Friday, June 28, 2019

Review: Secret Cookie Club


The Secret Cookie Club

The four girls at summer camp don't get along until one night their counselor gets special permission for them to bake cookies together. They have so much fun making cookies and throughout the rest of the summer.

On the last day of camp, they're sad to leave one another. But they promise they will each mail off cookies to their new friends. Cookies that might make their troubles disappear...
My Thoughts: A sweet friendship story that's filled with drama and cookies. The book follows each other four girls as they each had trouble with friends, family, or school. A little note from a friend goes a long way. I loved how different the girls were from each other, but how they grew to become friends. I'm so looking forward to the next book in this series. And of course, I wanted to bake cookies and eat them after reading this one! 

Cover Thoughts:
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Review: Match Me if You Can


Match Me If You Can

Mia's friend Robyn has matchmaking skills, but she refuses to set Mia up with Vince. She knows they are not right for each other. But Mia refuses to believe that. She sneaks an email from Robyn's address to her crush.

Vince asks Mia out, causing a whole lot of problems in a domino effect:
Robyn finds out and becomes mad at Mia.
Robyn had another boy in mind for Mia.
That other boy is causing Mia to rethink everything...
My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book even though the bonds of friendship weren't as strong as I wanted them to be. Romance and high school is so hard. I really liked the newspaper and photography aspects of the story. I really liked the dates. As the reader, you can tell who's perfect for each other, even when the characters haven't figured it out yet. A strong debut that leaves me looking forward to Tiana Smith's next book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries.


Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Picture Book Review: Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog


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When Madeline Finn visits the shelter with her librarian friend, she sees dogs in need of love. Since she just got  a puppy herself, she can't adopt a dog. Maybe she can help the dogs find their forever home.

A wonderful story that tugged at my heartstrings and made me hug my two rescued pups. It's a story ripped form the headlines where kids go into shelters and read to the animals. It's a sweet wonderful message to share with wonderful illustrations. I can't wait to read more Madeline Finn books.

The only thing I wished for - was an afterwards to talk about how the reader can help.

Library Recommendations: Grab this one for your school and public libraries.

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday: Summer TBR

This week's topic is summer TBR - normally I have a huge list for this one, but we just did the 2nd half of the year and I added another romance list. So, this list is going to be for those BEA books that I picked up and can't wait to read, but also have to read this summer because they will be in our prize packs for the summer reading finale in August. Sometimes, it's nice having a deadline for reading...


Bruce's Big Fun Day (World of Reading Level 1)HopeThe Paris ProjectThe Library of Lost ThingsSwipe Right for Murder
GutsMooncakesStargazingSunny Rolls the DiceAli Cross

Monday, June 24, 2019

Review: Good Enough


Good Enough


Riley's just been admitted to a recovery center for teens with eating disorders. Riley doesn't think she needs to be there. She certainly hates being told when to eat and how much to eat. If she eats too much, she'll gain weight. Gaining weight will make her slower in track. She can't afford to be slower. Riley does hate that everyone's mad at her. No one understands.
My Thoughts: It's hard to say I really liked this book because of the subject matter, but wow, was this book powerful. I didn't want to put it down. I loved how the book was Riley's journal and she detailed her moments in the recovery center - both the good and the bad. It was fascinating to read about her thought process and her understanding of events. I didn't like Riley's parents, but I did love her sister. 

The message about being good enough strikes a chord. We all have flaws; we all wish we were better at something. I'm so guilty of this. I need to be better at owning my skills and using them to the best of my ability. 

Jen Petro-Roy didn't pull any punches, because eat disorders aren't cured, they're managed. But the book ends with hope. 

Clearly this is an important topic that needs to be discussed openly. Our society values ideals that aren't realistic and are harmful, especially for girls and women. The author's note and resources will help readers. 

