Middle Grade Review: The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society

 

Merrick is now homeschooled. Her grandmother had to move in with her and her mother after the medical bills became too high. There wasn't enough money left over for Merrick's private school. Now she facetimes with her friends but misses them. She never thought she's miss wearing a uniform and going to school, but she does. Her school is in the staff area of her mother's bookstore.

One afternoon, an ice storm hits. The weather turns bad quickly. There's a fender bender between Merrick's Grandmother and her friends. Everyone hurries into the bookstore where they discover a man with his face in a cake - dead. 

The bookstore is connected to an Inn - which gives everyone a place to stay to weather out the storm. But it also means that Merrick and her friends are stuck with a killer on the loose - or so they think. They decide to form a club and sus out the murderer. Merrick's Grandmother overhears them and becomes part of the club. Can they solve the death?

My Thoughts: I'm so happy that this is the start of a new series. I loved this book. I really enjoyed the moments between Merrick and her grandmother. They were sweet.  I loved the group of friends. They all have their strengths and quirks. I loved how the club formed. I loved that they had a notebook for all their clues and would update it. I loved the methodical way they investigated and how different detectives were mentioned along the way. I enjoyed the setting of the inn and the different themed rooms. I loved how this took place in 24 hours because of the storm. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My library

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

Hand this to readers who love The Sherlock Society

Review: Like We Were in Paris

 

Ben is super excited for the school's French Trip in Paris. He's been wanting to go to Paris forever. It's the city where his parents fell in love. After the death of his father, it's more important than ever. He created a list of things to do in the City of Love - one of them is to get over his ex-boyfriend.

But Paris doesn't go as planned. On the first outing to the Louvre, his phone is stolen. He ends up chasing the phone with the chaperone missing the famous art museum - and the Mona Lisa. He can barely eat his dinner. When the free time rolls around for the evening, his teacher insists he stay with Tyler. 

Tyler used to be Ben's best friend before he moved away. Then he moved back and barely spoke to Ben. Ben doesn't understand. Did Tyler forget all the memories they made. Is Tyler mad at him? Either way, Ben is NOT spending his time in Paris with Tyler. He goes his separate ways, but without a phone, he loses track of time.

The hostel where they are staying lock the doors precisely at 10:00 pm. The boys are supposed to be back before. But he's one minute late and the doors are locked. No amount of knocking is working. Ben can't believe he has to spend the night on the streets and will most likely be kicked off of the trip. He's stunned to learn that Tyler is also locked out because he was looking for Ben.

Now they have the night to figure things out, cross off items from Ben's list, and to have the time of their lives.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. I loved that we wandered through the streets of Paris with Ben and Tyler. I loved that it took place (mostly) within 24 hours. I loved how to relationship changed between the two boys and that we saw their friendship from the past. I really liked the other students on the trip. I loved the Ben had a list of all that he wanted to accomplish in Paris - and how even though most of them didn't turn out the way he imagined, he did check them off. I love that this book had me looking up item mentioned. I didn't want this book to end! 

Warning: the book make cause you to want to go wander the streets of Paris.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Book sent for review

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

Review: All We Have is Now

The end of the world is coming - Emerson and Vince are counting down the minutes. They've lived on the streets together for years and they want to die together. They make a choice about how their lives will end, by jumping off a bridge together.

But they meet a man who changes their mind. He talked about helping people with his last moments. He gives the two teens his wallet in hopes that they pay it forward.

That moment changes Everything.

Instead of jumping, they do as he requested helping a couple find romance, rescuing kids, and brightening lives. Vince wants Emerson to find and reconnect with her family, He also wouldn't mind sharing his feelings for Emerson with her. Can the end of the world really change your life?

My Thoughts: I Loved this book. It had many fantastic passages. I thought I had taken a picture of them, but it turns out that didn't happen.) The two that struck home for me were about the library and the carousel. 

I loved the idea behind this book - choosing who to spend your time with and what to do with your potentially last hours alive. I loved the Paying it forward idea. Emerson and Vince made connections that made me heart melt.

I liked thinking about their choices and what my own would have been. I liked learning people's dreams and their biggest hopes. And also their biggest regrets.

I love how the lives were connected in the story.

I felt bad for Emerson and Vince and their struggles that forced them to live on the streets, but I'm glad that they had each other. I like how they were able to make each other laugh, even in the darkest of times. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: My Library
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Final Thoughts: A fantastic book that made me think of my hopes and dreams and what I want out of life. And maybe more importantly, what I can do to make lives better for others.