Roosevelt Library Summer Reading Kickoff!

Yesterday, I had a great time at the Summer Reading Kickoff at the Roosevelt Library in Roosevelt, Utah.

I was able to spend time with Heather Moore, Jewel Adams, Karen Hoover, and got to meet Daniel Lowe, an author of several books, including The Forbidden Histories of the Americas. There were a lot of families that participated in the fun activities the library offered, including making dream catchers, a scavenger hunt, and talking to us authors! I had a great time, and I hope everyone else did, too!

The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw is an exciting story about a boy named Ranofer in ancient Egypt.

Despite a setting that took place long in the past, Ranofer manages to be relatable to people today, especially kids in their early teens and pre-teens. He has a dilemma in that while he has a job he likes (working for a goldsmith) his guardian, (his abusive half brother) won't allow him to be an apprentice to his kind and considerate boss. Things would be different if his parents were still alive. But his mom died having him, and his dad died a few months before of some undisclosed illness. Still, Ranofer at least likes his job, and the few friends he makes, even though he doesn't like the strange, unnaturally polite man who gives him wine skins every few days and tells him to take them home to his brother. He starts suspecting that there are stolen bits of gold in the wine skins and that his brother and the man are working together. But before he gets brave enough to tell anyone who can help him, things get worse when his brother forces him to quit his job and come work for the stone cutters. Ranofer doesn't want to be a stone cutter! He wants to be a goldsmith like his father was, and the nice man he had worked for. And what is Ranofer to do when he begins to see evidence that his brother is not only stealing bits of gold from goldsmiths, but stealing from graves as well? Will Ranofer find the courage to do what is right and will people believe him when he does?

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth is the 2nd book in the Divergent series. It continues where book 1 ends, following Tris (Beatrice) Prior, her boyfriend, Four (Tobias) and others as they escape the Erudite faction that is trying to kill them, and go to the Amity compound, hoping for help.

Tris is still struggling with the guilt of having to shoot Will, one of her friends, while he was under the mind control of the Erudite and trying to kill her. As a result of this guilt, she makes things harder for her friends who don't know what to do for her. Will she be able to cope, and do what she needs to do to bring peace and stability to her people? Readers who enjoy dystopian novels with heroes and heroines who have believable weaknesses and still work to overcome them would enjoy this book.

The Birthright is 21 Years Old!

Twenty-one years and a few months ago, (March 2004) I became a published author for the first time when Cedar Fort took a chance on me, and published my first book, The Birthright. From the back cover, with a few slight edits:

As a young girl, Miriam must flee her home in a Lamanite village to escape her birthright...to be offered as a sacrifice to the Lamanite gods. During her flight in the deep jungles, she crosses paths with Jacob, a youg Nephite soldier who saves her life and leads her to safety among the Nephites. Years later, now a young woman, Miriam meets Jacob again. She is surprised to find that the sisterly affection she felt for him long ago has developed into something deeper. But before they can discover their true feelings for one another, war comes to the lands of the Nephites, and both Miriam and Jacob find themselves thrown into a whirlwind of struggles. As they fight to keep their faith alive, they are drawn even closer together.

Mysteries of Cove: Fires of Invention by J. Scott Savage

Mysteries of Cove: Fires of Invention by J. Scott Savage is an exciting Steampunk dystopian story about a young man named Trenton Coleman and his friend Kallista Babbage. The two kids embark on a dangerous quest to find parts for a strange machine Kallista's father left behind before he was killed in a mysterious explosion.

They're not sure what it is or why her father left them, but as Kallista says, her father always did things for a reason. The final product astonishes the kids, but in a society locked inside of a mountain to save the people from the poisoned air that invention and creativity created outside their mountain, it's kind of hard to hide what they build. Will they be able to keep their machine a secret? And what happens when they discover what their society is really hiding them from; something lurking outside the safety of their underground city?

Divergent by Veronica Roth

In Divergent by Veronica Roth, Beatrice, or Tris as she likes to be called, grows up in a post apocalyptic society dominated by five factions, or groups of people that value a certain virtue.

She belongs to the faction called Abnigation, whichs values selflessness. There are four others in the city where she lives: Candor, a group which values honesty, Dauntless, which values courage, Amity, which values happiness, and Erudite, which values intelligence. She comes of age (which is 16) and is required to choose the faction she will be dedicated to the rest of her life. The problem is that when she takes her aptitude test, she is determined by the proctor to be "divergent". This troubles the proctor, a member of Candor, named Tori, who tells her to keep that to herself. Tori deletes the results from the computer so others can't see them, and manually enters the result that Tris leans toward Abnigation. However, Tris chooses to join Dauntless. This decision leads to a long set of trials, not the least being physcially and exhausting tests to determine if she is suitable to be a member of this faction of society. If she fails, she becomes one of the 'factionless' an undesirable group that is looked down on by others. But quickly she and her friends discover that there are more problems in their society than just being rejected by the factions. The leader of Erudite seems to have a sinister plan to take over. And Tris, being secrety a Divergent, somehow stands in the woman's way.

