tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22744042104695219272024-03-19T02:31:22.205-07:00Alohamora: Open a BookA book review and recipe site for anyone that can read and enjoys good food. MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.comBlogger792125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-71435996721848529522019-12-11T20:47:00.000-08:002019-12-11T20:49:34.633-08:00The Best Hanukkah Books of 2019 {booklist}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxa5dDmXeGyTPEHacFWF0Ero-9zUb81WX5pN6JYNYQALefXvrPMUV-StRjDZBU-_VNmdvckSBdpinDlIGRte-9L4KUIbrkjf_oDDXbQLWDJGRzERPnbSD8b2vGnThqDiy-DhcqQx5ytWxI/s1600/Hanukkah+Book+List+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Best Hanukkah Books of 2019 booklist. 9 fabulous Hanukkah books to entertain and inform as well. I had to share 9 books, there is one missing from the picture. http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/ Alohamoraopenabook alohamora open a book" border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxa5dDmXeGyTPEHacFWF0Ero-9zUb81WX5pN6JYNYQALefXvrPMUV-StRjDZBU-_VNmdvckSBdpinDlIGRte-9L4KUIbrkjf_oDDXbQLWDJGRzERPnbSD8b2vGnThqDiy-DhcqQx5ytWxI/s640/Hanukkah+Book+List+2019.jpg" title="The Best Hanukkah Books of 2019 booklist. 9 fabulous Hanukkah books to entertain and inform as well. I had to share 9 books, there is one missing from the picture. http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/ Alohamoraopenabook alohamora open a book" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I spent a semester in undergrad studying abroad in Israel. I fell in love with the country, the culture, the people, and so much of the food. The Jewish and Islamic religions have always had a special place in my heart since that semester abroad. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had the absolute best time reading Hanukkah books this holiday season. My kids and I would snuggle on the couch and read away; I loved how much they learned about Hanukkah and the discussions we had. I will say that the I am a bit bummed the selection of Hanukkah books is far more limited than Christmas picture books; however, there are some real gems in this list that you must read. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or not, I hope you will check out some of these awesome books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Best Hanukkah Books of 2019</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">9 Books
b/c I just couldn’t pick eight</span><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-Red-Ruthie-Hanukkah-Tale/dp/0807546461/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=little+red+ruthie+by+gloria+poster&qid=1576125072&sr=8-1-fkmr0">Little Red Ruthie by Gloria Koster</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Little Red
Riding Hood with a Hanukkah twist. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Simon-Bear-Hanukkah-Eric-Kimmel/dp/1423143558/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Simon+and+the+Bear+by+Eric+Kimmel&qid=1576125096&sr=8-1">Simon and the Bear by Eric Kimmel</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Simon learns
that the Hanukkah Festival of Lights can still bring miracles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sweet story that will warm your heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dreidel-that-Wouldnt-Spin-Hanukkah/dp/1937786285/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Dreidel+That+Wouldn%E2%80%99t+Spin%3A+A+Toyshop+Tale+of+Hanukkah+by+Martha+Seif+Simpson&qid=1576125120&sr=8-1">The Dreidel That Wouldn’t Spin: A Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah by Martha Seif Simpson</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This picture
book is definitely on the longer end, but it is a great reminder of the
true spirit of Hanukkah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kugel-Hanukkah-Gretchen-M-Everin/dp/1541534719/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Kugel+For+Hanukkah%3F+by+Gretchen+M.+Everin&qid=1576125188&sr=8-1"><b>Kugel For Hanukkah? by Gretchen M. Everin</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each night
of Hanukkah brings a different gift, but for this family the gifts add up to
something delicious and something new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a fun story that shows intergenerational relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hanukkah-Yet-Celebrate-Jewish-Holidays/dp/080753384X/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=is+it+hanukkah+yet%3F+by+chris+brush&qid=1576125219&sr=8-1-fkmr0">Is It Hanukkah Yet? by Chris Barash</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A fun and
simple rhyming story portraying Hanukkah during the winter season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hanukkah-Hop-Erica-Silverman/dp/1442406046/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Hanukkah+Hop%21+by+Erica+Silverman&qid=1576125246&sr=8-1">The Hanukkah Hop! by Erica Silverman</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hanukkah has
traditions, and for some games and dancing together is one of those
traditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This rhyming story will get
your feet tapping along to its beat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Know-Old-Lady-Swallowed-Dreidel/dp/0439915309/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=I+Know+an+Old+Lady+Who+Swallowed+a+Dreidel+by+Caryn+Yacowitz&qid=1576125270&sr=8-1">I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Dreidel by Caryn Yacowitz</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The classic
story with a Hanukkah twist is fun, and the illustrations are unique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David Slonim, the illustrator, has the Old
Lady portrayed in many “classics” like the Mona Lisa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely a book to check-out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nonnas-Hanukkah-Surprise-Karen-Fisman/dp/1467734772/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Nonna%E2%80%99s+Hanukkah+Surprise+by+Karen+Fisman&qid=1576125311&sr=8-1">Nonna’s Hanukkah Surprise by Karen Fisman</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A story of
how love and traditions helps one intergenerational family celebrate Hanukkah
and Christmas. The illustrations are simply beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Light-Menorah-Hanukkah-Jacqueline-Jules/dp/1512483699/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Light+the+Menorah%21+A+Hanukkah+Handbook+by+Jacqueline+Jules&qid=1576125341&sr=8-1">Light the Menorah! A Hanukkah Handbook by Jacqueline Jules</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This
nonfiction book is definitely a handbook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It provides a plethora of information about the holiday as well as a
poem for each of the eight nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’ll probably surprise yourself with how much you love this book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you have a favorite Hanukkah book? </span></div>
MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-87683608213048065042019-11-29T04:00:00.000-08:002019-12-11T20:50:01.644-08:00The Best Christmas Books of 2019 {booklist} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iZ7xmHnXG6LzHNA_nQlsj8XEAhF6S5FZtRypKMG2mbnpnVwnbDB77JWiZGu-DS5Wveutg2o6CMExoO4HI1eB8Vyw4i5DKxU2J5ojo4htSexgN2RDn2Ztf19TnJtZg_lhQdAfrRF5cFOA/s1600/Christmas+Book+Tree+Stack+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="The Best Christmas Books of 2019 aka my favorite Christmas Books this year aka what I'm reading this holiday season. Book list Booklist Children's librarian Alohamora Open a Book Alohamoraopenabook " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1099" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iZ7xmHnXG6LzHNA_nQlsj8XEAhF6S5FZtRypKMG2mbnpnVwnbDB77JWiZGu-DS5Wveutg2o6CMExoO4HI1eB8Vyw4i5DKxU2J5ojo4htSexgN2RDn2Ztf19TnJtZg_lhQdAfrRF5cFOA/s640/Christmas+Book+Tree+Stack+2019.jpg" title="The Best Christmas Books of 2019 aka my favorite Christmas Books this year aka what I'm reading this holiday season. Book list Booklist Children's librarian Alohamora Open a Book Alohamoraopenabook " width="438" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My 7 year old bought his own mini Christmas tree that he could keep in his room. He also bought little ornaments as well as made some decorations to go on the tree. He loves that little tree and has kept it in his room for a year now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I, on the other hand, will happily take this Christmas Book Tree in my room. These are <b>my favorite Christmas books this year</b>. Some of the books surprised me, some of them made me laugh, some of the books warmed my heart (and possible tear up b/c I'm definitely a crier), and some of them were just fun original stories. My favorite books this year are listed below. There are more than 25 books listed, b/c I believe Christmas can be enjoyed before December 1st, and maybe b/c I have a difficult time choosing. More is definitely better when it comes to books. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Included in the picture above are some of my very favorite Christmas books that I come back to year after year. Books such as <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Polar-Express-anniversary-Chris-Allsburg/dp/0544580141/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1PWQWI89GAAT4&keywords=the+polar+express+book&qid=1574919736&sprefix=the+polar+ex%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-1">The Polar Express</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Grinch-Stole-Christmas-Classic-Seuss/dp/0394800796/ref=sr_1_2?crid=FCWM7AVY0GFW&keywords=how+the+grinch+stole+christmas+book&qid=1574919760&sprefix=how+the+grin%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-2">How the Grinch Stole Christmas</a></i>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Twas-Evening-Christmas-Glenys-Nellist/dp/0310745535/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3GFZZLFVRV5X5&keywords=twas+the+evening+of+christmas&qid=1574919812&sprefix=twas+the+evenin%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-1">'<i>Twas the Evening of Christmas</i></a>, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gingerbread-Man-Loose-Christmas/dp/0399168664/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3H196DJMUUG7Y&keywords=the+gingerbread+man+loose+at+christmas&qid=1574919842&sprefix=the+gingerbread+man+loose%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1">The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Bruce-Mother-Ryan-Higgins/dp/1484782909/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Santa+Bruce&qid=1574919869&sr=8-2">Santa Bruce</a></i>, and the gorgeous <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Robert+Sabuda+Christmas+pop-up+books&ref=nb_sb_noss_2">Robert Sabuda Christmas pop-up books</a>. These books are always on my Christmas reading list, but this year the ones below also made the cut.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">The Best Christmas Books of 2019</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Sometimes
25 is just not enough. </span></u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tomie-dePaolas-Christmas-Tree-Book/dp/0823442381/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Christmas+Tree+Book+by+Tomie+dePaola&qid=1574920066&sr=8-1"><i>ChristmasTree Book</i> by Tomie dePaola</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book
was originally published in 1980, but I have just now seen this gem of a book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a bit wordy, but I learned a TON about the
history of the Christmas Tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Older
elementary school kids who love Christmas will find this intriguing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Tree-Who-Loved-Trains/dp/0062561685/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Christmas+Tree+who+Loved+Trains+by+Annie+Silvestro&qid=1574920106&sr=8-1"><i>The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains</i> by Annie Silvestro</a></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Any train
loving kid will adore this book that combines trains and Christmas trees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Ornament-Tony-DiTerlizzi/dp/1416939768/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Broken+Ornament+by+Tony+DiTerlizzi&qid=1574920128&sr=8-1"><i>The Broken Ornament </i>by Tony DiTerlizzi</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A book about
a boy, Jack, decorating their family Christmas tree learns that bigger and more
is not always best when it comes to Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cobweb-Christmas-Tradition-Shirley-Climo/dp/0060290331/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Cobweb+Christmas%3A+The+Tradition+of+Tinsel+by+Shirley+Climo&qid=1574920149&sr=8-1"><i>Cobweb Christmas: The Tradition of Tinsel</i> by Shirley Climo</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh, how I love
this story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The illustrations are
perfect for this beautiful old folktale. This book is a Christmas book to own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Old-Befana-Italian-Christmas/dp/1481477633/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Legend+of+Old+Befana+by+Tomie+dePaola&qid=1574920187&sr=8-1"><i>The Legend of Old Befana</i> by Tomie dePaola</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This story
has dePaola all over it; the illustrations are fabulous, and the story is an
oldie but goodie. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a beautiful
retelling of a classic story, Italian in this case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that dePaola’s books are so good that
reprintings keep happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nutcracker-Night-Mireille-Messier/dp/177278091X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Nutcracker+Night+by+Mireille+Messier&qid=1574920287&sr=8-1"><i>Nutcracker Night </i>by Mireille Messier</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was
actually surprised by this book; I first thought this book would be just another Nutcracker ballet book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
the writing is short and sweet and the story is not just a Nutcracker retelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Days-Christmas-Emma-Randall/dp/0515157635/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Twelve+Days+of+Christmas+Randall&qid=1574920344&sr=8-1"><i>The Twelve Days of Christmas</i> illustrated by Emma Randall</a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A black
covered Christmas book is not one you see often, but I’m liking it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This book is the classic poem/song; nothing
is added.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the pictures are
fresh, fun, and almost whimsical like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
treat of a book for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Very-Fiona-Christmas-Zondervan/dp/0310767733/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=A+Very+Fiona+Christmas+by+Richard+Cowdrey&qid=1574920371&sr=8-2"><i>A Very Fiona Christmas</i> by Richard Cowdrey</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was
definitely not expecting to like this book; I thought it was a Christmas
spinoff of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fiona the Hippo</i>
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, a cute story about a cute
hippo that just wanted to know what Christmas was is definitely worth a checkout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Angela-Baby-Jesus-Frank-McCourt/dp/1416937897/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Angela%E2%80%99s+Christmas+by+Frank+McCourt&qid=1574920402&sr=8-1"><i>Angela’s Christmas</i> by Frank McCourt</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Apparently
this book is now a Netflix movie; and if it’s as lovely as this book’s story
and illustrations than it will be fabulous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This feel good book about a caring little girl and a baby Jesus is just
sweet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Long-Silent-Night-Julie-Berry/dp/1338277723/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Long+Ago+on+a+Silent+Night+by+Julie+Berry&qid=1574920431&sr=8-1"><i>Long Ago on a Silent Night</i> by Julie Berry</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A book with
rhythm, rhyming, and the ability to pull on your Mom heartstrings is a definite
read this holiday season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you know someone
that will be a new mom this Holiday season this book would make for an
excellent gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s sweet and full everything
nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Between-Us-Abuela-Family-Border/dp/0374303738/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Between+Us+and+Abuela%3A+A+Family+Story+from+the+Border+by+Mitali+Perkins&qid=1574920471&sr=8-1"><b><i>Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border</i> by Mitali Perkins</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the first
week we had this book checked out I had no idea it was a Christmas book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not your typical Christmas book, but it
is a lovely story about a family separated by the US/Mexico border celebrating
Las Posadas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the perfect Holiday
season feel good story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Most-Wonderful-Gift-World-Sperring/dp/1680101730/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Most+Wonderful+Gift+in+the+World+by+Mark+Sperring&qid=1574920511&sr=8-1"><i>The Most Wonderful Gift in the World</i> by Mark Sperring</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A gift for
Little Bunny Boo-Boo was left under Bear and Esme’s tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have to travel through treacherous
terrain to deliver the gift, but making a new friend proves it to be worth it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Santas-Prayer-Tom-Roberts/dp/1454936738/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=santas+prayer&qid=1574830934&sr=8-1"><i>Santa’s Prayer</i> by Tom Roberts</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A lovely Santa
story that explains the reason for the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Santas-Story-Will-Hillenbrand/dp/1542043387/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Santa%E2%80%99s+Story+by+Will+Hillenbrand&qid=1574920547&sr=8-1"><i>Santa’s Story</i> by Will Hillenbrand</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beautifully
illustrated with a twist on the classic night before Christmas Story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dasher-Little-Changed-Christmas-Forever/dp/1536201375/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=dasher+by+matt+tavares&qid=1574920582&sr=8-1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dasher</i></b>
</a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dasher-Little-Changed-Christmas-Forever/dp/1536201375/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=dasher+by+matt+tavares&qid=1574920582&sr=8-1">by Matt Tavaras</a><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This story
has had me gushing over it’s illustrations from first sight. Add the fact that
this story explains why Santa has reindeer, and you’ll love this story of one
reindeer’s courage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ho-Homework-Mylisa-Larsen/dp/0062796887/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Ho+Ho+Homework+by+Mylisa+Larsen&qid=1574920607&sr=8-1"><i>Ho Ho Homework</i> by Mylisa Larsen</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Could Santa
be their substitute?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This new Santa looking
substitute sure has a magical effect on Jack and his class. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Theres-Elf-Your-Book-Fletcher/dp/1984893440/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=There%E2%80%99s+an+Elf+in+Your+Book+by+Tom+Fletcher&qid=1574920650&sr=8-1"><i>There’s an Elf in Your Book </i>by Tom Fletcher</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the
author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">There’s a Monster in Your Book</i>
comes another fun interactive story that will have you touching your nose and
naming reindeer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a fun story that’s
definitely worth a checkout. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-Robins-Christmas-Jan-Fearnley/dp/1536208256/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Little+Robin%E2%80%99s+Christmas+by+Jan+Fearnley&qid=1574920688&sr=8-1"><i>Little Robin’s Christmas</i> by Jan Fearnley</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Robin may be
the nicest little bird with all the stylish vests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His selflessness is a beautiful
reminder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Greta-Gracie-Yasmeen-Ismail/dp/0763689432/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=christmas+for+great+and+gracie+by+yasmeen+ismail&qid=1574920720&sr=8-1-fkmr0"><i>Christmas for Greta and Gracie</i> by Yasmeen Ismail</a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whether it’s
siblings or best friends there’s always one who is the bigger talker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greta is definitely the talker, but on
Christmas Eve something Gracie does will leave Greta speechless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Santa-Stakeout-Betsy-Bird/dp/133816998X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Great+Santa+Stakeout+by+Betsy+Bird&qid=1574920751&sr=8-1"><i>The Great Santa Stakeout </i>by Betsy Bird</a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Freddy loves
Santa, but he also wants to catch him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He pulls out all the fancy tricks and traps, but it may not be enough to
catch the big guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Gift-Santa-Bedtime-Book/dp/0310729610/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?keywords=A+Christmas+Gift+for+Santa%3A+A+Bedtime+Book+by+J.+Theron+Elkins&qid=1574920785&sr=8-2-fkmr0"><i>A Christmas Gift for Santa: A Bedtime Book</i> by J. Theron Elkins</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A simple rhyming
story about a gift Santa can’t find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Where-Do-Diggers-Celebrate-Christmas/dp/0525579516/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Where+Do+Diggers+Celebrate+Christmas%3F+by+Brianna+Caplan+Sayres&qid=1574920815&sr=8-1"><i>Where Do Diggers Celebrate Christmas?</i> by Brianna Caplan Sayres</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This rhyming
Christmas book is for fans of big trucks and construction vehicles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cookies-Santa-Santas-Favorite-Christmas/dp/149267771X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Cookies+for+Santa%3A+The+story+of+how+Santa%E2%80%99s+favorite+cookie+saved+Christmas+by+America%E2%80%99s+Test+Kitchen&qid=1574920846&sr=8-1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cookies
for Santa: The story of how Santa’s favorite cookie saved Christmas</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cookies-Santa-Santas-Favorite-Christmas/dp/149267771X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Cookies+for+Santa%3A+The+story+of+how+Santa%E2%80%99s+favorite+cookie+saved+Christmas+by+America%E2%80%99s+Test+Kitchen&qid=1574920846&sr=8-1">by America’s Test Kitchen</a><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To be honest
this would be my first fiction story by ATK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I own many of their cookbooks, but this Christmas picture book is cute. Though
the writing doesn’t leave me in love the story is cute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holidays and cookies are a big deal; a
cute book about cookies with a yummy recipe at the end is definitely one to
check out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Kitty-Searching-Nick-Bruel/dp/1250198437/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Bad+Kitty+Searching+for+Santa+by+Nick+Bruel&qid=1574920884&sr=8-1"><i>Bad Kitty Searching for Santa</i> by Nick Bruel</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I adore <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Bad Kitty Christmas</i> and was actually
surprised there was another Bad Kitty Christmas book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bruel’s latest Bad Kitty book is not as
wordy, great illustrations, and a funny story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Definitely one to check out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Santa-Looks-Wasnt-Fault/dp/1441324216/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Dear+Santa%2C+I+Know+it+Looks+Bad+But+it+Wasn%E2%80%99t+My+Fault%21+by+Norma+Lewis&qid=1574920915&sr=8-1"><i>Dear Santa, I Know it Looks Bad But it Wasn’t My Fault!</i> by Norma Lewis</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cat owners
and cat lovers will definitely need to read this fun Christmas book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s surprisingly fun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Smallest-Gift-Christmas-Peter-Reynolds/dp/076367981X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Smallest+Gift+of+Christmas+by+Peter+Reynolds&qid=1574920946&sr=8-1"><i>The Smallest Gift of Christmas</i> by Peter Reynolds</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reynolds
writes such poignant and inspiring books, and I was ecstatic to come across a
Christmas book by him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This story is silly
yet sweet reminding readers that the size of a gift is not what’s most important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Goodnight-Train-June-Sobel/dp/1328618404/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Santa+and+the+Goodnight+Train+by+June+Sobel&qid=1574920977&sr=8-1"><i>Santa and the Goodnight Train </i>by June Sobel</a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m not sure
if there’s anything better than rhyming text, trains, and fun illustrations,
but little ones will adore this Christmas book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What are your favorite must read Christmas books? I love adding books to my must read list. </span>MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-63665094721369777012019-10-28T04:00:00.000-07:002019-10-28T21:38:01.378-07:00Spooky Munchies for Spooky Reads {book list}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKJnRRmPWbsU04RJoYFA5FlE04vypi1MqlVLjoKh14xkkCV-cSo8x8ysUiJZfQxsPQRQqoOSnKZVW7YFffW-soZksaYfE4f_XtKtizTG0f6_HHy6YL3z-em7QHYeECfFF8jqZvwcr-TmA/s1600/Halloween+reads+and+Halloween+snacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Great Halloween books to read and the snacks to eat along with them. Book list. picture books, scary reads. Middle grade fiction. Chapter books, etc. Yummy snacks. Alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com alohamora open a book" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKJnRRmPWbsU04RJoYFA5FlE04vypi1MqlVLjoKh14xkkCV-cSo8x8ysUiJZfQxsPQRQqoOSnKZVW7YFffW-soZksaYfE4f_XtKtizTG0f6_HHy6YL3z-em7QHYeECfFF8jqZvwcr-TmA/s640/Halloween+reads+and+Halloween+snacks.jpg" title="Great Halloween books to read and the snacks to eat along with them. Book list. picture books, scary reads. Middle grade fiction. Chapter books, etc. Yummy snacks. Alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com alohamora open a book" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a reading snacker; I admit it. Admitting it is the first step I hear. While my brain is reading I love to be doing something with my mouth. Are you a reading snacker? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love drinking water while reading non-fiction. I love salty snacks when things are intense. I love sweets when the story is sweet 💖. Depending how the story is going will depend on what snack I want to eat. Unfortunately, I haven't quite figured out what kind of books causes me to munch on veggies and dip. Hmmmmm</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the holidays reading snacks must be festive. It's pretty much a holiday reading rule. ;) With it so close to Halloween, obviously the snacks are holiday appropriate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I figured I might as well attempt to explain my reading snack madness to convert more of you over to the side of snacking by type of book/read. </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Spooky Munchies for Spooky Reads</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqfnu0M_XXNhbxpBqRBQ9a4xN_ZKlatkJbQ-nr7awaO8B956QYINCo9twka-TLJCa186ouTdQAtaJEFrazqhLnqaiXrurHyTE6ub0lHRrLoHYYFlukdS5n-xbqmTRUrxc7q69PAJl4MrA/s1600/Halloween+candy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1024" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqfnu0M_XXNhbxpBqRBQ9a4xN_ZKlatkJbQ-nr7awaO8B956QYINCo9twka-TLJCa186ouTdQAtaJEFrazqhLnqaiXrurHyTE6ub0lHRrLoHYYFlukdS5n-xbqmTRUrxc7q69PAJl4MrA/s320/Halloween+candy.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something Sweet</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me this means chocolate candy, though for those odd people (like a certain Mr. of mine) I know sweet sugary candy is preferred. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think any Halloween picture book fits in this category.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite Halloween picture books this year are the following: </span></div>
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<i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Creepy-Carrots-Aaron-Reynolds/dp/1442402970/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ZD4DOAD872K7&keywords=creepy+carrots&qid=1572323366&sprefix=creepy+ca%2Caps%2C224&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Creepy Carrots</span></a></b></i></div>
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<i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Creepy-Pair-Underwear-Aaron-Reynolds/dp/1442402989/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MHJIG5O6FXDO&keywords=creepy+pair+of+underwear&qid=1572323344&sprefix=creepy+pair+of%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Creepy Pair of Underwear</span></a></b></i></div>
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<i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Moldilocks-Three-Scares-Zombie-Tale/dp/1454930616/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PXVH8HVK16HP&keywords=moldilocks+and+the+three+scares&qid=1572323323&sprefix=moldilocks%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moldilocks and the Three Scares</span></a></b></i></div>
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<i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Big-Pumpkin-Erica-Silverman/dp/0689801297/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=big+pumpkin&qid=1572323296&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Big Pumpkin</span></a></b></i></div>
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<i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-Old-Lady-Afraid-Anything/dp/0064431835/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2EDO9U0RJR7TS&keywords=the+little+old+lady+who+wasnt+afraid+of+anything&qid=1572323275&sprefix=the+little+%2Caps%2C225&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything</span></a></b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDhdyYwWnasIQ6FmJY1QV1oGtO4NZeVitkOWwoY_W0Kj-KtrJ1-VJIUJLShRgXmLKAiNhebPDVMxOshL0EQ3BmNNMcaw1-UEMTdB3PjKoi-ayE60gnKwwqJlIrFqj-nd-K3ZegsZqmdra/s1600/sour+candy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDhdyYwWnasIQ6FmJY1QV1oGtO4NZeVitkOWwoY_W0Kj-KtrJ1-VJIUJLShRgXmLKAiNhebPDVMxOshL0EQ3BmNNMcaw1-UEMTdB3PjKoi-ayE60gnKwwqJlIrFqj-nd-K3ZegsZqmdra/s320/sour+candy.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something Sour</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I say sour I mean sour candy. Just sour doesn't do anything for me, but <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=sour+patch+kids&ref=nb_sb_noss_2">Sour Patch Kids</a> every now and again, that is yum. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sour Candy books are a little weird but cool at the same time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Coraline-Gaiman-William-Paperbacks-Paperback/dp/B00E2RKMIM/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=coraline&qid=1572323185&sr=8-12">Coraline</a></b></i><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>is definitely a sour candy book. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WzXTV1lEGpVSDQS99saUj6RO1VLwzqgIXFLG6tgKOkbMw2jKDZ4X8v4A9LqQAXFbB1Hp8iaInlMNKvphFzc7tP1O6CwxJRZj6YG9TXSz1KSiGVUmLi1QaDNOrF4F_5be8ODGiJqts6aH/s1600/Trader+joes+ghost+chips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WzXTV1lEGpVSDQS99saUj6RO1VLwzqgIXFLG6tgKOkbMw2jKDZ4X8v4A9LqQAXFbB1Hp8iaInlMNKvphFzc7tP1O6CwxJRZj6YG9TXSz1KSiGVUmLi1QaDNOrF4F_5be8ODGiJqts6aH/s320/Trader+joes+ghost+chips.jpg" width="253" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>Something Salty</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salty snacks have to have a crunch for me. Potato chips are my go to salty reading snack. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salty books are intense books that keep me coming back for more intensity... just like salty chips. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cirque-Freak-Collection-Nightmare-Assistant/dp/1608840867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=cirque+du+freak&qid=1572323093&sr=8-1"><b>Cirque du Freak</b></a> </i> is an intense, every chapter is a cliff hanger, salty chip book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Such a fun series, and a great classroom or family read aloud for 5th-8th grade kids. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVts8YtIpWt8gbO2FwShhfV41i0_fzBPzR-wdGvQv7zzMf2EK-cSfbTP0e-_s3OvySNS-RxMb8buqYMEMiYPMxeY6SX8UbwzUfwxkc71ohGpk_9JNC4_FmIv-Cw9Rk-7BdYsvmk5DzxPZa/s1600/halloween-snack-mix-candy-corn-candy-pumpkins-2+Oh+sweet+basil_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVts8YtIpWt8gbO2FwShhfV41i0_fzBPzR-wdGvQv7zzMf2EK-cSfbTP0e-_s3OvySNS-RxMb8buqYMEMiYPMxeY6SX8UbwzUfwxkc71ohGpk_9JNC4_FmIv-Cw9Rk-7BdYsvmk5DzxPZa/s320/halloween-snack-mix-candy-corn-candy-pumpkins-2+Oh+sweet+basil_edited.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something with Everything</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Snacks that are sweet, salty, and crunchy are perfect for the spooky reads with intensity, action, humor, and a little quirkiness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Books that have it all deserve a snack that has it all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used to make a <a href="http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/search?q=candy+recipe">candy corn and peanuts snack mix</a>, but then I came across this recipe from <a href="https://ohsweetbasil.com/5-minute-halloween-snack-mix-recipe/">Oh Sweet Basil</a>. It has since won my heart. #yummy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Kids-Earth-Max-Brallier/dp/0670016616/ref=sr_1_2?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6YDP4s3A5QIVB6rsCh2uVwYGEAAYASAAEgJddvD_BwE&hvadid=322755587748&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9030031&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=b&hvrand=632523276054920543&hvtargid=kwd-393922038421&hydadcr=16818_10297322&keywords=the+last+kids+earth&qid=1572322507&sr=8-2"><b>The Last Kids on Earth</b></a></i> is a book with thrill and laughs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bonus, it is now on <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80219119">Netflix</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSZdaeWV3HzKmzBCa69dn9aZGOe5AjUCujmEL1H4lxS5WO2CJzPZfv4SjIlcv5gjzV7n624ph-Rxa906XQIqEFBwd_bQYmLJ4m4fO2iCMzuLaal0uSQvlyZw3Ey9VsC4qxUZrXYac_KHc/s1600/Pumpkin+Ice+Cream+Homemade+Easy+Drlicious+Amazing+food+recipe.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSZdaeWV3HzKmzBCa69dn9aZGOe5AjUCujmEL1H4lxS5WO2CJzPZfv4SjIlcv5gjzV7n624ph-Rxa906XQIqEFBwd_bQYmLJ4m4fO2iCMzuLaal0uSQvlyZw3Ey9VsC4qxUZrXYac_KHc/s320/Pumpkin+Ice+Cream+Homemade+Easy+Drlicious+Amazing+food+recipe.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something Pumpkin</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seasonal reads always entice some seasonally flavored snacks, and ice cream is always a great reading snack. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The season of pumpkins deserves a book that sweet and seasonal as well as a delicious treat like <a href="http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/2016/10/pumpkin-ice-cream-egg-nut-and-gluten.html">Pumpkin Ice Cream</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pumpkinheads-Rainbow-Rowell/dp/1626721629/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=pumpkin+heads&qid=1572322979&sr=8-1"><b>Pumpkinheads</b></a></i> is such a fun and sweet and seasonally festive graphic novel. It's a book you could read in the time a big bowl of ice cream took you to eat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/childrens">Penguin Kids</a> for the fun book and an excuse to share some of my favorite Halloween books with the snacks I eat with them. </span></div>
MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-72961878633257258222019-08-21T04:00:00.000-07:002019-08-21T22:13:53.850-07:00Book Characters that Brave the Page and Write {book list}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbV_vuPhUKzZVjIhusTl_vgHq7xQROfdF8ZF7tzVfc1Odfn2gBOOTVkMPeu_ZhbwHxPzzLj-JIQ4euoCPfHlCMV_RR7Se8eavnP_N_i508VsWBchS_ZrHikr3xA3QPp99IIAIjcsuok0O/s1600/brave+the+page+character+writers+booklist+alohamoraopenabook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Brave the Page Book Characters that Write letters, books, poems, or songs. This booklist has biographies (amazing bios), juvenile books, middle grade fiction, classics, award winners, and much more with the BEST Book Characters that write. YA lit, Children's Lit, Alohamora Open a Book Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbV_vuPhUKzZVjIhusTl_vgHq7xQROfdF8ZF7tzVfc1Odfn2gBOOTVkMPeu_ZhbwHxPzzLj-JIQ4euoCPfHlCMV_RR7Se8eavnP_N_i508VsWBchS_ZrHikr3xA3QPp99IIAIjcsuok0O/s640/brave+the+page+character+writers+booklist+alohamoraopenabook.png" title="Brave the Page Book Characters that Write letters, books, poems, or songs. This booklist has biographies (amazing bios), juvenile books, middle grade fiction, classics, award winners, and much more with the BEST Book Characters that write. YA lit, Children's Lit, Alohamora Open a Book Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the cool kids talk about NaNoWriMo aka the month of November is National Novel Writing Month. It's a fun way to look at creative writing. To go along with the new book <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brave-National-Novel-Writing-Month/dp/0451480295">Brave the Page</a></i>, I created a book list for you with AMAZING books that the main character writes letters, novels, poetry, or even raps. These characters and books should definitely inspire any budding writer to give NaNoWriMo a shot, or at least start creating with the power of words now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Brave the Page</i> is an awesome resource with tips, tricks, and inspiration from authors on how to start working on that goal of writing a book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stephen King said, "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you need some writing inspiration, give these books a read. </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Characters/Books that Brave the Page</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRKrMYI_cFGaaNtgOCc6ez27RqQ1pM9cPNcLXHaohc7Yb8rUxMpYdMaNMqDjIqntn5vYWRiGkoQLsDdysXr1YU6E1_6cLmwTZutijChgRkW0dtgoL9NEsHCcjH1KBoUMXNOkkZG-sEIOm/s1600/Becoming+Madeleine+Wrinkle+in+Times+Author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRKrMYI_cFGaaNtgOCc6ez27RqQ1pM9cPNcLXHaohc7Yb8rUxMpYdMaNMqDjIqntn5vYWRiGkoQLsDdysXr1YU6E1_6cLmwTZutijChgRkW0dtgoL9NEsHCcjH1KBoUMXNOkkZG-sEIOm/s200/Becoming+Madeleine+Wrinkle+in+Times+Author.jpg" title="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" width="133" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Madeleine-Biography-Wrinkle-Granddaughters/dp/0374307644"><i>Becoming Madeleine: A biography of the author of A Wrinkle in Time by her Granddaughters </i>by Charlotte Jones Voiklis</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A beautiful and insightful look into Madeleine L'Engle's life never before seen poetry, letters, and even rejections for publications. A fabulous biography for anyone interested in writing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrLIxcGu6NZbYo388BZDl3KskwaHVNvjOh2CajY7VqIpq8LWIWsEthc1ydLNZ0ieu_KzhTUEJ9QIvXD8dLwsm-6PKOT_xWvA20lf1CRf5dRWUEAeL2rfkvqyX8yIlAkvAmZ0dmdZCFJf-/s1600/Between+the+Lines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrLIxcGu6NZbYo388BZDl3KskwaHVNvjOh2CajY7VqIpq8LWIWsEthc1ydLNZ0ieu_KzhTUEJ9QIvXD8dLwsm-6PKOT_xWvA20lf1CRf5dRWUEAeL2rfkvqyX8yIlAkvAmZ0dmdZCFJf-/s200/Between+the+Lines.jpg" title="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" width="131" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Between-Lines-Nikki-Grimes/dp/0525515151/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=between+the+lines&qid=1566449305&s=books&sr=1-2"><i>Between the Lines</i> by Nikki Grimes</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A group of high school students build friendships and connections as they prepare for a boys vs. girls poetry slam. This book is written in free verse. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji597qmttzLcknKOSNPvgBMt8gUm2Bo1Cm4Y0c_Oqx83E3nFUUECWNX_DM6RDBMv1QoGNlww73SYs_nCNuC0thPlV4dd_OD3LPzzPQUpCHrZ1H2tTO3kvSb4KQeNd8kZZbmmJ_ocA1MWCr/s1600/Dear+Mr+Henshaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji597qmttzLcknKOSNPvgBMt8gUm2Bo1Cm4Y0c_Oqx83E3nFUUECWNX_DM6RDBMv1QoGNlww73SYs_nCNuC0thPlV4dd_OD3LPzzPQUpCHrZ1H2tTO3kvSb4KQeNd8kZZbmmJ_ocA1MWCr/s200/Dear+Mr+Henshaw.jpg" title="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" width="133" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Mr-Henshaw-Beverly-Cleary/dp/0380709589/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=dear+mr+henshaw&qid=1566449429&s=books&sr=1-1"><i>Dear Mr. Henshaw</i> by Beverly Cleary</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This classic children's literature book is a must read. Leigh, a 10 year old boy, writes letters to his favorite author. The writing helps him cope with the challenges he is facing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZ_yLuxjSrhWzG3yWbRDJbB2a4Bop8On1IK6W1vfuEPHpMoKNfm6h66QLcPXcVHVCWh3iOKHze58chCIbvICqy0xm9SwnH1GClwLY2MNC8sWRB8_rsnI_Ad9W8zkebgTqeT0oEnhzW8BP/s1600/Dear+Sister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="295" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZ_yLuxjSrhWzG3yWbRDJbB2a4Bop8On1IK6W1vfuEPHpMoKNfm6h66QLcPXcVHVCWh3iOKHze58chCIbvICqy0xm9SwnH1GClwLY2MNC8sWRB8_rsnI_Ad9W8zkebgTqeT0oEnhzW8BP/s200/Dear+Sister.jpg" title="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" width="123" /></span></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Sister-Alison-McGhee/dp/148145143X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=dear+sister&qid=1566449484&s=books&sr=1-1"><i>Dear Sister</i> by Alison McGhee</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This illustrated novel is such a quick sweet read as a brother writes letters to his sister. Not only is this book comical, but anyone with a sibling may feel the tugs on their heart. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MwsnzjHu00jyhKks7NTMg022dWRpsmnQ95L7h_HYD3DLKehOYZE6BxpEJB8AqfaKtcS-Lhh4MRWeGASOWZJz0RcxonGFPlt846XsArZqOR-M3-o68mXvARtvr9P-XuPxAu1BX5ncBy7y/s1600/From+Twinkle+with+Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MwsnzjHu00jyhKks7NTMg022dWRpsmnQ95L7h_HYD3DLKehOYZE6BxpEJB8AqfaKtcS-Lhh4MRWeGASOWZJz0RcxonGFPlt846XsArZqOR-M3-o68mXvARtvr9P-XuPxAu1BX5ncBy7y/s200/From+Twinkle+with+Love.jpg" title="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" width="132" /></span></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Twinkle-Love-Sandhya-Menon/dp/1481495410/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3GX17H4ULGU6E&keywords=from+twinkle+with+love+by+sandhya+menon&qid=1566449547&s=books&sprefix=from+twinkle+%2Cstripbooks%2C198&sr=1-1"><i>From Twinkle with Love</i> by Sandhya Menon</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Twinkle, a shy aspiring filmmaker is directing a movie for an upcoming festival. Her story is told through letters as she learns about love and the challenges of directing a movie. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrCohgX662kQCaavRkuF9lmYRmh1UBzNvHGCbpP6yRZ4wAVA1HBnja1grJ78ubKZ_Vvhd3nxRTE0TXJgwuER_eAEO0SI-Y-oIz5NmHiFUOhBTTfhrOgyueKZH7b-7_Lvs66gurtgMQaXk/s1600/House+of+Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrCohgX662kQCaavRkuF9lmYRmh1UBzNvHGCbpP6yRZ4wAVA1HBnja1grJ78ubKZ_Vvhd3nxRTE0TXJgwuER_eAEO0SI-Y-oIz5NmHiFUOhBTTfhrOgyueKZH7b-7_Lvs66gurtgMQaXk/s200/House+of+Dreams.jpg" title="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" width="140" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/House-Dreams-Life-L-Montgomery/dp/0763660574/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=house+of+dreams&qid=1566449620&s=books&sr=1-1"><i>House of Dreams: The Life of L.M. Montgomery</i> by Liz Rosenberg</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once upon a time there was a girl named Maud who adored stories. Years later, she ended up not only owning many books, but she wrote 24 books including the Anne of Green Gables series. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRW7OeEns_oWlXJvbX-XXdiEokcPXPlm8tyUhDoAbEGLolEODa2wbB4PCeVDglb9X1taT__lHELBsUQ45lUlc-9b-YaUaVCiEIScHOA26qKTuJpxWru8PVKFsjqaEVLz1CRo6bXXp-RbV/s1600/Little+Women.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="295" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRW7OeEns_oWlXJvbX-XXdiEokcPXPlm8tyUhDoAbEGLolEODa2wbB4PCeVDglb9X1taT__lHELBsUQ45lUlc-9b-YaUaVCiEIScHOA26qKTuJpxWru8PVKFsjqaEVLz1CRo6bXXp-RbV/s200/Little+Women.jpg" title="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" width="123" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-Women-150th-Anniversary-Illustrations/dp/1950435091/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=little+women&qid=1566449658&s=books&sr=1-3"><i>Little Women</i> by Louisa May Alcott</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course I had to include this classic; classics stand the test of time and they are definitely inspiring. If you don't recall, Jo, the literary sister, loves to read and write.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqJE_vhvOzlI0SmYlvceao-_VVoFUiyEoRYL350LLY2Y8vXEmCVOSZdNzfxz8DsUPXMc5xA8-HYdWlXMtepZNld8ljNdOazVugJqy-_iX29W140iWwyW_JIlAFciFG3FwLr3MNdv8oK78/s1600/The+Night+Diary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="260" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqJE_vhvOzlI0SmYlvceao-_VVoFUiyEoRYL350LLY2Y8vXEmCVOSZdNzfxz8DsUPXMc5xA8-HYdWlXMtepZNld8ljNdOazVugJqy-_iX29W140iWwyW_JIlAFciFG3FwLr3MNdv8oK78/s200/The+Night+Diary.jpg" title="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" width="130" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Night-Diary-Veera-Hiranandani/dp/0735228523/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=night+diary&qid=1566449778&s=books&sr=1-1"><b><i>The Night Diary</i> by Veera Hiranandani</b> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nisha, a 12 year old living in India during the 1947 partition is forced to flee her home. She tries to make sense of it all by writing to her deceased Muslim mother. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3swgPXT1ix9y-AcPJAW-2Qx7oAK6ulkj1ATbebkdeT1E-HqoocfLleZm_WofH0pKdtw8iCpWXXp8tBTD2EDikxC9DMnSFzmTOe_sYiPVTCaagU2eQ1zfzzK5DmxK7PZxU8HwFboBa-4S/s1600/On+the+Come+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3swgPXT1ix9y-AcPJAW-2Qx7oAK6ulkj1ATbebkdeT1E-HqoocfLleZm_WofH0pKdtw8iCpWXXp8tBTD2EDikxC9DMnSFzmTOe_sYiPVTCaagU2eQ1zfzzK5DmxK7PZxU8HwFboBa-4S/s200/On+the+Come+Up.jpg" title="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" width="131" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Come-Up-Angie-Thomas/dp/0062498568/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=on+the+come+up&qid=1566449892&s=books&sr=1-1"><i>On the Come Up</i> by Angie Thomas</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bri, a high school student, wants to become a rapper and escape the difficult inner city life she and her family currently have. The book and the writing is absolutely fantastic. The audiobook brings the book and the rapping to life; it's a must listen to. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJuAO8UjmZjjCO2LYnO1d3_ZQZdQX03mFOo28k8I28DgdTCLMunKpDHMeYLqhymZVQwmreO1codq41zf1oVhMEjy304MYhpkDb5DqRnEH0AnK2GVoqHGH_SVnF6hLO51ZVMdL2cTSOa4K/s1600/The+Poet+X.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJuAO8UjmZjjCO2LYnO1d3_ZQZdQX03mFOo28k8I28DgdTCLMunKpDHMeYLqhymZVQwmreO1codq41zf1oVhMEjy304MYhpkDb5DqRnEH0AnK2GVoqHGH_SVnF6hLO51ZVMdL2cTSOa4K/s200/The+Poet+X.jpg" title="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" width="131" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Poet-X-Elizabeth-Acevedo/dp/0062662813/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+poet+x&qid=1566449952&s=books&sr=1-1"><i>The Poet X</i> by Elizabeth Acevedo</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xiomara is constantly writing her frustrations, passions, and everything in between in her leather notebook. She dreams of participating in a Poetry Slam with her own poems. This is another must listen to as the author reads it, and she's amazing since she is a Poetry Slam Champion. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPT7r3ZncjPevcY4FsyOWHlTJlvQt37ql-gJgWlQnbFe0rpnV1vOGsVrZ6rrIk7N9XG6z-rryWGylkED9s32e0FcK7DnvuGMU_pXmbQrD0jqdRjLG2BVKTsiTOETfS5wPvkdVtJ3Mb4tZ/s1600/Swing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPT7r3ZncjPevcY4FsyOWHlTJlvQt37ql-gJgWlQnbFe0rpnV1vOGsVrZ6rrIk7N9XG6z-rryWGylkED9s32e0FcK7DnvuGMU_pXmbQrD0jqdRjLG2BVKTsiTOETfS5wPvkdVtJ3Mb4tZ/s200/Swing.jpg" title="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" width="133" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Swing-Blink-Kwame-Alexander/dp/0310761913/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=swing+alexander&qid=1566450054&s=books&sr=1-1"><i>Swing</i> by Kwame Alexander</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> A book written in free verse (aka a quick and fast read even reluctant readers will enjoy) about love, friendship, sports, and high school. Noah decides to stop taking a backseat to his life; he decides to <i>Swing</i> and finally make his voice heard.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnv__LDvCVTYnPOPMkbGvtf0bmyrEB5sGiBwY1o5PBc1QadBMwYQ9CsW-3iHXGwYFdIINs22-gXPglL5iaxAwBtKVnYuMLB8aXp_X5LrBITYVg47MisTCR8AUUw_tECx9m-xUGIAV3aWq/s1600/to+all+the+boys+I%2527ve+loved+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnv__LDvCVTYnPOPMkbGvtf0bmyrEB5sGiBwY1o5PBc1QadBMwYQ9CsW-3iHXGwYFdIINs22-gXPglL5iaxAwBtKVnYuMLB8aXp_X5LrBITYVg47MisTCR8AUUw_tECx9m-xUGIAV3aWq/s200/to+all+the+boys+I%2527ve+loved+before.jpg" title="12 books where the main character or a main character is a writer of books, poetry, poems, songs, letters, published author, and not. NOn-fiction, fiction, middle grade, ya lit, classics, and more. book list booklist alohamoraopenabook" width="132" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Boys-Loved-Before-Paperback-Collection/dp/1534427031/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3RIB7ZMB0LY9R&keywords=to+all+the+boys+i%27ve+loved+before&qid=1566450232&s=books&sprefix=to+all+the+bo%2Cstripbooks%2C209&sr=1-1"><i>To all the Boys I've Loved Before</i> by Jenny Han</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lara Jean writes letters to all the boys she has loved. This book will have you cringing for her, and cheering her one as well. This light romantic-ish contemporary ya lit is fun to read and there's even a Netflix movie out to watch after. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Twelve awesome books where a main character writes and expresses him or herself. Any books I should add to the list???</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This book list consists of children's chapter books to adult classics with young adult and juvenile non-fiction biographies making strong appearances as well. Basically, there is bound to be at least one, if not many, of these books you must read or listen too. They are fantastic, and who knows... they may just inspire you to participate in NaNoWriMo this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you do participate, you must check out <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brave-National-Novel-Writing-Month/dp/0451480295/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=brave+the+page&qid=1566450584&s=books&sr=1-1">Brave the Page</a></i>; it's an excellent resource that is fun to read. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/">Penguin Random House</a> for the <i>Brave the Page</i> book to read. All thoughts on any of the books listed above are mine alone. </span></div>
MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-10150322001649020652019-08-14T04:00:00.000-07:002019-08-14T04:00:11.644-07:00Calling All Penguin Fans {book list}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSZjSYazbEe5-LjJ_0eOVqKFmjm2OpIFR8BR37IPFzFhOa1EC6wfl_NytWfJdHX10tRtd0kxTdU1PzQzOu8xJd1ETV4wwcTe0BDBZVBR27eiHf2cMmnMPtK2qoha1ulX0WR9flKk0eBjd/s1600/The+Best+Penguins+Book+List+kidlit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Best Penguin Character Books for the Penguin Lover/fan. Picture books, chapter books. Read aloud. Humorous. Funny. Match Concept. Classic, and so much more. Check them out. Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSZjSYazbEe5-LjJ_0eOVqKFmjm2OpIFR8BR37IPFzFhOa1EC6wfl_NytWfJdHX10tRtd0kxTdU1PzQzOu8xJd1ETV4wwcTe0BDBZVBR27eiHf2cMmnMPtK2qoha1ulX0WR9flKk0eBjd/s640/The+Best+Penguins+Book+List+kidlit.jpg" title="The Best Penguin Character Books for the Penguin Lover/fan. Picture books, chapter books. Read aloud. Humorous. Funny. Match Concept. Classic, and so much more. Check them out. Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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 <i>The Curse of the Werepenguin</i> 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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>THE BEST PENGUIN BOOKS</u></b> </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Waddle-Scanimation-Rufus-Butler-Seder/dp/0761151125/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=waddle%21&qid=1565654365&s=books&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Waddle!</i> by Rufus Butler Seder</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Poppers-Penguins-Richard-Atwater/dp/0316058432/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mr+poppers+penguins&qid=1565654304&s=books&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Mr. Popper's Penguins</i> by Richard and Florence Atwater</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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 <a href="http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/content/mr-poppers-penguins">Newbery Honor</a>; it's good. </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Curse-Werepenguin-Allan-Woodrow/dp/0451480449"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Curse of the Werepenguin</i> by Allan Woodrow</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Cool-Friend-Toni-Buzzeo/dp/0803734131/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=one+cool+friend&qid=1565654550&s=books&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>One Cool Friend</i> by Toni Buzzeo</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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 <a href="http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/one-cool-friend-0">Caledcott Honor</a> book has the best pictures. Such a fun read aloud young kids and older elementary kids will enjoy it equally well. </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tacky+the+penguin&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss_2"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Tacky the Penguin</i> by Helen Lester</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-Penguin-Hiccups-Tadgh-Bentley/dp/0062335367/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=little+penguin+bentley&qid=1565654889&s=books&sr=1-4"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups</i> and <i>Little Penguin and the Lollipop</i> by Tadgh Bentley</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Penguin-Problems-Jory-John/dp/0553513370/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=penguin+problems&qid=1565654990&s=books&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Penguin Problems</i> by Jory John</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/365-Penguins-Reissue-Jean-Luc-Fromental/dp/1419729179/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=365+penguins&qid=1565655493&s=books&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>365 Penguins</i> by Jean-Luc Fromental</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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. 😉 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you have any favorite penguin books we should add to the list? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/">Penguin Random House</a> for <i>The Curse of the Werepenguin. </i>All thoughts on this book, and all of the books, are mine alone. </span></div>
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MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-34917367578096991182019-05-21T06:36:00.000-07:002019-05-21T21:54:06.621-07:00Alex Rider Secret Weapon gets 4 Stars {ya lit, action/adventure}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMRVDkg_r-pYsvZrcAEP9fjEQNwQalVe2qrhqMR6yqthbkEuBk-Ycu8E0AwPfGODAxxuRJ_L-zzKxmUVGiPOAiRbMCGUESTIrQID_RB8fqoJu6N1ouKhgE-DiBIFrUrfLLFf34MBkC6O4/s1600/Alex+Rider+Secret+Weapon+by+Anthony+Horowitz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMRVDkg_r-pYsvZrcAEP9fjEQNwQalVe2qrhqMR6yqthbkEuBk-Ycu8E0AwPfGODAxxuRJ_L-zzKxmUVGiPOAiRbMCGUESTIrQID_RB8fqoJu6N1ouKhgE-DiBIFrUrfLLFf34MBkC6O4/s320/Alex+Rider+Secret+Weapon+by+Anthony+Horowitz.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know books, but I am not a music expert. However, with the spy and adventure theme of this book I couldn't get the theme music for </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">James Bond</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mission Impossible </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">movies out of my head. If I had to create a Playlist of sorts for this book, it'd definitely include those songs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's not all action and adventure. There is some humor. ;) "Of course it'll work! I mean, I hope it'll work. But it is a prototype, you know..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You should be careful whom you choose to trust." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alex Rider, aka the teenage James Bond. He's a teenage spy for MI6. Therefore, he gets really cool gadgets, he's super smart, a linguist, martial arts master, and he just seems like a good 14 year old. This book has seven short stories, which make for a super fast read that'll have you keep turning the pages. You'll finish before you know it, and if you are anything like me you'll love that reality is briefly suspended and that things work out for Alex. I'm such a sucker for the happy ending. To be honest, I didn't know the Alex Rider books were for more than just middle and high school boys. I'm actually a big fan of Alex Rider now, and don't worry, you don't have to have been an AR fan and have read the other books to enjoy this one. Horowitz does a great job including any necessary background information. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Basically, this Alex Rider book is fantastic. At times there are a few gaps in the action, but otherwise I felt the writing was great. The story moves quickly and there is enough development, but this is definitely a plot driven story. Definitely a great book to hand to a kid in 5th grade and up; middle school libraries should most definitely have this book on the shelf. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rider-Secret-Weapon-Anthony-Horowitz/dp/1524739332"><i>Alex Rider Secret Weapon</i> by Anthony Horowitz</a></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rating: 4/5 stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Best For: 12 and up, action/adventure fans will love this fast read. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"># of Pages: 336</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Clean Read: Yes. There is action and violence, but it isn't gruesome. I think an 11 year old could enjoy this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Worth a Check Out: Yes. It is such a fun quick read. It's worth a read when you are looking for a page turner that will help you escape reality. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Buy It or Not: Maybe. If you are an Alex Rider fan then you definitely should. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Read Aloud: Actually, it could be a fun read for 6th-8th grade classroom. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I received a copy of this book from <i>Penguin Random House</i>, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. </span><br />
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MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-20219452280927320802019-04-11T16:26:00.000-07:002019-04-11T16:26:58.621-07:00National Pet Day aka Pet Book List {book list} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnakWoLposW9SKfQjKHfSe-hkd-aF1r1X3LmikBpv1g56W4BwR1tCOuDRhYdx4rYTtIL0ikawVP1huurc4Lj03rXttmYLX2BhoidgYVUi_9CehIdbbEFBhKrizf5CHz7pzf2CPbGWyGKeN/s1600/National+Pet+Day+books+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Pet Books aka a Book List with chapter books, beginning readers, and picture books all about pets. Some pets are normal, but most of them are not. Book List. Alohamoraopenabook Alohamora Open a Book" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnakWoLposW9SKfQjKHfSe-hkd-aF1r1X3LmikBpv1g56W4BwR1tCOuDRhYdx4rYTtIL0ikawVP1huurc4Lj03rXttmYLX2BhoidgYVUi_9CehIdbbEFBhKrizf5CHz7pzf2CPbGWyGKeN/s640/National+Pet+Day+books+.jpg" title="Pet Books aka a Book List with chapter books, beginning readers, and picture books all about pets. Some pets are normal, but most of them are not. Book List. Alohamoraopenabook Alohamora Open a Book" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's <span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>National Pet Day</b></span>, and I'm so excited to share some fun "pet" books. These books are hilarious, funny, and make awesome read alouds. Some have won awards. Some are great for beginning readers, and some are entertaining and better than I thought they'd be. Definitely give them a check-out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Pet Books</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klawde-Evil-Alien-Warlord-Cat/dp/1524787205/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KNX9YMQSMQOG&keywords=klawde+evil+alien+warlord+cat+series&qid=1555022861&s=gateway&sprefix=klawde%2Caps%2C293&sr=8-1"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat</i> <b>by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This novel with illustrations is hilarious, but I know </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">about an alien cat warlord that becomes a pet sounds awfully weird. However, it's hilarious and fun and definitely worth a check-out</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I found myself laughing and enjoying it far more than I thought I would. It'd make a great classroom read aloud, or nightly read. The reading level is a little higher, but I think the interest is lower. Therefore, a class read aloud in 2nd or 3rd would be awesome. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best for 3rd-5th grade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Flubby-Not-Good-Pet-Morris/dp/1524787760/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1555023082&sr=8-1-fkmrnull"><i>Flubby</i> by J.E. Morris</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flubby is a pet cat. He is your typical, lay around the house cat. Tho, the endings of Flubby books have a surprise. The text is simple and short and perfect for the beginning reader, the pictures are fantastic, and the book series is all around fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best for Preschool through 1st grade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Cool-Friend-Toni-Buzzeo/dp/0803734131/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=one+cool+friend&qid=1555023323&s=gateway&sr=8-1"><i>One Cool Friend</i> by Toni Buzzeo</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This picture book won a Caldecott Honor b/c the pictures are fantastic. However, the text and story is super fun as well. These pets are not your normal pets, and the ending will make you smile. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best for Preschool through 4th grade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Arnie-Doughnut-Adventures-Book-ebook/dp/B00BGDCTLS/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=arnie+the+doughnut&qid=1555023614&s=gateway&sr=8-1"><i>Arnie, the Doughnut</i> by Laurie Keller</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love Arnie; this book has been a favorite of mine for years. Arnie is a doughnut, but he is also a pet. This picture book is a must read, but it is a longer read.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best for 3rd through 6th grade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Charlotte-Rock-Stephen-W-Martin/dp/1101993898/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=charlotte+and+the+rock&qid=1555023943&s=gateway&sr=8-1"><i>Charlotte and the Rock</i> by Stephen W. Martin</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Charlotte, like many children, just wants a pet to take care of. However, her parents give her an unusual pet that becomes even more unusual. Charlotte is fun, and finds the good in all things. This would be a great picture book for a teacher to read aloud and complete a Venn Diagram to compare Charlotte's pet to the student's pet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best for 1st through 3rd grade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-book-just-ate-dog/dp/1627790713/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1555024229&sr=8-1"><i>This Book Just Ate My Dog</i> by Richard Byrne</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This interactive picture book is less about her pet dog and more about what happens to her dog, but it is funny. Definitely a fun read for a classroom or with your child. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best for preschool through 1st grade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Too-Many-Moose-Lisa-Bakos/dp/1492609358"><i>Too Many Moose</i> by Lisa Bakos</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If one moose is a good pet then many moose would be even better, right?! This picture book will answer that question in a fun way. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Too-Many-Moose-Lisa-Bakos/dp/1492609358" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best for Kindergarten through 4th grade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Molly-Mischief-My-Perfect-Pet/dp/1843653427/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=1ISGLXOG5Y7HU&keywords=molly+mischief+my+perfect+pet&qid=1555024644&s=books&sprefix=molly+mischief+my%2Cstripbooks%2C199&sr=1-1-fkmrnull"><i>Molly Mischief: My Perfect Pet</i> by Adam Hargreaves</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Molly is definitely silly, and it's quite obvious when she is trying to find the perfect pet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best for Kindergarten through 3rd grade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Tale-Pets-Tracey-Corderoy/dp/1680100645/ref=sr_1_1?crid=O9WTR1W3CW8I&keywords=fairy+tale+pets&qid=1555024817&s=books&sprefix=fairy+tale+pets%2Cstripbooks%2C201&sr=1-1"><i>Fairy Tale Pets</i> by Tracey Corderoy</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What happens when a kid wants to earn a little extra money by pet-sitting? It becomes quite the adventure for Bob when he pet-sits for fairy tale characters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best for Kindergarten through 3rd grade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully today you give your pet some extra love and then enjoy snuggling in with some of these fun books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy reading!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the books were given to me for my honest review. All books, thoughts, and opinions are my own. </span>MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-44133509165661951132018-12-30T20:46:00.000-08:002018-12-30T22:04:37.329-08:00Edible Cookie Dough for 1 {healthy, gluten free, low carb}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zZ-eI7Zu9PDOak2zgQXm-7tFMlAdB8yaBIKB-fV1woGVEyvFFbir9tLFrjuy0zCaims2Q5IIDdAIzJp8lkehbvSYyMeX0AltkeTqu4kg6NW5QULxS0pogxS5B83ElarSYixg6aA5w-4_/s1600/Steviva+KetoseSweet+Edible+Cookie+Dough+for+1+Recipe+healthy+gluten+free+low+carb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Healthy Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough for 1- Steviva, Coconut Sugar, Delicious, Quick and Easy to make. No Bake. Healthy Lifestyle, sponsored, Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zZ-eI7Zu9PDOak2zgQXm-7tFMlAdB8yaBIKB-fV1woGVEyvFFbir9tLFrjuy0zCaims2Q5IIDdAIzJp8lkehbvSYyMeX0AltkeTqu4kg6NW5QULxS0pogxS5B83ElarSYixg6aA5w-4_/s640/Steviva+KetoseSweet+Edible+Cookie+Dough+for+1+Recipe+healthy+gluten+free+low+carb.jpg" title="Healthy Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough for 1- Steviva, Coconut Sugar, Delicious, Quick and Easy to make. No Bake. Healthy Lifestyle, sponsored, Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Who doesn't love cookie dough??? Seriously, cookie dough is yum! Now, a low carb <b>Healthy Edible</b> (aka egg free) <b>Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough </b>may be the best thing since cookie dough ice cream. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holiday seasons are always so tough in regards to the amount of sweets lying around. With the new year it's always nice to start it off on the right foot with your nutrition. However, I am definitely not a fan of depriving myself; it just makes me binge and want more of what ever I am being deprived of. I can't say that I won't eat any sugar, but I can say I am going to make healthier treat options. I am a big fan of healthier options. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This <b>Edible Cookie Dough for 1</b> is a quick and easy treat you can make. I used a combination of brown coconut sugar and the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Steviva-KetoseSweet-Powder-3-pack/dp/B07D4PJKQT">KetoseSweet Steviva</a> granulated sugars as healthier options. Both are low carb and low calorie (KetoseSweet has 1 calorie) sugars. I personally found using a combination of sugars (especially in regards to sugar substitutes) helps with flavor as well as avoiding a sometimes bitter taste that occurs with sugar substitutes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This <b>Healthy Edible Cookie Dough </b>recipe is super quick and easy to make (10 minutes tops) and will definitely help satisfy any sweet cravings. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xN_QSw7F23GNFjwl5iU8DgisK6hv14ifiZmz7wLIl5d_Zm4uW9x1T079Oe4C42aLUOeKBZsCjYM_SOr3goFlCGs2tuolIz5bTNSxREQZOxZ5RWldBIYlerioG6FTbB3Y6egNvRqwpYId/s1600/Steviva+KetoseSweet+Edible+Cookie+Dough+Recipe+healthy+gluten+free+low+carb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Healthy Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough for 1- Steviva, Coconut Sugar, Delicious, Quick and Easy to make. No Bake. Healthy Lifestyle, sponsored, Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xN_QSw7F23GNFjwl5iU8DgisK6hv14ifiZmz7wLIl5d_Zm4uW9x1T079Oe4C42aLUOeKBZsCjYM_SOr3goFlCGs2tuolIz5bTNSxREQZOxZ5RWldBIYlerioG6FTbB3Y6egNvRqwpYId/s640/Steviva+KetoseSweet+Edible+Cookie+Dough+Recipe+healthy+gluten+free+low+carb.jpg" title="Healthy Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough for 1- Steviva, Coconut Sugar, Delicious, Quick and Easy to make. No Bake. Healthy Lifestyle, sponsored, Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was lucky enough to be given some <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Steviva-KetoseSweet-Powder-3-pack/dp/B07D4PJKQT">KetoseSweet Steviva</a> Granulated Sugar to participate in a little recipe challenge. Baking and creating with something new is right up my alley. Baking and creating with something that is new and healthy is definitely mind kind of fun. I loved experimenting and having fun with a product I knew wasn't going to completely derail my fitness and healthy living goals. KetoseSweet by Steviva is a keto friendly sweetener. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For more up to date Steviva products you can follow them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/steviva">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/steviva">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stevivabrands/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/stevivabrands/">Pinterest</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy <b>Healthy Delicious Treat Making and Eating!</b> </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Healthy Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recipe: Alohamora</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Active Time: 10 minutes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Servings: 1 or about 1/2 cup</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/3 c. and 1 Tbsp oats (quick or old fashioned)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 Tbsp butter, softened</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/2 Tbsp *KetoseSweet Steviva Granulated Sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/2 Tbsp brown coconut sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pinch of salt (approx 1/16 tsp)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">dash of cinnamon, ground</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 tsp milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 1/2 Tbsp dark chocolate chips (or any chips of your choosing)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Directions: </span></b><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ground oats in a blender or food processor to make oat flour. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Add the oat flour, butter, sugars, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon to a stand mixer or a bowl.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Combine the bowl ingredients and add the milk as your stand mixer is mixing or as you are stirring. You may need to scrape the bowl or the mixing paddle to ensure everything is well combined. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, add the chocolate chips and mix until just combined. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spoon cookie dough into a small bowl or serving dish and enjoy.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cookie dough can be covered or placed in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you don't have <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Steviva-KetoseSweet-Powder-3-pack/dp/B07D4PJKQT">KetoseSweet Steviva</a>, though you should definitely think of it as an option, you can use another healthy sugar substitute or plan sugar at the same ratio. </span></div>
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<br />MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-8667641141354876072018-12-06T10:02:00.000-08:002018-12-06T10:02:16.542-08:00I Spy the Illuminati Eye: What's the Big Secret? gets 4 Stars {<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AXIeLIhsLcMzUWAPZVvZU9aHEirrYrvRs9lDE3ts1EvBcwH_QFFeasO1W-Z3IFc4Dhvm-qQE81dlAwv3QCwEgh2HU8F50RLOWqN-WIFPJbKl7oUmXDipR8T5fhkvmJLm1ppMhTCyOCf5/s1600/IspyTheIlluminati_BlogBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="I Spy the Illuminati Eye: What's the Big Secret? by Sheila Keenan nonfiction book review gets 4 out of 5 stars. This fun easy and quick to read book about secret societies and conspriacy theories would be great for middle school and high school kids that don't like to read. reluctant readers. Alohamora: Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1600" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AXIeLIhsLcMzUWAPZVvZU9aHEirrYrvRs9lDE3ts1EvBcwH_QFFeasO1W-Z3IFc4Dhvm-qQE81dlAwv3QCwEgh2HU8F50RLOWqN-WIFPJbKl7oUmXDipR8T5fhkvmJLm1ppMhTCyOCf5/s640/IspyTheIlluminati_BlogBanner.jpg" title="I Spy the Illuminati Eye: What's the Big Secret? by Sheila Keenan nonfiction book review gets 4 out of 5 stars. This fun easy and quick to read book about secret societies and conspriacy theories would be great for middle school and high school kids that don't like to read. reluctant readers. Alohamora: Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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. 😉</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spy-Illuminati-Eye-Whats-Secret/dp/1524787930">I Spy the Illuminate Eye: What's the Big Secret?</a></i> by <a href="http://sheilakeenan.com/">Sheila Keenan</a></b> 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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After beginning this book with very little secret society knowledge (besides the movie <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Skulls-Collectors-Paul-Walker/dp/B00004X13T">Skulls</a></i> 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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are, or become an Illuminati believer, you may start seeing signs of the Illuminati all over. Have you ever seen: </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The eye on top of the pyramid found on US money?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone make a symbol of a triangle? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A triangle drawn inside a triangle? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seen an eye tattoo? </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />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>I Spy the Illuminati Eye</i> I've caught myself noticing little things here and there and it makes me chuckle and wonder for a second. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What about you? Do you find yourself saying "Illuminati Confirmed?" </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRw-u4rxPv_ddNrSeSItwgvIUX7tz-RGprRTWdaZg5CtBGsR3TI5iXzY2cPoUTLgu6OLmKqdyu9MvBS-F137g9F8N5MooHH4qv59nea5lkMz3DeOGhHXBg0B6Z2MTx4k-lHhjeI-9903gr/s1600/I+Spy+the+Illuminati+Eye+What%2527s+the+Big+Secret+by+Sheila+Keenan+book+review+gets+4+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="I Spy the Illuminati Eye: What's the Big Secret? by Sheila Keenan nonfiction book review gets 4 out of 5 stars. This fun easy and quick to read book about secret societies and conspriacy theories would be great for middle school and high school kids that don't like to read. reluctant readers. Alohamora: Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="1600" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRw-u4rxPv_ddNrSeSItwgvIUX7tz-RGprRTWdaZg5CtBGsR3TI5iXzY2cPoUTLgu6OLmKqdyu9MvBS-F137g9F8N5MooHH4qv59nea5lkMz3DeOGhHXBg0B6Z2MTx4k-lHhjeI-9903gr/s640/I+Spy+the+Illuminati+Eye+What%2527s+the+Big+Secret+by+Sheila+Keenan+book+review+gets+4+stars.jpg" title="I Spy the Illuminati Eye: What's the Big Secret? by Sheila Keenan nonfiction book review gets 4 out of 5 stars. This fun easy and quick to read book about secret societies and conspriacy theories would be great for middle school and high school kids that don't like to read. reluctant readers. Alohamora: Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spy-Illuminati-Eye-Whats-Secret/dp/1524787930"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I Spy the Illuminati Eye: What's the Big Secret? </i>by Sheila Keenan</span></a></b><br /><b>Rating:</b> 4/5 stars<br /><b>Best For: </b>10+, 4th grade and up<br /><b># of Pages:</b> 111<br /><b>Clean Read:</b> Yes.<br /><b>Worth a Check Out: </b>Yes. If conspiracy theories are fun for you, and you want a quick non-fiction read, then definitely give this book a check-out.<br /><b>Buy It or Not: </b>Maybe. This book is a quick easy read and a good choice for middle school and high school reluctant readers.<br /><b>Read Aloud: </b>No. Non-fiction usually do not make the best read alouds, but they are fun to browse and read here and there.<br /><b>Lesson Ideas: </b>Illuminati, Secret Societies, Conspiracy Theories. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">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???<br /><br /><br />A few aspects I love about <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spy-Illuminati-Eye-Whats-Secret/dp/1524787930">I Spy the Illuminati Eye</a></i> that may make you grab a copy sooner rather than later: </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>There are instructions for making invisible ink. (pg 47) So cool! <br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">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)</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">The Illuminati Charts with famous musicians like Beyonce, Rihanna, and Eminem and their "supposed" Illuminati connections or signs. (pg 100-101)</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">Thank you <a href="http://www.penguin.com/children/">Penguin Young Readers</a> for the book to review. All thoughts and comments are my own. </span></span>MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com183tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-12490978591235641142018-11-30T04:30:00.000-08:002018-12-09T21:46:51.382-08:002018's Twenty-five Best Christmas Books {picture books, book list}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVshLGyTavArD-sj1hk-ue1tq_CXVq9JJgxwxTftBziUCliHw1IDShfu1tokadNs1HaM6RNCSgL_ic0M_RbQd2bOlaoILFcYR6Glwear4iuZxIsxedC_a82Hitdl2YSShkDHYVGLtVoYmL/s1600/2018s+twenty+five+best+Christmas+book+list.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="The best 25 Christmas Picture Books for 2018. Great read alouds, touching stories. Sweet. Funny, Unique, Original, Classics. How to Raise Readers... read to your kids. Parents, teachers, librarian, Alohamora: Open a Book alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1111" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVshLGyTavArD-sj1hk-ue1tq_CXVq9JJgxwxTftBziUCliHw1IDShfu1tokadNs1HaM6RNCSgL_ic0M_RbQd2bOlaoILFcYR6Glwear4iuZxIsxedC_a82Hitdl2YSShkDHYVGLtVoYmL/s640/2018s+twenty+five+best+Christmas+book+list.jpeg" title="The best 25 Christmas Picture Books for 2018. Great read alouds, touching stories. Sweet. Funny, Unique, Original, Classics. How to Raise Readers... read to your kids. Parents, teachers, librarian, Alohamora: Open a Book alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="444" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you love 🎔 reading holiday books? We are a Christmas family, so we like to pull out all our books (from our shelves and from the library) and read them starting the day after Thanksgiving. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />The hardest, but most fun part for me is narrowing the books (I usually start with approximately 50 books) down to 25 that we then read each during the month of December leading up to Christmas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know some awesome people that wrap each of the books, and then unwrap one book each night. I'm not nearly that cute. First, my wrapping skills are sub-par. Second, life is busy. Third, I like having the books out for the kids to read and re-read all month long. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />Without further ado... </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Favorite, aka </span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The 25 Best Christmas Books for 2018</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 1st-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pick-Pine-Tree-Patricia-Toht/dp/0763695718/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543551329&sr=8-1&keywords=pick+a+pine+tree"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Pick a Pine Tree</i> <b>by Patricia Toht</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Such a sweet and fun story about tradition, some say the most important tradition, of picking out the family Christmas tree. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 2nd- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Christmas-Tree-Stephen-Krensky/dp/0803737572/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1543551554&sr=8-3&keywords=the+last+christmas+tree"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Last Christmas Tree</i> by Stephen Krensky</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Such a tender story about the smallest little tree in the lot that has high hopes he'll be someone's Christmas tree. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 3rd- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Queen-First-Christmas-Tree-Charlottes/dp/0807566365/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1543551771&sr=8-2&keywords=the+queen+and+the+first+christmas+tree"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Queen and the First Christmas Tree</i> by Nancy Churnin</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I absolutely adore this historical picture book that shares the origin of the Christmas tree. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Please read this fabulous book!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 4th- </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/If-You-Take-Mouse-Movies/dp/0060278676/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543551978&sr=8-1&keywords=if+you+take+a+mouse+to+the+movies"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b><i>If You Take a Mouse to the Movies </i>by Laura Numeroff</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Definitely a fun Christmas book in the classic <i>If you</i>... Numeroff formats. Plus, I felt it was fitting b/c going to the movies at Christmas is definitely a thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 5th-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tough-Cookie-Christmas-Edward-Hemingway/dp/1627794417/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543552127&sr=8-1&keywords=tough+cookie+hemingway"><i>Tough Cookie: A Christmas Story</i> by Edward Hemingway</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At first you think this is just another Gingerbread Man story, but this original story is just fun. Plus, there are a couple recipes in the back which are fun to make. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 6th- </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cookiesaurus-Christmas-Rex-Fellner-Dominy/dp/1484767454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543552212&sr=8-1&keywords=cookiesaurus+christmas"><i>Cookiesaurus Christmas</i> by Amy Fellner Dominy</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cookies at this time of year is a big deal, and a Santa Dinosaur cookie that just wants to be appreciated makes for a fun story. It's a fun book especially if you've read, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cookiesaurus-Rex-Amy-Fellner-Dominy/dp/1484767446/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1484767446&pd_rd_r=a6131e08-f458-11e8-b278-c53c231f3748&pd_rd_w=taPRF&pd_rd_wg=CeHcY&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=6725dbd6-9917-451d-beba-16af7874e407&pf_rd_r=8V3WHQK1MP6GES24YX2E&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=8V3WHQK1MP6GES24YX2E">Cookiesaurus Rex</a></i><b>.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 7th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gingerbread-Man-Loose-Christmas/dp/0399168664/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543552544&sr=1-1&keywords=gingerbread+man+loose+at+christmas"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas</i> by Laura Murray</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are going to read a Christmas Gingerbread stories this one is my favorite. It has great rhythm, fun, and a bit silly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> </b>December 8th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Willowbys-Christmas-Tree-Robert-Barry/dp/0385327218/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543552602&sr=1-1&keywords=mr+willowbys+christmas+tree+book"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree</i> by Robert Barry</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everyone, and I mean every man and creature wins with this cute story. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 9th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Merry-Christmas-Little-Elliot-Curato/dp/1250185890/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543552708&sr=1-1&keywords=merry+christmas+little+elliot"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Merry Christmas, Little Elliot</i> by Mike Curato</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's another sweet <i>Little Elliot</i> book that reminds us friendship is a gift we can give and receive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 10th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Polar-Bear-Wish-Book/dp/152476566X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543552811&sr=1-1&keywords=the+polar+bear+wish"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Polar Bear Wish</i> by Lori Evert</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pictures and illustrations are gorgeous, and the story is adorably sweet. 🎔</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 11th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Got-Christmas-Spirit-Connie-Schofield-Morrison/dp/1681195283/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543552960&sr=1-2&keywords=i+got+the+christmas+spirit"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I Got the Christmas Spirit</i> by Connie Schofield-Morrison</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Christmas version of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/I-Got-Rhythm-Connie-Schofield-Morrison/dp/1619631784/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543553082&sr=1-3&keywords=i+got+the+rhythm">I Got the Rhythm</a></i><b style="font-style: italic;">. </b>It's such a fun sweet story of family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 12th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Kitty-Christmas-Nick-Bruel/dp/1596436689/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543553121&sr=1-3&keywords=a+bad+kitty+christmas"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>A Bad Kitty Christmas</i> by Nick Bruel</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's hard not to love this <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Kitty-Nick-Bruel/dp/1626722455/ref=pd_sbs_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1626722455&pd_rd_r=36322f6f-f45b-11e8-893a-911ef25e0f31&pd_rd_w=5Cqhu&pd_rd_wg=GjBOD&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=7d5d9c3c-5e01-44ac-97fd-261afd40b865&pf_rd_r=PZ6R8JCXMYBX44460K5X&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=PZ6R8JCXMYBX44460K5X">Bad Kitty</a></i>, but it's impossible when you see how sweet this adorable feline is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 13th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Click-Clack-Ho-Book/dp/1442496738/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543553367&sr=1-1&keywords=click+clack+ho+ho+ho"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho!</i> by Doreen Cronin</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Farmer Brown and his animals have quite an adventure at Christmas time waiting for Santa. I love the rhythm and the onomatopoeia's in this fun read aloud. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 14th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tackys-Christmas-Helen-Lester/dp/054542710X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543553562&sr=1-1&keywords=tacky%27s+christmas"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Tacky's Christmas</i> by Helen Lester</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tacky is one of my favorite penguins! He's definitely a little quirky, but "he's a nice penguin to have around." b/c he always seems to save the day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 15th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Bruce-Mother-Ryan-Higgins/dp/1484782909/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543553620&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=santa+bruce&psc=1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Santa Bruce</i> by Ryan T. Higgins</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grumpy Mother Bruce, we all love him for his grumpy outer shell and soft lovable inside. This Santa Bruce version is just as fun of a read. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 16th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Snowmen-at-Christmas-Caralyn-Buehner/dp/0803729952/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543553786&sr=1-1&keywords=snowmen+at+christmas"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Snowmen at Christmas</i> by Caralyn Buehner</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even though this book is 13 years old, it is still a favorite Holiday read. The rhythm and rhyming makes for a great read aloud, and the adorable snowmen are hard not to love. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 17th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Christmas-Sherri-Duskey-Rinker/dp/1452139113/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543553921&sr=1-2&keywords=construction+site+on+christmas+night"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Construction Site on Christmas Night</i> by Sherri Duskey Rinker</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's not as good as <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-Construction-Sherri-Duskey-Rinker/dp/0811877825/ref=pd_sim_14_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0811877825&pd_rd_r=d552eca4-f45c-11e8-a1e2-a7164b22e612&pd_rd_w=wYixT&pd_rd_wg=4JVbp&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=18bb0b78-4200-49b9-ac91-f141d61a1780&pf_rd_r=PSD31SXES6XNH6GF32Y3&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=PSD31SXES6XNH6GF32Y3">Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site</a></i>, but my construction loving kid can't get enough of this book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 18th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Very-Merry-Pout-Pout-Fish-Adventure/dp/0374304599/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543554170&sr=1-2&keywords=the+not+very+merry+pout+pout+fish"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Not Very Merry Pout-Pout Fish</i> by Deborah Diesen</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's all about finding the perfect gift. Tho, it's tough for the Pout-Pout Fish</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 19th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Night-Lara-Hawthorne/dp/1786030667/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543554383&sr=1-3&keywords=silent+night"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Silent Night</i> by Lara Hawthorne</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The story follows the beautiful Christmas song, and the pictures in this book are absolutely stunning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 20th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Grinch-Stole-Christmas-Classic-Seuss/dp/0394800796/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543554646&sr=1-1&keywords=how+the+grinch+stole+christmas"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>How the Grinch Stole Christmas!</i> by Dr. Seuss</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This classic story had to make the list. It's a long story, but I love it enough I even quoted it on my Christmas cards. #nerd </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 21st- </span></div>
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<b><a href="http://the%20little%20drummer%20boy%20by%20bernadette%20watts/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Little Drummer Boy</i> by Bernadette Watts</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This sweet story combines the song with the story of the nativity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 22nd- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Twas-Evening-Christmas-Glenys-Nellist/dp/0310745535/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543554977&sr=1-1&keywords=twas+the+evening+of+christmas"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Twas the Evening of Christmas</i> by Glenys Nellist</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With beautiful pictures and the story of the nativity told with the classic rhythm of <i>Twas the Night Before Christmas</i>. This book is definitely a book to read a little closer to the big day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 23rd- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Littlest-Angel-Charles-Tazewell/dp/0824955498/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543555192&sr=1-1&keywords=the+littlest+angel"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Littlest Angel</i> by Charles Tazewell</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a long story, but worth the time to read this beautiful and sweet story. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 24th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Polar-Express-anniversary-Chris-Allsburg/dp/0544580141/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543555635&sr=1-1&keywords=the+polar+express+book"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Polar Express</i> by Chris Van Allsburg</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course this classic book makes the list; I love the story and the illustrations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 25th- </span></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Night-Before-Christmas-Brick-Story/dp/1634501799/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543555834&sr=1-1&keywords=the+night+before+christmas+a+brick+story"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Night Before Christmas: A Brick Story </i>by Clement C. Moore </span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For Lego loving families, this classic story that is illustrated with Legos is a winner. It's a fun and unique take with the pictures. If your family loves Legos give this version of the classic a read. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy reading! Reading Holiday books to your kids is one way to get your kid to love reading. Holiday books are fun, and when reading is fun your child will want to do it again and again even when it is tough. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Any of your favorite Christmas books that did not make this list??? </span></div>
