I am a working mother of two whose passion (besides my family) is books. I am an avid reader who enjoys all types of books, although I mainly read fiction. In addition to reading, I also love crocheting, knitting, cooking, running, and watching Penn State sports. Contact me: bookingmama@gmail.com
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Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a terrific graphic novel.
Summary: In kindergarten, Jarrett Krosoczka's teacher asks him to draw his family, with a mommy and a daddy. But Jarrett's family is much more complicated than that. His mom is an addict, in and out of rehab, and in and out of Jarrett's life. His father is a mystery. Jarrett doesn't know where to find him, or even what his name is. Jarrett lives with his grandparents. Two very loud, very loving, very opinionated people who had thought they were through with raising children until Jarrett came along. Jarrett goes through his childhood trying to make his non normal life as normal as possible, finding a way to express himself through drawing even as so little is being said to him about what's going on. Only as a teenager can Jarrett begin to piece together the truth of his family, reckoning with his mother and tracking down his father. Hey, Kiddo is a profoundly important memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction, and finding the art that helps you survive. -- Scholastic
HEY, KIDDO is truly a wonderful graphic novel about Jarrett Krosoczka's complicated childhood. His mother was an addict, who was absent for long periods from Jarrett's life; and he didn't really know his father at all. He lived with his maternal grandparents who undoubtedly loved him, but weren't always the easiest people to life with.
As Jarrett grows older and becomes more aware of his family situation, he begins to realize the truth about his parents. He learns to accept his mother and he even begins to have a relationship of sorts with his father. Despite all of this things, Jarrett does his best to just be "normal," and in the process, he finds that his love of drawing helps him not only survive, but thrive!
Words cannot express how much I adored HEY, KIDDO. This graphic novel has fantastic illustrations (of course!), but I was truly blown away by how these drawings were able to convey the different characters' emotions. I'm not a huge reader of graphic novels (although I do enjoy them when I pick one up!), and I guess I didn't realize just how intense they can be.
It certainly didn't hurt that Mr. Krosoczka had a powerful childhood story. His situation was definitely complicated; and it's a true testament, both to him and his grandparents, how he was able to use art to cope. I found Mr. Krosoczka's strength to be admirable, and I think middle graders and high schoolers will find much to appreciate in this story.
However, it's how much this book has the potential to help children in similar situations that really makes HEY, KIDDO so amazing. Mr. Krosoczka's story is not only heartwarming, but it also shows children that it's possible to get through difficult times with a good support system. Furthermore, it's also possible to get through difficult times if you find something inside of yourself that can make you happy, like Mr. Krosoczka love of drawing.
HEY, KIDDO has already been chosen as a 2018 National Book Award Finalist, and I honestly can't think of a book (or author) that is more deserving. Highly recommended!
I received a copy of HEY, KIDDO at the 2018 Book Expo.
If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!
Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a classic that's taken me way too long to read!
Summary: The beloved coming-of-age tale of a spunky heroine named Anne “with an E”, for the first time as a Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition, with a foreword by bestselling author J. Courtney Sullivan. L. M. Montgomery’s novel Anne of Green Gables recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan mistakenly sent to a pair of siblings who intended to adopt a boy to help work on their farm in Prince Edward Island. Yet Anne’s quirky personality and good-natured spirit causes the siblings to grow to love her anyway, and soon the entire town falls for the precocious little girl with bright red hair. Cherished by both children and adults, Anne of Green Gables is a celebration of fierce individualism, and the families we create, rather than the ones we are born into. This Deluxe edition is enhanced with a foreword by bestselling author J. Courtney Sullivan, and an introduction and suggestions for further reading by Benjamin Lefebvre, as well as a selection of early writing by L. M. Montgomery about the process of writing Anne. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,800 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. -- Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition
It's embarrassing to admit (and a little mind-boggling) that I had never read ANNE OF GREEN GABLES by L.M. Montgomery. It's one of those books that so many authors mention when they discuss books that influenced them to write. So when I was given the opportunity to review the newest edition of the novel, which is part of the Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition, I decided it was high time to see why this book is so important to so many people.
This version of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES is absolutely delightful. Of course, the story of the young orphan finding a home with a family on Prince Edward Island is charming, but this book has so much more. As you can see the cover is fantastic. The art is by Siobhán Gallagher, whose artwork has been featured in US Weekly, Lenny Letter, Bustle, and more. It's hard to see from the picture above, but it has teeny images from the story as well as a few of Anne's special sayings. In addition, there is a forward by J. Courtney Sullivan (one of my favorite authors!), an introduction by L.M. Montgomery scholar Benjamin Lefebvre, and a selection of early writing by the author herself.
I focused on the presentation of this Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition because it really is a special book... and honestly, who am I to review ANNE OF GREEN GABLES? All I feel that I can do is mention just how much this book touched me. I absolutely loved it! Anne and her infectious personality captured my attention from the first few pages, and I just fell in love with her and the other interesting cast of characters.
For those of you who haven't read this book (maybe there are a few of you), ANNE OF GREEN GABLES tells the story of Anne Shirley, a young orphan who desperately wants a home; however, she is sent by mistake to a pair of siblings who were expecting a boy to help them with their farm. They are certain (well, almost) that they need to send her back and have another male orphan sent to them, but Anne charms them with all her talk of hopes and dreams... and the rest is history.
