Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

This reminds me of a younger Summer of My German Soldier

Enemies in the Orchard: A World War 2 Novel in Verse by Dana VanderLugt

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Enemies in the Orchard: A World War 2 Novel in Verse by Dana VanderLugt is a combination of a sweet and informative book. Perhaps it is also a bit idealistic, as it shows a part of World War II that is not known as well as other parts of American history, and is done in a “less intense” way. It is an interesting look at war and friendship nonetheless. There is a double POV story telling that is a familiar format, but adds to the […]

I really got into Leila Boukarim books!

Mariam’s Dream: The Story of Mariam Al-Shaar and Her Food Truck of Hope by Leila Boukarim

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Leila Boukarim’s Mariam’s Dream: The Story of Mariam Al-Shaar and Her Food Truck of Hope is not a biography about a “woman done good.” Or an Arab woman “done good” or even an Arab refugee woman “done good.” It is all those things and much more. It shows that even if you were born into a situation where all you knew was being a refugee or if you have many obstacles to overcome, you can make your dream come true. Of course, that is a […]

I only counted one of the four as they are short short (but cute) board books

Hello, Beach! by Katherine Pryor and Rose Soini

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All three board books which were read, were read via an online reader copy. All (but the one I have not yet read) are currently available. If you like easy board books that have a seasonal overtone, then the Katherine Pryor and Rose Soini books are for you. We have the books Hello, Beach!, Hello, Rain!, and Hello, Garden!  And due in September 2025 is Hello, Snow! Overall, things are terribly simple as they are aimed at not just the board book crowd to look […]

Jukebox TARDIS

Jukebox by Nidhi Chanani

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Shaheen is a tween whose father is super into old music, and boy does he love to talk about it. He never talks about anything else. Shaheen explodes at him one day in an innocent fight, but then her father goes missing. The last place he was seen was at his favorite old record store. Shaheen and her cousin Tannez go investigate, and discover a unique jukebox in the attic of the abandoned store. They put a record on to play, a Bessie Smith album. […]

Kerbel and Lo Present: Animals

What About an Elephant?: A Fact-Filled Savanna Adventure by Deborah Kerbel

What About an Octopus?: A Fact-Filled Underwater Adventure by Deborah Kerbel

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I was looking through a recent email sent to me via a publisher. They were promoting a few new books and What About an Elephant?: A Fact-Filled Savanna Adventure by Deborah Kerbel and illustrated by Dawn Lo was one of them (it is due in mid-August 2025). There was a companion title, What About an Octopus?: A Fact-Filled Underwater Adventure also by Kerbel and Lo (but is currently available) advertised as well. I looked around and found online reader copies for both. While I was […]

I’m on a role with Author Leila Boukarim

Rima and the Painter by Leila Boukarim

Lost Words: An Armenian Story of Survival and Hope by Leila Boukarim

Sundays Are for Feasts by Leila Boukarim

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Once upon a time there was a day where picture books were read. Each one was special in their own way, but since they were picture books I didn’t want to weaken their goodness with a too long review for each one individually, Therefore, I put them in one review. Each one was read via an online reader copy. I will start with Rima and the Painter by Leila Boukarim and illustrated by Melissa Iwai. Due later in July 2025, this book is about a […]



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