HURRICAMP A MG Book Review by Guest Blogger, Elliott Kurta

REVIEW

It’s summer, and eleven-year-old Laura Newman, “Noodle” to her friends, is excited to arrive at Camp Hillside, where she’ll stay for four weeks. Unfortunately, the trip goes awry before it even begins. Noodle’s sister, Jill, can’t come to summer camp with her, which means Noodle is going to be left by herself for an entire month. Wallowing in her loneliness, Noodle writes letters and ignores the other girls in her cabin. After two weeks of feeling sorry for herself, a hurricane changes Noodle’s routine. With Hurricane Hilda on the way, Noodle’s cabin, the Sandpipers, is moved into a basement after their cabin nearly collapses. Forced into close confines, Noodle starts to open up to her cabinmates. As the Sandpipers grow closer, they begin to rely on each other and bond over food fights, skunk attacks, and failed pranks. Told through Noodle’s perspective and sprinkled with illustrations, Hurricamp is a tale of one girl’s wacky summer.

Perfect for middle schoolers, Noodle’s adventures are as unpredictable as they are memorable. Noodle’s witty and at times cynical monologue guides readers through her burgeoning relationships with fellow Sandpipers and gives insight into her emotions. But the best part of Noodle’s narration would have to be her clever alliterations and comparisons. Using analogies that won’t fly over the heads of young readers, Hurricamp features all manner of scintillating language. Take, for instance, this short and yet powerful example from page 48, in which Noodle is praised by her cabin counselor:

            “It felt like the sun shone straight down on me.”

Even without a cast of intriguing characters and Noodle’s revealing dialogue, Hurricamp would still be engaging. As the 162 pages of Hurricamp may prove a challenge to elementary-school readers, six illustrations are spread throughout this novel, providing relief without being distracting. And, of course, that’s to say nothing of the mischief that the Sandpipers engage in. Noodle’s adventures serve to add even more fun to Hurricamp, but they’re also a valuable lesson about what happens when rules are broken. For example, the Sandpipers’ food fight results in finding a bear licking up their mess in the morning.

With Noodle’s immersive descriptions leading the way, Hurricamp introduces a theme that many middle-schoolers are beginning to struggle with: self-reliance. While at first Noodle uses all her free time writing letters to her parents to complain, she matures as the story progresses and learns to solve her own problems. For example, after their cabin is soaked by rain after its roof springs a leak, Noodle immediately takes charge and gets help. While Noodle’s self-confidence grows and she becomes more optimistic, her cabinmates take notice. She quickly becomes the leader of her cabin, and gains popularity at camp.

            The other Sandpipers all serve important parts in this book, and the author Steph Katzovi does a great job of introducing them and more importantly distinguishing each one. All of the girls in Noodle’s cabin are introduced in one scene, the stereotypical camp introductory activity in which everyone shares their name, where they’re from, and an interesting fact. While this set-up might seem chaotic, Noodle’s internal monologue eases each introduction. In just three pages, Noodle familiarizes herself and her audience with her cabinmates and counselor. However, each of the Sandpipers’ contrasting personalities make introducing them an easy task. From Noodle’s best-friend, Aries, to her nemeses, Holly and Tara, not a single Sandpiper fades into the background over the course of this story.

In conclusion, this novel teaches kids to problem solve and improvise while taking Noodle and the Sandpipers through a crazy series of adventures. Noodle’s inner monologue, each of her friends’ bold personalities, and the everyday obstacles the Sandpipers face all make this book a realistic and yet engaging tale. With a blend of wit and whimsy, Hurricamp is sure to please anyone who’s gone to camp or wished they could’ve.

Elliott is a prolific reader of various genres 
who is more than happy to share his opinions on books.
 In his free time, he enjoys writing, reading, and running. 
He is a ninth-grade student in Charlotte, NC. 

GIVEAWAY

If you are interested in winning this book, please leave me a comment with your name and email address by Wednesday, August 31. U.S. addresses only. If you prefer, you can enter by sending me an email. Share this post on social media or follow my blog and I'll put your name in twice. 

Congratulations to school librarian, Tammi Truax, who won THE OCEAN CALLS. 

Don't forget to visit Greg Pattridge's blog for more book reviews. 

