Calling All Penguin Fans {book list}

Penguins are a big deal over here.  When my youngest was a newborn I placed a penguin in her crib.  I thought the contrasting colors would be great for her little newborn eyes.  Little did I know that black and white penguin stuffed animal would start an obsession. 

I'm pretty sure we have an entire penguin herd in our home.  She has penguin hats, singing penguins, big penguins, small penguins, medium penguins, tiny penguins, Little People penguins, holiday penguins, penguin necklaces, and penguin clothes.  She loves penguins, and has a deep desire to go see the penguins in their natural habitat.

Since a trip to Antarctica is not possible right now for this little 4 year old we read books.  Lots and lots of penguin books.  Luckily, there are so many great penguin books that she only mentions going to see the penguins (no zoos don't fulfill this little bucket list item for her) about once every other day.

I know there are many people that love penguins, and so you get our favorite aka obviously the BEST PENGUIN BOOKS. These are definitely books to check out, and luckily The Curse of the Werepenguin is a new middle grade fiction.  We got an early read, and my kiddos are all enjoying the story about two awesome kids and a curse of a penguin like monster.  It's definitely a humorous fantasy juvenile/kids chapter book.   

THE BEST PENGUIN BOOKS   

  

Waddle! by Rufus Butler Seder

This scanimation picture book is so fun and full of actions kiddos can do as you read it aloud.  There isn't anything much better than watching your child waddle across the room and then "slip-slide-swoop!"  Teachers will love the fun action words making it a perfect for a Word Choice lesson. 

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

This book is the classic penguin chapter book with lots of fun, adventure, and silliness making it great for a classroom (2nd-4th grade) or family read aloud.  There's a reason it won a Newbery Honor; it's good.      

The Curse of the Werepenguin by Allan Woodrow

This newly published middle grade fiction is fun, and it is such a unique story.  Who would've thought to combine a penguin and a werewolf?!?  A fun and funny read aloud about friendship and a werepenguin, that kids in the classroom (3rd-6th grade) or your own kids will enjoy.   Fair warning, this book has monsters, aka a werepenguin or a penguin/werewolf, but it's a not-super-scary monster.  It's more like a funny monster.   

One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo

Elliot, a very proper, tuxedo wearing, young man, politely asks his distracted dad if he can bring a penguin home from the aquarium.  The adventures that go along with caring for a penguin makes for some good laughs, and the ending is surprisingly fun. Not only is the story superb, but this Caledcott Honor book has the best pictures. Such a fun read aloud young kids and older elementary kids will enjoy it equally well. 

Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester

Tacky, is an "odd bird but a very nice bird to have around."  This picture book series is the best!  It is loved by the young, but kiddos in 2nd grade through 5th grade will find themselves enjoying the silliness and fun of Tacky.  

Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups and Little Penguin and the Lollipop by Tadgh Bentley

Bentley has a few"Little Penguin" books, and they all are creative and fun.  It truly is hard not to love this fun little penguin that always gets in the silliest of predicaments.

Penguin Problems by Jory John

Being a penguin isn't all it's cracked up to be.  You may not know, but penguins have problems too. You'll enjoy their "problems" and will LOVE the walrus.  This book is not only fun, but it has a good message.  

365 Penguins by Jean-Luc Fromental

This math nerd loves the combination of math fun and penguin silliness/craziness.  With this book you'll enjoy the craziness that comes when a penguin shows up on the same front porch every single day of the year.   It must be an Amazon Prime subscription thing. 😉 

Do you have any favorite penguin books we should add to the list? 

Thank you Penguin Random House for The Curse of the Werepenguin.  All thoughts on this book, and all of the books, are mine alone.  

I Spy the Illuminati Eye: What's the Big Secret? gets 4 Stars {

The Illuminati aka a secret society about enlightenment that began long ago in a forest in Europe has possible connections to the Freemasons and other secret societies.  To be honest, I've never been one to think and ponder conspiracy theories.  To be honest, I didn't know much about the history of the Illuminati before this book.  However now... who knows, maybe I'll drive my husband bonkers with my Illuminati spottings.  😉

I Spy the Illuminate Eye: What's the Big Secret? by Sheila Keenan is a fun read.  It's an easy read, and it would make a great book (or gift, b/c books make great gifts *hint*hint*) for a middle school or high school student that doesn't  like to read.  The pop culture references and the secret societies are sure to engage every reader.  

After beginning this book with very little secret society knowledge (besides the movie Skulls that I watched way back when Blockbuster was a thing) I found myself engaged and wanting to keep turning the pages.  It's a fun book. Definitely check it out. 

