Review: Amber Brown is Not a Crayon - Adapted and Illustrated by Victoria Ying from Paula Danziger's JFIC series - May 2024 Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon: The Graphic Novel, adapted by Victoria Ying from Paula Danziger’s beloved chapter book series, breathes new life into the story of Amber Brown and her best friend, Justin Daniels. This graphic novel is a vibrant and engaging retelling that resonates with both new readers and longtime fans of the series. Amber Brown and Justin Daniels share an inseparable bond. They've known each other for years, sharing classes, homework, and unwavering support. Their friendship is a beacon of consistency in Amber’s life, especially as she navigates the challenges of shared custody between her parents. However, their world is turned upside down when Justin announces he’s moving away. The impending separation tests their friendship, leading to misunderstandings and arguments. The question looms: can they reconcile before it’s too late? The grap...

Review: Growing Up Powerful - Rebel Girls - May 2023 Growing Up Powerful is an empowering and informative book that every girl between the ages of 12 and 16 should have on her bookshelf. Written in a relatable and engaging style, this guide takes on the challenges and triumphs of adolescence with compassion and understanding. Puberty can be a rollercoaster ride, and this book serves as a reliable companion throughout the journey. It covers a wide range of topics, from navigating new friendships and discovering inner strength to dealing with body changes, school stress, and social anxiety. The authors understand the complexities of being a teenage girl in today's world and provide practical advice to help readers build unshakable confidence. What sets Growing Up Powerful apart is its interactive format. With Q&As between experts and girls from different parts of the world, readers can gain insights from real experiences. The inclusion of fun quizzes adds an element of excitement...

Review: Pizza My Heart - Rhiannon Richardson - January 2022 Going through my Kindle looking for something to read, I clicked the title "Pizza my Heart" and went into the book blind. This book was a fun tween/YA read and a very clean read and perfect for girls aged 10+. Pizza My Heart by Rhiannon Richardson, introduces us to Maya whose parents have just told her the biggest news which will disrupt her life as she knows it. They are moving away as their Pizza Place is expanding to a new town, she now is about to leave her best friend, her school, and everything she has ever known. Maya is not happy about this at all, but of course, has no choice. She arrives in the small town and learns she has to also help her parents which gives her no free time her first pizza delivery was to a rich boy named Justin who was rude and arrogant and treated her horribly. Justin brings out the worst in Maya and she is not making it easy for him to make a new first impression. What happens though...

Review: Rebel Girls Celebrate Pride - Rebel Girls - May 2023 I love reading the Rebel Girls books and even though they are targeted for the younger audience and make me sometimes wish I was younger, so I could enjoy them even more . They are great in giving females some strong role models and even more this particular one which shares females who identify as LGBT+ as back then , those that identified didn't feel accepted and have the role models needed. Rebel Girls Celebrate Pride: 25 Tales of Self-Love and Community" is a remarkable addition to the captivating biography anthologies published by Rebel Girls. Unlike its predecessors, this particular volume stands out as a bite-sized paperback, making it the perfect companion for readers on the go. Its compact size is ideal for slipping into backpacks or pockets, ensuring that the stories of resilience and empowerment found within its pages can be easily accessed and shared. The book's layout is a visual treat, with each pag...

Review: 1,2,3,4 I Declare a Thumb War - Book #1 Graveyard Girls - Lisi Harrison and Daniel Kraus - September 2022 Now and again, I do like to give children's books a read and this junior chapter book captured my attention because when I was in my mid to late teens, I first discovered Lisi Harrison with her series The Clique and enjoyed it. It was like a tween version of Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars without the suspense side. Then a few years later Lisi Harrison released a series called Monster High which I also enjoyed reading and so when I saw Graveyard Girls - it was a no-brainer choice for me. Graveyard Girls reminded me of a series I used to read when I was younger - 10-11 years old called The Sleepover Club by Rose Impey mixed with Ann Brashares's series Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants.  This group of friends Whisper, Frannie, Sophie, Gemma, and newest recruit Zuzu are five friends who love scary stories and take turns whoever is hosting to share a scary tale an...

Review: What Happened to Rachel Riley? - Claire Swinarski - January 2023 This book was an amazing read and I found myself enjoying it more than I thought for a few reasons. What Happened to Rachel Riley? is a tween read and set in 7th Grade/8th Grade. Anna has just started a new school and at the school, on everyone's birthday - it is read over the intercom and people cheer. One day, she hears a girl's birthday read and nobody cheers at all. This strikes her as odd as the girl isn't ugly by beauty standards and even the freaks and geeks get cheers. This girl got utter silence. The book then jumps to Anna's new social sciences class and the class has been asked to do an un-essay topic on something that they are passionate about or a topic that interests them. Anna wants to know What Happened to Rachel Riley and uncover the reason she was ostracised and no one cheered. The school isn't happy about her project and forces her to change it. Anna does but continues in ...