Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Axolotls are all the rage

Max, a Little Axolotl #1 (An Original Graphic Novel) by Joey Spiotto

Axolotl and Axolittle by Jess Hitchman and Sarah Rebar

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I cannot say that Max, a Little Axolotl #1 (An Original Graphic Novel) is the best book I have ever read. I cannot even say it was a great book. Joey Spiotto made a cute story about coming out of your comfort zone, friendship and even a little bit about axolotls.  The thing is, as an adult, I can like and appreciate the book, but it was slightly too simple for my personal tastes. Therefore, at least five and up would be a good read-to […]

A funny thing happened after my dad died

Talking to My Father's Ghost: An Almost True Story by Alex Krokus

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While I am giving Talking to My Father’s Ghost: An Almost True Story by Alex Krokus a five, it is more of a 4.5 to 4.75 as I had a few issues with things. Such as I am not a direct fan of the illustrations; though I appreciate the time, effort and work that goes into them. I would like to see the final product to see if color is being used and have explained to me how our characters are a daddy penguin and […]

It’s the end for Haru

Haru Book 3: Fall by Joe Latham

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In volume three of this series, Haru Book 3: Fall, our hero Haru must follow one of the last troupes of mythology and the journey of the hero. Haru is a non-binary blue-colored bird (with a younger sibling, a pig best friend, and a ghost robin mother) that has in volumes one (Spring) and two (Summer), traveled and fought the evil of the land, but in three we must take the trip to the Afterlife to be reborn. Joe Latham’s characters continue the journey started […]

One for Pride, both for romance

Amy's Big Brother by BonHyung Jeong

Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros

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Amy’s Big Brother by BonHyung Jeong and Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros are two recent graphic novels I read for the middle school aged (10 to 14) reader. Amy’s Big Brother was read via an online reader copy (though it is currently available) and Carousel Summer was read via a finished copy.  Both stories are similar with their interesting stories of siblings, middle school, and life lessons, but also tackle different things, too. One of those is that while they both have a love interest […]

You Can Never Go Home

Girl A by Abigail Dean

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When we meet Lex Gracie, she is on her way to the prison where her mother has died. Her mother has left the few possessions she has to her children. Lex is the executor of her will. Lex, though, wants nothing to do with her mother. We learn why as the novel continues: years ago, the Gracie children were freed from what the press has deemed a “house of horrors”, where the starving children were chained to their beds as their increasingly erratic father fell […]

Let’s Get Ready to RUUUUMMMBBBLLLE! But WITH consent

Let's Rumble!: A Rough-and-Tumble Book of Play by Rachel G. Payne

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A theme I am seeing more in young adult literature (and I hope in adult novels) is consent. Like many other things, the concept of consent has changed definitions. It used to be “you give agreement to an action by someone else and they can “do” what is agreed on.” Now, I have seen enthusiastic consent used due to the #MeToo culture. I was interested by this one word change, because while people have given consent, it was out of fear for their safety, their […]



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