Book 4: Andy Smithson Resurrection of the Phoenix's Grace

Since the age of eight, L.R.W. Lee wanted to write a children's book, but felt she did not have anything significant to share; she sought to change lives while entertaining.  A degree in Accounting did not provide riveting fodder for a best seller, so she waited.  Over a decade, she founded and grew a company, during which, she worked closely with a mentor from whom she learned uncommon thinking that changed her life.  After selling her business in early 2012, she had time to write and, more importantly, something significant to share.  L.R. W. Lee lives in scenic Austin, TX with her husband, daughter and son.  

Published: April 27th, 2015 by Woodgate Publishing

Genres: MG Fantasy 
Pages: 228 pages
Format: Ebook
Source:  In exchange for an honest review, an ebook was provided by the author for free. 

Find the book: Goodreads *  Amazon 

"When Andy landed back home, little did he realize the hunt Abaddon would initiate to capture and punish him for thwarting his plans for eternal life for yet a third time. Meanwhile, when Methuselah unexpectedly extends in Mom's hand while in Texas, something it has never done for him, it triggers more revelations about her past. 

After a frustrating and, at times, terrifying year, Andy returns to Oomaldee and joins Hans’ quest to locate the only surviving heir to the throne of Cromlech. In the process, Andy and company discover the Giant’s Ring, the center of Cromlech’s healing powers, has been destroyed by Abaddon’s evil sorcerer. While unthinkable, the situation grows dire when Andy finds that the phoenix who rose from that land millennia before has returned to be reborn and the evil mage has trapped her inside the decimated Ring. Without the freedom to collect the materials she needs to build a pyre, she will die. Andy knows failure is not an option for he needs a feather from this phoenix as the next ingredient to break the curse. 

With the clock ticking, will Andy and his friends free the phoenix in time? Will they be able to fix the Ring and restore Cromlech’s healing powers? Will Andy collect a phoenix feather?" (Summary from Goodreads)

Andy has been home for quite sometime, eagerly awaiting word for what happened after he left Oomaldee.   His last recollections were of Abaddon vowing to kill the person who wielded Methuselah.   But, Andy has been left waiting for  over a year without even a message from the King or his friends.  Its left him frustrated and concerned. That is until the next clue arrives with hints to his next task.

"A song so pure

Trills listeners to tears.

A sacrifice, a giving, 

And new life appears.

Yellow, crimson, orange, or red,

Fire-touched or unscorched, shed.

A quill of this warbler

No creature hath bred"

 When Zolts are able to break the barrier surrounding Oomaldee and attack Andy in the real world,  Andy's mother sends him back to Oomaldee for his protection.  Here he meets Hans, who is on a quest to find Princess Yara, the only survivor to the throne of Cromlech.  Andy must overcome what seems like insurmountable odds to try to find her, while also trying to solve his own task.   

I love reading MG fantasy, partly for the ability to escape into another world, but in the case of Lee's books, I also enjoy how they incorporate basic "life values" or principles in a seamless way and doesn't feel heavy handed.  The story takes place in three very different settings, real world, Oomaldee, and in visions or dreams of real events or others happening in the afterlife.   Resurrection of the Phoenix's Grace delves into the topics of responsibility, diligence, dignity, humility, and sacrifice.  A read that will leave you with ideas to ponder.

 "We are as strong as the love we choose to share."

While reading Resurrection of the Phoenix Grace,  I got the sense that the story was aging along with Andy, who is now thirteen.   Much in the same way that Harry Potter did across the series.  Which isn't a bad thing,  I think this allows Lee some flexibility in uping the danger and adventure in the story.  Andy isn't the perfect hero, he makes many mistakes of his own, but he is also learning from them and taking on new responsibilities of a teenager and future king.      Another way in which the story is aging is in the language, or words Lee chooses to use with words like "discordance, thwarted, trite,"  words like that reminding me of so many fantasy books that I read when I was younger.   Plus,  I appreciate a story that has an interesting premise, a plot that is fast paced, with lots of action and characters that show growth.   It's the kind of story that can be read with your child knowing wonderful discussions will ensue.  Imogenia is the one who surprised me the most in Resurrection of the Phoenix's Grace, and I grew a new appreciation for her character.  Imogenia appeared to realize her mistakes, make amends, and showed signs of seeking forgiveness.  Although she was conflicted about letting go of her hatred, she also realized that her hatred is changing her.  Qualities that make me believe that the series is as much about her growth as it is about Andy's.  Then add adventures, battles with ogres, gnomes stealing clothes, bats in caves and dwarfs, well that's just icing on the cake.  The one thing I still would love more of though is Andy's inneru, or inner voice that guides him.  With my favorite scene being where Andy's inneru reminds him to "think outside the box" and that his choices affect more than just him. 

I loved that Lee included some fascinating trivia at the back of the book which highlight much of the symbolism in the series, as well as the meaning behind each of the titles names in the series.   You can read my thoughts about her other books here:  Book 1: Andy Smithson Blast of the Dragons Fury, Book 2: Venom of the Serpent's Cunning and Book 3: Disgrace of the Unicorn's Horn.  Resurrection of the Phoenix Grace was a wonderfully creative, imaginative story that incorporates positive values in a fun entertaining way.  Highly recommend this wonderful continuation of the Andy Smithson series, and once again I find myself selecting a new favorite.  Can't wait to see what is next for Andy and his friends.   

TTT: Five Books I Probably Will Never Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This weeks topic is Ten Books I Probably Will Never Read

This was a difficult topic for me.  I'm so used to having a TBR list that is toppling with books, so to sit down and think about what books that I would never read is a pretty difficult concept for my brain some how.  War and Peace and Shakespeare are the only two that came to mind pretty quick, but the others I had to think about books that I've heard about or remember thinking were not for me.  So, I guess there were only five that came to mind.  

50 Shades of Grey, not high on my list of books that I'm interested in reading.  

The Fault in Our Stars It just sounds so sad, I don't think I'm ready for sad.  It just seems like the kind of book that I have to be in the right frame of mind for.  

War and Peace any book that is considered to be among the longest book ever written, yeah not so much.  

Shakespeare  I would much rather watch a play than read Shakespeare's works. I blame my teacher in high school.  Not really, but I think it is an acquired taste.   

The Kane Chronicles  I found myself satisfied with how the Red Pyramid ended, so I probably wont be picking up Throne.  Which kind of surprises me because I do enjoy Riordan's work and Egyptian mythology.  

Are there any books that you probably are never going to read?  Fill free to share your TTT link in the comments.  

MG Review: Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Expected Publication June 2nd, 2015

 by Henry Holt and Co. 

Genres: Middle Grade Mystery

Pages: 368 

Format: Ebook

Source:  NetGalley

   

Twelve-year-old Emily has moved so many times, her parents have almost met their dream of living in 50 Homes in 50 States.   At first it was fun to move every few years, but now Emily wants to find a place that she can call home.  A place where she can also finally have a friend.  When Emily's parents announce they will be moving to San Francisco, she's thrilled.   It's the home of her favorite game creator, Garrison Griswold, and he is about to release one of his famous Book Scavenger games.   However, Griswold has been attacked and the game he was to launch may have been lost.  When Emily and her upstairs neighbor James find a book with the mark of Griswold's publishing company on it, they believe that they have stumbled onto one of Mr. Griswold's games.  Emily and James try to decipher the clues inside the book, but soon must keep it safe from the criminals who attacked Mr. Griswold and want to steal the book back.  

I first saw this book on a few blogs and was intrigued when I began hearing it compared to Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein (another book that I really enjoyed).   I also read about the book launch being a giveaway of 50 advance copies to a winner in each of the 50 US states, then having a nationwide scavenger hunt for the books. How cool is that? Here's a link to the launch.  and another on where books are being hidden/found.   You can also read the first chapter here.  So, when I saw that Book Scavenger was listed on NetGalley, well I crossed my fingers and was lucky enough to get a copy.  

I absolutely adored Book Scavenger, it was such fun to read.   Everything from the authors note where Bertman lists the inspirations for Book Scavenger (which is a combination of books, movies, Geocaching, cipher's and the website BookCrossing.com). To the setting of San Francisco filled with various historical facts and figures that make for an interesting plot.  Plus there is a nice mystery that sort of involves Edgar Allen Poe.  I enjoyed all the characters and relationships, with my favorite being Emily's older brother.   A really wonderful and creative story.   The perfect sort of book for someone who loves solving puzzles and may spark an interest in cipher's and codes, not to mention trying to learn how to break them. Which is much harder than it looks.   I love the marketing campaign for the Book Scavenger and think it is quite unique to have an online game where you can actually follow hidden clues to find and read ARC's of the book. Talk about art imitating life, or would it be life imitating art in this case?  A delightfully fun story and bonus the author is working on a sequel.   

