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rlbeatty91's review against another edition
Neil and Liz Maloney's father is the Weatherman; he has been given the extremely important responsibility of ushering in each new season and sending away the old one. As next in line to become the Weatherman, Neil learns how to answer the call coming from the magical phone booth four times a year. But the new season--and the entire world--is in jeopardy when the phone doesn't ring at the end of summer, and Mrs. Fitzgerald from next door seems to be responsible. Neil, Liz, their parents, and a mysterious visitor (with the help of the shieldsmen and a kitten-shaped bog beast) must fight against the evil forces that seek to control the weather.
Fans of Doctor Who may be drawn in the by the phone box on the cover, but this story is more fantasy/adventure than science fiction. While this isn't the most riveting story, it is an enjoyable read will hold readers' attention.
Fans of Doctor Who may be drawn in the by the phone box on the cover, but this story is more fantasy/adventure than science fiction. While this isn't the most riveting story, it is an enjoyable read will hold readers' attention.
froggylibrarian1's review against another edition
3.0
This book was about a family whose father was the Weatherman. It was his job to bring in the seasons through a magical phone booth. The problem was another women - a witch wanted the job for herself and had been working for years plotting how to do it. It is up to the kids in the family - Neil, Ed, and Liz to stop her and keep the seasons turning like they were supposed to.
This one just didn't work for me. I can't really put a finger on the why - too weird, skipping back and forth between characters, or just didn't really like the concept. Whatever the reason - nope.
This one just didn't work for me. I can't really put a finger on the why - too weird, skipping back and forth between characters, or just didn't really like the concept. Whatever the reason - nope.
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
My son enjoyed this book. He discovered it on a recent summer "library-run," where we comb the shelves for interesting covers. My kiddos sometimes pick up books I would never think are their "thing," and this is one of them.
The cover is reminiscent of Dr. Who, which my son is not familiar with, but was the first thing that came to my mine. Indeed the story features a magical weather box, but it's a portal through which magic flows, not a time machine.
The MC and his family are guardians of the box, until a corporate raiding-style takeover of the secret society they serve takes place, and suddenly, the box's "connection" -- literally, the phone line -- has been disconnected. What happens next is action packed, and takes some neat plot twists and turns along the way.
He really enjoyed this read!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
The cover is reminiscent of Dr. Who, which my son is not familiar with, but was the first thing that came to my mine. Indeed the story features a magical weather box, but it's a portal through which magic flows, not a time machine.
The MC and his family are guardians of the box, until a corporate raiding-style takeover of the secret society they serve takes place, and suddenly, the box's "connection" -- literally, the phone line -- has been disconnected. What happens next is action packed, and takes some neat plot twists and turns along the way.
He really enjoyed this read!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
s_hay's review against another edition
3.0
Mr. Maloney has a special job. He is in charge of allowing the seasons to change. He does this by answering a phone in a 'weatherbox' phone booth. One day his son should inherit the job. Except, one day the phone does not ring. Summer gets stuck and Autumn can't start. The Maloney's quickly discover that their neighbor Mrs. Fitzgerald wants the job of weatherman and is on a quest to end their reign and begin her own.
This story is fairly fast paced and has elements of magic, suspense, and weather. It is rather interesting, however, for some reason I kept getting distracted by other books and it took me a long time to get through this one. The narrative flips between a brother and a sister making is good for both boys and girls.
Good for ages 11 and up.
This story is fairly fast paced and has elements of magic, suspense, and weather. It is rather interesting, however, for some reason I kept getting distracted by other books and it took me a long time to get through this one. The narrative flips between a brother and a sister making is good for both boys and girls.
Good for ages 11 and up.
scostner's review against another edition
4.0
Have you seen the movie, "The Avengers"? Not the Marvel superheroes movie, the other one - based on the 1960s TV series. There's a scene where John Steed and Emma Peele visit a place called Wonderland Weather. It is the latest thing in custom meteorology; you simply request the weather you wish to purchase and it is delivered to you through your phone line.
The magical weatherbox in the title reminds me of that scene. Liz, Neil, and Owen live with their parents in a house that has a vintage callbox in the front yard. Although from the cover illustration, it looks as if the box has come from "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" or perhaps a "Dr. Who" episode, it actually is the way in which each season is welcomed in by their father, the Weatherman. Unfortunately, someone else wants his job and has been scheming for years to get it. Everything from embezzlement, fraudulent investments, kidnapping, and cut phone lines are used to bring about this change in power.
Neil has been trained his whole life to take his father's place, and Liz has trained to be his Shieldsman and protector. But no one is prepared for what happens when Autumn doesn't arrive and Summer seems stuck permanently. Throw in a bog beast, several witches, some eco-terrorists, and a tourist in a large lorry, and you've got quite a story.
Readers who enjoy fantasy, action, and mystery all swirled together (like a super-storm), will enjoy this book.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
The magical weatherbox in the title reminds me of that scene. Liz, Neil, and Owen live with their parents in a house that has a vintage callbox in the front yard. Although from the cover illustration, it looks as if the box has come from "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" or perhaps a "Dr. Who" episode, it actually is the way in which each season is welcomed in by their father, the Weatherman. Unfortunately, someone else wants his job and has been scheming for years to get it. Everything from embezzlement, fraudulent investments, kidnapping, and cut phone lines are used to bring about this change in power.
Neil has been trained his whole life to take his father's place, and Liz has trained to be his Shieldsman and protector. But no one is prepared for what happens when Autumn doesn't arrive and Summer seems stuck permanently. Throw in a bog beast, several witches, some eco-terrorists, and a tourist in a large lorry, and you've got quite a story.
Readers who enjoy fantasy, action, and mystery all swirled together (like a super-storm), will enjoy this book.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
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