3.5 stars. Two twelve-year olds, one from present day (2023) and one from the past (1987) help each other deal with bullies at schools. Present day Ma3.5 stars. Two twelve-year olds, one from present day (2023) and one from the past (1987) help each other deal with bullies at schools. Present day Mason deals with Steele, a classmate and former baseball teammate and 1987 Talia deals with Ed, a classmate who makes fun of her for being Jewish and draws swastikas and her older brother Jake who says she should hide her Judaism. If you like time travel stories like Lisa Graff's Rewind, the waking up in the future story 12 to 22: POV You Wake Up in the Future! or stories about overcoming bullying and/or antisemitism (i.e. Gordon Korman's Linked), you'll enjoy this. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for an honest review. ...more
A demon and a fairy princess save the day to rescue those who have turned to stone because of poisonous lava. Young fantasy or graphic novel fans willA demon and a fairy princess save the day to rescue those who have turned to stone because of poisonous lava. Young fantasy or graphic novel fans will enjoy this start of what appears to be a new series....more
What happens when Clay finds a dog he names Elphinore? At first timid, the two bond as Elphinore learns how fun life with a boy can be. As they play iWhat happens when Clay finds a dog he names Elphinore? At first timid, the two bond as Elphinore learns how fun life with a boy can be. As they play in the woods, Clay meets a new boy Amos (view spoiler)[the owl headed. Even though their friendship is forbidden by Amos's kind, Amos chooses to disobey (hide spoiler)]. Amos knows some of Elphinore's secrets like who she belongs to and where she is from. Not only a story about Clay, Elphinore and Amos, this is a story about Clay's own family. An unnamed disease (that may remind some of the early 2020s COVID pandemic) has forced everyone to stay home. Clay's mother has lost her job and his older sister DiRossi is a sullen and moody teenager upset with the world. When she finds out about Clay and Amos's friendship, will she become a friend or a foe? Take the magic of Midsummer's Eve from Astrid Lindgren's The Children of Noisy Village and put it in a coming of age story like Holly Black's Doll Bones. Put it in a 2020s realistic fiction setting. Add a boy and his dog's adventures animal story, the science fiction of a few creatures from an other world within our own world (i.e. A World Below) and a few illustrations to get the perfect book to gift to a book loving, avid reading pre-tween or tween in your life. This is one that they may treasure in the years to come....more
3.5 stars, Bonnie enters the magical world of the Faire shortly after learning the family bee farm is on the brink of financial ruin. The Faire offers3.5 stars, Bonnie enters the magical world of the Faire shortly after learning the family bee farm is on the brink of financial ruin. The Faire offers a solution but can she trust Abeo the manager of the Faire and Jack a cute young cowboy she meets? They keep begging her to stay and help the Faire while on furlough. She says she can't but they say she can. Which is it? (view spoiler)[While Bonnie learns that she can do anything she sets her mind to, it turns out that Abeo and Jack can be trusted and that the Faire does keep its word to set Bonnie free. (hide spoiler)] Tweens who enjoy stories (i.e. Circus Mirandus, The Magician's Elephant) with worlds full of magic and mayhem will enjoy this. Thank you to Worthy Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader's copy of this title for review. ...more
Part of the Liam Kingbird's Kingdom series. When Liam starts at a new school, one of his classmates says he looks like a lion. Is it a taunt or a compPart of the Liam Kingbird's Kingdom series. When Liam starts at a new school, one of his classmates says he looks like a lion. Is it a taunt or a compliment?...more
Part of the Life Hacking series from Capstone. Young DIYers (Do It Yourselvers) may enjoy this.Part of the Life Hacking series from Capstone. Young DIYers (Do It Yourselvers) may enjoy this....more
Ruby discovers her thing in this short read that's a cross between realistic fiction and fantasy/science fiction. When Ruby decides her thing will be Ruby discovers her thing in this short read that's a cross between realistic fiction and fantasy/science fiction. When Ruby decides her thing will be refurbishing furniture, she discovers that the old dresser she brings home from Mrs. Chan's has a spell on it. Will she be able to appease the crickets and creatures who are tied to the dresser (view spoiler)[and destroying everything in their sight (hide spoiler)]? I am not sure what Sampson's plans are for the Inspire Island series, but if it is more stories about Ruby and/or her family members, I would read them. At only 116 pages, this would be an accessible book for almost tweens and tweens looking for a shorter chapter book to read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for an honest review....more
What if Frog and Toad were told in a graphic novel format? You just might end up with a story like this one about Monti who has his daily routine untiWhat if Frog and Toad were told in a graphic novel format? You just might end up with a story like this one about Monti who has his daily routine until one day he meets Leo who is new in town. (view spoiler)[The two bond almost immediately over their similar interests. (hide spoiler)] Not everyone is excited by the newcomer. Some see Leo as a stranger with different ideas. Can Monti and Leo become friends? Will the other citizens of Pocketville welcome Leo? If you like or liked stories, ...more
Part of the Liam Kingbird's Kingdom series. Told in three chapters and written by someone who was raised on the L'Anse Indian Reservation, this is a nPart of the Liam Kingbird's Kingdom series. Told in three chapters and written by someone who was raised on the L'Anse Indian Reservation, this is a nice story for anyone who is looking for a new story or series with an Ojibwa or Ojibwe character or for someone who is curious about powwows. ...more
