To be honest, i don’t think I am the type of person who could ever sit down and read a standard Dan Rather book cover to cover.  It’s not Dan, it’s me.  I could listen to him all day long, and I love him on Twitter, but he does not usually write the type of books that keep me interested.  That is until his work What Unites us was give the graphic novel treatment.  Hats off to the illustrators because they did an amazing job.  It was almost like watching Dan on TV telling his tales.  This book was approachable, thought out and extremely well done.  Every library should have a copy for the civics lessons many kids are not learning in school. 

 This is the end.  I really liked this series when it started out. It had some less than stellar volumes.  I did like the last book, mostly.  I was not a fan of the “extra” stories.  At least the Scrappy stories merged with the main story and made sense.  There was no reason for the Secret Agent Squirrel or the Adam Ant stories either.  It was just like the author had nowhere to go but needed to fill space.  I thought the last book wrapped up entirely too quickly, but I did enjoy it.  It got a bit sappy, but overall it was a fun adventure I am glad I went on.  Now if we could just talk Netflix or the CW into adapting it… 

 Not gonna lie, this book is a tad long.  It solidly falls into non-fiction.  I think it would be a great in class book where there was a lesson everyday from various pages.  It’s simple to understand no matter the age.  It mixes yoga with lessons on paying attention to yourself, to others, and to things around you.  I find this book was very well done and would be a great asset to any library. 

 This was a lovely story about a new to me Holiday.  Raksha Bandhan is an Indian holiday that celebrates siblings.  It is customary for sisters to give or make their brothers bracelets. Bina is finally old enough to make her bracelets instead of buying them, and she goes about quizzing her brothers to make sure they are perfect.  This story was excellent.  The vibrant illustrations will perfectly set off the tale and make for a fantastic introduction to new traditions. 

 This was just not that interesting.  It’s an LGBTQ story. The cover is a major turnoff.  I know they are sharing a berry, but it looks like a tongue and just no.  I found there to be no heart, and it was just one thing after another that dragged and dragged. 

 

This was a sweet read.  The popular kid who no longer plays ball falls for the school's big geek.  The story was laid out well and had a nice flow.  What was a little off, was the “after story” when the two characters are together and have sex for the first time.  It seemed so out of place with the rest of the story.  It was a great primer on consent, but it just seemed so very graphic compared with the main part of the story.  I almost wish it was left out.

 

 

I loved this book.  It was so much fun.  It started off a little slow for me, but once the action started it didn’t stop.  Rowan is a Princess destined to be Queen.  What she really wants is to be the Royal Monster Hunter, but her twin brother gets that destiny.  But after a deadly run in with a gryphon the siblings switch destinies.  In order for the crown council to agree to the switch, Rowan must train to eventually bring down the gryphon that escaped.  She makes friends on her adventure, of all varieties, and learns that you should not force them to do your bidding, but ask, and let them make up their own mind.  I think lots of people will like this book.  There is a bit of something for everyone.  The cast is a bit multicultural which is given a brief explanation, but it’s not an in your face race/class etc book.  This is a girls kick butt book, and the guys are not left out either.  Plenty of saving the princess and the princess saves herself.  Loved this book and I can not wait to go dig book 2 off my shelf.

#middleGradeChallenge

#BBRC

 

 This series has finally gotten good.  We meet Peter Pan, and a few others.  It’s a little confusing to begin with, but once you get going you will not be able to put it down.  I am glad the library got me book 4 right away because I need to start it ASAP. 

 While I was not a fan of volume 4, volume 5 is right back where the series belongs with high octane action, scenes that pull at your heart strings, and more Secret Squirrel.  Personally I don’t care for the Secret Squirrel sections, but these were better than in the past.  I am curious how they will integrate the two stories.  Only one book left, so hopefully it hits it out of the park. 

 This book was highly interesting.  Much of it seems like US vampire lore until you get to the end of book 1 which leaves the reader hanging and wishing for book 2.  I thought this book while bloody and a bit violent was a great read.  I know there is a matching anime but I think I want to finish reading the books before I watch the series.