The Musings of a Book Addict

Friday, June 10, 2022

The Lake Never Tells by Alex Tully

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery

Source: I received a copy from LibraryThing to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I won this book from LibraryThing a while back and finally got the chance to read it. I am sorry I waited so long. I sat and read it through in four hours. I will definitely be looking for more work by this author. I couldn't sleep and got up at 5AM and started reading this book. I am so glad I did.

Zoe and Patrick have about five years difference in their ages. They are like sibling. They live in the same trailer park. Meredith is Zoe's best friend, the daughter of the local sheriff and tormenter to Parker. Ethan is the rich kid who spends his summer at the lake with his twin sister and divorce attorney parents.

All of these kids have issues. Zoe's mother wants her to call her Debbie instead of mom. Zoe is okay with this because she has pretty much raised herself. Her mom drinks and parties with Zoe's friends. Parker lives with his grandmother since his mother died.

Ethan is recovering some something that happened to him the year before. That is the main reason they are at the lake. He still has to see his psychiatrist each week. Together these kids join together as friends and help each other deal with things that have happened to them in the past.

Then Parker finds a dead body on the beach and things really take a change. I loved the relationship between Parker and Zoe. They truly did act like siblings. I enjoyed Ethan's attitude. Where Parker and Zoe envied the things that Ethan and his sister own, they soon realize that no matter how much money you have everyone has problems. Parker's grandmother Shirley was the glue that held them all together. You just didn't see it until farther into the story. I definitely didn't like Zoe's mom and didn't care for Zoe's best friend Meredith. The author did a great job of making them unlikable. Through the eyes of these kids we learn that when it comes to people, no matter hat your financial situation, people act the same. You have your good people, your weak and needy people, your selfish people and your just down rotten people. The only difference as my dad would say is the size of their toys. I highly recommend this book. Although I could have done without the F-bomb, it wasn't used so much it took away from the book. If I was going to criticize anything it was the repetitive way the author switched from one character to another. I probably would not have noticed this a few years ago until it was pointed out I had done this with my own first book. Still it didn't annoy me to the point of taking away a star in my rating. Like I said, I look forward to sharing this book with my students. It is definitely recommended for the older students due to some language and situations. However, I consider it a must read.

Thursday, June 9, 2022

The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste

Genre: Middle Grade, Traditional, Folklore

Source: I own a copy on my classroom shelves

I love reading folklore from around the world. What I enjoyed almost as much as reading the book was research what Jumbies are and where they come from. I did this shortly after I started the book. I had not heard of them before. Knowing a little bit about them before I started the book made it that much better. Reading this book was a treat for the senses. The world building is so good you can visualize it. You can almost taste the oranges. You are right there with Corinne. This is just creepy enough to pull the reader in and hold them in the world. The author surrounds the main character with other characters who have their own issues. They find themselves a lot stronger working together. This is a common theme in middle grade books.

Every culture has their “boogie man” that parents use to warn their children to be good. Children are taught about the evil Jumbies. Corinne doesn’t believe in these magical creatures. But like all good creepy stories the main character will soon have to change their opinion. I began this book during the evening my husband was out moving his bees. I quickly decided this was a book I needed to read during the day. That is something that is an awesome sign for me. It means that the book is so good and creepy that I will want to get a good start real early the next morning. Each Jumbie has its own creep factor that made this so original and such a great read. Books like this one are the reason I prefer reading middle grade fiction. This is now one of my favorite authors.

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Catherine Dickens: Outside the Magic Circle Heera Datta

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I can’t remember a time when I couldn’t wait for Christmas to come to watch “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. After reading this book my feelings toward the author have been tainted. While I saw him as a wonderful and successful writer, I never knew who he was. To understand who he was you must understand the Victorian time period he lived in.

Imagine you have married the man of your dreams only to have him blame you for everything that he doesn’t like in your marriage. Imagine your young sister who lives with you to help you with your children, suddenly sides with your husband. You are removed from your home, while your sister and your children stay with your husband.

This is for the most part a fictionalized account. We know for a fact that Charles Dickens was separated from his wife. We also know that even though he wrote terrible things about her. She kept her mouth shut. Part of this I believe was because she loved him, and part of it was because that is the way things were handled during this time period. Women pretty much had no rights. She was publicly humiliated through his writings. Up until her death she pretty much kept quiet. Yet she made sure her daughter received letters Charles had sent her to be sent to the Smithsonian. It was her way of letting the world know he really wasn’t all that bad. She believed this until her death. Maybe that is what helped her survive this situation.

