lindz's reviews
826 reviews

Mickey on the Move: Farming by Michelle Wagner

informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

5.0

Mickey on the Move Farming is about a little boy who is severely deaf in both his ears. This adventure is the second that comes after Mickey on the Move. This book discusses cochlear implants and what might happen if they get wet. If you want to learn about Mickey and his cochlear implants, read Mickey on the Move.

As Mickey on the Move: Farming continues to talk about the cochlear implant and what it is like for Mickey to enjoy the great outdoors. Mickey enjoys raising his chickens, gardening, and helping with his dad's vineyard. However, he enjoys the outdoors and other fun kids' things like swimming. There is one worry while Mickey enjoys the outdoors and some summer fun and stands hampered by weather with his current cochlear implant.

 In this book Mickey on the Move Farming, we are introduced to a new accessory to the aqua cochlear implant (which I believe is an addition or add-on). We see Mickey with these wants he been when he offers this. What summer fun or outdoor fun and nature is he going to enjoy?

What are cochlear implants? - A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that electrically stimulates the cochlear nerve (nerve for hearing). The implant has external and internal parts. The outer part sits behind the ear. It picks up sounds with a microphone. It then processes the sound and transmits it to the internal part of the implant.

What will he do with his newfound freedom with some water-safe cochlear implant? What adventures will he do and go on? This picture book shows Mickey enjoying some of the great outdoors with his new, improved aqua cochlear implant? The picture book is done well. It is an excellent book for children to learn about others that may be different. Also, remember that children that are deaf or have severe hearing loss want to be like any other child or children. 

My Way West: Real Young People and the Journey Overland by Elizabeth Goss

emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

My way West tells the story of real kids that traveled the trails across the west. The children told the stories and through their quotes and paragraphs about how folks decided to move west—the journey across the Oregon trails, California Trails, and Mormon trails.

The kids told these journeys on the trails through the images and how life was on the trails. Children will be able to learn about the life and history of the US and the Oregon trails. This book shows tragedy and how everyone came together and helped each other along the way. Children can learn about this and American history by reading this book, not of it but a good glimpse of it.

I enjoy learning about the western expansion and the Oregon trails. I am one of those kinds of readers. I was learning about history through books and how life may have been back then—the dangers of it. When reading this book, I read the quotes first and then the information on the page. Tough, you can read it by doing the significant info about the journey or the topic that was talked about and then the quotes after. It doe not really make a difference in what way you read it. I enjoy that. There is no right way to read this book.

I like the focus was on the actual kids that traveled the Organ and California Trails. The author does a beautiful job of that. This book is suitable for middle-grade readers who want to learn about American history. This book would be an excellent book to have in classrooms as well. 

Let's Talk! Going to the Zoo by Lisa Jacovsky

adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

Are you looking for a good friendship and a book that educates about someone with autism or special needs? Well, Let's Talk! Going to the Zoo is a good one with that in mind. Those that have autism are not that much more different on the outside than any other adult or child. They act differently. They may even think differently.

The girls start together and draw their favorite animals. They both have not gone to the zoo. They would like to go. One day their daddies decide to take them. What kind of adventure will Emma and Harper have when they go to the zoo.

This book teaches about bullying or at least try to educate about pointing and staring, instead of Harper fighting with them or saying much.; As she gets more upset about Emma getting picked on at the zoo while looking at some monkeys. What Emma did when she was excited brought a bit of attention to her. How will Harper defend her friend? Will it work? Harper seems to decide to help educate the children that are bullying or picking on Emma cause she is acting differently.

Harper is confused when a group of children starts pointing and laughing at Emma while she is being excited. How will Harper stop the bullying? When the daddies jump in by making silly poses and acting like monkeys. Will this help Harper and the other children get along? There seems to be fun, and being silly can help educate children or a child about bullying, and acting different is okay.

Children will learn a valuable lesson and still have fun reading this book. Children will enjoy the pictures that stand done throughout this book. Children will learn that bullying is not okay but learning to understand and educate is an excellent way to start. This book and Let's Talk! A Story about Autism and Friendship is terrific to have on your child's bookshelves or even your own if you have grandchildren. Teaching children to learn to understand and to educate is an excellent way to realize that being different or acting differently. 

Home Run!My First Baseball Game by Tanner Ryan, Bowers Studio

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

Are you looking for a good sports book for your newest little one? Well, HomeRun! My First Baseball Game is good to have along with the others in the small sports set. This one is a funny game of baseball for young children and toddlers.

This lovely board book will teach them about baseball and baseball term words. It is adorable and will be enjoyable for children.; It a game between Cows and Bears? Who will win in the ninth inning?

Want to take your youngest fans of baseball to a game? Well, this book can do that without leaving your home—what a time for me to be reading this book. However, the baseball season starts in April, which is Spring. This sports season is still going on, as I write. I thought this book was quite an adorable read. I love the back and forth of the story—it is like being at a real ball game.

