Emmaline and the Second Summer by Britt Hampton

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

Rating : 4 out of 5 Stars

Emmaline and the Second Summer by Britt Hampton is a juvenile fiction novel. A copy of this novel was provided to me in exchange for my honest review. This review is solely my opinion. This novel focuses on solving the problem of broken stories. Emmaline is a reserved child that prefers reading over adventures. She doesn’t cry or make a fuss. Her life changes and first the first time she cries because she feels a change coming. A spiral of events occur after her parents reveal some life changing news to her. She must learn to have fun this summer at her grandfathers farm. Can she have an adventure? She arrives at her grandfathers farm and upon her arrival he gives her a ring that belonged to her grandmother. Once she grasps the ring she is transported to a new place, confused with so many questions. She must taken on a new important role this summer and truly take an adventure by trusting her feelings. As she takes on this new role as a storysmith, she must decide who to trust and who not to trust. If you want to learn more about Emmaline’s adventure, this book is available to purchase.

Overall this short read was absolutely adorable. I would recommend it to younger kids. This book challenges your imagination and forces the reader to look at the bigger picture. I loved the connection between the characters and the writing. I personally wanted to know more about her parents and what happened to her grandmother. I also hoped to find out who the mystery person was. ( you’ll have to read it to figure out what I’m talking about)

2017- Recap

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

Hi there,

Thanks for following my blog. I hope you have enjoyed my reviews thus far. I hope to continue to post one review a week and keep four reviews a month. This year has been an awesome year as I am now a full time Youth Services Librarian. I enjoy reading a wide range of books and interacting with a diverse set of readers. My instagram has grown as well as my group of friends.

Here are my top books from 2017:

  1. Red Queen
  2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone
  3. The Ivory Rite
  4. Brave
  5. Mustaches for Maddie
  6. They Both Die at the End
  7. Turtles All The Way Down
  8. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe-
  9. Words on Bathroom Walls
  10. . Warcross
  11. Giant Days
  12. We Are All Made of Molecules
  13. Court of Fives

2018 Reading Goals:

  1. Read 75 books
  2. Post four reviews a month
  3. Finish at least two books off my shelf
  4. Have at least four QA’s with four authors
  5. Read something outside of my comfort zone

What are your reading goals for 2018? Have you signed up for any challenges? Cheers to 2018 and cheers to new goals!

Mustaches for Maddie by Chad Morris

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Mustaches for Maddie is a contemporary juvenile fiction novel. I chose this book for my book club and want to have the kids read it. Maddie finds happiness behind brightly colored mustaches. She faces many challenges with her health and still remains positive when life gets hard. She faces challenges at school and makes new friends by being herself. Maddie loves to make people laugh, whether is by creating a new game or putting on a mustache when situations get hard. She is definitely a strong character and I loved that this is based on a true story. I adored the authors commentary at the end of the novel and the note from Maddie herself. I was able to email the author and get a few questions answer for my book club. I recommend this book for juveniles between the ages of 10-14. It is based on the life of a middle school girl.

Here is some of the questions and answers from the author. A special thanks to Chad Morris for answering my questions.

1. What was your inspiration for this book? 

“Mustaches for Maddie is based on the true story of my daughter. She’s funny, loves acting, and thinks fake mustaches are hilarious. She has quite the collection. But  a few years ago, she was diagnosed with a tumor pressing up against her brain. She faced two neurosurgeries with hope, good friends, and humor. In fact, hundreds, if not thousands of people, put on mustaches to make her smile while she was recovering. Maddie is great inspiration. “

2. How does this book relate to kids in this age group. 

“Mustaches for Maddie is a middle-grade book, so targeted at kids in the 3-7 grades. It’s sweet spot is probably more 4-6. And I think it’s especially relatable because Maddie went through her surgeries during those grades. She also deals with friend trouble, and facing her own fears in ways that kids those age can relate to. For example, auditioning for a play and trying to get enough courage to stand up to someone whose doing something mean. “

 

3. What are some challenges you faced while writing this book?

“Writing a book is always a challenge, but this one had some special difficulties. For example, my wife (Shelly Brown) and I were trying to capture a real person’s voice on the page. That made us nervous. In some ways that was easy. We know her and she has a great personality. In other ways this would be recorded for forever and we really wanted Maddie to like it. We wanted it to be a blessing in her life, rather than a regret. So she read and approved each draft. She also had a note at the end. “

“Another challenge was writing difficulties Maddie faced in school. She had to deal with some very manipulative girls (a less talked about way of bullying) and we didn’t want to immortalize their weaknesses. So we decided to fictionalize Maddie’s trials. We based them off of true moments and themes, but changed the characters and circumstances enough that they felt new. This is also explained in a note at the back of the book. “

4. What is something you like kids to know that decide to read this book? 

“That they can meet any challenge with compassion, humor, and good friends. School Library Journal said that Mustaches for Maddie is “a good readalike for fans of R.J. Palacio’s Wonder.” We think that the same way Wonder teaches people to be kind, Mustaches for Maddie encourages compassion. There is a website Mustachesformaddie.com that even has teaching guides and activities for school classes and families. “

