Sometimes, out of the blue, we are able to experience a joy that takes us back in time a little bit; back to our childhoods, when magic, friends, and summer camp seem to go hand in hand…in hand.  This time, though, I got to take a trip down memory lane with my daughter.

Author Pete Catalano asked if I might read his upcoming middle grade release, ARTIFACTS, in exchange for an honest review.  As an author, I don’t read or write middle grade at all, but the premise of his story intrigued me; middle school students with their summer camp vacation on the line, must search for artifacts from fairy tales to be displayed in a library exhibit, or else be remanded to summer school!  I teach in a middle school, and I could hardly wait to see how the 6^th graders in Mr. Catalano’s book fared in their quest.

This book provided an opportunity to read something brand new with my school aged daughter, and let me tell you, she loved it!   In ARTIFACTS, Mr. Catalano creates vivid characters, and places them in wildly imaginative settings as he weaves the tale from start to finish.  You will find yourself rooting for Jax, Korie, Crunch, Mouth and Tank (Great names!) as they battle fairy tale villains from the past in search of the artifacts.  I was impressed with how Mr. Catalano was able to create the hysterical sarcasm that is the trademark middle school wit.  Trust me, I know!  I hear it every day!  This was a really fun read.  It is creatively written, and absolutely cracked my daughter up in several points, to the point of hiccups!  I’ll be recommending it to my school’s library, as well.

I really enjoyed reading this with my daughter, and I know that others will enjoy reading it, too.  My only wish would be that there were illustrations to begin each chapter.  Pete Catalano’s writing is so vivid in some scenes!  But then again, I enjoyed letting my imagination paint the pictures.  I look forward to more from this author.

ARITFACTS releases in May, 2016, and can be pre-ordered on Amazon, here:  http://www.amazon.com/Artifacts-Pete-Catalano/dp/0996890483/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456944273&sr=8-1&keywords=artifacts+pete+catalano