Picture Book Review: Turtle with a Toolbox

Turtle uses all the tools in his shell to build something amazing.

I love how this book shares both the tool and what it does in a very simple way. I love how all the animals help create something amazing together. The illustrations are adorable. 

Review: Royal Summer

 

Hannah is super excited to be spending the summer in Scotland working for her favorite author. She's hoping to receive some encouragement for her writing. Just as she's feeling settled and ready to work, the author announces she's following her boyfriend to Japan leaving Hannah in the lurch.

She has no idea what to do, but she really doesn't want to go home. Luckily, the new friend she made in the pub has a solution. He has a friend at the castle and can find her job in the gift shop. Hannah's not sure she trusts Finn, but she doesn't have a lot of other options. 

On her first day of work, she's stunned to learn that Finn is the actually the Prince of England. Hannah and Finn are like oil and water, but they spend the summer gravitating towards each other. Could there be something brewing between them?

Why I Read it: I'm a sucker for royal romances

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved the banter between Hannan and Finn. I loved how Hannah discovered his identity. I enjoyed her relationship with her co-workers. I loved the horse moments. The only thing I wish there had more of - tourist moments in Scotland (but I do realize why they weren't there). This was a fantastic summer romance novel that I didn't want to put down. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your public library's romance collection

Review: In Want of a Suspect

 

* A sequel to Pride and Premeditation * 

** This is a direct sequel to the first in the Jane Austen Murder Mystery trilogy **

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that London’s first female solicitor in possession of the details of a deadly crime, must be in want of a suspect.

The tenacious Lizzie Bennet has earned her place at Longbourn, her father’s law firm. Her work keeps her busy, but luckily she often has help from (and steals occasional kisses with) Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, a stern but secretly soft-hearted solicitor at Pemberley.

Lizzie is hired to investigate a deadly warehouse fire, and to find the mysterious woman who was spotted at the scene moments before the flames took hold. But when the case leads her to the sitting room of a woman Darcy once proposed marriage to, the delicate balance between personal and professional in their relationship is threatened.

Questions of the future are cast aside when the prime suspect is murdered and Lizzie’s own life is threatened. As the body count rises, and their suspicions about what was really going on in the warehouse grow, the pressure is on for Lizzie and Darcy to uncover the truth.

Lizzie and Darcy are back for more suspense, danger, and romance in this first in a duology spinoff of the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries! - Summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I LOVED this book; I never wanted it to end. I'm so happy there's a sequel coming. I loved the moments between Lizzie and Darcy. I loved seeing the characters from the previous trilogy appear. The investigation was great - lots of twists and turns. I loved learning more about Darcy's past. I felt terrible for him with the dealings with his boss. I loved meeting Henry. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your Jane Austen fans!

Picture Book Wednesday: Etta Extraordinaire

Etta's school is hosting a talent show and she's determined to take part in it. But she's a little nervous about it. She practices all week, but when the big day arrives, will she be able to shine?

This was a great story about facing your fears. She loves dressing the part and acting like a huge star. I love the message about practice and hard work and being brave. The illustrations are charming. This is a magical book.

 

Mini Review: If You Can Hear This

1. A girl moves to town

2. She struggles to fit in

3. A Teacher who helped her goes missing

4. She pushes the AV Club (who doesn't do much) to investigate

5. They become friends

6. They dig up a lot of dirt

7. They make the authorities investigate

I did really enjoy this book - but I wasn't a huge fan of the ending. I loved the moments with Posey and the AV Club - she had a lot of ideas! There were a lot of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages quickly. I read this on an airplane, and it was the perfect book to keep my mind engaged.

Picture Book Review: The Way Champs Play

At Play Academy girls work and play all day.

Focus on teamwork, sharing, working hard, and having fun. Sports gives you plenty opportunities for character growth. The back matter contains information on how to be a champion and about Naomi Osaka helped fund Play Academy. These illustrations are gorgeous. 

Review: Dead Below Deck

 

Maggie feels lucky to be part of the friend group. She has been invited to spend spring break with her new friends, sailing on a yacht to Grand Cayman. But something happens on that trip. Maggie wakes up hung over and unable to recall the night before.

Then they discover that Giselle, the daughter of the man who owns the boat, is missing. And there's blood on the railing. Could she have been pushed overboard?

Now the police are questioning all the girls - but Maggie is their primary suspect. She has the most secrets and the most to lose...

My Thoughts: I loved this book - I didn't want to stop reading it. I was almost late going back to work because I was 10 pages away from the end and my lunch break was over. It was so hard to go back to work!

I really loved the set-up of this book. It starts with the friends missing Giselle. Then it goes backwards in time until the girls get on the yacht. Then it moves forward. Interspersed between the chapters are police interviews and letters that Giselle wrote to her dead month about the events leading up to Spring Break. 

All the drama in this book kept me turning the pages as secrets were spilled. I devoured this fantastic thriller. If you like twisty books, this one is for you!

