Social Themes – Page 134 – Cannonball Read 17

Real villains

The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill

December 19, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

As of this writing/posting of the review for The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill I am only halfway through. I published before finishing as I had some ideas I wanted to put down as I was/am not completely sure why this book has critics excited. It is terribly slow, and the real action does not start to take place until the middle of the book. And then, when things are about to finally happen, the orphan that meets the Ogress is asleep with […]

Adaptations of Classic tales

A Taste of Honey: Kamala Outsmarts the Seven Thieves ( by Rebecca Sheir

The Tale of the Unwelcome Guest: Nasruddin Teaches the Town a Lesson by Rebecca Sheir

December 16, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

A few reviews back I wrote about another A Circle Round Book by Rebecca Sheir. Each one has been illustrated by different people. Therefore, that change might help you enjoy one over the other. But also, the flow and tone of the story is slightly different and that can help one’s enjoyment of them. The Great Ballgame was illustrated by Joshua Pawis-Steckley and is based on Native American mythology and culture. A Taste of Honey: Kamala Outsmarts the Seven Thieves (illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat) has […]

Celebrate differences

Princess Hair by Sharee Miller

December 14, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

In 2017 Princess Hair probably was a fresh, new idea. I do not remember too many titles with children of color and their hair as the subject, but it was starting to become more mainstream. However, now, the story is a bit dated, as it has been done before. Though, it still is a good book for the younger child and their possible hair issues, or if in need of a little self-esteem pick-me-up. The nice part of Sharee Miller’s story is that there is […]

The story of two unhoused children

Home: A Story of Two Children Thrust Into Homelessness and Uncertain Housing Situations by Tonya Lippert

December 14, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Homelessness was not something talked about when I was young. I knew it happened, but at the same time had no concept of what that meant. Friends of the family were living in a tent for a while. There was the person who slept in the neighbor’s horse trailer when I was little. And I knew the stories of “hobbos” who used to come to my grandmother for food. But what did that mean? It was not until I was much older did the word […]

Almost 6 miles

9 Kilometers by Claudio Aguilera

December 12, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I remember as a kid not wanting to get up and go to school. It was a chore and all I had to do was get up, eat a prepared breakfast, and get dressed. The sun (and my mom) was already up for at least an hour or two. I had to wait for the bus to drive oh five-ten minutes down the road. When they switched the route when I was older, it took 15-20 minutes. The only real struggle was rainy days or […]

I want the bat on my team

The Great Ball Game: How Bat Settles the Rivalry Between the Animals and the Birds; A Circle Round Book by Rebecca Sheir

December 6, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The Great Ball Game: How Bat Settles the Rivalry Between the Animals and the Birds; A Circle Round Book came onto my radar due to the fact my bookstore will be having an event with this person in a few days. I figured, if I was to come and view it might be nice to have read the book (author appreciate that you know). When I read it online via a reader copy, I was glad I did not purchase it. I mean, it was […]

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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