Review: City Spies: Europa by James Ponti

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The City Spies are adjusting to life in a new home, satisfied that criminal mastermind Le Fantome is in a high security prison. But then MI6 intercepts messages that discuss bombing high level targets across Europe with the goal to win Le Fantome’s release.

The messages are all in code, and this is where the City Spies show their strength. Working together, the team deciphers targets in Rome, Paris, London, and Amsterdam. Then they split up and travel to each city so they can identify all the precise locations and prevent the attacks. It’s a fast-paced adventure with high stakes that shows personal growth for each member of the team.

City Spies: Europa is the seventh installment of this bestselling series from author James Ponti. While this is my first read in the series, it captivated me right away and kept me turning pages until the end. Ponti does a great job of making the story accessible to those who know the characters as well as those who don’t.

And who wouldn’t love a squad of five young sleuths working with the same organization that housed James Bond. Because of their age, no one suspects them of surveillance or having skills like defusing bombs. All of their personalities come into play as they look for clues and solve codes. It’s a lot of fun to follow along while also learning about some of the major cities of Europe. I highly recommend it for ages 8 to 12.

The publisher provided a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The True Story of Maysoon Zayid by Dr. Seema Yasmin

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Maysoon Zaid was the youngest of three daughters, born with a condition called cerebral palsy that sometimes caused her to shake in ways she couldn’t control. Though she faced challenges and discrimination for her condition, she and her family always saw her as someone who could achieve whatever she decided to achieve and work hard for. Her story is told in The True Story of… Maysoon Zayid, The Girl Who Can Can.

Written by Dr. Seema Yasmin and illustrated by Noha Habaieb, Maysoon Zayid launches the Muslim Mavericks series, which aims to provide positive, uplifting and encouraging narratives that highlight Muslim identity and notable contributions the community has made to society.

Raised in a family that treated her like everyone else, Zayid was surprised to find that others saw her as different. At first denied enrollment at the same public school in New York that her sisters attended, she and her dad fought for her acceptance. Zayid dreamed of being an actress, comedian, and dancer.

Yet many times in her life she encountered people who were unable to look beyond her disability. They told her her dreams were impossible. Zayid persevered, and today she has achieved many of the dreams she set out to accomplish from the time she was a child.

Based on interviews with Zayid, the story written by Yasmin will have young readers cheering the can-do spirit that has defined her life. Maysoon Zaid, The Girl Who Can Can is sure to inspire readers of all religious persuasions to believe in themselves. I recommend it for ages 6 to 10.

The publisher provided a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Aftermyth by Tracy Wolff

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Penelope arrives at Anaximander’s Academy, where students learn about and apply the lessons of the Greek mythology to their own lives. She expects to be chosen for the house of Athena, where all of her family before her resided during their years at the school. Instead, she ends up in Aphrodite, which is way too emotional for her practical sense.

As Penelope is tested again and again with events that push her to the limits, she realizes that no other students are experiencing the things she is, and surviving her first year will take all her strength and wits. The Aftermyth by Tracy Wolff is the first in a series for middle grade readers who are interested in stories of mythology set during modern times.

I was attracted to the premise of a girl who arrives at school expecting that she knows how her life will play out over the next six years only to discover that nothing is going as planned and she has to rely on skills and strengths she didn’t realize she had. But I was disappointed in many facets of the story. While I expected action to unfold over the course of Penelope’s first year, over half of the book was dedicated to the first two days. I found myself skipping over descriptions of the challenges she faced because they became repetitive.

There are some cool details about the school, like the fact that campus shifts every night and students have to use their knowledge of it to find their way to classes. But I also felt information about the school and the reason students attended (other than legacy) was lacking. And I never understood the reason Penelope is set apart from others and singled out for the events that happen to her from the time she arrives. The ending, when it comes relatively soon in the book after the first couple of days, felt disconnected, as it was supposed to be months later.

No doubt many middle grade readers will be attracted to the adventures Penelope faces and not be put off by the lack of world building and depth to the story. Those readers aged 9 to 11 should give The Aftermyth a try.

The publisher provided a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Review: How The Rhino Lost His Horn by Jack Rathmell

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Jack Rathmell knew that after he graduated from high school he wanted to make a difference in the world. When his plans for college didn’t pan out, he researched other opportunities with world organizations. But most programs he looked into either cost a lot of money or required a long list of achievements, neither of which he had. His solution landed with voluntourism, and he found a position outside Cape Town, South Africa, teaching sports to schoolchildren.

Rathmell recounts his experiences there, as well as his time going back to the country to complete two college degrees, in his memoir, How the Rhino Lost His Horn: Cautionary Tales From Appalachia to Africa. He realized life near Cape Town would be different from his small community in rural Pennsylvania the moment he flew in, passing over slums as his plane came in for a landing. He soon learned that navigating the ins and outs of staying safe while living and interacting with people in a complicated country would not be easy.

Rathmell doesn’t flinch when looking at the problems of the country he came to love or the issues with volunteer organizations that promise the ability for young people to make a difference. He examines his own flaws as well as those of his fellow volunteers and the system that may or may not be helpful to the local community.