Anne is one of the most memorable characters I've ever encountered. In fact, the entire time I read this book I wanted to meet her. She talked and talked and talked (which I found hilarious), and she wasn't afraid to say anything that came into her mind (much to her detriment at times!) But it was her optimism and the way she saw the things around her that made her so fantastic. I swear I began seeing not only the world in Ms. Montgomery's novel through Anne's eyes, but I saw my surroundings as well. She really became a presence in my life. (I realize that sounds weird, but she's just such a special girl!)
I adored seeing Anne learn the lessons of the world and grow into a amazing young woman. I laughed with her and cried with her, and truly treasured each and every page of this novel. I'm still kicking myself that I didn't read ANNE OF GREEN GABLES when I was younger, but I'm ever so glad I discovered her now. Highly recommended for girls (and women) of all ages! I promise you will fall under Anne's spell!
Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.
If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!
Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a touching young adult book that is getting rave reviews!
Summary: When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he’s got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn’t easy for a guy with ADHD, but he can’t complain, since he gets to spend the period texting all his friends. Then the doctor asks him to track down the troubled freshman who keeps dodging her, and Adam discovers that the boy is Julian–the foster brother he hasn’t seen in five years. Adam is ecstatic to be reunited. At first, Julian seems like the boy he once knew. He’s still kind hearted. He still writes stories and loves picture books meant for little kids. But as they spend more time together, Adam realizes that Julian is keeping secrets, like where he hides during the middle of the day, and what’s really going on inside his house. Adam is determined to help him, but his involvement could cost both boys their lives. First-time novelist Robin Roe relied on life experience when writing this exquisite, gripping story featuring two lionhearted characters. -- Disney-Hyperion
I am so excited to share with a new young adult novel titled A LIST OF CAGES by Robin Roe. It's not available until January 10, 2017, but it's never too early to talk about a book this special. And special it is! I don't read as much YA as I'd like, but A LIST OF CAGES encompasses what I love best about this genre. It's a touching story about friendship with two very special characters!
A LIST OF CAGES tells the story of two boys -- Adam, a popular senior in high school who also has ADHD and Julian, a freshman who has had a difficult past. Adam is excited to be an aide to the school psychologist, mainly because it's an easy elective. However, one day he is asked to find a boy who hasn't been keeping his meetings with the psychologist. Adam is both surprised and happy to discover that he already knows the boy. Surprise -- it's Julian, the foster brother who Adam hasn't seen for years.
In many ways, Julian is still the same young boy that Adam knew and loved. Adam takes Julian under his wing and encourages the youngster. He even introduces him to his friends. However, Adam notices that Julian is acting odd (odder than normal), and he suspects that Julian is hiding something. Being the nice kid that he is, Adam is determined to help Julian -- not knowing that discovering the truth might have detrimental affects on both of them!
I really enjoyed A LIST OF CAGES. It's an extremely touching story with friendship as the central theme. I loved the messages in this novel, but I also have to admit that the story just about broke my heart. This novel isn't always easy to read and it will make you uncomfortable at times, but it's so worth it. I really can't recommend this novel enough to teens!
One of my absolute favorite things about this book is the characters. Adam and Julian are both incredible kids in very different ways, and I guarantee they will embed themselves into your heart. (You will also think about both of them long after finishing the pages of this novel.) Adam is an extremely mature kid and very loyal; and I absolutely loved how he took a troubled Julian under his wing. And Julian... Julian is just a great kid whose experienced more in his 14 years than any kid should ever have to.
I absolutely loved how well Ms. Roe brought Adam and Julian to life. She made them extremely real to me; and as a result, I felt as if I knew them. I think that's what made this book so special to me. I could feel the pain these two characters were feeling as well as their moments of happiness. I became so vested in their lives and I honestly cared about what happened to them... even though they were just fictional characters.
Another wonderful thing about A LIST OF CAGES was how it portrayed friendship. Adam and Julian most certainly had a special relationship, and it just epitomized how important friendship can be... for all of us. I think we all have gone through a difficult time in our life when we have depended on a friend to help us through it. And goodness knows, Adam certainly was "there" for Julian when he needed him the most!
I don't want to get into politics ever on my blog -- this is my happy place -- but there was one sentence in this book that really resonated to me:
"Hate ricochets, but so does kindness."
I LOVE THIS and I found it especially meaningful over the past ten days or so. There is just so much anger in our country right now -- on both sides, and it makes me so discouraged. However, this one quote, six small words, made me feel hopeful. If we all just try to do some small acts of kindness (they don't have to be a huge as Julian's), maybe it will "ricochet"... and eventually kindness will overwhelm all of the hate. It's worth a shot, and I know I'd rather be hit with kindness any day than all of this anger!
I do think A LIST OF CAGES would be a terrific book club selection for teens. In fact, this book would be great for a classroom discussion too! There are so many relevant themes for today's teens including friendship, loyalty, abuse, secrets, loss, grief, second chances, and compassion.
Overall, I think A LIST OF CAGES is an outstanding read. It's certainly accumulating a lot of starred reviews and deservedly so! Highly recommended.
Thanks to Disney-Hyperion for providing a review copy of this novel.
