Blog Tour for THE LEGENDARY MO SETO by A.Y. Chan with An Excerpt, Review & Giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE LEGENDARY MO SETO by A.Y. Chan Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

       About The Book:

Title: THE LEGENDARY MO SETO
Author: A.Y. Chan
Pub. Date: June 4, 2024
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats:  Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 320

Find it:  Goodreads, https://books2read.com/THE-LEGENDARY-MO-SETO

A fast-paced, high-kicking debut that’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon meets Stand Up, Yumi Chung as a young taekwondo artist uses an ancient book to help
save her dreams—and her father.

Twelve-year-old Modesty “Mo” Seto dreams of being a taekwondo champion. Even though her mom disapproves, Mo can always count on her dad, who is her number one fan and biggest supporter. Lately, Mo has been on a losing streak, and it doesn’t help that she keeps losing to her archnemesis, Dax, who’s much bigger than her. If only she were faster, stronger, not so petite. Mo can’t even lean on her dad like usual with how distracted he’s been lately.

When Mo learns about the chance to audition to star alongside her idol and legendary martial artist and movie star Cody Kwok, she knows this her chance to prove to her dad, to the world, and to herself that she can compete with anyone, no matter her size. Unfortunately, Dax is auditioning, too. As Mo and her nemesis progress to callbacks, someone attempts to sabotage the movie set and Mo’s dad disappears—and both events seem linked to a mysterious book, the Book of Joy.

The book contains information on Xiaoxi Fu, a secret dance-like martial art developed by Mo’s ancestral grandmother. Armed with these secret moves and an unexpected ally, Mo embarks on a high-octane adventure to rescue her father, save the movie, and discover an unexpected joy in being small.

Reviews:

"Action-packed prose mimics the cinematic high-intensity atmosphere of a classic martial arts film, while Mo’s desire to connect with her father acts as a driving force in this adrenaline pumping series opener." ― Publishers Weekly

"Chan has created a brave, athletic girl whose realistic struggles with her identity and what she’s capable of will resonate. Readers will find themselves rooting for Mo’s success and enthralled with the relatable characterization that fills the pages. An exciting mystery-adventure story that packs a punch." ― Kirkus Reviews

Excerpt from The Legendary Mo Seto:

Chapter 1

I Am Fierce

 

I may be small, but I am fierce. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. Over and over
again. Fierce.
“Charyeot,” the taekwondo tournament referee says in Korean. Attention.
I snap my arms to my sides.
“Kyeong-nae,” the ref says. Bow.
I turn to face my opponent, Dax Washington. His dark skin glistens with sweat. We dip our
heads.
I look up to see Dax towering over me, his eyes stormy.
It suddenly occurs to me how much “fierce” sounds like “fears.” Not that I’m scared or
anything. I’m not.
“Sijak!” The ref throws up his hand. Begin! Immediately Dax’s large fists hammer down like a
hailstorm.
Well, maybe I’m a little worried.
Dax lunges. I block his front kick with my forearm. I flinch and reel back. The ref blows his
whistle, but Dax doesn’t stop. I barely have time to move before—oof—another kick nails me in
the elbow.
Okay, fine. I’m totally panicking.
What would Cody Kwok do? My martial arts hero would never show any sign of weakness. And
neither will I.
I quickly rearrange my face to neutral.
I kick and punch, and strike and shift. We volley back and forth, each landing some blows,
blocking others. Dax’s heel smashes into my elbow, and I let out an involuntary shriek.
The whistle blows, twice this time. Finally Dax falls back. If I were refereeing, I’d give him a
penalty. But all this ref says is, “Excessive force warning, Mr. Washington. Remember to use
control.”
At least he gives Dax a You should know better look.
And Dax should know better. He’s been in my tae kwon do class twice a week, every week,
since we were five. And now that we’re twelve and junior black belts, he really has no excuse.
“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” Dax smiles at the ref and bows his apology. He sounds sincere, but I know
his phony voice.
And when the ref looks down to reset his scoring box, Dax pulls a Jekyll-and-Hyde, his smile
turning into a sneer.
“You’re so gonna lose,” he says, low enough that only I can hear. “’Cause . . .”
He bends his knees so he’s several inches shorter—though even in this position, he towers over
me.

