Showing posts with label Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Show all posts

Thursday, July 16, 2026

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. 

Friday, July 10, 2026

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.

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

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.