W. W. Rowe

This book was not anything like what I expected the story to be about. That being said, it was better.

Foster is a smart kid. He asks questions about everything. His parents do not know all the answers so often he is told "Nobody knows" or "Nobody can answer that". One night, Mr. Nobody comes calling. He talks to Foster about laws. Foster knows Murphy's law and the law of gravity, but does he know about the "Law of Levity"? Mr. Nobody uses the television to show Foster how laughter and humour can take a person who is down and depressed and put them in a better mood. What a great lesson for everyone to learn. Of course at the end it appears it was a dream, but that does not matter. The nice thing about that is that we know Foster didn't really open the door at night and let in a stranger. A wonderful story with cute illustrations.

Thank you Netgalley and Charwood Publications for the opportunity to read and review this book.… (altro)

This is the third book in this series and I did not like this one nearly as much as the last. In this book, Jerry and his classmates deal with a new student in their class. Renard, "Fox" is smooth and the girls say "Suave" as his accent and kisses on the hands seem to draw them in. Even Suzie, Jerry's girlfriend seems taken by him. Jerry begins to have feelings of jealousy, anger and frustration that he is not sure how to deal with. Wilcox talks to him and calms him so that he can think clearly. When Jerry finds out that Fox's plans for Suzie are dishonest and risque, he plans a showdown in the Haunted House to show Suzie what Fox is really like.

This book talks a lot about your spirit, being on a higher plain etc. which I am not sure the group of children this book is geared to will understand or appreciate. As the synopsis says, jealousy, treachery, foul play, deception, humiliation, betrayal, revenge, bad blood, risque drawings, guidance, intuitions, inspiration, admiration all these come into play in Jerry s life in this book and it is great to see how he handles it, but something is off putting in this story and I can not quite put my finger on it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.… (altro)

Marty and Morty are twins who have completely different attitudes when it comes to reading. Marty loves to read and often has his nose in a book. It is a rather tongue in cheek approach to the perils of being a non-reader. "Reading is for idjits!" is often repeated by Morty. What Morty finds out through a series of accidents (slipping on a wet floor, riding his bike in a creek etc.) that reading has a lot of benefits. With some incentive from his parents and encouragement from his brother, he learns to read and is actually able to help his neighbour when she does not see a sign. A cute read with cartoon like illustrations. I am not sure who the target audience would be, perhaps reluctant readers.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.… (altro)

Jerry is a 10 year old boy whose father died five years earlier during WWII. Jerry has become friends with a homeless man by the name of Wilcox. He gives Jerry items and tells him they are magic. Jerry charges his schoolmates to use the magic items. Unfortunately this gets Jerry into a little trouble and he has to figure out a way to get some money to pay back what he already spent. Wilcox gives him `The Money Doubler`to use, but he needs to keep it a secret. While sneaking out of the house, his mother hears noises and thinks it is the ghost of his father come home. Wilcox has told Jerry that the Money Doubler will only work if he has pure thoughts and listens to his higher power. This is where the book might confuse younger children. They story is cute and there is definitely a message to be learned, but it will depend upon the age of the reader as to whether they understand it.

Netgalley and Larson Publications provided me with a copy of this book to read and review.… (altro)