Middle Grade Review: Goodbye French Fry

 

Ping-Ping's having a hard time. At school, there's a boy bullying her. Her father might get a new job - in Korea. Her little brother Xy is worried about moving. She's 100% American but doesn't feel like it. She doesn't feel Chinese either. Why can't life be easy for once?

My Thoughts: There's a lot of drama in this book - friendship, family, and school. I felt really bad for Ping-Ping and all her troubles - especially the bullying. I wanted to wrap her and Xy in big hugs. But I admired the way they handled themselves. 

Cover Thoughts: Powerful

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries. 

New Writing Idea

 I had a new writing idea that I've been playing with here and there for a month or so. I don't have too much written as it's still percolating, but...

Review: The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables

 

This book was:

 part biography of LM Montgomery

part of Anne of Green Gables

and a whole lot of nature.

There were a few points that were redundant, but book was stunning - well worth the library check out for the pictures alone.

Here are a few pictures - I had to force myself to stop.

The house that inspired Green Gables 

Her parents and the house she was born in.

I can see Anne and Marilla walking down this path

I just want to be here

Anne's house

Perfection

The Lake of Shining Waters 

Maud's room - where she brought nature and plants inside

She had a love for flowers - just like Anne

This book made me want to go back to Prince Edward Island, which is not the easiest place to get to. Hopefully one day soon! 

Review: Oh My Affogato!

 

Soraya and her two best friends are traveling Europe together the summer before they leave for college. What her two friends don't know is that they are starting in the same city where her ex-boyfriend is also visiting. 

At first, she's stunned that the hotel is not a 5-star resort, but before long, she comes to appreciate their attention to detail and the beauty of the place - even if it is a little run down. The owner's son has suggestions on out of the way places to visit.

By day, Soraya hangs out with her friends, but by night, she meets up with Wes. Until - she and Wes come face to face with her friends. They get into a major fight that threatens to ruin everything. 

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved the setting and how it was Italy, but not one of the major cities. I love how the friends set up the trip. I didn't like the major conflict of the book because I felt bad for everyone involved. But it did make for a great story. I love how this takes place the summer before college. I loved the adventures the friends went on together - the out of the way ones. I would love to see Pompeii. This book made me want to travel to Italy.  And I wouldn't mind companion novels with the other two friends leading each book.

Cover Thoughts: Stunning 

Source: my Library

Library Recommendations: A great summer romance for your teen collection - highly recommended.

Nonfiction Review: Art but Make It Sports

LJ Rader takes sports pictures and connects them to famous picture of art.

As a sports and an art person, I found this fascinating. 

I didn't know all the art works showcased. 

I loved how (most of the time), I could see exactly what the author was thinking choosing these works of art. 

There were some women's sport pictures, but there could have been more.

I love this idea. I hope this gets looked at a lot in my library.

Picture Book Review: I'm (almost) always Kind

 

One child's mother told them the most important thing in all the world is to be kind. And they try to be kind, but sometimes it doesn't work out the way they imagine. 

When that happens, their mother offers more advice. Try putting yourself in their shoes (not literally).

The child tries again. And this time, it works. Being kind is nice and it's contagious. 

The message of this book is wonderful. I adore the illustrations; they are charming. 

** I didn't realize it, but this book is part of an (almost) series.

Top Ten Tuesday: Summer books

 This week's topic is to pick a word in the title. After a few tries, I'm going with summer.

Here are books about summer that I've read and Loved:

* Bonus from my childhood:

** There are a LOT of books with summer in the title.