Twelve Trees: The Deep Roots of Our Future

On virtually all land and in forests across the globe, trees stand like sentinels or with less familiar contours, and play a significant role in the natural world. In Twelve Trees, Daniel Lewis, an environmental historian, has singled out and profiled a dozen species. As a scientist, he approaches his subject with knowledge, affection, and reverence, at times giving an almost anthropomorphic appreciation of a tree's characteristics and idiosyncrasies.

Readers unfamiliar with the geographic spread and products of the trees will respect the demand for the Congo basin ebony in so many products, favoring particularly the manufacture of guitars, and no less, the immense baobabs like a chain of beacons across the south Asian landscape, battered by elephants seeking the nutrition inside the hard exterior. The mysteries embedded in amber are intriguing, some even finding a path to creative jewelry. In North America, the top leaves of the Coast Redwood struggle for better irrigation as water from the soil way below strives to reach them. Each species boasts multiple stories.

The book is enjoyable as well as instructive. Lewis revels in unexpected factoids as well as basic details, some come with a 'believe it or not' humor, though no one can question the veracity.


The Hollow Beast (Biblioasis International Translation Series, 46)

Canadians are a different breed. It is not unheard of for a goalie to stop the puck with their face. But in 1911, when Monti Bouge stopped the puck with his mouth, losing his teeth, the ref, Victor Bradley, let the score count. Monti vowed to take revenge. His revenge was persistent, continuous, and fueled mainly by his endless supply of Yukon. Side effects of the whiskey may or may not have taken the form of a beast, which not only cursed Monti but his descendants. Three generations later, Francois, Montie’s great-grandson, battling his own demons, tried to make sense of the feud in his doctoral dissertation.

The Hollow Beast is an epic slapstick comedy by Christophe Bernard. Initially published in French in 2017, it has been re-released and translated into English by Lazer Lederhendler. Bernard’s hilarious tome is a hundred-proof fever dream of bizarre scenarios and Canada’s most outlandish cast of characters. There is not a single redeeming quality amongst Bernard’s players. Still, much like a train wreck wrapped up in a dumpster fire, it is impossible to look away. But readers beware. Your technicolor nightmares will be fueled by The Hollow Beast.


Haiti, Love and Murder ... In the Season of Soup Joumou

Corinne is a British nurse working in Haiti in the maternity ward of a local clinic. When a colleague, Dr. Sanctis Beauvoir, a Haitian American, is found dead, she is convinced that she knows the killer. Corinne is also sure his death has to do with the pilfering of medical supplies at the clinic. And when her long-time friend, journalist Charlie Carter, rides into town to write a story about the breakdown in civil society and order in the country due to corrupt politics and dire humanitarian needs, Corinne relays her suspicions about her colleague's death to him.

Since Charlie has been harboring unspoken feelings for Corinne for years, he can't help but get involved in her search seeking justice for her friend and colleague. As he digs deeper into the past of Dr. Beauvoir, he is able to call on an old friend at the FBI, another Haitian American, who is, as chance would have it, in Haiti working on a case of kidnapping and narcotics trafficking involving local gang members. Unfortunately, they all have differing views about why Dr. Beauvoir was killed, making it unclear if they will be able to find out what if anything, happened at the clinic.

Complicating things, Charlie remains unsure if he should declare his love for Corinne after so many years of saying nothing. Plus he is worried about her determination to investigate alone and the dangers she faces by upsetting the wrong people at the hospital and in the community. Will they find the justice they seek for the doctor? Only time and hard work will tell.

Mr. Matza has written a superb and masterful story showcasing the complex issues facing a country in political and social turmoil with characters who undertake a risky mission to solve a murder. I loved the attention to detail throughout the story and the fact that the reader gets to experience all sides of the country from the slums to the high-end hotels. We get a good look at Haitian culture and the spirit of survival instilled in a long-suffering nation and people.

This book had everything I look for in a good international mystery. It had empathetic, likable characters, a compelling mystery, action, and adventure in a fabulous setting. I also loved the chapter titles which always moved the story forward in a way that made it hard for me to put this book down. In short, I loved it. I didn't want it to end. I hope this talented author is hard at work on another story of international intrigue and adventure.


One Wise Sheep: An Untraditional Christmas Story

The sheep are grazing in the field when they notice a strange star in the sky, so bright it is almost like dawn. The sheep need to find out what is going on and go to where the shepherds stay, but they are gone. A goat tells one of the sheep that a child has been born in Bethlehem, and this is a very big deal. It is something that has been long awaited and will change the world. People have come from all over. The sheep decide they need to go to Bethlehem where the child is to see what the big deal is. It is a long and arduous journey. The sheep learn much about each other and about themselves along the way.

If you are looking for a traditional story of the nativity, this is not that. First, it is told from the sheep’s point of view. Second, it is very tongue-in-cheek and funny and a bit irreverent. There are cartoonish illustrations scattered throughout the book, and it looks like a children’s book, but adults are sure to enjoy it every bit as much as (maybe more than) youngsters. Don’t miss this one.


Plain Jane and the Mermaid

Everyone thinks Jane is plain. After Jane's family decides to kick Jane out of her own home, she comes up with a plan. If she can get married in a week, her family will finally bring her back and accept her. Jane's original plan was to propose to her crush, Peter, but what will Jane do when she finds out he's been taken away by a mermaid? With the help of her trusty seal friend, Mr. Whiskers, she'll have to search the deep sea to find him.

I enjoyed this book and its strange plot. The theme and backgrounds reminded me a lot of Disney animations such as The Little Mermaid. I loved looking at the character designs and storyboards shared at the end of the book. The color schemes in the book are also really pretty. The backstory was good too, I liked how the author made mermaids the supervillains of the book. Jane's family situation was really unfair, but everything tied together at the end. The ending was my favorite part!


Southern Man: A Political Thriller from the Natchez Burning Series (Penn Cage, 7)

Penn Cage has experienced a lot of turmoil in his life, but lately, they have been escalating. He is watching his Mother slowly slip away from cancer, while he keeps his own grim health prognosis a secret from family and friends. His feud with his racist militia neighbors is reaching a fever pitch. However, these issues take a backseat once a shooting breaks out at a unity concert and his daughter Annie is injured.

The police are under scrutiny for their actions and the racial divide is palpable in Cage’s hometown of Natchez as well as nearby Bienville. The explosive potential for a calamity only grows as a string of fires hit a number of former slave plantations and retaliation soon follows. This is coupled with the approaching presidential election where a native son named Bobby White looks to capitalize on the crisis to propel himself into the White House.

Southern Man is the latest brilliant chapter in the chronicle of Penn Cage written by the first-rate Greg Iles. The subject is sensitive and controversial, but Iles approaches it with tremendous depth and understanding. Penn Cage is a rational voice in a world which is quickly losing the plot.


Shelterwood: A Novel

In the 1990s, a park ranger in Oklahoma meets a precocious and spirited girl in a foster home where she is too easily overlooked. At the other end of the century, a girl runs away from an abusive stepfather, bringing with her a Choctaw girl her father adopted.

The stories of these two will intersect, but more than that, they will show that some of the problems of the past have not been solved at all. They have only been shifted.

At times, Shelterwood is difficult to read. Wingate does a magnificent job bringing her young characters to life. It’s rare to find an author who can write children as the messy, complex people they truly are. The one drawback is that her adult characters come across as one-dimensional in comparison.

What is multi-dimensional in the book is Oklahoma itself.Shelterwood shows a deep love for the state that comes through on every page, from the spaces that have been left wild to the towns and cities and the people that dwell in them. Readers will come away with a broadened understanding of the state, both the good parts and the bad.


The Body Harvest

The job of a book is to grab you right from the first page, so you keep reading to the very last one. M. J. Seidlinger’s The Body Harvest does that but perhaps not in the conventional sense by ensnaring your attention with an immediate abhorrence that will either make you immediately stop reading, or unstoppably keep going. And if you already have an inkling what the book is about, you’re going to keep just to find out what actually happens.

Will is a fraud who lost his job by stealing from the company, while Olivia’s life fell apart when things didn’t work out the way she hoped they would. They’re deadbeats with no plans for any sort of future, while Will’s savings are quickly disappearing and soon they’ll be without a roof over their heads. What do they do for fun? They get sick. As sick as possible. They hunt for flu and fever, coughing and sneezing on each other with the goal of becoming really unwell. Then they find The Source, a clandestine group that seeks out their greatest desires.

The book starts strong but eventually devolves into an uncertain story, nevertheless, it is quite different from what people are used to reading.


The Interbellum Constitution: Union, Commerce, and Slavery in the Age of Federalisms (Yale Law Library Series in Legal History and Reference)

The period between 1812 and 1861 is called the Interbellum Era by U.S. historians as it was an era when the United States was constantly growing westward and working out the kinks of the Constitution, including the habitual problem of slavery. In this new book, University of Chicago Professor Alison LaCroix takes the readers on an in-depth and legal look at the Interbellum Era and how lawyers, jurists, presidents and other leaders defined, changed definitions and made the Constitution work for a rapidly growing Republic from its original thirteen small colonies hugging the coast.

Some readers may be daunted by the size of the work but it is well worth the journey to discover how the U.S. and state governments learned to work together, share power and the federal government to have ultimate authority over the states, which was not always a sure thing in the early years of America, as many states were used to being their own sovereign country in a way and not used to sharing with others. The book mainly follows legal cases, opinions and other written documents to chart the winding path during an uncertain era.


