Jeff Wheeler is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He majored in History at the San Jose State University. He worked at Intel while attending college but retired early to write full time.
With some of his best friends, they founded the electronic magazine Deep Magic. It is a magazine where new and aspiring authors can get their fantasy and science fiction stories published.
He started his writing career self-published with Amazon’s Createspace and the Kindle Direct Program. His works caught the eye of Publisher 47North and 2013 he became one of their authors.
SYNOPSIS
Bingmei was orphaned at a very young age. Luckily, she was taken in by a kind and noble woman who just happened to be the leader of an ensign. Under Kunmia Suun’s tutelage, Bingmei continues to expand her martial arts skills. While on assignment for the local King, Bingmei unwittingly awakens a terrible ancient entity who is unleashed on the world and only she can stop it.
The story takes place in the future after all history is forgotten. No one really knows who the Ancients where, why they built the “Great Wall,” or why they disappeared. All that is known is that they left great cities and magical artifacts behind. Unfortunately, when the artifacts are used, they summon the “Killing Fog.” The fog kills everything it touches, but does not destroy anything leaving the bodies as if they were in a deep sleep.
Bingmei has a naturally ability to use magic and is an exceptional fighter. She must use all her wit, skill, and abilities to stay ahead of the ancient entity determined to capture and kill her. With the help of her friends and colleges, she embarks on a mission of survival.
CONCLUSION
The Killing Fog is a very well written book. The author established the plot and characters from the start. The imagery is exceptional and the detail exquisite. The use of China’s history intertwined with the fantasy of the future adds to the mysticism of this tale.
Jeff Wheeler obviously did a lot of research for this series. The detail in his descriptions of people, places and things are brilliant. The reader has no problem imagining the places or the people in vivid imagery. He has created a fantasy world that readers will enjoy for many years.
I genuinely enjoyed this first book in The Grave Kingdom series and I cannot wait for the next one to be released on 23 June, 2020: The Buried World.
Insane: America’s Criminal Treatment of Mental Illness
Author
Alisa Roth
Publisher
Basic Books; 1 edition (April 3, 2018)
Format
Kindle, Paperback, Hardback, Audiobook
Page
287
Language
English
ASIN / ISBN
B074M6FZXQ / 9780465094196
AUTHOR
Alisa Roth, a long-time radio and print journalist, has reported on refugees and asylum seekers in the Middle East, Europe and the United States. Her work has appeared on Marketplace, NPR, The World, as well as in The New York Times, The New York Review of Books and Gastronomica. If you would like to see a C-SPAN interview with the author, you can see it here.
SYNOPSIS
Roth’s expose’ reveals the confluence of factors that combined to create a living nightmare for those suffering from mental illness in the United States of America. She posits that the current system is fundamentally failing. She carefully and sensitively examines the personal experiences of sufferers who as a direct, or indirect result of their illness became involved with law enforcement, and how law enforcement responded. That said, having mental illness should never be a death sentence as is reported on at least one occasion by Roth in Insane.
Roth visits a number of jails and prisons in an attempt to clarify the situation on the ground, and what she discovers reads like something out of a Dickensian novel.
Rather than lambasting those on the front lines. Alisa Roth acknowledges those prison guards and police officers who, with virtually no training, are forced to deal with mental health issues. She documents how ill equipped the penal institutions and personnel are in dealing with the veritable tidal wave of clients who are psychologically disturbed. She examines the effects of underfunding as it relates to the welfare, care and medical treatment of those incarcerated in correctional institutions.
CONCLUSION
Although the subject matter is dire at times Roth has created a well paced, critical analysis of an often ignored emergency in our society. She does so with respect and dignity for those on both sides of the agenda. Rather than decrying the system, she acknowledges the painful decisions made on a daily basis by the people forced to work and live within that system.
Some years ago, the closure of mental hospitals or insane asylums was heralded as a positive move to empower the sick and free them into society. Sadly, society did not care enough to ensure that there were sufficient resources to adequately support those with psychological illnesses in the community. Many fell through the cracks, and some ended up homeless, confused, lost and desperate. They inevitably ending up within Criminal Justice System.
