The Best Possible Answer -- A NetGalley Review

What happens when you are an ultra-high achiever and you do something that you are sure will ruin your entire life?  What happens when you can't reach the perfection that you have been pushed to be?  Well, that is what this book is about, as seen from the view point of high school junior, Viviana Rabinovich-Lowe.  First we find out about the panic attacks that stem from some pictures she had sent to an boyfriend were leaked around school.  We find out that her dad has not been so perfect and honest with her and her family.  Vivi has to learn to trust herself and the people around her.

This book was hard for me to believe, but then again, I was never the ultra-high, looking to go to Stanford, type in high school.  I did have a friend that went to Yale, but she never really seemed to have to push herself and strive for perfection the way that Vivi did.  I, also, never had the family life that Vivi had to deal with, but in talking with some of my friends, it seems like it could very possibly happen.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for giving me the digital ARC of this book, in order to give an honest opinion.

Whose Poop is That? -- A NetGalley Review

This book asks a question that all kids eventually ask, "Whose Poop is That?"  The book goes through 7 animal poops.  One page asks the question, and gives a few clues; turn the page and you have the answer and more details about the animal.  The very last page gives more poop information. Perfect for the curious kid!

Thank you Charlesbridge and NetGalley for the digital ARC to give an honest review.

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The Platinum Age of Television -- A NetGalley Review

Who would think reading a book about T.V. would be fun?  I was a little apprehensive when I started reading.  I have watched most of these shows before, whether they be reruns or  first time on television.  David Bianculli, a known T.V. critic, wrote about how certain shows lead to or helped create a new world for television watchers.

This book is separated into 13 parts, or T.V. genres.  Within each section, there are approximately 5 shows that get a specific look into them, but there are also talk of shows that interlink the next to the previous.  At the end of most sections, there is a personal profile of 1 or more people that helped to make or expand that particular genre.

This book, while over 500 pages, in my ARC, took a while to read, I am glad that I did.  My knowledge of the shows are greatly increased and I have a better understanding of television, overall.

Thank you DoubleDay Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book to give my honest opinion.

Christmas -- A NetGalley Review

Mary Lindeen does a wonderful job describing Christmas in 77 word in this short book.  The pictures are crisp and bright.  An excellent book for beginning readers!

I do love the Reading Reinforcement section at the end of this book.  This section covers: comprehension, fluency, vocabulary content, consonant blends, and close reading.  For beginning readers, this is important to gauge what they are understanding and what may need some work.

Thank you Norwood House Press and Netgalley for the free digital copy to display my honest opinion!

Merry Christmas, Dear Dragon -- A NetGalley Review

Margret Hillert has done it again!  Who would think you could write a Christmas book with only 70 words?  That is how many different words this Dear Dragon book has.

They clean the sidewalks, find a tree, make special treats and more in this beginning to read book.

Once again there is a Reading Reinforcement section that includes: phonemic awareness, phonics, reading comprehension, vocabulary concepts, and fluency activities.  This section I think is a very important part of these books!

Thank you Norwood House Press and NetGalley for the free digital copy of this book to give my honest opinion!

War Diaries: 1939-1945 -- A NetGalley Review

A unique perspective of  World War II.  Astrid Lindgren kept diaries of her perspective of the war while at home in Sweden, with her own personal thoughts/ feelings and newspaper clippings.  Sweden did its best to stay neutral during the war, but even they had to deal with rationing and preparing for evacuation if war did strike, even if it meant being looked down on by neighboring countries.  Lindgren's views are very personal and draws the reader to feel what she is feeling while she is writing or the clippings placed in the journal. 

I received a digitial ARC from Yale University Press and NetGalley for an honest review.

I feel that not having the full clippings and excepts from censor letters, only having slight description, led to not getting the full feeling of what Astrid was trying to portray, but for an ARC it was amazing!  I am also fairly sure that when making the diaries, she was not thinking about having them published.

Rock Gardening -- A NetGalley Review

In this book, Joseph Tychonievich, uses his knowledge of rock gardening to give insight into some of his favorite rock gardens in the U.S.A., Scotland, and England.  The book is basically broken into three parts: view of gardens, techniques, and plants.  In the "View of Gardens" section, the author goes into detail about each garden profiled and has amazing pictures.  The "Techniques" section talks about the styles of rock gardens and what types of rock and soil to use.  The "Plants" section gives ideas on where to put each type of plant in a rock garden, as well as, what type of plant and whether it needs sun or shade.

My favorite part of this book are the boxes within each specific garden that gives more information about a style or technique use for that garden.

Thank you Timber Press and NetGalley for the ARC to give an honest opinion.

Native Plants of the Midwest: A Comprehensive Guide to the Best 500 Species for the Garden -- A NetGalley Review

Alan Branhagen sets his book up in a very easy look up format.  The book starts out with an Introduction and other chapters that discuss selecting, designing and a guide to the plants in the book.  The main part of the books are chapters on trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, groundcovers, bulbs, and annuals and biennials.  Each of the plant chapters and set up with an introduction on the topic, followed by an individual plant.  The individual plants are then broken down into further sections that may include: an introduction, how to grow, landscape use, ornamental attributes, related plants, and notes.

While I found this book to be interesting in the beginning, the plant chapters (the majority of the book) became a bit monotonous from being set up exactly the same.  I do, however, understand that this could help those using the book for the intended use easier access to the information.  I did love the pictures.  Who doesn't like pictures of pretty plants?  I do wish that instead of a stand alone Hardiness Zone Chart, Hardiness Zone maps were included.

Thank you Timber Press and NetGalley for the ARC to give an honest review.

Do-Gooder -- A NetGalley Review

 A coming of age LGBT novel written by J. Leigh Bailey.  Would you, or could you, do something that could get you sent to Africa for summer community service?  Isaiah Martin sure did!  Do you think you could fall in love while despising your being there?  Isaiah did! 

Isaiah helps a friend by taking the gun away, but then is found with it near school property.  Because of this, he has to join his father in Cameroon, Africa as a missionary.  Isaiah hasn't seen or heard from his father in a long time, and has some issues with it.  When arriving in Africa, he is not met by his father, but one of the others at the mission, Henry.  Just a short shot way from the mission camp, they are picked up by rogue soldiers.  Will they make it out of the camp alive?  Can they trust each other and their felling? 

I think I would put this in YA Action/Adventure before I put it in YA romance.  While there may be overtones of love/lust in the book, the main portion of it is the action/adventure for Isaiah and Henry.  This is still an amazing book!  I did not want to put it down!

Thank you Harmony Ink Press and NetGalley for the free digital copy of this book to give an honest review!

The Bear Who Couldn't Sleep -- A NetGalley Review

A cute little tale of a bear unable to sleep in the forest with his parents.  He goes to the city that never sleeps.  While the book never says the actually city name, by the places he visits, you will find out. 

Growing up in Kansas, I don't think that the book would have a hold on me like if I lived in a bigger city.  I think rural area kids would have a hard time grasping the places he visits, but the message still rings true.

Thank you NorthSouth Books Inc. and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book to give an honest review.

Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the Moon -- A NetGalley Review

Armstrong is a mouse that is not part of his mouse crowd.  He believes that the moon is an object made out of rock, but his town mice firmly believe that it must be made out of cheese.  Armstrong sets out to prove them wrong.  Read along as he has to make everything from scratch to make his journey.  Does he have someone watching him after an unfortunate accident?

The writing and illustrations are fantastic!  I felt like I was with the mouse making his plans and proceeding to  fulfill them.  This book would be perfect for beginning readers, and those that have a high interest in the moon landing!

Thank you NorthSouth Books Inc.  and NetGalley for the digital ARC to give an honest review.

The Buddha Journey: Questions and Answers for the Awakening Mind -- A NetGalley Review

This book talks about the core reasons that Buddhism exists.  The first part, the part I found most interesting, was about  how The Buddha himself became enlightened.  The book then talks about the 4 Noble Truths, the 8 Fold Path, and other basics of Buddhism.  The remainder of the book is Questions and Answers, chants and prayers, and an index.  The author does remind the reader to not take his answers for truth but to meditate and research them for their own understanding.  The questions  are sorted by topic.

I love learning about other religions, or in this case as many believe that Buddhism is a philosophy or way of life.  This book did an awesome job explaining the origin basics and the basics of meditation.  I did, however, find that the question and answer section to be rather repetitive.  This book would be best for those looking into adding Buddhist ways to their religion or starting the transition to Buddhism. 

The author leaves many topics to be meditated on and researched further, which even The Buddha told his followers to do.

Thank you Waldorf Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC for an honest review.