I feel a tiny rip in my chest, like when a balloon is pinched but doesn’t pop, that slow leak of
air—hisss.
Dax knows how to hit where it hurts. Junior-level sparring is based on age and belt level, not on
size. Even after vitamins, and broccoli, and jumping jacks for a year, I’m still only four-foot-six-
and-a-half. Mom says the women in her family are late bloomers, but she’s barely four-foot-
nine, so I’m not holding my breath.
Why do I have to be so small? The familiar thought bursts through like a weed after a
rainstorm. I used to destroy Dax all the time, but ever since his growth spurt at the end of last
summer, he’s beat me in the fall, winter, and spring tournaments.
That’s three. Three tourneys.
Silver is great too. Variety is the spice of life, Dad would say, as if losing gold isn’t a big deal. But
in the days and weeks after, he’d be more subdued and make me train twice as long every
day. Kick harder, Mouse. You must beat him next time, Mouse. Because being the best really
does matter to him. A lot.
It matters to me, too. Today’s tourney, the Dost Valley Cali-wide Mid-Year Taekwondo
Championship, takes place right at the start of summer, and it is the biggest one of the year. I’ll
show Dax.
And—I glance at the bleachers—I’ll show Dad.
“Get him, Mouse.” Dad’s ringing voice reaches my ears. There he is in the front row, as usual,
standing out in his bright red polo shirt, dancing his embarrassing dad-dance shuffle thing,
hollering his nickname for me. Mouse. Short for “Mousey,” which is what I called myself back
when pronouncing my name, Modesty, was impossible for a toddler. He’s been traveling a lot
for work the past few months, but he promised he’d be here for my big tournament, and he is.
“Bop,” Dad yells. “Pow.” He throws what looks like an awkward boxer’s jab and nearly topples
over onto my mom, sitting, prim and proper, in her flowery dress, clutching my squirming two-
year-old brother, Justis. I wince, but I also can’t help smiling.
Dad’s a jokester. With his thick hair and round, clean-shaven face, he looks much younger than
thirty-nine. He’s not a tall guy, but he’s broad shouldered with a bit of a belly, and he has a
boomingly loud voice, so he tends to stand out.
He’s also my greatest fan.
The ref calls us to attention. “Score is tied. Next point wins. Clean strikes.” He looks pointedly at
Dax. Dax scowls, but nods.
The spectators, the sounds, everything around me fades away. It’s just me and my opponent. I
pound my gloves softly together like I’m giving them fist bumps. The leather is torn and
indented from years of heavy use, but I would never dream of replacing them. Don’t let me
down, old friends.
I need to attack first, attack fast, attack with everything I’ve got.
I’m fierce.
The ref drops his hand. Dax lunges at me straightaway, an eclipse blotting out the sun.
I leap to the side, avoiding a flurry of fists. My heart pounds into my rib cage. I launch a
roundhouse combination kick, but Dax brushes it away. No points.

Dax advances slowly and steadily, a snake stalking its prey. I stare into his eyes. A flicker to
the left could give away a left axe kick a moment before it’s launched. Or a bead of sweat falling
into his eye might divert attention long enough for me to attack.
And there it is! Dax glances at something to his side.
I’m just about to spring, when I hear it.
Frenzied music punctuated by a series of doggy yelps. I recognize it instantly. The theme song
to my favorite Cody Kwok movie, Shih Tzu Ninjutsu. (What happens when the most feared ninja
assassins in the world are actually a group of shih tzu puppies, and the only warrior skilled
enough to outsmart them is severely allergic to dogs?)
Dad’s ringtone.
My foot freezes, and it all rushes back to me. The hundreds of people packed into the
bleachers. The kiyahs from fighters in other matches. The sharp scent of sweat.
I turn slightly. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dad, phone against his ear. He says something
to Mom before striding quickly to the nearest exit.
“Yaaaaaah,” Dax hollers, leaping into a push kick. The force sends me stumbling. I try to step
around him, but he’s too big, too wide. He corners me, forcing me to the very edge of the ring. I
have nowhere to go.
Fears.
My eyes flicker to Dad just as he walks through the gym door. He doesn’t look back.
What was that old Chinese proverb he used to say whenever I felt scared?
When backed against a wall, a tiger learns to fly.
Is Dad backed against a wall like I am now? Is that why he’s leaving? He promised he’d watch
my fight. . . . Under my toes I feel the plastic tape outlining the ring.
Fly, Mo!
But my feet remain rooted to the ground.
The next thing I see is Dax’s fist tearing toward my face.

