EDITING TLC

ELLIOT STONE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE SUMMER VACATION SEA MONSTER by L.P. Chase

Elliot has done it again! His newest mystery grabbed the attention of my after-school book club kiddos (ABC Reviewers) and they begged me to keep reading.  Several of them had read the first two Elliot books (Elliot Stone and the Mystery of the Alien Mom and Elliot Stone and the Mystery of the Backyard Treasure). The ABC Reviewers were thrilled to hear that the third book was available, and they feel it is the best one yet!

Elliot is convinced that his month-long summer vacation is going to be BORING.  It turns out to be anything but that with the mystery of the sea monster. Elliot makes a new friend (Marley) in this book, and along with his best friend (Jake), they work together to problem-solve a very serious issue at Lake Bomoseen. This book makes a great read-aloud, as well as an independent read for middlers. L.P. Chase, you’ve done it again! Congrats on a terrific children’s mystery book.

Bad Bananas: A Story Cookbook by Karl Beckstrand is a great addition to a child’s library.  As a teacher of third graders, and now leading a children’s book reviewing club, I plan to share this with my students. The illustrations are bold and bright and pull in the attention of the readers. The recipes will provide great times in the kitchen using bananas to create a variety of (low sugar) foods. The story itself is full of humor and readers will probably never look at a banana as “just a fruit” again. And I do believe there is a double meaning to “even a bad banana can turn out good.”  

Recently I was provided a copy of More “Kids in the Alley” Tales for review by the author, Albert C. Bender.  This book was a very enjoyable read. He writes about his life as a child in the 1930s. I highly respect this generation of folks, and the fact that Mr. Bender wants to give us a glimpse into those days is honorable. I think it is a shame that too many of us have not had the opportunity to share in the stories of this generation.  I thank Mr. Bender for taking the time to put his stories “out there” for the rest of us to read.

Readers will get to know the kids that Mr. Bender hung out with in the alleys of Philadelphia. They had great times there. The part I appreciate the most about the book is that the author shares many rules to the games that they played.  These are games that our kids should be playing in our neighborhoods or on our school playgrounds.  It is a great resource for group games. It just might encourage people to get their kids off the couch and outside to play some games with the neighborhood kids. What a concept, huh?

Readers will be taken beyond the alley in this book…to the farm where the kids camped, way out on a drive for a Christmas tree, and to the zoo. It is so evident when reading this book how much Mr. Bender enjoyed his time with his friends.  The enthusiasm and humor flow throughout the telling of his stories.

I do need to be true to my profession (that of copy editing) and say that I was disappointed in the editing quality of this book. I took the time to call Mr. Bender, and shared my feelings.  He stated that other people have not noticed any problems with the book, and that is an area which he is working on with his new computer program. I know that I’m picky in that department, but that is my job. So, I’m glad that other readers can enjoy the book to its fullest because Mr. Bender does have great stories to share.

Class Act: Sell More Books Through School and Library Author Appearances by Barbara Techel is a fantastic resource for authors who are considering making appearances and/or selling books at schools and/or libraries. Barbara really has done a superb job of putting together everything an author would need to know in preparation for such presentations.

During this past school year, I had the pleasure of working with Barbara, to set up two Skype presentations, along with an in-person visit at our school in southern Wisconsin. I could tell that she really had her act together when it came to making sure that absolutely everything would run smoothly.  After her visits, I had more positive comments than any other time we’ve had an author visit our school.

The book is very well organized and is set up in a logical order to help authors every step of the way. There are many helps, checklists, and resources throughout the book.  Barbara also includes information from authors other than herself. The index makes it a topnotch quality, as it is so easy to go back and find a particular topic when you are in the midst of planning and need something in a hurry.

I highly recommend Barbara Techel as an author for a visit to your school and/or library, but more than that I recommend Class Act as a resource for everyone who is considering going this route as an author/speaker. After seeing Barbara Techel in action, I would say, “Read her book and take her advice. She knows what she is talking about. She truly is a class act!”

Frankie the Walk ’n Roll Dog A PAWSitive Coloring and Paper Doll Activity Book definitely is a pawsitive book for children. I give it “four paws up” which is the most you can get in the doggie world, right? It is based on the Frankie the Walk ’n Roll Dog book by the same author, Barbara Techel. Children get much more than coloring fun, they get to read Frankie’s story and see some color photographs, too. At the end of the book, Frankie “comes alive” via a paper doll.

