Thank you so very much for giving me the chance to review this gorgeous book, which I couldn't put down. What Lies in the Woods is a haunting tale of Thank you so very much for giving me the chance to review this gorgeous book, which I couldn't put down. What Lies in the Woods is a haunting tale of family, friendship, mental health struggles and trauma, all wrapped up in a satisfying mystery, set in the always gorgeous pacific northwest. The narrator of this audio book was perfect, too. I absolutely loved it. Highly recommend!...more
I would follow Drest anywhere. This is a fast-paced read filled with action and intrigue and wee Drest growing into a full-fledged warrior. I loved evI would follow Drest anywhere. This is a fast-paced read filled with action and intrigue and wee Drest growing into a full-fledged warrior. I loved every second. I SO WISHED I had a main character like this to follow as a young girl! Highly recommend. ...more
One of my favorite MG contemp reads ever. *all the heart eyes*
THE THREE RULES OF EVERYDAY MAGIC was so beautifully done. The author did everything riOne of my favorite MG contemp reads ever. *all the heart eyes*
THE THREE RULES OF EVERYDAY MAGIC was so beautifully done. The author did everything right: the heart, the plot, the backstory, the voice (perfect for this story, so poetic and kind and honest and true), the mental health (her dad's depression), family dynamics especially when going through the hard stuff, dementia (her gran), the confusing and dramatic reality of middle grade friendships, the sadness of a fracturing family all glittered with love and streaks of hope.
I LOVED this story, Kate, the main character, and her (new) best friend. Do yourself (and your heart) and favor and read this sweet book. Highly recommend!!!!!!!!!!...more
Oh my goodness. When I moved away from the Carolina's, what I missed the most was the soft and gentle way of that part of the world. The talk and demeOh my goodness. When I moved away from the Carolina's, what I missed the most was the soft and gentle way of that part of the world. The talk and demeanor of the people, the heat and big old sun that sinks deep into everything and fills you up inside. And this book? That voice? It's all right here.
From the beautiful prose, the little sister (a spitfire like ALL OF MINE, but I digress), the family struggling with mental illness (which we do), the friendship between Della and her best friend, the Bee Lady's honey, and every character in this small southern town, this story will touch your heart. I am sorry it's winter in Maine and I'm not in the Carolina's in summer, eating watermelon with Della, and telling her everything's going to be okay.
I highly recommend this book to anyone with a different sort of family, like I've always had, those who feel a bit lost and want to be found, or just those who want to dip their feet into the beautiful south. WHERE THE WATERMELONS GROW felt like coming home. ...more
It is a rare thing indeed to find an author with as much command of language as Hayley Chewins. I was so floored reading this that I gasped out loud aIt is a rare thing indeed to find an author with as much command of language as Hayley Chewins. I was so floored reading this that I gasped out loud and hugged the book--I RARELY EVER HUG THE BOOK. But the imagination, the language, the poetry of the words and story, it all came together so perfectly I fell right into the cloister with Delphernia, who was such a joy. This is a story for anyone who's been pushed down and fought tooth and nail to rise. A book-friend for anyone yearning to sing, who perhaps never thought they could. This author is a new favorite, and I can't wait for everyone to read the magic of THE TURNAWAY GIRLS!...more
This book was amazing. The voice, the realness, the magic, the heartbreak, the fear. I loved this story from beginning to end (and that ending!). *heaThis book was amazing. The voice, the realness, the magic, the heartbreak, the fear. I loved this story from beginning to end (and that ending!). *hearteyes*...more
Once I picked up THE DEEPEST ROOTS, I didn't want to put it down. The story built like a train rolling down hill, and the deeper into the Cottonwood HOnce I picked up THE DEEPEST ROOTS, I didn't want to put it down. The story built like a train rolling down hill, and the deeper into the Cottonwood Hollow girls' lives I tangled, the more I never wanted to leave. Every page led to another mystery that begged to be solved. And the characters were sooo goood! So real and different, and I felt them all. I had no idea going in that this book had so many aspects of story I love: ghosts, girls with magical abilities, serious badassery, the real struggles of growing up poor, which I've been most of my life, muscle cars and girl mechanics, and my most favorite thing ever, a healthy supply of secrets, desolation, and so very much personal pain. This book was addicting in the very best ways. Do yourself a favor and read this gorgeous book!...more
Bloody brilliant, as is literally EVERYTHING Rachel Lynn Solomon writes. The voice, the real characterization, the messy truth about teenage love and Bloody brilliant, as is literally EVERYTHING Rachel Lynn Solomon writes. The voice, the real characterization, the messy truth about teenage love and friendship and life, it's all so perfectly amazing, this author is quickly rising to the top of my favorite YA contemp authors. I cannot say enough about this book. LOVED IT!...more
Rarely do I find a children's book I love as much as I do Peasprout Chen.
