Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling (Audio)

4 stars While I enjoyed the simplicity of the original, the newer addition is even more fantastic and engaging. Really enjoyed the new introduction materials and additional beasts. Hailing from Wisconsin, I especially appreciated the Hodag being included (though I’m from southern Wisconsin so the Beast of Bray Road is my go-to cryptid). The fact…

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Secrets of Camp Whatever by Chris Grine

4 stars After reading this, I already want to spend another summer at Camp Whatever. Complete with mysterious fog, horrific garden gnomes, a camp director with ulterior motives, shadowy figures, and odd happenings, this book has got it all. It’s packed with adventure, mystery, magic, and suspense. There are plenty of twists and turns in…

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Audacity Jones Steals the Show (Audacity Jones #2) by Kirby Larson

4 stars Another fantastic adventure with Audacity Jones. Complete with mystery, new acquaintances, stage magic, and of course some charismatic (and possibly magical in their own right) animal companions. This is the second book in the Audacity Jones series. While it picks up where the last one left off, there is enough explanation given that…

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Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

4 stars A lovely cover that houses some ugly truths about the world. The book deals with many difficult issues including homelessness and hunger from a child’s perspective. Jackson is old enough to partially understand what is happening with his family, but young enough that his parents still want to hide the truth. This is…

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Graveyard Shakes by Laura Terry

4 stars I didn’t really know what to expect going in to this but I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Graveyard Shakes is a spooky tale of friendship, sisterly love, and acceptance (of loss, of life, and of oneself). The entire atmosphere of the book was so compelling. Ghostly dance parties, spooky graveyards, an…

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Donut the Destroyer by Sarah Graley and Stef Purenins

4 stars Another awesome adventure from Graley and Purenins! This one follows Donut, the child of notorious villains who just wants to be a hero. While attending Lionheart School for Heroes, Donut makes new friends, learns what it takes to be a hero, and must confront a friend from the past, Ivy, who wants nothing…

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