How I Got Skinny, Famous, and Fell Madly In Love (4.22.14)

I read How I Got Skinny, Famous and Fell Madly In Love by Ken Baker
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
4 stars

Emery is a fat teenager. She has a fat boyfriend and a skinny family. Her dad is a professional athlete turned workout guru. Her mom is a former model. Her sister is well on her skinny way to becoming a professional model herself. Emery is just fat. She's okay with it though. That is, until her mom signs her up for the reality show "Fifty Pounds to Freedom." Is she okay with it? Definitely not at first. A camera crew following her and her family around all of the time and her not getting the money unless she actually loses all that weight in that ridiculously short amount of time is very stressful. Plus, she's okay with herself the way she is. But the money is more important than she knows, and she starts liking it a bit more when she actually starts losing the weight. Will the show change more than just her looks? Will she meet the weight loss deadline? Will it ruin her family?

I loved Emery. She was real. She was funny. She was sarcastic. I loved her boyfriend. I hated everyone else, but that was kind of the point of the story. I have read a couple of other reality TV stories, and they have definitely fallen flat. The people didn't learn, or were very unlikable, or the plot was just stupid. This story had a strong main character, some real drama happening, and an interesting conclusion. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because I got a bit bored in the middle of the book, and I was slightly disappointed with the ending. I didn't think enough was explained at the end. I like what happened, but I would have liked just a few more answers. I really liked the writing and the real-ness of a very unlikely main character. I got annoyed with what happened between Emery and her boyfriend, but even that turned out interesting to me. I would definitely recommend this one to many teens.

The Dark Lady 2/1/14

I read The Dark Lady (Sherlock, Lupin, and Me) by Irene Adler, Iacopo Bruno Illustrator, Chris Turner translator
I received a free ARC from Capstone through NetGalley (2/1/14)
4.5 stars (rounding up to 5 when necessary)



A young girl, Irene Adler, is on summer vacation in Saint-Malo in 1870. With not much to do and a lot of adventure in her spirit, she comes across William Sherlock Holmes, who introduces her to his friend Arsene Lupin. The three quickly get caught up in a murder case when they find a dead body on the shore. The police aren't having much luck in figuring out who the dead man is, let alone what happened to him. Thankfully the three young friends are also quite great detectives. Will they be able to solve the case?

This is a fun new series for middle readers. The publisher recommends ages 9-13, and I agree. It will appeal to the older kids who know who Sherlock is, but the story itself stands alone as a good mystery. Even if the reader figures out part of what is going on, I am sure the ending will still be a surprise. I love mysteries. I am not the best at solving them, so the fact that I didn't figure it out doesn't mean that no one will, but I still think it was a good surprise ending.

The author, Irene Adler, is actually Sherlock's love interest. I do not know the whole back story behind this, but it has definitely made me want to look into it. The history, the mystery, and the characters will draw the young readers in. I am definitely looking forward to more from this series.

SAR: Powderhounds (4/1/14)

I read SAR: Powderhounds by Heather Kellerhals-Stewart
I received a free ARC from Lorimer through NetGalley (April 1, 2014)
4 stars

Luc wants to take the last run of the day by going out of bounds, and Cass doesn't want him to go alone in case he gets lost in the deteriorating conditions. Good plan, because it happens. They are in near white-out conditions and can't figure out which way to go. Chic is a 17-year-old training to help with the Search and Rescue team with his brother. He gets to go out on his first mission to help find Luc and Cass. Will his inexperience and naive bravery cause more problems or be just what the team needs in order to find the missing skiers. And will they be found in time?

Powderhounds is a very fast-paced look into a search and rescue mission in the ski slopes of Canada. It is told from two perspectives, a young man helping in his first search and one of the skiers that is lost. It is a very quick read. I read it in one night mostly because I really needed to know what was going to happen. When I finished, I was so full of adrenaline that I had to do something else before I was able to go to sleep. I was so nervous for the missing skiers. The ending was good, a bit confusing, and left me ready to read more.

This book will be great for young adventure seekers. It isn't too long or too in depth for middle grades, but will appeal to many teens as well. It is a good, clean story that parents will appreciate as well.

Six Months Later

I read Six Months Later by Natalie Richards
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
5 stars

Chloe fell asleep in study hall as a procrastinator that didn't want to start studying yet, even though she needed to. She was dangerously close to bad grades. When she woke up, it was 6 months later. There is no way she slept that long. Of course she didn't. And in that six months, she became a popular honor student that is dating the most popular boy and no longer speaks to her previous best friend. Something is seriously wrong. Figuring out what is wrong and why it happened becomes a fast-paced, crazy ride for Chloe and the reader.

I was pulled into this book from page one. It is a mystery as well as a romance. I'm not normally a big romance fan, but I enjoyed the romance in this one. The mystery part was the one that clinched it as a winner for me. I could not put this one down because I just had to know what was going on. I had ideas, and I figured a few things out, but overall I was guessing until the end.  The ending was very intense and well thought out. The main characters were developed well.

Warning to parents, there was some mild language and rule breaking, nothing too major though. In the end there is a lesson about right vs. wrong and admitting when you make mistakes, as well as mending friendships.

Clara's Crazy Curls (4/1/14*)

I read Clara's Crazy Curls by Helen Poole
I received a free digital ARC from Capstone Young Readers through NetGalley (4/1/14)
4 stars

This is a beautifully illustrated rhyming tale about Clara and her crazy curls. Even though Clara is a small girl, her hair makes a big impact on people. Her hair is so large that she can store her school supplies in it. She dreams of having the largest hair in the world. When she comes across some hair growing cream, she goes a little overboard, and she gets her wish. Sometimes getting what you wish for doesn't turn out as great as you imagine, as is the case with Clara.

I am a sucker for rhyming tales. I think I will be able to read this one to older preschoolers for story time. It is a bit long for younger ones. There are a couple of rhymes that seem forced or don't quite work in this one, but the overall story is cute and the rhymes are mostly pretty great. The illustrations are adorable, in colors and a style that I really love. Plain and simple, this is a cute rhyming story with a good lesson.

