Another great book...

I don't always give 5 stars. It has just been amazing that many of the books I've been reading warrant five stars...

Don’t Come Here, Julie!
P. Joy Webster
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Published: 2009
ISBN: 9781432740931
Pages: 62

Don’t Come Here, Julie!, is a science fiction story geared toward teenagers. The main character, Julie, is extremely similar to teenagers that exist in our real lives—independent know-it-alls! This fiction story focuses on, Julie, who is originally from Rinda but is a human unlike most of its other inhabitants. Her mother, Eva, recently became the Ambassador to Norandia. Julie attends boarding school on Earth and was directed to go to her aunt’s home in Rinda after attending a tiring year at school. Julie misses her mother and wants to go see her instead of going to her aunt’s house. Despite her wishes to go and see her mother, Julie gets on line to go to her aunt’s like her mother requested. At the last minute, Julie becomes her own boss. Julie feels she deserves an explanation for her mother’s request for her to stay away from Norandia and abruptly decides to change her plans.

Assuming that she knows what’s best for her, Julie changes her ticket and journeys to see her mother in Norandia. In her haste to modify her plans, Julie was unaware of the social problems occurring that her mother failed to mention. Her mother didn’t want her to worry so she never informed her of the chaos that was ensuing. It’s not until she arrives in Norandia that Julie realizes that she may have made a grave mistake but it was too late to turn around.

This book teaches the reader valuable lessons regarding parental guidance, diversity, respect and other social skills—trust, empathy. I highly recommend this book to preteens and teenagers. I think it would be a great addition to the summer reading list, classroom, school and home libraries as well as public libraries or agencies. This book is written in a tone easily understandable for the age group discussed and it is just long enough for them to get lost in Julie’s adventure on Norandia. It is a vivid story stealing the reader’s attention from start to finish. I look forward to sharing this book with the teens and educators in my life while hoping the author writes a sequel to this great story. Well done P. Joy Webster!!

Pond Punkies Book Review...

Title: Pond Punkies Book One: The Arrival
Author (s): Lisa Riebe and Cynthia Nunn
Publisher: Ravine Publishing
Published: 2009
ISBN: 9780981949338
Pages: 147

I thought this book was superb and feel it will be a quite entertaining science fiction read for middle grade readers. This is the first book in a series. Blaze, is the main character, and is a Pond Punkie from the Larissan Clan. This clan has the power of fire. Blaze’s best friend, Ace, is a Pond Punkie from the Naiadan Clan. Their power is controlling water. Although they are from different clans these boys are best friends. They are attending the Neptune Training Academy. They both go to Earth when a geyser erupts on graduation day. However, they weren’t the only ones blasted to Earth—the evil Tritonan’s went as well.

A bully from the academy, Kroiser, is a Tritonan. The Tritonan’s wreak havoc on Earth and it’s up to Blaze and his friends to conquer them. Blaze and the others use their powers to battle Kroiser and the other Tritonan’s. The battle ensues and the fast paced story taps into one’s imagination. The story is vivid and encourages one to get lost in it. The pictures are an added touch as is the idea that Ace invented hair gel. The idea of the hair gel makes these Pond Punkies like other young boys in their creative pursuits. In addition, there is a great deal of humor in the book making the story complete.

The book is a great read and I know it will evolve into a successful middle grade series. I encourage educators, parents and other adults to buy this book for their young readers. I think these two authors are on to something.