Giveaway alert: I have two copies of A LIST OF CAGES to share with one lucky reader and their friend courtesy of the publisher. To enter, just fill out the form below before December 2nd at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good luck!
If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!
Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a great book that celebrates the U.S. presidents as we celebrate our nation this weekend.
Summary: Fans of How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous and Kid Presidents can draft their own presidential fantasy team, based on these hilarious-but-true profiles of our past leaders. What if a zombie apocalypse or a robot uprising threatened the nation and you had the power to recruit some of the nation’s finest presidents to help save the day? By studying the most successful squads in history, Daniel O’Brien has identified the perfect ingredients for a victorious team. Which president would you choose for: the Brain, the Brawn, the Moral Compass, the Loose Cannon, and the Roosevelt? Choose wisely—the fate of the world is in your hands! -- Crown
If you're kids are anything like mine, then they love U.S. History. I know that sounds strange, but it started at a very young age when they used to eat on their U.S. President placemat. They would read the information on each president, and it wasn't too long before I realized that my kids might know more about presidential history than I do.
Years later, my daughter has taken AP U.S. History and did very well in it; and I have a feeling that my son will follow in her footsteps. They must have gotten their interest from their father -- they definitely didn't get it from me. Although I will say that if I'm going to "learn" about the presidents, then YOUR PRESIDENTIAL FANTASY DREAM TEAM by Daniel O'Brien and illustrated by Winston Rowntree is the book I want to read!
YOUR PRESIDENTIAL FANTASY DREAM TEAM is fantastic! It is geared towards kids ages ten and up; and while I can't wait for Booking Son to check out this book, I found that I adored it... and I think many young adult and adults will agree. I have to be honest when I say that I didn't read this 250+ book straight through, but I did read a few chapters on the presidents I like... and a few that I don't. This book is not only educational. It is extremely entertaining and I couldn't put it down.
YOUR PRESIDENTIAL FANTASY DREAM TEAM includes most of the U.S. presidents -- or at least Washington through Reagan. Within each chapter, there is a brief description including term, political party, spouse, children, birthdate, death date, and one fun fact. And then the fun begins...
The rest of the chapter includes details from each man's life, and I can't begin to express how funny these bios are. I can pretty much guarantee that you've never learned about the presidents in such a fun way! There are also some terrific illustrations that are the perfect complement to the tone of this book. Besides having these entertaining chapters on each of the presidents' lives, the book also includes listings of reference materials for further reading and/or surfing.
I'm pretty sure that I can't give you a true sense of the humor in this book but I'll give it a try. Let's take Ronald Reagan... the sub-title of the chapter is "Ronald Reagan is Probably a Superhero." The author throws out all of the issues to plague Reagan including viral pneumonia, diverticulosis, a cancerous colon tumor and a close-range bullet; and then proceeds to tell readers that none of them had anything to do with Ronald Reagan's death. He then discusses just how fit Reagan was ("and that includes people who juggle Indian clubs"). Based on these facts, he concludes that it would be remiss not to mention that Reagan and the superhero Wolverine have quite a few similarities including metal bones. Case in point: the bullet that hit Reagan bounced off his rib! He goes on for a few more pages like this!
I love YOUR PRESIDENTIAL FANTASY DREAM TEAM and can't recommend it enough. Even if you think you know a lot about the U.S. presidents, I promise this book will teach you and thing or two. And you might never look at these men the same way in the future!
Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.
If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!
Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a fantastic new YA thriller that's the first in a new series.
Summary: From the New York Times bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia comes a fast-paced teen series where one girl learns that in a world of intrigue, betrayal, and deeply buried secrets, it is vital to trust your instincts. It all starts with a text: Please, Wylie, I need your help. Wylie hasn’t heard from Cassie in over a week, not since their last fight. But that doesn’t matter. Cassie’s in trouble, so Wylie decides to do what she has done so many times before: save her best friend from herself. This time it’s different, though. Instead of telling Wylie where she is, Cassie sends cryptic clues. And instead of having Wylie come by herself, Jasper shows up saying Cassie sent him to help. Trusting the guy who sent Cassie off the rails doesn’t feel right, but Wylie has no choice but to ignore her gut instinct and go with him. But figuring out where Cassie is goes from difficult to dangerous, fast. As Wylie and Jasper head farther and farther north into the dense woods of Maine, Wylie struggles to control her growing sense that something is really wrong. What isn’t Cassie telling them? And could finding her be only the beginning? In this breakneck tale, New York Times bestselling author Kimberly McCreight brilliantly chronicles a fateful journey that begins with a single decision—and ends up changing everything. -- Harper
One of my highlights from the 2015 BEA was meeting Kimberly McCreight, author of RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA and WHERE THEY FOUND HER -- you can read my reviews here
and here. She is not only gorgeous and sweet, but she's an incredible writer. Now that I've spent some time talking with her, it's kind of hard to believe that she can come up with such disturbing stories!
Her latest novel, THE OUTLIERS, has all of the suspense and intense moments that her first two books did, but this one is geared towards a YA audience. I rarely read YA, but I am so glad I read this one. This book was definitely a page turner, full of twists and turns. In fact, I can't remember the last book I read with this many surprises!
