3 stars So excited to read a book in the I Survived series that follows a girl main character! In general, this one follows the same trajectory as the previous books. Most of the book sets the stage and information is given about the time period. Then the disaster hits and we see part of…
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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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3 stars A good look at what life was like in America in the late 1800s. The story centers around people moving to settle in the Midwest, including run-ins with wildlife such as grasshopper plagues and rattlesnakes, daily chores, extreme weather, and general living conditions. The blizzard itself is a pretty small section of the…
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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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4 stars Ten authors pair up with Chad Sell to create interconnected stories from the world of the Cardboard Kingdom. Sell does the artwork throughout, giving it consistency while letting the characters and authors shine. Reality and fantasy converge as the neighborhood kids play their way through summer, making new connections and learning lessons along…
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4 stars A delightful read with some truly heartwarming moments. This book does a great job of blending the simple with the complex. There’s the obvious appeal of magic, dragons, and other mystical creatures, but it also pulls in some more mature themes and emotions including loss, guilt, and shame. This is a well-rounded read…
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3 stars TenNapel’s world building never disappoints. In this case it’s an island with strange plants, a mysterious origin, and an overabundance of creatures that want to kill you. This may go down as the worst family vacation ever, but at least it brought them closer in the end. Danger, adventure, humor, and fast-paced fun….
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3 stars A heartwarming story of family, quality time, and always coming back. When Jyoti feels out of place visiting family in India, her grandmother is quick to step in to share with, teach, and comfort her. Jyoti mirrors this experience when her grandmother visits, finding the commonality within the unfamiliar. Despite language and cultural…
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4 stars A delightful picture book that tackles some unique themes. Throughout the story Paro has some big feelings including anxiety about not fitting in or being good enough and feeling conflicted about her dance interests. The ending was spectacular, demonstrating the beauty of two seemingly-conflicting styles coming together, their intersection, and the strength of…
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4 stars A beautifully-crafted tale of the power of sharing stories. Chanani’s book celebrates creativity, imagination, inspiration, and the wisdom passed down through stories. It basks in the potential of words and lets their stories blossom and unfold. The main character both learns from the past and looks into the future to create her own…
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