From the story, which is one of the most original I've ever read, to the maiRarely do I find a children's book I love as much as I do Peasprout Chen.
From the story, which is one of the most original I've ever read, to the main character who is so spirited and sassy I was in awe of her muchness and fell right in love with her! To the conflicts and agency and friendships and hateships, which were constant and always exciting, to the twist near the end that left my jaw hanging open like, "OMG! I did not see that coming!" Not to mention the quirky sayings, stellar world building, puzzles, intelligence, and underlying universal truths hidden throughout (which is my secret most favorite thing ever in children's books).
In short, this is one of my favorite middle grades of all-time. And that is saying something, because I am so persnickety. I seriously couldn't put it down and could not recommend this book more.
This book was so good I couldn't get enough. The writing was gorgeous. The setting dark. The characters wonderful. It was addicting and so well done!!This book was so good I couldn't get enough. The writing was gorgeous. The setting dark. The characters wonderful. It was addicting and so well done!!!...more
I was lucky enough to read an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. And oh, was it a beautiful and kick-ass book. Filled with Celtic and I was lucky enough to read an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. And oh, was it a beautiful and kick-ass book. Filled with Celtic and Norse mythology, Viking battles, wars with gods and monsters--both human and non--pacing that built and built perfectly, and a slow-burn love story between enemies (the icing on a dark and riveting cake), I loved BEYOND A DARKENED SHORE.
After the first quarter mark, I seriously could not put this book down. Highly recommended for anyone who loves the above, and especially fans of the show Vikings and The books/show The Last Kingdom. Thank you for this read. It was soooooo gooood!!!!
This book felt like a small mirror into the quietest parts of myself. Those spaces within the heart that echo and pull at so many unsaid words. A mirrThis book felt like a small mirror into the quietest parts of myself. Those spaces within the heart that echo and pull at so many unsaid words. A mirror that sees and listens, a mirror that understands. I cried more than once while reading Elise's story. And if you've ever felt too quiet, if you've ever felt like the world has taken too much and words are too much more to give, or perhaps if you just need a story of finding your voice, AFTER ZERO is for you.
I could not put this book down, and again--I cried! Twice! That's rare for me, so please, do yourself a favor and pick this book up for yourself or a Middle Grader who maybe doesn't speak up every much, but their eyes have a whole lot to say. Highly recommend!!! ...more
It's not very often I read a book that understands much of the way my heart was broken so many years ago. That holds my hand and cries with me. That sIt's not very often I read a book that understands much of the way my heart was broken so many years ago. That holds my hand and cries with me. That stands alongside me and stares the horror in the eye. These are not stories we like to talk about, not monsters we like to expose to the light. But they are stories that need to be told. And this story is one of them.
BLOOD WATER PAINT is so powerful and empowering. The poetry, the art, the strength, the horror--the truth of what women go through every day of their lives, Artemisia's truth. From the book's form (which was perfect), to the fist I raise for all the women in this book. THANK YOU to the author for bringing this incredible woman's monsters into the light. Not many understand. But this story does.
Highly recommended to men and women alike. But especially for the girls. This story blew my mind....more