Picture Book Review: Books for Memorial Day

Just a few new to the library books:

It's not just the soldier that serves; it's the whole family. This book showcases different soldiers and their family - what they do when they serve and what happens on the homefront while the soldiers are gone. 

The message here is that everyone is strong and everyone has a mission. Everyone serves. The illustrations are lovely. There's so much here to share and talk about. 

One Veteran takes a trip to Washington D.C. as part of a special tour from the Honor Flight Network.

 This book showcases several war monuments and shares that not all Veterans were welcomed home. There's a lovely surprise at the end of the flight. I won't lie, this book made me ugly cry. It's emotional and heartfelt. 

If you or your family served, thank you for your service. 

Picture Book Review: Read All about It

 

Hedgehog's father gives him strict rules to follow. In one day, Hedgehog breaks them all - for a good cause. But is that how his father will see it?

This book talks about rules, helping people, and sharing the news. I love the soft illustrations in this story. I love how it ended on a funny note.

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.

Picture Book Review: I Love You Alotl, I Love You So Much

A pun filled book about love and animals with adorable illustrations. 

This one is a little bit different in that it's a friendship book and not love between a parent and a child. 

Review: Serge and Roscoe

 

Serge is retiring in three days. Roscoe is new to search and rescue, but he's in training. 

They are called up because of a forest fire. The two dogs are forced to be partners. Serge wants to get through the next few days. Roscoe wants to be the best and help everyone, even if that means breaking some rules.

Once they touch down on the fire, they learn a family is missing. Roscoe can smell the family and he heads towards them. He doesn't wait for Serge or their handler. Nothing goes as it's supposed to. Can they find the missing people and survive?

My Thoughts: This took me a minute to get into. While I really did love this book, there were two things that jarred me out of reading. First, the dogs talk to each other - like humans. Second, I didn't like the way Serge reprimanded Roscoe. But I really did enjoy the story. There was so much action and danger that I kept turning the pages because I needed to see what happened. This book did make me cry. * The ending was sweet. 

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My Library

Why I read it: I love dog stories and survival stories

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries

Hand it to: Kids who want action stories or animal stories. 

* Spoiler: Nothing bad happens to the dogs.

Picture Book Review: Secret Agent Splat

Splat notices something just isn't right. He breaks out his tools and gadgets to solve the mystery.

I'm a sucker for spy books, so of course this one was on my list. It's super fun. I love the tools and gadgets Splat uses to solve the case. A fun friendship story with cute illustrations. 

Review: Let's Pretend We've Never Met

Mattie's family moves in the middle of the school year - much to her dismay. They need to be closer to her grandmother, who's aging. Mattie arrives during winter vacation, giving her time to acclimate to the area and unpack. She meets a girl in the apartment building - Agnes.

Agnes isn't like the friends she left behind - Agnes isn't like anyone she's ever known. Mattie has a great time hanging out with Agnes. And then school starts up again.

Mattie soon realizes that Agnes isn't popular, in fact everyone things Agnes is weird. Mattie isn't sure what to do; more than anything she wants to fit in at her new school. Can she be Agnes's friend and fit it or will she have to choose?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - I felt terrible for both girls. I loved Agnes's crafty side and her knowledge that she was different but it was ok to be different. I felt terrible for the break up in their friendship - but I loved how things turned out. It's hard being new in school or at work; navigating social events takes work. I also loved Mattie's grandmother - especially her clue game. Their family time seemed like lots of fun. The friendship and family drama make this book a quick enjoyable read. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have book for school and public libraries - perfect for conversations about friendship, bullying, and inclusivity.

Upcoming Adult Review: The Boy is Back

* Book 4 in the Boy Books * 

When Becky reads about her ex-boyfriend's parents being arrested in the papers, her first thought is that the newspaper made a mistake. There is no way the Stewarts attempted to con their way out of paying for dinner. They were particularly kind to her.

Reed, Becky's ex-boyfriend, finally comes home to help with his parents. The siblings decide that their parents need to downsize from a rundown mansion to a smaller house. They hire Becky and her moving company for the job.

Becky's on the fence about taking the job.  The Stewarts are adamant that they aren't interested in moving, or getting rid of any of their things, including piles and piles of old newspapers. They maintain they aren't losing their minds.

But their decision speak a different truth. Either way, Reed is sticking around to make sure things go smoothly. He's finally going to have to face Becky again after all these years. Can he win her back after that terrible prom night?

My Thoughts: I love how this book is inspired by a crime story in the Bloomville Herald and that it turned into a serious, but entertaining novel. Still told epistolary form - emails, text messages, voice mails, pictures, and more, this novel has a few characters from the previous trilogy making me wonder/hope if this is the start of a new Boy trilogy, set in Indiana. 

