Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Free Spirit Publishing has some neat books

Thank You, Night by Dan McCauley

Thank You, Rain by Dan McCauley

B Is for Belonging by Shannon Anderson

Hello, Beech Tree! by Rasha Hamid

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A while back I saw two online reader copies that had intriguing covers (or thumbnails of the cover as it was only a small image). I liked them, but figured I knew what they were about by judging the cover. Thank You, Night and Thank You, Rain looked like they would be nice father and child stories. One set at night and one set in/around a rainy day. And I was not wrong. (Yes, I read them eventually.) They had more to them than those […]

Having fun and making money

Art Club by Rashad Doucet

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Art Club by Rashad Doucet is fun. It has a modern take on things, has a mostly diverse cast, and while we know the coming of age story, it is fresh. Best for ages 10 and up (younger can read, but I’m not sure the concepts would be okay for some. Content is fine). There were a few bumps (things solved too conveniently, a few cliches for the adult characters) but overall everything works well. The idea is how the adults in our main character’s […]

The lengths two girls will take to go to school 

Yenebi's Drive to School by Sendy Santamaria

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Yenebi’s Drive to School by Sendy Santamaria is about Yenebi, her sister Melanie, and mom drive to school every morning across the US-Mexico border. The end. Except it isn’t. You would not think that a trip to school would be as full as it is for Yenebi, but it is. It is wildly adventurous.  Waking at four in the morning to get ready for the drive. Beating on if it will take two or three hours to get there. Wait? Two to three HOURS? You […]

Two school stories

Scare School Diaries V01 Welcome to Scare School by Jarrett Lerner

Bright Family: Too Cool For School by Gabe Soria

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I know school just got out and probably the last thing a kid wants to do is read about the first day of school. However, for the aged six to nine (and lower ten-year-old) readers, these books will make your child want to go to school. And maybe you can convince them that a snot monster and a (spoiler) glob custodian will be at their school. But even if you can’t, these books are worth taking a few moments to read to your child, with […]

Flower power on the playground

The Weedflower by Elizabeth Davaze

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I might have reviewed the title The Weedflower by Elizabeth Davaze and illustrated by  Marianne Ferrer before, but I don’t remember. However, I do remember reading it before. And I must have been in two very good moods those days. Usually, a book that is a bit “extra sweet” and a bit “overly modern” is not my usual thing. Therefore, maybe it is because I am trying to keep some plants on the front porch (again) this year, and there is a flower box with […]

Dinosaurs and friends

Dinosaurs for Dylan by Tracy Gulovsen

Counting Up the Olive Tree : A Palestine Number Book by Golbarg Bashi

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I have been finding samples in my online readers. And while that allows me access to so many titles, it also means I have to get the final copy but they are not due until November and October 2024! Yet, I am excited to share what I can, as you will need to be in line with me at the local independent bookstore getting copies.  Tracy Gulovsen and Renate Vermeulen-Potter have Dinosaurs for Dylan (due mid November 2024). It is a sweet story that I […]



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