The Great Cake Mystery - Alexander McCall Smith, Iain McIntosh

The Great Cake Mystery by Alexander McCall Smith, Illustrations by Iain McIntosh
The author has a bestselling mystery series called The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency. The stories are quaint and a whole lot of fun.  Since I am a fan of the series, I was excited to discover that the author wrote an early chapter featuring Precious Ramostswe, the detective in the series, in her very first case.

In The Great Cake Mystery, readers are introduced to a young Precious Ramotswe who like her adult self lives in Botswana.  Precious loves to listen to her dad's stories, but she can always tell when it starts turning into a tall tale.  Precious pays attention and listens she knows when someone isn't telling the truth.  These are two very important skills for a detective.  When Precious's dad suggest she become a detective, she thinks its a good idea.     

When food starts going missing at school, Precious gets are first case must sooner than expected.  Everyone in the class but Precious, believe a boy named Polowko is the thief.  Precious knows he's innocent and must prove it to clear his name. 

I very much enjoyed this introduction to a young Precious Ramostswe.  McIntosh wonderful illustrations and the short chapters make this an excellent for young readers who are mystery fans and new to chapter books

An excerpt 

Zapato Power - Jacqueline Jules, Miguel Benitez

Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Makes a Splash by Jacqueline Jules, illus. by Miguel Benitez

Freddie's shoes give him super speed. He uses his special ability to protect his community. This time Freddie's zapatos are missing and he encounters an older girl on a green bike who is a bit of a bully. After he overcomes his fear, Freddie once helps out but this time without his super speed. Another big part of this story are Freddie's swiming lessons. He is tenative about getting in the water at first but soon loves it. This is the fourth book in the Zapato Power series, and its as fun as the previous three. The Zapato Power series is an excellent early chapter series. The books are always very close to 100 pages, with short chapters and wonderful illustrations by Benitez. The first three Zapato Power books are available in paperback and possibly your local library.

Zapato Power - Jacqueline Jules, Miguel Benitez

Zapato Power : Freddie Ramos Zooms to the Rescue by Jacqueline Jules illus. by Miguel Benitez
Freddie's specially designed purple sneakers give him super speed and can even out run a train. He keeps his superhero ability a secret and is always looking for ways to come to the rescue. A rogue squirrel that finds its way into the school, is covered in paint. Freddie is determined to find who is responsible. The mystery behind the painted squirrel was fun and I really enjoyed Benitez playful illustrations. This is the third Freddie Ramos adventure and its just as much fun as the last two. Each story works very well as a stand alone. Though together there is a great connection. The author is doing an excellent job keeping the reader interested in Freddie, his super power and his world.

Zapato Power - Jacqueline Jules, Miguel Benitez

Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Springs Into Action by Jacqueline Jules illus by Miguel Benitez
Freddie's adventures thanks to his custom made super fast sneakers continues in this second installment. Freddie is always ready to use his Zapato power to help someone in the neighborhood. Though if Freddie can't learn how to slow down at school his secret identity will be revealed. He tells Mr. Vaslov the man who created the sneakers about the problem. Mr. Vaslov quickly begins working on a solution.

This is a great early chapter series. I love Freddie Ramos and the community the author is building around him. The story moves at a great pace and there's a lot of action. Benitez illustrations are wonderful. I love that Freddie's superhero tag line, Zoom Zoom Zapato, it's big bold and pops out. The illustrator also puts a lot of detail into his characters facial expressions.

Frankie Pickle and The Mathematical Menace - Eric Wright

Frankie Pickle and The Mathematical Menace by Eric Wright
Frankie Pickle has a big imagination but he's not so good at math. While taking a math quiz, Frankie begins to draw number monsters.

Maybe if he skipped ahead the next problem would be easier to solve. It wasn't. This one was even scarier. In fact if Frankie turned his head sideways, the number three kind of looked like fangs. He drew a pair of wings on it. Now it was a vampire bat He added horns and claws and spiked tails to the other numbers.

Frankie fails the quiz. He has the weekend to study for a make up quiz. Frankie's family is keeping him busy and secretly teaching him math can be fun. Frankie Pickle is a great character. This is the third book in the series. It's as good as the first one. One of the best things is it's visual appeal. Wright's illustrations are wonderful. Simply a well done early chapter book.

This would be a great recommendation fans of The Lunch Lady series by Krosoczka and are looking for something longer.

