The Presidents’ Tailor

The Presidents’ Tailor by Kathleen Smith tells the real-life story of a man named Georges de Paris who served as a tailor to nine Presidents of the United States as well as the UK’s Prime Minister Blair. The first thing readers will notice is the beautiful cover, which shows Georges with all of the Presidents he served. The fine detail in this illustration, with its rich colors, will draw both children and adults into this book.

Written in rhyme, The Presidents’ Tailor has a delightful rhythm to its prose. The feeling of the book is both nostalgic and happy. Readers learn that Georges was born in France and sailed to Washington, D.C.. The book shows all nine Presidents whom he designed and created suits for. These Presidents were Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Throughout the book, we see Georges at work, measuring and cutting fabric, and fitting the Presidents for the suits they preferred.

The illustrations in The Presidents’ Tailor are by Nimali Udugama and are brilliant from cover to cover. The way Nimali uses a variety of real-world colors and pairs them with shading to create a 3D effect had me staring at each illustration for several minutes. Udugama captures the expressions of Georges and all of the Presidents perfectly, and I enjoyed seeing Georges work his magic with each of them. My favorite President was Ronald Reagan, and I love how Smith tells readers about his love for jelly beans. I remember this about him as a child and loved that even though he was an adult, he still loved candy!

 The Presidents’ Tailor highlights the life of a man who most people don’t know about because he was behind the scenes creating beautiful garments for the Country’s leaders. I truly enjoyed learning about Georges and each President he worked with. The suits he created were worn to some of the Country’s most important events, such as the State of the Union and Obama’s acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize. Gerald Ford was even buried in a de Paris suit.

This book will appeal to young and old readers alike. This is a fun book for children to learn a little about an interesting man and some facts about our past Presidents. I would recommend this fabulous book to people of all ages and genders.

For further information and ordering, please visit www.kathleensmithbooks.com


You Can't Be a Pterodactyl!

In You Can’t Be a Pterodactyl, after Tommy’s teacher tell the class that they can be anything they want, Tommy says he wants to be a pterodactyl, the whole class laughs, and the teacher tells him he must pick something else. Tommy, however, holds tight to his dream despite the negative comments of others at his school and the laughter of mean kids on the bus.

At home, Tommy’s dad asks the most logical question of all: why does Tommy want to be a pterodactyl? With thought, Tommy realizes he wants to rise above problems, but come down and help when he wants. With this new understanding, Tommy’s dad supports and encourages Tommy’s dream, and Tommy grows up to fly Pterodactyl Sea Rescue!

This is a heartwarming story that tells children not to give up their dreams, even when the world sends conflicting messages. Instead, hold on and wait for those who listen and provide support. Even the dreams others think are the craziest can be realized in some way. What a wonderful message to give our youngest dreamers.


The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle (Edinburgh Nights, 3)

It's supposed to be a simple job: wait hand and foot on the attendees of the Society of Skeptical Enquirers’ biennial conference. And maybe steal something no one will miss. But when a scroll is stolen and a Librarian murdered, fifteen-year-old ghostalker Ropa is put in charge of finding the truth. She can do it, she knows she can, and more importantly, her mentor and everyone else are counting on her. If she fails, there could be war, and she could lose everything she's working toward.

Ropa is a fascinating character, one that I found liking and disliking at times, but she feels real. The ending left me wanting to read the next book. This is the third book in the series; it's not necessary to read the others to understand what's going on, but if you want to continue reading the series after this one, you will want to read the others. The mystery was good; the clues are there, and as the truth is revealed, none of it was a surprise, but it's not super obvious either.


A Song So Black, So Proud!

A Song So Black, So Proud illustrates the lyrical text explaining the story behind the iconic James Brown song, representing the courageous pronouncements of Black pride and power during the Civil Rights movement. Owens provides the story behind the music and how Brown struggled to secure radio plays. As an add-on, the author dedicates a spread about the history of collective Black struggle and hard-fought triumphs through the centuries. R.J. Owens’ poetry alludes to transformation and renewal, while Keisha Okafor’s illustrations depict joy and elation. Readers of all ages will share in celebrating the cross-generational aspirations toward freedom and justice, embodied in a song that declares uncompromising dignity in Black identity and heritage.

The book serves as a history lesson and declaration of unwavering struggle for equity. I read it from my vantage point as a Gen Xer immigrant woman of color who stands firmly with the Black Lives Matter movement. I learned a lot about the song's meaning and how its significance has evolved to empower a new generation.  This book offers an opportunity for different generations to learn from each other. Young readers gifted with the counsel of elders who lived through the Civil Rights Movement would see parallels in the current struggle for Black liberation.


Bessie: A Novel

Inspired by the true story of Bess Myerson, Bessie begins in 1936, when an overly tall twelve-year-old Jewish girl is cast as Olive Oyl in a school play. After bemoaning the fate her physique has given her, she dives into research, finding some strength in the older Popeye strips and a way to make Olive Oyl her own.

Less than ten years later, she is Miss New York, prepared to become the first Jewish Miss America.

Bessie only focuses on Bess Myerson’s early life, from adolescence through the end of the war. In her, Kass has given us a heroine who grows and adapts to a changing, difficult world, blossoming from an uncertain teen to an ambitious young woman. This would be a good book for high school readers interested in women’s history, especially of the 1940s. Adults may find the narration rather flat and simplistic. While reading, I looked up Bess Myerson, and I felt the book ended before the really interesting part of her life began.

I would recommend this book to teenagers, mostly to those who are still growing into themselves. I think they will get the most out of it.


The Heart of It All

Although it seems that Christian Kiefer is a man of many talents, avocations, responsibilities and interests, he self-defines as a novelist. One can clearly see, however, that his interest in music contributes to the rhythm, pace and vibrancy of his prose. THE HEART OF IT ALL is his fourth novel and one that is clearly up to date in terms of its politics and consciousness of a renewed focus on local community. Kieffer crafts vignettes about the townspeople in an economically dying town in Ohio — although it could be Anywhere, USA. From the moment we meet the main character, Tom Bailey, we are pushed into anxiety about the future of his marriage, his children, his co-workers and the struggling town. In much the same way as George Bailey in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, who is thrown off course by the illness of his daughter, Zuzu, Tom and his family have been devastated by the death of their infant son. The book opens with a vivid description of Tom receiving the “death casseroles” offered by his neighbors and friends after the funeral.

The reader’s anxiety is not relieved by the focus on other townspeople. Each of them, in their own way, struggles with low wage jobs, no jobs, loss and its attendant grief. As engaging as these intertwined stories are, the main focus is the exquisite words used by the novelist in bringing us into hyperreality about his characters’ situations and trials. I had to bring my dictionary to the story and was enriched because of it. Do not fear the presence of current politics in this book; it is a loving tribute to family and community strengthened by adversity.


Fruit of the Dead: A Novel

I was so hopeful about this novel from Rachel Lyon, but Fruit of the Dead is a difficult read for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is its "reinvention of Persephone and Demeter's story" which, if you don't know it, will absolutely be lost on you as you read.

The central idea is solid: a young girl, Cory, goes off with a wealthy man, Rolo, who likely has nefarious intentions and her mother, Emer, proceeds to move heaven and earth to find Cory. There is some strong writing, some solid commentary related to the nature of mother/daughter relationships, and some powerful implications about middle aged men who think pursuing eighteen year old girls is appropriate. But, it is often difficult to track who is speaking due to a lack of quotation marks and speech tags ("I'm happy," she said), so I spent a great deal of my reading in the state of re-reading, trying to figure out which character was speaking. And the choice to write in present tense doesn't lend an urgency to the novel so much as it creates confusion regarding the timeline of events.

Lyon has skill, there is no doubt. The opening pages which recount a camp production of the Wizard of Oz is funny and smart if a little overwritten, and the poetic nature of some of the writing is lovely though, on occasion, tortured. I'm a high school teacher, and if one of my students turned in the sentence "A daydream knocks on the open door of her mind," I'd tell them to edit and then resubmit which, ultimately, is what I think should have happened with Fruit of the Dead.


The City of Stardust

Maryanne Everyly walked into the night and vanished. She left to save her family, but in doing so, she left a daughter who may never understand. Violet Everly made a home with her uncle and spent her life reading stories about magical places. Until those magical places became real and she finds out her family is cursed to lose someone from every generation. It's up to her to break the curse, save her mother and possibly find the key that leads to a city made of Stardust.

I always talk about characters, and everyone is City of Stardust is unique in appearance, personality and wants, leading to a wonderful cast to read about. Maryanne is an important part of the story, even as little as she appears; I found that I would love to read a story from her point-of-view after she left Violet. I think my favorite bit is that the story isn't about the city; it's about the search. It takes place in a world not so different then our own, only with a little magic, and Violet spends the whole book searching for that magic.


Sir Morien: The Legend of a Knight of the Round Table

This book retells the thirteenth-century Arthurian tale of Sir Morien, the Moorish son of one of the Knights of the Round Table. Morien lived in North Africa with his mother but never met his father, who had gone away on a quest and never returned. So, Morien traveled from Africa through Europe to England, asking about his father. No one had heard of him, and all the knights Morien met only wanted to fight. Morien always won, though.

Finally, Morien found Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain in Wales. After a ridiculously funny fight, both men told Morien that his father was on a quest to save King Arthur. The three decided to quest together, eventually arriving at a castle where they save both Arthur and Morien’s father. After that, Morien finally got to know his father, and Arthur invited Morien to join his Knights.

Sir Morien is both a funny and adventurous book that highlights new aspects of the Arthurian legend. This book may very well captivate young readers and spur them to discover some imaginative quests and adventures of their own.


Everything You Know About Dinosaurs is Wrong!

