A Net in Time

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Agents of S.U.I.T.

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Agents of S.U.I.T. through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Agents of S.U.I.T. is part of the InvestiGators Series of books, following up with some of the characters of that series.  This first book focuses on the Cilantro the Chameleon.   She’s getting her first mission!  Oh the excitement of that very first assignment. Her partner will be Monocle.   Let’s dive in yes? 

Agents of S.U.I.T

Basic Details for Agents of S.U.I.T.

Title: Agents of S.U.I.T.
Author: john Patrick Green, Christopher Hastings
Illustrator: Pat Lewis
Series: Agents of S.U.I.T, Book One
Publisher: First Second
Pages: 208
Intended Audience: 7-9 years, grade 2-3
Genre: graphic novel, animal comics, mystery, detective, humorous comic,
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover
Received: Hardcover
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

Book and author

Agents of S.U.I.T. by John Patrick Green follows the InvestiGators series.   You may recall that I have written about this series in the past the books InvestiGators Take the Plunge and InvestiGators.  Agents of S.U.I.T. is the first in a series of six books.  

John Patrick Green and Christopher Hastings are the authors.  I was unable to find details about Mr. Hastings, but Mr. Green likes legos, being an artist, and humorous comics. 

Agents of S.U.I.T.

Taking a Closer Look

Agents of S.U.I.T. takes animal characters and gives them human jobs.   You’ll find cats herding sheep, dogs being deputies, and so on.  Cilantro the Chameleon has the job of being a detective, and is battling her desire to do her job the way she wants to, and doing it the way her job wants her to.  It’s hard to know how to fit in you know? 

Fortunately, Pat Lewis provides excellent graphics to help tell the story.  Loads of colour on bright pages delight the eye.   Clearly written text makes it easy to read the story. 

You will discover many puns and humorous situations throughout, perfect for grades 2-4.  Remember the adage of counting sheep so you can fall asleep?   You’ll find it playing an active role in this story. 

I love that the story line makes sense.  A detective sent out on a vague mission, discovers what needs doing, and uses their talents to solve the case. I love that Cilantro makes use of the skills of others to help resolve the situation with the aliens. 

Do I recommend?

I couldn’t find anything in this graphic novel, Agents of S.U.I.T. that was objectional.  Engaging story with a real problem, with characters that reacted differently depending on the scenario.  Having to think through problems and discover solutions by working together.  It’s good stuff packed into a fun read. 

The Book That Can Read Your Mind

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product The Book That Can Read Your Mind through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

You know those books that give you a choice in what you do?  If you choose this, then go to page ____, but if you choose that, then go to page _____.  The Book That Can Read Your Mind is one such book. You make a choice and simply follow the instructions.  Before you know it, this book will prove that it can read your mind.  Just a little touch of magic. 

the book that can read your mind

The Basic Details for The Book that can read your mind

Title: The Book that can Read your Mind
Author: Marianna Coppo
Illustrator: Marianna Coppo
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Pages: 48
Intended Audience: 5-8 years
Genre: picturebook, activity book, fantasy & magic, interactive book
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover
Received: Hardcover
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the author and book

Author and illustrator Marianna Coppo hails from Rome.  She studied in Milan and Bologna and has written several pieces of children’s literature. In-between writing picture books she enjoys eating bruschetta and searching out cheap flights! 

The Book that Can read Your Mind takes the idea of an interactive book where your decisions influence how the story goes, and turns it into a magic trick.  Can you make a choice, and through options presented, discover that this book can indeed read your mind?

Digging in Deeper

You will find clearly written text with a sense of humour.  We are not told the name of the magician, but does one really need to know who is playing the trick on you?  

Can you believe that this speaker, this magician can actually read your mind?   Could it be possible that a book can reveal your very own secret? 

Discover a wide variety of characters.  Make some choices and behold…. watch your secret be revealed!

This is a book that can be tried and tried again.  Can you ever fool the magician? 

My Thoughts

You will find “the book that can read your mind” to be a deceptively simple book with what appears to be pages and pages that look the same.  BUT if you give it a chance, you might find yourself amazed at how you will feel as if your mind has been read.  

And it’s all done in the choices you make!

Can choices really reveal that much about your decision-making? 

I urge you to find a copy and let your children play with the delight of a book knowing what their decisions are.  Delight in the magic.  Smile along and try again, maybe this time…..  🙂  

If you are a person of faith who doesn’t believe in magic, show them the trick of it, and how their decisions matter.  Paying attention to those little decisions makes a difference for you and others. 

