Middle Grade Review: Secrets and Scones

 

Scarlett has had a rough time of it lately; she's dropped her friends and all her clubs at school due to her mother's blog. Her mom writes a parenting blog that shares intimate details of Scarlett's life. 

Scarlett stumbles across a secret. Her neighbor was taken away in an ambulance. When Scarlett walks by her house, she hears the cat crying. Scarlett discovers a house key and lets herself into the house. As she's feeding the cat, she discovers an amazing kitchen. There's a cookbook on the counter and when it opens to a page, her mouth waters.

Even though she has no prior experience, she decides to bake cinnamon scones. She's desperate to keep her mom from discovering her secret, but the new girl at school catches her. Scarlett swears her to secrecy. The Secret Cooking Club is formed. 

My Thoughts: I felt horrible for Scarlett - being the brunt of her mother's blog. They didn't have the best relationship, but I do like how it grew in this book. I like watching the friendship moments happen and then strengthen. I loved the baking moments. I really enjoyed the baking lessons between Mrs. Simpson and the club. And I confess, I liked the blogging moments and how Scarlett learns to blog. This ended really well and I'm eager to read the second book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: my Library

Why I read it: I love books about baking

Library Recommendation: A good choice for your middle grade collection for school and public libraries 

Picture Book Review: You Can Sit with Me

This is a sweet story about kindness and being a friend. It's the perfect book to share. There aren't many words on the page, making this an accessible story. 

This is a must have book for your library's collection. 

Review: Cruel Summer

 

Their freshman year of high school is over and big summer plans are in the works:

TS is going to London with her posh girlfriend Gemma. Only, she doesn't realize just how posh Gemma really is or how rude her family can be.

Tay is performing with her band and hopefully getting an opening spot, if everyone in the band can agree on their set list.

Teffy is happy with her boyfriend, but once she tells her parents, the secret will be out. Is she ready for more people to know about them?

Taylor is heading to summer camp, but unfortunately so is her ex-boyfriend. What goes from a happy summer quickly becomes horrific....

My Thoughts: The sequel to Love Stories is just as drama filled as the first book. There is plenty of love for Taylor Swift, friendship drama, and romance. I love how these friends support each other through thick and thin. I didn't want to put this book down. I hope there are more in the works about this friend group.

And Easter Egg: Whispering Pines camp in from Jen Calonita's (The Taylor's 0.5) book:

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Must have books for your school and public library for your Taylor Swift fans.

Picture Book Review: The Humble Pie

Pie is humble - he doesn't need to be in the spotlight. His friend Cake loves the spotlight. But when they are teamed up for a project, Pie gets annoyed. Can he have a difficult conversation with his friend? Will his friend still like him?

This is such a great book for those kids who don't love the limelight. Sometimes you do want to be recognized for your work. But there is a fine line. Pie walks this line well, but he challenges himself a little bit.

Middle Grade Review: The Taylors

 

Four girls meet in middle school (5th grade). Each of them is named Taylor - named our course after the greatest singer ever! Three of them have nicknames: Teffy, Tay-Tay, and TS. They bond over their love for their namesake. 

Soon, they start hanging out and quickly become a foursome. They desperately want to attend the ERAS tour when it comes to town, but the tickets are outrageously expensive. They start a friendship bracelet making business in hopes to raise enough money. The Taylors make a pact to go tother or not at all. Will their biggest wish come true?

My Thoughts: This is the first in a new series about these four best friends. I love how they came together in their own little meet-cute. I love how they start connecting and supporting each other. They help each other become better. There are some mean girl moments, lots of friendship drama, lots of Taylor Swift references, and many school moments. I love how everything tuned out for these friends. 

And the books continue with the girls four years later as they start high school:

Cover Thoughts: Adorable!

Source: My Library

Why I Read This: Taylor Swift and friendship and Jen Calonita 

Give this to: Readers who love Taylor Swift and friendship drama

Library Recommendation: A must have book in your school and public library for all our Swiftie Readers!

