Category: Five Star Reviews

BONUS REVIEW: Bea Is for Blended by Lindsey Stoddard

BONUS REVIEW: Bea Is for Blended by Lindsey Stoddard

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Bea Embers is about to start middle school, but that’s only one of a series of changes she’s experiencing all at once. Bea’s mom has just gotten married, the two families have moved into a new house together, and Bea’s mom is going to have a baby. On top of all that, one of her new step-brothers, Bryce, is a “bully-follower” in her homeroom. Bryce’s friends always pick on Bea’s best friend, and Bryce goes along with it and even joins in. How will she ever think of someone like that as family?

Complicating Bea’s life even more is the soccer situation at school. Bea’s always been a leader on her past teams. (Usually they were boys’ teams that “allowed” the girls to join. But they often sat on the bench and rarely received any credit or encouragement for their contributions to the team.) But her new neighbor is going to be some stiff competition. Even worse, the middle school soccer coach (who is also the principal) is dismissive of every girl who wants to play. And he’s a constant obstacle to their desire for a team of their own.

But Bea Embers is as feisty and fiery as her name would imply. She and her friends – and her new family – aren’t going to put up with any misogynistic “bullsharky” this year. They’re going to stand tall and push back.

Review

This was so amazing! This exemplifies why I love middle grade novels:

  • Imperfect characters grow and learn over time.
  • Amazing teachers coach and encourage and fight for their students.
  • Families come together and back each other up.
  • Adults give kids space to work through conflicts while also being willing to back them up when it’s needed.

There’s so much heart here, I wanted to hug the book. This is the perfect blend of a story that has you tearing up one moment and wanting to stand up and cheer the next. It’s delightful!

Bea had to grow on me for a few chapters while I waited to get a feel for her. At the same time, though, I feel like in those early chapters, Bea is trying to get a feel for herself in all of these new roles and settings. I was captivated by her story and her circumstances from the start. I loved the kids, their teachers, and their families. I loved how the characters grow over time – and not just Bea. Bea’s experience with Bridge to Terabithia was a fantastic part of the story. My favorite part, though, is getting a peek into Bea’s thinking about all of the things happening in her life – the changes in her family, the soccer situation, her friends at school, her feelings about Bryce, how she relates what she is reading to what she is experiencing, etc..

There is SO MUCH here to love. Do not miss the latest book from the author of Right as Rain (another book I wanted to hug after reading). This would be a fantastic read-aloud, but would also work well for book groups and book clubs. (Includes a few excellent uses of the word “badass.”)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy by Emmanuel Acho

REVIEW: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy by Emmanuel Acho

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Roaring Brook Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

Emmanuel Acho is the creator behind the video series and book titled Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man. This book takes some of the questions and topics from the adult content and formats them for kids 10 and up. Each chapter introduces a concept with a question. Then some history is given (“Let’s Rewind”) and the talk gets frank (“Let’s Get Uncomfortable”). Finally there are suggestions for what to do to take action about a particular concept (“Talk It, Walk It). Topics include things like the N-word/language, history of Blacks in America, bias, “color blindness,” privilege, the Confederate flag, systemic racism, and “reverse racism.”

The tone is conversational; I could actually hear the author’s speaking voice as I read. He never talks down to readers and often adopts a coaching tone, which I loved. But because of the seriousness of the topic, some of the material is heavy and intense. Struggling readers may need some assistance – reading chunks at a time, discussion groups/family conversation – to push through all of the material. And it is absolutely worth pushing through! This is an exceptionally good resource for kids, teens, and adults, including school personnel, pastors, youth workers, and helping professionals.

There are no citations in the text for some of the history and statistics the author gives, but there are references listed in the backmatter. There are also suggestions of other materials – books, documentaries – to go deeper. This is a starting point resource, not the be-all-end-all discussion of race and racism. But the history and context given makes this an excellent foundation to build on. As an adult, I found the history enlightening (and alarming), and the conversation frank and helpful. When I talk about race and racism with other adults, there are common refrains from those who do not believe racism is still an issue, those who want to “move on.” This includes terrific talking points and responses for people of all ages looking to grow in their understanding and practice of anti-racism.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+++*

* ♥♥♥♥♥+++ = Best of the best!

 

REVIEW: Animal Instinct by David Rosenfelt

REVIEW: Animal Instinct by David Rosenfelt

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Corey Douglas was a cop, one somewhat random case always bothered him. He didn’t usually work domestic violence cases, but he answered this call about a neighbor hearing an escalating fight. The alleged victim refused to press charges, saying she fell. Her boyfriend was far too smug to be innocent. But Corey was powerless to do much more than file the report.

