The Water Castle

The Water Castle
by Megan Frazer Blakemore

After his father's stroke, Ephraim and his family move to their ancestral home in Maine, the Water Castle.  As Ephraim settles into life in his unique, mysterious new home and adjusts to a new school, he learns about the Fountain, a source of magical water.  Ephraim is convinced that the water will cure his father, and sets off to find the the Fountain and, with the help of two new acquaintances, uncovers secrets about the history of the Water Castle.

The Water Castle is a touching story of family, friendship, and hope.    I enjoyed how the story alternated between Ephraim's present-day experiences and the perspective of Nora, a young girl hired to work in the Water Castle a century earlier.  

Author's website: http://www.meganfrazer.com/books/the-water-castle/

Book Trailer:

The Sasquatch Escape

The Sasquatch Escape
by Suzanne Selfors

Ben is convinced that spending the summer with his grandfather is going to be boring, until his grandfather's cat shows up with a baby dragon!  When he and his new friend Pearl bring the unique creature to the new vet in town, they realize that it's not an ordinary veterinary hospital, but a vet for imaginary creatures!  If things aren't  weird enough, they accidentally let a sasquatch loose and are forced to catch the creature before he's seen by anyone else!

This funny tale, full of unusual animals, is the first book in what will surely be an entertaining series!  Fans of animal fiction will likely enjoy Ben's wild adventures!

Author's website: http://www.suzanneselfors.com/imaginary.html

Book trailer:

The Abominables

The Abominables 
by Eva Ibbotson 
illustrated by Fiona Robinson

When young Agatha Farlingham is kidnapped by a yeti during a family camping trip, she soon realizes that the creatures are not the mean, violent animals that many believed them to be.  Rather, she finds that her new yeti family is kind and caring and devotes her life to teaching her new friends manners and how to speak.   Years later, as a new hotel is built close to the home of the yetis, the aging Agatha worries about how her yetis will survive without her and enlists the help of two children, Ellen and Con,  to transport the yetis to her family home in England.   With the help of truck driver Perry, Ellen and Con help to bring the quirky family of yetis on a long journey to England.   The journey is not a quiet one, however, as the travelers find themselves involved in many wild adventures along the way!  Will they make it safely to the childhood home of their dear friend Agatha?  And, when they arrive, will they be accepted by her family?

This imaginative tale is full of adventure and humor.  Author Eva Ibbotson has written a heartwarming story that challenges the notion that yetis are violent creatures and instead has portrayed them as gentle, loving, and frequently quirky characters.   With its fun illustrations and exciting adventures, this story will be a hit with many readers!