It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (1/11/20)

            

Thanks to Jen and Kellee for hosting this idea on their site.  Here is a link to the site...

                

 http://www.teachmentortexts.com/

Books I Will (continue to) Read this Week...

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

*My Novel Published for Adults (Audio)

*I'm not getting very far as I'm teaching from home, but will soon be back to teaching at school.  Then I'll get back to listening.  

Bea is for Blended by Lindsey Stoddard

*My Middle-Grade Novel

Books I Read this Past Week...

Amaria and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston

*Middle-Grade Novel (4 STARS out of 5 Stars)

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston

How I Heard About It:
*I was approached by a representative from Book Sparks who offered me an advanced copy of an upcoming middle-grade fantasy.  I of course said yes, and recently finished the amazing journey of Amari.  

What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Amari can't quite move forward in her life as long as she is consumed by trying to find her older brother; who everyone says is dead.

*When she is "invited" to attend the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she can't refuse as she knows it may be the answer to finding her brother.

*Upon arrival at the Bureau, she is the center of attention for both her connection to her brother and for being "highlighted" as an "illegal" in the Supernatural World.

*With the help of her roommate, she begins an adventure that leads her to places she never thought were possible.  

*Everything she does is to find her brother and she must learn who to trust and who not to trust.

What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*I'm not normally a fan of fiction, but I so enjoyed the story.

*This fantasy mainly lived in the world of "realistic fiction", but certainly had many elements of fantasy, magic, and mystery.

*I was captivated by the Bureau and the "powers" that all of the students were assigned or born with.

*The plot was face paced, loaded with plenty of action, and contained plenty of surprises.

*The novel is the first in a new series and sure to a hit with middle-grade fantasy lovers.  

Who Should Read It:
*The novel is long at just a bit over 400 pages.  I think readers in grades four, five, and six would be ideal for the story of Amari and her quest for the truth.  Of course middle-school readers would also be perfect for the book.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars

Stella by McCall Hoyle

How I Heard About It:
*I heard about the Stella "Street Team" on FaceBook.  I joined and was able to download an E-Galley of the middle-grade novel which will be released in the world on March 2, 2021.

What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Stella is a beagle who has a powerful job.  

*She is "employed" to find explosives and keep her human safe.

*After a tragic accident, Stella is separated from her best human friend.

*The beagle is transferred from home to home to fit a new "fit", but she just can't seem to leave the past in the past and find another human connection.

*When she finally thinks she has found a new forever home; her skills, feelings, and courage are all put to a test that will challenge her like none other.  

What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*I'm a sucker for a dog story.  

*When I realized the story was being told from the dog's point of view, I was in for the long haul.

*Stella is one of those dog characters that will weave her way into your heart and not let go until the very last page.

*I enjoyed reading about how Stella was used to assist the human kind.  

*As I reached the conclusion, I found myself wanting to read faster and faster to find out what was going to happen to Stella and the humans around her.  

Who Should Read It:
*This is a middle-grade novel that will need to be put in the hands of dog-lovers as they will so enjoy the story.  Stella could be used as a class read aloud as there would be many points of discussion.  I look forward to adding a hard copy of the story upon its release in March.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars

Wonder Wednesday #360 (Book Launch Party)

 Wonder Wednesday - Brave in the Woods

*I was able to participate in one of the most enjoyable "book events" last night.  

*One of my favorite middle-grade authors is Tracy Holczer.  I've had the pleasure of meeting her in person.  She is the real deal.

*I absolutely loved her first two novels:  The Secret Hum of a Daisy and Everything Else in the Universe.  

*When I learned Tracy had written a third story, I was beyond happy.  I was lucky to recieve an e-galley of the story and read it a few months ago.

*On the night of Tuesday, January 5th I had the pleasure of joining Tracy's Live Facebook book launch event.

*The event was moderated by Jenn Reese, author of A Game of Fox & Squirrels.  

*The conversation was rich, insightful, and engaging.  After listening to the conversation for an hour, I was so excited about the story that I know I will reread it.  My hard cover copy arrived yesterday, which was book release day.

