Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

This is the second book that Luke Reynolds has written about “Fantastic Failures.”  I gave the earlier title four stars observing

“This book, written by a seventh grade English teacher, is replete with the biographies of those who faced significant challenges in reaching their goals.  Each entry starts with a fantasy description of how things went, before, more accurately, detailing the setbacks that were faced along the way. The author believes that it is important that young people focus, not on being perfect, but on risk taking and learning. He tells his own story of having been a poor student and then turning things around. The author offers comments to students suggesting coping mechanisms when they face challenges. This book is broad and expansive. It would be an excellent resource for students and school libraries.”

I stand by these earlier comments while noting that in the introduction to this title readers will learn about the author’s baseball experiences.  The message remains the same. Some of those featured in this volume include Socrates, Emma Gonzales, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Joan of Arc along with many more.  There are also sections called “The Flop Times” that are about people including Michael Phelp, Ta-Nehisi Coates and others.  Some of the entries in these sections are also about groups as for example the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team.

This title is an inspiring resource that is written in a very readable style.  I highly recommend it for elementary school aged children.  The message of the book is so encouraging and hopefully will be welcomed by its readers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date:  September 15, 2020

Right now so many of us are preoccupied with the state of our own health.  While this title has nothing to do with what is currently happening, it is a resource for those who would like to take better care of themselves.

The journal is set up to be used for thirteen weeks though I am sure it could be used for longer either by purchasing another book or moving your goals to a notebook using what was learned here.  The idea of being able to look back and see one’s progress often helps in achieving goals which is why a book like this may be better than just resolving to “do better.”

This is a simple journal that may be helpful to readers. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#TrainingforaHealthyLife #NetGalley

The author of this lavishly illustrated title encourages readers to make sketchbooks that are uniquely theirs; she emphasizes that perfection is not the goal.  Rather the book is designed as a guided journey and exploration as readers create their own books.  The author points out that a sketchbook is a safe place, kind of like a journal it seems to me.

In our current time when it feels that there is so much to stress about, this book will be welcomed by those who need a venue to express and show feelings, thoughts, artwork and more.  Throughout the author is encouraging and non-judgmental; she is a welcome companion on the journey. 

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#ExpressiveSketchbooks #NetGalley

Geraldine is a second grader who has trouble concentrating at school; at times, her head is literally in the clouds. Geraldine’s teacher describes her as feisty while her fellow students find her to be silly.

One day at school, Geraldine perks up. Her teacher has announced the science fair contest. This speaks to all of Geraldine’s interests and talents. What will her project be? Will it be well received?

Young readers will enjoy this story of a girl who follows her own path and uses her imagination and talents to show her world the planet Mars. It can be read as a story of finding your own way and not being overly focused on how one is viewed by peers.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

There is so much talk about immigrants these days. Children, of course, become aware of what is going on in the world around them as well. This book will be a good conversation starter for both emigrant children and those who go to school, play and live along with them.

In this picture book, Salma is newly arrived in Vancouver and is adjusting to life there. She misses home and notes that her mother is very sad as well. Salma would like to cheer her up. How she goes about doing this is the subject of this story.

I liked that in Salma’s world adults tried to understand and help her. This is a perfect model to put forward.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

There is an impressive range of puzzles in the book including code breakers, word searches, crosswords, mazes, spot the difference puzzles and more.  Geared to 7-10 year olds,  this title will keep kids happily occupied and entertained.  It is colorfully illustrated and engaging.  Definitely worth a look.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#NationalParksoftheUSAActivityBook #NetGalley

We all know that the world is full of wonders though often we don’t even think about them.  This beautifully photographed title will remind you to be in awe of some amazing places.  It features both man-made and natural wonders including places like Stonehenge, Petra, Chichen itza, St Peter’s Basilica and more in the man-made section while the natural wonders include The Galapagos Islands, Iguazu Falls, Kilimanjaro, Niagara Falls and others.

Each wonder is placed on a map, is gorgeously photographed and diagrammed.  A lovely book for the armchair traveler.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.  I look forward to seeing the print copy of this one.

#WorldsGreatestWonders #NetGalley

Pub date:  August 11, 2020

This title is part of a series of board books for young children. Each vividly illustrated title explores a place by providing fun facts. There are also hidden objects to find. In this entry of Puerto Rico children to explore this U.S. territory. They see festivals, foods, bio luminescence on Vieques and more.

The books in this series can widen a young child’s world. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Friends Count…indeed they do, both figuratively and literally in this picture book, as a pup finds ten things to count. He also finds some friends along the way and they count in that they are important too. The illustrations are pastel like and sweet. Little ones may well enjoy this gentle title as they practice counting.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

I was absolutely thrilled to be given an ARC of this title by NetGalley and the publisher. I have looked forward to and read each book in this series, beginning with the first titled, The Seven Sisters, followed by The Storm Sister, The Shadow Sister, The Pearl Sister and now The Sun Sister. There is still a seventh to come.

The conceit of the series is that Pa, who may or may not be deceased, adopted seven children from around the globe. In each novel in the series, which can be read in any order, one of the sisters learns more about her past. Each book has a dual time line. In the order listed for the books above, Maia’s story lies in Brazil, Ally’s in Norway, Star’s in England, Cece’s in Australia, Tiggy’s in Spain and Electra’s in Africa. Each book has been researched for historical veracity. The books are LONG which to me has been a plus as I love to spend time with Ms. Riley’s characters.

In some ways, I think Electra’s personal story is the most difficult. Readers learn early on that, although Electra, is a world famous model, she is personally somewhat lost and struggling. The beginning of the novel places the reader in the world of Electra’s addictions. Readers will watch and hope for her recovery.

Electra’s birth grandmother’s story begins in Africa where, for reasons the plot explains, she comes to be cared for by Cecily. Cecily, an American, has traveled to Kenya where she lives with characters much like those in the “Happy Valley set.” Some sections of the story take place in Kenya and then the story moves to New York when Cecily returns there for a time.

Ms. Riley is taking on big issues in this novel; addiction, race relations, prejudice and more. I think that this makes the book a more challenging one for the Caucasian author as she is trying to authentically portray relatively recent times for African Americans while not having grown up with these experiences. However, that said, I very much enjoyed spending time in the world of the Seven Sisters.

Many, many…many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed seeing the ways in which Electra evolved over the course of the novel.

Pub date is May 19th in the U.S.  It was published in the UK in November.

See my archives for reviews of other titles in the series if you are interested.