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Divya, the online streamer known as D1V, organized several gamers, many of them girls, to create her #AngstArmada. Aaron is the son of a doctor who expects him to follow in her footsteps, but he’d rather be writing script for games with his crew at ManaPunk. They meet playing the game Reclaim the Sun, and an unlikely friendship begins. During one of their planetary excursions, a group who call themselves the Vox Populi attack Divya’s armada and threaten her right to game. Later they attack her mom, but Divya won’t go down quietly. Aaron, meanwhile, is trying to show his parents the legitimacy of his chosen profession, but it’s difficult when Jason, the owner at ManaPunk, refuses to pay up. As attacks become more personal and Jason continues with excuses, Divya and Aaron must decide what’s important.

Told in alternating voices with online chats thrown in, this book is a fast read with an incredible message. Supporting women in gaming and bringing attention to sexual harassment both in person and online is handled expertly in this story. Some parts will make readers rage, others will make them laugh, but the whole thing will leave them feeling good. A favorite for 2020.


Outback: The Amazing Animals of Australia: A Photicular Book is a really cool book! It’s like you’re watching TV, except you’re really reading a book about native Australian animals. If you’ve never been to Australia, this book makes you feel like you’re there with its amazing kangaroos, camels, wombats, and more. If you’re interested in nature, this is a good book to have on hand. It takes a really long time to read because there are a lot of details on each animal. This book is written for older kids and adults, though even babies will enjoy looking at the moving pictures. My brother liked how if you turn the pages fast the animals move really fast, but if you turn the pages slowly the animals move slowly, and you can make them forward and backward. A magical book to be sure.


The Book of Spells: The Magick of Witchcraft

Magick and witchcraft have been growing in popularity over the past few decades, with more experienced practitioners being open about spellcraft and newer initiates getting started all the time. But for many, the biggest question is how to get started. Where can one find reliable information? What tools do you need? How do you cast a circle? What is a spell, really? Author Jamie Della has been studying magick in various forms for more than two decades, and The Book of Spells is an excellent guide for anyone trying to get started, or even for those who are looking for a treasury of information all in one place. Della gives a rundown of different styles of witchcraft, the tools of the craft, various deities you may wish to incorporate into your practice, the seasonal holidays, and even simple guides to crystals, herbs, and tarot cards. And of course, there are plenty of spells to cover a wide variety of wishes and needs. The Book of Spells is a wonderful, surprisingly complete (for its size) book for anyone with an interest in magick.


Sports Education Roundup

Whether you’re looking for inspiration to take up a new sport, tips on how to improve your game, or just a good read for during the summer months, the following five sports books all have something to offer. From basketball to baseball, football to golf and cross-country running, these books tell the extraordinary and inspirational stories of a wide range of athletes, whether just starting out, at their peak, or on the comeback trail.

Three-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty by Jeff Pearlman

Three-Ring Circus presents a definitive account of the highs, the lows, and the controversies experienced by the Los Angeles Lakers (and their fans) during the period 1996 to 2004, which saw many of the biggest names in the game take to the court. While the main characters are, unsurprisingly, center Shaquille O’Neal and shooting guard Kobe Bryant, as well as coach Phil Jackson, Jeff Pearlman takes pains to highlight the roles of other Lakers stars, such as Nick Van Exel, Samaki Walker, and Mark Madsen, and members of the coaching squad in the team’s successes and losses. He examines what made the team so great, the extent to which O’Neal and Bryant were more similar than people generally thought, and how ego ultimately led to the disintegration of the team. Pearlman has a way with words that makes his factual reporting seem like storytelling, and his admiration for both the game of basketball and its players shines through on every page. This is a must-read book for basketball fans that pulls no punches but also offers a fitting and touching tribute to the late Kobe Bryant.

Roaring Back: The Fall and Rise of Tiger Woods by Curt Sampson

Arguably, few athletes have experienced a fall from grace and a decline in competitive performance as monumental and well-publicized as that suffered by Tiger Woods after the spectacular and hugely public failure of his marriage and his two subsequent car crashes, to say nothing of the eight surgeries he required. However, despite the undoubted controversies, Woods is recognized as being one of the greatest golfers of all time, having won four Masters titles before injury forced him to take a career break. Of course, that wasn’t the end of the story and, in Roaring Back: The Fall and Rise of Tiger Woods, Curt Sampson chronicles both Woods’ troubled times and his spectacular return to golf, which saw him win a fifth Masters title in 2019. In telling Woods’ remarkable story, Sampson relates the comebacks of other players and also shares the insights of a host of golf insiders, ranging from caddies to coaches to Augusta locals, concerning the source of Woods’ greatness and his ability to come back from the brink.

Hell with the Lid Off: Inside the Fierce Rivalry between the 1970s Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers by Ed Gruver and Jim Campbell

During the 1970s, the NFL was dominated by the rivalry between the Oakland Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers. As Ed Gurver and Jim Campbell detail in Hell with the Lid Off: Inside the Fierce Rivalry between the 1970s Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers, the infamous rivalry was sparked by the 1972 playoff game in which Franco Harris’ touchdown, the result of the so-called “Immaculate Reception” (or “Deception,” depending on which side is favored), gave the Steelers the win against the Raiders. That game led to a five-year fight for dominance between the two teams, which were both known for their physicality and imposing presence on the field. Things eventually got so heated between the teams in terms of the mudslinging that a defamation of character court case resulted. Focusing on the larger-than-life personalities involved, Gurver and Campbell provide a thrilling account of a turbulent period in the history of football as well as the games, players, and coaches that characterized it.

Amazing Racers: The Story of America's Greatest Running Team and Its Revolutionary Coach by Marc Bloom

In Amazing Racers: The Story of America's Greatest Running Team and Its Revolutionary Coach, Marc Bloom relates the inspiring story of the Fayetteville-Manlius cross-country running teams and their innovative coach, Bill Aris. Under Aris’ leadership, both the boys and girls teams have far exceeded expectations and come to dominate the Nike Cross Nationals championships. To offer just a few of the stats that Bloom presents, the girls team has won eleven of the last thirteen championships, while the boys team has the best cumulative national record in terms of championship podium performances. While Bloom can’t detail exactly how Coach Aris has achieved such success with his teams (after all, that would mean giving away quite the advantage to rival teams), he does discuss some aspects of Aris’ philosophy and his approach to fostering talent. Through interviews conducted with current and former runners, he sheds light on some of the unique features of the program and suggests how the teams managed to come so far so quickly. The insights provided into Aris’ mindset lead to insights into the runners’ varying approaches and motivations, which should prove highly valuable to those looking to improve their own performance.

Son of Havana: A Baseball Journey from Cuba to the Big Leagues and Back by Luis Tiant

Widely regarded as the best and most consistent pitcher yet to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Luis Tiant is among the greatest players to have ever featured on the roster of the Boston Red Sox. While his talent was never in any doubt, his distinctive style––including the signature Fu Manchu mustache––caused him to stand out from his contemporaries in Major League Baseball during the 1970s, as did his race and country of origin. In Son of Havana: A Baseball Journey from Cuba to the Big Leagues and Back, Tiant details his extraordinary career in baseball from the early days after political upheaval meant he could not return to his home in Cuba through to the glory days of the World Series with the Red Sox and on to his emotional homecoming when he played an exhibition game in Havana in 2016. Tiant’s story is an unusual one in that even aside from his baseball greatest, he lived an inspirational life after being unwillingly exiled from Cuba, facing racism during his early days in the United States, and eventually going on against the odds to succeed beyond all measure. This engaging and punchy memoir tells interesting tales from a life well lived, both on the mound and off.


Dead to Her: A Novel

//Dead To Her// by Sarah Pinborough is a domestic drama set in steamy Savannah, Georgia where the lifestyle of the Old South, including exclusive country and social clubs still exist.  Now traveling in this elite circle of power and old money, trophy wife Marcie, has come a long way from the trailer park of her youth.  She has everything she ever wanted - a handsome husband, a newly purchased mansion and a credit card with no limit.  Despite all that she has, Marcie still believes the other couples view her an outsider.  When her husband’s boss returns from a trip abroad with Keisha, a younger and beautiful bride, after a whirlwind romance, Marcie’s insecurities get the better of her as she fears losing the lavish lifestyle she has worked so hard to acquire.

Often readers select books and have expectations based on an author’s previous work, so if you are a fan of Behind Her Eyes you very well could be underwhelmed by this book because there is no “what did I just read” moment.  However, if you are looking for a story filled with the drama of the rich and privileged with some racy sex, //Dead To Her// delivers.  Unfortunately, there are some unnecessary elements that take away from the flow of the story and while there are a few twists and turns, the unlikeability of the characters makes it difficult for the reader to connect with them and thus the feeling about the outcome is one of indifference.


Valentine: A Novel

The oil fields in 1970s Texas are full of hell-raising men hoping to get rich. They arrive at the fields with guns and swagger, and anyone close enough to encounter them sees their arrival as a double-edged sword: waitresses make a killing in tips, but the risk of rape and murder underscores every flirtatious interaction. The women in Odessa lead lives that are all but invisible to the men in the fields until a violent rape of fourteen-year-old Glory shines a spotlight into their most intimate domestic spaces. Mary Rose, an exhausted young mother, is the first person to see Glory alive after the rape and finds herself hellbent on justice. Corinne, a new widow, spends her days torn between rage and paralyzing grief. Waitress Karla stares down danger in ways no man could have predicted. And Debra Ann becomes the lifeline of a traumatized Vietnam vet, even though she’s only a child.

