The second book in The Luxe quartet. If you liked The Luxe and want to know what happens next for Elizabeth, her younger sister Diana, frenemy PenelopThe second book in The Luxe quartet. If you liked The Luxe and want to know what happens next for Elizabeth, her younger sister Diana, frenemy Penelope and Lina (aka Carolina), you'll enjoy this story about the lives of the rich and newly wealthy in late 1899s New York City....more
British mystery set in London in the early 1900s. Can Sophie, her new Lil & Billy and former delinquent Joe discover who stole the clockwork sparrow, British mystery set in London in the early 1900s. Can Sophie, her new Lil & Billy and former delinquent Joe discover who stole the clockwork sparrow, why they did it, and how it was stolen from an exhibit or artifacts at Sinclair's, a larger than life and elegant department store from yesteryear? It reminded me of reading a classic whodunit like an Agatha Christie or Nancy Drew or the more modern The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Those who remember shopping at giant department stores like (the now defunct) Daytons, Macy's or Nordstrom should enjoy this. In addition, give this to fans of M.T. Anderson's Pals in Peril series who are looking for more mysteries....more
Dana is part of a search committee for the next pastor of her liberal church in California. The search committee is made up of people of all ages, genDana is part of a search committee for the next pastor of her liberal church in California. The search committee is made up of people of all ages, genders, ethnicities and religious backgrounds. Will they be able to reach a consensus? What could go wrong? Will they pick someone old, someone young, straight, gay, black, white, brown, male, female, with children, without children? As a Catholic, I had no idea these type of searches can take up to a year or more. This book made me thankful to leave those decisions to the bishops of my own faith....more
Carrie returns from retirement to defend her grand slam title. Can she do it? Unlike Reid's other work which featured multiple characters, this one isCarrie returns from retirement to defend her grand slam title. Can she do it? Unlike Reid's other work which featured multiple characters, this one is only about Carrie, not her father who is also her coach, Bowe Huntley; a possible love interest or Nikki Chan; her competition for the title. If you are a tennis player or regularly find yourself watching the tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open), you may enjoy this....more
12/13/22 This was a reread for a tween/teen book club. See the original review for more thoughts on the story. Family loyalty vs following one's desire12/13/22 This was a reread for a tween/teen book club. See the original review for more thoughts on the story. Family loyalty vs following one's desires. Clementine is torn between following her own dreams and living up to her family's expectations as she works to save her father from the whittle witch. In addition, Sebastien, Darka and David (aka Dave) have their own personal dilemmas and similar decisions to make. 7/13/22 A fun book. Clementine's father, The Dark Lord is dying. If he dies, does Clementine have what it takes as heir to be the Dark Lady? Can a future Dark Lady be friends with the villagers? What if you don't want to follow in your family's footsteps? This is a book about finding your destiny and discovering who you are in times of trouble. Tweens and teens who enjoyed Max and the Midknights when they were younger will like this story that takes place during a similar time period and also includes multiple characters. Or if you know a reader who enjoyed this, give them The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz to try. ...more
Told from Amy, Beth and Abby's (Marmee) viewpoints, I enjoyed hearing their voices. Amy can be as headstrong as Jo. Beth's story is a sad one and AbbyTold from Amy, Beth and Abby's (Marmee) viewpoints, I enjoyed hearing their voices. Amy can be as headstrong as Jo. Beth's story is a sad one and Abby's story about her & Ashton's complicated yet loving relationship is realistic. This may have earned more than 3⭐s if I had recently read the first book, Meg and Jo. After reading this, I feel the two books are meant to be read together. I also wish there would have been more about Beth and her illness as the majority of the chapters are about Amy. (view spoiler)[For those who are curious, Beth does not die. She battles anorexia and voices in her head. (hide spoiler)] Even though, I imagine that Virginia Kantra is done with this series. I would love to read more stories about these Little Women from 2000s North Carolina....more
Updated review, increased rating from 3⭐s to 4⭐s. 6/17/23 A reread that was definitely more enjoyable the second time. 6/4/22 (view spoiler)[The third Updated review, increased rating from 3⭐s to 4⭐s. 6/17/23 A reread that was definitely more enjoyable the second time. 6/4/22 (view spoiler)[The third time is a charm for three orphans who are looking for a permanent guardian and forever home. (hide spoiler)] Delightful. Avid readers will love this historical fiction story, about siblings William, Edmund and Anna who are evacuated from London during World War II, that mentions many classic reads throughout the story. 6/17/23 Whether you are familiar with classic reads or not, those who enjoy stories of those on the home front during World War II (i.e. The War That Saved My Life, The Klipfish Code) or stories about orphans (i.e. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events) will like this. ...more
Short stories set in a large Nigerian city about Tola and her family. Since children in some communities may not find this on their own, this would beShort stories set in a large Nigerian city about Tola and her family. Since children in some communities may not find this on their own, this would be a great classroom read-aloud. Read a chapter or two to familiarize them with Tola and her world....more
