tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72917020095254461482024-03-12T20:31:58.633-07:00Beginnings and EndingsAngela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-15832497530620690432024-03-01T08:30:00.000-08:002024-03-01T08:30:00.137-08:00Two incredible MG - Misfits and Simon Sort of Says<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">Both
books are so well done. Loved them both.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Misfits:
The Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee with illustrations by Dan Santat</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">From the
publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (January 2, 2024)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Olive
Cobin Zang has . . . issues. And they mostly aren’t her fault. (No, really!)
Though she often slips under the radar, problems have a knack for finding her.
So, imagine her doubts when she’s suddenly dropped off at the strangest
boarding school ever: a former castle turned prison that's now a “reforming
arts school”!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But
nothing could’ve prepared Olive for RASCH (not “rash”). There, she’s lumped
with a team of other kids who never quite fit in, and discovers that the
academy isn’t what it seems—and neither is she. In fact, RASCH is a cover for
an elite group of misfits who fight crime . . . and Olive has arrived just in
time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Turns out
that RASCH is in danger of closing, unless Olive’s class can stop the heist of
the century. And as Olive falls in love with this wacky school, she realizes
it’s up to her new team to save the only home that’s ever welcomed them.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXD6qwt2ctzteFUarYNngyTYMJYghBeURwaSxGwM1kmZ3P3Rx8Vd65z6bz0Mak3k8QaUFFeD9KXv8zdNxBovEQmOgEqFj8Lm_aN5Qgq6XVf_3b4s7gys0vtoX2zZvF4YTVoHZQrLyNW9f24vZi0YlAz3A8K3RTW93i-XVALl6AToxe5SVoGKJlT9K4MI/s400/misfits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXD6qwt2ctzteFUarYNngyTYMJYghBeURwaSxGwM1kmZ3P3Rx8Vd65z6bz0Mak3k8QaUFFeD9KXv8zdNxBovEQmOgEqFj8Lm_aN5Qgq6XVf_3b4s7gys0vtoX2zZvF4YTVoHZQrLyNW9f24vZi0YlAz3A8K3RTW93i-XVALl6AToxe5SVoGKJlT9K4MI/s320/misfits.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">This story is the best kind of ride. Creative characters, settings and plot bring plenty of adventure and mystery. There is a lot of fun in the extensive and odd training for the RASCH misfits. This book is pretty perfect from beginning to end (what else would you get from Lisa Yee and Dan Santat?) with plenty of fun and wacky events to keep you reading. There’s a lot of heart – especially when you find your home.</span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Simon
Sort of Says by Erin Bow</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">From the
publisher: Disney Hyperion (January 31, 2023)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Simon
O’Keeffe’s biggest claim to fame should be the time his dad accidentally gave a
squirrel a holy sacrament. Or maybe the alpaca disaster that went viral on
YouTube. But the story the whole world wants to tell about Simon is the one
he’d do anything to forget: the one starring Simon as a famous survivor of gun
violence at school.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two years
after the infamous event, twelve-year-old Simon and his family move to the
National Quiet Zone—the only place in America where the internet is banned.
Instead of talking about Simon, the astronomers who flock to the area are busy
listening for signs of life in space. And when Simon makes a friend who’s
determined to give the scientists what they’re looking for, he’ll finally have
the chance to spin a new story for the world to tell.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Simon
Sort of Says, the Newbery Honor-winning novel by Erin Bow, is a breathtaking
testament to the lasting echoes of trauma, the redemptive power of humor, and
the courage it takes to move forward without forgetting the past.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_50Kg8vnhbu-HcSih8x1ZyVAsKgT20NR5_5_yciajX0ICYnywrAzF1lKXmQi-UStRbjo3vKWuj5VaDCAMrJ_R7NOwvpSPZ_xFEkcOa4Xvv7cEY7Ae1gSHmGlL_c0X5k5_S9mC4V12TENk8aWsQbxNv8NRU4cMkKmYl00jgk2LYeiGtFAb2XqvmeTkJqs/s2475/Simon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_50Kg8vnhbu-HcSih8x1ZyVAsKgT20NR5_5_yciajX0ICYnywrAzF1lKXmQi-UStRbjo3vKWuj5VaDCAMrJ_R7NOwvpSPZ_xFEkcOa4Xvv7cEY7Ae1gSHmGlL_c0X5k5_S9mC4V12TENk8aWsQbxNv8NRU4cMkKmYl00jgk2LYeiGtFAb2XqvmeTkJqs/s320/Simon.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">This
story is impressive, tough, laugh out loud funny and extremely necessary. I’m
so glad someone recommended it. I felt everything the character felt, and it
all felt real. To get the perspective of a child in a school shooting was brave
and painful. For those of us who have never experienced that kind of situation,
the level of anxiety and PTSD was palpable. It gave understanding to something
we see on TV but don’t know the inside story. There is a warning at the
beginning for anyone that might be triggered.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">There were also so
many times I was laughing out loud and stopped to read it to my husband. This
book is one I will keep, and the story will stay with me for a long time. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-89426524380076907402024-02-01T17:36:00.000-08:002024-02-01T17:36:27.048-08:00Two MG books with strong female MC<p><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Hi! Apparently, I took January off! LOL. But if you look at the extra book titles at the bottom of the last post, I had a lot of reading to do and ALL of them were great! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">So, these two blurbs are pretty short but worth writing about. And MC is main character, in case that wasn't clear. I would have spelled out protagonist but that's long in a title. </span><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;">Both have awesome covers, too.</span><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;"> Anyway...on to the books!</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The
Mystery of Black Hollow Lane by Julia Nobel</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">From the
publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers (March 5, 2019) (was reprinted with
illustrations 2020)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">With a
dad who disappeared years ago and a mother who's a bit too busy to parent, Emmy
is shipped off to Wellsworth, a prestigious boarding school in England, where
she's sure she won't fit in.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">But then
she finds a box of mysterious medallions in the attic of her home with a note
reading: These belonged to your father.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">When she
arrives at school, she finds the strange symbols from the medallions etched
into walls and books, which leads Emmy and her new friends, Jack and Lola, to
Wellsworth's secret society: The Order of Black Hollow Lane.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Emmy
can't help but think that the society had something to do with her dad's
disappearance, and that there may be more than just dark secrets in the halls
of Wellsworth…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX0uigfLgs4SO7M_GdqRB6Ow0j1-q4e5YEza7AaG1OkGI1x6tQd6gmL3j40FPaislMEW9C76klTil1CIh8og1cCFkgfkWT7WvaeSorsIZZxlZh7prqOzAQmbGFprEtH6Y6a92mSdMdtknC70UrjOCISBZT5xgzloj8ySIwqhyht0pOePR2IDuGXt131JQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX0uigfLgs4SO7M_GdqRB6Ow0j1-q4e5YEza7AaG1OkGI1x6tQd6gmL3j40FPaislMEW9C76klTil1CIh8og1cCFkgfkWT7WvaeSorsIZZxlZh7prqOzAQmbGFprEtH6Y6a92mSdMdtknC70UrjOCISBZT5xgzloj8ySIwqhyht0pOePR2IDuGXt131JQ" width="160" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I really
had fun with this one. Even though it’s a familiar plot, with a Harry Potter
feel, I enjoyed the characters and setting and the friendships. AND there’s a
second book, which I’m looking forward to reading! If you like boarding
schools, England, secret societies, then you’ll like this one. See if you can
figure out who are good guys and who are bad guys. Plus, she’s a Canadian
writer – and it’s an older book – hopefully you can find it easily.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The
Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">From the
publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books (October 9, 2018)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bronte
Mettlestone is ten years old when her parents are killed by pirates. This does
not bother her particularly: her parents ran away to have adventures when she
was a baby. She has been raised by her Aunt Isabelle, with assistance from the
Butler, and has spent a pleasant childhood of afternoon teas and riding
lessons. Now, however, her parents have left detailed instructions for Bronte
in their will. (Instructions that, annoyingly, have been reinforced with faery
cross-stitch, which means that if she doesn't complete them, terrible things
could happen!).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She
travels the kingdoms, perfectly alone, delivering gifts to ten other aunts: a
farmer aunt who owns an orange orchard, a veterinarian aunt who specializes in
dragon care, a pair of aunts who captain a cruise ship, and a former rock star
aunt who is now the reigning monarch of a small kingdom. But as she travels
from aunt to aunt, Bronte suspects there might be more to this journey than the
simple delivery of treasure.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvHnHBbcHVaRWiGah5jC2DpnyzE2W78uNkp2YCOMPUI5s_4wO36IN0chYmclNJHeZ5SeuTfZjVIqKkhQ6FV6j2VhMY0bIvCIiRf2B7O4uBGk7O9kOscvUm3YWdtMn4UACxLrRpkiGwxDFzcrwEQcLtezrxZVHD22bXKH4UE5kxxhFLARs09a42rwwhkfg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvHnHBbcHVaRWiGah5jC2DpnyzE2W78uNkp2YCOMPUI5s_4wO36IN0chYmclNJHeZ5SeuTfZjVIqKkhQ6FV6j2VhMY0bIvCIiRf2B7O4uBGk7O9kOscvUm3YWdtMn4UACxLrRpkiGwxDFzcrwEQcLtezrxZVHD22bXKH4UE5kxxhFLARs09a42rwwhkfg" width="160" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">This one
was hard to put in a blurb because it’s layered and complex but not hard to
understand from a reading standpoint, but from a writing one.</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">The
language and writing are unique and interesting. There are so many characters
and storylines and so much happens that my writer brain wants to implode. That
may not sound like a good thing, but it is, since it would be awesome to write
like this.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">To have
all the threads interwoven and fit together, coupled with the language, makes
for a magical read. (Also, not a new book, but new to me, so it should be easy
to find and there are FIVE books in this Kingdoms and Empires series).</span></span></p><p><br /></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-5726174017252976412023-12-01T09:00:00.000-08:002023-12-01T09:00:00.167-08:00A three-fer! PB, MG and YA<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Something
for everyone – PB, MG and YA! And right in time for gift giving time! With some extras at the very end. 🎄🎅</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">First up
– picture book.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">HOW CATS
SAY I LOVE YOU by Guy Brown, illustrated by Davide Ortu</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">From the
publisher: Platypus Media, LLC, Sept 2023</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Cats have
a lot to say!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Just like
people, cats share their feelings in all sorts of ways. It's up to us to
uncover what our furry friends are trying to tell us. Are they gently purring
or curiously crouching? Is their tail straight or swishing? Featuring a diverse
cast of kids and cats from all over the world, this social-emotional learning
book models empathy and compassion. Young readers will learn to look for the
different ways their friends―human and feline alike―share their feelings.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Each
silly, sassy cat expresses a different emotion to their human pal, who responds
to the cat's needs by handing them a treat to soothe their nerves, giving them
space to calm down, or offering lots of cuddles. The kids also describe how
they communicate those same feelings. Sometimes they hold hands with their best
friends, ask their parents for a hug, or say they need to take a break.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Written by
award-winning author (and cat owner) Guy Brown, with colorful and lively
illustrations from Davide Ortu, How Cats Say I Love You teaches young kids how
to care for others' feelings as well as their own, while showing that healthy
relationships are rooted in communication. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLJgjU0WKHuudAS4rlBloLnh0T6kXJI5ceDPP5xKwSqwZh69i9EKPuWf8pA0rGwDVK1LMjN5IsdM9RUdIvQFECLq7giL2_h3aoXsRJMZ2q-AAyp_tqw3WXyux8N4gnJtLUWW0xxtRhu53CKXPvfXbTkV37HX0HIc-tfTmRcngDIhEnjECtY2QRyIVHt2w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLJgjU0WKHuudAS4rlBloLnh0T6kXJI5ceDPP5xKwSqwZh69i9EKPuWf8pA0rGwDVK1LMjN5IsdM9RUdIvQFECLq7giL2_h3aoXsRJMZ2q-AAyp_tqw3WXyux8N4gnJtLUWW0xxtRhu53CKXPvfXbTkV37HX0HIc-tfTmRcngDIhEnjECtY2QRyIVHt2w" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">For all the cat lovers out there, with or without a cat of their own,
this adorable book is about all the ways cats communicate with their humans.
