About Return to Cardamom
Author: Julie Anne Grasso
Publisher: Independent
Publication Date: July 17, 2013 Pages: 136 (Paperback) Recommended Age: 9+
Summary: Life is sweet for Caramel and things are finally getting back to normal. Well, as normal as it can be for a telepathic elf who can train trees and control computers, but she soon finds life on Cardamom is not all cupcakes and apple cider. A saboteur is hiding in the rainforest canopy, and the elves’ precious cardamom export has been wiped out. Caramel is certain it’s another trick of Alexander222 and her Aunt Isabel, but no one will believe her, and the clock is ticking. She must expose the saboteur in time to save the crop or the Elves of Cardamom will lose their livelihood. Caramel won’t rest until her theory is proven. While she is on the hunt, she makes a shocking discovery, one that will change everything.
Purchase
Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Amazon (Canada)
The Buzz About Book 1: Escape From the Forbidden Planet
"Julie Anne Grasso has created an action-packed story featuring a range of interesting and imaginative characters (i.e., elves, the Alexanders, and other creatures), intergalactic travel, advanced medical and scientific technology, and complex environmental and conservation issues. Escape From the Forbidden Planet contains an intricate plot which slowly unfolds until you're hooked and you are left on the edge of your proverbial seat wondering what will happen next." ~ Mother Daughter Book Reviews, 5 Stars
"It's part geeky, part science, and part fun, all brought together to become this awesome book called Escape From The Forbidden Planet. I would recommend this book to reading age kids and adults who like sci-fi kids books. Definitely something different. I really enjoyed reading it!" ~ Michael S., Amazon, 5 Stars
"I loved this book. Super great series for middle graders. I loved Caramel. She has a great attitude and determination. I really admired how she was focused on getting home, saving her family but also made the best of being stuck on an alien planet. Definitely a book with great role models for kids. I really hope there is more to come where this came from. Kids need books like this with catchy stories, solid characters who have good values that they can relate to." ~ Unorthodox Mama, Goodreads, 5 Stars.
*** Get your FREE COPY of Escape From the Forbidden Planet by Julie Anne Grasso July 17 to 21, 2013. Available for 99 cents after July 21, 2013. ***
Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Amazon (Canada)
About the Author
Julie Anne Grasso is an Australian author with a background in paediatric nursing. She spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day she witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people she cared for, which inspired her to write stories about a little girl elf just like them. Add in some very funky technology, her love of science fiction and desire to impart great values through her little girl elf named Caramel and there you have it, the Adventures of Caramel Cardamom Trilogy was the result.
Julie lives in Melbourne with her husband Danny and their little elf Giselle. Most days she can be found sipping chai lattes, chasing a toddler, and dreaming up wonderful worlds that often involve consumption of cupcakes.
Book Website: http://www.julieannegrassobooks.com/
Blog: http://www.whenigrowupiwannawriteakidsbook.blogspot.com.au/
Facebook page: Julie Anne Grasso Books
Twitter: @Jujuberry37
Goodreads Author: Julie Anne Grasso
Return to Cardamom Blog Tour Schedule (2013)
July 17
July 18July 19
July 20
July 21
July 22
July 23
July 24
July 25
July 26
July 27
July 28
July 29
July 30
July 31
*** Return to Cardamom Blog Tour Giveaway ***
My review:
And the
adventure continues! Instead of life returning to sleepy normal on Cardamom,
the planet is now experiencing loads of activity. Cardamom Crystal is in huge
demand as a power source for intergalactic technology. Caramel develops her
skills in tree tending and healer classes and is keen to get better at computer
control. The dangers of Alexander222 are over … or are they? Disaster strikes
when the entire cardamom crop drops before due time, the plants are traumatized,
and Caramel has to accompany her mother to the tree canopy to find out what is
going on. If Cardamom does not meet its quota, Alexander222 and his sidekick Lex
will put forward the new biosynthetic hybrid, Cardocryst, to the Intergalactic
Council. This is something the inhabitants of Cardamom cannot afford to see happen
because they will lose their livelihood.
Once at the tree
canopy, Caramel discovers she has the ability to understand the plants and also
to soothe them. She manages to encourage them to start producing a new crop.
The planet might just make the quota after all, if the elves can keep the
plants safe. Amazingly, the plants give her a clue: they were unable to smell
the identity of the saboteur, meaning he or she is an elf! Caramel’s ideas on what happened to the
plants—Alexander 222 and her Aunt Isabel are at the bottom of this—are
dismissed as conspiracy theories, but once her mom, Arianna, is kidnapped, it’s
up to Caramel and her friends to save the day … again!
Author Julie
Anne Grasso knows how to keep the action and the energy going as Caramel and
her mates plot and then execute a rescue plan. In between all the Cardamom-based
science and techno talk, are the real themes of life that readers are beginning
to understand. Doing the right thing, being loyal to friends and family, trying
even when you might not succeed, believing in yourself, and consciousness of
environmental issues are themes that should be instilled in kids at an early
age. Caramel’s courage and principles help young readers to understand what it
means to jump into the fray and do your very best. Wonderful revelations at the
end of the book restore Caramel’s (and readers) faith in justice and make for a
beautiful ending. I loved the first two books and can’t wait to read what the
author and Caramel have in store in the final installment of this captivating
trilogy. Totally elvo!
7 comments:
A lovely review, Fiona! I'm looking forward to the third book, too!
Thanks for commenting. I am looking forward to the Cardamom Cookbook which might just be in the offing!
Cardamom Cookbook? Really!? I'm in! Thank you for your great summary and lovely review of Return to Cardamom. I agree that the themes in the book really overlap nicely with the issues kids of that age are grappling with. Thanks so much Fiona!
...and now I learn that Caramel is a plant whisperer! It just keeps getting better as the plot thickens. Great review!
Hurrah, thank you so much Fiona for a lovely review. I think this one captures the themes and story line most accurately, so hurrah again.
Cardamom cookbook, lol. So funny as many people do not realise it is a real spice grown in cleared rainforest. We eat alot of Indian food in Australia, and cardamom is in almost every dish.
Thanks for taking the time for me and for joining the tour.
What a lovely review for a great book. Cardamom Cookbook now that is totally Elvo!
Wonderful review. I agree about all the themes these young readers are experiencing being addressed. A wonderful book and review!
Paul R. Hewlett
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