#BookReview: Worldwide Crush by Kristin Nilsen @BookSparks

Synopsis: Rory Calhoun is a teen popstar with perfect teeth and messy hair who’s inspiring first crushes all over the globe. Millie Jackson is just one of the millions of fans who love him—but that doesn't mean her heart doesn't break for him every single day in this laugh-out-loud coming-of-age story.

How many of Rory’s fans collect “data” about him in a special notebook hidden in their underwear drawer? Or have faked a fascination with whale migration for a chance to visit his hometown? Millie may not be Rory’s only fan at Susan B. Anthony Middle School, but she's convinced she's the biggest—and the best.

Rory’s new song “Worldwide Crush” is climbing the charts, and his lyrics are he’s looking for love—and he’s looking in the audience. Meaning Millie’s secret fantasies of running in the surf and eating waffles with him may not be crazy after all . . . she could be that girl! But first she has to get to his concert—his completely sold-out concert in a city nowhere near her home for which she does not have tickets or a ride. She just has to figure out how.

This title will be released on July 11, 2023.

@AnnieBookReader Paper Stating Why Print Books Are Better Than Ebooks

Books in print are better than ebooks! I have worked in an Indie Bookstore for the past three years and over the summer with my mom. I know that print books are better than ebooks because print books are more valuable. Print books are more valuable than ebooks because you can take them to a used bookstore and trade them in if you do not enjoy them. Another reason print books are better than ebooks is that print books come in all kinds of editions and can be signed as well as have special covers and colored pages. Which makes them more valuable and also looks cool on your bookshelf.  

#BookReview: The Pants Project by @cat_clarke

Synopsis: Whoever wrote the uniform policy decided (whyyy?) that girls had to wear skirts, while boys were allowed to wear pants.

Sexist. Dumb. Unfair.

“Girls must wear a black, pleated, knee-length skirt.”

I bet I read those words a hundred times during summer vacation. The problem wasn’t the last word in that sentence. Skirt wasn’t really the issue, not for me. 
The issue was the first word. Girls.

Here’s the thing:
I may seem like a girl, but on the inside, I’m a boy.

#BookTour: Slip by @aatmajapandya, Marika McCoola @algonquinyr

Synopsis: From Eisner-Award nominated writer Marika McCoola and debut artist Aatmaja Pandya, an emotional coming-of-age graphic novel for fans of Bloom and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me.

Right before Jade is about to leave for a summer art intensive, her best friend, Phoebe, attempts suicide. How is Jade supposed to focus on herself right now?

But at the Art Farm, Jade has artistic opportunities she’s been waiting for her whole life. And as she gets to know her classmates, she begins to fall for whimsical, upbeat, comfortable-in-her-own-skin Mary. Jade pours herself into making ceramic monsters that vent her stress and insecurities, but when she puts her creatures in the kiln, something unreal happens: they come to life. And they’re taking a stand: if Jade won’t confront her problems, her problems are going to confront her, including the scariest of them all—if Jade grows, prospers, and even falls in love this summer, is she leaving Phoebe behind?

#BookReview: Caleb's Crop by Evelyn Rainey

Synopsis: Giles thinks his big brother Caleb can do anything. He knows how to say just the right things to make their mother smile. He knows how to milk cows and build chicken coops. Most importantly, Caleb knows how to read, and taught Giles how to read, too. Now Giles and Caleb have immigrated with their mother to a farming planet where no one else knows how to read!

#BookReview: Daisy and the Three Shoes by Evelyn Rainey

Synopsis: For Daisy, there are three kinds of shoes. The good kind – because her girl wears them when they go for walks. The bad kind – because her girl wears them when she leaves Daisy. And the very best kind – the ones with wheels! This wonderfully illustrated book for second, third and fourth grade readers also has a discussion guide and is listed with the Accelerated Readers program.

#BookReview: Cooper's Story (A Puppy Tale) by W. Bruce Cameron

Synopsis: A brand new Puppy Tale from the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the A Dog's Purpose series, W. Bruce Cameron! 

When Cooper -- a Malamute-Great Dane puppy -- is taken to an adoption fair, he finds the perfect forever home with a boy named Burke. Soon Cooper discovers his very important purpose: to help Burke by pulling his wheelchair, fetching things for him, and assisting him in and out of his chair.

