Tag Archives: Teen fiction

First Chapter Review: Alchemy by Mike Wood

Alchemy by Mike Wood is a coming of age novel that I grabbed as a Kindle freebie in 2014.

BLURB: The summer of 1984 was a golden time in America. From California, where gymnast Mary Lou Retton was winning Olympic gold, to Cape Cod, where explorer Barry Clifford was discovering pirate gold, the nation seemed obsessed with the precious metal. But for 15-year old Al, that obsession hits a little too close to home when he finds a code-filled notebook belonging to his missing father that may contain the ancient formula for turning lead to gold. Convinced that his father’s sudden disappearance is connected to his secret experiments in alchemy, Al sets out to find the truth. He enlists the help of Cammie, a beautiful girl staying for the summer while her marine biologist father tracks a wayward manatee, and together they begin unraveling the mystery. But the closer they get to an answer, the closer they grow to each other, and as the end of summer draws nearer, Al wonders if they can break the code without breaking his heart.

COVER: I live a little over two hours away from Cape Cod. This is the perfect cover to draw the reader into the setting where Al lives. I also love how the author works the year the story takes place into the road sign.

FIRST CHAPTER: Told by Al as if he is speaking directly to the reader, he explains the challenge of his name, a bit about his family and his life, and the day he made the mistake of taking a neighbor’s magazine.

KEEP READING: A resounding yes! I remember when I downloaded this book, because it reminded me of my high school years and was set in a place I knew. Even though Wood has Al give the reader a ton of information in the first chapter, I feel it reads like a teenager would speak and is a cohesive sequence of events. Al is funny and engaging, which makes the reader want to keep turning the pages… especially considering how the first chapter ends.*

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0038M2HC6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Booksurge (January 12, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 12, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1331 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages

    • This First Chapter Review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

    *Based upon the ending of the first chapter, this novel may not be appropriate for younger readers.

    Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex by Carole P. Roman

    Join Grady Whill and his friends on an exciting adventure that feels like Harry Potter meets the Fantastic Four.

    In Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex, everyone is talking about Templeton Academy, the new superhero high school. Recruiting only the best of the best, Grady is certain he will never get in. When his best friend, Aarush Patel is selected, he assures Grady he has the right stuff. Even the school bully, Elmwood Bledsoe, is attending. As Grady and his friends embark upon this mysterious adventure, they hope to discover the knowledge of the power within.

    I was a huge superhero fan as a kid–comic books and Saturday morning cartoons. I was Spider Woman one year for Halloween. 🙂 So, when I heard about this new series by Carole P. Roman, I knew I had to read the first book.

    Roman did so many things well in this novel. You have the mysterious, supernatural Templeton Academy, which is like a character itself, and the dilemma of Grady trying to figure out why Uncle Leo doesn’t want him to attend the school and having a feeling it all ties into part of his family’s past. And where I feel Roman truly excelled is creating the world of a teenager, even if that world is placed in some mysterious school where kids have to learn the secrets of the Codex. Grady’s bully winds up at the same special school as he does. Where Grady is unsure of himself, Elmwood is overly confident. He is attracted to Pari, Aarush’s cousin, who attends school with them. All the things an everyday teen would cope with, Grady must endure.

    Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex features a diverse group of well-developed characters. Whether they are part of Grady’s friend group, antagonists, or school staff, the author created a unique bunch of characters that all played a great role in the story.

    After this strong and engaging series debut, I am eager to follow more of Grady’s story. Let’s hope it is on the way soon!

    Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B4T6PWPH
    • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chelshire, Inc.; 1st edition (July 18, 2022)
    • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 18, 2022
    • Language ‏ : ‎ English
    • File size ‏ : ‎ 3349 KB
    • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
    • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
    • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
    • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
    • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
    • Print length ‏ : ‎ 267 pages

    I received a free digital copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

    New Release from Entangled Teen: Cupcake by Cookie O’Gorman

    I know what you’re thinking.

    You’re thinking this will be just one more story of the ignored, “big-boned ” girl, who sheds her glasses and a few extra pounds and finally attracts the notice of the most popular guy in school.

    Except it isn’t. Because I’m not unpopular. Not all that ignored. And I love the way I look―just as I am.

    Then someone puts my name in for Homecoming Court.

