Dog Finds Lost Dolphin and More Stories of Amazing Animal Heroes National Geographic Kids Chapters series by Elizabeth Carney Nonfiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) This book is about three animal heroes. There is a dolphin rescue dog, a monkey miracle worker, and rats who find land mines. I liked this book because it is about my favorite thing – animals!
Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder Graphic Novel Biography/Memoir Nonfiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Tyler Feder was 19 when her mom died from cancer. Now in her 30s, Tyler still feels like a huge chunk of her is missing AND that her mother is still with her in all kinds of ways. She wrote this memoir of this time in her life – just as she was becoming a new … Read more
Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan Non-fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) At 24 years old, Susannah Cahalan is an ambitious dedicated reporter for the New York Post. She is seemingly healthy until little things start to go awry and her health starts to deteriorate. Doctors are perplexed at what is wrong and suggest she has mono, but later her seizures prove otherwise. She starts having hallucinations and is admitted to … Read more
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah Autobiography Biography Non-fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Trevor Noah, comedian and current host (as of 2020) of The Daily Show, was born and raised in South Africa under apartheid. He was literally “born a crime,” as his mother was black and his father was white, and their relationship was deemed illegal, as was Trevor, the result of it. Still, there were … Read more
Ostriches The Superpower Field Guide written by Rachel Poliquin illustrated by Nicholas John Frith Juvenile Non-fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Ostriches really are remarkable animals, and this energetic and engaging field guide is sure to excite and educate readers about all of their “superpowers.” Tall, fast, fierce, powerful, ostriches have evolved to survive in the African savannah, which can be hot, dry, and unforgiving (as well as being the home to a number … Read more
Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles into Comics by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost Adventure Fantasy Funny Graphic Novel Nonfiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) This is my new favorite DIY guide to writing comics. A snarky Magic Cartooning Elf encourages a not-so-artistic princess to follow her dreams and make a comic book of her own, along the way offering helpful suggestions and tips about design and storytelling. The … Read more
Short & Skinny by Mark Tatulli Biography Graphic Novel Non-fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) “Short & Skinny” is about a boy named Mark Tatulli who is short and skinny. When he watches Star Wars, he wants to make a funny version of it called “Starbores.” I think it is a good, funny book.
Night by Elie Wiesel Biography Non-fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) This tells the story of survival during a time of despair. This book represents the horrors that were subjected upon so many innocent lives during the Holocaust. Review #2 * * * * Stars (Great!) Narrated by Eliezer, this story follows the life of a 12-year-old boy who has to endure the hardships of the Holocaust. They were treated with unimaginable … Read more
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown Non-fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) The book tells the story of how a group of boys ended up winning the Berlin Olympics. I liked this book because it was really interesting.
Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey by Bob McCabe Non-fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Page to Screen tells the entire story of the Harry Potter films, from the first time the story caught a producer’s eye, to the last day of filming. It features interviews with cast members, producers, directors, and J.K. Rowling herself.