Now, Corey and his former K-9 partner, Simon, are PIs along with a couple other investigators, including Andy Carpenter’s wife, Laurie Collins. When the alleged domestic violence victim is murdered in what looks like a drive by, Corey is convinced the boyfriend struck again. The K-Team agrees to help Corey look into the case.

What seemed simple at first becomes more convoluted than any member of the K-Team could have predicted. And Corey has the most to lose if they can’t puzzle out the truth.

Review

This was excellent! Come for the fantastically plotted mystery, stay for the terrific cast of characters and the sassy tone of the writing. Rosenfelt is in fine form with the second K-Team book. All of my favorite characters are part of the case including Andy Carpenter, the defense attorney from Rosenfelt’s long-running series.

The mystery in this one is exceptionally twisty. I had no clue what was going on, but I was happy to just be along for the ride. The resolution was supremely satisfying!

I don’t know that readers have to read the K-Team books in order or to have read the Andy Carpenter books first. The case here stands solidly on its own. But I think readers will enjoy the characters enough to want to go back and fill in the gaps if they start reading here. David Rosenfelt fans should be sure to pick this one up!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher

REVIEW: Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Marin’s sister, Sadie, got home from her assignment in China, she looked worn out and thin. Marin, the caretaker and worrier of the pair, agreed to the getaway for Sadie’s sake. Marin had been taking care of Sadie since their mother died. She could put aside her fear of flying and her homebody nature to take a trip with her only sister.

But Sadie missed the flight. Which means she also missed the turbulence. And the storm that re-routed the plane. Sadie also missed every awful, embarrassing moment between Marin and her good looking seatmate, Lucas Tsai. (And really, all that embarrassment was Sadie’s fault! If she had been there, Marin never would have had to sit by Lucas!)

So now, Marin is alone on a beautiful tropical island while her sister is still at home. Marin has never been the adventurous one. She plays things safe. She’s been strangled by fear since their mother died. And this getaway is about to challenge every bit of her safe, quiet existence.

Review

Wow. I was wrecked by this book in all the best ways for a reader. I was expecting something light and funny – and those moments are there. But there are also these beautiful, ugly-crying moments with this stellar cast of characters. I wasn’t expecting the extremes, but I adored them. This book packs and punch, and I am forever a fan.

The author does a fantastic job of balancing the contemporary story with Marin’s backstory. It’s a great way to explain how Marin gets to the point where she’s settled for whatever life hands her instead of living a life she wants. I was engrossed in watching Marin’s journey, cheering for her along the way.

Yes, there’s a beautiful romantic element to this that’s supremely satisfying. But it’s also so much more. Do not miss this one! It will stick with me for a long time. (Language, TW: grief/loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery by Ally Carter

REVIEW: Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery by Ally Carter

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this from Netgalley, but by the time I was approved, I had already bought a print copy of the published book. I read the print version for this review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

April and her friends are settled in at Winterborne House. Gabriel Winterborne has been “found” and is famous again. April and the other kids thwarted a lot of dark, ugly schemes that could have hurt a lot of people (Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor) and lived to tell the tale.

But Izzy has disappeared and Smithers, the butler, is away, leaving Gabriel in charge of five kids and the house. Things are pretty chaotic when the case worker arrives. Then, a swordsman breaks into the house. And Gabriel goes missing.

Now the kids are dodging the case worker who wants to take them away from their home and from each other. They are searching for Gabriel, afraid he’s hurt or dying – or that he’s just abandoned them. And they are running from guys with guns, desperate to preserve their found family.

Review

WOW! This was fantastic! I squeezed in a quick re-read of book one so the story was fresh in my mind when I started this. And I am so glad. I was able to pick up the action and the characters right away, which was important. This book jumps right into the action! This is definitely a read-in-order series.

While this is April’s story, I adore the full ensemble cast. The kids have really gelled into a team – and a family – by this book. I love them even more this time around.

The story was captivating from start to end. There are a ton of things going on here, but the author never loses the reigns on her story. I flew through this in one breathless sitting because I had to know what happens for everyone. I have my fingers crossed that there will be more stories for these characters in the future. But this book ends solidly with no major cliffhangers.

Fans of book 1, fans of Ally Carter, and fans of middle grade mysteries should NOT miss this excellent series. I’d say the target audience would be older middle grade readers – 10 and up – due to the violence of the story. While not at all graphic, there are sword fights and bullet wounds and stabbings and peril that might not be a good fit for some young readers.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado

REVIEW: Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Sometimes, Charlie wishes she was more like her best friend, Amelia. She’s stylish, athletic, and popular. Even Charlie’s mom acts like she’d rather have Amelia as her daughter. And Charlie’s crush, Cal, can’t get enough of Amelia, even though she shuts him down, hard, all the time.

