Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY to... SCHOOLED by Jamie Sumner!


Time to blow up the balloons, hang the streamers, and pull out the party hats! We've got a BOOK BIRTHDAY on our hands, and it's time to scream and shout all about it! Coming in hot via Atheneum Books for Young Readers (part of the Simon and Schuster family), and penned by author Jamie Sumner, here's a story that's sure to tug at your heartstrings, while bringing a brighter shine to the glimmer of hope that life finds a way to go on. Even in our darkest moments, the promise of tomorrow is there, and the support we need is ours for the asking because everyone needs a little help sometimes.

Ladies and gents, Middle-grade fans of all ages, take a closer look at the next title that needs a home on your TBR...





by
Jamie Sumner
9781534486058
Atheneum Books for Young Readers


ABOUT THE BOOK
Eleven-year-old Lenny Syms is about to start college—sort of. As part of a brand-new experimental school, Lenny and four other students are starting sixth grade on a university campus, where they’ll be taught by the most brilliant professors and given every resource imaginable. This new school is pretty weird, though. Instead of hunkering down behind a desk to study math, science, and history, Lenny finds himself meditating, participating in discussions where you don’t even have to raise your hand, and spying on the campus population in the name of anthropology.

But Lenny just lost his mom, and his Latin professor dad is better with dead languages than actual human beings. Lenny doesn’t want to be part of some learning experiment. He just wants to be left alone. Yet if Lenny is going to make it as a middle schooler on a college campus, he’s going to need help. Is a group of misfit sixth graders and one particularly quirky professor enough to pull him out of his sadness and back into the world?




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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Photograph by Bethany Rogers


Jamie Sumner is the author of Roll with It, Time to Roll, Rolling On, Tune It Out, One Kid’s Trash, The Summer of June, Maid for It, Deep Water, Please Pay Attention, and Schooled. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other publications. She loves stories that celebrate the grit and beauty in all kids. She is also the mother of a son with cerebral palsy and has written extensively about parenting a child with special needs. She and her family live in Nashville, Tennessee. Visit her at Jamie-Sumner.com.




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Special thanks to Lindsey at Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the early access and the chance to bring this title to you! (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available TODAY wherever books are sold!


Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!




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Friday, August 22, 2025

Walden Pond Press presents... DIVE by John David Anderson - REVIEW!

Hello there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. 

Today's featured title comes to us via Walden Pond Press and just celebrated its BOOK BIRTHDAY this past week 🥳, so you know it's out there in the great big blue...um, bookstore... just waiting to be discovered. By whom? Well, a reader like you. 

Someone who enjoys a good story, who doesn't shy away from heavy ideas, who revels in all the feels a tale can present, and walks away changed in some fashion by the impact of what they've read. Or maybe even someone going through just what these characters are in some way, and that sounding board, that visual reference can help them see the light through the intensity. Whatever your reason may be, I've read this author's works in the past, and haven't been led astray yet, so when I heard about this one, I knew I had to find out more. Ladies and gents, readers of Middle-grade fiction and perhaps beyond, let's take a closer look at what I've found between the pages of today's book of choice...


by
John David Anderson 
9780063279360
Walden Pond Press 


About the book...
From John David Anderson, the beloved author of Posted comes a powerful, poignant, and unexpected upper middle grade novel about the rules in life that box us in and the determination to break out. From the moment Kassandra Connor leaps from the diving board to the moment she hits the water, everything feels in control.

The rest of her life does not. St. Lawrence Academy is supposed to have everything Kass’s old school didn’t: safe hallways, small classes, and most important, a chance to dive. But since transferring, all Kass can think about is what’s missing. Like her best friend, Aleah, who’s starting to pull away. Or the comfortable life so many of her classmates enjoy while Kass’s family’s restaurant struggles to stay afloat. Even the excitement she always felt in the pool, now that she’s on the same team as Amber Moore—the best diver in the state, who’s barely said two words to her all year.

Kass feels like she’s drowning, until she meets a boy named Miles. He’s a diver, too—someone who searches through dumpsters in the posh side of town for things he can salvage or sell. Miles knows what it’s like to be boxed in by things you can’t control, and as Kass spends more and more time with him, she starts to wonder what would happen if she tried to break out of her own box—and what she might lose by doing so.




