Rating: 4.5/5

Genre: Upper Middle Grade/YA Historical Fiction

Recommended Age: 12+ (some slightly mature scenes, but nothing outrageous)

I was presented with a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for a review. This did not sway my decisions in any manner.

Papa is a good liar—he can tell a fib all the way from Ripley to Nashville to calm everyone down or make a situation seem better, including the Great Depression. But the day he promises fourteen-year-old Caroline that everything will be okay when he leaves the farm to find work elsewhere, she isn’t so sure. After all, her favorite brother George told her something similar not long ago. And no one has heard from him since.

Caroline has to believe George will come back. Otherwise, she won’t have the strength to do her share of the work while looking after her sickly little sister Phoebe and telling her hopeful stories about the Growing Rock that magically grows every summer. But as time moves on, Caroline feels more and more discouraged. When tragedy occurs that threatens to break the large family apart even more, will Caroline give into the hopelessness that has consumed Mama?

The Growing Rock (Harvard Square Editions), by debut author Susanna Lancaster, depicts the Great Depression era in a fresh light with striking historical details and transports readers of today to the world of 1937. Intended for early Young Adult readers, the book explores complex family dynamics and significant cross-generational themes. – Goodreads.com
When I was a little girl I was obsessed with anything Little House on the Prairie and anything from that time period or setting because it was such a great series for children to grow up with. I read everything I could about that region and then slowly grew out of that phase. I never realized how much I would enjoy revisiting a book that could very easily fit into my favorite childhood genre, even though they are definitely set in different time periods. And I never thought I’d read a book that would make me want to read Little Women so much. But this book did! Not only was it a wave of nostalgia for me, it was a very incredible book to read. The characters were developed so well without it feeling drawn out. The characters became very realistic in this book and you could feel their emotions with them, which makes it hard to hate any one of them for their faults. The plot was also very well developed and the story never lagged or dulled in any areas. The writing was excellent and it was a truly captivating story.

The only cause of concern I had was that the story does tend to skip around a bit with the timeline, making it a little confusing at first to orient yourself to the pacing. I also had a little trouble with the font at times in the flashback scenes, but nothing was illegible. I’m just not able to read fancy fonts sometimes. However, those are my only complaints about this wonderful book!

Verdict: Overall, I was amazed at how much I loved this book. It kept me engaged and it brought back moments of nostalgia. It was a quick, fun read that reminded us all that growing up isn’t easy, sometimes it can be very difficult at times, but that things do come full circle in the end. This very sweet story would be perfect as a light read for any upper middle grade or YA reader or even an adult. Make sure to purchase this book when it comes out December 12, 2017!

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Health/Fitness/Mental Disorders/Self-Help(?)

Recommended Age: 15+ (lots of discussions about abusing prescription medication and alcohol and some other mature scenes).

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This did not sway my opinion in any way.

This first person account of ADHD is among the only books to offer a non-clinical perspective of ADHD where we can all understand on a deeper level the blessing and the curse that is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Seen through the eyes of one of literatures’ most outlandish characters, a greater connection with those afflicted with the pathologically wondering mind society loves to label is felt and processed from an altogether different perceptive.
Observe as our main character trips over himself endlessly while succeeding uniquely in his own fashion. Does Brian conquer his supposed “disorder”, and transcend the label, or fall into the self-esteem trap that so many others have succumbed to? Prepare to be entertained and most importantly, enlightened. – Amazon.com

As a female, especially since I’ve become married, I feel like I receive a huge amount of unsolicited advice about anything and everything, especially when it comes to having children, which I may or may not do. I’ve been told to do an abundance of things to “avoid” having a child that will end up having some sort of learning disorder. While I brush these off as myths and old (new?) wives tales, I do get hurt by them. Not for me, but that people with these different learning/thinking abilities and their parents get a bad rep because sometimes people think that something “went wrong” with them during conception and/or birth. Anyways, when I was approached to read this book I jumped at the chance because I wanted to learn about ADHD from someone who had ADHD and someone who’s had to live with it. I felt that the book did really good as not only an autobiographical book but also as an inside non-clinical look at how ADHD works from someone who has had to live with it. I also felt that the book had a good set-up and the story flowed well throughout the whole book. I felt connected with Brian and his journey and I felt heavily invested in his success.

