Monday, March 18, 2024

Graphic Novel Review: Sunny Makes her Case



* Book 5 in the Sunny series *

Sunny isn't sure which club she chooses. Her friend wants to try out for cheerleading. She convinces Sunny to try out too. But Sunny doesn't make it; she doesn't have the coordination. She's just not sure what to do. But then another friend has another idea - debate club.

There is no official debate club at their school, but together they try to make it happen. It takes them time to finds an advisor, but once they do, they start practicing. Could the club become a success?

My Thoughts: I loved this one. I love how Sunny swung from cheerleading to debate club. I love how she threw herself into her new club. I really loved reading about debate prep. There were funny moments - especially with the boys who never knew about the debate team. Middle school is always hard, but graphic novels like this one makes it a little better. I'm always here for more Sunny books. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - I love the power suit!
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public libraries 

Saturday, March 16, 2024

BookTok: No Crying in Baseball


It's almost baseball time again. 
This book details a lot of secrets from the making of A League of Their Own

 

@yabooknerdlibrarian Lots of secrets shared in this book about the filming if A League of Their Own. If youre a fan of movie - this is a book for you! #baseball #baseballmovie #booktok #moviebook #geenadavis #tomhanks #madonna #womensbaseball #rockfordpeaches #pennymarshall #nocryinginbaseball ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Friday, March 15, 2024

Review: Top Story

 


* Book 5 in the Front Desk series *

Mia and Lupe are spending winter break in San Fransico. Mia will be attending a prestigious journalism internship and Lupe will be attending the math championships. Both have high expectations for their time there. But Mia does hope they get to enjoy themselves too.

Mia isn't loving her internship. She's eager to make her mark, but all her stories keep getting rejected. Lupe starts thinking about SATs and skipping high school and going straight to college. Jason and Hank arrive to help cook a big banquet for the place they are staying. Jason has a crush on a new acquaintance. Mia isn't happy about that. She starts to examine her own feelings. 

My Thoughts: I love this series. I love Mia and how she uses words as both her weapon and her love language. My heart broke for her and her new friends and all they endured at the internship. But I love how they rallied and how they tackled a new challenge. I loved the additional new characters and seeing old favorites. I loved the addition of Comma. I loved learning more about their new community and how they all came together. Another wonderful addition to this series. I hope it continues for many more books. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library
Library Commendation: A must have series for your public and school library's collection. 

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Graphic Novel Review: Part of Your World



This graphic novel is a book adaptation (I never read the book). 

The story twist: What if Ariel never defeated Ursula?

Her father's been captured. Eric is married. Ariel's sisters forced her to become queen. But she can't forget Eric. Ursula is leading her new kingdom to war. Ariel tries to stop her, but Ursula is very powerful. Will Ariel ever find her happily ever after?
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this graphic novel. I felt terrible for Ariel and all that she went through. But I felt worse for the people of the kingdom. I was happy seeing all my favorite characters again. I hope they adapt more of this series into graphic novels.
 
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your public library

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Picture Book Review: Hair Oil Magic



A mother and daughter have a weekly ritual - magic hair day. Meenu's mom would massage oil into her scalp. At the end of the day, it would be washed out. Meenu loved how her hair looked, but most of all she loved their time together. But when she tries to recreate the magic, she fails. Her grandmother lets her in on the family secret! 

I love the tradition between mother and daughter in this book. The magic shared is sweet. There's an author's note that talks about the tradition. There are also some hair tips for trying hair oiling. 

* This book was sent for review

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Top Ten Tuesday: 5 Star Reads

 This week I'm changing the topic - here are my last 5 star reads.










Upcoming:

Have you read any of these too?

Monday, March 11, 2024

Author Interview: Chris Lynch



Walkin' the Dog comes out tomorrow.

ABOUT THE BOOK
In a family of strong personalities with very strong points of view, Louis is what his mother lovingly calls “the inactivist,” someone who’d rather kick back than stand out. He only hopes he can stay under the radar when he starts high school in the fall, his first experience with public school after years of homeschooling. But when a favor for a neighbor and his stinky canine companion unexpectedly turns into a bustling dog-walking business, Louis finds himself meeting an unprecedented number of new friends—both human and canine. Agatha, a quippy and cagey girl his age always seems to be telling two truths and a lie. Cyrus, a few years his senior, promises he’s going to show Louis how to be a better person, whether Louis wants him to or not. And then there are the dogs: misbehaving border terriers, the four (possible stolen) sausage dogs, the rest of Louis’s charges, and a mysterious white beast who appears at a certain spot at the edge of the woods. 

Dogs and human alike all seem to have something they want to teach Louis, including his menacing older brother who keeps turning up everywhere. But is Louis ready to learn the lesson he needs most: how to stop being a lone wolf and be part of a pack?



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Lynch is the award–winning author of several highly acclaimed young adult novels, including Printz Honor Book FreewillIcemanGypsy Davey, and Shadow Boxer—all ALA Best Books for Young Adults—as well as Killing Time in Crystal CityLittle Blue LiesPiecesKill SwitchAngry Young Man, and Inexcusable, which was a National Book Award finalist and the recipient of six starred reviews. Chris is the author of middle grade novel Walkin’ the Dog. He holds an MA from the writing program at Emerson College. He teaches in the creative writing MFA program at Lesley University. He lives in Boston and in Scotland.

And I'm lucky enough to be chatting with Chris Lynch today! 

 What are you afraid of? Rats. I don't know how it started, but for as long as I can remember I have found rats deeply unsettling. I would rather encounter an angry dragon in my garden than a calm rat.

Do you have a favorite dog book? The Call of the Wild, by Jack London. From the time I first encountered it as a kid, I think I understood that a lifetime of dealing with people would make me want to go feral.

What's your favorite pet dog story? My German Shepherd, Sheba, bit me in the face one hot, dog day of summer. And it was my fault. I refused to heed the ample leave-me-alone signs she was giving off. There were absolutely no lingering hard feelings on either side, however.

What was your first job? I was a paper boy, delivering The Boston Globe in the days when it had the greatest sports section on Earth.

Are you more of a lone wolf or part of a pack? Lone wolf may be a bit strong, but I am simply not a pack creature by nature.

Thanks for chatting with me today!  Enjoy the book everyone!