PERSONAL REVIEW: Amina’s Voice By: Hena Khan

Amina’s Voice
By Hena Khan (@henakhanbooks)
This book was borrowed from Ohio State library system via Libby.📚 The opinions are my own!
A few weeks ago, I finally had a chance to read Helena Khan’s Amina’s Voice. Ms. Khan has an amazing gift of drawing you into her stories as if you are a friend participating in the journey and not just an outside reader. You root for her characters and enjoy the redemption and growth as the story progresses.

Amina was your typical teenager, only not. She had a beautiful gift to share with others, but she didn’t. She was a part of a cool school with a great friend, yet not exactly. Amina has an amazing community within her beautiful religion, even so, she always felt slightly different. Like a slightly off-center puzzle piece, Amina just didn’t quite fit into any particular place and she wasn’t sure which piece fit who she truly was until she searched inside to find her true voice.

Can Amina find where she belongs? Can she find the courage to find her voice? I guess you’ll have to read this beautiful middle-grade story for yourself, I promise you won’t be disappointed either.

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#KIDLITEXCHANGE REVIEW: Monster & Mouse Go Camping

#KIDLITEXCHANGE REVIEW: Monster & Mouse Go Camping
By: Deborah Underwood (@underwoodwriter)
Illustrated by: Jared Chapman (@jaredchapman)
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (@hmhbooks)for the opportunity to read this review copy of the book. #partner  Also, thank you, @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book 📚 The opinions are my own!

In this adorable story of a friendship between a mouse and a monster, we tag-a-long on their adventure. Mouse convinces a scared monster that camping is fun AND it has yummy food!

Monster agrees to give camping a try so they pack up and head out.

However, monsters hunger makes camping difficult for the cute friends.

But, as luck would have it, they stumble upon a solution making it the best camping trip EVER!

I highly recommend this cute picture book about friendship for all ages.

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#KIDLITEXCHANGE REVIEW: Possum and the Summer Storm

#KIDLITEXCHANGE REVIEW: Possum and the Summer Storm

Author & Illustrator: Anne Hunter (@annehunterillustration)

Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (@hmhbooks)for the opportunity to read this review copybook. #partner  Also, thank you, @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book 📚 The opinions are my own!

I love opossums, so the title and adorable cover had me curious to read it, and I wasn’t disappointed.

This sweet story is one of devastation, grit, friendship, teamwork and eventually triumph.

The possum family is forced to relocate when a strong summer storm blows into their marshy forest. Just when all seems hopeless, friends help the family and rediscover how important friendships are, especially when disaster strikes.

When I was reading the first few pages it reminded me of home, more specifically of how Hurricane Katrina affected my hometown region. A strong summer storm came in and took many away from their homes. But despite the devastation and through friendship and lots of grit, they came back; bigger and even more beautiful than before. (Just like the possum family)

I highly recommend this beautiful picture book to all ages.

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#KIDLITEXCHANGE REVIEW: The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

#KIDLITEXCHANGE REVIEW: The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
By: Stacy McAnulty (@stacymcanulty)

Thank you to Random House Kids (@randomhousekids) for the opportunity to read this review copy of the book. #partner Also, thank you, @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book 📚 The opinions are my own!

If you looked up acquired savant in the dictionary, Lucy Callahan might have expected to see the definition as “super smart and super weird.” Because that is exactly how she felt after her first day of middle school. Being forced by her well-meaning Nana to attend East Hamlin Middle School after many years being homeschooled and living in a self-induced seclusion, Lucy really just wants to enjoy her numbers and a quiet online world and maybe go straight to college, but Nana has other plans.

Make a friend, do something, read something not number related and go somewhere other than her usual places, maybe, just maybe then Nana would consider Lucy’s request to go straight to college.

But can this square peg fit in the round hole that is a public school? Is she too different to survive or can she fake being normal for 181 days? Will her newfound friends help her sink or swim in the rough seas of middle school?

I am so not a math girl, it has terrified me my whole life. However, after reading the sweet story The Miscalculations of Lighting Girl, I see it in a whole new light and I highly recommend it.

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#KIDLITEXCHANGE Review: Habibi The Hardworking Camel

#KIDLITEXCHANGE Review: Habibi The Hardworking Camel
By: T.S. Daggenhurst (@thorvald_spartan)
Illustrated By: Joseph Cowman (@josephcowman)

Thank you to @bookbabyofficial for the opportunity to read this book. #partner  Also, thank you, @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book 📚 The opinions are my own!

Habibi is the hardest working camel around, even if no one notices. When he gets caught up in a sandstorm and meets a new friend who shows him how Habibi’s hard work can truly pay off.

This beautifully written and illustrated story is one that will capture your heart. I recommend this picture book for all ages.

#kidlitexchange#ilovereading #fortheloveofbooks #bookmom #readersofinstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #alwaysreading #bookworm #booknerd #bookstack #booksbooksbooks #bookish #bookishfeatures #igreads #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #booknerd #booklove #booklover#bookblogger #bibliophile #bookaddict #earlyliteracy #readingmatters #bookscanchangetheworld #teacherreader #childrensbooks

#KIDLITEXCHANGE REVIEW: Tell Me No Lies

KIDLITEXCHANGE REVIEW: Tell Me No Lies

By: Adele Griffin

Thank you to @algonquinbooks for the opportunity to read this book. #partner  Also, thank you, @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book 📚 The opinions are my own!

Tell Me No Lies is a fantastic and authentic story that follows Lizzy and her senior year of high school. Ironically, it is the same time frame as my senior year, which added to the already accurate tale of cliques, jocks, geeks and the joy and heartbreak that is high school. It also touches on topics that were very relevant at the time the story takes place (1988-89).

The things we feel or go through during those last year’s of high school can truly be brutal. They can set you up for future success or they can drive you far away from where you started. The author does a great job of showing that just because an adult feels something isn’t a big deal doesn’t mean it’s not a huge life destroying thing to us.

I highly recommend this young adult book, but for mature audiences because some of the discussions are for a mature reader.

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#KIDLITEXCHANGE Review: Pink is for Boys

Pink is for Boys
By: Robb Pearlman (@robbpearlman)
Illustrated By:  Eda Kaban (@petiteturk)

Thank you to @runningpressbooks for the opportunity to read this book. #partner  Also, thank you, @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book 📚 The opinions are my own!

Colors are for everyone! I remember my son’s Football team deciding to forgo stereotypes and were pink socks and accessories during Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Because pink is for boys! Just like blue is for girls and all colors are for all people.

In this beautiful picture book, children can learn numbers and that colors can be loved by all. Whether it is red, yellow or green; all colors are to be enjoyed, loved and shared.

I recommend this book for any classroom and any home.

#kidlitexchange#ilovereading #fortheloveofbooks #bookmom #readersofinstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #alwaysreading #bookworm #booknerd #bookstack #booksbooksbooks #bookish #bookishfeatures #igreads #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #booknerd #booklove #booklover#bookblogger #bibliophile #bookaddict #earlyliteracy #readingmatters #bookscanchangetheworld #teacherreader #childrensbooks

#KIDLITEXCHANGE REVIEW: Food Fight Feista

Food Fight Fiesta
By: Tracey Kyle (@teachergirl45)
Illustrated by: Ana Gomez (@gomezillustration)

Thank you to Sky Pony Press (@skyponypress) for the opportunity to read this book. #partner Also, thank you, @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book 📚 The opinions are my own!

Have you ever wanted to have a food fight? I know I have! I also have wanted to attend the amazing tomato throwing festival in Spain. This very cute and beautifully illustrated picture book makes you feel like you apart of the interesting food fiesta!

I highly recommend this fun and festive book!

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Personal Review: Princess Truly in My Magical Curls By: Kelly Greenawalt

Princess Truly in My Magical Curls

By: Kelly Greenawalt

Illustrated By: Amariah Rauscher

I purchased this book at a Scholastic Book Fair. The opinions are my own!

As soon as I saw this book’s cover, I knew I had to have it!

I teach a very diverse class of preschoolers and in those beautiful children, I have several girls with beautiful and elegant shiny curls. I have told them that they also are magical and sparkling. So, I knew this would be a good story for my class.

I was right! They loved hearing about Princess Truly’s adventures. The story follows the princess as she travels through space, times, and oceans, all thanks to her sparkling magical curls.

I feel that the story shows that you can be and do anything your imagination shows you.

We need more diverse and creative stories just like Princess Truly, especially in school libraries.

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#KIDLITEXCHANGE REVIEW: Love & Luck By Jenna Evans Welch

Love & Luck  By: Jenna Evans Welch

My Rating: 5 out of 5

 

#kidlitexchange #partner Thank you, @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book 📚 The opinions are my own!

Love & Luck is the brilliant work of @Jennaevanswelch and the second of her Love series.

Ireland, who wouldn’t want to visit this beautiful and lush country, Addie that’s who. Forced to attend her Aunt’s wedding and she is stuck with her mom and 3 brothers in many tiny places as she deals with heartbreak. She keeps thinking that she can survive this because the trip gives her a chance to see her best friend who moved to Italy a few months earlier. But as Addie knows, nothing is ever that simple.

From the first tumble to the last smile, this book captures the beauty of Ireland and of youth. It touches on some important issues that don’t feel preachy. The book is fun and an easy read for any teen to read yet has several great teaching moments.

I really enjoyed this book and fell in love with the characters and the story. I couldn’t put it down!

#booksiread #bookstagram #bookreview #kidlitexchange #bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendation #picturebook #childrensbook #bookstagram #youngadult #earlylit #YAbooks  #teachersfollowteachers #librariansfollowlibrarians #raisingareader #booksforkids #booksforbabies #abookaday #readingismagic #readaloud #readeveryday #love&luck #loveandluck