I really liked learning more about prom night and what went so terribly wrong. I loved the moments between siblings - Becky and her sister and Mitch, Reed, and Trimble. I liked learning more about Reed's life away from home - the golfing and Uncle Lyle. The conversations between Marshall and Carly were quite entertaining, as were the moments between Marshall and Reed. I do hope to see these characters again!

As to the serious nature of this novel, it addresses the awfulness of parents aging, the question of what makes a hoarder, how easy it can be to go through your life savings, and second chances and forgiveness. 

Of  course, in true Meg Cabot form, there were many amusing moments, moments that touched the heartstrings, and moments that made me sigh with happiness. Another winner of a book.

Cover Thoughts: Really cute
Source: ARC sent for review
Release Date: October 18th
Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for all public libraries

Series Review: Boy Books

Meg Cabot, one of my favorite authors, has a new Boy Book coming out next month. So I thought I would go back and re-read the Boy books. 

Mel is a gossip columnist who's late to work because her neighbor was attacked. HR doesn't find that an excuse, nor do they appreciate her being late to take care of her neighbor's dog while she's in the hospital recovering. Since caring for the do is starting to annoy her boss, she emails the nephew of her neighbor (a rather famous photographer) to come help out. Instead of coming, he calls in a favor. His friend portrays him while he's on vacation. Mel and John hit it off, but how can he explain everything without sounding like a complete idiot?

Kate works for the HR woman who annoyed Mel to no end. Now Amy's gotten herself in hot water after firing the woman who creates desserts for the office. Everyone is unhappy. Ida sues Amy for wrongful termination. Since Kate was responsible for following Amy's orders and firing Ida, she's involved in the lawsuit. Sparks fly between Kate and the lawyer. But Kate isn't interested in lawyers and she just came out of a long relationship and her life isn't together at the moment. 

Jane travels to Italy with her best friend, her fiance, and his best friend. Holly and Mark will elope during the trip. Cal, the best friend, doesn't believe in weddings after his own marriage crashed. Jane's determined to make this the best trip ever for Holly and Mark. She doesn't need Cal's negative attitude. When trouble hits the wedding plans, Holly must come to the recuse. Will Cal help or hinder the process?

My Thoughts: These books still rang true to me upon the second reading. I tore through them. I loved that they were epistolary novels - written in emails, IMs, scrap pieces of paper, journal entries, and more. I loved how the three books were connected through the newspaper. It's fun to see characters from the first book pop in the other books. I love the updates on their lives.

I loved how Every Boy's Got One had little cartoons (as Jane's a famous cartoonist). I wonder if those were drawn by Meg Cabot...I also liked how that book was inspired by the author's own elopement. Reading the afterword about the differences of the wedding was interesting.

As a whole, I found these books to be quick reads, entertaining, and the perfect way to spend an afternoon. 

Review: Foreplay

Pepper has always known that she belongs with Hunter. When her BFF tells her that Hunter is finally single, she knows it's time to make her move.

Except that she doesn't have an experience - as in zero. Her friends drag her to a bad to find a bartender with a hot reputation.

With his help, she'll be ready for Hunter. But the more time she spends with Reece, the more she starts to care for him.  Could there be something more to this relationship than learning?

My Thoughts: Foreplay is the start of a New Adult trilogy and it brings the heat. I really enjoyed this book. I love how it takes places in college and it's centered around three roommates. I like how Pepper came into her own with the help of Reece.  I liked how the relationship between Reece and Pepper developed. I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.

Final Thoughts: I think I'm late on the bandwagon, but this was a perfect New Adult read!

Review: The Carrie Diaries

Carrie Bradshaw lives in a small town that she's ready to escape. She can't wait for her senior year to end so her real life can begin. But even so, she wants to have a killer year to remember. It starts off slow, but soon a boy moves back to town.

Carrie crushed on Sebastian years ago and now that he's back, her heart doesn't stand a chance. In upsetting the most popular girl in school, she snags him for her boyfriend.

While she loves that he picked her, she can't help but wonder if she's good enough for him. She can't give him up, but she doesn't always like the way her treats her. Nor does she always like her behavior when she's around him.

Will she let this boy ruin her senior year fun or is he the key to her happiness?

My Thoughts: While I enjoyed reading about Carrie's life in her teen years, I didn't love this book. I hated Sebastian. I hated Carrie's reaction towards him - and yet in all the girls/women I know, they've been in at least one of this type of relationship. Still, his behavior drove me crazy. I liked watching Carrie struggle with her writing. I liked her relationships with her friends, as you can see little pieces of her character in her adult years. I love the last little bit of the book where she views the world differently. I loved the ending (even though it was predictable). Overall, I'm glad I read the book. I was extremely curious about it and it was entertaining. I wonder if there will be a sequel starting her New York life.

The Cover: Ok, but I liked the UK version better


Source: My Library