Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Book Review: The World’s Greatest Adventure Machine by Frank L. Cole

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I love reading books to my kids. Each night, my husband and I split up to read different books to the kids according to their age levels. Now that my girls are older, they have been helping out so that the 3 boys are read to every single night. Check out this cool eye-catching cover of The World’s Greatest Adventure Machine! It grabbed my kids’ attention.
Rachelle and 8 year old son’s thoughts: This book is a hit! I read this aloud to my son and he loved staring at the cover while I was reading. From the very first pages, he was hooked, especially because he said that Trevor sounded a lot like Dan Cahill from the 39 Clues series. We loved the mystery in this book, the way each character was introduced with something mysterious, the way that the Castleton’s seemed to have a lot of secrets, and the incredible twists and turns of the Adventure Machine! There’s an excellent mix of everything we love in this book–surprise, suspense, humor, wit, action, adventure…it’s just awesome on every level. Frank Cole is a master at building suspense and action and sprinkling humor in with the story. We thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and now my son is looking up more to read–can’t wait!
Here’s more about the book:

An adventure novel about four lucky kids and a mysterious, but thrilling ride for fans of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Jurassic Park!

CastleCorp and the famous Castleton brothers are unveiling the World’s Greatest Adventure Machine! The roller coaster is an experience like no other, and four lucky kids have won the chance to be the first to ride it.

There’s Trevor, whose latest stunt got him in trouble at school again. There’s Devin, whose father is pushing him to be the next Internet sensation. Nika’s wealthy grandfather isn’t too pleased about her participation. And Cameron, he’ll be the first to tell you, is a certified genius.

The whole world is watching. But as the kids set off on their journey, they begin to realize that there is perhaps more to their fellow contest winners than meets the eye. And the Adventure Machine? It might just have a mind of its own.

Join the contestants on their wild ride if you dare. Your adventure starts now!

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Book Review: Fablehaven Book of Imagination by Brandon Mull

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Have you read the Fablehaven series? No, okay, we’ll pause and take a deep breath while you go check them out NOW! Okay, but seriously, I LOVE this series. My kids LOVE this series. There are 5 books to be devoured and now, Brandon Mull has created an interactive book with all kinds of games, puzzles, even recipes (for slime and such) that will be perfect for the kiddos. The new Fablehaven Book of Imagination is a hit for boys and girls in my house from ages 5-13 so if you’re looking for something unique to add to that pile of presents, check out this new book!

I loved the design of this book made for those little wizards with large font, lots of interactive ways to create and play, and fun illustrations!

Here’s more about the book:

Learn how to make Wizard Slime, create fairy fashions, and solve the Dreamstone maze in this first-ever interactive book of Fablehaven awesomeness. And that s just the beginning: *Make your own origami model of Raxtus the dragon *Draw a map of your own magical preserve *Practice withstanding a distracter spell *Solve riddles from the sphinx *Learn how to play a game of Shadow Tag *Learn how to draw a dragon *Color detailed coloring pages of Fablehaven creatures *Make an enchanted rain stick *Learn to cook Ogre Stew *And much, much more . .

And within the pages of this book are secret codes that will help readers discover a secret message from Brandon Mull about Dragonwatch, the sequel series to Fablehaven.

This book even has a recipe for wizard slime and here’s a cool video

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Book Review: Potion Masters, The Eternity Elixir by Frank Cole

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle:

I was delighted to read the first book in a new series by Frank Cole–Potions Master, The Eternity Elixir. This middle-grade reader is packed with adventure, incredible inventions, and an awesome magic system that is all about potions! I loved the interaction between Gordy and his parents and also his friends. There was humor, and all kinds of secrets/mystery that made this quite the page turner. I am excited to share this book with my son, currently in third grade. I think it will be perfect for him!

If you or your kids like contemporary fantasy, action adventure, books that feature smart boys and girl, then you should definitely check out the Potion Masters series.

Here’s more about the book:

Twelve-year-old Gordy Stitser is one of the few people who knows the truth about the secret society of potion masters, because not only is Gordy’s mom on the Board of Ruling Elixirists Worldwide (B.R.E.W.), but she has also been training Gordy in the art of potion-making.

Gordy is a natural, and every day he sneaks down to the basement lab to invent new potions using exotic ingredients like fire ant eggs, porcupine quills, and Bosnian tickling juice.