However, I did feel that the book, which is supposed to be a “catalyst for change in the educational system” fails a little bit. While I did love that the book showed Brian’s journey and I felt I knew a lot more about ADHD then I did going into the book, I don’t feel like it drove home how the educational system could be updated to help those that have different ways of learning (which I don’t disagree with. I’ve always thought that the system needed a major overhaul). I feel that the book probably could have went into further detail about Brian’s school experiences to better help drive home the need for change in the educational system.
Verdict: While I thought the book was very well written and presented a good argument, I believe that it could have been more focused on educational change, but for what I got I thought it was very inspirational to those who have learning disabilities in that you can be successful, you just have to find something that works for you in terms of careers, studying, etc. If you want to learn more about ADHD or read up on some arguments against the current educational system, then definitely read this book!

Rating: 4/5

Genre: General Fiction/Biography (based on a true story)

Recommended Age: 13+ (some mature topics, but wrote in a way that wouldn’t scare young children)

I received a free copy of this book from Black Chateau in exchange for promotion and for my honest review. This did not sway my opinion in any way.

Thick white fog, headlights coming straight-on, and a violent car accident. A devoted father, Lucas confronts what parents fear most as he clutches his daughter’s hand in the hospital. The doctors say she has severe head trauma and there is little hope. Her fate will be decided in the next twenty-four hours.
Lucas is forced to wait, but he doesn’t give up hope. He talks to his daughter, fighting to break through, and what unfolds is his story of love, his dreams, and the struggles he endured keeping his family together.
A striking glimpse into midcentury farm life near the small town of Alexandria in Ontario Canada, discover that no path is simple. Choices are hard, and Lucas must decide between realizing his dreams and fighting to keep his family together.
Told through his daughter’s eye, this biography is a true story of family, faith, and purpose, set in 1950s Canada up to today. Lucas’ legacy is one we all can learn from and cherish. – Amazon.com


Life seems to take some very strange and unexpected turns. Where you think your life is going can be grossly different than where it lands. I’ve experienced this phenomenon, same as the main character in this book: Lucas! This book is a beautiful, poignant tale about a man named Lucas and his whole life as he tells it to his daughter while she is in a coma after a horrible car crash. His story is amazing and gorgeous and the tale he tells is just as awesome. The character development in the book was very detailed and the story was very well developed. The pacing wasn’t forced and it flowed with natural ease. It was very reminiscent of my grandfather telling me his stories when I was younger. The author has an amazing talent for writing. The book was very well written and was very easy to read. In fact, I read it within a day!

However, there were some concerns I had with the book. I felt that there were so many characters in the book that were stated but then never discussed ever again. In the beginning the reader is introduced to a huge cast of characters and 75% of them are never really mentioned again in the book. If they are it’s very short. This can be overwhelming for some readers. I also felt that all of these characters came off as too good to be true almost. Every family member has their secrets, but in the personal detail of this family’s life I feel that their skeletons were too well hidden.

Verdict: This book is a very well written book that is suitable for younger readers as well as older readers. It’s inspirational in that it shows that while life may look hard and difficult, there is some good that happens at the end. This is the cycle of life: there is good and then bad and then good again. It’s a natural ebb and flow. If you like memoirs or clean romance/drama then this book is for you and I recommend it to you and anyone who wants a change from the YA Fantasy books.

Rating: 4/5

Genre: YA Contemporary

Recommended Age: 16+ (mature scenes, alcohol abuse, some slightly triggering scenes)

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.

"That girl is such a mess." "Why can't she be like her sisters?"



Blah, blah, blah. That's all Mia Campbell-Richardson ever hears. From her parents, her teachers, and her never-do-wrong older sister, Grace.



