Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY to... ETHAN FAIRMONT via Union Square Kids!

Greetings and salutations!

Today is another FANTASTIC release day, and while there are a plethora of titles I'd love to feature right here, right now, you're getting a glimpse at the latest duo I finished, of which the sequel just released! Excited? Well, you should be because it's not like a lot of other books out there, and it's a Middle Grade Sci-fi adventure to boot! Ready, set, let's get between the pages of today's books of choice...

Nothing Interesting Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont

(Book 1)

Too Many Interesting Things are Happening to Ethan Fairmont

(Book 2)

by

Nick Brooks

9781454945574

9781454947103

Union Square Kids

Okay, so even though book two was the one releasing today, I really prefer starting a series at the beginning, hence the DOUBLE READ and DOUBLE REVIEW!  If you've already read the first book, congrats; you know what I'm about to expound upon.  If not, no worries...no time like the present!

In book one...we meet Ethan Fairmont.

DUN DUN DUNNNNNN

Okay, not really...I mean, we meet him, and his friends, family, the newcomers to town, and welcome back others that deserted him previously, but apparently had their reasons (which come out during the story).  But I digress...Ethan is an inventor, somewhat genius, and a middle grade friend.  He means well, but can tend to focus on himself a bit much at times in lieu of those around him...such was not the case when he came upon Cheese.  No, not cheese the food, but rather Cheese the little alien that appears in his designated workshop with his pinball ship and...oops.  Let me backtrack.  I told you from the start, these books are not exactly what they seem.  Ethan has more on his plate this summer than he imagined, but with the help of a new friend, and perhaps the aid of an old one, he'll get his chance to reach the stars...or at least help someone else reach them before it's too late!

In book two...we're back with Ethan and friends, but the trouble is not over!

Cheese may be gone, but that doesn't mean those seeking him...man, or...something else... have given up the trail...and that's only part of Ethan's problems.  He's getting ready for the school year, dealing with new friends and old, discovering his feelings for a one of those friends may have turned into something else, and battling his jealous side when he might not be the smartest one in the room.  OH, and yeah, trying to figure out how to make the shiny thing with the flower power that Cheese might have left him actually work!  Did I mention there are others on his trail?  Did I also mention it's not just others, but might be Others?  Yeah...danger ahead, my friends, DANGER AHEAD!

So I don't ruin the surprises because they are many, let me take another angle here.  The series has a science fiction bend I wasn't expecting, while at the same time exploring much more than the far reaches of space...and the invaders that might be among us!  (EEK!)  We tackle everyday topics like friendship, bullying, growing up, families, and the importance of STEM in the school curriculum, but also racial inequality, prejudice, and the journey to citizenship.  Some heavy hitters in that latter part too, and they don't spare the senses even with the Middle Grade genre it's written in.  It's not a bad thing, but rather a "me too" thing, allowing readers from various backgrounds to either see themselves, recognize the past, future or current world conditions that still need change, or simply get a new viewpoint on an issue that has and does exist to this day.  So yes, I was rather surprised by the content, but it melded entertainment with cultural education rather well, leaving room not only for the issues to be pointed out, but examined, all while witnessing the same for our otherworldly friends, AND entertaining us with a wild, and woolly tale that's out of this world.

A great add for your Middle Grade reading shelf, and an interesting selection perhaps for school reading with plenty of room for discussion.  Don't miss Ethan Fairmont's adventures...and be prepared for more to come!

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About the author...

Nick Brooks is an author and award-winning filmmaker. His short film Hoop Dreamin’ earned him the George Lucas Scholar Award and he was a finalist in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Film Fest. His short film Bee won the James Bridges and Jack Larson Award for Writing and Directing and premiered at the American Black Film Festival. A rising star, Brooks is poised to be a breakout author with his debut middle-grade novel, Nothing Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont, and his YA debut title, Promise Boys. Nick currently lives in Los Angeles, California, and is originally from Washington, D.C. Visit Nick at thenickbrooks.com.

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Special thanks to Jenny at Union Square & Co for the chance to bring this title to you as well as the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer or visit your local brick and mortar store today to snag your copy to join the adventure!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Summer on Earth by Peter Thompson

HI there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're taking you out of this world for a summer you won't forget, and we're not just talking about the alien life forms, or money tree.  Yup...you read that right.  ALIENS!  Ha...I know, I know...money tree caught your attention, but really, don't be so greed focused because there's SO much more going on here, and we're just getting started.  Ladies and gents, prepare for take off as we welcome today's book of choice...

Summer on Earth

by

Peter Thompson

9781943978304

Persnickety Press

About the book...

The night that eleven-year-old Grady Johnson looked out his window and wished on a shooting star, his life changed forever.