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Here's the thing about this author's books...there's always something you can connect with. They deal with human emotions, situations that can happen in real life, and have characters that every reader can find themselves in. Take this story...

There are people that live like Miles, whether by choice or by necessity. They are no different than you or I, and to think otherwise does everyone a disservice. One isn't smarter, richer, or more benevolent, because they have everything they want, and never want for anything. One isn't uneducated, poor, or unkind, because they struggle daily or live a different lifestyle. Taking the time to get to know one another allows us the means to find the common ground on which to build. Understanding where the other is coming from, and what their needs might be, helps in making sure they can be met. Not everyone wants someone to fix their situation... sometimes just being acknowledged, being seen is enough. I'm afraid I got off on a tangent here... let me zone back in a little. 

Kass and Miles may seemingly live different lives, but that doesn't mean they're that far apart. He shows her how to notice things, and opens her eyes to the world around her that she didn't know she was missing. She shows him that anyone can feel boxed in within their own lives, and the ability to break out is entirely within ourselves. I loved seeing this friendship blossom, the usually unseen or ignored made known, and each of them reach for a better tomorrow, one moment at a time. There's not a quick fix that sticks for anything, but those goals and dreams worth the effort are something to put the work in for. 

A great read for Middle-grade Fiction fans of all ages, a great addition to the author's body of works, and a perfectly timed release for the kiddos heading back to school. We need more times when the line between classes is blurred, where the facade is seen through and the truth is left to shine. Maybe one day, we can all be our true authentic selves without shame or repercussions... but the only way to get there is one person at a time. 



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About the author...


John David Anderson is the author of some of the most beloved and highly acclaimed books for kids in recent memory, including the New York Times Notable Book Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, Posted, Granted, Sidekicked, and The Dungeoneers. A dedicated root beer connoisseur and chocolate fiend, he lives with his family in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can visit him online at www.johndavidanderson.org




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Special thanks to Debbie and the Walden Pond Press team for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the ARC for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to snag your copy today, and be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!


August 19

Nerdy Book Club                              

@nerdybookclub                                                                                          

August 20  

Teachers Who Read

@teachers_read

August 21 

Maria's Melange                              

@mariaselke                                                                                           

August 22  

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

@grgenius

August 23

Lit Coach Lou                                  

@litcoachlou



Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!










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Friday, August 1, 2025

AWARENESS TOUR: The Best Bunny: The Adventures of Lil Shen by Shenandoah Chefalo, Illustrated by Alena Tkach - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!


Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!
Today, we play host to a stop along The Children's Book Review AWARENESS TOUR starring a new Storybook that takes a hard subject to handle at any age, and gives readers a softer place to land during those hard times.  Ladies and gents, let's take a closer look at this special title making its way into the published arena...


by
Illustrated by Alena Tkach
Ages: 4-6 | 28 Pages
9798990059412
Self-Published (2025)


About the book...
When Lil Shen loses her beloved grandmother, her world suddenly feels unfamiliar, quiet, and full of sadness. On a day filled with gray skies and heavy hearts, she receives a mysterious gift—an ordinary-looking stuffed bunny with extraordinary comfort to offer. Bunny Best, a soft companion stitched with love, becomes her guide through grief, helping Lil Shen remember, imagine, and feel all the feelings she thought she had to hide.

Tenderly told and beautifully illustrated, The Best Bunny is a story of loss, resilience, and healing. Through imagination and the memory of love, Lil Shen discovers that she doesn’t have to be “okay” to move forward. She has to do her best.

Inspired by author Shenandoah Chefalo’s lived experience in the foster care system and her work in trauma-informed care, this heartfelt picture book is an essential resource for families, educators, and professionals helping children navigate grief, big emotions, and life’s most complex changes.






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I admit it.  I cried my heart out while reading this one...to the extent that I had to STOP reading it and take a few minutes with my pupper to find my center again before I continued.  That's the thing about grief, it hits you like a truck with no brakes whenever it darn well feels like it, and while my encounter occurred last year, it feels like only yesterday...but I digress.

