Another Christina Lauren book added to my “Read” pile! I really enjoyed reading this one. The characters were likable, the plot was cute, and the whole story flowed together nicely. I find many CL books easy to read - I finished this one in two sittings. Will definitely be reading more CL books in the future!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

I LOVED this book!! I‘m used to reading Colleen Hoover‘s romance novels, but this thriller had me on the edge of my seat. There were a few times where I was legitimately scared while reading lol. The ending was the biggest plot twist - definitely did not see it coming. Overall, I‘d give this one 5⭐️‘s!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Incredible and eye-opening book by Nic Stone. This book tells the story of a boy named Justyce. Justyce experiences police brutality & racism face to face, and he writes letters to Dr. MLK Jr. seeking advice and wisdom. Lots of tears while reading this one, but it helped me become more aware of the privilege I have as a white woman. While this is a YA novel, this book should and can be read by adults too.

Easily ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Cute YA novel, but ultimately I felt it just wasn‘t my favorite and probably not something I would‘ve picked up and read if my friend had not recommended it. This book does bring up touchy subjects like abuse, so I didn‘t love that. Eleanor and Park‘s relationship was very cute and wholesome. I would say that made up for a lot of this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars

“History has shown that one person‘s willingness to stand up for what is right can be the spark that ignites far-reaching change.” - Vice President Kamala Harris

Wow. What an incredible woman Kamala Harris is. Reading this book allowed me to gain more insight on who Kamala is as a person, as well as some of the things that she‘s been able to achieve within her lifetime. This book also opened my eyes to so many political & social issues in the US.

I dove into this book with such high expectations because of how many great reviews there were. While I did enjoy the premise of the story, as well as the first 150 pages, I did become bored very fast. The character development was predictable, and the characters itself were so-so. The writing was pretty decent, and I did enjoy parts of it. I wanted to love this book, but I just couldn‘t. Overall, I would give this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.

Just finished reading this book with my book club! I‘ve been crazy busy, so it took me awhile to finish this one. This book struck up some great discussions about race and LGBTQ+ topics. I was very impressed with Brit Bennett‘s writing style. The book flowed nicely, and I enjoyed reading two perspectives.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

One To Watch by Kate Stayman-London is a must-read for all Bachelor & Bachelorette fans. I absolutely loved Kate‘s writing style - she made it feel like I was really living in Bea‘s world of reality television and romance. Like the Bachelor, this book has so many unexpected twists that make this book even juicer than it already is. Such a fun read! Easily ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.

*Not my photo* Read this book in two days on my Kindle since it was free for Amazon prime customers. This book made me feel so many emotions, and I really enjoyed this story and all the characters in it. Would definitely recommend as a quick, easy read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

This is the third book I‘ve read from Hannah Orenstein, and I must say that this one is a lot different from her last two that she wrote. Head Over Heels focuses more on the sport of gymnastics and how ex-gymnast Avery Abrams helps train a young and hopeful gymnast earn a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. I enjoyed the story and I loved all of the characters (except Dimitri, of course). Would‘ve loved more romance, but still a good read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Maybe this book just wasn‘t for me, but this one took me awhile to finish just because it couldn‘t hold my attention. It took me nearly 250 pages to actually become interested in this story. The author is VERY descriptive and her writing style isn‘t really for me. There were so many recs on this one that I figured I‘d power through it. The ending was a pleasant surprise, however. Looking forward to the movie! ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/ 5

This is probably the best book I‘ve ever read, and that‘s not an exaggeration. The writing is incredible, the characters are so complex, and the plot overall is impeccable. So many twists and turns that I was not expecting, but it made the story 10x better. I would LOVE to see this book adapted into a movie. I would recommend this book in a heartbeat. Also, I don‘t usually cry when I read books and I definitely cried when I finished this one. 5⭐️

So good I didn‘t want to put it down! Finished this one in two sittings, and I‘m kinda sad it‘s over. Will definitely be reading more from Christina Lauren!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

LOVED this book! Read this with another book club and we had such good discussions! This was a page-turner for sure, and I was always left wanting to read more. Although this is a YA novel, I still really enjoyed the premise, characters, and plot overall. There was great character development as well. Looking forward to reading the sequel! 🤩🙌🏼📚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Just finished reading this book with my book club. The concept and themes in this book sound great at first, but I found the entire novel to be pretty bland, redundant, and sometimes depressing. I thought there would be more romance, but there really wasn‘t a whole lot. The book started to pick up about halfway through. However, I really enjoyed the ending.

