Early Reader Series - WHO WAS Biographies by Various Authors

Who Was Abraham Lincoln? (2008) 5.5 - 720L
Who Was Albert Einstein? 2002 (Brallier/Parker) 5.8 - R - 810L
Who Was Alexander Graham Bell? (2014) 720L
Who Was Amelia Earhart? (2002) 4.3 - 610L
Who Was Anne Frank? (2007) 4,6 - N - 660 L
Who Was Annie Oakley? (2002) 5.8 - 0 - 870L
Who Was Babe Ruth? (2012) 690L
Who Is Barack Obama? (2009) 5.1 - Q - 740L
Who Were the Beatles? (2006) 4.5 - R - 670L
Who Was Ben Franklin? (2002) 4.4 - S - ?????????????
Who Is Bill Gates? (2013) 720L
Who Was Charles Darwin? (2005) 5.1 - P - 760L
Who Was Christopher Columbus? (2013) 640L
Who Was Clara Barton? (2014) 960L
Who Was Claude Monet? (2009) 4.7 - 740L
Who Was Daniel Boone? (2006) 4.5 - N - 620L
Who Was Dr. Seuss? (2011) 5.3 - 820L
Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt? (2004) 4.5 - P - 620L

Who Was Elvis Presley? (2007) 4.2 - O - 610L
Who Was Ferdinand Magellan? (2004) 5.0 - 710L
Who Was Franklin Roosevelt? (2010) 710L
Who Was Frida Kahlo? (2013) ????????
Who Is George Lucas? (2014) 930L
Who Was George Washington? (2009) 5.0 - 720L
Who Was Harriet Tubman? (2002) 4.6 - R - 650L
Who Was Harry Houdini? (2002) 5.8 - R - 780L
Who Was Helen Keller? (2003) 4.1 - Q - 570L
Who Is J. K. Rowling? (2012) 860L
Who Was Jackie Robinson? (2010) 4.5 - S - 670L
Who Is Jane Goodall?  (2012) 700L
Who Was Jim Henson? (2012) 4.9 - 750L
Who Was John F. Kennedy? (2004) 5.8 - N - 790L
Who Was Johnny Appleseed? (2005) 5.1 - Q -  790L
Who Was King Tut? (2006) 4.9 - S - 690L

Who Was Laura Ingalls Wilder? (2013) 710L
Who Was Leonardo daVinci? (2005) 4.7 - N - 650L
Who Was Louis Armstrong? (2004) 5.2 - O - 780L
Who Was Louis Braille? (2014) 780L
Who Was Marco Polo? (2007) 5.2 - R - 780L
Who Is Maria Tallchief? (2002) 5.1 - R - 740L
Who Was Mark Twain? (2004) 6.1 - P - 910L
Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.? (2007) 5.2 - 750L
Who Was Maurice Sendak? (2013) 820L
Who is Neil Armstrong? (2008) 5.4 - 810L
Who Was Nelson Mandela? (2014) 850L
Who Was Pablo Picasso? (2009) 4.6 - 700L
Who Was Paul Revere? (2011) 4.8 - U - 710L
Who Was Queen Elizabeth? (2008) 5.3 - 750L
Who Was Roald Dahl? (2012) 670L
Who Was Roberto Clemente? (2014) ???????????
Who Was Ronald Reagan? (2004) 5.4 - P - 780L
Who Was Rosa Parks? (2010) 4.8 - S - 700L
Who Was Sacagawea? (2002) 4.4 - N - 650L
Who Was Sally Ride? (2013) 800L
Who Was Sitting Bull? (2014) ???????????

Who Was Steve Jobs? (2012) 660 L
Who Is Steven Spielberg? (2013) 940L
Who Was Thomas Alva Edison? (2005) 5.3 - O - 790L
Who Was Thomas Jefferson? (2003) 5.3 - P - 680L
Who Was Walt Disney? (2009) 4.9 - 720L
Who Was William Shakespeare? (2006) 4.8 - N - 690L
Who Was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? (2002) 5.3 - N - 790L

Early Reader Series - Stink by Megan McDonald

Stink Series
by Megan McDonald
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Candlewick
(Reading Levels 2.5 - 3.0, Lexiles 480-580, Levels L, M, N)

These books have references to poetry, figurative language, research....and they're REALLY well written. James Moody ("Stink") is Judy Moody's younger brother. She figures prominently in the book. "You're only as short as you feel." How can you beat that? The illustrations are the same as Judy Moody. Black and white and fun.

1. Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid, 2005
2. Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker, 2006
3. Stink and the World's Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers, 2007
4. Stink and the Great Guinea Pig Express, 2008

Early Reader Series - My Weird School by Dan Gutman

Illustrated aby Jim Paillot
Harper Trophy
Ages 7-10

A. J. hates school. He is in the second grade at Ella Mentry School. But he sure runs into some interesting people there! Funny and charming.

1-Miss Daisy is Crazy! (the teacher) 2004, 86 pgs. 700L
2-Mr. Klutz in Nuts (the principal) 770L
3-Mrs. Roopy is Loopy (librarian) 680L
4-Ms. Hannah is Bananas! (art teacher) 590L
5-Miss Small is Off the Wall! (gym teacher) 660L
6-Mr. Hynde is Out of His Mind! (music teacher) 610L
7- Mrs. Cooney is Loony! (school nurse) 580L
8 - Ms. LaGrange is Strange! (lunch lady) 650L
9-Miss Lazar is Bizarre (custodian) 650L
10-Mr. Docker is off His Rocker! (science teacher) 580L
11-Mrs. Kormel is Not Normal! (bus driver) 640L
L12-Ms. Todd is Odd! (substitute teacher) 600L
13-Mrs. Patty is Batty! (Halloween) 630.L
14-Miss Holly is Too Jolly! (Christmas) 670L
15-Mr. Macky is Wacky (social studies teacher?) 620L
16-Ms. Coco is Loco (gifted & talented/poetry teacher) 2007, 102 pgs.
17-Miss Suki is Kooky! (famous author of endangered animals)
18-Mrs. Yonkers is Bonkers! (computer) 640L
19-Dr. Carbles is Losing His Marbles! (president of the Board of Ed.) 610L
20-Mrs. Louie is Screwy! (crossing guard)
21-Ms. Krup Cracks Me Up! (museum docent) 540L

......and ON TO THIRD GRADE ! ! ..........

MY WEIRD SCHOOL DAZE series
1-Mrs. Dole is Out of Control (PTA president) 610L
2-Mrs. Sunny is Funny (summer lifeguard) 510L
3-Mr. Granite is from Another Planet (3rd grade teacher) 580L
4-Coach Hyatt is a Riot (female Pee Wee footbal coach 530L
5-Officer Spense Makes No Sense! (security guard) 510L
6-Mrs. Jafee is Daffy! (vice principal) 580L
7-Dr. Brad Has Gone Mad! 540L
8-Miss Laney is Zany! 530L
9 - Mrs. Lizzy is Dizzy 610L
10. - Miss Mary is Scary 470L
11 - Mrs. Tony is Full of Baloney 620L
12 - Ms. Leakey is Freaky 550L

MY WEIRDER SCHOOL series
1 - Miss Child Has Gone Wild 600L
2 - Mr.Harrison is Embarrisin'
3 - Miss Lilly is Silly
4 - Mrs. Burke is Berserk
5 - Ms. Beard is Weird 650L
6 - Mayor Hubble is in Trouble
7 - Miss Kraft is Daft
8 - Dr. Nicholas is Ridiculous
9 - Ms. Sue Has No Clue
10 - Mrs. Jack is a Maniac
11 - Miss Klute is a Hoot
12 - Mrs. Lane is a Pain

MY WEIRDEST SCHOOL series
1 - Mr. Cooper is Super!

Early Reader Series - Mercy Watson by Kate Di Camillo

Illustrated by Chris VanDusen
Candlewick
(Reading Levels 1.9 - 2.3, Lexiles 380-390 Levels K+)

Kate DiCamillo has a Mercy Watson website that's full of fun.

Now here's a series where a clever, funny story and very clever, comical illustrations work together perfectly. Just perfectly. Such characters! Such humor. Great fun.Mercy Watson, a pig, a plain old non-talking, food-loving pig, lives with Mr. and Mrs. Watson in her own room with her own bed. She loves to eat and sleep and ... well, that's about it, I guess. But what an adventure she unwittingly gets herself into.

1. Mercy Watson to the Rescue (2005)
2. Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride (2006)
3. Mercy Watson Fights Crime (2006)
4. Mercy Watson, Princess in Disguise (2007)
5. Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig (2008)
6. Something Wonky This Way Comes (2009)

Early Reader Series - Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park

Illustrated by Denise Brunkus
Stepping Stone Books, Random House
for: ages 6-9 (Junie is in K and 1, see below)

Holy Cow, there looks like a LOT of stories in this series. The edition I read for my first book (#1, read 17 years after they were first published) had a page of stickers in the back. And the story was very, very funny!

Kindergarten:
1. Junie B. Jones & the Stupid Smelly Bus, 1992
2. Junie B. Jones & a Little Monkey Business
3. Junie B. Jones & Her Big Fat Mouth
4. Junie B. Jones & Some Sneeky Peeky Spying
5. Junie B. Jones & the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake
6. Junie B. Jones & That Meanie Jim's Birthday
7. Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warrn
8. Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed
9. Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook
10. Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal
11. Junie B. Jones Is a Beauty Shop Guy
12. Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy
13. Junie B. Jones Is (almost) a Flower Girl
14. Junie B. Jones & the Mushy Gushy Valentine
15. Junie B. Jones Has a Peep in her Pocket
16. Junie B. Jones Is Captain Field Day
17. Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl

First Grade
18. Junie B, First Grader (at last!)
19. Junie B, First Grader: Boss of Lunch
20. Junie B, First Grader: Toothless Wonder
21. Junie B, First Grader: Cheater Pants
22. Junie B, First Grader: One-Man Band
23. Junie B, First Grader: Shipwrecked
24. Junie B, First Grader: BOO...and I Mean It!
25. Junie B, First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (Ps So Does May)
26. Junie B, First Grader: Aloha-ha-ha
27. Junie B, First Grader: Dumb Bunny

Early Reader Series - Judy Moody by Megan McDonald

Judy Moody Series
by Megan McDonald
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Candlewick
Reading Levels Around 3rd for most

Judy Moody. Sure, I've heard of her for years. Many entering-fifth-grade-ers have been reading these books. I never had. No I have. JUDY MOODY IS A KICK! She is real, clever, imaginative, has lofty goals, smart, and is a fantastic friend (and sister!). She is also very, very funny. First class, top-notch writing, situations, artwork. Megan McDonald has a new fan. I want to read them all.
And, check out the Judy Moody website!!

1-Judy Moody (Was in a mood. Not a good mood. A bad mood.) 2000
2-Judy Moody Gets Famous, 2001
3-Judy Moody Saves the World, 2002
4-Judy Moody Predicts the Future, 2003
5-Judy Moody, M.D., The Doctor Is In, 2004
6-Judy Moody Declares Independence, 2005
7-Judy Moody Around the World in 8 1/2 Days, 2006

Judy Moody and Stink: The Holly Joliday
The Judy Moody Mood Journal
Judy Moody's Double-Rare Way-Not-Boring Book of Fun Stuff to Do

Early Reader Series - Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows

Ivy and Bean Series
by Annie Barrows
Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
For: 6-9 year olds

Annie Barrows has a great Ivy + Bean Website here!

These books are about two 7 year-olds: Bean is messy and lively and loves playing tricks. Ivy looks neat and bookish and boring. W R O N G! In these fast-paced, humorous stories, Ivy and Bean, fast friends, get themselves into such situations! Laugh-out-loud funny, very clever, and very real. No a bit boring or simplistic, either in writing style or plot. It doesn't talk down to kids at all. Totally delightful.

1. Ivy + Bean (2006) 2.7 - M - DRA 24 - 510L (here's a book trailer on YouTube!)
2. Ivy + Bean and the Ghost That Had to Go (2006) 3.2 - N - DRA 30 -  580L
3. Ivy + Bean Break the Fossil Record (2007) 2.7 - 520L
4. Ivy + Bean Take Care of the Babysitter (2008) 440L
5. Ivy + Bean: Bound to be Bad (2008) 2.7 - 500L
6. Ivy + Bean: Doomed to Dance (2009) 3.1 -  530L
7 - Ivy + Bean: What's the Big Idea? (2010) 3.2 - 550L
8 - Ivy + Bean: No News Is Good News (2011) 2.7 - 500L
9 - Ivy + Bean Make the Rules (2012)
10 - Ivy + Bean Take the Case (2013)

Early Reader Series - Cam Jansen by David Adler

Cam Jansen Series
by David Adler
Illustrated by Susanna Natti
(new cover art by Joy Allen)
For: 6-10 year olds
(Reading Levels 2.2-2.7, 480-500 Lexile, Level L, DRA 28)

Cam Jansen is a fifth grader with a photographic memory. She and her best friend Eric solve mystery after mystery using her talented mind.

1. Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds
2. Mystery of the U.F.O.
3. Mystery of the Dinosaur Bones
4. Mystery of the Television Dog
5. Mystery of the Gold Coins
6. Mystery of the Babe Ruth Baseball, 1982
7. Mystery of the Circul Clown
8. Mystery of the Monster Movie
9. Mystery of the Carnival Prize
10. Mysteryof teh Monkey House
11. Mystery of the Stolen Corn Popper
12. Mystery of Flight 54
13. Mystery of the Haunted House
14. The Chocolate Fudge Mystery
15. Triceratops Pops Mystery
16. The Ghostly Mystery
17. Scary Snake Mystery
18. Catnapping Mystery
19. Barking Treasure Mystery
20. Birthday Mystery
21. School Play Mystery
22. First Day of School Mystery
23. Tennis Trophy Mystery
24. Snowy Day Mystery
25. Valentine Day Mystery
26. Secret Service Mystery
27. Mystery Writer Mystery
28. The Green School Mystery
Specials: (3 Stories in One Book):
The Summer Camp Mysteries
Sports Day Mysteries

Illustrator Spree Overview

Any reader of children's picture books has their favorite illustrators.  Many of mine, I've discovered, are the author of their books as well!  In gratitude for their work, I'm going to devote some pages on just a few of the illustrators I love.

Bryan, Ashley
Diaz,, David
Gudeon, Karla
Halperin, Wendy Anderson
Jeffers, Oliver
Katz, Karen
Kleven, Elisa
Lehman, Barbara
Parr, Todd
Paschkis, Julie
Polacco, Patricia
Van Dusen, Chris
Winter, Jeanette

Illustrator Spree - Patricia Polacco

Birthday: July 11, 1944
Lives: in Michigan, I'm guessing.  She was born in Lansing.
          I have been a huge fan of Ms. Polacco for many years.  She's been writing - and illustrating - children's books for over 25 years and has written dozens and dozens of them.  Her stories are in-depth and fascinating, many based on true events from her own life. They are delightful and complete short stories, which I like to use to introduce my short story unit to my fourth graders as well as when I'm teaching both my memoir and historical fiction genre units.

Born and raised in Michigan, Patricia Polacco had a serious learning disability that prohibited her from learning to read until she was 14.  Hah!  Look at her now!  Bravo!

Her website includes all sorts of stuff for teachers and kids as well as an address and instructions about sending books for her to sign!  What a wonderful woman.

I've read a lot more than I've actually written a review for, so I think one of my goals for 2014 is to reread/read as many as I can find and add them to my blog.  That's a goal I'm really looking forward to!

Wow!  And every single one of them is AMAZING!!! I've read almost all of them, but I haven't reviewed too many.  So here I go!

Applemando's Dreams (1991)
Art of Miss Chew, The (2012)
Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair (1996)
Babushka Baba Yaga (1993)
Babushka's Doll (1990)
Babushka's Mother Goose (1995)
Bee Tree, The (1993)
Betty Doll (2001)
Blessing Cup, The (2013)
Boat Ride With Lillian Two Blossom (1989)
Bully (2012)
Bun Bun Button (2011)
Butterfly, The (2000)
Chicken Sunday (1992)
Christmas Tapestry (2002)

Clara and Davie (2014)  It's always fun to curl up with a new Patricia Polacco.  This one is a biography!  It's an insightful look at Clara Barton as a child, based on first hand knowledge from Polacco as she is related to the Bartons and is retelling a story that she knows. 


Emma Kate (2006)

Fiona's Lace (2014)  Polacco chronicles another family story - that of her great-great (I think) grandmother, who came as a child from Ireland knowing how to make beautiful lace.  It's an immigration story as well as the story of a family's love and perseverance in really tough times.



For the Love of Autumn (2008)
G is for Goat (2003)

Gifts of the Heart (2013)    A new Patricia Polacco!  As Christmas approaches, Trisha and Richie discover they have no money to purchase gifts for their family.  Enter Kay Lamaty, the new housekeeper, who teaches them that making your own gifts - and the amount of love that goea into it - makes Christmas even more special.A s much as I liked this, the story didn't "enchant" me as hers usually do.  That's not to say I didn't like it, but it didn't grab me and yell "hurrah".

Ginger and Petunia (2007)
Graves Family, The (2003)
Graves Family Goes Camping, The (2005)
I Can Hear the Sun (1996)
In Enzo's Splendid Gardens (1997)

In Our Mothers' House (2009) Told in the first person by the eldest of three adopted children, we watch her (she happens to be African American), Will (Asian American) and Millie (red-haired and freckled) grow up being raised by two mothers - Meema, a short, stout, pediatrician who loves to cook and sew and Marmee, a tall, thin organized fixer-upper who is a paramedic. Through 48 pages we watch the family grow, thrive, have fun, and love each other. It handles a neighbor-woman, unhappy with their relationship, lightly and well (because, unfortunately, the world has to deal with bigots and homophobes). This is a totally delightful story of a wonderful family and two mothers that will...and DO....do anything for their children. 

Junkyard Wonders, The (2010)  Patricia Polacco does it again - and of all her books - I do love 'em all - this is at the very top of my list. Why? It's about a very special teacher, which I think (as a teacher) is very cool. It's about a group of kids who are who they are -- they've had no choice in the matter. Whether they've got diabetes, tourettes, visual and/or physical handicaps, learning difficulties, they are all put into the same class. And they bond. They shine. They care about each other. And they're smart and special.
          This story is about how five kids - our author; Patricia Polacco, Thom, Gibbie, Jody, and Ravanna, prove the genius definition. It applies to all of them.  At the end - as an afterward - PP tells what became of her "tribe."  Simply wonderful storytelling.

January's Sparrow (2009) This story begins and ends in the voice of January, a black runaway slave that was captured, tortured, and put to death for his actions. Two days later, his adopted family, the Crosswhites, decided to run when they discovered their sons were to be sold away from them. The youngest was a girl named Sadie, and most of the story is told from her point-of-view. It's not an easy story. It tells of violence and hatred and ridiculous laws. It also tells of compassion and caring that travels well beyond the usual bonds of friendship.
          The Crosswhite family makes it safely to Marshall, Michigan, which is free. However, they are still runaway slaves and can be arrested and returned to their owners if they are caught. Marshall is a friendly town of blacks and whites living together, so they decide to stay and rest for awhile. Seasons come and go until they'v been there for four years, and a new baby girl has been born to the family. But then....yup....they are found by their viscious owner.

John Philip Duck (2004)
Just In Time, Abraham Lincoln (2011)
Just Plain Fancy (1990)
Keeping Quilt, The (1988)
Lemonade Club, The (2007)
Luba and the Wren (1999)
Meteor! (1987)

Mommies Say Shhh!! (2005)
I read the board book of 17 pgs, wonder if there's a 32-page companion?  This is a book about a farm and farm animals and the things that farm animals say.  Hardly any words (which is not the "usual" Patricia Polacco, but full of her illustrated masterpieces!





Mr. Lincoln's Way (2001)

Mr. Wayne's Masterpiece (2014)
      I wonder if Patricia Polacco has journals she kept from her childhood and young adult years?  Her memories seem so strong!  However, even with a flickering memory, a clever writer can embellish the remembered details and craft a story...and Polacco is the master of this.  So many of her wonderful picture books are based on her own memories, and here's another.  
     I love the idea that PEOPLE can be masterpieces, which is the premise of this story - taking a very shy girl and teaching her how to come out of herself on stage, and ultimately speaking in front of a very large crowd.
     This is a great model for teaching writing to kids, AND for kids with stage fright.

Mrs. Katz and Tush (1992)
Mrs. Mack (1998)
My Ol' Man (1995)
My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother (1994)
Oh, Look! (2004)

Orange for Frankie, An (2004) What a moving Christmas story!  I was actually a little teary at the end.  Based on a true story, as many of Ms. Polacco's are, this one was told by her grandmother and based on her grandmother's youngest brother.  It is a story from a hundred years ago, still being kept alive and honored by her entire family.  It is full of pictures of America's past. A large, hard-working family enjoys a simpler Christmas than we're used to, one steeped in traditions and hard work.  A completely lovely "short story," illuminated by Patricia Polacco's incredible art.  Loved it.

Picnic at Mudsock Meadow (1992)
Pink and Say (1994)
Rechenka's Eggs (1988)
Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare (2006)
Some Birthday! (1991)

Someone for Mr. Sussman (2008)  A young man tells the story of his Bubbie, who is a matchmaker in New York City. One of her clients is Mr. Sussman. But Mr. Sussman has no idea what he wants in a wife. He comes up with idea after idea, and after each one Bubbie complies - herself. But nothing makes him happy - perhaps because Bubbie goes so overboard. At the end, of course, Mrs. S. realizes his perfect wife was right there under his nose the whole time - Bubbie

Something About Hensley's (2006)
Thank You, Mr. Falker (1998)

Thunder Cake (1990) Another wonderful memory from Polacco - this time when an approaching storm at her grandmother's farm in Michigan terrorizes her, her Babushka shows her how to make a thunder cake, all the while assuring her and calming her through her fears.

Tivkah Means Hope (1994)

Trees of the Dancing Goats, The (1996)
Another memoir, told about "Trisha's" growing up on a farm in Michigan, when one winter all their neighbors, all Christian, came down with scarlet fever.at Christmastime.  Since they were unable to chop down and decorate trees, and even unable to cook for themselves, Grampa and Babushka cut down trees and decorated them with the handmade painted animals that Grampa had made for Hanukkah and delivered baskets of food containing chicken and latkas.  On the eighth night of Hanukkah, when the neighbors were finally back on their feet, they arrived with thanks and a hand-carved menorah, decorated with some of Grampa's carved animals.

Tucky Jo and Little Heart (2015)
     Based on a true story, we follow a 16 year old Kentucky boy go off to the Pacific during World War II.  While there he meets and takes care of a small native girls with whom he creates a strong attachment and remembers for all the rest of his life.

Uncle Vova's Tree (1989)
Welcome Comfort (1999)

When Lightning Comes in a Jar (2002)
     A young Patricia Polacco recalls their annual family reunion that includes jello salads and meatloaves, baseball games and croquet matches, photo albums and picture taking, stories told by the elders, catching fireflies, and spending special time with cousins, aunts, and uncles.  Then we see how those same family traditions continue as an older Patricia Polacco becomes one of the elder storytellers.  Lovely story: as usual with tots of text.

