C.J. Milbrandt's Blog, page 88
July 29, 2014
REVIEW: The Mesmer Menace
Gadgets and Gears: The Mesmer Menace
by Kersten Hamilton
Clarion Books (Houghton-Mifflin)
ages 9-12
Premise: The year is 1902, and young Wally Kennewickett topples into the first Gadgets and Gears adventure courtesy of Theodore Roosevelt. The president shows up on the front step of Kennewickett’s Amazing Automated Inn to ask Wally’s parents, who are brilliant scientists, to combat an organization of evil magicians. The Mesmers’ bid for world domination is met by steampunk innovation, for the Amaz...
July 25, 2014
REVIEW: Words with Wings
Words with Wings
by Nikki Grimes
Wordsong (Highlights)
ages 9-12
Premise: Gabby is an imaginative girl adjusting to huge changes in her life. Her parents’ marriage falls apart, and the father who understands her best moves out. She has to say goodbye to her best friend and start over in a new school. And then there’s Gabby’s daydreaming ways, which keep getting her into trouble.
Personal Opinion: This unique story is told entirely through a series of poems. Each gives the reader a peek into the so...
July 24, 2014
FOLKS: Jovan Johns
“Have you seen Zane?” asked Ian.
Laurel nodded to a blue bottle with a long neck on the windowsill. It held a cluster of winter roses. “He snuck those in earlier.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t Jovan? He strikes me as the thoughtful one.”
—excerpted from Byways, Book 1: On Your Marks
Jovan Johns is mild-mannered, bookish, peace-loving, and musical. Nobody understands why Jovan is best friends with Zane, but these cousins have been inseparable since childhood.
■ Jovan is Uncle Vanek‘s grandson. If you’re...
July 22, 2014
REVIEW: Here’s Hank: Bookmarks Are People Too
Here’s Hank: Bookmarks Are People Too!
by Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver
Grosset & Dunlap (Penguin)
ages 6-8
Premise: Hank Zipzer is a second grader who loves to make people laugh. When his teacher Ms. Flowers announces that their class will be putting on a play, Hank is far from thrilled. How’s he supposed to learn his lines when words always swim on the page? Math doesn’t come any easier, and he has trouble telling right from left. Hank’s dyslexic.
Here’s Hank: Bookmarks Are People Too! insists that...
July 17, 2014
FOLKS: Laurel Johns
“Were you checking on your couriers?”
“I do like to keep an eye on things.” Ian was the founder of all of Liberty’s post offices. His couriers delivered letters and packages throughout the land. As often as he could, he flew far and wide to visit them.
Laurel laughed. “Liberty’s couriers watch the sky, checking to see if the Postmaster is watching.”
“My friends love it when I drop in for a chat!”
“You’re lucky Uncle Vanek keeps things running smoothly around here whenever your wings are restless....
July 15, 2014
LISTINGS: On Your Marks [Byways #1]
I’m happy to announce that Byways Book 1: On Your Marks is now listed on YA Books Central, a site that features both kids’ stories and books for young adults. This is a great place to browse for books, and you can rate and review stories.
On Your Marks is also listed on GoodReads, so don’t hesitate to add this series starter to your virtual bookshelf. Help spread the word that there’s a race on! CJ
July 14, 2014
CHIT-CHAT: The Byways Header
This post falls under the category of authorial chit-chat. Which means it’s story-related, but doesn’t really fit in the glossary. We’ll call it … anecdotal. Or in plain-speak, a quaint story about an author, an artist, and an old German cuckoo clock.
For starters, I should introduce Hannah Christenson, my cover illustrator extraordinaire. She and I have been working together on odds and ends commissions for a few of years. Character sketches. Painted portraits. Concept art. Things took a tur...
July 13, 2014
LISTINGS: Harrow
Just a quick note to let you know that Galleries of Stone, Book 2: Harrow is now listed alongside Meadowsweet on YA Books Central. If you’ve read and enjoyed this second book in the trilogy, I would greatly appreciate your support. Taking the time to read, rate, and review each of my stories is quite possibly the best way you can help me out.
You can also find Harrow on GoodReads. Have you added it to your virtual bookshelf yet? Now’s your chance!
July 8, 2014
FOLKS: Vanek Johns
As soon as the boys were gone, Ian turned to his uncle. “What just happened?”
Vanek chuckled. “Did you really think cramming those boys into a carriage would fix things?”
“But to send them out alone? Laurel won’t like it.” Ian fiddled with the buttons on his cuff. “I don’t like it.”
—excerpted from Byways, Book 1: On Your Marks
Ian’s overly optimistic plan was doomed from the start, but thanks to Uncle Vanek, the brothers will each have a chance to prove themselves. This big bear of a man is the...
July 4, 2014
RELEASE: On Your Marks: The Adventure Begins
Born on the Fourth of July. Because of the patriotic underpinnings I mentioned in the Byways: State by State post, it only made sense for Byways to make its debut on July 4. The first book in this series of early chapter books is now available, so go introduce yourself to Ewan, Zane, and Ganix!
Three brothers take sibling rivalry to new
lengths as they race across their homeland.
I’ve set the price for the first book at $ .99 as incentive for folks to give this series starter a try. On Your Mark...
