Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na) ROBIN!

Batman and Robin and Howard by Jeffrey Brown

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One reviewer from Goodreads said Batman and Robin and Howard was (to be more polite) less than intelligent, and while I will not disagree, I think they missed the point. This is an over the top, fun, story about being the new kid vs. the before kid at school. The story of two people who do not click and make assumptions about each other. It is a goofy way to help kids try and see both sides of the cape. While the adult doofus Batman […]

Take a bow

Middle School Misadventures by Jason Platt

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My weekend included too much laundry, a miserably cold and rainy Saturday, not feeling well but actually reading a few easy children’s reads (in between getting seating ready on the front porch finally). Granted, most were not huge hits, but Middle School Misadventures by Jason Platt was not a miss. This is a typical slacker kid story who gets by with (a lot of) help from his friends. It is a “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” like story with more realistic, cartoon images. Also, either […]

I’m a little bit of Iveliz

Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango

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Iveliz Explains It All is a modern story about coming to terms with depression, grief, growing up, reaching out for help and all that is in between. It is relatable even to adults who have gone through the issues or are even currently going through the issues Iveliz must deal with. While best for ages 10 and up, even someone who is going through issues or for friends of those dealing with these issues will enjoy. Afterall, it is just a good, story. This book […]

Up Up and Crash… after saving the day

Sort of Super by Eric Gapstu

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At first, I almost did not finish this book due in March 2022.  I was thinking that Sort of Super was just another kid superhero who has the brain of a grape. One should not be thinking “Dumba$$” about an eleven-year-old/middle school kid. But Wyatt is a dumb dumba$$. I understand not being able to handle his powers or having misunderstandings (we all have had to calibrate to our “other left”), but even a kid should know what a “Muggle Dumbledore” means (not that he […]

The more serious New Year Story

New Year (a Lunar New Year Book for Kids) by Mei Zihan

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New Year (a Lunar New Year Book for Kids) has a mature theme. Even the description of this book from the publisher uses words that set the tone of the book. It says it is a “moving…cride Coeur” and “dislocation is countered by acceptance…” and “Chinese diaspora.”  Huh? I just wanted a nice book about the Chinese New Year. I mean, it is a nice book that Mei Zihan has created, but well over the head of most picture book readers. I went farther along […]

Fathers and Sons

Knock Knock by Daniel Beaty

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I was hoping for something different when I saw the cover of Knock Knock by Daniel Beaty. I was not completely sure what I excepted, but I thought it would be about the waiting for the knock and the joy we feel after we open it for that “surprise” on the other side. Be that surprise is a new sibling, a parent coming home from work or school or was in the service. Or the joy of having a grandparent or sibling that lives far […]



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