Personal rating of 5 out of 5 stars
5 stars A heartfelt book recounting Omar Mohamed’s experiences growing up in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. The book goes through Mohamed’s daily life and long-term struggles including taking care of his brother, arguments with friends, trying to get an education in the camp, learning English, coping with food shortages, fighting for resettlement in…
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5 stars It feels slightly odd reviewing this audiobook as it isn’t quite a traditional audiobook. Prelutsky’s poems are set to music complete with a banjo, mandolin, saw, percussion, fiddle, slide trumpet, guitar, bass, keyboard, and kazoo. This makes the it feel more like a music CD than a book, but provides a wonderful listening…
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5 stars A fractured fairy tale featuring a new take on Rumpelstiltskin. I loved every word! I’m a sucker for fairy tale retellings, especially those featuring misunderstood villains. Shurtliff’s version was right up my alley. I loved the way she played with the power of names and destinies. Featuring magic, pixies, trolls, royalty, witches, gold,…
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5 stars I’ve found when I really like a book, it’s hard to put into words how great it is. Hence, this will be a relatively short review. Non-stop adventure. I was hooked from page 1. This gripping tale features fantastic artwork and a cast of characters that stick with you. A missing Pig Wizard,…
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5 stars A delightfully spooky tale featuring a mysterious book, a class field trip to a farm, and an unexpected villain. Perfect for young readers looking for an engaging story that is thrillingly creepy. No gore or intense violence. This one uses unsettling elements to scare the reader. There’s an ominous vibe throughout the book…
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5 stars A delightful read featuring a rambunctious family, a loving neighborhood, and a landlord with a mysterious past. This was such a fun book to listen to. As an only child who grew up in the middle of nowhere, I was instantly pulled in by this charming family of seven and their connections to…
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5 stars I wasn’t intending to spend all day reading this, but here we are. Once I started, I did not want to put this book down. I forced myself to take breaks so I wouldn’t speed through and miss out on the great storytelling and wonderful artwork. Still, I read the whole thing in…
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5 stars A stunning book that celebrates black identity and culture. Lyrical and rhythmic, this picture book has wonderful layers that readers can build upon. References to black history, literature, and music are woven into the each line. Works wonderfully for entertainment, inspiration, and education. At the back of the book is additional information that…
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5 stars Despite your thoughts on the musical itself (I personally am very conflicted), this book is beautiful. After one of the most well-known songs from the musical, Dear Evan Hansen, this is a gorgeously illustrated edition of the lyrics of “You Will Be Found”. Sarah Coleman‘s artwork is phenomenal and perfectly captures the essence of…
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5 stars A) I love interpretations of fairy tales. B) I am fascinated by Tan’s stunning artistic style. It’s no wonder I loved this book. Each spread showcases a sculpture along with a scene from the fairy tale that inspired it. The photos themselves are stunning, perfectly lit, sometimes with engaging backgrounds, sometimes allowing the…
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