Social Themes – Page 140 – Cannonball Read 17

A heartwarming story about poop

I Eat Poop: A Dung Beetle Story by Mark Pett

September 30, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

You might not want to recommend this book out loud in a group of mixed company as you will get a few looks, giggles, and teasing. I Eat Poop: A Dung Beetle Story is your “kid eats an odd food, is afraid he will be teased like (you will learn as we go along) his ex-best friend, and the lesson he learns about being himself.” This time it is just with a dung beetle and other creatures. There is kid humor, and at the end […]

Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na) ROBIN!

Batman and Robin and Howard by Jeffrey Brown

September 28, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

One reviewer from Goodreads said Batman and Robin and Howard was (to be more polite) less than intelligent, and while I will not disagree, I think they missed the point. This is an over the top, fun, story about being the new kid vs. the before kid at school. The story of two people who do not click and make assumptions about each other. It is a goofy way to help kids try and see both sides of the cape. While the adult doofus Batman […]

When your big sister starts liking books with KISSING in them, and mist creatures want to kidnap her

Sisters of the Mist by Marlyn Spaaij

September 28, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Sisters of the Mist can be summarized as a story “where trolls lurk in the mossy spaces between tree trunks and changelings scamper about” but there is more than that. It is a simple look at coming of age with a magical twist and a few turns. Not to mention some mud holes, a foggy swamp and a couple of scary creatures. Marlyn Spaaij has us follow three sisters at various stages of their youth and young adulthood and Tunde Vollenbroek is credited as a […]

What would you do when the law comes for you?

Monster: The Graphic Novel by Walter Dean Myers and Guy A. Sims

September 28, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The flow of this graphic novel adaptation of the Walter Dean Myers Monster was a little hard at times to follow with the bouncing between timelines. We see “before events” as well as “during events” and “current events.” The ending suggests an after the current events scene or two. The themes of truth, trust and lies are tossed on their heads in Guy A. Sims adaptation. Monster: The Graphic Novel includes a realistic take on the justice system. However, due to the type of people […]

Images chosen can be disturbing

After the Rain by John Jennings

September 21, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

This is one messed up book. Yet, After the Rain based on the Nnedi Okorafor short story, is powerful and probably something we need to read. Violence, graphic image of torture and even rape imagery could be triggers. I would not recommend for under age 14 and I still think that might be too young. KNOW your reader. This is not for sensitive readers as even adults could be disturbed. And no, this should not be read at 11:30 at night because you couldn’t […]

Just one little squeeze?

Don't Hug the Quokka! by Daniel Errico

September 16, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

That quokka may be cute as a bug, but don’t raise your snoot if they give a hoot and say, “Not today!” to a hug! Don’t Hug the Quokka! by Daniel Errico is a funny story about consent. When the narrator sees the “person” they are speaking too wanting to give a hug to a fuzzy, adorable, seemingly smiling quokka, they inform them (and we the reader) that it is not okay to hug someone if they do not want one. Of course, it is […]

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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