The Secret Cave

Title: The Secret Cave
Author Lisa Marie Lanno
Published by I Universe, 2006.
ISBN: 978-0-595-40585-5.
Reviewed for Reader Views Kids, 9/07.

Joe and Ronnie are about to have a summer vacation unlike any other. They are 13 years old cousins and are looking for fun on the lake and hiking on the many trails. They have a couple of what they would call "pesky" sisters both older and younger. One day when they are investigating a trail, they make a strange discovery. There are giant rocks forming the shape of a skull. There is a hidden scroll that leads to more clues.

Of course, being adventuresome young boys they find themselves trying to discover what else lurks in these wooded trails. Day after day, they are getting closer to the solving of the mystery of this place. They don't want their parents to uncover what they have been doing so the older sisters also play a part in the adventure. Will they make it before vacation's end?

From page to page, you will find yourself wanting to not lay down "The Secret Cave" until it is finished. Lisa Maria Lanno is an awesome story teller. Each chapter builds on the last and you to try to try to figure out the mystery on your own. Its almost as if you are right there by Ronnie and Joe. Each chapter ends with a set of questions making you think and draw your own conclusions. "The Secret Cave" is a must have for kids who enjoy a great mystery. Its a novel which appeals to kids like because it is kids who are the main characters. I simply loved "The Secret Cave: and hope that Lisa Marie Lanno continues to write more books like one!

Personal Best

Personal Best
Sylvia Gunnery
James Lorimer & Company, Ltd. Publishers
317 Adelaide Street West, Suite 1002, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1P9
www.lorimer.ca
ISBN: 978-1-55028-896-4, $8.95, 2005.
Reviewed for Reader Views, 11/2007.

What could be more exciting than to be a part of a basketball camp with a bunch of other boys who love the same sport? This is a bright spot too, since Jay and his family are forced to live with his grandfather since his family lost their house in a fire. Jay is all excited to be a part of the Acadia University Basketball Camp in Nova Scotia. He gets to stay in an actual college dorm and be away from home for a whole week. What makes it even better is the fact that his best friend Mike is going to the same camp.

What starts out as being probably the most thrilling thing that has ever happened in Jay's life takes a horrible turn. Mike's older brother, Chad, who is supposed to be the boy's coach and mentor is not at all what a mentor should be. It will take some work on the part of the boys to make it through a tough week. Sometimes appearances can be deceiving. Chad used to seem like such a great guy. It takes the boys to make a difference in Chad's life.

"Personal Best" is an exciting continuation of the story which was first introduced in Sylvia Gunnery's book "Out of Bounds." I am anxiously awaiting to see if Ms Gunnery decides to continue Jay's story in another book.