Insane is a powerful work, well researched by an exceptional journalist and writer. Written with a compassion and sensitivity that is difficult to describe. Insane is one of those books that you just have to read for yourself to fully appreciate the depth and nature of the subject. Clearly written, masterfully researched, and exceptional in every way. I can’t wait to read Alisa Roth’s next offering.
Insane:America’s Criminal Treatment of Mental Illness by Alisa Roth is by far, the best debut offering I have read this year. I would not be surprised to find it on the Pulitzer nomination list.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Alisa Roth, NetGalley and Basic Books for affording me the opportunity to review Insane: America’s Criminal Treatment of Mental Illness.
READERS WHO LIKE INSANE ALSO ENJOYED THESE AUTHORS
RON POWERS is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author. He is the co-author of Flags of our Fathers and True Compass-both #1 New York Times Hardcover Nonfiction bestsellers. His biography of Mark Twain-Mark Twain: A Life-was also a New York Times bestseller. He lives with his wife Honoree Fleming, Ph.D., in Castleton, Vermont.
Dj Jaffe DJ Jaffe is Executive Director of the independent, non-partisan Mental Illness Policy Org., and author of Insane Consequences: How the Mental Health Industry Fails the Mentally Ill. For over 30 years, he has been advocating to reduce homelessness, arrest, incarceration and needless hospitalization of the most severely mentally ill, a group he believes has been ignored by CMHS, SAMHSA, many mental health advocates and systems, and offloaded to criminal justice.
Carly Madden has worked in publishing for over 14 years and is Senior Editor at QED. She lives in Essex, Great Britain with her family.
SYNOPSIS
Before the Internet, a pop-up book was the thing closest you could get to an interactive read. What a pleasure to see then that the old technology is still holding strong in the cyber age.
Banana & Bone are both board books of the pop up variety. Each book has six pages of attractive and captivating full color illustrations of animals.
In Banana the characters include: a monkey, a crocodile, a bird and a giraffe. In Bone the main character is a dog and he is accompanied by a black cat, a sleepy rabbit and a hungry parrot. Banana and Bone are both children’s non-fiction activity books containing short sentences and pictures throughout.
Banana and Bone are the product of Quarto Publishing. In my opinion Quarto is synonymous for quality in children’s literature. Their publications are always beautifully illustrated, age appropriate and vibrantly eye catching. They know what children want, and they produce magnificent works every time. I was overjoyed to receive both publications as Advanced Review Copies (ARC’s) in return for my considered opinion.
My first impression of the books was positive. They both brought a smile to my face. The large bold image of monkey on the front page of Banana and the goofy tan colored dog with black ears on Bone almost made me laugh. I can only imagine the sheer excitement and yearning of a small child when they see one for the very first time. This made for a great first impression. I assure you your child will have the same reaction at seeing these gorgeous little offerings. The books are brief at only six pages but they’re filled with large exceptionally drawn, vividly colored and immersive illustrations.
Please note the guidance on the rear of the books suggests that the work is not appropriate for children under 3 years old.
CONCLUSION
Both publications have the visage’ of eye catching bright, light and vivid animal illustrations that any young child would enjoy. It is not hard to imagine Mom, Dad or Grandparents reading Banana or Bone to a child; captivating, entertaining and educating them.
I am unable to attest to the esthetic mechanics of the books as I only have a digital copy for review. The description suggests that there will be food shapes and the child is encouraged to place the image of the food into the mouth of the relevant animal.
The books concept is a solid one based on the familiar sensation for any child; that is one of being hungry and of wanting to sate their appetite. The child is encouraged to feed the animals fostering him/her to learn empathy, love, and understanding of the world beyond themselves. This combined with the fun of feeding the illustrated animals acts as a character-building exercise as much as it reinforces happiness, contentment and nurturing.
I have no doubt that Banana or Bone would quickly become a firm favorite of any young child.
Vibrant, exciting, and interactive; what is not to like?
