SISTERS by Raina Telgemeier

Raina, her sister, brother and their mom drive from California to Colorado and back for a family reunion. Includes flashbacks to previous moments in Raina's life like Raina's desire for a little sister, and what it's like when she gets her wish.

I received an electronic Advanced Reader Copy of this from the publisher. The art was not in color in my version. This is a family story all about siblings, parents and children, extended family, and growing up. My students have been clamoring for this since May - and they won't be disappointed. I know I am going to need multiple copies to keep them satisfied!

4 out of 5 stars
No AR reading level at the time of this writing

* I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher for free in the hope that I would review it honestly on my blog. Regardless, I only review books I enjoyed. I don’t believe in passing on negative reviews. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

THE TELL-TALE START by Gordon McAlpine

Edgar and Allan Poe are identical twins who are exceptional - exceptionally clever and exceptionally connected, even moreso than most twins. They are also descendants of the famous writer, Edgar Alan Poe. When their cat goes missing, the boys and the aunt and uncle who have raised them will travel across the country to retrieve the cat, not knowing they are heading right for a trap.

This was a lot of fun. The characters were really interesting, especially the twins. There's a lot of teaser info sprinkled throughout the story, giving readers information the boys don't have. There are also notes from the original Edgar Alan Poe from the afterlife as he tries to help the boys which adds a quirky tone to the story. This story felt a lot like the Genius Files to me as the family was traveling across the country without really knowing what they were getting into. Fans of that series might enjoy this series. There are plenty of references to the works of the original Poe which may lead readers to checking out Poe's works.

4 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 5.8

THE MYSTERY OF THE GOLD COIN by Harper Paris (Greetings from Somewhere series)

Ethan and Ella's mom has taken a job as a travel writer, so their family is packing up their house to live "on the road." Ethan and Ella aren't convinced this will be the adventure their parents think it will be. Before they even finish packing, though, Ethan loses his farewell gift from his beloved grandfather. The twins take one last trip around town to solve The Mystery of the Gold Coin.

This is the first book in this new series that feels like a good fit for kids just starting to enjoy chapter books. The premise means the author can take the kids to all sorts of different settings for each story, which can keep the interest up. Likable characters with realistic reluctance about their new life. I can already picture some students who might enjoy this series! Pictures of other books in the series are posted below. Books one and two are out now, book three comes out in May, and book 4 will release in August.

3 out of 5 stars
No AR level at this time

      

FRIDAY: A Family Guide to Paris

Another fun travel guide geared to families with tips for safe travel, navigating cultural differences, and seeing some of the lesser known sites around Paris.

Great resource for families planning a trip. Could also be a fun addition to a library for those who aren't planning a trip, but who want to do a little dreaming.

FRIDAY: Family Guide London

Barnes and Noble offered a deal on travel guides recently, so I picked up this guide to London for families. It's pretty great. I am not very familiar with London spots to visit, so this is a great, clear overview of the options for families. The guide highlights security considerations, budgetary considerations, and has a great understanding of the limits of kids when traveling.

If you are interested in planning some family travel opportunities, check out this series. I'll be looking at another one next week.

4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for: families and students planning trips to Europe, folks who like to dream of travel

Cautions: none