Grady, his ma and his younger sister Luanne, are having a hard summer. His dad has died, and the family isn’t the same. Ma is trying her best, but Grady knows they don’t have enough money to get by.

The shooting star he saw was a space craft plunging to earth, and landing at the back of their farm.  Extraterrestrial engineer Ralwil Turth has one goal, to fix his power drive and go back home. But things don’t go as planned. Stuck in human form, he gets to know Grady and his family as he works on their farm. He starts to learn about what it means to be human, and the exotic charms of this planet like the taste of potatoes, and how amazing bugs are. When he comes up with a plan to help Grady’s family, he is sure this will solve all their problems.

But when trouble comes, the family’s survival and Ralwil’s life are on the line. Can Grady find the courage to help his family and save his friend? Summer on Earth blends humor, adventure and heart to create an unforgettable story about finding home.

AMAZON  |  B&N

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A curious Middle Grade tale of family, love, and out of this world experiences that hits oh so close to home. 

Life on the farm has been upset since the passing of one of their own, but things change, time marches on, and sometimes miracles DO happen. Grady is a wonderful lad, and despite his outbursts now and again, he knows when it all comes down to it, sometimes we need a little understanding and a helping hand (or tentacle) to get by. Experiencing the world anew through Will's (our temporary resident outer space visitor in hiding) eyes brings a sheen of beauty to the most mundane of days... as does feeling his desire to help the family he's stumbled upon, and started to consider as his own, if just for now. Let us not forget little Luanne and Ma... two loving souls at different ends of the age spectrum, but more than willing to join a worthy cause...and oh how much their help will be needed!  Lastly, there's McCafferty... no comment (craptastic little louse... hmpf!)...other than that one.

Now, I'm not a huge sci-fi reader, but I've been known to dabble, and I certainly liked the story enough, but there were two drawbacks to mention.  One... the length and language in correlation to the target audience... a little heavy for MG readers just starting out, my opinion of course.  The author does a great job of creating Ralwil's world from language to gadgetry, however brief the glimpses, and I would just hate for that detail to be underappreciated due to a reading level.  Second, the ending... so what'd he do after standing there like a fly trap? What's that?  No, I can't tell you who I am talking about, it'll ruin it, but HELLO!  Loose end alert!

In closing, it was an interesting summer spent with those we learned to see with our hearts instead of just our eyes...and a goodly lesson for us all.

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About the author...

Peter Thompson grew up in Illinois, and lives near Chicago. He remembers how excited he was when the first astronaut stepped on to the moon. He has had an appreciation of space, and the possibility of aliens ever since. His love of children’s books developed while reading to his three sons. He has always been a reader, the writing came later. His first novel, Living Proof, a thriller, was published by Berkeley Press and sold 40,000 copies. Summer on Earth is his first novel for young readers. In his free time he hikes, reads, writes, paints and is planning his next trip to an out of the way location.

SITE

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Special thanks to author Peter Thompson and Persnickety Press for the ARC for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title just celebrated its BOOK BIRTHDAY this week, via Persnickety Press, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

PRE-PUB PARTY: The Littlest Bigfoot by Jennifer Weiner

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to be when burning the midnight oil means you've worked all day and are reading/blogging into the night.  Who needs sleep, right?

Today, we're throwing a PRE-PUB PARTY for author Jennifer Weiner.  Why?  Well, it seems she has a book coming out 09/13/16 and what's more, it's her first MIDDLE GRADE title.  Woo hoo!  Welcome to the club!  *high five*  Seriously though, her first venture into this heavily populated arena was bound to hit a few pitfalls since she's use to writing for an adult audience; I mean, that's the norm, right?  WRONG...try again.  This book isn't about the norm so why then should the writing follow the well worn path?  Exactly!  It shouldn't nor does it and so, here I am bringing you into the loop about a title you'll want on your reading list.  Open your heart and gather your courage because we're about to meet today's book of choice...

The Littlest Bigfoot

The Littlest Bigfoot, Book 1

by

Jennifer Weiner

9781481470742

Aladdin

About the book...

From New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner comes a laugh-out-loud funny and painstakingly real tale of friendship, furry creatures, and finding the place where you belong.

Alice Mayfair, twelve years old, slips through the world unseen and unnoticed. Ignored by her family and shipped off to her eighth boarding school, Alice would like a friend. And when she rescues Millie Maximus from drowning in a lake one day, she finds one.

But Millie is a Bigfoot, part of a clan who dwells deep in the woods. Most Bigfoots believe that people—NoFurs, as they call them—are dangerous, yet Millie is fascinated with the No-Fur world. She is convinced that humans will appreciate all the things about her that her Bigfoot tribe does not: her fearless nature, her lovely singing voice, and her desire to be a star.