Youngsters love dinosaurs, and most kids think they know a lot about dinosaurs, so when they see this book, they are going to want to know what it is all about. The reality is, a lot of the information about dinosaurs that is out there is based on old information, and scientists are working all the time to find new information. It takes a long time for discoveries to be tested, checked, and verified before the information is widely published.

This wonderful book has gathered the latest information in all the fields related to the study of dinosaurs. Dr. Nick Crumpton has a Ph.D. in Zoology and works at the Natural History Museum in London. He has written kid-friendly text that is lively and fun. Illustrator Gavin Scott studied Natural History Illustration in college. He has filled every spread with colorful, dynamic pictures that will have young readers searching the pages for all the delicious details. A few timelines and graphs add to the great information ready for youngsters to sate their curiosity.

This will become a fast favorite of kids eight to twelve years old. They will wear it out, reading it over and over. Don’t miss this one.


Christmas at Corgi Cove: A Novel

Annie England Noblin's Christmas at Corgi Cove is a sweet love story set in the idyllic Turtle Lake, Texas, a small town known for its closeness and its beauty. When fifteen-year-old Rosie Reynolds is sent to live there with her aunt and uncle at their family inn, it's the last place she wants to be, but times change.

As an adult, Rosie love the inn, known as Corgi Cove. She tends bees on the property, makes organic products to sell at the local market, and helps her aunt and uncle run the inn, though the place has seen better days. When Everett St. Claire arrives as a representative of a larger hotel chain offering to buy Corgi Cove, Rosie is disgusted with the prospect of losing the home she loves and even more disgusted by Everett himself.

In a Hail Mary to save the inn, Rosie enters a long shot contest in Texas Southern Living. The town of Turtle Lake, and some help from surprising sources, may not be enough to keep Corgi Cove going, but she has to try, and the resulting story is as darling as it is predictable. Christmas at Corgi Cove is a great choice for readers of Jenny Colgan, Sarah Addison Allen, Heather Webber, and Karen Hawkins.


The Fox Maidens

Kai Song is the only daughter of a respected general who earned acclaim and respect for defeating the Gumiho, the nine-tailed fox demon who stalks the forests and preys on humans. Unlike other young women her age, Kai is more interested in practicing martial arts with her brothers than learning how to be a proper bride. Her doting mother, Meorhu, wants only the best for Kai, who is coming of age. Actions have consequences, and a well-kept secret starts to unravel. Mother and daughter must reckon with the past by retracing their connection to Gumiho.

Author and illustrator Robin Ha’s first venture into fiction is an absolute wonder, an outstanding story that deals with issues of identity, ancestral legacy, and destiny. Set during the Joseon Dynasty in 16th century Korea, The Fox Maidens is a queer retelling of the legend of Gumiho and an exploration of the concept of han, the “unsatiated longing for a life fully lived.”

I am not of Korean ancestry, and I read the book from a decolonial lens. I appreciated learning about traditional community values of integrity, duty, and awareness of one’s impact on others. Kai is the ultimate feminist hero, as she goes against restrictive societal mores. The author provides adequate background about Korean perspectives and worldviews shaped by animist spirituality and Buddhism.


How to Draw Super Cute Things with Bobbie Goods: Learn to draw & color absolutely adorable art! (101 Things to Draw, 3)

Drawing is a learned skill, and this book is geared primarily toward young children to encourage them to draw. The introductory pages list the materials needed to draw, and encourage learning from mistakes and practicing. It also helps overcome a common fear of not being able to draw straight lines freehand, and shows how to add “personality” to one’s drawings (sleek puppy vs puffy puppy).

The book has seven main scenes, and the objective is to teach readers to recreate (i.e., draw) the scene. At first readers will see the entire scene (in color). The next few pages focus on different areas of the scene illustrating how to draw each aspect. The step-by-step guide is whimsical, encouraging, and easy to follow. At the end the scene is reproduced so readers may color it in.

While there are several books that show how to draw this one, this one is targeted towards younger readers. It caters to their tastes, and the narrative speaks to them at their level. Its objective is to create an entire scene (not just individual objects). It is motivational in that it encourages trying and learning. Recommended for budding artists, or those who want to try their hand at drawing.


The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder: A Novel (Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder, 1)

No doubt there are many fans of The Antiques Roadshow who also like to read mysteries, and they’ll find this debut novel appealing (even more so, if they watch the British version). Freya Lockwood was once an adept antiques dealer, sent by her mentor, Arthur, to hunt down and authenticate potential purchases. But a break in their friendship means she hasn’t seen him in decades, her daughter has grown and left home, and her husband has found someone new.

Now Arthur is dead, murdered in his own shop, and Freya must team up with her spirited Aunt Carole to determine who done the deed and why. (I actually found Carole a more appealing character than Freya and would have welcomed more chapters from her point of view.) Following clues that Arthur has left behind, the two women travel to village tearooms and remote manors in search of the truth.

Crammed as full of suspects as an over-crowded emporium, readers might find a treasure or two in these pages.


Wellness: A novel

At over 600 pages, Wellness is an epic novel that spans the lifetimes of main characters Jack and Elizabeth. Together for twenty years, the couple hits a rough patch and begins questioning whether they are truly meant for each other. Elizabeth is a perfectionist, and obsessed with research, psychology and learning. This translates to her feeling stuck when her adolescent son Toby is acting out and seems so different from his peers, yet she can’t seem to help him. Meanwhile, Jack is under intense scrutiny at work and trying to reconnect with Elizabeth, who seems so distant and unhappy. By jumping in time, author Nathan Hill examines how the pair became who they are, and whether they have truly changed from their challenging upbringings. I related with so much of the story, especially Elizabeth’s tendency to find fault in herself and struggle with the shift to motherhood. Jack’s story was so moving – from his adoration of his sister to his fraught relationship with his parents. When he visited home as an adult, the realizations he had were so emotional and I teared up. I found this novel thought-provoking as it questioned so many of our assumptions about love and life.


The Women: A Novel

At twenty years old, sheltered Frankie McGrath enlists as a nurse in the Vietnam War. After losing her brother, she feels a calling to help wounded soldiers and serve her country. However, she is unprepared for the violence and harsh conditions she faces overseas. Upon returning home, Frankie faces psychological issues and irreversibly alters her relationships with loved ones.

Fans of Kristin Hannah will adore The Women. This novel perfectly displays her well-known strength of creating historical fiction full of drama, emotion, and strong women. Though not a short novel, it was fast-paced and before I knew it, I was halfway through the book.

Frankie is a flawed though lovable main character who is dealt an unfair number of heartbreaks and traumatic events, lacking support from her family when she needs it most. However, her friends from the Army help her heal from the trauma of their shared experiences in Vietnam and remain her core support system even when they live states apart.

I loved all of the twists in the second half of the novel, and I hoped for a happy ending for Frankie. This book shines a light on a forgotten part of history and the profound impact that women had on the Vietnam War. I’m so glad I read this and applaud Hannah for honoring these historical female heroes!


The Warm Hands of Ghosts: A Novel

It’s near the end of World War One, and Laura Iven is looking for her brother, Freddie. Laura was a field nurse until an injury sent her home to Halifax. When she receives Freddie’s things, but no notice of his death, she joins a friend returning to the front in order to search for him. Meanwhile, Freddie was trapped in a pillbox with a German named Winter. Without each other, they would have never survived. But with The Warm Hands of Ghosts calling to them, as well as a strange hotelier who can make you forget, the battle for survival and to find each other has just begun.

I have been waiting for years for another Katherine Arden book. The Bear and the Nightingale is one of my all-time favorite books, so I jumped at the chance to read this one. However, it wasn’t quite what I’d hoped. It is beautifully written and Arden does an amazing job of placing you in the time period she’s writing, no matter the story. It is an important story to tell, causing us to see people as human and not only as the enemy. It just wasn’t my favorite of hers.


Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods (Percy Jackson & the Olympians)

The sixth book in the Percy Jackson series (The Chalice of the Gods), follows Percy as he is getting older (a senior in high school!) and thinking about going to college. Percy faces challenges related to what he needs to do to make it to college (recommendation letters, etc.), as well as what he's used to - facing and challenging Greek gods in New York City. Throughout his challenges, Percy learns to appreciate it all as he isn't getting any younger and can't go back in time to do things he used to enjoy (hanging out with friends, having family dinners, etc.).

 There is much excitement in The Chalice of the Gods as Percy is dealing with happenings in both his life with his friends and alongside otherworldly beings. Readers don't have to have read all of the previous books, but the more you read the easier it will be to understand. There is not much inappropriate in the story, but instead shows a lot of Percy being a kid while facing off against some crazy creatures and angry gods.


Out There Screaming

Jordan Peele, John Joseph Adams, N K Jemisin

Out There Screaming is an anthology of new Black horror, as it says on the cover. It is edited by Jordan Peele of Get Out and Us fame. It contains nineteen stories by nineteen different authors. The stories vary in quality and in theme. They certainly aren’t all horror stories, so the title of the book is misleading and might disappoint some readers and miss potential readers altogether.

The short stories included are fantasy, dystopian literature, and some horror. Themes like Creole culture and the Freedom Riders are covered, along with high concept fantasy science fiction. “The Other One” is a relationship/psychological tale, where the reader isn’t sure what was an illusion and what was real. It’s well done. My favorite, though, is “Aesthete.” This short story is definitely not a horror story but science fiction/fantasy. I hope to see it made into a movie in the future, or at the very least, a full novel. I’ll be watching for it.

Out There Screaming has a lot of offer, but not all of the stories are equally good and the word horror doesn’t quite fit the collection.


Everyone But Myself: A Memoir

This book will appeal to every over-loaded working mom with high expectations of herself (which is probably most of us!). In the same year that Julie returned to work, her yoga studio closed, her husband traveled frequently, her father had a health crisis, and yet she still said yes to every request made of her.

