Chanticleer Book Reviews

Tag: Middle Grade

The 2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards (#CIBAs) Overall Grand Prize and Division Grand Prize and First Place Category Winners | Part One of Three
We are deeply honored and excited to announce the 2021 Winners of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs). The Finalists were recognized at the Virtual Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Ceremonies, and the First Place Category and Grand Prize Winners were announced June 25th, 2022 at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether, Bellingham, Wash.

The 2022 Chanticleer Authors Conference and the 2021 Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards Banquet and Ceremony took place over June 23-26, 2022, with the CIBA Banquet happening on June 25th. Each year, Chanticleerians from around the globe come together to celebrate and cheer each other on at the annual CIBA banquet and awards evening at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether that is situated on beautiful Bellingham Bay, Washington State.

Meeting in-person for the first time since lockdown began brought such joy into our lives. The ability to celebrate, hug, and learn together with the extra space provided by the Hotel Bellwether made this a truly unforgettable experience. Champagne was poured and shared as the 2021 CIBA Grand Prize Division Award Winners were announced. Thank you to all who joined us in-person and virtually to make the CIBA Ceremonies a success!

The 2021 Grand Prize Winners in attendance!

After two virtual conferences, it was a joy and pleasure to feel the energy of an in-person crowd! It was amazing to have such a marvelous event with presenters like Cathy Ace, Judy Gaman, Betsy Graziani Fasbinder, Jessica Morrell, Nicole Evelina, Jodé Millman, Oriana Leckhert, Diane Garland, and more!

We are already excited and gearing up for our next conference in nine short months! Save the date for CAC23 April 27-30, 2023.

At the June 25th, 2021 Ceremonies, we were overjoyed to recognize the 18 Fiction and 7 Non-Fiction CIBA Divisions for the First Place Category and Grand Prize Winners!

First of all, we want to thank all of the CIBA judges who read each and every entry and then comment, rate, and rank within each of the 25 CIBA Divisions. Without your labors of love for books, the Chanticleer International Book Awards would not exist. THANK YOU!

We want to thank all of the authors and publishers who participated in the 2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards (the CIBAs). Each year, we find the quality of the entries and the competitiveness of the division competitions increases exponentially. We added a new level to the judging rounds in 2019—the premier Level of FINALIST per each CIBA Division.

The CIBA judges wanted to add the Finalist Level of Achievement as a way to recognize and validate the entries that had outstanding merit but were not selected for the very few First Place Award positions within each genre division. Promotional Stickers are available to those who have advanced in the CIBA Tiers of Achievement here.

A Recap of the CIBA Selection Process
- The 2021 CIBAs have 18 Fiction Divisions and 7 Non-fiction Divisions.
- First Place Category award winners were selected for each one of the 25 divisions from an overall field of titles that progressed to the Premier FINALIST Division Level from the Division Semi-Finalists positions from the Shortlists, the Long List, and the infamous beginning slush pile rounds.
- One Grand Prize award winner was selected from the First Place Category Award Winners for the 25 CIBA divisions.
- One Overall Grand Prize award winner was selected from the 25 divisions of Grand Prize Award Winners
This post will recognize the First Place and Grand Prize Winners for Cygnus, Ozma, Paranormal, Global Thrillers, M&M, Clue, Little Peeps, Gertrude Warner, and Dante Rossetti Book Awards.

For the Laramie, Chaucer, Goethe, Hemingway, Chatelaine, Mark Twain, and Somerset Awards, click here for Part 2.

For the Journey, Hearten, Nellie Bly, I&I, Mind & Spirit, Harvey Chute, Military & Frontline, Series, and Shorts Awards, click here for Part 3

THANK YOU to CAC22 SPONSORS and FRIENDS

CIBA Grand Prize Ribbons!

We are honored to present the

2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards

Grand Prize Winners

The 2021 CIBA Winners!

The CYGNUS Book Awards

for Science Fiction Novels

Grand Prize Winner is

A WAR IN TOO MANY WORLDS by Elizabeth Crowens
- J.W. Zarek – The Devil Pulls the Strings
- Sarah Lahey – Nostalgia Is Heartless, Book Two
- Akosua Sankofa – Monmouth Deep
- Rhett C. Bruno – Vicarious
- Steven Seril – The Destroyer of Worlds: ‘An Answer to Every Question’
- Charlene Newcomb – Echoes of the Storm
The OZMA Book Awards

for Fantasy Fiction

Grand Prize Winner is

PLAGUE OF FLIES: Revolt of the Spirits by Laurel Anne Hill
- David Fitz-Gerald – Waking Up Lost
- Allegra Pescatore – Where Shadows Lie
- L. A. Thompson – Isle of Dragons
- J.W. Zarek – The Devil Pulls the Strings
- KC Cowan – Asa’s Redemption
The Paranormal Book Awards

for Supernatural Fiction

Grand Prize Winner is

THE DEVIL PULLS THE STRINGS by J.W. Zarek
- K.T. Anglehart – The Wise One
- Miki Mitayn – The Conscious Virus
- Rebecca Kightlinger – Megge of Bury Down: The Bury Down Chronicles, Book One
- Kaylin McFarren – Annihilation
- J.G. Schwartz – The Curious Spell of Madam Genova
- Daniela Valenti – Sentinel 10: The Crystal Skull
The GLOBAL THRILLER Book Awards

for High Stakes Thrillers, Lab Lit, and Suspense Novels

Grand Prize Winner is

THE CHAMELEON by Ron McManus
- Timothy S. Johnston – Fatal Depth
- J Lawrence Matthews – One Must Tell The Bees
- Norman M. Jacobs, MD – A Divine Wind
- Randall Krzak – Mission: Angola (Xavier Sear Thriller Book 1)
- Andrew Kaplan – Blue Madagascar
The CLUE Book Awards

for Thrillers, Suspense, Legal, Detective, and Procedural Crime Novels

Grand Prize Winner is

THE VINES by Shelley Nolden
- Emily A. Myers – The Truth About Unspeakable Things
- James A. Ross – Coldwater Revenge
- T.L. Bequette – Good Lookin’: A Joe Turner Mystery
- Kevin Chapman – Fatal Infraction Mike Stoneman Thriller#4
- Rip Converse – Callie Awakens
- Amy S. Peele – Match: A Medical Murder Mystery
The M & M Book Awards for Mystery & Mayhem

for Cozy and Not-So-Cozy Mysteries

Grand Prize Winner is

OPHELIA’S ROOM by Michael Scott Garvin
- Lori Roberts Herbst – Double Exposure
- Cam Lang – The Concrete Vineyard
- Eileen Charbonneau – Death at Little Mound
- Codi Schneider – Cold Snap: A Viking Cat Mystery
- Darryl Wimberley – A Star in her CrownChasing Cleopatra
LITTLE PEEPS Book Awards for

Early Readers and Picture Books

Grand Prize Winner is

VICTORIA AND THE BIG BRAVE BREATH by Andrea Vaughan
- David Horn – Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room Takeover
- Brooks Olbrys – Blue Ocean Bob Discovers His Purpose
- Peggy Sullivan – Shadow Walkers, The Secret Lives of the Shy Sisters
- Denise Ditto Satterfield – Tooth Fairy Day Celebration
- Rebecca Dwight Bruff – Stars of Wonder
GERTRUDE WARNER Book Awards

for Middle Grade Fiction

Grand Prize is

FISHING FOR LUCK by Murray Richter
- Sean March – Little Wade and Watchtower: Abigail and the Great Gang Trap
- J. B. Spector – The Sunlit Curse, The Mer-Prince Adventures
- Ben Gartner – Sol Invictus
- Jay Spenser – The Barn Owl Mystery
- Gloria Two-Feathers – Buck: Keeper of the Meadow
- Didem Saracel – Story of Carbon
The DANTE ROSSETTI Book Awards

for Young Adult Fiction

Grand Prize Winner is

TARO: Legendary Boy Hero of Japan by Blue Spruell
- P.H.C. Marchesi – Florissant
- Blue Spruell – TARO: Legendary Boy Hero of Japan
- Rektok Ross – Ski Weekend
- Nancy Thorne – The Somewhere I See You Again
- Mark Wakely – A Friend Like Filby
- Glen Dahlgren – The Game of War: The Trials of Dantess, Warrior Priest
Congratulations to ALL!

