Graphic Novel Review: Princess Academy

 

A graphic novel adaptation of the novel with the same name. Miri is sent to a Princess Academy where the girls are given instructions on how to behave like a princess. The prince will be choosing one girl from the group as his bride. Miri wants to create a better life for herself and her townspeople. Is marrying the prince the only way?

My Thoughts: I've never read the novel even though it's been on my list for years. I adored the graphic novel from the hardships in town, to the struggles at the academy, to the rankings with the other girls. I loved how Miri wanted to keep learning and improving. I love how she stood up for everyone. The illustrations were charming. I know feel like I should go back and read the trilogy.

Have you read it?

 What did you like of the adaptation?

Review: Wildlife Rescue

 

* Book 3 in the Wildlife Rescue series *

A turtle gets hit by a car and needs help. Luckily the local wildlife hospital is there. Twins Ana and Sofia are visiting their cousins, who volunteer with the animals. Ana and Sofia get to visit the hospital and help take care of the tortoises. 

They learn the road where the turtle was hit is very dangerous for tortoises. And people drive too fast on it, causing more injuries. They want to come up with a plan to help. But will anyone listen?

My Thoughts: I accidentally read book 3 first. I felt like I missed some of the back stories. But it wasn't hard picking up the story. I love what the kids did to raise awareness about the tortoises. I felt bad for Ana, the twin who follows her sister's lead. But she starts making her own choices about what she wants to do. It must be hard to be a twin. I loved the tips on how to help animals in the back of the book. I'm looking forward to reading the rest in the series. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: This is the perfect series for an animal lover.

Middle Grade Review: The Trouble with Heroes

Finn is grieving the death of his father. He lashes out in the middle of a cemetery, kicking gravestones. Unfortunately for him, there's a camera in the cemetery and he's caught vandalizing the gravestones. Instead of paying for the replacement, the family decides that Finn should hike the 46 mountains of the Adirondacks.

Finn has the whole summer to complete the challenge, but there are some rules. The family dog has to go with him. Different volunteers will accompany him. Finn isn't thrilled with this ruling, but he has little choice.

He struggles with hiking, his grief, and his anger. 

My Thoughts: This novel in verse made me cry; I loved it. Finn struggles so much - both physically and mentally. I'm impressed with his hiking skills; those are some long hard hikes. I wanted to wrap him up in a hug. He's funny and sarcastic. I love how he started to enjoy the hikes and look more around him to appreciate nature. I love how everything tied together. I loved Finn's outlook on heroes. The dog is adorable. Another winner for Kate Messner! 

* There's a scary moment with the dog, but it turns out ok.

Why I Read This Book: I love Kate Messner's Books

Source: My Library

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Library Recommendation: A Must have book for your school and public library collection

Middle Grade Monday: Trouble at the Tangerine

Simon's family moves around - a lot. He's tired of moving and would love to stay in one place. He wants to put down roots, make some friends, and not worry about being perfect all the time. Simon's family runs a social media page. Simon doesn't mind social media, but it doesn't share real life. It doesn't talk about the loneliness he feels or leaving friends behind or not letting people know the real him. 

But on the first day they move it, a necklace is stolen. Because of the circumstances, the thief has to be someone inside the building. Simon's parents aren't thrilled with the theft and his father is already talking about their nect adventure. Simon teams up with his neighbor Amaya to discover the thief. He hopes that in they do, his parents will stop thinking about moving already.

My Thoughts: I really loved this mystery. I felt badly for Simon: 

1. His leg is broke and he's having a hard time getting around. 

2. He's hiding himself if order to make friends

3. He doesn't stay in touch with any of this past friends

I loved how Amaya and Simon investigated the people in the building. There's quite a cast of characters. I liked how things ended - especially with Simon making new friends. I love how social media tied inot this book. I hope this is the start of a series. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A fun middle grade mystery, highly recommended for your school and public library collections. 

Picture Book Wednesday: No Bear Anywhere

Bruin is happy to go on a vacation, he wants to find a bear! As they walk along the path Bruin finds so many things - but no bear.

My Thoughts: This is such a cute story - about nature and family. I love how Bruin finds treasures in nature with his family. I love the soft illustrations in this story. This is one to read again and again! 

A must have book for your public and school library

Picture Book Wednesday: May's Brave Day

May's set to start school, but there are butterflies in her tummy. How can see get them to stop fluttering? She needs to find her courage for the first day of school.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book talking about mental health and feeling anxious. May had lots of ways of dealing with anxiety. I love how it all worked out. This is a wonderful book to talk about emotions, mental health, and anxiety. 

* Book sent for review

Book Recommendation: This is a fantastic book for your school and public library collections!  

