Blog Tour for The Explorers: The Door in the Alley - and I'm Giving One Away

I was recently invited to participate in a blog tour for the release of a new book. Since it sounded like a book my oldest grandson might be interested in, I said, "yes". Today I'm sharing with you my thoughts about this book.

The Explorers: The Door in the Alley
Author - Adrienne Kress
Publisher - Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Age - 8-12

Favorite Features -

• Once the story picks up, it keeps the reader turning the pages.
• Characters learn to work together.

Delacorte Books says; "Featuring a mysterious society, a secretive past, and a pig in a teeny hat, The Explorers: The Door in the Alley is the first book in a new series for fans of The Name of This Book Is a Secret and The Mysterious Benedict Society. Knock once if you can find it—but only members are allowed inside. 

 
   This is one of those stories whih start with a pig in a teeny hat. It’s not the one you’re thinking about. (This story is way better than that one.) 
   This pig-in-a-teeny-hat story starts when a very uninquisitive boy stumbles upon a very mysterious society. Then, there is danger and adventure; there are missing persons, hired thugs, a hidden box, a lost map, and famous explorers; and there is a girl looking for help which only uninquisitive boys are able to offer.

  The Explorers: The Door in the Alley is the first book in a series which is sure to hit young readers right in the funny bone."

I always tell the truth in my reviews. This book is no different. As I began reading it I was looking forward to a well written story with excitement and humor, but the first five chapters are not exciting and there is no humor. I was ready to call it quits, but read the last chapter, where I found the promised excitement. So, I continued to read. 

If your reader is patient and able to make it through reading tedious chapters to get all the minute details, they may start at chapter one. Otherwise, I suggest reading chapter one to learn who the main character is and then skip at chapter six where the story picks up. The rest of the book tells a story well, although my grandson who is reading The Lord of the Rings, did not stick with this book. If I has been the editor for this book I would have had the author rewrite or delete the first five chapters. After I made it past the first five chapters - which was not fun - I did enjoy the rest of the book.

Delacorte Books is making an additional copy of The Explorers: The Door in the Alley available for me to give away (USA only). If you are over the age of 18 and would like to enter this drawing - which will be on May 11, 2017, please comment below to tell me what type of book your grandchildren enjoy reading - my eight-year old grandson enjoys epics like The Lord of the Rings, comic books - and pretty much everything in-between!

In addition if you have followed on Google Friend Connect, followed by liking on facebook with the tab in the "Find us on Facebook" box ON THE BLOG or at this link (not just liking the post) and/or have followed grandma's cookie jar by email you will receive one entry for each of these which you have done. Plus, if you "share" this post, you'll receive another entry (please let me know if you share). This will help me be able to draw names from among people who would like to win one The Explorers: The Door in the Alley and it gives you several ways to enter the give-away! Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar and for sharing it with the people you know!