Picture Book Review: Community Books

 

These books are all about community:

Daniel sees his father walking with a box and is curious where he is going. The only answer he gets is "out and about". It takes him a little while to figure out what's happening but once he does, he has an idea on how to help.

A lovely book about community and sharing with others. I liked learning about the Jewish tradition of tzedakah and the eight levels. 

Alice loves her neighborhood but when she hears people grumbling, she has an idea to help brighten their mood.

Everyone has bad days and needs some cheering up. I love how this book showcases slowing down and seeing the smaller moments in life. I love how this book goes through seasons and what's to like. 

A boy and his grandfather have created a Sidewalk Library but the little boy realizes that people need food as much as they need books. 

This is a STEAM book, but also about community. It's about sharing and caring for your neighbors. I love how they want to generate missing partners for their pantry - sauce to go with pasta. The ending is really sweet. 

Say Hello

To I Hope you Forgive Me, a new project by Liza Wiemer, author of 2015's HELLO? (Which I Adored! Check out my review here.)

IHYFM is a revolutionary website that asks teens and adults to anonymously share moments from their teen years they wish they could ask forgiveness for but have never had the courage to. Until now.

All stories shared are anonymous - no telling details save for details you provide are shared publicly. The goal is the bring people together and help today's teens realize they are not alone by reading the experiences of others.

Wanted: Your teen story.
How: Share it. Anonymously.

Check It Out

Webpage: http://ihopeyouforgiv eme.com

Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ ihopeyouforgiveme

Twitter: https://twitter.com/i hopeuforgiveme/

Instagram: https://www.instagr am.com/ihopeuforgiveme/

YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=bl8lBJ7nsww

Facebook video—when you post on Facebook, please use this one so that we can keep track of the views: https://www.facebook.co m/ihopeyouforgiveme/videos/125 7224227664923/

Giveaway: 
To Celebrate, Liza's gifting 3 - $25 Amazon Gift Cards

Upcoming Review: Hello?

Tricia's grandmother dies leaving a hole in her heart. She can't contemplate living with out. Tricia and her longtime boyfriend break up after months of her depression. One night, in despair, she calls her grandmother's old phone number.

A boy picks up the phone. Tricia and Emerson have a great conversation about everything and nothing. He gives her courage and hope - enough to pull herself back into the land of the living.

Can strangers come together and change each other's lives?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved the set-up: five characters and their stories woven together in an amazing way.  I was surprised by the format of this book. Some of the characters wrote in prose, others in screenplay format or poetry. It worked really well and will entice reluctant readers.

Each of the five characters deal with drama: lies, secrets, abuse, grief, break-ups, secrets, friendship troubles. But they all seem to have hope and change in their lives.

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Release Date: November 10th 2015 by Spencer Hill Contemporary
Source: ARC signed at BEA

Final Thoughts: If you like books with connections (think Love, Actually) - this is the perfect book for you.  Drama runs deep in these characters lives, along with hope. Pick this one up, you won't regret it!

BEA Recap: Author Moments

This year at BEA, I had some great moments meeting and chatting with authors. Here are few pictures I snapped to remember.

The Harlequin booth always has a group of knock out authors. Two of my favorite romance writers were there, Susan Mallery (Fool's Gold) and Kristan Higgins. I was very happy to chat with both of them for a minute. I just finished Hold Me, the first in the newest Fool's Gold trilogy. And next up I'm going to read If You Only Knew.

I got a hug and a signed copy of Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between from Jennifer E. Smith which I read and LOVED. (Review coming soon.) 

My librarian friend snapped this picture of us.

I stood in line for ages for Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl! For some reason I had it in my head that it was a graphic novel. I'm happy to be wrong. I'm really excited to read this book - and happy for my signed copy. We talked about how Black Widow needs her own movie!

I've heard such great things about the Daughter of Deep Silence, so I was excited to meet Carrie Ryan and grab a copy.

Super happy to see Liza, whom I chat with on twitter signing her YA debut Hello? - which sounds like a fantastic friendship story and I can't wait to read it!

Carolyn Mackler was signing the Infinite In Between about five teens throughout their high school careers. I'm really excited about following their friendship for four years. Plus I'm really looking forward to her MG debut: Best Friend Next Door. (I  just ordered this from my local library)

I sat in Richelle Mead's line for almost 2 hours because the line started, I really wanted to read Soundless (fantasy based in Chinese folklore), and because I really needed to sit down and rest. It was perfect. I chatted with people in line, had a snack, and then hugged the book tightly. 

I was first in line - something that NEVER happens. 

I got the book signed for my father-in-law and he wrote a little note in it for me.

Super nice! 

photo credit: Pam Jaffee

After that, I wondered over to the line for Meg Cabot, happy I got up extra early for a ticket. 

Those of you who read this blog regularly, know that I'm a huge fan of Meg Cabot's - she's the reason I became a YA Librarian. 

We've met a few times before, so we snapped a picture. 

 I just finished Royal Wedding (and a re-read of the books prior to this one). We talked about that while I had the book signed for a friend.

It was the PERFECT ending for a fantastic conference. I couldn't stop smiling!