Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Immigrant Story Written in Verse

Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca

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“No matter where I go, America or India, I don’t quite fit.” Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca is a middle grade novel written in verse about a 1st generation Indian immigrant  Reha. Reha is a 13-year-old girl living in the Boston area in the 1980s. Reha feels like she is stuck between two worlds, school where she is the only Indian American and spends time with her friend Rachel, and the weekends where she has her family, holidays, traditions, and her friend Sunny. Reha […]

It has crabs

A is for Axolotl: An Unusual Animal ABC. by Catherine Macorol

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I admit when I first heard of a fossa, I thought it was something made up for one of the Madagascar movies. But NO! It is REAL! As are all the wonderful and goofy animals you will find in A is for Axolotl: An Unusual Animal ABC. First, you might need to learn how to pronounce such critters as axolotl, quokka, vaquita, and others. There is (at least in my reader copy) no pronunciation guide.  Catherine Macorol, next time, even if it is a reader […]

Sequel love

Heartstopper: Volume Two by Alice Oseman

Asadora! V03 by Naoki Urasawa

Magical History Tour #9: The Titanic by Fabrice Erre

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It is rare a sequel is as good as the first. However, sometimes there is one that you like even more “just because” you do. Maybe it is because the character is your favorite, or maybe it is because you relate to the character, or the author really got into the story and is moving things along. These three books may or may not better than the first, but they are just as good. I was able to relate to Nick in Heartstopper: Volume Two. […]

1 plus 1 equals two chicken books

Arithmechicks Add Up: A Math Story by Ann Marie Stephens

Arithmechicks Take Away: A Math Story by Ann Marie Stephens

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If you want a book about math, you need to find Arithmechicks Add Up: A Math Story and Arithmechicks Take Away: A Math Story. Now, these are not just your “one plus one” or “two minus one” stories. A lot is going on allowing them to be fairly busy. Therefore, while the format and the images are for the younger group, the older (up to first grade, maybe low second) can read as well.  There is much to the text and some concepts (which are […]

Get your kicks with these

Kicks by Van G. Garrett

Girl Dad by Sean William

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Two decent books, but neither GRABED me.  Of course, if a book did grab me, that is a WHOLE other story! The first is Kicks by Van G. Garrett (which sounds like a cool name for a sneaker brand to start with). This is a lyrical book of a young child who just enjoys his “kicks” or his shoes. He shows all the fun and nifty things he can do, be, and how awesome his shoes are. Younger children can enjoy the seriously booming off […]

A new alphabet

Letters to Live By: An Alphabet Book with Intention by Lisa Frenkel Riddiough

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I was not sure how Letters to Live By: An Alphabet Book with Intention would present itself. What is an “intention” alphabet book? It seemed a little old fashioned. Maybe it would more spiritual?  Maybe it would a bit more conservative? It was not conservative, but it was with a classic tone and some “old fashioned” but needed ideas. What Lisa Frenkel Riddiough did was take the alphabet and paired same lettered words to teach such concepts as generosity, excellence, joy, and compassion. I was […]



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