The Lollipop Monster's Christmas

I read The Lollipop Monster's Christmas by Eric T Krackow
I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley
4 stars



When most people think of monsters, they think of scary things. Mixing monsters and Christmas might not sound natural. In this story, it is sweet. All of the monsters come together at Christmas to spend time together, share treats, and keep the holiday spirit. When a monster is discovered alone in the woods, the other monsters come together to make a new friend and teach him the spirit of Christmas.

For such a long picture book, this was pretty fast moving. The story is sweet. It is all about having a happy, thoughtful mood at Christmas and sharing time with friends. If you are looking for a fun, crazy story, this is not it. If you are looking for a story to teach kids that Christmas is about welcoming everyone and spending time together, then this is a good one. The illustrations aren't what I normally would go for in a picture book, but I did like them. The colors were perfect for Christmas.

999 Frogs and a Little Brother (3.1.15)

I read 999 Frogs and a Little Brother by Ken Kimura
I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley
4 Stas



The tadpoles are turning into frogs and hopping away, except the last one born. He is still a tadpole, and he is all alone. Along comes a special new friend that thinks they are brothers. After a fun day together, Little Brother moves on, and Big Brother grows into a frog. When an emergency comes up, their friendship comes back into play, and everyone is involved.

This was a sweet book about forming bonds, growing up, and always having each other's backs. I really like the other 999 books, and this one is similar, but it isn't my favorite. 999 Frogs Wake Up was the cutest. This one is a nice story with a nice lesson, but nothing special enough to make it story time worthy.

Harriet Can Carry It

I read Harriet Can Carry It by Kirk Jay Mueller
I received a free ARC from Star Bright Books through NetGalley
5 stars



Harriet's job is to carry stuff. One day, she decided to take a day to go to the beach with her little Joey. On the way, a pushy friend invites herself, and lets everyone else come along too. The problem is, they all have items they need Harriet to carry. Soon, her day off is more like a work day. When she gets fed up with it all, what will happen?

I like this one! The rhyming text helps the book flow. With some repetition, this makes it an even better read aloud. Kids will be excited to see what animal comes next and how much Harriet is able to carry. It is an introduction to a good lesson on helping others, but not trying to do too much. Sometimes we just need a break, and that is okay. The illustrations are cute and go along with the story. This story won me over!

Tika the Glass Jar

I read Tika the Glass Jar by Tricia Chinn Campbell
I received a free ARC from Blissful Thinking Publishing through NetGalley
3 Stars



Tika is a glass baby food jar. She is nervous and excited to go on her adventure to a new house. She knows that, once she finishes that adventure, she will be recycled and ready for a new adventure. If she is lucky, she will end up a medicine bottle. At her new home, she has a quick adventure and runs into a somewhat gloomy ketchup bottle. Where will their recycling adventure lead them?

This story is cute, but unfortunately, I don't see an audience for it. It isn't educational, so it doesn't have much of a place in a classroom talking about recycling. It is way too fictional for that option. Very small children, possibly preschool age, might enjoy it as an introduction to a recycling lesson.

The illustrations are colorful and okay. They aren't super exciting or catchy, but they aren't bad either. That seems to be the whole theme of the book to me. It is cute, but not super cute. It is just an okay story with no necessary value. It definitely could have been worse, but it also could have been better.

Baby Santa and the Gift of Giving 9.30.14

I read Baby Santa and the Gift of Giving by M. Maitland DeLand
I received a free ARC from Greenleaf Book Group through NetGalley
5 Stars



Baby Santa is back and traveling to New York this holiday season to help spread some cheer. From collecting money to visiting children in the hospital to helping to serve a holiday meal, Baby Santa and the Bond family go all over New York. With rhyming text, readers will learn wonderful ways to help others, share the spirit, and enjoy the holiday. Each stanza flows really well. The pictures are clear, crisp, and match the rest of this series. Baby Santa has won me over.

I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii

I read I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79 by Lauren Tarshis
I received a free ARC from Scholastic through NetGalley
5 stars



Marcus is a slave boy in Pompeii the day before Vesuvius is about to explode. Of course no one knows what a volcano really is or that anything bad is going to happen. It's life as usual. Marcus's life isn't so great. He and his father were separated, and he doesn't know if he will ever see him again. When the gladiator fight comes to town, more chaos ensues. How will Marcus survive the volcano, and will he find his father?

Oh Pompeii. How could anyone survive that disaster?

Going in, that's what I thought about this book. I know the idea behind this series, but I really saw this one being a stretch. I wasn't sure how the author would pull it off. Pull it off she did! I guess I didn't even think about the fact that many people did escape. They fled early.

Marcus's survival was a great story of historical fiction. Tarshis did a wonderful job of teaching young readers many facts about the time. I was captivated by the story, reading it very quickly. Any child who loves this series will find a winner in this addition.

I Ate a Cicada Today

I read I Ate a Cicada Today by Jeff Crossan
I received a free ARC from Big Bound Books through NetGalley
2.5 stars



The concept behind this one is cute. Rhyming text, singing along, and crazy things happening with some odd animals. The execution failed. The rhymes were forced at best. I couldn't get into the flow at all. The extra tidbits given are neat, I guess, but it took me a couple of pages to just stop reading them. I went back later to read them.

