Review: Anna on the Edge

 

Ana is the reigning US Juvenile Figure Skating Champion. She's interested in moving to the next phase, which requires a chorographer. Her mother's able to afford a big deal in the skating world. But Ana isn't pleased. The costume isn't right and the music isn't her.

When Ana meets a transgender boy who mistakes her for being a boy - she starts thinking. Could she be something other than a girl?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this story -  I picked it up for the figure skating but was also curious about the gender identity moments. This was a great read - lots of friendship, financial worries, honest conversations, and of course figure skating. I loved how everything came together. Ana worried through most of the book and made some not great choices, but then found a way to fix them. A great middle grade read - both for the sports and the LGBTQ+ content. 

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for school and public libraries

Board Books (7): People from History

 

We just bought a bunch of new board books for our library.

I'll be talking about a few favorites over the next couple months

This week, it's all about famous people:

This is Amelia Earhart's story - about her dreams and how she persisted. I like how they ask the readers to follow the trail with their fingers.

* If you like this book, there is a series of both board books and picture books called Ordinary People Change the World

Famous people said NO and then they helped change the world. Lots of history in this one little book - lots of important people. I like how they include a small biography at the end of everyone mentioned. Great pictures. Great diversity. 

Women helped change the world and you can too! A small introduction to women who persisted - lots of diverse women. And this one even include Jane Austen. I love the message of this book. The illustrations are fantastic. 

Lots of people here to talk about - each one as a mini biography. This is for a little bit older children because there is so much text. I love the bright colors and the illustrations. And even I learned about some heroes of color from around the world.

I loved this book - from the message to the illustrations. Vashti Harrison is one my favorite illustrators. If you haven't read her books, pick one up today.

Fresh Fiction Reviews (7)

 

I've read a bunch of great books and reviewed them at Fresh Fiction:

Like Kathleen Kelly says in You've Got Mail 

"Read it with a box of tissues."

"Catching up with old friends never felt so good"

"Friends to Lovers in the Gilded Age"

"Ferris Bueller’s Day Off with a dash of Adventures in Babysitting"

"One part rom-com, one part murder mystery"

Book List: Pies

Yesterday, I talked about the awesome book:

And talking about it made me crave pie all over again.

Ever since I was a little kid, I've been a pie fan. 

You too? 

Check out my poll on yesterday's post and vote for your favorite.

I don't know if I have a favorite.

But I'm a sucker for blueberry pie.

I have a special place in my heart for Lemon Meringue Pie (it was my grandfather's favorite).

So I wanted to talk about a few middle grade books all about pie!

Book List:

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie by Erin Soderberg Downing

Violet and the Pie of Life by Debra Green

Summer of a Thousand Pies by Margaret Dilloway

Truth about Twinkie Pie by Kat Yeh
American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar 

Pie by Sarah Weeks

I Only Have Pies for You by Suzanne Nelson

Review: When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie

 

When their mother died four years ago, everything changed. Now Lucy's ready for summer, but at the last minute her father changes all the plans. When the family inherits a chunk of money, he purchases a food truck. He's made plans to spend the summer on the road.

Lucy, Freddy, and Herb aren't sure about this plan - but they have no choice. They all have different ideas on how the money could have been spent. But together they try to make the best of it. 

Lucy, who has become the primary caretaker, can't believe that her father's going to spend the whole summer with them. He's usually buried in his work.  

They start creating pies - including their family's famous peach pie. After several bumps, they start getting the hang of it. But will it be smooth sailing?

My Thoughts: I heard about this book at a Renegades of Middle Grade event and I knew I had to read it. It sounded amazingly good and it didn't disappoint. I'm eagerly waiting for the next two books in the trilogy. I love pie, so I was all about this food truck. Although, I did love the other ideas on how to spend a million dollars; they were inventive. I felt badly for the kids as their lives changed once again and they weren't sure of their roles. But I loved how they helped each other out and took care of each other. While it's clearly a modern story, it has that same nostalgic feel from the Penderwicks or the Vanderbeekers. This delicious book will make your mouth water. 

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries

Picture Book Wednesday: Hugo and the Impossible Thing

 

Hugo wonders why the Impossible Thing is impossible. He asks all his friends if they've ever tried it. But no one has. Everyone just knows it's impossible. Hugo doesn't like that answer and he decides to try it. 

A great message about thinking for yourself, trying new things, and team work. The illustrations are charming.

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your school and public libraries - and of course it's perfect for this year's summer reading theme. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Summer TBR List

 This week's topic is all about the Summer TBR list. So - books out in June and July and August - which is generally quite a list...

YA:

  

Graphic Novel:

   

 

Adult: