Category: Challenge-Middle Grade Book Challenge 2011

Title: Dead Bird Through The Cat Door
ISBN:9781926691152
Author:Markley, Jan
Publisher:Gumboot Books
Pages: 173

Source: Received this book from the author.

Synopsis:
Kids can change the world – even if it is one bird at a time.Dead birds? Stolen cats? Things get personal when Cyd and Jane’s cat, Yin, gets kidnapped. They turn to technology and Shakespeare to help solve the mystery. Written with charm and wit that will appeal to both young and old, Dead Bird Through the Cat Door is a well-crafted mystery story that shares an important environmental message.

MY THOUGHTS:
This is the second book in the Megabyte Mystery series by Jan Markley. I should point out that you really don’t need to read Dead Frog on The Porch to follow the series.

I really enjoyed this book too. Cyd and Jane are back to solve another mystery that involves dead birds and stolen cats. Along with a new mystery is a few new characters such as Aviary Finch, Souris Vole, Kitty Katze, and Cygnet Finch (Aviary’s wife). Todd from the previous book returns in this one.

I love how Cyd and Jane are able to put the mystery in order. From decoding the characters names that fit into the story line such as birds, cats and a mouse to gradually putting all the clues together to solve the case. Kuddos to Jan for doing that.

The book opens up with Yin, Jane’s cat coming through the cat door with a dead baby robin clutched in her teeth. Of course Jane being the animal lover gets upset. After the bird is buried they girls decide to head to the Wildwood Bird Sanctuary for a bike ride.

Once at the bird sanctuary the mystery begins. They spot Aviary running through the woods following what looks like a lynx, a butterfly net and the comments of one down and only about another three thousand to go. Wondering what he is up to the girls realize that this is there next mystery. What is Aviary up to?

In order to get closer to the case they girls decide that they should volunteer at the bird sanctuary. This is where they run into Todd again. I have to say I was curious as to how this would play out. Will Todd actually be a good guy or was there more to Todd then the girls knew?

On top of volunteering at the bird sanctuary, the girls mother would love if it the girls would visit a neighbor (Kitty Katze) who recently went into a old folks home and was forced to give up her beloved cat, Contessa Cuddles. The girls mother thinks it would be good if Jane brought Yin to visit her. Kitty is upset that her cat was brought to an animal shelter and Jane promises to get the cat back for her.

With quick thinking Jane manages to discover that Fitch has adopted the cat but wonders why? The convince Cygnet to take part in the cat show but once there alot more happens such as cats going missing since as Yin. The girls are still baffled and are quickly trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together before its too late.

Will the girls be able to solve the mystery before all the birds end up dead?

Another aspect I loved was how Jan Incorporated Macbeth into the book and how it was fitted into the storyline. I have to say I am not a fan of Macbeth and read it when I was in high school. So I have to say I was lost in trying to figure out how it fitted into the storyline but thankfully I had Cyn and Jane to figure it out.

This is my favorite quote in the book:

Sure, I love animals, but I loved books more; they don’t drool on you, and you don’t have to throw them a tennis ball a hundred times a minute.

I thought I would share the trailer for the book.

The next book in the series is called Dead Bee in the Sarcophagus. Due to be released in the fall of 2011.

This is another book that I would highly recommend for middle grade girls who like Nancy Drew or if you think they will like Nancy Drew.

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for my interview with Jan.

Title: Dead Frog on the Porch
ISBN:9781926691060
Author: Jan Markley
Publisher:Gumboot Books
Publication Date:October 2009
Pages:252
Source: Received from author.

Synopsis:
Kids can change the world – even if it is one frog at a time. Sisters Cyd and Jane are propelled into an international plot involving evil scientists and giant, genetically stretched frogs. Will the twins win this hilarious race to save the frog kingdom?

MY THOUGHTS:
In December I was contacted by Jan to see if I would be interested in reading her two middle grade books Dead Frog on the Porch and Dead Bird Through the Cat Door. Seeing as they were middle grade books I jumped at the chance as I am always looking for middle grade books to review.

I was pleasantly surprised when I checked out Jan’s site and discovered that she is a Canadian author. An added bonus. I love discovering new authors and especially if they are Canadian.

This is the first book in the Megabyte Mystery series. This is a perfect book for the middle grade girl who loves a little mystery. I would say its the modern day version of Nancy Drew. (Sadly I never read Nancy Drew growing up. Although I probably should try them.)

The two main characters are twin sisters Cyd and Jane. You can tell they are modern day girls because they love blogging and are very technically savvy. Another thing the girls love is Nancy Drew books and Jane loves animals. You will see this throughout the book.