The illustrations aren't that great. They don't catch the eye. The colors are lackluster. I have to say, I had high hopes for this one. With better rhymes and more catching illustration, this could have easily become a story time classic. I was greatly disappointed.

Angry Little Puffin (9.28.14)

I read The Angry Little Puffin by Timothy Young
I received a free ARC from Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. through NetGalley
5 stars



"What a funny-looking penguin!" That's all the poor little puffin ever hears. Does no one realize how different penguins and puffins are? Well, after reading this book, everyone will know many of those differences. And that ending, oh so sweet.

An educational, fun, and sweet book, I fell in love with this one instantly. The pictures are simple, colorful, and cute.  It was fun to read aloud. I was getting animated without even trying. I can't wait to try it out in story time.

A Button Story

I read A Button Story by Emil Sher and Cindy Revell (illustrator)
I received a free ARC from Annick Press Ltd. through NetGalley
3 Stars



1, 2, 3, oh! Where's the 4th button? A trip to the button store will complete the jacket. But there, on the floor, is the other button. Now there are button friends.

This is an interesting one. I liked the pebble story. I was hoping I would like this one more. Lots of kids like finding buttons, and there are a lot of unusual button shapes in this story. Also, it is illustrated as a nice fall story. Unfortunately, this one fell short. It felt like it should rhyme, but it mostly didn't. There could have been a great story here, but it was just blah to me.

A Pebble Story

I read A Pebble Story by Emil Sher, Cindy Revell (illustrator)
I received a free ARC from Annick Press Ltd. through NetGalley
3.5 stars



Making a face out of pebbles, a little boy needs green pebbles to make the smile. Going out and searching, he finds different pebbles in different places, but no green pebbles. What will he do?

This is a very short, simple story. The best part is the illustrations. I would do it as a lap read for small children, ages 2-4, or for a child who really likes collecting rocks. It might also work for an introduction for an art project involving pebbles.

Dino-Boarding

I read Dino-Boarding by Lisa Wheeler, Illustrated by Barry Gott
I received a free ARC from Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley
4.5 stars



The sport dinosaurs are back, and they are taking to the boards! Surf, skate, and snow, they cover all the bases at Mt. Mastodon. Which dinosaur and team will win it all?

An interesting addition to the dino series, I like this one. These aren't traditional sports, and that makes it fun and educational. The rhyming scheme is spot-on, just like I would expect from this series. Kids who love the series will welcome the addition. Also, the kids who like boarding will be so happy to have a fun picture book about their favorite sport.

Humpty Dumpty Flip-Side Rhymes (3.2.15)

I read Humpty Dumpty Flip-Side Rhymes by Christopher Harbo
I received a free ARC from Capstone Young Readers through NetGalley
5 stars



One tale is the original Humpty Dumpty. The other tale, the flip-side, is from the King's Men. It's the flip-side that really gets you!

*Spoiler alert* the King's Men end by eating "eggs freshly scrambled." I giggled, said out loud "Oh my gosh!" and sat there kind of in shock. Where did that come from?

This is a good story for teaching point of view. Younger kids will think it's cute. Older kids will probably think it's hilarious, like I did.

The illustrations are beautiful. They are hip. The colors are muted, in a good way. They just add to the charm of this one.

No More Pacifier, Duck (1.1.15)

I read No More Pacifier, Duck by Michael Dahl
I received a free ARC from Capstone Young Readers through NetGalley
5 stars!



Duck loves his pacifier. Mommy tells him it is time to let it go. First, only at bed. Soon, not at all. Duck learns "Not even in bed, sleepyhead!"

Having a toddler who loves a pacifier, this is great. It might not make a child drop the pacifier instantly, but it is a great tool to add. Having books to read about life events helps a lot of small children cope with growing up. Being a board book, this will be helpful for small children from older babies into preschool.

The pictures are crisp and simple with appealing colors. All in all, a win.

I Need a New Butt! (9.17.14)

I read I Need a New Butt by Dawn McMillan, illustrated by Ross Kinnaird
I received a free ARC from Dover Publications through NetGalley
4 stars



What do you do when your butt has a crack in it? You shop for a new one, of course.

I don't care for potty humor. I would have honestly just passed this one by, but some other reviews said it wasn't that much potty humor. It definitely is. I think it was the farting that turned me off. Still, I know that a lot of kids will enjoy this one. The illustrations fit the story. They made my daughter laugh, slightly more than the actual story even. What preschooler doesn't love a good butt joke?

Dex T-Rex (7.23.14)

I read Dex T-Rex, the Mischievous Little Dinosaur by Katya Bowser
I received a free ARC from Stan Lee's Kids Universe through NetGalley
4 Stars



"That is a good one." That's a direct quote from my almost 3 year-old daughter.

Dex is destructive. He likes to break things, kick things, and pretty much just be mischievous. When he hurts a poor little caterpillar, he looks back at what he has done. He doesn't feel good about it at all, and he vows to change his ways.

I like the illustrations. They are simple, crisp, and adorable. The story is a good one, if not a little silly. You can't just tape a stick back together. I wish it would have taught kids that some things can't be fixed, but you can change your ways and make things better in the future. Still, my daughter loved the book. It would be good to read to a group of early preschoolers and then talk about consequences and feelings.

