Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time
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Freshly squished (from frozen)

The Lemonade War Book 1 by Jacqueline Davies

August 26, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

While reading The Lemonade War Book 1 by Jacqueline Davies I did not think I would write it up here. It came out in the early 2000s. How could it still be relevant? Wouldn’t everyone have already read it? Therefore, I didn’t make arrangements to post. Then I was sitting at my work desk (a few days after finishing) and it had been mixing itself inside me, like mixing bugs and lemonade. Or: it was not sitting right. Why not talk about an almost 25 […]

Filed Under: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Fiction Tagged With: Business, Careers, friendship, Jacqueline Davies, math, Occupations, siblings, Social Themes, values

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:381 · Genres: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Fiction · Tags: Business, Careers, friendship, Jacqueline Davies, math, Occupations, siblings, Social Themes, values ·
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Presenting Hesse and Karas awesome collaboration

Night Job by Karen Hesse

April 25, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Night Job by Karen Hesse and illustrated by G. Brian Karas was almost put aside to read. It is not due until later October 2025, but I needed to see how these two would work together. I think of Hesse as a slightly more serious author and Karas as a lighter illustrator. Not saying it couldn’t work, but first thoughts are first thoughts. And they became probably one of my new favorite duos. The story is a bit on the lighter side allowing Karas almost […]

Filed Under: Children's Books, Fiction Tagged With: & Sons, Careers, children of working parents, Daily Activities, family, Fathers and sons, G. Brian Karas, jobs, Karen Hesse, night jobs, night work, Occupations, parents, School custodians, work and family, working parents

BlackRaven's CBR17 Review No:208 · Genres: Children's Books, Fiction · Tags: & Sons, Careers, children of working parents, Daily Activities, family, Fathers and sons, G. Brian Karas, jobs, Karen Hesse, night jobs, night work, Occupations, parents, School custodians, work and family, working parents ·
Rating:
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Frankie is the Gal with the Pals!

Frankie and Friends: The Big Protest by Christine Platt

Frankie and Friends: The Lost Tooth by Christine Platt

October 1, 2024 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

One of the main things I like about Frankie and Friends: The Big Protest by Christine Platt is that things are presented in a kid friendly way. By using the journalistic approach (which is described) we are able to see how such things as “big news” is carried out. And this accessible language (with a glossary of the highlighted words) allows us as kids (aged six/seven to read to, eight/nine to read solo) and adults to have a neat read and learn about not only […]

Filed Under: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Fiction Tagged With: African American & Black, Business, Careers, Christine Platt, coming-of-age, family, friendship, journalism, newspapers, Occupations, reporters, Social Themes, Tooth Fairy

BlackRaven's CBR16 Review No:470 · Genres: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Fiction · Tags: African American & Black, Business, Careers, Christine Platt, coming-of-age, family, friendship, journalism, newspapers, Occupations, reporters, Social Themes, Tooth Fairy ·
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Wednesday’s child might be full of woe, but our Wednesday keeps on trying

Wednesday Wilson Connects the Dots by Bree Galbraith

March 26, 2024 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I was not really the audience for the book Wednesday Wilson Connects the Dots. However, it is well written by Bree Galbraith, has good representation with a diverse cast, and is a familiar story of friendship, business sense and valuing yourself and work. The illustrations by Morgan Goble help transition from a mostly illustrated read to a mostly text read and gives you pieces that might not be picked up by the words. I was not aware this was a series until after reading, so […]

Filed Under: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Fiction Tagged With: Bree Galbraith, Business, Businesspeople, Careers, family, friendship, Girls & Women, Morgan Goble, Occupations, school, self-esteem, siblings

BlackRaven's CBR16 Review No:122 · Genres: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Fiction · Tags: Bree Galbraith, Business, Businesspeople, Careers, family, friendship, Girls & Women, Morgan Goble, Occupations, school, self-esteem, siblings ·
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Extra Extra Read All about Frankie and her Hard News Investigating Crew!

Frankie and Friends V01 Breaking News by Christine Platt

January 23, 2024 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

CBR16SweetChallenge #Cozy (the book turned into a cozy read) I picked up a slightly shelf worn copy of Frankie and Friends V01 Breaking News the other day, though I was not sure why. The cover was not “grabbing me” (there are toys and a girl who looks like a doll herself) but maybe it was because it was short, and I was looking for something that was quick and easy. When I needed a quick break from the more intense stories I was reading (a graphic novel about racism and […]

Filed Under: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Fiction, Mystery Tagged With: African American girls, Alea Marley, Business, Careers, Christine Platt, Dolls & Puppets, families, family, imagination, journalism, Occupations, siblings, Sisters, Social Themes, toys

BlackRaven's CBR16 Review No:32 · Genres: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Fiction, Mystery · Tags: African American girls, Alea Marley, Business, Careers, Christine Platt, Dolls & Puppets, families, family, imagination, journalism, Occupations, siblings, Sisters, Social Themes, toys ·
Rating:
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Jerry Pinkney, Caldecott Medal winner and illustrator

Just Jerry: How Drawing Shaped My Life by Jerry Pinkney

November 6, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

While I knew who Jerry Pinkney was, I was not familiar with his personal life. But Just Jerry: How Drawing Shaped My Life is a lovely memoir that highlights the important and beautiful parts of his life as he made his journey to becoming the artist we know today.  His memoir, starting off with a note from the editor, is something that is more than an autobiography. It is a look at parts of the life of a man who would win awards and show the […]

Filed Under: Biography/Memoir, Children's Books, History, Non-Fiction, Young Adult Tagged With: 1940s. 1950s, art, Careers, drawing, family, illustrators, Jerry Pinkney, Philadelphia, Social Themes

BlackRaven's CBR15 Review No:795 · Genres: Biography/Memoir, Children's Books, History, Non-Fiction, Young Adult · Tags: 1940s. 1950s, art, Careers, drawing, family, illustrators, Jerry Pinkney, Philadelphia, Social Themes ·
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