6 weeks of Stocking Stuffers.... Week 2

Week 2 starts with a review of The Phoenix Files a book that is full of intrigue and mystery and kind of made me think of communes and teen angst and mischief. I'm not sure why....

The Phoenix Files: Contact (Book 1) 

by Chris Morphews

ISBN: 978-1610670913

$6.99 (paperback)

$6.99 (ebook)

About the book:

This electrifying, six-volume, alternating-narrator serial catapults the reader into a creepy, locked-down desert town, built by an all-powerful corporation whose plans threaten the future of the rest of the world.

Luke Hunter soon realizes that Phoenix is no ordinary town: no cars, no phone or Internet connection, and a private security firm on patrol. This is weird enough, but then he and his new friends learn that someone is plotting to wipe out the rest of the human race. The clock is ticking. Only 100 days until the end of the world.

My thoughts:

I've wanted to read this series ever since Usborne started carrying it. Many of you know I wasn't to crazy about the Conspiracy 365 series that came out a couple years ago. It's such a huge series to read - and I really like that that this series is complete in 5-6 novels. The perfect length for a series of books for the middle grade.

The Phoenix Files is a series of books based on 3 teens who (along with their parents) move to the brand new town of Phoenix. It's in Australia somewhere out in the bush (for you Americans it's in the middle of NOWHERE). The teens and families arrive in a military grade helicopter with the windows spray painted over so they couldn't see where they were going. They are encouraged to bring nothing but their suitcases - the Phoenix Group (their parents are working for) will supply everything else they will need. There is a Phoenix High School where our 3 new Teen Friends attend school (in matching grey pants, white shirt and red ties), the houses are all identical (including matching matching furniture all in shades of grey) and there are no motorized vehicles - that's right no cars, trucks (except the supply trucks) and guess what? There is no communication with the outside world - unfortunately Luke's Dad is part of the outside world after he and his mother divorce and it turns out Luke's family is the ONLY family unit without 2 parents.

So what happens when Luke and Jordan (the last 2 families to be chosen to arrive) each receive a USB with a cryptic label on it, meet a crazed man called Crazy Bill and start an investigation with their new pal Peter?

All I can say is that I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series. The story gets kind of slow in the middle and I started wondering when the story was going to speed up some but the last few chapters of the book get very good and well, I finished this book sometime around 10 pm last night.

You can purchase this book and the other 4 books in this series by clicking on the following links. These links lead to a friend of mine's Usborne Books website & I know she would be happy to help you set up a Gift list or if you'd like to host a FB Book Party she can help you get lots of FREE books as well!

Book 1: Arrival
Book 2: Contact
Book 3: Mutation
Book 4: Underground
Book 5: FallOut
Book 6: Doomsday

Disclaimer: I was originally offered a copy of this book to read/review on CCB. This review is being moved to GivingNSharing and reposted for my readers here. I was not required to post a positive review and no $ exchanged hands. Thanks for reading GivingNSharing!

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6 weeks of Stocking Stuffers..... Week 1

For the next 6 weeks I will posting ideas for Stocking Stuffers. Some are books I've reviewed on GivingNSharing. Some will be books I reviewed on CCB (Classic Children's Books). Some will be products that I find helpful with chronic pain and some will be neat little gadgets and some will be little projects that I am working on for Christmas Gifts... let's start with Week 1:

The Cats of Tanglewood Forest

by Charles de Lint
ISBN: 978-0316053570 $14.61 (hardback) $ 7.99 (kindle)

About the book:

The magic is all around you, if only you open your eyes....

Lillian Kindred spends her days exploring the Tanglewood Forest, a magical, rolling wilderness that she imagines to be full of fairies. The trouble is, Lillian has never seen a wisp of magic in her hillsuntil the day the cats of the forest save her life by transforming her into a kitten. Now Lillian must set out on a perilous adventure that will lead her through untamed lands of fabled creaturesfrom Old Mother Possum to the fearsome Bear Peopleto find a way to make things right.

In this whimsical, original folktale written and illustrated throughout in vibrant full color by two celebrated masters of modern fantasy, a young girl's journey becomes an enchanting coming-of-age story about magic, friendship, and the courage to shape one's own destiny.

This would be perfect for readalouds and independent readers—it has a classic, timeless feel to it. And check out some of Charles's exquisite artwork on this Pinterest board!

  My thoughts: I have to say I LOVED The Cats of Tanglewood Forest. The writing is beautiful and the images I received in my mind's eye exquisite. You have the story of a little farm girl who is being raised by her aunty, who speaks to the forests animals and ends up turning into a kitten. Her adventures as she travels the forest, meets a witch (or two), her experience living with the Bear People are exciting and draw you along in the story. I ended up staying up into the wee morning hours reading to finish this story. The end of the book is not at all what I expected and the choice that Lillian has to make in the end of the book would be very hard to make - it will make your kids stop and think "what would they do if they had to make the same choice?".   The writing for this story remind me of The Water Baby or even some of George MacDonald (Sir Gibbie, The Princess & the Goblin) or even CS Lewis's wonderful Narnia Chronicles. This would be a great story to while away a slow summer afternoon (or several) or a rainy/stormy day - or even a long trip on the airplane.. 

Disclaimer: I was originally offered a copy of the book to read and review on CCB. This review is being moved to GivingNSharing and reposted for my readers here. I was not required to post a positive review and no $ exchanged hands. Thanks for reading GivingNSharing!