TTT: Ten Books Which Feature Characters Baking

Top Ten Tuesday is a Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This weeks topic is Ten Books Which Feature Characters...

I selected Baking

I love baking cookies, cupcakes, brownies.  The fun thing about it is that it's a passion that my kiddo and I can share, we even like inventing our own desserts (somehow they always seem to have some sort of candy topping). Plus the rewards of eating what you make are even more fun.  It's one of my favorite parts about cooking in general.  After perusing Goodreads for some added help, because well I haven't read ten books on baking myself.  I came up with a list of what I've read and some to add to my TBR list.   I'm going to include a brief summary from Goodreads, so in no particular order....

1.  


Can their friendships take the heat? A trio of mothers and daughters will find out when they sign up for a cooking class from a famous chef in the first book of the Saturday Cooking Club series - it's mother-daughter bonding and so much more!








2.
Katie is miserable on the first day of middle school. Her best friend Callie came back from camp boy-crazy and part of a whole new group of friends.  Katie realizes if she’s going to survive middle school she needs to seriously regroup and find some new friends. But how? She bites into the cupcake her mother packed her for lunch and for a second closes her eyes. The sweet treat makes her happy—finally something goes right!  

3.
Baking a fluffy pink cupcake is awesome, but wearing a dress that looks like one? No, thank you!  Cousins Willow and Delia can't wait to spend a week vacationing together with their families. Their aunt is getting married, and Willow and Delia are hoping their tasty baked goods will be enough to get them out of being flower girls in the wedding.

I particularly liked that this book included recipes. 






4.

Gladys Gatsby has been cooking gourmet dishes since the age of seven, only her fast-food-loving parents have no idea! Now she’s eleven, and after a crème brûlée accident (just a small fire), Gladys is cut off from the kitchen (and her allowance). She’s devastated but soon finds just the right opportunity to pay her parents back when she’s mistakenly contacted to write a restaurant review for one of the largest newspapers in the world.

I love the premise of a girl who has a secret life filled with cooking.  Reading these books always make me hungry.  

5.

Amelie Day loves to bake - cupcakes, biscuits, bread, tarts and muffins - so she's thrilled when she's invited to compete in Britain's Best Teen Baker of the Year. But Amelie has Cystic Fibrosis and some days she can barely breathe. Determined not to let her condition or her mum stop her, Amelie musters all her flour power, but will it be enough to get her there?




6.



One afternoon, Julia Evarts and her five-year-old daughter, Gracie, arrive home to find an unexpected gift on the front porch: a homemade loaf of Amish Friendship Bread and a simple note: I hope you enjoy it. Also included are a bag of starter, instructions on how to make the bread herself, and a request to share it with others.  

 A little part mystery in figuring out who the bread came from, but more about friendship, community, etc. It comes with recipes.  



7.


When Alice's Aunt Polly, the Pie Queen of Ipswitch, passes away, she takes with her the secret to her world-famous pie-crust recipe. Or does she? In her will, Polly leaves the recipe to her extraordinarily fat, remarkably disagreeable cat, Lardo . . . and then leaves Lardo in the care of Alice.

This just sounds so cute.  




8.



Twelve-year-old Isabel is dying to get out of her small town of Willow, Oregon, and travel like her best friend, Sophie. But when Isabel's mother decides to open up a cupcake shop across town, Isabel is once again stuck in Willow for the summer; until she learns of a baking contest.







9.


Lulu Baker's dad is getting ready to marry his new girlfriend, world-famous model Varaminta le Bone. Everyone thinks Varaminta is fabulous. Everyone, that is, except Lulu. She knows that her stepmother-to-be, not to mention her awful son Torquil, is cruel, deceitful, and just using her father. But how can she make her dad see Varaminta and Torquil for who they really are?

When a magical recipe book called THE APPLE STAR finds its way into Lulu's hands, she finds that some very unusual ingredients and some help from her friends just might do the trick


10.



Rosemary Bliss’s family has a secret. It’s the Bliss Cookery Booke—an ancient, leather-bound volume of enchanted recipes like Stone Sleep Snickerdoodles and Singing Gingersnaps. Rose and her siblings are supposed to keep the Cookery Booke under lock and whisk-shaped key while their parents are out of town, but then a mysterious stranger shows up. 

