Pond Punkies/ Book One: The Arrival
Lisa Riebe & Cynthia Nunn, authors
Eric Scott Fisher, illustrator
Ravine Publishing LLC
100 W. Commercial Street, Suite 1C #158, Morris, IL 60450
9780981949338, $15.95 www.pondpunkies.com

"Pond Punkies" is that unusual creation a science fiction work for middle grade readers. It is the first book in a series and also a forerunner of an exciting new Pond Punkie Trading Card Game which promises to entertain young fantasy fans even more. The plot elaborates a tale of young Blaze, a Pond Punkie from the moon of Neptune called Larissa. Through an accident of an erupting geyser, Blaze and the evil Tritonians are blasted to earth. Blaze has a buddy named Ace from a rival Clan with different special powers. A prophecy on Earth suggests Blaze may be a chosen one, even though he is only eleven moons old. The action and dialogue move quickly and imagination is given full play in the unfolding saga. Slightly spooky black and white illustrations embellish the book with just the right touch of science fiction/fantasy/gothic flavor, with a bit of humor for good measure. "Pond Punkies" is an unusual work in a small but fast -growing area of interest. A safe prediction is that "Pond Punkie" interest will rise and further books will result.

– Midwest Book Review