Book Review: 'The Wonderling' written & illustrated by Mira Bartók

✰✰✰ The groundlings are part human, part animal creatures from a different time and place. Like many abandoned and orphaned groundlings, Number 13 was taken to Miss Carbunkle’s Home for Wayward & Misbegotten Children. Number 13 can’t remember a time when he wasn’t here. To make things worse, he doesn’t even have a real name.

One day Number 13 sees a tiny creature being bullied even worse than himself; he finally decides to do something about it. In a show of unusual courage, he saves the little ball of fluff and makes a real friend. The first of many new friends, this is just the beginning of an adventure for Number 13. The duo will be tested time and again as they uncover a diabolical plan and try to prevent it. In a race to save the sounds of music, Number 13 and his ragtag group of friends will have to rely on their instincts, bravery, and each other if there’s any hope of overcoming evil.

The Bottom Line: This long fantasy is reminiscent of a Dickensian world with a nod to King Arthur and the knights of the round table as well. Filled with symbolism, references to classic works of fiction, and delightful black and white illustrations, this adventurous tale of friendship and overcoming fear may appeal to advanced middle grade or YA readers.

Details: The Wonderling written & illustrated by Mira Bartók. Reprint edition published by Candlewick in 2019. 464 p. ISBN: 978-1-5362-0890-0 Note: I received a free advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.  

Book Review: 'Killers of the Flower Moon' by David Grann

✰✰✰✰½ After being forced to relinquish their native lands, the Osage Indians ended up in what is now the state of Oklahoma. It was such a desolate place; the Osage thought they would be safe from settlers wanting their land. Then oil was discovered underground and the rush was on. Suddenly, Osage headright holders became the wealthiest people in the world, and it seemed everyone wanted in. 

Back then in the 1920s, Osage County, Oklahoma was one of the most chaotic places in the country. Thus, when the family of Mollie Burkhart, an Osage Indian woman, started dying, no one really seemed to notice at first. As more of her family continued to die off, the FBI became involved. What unfolded was layer upon layer of deception, corruption, and murder. This page-turning tale of murder and lies is one that you won’t be able to put down.

The Bottom Line: After years of research, author David Grann presents this lost piece of American history. With compelling writing, obscure facts, and lots of twists and turns, this is a book that keeps you guessing. Enthusiastically recommended for fans of true crime, American history, law enforcement, and Native American issues. This is highly recommended reading for college students as well.

Book Club Notes: Our group had been waiting with anticipation for over a year to read this one. Members felt very passionately about the issues faced by Native Americans and wondered why this wasn’t included in our history books. 

We appreciated that there was ample biographical information for each subject. This book was rich in details, and the photos really added to the reading experience. This was a well-written, fascinating look at history, and we felt that Grann went the extra mile to get his information correct and to continue the investigation.

Highly recommended for book clubs willing to tackle this hidden piece of history. Ratings ranged from 4 - 5, with an average of 4.6. Discussion questions are available at Penguin Random House, PBS, LitLovers, MPPL, & many others. We also viewed the a video clip from the BBC News.

Details: Killers of the Flower Moon: Oil, Money, Murder and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann. Paperback published by Simon & Schuster in 2017. 352 P. ISBN: 978-1-4711-8329-4

Book Review: 'Young Scrooge: A Very Scary Christmas Story' by R. L. Stine

✰✰✰½  Rick Scroogeman thinks he's the life of the party. He likes to joke around with his friends, but can't understand why they don't appreciate his humor. That's because Rick is a twelve-year-old bully. He thinks teasing his fellow classmates at Oliver Twist Middle school is funny just as long as the joke's on them.

Rick doesn't tolerate it when other people tease him. Take Christmas, for example. Every year the other kids get their chance to get back at Rick when the class watches the classic old movie, A Christmas Carol. All the kids start calling him Scrooge, and Rick gets all prickly about it.

This year Rick is ready to retaliate with even more teasing. What he doesn't know is that things are going to be different. Just like in the movie, Rick is haunted by three ghosts who whisk him away to different eras and try to teach him a lesson. Will Rick change his bullying ways, or is he a lost cause? Only time will tell as Rick tries get back to his family in time to celebrate Christmas.

The Bottom Line: This ghostly retelling of a holiday classic (A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens) features a scary twist with a modern lesson to learn. Middle grade readers will identify with the characters on both sides of the bullying issue. Recommended seasonal reading for young fans of horror.

Details: Young Scrooge: A Very Scary Christmas Story by R. L. Stine. hardcover published by Square Fish in 2016. 208 p. ISBN: 978-1-250-12955-0

Book Review: 'Skeleton Bones & Goblin Groans: Poems for Halloween' by Amy E. Sklansky

✰✰✰½ This is a spooktacular collection of Halloween inspired poems that are guaranteed to make you laugh. These rhyming poems ranging in topic from a haunted house to Frankenstein to Halloween candy are quick and easy to read. 

The Bottom Line: Unique beaded creations on canvas were used to make the illustrations for this book. The delightful poems are perfect for little ones just learning to read. Recommended for ages 4 - 7. These poems will get you in the holiday spirit.

Details: Skeleton Bones & Goblin Groans: Poems for Halloween written by Amy E. Sklansky & illustrated by Karen Dismukes. Picture book published by Henry Hold and Company in 2004. 32 p. ISBN: 0-8050-7046-X

Book Review: 'Bonaparte Falls Apart' by Margery Cuyler

✰✰✰✰✰ Bonaparte is a little skeleton boy with a BIG problem. He is falling to pieces. Every time he does anything, his bones fall off or roll away. He can't play catch or ride his bike without losing a piece of himself. How will he ever go to school?

His friends try glue, webbing, and mummy wrappings, but nothing works. What's a skeleton to do? Things look hopeless until Bonaparte makes a new friend with a clever idea. Will they figure out how to hold Bonaparte together in time for the first day of school? Visit your local library and check this book out to find out!

The Bottom Line: Adorable illustrations with a muted palette feature kid-friendly monsters and a few hidden gems. Highly recommended read-aloud choice for kids anxious about the first day of school.

Details: Bonaparte Falls Apart written by Margery Cuyler & illustrated by Will Terry. Hardcover picture book published by Crown Books in 2017. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1-101-93768-6

Book Review: 'Sir Simon: Super Scarer' by Cale Atkinson

✰✰✰✰ Sir Simon is a ghostly Super Scarer. It's okay to be scared of him because that is his job. He has haunted lots of places. It's a hard job, but someone's got to do it.

Sir Simon was recently transferred to his first haunted house. That's the good news. The bad news is that a haunted house calls for extra Ghost chores like causing lights to flicker and stairs to creak. Once he's finished with chores, he can get back to his hobbies. Unfortunately, there's a problem named Chester. All Chester wants to do is play with Sir Simon. How will Sir Simon ever get his chores done? Check out this ghostly tale to find out.

The Bottom Line: This sweet tale of friendship is not too scary. The illustrations are colorful and humorous. A seasonal, spooky read recommended for kids ages 4 - 8, especially for those a bit apprehensive about Halloween.

Details: Sir Simon: Super Scarer written & illustrated by Cale Atkinson. Hardcover picture book published by Tundra Books in 2018. 48 p. ISBN: 978-1-101-91909-5

Book Review: 'Tales From Beyond the Brain' by Jeff Szpirglas

✰✰✰✰✰ Going to school is just a part of daily life for most kids, but some schools are different from others. Some schools harbor secrets that could be dangerous to the average student. In the terrifying world of author Jeff Szpirglas, kids need to be on the look out for abandoned brains, holes in the universe,and old films. Even bringing your teacher a traditional apple can have disastrous effects. If this sounds like your cup of tea, pick up this book and dive right in for some frighteningly good fun.

The Bottom Line: This delightfully creepy collection of thirteen tales of horror is perfect for the middle grade set. The stories are short and engaging. Kids will easily relate to the troubles the main characters have. Every story features at least one spooky, black and white illustration. These bone-chilling stories remind me of the ones featured in the television series, Tales from the Dark Side. Highly recommended for young fans of horror stories. NOTE: Not for squeamish readers.

Details: Tales From Beyond the Brain by Jeff Szpirglas & illustrated by Steven P. Hughes. Advance Reading Copy published by Orca Book Publishers in 2019. 192 p. ISBN: 978-45982079 NOTE: I received a free advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.