Meet Me in the Middle: A VeeFriends Book by Gary Vaynerchuk

Illustrated by Steve Lambe 3 stars A fun double-sided story with an emphasis on balance. Patient Pig is always prepared and Eager Eagle is always moving. But after the big basketball game doesn’t go how either of them planned, they decide to learn from one another to meet in the middle. Great themes of teamwork,…

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Voyage de Gourmet by Paul Tobin

Illustrated by Jem Milton 2 stars Layne Green wants nothing more than to secure a spot on the extreme cooking competition, Voyage de Gourmet. But when he’s finally invited on the show… his former best friend will be his partner, leaving him a little confused. Can they get past their falling out to make it…

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Pengrooms by Paul Castle

3.5 stars Such a sweet story. Pringle and Finn make fantastical custom cakes for various animal couples and help make their weddings perfect. When it’s time for the penguins own wedding, the other animals return the favor. This is so cute. The illustrations are adorable. A nice gentle story without a big conflict. Also includes…

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The Secret Ingredient by Paul Castle

3 stars Another adorable cake-themed adventure featuring Pringle and Finn. In this one, the penguin couple delivers various birthday cakes to their animal friends until it’s time for a very special birthday cake and a new addition to the family. Sweet artwork with lovely details. A gentle story that makes for a soothing read. These…

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My Shadow is Purple by Scott Stuart

4 stars A sweet rhyming tale about embracing who you are and accepting others’ true selves. The school dance is here and the narrator is excited to attend. But when they’re forced to choose between pink and blue, they don’t see where their purple shadow fits in. With a bit of encouragement, the students find…

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Goosebumps: Deep Trouble by R. L. Stine

2 stars This one was okay. Took a quick dive into fantasy, which was unexpected. Based on the cover, I thought there would be more sharks in this one. Growing up, I was always too scared to read Goosebumps because of the covers. But now that I’ve read a few as an adult, I realize…

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I Think Our Son Is Gay, Vol. 3 by Okura

Translated by Leighann Harvey 5 stars Another fantastic collection of comics. There are so many interesting interactions at play in this volume from secret crushes to coworkers, parents and siblings to friends. We see more dynamics between Hiroki and his father in this volume, which were well done. I loved how the family countered Akiyoshi’s…

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Two Grooms on a Cake: The Story of America’s First Gay Wedding

by Rob Sanders Illustrated by Robbie Cathro 5 stars Absolutely adorable. This delightful picture book tells the story of Michael McConnell and Jack Baker’s journey to getting married. Told by the two grooms on their wedding cake, it follows how they met all the way through their decades-long marriage. Beautifully written with lovely parallels drawn…

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