Not only does Charlie’s mom seem to like Amelia better, but she’s always on Charlie about her weight.  She gave her an activity tracker so she can track Charlie’s steps. She sells meal replacement shakes online and pushes Charlie about using them. When Charlie’s dad died and her mom focused her grief on losing weight, the dynamic between them shifted dramatically. Charlie chose self-acceptance instead of obsessing about weight, or at least she is trying to.

As Charlie negotiates her junior year, her worsening relationship with her mom, and her first boyfriend, things come to a head that leaves her on shaky ground.

Review

I adored this! It’s absolutely perfect – painful at times, sure, but so enjoyable overall. I loved Charlie! She, Amelia, and Brian made such a fantastic core group of characters. I would have loved a few more chapters with the characters at the end.

The writing and the story and the characters perfectly capture first love – and its sometimes all-consuming nature. The dynamic between Charlie and her mom also felt very real. I liked that, while progress was made, there were no instant solutions or easy answers to their issues (although, honest communication helped).

This is Charlie’s story of self-kindness, self-acceptance, and self-celebration. It’s a story *every* reader could enjoy and learn from. There were several moments where I wanted to mark the page or underline the writing – perfect little nuggets  I wanted to savor. This would make an excellent choice for a book group or discussion group. Don’t miss this one! (Language, LGBTQ+, TW: fat shaming)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: The Enneagram Goes to Church by Todd A. Wilson

REVIEW: The Enneagram Goes to Church by Todd A. Wilson

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and InterVarsity Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

“If I would have known the Enneagram, I would have been a much better pastor.”

This is the confession that launches this resource about the role the Enneagram could play in the Church. The author comes to the discussion from a standard evangelical background. He works from the assumption that the reader has at least a passing knowledge of the Enneagram – this is not a resource for beginners. There is a chapter on triads, stances, and orientation to time, but it is there to give readers a common background and language for the rest of the book, not as an introduction for novices.

The content includes a look at the nine types as pastors as well as in leadership roles. There’s a chapter on the types related to preaching and teaching as well as chapters on worship, congregational care, and conflict. There’s also a great discussion at the start of the book about whether or not the Enneagram even belongs in the church. The author’s bottom line to readers, especially pastors, is to pursue self-awareness which in turn will help in all aspects of pastoring.

Review

This is an exceptionally good resource. The tone and writing is conversational, and the content is applicable in many settings, not just in churches. (Personally, I though the author came on pretty strong at first, and when he revealed his type in the book, that made more sense. I was quickly able to settle into his writing style, though.) The teaching is solid as it relates to pastors and pastoral roles, but it could also apply to teachers (especially the chapter on preaching) and helping professionals (especially the chapters on conflict and congregational care). I got a TON out of this, and I don’t fit into any of these roles right now.

It was fascinating to me to apply the content to my current and past church experiences. It was easy to see where this information could have helped heal some of the hurts we have seen in our churches over the years.

The material here is challenging in all the best ways. There’s lots of references here to church history, scripture, and Enneagram leaders and teachers, which I enjoyed immensely. This is a must-buy resource for me, and I am looking forward to reading through it again! You can read my reviews of other Enneagram resources here. (There is one use of the word “tribe” in the book as an expression of a like-minded group, which might be offensive to some readers.)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

 

REVIEW: Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake

REVIEW: Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Kari bought the lottery ticket when she was shopping for kitty litter. It seems only fitting that she use some of her winnings to buy the run down animal rescue. It’s “kitten season,” and all of the area shelters are full to overflowing. Now, Kari can help.

And the rescue itself needs help. The local dog warden has been harassing the former owner. And he’s bringing them to court saying one of their animals got out and attacked someone. Kari gets to see for herself how hateful the man is when they have a confrontation outside the court house. But that doesn’t mean she’s not surprised when she stumbles across his dead body on her new property.

Plenty of people heard Kari shouting with the man. So of course she is now a murder suspect. So is the former rescue owner. But they aren’t the only ones with bones to pick with the deceased. Kari and her friends start sleuthing so they can point the authorities to the real culprit in order to re-open the rescue and move on with their lives.

Review

What an excellent story! This is the kickoff for the Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series, and it is a must-read series for me now. The cast is fantastic and the mystery is first rate. Cozies tend to have a theme – coffee, food, crafts, animals, etc. – and I loved this one. The animal descriptions in the book, especially for Queenie, the little black kitten, are outstanding. I can’t say enough good things about this story.

I loved Kari, the protagonist. We only get a hint at her backstory, but her passion for standing up to bullies and her awesome boundaries with her brother endeared her to me right away. I enjoyed most of the cast around her, too. (One character runs hot and cold to the extremes when it comes to Kari, and she was really starting to tick me off. The rest, though, are delightful.)

