2017 NetGalley & Edelweiss Reaching Challenge (February)

If you are a member or Netgalley or Edelweiss, feel free to pop over to Bookish Things & More to join the Reading Challege!  Want to join Netgalley or Edelweiss?  Just follow the links on their names! (Please note, that I am only a member of Netgalley.)  I hope to reach 100 books, or possibly more, by the end of December!  I have also seen an increase in my feedback ratio, started the month at 11% and I am now at 15%.  That is still nowhere near the 80+% that they would like me to be at, but still an improvement!

February Books (with links to the reviews)

1. Gone Camping 
2.  Nobody's Girl
3. Science Comics: Bats
4. Transformed: San Francisco
5. I Love Science
6. Wild For Horses
7. Revenge of the Green Banana
8. Life in a Fishbowl
9. Kids Go to Work Day
10. Sea Otter Rescue
11. Our Cats Are More Famous Than Us
12. World Money
13. Country Money
14. Family Money
15. Your Money
16. Compact Farms
17. If You Were the Moon 
18.  Noah Webster's Fighting Words
19. The Search for Olinguito

February Total: 19
Year to Date Total: 34 (66 to go)

The Search for Olinguito -- A NetGalley Review

The Search for Olinguito shows us just how hard it is to say that a new species has been found.  The Olinguito discovery was 11 (or more) years in the making.  First, Kristofer Helgen had to look at what we already knew about Olingo.  When things started to look different he had to use his scientific tools to make sure they were different.  He knew that this was not going to be enough to publish saying that he made this discovery; he needed to find evidence that they were still alive.  With a team, they disembarked for Ecuador and Columbia, to search the forest.  We have a whole page just describing what the forest is and why it has the name it does!  Once they found the animal, pictures were taken and they had to learn about the habits.  Finally after all of this, on August 15, 2013, we have a new species! 
What an amazing story of how we came to have the Olinguito, but how difficult the scientific process can be! 
Thank you Millbrook Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book, which made this honest review possible.  A special thank you to Sandra Markle for writing this story down!  What an amazing scientific discovery this was!

Noah Webster's Fighting Words -- A NetGalley Review

Noah Webster's Fighting Words looks like it is a meticulously researched book about the life, from boyhood to death, of Noah Webster.  I, personally, hope that everyone in the United States knows of Noah Webster.  This book is set out to entertain, but also educate children.  It is very entertaining to think that Noah Webster, himself, helped to revise this book.  I feel that this book is perfect for anyone who would want to learn about Noah Webster!
Thank you Millbrook Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book, which made this honest review possible.

If You Were the Moon -- A NetGalley Review

If You Were the Moon is a gorgeously illustrated book about what happens when the moon is out.  A perfect book for active reading as the child will be fascinated by the illustrations, but the parent or teacher could read the more detailed (scientific) parts and have more engagement.  This book is set up to help young children learn about the moon in a fun environment.
Thank you Millbrook Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book, which made this honest review possible.

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Compact Farms -- A NetGalley Review

Compact Farms takes us through 15 small farms across the United States, with one of them being his own.  This books preface gives an idea of what the author wants us to get out of the book and explain John Jeavon's ideas for small, less than 5 acre, farms should look like.  Part One asks and, for the most part, answers the question, "Why Farm Small?"  Part Two gives us the detailed look at the 15 profiled farms.  For each of these farms, the reader is given a look into what the farm does, including: a back story for the farm, map, the basic things they do on the farm, how and who they sell their produce, harvest windows, labor, water, fertility, tools and infrastructure, crop care, harvesting, and post-harvesting events. Part Three goes into starting your own compact, small farm.  Giving ideas on what you can do, but also, asking, "What do you want to do?"

Thank you Storey Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book, which made this honest review possible.

