Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

A new alphabet

Letters to Live By: An Alphabet Book with Intention by Lisa Frenkel Riddiough

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I was not sure how Letters to Live By: An Alphabet Book with Intention would present itself. What is an “intention” alphabet book? It seemed a little old fashioned. Maybe it would more spiritual?  Maybe it would a bit more conservative? It was not conservative, but it was with a classic tone and some “old fashioned” but needed ideas. What Lisa Frenkel Riddiough did was take the alphabet and paired same lettered words to teach such concepts as generosity, excellence, joy, and compassion. I was […]

Turning in my Feminist Card

Our Stories, Our Voices: 21 YA Authors Get Real about Injustice, Empowerment, and Growing Up Female in America by Amy Reed

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I am turning in my Feminist Card now I have written this review that will most likely be controversial. While I agree with much of what was said in Our Stories, Our Voices: 21 YA Authors Get Real about Injustice, Empowerment, and Growing Up Female in America edited and introduction by Amy Reed, I had a hard time empathizing with most of the essays presented and therefore, had a hard time reading these essays by twenty-one authors. But then again, that was the point of […]

I have an unusual name, too. However,…

Thao: A Picture Book by Thao Lam

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My given name is an unusual one. However, it is not as unusual as Thao Lam’s. Still, it was/could be hurtful to be called almost anything but my name. A name that I have grown to appreciate over the years. Also, I do not like my name being misspelled (I had an art teacher from kindergarten to almost junior high that always added two “n’s” to a one “n” name). Thankfully, nobody really picked on me about my name (and it wasn’t until high school […]

25 Symbols of the Alphabet

My Pet Feet by Josh Funk

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While I am not saying My Pet Feet is an OMG THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER! I am saying it was the little something I was looking for when I read it. It is a book you need to sit and enjoy. Do not rush or you will miss some of the kooky humor Josh Funk has written. I do enjoy the concept and presentation. My “not a five” is because the fact certain words do not flow easy when the letter R is […]

Break a leg

Roxy the Unisaurus Rex Presents: Oh NO! The Talent Show by Eva Chen

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In the mix of my 130 emails (I know, so few for most, but for me, that is an unbelievable amount!) I have an email from a rep of the bookstore. They send out a list of new books coming from a website we use to order and/or look at titles on. And occasionally there is a snippet or two/a page or three, that gives you a hint of what is to happen. However, they also sometimes have links to download or in the case […]

Emmie is a Gem of a girl

Invisible Emmie by Terri Libenson

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Invisible Emmie is another gem in the author/illustrator series of middle school. Terri Libenson has taken her character Emmie and shown her through her own eyes. As well as showing some of the characters from the other books in a different light. When you see a person through another character’s eyes you start to get a bigger picture of the world Libenson wanted to tell. And that story is the world of middle school. Yet, each character is one that we know, want to be […]



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