Other than the length (which made it hard to keep track of all the characters) and the small print in the version I was reading, I liked it. With themOther than the length (which made it hard to keep track of all the characters) and the small print in the version I was reading, I liked it. With themes of forgiveness, mercy and love, this is the saga of Jean Valjean, his daughter Cosette, and Marius, the man who courts her. If you're a fan of classics and haven't read this yet or you enjoy Charles Dickens, you'll want to check this out....more
4.5-5 stars, rounded up. If you can't get enough World War II stories, you'll enjoy this National Book Award nominee that takes place a few short year4.5-5 stars, rounded up. If you can't get enough World War II stories, you'll enjoy this National Book Award nominee that takes place a few short years before the start of World War II. Matthew learns how his great grandma escaped the Soviet Union in the 193os. Told in alternating chapters between present day Matthew and past day cousins; Mila, Nadiya, and Helen....more
Tweens gone wild! Dancing until midnight, staying out late without chaperones, flirting with boys and a little bit of kissing, this is the story of coTweens gone wild! Dancing until midnight, staying out late without chaperones, flirting with boys and a little bit of kissing, this is the story of cousins Amra and Žana and their close-knit group of friends and family who from the ages of 11 to 13 spend three carefree summers of their life together. Oh to be young in the mid to late 1980s during those last years of a time of peace in Bihac, Yugoslavia (a country that no longer exists and is now made up of six separate countries; Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Montenegro). Intended for tweens and young teens, adults may enjoy this story/memoir from a different era even more. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title....more
Essie overcomes many of her own fears when her mother remarries and her new husband, Alwin Schwarzenbach (aka Dr. Blackcreek) moves them from Mott HavEssie overcomes many of her own fears when her mother remarries and her new husband, Alwin Schwarzenbach (aka Dr. Blackcreek) moves them from Mott Haven to North Brother Island in the mid 1910s. North Brother Island is a dark and foreboding place where those with smallpox and other highly contagious diseases were sent for quarantine. It's most infamous resident was Mary Mallon (aka Typhoid Mary). For those who are interested or fascinated by Mary, she makes multiple appearances in this story that is more historical fiction than scary story (view spoiler)[like the cover and opening chapters may lead you to believe. (hide spoiler)]....more
Another New York Times bestseller (It spent 7 weeks on the charts in 2020) that I read for my book club. Danni has her life figured out; she is on traAnother New York Times bestseller (It spent 7 weeks on the charts in 2020) that I read for my book club. Danni has her life figured out; she is on track to be a successful lawyer and marry her boyfriend David. She has a fabulous lifelong childhood friend Bella who is her perfect opposite. Danni is a planner; Bella is a dreamer and free spirit. When Danni has a vivid dream of an event five years in the future, what changes will she make to ensure the dream does not come to fruition? How will her dream change her relationships with both David and Bella, her two best friends? Can she avoid the course of events that are fated in the dream? Whether you like this story or not, I give author Rebecca Serle credit for telling this story about relationships in only 251 pages. Her writing is tight....more
(view spoiler)[An Okie, a farmer and small business owner's daughter and a banker's daughter become friends in this story (hide spoiler)] set in late (view spoiler)[An Okie, a farmer and small business owner's daughter and a banker's daughter become friends in this story (hide spoiler)] set in late 1940s California. Can three seventeen-year-old girls from different backgrounds become friends? Peggy is the daughter and middle child of a small business owner; her family owns and runs a peach farm. Lisette is an only child of a banker who is determined to climb the social ladder and Ginny Rose is daughter of hard times; her father lost their farm during the dust bowl of the 1930s. They have migrated from place to place and have finally settled in Fairbanks, California near where they had spent three summers picking peaches for Peggy's family. Now it's the summer before the three girls' senior year, a summer where they flex their independence, clash with their parents and work together (view spoiler)[to bring the lost home. About ten years prior Ginny's two younger brothers passed away due to illness and are buried in a ditch (hide spoiler)]. If you like historical sagas with multiple narrators (chapters alternate between Peggy and Ginny Rose), give this a try. Or if you are looking for a great book for tweens and young teens about high school aged characters and young romance that's not too racy....more
