United States/19th Century – Cannonball Read 17

Don’t be a bass read this book

Fly Rod Was First: Cornelia Crosby's Adventures in Angling by Cathy Ballou Mealey

October 21, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Women’s biographies are becoming more popular in the picture book format. As well as stories written about women who were in non traditional female roles. Add in the fact she was into a sport that I’ve never heard that too many females were involved in, and you have one of the most unique biographies I’ve read. Fly Rod Was First: Cornelia Crosby’s Adventures in Angling is a great introduction to a kick-butt woman who knew how to cast her influence on the fishing world! The […]

Baby it is Flipping (only I didn’t say flipping) cold outside

I Survived the Children’s Blizzard, 1888 (I Survived, #16) by Lauren Tarshis

July 26, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

cbr14bingo Cold Level 1 & 2 (Images taken from online) I Survived the Children’s Blizzard, 1888 (I Survived, #16) by Lauren Tarshis is an easy read for stronger readers but could capture some reluctant readers with the boy narrator and the adventure of the blizzard. The ages could start as young as six or seven for the more advanced reader, as there is little in the way of content that could be considered “too much” (I am sure cartoons and movies today have […]

I mean, Bicycle TUSH I get, but Bicycle Face?

Born to Ride: A Story About Bicycle Face by Larissa Theule

December 28, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

On the surface, Born to Ride: A Story About Bicycle Face is a book about a girl being taught to ride a bicycle by her brother. Looking deeper, Larissa Theule made a piece of history that shows a slice of what women did to gain many rights we take for granted today. The illustrations perfectly complement Theule’s text with the bold use of color and details (which there are a lot), showing multiple events all at once. This dual story by illustrations allow us to […]

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep

Our Flag Was Still There: The True Story of Mary Pickersgill and the Star-Spangled Banner by Jessie Hartland

August 21, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Our Flag Was Still There: The True Story of Mary Pickersgill and the Star-Spangled Banner by Jessie Hartland is a fun historical fiction story that mixes facts with a little mythology. We see how the famous flag of Francis Scott Keyes poem was made: by a seamstress, her daughter, nieces, mother and a black, female, indentured servant. We see how it was raised over the fort to scare off a British attack (that never happened). And later on, we see the battle that it became famous for. […]

Isabella (Belle) Baumfree’s story

October 29, 2018 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Even though I am usually not a fan of “popular books” or “popular themed” books, I do wonder what I am missing. And So Tall Within: Sojourner Truth’s Long Walk Toward Freedom is one of those popular themed books I am wondering what I missed as it is not a book I am excited over. Gary D. Schmidt’s story is interesting, but at times a smidgen choppy. I had to go back a couple times to see if I missed a page or if they […]

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.

Help Our Mission