Nine Moons Make A Realm...An Oft Repeated Fact By Two Young, New Fans Of The Moon CoinAuthor Richard Due has written a fabulous adventure for young minds to immerse themselves in mystery, discovery, wonder, and danger. Jasper and Lily are wonderfully created characters, full of personality, life, and depth. This fact endeared the book to me at once, as the brother and sister of Due's making lacked all the boredom, laziness, un-imaginative apathy, and mock-maturity of too many middle grade characters. Eager to learn and acutely aware of right and wrong, Jasper and Lily engage in antics of youth with curious bliss rather than the dark brooding of misunderstood angst.
A read-aloud for younger children, The Moon Coin could be enjoyed through the middle grades easily. Intricate sentence structure, vivid descriptions, and complexity of storyline make Due's offering a welcome treat for young readers/listeners.
I (Moira) read The Moon Coin aloud to my seven and eight year old sons; and believe me when I tell you, they begged for more. The story, while quite detailed, held their interest throughout. They would stop me to inquire about words they didn't understand (style points for Due in incorperating rich vocabulary) and then quiet down to listen once again. The chapters are long, so be aware if you plan to read-aloud - bring a cup of tea!
The electrimals remained a favorite for both boys, but there was no lack of creativity to choose from. Lunariums, Mr. Phixit, nine-sided windows, puzzles to solve, and clues to dicipher abound within The Moon Coin, earning my highest recommendation.
~ Moira
Author Susan Huges has gathered nine mysteries to showcase in this terrific book. Suited for independent readers at or above a third grade level, Case Closed? would be interesting and enjoyed by students through middle school and as a read aloud to younger ones if broken into sections.
At 83 pages, plus an index and glossary, Case Closed? is divided into nine sections, one for each mystery. Each case to be examined ranges from 8 - 10 pages, except the last, which is 15 pages in length. The date, location, and a basic summary of the case is given as well as a map highlighting the part of the world to be discussed. Then the case is opened, and Hughes begins explaining how each peice of the puzzle was uncovered and how science made it possible to answer questions about it. Any conclusions are noted along with unanswered questions on the final page of the section.
The photos and illustrations throughout the book are very nice and add a lot of visual interest for young students, while being detailed enough to capture the eye of older readers. The science and technology used to unlock these famous mysteries is explained in straightforward terms. It is not oversimplified, but the author assumes the reader has little to no knowledge of the topic. The glossary at the back of the book can define terms unknown by the reader.
Case Closed? is well done in its topics, writing, and visual presentation.
~Moira
Merry Christmas, Splat, by Rob ScottonIt's Christmas Eve, and Splat, the cat, has just finished writing a letter to Santa asking for a big present. But Santa only brings gifts to boys who have been good, and Splat begins to wonder if he has been good enough.
This is a delightful Christmas story from author Rob Scotton, who also wrote Splat the Cat, and Love, Splat. Most appropriate for ages 3-7, young ones are sure to fall in love with Splat.
~Moira
Snowmen at Night, by Caralyn Buehner & illustrated by Mark Buehner
A young boy discovers that the beautiful snowman he fashions in the front lawn the day before doesn't quite look the same in the morning light. He imagines the adventures his snowman went on throughout the night, hence the title of Caralyn Buehner's book, Snowmen at Night.
The husband and wife team (she writes, he illustrates) have several books. Companion books include Snowmen at Christmas and Snowmen All Year. A wonderful read-aloud for young children, this book would suit children up to about eight years old. The text rhymes, which helps early readers, and I would say independent readers in first and second grade could handle it easily. The illustrations are terrific! Mark Buehner shows great creativity in hiding pictures within the pages for children to find.
~Moira