Eddie and Dog

I read Eddie and Dog by Alison Brown
I received a free digital copy fromm Capstone Young Readers through NetGalley (2/1/14)
4 stars

An adventure-seeking boy and an adventure-seeking dog find each other. After playing, they head to the boy's home. Unfortunately, his  mom says he can't stay; the yard isn't big enough. He leaves, comes back, leaves, comes back, etc. until they come up with an interesting way to solve the problem and let him stay.

I enjoyed this one, and I could see me reading it in story time. It seems like one of those sweet stories that has just enough fun-ness to it to work. It isn't completely interactive and engaging that way, but the story is sweet. I am confused why it seems like the boy stole the dog from the airport though. If you look past that or come up with a creative answer to it, it is a fun adventure for a boy and his new best friend.

Little Monkey Calms Down (2/1/14)

I read Little Monkey Calms Down by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Oriol Vidal
I received a free digital ARC from Capstone Young Readers through NetGalley (Pub. 2/1/14)
5 stars

This is a nice, simple board book about feelings. Little Monkey is not happy and doesn't want to stop crying. With simple suggestions like singing a song or cuddling with a blankie, Little Monkey is able to calm down. Little babies will like the colors and simple pictures. Older toddlers will begin to understand the concept of the story. With different background colors on each page, parents will also be able to talk about colors with their little ones. A great board book for many ages.

Kobee Manatee

I read Kobee Manatee: Heading Home to Florida by Robert Scott Thayer and Lauren Galleos
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
4 Stars

Beautiful illustrations accompany this delightful story of friendship between sea animals. It is a realistic story about the dangers that face many sea animals, especially manatees, mixed in with the tale of friendship that young readers and listeners will enjoy. Along with the learning aspects within the story, there are a multitude of blurbs that tell facts about manatees. I read through the story once and then went back through to read all of the manatee facts. Many children like learning about sea animals, so they should enjoy the story as well as the true facts. Also, this would make a great learning tool in a classroom. A slightly more catchy read-aloud would have been the only thing that could have made this one better. The story is good, just not amazing.

Playing With Matches

I read Playing With Matches by Lee Strauss and Elle Strauss
I received a digital copy through NetGalley
5 stars!

Emil is a boy growing up in Germany during Hitler's reign. He is lucky enough to not be Jewish, but he is a torn child. He loves Germany, but he doesn't agree with Hitler's hate for the Jewish. He has a couple of friends that are completely against Hitler. If it weren't for them, I would think that Emil would have just gone along with everything asked of him, even if he had the nagging feeling that it wasn't right. As the war hits and gets stronger, Emil learns that maybe Germany isn't doing as well as originally thought. The war starts negatively affecting him more so than just rationing. Still, he is a growing teen boy, and the war can't stop that. Between all the horrible events, he finds love. Will the war rip apart his home and family, kill his friends, and end his love? Will Emil even make it?

This book is an extremely heartbreaking and realistic look at World War II from a different perspective, from someone in Hitler's Army that doesn't want to be there. We so often hear about the atrocities that fell on the Jewish, but there isn't as much literature about everyday life for the non-Jewish Germans, especially those that didn't agree with Hitler. Told from the perspective of a child growing into a young adult at the worst time possible, this is a great read for teens as well as adults. It would be a great teaching tool in high schools or colleges, learning perspectives and multiple sides of the World War II story. This one is going to stick with me for a long time.

The Mystery of the Pirate'sTreasure

I read The Code Busters Club, Case#3: The Mystery of the Pirate's Treasure by Penny Warner
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
4 stars

The Code Busters Club is a group of 4 kids that love making and solving codes. From Morse Code to Pig Latin, they will solve it all. When a class field trip takes them on a pirate adventure, they will have to crack the codes and follow the clues to find the pirate treasure. Some danger comes about, leading to real-life codes that must be solved.

I love mysteries, codes, and pirates, so this seemed right up my alley. It wasn't quite as exciting to me as I had hoped. Amazon says it is for ages 9-12, grades 4-7. I think that seems a little old. I would say grades 3-5, with proficient second-grade readers enjoying it as well. The codes were pretty simple,and the story was very predictable. I read it on a Kindle, so it was impossible to flip back and forth to the codes in the back. That didn't ruin it for me, as I could figure out what the codes were saying most of the time. Early readers that like mysteries and solving codes will definitely find a winner with this book.

Falling Hard

I read Falling Hard (Roller Girls) by Megan Sparks
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
4 Stars

Annie moves with her dad to the United States from London so he can start a bakery in his old home town while her mom stays in London, unwilling to leave her career. At 5' 11 1/2", 14-year-old Annie is too tall to continue with gymnastics. Cheerleading sounds like the next best thing. Her new friend Lexie tries to persuade her otherwise. Then Lexie takes her to a roller derby bout, and Annie is hooked. She now has to try out to be a cheerleader as well as a roller girl.

This book is great for young teens. Annie is rediscovering herself. She is finding a new passion to replace the old one. She is making new friends, finding cute boys, and dealing with some mean girls.

I really enjoyed this book because I know quite a bit about the world of roller derby. It was pretty accurate. I think a lot of young teen girls will find it enjoyable as well. They will relate to many of the struggles Annie is dealing with. Sporty girls will like the competitive sport of roller derby. Skater girls will love it. Even nonathletic girls that just like dressing funky will find fun in this one. I do warn that the cheerleader type will definitely not like how they are portrayed. For that and the fact that the story is very predictable, I think it is a strong 4 stars rather than 5 stars. I definitely recommend it, and I hope some girls become interested in roller derby because of it.

Hidden: A Child's Story of the Holocaust (4.1.14)

I read Hidden: A Child's Story of the Holocaust by Loic Dauviller, Marc Lizano, and Greg Salsedo
I received an ARC from First Second Books through NetGalley (Pub. April 1, 2014)
5 Stars

"Hidden" is a very unique, artistic tale about the Holocaust. It is a graphic novel. A grandmother is telling her granddaughter about her past as a French Jewish girl during the Holocaust. Her parents try to protect her from the hurt that comes along with being Jewish as that time. When people come to take them away, her parents manage to save her. Thankfully there are enough kind people around to get her through the rest of the war and help her wait to find her parents.