If you are, or become an Illuminati believer, you may start seeing signs of the Illuminati all over.  Have you ever seen: 

• The eye on top of the pyramid found on US money?
• Someone make a symbol of a triangle? 
• A triangle drawn inside a triangle? 
• Seen an eye tattoo? 

The book even shows that the White House Lawns (shaped like an owl), and the top of the Washington Monument (looking down it's a circle with a dot in the middle) are both Illuminati symbols.  

Honestly, this book is quite a fun read, but I'm not sure I can say I'm an Illuminati Believer.  However, since reading I Spy the Illuminati Eye I've caught myself noticing little things here and there and it makes me chuckle and wonder for a second.  

What about you?  Do you find yourself saying "Illuminati Confirmed?" 

I Spy the Illuminati Eye: What's the Big Secret? by Sheila Keenan
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 10+, 4th grade and up
# of Pages:  111
Clean Read: Yes.
Worth a Check Out: Yes.  If conspiracy theories are fun for you, and you want a quick non-fiction read, then definitely give this book a check-out.
Buy It or Not: Maybe.  This book is a quick easy read and a good choice for middle school and high school reluctant readers.
Read Aloud:  No.  Non-fiction usually do not make the best read alouds, but they are fun to browse and read here and there.
Lesson Ideas: Illuminati, Secret Societies, Conspiracy Theories. 

Not that you could tell me if you are in the Illuminati or another secret society, but are you a conspiracy theory/secret society fan???


A few aspects I love about I Spy the Illuminati Eye that may make you grab a copy sooner rather than later:

There are instructions for making invisible ink. (pg 47) So cool! 


The Bohemian Grove, aka quite the gathering of people in a secret society, is a fun party like meeting every July in a redwood forest near San Francisco.  (pg 70)

The Illuminati Charts with famous musicians like Beyonce, Rihanna, and Eminem and their "supposed" Illuminati connections or signs. (pg 100-101)


Thank you Penguin Young Readers for the book to review.  All thoughts and comments are my own. 

Love and Gelato gets 4 Stars {ya lit, contemporary fiction, romance}

Tuscany. Romance. Sweet story. Delicious bakeries. Gelato.  

Seriously, there's not much you can't like about this sweet young adult book.  

Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch is a fun book that any teenage girl would enjoy.  There's romance, mystery, great character development, and some deep subjects, like cancer, as well.  A fun book with some depth in topics is hard to find.  There's a lot to love with Love and Gelato, and therefore it's well deserving of it's 4 out of 5 stars rating.  

This novel is a quick read, and even though the story line was almost completely predictable, I'm pretty sure only adults reading this ya book would care about that.  I did feel the growth Lina experienced in the story was great.  I loved seeing, in a glossed over way I believe, how Lina dealt with her mother's death from cancer.  I loved seeing Lina find a father-like figure.  I believe there's a good chance this book could benefit others who have to deal and work through a death in the family especially a parent. 

Overall, this book was the light fun read I was looking for after a heavy book like Ghost Boy. 

If you pick this YA book up, enjoy! 

Happy Fun Light Romance in Tuscany YA Reading!  

Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 13-18 year old girls, 7th grade and up 
Clean Read: Yes, a little language.   
Worth a Check Out: Yes, when you are looking for a fun light read.
Buy It or Not: Yes if you like chick-lit, Meg Cabot, or Ally Carter type of books.  
Book Club Discussion: Did Lina feel obligated to go to Tuscany b/c it was her mother's wish, or her mother's death-bed wish?  Why do you think Lina felt like it was difficult to be social after her mother's death? Cancer is always tough, but do you think it was tougher on Lina b/c she was a teenager?  Would you consider this story a "coming of age" story, if so why?

Did you read Love and Gelato?  What did you think? 

A quote I loved from Love and Gelato: 

"You know, people come to Italy for all sorts of reasons, but when they stay, it's for the same two things." 
"What?"
"Love and gelato."

My Favorite Books of 2017 {Picture Books, Middle Grade Lit, YA Lit, Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction}

I read or listened to a lot of books in 2017.  I'm super behind on writing reviews for them, but I wrote a review on all of these books here on my blog, Instagram @alohamroaopenabook, or my Goodreads Megan-Alohamora Open a Book.

Of all the books I read to this year, these 15 are my favorite.  What are some of your favorite books you read in 2017?  

My 15 Favorite Books of 2017

Picture Books

She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton

Inspiring. Educational. An all around fantastic book. 

Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford

This Caldecott Honor book has gorgeous pictures, and a beautifully educational book. 

The Most Perfect Snowman by Chris Britt

Such a sweet story story about friendship and giving. 

Old MacDonald Had a Truck by Steve Goetz

This is one of my absolute favorite books to read aloud, and my very favorite version of this story. 

Middle Grade Fiction

Refugee by Alan Gratz

Fantastic book!  This quick read provides a valuable new perspective on the experiences of refugees. 

