CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS
Set in Canada in the early 1900s, Ephemia rallies for women's rights alongside her aunt. When her aunt dies, she must find her father in a travelling circus so he can save her trust fund from greedy relatives. Along the way, she gains a new respect for the performers as they battle discrimination. Her new focus soon becomes saving the failing circus, finding a lost sapphire, and rescuing an ailing elephant. Readers will cheer Effy on in this spirited story, which touches on the historical fight for equality for all classes, and races of people, including animals.
After their parents' deaths, Fiona, Marlin, Natasha, and Charlie move to Pine Island to live with a great aunt. When she suddenly passes, their aunt's boyfriend Al adopts them. While adapting to their new life, Marlin writes a cookbook and struggles with school bullies, Fiona has boyfriend troubles, quiet Natasha takes up the violin, and Charlie just wants a dog. Their lives are further upset when their former caregiver comes for a visit, bringing her opinionated and controlling friend Jo. Readers will become attached to the children and feel their frustration, as they plot to get rid of their unwelcome visitors.
Set in medieval Italy, readers are taken on a thrilling adventure with 14-year-old Bec. As he is about to be branded by his evil slave master Malaspina, Bec makes a run for the forest. Fortunately, stealing from a young boy named Tien Nu results in an unlikely friendship, and together they travel to Ponti. Tien teaches Bec martial arts and acrobatics as they flee continual pursuit from Malaspina. Along the way, they face danger and bloodshed, and gain help from a mysterious knight. Beautiful drawings enhance the short action-packed chapters in this quest for freedom and self-discovery.
Mary Anning made her mark early in life by surviving a lightning strike. When she discovers a love for fossil hunting, she discovers digging up curiosities is a way to make money for her family, as they struggle to make ends meet. Her big hope is to find the fossil of the Great Crocodile. After her father meets with tragedy, she becomes determined to make the big find and pay her father's debts. With the help of her brother and another enthusiast, she uncovers the complete skeleton of a plesiosaur. Young adventurers will enjoy this true story of perseverance.