 My Review:

The Legendary Mo Seto intertwines a hidden martial arts style, a father's mysterious disappearance, a secret society, and familial expectations, all set on the backdrop of creating a movie.   Mo at first is very focused on what she's not, that she's not tall or strong enough, or that she hasn't won first place in any of her previous taekwondo competitions.  Certainly, many kids can relate to that feeling of wanting to come in first place and wanting to make your parents proud of you.  

The story emphasizes that size doesn't matter, that being smarter and believing in yourself are more valuable skills.  Mo's confidence grew as she studied Xiaoxi Fu, and she gained valuable insights into her family's history and the origins for the martial arts style.  I also enjoyed the numerous action scenes of Mo punching, kicking, jumping and performing acrobatic moves designed to thrill and excite the reader while also illustrating that she had the skills to be a great martial artist.  Mo's interaction with Nacho were really sweet and I'm happy that Dax and Mo were able to get closer by confiding in each other.  

The story's conclusion sets the stage for a sequel, and I would be very interested in reading about Mo's adventures in Hong Kong while filming alongside Dax.  And especially want to know how this will impact her friendship with Nacho.  

About A.Y. Chan:

A. Y. Chan grew up in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area reading all the middle grade and young adult books she could get her hands on. To this day, those remain her favorite genres. After achieving her black belt in Taekwondo, she explored other martial arts, such as Wing Chun, Hapkido, and Muay Thai. These days, she continues her martial arts training some mornings, writes in the afternoons, takes long walks to muddle out plot points, and falls asleep reading.

Subscribe to A.Y. Chan's Newsletter! Scroll to the bottom of the page.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads |  Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE LEGENDARY MO SETO, US Only.

Ends July 23rd, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/24/2024	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt/IG Post
6/25/2024	The Literary London Life	Excerpt
6/26/2024	Lady Hawkeye	Excerpt/IG Post
6/27/2024	Country Mamas With Kids	Excerpt/IG Post
6/28/2024	Little Red Reads	Excerpt/IG Post

 Week Two: 

7/1/2024	@_snarkysharky	IG Post
7/2/2024	Log Cabin Library	Excerpt
7/3/2024	@katemageau	Review/IG Post/TikTok Post
7/4/2024	@blueeez_away	IG Review
7/5/2024	heyashleyyreads	IG Review/TikTok Post

 Week Three: 

7/8/2024	MissReidReads	Review
7/9/2024	onemused	IG Post
7/10/2024	avainbookland	IG Review
7/11/2024	The Story Sanctuary	Review
7/12/2024	@stargirls.magical.tale	IG Review

 

It's MMGM with a review of Invisible Isabel by Sally J. Pla pictures by Tania de Regil

Invisible Isabel by Sally J. Pla, pictures by Tania de Regil 
Publisher:  Quill Tree Books
Format:   E-ARC
Number of pages:  208
Source:  Blue Slip Media
Publishing: July 9th, 2024

Opening Line:  "Isabel Beane was a small, quiet girl who lived in a little gray house on Maple Lane." 

Isabel is one of the six Beane children.  Her siblings can be loud, rowdy, squabble, and generally are full of hullabaloo.  Ian, who was once patient and helpful to Isabel when she felt overwhelmed or struggled to find her words, has since started junior high and grown preoccupied with his new friends.  Feeling increasingly left behind and invisible both at home and school, Isabel's "worry-moths" have multiplied. She worries about the upcoming testing that Mrs. Pickel is preparing them for.  She worries about trying to please Monica, so she'll be friends with her.  When Isabel confides in her mother about feeling disliked at school and her constant stomachaches, her mother dismisses her by saying not to be so sensitive.

