Book Review: X Marks The Haunt by Lindsay Currie

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X Marks The Haunt  by Lindsay Currie is a chilling middle grade horror novel that begins with Will Stone conducting genealogy research at Graceland Cemetery, where his mother works. When an old crypt key goes missing, it unleashes a sinister force within the cemetery, draining the lake and slowly sucking the life from the surrounding trees. As the eerie presence grows stronger, Will and his friends must rely on his unique knowledge and investigative skills to uncover the truth and put a stop to the dangerous energy wreaking havoc before it consumes everything in its path. I'd like to thank NetGalley, Random House Children's Books, and Delacorte Press for approving my request for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of X Marks The Haunt  by Lindsay Currie. All I knew about the novel before I read it was that it was a children's horror book, and I loved the cover! I received a digital copy for free in exchange for my honest review. First and foremost, the story was exceptionally a...
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Book Review: Troop Esme by Lourdes Heuer and Marissa Valdez

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NetGalley Children's Book Review of Troop Esme by Lourdes Heuer and Marissa Valdez
Troop Esme by Lourdes Heuer and Marissa Valdez is an illustrated chapter book for young children between the ages of three and eight. It opens with Wendall stopping by Esme's apartment to sell boxes of his Badger Troop Cookies to earn a badge. Esme thinks it would be a great idea to start her own troop called Troop Esme so she can help Wendall achieve his goal.

I'd like to thank NetGalley for providing me an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Troop Esme for free in exchange for my honest review. Although I'm not the target audience for this book, I knew I just had to read and review it because my cat that passed away was named Esme.

First and foremost, the pacing of the story was fantastic. It keeps the reader engaged and wanting more. Parents, teachers, siblings, etc. won't get bored reading the story for the umpteenth time. The style of writing reminds me of a book called Jellybeans for Breakfast that I read and loved as a child. Needless to say, I absolutely feel in love with Troop Esme. The illustrations are fantastic as well. It gives the reader a lot of different visualizations to complete the story.

Secondly, the story teaches children a lesson about helping others without it feeling like it's teaching a lesson. It gives adults the perfect opportunity to have a discussion afterwards and even put together a project of helping out someone, even if it's a simple as taking the mail up to an elderly person's front door. 

This is definitely a book that I will recommend to teachers and friends with children between the ages of three and eight. Five out of five stars is what I give Troop Esme by Lourdes Heuer and Marissa Valdez.

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