The new Hardy Boys Clue Books release, plus a kids’ mystery clue book sale!

Aladdin Publishers is getting ready to release the new Hardy Boys clue book series, authored by Franklin W. Dixon and illustrated by Matt Dixon! The first two, The Video Game Bandit and The Missing Playbook will be released on April 19, 2016, and two more are scheduled to be released later within the year.

For those of us who grew up on The Hardy Boys mystery series, we are happy to see a new look introduced to appeal to the younger generation. This new series is more interactive – space is included in each installment for “readers to jot down their own ideas and solutions to the case!” The books are for age range 6 to 9 years – grades 1 to 4.

Everyone loves a good mystery, even kids, and that’s why we are throwing in a third mystery book – The Secrets of Aunt Norah’s House by Dawnette Blackwood-Rhoomes; all three for a low price of $19.99! See our offer at this link – Kids’ Mystery Clue Book Sale!

Book Descriptions:

The Video Game Bandit (Hardy Boys Clue Book) - Book 1

“Frank and Joe are on a mission to track down a thief in the first book in an all-new, interactive Hardy Boys chapter book mystery series.

Bayport Elementary is throwing a fundraiser so they can go on an end-of-the-year trip. Ellie Freeman’s parents have volunteered their house for the event, and neighbors have donated all sorts of prizes to be raffled off including movie tickets and gift certificates to Fun World. But the best prize of all is a brand-new ZCross50000, a video game system that every kid has been drooling over.

But sometime during the event, the ZCross goes missing. Can Frank and Jo figure out who took the prize before it’s too late to save the big school trip?”

Softcover, 96 pages.

The Missing Playbook (Hardy Boys Clue Book) – Book 2

“Frank and Joe try to hit a home run by figuring out what happened to the Bayport Bandits’ playbook before the first big baseball game in the second book in an all-new, interactive Hardy Boys chapter book mystery series. Includes space for readers to jot down their own ideas and solutions to the case!

Frank and Joe and the rest of their Bayport Bandits teammates can’t wait for Little League to start! Everyone is celebrating the beginning of the season at Speedy Zermino’s house. While they’re all together, Coach Quinn shows off the Bandit’s new playbook that contains all of the new strategies and plays that will help them to a winning season.

The next day at practice, Coach Quinn realizes the all-important playbook has gone missing! With their teammates counting on them to get the book back, Frank and Joe must take a swing at cracking this case…or their season will be over before it even begins.”

Softcover, 96 pages

The Secrets of Aunt Norah’s House

“An almost 200 year house plus a book of clues equals mystery! What would you do if someone left you a book of clues, an old house with its secrets, and a letter which leads to a treasure hunt? Go sleuthing of course!

With seven bedrooms, a den, a dark spooky basement, and a creaky old attic to look for a treasure, who knows what secrets this old house has tucked away in its many hiding places! Ten year old Ossie and eight year old Cody are in for an adventure! Their mystery begins with a mischievous cat covered in flour and ends with the treasure of a lifetime!”

Softcover, 88 pages

It’s a Giveaway!

Not just one, but two!

DBR Books is hosting two Giveaways on Goodreads and you’re invited to join in the fun. You never know, you might just win a book or two!
(1)   Giveaway for The Virtuous Husband. It is scheduled to open for entries at midnight on Wednesday, April 13 and end at midnight on Saturday, April 30. 1 copy to give away to Goodreads members in United States and Canada.
Book Description:

The Virtuous Husband (Book 1 in the Cannon & Durnam Textile Legacy series by Dawnette Blackwood-Rhoomes

“The letter which Elizabeth Durnam had been dreading for the past three years, has finally turned up on her doorstep, and now her fear is her reality. Elizabeth dedicates her time to working on her designs in the family textile mill, Durnam Fabrics. However, one thing weighs heavily on Elizabeth’s heart. To complete her father’s dream and textile legacy, she must first comply with his one request.

The request is a hard one to fulfill. It goes against every grain in her body to wed the egoist Rhys Cannon. However, to complete the merger of Durnam Fabrics and Cannon Textiles, Elizabeth and Rhys must put their differences aside. But not before Elizabeth gives Rhys a lesson in virtue!

On their wedding day, it’s no deal until Rhys signs The Virtuous Husband Clause, and may God help them to learn to love each other for better or for worse.”

Softcover, 258 pages.

(2)   Giveaway for Why Should I Believe You?. It is scheduled to open for entries at midnight on Thursday, April 14 and end at midnight on Saturday, April 30. 1 copy to give away to Goodreads members in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.
Book Description:
Why Should I Believe You? by Dawnette Blackwood-Rhoomes

“Do you believe anything the Bible says?
Have you ever been angry with God?
How did you cope with it?
Read the story of a child's disappointment in God's broken promise; and a woman's face to face encounter with the real truth about God, His love, and His promises.”

Inspirational reading; finding peace amidst anger and disappointment.

Softcover, 66 pages.

Book Review | Too-Clever IX: Darell and Bobo by Julia E. Antoine

Darell and Bobo is the 9th installation of the Too-Clever series, which is written by Dr. Julia E. Antione. The series is a winner in The Mom Choice Awards.

Do you remember when you were twelve going on thirteen; how excited you were that you'd embark on the momentous journey of adolescence? It seemed as if twelve was the magic number when everything suddenly shifted into perspective: attitudes change, responsibilities taken more seriously, hormones rage, and the list goes on. Well, we all awoke soon enough to realize that things did change, but for the most part life suddenly got more complicated.

Eleven year old Darell Ruben is looking forward to turning twelve, and like boys his age, he is excited to finally leave childhood behind and walk the plank of 'teenagedom'. Life is about to get a little more interesting and adventurous, or so he's told by the adults around him; but for Darell he is more intrigued to see if the story about body hairs and raging hormones is true!

Darell and Bobo's author Julia E. Antoine, cleverly addresses issues of emotional and biological change in boys as they approach adolescence. Although the story is centered on what will happen once Darell turns twelve, it also pinpoints sensitive subject matters such as the importance of parents talking with their kids about the kind of changes to expect. The book also addresses some emotional setbacks boys can face when a responsible father figure is not in the home, as in the case of Darell's friend Jonas. In covering these issues, Antoine's storyline developed around the key character's problem while weaving in a clever sub-plot and secondary character.

When Darell finally turns twelve, he suddenly learns that there are some decisions he will have to make on his own; like choosing between friendships and relationships. Antoine's insightful inclusion of a girl between friends shows also that pre-adolescent change is not only biological and emotional, but that it also affects social dynamics. A sudden interest in the opposite sex may have taken Darell by surprise, but Antoine shows the reader that this too is a normal part of the 'big' change.

Too-Clever IX: Darell and Bobo by Dr. Julia E. Antoine is an insightful read, dotted with instances of humor despite the sensitive issues addressed in the book. On his twelfth birthday, did Darell finally get the body hairs he was long awaiting? We won't tell; you'll have to read the book to find out!