Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Beyond the Doors by David Neilsen

A Series of Unfortunate Events?

Check.

Coraline?

Check.

How about a hint of Monsters, Inc., Jumanji, and The Spiderwick Chronicles?

Check.

Check.

Check.

When Jim sent out an email and asked if anyone would be interested in reading and reviewing David Neilsen’s second middle grade novel, Beyond the Doors, as busy as I am these days, I couldn’t help but reply back with a yes. After all, the premise sounded fabulously intriguing.

A house with no doors? Or, as the publisher describes it: “Every doorway is a wide-open passageway--even the bathroom! Who lives in a house with no doors?”  

Busy or not, how could I pass that up?

Though it’s been compared to A Series of Unfortunate Events and Coraline, David Neilsen’s cleverly crafted novel also reminded me a little bit of Monsters, Inc., Jumanji, and The Spiderwick Chronicles. With that being said, I think that Beyond the Doors, itself, would make a great movie!

Now, if you are in any way concerned that Beyond the Doors is a been-there-done-that kind of book because of the comp titles, trust me, it is not. Some threads of the story might remind the reader of the comp titles, but its main story is unique. And did I mention that it is also clever?

To add icing on the cake (since it’s the holiday season), the illustrations are totally on point. I think that kids will fall in love with this book, and it would be perfect for reading over the winter break.

You can read Jim’s interview with David here. You can read more about Beyond the Doors here. To purchase a copy, hurry out to your favorite bookstore or grab a copy from your favorite online retailer. Did I mention that this book would be great for winter break reading?

Enjoy!

Book Review and Giveaway: MOLLY PEPPER AND THE NIGHT TRAIN, by: Courtney King Walker

Update: Winner chosen by random.org is #2 - poetryinleaves. Thanks for stopping by!

Hi Mayhemers! Marissa here. :)

Today, I'm happy to introduce you to a new middle-grade book from Courtney King Walker. Here is the summary from the back cover of MOLLY PEPPER AND THE NIGHT TRAIN:

"Hidden somewhere in the fog of the San Francisco bay lies Blue Rock Island, home to the bay area's two best-kept secrets: Bell's Bluff, the old, abandoned prison on one side of the island, and the Night Train, a mysterious train ride on the other.

When twelve-year-old Molly Pepper receives a secret invitation promising a night of magic and adventure aboard the Night Train, she is skeptical. In her experience, most promises prove too good to be true. The fact that she lost her mom is proof enough.

Still, Molly gives hope another chance. Together with her loyal friend, Noah Wonderly, they sneak out of the house and follow a string of clues leading tot he Night Train. But when the train stops at Bell's Bluff, Molly discovers the real reason she was invited. There, she starts to wonder if hope and magic not only fix broken promises but make you believe in them again."

And a little bit about the author: " Courtney King Walker grew up in the San Francisco bay area

building rocketships and rafts out of cardboard, hoping to make it to the moon or at least Niagara Falls. But a trip across the border to Tijuana was as exciting as it ever got, so she decided writing was the next best thing. She now lives in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and four children and still dreams of flying to the moon."

This humorous adventure-mystery hits the right mark for middle-grade: a plucky heroine, a winsome best friend, and a magical setting with plenty of adventure. I liked Molly's independence and curiosity and Noah's journey to conquer his fears. Full of tasty foods from doughnuts to cinnamon candy and fun adventures at carnivals and on the night train, the plot carries readers along with Molly as she explores her feelings about her mom's death and learns to regain hope in family and friends.

So if you or the young reader in your life is looking for a fun summer read, pick up MOLLY PEPPER AND THE NIGHT TRAIN. Better yet, enter Project Mayhem's giveaway for a signed paperback. All you have to do is make sure to follow Project Mayhem and then leave us a comment sharing one of your favorite summer reads.

This giveaway is for US addresses only and will be open until Friday 8/7 when I'll post the winner selected by random.org.

The Attic of Sand and Secrets by Medeia Sharif

I totally enjoyed reading Media Sharif’s recently released middle grade novel, The Attic of Sand and Secrets. It’s an engaging multi-cultural mystery that draws awareness to the complexities of prejudice in our society but does so in a way that isn’t preachy. The culturally sensitive conflicts between people drive the story forward at a brisk pace.

From the Back cover:

Learning-disabled Lily desires to prove herself, although her mind freezes when presented with big problems - such as her mother's abduction. With a French father and Egyptian mother, Lily worries that her mother hid her ethnicity from her French in-laws. However, there's something deeper going on. Lily finds a way into an attic that's normally locked and encounters a mysterious, moonlit Egyptian night world. There she finds Khadijah, an ancient stranger who guides her to finding clues about her mother's whereabouts. Lily becomes a sleuth in both the real world and magical desert, endangering herself as she gets closer to the kidnapper.

Medeia Sharif was born in New York City and presently calls Miami her home. She received her master's degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University. Published through various presses, she writes middle grade and young adult short stories and novels. In addition to being a writer, she's a public school teacher.

As a side note, I read and loved Media's first book, the well-reviewed, Bestest. Ramadan. Ever., when it first came out in 2011.

She is also the author of the young adult novels:

HOT PINK IN THE CITY, Prizm Books/Torquere Press, 2015

52 LIKES, Evernight Teen, 2015

VITAMINS AND DEATH, Prizm Books/Torquere Press, 2014

SNIP, SNIP REVENGE, Evernight Teen, 2014

You can visit Medeia at her website to learn more about her.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Ollie and the Science of Treasure Hunting

I had the pleasure of reading Erin Dionne’s newest book: Ollie and the Science of Treasure Hunting: A 14 Day Mystery, which comes out July 10, 2014. That’s tomorrow!! Congrats, Erin!!

First, the cover copy for Ollie:

After helping his best friend, Moxie, outsmart a gangster and uncover priceless artwork, Ollie plans to lay low at Wilderness Camp on the Boston Harbor Islands while the media frenzy blows over. Navigating new friends, new enemies, and a high-stakes game of tag, the last thing he needs is a mystery. But then Ollie meets Grey, an elusive girl with knowledge of the island’s secrets, including the legend of a lost pirate treasure, which may not be legend after all.

Ollie uses his wits and geocaching skills to keep long-lost treasure out of the wrong hands in this exciting adventure-mystery from fan-favorite middle grade author Erin Dionne.

• Hardcover
• ISBN 9780803738720
• 10 Jul 2014
• Dial Books for Young Readers
• 9 – 12

My take: Ollie and the Science of Treasure Hunting is a fast-paced read with a memorable, authentic voice. I devoured it in two sittings. I think it would work well not only for independent reading but to read out loud to a class or to your own children. But, I wasn’t the only one who LOVED this book. Here’s what the experts said:

“A well-choreographed romp starring an engaging protagonist who richly deserves his turn in the spotlight.” –Kirkus Reviews

“A cast of likable campers, each with his or her own quirks, drive this fast-paced adventure.” –Booklist

SLJ called it “a breathless thrill ride.”

Erin is no stranger to middle grade fiction. Her other books include:

 

Moxie and the Art of Rule Breaking: A 14 Day Mystery (Dial Books, 2013)

Notes from an Accidental Band Geek (Dial Books, 2011)

The Total tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet (Dial Books, 2010)

Models Don’t Eat Chocolate Cookies (Dial Books, 2009)

A little bit more about the author:

Photo Credit: Aran Gilmore

Erin Dionne is an assistant professor of Liberal Arts at a small college north of Boston, where she teaches freshman comp, lit classes, and some creative writing electives. When not actively promoting her writing with her great humor and enthusiastic understanding of the miseries and magic of middle school, Erin reminisces about her days in high school and college marching band. She lives with her husband and daughter in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Thanks for stopping by.

MG Debut: Eddie Red Undercover by Marcia Wells

Marcia Wells has written a memorable debut middle grade mystery that I totally enjoyed reading.

First, the cover copy for Eddie Red Undercover: Mystery on Museum Mile:

Sixth-grader Edmund Xavier Lonnrot, code name “Eddie Red,” has a photographic memory and a prodigious talent for drawing anything he sees. When the NYPD is stumped by a mastermind art thief, Eddie becomes their secret weapon to solve the case, drawing Eddie deeper into New York’s famous Museum Mile and closer to a dangerous criminal group known as the Picasso Gang. Can Eddie help catch the thieves in time, or will his first big case be his last?
Laugh-out-loud humor, adventure, and friendship combine in this illustrated middle grade series debut, a must-read for any fan of puzzles, mystery, and art.

Format: Hardcover
ISBN-13/ EAN: 9780544238336
ISBN-10: 0544238338
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 04/01/2014
Carton Quantity: 24
Grade Level: 4,5,6,7
Age Range: 9,10,11,12

And yes, I did laugh out loud several times. Eddie has a great voice. He’s informal, self-confident but not in a cocky way, and funny. Combine his voice with a page-turning mystery sprinkled with some seriously strange adults and you’ve got a great read. And, I also loved the way the game of Chess plays into the story. I’ll stop now. No spoilers here.

And, the illustrations by Marcos Calo are top-notch.

 Copyright 2014 Marcos Calo

Eddie Red Undercover debuts on April 1^st, but you can preorder it now right here.

Congrats to Marcia!!

Thanks for stopping by.