Blog Tour: A Perilous Journey of Danger & Mayhem: A Dastardly Plot by Christopher Healy

A PERILOUS JOURNEY OF DANGER & MAYHEM: A DASTARDLY PLOT by Christopher Healy

Publication Date: September 25, 2018

Publisher: Walden Pond Press

Pages: 320

Genre: Adventure/Steampunk

Audience: Middle Grade

Disclosure: Giveaway copy provided by publisher

Publisher Synopsis:

It is 1883—the Age of Invention! A time when great men like Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Nicola Tesla, and George Eastman work to turn the country into a mechanical-electrical-industrial marvel: a land of limitless opportunity. And it all happens at the world famous Inventors Guild headquarters in New York City—a place where a great idea, a lot of hard work, and a little bit of luck can find you rubbing elbows with these gods of industry who will usher humanity into the bright promise of the future.

Unless, of course, you’re a woman. 

Molly Pepper, daughter of brilliant but unknown inventor Cassandra Pepper, lives with her mother in New York. By day, they make ends meet running a small pickle shop; but by night, they toil and dream of Cassandra shattering the glass ceiling of the Inventors Guild and taking her place among the most famous inventors in America. In an attempt to find a way to exhibit Cassandra’s work at the 1883 World’s Fair, they break into the Inventors Guild—and discover a mysterious and dastardly plot to destroy New York. The evidence points to the involvement of one of the world’s most famous inventors, and now it’s up to Molly, Cassandra, and a shop hand named Emmett Lee to uncover the truth—even if no one will ever know it was they who did it. 

Christopher Healy is the author of The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice, as well as its two sequels, The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle and The Hero’s Guide to Being an Outlaw. Before becoming a writer, he worked as an actor, an ad copywriter, a toy store display designer, a fact-checker, a dishwasher, a journalist, a costume shop clothing stitcher, a children’s entertainment reviewer, and a haunted house zombie. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, two children, and a dog named Duncan. You can visit him online at www.christopherhealy.com

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It's Monday! What are you reading? 9-24-18

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.

It's been a couple weeks since I've posted. So I have a variety of books to share with you.


I finished reading:

Lost Soul, Be at Peace by Maggie Thrash
The sequel to Maggie Thrash's Honor Girl, this graphic memoir is tinged with sadness, grief, and magical realism. 


I finished reading with my ears:

What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton
Listening to the audio of this book left me equal parts calmed at her steadiness and bereft at what could have been.


Picture books I loved:

What Can a Citizen Do? by Dave Eggers, illustrated by Shawn Harris

This is probably the only time you will ever hear me say that the pictures in this picture book are incidental because reading the text straight through without stopping to look at the pictures is actually the real treat here. That is a testament to Dave Eggers’ amazing writing. Pig the Star by Aaron Blabey More antics from Pig the Pug. Fun but formulaic. Mission Defrostable by Josh Funk, illustrated by Brendan Kearney Another fun foodie frolic in the fridge with Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast, this time with a new villain and some help in a surprising place. Currently reading: Rabbit and Robot by Andrew Smith Currently Reading with My Ears: The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell W. Kamau Bell's CNN show United Shades of America is one of the best things on television today. So I love that listening to Bell narrate this audiobook is just like one long episode of his show.

It's Monday! What are you reading? 9-3-18

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.


I recently reviewed:

How to Feed Your Parents by Ryan Miller, Illustrated by Hatem Aly
You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! by Alex Gino


I finished reading:

Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker: Incognito by Shelley Johannes
Beatrice Zinker always has the best intentions but sometimes she doesn’t stop to think how her actions might be received by others. As her kind gestures get her into a wee bit of trouble, she must use her superhero ninja skills to get herself out of a few pickles. What I love about this series is that the conflicts seem silly to adults, but after hanging around second and third graders the past few years, Beatrice Zinker’s antics seem totally plausible.

The Final Six by Alexandra Monir
Aaaaagh! Whyyyyy do YA series books these days have to always end in cliffhangers?

Obama: An Intimate Portrait by Pete Souza
You don't know what you got till it's gone. I felt completely bereft while reading this. 


Picture books that stood out in the pile:

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
A Perfect read aloud for the first week of school 

The Rough Patch by Brian Lies

I had a hard time reading this through all the tears, but it's one of the most beautiful and palpable, but ultimately hopeful, books about grief I have ever read. Imagine by Juan Felipe Herrera, illustrated by Lauren Castillo A poetic memoir of Juan Felipe Herrera, born to humble farmworkers who eventually became the poet laureate of the United States. A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin Beautiful story and illustrations that celebrates the Asian Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Good Night, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony Mr. Panda is such a lovable curmudgeon. Rad Girls Can: Stories of Bold, Brave, and Brilliant Young Women by Kate Schatz, illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl I love that Kate Schatz is continuing with her Rad Women series this time focusing on young women, some not even teenagers, and how they've made a difference in their communities, their country, and the world. I especially love that the focus of this book, though not exclusively, is on young girls who are still living and making a difference. Currently reading with my eyes and ears: Jazz Owls: A Novel of the Zoot Suit Riots by Margarita Engle Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

ARC review: You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! by Alex Gino