Cooper's Story is an uplifting new Puppy Tale in the popular series by #1 New York Times bestselling author W. Bruce Cameron. 

#BookReview: History Is Inventive by Brooke Knight

Synopsis: A children’s book by Honest History exploring inventions (and their inventors) that changed the world. 

Discover the true stories behind amazing creations, from the Antikythera mechanism, an ancient analogue computer, to the Baghdad Battery. Learn about each invention through well-researched content accompanied by beautiful illustrations and design. Not only will kids learn about these amazing inventions, they will participate in the original creative process themselves, like building a telescope using the same rudimentary methods used by the inventors. From ancient to modern inventions, kids will learn about the revolutionary ideas and processes used to create the foundation for our modern lives. Featured sections of the book include including the Baghdad Battery, Inventions from the Classic Period & Middle Ages including the telescope, Inventions from the Modern Era including Bluetooth technology, Famous Inventors like Charles Drew, Experiments/Activities, and more.

History for kids has never contained more adventure than in the new series by Honest History, History Is ________. Each book in the series presents a topic in a fun, engaging way that inspires kids to make a positive impact on history themselves. Dive into the world of Honest History with the first two books, History Is Inventive and History Is Delicious.

#BookReview: History Is Delicious by Josh Lurie

Synopsis: A delicious children’s book by Honest History uncovering the history of cuisine and culture from around the globe. 

From well-known cultures to those just being rediscovered, History Is Delicious explores the history of different dishes, cultural traditions, and even a few great recipes. What does Ethiopian cuisine look and taste like? Find out for yourself with each beautifully illustrated page that makes learning about food fun. Discover the role cuisine plays in the fabric of unique cultures from around the world and enjoy some great tasting food along the way. Featured sections include History of European Cuisine, Dining "Do's and Don'ts," Dumplings of the World, Recipes from Around the World, and so much more.

History for kids has never contained more adventure than in the new series by Honest History, History Is ________. Each book in the series presents a topic in a fun, engaging way that inspires kids to make a positive impact on history themselves. Dive into the world of Honest History with the first two books, History Is Inventive and History Is Delicious.

#BookReview: Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera

Synopsis: Living in the remote town of Tierra del Sol is dangerous, especially in the criatura months, when powerful spirits roam the desert and threaten humankind. But Cecelia Rios has always believed there was more to the criaturas, much to her family’s disapproval. After all, only brujas—humans who capture and control criaturas—consort with the spirits, and brujeria is a terrible crime.

When her older sister, Juana, is kidnapped by El Sombrerón, a powerful dark criatura, Cece is determined to bring Juana back. To get into Devil’s Alley, though, she’ll have to become a bruja herself—while hiding her quest from her parents, her town, and the other brujas. Thankfully, the legendary criatura Coyote has a soft spot for humans and agrees to help her on her journey.

With him at her side, Cece sets out to reunite her family—and maybe even change what it means to be a bruja along the way.

#BookReview: One Jar of Magic by Corey Ann Haydu

Synopsis: From the critically acclaimed author of Eventown comes a hopeful and empowering tale set in an enchanting world of magic and mysterious family secrets—perfect for fans of Anne Ursu, Rebecca Stead, and Wendy Mass.

Magic is like a dream. Delightful. Terrifying. Unreal.

Rose Alice Anders is Little Luck. Lucky to be born into the Anders family. Lucky to be just as special and magical as the most revered man in town—her father. The whole town has been waiting for Rose to turn twelve, when she can join them in their annual capturing of magic on New Year’s Day and become the person she was born to be.

But when that special day finally comes, Rose barely captures one tiny jar of magic. Now Rose’s dad won’t talk to her anymore and her friendships have gotten all twisted and wrong. So when Rose hears whispers that there are people who aren’t meant for magic at all, she begins to wonder if that’s who she belongs with.

Maybe if she’s away from all the magic, away from her dad telling her who she’s meant to be, who she has to be, Rose can begin to piece together what’s truly real in a world full of magic.

