of view of a different kid or Mr. Kermit or even an adult who used to be Mr. Kermit's student a long time ago.
The kids are a mess, and so is their teacher. They do a lot of crazy things and make big, hilarious mistakes. Kiana isn't officially enrolled in school, Aldo is a lizard's favorite person, everyone is afraid of Elaine, and Mateo calls the teacher Squidward! But I liked them right away.
Mr. Kermit reminded me of Mr. Isaak. And the kids were a lot of fun to spend time with. (Wait until you see what they do with the props from the pep rally!) And that's kind of the point of reading--to get in the heads of different characters and to spend time with people who you've come to know and like.
In the Dude-A-Rrific Summer Reading Bingo, this book qualifies for:LOL, BEEN THERE. HAVEN'T DONE THAT, BAD GOOD-GUY OR GOOD BAD-GUY, 'CAUSE YOU MISS SCHOOL, ITEOTWAWKI (if that's how you feel about summer ending), and ODDYSSEYS.
I hope you spent all your time with fun people this summer--in and out of books. And I'm rooting for you to get in class with your friends this school year. And keep an eye out for the sixth Dudes book, Dudes Hard Target coming out this fall!
Find the Dudes Bingo Card and book reviews here: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
The book is The Unteachables by Gordon Korman. And the kids in it aren't friends at first. They're the "bad" kids who get stuck in an 8th grade class together to make a hard time for the "bad" teacher, Mr. Kermit.
Each chapter is told from the point of view of a different kid or Mr. Kermit or even an adult who used to be Mr. Kermit's student a long time ago.
The kids are a mess, and so is their teacher. They do a lot of crazy things and make big, hilarious mistakes. Kiana isn't officially enrolled in school, Aldo is a lizard's favorite person, everyone is afraid of Elaine, and Mateo calls the teacher Squidward! But I liked them right away.
Mr. Kermit reminded me of Mr. Isaak. And the kids were a lot of fun to spend time with. (Wait until you see what they do with the props from the pep rally!) And that's kind of the point of reading--to get in the heads of different characters and to spend time with people who you've come to know and like.
In the Dude-A-Rrific Summer Reading Bingo, this book qualifies for:LOL, BEEN THERE. HAVEN'T DONE THAT, BAD GOOD-GUY OR GOOD BAD-GUY, 'CAUSE YOU MISS SCHOOL, ITEOTWAWKI (if that's how you feel about summer ending), and ODDYSSEYS.
I hope you spent all your time with fun people this summer--in and out of books. And I'm rooting for you to get in class with your friends this school year. And keep an eye out for the sixth Dudes book, Dudes Hard Target coming out this fall!
Find the Dudes Bingo Card and book reviews here: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
The Perfect Beach Read for Boys
This week I'm reviewing one of Nate's favorite non-fiction books: Defending Your Castle: Build Catapults, Crossbows, Moats, Bulletproof Shields, and More Defensive Devices to Fend Off the Invading Hordes by William Gurstelle. It's kind of a wish-book for kids like the Dudes (and probably some paranoid adults).
Each chapter gives you an overview of how some famous warrior of history attacked or defended a castle, fort, or city. Then the author gives you real instructions for how you could build things like a palisade wall or an armored castle door using modern tools and supplies that you could buy at the hardware store. There's even a Kevlar backpack shield!
Of course, the Dudes don't have money, and our parents don't let us use power tools. Besides that, we better hope that Teresa and her soccer team don't acquire any siege engines. But a kid can dream. The history parts are really cool, and the diagrams and plans are bound to give you ideas.
On the Dude-A-Rrific Summer Book Bingo Card this book qualifies for: CAN YOU SEE IT?, THE OLD COUNTRY, CONTRAPTIONS, ITEOTWAWKI, JUST DO IT, and SWORDS AND CROWNS.
Find the bingo card and more reviews here: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
Each chapter gives you an overview of how some famous warrior of history attacked or defended a castle, fort, or city. Then the author gives you real instructions for how you could build things like a palisade wall or an armored castle door using modern tools and supplies that you could buy at the hardware store. There's even a Kevlar backpack shield!
Of course, the Dudes don't have money, and our parents don't let us use power tools. Besides that, we better hope that Teresa and her soccer team don't acquire any siege engines. But a kid can dream. The history parts are really cool, and the diagrams and plans are bound to give you ideas.
On the Dude-A-Rrific Summer Book Bingo Card this book qualifies for: CAN YOU SEE IT?, THE OLD COUNTRY, CONTRAPTIONS, ITEOTWAWKI, JUST DO IT, and SWORDS AND CROWNS.
Find the bingo card and more reviews here: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
July 30, 2021
Not a little kids' bunny book!
