Review: The Crossover - Kwame Alexander

‘With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .
The court is SIZZLING.
My sweat is DRIZZLING.
Stop all that quivering.
Cuz tonight I'm delivering’

12-year-old Josh and his twin Jordan have basketball in their blood. They’re kings of the court, star players for their school team. Their father used to be a champion player and they each want nothing more than to follow in his footsteps.

Both on and off the court, there is conflict and hardship which will test Josh’s bond with his brother. In this heartfelt novel in verse, the boys find that life doesn’t come with a play-book and it's not all about winning.

Crossover Series:
Rebound
The Crossover

Visit Kwame Alexander's website for more information

Review:
Not being a teenager and knowing absolutely nothing about basketball, I think it's pretty safe to say I'm not really the target audience for this novel. I love verse novels though and seeing a video of the author reading part of the story had me curious enough to give it a try and I have to say I loved it far more than I expected to and I can see why it's won so many awards!

The story is about twelve-year-old twins who until now have been utterly obsessed with basketball, their father was a professional player who now focuses his energies on training his sons and they're both stars of their school team. It is about so much more than basketball though, it's also about growing up and growing apart, it's about finding your first love and how that changes things, it's about discovering things from your parent's past that you never knew before and it's about learning to deal with an emotional crisis.

Verse novels can be so much fun to read and this is definitely one of the better ones I've come across, the pacing is perfect and the language is clever. I think this will appeal to even the most reluctant reader and I'm handing my copy straight to my 13 year old nephew who I think will love it even more than I did!

And in case you want to watch the video I saw of Kwame Alexander reading from The Crossover here it is:



Source: Received from Andersen Press in exchange for an honest review

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Review: The Night Before Christmas - Clement C. Moore (Illustrated by Richard Johnson)

"'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."

This classic Christmas verse is well known to every parent and child preparing for Christmas and this beautifully illustrated new edition is the perfect Christmas gift for young and old.

Visit illustrator Richard Johnson's website for more information

Review:
I have read this story every Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember, it's always been part of our Christmas traditions and it will always have a special place in my part because of that.

I don't think there are many people out there that aren't familiar with this poem by Clement C. Moore that was originally published in 1823. Theres a reason it's a classic and that's because it captures the magic of Christmas. We've had many versions of the book over the years but the one we read from now is beautifully illustrated by Richard Johnson, this is such a gorgeous book and I can't imagine a Christmas without it!

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!

On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!

Source: Purchased

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Review: One - Sarah Crossan

Grace and Tippi are twins – conjoined twins.

And their lives are about to change.

No longer able to afford homeschooling, they must venture into the world – a world of stares, sneers and cruelty. Will they find more than that at school? Can they find real friends? And what about love?

But what neither Grace or Tippi realises is that a heart-wrenching decision lies ahead. A decision that could tear them apart. One that will change their lives even more than they ever imagined . . .

From Carnegie Medal shortlisted author Sarah Crossan, this moving and beautifully crafted novel about identity, sisterhood and love ultimately asks one question: what does it mean to want and have a soulmate?

Visit Sarah Crossan's website for more information

Review:
I knew before going in that One was going to break my heart but what I wasn't expecting was how beautiful the story would be. I don't tend to read many verse novels, in fact the last one I read was The Weight of Water, also by this author, three years ago but there is no doubt that this writing style can be extremely powerful when done well. Sarah Crossan definitely has the skill to pull it off and One is now my favourite of her novels.

This is the story of conjoined twins Grace and Tippi, they are joined from the waist down so although they each have two arms they only have one pelvis and two legs between them. Their condition has led to high medical bills which the family struggle to pay and it causes no end of difficulties for the girls when it comes to living their daily lives but the pair are overwhelmingly positive in their outlook. It was great to see them both as individuals and the way they work together as a team, they have an incredibly deep bond with each other and although there are times they wish for privacy most of the time they're just happy to be together.