THE OCEAN CALLS: A Picture Book Review and Giveaway

Tina Cho's book, THE OCEAN CALLS, (Penguin Random House, 2020) about the Korean Haenyeo scuba divers is informative, beautiful, and engaging. The illustrations by Jess X. Snow carry readers through this story of a young girl learning to face her fears and dive into a new adventure. As Tina explains in the back matter, the story was inspired when she watched the haenyeo tradition in South Korea.

REVIEW

This day-in-the-life story begins with Dayeon and her grandmother stretching and preparing for the day. Dayeon tells her, "I want to be a haenyeo like you...You're like a treasure-hunting mermaid."

But Dayeon remembers how frightened she was the previous summer when she jumped off a big rock. The sharks and other sea creatures that lurk in the ocean frightened her. With her grandmother's reassurance that she will teach her everything she needs to know, the two prepare for their dive. 

They each carry the tools they'll need: Grandma has what she needs to pluck treasures from the sea and Dayeon brings tools to bring treasures from the shore.

I love how the illustrator created mermaids out of their shadows!

Grandma brings up the treasures she finds--sea urchins and other sea life which she will sell or cook--and Dayeon watches. She slips into the ocean and brings pretty shells back to her grandmother who invites her to dive with her.

"What if I can't breathe? What if a shark comes? What if I can't escape?" Dayeon replies. 

The two walk into the water. When Dayeon can no longer feel the bottom, she locked hands with Grandma. "Take a deep breath, calm your mind, and then we'll dive."

Down, Down, Dayeon and Grandma dove, but...Dayeon swam right back up.

The two dive down again and Dayeon holds her breath longer, goes deeper, and sees more sparkling treasures. When dolphin arrive--a sure sign that hungry sharks will follow--they resurface and are rescued by a boat full of haenyeos. 

In the satisfying ending, Dayeon realizes that she feels at home in the sea--just like her grandmother, and the Korean "mermaids" who have gone before her. 

CURRICULUM RESOURCE

THE OCEAN CALLS  is a great book for K-third graders. It will be a good addition to oceanography studies as well as conversations about Korea, grandparents as role models, and women's roles. Tina has a complete discussion guide here.

Here is a youtube video about Haenyeo women:

And a video of Tina reading her book:

GIVEAWAY

Please leave a comment with your email address if you are new to my blog. U.S. addresses only. If you decide to subscribe to my blog or are an educator, I will enter your name twice. Just let me know what you do in the comments. Giveaway ends August 26.  

WRITE 2 IGNITE PRESENTS: A MASTER CLASS WITH ANNETTE WHIPPLE!

I am happy to announce that Annette Whipple, author, and speaker is Write2Ignite's next Master Class teacher. Check out her wonderful books!

HERE ARE THE      CLASS DETAILS:

WHO? Award-winning Annette Whipple, the author of 11 books with 4 more under contract.

WHAT? Writing Nonfiction for Kids and Teens. 

WHERE? On Zoom!

WHEN? September 10, 2022 

WHY? As Annette wrote in "5 Steps To Research When You're Not an Expert," 

For many of us, our goal in writing for all audiences (both Christian and general) and about all topics (both fiction and nonfiction) is to glorify God. Then the work we put into the writing is worth it (even if it is never published). 

FOR MORE INFORMATION on the 3 WORKSHOPS: Click here.

BONUS #1: Editor Wiley Blevins of Reycraft Books will be visiting the Master Class to tell YOU how to submit your manuscript to HIM!

And editor Rachel Pfeiffer of Clubhouse Jr. magazine will be there, too, to tell YOU what she’s looking for in nonfiction articles and how to submit to HER. (Can I tell you a secret? I write nonfiction for Clulbhouse Jr. and it’s one of the best ways for Kidlit writers to break into this coveted magazine!)

BONUS #2: We'll be giving away several of Annette's books including, SCURRY, RIBBIT, and WOOF! 

TO REGISTER: Click here. 

                                                    ******

On a personal note, I am going on vacation for two weeks so you won't be hearing from me for a little bit. I'm going to unplug and enjoy the Canadian Rockies on board the Rocky Mountaineer!

Rumor has it we'll be walking on an ice field. I better go pack some warmer clothes!

Congratulations to Beth Anderson who won F is for FEATHERS and to Danielle Hammelef who won Beyond the Stars.

BLOG ALERT!

I've experienced some recent issues with Blogger. Since Feedburner is no longer working, I am switching to Follow.it so that you can receive notifications of blog posts. I think most of you did not receive my 2 previous blogs so I'm linking to them here. I extended each giveaway--but enter soon!

F is for Feathers: An Informational Picture Book and Giveaway

Beyond the Stars: A MG SciFi/Fantasy Book and Giveaway

If you are new to my blog, please sign up (top right-hand corner) and Follow.it will send you an email requesting that you confirm your subscription. Please take the time for this last step. 

Thank you for following my blog! Your support means a lot to me. 

Blog Alert!

I've experienced some recent issues with Blogger and found out that Feedburner was no longer working. I think most of you did not receive my 2 previous blogs, so I'm linking them here now. I extended the giveaways. 

F is for Feathers: An Informational Picture Book and Giveaway

Beyond the Stars: A MG SciFi/Fantasy Book and Giveaway

I hope y'all get this post!

F is for Feathers: An Informational Picture Book Review and Giveaway

Along with the many fine books that Sleeping Bear Press publishes, they also have a line of alphabet books. Two years ago I reviewed H is for Honey and T is for Thor and today I'm bringing you a new title, F is for Feathers: A Bird Alphabet.  I have featured both the author, Helen Wilbur, and the illustrator, Andy Atkins on my blog. I am happy to share another one of their beautiful STEM books.

Each of the alphabet books in this series combines poetry that is accessible to younger readers and text that 2-4th graders will understand. 

REVIEW

From the publisher's cover sheet:

Grab your binoculars, this new alphabet tour by Helen L. Wilbur is a grand exploration into all things birds! With over 10,000 bird species on Earth, there is plenty to explore. The featured creatures vary in size, shape, color, and abilities. And besides being beautiful to look, at birds are a critical part of our ecosystems and support biodiversity on our planet.

Every page teaches about either bird anatomy, types of birds, or a vast variety of related concepts such as their behavior and language, geographic range, migration, threats, and the role of an ornithologist. 

Here is some of what I learned and enjoyed in F is for Feathers.

B is for Beak

Did you know that the shape and size of a bird's beak depend on the food it eats?  

Catching insects in the air,

cracking nuts and seeds,

sipping nectar, peeling fruit,

breaks show how each bird feeds.

C is for Chickadees and Caching 

Chickadees cache hundreds of seeds and insects each day and remembers them in the winter. Did you know that chickadees add more dee notes to the chick-a-dee-dee to give out a predator call?

F is for Feathers

Soft and bright, strong and light,

perfectly designed for flight,

for keeping warm and dry and sleek,

feathers make all birds unique.

H is for Habitat

J is for Jays

Jays, ravens, crows and magpies belong to the corvid family of birds. Corvids can be loud and annoying and are treated as nuisance birds. But cross them at your peril. Crows can remember your face and they carry grudges.

L is for Lovebirds

Although this entry focused mostly on lovebird parrots, it also mentioned other bird families that begin with courtship. One of the birds that Helen Wilbur mentions is the sand crane. Here's a video of cranes I've seen in Florida. Skip the ads and enjoy!

N is for Nests

Who doesn't remember the joy of finding a birds nest? My grandchildren have been enjoying watching brown thrashers build their next inside their stacked garden in Charlotte, NC.

Photographs courtesy C. Kasten

When I think of nests, I also think of my FB friend, Melodye Shore who posts beautiful pictures she takes of hummingbirds from her garden in coastal Orange County, California. 

This verse in F is for Feathers reminded me of the bluebird boxes I saw on a golf course in Tennessee.

   

Come along the bluebird trail,

nesting boxes in a row.

Safe and warm in cozy homes,

little baby bluebirds grow.

U is for Updraft

This page definitely belongs in a book about birds. The text discuses how birds ride on spiraling thermals enabling to soar over many miles during migrations.

Z is for Zones

In this perfect ending to this beautiful and informative book, the information on this page discusses the four north-south flyway zones in North America and how important they are to migrating birds.

CURRICULUM RESOURCE

This book is a shoo-in as an important resource for elementary school educators. The front matter includes a beautiful illustration of the parts of a bird and a glossary. The back matter include suggestions on identifying and helping birds.

GIVEAWAY

Leave a comment by August 8 if you are interested in winning this book. Please leave your name and email address if you are new to my blog. If you prefer, drop me a note here. If you are a librarian or educator, your name will be entered twice. U.S. addresses only. 

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following me! 

BEYOND THE STARS: MG Book Review, Author Interview, and Giveaway with Guest Blogger, Elliott Kurta

In April, Elliott Kurta reviewed Doreen Berger's science fiction middle-grade novel, The Captain's Daughters. In this post, he reviews the sequel and interviews the author.

REVIEW

In Beyond the Stars by Doreen Berger, twin sisters, and troublemakers Robin and Diane are back, this time with a new friend. In this adventure, their father has asked them to welcome a new arrival to the Polaris, the starship he captains. The sisters quickly befriend their visitor, Jannel, who’s the young future ruler of Lasusia. She has been sent to the starship to wait out a mysterious and lethal virus that’s been spreading across her planet until a cure can be engineered. When the friends decide to take a day trip to the planet, an accident ends up stranding the three of them there. Now infected with the virus, Robin and Diane are in a race to get back to the Polaris before they’re left to the same fate as the rest of the planet.

As Diane and Robin catch the virus, they discover that it isn’t what it appears to be. With the fate of the planet resting on them, the girls will have to outwit a new enemy and make it back to the starship before the secret behind the disease dies along with them.

         Combining science fiction with fantasy, Beyond the Stars is a more playful take on similar works like Star Wars or Star Trek, with an immersive, realistic universe and exciting action sequences that include strong emotional undertones. Robin and Diane, with their unique perspectives and mischievous minds, are the ideal protagonists to introduce kids to sci-fi. But while their adventures may appeal to elementary schoolers, the subject matter of the book is more appropriate for older middle schoolers. Beyond the Stars is more complicated than the prequel, The Captain’s Daughters, as it not only shows the sisters developing an interest in the boys aboard the Polaris but also struggling with their emotions about their father’s relationship with a woman. Additionally, Robin and Diane are kidnapped twice and infected with a lethal pathogen over the course of this story, which might upset younger readers. Still, the cheery protagonists and their antics keep this story upbeat despite all of the emotional scenes and challenges they face.

Robin and Diane make excellent tour guides of an imaginative, expansive galaxy, and are one of many unique characters. Seeing Doreen Berger’s characters interact is often entertaining, and many of the conversations help push the story forward. However, there’s often a general lack of contractions in most exchanges, leading to conversations that sound unrealistic.

         All in all, Beyond the Stars, is the quintessential sci-fi novel for any mature middle-schooler or teen. Packed with laughter and jokes while still taking the reader on a riveting ride through the stars, this story will not disappoint. But despite all the new planets and fascinating alien species, Robin and Diane are what set this book apart from any other. The unlikely heroines are the defining features of The Captain’s Daughters series, capable of conveying shockingly authentic emotions that make even an impossible scenario, like being trapped in an alien world, seem real and relatable. Beyond the Stars may attract readers with a blend of adventure and alien worlds, but it’ll be Diane and Robin that makes them decide to keep reading.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

ELLIOTT: What inspired the plot of Beyond the Stars?

DOREEN: Diane and Robin are caring young girls who like to help people, so I came up with a plot that would allow them to do this. Believe it or not, the plot was conceived long before the COVID-19 pandemic and it did not influence the plot at all.

ELLIOTT: Do you have further plans for The Captain’s Daughters series?

DOREEN: Yes, I would like to write a third book! Ideas are floating around in my head!

ELLIOTT: What was your favorite part to write?

DOREEN: My favorite part of the book takes place on Masilon when Diane and Robin are lost in the forest and come upon the unicorn. I think it adds a bit of wonder and awe to the book.

ELLIOTT: Which scene was the hardest to write?

DOREEN: The hardest part to write was Diane’s anger toward her father and the confusion she and Robin felt about their father’s involvement with Joanna, a past love he reconnects with. 

ELLIOTT: In Beyond the Stars, Diane and Robin have both matured. What made you decide to have Diane and Robin age between adventures instead of keeping them young?

DOREEN: To be honest, I really wanted to keep them young, but in the long run I felt it would add more depth to their characters for them to mature and have new experiences. 

