Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

“We were teen girls. Look up the word “blasé” in Merriam-Webster’s and you’d find a picture of us, our eyes burning through your soul from the page.”

We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry

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My Cannonball Read holiday gift exchange buddy got me this book (thank you!!!) and if they picked it because they have read it and liked it or just took a crack at my taste from my Goodreads, I’m pretty sure we would be good pals. I don’t remember (or know) who that was, so if you see this and it’s you, find me on the ‘gram at @cheerbrarian. It’s 1989 and the Danvers High Varsity field hockey team hasn’t historically been award winning, but this […]

For the Girls who’ll be the Women

Bedtime Ballet by Kallie George

Stella Keeps the Sun Up by Clothilde Ewing

Pineapple Princess by Sabine Hahn

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When you have three picture books that are at best a “three each” you cannot say much about them beyond the usual what they are about, quick something about the illustrations, and if you liked it or not. But due to the fact March is Women’s History Month, these three are books you want to add to your Girl stories. Each one has delightful illustrations. They are cute, fun, and while familiar, there are modern touches to make them new and fresh. Bedtime Ballet by […]

“We’re not in Ghost Busters! This is real life!”

Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega

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I did not read Ghost Squad when I was young, as it did not yet exist! This is a 2020 release, and I feel that I would have liked it very much when I in third/fourth grade. There’s magic, monsters, hijinks, and plenty of cat-content that would have kept me giddy throughout. I worried at first that this tale might be “heavy” for a middle-grade reader; it starts with some genuine adult anxieties and perils. We open with the financial woes of Lucely’s father- the bank is […]

the Sanderson sisters are still my favorite witchy siblings, but the Owens family are not messing around!

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

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Lookout y’all, it’s re-read time! Alice Hoffman used to be a favorite author of mine; we slowly went our separate ways after The Museum of Extraordinary Things. There was no big breakup; we just grew apart. We wanted different things. The separation was so slow and gentle that I forgot that she was an author that I really liked, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was a new prequal to Practical Magic hitting the shelves, oh wait, there already was a prequal? This […]

CBR12 Book Bingo – Happy

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

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I will start this review by saying after I read this book, I expeditiously ordered every other book written by Katherine Center. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again – I love love. Give me a good romance, and I’m a happy girl. Not only was this book a beautifully written, heartfelt novel, it also featured some serious girl power, which I can always get behind! According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are 1.16 million firefighters in the United States, […]

Girl Power Monsters

The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter by Theodora Goss

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Mary Jekyll, daughter of the famous Dr. Jekyll, finds herself trying to solve the mysteries of her father’s past.  Along the way, she meets the off-spring of several of literature’s most famous characters – Dr. Frankenstein, Mr. Hyde, Dr. Moreau and Dr. Rappaccini.  Together with Sherlock Holmes and his trusty side kick Dr. Watson, her formidable housekeeper Mrs. Poole, and scullery maid Alice, the ladies join forces to help solve the Whitechapel murders (aka Jack the Ripper).   That’s a lot to unpack in a book. […]



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