Sky Jumpers

A fast-paced adventure

     In the wreckage after World War 3 and its green bombs, small towns have emerged. Hope lives in just such a town, called White Rock. Unable to invent, as her town expects from all its citizens, Hope struggles to fit in. Because of her lack of inventing skill, Hope chooses to invest more time in the other skills that she finds strength in, like sky jumping into the Bomb's Breath the toxic band of air left by the bombs. However, when bandits invade the town, seeking priceless antibiotics, Hope's daredevil nature may just save her world.

     A book so exhilarating, it could be compared to actual sky jumping, this book had realistic characters, exciting plot and an interesting setting. Hope is a great protagonist whose perspective is often the same as the reader's perspective on things. I like this because it makes the entire story seem possible. The content and vocabulary render the book friendly to all listeners, and the plot holds readers tight and does not let go till the end of the story. I gave it five stars for an immersive experience that included humor and action in a child-friendly manner.

The Pet War

An Animal-Lover's Book

     Everyone knows that cats and dogs do not get along, and neither do brothers and sisters. So when Lexi wants a cat and Otto wants a dog, the foundations are set, and war is inevitable. Soon both sides are racing for the five hundred dollars to get their desired pet. However, Lexi has always been better at everything than Otto, so it seems impossible for Otto to win. However, Otto cannot live with the thought of a cat, so, he will just have to muster the strength and win the Pet War! 

     Five stars for this book. Otto's hilarious narration gives readers a laugh on every page whether it is with Otto for his successes or at him for his misadventures. Animal lovers everywhere will love this book. Delighted readers will especially love the twist ending that is completely unexpected. I am a cat person myself, and I was rooting for Lexi and her hoped-for cat, Fluffernutter. I loved this book. This book made my heart race, for the narrator never reveals how much Lexi was earning, so whenever Otto totaled up his money, I worried that Lexi's unknown amount of riches had already been succeeded by Otto in the race. I would recommend this book to any animal lover for its fun plotline and humor.

Kindness for Weakness

A thought-provoking tragedy

James is a fifteen-year-old with problems. His neglectful mother and her abusive boyfriend force him out of the house and he wanders the streets aimlessly. The trouble starts when his brother offers him a job delivering purchased drugs. Unfortunately, the job does not bring profits. Instead, it lands him a cell in juvenile detention. There, he'll have face abusive guards, violent inmates and other dangers. He'll have to learn who he is and whether he can survive to become a man. The question is, will he make it out alive?

    This book was a great book, worthy of the classics. A fantastic basis for several essays, it makes readers truly think about standing up for a belief and the integrity of one's character. James is a truly likeable character whose naivety and kindness make him easy to root for. The author, a school psychologist, worked at detention facilities with troubled youth and the story is written from his experience. Thus, the story portrays a clear, realistic, but frightening image of our juvenile justice system. The story encourages teenage readers to think about their own lives and how they act compared to the characters of the story. I do have to warn readers, however, that because of the harsh environment and questionable ethics of many of the characters, the book contains severe profanity. Also, for readers who don't like sad stories, I would not recommend this book, as it can be sad at times and may cause tears in the eyes of the more emotional readers. I gave it five stars for a provocative story and real-life message.

Ellis Island: Interactive History Adventure

A Delightful Edventure 

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to be someone else? What if you could be an immigrant moving to America? Which immigrant is the most fortunate: A Russian Jewish girl, an Italian teen or a German after World War I? You choose! In this book, you can choose which of these immigrants to follow, and guide their steps to success or failure, death or life. It is in your hands.

 A delightful adventure, this book entertains readers while giving them a basic knowledge of the history of Ellis Island. I enjoyed following all the paths, especially the ones with the Jewish girl, for she is quite endearing. Most choose-your-path books I find to be very impersonal. Because everything is written in second person, it is hard to relate to the characters. However, this book overcomes this and I can connect very well with the character's thoughts and emotions. I also like that this book portrays a reality-based situation. The Choose your Own Adventure brand of adventure book tends to be fantastical and the difference between the right answer and the wrong one is as predictable as the flip of a coin. In this book, the reality-based scenarios allow logical choice to prevail over random probability. I also liked that there were writing prompts and resources to learn more and a time line of the island in the back of the book. I gave this book five stars for an adventure that challenged the reader’s decision-making and was both educational and entertaining.

Shark Wars: The Last Emprex

Sharks With Personality

     Gray, the Seazarain Emprex, has done it; he rules the ocean now. But it is an ocean on the edge of destruction. The evil frilled shark Hokuu has released an armada of prehistores: mosasaurs and other ancient predators. Gray may be a megalodon himself, but he would need an armada of megalodons to defeat Grimkhan, the seventy-foot long mosasaur king, let alone the 300 other mosasaur minions hungry for shark flesh. Together with Hokuu's own armada of vicious frilled sharks, Gray will have his fins full. Yet he must be victorious. The ocean depends on him. If he fails, Hokuu will eat him … along with every shark in the Big Blue.

     An oceanic thrill ride, the book has action, humor and a little tragedy. It is great for readers of all ages. Hokuu is a brilliant creation, one of the first likable villains I have met and probably the only one who can rightly claim to be misunderstood, rather than evil, depending on whether you can see it his way. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. Parents should be warned that the battle scenes can be a little bloody, as Altbacker does not avoid mentioning sharks being halved and incinerated. This is also the sixth book in a series and not a stand-alone read.