Memorial Day 2012

Book Review: Crazy Dangerous by Andrew Klavan

Sam Hopkins is the 16 year old son of a preacher. He and his family live in small town Sawnee, New York. Sam is actually a pretty good kid. He definitely has a positive outlook and sense of humor. Living in a small town every one knows every bodies business, especially if your the son of a preacher. There are expectations to be met, and a reputation to maintain. While out running he has an encounter with 3 boys of dubious reputation. Sam is strongly coerced by them to engage in criminal behavior. Sam's conscience bothers him, yet he is fearful. Meanwhile, Sam has a classmate named Jennifer. Jennifer is eccentric. Odd. Seemingly demented. She sees monsters------creepy crawly things that bug out everywhere, literally. She hears demonic voices telling her grievous fearful plans of what they are going to do. Sam wonders if Jennifer's statement of these demonic plans are her imagination albeit hallucination, or if maybe they are prophetic.



I loved this story! What a wild ride it took me on!
Sam is such a likable kid, I was drawn in to his predicament because I cared what happened to him. He also has a knack for being able to get out of tight jams.
Jennifer was unlike any book character I've encountered. At first meeting, I felt she was a poor distorted young girl. Yet, as the book progressed I was given these enticing tid-bits of her quirky personality that were so mesmerizing.
Not much information is given about Sam's family other than his dad. His dad seems to be this placid fellow, yet he too had a engaging transformation. I wish he'd had more scenes in the story.
The book is a definite page turner. I read the book in a little more than a day.
I would like to read more about Sam Hopkins escapades, maybe there will be a book 2?

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson for my free review copy in exchange for an honest review!

Published by Thomas Nelson May 1, 2012
336 pages
Young Adult Fiction/Mystery/Suspense/Mental Illness/Prophecies

Andrew Klavan was hailed by Stephen King as "the most original novelist of crime and suspense since Cornell Woolrich." He is the recipient of two Edgar Awards and the author of such bestsellers as True Crime and Don't Say a Word.

His books and screenplays have been turned into films directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Michael Douglas, Ed Burns, Michael Caine among others.

Hometown: Santa Barbara, California Books Sold to Date: over 1.5 million. For more about Andrew and his books for young adults, visit him at the Adventure Page on Facebook.

Link @ Litfuse Publicity Group for Book Tour:
http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13492426

https://www.facebook.com/events/437197279624538/

Click on the link to register for the drawing that will take place on May 29. The closing on being able to enter is May 28 @noon. 
https://apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/224390

Link @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Dangerous-Andrew-Klavan/dp/1595547932/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337365074&sr=1-1
Hardcover $10.19
Kindle $9.68

Link @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/crazy-dangerous-andrew-klavan/9781595547934/pd/547934?product_redirect=1&Ntt=547934&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP
Hardcover $8.99
eBook $9.69

Book Review: Westward Expansion, An Interactive History Adventure by Allison Lassieur

This is a wonderful visually appealing book.
The beginning pages define the term "manifest destiny." Americans wanted to inhabit "all" of the land of America. They felt it was their "given right" to do so. It did not matter that Native Americans had lived in this land for thousands of years. From the mid 1800's onward---first in a trickle of people moving westward, later in masses, eventually inhabiting all of the west. The Native American's were removed forcibly from their "sacred" hunting grounds and put on land that no one else wanted.
This book tells 4 themes, but with the ability for the reader to choose the "trail" so to speak with a different outcome for each choice. Not all choices end well and a sensitive child might be startled.
I loved this book! I thought it was a different way of telling history, giving the reader a choice in how to view the era of westward expansion.
The book is a mix of illustrations and photographs.
The type-face is bold.
Clear instructions are given about the choices and order of pages to view.
I highly recommend this book to parents, teachers and home-schooling mom's!

Published by Capstone Press 2008
112 pages
Historical Fiction/Pioneer/Native American/ Railroad/Cowboy
Young Adult Fiction

Link @ Barnes and Nobles:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/westward-expansion-allison-lassieur/1102656934?ean=9781429617666
Paperback 6.25

Book Review: If You, Traveled West in a Covered Wagon by Ellen Levine and illustrated by Elroy Freem

Traveled West in a Covered Wagon answers 31 questions that make up 31 chapters in this book.
Examples of questions are: What was the Oregon Territory? What was a wagon train? How far would you travel in a day? What kinds of clothes did people wear?
Each answer is explained fully with illustrations to match the subject.
As an adult reviewer there were many things I did not know about traveling west in a covered wagon. For example how they crossed a river, or how far they traveled in a day.
There is a nostalgia sometimes about the past, especially the time period of pioneer's, cowboy's, and mountain men. Yet, by reading about these people we come to understand that they were hardy, bold, adventurous folk; yet they were not without faults or troubles.
One of my favorite subjects to read about is the Old West and this book satisfied even me!

Published by Scholastic 1992
80 pages
For ages 7 and up
Non-fiction/Old West/19th Century/Pioneer

Link @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/You-Traveled-West-Covered-Wagon/dp/0590451588/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337269314&sr=8-1
Paperback $6.99

Link @ Barnes and Nobles:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/if-you-traveled-west-in-a-covered-wagon-ellen-levine/1100417987?ean=9780590451581
Paperback $6.29