Middle Grade Review: Phoenix

First book in a new series

Harper's having a rough time. Her parents are getting a divorce because her dad and her best friend's mom are having an affair. Everyone at school is talking about it and her best friend won't look at her. Harper doesn't want to go back.

Harper and her mom move two hours away next door to a stable. They live in a tiny house. Harper's angry all the time, but she's happy to have her dog by her side. She's mad at her dad. She's mad at her best friend. But she is enjoying watching everything that's going on at the stable,

One day, a trailer pulls up with a horse that's almost dead. Everyone at the stable is at a competition. Harper takes control over the horse. Can they help heal each other?

My Thoughts: I felt so bad for Harper; I just wanted to give her a big hug and tell her everything will be ok. She's stronger than she gives herself credit for. She's so determined to help this horse. She sees herself in him. Harper makes friends with the kids at the stables, but she does snap at them when she's emotional. She has a hard time telling them about her past. However, she does apologize. She's learning and growing and healing. I'm eager to see what happens next and if the next book will also follow Harper or one of the other kids at the stable. 

Cover Thoughts:

Why I read it: Horse book

Source: My Library

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

Review: The Look

 

This is a nonfiction book about Michelle Obama's style during her time as First Lady. There are moments about before and after her time in the White House.

I loved this book. I love how she used fashion to make statements about herself and about her agenda. I love how she picked designers. I love how she mixed and matched expensive pieces with everyday wear. And through it all, she wanted the clothes to be comfortable. 

The book talks about hair. Hair was a significant part of style and it wasn't easy. There were ways the First Lady couldn't wear her hair, but now that she's away from the spotlight, things are more relaxed.

The book talked about how people dissected her outfits and how she used that to her advantage. 

You "met" the stylists and hair team and heard from their perspective. 

All in all, this was a beautiful book filled with gorgeous pictures that I didn't want to put down.

Also I miss to Obama family in the White House. 

Review: She Knows All the Names

 

* Book 2 in the Throne of Khetara trilogy *

Book 2 continues where the first book leaves of. The Princess, the rebel, the thief, and the priestess continue their quests. They all don't know about each other, but as the danger moves towards them all, they begin to suspect there's more to the plan. They have a higher purpose...if they don't die first.

My Thoughts: I loved this sequel. I don't want to say too much because of spoilers, but I love how everything came together. There were lots of moments of danger, secrets and betrayals, and action. There were moments of friendships and alliances. And snakes. There were snakes. I am eagerly awaiting the next book! 

Source: PLA ARC (for the panel)

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your public library

Book Published: May 5, 2026

On Your Radar: Most Ardently Yours

 

Title: Most Ardently Yours

Author: Freya Sampson

Publisher:  Sourcebooks Landmark

Release Date: July 7, 20206

Why is should be on your radar:

Jane Austen

Mr. Darcy

fictional characters

found family

writing

enemies to lovers

bookstores

romances vs dick lit

grumpy/sunshine

ARC from PLA

This has been on my radar for a while as I'm a huge Jane Austen fan. Loved this book. It was funny, charming, and I loved the found family moments. If you're a Mr. Darcy or Jane Austen fan, don't miss out! 

Review: Roommate Agreement

 

Blair's excited about her summer experience with coding at college. She's going to be living with her two best friends and it's going to be amazing. Until she discovers last minute that they don't want to live with her. They don't want to be friends anymore.

Blair's devastated. This was supposed to be the perfect summer; they had it all planned out. She searching for any last minute housing, thrilled to discover an apartment that still needs a roommate. She's less than thrilled to discover that her brother's best friend is living there. 

She begs Jamie not to tell her brother as he will tell her parents and ruin everything. Jamie is not happy keeping a secret, but he reluctantly does, after blackmailing Blair. 

Blair struggles with her intensive class. The only bright spot in her life is her art class. But even that is stressing her out. Can she survive the summer?

My Thoughts: I really felt for Blair. She went through it this summer. But I loved her new relationships with her roommates. I love how she stood up for herself. Blair's fat and she owns it. Her family is terrible - her mother sides with the no nonsense step-father. Her computer class has a terrible teacher and terrible classmates. I hate how the class is set up for failure; that's no way to teach. All this drama made me cry at the end. But the book does have some bright spots. I love Blair's relationship with Jamie. Don't sleep on this one

Cover: Not my favorite 

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your public library teen collection

Picture Book Wednesday: Happy Earth Day

Just a few nature books for Earth Day!

It isn't always easy to tell when Spring is here to stay. There are lots of tricky moments when it feels like the weather has changed, but it changes back. This is a great example of those hard to tell moments.

Folks working in the community garden shares knowledge on how to grow plants. There's a lot of plants shared in this book. I love how this book ends in a community feast. The illustrations are colorful and cheerful. The characters are diverse.  There's an end page that shares more about the plants talked about in this book. 

Grace's teacher gave her the book The Secret Garden not knowing it would change her world. Grace became interested in gardening. She became an activist, but she never forgot about gardening. Years later, in Detroit, she started a garden in vacant lots. She created something magical with the help of the community and several youth volunteers. 

How are you celebrating Earth Day?

Top Ten Tuesday: April Showers

 This week's topic is books that made me cry

Have you read these? Did any of them also make you cry or tear up?