Ring Around the Collar ~ The Stains of Racism in Society

"For anyone who hasn't experienced racism, it seems abstract, but those who have are likely to still carry a wound in their hearts. This book will challenge your views on racism, and the stories will help you understand its consequences. Racism's impact reaches far deeper than we realize, affecting all communities. Ring Around the Collar exposes these hidden wounds and offers a path to healing." —Maria Yinks, Manhattan Book Review


"Karim Shabazz's Ring Around the Collar is a thorough, unapologetically honest exploration of racism with a plethora of thought-provoking questions and suggestions. Karim's meticulous research into the history of racism and various prejudiced groups mirrors the type of intentionality and courage that's needed to expose and stifle the hidden perpetrators of racism. All victims of racism and propagators of racial superiority should read this!" —Foluso Falaye, Los Angeles Book Review


"Ring Around the Collar: The Stains of Racism in Society by Karim Shabazz is a powerful exploration of racism’s pervasive impact on individuals, communities, and society as a whole. Considering the history and present of the different races that comprise contemporary US society, Shabazz elucidates the far-reaching consequences of prejudice and discrimination. Through compelling narratives and insightful analysis, he offers hope for transformation, drawing from the stories of three individuals—Malcolm X, Arno Michaelis, and Frank Meeink—who experienced profound “racial epiphanies” and changed their perceptions. With clarity and sensitivity, Shabazz delivers a call to action, inspiring readers to confront their biases and work toward a more inclusive future." —Erin Britton, San Francisco Book Review


Beyond Ivy Walls

Sadie West has taken up work in a feather duster factory, hoping to bring in a little extra money to help the family after her father’s accident. By night, after being kicked out of a boarding house, she sleeps in an abandoned factory. When the wealthy recluse who owns the factory returns to town, he offers to hire her to help at his house, offering a room as well so she can have a proper place to sleep. Thus begins Fordham’s latest novel, a romance set in turn of the century Iowa, inspired by Beauty and the Beast.

This is a touching, heartwarming novel, one which will surely appeal to many readers. At times I found the characterization flat, but the intensity and depth of the relationships between the characters was charming and enticing at once. Fordham has a knack for tugging at heartstrings, and for bringing unexpected details of the past to life. Her love for the characters and for the setting shines through in every page. The themes, both Christian and secular, are woven in deftly, making their meaning clear without once overpowering the story.


The Midnight Feast: A Novel: A Thrilling Psychological Thriller

The Midnight Feast is a story told in different perspectives by its main characters—Francesca, Bella, Owen, and Eddie. The story takes place in both 2010 and before, during and after a present day Summer Solstice.

Francesca comes from a wealthy family and has just inherited The Manor which she has turned in to a hot spot for young adults who want a lavish vacation in the woods without actually camping. Her husband, Owen, a renowned architect, was hired to design the newly built structures to house guests. Bella is a guest who has a secret agenda. And Eddie is connected to The Manor in more ways than one.
As the Solstice appears and Bella recalls The Birds and the eery feeling of the woods, she knows that she must stay strong and stand up to her tormentor. When the past catches up, all will be revealed.

Although I liked the story and the descriptiveness of the setting, this book dragged on for a long time before it tells you what is really going on. I had to put this book down several times because it made me want to fall asleep. There were so many unnecessary parts, ones that were redundant, and I felt that if the cadence had moved on a bit quicker, the twists at the end would have had a much better effect.


Animals I Want To See: A Memoir of Growing Up in the Projects and Defying the Odds

Dreams reinforced with grit and tenacity may occasionally become a reality. In this rags to riches tale, Tom Seeman eloquently traces his transformation from a slum child to a successful businessperson while growing up in a family of fourteen with a devoted overworked mother and, unfortunately, an uncaring ne’er do well father. His dreams start early as he lists the animals he sees in his mess of a yard, but make an optimistic open list to be filled in with animals he wants to see someday. As he ages, he continually opens lists to further objectives.

This is the story of a youth surviving poverty and the strangling slums, who through sheer will takes on all manner of jobs to afford an education, he devours the encyclopedia with his curiosity, befriends librarians, clergy, teachers, coaches and neighbors seeking mentors. Chance favors his survival during adolescence when his hijinks and mischief might have led to disaster or prison.

This is an uplifting story for any living in the ghettos and mixed neighborhoods that spew poverty for its residents and hopelessness for the young. Written with lyrical grace, the memoir traces the adventures and emotions of this author from childhood till he finds his dreams fulfilled. It is a very appealing and encouraging story for all ages picturing social issues that we should be aware of.


Monkey Moon

This is a book about monkeys. And even though we do have very much of the same DNA as monkeys, they are not as smart as humans. These monkeys see the Moon's reflection in a well and they believe the moon has fallen from the sky. They think they can go down and get it. But they soon find out they can't. Then they think they were able to get the Moon back into the sky.

This was an interesting book. My favorite part was the illustrations of them linking together to get the Moon out of the well just like the old monkey game I used to have, barrel of monkeys. What I thought was cool is how the illustrations were in a circle.


What the Garden Tells Me

City gardens are an oasis, a source of joy and inspiration. Through What the Garden Tells Me, Monica Mikai’s blossoming debut as an author-illustrator showcases her love for nature and her life’s calling to bring joy and wonder to young readers. The protagonist is a Black girl with gorgeous flowing curls who delights in leisurely walks in the garden around flowers and plants. With Mom, Dad, and younger siblings, she names the flora that catches her fancy, celebrating them with enthusiastic cartwheels, joyful songs, poignant reflections, and adorable affirmations.

I am a plant lover, so I was already looking forward to reviewing this book. There is so much to love about Mikai’s vision, as she draws readers into the wondrous and vibrant serenity of a brilliant spring day when water lilies and sunflowers are in full bloom. Mikai adds to her mettle as an accomplished illustrator with an engaging narrative. The author lovingly invites children and grown-ups to slow down amid a busy and noisy world and take the time to observe the quiet beauty of flowers. Knowing the names of plants and noticing their unique qualities inspires a love for nature.


Parrotfish Has a Superpower

I didn't know much about the parrotfish before reading Parrotfish Has a Superpower, but I want to know everything I can now! The story teaches the reader facts about the parrotfish that they maybe didn't know before reading the book, and if they did, they will still enjoy every page as they get smarter, but not realize they are smarter because the story is fun!

Parrotfish is talking with Hammerhead Shark as he tries to guess what Parrotfish's superpower is, but he is not very polite, as he keeps interrupting Parrotfish with his funny comments. In the end, Parrotfish tells its superpower and you will probably not have guessed it!

I like that at the end of the book, there are true/false questions to learn more about the parrotfish; my family turned it into a game, and I did about fifty/fifty on it. The illustrations throughout the story are colorful with lots to look at in each one. Kids of any age will enjoy this story and probably laugh a lot by the end!


The Dinosaur in the Garden

Did you know what you might find when you are digging in the dirt making a garden? There are so many things deep down in the ground that if you dig deep enough, you might just become a paleontologist. In this book that is exactly what happens to a kid putting in a garden. Then your whole yard would become a dig site.

This book is super cute and unique, mainly because it is told from the perspective of the dinosaur in the ground. I really liked it. The pictures are super cute. My favorite part is how the dinosaur is in ghost form while telling the story and looking at his own bones in the ground. This would be such a fun book for dinosaur lovers.


Nancy and Sluggo's Guide to Life: Comics about Money, Food, and Other Essentials

Nancy and Sluggo’s Guide to Life by Ernie Bushmiller is not just any old self-help book. It is a comic book that shares a little levity on life itself. This book reveals that beneath their antics, Nancy and Sluggo are humans too. This book is a collection of the much loved and classic comics compiled to share the humor of iconic characters. One of my favorite comics are when Nancy demands a piece of cake, but her aunt Fritzi made the cake for a party…and later, after Nancy whines about cake, neighbors arrive with pieces of cake! Another one of my favorites is when Nancy and Sluggo have their mouths full of food. Because their mouths are full of food, they speak gibberish like “Umf glbb brff gims wimzl” and “Bujgn glooph ibbix smiphr” which works well in comic form for visual and verbal humor. This book contains an introduction about how Nancy and Sluggo are a “cult classic” …and one of their admirers is none other than one of my favorite authors, Raina Telgemeier! Whether you are brand new to Nancy and Sluggo or a long time fan, this collection is a great choice. I really enjoyed this book!


Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta

Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta is the funny story of a girl's family who loves to eat and cook pasta, but when they each like their own kind, things get messy! Within this big family/famiglia, there is Nonna Ana, Nonno Titi, Zio Tony, Zia Trini, Zio Renz, and her Cugini who like lasagna, spaghettini, ravioli, rontini, gnocchi, bucatini, tortellini, and capellini!

It sounds yummy when they all arrive at her house with their groceries to make their specialty, but maybe it's too much for everyone! The reader follows the story of the girl's large family as they get together for fun, laughs, and to fill their tummies, regardless of things going exactly to plan!

I enjoyed reading the English and Italian words throughout the story; I didn't know the other language or the names of the many kinds of pasta besides spaghetti that I normally eat! I liked that even though things didn't go as planned for the family, they made the best of it and made memories together. The illustrations have a lot to look at, making each page exciting!


Help Wanted: One Rooster

There is trouble at the farm. The rooster has taken to sleeping in because he has been staying up late working on starting a rock band. Since the rooster isn’t doing his job, none of the other barnyard animals get their chores done on time. The farm is falling apart. The cow is very organized and professional. She even has a clipboard.

