Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Cool drink of love

Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj by Razeena Omar Gutta

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I was going to cut back on the number of reviews I did this year, but then well, books happened! Books like Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj by Razeena Omar Gutta and illustrated by Bassent Dawoud (due January 2026, read via an online reader copy). There are several books on the Islamic faith for the younger crowd. However, they are mostly repetitive and hit the “big events” and there is nothing wrong with that, but I needed something different and I found it […]

The fact I don’t always like a book is why I love books: something for us all

Vampire Jam Sandwich by Casey Lyall and Nici Gregory

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I am sorry Casey Lyall and Nici Gregory but your story, Vampire Jam Sandwich (which I read via an online reader copy and is due July 2025) did not hit the spot for me. Now I appreciate the ingredients you put into the illustrations, such as the red colors, the pointy teeth sandwich runny and running around (even if it is a bit messy and I am feeling the sticky getting all over) and the flapping capes that hide the surprise ending. Which was written […]

Love, family, friendship makes it all right

Lost and Found Hanukkah. by Joy Preble

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When you are browsing online reader copies you can find everything from books about women’s health, sexuality, horror, mystery, humor, dogs, cats, rhinos, birds, environmental war, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, various New Year celebrations and Hanukkah books. And that’s all in April and May.  And one of those books is one called Lost and Found Hanukkah. The author Joy Preble and illustrator Lisa Anchin put together a book with many layers. In no particular order, it is a book about family, friendship, community, parents, same sex couples, […]

Halloween stories are not just for one day

Murray's Howl-o-ween: A Halloween Picture Book by E. G. Keller

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Unlike Murray in Murray’s Howl-o-ween: A Halloween Picture Book by E. G. Keller I love the country (though “after cow” isn’t my fave scent). Murray is a dog that likes the sounds and smells of home. He’s less than impressed with the odd smells, the weird  decorations and the company (a cat). But eventually, he will learn about the wonders of something called Halloween and the treats are much sweeter than the tricks of earlier. Due in July 2025, it will be out in time […]

Brains are food, not friends.

Zombie and Brain Are Friends by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic

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Brains are food, not friends. Well, Brian the Brain is a friend to Zeb the Zombie. Which would be okay, if Zeb’s family didn’t farm brains for food (themselves and sell at the local market). But how could anyone in their right mind eat Brian? He’s the pinkest, squishy, cutest brain ever! And this starts Zeb and Brian’s journey in Zombie and Brain Are Friends by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic and illustrated by Laan Cham. Due early August 2025, I had the pleasure of reading this […]

What is a detective’s favorite fruit? Clue-berries.

Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast V07 Whodonut?: A Holiday Mystery by Josh Funk and Brendan Kearney

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Josh Funk and Brendan Kearney had me at Miss Maple and lost me at gummy bugs! Okay, well, they didn’t lose me, just made me pause. But then they had me again at Elvis Parsley.  This seventh addition to the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, Whodonut?: A Holiday Mystery is a fun, cute and different holiday story. While the “Who Dun-it” aspect and the idea of the last book in a series is not new, the way Funk and Kearney presents things is […]



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