#BookReview: The Nightmare Thief (The Nightmare Thief #1) by @niclesperance Federica Fenna (Illustrator)

Synopsis: For fans of A Snicker of Magic and The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl comes a suspenseful dark fantasy duology, perfect for middle school readers that love stories of magic and sisterhood with a dash of danger.

Maren Partridge loves working in her family's dream shop where she can hand-craft any dream imaginable. The shop has only one rule. Dreams cannot be given to a person without their consent. Maren has no problem with this—until her sister, Hallie, has an accident that leaves her in a coma. Maren's certain she can cure Hallie with a few well-chosen dreams. And when no one is watching, she slips her a flying dream.

But a strange new customer from the shop has been following Maren and knows what she did. Now she's laid the perfect trap to blackmail Maren into creating custom nightmares for a dark and terrible purpose. As Maren gets drawn further into the sinister scheme, she must make a choice: to protect her family or to protect the town from her family's magic. 

#BookReview: Escape Room: Thorn House by J.E. Hailstone @Honeybourn

Synopsis: Five Nights at Freddy’s meets Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library when three kids are invited to an escape room challenge at a notoriously haunted house, and they find themselves wrapped up in a dangerous game that they must win if they want to make it out alive.

The door to Thorn House is open.

The game has begun.

There’s nothing Luca Price wants more than a great adventure. But with just a week to go before seventh grade starts, he and his best friends Owen and Kylie are starting to think that this will be the most boring summer of their lives. So when Luca’s invited to an escape room at a creepy abandoned estate called Thorn House—in the middle of the woods and at midnight, no less—it’s too good to pass up. Even if town legend says it’s haunted. Armed with all the snacks and supplies they’ll need, the three friends bike into the woods, ready for their biggest adventure yet.

But as the night progresses, they start to realize that the rumors of evil at Thorn House might be more than just stories. And when an exciting game turns into a fight for their lives, the kids will have to uncover the mysteries of Thorn House, and its connection to Luca’s family, if they ever hope to escape.

#BookReview: Clues to the Universe by @CLiwrites @HarperChildrens #QuillTreeBooks

Synopsis: This #ownvoices debut about losing and finding family, forging unlikely friendships, and searching for answers to big questions will resonate with fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Rebecca Stead.

The only thing Rosalind Ling Geraghty loves more than watching NASA launches with her dad is building rockets with him. When he dies unexpectedly, all Ro has left of him is an unfinished model rocket they had been working on together.

Benjamin Burns doesn’t like science, but he can’t get enough of Spacebound, a popular comic book series. When he finds a sketch that suggests that his dad created the comics, he’s thrilled. Too bad his dad walked out years ago, and Benji has no way to contact him.

Though Ro and Benji were only supposed to be science class partners, the pair become unlikely friends: Benji helps Ro finish her rocket, and Ro figures out a way to reunite Benji and his dad. But Benji hesitates, which infuriates Ro. Doesn’t he realize how much Ro wishes she could be in his place?

As the two face bullying, grief, and their own differences, Benji and Ro must try to piece together clues to some of the biggest questions in the universe. 

#BookReview: The Nightmare Thief (The Nightmare Thief #1) by @niclesperance

Synopsis: A girl. A dream shop. And a nightmare thief, determined to get revenge.

Maren Partridge loves working in her family’s dream shop, where she can handcraft any dream imaginable. There is only one rule: dreams cannot be given to a person without their consent. 

Maren has no problem with this—until her sister, Hallie, has an accident that leaves her in a coma. Maren’s certain she can cure Hallie with a few well-chosen dreams. And when no one is watching, she slips her a flying dream.

But a new customer from the shop has been following Maren and knows what she did. And the stranger has laid the perfect trap to blackmail Maren into creating custom nightmares for a dark and terrible purpose. As Maren gets drawn further into the woman's sinister scheme, she must make a choice: to protect her family or to protect the town from her family’s magic. 

#BookTour: How to Get Away with Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries) by @ElizabethCBunce @AlgonquinYR @AnnieBookReader

Synopsis: Before the train has left the station, England’s most accomplished new detective already is on a suspect’s trail, and readers will be delighted to travel along. 
 
Myrtle Hardcastle has no desire to go on a relaxing travel excursion with her aunt Helena when there are More Important things to be done at home, like keeping close tabs on criminals and murder trials. Unfortunately, she has no say in the matter. So off Myrtle goes—with her governess, Miss Judson, and cat, Peony, in tow—on a fabulous private railway coach headed for the English seaside.
 
