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The Big Dream: Middle-Grade Fiction (The Crow’s Tales) Book 2
Victoria E. Pannell and Thorir Sigfusson’s The Big Dream is a lively, humor-filled adventure that captures the magic of summer, childhood friendships, and one boy’s determination to chase an unlikely dream. It follows Brandon Woodberry, a kid with an endless imagination, a mischievous pet crow named Ralph, and two best friends, Josh and Skip, as they set out to enter a remote-controlled car race. The problem? They need to raise nearly $2,000 to buy a car kit and customize it. Their summer becomes a whirlwind of hustling for cash, plotting pigeon-catching schemes, and dealing with school, family, and growing up. With its warm humor and engaging storytelling, the book is a delightful ode to youthful ambition.
Brandon’s voice is instantly engaging and full of personality and wit. His internal monologues, whether he’s trying to stay awake in English class or navigating a hilarious dinner-table debate about his summer plans, feel authentic and relatable. The humor is spot-on, and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. The authors do a fantastic job of making the characters feel like real kids, complete with wild ideas, exaggerated reactions, and a boundless sense of possibility.
One of the book’s strongest aspects is its pacing. There’s never a dull moment. Whether it’s the boys pulling off a chaotic car wash, burning cookies during a bake sale, or dealing with an infuriatingly smug rich guy who tosses them a measly nickel as a tip, each chapter propels the story forward. The setbacks the boys face feel real, but there’s a persistent optimism that makes you root for them. Ralph the crow is another highlight, and his antics, from stealing cookies to strategically “decorating” a rude customer’s car, add a layer of unexpected hilarity to the story. His presence gives the book a slight whimsy, making it even more charming.
Beyond the humor and adventure, The Big Dream has an underlying message about perseverance and teamwork. The boys don’t always see eye to eye, and at times, their plans seem completely doomed (especially when their money-making schemes fall short). However, their friendship carries them through, and their determination to see the project through despite all odds is inspiring. The moment when they finally start believing they can do it is when they shift from seeing obstacles to finding solutions, is genuinely uplifting. It’s a wonderful message for kids.
I’d recommend The Big Dream to middle-grade readers who love stories about friendship, big ideas, and crazy summer escapades. It’s funny, heartfelt, and full of that electrifying feeling of endless summer days where anything seems possible. Whether you’re here for the humor, the adventure, or the sheer joy of watching a group of kids take on a seemingly impossible dream, this book delivers.
Pages: 312 | ASIN : B0DRZ88WZ9
Change Can Open Doors
The Crow’s Tales: The Bird Caper follows a ten-year-old boy whose family is moving to a new home, and he is worried about what his future will hold for him and his pet birds. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Deep in the process of writing our first book, The Big Dream, we agreed to create a series. The dilemma was that The Big Dream didn’t capture the essence of what we wanted for Book One. This challenge ignited the inspiration for The Bird Caper as the perfect opportunity to introduce Brandon, his pet crow, Ralph, and the evolution of new friendships. The goal is to make the reader feel like they truly know and relate to Brandon. You get to meet Brandon’s family and intimately share his fears about moving to a new home and see his strength in resolving difficult situations on his own. We hope perhaps readers will even like him as a friend.
It seemed like you took your time in building the characters and the story to great emotional effect. How did you manage the pacing of the story while keeping readers engaged?
Pacing is a middle-grade challenge in today’s fast-paced electronic world. As novice writers, we followed a basic formula. We created dialogue wherever possible and used care with dialogue tags. Varied sentence and paragraph length. Monitored filler words. Inserted new twists and events in every chapter. And kept the chapters short.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The primary theme is “change.” The story shines a light on young Brandon’s new life experience, showing him that, while daunting, change can also open doors to new friendships and adventures. The story depicts what kids go through all over the world. But it’s not often as scary as it seems. This is an excellent message for young readers.
Additionally, the story emphasizes the value of friendship and community as we follow Brandon’s journey of leaving his beloved neighborhood and longing for a sense of belonging in a new environment. The story introduces determination, exploration, and perseverance as his means to cope with his newfound challenges.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
The Bird Caper is Book 1 in our The Crow’s Tales trilogy. Book 2, The Big Dream is scheduled for release as a 2nd Edition in 2024. In this book, Brandon and his friends desperately try to raise money over the summer break to enter a remote-controlled car race. They will stop at nothing to achieve their dream even if it means bending the rules, just a little bit. Young readers will laugh out loud at the fund-raising adventures and the (mis)adventures of Ralph the Crow, who is drafted in to help. The book captures the essence of summer, childhood friendships, and the innocence of youth. A fun read, with a surprising, unexpected twist at the end. Book 3, The Crow’s Ring, is a clever mystery about finding the truth (Coming 2025).
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THE BIRD CAPPER in the fun book series everyone’s been waiting for!
THE CROW’S TALES.
Are you ready for a thrilling adventure that will leave you on the edge of your seat? Look no further. In THE BIRD CAPER (Book 1), ten year old Brandon is faced with the ultimate challenge when his parents decide to sell his home. This change means moving the family away from his beloved neighborhood and friends. Desperate not to move, Brandon turns to his pet crow, Ralph, for comfort. But when Ralph becomes the suspect in a string of mysterious bird incidents, Brandon must race against time to clear his name and save his friendship with his best friend, Josh. As tensions rise and new challenges emerge, Brandon must uncover the truth behind the crimes and chaos before it’s too late. Will he be able to outsmart the dreaded B.B. Boy bullies? And who knew that ladybugs could play such a pivotal role in the grand scheme of things? With action at every corner, this middle-grade mystery adventure is a must-read for boys and girls. A perfect book for 8-12 year olds. Fans of books like “The Mysterious Benedict Society” will devour this captivating tale. Don’t wait any longer, grab your copy of THE BIRD CAPER today!
Bonus! Teacher Reading Resources Included.
Don’t forget to read THE BIG DREAM! Book 2 of THE CROW’S TALES, a 3-book series. Entertaining stories with wholesome values!
Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time
P.J. Davis’ Nemesis and The Vault of Lost Time transports young readers into an enchanting realm of fantasy and adventure. Central to the story is Max, a daydreamer with an insatiable curiosity, who finds himself in the heart of a thrilling escapade after a chance encounter with a cryptic professor in his uncle’s store. The narrative escalates as Max, alongside his loyal friends Derek and Samantha, learns of a sinister plot involving the theft of time from the universe, sparking an exciting quest for justice and for personal revelations, particularly about his scientist father.
Aimed primarily at middle-grade audiences, this thrilling fantasy novel distinguishes itself through Davis’ accessible writing style. He utilizes a gentle tone, straightforward vocabulary, and a flowing narrative approach that makes the complex themes approachable for younger readers. The book’s imaginative prowess is further enhanced by its illustrations, which serve as a delightful guide through the story’s intricate settings and help bring the characters to life.
The plot of Nemesis and The Vault of Lost Time is a tapestry of surprises characterized by its unforeseen twists and turns. It’s this element of suspense that grips the readers, while the vivid descriptions create immersive visual experiences. Beyond its adventurous core, this mystery novel delves into themes of friendship and the nuanced dynamics of father-son relationships, offering a multi-layered reading experience.
I think Max’s character will resonate with young readers because he reflects their own dreams and thirst for adventure. His journey is more than an adventure, though; I felt like it was an exploration of new worlds and perspectives, offering a welcome escape from everyday life.
Nemesis and The Vault of Lost Time is an engaging read that stimulates the imagination and speaks to the youthful spirit of discovery and camaraderie.
Pages: 240 | ASIN : B0CVS2P3N3
LITERARY TITAN 