Afterworlds (9.23.14)

I read Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld
My coworker let me borrow her ARC so that we could discuss it
A VERY strong 4 stars



Darcy wrote a story; a paranormal romance that starts with a terrorist attack and continues with a non-dead girl who can totally talk to ghosts. A publisher paid her big money for her story. Now, right after graduating high school, she is off to New York to start a career, and her life, while putting college on hold. One chapter of this novel is Darcy's life story, and the next is her written novel. Essentially this is two complete novels in one.

What do you do when an author you like writes a book that doesn't sound like it could possibly be written well? You have someone else read it first of course! Now, I really didn't have a say in that. My coworker was going to read it first anyway. If she told me it was a flop, I would have skipped it. She ended up loving it and passing it along to me.

If I had read it without talking to my coworker first and had low expectations, I probably would have given it 5 stars. Just reading the premise, I wasn't sure how he was possibly going to be able to essentially write 2 stories in one novel. I often hate dueling chapters, getting them confused or forgetting parts from chapter to chapter. If that somehow doesn't happen, I always end up loving one part and hating the rest. Since I was assured that it worked well, I think my expectations were raised a bit.

Westerfeld accomplished something I didn't think possible. He wrote two completely different stories and managed to tie them together in a way that really worked. I liked both stories. I didn't have a hard time keeping details separated, but each story definitely had enough detail to paint pictures in my head.

Now, why did I only give it 4 stars? It is over 600 pages. Somewhere in the middle, I put the book down and forgot about it for a couple days. No, it wasn't a huge break, but the fact that I wasn't pining to read more means it wasn't an A+. At one point, I was a bit over Darcy. I still liked her life story and wanted to know what happened, but I was ready for it to just happen already. Her novel never quite got that way, but it wasn't quite perfect enough to raise the whole novel up.

I'm glad I read this one. I think a lot of teens will like the story of Darcy and how she grows into her adult self. Her novel will draw you in from the first chapter, no doubt about that. A warning to parents, there are girlfriend/girlfriend relationships, some major curse words, and underage drinking without any kind of consequence whatsoever. None of these bothered me or would even bother me as a parent, but it is something that definitely needs mentioning.

Franklin and the Case of the New Friend (8.1.14)

I read Franklin and the Case of the New Friend by Caitlin Drake Smith
I received a free ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley
4 Stars



Franklin and his friend find a picture of a skunk family, but there is no skunk family nearby. They have to figure out who this mysterious skunk is so that they can give her picture back, so they call on their friends, and the Super Clupers are soon on the case.

I have had the opportunity to read a few Franklin books lately. I have been so happy with the morals of the stories, how kids can really learn lessons. This book was more for entertainment. Yes, there is the slight story about being a friend, but the story is more of a mystery for preschoolers. This doesn't make it a bad book at all. Many kids will enjoy it, and it might start them down the path to reading mysteries later. It was still a good book, just not what I was expecting.

Franklin and the Radio (8.1.14)

I read Franklin and the Radio by Caitlin Drake Smith
I received a free ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley
4 stars



Franklin's family is cleaning up by donating unwanted items and throwing away the ones that aren't good enough to donate. When he takes his radio, along with the rest of the junk, to Fox's Junkyard, his friend Fox asks if he can try to fix up the radio. The next day, Fox's cool-io new radio is all the talk. Unfortunately, this makes Franklin sad. Fox is such a great friend though, and Franklin gets the radio back. What follows is a lesson in appreciating what you have and being okay with letting things go.

I think kids today will like the illustrations. They are very crisp and clear, computer generated but done well. The story is a good one for small children to hear. It would be good to tell to someone before donating old toys and clothes. It is well done and with characters that kids will recognize.

Super Red Riding Hood (8.1.14)

I read Super Red Riding Hood by Claudia Davilla
I received a free ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley
5 Stars



Ruby is an ordinary girl, except when she turns into the super hero known as Super Red Riding Hood! She is excited to take a mission from her mother, even if it turns out to only be a stroll through the woods to pick berries. She uses her super skills to avoid danger and not be scared, until she hears the growling of a wolf. Keeping calm, she works through the problem and makes a new friend.

I love fractured fairy tales. This one isn't necessarily a fractured fairy tale, as the story isn't really anywhere near the same. There is a girl with a red hood, and there is a wolf. That's about it. Still, the characters being similar will get the attention of the kids that like fairy tales. The story is cute. Seeing a strong little girl who uses wit and thinks through a problem is always a good sign. I plan on adding this one to our "girl picture book" list whenever we get it at our library.

The part that really won me over on this one was the illustrations. They are classic looking. They really look like an old-fashioned fairy tale. Adding in the extra superhero pizazz just makes it that much better. A fun, strong story with amazing illustrations, I might just be adding this one to my own personal collection.

If Kids Ruled the World (9.1.14)

I read If Kids Ruled the World by Linda Bailey
I received a free ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley
4 stars



This is a delightful story about all of the fun things that might happen if kids ruled the world. Of course there would be no bedtimes, no making the bed, and no monsters in your closet. There would also be fun stuff like trampolines for sidewalks and pirate ships to take adventures in. Every day would be amazing, if kids ruled the world.

