Book Review: 'Island Funeral' by Keith Minnion

✰✰✰✰½ On their honeymoon, newlywed Sarah makes her new husband, Tim Moser, promise that if she should die, he will see that she is buried in the family plot on the mainland. It's so important to her that he agrees. But promises are made to be broken, and just four years later, Tim replays that conversation in his head as he follows the hearse carrying his wife's body back to her hometown. Tim does his best to follow through with her request, but when an accident puts Tim in a coma, Sarah's family proceeds with the funeral without him. As Tim slowly makes his physical recovery, he has an uneasy feeling that the townspeople are hiding something from him. As soon as his broken body will allow, Tim begins to search for answers. When he finally learns the horrifying truth about the difference between a mainland funeral and an island funeral, he knows that nothing will ever be the same.

The Bottom Line: Keith Minnion's chapbook is the perfect read for a stormy autumn night. It's an eerie delight and quick to read, but it stays with you for a long time. I finished it in about an hour, but I've reread it several times. Island Funeral is reminiscent of Stephen King's Pet Sematary and will appeal to fans of horror and those who enjoy well-written stories. Very highly recommended.

Details: Island Funeral by Keith Minnion. Paperback published by Cemetery Dance Publications in 2011. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1587672682

Horrorfest of Books 2012

October is by far my most favorite month of the year. "Why?" you might ask. Well, because of Halloween, of course. Halloween (and the days leading up to it) is absolutely the best holiday. I know many people will disagree saying that the December holiday season is the best, but I know better. It's not everyday that you can dress up as anything you want and act completely out of character...all in good fun, of course. 

Let's not forget about the beauty of autumn. The leaves are turning colors of fiery reds, golden yellows, and brilliant oranges. There are also evenings around the bonfire with S'mores. Plus, there are football games and tailgate parties to attend.

But what I love best about October is the anticipation leading up to Halloween. There's the search for the perfect costume and the search for the perfect pumpkin (well, make that three perfect pumpkins because I always have to have three). The pumpkins must be gutted and transformed into Jack-o'-lanterns; then the seeds must be cleaned and roasted. And let's not forget bobbing for apples and drinking apple cider.

Yes, the days leading up to Halloween are fun indeed, but what I also love about October is the focus on Halloween and horror books. I have always felt that horror fiction is terribly underrated. That's why Mini Book Bytes is happy to dedicate the month of October to books featuring ghosts, goblins, hauntings, horror stories, and Halloween poems for all ages. So enjoy the Halloween season and check out a few books. You'll be in for a spooktacular good time. Oh...and leave the light on...just in case!

Happy Reading &

Note: The free clip art is from Squidoo!

Book Review: The Bad Apple (Merits of Mischief) by T. R. Burns

✰✰✰½ Seamus Hinkle is just an average kid in an average middle school. Unfortunately, things go terribly wrong for Seamus when an eager new substitute teacher, Miss Parsippany, foils his plans on Fish Stick Tuesday and ends up dead in the lunchroom cafeteria. It was a simple accident, but Seamus' well meaning parents enroll him at the  Kilter Academy for Troubled Youth in the hopes of reforming his errant ways.

Expecting severe punishment, Seamus is surprised to discover that things are a little bit off at Kilter Academy where troublemakers are nurtured. Rather than being rewarded with gold stars, students aim to earn demerits instead. In order to advance to the next year, students must complete certain tasks, like pranking teachers, which other kids would get grounded for. Despite Seamus' insistence that Miss Parsippany's death was just an accident and that he doesn't possess any real troublemaking skills, he soon finds himself swimming in demerits. As the end of the first semester draws near, all Seamus wants to do is go home, but before he can, he and his classmates must pass the final exam. In their mission to complete the Ultimate Troublemaking Task and make the director cry, Seamus and his friends learn about teamwork, friendship, and loyalty.

The Bottom Line: Merits of Mischief is a new series for kids in grades 4 - 6. It's a fun read featuring kids who excel in troublemaking. Along the way the characters learn the importance of friendship and teamwork despite all the trouble that they are encouraged to create. There are a few loose ends left at the end of the first book, but I'll definitely pick up the next installment to see what Seamus and his friends are up to. Recommended for kids looking for something a little bit different and quirky to read.

Details: The Bad Apple (Merits of Mischief) by T. R. Burns. Hardcover published by Aladdin in 2012. 352 p. ISBN: 978-1-4424-4029-6

Book Review: In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick

✰✰✰✰½ When the whaleship Essex set sail from Nantucket in 1819, the crew expected a routine voyage to hunt whales. However, first time Captain George Pollard Jr. made a life changing decision when he sailed the ship to a new whaling ground far off the coast of South America. Soon after arriving in the Offshore Ground, the crew was in pursuit of a shoal of whales. What happened next turned a routine whale hunt into the stuff of legends.

For the first time in the history of Nantucket whale fishery, a whale had attacked a ship. The Essex was rammed and sunk by a large sperm whale measuring approximately 85 feet. The crew suddenly found themselves castaway in a desolate ocean with only themselves to rely on. The 20-man crew had to act fast to salvage the limited resources available to them, modify their whaleboats, and make another life changing decision. Instead of sailing to the nearest islands just west of their location, the crew set sail for South America, which was almost 3,000 miles away. Along the way as they were forced to face their greatest fears...starvation, dehydration, death, and cannibalism. By the time the ordeal was over, only eight men would survive, and none of them would ever be the same.