If I were a Fish

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product If I Were A Fish through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Looking for a fun picture book to enjoy with your littles? This book is the result of some bullying received on a Tiktok video.  Some people are weird (but aren’t we all to some degree or another?) and this is a book that celebrates that it’s okay to be a bit weird. I love that it has no overt agenda, it’s just a happy book the celebrates the uniquenesses of people.   And isn’t that something to be joyful about? 

If I were a fish

Basic Details for “If I Were a Fish”

Title: If I were a fish
Author: Corook and Olivia Barton
Illustrator: Mike Curato
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 26
Intended Audience: Kindergarten to Elementary
Genre:  friendship, music book, bullies, bullying, picture book
Available formats: Kindle, Audio, Hardcover
Received: Hardcover
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the Author and Book

corook also known as Corinne Savage is a singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and a huge dork. Corook’s music is filled with vulnerability and sprinkled with humor. Corook currently resides in Tennessee.   Her companion is Olivia with whom a mutual love of music is shared. 

Olivia Barton a singer/songwriter who writes songs stream from who she is. Barton tours regularly and has release multiple albums. She received her bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music. She lives is Tennessee with her partner and her dog Cubby. 

If I Were a Fish takes us into the uniquenesses of who we are showing the reader that we all have someone who can celebrate with us. We don’t have to be stuck with the mean comments from bullies.

if I were a fish

Looking Deeper

If the catchy lyrics don’t immediately capture your attention, the bright colours the flow across the page, depicting under water scenes will!   Enjoy the vibrancy and joy is brilliant tones from across the rainbow.   Balloons, fish, socks, rocks, beats of rhythm, and unique fish dot the pages.  White space is used well and some pages of completely full of colour.

The lyrics are easy to read, written in a nice font, with a decent size.  Sitting with a group of children gathered around to listen (and possibly sing) would be easy to do.  And all the talking points within which makes it just lovely! 

I love it when a fun book with a good message doesn’t include overt messages about gender, sexuality, colour, race, or anything divisive.  It’s all about people being who are they, getting to be who they are, without having to deal with bullying.  Regardless of who you are, you are encouraged to live your life with meanness.  Find your people!  Celebrate living with each other and leaving the garbage of the world behind. 

It’s a good thing NO?  Find your own copy of If I Were a Fish and be glad you have your own uniqueness. 

Death & Sparkles and the Sacred Golden Cupcake

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Death & Sparkles and the Sacred Golden Cupcake through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

So I brought this graphic novel to work and a co-worker said “oh, that looks interesting, can I read it?”   Ergo, I handed Death & Sparkles and the Sacred Golden Cupcake to her and said “have fun”.  So this review will be a mix between her thoughts and mine.  Bear with me eh?  

Death & Sparkles and the Sacred Golden Cupcake

The Basic Details for Death & Sparkles and the Sacred Golden Cupcake

Title: Death & Sparkles and the Sacred Golden Cupcake
Author: Rob Justus
Series: Death & Sparkles, book 2
Publisher: Chronicle Kids
Pages: 368
Intended Audience: 10-14 Years
Genre:  graphic novel, friendship, humourous comic, fantasy, magic, adventure comic,
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover, paperback
Received: Paperback
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the Author and Book

Author and Illustrator Rob Justus has created a number of books including the two graphic novels in this series.  After working for years as a market researcher he decided to return to his first love of drawing and writing.  He has two sons and lives in Ottawa, Canada. 

This graphic novel continues the story of an unlikely friendship between a unicorn and death.  Unicorns as you can imagine are rather silly, Death, as you can imagine, is a tad bit more serious.  So that sets the ground work for some tension.  Can a dance party help?  You’ll have to read this novel to find out. 

InDepth with Death & Sparkles and the Sacred Golden Cupcake

Personally I found the colours to be rather dark throughout.  But that said, considering the location of the story and that Death is one of the main characters, the colour palette makes sense right?  But at the same time I just wish I liked the art work and colour choices more. 

There is grade school humour throughout.  Some lines are funny (to me as an adult) and the rest just was… age-appropriate I guess.  🙂  I can definitely imagine chortles coming with younger readers. 

Death is very serious minded, and Sparkles is very silly and very dance oriented. But don’t you know how opposites attract?  Happens with friendships all the time and it’s part of the fun in interactions.  🙂 

The story jumps around a bit in the beginning which is a bit disconcerting at times as it goes from past to present and so forth and switches perspectives as well.  The Mole People were unhappy, the unicorns were unhappy and things DEFINTELY got blown out of proportion.   History spoiled the present.  Revenge ended up on the minds of those involved.  Death, surprisingly, is the one who kept a mostly level head. 