So what if she parties too hard and studies too little? Who cares if she tends to end up with the wrong guys or says the wrong things at the wrong times? She's still a good friend (except when she isn't). And she still knows the way things should go (except when they don't).



When Grace comes home with shocking news, Mia hopes that it's finally Grace's turn to get into trouble. But instead it's Mia whose life spirals out of control.



So if you've ever said something you later regretted (likely), accidentally broken a friend's heart (possibly), or ruined a wedding in spectacular fashion (hopefully you haven't), All About Mia will make you laugh, cry, cry-laugh, and laugh-cry in recognition that life is sometimes most entertaining when it's at its most unfair. – Amazon.com

I’ve never had the joy of experiencing human siblings (although I am the older sister to tons of cats and dogs!). So going into this book I felt a bit scared that I wouldn’t be able to understand what Mia would feel since she is the middle child of 3 children all together. However my fears were quickly calmed when I read this fun book! I instantly became absorbed in Mia’s life and issues and I was so invested in her wellbeing. I credit this to how wonderfully well the book was written and how easy of a read it was (I read it in one day!). Not only did I feel invested in Mia’s life, but I also felt that most of the other characters were very well developed and were wrote so realistically. The plot is very well developed as well and it naturally comes about. The struggles that Mia goes through fill so natural and feel like something that could happen to a middle child and a teenage girl. I also want to praise the author on the diversity of the book and that the author used a realistic teen in her book. I feel that I read a lot of books about teen girls in which they seem so perfect. I actually have a term for this. I call it the Moana character because in my opinion Moana was perfect. She did the island duties and did everything her parents wanted, the only thing she did wrong was that she wanted to go explore the ocean beyond the reef. And because of that she felt like she wasn’t the perfect daughter. Coming from someone who messed up not as much but close to what Mia did, I feel that characters wrote like that aren’t realistic to me. This is why I connected to Mia so much. She did bad things and she wasn’t at all perfect. She messed up majorly a lot of times, like a real teenager does.

While I immensely enjoyed the book I felt that the pacing was a bit until you got used to it. The story jumps around a bit and skips indeterminately around to a random place in the future and so it takes the reader a bit of time to figure out where in the timeline they are. I also feel that the reader is introduced to characters like Mia’s friends or her parents, but they aren’t as well developed as some of the other major players in this story are.

Verdict: Never before had I read about such a realistic teenage character in my YA foray before and I’m honestly so sad that I completed the book. I fell in love with Mia and I just want her story to continue! This book is an excellent read for YA readers and maybe some mature middle grade readers, I would just be cautious about some of the topics discussed in the novel. If you enjoy YA contemporaries and want a realistic character, then this book is definitely for you! This book releases September 12, so pre-order now!!

Rating: 4/5

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Recommended Age: 15+ (slightly mature scenes)

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This did not sway my opinion of the book in any way.

Neely McIntire's dreams warn her about the future but will not protect her from the danger hiding in plain sight. On graduation night, she plans to tell her best friend, Hayden Nelson, that she's in love with him. Instead, they argue. Neely's hurt feelings leave her vulnerable, giving her secret admirer, Andrew Huckley, the opportunity to put his mother's monstrous plan into motion. When Neely gives into her broken heart and pushes him away, Hayden knows he must fight to recapture the spark he felt in their last kiss. But will he find her in time to reverse the damage or will she be changed forever?

I never went to parties in high school, but if wanted to this book would scare me away from them forever. This book is a perfect Halloween book that details what happens to one of our protagonists one night after graduation. The story is perfectly told for the most part. The plot development and pacing is perfect, I loved how the dream moments were told and utilized, and I loved how vivid the characters were for the most part. Even the “villains” were very vivid and had some serious character development. The book was very well written and the book is very easy to read. On Amazon the book is suggested for those that are 18 and over. While there are some suggestive scenes and mild language, I don’t believe that the book should just be limited to 18 years old, but to those that can handle mature scenes in books.