Nikki & Deja: Election Madness - Karen English, Laura Freeman

Nikki & Deja:Election Madness by Karen English illus. by Laura Freeman
This is the four book in this series. I didn't like the last one as much as the first two and I was hoping this Election Madness would get the series back on track for me. Unfortunately that didn't happen.

Nikki and Deja's third grade teacher the school is holding an election for president. Deja decides to run for president and that Nikki will be her campaign manager. From the beginning Deja is a mean and bossy friend. The class elections are announced Deja is only concerned with how many of her classmates will vote for her. Nikki wants to play during lunch recess but Deja makes her poll class votes, since she's campaign manager.

I don't remember Nikki and Deja's friendship dynamic being like this in the first three books. I am hoping this is a one time thing.

Zapato Power - Jacqueline Jules, Miguel Benitez

Zapato Power by Jacqueline Jules, illus. by Miguel Benitez
This book was brought to my attention thanks to the Cybils Awards. In 2010 it won the short chapter book category.

Freddie and his mother have recently moved to Starwood Park Apartments. One day Freddie Ramos comes home to find a box with his name on it. Inside is a new pair of purple sneakers. There's no name with the gift, just a note saying Zapato power for Freddie Ramos. With his new shoes, Freddie is very fast, faster than a train. Freddie wants to use his new speed to be a hero. He also knows me must keep is Zapato power a secret.

This was a very fun read. Freddie Ramos is great. He's just an ordinary boy who is given a special gift. This is easily my favorite early chapter books I've read in a while. I love that it features a male protagonist of color.

I checked out the first book from the library. I figured I'd only meet Freddie but now I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. The chapters are only about eight pages long with illustrations. Jules text and Benitez art, make this a very relucatant reader friendly.

google preview courtesy of Albert Whiteman & Company

Anna Hibiscus - Atinuke, Lauren Tobia

Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke illustrated by Lauren Tobia
Anna lives in a big white house with her parents, twin baby brothers Double and Trouble, and extended family. Including grand parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Anna is biracial, her mother is from Canada. I love that the author doesn't make a big deal about this, it simply is.

Anna Hibiscus contains four short stories. In each one is a look at Anna's everyday life with her family.

"Anna Hibiscus is never lonely. There are always cousins to play and fight with; uncles and aunties are always laughing and shouting; and her mother or father and grandmother and grandfather are always around. To be alone in Anna Hibiscus's house you have to hide. Sometimes Anna squeezes into some cool, dusty, forgotten places and waits for that exciting moment when her family begins to call and then a cousin or uncle finds her and her aunties thanks God!"

"Anna Hibiscus lives Africa. Amazing Africa." This is the beginning of all four stories. I really like it because there are so many negative images of Africa. I would've liked it even more if the author named what African country Anna and her family call home. Though there was so much to love about these, charming, entertaining, and funny stories. I love that these are contemporary set stories.

"Anna's mother and father and aunties and uncles drive to work in their cars. They send text messages and e-mails around the world, and call from the marker on their mobile phones to see what shopping needs doing. But the clothes they wear are made from colorful African cloth, waxed and dyed and printed."

Tobia's illustrations are great. They fit the characters and stories perfectly. I smiled my way through this book. Since the Anna Hibiscus series are chapter books with four stories, it would be a great suggestion for struggling readers. Though Anna Hibiscus should be enjoyed by many. ages 6up

Hooray for Anna Hibiscus and just released Good Luck, Anna Hibiscus are available as well.

Tortilla Sun - Jennifer Cervantes

Tortilla Sun by Jennifer Cervantes

12yr old Isadora (Izzy) and her mom are always moving. When the novel opens, the two are unpacking in their new apartment. Izzy finds a baseball that belonged to her dad, who died before she was born. The baseball has the words because and magic written on it. There's a space between the two, where another word should be.

Izzy can't stop thinking about the missing word and what it might mean. She claims the baseball, even when her mom tries to take it away. Izzy will be spending a few weeks in New Mexico with her grandmother, while her mom works on a research project.

This is the first time Izzy will be meeting her grandmother and visiting the village her mom grew up in. While she's there, Izzy is touched by magic and gets closer to her parents and figures out the missing word.

I loved Izzy's voice. The author surrounded Izzy with some great characters. Including her grandmother, Mateo (a new friend and possible crush) and Maggie, ( a cute six year old, who refers to her cat Frida as doggie). Everyone played off of each other very well.

The writing is colorful, magical,beautiful and perfectly in tune to a young readers sensibility.

"I felt as though melted chocolate had oozed its way from my heart to my toes, coating me with comfort on its way down."

After I read that line, I quickly re-read it. Its visually gorgeous and very fitting for a middle grade novel. The author had some more scenes, that made me stop and take notice. I am looking forward to reading more books by Cervantes.

I enjoyed watching Izzy discover the magic of her mom's village. This was a wonderful debut. Tortilla Sun was such a pleasure to read. age 10 up

An excerpt

Ruby and the Booker Boy Derrick Barnes

Brand New School, Brave New Ruby (Ruby And The Booker Boys) by Derrick Barnes I found this little goody on Sunday while helping a customer. I am always exicted to find a new early chapter series, and its featuring a black girl. What! Thats double sweetness. Ruby Booker is going to the third grade and a new school. I like Ruby from the start, first day jitters won't stop Ruby from being herself. Ruby's first day of school outfit is a purple and orange ensemble including mismatched sneakers. Ruby's schoolbag is in the shaped of a guitar. Its easy enough to go with the trend but Ruby's fearless, and does her own thing.

As I looked in the mirror for the last time, I whispered to myself,, "Ruby Marigold Booker, you are fabulous! And that's the truth.

Ruby has three older brothers Roosevelt, Tyner and Marcellus aka the Booker boys. The Booker boys are very popular at Hope Road Academy, Ruby's new school. Ruby's worried she won't make a name for herself at Hope Road Academy. She doesn't want to be seen as the Booker Boys little sister but rather Ruby the singer. Throughout the day Ruby is determined to shine, but each time its about to happen the PA system comes, and its always about one of Ruby's brothers. I enjoyed the PA interruptions, it was fun trying to guess what the announcement would be. In the end Ruby finds a way to stand out.
This is a great book for younger siblings. They will relate to Ruby's desire to make a name for herself and get out of older brother's shadows. Plus its not a hand me down book, thats double sweetness. Ruby is going to be a fun girl to follow. I love that Barnes doesn't neglect Ruby's family. His writing is fun and enjoyable.
This is going to be a great series I can't wait to read more. I won't have to wait long. Trivia Queen, 3rd Grade Supreme, the second book in the Ruby and Booker Boys series was released with book one

The Dragon's Child - Jenny Nimmo

The Dragon's Child by Jenny Nimmo

The one good thing about doing recovery is finding new books. I was putting back some early chapter books and came across The Dragons's Child by Jenny Nimmo. I gave a little happy squeal. I am always excited to find new chapter books for early readers. Jenny Nimmo is the author of Charlie Bone books, a bestselling series for middle grade readers. I haven't read any of the Charlie Bone books. However, if an early chapter book looks slightly interesting I will read or at least skim it.

The story begins on an island with a mother dragon trying to teach the dragon child, Dando, how to fly. I loved the voice of the mother dragon. You could hear her frustration and impatience as she tried to teach Dando to fly. "No, no sighed the mother dragon lift your wings not your feet." Dando practiced and practiced yet couldn't fly. Flying is a must for dragons, as a group they always fly north. When its time to go he still can't fly. Mother dragon is desperate, so she decides to fly him on her back. Unfortunately Dando can't hold on, and mother dragon doesn't notice him fall. He would be alone on the island if not for bird. Bird and Dando had recently meet becoming quick friends. (for some reason bird makes me think of Woodstock, the snoopy bird) I won't give anything else away you'll have to read it for yourself. Though there is a girl who speaks the language of dragons (If there's a sequel I hope the author explains how she can speak the language of dragons) The island is inhabited by doggins, evil creatures who hunt in packs. Okay that's really it, no more. Check out the rest for yourself. This was a fun well paced read. I would recommend The Dragon's Child to struggling readers. It doesn't read young and is reluctant reader friendly.

Joe Sherlock - Dave Keane

Joe Sherlock by Dave Keane - I am always on the look out for fun new early chapter books. Joe Sherlock is some serious fun. The book is as good as the cover. Light, funny and silly. Joe Sherlock goes just by Sherlock. He has a teenage sister and smarter younger sister. Sherlock is a master detective using his wits and instincts to solve neighborhood mysteries. Sherlock rocks and the illustrations are perfect fit.