THE OUTLIERS tells the story of Wylie, a teen who is suffering from extreme anxieties issues. She is unable to leave her house (she even talks to her therapist rather than visit!), and she's basically been cut off from everyone including her best friend Cassie. When Cassie goes missing and Wylie receives some cryptic texts from her indicating trouble, Wylie teams up with Cassie's boyfriend Jasper (a guy who she's not particularly fond of) to find her.
Wylie forces herself to leave her house and heads north into Maine with Jasper to find Cassie. The two have absolutely no idea where Cassie is are receiving intermittent texts that start to sound like Cassie's life is in danger. When Jasper's car breaks down, Wylie and Jasper hitch a ride with a young couple and their baby; and Wylie senses that something's not quite right... and that's putting it mildly!
When Wylie and Jasper finally reach their destination, they discover some dark and confusing secrets that threaten everything Wylie thinks she knows about her life!
I really enjoyed THE OUTLIERS. It truly is such a fast-paced novel that I read it in less than a day! I was impressed with how much suspense there was in this story, and the twists and turns were so quick that I could barely keep up with them. I have no doubt that this novel will appeal to smart young adult readers who appreciate thrillers!
One thing I appreciated about THE OUTLIERS was the character of Wylie. She was definitely a smart girl, but I loved how real she was too. Needless to say, Wylie was a bit of an outlier. She didn't have many friends, was afraid to leave her house, and just always had such strong feelings. I found it interesting that the author decided to give Wylie some serious issues with anxiety, and I appreciated how she brought her fears and discomfort to life in the novel. In addition, I enjoyed seeing Wylie attempt to overcome her problems to help save her one-time best friend.
Another aspect of the novel that I appreciated was the pacing of the novel. It moved very quickly and I can only describe my experience as a "rush to the end!" There were more twists that I could count and I will admit that there was a time I had to go back and re-read a few pages because I was so shocked by what happened... and unable to process what was going on. (Of course, that could be because I was reading so quickly too!)
And finally, I liked some of the messages in this novel. That's probably just a mom talking and I don't want it to sound like there were heavy-handed, preachy messages because there weren't. I just appreciated that there were some themes like the value of friendship, loyalty, and girl power that were recurring throughout the novel. I also found that there were some messages about believing first impressions, judging people before you know them, trusting your gut instinct, and living with a psychological condition that were important too.
Based on the ending, I was very excited to learn that THE OUTLIERS is the first book in a trilogy. Granted, I thought this book was extremely exciting, but the ending did leave me with more than a few questions. I can't wait for the next installment in this series so I can see what's in store for Wylie! I highly recommended THE OUTLIERS to fans of YA, both kids and adults!
Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.
If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!
Summary: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Shopaholic series comes a terrific blend of comedy, romance, and psychological recovery in a contemporary YA novel sure to inspire and entertain. Audrey wears dark glasses all the time, even in the house. She almost never goes out, doesn’t talk to new people, and finds making eye contact to be nearly impossible. But then one day she meets Linus. Linus is her brother’s friend and a sensitive spirit with whom she can talk through her fears. He makes her laugh and doesn’t leave her feeling like she’s being judged. As their friendship deepens, Audrey’s recovery gains momentum, and she and Linus begin to develop feelings for each other. But how can they have a future together when Audrey hasn’t dealt with her past? And how could anyone ever love her once they’ve seen her at her worst? -- Ember
I have been reading (and loving!) Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series for years -- sixteen I think. If you are familiar with these books, then you already know what a talented writer Ms. Kinsella is. She has created a memorable character in Becky, and Becky's adventures never disappoint. I always know that Ms. Kinsella's books can make me laugh!
Ms. Kinsella has ventured away from Becky with quite a few stand-alone books, and I've enjoyed a few of them too. Given how she creates fantastic female characters, it just makes sense that she has written a book for young adults called FINDING AUDREY... and just in time for my sixteen year old daughter. I missed out on reading this novel when the book was initially released, but based on the great reviews, including a starred one from Kirkus, I knew I had to read it for the paperback release.
FINDING AUDREY is the story of fourteen year old Audrey Turner, a teenage girl suffering from social anxiety order, told in her own words. She is unable to leave the house, doesn't like to make eye contact, and wears dark glasses even in her own house. It's apparent that Audrey has experienced something traumatic (most likely a being bullied) in her past, but she doesn't want to reveal it to the reader.
Audrey regularly sees (or talks to) a therapist, but she still seems to be struggling to lead even a somewhat ordinary life. That is until Linus, her brother's good friend, shows up at her house. She immediately feels a connection to the sweet and sensitive Linus, and he eventually (through a lot of persistence) gets Audrey to open up to him. As their relationship progresses, she even visits a Starbucks and talks to strangers! With Linus's encouragement and support, can Audrey deal with her issues and possibly have a future with Linus?
I thought FINDING AUDREY was a fun young adult read. I am a really big fan of Ms. Kinsella's, so I did have fairly high expectations for this novel... and it did not disappoint. I loved Audrey and thought the author created a wonderful character with her; however, I also thought Audrey's "messy" family was a lot of fun. And Linus? Well, Linus was just a terrific kid and exactly what Audrey needed!
There are many great things about FINDING AUDREY! First and foremost is Audrey. She is a troubled girl that I couldn't help but adore. I felt her pain and wanted her to find some way to be "whole" again. I think teenage girls will definitely relate to Audrey, maybe not so much because of her social anxiety issues, but because she is a real girl with real friend problems. I also think that many young girls will be able to relate to her family as well as her newfound excitement with falling for a boy!
