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CHILDREN’S FICTION
Todd Strasser does a good job of bringing out
the diversity of people and the problems
families can have in his book Close Call. Using
an ethnic variety of well developed characters
and a realistic plot, Strasser teaches tolerance,
understanding, and compassion to young
readers.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
Cody unplugged, by Betsy Duffey;
illustrated by Ellen Thompson. LCCN
98053756. New York: Viking, Penguin
Putnam, 1999. ISBN 0670885924, HBB,
$14.99.
F. Camping--Fiction. 87 p. Elementary.
When nine-year-old Cody Michael’s folks send
him off to Camp Bear, he wonders how he can
enjoy his summer vacation. Camp Bear, he
understands, has no TVs, no computers, no
video games. In fact, Camp Bear has no
electricity! Cody takes along a book on
wilderness survival. Throughout the weeks at
camp, Cody learns how to deal with bears, the
camp bully, a “haunted hamster,” and girls.
While the other boys pack M&Ms, Skittles, and
Reeses Pieces for their hiking trip, Cody packs
his wilderness survival guide. It’s a good thing
he does, because the camp bully needs rescuing.
Cody Unplugged by Betsy Duffey is illustrated
by Ellen Thompson. Her black and white
drawings depict thoroughly modern kids in
realistic settings. The drawings, and the
humorous, brightly colored dust jacket will
appeal to adults as well as children.
The book is divided into twelve short, easy
reading, chapters. Each chapter is followed by
lists for every possibility called, “Cody’s Camp
Survival Guide.” Children will enjoy a chuckle
as they read Cody’s lists.
Dell Smith Klein, Freelance Writer, Teacher, Yarnell, Arizona
Eva’s summer vacation : a story of the
Czech Republic, by Jan Machalek. LCCN
99019243. Norwalk, Ct.: Soundprints,
1999. ISBN 1568998023, HBB, $15.95.
F. Czech Republic--Fiction; Cousins--Fiction. 30 p.
Elementary.
Eva’s Summer Vacation, written and illustrated
by Jan Machalek, introduces us to young Eva
and her father as they begin their trip to attend a
family wedding. As they take a taxi to the
airport, Eva quietly says good bye to many of
the beautiful and historical areas and buildings
in downtown Prague. When they arrive at Aunt
Lida’s home in the small city of Hluk, the scene
is much different. Aunt Lida lives on a farm in
the Carpathian Mountains. She has farm
animals in her backyard. The hilly countryside
gives Eva the opportunity to play and run with
cousins, pick wild strawberries, and swim every
day. She has brought a traditional folk costume
for the wedding and is delighted with the music
and dancing of the ceremony. After the
wedding, she tells her father goodbye as she
looks forward to spending the summer with her
cousin exploring the countryside.
Jan Machalek has succeeded in writing a
balance of fiction and information about his
native Czech Republic. Instead of lists, maps,
and dates that usually go along with this type of
subject, he has used a fiction story in
picturebook form to paint a simple picture of
some basic differences in this country. He
shows a simple contrast between the capital city
and the country. These contrasts, while obvious
to adults, are explained very appropriately in his
story. The description of the wedding is very
simple, addressing the important issues a child
would want to know, such as clothing and food.
To add to the description of the different topics
are Mr. Machalek’s lovely double spread
illustrations. Even though a written description
of the city of Prague is not provided, the
illustrations demonstrate the busyness and
beauty of the architecture and landscape.
A small informational section at the end of the
story includes a map, a very brief paragraph on
Czech history, population, topography, and
traditions. The Czech words used in the story
are defined in this section as well.
Patricia Youmans, Homeschool Parent, Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Fangs for the memories, by Bill Myers;
with David Winbish. (Bloodhounds, Inc.;
5.) LCCN 99006408. Minneapolis:
Bethany House, 1999. ISBN 1556614896,
PAP, $5.99.
F. Vampires--Fiction; Brothers and sisters--Fiction;
Christian life--Fiction; Mystery and detective stories.
125 p. Elementary.
The fifth book in the Bloodhound, Inc. series by
Bill Myers, Fangs for the Memories finds Sean
and Melissa Hunter on the trail of a vampire.
When the Hunter’s neighbor Mrs. Tubbs finds
herself face-to-face with a vampire, her screams
alert the neighborhood and set the Hunter kids
on a search for the villain. Facing their fears and
remembering what the Bible says about God
being greater in us than anything else, Sean and
Melissa track down the real vampire while
leaving their usual path of destruction in their
wake. The two uncover the real identity of the
vampire and spoil his burglary ring. In the
process they come to realize that with God there
is nothing to fear.
Once again Myers scores a hit with readers
weaving humor, antics, and action into an easyto-read
tale. As he has done with his other
books, the author uses a verse to maintain his
theme throughout the book, effectively showing
how kids can put their faith into action. For
laugh-out-loud enjoyment, Fangs for the
Memories is a hit.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
The great galaxy goof, by Robert Elmer.
(AstroKids; 1.) LCCN 00009928.
Minneapolis: Bethany Backyard, Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0764223569, PAP,
$5.99.
F. Space stations--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction;
Science fiction. 105 p. Elementary.
Set in the 22nd century, author Robert Elmer
spins a science fiction tale about living on a
space station in The Great Galaxy Goof. With
life colonies on other planets and the moon, and
space travel the norm, the AstroKids find
adventure in outer space. Newly arrived to the
space station, Buzz discovers a castaway on the
space shuttle. Miko, an orphan from the moon
station, pleads with Buzz to keep her secret.
Buzz, via his wrist interface, also meets Mir,
another AstroKid whose father is commander of
the space station. However, as Buzz finds out,
Mir isn’t too excited about Buzz “spying” on
him through Buzz’s wrist interface. The two
eventually meet face-to-face and find
themselves on the brink of disaster when Mir
accidentally launches the space shuttle the two
are on. Poised to crash into the moon within
seconds, Buzz saves the day by donning a zip
suit and propelling the shuttle back to the
station.
Robert Elmer creates a humorous environment
for children to expand their minds and dream of
life in outer space. He produces believable
space gizmos to add credibility and humor to his
writing. The author writes the book from the
point of view of Buzz, adding explanations
throughout the text of questions young readers
may have. For example, if he mentions a gizmo,
he will insert in question/answer style a query as
to what the gizmo is or does and then responds
to the query.
Black and white illustrations by Paul Turnbaugh
bring the characters to life and help the young
reader visualize each person. Elmer uses an
ethnically diverse cast who bond together as
friends. Although not an overtly Christian
message, he does sprinkle the text with
references to God.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
Holiday hero, by Sandra Byrd. (Secret
sisters; 7.) LCCN 00266539. Colorado
Springs: Waterbrook Press, 1999. ISBN
1578561140, PAP, $5.95.
F. Friendship--Fiction; Vacations--Fiction; Accidents--
Fiction. 107 p. Elementary.
Holiday Hero is book seven in the series of
Secret Sisters by Sandra Byre. The two friends,
Erin and Tess, have a wonderful time together
with their moms on their “girls’ holiday” to San
Diego. However, Tess keeps having little
twinges of guilt about her brother’s accident that
kept him from accompanying them. She knew
that she wasn’t responsible, yet she could have
responded faster to Tyler’s desire to go home
immediately. Amidst the exciting world of sun
and fun, Tess finds several challenges to stay
honest and obedient. In fact, her insistence on
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