Picture Book Review: Go, Wilma, Go

The Summer Olympics are starting today. Here's a biography about one of the biggest track stars 

Wilma Rudolph won three gold medals in the 1960 Olympics. In Europe, people weren't separate by race. But back home, black and white people were segregated. When the town wanted to host a day in her honor, Wilma would only participate if everyone was invited. She used her voice to speak for equality. 

Olympicians are amazing - they can inspire us on and off the field. Wilma Rudolph was one of those people. This book doesn't focus on the sports part of her life, but how she helped push equality for Black people. I love how this book talked about the differences between America and Europe in terms of segregation. There is an author's note that includes more information about Wilma Rudolph and you segregation. 

* This book was sent for review 

Review: Hummingbird Season

 

Archie's life is rapidly changing - and he's having a hard time with it. Covid has hit and the world shuts down. Everyone thinks it's only going to be for a few weeks. Archie hates online school. He needs help and there's no one to help him. 

His brother is not interested in hanging out. Because of Archie's medical condition, he can't go outside. His brother's allowed to go outside and play with friends. Archie feels lonely and frustrated. He shrinks into himself, barely talking.

The bright spots of his days are when he sees Ruby, the hummingbird that visits his birdfeeder. Nature takes over - bringing a wildfire close to their house. Archie wonders if he will ever see Ruby again or if he will find his voice again.

My Thoughts: This one is a young middle grade novel in verse. I just wanted to wrap Archie up in a hug. He felt so lonely, so isolate, and had such a hard time staying inside. Lots of knowledge about hummingbirds in this one - which made me want to do some research of my own. I love how things turned out.

Cover Thoughts:Cute

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: A great novel in verse about Covid, emotions, and family. 

Also about Covid:

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

On Your Radar (54): Jump In!

This week I'm sharing an upcoming picture book

Title: Jump In! 

Author: Shadra Strickland

Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books 

Publication Date: January 31, 2023

Why it Should be on Your Radar:

* Rhymes

* Neighborhood Fun

* Everyone Joins in

*Bright Illustrations

* Play

* It's Delightful

** This book is great for the summer reading theme of All Together Now

*** This book does have gatefolds (pages that fold upwards or outwards) - which can make this tricky for libraries and easily ripped pages.

**** This F&G (picture book ARC) was sent for review 

Picture Book Review: The Sublime Ms. Stacks

 

The library Mr. Stephen knows how to connect readers with books, but he's not so great at storytime and crafts. But Ms. Stacks is amazing. She makes everything awesome.

This was a great story about how learning is fun, being yourself, and standing out. This Drag Queen picture book is charming. I loved the lip-syncing librarians - and their names. 

* Book sent for review

Picture Book Review: Amah Faraway

 

Video chats aren't the same in real life. Kylie isn't sure about visiting Amah (her grandmother) in Taipei. Kylie isn't sure...until she is. And then nothing can stop her from having a fun.

A fun story about family who live far away from each other. This clever book flips on itself half-way through and becomes the same story with different meanings. A great story to share together.

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

* book sent for review

Review: Raven Heir

 

* Book 1 *

Cordelia and her siblings live deep in the woods, where no one can find them. There, they hone their magical skills and enjoy life. Until one day, strangers find their house. These strangers believe that one of the triplets is the heir to the throne. 

But no one wants the heir to sit on the throne. They simply want to control the throne. This bloody family war has been going on for decades.  When the army finally breaches the house, Cordelia's mother tells her and her triplet siblings to run.

They do. But they don't know where they are going or who to trust. Now Cordelia is hearing voices and seeing things - things that her magical didn't allow her to see previously. She knows something isn't right and she determined to bring her family back together - but she will have to make a sacrifice...

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - but that's no surprise since I'm a huge fan of the author's books. I really loved the siblings and their relationship. I enjoyed Giles and his songs. I really loved Rosalind and her fierceness and how she protected her family (even when they underestimated her.) I enjoyed the banter between the siblings. I loved how Cordelia can turn into various animals. I enjoyed their moments of survival in the forest and their interactions with people - even when it didn't go so well. So many secrets! I'm really looking forward to the next book to see how things turn out.

Cover Thoughts: Really Neat

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your middle grade section

* You won't have to wait long for this book as it comes out on Tuesday!

Review: Best Worst Summer

Peyton's not thrilled about summer this year. Her parents just moved their family. She doesn't know anyone in town. And she desperately misses her best friend. When he father suggests weeding their new garden, Peyton discovers a time capsule buried in the backyard.

Figuring out the time capsule leads Peyton to the public library for a cassette player. There she meets a boy, who confides in about the time capsule.  Inside the box, Peyton found an apology and one half of a best friend necklace. Something happened between these two best friends. Peyton's determined to uncover the secret in hope that what happened to those friends Doesn't happen to her and Lily. 

