People & Places – Page 3 – Cannonball Read 17

The action of a plan

Someone Builds the Dream by Lisa Wheeler

January 19, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

When you have a dream, you dream it. But to make that dream come true, someone will need to build it. We see how the men and women of construction, plumbing and more bring to life the plans of architects, engineers, and designers in Someone Builds the Dream. Each part of the overall picture is important and needed, but Lisa Wheeler shows us tht without the person to twist a wrench, or move a plank to a certain spot, the finished project would still be […]

Pride, culture and acceptance

The Blue Scarf by Mohamed Danawi

October 20, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I will start my review off with, there is absolutely nothing wrong with The Blue Scarf by Mohamed Danawi. Is it a bit saccharine-sweet? Sure. But that does not mean it cannot be good. It just means that a reader like me needs to be in the right frame of mind when reading it. And I was. Mostly. Okay, it was too cute for today. But ask me tomorrow. Or ask someone who likes emotion pulling tales and see what they think. Ask someone what […]

She might have been 8 but she got people to listen

Until Someone Listens: A Story about Borders, Family, and One Girl's Mission by Estela Juarez

May 3, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Estela Juarez, Lissette Norman, and illustrator Teresa Martinez put together a picture book called Until Someone Listens: A Story about Borders, Family, and One Girl’s Mission. This is the true story of Estela Juarez, her family and especially the story of her mother. You see, young Juarez’s mother was not born in this country. And though she had two daughters and was married to a US marine, and even though her family fought for years to keep her in the country she was departed to […]

Let me tell you about a secret

Nasreen’s Secrete School by Jeanette Winter

September 24, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Jeanette Winter’s style comes alive in this 2009 picture book, Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan. The colors of the illustrations are rich, deep, and plentiful. I have always appreciated how things are fanciful and realistic at the same time. This story is based on the story of a girl of Afghanistan, who of course, has had her and her family names changed to protect everyone. This book has come back into our knowledge due to recent events in the country. Worries that […]

Keeping your Family together

When We Were Alone by David Alexander Robertson

Grandpa’s Girls by Nicola I. Campbell

August 20, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Both books are very different but have the common thread of having a Native American influence, or backdrop. These would be great books to add to any collection. They both are fabulous examples of the meaning of friendship. I preferred When We Were Alone more than Grandpa’s Girls for several reasons. One reason I enjoyed it was the serious tone of the book. This might turn some people off, but even then, David Alexander Robertson has infused a great hopefulness as well. When We Were […]

The Noor Solar Power Plant in Morocco’s Sahara Desert is pretty bada$$

Solar Story: How One Community Lives Alongside the World’s Biggest Solar Plant by Allan Drummond

May 22, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

While the format of the story might be a little awkward for some (there is the story, along with thought and comment bubbles from the characters, plus sidebars) Solar Story: How One Community Lives Alongside the World’s Biggest Solar Plant is a must have for every classroom. Allan Drummond’s teaching of environmentalism, sustainability, solar power and even a bit about Morocco is as pleasant of a read as it is informational. And do not stop just because you hit the author note, there is still […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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