Mystery in the Palace of Westminster
Westminster Mysteries #1
By Sarah Lustig
ASIN: B0B2BT4841
Publisher: A&A Press (May 24, 2022)
Publication date: May 24, 2022
Print length: 248 pages
Age Range: 10-14 years
Publisher’s Blurb:
Theo Duncan is just an ordinary student.
Except he also happens to be the son of the Prime Minister, Will Duncan.
When the parliamentary mace is stolen from inside the Houses of
Parliament, Theo is determined to help his dad get it back. But he can’t do it
alone. And when help is offered, there’s a problem. It comes from the new girl
at school, Sammy Jhor, who’s a supporter of the opposition party.
Theo and Sammy form an unlikely team to spy on government
officials, sneak through the corridors of Downing Street and pursue the thief
through the Palace of Westminster.
But when the evidence points to suspects at the highest levels
of government, finding the thief could threaten Will Duncan’s leadership.
Can Theo and Sammy put aside their differences to find the mace
– and the thief – before the government is brought to its knees?
My Thoughts:
This was an okay mystery. There wasn’t anything particularly
special about it. I definitely liked the idea of a family who was trying to be
as ordinary as possible while the father was serving in the role of Prime
Minister. Theo is suitably awkward, in his position as the son of the PM, with
all eyes on him. He doesn’t quite fit in at school because of it. I’m not sure
if it’s the author’s voice or the character, but Theo reads as quite young for
his given age.
The conflict-turned-friendship with new girl Sammy is fairly
predictable. There’s no new ground covered here. Watching them team up to find
the missing mace is a little bit reminiscent of James Ponti’s “TOAST” series,
which was definitely done better.
As usual, much is made of the children trying to solve things
themselves because the adults just won’t listen. It is not one of my favorite
plot devices.
Bonus points for including the resident cat of #10 Downing
Street. (I follow him on Twitter!)
Possible Objectionable Material:
Kids putting themselves in awkward/dangerous situations. Some
mild bullying. A bit of dishonesty and sneakiness.
Who Might Like This Book:
Those who like to see what life in Britain is like. Mystery fans,
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in
exchange for my opinion.
The Clockwork Queen
By Peter Bunzl
ASIN: B09PTDGJ3W
Publisher: Barrington Stoke Ltd (June 2, 2022)
Publication date: June 2, 2022
Print length: 89 pages
Age Range: 8-12
Publisher’s Blurb:
Chess prodigy Sophie Peshka inherited her love of the game from
her grandmaster father. But now that he has been imprisoned in the dungeons of
the Winter Palace in St Petersburg by powerful Empress Catherine the Great,
Sophie must use all her strategic skill and cunning to help him escape.
My Thoughts:
My daughter is a chess player, so I was interested in this book
based on that alone. It’s not long, but the narrative is complete.
Sophie has learned chess at her father’s knee, but upon his
disappearance, she falls on hard times. It is almost by accident that she ends
up in a rescue attempt—by hiding inside a supposed wind-up chess playing doll.
Of course, there’s actually a person inside the doll, and when Sophie becomes
that person, excitement commences!
Sophie is quite brave, and it is her ability to think
quickly—not just in a chess game!—that saves the day.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Perilous situations. Deceit. Her father is imprisoned and is not
in the best of shape afterward.
Who Might Like This Book:
Chess lovers. Anyone interested in Russian history. Those who
like daring rescues.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in
exchange for my opinion.
Gaudi, Architect of Imagination
By Susan B. Katz
Publisher: NorthSouth Books (June 7, 2022)
Hardcover: 40 pages
ISBN-10: 0735844879
ISBN-13: 978-0735844872
Reading age: 4 - 8 years
Grade level: Preschool - 3
Publisher’s Blurb:
Colorful mosaics,
playful flowing forms, imaginative facades—Barcelona shines with the buildings
of Antoni Gaudí. How did the son of a Catalan blacksmith become a world-famous
architect? The first years of Gaudí's life were challenging. Because of an illness,
young Gaudí couldn’t attend school and was often alone. Many of his days were
spent out in nature, which he would later call his great teacher. Even during
his training as an architect in Barcelona, his teachers were puzzled,
wondering: is he a “genius or a fool?” Many considered his unusual ideas
eccentric, sometimes even crazy. But Gaudí was simply ahead of his time. His
buildings are now a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization) World Heritage Site.
With an insightful eye into the world of an
inspired genius, award-winning author Susan B. Katz tells of Gaudí's life and
work. Linda Schwalbe's dazzling and powerful illustrations reflect the
inventive, daring, and flamboyant style of Gaudí's work.
My Thoughts:
I was fortunate enough
to tour Gaudi’s masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, back in
2018. It is a true testament to his talent and to his faith. His attention to
every little detail is astounding. As it finally nears completion, I hope to
visit again some day.
This book, meant for
young readers, is a beautiful testament to Gaudi’s history and talent. He
sacrificed a great deal to bring his vision to life. The illustrations are
lovely, colorful and a little bit primitive.
I do take issue with
the line in the book that says that Gaudi left no plans for the completion of
the Cathedral. He actually left detailed 3D models so his vision could be
continued. Many of these models and plans were destroyed during a period of
civil unrest in Spain, however.
Possible
Objectionable Material:
Discussion of how Gaudi
was criticized and mocked, and a bit on his illness. Discussion of religion and
faith.
Who Might
Like This Book:
If you have ever seen
the Sagrada Familia in person, give this book a tray—even if you’re a little
older than the target demographic.
Thank you to NetGalley
and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my opinion.
Meg and Merlin: Showing Off
Meg and Merlin #2
By Tanya Landman
ASIN: B0B1P5GQ71
Publisher: Barrington Stoke Ltd
Publication date: August 4, 2022
Age 7-12
46 pages
Publisher’s Blurb:
A new friend helps Meg to realise that appearances aren’t always
what they seem in this exciting new addition to Tanya Landman’s delightful
horse-riding series.
When Meg and Merlin go to the local horse show they enter the
Handy Pony class – a fun test of how well horse and rider work together. Meg is
looking forward to it until stuck-up Sam Houseman – a girl from school – rides
into the ring. Meg’s day seems ruined. But then she discovers that people, like
ponies, can sometimes be very surprising ...
My Thoughts:
As a member of a rather horsey family, of course I was
going to request this one! This cute book for elementary-aged students follows
Meg and her pony Merlin as they begin competing. There is the subplot of Meg’s
interactions with another girl from school, Sam. As the narrative—and
competition—continue, we find out that we can’t judge anyone—horse or human—by
what we see.
The device of the misunderstood stuck-up classmate
isn’t new, but it is handled well here. Of course, adding ponies makes
everything better!
We do come to a satisfying conclusion as Meg and
Merlin learn and grow along the way.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Childhood disagreements. A little stress.
Who Might Like This Book:
Horse lovers. Although the main (human) characters are
girls, I see no reason why a boy couldn’t be interested in this story as well.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing
an ARC in exchange for my opinion.
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