#BookReview: Scouts by Shannon Greenland @SEGreenAuthor

Synopsis: Stranger Things meets The Goonies in this suspenseful yet heartwarming adventure story of a group of friends who set out to find a crashed meteor...but find mystery, danger, and fractures in their close relationships instead.

Annie, Beans, Rocky, and Fynn. They're the Scouts--best friends who do everything together. It's 1985, and with the summer before seventh grade winding down, the Scouts decide to secretly climb Old Man Basinger's silo to watch a meteor shower. When one meteor seems to crash nearby, the Scouts know they have to go find it.

But their fun overnight jaunt through the woods soon takes a turn when they come across a series of disturbing discoveries about the meteor, and find themselves on the run from the Mason clan who live in the wilderness. Bonds are tested when new kids join their adventure and true feelings are revealed. Will the Scouts survive this journey together, or will their unbreakable friendships prove vulnerable after all?

#BookReview: The Beast (The Darkdeep #2) by @allycondie @BrendanReichs

Synopsis: Nico, Opal, Tyler, Emma, and Logan survived their worst fears come to life, and saved their tiny Pacific Northwest town of Timbers from a monstrous figment invasion. Now they just want to keep their heads down, enjoy Halloween, and explore the secrets of their mysterious houseboat clubhouse. And also figure out their new Torchbearer responsibilities as keepers of the Darkdeep, an ancient whirlpool hidden in Still Cove that can make both dreams and nightmares into reality.

But when a dangerous new breed of figments starts appearing on their own, and the very environment around them begins to spiral out of control, the friends realize they have no idea what they are doing-or how they're supposed to restrain the Darkdeep. They must uncover the pool's origins, as well as those of the freaky Thing in a Jar, a seemingly lifeless green creature Opal believes is communicating with her. To make matters worse, a trashy YouTube series has rolled into town intent on finding the Beast, the legendary local sea monster suddenly stirring up the countryside.

As threats rapidly close in around them, the friends must fight to protect their secrets, defeat new enemies, and save Timbers and all that they love.

Told from alternating points of view, this chilling sequel from bestselling duo Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs will once again have readers sleeping with the lights on.

#BookReview: Adventurous Ali: Temple of the Monkey God by @docjolley Mary Geis

Synopsis: After Alison Liv Isner is sucked into an old globe that sat on her father’s desk, she wakes beside a campfire in a lush jungle, surrounded by five talking animals. 

She quickly realizes these are the same friends her mom wrote about in her expedition journal. 

Now, at only eleven-years-old, she has the opportunity to complete her deceased Mother’s unfinished expedition in the Temple of the Monkey God.

With her new found friends, a monkey, a fat rat, a bat, a burro with a piranha in a mason jar tied around his neck, Ali decides to face the treacherous booby traps inside of the temple and save the monkey idol from an evil group called The Geese.

As she learns more about her deceased mom through her adventure journal, Ali and her friends realize the book is the key to lead them through the tunnels of the dreaded Temple of the Monkey God. 

If not, their lives are at stake and Ali will be trapped in the expedition realm forever.

#BookReview: The Darkdeep (The Darkdeep #1) by @AllyCondie @BrendanReichs @Bloomsburykids

Synopsis: When a bullying incident sends twelve-year-old Nico Holland over the edge of a cliff into the icy waters of Still Cove, where no one ever goes, friends Tyler and Ella - and even 'cool kid' Opal -rush to his rescue... only to discover an island hidden in the swirling mists below.

Shrouded by dense trees and murky tides, the island appears uninhabited, although the kids can't quite shake the feeling that something about it is off. Their suspicions grow when they stumble upon an abandoned houseboat with an array of curiosities inside: odd-looking weapons, unnerving portraits, maps to places they've never heard of, and a glass jar containing something completely unidentifiable.

As the group delves deeper into the unknown, their discoveries - and their lives -begin to intertwine in weird and creepy ways. Something ancient has awakened... and it knows their wishes and dreams - and their darkest, most terrible secrets. Do they have what it takes to face the shadowy things that lurk within their own hearts?

#BookReview for The Princess and the Absolutely Not a Princess (Miranda and Maude #1) by @emmawunsch @Abraham

Synopsis: Princess Miranda does not want to go to school. 

She wants to shoe shop, plan parties, and decorate the castle.

Maude cannot wait for school. 

She loves rules and social justice and getting good grades. 

She also loves hard-boiled eggs, much to Miranda’s dismay.

When a tense first week of school results in Maude getting excluded from the Royal Birthday Party, Maude decides she’s found her first fight for social justice: a birthday boycott.