This week I read The Green Ember by S.D. Smith and Illustrated by Zach Franzen. Wow! This story really grabbed me and took me down the rabbit hole. It's about these two rabbit kids, Heather and Picket, whose peaceful home is attacked by a wolf army. (The chase scene at the beginning of the book had my heart pounding.)
They get taken in by this group of rabbit resistance that are trying to rebuild their society after a bitter betrayal destroyed their king. Heather and Picket's family is involved in the whole secret history. Turns out rabbit parents, just like humans, don't bother to tell their kids the good stuff either.
There is an evil crow king and a war council and a secret heir to the crown. And Heather and Picket will have to make choices and sacrifices as they fight to build a better world. So I will totally be back for the other books in this 4-book series to see how they do it.
On the Dude-A-Rrific Summer Reading Bingo card, this book fits: NOT A HUMAN STORY, BOOK WITH A MAP, NOT WHAT I EXPECTED, and SWORDS AND CROWNS.
Find the free printable card and more reviews here: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
They get taken in by this group of rabbit resistance that are trying to rebuild their society after a bitter betrayal destroyed their king. Heather and Picket's family is involved in the whole secret history. Turns out rabbit parents, just like humans, don't bother to tell their kids the good stuff either.
There is an evil crow king and a war council and a secret heir to the crown. And Heather and Picket will have to make choices and sacrifices as they fight to build a better world. So I will totally be back for the other books in this 4-book series to see how they do it.
On the Dude-A-Rrific Summer Reading Bingo card, this book fits: NOT A HUMAN STORY, BOOK WITH A MAP, NOT WHAT I EXPECTED, and SWORDS AND CROWNS.
Find the free printable card and more reviews here: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
July 21, 2021
Big Ideas, Light on the Characters
This week I delved into the Jack Jones adventure series with The Pirate Treasure by Zander Bingham with illustrations by Andrea Dailey. Three modern kids go to a Caribbean island and brave secret passages and booby traps to discover a hidden Spanish Galleon. What a great idea! The setting and the map and clues are all awesome. So I can totally recommend this book on the plot alone.
However, to me, the kids talked like adults. And they weren't quirky or interesting in themselves. So, while I loved the adventure, I didn't care about the characters the way you do in, say, Treasure Island, where you wonder about the treasure, but you also worry for Jim's safety and you like Long John but wonder if he can be trusted.
Of course, lots of people just want to follow the story. If that's you, this story, and the others in the series will give you some thrills and chills. Also, the pictures are amazing, so you get to see all the cool caves and booby traps. They are pretty quick to read, too.
On the Dude-A-Rrific Summer Reading Bingo Card, this book fits: CONTRAPTIONS (made by pirates!), BOOK WITH A MAP, JUST DO IT, THERE'S A SHIP IN IT, ITS ABOUT TIME.
Find the free printable card and read my other recommendations at: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
However, to me, the kids talked like adults. And they weren't quirky or interesting in themselves. So, while I loved the adventure, I didn't care about the characters the way you do in, say, Treasure Island, where you wonder about the treasure, but you also worry for Jim's safety and you like Long John but wonder if he can be trusted.
Of course, lots of people just want to follow the story. If that's you, this story, and the others in the series will give you some thrills and chills. Also, the pictures are amazing, so you get to see all the cool caves and booby traps. They are pretty quick to read, too.
On the Dude-A-Rrific Summer Reading Bingo Card, this book fits: CONTRAPTIONS (made by pirates!), BOOK WITH A MAP, JUST DO IT, THERE'S A SHIP IN IT, ITS ABOUT TIME.
Find the free printable card and read my other recommendations at: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
July 16, 2021
Real Life in the Big City
This book, A Girl, a Raccoon, and the Midnight Moon by Karen Romano Young has a mystery, but it isn't a mystery book like Encyclopedia Brown. The main character, Pearl, who is the librarian's child is trying to solve the mystery of a stolen head (don't worry, it's a statue, so there is nothing gross). But she's also trying to save one special library branch that serves her neighborhood. Pearl's life has all the realistic things you expect in a story about the city: people of all colors and nationalities, a mysterious homeless guy (The Dudes have experienced that in the suburbs too!), subways and newspaper stands and government budget problems, a gossipy business owner, eccentric artists, a fledgling rock band, a nosy reporter, and developers who want to tear down the library and build apartments.
But there are other things...suspicious notes, a secret midnight edition of the newspaper, and wild creatures that aren't as wild as Pearl expects. And then there are these strange sidebars in the book itself, written by a mysterious stranger who goes by the initials: M.A.M. Is there more to life in the city than seems realistic? Can you "suspend disbelief"? And, most of all, do you want to if it means saving the Lancaster Avenue branch of the New York City Library?
Bonus: there are lots of books mentioned within this book. If you haven't read some of them, give them a try.
If you read my recs, you know that I like books that take me on a ride, but this one took me on a different ride than usual. It wasn't sword fights or falling off cliffs. It was more like I wasn't sure what the book was about or how it was going to end. I kept changing my mind about what was real and even about whether I wanted the library to be saved. That's a ride worth taking. Hope you enjoy it too.
On the Dude-A-Rrific Summer Reading Bingo Card, this book counts for: CAN YOU SEE IT?, BEEN THERE. HAVEN'T DONE THAT, NOT A HUMAN STORY (really, it's both human and not), NOT WHAT I EXPECTED, CURRENT EVENTS.
Print a bingo card and play the game here: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
But there are other things...suspicious notes, a secret midnight edition of the newspaper, and wild creatures that aren't as wild as Pearl expects. And then there are these strange sidebars in the book itself, written by a mysterious stranger who goes by the initials: M.A.M. Is there more to life in the city than seems realistic? Can you "suspend disbelief"? And, most of all, do you want to if it means saving the Lancaster Avenue branch of the New York City Library?
Bonus: there are lots of books mentioned within this book. If you haven't read some of them, give them a try.
If you read my recs, you know that I like books that take me on a ride, but this one took me on a different ride than usual. It wasn't sword fights or falling off cliffs. It was more like I wasn't sure what the book was about or how it was going to end. I kept changing my mind about what was real and even about whether I wanted the library to be saved. That's a ride worth taking. Hope you enjoy it too.
On the Dude-A-Rrific Summer Reading Bingo Card, this book counts for: CAN YOU SEE IT?, BEEN THERE. HAVEN'T DONE THAT, NOT A HUMAN STORY (really, it's both human and not), NOT WHAT I EXPECTED, CURRENT EVENTS.
Print a bingo card and play the game here: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
July 7, 2021
Wet, Wild, and Wacky!
This week I’m reviewing Live and Let Swim, which is part of the My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish series by Mo O’Hara. First, let me say that this book is not one story but two! The book also contains a second zombie goldfish story: My Pet’s Got Talent. I had never read any zombie goldfish stories, and this is book #5, but it was totally fine to start in the middle of the series, as long as you accept the basic premise: that Tom has a zombie goldfish that can hypnotize people and Tom’s big brother is evil and has a vampire kitten. Once you get on that train, you’re on the way to wacky town.
So that’s a warning: you either love something that is this far off from reality or you don’t. If you like wacky, it still has to be funny and a good ride.
I liked this book because: The good guys were normal kids who had a clear enemy: evil megalomaniacal big brothers, the pets were powerful, and the parents were clueless. Maybe you can relate? Anyway, I also liked how all the chapters in the first story were take-offs on James Bond titles: “Live and Let Swim”, “The Boy with the Golden Fish”, etc. The plots are completely unbelievable, but the solutions are clever. Using a pet talent show to take over the world? Foiling the bad guys with a teleporting turtle? All in all, it’s a good time.
On the Dude-A-Rrific Summer Reading Bingo Card, this book fits: LOL, BEEN THERE. HAVEN’T DONE THAT, (the aquarium), NOT A HUMAN STORY (if you see it from Frankie’s point of view), CONTRAPTIONS, BAD GOOD GUY OR GOOD BAD GUY (Frankie is an undead good guy-uh-fish, and Tom and Pradeep’s evil brothers Mark and Sanj are evil incarnate), and, of course, BIZARRE.
Find the bingo card and more reviews here: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
So that’s a warning: you either love something that is this far off from reality or you don’t. If you like wacky, it still has to be funny and a good ride.
I liked this book because: The good guys were normal kids who had a clear enemy: evil megalomaniacal big brothers, the pets were powerful, and the parents were clueless. Maybe you can relate? Anyway, I also liked how all the chapters in the first story were take-offs on James Bond titles: “Live and Let Swim”, “The Boy with the Golden Fish”, etc. The plots are completely unbelievable, but the solutions are clever. Using a pet talent show to take over the world? Foiling the bad guys with a teleporting turtle? All in all, it’s a good time.
On the Dude-A-Rrific Summer Reading Bingo Card, this book fits: LOL, BEEN THERE. HAVEN’T DONE THAT, (the aquarium), NOT A HUMAN STORY (if you see it from Frankie’s point of view), CONTRAPTIONS, BAD GOOD GUY OR GOOD BAD GUY (Frankie is an undead good guy-uh-fish, and Tom and Pradeep’s evil brothers Mark and Sanj are evil incarnate), and, of course, BIZARRE.
Find the bingo card and more reviews here: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
July 2, 2021
I Had to Come Back
This week I'm reviewing the second book in the City of Ember series: The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau. If you haven't started the series yet, you could start with Book 1 or start here, with Book 2 and go back later to read Book 1 as a prequel--kind of like how Star Wars gave us three stories before and three stories after the original three stories.