As a mom, I just loved that the messages in this novel. I think teens need to see that mothers (even ones that are a little crazy) love their children and want what's best for them. I also appreciated the way Audrey and Linus's relationship was portrayed. Linus was such a good guy and I hope teen girls who read this novel will realize that there are good guys out there. Finally, I really enjoyed seeing the journey Audrey made on her path to healing. It wasn't always easy for her, but knowing that she had support from her family and friends definitely helped her and gave her the desire to branch out!
And lastly, I loved how funny this book was. Granted, Audrey's story did have some very serious issues including bullying and mental health; however, Ms. Kinsella, once again, wrote a novel that was both touching and hilarious. Audrey's family provided much of the humor, especially her mom and her older brother. I couldn't help but laugh at her mother's attempt to stop her son from playing so many video games. The first scene in the novel is downright crazy!
I am so glad that Ms. Kinsella has decided to write young adult novels. It's a perfect fit for her terrific writing! Highly recommended for fans of Ms. Kinsella and readers who enjoy heartwarming and funny stories.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel and for sponsoring this giveaway.
Giveaway alert: I have a copy of FINDING AUDREY to share with one lucky reader. To enter, just fill out the form below before May 25th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good luck!
Summary: Zan is a politician’s daughter and an adrenaline junkie. Whether she’s rock climbing or shoplifting, she loves to live on the edge. But she gets more of a rush than she bargained for on a forced mother–daughter bonding trip to Turkey, where she finds herself in the crosshairs of an antiquities smuggling ring. These criminals believe that Zan can lead them to an ancient treasure that’s both priceless and cursed. Until she does so, she and her family are in grave danger. Zan’s quest to save the treasure—and the lives of people she cares about—leads her from the sparkling Mediterranean, to the bustle of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, to the eerie and crumbling caves of Cappadocia. But it seems that nowhere is safe, and there’s only so high she can climb before everything comes tumbling down. -- Viking
I have loved mysteries ever since I was a young girl. I grew up reading all of the Nancy Drew books as well as Trixie Belden and even a few Hardy Boys. However, it seems like there aren't a lot of current mystery books for today's teens. In fact, I can't remember the last time I read a young adult mystery novel!
So when I was pitched the new book BLUE VOYAGE by Diana Renn, I jumped at the chance to read it. This mystery which is set in present day Middle East sounded like an intriguing book. Naturally, the setting is terrific, but the main character also sounded pretty darn interesting. And then when you take into account that the book involves a little bit of archeology and a smuggling ring, I was definitely interested!
BLUE VOYAGE tells the story of Zan, a teenage girl who has already had her fair share of pain. Her father, who is running for Massachusetts governor position, is caught having an affair; and Zan is acting out in the only way she can -- by partying and stealing items at the mall. Zan's entire life is spiraling out of control!
Zan's mother decides that Zan and she need to get away and have a mother/daughter bonding experience. They decide to go to Turkey to visit Zan's aunt who has recently lost her husband to a tragic hiking accident. When Zan arrives in Turkey, she discovers that there might be more to the accident than what the authorities initially believed.
Things really heat up when Zan and her mother end up taking a cruise along the Turkish Riviera. Zan is feeling pretty left out since most of the people on the cruise are "old folks;" however, there is a another girl named Sage who is close to Zan's age. Zan is drawn to the beautiful, and somewhat mysterious, Sage. When Sage makes a quick exit from the cruise, Zan is shocked to discover that she left priceless artifacts in Zan's backpack... priceless artifacts which just might have been stolen!
Zan ends up smack dab in the middle of a smuggling ring and the criminals involved are most likely very dangerous. They believe that Zan can lead them to Sage and ultimately a priceless urn. Zan is determined to get to the bottom of her uncle's death while also trying to keep herself and her loved ones safe. As Zan tries to solve the mystery and find the urn, she isn't sure what to believe or who to trust... and she learns that she first has to believe in herself!
I enjoyed BLUE VOYAGE and thought it was a very smart mystery. Of course, I loved setting of Turkey, and Ms. Renn did a wonderful job in bringing this gorgeous country to life. In addition, I enjoyed learning about the ancient artifacts as well as the illegal smuggling of these items in Turkey. (Ms. Renn did a fantastic job of explaining fact vs. fiction in her author's notes!)
One of the best things about this book was the character of Zan. Often times in a complex mystery, the characters are kind of secondary to the plot, but that wasn't the case in BLUE VOYAGE. Zan was a very complicated girl and I think teens are going to love her. She wasn't exactly a good girl at the start of the book, and I feared that she would be difficult to like. However, I really got to understand Zan and see the pain she was in. And that made me root for her to not only solve the mysteries, but also to figure some things out in her life!
The novel was written in Zan's voice and I really think that added to my reading experience. It was wonderful to experience Turkey through the eyes of a young girl, but it also helped me to appreciate both the strengths and weaknesses of Zan's character. In addition, I really liked being inside her mind as she tried to figure out who she could trust and what she should do. It was heartwarming to see how much Zan grew up during her travels and how much she cared about others. (This was a drastic turnabout from the first few pages of the novel!) In many ways, BLUE VOYAGE was a coming-of-age story for Zan, and you know how I love those!
