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 

Fresh Fiction Reviews (20)

 

Just a few Holiday reads, I reviewed for Fresh Fiction:

"The Most Wonderful Book of the Year"

"A Messy Holiday Treat"

"Lost and Found in the Woods"

"A holiday Emma retelling"

"Elf Yourself"

BookTok: Wild About You

Hiking + Reality TV Show

Plus Finn is from Vermont (but I don't think they say where)

Grumpy/Sunshine

 

@yabooknerdlibrarian Wild about You was such a fun read!!!! #hiking #booktok #yabook #realitytv #yabooktok #yabooks @Get Underlined ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Review: Mindy Kim Big Sister

 

* Book 11 in the Mindy Kim series * 

Mindy Kim's stepmom - Julie is pregnant. The baby is arriving any moment. They want the gender of the baby to be surprised. Mindy isn't sure what to expect. She's been the only child for so long. She asks her friends for advice.

Once the baby arrives, things are hard. The baby cries all the time. But Mindy isn't sure how to help. She wants to play with her brother, but he's too small for most interactions. Can she be the best big sister?

My Thoughts: I love this series. I love Mindy's big heart. I love how she wants to help but isn't sure how. I love how she seeks advice from her friends. The solution she comes up with is super cute. I can't wait to read more about Mindy and her new brother. I hope this series continues for a long time. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: Book sent for review

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

Picture Book Review: Help Wanted One Rooster

The farm animals are falling asleep. They need a rooster to help them. They have some interviews lined up. But none of the other animals can make the rooster noise. Can they find someone to help?

My Thoughts: This was a funny picture book. There's a lot to unpack in this book in terms of animals around the farm and their jobs. The animals are spending their time with hobbies. I love how everything came together. The ending is funny, and it sets the book up for s sequel. 

 Perfect for your public or school library's collection.

Top Ten Tuesday: Assigned Reading

 This week's topic is assigned reading - from school. School was a long time ago. But let's dig in.

I took an AP English class in high school. It was horrible. I hated everything we read. And didn't understand most of it.

I'm not sure if this was the exact book. But I think so.

Didn't understand anything about this book.

Earlier in High School:

I loved this one.

I know everyone loves this book. But it was a meh for me.

I thought this one was important.

I know there were others - I also think the Merchant of Venice.

I've never liked Shakespeare - although I love several modern adaptations of his works:

10 Things I Hate About You

She's the Man

Lion King

Not sure if this was college or high school:

I liked it - a bit sad, but good.

A bunch of college reads:

Loved it! Visited Edith Wharton's home some years back. She was fascinating. 

I took a Jane Austen course in college - while studying in Bath. We read all six novels. I had read them before but still enjoyed them. My favorites are: Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Emma. Although I really do like Sense and Sensibility. 

I loved this one - such great imagery. I hated Mr. Rochester though. Still do

Have you read any of these? Agree? Disagree?

Middle Grade Review: Sink or Swim

Ty's headed off to camp with his best friends. His cast just came off his arm and it should be a great summer. But it's not because:

1. Anxiety rears its ugly head

2. Body Issues - not being able to swim changed his body

3. Friendship drama 

But there's also:

1. Building a Boat

2. Making new friends

3. RPG moments

This graphic novel has a lot to unpack, but it's also really good. I loved how there are good moments and bad moments. I liked the depiction of anxiety. And it was really brave of Ty to ask for help. I love that the counselor didn't know what to say, but came back with more information. I think that's an important piece - everyone's learning and now one has all the answers.