I have a great book for you today. It's the third in the series "Tales From the Other Side of Real" by A. M. Henry: Westley and the Witches.
Although I have more to say about Westley and the Witches, I can begin by summarizing the book in a single word: charming. The plot is suspenseful, exciting, and fun. The excellent illustrations by Laura Kitching add to the enjoyment of the book.
Young Westley Prince awakes one morning to learn that his even younger sister, Gemma, has disappeared. What is a Prince to do other than summon his fairy godmother and embark on a search for Gemma?
The "Tales From the Other Side of Real" are intended for middle grade readers, but I don't see why parents couldn't read them to younger children who are old enough to listen to the story. I also don't see why parents can't sneak the books out of their children's rooms and read them after their little darlings have gone to sleep or are away at school.
Call me weird, and many have before you, but I find the first chapter of the book amusing. It's called "Westley Really Hates Baseball" (oh, boy, do I know how you feel, Westley). As Westley warms the bench, he sees that "Terry Hughes––the scruffy-but-very-fast outfielder––looked a lot greener than he did thirty seconds ago." Instead of catching the ball that heads in his direction, Terry runs toward the dugout, makes a sharp turn, and "[a]pproximately eighteen inches away from the port-a-potty's blue plastic door, Terry Hughes lost his breakfast."
How can you not like a book that begins with a barfing kid? Especially because when I was a child ever-so-many years ago, I hated playing baseball or any other sport as much as Westley does.
Westley and the Witches earns The Janie Junebug Seal of Highest Approval for the vomit alone.
Happy reading!
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
Please note that this book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. I don't think it gets more honest than puke.
Sounds like a fun book to read because it reminds me of the classic style of the fairy tales. I so agree with you about sports
ReplyDeleteIt's very fairy tale-ish. I never understood the point of sports. I also didn't know how to play.
DeleteOooo, great opening for a kid's book. I've never been much into sports either, but I do like watching baseball from time to time, particularly during the World Series.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was about ten years old, for a few years I sat outside on our patio while my dad smoked his pipe and listened to baseball games on a little transistor radio. I didn't understand the game. I liked being with my dad.
DeleteMy grandson loves to read, but he wouldn't get the no sports thing....he is Mr. Sports, baseball and football.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Westley changes. Characters often do.
DeleteSo, Westley knew some of the girls I went to high school with?
ReplyDeleteOh, Penwusser.
DeleteThis sounds like a story I'd have loved when I was younger, much younger.
ReplyDeleteBecause you are oh-so-old now.
DeleteThis really sounds like a fun story. Gotta love a book that starts with a barfing kid. haha
ReplyDeleteIt really is great and would appeal to many ages.
DeleteNow this sounds like a book I could really enjoy, concentration problems or not. I read many of the books that my children read in school.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip
Some of the best books I've ever read were the summer reading assignments my daughter had in prep school.
DeleteThanks so much for the great review! As promised, you are entitled to a prize. What would you like? Original artwork? A pie? Random trinkets?
ReplyDeleteAs I said, you gave me the book in exchange for an honest review. Nothing else required, unless you have a million dollars in small bills sitting around, doing nothing.
Delete