Rockstar Book Tours presents... TWO FRIENDS, ONE DOG, AND A VERY UNUSUAL WEEK by Sarah L. Thomson & Vin Vogel - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Certainly thrilled to be hosting a spot on today's tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. We're featuring a new Middle Grade Fiction book whose title hits the story on the head perfectly! Check out my review post, make sure to enter the giveaway, and then head over to the other sites participating in the tour!

 

 TWO FRIENDS, ONE DOG, AND A VERY UNUSUAL WEEK

by Sarah L. Thomson & Vin Vogel (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: April 18, 2023

Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 240

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/TWO-FRIENDS-ONE-DOG-AND-A-VERY-UNUSUAL-WEEK

Take Pippi Longstocking’s joie de vivre, blend it with a 21st century urban setting, toss in a dog named Otto for good measure and what do you get? This joyfully carefree story about two unlikely friends.

It’s a pair of silver sequined sneakers that unexpectedly flips Emily’s comfortable, predictable world upside down. Or, more precisely, it’s the girl wearing them.

The shoes belong to Rani, who moves into Emily’s apartment building—and her life—with absolutely no one but her dog Otto. (Her research scientist mother is away in Patagonia.) And that’s only the first rule that Emily watches Rani break without hesitation.

But it’s not just that Rani breaks rules. Most of the time, she doesn’t seem to know the rules exist. Why can’t she bungee jump off their building? Or bring an ice cream truck to school?

For steady and orderly Emily, Rani’s approach to life feels impossible . . . and more than a little irresistible. But is there a place for her in Rani’s world? And should she find a way to make space for Rani in her own?

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

 

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I honestly found this story rather fascinating. Emily and Rani (and Otto!) are fast friends, but they certainly have their differences. Where Emily prefers not to stand out and go with the flow, Rani isn't afraid to let her true colors show, and can't think of much worse than not being herself. The thing is Rani is a powerhouse with a seemingly unending battery that keeps her going, and going, and going. She's not like the other kids that Emily's met, and while it can be fun to spend time together, it can also be confusing.  Emily's never certain if she's stepping too far out of line to support her friend, or if she's being untrue to her friend in order to follow what society dictates is the norm. 

Though I didn't wish for Emily to struggle, it was refreshing to see her think AND feel her way through the situations. It made it more real, more in the moment, because what would, or better yet, what should you do, was never a given, but decided on based on the info she had at the time. She didn't want to get into trouble, but she also didn't want Rani to either, and the thing is, more often than not, her unusual approach to the world worked in her favor...it was really just those unwilling to look beyond the chaotic nature of it all to the heart of the intent and outcome that held issues with her line of thought. Rani was Rani...intelligent, unique, and filled with a great of gold. I was ever so grateful that she had her amazing pup, Otto, but also that these two gals had each other. 

In the end, it was a lovely story about accepting others, keeping an open mind, and always being true to ourselves. Rani could have tried acting like Emily, or any of her classmates, but that wouldn't have made her shine as brightly as she does when she's her true self. The only thing I wished for was a section that talked more about Rani's uniqueness, perhaps from a real world prospective, so that readers could get their minds around the wonder that she was, but even without that backstory, she was remarkable, as was Emily (and Otto!). A great pick Middle Grade Fiction fans of all ages, and a fun start to your summer reading. 

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About Sarah L. Thomson:

Sarah L. Thomson has published more than thirty books for young readers, including prose and poetry, fiction and nonfiction, picture books and novels. Sarah worked as a children’s book editor before becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Portland, Maine. Learn more about her work at sarahlthomson.com.

 

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

About Vin Vogel:

Vin Vogel is an award-winning Brazilian author-illustrator and the creator of A Home for Leo and the Yeti picture book series. He has illustrated over fifty books for young readers. After living in New York City, he returned to his hometown of Rio, where he lives with two cats and a dog. Visit him at vinvogel.com.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

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~~~ Giveaway ~~~

1 winner will receive a finished copy of  TWO FRIENDS, ONE DOG, AND A VERY UNUSUAL WEEK, US Only.

Ends June 13^th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Special thanks to the Rockstar Book Tours team for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the publisher for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now via Peachtree Publishing Company, so click on over to your favorite online retailer or plan a trip to your local brick and mortar store!