Patricia Polacco's Fantabulous Website

Patricia Polacco Curriculum Guide

Patricia Polacco on FaceBook

Series Synopsis - John Sandford

John Sandford (Camp)

Virgil Flowers
(I have such a crush on you, Virgil!)
Virgil is a one-man investigator that works for some sort of bureau in Minnesota.  His boss is Lucas Davenport (of the Prey series).  He always wears tee shirts - of obscure bands  - gets along great with the ladies - and uses methods that are....unusual....to get answers.  He's funny and very, very cute (at least in my head).

Although John Sandford (real name: John Camp) sets his Virgil Flowers (and his Lucas Davenport) books in Minnesota, he appears to reside in New Mexico for part of the year, And whenever I read his Facebook entry, he's listening to another musician I've never heard of.  He's definitely given the same musical attributes to Virgil!

1 - Dark of the Moon (2004) This is about multiple murders in small-town Bluestem, Minnesota.

2 - Heat Lightning (2008) This is the one about guys being shot in the head and left to be found with lemons in their mouths - the first one, at least, found at the base of a Veteran's Memorial.

3 - Rough Country (2009) Virgil's investigations take him this time to an idyllic resort beside one of his favorite fishing places - a resort that caters primarily to lesbians.

4 - Bad Blood (2010) Virgil helps small-town southern Minnesota Sheriff Lee Coaklee investigate murders that seem to be tied to a secretive, religious-cult-like church, where men marry women that are barely past girlhood.

5 - Shock Wave (2011) This is the one about Pyemart coming into a small town and building a new store...and someone keeps setting up deadly explosions to thwart it.  We're able to get into the mind of the bomber every few chapters.  This one totally keeps you guessing all along the way.

6 - Mad River (2012) Once the first murder is committed, three teenagers decide they're already in so deep, what do they have to lose, why not keep on going?

7 - Storm Front (2013) A terminally ill minister steals a stela from Israel and brings it back to Minnesota to try to sell it for millions to pay for the long-term care his Alzheimer-ridden wife will need after he dies.

8 -  Deadline (October 7,  2014)

John Sandford website
John Sandford on Facebook
Here's an article from July, 2014 that gives a great look inside some of John Sandford's "personal" stuff....

Series Synopsis - Marissa Meyer

Marissa Mayer

The Lunar Chronicles
In a futuristic world, the people of Lunar (the moon) are ruled by an extremely cruel and horrible woman, Queen Levana.  She wants to take over Earth.  Years before, she murdered her niece, the Princess Selene, who was supposed to become the next ruler.  However, the niece did not die.  She came very close, but she is alive and hasn't a clue who she really is.  She lives on Earth with little or no memory of her past, being raised as a more-or-less servant with a "wicked stepmother" and two stepsisters.....

The entire series is based loosely on fairy tales.  It's fun to notice the similarities.

1 - Cinder (2012) Based on Cinderella. Cinder is being raised by a guardian who despises her in New Beijing.  She is part cyborg - and hated by anyone who knows it.  She is an excellent mechanic and because of this meets handsome Prince Kai who has just become king. Sparks fly. (Literally.....)  Cinder discovers who she REALLY is and then has to run for her life.

2 - Scarlet (2013) Based on Little Red Riding Hood. Although some of the book keeps taking us back to Cinder and her plight, we now meet Scarlet, whose grandmother has been kidnapped.  Scarlet is distraught and in her quest to find her meets a handsome young fighter named Wolf who is not who or what he says he is. The setting goes from the French countryside to Paris.  At the end of the story, Scarlet and Wolf join up with Cinder....

3 - Cress - Currently reading

4 -Winter - not yet published

5 - Fairest

She has also written a number of short stories, all based on fairy tales, and all taking place within the setting of the Lunar Chronicles.

Glitches (prequel to Cinder)
The Queen's Army (prequel to Scarlet)
The Little Android (Based on the Little Mermaid)

Marissa Meyer lives in Spokane, Washington with her husband and three cats.  She was born in 1984.

Marissa Meyer's website.
Marissa Meyer on Facebook
The Lunar Chronicles on Facebook

Series Synopsis - John Verdon

Jon Verdon's writing is mesmerizing.

Dave Gurney
Retired NYPD homicide detective now living in upstate New York with his wife, Madeline. I don't know why he retired...very young...because all he really wants to do is solve mysteries.  He's quite brilliant when it comes to solving any puzzling murder, although his wife is never very happy when he takes them on - after all, he's supposed to be retired!

1 - Think of a Number (2010) Mark Mellery, an old college friend of Dave Gurney, approaches him with a perplexing problem.  He's been receiving threatening poems in the mail.....

2 - Shut Your Eyes Tight (2011) Beautiful Jillian Perry is discovered, by her new husband, decapitated at her own wedding reception.  This one's a real puzzler...

3 - Let the Devil Sleep (2012) Gurney is talked into helping the daughter (Kim) of a friend as she prepares a tv show about families left behind after their loved ones are killed in unsolved murders.

4 - Peter Pan Must Die (2014) Gurney's annoying sometimes-sidekick, Jack Hardwick, pulls him into  a murder that has already been "solved" - wrongly.  Kay Spalter supposedly shot her husband, a senator-to-be, as he was about to give the eulogy at his mother's funeral.

John Verdon's webpage
John Verdon's Facebook page

Series Synopses OVERVIEW

There are several series out there that just keep on getting better and better!  (Unfortuantely, the opposite is also true.)

My own personal favorites are YA Dystopia and Adult Murder Mysteries.  I also read a number of children's book series, to be able to recommend to my fourth graders.

I'm going to try, once a week or so, to reflect on some of them...good and bad.  I'll list the ones I'm interested in creating, and once they become BOLD and UNDERLINED, they will be linked to the review!  Fun stuff.....

Black, J. Carson - LAURA CARDINAL and CYRIL LANDRY (Arizona)
Castillo, Linda (my favorite, at this very moment....) KATE BURKHOLDER (Amish Ohio)
Crais, Robert - ELVIS COLE & JOE PIKE (LA)
Meyer, Marissa - THE LUNAR CHRONICLES (YA Dystopia)
Sandford, John - VIRGIL FLOWERS (Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Investigation)
Verdon, John - DAVE GURNEY (Upstate New York)

Series Synopsis - J. Carson Black

J. Carson Black, Tucson writer

Laura Cardinal
Arizona Dept. of Public Safety Investigator
Bisbee/Tucson

1 - Darkness on the Edge of Town (2005) TPPL has (READ and rated a 5 - but this was before I started keeping track of my reviews and I only remember a little bit about it.  Time to reread!)
2 - Dark Side of the Moon (2006) TPPL has
3 - The Devil's Hour (2007) (Kindle)
4 - Cry Wolf (2013) (Kindle only?)
Flight 12 (Part of a Flight 12 Series by 12 famous mystery writers) a novella (2014 Kindle edition)

Cyril Landry
ex-Navy Seal now mercenary

1 - The Shop (2011) TPPL has, both in HC and CD - I listened
2 - Hard Return (2014)

Other books by J. Carson Black (according to Goodreads)

2013 - The Survivor's Club (standalone paperback) TPPL has
2013 - Roadside Attraction (Maggie O'Neil Mystery Book 1 - probation officer in Tombstone, AZ, Kindle))
2012 - Icon (standalone paperback) TPPL has
2012 - Superstitions (an historical novel written under the name Annie McKnight about 1901 Superstition Mountains - near Phoenix)
2011 - Dark Horse
2011 - The Desert Waits (I'm pretty sure she wrote this using the pseudonym Margaret Falk and that I've got a copy of it somewhere.  It's also on Kindle)
2011 - The Blue Light Special (2 Short Stories on Kindle with only mediocre reviews)
2011 - Pony Rides (18 pgs. short story, Kindle)
2010 - Darkscope -(Bisbee full-length ghost story, Kindle)

J. Carson Black website.
J. Carson Black blog