WONDER WORLD KIDS BOOK TWO: THE CASE OF THE LOST LLAMAS 
By Dori Marx (Illustrated by Priscila Orozco Gallo)

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This super cute chapter book series introduces kids to new destinations around the globe. In this installment, the reader is transported to Machu Picchu in Peru to help the Cook Family solve the mystery of the disappearance of llamas from the area.

With simple language and frequent illustrations, this book is ideal for reader's age six to ten-years-old, especially animal lovers. The eight-year-old Cook twins, Fynn and Celia, are memorable and unique characters, and their ten-year-old sister, Lily, is equally delightful. 

Back matter and a glossary are provided for readers who wish to delve into more detail about story elements such as challenging words, animals unique to the area, and local foods. 

Get your suitcase ready, the travel bug is about to hit!

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A Drop of Hope by Keith Calabrese

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

If you've been searching for a middle-grade read full of inspiration and the power of small kindnesses, this is it. Set in a struggling small town, the story follows multiple sixth graders and their interactions with an old well said to grant wishes. Each character is as unique and memorable as the next and the way their stories and experiences interweave is brilliantly crafted. 

This is a page-turning read told from multiple points of view. Suitable for grades three and up. Get ready for intrigue, tension, adventure, and your heart to fill with hope and happiness.

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Hilde Cracks the Case: Hero Dog! By Hilde Lysiak with Matthew Lysiak
​(Illustrations by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff)
 
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
One of the most critical features of a successful early chapter book series is the voice of the main character. And in this series, the voice is spot on. The author, Hilde, is a ten-year-old writing about events loosely based on her own real-life experiences as a junior sleuth.
 
In Hero Dog, Hilde is intent on solving a baffling case. Various baked goods, among other things, have gone missing on none other than the day of the local Bake-Off Bonanza. Is the culprit a dog with a sweet-tooth? A disgruntled neighbor? A jealous Bake-Off contestant?
 
Armed with her trusty notepad and pen, Hilde cycles around the town of Sellinsgrove interviewing those who have had items stolen and questioning the police and suspicious people. She records her thoughts in a notebook, the pages of which are scattered throughout the text. The reader follows along with Hilde and her sister Izzy (who takes photographs) every step of the way from their first clue to solving the mystery.
 
This is a fast-paced, page turning story that will leave young readers feeling empowered to take charge, follow their dreams, and trump age barriers through perseverance and hard work.
 
Go Hilde!

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​Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick & David Serlin
 
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
 
Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick & David Serlin is, I believe, the first in a new format of children’s books. An easy reader, with simple text and full page black and white illustrations, but with the external appearance of a much more mature book (think chapter book or middle-grade novel i.e. lots of pages).
 
The book consists of five chapters. Each chapter deals with a separate theft but because each case is handled in the same step-by-step way, the chapters are repetitive and predictable. The result— increased reader confidence with each passing chapter.
 
My almost six-year-old was captivated by the ‘big kid’ appearance of the book and pleasantly surprised when it was simple enough for her to read to herself. And just when she started to lose interest, due to the repetitive format of the chapters, we reached the final chapter, which had a different storytelling format to the other four.
 
The illustration detail in this book is phenomenal. Historic figures, icons, and images line the walls of Baby Monkey’s detective office, providing keen sleuths with case cracking clues. An explanation of these details and their place in history is included as back matter at the end of the book.
 
Spectacular art, splashes of history, and an easy reader combined into what appears to be a ‘big kid book’. Just brilliant!