Not only does it showcase lots of different cats, emotions, behavior and
responses, but also takes the reader around the world. The emotions translate
from cat to human and human to cat. The back matter reveals the type of cats in
the book, where they’re from and what their names mean. When I said adorable, I
meant it. </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Second
book – Middle Grade</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">THE LOST
LIBRARY by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From the
publisher: Feiwel & Friends, August 2023</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When a
mysterious little free library (guarded by a large orange cat) appears
overnight in the small town of Martinville, eleven-year-old Evan plucks two
weathered books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to
change.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Evan and
his best friend Rafe quickly discover a link between one of the old books and a
long-ago event that none of the grown-ups want to talk about. The two boys
start asking questions whose answers will transform not only their own futures,
but the town itself.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Told in turn by a
ghost librarian named Al, an aging (but beautiful) cat named Mortimer, and Evan
himself, The Lost Library is a timeless story from award-winning authors
Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass. It’s about owning your truth, choosing the life
you want, and the power of a good book (and, of course, the librarian who gave
it to you).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2eF3jHu5333JWDx4CquhDjy0qLyQSMY8mzLmtz7eQ7R5-xYZ0d7bw6Irek6TtVMpq66ey65sn8MR8WbT4Uugr_2ZJQGSqhivztBGglQlSLuHgqMf3yvtyzV8vohxj4nfv2uSceWIjmVIAgADNp5Z_2VqgbfCsCiMPbw_KHpmoPyOH5acGAOd6klk_kQ8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1065" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2eF3jHu5333JWDx4CquhDjy0qLyQSMY8mzLmtz7eQ7R5-xYZ0d7bw6Irek6TtVMpq66ey65sn8MR8WbT4Uugr_2ZJQGSqhivztBGglQlSLuHgqMf3yvtyzV8vohxj4nfv2uSceWIjmVIAgADNp5Z_2VqgbfCsCiMPbw_KHpmoPyOH5acGAOd6klk_kQ8" width="170" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">This is a
wonderful tale of a boy Evan, and his friend Rafe, finding a mystery in their
small town and how it relates to Evan and his family.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">But it
also is about how a wee free library got started, how a library burned down,
who was responsible and the heroes, and a fabulous orange cat named Mortimer.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">It’s also
about finding the truth, telling the truth, healing the past and forging your
own path forward.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">It’s quite lovely and
I’ll bet you will think so too.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Third
book – Young Adult</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">BEHOLDER
by Ryan La Sala</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">From the
publisher: PUSH, October 2023</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">From Ryan
La Sala, author of the tantalizingly twisted The Honeys and riotously
imaginative Reverie, comes a chilling new contemporary fable about art, aesthetic
obsession, and the gaze that peers back at us from behind our reflections.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">No one
survived the party at the penthouse. Except Athan.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Athanasios
“Athan” Bakirtzis has made it far in life relying on his charm and good looks,
even securing an invitation to a mysterious penthouse soiree for New York
City’s artsy elite. But when he sneaks off to the bathroom, he hears a slam,
followed by a scream. Athan peers outside, only to be pushed back in by a boy
his age. The boy gravely tells him not to open the door, then closes Athan in.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Outside
the door, the party descends into chaos. Through hours of howls, laughter, and
sobs, Athan stays hidden. When he finally emerges, he discovers a massacre
where the corpses appear to have arranged themselves into a disturbingly
elegant sculpture―and Athan’s mysterious savior is nowhere to be found.
Athan―the only known survivor―is now the primary suspect.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a race to prove
his innocence, Athan is swept up in a supernatural mystery, one of secret
occult societies and deadly eldritch horrors with rather distinctive taste.
Something evil is waking up in the walls of New York City, and it’s compelling
victims toward violence, chaos, and self-destruction. Bound to him by a
mysterious hereditary power, Athan has felt this evil hiding behind his
reflection his entire life, watching him. Waiting. Now, it’s taking over.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFc4ns-1Of3x8BCgIdepk84LYzNneqFp0Zkn6N6-NzCVbiJKroekevOxsT6kCsQ40lq541Qgk5eE-99dUXmRWTSQr0XvmMeHylZEfBVOyvIkf1Lyzg65kjzX9t6Zvy9CkTPd8d0dpMjGu9cOdevsLvaI11ojUCFPgsJ0MnwvmKi7AI38EGBh1cv3IbP8I" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFc4ns-1Of3x8BCgIdepk84LYzNneqFp0Zkn6N6-NzCVbiJKroekevOxsT6kCsQ40lq541Qgk5eE-99dUXmRWTSQr0XvmMeHylZEfBVOyvIkf1Lyzg65kjzX9t6Zvy9CkTPd8d0dpMjGu9cOdevsLvaI11ojUCFPgsJ0MnwvmKi7AI38EGBh1cv3IbP8I" width="160" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">I
reviewed <a href="https://angela-russell.blogspot.com/2022/06/young-adult-review-with-wee-bit-of.html" target="_blank">THE HONEYS</a> and enjoyed the supernatural elements and story. This one
was a level above that in supernatural elements and the wild pace of the story.
It galloped along and I was just a passenger.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">There were horror
parts, too. And I don’t generally read much horror, but once I caught on to
what Athan’s sight was about, I was totally in. The characters’ thoughts and
emotions put you right in the story. The risks they take make you hold your
breath. And the ending party is fantastically crazy. Then the actual ending is sad and good and satisfying.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">PS</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">In my, to be read or recently read pile, is: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">a first time for everything by Dan Santat, winner of the National Book Award</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee, National Book Award Finalist</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">Ravenfall by Kalyn Josephson, two books in the series so far</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">Itty Bitty Kitty Corn by Shannon Hale, illustrated by Leuyen Pham - talk about CUTE! Three books and lots of cuteness overload. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">The first one just came out but the next two are from 2022 and Kitty Corn is from 2021. I have lots of catching up to do. All these amazing authors have so many incredible books out - let's get reading! </span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-62108237547284350302023-11-01T09:00:00.001-07:002023-11-01T09:00:00.145-07:00MG Book Blurb - THE HURRICANE GIRLS<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">THE
HURRICANE GIRLS at first seems like a straightforward story, but there is so
much more to it. It’s complex, layered, and very satisfying.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From the
publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books, August 2023</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A
coming-of-age middle grade novel about three best friends born in the wake of
Hurricane Katrina who must confront storms of their own 12 years later, from a
National Book Award winning author.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Born in
the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Greer, Joya Mia, and Kiki are seventh graders
and the best of friends. After an accident leaves Greer's little sister
paralyzed, Greer is forever changed by the experience and blames herself. Kiki
and Joya Mia will do anything to help Greer let go of this emotional burden,
and a plan is hatched to compete in a triathlon. Each girl will participate:
Kiki will swim, Joya Mia will cycle, and Greer, if they can persuade her, will
run—something she once loved to do.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Set on
the Westbank of New Orleans, this contemporary coming-of-age novel is a journey
of growth, healing, and difficult transitions as the girls navigate their many
life challenges: family trauma, body insecurity, and the conflict between
ambition and responsibility. It's a powerful and enlightening exploration of
how to surmount personal tragedy through friendship and forgiveness.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRxD5aMxXnYrsP7GqdP-XCkoNl76YlrIkgDGg8-8_pec3EF8mLqQOD90p2IkAzmhQ_VBMNiKHnRqqycBUPWIL7PXjif3ugTGX05SNjTRukqi9Fot5LzlF2zDVo22ZAo3OBJ30GkkagC7lmcct1ATUlt9lvB-Y84UJT1MWKDfuuenYAkyXNDEOqx4IDC7U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRxD5aMxXnYrsP7GqdP-XCkoNl76YlrIkgDGg8-8_pec3EF8mLqQOD90p2IkAzmhQ_VBMNiKHnRqqycBUPWIL7PXjif3ugTGX05SNjTRukqi9Fot5LzlF2zDVo22ZAo3OBJ30GkkagC7lmcct1ATUlt9lvB-Y84UJT1MWKDfuuenYAkyXNDEOqx4IDC7U" width="160" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">Each
chapter is told by one of the three girls, so you get to experience all the issues
the girls are dealing with: guilt, self-blame, body and self-insecurity, first
romance, first job and responsibility. And those are just the main plots. The
subplots add dimension and opens the reader to different experiences. Of
course, set in New Orleans is a fantastic character, too.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">I think
the biggest themes are friendship and communication. There’s a lot of heart.</span></span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-18750840489775414332023-10-01T18:18:00.003-07:002023-10-01T18:18:49.664-07:00Book Blurb - TOP STORY - MG<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">TOP STORY, by Kelly Yang, is
one of those books that shows us why we need diverse books. I probably should
say, this is one of those series that shows us why. And you don’t have to have
read the four previous books to follow, TOP STORY stands on its own.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">From the
publisher: </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Scholastic Press (Sept 2023)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Mia Tang
is at the top of her game!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">She’s
spending winter break with Mom, Lupe, Jason, and Hank in San Francisco’s
Chinatown! Rich with history and hilarious aunties and uncles, it’s the place
to find a great story―one she hopes to publish while attending journalism camp
at the Tribune. But this trip has as many bumps as the hills of San Francisco .
. .</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">1. Mia's
camp is full of older kids, with famous relatives, fancy laptops, and major
connections! Can she compete with just her pen and passion?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">2. Lupe’s
thinking about skipping ahead to college! Will Mia ever get a chance to just
chill with her best friend?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">3.
Jason’s crushing hard on a new girl. For the first time ever, Mia is
speechless…and jealous. Can she find the courage to tell Jason―gulp―that she
has a crush on him?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Even for the best
writers, it’s not always easy to find the right words. But if anyone can tell a
top story, it’s Mia Tang!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTShMUg6tu4xDBMygFAqyodOtyqUZ6Lh0gmepT1c7DcHV-MZdtOlpvag8nq8Uo0WZi3pqiNmGLXCJt8wd5k5SXI0m4EgAd4gYTCh8Ef3lHYsmcJ1qRblZxH7i1aBsdUMsSXSat8CTDY0aPnhPM8gq_PGrDK9oeENYDjNXNChKkY41Yut4YTbmmyzrn8Xs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTShMUg6tu4xDBMygFAqyodOtyqUZ6Lh0gmepT1c7DcHV-MZdtOlpvag8nq8Uo0WZi3pqiNmGLXCJt8wd5k5SXI0m4EgAd4gYTCh8Ef3lHYsmcJ1qRblZxH7i1aBsdUMsSXSat8CTDY0aPnhPM8gq_PGrDK9oeENYDjNXNChKkY41Yut4YTbmmyzrn8Xs" width="160" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">It’s
important to learn about other people, cultures, traditions, stories. It’s like
traveling without leaving your home, which is what reading good books is all
about! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">There so
many characters who all have their own stories and are intertwined so well.
There are kids, adults, parents, aunties and a puppy. Even San Francisco is its
own character too. It’s richly written with many full circle moments.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">I think it’s too easy
to forget the different struggles others go through. TOP STORY shines a light
on that. It also emphasizes how we all need to be true to ourselves and chase
our dreams with lots of hard work.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br /></span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-62418921671416967112023-09-01T12:00:00.001-07:002023-09-01T12:00:00.161-07:00AWESOME MG GN! BUZZING<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">BUZZING by Samuel Sattin, illustrated by Rye Hickman</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Little, Brown Ink (July 18, 2023)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">From the Publisher:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A moving middle grade graphic novel about friendship, belonging, and learning to love yourself despite the voices in your head.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Isaac Itkin can’t get away from his thoughts.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />As a lonely twelve-year-old kid with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), everything from studying to looking in the mirror becomes a battle between him and a swarm of unhelpful thoughts.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The strict therapy his mother insists on doesn’t seem to be working, but when a group of friends invites him to join their after-school role-playing game, the thoughts feel a little less loud, and the world feels a little brighter.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /> <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But Isaac’s therapist says that exposure to games can have negative effects on kids with OCD, and when his grades slip, his helicopter mother won’t let him play anymore. Now Isaac needs to find a way to prove to himself, to his mother, and to the world that the way to quiet the noise in his head may have been inside him all along.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCWlHoMSyvlgDE1CRMq-X1z52hCUhSmBgNJtAcAF4yGqhtCTAlakQCg8WkI1N13ej2lOXyo4K7C6TrmfZ0E7uMcg8GdxW-qGVFcpXsvvpAYp1eOzaSy3GQeM6EYEVsvyWT3Ae9mRCNHJzATvQxgGAMLzU-pMroY6wlIxwZyK8A4Cc8mAppjr32rny0anI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCWlHoMSyvlgDE1CRMq-X1z52hCUhSmBgNJtAcAF4yGqhtCTAlakQCg8WkI1N13ej2lOXyo4K7C6TrmfZ0E7uMcg8GdxW-qGVFcpXsvvpAYp1eOzaSy3GQeM6EYEVsvyWT3Ae9mRCNHJzATvQxgGAMLzU-pMroY6wlIxwZyK8A4Cc8mAppjr32rny0anI" width="166" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="yiv8356216553MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #3333ff; font-size: 12pt; outline: none !important;">I loved this book. I know a little bit about obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and some from what I’ve seen on TV or in movies. But this is the first time I’ve read about it in young people.<span class="yiv8356216553apple-converted-space" style="outline: none !important;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; outline: none !important;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"></span></span></p><p class="yiv8356216553MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #3333ff; font-size: 12pt; outline: none !important;">We get to see what</span><span style="color: #9929bd; font-size: 12pt; outline: none !important;"> </span><span style="color: #3333ff; font-size: 12pt; outline: none !important;">the disorder is like from the inside and how it affects Isaac, the main character, his life, family, relationships and school. And how Isaac finds his own place in the world. He starts to understand that he’s not what his thoughts are telling him. Buzzed is about how he finds friends and activities/outlets and how they add to his well-being. His mom is about protecting him but doesn’t realize how his new friends make him healthier and happier. The mom and the sister also have their eyes opened to how stuck they are in the family dynamic and that it can change for the better.</span><span style="color: #9929bd; font-size: 12pt; outline: none !important;"> </span><span style="color: #3333ff; font-size: 12pt; outline: none !important;">For anyone who feels different or weird – and that includes almost all of us – there is a community waiting for us. It’s just a matter of finding it.</span></span></p><p class="yiv8356216553MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="color: #3333ff; font-size: 12pt; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="yiv8356216553MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in; outline: none !important;"><span style="color: #3333ff; font-size: 12pt; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Really well done.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-29763459512196544512023-08-01T08:00:00.001-07:002023-08-01T08:00:00.150-07:003 Upcoming Picture Books - Fall 2023<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I Am My Ancestor’s Wildest Dreams by Tanisia Moore Illustrated by Robert Paul Jr.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">From the Publisher: Scholastic, Fall 2023<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">YOU are your ancestors’ wildest dreams. How will you
express YOUR greatness? This electrifying anthem to Black boy joy and pride is perfect
for fans of I Am Every Good Thing, Little Legends, and All Because You Matter.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I am fly.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">From my crown<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">down to the kicks<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">on my feet...<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I AM my ancestors' wildest dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">In a story that sizzles and soars, a young child
discovers his place in a distinguished lineage. As he meets ten exceptional
Black men ― historical and contemporary heroes who have paved the way for his
own future success ― he internalizes and asserts their greatness. Just like
them, he can reach his dreams. And just like him, you have within you big
potential.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgouR9UScM4TrEzrq53VUROnKfbYUto2xOFdjazxfvTtIivBpLwmjBSUW6MaDIG5hZCRs-atFbXV_oWqzmefrj97eI6yymwPb8SK3Ce5szUoeLQbWIgDzd_7kz7ZzgMbfI4ik-AO4DqE-LXuuygt7nM9iRFmaalKQgdvREtJMdHQ2WVhrRq-VoS43ka2e4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgouR9UScM4TrEzrq53VUROnKfbYUto2xOFdjazxfvTtIivBpLwmjBSUW6MaDIG5hZCRs-atFbXV_oWqzmefrj97eI6yymwPb8SK3Ce5szUoeLQbWIgDzd_7kz7ZzgMbfI4ik-AO4DqE-LXuuygt7nM9iRFmaalKQgdvREtJMdHQ2WVhrRq-VoS43ka2e4" width="240" /></a></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">This is a colorful and accessible book that kids will love.
