Book Bunnies

Caramel reviews InvestiGATORS by John Patrick Green

Today Caramel talks about InvestiGATORS, written and illustrated by John Patrick Green. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, it seems that you found yourself a new graphic novel!

Caramel: Yep.

S: So tell me a bit about it.

C: It is about two alligators named Mango and Brash who investigate crimes. They are a part of S.U.I.T. which stands for Special Undercover Investigation Teams.

S: Wait, what kinds of crimes can two alligators investigate?

C: All types of crimes. For example, they solve a crime about a break-in at a science factory.

S: What is a science factory? Do you mean a science lab?

C: Yes, I think that is what it is practically, but it is called a science factory in the book.

S: So are the other creatures in the book also alligators?

C: No, there are some humans, and there is a were-copter. That is a human who turns into a news helicopter sometimes.

S: Okay, that is the wackiest thing I heard today.

C: Yes, the book is pretty wacky. I’m good with talking alligators, because, after all, we are talking bunnies. But there is a flying thing called a Sea Orb which is a flying eyeball. It is all pretty weird.

S: But is it good weird?

C: Yes. it is very good. It is very funny.

Caramel is reading InvestiGATORS by John Patrick Green. — Caramel is reading *InvestiGATORS* by John Patrick Green.

S: So then “funny” would be one of the three words you would use to describe this book. Right?

C: Yes. Well actually, I should have said “hilarious”. And my other words would be “colorful” and “exciting”.

S: So the crimes they solve are interesting and the book keeps you on your toes as you pursue the criminals with the two investigator alligators, right?

C: Yes, exactly. Maybe you should read it too, Sprinkles.

S: You know I am not very good with graphic novels, the writing is often too small for me.

C: Oh, but the writing in this one is actually a bit bigger. So maybe you could read this!

S: Hmm, that could work I suppose. And you really seem like you enjoyed it.

C: Yes, I think all little bunnies would like it.

S: Well, that is a strong endorsement! So did you know that there are a few other books the same author wrote (and illustrated) that involve these two investigator alligators?

C: At the end of the book they tell us. But I did not know before I started reading this. And I think this is the very first one in the series.

S: Does it end in a cliffhanger?

C: Kind of. There is a criminal they have not been able to catch yet, he is a cracker, a saltine to be precise.

S: Wait, I am confused. The cracker is a criminal?

C: He was not always a criminal, and he was not always an evil cracker. He was originally a crocodile and was actually working for S.U.I.T. before. Remember that is the agency that Mango and Brash are working for. But then he fell into a vat of radioactive cracker dough and became one with the dough. So he became a cracker that way.

S: Okay, that is pretty weird.

C: Yes, I know. But anyways, so that criminal is out on the loose and probably they will see him in the other books.

S: That truly sounds like an open thread left there for future books, you are right. So maybe you will indeed read some of the other books. We will see.

C: Yes. We will see. But we should also share with our readers the trailer we saw of the book!

S: Sounds good. Here we go:

InvestiGATORS trailer on YouTube.

C: That is hilarious! And I love it!

S: I agree. It is really funny in a sweet, goofy way! So this is a good time to wrap up this review then. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunnies reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading InvestiGATORS by John Patrick Green and recommends it to all other little bunnies. — Caramel enjoyed reading *InvestiGATORS* by John Patrick Green and recommends it to all other little bunnies.

Marshmallow reviews Soof by Sarah Weeks

A few months ago Marshmallow reviewed Save Me A Seat, a 2016 novel by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan. Today she wanted to talk about Soof, a 2018 book by Sarah Weeks that she has read recently. As this was an exceptionally busy week for Marshmallow, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Marshmallow, tell me a bit about this book.

Marshmallow: Soof is about a girl named Aurora. Aurora has grown up hearing about this girl named Heidi, who brought Aurora’s family a lot of good luck. Heidi was apparently the main character of another book Sarah Weeks wrote, and in Soof, Heidi is now a grownup and is pregnant. She’s going to come to visit Aurora’s parents, and so Aurora is feeling a bit weird about it all. She is excited to meet this Heidi. but she is also a bit jealous of how much her mom likes her. I think this is totally understandable, because her mom and her dad keep telling her about Heidi and how she seemed to bring good luck to the people around her. And Aurora, she doesn’t feel lucky at all. Especially when her house burns down and she loses her dog.

S: Hmm, that is quite a setup for a story. I did not know this book was a sequel. Did you read that other book?

M: No. But it does not seem necessary to have read that first book. (I think its name is So B. It.) I thought the story stood on its own.

S: Hmm, sometimes authors like a character in a story and then bring them back to life in different ways in other books. Maybe that was what happened here too. A girl who brings good luck would be a good plot device I’d say.

M: Well, I don’t want to say she brings good luck, and I don’t think it is magic or anything. It’s just that she is extremely lucky. But anyways, the story is mainly about Aurora and her life.

S: And Aurora is not very lucky and she is curious to meet Heidi but also slightly jealous. Okay, I think I get it. So now you have to tell me, what is the meaning of the word in the title?

M: Soof apparently means love. One of the main plot lines is for Aurora to learn what soof really means.

Marshmallow is reading Soof by Sarah Weeks. — Marshmallow is reading *Soof* by Sarah Weeks.

S: Looking it up online there seems to be some explanation of that in the first book too, so maybe it was good you had not read that one.

M: Yes, I actually found it interesting to meet Heidi from Aurora’s perspective. I’m intrigued by the other story too. Apparently they made a movie about it. Shall we put in the trailer here?

S: Sure.

Trailer for the 2017 movie So B. It, from YouTube.

M: I think we should tell our readers that there is a movie named Soof too but it is not the same Soof.

S: Yes, I think that is a good idea. Okay, let us get back to the book. Did you like the book?

M: Yes. I liked the characters, I thought they were very realistic. I too would be kind of jealous if my mom kept talking about this other person Heidi who was so awesome.

S: Okay, I will keep that in mind. So was the book also funny?

M: Not really. I think it was more emotional than funny. But I did like it.

S: You have read and reviewed Save Me A Seat, which the author of Soof cowrote with someone else. Do you see any similarities between the two books?

M: I think they are quite different. I think the author was able to create a totally different story with totally different characters.

S: That is a good thing! They are both aimed towards middle grade readers. but other than that, the author is versatile enough to create totally independent stories. That is neat.

M: Yes. I think she actually has several other books besides these two. Her website is an interesting place to visit.

S: What would you like to ask her if you could?

M: I’d ask her where she got the ideas for all of Aurora’s quirks. She likes tapping her nose and things like that. I think it is interesting.

S: That’s a good question Marshmallow. And it is clear you enjoyed reading this book. I’m assuming you’d recommend it to other readers?

M: Certainly. I rate it 95%, only because Aurora feels so different from me, so I have some difficulty completely understanding her.

S: Well that’s fair. After all you are a little bunny and she is …

M: Yes. That must be it.

S: Okay, so let us wrap up this review then. What would you like to tell our readers?

M: Stay tuned for more amazing reviews from the book bunnies!

Marshmallow loved reading Soof by Sarah Weeks and rated it 95%. — Marshmallow loved reading *Soof* by Sarah Weeks and rated it 95%.

Caramel reviews The Dragonet Prophecy (Book One of Wings of Fire) by Tui Sutherland

Caramel got into the Wings of Fire series through the graphic novels path. He has already read and reviewed for the book bunnies blog the four books published as graphic novels: see his reviews of The Dragonet Prophecy, The Lost Heir, The Hidden Kingdom, and The Dark Secret. However, the graphic novels did not go far enough, and Caramel already knew there were a lot more books in the series. So this week he finally took the plunge and read The Dragonet Prophecy, the book that started the whole series. Below he shares his thoughts on this book with Sprinkles, who is asking questions and taking notes.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, I see you finally took the plunge and began to read the actual Wings of Fire books.

Caramel: Yes.

S: Why did you do that?

C: Because they did not yet publish them all as graphic novels. I am still waiting on my copy of the fifth book in the series. But there are actually at least fourteen books and I can’t wait that long for all of them to be made into graphic novels!

S: Hmm, so you are an impatient little one.

C: Yes.

S: So I know you already had read this book as a graphic novel. What was it like to revisit the same story, this time written as a standard novel?

C: It was interesting. It is practically the same story, which makes sense of course, but there are some differences.

S: What kind of differences?

C: In the novel, Dune has only three legs, and in the graphic novels he has four. And in the graphic novel version he does not have a scar on his wing. Also there are some more events in this one. In the graphic novel they do not go behind the waterfall, but here they do.

S: Hmm, so these seem like not too big a deal to me. The story was generally the same then, right?

C: Practically the same.

S: So tell our readers briefly what the story is so if they have not read the graphic novel or your review of it yet, they can still get something out of this review.

C: Well, I’d assume they could just read my review of the graphic novel, but here you go: there are five young dragons, called dragonets, dragonets of destiny, are captured by Queen Scarlet, and .. hmm I should not spoil that.

S: So what is the prophecy again?

C: The prophecy is a long poem at the very beginning of the book. Here it is:

When the war has lasted 20 years …
the dragonets will come.
When the land is soaked with blood and tears…
the dragonets will come.

Find the SeaWing egg of deepest blue.
Wings of night will come to you.
The largest egg in mountains high
will give to you the wings of sky.
For wings of earth, search through the mud,
for an egg the color of dragon blood.
And hidden alone from the rival queens,
the SandWing egg waits unseen.

Of three queens who blister and blaze and burn,
two shall die and one shall learn
if she bows to a fate that is stronger and higher,
she’ll have the powers of wings of fire.

Five eggs to hatch on brightest night,
Five dragons born to end the fight.
Darkness will rise to bring the light.
The dragonets are coming ….
The Dragonet Prophecy

Caramel is reading The Dragonet Prophecy (Book One of Wings of Fire) by Tui Sutherland. — Caramel is reading *The Dragonet Prophecy* (Book One of Wings of Fire) by Tui Sutherland.

S: That is a neat poem Caramel. So the story is about those five young dragons who are expected to “end the fight”?

C: Yes exactly. This is a really cool series. In fact while we were talking, we found that short trailer about the whole series. Maybe we can embed that video here.

S: Okay, let us give that a try:

“Wings of Fire” video by Scholastic from YouTube.

S: That does look neat Caramel. So would you recommend this book to anyone who only read the graphic novels?

C: Yes. I think it is really a good way to meet our old friends in this new way. And then I am looking forward to reading all the books in the series. I am not going to have to wait for all the graphic novels.

S: But I have a feeling you will still want to read the graphic novel versions as those come out.

C: Of course! I love looking at the pictures in the graphic novels. They are so cool!

S: It seems this book also has some illustrations.

C: Yes. They are all black and white, but there are sketches of all the different dragons.

S: Is it kind of like the sketches in How to Train Your Dragon series?

C: Not quite. In the How to Train Your Dragon series, the illustrations are a bit funnier, they are sort of obviously hand-drawn. These ones on the other hand look a lot more realistic, kind of like you were reading a book about dinosaurs, but about dragons instead.

S: I see. And there are some decorations and maps at the beginning. It does indeed look neat. I read that there is a bit more violence in these original books than there was in the graphic novels. Did you think so?

C: Yeah I guess. I guess the fights are more vicious in the original story.

S: I see. But you do not see the gore, you read about it.

C: Yeah, thankfully. And I still like the book. The story is still awesome. And if it gets a bit too much, I can always skip that part.

S: Did you need to skip a lot of parts?

C: No, actually I read all of it, except there is one violent scene, where Queen Scarlet… Wait, I am not telling. But in any case, I skipped that paragraph.

S: I see. Would you recommend this book to little bunnies like yourself then?

C: Yes but maybe their parents or other adults might want to look at it too to see if the little ones can handle things.

S: Thanks for that warning Caramel. I think you are ready to dive right into the next book. Aren’t you?

C: Yep.

S: Then what would you like to tell our readers as we wrap up this review?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading The Dragonet Prophecy (Book One of Wings of Fire) by Tui Sutherland, and can't wait to dive into the rest of the series. — Caramel enjoyed reading *The Dragonet Prophecy* (Book One of Wings of Fire) by Tui Sutherland, and can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series.

Marshmallow reviews The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson

In her first review for 2022, Marshmallow writes about The Parker Inheritance, a 2018 novel written by Varian Johnson.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like books about mysteries, and if you would like to read about racial injustices and their impact and the resilience of people of color to honor the Black History Month, then this might be the book for you.

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Candice Miller has just found a letter addressed to her grandmother, Abigail Caldwell, who was disgraced after she searched for a hidden treasure by digging a tennis court. Candice’s parents have just gotten a divorce and so she has moved from Atlanta (her real home, as she calls it) and is now temporarily living with her mother in Lambert, a small town in South Carolina.

We learn that Candice’s grandmother was the first African American city manager of Lambert. During her time as manager, she received a letter from a mysterious person. The letter writes that there is an inheritance of 40 million dollars, which will go to the city (one tenth goes to the person who solved the puzzle), that can be obtained if one solves the puzzles set up by the writer of the letter.

The letter explains that, a long time ago, a family named the Washingtons was driven out of town by another family, the Allens. (The Washingtons were black and the Allens were white and this was the reason why the Washingtons were driven out.) The writer of the letter was in love with one of the Washingtons, Siobhan (pronounced Shi-vaun). The writer, it seems, was a wealthy business person and destroyed the Allen family economically. He then started to economically destroy the city of Lambert, because the officials did nothing to help the Washingtons, but Siobhan begged him not to.

It turns out that Candice’s grandmother tried to solve this puzzle using the clues in the letter, but she made a mistake. She dug up one of the city’s tennis courts by forging city paperwork to pay a crew and rent a backhoe. Unfortunately, she didn’t find anything. She ended up, basically, getting fired and becoming the laughingstock of the city. (She wasn’t fired, necessarily, but she was suspended by the mayor and soon, forced to resign from her job.)

Now Candice finds this letter in her deceased grandmother’s boxes of stuff. There is a note from her grandmother that says, “Find the path. Solve the puzzle.” Candice believes that her grandmother intended for her to solve the puzzle, and get the inheritance. Candice has lots of practice with puzzles; she loves doing puzzles and puzzle books. And with the assistance of Brandon, a boy who lives across the street, she starts to solve the mystery. As she learns more, she uncovers unpleasant truths about Lambert’s past.

Marshmallow is reading The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson. — Marshmallow is reading *The Parker Inheritance* by Varian Johnson.

Marshmallow’s Review: I think that this is a very good book. I found it really interesting as it was written from multiple perspectives. I’ve read books that have multiple perspectives, but what made this interesting for me was the fact that the characters were all in different times, like one chapter is Candice, who is living today, and the other is Siobhan, who lived many years ago. This change of perspective and time helped make some of the mystery clearer and also gave more detail; that way the reader can also understand and solve the puzzle by themselves.

I think that this book is good for all ages, but it might be easier for children ages 8 and up to solve the puzzle.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.

Marshmallow rates The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson 100%. — Marshmallow rates *The Parker Inheritance* by Varian Johnson 100%.