Stories for Children Magazine

Past Reviews

The Candy Shop War
By: Brandon Mull
Published by: Shadow Mountain, 2007
Cover art by: Brandon Dorman
ISBN: 9781590387832
Ages: 10 and up
Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine editor, VS Grenier

Brandon Mull, the author of Fablehaven, has done it again with his latest book, The Candy Shop Wars.

Nate is the new kid in Colson, CA. He becomes a member of the Blue Falcons, a club his new friends: Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon started a few years ago. The idea of the club was to seek treasure, but they never found any. The four friends meet a grandmotherly lady named Mrs. White who runs the new candy shop in town . . . The Sweet tooth Ice Cream and Candy Shoppe. The children just can’t get enough of Mrs. White’s confections and are more than willing to help Mrs. White around her store in exchange for her wonderful magic candy.

The children also learn that Mr. Stott, the ice cream truck driver, also has a few magical treats of his own. But who are the kids to trust? They’ve never met anyone who could make magic candy before. And what about the strange man in the overcoat that always seems to be around when the children are on a mission for Mrs. White?

Children will find themselves deeper in the mystery and danger with Nate and his friends as the story unfolds; revealing rock candy that makes you weightless, jawbreakers that make you unbreakable, kibble that allows you to talk to animals, gum that gives you speed and agility, and many other types of candies with special abilities.

Will Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon discover what these magical strangers are after? What legendary hidden treasure is hidden in the town of Colson? Are Nate and his friends in over their heads?

This fun, lively and sweet tooth adventure teaches children of all ages to be careful who to trust when candy is involved. Even the nicest of people are not always what they seem and sometimes taking candy from those we know isn’t always a safe bet.

Children will learn to trust in their friends and to listen to that small voice in their heads when something sounds too good to be true . . . mostly likely it is!

Thunder At Gettysburg
By: Patricia Lee Gauch
Synopsis: Review of a book published originally in 1975 by Coward, McCann and Geoghegan; republished in 1990 by G. P. Putnam's Sons, 200 Madison Ave., New York City, NY 10016; reissued by Bantam Books, a division of Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group Inc., 666 Fifth Ave., New York City, NY 10103; and reprinted in October of 2004 by Boyds Mills Press.
Ages: 8 to 11 years old
Reviewed by: Wayne Walker

This book, dedicated to the wonderful children's historical story teller Jean Fritz, is a fictionalized account based upon an 1889 autobiographical book At Gettysburg: Or What I Saw and Heard at the Battle of Gettysburg by Tillie Pierce Alleman about her own experiences during the Battle of Gettysburg. Fourteen-year-old Tillie Pierce lived with her parents at Gettysburg, PA, in 1863 when on July 1, Union and Confederate troops met in one of the most celebrated and decisive battles of the Civil War. Tillie fled with her neighbor, Henny Schriver, for safety to the Weikerts' farm outside of Gettysburg, only to find herself in the thick of the battle, dodging shells and caring for wounded soldiers. Many of the place names, such as Seminary Ridge, Cemetary Hill, and Little Round Top, did not exist as proper names before the battle but are used in the book for clarity. A few people's names are fictional, though the incidents involving those individuals are true, but most of the names are real. The book is a great introduction for early readers into this important historical event. While it does not shrink away from the horrors of war, it has no gratuitous descriptions of violence and thus is quite suitable for young children. As the author noted in her conclusion, "The battle did help cripple the Rebel Confederate army, but the cost to both sides--and to the country--was immense....More than 150,000 American men had gone into battled, and in three days 50,000 had been killed, wounded, or were missing."

Wayne Walker is an avid reader, minister, and homeschooling father of two sons who lives with his family near St. Louis, MO. In addition to his work and homeschool-related activities, he enjoys listening to classical music and writing.E-mail: wswalker310@juno.com

Unicorn Races
By: Stephen J. Brooks
Illustrated by: Linda Crockett
Published by: Purple Sky Publishing, 2007
ISBN: 0976901730
ISBN: 9780976901730
Ages 4 to 8
Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine editor, VS Grenier

This is Stephen J. Brooks’s fifth published title and it’s one your children will cherish and love. The illustrations are brilliantly done with what look like water color backgrounds that offset the vivid illustrations of the characters by Linda Crockett, who has received several awards and honors for her illustrations in children’s books.

Unicorn Races takes children into the magical world of Abigail’s imagination as she travels to a marvelous feast for a princess. Abigail watches the elves and fairies make preparations for the Unicorn Races as unicorns in every color of the rainbow come to compete before the royal princess Abigail. When the race begins, unicorns fly through the night sky, circle around the moon, dance on the stars, travel to the ocean, glide inches above the waves, and zip around a lighthouse before returning to the magical clearing where Princess Abigail waits to announce the winner. After the feast, Abigail rides home on one of the magical unicorns and falls fast asleep until the next Unicorn Races.

Tera’s Dawn
By: Susan K. Schank
Illustrated by: Denise Seah
Published by: Purple Sky Publishing, 2008
ISBN: 097690179X
ISBN: 9780976901792
Ages 4 to 8
Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine editor, VS Grenier

Susan K. Schank has done a wonderful job in telling the story of a young horse, Tera, who loses everything she loves when captured by ranchers. Children will cheer Tera on as she finds her long lost mother, escapes from the ranchers, and travels to find her wild horse family. The experiences Tera goes through teach children about family and overcoming challenges.

Schank’s newest children’s book Tera’s Dawn is wonderfully done. The illustrations done by Denise Seah are simple sweeping landscapes. The colors are vivid and softly blended. Children will see themselves dancing and spinning around in circles with the wild horse of Tera’s family. This is one book you’ll want to read with our child again and again.

PRIVATE JOEL AND THE SEWELL MOUNTAIN SEDER
AUTHOR: Bryna J. Fireside
ILLUSTRATED BY: Shawn Costello
PUBLISHED BY: Kar-Ben Publishing (A Division of Lerner)
ISBN: 978-0-8225-7240-4 (HC) 978-0-8225-9050-7 (PB)
READING LEVEL: 8 – 11
Reviewed by: Gayle Jacobson-Huset, Asst. Editor

Based on a true story, this historical fiction is set in the year 1862, during the Civil War. Private J. A. Joel was part of a Jewish company of Union soldiers, camped out in West Virginia. With only two weeks away before Passover, Private Joel and his friends were homesick for family, and wanted to have their own Seder, or traditional Jewish Passover meal. The private and some of his fellow Jewish soldiers write a letter to their commander, William S. Rosencrans, asking for permission for a short leave so that they could prepare for and celebrate their traditional Seder. They are given permission, and are joined by several African American former slaves that now fight for the Union. With the help of a kindly Jewish sutler, supplies were procured and sent back to the men for their meal. Improvisation was the name of the game as the soldiers substituted ingredients that were on hand near their encampment for the traditional meal. Were these Jewish soldiers successful in holding their Passover Seder? Did it go off without any problems? Did Commander Rosencrans really have his spoon bend almost in half from his battle with a matzah ball? Find out by reading this excellent book!

Author Bryna Fireside has done an excellent job of weaving a true story into a page-turning chapter book. I found this fascinating as a story and educational regarding the Jewish Passover celebration. The excellent illustrations by Shawn Costello make you feel as if you knew each soldier personally since their facial expressions throughout are so realistic and become truly humorous when accompanied by Bryna's funny dialog of the soldiers after they've had a few too many sips of cider. This is a wonderful story about the loneliness of the soldiers as they fought so far from home and missed family, friends, and a chance to celebrate their faith. I found this book to be very touching, realistic, and educational. This book is a keeper!

Return to Animal Land
By: Pol McShane
Cover art by: Angela M. Garcia
Published by: iUniverse, 2007
ISBN: 9780595458042
ISBN: 9780595901036
Ages: 10 and up
Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine editor, VS Grenier

The third book in The Adventures of Johnny and Joey series is the most creative and imaginative yet. McShane starts the book off with a twist. Instead of the magical elevator calling to the brothers Johnny and Joey in the middle of the night, it brings one of their new friends to them.

Darus isn’t sure why the elevator came and brought him to Johnny and Joey except that maybe the elevator knows the brothers can help him and Animal Land. Teron has taken over Animal Land since Johnny and Joey left. Animal Land’s leader, Lazoo, is trapped in his cave and it’s up to Johnny and Joey to help Darus and the others free him.

Johnny and Joey find themselves in more trouble than before. Not only do they have to hide Darus, one of the ostriches from Animal Land, but all three of them have to sneak out in the middle of the night to the elevator without getting caught. The only thing is . . . Johnny and Joey can’t remember which button takes them to Animal Land. Looking around the elevator and trying to remember what number out of hundreds and hundreds of buttons isn’t all that easy. Darus and the brothers find themselves pushing button after button hoping they’ll get lucky. As time runs out the brothers and their friend find themselves traveling to Snow Land and Small Land. Can anyone help them in these lands? Darus doesn’t think so, but Johnny and Joey try hoping someone will know what button to push. Finally Professor Barzabee from Small Land gives the brothers some clues as to which buttons might get them back to Animal Land, but will it be too late?

Children will not want to put this book down. Each chapter is a rollercoaster ride of excitement and adventure, with twists and turns around every corner. The action will lead kids right up to the terrifying and shocking ending.

NO ENGLISH
BY: Jacqueline Jules
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Amy Huntington
PUBLISHED BY: Mitten Press
ISBN: 978-1-58726-474-0
READING LEVEL: Ages 6 – 10
Reviewed by: Gayle Jacobson-Huset, Asst. Editor

Blanca from Argentina joins Diane's second grade class. When she is spoken to, be it teacher Mrs. Bertram, or a fellow student, her response is always "No English". Blanca knows nothing in the English language, and of course, she is thrust into a class of all English-speaking children! Diane is at first very jealous that Blanca is allowed to sit there drawing pictures instead of working like the other students, so she raises her hand and complains to the teacher. All the kids start staring at Blanca and she's feeling bad. The teacher that's helping Blanca learn English walks in and takes Blanca with her for her lesson. Diane is ashamed of herself when she sees how afraid Blanca looks as she encounters the hostile stares of her classmates.

Mrs. Bertram opens a discussion about being from a foreign country and not knowing the language in your new home. She encourages the children to think of ways to help Blanca adjust. The class decides to learn more about Blanca's country, Argentina. There are many differences that the class feels are "weird", but Mrs. Bertram points out they're not weird, just "different".

Diane is determined to befriend Blanca and somehow bridge the language barrier. Finally, Diane comes up with a terrific idea and puts her plan into action. Find out her solution by reading this fantastic story!

Jacqueline Jules wrote this book with a depth of feeling often missing from books for children on a difficult subject. Jacqueline is the child of an immigrant herself, so I'm sure her parents were a good role model for her to know how to approach this modern-day situation our immigrant children face every day in our schools. Also, as a school librarian, Jacqueline faces the language barrier and cultural differences her students encounter every day since a large population of the students in her elementary school speak English as a Second Language. This book is a way to reach out to them all, and to teach American-born children to have empathy and more understanding for children not born in America that are struggling to overcome the difficulties of adjusting to life here. Accompanied by the outstanding, lifelike illustrations of Amy Huntington, this quiet book is a keeper for any parent who wants their child to grow up appreciating the differences among the people that populate this world. A downloadable Teacher's Guide is available at the Mitten Press website at:

http://www.mittenpress.com/promp/64740-guide.pdf.

LITTLE MISS DILLY DOT
AUTHOR: By Malinda Mitchell
ILLUSTRATED BY: Rosita Schandy & Neal Wooten
PUBLISHED BY: Mirror Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9796519-9-1
READING LEVEL: 8 on up
Reviewed by: Gayle Jacobson-Huset

This chapter picture book is 5 chapters, 74 pages long, and chock full of text.
The illustrations are colorful and fun. Author Malinda Mitchell certainly has a gift of a strong "voice" for all her characters – you will definitely enjoy getting to know them all.

Dilly Dot is a white kitten with a silver spot on her tail. She lives in an alley with her family and wanders off to play with her friend, Pan Pan, the mouse.
While she is gone, an older lady adopts her family. Dilly Dot returns to the alley and can't find her family, so she sets off to ask every animal she meets to see if they saw her family. She asks help from Tasteless Rat, and Bug Eyes Jim (a beetle), who become her friends. Exhausted from her search, Dilly Dot falls asleep and is found by a human girl named Mercury who keeps Dilly until they can find her a home. Mercury's grandmother lives next door and is the one who adopted Dilly's family, so she is reunited with them at long last. In the next chapter, Dilly wanders into the forest and gets lost. She meets Bullet the Rabbit who helps her find the way by having Mr. Owl show her the way home. The rest of the book has Dilly Dot and her new friends going to a fair, meeting Fred the blue jay and Roger a squirrel who's convinced he's a bird. The last chapter has Dilly Dot at Hummingbird Hill. Through her experiences, Dilly Dot teaches the Hummingbird, Small Feather, a lesson in friendship. Can you guess what it is?

Although this book was enjoyable, I was taken aback by the nastiness of the kitten every time she met somebody new. I could not guess Author Malinda Mitchell's intent here until the very end of the book as to why she wrote a book about a cute kitten with such a nasty temper. You'll just have to read the book yourself to figure out the purpose of this. This is a book that I think a parent should be present when being read by children 8 or older to encourage discussions regarding the kitten's reaction to everything and for the parent to point out the changes the kitten undergoes throughout the book.

How a Real Locomotive Works
By: William Trombello
Illustrated by: Brian Diskin
Published by: Nightengale Press, 2006
ISBN: 1933449217
Ages: 4 and up
Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine editor, VS Grenier

This is the first children’s book by author William Trombello and I must say it’s very well done. Trombello teaches children how real trains work with colorful illustrations showing different parts of a locomotive.

In this nonfiction picture book, children learn how much a modern day locomotive weighs, the type of engine a locomotive uses and who developed it, how fast they go, how much power they use, and so much more. As children read, there is a train at the bottom of each page that moves further and further down the track to learning. Children that love trains will want this book. The words are simple enough that beginning readers can read it by themselves and read along with their parents, too.

William Trombell has worked around trains for over 20 years and it shows in this wonderfully imaginative and colorful picture book.

Granny Gert and the Bunion Brothers
By: Dotti Enderle
Illustrated by: Joe Kulka
Published by: Pelican Publishing Company, 2006
ISBN: 9781589803732
Ages 4 to 8
Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine editor, VS Grenier

This is one of the funniest and yet creative picture books I’ve read in a long time. Parents will enjoy reading the story about how the Bunion Brothers fall in love with Starla, the granddaughter of their new employer. The brothers shirk their duties to fight over Starla’s hand and when Granny Gert finds them . . . she threatens to sick Mad Dog on the brothers.

The illustrations are lively and colorful. Children will smile and laugh at all the antics the Bunion Brothers pull to catch Starla’s eye. And there is a twist ending to this gem of a picture book.