***GUEST POST BY 4TH GRADE CRAIG***

In September, when Darla reviewed the excellent book, The Secret of Wellington’s Map, the PR folks for Planet of the Dogs contacted us and asked if Craig would be interested in reviewing it, since he’s the perfect age for the series. This is Craig’s first book review. I hope you’ll enjoy reading it, as much as I enjoyed the fact he finally got his nose in a book.

Planet of the Dogs, by Robert McCarty is a great book. This book is about two people from planet Earth helping the dogs on Planet of the Dogs to harvest their food. Then the dogs on Planet of the Dogs decide to help make peace on planet Earth when the Stone City warriors attacked Green Meadow on Earth.

My favorite character was a man named BIK (pronounced B-I-K.) I liked him because he was very active and caring for his friends and family.

My favorite part was at the end when they were in the woods and then the dogs started barking and then troops started chopping down trees and BIK told BIC — another captain — that he was in charge. Then BIK ran out to his children and he saw a crash site over a hill into water. BIK knew they could not swim, so he jumped down and saw two vicious dogs. He thought they killed Nikki and Nik, then he took a sword out of his picket and heard a deep voice say they did not kill your children they saved your children. He turned around and saw troops armed and then he booked across the river.

His children were there and they said, “We will give them back if you declare peace.” BIK reached in his pocket and took out a horn and blew it and then he said, “I declare peace.”

People my age who dogs would love this book. I recommend it!

What does passing the torch mean to you? Is it teaching? Passing traditions? Or good news about youth? Join us each week for Pass the Torch Tuesday.Former PTT posts.

My sixth-grade daughter is periodically asked by PR professionals to review books for children and teens. I can personally attest to the fact her nose was glued to this one! I hope you enjoy Darla’s review.

The Secret of Wellington’s Map is an outstanding book, one of my new favorites actually.

If you were looking at your friend, covered in red splotches, struggling to breathe surrounded by furry animals with wide dog-like noses and long tails, what would you do?

The Secret of Wellington’s Map is an exciting mystery of two teenage girls named Jamie and Nicole who find a magical map. With one touch, they can walk into any time, anywhere, as long as they have a picture in their minds.

When their friend Charlie — an antique-pawn shop owner — is kidnapped, they leave on a mission to find their lost friend. They end up enjoying an amazing journey testing their friendship, revealing family secrets of the past, and having an experience like no other.

I love the mystery in the story, with the magical map. It really makes you think as you read it. The “time-keeper” part was confusing at the beginning, as were the strange names, but when as you go deeper into the story, it all comes together.

You want to be Jamie, bouncing around time in places you can only imagine in this book. It is exhilarating when she discovers the map, and scary every time Nicole almost dies. You have to guess friends and enemies, so almost every one in the book is what I would call a “frienemy,” including the cat.

With so many amazing things going on in the story, in my everyday real life, I couldn’t stop thinking about everything that was happening to these two (almost) normal teenage girls. I asked myself, if I were Jamie, would I have enough courage and curiosity to keep jumping through an old piece of paper to another time, and not be sure if I would still be able to get out?

If you’re like me, when your parents physically take away the book so I will talk to them, you’ll still be sitting there (or hiding from your book-stealing parents,) wondering what will happen next, and wondering what you would feel and do if you were Jamie.

This is an awesome story that I would definitely recommend if you want some adventure. Mollie Kehl Penrod was very successful at writing a great book.

Other torch-passers:
A Man Named Ted

What does passing the torch mean to you? Is it teaching? Passing traditions? Doing the right thing? Or good news about youth?

Join us each week for Pass the Torch Tuesday.

Former PTT posts.

Thank you all for your excellent comments. It’s so great to know that people want to read fun books about history. We have a winner!

Congratulations Morning Rose, comment #1! Please email your address!

****DARLA — FIFTH-GRADE GUEST BLOGGER****

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review this book, and even more excited that Darla was so engrossed in this story of a twelve-year-old’s heroic actions during the American Revolution. I’m a history nut, so it’s especially satisfying for me to witness my kids show glimmers of interest in history. I thought it was only fitting that she write the review, especially because of our travel to Boston last summer, so what follows is her reaction. Please find giveaway instructions at the end of her review.

The book Spitfire, by Kate Messner was great. It feels as if you were pulled into the past, watching Abigail’s amazing adventure, posing as a boy named Adam. You wonder if there will be any more battles aboard, wondering if they are going to be attacked by pirates or the British, or which ship she will board next.

It feels as if you were actually on the ship being Abigail or Pascal by the ways Kate Messner used the words, telling exactly what was happening, like looking through their eyes, and using their hands. It was amazing some of the things they did back then, like surgery was cutting of their arm and dipping it in hot tar to stop the blood. Abigail and Pascal usually make the choices you would make, so it’s like a second life as Abigail or Pascal, trying to keep secrets, is helpful, and make a living at the same time.

It feels as if it actually happened, not ending as “They grew up, got married, and lived happily ever after.” It has the kind of twist that you love, that is so “wow” that you never know what is going to happen next, always wondering, always wanting to pick the book back up again and just skip homework for a night. The chapters switched from Abigail to Pascal every other one, so it can be confusing at time, but that just makes it more interesting.

I highly suggest this book to people who like reading nonfiction, or who like unusual twists and saying “oh my gosh” often in a book. I would rate this book 4 ½ stars. It is very good and I definitely recommend it.

To be considered for the contest, please leave a comment describing what interests you about the book. You may also like to learn more about the author — Kate Messner — she has a new book due for release in September. You can participate even if you don’t have a blog. Just make sure you leave a working email when you leave your comment. I’ll choose the winner at random after 5 p.m. CST on Friday, June 13. US addresses only. Thanks for stopping by!

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It appears Darla just can’t get enough of Robin’s poetry challenge.

****FIFTH GRADE GUEST BLOGGER****

Lucky
Humble, happy
Wagging, sleeping, barking
A good puppy
Wooger Dog

Wayne
Tempered, funny
Playing, laughing, reselling
A hard-working principal
Dad

I’ve hired my kids as weekly guest bloggers. Please join us as third-grade Craig and fifth-grade Darla write about their adventures.
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This month, Robin challenged us with the cinquain form of poetry. She asked us to write within the theme of “celebration.” It’s so easy and fun to write this form, Darla didn’t hesitate to write three poems for her guest post this week.

****FIFTH GRADE GUEST BLOGGER****

CHRISTMAS
Bright, sparkly
Caroling, decorating, partying
Full of happiness
Joy

SANTA
Red, fat
Eating, flying, giving
Jolly old elf
St. Nicholas

PITA
Mean beautiful calico
Hissing, purring, meowing
Very pretty kitty
Baby

The last poem she wrote in secret and gave as a gift to me — even with a bow. What a schmoozer. I think I should give her a raise;)

KELLY
Pretty, smart
Smiling, laughing, whistling
Loves her family
Mom

After the day I’d had, I was thinking more along the lines of:

MOM
Grumpy, frazzled
Scowling, scurrying, screaming
Needs a nap
Medusa

I guess our kids forgive us our trespasses. Selective memory may prove useful:)

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