Monica is the new girl, smart, popular, and confident.  She likes to tell everyone else what to do.  But Mrs. Pickel doesn't like how chatty she is so now she has to sit in the back of the room next to Isabel.  Monica thinks that Isabel is just too different and is reluctant to spend time with her, even going so far as to exclude her from her birthday sleepover.   But Monica's father is one to notice things, and he notices Isabel's absence from the guest list.  Despite Monica promising to invite Isabel, she persuades her that a noisy party wouldn't suit her anyway.  

Isabel interprets Monica's concern for her dislike of loud noises and shyness as a sign that Monica now wants to be friends with her.  Isabel decides to reciprocate with a kind gesture.  She dedicates herself to drawing a picture of them as friends, putting all of her effort into making it just right.  Wanting no one to feel left out, she even makes one for all the other girls in her class.  However, her pictures don't quite receive the reception that she had planned, and Isabel then discovers that she was deliberately excluded from Monica's party.

On the dreaded testing day, Isabel's stomachache takes a terrible turn for the worse, leading to her sudden hospitalization.  The surgeon performing the operation is none other than Monica's father, who after chatting with Isabel's parents finds out that Monica was untruthful about inviting Isabel to her party.  While in the hospital, Isabel fully opens up to her mother about her worry-moths, difficulties with the girls at school and how sometimes everything can be too much.  With Isabel's issues now out in the open, and everyone receptive to listening they can begin to be resolved.

I like how the story focuses on two girls who initially seem to be complete opposites.  Isabel is quiet, timid and anxious, while Monica is outgoing, dislikes the silence of her house now that her mom passed away, and feels isolated.  Additionally, it's heartwarming that Isabel's concerns and stomach pains were finally acknowledged by her mother and that she came to understand that she needs to listen to her daughter more, that there were valid reasons for her worries and stomachaches.  

I appreciated the transformation that Isabel's classmates made, specifically how the girls in her class regretted excluding Isabel from the party, and how Monica began to realize that she'd been pretty mean.  The story includes multiple strategies and tangible, practical tips to help with anxiety, like implementing a quiet time hour at home, and particular actions Isabel could take to prevent her from feeling overwhelmed at school. 

Creating the get-well card, was a special moment in the book.  Isabel's classmates realized that they didn't really know much about her and that they should because they've been together since kindergarden.  As they started to talk about her more and more, they discovered her interests and preferences and began to see that she's an important part of their class.  Isabel's teacher even makes a change by throwing a winter party and making an effort to smile more.  This is a wonderful story told in verse, featuring beautiful illustrations and a powerful message about the importance of self-advocacy, truly not to be overlooked. The book concludes with valuable resources on anxiety and autism, including specific links to organizations' websites.

**A huge thank you to Blue Slip Media for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review**    

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE   

I AM NOT WHO YOU SEE: An illustrated novel by Krishnni Khanna

I Am Not Who You See by Krishnni Khanna
Publisher:  Independently Published
Format:   Softcover Paperback 
Number of pages:  148
Source:  Author via Amazon
Published: June 12th, 2024

From Goodreads:  " Veda, a spirited nine-year-old from India, goes through a jarring shift when her parents decide to emigrate to America and build a new life there. Despite her woes about leaving India, she hopes for adventure in a new country.

Veda’s hopes are crushed, however, as her first year in an American elementary school brings prejudice and alienation from her new classmates. The second school year turns into a devastating nightmare of public shame and humiliation. Adolescent Veda must navigate the adversities of being an immigrant as she struggles to find acceptance among her peers.

Will she fit in by concealing who she is or choose to remain true to herself?"

