Derek The Ghost

Scary School is a silly, entertaining book full of helpful information like why you can't always remember names and other "life lessons". The book is narrated by Derek, an eleven-year-old ghost. He tells all about the crazy monster teachers who eat students and parents who are excited about their students turning into dragons.

There really is a plot, but the book is full of silly nonsense that will appeal to young readers. I giggled a few times myself. Such as when Scary School is selected as the host for the Annual Ghoul Games, the children have to decide what games they want to use for the competition.

"I'm going to play basketball," said Johnny.
"I'm going to play hopscotch," said Lindsey.
"I'm going to play dead," said Penny Possum.

Or this: Mrs. T often goes hunting to supply lunch for the school chef, Sue the Amazing Octo-Chef. One day Sue requested a dodo bird for a Thanksgiving menu.

"It made sense since dodoes are kind of like giant turkeys, only much more extinct."

There is also just enough "icky" to appeal to the middle-grade crowd. I especially liked the biology teacher who could remove his skin to give the students a real-life view of muscles and organs. (I was concerned that this might be too much for my Aspie son who has real issues with any body-related "icky" stuff, but he loved the book and just thought that scene was cool.)

The 10-year-old's review
I always let my son read the MG books I get, because when you're buying a book for a kid, who cares whether an adult likes it? (I did warn him about the "icky" stuff I was worried about.)

I really liked this book! I hope there are more in the series! My favorite part was the three "Rachels".

I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.… (mais)

Food and travel take on an entirely new meaning in a book, which displays well-known sites in the most unique way...and one kids won't easily forget.

While playing, a child suddenly announces the amazing thing he's heard about...a leaning tower of pizza! This does sound a bit too amazing, even to him, but after some silly consideration, he decides it could be true. Just as he's reaching this yummy conclusion, one of his friends tells about the amazing thing she's heard of. Soon, the diverse kids are traveling the world with their extreme food-delights.

This is a book, which holds goofy humor high-and-center and builds it in with well-known sites from around the world. The nonsense whirls to life through rhymed text, which already adds a whimsical note as some words flow smoother than others. Every aspect makes it clear that these pages rotate as much around fun as the information they hold. The kids tell of the amazing things they've heard about, give ridiculous reasons for why the sites are that way. All the while, they feed in a basic introduction to each place.

The illustrations let the food mold seamlessly into the real structures, but still, allow enough reality to seep through, so that young readers will recognize them in real life. It's a fun way to introduce the various areas to young readers and, by coating it with humor, makes sure it never nears boring and that each one isn't so easily forgotten. I received a complimentary copy and found this take original and well-done.… (mais)

Rarely does a book combine multiple interests for me the way Derek Taylor Kent’s Kubrick’s Game does.

Kubrick’s Game takes the joy of reading and mixes it with my love of movies, puzzle quests and of course, Stanley Kubrick! I’ve always enjoyed unraveling the hidden meanings in The Shining, Eyes Wide Shut, and 2001: A Space Odyssey (along with Kubrick’s other works). This book opened a whole new level of hidden meanings to me! It mixed the fun I remember from The Three Investigators in The Mystery of the Dead Man’s Riddle with the adult thrills of The DaVinci Code. The story moves quickly and is hard to put down. I think this one would technically fall in the Young Adult category, but I must still have a little fun left in me at 49 because I haven’t had this much fun in a book in a while. Pick up a copy and enjoy! Oh, one last thing! Even after the book ends you might be swept up in a new adventure, if you have a keen eye and know where to look! Happy reading, and good luck!… (mais)

Gross—that's the keyword in this picture book, and these pages keep that promise and then some.

Life in the little town of Gross is exactly what it should be—disgusting to the max. The reader joins kids from the town as they present three people inhabitants, who fulfill this term completely.

This book knows no pardon and let's grossness bloom. Of course, it's not a serious book but packs humor all the way through. It almost convinces that gross might be a wonderful thing...if the reader can stomach it. These pages really don't have any limit on disgusting. So, readers should be prepared, and those who tend to be a bit more careful about such things, might find themselves repulsed. It's not presented in a listing or such, but really allows the three 'gross' citizens to unfold in their grossness.

The entire thing is written in rhyme, which didn't flow as well as it might have. But that wasn't the point, either. It's a book which concentrates on disgusting and that's what the author does, which also meant that the writing wasn't as much at the center point.

Kids who love to laugh over gross things will enjoy this one thoroughly. I received a complimentary copy and found it funny enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.… (mais)