We Are All Made of Molecules by Susin Nielsen

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This is a young adult contemporary fiction novel focus on the challenges faced by twin high school teenagers whose lives are intertwined. Stuart and Ashley are two teens who must face their own challenges and learn to get along. This book discusses divorce, family, friendships, bullying, sexual assault, and new relationships. It’s a great contemporary novel to give to any teen facing problems in school. Stuart is a friendly kid who has been bumped up a grade because he is “gifted.” His dad tells him he should not tell that to everyone. Ashley is a popular freshmen in high school who just wants to have all the attention. Her parents are divorced and her dad is gay. She wants to keep her dads sexuality a secret from her friends. As Stuart’s dad and Ashley’s mom make the decision to move in together, things start to get complicated. Can these two teens get along? Will Ashley ever accept Stuart as her step brother?

I loved the plot twist and kind of hated Ashley the entire story. In the end Ashley changed but that took the entire story. You definitely get the popular girl vibe from Ashley and the geek vibe from Stuart. Stuart wants to do what’s right and protect his new family member, while Ashley just wants to be popular. I wanted more from the title and I wanted more from the story. Overall, it had a great message but it was predictable in some places and the end was kind of cheesy. I would definitely recommend this to other teens who are interested in this book but only to older teens who are okay with LGBTQ reads. It was a bit mature for younger teens but very well written.

I give it a 4 out of 5!

Illusional Reality by Karina Kantas

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

68AA5AEC-42A0-42BE-96A5-BC1123764D06.jpeg*I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion.*
This book was a very interesting read. It is a fantasy fiction YA novel that provides a bit more on the romance side. The main character Becky is transported to a new place where she is deemed to rule. In the beginning she thinks she is dreaming. The challenge this novel faces to resolve is the challenge of saving her new found land from evil. What happens if the evil is destroyed? Will peace ever be restored? This is a lot of pressure for someone who has lived a life her whole life unaware of the powers she possesses.

I liked the romance and the action but I wanted to know more about the unique power that Becky possesses. I also wanted to know more about the people and their unique powers. Why is she so strong and why aren’t their others like her.

The novel is well written and I would recommend it to others who like a contemporary fantasy YA novel. I give this book  4 out of 5 stars.

Gregory and the Grimbockle by Melanie Schubert

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures
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This image was taken from the following site : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36065749-gregory-and-the-grimbockle

*I give it a 4.5 stars out of 5 stars*

*I was given a copy in exchange for my honest review*

This is the most adorably informative juvenile read that I have read recently. The author captures the essence of a child in this story by capturing your imagination throughout the entire read. As a reader, you have to focus on the imaginative aspects of this book. It is filled with the most adorable tidbits of information as well as real life lessons about relationships. We are all connected and must try to keep good relations with others. It talks about how important building relationships are. It also touches on on accepting all of your imperfections. It does this in a way that is appropriate for juvenile. I loved the “hoo-mans” references. I didn’t like the language used for the Grimbockle in the text. Children are impressionable and thought other language could have been used to promote proper sentence form. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and think is definitely appropriate for the intended age range. It is a great story and I was really excited to be given the opportunity to read this by the author.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

IMG_1158*Rating:5 out of 5 stars*

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is a Young Adult Fantasy Fiction Novel. The story begins with Mare, a seventeen-year-old thief, who picks pockets to feed her family. She does not have an apprentice and expects to be sent to the war on her eighteenth birthday unless she gets a job. The novel begins with a battle in the arena against the Reds and the Silvers. The Silvers have unique abilities of the high court while the Reds are left to fill servants jobs and live in unlikely conditions. Victoria Aveyard did a fantastic job with novel and explained each classes abilities extensively. As we journey through the book and learn more about Mare and the King’s court, we grow to love Mare and find out she is more than what meets the eye. Mare is given a chance to work for the Kings court as a servant, not knowing how she received the job but suspecting a connection. She is shocked when she finds out who is behind her new employment. (I am not going to spoil this for you. There are a lot of plot twists in this novel.) Mare faces many challenges as she discovers who she is and what fight is worth fighting. She must decide how many lives must be sacrificed for a more significant cause and determine if someone is an ally or an enemy. The ending is one of the best ends in a book I have read so far. It makes you question the entire novel, and it is definitely worth it.

This book is fantastic! I did not think I would love a book that focuses on class, but I do. I love the clash between the different classes and how some classes have powers while others do not. The plot twist is my favorite part. I do not want to ruin the book for anyone who has not read it, but you should read it. It has this historical fiction vibe to it, and the teens who are the main characters are portrayed well. Imagine being so rare that you present a problem and a solution. Imagine if you realized your whole life was a lie and now you are confused. If you are intrigued by this, then you should read this novel. The more I read the novel, the more I understood the title and the heavy meaning behind it. Red Queen is the first installment in the Red Queen series, and I am planning on reading the next few novels.