Opening Line:  "Three months ago my parents broke the news to me — news that would completely change the course of our lives. " 

 I Am Not Who You See consists of Veda's daily journalling of her experiences after immigrating to the United States, drawing from the author's own memories.  Included are small illustrations, or black and white sketches depicting Veda's mood and feelings.  Some with dark lines and shading representing her anger and sadness, and others with smiles and stars indicative of her happiness.  The story spans from elementary school through sixth grade.  Khanna, who also moved to the United States at the age of ten, shares in her author's note that she wrote this book when she was sixteen years old.   It's a powerful story about the importance of surrounding ourselves around people who are supportive and uplifting, rather than people who want to tear us down.  It also emphasizes that happiness and acceptance need to come from within. Knowing oneself and that we hold value to others.  I'm happy that Veda found kindness in Rowan, the boy she meets in Texas, where she was finally able to be her authentic self, share common interests and she finally felt appreciated. 

**A huge thank you Author Marketing Experts and Krishnni Khanna for the paperback book which I will be donating to my local little free library**

About the author:

Krishnni Khanna was born in India in 2007 and moved to the United States with her parents in 2017. Krishnni is a high schooler, author and TEDx speaker who advocates for the inner well-being of youth. In 2022 she created Detoximind, a student-led movement through which Krishnni and her team bring peer-based support to teens and youth grappling with stress, shame, exclusion and isolation. She currently resides in Austin, Texas with her parents and their puppy Yuki.

Visit Krishnni at her website and on Instagram. 

You can also learn more about her by watching her Ted Talk entitled "How Does A Lie Become True?" 

 

BLOG TOUR for SPELLBINDERS: BREAK THE GAME by Andrew Auseon with Review and Giveaway

I'm super excited to be hosting a spot on the SPELLBINDERS: BREAK THE GAME by Andrew Auseon Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

                                                                  About The Book:

Title: SPELLBINDERS: BREAK THE GAME
Author: Andrew Auseon
Pub. Date: June 18, 2024
Publisher: Labyrinth Road
Formats:  Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 400
Find it:  Goodreads, https://books2read.com/SPELLBINDERS-BREAK-THE-GAME 

It takes more than magic to make a hero, in the next installment of this hilarious and epic illustrated series. One not-so-chosen champion and his mystical friends must cross the multiverse and harness a dangerous power to defeat a mysterious new enemy.

"My favorite new fantasy series.”—Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Last Kids on Earth series

After leveling up from basement roleplaying games to saving an entire magical realm, 12-year-old Ben isn’t happy returning to his ordinary life of homework and chores. So, when his very un-magical LARP session is crashed by monstrous frog-men from another dimension, he can't wait to get back into hero mode.

Someone is after all the Spellbinder’s books, which grant the users — including Ben — epic reality-shifting powers. Ben, Niara, Merv, Drake, and their new friend Agnes must embark on an epic quest to save the books and their owners. But while hopping across different realms may be Ben’s idea of a totally awesome spring break, it’s tough to be an ordinary kid among extraordinary heroes. Especially when fighting for the fate of the universe seems to consist mostly of finding fun new ways to get them all killed, from zombie rats to pool noodle squids, to a mysterious Big Bad controlling everything from behind the scenes. How do you win the game when someone else is rolling the dice?

                                            Reviews:

"The metafictive story structure counters predictability with a self-awareness that caters to imaginative readers....Ideal for fantasy nerds, gamers, and writers." —Kirkus Reviews

Grab book 1 now!

 Book Trailer:

My Review of Spellbinders: Break The Game:

Spellbinders is like visiting Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, a place full of wonder and excitement mixed with a Dungeons and Dragons quest.  You can never predict which realm the characters will venture to next—be it the House of Reflection, The Snow Globe, The Sea of Whispers, Empire of Glitz or my personal favorite The fields of Frolic.  Or the monster's they'll face, which are just as unpredictable, from Doom rats, Squidoculus or Razor Jaw.  Will they survive? It's anyone's guess. 

The book offers a bit of everything, including magic, humorous battle scenes straight out of the Streets of Struggle videogame, where they employ a butt code to defeat a shark.  There are pop culture references, which I admit were a little hard for me to follow, but sounded amusing like the Worlds of Nowhere PJ's, an extremely evil Mini Boss and even excerpts from the Path of Champion Book, which Ben uses as his manual on how to become a great hero. 

