Summer Reading 2017 Robots and Repeats (Secret Coders, #4)

Dr, One-Zero has gained control of the school and made a terrible change. He has cut all existing class periods in half and used the extra time in the day to require all students to take a chemistry course. The problem is that he has them doing the same experiment over and over - creating Green Pop! With Principal Dean at the hospital under observation, the kids decide it is time to use Mr. Bee's most powerful tool - the Turtle of Light to find a location marked on One-Zero's secret map and try to take him down for good. With everyone but Hopper's parents siding with Dr. One-Zero that the kids should not be allowed to spend time together, how will they pull off their big plan and save the school, the town, and Hopper's dad?

For kids who are interested in computers, robotics, and solving puzzles - this series is wonderful. It explains how each program works, then asks readers to think through what program is needed to solve the next problem. In this fourth book of the series, Mr. Bee shows them how to nest one repeat inside another within a program.

To try out your own coding skills, you may want to visit www.secret-coders.com.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

Summer Reading 2017 Science Comics: Dogs: From Predator to Protector

Rudy (a dog), is the narrator of this volume in the Science Comics series. He tells us that he is a "canardly" - you can 'ardly tell what breed. While at the local dog park, Rudy chases his favorite ball into the past. He explains to readers how dogs evolved from wild predators to tame companions and protectors (and also looks for his lost ball). His explanation covers topics like Linnaeus, Mendel, Darwin, Punnett squares, DNA, nature and nurture, the gene pool, and pretty much anything else that affects the adaptation of a species over time. Rudy gives examples of how a dog's senses work; the difference in what colors they can see compared to human eyesight, the way they can detect odors that are only 1 or 2 parts per trillion, or how far their hearing range extends. Breeds, dog shows, pedigrees, vocal communication and body language are all a part of Rudy's explanations. One fun fact he shares is that dogs and humans are two species that both continue to play even after they reach adult age.

This series follows in the tradition of the Magic School Bus and the Max Axiom books by sharing science concepts through a graphic format. In this case, the comic style illustrations display the different time periods Rudy visits as he traces the evolution of dogs, and readers can also see his determination to retrieve his ball. There are plenty of facts, and also helpful features such as a glossary, a list of books for further reading. One last appearance by Rudy is similar to the bonus scenes that show up during a movie's end credits. He urges readers to consider pet adoption and find a companion to take into their home. This book is an excellent introduction to the history of domesticated dogs, and offers enough basic facts to give readers a good place to start researching the topic more deeply on their own.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

Summer Reading 2017 The World's Greatest Detective

Toby Montrose is no stranger to trouble; it has dogged him since he was eight years old - and he's eleven now. So he can recognize trouble trying to slip under the door or hovering in the corners, and the bills marked past due and last notice that are arriving in his uncle's mail are sure signs of its presence. Since his parents were lost while boating, Toby has moved from one relative's care to another, and if Uncle Gabriel can't keep him, then it will be the city orphanage next. When a detective contest with a $10,000 prize is announced, Toby knows that winning it could get rid of trouble for good.

Sadly, one of the detectives is murdered before the contest even begins. And that isn't even the worst problem Toby has. There is a house full of suspects, each with a good reason for wanting the man dead. Toby is only his uncle's assistant, and hasn't ever solved any cases on his own. His uncle isn't there for the contest and the only person willing to work with Toby is Ivy, the unusual daughter of the family hosting the event. And things just keep going wrong. Will Toby ever banish trouble for good?

Full of humor, twists and turns in the plot, a lovable dog named Percival, eccentric characters, and sympathetic protagonist, is an entertaining romp that feels like a junior version of an Agatha Christie story. Highly recommended for middle grades and up.

I read an advance copy provided by the publisher for review purposes.

Summer Reading 2017 The Dragon Riders

Flynn and Paddy, our brave dragon tamers, return for their third adventure. As their pet dragon, Elton John, grows up, the boys work on keeping him a secret from their mother and trying to figure out what he likes to eat. One day, Elton scoops up the boys and Coco and flies off with them to a dragon gathering. The problem is - only dragons are allowed, and the others don't like Elton's human family. What follows is a daring bit of aerial acrobatics and cleverness that saves the day and leaves the boys cheering.

James Russell's jaunty rhyming text swoops us up and carries us into the story. Parents and teachers will be pleased to see words such as excursion, promptly, gnashed, and plunged. Young readers will be expanding their vocabularies while they delight in the story. The last lines of the story mention "distant roaring" and we can see out the bedroom window that a dragon that (not Elton), is flying across the sky. Could these be hints of what lies in store for Flynn and Paddy? We will have to wait and see.

Link Choi's illustrations bring the story to vibrant life. Full color artwork captures moments such as Paddy's sooty face after the dragon turns the spinach sandwiches to ash, or both boys shoving against the door of the shed, trying to hide the dragon from their mother. There are also pencil sketches showing Coco glaring at his empty bowl after his dog food is eaten by the dragon, or the various expression on their faces as Elton John carries them off into the sky. My favorite scene is the boys and Coco grinning on Elton's back after he outwits and out-flies the other dragons.

