Category: Transitional Chapter Book Review

REVIEW: The Woofmore Is NOT Haunted by Donna Gephart and Lori Haskins Houran

REVIEW: The Woofmore Is NOT Haunted by Donna Gephart and Lori Haskins Houran

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Amulet Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The Woofmore is hosting everyone’s favorite author, Silas Fang. Well, he’s everyone’s favorite except for Rufus. Rufus has always been too scared to try one of Silas Fang’s books. Why would anyone want to be scared by a story?

To Rufus’ great relief, Silas is at the Woofmore taking a break from spooky things. And Rufus assures him there’s nothing spooky about the Woofmore!

Except someone has been saying the Woofmore is haunted. Most of the hotel’s guests are there to see ghosts and be frightened. And Silas has said if he sees anything scary he’s going to leave the Woofmore and never come back! What can the staff at the Woofmore do?

Review

Another fun VIP (Very Important Pooch) visit to the Woofmore. This story is a little meatier than book 1 was. Ms. Coco has to figure out why her hotel has a spooky reputation while Rufus has to keep anything spooky away from their guest.

I love that Rufus is never shamed for not being into all of the spookiness. At the same time, he pushes past his fear to do his job well. Rufus is adorable, and I think kids will enjoy this. I think new readers can start with this fun, seasonal story – these books don’t have to be read in order. Watch for book 3, The Woofmore on Thin Ice, releasing in 2025.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Spider-Man: Cosmic Chaos by Mike Maihack

REVIEW: Spider-Man: Cosmic Chaos by Mike Maihack

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

While returning a surfboard to Silver Surfer, Spider-Man encounters the Guardians of the Galaxy. Together they work to contain and correct the end of the universe. Ancient talismans with special powers initially help Spider-Man solve small, neighborly problems. But when one villain collects all seven talismans, an unexpected hero has to help save the day.

Review

This is the quirkiest of the stories in the Mighty Marvel Team-Up series! Spider-Man gets to meet – and help – a lot of Marvel characters as well as a variety of aliens as he spreads his neighborly kindness around.

The team-up with the Guardians was fun, and I loved the solution to the talisman problem. This series has been a delight from start to finish. I would love to read more of these if the series expands.

Hand this to Marvel fans and graphic novel fans as well as anyone who enjoyed the earlier books in the series, Animals Assemble and Quantum Quest. I think these are best read in order, but each book can stand alone.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: Cat on the Run: Cucumber Madness by Aaron Blabey

REVIEW: Cat on the Run: Cucumber Madness by Aaron Blabey

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Scholastic in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Princess Beautiful is still on the run from a frenzied public insisting that she tried to start a nuclear war. A new friend who understands her predicament breaks her out of jail. While she trains to survive on the run, she tells her new friend the full story of how she became known for silly videos which made it so no one now takes her seriously.

While Beautiful and her new friend are searching for answers, they stumble onto a conspiracy no one is ready for.

Review

I didn’t love the pacing of this one. It starts with a commentary on sensationalized news, then goes into a long bit about “scapegoating.” The big reveal was an unexpected surprise, but it felt like I really had to work hard to get through the rest to get there. I think this just isn’t the right fit for me.

I think kids will get a kick out of the “cucumber madness” bits here, but I am still wondering if the book’s content exceeds the experience/exposure of the target age group. Fans of book 1 will absolutely want to pick this one up. And the big reveal will drive them to book 3 when it releases. But I don’t think I will be sticking with the series.

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥ – Solid, fine

REVIEW: Welcome to the Woofmore by Donna Gephart and Lori Haskins Houran

REVIEW: Welcome to the Woofmore by Donna Gephart and Lori Haskins Houran

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Rufus works for Ms. Coco at the Woofmore. And this week they have a special VIP (Very Important Pooch) visiting:  movie star Greta Garbark!

