Middle Grade Monday: Art Attack

* Book 3 in the Sherlock Society series * 

Ever since their last case got media attention, people have been asking The Sherlock Society for help with their cases. They set up a website and start going through the proposals. The case they decide to take comes with a giant prize tag - if successful.

They're to unmask the vigilante graffiti artist Funky Monkey in hopes that the artist will paint a mural for a local business. The group decides that they will bring the proposal to the artist and Funky Monkey can decide from there.

Of course, there is a deadline, and other teams might be working on the same goal. Can the Sherlock Society figure out this newest mystery?

My Thoughts: I love this series and this book was an excellent addition to the series. I'm glad the FBI guys were back - but I would have liked more with them. They are so funny. The spirit week was kind of funny. I loved learning about graffiti and artists. I really love Alex and Zoe's grandfather. He's a gem. The banter between him and Lina about technology is adorable and funny. It does make me miss my grandfather. The nod to TOAST was great - readers of the Framed trilogy will get a kick out of that. All the twists and turns made me want to keep reading and not put the book down. Looking forward to many more books in this series!

Cover Thoughts: I love how the flashlights highlight the art

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: The Sherlock Society series is a must have series for your school and public library! 

Publication Date: September 8

Review: Wildlife Rescue

 

* Book 3 in the Wildlife Rescue series *

A turtle gets hit by a car and needs help. Luckily the local wildlife hospital is there. Twins Ana and Sofia are visiting their cousins, who volunteer with the animals. Ana and Sofia get to visit the hospital and help take care of the tortoises. 

They learn the road where the turtle was hit is very dangerous for tortoises. And people drive too fast on it, causing more injuries. They want to come up with a plan to help. But will anyone listen?

My Thoughts: I accidentally read book 3 first. I felt like I missed some of the back stories. But it wasn't hard picking up the story. I love what the kids did to raise awareness about the tortoises. I felt bad for Ana, the twin who follows her sister's lead. But she starts making her own choices about what she wants to do. It must be hard to be a twin. I loved the tips on how to help animals in the back of the book. I'm looking forward to reading the rest in the series. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: This is the perfect series for an animal lover.

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.

Middle Grade Review: Treasure of Ocean Parkway

* Book 2 in the series *

Thea discovers a clue hidden in a closet in her apartment. She knows exactly who should help her solve it - the podcasters from her apartment building. She finds Roya and Amin and pitches them the idea, a new mystery for their next podcast.

The clue is a treasure hunt from her grandfather. Her dad won't talk about him; they don't have a good relationship. Currently her grandfather lives in a home for people with dementia. The clues are supposed to lead to a treasure within the apartment building. 

Can they solve the clues and find the treasure or is it lost forever?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this sequel. I felt bad for Thea as she was lonely without her sister for company and she barely saw her parents.  I love that she gave from a long time of artists. I love how she became friends with Roya and Amin over the course of figuring out the puzzles. I love how the puzzles here related to the building and also art. Amin's train contest was a fun side story. I love how they set this up for another book in the series. I hope there are several more in the works. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Why I Read This One: I loved the first book - and the combination of mysteries and podcasts

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your middle grade collections.

Middle Grade Review: Europa

* Book 7 in the City Spies series * 

There's a chatter of a major attack coming. Tru asks her team to review the evidence. Her adult agents are looking at an attack on London, but the City Spies think it's happening in Paris. They have a way of looking at things a little bit differently. It helps that they're teenagers. Could this be the work of a threat they thought they contained?

My Thoughts: As this is book 7, I don't want to say too much. But I loved it! I loved the moments with Tru - and her puzzles, games, and history. I liked learning more about the history of spies in England. I even learned about art. I love books that make me research, and I did look up some of the art mentioned. This series is fantastic and honestly, I never want it to end. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your public and school library's collection. 

* this book comes out tomorrow

Middle Grade Review: Hunt for the Silver Dragon

 

* Book 7 in the Curious Cat Spy Club *

Kelsey, Becca, and Leo are out hunting for lost animals when they come across a sheep with an arrow through its leg. They immediately call their parents to take over. Kelsey's mom forbids her daughter from investigating the matter - saying it's too dangerous.

This leads to Leo to advantage of an opportunity. He's hoping to change school and attend the gifted school. Becca and Kelsey have a massive fight over a boy. Becca's interested in the new volunteer at her mom's animal sanctuary. But Kelsey doesn't trust him. 

When the Sherriff asks Kelsey for some help, she's happy to go undercover and investigate. She's not happy to keep the truth from Becca. Will the friends recover? Will the mysteries be solved?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I love the friendship moments and the animal moments. I love how many animals find forever home or are reunited with their families. I felt terrible about the friendship drama between Becca and Kelsey. And also terrible for the animals. There was such a cast of characters in this book. I had to keep turning the pages to see how everything turned out. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

 Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A fantastic mystery series for animal lovers. 

Middle Grade Review: Ancient Egypt

 

* Book 11 in the History Smashers series * 

Kate Messner talks about the history of Ancient Egypt: including the myths, lies, and half-truths. It's hard to uncover the truth when rulers try to wipe out mentions of previous rulers and the language is unknown and hard to decipher. 

My Thoughts: I've always been fascinated with the pyramids. I love the idea of breaking the code of hieroglyphs. I loved hearing about the lady rulers. I knew some of these myths, but not all. This is a fascinating read. I confess I wish there had been a map to go with the book, I confess I don't the cities of Egypt. 

Cover Thoughts: Eye-catching and clever

Source:  Book sent for review

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

* I have read about half of these and I need to read the rest 

Top Ten Tuesdays: Favorites Series

 This week's topic is all about finished favorite series. Here are some YA series.

For me a series is five books or more. 

We did this topic 15 years ago, take a look at my thought then. I have a number of series I'm still reading.

Princess Diaries 

The Selection

Throne of Glass series 

Gallagher Girl series 

Vampire Academy and the spin-off Bloodlines 

Angus Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging 

Grave Mercy 

I feel like I'm missing some. There are so many great trilogies and 4 book sets, but not as many finished series that I've read.

Middle Grade:

Canterwood Crest

Lightning Thief 

What kinds of series books do you read?

Middle Grade Review: Masters of Disguise

 

* Book 6 in the Forgotten Five series * 

I can't talk about this book too much because of spoilers for the series.

But like all the other books, it's full of action, danger, and drama.

Everything is coming to head before the last book. 

I can't wait to see how everything plays out, but I also don't want this series to end. 

I highly recommend this series. 

Review: Bulletproof Barista

 

* Book 20 in the Coffeehouse Mystery series *

Claire Cosi is excited that her coffeehouse will host a smash TV hit, Only Murders in Gotham. The show will use their coffeehouse on location - and their baristas will have background acting jobs. When a man collapses on the sidewalk, Claire learns it's not the first accident on the set. 

But the star actor doesn't want to talk about it. He sweeps everything under the rug and labels it an accident. Claire isn't so easily swayed. She's got her eyes and ears open. With so much going on, she's not about to let anything happen to her staff. 

My Thoughts: This is one of the longest series I've been reading. I love the foodie bits - all that talk about pastries and coffees make me crave a hot chocolate and goodie. I would love to hang out at this coffeeshop in real life - but maybe not with all the bodies. I loved the TV show scenes in this book. I loved learning more about the production of show. This show sounds a lot of like Only Murders in the Building. I'm already looking forward to the next book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A highly recommended series for your public library's collection. 

Middle Grade Review: Spy Ski School

* Book 4 in the Spy School series * 

During winter vacation, Ben's been called up on a mission. He's been activated with a few friends from school. He's supposed to infiltrate a skiing group and befriend Jessica Shang. If he can get close to her, maybe we can figure out her father's secrets.

