Happy Birthday, Ticket to Mars by Kieran Fanning!

Whose up for some more science fiction goodness? Today's read heads to Mars and should hold a dystopian touch. While it's sold as 'children' fiction, I'm getting Tween vibes from the blurb.  I'm expecting adventure and mystery, since this is about a 13-year-old chasing a thief and finding out more about himself. Or something like that. I try not to dive in too deep before reading these to keep my expectations pretty wide open. At 200 pages, it's not overly long, so I'm hoping that's a plus. Otherwise...

Let's open it up and see what the stars hold!

TICKET TO MARS

by Kieran Fanning

Our Street Books

Tween Science Fiction

200 pages

If a thief stole your dreams, would you travel to Mars to get them back?

Thirteen-year-old Veon Windbourne dreams of escaping the flooded ruins of Newer York for the gleaming city of Harmonia on planet Mars. When he discovers a hidden fortune, hope finally feels within reach - until it is stolen. Desperate for justice, Veon follows the trail of the thief to the red planet, but Mars isn’t the paradise he imagined, and if Veon wants to reclaim his future, he’ll have to fight for it. A thrilling tale of courage, survival, and the fight for justice in a world where only the rich can escape.

    GOODREADS   /  PUBLISHER

 

MY TIDBITS

Tension rises as every page discloses a little more about the dangerous lies behind living on Mars and Veon's difficult past.

Veon and his mother were just about to reach their dream of leaving the dismal and heavily class-orientated life on Earth for a more ideal one on Mars. But shortly before they could go, their chance was stolen away. Veon knows exactly who's responsible and is determined to seek revenge, especially since his mother now suffers from mental issues and has been admitted to a very questionable hospital to get 'help'. The first step takes him to Mars, and it's probably the easiest. When he gets there, he knows he might have trouble finding the culprit and dishing out revenge, but Veon is not prepared for what really exists on Mars. Instead of a societal paradise, everything is dictated and controlled. Every move he makes is monitored and recorded to ensure that each person is doing their job to benefit society...and that means adding or subtracting points. Even letting the water run a little too long in the shower can demote an individual's status and rights. After earning a few, first credits, Veon heads to the market area, but an explosion in the market leads to a brief meeting with a rebel, opening him up to an entirely new problem. Soon, Veon finds himself swept up in a possible rebellion that he isn't even sure he wants to be a part of, especially since he still only intends to pursue his original gaol, but that might not only be harder than he thought, he might not survive long enough to complete it.

This is a quick-paced read with more going on than the first glance at 200-pages would suggest. Even the world building doesn't suffer from this shorter, scifi length, but rather, is well done and holds depth. The author switches between backflashes and Veon's adventure on Mars every other chapter. At first, I thought this might hurt the flow, but the two directions work nicely, side-by-side. Veon's adventure on Mars builds with a steady pace, starting with the last dangers of the Mars' travel and allowing the new world and the first hints of its darker side to sink in. It builds tension without a hint of boredom. The flashbacks are just as grabbing and bring the difficult life Veon faced on Earth as well as his personality to life. This also allows a bit of familiarity to come across so that the reader can better connect with Veon. Despite the very different world and circumstances, he's a fairly normal 13-year-old. There are many secrets and layers, which slowly unfold as the tale progresses, and this opens up to action and danger. 

The writing works very well for the 10 to 14 age group, although older readers are sure to enjoy the tight weave and tension, too. The vocabulary and such place this at a comfortable reading level, making it accessible for those, whose reading skills are by no means low but might not feel as comfortable in longer, in-depth YA reads. But even solid readers will have no problem sinking in as this is well done. Science Fiction fans who enjoy quick-paced reads, action, and secret agendas, are sure to enjoy this one. 

And here he is...

Kieran Fanning is a children’s author and primary school teacher in County Meath, Ireland. His first publications were a series of four Middle Grade books called CODECRACKERS which were published by Mentor Books in Dublin. The series was also published in America and the Czech Republic. More recently, he published THE BLACK LOTUS with Chicken House in the UK, but also in Germany and America. It was shortlisted for the Leeds Book Awards, The Brilliant Book Award and The Bangkok Book Awards. IRISH FAIRY TALES, MYTHS AND LEGENDS, was published by Scholastic. This was followed by a self published Middle Grade adventure called THE ARRIVAL. HAUNTED IRELAND, is a book of ghost stories from every county in Ireland and was published by Gill in 2024. A sequel called ENCHANTED IRELAND will be published in October 2025. TICKET TO MARS will be published by Collective Ink in 2026. For further information on the author or his books, please see my website www.kieranfanning.com.

Lila Makes a Monster by Laurie Elmquist

I love the look of the crazy, little inventor on this cover, and if it involves a monster, even better! Today's read doesn't hit the shelves until mid-September, but I find it nice to know what's on the up and coming lists. Let's see if this one will be a winner or not.

LILA MAKES A MONSTER

by Laurie Elmquist

Illustrated by Anna Bron

Orca Publishing

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING SEPTEMBER 15th!!!

It's a rainy day, and Lila is bored. Then she gets an idea: she can build a monster friend!

She uses bits and pieces she's collected, like bolts and hinges and coils and―eureka!―with a bolt of lightning, he comes to life. Soon Lila and Monster are bouncing on the bed, making sticky slime and munching on cereal straight from the box.

But when Monster accidentally makes a big mess, Dad comes running, and he can't help but be alarmed. Lila realizes it might be time to send Monster packing. Still, there couldn't be any harm in leaving her window open a crack. And perhaps she could save some of her sandwich...just in case a friend drops by.

GOODREADS     /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

A little imagination, tinkering, and chaotic moments lead to an unique tale with a monsterly twist.

It's storming outside and Lila is bored, but suddenly, she has an idea about what she can do. Digging out her collection of springs, hinges, and such from under her bed, she begins to build and construct. The end result is a square-headed monster. The real surprise comes whenT lightning brigthens the sky outside and her monster comes to life. Now, she has a friend to play with! From bouncing on the bed to heading downstairs for a snack, the two are anything but bored. Unfortunately, though, this monster might be a bit clumsy and cause a few mishaps.

The read begins with the inventor spirit and inspires as Lila lets her crafting skills flow freely. It's a little invitation for readers to let their own imaginations take flight and allow their creative juices get to work. The moment Lil'as monster comes to life, the humor introduces humor and fun let giggles glow...and that with a light sense of caution. This monster is awkward and causes a few, big messes. So while scenes are funny, they also hold a bit of 'oh-no' expectation. This is true with the last large mess the monster makes, and here, the fun ends as the message of consequences kicks in. It's also at this point, where things steered away from the lighter fun. Instead, the message surrounding consequences and knowing when to let go fliters in, and the light-heartedness sinks away. I wondered a bit as Lila seems to turn against her created friend. So, I do recommend adults read through this first to make sure it heads as they hope. It does end on positive notes of kindness and friendship.

The illustrations are well done and bring each character and scene to life. The monster has a friendly appearance and is clearly built together in a creative way. Even when mishaps happen, it comes from sheer clumsy awkwardness without any bad intentions. Readers might even wish they could have that monster as their own friend, too. The text flows well for the age group and creates a lovely read aloud. Those readers, who have a good grip on their words, will be able to pick it up on thier own. 

It's a fun read about friendship with a big nod to creativity, while also working in food for thought about consequences when things go wrong.

And here they are...

Laurie Elmquist is the author of several books for young readers including Where's Burgess? which was short-listed for both the Chocolate Lily Award and the Silver Birch Award. She holds an MA in Literature and creative writing from the University of Windsor in Ontario and has been published in several magazines and anthologies. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

Anna Bron was born in Russia and immigrated to Canada when she was nine years old. She was lucky enough to have parents who nurtured and encouraged a career in art. She attended art school in her teens, and then went on to study traditional hand-drawn animation at Sheridan College. Not long after graduating she became a freelance illustrator and animator, working on a broad range of projects, from illustrating children’s books and magazines to animating, designing and directing commercials and short films. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Golden Boy by A.J. Symon

GOLDEN BOY

by A.J. Symon

Simon & Schuster 

YA Fantasy

288 pages

COMING AUGUST 25th!!!

When the beloved family golden retriever becomes human, a girl’s relationships with her family and herself transform in ways she never thought possible in this heartwarming and funny young adult novel.

