Review: Ground Zero

 

Suspended for fighting at school, Brandon must go with his father to work. But this day changes his life. It's September 11th and his father works at a restaurant at the top of the Twin Towers. Brandon sneaks off to purchase a toy for his friend when he gets trapped in the elevator. 

He's finally able to escape but he realizes there's something not right with the building. Brandon fights to get back to his father. But the way is blocked. Everyone is scared and no one understands what's happening. Brandon encounters a man he met on the elevator that morning. They stick together and hope to find a way out of the building.

My Thoughts: This date is one of those moments in time where you remember where you were. This book wasn't easy to read, but it was a great read. I love how Alan Gratz weaves stories together and twists the plots at the end. Of course this book made me tear up. It showcases the horror of the day but it also asks really important questions.

Cover Thoughts: Wow

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Must have book for your school and public library

Board Books (6): Nostalgic

We just bought a bunch of new board books for our library.

I'll be talking about a few favorites over the next couple months

This week, it's all about nostalgic books

Pete's Dragon anyone?

This story is much happier - about two best friends and one just happens to be a dragon. 

It is a lift the flap book, so many not the best for libraries, but it's super cute.

Alien Baby is taking flight and finding friends throughout space.

This is another lift the flap book - more sturdy than the previous book, but still might be best for personal collections.

A charmingly funny counting story that movie fans will love.

See the happy little trees and more in this book about colors with Bob Ross. Of course the illustrations are fantastic as expected. The colors are paint colors, so they are a little unusual. 

From Prince to the Spice Girls to Queen B to Taylor - this book has so many stars. It's cute but funny and perfect for music lovers.

Perfect for any Disney fan with all the quotes and pictures from movies. This book has cutouts, which the babies will enjoy too. 

Picture Book Review: Books about Fathers

 

Father's Day is just around the corner and I have two great books about Dads.

The first is a board book:

The tie is lifted to reveal a new trophy for Dad.

This board book is a sweet celebration of fathers and all they do for their children. It's diverse and unique. 

* The lift-the-flaps make this a great gift but probably not one for libraries

A child and their two daddies have lots of adventures during play time. This adorable book celebrates family and togetherness. It's sweet and funny. 

** Both books sent for review

All the things that Dads do during the day. Great photographs and sweet sentiment.

Book List: Help Wanted

Yesterday I wrote about It's a Cheesy Kind of Love Story and it made me think about all the YA books featuring characters with jobs. 

So many teens work for spending money or college tuition.

These are just a few of these novels:

Book List:

It's Kind of a Cheesy Love Story by Lauren Morrill 

pizza joint

Made in Korea by Sarah Suk

Small Business Owners

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

Food industry social media managers

Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen

Caterer

Recommended for You by Laura Silverman

Bookstore Worker

Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigidar,

Small Business Owners

Not Pictured:

Late to the Party by Kelly

Retail

When Summer Ends by Jessica Pennington 

Outdoor adventure company 

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

Hotel Cleaner 

What I Thought was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Companion 

52 Reasons to Hate My Father by Jessica Brody

various jobs (52 of them)

Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

Hotel Worker

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.

Picture Book Wednesday: Don't Hug Doug

 

Don't hug Doug - he doesn't like it. He only likes hugs at bedtime from his mother. He refuses all other kinds of hugs. But he does like High Fives, which is what he prefers.

A great way to talk about greeting people, because not everyone is a hugger. It's great for kids to read this book and understand that not everyone is the same. And it's nice to ask before assuming someone likes hugs or high fives. Talking about boundaries and feelings of both yourself and other people.

Library Recommendation: A must have picture book for schools and public libraries.

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Recommendations

 This week's topic is book recommendations. I read The Rose Code because of the Bletchley Park moments - but there were other parts of the book I enjoyed. 

So here are 10 books to read if you like The Rose Code: