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

My Pet Slime is the first in what will be a series of beginning reader’s chapter books.  I found it to be a fun read and think that kids will too.

Piper has always wanted a pet but is allergic to everything.  It is talk about your pet time at show and tell which makes not having what she so desperately wants even harder.  Using her ingenuity Piper fashions a pet from slime.  Amazingly when space dust from her grandmother, an employee of Astroblast Explorers, accidentally lands on the slime, it comes to life but can only be seen by children.

Piper names her pet, Cosmo. She brings him to school but then he is not in her backpack when she checks.  Piper accuses her frenemy, Claire, of taking Cosmo.  Readers will enjoy finding out what happens.

The story ends on a cliffhanger when Piper’s grandmother is missing.  That event should get readers interested in reading the next book.

The back of the book includes a recipe for slime and some facts on a particular slime discovered by scientists that can forage for food.

This is a nicely illustrated chapter book that will encourage young readers to enjoy books.  Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Today, when I was volunteering at a hospital, I read this book to a five-year-old girl who really liked it.  The story is about Grace who notices that there have not been any female presidents.  This is something that she wants to change!  Along with telling Grace’s story of an elementary school election, this book teaches about concepts including the electoral college.  It will encourage children to think about voting as something that matters and about voting for who the best candidate is.

This entry in the Katie Woo’s Neighborhood series is for beginning readers. It is a short chapter book with illustrations. I especially liked the map of Katie Woo’s community at the beginning of the story.

Katie Woo’s aunt has become mayor. This gives Patty a chance to see how government works and how decisions are made. Luckily Mayor Patty is responsive to her voters’ needs.

The book ends with several special sections that dig more deeply into how city government works. This will be helpful to young students who have not yet learned how city government functions.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for another good entry in this series for new readers.

Sophie, as you can tell from the cover of this book, is a generally alert and engaged young snail.  In this entry from the American Psychological Association’s series for children, readers learn that Sophie is a curious snail.  She wonders about things like why are raindrops wet.  Sophie thinks that school will be great as she will learn so much.

However, school is more daunting than Sophie expected.  She feels shy and literally goes into her shell.  How she breaks through and learns to cope is the subject of this book.

Read this book to a child you know who will be starting school..  It will offer some ideas and reassurance.

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

I recently reviewed a book about the Gilmore Girls.  Today, I saw this Gilmore Girls cookbook as an e book bargain.  Another chance to spend time with the crew.

The Gilly Macmillan is a mystery/thriller.

The Little People, Big Dreams series makes books for even littler people! This one is part of the My First…series. It simply tells the story of the author of the Anne of Green Gables books. Children will learn about Lucy, who was raised by her grandparents. She had imagination and found a way to write her beloved classic novels.

This book provides an easy introduction to the author. It is nicely and engagingly illustrated. I, myself, want to collect all these books!

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

From the publisher:

Debbie Macomber has been writing women’s fiction for many years. She has a keen sense for what her fans want; this includes a family story, a romance, something heartwarming and nothing that is rated above PG…and she delivers.

In this story two single moms, Jenna and Maureen, have children who are growing up, leaving home and facing some adult issues…college, leaving college, having a baby. The empty nest looms for both, especially Jenna who struggles as her daughter leaves home.

Jenna, a nurse, and Maureen, a librarian become involved in romances with Rowan, a surgeon and Logan, a plumber/construction worker. Each couple has their ups and downs but the ending of the novel is never in doubt.

If you are looking for a comfort read, nothing too taxing but a gentle escape, Debbie Macomber could be just the author you need.

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

Reviews

When I was about ten years old, my mom bought be an atlas of the U.S. that was published by Golden Books. I had been wanting the book for some time. I thought about how much I enjoyed that book when I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and the publisher.

This book is an excellent and interesting introduction to the United States. Following a welcome page, there is a section on the biomes of North America and then the states…each one has beautifully, lively illustrated pages. Readers will learn “Fast Facts.” These include the size and population of the state, along with when it joined the Union, the State nickname and the State bird. Each map has pictures imposed on it that show sites, crops, animals and more. There are also additional illustrations that highlight places to visit. For example, there is the Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee, the Crystal Bridges Museum in Arkansas, the mansions in Newport, Rhode Island and so much more.

Help a child you know to learn geography. This book can be read in the order given or randomly. It is a good resource and will be enjoyed by both adults and kids.

From the publisher:

 

Truman the Dog is a beginning chapter book that is sure to engage new readers who love dogs. With short chapters, appealing illustrations (some seemingly by the narrator), and action it is sure to appeal. See what happens when Truman enters a foster family and reacts. Watch him with his foster family and the family dog as they interact.

Young readers will enjoy the refrain, “Oh Truman, you found trouble.” Along with Kaita, young readers will wonder about where Truman will next live.

Your heart will definitely be warmed as you get to know this pup and family.

There are a number of bonus sections in the back including suggestions about drawing, meeting the real Kaita who was the basis for the girl in the story and more information about fostering.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an engaging beginning reader. All opinions are my own.

I especially recommend The Crossing Places.  This is the first of the Ruth Galloway mysteries and one of my very favorite series!