Scott Freeman

To be honest, I was not looking forward to reading this book. A steady mounting of “to-read” books on my bedside table almost propelled me to forgo this book entirely. In addition, I made the mistake of Googling the word “Gaff.” I won’t do that again without some more information in the search bar. So, I almost didn’t read it.

That would have been a huge mistake.

Correa has done a masterful job of bringing us into Hawaiian culture and, in the process, shining a needed light on the barbarous world of cock-fighting.

Paul’s father has made a living out of raising roosters after a lumberyard accident has rendered him incapable of doing more rigorous work. Paul knows where the roosters go but it is not until he is forced to attend a cockfight that he becomes determined to get his family out of the business.

This is a highly recommended book for upper elementary/middle school kids to get a glimpse at an important subject that is not often talked about. In the process they will meet some indelible characters and learn more about the Hawaiian culture and language.

For more information make sure you go to the Peachtree publishing blog here.

One of the things that I look for when it comes to recommending books to my children and younger patrons at the library are those works that deal with important issues and try to convey a deeper truth.

In the midst of all of the more fluff of young adult literature there is a surprising amount of depth. The lessons in the Harry Potter series, for example, are replete with important lessons on friendship, faith and courage. The latest John Green offering Will Grayson, Will Grayson is an important entry in YA books dealing with LGBT issues.

That capacity to teach and inform is one of the things that drew me to Banks’ short novel. Set in 1937 Alabama James “Brother” Longstreet Sayres has lived a virtually cloistered existence among other white people. After a tragic incident changes his family dynamic his life changes and, ultimately, he will befriend another boy his same age. The only difference is that Champion Always Lucky is black. Unfortunately, that kind of relationship does not set well with some people.

Banks does a great job introducing race issues to younger readers while at the same time keeping a tone light enough to avoid being too somber a read. I would have appreciated a bit more character development but ultimately this book works because it broaches a subject that is still timely today and does so without being heavy handed.

A worthwhile read, especially for the 9-11 set.

For more information make sure you go to the Peachtree publishing blog here.

A thanks to Peachtree Publishing for letting me participate in this blog tour.

As the father of three girls I am always looking for books that have appeal to all of them. Brain Full of Holes is just such a book. Between the three of them they have interests that range from humor to young adult relationship issues to mysteries. Chatterton’s novel delivers on all three accounts.

What makes this book such a fun read is the “Brain” from the title: Theophilus Nero Hercule Sherlock Wimsey Father Brown Marlowe Spade Christie Edgar Allen Brain. (Aside: It is this sort of wink and a nod that Chatterton infuses throughout the novel that makes this a delightful read for the 42 year old father as well. Pop culture references abound that kept me turning the pages even when they weren’t around.)

But, back to The Brain. Along with his sidekick, Sheldon, and a 14 year old beauty named Helga they set out to find Helga’s father who has inexplicably gone missing. Without giving away too much of the investigation they also have to determine why the Swiss cheese no longer has holes and other wacky happenings.

This book is a fun read and highly recommended for pre-teens and younger teens as well. For that matter, this adult looks forward to reading more exploits from Sheldon and The Brain.

For more information make sure you go to the Peachtree publishing blog here.