In short, compelling chapters, she describes the meltdown that followed: detailing precisely how her body and mind responded to a panic attack. She’s realistic about barriers she encountered—and privileges (access to insurance, education, family support) that helped her. As she points out, “Recovery is brutally slow when you begin, a road trip that commences on an empty tank.”

Not in any way a how-to manual, this memoir will nonetheless help readers easily draw lessons that can aid anyone in a similar situation: tiny steps of drawing deep breaths, working on a jigsaw puzzle, and larger ones of ongoing therapy, medications, and time passing, allowing her to grow stronger and learn to ask herself: What do you need? And then to fill in the blank with loving, practical responses. Highly recommended for her approachable, friendly style and honesty.


Minecraft: The Village: An Official Minecraft Novel

Minecraft: The Village is the third Minecraft book in this trilogy by Max Brooks. It continues the adventures of Guy and Summer. Guy and Summer cross the Overworld and discover a community of villagers. But trouble is brewing for the community, and it will take everything Summer and Guy have learned to save the village.

I loved the whole trilogy. I really love stories set in the Minecraft world, because of all the shapes that can be made out of the same cubes. Guy and Summer face pillagers and assorted mobs. They have to overcome raid obstacles. And their projects sometimes fail.

This book surprised me because it taught me things about Minecraft that I didn’t know, even though I’m a huge fan and play every week. Max Brooks is a really good writer and I enjoy his books more than other Minecraft novels. Even though I love Minecraft novels.

I felt like this book had a lot to share, not only about Minecraft, but also about, like, life. Guy and Summer taught me to always shop using a budget, everyone has a role to play, and growth doesn’t happen in a comfort zone, it comes from leaving it.


The Wall

"The Wall by Brian Penn is a heart-racing, action-packed, and nail-biting dystopian you don't want to miss. It follows two lovers, whose journey is rife with secrets, love, and a daunting battle for survival. Fans of George Orwell and Margaret Atwood will find this book fascinating." —Foluso Falaye, San Francisco Book Review.


8 Days: A Dee Rommel Mystery

8 Days is the third installment in the Dee Rommel mystery series by Jule Selbo. In this book, Dee is back at it as a private investigator working for her godfather Gordy at his company, G & Z Investigation. After a horrific accident happens on a nearby bridge and a young woman named Hannah is found dead, a young man comes forward and tells Dee’s co-worker Abshir that he was on the bridge at the same time the accident occurred and that there was a large man who beat him up and took his backpack and phone. Now, the young man, Yuusuf fears for his life because someone wrote a threatening message on his front door. Abshir asks Dee and Gordy if they will help investigate what happened that night to help Yuusuf.

I really enjoyed this book in the series and felt the story moved along at a great pace. Selbo gives us the Dee we all know and love, with her tomboy attitude and fearless antics, so the book never lacks iexcitement, action, and snarky comments.

As Dee digs deeper into the investigation, she figures out that Yuusuf may not be telling the whole truth. Using her tough love method, Dee tells Yuusuf that if he doesn’t come clean and start talking, she can’t help him and they won’t be able to help others who may be in trouble. As Dee connects the dots, she realizes that things are not as they seem and this might be a case that even goes over the heads of the local police and into the hands of the FBI. Speaking of local police, Detective Donato is also featured in the story, although I felt like his part was a bit smaller in this book.

Set in Portland, Maine, the main area Dee investigates is at a strip mall. It turns out that Yuusuf works at several of the businesses at the strip mall and after getting attacked and threatened, he becomes too scared to go back to work. Dee goes around interviewing several business owners and some of the employees in the shopping center. Hannah, the girl who died on the bridge, had also worked at one of the businesses at the strip mall and Dee feels that this is not a coincidence. Hannah also worked for a company that answered phones at a help line. As Dee starts putting things together, danger becomes inevitable and Dee finds herself in a bad situation. Readers will love reading the ending as Dee’s fate unfolds.

8 Days is a fantastic, suspenseful thriller that fans of Lisa Jewell and Lisa Gardner will enjoy.


Who to Believe

A murder rocks the idyllic coastal town of Monreith, Massachusetts, putting everyone on edge. A popular restaurateur is found murdered in her own home and her husband is the prime suspect.  When a group of six friends gather for a birthday celebration, rumors, suspicions, and secrets mar the normally festive occasion. As each character tells the story from their point of view, everyone has a theory and everyone has secrets, but who do you believe?

This story reads like a closed-room mystery, except instead of a closed room, it's a small town, and everyone is a suspect. Normally I find stories with multiple points of view choppy and hard to follow, but this author did a fantastic job and it really added to the suspense. The characters are well developed and the atmospheric imagery is spot on. It's a slow burn at first, but then I couldn't put it down. I would call this a good old fashioned mystery with a modern twist. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend to anyone who loves mysteries.


Watercolor Made Simple: Techniques, Projects, and Encouragement to Get Started Painting and Creating

Artist Nicki Traikos has put together a detailed yet straightforward guide introducing readers to the basic materials and techniques used in watercolor creativity. Appealingly illustrated in soft pastel colors, the essentials of this painting medium are verbally and graphically described, and as further encouragement beyond words and pictures, QR codes allow access to motion tutorials displaying the actions.

The lessons begin with descriptions of the essential supplies required, such as paint, brushes, paper, and other useful miscellaneous materials. The text continues to describe how to use the paraphernalia and practice basic fundamental techniques of wet-on-wet or wet-on-dry painting along with color mixing. Instructions for papercrafts like a gift tag, bookmark, or greeting card are provided.

Subjects to paint are generously supplied, such as feathers, whimsical florals, fish, mushrooms, and many more. In addition, to encourage engagement, trace-and-paint templates of the subjects are supplemented. This is a delightful introductory visit to the watercolor domain, with skillful lessons and warm encouragement radiating through the pages.


On This Day in History Sh!t Went Down

On January 15, 1947, the mutilated body of Elizabeth Short, aka the Black Dahlia, was found in Leimert Park. On May 4, 1970, four died as National Guard troops opened fire on protestors at Kent State University. The Bastille was stormed on July 14, 1789, kicking off the French Revolution. William, Duke of Normandy, kicked Harold, Earl of Wessex’s ass during the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks took a stand, by remaining seated, refusing to move to the back of the bus. All this skullduggery and more happened at some point in history.

On This Day in History Sh!t Went Down is a unique and entertaining book by historian and writer James Fell. There is an entry for every day of the year, highlighting some bit of debauchery, mayhem, and shenanigans. History was never meant to make one feel good, and Fell’s book proves that point. But these stories are out there, and one might learn a thing or two. If you are a fan of Nazis or the disgraced twice-impeached former president, you might want to stay clear. But for the rest of us, good luck not looking up your birthday as the first article you read.


The Book of Facts and Trivia: American History

Book reviewer Teri Schlichenmeyer displays her funny bone while assembling a range on anecdotes from American history as she seeks to amuse her readers with once forgotten documented lore. Having a penchant for names beginning with the tenth alphabet letter, there is an emphasis on items that include the label of John, Jane, Juan, etc. Randomly assorted thought the book, topics covered include tidbits of geography, politics, pop culture, crime, and the largest section is encapsulated within the label of history.

Learn that folk hero John Wayne had plastic surgery to improve his looks, or that one and a half million new shopping carts are manufactured each year in the USA, or that pumpkins are really a fruit and not a vegetable, or amazingly, that the world’s fastest typist in 2005 recorded a speed of over two hundred words per minute. These and other sundry historical and often trivial descriptions are scattered throughout the pages.

This is the sort of book that is best left on the coffee table for the casual reader to open at any page and ask the surrounding company if they’re aware of these little isolated gems from earlier times. Except for fleeting curiosity, the book just serves as a momentary amusement.


George Harrison: The Reluctant Beatle

George Harrison, Beatle, songwriter, movie producer, and sometime actor, deserves a more laudatory biography than this current one. The author treats Harrison’s widow fairly but apologizes for the dismissive obituary he gave Harrison. Harrison’s life commands over four hundred and fifty pages of accomplishment, although much of it details more sordid activities such as adultery, drug use, and overall anger issues.

Yet much of the world thinks of Harrison as the spiritual one who brought the world’s greater attention to Eastern religions. His concert for Bangladesh was first in a series of mega-star concerts to raise funds to mitigate the suffering in the world. That he organized it in four weeks speaks of his ability to administer great undertakings, but the author finds Harrison disinterested and blasé about his pending financial ruin at the hands of dishonest managers.

It was fascinating for this reader to learn that at age fifteen, Harrison was exposed to the most lurid scene in Germany, working illegally and trying to keep up with Lennon/McCartney, who posed as much worldlier mentors. Those of us fascinated by the extraordinary accomplishments of this man will find the book interesting.


Mammals Unlocked (Open Earth)

Mammals are found all over the world, but how does one recognize a mammal since these amazing animals have so many different features? Look for three specific characteristics: these curious creatures must possess hair or fur, have three middle ear bones, and their females are programmed to produce milk.

In this cleverly outlined book featuring attractive black and white sketches of the diverse assortment of animals, each page illustrates a unique mammal with an associated question. The species are sorted according to locale, such as denizens of the jungle, mountains, bush, and the sea. The various modes of reproduction in mammals are also explored.

This resource, with its engaging question and introduction to diverse mammalian members followed by its clearly explained answers, provides an arousing and intriguing introduction to basic science and an awareness of the adaptations nature provides for the survival of the species.

Imagine how long a giant anteater’s tongue is, determine what pikas or galagos are, guess how long  a blue whale is or even the length of a giraffe’s neck. From the very small to the gigantic, mammals range the world, this book allows the reader to learn a bit more about them and to appreciate their diversity and specializations.


When the Smoke Clears

When the Smoke Clears introduces readers to Talia Brighton, a woman who lost her firefighter husband, Russ, in a fire two years earlier. Reflecting on the past two years, she starts to doubt her parenting skills to their five-year-old daughter Riley. The stress and trauma show up in Talia's life as sleepwalking and hallucinations of her husband while out running. I enjoyed this storyline very much and was really looking forward to the development of not only Talia and Riley's characters but also of Russ and the relationships between all three of them. As a mother of a first responder, I have learned that the relationships we have with them are even more precious than with others since they are putting their lives in potentially dangerous situations every day for the greater good. When Talia decided to go see a grief counselor she was referred to, I looked forward to "listening in" on their sessions.

As the story moves on, Talia's backstory is introduced to the reader. After the death of their mother, Talia and her sister Naomi were taken in by their Aunt Miriam who was rather strict and seemed to resent the girls. Talia remembers Miriam taking them to an orphanage and leaving them there. Talia was only three years old, and Naomi was five. From then on, most of the story was about Talia and Naomi growing up and Talia trying to recall events from when she was little. Even though learning a character's past is usually helpful in understanding their present circumstances and behaviors, in this case, I felt almost like it was a bait-and-switch. I kept wanting the story to return to the present day and be about the counseling and relationship with Russ, however, the story with Miriam took up most of the book. Then, as Miriam is on her deathbed, Talia receives a call from a man in Australia about her late grandfather's affairs. This, too, was part of the backstory and the reader is left waiting to return to the original story.

There were many times when the author went off on tangents taking a while to describe the scenery or have Talia explain how mountain lions were actually not predators to humans. My eyes started to glaze over in these parts of the book because it really slowed down the flow of the story.

Overall, I felt like the two storylines did not mesh together well, although both were interesting. I would have loved this book to be about Talia and her husband and then perhaps having it lead to another book about Talia and her relationship with her aunt, sister, and other family members when she was growing up. When the Smoke Clears is an entertaining story with themes of grief, suicide, PTSD, abuse, and the dynamic of family relationships.


The Price of Thorns

The Price of Thorns became an instant classic for me the second I finished reading it. As a lifelong lover of the fantastic, there’s nothing I enjoy more than getting lost in a beautifully constructed world with a diverse cast of interesting characters. Susman has delivered all that and more, with richly detailed mythos that frankly blew me away with its complexity, depth, and fully realized heroes whose flaws make them entirely relatable while their strengths and deeds border the archetypal.

The story begins with Nivvy, a young thief who has been ousted from their guild, strapped to what amounts to the village rack after being caught plying their trade. While getting pelted with rocks and refuse, a strange woman wearing clothes that went out of style hundreds of years ago offers him his freedom in return for completing a job. Only after he agrees does she reveal that the job involves stealing an entire kingdom, her long-lost kingdom, in fact.

With dreams of redemption and wealth on his mind, Nivvy wholeheartedly (and a bit recklessly) throws himself into the crownless queen’s quest. But the enigmatic Bella has ulterior motives and savage secrets that could change the very essence of not only Nivvy’s existence but that of the entire world.

A large part of what makes this particular world so enchanting is that it is powered by stories. The stories of magical objects activate their latent powers, the stories of travelers pay their way on their journeys, and the stories the characters tell themselves mold and shape their realities both individually and collectively. It’s a fascinating and beautiful way to incorporate magic into worldbuilding, and with the inclusion of a prominent trans character, the implications about the power in the stories we tell ourselves bring a particularly hopeful potency to the story arc.

Susman’s writing style is vivid and effervescent, making the over five-hundred-page novel seemingly readable in the blink of an eye. The quick progression of the plot is perfect for a fantasy adventure, but Susman certainly doesn’t skimp on the deeply introspective moments necessary to create a full-fledged hero’s journey. Deep while remaining playful, and hopeful while relating injustice, The Price of Thorns perfectly walks the line between charming and impactful.

Perfect for fans of TJ Klune and Josh Winning, those looking for a wider distribution of representation in their heroes, or anyone who needs a dose of classic fairy tale inspiration with their monomythic adventure will adore this gem of a novel.


Brooklyn '76

July 4, 1976. All across the nation, people are celebrating the Bicentennial of the United States of America. Against the riotous backdrop of not only the celebration of the century but also a vibrant decade, Ausiello crafts a story of family tension in a working class neighborhood in Brooklyn. From many writers, this would feel like nothing more than a fraught two hundred pages of nothing much happening. Ausiello, however, knocked this one out of the park with his knack for building tension and his skill with voice.

Paulie Agnello’s union is on strike, and he’s struggling to keep enough money coming in to support his family. His wife, Dee, is less the angel of the household and more a force of sheer will, doing her best to keep her husband and two sons on the right track. Her younger son, Alex, doesn’t need much worrying over. (Yet.) Tony, however, is fourteen and has a girlfriend, and seems likely to be on the path to perdition.

The cracks appearing have been building for a long time, as in any good family drama. It will take only a little external pressure to push them to the surface.

Ausiello’s skill in building tension appears with nearly every shift of the plot. Early in the story, I could tell it was building up to something dreadful, some possible cataclysm, and often a simple turn of phrase was enough to make me feel just a little more anxious on behalf of the characters, just a little more certain that what had just happened was the key to some grand unraveling. Not once did events feel unnaturally heightened or overdramatic (and any melodrama felt more like a choice to illuminate a given character rather than a failing on the author’s part). Instead, I felt as though I had discovered a master of foreshadowing.

All I will say about the ending is that it was not quite what I had expected, but it nevertheless fit in with the rest of the book perfectly. From other writers, it might have felt like a letdown, perhaps even deflating. Ausiello was able to carry it off admirably.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys family dramas with sharp edges and veins of humor running through them. Ausiello is a fresh, intriguing voice on the literary scene, and I’m eager to see what he writes next. Hopefully there will be many more books to come from him.


The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

The Monsters of Marymount is a wonderful book for children of all ages. Although it is a chapter book meant for children in grades 1st through 4th, younger children will also enjoy having the book read to them by their parent or an older sibling.

Toby is an eight-year-old little green monster who is full of energy and life. He can't wait for his favorite holiday to come— Halloween! This year, he is going to be allowed to go out and trick-or-treat with the human children because everyone will think he is wearing a costume. Living in the basement of Ms. Celeste's mansion can get boring even though she treats him and his family so nicely.

What struck me first when reading this book was the way Toby and the other monsters interacted with Celeste. This relationship is a special one since Celeste is very protective of the monsters. The Marymount mansion had been passed down from generation to generation and the monsters were the secret that came with the large house.

Toby has the best time trick-or-treating and wants to be able to go out and explore more frequently. Many times it's what we don't know that we are the most curious about. Toby knows that he is not human but is so interested in what human children do and what they are like.

This book is adorable and teaches kids that it's okay to be different. Toby ends up realizing that even the humans he sees are all different and they have all different pets as well.The Monsters of Marymount is a fun, Halloween-themed book that will teach children and adults that being different is what makes each one of us special. I especially loved the part where Toby farts a cotton candy smell. As a Mom of three boys, this would have been much more pleasant than the human boy farts I have had to endure.

Children will be drawn to this book by its colorful cover with a picture of Toby smiling and the whimsical font used for the title. The book just looks like it will be a fun read! With a character-driven plot and sweet illustrations throughout, The Monsters of Marymount will make children smile, laugh, and cheer from cover to cover.


Castles & Ruins: Unraveling Family Mysteries & Literary Legacy in the Irish Countryside

Rue brings her family along for an epic exploration of the Irish countryside, revisiting a place she spent the summer many years ago. The opportunity allows her to connect with her family as she uses her mother Deborah Love’s poetic book as a guide as she makes her way to the Annaghkeen castle. As Rue digs into her parents’ legacy, she comes face-to-face with memories that reveal insights into her childhood and their relationship.

The concept presented is a lovely exploration of one’s past and origins by examining a specific area that is tied to a poignant time in her life. The beauty and wonder of the countryside are written in a way that shows its mystery and magic. Discovery is at the root of the story being shared with the idea of transformation and how these incredible locations allow us to re-create ourselves. Locations include the castle and Annascaul, which are elements that add further insight not just to her family but to Ireland.

The story is equal parts sharing this journey of legacy and heritage and exploring Ireland’s collective psyche. The two are intricately woven together through beautiful writing, crafting Castles and Ruins into an incredible read about legacy, family, memories, and discovery.


Force of Nature: A Novel of Rachel Carson

From a young age, Rachel loved exploring nature through science books and nature adventures. But as she grew older, Rachel couldn't stay quiet when she saw threats to the natural world she loved. Even though many people discouraged girls from pursuing science or using their voices, Rachel boldly challenged them. We loved seeing her courageously share her eye-opening research about the harmful effects of pesticides. Her book was super important in sparking the environmental movement.

In Force of Change: A Novel of Rachel Carson, author Ann E. Burg’s poetic writing style transports you into Rachel's curious mind. Rachel’s mission is to protect "all the creatures of the world." It surprised us that this book was written all in poems, but we liked it immediately. Rachel is always looking at nature, and that’s what makes it such a good book. The poems are vivid, and sometimes sad, like when her brother comes home from the war. But I love to see how Rachel takes field notes and carefully observes the world around her. This was a great way to get to know Rachel Carson and her drive to help nature.

Mom note: a perfect read for Charlotte Mason-style homeschool.


Okay, Cupid

Jude is on probation for breaking the rules of love and the job. Oh, his job? He’s a Cupid, helping people fall in love who might just need an arrow… uh, a nudge to get the heart fluttering. Unfortunately, the very nature of his job pushes him to forbidden love, which places him on probation. He somehow manages a second chance at matchmaking rather than a second time at school.

He receives an assignment in a high school to help best friends take the next step. Alice and Huy have had a falling out, so it’ll take something extra special for these two to overcome their differences, but there’s something about Huy, something that is different for Jude, something that may risk this entire venture, maybe even Jude’s entire future.

