Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

No matter how they look, a sister is a sister

My Sister the Apple Tree by Jordan Scott, Jamal Saeed, and Zahra Marwan

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Diversity  CBR17 Pie Chart Challenge My Sister the Apple Tree by Jordan Scott, Jamal Saeed, and Zahra Marwan is due this fall (September 2025). I was able to read it via an online reader copy. Now, I know I probably won’t be purchasing a finished copy for myself, but this book is a very contemporary themed picture book that is good for the older reader and should be read.  A young child starts their story with the birth of twin goats. They are envious that […]

Our Universe

Sophie Shares the Stars by Heather Smith and Catherine Petit

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Sophie Shares the Stars by Heather Smith and Catherine Petit is an interesting book due to the different layers it has. First, it is an adoption story. Sophie has lived with “”My Michael” since she was three. And this is why she calls him what she does and his mother “Our Julia.” But the second level is he is a “real” parent as he does the things all good parents do, takes care of her when she is sick, helps her clean up messes, and […]

Look forward with the words of Watson

Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson and Ekua Holmes

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Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson was one of those books I had heard about, seen, but never really wanted to read. I mean, I like young adult literature, I like poetry and I like young adult poetry. However, I judged the book by the cover and theme. I assumed it would be some flowery “poor me” story. Instead, it is a truly strong and amazing short collection of poems that are relatable, informative and thoughtful. The language is lovely, but straight forward. […]

Second verse, same as the first

Dungeon Club: Time to Party (Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Club, #2) by Molly Knox Ostertag

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I keep seeing the name Molly Knox Ostertag and I think, “Have I read them?” And I stop, think some more and say, “Yes! Oh duh! They have done….” and think about a book or two they have created. Why I can’t remember them I am not really sure. After all, they are a good author. So, I feel really bad that this name escapes me, but I assure you, you should not let Ostertag escape you! Dungeon Club: Time to Party (Dungeons & Dragons: […]

And the Band Played On

And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic by Randy Shilts

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The numbers of AIDS cases measured the shame of the nation….The United States, the one nation with the knowledge, the resources, and the institutions to respond to the epidemic, had failed. And it had failed because of ignorance and fear, prejudice and rejection. The story of the AIDS epidemic was that simple….it was a story of bigotry and what it could do to a nation. I moved from New York to San Francisco in 1990, when I was 21 years old. I vividly remember sitting […]

Beloved rain boots and a lesson

Green Jolene: Green Jolene and the Neighborhood Swap (Disney Planet Possible) by Wendy Mass and Billy Yong

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Reader copies come and they go, and one that came into my life was Green Jolene: Green Jolene and the Neighborhood Swap (Disney Planet Possible) by Wendy Mass and illustrator Billy Yong. Currently available, I plan on finding a copy as I need to see the final images. This is a short story that mixes a bit Junie B. Jones, Eloise, and a lot of modern sentiments to get this generation’s spunky bossy pants who loves her friends, family, dog and saving the world. Jolene […]



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