How I Came Across It...
*Before my summer cruise, I was looking for a novel to bring with me. I can't remember where I came across this title, but found the reviews to be full of high praise and great ratings. I bought myself a physical copy and have been reading the story off and on during the summer of 2025.What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know...
*This story takes place during the Syrian Revolution.
*Salama went to school to become a pharmacist before the unrest in her country.
*As she continues her volunteer work at the hospital, she finds herself taking on more and more responsibility to help all of the victims of the civil war.
*When she is given the opportunity to escape Syria for Germany, she is torn between staying and helping her country, and getting herself and sister-in-law to safety.
*The the war escalates, she knows it is time to make some life-changing decisions.
What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections...
*The story was well written, the characters were well developed, and the action was non stop.
*I didn't remember a lot about his revolution, so I found it interesting and fascinating to read about the conflict in Syria.
*Salama was a strong, independent, and courageous young girl who drove the story forward.
*There were several emotional scenes throughout the story and I felt like I was right there there in the middle of everything.
*I always enjoy fiction stories that are engaging, but also to teach me a new thing of two. This novel definitely did that.
Who Should Read It...
*I believe this novel is marketed as young-adult, but I think both the adult reader and the young-adult reader would be perfect for the story. Historical fiction lovers would also be ideal for the novel. Happy Reading!
How I Came Across It...
*This middle-grade novel came to me via Penguin Random House/Penguin Workshop. I did a bit of online research about the title, and after reading many positive reviews, I decided to read this book right away.What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know...
*Adam, who is living in a world near London, has a job to deliver goods across town and to another "world".
*On one of his deliveries, he comes across some danger, and is surprised to be rescued by a magical Tyger.
*The Tyger needs helps and Adam decides he wants to be the one to help him.
*With the help of his friend, Zadie, they set out to help the Tyger find the guardians who can open a world that has been closed off by the rich sector.
*The two characters work together to help make their world better for the people who are not treated as they should be.
What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections...
*This was quite a different type of story, but I was drawn into it and surprised how much I enjoyed it.
*The characters of Adam and Zadie drove the story and I so enjoyed reading about them and their quest to save the Tyger.
*There were some moments when I was a bit confused about what was happening, but I didn't let that distract me from the overall story.
*The writing was beautiful and the author did a wonderful job of describing the world in which Adam and the Tyger existed.
*Lot of important themes were presented throughout the story and would provide for great discussions.
Who Should Read It...
*I think this story would make for a strong class read aloud in grades four, five, and/or six. I think if individual readers were to take on this story, they should be in fifth grade or above. Happy Reading!
How I Came Across It...
*When I saw that Rebecca Stead had a new middle-grade novel coming out on September 16, 2025, I was quite excited. I was even more excited when I received an email from the Libro.FM app and Experiment was one of the free audio books I could download. Which I did and enjoyed the story during my summer walks. What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know...
*From the outside, Nathan appears to be a typical sixth grade boy.
*He has kept a huge secret from the outside world, even from his best friend Victor.
*When his world at home is about change is great ways, Nathan decides it is time to share the family secret.
*Since an early age, Nathan knew his family was from another planet, and now they are being called back to the "mother ship" and Nathan isn't sure why.
*He tells his best friend Victor about the secret, and the two of them sent off on a quest to figure out what is the truth and what are the lies.
What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections...
*The audio was excellent and I was drawn into the story right away.
*I'm not normally a fan of science fiction, but this story didn't seem like the typical science fiction plot line.
*As I was listening, I kept thinking how young readers would think the "events" were actually happening in real life.
*The pacing of the plot was spot on and kept me interested during the entire listening experience.
*I know young readers will think the story is heading in one direction, and be quite surprised in the direction the story took.
Who Should Read It...
*As with other Rebecca Stead novels, this upcoming book would be perfect for readers in grades five and six along with all middle-school students. If you know of young readers who gravitate toward science fiction, this would be the perfect selection for them. Happy Reading!
How I Came Across It...
*I was in need of a Kindle novel to read while on my summer European vacation during the end of June and early July. I had seen this novel on several "must-read" lists so I decided to download it and read while traveling. I didn't get much time to read while in Europe, but did finish the novel when I returned home.What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know...
*Bertie is a trans man living in Berlin during the 1930's.
*As Hitler rises to power, the Queer population is at risk of of violence and arrests.
*During the Nazi Regime, Bertie and his girlfriend Sofie, escape Berlin, and hide on a farm disguised as an elderly couple.
*As WWII is coming to an end, Bertie and Sofie, discover a young trans man that has recently escaped from a concentration camp. They take him in and hide him.
*Even with the war over, there is still a danger for trans and queer people so the three main characters make plans to escape Europe and make their way to America.
What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections...
*I was excited to read this novel published for adults, and hoping the historical fiction story would be a page-turner.