She is trying to find a new rooster for the farm. A sheep is helping. Their first applicant is a rooster who is inexplicably wearing a tuxedo and thinks it would be nicer to wake the farm denizens with a small bell. The second applicant prefers waking others with the smell of coffee. And so it goes with some very odd applicants.

Julie Falatko has written an amusing look at what needs to happen to keep things running on a farm. Her witty text challenges youngsters with unusual ideas and stretches their vocabulary with big words. The charming illustrations by Andrea Stegmaier complete the story with lots of fun details that will keep youngsters’ eyes on the pages and a great sense of fun on every page. Themes of cooperation and working toward goals are nicely featured.


Are You Small?

Are You Small? is a story about how things compare in size with other things. For a young reader, they may feel that they are small, especially compared with grownups, but then the narrator explains how there are smaller things, like the book you’re reading! And even though things are small(er), there are BIG things about them (i.e., a big deal, a big friend, necessary for the whole part, etc.).

I enjoyed learning the size comparison of the things mentioned in the book (there is something that is 5 NONILLION times smaller than the average kid)! I learned about lots of science terms (atoms, electrons, quark, etc.) that I didn’t know before, and feel smarter knowing now.

This book is appropriate for readers in elementary school and above to understand and enjoy. I learned that I might be small compared to some people/things, but there are plenty of things that I am bigger than, and big/small isn’t as black and white as it seems.


How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World

In the early pages, How to Love a Forest by Ethan Tapper seems despairing, a gloom and doom account of forest destruction. But no, as a forester, and a steward in Vermont, Tapper soon acknowledges the need for change, and alters the tone of his book. When lone “wolf” trees, symbolizing old growth are removed, fewer beeches and white pines dominate. Not only young trees replace them, but also the community of bacteria, invertebrates, and free-living fungi around the roots. And no less, the change of new pests and pathogens occurs, along with non-native invasives.

Tapper paints a picture of successive human populations over thousands of years, an altered landscape as wildlife, then domesticated animals, and now great swatches of deer occupy the territory. The book's charm lies in its personal perceptions, and the experience developed season by season as the author's expertise grows. Even herbicides, once abhorred, he sees may play a beneficial role as conservation and preservation work together, no longer displaying the earlier bitter conflict. A forest, he claims, “is best described as a creature of diversity and complexity and depth.” And with this he ends triumphantly, planting acorns to ensure a wealth of oak trees for future generations.


The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust

For those repelled by the agnostic or atheistic views of science, here is a book from a man of faith. Francis Collins bridges a deep resume of scientific and career accomplishment with a conversion to Christianity through a love of nature and “a leap of faith”.  He was formerly the Director of the NIH and was on the firing line during the pandemic. The author struggles to understand why resistance to scientific thought goes so deeply in so many people when he can clearly see the results and progress that scientific thought has created.

Like the ancient worldview, the author believes that scientific thought and reliance on faith are not mutually exclusive. He ponders the inexplicable thinking of those buying the flat earth and 6,000-year-old earth myths when the natural world makes truth self-evident. As head of the Human Genome Project, he lead to the sequencing of all three billion letters of our DNA. For that alone, here is a book one can rely on for a vision of truth and wisdom.


Lessons from the Sidelines: Thoughts from on and off the football field on faith, family, and living well

Karen Blake has worked both as the owner of a nonprofit and as a mother of two. Both are demanding jobs, and it seems as though both would require a very different set of skills. In some ways, they do, but in her book, she points out ten lessons she has learned from being a mother of two boys involved in sports that can be applicable to the business world as well. The lessons aren’t just for people involved in business, though. They can be applied to many more aspects of adult life, from other career paths to volunteering to simply getting along with friends.

The book is arranged in a simple, easy-to-follow structure. Karen first lays out the lesson, then explains the context in which she learned it. The second half of the chapter explains how it can be applied to the “real world”—in this case, an office setting, but it only takes a little imagination to figure out how to apply them to different aspects of your life.

The first lesson, for example, involves showing up to practice even before the coach is there. Taken literally, that doesn’t offer much for an office worker, but Blake goes on to explain that the lesson here is about dedication. If you show up early, not only will it show other people in your life that you are dedicated, but you can also make sure you have everything set up as you need it rather than scrambling as everyone else is getting started. The same goes for staying late; it shows dedication and allows you to possibly catch up with other people.

I found the book to be very useful. The ten lessons are easy to understand, and Blake has a friendly, accessible tone. I’ve never been the mother of sports children or an employee at an office, but I still found the book helpful and applicable to my life.

My one complaint is that the book doesn’t go into much detail about any of the lessons. The book itself is only thirty-four pages, meaning each lesson only has a few pages apiece. That makes it hard to go past the surface. I would have been interested to see Blake expand on the lessons, either by providing more examples of how they have worked in her life or by discussing in greater detail what they could mean for the reader. On the whole, though, this is a very useful book which will help many people.


Lessons from the Sidelines

Karen R. Blake, a brain cancer survivor, gained many crucial life lessons from twenty years of marriage and parenthood. Raising two boys while sustaining a cooperative marriage, Blake's journey is a testament to the particular gifts of valuable lessons in honing one's skills through practice, taking initiative, and being a supportive parent. In her book, Lessons from the Sidelines, Blake shares her journey, realizing the wisdom imparted by experiences in organized sports. In sports, as in life, there is value in understanding the dynamics of teamwork, self-sacrifice, and persistence. Parents and children can discern the applicability of adopting and embodying these values in other areas of life outside of team sports.

Lessons from the Sidelines is a quick read for busy parents and professionals, and it contains actionable tips for everyday situations. A handful of photos of Blake's children in team sports offer the book an intimate feel. This book is relevant for parents and caregivers of young people searching for intention and validation in supporting the children in their care.

As a parent of a grown child, reading Lessons from the Sidelines was a transformative experience. It inspired me to reflect on my motivation to immerse my child in various activities outside school. Blake's reflections resonated with me, reminding me of the poignant takeaways I had as a parent and how the experience of parenting has shaped and molded my approach to life and leadership.

Whether you're a parent, a caregiver, or a business professional, Lessons from the Sidelines has something for you. As a business coach, Blake uses familiar, real-life examples of how lessons from team sports can impact success in the workplace. For example, she discusses the benefit of making the first move in life and business while being aware of the uncertainty and potential risks. It suggests seeking guidance from a trusted coach or mentor to increase confidence and understanding of appropriate rules and strategies. In another chapter, Blake underscores the importance of being open to continuous learning. Summer camps, workshops, and watching professionals play a crucial role in helping overcome learning curves. By being exposed to different educational opportunities, individuals can gain new ideas and perspectives, while working with experienced mentors helps acquire the knowledge necessary to execute.

Readers will learn how preparation, determination, and introspection can build character. Blake shares how lessons learned in team sports can make one a better parent, a more reliable volunteer, and an influential colleague in the workplace. Maintaining perspective in competitive environments, such as the business world, was a powerful reminder for me. Blake emphasizes the importance of empathy and support for competitors, highlighting the value of cooperation amid competition. In the end, the true value of winning is attaining peace.


Lessons from the Sidelines

Featuring a wealth of information, guidance, and motivation, Karen R. Blake’s Lessons from the Sidelines is a bite-sized guide to (noticeably) performing and excelling in both the personal and professional spheres. Starting from the hypothesis that “The main reason that adults want their children to participate in organize sports is to teach some of the lessons of character that they will carry with them into adulthood,” Blake leverages her experience as the mother of two boys who participated in organized sports throughout their childhood to provide tips and tricks for succeeding in all facets of life.

On the basis that most lessons in life are best learned through experience—“teamwork, self-sacrifice, working to achieve a goal, persistence, learning when to lead and when to follow, be prepared, and follow through”—Blake structures Lessons from the Sidelines around ten brief lessons that reflect the behaviors and mindsets most likely to help a person achieve their aims, whether at work, at home, or in the wider world. Drawn from her observations of the goals, challenges, and benefits encountered by her and her children during their sporting endeavors, these lessons have both theoretical and practical application.

For example, Lesson 7 is titled “Always do your best with no expectations. Do your best and when magic happens, buy the T-shirt.” The starting point here is that life has no guarantees, although certain behaviors and values are highly likely to bring about positive outcomes, meaning that a person who wants to succeed in life should implement such practices and habits to give themselves the greatest likelihood of favorable results. Blake emphasizes that living a good/positive life and faithfully pursuing all opportunities is the key, and the success that follows is just the icing on the cake.

This lesson is particularly valuable because it highlights the importance of effort, commitment, and motivation on the road to achieving goals. The idea is to be the best person it is possible to be, which will of course differ for different people, with the extrinsic rewards that follow being less valuable than the intrinsic benefits of doing the right thing and always following through on commitments. This lesson is also particularly useful because it includes a relatively lengthy example of the idea in practice in relation to a lacrosse team’s unexpected but highly appreciated/celebrated success.

Only a couple of other lessons similarly include examples, and they are much shorter than the example in Lesson 7. In the main, each lesson begins with a concise description of the teaching point that Blake wants to convey—whether maintaining perspective, following through with commitments, making the first move, etc.—and then offers suggestions for its real-world application in the business context. As the book is so short, it would have been good if all the lessons included a lengthy practical example, perhaps even examples or perspectives featuring other people.

