Happy Hauntings

Hope you have a wonderful Halloween filled with friends and your favorite treats! 

 

Picture Book Wednesday: Making the World a Better Place (1)

Just a few pictures book about making the world a better place, slowing down, and speaking up.

This is LeBron's second picture book and it's also super cute. It's about kids who believe in themselves. They can be more than just one thing.

Like I'm a librarian, a book reviewer, a reader, a writer, and an artist. 

I love their confidence! I wish I had that at their age. I love how they dream big! The illustrations are lovely. 

This is a parent wishing only good things for their child. There are big and small moments in this book and everything is celebrated. 

The love shines through the pages in this book. The illustrations are bright and colorful. 

Yo-Yo has a hard time sitting still; her body wants to move! Her grandpa tries to teach her yoga, but it's hard to pay attention.

All of us have a hard time paying attention some times. This book shows off some good tricks for getting back in the moment. There are poses in the back of the book for readers to test out. 

Kids write letters to Ruby Bridges - asking for advice but also saying how much they are inspired by her. The two page spread has a lovely bright illustration plus two letters - a letter to Ruby and a response from Ruby.

These kids have so much going on and so much that they are worried about. Letters range from concerned about climate control to food waste to learning disabilities to racism. I'm both saddened by these letters and impressed at the thoughts of these letters. I wish we lived in a world where children didn't have these worries.... 

Top Ten Tuesday: Halloween Freebie

 This week is a Halloween Freebie and I'm using it to share thrillers in my TBR list.

Have you read any of these?

Middle Grade Graphic Novel Review: Mia and Friends

Mia Hamm became the face of Women's Soccer - this graphic novel shares her story: from the first moment she touched a soccer ball to the 1999 Women's World Cup final. 

She (and her teammates) inspired a generation of women. She didn't give up; her work ethic was amazing.

I love how this graphic novel shares the history of that women's soccer team, and how they exploded into popularity. They made women's soccer exciting.

    

There are two pieces after the story ends:

1. update on players today

2. how the women fought for a won equal pay (honestly, this could have been its own graphic novel)

It's important to see the history so we can see how far we have come. 

Picture Book Review: Bubble Gum Bison Needs a Bath

Bubble Gum Bison fell in the mud while playing. But when she goes home, her mom tells her that she needs a bath. She's so upset that she runs back to the playground. But that just makes everything worse.

My Thoughts: This was a silly story that will have readers laughing and reading this again and again. 

* Apparently, this is the second book. The first book deals with the brother featured in this book.

Review: Heiress Takes All

 

Olivia's father is getting remarried - for the 3rd time. It's the biggest event of the season. Olivia can't wait - not because she's happy about the wedding. Afterall, her father kicked her and her mother out of the house and his life. No, she's excited because it's the perfect opportunity for Revenge. 

My Thoughts: I can't say too much without spoiling this book - but it was Really Good. I loved all the twists and turns. There were so funny moments, some sweet moments, and some brilliant moments. 

I loved the ending - which allows the story to continue with a possible sequel. I really hope that happens!

Cover Thoughts: Love it

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A highly recommended book for your public library's collection.

Review: Falling for Alaska

 

* First in a new trilogy * 

Xavier doesn't know who he is without the NFL. After a career ending injury, his fiancé left him for his best friend. He's miserable and left floundering. Luckily, his grandmother, who has hasn't seen in years, has invited him and his two brothers back to Alaska.

They left Alaska when they were young. His parents went through a nasty divorce. Now he and his brothers could inherit the family business, but only if he moves to Alaska for the year, learns the business, works with his father (who always disappointed him), and makes a unanimous decision with his brothers for the future.

Xavier meets True on his first day back in Alaska. She tricks him into eating ghost pepper wings. For True, Xavier represents the ending of her dream. She manages the tavern but one day she wants to own it. But it's part of Xavier's family legacy.

Xavier and True have chemistry - but do they have a future.

My Thoughts: This was a fun start to a new trilogy. I'm not 100% sure the conflict was resolved. I didn't feel like it worked itself out. I'm curious to see where this trilogy goes - I really do enjoy the two brothers.  I can't wait to read their stories. I did love Hattie - she was a tough feisty woman. I loved True's brother Jaylen - he's a scene stealer. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A fun romance for your collection. Give this one to readers who love Hallmark movies. 

Picture Book Wednesday: T is for Trails

An alphabet book about hiking trails.

This is a beautiful book - the illustrations are gorgeous. There's so much information here about hiking (equipment, safety procedures, wildlife, and trails. Many National Parks are mentioned. This book is one to pour over and look at all the details.

Top Ten Tuesday: Reading Habits

 This week's topic is how reading habits have changed over time. And oh, boy have they.

When I started this blog, 16 years ago, I mostly read YA books. Not too many middle grade books, but a few.  I barely read any picture books. I didn't read much romance. And all that has changed! 

I have talked about how my habits have changed over the years:

2011

2014

2019 (mostly still true today)

The trends over the last few years:

less YA

more romance

More board books and picture books

So far this year, I've read:

320 picture books and board books (which is kind of low to be honest)

190 children's fiction, middle grade, graphic novels, YA books, and adult books

I do tend to read books for work, but also books that I will enjoy.

I still read books for review (see my latest reviews for Fresh Fiction)

How has your reading habits changed over the years?

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?