*Here are some images I captured during the event...

The Adventure is Now by Jess Redman

How I Heard About It:
*I first came to know of Jess Reman when I came across her first novel, The Miraculous.  I was so enthralled with the story that I chose it for a "Breakfast with Books" book club selection.  She then knocked my socks off with her second book, Quintessence.  In fact, it was my favorite middle-grade story of 2020.  I was thrilled when Jess herself sent me a "widget" to download an e-galley of her upcoming novel.  

What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Meet Milton P. Greene.  The boy who is having one of the worst year's ever.

*He thinks it can't get any worse when he finds out from his parents they are sending him halfway across the world to a remote island to spend the summer with his uncle.

*Before he knows it, Milton is smack dab in the middle of an island with no electricity.  How will he survive without his electric "handheld" device?  

*Within a few days on the island, he meets three other children that don't know anything about Milton and the last year of his life.  

*Milton decides to transform himself into "Sea Hawk", put the past behind him, and venture out on the "ADVENTURE" of a lifetime.  

What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*I was a bit nervous going into the story because of how much I adored Quintessence.  

*A few pages in, I realized this story wasn't Quintessence, but its own tale, and I should enjoy it for that it was, and not compare it to anything else.

*Once I did that, I was completely immersed in the story, with the characters, and all the adventure on the island.

*So often, readers complain that you can't have a solid story without a bunch of disfunction and sadness.  With this book, Jess has proven those readers wrong.  The story is a complete page turner full of fun, adventure, and true friendship.  

*I not only loved Milton because of his name, my dad's name is Milton, but because he was a tender, thoughtful, and realistic character.  

Who Should Read It:
*I don't often get to say this, but I would recommend the book for readers in grade two/three and up.  There is NOTHING questionable or too "mature" for our young middle-grade readers.  The story will make for a perfect class read aloud and/or for individuals to read.  I can't wait for Jess' third novel to arrive in the world on May 4, 2021.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (1/4/20)

           

Thanks to Jen and Kellee for hosting this idea on their site.  Here is a link to the site...

                

 http://www.teachmentortexts.com/

Books I Will (continue to) Read this Week...

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

*My Novel Published for Adults (Audio)

Books I Read this Past Week...

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

*Novel Published for Adults (4 STARS out of 5 Stars)

The Adventure is Now by Jess Redman

*Middle-Grade Novel (ARC) - Released May 2, 2021

*5 STARS out of 5 Stars

Stella by McCall Hoyle

*Middle-Grade Novel (ARC) - Released March 2, 2021

*4 STARS out of 5 Stars

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

How I Heard About It:
*I first heard of the title from a friend of mine.  Once I added it to my TBR list, I began hearing more and more about the novel.  I ordered a copy, and have spent the last couple of weeks reading this extraordinary story.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*The story begins in 1714 when a young woman makes a "deal" with a stranger.

*She wishes to live forever, but in return will be forgotten by everyone she meets.

*Addie lives the next 300 years alone, without a penny to her name, and never being remembered by anyone she encounters.

*The "man" she made the deal with, appears and disappears without any notice and causes anger, anxiety, and heart-ache on Addie.  

*In 2014, while in a New York book store, Addie meets another stranger, but this time he remembers her and changes her life forever.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*This wasn't an easy or quick read, but one of the most interesting and unique reading experiences I've had in a long time.

*V.E. Schwab certainly has a way with words, language, and creating a unforgettable story.  

*There were sections of the story where I was a bit confused about what was happening, but overall I enjoyed the character of Addie and everything she dealt with.  

*I'm not normally a fan of fantasy, especially for adult readers, but found myself curious and engaged throughout the pages of the novel.

*When I closed the book, I will filled with a sense of accomplishment, but also a bit of sadness and wonder about Addie and the outcome of her life.  

Who Should Read It:
*The story is long, detailed, and a bit of an under taking, but I believe most readers will definitely be satisfied with the story of Addie and her many years of life.  If you are a fantasy lover, this is definitely the story for you.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars