tween – Page 8 – Bergers Book Reviews

scarab
Author: Valerie Storey
Publisher: Dava Books
Genre: Tween / Mystery
ISBN: 978-0-9643289-1-4
Pages: 212
Price: $12.95

Author’s website
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Lydia Hartley wants to be an Egyptologist like her dad, Phid. When a mysterious scarab scam surfaces, Phid is called to investigate. Under cover of a vacation, she and her family travel to Egypt to find the culprits.

But Lydia knows her father can’t help but try to find the Trove of Isis – a cache of treasure he had seen only once before it vanished. And now something fishy is going on at the Malik household where her family is staying, and Lydia needs to get to the bottom of it. Suddenly her trip of a lifetime has turned ugly.

Egypt and mystery blend together perfectly, but there are elements of this story that don’t fit quite as well. I had a hard time suspending my disbelief on a few plot points. The characters were likeable, the setting interesting, and there was great action. But if these elements were fixed, the story as a whole would flow better, in my opinion.

Kids who love Egypt and action-packed mystery will probably enjoy The Great Scarab Scam.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

scales
Author: Sam Wilding
Publisher: Olida Publishing
Genre: Fantasy / Tween
ISBN: 978-0-9558789-0-9
Pages: 336
Price: $19.99

Author’s website
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You don’t find a talking goldfish every day – especially one who calls himself a wizard from another planet. So when James encounters Mendel, he is understandably surprised. But James thinks Mendel and his planet might have something to do with his father’s disappearance, so he willingly follows him to his home planet, Denthan.

But Denthan’s sun is about to explode. Mendel disappears soon after he, his friend Craig, and Craig’s dog, Bero, arrive. Now they find themselves alone to fight strange beings and look for Mendel so they can try to save the city. And everywhere he goes, James expects to find signs his father is there.

Full of intrigue, magical creatures, and wars between menacing beasts, The Magic Scales is a fast-paced, exciting adventure, with good triumphing in the end for a satisfying conclusion. A great read!

Reviewer: Alice Berger