Erik Daniel Shein

Thunder: An Elephant’s Journey by author Erik Daniel Shein is a cute children’s book that should please young readers and educate them on animal struggles in the rainforest in a non-threatening way. Thunder, a young elephant with a huge heart, gets separated from his mother and his elephant herd. Along the way back to find his mother, Thunder meets various animals in the rainforest, including a friendly butterfly, talking monkeys, Penelope the Parrot, a flamingo, bats, egrets, and a rhinoceros. All of Thunder’s animal friends have distinct personalities and fun voices. Through these animals and Thunder’s own adventures, children will learn important lessons about life and friendships.

There is, however, a more serious side to Thunder: An Elephant’s Journey that takes a look at illegal poaching and endangerment of animals. Also touched on is the decaying rainforest and the loss of the vast beauty of that environment. Drago the Poacher is always behind Thunder, and a few times, he almost catches the elephant and his friends. There is always a question about the safety of the animals, but author Erik Daniel Shein keeps the balance just right for young readers. There is an obvious point here about animal endangerment and the dangers of the rainforest, but it is light in most cases, and should please and educate readers in the intended age group. I recommend this book!… (altro)

The second book in “The Monsterjunkies” series continues the adventures of the most interesting and intriguing American family. Those who have read the first book will absolutely love the second one, and those who haven’t should immediately fix that by getting it as soon as possible. A year after what happened in the first book, the Monsterjunkie family has opened the gates of their mysterious mansion to a few people they trust. However, this doesn’t mean that life has become easier and less stressful for their children, Crow and Indigo. They are still bullied at school for the simple fact that they are different, and sometimes the situation becomes unbearable.

“Sanctuary” is a middle grade-young adult novel that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. However, the whole series is highly recommended to teens, as it tackles a very important topic: bullying. The authors managed to portray today’s society in a realistic way, showing how bullying in school can have permanent effects on young people who are just discovering themselves and trying to express their own personality through the way they dress, talk, or behave. The two children in this series are constantly picked on because of their name, Monsterjunkie, and because they choose to wear gothic clothes and do things differently. In “Sanctuary”, readers will see that Cromwell, the teenage son of the Monsterjunkies, will have to go through a lot simply because his schoolmates never try to understand him or accept him the way he is.

No one wants the Monsterjunkies in Foggy Point, Maine. It’s not only because they live in a macabre mansion or because they are passionate about exotic wildlife, but also because other people want the real estate their mansion sits on. The whole family has to stay strong and united because this is the only way they can keep what is theirs. Meanwhile, Crow is going through a very difficult period. He is constantly bullied by Ruth Grimes, and he is not sure how he should defend himself. It seems that his retaliation from months ago did nothing to make things better, and Crow cannot find an appropriate solution. Moreover, he has to deal with the fact that his sister is leaving and his father expects him to carry on the family’s legacy in cryptozoology. It is simply too much for a teenager to handle.

Just like the first novel in the series, “Sanctuary” will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The characters are likeable and interesting, and the situations they have to face are very realistic and believable. Teenage readers will gain a new perspective on bullying and why it happens, and this can help them handle such situations better.

“Sanctuary” can be found on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.… (altro)

This is the story of a very unique American family.

The Monsterjunkies live in a walled compound on the coast of Maine. Talon, the father, is a crypto-zoologist who specializes in rescuing animal species thought to be extinct, with the intention of returning them to the wild. Pandora is his wife, and their children, daughter Indigo and son Crow are students at the local high school. Because they are "different," both children have been noticed by Rutherford, the school bully. Crow wants the bullying to end, and Indigo wants the family to start being a little more trusting of outsiders. No one is allowed on the property, and the family doesn't talk about it, which leads to the expected rumors of monsters on the property.

Indigo invites Winter, a friend from school and a budding artist, for an overnight sleepover, and shows her what is really going on behind the walls. Crow becomes friends with a trio of boys from school who attempt to sneak onto the property to see for themselves. They are stopped by an actual sasquatch, who, they learn later, is intelligent and is named Beauregard. The visitors are also introduced to a pygmy elephant named Thunder who loves marshmallows, and an actual sea serpent named Sybil who can't eat enough squash.

At school one day, the group publicly humiliates Rutherford, in front of a bunch of girls. Naturally, he is not going to go away that easily. Does the Monsterjunkie family get "outed" prematurely? Does the bullying stop, once and for all?

This is an excellent YA novel. It has a very strong environmental and anti-bullying message. It is a well-done piece of writing that is recommended for all young people (and adults, too).… (altro)