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    The Children's Book Review

    Review: The Hellandback Kids: Be Careful What You Wish For by L.L. Helland

    Nicki RichesinBy Nicki Richesin2 Mins Read Author Showcase
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    Dedicated Review

    By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
    Published: June 25, 2012

    Indie Book for KidsThe Hellandback Kids: Be Careful What You Wish For

    By L.L. Helland

    Reading level: Ages 10-14

    Paperback: 304 pages

    Publisher: CreateSpace (February 24, 2011)

    L.L. Helland’s aptly named The Hellandback Kids takes the reader on a wonderfully wacky, mind-bending fantasy adventure wherein the characters learn as the subtitle warns to “Be Careful What You Wish For.” Although the beginning is a bit stilted, once the four Hellandback children arrive at their great grandmother’s Scottish home for a vacation, the fast-paced action ensues. Gifted with extraordinary magical powers, their goodhearted clairvoyant Granmama and late great-grandfather Alastair help the teens learn life lessons that will allow them to make thoughtful decisions that will change their adult lives. Despite his wry humor, the youngest Chris serves as the emotional heart of the novel.

    Indie Book Art
    The Bundlebobs attempt to revive Chris Hellandback

    The four siblings embark on exciting and often dangerous journeys that will test their mettle and lead them to face challenges they never dreamed possible. Along the way they encounter a host of quirky characters including life-sized rats, vampires, giants, and the fun-loving Bundlebobs who disgustingly dip their toenails into their ears as if they were eating chips and salsa. Despite these few gross-out moments, Helland’s novel compels the reader to empathize with her characters as they learn hard lessons about self-reliance, the evils of corporate greed, how to take great risks and trust one’s gut when something feels distinctly wrong.

    Perhaps the most moving of the escapades is young Trisha’s when her presumed Prince Charming Godfrey reveals his true identity as a soul-sucking vampire. Thanks to consumer culture’s recent vampire obsession and its predictable girl-must-find-mate plot, Trisha’s story seemed especially perceptive and original. Whether the Hellandbacks take on the bubonic plague or escape from a jail-like tomb, they learn as Granmama advises, “to take charge of their own lives and adventures” with courage and spirit.

    Add this book to your collection: The HellandBack Kids: Be Careful What You Wish For

    Dedicated Review: Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their works. The author, illustrator, publicist, or publisher paid for this non-biased review.

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

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    Dedicated Reviews L.L. Helland
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    Nicki Richesin
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    Nicki Richesin is a freelance writer and editor based in San Francisco. She writes personal essays and pieces on lifestyle, parenting, and pop culture for Sunset, DuJour, 7×7, Daily Candy, and The Huffington Post. She is also the author and editor of The May Queen, Because I Love Her, What I Would Tell Her, and Crush. You can find her online at http://www.nickirichesin.com

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