Book Review: Lenny's Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee

Lenny's Book of Everything

by 

Karen Foxlee

Publisher: Allen & Unwin 

Publication Date: 1st November 2018

Pages: 352

RRP: $19.99

Format Read: Uncorrected proof copy

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Lenny, small and sharp, has a younger brother Davey who won't stop growing - and at seven is as tall as a man. Raised by their mother, they have food and a roof over their heads, but not much else.

The bright spot every week is the arrival of the latest issue of the Burrell's Build-It-at-Home Encyclopedia. Through the encyclopedia, Lenny and Davey experience the wonders of the world - beetles, birds, quasars, quartz - and dream about a life of freedom and adventure. But as Davey's health deteriorates, Lenny realises that some wonders can't be named.

A big-hearted novel about loving and letting go by an award-winning author.

'A gorgeous, heartbreaking, and heartwarming book.' - R. J. PALACIO

'Such a big heart and not a beat out of place.' - MELINA MARCHETTA

'Tough, tender and beautiful.' - GLENDA MILLARD

'Unforgettable.' - ANNA FIENBERG

'Karen Foxlee, you're a genius.' - WENDY ORR

Heartbreaking and uplifting – this book is everything every reviewer has said....and more.

In Lenny’s Book of EverythingKaren Foxlee wanted to convey love in all its forms, sibling love, motherly love, neighbourly love and what it means to love someone who is different and the emotions that go with it. What I find she has also conveyed was the feelings of shame and self loathing when sometimes that love slips and you are left feeling embarrassed, even annoyed by this person you are meant to love.

Foxlee’s writing is reminiscent of Sofie Laguna’s The Eye of the Sheep (one of my all time favourite reads) only it’s not as complicated making it excellent for younger readers.

‘She was thin with worry our mother. She was made almost entirely out of worries and magic.’  - Lenore Spink

The story is narrated by Lenny as she worries about her mother, her brother and her absent father. She tells the story of her brother’s ‘growing’ as it is at first brushed off as tall family genes, then visits to the specialist, stays in hospital and how a community comes together to give help.

Foxlee has created a likeable and realistic cast of characters. Cynthia Spink with all her worries, Mrs Gaspar, the Hungarian neighbour, and her strange dreams, Lenore and her beetle mania and Davey, it was easy to see why everyone loved him.

In Lenny’s Book of Everything Foxlee captures life in the early 70’s where man has recently landed on the moon and knowledge comes from encyclopedias (not the internet) via weekly instalments arriving through the mail. Lenny’s family won their set of encyclopaedia which would have been akin to winning the lottery. A set of encyclopedia on your bookshelf in the 70’s was like a status symbol and I remember eagerly purchasing the new issue from the newsagent each week and like Lenny and Davey poring over the facts and pictures in each book.

Lenny comes across as a bit of a tomboy, a deep thinker and a deep feeler. She bristled, she felt ashamed, she took on a lot of her mother’s stoicism but mostly she loved.

Lenny’s Book of Everything is a heartbreaking and wonderful read full of the kindness of people everywhere. 

Age : 10 - 14 years and older.

My Rating  5/5                🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 

 

  Lenny's Book of Everything is book #34 in the Australian Women Writers challenge

and part of the Book Lover Book Review Aussie Author Challenge

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of author website

Karen Foxlee is an Australian author who writes for both kids and grown-ups. Her first novel The Anatomy of Wings won numerous awards including the Dobbie Award and the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book. Ophelia and the Marvellous Boy, Karen's first novel for children, was published internationally to much acclaim while her second novel for younger readers, A Most Magical Girl, won the Readings Children's Fiction Prize in 2017 and was CBCA shortlisted the same year.

Karen lives in South East Queensland with her daughter and several animals, including two wicked parrots, who frequently eat parts of her laptop when she isn't looking. Her passions are her daughter, writing, day-dreaming, baking, running and swimming in the sea.

  

Book Review: Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows by J. M. Bergen

Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows

by 

J. M. Bergen

Publisher: Elandrian Press

Publication Date: 2nd February 2019

Pages: 352

Format read: eBook

Source: Courtesy of the author via Book Publicity Services 

Thomas thinks he's an ordinary twelve year old, but when a strange little man with gold-flecked eyes gives him an ancient text called The Book of Sorrows, the world he knows is turned upside down. Suddenly he’s faced with a secret family legacy, powers he can hardly begin to understand, and an enemy bent on destroying everything he holds dear. The more he reads and discovers, the deeper the danger to himself and the people he loves. As the race to the final showdown unfolds, Thomas must turn to trusted friends and uncertain allies as he seeks to prevent destruction at an epic scale.  