How to Keep a Boy from Kissing You -- A NetGalley Review

This books is from the view of Aurora Skye's view point.  We see how she feels about relationships, especially her friends, her parents, her neighbor (Hayden) and her trying to find the perfect prince.  In the process of trying to find her prince, in an effort to please her mother, she tries out for the school play.  While in one of her usual fights with Hayden, she gets the lead for "Much Ado About Nothing". She feels like she has to play matchmaker for all of her friends, making sure they are all prince material.

I found Aurora a bit whiny  at times, but I firmly believed that she was in high school.  I have heard similar things come out of high schoolers' mouths.  This book is perfect for the YA group.  I loved that it subtly told readers that you can choose who you kiss (or do more with) and who doesn't.  This is something that I am not sure this age group is really taught anymore.  But, with school and family, you don't always get what you want.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book!

Why We Have Thanksgiving -- A NetGalley Review

I love Margaret Hillert books!  "Why We Have Thanksgiving" is another hit.  With only 72 words, the book illustrates the imprisonment, travel and struggles of the pilgrims.  Stephen Marchesi does a wonderful job with the illustrations. 

As with all Margaret Hillert books, I love the Reading Reinforcement activities and word list at the end of the book.

Perfect for those learning to read and for pre-k to have a simple idea of the meaning of Thanksgiving.

Thank you Norwood House Press and NetGalley for the free digital copy of this book!

Natures Temples: The Complex World of Old-Growth Forests -- A NetGalley Review

Do you know everything there is to know about trees and what they do for the environment?  Well I don't either!

This book is very detailed on everything there is to know about trees and the forests they grow in.  The author goes into great detail about how trees ages are determined, measuring height, and a chapter for each group that live in the forest (fungi, amphibians, insects, mammals, etc).

To me this book felt like a textbook turned into a personal narrative.  I had a hard time staying focused with the book, but non-fiction botany related books are usually not what I would read.  I do agree with the author that the protection of old-growth forests needs to be a top priority.  We just need to keep in mind that there is a difference in protection and maintaining/preserving.  Old-growth forests need the old to decompose to then feed the new growth, otherwise we do not have a forest!

Thank you Timber Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book!

Come to School, Dear Dragon -- A NetGalley Review

Oh, Dear Dragon!  I love Dear Dragon!  This time he goes to school with his boy.  He gets to help and spend a day at the school.  They look at books, go to recess, and a few more.

I love that the book only uses 75 words.  I think it is fantastic that Reading Reinforcement activities are included.  These activities help the child with phonics and phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension.

Thank you Norwood House Press and NetGalley for a free copy of the book for an honest review!

It's Circus Time, Dear Dragon -- A NetGalley Review

In this book, Dragon goes to the circus.  Instead of watching from the crowd he joins in the circus acts.  Read the book to find out what he does!

I love that there is a Reading Reinforcement section in this book.  These are ideas for parents and teachers to help improve the child's reading skills.  There is also a list of the words that are in to book to help with rapid identification.  This book is perfect for those that are just starting to read!

Thank you Norwood House Press and NetGalley for the free digital copy of this book for my honest review!

Fall -- A NetGalley Review

In this book, the reader is given a simple introduction to fall; leaves changing colors, cooler temperatures, bird movements, school starting, just to name a few.  I love the fall relevant pictures with the words. 

This book is perfect for pre-k and kindergarten, or those that struggle reading, especially with the lists of high frequency and content words.  I especially love the Reading Reinforcement activities at the end of the books.

Thank you Norwood House Press and NetGalley for the free digital copy of this book for an honest review.

Small Great Things -- A NetGalley Review

This book is told from the view point of 3 people, Turk (a White Supremacist), Ruth (a labor and delivery nurse, who happens to be a person of color), and Kennedy (a white public defender).  Ruth is just trying to do her job when she goes to take care of the only hours old baby of Turk and his wife Brit.  She is kicked of the case, with a post-it note from her supervisor, saying that no African-Americans can touch the child.  When the child dies, Kennedy is brought in as her defense attorney.  Kennedy says that race has no place in the courtroom.

While this books brings to light some of the privilege, racism, prejudicial and judicial issues there are in the United States today, I felt that it was over simplified and offensive.  "The vast majority of us do not come home from work today and say, Hooray!  I didn't get stopped and frisked today!"  So am I being told that if I am not being followed by store security or get stopped by the police that I am a racist.  How is following the laws/rules put forth being a racist?   Now I will admit we all have our preferences, but who doesn't.  When did preferences become racist?

I firmly believe that this book should have really been written only from 1 point of view, Ruth's.  This is Ruth's story and the treatment she received.  While I understand that the author was trying to give us a full rounded story, it really wasn't Turk's or Kennedy's story. 

