BROWN BABY LULLABY by Tameka Fryer Brown is such a sweet read full of joy--a celebration. The rhyming just rolls off the tongue and begs to be read alBROWN BABY LULLABY by Tameka Fryer Brown is such a sweet read full of joy--a celebration. The rhyming just rolls off the tongue and begs to be read aloud, and the illustrations are lovely. I especially loved the Black and Afro-Latinx rep here....more
I’m a huge fan of Margarita Engle‘s work. WITH A STAR IN MY HAND is beautiful. I loved learning more about Rubén Darío, and Engle’s poetry is absoluteI’m a huge fan of Margarita Engle‘s work. WITH A STAR IN MY HAND is beautiful. I loved learning more about Rubén Darío, and Engle’s poetry is absolutely lovely....more
Thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Jabberwocky for the review copy of Emblem Island: Curse of the Night Witch.
Tor Luna does not want to be a leThank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Jabberwocky for the review copy of Emblem Island: Curse of the Night Witch.
Tor Luna does not want to be a leader like his mother, though that's exactly what his Emblem dictates is to be his fate. So on Eve, he makes a wish that will change his life--and his lifeline. While he is stripped of his Leadership Emblem, he is also cursed. To remove the curse, he embarks on a journey across Emblem Island with his friends, Engle and Melda, to find the fabled Night Witch.
"Worthy of every magical ounce"―Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Debut author Aster takes inspiration from Colombian folklore to craft a rousing series opener that's both fast-paced and thrilling. As her protagonists face off against a host of horrors, they learn the value of friendship and explore the possibility of changing one's fate in a world where destiny is predetermined."―Publishers Weekly, starred review
I absolutely loved Aster's debut, and I know my 12yo son is going to devour it once it arrives. It has characters you want to root for, a fast-paced plot, Latinx mythology, and a magical—albeit sometimes dark—adventure. It tackles themes of friendship, sacrifice, and not letting fate define you. Also, as the daughter of Colombian immigrants who grew up hearing stories of legendary creatures like La Patasola, El Silbón, and others, I loved seeing how Aster wove these into unique monsters in The Book of Cuentos and in Emblem Island Curse of the Night Witch. . ...more
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for the review copy of YOUR NAME IS A SONG.
Thompkins-Bigelow's YOUR NAME IS A SONG is an absolutely beautifThank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for the review copy of YOUR NAME IS A SONG.
Thompkins-Bigelow's YOUR NAME IS A SONG is an absolutely beautiful book that pays tribute to the beauty and strength in names. Following Kora-Jalimuso, a Muslim African American girl, and her Momma, this story is part song, part poem, all heart. It celebrates and affirms the wonderful diversity of our names, and I particularly loved Momma's musical explanation about taking pride in one's name, no matter how much it might "get stuck in" other people's mouths. The illustrations are vividly stunning, too, and I appreciated the pronunciation guides and the author's note with the glossary of the names in the story and their meanings. It's a timely and important book that is certain to become a household favorite!...more
My 12yo son read EFRÉN DIVIDED by Ernesto Cisneros in one night. He loved everything about it. I can't wait to read this beautiful and important storyMy 12yo son read EFRÉN DIVIDED by Ernesto Cisneros in one night. He loved everything about it. I can't wait to read this beautiful and important story, too!...more
THE ARABIC QUILT is such a poignant story with compelling characters and a storyline that's sure to leave you smiling in the end. I connected immediatTHE ARABIC QUILT is such a poignant story with compelling characters and a storyline that's sure to leave you smiling in the end. I connected immediately to Kanzi and the conflict between her desire to fit in and her love for her family and culture. I loved the positive characters in her life, including Mama and her teacher Mrs. Haugen, and I loved the nuggets of information tucked away in its pages, like the English words that come from Arabic. What a sweet, sweet book! ...more
I absolutely loved this charming book that highlights dances around the world in such a vivid, fun way! The dance steps and sounds, the onomatopoeia, I absolutely loved this charming book that highlights dances around the world in such a vivid, fun way! The dance steps and sounds, the onomatopoeia, and rhyme just beg to be read aloud, and the beautiful illustrations really bring the characters and dances to life. And, I loved seeing the diversity of characters in the pages!...more
My 12yo son read Cindy Baldwin's BEGINNERS WELCOME and absolutely loved it. He said he gave it 5 stars, so this review is from his point of view sinceMy 12yo son read Cindy Baldwin's BEGINNERS WELCOME and absolutely loved it. He said he gave it 5 stars, so this review is from his point of view since he's the target audience. Now, I'm looking for reading Bladwin's new book, as I was a huge fan of her debut. Baldwin is a master wordsmith, and I just know that I'm going to love BEGINNERS WELCOME as much as my son did!...more
My son (12yo) devoured THE DREAM WEAVER and absolutely loved it! He loved everything about it, from the characters to the story to the name of the bowMy son (12yo) devoured THE DREAM WEAVER and absolutely loved it! He loved everything about it, from the characters to the story to the name of the bowling alley. He's also already asking if there's a book 2!
I went in expecting an amazing read, and Alegre's THE DREAM WEAVER absolutely exceeded my expectations. In the book hangover that followed after I reached the end, I found myself incoherently repeating I LOVE THIS BOOK! It's the type of story that sticks with you and begs to be reread.
I'm a sucker for family stories, as well as those about finding one's identity, and this sweet, heartfelt MG delivered these themes beautifully. The scenes between Zoey and her grandfather were some of my favorite, though the scenes with her new friends were also wonderful. Zoey is a wonderfully fleshed out character you can't help but root for from the opening pages. This story is sure to resonate with readers!
Note: Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
I'm currently reading Anika Fajardo's WHAT IF A FISH, but my 12yo son snatched it and devoured it. He loved the story, and he felt particularly protecI'm currently reading Anika Fajardo's WHAT IF A FISH, but my 12yo son snatched it and devoured it. He loved the story, and he felt particularly protective of Little Eddie! You know when a book completely makes you feel part of the world and characters, that it's a great one. I'm looking forward to finishing it, and so far, I see many of the elements I loved from Fajardo's memoir, but from a child's perspective. I will update this review when I finish....more
I listened to the audiobook of Laura Taylor Namey’s THE LIBRARY OF LOST THINGS and oh my goodness I loved it! It was so beautiful & sweet, like a fairI listened to the audiobook of Laura Taylor Namey’s THE LIBRARY OF LOST THINGS and oh my goodness I loved it! It was so beautiful & sweet, like a fairytale, with gorgeous language, a protagonist you want to root for, and the best friend every girl needs. There was romance, and a poignant and moving mother/daughter story that just hit me hard. I was bawling toward the end. And book lovers will adore all the book/literature references. The narrator did a wonderful job with Namey's story, too....more
The digital arc of this book was kindly provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ website in exchange for an honest review.
Book's description: At the The digital arc of this book was kindly provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ website in exchange for an honest review.
Book's description: At the School for Damsels, LillyBelle enjoys many damsel-in-training classes, like cake baking and vocal training, but the rule that a damsel must be in distress . . . not so much. When she's captured by one villain after another, LillyBelle will need to use her charm and her wit to save herself and prove once and for all that damsels don't have to be in distress--all in time for tea!
LillyBelle is not like other damsels--she is absolutely NOT in distress and refuses to be like the other girls! I absolutely adored this charming, humorous story about a fierce female protagonist who adamantly refuses to follow the cookie-cutter role set out for her. LILLYBELLE is a fun read aloud book with vivid, colorful illustrations. Kids will love anticipating what will happen to LillyBelle as she comes face to face with witches, giants, and ogres. ...more
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