While I did like this book I did feel that Neely’s character fell flat and that the dream sequence can be very confusing to understand in the beginning. I also want to point out if you don’t like books from multiple POV then this book might not be for you.



Verdict: I am a little disappointed in Neely’s character (although she is very confused throughout the majority of the novel so maybe there is a reason behind her behavior), but I believe this book would be an excellent Halloween read this season! If you enjoy being scared and like paranormal romances, then this book is for you.

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Upper Middle Grade/YA Contemporary

Recommended Age: 12+ (trigger warning: abuse)

I received a free copy of this book courtesy of KidLitExchange and the publisher/author. If you’re interested in joining KidLitExchange follow the hyperlink!

A tale of two very different worlds, both shattered by the loss of loved ones. Tragic, comic and full of hope, thanks to a dog called Boy.

The kennel has been JC’s home ever since his new adoptive father locked him inside. For hours on end, JC sits and tells his dog Boy how he came to this country: his family; the orphanage and the Haitian earthquake that swept everything away.

When his adoptive mother Melanie rescues him, life starts to feel normal again. Until JC does something bad, something that upset his new father so much that he and Boy are banished to the kennel. But as his new father gets sicker, JC realizes they have to find a way out. And so begins a stunning story of a boy, a dog and their journey to freedom. – Amazon.com

While I love my fantasy novels, I have a special place in my heart for books that discuss touchy topics that effect children. Maybe it’s because of my background in criminal justice and my past in working with the juvenile justice system. Anyways, I feel that there aren’t a lot of books out there that explore abuse in children. While many children use books as an escape, they also look up to characters that go through the same situations as they do and who are like them in some way. This is why it’s important to have realistic elements in books and it’s a reason why I think this book is absolutely amazing.

Everything in the book is described through the eyes of a teen who is being abused. The teen is alone in this situation except for his companion, a dog named Boy. Although we are subject to what can only be seen through JC, I feel that the character development was very well done, the plot development was superb, and the pacing was not forced or too slow. I thought that while we are forced to accept what JC says and sees as true that he is not a misleading narrator.

The only thing that bugged me about this book was that I thought the ending was a bit of a cop-out. It felt that too many things fell into place and there was a bit of a plot hole in the book at the end as well.

Verdict: Overall the book was absolutely beautiful and very empowering. JC is an inspiration to everyone who finds themselves in hard or even impossible situations as JC never gives up hope, whether through childhood ignorance or sheer power to will the things he wants to come true. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to explore how children might deal or cope with abuse or for someone who just wants a good cry.

Rating: 5/5

Genre: YA Dystopian

Recommended Age: 15+ (trigger warnings: sexual abuse/rape, mature language, and violent death of children).

I received a free copy of this book because I’m a rep of Blaze Publishing. This relationship did not sway my opinion in any manner.

After a financial collapse devastates the United States, the new government imposes a tax on the nation’s most valuable resource―the children.

Surrendered at age ten―after her parents could no longer afford her exorbitant fees―Vee Delancourt has spent six hard years at the Mills, alongside her twin, Oliver. With just a year to freedom, they do what they can to stay off the Master’s radar. But when Vee discovers unspeakable things happening to the younger girls in service, she has no choice but to take a stand―a decision that lands her on the run and outside the fence for the first time since the System robbed her of her liberty.

Vee knows the Master will stop at nothing to prove he holds ultimate authority over the Surrendered. But when he makes a threat that goes beyond what even she considers possible, she accepts the aid of an unlikely group of allies. Problem is, with opposing factions gunning for the one thing that might save them all, Vee must find a way to turn oppression and desperation into hope and determination―or risk failing all the children and the brother she left behind. – Amazon.com

