Book Review: The Last Carolina Summer by Karen White

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The Last Carolina Summer by Karen White is the story about Phoebe Manigault returning home to Mt. Pleasant, a suburb of Charleston, South Carolina, to help her sister with their ailing mother. When past memories resurface, Phoebe is thrown back into some childhood turmoil. I requested an Advanced Readers Copy ARC of The Last Carolina Summer from NetGalley, and I was ecstatic when the provided me with a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. So, a big thank you goes out to them! When I began reading this story, I just happened to be vacationing in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. I loved hearing about the different places, including streets and a bridge called the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which I had to cross to get into Mt. Pleasant as well as Isle of Palms. It's always nice to be able to visualize the places and author writes about. With that being said, I'm not a fan of traveling over bridges, and one of the scenes of The Last Carolina Summer mentions a car going off ...
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Book Review: Leeva at Last by Sara Pennypacker, Illustrated by Matthew Cordell

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Book Review Leeva at Last by Sara Pennypacker, Illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Leeva at Last written by Sara Pennypacker and illustrated by Matthew Cordell is a children's fiction book that was published on March 7, 2023 by HarperCollins Children's Books.  This story about a girl named Leeva Spayce Thornblossom who is the daughter of the mayor and the town treasurer.  Her parents are obsessed with fame and fortune and have little to do with Leeva.  With the help of the town librarian, Leeva goes on a quest to find out what people are for.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Balzer + Bray for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Leeva at Last.  I was delighted to be approved to receive this book in exchange for my honest review.

This middle grade book was an interesting read, and I wasn't really sure how I felt about it at first.  It seems like it has similar situations to the book Matilda by Roald Dahl . . . I haven't read Matilda or seen the movie, so I am basing this on the synopsis and movie trailers I've seen.  Leeva at Last is a hindrance to her parents and is basically their servant, doesn't attend school, and isn't allowed to leave the yard with the exception of retrieving the newspaper.  Knowing that this book focuses on child neglect from a child's perspective and makes it seem okay, I think it's a book that parents should read as well so they can discuss this very serious topic with their kid.  Other topics in this children's novel include obsessive compulsive disorder and stage fright.

With that being said, I do like the fact that Leeva ends up choosing her family and figuring out that what her biological parents are doing is not okay.  Additionally, she helps her friends conquer their obstacles despite her abhorrent upbringing, which is a great lesson for kids . . . you can overcome your circumstances.

All in all, Leeva at Last written by Sara Pennypacker and illustrated by Matthew Cordell was an intriguing read with many life lessons.  Four out of five stars.

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