Charlie Hernandez & the League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo

Review:

Audience: 4th Grade & Up

Format: Audiobook/Library Copy

 

Myths, my abuela used to say, are truths long forgotten by the world.

- first sentence

 

Charlie Hernandez knows the Hispanic myths inside and out because his abuela (grandmother) has been telling him stories about them since he was very young. Then one day, he finds out that all the monsters that he thought were myths, are actually real. Not only are they real, but they are trying to break through the barrier between life and death. 

 

This a great book for fans of the Percy Jackson series. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook and hearing the story told by someone who could pronounce all the words correctly instead of trying to imagine how they should sound in my head. We read this book for our middle school book club and will be zooming with the author this week. I'm so excited!

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/2593052/charlie-hernandez-the-league-of-shadows-by-ryan-calejo

Pug's Snow Day by Kayla May

Review:

 

 

This is a cute story in the form of a diary written by Bub the pug. He hates water and loves peanut butter, but he especially loves Bella (his human girl). Another great Branches book for young readers - an early chapter book that kids will love, especially those who like animals. :)

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/2587747/pug-s-snow-day-by-kayla-may

The Stand by Stephen King (audiobook)

Review:

Audience: Adult

Format: Audiobook/Owned

 

 

 

Another re-read (first time listen) of a Stephen King book. I figured this was as good a time as any to re-experience The Stand. My goal this year is to listen to all the Stephen King books I have previously read. This year seems like it is being written by Stephen King, so yeah.

This is one of my favorite Stephen King books and the audio version did not disappoint.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/2587721/the-stand-by-stephen-king-audiobook

Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi

Review:

Audience: Young Adult

Format: Hardcover/Library Copy

 

Chains clanked in the darkness of the holding cells.

- first sentence

 

This book comes from the same universe as Shipbreaker. In this book, Mahlia and Mouse managed to find each other and escape the Drowned Cities and live with a doctor in a small town. One day, they find a bioengineered half-man (Tool) nearly dead in the jungle. Mahlia believes Tool will save them and help them travel north beyond the Drowned Cities to a place of safety and opportunity. But Mouse is taken by the soldier boys and Mahlia must decide whether to risk everything to try to save her friend or escape to a place where freedom is possible.

 

This is a heart-pounding story of loyalty, survival, and adventure and I loved it! Though it is a bit gory at times, so be warned.

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/2587669/drowned-cities-by-paolo-bacigalupi

Stargazing by Jen Wang

Review:

Audience: Upper Elementary

Format: Hardcover/Library Copy

 

 

 

Jen Wang draws on her childhood to paint a deeply personal yet wholly relatable friendship story that’s at turns joyful, heart-wrenching, and full of hope.

 

This is a fantastic story of friendship between two girls who couldn't be more different. One of them is carefree and relaxed, the other feels like she has to be perfect for her parents and never feels good enough. Jen Wang does a great job depicting the challenges of teenage friendships. Another one for fans of Raina Telgemeier.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/2581980/stargazing-by-jen-wang

Peanut by Ayun Halliday

Review:

Audience: Grades 6 & up

Format: Hardcover/Library Copy

 

No one at my old school knew about my peanut allergy...

- first line

 

Sadie is moving to a new high school. This is a chance to reinvent herself, and perhaps even be popular.  So she decides to pretend to have a peanut allergy, but she doesn't realize how hard it will be to keep up the pretense. By the time Sadie realizes that the popular girls are annoying and shallow, her lie is part of who she is at this school. She wants to tell her friends the truth, but she is scared of losing them.

 

This is a great graphic novel. I love Sadie's story and how things get away from her because she didn't really think about the consequences of one "little" lie. The drawings are mostly blue/black/gray but Sadie's shirt is a reddish/pink color. This makes Sadie stand out in every frame.

 

I highly recommend this book to fans of Raina Telgemeier though this book is written for a slightly older audience.

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/2580887/peanut-by-ayun-halliday

Scaredy Squirrel at Night by Melanie Watt

Review:

Audience: Elementary

Format: Ebook/Library

 

Scaredy Squirrel never sleeps.

- first sentence

 

 

This is a very cute book. Scaredy Squirrel is a delightful character who kids can relate to. In this book, Scaredy faces his fears about night time and bad dreams. The book points out the importance of sleep in a kid-friendly way. The kids loved it!!

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/2576407/scaredy-squirrel-at-night-by-melanie-watt

The Great Eggscape by Jory John

Review:

Audience: Early Elementary

Format: Ebook/Library

 

Howdy! I'm Shel. An egg. How's it going?

- first lines

 

 

 

This is a cute book brought to you by the same people who brought you The Bad Seed, The Good Egg, and the Cool Bean (Jory John and Pete Oswald). I read it to our library classes on Zoom last week and the kids loved it!

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/2576401/the-great-eggscape-by-jory-john