When I saw the title of this book and the front cover, I thought it was going to be some kind of mystery or quest story set in a different time or plaWhen I saw the title of this book and the front cover, I thought it was going to be some kind of mystery or quest story set in a different time or place than today's world. Then I opened the book and saw the endpapers (view spoiler)[showing a picture of a body that looked like it was from an archaeological dig (hide spoiler)] and wondered what kind of puzzle or quest was to be solved. But by reading the opening paragraph*, I realized this was not what I thought it was. This was historical fiction set in early AD. For those who are looking for something to read that blends history and fiction, this story from the first century about Varick and Estrild who lived in northern Germany fits the bill. Blending facts from the time period, Lowry creates Estrild, a young girl who wants to be a warrior and Varick, a young boy without family who was born with a crooked back and is an observer of nature. He learns natural cures and remedies by observing the forest creatures. What future does the world hold for these two? Using twentieth and twenty-first century themes (view spoiler)[(women's rights, science vs religion, valuing someone for their mind instead of their physical limitations) (hide spoiler)], Lowry writes a story of what their lives could have been liked. *(view spoiler)["Hold it. Stop the enginge!" The heavy machinery fell silent. The operator peered down from the cab. "Why what's wrong?" "Look! We pulled up a leg!" "Holy⚊ The workers fell silent. They stared at the thing dangling from the metal digging claw. "Think it's from a stag?" one asked finally. But they all know it wasn't an animal's leg. It was human. (hide spoiler)]...more
Who knew the 1920s were so wild? By the time you finish this title from Avi, you'll know all the slang from a hundred years ago. Jeepers creepers, thiWho knew the 1920s were so wild? By the time you finish this title from Avi, you'll know all the slang from a hundred years ago. Jeepers creepers, this book is ducky! Ida is attending a high school away from home; she boards with Miss Sedgewick, a former teacher who is an inspector of the county schoolhouses. Living away from home and no longer on a farm, Ida is excited when the hip Lulu, an aspiring flapper who knows all the latest slang and trends befriends her. Miss Sedgewick cautions Ida about her new friend. Will Ida's friendship with Lulu hurt her reputation? Could it give Mr. Langley, the principal reason (view spoiler)[Lulu enlists a new young teacher to teach her and her friends the Charleston, a new dance. (hide spoiler)] to expel her? Could another new friend Dot who takes the train from another town to the high school each day also be expelled because of her class status and past? Could Ida's friendship with Dot also hurt her reputation? If you like school stories or series like Ann M. Martin's Family Tree or The Penderwicks Sisters which make you long for times of the past and perhaps, more innocence, give Secret Sisters a try. A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this title....more
What happens when an invite to Ellis and his father Wally Amos (of Famous Amos cookie fame) to be in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade turns into Ellis'sWhat happens when an invite to Ellis and his father Wally Amos (of Famous Amos cookie fame) to be in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade turns into Ellis's most embarrassing moment ever? A moment that is broadcast to the millions who are watching the parade across the nation. Ellis also adjusts to seeing his Dad date Samantha (aka Sam) and tries to help his Uncle Wishbone find the disco groove before he becomes a funk relic. Is there room for both styles of music in Wishbone's life? Fans of the first book, Cookies & Milk will enjoy continuing to read about Ellis, his family, his friends and of course, the cookies. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title....more
Jo is a former outlaw's daughter; Crockett is a young preacher. Jo is hoping for a preacher to revive their local church and to change her father SilaJo is a former outlaw's daughter; Crockett is a young preacher. Jo is hoping for a preacher to revive their local church and to change her father Silas's mind God. How will Silas feel if his daughter falls in love with Crockett? Could Crockett be the one that causes him to believe? If you like a touch of humor in your westerns, Christian fiction, or clean romance, you'll enjoy this story that's better than a Hallmark movie....more
