The FIRST Post of Bookmas... THE SNOWMAN CODE by Simon Stephenson, Illustrated by Reggie Brown!

What IS Bookmas, you ask? Great question!

Bookmas is similar to Christmas, except it brings tidings of great reads, holiday gifting suggestions, and just about all the bookish fun you can imagine from across the genre spectrum. It's a quick glance at a title I've read or had my attention captured by, with a little something extra to help you get out from under the yuletide stress, and get back to enjoying the season...one page at a time. SNOW now that you know... back to today's feature! 😉

☃️ The first post of Bookmas ...

THE SNOWMAN CODE

by Simon Stephenson

Illustrated by Reggie Brown

(Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

About the book...

Article II of the Snowman Code: A snowman always helps a child in need.

It’s March, but the ground is still covered in snow, the lake in the park is still frozen over, and ten-and-a-half-year-old Blessing has three problems:

Problem 1: Blessing hasn’t gone to school in months.

Problem #2: Blessing’s mom gets sad in the winter.

Problem 3: The city is experiencing its longest ever winter, with no end in sight. And the longer it goes

on, the longer her mom’s sadness does too.

Just as Blessing starts to lose hope, she meets an unexpected new friend: Albert Framlington, a six-hundred-year-old snowman who just might hold the key to solving all three of her problems. But Albert has a problem of his own he may need a

human’s help to solve. Can this unlikely duo find a way to defeat Blessing’s bullies, win back Albert’s long-lost love, and overcome the never-ending

winter before it’s too late? They have to try—that’s the Snowman Code after all.

❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ 

⛄️ This nontraditional holiday themed tale takes our winter wonderland and shows another side to the cold 🥶 that is a reality for many, though not often placed front and center. I think it gives kids a way to explore those topics in a way that's friendlier, making them more accessible, and easier to understand, while showing how much friendship can really make a difference in a person's life. 

A great read for the season, and a great pick for the Middle-grade reader/fan on your list!

❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️

Special thanks to Alex at Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the copy for consideration. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links above. This title is available now for your reading and gifting pleasure! Be sure to stay tuned for more of this series as we approach the holiday!

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

Time to get your SUMMERWEEN READ on!

Carve the watermelons, and slip some sunshades on your ghostly decor.

Whether you're a pro at it and plan the yearly celebration in your neighborhood, or you're one of the newly initiated, SUMMERWEEN is a thing!  That's right.  Just when you thought you couldn't take another holiday, one comes along to let you celebrate the SPOOKY side of things with a little summer flair before the autumnal weather changes and the shorter daylight hours kick in.  So, with that SPIRIT in mind, I'm bringing you QUITE THE LIST of titles to check out now, then, and a little later on because when it comes to our TBRs, there truly is no limit!  😉

Ladies and gents, the incoming flood of bookish goodness contains both SPOTLIGHTS and REVIEWS, featuring spooky tales, witchy ways, autumnal celebrations, and even back to school traditions, so take in what you see, add to your reading lists, and let me know what struck your SUMMERWEEN fancy!

Stitch: Reimagining Frankenstein

by Pádraig Kenny

Candlewick Press

On Sale: 07/15/2025

About the book...

An atmospheric retelling of Frankenstein, full of adventure and as thrilling as a lightning strike.

Stitch and his friend Henry Oaf were brought to life by the genius Professor Hardacre. But when his wicked nephew takes over the laboratory, they soon discover that the new professor's sights are set on Henry as his next experiment. Can Stitch and Henry escape his clutches and make their way in a world they were never built for—and that may only ever see them as monsters? Literary yet accessible, warmhearted yet chillingly gothic, this beautiful novel, described by the London Times as “exceptional,” explores themes of life and death, friendship and acceptance, all through a page-turning adventure about what it means to be human.

👻  💀  🧛  👾  🧛  💀  👻

Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom

by Jessixa Bagley

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

On Sale: 07/15/2025

About the book...

In her town full of witches, Jazzy’s always been a little bit different. She’s not excited about magic. She forgets the steps to spells. And even though her parents run the town’s broom shop, she doesn’t want to fly.

Then, one day, she discovers what she was born to do: cycling! Now she just has to find a way to get a bicycle…and learn how to ride it. But will her new passion come between her and her best friend—and possibly get her in big trouble?

