Saturday, May 25, 2019

Your First Day of Circus School by Tara Lazar


written by Tara Lazar
illustrated by Melissa Crowton
published by Tundra Books



In true Tara Lazar style, this circus story is a totally new spin on the first day of school. It is full of puns, heart and humor. A nervous child will see how this boy copes with all the feelings and questions the first day of school brings in such a fun setting.  As a child, I lived near the winter quarters of a circus. I loved being able to visit the animals, who I believed were my friends. As an adult, I see that they probably didn’t have the best life which is disheartening. Your First Day of Circus School brings me back to the magic of the circus animals and will be a welcome addition in schools and libraries everywhere! The illustrations are perfect.

Thank you NetGalley and Tundra Books for a digital copy to review. 

Friday, May 17, 2019

Children's Book Academy



My word for the 2019 is INTENTIONAL. I have a calendar year filled with goals and have been ticking them off!

One of my goals was to write my chapter book and my series premise, outlines, etc. I got it accomplished and it felt great! Then, I wanted to workshop it. That's when I found this amazing class. Well, actually, I've had them on my radar for a long time. It's hard to decide which class to take!

So, I'm taking my first Children's Book Academy class, and it's amazing! It's only day 5, and there's been so much information! I highly recommend any class through the Children's Book Academy. Everyone has been so kind and generous.

My weekend job is to read the first two chapters and the last chapter of many chapter books. OK! I'm off to read!!!

Friday, May 3, 2019

Beverly, Right Here by Kate DiCamillo


written by Kate DiCamillo
published by Candlewick

Beverly, Right Here is another wonderful middle grade story by Kate DiCamillo. I feel like Beverly was older than the characters were in the other two companion books. I liked that, though I’m not sure which age bracket to really put this in.  Beverly struck out on her own in search of her true self. She wanted to re-invent her life and leave her troubled family life behind. She winds up in a beach town and befriends an older woman in a trailer home. Having grown up in a Florida beach town myself, Kate’s attention to detail for this setting was spot on. It even brought back memories of my own. 


When I close Kate’s books, I always want to re-read them. Thank you NetGalley and Candlewick for a digital copy to review.