*The beginning of the story was a bit slow and I began to worry that novel wasn't going to be for me.
*The writing was "highbrow" and "academic" with lots of details and descriptions.
*I found the subject matter to be educational, disturbing, and eye-opening to how people were treated back then. The sad fact is many people are still mistreated because of their differences.
*Overall, the novel wasn't for me, but I do know it was well research and covered an important aspect of WWII.
Who Should Read It...
*Readers who gravitate toward historical fiction would be a great audience for this novel about Bertie, Sofie, and Karl. You should know the plot moves at a slow pace, there is a lot to sift through, but the overall theme of hope, resilience, and being yourself, comes through on each and every page. Happy Reading!
How I Came Across It...
*Several reading friends, both online and in person, recommended this middle-grade novel. I ordered a copy and got to reading as soon as it arrived. What a pleasant and different kind of reading experience.
What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know...
*The story centers around a young girl, named Jillian Tupper, and her parents who all reside at Number 3 Ramshorn Drive.
*In this house is an octagonal fishbowl which houses a goldfish named Toasty.
*There is also a beloved houseplant at Number 3 Ramshorn Drive whose name is Ivy.
*Throw in a spider named Arthur, a second plant named Ivy, and the household is in for an adventure like no other.
*As these household characters get to know each other, they realize there is an element of mystery and magic lurking around them.
What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections...
*I was pleased to see this is more of an illustrated novel than your typical middle-grade story.
*The illustrations were top-notch and completed by The Fan Brothers.
*The plot was unique, fresh, and quite different from any other story I've read.
*I loved the relationships that were formed between the animals, plants, and even the humans.
*While reading I wasn't sure how the characters and events would all come together to make sense, but author Beth Ferry tied everything together with a big beautiful bow.
Who Should Read It...
*This is the perfect middle-grade novel for readers in grades two and above. I know the story would make for a strong and entertaining class read aloud in the second and/or third grade classroom. Readers in grades three and above, would be able to read the book with easy because of the format and illustrations. I'm thinking it going on my list of books to share with my upcoming fourth grade class. Happy Reading!
How I Came Across It...
*I was looking for some titles to download onto my Kindle for my summer trip to Europe. This young-adult title has been on my TBR list for quite some time. I decided it was time to read and boy am I'm glad I did.What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know...
*Diego. and Lawson have been best friends since they were little boys. They treat each other more as brothers than friends.
*Diego has dreams of going to college and making something of himself.
*Lawson knows he doesn't have what it takes to get into college, so he takes a different path than Diego.
*As the school year proceeds, the boys find themselves on two very different routes.
*Diego knows what he should put at the forefront of his life, but he is also fiercely loyal to Lawson.
What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections...
*I literally read this book in one sitting. I could not put it down.
*Now, it was written in free-verse so that made the reading go a bit faster.
*As soon as I began, I was hooked and invested in both the lives of Diego and Lawson.
*The writing was so good and I found myself angry and frustrated with some of the decisions each boy made throughout the story.
*The ending was not what I was expecting and certainly tugged at the heart-strings.
Who Should Read It...
*I would recommend the novel to all readers in high-school along with the adult reader who enjoys reading young-adult novels. The story moves at a fast-pace and will keep the reader hooked for the entire reading experience. Happy Reading!
How I Came Across It...
*I have been a fan of Dan Gemeinhart since his very first novel. I have loved them all. Many have been shared with my readers in my fourth grade class. I've met Dan on several occasions, and he is the best. I was excited to see he had written a new middle-grade novel and was even more excited when I was granted an E-Galley from NetGalley. The book will be released into the wild on October 7, 2025.What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know...
*Oscar Aberdeen doesn't have the typical life of a twelve-year-old boy.
*He lives in a retirement home with his grandfather and has been there for quite some time.
*When Oscar finds out their rent is going to be increased, he wants to step up and help his grandfather get the money.
*When Oscar confides in resident, Jimmy Deluca, he finds a way to get the cash he is in need of.
*Oscar helps Jimmy "break out" of the retirement home and they set off an an adventure of a lifetime.
What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections...
*One of the things I admire most about Dan Gemeinhart is that each of his novels is quite different from his previous works.
*This was the perfect story to read during summer vacation 2025 because it was full of adventures, mysterious, and one wild ride.
*I so enjoyed the relationships between Oscar, Jimmy, and a new friend of Oscar's.
*For the most part, the plot is fun, silly, and full of twists and turns.
*There were some heart-warming moments toward the end of the story which is "signature" Dan Gemeinhart.
Who Should Read It...
*Dan's stories are perfect for readers in grades four, five, and six. They are also geared toward students in the middle-school setting. This particular story could be used with kids in grades three and above. It would make for a fun and engaging class-read aloud. Happy Reading!