We will email each winner with more information about their prize packages and more information.

Be sure to FOLLOW and LIKE us Facebook and on Twitter @ChantiReviews

Not seeing your Awards Division? Check out the links below!

For the Laramie, Chaucer, Goethe, Hemingway, Chatelaine, Mark Twain, and Somerset Awards, click here for Part 2.

For the Journey, Hearten, Nellie Bly, I&I, Mind & Spirit, Harvey Chute, Military & Frontline, Series, and Shorts Awards, click here for Part 3

And the OVERALL GRAND PRIZE for the 2021 CIBAs!

We are now accepting entries into the 2022 Chanticleer International Book Awards.

Click here for more information and submission deadlines: https://test.chantireviews.com/contests/

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please email us at Chanticleer@ChantiReviews.com — We will try to respond within 3 business days.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating the 2021 CIBA Winners! – The Chanticleer Team
July 11, 2022
LEGENDS of the VALE: A Martial Arts Story, Book 1 by Rey Clark – Middle Grade Fantasy, Coming of Age, Adventure

The magical creatures of the Vale are being destroyed, in Rey Clark’s fantasy adventure novel, Legends of the Vale.

The Cursed Queen, an elf bent on controlling all magic, is wreaking havoc on the inhabitants of this formerly peaceful, beautiful world co-existing parallel to normal life on Earth. As a woodland fairy, Robyn Greywink isn’t able to do much because of his small size; however, because of his father’s dying command, Robyn finds himself responsible for the last dragon, the final defense against the queen’s power. In a last ditch effort to protect the unhatched egg, Robyn sends it through a portal into a forest on Earth.

Before Robyn can retrieve and move the egg, it is found by Allison Doyle, a fifth grader who has no knowledge of the secret world around her. After the egg hatches to reveal a tiny purple and green dragon, she is Awakened to magic and quickly becomes Izzy’s protector. She and Robyn are determined to return the hatchling to the Vale.

After enlisting the help of her friend Vanessa, the three embark on a journey into a magical realm, but at every turn, they are pursued by the Hunter, the Cursed Queen’s chief assassin. When Allison discovers she has a much bigger role in the fate of the Vale, she must find the courage to face an enemy with the power to destroy anyone – or anything – standing in her way.

Determination and perseverance to duty are two major themes shining through the adventure within this novel.

Robyn, a creature so tiny he has no real power beyond the magical dust he carries, is given what seems to be an unattainable and insurmountable challenge. His father gave his life to secure the dragon egg after watching the Cursed Queen and her elven army kill the only adult dragons left in the Vale by sealing their power within the jewel of her sword, Death Striker.

Knowing he has no hope of defeating such a foe himself, he sends the egg to Earth then follows it, entering a foreign land with only the limited dust he is carrying. He refuses to give up on the dragon baby nor give up the mission given to him by his dying father. Robin knows he cannot dishonor his father’s memory by taking the cowardly way out and abandoning the egg. There’s no time to mourn or even think of the danger he now finds himself in because he cannot let the egg hatch in a place without magic. He must Awaken Allison and convince her to help him return the dragon to the Vale.

Allison is just a girl starting a new school year.

She thinks she has no unusual abilities or talents, but as a student of Kuk Sool, a Korean martial art, she is a warrior within her soul. Allison and Vanessa defend the tiny dragon against trolls and goblins before even entering the Vale. She goes from facing school bullies to a deadly Hunter overnight, and she takes all of this in stride, never allowing her uncertainty or fear keep her from a duty she acknowledges as her own from the first moment Izzy looks at her.

The dragon chooses Allison as his protector because he sees her inner strength. Upon arrival in the Vale, she soon learns she has been chosen not just to protect Izzy but to save the entire world. It is her job to overthrow and defeat the queen who has terrorized all of the creatures in the Vale. She cannot let her doubts stop her from helping everyone under the tyranny of the Cursed Queen, her Hunter, or her army.

The world of the Vale is so well-crafted that the reader will immediately feel immersed in a cursed land.

