Willa and the Whale by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown - Spotlight

Willa and the Whale

Authors: Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: March 3rd, 2020

ISBN13: 9781629727318

Hardcover/e-book: 256 pages

FTC FYI: I received an ARC from the publisher. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

Can a whale talk to a human? Willa thinks so...

After losing her mom, Willa is grieving and having a hard time living with her dad and his new family on an island off the coast of Washington State. Her dad tries to cheer her up by taking her whale watching, something Willa's mom used to do.

While all the passengers are on one side of the boat, Willa encounters a humpback whale on the opposite side. Willa feels so lonely that she starts to talk to the whale—and the whale talks back!

The whale, named Meg, quickly becomes a trusted friend and confidante Willa can speak to whenever she's by the ocean.

Meg offers sound advice Willa needs about dealing with a nemesis at school and trying to figure out why her friend Marc is keeping secrets about his family life.

Before the story ends, it will take all of Willa's courage and connections to tackle a problem that's as big as a blue whale!

Author links

Amazon author page / Goodreads Chad / Goodreads Shelly

Purchase links

Hardcover / Kindle / Audible / Deseret Book

Squint by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown -- blog tour

Squint

Authors: Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: October 2018

Hardcover/e-book: 256 pages

ISBN13: 9781629724850

FTC FYI: I received an ARC from the publisher, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

My name is Flint, but everyone in middle school calls me Squint because I’m losing my vision. I used to play football, but not anymore. I haven’t had a friend in a long time. Thankfully, real friends can see the real you, even when you can’t clearly see.

Flint loves to draw. In fact, he’s furiously trying to finish his comic book so he can be the youngest winner of the “Find a Comic Star” contest. He’s also rushing to finish because he has keratoconus—an eye disease that could eventually make him blind.

McKell is the new girl at school and immediately hangs with the popular kids. Except McKell’s not a fan of the way her friends treat this boy named Squint. He seems nice and really talented. He draws awesome pictures of superheroes. McKell wants to get to know him, but is it worth the risk? What if her friends catch her hanging with the kid who squints all the time?

McKell has a hidden talent of her own but doesn’t share it for fear of being judged. Her terminally ill brother, Danny, challenges McKell to share her love of poetry and songwriting. Flint seems like someone she could trust. Someone who would never laugh at her. Someone who is as good and brave as the superhero in Flint’s comic book named Squint.

Squint is the inspiring story of two new friends dealing with their own challenges, who learn to trust each other, believe in themselves, and begin to truly see what matters most.

My review

Squint is another hit for this talented husband and wife author duo. I loved it! These authors really know how to tug at your heart strings, all while having you think, laugh, and smile at the same time. I loved how this book wasn't just Flint's story, but McKell's, Danny's, Grandma's, Grandpa's journey too. I appreciated and loved the lessons learned along the way. A great one was when Flint realized things about himself that he needed to change. No doubt he had been through some hard things with his keratoconus. He wasn't perfect either and tried his best to make changes and be brave himself, all while helping McKell with her challenges. McKell was a doll and Danny was a fun character too. His role was small, but he had a big impact on everyone. I absolutely loved Grandpa's football analogies. He was a hoot!

5 out of 5 stars. 

Author links

Goodreads (Chad) / Website / Goodreads (Shelly) / Website

Purchase links

Amazon hardcover / Amazon e-book / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Mustaches for Maddie by Shelly Brown/Chad Morris -- Blog Tour

Mustaches for Maddie

Authors: Shelly Brown and Chad Morris

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: October 3rd, 2017

Paperback: 256 pages

ISBN13: 9781629723303

FTC FYI: I received a paperback ARC from the publisher, all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads Summary

Maddie is a normal twelve-year-old girl. Well, except for the fake mustaches she carries in her pocket. She likes to make people laugh and slapping on a mustache, especially a fuzzy pink or neon green one, always gets a smile. Maddie hopes that the class queen, Cassie, will find her mustaches as funny as she does and want to play with her at recess. She's been self-conscious lately because her right arm only feels normal when it's curled against her chest and she's constantly tripping over her feet. But that's probably just part of growing up and not something weird, right?

When Maddie's arm continues to bother her, her parents take her to a doctor who gives them a shocking diagnosis: the cause of the abnormal behavior of her limbs is a brain tumor and she must have surgery to remove it. She's understandably afraid as he describes the procedure, but knows she must find a way to be brave and must face her fears--all of them--at the hospital, at home and at school.

She will need all of her courage not only to face her illness, but also to face Cassie at school. Both Cassie and Maddie are auditioning for the same role in the school play, but when Cassie accuses Maddie of lying about her tumor in order to get attention, Cassie's bossiness turns into bullying.

And as Maddie's surgery approaches, she begins to worry more and more about the outcome. What if something goes wrong? What if the doctors don't get all the tumor out of her brain? What will happen to her family? What will happen to her?

