Hi guys and gals!
Welcome back to another day here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
We're still going strong on this CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK celebration (hopefully you've taken a moment to enter to win the HUGE prize pack up for grabs RIGHT HERE!) and this time, we're bringing you in on a Middle Grade series perfect for the pirate or landlubber in your midst. How can it be for both land AND sea loving readers? Ah, well now...if you're clued in to the pirate adventurings of Shivers (such as revealed in my review of book one), then you know exactly where I'm coming from; if not, prepare to be introduced. Ready or not, it's time to grin and ARRRRRRRR it as we dial in on today's book of choice...
Shivers!
(Shivers!, Book 2)
by
Annabeth Bondor-Stone & Connor White
Illustrated by
Anthony Holden
980062313898
HarperCollins
About the book...
Shivers, the scaredy-est pirate to ever sail the Seven Seas, is back. Comic book–like illustrations in each chapter bring Shivers to life and invite even the most reluctant readers to join the adventure. Perfect for fans of such series as Stick Dog, Big Nate, Dork Diaries, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
This time, Shivers must set sail again to get his beloved ship, the Land Lady, back from Mayor Sheila B. President. Shivers won’t be going alone, however. He’ll be bringing his best pal, Margo, and his loyal fishmate, Albee, on a clingy-clam and hot dog filled adventure. Like all good pirates, Shivers will just have to grab his swimmies (and his bunny slippers) and jump right into this epic tale.
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First things first, you HAVE to give mad props for the covers in this series, as well as the artwork within for that matter. Shivers is represented toot suite with Margo ready to take action and a surprised Albee right by his side...err, umm...feet. The little details like the bib, watered down outfit, and new bunny slippers, make the image complete...and give readers a chance to wonder at what's in store for them this time around. Now, on to that story...
My first reaction upon starting this read....Yay! Albee, Shivers, and Margo are back! We became close friends in our first adventure together and I wasn't relishing (inside joke from the first book...hehe) my time away, but boy was it good to meet up with these familiar faces. Wait a second...head count. Oh my....there seems to be a few UNFAMILIAR faces that I was NOT in love with and I'm pretty certain you won't be either. Take one...Mayor Sheila B President. Though her name is hilarious (and I mean really, it is!), she seems like the type Professor Umbridge should have tea with...though the kitten portraits would have to go because this woman is one TOUGH cookie. Let's just say she's a thorn in Shivers' side and plagues him throughout the story as he tries to clear his and his family's name from the last heist gone awry. It won't be easy, in fact it's going to be downright HARD but with friends like Margo and Albee at his side, things can't go wrong...for the most part. *gulp*
It was great catching up with these old friends while making new memories. Albee's part in this story isn't as firework-display-inducing but it's still big enough to make a splash (get it...because he's a fish?). Margo is just as I remembered and as resourceful as ever. She's never met a challenge she can't conquer and self-doubt was never her style. I admire her spunk. As for Shivers, he's a frightful pirate but he's coming into his own...bunny slippers and all. Though his first choice is to run away, he's learning that sometimes to "fight another day" a stand must be made. I'm glad he's making it with a pure heart.
In the end, I give it a rousing ARRGGGH! It was an amazing time maties with plenty of piratey plundering and adventure to be had. It brought readers back into the family/friend fold while leaving us wanting more, hence my desire to embark on a third mission STAT! Come on Shivers! Pull it together! Though it can be read as a stand alone, its connection to book one can not be denied...thus I decree you should read BOTH stories. Hey, I didn't make the rules...I just enforce them. (^-^)
Recommended read for pirate fans of all ages and species.,,we mustn't forget Albee and his fin-ny friends!
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About the authors...
Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White graduated from Northwestern University in 2009. When he is not writing books, Connor is a director and producer for the Story Pirates, an arts organization that teaches kids creative writing, then turns their stories into a sketch comedy show. Annabeth is also a producer for the Story Pirates, and her plays have been produced in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Louisville. Connor and Annabeth once ran a half marathon together. After that, they decided to never run again.
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Special thanks to the HarperCollins Publishing team for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the authors, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.
Until next time...happy reading!
'ARRGGGH' - Wouldn't it be great if we rated books like this instead of using the star system. We could use 'Walk the plank' for books that weren't so good and 'Aha, me Hearties' for books that were ok.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, Loving the cover of what sounds like a fun read.
Oh my. I love the sound of this book! My daughter would love this. She loves anything to do with pirates. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDena @ Batch of Books