There's quite a bit of facts and supposition here to unpack. I did learn a lot even though I've seen the play, The Lost Colony, live in Manteo. The NCThere's quite a bit of facts and supposition here to unpack. I did learn a lot even though I've seen the play, The Lost Colony, live in Manteo. The NC connection made me want to dive into this. It's probably not going to be highly appealing to kids as it's a rather dry subject. ...more
This is age appropriate for older elementary-aged kids. There's a death of a close relative and lots of dialogue about feelings. The premise is a famiThis is age appropriate for older elementary-aged kids. There's a death of a close relative and lots of dialogue about feelings. The premise is a family who owns a bakery but they are also able to bake goods that can change how one can feel, i. e. eat a muffin and gain confidence. There's also the lesson of how to maintain friendship and a little school drama too. The illustrations are super and frequent use of onomatopoeia. Many recipes are provided too....more
I was very curious since the author is Melissa McCarthy's husband. The text is rhyming and is somewhat humorous and silly. The intent is c3-1/2 stars:
I was very curious since the author is Melissa McCarthy's husband. The text is rhyming and is somewhat humorous and silly. The intent is clear and sweet: help a kid fall asleep when there's thunder. The illustrations are great. I think I would like it better if I had actually read it physically vs e-book. The format isn't all that unique. ...more
I love Carol Burnett and watched her TV shows growing up. She's such a great female role model. She was the first female to host a variety show on TV.I love Carol Burnett and watched her TV shows growing up. She's such a great female role model. She was the first female to host a variety show on TV. The book highlights other accomplished female celebrities such as Lucille Ball....more
This dystopian GN for kids reminds me of the Wild Robot. A disassembled robot becomes reassembled and then bonds with a pair of kids that are raising This dystopian GN for kids reminds me of the Wild Robot. A disassembled robot becomes reassembled and then bonds with a pair of kids that are raising themselves because their mom is off making robots, ironically. I believe that kids younger than 5th grade might not comprehend all the levels of this book. The illustrations are super dark and bleak. It reminds me of the Dune background-all desert and desolate. The characters are Asian, so supposedly the background is western China. There is a heart-warming ending. ...more
The narration was a bit chaotic. It would help if the young reader already has a basic knowledge of WWII and Hitler. Max is about 12 yo from Germany aThe narration was a bit chaotic. It would help if the young reader already has a basic knowledge of WWII and Hitler. Max is about 12 yo from Germany and he's sent to Britain to live with another Jewish family to keep him safe. He eventually trains to be a spy and that's what the next book will be about. The kids might like the two "fantastical" characters that stand on Max's shoulder to help him. Half of the book is about his spy training. I did learn a few new things about the Jewish culture. ...more
This is beautifully illustrated and speaks to the children who have to be the translators for their non-English speaking parents and caregivers. The rThis is beautifully illustrated and speaks to the children who have to be the translators for their non-English speaking parents and caregivers. The responsibility is immense!...more
I do like this GN style. The illustrations are great. It's not really a full biography but concentrates more on Antoinette's early years and her prep I do like this GN style. The illustrations are great. It's not really a full biography but concentrates more on Antoinette's early years and her prep to be Queen. It reads even faster than a regular Who Is/Was. I think it's an effective way for kids to get a quick history lesson....more
I'm baffled by why my library system has classified this as a GN for adults. It is difficult to fit it into a particular age group. I would say it's nI'm baffled by why my library system has classified this as a GN for adults. It is difficult to fit it into a particular age group. I would say it's not a picture book b/c it has too many words on a page. It could have been laid out differently to become one though. The illustrations sure fit into the picture book category: simple and child-friendly. It could be juvenile fiction. There are a few themes that could be considered higher level like consequences, sharing, and compromise. Overall, it was light, enjoyable, and reflective of Noah's rebellious childhood. ...more
I actually learned a few things. I think it's good to let kids know that success includes failures along the way. Kelce actually got kicked off his coI actually learned a few things. I think it's good to let kids know that success includes failures along the way. Kelce actually got kicked off his college team for drug use. He changed his ways and got back on the team but not as a QB but as a TE. Not a bad read, just quick and easy....more
I got through it. For some reason, it's classified as AF in my library system. YA or even J is more like it. If you like magic, fantasy, and medieval I got through it. For some reason, it's classified as AF in my library system. YA or even J is more like it. If you like magic, fantasy, and medieval times, this is fine. It's not at all what I expected.
This is typical Korman where the kids learn lessons and prevail at the end. Trey travels with his con-man dad and sister. Together they go from place This is typical Korman where the kids learn lessons and prevail at the end. Trey travels with his con-man dad and sister. Together they go from place to place after running money schemes and disappears before the law descends. He learns priorities, ethics and integrity. Other themes are friendships, honesty, and sibling rivalry. There are many fun parts for kids. Elementary kids may not have the ability to comprehend all the concepts. ...more
3-1/2 stars: Inspiring story about a young girl who finds out her mom is really a spy. Abigail ends up in the same school her mom came through for spy3-1/2 stars: Inspiring story about a young girl who finds out her mom is really a spy. Abigail ends up in the same school her mom came through for spy training. She makes lifetime friends in this story. I just didn't really find any of the characters endearing. There are currently 3 books in the series. ...more
I will give kudos to the author for making this book sound like fiction. It was a good length and I certainly learned a few things about the war and tI will give kudos to the author for making this book sound like fiction. It was a good length and I certainly learned a few things about the war and the use of propaganda. It reminded me of Code Girls. I think there could be just fewer characters to keep it easier for kids to stick with it. ...more
This is a book full of serious themes and content. Sure, there are some light childhood laughs. I enjoyed the audio narrated by Cisneros. The format iThis is a book full of serious themes and content. Sure, there are some light childhood laughs. I enjoyed the audio narrated by Cisneros. The format is different and it really requires parent/teacher conversations both before and after. For those reasons, I think today's youth will have a hard time absorbing it. I am rating this book based on engagement value for older children and teens. ...more
I don't know if this series will be a hit. I sympathized with Olive, the main character. Other than her grandmother, she has a less than nurturing famI don't know if this series will be a hit. I sympathized with Olive, the main character. Other than her grandmother, she has a less than nurturing family situation. She's shipped off to a camp. There is a happy ending and she does become a key part of a group of other misfits who become her friends. It reminds me of a Gordon Korman novel. There just wasn't much connection for me with this one. I enjoyed Maisy Chen's Last Chance quite a bit more. ...more
Another good historical fiction from Gratz. Set at Pearl Harbor, this is a great companion book for a lesson about the tragedy at Pearl Harbor. The stAnother good historical fiction from Gratz. Set at Pearl Harbor, this is a great companion book for a lesson about the tragedy at Pearl Harbor. The story centers on two boys who are friends and love comics. One is Japanese American, so a lesson about the internment of Japanese Americans is also included. The audiobook is well done....more
It's Back to the Future coupled with many other similar plots. The basis isn't original and the narrator isn't the greatest. I think it's hard for aduIt's Back to the Future coupled with many other similar plots. The basis isn't original and the narrator isn't the greatest. I think it's hard for adults to do kids' voices. Daughter unexplainably travels back to the time her dad was her age. She discovers why he's so strict. Her new friend is her current best friend's mother. The touching moment is when she discovers that her grandmother's stroke is why her father is so regimented. McKinley also finds out that her father has dyslexia. ...more
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