The City of Ember Series is this epic story about the world after something horrible has happened. The kids in the first book escape the City of Ember and travel to a new place: The town of Sparks. They are trying to find out what happened to the world and also trying to find a safe place to be. In fact, everybody is just trying to survive. And it's not easy.
After book 1, I really wondered how things went for the heroes, Lina and Doon, and all the people who had to leave Ember due to lack of food and electricity. So I had to come back to this book world to discover more.
Lina and Doon thought they would learn all the answers when they left Ember. But the People of Sparks are just as much in the dark about what they call "The Disaster" that ended our world (global connection and modern conveniences) and created theirs (basically pioneer farming and scavenging for scraps). Was there a war? A plague? Climate disaster? No one knows, but everyone seems to be suffering.
In this book, the people of Ember create a crisis in Sparks when they show up and need food and a place to live. Can the town of Sparks absorb so many visitors? Will they have enough food? And what's the best thing to do when you don't know the answers to those questions? There is a mystery going on and a clash of leadership.
At the same time, Lina goes traveling and gets a wider view of the devastation. There are more questions than answers, which is just how I like it. Can't wait to return again for the third book. Reading this series just might become a summer tradition.
On the Dude-A-Rrific Summer Reading Bingo Card, the book fits these squares: SEQUELS STRIKE BACK, ITEOTWAWKI, ODDYSSEYS, and CURRENT EVENTS (hello! refugees from Syria and Central America).
You can download and print the bingo card for this year at the Dudes website: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
The City of Ember Series is this epic story about the world after something horrible has happened. The kids in the first book escape the City of Ember and travel to a new place: The town of Sparks. They are trying to find out what happened to the world and also trying to find a safe place to be. In fact, everybody is just trying to survive. And it's not easy.
After book 1, I really wondered how things went for the heroes, Lina and Doon, and all the people who had to leave Ember due to lack of food and electricity. So I had to come back to this book world to discover more.
Lina and Doon thought they would learn all the answers when they left Ember. But the People of Sparks are just as much in the dark about what they call "The Disaster" that ended our world (global connection and modern conveniences) and created theirs (basically pioneer farming and scavenging for scraps). Was there a war? A plague? Climate disaster? No one knows, but everyone seems to be suffering.
In this book, the people of Ember create a crisis in Sparks when they show up and need food and a place to live. Can the town of Sparks absorb so many visitors? Will they have enough food? And what's the best thing to do when you don't know the answers to those questions? There is a mystery going on and a clash of leadership.
At the same time, Lina goes traveling and gets a wider view of the devastation. There are more questions than answers, which is just how I like it. Can't wait to return again for the third book. Reading this series just might become a summer tradition.
On the Dude-A-Rrific Summer Reading Bingo Card, the book fits these squares: SEQUELS STRIKE BACK, ITEOTWAWKI, ODDYSSEYS, and CURRENT EVENTS (hello! refugees from Syria and Central America).
You can download and print the bingo card for this year at the Dudes website: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
June 25, 2021
Kids Who Build!
This week I'm reviewing a book that is not fiction. At least, I hope it's not. It sounds like an old guy telling some really cool stories about this fort he and his friend built back in the day. The book is The Fort by JP Poley with pictures by Jason Blower.
It's like you're listening to your dad, but he actually did cool stuff when he was a kid. In the book, these two guys build this awesome fort with a dug-out room and a tower and every thing. They do it all by themselves.
They hang out there and keep valuables like candy and baseball cards. They even spend the night in the fort. Exciting stuff happens too, like getting attacked by girls and even a flood!
The book is only 50 pages, but I wish there was more. Apparently the 1980's wasn't as uncool as my parents make it sound.
Anyway, if you're playing Dude-A-Rriffic Summer Reading Bingo, the book fits these squares: LOL, JUST DO IT, NOT WHAT I EXPECTED, and IT'S ABOUT TIME.
You can download and print the bingo card for this year at the Dudes website: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
It's like you're listening to your dad, but he actually did cool stuff when he was a kid. In the book, these two guys build this awesome fort with a dug-out room and a tower and every thing. They do it all by themselves.
They hang out there and keep valuables like candy and baseball cards. They even spend the night in the fort. Exciting stuff happens too, like getting attacked by girls and even a flood!
The book is only 50 pages, but I wish there was more. Apparently the 1980's wasn't as uncool as my parents make it sound.
Anyway, if you're playing Dude-A-Rriffic Summer Reading Bingo, the book fits these squares: LOL, JUST DO IT, NOT WHAT I EXPECTED, and IT'S ABOUT TIME.
You can download and print the bingo card for this year at the Dudes website: https://emilykayjohnson.com/TheDudesC...