Though their hardships are individual, the women’s fates are bound to merge. As their friends and acquaintances are relentlessly victimized by men who trust that justice will serve them above anyone else, their voices reach a fever pitch--but the promise of true justice is elusive. Sometimes victory resides in how you tell a story--about yourself, about your life, and about what you’ve left behind. This raw, relentless novel is essential reading.


The Vanished Birds: A Novel

Lonely and adrift, Nia Imani is essentially a time traveler, a woman out of place, and outside time. A month of travel for her is a decade for others. But when she takes in a boy who has fallen from the sky, everything changes. Though the boy refuses to speak, he plays beautiful, haunting music. Through this unusual communication, the two outsiders form a bond, finding solace in each other. Their fateful encounter allows them to start life anew, and over the years, of traveling throughout the stars, they can only begin to realize they cannot outrun the past forever.

The Vanished Birds is such a complexly wonderful world - exploring the end of the world as we know it (by our own doing, no less), and into a future where nearly every part of space is controlled by the Umbai company. At first glance, I was unsure to make of this world, but as time progressed into Nia and the boy's story, I could not help but become engrossed with it; anticipating every twist and turn (and every new character) that was brought my way. The Vanished Birds is an all-around beautiful journey, filled with moments of love, of home and everything in between.


The Very Rude Toytoise

This was a very cute book! I liked to read it and so did my mom! I really like how detailed the drawings were. They really kept me interested in the book. I love that they are in color and take up all the space on the pages. I really liked the story.  I thought it was funny he had to keep telling people he was a TOYtoise. He destroyed so much and I can relate to him, sometimes I get yelled at for destroying my sister’s things. I felt sad when the toytoise felt sad. He HAD to go fast because he was a wind-up toy. He didn’t want to make a mess but he did. He said sorry and that’s a good thing to do. I liked how the text used BIG letters to show when I should read loud. I also liked that on some of the pages they used text that wasn’t straight across. Overall I liked this book and I think it teaches little kids how to say sorry for things that they do that hurt their friends feelings.


Just Beyond: The Scare School

When Jess, Josh, and Marco discover a weird robot creature roaming the halls of The Scare School, they aren’t sure if it is a large insect or just a bizarre bot. Little do the three of them know that this weird creature will only be the beginning of a terrifying adventure. In a split-second decision, the three children decide to jump into a swirling vortex, landing them in another dimension. Now, Jess Josh and Marco must figure out where they are and how to escape before it’s too late.

In this new graphic-novel series for middle-graders, Just Beyond: The Scare School, readers will be whisked into a science-fiction terror complete with alternate dimensions, a human-eating robot, and a school that traps its students. Middle-grade readers will instantly relate with the three main earthly characters, while the name of the school alone will make them want to read the story. However, with its dual first-person narratives and confusing storyline, readers might be left questioning a few aspects of the plot. Hoping for a true Goosebumps in aesthetic and effect, I found this storyline to fall flat, yet I am optimistic that the next book in the series will deliver.


Breathe Slower, Deeper, Better: Make Deep Breathing a Habit with Simple Yoga Exercises

Breathing is something every single person does from the moment they are born. It is something we do without even thinking about it, but what happens when you do actually think about how you are breathing? The first part of this book explains how breathing and the respiratory muscles in the bodywork. The book then goes into how to recognize your own breathing patterns and how you can change your breathing by thinking about it. After explaining the importance of breathing the author then explains how breathing is used when practicing yoga and shows some yoga breathing exercises that can be easily done.

Even though breathing isn’t something we have to think about, there are times when thinking about breathing can help you. By controlling your breathing you can help calm yourself, reduce stress and help control emotions. It was interesting to see how breathing works and how you can use it to help you. The yoga poses and breathing exercises were easy to follow especially with the pictures.


The Frugal Book Promoter - 3rd Edition: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher

Here’s the 3rd edition of this advisory extravaganza. Ms. Howard-Johnson has a long record with her Frugal series and has accumulated a tremendous volume of experience and reading. Here, she put it all in, making for a dense read.<bvr>

Anything one might wonder about in the realm of book promotion, from the pros, cons, costs, and often limited advantages of engaging a publicist to how to craft a query letter seeking a review or blurb, is included. Exhaustively. There is, seemingly, always a caveat or a reconsideration. Advertising is denigrated, public relations extolled, reviews and their solicitations extensively delved into. How to address letters, formatting of queries, and pre-constructed blurbs are all included. Groups and blogs receive extensive coverage, as do the arguments for and against conferences, the considerations thereof…an argument is advanced for selling to libraries for the sake of name recognition.

The font used is measured by this reviewer at ~2mm. If one were to look up and read all the advice writers are offered herein, one would deserve a Master’s in promoting and marketing, at the least. The index is by-the-word. Looking up “synopsis,” for example, yields eleven page referrals, all of which reference just the word.

Potentially valuable; tedious.


Wonder Woman: Warbringer (The Graphic Novel)

Diana, the youngest of the Amazons and the only one who didn’t earn her place on Themyscira, sets out to prove herself at the upcoming race. Though her mother fears she is not ready, Diana trains and maps out a route to bring her out front. However, an explosion and boat wreck out at sea force her to change plans and send her into the water to save a girl who is not from their world. Alia’s presence brings havoc to the island, so Diana visits the Oracle and finds out that Alia is a Warbringer, and will bring death and destruction to all. Diana knows that both must she and Alia must leave the island, not only to prove her worth but also to return Alia to her home and save the world.

This beautifully illustrated graphic novel brings Bardugo’s Wonder Woman: Warbringer novel to life in a rich tapestry of color and text. The story’s focus on blues when events are calm and more reds when action starts to build helps to heighten the dramatic decisions Diana and her new friends must make. The focus is on friendship and sisterhood with witty dialogue and loveable characters to weave it all together.


We are Artists: Women who Made their Mark on the World

Do you like to draw or create art? Well, I do. Women can be artists in different ways, whether its painting, sculpting, or photography. Each chapter is the story of a specific female artist, describing how they became artists, the types of art they created, and the struggles they experienced in their lives. Each person was a different type of artist and special in their own way. They all became famous due to their unique way of art and they all inspired young artists to follow their dreams. These women believed they could do anything they wanted, because if you want to be an artist, you should listen to your heart and no one else.

This book is inspiring because this last year I had a desire to create art and I have been doing so in my free time since then. I thank my art teacher for making me love drawing. The stories throughout this book show that women can be famous for their art and not just popularity. Most importantly, the women in this book show strength and independence. They can do anything, they will not let anyone drag them down and they can share their art with the world.


The Gift of Gerbert's Feathers

It’s evident at the time of his birth that something is different about him. As he grows older, even though Gerbert loves to feast on savory blueberries and crunchy corncob kernels, he remains smaller than his siblings. He feels healthy and strong and can keep up with the pack in flight, although he does have to flap a bit harder than the rest. As time progresses, young Gerbert’s feathers begin to thin and his vitality weakens. When the time for the annual migration approaches, he knows it’s a journey he can’t possibly endure. Before saying a final “goodbye” and “I love you,” Gerbert decides to leave those he loves the most with something special to always remember him by.

The Gift of Gerbert’s Feathers is a delightful story about strength, courage, determination, and love. The reader will be blessed by witnessing how this young gosling with a condition that inevitably takes his life persists each day with amazing grace and admirable dignity. He sets a wonderful example for children who face obstacles such as his, as well as for those who have the normal frustrations of life to cope with. His positivity and bravery radiate through the pages of this exquisitely illustrated picture book. Though the reader may experience a sense of sadness at his loss, a sizable amount of joy will lift the reader to heights above as his final migration to heaven is imagined.


Agnes: A Novel

Originally published in 1998, Agnes is Peter Stamm’s debut novel. It is a short novel characterized by terse prose and a few translation hiccups, although hidden beneath the short, staccato sentences is a complex tale of relationships and power.

Agnes follows the tumultuous romance between an unnamed older author of bland nonfiction works and a PhD student half his age. The narrator becomes fixated on Agnes when he sees her at the Chicago Public Library, and a coffee date soon turns into romance. Agnes discovers that the narrator once had dreams of becoming a writer of fiction, so she begs him to write a love story...their love story.

At first, the story evolves in real time, but as the relationship hits a plateau, the narrator becomes more invested in playing out scenarios from his fictionalized story than in his relationship with Agnes. It seems that in an effort to save the relationship, Agnes begins to act out the scenarios he has written, and for a time it sustains the relationship. But in the end, the illusion of Agnes seems to be more valuable to the narrator than Agnes herself. Where can a love story go from there?


Brilliant Maps for Curious Minds: 100 New Ways to See the World

This book uses geographical maps to display information. The maps are useful, eye-opening, curious, or just whimsical. It's divided into nine sections, such as people and populations, culture and customs, national identity, nature, etc. Each section has either about a dozen maps (first sex sections) or about half a dozen maps (last three sections). Most maps are color-coded across a two-page spread with minimal text and no source information. These include maps like average male height (by country). There is another for average female height as well. Others, such as the longest place names or the largest islands, do not require a color code.

As most of the maps are a two-page spread, countries in the middle (typically the Middle Eastern countries) get buried in the fold. For some maps, the colors provide qualitative data (such as the most photographed to least photographed places in the world). It would be helpful to know the difference in magnitude between the highest and lowest places. For other maps, the legend is inexplicably non-linear, and for other maps, it is difficult to distinguish between one color and another as the legend is shades of the same color. Overall, the book is a great idea but requires refinement.


Sulwe

Lupita Nyong'o, with illustrations by Vashti Harrison

Sulwe is the story of a girl whose whole family looks different from her. Her mother is the color of dawn, her dad is the color of dusk, and her sister is the color of high noon, but Sulwe is as dark as midnight. At school, Sulwe's sister is given all types of nice pet names such as "Sunshine Ray" and "Beauty" but the other children call Sulwe "Blackie" and "Darky." Sulwe does not feel good about her skin color and tries everything she could to lighten her skin, but nothing works. One day, her mother tells her a story of two sisters, and Sulwe is changed forever. To find out what happens to Sulwe, buy this book. It may change you as well.