Cookies to Die For by Dene Low

The story of a hapless woman being taken hostage in her own home is a scary thought, but Cookies to Die For by Dene Low manages not to get too scary. Jane is home alone when a pair of burglars, seeking for something very specific but unknown to her, take her captive in their search for whatever they're after.

How is Jane going to escape? Especially when she knows her oldest son and his family are on their way to her house? Will she be able to get away from these goons and keep her family unscathed as well? One thing she knows how to do, is cook well. That appeases her tormentors, but will she figure out a way to use her cooking skills to orchestrate an escape as well?

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter is eager to start his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

His horrible relatives, his aunt, uncle, and cousin, have made the summer he turns 12 very miserable. But when a strange little fellow who calls himself Doby a house-elf shows up and warns Harry Potter not to back to Hogwarts this year, his summer becomes even more difficult. Why won't Doby just tell him what the problem is instead of giving hints and pleading for him not to go to school? And when Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley try to get through the magical barrier to get onto the Hogwarts train, why is the barrier magically sealed? How will they get to school now? And what danger is waiting for Harry when he does finally get to Hogwarts? Read the book and find out!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling, eleven year old Harry Potter doesn't know a lot about the night his parents died. His horrible aunt and uncle tell him they died in a car crash but somehow, that doesn't seem right.

Harry of course, was only a one year old at the time, and can't remember much. But he does remember, when he strains his mind, a lot of green light. But he can't explain where the green light would come from. There is a lot of stuff Harry can't explain. Like how he can get away from Dudley, his massive bully of a cousin by finding himself suddenly on the school kitchens when all he was trying to do was hide from Dudley behind the dumpsters. Or how he made his hair grow back so quickly after his awful aunt shaved his head. But then one day a letter comes for him. A letter that seems to upset his uncle and aunt who take it from him before he can read it. What is it all about, and does the strangely tall man named Hagrid have to tell Harry when Hagrid shows up to talk to him about a strange place called Hogwarts?

Children of the Lamp: The Cobra King of Kathmandu by P.B. Kerr

In the third book of the Children of the Lamp series, The Kobra King of Kathmandu by P.B. Kerr, Phillipa and John Gaunt, djinn twins, are off on another adventure.

Their friend, Buck, is in trouble. A crazy cobra cult, which has already killed several people, including Buck's friend, is trying to track him down because of a strange picture Buck has from India. In their efforts to help him, the twins, along with their butler Mr. Gronin, travel to India to see what they can track down about this mysterious, sinister cobra cult. But are they in over their heads? And will they end up like all the other people that have gotten in the way of this group and its disgusting leader? (He really is disgusting. He hasn't taken a bath in ages.) Read the book and find out! (While not explicitly shown, this story does contain child death, Buck's friend. Keep that in mind if you are sensitive to such things.)

Children of the Lamp: The Blue Djinn of Babylon by P.B. Kerr

Children of the Lamp: The Blue Djinn of Babylon by P.B. Kerr is the second book in the Children of the Lamp series and continues the adventures of John and Phillipa Gaunt, twin brother and sister.

Phillipa finds herself kidnapped by the Blue Djinn, a cranky old female djinn who seems intent on turning Phillipa into the next Blue Djinn when the old one dies. And so John sets off on a rescue mission. But is he up to the task? His dogs, Allan and Neil go with him, but even with their help, will he be able to find and rescue his sister? This is a fun book for both kids and adults who love adventure stories that have young teens as the hero and heroine.

Children of the Lamp: The Akhenaten Adventure by P.B. Kerr.

Children of the Lamp: The Akhenaten Adventure by P.B. Kerr begins the adventures of Phillipa and John Gaunt, twin brother and sister who find out shortly after they turn twelve, that they are Djinn which is both singular and plural (We mundanes often refer to them as Genies, but they hate the word.)

Upon this discovery, they are suddenly on an unexpected adventure with their Uncle Nimrod, their mother's brother who is also a Djinn. (Their mother is also a Djinn, though their father is not.) They discover that they are from a tribe of good djinn, but there are tribes of bad djinn out there, who are looking for 70 djinn who have been lost for thousands of years, likely locked in something that the ancient pharoah, Akhenaten owned. If the bad Djinn get hold of these trapped Djinn, they will turn them toward evil purposes. But if good djinn can find them first, they can turn them to good purposes. So off they go! This is a fun tale for both youngsters to read, and adults who enjoy middle grade adventures!

Double Fudge by Judy Blume

I enjoyed reading Judy Blume books as a kid, and enjoyed Double Fudge, the continuation of the story of Peter Hatcher and his annoying little brother Fudge (or Farley Drexel Hatcher as his given name is) on their adventures.

This time, Fudge is obsessed with money. He doesn't understand the value of working for what you get, but he does understand that money has buying power. He's making his own "Fudge Bucks" and intends to buy New York, and eventually the entire world someday. But in the meantime, he and his brother and their parents are hosting their annoying relatives, the Howie Hatchers (the family of their dad's cousin) in their home, and have to be accomodating despite the Howie Hatchers' weird traits and annoying habits. Will Peter Hatcher make it through? This fun book is aimed at kids, but adults who enjoyed Judy Blume's books as kids, would enjoy this story, too!

