Middle Grade Book Review: Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

Hi everyone, it's Sarah! Wolk's Wolf Hollow was a runaway Newbery winner from the first time I read it, I just knew it would be awarded something. While this book was challenging both in content and in reading level, it felt like literature. I couldn't wait to read more by this same author, so when …

Middle Grade Book Review: The Canyon’s Edge by Dusti Bowling

Hiya everyone, it's Sarah! I always like to mix in novels-in-verse with my reading, to give myself a better change of pace. The cover on this book made it an instant addition to my TBR pile. Summary: After losing her mother to an active shooter, Nora's life has been put completely on hold. Her father …

TBR Review: A Whale of the Wild by Rosanne Parry

Hey everyone, it's Sarah! This book showed up on mock lists for Newbery, so I added it to my TBR pile for that reason. However, after looking further and realizing that it was a book about whales from their perspective I became excited to read it. I love whales and I am interested in learning …

Mock Mondays: Newbery Award

Hey everyone, it's Sarah! Here is my Newbery mock pick for the month. In case you need a refresh of the award, it is an award given out annually by the American Library Association for the most distinguished contribution for children’s literature. Book considered for this award must be aimed at an audience from birth …

Children’s Book Review: Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson

Hi everyone, it's Sarah! I have totally been loving all of Watson's books, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on her newest. Title: Ways to Make Sunshine Author: Renée Watson Summary: Ryan is a chef in the making. Her best times are trying out new recipes. She loves her friends and her home, …

Mock Mondays: Caldecott Award

Howdy everyone, it's Sarah! Here is this month's suggestion for Caldecott. If you are unfamiliar with the award it is given by the American Library Association to the illustrator that gave the most distinguished contribution to children’s literature. I can't wait for the illustrator to receive a life-time acheivement award somewhere along the way, because …

Youth Lit Does it Better: Historical Novels about Japanese Internment

Hey everyone, it's Sarah! This past month, one of my book clubs read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford, which I will review below. Through the discussion, several members talked about the fact that they had no idea Japanese internment was part of our history. During World War II, the …

Picture Books with Musical Roots

Hi All! It's Becky, again. A couple of weeks ago I stumbled across a picture book about Simon and Garfunkel which I thought was just kind of awesome. This discovery lead me to fall down the rabbit hole that is the library catalog searching for picture books written by musicians. Here is a list of …

TBR Thursdays: Spark by Sarah Beth Durst

Hey everyone, it's Sarah! Okay, so when you have free time do you just order any and every book that slightly crosses your mind and also order boat loads of eARC on Edelweiss...no, just me? I really need to stop doing that, especially because I can see myself starting to do that again. This novel …

War Is Over by David Almond

Hi All!  It's Becky, again.  A co-worker recommended that I read this new (in the United States) David Almond book.  It was definitly not what I would expect for a children's book.   Title: War Is OverAuthor: David Almond Summary: John's life is shaped by the war.  His father is with the Army in France, …