It will take all of Maddie's vibrant imagination, a lot of kindness-both given and received-and of course, the perfect mustache to overcome the tough stuff ahead of her. 

My Review

I absolutely loved Mustaches for Maddie. Maddie is thoughtful, kind and so funny. I loved, loved, loved her imagination, which help carry her through her hard times. Maddie is so creative and caring.  Mustaches for Maddie is based on the real life story of authors Shelly Brown and Chad Morris's daughter Maddie and her experience with a brain tumor. I felt the story was heart-felt and truly wonderful. I loved how the kids (and adults) came together in the story, all to support a darling girl who loved mustaches. This book is so funny and at times brought tears to my eyes. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Author Links

Chad Website / Shelly Website / Chad Twitter / Shelly Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon hardback / Amazon ebook / Amazon paperback / Deseret Book
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The Impossible Race by Chad Morris

The Impossible Race (Cragbridge Hall #3)

Author: Chad Morris

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: March 2015

ISBN13: 9781609079796

Hardcover: 432 pages

FTC FYI: Received a hardcover copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

Every year the futuristic school, Cragbridge Hall, holds its most popular tournament--the Hunt: a series of challenges that range throughout the school and require the use of its amazing inventions like its holographic time machine! But this year is different. Rather than a monetary or academic reward, this year's winner will be the recipient of a carefully guarded school secret: a secret that could prove both powerful and dangerous.

Afraid that the secret may be one of their Grandfather's inventions, Abby and Derick gather several friends and enroll. But when Derick gets a mysterious message from the future, the team of friends must figure out how to succeed even when they know they are destined to fail. The stakes have never been higher. A page-turning, time-travel adventure that teaches powerful lessons about choice and consequence, believing you can do hard things, and valuing our history.

My Review

I knew this was going to be a fantastic end to a great series, and I was right.  I was so excited for this book to come out.  Books like these are why I love middle grade.  Abby, Derick, and their friends are amazing and Carol still makes me smile.  After receiving some news about Derick, the twins and their friends are faced with another impossible task, to win the school's race to save all the secrets they hold dear.  I love how they have to really think their way out of situations and rely on each other, all while figuring out if someone among them has betrayed them.  I couldn't have been more pleased with the end result and I was turning pages as fast as I could to see what would happen next!  So many twists and turns and such a fun read.  Well done, my friend.

5 of out 5 stars.  Another wonderful book from this talented author.  If you haven't read this series yet, definitely start with book 1.

Author Links

Website / Goodreads / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Cragbridge Hall: The Impossible Race by Chad Morris -- Spotlight

To celebrate the release of THE IMPOSSIBLE RACE, 

THE INVENTOR'S SECRET is $1.99 on Kindle!

Amazon

From Chad Morris, author of The Inventer’s Secret and The Avatar Battle, the first two books of his highly acclaimed Cragbridge Hall series, comes THE IMPOSSIBLE RACE (Shadow Mountain; $18.99; ISBN: 978-1-609-07979-6), the final installment in the epic fantasy saga eagerly anticipated by fans everywhere. Morris yet again weaves an exhilarating adventure story around his beloved characters, bringing them together one last time to face the ultimate enemy: fate.

Morris and his books continue to garner positive reviews from established authors, schools, and communities across the country. The popular reception of the Cragbridge Hall series has led Morris to add extensive book tours and school visits to his already busy schedule.

Morris firmly believes that imagination is a help, not a hindrance, to lifelong learning, and his writing style reveals a unique flair for fusing fiction and nonfiction. “Kids, don’t be afraid to imagine and dream big,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to fantasize and see the world in a different way. Make what you read your own. As the great ones of history show us, reading and learning don’t suddenly end when school ends; they can and should be the exciting pursuit of a lifetime.”

ABOUT THE BOOK

Every year the futuristic school, Cragbridge Hall, holds its most popular tournament, the Race, a series of challenges that require the use of the school's amazing inventions, like its holographic time machine. But this year is different. Rather than a monetary or academic award, this year's winner will be the recipient of a carefully guarded school secret, a secret that could prove both powerful and dangerous.

Afraid that the secret may be one of their Grandfather's inventions, Abby and Derick gather their friends and enroll in the contest. But when Derick gets a mysterious message from the future, the team of friends must figure out how to succeed even when they know they are destined to fail. The stakes have never been higher in this page-turning, time-travel adventure that teaches powerful lessons about choice and consequence, believing in yourself, and valuing the lessons of history.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHAD MORRIS would love to be able to control animal avatars, see history in 3D, and show everyone how he imagines stories. Since the inventions that would make that possible currently exist only in his imagination, he settles for reading, writing, playing basketball, rappelling down an occasional slot canyon, dating his wife, and hanging out with his five awesome kids in his home state of Utah.