This is an honestly realistic story. The end of the book has a page that tells about how French Jewish people were affected by the Holocaust and about how the Resistance was able to save so many children. The story itself shows how people were hidden, how they helped save the children, and how some people did not survive. It also briefly touches on the reality of life after the Holocaust, how some people came back and some didn't, and how the ones that came back didn't come back whole.

The added perspective of the elderly grandmother telling her granddaughter the story makes this even more personal, and it adds a new lesson for the readers. Dounia (the main character, the little girl that was helped, turned into the grandmother telling the story) teachers her granddaughter to cherish the time with her family. Unfortunately, you never know when you will be separated, either for a short time, or for forever. Also, Dounia was never able to share this story with her own son, so he has to think about it to understand why she is now able to share it with her granddaughter.

This is a powerful story packed into a quick little book. I don't read a lot of graphic novels, but this one was great. It is a good introduction to the Holocaust to children. It tells a side of the story that isn't always shared, from a child avoiding the camps. The illustrations match the mood of the story. This really is a winning book

Three's Company, Mallory

I read Three's Company, Mallory by Laurie Friedman, illustrated by Jennifer Kalis
I received a free ARC thanks to Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley (March 1, 2014)
5 stars

Mallory and Mary Ann are best friends. They do everything together, mostly just the two of them. Then Chloe Jennifer Jackson-Brown moves in right across the street from Mallory. From the first second Mallory sees her, Chloe Jennifer interferes with Mallory's friendship with Mary Ann. Mary Ann wants to involve Chloe Jennifer in everything they do. Mallory is not okay with that. Will Mallory be able to keep her best friend and maybe even be okay with Chloe Jennifer joining their friendship?

I have only read a couple books in the Mallory series. I have always liked the series. It is extremely well written. It is realistic fiction, touching on a lot of subjects that young girls can relate to. This book didn't disappoint at all. I really felt for Mallory and everything that happened. She tried to keep a happy face even though it was tearing her up inside. Things would go wrong, no matter how hard she tried. Her best plans fizzled. Eventually, her whole world imploded. Children reading it will think of a time that they felt the same way, or they will eventually feel the same way themselves. Maybe in that case, they will think back on this book and think about what they can do to turn their situation around. Sometimes you just have to own up to what you did wrong, admit to your feelings, and wait for things to blow over. Thankfully, most of the time that is all it takes to have life go back to normal.

I really liked this addition to the series, and I am sure every fan of the series will enjoy it as well.

The Legend of Ranger: The Reindeer Who Couldn't Fly

I read The Legend of Ranger: The Reindeer Who Couldn't Fly by Alan Salisbury, illustrations by Roberta Baird
I received a free digital copy from Jabberwocky Books through NetGalley
4 stars

Ranger is Rudolph's brother. Ranger wants nothing more than to be on the Christmas Eve flight crew, but Ranger can't fly. Instead, he is in charge of moving a sleigh around within Santaland. When he asks around to see what he needs to do to learn to fly, everyone says to look within. He doesn't know where "within" is though! After an emergency comes up, Ranger must travel a long distance and make it back in a short time. What obstacles will get in his way, and will he make it back in time to save Christmas?

I work in a library, so I always have to think about where this book will go in the children's collection. This one is too long to be a picture book and seems too short to be a fiction book, but it isn't written like an easy reader either. I think this book would best find a place in a home with an avid listener. Someone probably ages 4-7 that loves to sit on a lap and really listen to a story will enjoy it. I did not care for the illustrations, but they didn't ruin the book for me. The focus was definitely on the story, and it is a good story. It is a story of perseverance and self discovery, of overcoming obstacles and being the best you can be.

Baby Santa's Worldwide Christmas Adventure

I read Baby Santa's Worldwide Christmas Adventure by Maitland DeLand, illustrated by Phil Wilson
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
5 stars

It is time to deliver the toys, but the sleigh is still broken. How can they deliver the toys without the sleigh's magical powers? I'm sure that Santa, with Baby Santa's help, will be able to figure it out. All the kids all over the world will get their presents by Christmas morning.

This addition to the Baby Santa series follows the same pattern as the others. It is educational, and Baby Santa is a great helped with a great idea. The illustrations are cute and match the other books. Anyone that likes the original or "Baby Santa and the Lost Letters" will enjoy this one as well.

Baby Santa and the Missing Reindeer

I read Baby Santa and the Missing Reindeer by Maitland DeLand
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
5 stars

All of Santa's reindeer are missing. Baby Santa will search the globe and find them.

This rhyming book is educational, repetitive in a good way, and overall just fun to read. I would love to read this one during story time. It has predictable text that the kids would be able to say along with the reader. Plus, the rhyming text really does flow well.

Kids will be able to hear about different countries and see where they are on a map. I love the educational aspect of this series. I didn't feel like this book fit into the rest of the series though. The others don't rhyme or follow any kind of repetitive text pattern. They are purely stories. Also, while these are the same characters, they are a different ethnicity than they were in the other books. As a stand-alone book, I definitely give it 5 stars. If I had to give it a rating based on how well it fit into the Baby Santa series, I would drop it a star for the different writing styles and the confusion that might come about by the different illustrations.

Baby Santa and the Lost Letters

I read Baby Santa and the Lost Letters by M.Maitland Deland
Free digital copy provided through NetGalley
4 stars

A week before Christmas, the North Pole mailbox is empty. Where are all the lists? Don't worry Santa, Baby Santa will ask the reindeer. They have animal friends on every continent, and surely one of those animals will have seen them. Then they have to get the letters back to the North Pole in time so they can make all of the toys.

This is a nice addition to the Baby Santa series. It is pretty educational for children, talking about each of the continents and some animals that can be found on each one. While I like the educational aspect, I think it took a bit away from the story. I feel that it doesn't focus enough of Baby Santa helping out. It is a cute Christmas story with a lesson, so it is still a winner.

Change the World Before Bedtime

I read Change the World Before Bedtime by Mark Kimball Moulton, Josh Chalmers, and Karen Good
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
4 stars

This is a very hip book. Withe the multiple textures and medias used throughout, I can see many people that this would appeal to, mostly parents. The message is that even the little things you do throughout the day can be big things if they are positive steps toward helping someone, something. It would be best to read this through, reading just the main text, and then going back through to read through all the speech bubbles and really absorb the pictures.

