step-family – Cannonball Read 17

Dogs slobber! They smell! They POOP! And they bark!

Dog Trouble by Kristin Varner

November 6, 2024 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Dog Trouble by Kristin Varner came up in my older online reader copies. I was at first not thinking I would read as I am a cat, not dog person, and the cover made me think I knew what was going to happen (a lot of chasing rowdy dogs that really aren’t cute but annoying and a kid who doesn’t “get” the seriousness of things). But it was more than that. At first things felt like “all the other books” about separated and/or divorced families […]

Cooking and a Big Mix-Up

Summer Vamp (A Graphic Novel) by Violet Chan Karim

August 2, 2024 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Summer Vamp (A Graphic Novel) by Violet Chan Karim is a fun book. It is not an OMG BEST EVER book, but fun. I enjoyed reading it. As an adult, I am not the intended reader, but I can see where kids will love the vampire angle and the ideas of “coming of age” in a silly and relatable way. And at the same time it is a “grandparent book” or “This is a nice book with nothing really bad happening so the grandparent will […]

Modern nostalgia

Bunnicula: The Graphic Novel by James Howe

Wait Till Helen Comes Graphic Novel by Mary Downing Hahn

July 11, 2022 by BlackRaven 2 Comments

My 1980’s childhood called and wants its books back. Or at least, it wants to share with you two treasured favorites of mine now in a graphic novel format. Bunnicula and Wait Till Helen Comes are two books I still recommend today. They are “safe” for a younger reader, but still have the edge of a modern reader. Bunnicula: The Graphic Novel by James Howe, Andrew Donkin, and illustrations by Stephen Gilpin is what you loved as a kid now in a graphic novel format. […]

Publisher review says: “Perfect for fans of American Born Chinese and Hey, Kiddo” and I agree.

Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir by Robin Ha

October 7, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir by Robin Ha is a lovely memoir of becoming not just Korean or not just becoming American but becoming both at the same time and through that, finding yourself. This graphic novel reads as a fiction story, though based on Ha’s life. What was supposed to be a vacation to Alabama to visit a friend of her mothers, turns into a permanent situation. Ha’s mother has decided that marriage to this friend is the right choice for them. Even […]

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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