The Trumpet of the Swan

 

I've said this before and I will say it again,  I love finding classics that kids today will still read. An added bonus is when they are also short, which helps kiddos feel accomplished in their reading. E. B. White's The Trumpet of the Swan check off both those requirements.  

E. B. White is the author of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, both of which are great classics. When I saw another book from him, I read it immediately. 

We follow Louis, a trumpeter swan who can't speak. When he finds a trumpet (the musical instrument) he learns to play. He uses this talent to travel the world and find new friends in very unlikely places! 

This story is just adorable and perfect for younger readers (like 2nd or 3rd graders). But I will say that as an adult reading this book, I loved it so much, so this book works for all ages. 

I hope you enjoy as much as I do. 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your own copy here: The Trumpet of the Swan

Secrets in the Mist & Blood Secrets

This duology was my first attempt at Morgan L. Busse's books and I can tell you they won't be the last! 

I honestly had no idea what I was walking into when I picked up Secrets in the Mist. I just knew it was published by a Christian publishing company so I thought it couldn't be too bad. I needed a "Steam Punk" genre book for my local library's reading challenge and this was perfect! 

We follow Cass who has found herself on board a new airship with one of the most dangerous jobs! She is to be the newest diver that explores the Mist covered cities. The Mist is a horrible disease that changes humans into monsters and ruins lives. Her newest assignment is to have Theo, a mysterious young man who seems to have endless resources, accompany her down into the more dangerous parts of the cities. Cass and Theo must work together to solve the secrets behind the Mist, stay safe from the Turned and out of reach of the 'Creature' (half man/ half machine) that is following them. Can they make it out of the Mist alive? 

This isn't your normal read, but I couldn't put either book down! They are perfect for teens and up and you have got to read them in order or everything will be so confusing and no make sense! 

I really hope you enjoy this duology! 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your copies here: 

Secrets in the Mist 

Blood Secrets

Island Trilogy

This trilogy has been on my mom's bookshelf since I was a little girl. We got it at a book fair at school and I was excited in the moment of purchase, but then never pick them up. Until recently.  

In the first book we meet a group of six kids who are less than happy to be shipped off on a "character- building" cruise. Each one has done something to land them in this predicament and they all hate it. When something happens to the ship and they are abandoned at sea, the kids have to come together to survive. 

Each book adds to the story and you learn more about each survivor, what they did to land them in the middle of the ocean, and how they are going to get around the bad guys that just landed on the other side of island. I don't want to give too much away as there are great twists and turns that I didn't see coming, so you will just have to pick up the series for yourself to find out what they are. 

This series is fast-paced, quick-to-read and attention-keeping for sure! I would say it should be for upper grades like 4th and up. The audio books were fabulous too! 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your copies here:  

Island Book 1: Shipwreck

Island Book 2: Survival

Island Book 3: Escape

The Dreamer

 

My goal in life is to read everything Pam Munoz Ryan has written or will ever write as she is one of my favorites. Part of her back list is The Dreamer. 

We follow Neftali, who loves to day dream and sees magic in all he looks at! He loves to sit in the woods and listen to all the animals talking around him. He loves collecting small objects from his surroundings, like acorns or shells. His father hates the day dreamer side of his son and isn't afraid to make his feeling known. This doesn't stop Neftali as he learns what makes him happy and how to enjoy the world around him. 

Honesty time: this wasn't one of my favorites of Ryan's for two reasons- 1) I didn't like the father character at all. He was a jerk. Obviously the point, but still very jerky. And 2) I wish I would have known going into the story that it was based (loosely) on the early life of a real poet named Pablo Neruda. I fell like the reading experience would have been totally different had I known this was how a young poets mind worked. Ryan explained everything in the Author's Note and why she wrote it the way she did, but I just wish it would have been at the beginning instead. Very minor and nit-picky. 

I would still recommend this to my clients and their parents as it was really beautifully written and a shorter read. I still love Pam Munoz Ryan and will continue to read anything she writes! 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your own copy here: The Dreamer

The French Kitchen

 

I have read a handful of Kristy Cambron books over the last couple of years and she just gets better and better. 

Her most recent release is The French Kitchen which is a multi-perspective/ timeline WWII historical fiction set in France. I love WWII historical fictions and this is now top of my list. 

Kristy Cambron does such a masterful job of weaving in different timelines and having them meet up perfectly in the end. I'm trying to describe this book and the perspectives, but I can't do them justice. There is spy work, espionage, Nazi's, a missing brother, and a guest appearance by Julia Child. 

We follow two women who fight their way through pre and post war France trying to protect the people and the nations that they love. There is great cooking scenes and two loves stories that will keep you believing in that powerful emotion even in the darkest of times. 

I have found that with Cambron's books, you have to really focus while you are reading as the first 5 or so chapters seem disjointed, but as you continue reading the connections start to be revealed and the puzzle starts to take shape. I listen to books while I exercise and with Cambron's, you need to sit down and concentrate on the story, characters, plot, etc. In the end, it is SOOOO worth it! Trust me. 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your own copy here: The French Kitchen

The Lost Year

When I started hearing reviews about The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh, I thought to myself that I wasn't going to read it because one of the timelines was during Covid. I had lived through that and didn't need to read about it, thank you very much! 

I kept hearing fabulous review after fabulous review, so I looked into it more. When I found out it was about the 1930's famine in Ukraine (a part of the world that has held my heart for many years) I decided to give it a try, and now this book is probably one of my favorite, not only from this year, but top ten favorites of all time! I guess the moral of the story here is not to judge a book by the pandemic! 

This story is about cousins on the opposite side of the world during a devastating famine that left Soviet Ukraine in a dire and life-altering  situations. 

It is like nothing I have ever read before. It has multiple time lines and a family story that will leave you trying to catch your breath at the revelations within it's pages. This is a truly remarkable, beautiful story of family and the power of stories! 

Please read this book as it is breath-takingly poetic! 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your copy here: The Lost Year

Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery Series (5 books)

I love mystery series. I don't care what age they are for, I will read them! The Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery series is one that I enjoyed every single book in the 5 book set! 

Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce is book 1 where we are introduced to 12 year old, Myrtle Hardcastle, her teacher, Miss Ada Judson, her father, Mr. Hardcastle and their cat, Peony. Set in Victorian England, this series is full of interesting side characters, fast-paced mysteries and a spunky young sleuth who isn't afraid to get dirty, even when Miss Judson begs her to behave like a little lady. 

Each book in the series is perfect for any aged reader who loves a good mystery like I do. 

I hope you enjoy. 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your copies here:  

Myrtle Hardcastle Box Set

Premeditated Myrtle