They will easily relate to the set of modern heroes like Chadwick Boseman,
Tupac, John Lewis, and Kobe Bryant. The theme of reaching for your dreams no
matter what they are, aligns with the different types of heroes. You can be
anything and fulfill a destiny greater than you ever imagined. Standing on the
shoulders of all who came before, fulfilling their dreams, you can continue the
legacy.</span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There is backmatter with paragraphs on all the ancestors
listed in the book, a note from the author and a note from the artist.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">All We Need is Love and a really soft pillow! By Peter
Reynolds and Henry Rocket Reynolds<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">From the publisher: Scholastic, Fall 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">A tender and timeless tale about what truly matters: LOVE
-- from creative visionary of The Word Collector, Happy Dreamer, and The Dot,
#1 New York Times bestseller Peter H. Reynolds!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">Poppy: All we need is love.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">Little One: And a pillow.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">Poppy: Yes, a pillow, but that is all we need.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">This heartfelt celebration of love follows Poppy and
Little One as they discuss all the things they need in life like a really good
pillow or a roof over their heads but most important of all, love. Despite the
challenges they face as a storm sweeps away their home, this duo never lose
their optimism because in the end they know that all they truly need is love .
. . and each other.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">This tender, wholly original tale of all the ways we
express and share love, from our most celebrated, bestselling creator Peter H.
Reynolds, is a needed comfort and a new classic that will offer reassurance to
readers of every age.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsW1h0ziT7IAsCmfIXEw6IuUzVs0osO6bifmg55yVT4NW0_7Shk_-sVGrQBHrDBBmRpqGj76g5EKFUBAjohd1_Pmb3GuIW7UepVZXgolCigKAARb8nGKC_aJhCqGdcp0D4pBNvidERPicc7-SFTnEMzvyA1jDK36ctqlkaKG8rnBgGZFRlyLbkkPWSyt0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2771" data-original-width="2795" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsW1h0ziT7IAsCmfIXEw6IuUzVs0osO6bifmg55yVT4NW0_7Shk_-sVGrQBHrDBBmRpqGj76g5EKFUBAjohd1_Pmb3GuIW7UepVZXgolCigKAARb8nGKC_aJhCqGdcp0D4pBNvidERPicc7-SFTnEMzvyA1jDK36ctqlkaKG8rnBgGZFRlyLbkkPWSyt0" width="242" /></a></span></i></div><i><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></i><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">This is such a sweet book and I just wanted to cuddle the
little creatures in it. The relationship between a dad and his child and how
they relate, dream, and ultimately know that as long as they have each other,
they’ll be okay. What starts with just needing a really soft pillow, grows into
a house, water, chocolate, a toilet, until they have a nice little homestead to
call home. But when a storm comes and takes it all away, they are left with
each other again, just as they started out. With so many different kinds of
tragedies that change our lives, the basic need of being alive with our loved ones, stands above all the other needs. And knowing that you can begin again.
And again.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">Seals Are Jerks! By Jared Chapman<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">From the publisher: Scholastic, Fall 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">Seals are Lorelei's favorite animal: they're so cute and
cuddly and best buddies with penguins. Well... that's what she thought before
learning the ugly truth — some seals EAT penguins! She doesn't want to believe
it at first, but she drags Penguin, the classroom guest, and seal
whistleblower, to Antarctica to prove Penguin wrong and confront Seal
face-to-face. And Seal finally reveals the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3JVy4bXH24h8yWtVGVOL5b20BCM6nKAvC2BF9aj2966z-Z_1ZqSpDfCSoFVCw4dC3kPiNH4BB8GIhZJSLy41TxC3VxULeUeBxXgKaA2kqeBMSoDHMPErqr8b4MPmTmHELvLgH62oYJMfRAFKiLWC9Fipnn6ht4uBfjCW8Qszi2PmbbCQADiYPkcQnb28" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2471" data-original-width="3095" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3JVy4bXH24h8yWtVGVOL5b20BCM6nKAvC2BF9aj2966z-Z_1ZqSpDfCSoFVCw4dC3kPiNH4BB8GIhZJSLy41TxC3VxULeUeBxXgKaA2kqeBMSoDHMPErqr8b4MPmTmHELvLgH62oYJMfRAFKiLWC9Fipnn6ht4uBfjCW8Qszi2PmbbCQADiYPkcQnb28" width="301" /></a></span></i></div><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">This is a story about when you first realize and understand
that nature is not all cute and cuddly. Some of it is life and death, eat or be
eaten, survival of the fittest. It’s done in a fun and entertaining way as
Lorelei presents her nature project only to hear that her favorite seals may
not be what she thought. She takes an impromptu trip to Antarctica and learns
the truth for herself. And she introduces PB&J to the seals and penguins,
too.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">It's a good comparison to human characteristics
– we all have faults but we’re not always the sum of our faults. We have good
qualities, too, and we can accept both good and bad - in ourselves, our family and our friends. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">There is backmatter with </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">Antarctica </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">facts. </span></span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-54636976884724514782023-06-01T08:00:00.001-07:002023-06-01T08:00:00.141-07:00Two MG GN - short for Middle Grade Graphic Novel<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">These two graphic novels are fun reads.</span></p><p></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: helvetica;">Batcat by Meggie Ramm</span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: helvetica;">Imprint of Abrams / Amulet Books, March 2023</span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: helvetica;">From the Publisher:</span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">A new graphic novel series for emerging readers about accepting yourself and others from up-and-coming author-illustrator Meggie Ramm</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" />Batcat loves being all alone in their home on Spooky Island. Up in their tree house, they pass the time playing video games and watching TV. But when Batcat suddenly finds themself haunted by an annoying, ice cream–stealing ghost, they visit the local Island Witch for a spell to remove their ghastly guest permanently! <br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" />With their Ghost-B-Gone spell in hand, Batcat travels across Spooky Island to gather ingredients—to the Cavernous Caves where the bats tell them they’re too round to be a bat, and to the Whispering Cemetery where the cats will help only if they commit to being a true cat. But Batcat is neither and that's what makes them special, right? <br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" />From up-and-coming author Meggie Ramm comes a sweet and fun story about accepting yourself when you're perfectly in-between here and there.</span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnP5ImVgL3AoudEL5zxvNc6Pb7_thg0qt8IxcL6akK2sfD81QhEGJZpUdcvz1_JGNWDdSFLtPM41m-HHRDt5rSUzQRaJ6RLuL_Z3qIJjvPAp_PFUAqWpCUy0no5cQ7S5ejBNa-uqiy4xndFKBPxu8a9eSni5P9XHBCs0XEJY5pltIpHuOa-qN9nH9a" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1375" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnP5ImVgL3AoudEL5zxvNc6Pb7_thg0qt8IxcL6akK2sfD81QhEGJZpUdcvz1_JGNWDdSFLtPM41m-HHRDt5rSUzQRaJ6RLuL_Z3qIJjvPAp_PFUAqWpCUy0no5cQ7S5ejBNa-uqiy4xndFKBPxu8a9eSni5P9XHBCs0XEJY5pltIpHuOa-qN9nH9a" width="175" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: helvetica;">This graphic novel is a
quick read – as most are – but it carries a message everyone needs to hear no
matter what age you are. A bit like the Wizard of Oz. It’s got adventure, an
unexpected friendship and heart. If you give someone a chance, they might surprise
you.</span></span><p></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">Mighty Bite by Nathan Hale<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">Harry N. Abrams, April 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">From the Publisher:</span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">What happens when a couple of prehistoric creatures want to become internet stars? Trilobite and Amber (a walking whale) dream of fame and fortune. They don’t realize that most of the world thinks that they’re extinct. When a wandering paleo-newscaster introduces them to the world of internet videos, they hop at the chance to get behind the camera. The competition for internet fame will be fierce—Trilobite and Amber will face off against ancient sea creatures, talking cacti, floating cat heads, and more! Friendships will be tested, allies will be made, and cameras will be smashed! Our heroes will have to use all of their newfound skills when they find themselves competing in an all out video-making battle royale!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />With laugh-out-loud gags and outrageous, elaborate artwork, fans of Dog Man and InvestiGators have never seen anything like Nathan Hale’s </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">The Mighty Bite</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">!</span></span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYm6tqL_AU4qIOL8nBVYTy3aL-fzpmsMuW8LxaIWUjC6pgqgd9PfwGF-I6dS9c_-QsSRuARsmARFM2ttHYqP0y6JviBATU6lnWKRZ3AB2UYK2IA_fljYJ_OT1dMqhjLktxz8Suk9IV07_goats5xw7AInIOYWJKzP8LZKCkejHs-0tRfvdOP_T8-il" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYm6tqL_AU4qIOL8nBVYTy3aL-fzpmsMuW8LxaIWUjC6pgqgd9PfwGF-I6dS9c_-QsSRuARsmARFM2ttHYqP0y6JviBATU6lnWKRZ3AB2UYK2IA_fljYJ_OT1dMqhjLktxz8Suk9IV07_goats5xw7AInIOYWJKzP8LZKCkejHs-0tRfvdOP_T8-il" width="165" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">
<span style="outline: none !important;"></span></span><p></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">This graphic novel is exactly what it says on the back cover –
wacky, funny and unique. It’s a tremendous adventure that will take you just
about everywhere. Mostly places you’d never expect. The quirky cast of
characters grows as the adventure continues. Will trilobite get what he’s
questing for or something better? Start reading and find out!</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="yiv2306495283msonormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #1e1915;"><br /></span></span></p><p></p><p><br /></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-86032420480960186362023-04-15T09:00:00.023-07:002023-04-15T09:00:00.186-07:00BLOG TOUR! Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">I am so
fortunate to be on this blog tour for an incredible author and book. Not only
is there a book blurb, but there’s an author interview AND a giveaway.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">This book
should be in every classroom. We all need to learn about people different from ourselves:
understanding what they go through, why they do what they do and need the
things that help them function in the world.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">All the
way through it, I was in awe of the incredible scenes, language and feelings
that struck me. It’s a memorable novel in verse and I love the characters. I
know everyone can relate to something in this story. And it’s also helpful to
know that what we experience and maybe feel is isolating, is probably more
common than we think or know. From excellent teachers to annoying teachers, friends
and bullies, family and neighbors, I think there is something that will </span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px;">resonate</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: 16px;"> with everyone</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12pt;"> in the story. Really, is anyone normal? We’re all individuals and
what’s normal to one is not to another.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3Pf0DnRtOsFZ8L88BXX_NCbW5upEMYfro1Qnve5hgr_I2WcobgLrOjr2TgCCk8ZNjg2qp0_3YN3uiPWAS7OVu5iNa3SE0COwA8tSzj_ykU3zo73PhhG1O079_0IOo67X8hMgnuG5wwO_onWxxPKx7yQqE208llMVa64HXYXwbyM562olGNMOjwMlm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="339" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3Pf0DnRtOsFZ8L88BXX_NCbW5upEMYfro1Qnve5hgr_I2WcobgLrOjr2TgCCk8ZNjg2qp0_3YN3uiPWAS7OVu5iNa3SE0COwA8tSzj_ykU3zo73PhhG1O079_0IOo67X8hMgnuG5wwO_onWxxPKx7yQqE208llMVa64HXYXwbyM562olGNMOjwMlm" width="163" /></a></div><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Good Different
by Meg Eden Kuyatt</span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">From the
publisher: Scholastic Press, April 2023</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">An
extraordinary novel-in-verse about a neurodivergent girl who comes to
understand and celebrate her difference.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Selah
knows her rules for being normal.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">She
always, always sticks to them. This means keeping her feelings locked tightly
inside, despite the way they build up inside her as each school day goes on, so
that she has to run to the bathroom and hide in the stall until she can calm
down. So that she has to tear off her normal-person mask the second she gets
home from school, and listen to her favorite pop song on repeat, trying to
recharge. Selah feels like a dragon stuck in a world of humans, but she knows
how to hide it.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Until the
day she explodes and hits a fellow student.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Selah's
friends pull away from her, her school threatens expulsion, and her
comfortable, familiar world starts to crumble.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">But as
Selah starts to figure out more about who she is, she comes to understand that
different doesn’t mean damaged. Can she get her school to understand that, too,
before it’s too late?</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKdJtQHAijHqqy9W4bPcjt9QRLdV_hZpSD_F3aaPVvluB21oMQthOfspABwAVR54Rh6OGYvY1xk1ePIxyDx3xktzI4F3nQuNcgX4Oo90SwKJ1yZkE-NRV4FQ-z7iSZikSIUW8FlYr6-hC26OiEFh6RieVLgZkI04shBjrFf9Bca4ZXkKa1SMa-jmf2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKdJtQHAijHqqy9W4bPcjt9QRLdV_hZpSD_F3aaPVvluB21oMQthOfspABwAVR54Rh6OGYvY1xk1ePIxyDx3xktzI4F3nQuNcgX4Oo90SwKJ1yZkE-NRV4FQ-z7iSZikSIUW8FlYr6-hC26OiEFh6RieVLgZkI04shBjrFf9Bca4ZXkKa1SMa-jmf2" width="180" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">AUTHOR INTERVIEW: </span></span></b></p><p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><span style="color: #1d2228;">Angela Russell: Do you
work/teach full time? Do your students inspire you?</span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Meg Eden Kuyatt:</b> At the moment,
I have lots of little jobs—which I think is how I work best. I tend to burn out
when I do any one thing too much or for too long, and especially for teaching,
I really want to be present for my students and able to give them my best
feedback. My students absolutely inspire me! I love how I can teach the same
lesson or give the same prompt and they always see new things. I especially
love giving prompts like asking them to write what’s inside them, and the
things they discover are so incredible. I’m also blown away by my students’
humility and willingness to learn. Especially my students at the community
college where I work—they never give any excuses. They have such incredible
attitudes and often are juggling so many different things in life that I’m just
blown away that they are taking the time to be in my class in the first place.<span class="yiv7964267656apple-converted-space"><span style="outline: none;"> </span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228;">AR: What is your writing process and how do you make / find time to
write.</span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>MEK:</b> I find that
typically I work best every other day, or at least, only making myself write
every other day. If I try to force it every day I can stress myself out, and
stress is the enemy of creative writing. But really, I’m always playing and
thinking. I’m always scribbling down notes and ideas. We make time for the
things we love, even if it’s in little bits, and even if there are seasons
where we need to refill and step away. I’m learning that I have certain phases
with new projects, where I’m so uncertain and asking so many questions, and
that scares me, but I’m comforted knowing this will pass and with time, I’ll
become more confident!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="outline: none;"><b style="background-color: transparent; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228;">AR: </span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;">Do you have any heroes? </span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;">Yes, though I don’t know where to even start!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="color: #1d2228;">MEK: </b><span style="color: #1d2228;">I have lots
of heroes but the first that comes to mind is my old pastor, Pastor Ed.
