This graphic novel stole my heart. It has all the warm fall feels that can be experienced throughout the entire year. The vegetable characters are wholesome, and Garlic is everything I am. 

I will absolutely be recommending this book!

A truly wild ride of a book. The introduction is a fun letter from the author inviting the reader on a wild ride with them.  

 

After the first chapter, this autobiography is very chronological and follows Hayley throughout her childhood into young adulthood. She tells her story of working to get a black belt with her dad; fighting and beating cancer; studying and applying for her dream job; preparing for space travel; and, finally, traveling to space.  

 

Hayley’s stories are short and engaging. The text is adapted for young readers, allowing the narrative to still be robust without being overwhelming.  

The final chapter asks readers to think about their dreams with ample words of encouragement. Overall, this is a fun, informative, and quirky read for upper elementary and junior high students.  

 

*The audiobook is narrated by the author and puts an authentic spin on how the story is told.  

A biography that Beatles fans, haters, and stand-byers can appreciate. I am indifferent regarding the Beatles, yet I found this biography of John Lennon and Paul McCartney to be rather fascinating.  

 

The book starts with the birth of John Lennon during World War II and follows him through his adolescence. The stories are truthful without being too mature for a junior high audience. Paul McCartney joins the story along the way, and Cooper takes off with their musical careers – both the ups AND the downs.  

 

The audiobook narration was a pleasure to listen to, though the print book has images to go along with the stories in each chapter, highlighting the life story of the two musicians.  

 

The afterword is extremely useful in sharing what happened to the prominent people after the band’s career took off. There are also extensive endnotes and bibliographies at the end of the book.  

Using muted colors for the illustrations, Bomb: Graphic Novel pulls readers into the true story of what went into creating one of the world’s deadliest weapons. The book starts with an engaging hook that is bound to leave readers asking questions and wanting to continue reading. Sheinkin stated in the “Author’s Note” that he pulled the main highlights from his traditional nonfiction title Bomb. There are clear relations between the two (2) books.  

I found the epilogue to be especially intriguing, telling readers what happened in the lives of the prominent researchers after the graphic novel ends. 

 

The only hesitation I have regarding this graphic novel is the font choice. Sometimes it was difficult to tell what the letters were, especially when using “u” and “il.” 

*Thanks to YA Midwest Fest, the publisher, and author for an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

A horror take on The Yellow Wallpaper? Um, yes freaking please! 

What a horrific, wild ride! Beholder is a nightmare in a book with twists and turns and gore and blood. 

This is my first Ryan La Sala book, and I was equally impressed and horrified. 

I think this book beautifully captures the ideas of defining and dividing beauty. It looks at the frightful ways in which socioeconomics plays into beauty and what is determined beautiful…like power. 

I also appreciate the intricate and loving way La Sala uses the mirrors to challenge readers think about no only what we see in the mirror, but what is actually reflected back for the world to see, as well. 

A tiny part of the book in the beginning did feel like it dragged a bit. I was instantly drawn in my the first chapter and scene, but after Athan met Dom, things seemed
To slow down for a little bit. Once you hit about 25%, though, it quickly turns into a page-turner

The ending? Terrorizing. Haunting. I mean, what? And then the epilogue? Talk about heartbreaking. 

I can’t wait to read more of their work and to recommend this to our teen readers!

*Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

This is a fine, spooky middle-grade book. I like the idea of monster hunting and the world was rather interesting. I felt like a few things fell flat and that a few more could have been fleshed out. Overall, this was a fine read, but it won't likely be the first thing I grab when recommending titles. 

*Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

This one started with such potential for me. I appreciated that Tess's grief was shown through her anger because that is often how it can manifest for people. I had issues with a few things, however. I did not like how Cotter seemed to force dates on Tess to assist her with things. I just didn't feel like it was ever handled in a way that showed that forcing someone to go on a date with you after them telling you "no" multiple times just because they are asking for your help is not okay. I also didn't love the way Tess's dad's depression was handled. I appreciate that it was shown in the book and that it showed just how much depression can pull apart relationships, however, I don't think it was ever resolved in a way that helped Tess (or readers) understand what it is or why people struggle with it. 

Overall, I thought the premise of this book was cute and silly, but those few things I mentioned above were so prevalent that I couldn't ignore them and I felt they really took away from the story for me. 

Absolutely wholesome. I want our world to have tea dragons. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. 

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Hercules Beal...I was not 100% sure if I was going to jive with the story after contemplating the description for a few months but I am happy to report back that I was 100% wrong to be.

The Labors of Hercules Beal is a story of growth, grief, friendship, and family. Readers are thrown into the emotions that Hercules feels throughout the story as he discovers what his name means to him, how to cope with the loss of his parents, and what friendship can truly mean. 

I am planning to recommend this book a lot.