👻  💀  🧛  👾  🧛  💀  👻

Leila and the Voice

by Shahrzad Maydani

Kokila

On Sale: 07/22/2025

Now this isn't a monster story in the traditional sense of the word, but rather a tale that reminds us that we all have "monsters" to face, and it is in the facing of them that we grow stronger, more free, and more ourselves.  The little girl in the story is cultivating her inner voice so that one day she too can be strong enough to stand tall against the angry clouds of doubt and despair that can surround, and I think the visual aspect given to the journey will really help younger readers understand their own emotions that much more.  A unique story that truly has a place in any reading circle, aimed at not only sharing a story, but helping others to grow.

👻  💀  🧛  👾  🧛  💀  👻

Fall is for Beginnings 

by Rajani LaRocca

Illustrated by Abhi Alwar

Abrams Books for Young Readers

On Sale: 08/05/2025

About the book...

Ravi can’t wait for the start of the new school year! Fall is for cool weather, new school supplies, and spending time with his best friend, Joe. But when a new girl named Ellie joins their class, Ravi and Joe’s duo suddenly becomes a trio.

Ravi’s not so sure about Ellie—she plays her horn too loud in music lessons and gets them lost on the way to class. Worst of all, she keeps saying she’s Joe and Ravi’s best friend.

All these big changes are challenging for Ravi, but with time (and a little help from his wise older sister) he realizes that fall is the perfect time to begin a new friendship.

From the award-winning team behind Summer Is for Cousins, this heartwarming picture book all about back-to-school fun celebrates the (sometimes complicated) joy of making new friends.

👻  💀  🧛  👾  🧛  💀  👻

The Wishing Leaf

by Kallie George

Illustrated by Paola Zakimi

Abrams Book for Young Readers

On Sale: 08/12/2025

About the book...

Bear knows that when the last leaf falls in the forest, whatever wish you make is sure to come true! Although it’s almost time to sleep, Mama allows Bear to watch and wait with his friends.

But it seems like the leaf is never going to fall, so one by one, the other animals grow impatient and start to head home. Bear, however, finds active ways to wait, all the while wondering what to wish for—until finally, he’s the only one left, and he’s growing tired. Will Bear see the last leaf fall? And if so, what wish will he make?

A story of patience, friendship, and awe, The Wishing Leaf is a picture book full of wonder for the changing seasons, with a perfectly cozy ending.

👻  💀  🧛  👾  🧛  💀  👻

Bob the Vampire Snail

by Andrea Zuill

Random House Studio

On Sale: 08/05/2025

Okay, I gotta tell you, this one was FUNNY!  Seriously, a vampire snail?  Who'd have thought!  The how, the why, and the living (unliving?) with it part are all laid out so readers have no question as to his new found features, powers, and dietary needs (which are not exactly what you might be thinking!).  In the end, as SPOOKY-tacular as this one is, at it's heart it reminds us that friendship is a beautiful thing, and accepting others for who they are in spite of newly developed fangs or wings is important...although I don't exactly blame the other "Bobs" for holding a grudge about the whole "trying to eat them" thing.  Special note for readers!  Watch for the little bug narrator imparting pearls of wisdom, fun facts, and a few jokes from time to time!

👻  💀  🧛  👾  🧛  💀  👻

Pumpkin & Squash: #Squashgoals

by G.G. McQueen

Illustrated by Michael Slack

Doubleday Books for Young Readers

On Sale: 08/26/2025

You know the moment that FALL has hit, or even hinted at it, because suddenly it's PUMPKIN EVERYTHING.  Seriously, if you're a fan, you're in heaven; if not, it's a bit of a spicy HELLo until December when peppermint takes over, but I digress.  In this charming autumn tale, Pumpkin is the popular one, but longs for the days of the other three seasons when she's not bombarded with requests on her time, flavor, and scent.  On the other side of the gourd, Squash has been having trouble playing second (or lower) flavor to the season, and is going all out this year to become the GOURD KING they know they can be!  Only, it doesn't go exactly as planned for either of them, and yet in the end, they still get what they were BOTH looking for thanks to good friends, consideration for others...and a well timed distraction so they can enjoy each others company and all the fun Fall can bring.  A great reminder that having #Squashgoals is important, but it's the friends/company we keep that make them worth having in the first place.

👻  💀  🧛  👾  🧛  💀  👻

Lost on Doll Island 

by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

On Sale: 08/26/2025

About the book...

Rick Riordan meets R. L. Stine in this fast-paced debut middle grade horror packed with adventure about a Mexican American boy who starts hearing the voice of a haunted doll while visiting family in Mexico City.

Diego feels trapped. He’s confined in an arm cast, stuck with his tía and tío for a week in Mexico City, and smothered with the sickening fear that he’s the one who really caused his parents’ divorce. But most of all, he’s trapped in his own secret. Because ever since he got to Mexico City, he’s started having strange dreams of a doll calling his name.