I feel that with this book, while the story and message will be good for anyone, the illustrations will appeal to only a set group of people. It was  bit too overwhelming to me, and I feel that it would be for children as well. Artistically, it is beautiful. If you love the cover or you are looking for a book that will help children see multiple ways that they can make a difference, this is a winner for you.

Peek-a-Boo Monsters

I read Peek-a-Boo Monsters by Charles Reasoner, illustrated by Marina Le Ray
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
4 stars

Look at all the colorful monsters! Little listeners can peek at them through the holes in the pages while listening to the fun rhymes. The monsters come in many shapes and sizes. At the end, the reader (and listener) gets to shout out ROAR!

This very short book is cute for little listeners. The colors are fun, and the rhyme is fun, but it is extremely short. I think it would have earned that last star if it had been a little bit longer. I would have probably even been able to read it during a story time if that were the case. Still, it is a cute, somewhat interactive book.

The Wizard of Oz Colors

I read The Wizard of Oz Colors by Jill Kalz, illustrated by Timothy Dean Banks
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
5 stars

A rhyming board book based on The Wizard of Oz, I was very pleased with this one. It started with the black and white page, just like in the story/movie. Dorothy follows the yellow brick road, finds all of her friends, gets to Oz, and uses her ruby red slippers to get back to Auntie Em. Each page is simple with a wonderful rhyme. At the end, there is a glossary and an index.

This is a great board book. The bright colors work wonderfully for little babies, and the longer stanzas and rhyming word work for older toddlers. Anyone who loves The Wizard of Oz will be happy to share this with little ones.

Lilly Babysits her Brother

I read Lilly Babysits her Brother by Brenda Bellingham, illustrated by Clarke MacDonald
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
4 stars

Lilly is asked to stay home with her brother while her mom and step dad go buy him a birthday present. He wants a dog, but that isn't going to happen, because he is super allergic to animals. Lilly is excited because she gets to keep her mom's smartphone while they are gone. When her brother finds a dead bird, she must make sure he stays away. After that, another dilemma comes up. She makes the right choice, and things end up great.

This is a VERY short book. It is a simple chapter book for good first grade readers through probably third graders who want to be reading a chapter book but might be intimidated by larger books. Also, Lilly's brother is actually her half brother. She calls her step dad Pop. Her father died when she was two. Some kids will relate, and that is always a benefit. Lilly seems to be a responsible child. She is helpful with her brother, and she makes good choices. Overall, a good beginning chapter book

Baby Santa

I read Baby Santa by M. Maitiland DeLand
I received a free copy from Greenleaf Book Group through NetGalley
5 stars!

Santa and Mrs. Claus are dealing with their most stressful time of the year, and Baby Santa has actually made it worse. Thankfully he owns up to his mistake, apologizes, and finds a way to help save Christmas.

I have to say that I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. It is a cute and fun Christmas story with a lesson involved. It is also the start of a series, and I feel that it introduces the series well. The illustrations are cute, very appealing to children. It is a well rounded Christmas book that can be read to a group of children or with a single child on your lap.

Who is Santa?

I read Who is Santa? And how did he get to the North Pole by Stephen W. Bigalow
I received a free copy by Profit Publishing Co. through NetGalley
3 stars

This is a story about how Santa made his way up to the North Pole. It is almost written like a nonfiction, with sections that answer certain questions. At the same time, it is a story. You really can't switch from section to section. You must read it as a story. Each chapter is often only a page or two, and there are illustrations to accompany it.

I liked the story. The writing style wasn't my favorite, and it seemed a bit choppy, but the concept was good. The illustrations were not appealing to me at all. I think it would have been better to make this just a chapter book for young readers and not include actual pictures, maybe just some graphics. I'm sorry to say, but the illustrations really ruined this one for me.

Note: I tried to compare the illustrations in my copy to those of the finalizes book, but was unable to do so. Since I downloaded this after it was published, I am going on the assumption that it is the final artwork. If this turns out to be wrong, I will change my review accordingly.

The Visit

I read The Visit: The Origin of "The Night Before Christmas" by Mark Kimball Moulton
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
4 stars

This is the 2013 edition of the book that has been out for a few years. It is the story handed down generation to generation about how the famous poem came about. Clement C. Moore made it for his daughter that was sick in bed at Christmastime. He finally wrote it down 40 years later, shortly before his death. At the end of this book, you can see the full poem in Moore's handwriting.

This book is written in verse similar to "The Night Before Christmas" text. There are rhyming stanzas. It goes through the story of a child visiting her grandfather in New York City, seeing a large city from a child's eyes. Then, her grandfather tells her the story of how his grandfather came up with the famous poem. It explains parts of the story that aren't current, that many kids wouldn't understand now.

I enjoyed the story. It was sweet as well as educational. There were some amazing rhymes, similar to the original poem. I am a sucker for rhyming tales, and the rhymes in this one ranged from adequate to eloquent. At 54 pages, I felt the story was too long to be completely rhyming. It would have been better to tell the story and throw in some poetic pages.

There are a lot of aspects that make this book a winner and just a few that kept it from making the 5 star status. It is beautiful and mostly beautifully written. Some children, especially a little older ones, and many adults will treasure this story.

Nursery Rhyme Delights

I read Nursery Rhyme Delights illustrated by Kristi Abbott
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
5 stars

This is a collection of very popular and familiar nursery rhymes such as Jack and Jill and Hey Diddle Diddle. I have been looking for a collection like this to read aloud in my preschool storytimes. This is the book I have been looking for! The illustrations are definitely different, but they are amazing. They are hand collaged pictures mixed with a fun playful way to put the words on the page. At the end, kids can match the pictures with the story, a great way to make it interactive as well. I am in love with this book and have nothing negative to say about it except that I am sad I do not see it on Amazon. I want to purchase it for my 2 year old daughter's collection.

The Other Bears

I read The Other Bears by Michael Thompson
I received a free ARC through NetGalley (October 31, 2013)
4 stars

Koalas are THE bears. They are proud bears. Then the other bears start arriving. Bit by bit, mother and father koala bear see all of the things different and wrong with the other bears. The little koalas see the fun parts. In the end, mother and father realize they are bringing themselves down and find joy in the happiness the little bears bring to each other.

A book about judging others, this sweet, short read is a great one. Sure, some people might be different, but maybe those differences can be fun. Just like in real life, it's the kids that don't notice the differences that shouldn't matter anyway. That is a lesson for parents as well as kids.

There are also some learning opportunities in this one with the beginning and ending pages, where we can learn about different types of bears and where they come from. I think this is going to be a great read aloud for preschoolers. It can be a beginning book to teach tolerance to young grade school kids as well. The illustrations are okay, but I don't think they are cute enough to make it a 5 star read aloud winner.

Dust of Eden

I read Dust of Eden by Mariko Nagai
I received a free ARC through NetGalley (March 1, 2014)
4 stars

I really feel like there is not enough literature out there about the Japanese Internment camps. Yes, it is an embarrassing part of United States history, but it is a real part of it. I would bet that most kids really don't know what happened. Mariko Nagai managed to write a beautiful story about a sad time.

Mina is a Japanese-American girl living in Seattle when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. Her father is taken to jail, and then she, her mother, her brother, and her grandfather are sent to multiple internment camps. Imagine, as a young child having to pack up what is most important to you, leave your pet and your best friend, and go live in deplorable conditions. It breaks people.

Dust of Eden is written in verse. I don't like verse. Still, I appreciated the poetic value of this story, and verse really seems appropriate. I did like that the verse read more like an actual story and less like a poem. It also makes for a very quick read. There was a lot of emotion packed into a very small book. The author packed a large story into a small book without managing to miss anything important. She even managed to show that not everyone was as heartless as those that showed hate toward the Japanese-Americans only because of their race. This is a great story for tweens to read to learn about a very important but overlooked part of US history.

All the Truth That's In Me

I read All the Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry
I borrowed a copy from a coworker and also received a free e-book through NetGalley
4 Stars

Set in the 1800's, we are put down some time after Judith has returned to her town. She went missing, was gone for quite some time, and returned missing her tongue. She slowly tells us the story of how she lost her tongue, the forbidden love she has for a man in town, and the troubles of her town. Unfortunately, her mother blames Judith for her loss, and the town is happy having her stay silent.

There is really so much more to this story, but it is best to read it without knowing more. It is a quick read with very small chapters, if you can even call it that. The writing is beautiful. I needed to know what happened to her in the past and what was going to happen to her for the future. It was so unfair that she was basically punished because of something she had no control over. I did get to a point in the story that I didn't know where it was going, and it dragged a bit in the middle. Then, the ending was great. I was on the edge of my seat, reading as quickly as possible. I had to know the outcome.

If you like historical mysteries, pick this one up, stick it out, and be glad you did.

Stinky Sanitation Inventions

I read Stinky Sanitation Inventions (Awesome Inventions You Use Everyday) by Katie Marsico
I received a free copy through NetGalley
4 stars

I don't normally enjoy literal bathroom reading. Things that involve poop are not up my alley. I do like nonfiction books that tell interesting facts though, and I knew this book would be a good one for many patrons at the library. I was right. I can foresee this checking out a lot.

On each spread there is one page with a large amount of text and the following page with pictures and some key facts pulled out. This gives kids something to look at, they get the main points, and they can read deeper into the subjects. We learn about where people "went" before there was indoor plumbing, why we need sanitation, and some information about trash in general. Any nonfiction children's book that is quick to read and still teaches me fun information is a good one.

Don't Push the Button

I read Don't Push the Button by Bill Cotter
I received a free copy through NetGalley
4 Stars

I was very hopeful that this book would work in story time. If not, I was at least hoping it would be similar to Press Here by Herve Tullet. That one is way too interactive to work in a story time, but it is read-together, lap book magic. Don't Push the Button has some of the same charm, but it doesn't live up to those standards. It felt like a different, shorter take on Tullet's book. I think the book is a bit too short. There is a build up to pushing the button, there are a few more interactions, and then it is over.

I might consider trying it in a story time. It might work. Most young kids that this would appeal to have a hard time understanding that there is a main character talking. They often think the person reading the book is essentially the main character. With this book, that makes it hard for them to pick up on the funny aspects, the real tone of the book.

I really do like this book. I think it is fun, and kids will enjoy it. Anytime a book tells them not to do something and they get to do it anyway, they have fun. The illustrations are cute. The sarcasm make it enjoyable for parents. I can hear myself reading this one out loud. I would recommend this book to read with your kids at home.

Allegiant

I read Allegiant by Veronica Roth
I checked it out from the library
5 stars

I will start with the faults. I did not like the varying point of views between Tris and Tobias. I had to flip back to the start of the chapter more than once to see which character was talking. I think the book could have been accomplished sticking to Tris and maybe flipping to Tobias at the end. Also, I had a hard time remembering the supporting characters. I figured them out pretty quickly though. Sure, some of the storyline was contrived, but that is easily overlooked in a teen book.
!!!!SPOILERS!!!!!!
Tris took Tobias back too easily. The people around them accepted Tobias too easily after he tried to help overthrow them. He was allowed to run around doing whatever he wanted after that? Not likely.
END SPOILERS

The positives: I could not put it down. I got into it right away. It has been awhile since I read the other two, but there was really no getting back into it. I was hooked right away. It was very political, something I'm okay with. There was the war aspect. There was the divergent genetics aspect. There was the factions vs non-factions. Then there was the ethical questions. They were all very well thought out and concluded well.
The ending.... oh the ending. I know there are some very upset people, but I absolutely loved it. Some people say it was for shock value. I think it was realistic. No cookie cutter ending that drives me insane. Sacrifices made for good reasons, in my opinion. It wasn't someone running off to a definite death. There was the belief that survival was possible, so that keeps it true to me. No easy way out by the author either.

I have enough qualms with it that I probably should rate it 4 stars, but I really loved it too much. I was so excited to talk to my friend about it, how amazing it was, how I couldn't put it down. She pointed out the misfires in it, but thankfully she agreed about the ending. The fact that my gut said 5, I'm keeping it a 5. It was the perfect ending to the trilogy to me.

