Not long after Susan became a member of the Seven Continents Club, I met her through a local running group. The tips and stories she shared as we ran Not long after Susan became a member of the Seven Continents Club, I met her through a local running group. The tips and stories she shared as we ran those training miles have stuck with me through 59 half marathons -- a couple of them with Susan.
Her spiritual strength shone through even on those group runs and I was thrilled to discover her new devotional. There are 54 entries and to read them is like having Susan training with me again. She includes observations on training, includes stories from her many years as a runner -- especially her quest to join the Seven Continents Club.
Our Christian life is a daily race and I so appreciated the verses she shared and the wise connections for application. Many end with a challenge to ponder a question or search out more about the subject in Scripture passages.
It was providential that a mutual running acquaintance gave me a copy of this book as I am training for half marathon #60. Susan may not be out on my training runs in person, but I feel her with me in spirit through her wise words. ...more
With March Madness, just ten days away; I knew it would be a great time to pick this one up.
Like Caitlin Clark, I am an Iowa girl. As a kid I cheeredWith March Madness, just ten days away; I knew it would be a great time to pick this one up.
Like Caitlin Clark, I am an Iowa girl. As a kid I cheered for the Hawkeyes -- especially in basketball. When I was a student at Iowa State, I cheered for the Cyclones. The University of Iowa Hawkeyes were our biggest rival. Once I had a boyfriend who got tickets to a men's basketball game between the two. It was exciting to watch, but that was well before the Caitlin Clark era.
Fast forward to the 2020's and women's basketball at U of I is becoming so popular that some venues have to be moved to accomodate spectators. With Caitlin Clark as point guard, the Hawkeyes went to the Final Four in two consecutive years. While they did not win, the ratings were record breaking and the stands were filled with celebrities along with faithful fans.
This book gives a comprehensive view of Clark's life along with lots of great full-color pics. Along with inside info about her competitive drive are tips for kids about balancing the will to win with a healthy mental outlook. Also included are some great basketball facts, profiles on other greats, and how tos on polishing your own skills.
Due to be released in April (to commemorate one year in the WNBA, perhaps), I am glad I got a chance to read it before we get into the NCAA tournament later this month. Thank you to becker&mayer!kids and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
What happens when two boys who did everything right still don't make the school basketball team? Jax and Nic don't want to wait until next year to tryWhat happens when two boys who did everything right still don't make the school basketball team? Jax and Nic don't want to wait until next year to try again.
What about a fellow student who is one of the few not to get a part -- or even a backstage assignment -- in the middle school play? Luke has a drama teacher who seems to prefer a particular type of student and disregards those outside that box.
How does a girl who loves numbers and control find a way to reach out and make some friends? If Miley continues to go it alone, her parents have plans to pull her out of school and homeschool with a cousin.
What if those kids could make a deal and work together to put together a basketball team that could beat the school team and enter also participate in a drama competition? Jax and Nic get their basketball team, Luke gets to show the drama teacher what he's got, and Miley practices sports analysis.
The writing duo of Chad Morris and Shelly Brown has shown us just what kids can do when they support each other and encourage dreams to catch fire and grow.
United, the fire grows brighter. Don't forget that. It's called synergy. Together you can do more. You've proven that. ~ Mr. Juma pregame pep talk.
I loved having chapters from the perspectives of Jax, Luke, and Miley. The Miley installments included doodles and were especially fun in a variety of formats like texting with an advice chatbot, making lists, and more.
These kids have all the moves to make this a winner of a read. Mr. June and Jax's mom are my MVPs.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review....more
With baseball season underway, it's a good time to read about pitcher trying to reconcile with his ex-wife. Noah starts by caring for Gracie after an With baseball season underway, it's a good time to read about pitcher trying to reconcile with his ex-wife. Noah starts by caring for Gracie after an unfortunate tumble from an iron horse. When those plans go awry, he agrees to a memoir -- but only if Gracie writes it. This could be a win-win for them both.
The ratings for this new release have been on the low side. Here are four reasons I really liked this new Becca Kinzer title:
That brilliant blue cover caught my eye and . . .the snow stops falling altogether, revealing a bluebird day--bright-blue sky, sunny, cloudless, calm.
