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.

NetGalley Badge

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.