BOOK REVIEW: The Young Mystery Series--The Missing Lunch by B. K. Maxwell

The Young Mystery Series: The Missing Lunch
B.K. Maxwell
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
1499632851/978-1499632859/B00L2XVK0I
$6.99 US Paperback/ $2.99 US Kindle

5 Stars:

The Young Mystery Series by B.K. Maxwell is a new detective series following a sibling duo, Kia-9 years old and Marcus 8 years old. In The Missing Lunch, the story starts in the children's elementary school in a small Michigan town. While having lunch, their friend Dennis asks for help. His mom's world famous pb&j sandwich has been stolen out of his lunch box for the past couple days, and he has been forced to eat the gross cafeteria school instead. He hopes they can find the culprit quick. Kia and Marcus agree to help their friend. But this is a difficult case for them to solve. Their culprit is super sneaky and has the duo on a wild goose chase.

My daughter and I really enjoyed this story. It is a classic fun detective story similar to Sherlock Holmes and Nancy Drew. My daughter instantly connected with the main character, Kia. She loved how strong-willed and clever she is. The settings, dialogue, and characters are kid-friendly and relatable. My daughter chimed in several times about experiences the characters faced and how they reminded her of things in her own life. This page turner kept her interest from the second she opened it to the very unwanted end.

B.K. Maxwell is a new force in the "kidlit" world, and there are plenty of reasons for him to go far: his dialogue is convincing, fun, and well-crafted; his plot development is exquisite; and his character development is awe-inspiring. Overall, we would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a great new detective series for their children. It is a fantastic read.

Purchase The Young Mystery Series: The Missing Lunch by B.K. Maxwell Here

Stay Tuned for the review of "Robbie Zero, Super Girl Hero" by
C.L. Vaagen/ Illustrated by Mike Henderson


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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Currently, I am only taking on short reads--Children's Books Only--since my chapter book schedule is full. Sorry for the inconvenience. No Spammers Please!

Jaclyn M. Bartz
Author/Illustrator of "The Retired Tooth Fairy"
Volunteer Book Reviewer for Midwest Book Review

email: theretiredtoothfairy (at) outlook (dot) com

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Book Review: On The Edge of Wishing by Danette Key

On the Edge of Wishing
Danette Key
iUniverse
978-1-4759-6441-7
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.iuniverse.com
$13.95 US

5 Stars:

We had the pleasure to review Danette Key's YA novel, On the Edge of Wishing. This story is about the challenges a family faces when dealing with a problematic child. Maddy is a 14 year old teenager who is very unappreciative of life. She is disobedient, disrespectful, and selfish. She gets in trouble at school on a regular basis and treats her siblings unkindly.

As a result of her bad behavior, her father, Peter--a soccer coach--can no longer stand being around her and wishes she was someone else. Her mother, Becca, is an overwhelmed mother of three who retreats to community service in order to escape the problems with her daughter. And Maddy's two younger siblings do not understand why she is so mean to them.

Unexpected help arrives from the other side to mend this broken family. Mary Ellen is a soul with an important task. She possesses Maddy's body and intervenes with this family's challenges. Soon, Maddy starts acting strange. She seems nicer and more loving.  Peter takes notice of her weird behavior, but he is happy that she is becoming more of the ideal daughter he had wished for. There is only one problem: Mary Ellen wants to stay as Maddy, and she is willing to do what she can to make that happen.

Danette Key is professional writer and proof-reader. She also writes poetry and posts it to her website. On the Edge of Wishing is her debut novel. One interesting fact about Danette: In her free time, she loves to make quilts for her family.  (Info borrowed from danettekey.com)

This story is well-crafted from the beginning to the end. From excellent character development to the interesting plot points, On the Edge of Wishing has it all. This story's moderate pace is engaging and keeps the reader's interest throughout. In addition, it features several great messages for more than just the young adult readers this book is directed toward. I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a story with a deeper meaning that not only entertains, but teaches kindness, patience, and appreciation. 

Find "On the Edge of Wishing" by Danette Key on Amazon


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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Books we review are for target audience 0-14 and PG. No Spammers Please!

Jaclyn M. Bartz
"The Retired Tooth Fairy"

email: theretiredtoothfairy@outlook (dot) com

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The Tooth Fairy Retires and Visits Homes Across the Globe

Of course, like any new Author, I cannot help but share my excitement. My first book has been released and is available on Amazon! I can officially say that I am a Published Author! This has been an exciting adventure, and I highly recommend for anyone thinking about writing a book to put yourself out there and do it. I have already completed my first goal as a newbie--I have sold my first copy to a perfect stranger! Amazing!

And without further ado....

Here she is, Bea--The Retired Tooth Fairy:

The Retired Tooth Fairy by Jaclyn M Bartz

 

 

 

Sharing is caring--I would appreciate if you could share this with your friends. Thank you in advance.

Please stay tuned for the Official Online Release Party where I will have a Q&A session, give-a-ways, and lots of other fun.

If you are an author and willing to offer a complimentary copy to guests...please feel to message me at theretiredtoothfairy (at) outlook (dot) com.

And, last but not least, thank you for all of your support. I could not have done this without you! :)

Sincerely,

Jaclyn M Bartz
"The Retired Tooth Fairy"

Official Website
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Book Review: The Mosquito and the Teapot

 The Mosquito and the Teapot: Authored by Aamani Gurajada/Illustrated by Sunaad Gurajada

Rating: 5 out of 5 Mosquitos

The very first thing that struck me about this book is the amazing talent these two artists possess. The stories are written by Aamani, who is a very talented 6 year old author...yes, I said 6 years old...and illustrated by Sunaad, who is a very talented 11 year old illustrator. This is what is great about the shift in publishing trends because talented kids, such as these two, have the chance to explore and share their talents. It is obvious Aamani and Sunaad have a very promising future ahead of them, and I look forward to seeing them progress in their very early careers.

The Mosquito and the Teapot is a short collection of stories teaching the importance of friendship and kindness. Each story focuses on separate challenges, such as the importance of telling someone to stop doing something that is not liked and another story that teaches the readers not fight with their friends over unimportant issues. In addition to the stories, Sunaad, the illustrator, does an amazing job creating delightful pictures that enhance the story.

My youngest daughter loved reading this story. We laughed at the fun passages and she loved looking at the pictures. When she found out this story was written by another kid, she enjoyed it even more. Overall, I would recommend this book for anyone looking for quick stories and chuckles to share with your little ones. And let's take a moment to give these talented kids a round of applause!

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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Books we review are for target audience 0-14 and PG. No Spammers Please!

Jaclyn M. Bartz
"The Retired Tooth Fairy"

email: theretiredtoothfairy@outlook.com

Official Website
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Tweet Me~ @JaclynMBartz
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Book Review: The Smile Ambassadors by Jeffrey Reid (Updated)

Our rating is 4 out of 5 two-headed turtles

"The Smile Ambassadors" by Jeffery Reid is a story based on the life of a real two-headed turtle named Zack and Mack. It is targeted for older children, preferably 5th graders to age 14, as it is a longer read with a big vocabulary. This story follows the fictitious adventures of these two fun turtles who share the same body.

The story starts out with Zack and Mack disappearing. The young girl, Constance, searches all over town for her beloved pet, but cannot find them. Meanwhile, Zack and Mack are off on an adventure--learning about the strange new world outside of their tank. They had to learn how to find food, and how to escape turtle poachers, cats, and crowds of skittish people (who confuse them with a monster). During the family's search, the local media gets involved with missing two-headed turtle story. This creates interest in them amongst the townspeople.

As the story progresses, we learn about a big turtle race, meet new and exciting friends, and learn how Zack and Mack became "The Smile Ambassadors. Overall this is a family-friendly, feel-good story. Mr. Reid does a wonderful job brining us into his characters' world with humor and vivid descriptions.


Please check out Zack and Mack at Amazon and let them put a smile on your family's face!

Excerpt taken from Amazon:

Constance has lost her turtle. It is not just any turtle but Zack and Mack, a two-headed turtle. Where can they be? Will placing mackerel around town lure Zack and Mack from hiding? What about that phone call from the mysterious Mr. Moto? Are Zack and Mack to be found in a turtle race at the Maytown Fair? Why is the President concerned about the safe return of a turtle? Meet the Queen of England's Royal Turtle, Henry. Learn of the insidious plot by The Potentate. Experience the climatic crash, tumble and heart thumping action of full-on turtle racing. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, this story is designed to create a mental image of turtles that you will never forget; it will also give you cause to smile.

This story is based upon the best recollections of "fictitious" events involving a real, live, two-headed turtle.

The Smile Ambassadors is a novel suitable for all humans but it is specifically written for ages eight to fourteen.

In memory of James Zajicek, who passed away on July 3rd after a long battle with cancer. He is a featured character in "The Smile Ambassadors" as The Curator. For more about James, click here.
Please send your thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. Thank you!

Photo from sideshowworld.com

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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Books we review are for target audience 0-14 and PG. No Spammers Please!

Jaclyn M. Bartz
"The Retired Tooth Fairy"

email: theretiredtoothfairy@outlook.com

Official Website
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Tweet Me~ @JaclynMBartz
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Book Review: How the Moon Regained Her Shape by Janet Ruth Heller

How the Moon Regained Her Shape by Janet Ruth Heller/ Illustrated by Ben Hodson

"Influenced by Native American folktales, this story teaches the phases of the moon while emphasizing how to deal with bullies. After the sun insults her, the moon is hurt and disappears. With the help of her many friends, the moon regains her self-confidence each day until she is back to her full size.

2006 Children’s Choices Award (Children’s Book Council and Int’l. Reading Association) 2007 Ben Franklin Award (Publishers Marketing Association) 2007 Moonbeam Gold Award"

~Excerpt taken from Amazon.

 

 

 

Family Rating: 5 out of 5 "Moons"

 

 

From the emotionally engaging storyline to the beautiful illustrations, "How the Moon Regained Her Shape" was a delightful tale to share with my little ones. Janet Ruth Heller works magic with her storytelling skills, and Ben Hodson does an superb job bringing those words to life.

"How the Moon Regained Her Shape" merges Native American folktales with an anti-bullying message. The story begins with the moon happily dancing along the sky until she gets in the sun's way. The sun gets angry and says some very mean things to her causing her to feel unimportant. As a result, she retreats from the sky by shrinking. In order to bring her back, her friends try to help her realize how important she is. In addition to this wonderful story, the author includes a few pages dedicated to educating children about the moon, as well as a great tip sheet for dealing with bullies. Overall, this is a great book and we recommend adding this to your bookshelf.



 You can buy it here on Amazon: "How the Moon Regained Her Shape" by Janet Ruth Heller


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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Books we review are for target audience 0-14 and PG. No Spammers Please!

Jaclyn M. Bartz
"The Retired Tooth Fairy"

email: theretiredtoothfairy@outlook.com

Official Website
Facebook Author Page
"The Retired Tooth Fairy" Fan Page
Tweet Me~ @JaclynMBartz
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Book Review: A Zoo in the Castle by Andrea Carrera

 

 

 

Rating: 5 out of 5 Giggles

 

 

Today, my youngest children and I had the pleasure reading "A Zoo in the Castle" by Andrea Carrera. This interactive book asks the readers to help the main character, Mia, find her lost animal. After going through Mia's zoo, we discover an empty cage. Then the kids have to guess what kind of animal is missing by the clues given.

 

I read this with my one year old and four year old, and it is an understatement saying they loved this story. Throughout the pages, my kids squealed with delight as we went from page to page. Ms. Carrera does a wonderful job with her cute animals and adorable illustrations. When we were finished, the kids wanted to read it again and again.

 

I would recommend this book to any parent looking for a quick read for their children.

Please check it out here: "A Zoo in the Castle" by Andrea Carrera

 

 

 

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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Books we review are for target audience 0-14 and PG. No Spammers Please!

-Jaclyn

Please "Like" me on Facebook or "Follow" me on Twitter. And don't forget to check out my website.

 



Book Review: Jesper Jinx by Marko Kitti

 

 

Crystal's Rating: 6 out of 5 Cupcakes (No, the "6" is not a typo.)

 

Crystal is an avid reader and aspiring cupcake master. Her love of reading sparked early on when she was just a wide-eyed lil tot. Now a tween, she enjoys stories with more complicated themes (even though she still enjoys a cute illustration here and there).

 

We had the pleasure of reading, Jesper Jinx by Marko Kitti over the weekend. Jesper Jinx is about an eleven-year old boy who has an appetite for trouble whether it is intended or not. This book features a collection of his stories, from pranks on his sister to his new friendship with classmate who has a moustache. It is appropriately targeted for middle grade audiences. This book is a gem!

 

'Jesper Jinx' will leave you wanting more. From the very beginning to the unwanted end, Marko Kitti does a wonderful job making his readers laugh out loud in delight. The illustrations are adorable and enhance this already exciting book. 'Jesper Jinx' engages the readers by talking directly to them and having them swear not to let Jesper know the narrator is telling these stories. In addition, there is a cute rebuff from Jesper's cat that is a creative literary gift from Mr. Kitti.

 

Overall, this book is highly recommend because the voice, pace, and cast of characters are humorous, creative, and exciting!

 

 

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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Books we review are for target audience 0-14 and PG. No Spammers Please!

-Jaclyn

Please "Like" me on Facebook or "Follow" me on Twitter. And don't forget to check out my website.

 

Book Review: Rayne Shines by Bonnie Ferrante

Lilly's Rating: Really Loves it!

Lilly's Rating Scale: It's Okay, Likes It, Loves it, Really Loves It

Lilly is a 3 year old reader, but if you ask her she will always say she is 4 (which will be true in another month). She loves "kitties, and birdies, and ponies". When she is not reading, she is drawing or jumping into a big pile of pillows.

Today, we had the pleasure of reading Rayne Shines by Bonnie Ferrante. Rayne Shines follows a family who only finds the negatives in life. When a new carefree family moves in, Rayne notices the differences between her family and her happy neighbors.

This story is a great read because it teaches kids to look for the good in life and not get caught up in the bad. Otherwise, they will miss out on how wonderful life can be. In addition, Ms. Ferrante includes a list of discussion questions for parents to talk about with their children. Overall, we would recommend this book because this story has a great message and cute illustrations.

If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Books we review are for target audience 0-14 and PG. No Spammers Please!

-Jaclyn

Please "Like" me on Facebook or "Follow" me on Twitter. And don't forget to check out my website.

Heart Attack--Well, Maybe Not! But I Do Have A Sneak Peek

Yes....a sneak peek...a little raw, but none the less, the scene is still the same! Here is your chance to review me. Please be gentle. :)

The Retired Tooth Fairy:
https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1148905

Book Review: Prophency of Enchantria by Mary DeKok Blowers

 

 

Crystal's Rating: 4 out of 5 Cupcakes

 

Crystal is an avid reader and aspiring cupcake master. Her love of reading sparked early on when she was just a wide-eyed lil tot. Now a tween, she enjoys stories with more complicated themes (even though she still enjoys a cute illustration here and there).

 

Today, we have the pleasure of reviewing Prophecy of Enchantria--a Christian-Themed Fantasy Novelette. The story follows an awkward, meek girl named Pandora as she discovers a portal into a new world full of fascinating creatures and scenery. There she learns about a conflict between two mystical lands and a revealing fact about herself. This story has a good message and is full of twists and turns.

 

The story started out with a great attention getter, forcing the reader to become emotionally invested in the main character, and it helps set the fast pace. The author does an amazing job bringing the reader into her exciting new world through her descriptions and unique characters, such as two talking peacocks. Overall, this is a cute short story full of excitement and adventure.

 

Find the Prophency of Enchantria by Mary DeKok Blowers on Amazon.

 

If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Books we review are for target audience 0-14 and PG. No Spammers Please!

-Jaclyn

Please "Like" me on Facebook or "Follow" me on Twitter. And don't forget to check out my website.

Book Review: Lily Lemon Blossom-Welcome to Lily's Room

This book can be found on Amazon.
Lilly's Rating: Really Loves it!

Lilly's Rating Scale: It's Okay, Likes It, Loves it, Really Loves It

Lilly is a 3 year old reader, but if you ask her she will always say she is 4 (which will be true in another month). She loves "kitties, and birdies, and ponies". When she is not reading, she is drawing or jumping into a big pile of pillows.

Today, we read Lily Lemon Blossom: Welcome to Lily's Room. Of course, she picked this book because she shares the same name as the main character.  When we opened the book, we were greeted with many wonderful illustrations. The story takes you through a day in Lily's room. The story is written in rhymes, and flows nicely. Each drawing is dynamic and enhances each passage.

Lilly enjoyed looking for the kitty in the pictures, and she thought the illustrations were "very pretty".  Naturally, she asked me to read it again, and again, . . . and again. (Meaning she really loves it!)

It is appropriately targeted for audiences 3-5. As a Mom, I liked how the main character makes a point to clean her room and keep it tidy. Overall, the story is about a girl showing off her room and the things inside. It is nicely done and I thought the author did a clever job with her word play. I would recommend it for anyone with a little girl in this age group.



If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a link or PDF. Books we review are for target audience 0-14 and PG. No Spammers Please!

Free Book Reviews

Are you looking to reach your target audience? If so, I have three children ready to read your book. Hello, my name is Jaclyn. I am a writer, blogger, illustrator, and mommy of three. The books I review are for ages 0-14 and PG. Any genre is fine. I regularly review on Amazon, but I am starting a section on my blog for reviews. If we don’t like a book, we will not review it; however, if we do chose your book, I will tweet and share it on my SM sites. Feel free to message me at theretiredtoothfairy@outlook.com. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and G+. And of course, don’t forget about my blog. Hope to talk to you soon!

::::Update::::

I am now a volunteer reviewer for The Midwest Review. Reviews I post on my site will also be submitted to the Reader's Bookwatch--a monthly newsletter by The Midwest Review. It is a great opportunity for extra exposure.

In addition, my first book has been published. If you are willing to exchange reviews--I would appreciate if you can return the kindness- please let me know when inquiring about a book review.

Another thing to keep in mind, since my children help review the books, there is a timeframe to consider.

Early Readers can take 4-6  weeks depending on amount of requests.
Middle Grade Chapter Books will take longer 6-12 weeks depending on size and amount of requests.

Preference will be given to audiobooks since they are easier to review.

In order to make it as a submission for the Reviewer's Bookwatch, these need to be included in your email:

From The Midwest Review site---

Title

Author

Publisher

Publisher's address

13-digit ISBN number (a 10-digit ISBN is accepted if necessary)

List Price (a.k.a. "cover price"), in U.S. Dollars if possible. Please do not give a book's discounted price on Amazon or anywhere else, because "sale" prices are subject to frequent change, unlike the cover price.

Thank you! I look forward to helping you!