There's some weirdness like using "butternut squash" and "cargo pants" in place of curse words but it's all meant to be silly and entertaining, which it really is.  I do enjoy how the book encourages the reader to visualize the various realms, how the author presents the character cards of each person, with their class, faction, alignment, abilities and special moves.  How there's breakout boxes of additional text providing factoids about what a manifest level 1 means, or what a Pus Abomination is.  And most of all I loved the illustrations, of all the main characters, some of the realms and monsters.  Although the artwork in my copy wasn't the final version or wasn't all complete yet, the glimpses I saw were gorgeous.

Ben makes for a wonderful main character; he's always wanted to be a great warrior and go on dangerous quests to fight forces of evil, but he doesn't feel like he has as much experience as the other members of his party.  His self-doubt causes him to take great risks.  And he's really on this journey to prove to his friends that he is strong enough to wield the magic of the Spellbinder books, despite the dangers.  There are two non-binary characters including Merv, Ben's best friend who can shapeshift.  As well as Niara, Agnes and Drake, who 100% reminds me of Flynn Rider from Tangled.  At 400 pages it's a tad on the long side, but well worth the read for the worldbuilding, stunning illustrations, twists, and zany, humorous story.   I'm looking forward to seeing where this adventure takes Ben next.   

** A huge thank you to the author, publisher and Rockstar for the E-ARC.**

 About Andrew Auseon:

Andrew Auseon is the author of several books for children and young adults, and he is the writer of numerous bestselling and award-winning video games. A transplant from the Midwest, he lives in Washington, D.C. with his family and two very naughty cats. He loves breakfast cereal, the sound of the ocean, and the feeling of a brand-new book in his hands.

Website | Book Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive a signed finished copy of SPELLBINDERS: BREAK THE GAME & a swag pack. US Only.

Ends July 16th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/17/2024	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt/IG Post
6/18/2024	MoonShineArtSpot	Review or Excerpt
6/19/2024	onemused	IG Post
6/20/2024	@evergirl200	IG Review
6/21/2024	jlreadstoperpetuity	IG Review/TikTok Post
6/22/2024	@thepagelady	IG Review

Week Two:

6/23/2024	@enthuse_reader	IG Review/TikTok Post
6/24/2024	Log Cabin Library	Review
6/25/2024	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
6/26/2024	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
6/27/2024	Edith's Little Free Library	IG Review/TikTok Post
6/28/2024	@blueeez_away	IG Review
6/29/2024	avainbookland	IG Review

I'm also including this as a part of Middle Grade Monday's hosted by Greg Pattridge at his blog, I hope you'll check it out HERE   

Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot by Andrew Sharmat, illustrated by Olga and Aleksey Ivanov

Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot by Andrew Sharmat illustrated by Olga and Aleksey Ivanov
Publisher:  Delacorte Press
Format:   Hardcover
Number of pages:  64

Source:  Blue Slip Media
Publishing: June 11th, 2024

Opening Line:  "I, Nate the Great, am a detective."  

The first Nate the Great book authored by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, and illustrated by Marc Simont, published on January 1st, 1972.  Since its inception, over thirty-one books have been written.  Many of the newer books were written by the author's sons, Craig and Andrew Sharmat , as well as her husband Mitchell.  My child and I have always cherished this young detective, and I'm delighted that the books continue to be published.

While on a walk in Deering Oaks Park, the young detective Nate the Great and his trusty dog, Sludge, meet Pip, who is searching for his missing Parrot, Prattles.   Pip spent the day playing in the park with Prattles and Penelope, a drone that Pip purchased as a friend for Prattles, which he adorned with feathers, wings, claws and a beak to resemble a parrot.  It seems that while they were playing, Anne's dog Fang appeared and frightened them, causing the parrots to fly away.  Now, Nate the Great is on the case interviewing Pip, searching the neighborhood, and sniffing out clues with Sludge.  Can Nate find Pip's parrots in time for them to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Independence Day picnic? 

