Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

How I Heard About It:
*This novel published for adults popped up on many different social media sites I typically look at when searching for a new book to read.  I downloaded the title via Audible and listened to it while walking on my daily walks.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*When Sally's father dies, she thinks she should incinerate him.  This of course outrages most of the people in her small Irish village.

*Sally knows she is different from other people, but for the most part is happy with herself.

*After her father's death, she begins to learn and uncover the truth of her early days as a young girl.

*The more she learns, the more the rest of the world begins to focus on Sally and her past.  

*Sally must come to terms with her past, the family she never knew, and how present day relationships will shape the rest of her life.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*I don't think I've ever read/listened to a story quite like this one.  

*This plot was disturbing, horrific, and raw.  I just had to keep reminding myself it was FICTION.

*I don't mind "dark" storylines and this one sure fit the bill.  Might not be for everyone, but a fascinating and intriguing story.  

*Sally was a thoughtful, sensitive, and sympathetic character.  I so rooted for her through the entire story.

*When I closed the "book", I literally don't think I've ever encountered such a horrific character that both Sally and others had to endure.


Who Should Read It:
*As I mentioned above, this may not be the story for all adult readers.  It is quite dark, uncomfortable at times, and disturbing.  But once I started, I really couldn't stop listening and thought about Sally and her life even when I wasn't listening to it.  Happy Reading!


Rating:   4 STARS out of 5 Stars

Just Keep Walking by Erin Soderberg Downing

How I Heard About It:
*Friend and author Erin Soderberg Downing sent me an advanced copy of her upcoming middle-grade novel which will be released in February of 2024.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Jo and her mother are about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime. 

*Jo was supposed to take the 100-mile hike along the North Shore of Lake Superior with her father.  That was before he left to create another family.

*She really wants to take the hike, like her older brother was able to, so her mother agrees to go with her.  

*As mother and daughter embark on their 100-mile journey, they aren't sure what to expect, but know they want to do it together.

*Jo's past, present, and future all come together on the wild trails of Lake Superior.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*I've lived in the Twin Cities my entire life and have been to the North Shore many times which made this such an engaging and memorable reading experience.

*I've loved everything Erin has written and I think her stories are just getting better and better.  

*The story of Jo, her mother, and their time together was so special that the experience became more than just about the physical hike.  

*I appreciated how Erin presented the divorce and the reality of the situation.  I found it very true to real life.

*The appendix was fascinating and tied the fictional story and the author's real life together.


Who Should Read It:
*The perfect adventure story for readers in Minnesota.  Of course not only for  children in our beautiful state, but worldwide as well.  Kids who love hiking, the great outdoors, nature, and/or pushing yourself beyond anything you thought you could do, definitely need to put this title on your TBR list.  Happy Reading!


Rating:   4 STARS out of 5 Stars

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango

How I Heard About It:
*So thankful when @randomhousekids sends me ARC's of some of their upcoming middle-grade titles.  I started this novel in verse this afternoon and finished the same evening.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Laura isn't sure she made the right decision when she called 911 on her own parents, but she wasn't sure what else to do.

*The "call" puts Laura in her aunt's care and she isn't sure why since they don't really know each other.

*Once in her aunt's care, Laura's main goal is to be reunited with her mom and dad.  

*When a stray dog finds his way into Laura's heart, she thinks this might be the answer to her prayers.  

*Learning to lean on an adult, a few friend, and a four-legged creature; Laura must also lean on herself to find the answers in her heart.  

What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*I use to post that I wasn't a fan of novels in verse, but I'm finding I'm loving them more and more.  Maybe it is because of such incredible stories as this one. 

*I was hooked from the moment I started.  

*The more I read the more my heart was opened and I cared so much for Laura's story and her outcome.  

*I appreciate that the author didn't shy away from a difficult subject matter and handled the situation while being authentic and true to life.

*The relationships developed throughout the story are what tied and held the story together.  Everyone needs a Benson in their life!


Who Should Read It:
*Individual readers in grades four, five, and six will love and devour the novel.  Middle-school readers would also relate and connect with Laura's story.  I'm planning on using the book as one of my class read alouds for the 2023/24 school year.  I know so many rich discussions will stem from the story.  Happy Reading!