Sulwe is a beautifully written story, with lovely illustrations that can be shared with the whole family. This book is a must-have for all the little girls in the world who question their value, who doubt their worth. It teaches that beauty is not skin-deep and that each person is precious. Sulwe reminds us that we are all beautiful, no matter what anyone else says.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers


Santa Mouse

Michael Brown, illustrated by Elfrieda De Witt

In a story that captures the true spirit of Christmas, author Michael Brown presents Santa Mouse. The idea for the book was born out of inspiration from a simple piece of children’s pajama fabric with a miniature little Christmas mouse on it. Initially written in 1964 and published in 1966, this new hardcover edition of Santa Mouse brings this classic holiday story back into the public eye again. In this story, a tiny little mouse living all alone in a great big house spends his time daydreaming of companions that don’t exist. He dreams of playing imaginative dress-up games and indulging in a cup of tea with his guests, yet when he tries to feel their presence, he sadly realizes they are each no more than a figment of his imagination. One day, he reaches into a shallow drawer and gently pulls out something he has saved for just the right occasion: a piece of neatly-cut yellow cheese. When he suddenly realizes that no one ever gives Santa a present, he decides he’ll wrap the cheese up and gift it to the one who gifts the most. He wakes up the following day to find himself peering directly into Santa’s eyes. When Santa thanks him for the present and discovers that the poor little mouse has no name, he decides to adopt him as his helper and give him the name of Santa Mouse. As he journeys from house to house with the jolly old man, delivering presents to all those who are deserving, the little mouse concludes his ventures feeling a sense of contentment, for which he could previously only yearn.

This young children’s story is one that will touch the hearts of young readers and old readers alike. It’s a memorable holiday tale about thoughtfulness, kindness, and companionship, making it ideal for those students in pre-K through second-grade classrooms. Teachers and parents can use it as a catalyst to spark timely, impactful discussions about the meanings of generosity and selflessness, and how embodying these favorable attributes can make deep changes in the lives of others. It is a wonderful story, as well, for parents and grandparents to share with their loved ones. It's sure to brighten some souls and fill a number of homes with holiday cheer. The adorable, detailed illustrations by Elfrieda De Witt fill the pages of this beloved picture book with elements of vibrancy, awe, and poignancy, and the text is spread across the pages sparingly enough to keep the attention of even the youngest ones. The words are easy to decipher in its simple, unadorned font, and the book is ideal for those reading at a second-grade level. This hardcover edition, in particular, has attractive, embossed lettering and decoration on its exterior, of which young students will be especially fond! The subtle rhyming pattern throughout is yet another inviting feature of this high-quality holiday picture book.


Oscar and Lucinda, True History of the Kelly Gang (Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics Series)

There is something so very satisfying about staying with characters within a very big book. Oscar and Lucinda are out-of-character gambling addicts.They are brought together through that mutual love and learn to love each other. This is a most unusual love story without a cliched ending.

I can’t believe that I hadn’t known about the Australian writer Peter Carey. He has won the Booker prize twice which is an unusual feat especially for an Australian. His writing, characterizations and dialogue is superb. It is not, however, a page turner, so be prepared for a long interval with his very unique characters. Oscar has strayed away from his fundamental roots and become an Anglican minister. He is devout, however, he is also a devout gambler. His gambling methodology, he feels, is blessed by the almighty. Lucinda has money to burn.  She is a feminist in nineteenth century Australia. She really doesn’t fit in anywhere and neither does Oscar. This volume also includes The True History of the Kelly Gang about the famous outlaw Ned Kelly who is made the narrator of his exploits. This novel runs long and ultimately tedious, but a reader who loves books will love this addition to their library.


Scars Like Wings

Scars Like Wings is a great story that pulls out all the feels.
Scars Like Wings is about a girl who has to find her " new normal" after being severely burned and losing her parents and cousin in a house fire. This book is well written and easy to read. You will feel the heartbreak and joy as you follow Avas' journey and a bit of comedy along the way. The author did a great job of portraying that you are more than your body and that sometimes the worst scars are actually within. Though Ava's experience may be different from yours, you will find yourself relating to her as she fights her battles within. This is the kind of book you won't want to put down and will leave you wanting more!


Diary of a 5th Grade Outlaw (Diary of a 5th Grade Outlaw Book 1)

It was a really good book. I liked that there was a combination of pictures and words. It is one of my favorite books now! I hope there will be another one just like it. I liked the pictures, and Robin is really pretty. I liked how sassy she was. I thought it was really, really nice of her to spend all of her bonus bucks for her friend's birthday party! the length of this book was perfect for me, and I couldn't wait to get back to reading it when I had to take breaks!


Gold Rush! (7) (The Oregon Trail)

This is a choose-your-own-adventure book about how, in 1851, your family is traveling on a wagon train along the Oregon-California Trail. You are headed west to get rich fast by finding gold during the Gold Rush. The goal is to keep your family fed and safe on the long journey out west.

There are twenty-two possible endings to this story but only one way to make it to your destination safely. You have to fight danger and disease to make it all the way. Some examples of dangers included in the book are a herd of bison stampeding towards the wagon train, your family being stuck in the middle of the desert with barely any water, and a rattlesnake that is about to strike!

This book was very adventurous and suspenseful at some points. I liked this book because it was entertaining. I think it would be terrifying to travel west into wilderness. But, reading this book, it was fun to imagine that I was brave enough to make that journey!


Calamity in the Cold (8) (The Oregon Trail)

Have you ever thought about what it was like to travel across the country by horse and carriage? Calamity in the Cold is an adventure book about travelling the Oregon Trail in 1845. You get to choose how the story goes. Throughout the book, the reader can decide how the story progresses. The reader has to make wise choices because each choice can change what happens to the characters. The choices include who you go on the trip with, what supplies you buy, and whether or not you take someone's advice. Your goal is to get to Oregon City. Will you and your team be able to get all the way there by making the right decisions?

This book was really fun to read over and over again because you can see if you can get to Oregon City. It really surprised me when I thought I had made the right decisions, but at the end my camp died. If you have ever wondered what it was like in the olden days, then this book would be a good choice for you.


How to Spy on a Shark

Three students set out to follow a shark. They spot a mako pup and tag it. Then, they release a robot that follows the shark while providing live video feed. The scientists follow along in their boat observing what the shark eats and the creatures it encounters on their laptop. At the end of the day, they retrieve their robot and head home. The appendix contains some shark facts such as why to spy on sharks, the considerations of swimming alongside sharks, how the data collected are used, etc.

The illustrations are bright and bold, and the rhyming sentences are short, making it ideal reading for pre-school kids. Two of the human characters seem rather young to be tracking a shark. Some of the facts in the appendix could have been incorporated into the text, making it a more valuable read. The book’s main objective is to spark young minds in understanding the “shark world”—in this the book provides just enough detail to give educators (and parents) enough freedom to structure their book discussion as they feel is appropriate.


Wrong Way Summer

Claire is used to her father’s stories. They are a bit outlandish, but he has been telling them since Claire’s mother left when Claire was only four and her brother, Patrick, was just a baby, eight years ago. Now Claire’s father shows up with a big van. He says they are going to outfit it like an RV and have a Grand Adventure. Claire doesn’t want to leave her best friend Ronnie (or her slightly younger brother who is suddenly pretty cute), but Claire’s father says he’s sold the house and off they go. There seems to be no plan, but they stop in different places to visit some of Dad’s old friends, and then they leave quickly with Dad always disappointed. They end up at Dad’s sister’s home in Utah when Patrick runs away. Can this family ever get on solid footing?

Author Heidi Lang has written an interesting story of a family in a very realistic crisis of disfunction. There are far too many middle-grade readers who will identify with this story of a broken family, homelessness, parents making lousy decisions, and more. It is a frustrating story to read, but only because it’s pretty realistic.


Last of the Gladiators: A Memoir of Love, Redemption, and the Mob

James LaRossa was a warrior in the courtroom who was feared and respected by his opponents who sought to put many of LaRossa’s clients in jail. LaRossa possessed oratory skills in presenting a defense along with a pugnacious cross-examination of government witnesses leaving the prosecution’s case in tatters. LaRossa served as defense counsel for a wide array of criminal defendants from Paul Castellano, head of the Gambino Family to Tammany Hall kingmaker Carmine DeSapio. LaRossa fought wars in the courtroom and tried cases in the media for almost fifty years, but the biggest fight was for his life.

His son, James Jr. admired his Dad from a distance, his father always on the move, their relationship ebbed and flowed over the years. When his father was diagnosed with Cancer, James Jr. took initiative and assumed primary responsibility for his Dad’s care. For the next four years, Father and Son lived in California, bonding over homestyle cooking, shared memories and medical emergencies. Their relationship would be solidified during the time, but this would be bittersweet as LaRossa soon would succumb to his illness.

The Last of the Gladiators is a biography that evokes laughter and tears, sometimes simultaneously. James LaRossa Jr recounts highs and lows, in his Father’s career & personal life, along with his own. This biography and autobiography is captivating from beginning to end, with genuineness in abundance. A fantastic read.