Jessica's father has rented out the entire hotel. The only way to get close to her is through a ski class. Since it's for beginners, it's lucky that Ben's never skied before. Jessica's father doesn't want anyone getting close to his daughter. He's always showing up at the worst time for Ben. Will Ben ever figure out his secrets?

My Thoughts: I really enjoy this series. I love the fact that Ben's friend from home followed him to the ski slopes and accidentally inserted himself in the mission. I can't wait to see what happens next between these two friends. I enjoyed the moments between Ben and Erica. I really liked how Erica wasn't great at skiing - as she is at everything else. It was kind of refreshing. Another fun addition to this action-packed series. 

Cover Thoughts: Fun

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your graphic novel collection!

Review: Mindy Kim Big Sister

 

* Book 11 in the Mindy Kim series * 

Mindy Kim's stepmom - Julie is pregnant. The baby is arriving any moment. They want the gender of the baby to be surprised. Mindy isn't sure what to expect. She's been the only child for so long. She asks her friends for advice.

Once the baby arrives, things are hard. The baby cries all the time. But Mindy isn't sure how to help. She wants to play with her brother, but he's too small for most interactions. Can she be the best big sister?

My Thoughts: I love this series. I love Mindy's big heart. I love how she wants to help but isn't sure how. I love how she seeks advice from her friends. The solution she comes up with is super cute. I can't wait to read more about Mindy and her new brother. I hope this series continues for a long time. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school or public library.

Review: Who Was Ernest Shackleton

 

Even as a boy, Ernest longed to be at sea. That never changed.

My Thoughts: I didn't know too much about Ernest Shackleton's life expect that he traveled to Antarctica. Now I know a little bit more. From the time he was young, he wished to be at sea. He didn't like school. He was a big competitor and wanted to make his mark on the world. He was brave, keeping his wits about him in the cold. 

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Another good addition to this must have series. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Series Books

 This week's topic is all about series - so here are ten series (for me a series means more than 5 books) that I am still reading. 

Whatever After series - book 16 (kids)

Bakeshop Mystery #18 - adult cozy mystery

Domestic Diva series - #17 adult cozy mystery

Cupcake Bakery Mystery #16 - adult cozy mystery

Her Royal Spyness #17 - cozy mystery

Enola Holmes #9 - middle grade historical mystery

City Spies book #5 - more are on the way.

Middle Grade Thriller

Keeper of the Lost Cities #9 - middle grade books

Going to be a series:

Book 4 in the Forgotten Five books. Book 5 is on the way

One book I need to become a series! 

Book 4 in the Saddlehill Academy books. 

Book 5 is not in the cards as the moment, and I NEED the next book. 

Have you read any of these?

Middle Grade Review: Princess Protection Program

Sleeping Beauty awakens when the prince kisses her, but she's not thrilled about the kiss. She leaps up and runs off. She instantly gets transported to a boarding school for Princesses. There, they are safe from their stories.

Some of the fairy tales have horrible stories. This school attempts to keep all the princesses safe. The first night she arrives, she notices two girls sneak out of the school. She follows them to a pizza shop. There Rosamund becomes friends with Sienna and Rana.

Breaking the rules has consequences, Sienna gets sucked back into her story. Rosamund has so many questions. No one wants to answer her questions, but she notices that something strange is going on.  Can she figure out what's going?

My Thoughts: This took me a little bit to get into this book - but once I did, I was hooked. I loved seeing all the Princesses. This is a great feminist story. I loved the big question of the book: can someone change their story. Some fun moments: pizza is magical and unicorns are entertaining. I loved the moments of sisterhood and friendship. Of course, cleaning is the worst. This is the start of a new series - I'm looking forward to the next book! 

Cover thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: This is such a fun book and will be easy to give readers.  

Author Interview: Jessica Burkhart

 

I'm so excited to be talking with Jessica Burkhart today. 

I loved her Canterwood Crest series and I was so happy to learn about the Saddlehill Academy books.