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Carly Madden, NetGalley andQuarto Publishing for affording me the opportunity to reviewBanana and Bone from the Feed the hungry animals Series.
LITERCURIOUS CHILD FRIENDLY JOKE
Q. Why are babies good at basketball?
A. They dribble.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS BY THIS AUTHOR
Hi there, our records show you are a frequent visitor to Litercurious and I wanted to say a personal thank you for your patronage. Thank you for liking and sharing our posts. Please feel free to reblog any or all of the reviews. I look forward to your valuable input again in the near future.
The Dozier School for Boys: Forensics, Survivors, and a Painful Past
Author
Elizabeth A. Murray
Publisher
Twenty-First Century Books TM (September 3, 2019)
Format
Kindle, Audiobook, Library Binding, Audio CD
Pages
120
Language
English
ASIN #
B07TZKV7RP
AUTHOR
Elizabeth Murray was born in Cincinnati and has lived in the area her entire life. She is a Professor of Biology at Mount St. Joseph University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1986 (when it was the College of Mount St. Joseph). She earned a Master’s degree in Anthropology in 1988, specializing in biological/physical anthropology, before going on for a PhD in Human Biology received in 1993, both from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Murray has been a practicing forensic anthropologist since the late 1980s, earned Diplomate status from the American Board of Forensic Anthropology in 1999, and is now one of approximately 100 anthropologists certified by that organization. She enjoys teaching human gross anatomy and forensic science, and is case manager for approximately 30 incidents involving unknown persons through the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). Much of her professional writing is for grades 7-12, since reading books in her own youth is what inspired her to become a scientist and gave her a love of history and mysteries.
The Dozier School for Boys, by Dr. Elizabeth A. Murray Ph.D., is a dispassionate and analytical examination of the disturbing events that transpired at the reform school during its 111 years (1900-2011 and beyond) of operation. Perhaps we should begin with the context relating to the institution. Prior to the establishment of the Dozier School for Boys, it was common place for children, found guilty of some crime would be housed alongside adult men in penal institutions under the same harsh regimes. It was not unheard of that the juvenile inmate were victimized by the sections of the adult male prison population. There was little prospect of rehabilitation for the children as they lacked basic education, or of the opportunity to learn a trade. The school was created to reduce the negative outcomes of housing children with predators, and with a view to reduce the recidivist rates to reduce public expenditure.
Sadly, as Dr. Murray explains the initial high expectations quickly fell short. What began as an inspirational attempt at improving outcomes and reducing crime descended into Institutionalized, systematic abuse. Every horror occurred at the correctional institution from sexual exploitation, physical abuse, forced labor, and starvation of the inmates.
CONCLUSION
The Dozier School for Boys is a concise and scholarly work. It made for disturbing reading at times and because of that I would feel uncomfortable recommending it for the age range indicated. There was some repetition and read as condescending at times. Dr. Murray’s writing style may suggest to some that she lacks empathy for her subject. I however suggest that she is being dispassionate by design, avoiding the natural reaction to make subjective assessments about the horrific events and abuses of the children. Eloquently written, supported by graphic eyewitness accounts; provide a view on the Reform School experiment that failed all of its goals.
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
ACKNOLWEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Elizabeth A. Murray, NetGalley and Twenty-First Century Books for affording me the opportunity to review The Dozier School for Boys: Forensics, Survivors,and a Painful Past.
Wilmington’s Lie: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy
Author
David Zucchino
Publisher
Atlantic Monthly Press (January 7, 2020)
Format
Kindle, Audiobook
Pages
626
Language
English
ASIN
B07YBK3S7V
“What happened in Wilmington became an affirmation of white supremacy not just in that one city, but in the South and in the nation as a whole.” Democracy Betrayed, The Wilmington Race Riot of 1898 and its Legacy (Chapel Hill, NC: university Press, 1998), 120-121 (2000), Edwards, L.. F.
AUTHOR
David Zucchino is a Journalist and author. He is a Pulitzer Prize winner and he was nominated on four previous occasions. He is known for his international war reports and his previous publications; Thunder Run and the Myth of the Welfare Queen, both of which are featured at the end of this review.
SYNOPSIS
Wilmington’s Lie is in essence the distillation of the chronology of events documenting the birth of white supremacy during the formative years of the Reconstruction era.
Zucchino posits that Wilmington in North Carolina (NC) in 1898 was the epicenter of the tragedy that became white prejudice, not just locally but nationally. Zucchino documents the corruption of the town’s establishments who together conspired to rig the voting system through violence. Subsequently a clan of like minded citizens formed into a lose association that we now identify as the Klu Klux Klan, Red Shirts, and Militia. These people then conspired together to commit murder against peaceful protesters and other members of their community.
Zucchino begins by explaining the tumultuous events that occurred on that Thursday, 10 November 1898 in the largest port city of NC.
Prior to the horrors that took place in Wilmington that day. The town had been a promising template for the advancement of Reconstruction. Those who were former vassal’s had managed to establish a healthy and thriving community. In the town those persons formerly enslaved and freemen were found in all strata of the economic spectrum from Drs to lawyers, Newspaper owners to journalists, even shop owners and journeymen. In a town of 10,000 black people were in the majority?
The initial promise of the Wilmington model, however, was about to be derailed.
The span of the publication goes far beyond the discussion of the central theme. The echos of that year carried on and increased in intensity leading to wide spread prejudice that eventually became the Jim Crow Laws, racial segregation and a perfect storm of misery, poverty and wide spread disenfranchisement of the black population.
It is a sad fact that the shadow of Wilmington continues today to cast a blemish on current day events.
Historically the supremacists failed because whilst the United States have far to go to reach total equity, serious in-roads have been achieved, with more, far more to go.
Wilmington’s Lie is a riveting, fascinating and compelling re-telling of the massacre and its fallout not just in 1898 but to the present day.
It made a profound and long lasting impression on me. I was unaware of the so Called Wilmington Riot and for me it was an education. One is left with more questions than answers not about the massacre but about the depth of mans inhumanity to man.
The horrors of that November day in Wilmington were only formerly recognized as recently as 2000. The tragic echos reach down through the years to influence the decedents of those who lost their lives or who were driven out that day. Zucchino has managed to expose, for the whole world, the events all those years ago. He provides us a window into the truth of what happened to those innocent people. Necessarily graphic at times, the report documents the inhumanity of the hour and immense injustice that began in Wilmington, NC., and eventually inspired the Jim Crowe Laws.
CONCLUSION
Wilmington’s Lie is a stark, ugly, and yet a compelling read.
This history book is heavily researched, professionally written and easy to follow. The author centers on the facts of his research and avoids subjective statements. zucchino includes contemporaneous letters, personal journals, newspaper accounts of that day as well as official documentation. It is genuinely a scholastic effort and a powerful work.
Wilmington’s Lie is a profound exploration of a heinous crime against peaceful protesters who were simply attempting to exercise their newly acquired rights to participate in open and fair elections. Over 120+ years have passed and justice still evades the victims and their antecedents; adding insult to injury. Occulted until now from the purview of the public eye adds to the injustice.
The span of the publication goes far beyond the discussion of the central theme. The echos of that year carried on and increased in intensity leading to wide spread prejudice that eventually became the Jim Crow Laws, racial segregation and a perfect storm of misery, poverty and wide spread disenfranchisement of the black population.
The most concerning aspect of the events of 1898 is that the present day community still refuses to admit that serious crimes took place that November day in 1889. It is a sad fact that the shadow of Wilmington continues today to cast a blemish on current day events.
Having read the manuscript, I sympathize with the authors view and with those who, although long gone, still deserve justice. Telling the heinous truth might begin that path to justice. This was a book that had to be written in an attempt to at least recognize the victims of this tragedy, but far more, it’s a must read.