Cover Thoughts: Not a huge fan, but I understand it better after reading
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have for both school and public libraries

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Pride Picture Book: Sewing the Rainbow



Sewing the Rainbow: The Story of Gilbert Baker and the Rainbow Flag

Gilbert Baker was born to sparkle, but his parents didn't understand him. He wanted to surround himself with a world filled with color and joy. As an adult, he created the world he imagined. And he spread that job - especially with the rainbow flag he and his friends created together. 

A really great introduction to Pride Month for several reasons. I love how happy he was when he could become himself and how he worked to spread that joy. A reader's note follows the story that gives a little bit more explanation. 





Friday, June 21, 2019

Romance in my TBR List (2)

Just a few adult romances I can't wait to read the second half of this year:

Would Like to MeetGet a Life, Chloe BrownNot the Girl You MarryThe Bromance Book ClubGlass Slippers, Ever After, and Me
FakerWell MetOur StopToo Sweet to Be Good
My Fake Rake (Union of the Rakes, #1)The Princess Plan (A Royal Wedding, #1)The Duke's Stolen Bride (The Rogue Files, #5)Bringing Down the Duke (A League of Extraordinary Women, #1)The Wallflower Wager (Girl Meets Duke, #3)

And Christmas/Holidays Ones (my jam!)
The Christmas KeeperChristmas ShopaholicRoyal HolidayA Wedding in December
Wrapped Up in You (Heartbreaker Bay, #8)Coming Home for ChristmasA Cup of Holiday Fear (A Bakeshop Mystery, #10)An Alaskan Christmas

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Romance TBR Check In


I was super excited to read these books and I read several of them:
Here are the ones I've read so far and I'm still looking forward to the other ones!
Red, White & Royal BlueThe Bride TestWaiting for Tom Hanks
Devil's Daughter (The Ravenels #5)The Good Ones (Happily Ever After #1)Three Little Words (Bridesmaids Behaving Badly #3)The Cliff House
Playing for Keeps (Heartbreaker Bay, #7)The Matchmaker's List99 Percent MineThe Accidental Beauty Queen

Currently reading:
Some Like It Scandalous (The Gilded Age Girls Club, #2)

Come back tomorrow to see the second half of the year's reading list!

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Picture Book Review: Eduardo Guadardo, Elite Sheep


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Eduardo is finally getting his chance - he's graduating from the FBI (Fairytale Bureau of Investigations). He knows everything - except how to ask for help.

I really enjoyed this book - it's funny, entertaining, and has a great message. I love the fairy tale jokes and seeing classic fairy tale characters. The illustrations are great too! A great book to share together and perfect for school and public libraries.



Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday: 2nd half of 2019 books

This week's topic is books I'm excited to read publishing from July to December. And of course there's A LOT of them. So I'll focus on YA and middle grade (I'll save romance for later in the week.)


Middle Grade:
Legacy (Keeper of the Lost Cities #8)The Dragon WarriorGive and TakeRevenge of the Red ClubFriend or Fiction
The Paris ProjectRoll with ItOutlawsWords on FireMaybe He Just Likes You
StargazingThe Great Shelby Holmes and the Haunted Hound (The Great Shelby Holmes, #4)Some Places More Than OthersMore to the StoryBest Friends
Little Witches: Magic in ConcordThe Battle (The Gauntlet #2)Rise of the Dragon MoonSurvivor GirlWish on All the Stars
The Twelve

YA:
JackpotOur Wayward FateIn the Hall with the Knife (Clue Mystery #1)The Grace Year10 Blind Dates
Michigan vs. the BoysSLAYThe Babysitters Coven (The Babysitters Coven, #1)Suggested ReadingA Match Made in Mehendi
The Liars of Mariposa IslandDear Haiti, Love AlaineShe's the WorstThere Will Come a Darkness (There Will Come a Darkness, #1)American Royals
The Girl the Sea Gave BackThe Lady RogueThe Shortest Distance Between Love & HatePumpkinheadsRun, Hide, Fight Back
Start HereThe Downstairs GirlNo Big DealTruly Madly RoyallyHello Girls
SkyjackedThe Arrival of SomedayThe Last WordStealing HomePast Perfect Life
Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars, #1)Maybe This Time