Thank you Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the uncorrected digital proof given to me for an honest review.

Cheating Lessons -- A NetGalley Review

What would you do if you thought someone had cheated, especially on an important test?

This book is about sixteen year old, Bernadette and her struggles when she things that someone has cheated on the test to let them go to the state level trivia challenge.  She loves her mystery novels and uses what she has learned from some of them to find out what is going on.  Was it one of her fellow students, the teacher, or even the principal that cheated on the test?  She has to find out and figure out what to do with the information that she acquires.

I personally feel that with all the academic pressures on students today, this book is very relevant to the middle school and high school age group.  Bernadette has to figure out what to do with the information that is figures out, which is an every day issue growing up.  Who do you tell, or not tell, and how do you deal with the emotions associated with what you find out.  

I received a free copy of this book from Tadmar Press and NetGalley to give an honest review.

Jerry's Mystery -- A NetGalley Review

Jerry is now in 7th grade, got to love all those hormones starting.  There is a new kid in school and he is from France.  The girls swoon over his accent and good looks.  Jerry has to deal with jealousy and revenge in this book.  Of course, his friend Wilcox helps him through, with his meditation and looking for the Higher Self.  Jerry soon realizes that not everything needs to be dealt with and to always be his better self.

A wonderful book for those in the middle grades having to deal with not being the popular kid anymore, or just dealing the jealousy.  This book also helps to teach compassion, even when it is thought it should be given. 

Thank you Larson Publication and NetGalley for the free copy of this book for my honest opinion.

A Tale of Two Daddies and A Tale of Two Mommies -- A NetGalley Review

This review is for both "A Tale of Two Daddies" and "A Tale of Two Mommies"

Two books for young children to help them understand what it would be like to have, or what their friends have at home with two daddies or two mommies.  One friend asks the other about which helps with what part of their life.  A wonderfully written books by Vanita Oelshlager, and beautifully illustrated by Kristin Blackwood (Daddies book only) and Mike Blanc.  I feel that these would be a good books for a preschool or kindergarten class, or a similar age group library story time, when talking about families, and how they can be different for each person, that is if the school will let them talk about this type of family.


Thank you VanitaBooks, LLC and NetGalley for the free copy of this book for my honest review.

Jerry's Madness -- A NetGalley Review

Jerry's Madness is the sequel to Jerry's Magic by W.W. Rowe.  In this book, Jerry is having issues keeping his anger under control, but what 11 year old doesn't have that problem.  He gets his first kiss, deals with his friend being bullied to the point he wants to commit suicide, and learns how to be nice to even his enemies.

At first, I was thinking about this book from the view of the 8-12 year old range, and thought, "How would an 8 year old deal with the suicide attempt?" I was in this age range in the mid-90s and I don't think I would have been able to handle it then, but the bullying has gotten worse, or at least not handled as well, now than it was then. So many children are attempting or committing suicide at earlier and earlier ages.  I think that every child in this age range needs to read it.  Let everyone see what could happen when they feel so picked on, abused, and neglected. Everyone needs to learn how to control their anger and learn about forgiveness. 

This book, like the first one, has a lot of talk of the Higher Self, meditation and karmic spirituality with his homeless friend Wilcox.


I was given a copy of this book from Larson Publications and NetGalley for free to give an honest opinion.

Jerry's Magic -- A NetGalley Review

This book takes place in the late 1940s, and people are still feeling the effects of The Great War (World War II).  Jerry and his mother are some of those people.  His father had been killed during the war, leaving him with anger issues, and his mother seems to have gone loony.  Jerry becomes friends with a highly eccentric man, Wilcox, he calls The WonderWorker, who lives in the junk yard.  When Jerry tells Wilcox about his family situation and how he wants to be the "man of the house", Wilcox gives him "magical" items to sell to his friends.  When the magic turns out to not work, Jerry must do some work to get back all the money he had already spent on the sodas, floats, and chocolate bars he had already bought.

This book is perfect for the 8-12 year old age group.  I feel that it could help those that are struggling with the lost of a parents, or those in low socioeconomic situations, to know that there are those around you that can help, but you must also stay true to yourself at all times.  There are religious undertones in the book, by talking about the higher self and g-d.

Thank you for writing this book W.W. Rowe!


I was given an electronic copy of this book for free by Larson Publications and NetGalley to give an honest opinion.

