โLibraries are like a net, there to catch those of us in danger of falling through the cracks.โ Freya Sampson, The Last Chance Library Goodreads Synopsis June Jones emerges from her shell to fight for her beloved local library, and through the efforts and support of an eclectic group of library patrons, she discovers life-changing friendships... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the Week: What We Found in the Sofa and How it Saved the World by Henry Clark
Summary: When River, Freak, and Fiona discover a mysterious sofa sitting at their bus stop, their search for loose change produces a rare zucchini-colored crayon. Little do they know this peculiar treasure is about to launch them into the middle of a plot to conquer the world! The kids' only hope is to trap the... Continue Reading →
Book Review: Thumb Fire Desire by Carol Nickles
I received a free ebook copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Description In the Spring of 1881, indigent seamstress Ginny Dahlke arrives in one of the earliest Polish American settlementsโParisville, Michigan. Deemed charmless and awkward by her mean-spirited sister-in-law, Ginny disparages her chance of securing love. But sought-after widowed... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the Week: The Unteachables by Gordon Korman
Summary Kiana is spending two months with her father and "stepmonster" while her mother films a movie. On the way to register for her new school her baby brother gets sick and her stepmother rushes off to the doctors before she can register Kiana for classes. Due to a mix-up at that office she ends... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the Week: Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
Summary After his father loses his job, Georges' family moves to a Brooklyn apartment building. The first day there he notices an invitation to join a spy club. He thinks it's a joke, but then he meets Safer and his sister, Candy. Safer pulls Georges into a mission to spy on their mysterious neighbor, Mr.... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the Week: Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Summary When a ship carrying robots crashes on a deserted island, most of the machines are destroyed. Otters from the island find one still intact, and inadvertently activate it. Knowing no other life, the robot, Roz, learns through observing the animals. At first, they think she's a monster, but as they get to know her... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the Week: Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine.
This is really my book from last week, but I did not finish in time. Hoping to squeeze in another one in the next few days so I'm back on schedule. Summary It's 1958 and Little Rock, Arkansas is divided over the issue of desegregation. As the book opens Marlee Nisbett is more concerned with... Continue Reading →
My Favorite Read of July 2022
Just when you think this war has taken everything you loved, you meet someone and realize that somehow you still have more to give. Ruta Sepetys, Salt to the Sea Goodreads Synopsis While the Titanic and Lusitania are both well-documented disasters, the single greatest tragedy in maritime history is the little-known January 30, 1945 sinking in... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the week: Heroes Like Us: Two Stories by Onjali Q. Raรบf
Goodreads Link This week I was fortunate to receive an eARC copy of Heroes Like Us: Two Stories by Onjali Q. Raรบfroes from NetGalley. This review is based on my own personal opinions. Summary Heroes Like Us is a collection of two stories in which children make a difference and become heroes. The first story,... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the Week: Al Capone Throws me a Curve by Gennifer Choldenko
Goodreads Link For this week's middle grade book, I returned to one of my favorite middle grade series: Tales from Alcatraz. Summary Al Capone Throws Me A Curve is book four in the Tales from Alcatraz Series. The Flanagans, like the other families of Alcatraz guards live on Alcatraz. Moose, the narrator, always tries to... Continue Reading →