Still, Lessons from the Sidelines packs in a host of easily digestible ideas and approaches for practical ways to leverage common sense lessons from daily life, particularly the arena of sports, to achieve success and contentment in working life. In particular, Blake strikes a good balance between means of ensuring success—or “winning” in business—and ways of becoming a well-rounded person, such as investigating all talents, volunteering to help however possible, and being a lifelong learner. Her friendly and accessible advice is applicable to all people and all walks of life.


The Lies of Alma Blackwell

Nev has been told two things her whole life; it's her duty to take over as the town's protector that keeps the spirits at bay and that her mom ran away from this duty and never returned. This is the truth Nev believes, until it’s time for her to take the vow and a boy who's a little too familiar shows up. She doesn't have long to figure out what's truth, what's lies, and what the true history of her family is.

The Lies of Alma Blackwell is a story of magic, love, and secrets. There's a twinge of romance between the main characters, but it's not over powering. But there's one other romance that is important to the plot and I love how it's handled as it's between two girls from a hundred years ago. There's subtle disapproval, which is normal for the time, but otherwise it's treated as if normal. The magic system is simple and hardly needs explained, it's easy to understand. There’s foreshadowing from the beginning about Nev’s past, it’s not entirely subtle, but it did take me until the reveal to actually realize it.


The Intuition Bible: How and Why to Tap Into Your Inner Wisdom

Trusting one’s inner knowledge requires insight, intentionality, and practice. Happy Ali breaks down the fundamental steps necessary to harness personal wisdom through The Intuition Bible, a guidebook that aligns with the interests of readers in spirituality, metaphysics, and personal development. Ali offers his gifts as a spiritual coach whose practices are informed by psychology, diverse spiritual traditions, and natural talents for receiving and interpreting ultra-sensory information and messages. Ali challenges the notion of our society’s biases toward rational or scientific inquiry, which leads many to neglect or abandon their intuitive abilities. Ali presents techniques and exercises for empaths and intuitives to employ and channel their potential.

Ali writes in an approachable way, mirroring their content on social platforms like Instagram and TikTok. I approached the book from my vantage point as spiritually agnostic, with some knowledge of diverse practices like prophetic dreams, understanding chakras, and clairvoyance. From my cursory knowledge of these topics, I understand there are cultural, spiritual, neuroscientific, and psychological explanations for the gift of intuition. Ali does not explicitly cite the sources for the strategies shared in the book. This is fitting for a book that challenges logical and objective thought processes for discovering personal truths. Much of intuition is trusting information from sources beyond what is physically observable and transcends the analytical mind.


The Christmas Tree Farm: (A Sweet Second-Chance Holiday Romance Novel)

While the setting and premise of this novella should be a slam dunk for any and all Hallmark Christmas movie fans, the preachy tone of Melody Carlson's The Christmas Tree Farm didn't do much for me.

Madison McDowell returns home to her family Christmas tree farm to discover the business is in trouble, according to her sister Addie. While Madison has been away exploring her passions and career, Addie has been saddled with the farm--a place she never cared for, even when they were children. Addie hasn't invested in or done much to improve the farm, so Madison pitches in to try to right the sinking ship.

Property adjacent to the farm is under construction to become a dirt bike track for a precocious eleven-year-old named Lily. Her widowed father, Gavin, was close with Madison in high school, and now Addie has a crush on him--so the plot thickens. Or does it?

The truth is there isn't much intrigue here, and their references to church, and Jesus's example felt very heavy-handed as the inevitable ending approached. However, if you like the faith based Christmas-y vibe of books like there, then The Christmas Tree Farm won't disappoint.


The Night Guest

Hildur Knutsdottir, Mary Robinette Kowal

There is something wrong with Idunn. At least, that’s what she’s convinced herself as she sits in yet another doctor’s office waiting room. She hasn’t been sleeping well, at first just waking up more exhausted than when she went to bed, but other things have begun to happen; things born of blood and nightmares, that leave her increasingly nervous about the root cause of her symptoms.

Her friends and colleagues are hardly helpful, repeating the same rote advice about healthy diet and exercise regimens and strict bedtime routines that she’s heard a thousand times and already tried with no success. So, when all her medical tests come back normal and her doctor suggests seeking a mental health provider instead, it prompts Idunn to unravel the secrets her body has been keeping on her own, with ruinous and terrifying consequences.

This slim novel reads like a fragmented dream diary, with stops and starts on pages that sometimes have only a few lines, but those few lines are more than enough to chill and unnerve the unwary reader. Knutsdottir’s prose mirrors the sparse Reykjavik streets Idunn traverses, delivering a maximum creepiness factor and an ending that will leave you delightfully unsettled.


Unsettled (Updated and Expanded Edition)

Physicist Steven Koonin challenges public perception regarding the threat that climate change poses for this world and even questions the veracity of the reports citing indications of climate change. Public announcements of hazardous weather changes, rising oceans, droughts, higher temperatures, melting glaciers and other menacing environmental features are confronted in the book titled Unsettled, which probes into these troubling issues.

This newest edition of the book contains updated findings to challenge the misperceptions related to climate that alarm the public. The author claims and provides evidence that the media, politicians, and even at times, the assessment reports misrepresent or misinterpret what the science says about climate and catastrophes. The climate is changing and we play a role in this phenomenon, yet the energy provided by fossil fuels will still be required to energize both the advanced and underdeveloped worlds.

The aim of this book is to challenge the misrepresentations of what the science says to the non-scientific public. This is a recommended text for those interested in learning the basics along with the problems associated with climate science.


A New Lease on Death: A Mystery

Cordelia’s life was routine, but she was happy until her death a few months earlier, and now she spends her time idly hanging out in the afterlife. Her peace is disrupted by an overly cheery roommate, Ruby, who moves into her apartment and then by the sudden death of her neighbor. She knows there’s more to his death than a random mugging, but how can she prove it when no one can see her? That is until she finds a way to communicate with Ruby and guides her through the investigation, but as the younger woman pokes around, she uncovers a few secrets that Cordelia thought died with her.

The story begins with Cordelia, already a ghost, which immediately catapults you into Blacke’s unique vision of the afterlife. You’re quickly swept up into the mystery of her neighbor’s death, though there are threads throughout that allow you to piece Cordelia’s life together. The story weaves between the perspectives of Ruby and Cordelia, going between the worlds of the living and the dead. The humor is driven by the Odd Couple dynamic between the two women with a ghostly twist that excels at creating a unique mystery. A New Lease on Death has a mystery that keeps much yet to be explored and leaves you wanting more from these characters and their journeys.


Nether Station

Nether Station is a space adventure. It has components of realism, it’s not hard to follow, one need not have a degree in science to understand what’s happening. There are elements of horror and action and some humor. The protagonist is Cammie, a character who is most likely “on the spectrum,” and her boss is an egotistical billionaire. The latter wants to be the first to test out a wormhole, the goal is to test it first with mice, then monkeys and then humans to see if it can be used to get to the Alpha Centauri system. There are surprise tragedies and mishaps early in the book, hinting that it becomes a fast paced book as it develops. To the crew's shock, something else is out in space near Nether, the wormhole. These are the Lovecraftian aspects, starting about a third of the way into the story. It’s a lot of fun, but in some ways, it doesn’t deliver quite the expected punch. For science fiction and Lovecraft fans, it’s definitely worth a read.


Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed

History has shown the Kennedy family as America’s version of the royal family. Their rise to prominence featured exorbitant wealth and reaching the highest office in the land. The Kennedy family tree has featured both triumphs and tragedies, celebrity and scandal. The impact of the Kennedys was forever etched in the “Camelot” myth, which arose after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963.

The men and women of the family have been under a microscope from the mainstream media ever since. The untimely deaths and calamities that have affected the family have been emphasized while the salacious and possibly nefarious were often overlooked, if not buried. In Ask Not, the noted and occasionally redacted women in the Kennedy world are profiled in depth.

Author Maureen Callahan (American Predator, 2019) doesn’t mince words with regard to the Kennedy family. Callahan has assembled a compilation of condemnation spanning generations while probing the actions of the Kennedy men and the women who were part of their lives. The book holds out the promise of a strong investigative effort but is often hampered by the author’s inherent dislike for a large portion of the family.


The Book Swap

Tessa Bickers' debut novel The Book Swap is a delight for book lovers, especially those who like to write in the margins of their most beloved novels, but it isn't as lighthearted as one might expect from the bright pink cover.

The couple at the heart of the book--Erin and James--grew up together and were incredibly close friends alongside Bonnie, a larger than life woman whose life was tragically cut short by cancer. In many ways, the novel is a study of grief as the two try to process all that they lost, not only when Bonnie passed but when Erin and James stopped speaking because of a schoolyard incident that neither has ever spoken of again.

Where does the rom and com come in? Erin mistakenly donates a favorite book to a free library in her neighborhood. Home from London to help care for his mother, James finds the book and writes responses to her marginal notes. He leaves it back in the library, hoping he may find some connection to this mystery girl, unaware that they share a history.

The back and forth between a slew of classic novels develops their relationship until the balance shifts. I don't want to give anything away, but I would say I'd hoped for more than I got in the ending.

Still, if you're a lifelong reader with a romantic streak, The Book Swap will be right for you.


