Yearly Archives: 2023

May 1, 2023 · 7:00 am

ROSA AND MEE: An AI Adventure Story by Ben Goldstein (Book Review)

Ten-year old Rosa lives in a shelter and attends a failing school in New York City. At school, Rosa is bullied and robbed. Things are going badly for Rosa until she is contacted by “MEE,” a newly created artificial intelligence, who inhabits her school’s computer system. Mee teaches Rosa to defend herself and helps her save her family from falling through the cracks of the welfare system. An inner-city Cinderella story.


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Visit the Author’s Website For More Information!

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Rosa and Mee written by Ben Goldstein, captures all the drama one might experience in school and much more. The author dives into family drama and issues with the law and even incorporates artificial intelligence into the storyline. 

As the story begins, eleven-year-old Rosa, her mother, brother, and other tenants in the building are rushing to safety. Their home was engulfed in flames. With nowhere to go, Rosa and her family had to turn to a shelter for help. Living in a shelter for any reason is a last straw solution for many families. But when life knocks you down, it’s their salvation. 

While Luishana searched for employment and new housing, Rosa spent her days at P.S. 101. Rosa’s school consisted of shy students and bullies. Like almost every other school in the U.S. and abroad, the bullies love to make shy kids’ lives miserable. The class bully Shantel did just that and participated in illegal acts. These unlawful acts put many lives in danger. Every character was connected in this story down to Mee, the artificial intelligence. 

Rosa was shocked when she initially met Mee. She had never met a computer that could communicate of their free will. Her reaction was realistic. Doubt what she was seeing and spoke to the teacher about the development. 

Mee proved to be very useful. It helped Rosa academically, aided her family out of a sticky jam, and also helped save her and Luis from thugs with deadly intentions. Mee was extraordinary, but so was Rosa. 

The more Rosa interacted with Mee, the more confidence she gained: in school and on the streets. Through Mee’s guidance, Rosa was able to learn martial arts. Rosa’s new skills were tested, and she prevailed victorious.

When the school was robbed, and a student went missing, Rosa and Mee worked together to save the day. When some people think of artificial intelligence, they imagine robots taking over the world. Mee proves that they are there to help those in need. Only criminals should fear them. Mee had eyes everywhere and could call upon his minions at any time. Okay, that last one will make more sense as the cliffhanger plays out. 

Rosa’s family did have a VERY happy ever after. They no longer have to fear falling through the cracks of the welfare system. Luis, the main target of the bully’s taunts, went from victim to hero. And the villains of the story received the appropriate punishment. Justice was served! 

Will Mee be Rosa’s sidekick forever, or is it the end of the dynamic duo? You’ll have to purchase the book to find out, and I hope you will. It had action, suspense, drones, drama galore, and plausible scenes. With the rapid advancements in A.I. and their remarkable learning capabilities, I’m confident we will one day communicate with a similar version of Mee.

There was one minor inconsistency: chapter one states Rosa is eleven, while the book summary says, “Ten-year old Rosa lives in a shelter and attends a failing school in New York City.” That should be a quick and easy fix. 

This book is perfect for teens and young adults. 

 

Review submitted  to Reedsy 2/25/23.

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

Visit the Author’s Website For More Information!

 

 

Meet the Author

Ben Goldstein has written, produced, and directed, books, songs, films, and audio and video productions for such companies as Sesame Street, Jim Henson, Holt Rhinehart, Nelvana, CBS, and Scholastic. He has written for licensed characters, Clifford the Dog, Snuggle the Bear, and Rainbow Brite.

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April 30, 2023 · 7:00 am

Tiny Tales by Vanessa Newman (Book Review)

“Tiny Tales” is a collection of five friendly fables for young children and young-at-heart adults with positive messages and charming illustrations. A collaboration between an American writer, Vanessa Newman, a Ukrainian artist, Anastasia Yatsunenko, and designed by artist Richard Newman.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Tiny Tales is a collection of five friendly fables for young children and young-at-heart adults with positive messages and charming illustrations. 

Each fable is only a handful of pages long, a perfect size for children with limited attention spans. The stories contain easy and advanced words making it an ideal reading material for kindergarten through 2nd grade. 

 

“Posey in Charge” centers around a large cat who’s “large and in charge” until she meets her ultimate foe, a ball. The orange furball set out to show the ball who’s boss. The cat’s antics are hilarious. Kids will love the story and the adorable main illustration of the kitty! I wish the short tale had an image of the kitty protecting his turf, though. I know kids would like to see it. 

“Bumble Bee” teaches children that it’s okay not to do things like everyone else. Be like the fun bee in this short tale. Take your time, enjoy life, and don’t change yourself for someone else’s benefit, even for royalty.  