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

This Newbery Medal winner writes a beautiful and magical story. 

Young Adult

March Book Three by John Lewis

I love all three March books.  These non-fiction graphic novels about the civil rights movement are so well done.  

Perfect by Cecelia Ahern

The follow-up book to the Flawed series is fast paced and a great addition to this dystopian series. 

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Fast paced mystery like novel with a strong female character.  Basically, a really fun read. 

Adult Fiction

The Black Book by James Patterson and David Ellis

This mystery may be my favorite James Patterson book.  Well paced story leaves you guessing until the end. 

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

I'm not sure if I can say this is my favorite Moriarty book, but I did love it.  I also loved that the story was unpredictable. 

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Picoult did it again.  She wrote a great book about a controversial yet relatable topic. 

A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner

This historical fiction is fantastic.  It's heart warming, emotional, and powerful. A definite favorite this year. 

Non-Fiction

The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

Amazing!  Definitely listen to this one (Chip and Joanna read it).  This book is inspiring, hilarious, and 100% enjoyable. 

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

If you love sports, athletic shoes, or own your own business then you should definitely give this book a read.  Excellent book! 

These are my favorites. Do we have any in common, or do you have some to add to my TBR list? 

Happy Fantastic Book Reading in 2018!

The Beauty of Darkness gets 3.5 Stars {ya lit, fantasy, series: remnant chronicles #3}

With  Kiss of Deception and Heart of Betrayal read I, of course, had to finish off the Remnant Chronicles by reading The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson. 

This third book in the series gets 3.5 out of 5 stars.  It's a good story, though it does drag a bit more than the others.  The writing of the many action parts of the story felt choppy.  Overall, the writing was good, but it wasn't Pearson's best writing for the series.  Books one and two were far more engrossing with their writing even with the incredibly predictable and sort of annoying love triangle.  

In regards to characters, I felt Lia was a different person in this last book; she was too hardcore and cruel so the change/development wasn't for the better. I was frustrated that in 3 books Lia and Rafe still couldn't communicate and express their true feelings and thoughts.  I thought Kaden made a quick jump to team Lia and it would've been nice to see more struggle.  All in all, the characters were weaker and less developed in this last book.  
There are things I liked about the book.  I liked that it was a clean read.  I  liked that the main character is a strong girl.  I liked her brother's unwavering trust in Lia.  I liked the happy ending the minor characters received, but I was frustrated by the abruptness of the ending for Lia and Rafe.  

I really did like The Beauty of Darkness, but I don't think I would've been disappointed had I not read it.  I may have enjoyed the series more if hadn't b/c the ending left me with a bitter taste in my mouth for the series.  

Did you read the series?  What were your feelings of the last book? What would you rate the entire series?  I  think I'd give the series 4 stars, but that third book may have to lower that score. 

If you do pick up this book, and the Remnant of Chronicles series, Happy Fun Young Adult Fantasy reading!


The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Best For: 14 and up, 8th grade and up.
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: No, unless you really need complete series in your life and you bought Kiss of Deception and Heart of Betrayal
Read Aloud: No.
Book Club Discussion Topics: Lia ran from her fate of an arranged marriage, but did she stay true to herself when it came to her fate with the Book of Venda? Did you like or dislike Kaden's ending?  Lia and Rafe, good or bad ending?  

The Heart of Betrayal gets 4 Stars {ya lit, fantasy, series: remnant chronicles #2}

The Kiss of Deception, Book 1 in the Remnant Chronicles didn't leave me, as the reader, hanging for the next book, but it did grab my attention and make me want to read the next book.  I quickly requested it from the library.  Personally, I feel it is a sign of a good book when it makes me want to read the next one in the series, or it makes you sad the book is over.  I personally think a good author doesn't need a major cliff hanger to bring readers back.  Cliff hangers are cheap to me.  

The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson is Book 2 in the Remnant Chronicles series.  Overall, this book and the series is fun, and it causes the reader to not want to put their book down.  

This clean read would be best for 8th grade and up.  

4 out of 5 stars is what The Heart of Betrayal earned.  It's a fun book where Lia still grew as a character with her gifts and her confidence.  I loved that Lia did some of the really hard things, and that she was able to treat the people with love.   There were parts of the story that I truly did not see coming, especially when it came to her dealings with the Komizar. (Wow!) The writing and the story line were good, and in my opinion it was a solid 2nd book for the trilogy.  

However, not everything was fantastic for me.  There were parts of the story that were a little convenient.  The Komizar not know Rafe was the Prince was a bit too convenient for me.  Lia, able to sneak around the castle, learn the language so perfectly and become the leader and person the people of Venda adored and needed also seemed a little too perfect.  The pace of the story dragged on a bit in Venda too. To be honest, it wasn't painfully slow, but it was a touch slow in parts.    

