Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

About hair and life

Knots by Colleen Frakes

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I liked the graphic novel Knots by Colleen Frakes. It is a cute story of growing up and the hair that is the center of the woes, but also the love. Well, maybe not the center of the love, but it all comes together. This is a cozy story that is somewhat based on the author’s life experiences. We have Norah, her family and her opposite personality best friend. We have school issues, life issues and, again, the hair issues. We have family problems (younger […]

Just an ordinary non-binary trans teen

Ciel in All Directions by Sophie Labelle

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I have been a fan of Sophie Labelle’s comic, Assigned Male, off and on for years. Therefore, when I saw they had books for them, I was excited and picked a few up. They are a great way to read (if not all the series) the best of the series. When I realized they had “spin off” books as well, I looked into them. In 2020 and 2021 Ciel, the non-binary pre-teen/teen of Assigned Male, was given at least two books of their own. I […]

The Map to the Afterlife

49 Days by Agnes Lee

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Read the description of 49 Days by Agnes Lee as that tells the story. My review is one that focuses on the fact that this is an emotional, complex and beautifully done book. I am focusing on the pieces that really spoke to me. And how it is relatable in many ways.  I like the realism of the grief processes. It is strong and powerful, and the idea of “yes, I must grieve, but I also must keep on living” is an interesting twist. Usually […]

Tossed a curveball

Curveball  by Pablo Cartaya

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We know the story of Curveball it is a  “It is more fun to play the game than to be played by the game.” But Pablo Cartaya has a few curveballs tossed in as well. We follow a young girl who loves competition and sports, especially baseball. Or does she? Or is her mother trying to live vicariously through her, pushing her to be the best as she couldn’t be? And to keep the family tradition alive so that she can have the opportunities her mother […]

Second Verse, Same as the First! But a little bit louder and darker

Haru Book 2: Summer by Joe Latham

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In February 2024 I read book one of Haru by Joe Latham (or Haru 1: Spring). In August of 2024 I read Haru Book 2: Summer still by Joe Latham. Both were read via an online reader copy but I was thinking I would purchase copies of both when book two came out. However, it is not due until October 2024 and I am glad I did not wait. This is because Book Two is much darker than Book One was. Things are more layered […]

Fairy tale villains and loving sisters

Into the Goblin Market by Vikki VanSickle

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Recently I located a list of books that were recommended by other booksellers across the country. I found the picture book section and said, “Online reading here I come.” And I was able to read most of them (I have one in physical form so I passed and I have two more to read), but one that really stuck out to me was Into the Goblin Market by Vikki VanSickle and Jensine Eckwall as the illustrator.  It is a contemporary folktale or fairy tale that […]



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