Even though this story took place in the 1800’s this could be anyone’s story today. I believe that is why it is such a good book. It is so applicable to present time. A great book to be read by anyone wanting to know more about the real Charles Dickens.

Monday, June 6, 2022

Wild River by Rodman Philbrick

Genre: Middle Grade, Adventure, Realistic Fiction

Source: I purchased a copy

One thing I really enjoy about Rodman Philbrick's books is the reality of them. So many authors who write for middle grade students create an ending that is satisfying yet often lacking. In Philbrick's books characters are injured, go through hardships, catastrophes, and yes, some of them even die. They have to fight for survival.

In this book five kids are chose to go on a white water rafting trip as part of their school's new "Project Future Leaders". Their two guides on this trip don't get a chance to teach them much about survival. On their first day they change their entry point into the river. They are unable to get their satellite phone to work so they have not been able to call anyone and let them know of their new location. They raft down the first leg of the river, make camp and get to know each other. Sounds like a nice story so far doesn't it? Each of these kids have things the others don't know about them. Some of them are fears, some of them are cover ups for hurts they have experienced. In the middle of the night they are awaken by their two guides and told to run to higher ground because the dam has broken. They are pushed to the top only to watch their guides washed away. Now they are on their own. That is where I will end my summary.

These kids show what they are made of. They show who they are in desperate times. They show what it means to build friendships and rely on each other. My husband looked at me and asked, "You're done with that book already?" when books are as good as this one is you can't help but read it straight through. I can't wait for the school year to start so that I can put this in the pile for my first week activity that introduces students to my large collection of books. This is definitely on the top of my list of loved books for this year.

Sunday, June 5, 2022

Teaching Children Responsibility

Below are four children's picture books that are wonderful for Pre-k and up. These cute stories have wonderful lessons to go with them.

It’s Not My Fault by Michael Gordon

Vigbert is an alien from outer space. He likes playing with his friend Austin. The problem is when Vigbert breaks or spills things he lies about it or argues about whose fault it is. This book is all about standing up and taking responsibility for your actions. A very cute way of teaching the youngest child how to do just that.

It’s the Rules by Michael Gordon

This cute book teaches children the importance of following rules. It shows how they keep them safe and keeps chaos out of the way. Michael Gordon has chosen rules that all children must follow and given the important reason for doing so.

When I Lie by Michael Gordon

Heidi has been telling lies to her parents. At first it seems harmless. As she goes along her stomach is upset and she doesn’t feel well. She fears she will get caught. Sure enough she does and her parents sit with her and explain why telling the truth is a big deal. Once again the author has put his characters in a position that most very young children will find themselves in at one point or another. A great source for teaching young kids about the importance of telling the truth.

I Didn’t Do It By Sarah Read

This is another example for young children about learning to take responsibility for their actions. Each time Sophia is caught doing something she should not be doing the adult in her life gently corrects her. A nice way of teaching this to kids.

Saturday, June 4, 2022

The Girl In The Lake by India Hill Brown

Genre: Middle Grade, Mystery/Horror

Source: I purchased a copy

Celeste and her brother Owen are spending the summer at their grandparent's lake house along with their cousins Daisy and Capri. Celeste is not interested in spending tine at the lake. She can't swim. She failed her swim test. Her brother Owen loves the idea of swimming since he passed his test. He is not interested in hiking with his grandfather. He has a fear of mountain lions. He doesn't know if there are any, but why take a risk? Daisy is the kind and courteous one but she fears storms. Capri is a lot like Celeste. She fears failure. Will these four learn to face their fears? What does a ghost who looks like Celeste have to do with everything that is happening at the lake house?

I bought this book for my classroom from the book fair. Before I had a chance to take it home and read it a student asked to check it out. I ended up buying a second one and taking it home so that I could read it. I just now got around to it. I now know why my students kept telling me I needed to read this book. I read it in under three hours. It was that good. Great mystery/horror story. Kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this book.

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

My Name is Layla by Reyna Marder Gentin

Genre: Young Adult, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

Source: I won a copy from LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

This last Friday was my last day at school. Our principal told us to make sure we took time for us. Then he called me out in front of everyone. He told me he had talked to my husband about finding a way to make me not focus on work. Yes I admit I have a problem letting school work go. However, after two years of covid teaching I needed a break. I told him I had a stack of books on my couch waiting for me.