Alice swears to protect Millie’s secret. But a league of Bigfoot hunters is on their trail, led by a lonely kid named Jeremy. And in order to survive, Alice and Millie have to put their trust in each other—and have faith in themselves—above all else.

Amazon   |   Barnes & Noble  |  Books-a-Million  |  IndieBound         

                  

 

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First things first, that cover!

I was seriously blown away by that beautiful cover art.  The calm waters of the lake.  The stillness of the night.  The warmth of the stars glowing down from heaven above married with the beams from the moon.  The lovely yet lonely little girl searching for something that seems just out of her reach...and the friendly face peering through the trees seeking a sort of solace all her own.  It's simplistic yet deep and really sets the stage for the story that follows.  Speaking of that story...

The strongest currents of ugliness running through its veins are bullying and prejudice...and we're not just talking about against the Bigfoots either.  No, here we have what some would call "girls being girls"...but that's an accepted norm that shouldn't exist between girls, boys, or any combination thereof.  Alice and Millie are put through the ringer by their respective "clans" and for reasons that should only set them apart as individuals, not mark them as unwanted.  Even within the school/camp, there are those that feel they are above the rest, deriving their sense of self from putting down others.  It's sad, it's bewildering, it's...GOT TO CHANGE...and it's part of the reason for the existence of this story in the first place.  (You can read more about that HERE in her write up in USA Today.)  When all is said and done, the realization that we are all "freaks" in a sense reaches far and wide, taking the stigma out of the word and placing friends and frenemies hand in hand, side by side, in solidarity.  Now, about those characters...

Alice was a gem.  No, I mean it!  Despite the description of her "ham steaks for hands" and general physical features being rather large for a girl of her age, I really REALLY liked our Alice.  Where she could have been a real monster (like SOMEBODY tried to paint her...*swishes hair in retaliation*), she's kind.  When some people acted out against her in a BIG way, she reacted but with so much restraint I had to commend her...I'm not certain I would have been able to stop myself from going cray cray on them; heck I wanted to on her behalf!  The way she was made to feel in her own family for crying out loud was an abomination.  My heart was BREAKING for her...no one at any age should be made to feel that way.  Call me crazy, but in my family (small as it may be), support was never a question but a constant.  Sure, we have our differences, and arguments happen, but the love is there through thick and thin, never leaving anyone behind to fall through the cracks.  Alice is an old soul due to her own tendencies as well as the circumstances inflicted upon her, but she's got spirit, humor, tenacity, and a heart that matches her size...one of her best qualities, if I do say so myself.  I had to laugh at her issues with "The Mane" though.  My hair isn't exceptionally curly, but it's cheeky enough and the weather down here gets it frizzy every time.  As I type this, I'm sitting with it up in a ponytail...and frizzies circling my head like a halo.  *oye*  Now on to the Yare matter...

Millie was definitely an unexpected breath of fresh air, herself.  In her tendencies and curiosity, she reminded me of the BOOV from the movie Home.  Her speech patterns reflected their culture as well, but it just made her THAT much cuter, that much more human, even if she technically isn't.  Her lack of "fitting the in" within her group made the matchup with Alice that much easier, that much more realistic.  When her simple desire to not miss her favorite TV show turned into something close to disaster, I worried for her.  As her desire grew to know more and more about the No-Fur world, I was biting my nails that she wouldn't be found out.  When some unexpected exposure came to her, I was sweating bullets...but I should have known these two friends would work things out.  No matter the obstacles standing in our path, it's always easier to conquer them with a friend by our side. 

Overall, I found it to be a heartwarming tale that reminds us that while bullying is real, so is acceptance, friendship, kindness, and understanding. It's our difference that make us who we are, and who we are is REMARKABLE.  Let Alice and Millie's story warm your soul, but don't get too comfy though because I've a feeling these friends aren't out of the woods quite yet (literally and figuratively).  Who the hay was that on the phone? What do they want with the Yare and why? Better still, will Jeremy actually HELP this mystery person? (I feel like Millie with a million questions!) Very curious to see what book 2 in the series will bring us, but you best believe I'll have a spot open on my wish list for it.  Recommended read for Middle Grade readers and beyond.  There's not a person out there that can't use a dose of "believe in yourself" and "let your true self shine" every now and then.

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About the author...

Photograph (c) Maarten de Boer

Jennifer Weiner is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of fourteen books, including Good in Bed, In Her Shoes, which was made into a major motion picture, and Who Do You Love. A graduate of Princeton University and contributor to the New York Times Opinion section, Jennifer lives with her family in Philadelphia. Visit her online at JenniferWeiner.com.

TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK

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Special thanks to Jodie at Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for the copy for review. (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is set to release 09/13/16 via Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, so mark your calendar or pre-order your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!