Diverse in race and gender expression, this cute little queer YA rom-com will give hope for unexpected romance. Full of angst and indecision, Jude is every teen, Cupid or not, who has agonized over love and choices and final decisions. Huy is a trans male, and adorable in every aspect. This is for everyone who hopes for a happy ending, but understands that the happy ending may just depend on one’s perspective.


Little Red

Little Red is a truck in Tiny Town who, along with driver Katie, never stops working till the job is done. During a heavy winter snowstorm, Little Red jump starts a delivery van, fixes a broken headlight, bumps a stuck fire truck, fixes a flat tire, fills up an empty gas tank, and even welds a broken hitch on Santa’s sleigh, all while carrying a huge Christmas tree.

After fixing each truck, Little Red is sure he only has on more task of delivering the Christmas tree, until he hears the next cry for help. Because Little Red never quit working, all the trucks in a rainbow of colors are able to join the townspeople at the celebration of the lighting of the Christmas tree.

This is the perfect book for snuggling up on Christmas Eve. A fun repeated refrain of onomatopoeias will keep even little listeners entertained. Meanwhile, Will Hillenbrand delivers a heartwarming message about the joy of helping others and pride in a job well done. This might be the perfect addition for those little people who will find a toy truck or two under their own Christmas tree.


Gut Reaction

It is never easy to be the new kid, but when it’s middle school and part way into the school year, it’s doubly hard. Tess loves her new stepfather but still misses her dad, who died suddenly a few years ago. She honors his memory by baking, his great love and vocation. But suddenly, when Tess tastes her baked goods, she gets terrible pains in her stomach and has other digestive problems.

She is trying to navigate a new school, find a way to make some friends, and now this! But she’s too embarrassed to tell anyone, even her mother. She finally makes some friends thanks to her baked goods and is invited to be in a prestigious baking contest, but then her illness puts her in real crisis. Everything is so hard!

Kirby Larson and her daughter, Quinn Wyatt, have written an important book for middle-graders about living with Crohn’s disease. The writing is exceptional, the characters are well-rounded and endearing, and the story, with themes of loss, grief, friendship, and family, is most compelling. The background of baking and the baking contest really highlight Tess’s battle with her illness. This deserves readership beyond middle-graders. Don’t miss this book.


Timid: A Graphic Novel

Cecil has friends and a life in Florida, but his parents decide to move to  Boston, where they lived when Cecil was much younger. Unfortunately, Cecil is rather shy and not one to make the first move. When he shows up to lunch, he wants to befriend the other Black kids, but feels like he missed his chance and joins a White kid, which just makes him worry about being an Oreo.

Classmates discover his cartooning ability, and he is asked to make a couple drawings. While his dad thinks that Cecil should plan on a more reliable career, Cecil really wants to become a cartoonist and jumps on these opportunities to work his craft. When one of his images lands him in hot water with the principal, he has to figure out how to speak up, or take the punishment.

Many readers will resonate with Cecil, who hesitates to make friends and talk to girls. The art is colorful, but the students look much older than middle school. This will be good for readers who like graphic novels, but it doesn’t really stand out from the rest.


The Girl Who Fought Back: Vladka Meed and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising (Scholastic Focus)

In the midst of World War Two, the Nazi Germans forced all the Jews of Warsaw into a ghetto. They were not allowed outside unless they had specific jobs important to Germany’s success. Vladka, a teenager, was an excellent seamstress, so she was allowed to work in a factory making uniforms for German soldiers. She watched in horror as Jews were deported to death camps every day, and finally, found a group of people who were resisting the Germans, and she joined them.

Since Vladka had light eyes and didn’t “look Jewish”, she was able to move around freely. She did a lot of valuable and dangerous work that helped make the ghetto uprising possible. Her survival of the war made this fascinating book possible.

Author Joshua M. Green has clearly done great research to be able to tell the harrowing story of one woman who contributed much to Jewish success in undermining the authority of the Nazis in Poland during World War Two. At this time in our history, it is more important than ever for young people to recognize the horrors of an authoritarian regime and how it can come into being. Don’t miss this book.


Don't Worry, Wuddles

It’s cold in the barn, and it’s starting to snow. Wuddles, a sheep, has lots of wool on his body so the little duck hatches a plan. A scarf for the little duck, a hat for the rooster, earmuffs for the rabbit. Wuddles surely will have enough wool for all the animals in the barn. What could go wrong, right?

This book is cute and it is perfect for younger kids who love animals. I like how this book teaches kindness and thoughtfulness because the little duck thinks of all the animals in the barn. None of the animals asked him to, but the little duck just sets off making warm accessories for all the animals.

The illustrations are a little funny because some of the animals have such a surprised look on their faces. Poor Wuddles, but I like the ending because it’s sweet and cute. This book is perfect to read during the cold winter months.


Shiny Misfits: A Graphic Novel

Shiny Misfits, by Maysoon Zayid, illustrated by Shadia Amin, is an excellent graphic novel about friendship, coping, and being yourself. Shiny Misfits is about a girl named Bay Ann with cerebral palsy, a disability that reduces mobility and body control, hunting for the spotlight. Bay Ann copes with her disability as she tries to conquer her competitor, prove her worth, and rule the World Wide Web. She tries everything she can to end his fifteen minutes of stardom and put herself in the spotlight of success. A wonderful character, Bay Ann shines through providing humor in every page and showing you don’t have to be perfect to succeed. Well drawn, the imagery displays the character’s feelings perfectly. This is a good book for preteen and tween-aged children who like emotional graphic novels that may relate to their own lives. Homes and libraries should buy this book. Shiny Misfits is best for children age 7 and older.


Your Blood, My Bones

Wyatt and Pedyr grow up together at Willow Heath, until Wyatt turns thirteen, and her mother takes her away. She returns five years later after her father’s death to literally burn it down, but is drawn inside where she finds Pedyr chained up in the basement, having suffered horribly at the hands of her father. She learns his repeated deaths help to safeguard the estate from supernatural creatures.

Pedyr knows how to end his torment and return home, which requires the death of the last remaining Westlock heir. Wyatt wants to save the estate as its magical wards fade; Pedyr wants to go home, but only he can help reign in her magic and reinstate the safety net, but trust is nigh impossible with conflicting goals.

While not a series, fans who read The Whispering Dark will be rewarded with crossover characters. There is a decidedly Peter Pan vibe woven in this tale. Wyatt has a youngish voice for eighteen and is an unreliable, unknowledgeable narrator, leaving much of the magic and world building unexplained. However, it is a dark gothic tale, with a slow burn to the finish, and a savory sweet romance amidst  a horrific fantasy world.


Just Keep Walking

Jo’s father promised her they would hike nearly a hundred miles of the Superior Hiking Trail, just as he had done with her brother years before. But Dad left two years ago, choosing another family over Jo and her mom. Mom and Jo are hiking together, and Jo isn’t going to settle for anything under a hundred miles. It’s so much harder than Jo ever thought it would be. Their packs are heavy and the freeze-dried food isn’t great. They meet one of Mom’s former students on the trail, traveling with her partner and dog, and they decide to travel together for a while. It’s a good thing they do because Mom hurts her ankle badly. Is this the end of their trip? Does Dad win after all?

Erin Soderberg Downing has written a compelling adventure that will keep young readers engaged. Themes of loss, family, and perseverance make this a rich story. The writing is fine, and Downing’s personal experience hiking the SHT brings a real sense of the place. Jo’s first-person point of view draws readers in, although they might be put off by Jo’s very repetitious focus on her father. Otherwise, this is a fine story.


Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor

Frank McCoy and Stanley Summer, both navy brats, live on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. They spend much of their free time working on their ideas for comic books. Frank is the writer and Stanley, who is half-Japanese, the artist. The boys are offered a tour of the USS Utah on Sunday morning by Brooks, the boyfriend of Frank’s sister. Just as they start their tour, planes fly in low and start dropping bombs and torpedoes all over Pearl Harbor.

Alan Gratz has written a real page-turner of a novel that will give young readers a taste of what it would have been like to survive the bombing of Pearl Harbor and how the attack changed things from everyone, but more for those Americans of Japanese ancestry. Told in first-person point-of-view from Frank’s perspective, the tale will grab young readers and keep their attention fully engaged as they learn about this dark period.

A sample comic book that Frank and Stanley might have made is included as well as an extensive author’s note filled with excellent historical information. Gratz’s superb research shines through on every page of this very exciting novel. Not to be missed.


Monday (Worst Week Ever #1)

Have you ever had a day go not as planned? You find yourself thinking how could this day be any worse, and usually it ends up getting worse. Well, this is exactly what happened to Justin Chase, but on top of that, he remembers that it is only Monday and that the rest of a miserable week is up ahead. But can he turn it around in the next book in the series, Tuesday?

This was a really interesting book. The day started at 5am on Monday morning and ended 11:59pm. This was a very interesting book because it all took place on just one whole day and what a long day. It really sounds like a day when one should've just went to bed early but that wouldn't make for a good book.


Oh, Olive!

In Oh, Olive!, a little girl named Olive resists the desire of her parents and her school to paint what they want: perfect black triangles and squares. Instead, she paints everything wherever she goes, including her canvases, pets, buildings and friends, in wild splatters and splashes of color. Just as Olive is about to paint her parents’ square and triangle artwork in their black-and-white museum, Olive’s parents see the beauty in her colorful creations and ask her to paint something for their museum. In response, she paints the most perfectly colored. . . circle!

Lian Cho, who is both the author and illustrator of Oh, Olive!, has created a lovely celebration of color and artistic freedom in her illustrations. Throughout the story, Olive maintains an absolutely irrepressible grin as she follows her own dictates. At the same time, Cho imbues her story with the all-too-important message to stay true to yourself and your vision: the world will eventually discover your beauty. Just beware that your walls, pets, and maybe even you may soon be far more colorful!


