by Eric Pierpoint ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 3, 2013
A suspenseful adventure with heart.
After a cholera epidemic in 1877 claims the lives of their parents, the three O’Toole children must travel through the dangerous Western frontier to their new home.
A night of murder and arson ravages the disease-riddled town of Great Bend, Kan., leaving 12-year-old Caleb and his 6-year-old sister, Tilly, witnesses to a brutal killing. Luckily, Henderson, a Civil War hero and ex-convict, intervenes, temporarily saving them from the dangerous Blackstone Gang. Unfortunately, the murderous brothers are only one of the many dangers awaiting the O’Tooles as they travel along the Oregon Trail to their aunt’s ranch in the Bitterroot. Sioux raiding parties, rattlesnakes and kidnappers all lie in wait for the siblings. The O’Toole children are quick studies, picking up equestrian, medical and gun-slinging skills as easily as they do friends. The fast-paced adventure serves up a hearty history lesson with side dishes of political, social and environmental commentary. Realistic and complicated characters give the familiar story of the pioneer’s journey fresh life. A rushed and confusing ending is only a minor misstep. Cameos by famous figures such as Touch the Clouds and Sitting Bull give authenticity to the O’Tooles’ journey.
A suspenseful adventure with heart. (Adventure. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-8171-6
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: July 16, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2013
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by Peter Brown ; illustrated by Peter Brown ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 26, 2023
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.
Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.
When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9780316669412
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
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by Aaron Reynolds ; illustrated by Peter Brown
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by Peter Brown ; illustrated by Peter Brown
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by Peter Brown ; illustrated by Peter Brown
by Max Brallier ; illustrated by Douglas Holgate ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 13, 2015
Classic action-packed, monster-fighting fun
Awards & Accolades
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New York Times Bestseller
It’s been 42 days since the Monster Apocalypse began, and 13-year-old Jack Sullivan, a self-proclaimed “zombie-fighting, monster-slaying tornado of cool” is on a quest to find and rescue his not-so-secret crush, June Del Toro, whether she needs it, wants it, or not.
Jack cobbles together an unlikely but endearing crew, including his scientist best friend, Quint Baker; Dirk Savage, Parker Middle School’s biggest bully; and a pet monster named Rover, to help him save the damsel in distress and complete the “ULTIMATE Feat of Apocalyptic Success.” Middle-grade readers, particularly boys, will find Jack’s pitch-perfect mix of humor, bravado, and self-professed geekiness impossible to resist. His sidekicks are equally entertaining, and it doesn’t hurt that there are also plenty of oozing, drooling, sharp-toothed monsters and zombies and a host of gizmos and gadgets to hook readers and keep them cheering with every turn of the page. Holgate’s illustrations play an integral role in the novel’s success. They not only bring Brallier’s characters to life, but also add depth and detail to the story, making plain just exactly how big Rover is and giving the lie to Jack’s “killer driving.” The marriage of text and illustration serves as a perfect example of what an illustrated novel can and should be.
Classic action-packed, monster-fighting fun (. (Graphic/horror hybrid. 8-12)Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-670-01661-7
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: July 21, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2015
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by Max Brallier ; illustrated by Douglas Holgate
by Max Brallier ; illustrated by Douglas Holgate
by Max Brallier illustrated by Douglas Holgate
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by Max Brallier with Joshua Pruett ; illustrated by Jay Cooper & Douglas Holgate
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