#BookReview: The Tales of Fin and Fan: Bear Trouble by Kat Morris #Giveaway

Synopsis: Twin foxes Fin and Fang are very different from one another. Fin is small and scruffy, while Fang is large and strong. 

Fin wants to stay safe at home, while Fang is ready to go out and get into mischief. 

But both of them love to pull pranks on their friends, and today they're going to pay a special visit to Bear. 

They decide to play a trick on him. But what happens when the trick puts the lives of others in danger? 

Soon Fin and Fang discover the real trouble with playing tricks. 

In this children's story, intended to teach beginning readers about homophones, two fox brothers who enjoy playing pranks learn an important lesson about telling the truth. 

#BookReview: Ask Emma (Ask Emma Book 1) by Sheryl Berk, Carrie Berk

Synopsis: Emma Woods knows just how to fix all her peers' problems-or so she thinks-in this first book in the brand-new middle grade series Ask Emma, from the bestselling creators behind the Cupcake Club series!

When 13-year-old Emma Woods gets that tingling feeling in her fingertips, she knows she's on to a great idea-and starting an advice blog for her classmates at Austen Middle may be one of her most brilliant ones yet! Who better to give advice on friendship, style, school, and even crushes than someone who's going through it too?

But when Ask Emma goes live, she quickly realizes not everyone sees it that way. Suddenly, Emma is bombarded with peers asking her to help them postpone quizzes, get out of detention, and cut gym class short. This wasn't exactly what she had in mind. . . .What's worse, someone is posting hurtful comments, telling her to mind her own business. Despite her good intentions, Emma's blog seems to only be getting her-and her friends--deeper and deeper into trouble.

Will Ask Emma come to an end before it's really begun? Or can Emma find her voice, write what's in her heart, and truly stand up for what she believes in?

This book will include an appendix on cyberbullying resources.

#BookReview: The Startup Squad by @weisfeld & @nicoleckear @ImprintReads

Title: The Startup Squad

Author: Brian Weisfeld & Nicole C. Kear
Genres: Middle Grade, Contemporary
Pages: Hardcover, 176
Published: May 7, 2019
Publisher: Imprint
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Synopsis:  Girls mean business in a brand-new middle grade series about friendship and entrepreneurship!

All the great leaders had to start somewhere. And Theresa (“Resa” for short) is starting with the lemonade stand competition her teacher assigned to the class—but making it a success is going to be a lot harder than Resa thinks.

The prize: line-skipping tickets to Adventure Central. The competition: Val, Resa's middle school nemesis. And the biggest obstacle to success: Resa's own teammates. Harriet is the class clown, Amelia is the new girl who thinks she knows best, and Didi is Resa's steadfast friend—who doesn't know the first thing about making or selling lemonade. The four of them quickly realize that the recipe for success is tough to perfect—but listening to each other is the first step. And making new friends might be the most important one...

The back of each book features tips from the Startup Squad and an inspirational profile of a girl entrepreneur!

An Imprint Book

#BookReview for Little Monsters of the Ocean: Metamorphosis Under the Waves by Heather L Montgomery

Synopsis: Everyone knows that butterflies and frogs go through metamorphosis. But a number of sea creatures do too! Experienced science writer Heather L. Montgomery explores wacky details in the life cycles of some of the world's most bizarre and fascinating ocean animals in this fresh spin on a highly curricular topic.

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#BookReview: Little Heroes: Courageous People Who Changed the World by Heidi Poelman, Kyle Kershner (Illustrations)

Title: Courageous People Who Changed the World

Author: Heidi Poelman, Kyle Kershner (Illustrations)
Genres: Children's

Board book, 16 pages

Published April 2018 by Familius

Synopsis: From the intrepid efforts of Susan B. Anthony to the quiet courage of Rosa Parks, Little Heroes: Courageous People Who Changed the World is a young child's first introduction to the brave people who fought to make the world a better place. Simple text and adorable illustrations tell the contributions of eight champions of freedom: Abraham Lincoln, Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, Malala Yousafzai, Harriet Tubman, William Wilberforce, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. A quote from each individual is included on each spread along with colorful, delightful artwork.

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#BookReview: Little Heroes: Inventors Who Changed the World by Heidi Poelman, Kyle Kershner (Illustrations)

Title:  Inventors Who Changed the World

Series: Little Heroes
Author: Heidi Poelman, Kyle Kershner (Illustrations)
Genres: Children's, Learning
Pages: Board Book, 20
Pub Date: September 1st 2018
Publisher: Familius
Book Source: Publisher
My Rating: 5 Stars

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Synopsis: From the ranging curiosity of Leonardo da Vinci to the dedication and sacrifice of Marie Curie, Little Heroes: Inventors Who Changed the World is a young child's first introduction to the brilliant people who taught us the meaning of perseverance and innovation. Simple text and adorable illustrations tell the contributions of nine renowned inventors from around the world: Cai Lun, Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Thomas Edison, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Grace Hopper, Mary Sherman Morgan, and Nikola Tesla. Inspire your own little inventor with the words of these inventive heroes who changed the world.