Another great thing about BLUE VOYAGE were the suspense scenes. The book was paced well with the ending being rather exciting. I don't want to give too much away, but the action scenes were very dramatic and well-written. Not only could I feel the tension, but I could picture the scenery and adventure scenes perfectly.
Overall, BLUE VOYAGE was a great mystery for teens. It has a complex mystery with lots of twists and turns, and it also had a solid character in Zan. I also loved how the author incorporated some of Turkey's modern day problems with ancient artifacts into the book. Highly recommended for teens who are looking for good mystery or ones who are interested in archeology and crime.
Giveaway alert: I have a copy of BLUE VOYAGE to share with one lucky reader. To enter, just fill out the form below before October 25th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good luck!
Thanks to Saichek Publicity for a review copy of this novel.
Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read. Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read. Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.
Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you a sequel to a book that's over 35 years old!
Summary: Set in New Orleans on the eve of World War II, Mischief and Malice is a brand new work from an iconic figure in young adult literature. Following the death of her Aunt Eveline, fourteen-year old Addie—who we first met in Berthe Amoss’s classic Secret Lives—is now living with her Aunt Toosie, Uncle Henry, and her longtime rival cousin, Sandra Lee. A new family has just moved into Addie’s former house, including a young girl who is just Addie’s age. Meanwhile, Louis, the father of Tom, Addie’s lifelong neighbor and best friend, suddenly returns after having disappeared when Tom was a baby. Between school dances, organizing a Christmas play, fretting about her hair, and a blossoming romance with Tom, Addie stumbles upon a mystery buried in the Great Catch All, an ancient giant armoire filled with heirlooms of her family’s past, which holds a devastating secret that could destroy Louis and Tom’s lives. Once again, Berthe Amoss has created an indelible portrait of a young girl coming of age in prewar New Orleans. -- Lizzie Skurnick Books
I am just thrilled to be reviewing a book from Lizzie Skurnick Books! I have been a fan of Ms. Skurnick's since I hosted the Shelf Discovery Challenge a few years ago. Ms. Skurnick now has her own imprint under Ig Publishing, and she's bring back some oldies but goodies along with a few new books. One of those new books is MISCHIEF AND MALICE by Berthe Amoss.
Even though MISCHIEF AND MALICE was recently released, this novel is a sequel to SECRET LIVES...which I did not read. I can honestly say that you don't have to have read SECRET LIVES to appreciate MISCHIEF AND MALICE, but so want to now. I loved 14 year-old Addie and would certainly enjoy sharing some more time with her.
In MISCHIEF AND MALICE, Addie's Aunt Eveline has recently died so she is now living with Aunt Tootsie, Uncle Henry, and Sandra Lee, her cousin who isn't exactly nice to her. There are many changes in store for Addie. A new family, with a girl Addie's age moves into Addie's old house; and her best friend Tom's father Louis has returned to town after leaving when Tom was a baby. Addie is confused about her feelings towards Tom -- does she like him as more than a friend?, but she's pretty sure she's fallen hard for the very charming Louis.
Given all that Addie is facing, she's a pretty typical teenage girl. She's trying to find her way amid problems at school and with her cousin, while also planning a Christmas play and trying to figure out Louis' intentions. When Addie uncovers a mystery that exists in a huge armoire that once belonged to her family, much is at risk for Louis and his past. Addie soon realizes that Louis' attention to her might have had more to do with the secret he's hiding than his actual feelings toward her.
Despite not being the ideal age for MISCHIEF AND MALICE (ages 9 - 14), I really enjoyed it. Addie is just a fantastic character and I loved seeing her grow up in pre World War II New Orleans. She is such a sweet (and innocent) young girl, and I thought the portrayal of her was spot on. While the story took place many decades ago, I still think today's girls will relate to Addie. Addie' confusion about love and romance, along with her the way she handled the drama at school and with her cousin, definitely resonated with my memories of teenage years.
I have to admit that I'm partial to Addie and her character development. While there was a mystery in MISCHIEF AND MALICE, in my opinion, it wasn't the strongest aspect of the story. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but it wasn't great. Having said that, I rarely read MG or YA mysteries so it's possible I'm judging the mystery based on adult books. Bottom line: I just appreciated Addie's coming-of-age story more than anything else!
MISCHIEF AND MALICE is a terrific read for MG or even YA girls. I highly recommend it and need to get my hands on SECRET LIVES!
Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.
If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!
Summary: Cody and Meg were inseparable. Two peas in a pod. Until . . . they weren’t anymore. When her best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room, Cody is understandably shocked and devastated. She and Meg shared everything—so how was there no warning? But when Cody travels to Meg’s college town to pack up the belongings left behind, she discovers that there’s a lot that Meg never told her. About her old roommates, the sort of people Cody never would have met in her dead-end small town in Washington. About Ben McAllister, the boy with a guitar and a sneer, and some secrets of his own. And about an encrypted computer file that Cody can’t open—until she does, and suddenly everything Cody thought she knew about her best friend’s death gets thrown into question. I Was Here is Gayle Forman at her finest, a taut, emotional, and ultimately redemptive story about redefining the meaning of family and finding a way to move forward even in the face of unspeakable loss. -- Listening Library
I have heard some really great things about Gayle Forman's novels. It's taken me awhile, but I finally decided to listen to her latest I WAS HERE. I had no idea that I'd feature this book as part of Mystery Mondays (I thought it would work for Kid Konnection); however, there is definitely a mystery aspect to this story. While it might not be what I remember most about this story, it still is a major part of the plot... and why I decided to include it as part of Mystery Mondays.