What happens to a family after the patriarch who held them together passes away? Chapters alternate between three of the grandchildren; Teddy and sistWhat happens to a family after the patriarch who held them together passes away? Chapters alternate between three of the grandchildren; Teddy and sisters Jane and Gretchen in the time shortly after their grandfather passes away, the Cubs won the World Series and Trump was elected president. It seems their worlds will never be the same again as one deals with wanting to take over a family business and an ex who wants benefits, another who is not sure whether to stay in a marriage, and one who realizes it's time for both a relationship and career change. If you like shows like A Million Little Things or books like Maine or The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan, this is for you....more
Recommended to me by a sixth grader. Even though this is an adult book, this book about the high and lows in life could easily be read and appreciatedRecommended to me by a sixth grader. Even though this is an adult book, this book about the high and lows in life could easily be read and appreciated by young adults. Young adults are dealing with ups and downs too. Give this one to anyone who is looking for inspirational reads or uplifting books like those found in Jack Canfield's Chicken Soup for the Soul series or Richard and Kristine Carlson's Don't Sweat the Small Stuff series....more
Marisol is a young girl who has a fear of climbing trees and speaking up for herself. Will she be able to overcome one or both of these fears in this Marisol is a young girl who has a fear of climbing trees and speaking up for herself. Will she be able to overcome one or both of these fears in this story? Thankfully, she has her best friend Jada, her cat Beans and a collection of stuffed animals (view spoiler)[ for support. Caregivers and educators will enjoy sharing this story as a family or class read-aloud. Great for discussions about overcoming anxiety, absent parents, and unusual hobbies, interests or talents. (view spoiler)[Marisol is into old movies and silent film stars. She is a good at the claw machine that you find at restaurants and arcades. (hide spoiler)](hide spoiler)]...more
What happens when a boy finds a monster under his bed? There are scary moments and funny moments in this story about for young readers who are lookingWhat happens when a boy finds a monster under his bed? There are scary moments and funny moments in this story about for young readers who are looking for chapter book stories about monsters....more
Frank is a young boy who lives and breathes the Hollywood styles of the 1940s and 1950s. Along with his mother Mimi who is a reclusive writer, Mimi's Frank is a young boy who lives and breathes the Hollywood styles of the 1940s and 1950s. Along with his mother Mimi who is a reclusive writer, Mimi's assistant Alice who is a bit of a Mary Poppins and a couple of other eccentric yet lovable characters, this was just the right mix of warmth, humor and endearment. I would love to see it made into a film. Fans of Where'd You Go, Bernadette or other books with loving and eccentric characters that are told with a bit of humor will want to check this one out....more
Who poisoned Lemony's breakfast? How would you spend your last day or hours knowing that you would die at some point? Ponder these questions in PoisonWho poisoned Lemony's breakfast? How would you spend your last day or hours knowing that you would die at some point? Ponder these questions in Poison for Breakfast. If you have devoured reading all 13 books in A Series of Unfortunate Events and are looking for more books like them, this latest book by Lemony Snicket is for you. With its use of expansive vocabulary meaning big words and meandering sidetracked tone, it will remind you of the former. It includes an almost perfect ending (IMHO) and Notes meaning footnotes, sources or a bibliography of sorts at the end of the book....more
A collection of very short stories about James and the narrator. Readers will find themselves pondering what each story means and how they connect. I A collection of very short stories about James and the narrator. Readers will find themselves pondering what each story means and how they connect. I know I did....more
Along with being a picture book that could work as a read-aloud, I could see tween and young teen reluctant readers also enjoying this on their own. IAlong with being a picture book that could work as a read-aloud, I could see tween and young teen reluctant readers also enjoying this on their own. It sums up their feelings about reading quite nicely. (view spoiler)[Is someone looking? . . . Pretend, you're reading . (hide spoiler)]...more
A sad story. Sophie believes herself to be a monster. Is she? If not, why is she teased and bullied by many of her classmates? She can also see the moA sad story. Sophie believes herself to be a monster. Is she? If not, why is she teased and bullied by many of her classmates? She can also see the monster in others. Why is she able to see the monsters in them when they cannot? If you know someone wanting to read more books like Wonder, have them give this one a try....more
4.5 stars. Set in the late 1960s, what happens when eleven year-old Ari's older sister Leah marries out of high school (view spoiler)[and their parent4.5 stars. Set in the late 1960s, what happens when eleven year-old Ari's older sister Leah marries out of high school (view spoiler)[and their parents disown Leah (hide spoiler)]? Not only is her husband a different religion than Leah and Ari's family, Raj's family is from a different country. This story is set in the late 1960s in the suburbs of Boston and told in second person would be great for anyone who is looking for a story similar to Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret in which a character explores religious and personal beliefs or those who like stories set in that time period like Kallie's Corner....more
How far will Diana to go to find closure on an injustice that happened to her over 30 years ago? There will be consequences no matter how she decides How far will Diana to go to find closure on an injustice that happened to her over 30 years ago? There will be consequences no matter how she decides to right a wrong. #MeToo Movement...more
3.5 stars, this is the C.J. Box book that the TV show, Big Sky is based on. The book is just as dark and scary, if not even more so. If you've seen th3.5 stars, this is the C.J. Box book that the TV show, Big Sky is based on. The book is just as dark and scary, if not even more so. If you've seen the first few episodes of the show, you'll recognize the characters. ...more