Your Money -- A NetGalley Review

Is talking about money hard for you educators or parents?  Why not give the How Money Works Series a try!
In Your Money, the reader is reminded that we all need money for certain things.  When we get money, we can do one of three things: spend it, save it, or give it away.  When is the right time to do these things?  Why do we need to do these?  Why do I need a budget?  All of these questions are answered at the level of the intended reader.  The illustrations go very will with the short, detailed paragraphs.  Perfect for late elementary and early middle grades to read and understand.  This book is laid out to not overwhelm readers of this age group, nor does it feel like they are given overly simplified answers.  The "Let's Discuss This!" section would be good for the middle grade students to do research on, to learn even more!
Thank you Norwood House Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book, which made this honest review possible.

Family Money -- A NetGalley Review

Is talking about money hard for you educators or parents?  Why not give the How Money Works Series a try!
In Family Money, we read a lot about budgets and budgeting and how they are very important at this level.  The reader is then asked to look at expenses of the household: housing, utilities, car, family fun, taxes, cleaning up, education, doctor bills, savings, etc.  Each of these expenses are given their own chapter to explore further in depth.  The illustrations go very will with the short, detailed paragraphs.  Perfect for late elementary and early middle grades to read and understand.  This book is laid out to not overwhelm readers of this age group, nor does it feel like they are given overly simplified answers.  The "Let's Discuss This!" section would be good for the middle grade students to do research on, to learn even more!
Thank you Norwood House Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book, which made this honest review possible.

Country Money -- A NetGalley Review

Is talking about money hard for you educators or parents?  Why not give the How Money Works Series a try!
In Country Money, we have discussion about why countries need money, how they get their money, what an economy is, and how each person is part of the economy.  All governments need money for social programs, education, employment, defense, housing, transportation, etc.  There are several economic influence factors listed, such as, geography, climate, natural resources, education, agriculture, population, etc, and then go into more detail about them.  The illustrations go very will with the short, detailed paragraphs.  Perfect for late elementary and early middle grades to read and understand.  This book is laid out to not overwhelm readers of this age group, nor does it feel like they are given overly simplified answers.  The "Let's Discuss This!" section would be good for the middle grade students to do research on, to learn even more!
Thank you Norwood House Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book, which made this honest review possible.

World Money -- A NetGalley Review

Is talking about money hard for you educators or parents?  Why not give the How Money Works Series a try!
In World Money, we are given a look at the history of money, how it is spent and received world wide, and why all money is different.  The illustrations go very will with the short, detailed paragraphs.  Perfect for late elementary and early middle grades to read and understand.  This book is laid out to not overwhelm readers of this age group, nor does it feel like they are given overly simplified answers.  The "Let's Discuss This!" section would be good for the middle grade students to do research on, to learn even more!
Thank you Norwood House Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book, which made this honest review possible.

Our Cats Are More Famous Than Us -- A NetGalley Review

I feel that I must start this review by saying that I am usually not a fan of graphic novels/comics. Secondly, I had never heard of Johnny Wander before reading this book.  I do, however, love cats!  This book  was amazing!  Even though there didn't really seem to be a smooth transition from page to page, it was hilarious.

Ananth and Yuro seem to find humor, or at least draw/write, in everyday occurrences.    I mean, who could laugh at a cat coughing up a hairball?  It really made me open my eyes to the joys of life and what could really be seen as funny if I just thought about it.

I, personally, did not like that each section of the book was done in a different color.  Some of the colors made it very hard to read on my computer.  Maybe it will be better with a print version?

Thank you Diamond Books Distributors and NetGalley for the digital ARCs (as this was split into 2 volumes for the advanced copies) of this book to give an honest review.

Sea Otter Rescue -- A NetGalley Review

This book is published toward the elementary age range, but I feel that it is perfect for  anyone that wants to know more about Sea Otters or the Alaska SeaLife Center.  This book describes how Sea Otter live, as well as, how they arrive at the SeaLife Center.  The reader is also given reasons why an otter may or may not be released back to the sea.  Wonderful images to go with the text!  Everyone should read this book!
*Be sure to buy this book, as a portion of the money goes to the Alaska SeaLife Center!*
Thank you Owlkids Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book, which made this honest review possible.

