Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

“That was the entire horror of it. But I didn’t know how to explain that.”

Sea Legs by Jules Bakes and Niki Smith

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This was a random find at the bookstore, which is why I’m such a proponent of wandering around and checking the sections I like once a month or so. You never know! Sea Legs is a middle grade graphic memoir that details Janey’s life on board her parents’ schooner. When the book opens, they’ve spent some time in Florida saving up money so they can start traveling again. Janey has enjoyed being in place long enough to go to school and has made a best […]

Cute enough, but not what I was looking for

Dragon Dancing by Carole Lexa Schaefer and Pierr Morgan

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I picked this up from my school library’s weeding pile, thinking it might be good for a Lunar New Year lesson. Given the title, I assumed it would be a story about the traditional dragon dance performed during Chinese New Year celebrations. Unfortunately, the book didn’t mention China or Chinese New Year at all, nor did it contain any information about traditional celebrations. The actual story is…fine. A group of kids are creating decorations for their friend Mei Lin’s birthday (am I imagining things or […]

Don’t choose the bear, BE the bear. (Animorphs Challenge)

The Predator by K.A. Applegate

The Capture by K.A. Applegate

The Stranger by K.A. Applegate

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By book 6 of the Animorphs series, our kids are really starting to GO THROUGH IT, and by “GO THROUGH IT,” I mean they are getting dismembered on a regular basis. Usually it’s in their animal morph though. At this point. I’m seven books into the series. Our kids have acquired dozens of animals’ DNA at this point, including vertebrates AND invertebrates. They’re also starting to lean into their favorites. For battle, Jake relies on tiger, Rachel goes elephant or bear, Cassie goes wolf, and […]

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 […]

Queen of Play Makes Everyone’s Day

Odder: An Otter's Story (Picture book) by Katherine Applegate and Charles Santoso

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I was in the right mood the other day when I found an online copy of Odder: An Otter’s Story (Picture book) by Katherine Applegate and Charles Santoso (the lovely illustrator). Because this book could be considered overly saccharine and too sugary sweet. And when something is overly sweet I can really be a real Scrooge and a Humbug it. Yet, I was in the mood for something sweet, cuddly that just might make you have a tear (or ten) in your eye. Due in […]



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