Currently there are four books out in the series AND I will tell you that there are mentions of Canterwood Crest characters! 

Read my reviews of all four books here. 

How many books could there be in the series?

Right now, I’m contracted for four books, but if readers pick it up and it sells well, there could be more. I’m hopeful there will be, but I don’t have any answers yet about the series continuing. It’s sad not to know already because with Canterwood, there were 20 books, and that’s what I’d hoped for Saddlehill Academy. But I’m afraid pushback from some bigots about the main character being queer in a sport that’s historically been incredibly straight and white has impacted the sales. Plus, It’s a really rough climate to be writing LGBTQ+ middle-grade novels. 

Still, I hope there will be additional novels, and I’ll write as many more as my publisher wants! 

I hope there are many more because I NEED to know what happens next! 

How much fun was it to go back to the Canterwood Crest characters?

So. Much. Fun. It’s a lovely blast from the past to see these characters that I’ve lived with in my head for so long. They’re all adults (!) now, which is wild. Returning to Canterwood Crest and some of my favorite characters has been a dream, and I hope OG Canterwood readers are having fun with their cameos in Saddlehill!

I am loving hearing about favorite characters. 

Is it hard or fun to write a mean girl scene? And why?

It’s…shockingly easy for me. I don’t know what that says about me as a person, haha. But I love writing mean girls and coming up with the sabotage and their arguments is such a fun part of the job. 

Are you the type of person who holds a grudge? 

Not usually, no. If a person wrongs me and apologizes, I’ll typically give them another chance. Most of my mean girls in Canterwood and Saddlehill sure do hold grudges, though! 

How do you come up with all the wonderful ideas for the drama?

 

I try to ask myself “what’s the worst that could happen?” within the framework of a scene and go from there. I pull ideas from media I’ve consumed and then put my own spin on them to fit the scene. 

The drama is so good. I never want to put these books down. 

Thank you so much for interviewing me, Jen! And happy Pride Month to all! 

Happy Pride everyone! 

Review: Fergus and Zeke and the Great Farm Field Trip

 

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* Book 6 in the Fergus and Zeke series *

The classroom is learning about farms and where food come from. They are going on a field trip to the farm and the class pets - Fergus and Zeke sneak into a backpack. They are so happy to be going to the farm too. 

But they have a hard time on the farm. They're too small to enjoy most moments. But they do end up having fun.

My Thoughts: I love this series. Fergus and Zeke are super cute. I love how they participate in activities on the sly. A funny charming book about having fun on your own terms.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your early readers for your school and public libraries.

Middle Grade Review: Dangerous Allies

 

* Book 4 in the Forgotten Five series * 

Things are heating up in the war of the Supers. The Forgotten Five are feeling the pressures of betrayal and attempting to heal from the trauma their parents inflicted. It's not easy sorting through emotions, especially when you feel alone. They're struggling to know who to trust. They're also trying to answer one of life's biggest mysteries: can people change? 

My Thoughts: I love this series - there's lots of action, danger, and secrets shared. This book has lots of feelings - feeling of betrayal and working through trauma. The ending of the last book surprised me, but I enjoyed how that played out.  I can't wait to see what happens next to this group. 

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your library 

Graphic Novel Review: Sunny Makes her Case

* Book 5 in the Sunny series *

Sunny isn't sure which club she chooses. Her friend wants to try out for cheerleading. She convinces Sunny to try out too. But Sunny doesn't make it; she doesn't have the coordination. She's just not sure what to do. But then another friend has another idea - debate club.

There is no official debate club at their school, but together they try to make it happen. It takes them time to finds an advisor, but once they do, they start practicing. Could the club become a success?

My Thoughts: I loved this one. I love how Sunny swung from cheerleading to debate club. I love how she threw herself into her new club. I really loved reading about debate prep. There were funny moments - especially with the boys who never knew about the debate team. Middle school is always hard, but graphic novels like this one makes it a little better. I'm always here for more Sunny books. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - I love the power suit!

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public libraries