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

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.

This title is full of facts and experiments that kids can do at home to learn more about the work of rocket scientists and the universe in which we live.  For example, I learned why rocket ships are shaped as they are and how this helps with take off.  I could then have launched a small rocket from home.  Another entry  has to do with what one might weigh on different planets.  A few other subject headings include Landing on a Comet, Astronaut Training and Space Toilets.

This is a good book for encouraging experimentation and curiosity for future scientists.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#ICanBeARocketScientist #NetGalley

poisonedpenbooks.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/bn-holidays-19-1.pdf

This book is certain to attract new, young readers to the works of Arthur Conan Doyle.  It is a highly engaging, somewhat simplified but not too much so, retelling of this Sherlock Holmes tale.  I very much enjoyed reading the story in this version.  In addition to the text, there are appealing, cartoon like illustrations, boxes that describe terms that children may not know and fun extras like a list that Dr. Watson wrote or a copy of a telegram.  So, get a child you know this book and a magnifying glass.  They will soon be trying to solve the case.

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

 

This book is targeted to a young elementary school aged audience. It is divided into short chapters and has beautiful, vibrant illustrations. Madam C J Walker Builds a Business tells the story of Sarah Breedlove from when she was the first in her family born in freedom, not slavery, through her remarkable business success and accomplishments. Sarah faced many obstacles including the closing of her segregated school, the deaths of her parents, her difficult time living with a sister and her sister’s demanding husband, her early marriage, becoming a parent and her husband’s violent death. The book shows how Sarah went from this background that included the most menial jobs to becoming Mrs. Walker and a woman who was incredibly successful in building her business centered on caring for African American women’s hair.

This is a detailed, readable biography. There are additional sections at the end of the book to encourage further learning. This book should be in classrooms and is highly recommended.

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

Tasha Alexander’s historical mysteries take place early in the 20th century. In this entry, Lady Emily and her husband Colin are visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum where they become entangled in murder and chaos. The book also includes a novel within a novel that tells the story of a (freed) slave, a young woman poet and her fate.

The strengths of this book include the settings and the characters with whom I wanted to spend time. The author has done significant research and her description of the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum are filled with atmosphere, historical terms, and objects. Similarly, the world of the poet, Kassandra, comes vividly to life with its taverns, food stalls and homes both ostentatious and simple.

I enjoyed the relationship of Emily with her husband, Colin, and close friend, a lord. Kassandra, Lepida (her former owner), Lepida’s husband and Melas, a painter are all well drawn. Also, readers of the series will be interested to get to know Kat, but no spoilers here. I found the murder mystery itself to be less compelling and felt that the story could have been edited just a bit.

Nonetheless, if you are curious about archaeology and enjoy historical mysteries, you might want to pick up this latest in the series. I also recommend this author’s earlier title, A Death in St. Petersburg.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this title in exchange for an honest review.

This title is a non-fiction book for beginning readers.  It is illustrated throughout with photographs of children and the adults that they encounter during their school day.  The book elaborates some of the basic tenets of working together including, for example, honesty, sharing, fairness and responsibility.  There is a detailed section at the end of the book on ways to reinforce a child’s reading skills.  This book could be used with young children early in the school year as a way to talk about ways to behave when in school.

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

#WorkingTogetheratSchool #NetGalley

This book contains beautiful photos of cats. I enjoyed this aspect of the book very much. The written content is poems told from a cat’s point of view. My sense is that they are meant to be funny. I did not especially enjoy the poems although I can see what the writer is trying to do. If you are a cat lover and you read this one, please let me know what you think. Thanks.

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

This book is exactly as advertised.  It is a compilation of easy to prepare, appealing small bites.  There are recipes in categories including light snacks, dips & spreads, finger foods, savory plates, fancy bites and something sweet.  A few of the recipes include crispy garlic butter smashed potatoes, salmon fritters, cheese stuffed chicken meatballs marinara, bacon wrapped asparagus, chunky guacamole and marinated feta with rosemary and orange.  The instructions are clear and easy to follow.  All in all, a great resource for those who are entertaining this holiday season!

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

#TheEasyAppetizerCookbook #NetGalley

From the publisher:

The Mitford Murders is the start of a series.  The third entry will be published soon.  See archive for my review of this title.  Otherwise, a thriller, a novel and a modern classic.