Social Themes – Page 167 – Cannonball Read 17

I like these books. Will you try them?

Ninja Boy’s Secret by Tina Schneider

Time is a Flower by Julie Morstad

October 20, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Two books found their way onto my work desk the other day. One was Ninja Boy’s Secret by Tina Schneider and the other Time is a Flower by Julie Morstad. Both are picture books, but that is where most of the similarities end. The other two comparisons one can make are both have unique and interesting illustrations, and both have nice messages. I am giving Ninja Boy’s Secret a 4.5 because the illustrations were not completely “my thing” They are lovely, but the simplistic nature […]

Scars have stories

These Precious Scars by Emily Suvada

October 15, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I was reading on my delightful free Simon & Schuster account (which I recommend if you can read a book in a months’ time as they are only there for the month. But you also get snippets of other books, and when sign up a free book of choice. I did (surprise) the young adult root but picked an adult book to read), and I came across These Precious Scars which I did not realize was not a “normal” book situation. First, it is part […]

Sequel as good as the first if not better

Witches of Brooklyn: What the Hex?! (A Graphic Novel) by Sophie Escabasse

October 13, 2021 by BlackRaven 4 Comments

Witches of Brooklyn: What the Hex?! (A Graphic Novel) by Sophie Escabasse is the sequel to the Witches of Brooklyn Volume one. This is a delightful little story that flows well. For the adult reader, it is easy and will take no time to read. Yet, the ages 8 to 13 will be the perfect group to savor every piece. This story is a familiar one about friends and envy, but with the addition of fun, kooky aunts, their equally fun, kooky friends, an oddball pet, […]

Family, Friends, Fashion

Lizard in a Zoot Suit by Marco Finnegan

October 12, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

One crazy (not so little) book that takes you to the 1940s and shows us how fashion caused a riot. Or more accurately, the fact people wore something “different” and were “different” and the prejudices against being different caused people to cause a riot. Lizard in a Zoot Suit shows the layers of events that would lead to the events that would lead to the real-life Zoot Suit Riots. The fact there is a disguised Lizard creature trying to help two sisters when they find […]

Mirror Mirror on the Wall I’ve Become My Mother Afterall

I Am Not Starfire by Mariko Tamaki

October 12, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I Am Not Starfire is a lighthearted coming of age/this girl isn’t like the other superhero story. There are several obvious situations and solutions, but Mariko Tamaki’s text makes them fun and while not necessarily fresh, they are enjoyable to read. There are several characters who are diverse (due to race, sexuality, or personality). Of course, the story of the superhero Titan Starfire is multi-layered: she is the ultimate immigrant (she is not from this world), she is a single mom, and she is raising […]

Read me Seymour…. and Betty, and Moncia, and Fred, and Robbie, and George….

The Girl From the Sea by Molly Ostertag

Lilla the Accidental Witch by Eleanor Crewes

October 12, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I am combining the reviews for The Girl From the Sea by Molly Ostertag and Lilla the Accidental Witch by Eleanor Crewes because they have similar themes and I am not really sure I can do a 250 word count review for them as they are similar to many other titles I have reviewed here and would be repeating myself. Both books are about being yourself, learning to trust your friends and family and finally, coming out and into your own. But they are worth […]

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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