Book Review: 'And Then Comes Halloween' by Tom Brenner

✰✰✰½ Debut author Tom Brenner has written a charming story about Halloween and the days leading up to it. And Then Comes Halloween follows several children as they prepare for Halloween night. As the days grow shorter and the morning air turns chilly, there are paper witches to be cut out, pumpkins to be carved, and costumes to be made. When Halloween arrives, it’s time run out into the night with friends and knock on doors. Finally, when it’s time to go home, the children learn the fun is not over yet; now it’s time to trade and share.

The Bottom Line: And Then Comes Halloween is a gentle tale about the joys of autumn and the preparation for the Halloween celebration. Youngsters will identify with the activities of the children featured in the story. Holly Meade’s watercolor and collage illustrations subtly set the tone for the holiday. This book is not frightening or spooky; thus, it’s a great introduction to the holiday for children who may be a bit fearful of going out for trick-or-treating. It also features themes of friendship and sharing. And Then Comes Halloween is appropriate for little ones in Grades Pre-K – 1.

Details: And Then Comes Halloween written by Tom Brenner and illustrated by Holly Mead. Hardcover picture book published in 2009 by Candlewick Press. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-7636-3659-3

Book Review: 'The Haunted Hamburger and Other Ghostly Stories by David LaRochelle

✰✰✰✰½ What’s a parent ghost to do when his ghost children won’t go to sleep? Tell bedtime stories, of course. So when Franny and Frankie demand a scary story before bed, Father Ghost gives in. But one story is never enough. So Father Ghost shares three short stories, each one scarier than the last. The stories include The Scary Baby, The Haunted Hamburger, and The Big Bad Granny. Each ghost story concludes with a funny and clever twist ending that will leave you laughing all the way to bed.

The Bottom Line: David LaRochelle’s collection of three short ghost stories is a hit for Halloween. These “spooky” stories are humorous and fun to read. I loved the surprise twist endings, especially the one at the very end, and kids will too. Additionally, Paul Meisel’s illustrations perfectly match the hilarious tone of the book. This spooktacularly funny book will be read again and again by kids in Grades 2 - 5. These ghost stories are very highly recommended for everyone.

Details: The Haunted Hamburger and Other Ghostly Stories written by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Paul Meisel. Hardcover picture book published in 2011 by Dutton Children’s Books. 40 p. ISBN: 978-0-525-42272-3

Book Review: 'Little Goblins Ten' by Pamela Jane

✰✰✰✰ Counting to ten just got a lot more fun with this Halloween themed counting book by author Pamela Jane. The fun starts with a big mommy monster and her little monster one, who she sends scampering into the forest. From there the fun continues with a variety of seasonal characters like ghosties two, zombies three, and more…all the way up to little goblins ten. Kids will appreciate the singsong verse and delight in guessing which creature is featured next.

The Bottom Line: With a fun, haunted twist, this picture book will seem familiar to those acquainted with the nursery rhyme, “Over in the Meadow.” Little Goblins Ten is an adorable book the little ones will enjoy. Illustrated in soft watercolor tones, the pictures are engaging and fun with just a hint of spookiness. This Halloween themed book features just the right amount of ghosties, goblins, werewolves, and more without being too creepy. Kids ages 4 – 6 will enjoy reading along with their favorite adult.

Details: Little Goblins Ten written by Pamela Jane and illustrated by Jane Manning. Hardcover picture book published in 2011 by Harper. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-176798-2

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