Review: You Won't Know I'm Gone

* Sequel to You Don't Know My Name *

Reagan's learning to deal with her grief, but it's hard - especially when all she wants is Revenge. She wants to destroy Torres. But right now she needs to keep her anger in check. Because her actions have cost her - not only the life of her mother but her spot as a Black Angel.

Now the only way back in is through the normal training channels. Over the past six months, she's lost muscle and weight. She's going to need every bit of her strength back and then some if she hopes to make it through the academy.

While she has some people on her side, she also has a huge target on her back. There are plenty of people who want to see her fail. Reagan just needs to keep her anger in check and her head down. Does she really want this life?

My Thoughts: I loved this sequel - for the action, the danger, the friendships, the forbidden romance, and for Reagan. I loved watching her struggle and find herself and understand what she wants from life. I enjoyed the bits at the Academy where she fought for her spot. I love the training exercises. I can't believe that ending and I need the next book immediately! 

Cover Thoughts: Matches the first really well
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: Grab this series for both your public and school libraries.

Take Your Child to the Library Day

Yesterday was the 6th annual national Take Your Child to the Library Day. Each year people are throwing bigger and bigger events and getting tons of people coming to the library.

This year, we had a wolf themed event - mostly because it coincided with the wolf track events which we were already planning. The wolf tracks have facts about wolves and then lead to a display on wolf books.

We purchased some fun new books for the event.

Around the room at all the tables, we had wolf stations with crafts:

We had a little library play station

We had a how to draw a wolf cub station for older kids

This one is my favorite - a Wolf Crime Scene where you fill out paperwork on the wolf, creating a story along the way

A arctic wolf craft

Coloring Sheets - All Wolves of course

A wolf mask

The only thing we didn't have was a wolf at the library. Oh, well there's always next year!

Review: The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora

Arturo can't wait for summer - until a business developer moves into town and threatens to ruin everything.

He's working at his family restaurant a few days a week; he's proud of the restaurant. And he's proud of his family.

The new developer wants to create a mega apartment building, complete with shops, entertainment, and restaurants. He cares nothing about the small family business.

When Arturo learns that the restaurant is in serious trouble, he becomes determined to save it.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I loved Arturo's big family and how they argued, laughed, and loved. I loved all the talk about food and the restaurant bits. I loved how his family and friends tried to save the restaurant - from the protests to the town meeting. I really loved his grandmother. Lots of family, friendship, and food mixed together for one enticing read.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My library
Read for the Cybils Middle Grade Award
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public library

Romance Review: Moonlight Over Manhattan

* End of a trilogy *  

After a difficult childhood, Harriet came to rely on her twin and older brother. Now that her siblings have found true love, she’s ready to take back control of her life. So she's going to do something challenging every day, something that scares her. 

Harriet attempts online date, but it's an epic disaster.She twists her ankle jumping out of a bathroom window to escape a date. But she does meet a handsome doctor who looks at her ankle.

Dr. Ethan Black isn't having the best night in the E.R., in fact he's surprised when he meets Harriet. She's not the typical patient and that intrigues him. But knowing his relationship hang ups, nothing happens.

The two meet again when her dog walking business collides with his life. His sister leaves her dog with him for a few days. Ethan isn't used to having a dog in his life and the second meeting between the two doesn't go well. Ethan comes home to chaos after a horrific day and loses his temper causing Harriet and Madi discomfort.

Ethan has to convince Harriet to leave Madi with him. But she rearranges her schedule to give Madi more attention. Dog sitting is outside her comfort zone, but talking to Ethan isn't anymore. The more time she spends with him, the more she relaxes with him. Ethan knows there’s something about Harriet, but he also knows that he’s terrible at relationships. Is it worth the risk?

My Thoughts: I loved this trilogy about the three siblings finding love. I love how Harriet challenges herself and gain confidence. The challenges lead to some funny moments, but also some very serious reflection. I love her conversations with Ethan and how they both grow more comfortable with each other. I loved Ethan's friend from the ER. Of course I loved the bit in Vermont and seeing old friends from the Snow Crystal resort. It was wonderful to see old friends again. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library
Reviewed: Fresh Fiction (upcoming)
Library Recommendation: Grab this trilogy for your public library!

Movie Matinee: The Post

The Washington Post was a family run paper, looking to make a bigger name for itself. When Katharine Graham's father died, he left the paper to her husband. She only took over when he committed suicide. It wasn't supposed to be forever - or even a significant amount of time. But then the New York Times ran an expose on the cover-up about the Vietnam War. And everything changed. They had choices to make...

My Thoughts:
I really like the movie.
It was a slow start, but picked up at the end
I loved the newspaper mechanics part
The acting was wonderful, what else would you expect?
I loved learning more about this era
I really liked the powerful part at the end.
The idea of friendship and newspapers was very interesting.
And of course the ending was funny.

I admit I was a little disappointed that it wasn't more of a feminist movie, that the determination of Katharine came only at the end. But it does make me want to read more about her, because I suspect there is more to the story.

Picture Book Review: Happy Dreamer

 

There are no dreams too big or too small, but there are lots of different types of dreams!

I loved this book, so full of the power of dreams. The illustrations are super fun and the emotions run through it. I love seeing all the different creative types. Even if the dreams fail, there's always moving forward, which is important to see. 

Another great picture book for public and school libraries!

Graphic Novel Review: Spinning

Tillie has a love/hate relationship with skating. After she moves to Texas, her life changes. She still wakes up before dawn to practice her figure skating and arrives after school to practice her synchronized ice skating.

In moving and switching everything, Tillie feels lost in the ice skating world. She has to find new friends. She puts her energy into skating and excels, but she doesn't love it anymore. She can't bring herself to quit, but she's miserable, especially after her first girlfriend breaks up with her.

Can she find a way to be happy again?

My Thoughts: I devoured this book. I couldn't wait to see what happened to Tillie. I loved the skating world, even the terrible moments. I felt bad for Tillie as she went through the world miserable and questioning everything, not letting people get to close to her. I loved it when she found friendship, acceptance, and of course herself. The drawings were wonderful. I haven't read too many graphic novel memoirs, but if there anything like this, keep them coming. I'm eager to see what she does next!

I feel like this one is perfect for kids who might be too young for Shannon Hale's Real Friends, but could use a similar read.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Fun Fact: January is National Ice Skating Month. So for more novels about ice skating, check out this post from a few years ago.

Library Recommendation: Perfect for public libraries and middle school and high school libraries.