Cragbridge Hall: The Avatar Battle by Chad Morris -- Blog Tour

Cragbridge Hall: The Avatar Battle

Author: Chad Morris

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: March 4th, 2014

ISBN13: 9781609078096

Hardcover: 352 pages

FTC FYI: Received a hardcover copy from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

Goodreads Summary 

The adventure continues when Abby and Derick begin second semester at Cragbridge Hall, the most prestigious secondary school in the world. But when Grandpa Cragbridge admits them to the Council of Keys--a secret group of people who have keys to travel back in time--strange things begin to happen. One by one, members are found unconscious and unable to wake, their keys stolen. Now Abby and Derick must scramble to figure out who is behind the attacks before they become the next victims, which would give their enemy the power to change the past forever.

A page-turning, time-travel adventure that teaches powerful lessons about choice and consequence, believing you can do hard things, and valuing history.

Author Video by Chad Morris.

My Review

The Avatar Battle is another reason why I love, love, love Middle Grade books.  Chad Morris has got himself a hit with this series.  The Avatar Battle is even better than The Inventor's Secret.  The action hits you right at first, and develops a great mystery that had me guessing until the end, which I love!  There are very fun twists and turns that I wasn't expecting that kept me turning pages fast!  

One of the things I liked the most was the conflict Abby was having with herself.  She doubts how great she is because of her grades.  I can relate to that in my own family with one of my daughters.  After some challenges and set backs, Abby starts to realize that she is needed and important.  Derick also tested with challenges to overcome.  He wants to join a club at school and feels he will never be good enough either.  The twins probably don't even realize they have this in common.  Abby also asks her grandfather an important question as to what is happening on the Bridge and adds to this exciting adventure as Abby, Derick, Carol and others race to figure out the threat to Cragbridge Hall.

5 out of 5 stars.  If you are new to this series, definitely start with the first book, The Inventor's Secret.  

Author Links

Twitter / Website

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

Book Trailer for Cragbridge Hall

I am so excited to reveal the new trailer for Cragbridge Hall: The Inventor's Secret by Chad Morris



This book is one of my favorite reads of 2013.  I reviewed The Inventor's Secret in March.  Here is the link to the review.  Have a great weekend.

Cragbridge Hall: The Inventor's Secret by Chad Morris

Giveaway details below!

Cragbridge Hall: The Inventor's Secret

Author: Chad Morris

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: March 5th, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-60907-326-8

Hardcover: 256 pages

FTC FYI: I received a paperback ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Backcover Summary

Imagine a school in the year 2074 where students don't read history, but watch it happen around them; where running in gym class isn't around a track, but up a virtual mountain; and where learning about animals means becoming one through an avatar.

Welcome to Cragbridge Hall, the most advanced and prestigious school in the world. Twin siblings Abby and Derick Cragbridge are excited as new students to use their famed grandfather's inventions that make Cragbridge Hall so incredible. But when their grandfather and parents go missing, the twins begin following a trail of clues left by their grandfather. They must find out where their family is, learn who they can trust, and discover what secrets are hidden within Cragbridge Hall.

Abby and Derick soon realize they are caught in a race with a fierce adversary to discover their grandfather's greatest secret--a dangerous discovery that could alter both history and reality.

Mindy's Review

5 out of 5 stars.  Oh my goodness, where do I start?  I loved everything about this book.  Cragbridge Hall: The Inventor's Secret is one of the biggest reasons I love reading and reviewing middle grade.  It is one of my favorite reads of the year so far.  Everything about this book is so exciting and fun.  It is a non-stop thrill ride.  You will not be able to stop reading until you are finished.  My favorite thing about The Inventor's Secret was The Bridge.  To be able to see events from history unfold before your eyes, but be amazing.  There is another great message in this book about facing your fears, and being brave.  Abby is faced with many obstacles when she arrives at school.  She already feels that she shouldn't be there.  She feels out of place for not being magnificent at something, like her super genius brother Derick.  Her grandpa gives her some advice before school starts.  
  
"Grandpa slammed the bottom of his cane onto the floor.  "Abigail Cragbridge, you are just as good as, if not better tan, every other student in that academy.  

When they said "no", I had to prevent them from making a terrible mistake.  you'll be one of the best things that every happened to that place."

"You don't have to--"

"I'm completely serious," Grandpa interrupted.  He grabbed Abby's face by the chin.  "You have heart, Abby." page 7

Abby learns right away that she is not "welcome" because others think she got in to Cragbridge because her grandfather made it so.  She finds a friend, Carol, who accepts her for who she is.  By the way, Carol ends up being one of my favorite characters.  This book has humor, heart, and is tons of fun.  I recommend it anyone who loves a great adventure.


Author Links

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook / Publisher / Blog

Purchase Links

Deseret Book / Amazon / Barnes and Noble

I am excited to say I am giving away a copy of Cragbridge Hall: The Inventor's Secret by Chad Morris.  US ONLY.  Fill out this easy Rafflecopter and you're entered. 

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