Raissa Figueroa – Cannonball Read 17

Zora Neale Hurston looking for gold

Small-Girl Zora and the Shower of Stories: A Tall Tale Based on the Life and Work of Zora Neale Hurston by Giselle Anatol and Raissa Figueroa

November 14, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I did not love nor hate Small-Girl Zora and the Shower of Stories: A Tall Tale Based on the Life and Work of Zora Neale Hurston by Giselle Anatol and Raissa Figueroa as the illustrator. It was an experience book where after reading you need to stop and think about it. You need to take your time in the first place and I would even recommend a second read.. It was interesting and different but had a familiar overtone as well. Taking the life experiences […]

The World of Raissa Figueroa

Real to Me by Minh Le

What My Daddy Loves by Raissa Figueroa

We Are One by Jackie Azua Kramer

You Will Do Great Things by Amerie

Oona in the Artic by Kelly Dipucchio

February 23, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I probably could write at least 250 words on each of these Raissa Figueroa titles, but I won’t. I will let you know about them in one review. They have just come out or will later in 2023. The first is Real to Me by Minh Le and Figueroa illustrated. This story we know because it is about imaginary friendship. Yet, there are twists and turns as well. There are two friends. One is imaginary. But, like all good imaginary friends, they are real to […]

Capybara might have 4,383 friends, but I only had time for three reviews

Extra Ezra Makes and Extra-Special Friend. by Kara Lareau

Oona and the Shark (book two) by Kelly Dipucchio

Capybara Is Friends with Everyone by Maddie Frost

March 17, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I did not have high hopes for Extra Ezra Makes and Extra-Special Friend. It looked goofy and off-putting. But when I got into it, despite the um… less than “all there” looking students at Ezra’s school, the story did capture my interest and the illustrations worked for the humor needed. Kara Lareau has written a picture book about friendship, and what not to do. This idea is not new, but because Ezra is a special young person, the theme fits the sensibilities of today. Ezra […]

Spunk is the name of the game!

Julia’s House Moves On by Ben Hatke

Oona by Kelly DiPucchio

November 4, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Spunk is the name of the game with Julia and Oona. Two different gals, but who both know how to “get-r-done!” Julia’s House Moves On is the latest in the Julia books by Ben Hatke (an author who covers several age ranges with their books, this being for the 5 and up crowd). This darn cute story about “best laid plans” and how things will work out for the better just is silly, funny and educational. As the joke says, “You want to make God […]

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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