I didn't know what to expect from this book, and while I didn't dislike it, I also wasn't too crazy about it either. For a middle-grade novel, the plot of a wishtree trying to make wishes come true in the wake of possibly being chopped down was sweet, inspiring, and reflective. 

There was a lot of creativity by the author's part that was pretty fun - especially the names of the animals that lived in the wishtree. 

There was a moment, though, where the rules of the plot were...challenged, and it made me question this reality.

the wishtree literally speaks to the two children with a monologue about their history

Overall, it was a quick read - one that will help me get to my reading goal this year. It served it's purpose to me as a short story that held my attention and entertained me for a couple hours. 

This was a book unlike any other. This sweet middle-grade book follows a girl with no arms and her friends. But I love that she wasn’t just armless. She was funny, friendly, kind, a soccer star, a blogger, a detective, a prankster, a helper, and much more. What a lovely story with lovely, three-dimensional characters and a great message of friendship and finding your people. 

I'm a huge fan of Brandy Colbert, and this middle-grade book did not disappoint! I love the complexities of friendship that were addressed as well as the diversity represented. It was enlightening to read a story about a black girl who was one of the only black girls in her town because I haven't and will never experience that as a white girl. 

There were so many small details and storylines that made the book and characters feel real and well-rounded. Things like developing romantic relationships, trying new things, the family being vegetarian, starting your menstrual cycle, balancing old friendships with new ones, experiencing different family dynamics, and so much more. 

This is an important book for anyone to read, and I'd highly recommend it! And to venture into Brandy Colbert's other works as well. 

Wow, this was a powerful rollercoaster of a novel. It's timely and deals with the alternating POV well. It's a great piece that challenges us to look at race and how actions attribute to prejudice. 

There were moments that I wish I knew a bit more of the characters' backstories and got a better sense for who they were before the inciting incident. While I hoped they would get out of danger and cared for them in that way, I wish I could have more from them to really be in the story with them.

SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO 2022: FREE BOOK

I didn’t know what to expect from this graphic novel, but I absolutely loved it! 

Sanja is so adorable and I love the character development Lelek goes through. I’m also very envious of their journey together through towns while on a mission to help Lelek. 

I will say that there were times it was a little too fast-paced for my liking. There were moments that seemed to quickly jump time where a couple frames showing that time went by would have been helpful to me. 

Otherwise, I loved the art style, the story, the queer love, the inclusion of a non-binary character, the magic, and the heart of these characters. I honestly want to read more of their adventures and life together. 

Read for Kid Book Club: Book with a Green Cover.

I haven't come across a book like this in a while! I love puzzle books, and while there wasn't much of a plot other than "escape the island after finding the treasure" I still had a great time reading it. I like how the puzzles were set up in that there were different types of puzzles - visual ones on the pages, map puzzles, and item usage. I found the idea of using items to progress further into the story was a brilliant concept and really helped me dive into this puzzle book. I'm also a huge fan of escape rooms, and this gave me a little taste of that. 

Whenever I'm in the mood to be completely sucked into a book that requires very little brain power to follow, but still provides a fun and mysterious game of solving a mystery, I know Karen McManus will not disappoint! 

I loved constantly guessing who the real murderer was, and I love the complexities that surround the tragic event. It amazes me how authors can write not-so clear-cut mysteries and add layers and layers surrounding it. 

I enjoyed the character of Brynn, but especially loved her sister. There's, of course, a small romance that happens between the main characters, and I can honestly do without that aspect of the book, but luckily, it wasn't so overpowering. 

Wow, I loved this! What a powerful middle-grade book about hard topics and finding friends. I'm a big fan of Jason Reynolds, and I'm eager to read the rest of this series. 

I found the characters very 3-dimensional. I loved how everyone had layers to them, proving how complicated and not-so black-and-white the world and it's people are. 

I loved the plot and the feminist themes throughout the novel. This usually isn't a genre a read, but I did enjoy the story and mystery within it. 

SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO 2022: CHARACTER WITH A DISABILITY

Well, this was freaking adorable! It's such a cozy little spooky read with a romance plotline and an adventure in finding your confidence, found family, and challenging yourself. I would absolutely live in this world and work at the Black Cat and make magic tea and mooncakes. Both Nova and Tam are such great characters with depth and utter cuteness. Their relationship is so pure and supportive. I also loved how Tam's nonbinary status was handled in that there are a few panels where Tam corrects someone using the wrong pronouns, they apologize for misgendering them, and then they continue onwards with the correct pronouns, and it's never mentioned again. Even the "baddie" of the story uses the correct pronouns, which I kind of loved. 

The art was gorgeous and so easy to follow. I love that almost the entire book passes the Bechdel test because there's so few male characters. I would absolutely buy this book to read it again - especially on a rainy Fall day with a hot cup of tea.