ELLIOTT: Beyond the Stars features two fictional planets; Masilon and Lasusia. How did you come up with such original worlds, and what influenced the creation of both?

DOREEN: Both planets came from my imagination! Years of reading and watching science-fiction helped to pay a part in how I think about alien worlds and how they might differ from ours…and how similar they might be to ours.

ELLIOTT: How much of Beyond the Stars is based on real science? For example, the Polaris, an enormous starship that Diane and Robin’s father captains, is a remarkable example of some of the futuristic technology in Beyond the Stars. What sort of research did you do before designing the Polaris?

DOREEN: Again, most is from my imagination and what I would like to see on a starship of the future. I really don’t know how much of it is realistic, but it is certainly something I like to dream about! The great thing about writing futuristic science fiction is that anything is possible!

GIVEAWAY

Leave a comment with your email address by August 6 and I'll enter your name in the giveaway. U.S. addresses only. All comments must be approved before they are published. Be patient and you'll see yours published too! Congratulations to Claudia Friddell who won STELLA.

You'll find other great MG books on Greg Pattridge's MMGM blog. Check it out! 

STELLA: A Middle Grade Book Review by Guest Blogger, Josie Murdock + A Giveaway

REVIEW

Stella (Shadow Mountain, September 2022) is the story of a security service dog with trauma issues. Due to an error while sniffing out bombs at an airport, Stella’s handler was tragically killed in an explosion. Stella survived but is now afraid of everything. A kindly trainer takes her home and entrusts her to the care of her own daughter, Cloe. 

Cloe suffers from epilepsy, but she and Stella form a bond of love and trust. Stella gets a chance to help protect Cloe when some unscrupulous neighbor boys light firecrackers and start a forest fire. When Cloe has a seizure and is in severe danger, Stella comes to her rescue. She finds a new purpose in being Cloe’s medical service dog as well as her friend.  

I really enjoyed this book because the story was well paced and very exciting.  The characters were both believable and relatable. I loved how the story was told from a dog’s perspective, but it was still easy to read and never got confusing. The book deals with some very serious and intense topics without sugar-coating them. It speaks carefully and thoughtfully about these issues.    

The book was very sad. Although it does have a good and happy ending, the events described were quite serious, and might even be considered a little frightening for younger readers. It is important however  for kids to understand these grown-up topics like death, illness, bullies, forest fires, emotional pain, and loss.  I benefitted from discussing some of the issues the book brought up with my older siblings and my mom.  

I would absolutely recommend this book for anyone who wants an engaging, easy-to-read story.  Stella teaches many important lessons in words appropriately geared towards a younger audience.  This book would also make an excellent read-aloud for a group discussion or with a trusted adult. The author includes some excellent questions for further discussion.   

    

Josie Murdock is 10-years-old and lives with her family on a research farm in South Carolina.  She is homeschooled and loves reading, drawing, and foxes.  This is her first time writing a book review.   

 

 

GIVEAWAY 

I am giving away McCall Hoyle's debut lower middle grade through the July issue of Talking Story. To enter, please leave a comment with your name and email address or email me and I'll enter your name. The giveaway ends July 28. PLUS: If you leave a comment here AND through the newsletter, I'll enter your name twice! U.S. addresses only. 

Congratulations to Dannielle Hammelef who won Franz's Phantasmagorical Machine. 

PREORDER

As I mentioned before, authors really appreciate pre-orders! 

Here's the book trailer and a video of McCall speaking about empathy.

Make sure you check out other MG books on Greg Pattridge's blog.

 

 

  

Franz's Phantasmagorical Machine: A Picture Book Biography, Author Interview with Beth Anderson, and Giveaway

Yes. Phantasmagoric is really a word. Go look it up! But, just make sure you come back here afterward. It's a hard word to pronounce. But the story is well worth the tongue-twisting effort. 

Beth Anderson's newest picture book is everything that Franz Gsellmann's fantastic world machine was: Creative! Imaginative! and full of Discovery! 

REVIEW

Franz was a very curious little boy. When the cuckoo clock in his parent's Austrian home chirped, Franz wondered, 

What makes the sound? He looked at the gears. What makes them move? He peeked behind the small door. What's going on in there?