Unfortunately I will not be posting my review on Amazon, my go-to for reviews, as I can guarantee I will be hit with numerous down votes. A lot of people did not get the ending they wanted, so they are taking it out on everyone else. Yes, there are some negative reviews that don't focus on the ending, but they are sure rare. So, I really needed to get my love for this book out somewhere, and here it is.

Fangirl

I read Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
I checked it out at my library
4 stars

Cath writes fan fiction with her twin sister/best friend, Wren. I mean, Cath writes and Wren edits. It's kind of the perfect team. They write the fan fiction based on a book that is so very similar to Harry Potter. Their stories are pretty much as popular as the actual book. They are kind of a big deal. Then they go to college.

I love Rowell's writing style. She is the perfect amount of sarcastic mixed with actual good writing. Her characters are realistic and believable, and a lot of teens will relate to them. This story is perfect for those about to go to college as well as those that are there. It is a book I would have devoured when I was a freshman in college, something I could have related to. No, I don't write fan fiction, but I do love Harry Potter, and I was a bit of a recluse in college.

Cath is the sarcastic introvert. Wren is the semi-alcoholic party girl. They have always been together. They were there for their dad when their mom left. They were there all the times he fell into depression. College comes along, and all of a sudden Wren doesn't want to spend as much time with Cath. Cath doesn't have as much time to write her story. No one has enough time to make sure Dad doesn't fall back into depression. And then Mom shows up. There is a lot going on here, a lot for a variety of people to relate to. It is a very large book though, so it wasn't all crammed in. And then of course there are roommates and boys.

This is just a 4 star for me. It was wonderful, and I really enjoyed reading it, but it wasn't sensational. The story was entertaining but nothing too special. The ending was too cookie cutter. Just like in Eleanor & Park, I felt it was a build up to an anticlimactic event that never really happened. Definitely worth a read if you like good writing and sarcasm.

The Boy on the Wooden Box

I read The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the Impossible Became Possible... on Schindler's List by Leon Leyson
I checked the book out from my library
5 stars

The stories of how Leon avoided and then was moved to a concentration camp, life inside the camp, life once he was mostly protected by Schindler, and the eventual demise of Nazi Germany... they were so heartbreaking and powerful. I have never seen the movie Schindler's List, so I knew nothing about who he was. It was another lesson in humanity to learn how someone that had so much power was still able to basically put his life on the line to help out a large number of Jews. Leon's family was basically in the right place at the right time, but their hard work, determination, and little bit of spunk helped them stand out.

I don't really know what to say about this little book. How can such a small book have such a big impact? I have read many a Holocaust survival biography. We have this one down in the Children's Department of the library where I work, so I thought it would be a short, basic biography. Yes, it was a quick read to me, but that was because I stayed up all night reading it. This book has recommendations for 9+ or 11+. It would be appropriate for teens as well, and many adults will learn from it as well.

Being an autobiography, and being about Schindler's List and how people survived that otherwise wouldn't, at least I knew Leon would survive. I cared deeply about the rest of his family though, so I needed to find out how many, if any, of them would survive. Leon's life after the Holocaust was great to me. He turned out to be such an interesting person. I am so glad he decided to write down his story. It was not necessarily the best writing in the world; it seemed written by an amateur, but the story was so powerful that it didn't need to be. It was real.The 

The Boy on the Porch

I read The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech
I checked out the book from my library
5 stars

A boy, about 6 or 7, is left on Marta and John's porch with a note (very poorly written) telling them that the boy's name is Jacob, and "we" will be back for him. The boy doesn't make noise, meaning he doesn't even speak. Marta and John think the parents might be back in a day or two. After that time, they start thinking maybe they should tell someone, but they don't. Eventually, the boy becomes part of their lives, just like their dog, Beagle, and the cow that was found tied to their fence. That happy time unfortunately must end when, as the note implied, someone comes back for him.

This is an extremely quick read, partly because it is short, and partly because it is amazing. So wonderfully written, I was quickly pulled into their lives within very few words. I have to say, I cried at the end, something I never do. Happy tears? Sad tears? You have to read to find out.

Kids grades 4-6, with some mature younger ones, will get a lot out of this charming story. There are obvious issues that are brought to light, such as right vs. wrong. The last few chapters show how one silent little boy can impact so many people's lives, including mine.

The Cow in Patrick O'Shanahan's Kitchen

I read The Cow in Patrick O'Shanahan's Kitchen by Diana Prichard, Illustrated by Heather Knopf
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
3.5 stars

This is a story about where your food comes from. Patrick wakes up one morning to a cow in his kitchen! When he goes to find eggs, there are chickens in the fridge. What will appear when he needs to find the maple syrup? How will all of these things get out of the kitchen?

I love the writing in this story. The animal sounds, the pauses for effect, just very well written. It would be perfect for a read aloud. Unfortunately, it isn't quite right for a story time at the library where I work. The part about pulling on the cow's teat is a little too awkward to read to a random group of kids. It would be perfect to read to a classroom learning about farms, animals, or where food and milk comes from.

The illustrations aren't my favorite. I do have an ARC, so they are not final. I take it from the cover art that they aren't far off though. They just don't seem like they would get the attention of children. I will check the final art before I publish this review anywhere else once the book is published. Until then, a strong 3.5 stars. Not able to use in my story times, but perfect for teaching what it is intended to teach.

The Rule of Thirds

I read The Rule of Thirds by Chantel Guertin
Free ARC provided through NetGalley
5 Stars

Philadelphia Greene, AKA Pippa,a is a photographer. That is her love in life. She is preparing for Vantage Point, the statewide photography competition. Last year she photographed her best friend, Dace, in all of her modelling glory. She can use the theme again and do the same thing, preparing her for her future of high fashion photography. That is her and Dace's plan in life. With new trials in her life, new boys popping up, and her unfortunate new volunteering gig at the hospital, will her plans change? Why is Dace acting so secretive? And why are there now two boys in her life?

A book about cancer. A book about photography. A book about teenage friendship trials. A book about boyfriends. A book about right versus wrong. There are quite a few themes to this one. Sometimes too much going on makes for an underdeveloped, poorly written book. That is not the case in this one. I felt that most of the characters were very well developed. I was really invested in Pippa and Dace's friendship, and I just adored Dylan. Seeing inside Pippa's world dealing with panic attacks, stresses over the photography competition, and how she felt about the boys in her life felt very real. I think teenagers will relate, even if they aren't going through the same trials or have the same interests. Perfect for high school kids.

