Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Speak Ally

Like That Eleanor: The Amazing Power of Being an Ally by Lee Wind and Kelly Mangan

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Once upon a time an online reader copy showed up in my daily activities. Winning it in a reader copy grab has nothing to do with my feelings when I write my review of Like That Eleanor: The Amazing Power of Being an Ally by Lee Wind and illustrated by Kelly Mangan. This due in April 2025 book has many pluses, but also a few minuses. I will start with the first plus: Our character of the story, Eleanor, is named after the historical Eleanor […]

You Cannot See the Face of God

Pavil's Mask by Jérémy Perrodeau

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Point one: I read Pavil’s Mask by Jérémy Perrodeau in English, though my images taken from the online reader site I was reading this from, are in what I am assuming is French.  Point two: I know I say it often, but this book was f’d up! But not in a bad way. Or even, a good way. It is what it is. The story is based in a Chinese lore and has feelings of other Asian cultures and Indigenous cultures with a large and […]

Yeah, I’d read it again

Continental Drifter by Kathy MacLeod

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Honestly, there are not many surprises in Continental Drifter by Kathy MacLeod. Granted, there might be a few “oh didn’t expect that to go exactly that way,” but for the most part, you know where our narrator is going and how things will probably turn out. Yet, it is an enjoyable read for the adult reader and the pre-teen/early teen will experience it new. We follow Kathy’s (based on the author’s own experiences) story as family, friendship and belonging all come together. This makes a […]

Who knew far….ah feelings were so expressive

Feelings Are Like Farts by Tara Wosiski and Toshiki Nakamura

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I am not going to make the puns and comments that Feelings Are Like Farts make as it will take away from your actual reading of the book. However, I will say that Christopher Willard, PsyD, Tara Wosiski, and illustrator Toshiki Nakamura probably had a blast making this book. Like a fart, feelings can sneak up on you, be loud, smelly, embarrassing, or give relief. But exploring them, realizing they are natural and finding a safe place to let them go, or finding a safe […]

She’s an inspiration

Daughter of the Light-Footed People: The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion Lorena Ramírez by Belen Medin

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I have read about women who ran in skirts because it was more modest. People who ran barefooted. And athletes who honor their religion by wearing a hajib. And yes, these things are controversial, but also amazing and inspiring. And Daughter of the Light-Footed People: The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion Lorena Ramírez is also inspiring. Ramirez is from an extremely impoverished area of Mexico. But due to the life her people lead,  they are able to build up the strength and stamina required to […]

The community of solstice

Winter Solstice Wish by Kate Allen Fox and Elisa Paganelli

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I am not jumping up and down and saying Winter Solstice Wish by Kate Allen Fox and illustrated by Elisa Paganelli (currently available, but I read via an online reader copy) is the best solstice book ever, but I am jumping in to say this is a nice and slightly different approach to the subject. What I have seen for solstice books tend to show more winter scenes and events done to celebrate the seasonal moment. When we find the shortest day of the year, […]



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