Stillness Is the Key

All readers will find Stillness is the Key is a way to improve one's own meaning in life.  The purpose of this book is to show a unity of body, mind, and soul. On page five, there is a list that one could follow to help them find their moment. Holiday uses various religious themes and ideas to make his points come to life. Readers will find the steps necessary to internalize a truth found on page forty-seven.  We can learn from others and the good choices and the bad choices that they make. Holiday is a writer, as is mentioned, who’s all about making connections, but he is also interested in how we gain wisdom through what we do as humans. The setup of the book is in units, starting with the mind, then the spirit, then the body. He discusses using a journal in many different ways, knowing when enough is enough, and how our physical activities fulfill all our needs. Ryan Holiday's Stillness is the Key is the way of finding yourself.


Six Goodbyes We Never Said

The novel Six Goodbyes We Never Said greatly represents the mental illnesses of depression and OCD. This novel switches through two characters' minds. Both characters have been through the traumatic experience of their parents passing away. Naima's father was killed while serving the military, and her mother died after giving birth to her. Naima has a stepmother named Nell who she greatly dislikes. Naima and Nell go down to Naima's grandparents' house for the summer, but only Naima stays. While Naima is at her Grandparents' she meets the other main character named Dew. Dew has also lost his parents. It took a while for his sister to warm up to their new parents, but she finds a great hobby that she cannot stop talking about. Dew is always carrying around this tape recorder, recording everything to help him cope with his loss.

At first Naima despises Dew, but that ends up changing. This was a very interesting and heartbreaking story.


Something She's Not Telling Us: A Novel

After reading Darcey Bell’s A Simple Favor, I was excited to pick up a copy of her new book. With a storyline like this, I figured it would be an exciting read with a big cat-and-mouse chase, most likely near the end. And of course some kind of crazy great twist. Sadly, I was disappointed.

Charlotte, her husband Eli, and their daughter Daisy are a very happy family. Charlotte has a younger brother named Rocco whom she loves dearly and is very protective of since their mother (in Charlotte’s words) tried to kill him by setting fire to their family home when he was little. That is why it is so difficult to see Rocco date so many odd women. So very odd. One day, Rocco brings a new woman over to Charlotte’s for dinner. Ruth is also a bit strange but hits it off with little Daisy. Ruth picks up—or rather kidnaps—Daisy from school. No one knows where Ruth has taken Daisy, and Ruth also seems to know about a dark secret of Charlotte's. Now, the secret is a good one, and the back and forth narrative between Charlotte and Ruth is also very good. There is no surprise ending, however, as we learn very well what is happening from the beginning. The secret is not quite good enough to give the reader shock value, so once you find out that part there really isn’t too much more to the story and it ends up dragging a bit. Good storyline and easy read, but I definitely think this could have been rewritten to give it a bang at the end.


How Yiddish Changed America and How America Changed Yiddish

Yiddish, a language generated by European Jews many centuries ago, has spread with the diaspora of its speakers from Europe, but its vitality still remains. Within this impressive anthology of Yiddish publications from the early 1900s to the present, the reader is exposed to an array of expressive styles, including stories, memoirs, poetry, graphic art, cartoons, plays, essays, and even traditional mouthwatering recipes. Familiar names such as I. B. Singer, Michael Chabon, Sholem Asch, Cynthia Ozick, and, surprisingly, Sophie Tucker, along with so many others, leave samples of their contributions to this collection. Some of the reading is poignant, reflecting back to the old familiar shtetl of Europe, which is contrasted with the pains of immigration to the new country; much is heart warming in detailing the warmth of human relationships; some selections play on the ironic humor of life; but all the readings engage attention and focus on analysis of the tie between Yiddish and our culture. Yiddish has not only penetrated the nation’s lexicon, but it is the glue that connects its adherents from Europe throughout North and South America as well as Cuba. One can start reading in any section of the volume and just roam through the pages to feel the essence and influence of Yiddish.


Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts is not what I expected. It starts with the black-clad character of Tuesday Mooney heading to work at a large hospital fundraiser. While she’s there, checking in the affluent guests, one of them, Nathaniel Arches, strikes up an unexpected flirtation with her. Later, during the fundraising auction, she and Nathaniel cross paths again and witness one of the other guests fall down dead. And this is the point when things get very weird.

The dead man turns out to be an eccentric billionaire named Vincent Pryce. He’s a collector of the obscure and macabre, also a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe. He had set up an elaborate game for the entire town to play upon his demise. This book follows Tuesday, her friends, and some new acquaintances as they get involved in the game.

The author put in a ton of literary and gothic Easter eggs for the readers. The style itself was slow to get through, very much like speaking to someone who constantly interrupts themself, goes off on a tangent, and then circles back to the original point. Despite the quirks in the storytelling, the characters and the premise were so unusual, I had to continue reading to see if I could figure out what was really going on, how it would all end, and whether it would ever become clear. It is a slow burn of a book and often convoluted, but enjoyable overall.


Geeks Who Drink Presents: Duh!: 100 Bar Trivia Questions You Should Know (And the Unexpected Stories Behind the Answers)

The crew at Geeks Who Drink are the uncrowned kings and queens of bar trivia. At the crossroads of eggheads, barflies, family, and friends, where they serve drinks and chicken tenders and buffalo wings, you'll find a fun and challenging trivia experience where all of the above congregate. But if you want to become a proper trivia hound, there are a few things you'll need to know.

Duh! is the perfect introduction not only to the sort of trivia you'll find on a bar trivia night but also to the sense of humor and clever questioning that has been a Geeks Who Drink hallmark. With tongue firmly planted in cheek, the team has assembled dozens of questions that might lead you to overthink your answer, get it wrong, and then utter one word when you realize your mistake... duh!

Loaded with bonus trivia and explanatory footnotes that are often as hilarious as they are helpful, this book is great fun and immensely educational, even as it entertains. The questions span all sorts of subjects—everything from science, sports, and history to geography, anatomy, and pop culture—rarely failing to surprise you either with the answer, the explanation, or the other details included by the writers.

Don't feel like venturing out to a trivia night just yet? That's fine. You can use this book as a launchpad for recruiting fellow trivia nuts or testing friends and family around you. Make sure to have a drink or two on hand, just in case.


Boy-Crazy Stacey (The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novel #7)

In the latest Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel adaptation, Stacey and Mary-Anne babysit the Pike children while on vacation in the shores of New Jersey. Everything starts out on a good note until Stacey spots a hunky lifeguard. Stacey becomes obsessed with her new crush, and she puts all her attention on him. Stacey becomes distracted and doesn't pay a lot of attention to her babysitting duties while at the beach. Mary-Anne feels like she is watching the children all by herself. Stacey's new obsession starts to irk Mary-Anne. The girls write postcards to the rest of the Baby-Sitters Club members to keep them in the loop about the Pike children and their own drama.

I'm a huge fan of the Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel adaptation. I love all the illustrations by Raina and Gale. I wish they decided to adapt a different book in the series instead of Boy-Crazy Stacey. This story was a little too centered on boys which I'm not a fan of, and I don't think it's appropriate for young children to be reading this. Still, I highly recommend this book, especially to graphic novel fans and Baby-Sitters Club fans.


A Day at the Zoo

Cassie Roberts, illustrated by Judy Richards

A Day at the Zoo is a very good story written by Cassie Roberts and illustrated by Judy Richards, who are a mother and a daughter. In this story, two kids, William and Rose, visit a very unusual zoo. With rollerskating tigers and bicycling elephants, the animals in this zoo are very adventuresome. These crazy animals invite the kids to join them in their activities and antics, but the children don’t want to. They are too scared to try something new, only to realize later what they missed out on.

This book is very silly with the animals and also good. It has an old-timey storybook feel, without the creepy pictures. A Day at the Zoo is a great lesson for all ages: say "yes" more and less "no" for a full and crazy life. The part where they are seated for tea is very good because of the animals in the picture. It’s a story that is very encouraging of trying something new, with lots of silly pictures. I’m going to read it a lot with my sister.


More to the Story

Jameela has big plans. She intends to become a world-famous journalist. The newspaper advisor tells her even though she’s only in seventh grade, she will be a features editor. But things at home become stressful. Jameela and her three sisters are all close to their parents, and when Baba loses his job, he has to take one overseas. It’s hard on everyone. Jameela writes a great story for the paper, but some private information is included by mistake, and she may have ruined an important friendship. Then the family finds out Jameela’s younger sister has cancer, it sets everyone into a tailspin, and everything is put into a new perspective.

Author Hena Khan has written a charming story of a Pakistani-American family that will open a door for many American youngsters to see how much people are so much alike even when they have some differences that seem big and important. But mostly this is a terrific, beautifully-written story about family and many of the difficult dynamics families have. Through it all, there is the love and support families have for each other that can get them through the most difficult of times. Don’t miss it.

Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers


Me and Banksy

Me and Banksy is a powerful novel about middle-schooler Dominica Rivers taking charge at her school. Dominica goes to a private school which, for security reasons, is covered in cameras. They were put up when school security breaches became worse. However, someone has hacked into the camera files and is posting mortifying videos on the student forum, like one of Dominica’s classmates Ana, picking her nose. Dominica and her best friends Holden and Saanvi don’t think much of the Event until a video of Dominica quickly turning her shirt around in the seemingly private library is posted. It’s horrible not only because it’s on the forum but also because the school has had so many assemblies about media safety too! Dominica wants to retaliate against whoever is posting the clips but decides to go directly to the source — the cameras. She takes inspiration from Banksy an anonymous street artist who focuses on current events, politics, and issues in society. His art is amazing and this book has inspired me to look up more of Banksy’s work. Dominica begins to do her own silent protests that say that her school has become a literal prison that has inmates being watched at all times. This book was absolutely amazing! I love that it discusses current issues like a person’s privacy, school security breaches and shootings, media safety and even human rights regardless of skin color or gender or sexual orientation. Along with that this book was realistic, Dominica balanced well-tried her best to do school, protesting against her school, her mom’s new boyfriend and misunderstandings with her friends and her love for art all at the same time. She also used her abilities to her advantage to protest the cameras. I would recommend this novel for anyone ten and up that likes reading about our generation taking charge and changing things for the better.


