Source: The Publisher

For PRIDE Month and Beyond: Bite-Sized Reviews of Love Is Love, The Girl from the Sea, Mighty Red Riding Hood, and The Pants Project

PRIDE month is almost over, and I’ve practically missed it because of COVID. Ugh! But I couldn’t let the month pass without highlighting some great LGBTQ+ reads! I hope these bite-sized reviews will be enough to feed your fiction addiction! This book, told from the perspective of a kid with two dads, is simple and direct, but its message is both important and necessary. It teaches that kids should never have to feel ashamed of […]

Posted June 29, 2022 in Reviews / 5 Comments

The Name She Gave Me by Betty Culley: Review, Guest Post and Giveaway

Buy “Wistful verse highlights small but telling moments throughout Rynn’s search…The author’s lived history with foster care and adoption gives the narrative nuance and authority. Emotionally complex and empathetic characters…and a faithfully depicted rural landscape form an exemplary backdrop for this contemplative novel.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Compassionate and compelling.” —Kirkus This emotionally compelling novel in verse is a bittersweet portrayal of the complexities of adoption. Rynn has wondered her whole life where she came from. She’s always […]

Posted June 27, 2022 in Author Guest Post, Current Giveaways, Reviews / 8 Comments

The War on All Fronts by Kim Oclon: Review, Giveaway & Author AND Character Top Ten Addictions

Today I’m featuring THE WAR ON ALL FRONTS, an LGBTQ YA historical that takes place during the Vietnam War. Check out my review, along with Kim’s list of top ten addictions, bonus lists of the two MCs’ top ten addictions, and a giveaway of the book! This YA LGBT historical fiction novel highlights the turmoil of the Vietnam War and the personal turmoil of living in a world that can’t accept you for who […]

Posted May 24, 2022 in Author Top Ten Lists, Giveaways (Ended), Reviews / 7 Comments

Bite-Sized Reviews of The Handmaid’s Tale, Ellen Outside the Lines, Missing Mike, The Deepest Breath, and The Hair Book

Today, I’m reviewing a classic adult dystopian (!), a MG contemp, two MG contemp verse novels, and a picture book! I hope these bite-sized reviews will be enough to feed your fiction addiction! I know no one needs my opinions about The Handmaid’s Tale (after all, so many people have analyzed this book), but it felt necessary to include it on my blog because it’s so important and so iconic. I read the book along with my […]

Posted May 3, 2022 in Reviews / 5 Comments

The Mirrorwood & Nightingale by Deva Fagan: Reviews, Giveaway & Deva’s Top Ten Addictions

Today I’m featuring two books by Deva Fagan: THE MIRRORWOOD, a unique middle grade fantasy about a girl without a face and NIGHTINGALE, another fantasy, this time with a superhero spin. The first book just came out on 4/12, and the second was released in paperback on that same date! Check out my reviews, along with Deva’s list of top ten addictions and a giveaway of both books! THE MIRRORWOOD is the best kind of […]

Posted April 20, 2022 in Author Top Ten Lists, Giveaways (Ended), Reviews / 5 Comments

Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl by Julie Kagawa: Review & Giveaway

Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD I’m a huge fan of Kagawa’s YA books, so I was excited to see what her MG has to offer, and I was definitely not disappointed. Apparently this book is a spin-off of existing Society of Explorers and Adventurers lore that you can find in the actual Disney theme parks. I didn’t know anything about that storytelling, but that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the book (and I’m actually headed […]

Posted April 8, 2022 in Giveaways (Ended), Reviews / 8 Comments

Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality by Roshani Chokshi: Review & Giveaway

Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD This final installment in the Pandava Series starts out with our heroes at their lowest. The kids have to figure out how to rely on their own innate talents to stop the Sleeper now that they’re weaponless. All while fighting the sting of betrayal and massive self-doubt. As always, this series is a fun ride. We get adventure, magical hijinks, and a heaping serving of Hindu folklore with a dash of romance and a […]

Posted April 7, 2022 in Giveaways (Ended), Reviews / 2 Comments

Bite-Sized Reviews of New From Here, Mercy Watson to the Rescue, Breaking the News, and the Welcome to Wonderland Series

Today, I’m reviewing a MG contemporary, a kid’s chapter book, a MG non-fiction book, and a MG humorous contemporary series. I hope these bite-sized reviews will be enough to feed your fiction addiction! Set at the beginning of 2020, this book highlights the extra stresses of being an Asian American family at the start of the pandemic. Most kids will relate to the confusion and fears portrayed in the book, but the themes will especially […]

Posted March 15, 2022 in Reviews / 6 Comments

Girl Giant and the Monkey King by Van Hoang: A Dual Review with Danielle Hammelef

(No actual dueling—or even arm-twisting—was involved. Don’t worry, this is a dual review, not a duel review. Sorry if you’re disappointed.) It’s been so long since I’ve done a dual review. I was excited to be able to buddy read this newest book with Danielle Hammelef, the latest winner of my Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up “Make Me Read It” giveaway. Danielle chose to make me read Girl Giant and the Monkey King by Van Hoang. I read the […]

Posted March 9, 2022 in Dual Reviews, Reviews / 5 Comments

YA Reads for Black History Month (and Beyond!): Daughters of Jubilation and Ain’t Burned All the Bright

Today, I’m focusing on YA books with Black protagonists for Black History Month, but these books are great reads any time! In addition to those two reviews, scroll down to see one other book recommendation as well. I hope these bite-sized reviews will be enough to feed your fiction addiction. Daughters of Jubilation is a story of power and the ways it can be wielded for both good and evil. Having grown up in the […]

Posted February 23, 2022 in Reviews / 6 Comments