I’ve read a few Middle grade books with the theme of magical crystals  and I’m always amazed how authors can write such diverse stories with the same basic theme; our protagonist must get to the crystals before the antagonist and thus save the world. Bergen has come up with an original take on this tried and true theme.

Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows is a magical story filled with peril and friendship.

Thomas is an ordinary twelve year old who loves to read books about magic until one day he is given not a book about magic but a magical book. His father’s parting words ring in his ears “Magic is real, Thomas. No matter what happens, always remember that magic is real.”

The story starts with the everyday life of Thomas Wildus. He goes to school, hangs out with best friend Enrique, has problems with the school bully and has a crush on a pretty girl in his grade.

After Thomas receives the book the story changes to one of mystery, danger and suspense.

There is a slow build up to the main revelations about Tomas and his mission. The explanation of the magic and quantum physics was a bit long however the story kept my interest.

Overall Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows was a good read filled with danger, suspense and magic. Thomas was a modest hero and a good role model.

Content: Scenes of mild peril

                 Words ‘bloody hell’ and ‘evil bastard’ are used sparingly.

Age: 8 – 12 years

 

My rating: 4/5         🌟🌟🌟🌟 

 

 

photo courtesy of Goodreads

J.M.’s debut fantasy/magic series originally started as a bedtime story for his oldest son. The story turned into a saga, and one book turned into five. The first book in the series, Thomas Wildus and The Book of Sorrows, is scheduled for release in February 2019.

When J.M. isn’t working on the Thomas Wildus books, you can find him playing with his kids, napping, or dreaming up new adventures. If you ever meet him and can’t think of anything to talk about, you might ask about Herman the Shark, the Kai and Eli stories, or why Riddle-Master by Patricia McKillip is his all-time favorite book. Or maybe, just maybe, you’ll have questions and stories of your own (if you do, he’ll think that’s far more interesting).

 

 

Book Review: James Clyde and the Tomb of Salvation by Colm McElwain

                          James Clyde and the Tomb of Salvation

 by

 Colm McElwain 

  

 

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 1st November 2018

Series: James Clyde Book #2

Pages: 352

Format Read: Paperback

Source: Copy courtesy of the author

 

Picking up shortly after the events of the first adventure, James Clyde returns with his best friends Ben and Mary Forester to his grandfather’s house in search of a map that will lead them to the Tomb of Salvation – an ancient shrine, where the three diamonds of Orchestra must be returned with the promise of immortality.

James and his company of adventurers journey through treacherous lands fraught with danger and meet many obstacles along the way – dangerous assassins on board a train, the dastardly Gilbert, also known as the ‘man in black’, and even an unlikely encounter with a fabled lake monster.

If they reach the Tomb of Salvation, James knows they will then face their greatest threat, for the tomb is said to be home to a terrifying demon – an entity that has shown no mercy to anyone who has ever entered its lair.

 

James Clyde and the Tomb of Salvation is the second book in the James Clyde series and follows straight on from book one, James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra. You really need to read the first book in the series to get the most from this story.

James and his group of friends must reach the Tomb of Salvation before the evil Queen Abigail. The first to drink from the cup of salvation will receive ultimate power and everlasting life.

In the first book we learn that James has the power to fly and Mary has the power to heal but we are left in the dark as to Ben’s power. In this book we find out Ben’s talent bestowed on him by the diamond. The story is told in both James and Abigail’s POV.

The writing is uncomplicated and the short chapters are perfectly suited to children aged 7 – 11 years. There is lots of light-hearted banter and enough danger and adventure to keep readers turning the pages.

The kids, in the story, act like kids; they laugh a lot, make silly jokes, get scared at times but always venture on. They treat the whole thing like a big adventure, relishing time away from the adults. The adults, unsuccessfully, try to rein the kids in and tell them what to do but generally know that they are capable.

McElwain includes themes of working together, problem solving and decision making culminating in the ultimate question; is power more important than friendship?

The second novel in the James Clyde series will lead you on an action-packed adventure full of mystery, suspense, danger, hope – and, yes, salvation.