A positive part of the story line is the determination of Sparkles to follow through on the family legacy.  Can Sparkle’s horn lead through to a good conclusion?  Can Sparkles turn into a grown-up unicorn?  Well… THAT I’m not going to tell you!   You’ll have to find your own copy of Death & Sparkles and the Sacred Golden Cupcake and find out. 

Jawbreaker

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Jawbreaker through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Braces, bullying, and reporting.  This fair sums up the themes of Jawbreaker by Christina Wyman. Max is a typical teenager in so many ways.  She wears braces, and tries to figure out life.  Hanging out with friends and managing school.  It would all be so much easier without the bullies!   How will Max find her way through?  I’d tell you but that would destroy the fun of reading her story! 

Jawbreaker by Christina Wyman

The Basic Details of Jawbreaker

Title: Jawbreaker
Author: Christina Wyman
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Pages: 320
Intended Audience: 8-12 Years
Genre:  bullying, friendship, middle school, siblings, family, braces, dental work, 
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Audio, paperback
Received: ARC Paperback
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

jawbreaker by christina wyman

About the Author and the Story

Author Christina Wyman takes a moment of her life, her middle school years dealing with dental issues, and turns it into a story of courageous determination to become better. She doesn’t mitigate the pain of dealing with the bullying and family situations, but at the same time shows a light of hope.  This Michigan teacher has shed her tiny bedroom as a child for a home with hubby, rescue cats, and various wandering wildlife.  She wants more rescue cats and chocolate as she continues her dream of being an author. 

Her story Jawbreaker walks us into the first person experience of seventh-grader Max.  Living with her sister and parents on a paycheck to paycheck basis.  She deals with family dysfunction, bullying, teachers who just don’t understand, and a desire to be something more!  She loves reporting the news and writing opinion pieces.  Will her life ruin her love of reporting? 

Digging Deeper into Jawbreaker

One thing you’ll notice in this ARC version I received is the art work is not complete.   You’ll find placeholders for each chapter.  This did not detract from the story for me, but rather helped me to not pay attention to the non-essentials in pursuit of a solidly good read. 

Max is a solidly real person, battling the angst of friendship, school, and family.   It’s not easy to be the one being bullied over something you can’t fix.  Only time is the answer, but that’s hard to see when you are in middle school you know?  Wyman does an excellent job of drawing us into the lives and actions of Max, her family, and her friends. 

This is a very readable, and relatable story.  My sister grew up having to wear braces, and a head piece, and she had to be so careful about what she ate. So Jawbreaker gave me a bit more of a glance into her life.  Being part of a family of six she came into her own amount of teasing, but then, so did I with wearing glasses.  We weren’t downright mean to each other though, so spared that! 

Jawbreaker would make an excellent story for any child (braces or no) experiencing bullying.  Not everything comes out excellent in the end, but it does come out better.  Through Max and her family, perhaps some reader will feel some hope, or at least some kinship, and know in the end, it will come out better. 

Farther Than the Moon

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Farther Than the Moon through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Did you know that I used to work with CP kids?  They are SO MUCH FUN.  Granted not all the time, sometimes life with CP kids is hard.  Helping them control their bodies, helping them to show their intelligence to those around them, helping people see more than their physical limitations, and helping them deal with the pain of life.  It’s not always easy for them, OR their families/caretakers.  Farther Than The Moon by Lindsay Lackey gives some insight into that WHILE showcasing the abilities of another family member.  Family and friends learning to work together.  It’s a VERY good read and suggest you run out and get it now!  🙂 

farther than the moon

The Basic Details for Farther Than the Moon

Title: Farther Than the Moon
Author: Lindsay Lackey
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Pages: 336
Intended Audience: 10-14 Years
Genre:  children’s books, epilepsy, Jr Astronauts, children’s sibling books
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Audio, Paperback
Received: Hardcover
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the author and the book

Californian Lindsay Lackey grew up with big curly hair, and is the proud owner of two small dogs.  Growing up in Colorado, where most of her stories are based, she was (and still is) an avid reader.   Never wanting to be a story writer, she always wrote books making construction paper books as a wee child.   Her encouragement to aspiring authors is to keep at it.  Only we can tell our own stories!   A bonus!!   Lindsay has a jr. astronaut program on her website!   

About Farther Than the Moon

Thirteen-year-old Houston Stewart wants to become an astronaut. His dreams feel like they’re finally coming true when he’s accepted to the highly-competitive Junior Astronaut Recruitment Program.  Problem though, he’s made a promise to his younger brother. 

Ever since their dad left, Houston and Robbie have been inseparable. It’s hard to tell where Houston’s love of space ends and where Robbie’s begins. But Robbie’s cerebral palsy and epilepsy mean he needs medical attention at home, so Houston is forced to take this giant leap for the two of them all on his own.

At camp, Houston is quickly drawn into the orbit of new friends, cosmic adventures, and a long-lost grandfather. But can he keep his promise to his brother Robbie?  Will his idea work?  What if Robbie doesn’t like it?  Then what?  Can he make the right plan using his new friends and family? Can he and Robbie still shoot for the stars?

farther than the moon by lindsay lackey

Digging Deeper

I love a book that shows youth learning, growing, and following their passions.  Houston does all these things.  He learns and does so much it’s just a fantastic read.  Ms. Lackey did an excellent job of bringing the insecurities and devotion of a 13 year old to life.  She showed the determination that teens have to following their passions… in this case to be astronauts! 

Houston has SO much work to do that JARP (Jr.Astronaut Program), assignments to complete, a grandfather to get to know, and working in group situations with people who are difficult.  Life became just a wee bit complicated.  Lies, truths, equipment failure, lack of confidence, bullying, and worry over his brother… it was all a bit much.  Will advise from his astronaut grandfather help?   

Part of the learning that Houston had to do was discovering what it means to make promises to his brother.  It’s hard to be a person with limitations, and it’s even harder when promises are made that seem impossible to keep.  Hurt feelings abound on both sides of the equation.  Houston and his teammates struggle to find the solution. 

I love how Ms. Lackey showed all these intense emotions and thought processes.  Each member of the team felt like real people.  The adults adulted well, which I find is an important part of middle school fiction. I love how mom admitted to struggles in the past but through changing her perspective onthose events (now as an adult) decided she could change the present.  

I love how it was not just Houston who needed to learn, grow, and change, but all the members of the his team learned new things.  Such a nice well-rounded book to encourage young teens to follow their passions and be better people in the process.   Farther Than the Moon is well worth reading whether young or old! 

With a Little Luck

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product With A Little Luck through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Music, friendship, Dungeons and Dragons, the joys of school, and magic dice.  Smack dab in the middle of it is Jude.  Twin to Pru, friend of Ari, dungeon master, and artiste. A coming-of-age story that is heart-warming, funny, and interesting.  With a Little Luck is a magically musical story filled with a good mix of competence and uncertainty…. teens in a nutshell!  

With a little luck

The Basics for With a Little Luck

Title: With a Little Luck
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends/Square Fish
Pages: 368
Intended Audience: 12-18 Years
Genre:  children’s books, teen contemporary, young adult contemporary, teen literature & fiction
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Audio, Paperback
Received: ARC paperback
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the Author

Marissa Meyer has wanted to be an author since she knew such a job existed.  She’s written under various pen-names, and engaged in various types of writing.  Hitting the New York Times best seller lists she lives with her hubby and adopted daughters near Tacoma, Washington. 

About the book

Jude is determined to fly under the radar. He just wants to draw comics, host D&D night with his friends, work at his parents’ vinyl record store, and escape high school as unscathed as possible. That is, until the night he finds himself inexplicably gifted with a bout of supernatural good luck.  

Suddenly, everything Jude has ever wanted is within reach. …… But how long can Jude’s good fortune last?

with a little luck

Learning More

I have to admit, I laughed a lot reading With a Little Luck.  Jude is such a likable character who just something got in over his head.  His sisters were excellent, his folks were real, and Ari is a sweet girl with a good talent.  The characters fit the story so well and the interplay with them all showed family in action with good friends mixed in. Laughter and fun are a part of this coming-of-age story. 

Jude is an artist!  His illustrations help tell the story!   In the ARC version that I received the illustrations were all done in black and white.  It fits Jude’s style to have them as simple pencil drawings. 

Chapter headings show off the lucky dice.  Lucky number 20 is an important part in playing dungeons and dragons. Knowing Jude is to be part of the stories he creates for his friends. How will Jude handle the luck that has dropped into his life.  Or if the luck leaves, what will that mean for him?   Can Jude truly discover who he loves and what he really wants to do?

READ THE STORY and find out.  Laugh a bit.  You’ll be glad you did.  We all need a bit of young romance in our lives and the love of family to see you through.