Fiction
Fred Ferret
'Fred Ferret' is an animal story written by Elizabeth Swain and illustrated by Russell Martin and kind of asks the question 'How do you get to know a ferret? Fred is a ferret that likes himself and his family, but he wants something different. Fred learns a lot on something different to do. Elizabeth Swain has written this animal story that is quite human in many respects. She has written the conversations between the animals very convincingly and Martin's drawings that are pencil and charcoal sketches are another way the story gets told. This would make a good book for an elementary language arts or social living lesson on what makes a family or even a science lesson on animal environments.
Mark GrahamPublished 2 months ago in CritiqueEddie the Elephant and the Pirate Treasure
Colin Ridyard and Sonia Sparkles have created a children's picture book entitled 'Eddie the Elephant and the Pirate Treasure. This picture book answers the question. It is a story of Jackie and a special friend named Eddie and while on the way to a birthday they get sidelined into another adventure and will they make the birthday party?
Mark GrahamPublished 2 months ago in CritiquePippa Park Crush at First Sight
Erin Yun has created a middle school novel entitled 'Pippa Park Crush at First Sight'. Oh, the world of middle school. This is the story of Pippa and her friends the month before Christmas with Pippa in charge of organizing her social life and the various issues that do occur at this stage of growing otherwise known as the tweens.
Mark GrahamPublished 2 months ago in CritiqueThe Door A Door That Opens to a Dark, Suspenseful Spiritual World
Richard J. Herr and Stanford Erikson has written quite a mystery story entitled 'The Door A Door That Opens to a Dark, Suspenseful, Spiritual World'. This is a story that covers spiritualism with practically with romance and friendship. 'The Door' is also a story of good and evil that is about a couple by the names of Robert and Abigail who are involved, but is it good? Robert seeks information into his aunt's death which leads him into various circumstances to search for the answers he needs and deserves to find out.
Mark GrahamPublished 2 months ago in CritiqueBella A Mouse Tale
'Bella A Mouse Tale' is a story of good and evil written by George Bastin and illustrated by George Franco that shows how the 'little guy' can win. This is the story of a mouse named Bella and her work and business. Bella has some decisions to make with some of the characters. The George's have written a story that teaches the good and bad elements of the community she lives. 'Bella' is also a good story that shows how cooperation with others will help with various issues and events. 'Bella A Mouse Tale' is telling and showing how a children's picture book can teach lessons in and of the real world and what friendship is about.
Mark GrahamPublished 2 months ago in CritiqueTragladord vs The Science Club
'Tragladord vs The Science Club' is quite the story to teach all about ecology created by Julia Andrews and illustrated by Alexander Bennett. They have created a story picture book about a group of youth and how they all learn to appreciate nature and what it offers all of us. It is the story of friends Sven, Chloe, Clare, Joel, Amarca, Dylan and Hugo. All these youth live on a planet that is filthy and needs cleaned up somehow and they need to figure a way to do this or it will be too late.
Mark GrahamPublished 2 months ago in CritiqueSpacewalkers
I wrote this for a short story contest, never finished however I would love some feedback on this. Is it engaging? Does it make sense? The prompt was creative crusts, including pies, pastries. Speculative fiction.
Dragon's Gate
'Dragon's Gate' a historical novel for youth written by Laurence Yep. This is the story of a boy named Otter, a Chinese who traveled from China to escape from an accident that is claimed as something else. Otter travels to America to work with his father and uncle working on the Transcontinental Railroad. Otter learns many skills that are necessary as well as ideas that will affect his kind and his family socially, economically, educationally and even politically to a point when dealing with working conditions, weather, and a few other issues. The cover art of the book shows bascically what the story will be about.
Mark GrahamPublished 2 months ago in CritiqueBastard (A Novel)
"Great." George pounded his fist on the kitchen table. "There is no way I can get evidence from Sarah Miller anymore. No way! I was 99% sure she was innocent but, even if she wasn't, she'll never go to jail now. She's dead and gone."
The White City
'The White City' a part of True Colors Historical Stories of American Crime written by Grace Hitchcock. This adult and maybe even a teen novel is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of a woman named Winnifred Wylde who lives up to her name and a man Jude, a detective who works under her father who does not want Winnifred to get too close to anyone in law enforcement. The story takes place in the year 1892 during the Chicago's World's Fair. These two characters come together to solve a mystery of a missing person. Grace Hitchcock writes stories based on true crime and through her use of language and description of events the reader will get the feel of the time and events of the story.
Mark GrahamPublished 3 months ago in CritiqueThe Mouse with the Question Mark Tail
'The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail' is a youth novel written by Richard Peck and illustrated by Kelly Murphy. This is the story of a little mouse who is trying to find out who he is and where he belongs in the country of England. Everyone knows that one must pay homage to the Queens both human and mouse for they know all of what happens. Richard has written a story that is entertaining and even teaches a few lessons along the way. Kelly has created illustrations that show what the words describe. One will get the feel of the British Empire back in the day.
Mark GrahamPublished 3 months ago in CritiqueLetters From Rifka
'Letters From Rifka' is a youth novel written by Karen Hesse. This is the story of Rifka, a young girl who with her family is leaving Russia for America. Rifka is in for quite the journey with a few setbacks that she must endure and try to understand. It is a book that is written as a series of letters that she has written in a poetry book of Pushkin to a close friend and confidant.
Mark GrahamPublished 3 months ago in Critique