The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Princess Pinecone is a warrior princess, but her folks keep giving her cozy sweaters instead of Useful Warrior Equipment (like armor and weapons and such). Prior to her birthday, she makes it abundantly clear that what she REALLY wants is a BIG, STRONG horse. They sort of get the message. Instead of another sweater, Princess Pinecone receives a small, … Read more
Legends of Morana by Ella Selvaggio Adventure Fantasy Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Legends of Morana is a book about a realm of dragons. This book is by a local author, and the suspense is woven throughout the story is written extremely well. Appollo and his friends live peacefully in a cave. Then Appollo finds a dragon egg, which then hatches into a dragonet named Blaze. Strange events start happening after … Read more
Who Was Bruce Lee? by Geoff Edgers Biography Nonfiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) It is a great book for middle school kids.
Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina illustrations by Sonia Sánchez Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) This picture book celebrates the friendship between two young girls – Daniela and Evelyn Del Rey – who live across the street from one another in similar buildings/apartments. They are best friends, but everything is about to change because Evelyn is moving away. They play among the moving boxes and Daniela thinks about the … Read more
Father and I Were Ranchers Little Britches #1 by Ralph Moody Biography Nonfiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Little Britches is a book that depicts strong emotions. Ralph and his family move to Colorado for Ralph’s father’s lungs. They think they are journeying to a developed ranch, and instead, they find a three-room cabin. The story continues with Ralph’s family trying life on the ranch, from scratch. They have to raise … Read more
Dear Celiac by Kristen Adam Nonfiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Dear Celiac by Kristen Adam is a book any kid (or grownup) with celiac should read. This book takes you through Kristen’s personal journey with celiac. since several people I know have Celiac, this book really rings true with me. The emotions in this book are depicted extremely well. I definitely recommend this book for anyone to read to understand … Read more
Zane and the Hurricane: A Story of Katrina by Rodman Philbrick Adventure Realistic Fiction Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Zane and the Hurricane is another amazing book by Rodman Philbrick. This is an excellent read. Zane learns that he has a grandmother, and he goes to spend the summer with her. At church, he listens to her amazing voice. Then Hurricane Katrina comes in. In the evacuation, Zane’s dog Bandy (Bandit) … Read more
The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O’Neill Fantasy Graphic Novel * * * * Stars (Great!) Rinn is out gathering herbs and vegetables one day when she comes across an ancient shrine and disturbs a sleeping dragon. The dragon, Aedhan was charged to look after the shrine and Rinn’s village, but fell into an enchanted sleep – 80 years ago – from which he has only just now been awakened. Rinn convinces Aedhan to return … Read more
Wildfire by Rodman Philbrick Adventure Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “Wildfire” is a wildly thrilling book of survival. Sam Castine is at his wilderness camp when a wildfire arrives. He runs back into the camp because his phone is still there. He worries about his mom, and how the news will affect her. He meets and bonds with a girl named Delphy. When they run into a group of … Read more
Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure by Jeff Kinney Adventure Fantasy Funny Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Rowley Jefferson writes his first wholesome fantasy adventure! And then makes the mistake (?) of sharing the first few chapters with his best friend Greg Heffley, who becomes his greatest fan and his greatest critic. Incorporating some of Greg’s suggestions and his own creativity, Rowley crafts a hilarious story that’s a mishmash of popular genres, well-worn … Read more