The Bottom Line: In the Heart of the Sea is a compelling and quick read. At first I was hesitant to choose this for my book club, but I am glad that I did. There is so much to discuss in this book from the history of Nantucket island to the tale of survival, from cetacean behavior to leadership styles. This book is fascinating, and I found myself wondering what I would have done differently from the crew in each situation. The writing style is engaging and kept me hooked. Readers should be aware that there is an extensive "Notes" section at the end of the book that should not be dismissed. I recommend reading each chapter's notes along with the story rather than reading all the notes at the end. Also, in addition to two maps, there is a glossy black and white section featuring photographs and illustrations.

It's interesting to note that Herman Melville's classic, Moby-Dick, was based in part on the sinking of the Essex. However, where Moby-Dick ends, the real story of survival just begins in Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea.

Ultimately, I was spellbound by the story of the Essex. This book is highly recommended for fans of maritime history and those who enjoy tales of survival. On the other hand, those who are a bit squeamish may want to skip this one due to the details of whale hunting, cannibalism, and the effects of starvation and dehydration on the body.

For more information about the author and the book (including book discussion questions), visit Nathaniel Philbrick's website. Also, I recently read that a movie is in development with Chris Hemsworth signed on to play the first mate, Owen Chase. I hope the movie is as thrilling as the book.

Details: In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick. Paperback published by Penguin Books in 2001. 302 p. ISBN: 978-0-14-100182-1 

Book Review: Minifred Goes to School by Mordicai Gerstein

✰✰✰✰ Mr. and Mrs. Portly have been wanting a baby. Instead they get a precious little kitten. They name her Minifred and raise her just like a little girl. She wears clothes, reads, and sings. Only Minifred doesn't like to follow the rules. When her best friend, Olivia, goes off to school, Minifred decides to go too. Unfortunately, school has lots of rules, and Minifred breaks all of them. According to the principal's copy of The Big Rule Book, 'ALL students must obey all the rules.' Will Minifred have to leave school? Are kittens even allowed in school? Check out this cute picture book to find out.

The Bottom Line: Minifred Goes to School is a charming, fantastical tale about a talking kitten who was raised like a little girl, but behaves like the cat she really is. It's a fun picture book for kids going to school for the first time or getting ready to go back to school. Children will enjoy Gerstein's colorful illustrations too. Recommended for kids in grades Pre-K - 2. It's also a humorous pick for story hour.

Details: Minifred Goes to School written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein. Hardcover published by HarperCollins Children's Books in 2009. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-075889-9

Book Review: Back-to-School Crafts by Sue Locke

✰✰✰½ It's August, and it's that time of year when our thoughts turn to getting ready for school. If you are looking for fun and easy projects to fill the last days of summer vacation while getting ready for the new school year, check out Back-to-School Crafts. Twelve projects are included; each features step-by-step instructions and photographs. Projects range from pencil toppers, a school days chart, and pencil pots. Patterns, a glossary, and an index are included.

The Bottom Line: Back-to-School Crafts is a fun way to get ready for school. As part of the Creative Crafts for Kids series, the 12 crafts featured were designed for children. However, adults will need to supervise and assist when necessary. Recommended for beginning crafters and families with kids in grades K - 3. Also, recommended for grade school teachers and librarians looking for fun crafts to feature in August as the kids prepare for school. If you need more crafts ideas throughout the year, check out the other titles in the series including: Birthday Crafts, Friendship Crafts, and World Crafts.

Details: Back-to-School Crafts by Sue Locke. Hardcover published by Gareth Stevens Publishing in 2010. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-4339-3542-8

Book Review: The Care and Handling of Roses With Thorns by Margaret Dilloway

✰✰✰✰ Galilee "Gal" Garner lives for her roses. As an amateur rose breeder, Gal's world revolves around her precious hulthemias. The challenge of breeding the perfect rose consumes her every waking hour when she is not teaching or undergoing dialysis for a chronic kidney disorder. Gal's world is quite predictable, which she finds comforting. Then one day Gal is called out of class to discover that her 15 year old niece Riley has arrived unexpectedly. With nowhere else to go, it's soon settled that Riley will temporarily stay with Gal.

Although Gal teaches high school, she is completely unprepared for the challenges of raising a teenager she hardly knows. Gal is unaccustomed to the demands of parenting and soon finds herself in over her head as she juggles her teaching career, her health issues, and her new role as a guardian to a teen all while aiming to create a rose that will be the envy of the rose society. While Gal is as thorny as her roses and difficult to get to know, her journey changes her from an inflexible spinster into a nurturing caregiver. Along the way, Gal is given the opportunity to start actually living her life instead of living through her roses.

The Bottom Line: This is a beautiful tale told in the first person; it celebrates love, forgiveness, and the bonds of family. Although it is a bit predictable, it was a joy watching Gal's character blossom. This is a fast read, making it perfect for the weekend. Once you pick this one up, you won't be able to put it down. Enthusiastically recommended for those who enjoy contemporary fiction about family dynamics. This will also appeal to those interested in roses and gardening. Additionally, The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns would also be a great pick for a book club.

Details: The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns by Margaret Dilloway. Hardcover published by G.P. Putnam's Sons in 2012. 368 p. ISBN: 978-0-399015775-2 Note: I received a complimentary uncorrected proof from Putnam Books in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewer program at LibraryThing.