Middle Grade Review: Space Case

 

Dashiell lives on the moon - and things are ok there, but not great. The food is terrible. The bathroom situation is even worse. And there are some rich jerks living there with them. But things go from ok to terrible when a lunarnaut dies unexpectedly. 

The authorities are calling it an accident, but Dashiell believes he was murdered. The authorities do not want him talking about his theories. He sets off to discover the truth and force them to take him seriously. Someone on the moon is a murderer and Dashiell knows it's up to him to uncover the truth.

My Thoughts: Confession: I haven't read the book trilogy, but I really enjoyed this graphic novel adaptation. I love the setting - it's very unique. I'm sure I would not like to live there for an extended period of time. I enjoyed the mystery. I liked the addition of new characters to the base with incoming ship and how that changed things. The artwork is cool and very detailed. I'm super curious to see where the next book is headed. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Stuart Gibbs is super popular - a must have graphic novel for school and public library collections

Picture Book Review: Our Favorite Day of the Week

 

On the way to school, Musa learns that his friend's favorite day of the week is Tuesday. He shares that his favorite day of the week is Wednesday. As more friends join the group of walkers, they learn about everyone's favorite day. 

I love how everyone has a different reason for their favorite day from spending time with grandmothers to religion. I love how their teacher surprises them with her choice. This book will have the reader think about what their favorite day of the week is and why. 

* Book sent for review

Review: Drop Dead Famous

 

Stevie's sister Blair is coming home. She's a super famous pop star. But on the evening of the concert, she's found dead - murdered. Stevie knows she should let the police handle it, but they never found her cousin who went missing and they never found the person who killed a local teen. She doesn't have a lot of faith in the police, even though her father used to be one.

Instead, she and her new friend Colby start investigating. Stevie and Blair used to be really close, but the fame changed Blair. Stevie doesn't know her sister anymore. The more she looks into her sister's death - the more she realizes there are a lot of secrets. Secrets that maybe should stay buried...

My Thoughts: I really loved this book - I loved all the secrets, the twists and turns, and the danger. I loved the new friendship between Stevie and Colby. Yes, this book is long, but it didn't feel long. I loved Stevie's determination to uncover the truth - especially after everything that's happened in the past. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your teen's school and public library collection. 

Review: Oh My Affogato!

 

Soraya and her two best friends are traveling Europe together the summer before they leave for college. What her two friends don't know is that they are starting in the same city where her ex-boyfriend is also visiting. 

At first, she's stunned that the hotel is not a 5-star resort, but before long, she comes to appreciate their attention to detail and the beauty of the place - even if it is a little run down. The owner's son has suggestions on out of the way places to visit.

By day, Soraya hangs out with her friends, but by night, she meets up with Wes. Until - she and Wes come face to face with her friends. They get into a major fight that threatens to ruin everything. 

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved the setting and how it was Italy, but not one of the major cities. I love how the friends set up the trip. I didn't like the major conflict of the book because I felt bad for everyone involved. But it did make for a great story. I love how this takes place the summer before college. I loved the adventures the friends went on together - the out of the way ones. I would love to see Pompeii. This book made me want to travel to Italy.  And I wouldn't mind companion novels with the other two friends leading each book.

Cover Thoughts: Stunning 

Source: my Library

Library Recommendations: A great summer romance for your teen collection - highly recommended.

Picture Book Wednesday: Dino Door

There's a to do list, but a little one isn't that excited about chores.  (Who can blame them really?). Will they get everything done or will play interrupt?

I'm always a fan of Josh Funk's books and this one is super cute. While this book doesn't have a lot of words, it does rhyme. The illustrations are bright and cheerful. The story is funny and charming. This is a great book to read again and again.