Review: Frankie and Friends: The Big Protest by Christine Platt Illustrated by Alea Marley

 

Synopsis

Young reporter Frankie and her news crew of beloved toys learn why and how people protest as this engaging series continues.

There’s breaking news on TV at Frankie’s house—a protest to demand justice! Frankie’s mama, a journalist, gets a call to cover the story, and Frankie wants to do her own reporting, too. But what is a protest, exactly, and why do people do it? Along with her news crew, including Farrah the doll, Dan the teddy bear, and Nina the cat, Frankie prepares a feature story by doing research and conducting interviews with Papa and big sister Raven. And when the toys decide to have their own protest in support of the local movement, Frankie is on the scene to help make signs, march, and, of course, get the scoop! In this latest installment of the winning series, Frankie explores big ideas like racial injustice and activism with her supportive family and learns more about journalism in the process. Young newshounds will learn along with Frankie through all-caps vocabulary terms and a glossary at the back.

ARC Review: Safe Passage by G. Neri & David Brame

Synopsis

Thirteen-year-old Darius is going through a rough time. It's almost been a year since a terrible act of violence took the life of his mother and left him with a wound both in his leg and in his heart. With his stepdad out of work; his little sister, Cissy, always on his case; and the looming prospect of foreclosure on their house, he feels his world closing in on him.

Let's Discuss: Are you ever afraid to talk about books?

 

I am very much a mood reader. Sometimes I'm in the mood for something light, sometimes monster romance, sometimes angst, and sometimes I'm looking for something that feels real. Every once in a while we're all going to find one that hits hard. Books that affect us do it in different ways. Sometimes it's a book boyfriend we love or worldbuilding we love or something else. Other times it hits us because of something personal just to us. 

Review: The American Queen by Vanessa Miller

The American Queen by Vanessa Miller
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: January 30, 2024
Library: Yes! And then I'd tell everyone about it!

Synopsis

In 1869 a kingdom rose in the South. And Louella was its queen.

Over the twenty-four years she’s been enslaved on the Montgomery Plantation, Louella learned to feel one hate. Hate for the man who sold her mother. Hate for the overseer who left her daddy to hang from a noose. Hate so powerful there’s no room in her heart for love, not even for the honorable Reverend William, whom she likes and respects enough to marry.

But when William finally listens to Louella’s pleas and leads the formerly enslaved people out of their plantation, Louella begins to replace her hate with hope. Hope that they will find a place where they can live free from fear. Hope that despite her many unanswered prayers, she can learn to trust for new miracles.

Book Review: You're Breaking My Heart by Olugbemisola Rhuday Perkovich

You're Breaking My Heart by Olugbemisola Rhuday Perkovich
Published by Levine Querido
Publication Date: February 6, 2024

Synopsis

Harriet Adu knows that her brother’s death is her fault. I mean, it’s not actually her fault, but it still kinda is, isn’t it?

Book Blogger Hop: Happy Publication Day

The Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer. Each week we respond to the prompt and engage with other peoples post. This weeks question...

Do you post Happy Publication Day posts for books you read? (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Review)

Review: Me (Moth) by Amber McBride

Me (Moth) by Amber McBride
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: August 17, 2021
Library: Yup, we have a copy, but I wonder if we should get a discussion set??

Synopsis

Moth has lost her family in an accident. Though she lives with her aunt, she feels alone and uprooted.

Until she meets Sani, a boy who is also searching for his roots. If he knows more about where he comes from, maybe he’ll be able to understand his ongoing depression. And if Moth can help him feel grounded, then perhaps she too will discover the history she carries in her bones.