I received an ARC of this book via the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Game of Scones is the first book in a new series from illustrator “The Doodle Boy” Joe Whale and Eric Luper. Here readers are introduced to the food in the cafeteria at Belching Walrus Elementary. The story follows Slice (pizza), Scoop (ice cream), and Totz (a tater tot) as they battle for independence from the Main Office, specifically Baron Von Lineal (a ruler). Creativity and imagination abound in this story, filled with all the things from school and what they get up to when the students are away.

Final Thoughts: Game of Scones is a fun, creative story that will engage older readers and leave them wondering what happens at school when they aren’t there.

You can see the full review here on YA Books Central.

I received a copy of this book via the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Class Clown Fish by Kevin Sherry is the second book in the Squidding Around graphic novel series for kids featuring Squizzard. In this installment, Squizzard plays a prank on his teacher that lands him in detention. Detention means no going to the carnival that is in town for a week. Set with an impossible task of cleaning out the elementary school's basement to make a space for the new after-school program, Squizzard may find what he was looking for all along.

Final Thought: Engaging and funny, Class Clown Fish teaches an important lesson on how to treat others as we would want to be treated.

You can see my full review at YA Books Central.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via YABC. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

What a fun adventure! QUEST KIDS AND THE DRAGON PANTS OF GOLD by Mark Leiknes is a middle grade graphic novel featuring four friends who seek out those who need help and attempt to provide it. Narrated by Ned, the de facto leader of the group, the story unfolds. Bristolburg has just hired two knights to obtain the golden pants from a dragon who lives in the mountains on the outskirts of the village. Ned convinces his friends to follow the soon-to-be roasted knights and de-pants the dragon themselves. One thing leads to another and the Quest Kids now have to save the village from the dragon. What does he want? A sweat shirt to match his golden pants. Can the Quest Kids find the beast with the golden hair in time to save Bristolburg from the dragon's wrath?

What I Loved:
I loved every page of this book! It is such a fun and engaging read. The narrator frequently breaks the fourth wall to talk to the readers and explain what is happening and why it is happening. These breaks are interspersed with cartoon drawings, comic panels, maps, and J.B. Lucastoothe's observations from reading and translating Ned's text.

Ned, Gil, Terra, Boulder, and their pig-dog-thing Ash make up the team. Ned and Gil are human, a farmer and wizard apprentice. Terra is an elf, and Boulder is an MMOR (mostly made of rock) creature. They work as a dysfunctional team and are close friends, I would even go as far as to say they are found family. The dynamic works, and the constant banter is fantastic. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times while reading.

The plot itself focuses on the Quest Kids finding a creature with golden fleece. The quest takes them across the country side to lands none of them have experienced. There is constant movement in the plot whether it be from the action and adventure of the story or from the interactions and quarreling among the group. The chapters are short and encourage readers to continue reading even when they hit the end.

Final Thought: Adventure awaits in QUEST KIDS AND THE DRAGON PANTS OF GOLD by Mark Leiknes. Kids of all ages will enjoy the humor and action of this team of friends as they cross through invisible forests, battle foes known and unknown, and learn the true meaning of friendship.

I received an eARC of this book via the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Throne of a Thousand Lies by Rachel Higginson is the second book in the Nine Kingdoms Trilogy about a young princess destined to rule. Picking up just a few weeks after the events of book one, Tess is settling in to her new rule as the crowned princess. While she isn’t happy that she will not be queen yet, she also understands the council’s decision. However, danger lurks around every corner. Tess doesn’t know who to trust, and her family’s killer remains at large. With assassination attempts happening daily, Tess needs to find the person responsible before her own life is forfeit.

Please note that if you have not read book one, there may be minor spoilers to it in this review.

I adore Tess. She is such a fun character to follow. She’s cunning and brave, however also a bit naive. Learning that she arrived just in time before a new line could be named as heir to the kingdom and a new crown made, Tess finds herself in a precarious position. She’s ruler but not. Her heart belongs to someone that she can never be with. And her baby sister is alive and whole and on her way to the kingdom. Tess is doing her best, yet also being held at arm’s length by her uncle who has been ruling the kingdom since her family was killed. She feels lost in a world that used to be her own, but also falls back into routines easily. I admire how she meets each challenge, even with the pressure her uncle is placing on her to marry.

Taelon, our Rebel King and Tess’s former betrothed, is noticeably absent from this book. We have a few quick scenes with him and Tess, and then it is mostly her pining for him. I’ll admit I struggled with this a bit, mainly because I knew what it meant….a new love interest has entered the ring: a second son from a brutal kingdom. He grew on me