Her new friend agrees to help her figure out the story behind the box. Can they solve the mystery behind the box and the ruined friendship?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved the dual timelines and the dual perspectives. I loved both summers - the one that was going to be the worst but ended up better AND the one that was going to be the best but turned out to be the worst. The time capsule (and the second timeline) are from 1989. I loved the 1989 references - to music, fashion, and slang. It put me right back in my childhood - probably around the same age as Jessica and Melissa. It was interested to see the town from both timelines - to see what changed and what remained the same. I loved the friendship moments and the parallels between the two friendships years apart. I'm a huge fan of the author's work, so I wasn't surprised to love this book. If you're a 90s kid, this book is for YOU!

Of course, I loved to NKOTB mentions. How can you not love these killer dance moves?

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A great friendship story for your school and public libraries - Highly Recommended. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Goodnight, Sleepyville

Everyone in the town gets ready for bed. Everyone has a different bedtime routine.

A heartwarming story with cozy art, a sweet message, and an adorable ending. It's the perfect book to share over and over again. 

Library Recommendation: Don't miss out on this one, highly recommended for both school and public libraries!

* F and G sent for review

On Your Radar: Queen's Secret (25)

Title: The Queen's Secret

Author: Jessica Day George 

Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: May 14, 2019

Why It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Horses

 * Friendship

* Secrets

* Betrayal

* Family drama

* Disease

* Danger

* Horse and Human bond

This is the second book in a trilogy perfect for horse lovers.

I loved the first book and the second. I can't wait for the third one!

This book comes out tomorrow.

** ARC sent for review

Review: Secret in the Stone

* Book 2  in the Unicorn Quest series *

Claire and Sophie are desperately trying to save Arden by awakening the unicorns. Only a true heir of Arden can awaken the magical creatures. Claire's the only one with magic flowing through her veins. It's up to her.

The sisters travel to Stonehaven where Claire hopes to train in magic. She struggles through classes by day and tries everything imaginable in the evenings to wake the unicorns. But nothing works.

Meanwhile Sophie's convinced there are some at Stonehaven who wish for a war between the guilds.

Will they be too late in unlocking the magic of the unicorns?

My Thoughts: I really liked this sequel. I felt bad for the sisters - Claire all the emotional strain and Sophie for feeling like an outsider. I didn't like how they fought but I love how they make each other better and stronger. I admire Claire for pushing past her timidity and standing strong. Lots of plot twists here that I never saw coming. After that cliffhanger, I'm eager to see what happens next. 

Cover Thoughts:
Source: BEA ARC 2018
Library Recommendation: This series is a great addition to public and school libraries shelves

Review: The Great Shelby Holmes and the Coldest Case

* Book 3 in the Shelby Holmes series *

John Watson's blog has outed the duo crime solvers. A reporter waits for them one day after school. After the interview airs, someone comes looking for their help.

John Watson's about to get his wish - going undercover. But undercover work isn't all that it's cracked up to be. He has to pretend he's a figure skater and he can barely balance on skates. John also has to be at the rink at the crack of dawn to uncover a blackmailer.

These early mornings are cutting into his sleeping time, not to mention time for school work and his father's visit. He just hopes they can solve the case in time for the skating competition.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - particularly the moments on the ice. I loved learning more about skating and competition. I loved the secret coded language. I adored the references to The Cutting Edge. I loved the moments between John and his father. I really loved how Shelby tried to understand friendship because of her need for candy. I hope there will be plenty more books in this series to come. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Perfect for your school and public libraries. 

Picture Book Review: Fansgiving

What happens when a family of vampires get together for Thanksgiving? The family members cook different foods and not the way Vlad would like it.

A cute story about Thanksgiving with different food dishes. This picture book is funny, entertaining, and has a great messages about working together. The illustrations are charming. This charming picture book is a celebratory treat for the whole family.

Library Recommendation: A great holiday book for your Thanksgiving collection.

Review: Breakout

Nora's looking forward to summer vacation; school is almost over for another year. Two more things happen before the end of school - their time capsule project and mile madness. Nora can't wait to win the mile race and throw water balloons at her principle.

Then two things happen - a new faster girl moves to town two weeks before the end of school and inmates escape from the prison. Now more than ever, Nora wants to work on her reporter skills because all of this will be relevant for the time capsule.

But life when changes when the inmates aren't caught immediately. As time drags on, Nora begins to understand more about her community and more about racial tension. Will things ever return to normal?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. It's written in reports, letters, text messages, recordings, and more. I liked how life changed for everyone in town. I liked the small town and how people knew everything about each other and how gossip spread  -especially about the inmates.  I loved how Nora starts looking at the world differently. I loved the poetry from Elidee. I loved how Elidee decided to be herself. I liked learning more about the manhunt - and how it was based on true events. I love how Elidee and Nora learned from each other. A wonderful book for discussion on many topics and levels.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for both school and public libraries.