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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4 stars That. Was. Adorable. Sometimes when a book gets a lot of attention, I go into it thinking it’ll be overhyped. Here, that was not the case. I loved watching Charlie and Nick’s friendship and romantic feelings develop. This book is so sweet and fun and adorable. Despite all the sweetness and romantic tension,…
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3 stars Nice progression for fans of the I Survived series to nonfiction encounters. I initially grabbed this one because of the sharks attacks of 1916. It is the only true story featured in this collection that Tarshis has written a novel about. Others are tangentially related to books in the I Survived series (I…
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4 stars A beautiful story that examines ocean pollution from the perspective of a turtle. The reader follows Little Turtle as she traverses her ocean home, noting the changes that dampen its colors and the silent creatures (plastic bags, bottles, and other garbage) that quickly multiple. Though she experiences great darkness, there are those ready…
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4 stars A lovely mythical version of “Over in the Meadow” that incorporates counting and magical creatures into a soothing rhyme. Magical read from a twin writing duo. The book also includes a scavenger hunt feature for added engagement. Readers are challenged to find the griffin on each page as they traverse the Woodland to…
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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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4 stars Fast-paced, action-packed historical fiction centering around the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. The earthquake itself happens fairly quickly. There are some interesting facts surrounding earthquakes in the text, but much of the story deals with Leo’s life before the disaster and the resulting fires following the quake. It does contain some useful information…
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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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3 stars Told in short chapters with simple language, this fictionalized account of Ivan’s story places Ivan at the center, giving him voice and agency in making change for himself and his friends. A wonderful story that highlights the importance of animal rights and the ethical treatment of animals. Applegate uses many of the real…
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3 stars A picture book telling the story of Ivan, how a gorilla became a shopping center attraction and the public’s changing understanding of animals in captivity. The book goes through some of the main events of Ivan’s story, including some dark times. It touches on various aspects of human treatment of wild animals and…
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