Although the nudge to imagine, discover, and create grew louder every year, his family needed him on the farm. At a young age, he left school to help out. 

As an adult, he had an amazing dream about a fantastic, magical, phantasmagorical machine! ....Franz pondered and paced, sketched and crumpled, fussed and fretted. The machine he saw in his dream was unlike anything in the world.

When he heard about a unique and amazing structure at the 1958 world's fair in Belgium, he took a train to go see it. Franz was amazed by the Atomium and bought a small replica to take home- a reminder of how ordinary shapes and lights could become something extraordinary.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomium

Experiencing that structure changed Franz's life. 

Franz listened to his imagination and started dreaming, planning, and building. 

He found treasures and trinkets at the local flea market. He explored junkyards for the right parts. Hula-hoops! Horseshoes! A hairdryer! Wagon heaping, he returned home with his haul. 

Although Franz wasn't sure what he was creating, he knew he'd figure it out eventually.

His neighbors bugged him. "What is going on in there?" They made fun of him. And when he plugged his machine in, the entire village lost electricity!

When newspaper reporters showed up to see the whirring machine, they were disappointed in what they saw. 

"Is it going to do something?" they asked.

Franz's hope fizzled. The machine was doing something. Something amazing.

After the reporters' and his neighbors' negative reactions, Franz withdrew to his attic. But in the middle of his despair, he heard excited voices outside his window.  

"One by one, Franz flipped the fifty-three switches and the machine awoke."

Spellbound, a little girl whispered, "What's going on in there?"

Franz's face crinkled into a smile as he watched the children's eyes twinkle with wonder. His phantasmagorical machine did have a purpose--and finally, Franz had figured it out.

 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

CAROL: What was your inspiration behind this story?

BETH: Franz Gsellmann’s story was one of the first true stories that I tackled in my writing journey. I was smitten by the quirkiness of it and had great fun playing with all the sensory information and odd details. The heart of his story actually came through as questions - questions about expectations and the value of creative endeavors and processes, questions that I hope will linger and provide kids an opportunity to think past the usual. Though editors often ask for “quirky,” it’s a challenge to shape such a story, and also to find an editor who "gets it" and loves it enough to take it on. After several years and many revisions, I can see so clearly now how this story of one man’s creative endeavor is like a metaphor for us writers and so many other creatives. His story is an apt reflection of my story of writing his story! 

CAROL:  How did you stumble upon Franz Gsellmann?

BETH: I think I saw the machine on Atlas Obscura. I subscribe to newsfeeds from various sites, and every once in a while there's something that grabs my attention. 

CAROL: That just goes to show you how curiosity is an important tool for every writer! By the way, how did you come up with the title?

BETH: I spend a lot of time with an online thesaurus - ha! Always looking for the right words. I was gathering words like “fantastic” but the usual ones just weren’t enough. I stumbled on phantasmagorical, looked it up, and it was absolutely perfect for the machine. And who doesn’t love a great big crazy word like that? AND it’s made up of other pieces, just like his machine!

CURRICULUM RESOURCE

Without a doubt, this book stirs the curiosity of PreK-third-grade readers. If they're anything like my three grandkids (ages 2-7) they will also enjoy the story, as well as the alliteration, onomatopoeia, colorful illustrations by Caroline Hamel, and the counting image search inside Franz's World Machine, at the end of the book. End Pages also include an author's note, more information about Franz and his machine, and an invitation for readers to share their ideas about machines. 

After reading Franz's Phantasmagorical Machine to my grandkids, I showed them this youtube video which narrates Franz's life and shows a few clips of the machine working. 

My 4-year-old grandson, Luke, kept asking where the flower lights were--something he'd seen in the book. We went from this video to a few simple science videos about gears. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more--him or me!

Speaking of grandchildren...Here are the two grandsons studying the "Golf Ball machine" at The Franklin Institute. 

After watching the video Luke also wanted to know where the balls were in Franz's machine. Goes to show you that literacy happens all around us.

GIVEAWAY

Please leave a comment by July 23 with your name and email address if you are new to my blog. You can also send me an email if you prefer.  U.S. addresses only. If you are any type of educator (home, classroom, librarian) please let me know and I'll put your name in twice. 

Congratulations to Hewi Mason who won The Peach Pit Parade.