Jillian is experiencing growing pains in the form of life lessons. Her new baby sister was born deaf and she is dealing with some racial tensions in her family as well as in a newly forming friendship. While this is a book written for kids, Gino is very open that it "is consciously written for white people as a catalyst to talk about modern racism and police violence in the United States," as they stated in the author's note at the end. The part of the book that especially spoke to me was the tension-filled Thanksgiving dinner where Jilly is saddened to learn that some of her family members are racist. That was such a palpable moment in the story. If I had one criticism of the book is that it's as subtle as a sledgehammer in addressing political issues, to the point where it feels a bit didactic in places. But the book has lovable characters and its greatest strength is that it models the necessity for white people to talk about race and in order to do that, we need to get uncomfortable and recognize that we're going to screw up. But doing and saying nothing speaks just as loudly as saying something offensive.  You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! by Alex Gino Publication Date: September 25, 2018 Publisher: Scholastic Pages: 256 Genre: Realistic Fiction Audience: Middle Grade Disclosure: Advance reader copy provided by publisher

If you buy this book or any book through Amazon, it is my hope that you also regularly patronize independent bookstores, which are important centerpieces of thriving communities. While I am an Amazon Affiliate, that by no means implies that I only buy my books through their website. Please make sure you are still helping small, independent bookstores thrive in your community. To locate an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound. 

How to Feed Your Parents by Ryan Miller, illustrated by Hatem Aly

Matilda Macaroni is an adventurous eater. But she certainly doesn't get that from her parents.

While her parents only eat things like chicken nuggets, pizza, mac and cheese, and sugary cereal, Matilda would much prefer to eat quiche, jambalaya, miso soup, and sushi. Since she can't get those things from her parents, she resorts to making meals for her more sophisticated palate with her grandmother and babysitter.

When Matilda offers to make her parents a very safe meal of hamburgers and fries for dinner, even that starts off on shaky ground. Will Matilda convince her parents to branch out and try new things?

While this book definitely exaggerates a role reversal of the usual scenario of kids being picky eaters, How to Feed Your Parents is a good conversation starter for parents to have with their kids about healthy food habits and learning to turn on their sense of curiosity rather than fear when it comes to new flavors. As a recovering picky eater, I think had my parents taught me about food from a young age by letting me help with dinner and showing me to have a respect for where food comes from, I might not have been so distrustful of what was being put in front of me at the kitchen table. As a result, I didn't start branching out my food palate until I was in college, sticking to a diet very similar to Matilda's parents.

So for me, the takeaway of this book is: teach your kids about food from a very young age and make it fun and interesting for them to try new things.


How to Feed Your Parents by Ryan Miller, illustrated by Hatem Aly
Published: August 7, 2018
Publisher: Sterling
Pages: 40
Genre/Format: Picture book
Audience: Primary
Disclosure: Finished copy provided by publisher

If you buy this book or any book through Amazon, it is my hope that you also regularly patronize independent bookstores, which are important centerpieces of thriving communities. While I am an Amazon Affiliate, that by no means implies that I only buy my books through their website. Please make sure you are still helping small, independent bookstores thrive in your community. To locate an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound. 

It's Monday! What are you reading? 8-6-18

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.


Last week I read:

Good Rosie by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Harry Bliss
A sweet tale of a dog named Rosie who lives a quiet, routine life with her owner George. One day George decides to change their routine and go to the dog park instead of their daily walk and what results is the awkwardness of making new friends. 

Just like with many of DiCamillo's books, Good Rosie doesn't hit you over the head with a grandiose plot or an obvious lesson. Instead, its quiet simplicity makes you think and just enjoy a good story.

Hide and Seek by Anthony Browne

Cy and Poppy go play hide and seek in the woods to distract themselves from how sad they feel that their dog Goldie is missing. Readers will soon discover there is more to the title than just two kids playing hide and seek. Currently reading: Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker: Incognito by Shelley Johannes You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! by Alex Gino Currently reading with my ears: The Sky at Our Feet by Nadia Hashimi

It's Monday! What are you reading? 7-30-18

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.


Last week we announced  ALAN's Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award finalists. This week, WE HAVE A WINNER! 

Being part of this committee is a true labor of YA lit love. 


Last week I finished reading:

Teaching Reading with YA Literature: Complex Texts, Complex Lives by Jennifer Buehler
In this book, Dr. Jennifer Buehler writes of the myriad ways that teachers can use YA lit in their pedagogy, not just as a supplement, but as examplar texts. This book includes explanations for how YA lit is complex, ways to assess the reading of YA in the classroom, and talking points for the naysayers who don't think YA should be taught instead of the classics (AKA, old dead white guys).


(Don't) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation about Mental Health edited by Kelly Jensen
Jensen's first anthology about feminism blew me away and was visually stunning. This book about mental health is equally as engaging, visually appealing, and important. Add this to your YA nonfiction collection in October.


Mac B. Kid Spy: Mac Undercover by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Mike Lowery

If you haven’t watched Mac Barnett’s TED talk, do that before you read this book; The absurdity will make more sense. Absurdity that includes, the Queen of England, stolen Crown Jewels, the queen’s corgis, the Mona Lisa, and the KGB. A great new transitional chapter book series for students in grades 2&3.

Ira Crumb Feels the Feelings by Naseem Hrab, illustrated by Josh Holinaty
Ira Crumb’s chin wibbles and the tears fall when his friends and classmates choose to play tag over his preferred hide and seek. A sweet story about allowing grace for yourself when you’re feeling sad.