Picture Book Review: Norman and the Smell of Adventure

 

Norman desires an adventure, but his best friend is a tree and does not wish to leave. Norman sets off on his own. He's not sure what an adventure entails or how to go about having one. 

This has a great message about friendship and what to do when friends aren't interested in the same things. You can still be friends without having to do everything the same. I adore Ryan T. Higgins and all his books. 

Picture Book Review: Best Buds

Spencer is new to town and his mom is worried about him making friends. But right away, he makes friends with a plant. He learns about plants and finds new friends everywhere. Does he really need human friends?

This is a cute story about friendship and being yourself. All the plants have different traits and personalities. Spencer knows what he likes...and what he doesn't. The pictures are lovely. The ending is very sweet. 

Picture Book Review: At the Window

A young child goes on daily walks with the family dog. They always pass by this one house. Often, they spy a woman in the window working. As time passes, they start waving at each other and making small talk. But one day the woman is no longer there and the house if for sale. The house looks lonely, but it sparks something in the young child.

I really enjoyed this book. First because of the friendship between neighbors. Second because of the shift in perspective. I loved the ending. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Lily's Dream

Lily is a fairy who's having a hard time learning how to fly. She's trying so hard, but nothing is working. She discovers a fairy house and forms a friendship with a human that just might help.

The illustrations in this book are stunning. I loved the friendship building and the trust moments. I especially loved the author's note where she talked about friendship and mutual respect. 

* this book was sent for review

Picture Book Wednesday: We Cannot be Friends

Duckie meets Crocodile. She wants to be friends, and it just might have worked. Until a crocodile parent comes by and says that they eat Duckies. Not a good way to start a friendship, but that's not the end...

This is a fun book about friendships and finding new foods to eat. Ame's books are always funny and this is no different. Another winner of a book. 

Middle Grade Monday: Meet Me on Mercer Street

Kacie comes back to town after spending the summer with her cousins to discover that everything has changed. Her best friend has moved away without saying goodbye. The grocery store her family owned is being turned into a chain store. What is happening to her neighborhood? Kacie has all these questions, but no one is giving her answers. 

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book and it's exploration of what makes a community. I felt terrible for Kacie discovering that her friend left without saying goodbye. But I love how she found a new friend. I love how she draws everything and then is able to share things that happened. And that ending! It's a delightful story. This is a hybrid novel - half novel and half graphic novel.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Why I read this book: The tagline hooked me (Harriet the Spy meets Front Desk)

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your graphic novel collection.

Children's Graphic Novel Review: Operation Cover-up

* First in a new series *

Both Nick and Sid are starting a new school today - but they have different classrooms. Both of them gets mislabeled - Nick as a class clown and Sid as a brainiac. Neither of them was to disappoint their new friends. When they learn the truth about each other, they decide to team up and help the other. Will their new friends discover the truth about them?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this friendship graphic novel. Nick and Sid both had a hard time showing people their true shelves. But I loved how they came together to help each other and eventually became friends. I love how they inspired others to embrace their true shelves too. What a great message. I'm so looking forward to the next graphic novel in this series. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great graphic novel for your school and public library's collection

Middle Grade Graphic Novel: Wires Crossed

 

Mia's happy when her camp friend moves to town. She can't wait to hang out with him. But Tariq becomes super popular and Mia is not. Her best friend is friends with the popular crowd and is trying to mold Mia into a clone. Mia doesn't care about boys. 

Mia is more interested in the science Olympics. She's gathered a team and they've decided to build a snake robot. Mia starts hanging out with the other girl on her team. The popular kids think she's weird, but she and Mia hit it off.  Why is middle school so hard?

My Thoughts: This was a cute graphic novel filled with all the friendship drama. There's so much going on in middle school: popularity, crushes, and figuring out who you want to be. I loved watching Mia navigate through this all. I loved the robot building moments. I loved her family - even though they were weird. They embraced it. I love how everything turned out. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library 

Middle Grade Review: Same Page

Bess is super excited to become class President. Plus, her good friend June is Vice-President. Together, they help their librarian pick books for the school's new book vending machine. But the next day, several of the books are missing. 

Bess is ready to fight against censorship and banned books. When she finds out June's mom is behind the missing books, she's not sure what to feel. Does June think the same why? Why isn't she speaking up?  Is Bess wrong about their friendship?

My Thoughts: This was a really good book about a really hard subject. I really loved Bess. I was impressed at how spoke up and how she was determined to do the right thing even though it was hard. I felt badly for her and June with their friendship struggles. It's hard to read about banned books and censorship right now, but this was a book I couldn't put down.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library

* Animal: There is a missing animal, but it works out

Picture Book Review: Porcupine and Cactus

 

Porcupine thinks he meets a new friend - but cactus isn't too talkative. Porcupine tries all the tricks but Cactus doesn't say anything. He's so disappointed that they are not friends, but he has to come back because he left his hat. Under the hat, there's a surprise. 

My Thoughts: This is a cute story about an unlikely pair who despite the odds become friends. I love the ending.

Picture Book Review: Sandcastles are Forever

Cora and Shelley live on the beach. They love making sandcastles together. They get to create them every day since they wash away at night. But Shelley is moving and Cora is upset! Cora and her mom have a conversation that makes Cora feel a little bit better. 

This is great summer story about friendship and communication. I love how Cora's mom related friendship to building sandcastles. The ending is sweet. 

* Book sent for review

Review: The Summer Book Club

 

One summer changes the lives of three women:

Paris grew up without the skills to cope with emotional stress. Her anger lead to the break-up of her marriage and the loss of a career. After years of therapy, she's living in her hometown. She owns a farm stand. Life is good - but she's thrown a curveball when her ex-husband comes back to town.

Laurel, Paris's best friend, has moved on from the hurt of her divorce. But it's still wreaking havoc in her daughters' lives. Her oldest daughter is under the impression that all men let you down. She is so angry with her father. After a teacher brings this to her attention, Laurel is determined to find a male role model for her daughter.

Cassie's family decide it's time for her to finally leave the nest. She drives from Maine to the other side of the country where she finally views her inheritance. There she meets Paris and Laurel.  They form a tight friendship. She finds a job and an apartment. 

Together, they inspire and push each other to make chances. It will be a summer they will never forget.

My Thoughts: It took me a little bit to get into this book and then I was hooked. I didn't want to put the book down. I enjoyed each of their stories - their faults and the accomplishments. It wasn't hard to root for any of them. My heart broke for Laurel's daughters and their moments with their father. I loved how Cassie fit in right away and how she found her place outside of her family. There was so much supportive friendship moments in this book - even the moments of tough love. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming - although it isn't a moment from the book

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your public library's collection. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Friendships

 This week's theme is all about friendship. I love a good friendship story.  Here are some of my favorites:

Some all time favorite friendships:

Some friendships from books I've read this year:

Picture Book Wednesday: Old Friends

Marjorie doesn't have any friends her age - her interests are not the same as the other kids. She desperately wishes for a friend. One day, she finds a place that lists all her interests - but it's the senior center. But is she too young?

A funny and sweet story about a young girl finding friends at the senior center. I love the idea that you can find friends anywhere. And it's sweet how they all have the same interests and share their talents. 

Spooky Review: Boo! Hiss!

Best friends live together - until a family moves in. They don't need a family living in their space. First, they move everything. Then they're super loud - especially the baby. Ghost and Snake just want their house back! They decide to scare them into moving out. But it turns out differently than they expected!

My Thoughts: This graphic novel is super cute! I loved the friendship story - how they fight and make up. I love their reaction when the family moves in. Their scaring tactics are funny. The ending is sweet. And the illustrations are charming.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: Book sent for review

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