Myrtle is thrilled to make the acquaintance of Mrs. Bloom, a professional insurance investigator aboard to protect the priceless Northern Lights tiara. But before the train reaches its destination, both the tiara and Mrs. Bloom vanish. When Myrtle arrives, she and Peony discover a dead body in the baggage car. Someone has been murdered—with Aunt Helena’s sewing shears.
 
The trip is derailed, the local police are inept, and Scotland Yard is in no rush to arrive. What’s a smart, bored Young Lady of Quality stranded in a washed-up carnival town to do but follow the evidence to find out which of her fellow travelers is a thief and a murderer?

#BookTour & #Interview: Premeditated Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries) by @ElizabethCBunce @AlgonquinYR @AnnieBookReader

Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Myrtle Hardcastle has a passion for justice and a Highly Unconventional obsession with criminal science. Armed with her father’s law books and her mum’s microscope, Myrtle studies toxicology, keeps abreast of the latest developments in crime scene analysis, and Observes her neighbors in the quiet village of Swinburne, England.

When her next-door neighbor, a wealthy spinster and eccentric breeder of rare flowers, dies under Mysterious Circumstances, Myrtle seizes her chance. With her unflappable governess, Miss Ada Judson, by her side, Myrtle takes it upon herself to prove Miss Wodehouse was murdered and find the killer, even if nobody else believes her — not even her father, the town prosecutor.

#BookReview: Loud House Winter Special by The Loud House Creative Team @PapercutzGN @Anniebookreader

Synopsis: Winter is about to get a whole lot more chaotic with the cast of The Loud House and
The Casagrandes. Hit the slopes with Ronnie Anne Santiago and her best friend Sid or
hit the ice with Lily who can skate like nobody’s watching. To warm up, enjoy a frothy
cup of hot cocoa—but who has a better recipe, Abuela or Mr. Chang? Decorate some
ornaments or a gingerbread house with the Loud kids—Lincoln, Lori, Leni, Lynn, Luna,
Luan, Lucy, Lola, Lana, Lisa, and Lily. Or just curl up with your favorite online game…
on a frozen computer. No matter, Luan has a puppet show to make you think of warmer
weather. All this and more with laughs, family, and lots and lots of chaos.

This title will be released on October 6, 2020.

#BookReview: Changeling (The Oddmire #1) by William Ritter @willothewords @AnnieBookReader

Synopsis: Magic is fading from the Wild Wood. To renew it, goblins must perform an ancient ritual involving the rarest of their kind—a newborn changeling. But when the fateful night arrives to trade a human baby for a goblin one, something goes terribly wrong. After laying the changeling in a human infant’s crib, the goblin Kull is briefly distracted from his task. By the time he turns back, the changeling has already perfectly mimicked the human child. Too perfectly: Kull cannot tell them apart. Not knowing which to bring back, he leaves both babies behind.

Tinn and Cole are raised as human twins, neither knowing what secrets may be buried deep inside one of them. Then when they are twelve years old, a mysterious message arrives, calling the brothers to be heroes and protectors of magic. The boys must leave behind their sleepy town of Endsborough and risk their lives in the Wild Wood, crossing the perilous Oddmire swamp and journeying through the Deep Dark to reach the goblin horde and discover who they truly are.

#BookReview: COOP Knows the Scoop by @TarynSouders @SourcebooksKids

Synopsis: "An engrossing, good-humored page-turner. " - Kirkus Reviews 

"Artfully composed and offering several genuine surprises, this mystery will have young readers speeding through it in a quest to uncover the truth." - Booklist 

The whole town is talking about what's buried beneath the playground...

Windy Bottom, Georgia is usually a peaceful place. Coop helps his mom at her café and bookstore, hangs out with his grandpa, and bikes around with his friends Justice and Liberty. The town is full of all kinds of interesting people, but no one has ever caused a problem. Until now.

And somehow, Gramps is taking all the blame! It seems like there are a lot of secrets that were buried in their small town after all...

Will Coop and his friends get to the bottom of the mystery and clear Gramps's name before it's too late?