I WAS HERE is a touching story about Cody, a young woman whose best friend commits suicide. Cody and Meg had been best friends since kindergarten, so when Meg decided to swallow a bottle of industrial strength cleaner, Cody's life is turned upside-down. She thought she knew everything about her friend!
Cody wasn't only dealing with the physical loss of Meg, but she also was trying to come to terms with the "why" of her friend's suicide. Cody acknowledged that some things had changed when Meg left town after high school graduation to attend college. However, she still considered Meg to be her best friend. When Cody travels to Meg's college town to pack up her things, she quickly realizes that Meg had a lot going on that Cody never knew about... including Ben McAllister, a guitar player that Meg fell hard for!
Cody also finds some encrypted computer files on Meg's computer, and she gets some help in breaking the code. What she discovers on Meg's computer puts an entirely new spin on Meg's death, and Cody is determined to get to the bottom of it. As Cody tries to make sense of Meg's secret life, she ends up questioning everything she thought she knew about her friend and their friendship.
I found I WAS HERE to be a terrific listen! Granted, it was a difficult read at times because of the subject matter; however, it was a beautifully written and honest portrayal of what happens after a loved one takes their own life. This book did an excellent job of showing the effects of suicide on those that remain including the grief and even guilt that comes with the loss.
One thing I truly loved about I WAS HERE was the character of Cody. She was so darn honest and sad that it broke my heart. Naturally, I felt bad for Meg because she was truly suffering, but it was the portrayal of Cody that really touched me and made me think. Cody not only was dealing with the loss of her best friend. She was also coming to terms with the guilt associated with Meg's death -- how could she not know her friend was hurting this much?
As a result of Cody's guilt, she decided to try to make sense of Meg's suicide. With the help of a friend or two, she discovered some pretty scary things about Meg and the weeks leading up to her death. I don't want to give too much away about this "mystery aspect" of the novel, but Cody definitely took it upon herself to uncover the truth behind the encrypted files on Meg's computer.
Despite being a bit of a downer, I WAS HERE was a redemptive story. In many ways, Cody grew up and learned a great deal about not only Meg but also herself. She was able to grieve and forgive herself while also forging ahead with a new relationship. In addition, she began the healing process that is necessary for her to move forward in life!
I listened to the audio version of I WAS HERE and I thought it was very well done. The story was read by Jorjeana Marie. She did a fantastic job of sounding like a troubled young woman. Her voice accurately depicted the variety of emotions that Cody faced, and she also was convincing in all of the different characters she played.
Overall, I WAS HERE is a touching book about loss and friendship. It also happened to be a pretty darn good mystery story too!
Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this audio book.
Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read. Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.
Summary: Louisa May Alcott can't believe it—her mother is leaving for the summer to earn money for the family and Louisa is to be in charge of the household. How will she find the time to write her stories, much less have any adventures of her own? But before long, Louisa finds herself juggling her temperamental father, a mysterious murder, a fugitive seeking refuge along the Underground Railroad, and blossoming love. Intertwining fact, fiction, and quotes from Little Women, Michaela MacColl has crafted another spunky heroine whose story will keep readers turning pages until the very end. -- Chronicle Books
A few days ago, I featured a guest post written by Michaela MacColl, author of THE REVELATION OF LOUISA MAY. This essay gives a great summary of the novel as well as some of the background on the story, and you should really check it out... not to mention that there's a great giveaway for a copy of this novel.
THE REVELATION OF LOUISA MAY is a terrific book starring Louisa May Alcott when she was a teen. It is primarily a mystery, but there's also some action and suspense along with a little romance. Louisa finds herself in charge of her household when her mother leaves for a few months to earn some much needed money for the family. Needless to say she's less than thrilled to be left behind with her eccentric father and an assortment of chores.
Louisa's family has been involved in the Underground Railroad for some time, but with her mother gone, Louisa has to take on a more important role in helping fugitives hide and escape. A slave catcher named Finch arrives in Concord and he suspects that the Alcotts are involved in the Underground Railroad. As a result, he begins watching Louisa closely for clues. When Finch is found dead, Louisa's father is a prime suspect. Louisa, along with her friend (and possible romantic interest) Fred, are determined to find out the truth behind the murder.
I thought THE REVELATION OF LOUISA MAY was a great book! I've always been a fan of Louisa May Alcott, so that was probably the main reason I was drawn to this story; however, I quickly realized that this book was intriguing for a variety of reasons. I thought the mystery aspect was interesting, but it was the portrayal of Louisa's character that really made this book special to me!
Louisa was a strong-willed and spunky teenage girl, and I think young adult readers are going to love her! She's smart as a whip and has strong opinions, but she's also girl who is courageous and not afraid to stand up for what she believes. As soon as Louisa decided that she was going to get to the bottom of the murder, I never had a doubt that she'd follow it through to completion.
