Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Connecting after two months of boot camp

Camouflage Mom: A Story About Staying Connected by Sarah Hovorka

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Have you read a book and a lot about it was good, but there was something about it that was “off”? Camouflage Mom: A Story About Staying Connected by Sarah Hovorka and Elif Balta Parks was one of those books. Currently available, I read via an online reader. Sarah is excited to see her mother after her being in boot camp for several months. But when they finally are back together, there is something wrong with it. Sarah is actually upset at her mother. She […]

The not so good review because I lost the original review that also has good online images because I guess I didn’t take a picture of my book

Brooms by Jasmine Walls

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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!  So I was trying to copy and paste my review of Brooms by Jasmine Walls (and illustrated by Teo Duvall) and somehow hit the wrong button and the ENTIRE review disappeared!  I know I will never be able to repeat that really great (if I do say so myself) review! I will not be able to talk about how we deal with racism, queerphobia, economic differences, sexism and more. The story of 1930s Mississippi magic (of course, only allowed to the chosen few) has […]

Faith and sadness

The Good for Nothing Puddle: Finding Hope When You're Stuck in Sadness by Jana Jackson

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The Good for Nothing Puddle: Finding Hope When You’re Stuck in Sadness is actually an enjoyable story that shows depression, sadness, and grief in an unusually positive light without downplaying, ignoring or shaming it. However, the inclusion of God might turn some readers off as that part is an important part to the wrapping up of things and the message that the author wants to give. With that being said, I did enjoy the process of our main character figuring out that the puddle she […]

The Map to the Afterlife

49 Days by Agnes Lee

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Read the description of 49 Days by Agnes Lee as that tells the story. My review is one that focuses on the fact that this is an emotional, complex and beautifully done book. I am focusing on the pieces that really spoke to me. And how it is relatable in many ways.  I like the realism of the grief processes. It is strong and powerful, and the idea of “yes, I must grieve, but I also must keep on living” is an interesting twist. Usually […]

Tossed a curveball

Curveball  by Pablo Cartaya

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We know the story of Curveball it is a  “It is more fun to play the game than to be played by the game.” But Pablo Cartaya has a few curveballs tossed in as well. We follow a young girl who loves competition and sports, especially baseball. Or does she? Or is her mother trying to live vicariously through her, pushing her to be the best as she couldn’t be? And to keep the family tradition alive so that she can have the opportunities her mother […]

The philosophy of tikkun olam

One Small Spark: A Tikkun Olam Story by Victoria Tentler-Krylov

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Recently published (in August 2024), One Small Spark: A Tikkun Olam Story by Ruth Spiro and illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov, explores the concept of Tikkun Olam, which has several meanings, but basically is to “improve your surroundings.” The authors afterwards is important because it not only helps expand on this idea, but allows you to know that while it is told via a “Jewish lens” in the book (authors words), it is not limited to this religion. Many religions and cultures practice this idea. The […]



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