Jessica Haight's Blog, page 14

Elly Skelly Reads Up A Storm!

 

"Well, it sure sounds like Fairday, Lizzy, and Marcus have their work cut out for them in this case. I wonder what will happen if Alice shows up? I can't wait to dig back into the story— it really tickles my bones. Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library is the twisty follow up to The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow, where Fairday finds out that her new home not only has charm, but plenty of character. The Begonia House reveals different sides, and both are wrapped in mystery. Fall into the story magic and find out about the books!" 
DMS CASE FILE #1


The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow (book 1)
Publish date: 12/1/15
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Illustrator: Roman Muradov
Ages: 8 and up
Grade Level: 3-6
Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED.
The Begonia House keeps its secrets. Everyone knows that. Everyone, that is, except for clever eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow, whose family has just moved in. Being the Senior Investigator in the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly known as the DMS, she’s ready to uncover the mysteries hidden within the strange manor. As the investigation gears up and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, the DMS enters into a world where anything is possible, and the danger is most definitely real. Can they piece together the puzzle before it's too late? Or will whatever's causing trouble find Fairday and her friends first? DMS CASE FILE #2



Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library (book 2)Publish date: 10/23/17Publisher: Willow PressIllustrator: David SanAngeloAges: 8 and up
Grade level: 3-6
Available: Hardcover, E-book


ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE Fairday Morrow had no clue that moving from Manhattan to the small town of Ashpot, Connecticut, would lead to an unsolved mystery. Her parents’ dream of renovating a crumbling Victorian, called the Begonia House, into a bed and breakfast had seemed like treachery at the time. But Fairday found out that her new house kept secrets, and once inside its twisted front gates, anything was possible. When mysterious notes start showing up warning that a librarian is in trouble and a bookworm is devouring words, Fairday thinks the Begonia House has more skeletons in its closets. What happens to stories when their words get eaten?

"I've heard a rumor that in the third book Fairday will have to figure out how to navigate her way through truth and lies. With any luck, she'll be able to see the light. Keep a keen eye out for clues from the authors about the next case, and stop by Wednesday for a bit more frightful fun with stories. Remember to consider your bones. They've been with you through it all. Until we meet again, farewell fleshy people, but of course, it's never really goodbye, is it?" 
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Feel it in Your Bones...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! We'll have your bones rattling next week. Tune in Monday for a spooky special. See you all around the book block. ~ F

See with them; they mirror sights. Smell with that; it inspires bites. Hear with those, they'll resonate vibe. Feel truth in these, they set your jibe. 

What sets your jibe? Answer: Your bones!

Fairday's Riddle: Under Your Skin...

Hello, Riddlers! I know this Halloween season is going to be spooktacular—I can feel it in mine.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure by Sherry Ellis

 

After Bubba has a dream in which he is told to go back through the magical vortex in his yard- he knows he and his sister, Squirt, are about to have another adventure. Using the magical shovel that took them to China, they find the opening in their yard and Bubba and Squirt sled through the hole and land in the middle of an archaeological dig. There are priceless artifacts being uncovered in the Mayan ruins. It is a surprise to them that they are there, and luckily they meet a nice girl whose father is an archaeologist working on the site, and she quickly becomes their friend. They find everything that's happening very interesting, but are upset to learn that someone is stealing the treasures being uncovered. Who is it?  Not long after they arrive Bubba enters the woods and encounters the Tate Duende  (a magical creature) by himself. Magic is in the air and strange things start happening.  Is there really such magic? What secrets are hidden in the Mayans ruins? Will Bubba and Squirt ever figure out all the details? Travel back in time with this brother and sister team to discover exactly what happened.  

After reading Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China I was excited to read the sequel Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure by Sherry Ellis. If you enjoyed book one, then you will definitely love book two. Bubba and Squirt are a brother and sister with a relationship that is easy to relate to because sometimes they like each other, and sometimes they drive each other crazy! Of course, when it comes down to it they always have each other's backs. The setting for the book was great, as I have always been curious about what it’s like to be on an archeological dig. It was easy to picture the ruins and what the artifcats looked like. I learned a lot while reading about this mystery, and I hadn’t heard of Tate Duende, but it was fascinating to learn about a new being and it sparked me to do some research! The magic that was sprinkled in was a lot of fun! Extra information is included at the end with some history and recipes. I enjoyed this adventure and look forward to reading more stories about these two adventurers. I recommend this book to anyone age 8 and up. 

Bubba and Squirt’s Big Adventure Website.

Learn more about Sherry Ellis here.

For more about the series and to order either or both books go here.

Have you read Bubba and Squirt’s Mayan Adventure? Or have you read another book by Sherry Ellis? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Happy reading!

~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Digging Deep...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! We'll be digging through history next week. Tune in Monday to find out how the answer ties into the story. See you around the book block. ~ F

Finding things is my jam—ancient pot or crumbling dam. Far and wide my eyes do seek for that which earth permits to leak. Digs in time mark the spots where I find these secret lots, and when I learn what they are, history will raise the bar. 

What am I? Answer: Archaeologist!

