Middle Grade Review: The Best Worse Summer of Esme Sun

Esme has two sisters who have their talents. Esme isn't good at anything, but maybe this summer can change that. When her friend is away for the summer, Esme is happy to be swimming at the pool. She grew over the last year. She has to learn to turn again. At the qualifying meet, Esme and her friends each come out near the top during the races. Could Esme finally be good at something?  

Her new friends are "cooler" than Esme. Esme promises the coolest girl that she will be more chill. But Esme can't help being excited about swimming and maybe breaking a pool record.  Can she and her new friends remain friends throughout the summer?

Will this summer be the best or the worst?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. There's so much friendship and family drama. I wasn't Tegan's biggest fan or a huge fan of Esme's mom. Esme isn't ready to grow up yet and I loved that she figured that out. She found things and people that made her happy. I loved the moments about swimming and being part of the team. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library 

Middle Grade Review: Speak Up Santiago

First in a new graphic novel series

Santiago is spending the summer with his grandmother. Everyone on that side of the family speaks Spanish, but he's just learning. His grandmother doesn't speak English that well. He's nervous that they will have trouble communicating. 

Santiago loves playing soccer and found a group of friends. Together, they hope to enter a tournament at the end of the month. But they all speak Spanish too. 

Santiago does pretty well for most of the summer, but he worries about being enough. When he overhears people talking about him and his language barrier, he shuts down. Will it cost him his happiness over the summer?

My Thoughts: I really loved this graphic novel. I love how Santiago was nervous in the beginning, but he found his footing. I loved the moments between him and his grandmother. This graphic novel had a lot of Spanish and English together. It's not an entire bilingual graphic novel, but it's close. I felt bad for Santiago and wanted to wrap in him up in a hug when things went sideways for him. But I did like how everything turned out. I also love that this series is continuing with one of the friends as the main character next. I can't wait to read what happens. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your school and public library

Picture Book Review: The Glow Show

Glow loves his shine; he twirls loving the effect. Everyone loves him, his fans are everywhere. Glow doesn't have friends; he doesn't need them. In fact, he wants even more fans. He leaves home, but things don't go according to plan. 

This is a sweet story about being unique. It's not all it's cracked up to be and sometimes, it's great to be just like everyone else too. I liked the friendships in this book. Everyone needs friends, whether they realize it or not. The squid facts at the end of the book are fantastic.

* Book sent for review 

 

Teen Summer Reading Program (4): We Are Stronger Together

Here is the final week of the summer reading program posts.

I talked about craft ideas for the week 1 and week 2. I talked about food programs for week 3.

And this week I'm talking about book ideas.

It's harder to buy books for this theme for teens. There are a lot more books for kids around kindness, community, and friendship...

There are a lot of older YA titles about friendship but I'm looking for new titles to add to the collection. 

Animals:

What else could you add to this list?

Kids Summer Reading (5): All Together Now

                                          

The past three weeks, we talked about FRIENDSHIP and COMMUNITY and KINDNESS and programs. Last week we talked about DISPLAY IDEAS. 

Go back and check them out if you missed them.

This week it' all about picture books to add to your collection.

Again, I'm focusing on the big three: Friendship, Kindness, and Community.

Kindness:

Feelings and Friendship:

Community:

That's the end of the summer reading posts for kids - stay tuned next week for ideas for teens! 

Review: My Big Fat Heart-Shaped Fail

 

Ever since Paige and Jess spent their spring vacation together - Abby's been feeling left out. She invented a fake boyfriend to cover up the fact that her current crush is dating one of her best friends. She has all these secrets building up inside her. When she and her friends get five free balloons, she decides to write her secrets on paper and release them. She calculates that they will float away and she will feel better,

Abby doesn't expect them to land near the school. She doesn't expect her secrets to become public knowledge. She doesn't expect everyone to gossip about them and attempt to figure out the truth. What was supposed to be a fun day turns into Abby's worst nightmare...

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this middle grade book all about friendship drama, first romances, and being an outsider. I felt really bad for Abby - she had such a hard day and she made such terrible choices. I really did enjoy the I wanted to say vs What I did say moments. I wanted to wrap Abby up in a huge hug. But I do love the way everything turned out. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendations: A great middle grade book about friendship drama - grab this one for your school and public library collections

Review: Salt and Sugar

 

Lari and Pedro's families own bakeries across the street from each other. They've been feuding for generations. But lately things have gotten worse - much worse. First, Lari's beloved grandmother dies. Second, there's a new box store in town taking away lots of business from both bakeries. They are both struggling to survive.