Terra Electrica: The Guardians of the North (Terra Electrica, 1)

Mani needs food, now. Her entire village died from the strange electric disease except her and her father. He left to find food but it’s been a month already. Mani hesitantly leaves the shelter to seek help and finds Leo, an Ark research scientist who is also sick. She spends her days going to the research facility for food and putting on her mom’s mask that takes her to an alternate peaceful world. When Mani cures him, Leo knows he must get back to the Ark to share his discovery and help others. She agrees to go when he promises to look for her dad. Though the journey is fraught with challenges, it’s the reception at the end that could ruin everything.

This book has a few holes and lost explanations. There’s an obvious lead to a second book, where hopefully some of these things will be explained. Mani seems very young and oblivious and naively self-centered, almost purposely misunderstanding the seriousness around her. The transition to the world granted by her mask is confusing, and easily missed even though marked by a faint tiny mask. This sci-fi tale has a good premise, but there’s better ones out there.


Lies Make Perfect

Lies Make Perfect is a twisty, turny thriller that will have readers asking what happened until the very end. Author Ellie Banks does an amazing job at crafting each character and then making you wonder who knows what. Margo Box is guilty of neglecting her husband, Zach, and daughter Poppy. She realizes he is probably cheating on her but is so obsessed with writing her book about cold cases that she just can't stop. Until Zach takes Poppy and doesn't come back. Six months later, Margo, still trying to find her daughter and husband, also decides to write about another case. The case of her best friend's father running away with their friend, Sarah.

This book gets better and better the deeper you get into the story. It never slows down and Banks spoonfeeds you every detail magnificently. As the story unfolds, readers will think they know what happened; however, the twist that comes at the very end is the ultimate ending to the story. I recommend this book to fans of Chevy Stevens and Paula Hawkins.


The Inhabitants

Nilda Ricci, an artist, and her daughter, Sidney, have just inherited a Victorian mansion from a distant aunt. The mansion was designed by a well-known architect in his later years and features many oddities. Not long after moving in, Nilda meets her neighbor, a handsome chemist who starts making her tonics to boost her creativity. Both Nilda and Sidney begin having strange encounters that make them question reality. The inhabitants of this area, both past and present, may not have the best intentions for Nilda and her daughter.

Victorian mansions that are supposedly haunted are always a classic. Everything you need for a gothic tale is here: a creepy mansion, a kid, ghosts, weird neighbors and an emotional single mom. I thought the author did a great job of blurring the lines, so that, even as the reader, who should have an overview of the situation, it was hard to tell what was real and what wasn’t. The ending almost sets things up for another story, if the author chose to. Overall, a fun read to add to your gothic collection.


My Year of Casual Acquaintances (The South Bay)

My Year of Casual Acquaintances offers contemporary romance lovers a fresh take on the fresh start trope, and delivers a thoroughly entertaining, highly re-readable novel. Middle-aged editor Mar Meyers has left it all behind; her unfaithful spouse, her big home in the suburbs, even her name in order to start over from scratch in a tiny apartment overlooking the gorgeous California coastline. Her goal: to say yes to new experiences and relationships with the caveat that everything remains casual; at least until a certain lithe-limbed yogi causes Mar to question the rigidity of her no-attachments rule.

With a colorful cast of fellow gym goers, both platonically and romantically inclined, along with a semi-estranged son and family, Stevens juggles what seems like a dozen different characters with a playfulness and ease that draws you fully into their individual storylines. Mar herself is so relatable, and her experiences and perceptions are written with such well-timed bursts of character developing insight that this is easily one of the top three romance novels I’ve read this year.


Fatal Intrusion: A Novel (Sanchez & Heron)

Carmen Sanchez is an agent with Homeland Security and Jake Heron is a professor who also works as a private security expert. Even though they have a complicated past, they join forces when Carmen’s sister is attacked by what looks to be a serial killer. The killer’s fascination with spiders leads them on a chase to stop his next Fatal Intrusion. However, it looks like this killer’s web goes much deeper than they thought and there are more players involved.

The plot sounded interesting, as well as the descriptions of the characters, but everything felt dry. The technical jargon is there, clearly the authors know what they’re talking about. However, it was hard to get interested in the characters. I’m not the biggest fan of knowing who the killer is from the beginning; it takes away a lot of the suspense.

If you enjoy police procedurals and hacker plots, this is a book for you. Just be prepared, it reads more like a manual than a thriller. Overall, it wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t exactly page-turner I was expecting.


The Naming Song

In this literary science fiction novel, which is still rare but becoming more common, the reader enters a world in which words have disappeared and monsters have slipped out of our dreams and into reality, providing a true waking nightmare. To stand against ghosts, monsters and other creatures of the night, four different committees were created to build up the borders around the remnants of the world to combat these demons.

An unnamed courier for the Names Committee flees her assignment when she realizes that those she gives new words too end up being attacked and heads to find the truth, even if that means going back to the beginning of everything to learn the truth.

Depending on how you feel about literary fiction, especially literary science fiction, will greatly impact if you will enjoy this or not. There are some people with Names, maybe the lucky ones, and other characters who go by descriptors as their names, especially in a world that is trying to rebuild after the words disappeared; especially as literary science fiction is still finding its footing.


Devour: A Graphic Novel

“We bring our beliefs wherever we go.” The myths and lore from Africa came to America with the enslaved peoples. But it wasn’t just the stories that arrived in the New World; the gods came, too. One of these gods was the spider Anansi, who came to consume the stories of the captured Africans. The woman of the Turner family imprisoned Anansi before he could destroy people’s memories. When Vassie became ill, her son and his children came to Alabama to stay with the matriarch of the Turner family. Vassie must teach her only granddaughter, Patsy, the family hoodoo, to keep Anansi locked up. If Anansi is ever freed, he will devour the memories of anyone he comes across.

Devour is the debut graphic novel by award-winning comic journalist Jazmine Joyner. This grimdark horror graphic novel borrows from West African mythology but tells a dark story that could only come from America. Joyner uses their craft to focus on Black ancestral trauma. The tale of terror that Joyner weaves is punctuated with the brutal and bloody artwork of comic book artist Anthony Pugh. The grim yet captivating illustrations aid this book’s overall sense of dread and treachery. This horror novel, full of history and magic, is the story Anansi looks to devour.


Snoopy's Beagle Scout Tales: Peanuts Graphic Novels

I've loved the Peanuts comic strip ever since I was a child, This graphic novel added laughter to my day as I remembered the shenanigans Snoopy and the Peanuts gang would get themselves into. Snoopy's Beagle Scout Tales is a compilation of five stories plus four Classic Peanuts comic strips from Charles Schultz. From food fights to river rafting accidents to Snoopy telling his little group of Woodstocks what to do, this book will have fans laughing and gasping on each page.

I recommend this book to elementary school children and older. Adults will reminisce at their favorite characters including bossy Lucy and Linus with his trusty blanket.

The illustrations in this book are done in bright colors, unlike the original news strip that got ink all over your hands. The book is also the perfect size to take with you on a vacation. Although the five stories have been written by different authors, they have used the same style humor as Charles Schultz had created back in the old days. This is a series that you'll want to collect.


I Did Something Bad: A Novel

Freelance journalist Khin has just been assigned a celebrity profile for Vogue on actor Tyler Tun. Following him on the set of his new movie in Myanmar, her top priority is finding an exclusive scoop on the heartthrob to secure her dream job. Khin sees through Tyler’s charm and can immediately tell that he is hiding something from her. However, they soon form a friendship and let their guards down, seemingly forgetting about their journalistic relationship. A crime near the movie set throws things off course, yet both Khin and Tyler join forces to hide their criminal act.

The dark, mysterious cover and catchy title had me anticipating a thrilling rom-com, yet I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of this novel. Although there is a prominent love story, the book highlights the importance of friendship and loyalty. I was in awe of the author’s writing – it was so lyrical and beautiful when describing the innermost feelings of Khin. I appreciated Khin’s journey to reinvent herself after a tough divorce and violent encounter in the early pages of the book and connected with her self-inflicted pressure to put on a tough façade. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!


Brownstone

It’s always been just Almudena and her mother. But this summer, Almudena is being shipped off to stay with her father, Xavier, whom she’s never met before. She knows nothing about her father, and she has so many questions for him. Why did he leave them? Why didn’t he ever reach out to her? Will this be a disastrous summer for Almudena?

I liked this YA graphic novel, and I thought the story was interesting. I thought the father’s neighbors and friends were mean and rude to Almudena. They kept questioning why she didn’t speak Spanish even though she’s half Guatemalan. It’s not her fault she wasn’t taught Spanish. I liked how the story touched on so many issues, LGBTQ+, gentrification, immigrants, ethnicity, abandonment, and trauma.

It’s hard to comment on the art since this was an ARC, and there was no color which takes away from the story. There were a number of panels I couldn’t really figure out the details because they were just pencil sketches without shading and definition to the drawings. I recommend this YA graphic novel to anyone who likes stories about family and fitting in.


Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime (Miss Sharp Investigates)

Agnes and her friends are the elderly residents of Sunset Hall, and each of them has grown bored. So when Edwina wins a trip to a coastal hotel, each of them jumps at the chance to get away. The fun quickly dissipates when Agnes witnesses what she believes is a murder when only one hooded figure returns from the cliffs. She turns to her friends for help and soon it becomes clear that a killer is lurking just as a storm keeps them trapped at the hotel.