When the girls start school for the first time it was heartbreaking to see how they were treated by the outside world, the cruel remarks don't just effect the twins though, both their younger sister and their parents are also under a lot of extra pressure. School isn't all bad though and for the first time they have a chance to make friends with people outside the family. Grace and Tippi go through so much but they are always a team, they're best friends as well as sisters and no matter what happens outside they always have each other to turn to.

I'm not going to say anything else about the story because I want readers to be able to enjoy it for themselves. It's being marked by Bloomsbury as "The ONE book to read this summer" and for once I'm completely on board with the marketing hype. If you're looking for something a little different, something that will give you an insight into the really rare condition of conjoined twins but is really all about sisterhood, love and friendship, then you really should pick up a copy of One. It's a beautiful book and it's one that has stuck with me in the weeks since I finished reading it.

Source: Received from Bloomsbury in exchange for an honest review

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Review: The Weight of Water - Sarah Crossan

I tell Mama about the swim team
But not about William

Armed with a suitcase and an old laundry bag filled with clothes, Kasienka and her mother head for England. Life is lonely for Kasienka. At home her mother’s heart is breaking and at school friends are scarce. But when someone special swims into her life, Kasienka learns that there might be more than one way for her to stay afloat.

A beautiful, unique story, which will make you sad, happy and amazed.

Jump in.

Visit Sarah Crossan's website for more information

Review:
Kasienka and her mother arrive in England with little more than a bag of clothes and a plan to track down the father that abandoned them both. Forced into a new school with unfamiliar customs and a language that she doesn't fully understand it isn't easy for Kasienka to make friends. Suffering from bullying at school, living in a dismal flat and forced to walk the streets in search of her father all add up to a pretty miserable life for her. But can she find a place where she belongs?

I have to admit that I've not read many verse novels, in fact this is only the second one I've ever picked up as I've always been a bit wary of them in the past. In spite of that I found myself really enjoying Kasienka's story and I'm definitely thinking I should look into reading more of this kind of story. It isn't difficult to feel for Kasienka, she goes through so many hardships and my heart broke for her. I've never been an immigrant or struggled to go to a school where everyone speaks a different language to the one I was born speaking but I did suffer with bullying so could relate to what she suffered at the hands of school bully Clair.

The hardest thing to watch was the way her mother struggled to cope with the disappearance of her father though. Her mother has to work long hours just to afford a horrible bedsit and enough food for them to survive but then she spends all her spare time walking the streets knocking on doors showing her father's picture. It was heartbreaking to picture Kasienka trailing around after her mother when she should have been playing with friends like any normal 12-year-old girl. The story isn't all dark though, it also shows the strong friendships Kasienka makes both at home and at school and we get to see her confidence grow as she joins the school swimming team.

The Weight of Water is beautifully written and touches on so many important themes that I think it would make it a great book for using in schools. Among other things it will make you think about prejudice, racism, immigration, bullying, poverty and the importance of family and friends. This is a touching read and I would definitely recommend it if you are interested in any of these issues. I'm looking forward to seeing what Sarah Crossan comes up with next.

Source: Received from Bloomsbury in exchange for an honest review

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Quick Review: Santa's Twin - written by Dean Koontz & Illustrated by Phil Parks

Santa's Twin is the hilarious and heartwarming story of two little girls, Charlotte and Emily, who set out to save Santa from his mischievous twin - Bob Claus - who has not only stolen Santa's sleigh, but has stuffed his toy bag with mud pies, cat poop, and broccoli! Plus, he's threatening to turn Donner, Blitzen, and the rest into reindeer soup! And look at the mess he's leaving under the tree!

How the brave but foolhardy sisters fly to the North Pole and rescue Santa from his "deeply troubled" twin is an utterly charming and unforgettable story that will add sparkle to your holiday season.

