NEW BOOK REVIEW

                              The Other Side of Freedom ... By Cynthia T. Toney



In a southern U.S. farming community in 1925, thirteen-year-old Salvatore and his Italian immigrant father become involved against their will in a crime that results in the murder of an innocent man and family friend. Will Sal keep the secrets about that night as his father asks, or risk everything he and his family cherish in their new homeland, including their lives?

Amidst bigotry, bootlegging, police corruption, and gangland threats, Sal must discover whom he can trust in order to protect himself and his family and win back his father's freedom. Sal's family, their African-American farmhand, and the girl who is Sal's best friend find their lives forever changed as dreams are shattered and attitudes challenged in a small community called Freedom.


OUR REVIEW

"Strangers. And none of them dressed like farmers." A tingling that creeps down 13 year old Sal's hairline, a stern look of warning from his dad to stay back and the glint of a revolver from the men on his porch sets this novel into action. The Other Side of Freedom by Cynthia T. Toney is a remarkable story of love and loyalty amidst the hardship of families in the 1920's.

The mystery evolves and builds, adding characters that enhance and move along the flow of the story. I loved that Toney did not go overboard with excessive details and let me picture life and struggles of that era. Seeing life from a 13 year view and trying to understand exactly what the family was facing was an eye opener.

Who children trust and how much they understand is quite the dilemma that they to face, even in this day. I loved how Toney quietly lays out ways to handle situations, still having the fear of reaping the consequences of their actions.

I was not expecting the way the story wrapped up with it's twists, which added to the pleasure of reading this book. An easy read for middle school and up, a must read for all ages.

                                       Amazon Review

NEW BOOK REVIEW

                                     Enjoy the Poodle Skirt ... by Kate Willis



Rule one: Keep your hands clean.
Rule two: Careful with the food trays.
Rule three: Visit the soda fountain as often as you like, but don’t make yourself sick.
Rule four: Enjoy the poodle skirt.

Canary is excited to spend a whole week helping her newlywed aunt and uncle run a 50’s diner along with her older siblings Rose and Michael. Even the rules for working there are fun! But when a routine cleanup presents a mysterious, hand-drawn map, her vacation gets even more exciting than a banana split with hot fudge sauce. And that’s saying a lot!


OUR REVIEW


Wow! What a surprise I found in this deliciously, delightful mystery book. Enjoy the Poodle Skirt by Kate Willis is an exceptionally written story for the older elementary age reader.

Linda     

Willis keeps the flow steady and holds your attention with cute descriptions of the diner and outfits that have to be worn, even to the naming of the embellishment on her skirt.  (I wish there was a diner like that around here!) I did get the vintage feel of the place, and felt the enjoyment that the characters were having. They mystery was just the right amount for the age that this book was written.

An added bonus: You have to even read the warning in the front of the book about what would happen if you reprinted or misused this story in any way. Very cute and creative.

The end acknowledgements were very heartfelt, giving God the credit for what He has done in Willis's life and family.
As a first grade project aide for my daughters class, I would have to say that this book should be a must read as an introduction for the mystery genre, as it is sweet, wholesome and not overdone.

                                         Amazon Review

NEW BOOK REVIEW

 Milton Hershey (Lives And Times) ... By Jennifer Blizin Gillis

Milton Hershey didn’t invent chocolate candy. But he made it a popular treat. People around the world eat Hershey’s chocolates. Milton made a lot of money. He always shared it with others. He built a town and an amusement park for his workers. He started a school for disadvantaged children, too.

OUR REVIEW

Milton Hershey was a great entrepreneur. He came from a poor family and ended up one of the richest people in the United States. Hershey started one of the world's most famous chocolate companies, and he used his money to help others.

He wasn't successful right away, and began experimenting making milk chocolate in 1895. In 1900 he introduced the Hershey's bar, and in 1907  he created the Hersheypark as a place to have picnics.

Hershey and his wife were never able to have children, so they opened a school for orphan boys and today the school also excepts girls. Each year, it serves about 1,900 children from struggling families.

Hershey’s produces over one billion pounds of chocolate product annually.


Milton Hershey worked hard to achieve his dreams. He never gave up, even when faced with failure. He always gave help to his workers and others who had less than he did. His generosity continues to live on.

Amazon Review



NEW BOOK REVIEW

READ OUR REVIEW: CLICK HERE


A Growing Suspicion (American Girl Beforever Mysteries...by Jacqueline Dember Greene (Author) Sergio Giovine (Illustrator)

American Girl celebrates a girl's inner star--that little whisper made

that encourages her to stand tall, reach high, and dream big. We take

pride and care in helping girls become their very best today, so they'll

grow up to be the women who make a difference tomorrow.

NEW BOOK REVIEW

Amber Brown Horses Around ... by Paula Danzigner, Bruce Coville, Elizabeth Levy, Anthony Lewis (Illustrator)

 

Amber Brown is one happy camper. She and her best friend, Justin, are spending the summer at Camp Cushetunk. Learning to ride Cinnamon, the sweetest horse ever, is so amazing that Amber doesn’t even mind shoveling her poop.
 

Then Amber becomes the target of a series of pranks. Certain she knows who is behind them, Amber and her friends come up with the biggest prank ever to get revenge.  But the outcome is not what they expect.

Turns out horsing around can lead to big trouble. But sometimes, Amber is surprised to learn, big trouble can lead to big changes for the better.

 

 

OUR REVIEW

 

I think I jumped in the middle or the end of the series of Amber Brown Horses Around by Paula Danzier, and fellow authors...but that was ok since I was brought up to speed with a few questions I had that were answered about her situations in her life and her friends.

 

I found the book very refreshing in the story line about the importance of understanding the emotions of the personalities of new and old friends, the little stress of those who you don't get along with, and the budding feelings that are coming to a new level with her best friend Justin, all so very true to life of a fourth grade student.

 

The dilemma of divorce and ending up with two sets of parents played an extremely important role in this book. Being sent off to camp by her Mom and stepdad was at first an exciting adventure, since seeing her best friend Justin was going to be the best part, as they had been separated I'm presuming from Amber's parents divorce.

 

Camp sounded good until Amber finds out that she will be bunking with her not-so much-school friend, Hannah. As camp life begins Amber realizes her love for a special horse, but when pranks begin to happen to Amber, she finally decides enough is enough, as she presumes who the prankster is. Could pay back be the answer?

 

A valuable lesson is learned in the book, as I'm not going to give it away... but let's just say that this is an amazing read for middle school kids since there are strong adult roles that are fair and just and very well established. I will say, at the end of the book, I welled up with tears at the end result...who knew?

 

 Amazon Review

                                                                 

 

 

NEW BOOK REVIEW

 

Santa's First Vegan Christmas ...by Robin Ravin     (Author) and Dara Maria Schunk (Illustrator)

This year, experience the holidays with a story of love, peace, and compassion! Meet Dana, a forthright and fun-loving reindeer who lives in the Arctic. On Christmas Eve, she meets Santa Claus, who has come looking for reindeer to pull his sleigh. Dana gently opens Santa s eyes to how we can be more kind to animals. Together they take off on a journey around the world, spreading far more than holiday cheer and giving far more than presents. By the time the sun rises on Christmas Day, things will never be the same!

 

 

OUR REVIEW

 

What a unique way to introduce children to a growing need in today's society.  Children will learn the importance of helping one another as well as respecting each other's cultural differences while reading this adorable Christmas story. The essence of Peace, Love and Freedom ring out as joyously as the Christmas Season.

Debra Sue      

The colorful illustrations fill the pages with images that depict what the characters are feeling while the story plays out to the reader, holding the attention of both children and adults.



 

 Amazon Review

                                                                   

 

 

NEW BOOK REVIEW

 The Icky, Sticky and GROSS Fascinating FACTBOOK...by Shar Levine and Leslie Johnstone

                                                                                     



Science is truly amazing but not always beautiful. Some things are, well, just icky, sticky and gross, not to mention smelly.





OUR REVIEW

This is a joint review, as the three of us found this book, Icky, Sticky and Gross Fascinating Factbook by Shar Levne and Leslie Johnstone a MUST READ for any and all kids...as well as those adults who are young at heart!
Colorful pictures, fun fonts, and fascinating facts are written in short categorized sections, each labeled with an Icon to help you decided if you agree on the information as Icky, Sticky, Stinky, or Gross.

"Nothing in this book will hurt you. If you have the courage to read each and every page of this book, you will be rewarded with enough bizarre information to disgust every member of you family during dinner."


Have you ever thought about HEAD PETS, BREAK THE 5 SECOND RULE, A FUNGUS AMONG US, CHEESY FEET, and HUCKTOOEY... to just name a few.
We plan on using this book for some of Deb's first grade class projects. The sections will grab and keep their attention, and will actually help teach them a bit of hygiene and safety.

Humor can be a great way of getting your message across to those readers who wouldn't give ordinary, everyday happenings a second thought.




                                     Amazon Review