As I mentioned above, a major cliff hanger at the end of the book seems like a cop out for the author.  Sure, it's easier and can get your readers back, but it seems sloppy to me b/c you don't tie things up.  The Heart of Betrayal has a major cliff hanger, and I was frustrated by that.  Obviously, my review for Book 3: The Beauty of Darkness will come this week.  

All in all, The Heart of Betrayal is a great book, and a good 2nd book in the series.       


Happy Fun Young Adult Fantasy reading!

The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 14 and up, 8th grade and up.
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: Yes, if you bought Kiss of Deception
Read Aloud: No.
Book Club Discussion Topics: Did you think the storyline was well crafted, or were there too many convenient aspects to the story?  What is the benefit for a society ran like Venda?  Do you think there are no rules when it comes to survival?  Did you like book 1 or book 2 better, and why? 

What did you think of The Heart of Betrayal? 

Banned Books That are Completely Ridiculous {banned book week}

Banned Book Week is almost over.  It's a week to remember that freedom of speech is important.  It's a time to make people aware that banning books is limiting freedom of speech.  It's a time to remind everyone that you can censor books for yourself and your children, but let others have that same choice to censor as well. 

If you missed these other Banned Book Trouble Maker lists, then check them out.  

• Banned Books that cause trouble with the religious crowds. 
• Banned Books that are too depressing, political, or just too much of one thing or another. 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

I'm reading this book to my kids right now; clearly I'm a book reading rebel trying to raise book reading rebels.  

Dahl is a serious trouble maker; he's got two books on this list.  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was banned b/c it teaches a poor philosophy of life. 

What am I teaching my kids?!  

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Silverstein is another multiple book trouble maker on this list.  This book, which makes most people emotional, was banned b/c it depicts an unhealthy one-sided relationship, criminalizes the forest industry, and it is a sexist book.\

Ridiculous.   

A serious trouble maker with multiple offenses. Yet, I loved using The Giving Tree in the library for a read aloud and personification lesson.

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

This book was banned b/c Harriet spies.  Sure I know you may be thinking, that is ridiculous, the title of the book tells us she is a spy.  I'd say, yes you are correct; it is ridiculous.  

Those wishing to ban this book were also dissatisfied b/c Harriet lies, curses, and sets a bad example for kids.

Ridiculous.  

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Another Dahl trouble maker here.  James and the Giant Peach was banned b/c the spider in the story licks his lips and that could be taken sexually.  I definitely don't think a sexual when a spider licks his or her lips.  Ridiculous. 

Little Red Riding Hood by Brothers Grimm

The Little Red-Cap version of this fairy tale was banned with Little Red was carrying wine in her basket.  Apparently a wolf eating grandma isn't a big deal; the wine is the troublemaker. 

Ridiculous. 

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

The Lorax is a great Earth Day book, but being appropriate for Earth Day can apparently lead you to be banned.  This book was banned b/c it was severe on the logging industry.

That is the whole point of the book. 

Ridiculous. 

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

This Caldecott Award book was banned was banned b/c the police officers in the books are pigs.  Granted, the entire town is various farm animals.  His next door neighbor is a pig.  

Ridiculous. 

I understand how some are offended by the whole pig police officer thing, but is there a farm animal people wouldn't be offended with.  A donkey? No. A cow? I don't think so.  

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson

This book, based on a true story about two male penguins caring for a baby penguin in the NY Central Park Zoo was banned b/c it was misleading. This true story is misleading. How? 

Ridiculous. 

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Another Silverstein troublemaker here.  This book, full of fun and silly poems, is one of the most loved poetry books of all time.  

This book was specifically banned b/c it encourages cannibalism and breaking dishes.  Apparently, the banners didn't think cannibalism was enough of a reason, so breaking dishes was their next best reason.    

Ridiculous. 

Anyone know of any cases of breaking dishes and cannibalism after reading this book. 

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Parents of young children, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK TO YOUR KIDS.  It was banned b/c it glorifies Max's tantrums.  

Ridiculous. 

Where's Waldo? by Martin Handford

Search and Find books are so fun, and Waldo books are known for the craziness on every page to make finding Waldo difficult.  I wasn't very good at these books, but they were fun.  Fun isn't enough though. 

Where's Waldo was banned b/c on one small area of one of these pages there was a side shot of a woman's breast when she was laying on the beach.  Just a little side in the craziness of it all caused so much trouble. 

Ridiculous.  

Don't worry,  Handford made a little adjustment to that page so you don't have to worry about it anymore.  

Are you a banned book reader? 

Happy Banned Book Week and Banned Book Reading!