From trolls who turn to stone in sunlight to enchanted buildings that defend those inside, the fantasy-building is thorough and wonderful. Readers will find themselves seamlessly immersed in a world totally different from their own, and while the worlds built in high fantasy can often be difficult to understand, the rules of the Vale are accessible and understandable for young readers, who will find themselves facing all manner of creatures. They will feel just as Awoken as Allison and will revel in their discoveries.

In true Lord of the Rings fashion, this fantasy adventure will send readers spinning through a world of adventure and magic.

Legends of the Vale by Rey Clark won 1st Place in the 2019 CIBA Gertrude Warner Book Awards for Middle-Grade Fiction.

May 27, 2022
BRYCE BUMPS HIS HEAD: A Sierra the Search Dog Novel by Robert D. Calkins – Middle Grade, Search & Rescue, Dogs

Bryce Bumps His Head: A Sierra the Search Dog Novel is a heartwarming chapter book perfect for the young reader who loves animals. Despite being the fourth book in the Sierra the Search Dog series so far, readers will not have any trouble jumping right in with this story of a dog’s not so typical day on the job.

Sierra and her handler, fifteen-year-old Bryce, are having a practice session when Rusty the Great Dane, and Sierra’s best friend, escapes his house and is set on playing with Sierra, but Sierra takes her job seriously and only plays with her friend once she finishes her job. The next day, a Girl Scout Troop is hiking on a rather cold and rainy day. Mrs. James almost cancels the hike but decides it would be a great opportunity to teach her girls how to stay safe in inclement weather. At the same time, Bryce is giving a rundown of the basics of Search and Rescue to David and his dog Harper.

After giving a successful survival lesson to her troops, Mrs. James is negligent in keeping track of the Girl Scouts on the hike back and notices two Scouts are missing and cannot be found anywhere. Bryce and Sierra are called in to help in the search, and Sierra catches onto the scent right away after diverging off the beaten path. The rescue mission then takes a dangerous turn and Sierra finds herself in a situation where she doesn’t only have to save a missing girl in the woods, but her own handler and companion. She must rely on her training from Bryce to save the day.

Robert D. Calkins delivers a charming story for middle-grade readers. The writing style is relatively simple while still being engaging and exceptionally educational, teaching many lessons on service animal etiquette, survival skills, following directions, and always trying your best in any situation. And while the author includes educational aspects to tell the story, readers will have to fill in details with their own imaginings of the characters’ surroundings, which is especially difficult if readers are not familiar with the Pacific Northwest. That being said, this shortcoming is rather minor as readers will be too busy caught up in the suspenseful tale of Sierra trying to save the day.

Set in the beautiful landscape of Green Mountain along the Suiatte River in Washington State, readers will be instantly enchanted by the courageous Sierra and her young handler Bryce, as she aids in the search for lost people in the wilderness.

April 23, 2019
MONEY JANE: The Hunt for a Legendary Magic Thief, Book 2 of How to Set the World on Fire Series by T.K. Riggins – Fantasy, Sword & Stone, Middle-Grade

Money Jane won First Place in the 2018 CIBAs OZMA Awards for Fantasy Novels. Congratulations!

Living in a fantastical world filled with magic and mythical creatures, Kase Garrick is studying at The Academy. His main course of study focuses on becoming a great warrior. As he grows close to his friend Lenia, he’s influenced by what is dear to her. Lenia is working hard at becoming a well-respected and powerful wizard.

But that isn’t the problem. The troubles begin when Lenia’s magical black trident is stolen. It’s a bold and surprising attack by a hooded figure who has the mysterious resemblance and mystical presence of a legendary criminal, a cloaked thief who lived long before their time. Could this be that daring, and feared Money Jane? Welcome to the second book in T. K. Riggins series, How to Set the World on Fire, Money Jane: The Hunt for a Legendary Magic Thief.

Kase’s skills have grown by leaps and bounds as part of this group of fierce combatants in training. Their battle cry resonates as they shout in unison, “Dragoon!” Yet, this adventure will truly test Kase’s fortitude and commitment to what’s right. When Lenia is devastated by the theft of the trident, which is the focus of her wizardry, Kase devotedly fights by her side. He sets out to track down this devious thief and return what was taken from her.

