Stuck in the Stone Age

Stuck in the Stone Age
Written by Geoff Rodkey
Illustrated by Hatem Aly
Rodale Kids, 2018. Fiction, 268 p.

This book is presented by "The Story Pirates" who believe that children have the best ideas. They decided to have a contest for children to submit ideas that Rodkey would turn into a full-length story. Vince Boberski won the contest! An illustrated Pirate Captain and Vince Boberski appear throughout the story referring to writing tips with page references that guide the reader to a writing handbook in the back. Kids everywhere are encouraged to use the tips and turn their own awesome ideas into stories to share with others.

The main story follows Tom Edison (not the inventor of the light bulb!) who loves science, as he tries to get a job at CEASE (the Center for Extremely Advanced Science Experiments). Not really gifted in the area of science at all, he is promised if he takes the job of janitor (which has been impossible to fill due to its dangerous nature) he will be able to become a scientist with time. He meets Dr. Marisa Morice, and together, in a strange turn of events, they end up in 10,000 B. C. in a time machine created by another scientist. After the time machine disappears, without them in it, they go on the the adventure of figuring out how they will get back to the present time alive!

A fun little adventure with great tips for kids who want to be writers. It inspires everyone that a simple idea can be turned into a story, it doesn't matter how old you are or how much experience you have.

Comments

Review: Faker

Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...

If You Like...Ladybugs

Spring is almost upon us! We'll have more rain instead of snow, flowers will start blooming, and more bugs will be out. Ladybugs are some of the prettiest insects--and the least intimidating for those more wary of bugs. If you like ladybugs, check out these books! Ladybugs Do Not Go to Preschool Written by Ali Rutstein Illustrated by Nin̋a Nill Richmond, VA: Bright Light, 2024. Picture Book. Ravi loves ladybugs--he eats aphids instead of cornflakes for breakfast, brushes his mandibles instead of teeth, and has a ladybug costume complete with wings and antennae. He is certain that ladybugs don't have to go to preschool, and when Mom says that Ravi still has to go to school, he is nervous. However, thanks to Mom's patience and gentle encouragement, Ravi makes some new friends and realizes that preschool might be a good place for ladybugs after all. A Perfect Spot By Isabelle Simler Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. A ladybug is ready to ...

You Need to Read: Percy Jackson

I was a kid myself when The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan was published, and it didn't take long for the Percy Jackson series to take the world by storm. Being the son of a Poseidon, Percy Jackson has some unique challenges as a half-blood. Here's some books that I think could've helped Percy when he was on his adventures trying to save the world: Greeking Out: Heroes and Olympians Written by Kenny Curtis and Jillian Hughes Illustrated by Javier Espila Washington D.C.: National Geographic, 2024. Informational. 191 pages. Percy, I know Chiron did a good job teaching you about mythology in Latin class, but this book is sure to be good to have on hand while you're traveling across the United States. Greeking Out is written in a kid-friendly voice with vivid illustrations and a sometimes-snarky tone (much like Percy himself). It also presents real-life creatures and places along with the information about Greek mythology. The Homework Squad's ADHD Guide to School S...

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog