Book Review & Giveaway: Careful What You Hear by Helen Dunlap Newton

I’m pleased to be welcoming Helen Dunlap Newton to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Careful What You Hear.

After a surgical mix-up gave 13-year-old Noah Baker mind reading powers, he becomes a spy tasked with stopping the bad guys.

 Ever since he accidentally got an experimental cochlear implant, Noah and his secret agent partner, Lena, have been going on secret missions for the government. Now, they’re in for a reward for all their hard work—Space Camp! But all is not as it seems. When Noah accidentally overhears thoughts that reveal a plot to steal top secret plans from nearby Redstone Arsenal, he must make a choice.

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An experimental cochlear implant has given Noah the ability to read minds. He and Lena are about to get a special reward for all the top secret things they have been doing for the government. However, it isn’t long before they are involved in foiling a new plot.

Being an adult man in his forties, I am certainly not the target audience for Careful What You Hear. However, this didn’t stop it from being an enjoyable read.

I have not read the first book in the Do You Hear What I Hear? series but this can be read first and it’s easy to fall into the story if this is your child’s introduction to this series.

The characters within this book are vivid. With Noah and Lena, the author has created two relatable, resilient characters that gives all the children reading a role model. Not only that, but this book gives children living with an illness, challenges, differences and/or a disability representation. It’s a way for them to be seen and Helen I salute you for that. In my opinion, this is one of the most important aspects of this series.

It has got me questioning whether I’d want Noah’s ability and the responsibility that comes with it.

The plot itself is fun and fast paced and is perfect for its young audience. This is a book (and a series), I will be recommending to the young readers in my family that’s for sure.

Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

About Helen Dunlap Newton –

Award-winning author Helen Dunlap Newton is a veteran middle grade language arts teacher and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Both Night of the Amber Moon and Do You Hear What I Hear? were finalists for the Oklahoma Book Award and received the Creative Women of Oklahoma Award.

In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, music, and helping her husband care for backyard chickens and an energetic Australian shepherd in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Say hello to Helen via Instagram and Facebook.

Careful What You Hear is due to be released by Yorkshire Publishing on 18th February 2025. Click to pre-order on Amazon UK, Waterstones and Amazon US.

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 Win a $15 IndieBound e-gift card (to buy books with).

Are you in the US and want a chance to win a $15 IndieBound e-gift card to buy some books with?

All you have to do is enter using this link. This competition is open to the US only.

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Terms and Conditions –

US entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box above. 

The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. 

Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I, Novel Kicks, am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

by

Chris Parish