Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva [Paperback]

David Whitewolf (Author)

Book Description

"Something was wrong.
The window was open.
I had never opened it. Aunt Puff hadn't either. Had Minerva?
I looked back at her seat.
Minerva's leopard-print cowboy hat lay on the floor.
"Minerva!"
Ludwig growled, sniffing the air.
Ciber squawked furiously, banging his feathers against his cage.
Smoke swirled round the chair where Minerva had been sitting.
The silly hands tried to fan it away.
I gulped.
Ludwig covered his eyes with his paws.
Minerva had vanished."

Aunt Puff's old friend from the Elcarim Foundation has come for a summer visit. But, before you can say "Marbles!", Minerva has disappeared during a game of bubble gum charades.

Aunt Puff, her niece Alexandra, her Great Dane Ludwig, and Minerva's cockatoo Ciber jump out of windows, battle flying fish, run from lemonade, splatter fudge on ghosts, and even fly with pinwheel power in their search for Minerva.

But is someone more sinister than a muumuu wearing Siren behind Minerva's disappearance? It seems Orpheus's harp has been found. And, dragons are afoot.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...an amazing, mind-blowing adventure...a one-of-a kind book that will entertain and enlighten. -- The Mindquest Review

...invites a sequel that I, for one, will be watching for in anticipation. -- AllBooks Review

A cross between "James and the Giant Peach" and "The Perils of Pauline". Kids will love this book. -- Heartland Reviews

This is a must-have book. Harry Potter, James & The Giant Peach and Nancy Drew combined. Buy this book today! -- Roundtablereviews.com

Will enthrall readers of all ages, fans of Alice and Wonderland, Harry Potter, and anyone who loves a good story. -- YA Books Central

From the Inside Flap

After cowgirl Minerva disappears while teaching Alexandra how to play bubble gum charades, Aunt Puff, Alexandra, Puff's Great Dane Ludwig, and Minerva's cockatoo Ciber begin a quest to find her. To rescue Minerva, they must face Dragonus and Malrot, fierce enemies of the Elcarim Foundation, the foundation responsible for "aiding, building, creating, and directing miracles, both minor and major." With Orpheus's harp, Dragonus can control flying fish, hermit crabs, Sirens, Harpies, and even dragons. But, the worst enemies Puff and Alexandra must face to rescue Minerva are themselves. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (September 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595327249
• ISBN-13: 978-0595327249
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,385,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, fun filled book, October 24, 2004

By 

Nancy R. Katz "NancyK18" (NJ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva (Paperback)

Late last night I finished Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva by David Whitewolf. And as I read the last page, I thought to myself that I can't remember the last time I read a book which was so fun filled, imaginative and enjoyable.

As Aunt Puff and her niece Alexandra wait for Puff's old friend Minerva, I had no idea what an adventure I would take. From cards that blow bubbles for a charade game to Minerva's cockatoo to flying fish, nothing is as it appears and anything is bound to happen.

In the tradition of Dr. Seuss, Harry Potter, fables and folktales, David Whitewolf has crafted an excellent novel for children with an imagination, young adults who enjoy fantasy and adults with both.

I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by the author David Whitewolf in the future.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elacrim is never closed, since miracles are always needed, November 7, 2004

By 

Sebastian Fernandez (Tampa, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva (Paperback)

Lately, I have been reading a fair amount of children books, focusing mostly on those that I think will be enjoyable for adults too. In this case I was not disappointed, since Whitewolf presents a wonderful book, with a set of colorful and interesting characters that will fascinate kids and grownups alike.

Alexandra, the narrator of our story, has been a little depressed lately because her best friend had an accident while the two of them were skating in the pond. Her friend did not sustain serious injuries, but Alexandra is beating herself up for the not reacting as she should have, and been paralyzed by fear instead. She lives with Aunt Puff in a greenhouse and they are both eagerly expecting the arrival of Minerva, Aunt Puff's best friend.

Alexandra is a little frustrated because there is an aura of mystery around Aunt Puff, Minerva and their past together in the Elacrim foundation. Meanwhile, Minerva has some disturbing news about somebody planning to escape from somewhere, but Alexandra does not get a chance to get full details, which makes her even more curious. The plot thickens and the title of the book is honored when Minerva goes missing and Aunt Puff and Alexandra go out looking for her. They will find a myriad of challenges and a never-ending series of unusual events in their path, along with a threatening and disturbing presence.

Whitewolf presents clear proof of his prodigious imagination through the characters, the artifacts and the events in this story. Besides the humans involved, there is a dog, named Ludwig, and a cockatoo, named Ciber, that add a very special flavor to the narration. I have no doubt that this book will delight anyone that dares to go into the realm of the Elacrim foundation!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Fantasy, November 8, 2004

By 

J. Nasse "book lover/educator" (New Mexico, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva (Paperback)

Every middle school child fortunate enough to read Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva will delight in this brisk-paced, rollicking fantasy. While Aunt Puff and her friend Minerva feature large in the tale, the true heroine is sixth grader Alexandra. She sees herself as an ordinary girl spending a summer with her extraordinary Aunt Puff whose magical powers and garden house fascinate her. Little does she realize that she will be the true heroine with her own genuine magical powers after she helps save her aunt's quirky friend Minerva.
Minerva has been kidnapped by their former friend Dragonus who is not evil himself. He has been bewitched by Malrot. Malrot, with no good in him, has escaped from the Elcarim Foundation and is creating sinister chaos.
Readers will enjoy the provocative descriptions of places, fairies, dragons, sirens, and harpies. They will delight in expressive language such as "Daddle dooks," "Bubble Gum Butterflies," and "Uzooks."
Author David Whitewolf has created an adventurous heroine's journey with a humor and lightness of prose in even the grimmest of moments. It is highly recommended for eight to thirteen year olds, especially as a wonderful holiday gift. Hopefully more adventures of Alexandra, Aunt Puff, and Minerva, or other tales, will come from Mr. Whitewolf's pen in the future!