Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

About BlackRaven

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I am a Professional Book Pusher. Reading is a passion, as is writing, bragging about nephews, and alligator wrestling. My first year participating was 2018. (Learn more about this Cannonballer: BlackRaven's Quick Questions interview.)

BlackRaven's Reviews:

It lost originality points, but makes up for it with important representation points

Pride by Eric Huang and Amy Phelps

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I have several places where I can review a book. One of them has a list of points the book could hit. One of those is Originality. And here is where Pride by Eric Huang and illustrated by Amy Phelps loses points. No, this book is not original. We have other books out there on the subject of pride, on the subject of celebrations, and expression of family. Therefore, why purchase/read this book? Well, if nothing else, the illustrations are really fun. But the way […]

Chloe, Maude and Sandra

Chloe and Maude, by Sandra Boynton

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Chloe and Maude, written and illustrated by Sandra Boynton, is a cute early reader in the line of Frog and Toad or other best friend silliness. The art of Boynton has all the feels she is known for. This is a collection of a handful of short stories that include two besties, Chloe and Maude. They do best friend things, have fun, even pretend. For the adult reader, things are oversimplified and repetitive, but this is good for the early/starting to read solo reader and/or […]

One of those books I hated everything about it, but DANG! is it a fun trip!

The Girl Who Flew Away by Lee Dean

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The Girl Who Flew Away by Lee Dean was sent to me as an online reader copy. And I am glad of that as this is the kind of book I hate everything about… yet it is one of the most amazing books I have read.  We are getting a slice of life from some really not nice people (including our girl who flew/the point of view the story is told from) who are just trying to get out alive. The feeling of the time […]

Picture it: 2002; rural Rigsby, Wisconsin

Foothold: Rigsby WI by S.E. Case

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Foothold: Rigsby WI by S.E. Case is a typical coming of age story that has some mature themes and language, therefore it is not for the too young or sensitive reader. Overall, it feels like a realistic and interesting portrayal of five high school students (four in high school, one who is homeschooled by her aunt). It is a story that is familiar and has a typical feeling of the era it is set (early 2000s, high school). As this seems to be volume one […]

Why does it matter who drew it if it’s good?

Botticelli's Apprentice by Ursula Murray Husted

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Botticelli’s Apprentice  is a nice cozy read that is not just a “girl wants to paint because can’t because, you know, “girl” story.”  While this book is not a “perfect five” (there are a few things I was not 100% liking (sorry Blue, you’re cute, but OMG what a problem pup!) it is almost there.  It was a book I read in almost one sitting (and probably would have if it hadn’t been online). Ursula Murray Husted has a story that is about the time, […]

Picture books! Picture books! Take a look!

Night Flight by David Barclay Moore and Briana Mukodiri Uchendu

One Diwali Day: Festivals of the World by Dev Kothari and Aditi Anand

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Picture books! Picture books! Here give ‘em a look. Night Flight by David Barclay Moore and illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu (due late September/early October 2025) Why talk about a book so far out? Because it is something that will be worth the wait. It is a lovely illustrated bedtime story that is sweet, inclusive and modern. The use of a prehistoric animal we do not usually get is a nice touch as well. We have a same sex couple of dads, and the family […]



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