That brilliant blue cover caught my eye and I was intrigued by the promise of a mother-daughter relationship in the world of ski racing. Here are four things I loved about this new release:
Though she be little, she is fierce. If you try to get the best of Mo Seto she will unleash the power of the ancient art of Xiaoxi-shu. Here are some Though she be little, she is fierce. If you try to get the best of Mo Seto she will unleash the power of the ancient art of Xiaoxi-shu. Here are some things I loved about this book:
For me one of the best things about the Winter Olympics is the figure skating. While I love the individual events, my favorites are the couples competFor me one of the best things about the Winter Olympics is the figure skating. While I love the individual events, my favorites are the couples competitions. If you are like me, you will be glued to the pages of this new release chronicling the saga of Shaw & Roch.
Katarina Shaw and Heath Roch claw their way into the world of ice dancing. And they come as a matched set. For Katarina, her biggest ambition is to be like Sheila Lin -- an iconic ice dancing queen with two Olympic gold medals. Heath just wants to be with Katarina.
Their story is told with documentary inserts reminiscent of Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. If you are a TJR fan, this one will be appealing. I have also seen it compared to Colleen Hoover although I do think the spice is toned down quite a bit. Very closed door which is my style.
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To borrow a phrase from my GR friends Barbara and Thibault -- this is book candy! A big thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review....more
Swimming is who I am. It's WHAT I am. I am sun-bleached hair, goggle-creased cheeks, cracked lips, freckled shoulders, prune-y fingertips. I AM the water.
WitSwimming is who I am. It's WHAT I am. I am sun-bleached hair, goggle-creased cheeks, cracked lips, freckled shoulders, prune-y fingertips. I AM the water.
Without it, I am nothing. Without it, I am a girl missing her mom, who couldn't care less about her water-daughter.
Tully Burch used to train and race across the water with her mom. When her mom left they had been planning a swim across Lake Tahoe. On this July day, Tully has her best friend Arch in a kayak to support her attempt to swim across the lake. The Godfather Swim.
Jamie Sumner has written Tully's story in verse, from her POV. Each hour she is in the water the opposite shore grows closer. Twelve miles. Six hours. That is the plan. What will happen when her dad finds out about her plan? What about the weather? What about the doubts that creep in with her mother gone?
A few pages have specially shaped poems: a bell, a lightning bolt, and waves. The rest of the pages flow past smoothly and I could feel Tully's determination as well as her uncertainty. Arch is the best kind of friend. Even Sumner's Acknowledgments are in verse. There is still time to read this with Summer in the present tense. Highly recommended....more
Soccer is Aven Green's most favorite game. It's a new season for her team the Sticker Kickers. Coach says it is time to choose a team captain. Since ASoccer is Aven Green's most favorite game. It's a new season for her team the Sticker Kickers. Coach says it is time to choose a team captain. Since Aven is pretty sure she is the best player on the team AND her dad is the coach, she has little doubt she will be chosen. Was she listening when Coach told them what he is looking for the best team player, not the player with the best technique? If he doesn't choose Aven, maybe she should just quite the team? Chapter book readers will enjoy this fourth installment in the Aven Green series. Great-grandma tells an illuminating flamethrower story to help Aven make her decision. Included is a list of Aven's soccer words like flip-flap and stepover. The illustrations are numerous and filled with great details. In the next book, the Green family goes on vacation. Can't wait! ...more
Grace, I feel your pain. It is the worst to be cooking along with a training schedule for a race and have an unexpected interruption. Although I have Grace, I feel your pain. It is the worst to be cooking along with a training schedule for a race and have an unexpected interruption. Although I have been doing my half marathon running in my 40's and 50's, there is much I could relate to in the story of Grace's summer between 8th grade and high school. I loved seeing her running schedule and those hill workout days can be murder. Her relationships with her family (Mom, Dad, and sister Celia) as well as cousin Avery and frenemy Jonah were wonderfully thought-provoking. What is success? Is it your name on a plaque? Beating your running buddy across the finish line? Getting a spot in that summer writing intensive? Winning an essay contest? The Emily Dickinson poem about success was the perfect complement to Grace's story. I highly recommend this upper MG read.