This is a fun one. I think it would go well in story time. There isn't really a lot to it, just fun stuff kids would probably like to do. I can see myself telling kids to think about what they would do if they ruled the world, then reading this, then discussing their ideas afterward. That would tie them into the story a bit more. Otherwise, it is just a long list of fun stuff kids would like.

I love the illustrations. The colors are fun. The pictures are full of details. They would help make this a great lap-read book as well a story time. I don't think the pictures are too busy to work for a large group. I will definitely try it out and find out for myself.

Sam's Pet Temper 9.1.14

I read Sam's Pet Temper by Sangeeta Bhadra
I received a free ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley
3.5 Stars



Sam picks up a pet temper at the playground when it chases everyone away, giving him the whole playground to himself. He takes the new pet temper home with him to see what fun they can get into. All they end up getting into is trouble! When he takes it to school, the same thing happens. His parents and teachers don't like hearing the excuses he keeps giving, that it was his temper. They tell him he must learn to control it. He uses everything he has learned to try to control his temper at the park, and he win!

I like the theory of this book. Books that teach kids coping skills and how to control their emotions are always a good thing. I am torn on how I feel about the "pet" idea though. For some kids, I think it will work well. For others, I would be afraid that it would just give them something else to blame. Some might take it as an excuse, they can just blame their temper when they do something wrong, and the might think that people won't think it was their fault. Hopefully that isn't the case.

The illustrations are interesting. They are definitely beautiful and intricate. I just don't know how I feel about them for a children's book. For older children, this might be good. If you have a preschooler with a temper that you want to help them work through, I don't think the illustrations will be effective. Still, I am hopeful that there are children out there that will find help with this book.

Stop, Thief! (8.1.14)

I read Stop, thief! by Heather Tekavec
I received a free ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley
4 stars



There is a thief on the farm, and Max must catch him! Someone is stealing all of the Carrots, berries, beans, and cherries. The farmer sends Max, the dog, off to find out who it is. He follows the buzzing to chase the thief, running into all of his friends munching on some treats along the way. Will he catch the thief and save the food?

This story was adorable. It seemed a bit long at first, but it flows well and reads quickly. It grew on me as I went. I can hear myself reading it in story time with the kids laughing about the fun animals chomping on the food the whole time. Older preschoolers and kindergartners will probably understand what is happening on their own, but I might have to explain the ending to young preschoolers. The illustrations throughout the book match the cover. It is not my favorite type of illustrations. I could see this one being cuter with more simple, sharper illustrations, but they still might appeal to some people. The illustrations didn't ruin the book for me, and I plan to try it out on a group of preschoolers as soon as I can get my hands on it.

Tickly Toes (8.1.14)

I read Tickly Toes by Susan Hood
I received a free ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley
5 Stars



A fun book about a tot discovering his toes, this one has it all. There are large, bright, colorful pictures to catch baby's attention. It is a rhyming story, one that makes it oh-so-easy to read aloud. The story shows Mommy and Daddy interacting with baby, and baby discovering on his own. It is perfect for parents, using fun words and pointing out the best parts of baby (tickly toes, pudgy knees.) Who can resist tickling the tiny toes of cute little babies? No one, and you won't have to when you read this book with your little one.

Goodnight, You (9.1.14)

I read Goodnight, You by Genevieve Cote
I received a free ARC through NetGalley from Kids Can Press
5 Stars



Piggy and Bunny are back in their fourth book, and this one is a nighttime winner. Camping out, Bunny is afraid of Piggy's shadow. Piggy persuades Bunny to not be afraid and brags about how he isn't afraid. In a fun twist, Piggy doesn't want the lights to go out, and Bunny ends up being the brave one.

The illustrations are adorable as always in this series. They are simple, colorful, and cute. The background is darker implying that they are outside at night. The story itself is short enough to read in a story time. It is about the perfect length for 3 year-old kids. I am sure it will be a winner in the nighttime story time at the library where I work.

Landline (7.8.14)

I read Landline by Rainbow Rowell (7.8.14)
I borrowed a coworker's ARC
5 Stars

Long story, short: Georgie McCool (the coolest name ever!) is married to Neal. They have two young kids, Alice and Noomi. Georgie helps write a television show with her long-time best friend Seth. The two of them are amazing together, and they know it. They are working on their own television show, and they have a short period of time to come up with 4 shows. It so happens that they have to do this over the week of Christmas, which is also when Georgie is supposed to be going to Omaha with her family. A story of a struggling marriage and a woman falling apart, in enters the weird part: Her landline (she's using it because her cell phone battery never works but she is too disorganized and doesn't really have enough time to get a new one) magically calls Neal in the past.

Yes, I just told a good amount of the story, yet I really didn't. It is so much deeper than that. So much is going on, and so much happens. I was really worried where this one would go when the phone started calling the past, but it was done so well. It didn't seem silly at all. It was a really realistic story with a strange, unbelievable twist that actually made sense and seemed believable. Also, I love Rainbow Rowell's writing. Her stories usually start so strong, are written so well, and end so blah. This one was strong the whole way through. It was a love story that didn't get on my nerves, which is awesome. Even though I was nothing like Georgie work-wise, I still related to her. I also somehow related to Neal. Overall, I have nothing but great things to say about this one. It is perfect for anyone in a marriage, good or bad. The writing is so perfect that those not in relationships will love it anyway. Everyone should read this book

I Am the Weapon (5.13.14)

I read I am the Weapon by Allen Zadoff
I received a free ARC from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers through NetGalley
5 stars



Imagine being a trained assassin as a teenager. You get missions from your "parents." You complete your mission and move on to the next target. Normally, you don't feel any attachment or emotion. That's what you aretrained for. Then, suddenly, your next target is the mayor or New York, and your way in is his daughter, someone you instantly fall for. Will you be able to put feelings aside and finish the mission?

What an action-packed story. I was quickly drawn into this one. It was a quick read because I had a hard time putting it down. Yes, I am sure this isn't realistic. As an adult, that didn't bother me at all. I just enjoyed a fast-paced, adventure-filled story. It left me guessing the whole time, and the ending was a surprise. It was emotional, unpredictable, and well thought out. I would recommend this to any teen that likes adventure, and can see it as a great series for reluctant readers.

Kate Walden Directs (5.20.14)

I read Kate Walden Directs by Julie Mata
I received a free ARC from Disney Book Group through NetGalley
4 stars *strong*



Kate Walden is a director. She liked to make movies. Currently, she is almost done making her longest movie yet, featuring the hated chickens on the farm where she lives. Speaking of the farm, she doesn't like living there. Her mother decided to quit her job and start raising chickens, so 7th grader Kate, her 5th grader brother, and her parents packed up and moved to a stinky chicken farm. At least the chickens are helping her make her movie, along with her best friend, Alyssa as the star.

Poor Kate wishes she still lived in town near Alyssa and all of her other friends. Now, she has the stinky chickens, and she is far away from the social scene (as social as a 7th grader can get.) This ends up hurting her as Alyssa makes friends with the MPG, Most Popular Girl, and Kate feels left behind. If she can't get Alyssa back, she will get back at Alyssa, but will she be able to finish her movie without her star?

This book is full of pre-teen issues. Losing friends, losing social status (what little one might have,) and making very poor choices. Thankfully it also shows that life will go on, things will be forgotten, new friendships will be made, and those poor choices don't always ruin your life for good.

I had a difficult time reading this one because I really felt for Kate. She seems like a good person, but bad things happen. Add in her bad decisions and you have an awkward, almost painful story. That doesn't at all mean it is a bad story. In fact, it's the opposite. It is a good story. There are family lessons, lessons on being a good friend, lessons on telling the truth, and a happy, wholesome ending. Perfect for any pre-teen

The Haunted Museum #1: The Titanic Locket (4.29.14)

I read The Haunted Museum #1: The Titanic Locket by Suzanne Weyn
I received a free ARC from Scholastic through NetGalley
4 stars



The rules are simple. You aren't supposed to touch anything in the Haunted Museum. There is a reason for that, a very scary reason. Don't touch a piece of the Titanic right before you take a cruise on the new Titanic replica ship. Sisters Samantha and Jessica learn that the hard way, and learn a lot more than they thought they would about that fateful ship.

This was a very quick read. I would give it to second through fifth graders that like scary stories. I picked it up because I like all things Titanic. In that aspect, I was somewhat disappointed. There really wasn't enough Titanic for me. Just because a child likes the Titanic doesn't mean they will enjoy this book. It really is mostly just a scary story. It was a good scary story. Kids will definitely like it. I can already see myself passing this one along to any child that wants scary stories. It will surely be a great series all around.

The Truth About Alice (6.3.14)

I read The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu
I received a free ARC from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group through NetGalley
4 stars



Alice slept with two guys at a party. 2 guys, different times, same party. Everyone knows about it, and everyone is talking about it. Now one of those guys, Brandon, is dead, traffic accident while Alice is trying to text him (sexting, you know, all the crave now.) Alice's life, friendships, everything, it's all going down the drain. But it is her fault, of course. How bad can you feel for someone who brought it upon herself?

This was a pretty deep book. It was told by 4 different characters. One was Alice's best friend (was....was, was, was.) One is the most popular girl in school. One, the smart, quiet guy that seems to have the least to do with the whole story. The last was the best friend of Brandon, and he was with him during the accident. The whole story will slowly come out by the end.

The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the ending. The whole story was well written. It sucked me in, and I couldn't put it down. I felt like I really knew the characters. At the end, the reader will know the whole story, but probably won't be so happy with how it works out for everyone. Sure, a couple of the characters grow, but there is no real solution. Life goes on. It does seem like something that would happen in a real high school, but it just isn't fair. It didn't ruin the book for me at all, but it could have still been written as well with a "happier" ending. I don't need "happily ever after," but I do want redemption for those that deserve it, and growth for those that were pretty horrible people. Good read, teens should relate to at least one of the characters, and pretty realistic.

Don't Even Think About It

I read Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
5 stars



Imagine going to get a flu shot and coming out with ESP. You can hear everyone. Friends, non-friends, even your parents. Scary, fun, educational? Yes, it would be all of those things. But what if you aren't the only one? What if 21 other people shared the skill? Would you be able to come together to figure out what to do? And would you all be able to get along well enough to survive the adventure?

I have to admit, it took me a bit to get into this one. I started it, liked it, but had other things I just wanted to read more. When I got back around to it, I couldn't put it down. It was funny. Even though the topic (getting telepathy after getting a flu shot) wasn't believable, the characters were real. There were all types, and they all came together to work through the problem. Sure, some of them didn't necessarily get along, but they knew they still had to figure things out. There was romance, but not anything too annoying or that took over the book. It was a quick, fun read. Even though I am nowhere near the age of the people in the book, I still enjoyed their stories.

I also have to give props to this author. The subject at hand could have easily turned to something completely ridiculous. The ending wasn't necessarily exciting, but it felt appropriate. A nice, pretty clean book for teens, and a good read for anyone.

If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur (5.13.14)

I read If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur by Linda Bailey, illustrator Colin Jack
I received a free ARC from Random House of Canada through NetGalley
3.5 stars

 

What could you do with a dinosaur? Use it for a snowplay, a diving board, or a can opener? Possibly. Some dinosaurs make great bookmarks. Some don't make good kites. Many dinosaurs could do many different things. But if you don't have a dinosaur, say you have a kangaroo, then what will you be able to do with that?

I love the illustrations in this book. They are colorful and fun yet pretty simple. I find them very attractive. The story is somewhat cute, but not that exciting to me. I don't think kids will be entertained by it. There isn't anything that really happens, and the end is very anticlimactic. If it had something catchy that happened to end it, that would have helped. It is not a bad book, just not one that I think will really catch the attention of small children, and I won't be reading it in story time.

Dawn: Diary One

I read Dawn: Diary One by Ann M. Martin
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
4 Stas

Dawn is back in California with her friends. They have a group going similar to the Baby-Sitters Club, but definitely not as organized. Also, they are growing up and maybe even growing apart. When their 8th grade class gets moved into the high school, they are no longer queens of the school. Now, they are the lowest of the low. Will they be able to keep their friendships and grow together, or will things start falling apart? Told in journal form, this is a quick-moving, realistic look at life of a young teenager.

When I saw this book on NetGalley, I was instantly brought back to my childhood. I grew up with the Baby-Sitters Club. I did not know that this was a reprint of a previously released series. It was still entertaining. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, by any means, but I can see a lot of girls relating to this one. Some of the things that happened are things that could possibly happen to 13 year old girls, and the journal format makes it even more relatable. I really felt like I was reading a journal, because it was written like so many journals I kept as a young girl.

I'm interested to see if this series becomes popular again. I am sure many kids today will still love the Baby-Sitters and this series as well. It's all about growing up.

Red Riding Hood Gets Lost (Grimmtastic Girls #2)

I read Red Riding Hood Gets Lost (Grimmtastic Girls #2 by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
I received a free ARC from Scholastic through NetGalley
5 stars

The Grimm girls are back and ready to figure out what is going on with the E.V.I.L. group. This time it is Red's turn. She's ready to star in the Red Robin Hood play, but her nerves have other ideas. With the help of her Grimmtastic friends, will Red be able to find her own charm, figure out what is going on with her "friend" Wolfgang, and survive the auditions, all while learning more about E.V.I.L.? Surely she will!

The series is moving right along. Kids are going to devour them and very impatiently wait for the rest of the series. I myself am drawn in and must know what happens next, and I am nowhere near that target audience.  This writing duo has it all figured out. If you have a pre-teen or younger advanced reader, especially one that likes a fun take on fairy tales (it's all the rage right now), then pick up the first one from this series. Make sure you go ahead and grab the second one with it. No one will be disappointed.

Blood Ties (Spirit Animals, book 3) 3.25.14

I read Spirit Animals Book 3: Blood Ties by Garth Nix and Sean Williams
I received a free ARC from Scholastic through NetGalley
4 stars

After giving up the last talisman, the crew must forgive each other, come together, and move on. With the Conquerors right on their tail, Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan are in a race to find the next talisman. They are continuing to build their skills and their bonds with their spirit animals while becoming a strong team. Meilin and her home are featured in this installment.

This book continues the series nicely. It follows a similar style even though they are all written by different authors. There is character building, foreshadowing, some new characters introduced, and the ultimate fight scene at the end. I loved the first book in the series. It took me a bit to get into the second, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. This one didn't have quite the same captivating charm, but it is still a good addition to the series. I am sure that the many kids that love the series will devour this one and be eagerly awaiting the next. Hopefully I will be drawn into the next one a bit more than I was this one.

Pig and Small (8.1.14)

I read Pig and Small by Alex Latimer
I received a free ARC from Peachtree Publishers through NetGalley
5 Stars

Pig hears a squeak on his nose. What could it be? Ah yes, a little bug, and that bug wants to be his friend. Unfortunately, there are many activities they cannot do together because of their sizes. After deciding to part ways, Pig figures out just the right activity for the two of them to do together. Then, they can think of a lot of other activities they can do. Sure, they don't like all of the same things, and they can't do everything together, but that doesn't mean they can't be friends.

I love Alex Latimer. Lion Vs. Rabbit was adorable.Penguin's Hidden Talent had adorable illustrations and a wonderful lesson in the sweet story. I love his illustrations. I love his stories. The pictures are cute, simple, and colorful. The stories are sweet and have a good meaning, while still being fun for kids to read or listen to. I especially loved this one because of the theme. I took it to mean that everyone is different, and that is okay. There are many things you may not agree on or both like to do, but that doesn't mean there are no similarities. You can use your differences to your advantage in some situations, and you can find common interests enough to be friends. Ignore or even celebrate the differences. In the end, there is always something there that will work. A+ book that I am excited to share with others.

Julia's House for Lost creatures (10.14.14)

I read Julia's House for Lost Creaturesby Ben Hatke
I received a free ARC from First Second Books through NetGalley
5 Stars

This story starts out with Julia's house coming to town and settling down by the sea. How adorable is that!? Once Julia is settled down, she realizes she needs some company. She makes a sweet sign displaying "Julia's House for Lost Creatures" and the creatures start rolling in. As you can imagine, a large number of random creatures can be a bit chaotic. She quickly figures out how to get them under control. From there, she runs into another slight problem and then gets her happy ending.

Told in a slight graphic (comic book style) format, this is an adorable picture book. The illustrations are beautiful and fit the story well. The story itself does a good job of making somewhat scary creatures not really seem so scary. The knocking on the door gives this story a little extra fun for read-aloud story times. I really can't wait to try this one out, probably close to Halloween.

There's a Mouse Hiding in This Book! (9.1.14)

I read There's a Mouse Hiding in This Book! by Benjamin Bird
I received a free ARC from Capstone through NetGalley
5 Stars

 

Tom and Jerry star in a very interactive story book that would be a lot of fun in story time. Jerry is ruining Tom's book by getting footprints all over it, so Tom wants some help catching him. From closing your eyes to listen closely for him to shaking the book to make him fall down, kids will be laughing in between participating. The ending isn't quite what I expected, and I'm sure the kids will like it as well.

Some of the fun of this story has been done before, many times before, in many other books, but it really is a fool-proof method. I'm not sure how many small children know Tom and Jerry anymore, but it is still fun. If they know them or not, the kids will love participating with this one.

Goodnight Football (8.1.14)

I read Goodnight Football by Michael Dahl
I received a free ARC from Capstone through NetGalley
5 Stars

This book is going to be just what so many little boys (and some girls!) want, a fun rhyming bedtime story about football. I love rhyming stories, and I love bedtime stories. When the two come together nicely, you end up with awinner. The rhymes flow well, something very important in a picture book. The story gets to the point, describing the game and then saying goodnight to fun stuff such as the bleachers, the fans, and the concession stands. It even gets "Goodnight moon" in there. I am sure people will see Sports Illustrated and expect the best. Thankfully they will not be disappointed by this story.

Cinderella Stays Late (Grimmtastic Girls #1)

I read Cinderella Stays Late: Grimmtastic Girls#1 by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
I received a free ARC from Scholastic through NetGalley
5 Stars

Cinderella is pretty excited to be starting at Grimmtastic Academy. Sure, her evil step sisters are there, she was extra late on her first day, and a new prince is starting on the same day (that causes major drama!) but she is still happy to be there. No new prince starts at the academy without a fancy ball. Cinder, as she prefers to be called, really wants nothing to do with the prince, but of course she is around him everywhere. Her step sisters want Cinder to talk them up every chance she gets. When they start to think she is flirting with the prince, they decide to sabotage her. Thankfully she has some new Grimmtastic friends and some magic glass slippers to help save the day, all while uncovering a new mystery.

Ah, this book series is going to be such a hit at the library where I work. So many girls love the Goddess Girls from the same authors. The whole "modern take on fairy tale" fad is pretty popular too. The name Cinder really got to me, but that is just a personal opinion that had very little to do with the story. That was really my only gripe with the story. It is cute, has a good moral, and has all the fun fairy tale characters everyone loves to read about. Also, it is a good, clean story. Amazon says grades 3-7. I think 7th grade seems a bit old, but parents can feel comfortable giving this series to good readers younger than 3rd grade. I can't wait to read the next one and pass this great series on to young readers.

Franklin's Day with Dad (4/1/14)

I read Franklin's Day With Dad
I received a free ARC from NetGalley
4 stars

Franklin's friend can't play because he is having a day with Dad, so Franklin decides to do the same. Dad is all for it, after he does a few things. A few things turn into a few more things, and Franklin starts getting sad. Soon, he learns a sweet little lesson and has a great day with dad!

Any fan of Franklin will like this one. Any parent will like the lesson that comes with this one. Slight spoiler, the lesson is that it doesn't always matter what you are doing, as long as you are enjoying the time with the person. Also, sometimes helping your parents help others can be just as fun as playing (fishing, whatever) with your parents.

Because I Stubbed My Toe

I read Because I Stubbed My Toe by Shawn Byous
I received a free e-copy  from Capstone Young Readers through NetGalley
5 stars

A boy stubs his toe, and chaos ensues. Yup, that's pretty much it. One really long sentence makes up this pretty adorable book. The illustrations are cute and fun with bright colors that will be visually appealing to children. It is short enough to read to the young ones but funny enough to read to older preschoolers and kindergartners. The older ones will be looking to see what funny event happens next. Plus, the ending is sweet. It also teaches cause and effect, how one little action can cause a chain of events. It would be a fun, short book to read to a class that is about to learn about cause and effect, a great introduction. I will be looking to add this one to my collection of books for preschool story times at the library!

The Most Magnificent Thing (4/1/14)

I read The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
I received a free ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley
5 stars!

What happens when a regular girl that likes to build things gets a magnificent idea? With some trial and error, lots and lots of error, some frustration, and a little help from a canine friend to chase away the squirrels, this regular little girl can make something magnificent of course!

Simple illustrations and sweet text tell a wonderful story about determination and seeing the good parts of not so great things in order to make something better. It really is a powerful little story. Kids will learn to keep trying, keep using their wonderful imaginations until something great is formed. There is also a bit of humor in this one that the adult readers will pick up. For example, the girl is working on her creation somewhere out of the way, like the middle of a busy city sidewalk. I can't wait to read this one in story time. It is short enough, cute enough,and just funny enough to appeal to everyone.

I also have to point out that I really love the dedication, "For all the little perfectionists of the world."

I Survived the Nazi Invasion (2/25/14)

I read I Survived #9: I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944 by Lauren Tarshis
I received a free ARC from Scholastic through NetGalley
4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Max and Zena are young Jewish children in Poland during World War II. Their young aunt has disappeared, they are living in a ghetto, and their father was taken away from them. When they find themselves alone on the street, they must try to do something to keep from being caught. Fast-paced and full of action, the I Survived series is a great introduction to history for young readers.

I am a huge fan of this series. I love historical fiction. I also like any series that is great for the young readers. For some reason, I did not like this particular book as much as the others. I think my expectations might have been a little too high, as I really enjoy reading books about this time period. I contemplated giving only 4 stars, but I decided it does deserve 5 stars. For the age it is intended for, it is realistic yet happy. Readers that are the intended age will surely not be disappointed in this addition, and it might just spark the interest in them to learn more about the time period.

Fairylicious

I read Fairylicious by Tiffany Nicole Smith
I received a free copy from NetGalley
4 Stars

Bex is obsessed with fairies. She knows that every time someone says that fairies don't exist, another one dies. It seems some of her friends and family and starting to think she is getting too old for fairies. For her 12th birthday, she wishes for fairies for herself and her friends. When her wish comes true, she and her friends learn that having a fairy around might not necessarily be a good thing.

While this seems like a simple fairy story, it actually goes much deeper. Bex is a very complex character. She tries to do good and be a good person, but things always go wrong. She gets her friends in trouble. She messes up in class. Everyone seems to think she is a disaster. On top of that, she has a father in jail and a mother that just bailed on her and her six-year-old sister. Of course, at that age, they can't help but blame themselves for the lack of parental involvement. Their grandmother isn't getting any younger either. Oh yeah, and the special school that she goes to is about to have some financial issues, causing a big uproar.

I like this book. The themes are good. The fun fairy aspect is funny and sweet. There is just a bit too much going on. It is the first in a series, but from what I see, it doesn't really seem like the next book continues this story. I see that Bex is the character in the 5th of the series. Hopefully it all ties together. I would like to read the rest of the series to see if all the story lines are completed. What happens with Bex's parents, her fun aunt, her not-so-fun aunt, her friends, her school enemies, her aging grandmother, her fun little sister, and of course all of the fairies. So many loose ends. Still, a solid read.

A Bed for Fred

I read A Bed for Fred by Lori Zoss
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
3 stars

I like the idea behind this book, and a lot of it is cute. The illustrations are okay, not amazing, but fine. I think it is a bit too long. It would be a great story to read to a toddler that is moving from a crib or toddler bed into a bigger bed, but it definitely could have been shorter to accomplish that. Many of the rhymes feel forced. I hate when a book rhymes a word with the same word! (Bed and bed) With slightly cuter illustrations, a shorter story, and less forced rhymes, it could easily be a great book I would be willing to purchase. As it is now, I would not go back to this one or pass it along to anyone.

Spirit Animals: Hunted

I read Spirit Animals: Hunted by Maggie Stiefvater
I received a free ARC through NetGalley (1/7/14)
5 stars

This is the second installment in the Spirit Animals series. Written by multiple authors, this is an adventure of some kids that have some very strong spirit animals. Not everyone is matched with a spirit animal; it is a bit of a lucky break to have one. 4 children from very different parts of the world happened to be matched with some powerful leader animals that have been missing for a long time. They have to help collect pieces from all of the most powerful creatures, but another group is trying to do the same thing. Thankfully the four are learning how to work together, and work through their differences, as they work to collect the next piece of the puzzle.

I was leery to pick this one. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, but mostly because of the introduction to each character. I knew that it was a great series for kids, that the action and story would keep the kids reading, but I got a bit bored toward the end. This time it was a slow start for me. Once I got into the book a bit more and could keep each of the characters in order, I read it very quickly. I enjoyed it a lot more than the first even.

The fact that this series is written by multiple authors really scared me. I was excited for the first book because I liked the author a lot. I was worried when I learned there were multiple authors. Reading this installment, I pretty much forgot that it wasn't the same author. I'm sure if I read them back to back that I might pick up on some things that would show that to me, but I doubt that most young readers would notice. It is a great series for middle grade readers or advanced readers that aren't quite middle grades yet. It should appeal to fans of the 39 Clues because of the internet game tie-in or fans of the Warriors series because of the animals.