The Nate the Great series is just as memorable as when I read it with my child.  There's something comforting and familiar in these opening lines, "I, Nate the Great, am a detective."   I love how the story structure has remained consistent after all of these years.  Nate understands the importance of starting his day off with what he refers to as "a good breakfast", which usually features pancakes and a bone for Sludge.  He wears his "detective suit" which includes a long jacket and a checkered hat, and he never forgets to leave a note for his mother before leaving the house.  His circle of friends still consists of Anne and her dog Fang, and Rosamond with her black cats.  

This series is a delightful choice for early elementary students, offering an excellent introduction to mysteries through the gathering of clues, investigating suspects, and using those logical reasoning and deduction skills to solve the case.  I'd recommend this to young readers who are just beginning to explore chapter books.

**A huge thank you to Blue Slip Media for the hardcover copy which will be donated to my local Little Free Library**

  

The Cookie Crumbles by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow

The Cookie Crumbles by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow
Publisher:  Quill Tree Books/Harper Collins
Format:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   320
Publishing:  June 11th, 2024
Source:  Books Forward 

Opening Line: "Generally speaking, cookies don't kill people." 

The Cookie Crumbles tagline is "The Great British Bake Off meets a tween-friendly Knives Out..."  Sounds intriguing, right?  Especially with that opening line.  

From the moment Laila shared a cupcake with Lucy on their second day of kindergarten, their friendship was cemented.  They've been inseparable ever since.  As their school's summer break approaches, they find out that they'll be going to different high schools.  Lucy has already been admitted at Sunderland Academy, a prestigious boarding school and Laila really wants to join her.   As it so happens Sunderland is hosting the Golden Cookie competition, with the grand prize being a full scholarship to the Academy, Laila thinks she has a good shot at winning.  She's been pretty successful in a few other competitions but without the scholarship it would be impossible for her to attend, money has been tight ever since her dad passed away from cancer.  Laila has always dreamed of becoming a cookie CEO, and she just has to win and go to Sunderland's elite culinary program.  Meanwhile, Lucy, Laila's best friend, aims to become a journalist.  She sees the cookie competition as an opportunity to write a stellar article to impress the scholarship committee at the Academy and earn money for school. 

Just as the competition gets underway, one of the celebrity judges collapses after tasting one of Laila's cookies, casting suspicion on her. Lucy, intent on clearing her friends name, starts to investigate by examining the dossiers she has on the contestants and interrogating the suspects.   Focused on finding the truth, she unintentionally hurts her best friend's feelings, leading Laila to feel targeted by Lucy's investigation and questioning.  Can the girls put their feelings aside and identify the true perpetrator before anyone else gets hurt?

The Cookie Crumbles is the collaborative work of Tracy Badua (author of Freddie vs. the Family Curse) and Alechia Dow (author of Just a Pinch of Magic).  It intertwines a whodunit mystery within a cookie baking contest during the height of a storm that shuts down all communication from the campus.   The plot thickens as numerous suspects are identified, including all the competitors, who have some prior connection to the Chef.  With speculations intensifying following the revelation that one of the judges could have possibly been involved, given that Chef Remi is notoriously rude and is thought to be disliked even by his fellow judges.

I quite enjoyed Laila and Lucy.  Sadly, there's a bit of friend drama, but they do end up making up. Both girls are goal oriented and driven to accomplish their goals.  Lucy is a meticulous note taker, chronicling all the events during the competition, including everyone's whereabouts.  And Laila is a very experienced baker with an exceptional palette.  She can identify the ingredients in a dish after only one bite.  This cookie competition is a new challenge for her as she's up against a group of competitors who've had more advantages than her.  They come from wealthy families, and they're not even as driven as she is to be a baker.  They don't appear to need the money, so why are they even competing?  It's interesting to learn their motivations and goals. 

Each chapter alternates between the two girls, written in the form of a journal recounting the events.  Providing details leading up to the attempted murder, the cooking challenges, and Lucy's observations and interactions as she works to solve the crime.    The only thing that seems to be missing is the recipes for the cookies that Laila baked, which would be a wonderful addition to the final book.   The Cookie Crumbles would captivate children who enjoy cooking and baking, and I would recommend it to fans of The Last Super Chef.  It would also be fun to pair it with my favorite foodie book, All Four Stars.  

**A huge thank you to Books Forward for the E-ARC**