Random side warning: there is some teenage drinking in this one. It isn't too much of the story, but it also isn't portrayed in a bad way at all. It makes teenage drinking seem like mostly not a big deal with very few consequences. Just putting that out there so parents will know what their kids are reading.

Danny's Doodles: The Jelly Bean Experiment

I read Danny's Doodles: The Jelly Bean Experiment by David Adler
I received a free ARC by Jabberwocky through NetGalley
5 stars

Danny has a new friend, Calvin Waffle. Danny likes baseball. Calvin likes science. Calvin's dad isn't around because he is a spy, or is he really? Calvin has an idea for an experiment that involves having Danny carry around Calvin's jelly beans but not eat them. What will happen with the Jelly Bean Experiment, will Calvin make more friends, and will the boys win the baseball game? All of these questions, and the one about Calvin's dad will be answered in this book

Danny's Doodles: The Jelly Bean Experiment is perfect for readers of beginner chapter books. It is a step up from easy reading books, being somewhat longer and having fewer pictures. It isn't too long to intimidate those just moving into chapter books. The story is safe to give to kids in first or second that are reading above grade level, something parents are always looking for when they come to the library. The pictures don't play too much of a role in this one, but they might be just enough to appeal to the young readers.

The author says he starts each fiction book with the main character and the story comes later. You can tell that in his writing. The characters are developed very well, something that is often lacking in young chapter books. You can also tell that he is a veteran writer, having many books under his belt, he still managed to write an original story with a great lesson in it. Be who you are. People will accept you eventually, and your natural talents will even have the opportunity to help others.

Sage's Song

I read Sage's Song of the Pumpkinheads series, written by Karen Kilpatrick
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
4 stars

I have never heard of the Pumpkinheads before. I chose this book because I am always looking for great song picture books for my sing along story time. I am not sure if this one will work. It is a bit too young for the preschoolers but too long for the toddlers. My first thought was that I would be able to give each child a tambourine to play for the drum part. They would enjoy that, but I wouldn't be able to recreate the other sounds as well, and the kids might not stop playing the instruments while I read.

I think this one would work for older toddlers or a class of young preschoolers. They would be able to make the sounds with me, and that would be fun. The illustrations are simple and colorful. They fit the story well. This would also be a great book to read to your child, especially one that likes music or making sounds. What kid doesn't like those things? A good book.

Beep Beep Goes the Bus Driver

I read Beep Beep Goes the Bus Driver by Vincent Scala
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
2 stars

Take a ride on the bus to go pick up a variety of riders. From zoo animals, to bunnies, to the abominable snowman, kids will be kept wondering what animals will come next.

I was pretty disappointed in this book. I chose it because it sounded like something I might be able to read in my preschool story times or sing along. It definitely won't be added to my collection. The illustrations are interesting and colorful, resembling some television shows that kids might recognize. They are not necessarily my style, but they aren't bad.

It is the actual story itself that ruined it for me. Rhyming books need to flow. From the first page, I couldn't get into it. "He passes through the city, the mountains, and the zoo. Here comes the bus driver... I think he's beeping at you." Yes, the "..." is in there. That seems pointless. And then, this one could have been saved with changing the end to "He's beeping at you" instead of "I think he's beeping at you." That wasn't a deal breaker for me, but from that point on I wasn't impressed. Many of the rhymes don't rhyme. Go and Road. Stop and Off.

Then there is this one: "The driver pushes a special red button and up you go with a powerful blast. The bus soars like a rocket through the sky. Beep, beep goes the bus driver, "I don't think I've ever been this high."" What is the point of the first sentence?! It is like the author is having a hard time getting the story in like he wants it, so he just gives up caring if it flows at all.

"All of a sudden, like a dream you can't believe, floating onto the bus is the adventurous Spaceman Steve. "I've lost my rocket, but I've brought everyone cheese." So... is cheese supposed to rhyme with believe and Steve, or was this just another random sentence added even though it doesn't follow the rhyming pattern that happened for the first half of the book.

Is it only me, or does "as you wave everyone goodbye" make no sense?

The book is too long. The illustrations are just okay to me. The story itself has potential, but I focused too much on the issues I listed above to really care about it.

Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things

I read Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt
Free ARC provided through NetGalley
4 Stars

Max's theatrical parents rush out of the country to take a new acting job. Max is supposed to go with them. He misses the boat, because the supposed boat doesn't really exist. Thankfully his grandmother is still nearby to help him. With some odd jobs and his grandmother's help, he is able to somewhat thrive on his own, waiting to hear what has become of his parents.

I liked: The writing style, the time period, Max himself and his adventures.
I wasn't so sure about: The supposed mystery that took a huge back burner shortly into the story, the way that he seemed so immature yet people treated him like an adult (like they had no idea how old he was.)

Honestly, I am not sure how I feel about this book. It was fun to read about his adventures, but I didn't feel like there was really a point to them. There are more books to come, so I hope the story is developed further. The writing was fun, and the character building was great if not confusing (again, people treating Max like they don't realize he is only 12, going on 13) hopefully leading to more answers than questions in the next installment. I cannot think of a specific age or type of child to give this book to, but it was just delightful enough to earn 4 stars to me. I do have high hopes for a 5 star book to follow, but it isn't one I'm desperately waiting to read. I'm kind of worried I will have forgotten it by the time it comes out next year.

Adventures in Cartooning: Characters in Action

I read Adventures in Cartooning: Characters in Action by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
5 stars

This is the first Adventures in Cartooning book I have read. I have seen them at the library where I work, and I know they are quite popular with the kids. One of them was a Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee, so I usually take it that it must be pretty good. When I saw this on NetGalley, I decided I would really like to read it. I only knew that it was a graphic book, really nothing else. Still, I wasn't disappointed in my decision to read it.

A simple knight on a simple horse is making his way home to the castle. He meets some random evil characters that are fighting over their roles, even another knight. He runs to the castle to warn the king that some evil characters are heading his way. Met by a mob at the castle, he and his horse, Edward, have to take a secret entrance in. Yes, the horse crawls underground. It's quite amusing. Once inside, he finds out the king is missing and they are filming a movie. Silly? Definitely. From there, random stuff happens, there is a happy ending, and then they go on to explain how to draw simple characters. The end.

I really liked this one. There is some amazing vocabulary for such a short graphic novel; words like alms and mangy. The illustrations are cute and reproducable (yes, I apparently just made that word up) for kids trying to learn to draw. Even the changing fonts are fun. My absolute favorite part is when the main knight mistakes a vacuum for a robot and says "Well that sucks." I've always loved the joke about a vacuum sucking. Don't worry parents; that is the worst thing in the book if you are a stickler for bad language.

The ending tips on drawing are very helpful. There are a lot of suggestions and examples for simple ways to make a wide variety of characters. Kids who love to draw cartoons will find a double win with this book.

Star Wars: Jedi Academy

I read Star Wars: Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
4 Stars

Roan wants to go to Pilot Academy. He has dreamed of it his whole life. When he doesn't get in, he is sure he will be heading to Plant School. Then, unexpectedly, he gets accepted into the Jedi Academy. This is odd because he is much older than most kids that are first years there. The Force must be strong with that one! This is a fun tale of going off to a new (middle) school, making friends, dealing with not being exactly where you want to be, but learning to hopefully love it.

Fans of Star Wars will like this completely original story. There are many detailed drawings, one of the joys of this author/illustrator. There are fun extras throughout the book like letters from his brother and newsletters at school that will keep the kids reading it entertained. Thankfully there is plenty of Yoda, as observed from a middle school child. 8-year-olds might get a little bored with this one, but die-hard Star Wars fans well into middle school will breeze through it. Hopefully they will learn to be themselves and enjoy the life they have while they are at it.

The Alphabet Parade

I read The Alphabet Parade by Charles Ghigna, illustrated by Ag Jatkowska
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
4 Stars

This was a very cute book with colorful illustrations and great rhyming. There was a fun variety of different animals, from dogs and leopards to Kinkajou and unicorns. There were also acrobats and queens along the way. I absolutely love the illustrations. They look just like the ones on the cover. 

I don't normally read ABC books in story time, but this one would probably work well. The rhymes make it great for that purpose. I really wish it had an ending similar to the beginning. The beginning of the book says "The Alphabet Parade! Oh, what a sight to see! A big parade of letters all the way from A to Z." The book ends with the line about Z, and that's it. A simple last stanza would have made this book perfect. 

Rose Under Fire

I read Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth E. Wein
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
5 stars!

Rose Justice is an American pilot for the ATA during WWII. She is captured and sent to an all women concentration camp, Ravensbruck. Just like all concentration camp stories, Rose is in for a very horrible and difficult time. Told through her journal from before and after the concentration camp, mostly after, we get an intimate look at life inside the camp, learning to live afterward, and even a glimpse at the trials that took place once the war was over.

Rose Under Fire is a companion to Code Name Verity. You do not have to read Verity to understand this book, but I think everyone should read it anyway. Maddie is back in this one as Rose's friend. Some people in Maddie's past are referenced, but you aren't told what happened. If I were reading this book without having read Verity, I would absolutely want to go back and see what happened in Verity. There are a lot more surprises in Verity that might not be as shocking if Rose is read first.

I felt that Verity was a more powerful story, but I enjoyed reading this one more. I do have a soft spot for concentration camp stories, and it made it even better that this was fictional. I could really get into the characters and root for all of them, but at least I know in my heart that the specific casualties were fictitious. Verity was full of technical information about airplanes, so much that I found myself skimming over those parts. That was definitely not the case this time. Rose's flying passion was part of her, but it didn't take over the story. There was a lot of poetry this time, something else Rose was passionate about. I am not a big fan of poetry within stories. It didn't ruin the book for me, as I understand that her poetry was necessary in keeping the morale up for so many girls in the camp.

Wein did a wonderful job portraying life in a concentration camp. She developed the characters so amazingly, and the story was detailed, accurate, believable, and compelling. I was not shocked by it, as I have read plenty of biographies from concentration camp survivors, but I still learned from it. Before this story, I had never heard of the Ravensbruck "Rabbits."

Thankfully there is quite a bit of closure in this story. I am not left wondering who survived and who did not. There are so many emotions that ran through me while reading: sorrow, happiness, disappointment, hope and anger just to name a few. Any book that can give me so many emotions and make it almost impossible for me to put down is a definite winner.

Unfed

I read Unfed by Kirsty McKay
I received a free ARC from NetGalley
4 Stars

Unfed is the sequel to Undead. If you haven't read Undead, go read it before you read this review! Unfed starts out pretty much right where Undead leaves off. Bobby wakes up in a hospital after narrowly surviving the bus crash. As you can guess, zombies aren't far behind, and chaos is about to ensue. Thankfully she meets up with some familiar faces, has some cryptic messages she guesses are from her mother to help her find another close friend, and has a new companion to help out. The action starts almost instantly and goes non-stop until the end. Just like in Undead, the ending answers some almost unexpected questions and leaves it wide open for another book.

These books intrigue and infuriate me! I love the story behind the outbreak, and I love the ending of this one also. Bobby's teenage wit really entertained me. I was glad it carried over into this book. My biggest issue is how predictable it was that there would be zombie action followed by easily or unbelievably getting away from the zombies. Yes, it isn't a realistic book necessarily, but the way they escaped all of their encounters seemed way too contrived. And it was also very obvious who would or would not die. I'm usually not very good at predicting these type of things, but I got it all right this time.

This was a very intense read for me. I tore through the first book expecting an ending. I kind of got one, but was left knowing there would be more. I wanted to know Bobby's adventure was over, ready to move on to her warm bed at home, but it didn't happen. Then I had to wait for this one to come out. And now, after reading this one, I have to wait some more! If you read the first one and loved it, you will love this one too. Anyone that likes heavy action in a zombie book will like this series as well. While it isn't the best zombie book I have read, it is funny enough and sucks you in to the story. Plus, the reason people are infected was a pretty interesting take on it, and that was extended on in this installment of the series.