Amy's Book Review: 

Katt Scallion and the Planet of the Sharks

-by E.K. Isaacs

In Katt Scallion and the Planet of Sharks, Katt Scallion, Speedy, and Robogirl are supposed to save a dying planet, Ceto. Ceto is full of sharks. Katt and Speedy are in debt to a bank manager. There are two tribes in Ceto, the Finsters and the Biters. The Biters are great white sharks, while the Finsters are all mixes of two different animals. Robogirl made Ceto 2 so that when Ceto dies, the sharks won’t die along with the planet.

 

The two tribes are battling because Grandpa Shark’s (the Biter’s leader) ancestor was not invited to Madam Megalodon’s (the Finster’s leader) ancestor’s birthday party. And that caused the war to begin. Can Katt Scallion unite these two tribes and then make them go to Ceto 2? Read this awesome book to find out!

 

Katt Scallion has become a wonderful character in the first book of this series and becomes even better in Katt Scallion and the Planet of Sharks. Speedy still loves coffee, but he has other traits too. He is a good friend and I’m pretty sure Katt loves having him as a friend. 

 

I recommend this book for children 7+, as children younger than that might not understand the climax very well.

 

I give this book 5/5 stars as it is a fun-filled, exciting book to read. My favorite part is the climax, which is the most intriguing part of this fascinating book.

 

-Amy

 

P.S. Ayan and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

       

Amy's Book Review: 

Maylie and the Luck of the Irish

-by M. L. Tarpley

In Maylie's Luck of Irish, Maylie is looking forward to going to the next place in their summer vacation, Ireland.

Even though she’s excited, she is still scared to go on a ferry ride. She’s scared of having only water surround her. After an accident, she doesn’t feel well but continues the ferry ride. When Maylie, Grandma Suey, Aunt Layla, and Camden were off the boat, she was relieved to be finally on the ground.

Maylie wants to write a book, but she doesn’t even have a topic to write about. When Grandma Suey gives her something to write about, Maylie begins writing a story. In Ireland, there’s a festival called Fleadh (say Flah). In Fleadh, there’s a creative contest for Irish art—music, stories, and poems—that is going to open soon. Maylie wants to enter, but she just started to write a story. Will she be able to write a wonderful story and enter it in the contest? Read this amazing book to find out!

My favorite character in Maylie's Luck of the Irish is Maylie. Grandma Suey and Aunt Layla are amazing, and Camden is becoming less and less annoying. 

I recommend this book for children 5+ as it is very easy to understand.

I give this book 5/5 stars as many people will love to read this great book.

Happy reading!

-Amy

P.S. Ayan is planning to read Maylie and the Maze, the first book in this series, because I recommended it to him.

 

     

Amy's Book Review: 

The Eerie Beach Light

-by Cyrena Shows

Hi,
Do you like mysteries? Do you like mysteries with ghosts inside? If you like both, you will love The Eerie Beach Light!

The Eerie Beach Light’s main character is Gracie, who is a normal kid going on a vacation with two of her cousins, Beckett and Harper, to a beach. Gracie’s mom, dad, and grandmother, Mimi, are coming with Beckett’s dad. As Beckett’s mom had died when he was young, his dad is planning to marry a woman called Stella. 

A mysterious man tells them that at the beach there is a ghost, so Gracie and Beckett want to find it. Is there actually a ghost? And if there is, can Gracie and Beckett find it? Read this book to find out!

I recommend this book for children 5+ as it is very easy to understand.
I give this book 5/5 stars as it is a very engaging mystery book.

Happy reading!
-Amy

P.S. If there isn't a third book in this series, then I will re-read The Mystery of the Wooden Box and then re-read The Eerie Beach Light.
P.S.S I think Ayan will love Beckett from the first book.

  

Ayan's Book Review
The Rise of a Golden Lion

-by Michael Feng

I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Rise of a Golden Lion'—a cool superhero book—by Michael Feng.

Ranford, a young biologist, is playing soccer with his friends when he is confronted by a strange sight—an army of droids armed with a mutant lion, who attacks Ranford. Ranford loses consciousness and wakes up in a hospital. When he heals, he is sent back to his home immediately. 

However, he is called to the hospital a second time and is now told that the treatment given was actually Serum X—a chemical that could mutate any living being, and he was now actually a cross between a human and a lion. The agency of mutants he had now joined was battling Jacen Lee, another mutant who strives to take over the world. Can they locate Jacen and defeat him...before he takes over (or destroys) the world? Read this book to find out!

