April Books

I read eleven books this month and I really liked all of them! April was a good reading month. 

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes  (Adult)

I loved this historical fiction story about librarians on pack horses for the Appalachian people in the 1930's.  I rated it a 5!  This was so good.  (Book of the Month)

If You Lived Here, You'd Be Home By Now by Christopher Ingraham  (Adult)

Christopher Ingraham says he is a "born again Minnesotan". He moved from Maryland as a reporter for the Washington Post to live in Red Lake County, Minnesota. He had written about this area as being the worst county to live in Minnesota. When he visited, he realized he wanted to move to Minnesota to eliminate a crazy lifestyle!  I rated this a 4. (Libby EBook)

Funny, You Don't Look Autistic by Michael McCreary (Adult)

Michael tells about his life growing up autistic with humor and heart. A great memoir. I rated this book a 4. (Libby EBook)

The Family Romanov by Candace Fleming (Young Adult)

My book club read this book this month. It was such a good story about the lives of the last Tsar in Russia. So sad. This is non-fiction and the author does a great job explaining the complicated history of Russia. I rated this book a 4. (Libby EBook)

Becoming the Talbot Sisters by Rachel Linden (Adult)

Twin sisters live completely different lives but are able to come together to help each other out and change their lives and others. This story deals with sex trafficking, surrogacy, international aid, and food TV entertainment. I rated this book a 4. I listened to the audiobook and it was easy to follow with a good narrator. (Libby Audiobook)

Roll With It by Jamie Sumner (Middle Grade)

Ellie is in a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy. Her mother and her move to help their grandparents and find the transition difficult and yet Ellie finds the friendships she longs for. This is a great book and I rate it a 4.  (School Library)

The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile (Adult) 

This is a sequel to The Road Back to You which talks about the Enneagram and relationships.  Easy to follow and so encouraging. I rated it a 4. (Kindle Purchase)

The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall (Adult)

This is the story of two pastors and their wives, their marriages, careers, ministry, and families who live in New York City. I really like this book and rated it a 4. (Libby Ebook)

Shine! by J. J. and Chris Grabenstein (Middle Grade)

Piper goes to an elite private school and despite thinking she is not talented becomes an example for everyone. Great story. I rated it a 4. (School Library)

All the Colors of Magic by Valija Zinck (Middle Grade)

Penelope's mother is in the hospital and now Penelope's gray hair turns red and she has magical powers. The road calls her to help rescue her father. I really liked this book and rated it a 4. (School Library)

Captain Superlative by J. S. Puller (Middle Grade)

A girl dressed as a superhero runs through the middle school helping kids and battles bullying and unkindness. Janey wants to know who is behind it. Bring your kleenex to this one. I rated it a 4. (School Library)

Strong Girl Characters!

Strong Girl Character Book Recommendations!

I am on a good reading streak and I have really liked almost everything I have picked up! I had the above stack of books on my desk and realized that all of the characters are really strong and charming characters filled with heart and spirit. Let me tell you about them.

Roll With It by Jamie Sumner

Ellie and her mother move to help take care of her grandfather during the middle of the school year. She is having to adjust to a new living and school situation which isn't easy since she has to use a wheelchair. She was born with cerebral palsy and isn't strong enough to walk. Her grandparent's home and her new school are not quite ready for wheelchairs. It seems like the challenges are too much, but Ellie begins making friends which makes this move one of the best things that have happened to her. 

I loved Ellie! She is a fighter who doesn't let her disability stop her. It is a fast read, about a 4th-grade reading level, and 250 pages long. I really liked it and give it a 4-star rating. 

All the Colors of Magic by Valija Zinck

The intense colors on the cover of the book drew me in. It is about a little girl who discovers she has magical abilities from her red hair. Her father has been missing since she was little and now Penelope is being led through a road and voices that she needs to go on a rescue mission. Hopefully, she will find out the mystery of where her father is on her journey. 

I found this book very compelling because it was so different and full of interesting magic and mystery. I really liked it and give it 4-stars.  It is about a 5th-grade reading level and is 279 pages long. 

Shine by J. J. and Chris Grabestein

Piper doesn't feel like she was born to shine or be a star but she loves the stars, as in astronomy. Her father lands a new music teaching job at a very elite private middle school. Piper is enrolled as a student and discovers she doesn't quite fit into the culture of the school. She is trying to find her way when a special contest is announced and everyone is school is doing all they can to win the prestigious prize. She faces some decisions about staying true to herself. 

This book was so funny!  I am pretty sure I laughed out loud. It is a story about someone who is not willing to compromise who she truly is. I really liked it and rate it 4-stars. It is a 4th-grade reading level and 210 pages. 

