My Side of the River by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez tells the true story of a young Mexican girl, Elizabeth. Her parents tell her how important an education is; unfortunately, when her parents get deported, she will have to take care of her younger brother and find a place to live. I thought this book was very good. I found myself cheering for Elizabeth as she tried to do the best for her and her brother. What a story! (Gerard's review, 5 stars)
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
"My Side of the River" by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez
My Side of the River by Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez tells the true story of a young Mexican girl, Elizabeth. Her parents tell her how important an education is; unfortunately, when her parents get deported, she will have to take care of her younger brother and find a place to live. I thought this book was very good. I found myself cheering for Elizabeth as she tried to do the best for her and her brother. What a story! (Gerard's review, 5 stars)
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
"A Dog Like Daisy" by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
A Dog Like Daisy by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb is about a veteran who is getting a dog to train to be a certified service dog to help him emotionally. His son, Micah, doesn't like the dog he chose, but their relationship grows friendlier throughout the book. Then ending was a pleasant surprise, but I liked Stay by Bobbie Pyron much better. (Karen's review, 2 stars)
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
"Stay" by Bobbie Pyron Inspires Children to Help Others
Thursday, September 8, 2022
"I'll Never Tell" by Catherine McKenzie
In I'll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie, five children from the same family are all grown up. It has been 20 years since a young girl was found dead at a camp run by the family. Their parents are both dead, but before the children can do anything with the camp and the land it is on, they must solve who killed that girl.
Thursday, August 4, 2022
"The Displacements" by Bruce Holsinger
The Displacements by Bruce Holsinger is about a family who is living the good life, real good! However, a hurricane changes everything and now they will have to learn how to survive without all the good things they took for granted. I enjoyed this book because I liked all the family members and the ending. (Gerard's review, 5 stars)
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
"The Younger Wife" by Sally Hepworth
Monday, November 15, 2021
"Dread Locks" by Neal Shusterman is Dreadful
Monday, August 9, 2021
"All The Time In The World" by Caroline Angell
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
"The Four Winds" by Kristin Hannah is One We Both Liked a Lot!
This is a good book that made me appreciate all I have and how easy my life is compared to what people had to deal with during the Great depression. I felt the characters were real people and cared about them. This is a sad story about what love is and its importance. I couldn't help but wonder how this book would end and was satisfied with the ending. This book certainly opened my eyes and heart to the poor people who live in poverty. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction dealing with survival.
This book reminded me of The Children's Blizzard because both dealt with children trying to survive the elements, but I liked this one better because of the writing and because there is more action in it. (5 stars)
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Sunday, June 27, 2021
"Mother May I" by Joshilyn Jackson
Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson is about Bree, a hands on mom. She is there for her kids. One day while watching a school play both of her daughters are in, her infant son is taken. Bree is told to go home. Orders will come and she better follow them if she wants to see her infant son alive! What will Bree have to do? How far will she go? Who took her son and why?
Saturday, March 6, 2021
"Big Lies in a Small Town" by Diane Chamberlain
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
"Do No Harm" by Christina McDonald
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Sunday, September 27, 2020
"Unnatural Acts" by Stuart Woods
I liked Barely Legal by this author better. The characters in this were not well developed so didn't become very interested in them. It is a quick read though with a predictable ending. (Gerard's review, 3 stars)
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Monday, August 10, 2020
"We Dream of Space" by Erin Entrada Kelly is historical fiction for kids
We dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly deals with three young teens who live in the same family--Cash, Fitch and Bird. They all go to the same school where the focus is on space and the launch of The Challenger. It is also about their day-to-day lives. I thought this book was pretty good and I enjoyed all the kids. It flowed along well with some funny parts too. (Gerard's review, 4 stars)
Teaser from page 22: "Maybe if you had a three-dimensional brain, you wouldn't be failing seventh grade for the second time," Fitch said. "Good luck getting any homework done with your right hand in a cast. Not that you know how to do it anyway."
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Sunday, August 9, 2020
"You and Me and Us" by Alison Hammer is Very Good!
You and Me and Us by Alison Hammer is told mostly by Alexis who lives with Tommy. Tommy always wanted to have a wedding and make it official, but Alexis does not want that. CeCe, their daughter, also tells some of the story. Tommy has always been there for CeCe. Alexis, who runs her own business, not so much. Unfortunately, Tommy has health issues and his time is short. The story is about how these two women deal with this and other things that come up.
I was into this book from page 1. The writing is good and I enjoyed all the characters very much. I think this book would make a good movie! Must read this one! (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)
Teaser from page 25: "It won't. And I'm not going to put you or CeCe through what I went through with my mom. The false hope, the pain and suffering."
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Tuesday, July 28, 2020
"Brave Like That" by Lindsey Stoddard
(Karen's review, 4 stars)
Gerard's review 7/28/20:
In Brave Like That by Lindsey Stoddard, Cyrus is a young teen boy whose life changes when a stray dog comes into it. Cyrus goes against his father's wishes by keeping the dog a secret, but for how long? When the secret is exposed, will Cyrus be brave enough to stand up for what he wants? I thought this book was pretty good even though it is geared to children. If you enjoyed the movie and book Wonder, you will enjoy this one. It is a quick read.
(4 stars)
Teaser from page 6: Tears burn behind my eyes because it doesn't feel right to just leave him here. It's now where he belongs.
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"The Daughter" by Jane Shemilt
The cat's face tells you what I thought of this one! |
(Karen's review, 1 star)
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Saturday, March 7, 2020
"The Making of a Miracle" by Mike Eruzione with Neal E. Boudette
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)
Teaser from page 3: And now something good, something really good and wonderful and incredible and amazing, had happened, and at that moment, that's when I stopped believing. The thought just kept going through my head as I moved from one teammate to the next.
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Monday, February 3, 2020
"Finding Chika" by Mitch Albom
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)
Teaser from page 21: To be honest, Chika, for my first few years, I didn't understand a great deal about Haiti, or the orphanage, or how I was supposed to make the place work. The power would go off every day, the water would run out, deliveries of rice and bulgur would start and stop, and we never had enough medicine.
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Tuesday, October 29, 2019
"A Dog Called Hope" by Jason Morgan & Damien Lewis
Napal is in training to be a CCI dog. Napal is a special dog just waiting to be given a chance to be someone's special helper.
I really enjoyed Jason and all the stuff he had to battle through! Of course, I loved Napal, the great dog! This book went fast and I was engaged from page 1!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)
Teaser from page 282 (large print edition):
As I left, Napal threw me a look that could melt anyone's heart. It spoke to me so powerfully. There's so much love, devotion, and companionship in here if you'll only have me. Stand by me, and I'll be your battle buddy until the day I die.
Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!