I think this book is a lot like 'Super Problems' as both have a team with superpowers crusading against a powerful enemy.

This book is written in omniscient POV, which puts you in suspense of what happens next—whether the bad guys get caught or they escape again.

I recommend this book as a read-aloud for 9+ and as a reader for 10+.

I give this book 4.5/5 stars as there’s killing and violence (which I don’t think is needed in children's books). 

That said, this book is written by a twelve-year-old boy, and he has done an excellent job writing an action-packed fast-paced book. And I hope you'll support this young author.

Happy reading!

-Ayan

 

     

Amy's Book Review: 

It's not Easy being a Lazy Bug 

and 

My Mama

-by Pragya Tomar

Hi,

I just read two fantastic picture books. Continue reading to find out more about them.

It’s not easy being a Lazy Bug is a picture book about Bug. Bug is very lazy and smelly. Other bugs don’t like him very much because he doesn’t bathe or brush his teeth. Bug will not clean up after himself, brush his own teeth, bathe, or make his own bedsheet. Will Bug ever become independent? Or will he remain lazy? Read this beautiful book to find out!

The illustrations and the cover in this book are beautiful. The illustrations of this book are very colorful and attractive.

I recommend this book for children 3+ as a read-aloud or reader as it is very easy to understand. Smart two-year-olds might be able to read this book, too.
I give this book 5/5 stars as it is a great read.

My Mama

My Mama is a wonderful picture book about how children love their mamas. It’s about how even animals love their mamas. My Mama teaches you that you should love your Mama. (After reading this book, please tell me if you like your mama.)

I recommend this book for children 3+ as it is very easy to understand.

I give this book 5/5 stars as it is about Mama. (My favorite person in the whole wide world is Mama.)

Happy reading!

-Amy

  

Ayan's Book Review
Journey to Zentobia

-by Stacy D'Alessandro

'Journey to Zentobia' is a middle-grade fantasy. 

This book's main characters are Maggie and Peter, who are two normal children living with their parents. Their lives are turned upside down when they meet their neighbor Mr. Drop, who says he’s from another world, Zentobia. Mr. Drop asks them to help him find a particular rainbow—one that leads to Zentobia.

When they pass through this portal, they’re caught in a whirlwind of action, with the north and south sides of Zentobia struggling against each other for power. Can the trio find the evil side and defeat it before being caught as war prisoners? Read this magical book to find out.

The themes in this book include family, friendship, and perseverance.

The pacing in this book is fast and engaging. It adds an element of surprise to each event that happens, whether caused by good or evil. I recommend this book as a read-aloud for children 7+ and as a read for 9+.

I give this book 5/5 stars as it’s a great middle-grade read that’s sure to keep the readers engaged.

Happy reading!

-Ayan

P.S. I find this book similar to The Chronicles of Narnia series, as in both the books, the characters pass through a portal to another world, and in both, there’s a war going on in the other world.

      

Amy's Book Review: 

Under Pressure with a Squash

-by Laurel Decher

Under Pressure with a Squash is the third book I've read in A Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tale. This book is as interesting as Book 1 and 2 in this series.

Magellan and Saffy are prince and princess of the Saffron Kingdom.

Saffy’s fairy godmother’s gift is straight-shooting, so she can shoot the target of an archery contest in one hit! Magellan’s talent is drawing maps, but his fairy godfather’s gift is tunnel vision, which means that he can see inside any tunnel.

When Magellan runs from a multiplication test, his mother confiscates his notebook in which he makes maps. A map notebook that he needs the most. Who wants to do multiplication when they have to worry about a dragon? 😊 A Saffron dragon, that is. Magellan and Saffy are both worrying about their ailing Saffron dragon.

Magellan and Saffy have to work together and perform the perfect moves to keep their dragon safe. Can they save the dragon? Read this fantastic book to find out!

My favorite character in Under Pressure with a Squash is Saffy, whose straight-shooting is incredible. Magellan is terrific, too. I love the way he draws maps.

I recommend this book for children 9+ because the fast-moving plot might be hard to follow for younger readers.

I give this book 5/5 stars as it is a great read.

-Amy

P.S. I would love to read more by Laurel Decher.

 

 

     

Amy's Book Review: 

Let's Celebrate 5 Days of Diwali

-by Ajanta & Vivek

Hi,

Have you ever read about India’s festival Diwali? If you haven’t, this is the perfect book for you!

My brother and I read it together, and this is our review.