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation:  A must have book for public libraries 

Middle Grade Review: The Truth about Triangles

 

Luca loves his family's pizza restaurant. He loves creating pizzas; he just wishes that his mother would try them and allow them to be added to menu. The business is struggling financially, and he knows he can save it. 

His family is out of sorts. His parents are fighting all the time. His twin siblings are fighting all the time. Luca is the glue that holds everyone together. 

But he's having a hard time juggling it all.

His favorite reality show, about pizza places, announces this is their last season. They invite restaurants to enter. Luca rushes to fill out an application; this could be the answer to all his problems.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. Obviously, I craved pizza while eating it. I wanted to wrap Luca up in a giant hug. He was going through so much drama: family, friendship, romance, and job drama. His parents are separating. Luca has to babysit the twins often.  A new boy moved to town. He and Luca are hanging out, but he's lying to his best friend about it. All this drama is making his stomach hurt.

Luca has such a big heart, and he was always trying to make everyone else happy. I loved the moments where people tried to make him happy. I loved that he got to meet his hero. I loved the moments between him and Will.  A really wonderful story that I didn't want to put down. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

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

Review: The Improbably Tales of Baskerville Hall

 

* First in a new series * 

Arthur Conan Doyle used his quick wits to save a baby, but in doing so, he also saved himself. Because of his quick actions, he's been gifted an opportunity to go to boarding school. He's excited to go to Baskerville Hall and to keep learning. He's hoping that soon, he will be able to make his family more comfortable. 

He soon meets three friends who help him settle into the school. Although, he does make an enemy. This enemy seems determine to make trouble for Arthur. When a secret society calls upon them, Arthur will have to make choices that will change everything.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - lots of action and danger. There are secrets to uncover and truths to sort out. Everything is not what it seems - which makes for quick page turning. I liked the Baskerville Hall - from the studies, the students, and the grounds. I loved the different friends and their quirks. I'm eager to see where this series is going. But I do hope there's a little more about Arthur's family life. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great book for your school and public library collections. Highly recommended. 

Picture Book Wednesday: One Day

 

A parent's wish for her baby boy.

This book is super sweet and adorable. The illustrations are soft and warm and magical. A perfect book for parents to share with their little ones. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Plátanos Go with Everything

 

Plátanos  are the perfect food - they cheer you up when you're sad and keep you happy. They remind Yesenia's family of home - life in the Dominican Republic. Everyone in her family loves them.

There's a lot of love in this book to go with the mouthwatering food. This book is a celebration of family and plátanos. The bright colorful illustrations make this book pop.

Review: Going Wild

 

* First book in a trilogy *

Charlie and her family move from Chicago to Arizona. Charlie's annoyed by the move - she's missing her friends and her soccer team. Of course, she's going to try out for a new team, but it's not the same. While they're unpacking, she finds a package with her name on it with a sports bracelet inside. 

She's excited for the gift as she thinks it will help her focus on her soccer skills. When she puts it on, strange things start to happen. Charlie can run super-fast, and her healing ability is amazing. Add that with super strength and Charlie is confused. Worse, she can't get the bracelet off. Can she figure out the truth behind the bracelet and its powers?

My Thoughts: I heard about this book at an author event. I'm so glad I did because I missed it somehow. And it's super good - there's lots of action and danger. Lots of friendship drama as Charlie navigates friendships at her new school. There's family drama as everyone is adjusting to a new routine. Charlie's involved in soccer and theater at school. I can't wait to read the next books and lucky for me, because this is an older trilogy, I don't have to wait. 

Cover Thoughts: Cool

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: If you don't have this trilogy, it's highly recommended!

Review: Sense and Second Degree Murder

 

Elinor discovers her father's body in his study. It looks like a heart attack. In order to protect her family, she spurs into action, taking control of the situation. 

Unbeknownst to his second family, he never made a will. Therefore, no monies have been set aside for her wife or their three daughters. John, their half brother and his wife inherit the house and everything in it.

Elinor and Marianne both have ambitions. Elinor wants to be a scientist while Marianne wants to continue their father's work as a detective. As they begin to talk about the circumstances of their father's death, their suspicions are aroused. Could he have been murdered?

When they are forced to move out of their childhood home, they lose precious belongings - including any evidence left behind. Now they must rely on the kindness of strangers and acquaintances to solve the mystery and to create a sense of belonging.

My Thoughts: I loved this Jane Austen reimagined murder mystery. The characters from the first book were mentioned, but this isn't a straight sequel. The Dashwood sisters were lovely - smart - and squabbled like sisters. I loved their ambitions, the romances, and their determination to solve their father's murder. This captured the emotions of the book beautifully and added some just desserts. 

Cover Thoughts: Interesting

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Another excellent addition to your school and public library. Highly Recommended! 

Picture Book Wednesday: Eyes that Speak to the Stars

After seeing a drawing of himself by a friend, a young boy begins to question why his eyes are shaped differently. HIs father shares that their eyes are like that because of their family and their traditions. 

It's a beautiful heartwarming answer. The little boy talks to his grandfather and his little brother. He comes to be proud of his family and their heritage, their love, and their dreams. A beautiful story with gorgeous illustrations from the same team as Eyes that Kiss in the Corners

A must have book for public and school libraries

Picture Book Wednesday: Yoga

 

Yoga Bunny practices yoga, but his friends are all too busy to join him. 

