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Thursday, June 30, 2022

Five Things (3): Maizy Chen's Last Chance

 


I really enjoyed Lisa Yee's book about a young girl and her mother who travel to stay with her grandparents for the summer. Her grandfather is not doing well and they need to help out at the family restaurant. This was such a powerful story about family, racism, and history.

Here are 5 reasons why I loved it:



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

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Picture Book Review: Miss Rita, Mystery Reader



Tori's father is the mystery reader at school today - but he's going in his later ego - Miss Rita. Tori helps him get ready with make-up and clothes and most importantly sparkles! Tori hopes that everyone will love Miss Rita, just as much as she does.
A fantastic story about draq queen storytime, being yourself, and sparkles. I love the message that Sparkling is serious business. I love how everyone participates in the story time. And I love the dad jokes. This book has great illustrations. It's perfect for reading all year round, but obviously also during Pride Month.

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your library's collection.

Blog Tour: The Name She Gave Me

 

The Name She Gave Me

Welcome to The Name She Gave Me Blog Tour!

Writing in Verse
by Betty Culley

Why write in verse?
Why read verse?

Because
it makes you choose
your words
carefully.

It helps you distill
emotions
thoughts
dialogue
into just what’s needed
to tell the story.

It leaves space
on the page—
white space
for your eyes
to rest,
your mind
to work,
and your heart
to grow.
 


The Name She Gave Me cover

Buy | Add on Goodreads

On Shelves Now!

"Wistful verse highlights small but telling moments throughout Rynn’s search...The author’s lived history with foster care and adoption gives the narrative nuance and authority. Emotionally complex and empathetic characters...and a faithfully depicted rural landscape form an exemplary backdrop for this contemplative novel."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Compassionate and compelling."
—Kirkus 

A heartbreakingly beautiful novel in verse about adoption, family, friendship, and love in all its many forms, perfect for fans of Robin Benway and Jandy Nelson, from the acclaimed author of Three Things I Know Are True.

Rynn was born with a hole in her heart—literally. Although it was fixed long ago, she still feels an emptiness there when she wonders about her birth family.

As her relationship with her adoptive mother fractures, Rynn finally decides she needs to know more about the rest of her family. Her search starts with a name, the only thing she has from her birth mother, and she quickly learns that she has a younger sister living in foster care in a nearby town. But if Rynn reconnects with her biological sister, it may drive her adoptive family apart for good.

This powerful story uncovers both beautiful and heartbreaking truths and explores how challenging, yet healing, family can be.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Betty Culley's debut novel in verse Three Things I Know Are True, was a Kids' Indie Next List Top Ten Pick, an ALA-YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Nominee, and the 2021 Maine Literary Book Award Winner for Young People's Literature. Her first middle-grade novel Down to Earth was inspired by her fascination with meteorites, voyagers from another place and time. She's an RN who worked as an obstetrics nurse and as a pediatric home hospice nurse. She lives in central Maine, where the rivers run through the small towns.


GIVEAWAY

The Name She Gave Me

  • One (1) winner will receive a finished copy of The Name She Gave Me
  • US/Can only
  • Ends 7/10 at 11:59pm ET
  • Enter via the Rafflecopter below
  • Visit the other stops on the tour for more chances to win!

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Blog Tour Schedule:

June 27th — Feed Your Fiction Addiction 
June 28th BookHounds
June 29th — YA Book Nerd
June 30th — A Dream Within a Dream
July 1st Utopia State of Mind

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday: Summer TBR

 This week's topic is summer TBR - which for me usually means new books out in June, July and August. 




Kids and Middle Grade:
 


YA:




Adult:
 

 






 


 
 

Any of these on your to read list?

Monday, June 27, 2022

Review: Summer at the Cape

 


One summer changes the life of two sisters. 

Violet returns home to help her mother and her recently deceased twin's summer project. 

Cami, Violet's older sister, never lived on the Cape. She lived with her father after the divorce. The cape never felt like home to her, she always felt like an outsider. But when her mother calls asking for legal help, Cami drops everything to see what she can do. The Cape seems glorious after her workaholic days where she hasn't taken a vacation in years. 

Now both sisters are learning to trust each other again - and themselves. Could the Cape help heal their grief and mend their hearts - opening them up to the possibility of love?
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I felt terrible for the family and what they went through with Lily's death. I loved the camping/bed and breakfast moments. I enjoyed the romances - all of them. But more importantly, I enjoyed the sisters finding their way back to each other. Another great read from RaeAnne Thayne 

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your romance collection - perfect for readers looking for a beach read or those who enjoy Hallmark movies.  

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Picture Books: Books about Family


I recently read some picture books about family and wanted to share:

Our World is a Family: All about being safe and welcome in the community
I Love You, Baby Burrito: One day in the life of a much loved baby. This book is in Spanish and English.
The Bear in My Family: A funny book about siblings - grumpy and protective
Me and Ms. Too: A story about a blended family who are adjusting and learning what each other likes.
Better Together: Everything works better when you work together


 

Saturday, June 25, 2022

Vacation Photos (2): A Day in Seattle

Last week, I went to visit my two best friends from college in Seattle. And then we went for a lot of hiking/sight-seeing in Olympic National Park.

Here are some pictures with a Day in Seattle


Street Mural

The Gum Wall - which was bigger than I thought it would be.

We went to the market where we ate ALL kinds of goodies from donuts to brownies to mac and cheese. 

The flowers in the market made it smell amazing

We ate ALL the things at this bakery - the Three Girls Bakery. It's one of the oldest stalls in the market and was the first business licensed to women. 

We watched them make cheese at the cheese place - where the mac and cheese was Amazing! 

Of course we went the library! Seattle Public Library

Inside Seattle Public Library

We also visited Snoqualmie Falls

My new best friend - Rylee

A great day with awesome friends!