One afternoon, Gordy receives a mysterious package containing an extremely rare potion known as ”The Eternity Elixir.” In the right hands, the Elixir continues to protect society. But in the wrong hands, it could destroy the world as we know it.

Now, sinister potion masters are on the hunt to steal the Eternity Elixir. It’s up to Gordy, his parents, and his best friends, Max and Adeline, to prevent an all-out potion war.

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Book Review: The Watsons Go To Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Man, I just love the Weird Watson’s! You’ll have to read the book to find out why they’re called the Weird Watson’s.

The award winning, The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis is a laugh out loud book that is hard to keep to yourself. It was a Newberry Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor book along with several other awards. You will love reading this book! Certain sequences beg to be read aloud. I was rocking my baby while reading and had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing too loud.
Curtis weaves a delightful story with so many humorous events and then ties it into a very serious event from the Civil Rights movement in Alabama. He shows how traumatic events can affect children. And then he brings back the humorous side to the story.
This is an incredible book to read and to read aloud to your kids It’s a middle-grade reader super for the whole family.
I think it’s important to read children’s books because it keeps you in touch with your child’s world. I want to encourage everyone to read with their children. Pick up a book and read to your kids. Reading to them creates a bond with you and encourages them to read on their own.
Reading brings up topics for you to discuss which may not be broached otherwise. I know from experience that reading has brought up so many ideas and philosophies I wouldn’t have considered. Reading helps you open the world for your child and see that there is so much happening around them.
Here’s more about the book:
Enter the hilarious world of ten-year-old Kenny and his family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan. There’s Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron, who’s thirteen and an “official juvenile delinquent.”When Byron gets to be too much trouble, they head South to Birmingham to visit Grandma, the one person who can shape him up. And they happen to be in Birmingham when Grandma’s church is blown up.
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Book Review: Mustaches for Maddie by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Chad Morris and Shelly  Brown have written a compelling story accented with humor, delight, and heart-wrenching experiences. I especially felt the emotion in Mustaches for Maddie because it’s based on a true story and I clearly remember when Maddie was in the hospital and it was too scary to want to think about, yet alone try to explain. That’s why I love this book–the authors have created a priceless masterpiece from their own experiences with their daughter, Maddie.

I laughed out loud several times, smiled plenty, and yes, even had to wipe some tears in a few places. I think this book is perfect for young readers because the pacing of the story is exactly in sync with how their wild imaginations and attention spans work. There is definitely a grounding truth in this story about how to deal with the desire to be “popular” and do what everyone else is doing and how to be who you are.

Kudos to Chad Morris and Shelly Brown for writing a book that entertains and inspires. If you have kids, grandkids, or friends, share this book with them today…and definitely a mustache!

There’s another really neat thing with this book: Compassion into action. There are stickers and postcard available to help teach children compassion and an incredible resource has been created.

Take a look at the readers guide: http://shdwmtn.co/MustachesforMaddieReadersGuide

Here’s more about the book:

Based on a true story.

Maddie is a normal twelve-year-old girl. Well, except for the fake mustaches she carries in her pocket. She likes to make people laugh and slapping on a mustache, especially a fuzzy pink or neon green one, always gets a smile. Maddie hopes that the class queen, Cassie, will find her mustaches as funny as she does and want to play with her at recess. She’s been self-conscious lately because her right arm only feels normal when it’s curled against her chest and she’s constantly tripping over her feet. But that’s probably just part of growing up and not something weird, right?

When Maddie’s arm continues to bother her, her parents take her to a doctor who gives them a shocking diagnosis: the cause of the abnormal behavior of her limbs is a brain tumor and she must have surgery to remove it. She’s understandably afraid as he describes the procedure, but knows she must find a way to be brave and must face her fears–all of them–at the hospital, at home and at school.

She will need all of her courage not only to face her illness, but also to face Cassie at school. Both Cassie and Maddie are auditioning for the same role in the school play, but when Cassie accuses Maddie of lying about her tumor in order to get attention, Cassie’s bossiness turns into bullying.

And as Maddie’s surgery approaches, she begins to worry more and more about the outcome. What if something goes wrong? What if the doctors don’t get all the tumor out of her brain? What will happen to her family? What will happen to her?

It will take all of Maddie’s vibrant imagination, a lot of kindness-both given and received-and of course, the perfect mustache to overcome the tough stuff ahead of her.

Available wherever great books are sold in print and ebook.

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