Desire Museum (American Poets Continuum Series, 202)

Desire Museum is a fitting title for this artistic maze-like collection of poetry that Danielle Cadena Deulen has built. The museum is organized into four floors full of exhibits. Pieces in the exhibits explore romance, lust, memory, history, and politics through a conversation with literature of the past and personal experience of the present.

The form of some of these poems initially jars the reader like walking into an exhibit full of artifacts and signs. Should I look at this vase first or the painting on the opposite wall? Should I read the explanatory sign first? Should I read this column top to bottom, then move to the next column, or do I read left to right across both columns? The effect is intellectually stimulating. It makes you want to return to the same museum next weekend to look for details you might have missed.

At special points while unlocking the puzzle, the poet begins to speak plainly. When she does this, she reveals an undeniable sincerity. She is in conversation with you, the reader, as much as she is with John Keats and Federico García Lorca. The emotion outweighs the intellect here. It is, after all, a museum of desire.


The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II (Scholastic Focus)

Hitler’s armies are marching through Europe, taking countries one after another. England’s cities are being bombed and her ships are being sunk. Germany has an encryption that keeps England from reading most of the communications they intercept. But they don’t accept that it has to be that way. They set up a secret operation at a country estate, Bletchley Park, and bring together an interesting collection of mathematicians and bright young women, many still in their teens, with some language and clerical skills to work on the problem.

All are required to sign an agreement to keep their work secret forever. The work is daunting, with long hours and tedious tasks, but they are determined, and they make good progress, saving many lives with their good work. It is thought their success may have shortened the war by as much as two years.

Candace Fleming focuses on a handful of these young women looking at where they came from, why they were chosen, and what their daily lives were like at Bletchley Park. Her excellent research shines through on every page, and her writing shows her great storytelling technique. This book will satisfy young readers’ curiosity about this aspect of World War Two.


The Stolen Wealth of Slavery: A Case for Reparations

Amid greater consciousness of how America’s racialized history has impacted all aspects of society, there are renewed calls for monetary reparations for the descendants of enslaved Black people. In The Stolen Wealth of Slavery, researcher David Montero documents massive investments in the slave trade by entrepreneurial Northerners and the companies they founded to build unimaginable wealth.

Montero debunks the common notion that Southern plantations were primarily responsible for the ill-gotten wealth of America’s original sin. He dives into the abundant and revelatory archives of banks such as Citibank, Bank of New York, and Bank of America. Companies invested in many aspects of the slave trade, from funding the acquisition of more enslaved humans, and lending capital to plantation expansion, to financing the shipping industry that transported cotton and other products overseas. Their compounded investments yielded massive long-term profits.

Raising public awareness of how the evils of the transatlantic slave trade have seeded the rise of the United States as an economic superpower has been a project of Black scholars and activists for generations. As a White author, Montero makes a bold case for economic reparations and places the responsibility on U.S. corporations. If Black Americans wish to hold companies accountable for their role in profiting from slave labor, this book provides an evidence-based rationale for redress.


The Other Side of Perfect

The Other Side of Perfect is a heart-wrenching story about two kids whose lives accidentally crossover. Autumn, a young Indigenous girl, has grown up on the affluent side of town with two parents who love her. One day, she discovers Cody lying on her street. Cody, in contrast to Autumn, unfortunately lives with his abusive dad on the poorer side of town. He had run away after one of his father's beatings, and Autumn, finding him sleeping on the street, takes him in.
br>While she hides him for the first couple of days from her parents, they eventually find out. Autumn's parents, along with Autumn, try to figure out how to help Cody, and readers get to join them in the heartwarming story about two kids just trying to find their way. Melanie Florence and Richard Scrimiger do a great job of writing the story. Readers can vividly visualize what is happening through their descriptive writing. Both authors have a very descriptive style that pulls readers into the story, leaving them turning pages for hours.

This book is interesting and heartfelt. Readers age eight and above would enjoy this book, as it's easy to read but covers the difficult topic of abuse. This book evoked emotions in me, and I truly connected with the characters. I enjoyed it and feel that it is a great book for anyone.


Somacultural Liberation: An Indigenous, Two-Spirit Somatic Guide to Integrating Cultural Experiences Toward Freedom

Psychotherapist, activist, and artist Roger Kuhn, PhD (Poarch Creek), guides readers to scrutinize and gain insight into how bodily experiences are shaped by culture through Somacultural Liberation. Kuhn identifies as a mixed-race Native American, Two-Spirit person, boldly imparting traumatic experiences of childhood abuse and coming to terms with his proximity to the dominant culture, Indigeneity, and sexuality. The author locates his relationality to complex intersections of identity, sharing deeply personal pivotal moments of his life: from growing up in poverty to achieving academic and professional acclaim. Throughout the book, Kuhn models various self-awareness activities, mindfulness practices, and embodiment techniques to help readers achieve liberation from the confines of colonial mindsets and experiences.

As an Indigequeer therapist, Kuhn shares important lessons for readers interested in applying culturally relevant approaches to overcoming emotional and physical trauma. This book is a great read for healers, counselors, and healthcare workers eager to learn about the Indigenous worldview. As a non-Native, cisgender woman, l came away with a more nuanced understanding of the Indigenous experience from the LGBTQIA+ perspective. At times, Somacultural Liberation presents as an academic treatise explaining the author’s praxis of decolonizing sexuality. Kuhn is adept at switching tones to keep the book accessible, as he takes the time to explain concepts that may be unfamiliar to readers without a counseling background.


The Reunion

The Mayweathers are vacationing in sunny Cancun, Mexico, and everyone’s looking forward to a week in paradise. Well, not everyone. Some of the Mayweathers have brought secrets with them. Secrets that should stay buried. But when someone’s murdered, those secrets are suddenly exposed, and everyone’s a suspect. Can the Mayweathers get through one week of family togetherness? Or will they tear each other apart?

I liked this book because it was entertaining, fun, and easy to breeze through. This is told from the multiple POVs of twins Addison and Mason, their cousin Natalia, and their soon to be family member Theo. I personally thought they were too close in personality to each other except for a few traits that were overly pronounced, and even though it was an effective way of telling the story, I would’ve appreciated a bit more character development.

The “Incident” referred to throughout the book was revealed at the end, but was honestly not that pertinent to the story and not a very big shocker, which was annoying. I enjoyed the storyline though, it’s an entertaining beach read. I’d recommend this to young adults.


Meet Me on Mercer Street

Meet Me on Mercer Street by Booki Vivat tells the story of Kacie Sitthiwat, a soon-to-be sixth-grader. She loves to spend her time on Mercer Street watching and doodling, usually with her best friend Nisha. But when Nisha moves away, and Mercer Street starts to change, Kacie struggles without her best friend to help but still has her powers of observation and her sketchbooks.

The book is really interesting by the way it introduces the businesses on Mercer Street, with Kacie’s sketches showing each place and the owners. It’s really interesting that it’s based off of the author’s experience, when one of her friends moved away. But this is a fictionalized version. The artwork was great, it really helped me see the story and experience it in a different way.

I like the uniqueness of Kacie’s community. There’s this business man who wants to make Mercer Street more modern. People in the area don’t like this idea. It reminds me of some of the issues going on around our community. Kacie showed me that change is scary and won’t be fixed overnight, but change is inevitable. We can choose the ways we do, or don’t, want to change.


Equinox Test (School for Unusual Magic #1)

The Equinox Test is a tale of three children, Rose, Amethyst, and Lav, going to a school for magic-bearing children in an otherwise-normal Brooklyn. All three need to pass the Equinox Test (an exam testing comprehension of magical learning), the results of which determine their future. However, Rose has never been the best student, Amethyst’s mom expects too much of her, and Lav is lonely for a home imperiled by rising seas. All the while, friction within the magical parts of Brooklyn is causing political issues to arrive.

Over the course of these troubles, The Equinox Test covers hard themes such as cheating, friendship break-ups (and put-back-togethers), and moving. Liz Montague writes in easily comprehensible language with numerous, goofy pictures, perfectly filling the target niche. I would highly recommend this book to elementary and early middle school students who like fantasy. I think every elementary school library should own this book, and possibly some middle school libraries as well.

If you are interested in magic school fantasy and are trying to comprehend the social issues involved in elementary school, The Equinox Test is the book for you!


The Kill Factor

Welcome to The Kill Factor, where fifty juvenile convicts are saved from their looming prison sentences and offered the chance to take part in a gameshow to win their freedom. For Emerson Ness, convicted for accidental arson, this is a lifeline out of her bleak future and a chance to escape the Burrows. Earn brand credits, grow her following, gather money to support her crumbling family, all while being freed from an impending fifteen-year sentence in a high-security prison.

It sounds too good to be true. But, what she doesn’t know is that forty-nine of the contestants are destined to die… or face a fate worse than death. Can she make it out alive? Or is the game far more twisted than she ever could’ve imagined?

I liked this book because it incorporated influencer culture while portraying a dystopian society with teen criminals competing on a tv show. Unfortunately, the writing felt a bit loose and amateur to me. The unnecessary love interest weighed down the story a bit, but besides that, I would highly recommend this to lovers of The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner! Recommended for teens and young adults.


Goodbye Girl: A Jack Swyteck Novel (Jack Swyteck Novel, 18)

The body was left on display for all to see. FBI Agent Andie Henning responded with her partner and saw a male chained to a piling with a cryptic message scrawled on it. The case soon goes cold with few genuine leads. More than a decade later, Andie is married to defense lawyer Jack Swyteck and they are raising a daughter. The couple struggles to maintain normalcy in their marriage as their careers often pull them in opposite directions. A date night is scuttled when Andie is refused entrance at a private party due to her law enforcement role and Jack’s services are requested in representing an international pop star. A case involving defamation between warring spouses is soon transformed into questions of music piracy and organized crime. Things further go off the rails when a murder charge is brought against the dueling spouses that connect to a body found a decade earlier.

Goodbye Girl is the mesmerizing new legal thriller from author James Grippando. The plot functions effectively mixing suspenseful mystery and drama as Swyteck contends with his complex case and Henning searches for an enigmatic killer. Grippando has written a page-turning yarn that makes the reader yearn for more.


I Hope This Doesn't Find You

Sadie Wen is the perfect student - straight A’s, school captain, valedictorian. She’s a people pleaser and doesn’t want to ruffle any feathers. Sadie bottles all of her frustrations, anger, and pressure and pours all of her feelings and thoughts into her emails. No one is supposed to read the emails. Until one day, the emails get mysteriously sent out and everyone in school is upset with Sadie. Everyone that is, except, Sadie’s arch nemesis - Julius Gong.

This book is billed for fans of the To All The Boys series which I happen to be. I really like the dynamic between Sadie and Julius. They were both very likable and relatable characters, and I really liked how their relationship evolved. From rivalry to romance, I was rooting for them the whole time. The only thing I didn’t like was how the drama between the two kept dragging on in the story. It felt slow and repetitive at times and very one-sided. Despite it all, I plan to read Ann Liang’s other novels, and I highly recommend this book to any contemporary YA rom-com fans.


Love and Hot Chicken: A Delicious Southern Novel

As an aficionado of both queer romances and slice of life stories, I thought I would absolutely adore Love and Hot Chicken. It’s got all the building blocks of a cozy read; the small town charm, the friendship blossoming into romance, the search for contentment in the place you grew up, the list goes on. And while the first few chapters enchanted me with the Southern-infused charm of their prose, after a while it became a chore to get through the visually and metaphorically cluttered paragraphs instead of immersing me in the story like I think was intended.

Surprisingly, unlike most contemporary queer romances, there isn’t an ounce of homophobia involved in the story, and what conflict is present is quickly and easily resolved. But the characters themselves are difficult to root for in any kind of romantic capacity because there simply isn't a lot of chemistry to work with. If you’re looking for fiery romance you can sink your teeth into, this one might not be for you. But if you’re in the mood for cozy fiction with a heavy emphasis on a Southern setting, give Love and Hot Chicken a read!


American Demon

Between 1934 and 1938, residents of Cleveland, Ohio, were horror-struck by a series of gruesome murders. Forty years before the term was coined, the Cleveland Torso Murder, aka the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Lane, was one of America’s early serial killers. As the body count soared, Cleveland was plagued with rampant corruption in the police department. After bringing down Al Capone, Eliot Ness was recruited as the city’s new Safety Director. As Ness weeded out corruption, the killings continued. Not afraid of getting his hands dirty, Ness added his abilities to these unsolved killings.

American Demon: Eliot Ness and the Hunt for America’s Jack the Ripper by award-winning author Daniel Stashower is a fresh look at a volatile period of history. Citing news stories and firsthand accounts, Stashower shines a light on this series of murders. Alongside these cases, Stashower follows the career of Eliot Ness from his days in Chicago till his death.

Combining the infamous with the legendary, Stashower delivers an exciting true-crime novel. The addition of highlighting many breakthrough police procedures used during the investigations and details of criminal history makes this a must-read.


Red Harvest: A Graphic Novel of the Terror Famine in Soviet Ukraine

Between 1932 and 1933, millions of Ukrainians died as a result of famine. The Holodomor Genocide causes was a direct result of Stalin’s Soviet Union’s collectivization of small private farms. //Red Harvest// is the story of one family’s struggles during these chaotic times in the heart of the Ukrainian Breadbasket. Mykola’s nightmares haunt him. But as he plans to return to Ukraine to remember such a tragic episode in history, Mykola finds a family picture from his childhood, triggering the memories that make up his story of survival.

Red Harvest by author and artist Micheal Cherkas is a historical graphic novel about the Holodomor Genocide. As a Ukrainian growing up in Ontario, Canada, Cherkas was interested in the area’s history, including the darker episodes. He tells his story through the memories of a child growing up during that time. Working with only black and white, Cherkas portrays the tragedy and helplessness felt by millions of people at that time. The Holodomor Genocide is little known by many outside the Ukrainian community. With the recent war of Russia once again trying to force its dominance on the area, this is a crucial reminder of not letting history repeat itself.


Fairest of All: A Graphic Novel (Whatever After Graphic Novel #1) (Whatever After Graphix)

Whatever After (The Graphic Novel) Book 1: Fairest of All by Sarah Mlynowski, art by Anu Chouhan is about the Snow White fairy tale. When Abby and her brother, Jonah, discover a magic mirror in their basement, they fall into the fairy tale world by accident. Then, they mess up Snow White’s story and have to put it right. Can they fix this messed up story and find their way home?

The really cool thing about Whatever After: Book 1 is that the main character, Abby, likes books like I do, especially fairy tales! It starts off in color but goes to black and white. I think this is because they go into the fairy tale world, where Abby messes up the tale of Snow White and has to fix it.

It is a really good book and I enjoyed it a lot. I learned a lot from it. Like never be an evil step mother! I really want to get the Whatever After novels from the library now and read all of them!


Foxglove (Belladonna, 2)

Signa and Death finally have a chance to be together after seemingly insurmountable odds. But when a duke is murdered and Signa’s uncle is framed for the crime, she and her cousin Blythe are forced to find a way to prove his innocence. Their desperate search for answers leads them straight into the path of Fate, Death’s mysterious brother. Signa is convinced that Fate will give them the help they seek if she only entertains Fate's growing obsession with her. But as Fate’s true motives become clear and her uncle’s time runs out, Signa must play his twisted games in order to find her happy ending.

I enjoyed this book! The character development was interesting and the romance was well-written. Signa grew a lot during the story, and I really enjoyed following her on her journey as she unraveled the mysteries surrounding Death and Fate. I liked the first book, and I felt like the sequel did an amazing job of continuing the strong relationships and atmosphere of its predecessor. The dialogue was lush and imaginative, and it stayed true to its gothic roots. Fans of gothic romance will find much to love here!


Running in Flip-Flops From the End of the World

Eddie and his four friends, Sage, Sonia, Xavier, and Trey, are all by themselves in Carterville, Ohio. Everyone else in town went to the shore for the Beach Bash and never returned. Eddie, who tells the story, seems to have a little trouble focusing and exhibits signs of ADHD. At first, these youngsters (ages ten to twelve) think having no parents around is an invitation for non-stop fun, but they soon realize surviving should be on their list of things to do. Some mysterious force seems to keep the kids from getting to the shore to look for people. Eddie seems unfazed and wants to just have fun, but the others take their problems more seriously.

Justin A. Reynolds has written a book that, like Eddie, is non-stop fun, although jokes that should be one-liners often go on for pages. We don’t know much about how the situation arose, because this is book two in a series, and Eddie doesn’t fill the readers in on much. A certain group of young readers, including reluctant readers, will be carried through this book with the non-stop jokes and nonsense, but many will find this a frustrating read.


Ghost With Two Hearts

"Armed with a stolen samurai sword and a dark family history, Adrian Green embarks on a soul-searching journey of redemption to Japan in Michael R. French’s Ghost With Two Hearts. Confronting the intricacies of Japanese culture and the intrusion of ghosts, he grapples with the fine line between reality and obsession. It’s a captivating exploration of one man’s journey of self-discovery in a richly evoked if unfamiliar land. French seamlessly blends elements of spirituality, romance, and the supernatural, creating a vibrant world in which the boundaries between the physical and metaphysical blur. With nuanced character development and vivid descriptions of the Japanese landscape, Ghost With Two Hearts invites reflection on the complexities of the human spirit and the transformative power of cultural exploration." —Erin Britton, San Francisco Book Review


Ambient Light: A Novel

Kate Stout’s Ambient Light is a poignant work of literary fiction that explores the interconnections among friends and love interests as well as the enduring impact that a pivotal figure can have on a group. Told from the alternating perspectives of the central characters and set during the tumultuous period that begins with the transformative 1960s and ends with the disorientating years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the story follows the lives of six friends―Adie, Breck, Mary Clay, Tony, Jude, and Grady―after their adolescence is marked by the magnetic pull of enigmatic peer Sebastian.

When he leaves them behind to move to San Francisco and live an openly gay life, Sebastian’s departure leaves the group grappling with a mix of unassailable love and simmering resentment. Although the group had started to fracture somewhat even before that point, the absence of Sebastian seems to be the final cut that severs the bonds between them. Yet, initial appearances are often deceptive and the six find themselves moving in and out of each other’s orbit in unexpected ways until the final act of fates pulls them irrevocably apart, one by one.

Stout’s detailed portrayal of the enduring bonds that bind the characters together lies at the heart of the novel, highlighting the complexities of evolving friendships and the lasting impact of a departed friend. Here, Stout dives deep into the characters’ emotions, exploring both their changeable and resolute aspects, slowly drawing out thoughts and feelings that extend in unexpected directions. She has dedicated significant time and effort to the characterization throughout the novel, with each character having unique flaws and strengths that combine to make them engaging and relatable.

Ambient Light is written in a poetic style, which allows Stout to add additional layers of introspection to the story through the characters’ innermost thoughts and feelings, thereby infusing it with a strong sense of nostalgia and impressive depth. The interplay among the characters’ philosophical ruminations and meditations on the meaning of life, including occasional divergences into the fantastical, lends the story another surprising and impactful dimension, which makes separating reality from fiction sometimes tricky and enhances the thought-provoking nature of the novel.

Despite the outwardly conventional nature of the central characters when viewed in their present, when looking back through their pasts and shared histories, their individual attributes―whether hidden or overt―and the truly interesting times in which they live render Ambient Light gripping and immersive from the outset. There are hints of surprising and shocking things on the horizon, and Stout’s descriptions of the intricacies of human relationships and the fragility of life throughout prompt significant emotional investment in the characters’ joys, struggles, and secrets.