Under Pressure: The Science of Stress

Did you know that everyone experiences stress? Not only people but animals too. There are many types of stress and guess what: not all stress is bad. There are scientists who have made their whole careers learning about stress, how it affects people and how people can learn to manage it better. Under Pressure: The Science of Stress starts off by explaining the basic type of stress: fight or flight. This is a type of stress that people don’t have much control over. If your body is exposed to something scary or shocking a part of your brain takes over and causes automatic responses. The book also talks about different types of stress like PTSD.

The best part of this book is that along with telling about the science behind stress and all the different research that was done on stress it also tells about the research that has been done to help people deal with stress. There was a lot of advice on ways to help your body deal with stress which I found useful, especially when they spoke about breathing techniques and getting the right kind of sleep.


Franklin and Luna and the Book of Fairy Tales

Franklin and Luna love stories like I do. Since that was the first line in the book, I knew I would like it! The book store they visited sounds fun and exciting. I went to a book store like that once and it had an old clock in the corner too!!I wish I could get trapped inside a book. I have had dreams like this and they are my favorite kind of dreams. I love that they get to meet so many characters from other stories. I felt sad when all the characters asked if they could come out of the book too. Then they all came to Franklin’s birthday party! I really like all the colorful and detailed pictures in the book, there is so much to look at on each page! I think other kids big and small would like this book too!


The Adorable Beastling

With no parents around to protect them, newborn beastlings explode from their eggs to scare away any predators that might be lurking nearby and to establish their place in the beastling hierarchy of toughness. They’re fierce and they’re frightening and they’re able to scare to survive. Well, most of them are...

This is the tale of one particular beastling who just doesn’t fit in with the rest. Scaring doesn’t come naturally to her, but when she finds herself separated from her brothers, she manages to find her own food and her own way to live. She even manages to make some friends, although the story isn’t going to be all smooth sailing for the cutest little beastling around.

Jonathan Rosenbaum’s The Adorable Beastling is a charming picture book that is aptly described as The Ugly Duckling in reverse. It’s a story with a moral, as the beastling learns to be herself and not to try to copy the scariness of her kin, but it’s also a really fun book to read. There’s action and adventure and even a healthy dose of mild peril as the beastling sets out to find her place in the world.

The artwork is marvelous and really enhances the story. The expressions on the beastlings’ faces when they practice scaring and set about menacing passersby are particularly amusing. Aside from the beastlings, there are plenty of other cute and fantastical creatures featured in the story which are sure to capture the attention of younger readers.


Alison and Her Rock Awesome Robot

The comic collection of Alison and Her Rock Awesome Robot by Fred Chao are hilarious comics for kids (and adults!) who like comics.

Penguins, a monkey, a girl, and her robot—what else could you want?

There is so much funny and goofy stuff. I laughed a lot while reading this book. And I read the whole thing in almost one night! And there are director’s cuts! (I LOVE director’s cuts and bonus features.) And these are super funny. Alison is seven (like me!) and her robot has a lot to learn. They have all kinds of adventures, and the penguins are hilarious and good. One even takes off his jacket to wash in the laundry! That was so so funny. The illustrations are fun. My mom liked how it was like reading a book collection of the old Sunday newspaper comic strips, and said the dialog was fresh and punchy, with something for both kids and adults.

If you like comics that are clever and have lots of insights, this might be a collection you like too.


The Best New True Crime Stories: Serial Killers

Can’t get enough true crime stories? Anthologist Mitzi Szereto has put together a collection of short pieces about serial killers that will help to satisfy the needs of any true crime junkie. The subjects of the sixteen serial killer exposés range across the world and across time and include both men and women. Eschewing the familiar names of Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and other super-famous modern serial killers, these pieces will send readers to the internet to find photographs and further information on the several killers written about here. Each piece is short—12- 27 pages long—and does not contain photographs or any drawings or maps. Not all of the cases were solved. But all of them will likely disturb readers’ sleep and make readers’ skin crawl. The writing in each case is very good, and each writer has clearly done his or her homework. Each also shows a real passion for the subject matter. Some cases are so astonishing (Dr. Harold Frederick Shipman with at least two hundred and fifty kills), they are difficult to believe, but believe readers must. This book will be a must-have for any fans of true crime literature.


Because It's Wrong: Bullies vs. Nazis

As a teacher and former bullying victim, I was drawn to Because It’s Wrong on multiple levels. On one hand, I have a personal connection to the topic of bullying. On the other, I found myself curious. What links would the author draw between bullies and Nazis? Would they be the obvious ones, or would she delve deeper into this topic and create an insightful book to further the very necessary national conversation on bullying?

I don’t entirely have an answer to the question. In a way, she didn’t really do either. The vast majority of the book (ten chapters out of twelve) is essentially an extended history lesson on the Holocaust, one that has been delivered in greater detail in many other books. Another chapter is devoted to the Japanese-American internment camps. In the end, only two chapters, and the comparison table that makes up chapter thirteen, really touch on bullying, and they say nothing new at all. The statistics presented in the first chapter are useful, but most of the book is devoted to the author’s thoughts on bullying, the final chapter being the strongest example of this.

I knew from the preface this book would touch on religion, but I didn’t know how strongly it would until it reached chapter twelve. There, the author presents a few theses which will prove controversial to say the least. Not only, she says, is bullying like the Holocaust in miniature, but America itself is approaching a Christian Holocaust. For example, the author cites church burnings and the shooting at Columbine High School, bringing up Christian victims. (The latter was an especially curious point, as earlier in the book she mentioned school shooters as people attempting to take revenge on bullies, and with the little explanation she offers for either, the two points are a contradiction.) How we will solve this problem — and the problem of recent extreme weather — is simple: everyone needs more Jesus. It is, according to the author, just that easy.

Overall, I found the book rather questionable. The parallels drawn between bullies and Nazis are minor at best, and often seem like the same point repeated. The writing style is simplistic, and while that might suit an introduction to the problem of bullying (or an introduction to World War II or the Holocaust), I expected more from this book. Finally, spending most of the book talking about the persecution of German Jews and concluding by saying we as a nation need to be more Christian is disturbing. Bullying is a topic we as Americans need to seriously consider, but Because It’s Wrong does very little to help.


Because It's Wrong: Bullies vs. Nazis

An in-depth comparison of bullying on many different levels.

Because It’s Wrong gives graphic descriptions of the horrors of history from the Holocaust to recent terrorist takeovers. An eye-opener for anyone who thinks that bullying in today’s schools is no big deal

Because It’s Wrong: Bullies vs. Nazis is a wonderfully written book dedicated to all the victims of bullying. The author organizes the book into chapters starting with the definition of bullying and how we see it in schools today. She describes how it is so prevalent in today’s society that it has almost become the norm. But bullying is not a new concept, and the author delves deep into history so that the reader can remember some of the world’s worst cases of bullying. The author also delves into the psychological aspect of bullying and bullies themselves. There are still so many questions unanswered about why bullying has grown to the extent it has in today’s society. Bullying is an imbalance of power in which there are a victim and a bully. The author goes on to describe the different types of bullying that can occur, not only physically, but also mentally, and the long and short-term effects it can have on the victim. One fact the author shares that I found both interesting and sad is that most bullies “have been the victims of physical abuse or bullying themselves, usually at home.”

There is a large section on Hitler and the Nazis as Hitler may be labeled by many as the “biggest bully of all time.” What he did to the Jews was one of the most heinous acts in history. The concentration camps, the cruelty, physically, mentally, and emotionally, to this innocent group of people is absolutely despicable. And yet it happened. And people followed Hitler in his hate for the Jews. The author describes the growth of the camps and the people Hitler worked with to maintain them. And although I liked reading about the details because it is such an important part of history, I felt as if the author went on a bit of a tangent and most of the book was solely about the specifics behind the concentration camps and how they were run. In fact, chapters two through ten were all about the concentration camps, with a short chapter eleven which touches upon Japanese internment camps after Pearl Harbor. The author does tie it all together in the end with a chapter on why she wrote the book the way she did, however, I still think there were too many facts about the Nazis that weren’t necessarily showing how the Jews were being bullied but just describing the timeline of events that could have been removed from the middle chapters. Overall, the author made her point about the damage that bullying does and what we can do about it, and for that I applaud her.


There's a Dragon in my Boot

What happens when you secretly take a mini-dragon on a camping trip with your dad and your annoying neighbors? This very funny episode in the There’s a Dragon in My... series is all about that. It’s about a dragon and a boy and two friends. The mini-dragon is small enough to fit in a boot! Eric is going on a camping trip with his dad, his friends Jayden and Min, his mini-dragon Pan, and his enemy Toby and his dad. Toby eats a lot and beats Eric at video games. Toby and his dad basically brought a tent castle on the trip with real beds, TVs, and even a pool table. Toby and his dad are very competitive, so they make contests with Eric and his dad. The first contest is fishing. Toby’s dad cheats by hiding a cooler of frozen fish in the lake. The second contest is starting a fire, and Eric and his dad accidentally cheat, because the mini-dragon sneezes on the fireplace and starts the fire! Eric’s friends think Eric started the fire on purpose to cheat, so they get pretty mad. Eric has to make up with his friends, cheer up his dad, and keep his dragon hidden from his competitive neighbors. Can Eric do it? Can Pan stay out of trouble?


