Accidental Time Traveller by Janis Mackay - Book Review

Book: Accidental Time Traveller

Author: Janis Mackay

Genre: YA, Middle Grade 

Publisher/Publish Date: Floris Books / May 1, 2013

Source: Publisher, NewGalley

Pages: 240

Rating: 3/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, but it in no way effects my review of the book.

Most Young Adult (YA) or Middle-Grade books fall somewhere along the spectrum of either having weak characters, and a weak plot, which the younger readers may not notice, or being very well written, and enjoyable for adults. I found this one fit somewhere in between, and I would highly recommend it to middle and grade schoolers.

Shortlisted for the Scottish Children's Book Award 2013, the story begins with Saul, on his way to the local store to buy some items for his mother, witnesses a girl suddenly appear in the middle of the road. After rescuing her, he's surprised at how puzzled she is by traffic, items in the shop, and she's wearing a very dated looking dress. Agatha Black introduces herself, and we soon discover she's traveled through time with the help of her father, who we find isn't the best time traveler.

Through Agatha, Saul learns about the history of his small town in Scotland, and she learns about what life is like in the 21st century. She gets to attend school, meet some of this friends, but she really wants to go home, and Saul tries his best and helping her travel back in time.

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July - What I Read

After a really slow reading month in June (only 3 books), I kicked it up a notch in July. Though it helped that one is a photo book, another I only read part of, and yet another was short stories.

Coyote Lost at Sea, by Julia Plant 

I really enjoy adventure books and this was no exception. It's a look at the life of Mike Plant, seen through the eyes of his younger sister Julia. He's a solo sailer, willing to risk his life for the sport he loved. [my review]

Kneading to Die, by Liz Mugavero
A good beach read with a bit of heart. Luckily the pet parts didn't over power the other good qualities of the book. [my review]

Vanishing Portland, by Ray Bottenberg
A photography book, showing historical architecture in Portland Oregon, along side a bit of info. Fun way to see and read about the history of this city.

Portland in Three Centuries, by Carl Abbott
Another history book about Portland Oregon, but with a lot more words. I only made it through half of it. It found it interesting, but it had a lot of details and I felt ready to move onto another book.

The Short, Strange Life of Herschel Grynszpan, by Jonathan Kirsch
While I really liked this book and learned a lot from it, it wasn't the most fun book to read. I powered through it and was glad I did. [my review]

Seaside Harmony, by Evangeline Kelley
Another good beach read or summer read. Lighthearted and made me wish I could take a trip to where the book was set.

Accidental Time Traveller, by Janis Mackay
A pretty decent Middle Grade book about a young girl who travels and gets stuck in time.

A Dangerous Fiction, by Barbara Rogan
A really great mystery novel. Well written with a plot that is layer though not too complicated to get confusing. Expect a review for this soon.

The Winds of Marble Arch and Other Stories, by Connie Willis
A collection of short stories. I read four of them, and really enjoyed them. Mostly I am not a huge fan of short stories though, would rather have something around 300-400 pages with a good story I can get lost in.

Storybound - book review

Book: Storybound (Storybound #1)

Author: Marissa Burt

Genre: Middle School, Fantasy 

Publisher/Publish Date: Harper Collins Children's / February 5, 2013

Source: ARC eBook courtesy of publisher and NetGalley

Pages: 416

Rating: 2.5/5

GoodReads  •  Amazon

Imagine, while reading a fairytale one day, you suddenly become part of the story. That's what happens to Una Fairchild when she gets sucked into the land of Story. There kids go to school to learn to be Heros, Ladies, and Villains. As the story develops she learns the reason she is there, and it's a lot more complex than she ever would have though.

While I really liked the concept and idea of the book, there were lots of plot holes and poor writing. Maybe I am holding it up to Harry Potter standards (which it is really similar too) and it just isn't as good as that, but what can be?

I don't think I'll be reading the other books in the series when they come out, but elementary, and middle school kids may really enjoy them.

May - What I Read

Thanks to a cold and a lot of time spent sick in bed, I plowed through a lot of books this month. I feel very accomplished:) Working on some longer reviews of some of these, so expect those soon.

Requiem (Delirium #3), by Lauren Oliver
[my review]

What Good Is God?: In Search of a Faith That Matters, by Philip Yancey
I listend to this as an audiobook, read by the author. And since much of the book is based on his sermons, it was an enjoyable and inspiring listen.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain
So good! Everyone should read this. [my review]

The Mystery of Mercy Close (Walsh Family #5), by Marian Keyes
[my review]

Queen of the Air: A True Story of Love and Tragedy at the Circus, by Dean N. Jensen
Thanks to the publishers who were kind enough to send me an Advanced Copy of this book. I really, really enjoyed it. This book will be available June 11. [my review]

Screwed, by Laurie Plissner
Also got an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher. I may not be the right audience for this book (I'd recommend for high school and college age), and I had some issues with the writing, but the story was interesting.

Absent, by Katie Williams
Thank you Chronicle Books & NetGalley for the ARC, I really enjoyed this. [my review]

The Last Summer of the Camperdowns, by Elizabeth Kelly
Such a great book! Was so glad yo get it as an ARC. I often value books based on how much I like the cover, and this one held up to my high standard. [my review]

Storybound (Storybound #1), by Marissa Burt
Cute story about a normal girl who is reading one day, and is sucked into Storyland. Sometimes felt that it was trying too hard to be a great series like Harry Potter, but I'd recommend for elementary and middle school kids. (I got an ARC from NetGalley)

Loki's Wolves: The Blackwell Pages

Book: Loki's Wolves (The Blackwell Pages Series)
Author: K.L. Armstrong & M.A. Marr
Genre: Middle Grade, Mythological 
Publisher/Publish Date: Little, Brown / May 7, 2013
Source: ARC curtesy of publisher
Pages: 358
Rating: 4/5
GoodReads  •  Amazon

The son of the local sheriff, Matt, knew he was a descendent of the Norse God Thor, but until he was chosen as the living representative of Thor it was never a big deal. Being chosen as the champion means he must fight in Ragnarök, the final battle, and he over hears his family saying they don't expect him to survive.

Matt decided to go off on his own, and find the other characters from the myths who were also foretold to fight in the final battle. He wants to prove his family wrong, and return a true champion.

When I got this book in the mail and saw the cover, I wasn't sure what to think about it. But once I got to reading I found I really enjoyed it. In many ways it reminds me of Harry Potter: kids having an adventure without their parents, serpent attacks, friends banding together to battle mythological creatures. While the writing isn't quite on par with J.K. Rowling, I could see this series really taking off, especially with grade school and middle school kids—much like the first Harry Potter book.

It ends on a cliffhanger, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you have any young kids on your christmas shopping list, this would be a great gift for them.

Thank you Little, Brown and GoodReads for the ARC! I received it by entering a contest on GoodReads, First Reads. It's open to anyone so head on over and see what other books you can enter to win; they have some really great giveaways.