Hazzardous Universe by Julie Wright and Kevin Wasden

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Sep 092011
 

Hazzardous Universe

Authors: Julie Wright & Kevin Wasden

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published Date: March 2011

Softcover; 240 pages

Genre: Middle-grade Fantasy

ISBN#: 978-1608612062

Reviewed by: Sheila

FTC FYI: I purchased my own copy at Julie and Kevin’s book launch.

A guy who works in his grandfather’s magic shop expects weird things to happen. But Hap Hazzard has never had a day like this. First, a freaky old man in a cape who calls himself “Torval” visits the shop and somehow makes a trash can explode. Then Torval delivers an ominous message to Hap’s grandfather, upsetting the old man so badly that he yells at Hap for the first time ever. Next, this girl Tara shows up to apply for a job, and for reasons Hap can’t understand, his cool magic tricks send her away in tears. But that’s nothing compared to what happens next. Under orders to apologize to Tara, Hap searches for the girl. But he can barely say he’s sorry before three spaceships appear, the biggest of the three looking like a burnt slice of pizza.

The weirdness only ramps up as Hap and Tara soon find themselves aboard the pizza-shaped ship piloted by a pair of aliens. Even though they were accidentally abducted, the two humans are now forced to join an out-of-this-world mission that includes razor-toothed multilingual beetles, a psychic queen bee, manic ape frogs, a coveted crystal, and a hundred other bizarre things that just might make sense-if Hap could only remember and understand Torval’s cryptic message. Join Hap and Tara as they begin a fantastic journey into the far reaches of the universe.

As a 2nd grade teacher I try to read as many books as possible that my students may like reading. Parents always ask me, “What books should I buy for my child?” I never like to answer, “Well I’ve heard that _________ is a good book, but I haven’t read it yet.” Seriously, that is not what they want to hear.

As I read a Middle-Grade book (books written for children ages 8-12), I try to read it from their perspective. In fact, I try to do this with any genre book that I read. I focus in on the target audience and judge/critique from their standards; what they like and would want to read. So, as I read Hazzardous Universe I shifted my thinking to my students. I knew right away that they would love this book! This age group (8-12 year old crowd) is so into space (Star Wars) and aliens. The idea of traveling on a space ship and exploring the Universe is right up their alley. There are great creatures and interesting planets to explore. Wonderful characters, Hap Hazzard and his eventual friend, Tara, learn some good lessons as they take a ride on Nana, the pizza shaped ship. I especially enjoyed the character of Mosh.

I have read books written by Julie Wright before, but this was a new adventure for her writing this Middle-Grade book. It is amazing what she has done with this story. Kevin Wasden, the illustrator, came up with the sketches for Hap and his alien friends back in 1993. When he met Julie, many years later, he knew that she was the one he wanted to write Hap’s story. The illustrations are really wonderful. You can see them by watching the book trailer.

There is a fun contest going on at their website: http://www.hazzardousuniverse.com Here is what it says on the blog.

“Kevin and I are in the process of creature creation for book HU3 (that doesn’t sound as cool as HU2, does it? I’ll work on it). This is your chance to get your work in a book! Draw us a picture of an alien creature. It can be as wacky or cool as you’d like. Give us a paragraph of background description on what your creature eats, where it lives, and what its life is like. The contest will run from September 1st through February 14th of 2012. Why February 14th, you ask? Well, because it’s Valentine’s Day, and I LOVE aliens, of course!

The winner of the contest will get a totally out of this universe T-shirt featuring Hap Hazzard and his cohorts, free copies of HU1, HU2 and HU3 when they are released, and your creature featured in HU3.”

To read more about it, head on over to their website for additional details.

I also want to thank Julie for coming to my school for an author visit. The kids loved her!! She got them excited about her book and about believing in themselves. Julie gave a super presentation!

If you would like to purchase Hazzardous Universe, (and why wouldn’t you?), click here.

Last, but not least, meet Julie and Kevin.

Julie Wright has written over a dozen books, but especially loves writing about the fantastic. She enjoys speaking to writing groups, youth groups, and schools. She loves life and everything life has to offer, except mayonnaise and mosquitoes. She especially loves reading, eating (especially ice cream), writing, hiking, playing on the beach with her kids, and snuggling with her husband to watch videos. Julie’s favorite thing to do is watch her husband make dinner.

Visit her at her website: www.juliewright.com

Kevin Wasden has an overactive imagination, is unable to sit through meetings without drawing, and tends to be silly at the most inopportune moments. He is an advocate of creativity in education and enjoys speaking to youth, writers, artists, and educators. He studied illustration at Utah State University and has studied figure-drawing and painting from the exceptional figure artist, Andy Reiss, in New York City. Kevin teaches visual art at DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts.

Website: www.kevinwasden.com
Blog: kevinwasden.blogspot.com

Star Scout Rising First Trail by Gary Darby

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Apr 012011
 



My love for science fiction started at a very early age.We would come home from school and my big brother was in charge. We had to watch what he wanted to watch, which was Star Trek. Captain Kirk was as much a part of our vocabulary as was Captain Kangaroo. This is why I was excited to receive a brand new science fiction book to review; Star Scout Rising First Trail, book one. Gary Darby is the author of this new trilogy. The world he has created reminded me a lot of the world in Star Trek. I liked the whole premise of an organization called Star Scout Command who try to keep peace in the universe. They are out there looking for new lifeforms and planets.

The main character, Del Baldura, is a junior scout in training. He is trying to make a name for himself, as his father was allegedly a Star Scout turned traitor.He fights many demons inside of himself to prove his own worth. Del is a solid character that I found nothing wrong with him. It was even kind of sweet that he has never been kissed. There is a very tiny romance started in book one between Del and a female Junior star scout, and I really hope things blossom in book two.


This book has many different characters and impressively each have very unique voices. I could picture each one in my mind clearly by the way they were written. Besides Del, one of my favorite characters is Sami, another junior scout in training. He provides the humor needed for this very tension filled book. I made the mistake of reading the book during my lunch time. I kept jumping around and getting so involved with the story I forgot to eat most of my lunch. There are many nail-biting segments that make you want to read this book fast. One of my absolute favorites parts of the book (I don’t want to say too much here and give it away) is where they are sent to explore a new planet and some natural disasters start happening. Some key words to wet your appetite here: earth shifts, volcano line,gaseous geysers,and acidic solution.Gary uses great showing as he describes what is happening here.”Del thought he could actually hear the ground moaning as if in pain from the violent and painful shaking.”I wish that I could share more with you here. but it truly would ruin it for you, the future readers.

Now, the best part of this book is the huge twist at the end. I don’t know why I always miss these things, but I only started to catch on to what was happening as the characters did.

Another thought, I have been reading other reviewers thoughts about this book. Some people commented about how there are several editing mistakes throughout the book. I didn’t notice them and I think it’s because I read so fast. I also get so engrossed in a story that all that I think about is what is happening in the story. This is what I have to say about this, we all live and learn and Gary has been very gracious about all of the feedback sent his way. This is the way of the life of writers; you write, they read, some criticize, you learn, more read and send praise, then you can rejoice.

I recommend this book to all science fiction lovers, those who also like to read fantasy and readers that would like to try a new genre and new author. I am so glad that I read a wide variety of genres. Life is much more interesting if you widen your horizons and try something new. I am excited to read book two in this series. There were many storylines left wide open. I hope some of my questions will be answered, but if they are not, there is always book three to fill the holes for me.

The Limit by Kristen Landon

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Oct 212010
 

The Limit

Kristen Landon
Publisher – Aladdin
Published – September 2010
Hardcover – 291 pages
FTC FYI- borrowed from library
ISBN – 9781442402713
“The Limit” page 1– An eighth grade girl was taken today.
Whispers and text messages flew through Grover Middle School. They slipped handcuffs on her and shoved her into the back of a van. They shot her with a tranquilizer dart in the middle of the lunchroom. She escaped and she’s hiding in the library-right now-texting her friends.
The girl went to Lakeview Middle School. My cousin goes to Lakeview. He said they called her out of first period and she never came back. An eighth grader! Nobody could believe it. Up until now they’d only taken high school students.
Up until now we thought we were off-limits.”
Imagine a society where the government decides how much money your family can spend. And when you go over your limit, you are faced with consequences you might not be ready for. That is what happens to Matt and his family. Matthew Dunston’s family spent money without any care in the world. Or, without thinking of what could happen if they went over the limit. One day, all that changes. The limit is reached and Matt is taken to the FDRA (Federal Debt Rehabilitation Agency). Sharlene Smoot comes to pick him up. She is a pretty lady, with a voice like honey. Matt, in his mind, calls her “Honey Lady”. (She reminds me of the “mean lady” in the book “The Girl Who Could Fly”, very nice on the surface, but look out if you cross her.) Sharlene explains to him why he is there and what has to happen for him to get to leave. Right away, he is tested and put on the floor that needs his abilities the most. Matt is smart, especially when it comes to numbers. He uses his smarts as a weapon and also to his advantage. Later on something happens that test his patience, not only with the system, but with his own family. The FDRA has a secret, and Matt is determined to find out what it is.
What I enjoyed the most was the bit of humor within such a series subject. The thought of kids being taken away to work off their families debt, even with our current society really doesn’t seem too out there. Still scary though. However, Matt is a funny guy. Easy to like. I loved his pet name for people. Like: Honey Lady, Crab Woman, Gorilla Man… Clever. I really enjoyed the ending. It didn’t end with all the debt magically going away, I liked that responsibility needed to be taken.
I enjoyed this book and give it 3 1/2 stars out of 5. I have not read her other book, but it’s on my list!
Kristen Landon’s “Life in the Pit” is YA. You can buy both books here.

Episode 24 – Fool Me Twice and The Host

 Posted by  2008 Podcasts, Podcasts
May 232008
 
Podcast for May 23, 2008
Episode 24

In Episode 24, we discuss Stephanie Black’s newest book Fool Me Twice as well as The Host by Stephenie Meyer.

[podcast]http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/shows/2008-05-23/ldswbr_episode24_05-23-08.mp3[/podcast]

Click here to download the sample Variety Puzzles for Latter-Day Saints Vol 1.  You can purchase the book at http://deseretbook.com/store/product?sku=5000682