Success Is Counted Sweetest by Emily Dickinson
Success is counted sweetest By those who ne'er succeed. To comprehend a nectar Requires sorest need.
Not one of all the purple Host Who took the Flag today Can tell the definition So clear of victory
As he defeated � dying � On whose forbidden ear The distant strains of triumph Burst agonized and clear!
Thank you to Amulet Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review....more
Sunnybrook is back in the news. What is happening to their championship football team? There are exploding coaches, plenty of peer tutoring, and too mSunnybrook is back in the news. What is happening to their championship football team? There are exploding coaches, plenty of peer tutoring, and too much partying. ...more
The NFL season may be over, but this new release from Sarah Adams gives us a chance to check in with our favorite players from the LA Sharks. The CheaThe NFL season may be over, but this new release from Sarah Adams gives us a chance to check in with our favorite players from the LA Sharks. The Cheat Sheet featured QB Nathan and how his team buddies gave him a cheat sheet to win the heart of his BFF Bree. In this April release, Tight End Derek Pender and his new agent/former girlfriend Nora Mackenzie are front and center. The two make a trip to Vegas for a suit company endorsement commercial and get married after a few too many drinks. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Wrong! Social media has already published pics. Nora and Derek must decide whether to 1) Stay married 2) Get a quickie divorce or 3) Fake it until they make it. The trick is to maintain Nora's workplace integrity on the one hand. They also have to work out their true feelings for each other on the other hand. It is quite a balancing act! And (in my opinion) got a bit tedious. This title was not as charming (for me) as 'The Cheat Sheet.' I must also confess that I kept imagining KC Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce while I read this book. (I know! Nora's character does not at all resemble Taylor Swift -- Kelce's real-life girlfriend.) I also want to give kudos to Sarah Adams for letting the reader know that the bedroom door is wide open in Chapter 34. Those who wish to keep that door closed can just skip that chapter. I did.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review....more
It's Spring and baseball is back. Baseball fan or not, this last title from Patricia MacLachlan is perfection. Here are five reasons I loved this bookIt's Spring and baseball is back. Baseball fan or not, this last title from Patricia MacLachlan is perfection. Here are five reasons I loved this book: âš¾Lucy Chance (11) is fearless. When she has her hair in those lucky braids, batters better be ready. âš¾Ruby the dog will play catch with you. She will toss the ball back after catching it. âš¾Mom Meg is a painter. She faithfully works on her craft as Lucy practices her pitching. They are both 'painting the game.' âš¾Dad Luther and his catcher Edgar are a captivating baseball duo. âš¾The famous Fenway Park and Green Monster. The Chance family will steal your heart. Can Luther and Edgar make it to the big show? Will Lucy ever throw a perfect knuckleball? The heartwarming homerun finish to this new release might bring tears to your eyes.
Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review....more
I'm giving four stars to this new release featuring a tony private school with its own island retreat. Here are four reasons why: ⛵Sailing is a big parI'm giving four stars to this new release featuring a tony private school with its own island retreat. Here are four reasons why: ⛵Sailing is a big part of this book. Weatherby and Jack are both on the school team. I have never been on a sailboat, but loved riding along with these two. ...more
The Chiefs fan in me was drawn to this book and it was fun to relive the dawn of a new football era in the Paris of the Plains. Patrick Mahomes is a vThe Chiefs fan in me was drawn to this book and it was fun to relive the dawn of a new football era in the Paris of the Plains. Patrick Mahomes is a very special talent. I am no football expert and even I could see that from the beginning of the 2018-19 football season. We do have a unique football culture of our own with "Red Friday" and the good-natured camaraderie of "Go, Chiefs!" shared around town all season. This book also explores the origins of our Cow Town and the impact J.C. Nichols and his deplorable redlining practices have had on the city layout and opportunities. What I found interesting is that our first Africa American mayor Emmanuel Cleaver III (1991-1999) was mentioned in just one sentence on page 182 as a part of the Hyatt disaster narrative. If they left Cleaver out of the story, what else did they neglect to include? Another title that explores the subject of redlining in KC is Some of My Best Friends Are Black: The Strange Story of Integration in America....more
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