HISTORIC CONTEXT – The capture of Wilmington during the Civil War, 1865
THE GLOBE, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1898
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank David Zucchino, NetGalley and Atlantic Monthly Press for affording me the opportunity to review Wilmington’s Lie: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS BY THIS AUTHOR
Hi there, our records show you are a frequent visitor to Litercurious and I wanted to say a personal thank you for your patronage. Thank you for liking and sharing our posts. Please feel free to reblog any or all of the reviews. I look forward to your valuable input again in the near future.
Brad Meltzer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Inner Circle, The Book of Fate, and nine other bestselling thrillers including The Tenth Justice, The First Counsel, The Millionaires, and The President’s Shadow. His most recent book, The Escape Artist, debuted at #1 on the bestseller list. His non-fiction book, The First Conspiracy, is about a real life secret plot to kill George Washington and is out now. And his upcoming book is The Lincoln Conspiracy, about a FIRST secret plot to kill Abraham Lincoln.
In addition to his fiction, Brad is one of the only authors to ever have books on the bestseller list for Non-Fiction (History Decoded), Advice (Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter), Children’s Books (I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln) and even comic books (Justice League of America), for which he won the prestigious Eisner Award.
In 1776, an elite group of soldiers were handpicked to serve as George Washington’s bodyguards. Washington trusted them; relied on them. But unbeknownst to Washington, some of them were part of a treasonous plan. In the months leading up to the Revolutionary War, these traitorous soldiers, along with the Governor of New York, William Tryon, and Mayor David Mathews, launched a deadly plot against the most important member of the military: George Washington himself.
This is the story of the secret plot and how it was revealed. It is a story of leaders, liars, counterfeiters, and jailhouse confessors. It also shows just how hard the battle was for George Washington and how close America was to losing the Revolutionary War.
In this historical page-turner, New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer teams up with American history writer and documentary television producer, Josh Mensch to unravel the shocking true story behind what has previously been a footnote in the pages of history. Drawing on extensive research, Meltzer and Mensch capture in riveting detail how George Washington not only defeated the most powerful military force in the world, but also uncovered the secret plot against him in the tumultuous days leading up to July 4, 1776.
CURRENT PUBLICATION BY THIS AUTHOR
# 1 BEST SELLER on Amazon
The Lincoln conspiracy: The secret plot to kill America’s 16th President – and why it failed. By Brad Meltzer & Josh Mensch
Everyone knows the story of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, but few are aware of the original conspiracy to kill him four years earlier in 1861, literally on his way to Washington, D.C., for his first inauguration. The conspirators were part of a pro-Southern secret society that didn’t want an antislavery President in the White House. They planned an elaborate scheme to assassinate the brand new President in Baltimore as Lincoln’s inauguration train passed through en route to the Capitol. The plot was investigated by famed detective Allan Pinkerton, who infiltrated the group with undercover agents, including one of the first female private detectives in America. Had the assassination succeeded, there would have been no Lincoln Presidency, and the course of the Civil War and American history would have forever been altered.
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Norman 2: The True Story of a Possessed Doll’s Revenge
Author
Steven Lancaster
Publisher
Llewellyn Publications (September 8, 2020)
Format
Kindle, Paperback
Pages
264
Language
English
ASIN#
B0841637W9
AUTHOR
Stephen Lancaster is a self-proclaimed phenomenologist and has been involved in the field of paranormal research since 1997. In 2010 he became an author; chronicling his experiences investigating the paranormal.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
The target audience for this publication is all those who have an interest in the paranormal and horror stories.
SYNOPSIS
Norman 2 is the sequel to Norman: The Doll That Needed to Be Locked Away. The earlier publication introduced Norman, a doll that the author and his wife discovered in a store. An ominous comment from the store owner piqued Lancaster’s interest, and he bought the doll and took it home. All too quickly, Stephen Lancaster claims, Norman began performing for his new audience. Almost immediately, sinister occurrences began to take place that forced him to utilize cameras to capture footage of the paranormal happenings. The author claims to have extensive footage relating to the possessed doll. The Lancaster’s lives become a nightmare that escalated exponentially over time. Eventually provoking the author to place the doll in a vacant room in an attempt to assuage the temper of Norman the doll.
