I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I always appreciate the opportunity to read advanced copies of middle grade novels because I have three girls in elementary school. We read the books together, and their feedback helps me with my book reviews.

The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters: The Jolly Regina  is the first book in a new series by Kara LaReau. Jaundice and Kale Bland live by themselves. Their parents left on an errand several years ago, and never returned. This does not bother Jaundice and Kale; they are perfectly content to sit at home, darn socks, and eat cheese sandwiches. If there is a question that they can’t answer, they consult their beloved children’s dictionary. Their lives are simple and predictable. But one day, a mysterious visitor arrives, and Jaundice and Kale are carried off (quite literally) on an unintentional adventure featuring a ferocious crew of female pirates. Along the way, they will make friends, and more importantly, they will learn that they are intelligent and capable.  

My girls loved this book so much. They laughed and laughed at the antics; the humor is quirky and witty and this is just such a delightful book. The girls always asked for one more chapter- even if we had already read two or more chapters already!

Speaking of which, each of the chapters begins with a new vocabulary word that ends up being featured in the chapter. Some of the words are: vehemence, scrimshaw, saboteurs, and incinerator. I thought this was a cute touch that went along with the sisters’ penchant for looking things up in the dictionary. My girls liked learning new words, and listened for each word in the chapter.

I would absolutely recommend The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters: The Jolly Regina. This book is perfect for elementary school children, especially those who enjoy slightly offbeat stories. My girls were sad when the story ended, and I know that they are looking forward to the next book in the series!