#BookReview: Rocks (Discover Our World) by Claudia Martin

About the Book:

From dinosaur fossils and sparkling new diamonds to rare minerals and the rocks we find on the ground, these facts about our natural worldwill amaze and inspire. Packed with fascinating facts and simple questions, such as: How are rocks made? And why are gems precious?Easy-to-understand text, simple experiments, top facts, and true or false questions create an exciting first introduction to the world of geology.

#BookReview: Metal Mouth: Lightning Can Strike Twice by @thewriteengle

Title: Metal Mouth: Lightning Can Strike Twice

Author: Jaimie Engle
Genres: Young Adult, Light Paranormal 
Pages: Paperback, 202 pages
Pub Date: December 1st 2018
Publisher: JME Books
Book Source: Author
My Rating: 5 Stars

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Synopsis:  Mahlorie hates her braces. And who cares what she looks like anyway? Her parents sure do. Dad, a travelling magician, and Mom, a famous erotica author, constantly harp on the importance of appearance. Her best friend Shai is the epitome of pop-culture, crushing on every boy with a cute smile. But when Mal has a near-death experience and can suddenly hear a boy’s voice in her head, life takes a turn for the weird. He can hear her too. How did her braces become transmitters? And who is this boy she just might be falling in love with? 

This magical coming-of-age tale of mystery and self-discovery, and love and friendship, makes the impossible become all too real. For fans of "The Fault in Our Stars" and "Everything, Everything." 

#BookTour: The Circus Thief by @alaneadamsbooks @JeanBookNerd #Giveaway

Title: The Circus Thief

Author:  Alane Adams
Genres: Childrens, Picture Book
Pages: Hardcover, First, 32 pages
Pub Date: November 6th 2018
Publisher: SparkPress
Book Source: Jean Book Nerd
My Rating: 5 Stars

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Synopsis: 
The circus is in town, and Georgie has his heart set on going. When Papa agrees to take him and his friend Harley, the boys marvel at the amazing elephants and clowns. But the best act of all is the amazing Roxie, a trained horse who can do all sorts of tricks. When Georgie is invited to ride on her back, he discovers it’s her last show―Roxie is going to be sent to the work farm! When Roxie bolts with Georgie on her back, Papa must come to his rescue. 

The Circus Thief is a heartwarming tale of boyhood set in 1920s Pennsylvania for children ages 4–8.  

#BookReview: World's Deadliest Reptiles (Extreme Reptiles) by Tom Jackson, Vladimir Jevtić

About the Book:

Travel to Africa to meet the longest snake on the continent, the black mamba, which is also one of the fastest in the world. 

A dangerous cast of characters with comic-style illustrated spreads and dramatic photos will keep young readers turning the page to learn more about these deadly reptiles.

#BookReview: It's a Narwhal! (Bumba Books ™ Polar Animals) by Mari Schuh with @AwesomeAnarece

About the Book:

Learn all about narwhals! 

Carefully leveled text and vivid images bring these magnificent tusked creatures of the sea to life. 

Critical thinking questions and a photo glossary supply readers with the basic building blocks for reading nonfiction.

#BookReview: The Supersmart Dolphin by Mari Schuh with @AwesomeAnarece

About the Book:

Dolphins have long memories and make special clicking sounds to help them get around underwater. Readers will discover all this and then some, including the amazing way that dolphins tell one another apart!

#BookReview: Librarians in My Community (Meet a Community Helper) by Gina Bellisario, Ed Myer

About the Book:


With engaging text and colorful illustrations, readers can follow along as a class meets its school librarian and learns what librarians do. Comprehension questions, fun facts, and critical thinking questions keep readers engaged and introduce them to thinking about what they're reading.

#BookReview: Libraries Past and Present by Kerry Dinmont

About the Book:

From card catalogs to computers, this carefully leveled text compares and contrasts libraries of the past to libraries of the present! Age-appropriate critical thinking questions and a photo glossary help build nonfiction-learning skills, while colorful photographs keep readers engaged.

#BookReview: Planets and Stars (Discover Our World) by Claudia Martin

About the Book:

Explore the wonders of our world in this introduction to outer space. Planets, moons, asteroids, and aliens will capture children's imaginations as they learn about our solar system and beyond. Easy-to-understand text, simple experiments, top facts, and true or false questions, such as: What is a star? And is the moon a planet? combine to give a lively first introduction to science topics.