The mystery shines thanks to the delightful protagonist of Agnes who brings a sense of joy into every page. She and her friends have the best banter and encompass friendship goals as these retirees confide in each other, solve mysteries, and even get into a little bit of trouble. The vacation takes them to a fun location which at times makes the mystery eerie thanks to the isolated feeling of the hotel. This adds suspense to the tone that generally stays lighthearted through Agnes’ personality and her dynamic with her friends. Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime is a fun-filled mystery that is highly recommended with the perfect blend of humor, murder, suspense, and friendship.


Elephant Touch: A Novel

Quinn recently lost her mother and she can’t seem to stop wallowing in her grief. Her mother’s sister, Aunt Lizzie, takes Quinn to Thailand to volunteer in an elephant sanctuary, hoping it will heal her. The elephants have been abused or abandoned, and every sad thing reminds Quinn of her lost mother. One day she runs to the river, crying. An elephant comforts Quinn, rubbing her with its trunk, and they make a connection.

A baby elephant is brought in, and she will not eat or drink. Quinn wants to help. She needs to use all her courage and accept the help of friends she has made at the sanctuary as well as the help of her aunt, but will it be enough?

Susan R. Greenway has written a sweet story that will engage young readers, especially those who have some experience with loss. The characters are well developed and fairly believable. The writing is nice, although the voice is a little uneven. The animals are absolutely charming, and the setting is one that will be fascinating to young readers. The story is a bit too predictable but still will satisfy young readers.


Adventures in Volcanoland: What Volcanoes Tell Us About the World and Ourselves

Adventures in Volcanoland provides a detailed exploration of the majestic and towering landforms that are volcanoes found on land, undersea, and on the surface of planets in space. Revered and feared, they command attention but are unwilling to reveal their secrets without some work on behalf of humankind. Tamsin Mather, a professor and explorer, presents comprehensive information through her experiences and research in three parts: describing volcanoes and their local effects, global effects, and what their presence in space means for us.

Adventures in Volcanoland showcases Mather's passion for volcanoes, science, and humanity through memoir, factual information, and educational insights. She articulates with precision and accuracy, citing a comprehensive list of past, current, and potentially future events. Due to the topic and nature of the presentation, the reader will best comprehend and enjoy it if they have upper-level education or adequate focusing skills. The information is presented in textbook-style format through text and interspersed pictures and graphs.

Name-dropping landmarks and prominent people, Mather's Adventures in Volcanoland takes the reader on an adventure through time and space to educate about the world around us.


An Honorable Assassin (The Nick Mason Novels)

Nick Mason is used to being in tight spots as he was a former inmate in a maximum security prison. However, an arrangement led to an early release but with certain provisions. He has been tasked with carrying out high-profile assassinations. Yet, the outside world has carried the potential for as many lethal double-crosses as he faced behind bars.

He finds himself in Jakarta, Indonesia where he has been ordered to take out a financier of terrorism. His handlers provide scant intel as Mason must think quickly when plans go awry and the target eludes his pursuers. Mason is told that failure is not an option and his ex-wife and daughter’s lives hang on the success of the mission. Mason will need to contend with a possible mole on his team along with a vengeance-seeking Interpol agent in carrying out the hit.

An Honorable Assassin is the third and latest book in the excellent Nick Mason series by the exceptionally talented Steve Hamilton. The story is loaded with both explosive action and drama as Mason’s Faustian bargain continues to haunt his every move. Mason proves to be an intriguing and engrossing lead character in his evolving storyline.


You Can’t Take The Truth

"Witterick has crafted a fascinating future that explores truth, love, and the nature of dreams. The book has a fascinating mix of sci-fi and real-world elements, adding futuristic drugs to familiar pharmaceutical corruption. Teens and fans of dystopian fiction alike will eat up You Can't Take the Truth and the compelling world it contains." —Jo Niederhoff, Chicago Book Review


You Can’t Take The Truth

“A mindblowing novel that introduces a powerful chemical substance known as The Truth that makes the user’s dreams seem like reality. Told by a young girl named Flo who becomes surrounded by a series of decisions that could alter many lives, You Can’t Take the Truth is both eye-opening and thought-provoking. Readers will not be able to put this book down as they ask themselves the time-old question, “What if?” —Kristi Elizabeth, Los Angeles Book Review


Christian: Label or Lifestyle

I approached this book expecting yet another book on religion. Some parts might be inspiring, others might be trite or obvious, and in all, it would be generally inoffensive, especially to those with no need to be convinced of the book’s arguments.

This book was not quite that. For one thing, the author comes out swinging with his political views, mixing religion and politics as early as page two and being explicitly pro-Trump by page three.

That will automatically turn some readers away. I suspect they were not part of the author’s intended audience to begin with. When reviewing, however, I try to put politics aside unless a book contains something genuinely hurtful to some group (which does not occur in this until a few pages from the end). In this case, my qualm about including a political message referring to specific figures is that the book has been released in an election year. In a matter of months, the president may not be the man referred to in the foreword. In four years, it certainly will not be. Mentioning any president gives any book a shelf life, and this one's may be shorter than the author hoped.

The main message of the book, politics aside, is that Christianity in America is taking an approach counter to what God and the Bible intended. Rather than picturing Jesus as a servant or a friendly figure, we ought to picture him as a divine judge, and Christians ought to constantly prepare for his eventual return and not assume that professing faith alone will ensure them a place in Heaven. The author brings forth several Bible verses to support his point, and in general, it is a worthwhile point to make. I believe many people on both sides of the political aisle would agree that several branches of Christianity have strayed from the basic tenets of the faith.

However, espousing one political candidate from the get-go will sharply narrow the author’s prospective audience, meaning this book will likely only appeal to those who already agree with him. Nearly everyone else will at some point be put off by either his rhetoric or his misspellings and baffling sentence structure. As a call-to-arms which preaches to the choir, it may be successful. I can’t speak to that, not being a personal member of said choir. As an appeal to the broader Christian population of America, I expect it will be too political to draw in any moderate readers.


Christian: Label or Lifestyle

When you think about the kind of righteous, God-fearing, morally upright, wise and just leader who can simultaneously save the American Dream and set the United States back on the path to religious salvation, is the first person who comes to mind (six times bankrupt business owner, twice divorced, self-acknowledged adulterer, convicted felon, etc.) Donald Trump? If so, then Christian: Label or Lifestyle could well be the ideal book for you.

Thomas Fitzhugh Sheets starts from the premise that “the instant gratification crowd” have debased Christianity in America—and, possibly, elsewhere, although he adopts a decidedly myopic perspective on the Christian world—by focusing on reaching Judgment through belief in Jesus rather than surviving Judgment through demonstrable obedience to God’s commands. This nascent argument could well find much support among Christians, particularly those from more traditional/orthodox branches.

However, Sheets almost immediately deviates from what could have been a valuable reconsideration of what it means to be a Christian in the contemporary era by bringing in his own deeply entrenched political opinions—right wing, MAGA, US-centric, etc.—without allowing any room for debate or any contemplation of the value of the separation of church and state. For example, his view of the Biden administration is encapsulated in the following: “In spite of a pandemic, deadly riots and over four years of trying to overthrow a duly elected president, their insurrection has failed, but they keep trying.”

Thus, while Christian: Label or Lifestyle is notionally a book about reconciling an easy declaration of Christianity with the difficult practice of actually living a Christian life, it is actually a polemic that really only holds water when preaching to the choir. Interestingly, Sheets cites John Wesley as having a great influence on him, although his conspiracy-laden critique of almost anyone other than Donald Trump does not conform with Wesley’s entreaty, in the context of elections, “to speak no evil of” and take care spirits are “not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.”

In practical terms, through the thirteen short chapters of Christian: Label or Lifestyle, Sheets uses a selection of passages from the Bible—particularly the Gospel of Paul—to indicate the perceived flaws and fallacies of ecclesiastical teaching of the Gospel, especially concerning role of Jesus as the Righteous Judge, and the messages and workings of churches today. Many branches of Christianity will take exception to this (and declarations such as “the fundamentals of Calvinism are evil”) and it would have been beneficial if Sheets had cited some authoritative outside sources to back up his options.

Overall, Christian: Label or Lifestyle offers insight into a specific viewpoint on a particular facet of Christianity through Sheets’ interpretation of certain selected Bible passages. While it unintentionally presents an interesting illustration of the intersection of minority religion and politics in the run up to the 2024 US presidential election, it will principally appeal to those who already hold Sheets’ religious/political views, provided they can overcome the sacrilegious suggestion that God is working through—of all people—Donald Trump: “God is using Donald Trump to reveal exactly who these people are.”


Christian: Label or Lifestyle

Christian: Label or Lifestyle by Thomas Fitzhugh Sheets is a call to Christians and churches in the US to realign with God's true teachings and oppose socialist agendas in a government founded by men who loved God. It shines a light on the rebellion of the Church against the Second Coming of Jesus and its effect of distorting God’s plan of salvation. With biblical quotes and sound logic, Thomas explains why this generation's idea of being saved by grace alone is very far from God's plan for humanity. You will gain access to his profound thoughts on seeing Paul’s letter to the Ephesians as a great example of Storge Love, the assault on Donald Trump as an assault on America's prosperity, and producing good fruit as the most important purpose of the family of god. These and the other topics in the book serve as a wake-up call to all Christians.

The time for lukewarmness is over. Just like Paul's message to the church, Thomas' words are emphatic and authoritative, calling all Christians to face the uncomfortable truths and understand the core message of the gospel. Since I grew up in a church that preached about preparing for God's judgment, the modern idea of low effort and great reward feels foreign to me, and I'm glad the author is calling our attention to this issue.