Lari is tired of her mom always fighting Pedro's mom. They need a plan before both of their bakeries go out of business. Could the answer be in working together? Can Lari trust Pedro with her biggest secret - that she can't bake?

My Thoughts: I loved this book - I was almost late for work twice because I lost track of time while reading it. I loved Lari's secret of no knowing how to cook. I felt terrible for both Lari and Pedro as their families didn't listen to their dreams - only the dreams they had projected for them. I was glad when both of them found their voice. I loved the community moments - but they were also sad too. I loved the friendship moments as Lari finally found herself.  It also made me miss my grandmother. I loved the bond between Lari and hers. This book also made me want to bake something amazing. I can't wait to see what the author writes next! 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Netgalley ARC / library book

Library Recommendations: Highly recommended for your school and library collections!

BookTok: Best Wishes

 

 A charming start to a brand-new series about wishes, friendship, and living your best life.

What would you wish for???

@yabooknerdlibrarian Becca’s having the worst day ever until she gets a bracelet in the mail that says Make a Wish! What would you wish for??? #bestwishes #middlegradebooks #booktok #newbook ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

* this book was sent for review

Picture Book Wednesday: Phoebe Dupree is Coming to Tea

Abby wants her tea party to be perfect - but things do not go as planned. 

I love the message that perfection is overrated. The tea party is marvelous just the way it is. And the treats look amazing. The puppy is cute. And I love that second message that it's ok to be yourself - and that you friends will love you for who you are. 

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 

Picture Book Review: When I'm With You

 

Best friends forever - a great story about friendship, love, fun, and support. I love the illustrations of this book. 

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.

Review: Best Worst Summer

Peyton's not thrilled about summer this year. Her parents just moved their family. She doesn't know anyone in town. And she desperately misses her best friend. When he father suggests weeding their new garden, Peyton discovers a time capsule buried in the backyard.

Figuring out the time capsule leads Peyton to the public library for a cassette player. There she meets a boy, who confides in about the time capsule.  Inside the box, Peyton found an apology and one half of a best friend necklace. Something happened between these two best friends. Peyton's determined to uncover the secret in hope that what happened to those friends Doesn't happen to her and Lily. 

Her new friend agrees to help her figure out the story behind the box. Can they solve the mystery behind the box and the ruined friendship?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved the dual timelines and the dual perspectives. I loved both summers - the one that was going to be the worst but ended up better AND the one that was going to be the best but turned out to be the worst. The time capsule (and the second timeline) are from 1989. I loved the 1989 references - to music, fashion, and slang. It put me right back in my childhood - probably around the same age as Jessica and Melissa. It was interested to see the town from both timelines - to see what changed and what remained the same. I loved the friendship moments and the parallels between the two friendships years apart. I'm a huge fan of the author's work, so I wasn't surprised to love this book. If you're a 90s kid, this book is for YOU!

Of course, I loved to NKOTB mentions. How can you not love these killer dance moves?

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A great friendship story for your school and public libraries - Highly Recommended. 

Review: It's Kind of a Cheesy Love Story

 

Beck can't wait to leave her small home town behind - especially the idea of her as the Hot N' Crusty Bathroom Baby. But she has a few more years at home before she can flee. When turns 16, she can't find a job anywhere - except at the pizza place.

Embarrassed by her personal history with the place, she reluctantly takes a job. And she forms a bond with co-workers - especially Tristan. At work, she can be nerdy and embrace the side of her she doesn't show her friends. After a dust up with her friend group, she pulls back from them, leaving her with her co-workers.

But Beck's forced to confront both sides of herself and discover who she really is Is she nerdy? Is she a good friend? Is she a girlfriend? Is she part of the pizza place?

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. I loved the moments in the pizza place the best - from the horrified moments to the fun moments with co-workers to the romance. I actually worked in a take-out pizza place when I was in college. I loved that Beck could be nerdy with her co-workers and how they became friends. I loved how Beck and her co-workers would geek out over their favorite TV show. I wasn't a huge fan of her other group of friends or also the us vs. them moments. But I did like how everything turned out. Another fun book from Lauren Morrill!

Cover Thoughts: Fun

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A fun read for your school and public library - highly recommended.

Review: Start Here

Willa, Taylor, and Finley were supposed to spend the summer after high school sailing from Ohio to Key West in their sailboat. But Finley died before high school ended and made her two best friends promise to go without her.

Willa and Taylor are not really friends. Finley was the glue that held them together. But a promise is a promise...

