andee_zomerman's reviews
757 reviews

Brownstone by Samuel Teer

emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

4.0

Almudena meets her father for the first time when mom drops her off with him for the summer. He speaks Spanish, she doesn't. But together they renovate a brownstone and form a community. A beautiful story about family through blood and through a neighborhood. 

The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly

adventurous funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Is it historical fiction? Is it science fiction? Is it a book on mindfulness? It IS genius. @erinentrada.bsky.social won the Newbery for this. My middle schoolers will eat this up. Heck, I was 8.5 months pregnant and scared to death on 1/1/2000 and I read this in one sitting! 

The InterACTIVE Class: Empowering Educators to Inspire Creativity and Innovation in an AI-Driven Classroom by Kristin Merrill, Joe Merrill

informative fast-paced

4.0

Great tool for those already deep into EdTech, as well as those searching for creative activities for students growing up in 2025! AI is the future. Heck, AI is the present. We teachers are behind. 

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

Being in the sandwich generation myself, I could relate a bit to the main character. This is a snapshot in the life of a woman whose kids are newly grown and whose parents need caring for. It is a quick read, all about family love. 

Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood by Gary Paulsen

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

5.0

What a wonderful memoir that was and could only be written by the great Gary Paulsen. A boy and his adventure through a horrible childhood and rough adolescence - to the army, ending with an 80 year old man looking back on his life. Truly a masterpiece. 

The Book in Question: Why and How Reading Is in Crisis by Carol Jago

3.5

Good advice for the reading crisis that is happening in our schools and how we need to encourage stamina in reading. Love the appendix with so many great suggestions. 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Did not finish book.

Not my kind of book

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.0

Kids have been reading this for years and I thought I'd jump in. Great fantasy read for upper elementary and middle school. This time the world of elves bring the magic as Sophie is taken from the human world and into the land of her people...or, rather, elves. 

Smart Thinking by Jo Owen

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

This was a perfect reminder to start the new year smartly. A lot of what was written was not new, but Owen's perspective was humorous and his views will stick with me. One major point I am taking: beliefs will trump logic every time.
This is hard for me to accept. But the world today is upside down. The "Facts are not facts if not believed" mentality has spread over the last decade. Thinking slowly about how I will handle this is the kick in the butt I need. 

How to Stand Up to a Dictator by Maria Ressa

challenging emotional inspiring medium-paced

5.0

I just finished this and I am gutted. Maria Ressa, a hero in journalism who is still fighting the fight. She has given her life for truth and justice and shares her story as a lesson and warning to those of us facing fascism.