Greta is looking for some peace and quiet. But the puparazzi have tracked her to the Woofmore. Thankfully, Rufus has a great idea to help Greta get her peace and quiet. And in return she helps the Woofmore with a big problem that could ruin the hotel.

Review

This is a cute early chapter book with fun, colorful illustrations. There are plenty of dog puns across the five chapters for readers to enjoy. Kids will get a kick out of Rufus who toots when he gets excited or nervous. The story is complete and satisfying while being simple for new readers to enjoy. Watch this fall for my review of book 2 in the series, The Woofmore Is Not Haunted.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: The Unlucky Kid by Bob Holt

REVIEW: The Unlucky Kid by Bob Holt

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kids Can Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

Quin is a normal kid who runs into a bit of bad luck with a flock of hungry seagulls, a rogue wave, a poorly designed plan to remove a loose tooth, and a fishing day.

This is a three-chapter graphic novel with a lot of slapstick antics I think some kids will get a kick out of. As an adult reading this, the three stories felt repetitive. And the “holy (whatever) ” that Quin exclaimed whenever something unlucky happened (9x in the whole book) got old pretty quickly.  That said, I have never been the sort of person who enjoys watching personal disasters like what Quin experiences – I don’t watch those sorts of shows, and I scroll past those sorts of videos online. So I’m not exactly the audience for this. For the right readers, this will be a hoot.

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥ = Solid, fine

REVIEW: Duck and Moose by Kirk Reedstrom

REVIEW: Duck and Moose by Kirk Reedstrom

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of both of these books from Netgalley and Disney Hyperion in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Duck Moves In – Summary

A moose looking for some peace and quiet gets a rambunctious new neighbor. So Moose keeps taking Duck to other places he could live. But Duck is determined to stay put – on Moose’s head!

Moose Blasts Off – Summary

Moose is playing astronaut, and Duck wants to play too. But this is something Moose likes to do alone. So he teaches Duck about using his imagination. But what happens when Duck’s imaginings are different from Moose’s?

Review

These early chapter book/graphic novels are a lot of fun! Each book has 3 chapters with full color artwork. I LOVE the illustrations, and the friendship struggles will feel familiar to kids. These would be great books to use for talking about resolving conflict, compromise, making new friends, etc.. And I think kids will crack up at some of the things Duck and Moose get into. Fans of Piggie and Gerald, Ballet Cat and Sparkles, or other best friend/”odd couple” pairings will enjoy Duck and Moose! Book 3, Duck in the Dark, is currently scheduled to release in December.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Wombats! Go to Wizard's Wharf by Maddie Frost

REVIEW: Wombats! Go to Wizard’s Wharf by Maddie Frost

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Four years ago, Albert borrowed an egg from Pickles and said “I owe you one.” And now Pickles is ready to collect. He’s cashing in his IOU to go to Wizard’s Wharf amusement park. Albert is just not into amusement parks or “magic.” But he’s a good friend, so he agrees.

Review

This was delightful! The illustrations alone would make me pick this up. Especially when Albert and Pickles get to Wizard’s Wharf – I think kids will love pouring over each panel to see what is going on in the background. And Wizard’s Wharf looks awesome!

At it’s core, this is a friendship story – and it’s a great one. Albert is a good friend who does something that means so much to Pickles. The pages where they first arrive at Wizard’s Wharf are my favorite. I LOVE Pickles’ joy at being in this magical place he’s dreamed about visiting. Albert also uses his knowledge of Pickles to find him when they get separated. The two friends might have personality differences, but Albert really sees and knows Pickles.

I don’t think readers have to have read book one to enjoy this, but fans will definitely want to read both books. Wombats! Go Camping is another fun story. And I loved this one even more. I hope there will be more books starring these two friends – I am here for them!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Wombats! Go Camping by Maddie Frost

REVIEW: Wombats! Go Camping by Maddie Frost

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Albert and Pickles have planned a camping trip. But while Albert has planned a light load to walk to the campsite, and a night in a tent under the stars, Pickles has been imagining a resort with all of his favorite things.

