by Rebel Girls

#QuestionsforRebelGirls #NetGalley Pub Date 19 Oct 2021

I have read and reviewed a number of titles in the Rebel Girls series. The books are ones that encourage young women to achieve their goals and to learn about those who have come before them. These women may have struggled but that is part of what makes their achievements so remarkable.

This book is a bit different from the ones that have come before. It encourages girls to ask questions, taking their time to do so. Entries are inspired by real women. For example, the very first entry is inspired by Lady Gaga. It quotes her on kindness and then offers three questions: What is something kind that you have done for another person recently and how did it make you feel? This is followed by what do you do when someone is unkind to you and another asking what you might do if you had the money to do something kind for people you know at school. These are good prompts for either thinking about by one’s self or in group discussion.

Just a few of the many other women who inspired questions include Mae Jemison, Lupito Nyongo, tri-athlete Paula Newvy-Fraser and Temple Grandin By spending time with them, girls are given the opportunity to better understand themselves and those around them.

This title is illustrated with bright colors. Each woman’s illustration is striking.

I very much like this title and applaud its goals. It would make a terrific gift. Adults, too, may want to ponder its questions.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

by Helene Tursten

#AnElderlyLadyMustNotBeCrossed #NetGalley Pub Date 05 Oct 2021

Helen Tursten has been writing for many years but this is the first time that I have read something by her. It will not be the last.

This book is a collection of interlaced short stories. It is a sequel to an earlier “elderly lady” collection that I will look for. I enjoyed that Maud was in her eighties as so many mystery protagonists are much younger. Maybe this is the start of a trend given other titles like The Tuesday Murder Club. That being said, she also recalls her childhood in a story that is included here.

All in all, this is a book that will delight its readers. Take a look.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Word is Murder (Horowitz)

In The sentence is Death, second in the series which began with The Word is Murder, the author inserts himself as a character in his fiction. Tony, aka Anthony Horowitz, is Watson to Daniel Hawthorne’s Sherlock. Like Watson, he theorizes but is not as clever as his mentor. In the novel, the conceit is that Mr. Horowitz is writing a series of books about Inspector Hawthorne’s cases.

In this entry, a divorce attorney is murdered. There are numerous suspects including clients involved in an acrimonious divorce. But…the murder may also be related to a past friendship and a tragedy that occurred while caving. Characters stories are developed sufficiently to give the reader a good sense of them. Suffice it to say that several plot lines are followed, there are a number of viable suspects and eventually the case is solved.

As a fan of some of the author’s TV work, I enjoyed the references to Foyle’s War. There is also information about publishing which lends authenticity. I enjoyed this book and will most likely go back to read the first in the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e=galley. All opinions are my own.

Best Buddies

by Lynn Plourde

#BestBuddies #NetGalley

Anyone who can remember what it was like to adore a childhood pet will want to share this title with a child that they know. It is that sweet. And, speaking of sweet, this quote sums up the relationship between this child and his dog:

Like cake and frosting, the best buddies always stuck together.

The story begins when a baby boy is born and comes home from the hospital. From that moment, until the boy starts school, person and pet are inseparable. Having to be away from each other challenges both. What do they do to stay connected?

This is a lovely book. The illustrations are so engaging and adorable. They perfectly show the close relationship between human and animal.

I highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Five stars

From the publisher:

An Interactive Colors and Counting Book for Toddlers

by Lo Cole

Pub Date 05 Oct 2021

This book uses rhyming text to teach young children colors and numbers. It is a cute and engaging title. Children will enjoy the surprise ending and be reassured that all is well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

by Angela Ferraro-Fanning

#LittleHomesteaderAWinterTreasuryofRecipesCraftsandWisdom #NetGalley

The cover of this title invites its readers right in. Inside are activities that involve crafts, cooking and planting. Just a few of the sections in this title include Recipes for Cocoa; Make a Dried Orange Slice Garland, How to Tap a Tree and Winter Birds and Nesting Habits. The illustrations that accompany the text are cheerful and appealing.

Consider sharing this one with a child you know. You will both enjoy it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

#ADarkerReality #NetGalley Pub Date 21 Sep 2021

A Darker Reality is the third title in Ms. Perry’s Elena Standish series and it is definitely worth reading. Those who enjoy the Maggie Hope or Maisie Dobbs series will want to give the Elena Standish stories a try. They are best read in order. That having been said, this third novel may be my favorite.

In A Darker Reality, Elena is in Washington DC; the earlier books were set in Europe. She has traveled there with her parents in order to attend her maternal grandparents’ sixtieth anniversary party. While there, she meets the absolutely stunning, charismatic and intelligent Lila Worth. Lila’s fate, what she was doing and who she was propel much of the narrative. How do Elena’s grandfather, Elena and others become embroiled in these events? No spoilers, so no more.

The novel takes place before WWII but when Germany is showing its ugliest side. How do events there connect with the story? What is America’s role in the history that is unfolding? Pick up the book to find out.

Readers will learn about an isolationist movement in the novel. And yes, there are parallels with more current events in the U.S.

Elena is a photographer. This feels like an apt metaphor for her keen way of viewing the world and those around her. She is a most likeable protagonist.

I think that this series may be my current Anne Perry favorite. For those who don’t know, she has also written the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt mysteries, the William Monk stories, the Daniel Pitt investigations and a series of Christmas novellas. She also has a series that begins just prior to WWI. All are worth exploring.

I highly recommend this title to those who enjoy good characters, good plot and good pacing. I also enjoy some of the truths that are in Ms. Perry’s sentences.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Apologies. It could not be uploaded.

Beginning-to-Read – Big Feelings by Mary Lindeen

#FeelingJoyful #NetGalley

This title is part of a series that helps children to recognize and respond to their emotions. Each entry is filled with photos of kids and adults who represent many races and whose photos illustrate the featured emotion. These photos add to the text.

In this entry, children are asked to think about what leads to their joyful feelings. The author acknowledges that the answer is different for different people, while also observing that no one feels joyful all the time. There are suggestions for a child might do to help them feel better at such moments.

This book can open the door to discussion with a child. Having access to books about many emotions will, the author believes, lead to social-emotional learning.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.