Children will learn about baseball and enjoy the rhyming as your read. Parents can help young readers learn to read and learn about a sport. The book is a fast and quick read. Who will win the game of the year? Young fans will enjoy the story, and the pictures stand done well. Baseball is a good family event as well. If you are a baseball fan, you might have a little fan of your own and HomeRun! My First Baseball Game is terrific to have your child or children's bookshelf. They can learn a little about the game through this lovely book. 

Anyone can enjoy a book about baseball. It is a good summer sports event to go to and have family fun. You do not need to worry about your toddler holding and to play with this book. It is a board book and sturdy for them. 

The Amish Greenhouse Mysteries: 3 Amish Novels by Wanda E. Brunstetter

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious

4.5

This book is all three books in one. It will tell the stories of the King's family and Mystery of the Greenhouse in one book instead of three separate books.

The Crows Call is a good story. I enjoyed it. The storyline is about the Kings. Suppose you remember Michelle from the Prayer Jars series. Well, we meet up with Michelle and Ezekiel once again. You will be surprised when you do.

I am glad to see them once again. We get to know a bit more about their storyline. However, this takes place mainly around the King's greenhouse and the King's family. Something tragic happens, and those remaining have to deal with it. They seem to deal with it in different ways.

Though this seems to be mostly Amy King and Jared's story? How will Amy deal with the tragic events that hit her and her family? Wanda appears to show how everyone deals with grief in their way. However, we see each family member cope in different ways.

Henry seems to be the one that struggles the most. How will he deal with it? Everyone seems to tell him what to do. There seem to be a silver lining to his way. He seems to attach to a crow and when to train it. Will he be able to?

The Mockingbird's Song continues on the story of what happens with Sylvia and Amy and Henry and their mother. We start with them getting close to the time the tragedy happens. It seems like things focus on Sylvia and her grief.

We also met a new person named Denis Weaver. Could there be a connection between Dennis and Sylvia? Sylvia first meets Dennis while out with her brother Henry, birdwatching. This book takes time to get into the beginning. It starts slow, but it gets better once you are into the book.

We see Virginia and her husband's personality through these books. It's funny to see this along with how they see the Amish. Amish seem not bothered by their neighbors. We know how each member is still dealing with the loss of their family members.

Amy and Jerrod seem to be getting ready for their wedding. What happens when things start to pick up, and the vandalism begins again. Who is vandalizing the greenhouse? Why is it happening? Seem to be a mystery still. However, we may have some answers.

More twists and turns as you turn the pages. However, this book is rated 4.5 by me as it is still good. This one focuses on family and birdwatching and learning more about birds. Will Sylvia find her happiness with birdwatching or someone or both? How will Belinda cope with her grief and other things?

The Robin's Greeting is another beautiful story. It continues the King Family's story and how they get past the loss of their three loved ones. This book focuses on Belinda and her two suitors. But there seems to be more to the mystery of who is vandalizing the greenhouse.

There are quite some events that happen for Belinda's two grown daughters. Henry still seems to be grieving the loss of their father and older brother, and brother-in-law Toby. But will he find some happiness in this life?

Michelle and her husband seem to spend time with his family. Will Michelle find her mother? There seem to be complete surprises at every turn. Virginia seems pretty upset with her neighbors that live across the street. Will the Martin's ever warm up to the Kings or the Amish?

Virginia seems lonely and upset to be still living in the Amish country. Is there a reason for the Martins to have gotten the house next door and closed the greenhouse? Who could be the one that is vandalizing the greenhouse and making Henry go looking for the person responsible for all the attacks on the King's greenhouse? Oh, how this ends and surprises at the end.

Suppose you want to find out how Michelle becomes Belinda King's daughter-in-law. You should read "The Prayer Jars" series about how she became Amish. Its first book is called "The Hope Jar." I have reviewed each one of these books.

Wanda does it again with this book. This series is just as good as "The Prayer Jars." I enjoyed each of these books in this series, "Amish Greenhouse Mystery." Will they solve the mystery that is going on at their greenhouse? What up with Maude coming to the greenhouse and up to the King's place? I enjoyed the titles of each of these books as well. 

Shadow of Murder by Lauren Carr

emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Are you looking for some fun cold cases to solve? Maybe even a bit of mystery to solve with a twist. Lauren Carr's latest book "Shadow of Murder" does just that. We get a prologue full of mystery and murder. You will be wondering how a gunman kills an entire family. Is it real, or is it not. You will have to read or listen to find out for yourself.

This book had me going and wondering who would kill a whole family, including a law officer. There are a few main characters. We meet two of them right at the beginning of the story. Erica and Dusty.

I love the fact that mysteries are going on throughout the book. I enjoy that Erica and her friends seem to need to help the new local deputy chief. David gets some time with his wife and newborn. I recall David meeting a woman and a little boy I thought was introduced to him as his son?

Mac is pulled into a Chao once he returns from Europe with Archie. His son Tristain brings to life the disappearance of a missing person, a woman named Konnor Langston. Why did she disappear? It goes on from there. There are many mysteries and curses and stories of witches as the book goes on. I wonder who killed Erica's parents and why? Who taking advance of Larry? Why were Erica Hart's parents killed, and will Erica get justice for her childhood friend Konnor?

If you are looking for a good versus evil? This book has it. Once a dark shadow tries to harm Erica. Dusty seems to fall for a bird guiding him to help Erica. Will Erica and Dusty get together? There may be some romance for more than just two folks in the book. How will Dusty's father-law decide to find some love as well? There seems to be the talk of angels and demons? They're a bit supernatural in this book; that is a nice change to the story. 

Ava and Aaron's Easter Story in Rhyme by Roger Carlson

adventurous hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

4.5

Another sweet easter story I found. This one is about Ava and Aaron Easter. The Easter story is something I haven't seen in a children's book yet. Children will learn some teachable moments and learn about teamwork. There is rhyming throughout the book, and this is book nine in the series. Suppose you remember Ava and Aaron's, Christmas Story. Well, this is the third book about them. Only this one is about their Easter.

Will Ava and Aaron learn to take turns and help find each other out to find all five Easter eggs for their team? Children will love reading and learning to read as well. Throughout the book, there is strong teamwork, with Aaron and Ava working to solve the clues.

There may be some fun and enjoyable idea for parents to come up with for the Easter hunt or another way to celebrate Easter with the children and learn about teamwork. What Easter ideas or fun things can your child or children come up to do with others and learn about teamwork?

Children can learn to read with this rhyming story. What adventure did Ava and Aaron go on? Will they win their contest? I hope they enjoy and see that having fun is better than winning. This book does focus on teamwork and solving the clues. Can your child or children solve the clue to find the hidden easter eggs?

Goodness Gracious Golly Gee: I Forgot My Christmas Tree! by Carol Burcham, Cori Burcham

hopeful informative inspiring relaxing medium-paced

5.0

 

Are you looking for a sweet rhyming story for your child or children? “Goodness Gracious Golly Gee: I Forgot My Christmas Tree” will be a good reminder. We do not always need presents and decorations to celebrate the holiday.

The way this book is done is quite cute. I enjoy the poem feel in this book; it is not complicated to read. The pictures did well. Children will enjoy this book and want you to read it repeatedly around the holiday season.

Their Goodness Gracious Golly Gee is hilarious and enjoyable throughout the book. Children will be laughing and enjoying saying these words Goodness Gracious Golly Gee, ever so often. Children can learn to read with this book with the help of a parent.

This book teaches us what is essential in life and that Santa will not be upset or mad because we do not have a tree or decorations or presidents. If you enjoy the love and kindness and are happy, Santa will be just as happy. The real meaning of Christmas lives shown through this whimsical story. 

A Wedding and a Killing by Lauren Carr

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

If you are looking for a book that will spice up the beginning of your book or story. Well, “A Wedding and a Killing” is a good one that does just that. Mac and his lady decide to get married in the Spencer Church.

It starts once Gnarly jumps out of the car, runs, and barks at the door, which everyone invited to the wedding for Mac and Archie. They realize that Gnarly will not stop barking to get their attention.

Gnarly seems to be trying to get their attention. When no one is paying attention, He will not leave that door. Once someone goes to the door and opens it, Gnarly finds a dead body. It gets chaotic and brings everyone from the church’s sanctuary as Mac and Archie seem in an argument over Gnarly being there. It seems to bring action when they find a murder occurred.

Who would kill a man with no enemies? Who volunteers for the church. When Gnarly finds a dead body, it brings Mac to team up with David and dives into the investigation. But how long will it take? How long will Mac have to wait to get married to Archie? We seem to get more murders and twists and turns. What happens when Ruth and her daughter get brought in. Will Ruth be framed for murder and her husband? Who killed Jason Fairbanks. We seem to have two cases that interlope, and Mac wants to help and defend Ruth.

Once you start reading Lauren Carr’s books, you will want more of them. You can read any of her books in any order and as a standalone. You will want to read more by finding one of her books or audiobooks. Great for any mystery fan, murder mystery, or even thriller fan. 

The Lady Who Cried Murder by Lauren Carr

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

If you are looking for murder or mystery to enjoy, Lauren Carr will not disappoint. I read almost all of her books. Her books will have you lured in for more than you are expecting. Each book or audiobook can be read as a standalone though you can read them in series. This one is about a girl who wants to be a celebrity but will see get it all and easy money. Will she get it all, or will she pay the price?

There seem to be more secrets and murders than one person can handle. We meet a mother who thinks her daughter has stood abducted. The daughter shows up at a press conference and has set up her mother. Her mother is angry and does some things and changes her will. Whatever happens to her daughter Khole?

David does not want to stand up once more, so he does the interviewer something by checking it out. But do they listen to him when he wants to make sure it is not a setup to make it a circus of the Spenser police department?

Does David find Khole killed and cut up? Who had done it and why? What is Khole's big announcement about what she would tell the interview? We seem to be working with David and Mac and Cameron and Joshua. The team appears to be paired up and works out who the killer is? Guess who gets pulled into these are their girlfriends. You will not guess who is behind all the murders. This one ended up having me guessing until the end. I still did not know who it was up to until the end.