Archives for October 19, 2024

Bookworm follows 11-year-old Mildred (Nell Fisher) whose life takes a wild turn when her estranged father, Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood), a washed-up Las Vegas illusionist, suddenly reappears. Years ago, after a magical encounter with the once-charming Strawn, Mildred’s mom moved back to New Zealand. Now, a comical mishap leaves Strawn caring for Mildred while her mom is hospitalized. Their first adventure? Camping to hunt for the mythological Canterbury Panther. As this mismatched duo navigates the wilderness, magic tricks, and an extraordinary quest, hilarity ensues, and they might just find a way to piece their family back together.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Braedyn M. comments, “Bookworm is an interesting take on a classic adventure.  Full of humor, and surprising twists and turns, Bookworm is a quest with a magical touch that kept me on the edge of my seat. The film’s message is that there is always a way to solve a problem.” See his full review below.

Bookworm
By Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Bookworm is an interesting take on a classic adventure.  Full of humor, and surprising twists and turns, Bookworm is a quest with a magical touch that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Mildred (Nell Fisher) is an 11-year-old girl who has devoted her childhood to proving that the elusive Canterbury Panther exists in the mountains of New Zealand.  When a household accident renders her mother (Morgana O’Rielly) incapable of going camping in search of the cat, she is pretty disappointed.  However, when her illusionist father Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood) shows up for the first time in her life, she decides to head out anyway. What happens next?  An expedition that not only has a classic adventure feel, but also shows that relationships can heal over time.

What I like best about this film is not the scenes, characters, or music; it is how the story is told.  The way the action develops is different from most movies; it is broken up into chapters with each one adding depth to the plot.  And, the plot isn’t the best.  It starts off fine, but changes midway during their adventure.  While the twists and turns kept me wondering what would happen next, they also undermine the main idea of the quest, which is to find the panther.  Humor plays a crucial role in the film.  With Mildred being a rather to-the-point kid who doesn’t have time for nonsense, her dad, Strawn, is the exact opposite. Trying to practice his magic tricks while Mildred is working hard to set up camp is one example. This movie originated from outside of the U.S. and does some very untypically Hollywood things such as when we are observing the conversations between the characters and suddenly the camera zooms out and focuses on a mushroom.  It’s an odd transition but it does help in rounding out the unusual take of a jungle adventure.

The film’s message is that there is always a way to solve a problem. An example of this is how Mildred shows that she is always ready to put her bookworm brain to the test to achieve her goal. Be forewarned that there is some profanity in this film and a bit of blood, but nothing gruesome or gory.

I give Bookworm 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18. Bookworm swings into theaters on Oct 18, 2024.

Some great choices for Middle-Grade Readers and above!

Haunted Mansion meets the ultimate escape room in this tense and twisty middle grade horror following four kids who must beat a series of games to make it out of a haunted house. The creepiest place in Barret Eloise’s small town is the abandoned Raithfield Manor, a decrepit house surrounded by rumors of ghosts and kids going missing. So she certainly never planned on stepping foot inside. But when her history teacher gives her a group project to research a local landmark, the manor is the location her group chooses. Determined to ace the project and fix her awkward first impression on her assigned partners—which include her former friend Helena, smart and confident Wayne, and school basketball star Ridge—Barret Eloise isn’t about to let some tall tales scare her off. When the kids first enter the house, it seems to be nothing more than an empty building. But when the sun goes down, the doors and windows lock, sealing them inside. Even worse, the room they’re in transforms into an all-too-real game of The Floor is Lava. It doesn’t take long for the group to realize the mansion is a maze of childhood games. Win the game and you keep moving forward, lose and you disappear. And complicating it all is a worrying revelation—they are not alone in the house. If Barret Eloise wants to make it home, she and her dysfunctional group are going to have to learn to work together quickly.

Author Bio

Juliana Brandt is an author and kindergarten teacher with a passion for storytelling that guides her in both of her jobs. She lives in her home state of Minnesota, and her writing is heavily influenced by travels around the country and a decade living in the south. When not working, she is usually exploring the great outdoors. Her middle grade novels include The Wolf of Cape Fen, A Wilder Magic, Monsters in the Mist, and Exit Nowhere.

A FUN, FEEL-GOOD READ WITH TONS OF HEART! You’ll fall in love with this fast-paced, fun, read with a memorable main character who feels like a new best friend for readers. Caleb faces his share of adversity (including having his
mom brainwashed by one of the town’s baddies!) but the humor is always there, keeping this story that just right blend of high stakes and fun escapism.
MORE THAN JUST MONSTERS: Caleb is quietly coping with the recent loss of his father and struggling with panic attacks from his grief. Virnig handles this aspect of the story with sensitivity and compassion, in a totally accessible
and age-appropriate way, creating a multi-dimensional main character who readers will love spending time with.
A FISH OUT OF WATER STORY: Caleb’s not just facing the challenge of living in a monster infested town—he’s also dealing with being a major misfit at school.

CHRISTINE VIRNIG (she/her/hers) is a fan of books, candy, spooky stories, poop jokes, and coffee…in no particular order. As a former physician, Christine now spends her days writing books, reading books, and working at a library where she is surrounded by books. While A Bite Above the Rest is Virnig’s fiction debut, her nonfiction book for kids, Dung for Dinner, was a Golden Kite Award finalist! Christine lives in southern Wisconsin with her husband, two daughters, a ridiculous number of dust bunnies, and one incredibly lazy cat. You can visit her on the web at ChristineVirnig.com.

 In 1929 Heroldsberg, Germany, twelve-year-old Rolf witnesses the chilling rise of Hitler’s regime. As his community is increasingly influenced by the Nazi Party, and his own family is torn apart by political divides, Rolf grapples with fear and uncertainty. His struggle to intervene before disaster strikes provides a gripping narrative that is both educational and deeply moving.

This book offers a gripping exploration of how the Nazis rose to power before the outbreak of World War II, offering a fresh perspective on a well-trodden subject.  Rise of the Spider will be available in both paperback and hardcover, making it accessible for all types of readers, from casual readers to library enthusiasts.

FIRST IN A SERIES: This is the beginning of a six-book series that will continue to unravel the story of the lead-up to World War II. With a new book scheduled every six months or so, readers will have a steady stream of action-packed historical fiction to look forward to.

MICHAEL P. SPRADLIN (he/him/his) is the New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award–nominated author of the Spy Goddess series, The Youngest Templar series, and the Web of the Spider series, as well as several works of historical fiction, including the Western Heritage Award–winning Off Like the Wind: The Story of the Pony Express. He currently resides in Lapeer, Michigan, with his wife, daughter, and his schnoodle, Sequoia. Learn more at MichaelSpradlin.com.

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to feature. Information and images were also provided.