But beyond all that, there is even more. Using the AR Reads app, readers of all ages may explore the world of Flynn and Paddy's island in interactive 3D. The large map found in the endpapers of the book comes alive with motion and sound. The giggles of the boys, the whoosh of the dragon's flames, the roaring of a waterfall, all drift out of the scene. And we can see the dragon swoop in and out of view, the boys running down the mountain from the cave, or the flickering on the Ridge of Rising Flames. There is a video demonstration available at http://bit.ly/2eQbQeD.

Young readers will love having a new dragon story to read and re-read. This third adventure leaves us wondering what the boys, Coco, and Elton John will do next.

Highly recommended for ages 4+. I read an e-book provided by the publisher through edelweiss.

Summer Reading 2017 The Dragon Tamers

Flynn and Paddy, our two intrepid dragon hunters, are back. This time they become bored and decide to explore the attic. When they find a map of their island that shows a dragon hatchery, or course they must go and find it. As often happens to brave explorers, adventure ensues. The dragons hatch just as the boys and their faithful dog Coco arrive. In what looks like a reenactment of Jurassic World, the dragonets chase the boys back down the slope. One little hatchling imprints on the boys and follows them home, where they have to figure out how to raise a dragon.

James Russell's jaunty rhyming text swoops us up and carries us into the story. Parents and teachers will be pleased to see words such as horde, jolt, din, and amiss. Young readers will be expanding their vocabularies while they delight in the story. And most of them will probably agree that "The only cure for boredom (as all smart children know) is, of course, to go somewhere you're not allowed to go."

Link Choi's illustrations bring the story to vibrant life. Full color artwork captures moments such as Paddy laughing at Flynn's singed sandwich, or the way the boys gape at the hatching dragons with their mouths hanging open in shock. There are also pencil sketches showing Paddy in his pajamas making sandwiches for their expedition, or the sly grins the boys give each other as their mother scolds them for being late to dinner. My favorite scene is the dragon licking the Flynn's face while Coco sniffs at its long tail.

But beyond all that, there is even more. Using the AR Reads app, readers of all ages may explore the world of Flynn and Paddy's island in interactive 3D. The large map found in the endpapers of the book comes alive with motion and sound. The giggles of the boys, the whoosh of the dragon's flames, the roaring of a waterfall, all drift out of the scene. And we can see the dragon swoop in and out of view, the boys running down the mountain from the cave, or the flickering on the Ridge of Rising Flames. There is a video demonstration available at http://bit.ly/2eQbQeD.

Young readers will love having a new dragon story to read and re-read. This is only the second adventure starring these brave brothers builds on the first and leads easily into the next. After all, once you have hunted dragon and tamed one, you must progress to riding. Right?

Highly recommended for ages 4+. I read an e-book provided by the publishers through edelweiss.

Summer Reading 2017 The Unbreakable Code (Book Scavenger #2)

Anyone who has read The Book Scavenger is already eagerly awaiting this sequel. If you have not started the series yet, then you can have the pleasure of reading both books back-to-back. This time, Emily and James are still dealing with the fame of their amazing find at the end of the first book, as well as having some worries at home. Emily overhears her parents discussing money issues, and James wishes his dad would cut back on his business travel and be home more often. But nothing compares with becoming part of the advisory board for their hero Mr. Griswold, the creator of the Book Scavenger game. As they rush from school to dance committee to meetings with Mr. Griswold, they also have time for more Book Scavenger clues and possibly a treasure hunt.

Two middle school kids trying to balance schoolwork, family life, and trying to solve an unbreakable code over a century old sounds like a lot to work into a story, but the author smoothly weaves it all together. Scenes with the dance committee debating over theme and decorations ring true, while the hunt for treasure and a possible arsonist are believably filled with tension and excitement. Many of the characters from the first story are back - Mr. Quisling, Hollister, Jack, and the families and classmates of Emily and James. And there are a few new faces that we can watch and wonder, "Is that the bad guy?" I love the librarian, Ms. Linden, with her green hair and tattoos.

Anyone interested in books, codes, ciphers, and treasure hunts should try this. Reading it makes me wish Hollister had his bookshop in my neighborhood; I want to curl up in the purple armchair and read.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through edelweiss.

Summer Reading 2017 Science Comics: Flying Machines

Join Katherine Wright, younger sister of the famous aviators, on a journey through the development of heavier than air flying vehicles. Katherine takes readers back in time and shows them the big names in aviation from more than a century ago. Penaud, Lilienthal, Ader, Voisin, Bleriot, Santos-Dumont, Curtis, Bell, Selfridge, and Whittle are all included, but she focuses on her brothers. The illustrations show the various gliders and planes that the inventors tried - with details about their sizes and the materials used to construct each one. The narration follows the chronological order of events, so it is easy to see how each attempt led to new ideas and improvements. Terms like axis of control and ailerons are shown and explained.

This series follows in the tradition of the Magic School Bus and the Max Axiom books by sharing science concepts through a graphic format. In this case, the comic style illustrations bring the history of aviation to life for readers. There are plenty of facts, and also helpful features such as a glossary, a list of books for further reading, a brief biography of Katherine Wright, and shorter (paragraph-length) bios of aviation pioneers. This book is an excellent introduction to the history of airplanes and aviation, and offers enough names to give readers a good place to start researching the topic more deeply on their own.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.