The Entomological Tales of Augustus T. Percival

The Entomological Tales of Augustus T. Percival by Dene Low Set in London in the early 1900’s Petronella has just turned 16 and is preparing to have her coming out party. Her guardian Uncle Augustus is quite normal until he swallows a beetle. He than develops an appetite for insects. Petronella has her 16th birthday party in a tent, which collapses on everyone when Uncle Augustus tries to catch a moth. Two very important guest are kidnapped in the confusion. Petronella takes it upon herself to solve the mystery, with the help of her Uncle, Joan her best friend, and Joan’s brother James. Petronella is witty, smart and quick on her feet. Petronella is woman enough to look forward to her coming out party and get into a little mischief with her best friend. Many times female characters must choose prim and proper or rebellious, its nice to see two characters who can embrace both sides. Not only does Petronella have to solve this mystery, she must also hide her Uncle’s condition from her visiting aunts. They would love to get their hands on her inheritance. This book is filled with great characters and the language is so much fun.

“There are moments when all motion is slowed so that a split second seems stretched out to a lifetime. Such interludes allow one to contemplate the meaning of life and perhaps absorb enough of the entailing circumstances so that one may make wiser decisions than would otherwise be possible. This was not one of those moments. Great aunt Theophilia lost her dignity enough to lunge toward the tray, hand outstretched. However, she clasped only Aunt Cordelia’s fingers, which clutched empty air because Moriarty had moved the silver tray just enough in my direction so that I could snatch the note myself. I would have sworn Moriarty winked at me as he did so, but I discounted such a gesture as beyond my stoic butler’s capabilities” (From Arc)

There were times when I couldn’t help but think of the classic board game Clue. When the butler was accused I nearly lost it. This book was so much fun to read, I loved it. Scheduled to be released in June

Ghost Town Richard W. Jennings.

Ghost Town by Richard W. Jennings 13 yr old Spencer Honesty is the last kid left in Paisley Kansas. He and his mom are the last two people left in Paisley. Spencer has his imaginary friend an Indian named Chief Leopard Frog to keep him company. When I first read the book summary, I had my doubts. I couldn’t help wondering how in the hell is the author going to pull this off, and make me care about the last boy in a town. It was that same feeling I got when I heard the plot for Cast Away, and we all know how that turned out for Tom Hanks. Not only did Jennings pull it off, he does it quickly with style. The author has created a very enduring character in Spencer, he is smart, funny, insightful, thoughtful, loveable and not afraid to cry. He is our tour guide of a town that has disappeared. Spence tells of his neighbors, the factory that held the town together and the politics that goes into destroying a small town. Spence starts taking pictures of Paisley with his father’s old camera. Some former residents begin to appear in his photos. In an effort to better understand the camera’s power Spence writes to Swartzman, a businessman in the Cayman Island. The two exchange letters back and forth eventually becoming business partners. Their letters are one of the many things I loved about this book. There’s also Chief Leopard Frog’s not so lucky craved talisman. Spencer is has one no him when he falls 16ft breaking his collarbone. Spence is pretty much left on his own to recover.

“It didn’t take long for me to learn two pain pills will help pass the time better than one, and three could get me through an afternoon. I began to complain of increasing pain simply to get more pills. No one questioned my motives. Who cares if there’s a kid in the country somewhere getting more medication than he needs? Certainly no the overworked (and overpaid) Dr. Appletree. Certainly not the ever changing pharmacists at Wal Mart. That I spent my days in a drug induced stupor is adequately demonstrated in the several out of focus pictures that came back to me in the mail a fortnight later. (from Arc)

Ghost Town is a wonderful must read. Reluctant reader friendly ages 12 up. Scheduled to be released in June.

More About Me.

I was interviewed by author James Preller. We cyber met last year, after I sent him an email letting him know how much I loved his middle grade novel Six Innings. At the time we had both recently started our blogs. Check it out the interview. And if you haven't visited James site before make sure you read at least one Fan Mail. Thanks again James it was fun.

A Strong Right Arm Michelle Green

A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson by Michelle Y. Green Mamie "Peanut" Johnson, was one of three women to play in the Negro Leagues and the only pitcher. Green is the first to tell Johnson's story. The two met at a Negro League Baseball shop. I could just imagine Green and Johnson getting together for a few months. Mamie "Peanut" Johnson telling her story while Green patiently listened, asking a few questions for clarification. Beginning with the introduction, its only Mamie's voice we hear throughout. Mamie tells of her early years, being raised by her grandmother and her Uncle Leo teaching her how to pitch. Mamie refused to let her gender and race stop her from playing the game she loved. Mamie's arm was too good for everyone ignore. Some of Mamie's early years where spent in N.J. where she was the only female and African American player for Police Athletic League. They won the championship two years straight. As Mamie got older, she continued to find teams to play on. Once Mamie and Rita, a teammate went to try out for the All American Girls. The female league that inspired the movie A League of Their Own. The two weren't even allowed to step on the field. That didn't stop Mamie, she continued to play. She was finally spotted by scout for the Indianapolis Clowns, a Negro League Baseball team. Mamie played three years with the team. The other two female players - Toni Stone and Connie Morgan played for the Clowns as well. Mamie lists her careers numbers at the end, even without that I knew she had to be a great pitcher. A man who scouted Hank Aaron gave Mamie his seal of approval. Sathcel Paige told Mamie she had some good stuff and took the time to teach her a curveball. That is all I needed to know about Mamie "Peanut" Johnson's arm. A Strong Right Arm was such a joy to read and a must for any baseball fan.

This would go nicely with The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane. About a girl who pitches for her eight grade baseball team.

12 yr old girl pitches a perfect little league game

On March 27,2009- 17 yr old Eri Yoshida made history. She is the first female professional baseball player in Japan. Yoshida is a pitcher with a sidearm knuckleball.

And you have Apryl to thank for the two additional baseball stories.

C.O.R.A Diversity Roll Call

This week C.O.R.A Diversity Roll Call is being hosted over at Color Online In honor of the May being Asian Heritage month, we are to focus on an author from that region. I'll going to mention two books, one I read years ago, and the other I finished recently. When I first heard the call my first thought was Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama I read this years ago and absoultely loved it. I still enjoy recommading it to customers. When I picked it up I knew nothing about the book. Though I did assume it would be set in Japan because of the author's last name. When I discovered it set in 1926 China, I fliped to the authors bio page in the back. Gail Tsukiyma has a Chinese mother and Japanese father. Women of the Silk is the story of a group of women who work in a silk factory and are bonded by friendship. Tsukiyama writing was close to perfect. I was reminded of Ann Patchett's writing in Bel Canto. Both authors went with a make every word count approach. I cried so hard at the end of Women of the Silk. The author truly made me care about the characters.
I recently finished The Eye of Jade by Diane Wei Liang Its set in 90's Beijing Mei Wang a former police officer is now a private investigator. You may not know this about me but I love mysteries. P.I. ones are some of my favorites especially ones with female progtaginist. Mei Wang is a smart and independent woman who doesn't worry about what other people think. She hired a male assistant from the country which is very unheard of. A close family friend Uncle Chen hires Mei to find jade that was supposedly destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Eye of Jade is a great modern day mystery that touches upon China's history. Mei Wang has all the important characteristics of a P.I. The author, Diane Wei Lang was born in China and spent part of her childhood with her parents in a China labor camp.