⭐️⭐️.5 / 5

Another Hannah Orenstein book down and I must say that this one was just as good as her first, Playing with Matches. There were some elements of this book that I liked a little more than her first, but there were also times where this book became a little repetitive and dragged out. I‘m a sucker for a happy ending so I did love that! 🤍

Just finished reading this book with my book club! I really enjoyed this read; it was one that I did not want to put down because I just had to find out what was going to happen next. I loved the humor throughout the story and there were plenty of relatable references! The ending was not what I expected and it did feel a little rushed. Besides that, I loved this book & I can‘t wait to read more books by Hannah Orenstein!

Finished reading the First Book in The Tale of Despereaux! I have so many questions...My first question is: How will Gregory the Jailor help Despereaux escape the dungeon? I wonder if by telling Gregory stories then Despereaux will be freed. I also wonder why Gregory even wants this little mouse to tell him stories. Maybe Gregory is lonely and wants a friend? #NCHPedsReads #MarPedsReads 📚

So excited to be a part of the #NCHPedsRead Book Club! Looking forward to meeting our little friend, Despereaux, in chapter 1! #MarPedsReads

Written by Susan Tan & illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte, Priscilla “Cilla” Lee-Jenkins is a 9yo girl who is half Chinese and half Caucasian. Cilla is on her way to literary greatness as she fulfills her dreams of becoming an author. However, Cilla is on a deadline because she wants to become a best-selling author before her baby sister is born. This RF novel tells numerous stories about Cilla Lee-Jenkins & what makes her who she is. #ucflae3414su19

She Persisted is a B picture book written by Chelsea Clinton and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. This book highlights 13 American women who changed the world. Some of the women in this book include Ruby Bridges, Helen Keller, and Virginia Apgar. This book gives key details about each woman and describes how they persisted to become the strong, inspiring women they are. #ucflae3414su19

Written by Rita Williams-Garcia, this multi-award-winning (Coretta Scott King, Newbery Honor, Scott O‘Dell, and National Book Award Finalist) HF novel takes place in 1968 during the rise of the Black Panthers. Three sisters, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern, travel to Oakland, California to find their mother who abandoned them. What these sisters don‘t know is how crazy this summer will actually get. #ucflae3414su19

This TL picture book and Caldecott Honor was written and illustrated by Marcia Brown. Stone Soup is based on an old French tale where three soldiers come marching into a village and outsmart all of the greedy villagers. The villagers are outwitted and they eventually give up some of their items by making the soldiers a delicious meal and giving them a place to sleep. This book would be perfect for a DR, RT, or S. #ucflae3414su19

Written by sisters Frances and Ginger Park and illustrated by Debra Reid Jenkins, this HF picture book tells the story about a Korean girl named Soo & her escape to freedom. Soo lived in North Korea, but the people quickly lost their freedom & many escaped to South Korea before the Korean War broke out. Soo‘s father tells her that they need to escape across the river. In this book, readers will follow Soo on her journey to freedom. #ucflae3414su19

Just like many children, Olivia has a lot of energy and likes to keep on moving! Olivia is a MF picture book written and illustrated by Ian Falconer, and it tells the story about a sweet little pig who wears her parents out. Even after a long day of doing things, Olivia does not get sleepy. Kids would love Olivia because she is very relatable and fun! This Caldecott Honor book has cute pictures with bright splashes of color. #ucflae3414su19

This RF novel written by Megan McDonald tells the story about a girl named Judy Moody and her quest to become famous. Judy strives to make it in the local newspaper and she does anything she can to make herself known. At the end of the story, Judy learns an important life lesson and does something that makes her feel even better than becoming famous. #ucflae3414su19

Retold and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, Little Red Riding Hood is a TL picture book that was awarded the Caldecott Honor. Elisabeth (aka Little Red Riding Hood) goes to visit her sick grandmother, and she is given specific instructions by her mother before she leaves. However, as she is on her way to her grandmother‘s, a sly, wicked wolf follows LRRH in the woods in hopes he could eat both LRRH and the food in her basket. #ucflae3414su19