It is now two years later and Norman 2 continues the haunting tale. As the saying goes, sensational claims require sensational proof and that seems to be where the wheels come of this project. I am only too aware that paranormal investigators claim that their methods are based in science but that just isn’t so. The scientific method requires a number of things: for example, the experiment is repeatable producing the same result. In addition, it must be possible for your peers to replicate the same experiment and attempt to prove your theory wrong. In the paranormal world it is impossible to find irrefutable proof derived from the scientific method.
In Norman 2 Lancaster attempts to prove with visual evidence the voracity of his claims. I remain skeptical as I felt the events described fell short of proof of paranormal occurrences.
Lancaster recounts various disturbing situations including a seemingly spontaneous fire claimed to have been created by Norman in its room. There are instances of exaggerations or sensational claims that reduce, rather than increase the probity of the claims. The telling of the story reminded me of the over elaboration of a bad liar. I came to the uncomfortable conclusion that I was being lied to.
CONCLUSION
Throughout the book there were examples of repetition, misspellings and an amateurish writing style. This devalued the trope almost as much as the outlandish claims themselves. The work could have been far more concise and measured. I found myself being less subjective in part due to the lack of skilled writing, language, grammar, and vocabulary.
If the family are so afraid of the doll it seems odd that they should wish to continue to house it in their home. Is the doll inhabited by a restless spirit, a demon, or the soul of a dead child? That question I leave for you to decide.
I am aware the force of my review may indicate I do not enjoy the entertainment value of paranormal entertainment shows and literature. I am intrigued with the subject and have been since I read TheAmityville Horror as a child. I consumed the book in less than 24 hours, not stopping to sleep until I finished it.
Incidentally, I do enjoy reading publications on the paranormal, especially when they are well written, balanced, and subjective. I enjoy paranormal literature that present the claims and evidence that leave it for me to decide if the claims carry any weight or not.
This is simply my opinion and you have your own and that is why I recommend you read the first book and then decide if you would like reading Norman 2.
⭐⭐
Rating: 2 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Steven Lancaster, NetGalley and Llewellyn Publications for affording me the opportunity to review Norman 2: The True Story of a Possessed Doll’s Revenge.
OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR
SPOOKS AND KNOCKERS UNCENSORED IS CURRENTLY FREE TO READ on KindleUnlimited
The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park: The SecretIntelligence Station that Helped Defeat the Nazis
Author
John Dermot Turing
Publisher
Arcturus (March 15, 2020)
Format
Kindle, Paperback
Pages
251 pages
Language:
English
ASIN
B082XHJWCW
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sir John Dermot Turing is the 12th Baronet of the Turing baronetcy. He is the nephew of Alan Turing the infamous English mathematician that worked on the enigma machine. He did a D.Phil in genetics at New College, Oxford before moving into the legal profession. He specialized in financial law and is currently an author.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
This book is for everyone. Wether you are a historian, student, WWII enthusiast or just someone who interested in secret intelligence code breaking, you will find this book interesting.
SYNOPSIS
Before James Bond, there was Alister Denniston, Dilly Knox, Alan Turing, Mavis Batley (née Lever), Peter Twinn and Frank Birch.
The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park is a unique take on an old subject and has managed to breathe new life into those who worked on the Enigma machine. It is the true-life account of the people, places and techniques employed for decrypting the machine that the Axis powers used during WWII to secretly encrypt their commercial, diplomatic and military communications. Unlike many books of its kind, The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park paints an intimate observation of the participants that is lacking in other publications. The reader gets a look back in time and at the characters behind the crack. The vital importance of the work at Bletchley Park contributed to the war as a whole and in particular, the Battle of Cape Matapan from 27-29 March, 1941.
