Friday, August 18, 2017

Can They Find the Evidence to Prove They're Clones?

Project Osiris was an experiment to find out what happens when criminal masterminds are cloned and raised in ideal, happy, loving situations. When Tori, Amber, Malik, Eli, and Hector found out that they were part of the experiment they refused to be someone's science project any longer. In Masterminds, the first book in the series, the kids busted out of Serenity, New Mexico, the town where they were brought up. All but Hector survived the escape. Having been sheltered for their whole lives, they knew nothing about the outside world and how it works. Luckily they made it to the private school their friend, Randy, was transferred to after he got too close to the secrets of Project Osiris. Randy gave them a place to stay for a while so they could come up with a plan. When the “purples” (the police from Serenity) showed up at the dormitories their planning time was cut short.The kids had to think smart and break free. It wasn't easy, but they made their way to Denver. Amber knew the best thing to do was to find a police officer and explain their story. After all, cloning humans was illegal, and their so-called parents and everyone else in the experiment deserved to be arrested. Unfortunately, telling a police officer only makes them think you're crazy or messing with them, and Amber gets arrested. The kids realize they need evidence to prove they're clones from master criminals. Since they don’t know which criminals, it's even more important they have proof. On the internet they find out the name of a millionaire who was going to fund Project Osiris, and they set out to find her. But she refused to acknowledge that she knew anything about a cloning experiment. It isn’t easy, but they decide that the only thing they can do is go back to Serenity and the traffic cone factory, where they'd first discovered the truth. The kids know there's evidence there- they’d seen it. When they arrive, the factory had a fire. Could any proof still remain? Will someone in Serenity keep them from going back to freedom? How long can four kids survive on their own without money or a real understanding of the outside world? Read this page turner to find out.

I read the first book in the series last summer, and it ended on a cliffhanger. So I was looking forward to reading Masterminds: Criminal Destiny by Gordon Korman. It started right where book one left off. The format was the same, with Eli, Amber,  Malik, and  Tori each taking different chapters to give us the story through their eyes. One thing I liked was seeing how the characters handled the outside world. They broke a lot of laws, but they were in a tight spot and some of the illegal things they did couldn’t be avoided. After all, they were in an unbelievable situation. The characters grew on me and I liked seeing the way their friendships evolved. Just like the first book in the series- this one ended on a cliffhanger. I found out the third, and last, installment of the series is out- so I hope I can read them in the next couple weeks. I recommend this to kids in fourth grade and up who like mystery and adventure. I know I can’t wait to see what happens to these kids with criminal mastermind DNA.

Has anyone else read Masterminds: Criminal Destiny? Or have you read another book by Gordon Korman? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!

~L

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Answer to Monday's Riddle: Prove It!

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Lizzy's review will deliver the evidence on Friday, so stay tuned! See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

Do you want to know the truth? Seek it out like a sleuth. Look for clues to start your quest, proven facts work the best. Once a piece has been found, you can rest on solid ground. The key to solving any mystery is sorting out its hidden history. When you find it- wrong or right- you can't be tricked if you've gained insight. 

What am I looking for? Answer: Evidence/ Proof



Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 
Make time to riddle and rhyme!
FREE COUPON CODE: JM98U


BOOST YOUR SKILLS FOR THE TALKING LIBRARY!
62 original riddles and illustrations
Available in all e-book formats





Sign up to be a part of our Cover Reveal Tour in September! Join the DMS on their mission to unlock the Talking Library. 
(sign up below or click here for full form)





Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Love Surprises?


Sign up to be a part of the Cover Reveal Tour

Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library will be out in October, but we're spilling secrets in September. Help the DMS spread the news, and sign up to be a part of our cover reveal tour. We'll be sharing the cover on September 1st, and dropping hints about the next case until the book launch. 




Eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow had no clue that moving from Manhattan to the small town of Ashpot, Connecticut would lead to an unsolved mystery. Her parents’ dream of renovating a crumbling Victorian called the Begonia House into a bed and breakfast had seemed like treachery at the time, but Fairday found out that her new house kept secrets, and once inside its twisted front gates, anything was possible.


When mysterious notes start showing up warning that a librarian is in trouble and a bookworm is eating words, Fairday thinks the Begonia House has more skeletons in its closets. She notices a passage in her favorite book has been changed, and she’s certain something is dreadfully wrong. 

What happens to stories when their words get eaten?
The DMS is ready to investigate! Fairday, Lizzy, and Marcus take off on a sticky trail and tumble into Nowhere. Like Alice in Wonderland, Fairday finds herself in a world where nothing makes sense and the lines of reality are blurred.

The three sleuths discover amazing things about themselves as they unravel more secrets within the walls of the Begonia House. Follow along with Fairday and friends as they open the next case in the DMS files to unlock the Talking Library.
~
Watch the book trailer for The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow to get in the mood for the next mystery! ;) 
Fill in the form below to join the tour 

Monday, August 14, 2017

Monday's Riddle: No Doubt!

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? The DMS is always on the lookout for this! ~ F

Do you want to know the truth? Seek it out like a sleuth. Look for clues to start your quest, proven facts work the best. Once a piece has been found, you can rest on solid ground. The key to solving any mystery is sorting out its hidden history. When you find it- wrong or right- you can't be tricked if you've gained insight. 

What am I looking for? Stop by Wednesday for the answer. 

I gave you a clue!


Boost your riddle skills for the next case in the DMS files! Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library will be out this October. Sign up to request a limited Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. Follow along with Fairday and friends as they try to unlock the Talking Library!



Friday, August 11, 2017

Margo's Musings: I'm Trying to Love Spiders

Ever since we moved into the Begonia House, my little sister, Margo, has become obsessed with spiders. Instead of being afraid, she thinks they're cute. Of course, during our library visit she had to pick out a book about her new favorite creature.  

In I’m Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton, the narrator learns all kinds of interesting facts on their quest to love spiders. Not only will you be entertained, but you will learn cool information about spiders that may help them grow on you, if you’re not already a fan. I was shocked by how many pounds of bugs they eat a year! If you don’t like bugs, then spiders are actually your friend. It’s also important to know that most spiders aren’t poisonous, so many of the ones we see can’t hurt us. The humor had us chucking and hoping for another book by this author! 




I think it's awesome that a picture book taught me so much about these arachnids. I definitely appreciate them more than I did before. The illustrations are fun-filled with details that help reinforce the facts. This book will make you like spiders a little more, if you don’t already.  

Has anyone else read I’m Trying to Love Spiders Or have you read another book by Bethany Barton? Do you like spiders? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 

Happy Reading!
~F

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Answer to Monday's Riddle: Spinning Spiders!


Excellent guessing, Riddlers. Friday, Margo has picked a story that will creep up on us, so stay tuned! See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

Creeping legs on sticky strings vibrate to buzzing things. Lurking over a crack in the wall, when they drop you won't hear them fall. More eyes than two watch what's spun; if you're not afraid, they're loads of fun. It's true they can be scary, but arachnids are cute, even hairy! 

What am I referring to? Answer: Spiders! 



Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 
Make time to riddle and rhyme!

62 original riddles and illustrations
Available in all e-book formats






WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE BEGONIA HOUSE?
 Sign up to receive one of the limited advanced review copies of the next case in the DMS files, FAIRDAY MORROW AND THE TALKING LIBRARY.