Another part of THE REVELATION OF LOUISA MAY that I appreciated was how well the author incorporated the Underground Railroad into the story. If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you might know how much I love books that take place in the years before, during and right after the Civil War. I am fascinated by the Underground Railroad and how many brave families supported the effort to free slaves. Since the Alcotts were known for their abolitionist beliefs, it was fitting to have a story about Louisa include their actions to help fugitive slaves.
And finally, I loved how Ms. MacColl was able to blend the fact and fiction of Louisa's life into the novel. I have a feeling that she captured Louisa's personality pretty well, as well as her father's and mother's; and I especially liked how some of Louisa's famous neighbors (like Thoreau and Emerson) made guest appearances in this book. I also really appreciated that there were an Author's Note and a Further Reading section in the back of the book. The Author's Note did an excellent job of separating the fact from fiction in the novel.
Because there was so much history woven into the pages of THE REVELATION OF LOUISA MAY, I can easily see how teachers could incorporate reading this novel into their curriculum. In fact, there is a Common Core Aligned Teacher's Guide available to help them do just that. This guide has discussion questions, writing prompts, and other pre-reading and reading activity suggestions.
I found THE REVELATION OF LOUISA MAY to be a delightful read. It has something for everyone and it might even teach readers a thing or two about Louisa's life and the time period in which she lived! Highly recommended!
Make sure you check out my giveaway for a copy of THE REVELATION OF LOUISA MAY. There is open for a only a few more days!
Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.
Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read. Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.
Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you a guest post by the author of a new young adult novel about Louisa May Alcott.
Summary: Louisa May Alcott can't believe it—her mother is leaving for the summer to earn money for the family and Louisa is to be in charge of the household. How will she find the time to write her stories, much less have any adventures of her own? But before long, Louisa finds herself juggling her temperamental father, a mysterious murder, a fugitive seeking refuge along the Underground Railroad, and blossoming love. Intertwining fact, fiction, and quotes from Little Women, Michaela MacColl has crafted another spunky heroine whose story will keep readers turning pages until the very end. -- Chronicle
I am so excited to welcome Michaela MacColl, author of the new YA mystery novel THE REVELATION OF LOUISA MAY to Booking Mama! I recently read THE REVELATION OF LOUISA MAY and really liked it -- my review will come in the next few days. Meanwhile, Ms. MacColl has taken time from her busy schedule to write a wonderful guest post about her novel. After reading it, I'm sure you will be anxious to check out this book... or even win a copy!
Hi Julie! Thanks for hosting The Revelation of Louisa May blog tour! The Revelation of Louisa May is a murder mystery. A sixteen year old Louisa is my detective and, boy does she have her hands full. Her father is a hard-working philosopher who refuses to work for money. Marmee is abandoning the family to a job in New Hampshire. A fugitive slave comes knocking with a vicious slave catcher hard on his heels. Beth is on the sofa. Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson are visiting all the time. How on earth is Louisa going to manage the cooking, the cleaning, the shopping and her writing? The answer is … she can’t. Something has to give. Particularly when Fred shows up. Fred used to be a harmless companion, but he’s been away at college. He’s handsome and admiring – and Louisa’s not sure how to handle him. And did I mention the dead body? Yup, there’s a body. My character Louisa is a combination of biography and Louisa’s own writing. Jo March, her wonderful creation in Little Women, was based on herself (the rest of the sisters and her mother have real life counterparts too). Like Jo, my Louisa is “resolved to take fate by the throat and shake a living out of her!” Like Jo, Louisa was a fierce and loyal friend and a bitter antagonist. Both loved to write so wildly they were in a “vortex.” Both girls were runners. Meg chastises Jo by saying, “"You have been running, Jo. How could you? When will you stop such romping ways?" Louisa was proud of how she could walk twenty miles in a day. I grew to love the prickly Louisa as much as I did Jo. I hope you will too!
JO, RUNNING TOO FAST TO BE GENTEEL (LITTLE, BROWN AND CO. 1886 EDITION, LITTLE WOMEN, FRANK MERRILL, ILLUS.) Please visit me at www.michaelamaccoll.com or AuthorMichaelaMaColl on Facebook or follow me at @michaelamaccoll.
*****
Michaela attended Vassar College and Yale University earning degrees in multi-disciplinary history. Unfortunately, it took her 20 years before she realized she was learning how to write historical fiction. Her favorite stories are the ones she finds about the childhood experiences of famous people. She has written about a teenaged Queen Victoria (Prisoners in the Palace, Chronicle 2010) and Beryl Markham’s childhood (Promise the Night, Chronicle 2011). She is writing a literary mystery series for teens featuring so far a young Emily Dickinson in Nobody’s Secret (2013) and the Bronte sisters in Always Emily (2014). She has recently begun a new series with Boyd’s Mill/Highlights called Hidden Histories about odd events in America’s past. The first entry in the series is Rory’s Promise and will be published in September 2014. She frequently visits high schools and has taught at the Graduate Institute in Bethel, CT. She lives in Westport CT with her husband, two teenaged daughters and three extremely large cats.
Check out these other stops of THE REVELATION OF LOUISA MAY blog tour:
Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.
Giveaway alert: I have a copy of THE REVELATION OF LOUISA MAY to share with one lucky reader. To enter, just fill out the form below before May 15th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada addresses only. Good luck!
If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!
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