Stout paces the story well, maintaining momentum even during the particularly contemplative and introspective scenes, suggesting all the while that Ambient Light is unspooling from an inevitable final revelation that ties the individual stories together. It all makes for an emotionally resonant story that features rich character development and a sensitive yet unflinching exploration of profound aspects of life. Stout’s candid portrayal of issues such as sexuality, identity, and human connection enhances the novel’s depth and relevance, ensuring that it’s consistently compelling and impactful.


That Loving Feeling: A Couples Guide to Transform Hurt & Criticism into Kindness & Gratitude

The book starts with Sarah encouraging Gene, her partner, to do a couples’ workshop with her. They had been together for thirty-five years, and the marriage was starting to get weary, mostly due to a lack of communication. At the workshop, they befriend other couples, learn how to practice non-violent communication, and improve their marriage. The story is built around the different sessions they attend and the experiences of the other couples attending the workshop. Each couple has a peculiar story and difficulties that they hope to overcome through these workshops. While reading the book, you'll not only be captivated by the storylines, but you'll also learn a lot about how to make your relationships better.

Relationships these days have evolved from what they used to be. Unlike before, when people would accept anything their partner did without raising questions, these days people seek accountability. Experiencing past hurt is not an excuse for a failed marriage, since therapy is an option. Many people avoid relationships because they think they are synonymous with stress and emotional turmoil. However, finding the right partner makes it a beautiful thing.

Both parties in a relationship have to make efforts to make the relationship work. It is often said that you should be what you expect from your partner. Therefore, it is important to adopt skills that will make the relationship a smooth ride.

In this book, through the use of fictional characters, the author delves into what lack of communication does to most relationships and the best ways to tackle it. The couples gain skills like empathy, understanding, and patience toward their partner just by attending the workshop. The therapy sessions are enlightening, as they don't hold anything back, and the lessons from them are very helpful. The takeaways at the end of each chapter were some of the best things about the book. It summarized the key points and made it easier to understand the book.

I loved reading this because it uses fiction to address major deal-breakers in relationships. It would have been boring if it were filled with steps and guidelines only. The story was engaging, and the message was passed across in a way that the reader could relate to and learn from. I love the approach; it seems I'm learning from these people's experiences. And the book was worth the equivalent of attending marriage counseling. I recommend That Loving Feeling: A Couples Guide to Transforming Hurt and Criticism into Kindness and Gratitude by Rick Longinotti (MFT) to every couple out there.


A Sign of Her Own: A Novel

Alexander Graham Bell is best known for the telephone. Perhaps less known, at least among the hearing community, is his interest in working with deaf people, and his particular interest in teaching them to speak as clearly as any hearing person could. From this history comes the story of Ellen Lark, a fictional woman inspired by real events and real people.

At first, Ellen’s story felt murky. It was difficult for me to find a sense of place or to determine whether I cared about the stakes of her conflict: whether to remain loyal to Bell or expose some secret of his which she knows. As I read further, however, I found my interest growing. The secret didn’t capture my interest much, but Ellen herself did. Her growth, the history surrounding her, and the way her voice emerged through the story all captivated me.

At times, A Sign of Her Own is difficult to figure out. The characters don’t always stand out, and Ellen sometimes fades to the background of her own story. At its best, though, it is a beautiful story inspired by the deaf community of late 19th century America, a community which is too often overlooked.


The Holocaust: An Unfinished History

Any book about the Holocaust will be a horrifying, sickening read; this is no exception. However, the focus is not to assemble a comprehensive document of Holocaust experiences, but rather to give a high-level overview of the shape of the travesty, from inception to implementation, all the way to modern day implications. In doing this, it necessarily recounts truly incomprehensible statistics, punctuated by intimately personal witness accounts that expose the barest tip of the iceberg of suffering. This is sufficient; I appreciated that it avoided maudlin fascination, instead treating the victims with utmost respect and humanity.

The book, with meticulous and extensive research, argues that the Holocaust was, at base, the product of a racist ideology. Importantly, it also shows how the confluence of other factors such as technology, global and local politics, and endemic human greed led to the destruction being as comprehensive as it was; ideology alone was not enough, although that was the driver. It also exposes the complicity of the rest of Europe, from governments at all levels to ostensible friends and neighbors. The Holocaust is not “a lesson”, but we can learn from it if we will. This book shows us how.


Old Crimes: and Other Stories

It would be dishonest to call Jill McCorkle's Old Crimes an upbeat collection of short stories, but what it lacks in joy and hope, it makes up for in intimacy, honesty, and truth. I've rarely read a collection that has stayed with me like this one has; as a fan of McCorkle's other works, like the novel Ferris Beach and the short story collection Going Away Shoes, I was stunned by the depth of this new work.

McCorkle's characters are flawed, at times ugly to one another, and irrepressibly real. The title story sees young couple Lynn and Cal at a family inn in New Hampshire that has seen better days. The memories of what was once a likely happy place surround them, but the appearance of a girl so obviously in the throes of neglect makes Lynn uncomfortable from the start. As the story closes, we learn that Lynn has carried the memory of that girl throughout her life. This story is intertwined with the histories of the Yde Girl and the Tolland Man, figures whose remains were found long after their spirits left the earth. This parallelism is one of McCorkle's strengths, and there are echoes of history and literature throughout the collection.

There are two other standouts in the collection. "Confessional" includes a newly married couple who buy an old church confessional and install it in their home as a novelty, unaware of the consequences the purchase will have. "Baby in the Pan" is a startling and brutal examination of the effect of shared misinformation. As I read this story, I was floored by how real the mother and daughter were, I have known those women, and McCorkle's captures their points of view beautifully.

There are few writers working today who can present the lives of their characters without apology. The stories in Old Crimes do this. If you've not read McCorkle, then you are in for a treat with this brilliant collection.


Before We Say Goodbye: A Novel (Before the Coffee Gets Cold Series, 4)

Before We Say Goodbye is the fourth book in Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s series about a special cafe in Japan that allows visitors to go back in time. Like the other books in the series this book is comprised of short stories all centering around this cafe. This is the second book I’ve read in the series and I have to say all of the stories are wonderfully written and will pull at the heartstrings of the readers.

The rules of going back in time at the cafe are: You must wait for the woman dressed in white (the ghost) to get up from her seat so you can sit in it, you cannot change the present no matter what you do in the past, you cannot stand up from your seat, and you must not let your cup of coffee get cold otherwise you will turn into a ghost.

In each of these stories, the person going back in time would like to obtain somekind of closure in their life. Kawaguchi does a fantastic job of creating original, thought-provoking stories. The main characters in the cafe are all fun and have a matter-of-factly tone when they speak even though the cafe is so special. Readers will enjoy each and every story in this book.


Milkweed for Monarchs

Monarch butterflies are in trouble. The only way they can survive is if they have a plentiful supply of milkweed. As land is taken for development, many sources of milkweed are disappearing and not being replaced. Milkweed plants are the only places where monarch butterflies will lay their eggs. It is the only food that monarch larvae can eat. The story of monarch butterflies, their life cycle from egg to larva to chrysalis to butterfly, and their need for milkweed is told in this beautifully written and illustrated picture book that youngsters will find compelling and fascinating.

Author Christine Van Zandt tells the story in perfect rhyming couplets that will keep the youngest of listeners engaged, and she adds sidebars with extra information written in prose that will help to keep youngsters up to six or seven interested as well. Gorgeous illustrations by Alejandra Barajas are filled with wonderful details and will delight children, helping to keep their eyes on the pages. Back matter includes an author’s note, fun facts about monarchs, how they sense things, how people can help, and a good bibliography. This book is a real star in STEM picture books.


A Christmas Vanishing: A Novel (Anne Perry's Christmas)

A Christmas Vanishing is the next installment in Author Anne Perry's Christmas novella series. In this book, a woman named Mariah goes to St. Helena to visit her friend Sadie whom she has not seen for almost twenty years after a quarrel they had. Sadie has invited Mariah to stay with her and her husband Barton, however when Mariah arrives, Sadie is nowhere to be found. Furthermore, Barton slams the door in her face and Mariah goes to stay with a woman named Gwendolyn. From there, Mariah and several people in the village help figure out where Sadie could have gone. Did she leave of her own fruition or was she kidnapped? But the more people Mariah talks to, the more she is convinced that Sadie is not so innocent. In fact, she may have brought all of this on herself.

Although the books in this series are quite short, there is a hefty story with wonderful characters jam-packed into it. This holiday mystery is the perfect read on a cozy winter night and will have readers guessing whodunnit. The book is written in a way that readers will not want to put in down in order to find out where Sadie could have gone and what really happened to her.


Brothers in Arms: Churchill's Special Forces During WWII's Darkest Hour

Winston Churchill wanted more than just soldiers, he wanted efficient killers capable of operating behind enemy lines and destroying targets. In 1941, the Special Air Service was established for this exact purpose. Churchill desired men of action, men like Robert Blair “Paddy” Mayne and David Stirling.

Mayne was an Irishman who had already seen his share of action and tragedy in the early days of World War II. Mayne and his fellow soldiers were champing at the bit to strike at the fascist forces that controlled vital areas of Northern Africa while avenging past losses.

Mayne, Stirling, and others began their covert operations in November 1941 with a hazardous drop into Libya. Despite a near fatal start, the band of commandos possessed a strength and resolve that led to their operations proving fruitful and deadly to their enemies.

Brothers in Arms is the latest thrilling World War II read from author Damien Lewis (Churchill’s Shadow Raiders). Lewis pays tribute to a group of unsung heroes who operated under often hellacious conditions in achieving their objective and frustrating the opposing armies. The narrative is relayed admirably, where the reader experiences through the eyes of men like Mayne, Stirling, and others.