In 'Let's Celebrate 5 Days of Diwali,' Maya and Neel are visiting their aunt for Diwali. In this five-day festival, the three of them have a lot of adventures in India. Join them in this fun ride through the adventures of Diwali. 

This book has colorful illustrations, and the cover looks awesome. I love how the illustrator made these wonderful pictures.

This book is a fun way to teach children about Diwali through some fun escapades. Parents and teachers would love this book and find this fun story a perfect way to teach about India and Diwali.

We love to learn about other countries and their holidays. Same way, other children will be intrigued to learn more about India and its amazing festivals.

This book will be a hit with children of any age. For us, this book is beyond 5 stars.

Happy reading!

-Amy & Ayan

     

Amy's Book Review: 

Riddles that Rhyme

-by Anita Vermeer

Hi,

Do you want to blast off into the world of riddles? If you do, Riddles that Rhyme is perfect for you!

Riddles that Rhyme has a lot of riddles that are based on different topics. Actually, there are different chapters, and each chapter has riddles on a different topic. Interestingly, the riddles are actually tiny poems. That makes this book super-cool.

I loved the spring and Easter riddles.

Anita Vermeer has done a wonderful job in creating these riddles that rhyme. 😊

I recommend this book for children 7+ as the riddles might be hard to solve for younger children. Still, this book is engaging!

I give this book 5/5 stars as it's the very engaging riddle book I’ve ever read.

-Amy

P.S. I would love to read more by this author, Anita Vermeer.

Ayan's Book Review
Arash the Archer

-by Shahriar Bourbour

This is my first time reading a book based on Persian mythology, and I must say it’s very intriguing.

In Arash the Archer, the kingdoms Persia and Tooran had been at war for years over their border. But after losing many battles, the Persians agreed to a truce. 

However, the Persians were to get further humiliated because the Toorans promised they would return the captured Persian lands if a Persian archer could shoot an arrow from the new border back to the old one. Nobody could accomplish the feat—until Arash’s true determination began to shine out…

I recommend this book as a read-aloud for 5+ and as a reader for 8+; I think this book will be easy to read for younger children.

I give this book 5/5 stars as it’s a great introduction to Persian mythology.

Happy reading!

-Ayan

 

Amy's Book Review: 

Dilly Cooper Hat-Astrophe

-by Moira Siobhan

I read this wonderful chapter book, Dilly Cooper Hat-Astrophe, and I loved it. 

In DillyCooper Hat-astrophe, Dilly Cooper is being bullied by Rose Thorn. One way of how Rose mocks: She sends mean messages to herself but signs them with the name Dilly. Dilly tries out for the school play and rather than getting a starring role she gets put in set design - which she hates. 

Dilly does end up in the spotlight but not as a star but in trouble! How will she get out of the mess she creates and will everyone forgive her?  Read this book to find out!

Moira Siobhan has done an excellent job in making Dilly a great main character and has made Rose a terrible bully—an antagonist. She has also made Dilly’s friend, Belle, a good person. Together, these three make this story what it is.

I recommend this book for children 7+ as some parts of it will be hard to understand for younger children.

I give this book 5/5 stars as I loved the story and especially the climax.

-Amy

 

Ayan's Book Review
Puzzle Island

-by Richard James Edwards

Puzzle Island is the sequel to 'Puzzle Train.' And I'm glad to say that the second book is as good as the first if not better.

When Tom barely survives a helicopter crash on the transfer from the Puzzle Train to Puzzle Island, the pilot reports it as a failure of computer systems. But as Tom and his team from the Puzzle Train take on the new Puzzle Island, there seems to be a mysterious man trying to thwart their quest. 

Can Tom, Isabelle, Harvey, Darren, and Holly take on the mysterious Puzzle Island in time with the ultimate challenge of defeating an intruder set upon ruining Puzzle Island? Read this book to find out!

I loved the puzzles in this book; they were so interesting that I always wanted to solve them before Tom did. And Tom is a brilliant kid!

Actually, all the characters in this book have unique personalities that make this book even more interesting.

I recommend this book to ages 8+ as, even though it’s a middle-grade book, I think it’ll be easy for young readers to understand and appreciate.

I give this book 5/5 stars as it’s a fascinating middle-grade read.

-Ayan

P.S. I would love to read the third book in the series. 

    

Amy's Book Review: 

Katt Scallion and the Oracle Bird

-by E.K. Isaacs

Do you like to read a fun chapter book as I do? Then you will definitely enjoy this book.

 

In Katt Scallion and the Oracle Bird, Katt Scallion is on a mission to save an oracle bird’s eggs. Katt and his sloth friend, Speedy, are together on this mission. Katt and Speedy’s spacecraft, Sharky 1, is damaged, so they take a new rocket from a millipede, who was the one who needed the eggs. Their octopus friend, Maisie, is trying to fix Sharky 1 so that Katt and Speedy can use it.

Katt and Speedy meet more people on the way—like a rabbit named Deena and a robot named Robogirl. Katt doesn’t like robots. So will he make friends with Robogirl and use her to find the Oracle eggs? Also, can he get the Oracle eggs before the time limit ends, which is one week? Read this engaging book to find out!

This book has very engaging characters. Katt Scallion is very interesting, and I love how his character is developed throughout this book. Speedy loves coffee and can be very lazy when he hasn’t drunk a bucket of tea.

I recommend this book for children 5+ as this book is super easy to understand and is a small chapter book.

I give this book 5/5 stars as I love a surprise that came very near the end.

-Amy

P.S. I would love to read more books by E.K. Issacs.

   

Amy's Book Review: 

The Rapping Astronaut

-by Sonia Marta

The Rapping Astronaut is about Austro. Austro lives in Quitequietville and is… Rapping! The problem is, people from Quitequietville don’t like to rap, but Austro loves to! One quick tip for later on: people from Quitequietville DO NOT have mouths.

One day, Austro finds out that he has a mouth. After he tells that to his friend Bob, he is tossed out of the galaxy! Will Austro be able to get back to even Earth, forget about Quitequietville? Read this fantastic book to find out!

Austro is a super character, a great kid, and an excellent person to follow as the main character. Bob, on the other hand, is pretty annoying, even to Austro. So my favorite character is Austro. But, to make this book what it is, we need them both.

The cover and pictures in this book are terrific.

I give this book 5/5 stars as I loved the entire book, especially the part where Austro is tossed out of the galaxy.

-Amy

P.S. I would love to read more books by Sonia Marta.

    

Amy's Book Review: 

Maylie and the Maze

-by M.L. Tarpley

'Maylie and the Maze' is about Maylie, who is ten years old. She is at home in her bedroom with her pet cat, Sparkles. Maylie wants to be an author, and she is already trying to write a story.

The problem is, she can’t get past the first page! Maylie lives with her twin brother Camden (who, by the way, is very annoying), her little sister Jayna, her mom, and her dad. Maylie and Camden are going on a trip to United Kingdom with their Aunt Layla and Grandma Suey. 

Maylie is excited about the trip but anxious to travel by the plane. On the other hand, Camden is trying to destroy the trip. Even throughout the trip, Maylie is thinking about how to become a great author. Can Maylie ever get to be an author like she wishes to? Read this amazing chapter book to find out!

I love Maylie’s way of thinking and also how she deals with Camden. Camden is very annoying. Aunt Layla and Grandma Suey are wonderful. Together they make this story very entertaining.

I recommend this book for children 7+.

I give this book 5/5 stars, and I would love to read more books by M.L. Tarpley.

Read more books!

-Amy

     

Ayan's Book Review
The Last Shadow Warrior

-by Sam Subity

'The Last Shadow Warrior' is a compelling start to a new series.

The author Sam Subity has wonderfully woven the Beowulf legend into this action-packed middle-grade adventure. But one doesn’t have to read Beowulf to enjoy this book. 

Abby is a very strong character, and readers of all ages are sure to fall in love with her right from the first page. Abby is still grieving her mother’s untimely death and she wants to become like her mother. Once at her home, she is attacked by someone, whom she suspects as the Grendel. Abby and her dad leave for Minnesota to hide, but they meet with an accident, making her dad seriously injured. 

Abby is admitted to a school that's definitely strange and mysterious. She suspects that Grendels are hunting her, but no one in the school believes that Grendels are real and are hunting Abby.
Can Abby and her friends convince the council that Grendels are real? Can they save Abby’s dad before it’s too late? Read this incredible story to find out.

I loved every character in this book. They are unique and realistic. Grimsby and Gwynn are terrific friends, and they provide help and support to Abby at the time of need. Abby is smart, hilarious, and quick-witted. 

I give this book 5/5 stars as I loved this book right from the first page and remained hooked till the end. I can’t wait to read the sequel of this book.

Happy reading!

-Ayan

P.S. This is a Percy Jackson type of book with Norse mythology spin to it.