Monday, May 5, 2014

MMGM: The Last Akaway by Gary Karton


About The Book: An Akaway is a rare and magical creature that connects you to your spirit animal. Once you're connected, you have all the special powers that your spirit animal possesses. But those powers are in serious jeopardy when the diabolical Uncle Skeeta tricks 11-year-old Brody Boondoggle into helping him steal the Akaway's spirit.
Now, aided by his skeptical big brother, Jake, and guided by his quirky Grammy, Brody must lead the way on an adventure to defeat Uncle Skeeta, save the last Akaway, and protect the special powers of kids everywhere.


First Line: "Freeze," said Grammy, in the spirited tone that she saved for particularly important discoveries.

My Favorite Line: "The best part about grins is that many times, they lead to smiles, then actual laughter, and before long, Grammy, Jake and Brody were experiencing big, full, belly laughs that are know to extend lives, end wars, and fuel adventures that just might open the protal, save the Adaway, and bring balance back to the universe."

What Others Are Saying: "A refreshingly imaginative, emotionally satisfying quest for all ages... Author Karton has an ear finely tuned to the rhythms and sweet absurdities of childhood patter, and his tale has enough fabulous twists and turns to keep even the most grown-up young adults intrigued... Adults reading to children will also delight in the wholesomely irreverent tone and moments of linguistic fancy... the villain and resolution are wonderfully original."-Kirkus Review


Bloggers Weigh In: 
Tatal -Great interview with the author.



What I Thought:  I'm always looking for books that encourage generational connections or connections to the natural world. This book hits it out of the part. This is a quiet fantasy for younger boys age 7-11, those boys who are beginning to get quite enamored with the gaming technology. What I liked best was Grammy's personality, a little hard or hearing, she was always messing up what Brody was talking about which would make it a great read aloud. It's going on my list of 2014 Summer Reads With Grams List! (Coming Soon)

About The Author: Gary Karton

Who:Gary began his career as a reporter for The Washington Post. He stood out because of an innate ability to unjam the copy machine under deadline pressure. He has spent the past 17 years working for children and families at nonprofits such as the Welfare to Work Partnership, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and Safe Kids Worldwide. He is also the author of No Free Lunch: One Man's Journey from Welfare to the American Dream (Ballantine, May 2002). Gary lives in Virginia with his wife, two sons, and dog. - See more at: http://www.brodyboondoggle.com/author#sthash.d6oOlbin.dpuf

4 comments:

  1. What a great sounding premise! And the cover...beautiful.

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  2. Very intriguing. It does sound like a great read-aloud. I'll be adding this one to my own list of future reads.

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  3. I hadn't heard of this. Thanks for the review. Sounds good.

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  4. I enjoy books that connect to the natural world, too. Will keep my eyes open for this one!

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