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I Know a Guy Named Noah Guy

by

Jeanne Ward

 

Everything as described and more!

 

I Know A Guy Named Noah Guy is a fun and inspiring new children’s picture book by Jeanne Ward featuring the adventures of an “everyone’s good friend” type of boy named Noah Guy. The simple narrative, which becomes catchy as can be in the musical rendition by Ward’s son, Tyler, emphasizes never giving up, being a good friend, and working together to accomplish whatever is needed. The story is illustrated in bright, vivid colors in heartwarming scenes that will make readers smile and inspire children to imagine the possibilities ahead. 

As mentioned above, the entire text of this first book in the series has been set to music and recorded by the author’s son, Tyler Ward, and is available for listening online through the author’s website or YouTube. 

I recommend I KNOW A GUY NAMED NOAH GUY to young readers and reading aloud in the classroom, during afterschool programs, or at home with family. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

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A ROOM FOR MURDER

A Room for Murder

Charlie Kingsley, #5

by

Michele Pariza Wacek

 

Ghostly drama is going down at the Redemption Inn!

 

A Room for Murder is a novella in the Charlie Kingsley series by author Michele Pariza Wacek, and reading it is an excellent way to become acquainted with the main character and town of Redemption, Wisconsin, and enjoy an intriguing ghost story. Charlie Kingsley is drawn into a ghostly drama by Nancy, her friend and the owner of the historic and haunted Redemption Inn, where she meets the Redemption’s handsome, aggravating, and recently hired police officer. 

Charlie is a friendly and helpful woman who operates a small home business crafting specialty herbal tea blends. She first learns of the Redemption Inn’s ghost, Darla, from a pair of tourists she encounters at Quoth the Raven, the local new and used bookstore. Intrigued, she heads to the Inn to ask the owner, her friend Nancy, about the ghost but inadvertently stumbles into a scene of turmoil with a guest loudly complaining that Darla tried to kill her husband. 

The town of Redemption has a peculiar reputation and odd history, so everyone is quite willing to accept the presence of a ghost as fact. But as these types of things go, something just doesn’t feel right, and before you know it, one of the guests falls victim to the supposedly deadly specter. 

The author’s writing style is easy to read, and I was soon invested in the outcome of the story. The characters were engaging and easy to get to know, and the plot was compelling. Readers new to the series should have no trouble getting comfortable with the current tale without having read the earlier novels. 

I recommend A ROOM FOR MURDER to cozy mystery readers and fans of the previous books in the series. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Sadie Soars Into Space

by

Arezu Sarvestani

illustrated by Floss Pottage

 

Fun and vividly illustrated mix of rhyme and space facts!

 

Sadie Soars Into Space is a new children’s picture book about a young girl’s interest in space, the universe, and dreams of one day traveling to distant stars. It is a vividly illustrated and entertaining mix of rhyming narrative and interesting space facts that may surprise readers of any age. 

I loved the simple story and the bright colors used, but the details in the illustrations, such as the poster of U.S. astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli gracing Sadie’s bedroom wall, caught my eye and made a big impression. Sadie is joined in her imagined (for now!)  adventures by her cat Bucket, who is decked out in a matching spacesuit and helmet. While each page presents another stop on the pair’s tour of our solar system, space facts are cleverly included among the illustrations of planets, moons, and the other assorted heavenly bodies, revealing interesting details that most adults probably don’t know. Each tidbit is one more opportunity to learn and share with the young readers and listeners in your life. 

I recommend SADIE SOARS INTO SPACE to those with young readers or read-aloud listeners, especially those who have an interest in space and for inclusion in early STEM classrooms. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy via Netgalley.

 

For this and my other book reviews, go to Boys' Mom Reads! 

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What I Must Tell the World:

How Lorraine Hansberry Found Her Voice

by

Jay Leslie

illustrated by Loveis Wise

 

Well done and thoughtful biography for upper middle-grade and older readers about playwright Lorraine Hansberry, the groundbreaking Black female playwright.

 

What I Must Tell the World: How Lorraine Hansberry Found Her Voice, words by Jay Leslie and pictures by Loveis Wise is a well-done and thoughtful introduction for upper middle-grade and older readers to the life of renowned playwright Lorraine Hansberry. The evocatively illustrated text presents the highlights of the first Black woman to have a show produced on Broadway (A Raisin in the Sun). 

Starting with her surprising childhood as the daughter of a man who had to go to the Supreme Court of the land (and won!) to establish his right to purchase a home in the white Woodlawn area of Chicago and her preparation and journey in pursuing her dream of crafting a play representing the Black experience in America. There is a short, forthright discussion of her gradual awareness of her true sexual orientation, offering parents an opportunity to discuss and answer questions with their young readers. While this little book examines her life, it naturally brings up many important social issues that can also offer additional topics of one-on-one or group discussions with readers. Hansberry experienced the gamut of discrimination in her short life: for being Black, for being a woman in a traditionally male profession, and for being attracted to another woman rather than a man. 