Science-obsessed, teen-genius Emma Branch is used to being the odd one out—in her family, among her classmates, and in her small town that only ever seems to care about football. She doesn’t mind being all alone; in fact, she prefers it. Besides, who needs friends when she has a best friend already—her golden retriever, Hudson.

But when Hudson gets into an accident, Emma can’t bear to lose her only friend. Luckily, she’s been working on an experimental substance for her school science project that could help him out. All it was supposed to do was heal Hudson, not…turn him human?!

Emma, her family, and the whole town is about to learn just how a golden retriever can change hearts and minds for the better—that is, after causing a big, old mess first.

PUBLISHER     /    GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

With feel-good vibes, a touch of humor, and tons of heart, this is a read to make a person smile, add a tiny bit of food for thought, and simply entertain in a wholesome way.

Emma dances to her own tune in her little town, not that it's an easy thing to do in a place where everyone'tws life seems to hover around football. Even her own family fits into that slot, which leaves her, as a science fan, a little on her own. Luckily, she has Hudson, her golden retriever and very best friend. So, when he's wounded in a car accident, she's devastated and will do anything to save him. As fate would have it, she's been experimenting on an idea for a new drug for a school project, and while it isn't fine-tuned, yet, it appears to be Hudson's only hope. When it suddenly turns him into a human, though, she's out of her league and isn't sure what to do. But Hudson might be the fresh air the town needs most.

In a time where most young adult literature delves into heavy messaging or darker directions, this is a refreshing twist. The characters come across with a sense of reality...as if they live right down the block. The dialogue flows smoothly and lets each personality come across clearly. Emma carries just enough of the 'outsider' feel to garner sympathy but not so much that it falls into the victim or bullying zone. Instead, she's pretty based with just enough uncertainty to fit right into the age group and make her relateable. She is a little young at 11 for the young adult audience, so I would mark this one more as a tween read. Her concerns are understandable, and while some of the science does push beyond reality, it does so with finesse to weave in imagination and possibility. It's a read which warms like a hug, yet adds enough tension, humor, and surprises to keep the pages turning. It makes an enjoyable, summer tale for readers who simply want to be entertained, feel good, and smile.

And here he is...

A.J. Symon lives in Barnesville, Georgia, with his family, which includes several golden retrievers, including descendants of the real-life Hudson on which Golden Boy is based.

Kingdom Unraveled by Mariana DiMercurio

Today's read seems to take a slightly unique direction into the kidlit realm. It's a middle grade graphic novel, which swings into the fantasy direction. What makes it unique is the main character. It's an old woman, and she's been chosen to save the world. I'm expecting humor, fun adventure, unexpected moments, and maybe, a subtle wisdom to slip inside, too.

But let's open it up and find out, shall we?

KINGDOM UNRAVELED

by Mariana DiMercurio

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Fantasy   /   Graphic Novel

224 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING JULY 28th!!!

One unlikely champion. One quest to save the kingdom. Two knitting needles.

For lovers of Amulet comes a new full-color graphic novel for kids with an unlikely hero. Jo's life is changed forever when she is made the new Champion—the person tasked with saving the Kingdom from the insidious evil that's mysteriously taking over. She'll have to tap into her own bravery and wisdom and start on a quest through the kingdom unlike any other!

Jo is a 70-year-old woman who lives in a quiet life in her village, with just her knitting needles and nature to keep her company. But when a mystical guardian knocks on her door one day, Jo is tasked as the new Champion. With help from her snarky friend Roy—whose goals seem to suspiciously align perfectly with hers—she’ll have to do what no other champion has been able to save the Kingdom (and her family) from certain demise.

Featuring the exclusive, never-before-published ending to the popular online story, Kingdom Unraveled is an original graphic novel packed with humor and heart!

GOODREADS     /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Champions come in all shapes, ages, and sizes, and this calm, grandmotherly woman proves it.

