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?

Middle Grade Review: Dream On

 

Cassie has a hard time.

1. Her mom's attention is usually on a younger child

2. Cassie has a LOT of siblings

3. Her best friend moved and now they don't see each other as often

4. Another girl in class is trying to come between them

5. She's in between times - learning what is cool and what is babyish

6. She keeps being told that she's so sensitive

7. She wants to win a sweepstakes to make everyone else happy

My Thoughts: Finding your place is hard, especially when you're in that in between stage. My heart went out to poor Cassie. Friendships drama is hard to read, especially with mean girls. But I love how everything turned out. I wonder if this will be turned into a series; I wouldn't mind reading more about Cassie's friendship adventures. 

* Book sent for review

Why I read this graphic novel: I love the Best Friends series

Source: Book sent for Review

Library Recommendation: A must have graphic novel for your school and library's collection

Hand this to: readers struggling with friends or readers who love drama

Picture Book Review: Summer Books

Just a few books perfect for the first day of summer:

Unicorn has always wanted to be a mermaid and Kitty-corn has just the way to make it happen. 

This is a sweet story about dreams and friendship and just being yourself. 

This author and illustrator duo is a must have for library collections. 

It's Mermaid Day! All the mermaids come together to celebrate the ocean. 

The pictures are bright and fun to pour over. There's a lot to look at in this book. There are games, dancing, and food. This is such a fun book and perfect for summer. 

* Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your library mermaid collection. 

Parrotfish has a secret power and he's dying to share it with his friend, the hammerhead shark.

This is a funny book, but it's also chock full of information. Readers will be eager to also learn the secret. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Series

 This week's topic is all about Series we didn't want to end. I am such a series reader, I adore them. There are several I didn't want to end.

Some of these have so many books, but I would always read more:

I just miss everyone

I want the step-sisters' stories

I need so many more of these - also what is Hale's name! We need to know.

I want this series to continue through high school

I need to find out more about young Dinah (and her mom).

Actually - most of the DC origin stories could use more stories.

There's so much more to this story!

I need more about the twins! And maybe it's coming? Goodreads says #1, but there is no info for #2

Hopefully there's a winter book coming or maybe Spring. Doesn't matter, I just want more of this blended family on a farm.

I love this family - I need more stories about them. 

I'd be happy reading more about the characters in this one. Loved it!

And you? Which books need to be in a series or more books written in that series????

Picture Book Review: Friendship Books

Bunny is helping organize the Spring Fair but she decides to put up a message board for folks to ask for help, Soon she's so busy helping everyone that she barely has time for the fair. Luckily her friends have an idea.

Kindness and friendships are the key to this cute story. It's ok to ask for help and it's ok to receive help. 

Kitty is painting a portrait but things get a little messy. Luckily friendship makes it easy to be your messy no so perfect self together. 

A great message about not being perfect and just being yourself. Great illustrations. Another fantastic book from this winning author - illustrator team 

Graphic Novel Review: Amethyst Princess

Amaya loves being a princess. She especially loves playing pranks on and with her brother. But when a prank goes wrong, it throws everything into chaos. As a punishment, Amaya is sent to live on Earth for a week. Her parents are hoping that living without magic for a week will teach her something important. 

But something happens and Amaya and her aunt both forget about their previous life. Three years pass and Amy's in middle school. Everything feels normal until she's pulled back into her world - a world in trouble. Can she help save her home?

My Thoughts: I'm a big fan of Shannon and Dean Hale, so I was more than happy to read this one. I loved how everything went wrong and Amaya became Amy. I loved how she struggled to find herself. I loved how she ended up back home - changed. Because the time on Earth did change her. She learned about kindness, friendship, and doing things for herself. I loved her connection with her brother. This was such a great read, I loved everything - especially the art. I hope there are more Princess Amaya stories in the works. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: ARC sent for review

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

Graphic Novel Review: Friends Forever

* Book 3 in the Friends series *

Shannon's in 8th grade and now has a solid group of friends. But she's still anxious and insecure. Shannon's figuring out how to be happy, how to be herself, and how to feel "normal."

