A Crafter Hooks a Killer by Holly Quinn

 A Crafter Hooks a Killer by Holly Quinn, 336 pages

When a famous crafter is murdered, Sammy Kane and her S.H.E.s are on the case, but get the surprise of their lives when they realize the murder is closely linked to another death that hits closer to home.

When I picked this book up, I didn't realize it was the second of a series; however, it wasn't hard to parse the characters, their relationships, etc. The story and many of its elements were distressingly generic, and often times problematic (the main character is subconsiously obsessed with the size of every one she meets). I wanted to love this book because I loved the idea of a cozy murder mystery based on various fiber arts but I couldn't.

In the end what kept me goingg was Alan Moore's advice to "read terrible books... because they can be more inspiring by analyzing why they are doing so badly."

 

Monster Blood III (Goosebumps #29) by R.L. Stine

 Monster Blood III (Goosebumps #29) by R.L. Stine-123 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Evan can't stand baby-sitting his genius cousin, Kermit. Kermit refuses to play video games. He won't even play Frisbee! All he likes to do is hang out in the basement doing strange experiments and playing mean practical jokes on Evan and his friend Andy.

But now Andy's found something that will teach Kermit a lesson once and for all.

It's green. It's slimy. And it comes in a can marked...Monster Blood!

Thoughts: I enjoyed the previous two entries in this series within a series. This one is good, too. I like the twist at the end. I would have been annoyed if I had a cousin (or other kid) I was babysitting that behaved like Kermit. 

​Christina's Ghost by Betty Ren Wright

​Christina's Ghost by Betty Ren Wright, 105 pages

Christina's vision of a wonderful summer spent on her grandmother's farm is dashed to pieces and instead she's forced into a delapitated house with her grumpy Uncle Ralph. Turns out the house is haunted by a timid little boy... and something angry in the attic.

The thing I enjoyed most about this book was the fact Uncle Ralph eventually believes Christina, to the point that he actively helps Christina to investigate the ghost. In so many of Wright's other books (I am thinking specifically of The Dollhouse Murders and The Ghost of Mercy Manor) where the adults completely ignored it and/or punished the children for lying. I still feel the sting of those accusations that rankled my much younger self.

 

William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream by Bruce Coville

William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream by Bruce Coville, 48 pages

I was actually looking for a completely different book by Bruce Coville when I stumbled upon this truncated children's version of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Now, it must be acknowledged that I am not a Shakespeare scholar by any stretch of the imagination but rather an enthusastic casual admirer. 

However, I thought this adaptation was simply fantastic. The illustrations are captivating, especially those of Puck. The story itself is well told for a younger audience who isn't quite ready to parse the full play; in fact, some of the book was directly quoted from the play, which gave the whole thing a full effect. I was so pleased with this rendition that I ordered a copy of every Coville version of Shakespeare that's available in Missouri Evergreen. 

 

Queen of Shadows

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas | 689 pages | 2015

Celaena Sardothien has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

Everyone Aelin loves has been taken from her. Everything she holds dear is in danger. But she has the heart of a queen-and that heart beats for vengeance.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #5)

The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene 

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #5, 160 pages

⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Nancy Drew is in Arizona. She's been invited to spend a short vacation at Shadow Ranch which is outside Phoenix. She soon discovers that it's having problems. A phantom horse has been seen racing through the nearby meadows, and there's been malicious damage to the buildings and fences. Could it all relate to a treasure hidden somewhere on the ranch by that 19th century outlaw, Dirk Valentine?

Find It! Explore It! Ocean by National Geographic Kids

 Find It! Explore It! Ocean by National Geographic Kids - 48 pages

Goodreads:

This unique search-and-find adventure lets kids explore and learn about the objects and creatures they find and their habitats with fun facts and awesome photographs.

This fact-filled, search-and-find adventure activity book takes kids under the sea in search of more than 250 hidden pictures of narwhals, sharks, sea turtles, sunken treasures, and more.

Kids will dive into incredible ocean scenes, from tropical coral reefs to Antarctic penguin colonies to the deep, dark bottom of the sea. Each location is illustrated with lush, jam-packed art, with plenty of marine animals and fascinating objects to spot.

But that's not Turn the page, and find stunning, full-color photographs of the creatures and habitats just spotted, as well as awesome information and fun facts about them.

The perfect boredom-buster for curious kids and animal lovers, this interactive book will keep young readers entertained as they learn!