Rating:   5 STARS out of 5 Stars

Miracle by Karen S. Chow

How I Heard About It:
*A fellow reader recommended this middle-grade novel to me.  The book sat in my TBR pile for quite some time.  I was heading to the pool yesterday afternoon and I grabbed the book to read while sitting in the summer sun.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Amie loves both her parents, but she has a special bond with her father.

*The two of them share everything and have so much in common.  Amie tries to connect with her mother, but finds it isn't as easy as with her father.

*When her father becomes ill, Amie believes he will be fine and will beat the disease.  

*As much as her father tries, he isn't able to win the fight and leaves Amie feeling alone and lost.  

*Amie and her mother begin the process of trying to move forward and this involves their own relationship, Amie's friendships, and her love for music and the violin.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*Even though the story line was on the sad side, there was always a sense of hope.

*The relationship between Amie and her father was quite special and it was interesting to read on how Amie and her mother's relationship changed through the story.  

*I also appreciated the friendships that were written about and evolved throughout the story.

*There were a few portions of the plot that moved a bit slow, but that could be because I'm most likely not the target audience for the story.

*Overall, a touching story about loss, family, and moving forward as best you can.


Who Should Read It:
*If you know a young reader who has an interest and/or passion for music, especially the violin, this might be the perfect book for them.  The reading level for the novel would be fourth through sixth, along with the middle-school students.  Happy Reading!


Rating:   3 STARS out of 5 Stars

Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart

How I Heard About It:
*One of my favorite middle-grade authors is Dan Gemeinhart.  I have read and devoured every novel he has written.  His novel The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise is one of my favorites of his.  I recently learned he had written a sequel and would continue Coyote's story.  When I learned the book wouldn't be published until February of 2024, I knew that was too long to wait.  I requested an E-Galley via Edelweiss, but was declined.  I requested an E-Galley via NetGalley and was quite pleased when I was granted a copy.  To the Kindle it went and I spent a wonderful afternoon revisiting some of my all-time characters.



What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*The story picks up about a year after Coyote and her dad Rodeo settled in Oregon.  

*Each of them has adjusted to life after their emotional roadtrip and have tried to settle into a new "normal".

*One day while Coyote is in the well-traveled bus, she finds a box which contains her mother's ashes.

*After a difficult conversation with her father, they decide to head back out on the road to finally lay Coyote's mother to rest.

*This quest relies on a book, which unfortunately has been lost by Coyote but she isn't going to let this stop her.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*Sometimes I get so darn excited before I start a new novel that I can hardly stand it.  That is what happened when I was given an E-Galley of Dan's upcoming novel.  

*It was so satisfying to revisit Coyote, Rodeo, and a whole slew of new characters.  

*A sequel can be a tricky thing because there are so many expectations to the second story living up to the first one.  After finishing this sequel, I would say Gemeinhart did a fantastic job.  

*Just as with The Remarkable Journey, Lost and Found had all the feels and had me in tears on more than one occasion.  

*I just marvel at the writing talent of Dan and how he is able to capture a story that weaves its way into a reader's heart and settles in.


Who Should Read It:
*Fans of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise will definitely want to put the title on their TBR list.  If you are a reader of Dan Gemeinhart's previous works of fiction, then you will want to be on the look out for his newest book in February of 2024. I know it is a long wait, but I cant tell you it will be worth it.  Or you could try to request an E-Galley via NetGalley or Edelweiss.  I had luck with NetGalley and was declined on Edelweiss.  Happy Reading!


Rating:   5 STARS out of 5 Stars

The Do More Club by Dana Kramaroff

How I Heard About It:
*I'm thrilled that Rocky Pond Publishers (Penguin Random House) sent me this middle grade novel which will be released on August 29th.  As soon as I finished the story, I knew it was going to be our first class read aloud of the 23/24 school year.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Josh is twelve-years-old, an only child, and Jewish.

*When he starts a new middle school, he keeps his religion to himself thinking he might be the only Jewish child at the school.

*After someone paints swastikas all over the school building, life for Josh and the other students change drastically.  

*The school brings in special counselors to help deal with situation which opens up conversations about many "issues" occurring at the school.

*Josh realizes he doesn't just want to stand back and let the "bullying" take place at his school so he takes a major step forward to make big changes not only in his school but in the world. 