My Thoughts: I adore this series - it's so thought provoking. Because Shannon goes through tough times. Middle school really is the worst. There are SO many feelings in middle school.  Friendship drama is so hard. Feeling insecure is terrible. It's hard figuring out boys. This book is heart wrenching and sad but also hopeful. I hope that this series continues through high school.

And this illustrations are amazingly good.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: This is a must have series for your school and public libraries.

Picture Book Review: Itty Bitty Kitty Corn

 

Kitty dreams of being a unicorn but her friends tease her. Kitty keeps pretending - until she meets a unicorn. Kitty is sad to meet the unicorn until the unicorn confesses a secret. They both see each other and become the best of friends.

A really sweet book about being seen - even if you can't be the create you'd most like to me. It's about celebrating differences and similarities. And it comes from a dynamite author and illustrator team!

Library Recommendation: Another must have picture book for your school and public libraries

Top Ten Tuesday: BEA ARCs

This week I'm changing up the topic. I'm at BEA starting tomorrow. Here are some of the ARCs I'm hoping to pick up because I can't wait to read them!

Are you going to BEA this year?

What books are you hoping to find out more about?

Red Book Tag

Created by Awkwordly Emma

Emma (Awkwordly Emma) created this tag themed around Taylor Swift's album Red 

I adore Taylor Swift and her songs.  I think I love them so much because each one tells a story. I think Red is probably one of my favorite albums ever. Since Jessica from Just Another Teen Reading tagged me, I've been listening to it nonstop in the car. Do you have a favorite song from that album? 

I'm going to try to fill this out with books I've read this year. I confess I took out the negative ones because I feel bad about answering them.

State of Grace - "And I never saw you coming/And I'll never be the same."

A book you unexpectedly loved.

I cried at the end of this book. It was powerful and blew me away.

Red - "Faster than the wind, passionate as sin/Ending so suddenly."

A book that was a whirlwind experience to read.

Sarah J Maas has a gift for writing twists that I never see coming.

I Knew You Were Trouble - "I knew you were trouble when you walked in/So shame on me now."

A favorite villain.

She was pure evil
Although I do Love Jessica's pick with Neverseen,  They'd be my second choice.

All Too Well - "But maybe this thing was a masterpiece til you tore it all up."

A book or series you think is a masterpiece.

Friendship - empowerment - love - being comfortable in your own skin. There's nothing to change about this book - it's just that good!

22 - "We're happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way."

A happy, carefree book.

This book had me a feminist and ice cream. And it was Everything I wanted it to be.

Stay Stay Stay - "So I think it's best if we both stay."

A book with a happily ever after (or a happily ever for now).

I adore Jill Shalvis - her books always make me happy!

The Last Time - "Put my name at the top of your list."

A book written by two authors.

I adore this series - it's smart, cute, and the ladies always kick butt.

Holy Ground - "But I don't wanna dance if I'm not dancing with you."

A relationship that doesn't continue past the last page of the book.

I honestly don't think I've read one of these this year. 

Sad Beautiful Tragic - "What a sad beautiful tragic love affair."

Your favorite sad book.

I Read this one for Andi at Andis ABCs and it was great and I cried like a baby.

The Lucky One - "Another name goes up in lights, like diamonds in the sky."

A popular character (within their book or within the book lovers' community).

Percy Jackson!

Everything Has Changed - "All I know since yesterday is everything has changed."

A friends-turned-lovers story. (Inspired by that adorable music video.)

I had never seen that video before - it is cute!

This is one of my favorite tropes.

Starlight - "I met Bobby on the boardwalk, summer of '45."

Your favorite historical fiction story.

I love a great historical romance and Sarah's books always hit the spot.

Begin Again - "But on a Wednesday in a cafe, I watched it begin again."

A book you wanted to reread as soon as you'd finished it.

I don't do many re-read but this one was so fun, I didn't want it to end.

That was fun! Thank you to Jessica for tagging me! Please join in the fun if you feel inspired and haven't been tagged.