Download Fairday's Riddles on Smashwords

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Fairday's Riddle: Unearthing Matter...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme? It must be exciting to do this. ~ F

Finding things is my jam—ancient pot or crumbling dam. Far and wide my eyes do seek for that which earth permits to leak. Digs in time mark the spots where I find these secret lots, and when I learn what they are, history will raise the bar. 

What am I? Stop by Friday for the answer

I gave you a clue!

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Margo's Musings: Will Stone and Stick Stay Together?

We're still getting curbside pickup from our local library, and we feel so lucky. Our librarians chose awesome books for us to check out. 

Stick and Stone was written by Beth Ferry and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Just looking at the cover we knew it was going to be a good book. Stick and Stone is so cute! What a team.

Stick and Stone are both alone and then they become friends. When pine cone is being prickly and mean to Stone, Stick stands up for him and helps make the situation better.  
Don’t we all like to have friends who have our back? 
When a storm hits, things get rough for Stick and Stone, and they're separated. Readers won’t be disappointed when they find out how the two are reunited. Adorable! 
It’s a book that can be read quickly and enjoyed by people of all ages. You'll turn the last page and feel your heart swell with happiness. 

Stick and Stone is a book that tells its story with a simplicity that tugs at your heart. The illustrations are super fun and appealing.The book's message is about friendship. It’s nice to have buddies that stick up for you. 
Margo and I loved seeing the character’s facial expressions, and we enjoyed their adventures. During the storm Margo was saying, “Oh, no! Oh, no! Be careful!” Even though the storm causes problems, things end well, because in a tight spot, friends help us out. This book was a winner for us. Now Margo has been playing with sticks and stones in the yard, making up her own stories. We look forward to reading more books by this author and illustrator.  

Has anyone else read Stick and Stone? Or have you read another book written by Beth Ferry or illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~F

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Stick To It...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Next week we're going to stick to the story. Tune in Monday to find out how the answer ties in. See you all around the book block. ~ F

Part of the whole; consisting of the same. I'm useful, harmful, interesting—depending on your game. If you need a fire, I'll oxidize the air. Looking for protection? I'll swing at those who dare. Perhaps you're feeling fancy, and like natural decor, I can be artsy when placed rightly more.  

What am I? Answer: Stick!

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Fairday's Riddle: Branching Out...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme? I like to find a good, artsy one and use it to decorate. ~ F

Part of the whole; consisting of the same. I'm useful, harmful, interesting—depending on your game. If you need a fire, I'll oxidize the air. Looking for protection? I'll swing at those who dare. Perhaps you're feeling fancy, and like natural decor, I can be artsy when placed rightly more.  

What am I? Stop by Friday for the answer.

I gave you a clue!

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur Bradley

Five mysterious invitations go out to an eclectic group of people asking them to join a special event at the Barclay Hotel. When JJ sees his mom’s invitation he knows it’s his chance to get into the old hotel to do some ghost hunting. He has a lot of cool equipment and he’s been excited to try it out. Since his mother owes him one- it’s time to cash in. Penny is visiting her grandfather, a retired detective, and is intrigued by the old hotel. Her grandfather wants to get away and be pampered, so Penny convinces him that this is his chance. Once the invitees and the “stragglers” (the two extra kids) are at the hotel, the butler, Mr. Clark, announces that they are all there because one of them is the murderer of Mr. Barkley. And here begins the whodunit! It’s a murder mystery with some interesting suspects. Was it the CEO? The actress? The librarian or cowboy? It seems possible it could be any of them, except JJ knows his mom didn’t do it. Penny and JJ meet up with Emma, a child who lives at the hotel, and the three of them are on the case. JJ wants to clear his mom’s name and Emma and Penny want to help catch the killer. Can the three sleuths solve the case? Will the murderer strike again? Is everyone who they say they are? And are there really any ghosts at the Barclay Hotel? Will JJ get to do any ghost hunting? You’ll have to read along and spot the clues as they are unveiled. 
Midnight at the Barclay Hotel is not the first book that I’ve read by Fleur Bradley. I also read her Double Vision series, and we were lucky enough to interviewher twice on our blog back then. Midnight at the Barclay Hotel reminded me of a modern day The Westing Game, but easier to understand. My teacher read The Westing Game to our class last year and most kids thought it was too confusing. There were way too many characters and it was hard to keep track of everything. My teacher was disappointed, but I’m going to recommend this one to her because I think it’s a whodunit book that other kids will love too! JJ, Penny, and Emma have a fast friendship, but it seems to make sense and is believable. They all have their own strengths and interests, which makes them intriguing. All of them are kids I would be friends with (and they'd all be perfect members of my own detective squad, The DMS).  I thought the ghost hunting was a cool aspect of the book, and I loved all the tools JJ has. I also liked trying to narrow down who had committed the murder. I highly recommend this to kids in third grade and up who like mysteries, the game of Clue, or any other book in which you try to solve a crime. It’s a murder mystery without being scary or gory. This book was a lot of fun and it had a great ending!

Has anyone else read Midnight at the Barclay Hotel? Or have you read another book by Fleur Bradley? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!

~ L

 For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

 

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED