The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is a fun mystery for kids as well as adults who enjoy children's stories. Renald Muldoon is an average looking boy with average height and average brown hair. But his mind is far from average.

When he reads about a special test being offered in the city for gifted children and his tutor Miss Paramol (I'm not sure of the spellings as I listened to the audiobook) encourages him to take it, he finds himself being recruited along with a few other children, for a special, top secret assignment by the kindly Mr. Benedict. Something strange is happening in the world, strange messages are being transmitted in subliminal ways, and Mr. Benedict needs the kids' help to find out what is going on and put a stop to it before the sinister Mr. Curtain (the evil genius behind the messages) can take over everyone's mind. Rennie teams up with Kate Weatherall, Sticky Washington, and Constance Contrair to stop Mr. Curtain, but will he figure out their plans before they can? Read this exciting book and find out!

The Spiderwick Chronicles movie directed by Mark Waters

The Spiderwick Chronicles movie directed by Mark Waters and starring Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, and others, was an exciting film suitable for families. It is PG so parents would want to preview it before smaller children watch it. It does have scary scenes, and green goblin blood visible. Siblings Jared, Simon, and Malory Grace move with their mother into their great aunt's house. The movie does not specify that she was actually their grandmother's cousin not sister.

Right away the siblings discover a dumb waiter and Jared finds a mystereous hand made Field Guide made by Arthur Spiderwick, their great aunt Lucinda's father. A mouse brownie makes himself known, named Timbletack who goes between being helpful to causing mischief as a boggart depending on his mood. The siblings struggle to stay one step ahead of Mulgorath and keep the book away from him as they seek for answers. With the help of Hogsqueal, a hobgoblin, they are able to do that. But when the goblins find a way to break down the protective barrier between them and Aunt Lucinda's house will their defences be enough to fight them back? Watch the movie to find out.

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi is an exciting story about three siblings, Jared, Simon, and Mallory Gracee, and their mother. The story begins when family moves into their great aunt's house (actually, their grandmother's cousin, not sister, so their more distantly related, but since the cousins grew up like sisters, they call her their great aunt).

Their parents recently separated, and Jared is having the hardest time of it. They get enrolled in a new school, and Jared begins to have problems again. But school problems are not the only difficulties they have. Jared and his siblings begin to discover that their new house is very unusual. Strange noises in the wall, and odd things happening to them convince them that something is living in the house with them that isn't normal. When Jared discovers a hand made field guide to fairies, things start coming together. But the family's danger increases, too. Goblins, including the sinister Mulgorath would do anything to get their hands on the book, including killing those who have it so that they can take over the world. Will Jared and his siblings be able to fight the goblins off with the help of other magical creatures? Read the books and find out!

Spells and Spaceships! Ebook Giveaway hosted by MyBookCave!

My book, Taigh~ A Flying Squirrel's Adventure, and 21 other books in fantasy, sci-fi, or other speculative genres, are part of a giveaway on MyBookCave! If you enjoy sci-fi and/or fantasy, check these books out. Each one is free though the end of March. And remember to enter to win the $25.00 gift card while you're looking at the books!

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary is a fun book about Ralph, a mouse who lives in the Mountain View Inn, an old, quaint hotel in the Sierra Nevadas who meets a boy named Keith.

They discover they can talk to each other, and Keith allows Ralph to ride his toy motorcycle, which is somehow magical and can move when Ralph makes the sound of an engine with his mouth. When Ralph accidentally loses the motorcycle in a pile of laundry, will Keith forgive him? And will the pair ever be able to find the motorcycle again? But even more importantly, when Keith becomes sick, will Ralph be able to find and bring him an aspirin tablet to bring Keith's fever down? Read the book and find out!

The Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a sweet story about a little girl, Laura, who lives with her pa, ma, and sisters, Mary and baby Carrie in the Big Woods of Wisconsin.

She experiences life with her sister, mother, father, and relatives during the 1800s, and yet is still relatable to small children today who see life through the wondering, curious eyes that children have always looked at the world with. She visits her grandparents, enjoys Christmas, delights in going to the town, and seeing the big lake. There isn't a driving plot to the story, but each chapter has its own unique plot, and the book overall, is enjoyable. Children and adults who like to reminisce would enjoy this story.

Around the World in 80 Days produced by Disney

The movie Around the World in 80 Days, directed by Frank Coraci and produced by Disney, based on the book of the same name by Jules Verne, is a delightful story about Phileas Fogg played by actor Steve Coogan and his valet, Passapartout, played by Jackie Chan. There are a few differences between the movie and the book upon which it is based, but the main question about whether these two men can get around the world in 80 days is still the driving force of the plot.

While they are in Paris, they meet an aspiring artist Monique La Roche, played by actress Cécile de France, and with her escape a group of thugs who are after Passpartout (who in this movie is actually from China, and named Lau Xing who is trying to get something stolen from his village back home. The trio set off around the world, evading Fixx and others who have falsly accused Fogg of the robbery at the Bank of England (the robber was actually Passpartout/Lau Xing, only getting his village's property back) and finding their way back to Passpartout's village to return the jade Buddah that was stolen from them. Will they successfully return the jade Buddah? And will they make it back to England before the 80s days is up? Watch the movie and find out!