This book was one of them I had not been able to get to earlier due to covid teaching. As a middle school teacher, this book really resonated with me. I see students like Layla every year. A lot of them fall through the cracks and are never diagnosed with a learning disability. I try to be a teacher who works for each and every one of them. Layla wants so hard to do better in school. She wants the approval of her mother who works the night shift as a nurse. She has the support of her older brother Nick. No matter how hard she tries her undiagnosed dyslexia makes her feel bad about herself. It is her English teacher who believes in her and recognizes her disability that turns things around.

This should be on every classroom shelf. It is true to life. Middle school students will be able to identify with the character and most importantly the events that take place in school and at home. The fact that Layla is able to find help will give hope to those who struggle, and may just encourage those teachers who aren't real sure how to help a student. I applaud this author for creating a book that needs to be read by teachers and students alike.

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Little Wanderers: The Everlasting Seasons by I.K. Silver

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Once I started this book I couldn't stop reading it. Snowy is a very small dwarf. He lives in a village where it snows all the time. He hates the cold. One day he decides he is going to leave. He packs his things and heads off to find the village of Origenem where there is supposedly a buried treasure. He read about it in a book. On his trek he meets another dwarf who mistakes him for a young kid. Korkoro takes him home with him. Snowy stays for a while before deciding to join Snowy on his trip. The two encounter talking cats, a castle where everyone eats nothing but maple syrup, a wizard and a village that is cursed. This was such an interesting book that I couldn't stop reading. I read it from beginning to end in one sitting. I can't wait until the next book comes out so I can continue to read the adventures of Snowy and Korkoro.

Saturday, May 28, 2022

In A Dark, Dark Wood by Cece Louise

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mystery

Source: I received a copy from LibraryThing Early Reviewers. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I had a conversation with two colleagues on the last day of school. All three of us were discussing the types of books we like to read and our choices for the summer. None of us like gushy romance. What I read in Cece Louise’s book, In A Dark, Dark Wood is the exact type of book I will recommend to them. Calia is trying to save her sisters. She goes to the castle hoping to secure employment for herself and her sisters. Instead she concocts a plan that will secure her sister’s well-being, free her brother from a prisoner ship and solve an issue for the King and Queen. Since she resembles their missing daughter, she will go to Ebonwood to marry the prince in their daughter’s place. This is important since their kingdom is on the edge of ruin.

Calia is not exactly welcomed by the Prince. At first he come off as very cynical. As I read further into his story I realized the effect abusive words and betrayal had on him. It is Calia, a survivor who has the ability to change all of that. She is willing to sacrifice everything, including herself for her siblings. How far will she go to help this prince she is slowly falling in love with?

This book had it all for me. A touch of romance that builds slowly and is not shoved in your face. A mystery that must be solve. Since I had not read this author before I was surprised by how well written the mystery is. I was completely blindsided. I loved the darkness of this book. To me there is a difference between downright evil feeling darkness in a book and mysterious, murderous darkness. This had that dark gothic feel that I love. Can’t wait to share this with my two friends. I love this author enough I have purchased the first three books in this series to read.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Cover Reveal/Scavenger Hunt/Giveaway: Blessed by Kandi J. Wyatt

Enter the Scaventer Hunt

See the clue below

Enter the Giveaway

What would you give to be a dragon rider and marry the princess?

Two months ago, 18-year-old Hest discovered a baby dragon under the dungeon, and now he’s hearing the dragon’s voice. It comes at the strangest times, but usually when he needs it most in training fights. If only he could know when he’d get the help consistently instead of being the laughing stock of the other knights.

But not everyone believes the baby dragon is safe. The kingdom mage warns Hest that the dragon will overpower him if he’s not careful. As the bond grows in strength, Hest can’t keep it a secret, and if he thought life as a knight was complicated, try being next in line for the crown!

Hest isn’t the only one who wants the position as king. A traitor mage is determined to steal not only the crown, but the princess and Hest’s dragon!

Keeping a dragon is harder than finding one, but Hest will do anything—even allow the dragon to control him—to save his kingdom and his betrothed.

Blessed is the second book in the coming-of-age fantasy series, Four Stars over Ardatz: Sovereigns. If you like action, wonderful characters, multi-dimensional clean romance, and dragons, you’ll love Kandi J Wyatt’s book.

Start reading Blessed today to start your own adventure!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Blessed-Dragon-Fantasy-Ardtaz-Sovereigns-ebook/dp/B09Q2JQHMN

Other Retailers: https://books2read.com/u/mYyQMW

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60669319-blessed

Pre-order Giveaway: https://kingsumo.com/g/07towh/blessed-cover-reveal-giveaway