The only thing I read about this movie before reading it was “dystopian” and I was IN! I love dystopian novels and as such I tend to judge them a little heavily on how plausible and realistic they could be and happen. That being said I think this dystopian novel is one of the most unique and plausible possibilities on the topic of world ending discussions. As you can see in the excerpt above, this world came about because of a financial crash which drives taxes on children to become so astronomical that parents are basically forced to give up their children to survive themselves. Another thing I thought was very realistic that I have to give praise for is the realistic treatment of the children in these labor camps. The author did not shy away from or tone down a lot of the possible outcomes these children could face and she does a great job in not making the horror too explicit. There are a ton of other reveals in the story as well that I won’t go into because of spoilers, but each twist and turn feels fresh and new in a genre that is slowly becoming overly saturated. I thought the character development was pretty good as well and the world building phenomenal. The world building is not too lecture-y and it isn’t all explained at once. I also thought the plot development was amazing and allowed for a quick read of this over 300+ page novel, and the pacing was well done as well. It wasn’t too fast or too slow, but it did manage to hold the tension throughout the book.

While I generally loved the book I did feel that some of the character development might feel like it was lacking to some readers and that some of the main characters might not be as well received. While I can see where some of the character development could be considered lacking for some, I felt that this was possibly intentional by the author so that we could have those excellent twists and turns. One of the main themes of this book is trust and this would have been completely lost in the book if the reader knew ahead of time what each character’s motives and drives were beforehand.

Verdict: This book has become one of my favorite dystopian books of all time. I absolutely loved how the author made this world and did away with some of the overdone tropes in the YA dystopian genre. I would suggest if you like dystopian novels to pick up this book. The sequel is coming out on September 12, so now would be a good time to read this book and then pick up the next!

Rating: 2.5/5



Genre: Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy



Recommended Age: 15+ (mature language, mature scenes)



An ancient society of witches and a hipster technological startup go to war in order to prevent the world from tearing itself. To further complicate things, each of the groups’ most promising followers (Patricia, a brilliant witch and Laurence, an engineering “wunderkind”) may just be in love with each other.

As the battle between magic and science wages in San Francisco against the backdrop of international chaos, Laurence and Patricia are forced to choose sides. But their choices will determine the fate of the planet and all mankind.

In a fashion unique to Charlie Jane Anders, All the Birds in the Sky offers a humorous and, at times, heart-breaking exploration of growing up extraordinary in world filled with cruelty, scientific ingenuity, and magic. – Amazon.com






Here is a book that I thought held a lot of promise, but didn’t really grab my interest a lot. I thought the concept, while lofty, was really intriguing and that the character development was really well done in this book… but beyond that I didn’t like this book.



I thought that the book’s plot was not very well developed. It had a lot of good build-up but in the end the book failed completely to explain and resolve the major conflicts in my opinion. The pacing was very weird as well. The timing skips around a lot and the way the author writes the book is a bit weird as well. You really do have to pay attention to the book and to the writing in order to completely comprehend the book, which is probably why I failed to understand this book. I was trying to get through this book quickly so my husband could read it for our book club and I felt that I either missed some things in the book or the book didn’t do a good job at explaining to me what was going on.



Verdict: I felt completely let down by this book that I believe could have been a really great sci-fi vs. magic book. I feel that the writing was wonky, the book too hard to comprehend to some readers, and that the book had some major flaws in it. I wouldn’t totally count this book out as it is marketed as a national bestseller, so I would give at least the first part of the book a quick read through to see if you like it, but for me it just wasn’t something that I enjoyed.

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Middle School Contemporary

Recommended Age: 8+ (S-E-X is spelled out in it and some books are banned for supposed mature content. Judgment call to parents).

I received a free copy of this book courtesy of KidLitExchange. All opinions are my own.

