Is there anything better than relaxing in your favorite reading spot, lost in a book? Exactly! If you follow us on Twitter, you know that we often tweet about books that are soon or just newly released. BUT! Before you put the hold on that shiny new book – and wait your turn in line! – why not enjoy some …
REVIEW: Class Act
Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels finalist Class Act by Jerry Craft is the focus of today’s featured blogger review: Fitting in, showing someone you like them, making and challenging assumptions, and finding your own way in life–all of these very real concerns for tweens and teens are beautifully represented in the students of Riverdale Academy Day School. Click here to read …
REVIEW: A Wish in the Dark
Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat is the subject of today’s featured blogger review: This says on the cover that it’s a reimagining of Les Miserables. It’s not a blow-by-blow recreation, but we do have the two central characters, one who has broken the law for understandable reasons, and one who believes that …
REVIEW: What About Worms!?
Our featured blog review today takes a closer look at Easy Readers finalist What About Worms!? (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!) by Ryan T. Higgins and Mo Willems: Too funny! Tiger is just what I’ve come to expect from Ryan T. Higgins. Tiger isn’t grumpy like Ryan’s other character Bruce. Instead, he’s a little bit of a mess especially when …
REVIEW: In The Red
Our featured review for today takes a closer look at Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist Into the Red by Christopher Swiedler: This exciting survival story made for an intriguing read. Survival stories on earth can be mind-blowing, but trying to survival almost impossible circumstances on Mars?! Not to mention, the main character, Michael, struggles with an anxiety disorder, that definitely …
REVIEW: When Stars Are Scattered
Today’s featured blogger review takes a closer look at Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels finalist When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed, and Iman Geddy: This book just gobsmacked me. It’s a powerful tale of two brothers in a refugee camp. Born in Somalia at the onset of a civil war, Omar, the eldest, watched his father get killed. …
REVIEW: Rival Magic
Welcome to our first review of 2021! Happy New Year! Today’s blogger review looks at Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist Rival Magic by Deva Fagan: This is a fine example of the sort of middle grade fantasy that one reads in just about a single-sitting, with interesting, likeable main characters, lots of delightfully magical twists and turns, and twists in …
REVIEW: Tip and Tucker Paw Painters
Our highlighted blog review for today looks at Easy Readers nominee Tip and Tucker: Paw Painters by Ann Ingalls and Sue Lowell Gallion, illustrated by Andre Ceolin: I read Tip and Tucker Paw Painters for Cybils and your Kindergarten – 1st grade friends will enjoy this title. Not only will they be able to read it on their own (with …
REVIEW: Your Place in the Universe
With this week’s once-in-several-centuries conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in the night sky–aka the Christmas Star–it seems appropriate to feature Elementary Nonfiction nominee Your Place in the Universe by Jason Chin as today’s blog review: A wonderful way to introduce young readers (and older ones too, I can vouch for it) to those fascinating subjects of astronomy and astrophysics, and …
REVIEW: Curse of the Night Witch (Emblem Island)
In our featured review for the day, you’ll find out more about Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction nominee Curse of the Night Witch (Emblem Island) by Alex Aster: This adventure has some amazing world building and is the primer to Colombian mythology that I didn’t know I needed. Emblem Island is a fantastical place where kids wake up marked with the emblem …