I did not want to provide too much information because I want you to read this book and find out more about Mare and the Kings court on your own. Just know, there is a lot of betrayal, love, loss, and defiance exhibited in this novel. If this does not entice you to read it, then nothing else will.

I give this a 5 out of 5 stars. It left me on the edge of my seat wanting to choose between sleep or finishing this novel.

Until I Break by Kara Bietz

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

IMG_0952*Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars*

Until I Break by Kara Bietz is a Young Adult Fiction Contemporary Novel. It takes an interesting approach to bullying. It focuses on two main characters, Ace and Sam. Both boys are in high school with bright futures ahead of them but one fateful day changed both their worlds. We journey through novel through the eyes of Sam and the struggles he faces dealing with his biggest challenge in life, Ace. This book brings light to bullying in high school, and the challenges young men face when tackling a bully. The struggle to face the problem on their own and the battle to try to ignore the problem. The fear of being seen as weak when asking for help. All of these struggles are in this compelling story of the fight for survival and the battle to ignore a bully.

This novel is the next read for my book club. I was excited to read it but had a few reservations after reading the synopsis. The entire novel I was on the edge of my seating waiting for the ball to drop. I was waiting for the plot twist in the end, and the build-up was terrific. The novel starts from the perspective of Sam and continues in his view the entire time. The one question answered is, ” how much can person physically and mentally take before they break?” I loved the way this novel is written and the plot twist, in the end, had me holding my break the entire time. I wanted to know more about the aftermath of the plot twist, but otherwise, this novel is well written. I recommend this novel to anyone willing to read a contemporary young adult fiction book. It has a lot of good parts and moments that make you want to yell at the ceiling screaming “wwwhhhhhyyyy.”

I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you are interested, then you should check this contemporary novel out.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
*Some spoilers ahead*

Turtles All The Way Down is a young adult fiction novel written by John Green. Turtles All The Way Down has been an anticipated novel since the release of his best-selling book, The Fault in Our Stars. This book brings light to mental illness and the challenges faced by those with anxiety. The story begins with Aza, the main character, in a crowded high school cafeteria lost in her thoughts. We then find out about her best friends, Daisy and mutual friend Mychal. Daisy starts discussing the disappearance of billionaire Davis Pickett and how there is a $100,000 reward for any information leading to his location. The reward money made me think the entire novel is about Davis Pickett’s disappearance. The disappearance is one of the focus points but not the main focus point. Aza and her anxiety is the primary focus of this novel. We journey through the entire novel getting know Aza. The reader gains a better understanding of her past, we become more familiar with her anxiety and how it affects her daily life, and we grow a connection with Aza. Aza learns to grow existing friendships, build relationships and learns to cope with her anxiety the best way she can.

The best way to describe her anxiety is by this quote from the book:

“…..It’s getting sucked into a whirlpool that shrinks and shrinks and shrinks your world until you’re spinning without moving, stuck inside a prison cell that is exactly the size of you, until eventually, you realize that you’re not actually in a prison cell. You are the prison cell.”

We also learn more about Davis Pickett and his estates. We journey through to find out more information about Pickett’s disappearance and build a connection between his family and Aza’s life.

I loved this book. The connection between Aza and Davis Pickett’s disappearance and his two sons is astounding. John Green builds a web connecting all the characters to one another. My favorite part of the story is finding the meaning of the title. I enjoyed the way the novel ended and the various plot twists. This book is written in a way that allowed me to connect with each character. I am a fan of John Green’s previous novels, and this one met my standards. I cried a bit reading this book, and I recommend this book to others. I didn’t want to give away too much information.

I rate this book 5 stars out of 5 stars. I loved the way the way this novel turned out.

Piper by Jay Asher and Jessica Freeburg

Posted on by LibrAriel Book Adventures
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The image was taken from the following site: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34272550-piper?ac=1&from_search=true

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Piper is a newly released graphic novel by Jay Asher and Jessica Freeburg with illustrations done by Jeff Stokelly. It is a Young Adult Fiction graphic novel with a little bit of romance and old-fashioned chivalry. It follows the story of a deaf villager who is not welcomed into the town due to her lack of hearing. She is consistently being singled out by others when visiting the town for goods. The village faces the challenge of getting rid of an infestation of rats that continue to dwindle their already limited amount of food. The local exterminators cannot seem to extinguish the problem and time is running out. A visitor from out of town serves as the exterminator by using a unique method to getting rid of the rats. The members of the town are skeptical of his ways and continue to question him. All but the single deaf villager and her family despise him. He asks for high demands but promises to leave once the problem has been eradicated.

I loved this graphic novel and recommended it to others. It is filled with a surprising twist and a bit of romance. The ending is even more interesting with yet another plot twist. If you haven’t read it, you should pick up a copy at your local bookstore. Piper was a highly anticipated read for me, which is why I love it.

I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars due to the shortness of the novel. I wished it was a bit longer with more of a storyline added.