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

5/29/2023	YA Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
5/29/2023	The Momma Spot	Excerpt
5/30/2023	The Chirpy Bookaholic	Excerpt/IG Post
5/30/2023	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
5/31/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
5/31/2023	@evergirl200	IG Review
6/1/2023	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post
6/1/2023	@allyluvsbooksalatte	IG Review/TikTok Post
6/2/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post
6/2/2023	Nerdophiles	Review

Week Two:

6/5/2023	Not In Jersey	Review/IG Post
6/5/2023	@stargirls.magical.tale	IG Review
6/6/2023	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
6/6/2023	@enjoyingbooksagain	Review/IG Post
6/7/2023	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
6/7/2023	Carly Sunshine Books	IG Review
6/8/2023	@froggyreadteach	IG Review
6/8/2023	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post
6/9/2023	Jenguerdy	Review/IG Post
6/9/2023	Author Z. Knight’s Guild	Review/IG Post

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

Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY to... The Radcliffe Ladies' Reading Club by Julia Bryan Thomas - REVIEW!

It’s Publication Day for SO MANY great titles this month, and while I would love to get them all in one felt swoop, SO not realistic! With that in mind, let me chisel away at the MUST ADD TO YOUR TBR list one book at a time. Are you ready? This one is for my Historical Fiction, and Women’s Fiction fans, and it celebrates its grand release day via Sourcebooks Landmark (woot woot! Go team, go!). It’s a story that introduces you to a group of young women on the cusp of their futures, and the grand (and not so grand) things that await them. Ladies, and gents, I give you our book of choice... 

The Radcliffe Ladies' Reading Club 

by 

Julia Bryan Thomas

9781728248578 

Sourcebooks Landmark 

About the book...

Never underestimate the power of a woman with a shop full of books 

Massachusetts, 1954. With bags packed alongside her heavy heart, Alice Campbell escaped halfway across the country and found herself in front of a derelict building tucked among the cobblestone streets of Cambridge. She turns it into the enchanting bookshop of her dreams, knowing firsthand the power of books to comfort the brokenhearted. 

The Cambridge Bookshop soon becomes a haven for Tess, Caroline, Evie, and Merritt, who are all navigating the struggles of being newly independent college women in a world that seems to want to keep them in the kitchen. But when a member of the group finds herself shattered, everything they know about themselves will be called into question. 

From the author of For Those Who Are Lost comes an extraordinary love letter to books and friendship, a story that is at once heart-wrenching, strengthening, and inspiring. 

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Oh my goodness! 

Right from the start, this book had my heart. I was highlighting so many passages that I loved, for both the conversations and descriptions, that had it been in print, I’m pretty sure I would have nary a page left unmarked. 

Meeting this group of women was an experience. First and foremost, Alice...she may have been considered the matron of the bunch, but she had life experience, love experience, loss experience. She had LIVED, and she was willing to share her gleaned knowledge with these ladies as needed without judgment, without impressing her own designs on it, or influencing their acceptance or rejection. She cultivated a climate, an atmosphere to challenge them to think for themselves, consider other angles, and may-hap form new views. She may have only met with them regularly once a month, but she was always there in spirit. As for our cheerful foursome, they were as varied as flowers in a field, while still being quite similar at heart. Each was looking for her place in the world. Each held her own prejudices and beliefs from which they were not easily swayed. Each would have decisions to make, hardships to face, and an uncertain future to take ownership of...however, each young woman would most certainly not end up in the same place. I hesitate to reveal too much of each of these characters because, as is often said in real life, they are not always what they at first seem. The twisted and winding roads their stories take will not surprise you at times, while completely shocking you at others...as will the turn of events later on in the story...but such is the path from childhood to adulthood. We are told things, taught ways, and eventually have to assimilate it into something that works for each of us...but the one thing that stays strong with all of them, even from afar, is their friendship. 

A great read to explore during these summer days, and beyond, and a remarkable story you won’t want to put down. I highly suggest joining these ladies the first Thursday of the month, after all….we’re all serious book lovers here! 

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Special thanks to Anna and the Sourcebooks Landmark team for the eARC 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 ON SALE NOW, so click on over to your favorite online retailer, or take a break for a visit to your local brick and mortar. 

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