siblings – Page 39 – Cannonball Read 17

The language we say and don’t say

The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga

March 15, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The Shape of Thunder is a 3.5 rating instead of a three or four (I am not sure what I will put as my rating officially as I’m writing out a draft before posting). This is because I was looking for “something” that never came about in this Jasmine Warga middle grade reader (around ages 10 to 14, but younger (and older) could read). The story alternates chapters with the two main characters, Cora and Quinn. They were best friends until “the event” and Cora […]

When June comes, this will be a great beach read

The Loud House Summer Special by The Loud House Creative Team

March 4, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I am giving The Loud House Summer Special a 4 but more of a 3.5 for me. I am not a Nickelodeon kid. I am not a fan of that kind of humor usually. And while I do not think I could watch the show these comics come from, I do think that the kid who likes humor and plain goofiness will be excited to read. Several mini comics create this book about The Loud Family and their friends, neighbors, and pets. The Loud House […]

Yup, he’s not a vampire. Or is he?

Fake Blood by Whitney Gardner

February 26, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

There is this book, okay, graphic novel, called Fake Blood. Whitney Gardner is the author and illustrator of this creation. I had seen it over the years on a display here, a list there or on the shelf. But when I was bored one day and was wondering what the library had that I might be interested in, I found it listed (I was perusing their website). I chose five books (with a sixth as a backup in case something was not available) and came […]

Go Nutcracker! Go!

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King: The Graphic Novel by Natalie Andreson

February 22, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Having never read the original version of The Nutcracker, I only have various (mostly cartoon) movie imagery to reference. Therefore, I am not sure how close to the text in this book is to that original story. But The Nutcracker and the Mouse King: The Graphic Novel is a version that seems to follow what I know from the movies. Whether it is good, or close or something altogether other, that is up to the reader. Natalie Andreson has the basics of E. T. A. […]

Rot, Snot and Squirm

Rot, the Bravest in the World! by Ben Clanton

February 12, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I am not a fan of rot. You know, that decaying, moldy and yucky stuff. However, Rot, the Bravest in the World! is not about the kind of rot that is “eeeewww gross!” but about a potato called Rot. And while I have not always been friends with author and illustrator Ben Clanton books (Rot, the Cutest in the World! and Narwhal and Jelly series to name a few), I did enjoy this latest adventure. There is humor in Clanton’s books that is not for […]

Have sword, will slay dragons

How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch

January 20, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch feels like a translation due to a few bumps in the flow of wording. However, that is the only real major bump in this modern folktale. Ages 10 to 14 probably will not see anything with that. The art helps fill in a few of those spots as will the readers imagination. The lack of color and the mix of busy and minimal details also give the feeling of a classic, but contemporary too, folk tale. Words in […]

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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