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. 

Picture Book Review: I've Got You

Anthony is always there for his little brother. They play together, Anthony teaches him, and Anthony comfort him. As time goes on, Rasheed becomes a big brother. And he does exactly what Anthony did for him.

This is a very sweet story about siblings and family. It made me tear up. 

Picture Book Review: The World Belonged to Us

Happy First Day of Summer!

 In Brooklyn in the summer, the kids had a blast playing outside all day log.

 This is such a fun picture book. The kids were so creative with their games and creating fun for themselves. I love the illustrations that remind me of the colors from the 1970s. This book was a great reminded to go outside and play! 

Review: Octopus Moon

 

For Pearl, things start to change when fifth grade begins. She's not has happy as she used to be. She's not as fun either. Things start to feel really hard - even getting out of bed in the morning. She pretends that everything is fine. But after her parents come back from a parent-teacher conference, they're forced to realize that everything is NOT fine. They take Pearl to a psychologist.

Dr. Jill helps Pearl understand that depression is a disease, an illness. She teaches Pearl coping skills. Pearl starts making progress and starts letting her friends back into her world. Every day isn't a good day and things are still hard, but she's making progress.

My Thoughts: This novel in verse is a powerful read. I love how Pearl did the work to understand depression. She had good days/moments and bad days/moments. Not everyone understanded what she's going through. At first, she had a hard time explaining it, but she found the words. I loved how depression wove itself into the book - how her Grandfather had bad days too. I loved it how in the beginning of the book, they didn't really talk about it, but by the end of the novel, the family recognized that he had depression too.  I loved the environmental moments of the book and how Pearl learned facts about sea creatures. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendations: A must have book for your school or public library's collection.

Picture Book Review: Ramble Shamble Children

 

Five siblings enjoy their house and the land surrounding it. But one day they discover a picture in a book. They determine that the house is proper and their house looks nothing like it. So they get to work making their home more proper. But will it make them happier?

This is a sweet story about being yourself and managing expectations. The siblings look after each other and they all come together. I love how they're always outside gardening or playing or just soaking up nature. Plus I adore the illustrations.

Fun Fact: I'll be honest, Lauren Castillo is one of my favorite illustrators

Christina Soontornvat is one of my favorite authors.

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended picture book for your school and public library

Picture Book Review: Girl Running

This is story of Bobbi Gibb - the first woman to run in the Boston Marathon.

This book was SO inspiring - it actually made me want to run. I loved the solidarity with the male runners (not the officials). I loved how she broke the mold and other female runners followed. This book gave me all the feels.

A must have for your public and school libraries.

Christmas Picture Book Review: Maple and Willow's Christmas Tree

Named after trees, sisters Maple and Willow can't wait to have their first ever real Christmas tree. They cut it down and bring it inside. They couldn't be more excited to decorate it - until they realize that Maple is allergic to pine trees. Will Christmas be ruined?

My Thoughts: I adore this series. The sisters are charming and even though they fight a bit in this book (what sisters don't?), they come back together for a sweet ending. The pictures are amazingly fun. Just a wonderful Christmas story for readers of all ages.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for all school and public libraries.

Picture Book Review: Maple

When Maple is born, her parents plant her a tree. She loves her tree; they are good friends. When Maple has a new baby sister, she's not sure she want to share her tree. But she comes up with an idea to make everything just right.

My Thoughts: I love stories about sisters (I'm the youngest sister). This book was sweet and it tugged my heartstrings. I loved how Maple's parents planted her a tree, a wonderful thought. I loved how Maple loved her tree and how she shared that love with her sister. I loved the bonds between the sisters - always there but sometimes not always happy together. This book is perfect for girls about to become big sisters. Or perfect for just a sweet story.

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for All public libraries.

Source: I randomly picked this up at my library and loved it. When I found out there were two other books, I immediately ordered them for my library. I can't wait to read them!

Mini Review: Brown Girl Dreaming

I've been meaning to read this book for ages and I'm so glad I sat down to read it.

I loved the novel in verse format - I'm a huge fan of these types of books

I loved the imagery - the way I could picture everything perfectly in my mind. I wanted to to be summer turning into fall. I wanted to be with Jacqueline when she went to the library and read books that she loved. I wanted to be with her when she she started writing books and became inspired.

I loved how she wrote about the good and the bad and the things she didn't quite understand.

I loved the moments with her grandparents: sitting on the porch, playing in the yard, and soaking up summer nights.

It's a great read for children of all ages!

Final Thought: It's nice surprise that this beautiful book cleaned up during awards season. If you haven't already - go read it NOW.

Cover Thoughts: Love it! Especially the book opened to magical possibilities
Source: ARC sent for review