Dead Frog on the Porch opens up on the hottest summer day and Cyd makes a run for it to jump into a giant inflated inner tube and accidentally steps on Jane’s pet frog, Frogzilla. You know this isn’t going to be good.

The girls mom is a scientist and is very involved with her work at the lab. There are two new colleagues working with her and they are Rita Smalley, and Bert Tallbot. (the girls have given Bert the nicknamed The Cheese Pie Man) They have come over from England to work.

The girls know that something is up with them after they spot an Empire Meats truck sitting behind the lab. Suddenly frogs, cats and dogs go missing. The girls know that Smalley and Tallbot are behind it and know that they have to solve this mystery Nancy Drew style.

Through the girls investigation they realize that the scientist are coming up with formulas to make the frogs grow into giant frogs. They are doing this for Chef Oulette (Chef Omelette as the girls call him) who has also come over with Tallbot and Smalley. He is the man behind the whole operation.

At first it appears as though they are doing this to the frogs to get bug juice for a bug repellent but as more of the story is revealed the girls quickly realize that’s not the case. What could they possibly be doing with the frogs? Will Cyd and Jane crack the case before its too late for them and their mom?

I really enjoyed this book and I have to admit that I had a hard time to put it down. There was enough action happening to make it a page turner and I managed to finish this in one afternoon.

I am sure middle grade girls will really enjoy this story and this series of books.

Check back on Monday when I review Dead Bird Through the Cat Door and on Tueday I will be sharing an interview I got to do with Jan Markley.

Title: Jen and the Frosted Friends
ISBN:9781452053493
Author:Sparks, Kerry
Publisher:Authorhouse
Pages: 76

Source: Received a copy from the author.

Synopsis (from Powell’s):
Introduction Fifth grade is the best for Jennifer, Rebecca, Pamela and Sammie. Their teacher, Mrs. Fern, is as sweet as pie, the boys are extra cute this year, and, between the girls, the glitter supply is strong. The girls use so much glitter, the principal calls them “The Frosted Friends.” All is well until mean old substitute, Mrs. Frost, comes along. Jen and Becca already had to have Mrs. Frost for fourth grade, and Mrs. Frost is supposed to be retired! Mrs. Frost is back, and she’s as mean as ever. She’s making the girls write sentences and confiscating glitter! Everyone seems to think Mrs. Frost is the pits, except for Jen’s classmate “Frowning Francesca” Clearwater. She’s the only one smiling for once. Will Mrs. Frost pass the girls on to the sixth grade, or are they destined to stay in the fifth grade forever!

MY THOUGHTS:
This is book two of the Get Frosted Series.

I enjoyed this just as much as I enjoyed the first book. I am sure middle grade girls would love this one just as much as the first one.

Jennifer has passed and is starting grade five with a new group of friends. The girls are Rebecca (who was Jennifer’s friend in the last book), Pamela and Sammie. They are all excited because they have a great teacher, Mrs Fern.

The girls are your typical girls who like pizza, boys, sleep overs and make up. The girls earn the nick name “The Frosted Friends” from the principle because of the amount of glitter the girls use.

Things are going great in school for Jennifer until Mrs Fern announces that she is pregnant. What will happen once Mrs Fern goes on maternity leave?

The day comes and Jennifer is shocked at who the replacement teacher is. Once she sees who it is her world comes crashing down. Its the one person she thought she would never see again, Mrs Frost. The class quickly realizes that the rest of the year is not going to be fun except for one person who is actually smiling and enjoying this. Its Francesca.

Jennifer is determined to find out what Francesca is all of a sudden so happy when the rest of the class is so miserable because it appears as though Mrs Frost has gotten meaner since the last time Jennifer saw her.

Jennifer is dealing with having Mrs Frost around and problems with boys. A dance at the school almost risks Jennifer loosing her best friend, Rebecca because it looks like Jennifer is going after the boy she likes (which of course turns out to be the complete opposite because this boy likes Rebecca) so Jennifer lets her friend know that.

Things at school aren’t getting better and to make matters worse Mrs Frost has announced this is pairing the class up for the science project. Jennifer is happy she gets Sammie but its Pam who isn’t thrilled and it leaves Jennifer wondering what is wrong with Pam. The girls have passed and Pam has worked out her issue. Its around Valentine’s Day that Pam surprises the group with her new found friendship. How will the group react?

There is so much more about the book I would love to share but I am afraid if I go on I will spoil it. So much more happens that will surprise you. I know I was surprised and I had to continue reading it.

These books are a super fun and quick read.

Check back tomorrow for my interview with Kerry Sparks.