spaceonthebookcase's reviews
1122 reviews

A Sky Full of Dragons by Tiffany McDaniel

5.0

 

Tiffany McDaniel is a gifted storyteller who hit my Top 5 in 2023 list with her novel On The Savage Side. Now publishing a new middle grade fantasy series, The Wand Keepers, McDaniel takes her reading on a whimsical journey with magic and witches and wizards. 

The first book of the series, A Sky Full of Dragons, introduces us to Aunt Cauldroneyes; a magical hat maker who loves to look inside of cauldrons. One day she comes across a blue freckled girl whom she names Spella and raises as her own. Together they make magical hats for unicorns, ghosts and even a magical baker. On Spella’s 8th birthday she receives an invitation to Dragon’s Knob; a school for wand witches. Anxious and afraid to leave Aunt Cauldroneyes, Spella hides the invitation. On the day she’s meant to leave, Spella’s life turns upside down when Aunt Cauldroneyes goes missing. 

This story is adorable! With strong themes about self acceptance and being kind to others, this middle grade fantasy novel knocks it out of the park. I loved how McDaniel’s crafted a magical world and magical school that is easy to picture. I also appreciated how even the made up words had phonological components so they could be decoded and the font used to print the story is dyslexia friendly. Also, there are magical bat hats and a cat who’s deadpan humor adds the right mix of humor at the best times. I can’t wait for book two!

 
Thank you to Simon Kids & the author for the gifted copy. 

Combat Monsters: Untold Tales of World War II by Henry Herz
Did not finish book. Stopped at 58%.

Have you ever started a book that you just know you're going to love, but it's just not the right time to read it? That is Combat Monsters for me. This is a book I should have been able to dive head first in, but with the world burning around me and WWII no longer seeming like a distance memory I found myself getting distracted while reading and not being able to dig into the stories. I'll try again down the road. The audiobook has quality narration, it's not a you problem it's a me problem.

Thank you Blackstone Audio for the gifted ALC. 

The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson

5.0

 One of my favorite romance books of the year so far, The Perfect Rom-Com highlights the importance of believing in oneself, honesty over everything, and diversity makes us stronger. The Bridge is a nonprofit program that works with people immigrating to the United States. Bryony Page teaches an ESOL class at The Bridge, but with financial stains a constant battle she decides to write a book about her grandmother; the founder of The Bridge, in an effort to bring in more money and attention.

The story has several times jumps within it, and while that normally irks me, it worked well for The Perfect Rom-Com. This is the type of book that I eat up quickly and am sad that it's over.

Thank you UpLit Reads for the gifted copy. 

***Read Across the States: New Jersey

Backstage Fright by Andy Nonamus

4.0

A new edition to The Very Worst Ever Series, Backstage Fright is about our main character being cast as the lead in a play and so much chaos ensuing. It's silly, funny, and easy to get invested in. Broken into shorter chapters with illustrations, this book is good for emerging readers. 

Thank you Simon Kids for the gifted copy.  

Pizza Dreams Do Come True by Cam Higgins

5.0

Ratnip and his siblings really, really want a pizza for dinner but it appears the city is having a shortage. When they make a plan to make their own chaos ensues in this silly new series about a rat and his siblings living in an old, abandoned pizza parlor. An emerging reader book with short chapters and illustrations, it is sure to bring a lot of laughs. 

Thank you Simon Kids for the gifted copy.

Lost and Found in the City by Cam Higgins

5.0

Ratnip is a new series for emerging readers. With short chapters and illustrations throughout, this new series is sure to capture young readers. A collector of treasure, Ratnip stumbles on an item he wants to collect. When he figures out that the item is actually a lost item belonging to a human, he and his animal friends come up with a plan to return it to the human. A story about honesty, teamwork and outside the box thinking, I really enjoyed the theming and writing.

Thank you Simon Kids for the gifted copy. 

Lucy Lancaster and the Stormy Day by Willow Coven

5.0

The second book in the Lucy Lancaster series, and this time Lucy and her friends are supposed to visit the museum. When bad weather and the sniffles get in the way, Lucy must learn how to get over her disappointment and find joy in her day. With great lessons about friendship, short chapters and illustrations to break up each section, this is a great book for emerging readers.

Thank you Simon Kids for the gifted copy. 

Lucy Lancaster Has a Secret by Willow Coven

5.0

The first book in the Lucy Lancaster series, Lucy and her friends get to watch caterpillars turn into butterflies for a science unit in school. When strange things start to happen every time Lucy hiccups, it takes her time to figure out why. With short chapters and an easy to follow storyline, this book is sure to delight young readers. Marketed at ages 5-9 years old, there is a good mixture of illustrations to break up each chapter and page so the text blocks aren't too overwhelming. 

Thank you Simon Kids for the gifted copy. 

The Kitty-Catwalk by Melody Mews

5.0

A chapter book for ages 5-9, the Itty Bitt Princess Series is back with The Kitty-Catwalk. It's almost time for the palace fashion show and Itty and her friends are eagerly awaiting the theme. When it's revealed Itty is disappointed because everyone has an opinion on what she should wear and do, without accounting for her thoughts or feelings. With a push from a friend, Itty realizes it's okay to speak up for herself and be heard. 

Strong theming for self acceptance, self confidence, and speaking up for yourself; this is a great addition to the Itty Bitty Princess Kitty Series collection. 

Thank you Simon Kids for the gifted copy.  

Groundhog Day: Ready-to-Read Level 1 by Margaret McNamara, Margaret McNamara, Margaret McNamara

5.0

An easy to follow early reader about Groundhog's Day and what it means if a groundhog sees their shadow. Featuring a classroom full of students, there is a lot of dialogue and great illustrations to go alongside the story. 

Thank you Simon Kids for the gifted copy.