Night Buddies:Imposters and one Far Out Flying Machine

Dominique Book Review, Parenting and Kids Children's Book, Night Buddies

Night Buddies Book Cover

Night Buddies, Impostors, and One Far-Out Flying Machine by Sands Hetherington is the 2nd book in the Night Buddy series.John Degraffenreidt adventures with Crosley a bright red crocodile starts when he has to go to bed. Instead of falling asleep like normal little boys, John and his crocodile go on an adventure as part of a Night Buddy Program to solve crime.

Every night the pair goes on assignments given by the Crenwinkle the group leader. Crosley has a I-D gimcrack which identifies him a a member of the Night Buddy. This pass also gives him free access to equipment/items from a pharmacy and any other retailer that he needs to carry out his mission. Doesn’t it sound like something really great to have?

This night the case they were on was to find out who has been impersonating Crosley and running around the town creating havoc. Crosley and John had to track down this group of imposter and clear his name.

The pair had to evoke Plan Q to find out who the culprits were and had a really thrilling time going after the iguana gang.

My thoughts

I found the book really engaging and entertaining. It was unlike the normal mystery stories for kids which I have read. Pitched at for kids 8+ it is just right for my 9yrs old reading ability. It has a very innovative storyline which involves a parring of a crocodile and a boy who goes around solving crime using food as one of their choice of weapon.

Even though it is really creative of the writer to come up with a special speech pattern for Crosley is not one which I will condone for kids to use. I will have to read the book together with him as I am not in favor of him picking up the “unique ” patterns of speech by Crosley as it would certainly affect his writing skills and expressions used in written composition.

You can purchase a copy of this book from Amazon

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own. This post has a compensation level of 3. Please visit Dominique’s Disclosure page for more information.

April 6, 2013

Sticks and Stones by Emily Bazelon

Dominique Book Review, Parenting and Kids Bullying, Sticks And stones

Sticks and Stone Cover

Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy
by Emily Bazelon is a book depicting the seriousness of bullying in the modern world. In her book she explores the reasons behind teenage bullying and how tramatic it has been for the victims. She uses 3 different kids as case studies to examine the bullying phenomenon.

Bullying has caused a lot of pain and suffering for the victim and their family. In certain scenarios the authorities and school administration play down the seriousness of bullying that it resulted in the victim taking her own life, having to change schools and moving to stay in another state to get away from the toxic community.

Taunting a teenager because he/she doesn’t seem to “conform” to the norms and wants to be himself, for his/her choice of gender preference and wanting to be different from others has had drastic consequences. Many of these individuals suffer from depression or other forms of mental problems. Some turn to drugs or even self mutilation to release the tension that they face. Sometimes it gets all too much especially if they are unable to get the help that they need and they terminate their life prematurely.

It is harder for the bullying to stop as now in this digital world many bullies can hide behind the shroud online and torment their victim 24/7.It can be a vicious cycle if the problem is not eradicated from the root.

My thoughts

Many a times the schools and higher authority try to brush the issue under the carpet until the issue gets into court. There is only something really done to reduce and prevent the bullying and hate when legislation steps in. Sometimes it could be too late for the victim and his/her life is damaged beyond repair. Even spending years in therapy would not mean that he/she would be able to live a normal life after being removed from the toxic environment.

It is really unfortunate that this problem of bullying has ballooned to epic proportions in certain countries resulting in mass massacre on school campuses with innocents killed.

It is really important that as parents we teach our kids(especially our boys) to respect and appreciate the women in their lives and support them in what they do. We have to teach them not to tolerate or condone any form bullying and not to be silent if it happens to them.

I found this book an excellent read and certainly recommend that you pick up your own copy today from Amazon.