Whenever he came up to preach, he made clear that he was actively not there to
call out specific people or shame; he was just this guy coming up to tell us
what God had been teaching him recently. He was always honest and real about
what he was struggling with and learning, so it never felt like this guy
talking down to you but with you—and as a kid especially, that was very
compelling. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I realize now
that as a writer, he has been my biggest influence. When I write stories, I
think about his approach to sermons. I ask myself: what am I struggling with
right now? What do I need to hear and learn? And that’s the engine for my
stories. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was
recently speaking at a conference, and I had this moment where I was absolutely
chuffed inside because I heard Pastor Ed’s mannerisms in how I was talking.
When he preached, another great thing he did was he had a very clear structure
and order. His messages were easy to remember because he organized them in a
very logical, practical way. As a speaker, I always really try to emulate this
so my audience will remember the points I’m trying to make. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Pastor Ed is
a very humble dude, and I think this is part of what makes it easy for me to
listen to and respect him (I’m still learning the humility thing). I really
love that Pastor Ed always stressed that we should never just take his word for
something. We should never believe something’s true because he said it; we
should always examine the Bible for what it says is true. This instilled in me
a great value for critical, independent thinking (and I want to add here that
this included me wanting to decide for myself if the Bible is true and
trustworthy), and also makes me as a writer and instructor desire to instill
this in my students and readers. I rarely want to be didactic on the page, and
I never want to preach to my audience (because unlike Pastor Ed, I am not a
preacher!). I want to give my readers questions to think about and wrestle with
themselves. I want to give a sense of my stance, where I’m coming from and what
I believe, but all I can do is pose an argument. Kids are smart. They are going
to decide what they believe for themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="outline: none;"><b style="background-color: transparent; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228;">AR: </span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;">There is a definite need in the market for this book and I think
it should be in the middle school curriculum. (not a question – just an
opinion </span></b><span style="outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228;">😊</span></span><b style="outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228;">)</span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="color: #1d2228;">MEK: </b><span style="color: #1d2228;">Thank you so
much! That makes me so happy to hear!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioj49KqyjKgqP4GhQ3VeGjQ6ZNztUM8SPBxJfKq4xq0CC-Pku_PpB66ODqesMqYBjPWwWoGtLEGMhtsvyljZRQvrZVV-TPAr1oEn8z5oBY2WRuUoYOtLmQMZvFEQV-GuaVGyK7g_-Jo3-RbrXmSeDlA0ObDRTggkyVVYqmbKGehW-RAcK7clZww5KT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioj49KqyjKgqP4GhQ3VeGjQ6ZNztUM8SPBxJfKq4xq0CC-Pku_PpB66ODqesMqYBjPWwWoGtLEGMhtsvyljZRQvrZVV-TPAr1oEn8z5oBY2WRuUoYOtLmQMZvFEQV-GuaVGyK7g_-Jo3-RbrXmSeDlA0ObDRTggkyVVYqmbKGehW-RAcK7clZww5KT" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="outline: none;"><b style="background-color: transparent; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228;">AR: </span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;">What were your favorite books growing up and do you have any
now?</span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="color: #1d2228;">MEK: </b><span style="color: #1d2228;">Anne of Green
Gables was a huge one. As I got older, Screwtape Letters was another—I love how
it plays with point of view and a story many of us have heard but seeing it
from the opposite side.<span class="yiv7964267656apple-converted-space"><span style="outline: none;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have so many
favorite books now, but a few are Elle McNicoll’s A Kind of Spark, anything by
Corey Ann Haydu (though my favorite is probably Lawless Spaces or One Jar of
Magic) and John Perkin’s Let Justice Roll Down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="outline: none;"><b style="background-color: transparent; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228;">AR: </span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;">Is much of this story based on your experiences? What that where
the idea for the book came from?</span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="color: #1d2228;">MEK: </b><span style="color: #1d2228;">Yes and no.
Little bits are from my experience and perception, like being at a small
private school, or a girl braiding my hair in the recess line and how that came
as such a shock to me. Everything I write has some element of my
experience—little surface details but even more so, the emotions I’ve felt.
This book came from the emotion, from feeling overwhelmed in the middle of
COVID and feeling so small and like I had no control. There’s an emotional
truth to the story, which is what matters most to me, that even if Selah’s
story isn’t literally autobiographical, it captures my feelings of trying to
figure out how to navigate living in a neurotypical world.<span class="yiv7964267656apple-converted-space"><span style="outline: none;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="outline: none;"><b style="background-color: transparent; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228;">AR: </span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;">Did this come all as one story or did you piece things together?</span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="color: #1d2228;">MEK: </b><span style="color: #1d2228;">This one had a
long “incubation period” and many false starts but once I figured out the right
starting point and started really drafting, it came together all at once. But
really, I’m not sure that’s fair to say. The first draft happened in a very
short period of time, but there were years of gathering experiences and ideas
that ended up in that final draft. So it’s really both.<span class="yiv7964267656apple-converted-space"><span style="outline: none;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="outline: none;"><b style="background-color: transparent; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228;">AR: </span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;">What did you learn/discover while writing it?</span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #1d2228; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">MEK: </b><span style="color: #1d2228;">I think the
main thing is that I discovered I am actually autistic, and that I have so many
ways to fly—that autism has difficulties, but it also has beautiful strengths. I
think if it weren’t for this book, I might’ve never sought a formal diagnosis
for my autism, so for that I am so incredibly grateful.</span><span class="yiv7964267656apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #1d2228; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="outline: none;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1d2228;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="outline: none;"><b style="background-color: transparent; outline: none;"><span style="color: #1d2228;">AR: </span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;">What are you working on next / future projects readers can look
forward to? </span></b><span style="color: #1d2228;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #1d2228; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">MEK: </b><span style="color: #1d2228;">I am in the
middle of a few projects. I’m waiting for feedback on a possible middle grade project and am taking a little bit of a breather to play with new ideas until
I hear more. I’m also editing a YA manuscript that has taken me at least 20
drafts at this point, but I think (hope) we’re starting to go in the right
direction…</span><span class="yiv7964267656apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #1d2228; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="outline: none;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1d2228;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv7964267656p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I’m really
interested in protagonists with all sorts of different autistic experiences,
generational neurodivergence or how people dealt (often maladaptively) with
being autistic in previous generations, and I’m really interested in the magic
in the everyday.<span class="yiv7964267656apple-converted-space"><span style="outline: none;"> </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Here's a link to all of Meg's book tour events. <a href="https://megedenbookreviews.wordpress.com/2023/02/19/good-different-virtual-tour-schedule-mar-april-2023/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Here is the rafflecopter link to enter to win an arc of Good Different!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/df05f79b2/" style="background-color: #202124; color: #c58af9; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;">https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/df05f79b2/</a><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #202124; color: white;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">You can
find links to Meg’s books and social media info below: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv6092198194msonormal" style="background: white;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Twitter:
@ConfusedNarwhal</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #1d2228; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv6092198194msonormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="outline: none;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Instagram:
@meden_author</span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #1d2228; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv6092198194msonormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="outline: none;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Facebook:
Meg Eden Writes Poems</span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #1d2228; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv6092198194msonormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="outline: none;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Newsletter:<span style="outline: none;"><span class="yiv6092198194apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span><span style="outline: none;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://eepurl.com/buwBXX" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_blank" title="http://eepurl.com/buwBXX"><span style="color: #196ad4;">http://eepurl.com/buwBXX</span></a></span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #1d2228; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv6092198194msonormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; outline: none; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="outline: none;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.megedenbooks.com/" shape="rect" style="outline: none;" target="_blank" title="http://www.megedenbooks.com/"><span style="color: #196ad4; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="outline: none;">www.megedenbooks.com</span></span></a></span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #1d2228; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-65592461755083693552023-04-01T08:00:00.001-07:002023-04-01T08:00:00.179-07:00Twofer this month: First up, picture books about the sun<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This month there are two posts! This first one is about STEM books for kids. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The second post on April 15, is an author interview, book blurb, with a chance to win a copy! I'm excited to be on this blog tour. You don't want to miss all these incredible books.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12pt;">Twinkle,
Twinkle, Daytime Star (Skytime) Board Book by Elizabeth Everett (Author),
Beatriz Castro (Illustrator)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">From the
publisher: Science, Naturally! An Imprint of Platypus Media, LLC, Feb 2023</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">How I
wonder what you are… the Sun, our most important star!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">We see
the Sun every day. When we wake up, it rises with us. During the day, it gives
us light and keeps us warm. But the Sun is just a star and there are billions
of others. So why is this one so important?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">A science
lesson wrapped in a familiar rhyme, Twinkle, Twinkle, Daytime Star introduces
children to the many ways the Sun affects our world, from small things we
experience every day on planet Earth, to the way our entire solar system
functions.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">Readers
discover how this one special star affects Earth's orbit and rotation, day and
night, the changing seasons, the length of a year, the lives of plants and
animals, and the production of energy and radiation, light and shadows, and
even vitamins.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">Twinkle,
Twinkle, Daytime Star is a must-have for any child who is curious about the
world around them. With glowing illustrations and a well-known beginning, this
charming story is a cozy way to learn about the one-of-a-kind star that makes
everything possible. In this book, the Sun truly shines!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsE5XnVGWVKGZLaZ-BfqJ-6dKgKInqRbbnYH_u1lUmTmVeTaOjw1jVN24065vgkgSKXoxV9DUAAZ5qCPw6NTiM_-ugyxCk9isr-9gmU9HCfTJ-e4300ALlWW-cdZh2ej4TUWnNPzOrib3o2QG1H3tFqi5KeJ57hk1AaIxaKOt8amTlbnwULdgaVLiD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsE5XnVGWVKGZLaZ-BfqJ-6dKgKInqRbbnYH_u1lUmTmVeTaOjw1jVN24065vgkgSKXoxV9DUAAZ5qCPw6NTiM_-ugyxCk9isr-9gmU9HCfTJ-e4300ALlWW-cdZh2ej4TUWnNPzOrib3o2QG1H3tFqi5KeJ57hk1AaIxaKOt8amTlbnwULdgaVLiD" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is a
fun take on the Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star song. A great introduction to the
only star in our solar system and how it affects people, animals, and plants on
earth. It shows the passage of time, seasons and how long a calendar year is.
The rhyme coupled with the kid-centric illustrations make this colorful and
accessible for all. And you can get it in a bilingual English/Spanish edition.</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">This is
the Sun by Elizabeth Everett (Author), Evelline Andrya (Illustrator)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">From the
publisher: Science, Naturally! An Imprint of Platypus Media, LLC, Nov 2022</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">This is
the Sun that makes the world go round!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">From the
tiniest animal to the tallest tree, everything on Earth is connected through
the circle of life. But at the center of it all is a different kind of
circle—the Sun!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">Through a
charming story with rhythmic repetition, young children are introduced to the
bright Sun that provides energy for life on Earth.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Follow
along as a young tree uses light from the Sun to make its own food, then passes
its energy along the food chain… until it circles all the way back to a </span>brand-new<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> sprout growing toward the Sun. Readers see how each living thing in the
food web provides energy to the next, over and over again.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">The
vibrant collage art grows along with the increasingly multilevel story. As you
read, look for the bug, spider, lizard, fox, and more as they move through each
of the pages and build a full ecosystem.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">This is
the Sun gives readers a glimpse into how all the living things are connected
through the circle of life—and the role the Sun plays in making it all
possible.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxBtijqZhhAvIn4hr6int2g3cWIcxcCmhWVd7Ud2IQDzHD8UPF_lpF48-HBS-B__6upvtwsRPmLo-SxDwm_5KOoJWySwq0M2BcAM8_DUchv18Uu4IDJgcnjO3yaie-deDgTGc-EciYVRH-_RuKyMjoRi2H1D6yID-kxHMMzgjFME3LTS-9p5LEQYcQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxBtijqZhhAvIn4hr6int2g3cWIcxcCmhWVd7Ud2IQDzHD8UPF_lpF48-HBS-B__6upvtwsRPmLo-SxDwm_5KOoJWySwq0M2BcAM8_DUchv18Uu4IDJgcnjO3yaie-deDgTGc-EciYVRH-_RuKyMjoRi2H1D6yID-kxHMMzgjFME3LTS-9p5LEQYcQ" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This is another
fun take on the song, There Was an Old Woman. Beautiful collage artwork builds
and incorporates all the plants, animals, the tree and the sun. This is a
circle of life book, as well, but completely different than the one above. We
follow the sunlight and the tree, all the way through the bugs, reptiles,
animals, and seeds that grow again from the sun.</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Both of these books are beautiful and colorful with repetition that kids love.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-44186601301125921962023-03-01T07:00:00.001-08:002023-03-01T07:00:00.215-08:00Ghosts, ghosts, and more ghosts!<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">I recently read two middle grade ghost
stories and watched a Netflix show adapted from a middle grade ghost series.
Although, they upped the age a bit, so they’re teenagers. And it’s not even
October! Ghost stories are good any time of year. Plus, it was my birthday month, so, busy busy time.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> 😀</span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur
T. Bradley</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">From the publisher, Viking (Penguin
Random House): published August 2020</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When JJ Jacobson convinced his mom to
accept a surprise invitation to an all-expenses-paid weekend getaway at the
illustrious Barclay Hotel, he never imagined that he'd find himself in the
midst of a murder mystery. He thought he was in for a run-of-the-mill weekend
ghost hunting at the most haunted spot in town, but when he arrives at the
Barclay Hotel and his mother is blamed for the hotel owner's death, he realizes
his weekend is going to be anything but ordinary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Now, with the help of his new friends,
Penny and Emma, JJ has to track down a killer, clear his mother's name, and
maybe even meet a ghost or two along the way.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfRJmluN1fiMWS2HLOwvTnLeBpsZCBF_io7bDJx5WLA0K2fPwOL_SvA1IhxRk5kkd2N30UVzvoU87acT3P2ZBtVZ7LNVw7DqrarMMUfL4AWczd4g50QQqxzDr-wN9CCexvkbJxthrM0CU_EAJTTH3vMf1fn7n7kmn-NWIKE2LKURKVT4FQGevJin1H" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfRJmluN1fiMWS2HLOwvTnLeBpsZCBF_io7bDJx5WLA0K2fPwOL_SvA1IhxRk5kkd2N30UVzvoU87acT3P2ZBtVZ7LNVw7DqrarMMUfL4AWczd4g50QQqxzDr-wN9CCexvkbJxthrM0CU_EAJTTH3vMf1fn7n7kmn-NWIKE2LKURKVT4FQGevJin1H" width="159" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">This story begins by introducing us to
the characters. It started a bit slow and threw me off but did not
deter. It’s a mystery, ghost story, friendship and family story. All great
ingredients for a fun book (IMO). AND there’s are twists I did not see coming.
Which makes it even more fun! That’s a real feat to be able to do that. Each
character is unique and interesting and the story flows from there. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">With
excellent writing and illustrations, you just can’t go wrong.</span></span><p></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">I learned that this book is good for reluctant
readers, too. It feels lower middle grade and easy to digest. Not sure why I’m
using food references, lol. I’m glad my friend told me about this title. And
when I got it from the library, the library gave me another suggestion, which
is the next ghost story. Win, win.</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Scritch Scratch by Lindsay Currie<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">From the publisher, Sourcebooks Young
Readers: published September 2020<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A ghost story about a malevolent spirit,
an unlucky girl, and a haunting mystery that will tie the two together.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Claire has absolutely no interest in the
paranormal. She’s a scientist, which is why she can’t think of anything worse
than having to help out her dad on one of his ghost-themed Chicago bus tours.
She thinks she’s made it through when she sees a boy with a sad face and dark
eyes at the back of the bus. There’s something off about his presence,
especially because when she checks at the end of the tour…he’s gone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Claire tries to brush it off, she must
be imagining things, letting her dad’s ghost stories get the best of her. But
then the scratching starts. Voices whisper to her in the dark. The number 396
appears everywhere she turns. And the boy with the dark eyes starts following
her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Claire is being haunted. The boy from
the bus wants something...and Claire needs to find out what before it’s too
late.</span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgPLlG6jJIG4Q43WnVXrwumYeqTsoJoa-Imr-D1enH2ublLdtvYx80uZ23BSeIGLHNmmjVQbUTeXGfjN_JKJKd07cqlVFXK6pJQ4w2113SSFp2VqAu6p4NeZmSA2FurwyRonS9q9TDxe80PSdHqCjKCHgf7YacqJznkOxEpqZVnG8N4cpt7-jRPqFa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2476" data-original-width="1651" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgPLlG6jJIG4Q43WnVXrwumYeqTsoJoa-Imr-D1enH2ublLdtvYx80uZ23BSeIGLHNmmjVQbUTeXGfjN_JKJKd07cqlVFXK6pJQ4w2113SSFp2VqAu6p4NeZmSA2FurwyRonS9q9TDxe80PSdHqCjKCHgf7YacqJznkOxEpqZVnG8N4cpt7-jRPqFa" width="160" /></a></div><br /></span><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">Loved this story. It was spooky,
haunting but not too scary, included really interesting Chicago history, and
was quite gripping to read. Also had friendship issues, family issues and young
love interest. That’s pretty darn cool. I’m also hoping this is the beginning of
a series with these characters. That would be so fun. These characters are
engaging and heartfelt and care about each other so much. It also shows that
everyone has problems, no matter how perfect or put together they may seem.</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">This one felt more
upper middle grade, was more serious and a bit scarier than the first book above. Both are
worth reading and pretty awesome they came out one month apart in 2020.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigd4-XHdO8TUiBCjOI5M0ZJT_H_F4usf4Tekv03yxM_VcMdBUHT9CylJ5wou8Wg23luWB2oKkpa_WHVgawzO4i8Mwqm9s-0ivsxhzuroSHjIDhNmjq7Dgc2f9lSzPbi7Y_myV6JAFqjjFb8ngBT8L2US02Kl_xtR77LWKvRKjVkzetCApkoJXncZO-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="311" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigd4-XHdO8TUiBCjOI5M0ZJT_H_F4usf4Tekv03yxM_VcMdBUHT9CylJ5wou8Wg23luWB2oKkpa_WHVgawzO4i8Mwqm9s-0ivsxhzuroSHjIDhNmjq7Dgc2f9lSzPbi7Y_myV6JAFqjjFb8ngBT8L2US02Kl_xtR77LWKvRKjVkzetCApkoJXncZO-" width="157" /></a></span></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana;">The Netflix series I watched is Lockwood
& Co. I LOVED these books by Jonathan Stroud. There are five in the series, and they are all fantastic. I was very excited to see it was coming to a
screen near me. The first half hour, they talked so fast that I could hardly
understand anything they said. Having subtitles on for that part would be helpful.
After that, it was a normal speed of speaking. I’m not sure if knowing the
books made it easier for me or not. I’d be curious what someone else thought
who didn’t read the books. Unfortunately, I watched the series too fast and now
it’s done. 😩 They could have done 10 or 20 episodes and that would be fine
with me. I’m hoping they do a season for each book – at least! – and get them
filming quickly. Need that Lockwood fix. This show is definitely scarier than
the two stories above, but I believe it matches the books pretty well. The skull
in the glass though, is super funny in the novels. At least, I thought so. </span></span><p></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;">
</p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana;">If you enjoy ghost stories, you will
like ALL of these. Boo!</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p></div>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-22371477224227026842023-01-02T16:40:00.000-08:002023-01-02T16:40:17.311-08:00New Year - New Book - New Adult<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was
so happy to be reading again and this was a good entry back in. I’ve seen this story called YA, but with the characters being a bit older, I thought it was New Adult.
Unless that genre has gone away and it’s just Young Adult again. Either way,
enjoyed it.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: black;">Begin
Again by Emma Lord</span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: black;">From
the publisher, St. Martins/Wednesday Books: available January 2023</span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: black;">As
usual, Andie Rose has a plan: Transfer from community college to the hyper
competitive Blue Ridge State, major in psychology, and maintain her lifelong
goal of becoming an iconic self-help figure despite the nerves that have
recently thrown her for a loop. All it will take is ruthless organization, hard
work, and her trademark unrelenting enthusiasm to pull it all together.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: black;">But
the moment Andie arrives, the rest of her plans go off the rails. Her rocky
relationship with her boyfriend Connor only gets more complicated when she
discovers he transferred out of Blue Ridge to her community college. Her
roommate Shay needs a major, and despite Andie’s impressive track record of
being The Fixer, she’s stumped on how to help. And Milo, her coffee-guzzling
grump of an R.A. with seafoam green eyes, is somehow disrupting all her ideas
about love and relationships one sleep-deprived wisecrack at a time.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But
sometimes, when all your plans are in rubble at your feet, you find out what
you’re made of. And when Andie starts to find the power of her voice as the
anonymous Squire on the school’s legendary pirate radio station–the same one
her mom founded, years before she passed away–Andie learns that not all the
best laid plans are necessarily the right ones.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilm8Gr2jU8tErLSarxH6NKrugWnsSP6m-7aUeMVl9Cs-WZChT3AMdWlv81nbqh2QIBgodF2HyP9psbTx0GaMkhnszzSuLNfKbY8uionpLhkYFacLBWVJ8HPTXLKnSVetC4j5Yl7SCsTedTaCAIcF5OCpKfGEGCseYoLLJgV6RSo8hCoLEXu3Enc4gR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilm8Gr2jU8tErLSarxH6NKrugWnsSP6m-7aUeMVl9Cs-WZChT3AMdWlv81nbqh2QIBgodF2HyP9psbTx0GaMkhnszzSuLNfKbY8uionpLhkYFacLBWVJ8HPTXLKnSVetC4j5Yl7SCsTedTaCAIcF5OCpKfGEGCseYoLLJgV6RSo8hCoLEXu3Enc4gR" width="156" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">I
liked this book: the characters, friendships, and the twist. It drew me in
every time I picked it up. I was with them in everything they did and saw. I especially liked when the friends became family. That always speaks to me. And being a planner, I could relate. It
was a really fun book.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">One
thing that drove me nuts was how often the word “wince” was repeated. There
were others, but that was the biggest offender. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">I haven’t
read this author before and would easily pick up her previous works. Feel free to jump right in, the story is fine.</span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-20165500866480294732022-12-11T13:41:00.002-08:002022-12-11T13:41:58.321-08:00Holiday Haikus<p><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: verdana;">Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, happy holidays, and Happy New Year! That's a lotta happy. LOL</span></p><p><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: verdana;">I really miss books. I will be happy to become engrossed again soon. In the meantime, I wish you all health, joy and love; whatever that means to you.</span></p><p><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: verdana;">I have two haikus, because, why not? 💝 I encourage everyone to write a haiku now and then. It's fun.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><b>Christmas Haiku</b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;">Anticipation<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;">Tree lots, cider and
cocoa<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;">Frozen toes, warm
smiles.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;"><b>New Year’s Haiku</b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;">Reminiscing time</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">Happy, heartbreak, breakthrough
growth</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial;">Future begins now.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-77231802893049712182022-11-24T14:37:00.001-08:002022-11-24T14:37:56.399-08:00Thanksgiving Haiku<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Sorry I've been MIA. Seems this time of year there's always something going on. I remember saying in January that this year was going to be a year of big life events. DO NOT SAY THIS OUT LOUD. The universe will hear you and deliver! And it has, in spades. I have a laundry list of big life events that have happened, and it hasn't stopped yet. The most recent was my husband had surgery and was in the hospital for two weeks. Then a friend passed away, and that was a very tough funeral. The end of the year is just around the corner so it'll be a good time to say what next year will be about. Like, easy peasy skate through life stuff. One can hope - and then say it out loud. </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">But I do have fabulous books to review and an incredible 2023 book release and author interview ahead.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">So how about a Thanksgiving Haiku:</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Cooking smells delight<br /></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Wafting over TV din<br /></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Filling heart and home</span></div><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">I know this isn't everyone's thanksgiving experience and the holiday means something different to everyone. Especially if you're Chandler from Friends.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Whatever it means to you, I wish you peace. </span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-52570231009569155742022-08-31T19:55:00.000-07:002022-08-31T19:55:07.768-07:00You Need to Read This Book<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">When
I read this book, I thought, if you read only one book this year, read this
one. It’s one of the best books of the year. So many incredible elements and
depth.</span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;">Attack
of the Black Rectangles by Amy Sarig King</span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;">From
the publisher, Scholastic: available September 2022</span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;">Award-winning
author Amy Sarig King takes on censorship and intolerance in a novel she was
born to write.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;">When
Mac first opens his classroom copy of Jane Yolen's The Devil’s Arithmetic and
finds some words blacked out, he thinks it must be a mistake. But then when he
and his friends discover what the missing words are, he's outraged.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;">Someone
in his school is trying to prevent kids from reading the full story.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;">But
who?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;">Even
though his unreliable dad tells him to not get so emotional about a book (or
anything else), Mac has been raised by his mom and grandad to call out things
that are wrong. He and his friends head to the principal's office to protest
the censorship... but her response doesn't take them seriously.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;">So
many adults want Mac to keep his words to himself.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;">Mac's
about to see the power of letting them out.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In
Attack of the Black Rectangles, acclaimed author Amy Sarig King shows all the
ways truth can be hard... but still worth fighting for.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHuH401hLHQuOnlvZwZmSg6pGfCwAF2bXUxrFZ9474zZEVhFp1CGNrzTtC-Rnp4Cin5-DJSWSE8s_gvAIVV9LVuv5ufeTC6xmJdPmKMY8RDtCbTo1w9nr37pVKwDfPN4GDXA_0dmpTl9TzLWO6cxt7xuHzD-VB7SE3SOm9bjHd_kh0J2lsRfHhn7p5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="796" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHuH401hLHQuOnlvZwZmSg6pGfCwAF2bXUxrFZ9474zZEVhFp1CGNrzTtC-Rnp4Cin5-DJSWSE8s_gvAIVV9LVuv5ufeTC6xmJdPmKMY8RDtCbTo1w9nr37pVKwDfPN4GDXA_0dmpTl9TzLWO6cxt7xuHzD-VB7SE3SOm9bjHd_kh0J2lsRfHhn7p5" width="159" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">It’s
not just about censorship. Friendship, first crush, a father who isn’t who you’d
like him to be, doing what’s right, finding courage, protesting, and truth. How
very important truth is. And who wouldn't want Jane Yolen their book?!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Now,
Amy Sarig King does not need my help selling books. She’s a force on her own
with each book being unique and uniquely hers. But this is still one of the
best books of the year. And that’s the truth.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;">Here’s
another review of this book from Lynn Becker's blog. She always has awesome reviews.</span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="http://lynnbeckerbooks.blogspot.com/2022/08/augusts-book-of-month-attack-of-black.html" target="_blank">LynnBecker Books Blog: August's Book of the Month--Attack of the Black Rectangles</a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-2892892995213038652022-07-31T13:06:00.001-07:002022-07-31T13:06:09.566-07:00Middle Grade Madness! Three Reviews<p><span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I'm so happy to be reading such great books. It's fun to post about them. I always appreciate a good recommendation. Yes, not all books are for everyone. That's the beauty of books, something for everyone. Same with films, art, music. It's awesome. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">The
Callers by Kiah Thomas</span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">From
the publisher Chronicle Books: available April 5, 2022:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">In
the world of Elipsom, the ability to Call, or summon objects, is a coveted,
crucial skill, revered among its people as both a powerful tool and an
essential way to sustain life. But despite an elite family history, a phenom
for an older sister, a best friend who is set to join the Council of Callers,
and his mother's steely insistence that he learn to Call, Quin doesn't have the
gift—an embarrassment made worse when his mother gets his sister to cheat for
him on his Calling exam. But everything changes in a moment of frustration when
Quin, instead of summoning an object, makes something disappear. And what's
more, he quickly discovers that the objects Callers bring into their world
aren't conjured at all but are whisked away from another world and a people who
for years have had their lives slowly stolen from them. Now Quin must team up
with Allie, a girl who's determined to stop this unfair practice, and decide
whether he should remain loyal to his family or betray them—and save the world.</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">In
a story that explores some of the most crucial topics of our time—our
relationship to consumerism, the exploitation of natural resources,
colonialism, and the consequences of wanting more than we need—magic is sought,
and truth is found.</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCzBy1p7RSceKTuww-4fzAFXNZzrPnSiXXSEA2ZLh55009OvpKkAiGkTy7htmErCeuDt0zFdJqUq2tATUHmFbSZRd4E7Trk_yoRSISdGfB3usoYdbPEsGDEAFnZNc7lf6nDab62JLWmOPcwIQ77dyeQ9TYDXFzxNxT7kuFS40m3AB12XWe7qG5RQxt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="281" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCzBy1p7RSceKTuww-4fzAFXNZzrPnSiXXSEA2ZLh55009OvpKkAiGkTy7htmErCeuDt0zFdJqUq2tATUHmFbSZRd4E7Trk_yoRSISdGfB3usoYdbPEsGDEAFnZNc7lf6nDab62JLWmOPcwIQ77dyeQ9TYDXFzxNxT7kuFS40m3AB12XWe7qG5RQxt" width="169" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent;">This was a fascinating
read. How calling one thing takes it from another person/place. And the
depletion of the earth/wares/crops. It’s a very satisfying circle how the story
is intertwined. A great new perspective on resources and standing up for
yourself when you feel you have no choice. The truth is what’s important. </span></span><p></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">Freestyle:
A Graphic Novel by Gale Galligan<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">This
book was a fun read. Not knowing anything about Celtic mythology, it’s a pretty
cool introduction to it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">From
the publisher, Scholastic: Graphix: available October 18, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">Cory's
dance crew is getting ready for a major competition. It's the last one before
they graduate eighth grade and go their separate ways to high schools all over
New York City, so they have to make it count! The group starts to have problems
as their crew captain gets increasingly intense about nailing the routine, and
things go from bad to worse when Cory's parents ground him for not taking his
grades seriously. He gets stuck with a new tutor, Sunna, who he dismisses as a
boring nerd… until he catches her secretly practicing cool yo-yo tricks. Cory
wants to learn the art of yo-yo, and as his friendship with Sunna grows, he
ends up missing practice and bailing on his crew -- and they are not happy
about it. With mounting pressure coming from all sides, how is Cory supposed to
balance the expectations of his parents, school, dance, and his new friend?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6YpV-Bqt4xDLHMQTfvtJRKoCZO8_WGSFh4zA84OYLsIcHu0ly2n12ln-kO09i1MM7pYWvUm2wTqiV7XvIlYNGVB_CvikJuc_i4IEBiJh53hFWii78Un4C34uQiF5LfBpnRaZVBQODqmi95bgDZ3SsspFljJqHDArXEfym5vT-f2kvCyB4WqoWlZMG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1650" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6YpV-Bqt4xDLHMQTfvtJRKoCZO8_WGSFh4zA84OYLsIcHu0ly2n12ln-kO09i1MM7pYWvUm2wTqiV7XvIlYNGVB_CvikJuc_i4IEBiJh53hFWii78Un4C34uQiF5LfBpnRaZVBQODqmi95bgDZ3SsspFljJqHDArXEfym5vT-f2kvCyB4WqoWlZMG" width="165" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><br />This has a very
diverse and complex cast of characters. They all have a lot going on:
friendship, dance competition, family expectations, school, yo-yo competition, not
judging a book by its cover, standing up for yourself and what you really want.
That might sound overwhelming but it’s not. It all fits perfectly in this graphic
novel. The relatability factor is high – I could relate to all of them even if I
haven’t been in that situation. The feelings were exactly right.</span><p></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">The
Tryout by Christina Soontornvat & Joanna Cacao <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">From
the publisher Scholastic Graphix: available September 6, 2022:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">Trying
out for middle school cheerleader means: performing in the giant school gym,
with the whole school watching, and risking total humiliation. If Christina can
make it through this, she can make it through anything. As one of the
only Asian American kids in her small Texas town, Christina just wants to fit
in. Luckily, her best friend, Megan, who is Iranian American, can totally
relate. The two girls have always been inseparable and relish creating
elaborate fantasy worlds together. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">But
middle school is a reality-check, and suddenly popularity is way more important
than playing pretend. When cheerleading tryouts are announced,
Christina and Megan literally jump at the chance to join the squad. But does
fitting in actually equal belonging? Will they survive the terrifying tryouts?
And most importantly, will their friendship withstand the pressures of heated
competition and rivalry? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">Hilarious
and heartfelt, The Tryout is Christina Soontornvat's personal story, sure to
make you laugh, cry, and cheer!</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvlwKdiZqOVCyXuU_NcSY6kLLDMLRYShnBmOzQAG02BY3ZvrLTsQu-OMlO-I07wmwMKnPNjxP2tDtmca2-hoiyk8M764FyGeOsrZSdTMf8SoGm9YY9rqwgOgdUrZ87gdaEgfo6Z0efo6BZRTr7btlVALgks4KqA0piMTp4ePa9IS_FL-EETGATpJBG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="825" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvlwKdiZqOVCyXuU_NcSY6kLLDMLRYShnBmOzQAG02BY3ZvrLTsQu-OMlO-I07wmwMKnPNjxP2tDtmca2-hoiyk8M764FyGeOsrZSdTMf8SoGm9YY9rqwgOgdUrZ87gdaEgfo6Z0efo6BZRTr7btlVALgks4KqA0piMTp4ePa9IS_FL-EETGATpJBG" width="165" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><br />This story is about
friendship, racism, family generations, working hard and wanting something so
badly, and what do you do if you don’t get it. How you deal with that –
grieving it, figuring out what’s next. And just maybe, it turns out better than
the original plan. It’s something we all go through, whether in a big or small
way. That pain and hurt and coming to terms with what happens in life.</span><p></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-11412171676578424892022-06-30T18:21:00.001-07:002022-06-30T18:22:58.073-07:00Young Adult Review with a wee bit of horror 😲<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: arial;">First, I wanted to say Happy Canada Day and Happy July 4th - I hope your holiday weekend is fun and safe!</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: arial;">Second, let's get to the boooook! I
have been reading SOOOO many good books! I can’t wait to post them all. I’m
trying to go in order with a couple at a time even though I really want to list
them all. Soon. I’ll pace myself. LOL</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: red; font-family: arial;">The
one today is young adult. I don’t think I’ve ever read a horror novel, nope,
not even Stephen King. So, I wasn’t sure what it was supposed to be like. I read
fantasy and love that. Read some sci-fi. Is horror kind of a combination? I
have no idea. And I’m sure I’m way off base.</span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The
Honeys by Ryan La Sala</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-color-alt: windowtext;">From
the publisher, PUSH, a Scholastic Imprint: available May 2022</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-color-alt: windowtext;">From
Ryan La Sala, the wildly popular author of Reverie, comes a twisted and
tantalizing horror novel set amidst the bucolic splendor of a secluded summer
retreat.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Mars
has always been the lesser twin, the shadow to his sister Caroline's radiance.
But when Caroline dies under horrific circumstances, Mars is propelled to learn
all he can about his once-inseparable sister who'd grown tragically distant.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Mars's
genderfluidity means he's often excluded from the traditions -- and
expectations -- of his politically-connected family. This includes attendance
at the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy where his sister poured so much
of her time. But with his grief still fresh, he insists on attending in her
place.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-color-alt: windowtext;">What
Mars finds is a bucolic fairytale not meant for him. Folksy charm and
sun-drenched festivities camouflage old-fashioned gender roles and a toxic
preparatory rigor. Mars seeks out his sister's old friends: a group of girls
dubbed the Honeys, named for the beehives they maintain behind their cabin.
They are beautiful and terrifying -- and Mars is certain they're connected to
Caroline's death.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">But
the longer he stays at Aspen, the more the sweet mountain breezes give way to
hints of decay. Mars’s memories begin to falter, bleached beneath the
relentless summer sun. Something is hunting him in broad daylight, toying with
his mind. If Mars can't find it soon, it will eat him alive.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKTX2vvs_Fj06w1TLOad5BUOZ9iyV2-_aBK1wHEzMhmYfiSRp2ZSAufY8_KBxE7lgOevFcE03Fpxot-ts0APOtznhpgSo-BaGpfunYdUVUStVEFnBp9JWx1KurvsDaqUzQskYJ2TCwHYSywwFmJqxd9oKQM2j7I3c2lStMDZLZW7lF8WIyjzqolzJD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKTX2vvs_Fj06w1TLOad5BUOZ9iyV2-_aBK1wHEzMhmYfiSRp2ZSAufY8_KBxE7lgOevFcE03Fpxot-ts0APOtznhpgSo-BaGpfunYdUVUStVEFnBp9JWx1KurvsDaqUzQskYJ2TCwHYSywwFmJqxd9oKQM2j7I3c2lStMDZLZW7lF8WIyjzqolzJD" width="160" /></a></div><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;">I
like this book and think it’s light horror. There are some gross parts but like
movies with gross parts, I put my hand up, or in this case, skim over any
grossness. I know I’m a wimp – I’m okay with that.</span><p></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">The opening sequence is mind-blowing.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-color-alt: windowtext;">This
novel is gripping and engaging. The characters make you feel like you might
know what they’re like, but there are great twists and turns, so you realize
you can’t judge a book by the cover. The story plays with your mind making you
wonder what’s real. It keeps you guessing. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-color-alt: windowtext;">And
what’s more fun than a summer camp novel?! I can totally see this being a
movie.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-color-alt: windowtext;">What’s
also fun is the chapter headings and how they continually get more warped; similar
to what’s on the cover. The six sections gathering more flowers – could that be
bee related??? </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-color-alt: windowtext;">I
still think of this book even though I read it weeks ago. There’s something
about it that gets under your skin, like a bee sting, perhaps? Sorry, I don’t
seem to be able to contain myself. But the characters stay with you. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">There are a lot of layers in this book, and </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">now </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">I </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">definitely</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> want to read La Sala's Reverie!</span></span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-48722613601191010682022-05-31T07:00:00.001-07:002022-05-31T07:00:00.487-07:00Two Most Excellent, Wonderful, Lovely, Fun Picture Books!<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">I am so surprised and impressed that I'm getting a post out. LOL I ended a job, went to Canada, and then started a new job. And now I am so happy to present these two incredible books.</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><b>Where
the Wee Ones Go: A Bedtime Wish for Endangered Animals by Karen Jameson,
Illustrated by Zosienka<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><b>From
the publisher, Chronicle Books: available April 2022<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><b>Wee
readers will connect with wee endangered-animals in this mesmerizing bedtime
book by Karen Jameson (Woodland Dreams, Farm Lullaby), promoting environmental
awareness and encouraging the very sweetest of dreams!<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><b>When
stars are out and the moon's above,<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><b>where
do the wee ones go, my love?<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><b>Where
do the wee ones go?<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><b>Where
do endangered animals go to sleep? Immerse yourself in the lush beauty of this
bedtime picture book and find out. From the Pacific Ocean to China's mountains,
the Australian outback, and beyond, each baby animal has a warm, safe place to
fall asleep.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><b>With
a variety of baby endangered animals and their mamas gracing each gorgeous
spread, readers will be transfixed by richly-illustrated scenes that span the
globe and capture each creature's unique habitat. Snuggle close like a sweet
panda, curl up like a cozy koala, and drift off like a drowsy elephant, letting
the sweeping environments and soothing bedtime rituals of this gentle animal
lullaby lull even the most restless little dreamers into a deep and peaceful
sleep.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4PzDG075mClBvMdJ2gVQ8JdiKgwVvi0d_1uXisMjrS8UX7wYpeZ8dBEq142kjViQSQa5cLoJFGc1xF8s9Wruoh1EQpgb1vpdfMtqrkXLppdzJ4RpXXIj_AgKeKs0Wr1xSixBCWcKNRsu1D744TNznMXDg9MjEXuNnXFAlZloDjZtIuD8ZE5lq0689" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="318" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4PzDG075mClBvMdJ2gVQ8JdiKgwVvi0d_1uXisMjrS8UX7wYpeZ8dBEq142kjViQSQa5cLoJFGc1xF8s9Wruoh1EQpgb1vpdfMtqrkXLppdzJ4RpXXIj_AgKeKs0Wr1xSixBCWcKNRsu1D744TNznMXDg9MjEXuNnXFAlZloDjZtIuD8ZE5lq0689" width="251" /></a></b></span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span><b style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;">Lovely
to read, just lovely.</b><p></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><b>I
was fortunate enough to read this at a book signing this past weekend. The last
page gave me goosebumps. </b></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: helvetica;"><b>It’s so lyrical: beautiful and soothing text and
illustrations. And I even learned something! It really is a treasure, this book,
a wonderful addition to all bookshelves.</b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: arial;"><b>Monsters
in the Briny by Lynn Becker, Illustrations by Scott Brundage<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: arial;"><b>From
the publisher Sleeping Bear Press: available April 2022:<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: arial;"><b>What
do you do with a grumpy kraken, a sickly sea serpent, and a tearful gigantic
tortoise? You sing them a tune, of course! Following the sea shanty rhyme of
"What Do You Do With . . . ," a ship's crew of sailors has to contend
with a coterie of mythical sea creatures, all demanding comfort and attention.
As each creature threatens to swamp the ship, the quick-thinking crew knows
just what to do to save the day, from serving pancakes to mopping a sweaty
forehead to sharing an umbrella to keep the rain away. But what happens when
the sailors have had enough? Back matter includes information about the sea
creatures featured, music and lyrics, along with a brief history of sea
shanties<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: arial;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiP32PmJDlzk5a8f7DrpOW-AyEoBaUbaUZ0GtyhSY9YKMpGSTTHSFL8dYvEsp-ImhCoRWIPzZBwkb0uYF804SQy1BAR2Q24qS8rr1mgTYt_7J7CTz9G9KZfVvS88Tyzvm0Ae4eBvB8mzq-laj4ZZRbiFxVx466qZmZBiM7zG9n77oMWQufCRg1sjmLm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="318" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiP32PmJDlzk5a8f7DrpOW-AyEoBaUbaUZ0GtyhSY9YKMpGSTTHSFL8dYvEsp-ImhCoRWIPzZBwkb0uYF804SQy1BAR2Q24qS8rr1mgTYt_7J7CTz9G9KZfVvS88Tyzvm0Ae4eBvB8mzq-laj4ZZRbiFxVx466qZmZBiM7zG9n77oMWQufCRg1sjmLm" width="292" /></a></b></span></div><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span><b style="color: #e06666; font-family: arial;">This
book is so much fun to read! And sing! The words and illustrations are expressive
and colorful, lifting the story to the next level. With this book, you can read
to your child, sing to your child, and encourage participation, too. I don’t
think it’ll take that much cajoling for anyone to sing along.</b><p></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: arial;"><b>If
you’re able to catch Lynn Becker reading it at a bookstore, like I was, you’ll
be engaged, enjoy the musical accompaniment and be ready to sing the song
yourself. I believe there is an awesome book trailer out there, as well as a
video with book loving folks singing the story.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: arial;"><b>Another
excellent addition to all bookshelves. Trust me. </b></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-29201696467861146152022-05-01T15:55:00.002-07:002022-05-01T15:55:58.537-07:00Two more quick reviews - one MG, one PB<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Witchlings
by Claribel A. Ortega</span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">From
the publisher, Scholastic Press: available April 2022</span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">A
magical adventure for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers and Nevermoor, about
three witchlings who must work together to do the impossible if they have any
hope of earning their full powers.</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Every
year, in the magical town of Ravenskill, Witchlings who participate in the
Black Moon Ceremony are placed into covens and come into their powers as
full-fledged witches.</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">And
twelve-year-old Seven Salazar can't wait to be placed in the most powerful coven
with her best friend! But on the night of the ceremony, in front of the entire
town, Seven isn't placed in one of the five covens. She's a Spare!</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Spare
covens have fewer witches, are less powerful, and are looked down on by
everyone. Even worse, when Seven and the other two Spares perform the magic
circle to seal their coven and cement themselves as sisters, it doesn't work!
They're stuck as Witchlings—and will never be able to perform powerful magic.</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Seven
invokes her only option: the impossible task. The three Spares will be assigned
an impossible task: If they work together and succeed at it, their coven will
be sealed and they'll gain their full powers. If they fail... Well, the last
coven to make the attempt ended up being turned into toads. Forever.</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">But
maybe friendship can be the most powerful magic of all….</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnghxAVZaffc-lgA_kY5kSzTwww2uAbOG7p3XV8PEXda1v_hMFPt79wdlDdfV9YpWg9Vl2ppQDvFWmq8egIXBQfizvV3GRx2-TObuZPAzflqjCyZ4P1-tk2Vg4e6QEoh3NjYbrKzxZvkwvr10oOMKXgGeoxNLAubAgKDmKxwy7NHcrzYRJPKBVCENl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="1436" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnghxAVZaffc-lgA_kY5kSzTwww2uAbOG7p3XV8PEXda1v_hMFPt79wdlDdfV9YpWg9Vl2ppQDvFWmq8egIXBQfizvV3GRx2-TObuZPAzflqjCyZ4P1-tk2Vg4e6QEoh3NjYbrKzxZvkwvr10oOMKXgGeoxNLAubAgKDmKxwy7NHcrzYRJPKBVCENl" width="159" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
am always a sucker for witch stories, fantasy, something that takes me away to
another place. This did exactly that. Along with the books listed above, I’d
add The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol.</span><p></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">All
the witches have the areas they excel in and get sorted into covens. Three do
not and are called the Spares. I liked how the three very different girls are
thrown together and have to sink or swim together to do the impossible task. It’s
more than an adventure, it’s a mystery with good witches and bad warlocks, nice
families and not so nice families, rich and not rich. There was a small part at
the end that felt a little preachy, but that might be an adult perspective.
There is a very nice full circle moment when the girls find out what their names
mean and why they got those specific names. And the names are all very unique.</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">I
Color Myself Different by Colin Kaepernick<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">From
the publisher Scholastic Inc: available April 2022:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">When
Colin Kaepernick was five years old, he was given a simple school assignment:
draw a picture of yourself and your family. What young Colin does next with his
brown crayon changes his whole world and worldview, providing a valuable lesson
on embracing and celebrating his Black identity through the power of radical
self-love and knowing your inherent worth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">I
Color Myself Different is a joyful ode to Black and Brown lives based on real
events in young Colin's life that is perfect for every reader's bookshelf. It's
a story of self-discovery, staying true to one's self, and advocating for
change... even when you're very little!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgP-DyIDnKFGDq5T-eII3fisE8rlPc5mwnevDqqdoOtBPanpKvHdEAnvwp2QPHLY--1tkftnDo2zUktKhq0ypi6ox3XVNj4C5EzR8HKM1C9PuDjY9iEG1jal1Yk_k-OrRI0i-ededdhGLi2wDVsnXMDsQLL2_11ONzEigu3wGLYVllSVE-h6vxdV5aX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgP-DyIDnKFGDq5T-eII3fisE8rlPc5mwnevDqqdoOtBPanpKvHdEAnvwp2QPHLY--1tkftnDo2zUktKhq0ypi6ox3XVNj4C5EzR8HKM1C9PuDjY9iEG1jal1Yk_k-OrRI0i-ededdhGLi2wDVsnXMDsQLL2_11ONzEigu3wGLYVllSVE-h6vxdV5aX" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">First
a funny story – I read this book – it is an advanced reading copy and it wasn’t
making sense and I felt like it was backwards. When I got to the end, I discovered
it WAS backwards. LOL Not sure how it got printed that way, but it was an
adventure and then really made sense when I read it the correct way. Even though
it was from the back of the book forwards. Someone else got this ARC and theirs
started at the beginning, so mine was just a fluke. Anyway… onto the story.</span><p></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This
felt like a very special book from the start. It was inspiring to see a child embrace
being different, being adopted, being special. He loved his brown skin and he
loved his family. He was proud of it and that made all the difference. It’s a
profound story.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There
is a spread with other people who inspired him and changed the world and gave
him confidence to be himself, like Toni Morrison and Muhammad Ali They are
listed in the back and with their accomplishments. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Reading Kaepernick's bio in the
back was eye opening. Seeing the different ways he has made an impact
and difference, just like his heroes, was touching to read.</span></span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-62261943241939280342022-04-02T18:24:00.000-07:002022-04-02T18:24:57.066-07:00I finally read a book! Actually two!<p><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: arial;">I could have sworn I had posted in December, but alas, I did not. Nor February or March. I wanted to. Unfortunately, there was too much going on and some things end up taking a back seat. My mother-in-law passed away in January, and that's been a lot to deal with on many levels. Then my husband got laid off. So, I've taken the liberty of calling this year, the year of big life events. Lots of changes, processing and adjusting. But I'm so happy I'm back to reading. I couldn't read anything close to real life. Luckily, my very good friend, Lynn Becker (her book comes out soon!!!) sent me a fantasy middle grade to help me get back on track. And it worked! </span></p><p></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana;">Kelcie
Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts by Erika Lewis<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana;">This
book was a fun read. Not knowing anything about Celtic mythology, it’s a pretty
cool introduction to it. <span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana;">From
the publisher, Starscape: available March 1, 2022<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana;">Brimming
with Celtic mythology, action, and danger, Erika Lewis's Kelcie Murphy and The
Academy for the Unbreakable Arts introduces readers to a new kind of magical
school and a warrior who must choose with which side of an epic battle her
destiny will lie.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana;">The
Otherworld is at war. The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts trains warriors. And
Kelcie Murphy―a foster child raised in the human world―is dying to attend.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana;">A
place at AUA means meeting Scáthach, the legendary trainer of Celtic heroes. It
means learning to fight with a sword. It means harnessing her hidden powers
and―most importantly―finding out who her parents are, and why they abandoned
her in Boston Harbor eight years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana;">When
Kelcie tests into the school, she learns that she’s a Saiga, one of the most
ancient beings in the Otherworld. Secretive, shunned, and possessed of imposing
elemental powers, the Saiga are also kin to the Otherworld's most infamous
traitor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana;">But
Kelcie is a survivor, and she’ll do whatever it takes to find her parents and
her place in their world. Even if that means making a few enemies.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4Gg8sA8KexfGLEExb7kTkBkxgg0zSGsXLSBlRg_VoCGvs2a3DzENwqSVzFVSH-e20Yrknsh0MPbn2utAYcwORNxnfL0ChiPqtpnpfDNFzJCz2TWZuV2SeHIQjbapUXXNRy8QekuYLMdEZrB5WG2STz0UpJlU727btquGy5IEljSgOR7tf2y2UxKcn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="261" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4Gg8sA8KexfGLEExb7kTkBkxgg0zSGsXLSBlRg_VoCGvs2a3DzENwqSVzFVSH-e20Yrknsh0MPbn2utAYcwORNxnfL0ChiPqtpnpfDNFzJCz2TWZuV2SeHIQjbapUXXNRy8QekuYLMdEZrB5WG2STz0UpJlU727btquGy5IEljSgOR7tf2y2UxKcn" width="157" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana;">All
the characters are unique with different gifts/powers. They have their own <i>fiannas,
</i>which is like being sorted into a house in school. All the regular high
school drama is there along with Kelcie figuring out how to control her newfound
powers. Themes of family, friends and belonging are strong throughout. There is
a very nice full circle moment as well.</span><p></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: verdana;">The
definitions at the back of the book gives the definitions of all the terms and pronunciations
for some, which is super helpful.</span><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">Miss
Quinces by Kat Fajardo<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">Graphic
Novels are always a quick read, and I really enjoyed this one a lot. <span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">From
the publisher, Scholastic Graphix: available April 5, 2022<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">Rising
star Kat Fajardo's debut middle-grade graphic novel about a girl who would
rather do anything other than celebrate her quinceañera! A funny and heartfelt
coming-of-age story about navigating the expectations of family and cultural
tradition.<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">Sue
just wants to spend the summer reading and making comics at sleepaway camp with
her friends, but instead she gets stuck going to Honduras to visit relatives with
her parents and two sisters. They live way out in the country, which means no
texting, no cable, and no Internet! The trip takes a turn for the worse when
Sue's mother announces that they'll be having a surprise quinceañera for Sue,
which is the last thing she wants. She can't imagine wearing a big, floofy,
colorful dress! What is Sue going to do? And how will she survive all this
"quality" time with her rambunctious family?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">Miss
Quinces is the first graphic novel published by Scholastic/Graphix to be simultaneously
released in English and Spanish editions.<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiROt3ankCgpEP7cuYQIvc5tfhMVbb4FJXTcKe1OZl1IcLJe4M4uZ_4ytlOj_441Y2IQWlUpnbqez7mGx8u-vKfuoyQ-Ug58nXbVnNzl9h0I4FHvVnjpgwninbeWoav1T39IZLFxui2T-Cf1vtsBR6cgG1ly6yiaPIt-JcdpfoYloers20o-MByofsN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="344" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiROt3ankCgpEP7cuYQIvc5tfhMVbb4FJXTcKe1OZl1IcLJe4M4uZ_4ytlOj_441Y2IQWlUpnbqez7mGx8u-vKfuoyQ-Ug58nXbVnNzl9h0I4FHvVnjpgwninbeWoav1T39IZLFxui2T-Cf1vtsBR6cgG1ly6yiaPIt-JcdpfoYloers20o-MByofsN" width="165" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">I
loved the characters and the settings. The cast is diverse and well developed. The
story is a great twist on the quinceañera tradition. There are great family
moments included and Kat Fajardo nailed the teen tug of war between spending
time with family or friends. Fajardo show the compromise possible and the
positive outcome that can be reached.</span><p></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">I
also learned so much about quinces and the words and symbolism. Well done!</span><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-51475266209592284992021-10-03T15:12:00.000-07:002021-10-03T15:12:55.429-07:00Middle Grade Graphic Novel<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Apologies for missing a couple of months! You know when life takes over? And then nothing else gets done? That's been my life. I think that's been many people's lives. My mother-in-law fell, was in the hospital, had surgery, is in rehab now and we're waiting to transfer her to a care home. Then throw on the pandemic, stress, depression - keeps motivation at a very low level. Plus, I've been reading so slowly! Yikes. But I'm here now. She's up, she's waving, she's okay. (It's a racing term, I think, I got it from my husband.)</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">Now onto more exciting things: the book! MONDAY INTO THE CAVE OF THIEVES (</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">TOTAL MAYHEM #1)</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;"> "created by Ralph Lazar & lovingly pummeled into shape by Lisa Swerling" - I swear that's what it says. 😃 </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana;">From the Publisher: Scholastic</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">For Dash Candoo, every day is... DANGEROUS!</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is no such thing as a boring day for Dash Candoo.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On Monday, before he can even enjoy his cereal and wombat juice, he is attacked by a squad of combat-ready scallywags and the two-tailed Devil Cat.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And that is just before breakfast. The adventure explodes when Dash gets to school and must deal with a number of Total Mayhem Situations, including a missing Wobble-Ball trophy and the disappearance of one of the most expensive bottles of perfume in the world.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J2L2ZAl1DF4/YVopoN86lhI/AAAAAAAAAhU/hbAcz9p9l_kkl1oY3MXoLwDOzXz81Fi8gCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="837" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J2L2ZAl1DF4/YVopoN86lhI/AAAAAAAAAhU/hbAcz9p9l_kkl1oY3MXoLwDOzXz81Fi8gCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="167" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is a lower middle grade book. Very imaginative, lots of fun made up words and characters. The beginning has, things you need to know before you read this book, and the ending has, everything you need to </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">know, in a glossary. In between these two things is a jam-packed action story with a secret tunnel, Drones, Grobsnots, Wrestle-Scallywags, and a Devil-Cat. Do I even need to say anymore?! 😊</span><p></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-31343775218564012442021-07-01T17:19:00.000-07:002021-07-01T17:19:31.962-07:00TWO PICTURE BOOK BLURBS!<p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">I feel so fortunate to have received some
incredible Scholastic books to read and review. Most are coming out this fall,
but I need to get a jump on reviewing and posting to make sure I get to them
all. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica;">Up first are two AMAZEBALLS picture books. I
love how they may seem simple but are complex and layered and, well,
amazeballs.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">😊</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">WE SHALL OVERCOME by Bryan Collier</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">From the publisher:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A celebration of the gospel anthem and Civil
Rights protest song "We Shall Overcome," masterfully brought to life
by Caldecott Honor recipient and a nine-time Coretta Scott King Award winner
Bryan Collier.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">"We Shall Overcome" is one of the most
recognizable anthems of the Civil Rights movement, widely performed at protests
and rallies to promote nonviolent civil rights activism. Now, these
inspirational, empowering, legendary lyrics are brought to life with the
stirring, evocative, and breathtaking illustrations from multi-award-winning
talent Bryan Collier. Powerfully imagined for the present moment, Collier's
illustrations meld the most emblematic moments of the twentieth-century Civil
Rights movement with the present day, depicting the movements, protests, and
demonstrations -- big and small -- as the fight for justice continues. With
illustrations full of depth, tenderness, and expression, and offering
historical context while remaining powerfully relevant to the present-day, this
impactful picture book is a must-have for every home, classroom, and bookshelf.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yUa5s55uU9A/YN5aeAcPJ0I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/BbpWwWkiMT8xD_0F3Sn-2cWD9YA0i0TBACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="318" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yUa5s55uU9A/YN5aeAcPJ0I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/BbpWwWkiMT8xD_0F3Sn-2cWD9YA0i0TBACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="202" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Absolutely stunning. So much history weaved
throughout the book as it follows the main character and her friends walking to
school. The back-matter illuminates everything you might have missed while
enthralled with the illustrations. I love books like this where there’s meaning
and depth everywhere. I truly want to go over every page right here! You’ll
definitely want this in your collection.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">OUR TABLE by Peter H. Reynolds</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">From the publisher:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Celebrated, bestselling creator Peter H.
Reynolds brings his signature touch of love and kindness to this special,
timely picture book, as families now, more than ever, are rediscovering and
reevaluating what means the most: time together with one another.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Violet longs for the time when her family was
connected: before life, distractions, and technology pulled them all away from
each other. They used to gather at the table, with food and love, to make
memories, share their lives, and revel in time spent together. But now her
family has been drifting apart, and with nobody to gather around it, the table
grows smaller and smaller.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Can Violet remind her family of the warmth of
time spent together, and gather around the table once more?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A mystical fable that feels at once timeless and utterly of the present moment, Our Table is renowned, bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds at his best. Exquisite, expressive watercolor tells a tender story, growing from monochrome into luscious, joyful color as Violet's family is reunited around the beloved table. An ode to traditions that unite families, Our Table brings readers together with a universal message of gratitude.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g9HI3V5Ve08/YN5awYzO8SI/AAAAAAAAAgY/wDSvRZqmQxAvee_mBHhTbQC4SsN0Av1RwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1593" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g9HI3V5Ve08/YN5awYzO8SI/AAAAAAAAAgY/wDSvRZqmQxAvee_mBHhTbQC4SsN0Av1RwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="187" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">This sweet story shows the determination and
imagination of one girl to bring her family together again. Color and lack
thereof, play a large part on the pages. The end papers are purple at the
beginning and end with lots of color. The story shows you how Violet’s life
used to be and it’s full color and how it changes to being only one color,
which is the purple (Violet), and how alone she feels, and then how she
creatively gets her family back together, with a new, stronger table. Metaphor.
Lovely. Another one you’ll want to collect.</span></span></p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-31889104187262876202021-05-31T17:11:00.001-07:002021-05-31T17:11:24.402-07:00Book Review - A VOW SO BOLD AND DEADLY<p><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I have just finished A
VOW SO BOLD AND DEADLY and it was SOOOOO good. This is the third book in the Cursebreakers series: A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY (Book 1); A HEART SO FIERCE AND BROKEN (Book 2). </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">And I’m hoping there will be more in this series. It sounds like it from
the ending, but you never know. Her latest series may take priority. I can
still hope!</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12pt;">You can see my previous fan girl gush <a href="https://angela-russell.blogspot.com/2019/07/" target="_blank">here</a> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12pt;">for the first book, as well as more gushing on her other books.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">From the publisher:
Bloomsbury YA<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">Face your fears, fight
the battle.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the
rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true
heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in
that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone—even Harper, as she desperately
tries to help him find a path to peace. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">Fight the battle, save the kingdom.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her
mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their
lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and a
magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara
questions if she can be the queen her country needs.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">As the two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is
threatened, and a dangerous enemy returns, in this stunning conclusion to
bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker series.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z2J5VDQXxpw/YLVz957CSyI/AAAAAAAAAfg/D5n2wo5sPecvPoVI5ZGTYY2lb67IHIHTACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="654" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z2J5VDQXxpw/YLVz957CSyI/AAAAAAAAAfg/D5n2wo5sPecvPoVI5ZGTYY2lb67IHIHTACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="159" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12pt;">There aren’t a lot of
books I reread, but this series I blew through a second time in preparation for the third book! Brigid
Kemmerer’s writing draws you in and never lets you go. Which is exactly how I
like to read. I really want to put exclamation marks after everything, but I
will refrain.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: verdana;">I love these characters
and the story and the writing. The first book was perfect. The second one was
good, too. There were only a couple of things that took me out of this one, but
otherwise, I got swept up. It’s hard for me to read critically with writing
like this. Just love it. And then I bought my niece the series for her
birthday. I love to share good books! </span></span><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">😊 </span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-42472896175665329352021-04-30T17:52:00.001-07:002021-04-30T17:52:09.565-07:00Tiny tiny writing exercise<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">I'm not sure where the time goes but it has gone two months now. Sheesh. And this may be the shortest blog/exercise ever. I didn't even intend it to happen this way. When I got the random word finder to pick four words and then ended up writing one sentence, well, that was it. Guess I should probably do two next time! 😀</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Anyway - here are the words and the tiny tiny writing exercise. What did you come up with?</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Bold, ceiling, bell, brain</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Could you be so bold as to break the glass ceiling so hard that bells will ring and our brains will burst with inspiration, raising us all.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">I think it could also be written this way:</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Could <i>we</i> be so bold as to break the glass ceiling so hard that bells will ring and our brains will burst with inspiration, raising us all.</span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291702009525446148.post-25869200534551635822021-02-28T15:26:00.000-08:002021-02-28T15:26:05.110-08:00Book Review: Wilderlore – The Accidental Apprentice by Amanda Foody<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;">Another
fun MG Fantasy!</span></p>
<p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-family: arial; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">From
the publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books / Simon & Schuster, releases
March 30, 2021</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">A
boy who accidentally bonds with a magical Beast must set off on an adventure in
the mysterious Woods in this whimsical and cheeky middle grade fantasy
debut—perfect for fans of Nevermoor and How to Train Your Dragon.</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">The
last thing Barclay Thorne ever wanted was an adventure.</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">Thankfully,
as an apprentice to the town’s mushroom farmer, Barclay need only work hard and
follow the rules to one day become the head mushroom farmer himself. No danger
required. But then Barclay accidentally breaks his town’s most sacred rule:
never ever EVER stray into the Woods, for within the Woods lurk vicious magical
Beasts.</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial;">To
Barclay’s horror, he faces a fate far worse than being eaten: he unwittingly
bonds with a Beast and is run out of town by an angry mob. Determined to break
this bond and return home, Barclay journeys to find the mysterious town of Lore
Keepers, people who have also bonded with Beasts and share their powers.</span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FhaMBMvjmRI/YDv8JlzlYJI/AAAAAAAAAeg/bW-sEobmrrwelicDuwZUIBqSc9kuxpZPgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="272" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FhaMBMvjmRI/YDv8JlzlYJI/AAAAAAAAAeg/bW-sEobmrrwelicDuwZUIBqSc9kuxpZPgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="163" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">The build and
climax in this story are well done. And what you think of the characters may
not be true. That was a fun twist. I loved the beasts, and it was very clever how they bonded with
their chosen humans. There are different levels of beasts, too, which give the Lore Keepers
different levels of powers.</span></span><p></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">I did have a hard
time thinking they were 11 years old. The characters sounded and felt older to
me. It didn’t prevent me from reading or bother me, but it did pop into my
head.</span></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">Barclay’s
emotional journal is also well done with a very satisfying ending.</span></span></p><p class="yiv5633262251msonormal" style="background: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">I enjoyed the book very much and will definitely
read the series as it comes out.</span></span></p>Angela Russellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14664943974694831544noreply@blogger.com0