Children's Book Review: The Lost Journals of Bud Wiper by S.M. Morgan

The Lost Journals of Bud Wiper - A Middle Grade Adventure Kids Will Love: An Exciting Adventure Full of Life Lessons and a Healthy Dose of Potty Humor for Kids by S.M. Morgan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A likable and relatable main character and an adventuresome story from the past!

After his father's death, Teddy Larson's mother relocates them to the town of Ravenwood for a fresh start. School is already in full swing, so Teddy is a newcomer to Ravenwood Middle School in the middle of the semester. On his first day, he not only attracts a lot of stares from the other kids but also draws the attention of the school bully, Zane.

With students having already formed their friends' groups, Teddy feels completely isolated, so he talks his mother into letting him skip school on Friday of his first week. His mother, a real estate agent, is readying a spooky old mansion in town for sale, inventorying its contents before listing, so Teddy accompanies her and explores the old place while she works. In a secret room, he discovers a box of old journals written by the house's previous owner when he was a boy, the same age as Teddy is now. Intrigued, Teddy takes the first volume of the journals home that night.

Back at school, Zane and his cronies delight in tormenting the lonely boy. Still, when Teddy accidentally bloodies Zane's nose during an ambush in the boys' restroom, there are unexpected consequences. Three against one convince the principal that Zane's story that Teddy attacked HIM earns Teddy swats and a two-day suspension. However, on his return to school, he discovers that the story that he bested the bully has circulated throughout the school and has gained him some new friends.

Bud Wiper's journals are riveting reading for the miserable Teddy. Beginning in 1949, they detail Bud's daily life, revealing that he, too, is lonely. As the only child of wealthy parents, Bud is often left at home in the care of the butler while his parents travel the world in search of treasure. However, one day the butler brings him a strange letter written in code, and when the secret message is revealed, Bud is shocked to learn that his parents have gone missing, and he needs to mount a rescue. The story hooks Teddy, and due to his continued school misfortunes, it may be the only thing that helps him make it through each day.

The Lost Journals of Bud Wiper is a fun, adventure-filled story for middle-grade or older elementary-age readers that even reluctant readers will enjoy. Teddy is sweet, likable, and oh-so-misunderstood, making him a perfectly relatable hero sure to capture the imagination.

The story switches point of view from Teddy to Bud as pages of the journal are read. While both boys experience a lot, Bud's adventures are much more action-hero-oriented: think "Indiana Jones." In Teddy's case, "Revenge of the Nerds" would be more apropos. Both are fun and compelling reading.

The adults in Teddy's life are exceptionally clueless about what is going on between him and Zane. While I was somewhat disturbed by this, young readers will probably relate to a time when they felt they had been treated unfairly. The story leaves a couple of ideas unexplored that, hopefully, are bridges to future Bud Wiper journal adventures. I certainly would pick up any sequels to this book.

With its likable and highly relatable main character and the adventuresome story from the past, I recommend THE LOST JOURNALS OF BUD WIPER to elementary students ready for chapter books and middle-grade readers, especially those falling in the reluctant reader category.

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

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Children's Book Review: Rufus and the Dark Side of Magic (Rufus and Magic, #3) by Marilyn Levinson

Rufus and the Dark Side of Magic: Rufus and Magic by Marilyn Levinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rufus meets his Uncle Hector, a rich and powerful witch with an evil reputation whom he never knew existed, at the annual Samhain celebration.

Rufus and the Dark Side of Magic is the third book in author Marilyn Levinson’s fun and exciting children’s fantasy series, featuring 5th-grade magic initiate Rufus Breckenridge and his family and friends. When the Breckenridge family attends the annual Samhain night celebration, they are surprised when Hector, Rufus’s father’s brother, shows up during the evening’s fireworks display.

Rufus realizes Uncle Hector has come to the party looking for him even though they’ve never met before. Hector leaves after making eye contact with his young nephew; however, on the way home, Grandma Lavinia and Aunt Ruth caution Rufus to stay away from the evil witch, and for good reasons. But later that night, Uncle Hector makes another surprise visit, this time outside Rufus’s bedroom window.

Rufus finds his uncle charming and fun and is persuaded to pursue a relationship with him despite his family’s warnings and without his parents’ knowledge. Uncle Hector has a beautiful estate but soon expresses some ideas and uses some magical spells that are contrary to what Rufus has been taught are right. But has Rufus gotten too close to his uncle to come clean with his family and escape his evil demands?

Except for his magical gifts, Rufus is the epitome of what regular fifth-grade boys are like, and it was easy to understand how he was persuaded to disobey his parents and embrace the lavish lifestyle his uncle offered him. He is tempted to try out spells on his friends, even though he knows it is wrong to take advantage of them in this way, and crossing that line causes him to rethink his choices. Young readers will find the relationship between Rufus and his little sister, Griselda, relatable, and even younger children will be able to understand the lessons presented in the book when read aloud. The chapters are short enough to provide easy stopping points, and even though this is the third book in the series, the story can be read as a stand-alone. Readers new to the series should have no trouble jumping into the story at this point.

With its themes of friendship, respecting boundaries, the use of power, and respecting parental rules, there are numerous opportunities for further discussion and enrichment. I recommend RUFUS AND THE DARK SIDE OF MAGIC to upper-elementary and middle-grade fantasy readers.

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


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