Picture Book Wednesday: Plant Rescuer

Manny comes from a long line of gardeners. His dad is the best gardener he knows. Manny gets a plant of his own, determined to proof himself. But the plant fails. What will Manny do?

This was a such a great story about plants, but also about the power of research and libraries. I love the ending to this book.

I confess, I wish that I had a green thumb. I'm hoping to make some progress this year on learning more about gardening. I'll keep you posted. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books with X in the title

 This week's topic is books with X in the title. For my X, I'm choosing books with LIBRARY in the title.

I'm choosing picture books that I LOVED:

 

Picture Book Biographies:

Bonus: Nonfiction

Have you read any of these too?

Middle Grade Review: It's All or Nothing, Vale

 

Vale used to be a champion fence; she might have been on her way to the Olympics. But a bike crash ruined her leg. Not she's desperately trying to make a comeback. But things aren't working out. Most days her leg really hurts. Some days she can push past the pain. She's not sure who she is without fencing. Will her life ever be the same again?

My Thoughts: Vale is working through the emotions of her accident; most importantly grief and anger. She wishes that life hadn't changed. I wanted to wrap her up in a hug as she struggled through her emotions. She worried about friendships, about the word disabled, and about family dramas. This novel in verse worked through my emotions; it was a powerful read.

Cover Thoughts: Powerful

Source: My Library

Why I Read this Book: The summary peaked my interest

Library Recommendation: A really great book for your school and public library 

Picture Book Wednesday: You are Not Sleepy

After the story is over, the pig is not sleepy. But how will the pig get to sleep?

I'm a fan of Mark Teague. This is in a similar vein of If You Give a Mouse....

With not many words, this is a great book for storytime. 

Highly recommended for your school and public library

* book sent for review

Picture Book Review: Books about Pets

Just a few picture books about pets:

Willow was born on a farm. Jill Biden visited for the farm and saw the kitten. Willow went to live at the White House.  

This was such a fun book - about Willow and how she loved to explore the White House. 

Staceypants lives in a yellow house - where not my cat keeps coming around. Staceypants doesn't have time for pets. But they do everything together.

This is such a cute book - but there is a scary moment when the cat disappears. Besides that moment, there are lots of moments for cat lovers. I love how they did yoga together. 

Ruffles doesn't like to share, can the kittens change his mind?

This is a cute story with both kitten and dogs. Ruffles has a series of books. 

Do you have a favorite book about pets?

Here's a favorite pet picture:

Children's Graphic Novel Review: Operation Cover-up

* First in a new series *

Both Nick and Sid are starting a new school today - but they have different classrooms. Both of them gets mislabeled - Nick as a class clown and Sid as a brainiac. Neither of them was to disappoint their new friends. When they learn the truth about each other, they decide to team up and help the other. Will their new friends discover the truth about them?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this friendship graphic novel. Nick and Sid both had a hard time showing people their true shelves. But I loved how they came together to help each other and eventually became friends. I love how they inspired others to embrace their true shelves too. What a great message. I'm so looking forward to the next graphic novel in this series. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great graphic novel for your school and public library's collection

Adult Romance Review: The Lodge

 

Alix is ghost-writing a memoir for a famous member of a boy band. 

Sebastian was in one of the biggest boy bands. He was the Golden Boy. But he clashed with another band member - the Bad Boy (Jett). They hated each other. Everything broke down after Jett disappeared. It's the biggest mystery in musical history.

Since Alix's sister moved in with her, she's been having a hard time writing. Sebastian puts her up in a ski resort in Vermont. The book starts writing itself - thanks to all the voice recordings he's given her. As the secrets start coming out, Alix has questions. But it's not easy to get a hold of Sebastian. So, Alix starting having a little fun on her writing retreat - where she meets a ski instructor named Tyler who seems a little too good to be true...

My Thoughts: This was such a fun read; I didn't want to put it down. I loved how the chapters were interspersed with interviews and things about the band. I loved reading about the band's secrets. I loved the description of food and drinks. I loved the folks at the resort - they seemed really nice. I confess this book made me want to drink hot chocolate. I found the ghost-writing moments to be fascinating. The ending was a little rushed. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Learned about: I heard about this book on social media - it sounded fun.

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your romance collection.