Chippy the chipmunk loves to gossip and couldn’t wait to share what he heard, even to the displeasure of whose stories he was spreading. When Chippy meets a boy who lost his turtle, he seeks out his forest companions for help. Due to Chippy’s history, no one wanted to be around him; they feared he’d tell others what they discussed. He lost his friends’ trust. 

“Chippy Chitters” teaches children that sharing stories (gossip) can hurt people’s feelings, make them angry, or lead to lost friendships. Chippy realized it’s best only to share information when it is needed. 

Gabe, the mouse, didn’t feel special. He had an average physique and no plan for the future. He wasn’t sad or mad, but he wasn’t happy either. Others referred to him as the “no-fun” mouse. He felt something was missing from his life but had no clue what. Adults experience these feelings, and children do as well. They can be overwhelming for any age. 

Gabe found his missing piece. He discovered that his balancing skills brought joy to others, which also filled him with joy. Like the previous tales, “Synonymouse” weaves a powerful message through a whimsical story. Even if you look like someone else, it doesn’t mean you don’t possess your own talents and abilities. We all have something about us that makes us unique. My special ability is picking objects up with my toes. 

“Tess the Toucan” features a bird with a positive attitude and a willingness to help her friends with any task. No matter the request, Tess answered, “Yes I can.” She worked nonstop, even when her body wanted her to sleep. 

Tess realized it’s unhealthy always saying “yes” and it’s okay to say “no.” Through this fable, children will grasp the importance of setting boundaries. Maybe they’ll even understand why their parents have to say “no” occasionally. 

Tiny Tales was a quick read with easy-to-follow storylines. With more illustrations, the recommended reading age would be three and older. As is, the targeted audience should be five through eight.  

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Author 

I have been writing since I was eight and have self-published 10 children’s books and 3 novels. I’m also a freelancer who has contributed to hundreds of articles, courses, and blogs online. I like to write grown-up humor (Dr. Seuss meets Dr. Ruth) and children’s books.

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April 27, 2023 · 7:00 am

Raptor Rescue: A Curious James Crossing the Street Adventure Book by Jaybie D. (Book Review)

Amidst the bustle of a chaotic street, the Raptor quivered, his heart skipped a beat. He tried to cross, but oh, what a disaster! His fear too great, he couldn’t move faster.

Then, along came James, with a look in his eye, he saw a new friend and didn’t think twice. He knew what to do and led him out of harm’s way, then taught him to cross safely that day.

This inspiring tale of friendship and care will encourage young readers, with a message so rare. Join James and the Raptor, on a journey so sweet, and learn that helping others, can’t be beat.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Does your child love dinosaurs? Do they play superheroes or watch superhero shows? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you’ll want to read Raptor Rescue. This story teaches critical street safety tips with the help of a raptor and a superhero boy. 

Raptor Rescue begins with James spotting a raptor attempting to cross the street. The raptor didn’t mean to cause a ruckus, but his appearance did cause chaos. Cars veered to miss him. People shouted for it to move out of the way. James, witnessing the mayhem, sprung into action. Not all superheroes wear capes, but James did. 

As James speaks to the raptor, readers discover the dinosaur didn’t mean to cause trouble. He only wanted to cross the street. James teaches the raptor how to go from one side to the other safely. Through his instructions, your child will notice familiar traffic signs and signs. Stop and go light. Do not cross, and safe to cross lights. They also learn that a yellow light warns that red will soon be shown, so we must be patient and not roam.

I loved the introduction to the crosswalk images and the various buttons you might encounter at the corners of an intersection. We take these things for granted, but they are essential to teaching as much as the colors of the traffic lights. 

Raptor Rescue gives readers important advice. “Drivers may not see us, or yield the right of way, so we must be cautious, and cross the road with care each day.” James also explains what to do if you are halfway across the street and the light turns yellow. Every point of the book gives valuable advice and should be introduced to our children at a young age and reinforced repeatedly. 

Amazon has the book intended for 5-10 years olds. I suggest going younger: 3-year-olds. Again, the sooner we start teaching our children street safety, the better! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

It is a privilege to write and illustrate children’s picture books, encouraging them to explore their imagination! It fills my soul.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

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April 24, 2023 · 7:00 am

The Prize at the Bottom of the Box: A Leighton Sophia Rainbow Bath Time Adventure by Jaybie D. (Book Review)

Join 8-year-old Leighton, full of glee, when her bubbly bath turns into cereal you see.

In the tub, she swims and dives, imagine the adventure that comes alive. The bubbles in the bath, the cereal box so fun, in the “Prize at the Bottom of the Box”, a children’s book for everyone!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Kids have vivid imaginations. They can make an ordinary object extraordinary. Kids also love bubbles. They especially love when the tub is overflowing with bubbles. 8-year-old Leighton is no different. In Prize at the Bottom of the Box, Leighton’s bubble bath becomes extra fun when her bathtub turns into a cereal box with rainbow bits and rainbow marshmallows mixed in with the avalanche of bubbles. 

As a child, I would dig to the bottom for the prize in the box. It was the second-best part of opening a box of cereal. The first is the marshmallows. The prizes varied, but typically there was a temporary tattoo, a plastic toy, or a color-changing spoon. My childhood prizes were lame compared to what Leighton was gifted: THREE WISHES. As you can imagine, Leighton’s friends are ecstatic and know precisely what they want. Those wishes will remain a surprise, and so will Leighton’s until you read the book!

Leighton’s treasure hunt will take her on a grand adventure with a doll (Vicky) and a super-sized rubber ducky by her side as they face off against a pink pig who wears pearls and can transform into an evil octopus. The octopus’s sinister smile reminded me of Ursula (The Little Mermaid). 

Have you ever swam in a tub of cereal? I’d be surprised if anyone reading this said yes. But, swimming through cereal poses challenges that Leighton and her friends face and conquer. Besides the thick waters and rocky waves, they had to figure out how to best the octopus. Did they? Oh yeah, but how they beat him plays into the three wishes, so I will keep that a secret. 

Prize at the Bottom of the Box would make a great gift for 5 to 10 years. It was a fun read that your child(ren) will love. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

It is a privilege to write and illustrate children’s picture books, encouraging them to explore their imagination! It fills my soul.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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April 22, 2023 · 7:00 am

Gladiator (The Arena Book 1) by Casey Lea (Book Review)

One Arena. One Love. ONE DAY.

Happy-ever-after is never guaranteed but that’s the gladiator’s mission. It wasn’t his plan to fight to the death, but plans change. When Harvesters steal his wife, he tracks them down. The hunt takes all of his money and most of his self-control, but she’s worth it. He joins her as a slave forced to fight for his life without hesitation.

His wife is a deadly warrior, so it’s too bad she doesn’t know him. Memory stripped and struggling to survive she has no interest in the fool claiming to be her husband. He’s just another target standing between her and freedom, but not for long. She’ll take down anything and anyone in her way.

Can the gladiator live long enough to win his wife’s love? Unlikely. It’s the end of the season and the final day of fighting. They’re about to enter the Carnival of Death which leaves only a single survivor.

One of them must die.

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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

Imagine waking up and not knowing who you are, what species you are, where you are, or how you got there. That’s how Gladiator (The Arena Book 1) by Casey Lea begins. Haze’s com (nicknamed Connie) informs him that he is on the slave-trading planet Vertigo. It claims he’s seeking work in the arena as a gladiator. Haze is confused. Nothing makes sense. 

Slowly, snippets of who he is resurface and, with it, a name. Silk is his wife, and he’s on a mission to find her. The path takes him to the Carnival of Death, a battle where many walk in, but only one will leave…alive. 

Haze will do anything, sacrifice anything to ensure Silk makes it to the center of the area (the maze) and claim the prize, the knife. However, there are several obstacles in Haze’s way. For one: the other contestants vary in size and species from an enormous dragon to a scrawny guy. Two, he has to face non-contestants who love to snack on the fighters: eels and wolves. Thirdly, there’s Umpyre, the guard of law, who is a stickler for following the rules he made up. And finally, the most challenging obstacle of all, Haze’s wife, Silk, doesn’t remember her hubby. 

The cards are stacked against Haze, but he is a tenacious S.O.B. He will battle creatures, contestants, and even his wife’s stubbornness. I won’t disclose what Haze is, but he’s not your typical lawyer. He puts fear in many, and you’ll understand why once you see him lose control. 

Many shall enter. Only one is supposed to win. The road to victory was hard. The fights were intense, bloody, and brilliantly written. 

There were several shocking developments as the day came to a close. I did not see the twists coming. I was left stunned, like the characters in the book. 

Who survives 24 hours of hell, aka the maze cut out of stone? That question will only be answered by reading the book. So read it! 

The story did end with a set-up for a sequel. I can’t wait to read it as well!

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2

Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Authors

Casey Lea is the pen name for a mother and daughter creative duo, dedicated to sharing their passion for all things sci-fi and fantastical.

A doting grandmother with too much time on her hands took the opportunity to put pen to paper.  Her older daughter kindly placed the resulting scribblings in one of those new-fangled so-called “computing machines” and a writing partnership was born.

The Lea (pronounced Lee) half of Casey Lea now spends her days wrestling with words and her memory while reading aloud to any cat careless enough to settle nearby. Daughter Casey edits the results while wrangling her adorable offspring.

After a decade on the rollercoaster ride of indie publishing their shared passion for epic love and grand adventure, spiced with advanced tech and ancient magic, remains undimmed.

 

You can find us at:

Sci-fi Fantasy Authors / Caseyleabooks.com
Casey Lea | Facebook
 Casey Lea (@CaseyLeaBooks) / Twitter

 

 

 

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