A plethora of scriptures are quoted in the book, allowing readers to quickly compare the author's words with biblical teachings. These scriptures are usually seen in italics and are smoothly merged with the rest of the book in flowy, lyrical paragraphs. Whether he's discussing one of Paul’s themes in Ephesians or quoting Matthew 7:21 to bring attention to God's will for us, Thomas' messages are deeply rooted in a thorough exploration of the scriptures. Also, his personal experiences with Christian gatherings give us a glimpse of how serious the problem of sugarcoating the scriptures is in today's world.

Though the book is mainly focused on religious themes, it sometimes veers into political topics, revealing the need to choose leaders who represent God's will over those who don't. Since these topics are sensitive, the book is best for readers who can consider opposing political and religious beliefs without being triggered.

Truth-seeking Christians and churches will appreciate Sheets' effort in creating this revelatory book. Prepare for a riveting combination of jolting revelations and deep scriptural explorations that leave no room for lukewarmness and inaction. Read Christian: Label or Lifestyle and share it with your loved ones as you discover the importance of evangelizing, doing the hard work, and making the tough choices that lead to salvation.


Christian: Label or Lifestyle

According to a 2023 Gallup poll, Christianity is the most prevalent religion in the United States, with sixty-eight percent of Americans identifying with this religion. An individual's path to Christianity varies from another, but according to religious beliefs, what matters is faith in Jesus Christ as the savior. Depending on various factors, from denominational to individual, changes of varying degrees may occur - passages in Scripture talk about a person's lifestyle changing to be more "godly" and obedient to God's commands and instructions to differentiate themselves from worldly ways (be in the world, not of it). Scripture shows us that humans cannot save themselves - it depends on the grace of Jesus to provide salvation and, for the believer, eternal life in the new heaven and earth after Judgement Day.

In Thomas Fitzhugh Sheets' newest book, he addresses and answers the question Christian: Label or Lifestyle? Taking inspiration from the apostle Paul in the New Testament, John Wesley, and dear friends, Sheet picks scripture passages that, he feels, prove the way to earn your spot in Paradise, aka heaven, after Judgement Day, is through obedience and compliance to God's commands. Through thirteen chapters, he discusses passages throughout the Bible that speak about our duties to "do" and live sinless lives in our pursuit of receiving salvation after Judgement Day. Sheets addresses the other teaching of salvation found in many churches, termed as "instant self-gratification" (aka being saved instantly upon faith instead of waiting until after Judgement Day while we work through obedience), and his perceived dangers of buying into that teaching. Through an in-depth look at current political figures/the government, current events, and the provided passages, Sheets makes his rebuttal against the historical teachings of the church in an attempt to right the wrongs that have been and are continuing to be preached and passed down in households and church bodies.

The book's tone felt opinionated and judgy, especially given the lack of citations and additional readings through footnotes or other scholarly writings. Based on the author's emphasis on the validity of the provided examples and his purpose of swaying readers' opinions and deeply held beliefs, there needed to be further proof for the possible chance of curiosity/believability. Sheets contradicted himself, and his personal biases toward political figures lowered his validity; based on comments against common teachings, scripture verses that provide the basis for those teachings were not addressed (Eph. 2:8-9, Romans 3:23, 6:23, 8:1, 10:9, 12:1-2, 2 Timothy 1:9). Sheets includes select accurate statements that are positive reminders for readers - characteristics of Jesus - but offers a different interpretation for most everything else. Taking time to process each chapter is beneficial for retention and comprehension.


Castle Forks

Chris and his father, Todd, stumble on a surprising discovery after a fun hunt that turns into a memorable journey. They meet a strange creature that introduces them to a hidden world filled with more odd beings like it. They also find out that they must prepare for a battle between good and evil forces, and they seem to have a role to play in it. Novell is one of the good ones, but his brother Banlin deflected to join the evil forces in an unfortunate turn of events.

Todd is worried for his child's safety, but Chris wishes to join the fight against evil despite being inexperienced with the art of war. Chris Cochrane's Castle Forks narrates an epic fantasy tale involving fast-paced scenes, intense action, and impressive magical abilities. Join Chris and his father as they face the reality of preparing for war against vicious beasts and unraveling a hidden, mind-blowing world.

One amazing thing about Castle Forks is that it is very imaginative and distinctive yet completely addictive. The book's wonderful, well-developed world, with its remarkable rules and intricate backstories, is one of its most pleasant features. For example, one can only pass through the Swamp of Inka with a heart that's pure and devoid of ill intentions. Also, the characters are expertly portrayed throughout; apart from being brave enough to want to fight evil, Chris is seen as a child who has a friendly attitude and cares about the safety of his father and the rest of the good characters.

I loved the book's fantasy theme and had fun picturing every magical element, from red-haired giants and leathery, opaque wings to flaming swords and an ability to see the future. The sensational action scenes are merged smoothly with battle strategies, resulting in an engaging game-like atmosphere. Furthermore, Castle Forks is never predictable since you never know what's coming next. The book is filled with discoveries and secrets that sometimes give the good guys an edge and also bring them to almost losing everything at other times.

Fans of brave teenage protagonists and action-packed fantasy books would love Castle Forks. Besides being seriously engaging, the book contains compelling biblical and historical subjects that every reader can learn from, whether young or old.

Overall, Castle Forks is one of those books you can read multiple times without getting bored. Its tightly packed chapters will have you reading briskly and leave your heart racing excitedly. Chris Cochrane is a fine example of a writer who is both passionate and gifted with creating imaginative stories about young, delightful protagonists.


Castle Forks

Chris Cochrane felt he was an average twelve-year-old boy. He lived in sunny California with his mom, dad, and older brother. After the normality of calm and peaceful living, a season of unexpected and devastating natural disasters occurs, causing Chris and his family to wonder if they'll make it through to see the brighter side again.

On a hunting trip with his dad, they learn of a hidden-in-plain-site fortress under the watch of Caregivers, winged men who protect the unsuspecting and vulnerable human world from the heinous and deadly Demon Shadows. Chris uncovers his family line containing secrets, mysteries, and the key to survival; through self-discovery, he evolves into the hero needed for the betterment of all kinds.

Castle Forks is cohesive through an exciting and suspenseful storyline. Set in a meld of modern and medieval times, with an intermixing of time travel, themes of fantasy, magic, and mystery are introduced early on and continue in intensity throughout the story. A unique twist of myths and historical events in support of the storyline will peak readers' interest as they find familiarity to latch onto. The story contains Christian undertones interpreted by the main characters in the forms of angels and demons, along with select sections that reference Biblical characters and situations. Readers familiar with the Bible stories should appreciate the references; otherwise, the story remains enjoyable with no lapse in comprehension.

Castle Forks contains the unique, but not uncommon, artistic style of the author's name bestowed on the main character; in this case, Chris Cochrane is the literal and literary author of the story. This writing style's interpretation could vary among readers, but it's ingenious to experience only imaginable situations and could serve as a moral booster. Chris, the character, is referred to by a nickname throughout the story; whether this is personal or only for the story remains unknown.

The relationships within the Cochrane family show positive, respectful, and empowering family dynamics while remaining realistic within the individual relationships (father/son, mother/son, brother/brother) and inner dialogue (self-doubts, frustrations, anger, worry, infatuation, etc.). Some readers may relate to the fact that Chris had to grow up faster than intended, although his reasoning (for the betterment and safety of all) might not have the same emotional connection.

The many elements and themes found throughout the story and the adventure storyline, make Castle Forks a recommended read for fans of the fantasy genre; several twists and potential endings make the story exciting and page-turn-worthy. The intended audience age is middle school and onward due to some violent and graphic scenes (battle); for parental readers, there are no sex scenes.


Castle Forks

Castle Fork is a fantastic mystical story by author Chris Cochrane. In this story, the main character is a 12-year-old boy named the same name as the author who goes hunting with his father Todd Cochrane. One day, while they are hunting, Chris sees a tall creature with a golden key around its neck. The creature is clean and unlike anyone Chris has ever met. In fact, Christ thinks he is hallucinating and second-guesses if he even saw the creature. After telling his dad about the creature, Todd explains that he saw this creature when he was hunting with his father. It turns out the creature is a Caretaker and the Cochranes have a very special connection to them.

Full of magic and wonder, Castle Fork takes its readers on a wonderful adventure fighting against immortal Demon Shadows. Each creature in the book has some sort of superpower and the Cochranes also have special abilities. Before Chris knows it, he and his family are in the middle of an ancient battlefield, helping to fight the fight.

 The characters were my favorite part of the book. The first creature readers are introduced to is Si, a Caretaker. Si gives Chris and Todd blueberries to eat to understand one another's language. From there, he brings them to Castle Fork, a hidden castle that only appears when a key unlocks the front gate or someone inside lowers it to welcome visitors approaching. Chris and Todd then meet Novell, Si's father, who has long flowing white hair and bright eyes. The Demon Shadows were out-of-this-world scary with their glowing red eyes and their ability to be invisible.

The flow of the story was a little slow with a lot of dialogue, but since the story was easy enough to follow, it wasn't difficult to read this book quickly. There were a few confusing parts as well including some dream sequences where I was confused as to what was a dream and what wasn't but if you go with the flow and don't think too much about it, it ends up being fine. Overall, I found this story to be entertaining and exciting. It was very descriptive and therefore easy to picture the characters, settings, and scenes in the book. I would recommend this book to the young adult crowd because of the blood and violence that occurs during the battles in the story. Author Chris Cochrane has an explosive imagination that readers will find thrilling.