Llewellyn's Little Book of Dragons

How to Train Your Dragon is a terrific name for a series, but it's a bit misleading. I mean, did you really learn everything you needed to know about dragons from those books? Hardly. Where, I ask you, is the textbook to explain dragon life cycles, how different climates affect different species of dragon, or how dragon lore has grown by leaps and bounds across the ages?

It's right here, as Llewellyn's Little Book of Dragons distills everything you need to know about these glorious scaly creatures into a handy one-stop-shop for all your draconic needs.

I'm a sucker for any book that treats myth as fact and really sells the premise of the fictional as nonfictional. This book hits the sweet spot there, treating the reader like an eager student seeking the deepest lore and the most common sense facts about dragons. This book is informative, colorful, and perhaps most importantly, scathingly funny at times. The fact that so much humor is slipped effortlessly into an otherwise scholarly presentation is just another highlight of a terrific book that entertains the adult while delighting the child inside of all of us.

I loved this book -- the little side nuggets of advice were an absolute delight -- and you can't help but wish that the alternate history presented as fact in this book was how things actually went. I cannot say enough good things about this joyous read.


The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant: A Novel

Esther Durrant thinks her husband is taking her away on holiday. She isn't really in the mood to go. She hasn’t felt like herself since the incident and the last thing she wants is to leave their toddler with the nanny and go away for a week, but her husband insists. What she doesn’t realize is that the “holiday” is a ruse to dump her in an asylum. Neither of them can know what her time there will do to her mind or her heart.

In addition to the story of what happens to Esther and how she came to need mental help in the first place, readers get to know Eve and Rachel. Eve is caring for her beloved grandmother after a hip fracture. Rachel is taking a job researching clams. How are the three women’s tales intertwined? Read to find out.

The beginning of the book is a little slow until it becomes clear how the three women’s stories will come together. Once that thread of commonality was revealed, I couldn’t read fast enough to find out what would happen next. The subplots were compelling in their own right and the book was beautifully written. This is a heartbreaking story of lost love, self-discovery, resilience, and choice. It is an excellent read about the power of women as well as a sweeping love story.


Almost Just Friends: A Novel

Piper Manning has had an admittedly tough life, losing her parents at a young age and consequently having to raise her two younger siblings. But things are finally looking up: Piper is getting ready to sell the family lake house, and she has plans for her share of the profits. But life rarely remains simple, and when her siblings return home, the secrets they bring with them make a mess of everything. Further complicating Piper’s situation is her neighbor’s son, Cam, and not even Piper can deny the feelings he stirs in her. Can Piper still manifest the new, better life she’s been working toward?

Jill Shalvis has created a fun, complex, and all-too-close-to-life novel with Almost Just Friends. Piper’s life is the kind of complicated that many readers can identify with, and the up-and-down relationships with her adult siblings will seem familiar to many, while the unexpected heat she feels with Cam is sure to keep readers turning the pages. This is a fun and funny novel, perfect for a light read.


Fix That Clock

Fix That Clock by Kurt Cyrus is the story of fixing up an old, broken-down clock. It used to be nice, but then it got all rusty and moldy because nobody loved it any more. But the builders come and use their tools to make it new again. And they take care of the animals living in the clock too!

This book is good because it’s all about building and fixing stuff instead of tearing it down like it’s junk. The clock isn’t junk, it just needs some love. I like how the mouse runs up the builder’s leg! It was fun to read the clank, bang, crash parts. I like that it rhymes. And the pictures are good too. It was fun to read because it is all about fixing up old, abandoned clocks. And in the end, the clock is all new again, so that was happy. This is a good book, and I read it a lot already. I think other kids who like clocks, or mice, will like it too.


The Cool Cat Club (Jasper and Scruff)

I really liked Jasper and Scruff. I enjoyed the plotline and how Jasper stood up for Scruff, even though he didn't like him. The moral of the story is to stand up for your friends. Jasper was trying to change himself to impress the Sophisticats, and I didn’t like that. In real life, you shouldn’t change yourself to impress other people. I think it is funny that the Sophisticats sign their notes with their paw prints. It makes them unique from other cats. The funniest part of the book was when the Sophisticats found out that Scruff helped make the cake and they almost barfed. I really enjoyed the pictures throughout the book. I thought the drawings were very detailed and imaginative. I liked that some of the words are different sizes. It made me put emphasis on different words as I read. I do wish there were more colors in the book.


Wildhood: The Epic Journey from Adolescence to Adulthood in Humans and Other Animals

Adolescence is a difficult time as one transitions from a sheltered life to independence. This book explores the in-between stage in various species (calling it “Wildhood).  The intent is to highlight similarities between human adolescence and adolescence experienced by other species.

To keep a coherent narrative, the book explores four major themes: safety (leaving the comfort and safety of home), Status (navigating hierarchy), Sex (courtship, relationship, and consent), and self-reliance (sustaining the specie).  Each theme focuses on a particular adolescent’s journey. Readers share the experience of safety with Ursula, a king penguin, who ventures into leopard seal infested waters. They learn about Shrink, a spotted hyena, as he navigates the hyena hierarchy. They follow Salt, a humpback whale, as she finds love. They journey with Slavc, a European wolf, as he journeys across the Alps in winter. Along the way, readers meet several other (non-human) adolescents. The narrative is not shy about drawing parallels between non-human and human behavior and urges, and at times these parallels stretch too far.

The book is filled with various examples from several species, representing a vast amount of research. However, its scope and style preclude deeper dive into the underlying research, thus leaving readers to trust the assertions made. Overall, well-written and an excellent read for those looking to find similarities between humans and other animals who share our planet.


Let's Celebrate!: Special Days Around the World

Across the world all cultures celebrate. This book showcases thirteen such celebrations from diverse countries and cultures, some religious and some concerning the changing seasons or important days. Each celebration is presented across a two-page spread showing children celebrating with their families. The images depict contemporary family settings showing both genders. Wavy couplets (two lines on each page) focus on the activities prevalent for that celebration. The backmatter provides a little more detail on each holiday.

The holidays selected are truly from all parts of the world. If used in a classroom setting, facilitators are advised to review the celebrations’ background beforehand. In addition to the holidays, the images could be used to discuss attire and other aspects of the cultures depicted. An excellent book for globally-minded children and educators.


Curry & Kimchi: Flavor Secrets for Creating 70 Asian-Inspired Recipes at Home

This beautiful book is going to be an essential addition to your collection. It is not just a recipe book for crafting amazing dishes; it contains the recipes for making the sauces at the heart of your favorite Asian-Inspired meals, and then the recipes to use those sauces, as well as the essential condiments, pickles, and dressings that truly elevate the dish. So, you get the best of both, accompanied by stunning photos that will make your mouth water. The book is great at teaching as well, for example by explaining the need to balance salt, spice, fat, acid, sweet, and umami, which you see repeated again and again throughout the book. Just understanding that concept makes you look at each recipe with a new intention, working out what element is satisfied by each ingredient, in this book and even in your other cooking. There are a few recipes that at first seem a little out of place, like chili con carne or macaroni and cheese, but they end up fitting in quite well, happily jostling elbows with Korean spaghetti, Shiitake mushroom and tofu phad thai, zesty Jalapeno cabbage slaw, and pork carnitas tacos. It's an eclectic recipe mix that works wonderfully, just like the meals you will create with them.


The Unicorn Whisperer (Phoebe and Her Unicorn Series Book 10): Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure (Volume 10) is about a little girl named Phoebe and her unicorn best friend, Marigold. It is the end of summer break, so Phoebe and Marigold end their vacation with a sleepover as they prepare to face a new school year. Once school begins, Phoebe has trouble focusing and gets picked on by a bully at school. Phoebe and Marigold find a way to help each other, even when it means facing their biggest fears.

This story teaches a valuable lesson: no matter what troubles you face, a true friend will always find a way to help. We are not alone, and friends make it easier to deal with the difficult situations that life sometimes throws at us. I recommend this story to kids who are shy or who sometimes have trouble making friends. The friendship that Phoebe and Marigold share reminds us that we need other people and that we can get through the hard times when we find someone to share our joy and sadness with.


The Treasure Hunt (Jasper and Scruff)

Jasper and Scruff own a book store. One day someone gives them a strange pirate book with a treasure map in it. Then they find a clue on the map. They soon find themselves on the path of mystery, trying to find a golden bone. They meet a few characters along the way, including an old bird, an ice-cream selling dog, and three snooty cats. Can they find the golden bone before someone else does?

This cute book is great for people who like animals and mysteries. The large print makes it perfect for a first chapter book. It is the second in the series. A few times, the characters mention a few things from the first book, so you might consider reading that one first. All of the characters in this book are animals, which I really like since I love animals. There are pretty, colorful, detailed illustrations that make the story more exciting. Plus, you can see how cute the animals are.  My favorite scene is the ocean because the foam is so creative and gorgeous. There are also jokes, like the singer named Alvis Pawsley. If you like animals and mysteries, you will love this book!


There's a Dragon in my Toilet

Tom Nicoll, with illustrations by Sarah Horne

There’s a Dragon in My Toilet is number four in the series about Eric and his mini-dragon Pan. After the first book that introduces all the characters, the order you read them in doesn’t matter. I like all of the books, but this one was not really as interesting as the earlier books. It has a good ending. The trouble is that mini-dragons are excellent party planners. Pan plans a surprise anniversary party for Eric’s parents. Afterward, Pan seems depressed, and Eric and his friends Min and Jayden try to cheer him up. It turns out that they can email Pan’s parents in China! Pan is excited to video-chat with his parents, but they send his aunt and uncle to pick him up. Pan doesn’t like his aunt and uncle. They are not very nice. They travel through toilets. Most of the story is about Pan trying to convince his mom and dad to let him stay with Eric. Eric’s cat almost eats Uncle Fernando, but Pan saves him! I’m looking forward to the next book about Pan and Eric without Pan’s aunt and uncle in the story.