What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*This novel in verse was outstanding and I loved everything about it.

*Dana Kramaroff hit the nail on the head when writing this story.  I would describe it as perfection.

*I so appreciated that even though the center of the story was about antisemitism, the author was able to weave in other story lines about what the other students were dealing with.

*There were so many incredible life lessons throughout the story that I knew could be shared with a group of young people.

*I'm so looking forward to sharing Josh's story with my upcoming class.  I know we will have so much to discuss which will make us all better and more positive people.  Isn't that what life is all about!


Who Should Read It:
*I think this will make for the perfect class read aloud to start the school year.  The story line would be appropriate for students in grades four, five, and six.  The novel would also be perfect in any and all  middle-school classrooms.  There would be so much they will be able to relate to.  Happy Reading!


Rating:   5 STARS out of 5 Stars

No Place Like Home by James Bird

How I Heard About It:
*Being a huge fan of James Bird and his writing, I have been waiting patiently for the release of his third middle-grade novel.  This time around it was going to be his most personal story sharing the story of his early days in California.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Life for Opin, his brother Emjay, and their mother hasn't been easy.  In fact, it has been downright difficult and horrible.

*When Opin's father crosses a "line", his mother knows it is time to take her boys and get out of the situation they are currently living in.

*This decision leaves the three of them homeless, making their way from northern California to Los Angeles where Opin's uncle lives.

*Opin enjoys the "game" his mother has created for the two of them and everything they do in order to survive is considered an adventure.  Opin's older brother doesn't quite buy into the "game".

*With their Native American Ojibwa background, determination, and desire for a better life, Odin's family demonstrates a strength most people couldn't even imagine.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*From the moment I read the first word to the moment I closed the book I was completely one hundred percent engaged in the story James Bird laid out on each and every page.

*Knowing the story was based on James' childhood, made the story personal, raw, and full of emotion.

*The connection to the actual events in their life to the symbolism of the Ojibwa beliefs was so well done and I found myself rereading those passages.

*I appreciate that James Bird didn't shy away from the reality of being homeless and the situations families find themselves in.  

*Whether you have been homeless, knows someone who has been homeless, or have never experienced homelessness; this is an important story that truly needs to be experienced.


Who Should Read It:
*EVERYONE!  This would make for a strong class read aloud in grades four and above.  There would be so much to discuss, process, and think about.  If you put the book in the hands of an individual, I would suggest they are in fifth grade or higher.  I also know this story will create a heart print of adult readers.  Happy Reading!


Rating:   5+ STARS out of 5 Stars

White Bird by R.J. Palacio with Erica S. Perl

How I Heard About It:
*This novel has been sitting in my TBR pile since 2022.  I'm not really sure why I didn't grab and read, but it kept getting put lower in the pile for other more recent titles.  This summer, I had time to get through some books that have been waiting patiently to be read.  I had read the graphic novel version when it was released so I was curious to see how the novel adaptation compared.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*This story came from the original novel Wonder.  The plot focuses on the character Julian and his grandmother Sara.

*As we know from Wonder, Julian hasn't always been kind to others.  While speaking to his grandmother, he learns of her childhood during the Nazi invasion.

*Sara and her family are Jewish and living in France.

*One day during school, the soldiers appear to gather up all the Jewish students.  Sara is able to escape, hide and be rescued by another student in her class.

*He hides Sara in the family barn, and the two of them form a special friendship during an incredible difficult time for Jewish citizens.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*It had been quite some time since I had read the graphic novel version so I didn't remember all the details of the story.

*As difficult as the subject matter was, I found this story to be enjoyable and engaging.  

*I loved the friendship between Sara and the boy who rescued her and how the kindness between the two of them helped Sara's grandson in his own life.

*The family that hid Sara were some of the most wonderful characters I've read about.  

*The writing was incredible with a strong plot and thoughtful characters.  

Who Should Read It:
*Readers who have read Wonder, and who hasn't, will definitely want to put this title on their TBR list.  Not only will the young reader enjoy the story, but they will learn quite a bit about what it was like to be a young Jewish child during the Nazi invasion.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:   4 STARS out of 5 Stars

Such Kindness by Andre Dubus III

How I Heard About It:
*Years ago I read the novel The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III and could not stop reading the story once I began.  It was a page-turner.  Earlier this spring (2023) I saw some book reviews of Dubus' newest work of fiction.  I downloaded the novel and read the story via my Kindle.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Tom Lowe had it all: a wife, a son, his own construction company.