    The bigger surprise?

    People actually vote for me!

    Now, I’m a “princess”―whether I like it or not―but the guy I’m paired with isn’t exactly Prince Charming.

    Rhys Castle is the strong, silent type who always wears a frown―he’s certainly never smiled at me. I’m 99.9% sure he hates being on Court and being my partner, but surprisingly…he doesn’t switch when he gets the chance.

    Turns out Rhys has a secret―something that makes him run hot and cold throughout the entire three weeks of Homecoming festivities. Whether he’s stepping on my feet during dance lessons or gallantly escorting me through the Homecoming parade, I can’t get a read on this guy, and for the first time, I find my confidence wavering.

    But there’s more to Rhys than meets the eye. And the more the spotlight shines on me, I realize there’s more to me, too.

    • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Entangled: Teen (November 2, 2021)
    • Language ‏ : ‎ English
    • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
    • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1649370326
    • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1649370327
    • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 – 18 years
    • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 10 – 12

    Purchase from:

    Amazon

    Barnes & Noble

    Apple iBooks

    Kobo

    Joy and Mary Save Christmas by Wayne Harris-Wyrick

    Joy and her friend, Mary, are taken on a magical adventure to help Santa and the elves when stolen presents and electrical problems hit the North Pole in Joy and Mary Save Christmas by Wayne Harris-Wyrick.

    While playing in Joy’s backyard and lamenting the lack of snow in Oklahoma City at Christmastime, the two girls find themselves transported to the North Pole, where an upset Santa Claus begs for their help. Thanks to Joy’s photographic memory and Mary’s eagerness to help, Christmas might just be saved.

    What a fun, magical adventure. Harris-Wyrick has created a seasonal story filled with Christmas magic that will have everyone believing in Santa Claus. Inspired by a dream, this delightful story will charm tweens and teens with inventions only the North Pole might have.

    Artist Carrie Salazar provided the cover art and interior illustrations for Joy and Mary Save Christmas. The snowy scenes and glimpses into Santa’s world are so sweet and relay such emotion the reader will feel like they are right there alongside Joy and Mary as they work to save Christmas.

    If you enjoy seasonal stories filled with special magic, you need to pick up a copy of Joy and Mary Save Christmas.

    Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    • Publisher ‏ : ‎ 4RV Tweens & Teens (September 16, 2016)
    • Language ‏ : ‎ English
    • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 60 pages
    • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1940310512
    • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1940310510
    • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 – 12 years

    I purchased a copy of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

    Tutankhamen Speaks by Cheryl Carpinello

    The words of Tutankhamen come alive in Tutankhamen Speaks by Cheryl Carpinello.

    Scrolls discovered in the basement of the Egyptian Museum, transcribed in an ancient hand, are said to record the words of King Tut for all to read.

    The story of the Boy King is fascinating. Ascending to the throne at the age of nine, married to his half-sister (as was the custom), no surviving children, and a death shrouded in mystery. Carpinello took the translated words and put them into storybook format to increase the reader’s enjoyment. That was definitely achieved. I eagerly swiped from one page to the next to discover more about King Tut and his life. The author/editor’s final note leaves it up to the reader to decide the authenticity of the ancient scrolls.

    What I enjoyed most about Tutankhamen Speaks is the way the wide-eyed wonder of the young King is captured and the emotions that are relayed as he speaks of his father, his stepmother, his grandfather, his half sister, and his destiny. The reader is also treated to an excerpt from the next book in the series. I will also be reviewing that one this month, so keep an eye out for it.

    If you enjoy ancient history, are fascinated with King Tut, or like stories that share a glimpse into the past, you will want to grab a printed or digital copy of Tutankhamen Speaks.

    Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00E18KH46
    • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beyond Today Educator (January 24, 2014)
    • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 24, 2014
    • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 4, 2014)
    • Language ‏ : ‎ English
    • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 79 pages
    • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 149615536X
    • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496155368

    ORDER YOUR COPY

    Amazon eBook: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E18KH46

    Amazon Print: https://www.amazon.com/dp/149615536X

    B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tutankhamen-speaks-cheryl-carpinello/1118847147

    Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Tutankhamen-Speaks-Cheryl-Carpinello/9781496155368

    I received a digital copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.