Book Review: The Lost Property Office by James R Hannibal

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publish Date: Nov 8th, 2016
ISBN: 9781481467094
Pages: 400
Series: Section 13, Book #1
Source: ARC from publisher for honest review

Goodreads Synopsis:

James R. Hannibal presents a thrilling adventure through history, complete with mysteries, secret items, codes, and a touch of magic in this stunning middle grade debut.

Thirteen-year-old Jack Buckles is great at finding things. Not just a missing glove or the other sock, but things normal people have long given up on ever seeing again. If only he could find his father, who has disappeared in London without a trace.
But Jack’s father was not who he claimed to be. It turns out that he was a member of a secret society of detectives that has served the crown for centuries—and membership into the Lost Property Office is Jack’s inheritance.
Now the only way Jack will ever see his father again is if he finds what the nefarious Clockmaker is after: the Ember, which holds a secret that has been kept since the Great Fire of London. Will Jack be able to find the Ember and save his father, or will his talent for finding things fall short? 

My Review:

Jack is unique, and always has been. He can hear and feel things that most people can't. He's written it off for the first 13 years of his life as just an odd quirk that he has to live with. It isn't until his sister Sadie thinks she sees their missing dad that it all starts to come together and make sense a little to Jack Buckles. 
The book starts off a little slow to be honest, it took a little persuasion to sit down and read at first. Not that it wasn't good or anything, I just wanted something to hook me in! Once past the first few chapters, things start to look up. We meet a strange young girl named Gwen who can help Jack and together they set off on an adventure to find what the Clockmaster is after. Written with such vividness, the reader can easily see what James R Hannibal had in mind, but also so much creativity that the reader could just as easily envision their own world.
It's a history lesson, a mystery, and a magical ride all rolled into one. I can definitely see fans of Harry Potter taking a liking to The Lost Property Office (I mean, it made me start rereading Harry Potter..again!). Fans of Sherlock will also enjoy this. And even if you don't like/know either of those, that's ok! There's something in this book that you'll enjoy!
Also, the cover art is pretty cool! The pretty little bug on the right hand corner of the book is fantastic! And I was happy to see a ton of The Lost Property Office copies out in plain sight on display at my local Chapters. The cover will most likely draw a lot of readers to it!

Book Review: The Littlest Bigfoot by Jennifer Weiner

Publish Date: September 13th, 2016
Publisher: Aladdin
ISBN: 9781481470742
Pages: 304
Series: Book #1
Source: ARC from publisher for honest review

Goodreads Synopsis:

From New York Times bestselling of Hungry Heart Jennifer Weiner comes a laugh-out-loud funny and painstakingly real tale of friendship, furry creatures, and finding the place where you belong.

Alice Mayfair, twelve years old, slips through the world unseen and unnoticed. Ignored by her family and shipped off to her eighth boarding school, Alice would like a friend. And when she rescues Millie Maximus from drowning in a lake one day, she finds one.

But Millie is a Bigfoot, part of a clan who dwells deep in the woods. Most Bigfoots believe that people—NoFurs, as they call them—are dangerous, yet Millie is fascinated with the No-Fur world. She is convinced that humans will appreciate all the things about her that her Bigfoot tribe does not: her fearless nature, her lovely singing voice, and her desire to be a star.

Alice swears to protect Millie’s secret. But a league of Bigfoot hunters is on their trail, led by a lonely kid named Jeremy. And in order to survive, Alice and Millie have to put their trust in each other—and have faith in themselves—above all else. 

My Review:

What a refreshing read this was! In many ways, it reminded me of how I felt reading Jason Segels Nightmares. It truly made me happy to read such a wonderful book. 

Alice is a young girl just trying to get by in life. But she's different. She's clumsy, has big messy hair, doesn't look at all like the other girls and is just plain awkward. She's been to many many schools and can't find one that suits her eccentric learning style. And honestly, reading the beginning and her troubles and turmoils at the different schools made me laugh out loud!

I love that The Littlest Bigfoot touches on the serious subjects that need to be talked about nowadays. Bullying and acceptance are huge in this novel along with friendship and how it's ok to be friends with someone who isn't exactly like you. Take Millie for example. She's curious, adventurous and not even human and the friendship that Alice and Millie create will be that of a lifetime. These are the books I wish I read in middle school. Books to teach me how to find the place where I belong, and how it's ok to be different.

I liked how the book was separated into the chapters each focusing on either Millie, Alice and Jeremy (who just really wants to catch a Bigfoot!) I enjoyed that we got to dig a little deeper into each character and see their personalities shine through a little more. This is the kind of book that all kids should read and appreciate and I myself am looking forward to sinking into the sequel that's promised at the end of Jennifer Weiners debut middle-grade fiction, The Littlest Bigfoot.