Captain Superlative by J. S. Puller

A girl with a red mask, blue wig, silver swimsuit, rubber gloves, torn tights, high-top sneakers and a cape is running through the halls of a middle school helping kids and preventing mishaps. Janey Silverman is curious and wants to find out who is behind the mask. She ends up finding out more than she had planned and her life along with her classmates are changed. 

Grab some tissues because you will probably need them. I really liked this book and rate it a 4-star. It is a 4th-grade reading level and is 245 pages long. 

All of these books are great character studies that are also fast and fun reads.  I recommend all of them. 

Sweep by Jonathan Auxier

This book was on so many recommended lists that I finally found a copy to read. Someone even said it would be a book they would take to a deserted island for reading. That really made me want to read it. It turned out that I loved this book too.  Stories about monsters or horror are not my go-to genre, but this isn't horror.  Think Mary Poppins, Oliver Twist, and Jewish folklore with fantasy and historical fiction. 

The story is set in Victorian London and the main character is an orphan who is raised by a chimney sweep until he has to leave her when she is only six years old. Nan ends up having to work for an evil chimney sweep lord who employs little children to clean out the chimneys in London.  The little ones are the only ones who can easily fit inside a chimney in order to clean it. When she is in a life or death situation, a small chunk of dust comes to her rescue! 

In the title, the book calls the creation Nan has a monster but I would say he is more like a gentle guide golem. A golem is a clay figure brought to life in Jewish folklore. The book refers to Jewish mythology, child labor, historical history, and a little bit of mysticism and magic. The writing is very beautiful and you can recognize the quality of this author's craft in this book.  It won the 2019 Sydney Taylor book award for an outstanding book for children that authentically portrays the Jewish experience.

This book gets a 5 rating from me.  I thought it was an amazing read!  It is about a 4th or 5th-grade reading level and is 368 pages long. 

Framed Series by James Ponti

I highly recommend the mystery series Framed by James Ponti.  The main characters are Florian Bates and his best friend Margaret. They are middle schoolers in Washington D. C. who get called by the FBI to help solve cases.  Florian has developed a T. O. A. S. T. theory which stands for theory of all small things which helps him solve life's mysteries. It reminds me of Sherlock Holmes's observation powers when he solved cases.  I love books where kids are asked to help with solving crime cases and mysteries. Florian and Margaret are great friends and fun characters to get to know. The stories are fast-paced, funny, and clever.  I don't always read an entire series, but I read all three of these stories!  I give them all 4-star ratings. 

Book 1:  Framed 
Florian and Margaret solve the mystery of stolen paintings from the National Gallery of Art.

Book 2:  Vanished
Florian and Margaret go undercover at a private school in Washington D. C. where the President of the United States daughter may or not be behind a series of middle school pranks.

Book 3:  Trapped
Florian and Margaret get involved in a spy ring and stolen books from The Library of Congress. Fascinating to get inside this library!

The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue by Karina Yan Glaser

I really like happy and neighborhood books. Not that there aren't difficulties and problems but that overall the kids and adults encourage, support and love each other through the tough times. Karina Yan Glaser has written three books about the Vanderbeeker family of seven who lives in Harlem, New York City.  Her fourth book in this series comes out in September.  I usually read the first book in most series and then move on but I just couldn't resist continuing to read about this family. They are perfect to read aloud to a range of ages since it is about the entire family of different ages. Also, a good read-aloud for younger grades. 

In The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, the family finds out that they are not able to continue their lease on their brownstone and have to move out around Christmas. This devastating news makes the five children start to plot how to convince their landlord, who lives in the upstairs apartment, to change his mind. 

In The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden, the kids clean up a vacant lot by their brownstone to cheer up their beloved neighbor who has had a stroke.  Of course, they run into difficulties!

The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue was my favorite so far! In this saga, the Vanderbeekers keep finding stray animals at their door that they feel compelled to care for.  The only thing is, they need to get rid of their pets in order for their mother to pass the health inspection for her baking business which she runs in her home. 

I rate all of these books with 4 stars.  

Books I Read in March

I read 10 books this month:  3 adult fiction, 3 middle-grade fiction, and 4 graphic novels. 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo:  4 stars
Dear Edward: 4 stars
Bear Town: 2 stars
Trapped: 4 stars
Vanished: 4 stars
The Doughnut King: 4 stars
Guts: 4 stars
Amulet: The Stonekeeper: 4 stars
Nat Enough: 4 stars
Best Friends: 4 stars