Frankie’s story is one of overcoming, being positive, making a difference, and motivating others to “keep on rolling!” Coloring the pages, pulls kids in and helps them to make the book “their own,” in more ways than one. For anyone familiar with Frankie and Barbara, you know what fun they have wearing various outfits—sometimes even matching ones! (Be sure to check out the website.) The paper doll with more than a dozen outfits will provide hours of imaginary play. What a great addition this makes to the Frankie series.  Keep on rolling, Frankie!

One Touch from the Maker compiled by Pat W. Kirk is a book that anyone who wants reminders about the wonderful acts of our God in people’s lives should have nearby at all times. I would recommend that readers do a once-through read, and then keep the book handy for those days when an extra dose of encouragement is needed. I have found in my life, that sometimes I need reminders about how God is capable of showing Himself to us. This year, 2011, brought the death of my 55-year-old brother, and the closing out of a 36-year teaching career…both causing a grieving journey in my life. It is at times like these that One Touch from the Maker can make the difference in my day. Thank you, Pat Kirk, for taking the time to compile these stories as an encouragement to others. It is much appreciated.  

Debi Irene Wahl, in her book The Blendings, has created a real page-turner.  I appreciate Debi’s Christian values coming through in such a mystery thriller. If you have ever had any dealings with a cult or have had experience with a family member or friend’s involvement, you will know how true to fact many of the happenings in this book could be. This novel shares the lives of those in a quiet little town of Claysville, Pennsylvania as they welcome in a huge corporation (Cartel? Cult?) and then mysterious things begin to happen. No one is safe from this group – absolutely no one. I appreciated Debi Wahl’s writing strategy of showing some events from more than one point of view. It was a very interesting way to share the story.  If you appreciate suspense, you will enjoy The Blendings. 

Having been a teacher for over thirty-five years, and now working as a copy editor and book reviewer, I have just discovered my “top of the pile” reference guide to grammar in Marsha Sramek’s The Great Grammar Book. People tend to either love or hate the rules of grammar. I happen to love them, but still need my reference guides handy when I am copy editing. What I most like about this book is that it isn’t only a reference but also includes a diagnostic test and practice exercises for all chapters/concepts. This really makes you face up to your areas of need, but then clearly helps you to learn those skills via the practice sentences. This book not only helps you to master grammar usage but also includes the essentials of composition. I highly recommend it to anyone who writes for any reason. As stated in the introduction, “Whether you are a student, a business person, a blogger, a test taker, or a résumé writer, this book will help your writing become more effective and impressive.” 

Bending the Boyne is one of those books that takes readers to another time and place, that being 2200 BCE at the dawning of the Bronze Age in Europe and most specifically in Ireland.  It is obvious that author J.S. Dunn has done an enormous amount of research to make this the success that it is. Winning the Next Generation Indie Book Award for Historical Fiction 2011 is proof of that. The fact that the book has resource pages is very helpful, as is the website information. It helped to make the book come more alive and understandable for me since I do not have a lot of background knowledge regarding Ireland or this time period.

Being taken back in time to look into and experience the lives of people from various backgrounds makes us ponder as to how societies dealt with one another. I must admit that there were several times when the actions of the main character didn’t quite make sense to me, or it seemed she allowed things to happen “too easily.” I wanted more details from the author. But in continuing my reading, I was drawn in by the characters and learning about the motivations of different people and how the “Invaders” (who come looking for gold) affected the lives of the “Starwatchers” (a peaceful agrarian group) who first inhabited the island.  It is very interesting to see how J.S. Dunn weaved archaeological facts into this story, as well as astronomy. Overall, it has a lot to offer and is a great book to take readers to “another place.” Books that can keep you turning pages and feeling like you are right there in the action are five star books—and Bending the Boyne would be right there in that category.

As someone who does best with my health when I keep a journal, I was excited to see the books that are being published by MemoryMinder. In addition, having worked with children for almost 40 years, I was impressed to see DietMinder JUNIOR. I requested a review copy because I work with a wonderful group of children in an after-school book club called ABC Reviewers. I wanted to get their opinions about DietMinder JUNIOR.

 The children were impressed that the book is spiral bound, and feels like a real book. They liked the fact that it is printed in color. The first few pages teach the food groups and give examples of one serving portions, along with having the kids make a daily goal for each food group. Personally, I felt the layout of the food groups was easy for the children to understand both the food groups and portion sizes. The kids could easily handle the daily exercise goal page independently. They also felt that the way to keep track of daily intake was very doable.

As both a teacher and a parent, I feel that DietMinder JUNIOR is a great tool to help children become health conscious. The parent/teacher information helps the adult(s) in a child’s life to do the necessary teaching and modeling to get “the program” going for the child. I’m thinking if someone had this tool when I was growing up, I just might have had more success in my health journey. Most children would need a caring adult to be an encourager along the way in using the DietMinder JUNIOR. It makes a great tool for a family project of learning to see food and exercise in a positive way.  

As someone who has always loved books and working with words, I found Words’Worth’s Vocabulary Verse by Susan Jones just a pure delight.  I was reading it while traveling with my husband, and I was constantly saying, “Listen to this…” 

Teaching third graders for my lifetime, I was always cognizant of making sure that my vocabulary rose above that of the average third grader, and would regularly add vocabulary study to our daily routine in the classroom. Words’Worth was fun for me! I learned new word meanings, enjoyed the quotes that contained the words, and truly appreciated the author’s creativity in the verses she created for each word. Susan Jones did a great job with this book. Anyone who enjoys word “study” will appreciate this book.  The great thing is that the author makes it so much fun! 

 

LODESTONE Book Three: THE CRUCIBLE OF DAWN by Mark Whiteway

The genre of science fiction has never been one that has attracted me. So when afforded the opportunity to write a pre-publication review I was concerned that the time spent might not be so enjoyable. This was not the case, however.  Author Mark Whiteway pulled me into the third book of the Lodestone series with his creative use of description for both the setting and characters. My other concern was that having not read the first two books in the series, the third might not make sense to me. That was not the case, either.The Crucible of Dawn can and does stand on its own.  But I must share that the first two books of the series are going to become summer reading for me!  I am so glad that this book has crossed my path and opened my eyes to stories I may have cheated myself out of reading or may have never discovered on my own. I will definitely be reading the whole series as I hear there are more to come.

Mysteries have always drawn my attention, and that is what will keep the reader turning pages in The Crucible of the Dawn. Just who should be trusted? The fact that there are creatures of another world is very interesting and adds another dimension to the story. The reader is taken to the planet Kelanni which needs to be rescued from the humans who are building a weapon to try to eradicate the planet’s indigenous life and want to gain control over the lodestone—which is the most powerful substance in the universe.

A quote from Alondo to Shann was one that hit home: “There’s not much we can do about our feelings, Shann.  They have a way of creeping up behind us and catching us unawares.  It’s what we do about those feelings that determine what kind of a person we are.”  It is with these emotions and the fact that the characters question themselves and end up depending on intuition and instinct from time to time, that Author Whiteway connects his readers to his characters—both human and nonhuman. 

Wisdom comes to the planet of Kelanni from the Chandara, who have a symbiotic relationship with the Great Tree.  They are an intelligent life form with a segmented shell and round head whose speech is difficult to understand.  Boxx, one of the main characters, sounds like a small child and a wise old sage all rolled up into one.  Mark Whiteway has been extremely imaginative in creating this world of Kelanni.  Readers will be able to tell how much he has enjoyed putting together both the characters and the storyline.  He continues to put forth themes such as this quote portrays: “We all have our dark places that we must try to conquer.”  And isn’t that just the truth? 

Having been a teacher for four decades, I loved reading “…that’s all any of us can do.  Learn, and then try to do better.” So, I’ve learned that science fiction is a genre that I can enjoy and I’m betting that readers of this series are going to be thrilled with this third adventure.  So, whether you are a science fiction reader or not, don’t let this book pass you by.  Mark Whiteway is a gifted storyteller who knows how to take his readers to an amazing new world.

When asked to read Fiend—The Manifestation by Phil Bolos, I didn’t know that I was going to be reading a horror story. When I found that out, I hesitated, but decided to take a chance and add another genre to my variety of book reviews. I was planning to just read the beginning of the book, and then add it to my pile of “read for review” books. However, that is not what happened. I began to read, and only put the book down to get some sleep (but it did affect my dreams). Mr. Bolos took me on quite the trip…to the depths of…I don’t know where. It doesn’t appear that we went to hell, but somewhere very dark and scary.

The story takes readers between “our” world (my wonderful state of Wisconsin) and “another world” where the forces of good and evil are at battle. One thing is for sure, after reading Fiend—The Manifestation you will definitely think more about decisions that you make, I can pretty much guarantee that! The characters come alive through wonderful description, and you may recognize their characteristics in the lives of your family members and friends. Phil Bolos definitely knows how to paint a picture with words, and keep readers in suspense. So if you get scared when reading about evil and gory creatures, then you may want to think twice before reading this book. It was a fast read, but when in the “depths” I truly wanted to be out of there, and that didn’t happen fast enough for me, but then that was the author’s skill in getting this reader to feel the tension of good versus evil, in a very scary manner.