How The Rhino Lost His Horn is an interesting read for anyone who wants a perspective on South Africa and its many challenges, our own place in confronting similar challenges throughout the world, and the realities we face in trying to contribute.

The publisher provided a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Jilted Countess by Loretta Ellsworth

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A Hungarian countess arrives in the U.S. after World War II to marry the American soldier she met after the war. But when she gets to his Midwestern town, she discovers he’s already married. With the help of a newspaper columnist, she embarks on a quest to find a husband before her visa expires in two weeks. This true story provides the inspiration for Loretta Ellsworth’s book, The Jilted Countess.

While the details of the actual countess and her eventual beau are unknown, Ellsworth has created a story that is richly imagined for her protagonist, Roza Mészáros. Through Roza’s memories, we learn about her life in Hungary and as a ballerina in Austria until the war stopped dancing. Roza’s tale is one of hardship and survival, but also of love and hope for a new beginning. When her fiancé rejects her, she has to call upon her emotional strength to find a new option in the place where she wants to begin again. She wonders, though, how she can learn to live with and possibly even love, another man.

Roza struggles to fit in to her new community, especially as some people interpret her formal manners as an affront, but she is determined to make friends and carve a place for herself where she feels like she belongs. When an unexpected visitor arrives, bringing an offer of a different path, she has to decide where her heart truly lies.

The Jilted Countess brings the time period to life while taking readers on a journey to imagine what the real life woman behind it faced when she decided to stay in the U.S. rather than return to Hungary, where she would have faced continued hardship. Books clubs would find lots to discuss about the story.

The publisher provided a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson

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Even though it’s March in London the ground is covered in snow, the skies are gray, and it seems that spring will never arrive. Ten-year-old Blessing has worries to match the bleak weather. Her mother gets depressed in winter and sometimes has trouble going to work or taking care of their home, and if she sinks even lower into sadness, Blessing may have to stay with a foster family while her mom gets help.

Hope arrives for Blessing in the most unlikely of places after she discovers that a snowman in the park near her home is alive. His name is Albert, and he teaches Blessing all about the Snowman Code, rules that govern their interactions with humans. The first thing Albert helps with is scaring bullies who are mean to Blessing. Then he tells her how they can end winter and bring on spring. It involves finding a snowman in London who refuses to melt.

The task won’t be easy, but as the days go by and Blessing’s mom sinks lower, the stakes get higher. The two will have to work through several problems before they find a solution that helps all involved.

The Snowman Code, written by Simon Stephenson with illustrations by Reggie Brown, is a sweet tale of hope and friendship and love through all kinds of challenges. Similar to classics like Charlotte’s Web, it touches on serious issues like mental health, self-sacrifice, and enduring love without being too heavy for young readers to enjoy. It also has just enough of a touch of magic to bring out a child’s sense of wonder. I highly recommend it for readers aged 8 to 12.

The publisher provided a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Winnie-The-Pooh by A.A. Milne—100th Anniversary Edition

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It’s been 100 years since author A.A. Milne introduced readers to Winnie-the-Pooh, a bear of very little brain, and all the other residents of the Hundred Acre Wood. To celebrate, publisher Aladdin, a subsidiary of Simon & Schuster, has issued a beautiful book that is sure to hold a special place on children’s bookshelves for years to come.

While many children are familiar with the animated version of the tale, this 100th anniversary edition as written by the author lets the stories unfold in a sweet and simple way, and it’s easy to imagine each of the animals and their personalities.

The beloved characters are all there: Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Eeyore, Kanga and Roo, as well as Tigger. They go on adventures searching for things like Heffalumps, which they imagine are fierce, but they seek them out anyway. Christopher Robin is there too, of course, leading them all on a trek to find the North Pole, throwing parties to celebrate their achievements, and figuring out how to rescue them when they find themselves in trouble.

The book features tales printed in Winnie-the-Pooh as well as its sequel, The House at Pooh Corner. Ernest H. Shepard’s original black-and-white illustrations add to the charm, as they bring each character and the woods where they all live to life. The book comes with a soft, fuzzy cover with an illustration of Pooh and a jar of his “hunny.” Just touching it will make you feel cozy as you snuggle up with a child and read these tales of simple friendship and caring.

The publisher provided a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Dear Daughter, This Is My Story

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I’m lucky. My mom has written lots of stories about what life was like for her when she was growing up and major events that influenced who she is. I treasure those stories and so do my daughters, and I imagine the generations that follow will treasure them too. But many people find it difficult to find a way into stories they want to pass on. Or they may think that no one is interested in what they have to tell.

That’s where Dear Daughter, This Is My Story by Pure Joy Press steps in. This guided memory journal make it easy to share significant moments from a mom’s life with her daughter. Prompts help moms put down memories from childhood, stories about their families, lessons they have learned, and more.

Several places are dedicated to adding recipes and photos. Plus, there are instructions on how to record and add voice notes, an invaluable treasure.

For anyone intimidated at the thought of spending a lot of time when their lives are busy, Dear Daughter suggests doing small bits, and even jumping around to the topics that may come easily. Advice at the beginning, on the “How To Use This Journal” page, sums up how moms can approach the journal: “Most of all—be honest, be gentle, and have fun. Your story doesn’t have to be perfect to be priceless.”

The publisher provided a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

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