Josephine, aka Jo, lives a peaceful life in her little hut out in the country and enjoys her days knitting and such. When a mysterious, spirit-like figure appears in her livingroom and tells her she's the new champion with the task of saving the kingdom, she simply agrees without a hint of fuss, gets out of her blanketed chair, and calmly takes on the challenge. The magical ax she receives sets the tone as it offers magical and powerful, fighting possibilities...but doesn't really fit to her and her small, knitting needles. With grandmotherly familiarity, she packs a few things and calmly heads out onto her journey. In one of the nearby towns, she runs across Roy, a wanted thief, and cunningly befriends him with a little bit of cleverness and heart. Together, the two continue the adventure, coming up against dangerous and deadly foes, difficult situations, and all sorts of good and bad individuals and creatures. All the while, Jo faces everything in the way she knows best...and that has nothing to do with the usual Champion heroism that everyone expects. But her subtle approach carries its own magic. The question remains, though, if she can really defeat a gigantic, very evil, and deadly beast.

This read was as warm, adventurous, and enjoyable as I hoped it'd be.  Jo embodies all those wonderful traits that seem to accompany the idea of a sweet, elderly, and slower paced grandmother. She's kind, carries years of wisdom, and is weathered by enough experience to rarely let anything bother her. While her, obvious, difference to usual heros already offers a huge stage for humor and heart, she also carries some secrets, which aren't truly revealed but hinted at. There's more to her story, but it only drips in here and there to add a small sense of mystery. Readers will be won over by her inviting and warm attitude, but still remain curious to see how she handles each situation because they aren't tame. She is up against deadly obstacles such as giant, killer spiders, dragons, wrait-like creatures and more. While Jo isn't the average hero, the opponents do carry the same danger and deadliness as is often seen in a graphic novel in this direction. Tension is there and even action, but it's tackled with a different twist. That makes this a gripping read while adding smiles, fun and heart.

Each character holds a rich background, and these aren't fully exposed but rather leave lots of room for  the series. This is especially true of her friend, Roy, who begins as a snarky theif and slowly becomes a true partner. But his tale is, obviously, just beginning as the ending brings some new insight as well as nods to more secrets. 

The graphics are well done and the text fits nicely to the middle grade audience. I was surprised how quickly this tale flows, since it's very easy to get caught up into Jo and the various problems her and Roy face. There are messages surrounding friendship, kindness, and more to match the wholesome direction, but these don't overtake Jo's adventure or plot. Rather, it adds to her character and promises more exciting adventures to come.

Have You Ever Heard A Whale Exhale? by Caroline Woodward

I'm super behind with today's post...but here, it is! This is a picture book about the ocean, and summer is definitely a wave and beach friendly time of year. So, I thought I'd take a peek at this.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD A WHALE EXHALE?

by Caroline Woodward

Illustrated by 

Claire Watson

Pownal Street Press

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

This fanciful coastal adventure for kids of all ages brings the senses to life!

In this splash of a tale, author Caroline Woodward and illustrator Claire Watson take us on an exploratory journey from sun-warmed rocks to crackling campfires, from below the waves to up in the sky. The book will have readers leaping with the dolphins and barking with the sea lions. On a journey of touch, taste, sight and smell, this whale of a tale urges littles to explore their surroundings and put their imaginations to work.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Seemingly silly questions open up to a little thought and tons of smiles in this lovely visit to the ocean and various creatures living in, around, and above it..

These pages take readers on a visitation to various ocean creatures....but not in the normal, expected way. With a playful, rhyming text, each sea creature is showcased on a two-page spread. From whales to octopi, several, popular spieces join the list. Unlike many books which center on sea life, this one adds a slight fantasy twist. Each creature is presented doing something completely unexpected, such as playing 'spy-hop' or dancing. Sometimes, the creatures are presented in their watery habitat, while others join more human settings such as sitting at a table. Every page is different in the amount of fantasy it holds, making sure every turn opens to a surprise. Combined with the vibrant and lovely illustrations, it creates a very entertaining read.

The text flows mostly smoothly as it asks the reader a silly questions similar to the one in the title: 'Have you ever heard a whale exhale?'. While humorous, these also can be a little thought evoking and even, sometimes, carry a little fact or two. Giggles and smiles are guaranteed as listeners/readers look at sea life from a different perspective. It awakens awareness for the vast variety of life surrounding the ocean, while keeping fun front and center.

It makes a nice read-aloud for group settings and is sure to get the word 'again'.