The mystery was fantastic. There are layers to it that play out for the last quarter or so of the book, so I really felt like I got my “money’s worth” out of the mystery angle. Some pieces are resolved early while others play out at the very end. I thought the pacing of the whole thing was perfect.

The hook of a lottery winner sinking her winnings into a passion project is so fun. I’d love to see that become a trope in novels – I’d read every last one of them. It’s a fun wish-fulfillment piece to this story that I really enjoyed. Cozy fans, mystery fans, and animal lovers should be sure to pick this one up!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Schumacher

REVIEW: Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Schumacher

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this from Netgalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Amelia and Jenna became best friends on one of the worst days of Amelia’s life. Jenna’s family welcomed Amelia in as a daughter. And they gave her a sense of home. As a graduation gift, they even send the girls to a book festival in California where they have VIP tickets to see a presentation by Amelia’s favorite author, N. E. Endsley.

But Endsley cancels his session. Amelia is devastated.

To make matters worse, Jenna explains that she met Endsley. The immensely private author was having a panic attack. And Jenna told him to be true to himself and do what was necessary to care for himself, so he left. Amelia was incensed. Jenna met him? And made him leave? The fight after that was probably the first of their friendship.

And the last.

Jenna is killed in a car accident not long after. And Amelia is lost and adrift. Then a special edition book by N. E. Endsley arrives from a bookstore in Michigan. Amelia can’t imagine how it found its way to her, but she is certain it has something to do with Jenna. So she takes a trip to Michigan to see what Jenna might be trying to tell her.

Review

I don’t know that I have the words to do this justice. I was captivated from the first page. Just reading through the summary above makes me want to pick the book up again and dive in. I thought I knew roughly how the story would play out, but I was surprised time and time again in so many perfect ways. If I had to choose an exemplary “perfect” book for me, this would be one example. Characters, setting, heart, story – every piece was a perfect fit for me.

I loved Amelia and the main characters of the story. The book store in Michigan sounds like a place I could get lost in for days. The author’s descriptions – of the Orman books, of Amelia’s pictures, of her connection to her closest friends – drew me in. Sometimes a book’s prose will capture my attention, pulling me out of the story with lovely turns of phrase. Instead, in this book, the writing was so fantastic it pulled me further into the story. I lost track of the reading experience and just lived in the story for awhile. It was magical.

Every piece, every page, every bit. Lovely. Perfect. Exceptional. This will be one of the 2021 books that will stick with me for years to come. (Language, TW: grief/loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+++*

*♥♥♥♥♥+++ = Best of the best

REVIEW: Gina: The Girl Who Broke the World by Judd Winick

REVIEW: Gina: The Girl Who Broke the World by Judd Winick

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Children’s in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This post contains SPOILERS for the Hilo series.]

Summary

In the final battle with Razorwark, Izzy gave all her energy to Hilo. And now DJ, Hilo, and Gina are still missing their friend. Hilo is adjusting to his new existence as a human (with some… extra features). And Gina doesn’t want to do magic or be a hero any more. She understands the risks all too well now.

But magical creatures keep showing up on Earth. And Gina is the only one who can see them. They are hunting beings known as the Nestor. And Gina is torn between protecting the Nestor and giving up magic for good.

Review

This is book 7 in the Hilo series, but it launches a new story arc. And Gina is the star, which is awesome! This was exceptional. I have loved this series from the beginning (The Boy Who Crashed to Earth – ♥♥♥♥♥). I loved how the author gave space in an action-packed, funny book for the kids to also grieve the losses from their last adventure. It doesn’t overwhelm this story, but it’s also not rushed either. Those scenes were beautiful – and necessary. Hilo fans will appreciate the acknowledgement of the six book journey that has already taken place.

There’s a nice summary in the book of those adventures so that new readers have some context for what’s going on with Gina and Hilo in this book. I think new readers will be able to track this story, but I also think they will want to go back and get the full Hilo experience.

I LOVE the characters in this series. Gina really gets to shine here which was excellent. I was thrilled when I finished book 6, All the Pieces Fit (♥♥♥♥♥) and saw that the new book was going to feature Gina. DJs sister, Lisa, whom I adore, also gets to join the gang for this adventure. The family pieces in this – DJs family, his older brother who comes to stay with the kids, Gina’s sisters – are a hoot! This series is truly exceptional.

The ending of this is quite the twisty cliffhanger. This is especially painful because it looks like we will be waiting a year for the follow up (and I read this book in November of 2020, so I have had an even longer wait already!). But every book has been worth the wait. Do not miss this series, and this new story arc launch starring Gina! (TW: Grief/loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

 

“I’m delighted to announce that this review has been shared by Twinkl! For even more great recommendations, make sure to visit their TBR blog“