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(3)
4-6
Following the events of Tut: The Story of My Immortal Life, immortal teen pharaoh Tutankhamun searches modern-day DC for his "brother" Gilgamesh; he finds that Gil has been kidnapped by Egyptian god Apep, who plans to "cast the world into eternal darkness." The story effectively blends humor and action and is enhanced by Tut's deep emotional investment in rescuing Gil. Games appended. Glos.
(3)
4-6
One year after her family was stolen by a tentacled monster (which no one believes happened), Lorelai accidentally breaks into the Wishing World. There she discovers she is a wish-maker, able to "write dreams into existence." Full of imaginative characters, a high-stakes plot, and with chapter-opening illustrations, the story will appeal to fans of middle-grade fantasy adventures.
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Brett Helquist.
In this conclusion to a steampunk trilogy set in alternate–1870s America, Archie wrestles with his past as the diverse League of Seven finds its two remaining members to fight the monstrous Mangleborn. Fans will find the same high-octane action as in the previous installments, along with the same humor, much of it courtesy of talking raygun Señor X. Pencil drawings open each chapter.
(3)
4-6
This eighth Weenies collection includes thirty more of Lubar's gently spooky, darkly humorous short stories. Creepy twists at the end of each add a layer of fascination, and readers will enjoy trying to guess how the story will turn on its head before the big reveal. An appended note explains each story's inspiration; a reading and activity guide is also included.
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Hayley Lazo.
In this fifth and final (if we're to believe narrator Alcatraz) installment, Alcatraz plans to infiltrate the Highbrary and sidetrack his father's disastrous schemes. Plans go awry with the arrival of the evil Librarian Biblioden. As in previous volumes, the narrative is rife with bizarre situations, thrilling seat-of-the-pants action, and metafictional musings; the ending will set readers back on their heels.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2017
207 pp.
| Tor/Starscape
| April, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7653-7469-1$16.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4668-4299-1
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Richard Cowdrey.
German shepherd Ellie tells how she is trained from puppyhood to be a search-and-rescue dog. Her thoughts include concern for her trainers' happiness and observations about the uselessness of cats. There's suspense and action, and the human-dog interactions are heartwarming; occasional black-and-white illustrations are dark and poorly proportioned. Back matter includes search-and-rescue dog facts and a reading and activity guide. Reading list, websites.
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Brett Helquist.
This second installment in the intricately plotted steampunk series set in an alternate–1870s America opens with Archie dangling twenty-thousand feet in the air on a search for a mysterious lantern, and the action only rises from there. Fans of The League of Seven should be interested in the dark new revelations about Archie's and Hachi's pasts. Helquist's pencil drawings open each chapter.
(2)
4-6
Hal, called Cartboy, is excited about summer sleep-away camp. Unfortunately, his Revolutionary War re-enactor father has a special camp in mind: Camp Jamestown. Considering Hal's idea of summer vacation (sleeping until noon, eating doughnuts, playing RavenCave), it's hard to imagine a less welcome idea. Hal's fans will enjoy his cynical commentary, his humorous black-and-white sketches and timelines, and the photos sprinkled throughout.
Reviewer: Robin L. Smith
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2014
(4)
4-6
It's 1906, the summer after her mother left, and twelve-year-old Violet Blake wishes on the copper hand she uncovers near Lake Michigan. While her first wish comes true, strange things start to happen. Gibson's premise for the ancient talisman is intriguing and the setting is vivid, but a repetitive narrative and flat characters make it hard to get fully lost in the story.
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Brett Helquist.
After Manglespawn (monsters that were imprisoned underground) infiltrate the Septemberist Society's headquarters and brainwash Archie's parents, Archie attempts to save them and learns secrets about his origins in the process. Set in an alternate-1875 America where Native Americans and "Yankees" live in peace and harmony but Thomas Edison and "lectricity" are frightening entities, this steampunk trilogy-opener promises action while it challenges readers to rethink history.
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Brandon Dorman.
Ven Polypheme, an atypically adventurous Nain (read: hobbit), continues his royally assigned mission of exploration by traveling underseas with his merrow (read: mermaid) friend, Amariel, as his guide. The narrative alternates between exposition of this wondrous new world and an escalating sequence of episodic quests. The journal conceit wears thin, but the evocative world-building remains impressive in this fourth installment.
(3)
4-6
Granted immortality by Osiris, teenage King Tutankhamun has roamed the earth for millennia and now leads a quiet life in Washington, DC. When another immortal, his treacherous uncle Horemheb, seeks to murder Tut to please the god of chaos, the "boy king" must decide how to avenge his family without becoming a killer himself. A winning mix of myth, action, and humor. Glos.
(3)
4-6
Mason and his friend and fellow Earth Space Command cadet, Tom, are sent to Skars, the Tremist home world, on a sort of exchange program. With their new Tremist companions they uncover a sinister plot that could destroy both Earth and Skars. Mason learns sobering lessons in self-sacrifice and overcomes the corrupting influence of power in this action-packed sequel to The Planet Thieves.
(3)
4-6
Monster transformations continue at Washington Irving Elementary. When Norman joins his sister Angie and friend Splat on a walk in the woods, he sprouts hair and takes to howling at the moon. But Norman's troubles have only begun: he realizes he really enjoys his new form. Readers will quickly absorb this fast-paced monster fantasy with mildly eerie, full-page black-and-white illustrations.
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Marcos Calo.
Two more Washington Irving Elementary kids experience monsterly transformations. Sebastian and Angie's little brother Rory is suddenly able to walk through walls and doors (Ghost), while Lud Mellon develops his own insect qualities after suffering several bug bites (Bug). Like Lubar's previous Monsterrific episodes, these fantasies are fast paced and amusing; mildly eerie, full-page black-and-white illustrations are included. Review covers these titles: The Bully Bug and The Gloomy Ghost.
175 pp.
| Tor/Starscape
| April, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7653-3214-1$15.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4299-4662-9
(3)
4-6
As he does in his other Weenies short-story collections (Beware the Ninja Weenies, etc.), Lubar presents dark, slightly humorous tales in which characters expire in gruesome and mysterious ways by monsters, aliens, ancient curses, and spells. Fans of the macabre will relish this. An author's note gives readers insights into why and how he created each story.
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Marcos Calo.
Two more Washington Irving Elementary kids experience monsterly transformations. Sebastian and Angie's little brother Rory is suddenly able to walk through walls and doors (Ghost), while Lud Mellon develops his own insect qualities after suffering several bug bites (Bug). Like Lubar's previous Monsterrific episodes, these fantasies are fast paced and amusing; mildly eerie, full-page black-and-white illustrations are included. Review covers these titles: The Bully Bug and The Gloomy Ghost.
207 pp.
| Tor/Starscape
| April, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7653-3317-9$12.99
(2)
4-6
For a sixth-grade time capsule meant to be opened in the year 2500, Hal entertainingly describes what it's like to share a bedroom with twin baby sisters and to be courting a failing grade in history. Funny cartoon timelines and occasional doodles enhance the quirky humor. Sure, this sad-sack path blazed by Jeff Kinney's Wimpy Kid is familiar ground, but Hal treads it well.
253 pp.
| Tor/Starscape
| May, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7653-3428-2$15.99
(3)
YA
Illustrated by
Antonio Javier Caparo.
Humans and evil aliens called the Tremist are fighting to control a colony world. When the Tremist steal a powerful weapon, it's up to thirteen-year-old Mason and his fellow Academy for Earth Space Command cadets to stop them. Action and adventure abound in this accessible sci-fi coming-of-age tale. Occasional murky black-and-white full-page pictures illustrate the events.
137 pp.
| Tor/Starscape
| January, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7653-3081-9$14.99
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Marcos Calo.
Elementary science teacher Miss Clevis accidentally ingests chemicals and is transformed into a Jekyll/Hyde character--nasty substitute Ms. Hyde and sweet sixth grader Jackie. The pressing dilemma: how to counteract the chemical reaction before the normally well-liked teacher remains in this dual role-reversal forever. This is an entertainingly creepy story with a good-prevails-over-evil theme and intermittent black-and-white drawings.