Guest Reviewer: Mister B is reading…Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney

The more things change, the more they stay the same....

The above cliche is a perfect description of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series.  The latest, "The Third Wheel", follows the same script. The usual Greg Hefley family weirdness (this time with the addition of a deadbeat uncle); Greg figuring out creative ways to get out of things leading to some mishap or another; hijinks at school (including the mysterious "pantser").  Same, same.

There is one difference though.  Greg actually seems to be growing up.  Girls weren't a focal point for him in the past, but with the big Valentine's Day dance coming up, finding someone to take becomes the central focus of "The Third Wheel".  There are some funny parts about the search for a date, including some sound advice from the deadbeat uncle.  And the book leads to an entertaining end, with good friend Rowley turning the tables on Greg.

Yeah, "The Third Wheel" is pretty much just like the other "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books.  But that isn't such a bad thing.  Sometimes, funny is still funny, no matter how many times you read it.

Guest Reviewer: Mister B is reading…X-Isle

X-Isle by Steve Augarde

Set in a future where massive floods have buried cities and towns underwater and only those on the highest ground have survived, XIsle tells the story of a supposed island oasis run by charismatic Preacher John. Boys are selected to live on the island when their families trade valuable goods to give their sons and young brothers a chance to sail on the Cormorant and live with Preacher John and his crew.  The island provides a hopeful future away from the drowned society they reside in with their families and friends.

All is not what is seems for the boys once they arrive on the island.  The promised advantages are replaced by cramped living quarters and slave labor.  The boys are forced to work for Preacher John, a self-righteous religious fanatic looking to collect as much wealth and valuables as possible. Preacher John's crew watch over the boys and make their lives miserable.

XIsle focuses on a boy name Baz and explores his trials and tribulations as he and the other group of boys trapped on the island try and figure out a way to escape.  There are moments of hope and moments of tragedy as the David vs. Goliath story moves along.  Funny situations give way to sometimes brutal consequences.  

The characters in the book speak in an English accent which at times can be confusing for the reader.  Overall, I would say the book is pretty predictable but does have some exciting twists and turns.  If you like "me against the world" stories, then you probably will enjoy XIsle by Steve Augarde.  Not up to "Lord of the Flies", "Lost" or "Hunger Games" standards, but not bad.   

Guest Reviewer: Mister B is reading…The Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney

The more things change, the more they stay the same. In the case of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, that actually is a good thing.

The latest entry in Jeff Kinney’s Wimpy Kid series is “Cabin Fever” and I found it to be enjoyable. I admit I didn’t laugh out loud as much as I did with the early books, but I still managed many smiles.

Greg Heffley’s adventures are still the wacky, outrageous ones you’ve read before. There are the battles with his parents, the run-ins with his big brother and new experiences with his younger brother Manny. In fact, one of the funniest moments had to do with a bad winter storm and an enterprising Manny. He is growing up!

I would recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and isn’t looking for a new twist on the story.

Guest Reviewer: Mister B is reading…Spilling Ink

Spilling Ink by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter, Illustrated by Matt Phelan

Don’t you just hate when you are assigned some complicated, crazy math problem?  And you sit there for hours trying to figure out why one car would leave at the same time as the other and who even cares which one arrives at the grocery store first?  Very frustrating!  It would be much simpler if someone wrote clear, detailed steps for you on how to solve the problem and free you from your math torture.

Well, if you ever wanted to write a poem, a short story, a book, or just about anything and really weren’t sure how to do it, then you must read Spilling Ink by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter!

Spilling Ink is an excellent instruction book for writers.  It provides information and ideas for writers of all ages.  From the basics of coming up with a topic to how to write effective dialogue, Spilling Ink covers it all.

The best thing about Spilling Ink is that it doesn’t teach you to write in a boring way, like those grammar lessons taught in an English class (of course I don’t mean a CMS English class!).  Instead, the authors of this book provide funny, creative and interesting stories to help you learn how to write.  Both authors are successful published writers, so you know what they have to say is important.

So, if you want to write the next Hunger Games, Harry Potter or Twilight saga, you must start by reading Spilling Ink!