Yoga bunny returns and meets a new friend who is anxious about celebrating her birthday. Of course Yoga Bunny has a few tips.

Fun books about friendship, slowing down, and of course yoga. The illustrations are sweet. There are yoga moments within the story but also on the end pages.

This adventure takes place on all seven continents with yoga moves mimicking animals. 

This diverse story contains lots of travel and lots of fun. It would be a great storytime read for older kids. There are yoga movements within the story and also combined at the end. 

Review: On a Night Like This

 

Fran's life isn't anything she thought it would be. Right now, she's looking for work as an assistant. But she's not interested in traveling. But when an opportunity of a lifetime comes along, she takes it. It's a one week job with great pay. When she tries to talk about it with her finance, he comes home late and leaves early the next morning.

She leaves for London without saying goodbye. Fran doesn't realize how much this one week will change her life. Although she assumed the position would be in London, she will actually be staying on a yacht, headed to the more exclusive celebrity party.

Just when she thinks, she has a handle on everything - her world changes. Fran's not sure what to do now, but a new friend suggests she attend the party. Embolden by her terrible recent luck, Fran sneaks into the party. And she meets Evan.

Everything has led her to this one moment - this one magical night. But what happens next?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I liked the first half where Fran worked for a celebrity - that was really interesting and a little eye opening. I admired her determination and her hard work ethics. I felt terrible for her but impressed she went to the ball. The ball was entertaining, and I like her time with Evan, her time speaking her mind, and exploring the ball. That would be a fun ball to write - from the tarot cards to the security to the fireworks. I like how everything ended up. But I didn't want to the book to end. Maybe there's a companion novel for Juliette???

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Book sent for Review

Library Recommendation: A great addition to your public library's romance collection - highly recommended.

Bookstagram Photo:

Review: We Are Family

 

Jayden Carr has been training all summer to be ready for Hoop Group--the free afterschool basketball program where his hero, NBA superstar Kendrick King, got his start. But when his beloved coach tells him there's not going to be a Hoop Group this year, Jayden is heartbroken.

And he's not the only one. Coach Beck's daughter, Tamika, was planning to be the first girl ever to start for the squad. Chris King, Kendrick's only nephew, spent the summer bragging that his uncle was coming home just to watch him play. For Anthony Pierson, Hoop Group was supposed to be his way out of trouble. And for Dexter Donyel, all 4'6" of him, Hoop Group was his chance to finally be part of a team, instead of just watching from the stands.

For each kid, Hoop Group was more than just a chance to ball; it was an escape, a dream, a family. Now their prospects seem all but impossible--but then the world hasn't met Jayden, Tamika, Chris, Anthony, and Dex before. Determined to have their shot, the five new friends scrap, hustle, fight, and play hard to save their season to prove that sometimes a chance is all it takes. - Summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I really liked this book.* I loved Jayden but my heart went out of the Tamika. I adored her characters and how she was determined to make this team happy - even if it meant standing up to her father. I loved Chris's story arc and how he changed. I loved how this team became a team of underdogs but had each other's backs. 

*There was one nitpicking problem and that was the layout. I didn't like how they characters switched POVs in the middle of the chapters. It was sometimes hard to figure out the new character's POV and took me out of the story.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic - so many little details.

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for school and public libraries.

Picture Book Wednesday: Camp Books

 

Ok, so I fully admit that this post would be better in the beginning of summer. But these books are still fun to read and share any time during the year.

Have you ever wondered what to pack for your next sleepover or the first day of school? The alpactory is here to help! (mostly)

A funny story about being brave enough to try new things and knowing just what you need to help get the job done.

It's the first day of camp and EVERYONE is nervous. They all have unique quirks and they're all scared no one will like them. 

I love how they come together as a team when something goes wrong.  A great book about fears and being nervous but discovering that everything's going to be ok.

Would you like to go to camp on the moon?  One child is not pleased that their parents signed them up for moon camp. It's awful there - until they make a friend.

Camp isn't going well but then it turns around with a little kindness and a new friend. I love how they match each other so well. Moon Camp sounds like a really fun idea and I love how they capture different activities. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Eyes that Kiss in the Corners

 

A young Asian girl realizes her eyes are different than other people's eyes. Butt he more she looks, the more she sees that she eyes eyes just like her mother, her grandmother, and her little sister. 

A very sweet story about family, differences, and embracing yourself. Plus the illustrations are gorgeous. 

Source: My Library

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

Picture Book Review: I Promise

Promises to remind us to always do our best and be kind.

Celebrity pictures books aren't always amazing - but this one really is. It's sweet, kind, and has A LOT of heart. The messages are so important for every child.  This book is so inspiring. The rhythm and rhymes of the book work rally well - making this a great story to share with a classroom or storytime or just one and one. And reading this book just puts a great big smile on my face. Of course the art is diverse, but it's also amazing with bright colors and happiness.

These messages are too important not to share. 

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