Zathura is a SF picture book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. This book is the sequel to Caldecott award winning picture book Jumanji. Zathura tells the story about two brothers, Danny and Walter, who play a space adventure board game called Zathura. Only, this isn‘t just some normal board game, this game takes them into outer space and as the boys read each card, something happens to them in outer space. #ucflae3414su19

2015 Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award winner, The Crossover is a P novel written by Kwame Alexander. This book has won many awards beyond the ones mentioned, and rightfully so. Kwame Alexander tells the story about basketball-playing twins Josh and Jordan (JB) Bell and their lives on and off the court. These brothers learn many important life and basketball lessons from their father, Chuck “Da Man” Bell. The boys (cont.) #ucflae3414su19

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus is a RF novel written by Barbara Park and illustrated by Denise Brunkus. This novel is the first of the Junie B. Jones series and it tells the story about a kindergarten girl who is terrified to take the school bus to and from school. Junie B. does everything to avoid taking the bus, but eventually she learns to keep an open mind about it. This book would be perfect for a LC or PR, (cont.) #ucflae3414su19

Written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin, this comical MF and Caldecott Honor picture book tells the story about cows that type. Farmer Brown‘s cows (and hens) type him letters asking for electric blankets. Things only become worse for Farmer Brown and the demands that his animals have. This book would be perfect for a RT or an AS. Doreen Cronin writes several hilarious books just like this one! #ucflae3414su19

Winner of the Caldecott Medal, Ezra Jack Keats wrote The Snowy Day which tells the story about a little boy named Peter who has a fun day playing in the snow. This RF picture book is a perfect RA, and the book can also be used to teach visualization. Teaching children to visualize helps them understand and enjoy what they read. #ucflae3414su19

This NF novel explains everything there is to know about the Titanic, the disaster, and the discovery of the sunken ship. Written by Stephanie Sabol and illustrated by Gregory Copeland, this book is part of the What Was? Series. In the classroom, I would teach this book either in a LC or have students read the book independently (IR). This book is a great introduction to teaching about the Titanic in social studies classrooms. #ucflae3414su19

My New Teacher and Me! is a MF picture book written by Al Yankovic, aka “Weird Al” and illustrated by Wes Hargis. Billy may be a small boy, but he has a big imagination. Mr. Booth, Billy‘s new teacher, is just not having it with Billy‘s stories and he definitely does not have the wild imagination that Billy has. Kids will absolutely love all of Billy‘s stories—even if they‘re far from the truth. #ucflae3414su19

Written by Pam Muñoz and illustrated by Mark Astrella, Hello Ocean is a P picture book that shares one‘s memories about the ocean using their five senses. The acrylic paintings in this book are so realistic that it‘s almost hard to believe that they aren‘t photographs. And the writing itself makes you feel as if you really are sitting on the beach listening to the ocean‘s waves crash. I just love the calming factor of this book. #ucflae3414su19

Written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, The Dot is a RF picture book that tells the story about a girl named Vashti and how she makes her mark. Vashti doubts herself as an artist, but then one day, her art teacher ignites her creativity and Vashti gains the confidence to create even more dots! This book is perfect for a RA, especially on International Dot Day (Sept. 15)! #ucflae3414su19

Carnival at Candlelight, one of the many books in the Magic Tree House series written by Mary Pope Osborne, tells the story about siblings Jack and Annie who are on a mission to save all of Venice from a flood. The brother and sister duo encounter several obstacles on their quest, however, with the help of a little magic, they become heroes on this great adventure. LC is one teaching strategy that could be used with this text. #ucflae3414su19

Written by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos, I am Neil Armstrong, is a B about the first person who walked on the moon: Neil Armstrong. This fun and interactive book tells the story about Armstrong‘s famous steps on the moon, but also the journey that led him there. #ucflae3414su19 (cont.)

Last Stop on Market Street is a picture book written by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson. This book won the 2016 Newbery Medal, and was awarded both the Coretta Scott King Award and the Caldecott Honor. Falling into the genre of RF, this book could best be taught through a RA. Through a RA, students learn how to read with accurate fluency and teachers can assess student comprehension of the text. #ucflae3414su19 (cont.)