Review: Manhunt

* Book 3 in the Silver Jaguar Society Mysteries *

Art thieves strike at midnight all around the world. It's up the society recover the lost items. They're heading to Paris where they believe another theft will occur. Henry, Anna, and Jose are traveling to Paris too. They're supposed to stay behind in the bookstore while the adults search for clues.

But when the adults don't return, the trio take matters into their own hands. The society believes there's a mole in their group. They aren't sure who to trust. The trio isn't sure if they should trust Hem, their guide. He's been a little superior and shifty.

When the Mona Lisa is stolen, they band together to attempt to find their family and the stolen art. But will they succeed or will they trust the wrong person?

My Thoughts: I adore this series - there's so much action and danger. I loved learning more about Paris, especially Notre Dame and the catacombs.  I loved traveling through the streets of Paris with the gang and eating all the food. I wanted to travel to Pris after reading this one (but then who wouldn't?) I love the friendship between Henry, Anna, and Jose. I love the Harry Potter references. I loved the messages in the wall in the bookstore. Although I would love more in this series, it's a great ending to a fun trilogy. Looking forward to more books by this author!

Cover Thoughts: Clever
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: This series is highly recommended for school and public libraries! Lots of action, danger, and adventure with a diverse cast.

Build a Better World: Food Programs

I know it's mid January, but summer will be here before you know. Deadlines are looming for performers and/or community magazines. I've started pulling together ideas on Pinterest. I'm planning to concentrate on building activities and STEAM programs. But Pinterest as so many great ideas that it's hard to choose. So I'm sharing my Pinterest finds. I hope you find them useful.

Lego Brownies

Construction Trucks

Camping Scene

Log Cabins

Eiffel Tower

Take Your Child to the Library Day

Today is the 6th annual Take Your Child to the Library Day. It's worldwide event and I hope that you do stop in the library. All across the globe, libraries are hosting activities and special events, crafts, giveaways, and more. It's perfect for everyone, whether you're a regular library user or not.

Here are 10 Reasons to go to the library (for any age)

1. All the books

2. Events: so many programs happen at libraries from chocolate making to author events to story times to movies.

3. Reading helps everyone grow

4. Escape the world around you - with books

5. Movies/Audio books

6. Socializing: libraries aren't silent places anymore. Lots of people meet up at the library to play or just to chat.

7. Your friendly librarians love it when you stop and say hello

8. Talking about books

9. It's a safe place where everyone is welcome.

10. Did I mention those books?

When was the last time your visited your library?

Jane Austen and Esty

I wore my #JaneAusten knee highs to book talk to 7th graders #booknerd

A photo posted by Jennifer Rummel (@yabooknerdlibrarian) on Feb 3, 2017 at 11:06am PST

Which go really well with my Regency Charm Bracelet at my shop:

 

Regency for the win!

Mini Book Talks (1)

I'm off to the middle school this morning to talk books to a bunch of seventh graders. This is the second time book talking at the school and it's great. I love seeing all the kids. But I really love the format. There are three of us talking about our favorite books. We line up the books on book carts. We each pick one book to book talk and then we ask the students what books they want to know more about. It gets everyone talking about books, which is fantastic.  Here are some of the books I'm bringing to talk about.

Criminal Mastermind vows to take over the world - nope not the President. A 12 year old boy from Ireland. He's going to kidnap a fairy and demand ransom to bank role his plan.

 Best friends like spying on the neighborhood at night, until one night when they see a crime scene at their guidance counselor's home. No one believes them. The guidance counselor claims she was pickling beets. But she's lying about something the girls are determined to prove it.

 What would you do if one morning you woke up to discover that you were actually a Princess?

 Kaitlin's dreamed of becoming a figure skating champion, but after she throws a major hissy fit on the ice, both her coach and her skating club decide not to work with her anymore. No one will take her - except the worst skating club ever.But if she wants to follow her dream, she'll need to pick herself back up and get to work. 

 Tommy's dad dies in a fire. Tommy, his sister, and his mother must learn to live without him. Tommy becomes angry at the world and a little reckless both on and off the football field. His behavior makes people start asking questions - should he be on the field with all this rage? Tommy lives for football, but if he can't control himself, it just might be one more thing of the past. 

Adult Review: Do You Want to Start a Scandal

* Book 5 in the Spindle Cover series *

At the ball, Charlotte spies the man she needs to warn about her mother. As he heads into the library, she follows. But before she can make her point and leave, they're interrupted. When Charlotte and Lord Granville are discovered leaving the library, a scandal threatens. Lord Granville offers to marry her.

This is exactly what Charlotte wanted to prevent from happening. She isn't about to marry into a loveless marriage and Lord Granville isn't the kind of man who's looking for love. Charlotte's determined to discover the identity of the real couple in the library and therefore gain back her independence.

But their stolen moments together hint at something else entirely. Could Charlotte be wrong about Piers?

My Thoughts: For some reason, I thought this was book 1 in the series, not realizing it was book 5 until I was already halfway through. So I kept reading, but now i need to go back and read the first four books. I really liked Charlotte - how she wasn't thrilled with her mother throwing her in the path of eligible men, how she and her best friend had big plans that didn't include marriage - yet, and how she wanted to clear her name if this misunderstanding. The chemistry between Charlotte and Piers was great. I loved their banter. I loved his job and how Charlotte changed all that. I enjoyed the book taking place during a house party. A very entertaining read, I'm so looking forward to the rest of the books in this series.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: My Library

Picture Book Review: 1 Big Salad

This simple concept book becomes amazing with the addition of animal vegetables and fruits for the salad. It's hard to decide which vegetable animal is my favorite, but I think it's the Radicchio Lions. They are charming. But I do also adore the Romaine Dogs. A great way to enjoy counting. Plus, vegetables never looked so good! A fun book to share. Readers will enjoy looking at the various animals too.