I recommend WHAT I MUST TELL THE WORLD: HOW LORRAINE HANSBERRY FOUND HER VOICE to young readers who want a look into the life of this fascinating woman. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy via Netgalley.

 

For this and other book reviews, go to Boys' Mom Reads!

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Soulful Struttin’

by

Julia Pierre Hammond

illustrated by Ana Latese

 

I never thought the act of cleaning the house could be so joyful!

 

Soulful Struttin’ is a new children’s picture book by Julia Pierre Hammond, gloriously illustrated by Ana Latese, that takes household chores and turns them into a joyful Sunday family tradition. Like Clara, the young protagonist, I never thought cleaning up could be such a playful experience and joyful only when behind us. 

Clara’s father has two Sunday traditions:” singing and cleaning the house. While Clara (and probably every reader) thinks singing could be pretty sweet, she would heartily love to avoid the weekly cleanup. However, her playful, energetic, and upbeat father won’t even entertain doing otherwise. Soon, he has the entire family singing and swaying to his specially curated playlist of tunes to clean by. Time speeds by, and their home sparkles, as do everyone’s spirits. 

The illustrations add to the absolute joy, with pictures that fairly dance off the page. As a bonus, the author includes the family’s perfect playlist for readers to recreate in their own music app and the recipe for Grandma Sentelia’s Gumbo. Get that gumbo simmering on the stove early in the day and relax with a ready and delicious meal after the chores are complete. 

The plot reminds us all that chores go better with a positive attitude, compelling tunes, and the family working together as a team. Young readers will enjoy the fun story and vibrant illustrations, and everyone will have their favorite songs to add to the family’s musical playlist. 

I recommend SOULFUL STRUTTIN’ to those with young readers and listeners. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy via Netgalley.

 

See this and more of my reviews on Boys' Mom Reads!

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The Sky Is Not Blue

by

Joy Jones

illustrated by Sanger Cloud

 

A wonderful children’s picture book that combines science and taking the time to see the world around us.

 

The Sky Is Not Blue is a delightful new children’s picture book about Robert, an adorable child who draws the world, specifically the changing aspect of the sky, as he sees it rather than relegating it to an indiscriminate blue background. I think I fell in love with this fictional child the first time he appeared on the page for his infectious joy and inspirational enthusiasm for life and the beauty he saw around himself. His consistent connection to the real look of his world eventually affects his teacher as well. 

I would have loved to have had this book in our library to share with my children when they were Robert’s age. Besides the storyline of observation and conscious intent, the book includes small bite-sized and child-friendly facts and the basic science behind why the sky is seen as blue and other colors. I was glad to watch Robert remain steadfast in drawing what he actually saw rather than succumbing to the cliché of always having a swath of blue at the top of his drawings.

 I recommend THE SKY IS NOT BLUE to those with young readers or listeners, especially ones with an affinity for drawing and coloring. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy via Netgalley.

 

See this and other reviews at Boys' Mom Reads!

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Shrimping West Texas:

The Rise and Fall of the Permian Sea Shrimp Company

by

Bart Reid

 

An out-of-left-field topic told with humor and style.

 

Shrimping West Texas: The Rise and Fall of the Permian Sea Shrimp Company by Bart Reid is about the author’s experiences researching, starting up, and operating his West Texas shrimp company. For those that don’t know, the location of his operations was in the Trans-Pecos region of the state, in the Chihuahuan Desert, about 500 miles from the nearest large body of saltwater (the Gulf of Mexico) and about 800 miles from the nearest ocean. Assuming the inhospitable conditions of the setting, the idea this would be even remotely possible piqued my curiosity. What Reid relates is an amazing story of innovation, hard work, and determination, and his ability to tell his story is spellbinding; I read the entire book in one sitting. 

The author begins by explaining his very particular combination of background, education, work experiences, and skills that placed him in the unique position to, first of all, consider and then undertake the development of shrimp farming in an inland desert location, not only on his own behalf but for several others who saw the merit and possibilities of the industry. I enjoyed reading about all the different entities and resources he contacted trying to determine the feasibility of the idea and the mechanics of building, operating, and maintaining the resulting operation, from starting up to day-to-day. But, it is his recounting of obstacles met, successes and setbacks, people met and friends made, and the drawbacks to and riches found in small-town living where the book really shines. The author’s humor and engagingly personal delivery elevate his story, making it a favorite for the year. Frankly, I knew from the start I was in for a treat when he opened with an Aggie joke. 

I recommend SHRIMPING WEST TEXAS to readers of unusual non-fiction topics, anyone who eats food (get a peek at where some of it comes from), and every Aggie needs one or two on their shelf at home and at work. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.

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Lonely Places

by

Kate Anderson

 

An atmospheric setting, creepy plot, and guilt combine for a satisfying young adult tale of psychological terror.

 

Lonely Places is a new young adult psychological horror story by author Kate Anderson, and its rich, evocative setting will have readers jumping in their seats at every unidentified noise. The young protagonist is realistically portrayed, and many readers will easily relate to her and her feelings, effectively edging up the engagement in this absorbing tale. 

Chase Woolf is the older sister and narrator of the story. Soon to turn 18, she’s desperately unhappy with her father’s choice of the family’s vagabond lifestyle. She longs for a stable, traditional home, specifically the one from her childhood memories in Boone, North Carolina, where they lived down the street from her paternal grandparents until their deaths. Instead, her father has committed the family to living at remote fire lookout station for a year. Her goal is to make enough money over the summer and upcoming school year to escape her current life, as well as the guilt she bears for leaving her much younger sister, Gus, behind in the woods at her family’s campsite six months earlier and the young girl’s resulting trauma. Lost for hours, when the family finally found Gus, she was tear-streaked and terrified and hadn’t spoken a word since, except to mumble to herself and now the trees that surround the fire lookout station their father has brought them to for the coming year. 

The setting in remote Utah in the middle of the Pando Aspen Grove, a real location, is vivid and creepy and plays a main role in the unfolding tale. The slow reveal of past issues at the fire lookout station are eerie twists that serve to intensify the growing suspense as Chase watches her younger sister start to change for the worse. As a parent, I wanted to shake the girls’ parents; both of these girls needed more help than a change of scenery or just ignoring it could provide. In addition to the unique and compelling mysteries of what was going on at Pando, there is the start of a normal romance for Chase at the nearby summer camp. 

The author’s easy-to-read writing style, evocative setting, vulnerable protagonists, and slowly simmering suspense of the story kept me interested and invested from start to finish. I recommend LONELY PLACES to readers of young adult psychological horror and thrillers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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Forward to Camelot:

The Final Edition

by

Susan Sloate and Kevin Finn

 

An exciting and unique time-travel adventure filled with intrigue and suspense.

 

Forward to Camelot: The Final Edition is a riveting and unique time-travel adventure by authors Susan Sloate and Kevin Finn and takes readers to an infamous time and place in American history: the days leading up to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. The book is full of surprises and twists, the first of which is the time-traveler goes back in time not to avert the assassination but to surreptitiously obtain the president’s personal Bible, which Judge Sarah Hughes used to swear Lyndon B. Johnson in as Kennedy’s successor for a current day collector. However, the protagonist has another more personal agenda for going back to these specific dates: to find and warn the father she never got to meet that something was going to happen to him on November 22, 1963, that would result in his mysterious disappearance. 

The main character is Catherine “Cady” Cuyler, a successful daytime television soap star living in New York City, or at least she had been up until the book’s opening. Newly divorced and newly out of work, she’s surprised to discover a famous movie special effects designer wants her to star in his upcoming production. When she finally came to understand that the project involved time travel, it was a hard pass for her. Skeptical, of course, she’s also responsible for her elderly mother and can’t be away from her for the length of time the job would require. Still, her contact had been convincing. 

The story hits the ground running with an exciting and chaotic scene of rescue and a deadly conflagration in progress that immediately grabbed my attention. From there, things only get more rousing and exciting as Cady ends up in 1963 Dallas. The story of Cady’s and her mother’s lives were heartbreaking. Her father, alive and in person in 1963, is not at all who she expected, and the interactions between men and women at that time, especially in the workplace, were well portrayed. Life seemed much more formal only 60 years in the past. The story is packed with surprises, a new twist occurring just when you least expected it, and aspects of some of the numerous conspiracy theories that have been floated over the decades since the assassination made an appearance in the plot. With so much at stake in this riveting tale, I didn’t want to put the book down. 

I recommend FORWARD TO CAMELOT: THE FINAL EDITION to readers of time-travel stories, especially those interested in the 1960s or the Kennedy assassination. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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Hannah’s Pony Twist

Dream Pony Riders, #6

by

Susan Count

 

Wonderful, sweet, faith-forward middle-grade pony tale.

 

While Hannah’s Pony Twist may be the sixth book in Susan Count’s wonderful Dream Pony Riders middle-grade series, it can easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel. The recurring characters are introduced with enough detail of what has transpired in their pasts to establish their relationships with one another and hint at their experiences in the previous stories without spoiling those prior books for those who haven’t read them yet. Each book features one of the pre-teen girls taking riding lessons at the stables managed by Miss Elena. This story unfolds from Hannah’s and her pony Freckles’ points of view. 

Freckles is an older animal, and Hannah is concerned he’s slowing down and will be retired. He refuses to trot unless strongly urged and walks slowly and only for short distances. However, the truth behind his behavior is a surprising and loving testament to the bond between the pony and his young rider. The plot portrays a young girl growing into her teen years and learning to look beneath the surface of someone’s behavior before leaping to judge, standing up for herself and those in need, and that pursuing one’s dream can require hard work, practice, and perseverance. 

I recommend HANNAH’S PONY TWIST to readers of middle-grade fiction, especially those who enjoy horse-themed stories. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.