Kids Go to Work Day -- A NetGalley Review

Growing up in a small town, in central Kansas, I know what it is like not having a lot of jobs available that matched my interests, or even the career education that would help lead me to interested jobs.  I found this book highly educational.  Made me wish that this would have been written when I was a child.  Who wouldn't want to know more about what a non-profit is, or what exactly they do at a magazine?  Several other careers are also exposed in this book!

Thank you Greenleaf Book Group Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book, which made this honest review possible.

Life in a Fishbowl -- A NetGalley Review

Jared Stone is diagnosed with an non-operable brain tumor.  What can he do to insure the livelihood of his family, wife and 2 daughters?  Without any discussion with his family, he decides to sell his life on eBay.  When his listing is taken down, as he had broken rules about what can be listed, he is approached by one of the bidders, a television executive.  The other bidders are upset, as well as Jared's family, when a television crew show up to start a reality series about his last days alive.  His daughter, Jackie, does not want the tv crew there and starts her own behind the scenes webseries.  This webseries shows the exagerations that the show is making, and does not make the executive or his boss very happy.

When I read the blurb about this book, I thought that it would be more centered on Jackie, and what she does to deal with her father's diagnoses and death.  Instead, I get a book that is hard to follow because of all the characters that come in and out of this book.  The reality show doesn't even start around 100 pages in the book.  It was very hard to read, or stay interested in reading, for this reason.  I did, however, finish the book. I thought that the ending was forced, but I also know that cancer can have a person feeling fine one day and gone the next.

Thank you Bloomsbury Children's Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book, which made this honest review possible.

Revenge of the Green Banana -- A NetGalley Review

Jimmy is in 6th grade at a Catholic school in the 1950s.  He is trying to no longer be the trouble-maker and horrible student he was in previous years, mostly to impress a girl.   When a new teacher arrives, he sees no way out from her picking on him, other than revenge.  Jimmy is recruited to be the Green Banana in the second grade play.  Him and his friends plot their revenge on Sister Angelica Rose. 

I never have attended Catholic school, but I was able to pick and choose teachers from my past that would have fit many of the teachers that we were given information on.  I was also able to find classmates that reminded me of Jimmy and his friends.  The beginning also reminded me a bit of Frindle by Andrew Clements.  The revenge that Jimmy wanted seems to be very different from what his friends have planned, but he goes along with it anyway. 

Being a librarian and educator, I can also see from where the teacher, Sister Angelica Rose, is coming.  Who wouldn't want to help a child, or student, do better?  Isn't that what Jimmy wanted, to do better, be better!  Students always think that a teacher is picking on them, because they usually only see their side.  As this story is seen only from Jimmy's perspective, we don't really know what else is going on. 

Thank you Clarion Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book, which made this honest review possible.

Wild For Horses -- A NetGalley Review

Ever want to know why horses have the coloring they do?  This is an excellent book for that.   A unique layout to keep everyone's attention while reading.  Learn about different horse breeds, where phrases involving horse came from, where the live in the wild, and basic grooming.  A small book packed with information.

Thank you Storey Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for the digital ARC so I could give an honest review!

I Love Science -- A NetGalley Review

I Love Science is a journal for those with a love of science.  The scientific method, physics formulas, star charts, periodic table, star charts, and more start the book.  Pages to write or draw things that come into your mind, or answer questions.   Wonderful pictures, quotes, and color though out!

Even though it is not available for another month, I wish that I would have had access to it when I was just starting my scientific journey.  Perfect for anyone wanting to go into science and wants a place to put their thoughts!

This honest review in thanks to Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

Transformed: San Francisco -- A NetGalley Review

 Come meet Charley, a transman that hasn't fully gone through the change; Electra, a dominatrix that has come to California for a change of scenery; and Frankie, a lesbian San Francisco police officer, trying to clean up her precinct.  Charley has never had anyone stay with him.  Electa basically got kicked out of her former life.  Frankie has been on the outskirts of her job, since getting a new chief.  They all meet because of their circumstances.

In the beginning, I found this book hard to get into.  Once I had met all the characters and the intrigue started, I couldn't put the book down.  Who is Roscoe and where will he show up next?  Will they get together?  To me it seems like Charley and Frankie already know who they are and what they want to do, but Electra is trying to figure out her place in the world.

The characters seem to be thought out.  The timeline, however, seems a bit thin.  Several months go buy in some chapters, but others aren't even a full day.

For my honest review, I must thank New Heights (the publisher) and NetGalley for the digital ARC!

Science Comics: Bats -- A NetGalley Review

This book was an interesting way to learn about bats!  Laid out in a graphic novel, we learn about all types of bat habits: echolocation, feeding, sleeping, flying, etc.  Also learned, is about human interaction with bats: how some are afraid of them, interference, how humans can help them, etc.

This book would be perfect for any age, but especially for reluctant readers or those in late elementary school.  It is an easy read for anyone that wants to learn about bats!

Thank you for the free digital ARC for my honest review, First Second Books and NetGalley!

Nobody's Girl -- A NetGalley Review

I am glad that I did not have to endure what Barbara Amaya went through.  Sexual abuse at a young age from her father, then her brother.  Running away when her alcoholic mother would not believe her. Going through the juvenile corrections system.  Getting sold to a pimp, to be one of his under-aged prostitutes,  in New York and the physical and mental abuse from him. Addiction to heroine.  All of this before the age of 16. 

This book comes about from Barbara finally breaking her silence of her story.  Her daughter was one of the biggest influences in her adult life.  She is now  known for her human rights advocacy.

This book had me yelling at her to get away from her pimp.  Had me crying and discouraged when her family abused or ignored her.  Thrilled when she finally got away and started being able to be herself. 

Even though it is written very matter of fact, this is a great book for those that have gone through any of the things she has, or older middle school and high school.  Everyone needs to know that there is evil in the world, but that doesn't mean we need to hide.  We need to let that evil be known, shed light on it, to get rid of it.

For my honest review, I received a free digital ARC from Animal Media Group LLC and NetGalley!

Gone Camping -- A NetGalley Review

What an amazing poetry book!  Tamera Will Wissinger did a wonderful job using many different forms of poetry, some of which I don't think I have heard.  This book is perfect for learning about camping and the different forms of poetry in the early elementary grades.  I firmly believe that this would be a great attention holder for most students in those grades.  My favorite poems in this book are the ones that are spoken in multi-person: dramatic; rondel, and tongue twister poems. 

Read this book to learn about poetry provisions, techniques, and forms!

I received a free digital ARC of this book for an honest review from HMH Books for Young Readers and NetGalley!

2017 Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge (January)

If you are a member or Netgalley or Edelweiss, feel free to pop over to Bookish Things & More to join the Reading Challege!  Want to join Netgalley or Edelweiss?  Just follow the links on their names! (Please note, that I am only a member of Netgalley.)  I hope to reach 100 books, or possibly more, by the end of December!

January Books (with links to the reviews)

1. We Are Still Tornadoes
2. I Feel Worried
3. Outcome: LGBT Portraits
4. See Your Way to Mindfulness
5. Sheriff Updown Turns the Bad Guys Good 
6.  Twilight the Unicorn's Sleepytime Quest
7. Believarexic
8. The Green Umbrella
9. The Best Mistake Mystery
10. Beastly Monsters
11. Rails Across Britain
12. Porcupine's Picnic
13. I am Josephine
14. Abigail the Whale
15. Malala: Activist for Girls' Education

 January (Year to Date) Total: 15 books  (85 more to go!)