Review: Practically Magic

 

Kat Hadley for once would just like to outshine her perfect sister. She and her sister used to be really close, but that was before Harriet left for college. Kat and her family come from a long line of witches. Every Halloween, a couple from the family renew the wards against the town.

This year Kat's dying to perform the ritual. It doesn't matter that she doesn't have a boyfriend. She's planned everything down to the last detail. Her parents are headed out of town. She makes sure her aunts are occupied. She's throwing the perfect Halloween party - where the boy she's crushing on will realize that he likes her too. And then they will perform the ritual together. 

What could possibly go wrong?

My Thoughts: This was such a cute and charming read. I loved the premise of the family of witches making the town safe. I love that that ritual has to be done every year. I like how the sisters questioned why it has to be a couple and not just powerful witches. The sister relationship was perfect - I love how we had little snippets before knowing the whole story. the monsters popping up in town added humor to the story and a touch of urgency. I loved the romance. I'm so excited that Harriet's book is next and there is more to the story! 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A perfect Halloween romance for your school and public library collection. 

Christmas Book Review: Christmas Trees and Weak Knees

 

Paisley won the song writing contest that propelled her forward - but that meant she had to perform live in front of a huge audience. It went as badly as it could have gone. And the band that played afterwards made fun of her for it. A classmate picked up on the disaster and made videos humiliating her further. Now Paisley isn't sure what to do next. None of her friends stood by her. Unclear of her future, she's taking a gap year and working at her parents Christmas Tree Farm.

Kash has been kicked out of the band that he started. He's not sure what to do now or even if he's any good. But his grandfather gives him some advice that he takes. Soon after, he signs a record deal as a solo artist. Now all he has to do is write some songs before the end of the year. No pressure right?

His label rents the apartment at the Christmas Tree Farm. There's a studio attached to it. And they've contacted Paisley to help write songs with him. When they meet, they clash. Paisley remembers their first encounter. Kash doesn't. He's not great during their second first meeting either. Can they find a way to work together to achieve their dreams?

My Thoughts: This was such a fun read; I Loved it! I loved the setting - the Christmas tree farm with the reindeer and all the events. I loved seeing the behind-the-scenes moments at the Christmas tree farm and in the studio. With the songwriting and studio, it felt a little like Taylor Swift. I felt terrible for Paisley and all the bullying that made her hide her talents, but I'm very glad she unlocked them and started writing again. It was not a meet-cute when Kash and Paisley met, but it was entertaining. I love that they were able to get past that moment and move forward - even if it took a bit. Kash and Paisley had great chemistry. This book had great messages about chasing your dreams, believing in yourself, and working through the hard moments. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: Netgalley

Library Recommendation: A great Christmas romance for your teen collection

Hand this book to: Swifties and those who enjoy Hallmark movies

Picture Book Review: How NOT to make a Jelly Sandwich

 

If you're hungry and you want a jelly sandwich, this book will teach you how not to make one. 

This book is super silly and utterly charming. I think this will be a fan favorite. I would read this picture book to older kids.

* book sent for review

Top Ten Tuesday: Thrillers/Mysteries I want to read

 This week's topic is a Halloween freebie. I'm sharing thrillers and mysteries I want to read.

YA: 

Adult:

Do you read mysteries and thrillers? What would you add to the list?

Middle Grade Review: Rumor has it

First in a new series

Annie and Leela's parents are engaged. They both move to a new house and start a new school. Leela's grandparents owned the house and they had a reputation. Everyone at school is interested in the new family. 

Annie and Leela have different views on how to handle this new family. Annie's happy to be in town, but Leela misses New York City. She misses her friends. She misses her old life. Maybe if she helps blow up this family, she can go back to the way things have been.

Are they lucky?

My Thoughts: This is the start of a new series - about a blended family. The two sisters are going into tenth grade, however this book reads like a middle grade. It's actually hard to place in the library because of this. I think it will get lost in YA, but middle grade readers will quite enjoy it, which is why I'm highlighting this today. 

This is a really quick read about a blended family - two girls trying to become sisters and maybe even friends. There's a lot of drama here, which is perfect for middle grade readers. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute: And the art inside is adorable.

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A charming start to a new series all about family and drama. Highly recommended for school and public library collections. 

Board Books: Concepts

 

Just a few new to me board books features concepts:

This is a such a FUN book - it contains:

9 spreads where the reader must search for different objects

Each spread is primarily one color until the last page which is a rainbow of colors.

While there is a bit of a story here, but best part of this book is all the vocabulary surrounding the job of a firefighter.

This is such a great book - first because it's about a car wash and secondly because it's about mixing colors of soap. It also showcases the sequence of events that happens during the car wash. Plus there's an author's note to talk about STEAM moments. 

Ten trucks have a big day ahead of them - they all have jobs to do. I love how colorful this book is and how squishy the trucks are. They are fun to feel. Perfect for those truck loving readers. 

Each spread has many many words - ranging from at home to construction site to fire alarm. Each page has a tab that hints at the theme for the page. There are lift the flaps to open on each page making this read even more fun. This one *might* not be best for libraries because of the lift the flaps.

* Book sent for review

Picture Book Review: Love, Panda

 

Panda's been left in the baby's room - and Panda is NOT pleased. Panda sends letters to Benny - his person. Panda wants Benny to rescue him. But as time goes on, things get better.

This picture book is an epistolary picture book - which is cool. Panda begins to change their views. It's sweet watching the baby grow up a little. And the ending is really cute. A fantastic book about family and siblings - through the eyes of their shared stuff animal. 

* Book sent for review