Funny at times, this a science fiction story about what it might be like to live with the aliens at the highly classified and top secret Area 51. AfteFunny at times, this a science fiction story about what it might be like to live with the aliens at the highly classified and top secret Area 51. After her grandmother is no longer able to care for her, Sky is sent to live with her uncle who is an agent for the Federal Bureau of Alien Investigations (FBAI) at Area 51. She makes friends and attends schools with other aliens. She and her new friend Elvis even solve a mystery when some of the Zostrammars, a life form that looks like bubbles, go missing. The best part of this book was seeing how the illustrations and off-the-page comments of characters went along with the text to tell the story. Young readers and tweens who like humor, science fiction with aliens or school stories or fans of Judy Cox's Weird Stories from the Lonesome Cafe will want to give this a try....more
(view spoiler)[What if the answer to a mystery story turns out to be science fiction? That's the premise in this story where Rafa's time traveling fut(view spoiler)[What if the answer to a mystery story turns out to be science fiction? That's the premise in this story where Rafa's time traveling future self is the culprit. (hide spoiler)] Rafa has been sent to live on his uncle's ranch in New Mexico for the summer. Upon arriving, strange things start happening at the ranch. The Gearheart brothers cooking no longer tastes right, a horse changes colors, the people in photographs look like older version of themselves and more. Who could be behind it? Could it be a ghost from the past? With his new friend Jennie, the two set out to find the answer. (view spoiler)[This is a mystery with a science fiction twist. If you like mysteries and science fiction or love any story involving time travel, this book is for you. (hide spoiler)]...more
Much like Maddie in Mustaches for Maddie, Kate keeps an upbeat and positive attitude when given the news that she has Fibrodysplasia Ossificans ProgreMuch like Maddie in Mustaches for Maddie, Kate keeps an upbeat and positive attitude when given the news that she has Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva, a rare genetic disorder (view spoiler)[that prematurely ends her gymnastics career. (hide spoiler)] If you like stories about facing life's challenges with space and grace or if you like stories with characters (especially young people) who deal with medical prognoses, give this is a try. ...more
3.5 stars. Flamingos are fascinating in this picture book that's told with humor and facts. If you or a young person in your life are interested in fl3.5 stars. Flamingos are fascinating in this picture book that's told with humor and facts. If you or a young person in your life are interested in flamingos, you'll want to give this a read....more
Irish humor, I was surprised to see that this was published in the early 2000s. This story about Rover the dog and four kids who travel with Santa oneIrish humor, I was surprised to see that this was published in the early 2000s. This story about Rover the dog and four kids who travel with Santa one Christmas when Rudolph is under the weather read more like a story from the 1980s or 1990s. The humor (IMO) is over the top. References to Guinness beer....more
If you're looking for a book to gift a family or elementary classroom teacher, look no further. This book with a poem for each day of the year is perfIf you're looking for a book to gift a family or elementary classroom teacher, look no further. This book with a poem for each day of the year is perfect. Reading only a poem a day for about two weeks, I found all the selections amusing. For those wondering about the title, checkout the poem for January 2, Although* by Tony Langham. I even read a poem by one of my old favorites, Ogden Nash, Good Riddance, But Now What?** for December 31. Yep, Nash still makes me chuckle. Since I did not read this book in its entirety, I am giving it 4 stars at this time. Star rating will be adjusted if I finish it in the future.
*Although by Tony Langham Although I had
butterflies in my stomach
and ants in my pants
and a bee in my bonnet
and a flea in my ear —
I had a whale of a time.
**Good Riddance, But Now What? by Ogden Nash Come, children, gather round my knee; Something is about to be.
Tonight’s December thirty-first, Something is about to burst.
The clock is crouching, dark and small, Like a time bomb in the hall.
Hark! It’s midnight, children dear. Duck! Here comes another year....more
Fantasy stand alone for all ages, this story of Marigold who isn't exactly good not exactly wicked is delightful and a hoot. If you like stories with Fantasy stand alone for all ages, this story of Marigold who isn't exactly good not exactly wicked is delightful and a hoot. If you like stories with wizards, witches, spells and princesses; you'll enjoy this....more
3.5 stars, cute and light.What would it be like to go from 12 1/2 to 22 in a blink? That's what happens to Harper when she makes half birthday wish. C3.5 stars, cute and light.What would it be like to go from 12 1/2 to 22 in a blink? That's what happens to Harper when she makes half birthday wish. Can she make it as a twenty-twonyeat-old social influencer when he can't remember the last 10 years? Stick with "this "be careful what you wish for" story. The first third of the story is about the events leading up to he wish....more
Could a spy from the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) left clues to a treasure for a future generation to find, clues that could still be followCould a spy from the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) left clues to a treasure for a future generation to find, clues that could still be followed 300 plus years later? That's what Rachel and her best friend Joon set out to do as they spend one last summer together before Joon moves away. Based on Nancy Smith who may or may not have been a Revolutionary War spy, fans of mysteries, stories with treasure hunts or American Revolutionary War buffs should enjoy this. You may even look at history in a new way after reading this. As one of the characters in the story says,“Sometimes historians make mistakes, or more often, they don’t have all the information yet. . . reconstructing history is like piecing together a puzzle where there’s no picture on the box, half the pieces have fallen on the floor, and the cat has eaten a quarter of them. You try to guess what the picture looks like as best you can with what you have.” ...more