Finley leads them a list of clues, places to see and experiences to have at stopping points during the trip. It's going to take all summer. Neither Willa nor Taylor is sure they will survive that long in each other's company.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I love friendship stories and road trip books and summer books. All of those combined made this one to read. I liked the dual perspectives. I loved traveling with the two girls and going along on their adventure. They were Brave! I liked how Finley tied them together and that she died very quickly in the beginning of the book. It's not about her; it's about the two girls picking up the pieces of their lives and moving on. It's about discovering yourself and who you want to be (and who you don't want to be). There's romance, summer fun, and a great story. Highly recommend it when you need a summer read. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute! Love the pictures
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A great summer road trip book for your public library's collection

Review: Big Summer

Daphne hasn't heard from her former best friend in years, but Drue is desperately trying to get in touch with her. Daphne's not interested, not after the fight they had all those years ago. It was her most humiliating moment and the moment that changed her life. But that doesn't mean she wants to be friends again.

Drue has a way of getting to people and when she finally comes face to face with Daphne, she does the one thing that Daphne can't believe - she apologizes. And asks her to be in her wedding party.

Daphne's not ready to forget and forgive, but she never could say no to Drue. Daphne's grown up since she last hung out with Drue; she's become stronger and more confident. Sure, she still feels insecure now and then, but she's not about to let Drue devastate her again.  Except...things happen in a way she could never imagine.

My Thoughts: I confess I haven't read a Jennifer Weiner book in years and I'm not sure why. I love her books. And I really enjoyed this one too. I loved the peek into an influencer's life. I loved how Daphne attempted to be both her best self and her true self on Instagram. I love how she found clothes that worked for her and not the skinny model type girls (And with pockets!). I want clothes just like that. I loved the family moments, the talk about friendships, and being brave. My heart broke for several characters in this book. I enjoyed the moments I didn't see coming and how everything turned out.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Jennifer Weiner's book are a must have for your library's collection. 

Re-Read: The Start of You and Me

I don't often re-read books because there are SO MANY books that I want to read. But I remember loving this book. And I wanted to refresh my memory of this book before the sequel (which I actually thought was a companion book at first). 

It was just as good as I remember. And not just the story. The writing was amazing and I found myself re-reading sentences because I loved them. I wish I had written them down, but I didn't.

I fell back in love with the characters and the story and the writing.

I didn't want it to send and luckily, I had the next book to keep myself immersed in the story and these characters. 

I loved the friendships in this book.

I loved how Paige leaned on her friends and how they supported each other.

I loved her bookishness.

I loved how Paige started to move on.

Review: Wish on all the Stars

* Sequel to See You on a Starry Night *

Juliet is settling in to her new town. She's happy to have friends, but she misses her old life - mostly her dad and her best friend. But there are perks to her new town too - the beach, her friends, the ice cream shop, the bookmobile, and the Starry Beach Club. The club tries to help make wishes for others come true.

When Juliet and her friends hear that the bookmobile might be closing, they're devastated. They come up with a plan to stop it from happening. But nothing seems to be working.

Finally they come up with a brilliant idea - a craft fair. Emma and Carmen want Juliet to sell her paintings. The idea makes Juliet nervous. What if no one buys them? What if everyone hates them?

Carmen has a secret that she's holding on to tightly. When she finally reveals it, Juliet feels guilty for her own feelings. Can she summon her bravery and help Carmen feel better, let go of her insecurities about her art, and find a way to help save the bookmobile?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this sequel; I liked spending more time with these characters. I loved getting to know Carmen more. I felt so sad for her and her family and for their fears of deportation. I wish we could change things to make the world safe for everyone.  But there isn't any easy answers, which comes across in the story. 

I love how the girls came together to try to save the bookmobile. I liked their arts and crafts fair - it sounded great. I love how Juliet overcame her shyness about her art work and gave herself a chance. I loved the support from her friends and her family to help her overcome that shyness. I'm glad things are improving with her family and the outcome from the divorce. 

Yet another great story from Lisa Schroeder. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries.

Review: Secret Cookie Club

The four girls at summer camp don't get along until one night their counselor gets special permission for them to bake cookies together. They have so much fun making cookies and throughout the rest of the summer.

On the last day of camp, they're sad to leave one another. But they promise they will each mail off cookies to their new friends. Cookies that might make their troubles disappear...

My Thoughts: A sweet friendship story that's filled with drama and cookies. The book follows each other four girls as they each had trouble with friends, family, or school. A little note from a friend goes a long way. I loved how different the girls were from each other, but how they grew to become friends. I'm so looking forward to the next book in this series. And of course, I wanted to bake cookies and eat them after reading this one! 

Cover Thoughts:
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries