Comic Review: Ozy and Millie

Ozy and Millie by Dana Simpson
Ozy and Millie 
by Dana Simpson

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


These funny comic strips follow two fox friends, Ozy and Millie, as they struggle through school, bicker with their parents over chores, and contemplate the meaning of the universe. Each comic has it’s own punch line, but the comics also follow a storyline, building on one another and giving the book some cohesion.

Ozy is the “straight man” for Millie’s wild comedy. Millie has crazy ideas, and bounces around being strange and wonderful, saying the most bonkers things you ever heard. And Ozy calmly points out her folly with delicious sarcasm. They are so hilarious together!
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Book Review: Maude March on the Run!

Maude March on the Run! by Audrey Couloumbis
Maude March on the Run! (Maude March Misadventures #2) 
by Audrey Couloumbis

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


Another rip-roaring adventure in the Wild West with Maude March and her little sister, Sallie. They are on the run from the law again, in a series of misunderstandings that leaves Maude accused not only of bank-robbery but of murder. Reports come in from all over the West, claiming Maude has committed crimes in Texas, Kansas, and as far away as the Dakotas while she was nowhere near those states. Sallie and Maude disguise themselves as boys and set out for the Colorado Territory, where they hope to meet up with their Uncle Arlen. Along the way, they have adventures, narrowly avoid the posses tracking them, and make a few friends in unlikely places.

I loved this sequel to the “Misadventures of Maude March”! The story is told from Sallie’s point of view, and she has some witty commentary about all the crazy situations she and her sister fall into. The dialogue is snappy and funny, and the characters have a lot of depth and development.

There is not a boring moment in this entire book! The plot moves quickly from adventure to adventure, with some mystery and suspense to spice things up in between. I could barely put it down!

Picture Book Review: Monster, Monster, Who Are You?

Monster, Monster, Who Are You? by Alexander Vanags
Monster, Monster, Who Are You? 
by Alexander Vanags, Nina Gvozdeva (Illustrator)

3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This adorable book introduces a whole group of monsters, each with their own unique look and their own favorite hobby. On each page, we ask the monster, “Who are you?” and they respond in rhyme to tell us about their wings or their tail or fur, and something that they are doing. Continue reading

Book Review: Cybele’s Secret

Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier
Cybele’s Secret (Wildwood, #2) 
by Juliet Marillier

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


Paula travels with her merchant father to Istanbul, hoping to acquire a religious artifact of rare and precious value. There is fierce competition for the artifact, and unscrupulous merchants will use violence to get their hands on it. Paula’s father hires a bodyguard, Stoyan, to keep his daughter safe on the dangerous streets. Paula befriends a wayward pirate captain, Duarte, hoping to get information from him about the artifact. The powers from the Other Kingdom send Paula on a quest, to retrieve the artifact, to unravel the riddles surrounding its history, and to learn from her perilous voyage the meaning of love and friendship.

My heart is too full! I can barely think, my mind is still reeling with all the complex details of the story. I have cried and laughed and clutched the book with white knuckles. What a journey! My heart just went on a rollercoaster ride, and I am still gasping for breath. Continue reading

Book Review: Dragon of the Month Club

The Dragon of the Month Club by Iain Reading
The Dragon of the Month Club 
by Iain Reading

4 out of 5 stars


Ayana and Tyler find a magical book that teaches them a new dragon-summoning spell every month. When one of their spells goes wrong, they are whisked into a magic land that manifests from different books and furniture in Tyler’s bedroom. They conjure several dragons to help them in their adventures, until they have a little entourage of creatures following them. Travelling across the wilderness, crossing oceans, and encountering strange characters from Tyler’s books, the two friends struggle to reach the tower of Professor Mobius, who they hope has the ability to send them back to the real world.

I enjoyed this book so much! The plot is really imaginative and interesting. The writing and pacing are excellent, keeping the reader on their toes with lots of plot twists and surprises.
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Picture Book Review: Three Wild Pigs

Three Wild Pigs by Lisa Anne Cullen
Three Wild Pigs: A Carolina Folktale 
by Lisa Anne Cullen (Goodreads Author)

3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

The three wild pigs are fishing in their boat off the Carolina coast, when a hurricane begins to blow in from the sea. They scramble back to shore and hunker down in their homes of dune-grass, thicket branches, and strong conch shells. The voice of a wolf is heard on the winds of the storm, as the wolf-winds try to blow down the homes of the pigs. Together, they survive the hurricane winds and the rising waves, despite the howling wolf-winds.

I liked the story of these three wild pigs! There is a lovely fluidity to the pacing, and there are lots of little details that make the narrative special.
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Book Review: Claudia

Claudia by Barbara Brooks Wallace
Claudia 
by Barbara Brooks Wallace

4 out of 5 stars on GoodREADS


12-year-old Claudia’s best friend, Duffy, is an 8-year-old boy, and together the two get into mischief of all kinds. Her parents think she should be making friends with girls her own age, but Duffy is the only one who really understands and accepts Claudia. When the mean girls at school begin to make trouble for Claudia, it seems even more impossible to make other friends. Claudia finds the strength and imagination to stand up to bullies, navigate the treacherous waters of neighborhood kid politics, and find a new appreciation for her boring normal family.

I loved this book! Poor Claudia is so awkward, but her heart is pure and strong. Duffy is adorable as a sidekick for all Claudia’s adventures, and I loved all the supporting characters in Claudia’s family. I hated the villainous mean girls, and cheered for the good guys in every scene!

Great writing, and a wonderful plot!

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Book Review: Acadia Files, Autumn Science

The Acadia Files by Katie Coppens
The Acadia Files: Book Two, Autumn Science 
by Katie Coppens  (Author),Holly Hatam (Illustrations)

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Acadia is a little girl full of questions. Why are there different time zones? How do frogs breathe? Where does rain come from? Why do leaves change color? How does my body fight off germs? With the help of her scientist parents, Acadia and her friends are determined to go out in the world and find answers.

I loved this interesting book! Acadia is such a cute character, and she asks really detailed and important questions. I liked that Acadia’s mom is a central character, always ready with some guidance towards a solid scientific answer.
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