I love the cover and the ones for the sequel.  I really need to read this soon. 

So feel free to tell me some of your favorite characters who would be found baking.  Or include a link to your top ten.  Happy Reading! 

Classic Read-along: A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L'Engle

April's  pick for the Classic Read along with the Midnight Garden was A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L'Engle.   You can follow along or join in the discussion at http://www.themidnightgarden.net or #tmgreadalong on Twitter.  

Published: September 2nd 2008 by Square Fish

 (first published May 1st 1980)  

Genres: YA Realistic Fiction

Pages: 352 pages

Format: Paperback

Source:  Library

From Goodreads:  "After a tumultuous year in New York City, the Austins are spending the summer on the small island where their grandfather lives. He’s very sick, and watching his condition deteriorate as the summer passes is almost more than Vicky can bear. To complicate matters, she finds herself as the center of attention for three very different boys.

     Zachary Grey, the troubled and reckless boy Vicky met last summer, wants her all to himself as he grieves the loss of his mother. Leo Rodney has been just a friend for years, but the tragic loss of his father causes him to turn to Vicky for comfort—and romance. And then there’s Adam Eddington. Adam is only asking Vicky to help with his research on dolphins. But Adam—and the dolphins—may just be what Vicky needs to get through this heartbreaking summer."

Vicky is in a tough position, she has two boys who are vying for her attention, and one that she seems to have a crush on.  "Adam was different from anybody I'd ever known.  He wasn't spectacularly gorgeous, like Zachary, but he had a kind of light within that drew me to him like a moth to a candle."     I'm not a huge fan of stories where there is this triangular relationship thing going on, but Leo, Zachary and Adam all played their roles of "good" guy, "bad" boy and "older" guy so well.   Zachary almost to much.  He got to a point where I really hated anytime he took Vicky out.  And this line, "Don't you know you're all that's between me and chaos?" Seriously?  He still gets under my skin thinking about him.  I think I mostly felt for Vicky though.  Her insecurity about her looks and thoughts on these three boys.   This was a very difficult summer for her, one that sticks with you and shapes the kind of person you're going to be. 

Vicky's grandfather's illness is a means of delving into the difficult subject of death and dying.  It really illustrates the fears that Vicky faces with losing her grandfather and letting him go in a heartfelt realistic way.  Even Vicky's grandfather's fears are portrayed very well. " I'm afraid-...   Of what, Grandfather?  "That I won't know when to let go."  When he asks her to let him know when it's time, man that was so tough to read. What a responsibility to place on a young teenager who is in that stage of growing up becoming an adult and seeing their own immortality.  I'm glad that he later tells her how unfair he was being.  

This is only the second time that I've read one of  L'Engle's books, the first being A Wrinkle in Time.  Yet, her writing fascinates me and makes me read slowly to absorb everything.   There's complex ideas about science, theology, poetry, religion, love, death and dying in A Ring of Endless Light.  I felt like I didn't want to miss a passage, so I kept leaving scraps of paper scattered throughout the book to remind me of  many of L'Engle's complex ideas.  Like this one "Time is like a river for most of us, flowing in only one direction. But there's a possibility that time is less like a river than a tree, a tree with large branches from which small branches grow, and where they touch each other it might be possible to get from one branch of time to another."  That line so reminds me of reading A Wrinkle in Time.  If you're a fan of L'Engle's work and haven't yet read this,  A Ring of Endless light can be read as a standalone.  

In the Introduction L'Engle's grandchildren talk about how her stories include details from her own life.  So when I read this line it had me wondering if she was talking about herself, "Even when I was a kid I read Scientific American, not fairy tales. My academic parents didn't encourage fairy tales.  And I think it was my loss."  Her stories are just so thought provoking and complex and I enjoy how A Ring of Endless Light was both realistic fiction as well as some science fiction too. Especially as Vicky explores her abilities to communicate with the dolphins she meets.  According to  L'Engle's grandchildren, she apparently "wrote and lectured extensively on the difference between truth and fact, arguing that it is through story that we human beings approach the truth, not through facts, which can only get us so far." A beautifully written story with strong messages, easy to relate to and will stick with me for sometime to come.  

Favorite Line  "..if we aren't capable of being hurt we aren't capable of feeling joy."  