*Until he didn't.  

*After a fall on the construction site, Tom becomes addicted to pain killers.  

*He loses everything that means the most to him.

*While living alone in "low-cost" housing, Tom does everything in his power to make his way back to the people that mean the most to him.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*Because I enjoyed The House of Sand and Fog so much, I was looking forward to reading this new story.

*The introduction to the novel was strong and I was thinking it was going to be another wonderful read.

*As I continued through the story, I found myself a bit bored and not invested in Tom's journey.

*The plot moved slow and seemed a bit repetitive after awhile.  

*I know the author was portraying people dealing with a lot in their lives, but the focus on negative events and sad people; got to me after awhile.


Who Should Read It:
*If you have read any of Andre's previous works, I would imagine you would enjoy his latest work of fiction.  The story may not have been "ideal" for me, I know the book has gotten many high ratings.  Happy Reading!


Rating:   3 STARS out of 5 Stars

Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson

How I Heard About It:
*Publisher "Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House" sent me an advanced copy of Jacqueline Woodson's upcoming novel.  I pretty much love everything that Nancy publishes and of course we all know what an incredible writer Jacqueline Woodson is.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Woodson takes the reader back to the 1970's to the Bushwick neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York.  

*The main character is Sage, a young girl who has a passion for basketball and can perform better on the court than anyone else in her neighborhood.

*While Sage knows she isn't like the other girls in the neighborhood, she isn't bothered by it until an older kid asks her a question she can't quite get out of her head.

*When Sage meets a new kid named Freddy, she begins to realize her differences may be a truly positive aspect in her life.  

*The fires in Bushwick keep spreading that summer, but Sage and Freddy refuse to let their own "fire" be extinguished.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*Once I sat down with the novel in my hands, I did not stop reading until I finished the story.

*The plot was fascinating and educational because I didn't know much about these fires in New York.

*The friendship between Sage and Freddy was special, deep, and heartwarming.  

*As with all of her writing, this story was thoughtful, precise, and completely engaging.  

*There are several important and strong life lessons presented throughout the pages of Sage's story that I know young readers will benefit from.


Who Should Read It:
*This middle-grade novel will be perfect for readers in grades four, five, and six.  Middle-school readers will definitely need to put this title on their TBR list.  If you know of a young person who loves to read and loves the sport of basketball, then his is the story for them.  Happy Reading!


Rating:   5 STARS out of 5 Stars

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

How I Heard About It:
*I've known John for many years as the man who shares his love of reading and books with the world.  I've had the honor of meeting him and chatting from time to time.  When I learned he was publishing a novel, I knew it was going to be an incredible story for young readers.  I was able to obtain an E-Galley and spent a wonderful summer afternoon with John's main character Jake.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Jake is a young boy who isn't like the rest of the boys around him.

*He enjoys spending time with his grandmother, seniors at the local nursing home, listening to "adult" music, and attending the theater.  

*As Jake navigates his way through the cruelty of the world, he begins to avoid both food and mirrors.

*When his family begins to realize Jake has a serious problem with food, they force him to check into a residential treatment center.

*While at the center, Jake must battle between what everyone is telling him and the "VOICE" inside of himself telling him not to eat one thing.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*Reading Louder Than Hunger was quite a special experience.

*Because I have heard John Schu speak in person, I couldn't help but hear his own voice while reading about Jake.  

*What an honor it was to be allowed into the private struggle of Jake/John and just see how powerful an eating disorder can be.

*While I think most people think eating disorders are mostly a female disease, this story opens up the perspective that the disorder can effect anyone.

*John's writing was exquisite, beautiful, touching, and personal.  I don't know if I've ever such a personal story where the author allows the reader inside their life as much as this story did.


Who Should Read It:
*Louder Than Hunger will be an important story for young people who are experiencing their own personal struggles.  Beyond this, I would say EVERYONE will need to read the novel when it is released in March of 2024.  As John would say, "Happy Reading!"


Rating:   5 STARS out of 5 Stars