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Showing posts from June, 2023

Book Review: Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice (Finlay Donovan, #4) by Elle Cosimano

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Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice (Finlay Donovan, #4)  by Elle Cosimano opens with Finlay Donovan and her nanny, Vero, planning a trip to Atlantic City to pay off some debts, find Javi, and retrieve a stolen car.  But first, they come up with a cover story that backfires miserably.  Finlay and Vero have to be clever and sneaky to accomplish what they set out to do, but will they have to come clean? Thank you, NetGalley, for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice (Finlay Donovan, #4) by Elle Cosimano.  This is one of the books I was most excited about being able to read before it was in stores.  I received the eBook for free in exchange for my honest review. The fourth installment picks up where the last book ended and ties up the loose ends from Finlay Donovan Knocks Them Dead (Finlay Donovan, #3)  . . . so much so that I thought that this was going to be the last book in the series.  However, Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice ends up having a couple of cliffhangers,
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Book Review: All The Lovely Bad Ones, A Graphic Novel by Mary Downing Hahn

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All The Lovely Bad Ones, A Graphic Novel by Mary Downing Hahn is a graphic novel adaption of the book of the same name.  Travis and Corey are spending the summer at their grandmother's inn.  The children love a good prank, but one of the pranks goes wrong when they awaken ghosts that wreak havoc at the inn.  Can Travis and Corey stop these ghosts? I'd like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of All The Lovely Bad Ones, A Graphic Novel by Mary Downing Hahn.  I loved this author growing up and hadn't read this particular book.  When I saw that this book was being turned into a graphic novel, I knew I had to read it.  I was ecstatic that my request to read it was approved. The storyline is an intriguing one and perfect to read around Halloween.  It's spooky, not scary.  It was engaging and held my interest.  Since I'm not the target audience, the story was a little young for me.  I'd recommend this story f
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Book Review: I Am An Antiracist Superhero! by Jennifer Nicole Bacon

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I Am An Antiracist Superhero! by Jennifer Nicole Bacon is a children's book that focuses on having kids between the ages of four and eight empower themselves to be an antiracist superhero through look, listen, feel, and act. Thank you to NetGalley and Shambhala Publications, Inc. for the digital version of an Advanced Readers Copy of I Am An Antiracist Superhero! by Jennifer Nicole Bacon.  I was interested to see what this book would offer as lesson for children to be an antiracist, so I was happy to be approved to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review. The lessons taught in this children's book were fantastic and done in a way that children can understand.  The story is well written and illustrations are fantastic.  This book is perfect for teachers to actually teach the lesson in preschool, kindergarten, first grade, and second grade.  It even includes activities that can be done in the classroom or even as a homework assignment with parents.  The lessons
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Book Review: The Shadow Sister by Lily Meade

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The Shadow Sister by Lily Meade opens with Casey, her parents, and others searching for her older sister, Sutton, who has been missing for a week.  When Sutton suddenly appears, everyone is thrilled, but there's something different about her.  Sutton has amnesia and wants to spend all her time with Casey, which is something she never wanted to do before she went missing.  What happened to Sutton during that week?  The more Casey uncovers, the more confused she becomes. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the digital Advanced Readers Copy of The Shadow Sister by Lily Meade.  I was thrilled to have my request to read this book approved.  I received it for free in exchange for my honest review. Not knowing anything about Lily Meade prior to this book, I wasn't sure what to expect.  At first, I found the story to be a little slow.  I found all the characters, with the exception of the dad, to be unlikable.  With that being said, I'm glad I stuck with it because ap
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Book Review: Sick Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg

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Sick Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg opens with teacher Mrs. Hartwell calling in sick to school.  When the substitute teacher doesn't show up, the other faculty and staff members fill in and chaos ensues.  Told from alternating perspectives, we see what several of the students think as well as what Mrs. Hartwell does on her sick day. A big thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the digital Advanced Readers Copy of Sick Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg.  I was excited that my request to review this book was approved.  I received a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. When I requested this book, I wasn't aware that it's part of a book series.  This children's book was exceptionally well written, and the illustrations are absolutely fantastic.  This is the perfect book for children between the ages of five and eight.  It reminds me of a modern day version of Miss Nelson is Missing (Miss Nelson, #1) by Harry Allard.  Even as an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed t
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Book Review: Misfortune Cookie (Noodle Shop Mystery, #9) by Vivien Chien

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Misfortune Cookie (Noodle Shop Mystery, #9) by Vivien Chien is a cozy mystery is about Lana, who is officially the manager of her family's restaurant, traveling to Irvine, California for a convention.  Her sister, Anna May, joins her on the trip, and they stay at their Aunt Grace's rental property.  When Lana witnesses an alteration between one of the convention vendors and a journalist, she's upset.  The trip is further soured when that journalist is murdered at an event that Lana, Anna May, and Aunt Grace are attending.  Who killed her?  Lana and Aunt Grace take it upon themselves to investigate. Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the digital copy of an Advanced Readers Copy of Misfortune Cookie (Noodle Shop Mystery, #9) by Vivien Chien.  I was happy to be approved to read this book.  I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. At first, I wasn't really sure what to expect with this book as I had never read anything written by V
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Book Review: Princess Diana (Little People, Big Dreams, #98) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

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Princess Diana (Little People, Big Dreams, #98) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is a children's book detailing the life of Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales in a kid friendly way.  The expected publication is September 5, 2023. Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children's Books, for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Princess Diana (Little People, Big Dreams, #98) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara.  I was delighted to be approved to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review. This book is perfect for children between the ages of five and seven and is a great way to introduce kids to non-fiction stories.  Not knowing much about Princess Diana, I actually learned something about her.  I had no idea that Diana had an eating disorder.  In my opinion, this biography is a great way for parents to have a discussion about eating disorders with their child.  The illustrations by Archita Khosla were fantastic and added to the story. Five out of
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Book Review: Monsters at Christmas by Laura Baker, Illustrated by Nina Dzyvulska

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Monsters at Christmas by Laura Baker and illustrated by Nina Dzyvulska is a children's book about how monsters prepare for the Christmas holiday.  The expected publication date is September 5, 2023. Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children's Books for the advanced readers copy (ARC) of Monsters at Christmas by Laura Baker.  Christmas has always been one of my favorite holidays, especially as a child, so I was happy to be approved to read this book.  I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. Perfect for children that are toddlers, this book is perfect to help kids learn how to read with all the rhyming sentences.  It's a bit reminiscent of a Dr. Seuss book.  I like the fact that the book shows kids that monsters aren't always scary and can enjoy activities that others enjoy. The illustrations were fantastic and fun to look at.  At the end of the book, the author asks if we saw the "Christmas Monster"
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Book Review: Hidden Beneath (Maine Clambake Mystery, #11) by Barbara Ross

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Hidden Beneath (Maine Clambake Mystery, #11) by Barbara Ross is the story about Julia and her mother Jacqueline attending a memorial service on Chipmunk Island for Ginny, who was an old friend of Jacqueline.  When something seems off at the memorial, Julia decides to delve into the cold case of Ginny, and in the process of the investigation, a murder takes place on the island. Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Books, for the Advanced Readers Copy of Hidden Beneath (Maine Clambake Mystery, #11) by Barbara Ross in exchange for my honest review.  I first became familiar with this series and author while reading a collection of short stories that included one from the Maine Clambake Mystery series.  I was excited when I was approved to read this newest book and was not disappointed. This newest edition can be read as a stand alone as the author does a fantastic job of recapping the backstories of the characters from previous books in the series.  I found all the main characters to be
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