The friends’ miss-matched expectations, however, are nothing compared to what happens when Pickles makes a new friend along the way and they take a side trip to find a “monster.”

Review

This chapter book/early reader graphic novel is a hoot and a half! Hand this to young readers – 7 to 10 – who love friendship stories, camping, and silly tales. I got such a kick out of these friends, and the illustrations here are fantastic.

The beginning of the story would lead to an awesome conversation with kids about expectations. But that’s only the first quarter of the book. The rest is a fun, silly adventure, and I think kids will love it!

This is the first book in a series, and I’ll be posting a review of book 2 soon. Don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: Spider-Man: Quantum Quest by Mike Maihack

REVIEW: Spider-Man: Quantum Quest by Mike Maihack

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Spider-Man and Mark the pigeon, fresh off their last adventure, are given a new quest by the Fantastic Four. Atlantis has gone missing, as has a dolphin talisman that Spider-Man feels is familiar.

When Spider-Man and Mark go to find the talisman, they discover that heroes are going missing. They are getting pulled into the Quantum Realm.

Review

This was an absolute delight! The story is a bit thin – heroes keep disappearing. But it’s funny how they keep blipping out while talking to Spider-Man. I think it will keep kids laughing.

But the roll call of Marvel characters who show up in this book – including She-Hulk, Moon Girl, and Shang-Chi, dazzled me. I couldn’t wait to turn the page to see who showed up next. I’m not sure young readers will get all of the jokes – like She-Hulk’s “missing 4th wall” – but I loved them. There’s a bonus search and find puzzle that I thought was a brilliant way to use the Quantum Realm.

As Mike Maihack is one of my favorite illustrators/artists out there, I of course loved the artwork here. There’s one page where the heroes have “assembled” that is perfection.

This ends on something of a cliffhanger, so I’ll definitely be reading book 3, Cosmic Chaos, which will release in July of 2024. Be sure to check out the whole Mighty Marvel Team-Up series. Hand this to all of the Marvel and graphic novels fans in your life.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

 

REVIEW: Spider-Man: Animals Assemble! by Mike Maihack

REVIEW: Spider-Man: Animals Assemble! by Mike Maihack

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

When Spider-Man hears there’s a supervillain in Central Park, he’s eager to get in on the action. But one by one, the Avengers show up, asking him to pet sit for them so THEY can go to Central Park to fight the villain.

Review

Mike Maihack’s art style is EXACTLY what I love. So I’ve been a fan since his Cleopatra in Space graphic novel series (middle grade – check them out!). He shares cartoons online, and his Batgirl and Supergirl series is a delight every time. I’m a serious fan.

So when he started talking about his new early reader graphic novel series for Marvel, I was eager to check it out. Just after Christmas last year I took a week off social media to focus on reading, and this was the first book I read.

It’s fantastic! I’m sad I’m not teaching any more or hanging around a lot of first and second grade kiddos because I would LOVE to share these with kids. The art work is exactly as amazing as I expected it to be. But I was equally delighted by the story!

The story is “simple” in that young kids will easily follow it. Spider-Man gets left holding the pets while the Avengers get to go fight a villain. He’s dedicated to his assignment, but he’s also disappointed. In the end, it all works out happily – and along the way are some laugh-out-loud moments. I would absolutely read this again. It would be a hoot to read with a kiddo. And any new characters in the book that kids might not know open the door to other books and comics they might enjoy.

This is geared toward readers 7-10. I think it would also appeal to younger kids who might be reading independently as well as those who are looking for some “read together”/lap reading options with superheroes. I HIGHLY recommend this series. Book 2 is out now, Quantum Quest, and I’ll be reviewing that next week. Book 3, Cosmic Chaos, releases this summer. Do not miss the Mighty Marvel Team-Up series.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!