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is an exciting, swashbuckling adventure that has retained its appeal to young and old, despite its being well over a century old. Young Jim Hawkins and his parents first meet a strange man who comes to their inn and wants a room. He's a strange sea faring man who seems a bit crazy, and has an unhealthy addiction to rum, as well as a fearful fixation on the idea of a sea faring man with one leg whom he constantly warns Jim about.

When his father dies of sickness, Jim and his mother are left alone to deal with their odd guest, but when their strange guest also dies, apparently of fear after a frightening confrontation with a strange blind man, both mother and son know they need to go for help, especially when they see mean looking sailors coming toward their inn. They run for it before the pirates can get to them, but they don't leave their inn empty handed. They take a strange map they found in their strange guest's sea chest. Is it a treasure map? Their friends, including Doctor Livesey thinks so. This begins Jim's adventure with Doctor Livesey, Squire Trelawney, Captain Smollet, and the crew of the Hispaniola, including John Silver, who at first seems a descent man, but then Jim discovers a different, sinister side to him. Will Jim and the good guys be able to escape from Silver's wicked plans, or will they end up one of his many victims?

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder is an enjoyable story for both kids and adults about little Almanzo Wilder and his life in New York State in the late 1800s. The story is both an enjoyable tale and a look at how life was like for farmers in that time.

He was a hard worker, and an honest young man, and didn't expect a lot. The chapter where he and his siblings were excited over a few Christmas presents was insightful about how people back then expected less. He got a few presents, including the present he loved the most, a cap with side flaps for his ears that buttoned on the top, and was absolutely delighted with it. He trains a couple of young oxen to be trusty workers, but what he wants the most, is to train a horse. Will his father trust him with the task, though?

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull is an exciting middle grade story about a group of friends who find themselves caught between warring magicians who are looking for a magical device in the kids' hometown of Coleson.

Nate, Pigeon, Summer, and Trevor, are three friends who at first think that Mrs. White, the owner of The Sweet Tooth and Candy Shoppe is a nice old lady who happens to have magical candy that can grant them temporary powers. But as they run errands for her, the errands become more and more sinister until the kids realize they've got to break their ties with Mrs. White before it's too late. But now that she's cast a spell over most of the town with her magical white fudge, who can the kids turn to? Will Mr. Stot, another magician, help them, or is he as bad as Mrs. White? And who is the strange man in the fedora going through town? Is he friend or foe? And can the kids escape the clutches of Mrs. White before it's too late?

The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau

The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau continues the story of the people from the city of Ember after they were able to escape their dying city before the lights went out permanently. Led by Lina and Doon, they found their way to the outside world, but having few supplies and no skills in living on the outside, the people are worried.

But after following a path, they come upon the town of Sparks. Some people on the outside did indeed survive the Disaster, a series of plagues and wars, and have been using technology similar to the 1800s to grow crops and survive. They have trucks and other bits of old technology, but don't have the means to use it. When the people of Ember first arrive in Sparks, they are relieved that the people seem willing to help them. The people of Sparks share their food, and provide an old, run down hotel that has not otherwise been used, for their housing. But then tensions begin. There is enough food, but just barely, and differences in cultures and ways of thinking begin to set the two groups at odds against one another. And then when one boy from Sparks and one boy from Ember start playing mean tricks, it might just push things over the edge into an all our battle! Especially when the nephew of one of the town leaders is caught in a tree that was accidentally set on fire by the conflict between the two groups. But will Lina and Doon be able to do something? Will they be able to help their neighbors, save the boy, and bring peace to the two groups of people?

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau is a creative and interesting take on the Dystopian genre. Friends Lina and Doon and the rest of their city are starting to worry. Their refuge from the darkness, the city of Ember, is built underground as a desperate attempt to save at least some members of the human race from a coming disaster. This is made clear to the reader through backstory as well as foreshadowing, using the reader's understanding of life above ground.

The two friends and their whole city, not aware of anything else, all live comfortably beneath the electric lamps that give their city light as their ancestors have done for 200 years. But then the lights start to flicker, and they know there are not many supplies left in the once expansive store rooms beneath the city. But surely the Founders didn't leave them with no way to find another city if their supplies of lightbulbs dwindles to nothing? Then one day, after an especially long blackout, Lina finds her little sister chomping on an old piece of parchment that has old writing on it. It came out of a mysterious, old looking box. With Doon's help, and the help of some others, will Lina figure out what it means? And what if it is the instructions for them to find a way out of their slowly dying city?

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Narrated by Patrick Stewart

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is an exciting and classic Christmas story, and A Christmas Carol Narrated by Patrick Stewart is especially delightful.

Mr. Stewart shows his great acting skills by showing the emotions, characters, and scenes of the story as vividly in a listener's mind, just with his voice, as if it were played in a movie. He showed the characters of Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchet, Marley's Ghost, and of course Ebenezer Scrooge himself with great skill. And the tone of his voice changed with the scenes, showing the emotions of each. I highly recommend this audiobook for anyone who enjoys A Christmas Carol.