Pippa Park Raises Her Game

A fun and interesting story about a girl trying to learn what she is doing for her life. A girl tries to reach her parents’ expectations about how she lives her life. The plot was very interesting; I felt that Pippa really wanted to fit into Lakeview Private and try not to be any different from the people at Lakeview. I felt that I really can relate to Pippa because she wants to fit in perfectly with the other students at her school. The language really did flow throughout the story as more content came through. The author did make a good point, that you will always chase your dreams, as Pippa discovers the real reason why she got a scholarship to Lakeview Private.

There were no illustrations in this book. I think ages nine to twelve would best like this book because nine-year-olds can think about what middle school can be and twelve-year-olds can reflect on what their middle school is like compared to Pippa’s. I think this book would make a good series, about what Pippa’s life would be like going forward. I think this book is so different compared to other ones I have read, so I don’t think there is anything compared to this book. I would recommend this book to the people who can compare their life to Pippa’s. Read this book because it could teach other children life lessons. “It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.”


The Last Sister

Emily feels like The Last Sister left since her father was murdered twenty years ago. Her younger sister Madison has never been the same, especially after their mother committed suicide the week after he died. Her older sister Tara left town in between those events. Emily has been trying to hold what’s left of her family together, but now she has found the bodies of a coworker and her husband, with the husband left hanging just like Emily's father. The special circumstances surrounding this double-murder bring FBI special agent Zander Wells to investigate. He knows there is a lot more to this story and that everyone has something to hide. Emily will have to unbury the past to help Zander solve this case, but at what cost?

This was the first I’ve heard of author Kendra Elliot, even though she seems to be a prolific writer with at least two other series under her belt. After reading this story, I will definitely be checking out the others. You can’t help but want to know more about these FBI agents who appear in the other series, but reading them isn't crucial to enjoying this one. It’s a non-stop thriller that makes you wonder, what skeletons are in your family closet?


Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry: A Novel

Journalist Gina Kane receives an e-mail from an unknown person telling her that they have had a terrible experience while working at REL News and that they were approached with a settlement offer. Gina answers the e-mail yet does not receive a response. This is because the person on the other side of the e-mail address, Cathy Ryan, is dead. As Gina sets out to find out about Cathy's experience at REL News, she finds out that there are several other women who have had bad experiences at REL but for some reason are not talking.

This book was written very well in terms of ease of understanding. There were no crazy plot twists or sudden shifts in the writing, which made it easy to read. I did, however, get a little bored midway through the book as it seemed like the plot just dragged for a bit. The cast of characters was likable, though with several characters being just puppets to the higher-ups. No big surprises with this story, but it was an enjoyable read.


Sasha in Good Taste: Recipes for Bites, Feasts, Sips & Celebrations

Classifying this book as a cookbook does not do its scope justice.  In addition to recipes, about a third of the book is devoted to offering advice for party themes, preparing party favors, decor, guest books, and other party related accessories. There are pages devoted to specific celebrations (with personal anecdotes).

The recipes themselves include appetizers, salads, party trays, lots of desserts, and lots of (primarily adult) beverages. The recipes are very simple, and most focus on assembly and presentation (rather than the actual cooking or baking). There is even one section devoted to preparing a party tray for guests to assemble their own sandwiches (called sammies).

This book tries to cover a lot of ground and (rightly so) starts with the basics.  However as its scope is so broad, it cannot cover any one area in depth (detracting from its potential utility). The book is crammed with several color pictures distributed throughout the book – in some cases, a double page is devoted to only pictures. While some of the pictures are useful as they depict what the final product should look like, others adorn the book’s pages. The book is full of good ideas and serves as a good template for future books that delve deeper into each of the main themes covered here.


Christmas at Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop: A Novel

It’s December, and Rosie Hopkins is getting ready for an idyllic holiday in her new home in Lipton. Her sweetshop, which she took over from her great aunt, is flourishing, and her boyfriend Stephen is thriving in his new job as a school teacher at the local elementary. Her lovable new dog is the proverbial icing on the cake. But changes come as changes do, and when Rosie’s family plans a visit coinciding with Christmas, Rosie finds herself struggling to figure out where to house them and how to keep them busy, and she worries that they won’t like her new hometown… or her boyfriend’s family. And then, a horrible accident makes everything even more chaotic. Suddenly, Rosie’s plans are up in smoke, and only time will tell if she can sort everything out again.

Jenny Colgan delivers a cozy, fluffy novel with Christmas at Rosie Hopkins’ Sweetshop, a sequel to her previous book starring the lovely Rosie (but able to stand independently for readers who have not read that story). The story is primarily told from Rosie’s viewpoint, but readers also see things from the eyes of Stephen and Rosie’s great aunt Lilian, as well as from a few other characters. This book is fun and lighthearted, despite the few tragic turns, and readers will walk away from it with a feeling of joy that all is right in the world.


Essential Oils for Beginners: A Guide to What They Are & How to Use Them

This is a great book for anyone just starting to use and learn about essential oils. I've been using essential oils on a daily basis for five years, have taught classes, and have several books on the subject, but I'd say that this one is the best I've read because of its content and organization. It takes the readers through the basics first, with chapters on the history of essential oils, carrier oils, and safety. Then, it has chapters on each of the twenty most commonly used oils. It includes their benefits, where each oil is sourced from, and precautions and uses. This is great because it shows the variety of uses each individual oil has. For example, peppermint oil can be energizing, aid digestion, and help with congestion, motion sickness, sinus issues, etc. The specific tips for how to use each oil are very useful. This also helps a new user build their oil collection by allowing them to focus on these twenty oils. There are hundreds out there, but you can do so much with these twenty. Once you are familiar with basic oils, the book has chapters exploring blending oils and diffusing oils. It ends with information on using oils for different purposes, like health and beauty, physical ailments, and emotional uses. This is a very well-laid-out book that covers a ton in a way that is not overwhelming to the new essential oil user. It would make a great gift to accompany oils as well.


SACRIFICED: A Kieran Yeats Mystery

Kieran is contacted for a mysterious meeting, though she doesn’t expect the woman to go fleeing from the scene or leave behind an injured cat and a flash drive. The case takes a turn when the woman is killed in a car wreck that Kieran doesn’t believe was an accident. She takes the cat to her vet friend for help and soon uncovers animal testing at a cosmetics company. Kieran is drawn into the plans of an animal activist group called CLAW, tackles her first challenges as a parent, and confronts a killer. SACRIFICED is the second book in the Kieran Yeats Mystery series.

Picking up following events in Stolen, Kieran has settled into the role of parenting Tris, whom she rescued while taking down animal abusers. She’s balancing her roles of investigator and parent, which puts her in a different position from the first book as she’s no longer only looking after herself. This dynamic uncovers a new layer of who Kieran is. It’s lovely to see the two settled in together and to see the impact they have on each other as Kieran has fully gone into parent mode and Tris is encouraged to learn and to ask questions. Tris is an outspoken, brave, and intelligent eight-year-old who learns about the world around her by understanding bullying and trying out a vegan lifestyle.

The relationships are an important role in the story and in Kieran’s life as her friend group acts as the support system that keeps her grounded and provides back-up sleuthing support. Wright uses each of these strong women to give a voice to animals through vets, activists, and shelter workers. Wright provides some delightful and humorous moments between friends as they band together against the cosmetic company for some investigating, research, and even a break-in for some rabbit-napping. The amazing children in Kieran’s life provide a focus on bullying and veganism in the story. Jan, the daughter of a friend, provides a great influence on Tris by inspiring her to try veganism. She’s opinionated and passionate and confides in Kieran about crushes and life. The relationship between Tris and Kieran is a favorite part of the story as Kieran is so dedicated and full of love while also teaching Tris about morals and friendship. Wright uses the children in the story to spark conversations about veganism, identity, bullying, respect, and the treatment of immigrants and refugees.

Animal cruelty is the core issue of the series, as it follows Kieran’s job as she tackles cases that focus on the mistreatment of animals. Animal testing is the focus of this mystery as the characters rally together against a cosmetic company and Wright shines a light on the fight to get a law passed to end this practice. The title is a poignant message directly tied to animal testing and will educate you about what "sacrifice" truly means. Wright gives an honest look at the treatment of animals and the cruelty they endure while creating strong characters that will inspire you to act, speak out, fight, and look closer at the companies that support these practices. As with the first book, Wright delivers a mystery in Sacrificed that is poignant, emotional, heartfelt, and action-packed with important themes and sweet messages about being yourself, finding yourself, and the bond of family.


Go, Goats! (True Tales of Rescue)

I think I want to work in a sanctuary to save animals after reading this book. What a cool job it would be to work with helping farm animals get better from whatever they might have faced before coming to the sanctuary. This book has lots of interesting facts about goats and I liked how they were mixed in with the story; like did you know goats have 4 stomachs? I enjoyed it because it was told from a goat's point of view and I thought it was a great story. The part about all those abused animals in the barn was very sad. The pictures were very neat because they were real photographs.  I think people who love farm animals should read this book. I couldn’t stop turning the pages while the kids were born! 3 babies from one goat- wow! The sad news that came after made me feel bad for Lulu. I wish I could go visit little Violet, she sounds adorable.  I think my favorite part of this book was the jokes—haha! The end almost made me cry. I was so into the book that when I read the last few pages I needed a hug. I wish I could have met Lucia.


Hour of the Assassin: A Novel

Matthew Quirk is also the author of The Night Agent, Dead Man Switch, Cold Barrel Zero, The Direct, The 500, and many more.