What would it be like to spend the summer helping your Dad fix up and open a store? It's summer 1976 in Hollwood, California and Ellis's dad is about What would it be like to spend the summer helping your Dad fix up and open a store? It's summer 1976 in Hollwood, California and Ellis's dad is about to start a cookie business on the Sunset Strip. Feel the funk in this fun read that put a smile on my face and takes you back to the 1970s. ...more
A collection of stories about the residents of a dying reservation town, Pluto, North Dakota. I read this for a Book Club. With the numbers of charactA collection of stories about the residents of a dying reservation town, Pluto, North Dakota. I read this for a Book Club. With the numbers of characters and changes in narrators, hearing what others remembered about the story was helpful. If you do not have a Book Club to help you, here are a couple of helpful tools; list of characters and answer to the murder that is mentioned in the first part of the book. (Not all will pick up on the guilty one, I did not.)...more
In this Little Women retelling, it's World War II. Beth has already passed away prior to the start of the story. Meg, Jo, and Amy are not speaking to In this Little Women retelling, it's World War II. Beth has already passed away prior to the start of the story. Meg, Jo, and Amy are not speaking to each other and have gone separate ways. Instead of writing, Jo is working in a factory in Boston. Instead of traveling with an aunt, Amy has given up painting and joined the Red Cross (view spoiler)[after she lies about her name and age (hide spoiler)]. And Meg is a teacher at the local high school in Concord; supporting her students, planting victory gardens, collecting scrap metal, and rationing. If you like anything Little Women, read this. Or if you are looking for a version for an a tween or teen in your life who likes stories with adult characters, this fits the bill....more
If you would like to be a character in a video game, this is the book for you. Pretweens who like Roblox or world building games like Minecraft will eIf you would like to be a character in a video game, this is the book for you. Pretweens who like Roblox or world building games like Minecraft will enjoy this....more
This is a fascinating account of two slaves who instead of escaping to the north escape to a swamp in the south. They are welcomed by a community madeThis is a fascinating account of two slaves who instead of escaping to the north escape to a swamp in the south. They are welcomed by a community made up entirely of other former slaves and their children who were born there as free citizens. Based on real settlements in the swamps of North Carolina and Virginia, it made me wonder how long these settlements existed and how many people lived in them....more
(view spoiler)[Smita discover that sometimes you have to go home to find love. (hide spoiler)] Smita's family moved to the United States from India wh(view spoiler)[Smita discover that sometimes you have to go home to find love. (hide spoiler)] Smita's family moved to the United States from India when she was fourteen. Twenty years later she returns (in what she believes) to help her American friend and fellow journalist Shannon (view spoiler)[during rehab from an accident (hide spoiler)]. Instead Smita finds herself in her journalist role covering a story about a Meena, a woman whose husband Abdul was horrifically murdered because he and Meena did not share the same religious faith. Meena was Hindi and Abdul was Muslim. For Smita's safety, Shannon's friend Mohan joins Smita. Will Smita's discoveries and story lead to justice for Meena? Could Mohan be more than her traveling companion? Find out in this story that celebrates the beauty and exposes the darker side of India....more
4.5 stars. What will happen to Henry & Diana, Leland & Carolina, and Snowden & Elizabeth in the conclusion? Who will live happily ever after and who w4.5 stars. What will happen to Henry & Diana, Leland & Carolina, and Snowden & Elizabeth in the conclusion? Who will live happily ever after and who will not? A fitting conclusion to the quartet of stories. (view spoiler)[This reader would love to see a spin off about the parties that the Broad sisters show in future years. (hide spoiler)]...more
Book 3 in the Luxe quartet. Penelope, Henry, Elizabeth, Diana, Carolina and the rest find themselves in Palm Beach, Florida to escape winter. What hapBook 3 in the Luxe quartet. Penelope, Henry, Elizabeth, Diana, Carolina and the rest find themselves in Palm Beach, Florida to escape winter. What happens in Palm Beach stays in Palm Beach or does it? What scandals happen because of their envy for each other? If you have read the first two books, you will be left wondering if any of the heroines of this quartet will end up with their true loves....more