The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park is a character driven dive into the ultra-secret world of the codebreakers. Turing’s chronology primarily focuses on the years immediately preceding WWII through the evolution of the Government Code & Cypher School (GC & CS) and its evolution into the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). The early codebreakers were, as Alister Denniston dubbed them, ‘the professor type.’ Most of these were ‘Kingsmen,’ alumni of King’s College, Cambridge; although not exclusively. They came from varying disciplines that included mathematics, academia, arts, humanities, classics languages, and history. Once ‘The Hunting Party’ had arrived at Bletchley Park work that began with a hand full of academics quickly grew in size and scope. Those with other skills and talents including: Intelligence Staff, Translators, Linguists, Managers, Machine Operators, Typists, Secretaries, and Stenographers were swiftly recruited.
The author avoids focusing upon Alan Truing, but instead introduces the reader to the arguably equally important contributors to the cracking of the Enigma. My favorite character was Dilly Knox a brilliant scholar of the Classics, specifically Greek. He was humorous and poetic. He constantly threatened to resign his position, was a man full of contradictions, a less than skillful driver and tragically gone too soon.
Those interested in women’s studies will find this publication to be a breath of fresh air. It includes details of the women who worked at Bletchley Park and heralds the significant contributions made by those women. Most of whom were never awarded any recognition or accolade.
CONCLUSION
The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park is anything but a dry retelling of history. I found it intriguing, enlightening and humors in equal amounts. Since I read it a week or two ago, I’ve thought of it fondly and often mentioned it repeatedly to friends and family. This, for me, is the seal of a truly great work and because of this I am rating this book highly.
If you want to find out: who ‘Dilly’s Fillies’ were, why there was a bath in the office of Room 40 at the Admiralty, how QWERTZU has anything to do with the Enigma, how the Bomba became the Bombe or what really went on in Hut 6; you will have to read The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park for yourself. Be prepared for a compelling and extraordinary true-life tale.
Highly recommended for everyone.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Sir John Dermot Turing, Netgalley and Arcturus for affording me the opertunity to review The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park: The SecretIntelligence Station that Helped Defeat the Nazis.
Katrina Elizabeth DiCamillo is an accomplished author and is known for her fictional children’s books. She is one of six people to win the Newberry Medal twice. She was appointed the U.S. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress for the term 2014 and 2015. She writes novels, chapter books, picture books and short stories. Several of her stories have been made into motion pictures. You can visit Kate’s website here.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem is written for children 5-10 years old.
SYNOPSIS
Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem is the story of a young second grader and her antagonist Horace. Stella is an imaginative young girl who likes to fantasize about wizards and castles. Horace is the obnoxious know-it-all that every class has. The two are at ends on most things, but everything unravels when they start arguing in class.
The two get sent to the Principles office but Horace runs off. Stella gives chase and then things go really bad. They have to bind together and provide each other comfort to escape their ordeal.
CONCLUSION
Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem is a very good book. It provides education and storytelling all in one. The characters are well crafted and believable. The plot is suspenseful and intellectual. The prose is age appropriate and easily to follow. There is the heroine and the antagonist and circumstance forces them to work together. The end of story lesson is relevant and educational.
The illustrations in this pre-release are not the final press release pictures. That said, they are splendid. Chris is an excellent artist and his characters are beautifully rendered. If the final release is anything like the cover, then this will be a delightfully colored picturesque book. I do love the pig and “balloon head Horace.”
Overall, Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem is an excellent book. Children will absolutely love this story and its characters. When the final release is complete, I have no doubt that the illustrations will only add to the appeal of this little gem.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
SPECIAL MENTION – ILLISTRATOR
Chris Van Dusen is an accomplished author and illustrator. He started drawing when he was a child living in Portland, Maine. Back then he loved drawing aliens, monsters and robots. He attended the University of Massachusetts where he earned a BFA in 1982. He did a few odd jobs after graduation but finally started freelance drawing cartoons and illustrations for magazines. He published his first book in 2000. If you would like to learn more about Chris, you can find his website here, and you can watch his drawing tutorials here or catch him on Facebook here.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Kate DiCamillo and Candlewick Press for affording me the opportunity to review Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem.