Will Kase be able to match wits with this ancient culprit, and how will he confront him? On his mission, Kase plunges into a magical world that’s full of new people and many surprises – some beautiful and some dangerous. In the midst of all this, Kase and his friends are further challenged in the annual Academy competition. Others at the Academy are plotting to beat Kase’s team at solving the difficult and complex scenarios that require excellent execution of skills from the three interwoven studies: Warrior, Wizard, and Scholar.

In this school of magic world where balance exists between the strength of a warrior, the intellectual prowess of a scholar, and the passionate magic of a wizard, Riggins creates vulnerable, but eager characters who are learning that “we do our best when we work together.” Dragoon!

How to Set the World on Fire, book one of the self-titled series, won Grand Prize in the OZMA Awards for Fantasy in the 2017 Chanticleer International Book Awards Competition.

August 5, 2018
ETHYR by M.P. Follin – Middle-Grade Fantasy, Gamers, Action/Adventure

Twelve-year-old Skyler Beam cops a squat onto his bean bag chair and logs into his favorite game Ethyr – his only real form of pleasure these days. He powers up his avatar, SkyWyz12, and goes in search of his friends across the lunar surface but strikes out. He is alone for the moment. Soon, a nameless player appears, who possesses impressive skills beyond the game’s design, and takes an interest in Skyler. Within minutes, the silent companion gets a bit too clingy for comfort, but SkyWyz12 can’t shake the irritating avatar and then discovers why. “Skyler Beam, I’ve been looking for you.” Skyler freaks, logs out, and slams his laptop cover closed.

Ethyr is a multi-player game offering different scenarios such as the House of Dragon dojo where players spar (clobber) each other to earn colored belts, or Lunarscape, where, propelled by jetpacks, they can fly around the Moon.

Skyler tells his friend and fellow Ethyr enthusiast, Ellie, of his encounter with the silent avatar and asks her to join him in the game later that day. She agrees, and they meet inside the dojo, along with two friends from his old school, Eddie and Brian. Soon, a mysterious, silent opponent appears, and the game morphs into something real. Skyler’s friends disappear, and he is locked in hand-to-hand combat with his opponent – with actual swords. Skyler gets his butt kicked and ends up with a sword point tickling his throat. His opponent, Neshama, suddenly allows him up and begins to answer a few questions. Once Skyler escapes the game, he grows more determined to learn more about Neshama’s and his secrets.

Now Skyler’s world begins to tilt off its axis. Unexplainable incidents and events occur all around him. He craves answers, but there is only one way to find them: he must re-enter Ethyr. Unfortunately, to do so, may come at the incredible cost of his life or lives of those closest to him.

Follin excels at creating the settings for Skyler’s everyday life both inside and outside of Ethyr. Her smooth prose, realistic dialogue, tension and conflict between the characters, descriptions, surprising twists and turns, and solid pacing make for a delightful read for all ages.

Ethyr – the novel – is a real pleasure to read!

M.P. Follin won 1st Place in the 2016 Gertrude Warner Awards for Ethyr.

June 18, 2018
SEAJOURNEY (ARKEN FREETH and the ADVENTURE of the NEANDERTHALS, Book 1) by Alex Paul – Epic Fantasy, High Seas Adventure, Middle Grade

What’s more fun than Neanderthals? How about Neanderthals on the high seas? Now that we have your attention…

Author Alex Paul delivers a highly imaginative, middle-grade epic fantasy adventure-packed story with everything you could ever ask for to have a rip-roaring good time.

SeaJourney (Book One) opens with an ancient archive stating that the Arken Freeth, lived 11,000 years prior, before the great flood. It follows that Arken’s world is inhabited by saber-toothed tigers and other monstrous beasts – and populated by both humans and Neanderthals.

It’s Arken’s fourteenth birthday and he’s looking forward to graduating from school and going on a sea journey with his classmates. All he needs to do is balance a huge rock on a small point. That sounds easy enough, right? Well, he fails.

The only way he can redeem himself is to combat Gart, a very large, bully of a boy who happens to hate him. Arken wins the skirmish – and more of Gart’s wrath in the process. However, both boys will board the Sea Nymph with their classmates to serve their country, Lanth. It turns out that the people of Tolaria (allies of the Lanths) are under attack. Yolanta, King of Tookan, is even now traveling with pirates to hunt down Tolarian Princess Sharmane and steal her magic necklace. The Sea Nymph is readying for war.

Arken meets a girl named Talya, a freckle-faced scout-in-training, who warns Arken that Gart plans to kill him. And when word reaches the Sea Nymph that Princess Sharmane’s vessel has been attacked, Arken, who has proved his worth leads the charge against the enemy ship. Somewhere in the middle of all that is happening aboard the Sea Nymph, there’s a Neanderthal who is gearing up to join in the fun.

With three other Arken Freeth volumes in production, SeaJourney introduces readers to a worthy hero and reveals some of his secrets and hidden powers. The book is well suited for tweens who identify with the underdog who overcomes hardships and ultimately triumphs. Also, our heroine is not based on her looks so much as her energetic attitude.

With fast-escalating action on every page, a likable, capable hero, plenty of mystery and an abrupt ending, readers will be lining up for more. Arken Freeth and the Adventure of the Neanderthals, SeaJourney #1 is sure to please those who crave fantastical adventures with pirates, underdogs, prehistoric beasts, and Neanderthals!

March 11, 2018
The TRAIN from OUTER SPACE by Alan Sproles and Lizanne Southgate – Middle-Grade, Alien Invasion, Wormholes, Magic Trains

Don’t you just hate it when a train from outer space tries to swallow up you and your dog whole in the grassy plains behind your house? And don’t you just hate it when your planet is suddenly sucked through a wormhole and placed smack dab in the middle of a couple even bigger planets? And isn’t it just the worst when you realize that all of the above is all part of some game, that your world is just a cue ball for someone to propel across the pool table that is the universe?

Well, in The Train from Outer Space, that’s exactly the situation twelve-year-old Brady finds himself in, scrambling to make sense of it all while at the same time prevent what looks to be Armageddon on a scale no one could have ever imagined.

In Alan Sproles and Lizanne Southgate’s spirited sci-fi adventure for the middle-school set, insanity is the new normal for planet Earth. Introduced to the reader and Brady is a zany and mysterious universe filled with bizarre life forms, the likes of which no one has ever seen. Chief among them is the tiny, gelatinous being Brady and his spunky best friend Franky refer to as “Li’l Dude,” whose crashed space module heralds the advent of the train.

At first, their new extra-terrestrial companion seems to be more disgruntled than dangerous, but little do they know a whole mess of trouble follows Li’l Dude to their big blue home in the form of Rotaxis, an alien creature who repositions Earth in a brand new solar system.

With little time and planetary fallout imminent, Brady and Franky find they are the only ones equipped to discover the truth behind Li’l Dude’s presence and find a way to reverse the wormhole and send themselves back to the Milky Way. Only they soon realize there’s only one way to accomplish their goal. They must board the train from outer space.

Energetically comical without undermining true, human development, The Train from Outer Space thrusts its protagonists into a world of imagination and color that only seems to accentuate their even more vibrant personalities. While the supporting cast is equally wacky and fun, it’s Brady’s growth during the adventure that ties up the story nicely, as he searches for purpose and a newfound sense of family following the death of his father. Only through loyalty and teamwork will he finally find what he’s looking for… not to mention save the entire planet.

September 22, 2017
HOW to SET the WORLD on FIRE by T.K. Riggins – Middle Grade/Young Adult, School of Magic, Fantasy

Are you looking for a magical read? Pick up the award-winning Young Adult book, How to Set the World on Fire by T.K. Riggins and sink into a worthy example of the “school of magic” sub-genre sparked by the Harry Potter series.

In this fast-paced, good-humored story, Kase Garrick, grandson of legendary warrior Roman Garrick, takes up residence in the Warriors castle at The Academy, reuniting with his older sister Cali, a member of the school’s Scholars branch. From his first day, Kase gains an enemy in Cali’s boyfriend Niveous. Sent to the Disciplinary Room thanks to Niveous’s trickery, Kase makes fast friends with the two girls also in detention: Talen, a sweet but awkward savant, and rebellious Lenia, whose control over fire tends dangerously toward pyromania.

Kase hones his skills in weaponry while he and Lenia flirt themselves into love, while everything is building in anticipation to the Quest Series, the annual Academy competition. The teams are usually made up of four students from a single school, but Cali, Kase, Lenia, and Talen bend the rules to form their own team. They find support from the Grand Master and Professor Bright, the elements instructor, both of whom see the unusual potential in these four students.

When the Quest Series begins, the plot coalesces into an exciting journey, not only into the four corners of the realm but also into the students’ psyches. Each of the five Events poses mental, physical, and emotional challenges for Cali’s team, The Liberati. Each student’s mental aptitude and fortitude are tested, as well, but not only by their ordeals—some teams join with Niveous’s crew to hamstring the favored four. Their malice, however, turns to alarm when it becomes apparent that The Liberati–Kase and Lenia in particular—have powers far beyond those developed by The Academy.

Being a school of magic sub-genre, of course, one would be right in expecting the same feel and some of the same elements setting the stage as one would find in Harry Potter. For example, in this book, you’ll find former students turned evil, a headmaster, various schools within the larger school, an exciting and dangerous competition, Kase’s singular magic, and spiders. Another similarity fans will rejoice in, like Harry Potter, the author has just disclosed that this is indeed Book One of a series!

More impressively, the story holds up very well on its own, and author Riggins manages to create a world that has one foot in fantasy and the other in up-to-the-minute reality. Sage mirrors, for instance, are only slightly more magical than smartphones and the kids take selfies to prove their accomplishments. Very smart.

What Riggins also gets very right is the way he integrates words of wisdom into the competition. In one instance, the Grand Master exhorts them to: “Know who you are, but don’t be discouraged by who you are not.” And in another: “Sometimes the hardest part about finding something beyond your reach, is finding yourself first.” But avid readers will find The Liberati’s call to arms the best advice of all: “To the library!”

A fast-paced, magical, and beautifully penned Middle Grade/Young Adult novel packed full of familiar plots and engaging characters, How to Set the World on Fire, will have you begging for more from debut author, T.K. Riggins.

July 20, 2017
JACKIE by John Tammela, a coming-of-age memoir– WWII era

From the first chapter of this delightful coming-of-age memoir, it’s clear that Jackie is a little boy with a big imagination. Whether he’s donning a homemade crown for his mock coronation or building a snow castle to defend the neighborhood, Jackie finds magic in the simplicity of everyday life.

The author begins his story – Jackie’s story – in the late 1930s in his home town of Niagara Falls, Canada. It’s an era of innocence and promise. And for 6-year-old Jackie, it’s the beginning of an age of life lessons and remarkable discovery. Like most children, some of the adventures and lessons in his path seem big and scary. But, be it facing a trip to the dentist, crossing a bridge for the first time or taking an aero car ride high above the Niagara whirlpool, Jackie learns that reflection, investigation and trust in the people around him can help him overcome his fears.

Jackie’s new-found knowledge is not limited to how he interprets to the external world. The author also offers a glimpse into Jackie’s emotional and sexual awakenings from his first crush to the touch of a girl’s skin. Jackie’s perceptions of his physical and emotional reactions to each encounter are completely believable for a boy of his age, providing a level of honesty that make them feel innocently real.

Jackie’s story continues into the early 1940s. The simple games of hide and seek that he and his friends play take on a new dimension with “sides” and “prisoners.” But the World War is always at a safe distance and, although farms are short of manpower with women filling in where they can, the reality of war does not invade or overpower the story.

In the tradition of “Stand by Me,” “Jackie: the adventures of a little boy trying to grow up” transports the reader to a simpler era in which children are allowed to follow the lead of their imaginations and create their own fun.

And as we join Jackie in his adventures we gain insight by taking the lessons he learns to take to heart. Targeted at middle graders, John Tammela’s memoir is an enjoyable snapshot into a young boy’s life. And with a well-considered Q&A at the end it’s the perfect vehicle for parent-child sharing and discussion.

March 20, 2016