I highly recommend this series to Middle Grade readers.

My Rating    4.5/5                   🌟🌟🌟🌟.5 

watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/7V_x8JLJRT0

 

 

photo courtesy of Goodreads

Colm was raised and educated in Monaghan, Ireland. He is a Physical Education and Business teacher and likes reading books, watching films and playing sport.                                                      He has always loved storytelling, whether through literature or film. James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra is his first novel and brings a very fulfilling creative experience spanning a number of years to an end.   

 

 

Book Review: Laugh Your Head Off 4 Ever (Children's/Middle Grade)

Title: Laugh Your Head Off 4 Ever
Author: Various
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Aus
Publication Date: 30th October 2018
RRP: $19.99 
Pages: 208
Format Read: Hardcover
Source: Courtesy of Publisher

 Just when you thought you were safe.....nine of Australia's favourite kids' authors are ready to get heads rolling - again.

9 authors
9 stories
to make you laugh your head off 4EVER

A runaway pram + an artsy alien + a cereal monster +a word-stealing curse + one dancing dad + three feral fairies + an evil genius + a hairy birthday + a super-duper pig = one hilarious book. 

Filled with delightfully quirky illustrations by Andrea Innocent, Laugh Your Head Off 4 Ever will appeal to both girls and boys, from middle to upper primary. 

This is another hilarious anthology of silly and fun stories by some of Australia’s best children’s authors.

Nine short stories perfect for bedtime that can be read alone or read out loud.

Runaway Pram by Andy Griffiths

A baby pram, a dog, a train, a trampoline and a backyard pool makes for the most terrifying ride of Andy’s life.

Harriet’s Spacey Friend by Lisa Shanahan

Harriet’s parents can’t seem to see that their new visitor is an alien, and things keep mysteriously disappearing. But when Gran disappears Harriet decodes it’s time for action.

I Hate Bananas by Marcus Emmerson

A mallowman cereal monster, a warrior dwarf with a Scottish accent and the threatening apocalypse will have readers holding their breath with this story.

Use Your Words by Penny Tangey

When Darcy becomes frustrated with his little sister, Freya, he puts a curse on his mother that impairs her speech. He needs to work closely with Freya to find the spell to lift the curse before his mother is operated on. He realises that Freya is not so bad after all.

Dad Dancing by Felice Arena

Hamish’s dad decides to bust a move on the dance floor at the school dance and now everyone is laughing at Hamish. That is until the other dads join in. They are having so much fun all the kids end up joining in too.

The Feral Fairies of Foggarty’s Field by Katrina Nannestad

These are the fairies that no one talks about, the not so sweet feral fairies, causing mischief and mayhem everywhere.

Evil Genius by James Roy

A family road trip and mum’s sneaky bribe to stop the children complaining in the back seat. Score one for the mum’s with this story. My favourite!

Eleventy-Five by Yvette Poshoglian

This story has a bit of a Freaky Friday theme. Sam is staying with his Grandad and as the day goes on Grandad is feeling more energetic and spritely but Sam is suddenly getting older. He is getting grey hairs and needs to take a nap. What can Sam do to reverse this change?

An Absolutely Definitely True Story by Matt Stanton

An absolutely true story about a super-duper pig and a frog who need to help save the Prime Minister.

Perfect for reading alone or aloud, this gorgeous hardback is sure to bring laughter and joy into your household.

This collection of crazy, silly and addictive stories by some of Australia’s best known children’s authors would make the perfect Christmas gift.

 Suitable for ages 5 - 14 years and beyond.

My Rating  5/5      🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 
This review is part of the Book Lover Book Review Aussie author challenge

Andy Griffiths: author of the best selling and award-winning Treehouse series.

Felice Arena: author f the best selling and award-winning Specky Magee series.

Yvette Poshoglian: author of the fabulous Frankie Fox Spy Girl series.

Marcus Emerson: author of the immensely popular Diary of a Sixth Grade Ninja series.

Matt Stanton: best selling author and illustrator of the Funny Kid series.

Katrina Nannestad: award-winning author of The Girl, the Dog and the Writer in Rome.

James Roy: acclaimed author of the Edsel Grizzler series.

Lisa Shanahan: author of the hilarious My Big Birkett.

Penny Tangey: comedian and author of Clara in Washington.

Featured in the back of the book is a little about each author and their books. Each author also answers the Question; What makes you laugh?