Then Diego learns of La Isla de Muñecas, an island full of legendary magic that can make children’s wishes come true. If Diego can harness the power there, maybe he could fix everything that has gone wrong in his life.

So, with the help of two new friends, Diego takes a boat to the legendary island. From the moment the kids step ashore, nothing is as it seems—with dolls disappearing and reappearing in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, Diego is more trapped than ever before, and as the night goes on, he’s not sure he can escape.

👻  💀  🧛  👾  🧛  💀  👻

Special thanks to the authors, publishers, and publicists who made this post possible.  (THANKS!)  For more information on any of the titles listed above, please feel free to click through the links provided.  Titles available now are listed, while others are waiting for your pre-order or wish list addition, so you know what to do!

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

What's on your TBR?: JULY RELEASES

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're shining the BOOK SPOTLIGHT on a few titles that have made their way (or are JUST about to) to a bookstore or virtual shelf near you. That's right. It's time to set our sights on JULY RELEASES and we've got a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. So, have your TBR at the ready, here come the books!

The first two titles are ones that caught my attention, for one reason or another, but I've not indulged in the story between the pages.  Will I?  Perhaps, but at the very least, I wanted to draw your eye to them as well and see what YOU think!  I love how the first one draws a connection between two people at two very different times, while the second one feels like an edge of your seat mystery that will keep you turning pages!

This Book Might Be About Zinnia

by Brittney Morris

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

About the book...

Two moments in time. Two very different girls. And one story that connects them both.

It’s the year 2024, and Zinnia Davis is on a mission to ace her personal essay. But when an admissions rep hints that her adoption story is “lacking heart,” she has to figure out a new spin. Frankly, Zinnia doesn’t know much about her birth parents; that is, until her favorite author releases a new novel—Little Heart—about a princess with a heart-shaped birthmark on her forehead and separated from her mother at birth…just like Zinnia. Could this be her birth mother?

Flashback to 2006, and teenager Tuesday Walker is barely making it through high school after experiencing a loss that had her on leave for months. To cope, Tuesday writes a series of entries in a journal, but when the journal is lost, it feels like reliving the trauma all over again. Tuesday’s search for the journal uncovers dangerous secrets about her past, her crush, and her own mother’s story.

If Tuesday isn’t careful in her search, Zinnia will have to reap the consequences in the present.

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Blood in the Water

by Tiffany D. Jackson

Scholastic Press

About the book...

Brooklyn girl Kaylani McKinnon feels like a fish out of water. She's spending the summer with family friends in their huge house on Martha's Vineyard, and the vibe is definitely snooty. Still, there are beautiful beaches, lots of ice cream, and a town full of fascinating Black history. Plus a few kids her age who seem friendly.

Until the shocking death of a popular teenage boy rocks the community to its core. Was it a drowning? A shark attack? Or the unthinkable--murder?

Kaylani is determined to solve the mystery. But her investigation leads her to uncover shocking secrets that could change her own life as she knows it... if she survives.

🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞

Now for our next set of titles, I have delved between their pages, paper or electronic, and they've BOTH got stories to tell.

Millie Fleur Saves the Night

by Christy Mandin

Orchard Books

This is a story about embracing the darkness and allowing it as much space as the light.  There are things that can only be done in the dark, places that can only be visited, thoughts only thought, dreams only dreamed, life that can only grow AND glow when the lights go out.  Millie reminds us that while many shy away from darkness, it's generally out of misunderstanding versus actual desire.  I mean, who doesn't fear the unknown in some fashion?  But if we give it time, get to know it little by little, and it never hurts to have a friend at hand, we can be as much friends with the darkness as we are with the light, and celebrate the unique things that only it can bring.  Filled with wondrous illustrations and so many delightful ideas to create your own twilight garden, I can see readers of all ages taking this one to heart and making the dark their new friend.

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I Got You

by Derrick Barnes

Illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice

Nancy Paulsen Books

On Sale: 07/15/2025

This is a story of family, of the bonds forged between siblings, and the boundless love that carries on from generation to generation.  When Anthony becomes a big brother, he showers this new addition to the family with love, pearls of wisdom, and that precious commodity of TIME.  As they grow, so does their relationship, but they always come back to one another because through thick and thin, they've got each other.  When one day the family dynamics change once again, Rasheed gets the chance to be the big brother Anthony was to him, but to the new little addition, continuing the circle of love, growth, and understanding that cements a family at heart.  It was a touching story that I think really gets to the heart of what having a brother or sister (or multiples of each!) really means. It's not just someone to place the blame on.  It's not just someone to ignore when it's convenient.  It's not just someone there to take up the space you were already occupying.  It's someone to share the good times and bad, someone to create memories with and share traditions learned, someone that will always be there through life's ups and downs, and that's truly something worth cultivating.

🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞

Special thanks to the publishers, publicists, and authors listed above for the chance to bring these titles to you!  For more information, feel free to click through the links provided above.  The first three are currently available now, and the last follows suit in a few days time (as of this post).  

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

SPRING(ish) CLEANING... Bookish Style!

The weather has been RIDICULOUSLY HOT. 😓

Work has been uber busy, and not so much fun...same old, same old. 😕

Home life has been what it is...making the best of things; some highs, some lows. 😟

Reading has been...STILL a bit of a challenge and honestly, I'm not certain when, or even if, my focus will come back to me there. It all started with the losses last year, and I've not been the same since. 😞

HOWEVER, I've seen plenty of memes recently that remind us that reading is for the JOY of it, not the numbers, so I'm taking it a page at a time. 😌

📕 📖 📗 📖 📘 📖 📙

Despite the lack of focus, I do have a few titles that have unintentionally piled up, so it's time to do a little SPRING(ish) CLEANING of my HAVE READ and HAVE CAUGHT MY ATTENTION pile. What's that mean for you? A nice size helping of shorter reviews to tantalize, tease, and tempt these titles onto your MUST READ list, or if you happen to have read some of them already, invite you to share your thoughts. You're welcome. 😁

Ready or not, here they come!

Bored Panda

by Mike Bender

Illustrated by Chuck Dillon

Random House Books for Young Readers

All day, every day, big ones, little ones, and all those in-between are attached to one thing...their phones or other digital and electronic devices.  Whether playing games, reading books, doom scrolling, watching videos, completing homework or work work, there's almost no time where our eyes aren't glued to a screen...at least, until they need a charge.  But wait, what's this?  The power is out?  This simply won't do!  What's a girl, boy, or PANDA to do?  What indeed!  This is where our little bored panda learns about all the things that can be enjoyed once you unplug.  A little digital detox never hurt anyone, especially in today's go go GO world, and this story is a charming reminder to slow down and smell the roses, or draw them, or spruce up their beds!  With full color, full page illustrations throughout, even the youngest readers can catch the lesson being thrown, and it's never too early to develop a GOOD habit.  😉

📕 📖 📗 📖 📘 📖 📙

I Am Rebel

by Ross Montgomery

Candlewick Press

Okay, I'm going to spoil this one from the start...the dog does not die, although the brushes with his expiration date are many!  Sorry, not sorry for the spoil.  It's one of those things I feel is important to know, especially considering it's aimed at a Middle Grade audience first and foremost, but I digress.

This story is told through the eyes/voice/mind of Rebel, a proud young pup that loves his boy very much, and would go to the ends of the earth for him, even when all seems lost.  Times are more than trying as they teeter on the brink of an uprising against the king, and it is in these trials that Tom finds himself caught up in growing up way too fast, and forgetting the simpler things...like the love of a dog.  That's okay because Rebel hasn't forgotten, and he knows that by his boy's side is where he belongs.  Come heck or high water, and despite the boy's command to stay behind, he knows that this is one in order to be the "good boy" he is, he must follow his heart.  It's moving and sad, but also uplifting and heartwarming all at the same time.  I loved seeing how he stayed true to himself and Tom throughout his journey, and how he allowed his heart strengthened by love to reach out to others, even when they weren't reaching back in return.  It's a story for animal lovers, and historical fiction lovers in equal measure, with an ending you won't soon forget.

📕 📖 📗 📖 📘 📖 📙

Now this is one that simply caught my attention when it made the rounds because, first of all, that cover is beyond curious, and then when you work in the talking plants, grumpy goldfish, and a curious spider...I'm not even sure my imagination knows where to start!

Growing Home

by Beth Ferry

Illustrated by Terry and Eric Fan

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

About the book...

Ivy is the beloved houseplant of young Jillian Tupper of Number 3 Ramshorn Drive, much to the constant dismay of Toasty the goldfish, who is technically the family pet—swimming in his special place of honor, the antique octagonal fish tank—and should be the most loved. It seems that’s how the cookie (or cheese puffs, in Toasty’s case) crumbles in the curious Tupper household, but soon a sequence of thrilling and magical events challenges that way of life forever.

First, there’s the arrival of Arthur, a knowledgeable spider with a broken leg and a curious mind, hidden in an old typewriter. Then Jillian throws everyone for a loop when she brings home dear, sweet Ollie, a school houseplant who just wants to be friends and sing. When Toasty splashes the plants with his tank water out of frustration, the friends learn that they can do magical things—like lift heavy objects and turn things invisible!