MG Realistic Fiction: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Hardcover:  288 pages

• Published February 5th, 2015 
• by Nancy Paulsen books
• Source:  Public Library

Ally has been in trouble many times, most of the time it's even on purpose.  But, this last trip to the principal's office was purely unintentional.  Ally didn't mean to hurt Mrs. Hall's feelings by bringing a card to her baby shower.  She didn't know that instead of saying congratulations, she brought a sympathy card.  She just thought the yellow flowers on the card were pretty.  Ally just made a mistake.  No one suspects that the real reason Ally has been getting herself in trouble on purpose is to escape from anything to do with reading.  "Reading for me is still like trying to make sense of a can of alphabet soup that's been dumped on a plate."  Ally's dad is in the military, so their seven moves have allowed Ally to hide her reading difficulties pretty well.  For the most part, Ally stays quiet, happy to watch her "mind movies" and draw in her sketchbook of impossible things.  That is until Mr. Daniels begins subbing for her teacher on maternity leave.  Mr. Daniel begins to realize that the reason Ally has been getting herself in trouble is that she is struggling with dyslexia.  

 From the authors dedication, you immediately know Fish in a Tree is meant for teachers and kids.  "Kids who find their grit to conquer life's challenges-no matter what those challenges may be."  Ally is an interesting character, one filled with many insecurities.  Ally in many ways  believes that she is incapable of learning.  Even believing Shay and what she perceives the other kids at school are saying about her (dumb, stupid, loser).  It doesn't help that her mom thinks that she is smart and just needs to work harder. It's these initial chapters that had my kiddo saying that the book was "sad, but I want to see what happens."  Since the book is written from Ally's point of view, there is instant empathy for her.  You really want her struggles to come to light, you want the kids bullying her at school to stop, and for her to recognize her strengths.  Thankfully, she does.  Mr. Daniels is a wonderful teacher, the kind that you hope every child has an opportunity to meet.  I loved the mystery object lesson, and how he interacted with Oliver and Albert.  These two things allowed Ally to begin to see some of her own strengths.  Ally also begins to change as she forges new friendships with Oliver and Keisha, and as she begins to get help for her dyslexia.   Overall the story leaves you hopeful about Ally's future.  Included at the end of the book is a letter from Hunt to her readers, she talks about the inspiration of the story being a teacher she had when she was younger and how she struggled in school as well. Hunt makes the point that "we all have talents and areas of strength, as well as things we need to work harder on."  

Favorite line:  “Everyone is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life thinking it’s stupid.”

New and Upcoming Releases: Murder is Bad Manners and My Life in Diorama's

These are two books that I've read, reviewed and enjoyed awhile ago.  With their upcoming releases, I thought they needed a re-mention.   

Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery 

Hardcover:  320 pages

• Published April 21st 2015
• by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• 
  

From Goodreads:  "Deepdean School for Girls, 1934. When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong set up their very own deadly secret detective agency, they struggle to find any truly exciting mysteries to investigate. (Unless you count the case of Lavinia's missing tie. Which they don't, really.)

But then Hazel discovers the Science Mistress, Miss Bell, lying dead in the Gym. She thinks it must all have been a terrible accident - but when she and Daisy return five minutes later, the body has disappeared. Now the girls know a murder must have taken place . . . and there's more than one person at Deepdean with a motive.

Now Hazel and Daisy not only have a murder to solve: they have to prove a murder happened in the first place. Determined to get to the bottom of the crime before the killer strikes again (and before the police can get there first, naturally), Hazel and Daisy must hunt for evidence, spy on their suspects and use all the cunning, scheming and intuition they can muster. But will they succeed? And can their friendship stand the test?"

Link to my review

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction 

Hardcover:  224 pages

• Publishing April 28th 2015
• by Running Press Kids
• 
  

From Goodreads:  "Twelve-year-old Kate Marino thinks she is a real mastermind. At least when it comes to hatching a plan to dissuade potential buyers from purchasing Big Red, the old farmhouse that has been the only home Kate has ever known, and which her parents must sell in order to downsize.

• Kate has not even moved yet, and already her life is changing in unwelcome ways. Every moment and memory seems fleeting. Making dioramas of the people she loves in the places that she holds dear gives Kate a sense of calm. But there’s no way Kate is going to move now, when her dance troupe is finally going to compete at Dance Nation, and her best friend is starting to replace her with her enemy, Megan. It may take several bags of stink, the help of her friends, and a few fake dogs in order for her to be able to keep her life the way that she knows and loves it."
• 
  

Link to my review