Children's Book Review: Fanny Fitzpatrick and the Sirens (Fanny Fitzpatrick, #3) by Dana Hammer

Fanny Fitzpatrick and the Sirens by Dana Hammer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fun, mysterious, and suspenseful tale of gods, goddesses, sirens, and friendships.

Fanny Fitzpatrick and the Sirens is the third book in author Dana Hammer’s middle-grade adventure series featuring Fanny Fitzpatrick and her unusual group of friends. In this adventure, Fanny is invited to a summer music camp run by famous pop star Mara Fry, who heard Fanny sing at her cousin’s funeral. Against the advice of her friends —Athena, Gemma, and Danial —and despite their worry and the revelation that Mara and the women who run the camp are sirens, as in the mythological sirens of old, Fanny decides to attend. However, things at the beautiful tropical island camp aren’t exactly what they appear, and she soon realizes there’s more going on than vocal training.

Fanny is a sweet, helpful girl, and she especially looks forward to being a great big sister to her new baby brother, Damon. While a summer hanging out with her friends would be wonderful, the opportunity to spend time with a superstar and get some professional vocal training proves impossible to pass up. In fairness to Fanny, she considers her decision long and hard, with the deciding factor being her tired mother’s desire for her to be out from underfoot as she adjusts to life with a cranky newborn. Athena and Gemma, in their distress, are a little heavy-handed in their attempts to dissuade Fanny, too, ordering her around and getting angry rather than maintaining a cool head and offering proof of their accusations that the sirens are still up to no good.

The plot is fun and quirky, with Fanny trying to keep Athena’s bed-bound brother, Dion, out of trouble, but the suspense quickly takes center stage when she and the three other girls get to the island. The formerly overly friendly adult leaders have secrets they’re not ready to share with the campers and use questionable tactics to get the girls to do what they want. The story is absolutely absorbing, and I didn’t want to take a break until almost halfway through the book, and then it was hard to find an appropriate stopping point! Fanny and her friends are bright, engaging, and so easy to root for. Although this is the third book in the series, adequate backstory is provided so it can be read as a standalone.

I recommend FANNY FITZPATRICK AND THE SIRENS to readers of middle-grade fiction, especially those who enjoy a mythological theme.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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Children's Book Review: The Cassette Tape Secret by Danielle Herzog

The Cassette Tape Secret by Danielle Herzog
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wonderful middle-grade tale of friendship and facing one's fears.

The Cassette Tape Secret by Danielle Herzog is a wonderful middle-grade novel about friendship, stepping out of one's comfort zone, and facing one's fears. Eleven-year-old Alex Bennett struggles with OCD and severe anxiety after the school bully viciously shamed him in front of the entire class about some of his compulsive but harmless behaviors. New classmate Ida May Brooks is his exact opposite—bold and sassy—but has her own secret heartaches to bear. When she finds an old cassette tape with a mysterious, pleading message for help, she begs Alex to work with her to uncover the story behind the forgotten recording. Alex wants no involvement in her scheme, but his therapist sweetens the deal with tickets to meet a famous social media influencer he admires. If he stretches outside his comfort zone and helps his classmate, he signs on as Ida May's sidekick and faces many of his basic fears in the process.

Alex is a warm, engaging, completely sympathetic bundle of anxiety, with a long, rigid list of things he avoids at all costs. It is heart-wrenching to observe his struggles, but also so uplifting as he finally tackles one challenge after another head-on. I love how he had learned to cook as an accommodation to his aversion to eating out (and having PEOPLE touch his food) and his eye-opening realization that he'd isolated himself even from those he loved, like his own grandmother. He proves himself to be quite witty as he and Ida May spend more time together.

Ida May is sassy and smart-mouthed, and her banter with her new friend, Alex, is full of humor, wit, and compassion far beyond her years. It was tough to watch her reactions to her mother's continued absence and to her mother's slow disengagement from her daughter.

The plot is full of action as the two deal with their mutual bully, Darren Roe, in their own ways, then team up to search for a hidden treasure and uncover the mystery behind it. It was riveting as they inch closer and closer to the answers they sought, while Alex made significant breakthroughs in his coping with his issues, with brave determination and dignity, until he can share his truths with his new friend.

I recommend THE CASSETTE TAPE SECRET to readers of middle-grade fiction, especially those who enjoy stories of courage, determination, friendship, and healing.

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Children's Book Review: It Happened on Saturday by Sydney Dunlap

It Happened on Saturday by Sydney Dunlap
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An excellent story for middle-grade readers that realistically portrays the dangers lurking online.

It was the end of the summer between seventh and eighth grades, and Julia’s best friend since the fifth grade was finally coming home from camp. The days had dragged while Nori was away, more so than in the past, since the twins, also friends from school, had moved away right after the last day of school. Julia was looking forward to Nori’s return with plans for how they would spend the final summer vacation days before the new school year started.

But when Nori returned, something had changed. She had met a boy at camp who turned out to attend the same school and had developed a different kind of friendship: a boy-girl friendship. Suddenly, Nori always had plans with Luke and didn’t have time for Julia. To top it off, Julia’s parents were busy with work and each other, and her older sister, Danielle, had a boyfriend of her own. Julia felt abandoned, the odd-man-out, just like that awful time in fifth grade before she had met Nori.

However, after a quick afternoon makeover by Danielle, Julia posted her “new look” online. To her surprise and gratification, the “Likes” and complimentary comments poured in. But one comment, in particular, caught her eye. When that one was followed up by another and another by the same intriguingly unknown boy, Julia decided to reply, even though her parents had told her never to respond to strangers online. Little did Julia know that tyler_g had plans for her.

It Happened on Saturday is a marvelous cautionary tale that explores the dangers lurking online with the advent of social media. In this case, the threat is kidnapping for sex trafficking. Julia is a regular girl with the same troubles and concerns felt by most elementary and middle-grade children: feeling ignored, not belonging, loneliness, and parents who are distracted by having to make a living. She is also experiencing changes in her once stable relationship with her best friend, who has moved on from childhood interests to having a boyfriend. Young readers will easily relate to her feelings and everyday life.

The story demonstrates some of the simple, yet devious tactics employed to gain a victim’s trust, manipulate their choices, and isolate them from safety. Julia is somewhat wary at first, especially when Tyler reveals too much too soon. But the guy is a pro and recovers to the point where Julia gets comfortable again.

This book would be an excellent choice to share with older elementary/middle-grade children or students to launch a discussion of this topic at school or home.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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Children's Book Review: Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel

Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A suspenseful and exciting middle-grade novel of ghosts, friendship, and family

SYNOPSIS from Goodreads:

One teen's summer job scaring tourists with ghost stories takes a terrifying turn when he accidentally summons the spirit of a dead girl—and she has demands. . . .

Rebecca Strand was just sixteen when she and her father fell to their deaths from the top of the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse in 1839. Just how they fell—or were they pushed?—remains a mystery. And their ghosts haunt the lighthouse to this day. . . .

Gabe tells this story every day when he gives the ghost tour on Toronto Island. He tries to make it scary enough to satisfy the tourists, but he doesn’t actually believe in ghosts—until he finds himself face to face with Rebecca Strand.

The true story of her death is far more terrifying than any ghost tale Gabe has told. Rebecca reveals that her father was a member of the Order, a secret society devoted to protecting the world from “the wakeful and wicked dead”—malevolent spirits like Viker, the ghost responsible for their deaths. But the Order has disappeared, and Viker’s ghost is growing ever stronger.

Now Gabe and his friends must find a way to stop Viker before they all become lost souls. . . .

Ghostlight is a suspenseful and exciting middle-grade novel about ghosts, friendship, and family. In addition to the fictional tale, the book includes some serious and highly discussable topics such as divorce, the death of a parent, immigrant experiences, and what happens after you die. This is definitely one I would have been glad to share with my boys when they were that age for the excellent story, superior storytelling, and the diverse conversations it most likely would have prompted.

The ghostly aspects of the story are unique. I enjoyed the author’s vision of how ghosts exist, hidden on the edge of regular daily life. The descriptions of the evil Viker were scary, and I could clearly visualize his appearance and the changes he underwent. His consuming the other spirits and the images of the ghosts crossing the water to get to land both gave me the willies. And I worried from the start about Rebecca draining the energy from Gabe; it seemed so realistic.

The setting was fresh (Toronto), and I enjoyed the quest the four friends conducted to find the answer to Rebecca’s terrible problem (trying to avoid spoilers there.) The kids, including Rebecca, were well-drawn, each different from the others, but a well-matched, balanced group with interesting backstories. I liked that Callie was continuously researching for clues, and Yuri was steadfast in his focus on improvising the best way to combat the evil ghosts. These kids were serious about what they were doing yet still displayed their fun, young, and modern side. (Even Rebecca is intrigued and learns to use some modern conveniences.) They were or became friends, and some of their dialogue had me laughing out loud.

"Steaming pile of yak dung! Who says such a thing?”

“Me, from now on!”

With its unique setting, characters, and ghostly afterlife to its suspenseful and exciting plot, I recommend GHOSTLIGHT to middle-grade readers who like stories that involve puzzling out a mystery or a search, ghosts, or a setting during a summer job at an amusement facility or waterside in Toronto.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through NetGalley and TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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Book Review: The Rise of the Mad March by Robert Espenscheid, Jr.

The Rise of the Mad March by Rob Espenscheid Jr.


The birth of a punk rock band, where the music is the thing, but love and family are the results.

The Rise of the Mad March by Rober Espenscheid, Jr., is the story of the making, life, and times of a scrappy, groundbreaking punk rock band in early 1970s Iowa. Henry Hollins had sworn to himself that if he got out of Vietnam in one piece, he would follow his heart and pursue a musical career, but it wasn't until a chance meeting with two young female felons at a state-run halfway house for offenders that he would find his path to fulfill his dream.

While the narrative follows Henry Hollins's journey, it is truly an ensemble tale as he builds his band with three talented young women, a novelty even today. Individually, each of his new band members has a tragic backstory, but together, they find the support and family they need to heal. Just like any family, they don't always see eye-to-eye, and there are some epic disagreements. But they always return to each other with love.

The plot tells the story of the band's formation, early days, and eventual success. I was surprised by how much work went into getting them to a point where they could take the stage to perform in front of a live audience. One of my favorite storylines was about the significant impact a seasoned sound engineer can have on the success of a live gig. Several serendipitous encounters of this type made all the difference in the band's trajectory. The relationships among the band members were very fluid, but they ultimately formed into a family, which gave the women a place of safety, love, and trust where they could finally heal from the traumas they had experienced in their pasts. However, neither their safe place nor the band's success prevents life from throwing the members another curveball.

The story is easy to read except for one issue I encountered. I did have some trouble with the flow of the dialogue. Early on, the exchanges between characters felt choppy; the replies didn't quite align with what the characters were responding to at the time. This was particularly true of discussions between Henry and his wife, Esther. Sometimes, I couldn't really understand what she meant. Still, I was riveted to the story until the very last page.

I recommend THE RISE OF THE MAD MARCH to readers of historical fiction, especially those with an interest in the music industry and punk rock bands.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.


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Review Tour & Giveaway: My Dead True Love by Kim Pierce

My Dead True Love

by

Kim Pierce

Metaphysical & Visionary / Women's Friendships

Publisher: Lucobu Books

Publication Date: October 15, 2022

Page Count: 397 pages

SCROLL DOWN FOR GIVEAWAY!

SYNOPSIS:

When a newspaper reporter’s fiancé dies abruptly, she questions how he could just cease to be.

Dogged by unbidden thoughts, odd coincidences and unexplained phenomena, Ann Stewart becomes obsessed with finding out what really happens after we die and whether her beloved Gregory is still out there. She finds her answer, which takes her and a close-knit coterie of women to the edge of the cosmos—and the core of their own hearts.

Based on a true story.

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READ AN EXCERPT:

“Hello, and welcome to our lab,” Dr. Koslow said, radiating confidence and pride. 

 

“Let me walk you through what will happen. You and I will go into the chamber and get comfortably seated in the two chairs. Adrian will hook us up to the monitors and, as we go through the synchronized-sound sequence, he’ll use the monitors to track everything that’s happening to our physical bodies. Physiologically, it will resemble sleep. But it’s not. Also, I can assure you that you will be in good hands. He and I have both done this many times.”

 

I wanted to believe him, and again I had the impression of a calm, steady pilot. But no matter what he said I still had that chattering sensation in my teeth and felt as if tremors were going off in my body.

 

I worried: Could I overcome my fears and do this? Or would I completely wash out? Would I get “out,” only to be unable to get back in? Connie had spent hours preparing me for this, showing me how to focus on my breathing and quiet my monkey mind, but… I still felt so utterly unprepared. And my questions persisted: How would I know Gregory? What would he look like? Would he see me? Could we touch? What if I didn’t want to leave?

 

Connie moved close to me and slid her arm through mine.

 

“I know you’re still scared,” she said. “Just trust the process and do the best you can.”

REVIEW:

5 stars!

Gut-wrenching but ultimately a story of hope.

 

My Dead True Love by author Kim Pierce unfolds the story of a woman who loses her beloved to a sudden and fatal heart attack in such a realistic manner that I connected to the main character like I knew her personally. The storytelling is pure poetry.

 

This is a book full of thick, palpable emotion, starting with a gut punch when Ann first hears of Gregory’s death. The description of her learning the news was so vivid and mirrored so closely my own experiences of that initial hearing of a personal loss that there was no way I was able to set the book down without reading to its conclusion. The story was absolutely compelling from start to finish.

 

Even as Ann begins her journey of loss and grief, she takes on the responsibility for the inevitable tasks and decisions that must be made after a loved one’s death. These are not easy, even if a death is imminent and long expected, but in her case, Gregory’s death is a complete shock. Her thoughtful consideration of what happens later on in the afterlife leads to more questions. Her search for the truth kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering where the story would go. Ultimately, though, the story is one of hope. 

I recommend MY DEAD TRUE LOVE to readers who have questions and have lost someone they love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Pierce is a former Dallas Morning News writer and editor who completed the Writer’s Path fiction program at Southern Methodist University. This is her first novel, inspired by events surrounding the death of her fiancé in 1998. She lives in Dallas, Texas, with her partner and three cats.

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Kim Pierce will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC, to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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