Graphic Novel Review: We Could be Magic

Tabi can't wait to work at Sommerland theme park. She longs to be portray a Princess, but she fails the first auditions. Instead, she's stuck at the nacho stand. Her roommate gets picked to be a princess. Tabi knows that Princesses don't normally look like her, but she's not about to let that stop her. 

She keeps working to make her dreams happens. 

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved Tabi's determination to make her dreams come true. She put in the work. She shared her opinions and her dismay that Princesses didn't come in all shapes and sizes. Even though she didn't get a part of the princess, she did become a character. There's a little romance, which was sweet. I love all the Disney easter eggs. The art is super cute and the ending is amazing. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Book sent review

Why I read it: I love theme park books

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your graphic novel section.

Middle Grade Review: Let It Glow

Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at a holiday pageant tryout session. 

Aviva wants to be a star, but Holly's more interested in working behind the scenes. Aviva wants to create a Hanukkah song, but she's not sure that she feels Jewish enough. While her family is Jewish, they don't celebrate. But her Bubbe insists that she is. Aviva asks her parents to celebrate Hanukkah this year. 

Holly lives with her grandfather (a famous author) and her mother. She's been waiting to go get the tree, but her mom's been busy working. Lately, her grandfather hasn't been feeling himself. Her mom is worried about him being by himself so much with her at work and Holly at school. Maybe it's time for him to move to a senior community.

Once the girls meet, it's like looking in a mirror. They're both adopted. After texting with each other for a week, they decide to switch places. Will their families notice a difference?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I'm a huge fan of the Parent Trap, so this was right up my alley. Plus, I adore holiday stories. I loved how the twins were so alike and yet so different. I loved the texts between the two of them and how they started to get to know each other. It was so cute! I loved how they both explored Christmas and Hanukkah. I loved Aviva's siblings. I enjoyed the close moments between the two families - and how the girls escaped them. One of my favorite middle grade reads this year! 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library

**Check out the awesome activity packet with a word search, recipes, and so much more! 

Review: Dos and Donuts of Love

 

Shireen is super excited to be joining the first Junior Irish Baking Show, but it's wrecking her personal life. She broke up with her girlfriend. Her best friend is away visiting family for the summer. Her parents' donut shop is struggling. Shireen could really use a win.

But the competition is intense. She isn't sure who to trust among the competitors. She's torn between her new friend and her ex-girlfriend. Not to mention, her favorite chef is a judge. Shireen really hopes to create an impression. Could she win the whole competition?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. It's half romance, half baking competition, and all together perfection. This book made me want to bake and visit a bakery. I loved the moments of the competition. I felt terrible for Shireen and Chris while they dealt with the racist online comments and comments from the other competitors.  But I love how they rose above it. I didn't want this book to end. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your library's collection! 

Review: Good Enough

Riley's just been admitted to a recovery center for teens with eating disorders. Riley doesn't think she needs to be there. She certainly hates being told when to eat and how much to eat. If she eats too much, she'll gain weight. Gaining weight will make her slower in track. She can't afford to be slower. Riley does hate that everyone's mad at her. No one understands.

My Thoughts: It's hard to say I really liked this book because of the subject matter, but wow, was this book powerful. I didn't want to put it down. I loved how the book was Riley's journal and she detailed her moments in the recovery center - both the good and the bad. It was fascinating to read about her thought process and her understanding of events. I didn't like Riley's parents, but I did love her sister. 

The message about being good enough strikes a chord. We all have flaws; we all wish we were better at something. I'm so guilty of this. I need to be better at owning my skills and using them to the best of my ability. 

Jen Petro-Roy didn't pull any punches, because eat disorders aren't cured, they're managed. But the book ends with hope. 

Clearly this is an important topic that needs to be discussed openly. Our society values ideals that aren't realistic and are harmful, especially for girls and women. The author's note and resources will help readers. 

Cover Thoughts: Not a huge fan, but I understand it better after reading
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have for both school and public libraries

Review: Royal Crown

* Book 4 in the From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess series *

Princess Olivia can't wait until the royal coronation of her sister Mia. She's excited to have time in the palace with her best friend Nishi. Unfortunately, she also has to spend time with her nemesis - her cousin Lady Luisa.

Another cousin's trying to take the throne away from Princess Mia and no one knows if the coronation with actually happen. Tensions are running high throughout the palace.