When the Moon Was Ours -- A NetGalley Review

Miel and Sam are inseparable, always together, friends becoming lovers.  No one in the town knows about either one's past; only what has happened since they got to the town.  Sam arrived at a young age when his mother got a job, and Miel fell out of the old town water tower when they took it down.  Of course, what the Bonner sisters wanted they always got.  So when they found out secrets that Miel and Sam were keeping they used them to get the roses that were growing out of Miel's wrist. 

In this book the characters deal with LGBTQQA+  identification, love, trust, being bullied, being bullies, and overall, self knowledge.  With this book, we learn about the Afghani and Pakistani tradition on basha posh as well as hints of the Hispanic La Llorona folklore and healing rituals done by curanderas and curanderos.   One thing that was not expected in a YA book was the sex on the page about Miel and Sam's first time.

I, however, had to read this book twice to really be able to follow the story.  During the first read, it took me several weeks to just get through the first half of the book.  After starting the second half of the book, I didn't want to put it down.  When I read it the second time, it only took me a few hours to read, as I was finally understanding what was happening.  I am sure that knowing the ending make it easier, however. 



Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the free digital ARC of this book for an honest review.

The Romanov Ransom -- A NetGalley Review

Ever wanted something so bad that you would do anything for it?  The Russians (U.S.S.R.) and the United States sure do in Anne Armstrong Thompson's "The Romanov Ransom".  The book itself was released in 1977, and takes place about the same time.  One man from the United States is caught in the U.S.S.R., and is now in prison for being a spy.  The United States would love to have him back, but the Russians want something in return.  They want the 12 missing Fabergé eggs, made specifically for Czar Nicholas Romanov's family  by Peter Carl Fabergé himself.  Where are they located?  Hank and Leslie are on the case!  But, so are the KGB and a group that wants the return of a czarist nation.  Who are the people to which they are talking?  Could she actually be ....?  Could he be ...?  Are some of the Romanov family still be alive?  Will the man in prison survive?

Intrigue, mystery, action, and some romance.  A good book for those interested in how the U.S. government works, the removal of the Romanov's and the conditions and treatment in Russian prisons, at the time.

Thank you Endeavour Press and NetGalley for this giving me this ebook free for an honest review!

A Place to Call Home: Toby's Tale -- A NetGalley Review

A heart wrenching story about a dog named Toby trying to find a forever home.  First born on a farm with his mother and sister, but since the farmer was prejudiced against white German Shepards, was sentenced to death.   He and his sister think they have been saved by a lovely couple, but then given to another family.  Toby learns to love again after losing his sister and dealing with abuse.  He is also sure that he will never find a loving home, even after talking to the animals that live nearby and befriending them.  The author lets us know at the end that Toby's story is based on real events, which makes it even more sorrowful, but yet happy when he learns to love and be loved.  This book would be great for upper middle school or high school students, or any adult, but those that are highly sensitive may want to avoid reading.   I see this book as a way to help others learn to love again after grief and abuse, but also that an animal from a shelter can fill your house with love the same way as a breeder-bought animal.  

This book was given to me by NetGalley and Outskirts Press in exchange of an honest review.  Thank you G.A. Whitmore for writing an amazing book!

Joined NetGalley

I just joined NetGalley!  While I am typically a reluctant reader, I thought that if I can read lots of different things, maybe I could figure out what I like.  If you know what you like to read, you are more likely to read, or so I have been told.  When I was in Junior High and High School it was more about reading for book reports and getting points on the Accelerated Reader program.  I never wanted to read while I was in school.  When I reached college, I just read what I had to get done.  If a teacher said that we didn't need to buy the textbook, I didn't.  It really wasn't until I got hired at my local library, a little over 2 years ago, and the patrons were asking me what books I recommended, that made me realize, I didn't even know what I liked to read.  I do tend to stick to Juvenile Fiction and Young Adult as that is still my comfort zone.  Not really being a reader, I like to stick with books that I feel are in my comfort zone.  I am not really a series reader, buy a lot of our adult patrons tend to be.  I find it hard to relate to most of the adult readers that come in the library.  So when I was looking around the Internet for ways to get free books, I came across NetGalley.  Once I got through making my account, I saw what I could get.  Of course, the first types of books I added to what I wanted to read were Children, Juvenile, and Young Adult, but I also added a few that I thought would expand where I am as a reader.  I am looking forward to the different types of book I will be able to read and hopefully become an avid reader, and be a great reviewer and recommender!