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MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-54904673637602547562018-10-22T21:18:00.000-07:002018-10-22T21:24:53.331-07:00Dragonwatch 2: Wrath of the Dragon King gets 4 Stars {fantasy, middle grade fiction, series} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYH-Wd4u0fZJooI1u_Ics9t6ehquMydgN5nqItrLvLWIQFcRHVSRW1fODoNUcNrvId-_-adQpBDjwPmwBj2a9Mg2Ju1_poeyX4bKwvJdc1XDKGX3eaZr9_V69tMMS5CK-byps6SKJQruV/s1600/Dragonwatch+2+Wrath+of+the+Dragon+King+by+Brandon+Mull+review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dragonwatch 2: Wrath of the Dragon King by Brandon Mull. This juvenile aka middle grade fiction high fantasy is a fun action packed series for Fablehaven or Fantasy genre fans. 4 out of 5 stars in my book review. Details on the blog including who the book is perfect for. Alohamora: Open a Book Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYH-Wd4u0fZJooI1u_Ics9t6ehquMydgN5nqItrLvLWIQFcRHVSRW1fODoNUcNrvId-_-adQpBDjwPmwBj2a9Mg2Ju1_poeyX4bKwvJdc1XDKGX3eaZr9_V69tMMS5CK-byps6SKJQruV/s640/Dragonwatch+2+Wrath+of+the+Dragon+King+by+Brandon+Mull+review.jpg" title="Dragonwatch 2: Wrath of the Dragon King by Brandon Mull. This juvenile aka middle grade fiction high fantasy is a fun action packed series for Fablehaven or Fantasy genre fans. 4 out of 5 stars in my book review. Details on the blog including who the book is perfect for. Alohamora: Open a Book Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have a few main goals on my blog. First, I aim to be honest. Second, I aim for quality. Third, I aim to have fun and try and make it fun and doable whether it's baking or reading. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today, I am being completely honest with you. I've never wrote this on the blog, but a handful of friends who know me know, that I wasn't the biggest fan of Fablehaven. Maybe you're shocked. Maybe your disappointed. Maybe you never thought about it. However, if you check the reviews on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dragonwatch-Fablehaven-Adventure-Brandon-Mull/dp/1629722561">Amazon</a> or <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29563587-dragonwatch">Goodreads</a> you will see I am in the minority. Either way, if you look at the top of this book, <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wrath-Dragon-King-Dragonwatch-Brandon/dp/1629724866">Dragonwatch 2: Wrath of the Dragon King</a>,</i> you will see it is a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fablehaven-Brandon-Mull/dp/1416947205">Fablehaven Adventure</a> book, and many of the characters in Fablehaven make an appearance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've read both <i>Dragonwatch</i> books, and I will say I enjoyed them. {Gasps from the crowd.} Hence, the reason for the review today. I have enjoyed <i>Dragonwatch</i> more than <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29563587-dragonwatch">Fablehaven</a></i>. 😮 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I, honestly, enjoyed <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wrath-Dragon-King-Dragonwatch-Brandon/dp/1629724866"><i>Dragonwatch 2: Wrath of the Dragon King</i> by Brandon Mull</a></b>. This book honestly earned <b>4 out of 5 stars</b>. I enjoyed it. I really did. I thought the storyline was unexpected. I thought Kendra and Seth's character development was good. I enjoyed aspects like the Barrel that transports you to the other location/barrel b/c it reminded me of the Vanishing Cabinet in <i>Harry Potter</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pace of the story is a little slow in the beginning. It takes awhile to get moving; however, once you hit Stormguard Castle the pace definitely quickens. I also felt the secondary characters were not developed fully even though they were introduced. Sure, we may get more development of their cousins, Knox and Tess, as the series progresses (b/c this series is definitely set up to continue), but I felt their development was more than lacking. In my opinion if you are going to introduce them and have them involved enough to have their own chapter(s) you need to develop them a bit more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Basically, <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wrath-Dragon-King-Dragonwatch-Brandon/dp/1629724866">Wrath of the Dragon King</a></i> is a great book, but it is necessary to read the first <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dragonwatch-Fablehaven-Adventure-Brandon-Mull/dp/1629722561"><i>Dragonwatch</i> book</a>. Boys, and girls that enjoy fantasy, in 5th grade or up will enjoy this series. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fablehaven Juvenile/Middle Grade Fiction Fantasy Reading</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">! Feel free to email me or DM me on Instagram/Facebook if you have any other questions. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUheby9CtIUe0rMkGP6GQISu_rgCuDDnoqX5RF1Kkr92yDaqypqGa8NMkxGyhgdqGOfG2uZl4SMi4ALB8wmeUPlQ-dLJb4WfYThFPyIEFsB8CMaxX-1R71dwpJVLu6OSD6T1oBV0C5qwDl/s1600/Dragonwatch+2+Wrath+of+the+Dragon+King+by+Brandon+Mull+review+spine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dragonwatch 2: Wrath of the Dragon King by Brandon Mull. This juvenile aka middle grade fiction high fantasy is a fun action packed series for Fablehaven or Fantasy genre fans. 4 out of 5 stars in my book review. Details on the blog including who the book is perfect for. Alohamora: Open a Book Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUheby9CtIUe0rMkGP6GQISu_rgCuDDnoqX5RF1Kkr92yDaqypqGa8NMkxGyhgdqGOfG2uZl4SMi4ALB8wmeUPlQ-dLJb4WfYThFPyIEFsB8CMaxX-1R71dwpJVLu6OSD6T1oBV0C5qwDl/s640/Dragonwatch+2+Wrath+of+the+Dragon+King+by+Brandon+Mull+review+spine.jpg" title="Dragonwatch 2: Wrath of the Dragon King by Brandon Mull. This juvenile aka middle grade fiction high fantasy is a fun action packed series for Fablehaven or Fantasy genre fans. 4 out of 5 stars in my book review. Details on the blog including who the book is perfect for. Alohamora: Open a Book Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wrath-Dragon-King-Dragonwatch-Brandon/dp/1629724866"><i>Dragonwatch 2: Wrath of the Dragon King </i>by Brandon Mull</a></span></b><br /><b>Rating:</b> 4/5 stars<br /><b>Best For: </b>11+, 5th grade and up<br /><b># of Pages:</b> 406<br /><b>Clean Read:</b> Yes.<br /><b>Worth a Check Out: </b>Yes. If you love fantasy books, Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, or Fablehaven, and you have read the first <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dragonwatch-Fablehaven-Adventure-Brandon-Mull/dp/1629722561">Dragonwatch</a>.<br /><b>Buy It or Not: </b>Yes. Especially, if you bought the Fablehaven books. <br /><b>Read Aloud: </b>Yes, this could be a read aloud with a parent, but it's rare for a teacher to read aloud a series. </span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Lesson Ideas: </b>Courage. Siblings. Dragons. Fantasy. Fablehaven. Cousins. Discover or Be Told. Good vs. Bad. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Are you a <i>Fablehaven </i>or <i>Dragonwatch</i> fan? I'd love to know what you think of the series. </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">A few quotes from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wrath-Dragon-King-Dragonwatch-Brandon/dp/1629724866"><span style="color: #3d00bb;">D</span>ragonwatch: Wrath of the Dragon King</a> that I had to share with you: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"I'd rather not hold hands the whole night," Seth said. (pg 31)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"You don't become a champion by relaxing." (pg 139)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"Tough week," Seth said. "Lots of running for my life." (pg 229)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Thank you for <a href="https://www.smithpublicity.com/">Smith Publicity</a> for the book to review. All thoughts and comments are my own. </span></span>MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-60216843419103145062018-10-01T04:00:00.000-07:002018-10-22T21:22:41.240-07:00Matylda, Bright and Tender gets 5 stars {middle grade fiction, coming of age} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdxHQjf1O2lvbo1q7bwvBLbzSGpQjsiLK4Z4upR8_ES6c1g9MK867tFOZ_YOfv8nDD3AOVA4sna-KGkDYgR4xpTNsE2QgM2f5M8pE_clb3MHIzOm95QLXKsvBc3IrIMcnQg_RSEuj7f0Z/s1600/Matylda%252C+Bright+and+Tender+by+Holly+McGhee+middle+grade+fiction+book+review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Matylda, Bright and Tender by Holly M. McGhee is a heartwarming middle grade fiction. This coming of age novel is a story of love, forgiveness, and healing from the death of a loved one. This would be a great book for someone who lost a loved one. Emotional. Touching. Gentle. Family. Friends. Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdxHQjf1O2lvbo1q7bwvBLbzSGpQjsiLK4Z4upR8_ES6c1g9MK867tFOZ_YOfv8nDD3AOVA4sna-KGkDYgR4xpTNsE2QgM2f5M8pE_clb3MHIzOm95QLXKsvBc3IrIMcnQg_RSEuj7f0Z/s640/Matylda%252C+Bright+and+Tender+by+Holly+McGhee+middle+grade+fiction+book+review.jpg" title="Matylda, Bright and Tender by Holly M. McGhee is a heartwarming middle grade fiction. This coming of age novel is a story of love, forgiveness, and healing from the death of a loved one. This would be a great book for someone who lost a loved one. Emotional. Touching. Gentle. Family. Friends. Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A co-worker and fellow-librarian was on a mission to get this book checked out more so it doesn't get weeded. It just doesn't seem to get the love it deserves. She loved the book, and I'm all about reading great books. I will say I'm so glad I checked this book out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Matylda-Bright-Tender-Holly-McGhee/dp/0763689513"><i>Matylda, Bright and Tender</i> by Holly M. McGhee</a></b> is a beautiful, well written character driven story about loss/death, healing, and love. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sussy (short for Susquehanna) Reed and her best friend Guy Hose have a beautiful friendship, and do many things a child can relate to. When they are in 4th grade they are able to convince Sussy's parents that they need a pet to "love all their own." That's when Matylda makes her appearance, and she has a valuable roll in this coming of age story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hollymcghee.com/">Holly McGhee's</a> debut novel is fantastic. The writing and feel of the story reminded me of <a href="http://www.sharoncreech.com/books/">Sharon Creech's books</a>, or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stargirl-Jerry-Spinelli/dp/037582233X">Jerry Spinelli's <i>Stargirl</i></a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Matylda-Bright-Tender-Holly-McGhee/dp/0763689513"><i>Matylda, Bright and Tender</i> </a>gets <b>5 out of 5 stars</b>. This book is a gentle moving story, but at 200 pages it's a quick read as well. I loved the writing. McGhee wrote the tough parts, like death, quite well. She wrote the emotions Sussy was feeling well. The only part I didn't love is the stealing part, and I wish there was more explanation in that connection and Sussy's healing and growth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This would be a fabulous book for anyone that wants to heal from loss and relate to someone. This would be a great classroom read aloud, or nightly read with your kids. All in all, <i>Matylda, Bright and Tender</i> is a fabulous book that deserves more attention. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy <b>Middle Grade Fiction Heartwarming Coming of Age Reading</b>! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Matylda-Bright-Tender-Holly-McGhee/dp/0763689513"><i>Matylda, Bright and Tender</i> by Holly M. McGhee</a></b></span><br /><b>Rating:</b> 5/5 stars<br /><b>Best For: </b>8 -14 yrs old, 3rd grade- 8th grade</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><b># of Pages:</b> 210<br /><b>Clean Read:</b> Yes.<br /><b>Worth a Check Out: </b>Yes. Similar feel to Sharon Creech novels.<br /><b>Buy It or Not: </b>Yes. Especially, if you know a child or teen that lost a loved one. This would be a great book for bibliotherapy reasons regarding death and healing. <br /><b>Read Aloud: </b>Yes this would make a great classroom read aloud for 3rd-5th grade class room, or with a parent at night. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Lesson Ideas: </b>Death. Pets. Pet Care. Love. Guilt. Forgiveness. Stealing. Friendship. Family Relationships. Character Driven Story. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white;" /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you read <i>Matylda, Bright and Tender</i>? What did you think of it?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">A few quotes from <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Matylda-Bright-Tender-Holly-McGhee/dp/0763689513">Matylda, Bright and Tender</a></i> that I had to share with you: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"That's when I knew I loved him- not in a fairy-tale way with a princess or prince or anything like that. I just loved him, the way you love the people closest to you." pg 2</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"Don't look down, forget you can fall, fool yourself that way." pg 51</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"I know it sounds silly, but sometimes a simple change on the outside can make you feel new." pg 131</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-64277134827220825172018-09-24T21:42:00.000-07:002018-09-27T21:46:03.749-07:00Banned Books Week {book lists} <div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyMnmmawDKC8MPPuzCKbxjtalITol9vlZgsiqHGf6nt7LHlY9XjfMvq23HubQsTzN7NesPfZhV-e8wqN_dS6QxzbicG5WIhMgVfqqeD7mzN9-oyg1OEDh3dkIhEuS8qlnaAe3huIU3Eco/s1600/Photo+Sep+24%252C+10+15+20+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #3d00bb; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="Be a Rebel. Read Banned Books. Join the Rebellion! Just a little Star Wars fun to bring awareness to Banned Book Week! Book lists of kids, children, YA (young adult) teen, and adult books that have all been banned or attempted to be banned. A lot of classics and powerful books. Books have power to inspire, educate, teach, change, and unite. Censorship. Great books. What to read! Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyMnmmawDKC8MPPuzCKbxjtalITol9vlZgsiqHGf6nt7LHlY9XjfMvq23HubQsTzN7NesPfZhV-e8wqN_dS6QxzbicG5WIhMgVfqqeD7mzN9-oyg1OEDh3dkIhEuS8qlnaAe3huIU3Eco/s400/Photo+Sep+24%252C+10+15+20+PM.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="Be a Rebel. Read Banned Books. Join the Rebellion! Just a little Star Wars fun to bring awareness to Banned Book Week! Book lists of kids, children, YA (young adult) teen, and adult books that have all been banned or attempted to be banned. A lot of classics and powerful books. Books have power to inspire, educate, teach, change, and unite. Censorship. Great books. What to read! Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Banned Books Week! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a week where we celebrate the freedom to read. It's a week to be aware that books are challenged and asked to removed from the shelf. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Yes, books are dangerous. They should be dangerous - they contain ideas." Pete Hautman </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> All of the books on these lists have been challenged or banned from school or public libraries. Their reasons vary, but are usually as a result of the author's personal actions or beliefs or the content in the book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed." Benjamin Franklin </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Librarians across the world strive to keep books on the shelves. Librarians strive to avoid censoring books; we believe parents and the individual can make the choice for himself, herself, or for one's own children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there." Clare Booth Luce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Banning books inhibits free speech. Books have power to teach, inspire, unite, and honestly change the world. Books have power. Let's not limit that power by censoring books for everyone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Banning books is just another form of bullying. It's all about fear and an assumption of power. The key is to address the fear and deny the power." James Howe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a banned book reader. Are you? Join the Rebellion, and support the freedom of speech; the freedom to read. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"To forbid us anything is to make us have a mind for it." Michel de Montaigne</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully, some of these book lists will entice you to pick up a book.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You must check out the most </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/2017/09/banned-books-that-are-completely.html">Ridiculous Reasons Books are Banned</a> </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in this list. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="These 11 books were banned and the reasons are completely ridiculous, laughable, and silly. Many classics and well loved read alouds found in this book list. Read a banned book. Freedom of speech. Harriet the Spy, Where's Waldo, Little Red Riding Hood, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Giving Tree, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Lorax, Tango Makes Three, Where the Wild Things Are. Picture books, middle grade fiction, poetry, fun, etc. Alohamora Open a Book, alohamoraopenabook, http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0Lg-YyuA7Ew_3p70fnSWrylM3EzJN6_GVyFMSbxsFFs4oUFiH2KKK00-UShhnSKfZKMLlrCzxGb5MW0cYm8ZP0jIlzIHXcLGyMzwHFPh30L5OTjmibGiwoyU8_Z3JOLIR9iO4K81Rjfu/s400/Banned+Books+for+Reasons+that+are+Completely+Ridiculous.+Book+List.+Banned+Book+Week.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="These 11 books were banned and the reasons are completely ridiculous, laughable, and silly. Many classics and well loved read alouds found in this book list. Read a banned book. Freedom of speech. Harriet the Spy, Where's Waldo, Little Red Riding Hood, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Giving Tree, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Lorax, Tango Makes Three, Where the Wild Things Are. Picture books, middle grade fiction, poetry, fun, etc. Alohamora Open a Book, alohamoraopenabook, http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These books were all </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/2017/09/banned-books-and-trouble-with-religious.html">Banned For Being Too Religious</a></span> </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or offending a certain religious group.</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Zp5N3op1yyNd9px0H4hxkVzyGCCzvgu_6vPHN33w0Jaq2g-AuoK8XA51VhhOQY5rN1bUzfmuqPlsGoKEEeyNLjNEgvmGvWt0ms0qDoSQex27ZYP8UdCx4xHyryZWS121N0s5h5JMpoHO/s1600/Banned+Books+becuase+they+just+couldn%2527t+get+along+with+the+religious+crowd.+Book+list.+Banned+Book+Week...jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; color: #bb007d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Banned Books b/c they just couldn't get along with the religious groups. Children Classics, Wizard of Oz, Winnie the Pooh, Alice in Wonderland, Charlotte's Web, Harry Potter, Narnia, Dark Materials, Bible, and Hunger Games, YA Lit, Adult. Inspiring. Ridiculous Reasons to Ban Books. Alohamoraopenabook Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Zp5N3op1yyNd9px0H4hxkVzyGCCzvgu_6vPHN33w0Jaq2g-AuoK8XA51VhhOQY5rN1bUzfmuqPlsGoKEEeyNLjNEgvmGvWt0ms0qDoSQex27ZYP8UdCx4xHyryZWS121N0s5h5JMpoHO/s400/Banned+Books+becuase+they+just+couldn%2527t+get+along+with+the+religious+crowd.+Book+list.+Banned+Book+Week...jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="Banned Books b/c they just couldn't get along with the religious groups. Children Classics, Wizard of Oz, Winnie the Pooh, Alice in Wonderland, Charlotte's Web, Harry Potter, Narnia, Dark Materials, Bible, and Hunger Games, YA Lit, Adult. Inspiring. Ridiculous Reasons to Ban Books. Alohamoraopenabook Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Books that are powerful, impactful, or have <b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/2017/09/banned-books-that-are-too-depressing.html">Too Much aka Too Good are Banned</a></span></b>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Banned Books that are Too Depressing, Too Political, and Too Much of one thing or another. Children's books, YA, classics, High School English Lit books, and more banned for silly and or ridiculous reasons. Banned Book Week. Grapes of Wrath, Anne Frank Diary, 1984, Go Ask Alice, Dictionary, Little Women, Brown Bear, Green Eggs and Ham. banned book week, great books. Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJQkDdt1h1SmSgxGnPg7rppf1FFmYDqrTEodlXTHAerwauje0IRGxMBX_GkDgUQbyEOY6tjIhNgEIR2jnZtK-2BTeQC-DJdb3V21aT3Vs3Y-kwWUr4fAG7FpjGGbv01wgyIbm6QNrA85b/s400/Banned+Books+for+being+too+depressing%252C+too+political%252C+or+too+much+of+anything+really+Book+List+Banned+Book+Week.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="Banned Books that are Too Depressing, Too Political, and Too Much of one thing or another. Children's books, YA, classics, High School English Lit books, and more banned for silly and or ridiculous reasons. Banned Book Week. Grapes of Wrath, Anne Frank Diary, 1984, Go Ask Alice, Dictionary, Little Women, Brown Bear, Green Eggs and Ham. banned book week, great books. Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Books for the young and old are banned for all types of reasons. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrqqaIsbg6grN-4HttLLqpdAhSeS1edcISQBiFP65n9LuCjuh7YZsJcBFT6Xlh8hrle0n9k7rpDsKZoqKsnH44BcRUEOTHtgbDr40lZTuofdtqlhdVmtsnGkIIDwKcPCzjucsXknNL16s/s1600/Photo+Sep+23%252C+4+09+41+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #3d00bb; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="Be a Rebel. Read Banned Books. Join the Rebellion! Just a little Star Wars fun to bring awareness to Banned Book Week! Book lists of kids, children, YA (young adult) teen, and adult books that have all been banned or attempted to be banned. A lot of classics and powerful books. Books have power to inspire, educate, teach, change, and unite. Censorship. Great books. What to read! Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrqqaIsbg6grN-4HttLLqpdAhSeS1edcISQBiFP65n9LuCjuh7YZsJcBFT6Xlh8hrle0n9k7rpDsKZoqKsnH44BcRUEOTHtgbDr40lZTuofdtqlhdVmtsnGkIIDwKcPCzjucsXknNL16s/s640/Photo+Sep+23%252C+4+09+41+PM.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="Be a Rebel. Read Banned Books. Join the Rebellion! Just a little Star Wars fun to bring awareness to Banned Book Week! Book lists of kids, children, YA (young adult) teen, and adult books that have all been banned or attempted to be banned. A lot of classics and powerful books. Books have power to inspire, educate, teach, change, and unite. Censorship. Great books. What to read! Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" width="320" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">The</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/2014/09/even-childrens-books-are-banned-banned.html" style="color: #3d00bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kid's Banned Books List</span></a></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"> always surprises everyone. I'm assuming b/c the list is full of books they read and loved. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">The </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><a href="http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/2014/09/my-favorite-adult-and-young-adult.html" style="color: #3d00bb; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">YA and Adult Banned Book list</span></a></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"> is full of classics. A lot of the classics are banned... interesting huh?</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUf7xmRKw_6UKjXvNAe6HSeSjufpMBxFuvqA1PvyYLDe_qODmOpT6eLZb3bJC2kzgWZZIps3M9KX-K-qPPhKL7IsMZJJsecDzN7FVsxWk-knki6CNX33oP9bFlsOiL1dNL4ppq2dj-Qlhx/s1600/Photo+Sep+24%252C+2+38+08+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #3d00bb; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="Be a Rebel. Read Banned Books. Join the Rebellion! Just a little Star Wars fun to bring awareness to Banned Book Week! Book lists of kids, children, YA (young adult) teen, and adult books that have all been banned or attempted to be banned. A lot of classics and powerful books. Books have power to inspire, educate, teach, change, and unite. Censorship. Great books. What to read! Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUf7xmRKw_6UKjXvNAe6HSeSjufpMBxFuvqA1PvyYLDe_qODmOpT6eLZb3bJC2kzgWZZIps3M9KX-K-qPPhKL7IsMZJJsecDzN7FVsxWk-knki6CNX33oP9bFlsOiL1dNL4ppq2dj-Qlhx/s640/Photo+Sep+24%252C+2+38+08+PM.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" title="Be a Rebel. Read Banned Books. Join the Rebellion! Just a little Star Wars fun to bring awareness to Banned Book Week! Book lists of kids, children, YA (young adult) teen, and adult books that have all been banned or attempted to be banned. A lot of classics and powerful books. Books have power to inspire, educate, teach, change, and unite. Censorship. Great books. What to read! Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Let's see how much of a rebel you are. How many banned books have you read?</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Join the Rebellion. Read a Banned Book! </span></b></span>MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-31126883678752678032018-09-13T22:44:00.000-07:002018-09-24T22:26:10.885-07:00Semi-Healthy Banana Muffins {dairy free, lower carb} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sdeMZDf_pjpW7LALunkYIwGXga_HkiHodUGRDzBcFeL5nqpYVjII2OV6b4zlbSTCcZSa3hdY1y0SSeld6baja606SPV69LFEfIbEKL5NI4aU_yC3df5wiL4iPjEutty6R8PPgJzYXY0d/s1600/Semi-Healthy+aka+Lower+Carb+Banana+Muffins+recipe+Dairy+Free+Amazing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Semi-Healthy Lower Carb Banana Muffins Dairy Free. Delicious muffins, and using Truvia and Coconut Oil make it light but healthier. Amazing muffins. So yummy. Use ripe overripe bananas. Can Freeze them. Recipe. Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sdeMZDf_pjpW7LALunkYIwGXga_HkiHodUGRDzBcFeL5nqpYVjII2OV6b4zlbSTCcZSa3hdY1y0SSeld6baja606SPV69LFEfIbEKL5NI4aU_yC3df5wiL4iPjEutty6R8PPgJzYXY0d/s640/Semi-Healthy+aka+Lower+Carb+Banana+Muffins+recipe+Dairy+Free+Amazing.jpeg" title="Semi-Healthy Lower Carb Banana Muffins Dairy Free. Delicious muffins, and using Truvia and Coconut Oil make it light but healthier. Amazing muffins. So yummy. Use ripe overripe bananas. Can Freeze them. Recipe. Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My family ADORES these muffins, and I love that I was able to take a recipe we love and make it just a little healthier. I feel that is my constant mission in life. I love to take recipes and dishes my family loves and make them healthier. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These muffins are lower carb (they aren't low carb b/c bananas in general are not low carb) using an erythritol baking blend. The coconut oil also helps keep the muffins light and fluffy even with half the sugar amount. It took a few tries to perfect the recipe, but once I did I'm pretty sure my kids stopped eating bananas so I'd have plenty of ripe bananas to bake with. So thoughtful... or smart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enjoy and happy baking! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><u><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;">Semi-Healthy Banana Muffins</span></span></u></b><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Recipe: Alohamora</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Active Time: 15 minutes </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Inactive Time: 20 minutes</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Servings: 12-14 muffins</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">*A note about your bananas. Use those ripe/overripe bananas that are black and brown. You can even peel the bananas and freeze them in bags with 3 bananas each. If you are using bananas frozen in your freezer make sure you thaw them before. There will be thawed juice and soggy bananas in your bag, but that is okay, just pour out the excess water, mash them in the bag, and dump the bananas right in your bowl. </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><b style="background-color: white;">Ingredients: </b><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">1/2 c. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Truv%C3%ADa-Cane-Sugar-Blend-24/dp/B0094HB8V0/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1536902355&sr=8-3&keywords=truvia+baking+blend">Truvia Baking Blend</a> or another </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">erythritol baking blend</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">1/2 c. coconut oil, melted</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">3 ripe bananas, mashed</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">2 eggs, large at room temperature</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">1 c. flour</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">1/4 c. cake flour</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">1/4 tsp salt</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">1 tsp baking soda</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><b style="background-color: white;">Directions: </b></span><br />
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Either grease/flour 12 muffin cups or place cupcake liners/papers in your muffin/cupcake tin. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a medium bowl or a stand mixer cream the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Truv%C3%ADa-Cane-Sugar-Blend-24/dp/B0094HB8V0/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1536902355&sr=8-3&keywords=truvia+baking+blend">Truvia</a> or similar sugar and melted coconut oil until mixed well. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Add the ripe bananas one at a time mixing between each addition. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Add the eggs one at time mixing between additions. If your eggs are not at room temperature the coconut oil may solidify on your mixer paddle or spoon. I find sticking my metal bowl in the oven that is preheating for a couple minutes warms the coconut oil again and allows me to mix the muffins well. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Add the remaining ingredients in the order listed. Mix the batter together until everything is just combined. Don't over mix the batter. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Use a large cookie scoop, or pour approximately 3 tablespoons of batter into each muffin cup. You don't want the muffins more than 3/4 full. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bake the muffins at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 17 minutes was my magic number. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Remove pans from the oven and allow them to cool.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enjoy banana muffins warm or cold. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Store your completely cooled muffins in an airtight container on the counter or in the refrigerator. You can freeze banana muffins in small freezer bags and take them out of the freezer as you desire. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">Happy <b>Semi-Healthy Banana Muffin eating</b>!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-9966881615333378392018-09-11T04:00:00.000-07:002018-09-13T21:42:53.995-07:00Dream Country gets 4.5 Stars {ya, historical fiction} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlqbikQyHZfcx1tolQFU47ftTteRiZGnidV9aBzq-GobDfvzZ1zR4HU74aYTd7UR7D51Pfv8WoV5UstzjCmDCGrICximDQ-FmqN7oti06g6-SnzcYeHAGLaZNJtGo-ctvieGqUllgOprN/s1600/DreamCountry_BlogBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Blog Tour for the publishing of Dream Country by Shannon Gibney. A teen read/ya (young adult) historical fiction about a Liberian family. It takes place in current time, but also goes back to the 1820s. Fabulous book earning 4.5 out of 5 stars. Page Turner, Enlightening, Eye-opening, Excellent. Emotional. Sad. Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/ alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1600" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlqbikQyHZfcx1tolQFU47ftTteRiZGnidV9aBzq-GobDfvzZ1zR4HU74aYTd7UR7D51Pfv8WoV5UstzjCmDCGrICximDQ-FmqN7oti06g6-SnzcYeHAGLaZNJtGo-ctvieGqUllgOprN/s640/DreamCountry_BlogBanner.jpg" title="Blog Tour for the publishing of Dream Country by Shannon Gibney. A teen read/ya (young adult) historical fiction about a Liberian family. It takes place in current time, but also goes back to the 1820s. Fabulous book earning 4.5 out of 5 stars. Page Turner, Enlightening, Eye-opening, Excellent. Emotional. Sad. Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/ alohamoraopenabook" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Dream Country</i> comes out today! On this day, when in America we think about freedom, you can grab a copy from Amazon, the library, or your favorite bookshop to read about a Liberian family (5 generations) searching and fighting for freedom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Blog Tour means you get a chance to read what many of us thought of this newly published book by touring the participating blogs. Yesterday,<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.moyatobey.wordpress.com/&source=gmail&ust=1536551741252000&usg=AFQjCNGkCGo9c0UhDOH2MAD22vV09bgFPg" href="http://www.moyatobey.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">An Existence Transcribed</a><span style="background-color: white;"> shared her thoughts, and tomorrow you can head over to</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.jenabrownwrites.com/&source=gmail&ust=1536551741252000&usg=AFQjCNGq-zAa2rY5qUomC0Un_jAzQnxeFg" href="http://www.jenabrownwrites.com/" target="_blank">Jena Brown Writes</a><span style="background-color: white;"> to see what she thought of the the book. Though this teen read is distressing, it is fantastic and adults as well as teens should give it a read. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZTrG8V6kEqXOlnbzexVC0fatTt1-iNzSKge8CBZvRpPi0IJKfFR0TavqPROSoTmMMXI1X4-P2NFv8KBPq0xvTEX53AnTwfRmMjW0Jj2Zbyvn2D1vzDr2lV0nqRnYwCXA9GrMjHzySQ5u/s1600/Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dream Country by Shannon Gibney. A teen read/ya (young adult) historical fiction about a Liberian family. It takes place in current time, but also goes back to the 1820s. Fabulous book earning 4.5 out of 5 stars. Page Turner, Enlightening, Eye-opening, Excellent. Emotional. Sad. Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/ alohamoraopenabook new book 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1059" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZTrG8V6kEqXOlnbzexVC0fatTt1-iNzSKge8CBZvRpPi0IJKfFR0TavqPROSoTmMMXI1X4-P2NFv8KBPq0xvTEX53AnTwfRmMjW0Jj2Zbyvn2D1vzDr2lV0nqRnYwCXA9GrMjHzySQ5u/s640/Cover.jpg" title="Dream Country by Shannon Gibney. A teen read/ya (young adult) historical fiction about a Liberian family. It takes place in current time, but also goes back to the 1820s. Fabulous book earning 4.5 out of 5 stars. Page Turner, Enlightening, Eye-opening, Excellent. Emotional. Sad. Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/ alohamoraopenabook" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Dream Country </i> by Shannon Gibney</b> is well deserving of it's <b>4.5 out of 5 stars </b>in my review. I found this young adult book to be a page turner. It's a fascinating and enlightening story, that had me feeling for each of the characters in each of the parts of the story. <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Country-Shannon-Gibney/dp/0735231672">Dream Country</a></i> is truly eye-opening to experiences and journey that spans almost 200 years for a family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book was broken up into 5 parts, each section was set during a different time with a different main character. The parts of the story connect b/c they are all one family, but it isn't until you are in the last 2 sections you see how it all intertwines. Too be honest, I loved the different sections of the story and the history that I learned with not only the historical events but how the people and main characters were treated. The facts make the story interesting, but the character's feelings make the story powerful. I loved the complex nature of the story that brought everything together. I loved that the story of her family was created by Angel, a character you meet in the beginning. She wrote the story for therapeutic purposes to help her understand not only her family, but also herself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Truly, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Country-Shannon-Gibney/dp/0735231672">Dream Country</a></i> is a great book; it is well written (only one typo found). The only improvement to the story would've been the curse words. I felt the swearing was a bit excessive at the beginning, and a bit out of place in other sections. Sometimes, I feel writing a book with that much language is in an effort to attract teen readers. The story would've been just as powerful, if not more so, with less language.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://shannongibney.com/about/">Shannon Gibney's</a> author note, at the end, explains how compelled she felt to write the story and who she hopes will read it. "It is for anyone anywhere who has tried to make themselves whole through small pieces of a larger story they could cobble together. It is for everything we have forgotten, and what we dream."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Dream Country</i> is really great; I hope you get a chance to check it out. I learned a ton, and found myself completely engrossed in Angel, Kollie, Togar, Yasmine, and Ujay's stories. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My main thoughts while reading this book: Sad. Eye-Opening. Appreciative to know their stories. Sad tho. Can't wait to her what you think of it. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deep Insightful Distressing</b><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> YA Historical Fiction Reading!</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Country-Shannon-Gibney/dp/0735231672"><i>Dream Country</i> by Shannon Gibney</a></span></b><br /><b>Rating:</b> 4.5/5 stars<br /><b>Best For: </b>15 and up, 9th grade and up</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b># of Pages:</b> 337<br /><b>Clean Read:</b> No, a lot of language with mentions, though little detail, of violence and raping. <br /><b>Worth a Check Out: </b>Yes, this book is deep and sad, but so very good.<br /><b>Buy It or Not: </b>This book is well written with a beautiful story entwined. Definitely worth a purchase. </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Book Club Discussion: </b>What do you think of the term <i>fictional canvas of fact</i> in regards to the narrative family history Angel wrote? Why do you think it was therapeutic for Angel to find out where she came from? The author stated that "some stories you choose, and others choose you. How do you think that would change the writing experience? Do you think Yasmine changed b/c of where she was at, or b/c of the experiences she had? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Lesson Ideas: </b>Refugees. Refugee Camps. Liberia/Congo conflict. American Colonization Society. Forced Labor Period. Liberian Civil War. Immigrants. African Americans and Black Americans. Monrovia. Slavery vs. Poor Wages. Racism. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Once you read <i>Dream Country</i>, I'd love to hear what you thought of it. <br /><br /><br />More than a few quotes I loved from <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Country-Shannon-Gibney/dp/0735231672">Dream Country</a></i><i>: </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"They {curse words} were like ketchup on a hamburger or pepper in soup- they gave everything flavor." -Kollie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"The brilliant younger daughter who everyone liked, and the disappointing older son who just wouldn't try. Those had been their identities and their relationship to each other as long as he could remember." - referencing Angel and Kollie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"DAD CANNOT SAVE YOU FROM EVERYTHING. ESPECIALLY YOURSELF." - Angel</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"They say that America is the Land of Opportunity, and I suppose that it is. If you want to better yourself, they will give you the opportunity to do so. But if you want to destroy yourself, they will give you that opportunity too."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I worry I done wrong, brining you here," Yasmine said. "I worry that this place making you-making us-different. Meaner. Smaller, somehow."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Time for allowing and forbidding and punishing's long gone. Now's the time for acceptance. And happiness for what's to be, and what already is." - Lani</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"This was his favorite part of being a father; the physical closeness between him and the child. They way it inexplicably, magically translate into emotional closeness." - Ujay</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Our bodies enclose the twisted threads of history- passes flesh to flesh, from parent to child, conquer to conquered, lover to beloved." -Angel </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I received an ARC from <a href="http://www.penguinteen.com/">Penguin Young Readers</a> in exchange for my review and honest opinion. All of my thoughts, opinions, and words are my own. </span></div>
MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-64450691856603063642018-09-06T22:23:00.001-07:002018-09-13T21:40:55.859-07:00Love and Gelato gets 4 Stars {ya lit, contemporary fiction, romance} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9OHU3_DPngcSX1ZCF4lQJh67_3WeWuFEG2KFRyReTMg9u9FiwZNUP86bJIfR3uWRV344ok8srcCvOVzh9oz7pIEuR7bsap6PkScqVqIlD1H7ONyw148vUYdxss2inll2BmgilELvMBgY/s1600/Love+and+Gelato+by+Jenna+Evans+Welch+fun+light+chic+lit+read+romance%252C+italy+YA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch is a cute teen read/young adult chick-lit with romance, Tuscany Italy, and a fun likable girl. Lina has to work through the recent death of her mother to cancer. Great read. Great character development. Coming of Age. Check it out. What to read next. Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9OHU3_DPngcSX1ZCF4lQJh67_3WeWuFEG2KFRyReTMg9u9FiwZNUP86bJIfR3uWRV344ok8srcCvOVzh9oz7pIEuR7bsap6PkScqVqIlD1H7ONyw148vUYdxss2inll2BmgilELvMBgY/s640/Love+and+Gelato+by+Jenna+Evans+Welch+fun+light+chic+lit+read+romance%252C+italy+YA.jpg" title="Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch is a cute teen read/young adult chick-lit with romance, contemporary lit, realistic fiction, Tuscany Italy, and a fun likable girl. Lina has to work through the recent death of her mother to cancer. Great read. Great character development. Coming of Age. Check it out. What to read next. Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tuscany. Romance. Sweet story. Delicious bakeries. Gelato. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seriously, there's not much you can't like about this sweet young adult book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Gelato-Jenna-Evans-Welch/dp/1481432559/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536292944&sr=8-1&keywords=love+and+gelato"><i>Love and Gelato</i> by Jenna Evans Welch</a></b> 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 <i>Love and Gelato</i>, and therefore it's well deserving of it's <b>4 out of 5 stars</b> rating. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall, this book was the light fun read I was looking for after a heavy book like <i><a href="http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/2018/09/ghost-boy-gets-4-stars-nonfiction.html">Ghost Boy</a></i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you pick this YA book up, enjoy! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Happy <b>Fun Light Romance in Tuscany YA Reading!</b> </span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;" /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Gelato-Jenna-Evans-Welch/dp/1481432559/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536292944&sr=8-1&keywords=love+and+gelato"><i>Love and Gelato</i> by Jenna Evans Welch</a></span></b><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Rating:</b> 4/5 stars<br /><b>Best For: </b>13-18 year old girls, 7th grade and up </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Clean Read:</b> Yes, a little language. </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Worth a Check Out: </b>Yes, when you are looking for a fun light read.<br /><b>Buy It or Not: </b>Yes if you like chick-lit, Meg Cabot, or Ally Carter type of books. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Book Club Discussion: </b>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?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">Did you read <i>Love and Gelato</i>? What did you think? </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">A quote I loved from <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Gelato-Jenna-Evans-Welch/dp/1481432559/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536292944&sr=8-1&keywords=love+and+gelato"><span style="color: #3d00bb;">L</span>ove and Gelato</a>: </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You know, people come to Italy for all sorts of reasons, but when they stay, it's for the same two things." </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"What?"</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Love and gelato."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-63133815004056982272018-09-03T04:00:00.000-07:002018-09-24T19:49:03.803-07:00Ghost Boy gets 4 Stars {nonfiction, biography, memoir, adult, inspiring} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRCMAHm71jRpy-qFvaQ3KMaFPxsSr5fFM9NZ58fFM_XMS9SbLAgmw1jQkwXzJLeGY5zMY-4ah09K3h0_qJyAlceecsQ8bKvCOXfO3sLB9bPLiKYdugR77owAr2WJTn9Mhp-IThH7ujvkt/s1600/Ghost+Boy+by+Martin+Pistorius+memoir-+biography+adult+lit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ghost Boy: My Miraculous Escape from a Life Locked Inside My Own Body by Martin Pistorius inspiring thought provoking emotional read. There's abuse in there and therefore not clean, but what Martin overcomes definitely causes you to be grateful and hopeful you can overcome even the hardest things. Adult memoir, non fiction, biography, Alohamora Open a Book, alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRCMAHm71jRpy-qFvaQ3KMaFPxsSr5fFM9NZ58fFM_XMS9SbLAgmw1jQkwXzJLeGY5zMY-4ah09K3h0_qJyAlceecsQ8bKvCOXfO3sLB9bPLiKYdugR77owAr2WJTn9Mhp-IThH7ujvkt/s640/Ghost+Boy+by+Martin+Pistorius+memoir-+biography+adult+lit.jpg" title="Ghost Boy: My Miraculous Escape from a Life Locked Inside My Own Body by Martin Pistorius inspiring thought provoking emotional read. There's abuse in there and therefore not clean, but what Martin overcomes definitely causes you to be grateful and hopeful you can overcome even the hardest things. Adult memoir, non fiction, biography, Alohamora Open a Book, alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I began this book, I had no idea what this book was about. I picked it up b/c it was an upcoming Book Club book; that is one reason I love Book Club. Sure the conversation is great and the food is fun, but I love the fact that I get to read books I normally wouldn't have picked up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had no idea this book was going to be so thought provoking. I had no idea I was going to be so shocked by how people treated Martin. I had no idea the abuse Martin went through. I had no idea someone could go through so much and still come out on top and even happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Boy-Miraculous-Misdiagnosed-Trapped/dp/1400205832/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1535867166&sr=1-1&keywords=ghost+boy+pistorius"><i>Ghost Boy: My Miraculous Escape from a Life Locked Inside My Own Body</i> by Martin Pistorius</a></b> gets <b>4 out of 5 stars </b>in my review of this adult memoir. The book is inspiring. Martin's story is inspiring and eye-opening. I had no idea a 12 year old boy that complained of a sore throat could suddenly stop moving and talking and appear in a vegetative state. I had no idea people abused, physical and sexual, the vulnerable (aka those that can't talk or don't seem to have a high IQ). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The abuse was disturbing, but all of the challenges Martin overcame were inspiring. I was amazed Martin was able to communicate and even hold a job when at one point he couldn't move any part of his body. Though, love is what I found to be most amazing. I love that Martin overcame his fears of love; he loved and let someone love him completely for who he is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A couple aspects I thought could've been better were the ramblings and skipping around which made figuring out the timeline difficult. I also felt the development of secondary characters, like his parents, lacking and it could've added to the power of the story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Ghost Boy</i> is a great book, and I'm sure it'll provide a lot of great discussion at Book Club. Though, I'm needed a lighter book to balance out all of these emotions. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy <b>Inspiring, Emotional, and Thought Provoking Book Reading!</b> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Boy-Miraculous-Misdiagnosed-Trapped/dp/1400205832/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1535867166&sr=1-1&keywords=ghost+boy+pistorius"><i>Ghost Boy: My Miraculous Escape from a Life Locked Inside My Own Body </i>by Martin Pistorius</a></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Rating:</b> 4/5 stars<br /><b>Best For: </b>18+, adults </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Clean Read:</b> No, language, sexual abuse, and physical abuse. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Worth a Check Out: </b>Yes, it's Inspiring and sad all at the same time.<br /><b>Buy It or Not: </b>No. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Book Club Discussion: </b>Would you react more like Martin's mom or dad with his diagnosis? What part of Martin's story is most inspiring/impressive? Were you glad you read this book, or did it skew you a bit? What is Martin's most admirable quality in your opinion? Was there anything in the story that most surprised you? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What do you think motivated Martin to share his story?</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did you read <i>Ghost Boy</i>? What did you think? </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few quotes I loved from <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Boy-Miraculous-Misdiagnosed-Trapped/dp/1400205832/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1535867166&sr=1-1&keywords=ghost+boy+pistorius">Ghost Boy</a>: </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">“I’d be</span><span style="background-color: white;">en put into a box long before, after all. Each of us has. Are you the “difficult” child or the “histrionic” lover, the “argumentative” sibling or the “long-suffering” spouse? Boxes make us easier to understand, but they also imprison us because people don’t see past them.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">“God and I didn’t talk about the big things in life—we didn’t engage in philosophical debates or argue about religion—but I talked to Him endlessly because I knew we shared something important. I didn’t have proof that He existed, but I believed in Him anyway because I knew He was real. God did the same for me. Unlike people, He didn’t need proof that I existed—He knew I did.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Dreams can be any size you want them to be. But the important thing is that you have one that is yours.” </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“None of us knows what we can bear until we’re asked.” </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I've lived my whole life as a burden, she makes me feel weightless." </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Life can't be experienced at arms length, it must be lived." </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Life is about shades of gray; it isn't black and white." </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you can tell from the number of quotes I have that this book was inspiring and thought provoking. As always, I'd love to hear what you thought. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-57674529322827716712018-09-01T21:54:00.001-07:002018-09-01T21:54:35.453-07:00Surprise Me gets 4 Stars {adult fiction, contemporary lit} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2FMzaWq3S4t-fodJSYnH7nrFgHJl0H087lw5cnot2-ylkotZenuKHuetxiCkh6JtURsP3EfKhji0E0MOLp0smNzB9pQgp9v08z1ydfYdt7gzZpxoCmYJE8H0jsp3gCnop7hSSCH5kknD/s1600/Surprise+Me+by+Sophie+Kinsella+adult+lit+contemporary+fiction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella adult fiction contemporary lit fun easy read. England, exaggerated, if you like Moriarty's books like "Big Little Lies" check this one out. Alohamora Open a Book Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2FMzaWq3S4t-fodJSYnH7nrFgHJl0H087lw5cnot2-ylkotZenuKHuetxiCkh6JtURsP3EfKhji0E0MOLp0smNzB9pQgp9v08z1ydfYdt7gzZpxoCmYJE8H0jsp3gCnop7hSSCH5kknD/s640/Surprise+Me+by+Sophie+Kinsella+adult+lit+contemporary+fiction.jpg" title="Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella adult fiction contemporary lit fun easy read. England, exaggerated, if you like Moriarty's books like "Big Little Lies" check this one out. Alohamora Open a Book Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Surprise Me</i> by Sophie Kinsella</b> is fun. It's a fun read where the main character, Sylvie, is a bit ridiculous at times. However, she is relatable with her thoughts and feelings, but her actions are a bit more extreme than the average Jane. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Surprise-Me-Novel-Sophie-Kinsella/dp/0399592903/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1535691318&sr=1-1&keywords=surprise+me+sophie+kinsella">Surprise Me</a></i> earns <b>4 out of 5 stars</b> in my review. This novel has some great aspects, but my favorite was the fact that it wasn't predictable. There were some aspects of the story I saw coming from a mile away, but there were a few things (like the BIG thing in the story) that surprised me. I love being surprised in a story, and I think that is part of what makes a great author. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are looking for a fun adult fiction book, with a great story you'll enjoy and want to keep turning the pages, then check this book out. I don't think men will enjoy this story, but if they do read it they may commiserate with Dan, Sylvie's husband, a little. 😉 </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Fun Adult Contemporary Lit Reading with a Bit of a Twist. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Surprise-Me-Novel-Sophie-Kinsella/dp/0399592903/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1535691318&sr=1-1&keywords=surprise+me+sophie+kinsella"><i>Surpise Me</i> by Sophie Kinsella</a></span></b><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Rating:</b> 4/5 stars<br /><b>Best For: </b>18+, adult women. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Clean Read:</b> No, quite a bit of language. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Worth a Check Out: </b>Yes. Readers who like <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Big-Little-Lies/dp/1405920556"><span style="color: #3d00bb;">B</span>ig Little Lies</a> </i>or other Liane Moriarty books will like this one.<br /><b>Buy It or Not: </b>No, unless you love Sophie Kinsella. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Book Club Discussion: </b>Was Sylvie and Dan's reaction on par or exaggerated? How did your feelings to Dan change throughout the book? What did you think of the different relationships and friendships Sylvie had throughout the book (her best friend, the professor, her parents, boss and coworkers)? Does everyone have an ah-ha moment, like Sylvie had, in their life? Why is communication such a big deal in this story, and in your lives? </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you read this new Sophie Kinsella book? What did you think? </span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A few quotes I loved from <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Surprise-Me-Novel-Sophie-Kinsella/dp/0399592903/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1535691318&sr=1-1&keywords=surprise+me+sophie+kinsella">Surprise Me</a>:</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"She who conquers, conquers herself." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"Nothing changes if nothing changes." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"If we don't stick up for the ones we love then what are we good for." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">"Sometimes I wonder how we get anything done as a human race. There's always so many misunderstandings." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Any favs I missed???</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-13259667035759557832018-08-28T21:31:00.001-07:002018-08-30T21:24:51.275-07:00Long Way Down gets 5 Stars {poetry, newbery, printz, award book, contemporary lit} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2GcA-3XYwDz8rAI_mkmgfy65tmUKsvQc5N9d7SWOm2VCHaq1AKKUCLhvlhc3Up75XONnRgaVYG_8VZR3V6_RxBHnF39wdTy2Wd_fRSPQpt9RU15iI3B6UokqSj724x482kIgo1Y6zJtV/s1600/Long+Way+Down+by+Jason+Reynolds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds gets 5 stars in this book review. Newbery Medal Winner, Printz Honor book, this Free Verse Contemporary Lit is a fast read, perfect for the reluctant reader, and a book with depth and meaning. A great read aloud for the classroom. Young Adult, high school, teachers, librarians, great book, Alohamoraopenabook, Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/ books for boys" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2GcA-3XYwDz8rAI_mkmgfy65tmUKsvQc5N9d7SWOm2VCHaq1AKKUCLhvlhc3Up75XONnRgaVYG_8VZR3V6_RxBHnF39wdTy2Wd_fRSPQpt9RU15iI3B6UokqSj724x482kIgo1Y6zJtV/s640/Long+Way+Down+by+Jason+Reynolds.jpg" title="Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds gets 5 stars in this book review. Newbery Medal Winner, Printz Honor book, this Free Verse Contemporary Lit is a fast read, perfect for the reluctant reader, and a book with depth and meaning. A great read aloud for the classroom. Young Adult, high school, teachers, librarians, great book, Alohamoraopenabook, Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/ books for boys" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reluctant readers is a term to describe those that don't enjoy reading. Reluctant readers often have reasons for not enjoying reading. Maybe they have only read for assignments and never found anything that interest them. Maybe they struggle to read for one reason or another, or they struggle with comprehending what they are reading. Once upon a time I was a reluctant reader. I struggled understanding what I read b/c of a learning disability.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Obviously, I'm not a reluctant reader any longer, and I most definitely feel it is never too late to become a reader. A way to help those reluctant readers become readers is to find books that are fast reads, that grab the readers attention, and keep them turning the page. Graphic novels and books written in free verse are usually great choices for reluctant readers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Long-Way-Down-Jason-Reynolds/dp/1481438255/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535430410&sr=8-1&keywords=long+way+down"><i>Long Way Down</i> by Jason Reynolds</a></b> is a young adult novel written in free verse poetry. Now, don't let the word poetry scare you. Free verse poetry is basically short thoughts that take out a bunch of the filler words not needed to understand the characters or story. It's tough to write a great book in free verse, but Reynolds did it well. Hence, the reason <i>Long Way Down</i> won <a href="http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/john-newbery-medal-2">Newbery</a> and <a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/printz-award">Printz</a> Honor awards. The two most prestigious awards for an author, Jason Reynolds came in as a runner-up. Amazing! That's something that rarely happens. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another thing that doesn't happen everyday, but far more often than earning a <a href="http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/john-newbery-medal-2">Newbery</a> and a <a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/printz-award">Printz</a>, is getting <b>5 out of 5 stars</b> from me in a book review. Though, I guess it's not super surprising since it's quite the award winning book. #sogood</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81u0M0EDBDmva_TzXG4_VZjQ858doswugZ11ppBCNJhzbX3sgEH1MicMCcv-BY8qjuHZRClnaQFHbJzVAIDE7CegdQZvzT6sk4-CX-m4mLMNmsgGxGzhcatcx27ZWKSWm3HZn36nPX66A/s1600/Long+Way+Down+by+Reynolds+inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds gets 5 stars in this book review. Newbery Medal Winner, Printz Honor book, this Free Verse Contemporary Lit is a fast read, perfect for the reluctant reader, and a book with depth and meaning. A great read aloud for the classroom. Young Adult, high school, teachers, librarians, great book, Alohamoraopenabook, Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81u0M0EDBDmva_TzXG4_VZjQ858doswugZ11ppBCNJhzbX3sgEH1MicMCcv-BY8qjuHZRClnaQFHbJzVAIDE7CegdQZvzT6sk4-CX-m4mLMNmsgGxGzhcatcx27ZWKSWm3HZn36nPX66A/s640/Long+Way+Down+by+Reynolds+inside.jpg" title="Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds gets 5 stars in this book review. Newbery Medal Winner, Printz Honor book, this Free Verse Contemporary Lit is a fast read, perfect for the reluctant reader, and a book with depth and meaning. A great read aloud for the classroom. Young Adult, high school, teachers, librarians, great book, Alohamoraopenabook, Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Long Way Down</i> is a fantastic book. The story is interesting b/c the entire story takes place in an elevator. The story is enlightening into the life of an inner city teen. The story has depth with great character development and discussions of expectations and revenge. The story is a fast read many readers and reluctant readers alike will enjoy. This story would be a great book for high school teachers to use, read, and discuss in the classroom. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Young Adult <b>Powerful Fast Free Verse Reading</b><b>!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Long-Way-Down-Jason-Reynolds/dp/1481438255/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535430410&sr=8-1&keywords=long+way+down"><i>Long Way Down</i> by Jason Reynolds</a></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Rating:</b> 5/5 stars<br /><b>Best For: </b>13-18 years old, 8th to 12th grade. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Clean Read:</b> Violence. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Worth a Check Out: </b>Yes. Readers who like <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crossover-Kwame-Alexander/dp/0544107713">The Crossover</a></i> will like this one.<br /><b>Buy It or Not: </b>Yes. Definitely a purchase for a library collection, English Teacher, and those looking for a great book.<br /><b>Read Aloud: </b>Yes. This fast read would make a great classroom read aloud for a high school or 8th grade classroom. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Lesson Ideas: </b>Inner city, poetry, family relationships, revenge, expectations, obligations. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did you read this well deserved Newbery and Printz Honor book? What did you think? </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few quotes I loved from <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Long-Way-Down-Jason-Reynolds/dp/1481438255/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535430410&sr=8-1&keywords=long+way+down">Long Way Down</a></i> b/c they made me laugh, I could relate to them, or there was depth to it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"People always love more when they are dead." </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Laughed so hard I farted." 🤣</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Head lock that felt like a hug." Oh siblings and their special way of showing love. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You coming?" Read the book to get the depth of this last question. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did you have a favorite quote?</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span>MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-34838276764555124992018-08-23T05:00:00.000-07:002018-08-26T21:35:34.046-07:00Not If I Save You First gets 3.5 Stars {ya lit, action, romance, contemporary lit} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiCbhL_XHwzIMSsRqX8p8vRNJYV9nnDB9NxIv3TjCg3NAZhSxCnzcJ3BBHAOcmc_R8P-mQwl7MBNEpk3a34uMrF8cF336mriSvNM2yIZPitUs2UuHF8rRGUArbcBjrkjJ0Vh0-5S2wVeY/s1600/Not+If+I+Save+You+First+by+Ally+Carter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Not If I Save You First gets 3.5 out of 5 stars book review rating. YA Lit, Action, Romance, Clean Read, Short and Sweet fast read for the reluctant reader. Best for teenage girls looking for a fun book with girl power, Alaska wilderness Survival, the President's son, and a kidnapping plot. Alohamora Open a Book www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiCbhL_XHwzIMSsRqX8p8vRNJYV9nnDB9NxIv3TjCg3NAZhSxCnzcJ3BBHAOcmc_R8P-mQwl7MBNEpk3a34uMrF8cF336mriSvNM2yIZPitUs2UuHF8rRGUArbcBjrkjJ0Vh0-5S2wVeY/s640/Not+If+I+Save+You+First+by+Ally+Carter.jpg" title="Not If I Save You First gets 3.5 out of 5 stars book review rating. YA Lit, Action, Romance, Clean Read, Short and Sweet fast read for the reluctant reader. Best for teenage girls looking for a fun book with girl power, Alaska wilderness Survival, the President's son, and a kidnapping plot. Alohamora Open a Book www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com alohamoraopenabook" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ally Carter has written A LOT of books, and I always enjoy the action, girl power, and slight romance found in them. <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Not-If-Save-You-First/dp/1338134140/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534909819&sr=8-1&keywords=not+if+i+save+you+first+ally+carter"><i>Not If I Save You First</i> </a> </b>is no different. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />This book is short, aka fast read, sweet, aka fun story with a touch of romance, and perfect for the teenage girl, even the reluctant reader, to pick up and read. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Not If I Save Your First</i> gets <b>3.5 out of 5 stars</b> in my review. I enjoyed the flash back letters, and Maddie's humor through out the story. I love that Maddie, a teenage girl, saved the day over and over again with her wit, brains, and wilderness survival skills. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I enjoyed this lighthearted book with great pacing. Though, the story and the characters lacked depth, and there were more than a couple unrealistic moments which caused me to knock off a star and a half from my rating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall, <i>Not If I Save You First</i> is another fun read by Ally Carter. Which Ally Carter book is your favorite? </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Not-If-Save-You-First/dp/1338134140/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534909819&sr=8-1&keywords=not+if+i+save+you+first+ally+carter"><i>Not If I Save You First</i> by Ally Carter</a></span></b><br /><b>Rating:</b> 3.5/5 stars<br /><b>Best For: </b>12-18 year old girls.<br /><b>Clean Read: </b>Yes. There's action and kissing.<br /><b>Worth a Check Out: </b>Yes.<br /><b>Buy It or Not: </b>No.<br /><b>Read Aloud: </b>Possibly, depending on the class.<br /><b>Lesson Ideas:</b> Alaska, Wilderness Survival, Foreign Relations, Letters.<br /><br />This short and sweet YA book had my favorite line in the author's acknowledgements when she discussed the research that went into this book. "To the end, I went where people should always go for reliable answers: to librarians!"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy <b>YA </b><b>Easy, Fun, Clean Love Story Reading</b>! As always, I love hearing your thoughts on the book. </span></div>
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MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-56574710989924427712018-08-21T05:00:00.000-07:002018-08-21T20:37:03.361-07:00My Dear Hamilton gets 4.5 Stars {historical fiction, adult} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeDCdxglGnR95VAXP-NkraN0lEIxbxWAZbHLdNStZUt-1Zj-4VEptiduiZArdCYtR1w6rMfPimkvew18GRgIiHsZLeuO0wRgI7Js7lUm1dXRzzr5BmyfeU2tCd5Xm56BMrojX8kKJThmH/s1600/My+Dear+Hamilton+by+Stephanie+Dray+and+Laura+Kamoie+Front+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie book review. This us historical fiction adult lit book earned 4.5 out of 5 stars in my review. It's a LONG (700 pages) book with a ton of factual information, but fascinating. It'd make a great book club book. I'm amazed with Eliza, and not only all she did and survived but how she forgave and grew. Great character development. Alohamoraopenabook Alohamora Open a Book for full review. " border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeDCdxglGnR95VAXP-NkraN0lEIxbxWAZbHLdNStZUt-1Zj-4VEptiduiZArdCYtR1w6rMfPimkvew18GRgIiHsZLeuO0wRgI7Js7lUm1dXRzzr5BmyfeU2tCd5Xm56BMrojX8kKJThmH/s640/My+Dear+Hamilton+by+Stephanie+Dray+and+Laura+Kamoie+Front+Cover.jpg" title="My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie book review. This us historical fiction adult lit book earned 4.5 out of 5 stars in my review. It's a LONG (700 pages) book with a ton of factual information, but fascinating. It'd make a great book club book. I'm amazed with Eliza, and not only all she did and survived but how she forgave and grew. Great character development. Alohamoraopenabook Alohamora Open a Book for full review. " width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">20 minutes. That's how long I sat telling my husband about <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-Dear-Hamilton-Novel-Schuyler/dp/006246616X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534821103&sr=8-1&keywords=my+dear+hamilton">My Dear Hamilton</a></i>. It was one of those books I wanted to talk with someone about, but I didn't know anyone else that had read it. Therefore, my poor husband becomes my sounding board. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I shared with him the things that shocked me such as Alexander's well known scandal as well as the things Eliza found out after his death. I was baffled that Gentlemen Duels lasted as long as they did. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was surprised how Lafayette explained why an affair doesn't mean the husband doesn't love his wife. I'm inspired with Eliza's dedication to serving and helping others. I shared with him how wise her father, Philip Schulyer, was about what he chose to do with his wife's questionable actions. I am amazed that Eliza was able to forgive and love through all that she suffered. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, it took me far longer than 20 minutes to read this almost 700 page book. At times I felt like I was reading an incredibly well written US History book b/c the amount of factual history found inside these pages was impressive. However, I do think the 637 pages was a bit excessive, and though I was anxious to turn the pages to find out what happened there were some moments that lulled and moved slower than I would've liked. To be honest, I think that was my only qualm with the book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hence the reason why <b><i>My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton</i> by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie</b> earned <b>4.5 out of 5 stars</b> in my review. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />This book is fantastic. It's a well written historical fiction novel with a story line that shocks (and per the author note at the end, all of the shocking things are factual), inspires, and educates you all at the same time. I felt Eliza really grew and developed as a character, and the emotions you felt for her were captivating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>My Dear Hamilton</i>, though long, is a great novel that is definitely worth a check-out. Though, be warned that this new release novel will usually give you a limited check-out window from the library, so you'll have to read fast. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-Dear-Hamilton-Novel-Schuyler/dp/006246616X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534821103&sr=8-1&keywords=my+dear+hamilton"><i>My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton</i> by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie</a></span></b><br /><b>Rating:</b> 4.5/5 stars<br /><b>Best For: </b>Adults<br /><b>Clean Read: </b>Yes. Though, there is talk of affairs, drinking, homosexuality, and violence.<b> </b><br /><b>Worth a Check Out: </b>Yes.<br /><b>Buy It or Not: </b>If you love Historical Fictions and US History then buy it.<br /><b>Read Aloud: </b>No.<br /><b>Book Club Discussion Ideas:</b> There is an entire section in the back for book club questions; a few of my questions are: The Schuyler family's motto was <i>Semper Fidelis</i>- Always Faithful, Always Loyal. How does this play out in Eliza's life? Why was it important for Betsy to start going by the name Eliza? What did you think of the relationship among Eliza, Angelica, and Alexander? How did Eliza's opinion of slavery evolve as she matured and aged? What did Eliza and her family sacrifice for the sake of the nation? What were Eliza's most important choices she made in her life?<br /><br />This is an excellent, though long, historical fiction.<br /><br />Just a few quotes I loved from <i>My Dear Hamilton</i>: <i> </i><br /><i><br /></i></span>"God put us here to make a better world." Eliza's mission her entire life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"The people we love are not exactly knowable. Even to themselves. But we love them anyway."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Life, like backgammon, is a game of perseverance in which you're forced to choose the best move, even if it is only a choice between evils." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"The only just way to judge a person is by the sum of their deeds, good and bad. And in the balance, your father did far more good than harm. That's all any of us can aim to do with our lives." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy <b>Interesting US History reading</b>! As always, I love to hear your thoughts on the book. </span></div>
MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-85981330348757658062018-08-16T21:59:00.000-07:002018-08-16T22:15:17.094-07:00Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor gets 4 Stars {regency romance} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wIUCNGWPmEt0-JiqcsZ80dZfX2qTDbKoF8Zy3Nn_0D1eaxYXDx7TIZO-DPRnnnA49l9virr-TG0r6ABJU4PgdmHt4JDBTd0czsO9l81DxOnfSpAbS9S0Go2ukFJFjfphpqHm6P0_g0t7/s1600/Love+and+Secrets+at+Cassfield+Manor+by+Sarah+L+McConkie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor by Sarah L. McConkie a new author, her first book, is a clean Regency Romance. If you like Jane Austen, and are looking for a beautiful story woven check this one out. It earned 4 out of 5 stars. Book review. Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook, www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wIUCNGWPmEt0-JiqcsZ80dZfX2qTDbKoF8Zy3Nn_0D1eaxYXDx7TIZO-DPRnnnA49l9virr-TG0r6ABJU4PgdmHt4JDBTd0czsO9l81DxOnfSpAbS9S0Go2ukFJFjfphpqHm6P0_g0t7/s640/Love+and+Secrets+at+Cassfield+Manor+by+Sarah+L+McConkie.jpg" title="Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor by Sarah L. McConkie a new author, her first book, is a clean Regency Romance. If you like Jane Austen, and are looking for a beautiful story woven check this one out. It earned 4 out of 5 stars. Book review. Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook, www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I 💓 Jane Austen. My first year living in Denver after grad school, I was living by myself, which was awesome. However, b/c I had no roommate to share expenses I couldn't afford cable or internet on a teacher librarian salary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I watched the entire Felicity series, checked out from the library, on my laptop, and went through a serious Jane Austen phase. I read all of her books more than a few times, and I even threw some books by the Bronte sisters in there. It was a great year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The past couple days I flew threw <b><i>Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor</i> by Sarah L. McConkie</b>, and was reminded of my love for Austen. To be honest, the Regency Romance genre is not my go to genre, but I adored this debut book by this new author and it's well deserving of its <b>4 out of 5 stars rating. </b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I loved the complexity of the story and how beautifully it was woven together. I enjoyed Christine, her sister Lizzy, their parents, and their friends Meg and Ivory; as characters they are fun, likable, and relatable. I loved the happy ending even though you weren't always sure how the happy ending would come about. I overall loved the fun ending, and that there was more to it than just a clean romance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I enjoyed as Christine grew, matured, and had real worries and fears she worked through. Though, at times I felt her development was a bit abrupt, and a tad confusing. I was also confused with the Mr. Greenville's France story, and didn't see how it added to the story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I truly enjoyed how the story transported me to what seemed to be Loughbourn and Pemberley, but to be honest I felt that there were too many similarities to Pride and Prejudice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Secrets-at-Cassfield-Manor/dp/1462122124"><i>Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor</i> </a>is a well woven story that is a captivating. The love story is perfect, and the intrigue with the characters and their stories were fun. If you enjoy Jane Austen then you should most definitely pick up this book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d00bb; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Secrets-at-Cassfield-Manor/dp/1462122124"><i>Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor</i> by Sarah L. McConkie</a></b></span><br /><b>Rating:</b> 4/5 stars<br /><b>Best For: </b>Adults and teens that enjoy romance/regency romance books<br /><b>Clean Read: </b>Yes.<b> </b></span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Worth a Check Out: </b>Yes.<br /><b>Buy It or Not: </b>If you love <i>Edenbrooke </i>or Jane Austen books then buy it.<br /><b>Read Aloud: </b>No.<br /><b>Book Club Discussion Ideas:</b> What are the similarities to Jane Austen's <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>? Which of the 4 girls do you relate to the most? How does class play a role in who you can become? Does present day have similarities to the struggles to the "class" you are in? </span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Are you a Regency Romance fan? Which romance is your favorite? </span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">Just a quote/thought I loved from <i>Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor: </i></span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span>"She realized she had a choice to make. She could either let her old fears haunt her- and stop her. Or she could move forward, choosing to hope, believing that her future would work." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy reading! As always, I love to hear your thoughts on the book. </span></div>
MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-7002207121979173052018-07-10T09:01:00.002-07:002018-08-16T22:16:26.630-07:00The Great Alone gets 4.5 Stars {adult fiction} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIC_fwCp62ZU6itbAPlDEl5nvNPGog0SIu38j4ipEM4jjFElPgb24amT3sji60Do__kUO3RMmfP3cHpiJ5ScPZMMe70FP3VX6Jfu9cFNvgChQziQWZmJ7MnKwEenU3g0IoVfEB1Hle7e9/s1600/The+Great+Alone+by+Kristin+Hannah+book+review+adult+lit+fiction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is an adult lit (older teens could handle it especially if they loved Nightingale or Picoult books) book. This strong female character is amazing. Set in the 70s. Deals with abuse and PTSD, and a page turner. In my book review it gets 4.5 out of 5 stars. Fantastic book! Check it out. Fiction. Vietnam War, Family, Alohamora Open a Book; alohamoraopenabook; www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIC_fwCp62ZU6itbAPlDEl5nvNPGog0SIu38j4ipEM4jjFElPgb24amT3sji60Do__kUO3RMmfP3cHpiJ5ScPZMMe70FP3VX6Jfu9cFNvgChQziQWZmJ7MnKwEenU3g0IoVfEB1Hle7e9/s640/The+Great+Alone+by+Kristin+Hannah+book+review+adult+lit+fiction.jpg" title="The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is an adult lit (older teens could handle it especially if they loved Nightingale or Picoult books) book. This strong female character is amazing. Set in the 70s. Deals with abuse and PTSD, and a page turner. In my book review it gets 4.5 out of 5 stars. Fantastic book! Check it out. Fiction. Vietnam War, Family, Alohamora Open a Book; alohamoraopenabook; www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I absolutely adored Kristin Hannah's <i><a href="http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-nightingale-gets-5-stars-historical.html">The Nightingale</a></i>; it earned 5 stars from me and remains one of the best books I've ever read. When I saw that Hannah wrote another book I was anxious to check it out. Even though it comes in at almost 450 pages, <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Great Alone</i> is a fast read; it's a page turner. I found the story to be captivating, riveting, and pulls on your heart strings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Alone-Novel-Kristin-Hannah/dp/0312577230/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1531113974&sr=8-1&keywords=the+great+alone">The Great Alone</a></i> follows the Allbrights, a family in the 1970s who move a lot and finally settle in Alaska. Ernt, the father was a POW in Vietnam and suffers from PTSD, leads his family to Alaska to get away from most of civilization and claim some land and a cabin Ernt's war buddy gifted him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alaska is a place of strength, but its winters are full of dark days. The winters are tough, and one must be prepared for them. The Allbrights don't know how to prepare, but the small community pulls together to help them, and that same community then help them survive the many dark days of the winters there. Cora and her 13 year old daughter Leni also strengthen one another and have a beautiful relationship. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had several thoughts while reading this story. One of them was, "Wow! Alaska sounds beautiful and amazing." and the other thought was, "I wish I was tough enough to handle Alaska." Another thought I had was that I </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hope we all can have a Large Marge sometime in our life, or maybe the time in our life we need the most help.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I especially loved the character Large Marge; she is maybe one of my favorite characters of all time. She is smart, tough, kind, and fighter through and through. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Alone-Novel-Kristin-Hannah/dp/0312577230/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1531113974&sr=8-1&keywords=the+great+alone"><i>The Great Alone</i> by Kristin Hannah</a></b> gets <b>4.5 out of 5 stars</b> in my book review. I thoroughly loved this book. I loved the depth of the story line that involves abuse, friendship, and making the tough decisions that can define and change our lives. I loved the entire story from beginning to end. Sure, there were times the characters with their naivety frustrated me, but their strength and growth had me cheering along with them. I was concerned, happy, scared, and worried throughout the novel. I loved how the story seemed realistic, but that realism also caused predictability in a climatic moment. Overall, <i>The Great Alone</i> didn't leave me in WOW like Hannah's previous book, but it's a really great read. Definitely check it out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />One thing I love about Kristin Hannah's books are the strong female characters and that every day people can be heroic. Her books are really just fantastic, and inspire greatness! Love. 💗 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also loved reading the epilogue and the personal connection Hannah has with the story. It was powerful, and maybe made me love the story a bit more. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d00bb; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Alone-Novel-Kristin-Hannah/dp/0312577230/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1531113974&sr=8-1&keywords=the+great+alone"><i>The Great Alone</i> by Kristin Hannah</a></b></span><br /><b>Rating:</b> 4.5/5 stars<br /><b>Best For: </b>Adults, and 16 year old+ teens who like Picoult books.<br /><b>Clean Read: </b>Yes. There's a little language, action, spouse abuse, and sex is mentioned. <b> </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Worth a Check Out: </b>Yes.<br /><b>Buy It or Not: </b>It's a great book to purchase, but I won't be buying it.<br /><b>Read Aloud: </b>No, but it is a great audiobook too.<br /><b>Book Club Discussion Ideas:</b> Vietnam War and the culture in America there. Are we ever really prepared for the harsh winters of our life? Could you survive life in Alaska? Abuse, is it harder to get away in solitude? Alcoholism. PTSD. How do you cope with the Dark Days?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did you read <i>The Great Alone</i><b style="font-style: italic;">? </b>What did you think? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just a couple quotes and thoughts I loved from <i>The Great Alone:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You know what they say about finding a man in Alaska: the odds are good but the goods are odd." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Leni will always ache for the dad she always wanted and Matthew aches for the mom he lost." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br style="background-color: white;" /></i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-27827773582578534812018-06-04T04:00:00.000-07:002018-08-16T22:18:14.373-07:00Secrets of a Charmed Life gets 5 Stars {adult, historical fiction} <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3gfqan4Yjb_axM1UYn-WgnUGLtx0exRdnJlza-RanqMwyStakVlegcKK89o8600tnSw6gpMxMk1kkXtL7wtGriUqV07v_K6zwpXuyJA-osoDrtocDHPjlj-GRjdDiGvkvFR2x16NQInf/s1600/Photo+Jan+01%252C+4+31+21+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner is a clean adult historical fiction set during the London Blitz in WWII. 5 out of 5 stars for this excellent book review and a beautiful story of love, chasing dreams, mistakes, family, with a touch of mystery. Excellent Go check it out. Great audiobook too. Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/ alohamoraopenabook" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3gfqan4Yjb_axM1UYn-WgnUGLtx0exRdnJlza-RanqMwyStakVlegcKK89o8600tnSw6gpMxMk1kkXtL7wtGriUqV07v_K6zwpXuyJA-osoDrtocDHPjlj-GRjdDiGvkvFR2x16NQInf/s640/Photo+Jan+01%252C+4+31+21+PM.jpg" title="Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner is a clean adult historical fiction set during the London Blitz in WWII. 5 out of 5 stars for this excellent book review and a beautiful story of love, chasing dreams, mistakes, family, with a touch of mystery. Excellent Go check it out. Great audiobook too. Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/ alohamoraopenabook" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">World War II. London Blitz. Fate. Mystery. Family. Dreams. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Charmed-Life-Susan-Meissner/dp/0451419928/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1528088159&sr=1-1&keywords=secrets+of+a+charmed+life"><i>Secrets of Charmed Life</i> by Susan Meissner</a></b> is a beautiful WWII historical fiction story of resilience, family, mistakes, chasing dreams, and the makings of a happy life. This novel is fantastic; I loved every minute of it. There was excellent character development, an unpredictable story, and powerful moments that are impactful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The story of Julia and Emmy set during the time of the London Blitz not only opens your eyes to how extensive the bombings in London were, but also how resilient the community was with the motto, "Keep on and carry on" spoken. Julia and Emmy's stories have similar threads of love and acceptance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><a href="http://www.susanmeissner.com/bio.html">Susan Meissner</a> is a wonderful author. I loved <i><a href="http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/2017/06/a-fall-of-marigolds-gets-455-stars.html">Fall of Marigolds</a></i>, but I enjoyed <i>Secrets of a Charmed Life</i> even more. If you are looking for a great clean adult historical fiction read, you must check out Meissner's books. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy<b> London Blitz</b> </span><b>Historical Fiction Reading! </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><b style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b><b><span style="color: #3d00bb; font-size: large; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Charmed-Life-Susan-Meissner/dp/0451419928/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1528088159&sr=1-1&keywords=secrets+of+a+charmed+life">Secrets<i> of a Charmed Life</i> by Susan Meissner</a></span></b><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Rating:</b> 5/5 stars<br /><b>Best For: </b>Adults.<br /><b>Clean Read: </b>Yes. There's action, and intensity regarding war time, but considered it clean. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Worth a Check Out: </b>Yes. The audiobook is a great check-out as well.<br /><b>Buy It or Not: </b>Buy, especially if you love historical fictions.<br /><b>Read Aloud: </b>The historical aspect of the London Blitz and the mystery that goes along with it would make a good read aloud with the right group/class. It'd make a great book club book.<br /><b>Book Club Discussion Ideas:</b> How extensive the London Blitz was, Resilience, Impact of choices, Is it ever okay to lie?, People make mistakes, Fate and providence, What makes up a happy life?</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">Did you read <i>Secrets of a Charmed Life</i><b style="font-style: italic;">? </b>What did you think? </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just a couple quotes and thoughts I loved from <i>Secrets of a Charmed Life:</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Don't chase only the dream. Life is a journey not a destination."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We play the cards we've been dealt and other cards around us are impacted by the cards we play.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A happy life is not made up of what you dreamed of or achieved, but who you poured your life into and who poured theirs into yours. Love for others should be the motivation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274404210469521927.post-25979889092248937472018-05-21T05:00:00.000-07:002018-08-16T22:19:32.518-07:00God Made Mommy/Daddy Special- Instagram Giveaway Too! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFV6Yr9K53_BPrFAo48Sz9r4s53ZtxGU-M0l58SqQHoYpQBnfYCABaFm1uh-zobHFJ9QZWuBENuHwPP-btOjtsk5RoVHxz2yUpzef2rfPKHs3x6xKqT9NmJ_PN0XP3PlHmSeEa_WTc36i/s1600/2018-05-20+10.31_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="God Made Mommy/Daddy Special board books. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, and a sweet story for families to read together. Baby Shower gift. Mother/s Day, Father's Day. by Glenys Nellist picture book, reading together, board book, sweet book. Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com giveway on instagram" border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1600" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFV6Yr9K53_BPrFAo48Sz9r4s53ZtxGU-M0l58SqQHoYpQBnfYCABaFm1uh-zobHFJ9QZWuBENuHwPP-btOjtsk5RoVHxz2yUpzef2rfPKHs3x6xKqT9NmJ_PN0XP3PlHmSeEa_WTc36i/s640/2018-05-20+10.31_edited.jpg" title="God Made Mommy/Daddy Special board books. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, and a sweet story for families to read together. Baby Shower gift. Mother/s Day, Father's Day. by Glenys Nellist picture book, reading together, board book, sweet book. Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com giveway on instagram" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just sweet. Sweet, cute, simple, and fun stories for Mommy's and Daddy's to read with their little ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Made-Mommy-Special-Glenys-Nellist/dp/0310762332/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">God Made Mommy Special</a></i> and <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Made-Daddy-Special-Glenys-Nellist/dp/031076243X/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i>God Made Daddy Special </i>by Glenys Nellist</a> </b>is a sweet rhyming story about various animals and their little ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.glenysnellist.com/">Glenys Nellist</a> really has wrote some super cute books. I first found her when I bought <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BdGqNssHGl0/?hl=en&taken-by=alohamoraopenabook">this Christmas book</a> for our family. We now have <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgffVtRjy_c/?hl=en&taken-by=alohamoraopenabook">this cute Easter book</a> as well. If you haven't read any of Nellist's books, you need to check them out. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli9WWZkR2HK2oTxNKKfAKWElcNlzobFHNeyKjiLIsGCG6QkdnlwV55dfZSljsAtvKZB93CwPc_Kf8ewHpkFD23VQPp_LICoJ_QSuVW9PmaXxCGHTauFPpUzHDpoRJ6QThPFaR1NenyCn3/s1600/Daddy+inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="God Made Mommy/Daddy Special board books. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, and a sweet story for families to read together. Baby Shower gift. Mother/s Day, Father's Day. by Glenys Nellist picture book, reading together, board book, sweet book. Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com giveway on instagram" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli9WWZkR2HK2oTxNKKfAKWElcNlzobFHNeyKjiLIsGCG6QkdnlwV55dfZSljsAtvKZB93CwPc_Kf8ewHpkFD23VQPp_LICoJ_QSuVW9PmaXxCGHTauFPpUzHDpoRJ6QThPFaR1NenyCn3/s640/Daddy+inside.jpg" title="God Made Mommy/Daddy Special board books. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, and a sweet story for families to read together. Baby Shower gift. Mother/s Day, Father's Day. by Glenys Nellist picture book, reading together, board book, sweet book. Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com giveway on instagram" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The animals in the Mommy book and the Daddy book are different, and that makes it even more fun for kids. You must check out these cute books, especially if you have toddlers or preschoolers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv-9jDJGox9wtG8dkYBYiZ84gvYOaViC4YKG9rgqFZPEaEoVO9yy2xGyoyfxApg4pRHljMCaVshui3-wUKZtzyFlG56TXLHuacIsQDTYs_pofA2-jjUSb9tyaCRQgIDfG0-Zeoc-5YzeJ/s1600/Mommy+inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="God Made Mommy/Daddy Special board books. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, and a sweet story for families to read together. Baby Shower gift. Mother/s Day, Father's Day. by Glenys Nellist picture book, reading together, board book, sweet book. Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com giveway on instagram" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv-9jDJGox9wtG8dkYBYiZ84gvYOaViC4YKG9rgqFZPEaEoVO9yy2xGyoyfxApg4pRHljMCaVshui3-wUKZtzyFlG56TXLHuacIsQDTYs_pofA2-jjUSb9tyaCRQgIDfG0-Zeoc-5YzeJ/s640/Mommy+inside.jpg" title="God Made Mommy/Daddy Special board books. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, and a sweet story for families to read together. Baby Shower gift. Mother/s Day, Father's Day. by Glenys Nellist picture book, reading together, board book, sweet book. Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com giveway on instagram" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lucky for you, you have a chance to win them on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alohamoraopenabook/?hl=en">Instagram</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/alohamoraopenabook/?hl=en"> @ Alohamoraopenabook</a>. Be sure to look for the post today. You'll have two days to win. If you aren't lucky enough to win through my Giveaway, there is word on the street that you could win next week over at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://withthehuddlestons.com/&source=gmail&ust=1526963237794000&usg=AFQjCNG-T6b8qhnkWKXuGhG9s516x8DsaQ" href="http://withthehuddlestons.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">With The Huddlestons</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Good luck! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hopefully, you'll be able to win these for a great Father's Day gift. We all need Father's Day ideas, and this will make things a bit easy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy <b>Sweet, Simple, and Fun Books' Reading! </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>MeganRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04487078604611256265noreply@blogger.com0