LITERCURIOUS CHILD FRIENDLY JOKE
Q. Do you know why Humpty Dumpty likes Autumn so much?
The Story of Jane Goodall: A Biography Book for New Readers
Author/Illustrator
Susan B. Katz/ Lindsay Dale-Scott
Publisher
Rockridge Press (May 5, 2020)
Format
Kindle, Paperback
Page
67
Language
English
ASIN
B0875MRZ6C
AUTHOR
Susan B. Katz is a Board Certified Educator with a quarter century of experience, an award winning bilingual author, and a popular speaker. When not writing, she can be found working as the executive director of ConnectingAuthors.org, a national nonprofit organization that brings authors and illustrators into schools. Susan also enjoys an active social life. You can read more about her here: http://susankatzbooks.com
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
Children 6 to 8 years old will enjoy reading this publication.
SYNOPSIS
The Story of Jane Goodallis a child orientated biography. It’s an attractive and informative revelation about the leading light in conservation. The Story of Jane Goodall describes her life, passions, studies and her meteoric rise professionally, socially and educationally. Her name is synonymous with the study of chimpanzees and the conservation of their habitat. Inspirational throughout, The Story of Jane Goodall is a must read for any child whose parent wants to impress upon them the importance of a life long commitment and conservation.
Dame Jane Morris GoodallDBE., formerly Baroness Jane van Lawick-Goodall, is world renowned for her study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees. Over 60 years of studying primates have established her as the worlds leading authority on chimpanzees. She also founded the Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots & Shoots programme. She was named a UN Messenger of Peace in April 2002.
As the title makes clear,The Story of Jane Goodall describes the life of Dame Jane Goodall. It takes us through the evolution of Jane. From her formative years as a young girl in England through her life experiences and the fortunate accident that ushered her to become a woman of letters. Katz’s relates the ups and the downs of Jane Goodall’s life and experiences. Through her skilled writing Katz relates Jane’s enthusiasm for her subject.
Katz does a great job describing Janes’s life. She goes into detail such as: the type of books that Jane loved to read as a child, her ambitions to travel to Africa and her love of animals. She describes how Jane got her job in Gombe, Kenya with Dr. Louis Leakey Ph.D., an archaeologist and paleontologist. Katz relates how working with the notable Leakey led Jane to earn her Ph.D., in ethology. She went to Newman College, Cambridge and became the eighth person to be allowed to read for her doctoral thesis before having been awarded either a graduate or post graduate degree.
CONCLUSION
The Story of Jane Goodall is a refreshing new take on an old genre; that of the biography. Katz’s years spent as a teacher are obvious from the outset. Her prose is written with children in mind, and yet speaking as an adult, I enjoyed the simplicity and the clarity of her writing style. It is fun and enjoyable throughout.
The illustrations contained within the pages are delightful. They are age appropriate, colorful and fun. Lindsay Dale-Scott did an excellent job telling the story through pictures. I especially liked the way she put faces with the names of Jane’s chimpanzees. I thoroughly enjoyed her art work.
The Story of Jane Goodall is a tiny gem; enlightening, informative, compelling and concise. Large enough to satisfy and short enough to read in an hour or two. The timeline is interspersed through the chapters and easy to follow. Included are many memory retention tools and quizzes. I loved this book, and you will too.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
SPECIAL MENTION – ILLUSTRATOR
Lindsay Dale-Scott is an accomplished illustrator and designer. She studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Columbus College of Art and Design. An animal lover herself, she she earned an award for her advertising campaign for the sloth sanctuary of Costa Rica. She says, “I have always been an artist ever since I could hold a crayon, drawing on walls and just creating.” Her works are not just on books, she also creates greeting cards for American Greetings. If you would like to learn more about Lindsay Dale-Scott, her web site is here and you can follow her on Instagram here.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Susan B. Katz, NetGalley and Rockridge Press for affording me the opportunity to review The Story of Jane Goodall: A Biography Bookfor New Readers.
LITERCURIOUS CHILD FRIENDLY JOKE
Q. Why isn’t a Koala bear a real bear?
A. Because he isn’t Koalafied.
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