Spooky Review: Read at Your Own Risk

Hannah and her friends skipped an author visit at school and instead went to the attic to call forth spirits. Something went horribly wrong and now Hannah is cursed. Horrible things are happening to her. If she doesn't figure out how to break the curse soon, it could kill her.

My Thoughts: This diary story is a mix of text and sketches. Read at Your Own Risk is a creepy story with disturbing moments that readers will love. The end of the book was funny. This is a perfect story to read in October.

Cover Thoughts: Creepy

Source: book sent for review

Hand this one to your readers who love spooky reads.

Blog Tour: Bodega Cats

 

Miguel finds a cat who is cold and hungry. He brings the cat inside the family bodega, hoping to convince his parents to keep the cat. After the vet gives the cat a clean bill of health and the cat receives a bath, Miguel is able to keep the cat.

The cat is named Lolo. at first Lolo in unsure about the new situation, but soon begins to thrive in his new home. Miguel shares his secrets with his cat.

His biggest secret: Miguel wants to study art but his parents don't believe in studying art. They want him to work hard in school and at the family bodega. 

My Thoughts: This was a great story about family, rescuing cats, being brave, and following your dreams. Both Miguel and Lolo have perspectives in this story. I loved how both Miguel and Lolo needed help being brave and standing up for themselves. I enjoyed the comic strips about Super Cat. The illustrations were cute too. I loved how passionate Miguel is about art. I'm hoping that this is the first one in a new series. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A cute story for your school and public library's collection. Highly Recommended.  

Picture Book Review: From My Head to My Toes

 

A picture book about listening to your body and being kind to your body. 

This book is beautifully illustrated with diverse characters. This book talks about consent because your body belongs to you. I love how it shares that idea that you are enough - just the way you are. There is also a note to adult readers and a page on talking to kids about their bodies and boundaries. 

Library Recommendation: A very important book - a must have book for your school and public libraries. 

* ARC sent for review

** This book is out on Tuesday.

Picture Book Review: Duck Duck Dad

The ducklings come to love their father - even though he doesn't look like them. Ralph didn't want to stop at the eggs - but once he did, his life changed forever. The ducklings are always hungry. The ducklings need constant attention. What's a dog to do?

This a story about parents and children. It's sweet and funny and has a great message.  

Review: Run, Hide, Fight Back

When a deadly shooting breaks out in a Portland shopping mall, a diverse group of teens ends up trapped behind a store’s security shutter. To her own surprise, seventeen-year-old Miranda finds the others looking to her as their leader. But she’s hiding a big secret—and she’s not the only one. The group has only three choices—run, hide, or fight back. The wrong decision will have fatal consequences. When a deadly shooting breaks out in a Portland shopping mall, a diverse group of teens ends up trapped behind a store’s security shutter. To her own surprise, seventeen-year-old Miranda finds the others looking to her as their leader. But she’s hiding a big secret—and she’s not the only one. The group has only three choices—run, hide, or fight back. The wrong decision will have fatal consequences.

- summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I've been wanting to read this book since I first heard about it with the tagline Die Hard meets the Breakfast Club. I love the Die Hard movies. And this book didn't disappoint, I was hooked form the very beginning. All six characters have a point of view in the story. The action kept me turning the pages and I was on the edge of my seat until I finished. A great thriller.

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

Review: Pie in the Sky

Jingwen isn't happy that his family moved to a new country; he feels like he's landed on Mars. He doesn't speak the language and misses home terribly. His mom works all the time and he's stuck watching his little brother most nights.

Finally, they come up with a plan to make themselves feel better - baking the cakes their father was going to use in their bakery. But Jingwen's only eleven and he's not supposed to use the oven. They bake the cakes in secret, but has the secrets pile up, so do all the lies.

My Thoughts: I went into this book thinking it was a graphic novel. And it is partly, but it's mostly prose mixed with graphic elements. I really liked this book, but it was really sad at points which I also wasn't expecting. I enjoyed the brotherly relationship - both the sweet moments and the annoying ones. I loved how the boys made (And ate) the cakes. I liked how Jingwen struggled to make friends. But mostly I just wanted to wrap Jingwen up in a giant hug and tell him things will get better. Of course I wanted to bake all thing things (and eat them) while reading this book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A great book for school and public libraries - for the friendship, moving to a new country, and navigating life after the death of a parent. 

Review: Body in the Woods

* Book 1 in a duology *

Alexis, Nick, and Ruby couldn't be more different - but the one thing they have in common is they're all members of the same search and rescue team. When a call goes out, they meet to help search the woods for a missing hiker.

Instead, they find the body of a girl. Going through the discovery together and not being able to talk about it with people helps cement a relationship between them. The more they talk about it, the more they want to help solve the case. Could there be something the police are missing?

My Thoughts: I really liked this book, it's been one I've been wanting to read for ages. I'm glad I finally did. I really liked the three different perspectives and what they each brought to the book. I liked learning more about search and rescue teams. I liked how they kept researching and looking into ideas even though the police gave them the brush off.  I'm looking forward to reading the second book.

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A great read for your mystery/thriller readers.

Picture Book Review: Who Says Women Can't be Computer Programmers?

The story of Ada Lovelace, the woman recognized as the first computer programmer.

I loved this book. It was fascinating, particularly the end notes. 

I love the illustrations.

I love Ada's intelligence and how her mother wasn't a fan of her imaginative side and tried to block it. Instead, her daughter learned plenty of math. However, she used both to unlock her full potential.

Another great picture book about women pushing boundaries and not holding themselves back. A must have book for school and public libraries.

Children's Picture Book Review: Who Wants to be a Princess?

What it was really like to be a Medieval Princess.

I really enjoyed this book. In a two page spread, one page was the Disney version of Princesses and the second page showed reality for Princesses.  It was great to see facts vs Disney ideals from gowns to balls to castles to forest animals. I loved the charming illustrations.  

A great addition to both school and public libraries!