Hour of the Assassin by Matthew Quirk author of The Night Agent, Dead Man Switch, Cold Barrel Zero, The Direct, The 500, and many more.

Nick Averose was once a Secret Service Agent, which he spent a decade protecting the most powerful men in America. Operating as Secret Service Agent, Nick Averose manifested a unique gift: the ability to think like an assassin. Nick Averose took advantage of this gift and now uses it as a “red teamer”, testing the security around the highest officials to find vulnerabilities in their security system. His latest and last assignment was to evaluate the security surrounding the former CIA director, Widener, at his DC-area home. Once he breached into the main office he arrived at a dead body laying on the floor. It has become clear that someone else here has attacked the former CIA director right under Nick’s nose. Having no evidence that Nick is innocent. How will he expose the murderer who killed Widener and protect himself and the people he loves? Framed and running for his life, he discovers how far some men would go, just to obtain the highest position in this land.

I would recommend this book to young adults who enjoy mystery and adventure novels. This book has 106 chapters in 337 pages, which means each chapter has about three pages of content. Sometimes between chapters, they switch characters; for example, one chapter is about Nick escaping, then the next chapter would be about Grey, the person seeking him and trying to find clues in the murder case.

I really love how the book always leaves the end of the chapter as a cliffhanger. This makes you want to read more so that you will be able to progress through the book to find out what happens to our main character. Even though many chapters you come across are short, they still leave a lot of detail in what is going on with both sides. So you could say that they are short and sweet.

The author, Matthew Quirk, wrote many excellent books, so I assume the book, Hour of the Assassin would be just as good, or even better than, his previous books. He has still exceeded my expectations.


Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children)

Bestselling author Seanan McGuire continues with the next installment of her Wayward Children series in Come Tumbling Down. We last met twin sisters Jack and Jill in the second book, Down Among the Sticks and Bones, when they traveled to the land of darkness and magic and vampires. In the fifth book, Come Tumbling Down, Jack returns from that dark, terrifying realm through a secretly made door back to the Home for Wayward Children, except somehow she’s trapped in her sister’s body.

To undo this wrong that has happened she must travel back to the fantastic world she has come to both love and hate and put things right. Assembling a team of characters we’ve come to know well through other Wayward Children books, the reader travels back with them and is taken on a whole new adventure, except this time they really don’t know how things will end.

These books are like pieces of delicious candy you don’t want to end and can’t stop yourself from gobbling up. Come Tumbling Down is light and dark, funny and sad, loving and hurtful. You will be left feeling hurt but also hopeful.


Evie's Field Day: More than One Way to Win

Evie's Field Day is about a girl who loves to run and play games, but she doesn't win a lot at the Field Day event. During one race, she has a chance to win, but a baby bird gets in the way. She gives up the race to pick up the bird so that it can fly back to its mom.

I would not recommend this book because it was a little boring, and anyway, you are not supposed to touch birds because you would leave a human scent on them. Also, I expected more action with it being about Field Day.

The pictures were great. I like how some were black and white and then others had little bits of color.

The story was a good example of how to be a good sport. At the end, it gave a list of how to be a good sport, but it had too many words for a young person like me to read on my own. A parent should read this kind of list to their child. I did not really like this book.


Go with the Flow

Are you a girl? Have you dealt with your period? Well, Go with the Flow is a book just about that!

Sasha is the “new kid” in her school already, she didn’t need this on top of things! On her second day of school she gets her period, and everyone sees! Sasha is incredibly embarrassed, and the bathroom has no pads or tampons, and they would cost money anyways! But luckily, Sasha makes three new friends quickly and they come to help her out at last.

There is Christina, the goofball, who is almost always hungry for sweets!
Abby, the smart girl, who always tries to fight for women’s rights! And finally, Brit, who is the kind, caring part of the group, but she has really painful periods.

The four new friends are trying hard to make a difference at their school and fight for women’s rights. Will they be able to make a difference ?

This book is great because I could relate to it a lot. I am a girl and have had to deal with my period, which isn’t always easy. It feels good to read about it and share problems and thoughts with others. I loved that the girls are trying to make a difference in their school! More support should be there for girls and women alike! I recommend this book for girls ten and up who feel mature enough to read this! The book is also in the style of a comic, which made it fun to read!


The Healer's Daughters

A complicated, uplifting story of female courage.

After spending the first chapter with a young Galen at the bedside of his dying father in Pergamon, Asia Minor, in 148 CE, we are abruptly dropped into the mind of a suicide bomber in Bergama (modern-day Pergamon) in 2017. The man, an Irishman by birth but converted in prison, drives his truck toward the Aesklepion, the world’s historical center of healing, with the intention of blowing up the Acropolis cable car station and becoming a famous martyr for his cause.

From this terrible moment, we are suddenly on the promontory overlooking the horrific aftermath of the bombing, pacing and crying with Özlem Boroğlu, who until recently was the local director of Archeology and Antiquities. She knows that what occurred was only to cover up the real crime going on: the looting of priceless artifacts by ISIL to sell to international buyers. Soon she is joined by her daughter Elif, artist and worshipper of the old mother goddesses, who joins her weeping.

Tuğçe Iskan, a Turkish Ministry investigator, sits in her office and tries to make the connections between this bombing, Özlem Boroğlu, and the powerful Hamit crime family. An outsider in her own family because she is left-handed and therefore unclean, she does not mind being an outsider in her job. She trusts almost no one.

We are also introduced to other women: Haziz, the mother of Mahmet, the boy fatally injured in the bombing who holds a coin and a clue; the unnamed wife of a suicide bomber whose eleven-year-old son is taken from her and also made a suicide bomber, and who eventually takes her own life rather than be raped by the sheik who took theirs.

There are men, obviously, such as Serkan Boroğlu, son of Özlem, but he, like most of the men in the story, are the cause of the problems, either due to greed or ignorance. Even those who seem harmless cause harm through their rash decisions and inability to reason calmly. There are, however, a few who are truly selfless and literally sacrifice themselves for others.

At its heart, The Healer’s Daughters by Jay Amberg is a story of the healing, necessary power of female relationships and the strength women possess alone and in groups. I was not expecting to discover this theme when I began reading but was beyond satisfied with the direction the author took the story and the sense of hope at the conclusion.


Sunny Side Upbringing: A Month by Month Guide to Raising Kind and Caring Kids

Sunny Side Upbringing is amazing. Everything about it is top-notch. I love the binding of the book, which makes it like a recipe book. I love the format, how the chapters cover the months of the year. Each "chapter" consists of an overall theme that will help you to raise a kind and caring child (honesty, love, gratitude, empathy). Included in each chapter are relevant quotes from well-known people, real-life testimonies/stories, and various ideas that are relevant to toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children.

I love that author Maria Cini Dismondy is an advocate for reading, which is very important for children. She includes in every chapter a book list to look into as well as eight craft ideas that center around a particular book that you can read with your child.

The themes and bits of advice in the chapters range from pregnancy to car trips, potty training to back-to-school. Then there are pages about reasons to celebrate the month, which include the unfamiliar holidays (read a book day, chocolate milkshake day, etc.). From a mental health perspective, this book is perfect for raising children to become responsible and caring adults as well as for helping you to play an active role in your child(ren)'s childhood.


Twilight of the Gods: A Novel

Twilight of the Gods is a dense story. The second book in the story of Grimnir, protector of the Raven-Geats in a greater war waging among gods, and a new priestess who finds her way in a fight of her own. It’s a book rich with detail to the point of weighing down the narrative, and the world-building is so elaborate as to cost the characters their believability. I would have liked to have seen more development of the characters and human connection as opposed to long descriptions of clothes, imagery, and battlefields. There’s a lot of telling, and the prose feels needlessly stiff as it tries to summon a bygone age. It’s predictable, with a heroine of sixteen summers old raging against authority who can’t get a handle on her anger and her relationship with her mentors who withhold vital information from her. It’s a hard book to connect with, even as a lover of history and mythology. It seems like a series where, if you liked it, it would be easy to get very involved. But it’s likely a title that readers either love or that leaves them cold, with not much in between.


One More Hug

Megan Alexander, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata

I ask for one more hug all the time! This book would be good for boys because it's about boys, but I can also try to put myself in the book and see myself there. I like how detailed the pictures are; they seem like they were drawn with a pencil, and then water colors were used to paint. I like that the boy asks for one more and then stops asking. I used to ask my mom for lots of hugs before school, but now some days I go right in and she comes in for my hug because I forget and want to get to my classroom! I was sad when I saw the mom sitting on the porch but so happy when the boy came back to hug his mom!


A Book of Bones: A Thriller

A woman’s corpse is found in a refrigerator in the unforgiving deserts of southern Arizona. The body bears striking resemblance to a murderer sought by the FBI and other authorities. Enter Charlie Parker. Parker is currently serving as a witness against two pederasts in Houston when the Feds beckon him to the Mexican border. Parker assists in the questioning of potential witnesses and soon learns the body is a decoy. The suspect, named Mors, and her boss/associate Quayle have fled the country. But the danger they represent to Parker and others has not abated. Quayle is hunting for the elusive pages of an Atlas, a book of religious bearing, verging on apocalyptic. Quayle will stop at nothing to obtain the lost pages while ordering murders that will bring forth armageddon. Dueling killers are operating in London, their victims left with a clue that points to hate crimes. Parker and his loyal friends seek to foil Quayle and Mors and end their reign of terror. But have they met their match?

A Book of Bones may be John Connolly’s finest work yet in his Charlie Parker saga. His latest work is composed of a multi-pronged narrative culling together diverse characters and their journeys, inevitably meeting at a fiery ground zero. Connolly weaves a rich tapestry of beauty in painting the scenery while waiting to spring the inevitable horror he has become known for. A+