Castle Forks

Chris Cochrane and his family were attempting to outrun a wildfire, the smoke and flames nipping at their car’s bumper. This was one of the perils of living in Northern California. The fear that ran through Chris’ mind was a feeling he’d rather soon forget. Soon, other events will transpire that will make his near incineration seem insignificant. The weirdness began shortly after his mother and brother went down to Peru and Chris saw a winged man on the family ranch.

Chris doesn’t want to believe what he saw, but he soon learns that his father Todd had a similar vision years before. While hunting in the woods, they meet “The Caretaker”, a winged man in whose presence they feel an almost unnatural calmness. The winged creature introduces himself as Si and he introduces father and son to the kingdom of Castle Forks. Chris and Todd are introduced to various inhabitants of Castle Forks and learn that blueberries are the key to understanding language. Si introduces the Cochranes to Norvell who is the leader of the kingdom. Norvell provides a history of Castle Forks and how Castle Forks has been fighting a perennial battle against a group known as the Tourlt. As Chris and Todd process their surroundings and the history, they are stunned when they learn about the Cochrane family’s ties with the hidden kingdom at Castle Forks.

Norvell regales the Cochrane men with the story of a fallen caretaker and how the caretakers have been protecting Castle Forks from an invasion from the Tourlt. Todd and Chris are seen as the next generation of Cochranes to ally with Norvell, Si, and other caretakers in fighting back against their enemies. This will not be an easy task to undertake and the risks will be great.

Castle Forks is a delightful fantasy tale mixed with action and adventure wherein the adolescent Chris Cochrane is thrust into a battle between good and evil. Chris is the precocious youngster in his family, he wants to be included in the more adult-like activities, such as hunting with his father and helping protect Castle Forks. The story primarily explores the relationships between Todd and Chris along with Chris and his brother Justin. Chris loves and looks up to both his father and older brother and he exudes great bravery in defending them under dangerous circumstances. The plot’s pacing is natural and progresses to a more than satisfying conclusion. Author Chris Cochrane has written a splendid story with enough action and heart to fulfill any intrepid readers desiring escapist fiction.


Olivia and Caroline are curious about who is making up the beds, dusting off the shelves, and doing all the chores. When they ask Mom, she replies with a joke about it being a friendly elf. When they ask Dad, he replies that it must be the Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter. Since this also sounds like a joke, the children laugh at Dad's response but still wonder about the chores.

However, Dad claims to have seen the Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter, which leads them on a search quest that takes them deep into the woods. Will Olivia and Caroline find the Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter? The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter by Chris Cochrane captures humor, adventure, and fantasy in a charming children's story that's illustrated by lovely, colorful pictures.

Chris does a great job of infusing suspense into his story and engendering curiosity in readers. Right from the start, the story compels you to ponder the question, "Who is doing the chores for the children?" Also, the inclusion of smart clues and attractive elements like the "large, odd-shaped footprint" creates a suspenseful atmosphere that keeps you glued to the story. Furthermore, the children display a sense of empathy when they express their concern about another character being lonely and offer to keep them company. Their generous attitude is a noticeable trait of theirs that makes them likable and worth emulating.

Children will love the vibrant pictures in the book. They are skillfully created and very cute, reminding me of some brilliant Netflix cartoons like The Boss Baby and Masha and the Bear. The book maintains a great balance of pictures and words. A page made up of pictures is usually followed by a page with a few sentences and a tiny illustration.

The book has a touch of fantasy and magic that will appeal to all children, who are still very much in their most creative and imaginative phase. They will find it hard to resist the allure of a strange creature with a funny name, especially since it is very unique and not the type you will find in other books.

All in all, The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is a brilliantly magical book that's perfect for children. It encourages being curious and enjoying the thrills of a vivid imagination. Also, the enchantment of nature is captured with the beautiful illustrations and the compelling quest in the woods. If you love to share funny, memorable moments with the little ones around you, you should gift them this funny, creative, and uplifting story by Chris Cochrane.


The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is a wonderful children's book that brings to life a cute little monster named Buznard Archebald. Children of all ages will get a hoot out of this book as it is funny and happy.

It all starts when sisters Olivia and Caroline notice their room is clean. All of their things are put away and their beds are made. But they know that they weren't the ones who tidied up. They ask their mom and dad who both say it wasn't them. Then, their Dad says, "It must have been the Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter." Their dad was the best at being silly so the girls just think it's their dad making up another story.

The best part of this book is when the girls and their dad go out into the woods to find the Dinglehopper. The girls couldn't believe he was real. And even though he looked like a monster, the Dinglehopper was not scary at all. In fact, he was silly and fun!

The story will appeal to children who love an element of fantasy. It would be a great book for a child who is scared of monsters under his or her bed because this monster is so cute and friendly that it would probably help to dissolve some of their fears.

The illustrations in the book are very colorful and will appeal to the eyes of children. There is also a lot of detail in the illustrations. Because I read the book as a digital copy, I was able to zoom in on the pictures and I could tell the illustrator, Indre Ta, put a great deal of work and care into them. The pictures had texture and shadowing and the animals were cute as could be. I did think the humans' faces were a little distorted and unnatural looking but overall, the artwork was beautiful.

The text is spaced out well and is on the page opposing the illustration. This design will make it easy for parents to read to their child while the child looks at the picture illustrating the words. A single illustration of an item from the opposing page sits atop each paragraph which is both sweet and can be used as a "find it" item for little ones.

Overall, The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter checks all the boxes for an enjoyable, adventurous children's book that many will love.


A fantastical and highly imaginative adventure story featuring a monster with a difference, Chris Cochrane’s The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is a whimsical and fun-filled picture book that’s sure to amuse and entertain youngsters and those who read with them.

When Olivia and Caroline realize that someone has been tidying their room for them—putting away their books and toys, making up the beds, and generally keeping the place spick and span—they ask their parents who has been helping them out. While Mum suggests that the cleaning might have been done by a friendly elf, Dad thinks that it is the work of a Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter.

Although Mum is certainly joking, it soon turns out that Dad might have been telling the truth. In fact, Dad claims to have actually seen the crazy-sounding creature, which prompts Olivia and Caroline to go for a walk in the woods with him to hunt for the elusive Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter. Amazingly, they start to spot signs of a monster hiding in the woods—a tail disappearing behind a tree, a head peaking over a shrub, an odd-shaped footprint in the mud.

Based on these brief glimpses, the girls worry that the monster might be scary, but Dad reassures them that the Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is kind and friendly and simply shy because he looks different to other animals. When they consider that he might be lonely, the girls determine to find the helpful monster and befriend him.

A charming tale that combines the adventure of hunting for a monster with the fun of having one as a houseguest, The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is silly and funny in all the best ways. Chris Cochrane’s story manages to balance the fun-filled aspects of Olvia and Caroline’s quest to find the housework-loving monster with a subtle lesson about not judging people based on appearances and about the importance of making everyone feel included.

What’s more, The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is illustrated throughout by Indre Ta. The bright colors and imaginative details in the illustrations immediately capture the attention and really enhance the story. In particular, Buznard Archebald’s eventual depiction is sweet and appealing. However, while the creatures and the backgrounds are cute and engaging, the human characters are reflective of the uncanny valley and so are a little disturbing.

Still, The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is a magical story featuring a mystery, an adventurous journey into the forest, a fantastical creature, and plenty of laughs. It will make an excellent bedtime story for monster fans everywhere.


The Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter is a fairytale-style story about sisters who find their room picked up and things put away, but they didn't do it! Relevant themes such as embracing unique characteristics, personality, and thoughts are necessary teachings and reminders for readers of all ages.

Sisters Olivia and Caroline discover one day something "off" about their room: it is tidy, shelves dusted, and toys put away; their parents said they didn't do it, and the girls know it wasn't from them, so who could have done this anonymous good deed? Mom guesses it to be a friendly elf, but Dad is sure it is a Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter, aka Steven, something the girls are skeptical about believing. A trip through the woods with Dad provides the proof that everyone was looking for: a Dinglehopper Blueberry Belly-Button Snooter who is shy, carries ammunition in the form of blueberries, and wears broken antlers atop his head, nothing like what anyone previously imagined, but purposeful and fitting for his character.

An invitation and visit to their house shows that regardless of quirky behaviors, his kind and thoughtful personality is what matters and shines brightest. The story contains similarities to The Gruffalo in its writing style, minus the scare tactic toward the animals, with this story being opposite with care and compassion versus intimidation. All ages will find learning opportunities through the universally understood lessons about understanding and acceptance. The format of the story shows text and coordinating pictures on each page, with illustrations appearing colorful, whimsical, and family-friendly. The story is an equal amount of imaginative and realistic, teaching the entertainment and benefits of being "outside the box" versus containing yourself in thought and action to the four walls of the "box."

The story shows that adventure can happen anywhere, from outside your window to inside your bedroom, with just yourself or several others. Adventure is what you make of it and how far you are willing to go with creativity, imagination, and being open-minded to new things. Things that seemed different or scary may not be after further consideration and not taking people, places, and things at first impression. A strong and positive family dynamic is evident in the fictional family, serving as an example for the reader, whether a child or an adult. A good work ethic is apparent in the story physically (cleaning the house) and through determination to solve the mystery of who cleaned their room.