Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Maybe if I write a poem to a tree it’ll write back and give me pointers on my poetry…..

Poetree by Shauna Lavoy Reynolds

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While the ending is a bit cliched, over all Poetree is a fun way to introduce poetry to that “middle aged” young reader. The poetry is mixed into the story, therefore, making this not only a poetry book, but one with a story. Which is, friendship comes in unusual places. Shauna Lavoy Reynolds tells the story of a young girl who thinks the tree she finds most lovely, is writing poems back to her after she leaves one for it. Therefore, she write s more […]

Stay up all night reading about The Nocturnals!

The Chestnut Challenge by Tracey Hecht

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I read another one of the Nocturnals series last year. It was at a lower level than this one, but the type of story and flow of the story are the same. The Chestnut Challenge is Tracey Hecht’s attempt at doing a moral story about cheating. While the theme of to be a winner one does not cheat and to have fun when playing a game has been done before, this is a good addition. The great part of the fact that there are higher […]

We wish you a Merry Happy Tradition with family and friends

The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco

Leila in Saffron by Rukhsanna Guidroz

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An Irish tradition around the corner (St. Patrick’s Day) and the coincidence of reading two books, back-to-back about tradition, made this post possible! The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco is traditional Polacco. The love of family, history, tradition and friendship bounce off the page. The appreciation of Hanukkah and Christmas traditions (at first separate, but later, specially mixed together) is a tribute to the spirit of the season. Having a Christmas Tree might not be Polacco’s family “way”, but they know how to […]

Hey Diddle Diddle the Dog and the Fiddle & the Bear played the Piano

The Bear, the Piano, the Dog, and the Fiddle by David Litchfield

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The Bear, the Piano, the Dog, and the Fiddle is not as strong as the first book, The Bear and the Piano. Which is not saying a lot, as I was not jumping for joy over the first one. However, David Litchfield introduces the theme of jealousy in a manner that is accessible for children. Fiddle-playing Hector and his dog, Hugo, are best friends. But since there is a new sensation happening (a bear that plays the piano) people no longer what to listen to […]

If he can stay on track

Track #01: Ghost by Jason Reynolds

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Track #01 Ghost is a book that is praised for its diverseness (an author and characters of color). However, I forgot that these characters were “not white” and focused on the struggles of Castle. Or Ghost as he prefers.  That and the fact they deal with a lesser explored sport, running, are probably the two best parts of the book. Which is to say, since that is the book, it is a good book. The metaphor Jason Reynolds gives you is Ghost is always running: […]

Donkey, where are you????????

The Donkey Egg by Janet Stevens

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I read the description of The Donkey Egg a few days before reading the book. It sounded horrible, even if it was by the fantastic author Janet Stevens book (Tops and Bottoms). I figured if I found the book, I was going to read it, but was not going to go out of my way to look for it. However, when I found it, I was pleasantly surprised. I do not know why I liked the story. The fact that Fox tricks Bear is just […]



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