Though the cover screams "enchanting tale of a girl and her bunny"...it is in fact enchanting, but not in the way it first appears.  It's not a happy story, though there is movement towards happiness throughout and by book's end.  It's not a whimsical story, though there is a talking bunny who becomes a close friend of our little leading lady.  It's not filled with rainbows and butterflies, hugs and kisses, sparkles and unicorns, though it does remind us that those things still exist and will become easier to see as time goes by.  This is a story about loss.  It deals in grief, loneliness, feeling lost, and not knowing how to get beyond the moment.  It draws you in with a cute cover, spares nothing as it renders you speechless with the topic being addressed, and handles your heart/feelings not with kid gloves, but with honesty, and tenderness, just the same.  It's magical in the fact that it makes its message clear...one day things will get better, seem brighter, and bring joy, but it's different for everyone, and feelings of all colors need to be felt...without being clinical or sounding cliche.  It's magical in the introduction of little Shen's "power", and yet makes it something that is able to be practiced by one and all.  It's magical in letting Bunny Best show her true colors, and have a voice, when the one who helped her be where she was needed was unable to any longer.

All in all, it's a tender tale that takes us from the depths of heartache into the light of another day.  It doesn't say things are fine, it says they WILL be.  Grief is a process not something that can be glossed over, and it must be felt.  Everyone is different, just as every relationship is different, so empathy is the key when trying to share the load with another.  We can never truly understand someone else's loss any more than they can ours, but that warm heart, that shoulder to cry on, that ear to listen to us is more important than you might think. A great tool for adults to assist younger ones with this shared life experience, or even for adult readers that are still trying to process things on their own.  The beautiful illustrations combined with the strong message of taking it one moment at a time create a story that won't be easily forgotten...nor should it be.




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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Shenandoah Chefalo is a sought-after speaker, award-winning author, and expert trauma-informed specialist with more than 20 years of leadership consulting experience. As the Founder and Lead Strategist of Chefalo Consulting, she helps governmental, public, and private organizations integrate trauma-informed practices to create more effective and equitable systems.

Plagued and embarrassed by her name and shaped by a nomadic childhood filled with instability and loss, Shenandoah developed a tough skin early on. Her lived experiences—including foster care, poverty, and homelessness—taught her to navigate adversity, build resilience, and understand people deeply. These qualities later fueled her passion to transform broken systems.

After nearly two decades as a Law Office Administrator, Shenandoah became disturbed by the revolving door of people entering the criminal justice system. She pursued certification through Coach U and became a life coach—an experience that gave her new insight into her own trauma and the systemic failures she had endured.

Research into the U.S. foster care system revealed staggering statistics: over 400,000 children in care daily, 61% aging out without housing, 50% incarcerated within two years, and 80% of death row inmates having spent time in care. These revelations compelled her to share her story publicly and advocate for reform.

Her memoir, Garbage Bag Suitcase, confronts the hard truths of foster care while charting a personal journey of healing. Shenandoah is also the author of several best-selling e-books, including Setting Your Vision and Defining Your Goals, which help trauma-informed leaders implement change, build mental wellness, and strengthen communities.

Her newest book, The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best (releasing July 22, 2025), marks her debut in children’s literature. Inspired by her own childhood, the story models emotional resilience, compassion, and hope for young readers navigating their own challenges.

Shenandoah holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science from Michigan State University. She is a Core Essentials Graduate of Coach U, a Certified Law of Attraction Advanced Practitioner, a member of the National Speakers Association, and an active volunteer both nationally and internationally. She is also known for her expertise in social media marketing and is currently working on her next book, Hiking for Stillness.

For more information, visit chefaloconsulting.com/books.





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GIVEAWAY

Enter for the chance to win one of ten hardcover copies of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best. And for one extra-lucky grand prize winner, there’s a signed copy of the book, a snuggly Bunny Best plush, and an Amazon Gift Card.



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Special thanks to Bianca of The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this title to you and for the ecopy for review! (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Shenandoah Chefalo. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. For more information on this author, her other works, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!



TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Thursday, July 24, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Friday, July 25, 2025
Author Interview with Shenandoah Chefalo

Monday, July 28, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Thursday, June 31, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Friday, August 1, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Monday, August 4, 2025
Guest Post about The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Author Interview with Shenandoah Chefalo

Thursday, August 7, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Friday, August 8, 2025
5 Special Books for Children About Losing a Grandparent

Monday, August 11, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Instagram Post about The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Thursday, August 14, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Friday, August 15, 2025
Instagram Post about The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Monday, August 18, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Thursday, August 21, 2025
Book Spotlight on The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best

Friday, August 22, 2025
Author Interview with Shenandoah Chefalo



Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
at 1 comment: