Social Themes – Page 23 – Cannonball Read 17

Cool, but bizarre. But you know, cool.

Little Moments in a Big Universe by Todd Stewart

May 7, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Little Moments in a Big Universe is a romantic story about bravery, kindness, even environmentally friendly. There are lush, rich, deep, amazing, unique illustrations which capture each moment and allow it to explode to life. The theme is familiar, but the presentation makes for an experience unlike anything else you might have read before. The author and illustrator Todd Stewart (due mid October 2025; read via an online reader) takes several characters and an explorer in a spaceship through the universe. When they crash into […]

Based on a Japanese folktale

The Beckoning Cat by Koko Nishizuka and Rosanne Litzinger

April 30, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The cover of the online version of The Beckoning Cat by Koko Nishizuka and Rosanne Litzinger (illustrator) was what caught my attention. This white cat jumped off the screen and meowed “look at my colors, my odd grin and you know you want to read me.” I debated laying down as I was at work and a talking computer screen was more than I was ready for. But I went to get some air and read it a bit later. I would love to give […]

The little journal with a lot of heart and a really long title

It's Your Weirdness That Makes You Wonderful: A Self-Acceptance Prompt Journal (Positive Mental Health Teen Journal) by Kate Allan

April 30, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

When I post a review, I try to write out my review first. I was making the final tweaks, and slipped, and the entire review of It’s Your Weirdness That Makes You Wonderful: A Self-Acceptance Prompt Journal (Positive Mental Health Teen Journal) disappeared! However, this makes for a great restart as I really could have used the journal to get some of my frustrations out. Because one could have (I could have) easily gone down a rabbit hole of “I’m no good.” “How could I […]

Raise the curtain

Upstaged by Robin Easter

April 30, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I have read a lot of middle reader novels and a lot of graphic novel middle readers. I have read a lot of stories that deal with LGBTQ issues. And of course, most (if not all) have dealt with growing up, coming of age, finding yourself and situations like those. Therefore, it takes a lot for me to really love a book with the above criteria. And while I liked and enjoyed Upstaged by Robin Easter, I did not love it. However, I did like […]

Brains are food, not friends.

Zombie and Brain Are Friends by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic

April 29, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Brains are food, not friends. Well, Brian the Brain is a friend to Zeb the Zombie. Which would be okay, if Zeb’s family didn’t farm brains for food (themselves and sell at the local market). But how could anyone in their right mind eat Brian? He’s the pinkest, squishy, cutest brain ever! And this starts Zeb and Brian’s journey in Zombie and Brain Are Friends by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic and illustrated by Laan Cham. Due early August 2025, I had the pleasure of reading this […]

Their voices

Poemhood: Our Black Revival: History, Folklore & the Black Experience: A Young Adult Poetry Anthology by Amber McBride, Erica Martin, Taylor Byas and LLC Ashwin Writing

April 29, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Poemhood: Our Black Revival: History, Folklore & the Black Experience: A Young Adult Poetry Anthology by Amber McBride, Erica Martin, Taylor Byas and LLC Ashwin Writing (photographer) is getting a lot of press. It will get a lot of awards and a lot more attention before things are said and done. And it deserves all and everything it gets. It is a very lovely collection of poems. We have contemporary poets and classical ones, too. You will know some of the poems and others will […]

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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