Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva

Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva captures the outlandishness of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the whimsy of Shel Silverstein, and the fun language use of Dr. Seuss in a miracle of a package that will keep you at the edge of your seat (unless the silly hands push you back in). This is a great read. It has whimsy and fun that will appeal to younger children and themes that will appeal to adults and older children. Aunt Puff's friend Minerva has disappeared while trying to teach Alexandra, a twelve year old girl and the ture hero of the story, how to blow bubbles to play bubble gum charades (just one of the many wacky, highly imaginative creations of the author). Aunt Puff, Ludwig (a perfect characterization of a Great Dane), Alexandra, and Ciber (who is Minerva's cockatoo and is completely "Marbles!) face a whole bunch of out of this world obstacles to find Minerva and save the Elcarim Foundation in the process. Be sure to buy this book. You won't be dissapointed.

Every middle school child fortunate enough to read Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva will delight in this brisk-paced, rollicking fantasy. While Aunt Puff and her friend Minerva feature large in the tale, the true heroine is sixth grader Alexandra. She sees herself as an ordinary girl spending a summer with her extraordinary Aunt Puff whose magical powers and garden house fascinate her. Little does she realize that she will be the true heroine with her own genuine magical powers after she helps save her aunt's quirky friend Minerva. Minerva has been kidnapped by their former friend Dragonus who is not evil himself. He has been bewitched by Malrot. Malrot, with no good in him, has escaped from the Elcarim Foundation and is creating sinister chaos. Readers will enjoy the provocative descriptions of places, fairies, dragons, sirens, and harpies. They will delight in expressive language such as "Daddle dooks," "Bubble Gum Butterflies," and "Uzooks." Author David Whitewolf has created an adventurous heroine's journey with a humor and lightness of prose in even the grimmest of moments. It is highly recommended for eight to thirteen year olds, especially as a wonderful holiday gift. Hopefully more adventures of Alexandra, Aunt Puff, and Minerva, or other tales, will come from Mr. Whitewolf's pen in the future!

Lately, I have been reading a fair amount of children books, focusing mostly on those that I think will be enjoyable for adults too. In this case I was not disappointed, since Whitewolf presents a wonderful book, with a set of colorful and interesting characters that will fascinate kids and grownups alike. Alexandra, the narrator of our story, has been a little depressed lately because her best friend had an accident while the two of them were skating in the pond. Her friend did not sustain serious injuries, but Alexandra is beating herself up for the not reacting as she should have, and been paralyzed by fear instead. She lives with Aunt Puff in a greenhouse and they are both eagerly expecting the arrival of Minerva, Aunt Puff's best friend. Alexandra is a little frustrated because there is an aura of mystery around Aunt Puff, Minerva and their past together in the Elacrim foundation. Meanwhile, Minerva has some disturbing news about somebody planning to escape from somewhere, but Alexandra does not get a chance to get full details, which makes her even more curious. The plot thickens and the title of the book is honored when Minerva goes missing and Aunt Puff and Alexandra go out looking for her. They will find a myriad of challenges and a never-ending series of unusual events in their path, along with a threatening and disturbing presence. Whitewolf presents clear proof of his prodigious imagination through the characters, the artifacts and the events in this story. Besides the humans involved, there is a dog, named Ludwig, and a cockatoo, named Ciber, that add a very special flavor to the narration. I have no doubt that this book will delight anyone that dares to go into the realm of the Elacrim foundation!

Late last night I finished Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva by David Whitewolf. And as I read the last page, I thought to myself that I can't remember the last time I read a book which was so fun filled, imaginative and enjoyable. As Aunt Puff and her niece Alexandra wait for Puff's old friend Minerva, I had no idea what an adventure I would take. From cards that blow bubbles for a charade game to Minerva's cockatoo to flying fish, nothing is as it appears and anything is bound to happen. In the tradition of Dr. Seuss, Harry Potter, fables and folktales, David Whitewolf has crafted an excellent novel for children with an imagination, young adults who enjoy fantasy and adults with both. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by the author David Whitewolf in the future.

Alexandra is visiting her Aunt Puff when things start to get weird. Aunt Puff's friend Minerva stops by but soon vanishes through an open window. Does this have anything to do with the secrets of the Elcarim Foundation of which Aunt Puff and Minerva both belong? Why won't anyone tell Alexandra exactly what is going on? Aunt Puff, Alexandra, the Great Dane Ludwig and Minerva's cockatoo Ciber all rush to save Minerva, but it just might take a miracle. It's a good thing that miracles run in the family. There are some others who need saving as well, and it looks like it is up to Alexandra to make the rescue. The story is quite fantastical and full of twists and turns. The plot is somewhat like a dream in which anything, and I mean ANYTHING, can happen, and usually does. It may be a little too "out there" for some readers but most kids age 12 and up will enjoy the book immensely. Alexandra is easy to care for and readers will find themselves rooting for her. The book sends positive messages that are universal, dream world and real world alike. David Whitewolf offers a well-written fantasy full of fairies, dragons, bubble gum and very helpful dogs. Review by Heather Froeschl of BookReview.com.