Santa's Twin Series:
Santa's Twin
Robot Santa

Visit Dean Koontz's website for more information

Review:
This isn't the kind of book you'd expect from horror and suspense writer Dean Koontz, it's actually a children's picture book. It is the tale of Santa's evil twin who is determined to ruin Christmas, he has locked up Santa and has set off on Santa's sleigh to cause mischief instead of leaving presents. I've had this for years now and I bring it out most Christmases when I want a fun, festive read. The story is told in verses in much the same rhythm as The Night Before Christmas and just begs to be read out loud making it perfect bedtime story material. Here is a quick example:

"And look - reindeer far up in the sky!

Some silly goose has taught them to fly.

The driver giggles quite like a loon -

a madman, a goofball, a thug or a goon.

Something is wrong - any fool could tell.

If this is Santa, then Santa's not well.

His mean little eyes spin just like tops.

So somebody better quick call the cops!"

There are a couple of places where the rhythm doesn't quite fit together properly which can be a bit off putting but this is still a really fun read and one my brother used to love to have read to him when he was younger. I haven't even mentioned Phil Parks' beautiful illustrations yet, every page has a detailed full colour image that you could spend ages looking at. Then when you get to the end of the book you'll have no choice but to start again from the beginning just so you can look for the item that is included in every picture (there are a couple of pages where I still haven't found it!). This is a great story for reading with young children and one I would definitely recommend.

Source: Purchased

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Review: Chasing Brooklyn - Lisa Schroeder

Restless souls and empty hearts

Brooklyn can't sleep.  Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just died of an overdose.  Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there waiting for her.  She has no idea what he wants, or why it isn't Lucca visiting her dreams.

Nico can't stop.  He's always running, trying to escape the pain of losing his brother, Lucca.  But when Lucca's ghost begins leaving messages telling Nico to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.

As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn.  But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted.  Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.

Visit Lisa Schroeder's website for more information

Review:
Brooklyn's boyfriend Lucca died a year ago but she can't let go of his memory and isn't coping well, then her friend Gabe also dies and she finds things even harder.  When Gabe's ghost starts haunting her she has nobody to turn to and can't understand why this is happening to her.  Ever since Nico lost his brother Lucca he has been running, hoping to escape his memories and the pain.  But now Lucca's ghost is leaving him messages asking him to help Brooklyn.  What does he mean and how can Nico help Brooklyn when he isn't coping with his own grief?

Chasing Brooklyn is the first verse novel I've ever read, to be honest I wasn't sure if I'd like that style of story but I was curious enough to want to give it a try.  When I first started reading I didn't think it was going to be for me as it felt so different to reading a normal book but within about 15-20 pages I'd got into the rhythm and the story got it's claws into me.  I then found I couldn't put it down, I kept thinking just a few more pages and I'll stop reading but the next thing I knew I found myself at the end of the book.  It really was a quick read but that doesn't make it any less special.

If you've ever lost someone that you love, be it a family member or a friend, then I'm sure you'll find it easy to relate to both Brooklyn and Nico.  They are both struggling to cope with the empty space Lucca has left in their lives.  Neither of them really feel they have anyone they can turn to so the connection between them builds really quickly when they start talking.  Although both of them deal with things in different ways it was easy to see their pain and I really felt it alongside them.

Chasing Brooklyn is a powerful story about love, loss and grief but it also has a very positive theme about moving on with life.  People often say "things will get better in time" and that never seems believable when you're in a difficult situation or have lost someone you love but this novel helps to show that it really is true.  It may not be easy to see a way forward but you just have to take one step at a time and when you least expect it you'll suddenly find the light at the end of the tunnel.

I have to say that I don't think verse novels are going to be for everyone but if you've never tried reading one before Chasing Brooklyn would be a good one to start with.  Lisa Schroeder has a style of writing that sucks you in and I found the story more powerful in verse than it probably would have been as a standard novel.  This may be the first book I've read by this author but it definitely won't be the last and I'd really recommend that everyone give it a try. 

Source: Received as part of a book tour arranged by International Book Tours, this book has already been sent on to it's next destination.

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