NEW Children's Fantasy Series: Janitors (books 1 & 2)

A secret society of Janitors with wizard-like powers continue their battle, and now, the stakes are even higher. The Bureau of Educational Maintenance is after Alan Zumbro and this time they mean business, deadly business. Spencer, Daisy, and their little team of rebels must find the source of all magical Glop and destroy it before it can destroy the world as we know it. No small task with the BEM and their monster toxites at their heels. It’s a wild and dangerous ride as they follow the trail of clues all the way to the hiding place of the mysterious aurans: guardians of a secret landfill. What they discover there will change the way Spencer sees himself, not to mention the fate of the rebels.

  

Janitors

by Tyler Whitesides

ISBN:

$12.78 (hardcover)
$.99 (kindle)

About the book

Have you ever fallen asleep during math class? Are you easily distracted while listening to your English teacher? Do you find yourself completely uninterested in geography? Well, it may not be your fault. The janitors at Welcher Elementary know a secret, and it s draining all the smarts out of the kids. Twelve-year-old Spencer Zumbro, with the help of his classmate Daisy Gullible Gates, must fight with and against a secret, janitorial society that wields wizard-like powers. Who can Spencer and Daisy trust and how will they protect their school and possibly the world? Janitors is book 1 in a new children s fantasy series by debut novelist Tyler Whitesides. You ll never look at a mop the same way again.

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Read a Sample

Janitors: Secrets of New Forest Academy

by Tyler Whitesides

ISBN:

$16.14 (hardcover)

$10.44 (kindle)
Audio Versions also available.

About the book

No one takes Spencer Zumbro seriously when he tries to warn his classmates about the mysterious things prowling the halls and classrooms of Welcher Elementary School. But when he sees Marv, the janitor, going after one of the creatures with a vacuum, he knows he's not the only one who can see them. With the help of his new friend, Daisy, Spencer has to find out what the janitors know. The children's search uncovers the magic taking place behind the scenes of their seemingly ordinary school, where a battle is being waged for the minds of the students. Who can be trusted – and can Spencer and Daisy protect their school and possibly the world?

My thoughts:

hmmm. I have to say I really struggled with this series - not because I didn't think they were good, well written or funny - they are. I think it's because I'm an adult and well, they just didn't really catch my attention. I believe kids would really like them - middle grade kids (especially boys) love things that are dirty, gross and well... they'd probably love a series that includes creatures that only certain kids can see and when these creatures feed off kid's brainpower, chalk dust, germs and dig in the trash? Well, I think you get the idea!

Each of the books is written from the perspective of Spencer and includes his new friend Daisy. Spencer is a kid who is part of a broken family, neglected by his mother who is a messy mom, has to many kids and Spencer has learned to accept things as they come even though he hates the chaos & especially germs! After getting tricked into helping an agent who they think is one of the "good" guys after the janitors - they learn the true story behind the janitors and how they work to protect the schools. 

If you have a kid you think might enjoy a series like this - especially if they like mystery, messes, fast action and a little science fiction this series might be right up their alley. I would get the first book and see how they like it and go from there.

Learn more about this series @ http://www.tylerwhitesides.com/#/home

or on Facebook

About the author: 
Tyler Whitesides worked as a janitor at an elementary school to put himself through college. He graduated from Utah State University with a degree in music. In addition to writing novels, Tyler is an avid composer and arranger of instrumental music. He and his wife, Connie, who teaches third grade, live in northern Utah.

Disclaimer: I was offered a copy of the book to read and review on CCB. I was not required to have a positive review and no $$ exchanged hands. Thanks for reading. =D

War of the Seasons: Book Two - The Half Blood

 



War of the Seasons, Book Two: The Half-Blood
by Janine K Spendlove
ISBN: 978-0983656746
$17.99 (paperback)
$7.99   (kindle)

About the book:
Six months after arriving in the world of Ailionora, Story finds herself once again on a quest; only this time it is not to save a dying race but the life of the elf she loves. Along the way, she must face the consequences of her previous choices and battle with enemies both old and new while she races against time.

This is the sequel to: War of the Seasons, Book One - The Human. You can read my review here.

My Thoughts:
I seem to be doing quite a few "series" type reviews this year. Which is great because these were ones that I got hooked on the first book and it's always fun to revisit the characters and worlds involved.

I seriously hesitated to add this review to Classic Children's Books and instead featuring it on GivingNSharing. Why? While the main character is now 18 (she was 17 in the original book) she is now no longer a "teen" in the way we are used to. The book involves Magic (both dark and white (is there such a thing?) and Story is very involved with a lover - although they aren't doing much more than heavy petting. She is now engaged, dealing with his possible death and basically she is having to make decisions about tricking the Sun Prince (Morrigann) and delivering him up to his sister for "punishment, death or worse".

Please note: This is NOT a Middle-Grade book - it's a better fit for Teens 16+ to adult.

I had more difficulty getting involved with this book. As you'll recall I managed to read the first book in a day (it's 380 some pages) and I got involved fast in the story and the events of the book. Book Two is a little different - I found it harder to get involved with the book until about 1/3 way through. It opens dealing with her relationship with Eirnin and their engagement, big changes in the Elf Kingdom, her learning how to sleepwalk and getting used to powers that she received in Book One. About 1/3 of the way in the book the action starts happening and Story has to make some tough decisions involving leaving Eirnin who is unconscious and unable to stop her, disobeying the Elf Queen and not really knowing who she can trust and choosing to free the Sun Prince - Morrigann. The decisions she makes at the beginning of her journey may mean her and her new friends (and some not so close friends) death. The action is fast moving, the writing very well written and you aren't left wondering what happened and reading it over and over to stay connected.

Read an excerpt

Just a note: I read this on my Kindle whereas I read the first book as a paperback. That could of been partly why I struggled with this book. I had a hard time connecting until quite a ways into the book. Please check out the first book War of the Seasons, Book One - The Human. I loved it & if you like a good fantasy story with lots of action you will like this one. From there decide if you want to go on to Book Two. Hmmm?

About the author:
Janine K. Spendlove is a KC-130 pilot in the United States Marine Corps. Her bestselling first novel, War of the Seasons, Book One: The Human, was published in June 2011 and her next novel, War of the Seasons, Book Two: The Half-blood, was released in June 2012. She’s also had several short stories published in various anthologies. A graduate from Brigham Young University in 1999 with a BA in History Teaching, she is an avid runner, enjoys knitting, playing Beatles tunes on her guitar, and spending time with her family. She resides with her husband and daughter in Washington, DC. She is currently at work on her next novel.

You can purchase both books on Amazon - either paperback (I strongly recommend) or Kindle.

War of the Seasons - The Human (Bk 1) -  $13.99 (paperback) $4.99 (kindle)
War of the Seasons - The Half-Blood (Bk 2) - (paperback) $7.99 (kindle)

I was given a copy of War of the Seasons, Book Two - The Half-Blood
by Janine Spendlove to read & review on Classic Children's Books. I was not required to write a positive review and no money exchanged hands. This is my honest opinion. Thanks Janine!

2nd Giveaway for Children's Book Week ~ Teen/Adult Fiction!

Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop

May 7th - 13th

Hosted by 

KidLitFrenzy, Classic Children's Books, 

Mymcbooks & I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

Our 2nd sponsor (of course I HAD to include one of my FAVORITE books of 2011) of the 93rd annual Children's Book Weeks is Rie Sheridan Rose who wrote The Luckless Prince. She has very generously offered ONE of my readers a copy of The Luckless Prince !

*** Please note: this is not a children's book ~ It's for Teens to Adult. =D

You can read my review of this book HERE.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Luckless Prince ~ Favorite Books of 2011

This week I continue my series on My Favorite Books from 2011 - these are books I reviewed and shared with you on either this blog or my former Children's Blog: Family Literacy and You. The book reviews are being repeated for you to enjoy - hopefully you'll decide to purchase the book and help support the author (and encourage them to start ~ or finish ~ the sequel!). 


The Luckless Prince

by Rie Sheridan Rose

Published by Zumaya Otherworlds

ISBN: 9781612710143

320 pages, 14+

$13.25 Paperback 

$6.99 Kindle 

"Do I have a choice, Mendana? He is my brother - maybe not by blood, but my brother just the same. And I swore to his father on my honor I would protect him." ~ by Steavil, pg 170

My Thoughts:

What a wonderful fantasy/adventure book! 
You can read other reviews for The Luckless Prince from the blog tour page here.

The Luckless Prince is the story of Steavil found in the woods by a King, brought back to the palace as a playmate and eventually as a squire to his son Roland. A boy who has spent his life not knowing who he is, protecting the prince from his scrapes, acting as a "conscious" to the prince and saving his life and giving up the ability to walk with ease and grace when the king's own dogs attack them after Roland loses his temper and throws a spear in their direction.

This book is very well written, full of action, adventure and even a love story or two. I would say it's for older teens and adults due to the love story (but no love "scenes"), language (not a ton) and the battles. There are no graphic scenes so depending on your kid's maturity I can see teens 16 and older reading it. I loved it (LOTR's & Progeny fan that I am).

The world of Steavil and Roland is very reminisent of LOTR's. The Elves are dying off and the world of men believe they have vanished. Rie has created a wonderful "Elvish" language even as brief as it is within the book and the poetry and music is beautifully written. Roland's kingdom is in danger of being taken over by his cousin, Norfulk, a madman and wizard who ultimately wants Roland and his father dead and the world of the Elves destroyed and to be placed as "King" of both Kingdoms.

I'm going to stop there - I really don't want to give anymore away. Be sure to get this book if you enjoy Fantasy and Adventure. It's outstanding and you won't want to put it down once you start reading it. You can purchase the paperback here $13.25 or the Kindle edition here $6.99. It's worth every penny and is eligible for FREE shipping with a $25 order.

Now, if only the sequel was already out! I can't wait!

Sample the first three Chapters for free!

Learn how she wrote the Elven Language for her book.

About the author:

Rie Sheridan Rose has been writing professionally for over 10 years. She has written 4 novels, 1 short story collection, 2 chapbooks of collected stories as well as 5 poetry collections. The Half-Price Books 1999 "Say Good-Night to Illiteracy" Anthology contained her children's story "Bedtime for Benny". You can learn more about Rie here.