You’re Never Too Young to Fight Censorship!
In Ban This Book by Alan Gratz, a fourth grader fights back when From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg is challenged by a well-meaning parent and taken off the shelves of her school library. Amy Anne is shy and soft-spoken, but don’t mess with her when it comes to her favorite book in the whole world. Amy Anne and her lieutenants wage a battle for the books that will make you laugh and pump your fists as they start a secret banned books locker library, make up ridiculous reasons to ban every single book in the library to make a point, and take a stand against censorship.
Ban This Book is a stirring defense against censorship that’s perfect for middle grade readers. Let kids know that they can make a difference in their schools, communities, and lives! – Amazon.com

Have you ever read a banned book? Has your favorite book been banned before? If so then you can definitely identify with the pain that Amy Anne goes through in this heartfelt book about a quiet, timid girl who learns to find her voice for the sake of books. I thought for a middle grade book, this book was a very appropriate read for anyone of any age. The character development was well done, the plot development was strong and sound, and the pacing was very smooth and pretty perfect. The book was a very easy read and the author’s writing style worked well for the type of pacing I believe a book like this needed. The book needed to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time and I think the author’s writing was wonderfully done. The book also dealt with a subject matter (book banning) that is very controversial and handled it very well. I think while people have their own opinions on what kids should read the author presented a very middle-ground message that reads books should be accessible for anyone to read unless their parents say otherwise.

This wasn’t a concern of mine but it might be to others: the author’s stance on book banning is her own and one she highlights in a positive light in the book. Her arguments for her stance are highlighted very well and are one of the reasons why I think this book would be appropriate for anyone of any age. The arguments against the author’s position are handled in a negative light and it can be frustrating for those who have differing opinions then that of the author’s. So, if you have strong opinions about book banning, you might want to read about this book beforehand to see if this book will be a fit for you.

Verdict: Hands down I love this book and I thought the book dealt with a very serious issue in a very mature, but age appropriate manner. I think this book would be a great diving board for discussion on book banning and a great book for relaxed reading in general. Definitely an awesome read for anyone of any age.

Rating: 3/5

Genre: YA Fantasy

Recommended Age: 15+ (some mature scenes, death, war, the usual lol).

I received a free copy of this book from KidLitExchange in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. If you’re interested in joining, please check out our new website!

A GOD OF WAR SEEKING RESTORATION. AN UNWILLING SACRIFICIAL BRIDE. BETRAYAL THAT COULD DESTROY THEM BOTH. “Every fiber of my being is woven from the rage of mortals.” Theodric, the young God of War, has a talent for inciting conflict and bloodshed. After being stripped of his powers by his older brother, King of Gods, he sets out to instigate a mortal war to prove himself worthy of being restored to power. “I loved Kisk once; it was my home… But that was before. This is now.” Sixteen-year-old Cassia, like many in the modern era, believes gods and goddesses to be just a myth. Enemy to her country and an orphan of the war, she has no time for fairy tales. That’s until religious zealots from Theo’s sect offer her up as a sacrifice. Can Cassia and Theo end the mortal war and return balance to the earth and heavens? Or, will their game of fate lead down a path of destruction, betrayal, and romance neither of them saw coming? – Amazon.com

Let’s face it, YA fantasy has become hugely popular in the past few years. It’s so popular that it’s become very oversaturated. There are thousands of books about fairies, the end of the world, vampires, zombies, etc. And while I am NOT complaining, I do love when I see something different. This book was definitely different for me. I’ve never read a book (outside of the Percy Jackson series) that had a mixture of gods and modern time. However, this book had a very different feel from the Percy Jackson series! It had a dark and gritty feel to it and it was so refreshing to read something completely new. The characters in the book were fairly well developed and the plot was interesting. The author did well in writing her book and the writing was not hard to follow along with.

However, I do have to say that this book did not keep my interest and I found it hard to keep reading it. At the beginning of the book the reader is just thrown into this world and it’s really confusing to figure out the time period of the story. At first I thought it was like ancient Greek-ish but then I figured out that it was set in modern day. The pacing was really weird for me, it’s not really fast or slow but the book does skip around a lot. The book switches POV a lot and the book does not explain how the “magic” in the book works.

Verdict: Overall, this book was not for me but it is a very unique and fun book that I think those who loved the Percy Jackson series and who loves YA fantasy books. This book does talk about ritualistic sacrifices though, so if you’re a young reader make sure your parents OK this book for you to read. Don’t let my opinion decide if you should buy this book or not as each book can be interpreted differently.