Two Times a Traitoris the newest endeavor by multi-nominated and celebrated Canadian author, Karen Bass.
Published by Pajama Press and set to be released in May 2017,Two Times a Traitor is a surprising departure from what YA readers have come to expect from this dynamic author.
Laz Berenger a strong-willed 12 year-old reluctantly finds himself visiting the historic Halifax Citadal with his family. The ever present friction between he and his father explodes while touring the Citadal, and Laz in defiance, takes off on his own. His explorations take him to a section of the Citadel where an unforeseen accident occurs. Laz suddenly finds himself faced with a knife to his throat and his bravado rapidly dissipates when he realizes that he is no longer in 2017, but has been transported to the historic period of 1745. He finds his loyalty and perseverance tested repeatedly as he tries to earn back his St. Christopher’s Medal and perhaps the key back in time?
Readers will be swept up and away in this riveting richly detailed, middle-grade historical/time travel nail biting adventure, and into the pages of an exciting part of Canadian history!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! [for Junior and Intermediate readers!]
FIVE STARS!!
#Checkout more Karen Bass at: http://www.karenbass.ca/ and the Two times a traitor book trailer :
ARC: generously supplied by Pajama Press in exchange for an honest review.
Bent not Broken by celebrated and multi-nominated author, Lorna Schulz Nicholson is the third book in the acclaimed “One-2-One“series published by Clockwise Press and released this March, 2017. This is a series that focuses on teens in the ‘Best Buddies Program’ at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School. ‘Here they help each other find and accept things about themselves.’ [back cover of Born with…].
InBent not Broken, Justin and Madeline are ‘Best Buddies’ and have to deal with their own inner demons. For Madeline, her entire world needs to have the ‘reset button’ re-activated after a traumatic accident. This alone almost seems insurmountable, but having the feeling of her ‘twinness’ also severed, often results in frustration with herself that spills over and unintentionally results in uncontrollable reactions. At these times Justin’s quiet influence seems to be the only voice that steadies Maddie. As for Justin, his personal life is also filled with tragedy and grief. However, both of these best buddies find common ground in an unexpected place that allows each of them to become “like a willow tree who bends in the face of adversity, but is not broken.” Told in alternating perspective, this tale of the human struggle with disappointment, grief, guilt, depression and self-worth.
At the core it proves to the reader, that no matter what each of us has to endure, sharing the burden often lends each of us to tap and cultivate a hidden strength found within us all.
Schulz Nicholson has written this with such sensitivity and poignancy, that you cannot help but be totally engaged from beginning to end!
Mouse Vacation by Philip Roy and illustrated by Andrea Torrey Balsara is the fourth book in the Happy the Pocket Mouse Series.
Happy dreams of taking a holiday like his neighbour Mrs. Farrell. When he approaches his human friend John, about his ideas, John and Happy’s ensuing conversation will take the reader on a journey that covers many areas on the globe.
The soft watercolour closeup illustrations of Happy throughout this tale of the Pocket Mouse, expertly captures and mirrors the expressions that often young children convey when having similar conversations with an adult. The lists that Happy and John compile reveal the difference each character has about taking a vacation. Happy’s trips are all to farway places, whereas John’s rational for his choices are made from a more humble origin.
Eventually, a compromise is reached by both, which has Happy and John taking a journey via an overnight bus trip to the seashore.
At 32 pages, the expressive illustrations highly compliment the text and allow the reader to become fully engaged with Happy and John’s tale.
Although the story is simple in the telling, I found that Happy’s big ideas of ‘taking a vacation’ is an original way of introducing world cultures, places and maps and engage young children! A great curriculum connection for primary children!
Highly Recommended! FIVE STARS!
[Book supplied by Ronsdale Press in exchange for an honest review]
In the “Seven Prequels” set, Slide by award winning author Norah McClintock, is one of the titles in the latest “Seven” series phenomena published by Orca Book Publishers.
Readers familiar with the characters in these books, are re-introduced to them as boys who are a bit younger…namely in 13 years old range. The characteristically dare-devil grandfather and grandson relationship that is often core in these narratives, is replaced in McClintock’s tale by grandson Rennie ‘hanging’ with his adventure rule-bending grandmother as he gets to travel with her to a ski resort in the back country, despite his stepfather’s adamant instructions to the contrary.
McClintock creative writing style weaves together action, adventure, mystery and murder with humour as Rennie experiences the first ever pangs of ‘love’ in the midst of trying to satisfy and solve some very unusual circumstances.
The story accelerates with a dizzy pace that has the reader hanging on to every sentence until it ‘slams’ to a stop!
This is a story that can be enjoyed by junior and intermediate students!
Highly Recommended!
FIVE STARS!!
[ARC supplied by Orca Book Publishers in exchange for an honest review]
Myles and the Monster outside by Philippa Dowding
Published by Dundurn Press
c2015; pp.154
Series: Weird Stories gone Wrong
Author Philippa Dowding succinctly sets the tone, on page 7, with one sentence, “you should know, before you even start this book, that it’s a little scary” in Myles and the Monster outside, the second book of her new series “Weird Stories gone Wrong”.
Within the short span of 154 pages, a reader is taken on a roller coaster collision of fear, imagination and the unknown.
“Myles and the Monster outside” begins with mundane and monotony as invisible companions that accompany Myles as he and his family embark upon the adventure of leaving all that is familiar behind and beginning anew.
Mist-like fingers, glowing red eyes, a windshield that cracks are all elements that keep a reader gripping the binding of this book with white-knuckled apprehension and at the same time pushing deeply into the back of a chair!
Once again, Dowding has created a story that challenges a reader to seek ‘courage’ in the face of the unknown……no matter what form the unknown takes.
This is truly a tale that borders upon being an urban legend stirred with a splash of truth!
[ARC generously supplied by Jenna Illies]
301p. c2015
The colourful ghoulish cover is just a teaser to what a reader can expect when they dive into the latest installment in Evan Munday’s nominated series Dead Kid Detective Agency!
If a reader is the least bit of a detective and observant, the title Loyalist to a Fault, is a clever play on an well known saying ‘loyal to a fault’ which provides a clue to the new, intriguing story involving the intrepid October Schwartz and a group of distinctly ‘spirited’ teen shades!
A story of unique friendships intertwined with decidedly weirdly poignant situations of midnight rendezvous in the local library, grave-digging in February, a pirate, a burning ship, intrigue and an interjection of horror-filled scenes …… captured my attention with such a force, that you can not help but become an unintentional invisible member of the Dead Kid Agency!
The helpful list of characters and appendix of passing references at the end of this third book in the series, allows the reader to delve deeper into the “important cultural history” that is alluded to throughout the narrative.
Mr. Munday adroitly crafts a tale that is a genuine unique blend of perspectives, voice, intrigue-filled social situations, aspects of the macabre laced with snippets of historical facts. Along with these components, and an opening paragraph that states how “many mysteries open with a heinous crime in progress” and in almost the next breath, reveals that….October, commits such an act, will totally ‘kidnap’ readers from the start!!!
Highly Recommended!!
for Grades 6,7,8!!! Five Stars!
Published by Ronsdale Press, Vancouver , BC: c2015 [ARC generously supplied by Ronsdale] In the seventh book of the awesome series Submarine Outlaw, Alfred and his first mates are no longer ‘outlaws’ on the seas. Alfred now turns his homemade vessel toward Australia and pursues his dream of helping the environment become reality. Unfortunately for Alfred, his ‘relaxed’ arrival in Perth is marred by a series of events that find him the centre of unwanted attention by authorities. When he is forced to make a quick escape via the help of a self-styled environmental activist-hippy named Merwin Hughes, the road to becoming an environmentalist is accelerated. Allowing Merwin aboard his submarine leaves Alfred uneasy. However, once the decision is reached, both individuals acknowledge this change in procedure – one with enthusiasm – the other with great reluctance. As the pair now travel toward the Southern Ocean, a stunning appearance and consequent interaction with a blue whale and her calf leads Alfred to reflect on what he has encountered and witnessed during his many ocean travels. Caught up in the pandemonium and violence of illegal whaling activities, Alfred soon comes to realize that every action counts. This seventh book in Philip Roy’s series adroitly explains environmental activism in a manner that it is comprehensible to readers at any level! Although Alfred’s past voyages are all filled with adventure, new perspectives and understanding, there is a subtle shift in this novel. Readers of Eco Warrior will be swept up in the innocence and trust exhibited by the blue whale and her calf. They will also experience similar feelings of horror, anguish and desperation as did Alfred and Merwin, as the scenes of conflict unfold between the Sea Shepherd and the whaling ship. The uncertain plight of the oceans is stark – but Roy leaves the candle of hope lit within Alfred and the reader! Highly Recommended !! Grade 6,7,8,9
Student reaction to Eco Warrior:
Kevin “ I wanted to go right out and follow in Alfred’s footsteps and make a difference for the better!!”
Below is a bulletin board inspired by Eco Warrior!
Series:Submarine Outlaw : Book 7 Subjects: Environmental Activism; Whales; Endangered species; Ocean life; Adventure; Environmental Protection; Ocean life; World Oceans day; Greenpeace; Sea Shepherd Genres: Action-Adventure; Whales; Submarines; Oceans United Nations World Oceans Day Video:
Posted by readergirl 
![EcoWarrior [book 7] by Philip Roy](https://recentlyread.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/ecowarrior_cover-206x300.jpg)
