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Showing posts from June, 2026

MIDDLE GRADE FICTION REVIEW : DragonBorn by Struan Murray

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DRAGONBORN Dragonborn #1 written by Struan Murray Dutton Children's Books, 2025 ISBN: 979-8-217-11321-7 Source : purchased Ages 9-12 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Become the impossible . . . Life is no fun for Alex Evans. Ever since her dad's death, her overprotective mother has smothered her with unbreakable rules and unspoken fears. When the frustration inside Alex finally gets too big to bear, it rushes to the surface. And flames spill from her mouth. Because Alex is a dragon. One of the many who live among us, unless something awakens their true nature. Led by the mighty Oliphos to the legendary island of Skralla, Alex must now train alongside fierce, frightening dragon children, if she is to unlock the power of her birthright. But other dragons are rising too. Drak Midna, the greatest dragon of all, is preparing a war against the human world, and Alex has to be good enough ...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEWS : The Pool is Cool & Deep Blue

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  THE POOL IS COOL written by Dwayne Reed, illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice Little, Brown and Company, 2026 ISBN: 978-0-316-46206-8 Source : F & G for review from publisher Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK This bounce-to-the-beat picture book by America’s favorite rapping teacher follows a young son who helps his father overcome his fear of swimming. Bloop. Dribble. Drip. Drizzle. Splish. Spray. Splash! I’m here with my dad in this cool swimming class! But I can tell something’s wrong and that this isn’t him, Cuz my dad makes every excuse not to swim. I wish I could convince him THE POOL IS COOL! With rhyming text and vibrant illustrations that capture the essence of summer, this tender story about a father and son will encourage confident and reluctant swimmers alike to overcome their fears one stroke at a time. REVIEW A young boy wants his dad to join him in the pool...

PICTURE BOOK REVIEWS : Serafina Makes Waves & A Fish Like Me

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SERAFINA MAKES WAVES words by Matthew Burgess, pictures by Robin Rosenthal Dial Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN: 978-0-593-69963-8 Source : purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK This purr-fectly adorable picture book introduces an irresistibly over-the-top new kitty character who’s ready to make a big splash! Meet Serafina! If there’s one thing you should know about Serafina, it’s that she absolutely, positively HATES water. Running faucets, rain, or the sea? No thank you. So even though she looks fantastic in goggles, Serafina is NOT happy to be forced into a swim class by the powers that be. NOTHING can convince her to get into that disgusting pit of seething water. Nothing, that is, except maybe a very beloved old friend who needs a hand. From acclaimed creators Matthew Burgess and Robin Rosenthal comes an unforgettable picture book that shows how trying new things can ...

EARLY CHAPTER BOOK REVIEWS : A Surprise for Willow & A Wish for Lily by Bea Jackson

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  A SURPRISE FOR WILLOW Fairies Welcome #1 written & illustrated by Bea Jackson Simon Spotlight, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-6659-4109-9 Source: publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 6-9 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Lily, the fairy, tries to help her human friend, Willow, overcome her stage fright in this first chapter book in the Fairies Welcome series from New York Times bestselling illustrator Bea Jackson. Even though Lily is a fairy and Willow is a little human girl, they’ve become the closest of pals, singing sweet songs, counting twinkly stars, and enjoying yummy snacks. When Willow tells Lily she’s super nervous about performing in a big school celebration, Lily isn’t sure how to help her. Then, with fairies Sky and Jasmine by her side, Lily comes up with a they’ll surprise Willow at school! But will their secret plan be too dangerous, especially for teeny tiny fairies? REVIEW In this cu...

MIDDLE GRADE FICTION REVIEW & AUTHOR GUEST POST : Kestrel Takes Flight by Joy McCullough

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KESTREL TAKES FLIGHT written by Joy McCullough Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-6659-7265-9 SOURCE : ARC from publisher for review (Thanks!) Ages 9-12 Middle grade contemporary/novel in verse All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover, summary, and author guest post provided by the publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK A kestrel is the smallest bird of prey in North America. Kestrel doesn’t feel much like the fierce bird for which she is named. Not after being rushed away from her grandfather’s strict church community to the wilds of Montana. Her mother has gotten a job at a conservation institute, where she’ll work with a special breed of dog to help make interactions between humans and bears safer. At first, Kes is terrified of the dogs and angry at her mother for ripping her from the only world she’s known. But with some distance from her grandfather, she starts to understand how badly his bark hurt. In this new terrain, can Kestrel discover a safe place to spread he...