Olivia's struggling because Nishi wants to babysit the kids staying at the palace to make some money for a new phone. Both she and Luisa bond over their boyfriends and their periods making Olivia feel left over - especially once they learn that Olivia and Prince Khalil haven't kissed yet. Will everything come together?

My Thoughts: It's no surprise here that I adore this series. Of course, I love seeing my favorite characters from the Princess Dairies series, but I also love the new characters. Olivia struggles much like Mia - over boys, girl drama, and her dreams. I like the interactions between Olivia and Lady Luisa and how that all works out. I liked seeing all Olivia's friends together at the palace. I enjoyed Grandmere as usual. She makes me chuckle. Another fun read from Meg Cabot!

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: This series is a must have for school and public libraries.

Blog Tour: Renegades

About the Book: The first in a two book set.

Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice. The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone...except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both. 

About the Author: MARISSA MEYER is the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles series, as well as the graphic novel Wires and Nerve: Vol. 1, and The Lunar Chronicles Coloring Book. Her first stand alone novel, Heartless, was also a #1 New York Times bestseller. She lives in Tacoma, Washington, with her husband and their two daughters.

My Thoughts:
It took me a chapter or two to get into the book, but once I was in, I was hooked. I really like Nora - I can see where she's coming from. I like how her view point wavers as she gets to know more about the Renegades. I love her team. I really like Max and his world. I found Adrian charming and I want to know more about this mother. I love his power. And his relationships. I liked the banter between him and Nova. I like how Nova tried to be tough, but she starts caring just a bit. I love all the action and the danger and the secrets. And the double crossings. 

And that ending - I didn't see that one coming. At All.

And now I need the second book.

Team Renegades or Team Anarchists?

At the moment, I'm team Adrian. I'm not sure I trust all the Renegades. And I definitely don't trust the Anarchists. 

You won't want to miss this book when it comes out November 7th.

Picture Book Review: Naptime with Theo and Beau

A boy and his puppy nap together -all the time.

A super awesome picture books that's great for concepts.

Fun, sweet photos of the two main character; it's easy to pour over the cuteness of these pictures. Great for sharing with small groups or one on one. 

I only wish there were more of these books 

(The other one is about bathtime and it's also charming and super cute)

One picture from the book - so sweet.

Upcoming Tween Tuesday Review: Royal Wedding

* Book 2 in the Middle School Princess series * 

Olivia can't wait for her sister Mia's wedding, but there's so much to do before the big day. She loves living in the palace with her new family, but what she doesn't love it all the drama surrounding the wedding.

Everyone seems to be arguing about the wedding details, Mia desires something, but Grandmere insists on something completely different. Will the wedding be a disaster? Not it Olivia can help it.

My Thoughts: I loved the second book in this series, it was perfection. Lots of drama from all sides of the family. Olivia's still trying to work out her place in her new world, but she has ideas and opinions of her own. Old friends and new friends to make. More fun drawings. A new school. Some not so nice people. Best intentions. Funny moments. I didn't want to put this one down!

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic
Source: ARC sent for Review
Release Date: May 10th

Final Thoughts: Another winner from Meg Cabot, this book has it all!

From the Notebooks of Middle School Princess

Olivia hears a rumor in school that she's a Princess. It's also the same time a girl pushes her and threatens to beat her up after school. Except for her name, Olivia is an average girl.

Or so she thinks.

Everything changes that afternoon when school lets out. She's cornered by Annabelle. In the midst of a fight, Mia enters the courtyard and whisks Olivia away to meet her father.

When she meets the rest of the royal family, she's in for a shock - they want her to come live in Genovia. Could she give up her average life for something Royal?

My Thoughts: As I was writing up the review, I accidentally read most of the book again. Obviously I'm a HUGE Princess Diaries fan and I loved reading Olivia's story. 

I wasn't a fan of her family and felt really bad for her that grew up in that environment. I wonder if we're going to see more of them. 

I felt bad that Olivia found herself to be average - with maybe the exception of her drawings. I really liked getting to know her. She's sweet, nice, kind, and smart. I think she's going to make a great Princess. 

I was super happy to see more of Mia plus her father and Grandmere. I can't wait to see what happens next to Olivia, I'm sure its going to be fabulous.

I loved the illustrations drawn b Meg Cabot - especially the wild life pictures!!

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: Sent for Review

If You Like:

If my dog found out he was a Prince - he would demand belly rubs all day long.