It turns out Toasty’s fishtank isn’t just for fish; it was made by a curious inventor who gave it special powers that, in the wrong hands, could disrupt everything forever. And a curious man with purple shoes just so happens to want that tank at any cost. Can Ivy, Toasty, Arthur, and Ollie grow to be friends in time to work together to save their beloved Tupper family from utter ruin?

📕 📖 📗 📖 📘 📖 📙

Special thanks to the authors, publicists, and publishers listed for the copies for review. (THANKS!) For more information on any title listed, feel free to click through the links provided above.

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

Storybook Saturday... WHERE ARE YOU, BRONTË? written by Tomie dePaola, Illustrated by Barbara McClintock - REVIEW!

We're celebrating another day of bookish fun with Storybook Saturday! For those not up to speed on the post, I read a lot of great storybooks and thought, why not give them their own day in the sun. Hence, Storybook Sunday (or Saturday, depending on the week)! Feel free to join the fun and create a post on your own site with the same name. I'd love to see any linked up in the comments! Anywho...back to the matter at hand.

Today's featured title is celebrating its BOOK BIRTHDAY THIS TUESDAY (May 6th, 2025) via Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.  It's beautiful, it's touching, it's something that will pull at the heartstrings of readers while its message transcends generations.  It's the final work of a beloved author, and a touching tribute to a beloved friend.  Ladies and gents, I give you today's book of choice...

WHERE ARE YOU, BRONTË? 

by

Tomie dePaola

Illustrated by

Barbara McClintock

9781534418509

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

RELEASE DATE:  May 6th, 2025

This illustrated work of the heart not only shares the timeless characters of a talent that has passed, but the true depths of love that are felt, and the endless connection of spirit that exists between family.  I read this story immediately when it arrived, and just as immediately was in tears.  The warm feelings and simplicity bring joy to my heart, but the beauty and message of love continuing on stole my breath.  I was so moved, I couldn't even begin to share anything about the book at the time, and, quite frankly, am having a hard time right now with the same after rereading it.  

That's the thing about our fur babies.  They steal their way into our hearts one look, one lick, one moment of cuteness, mischief, or sweetness at a time.  Sadly, over the course of my own life, I've had to experience that separation more times than I care to count, and yet for all the tears it brings at a moment's notice, I wouldn't trade the time shared nor the memories for the world.  The loss is felt every day in the strangest of ways and moments, but the smiles, laughs, snuggles, and wiggles are priceless.  There's a saying I saw somewhere in all the social media hullabaloo, and while there are many memorable ones, this particular one stuck with me.

"To the world, you may be just one person...

...but to your dog, you are the world."

Honestly, I feel the same way about my fur kiddos.  They are the world, and I'd do anything for them...and, in my opinion, that's just how it should be.  This story shares the joy of the initial meeting, the fun moments while getting to know one another, the understanding needed in later years, the moment no one wants to consider, as well as those that come after and how to carry one.  For pet lovers at large, and trying to explain this sadly inevitable part of life to little ones, this story serves more than its purpose by adding more beauty, and tenderness to the world.  The tale will move you, while the illustrations enchant.  Keep an eye out for familiar faces from the past during the dinner party.

💖💔💖💔💖💔💖💔💖

About the author...

Photograph © Laurent Linn

Tomie dePaola (1934–2020) was the beloved author and/or illustrator of more than 270 books for young readers, including the children’s classic Strega Nona. He was the recipient of the Newbery Honor, Caldecott Honor, and the 2011 Children’s Literature Legacy Award for “significant and lasting contribution to children’s literature.” A native of Connecticut, Mr. dePaola studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and spent much of his life in New London, New Hampshire. Visit his work online at Tomie.com.

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About the illustrator...

Barbara McClintock is an American illustrator and author of over forty books for children. Her books have received numerous awards and selections, including five New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book Awards, four ALA Notable Book selections, a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Award, a China Times Open Book Award, and a British Fantasy Award. One of her books is a bestselling title in Japan. She has lectured about her work nationally and internationally and is currently teaching classes on creating children’s books at Wesleyan University. Originally from New Jersey and North Dakota, she now resides in northeastern Connecticut with her partner, the illustrator David Johnson, and their three overly helpful cats.

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Special thanks to Alex at Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for the copy for review (THANKS!). For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is set to release THIS TUESDAY May 6th, 2025, so mark your calendar or pre-order your copy today! SPECIAL NOTE FOR THOSE IN THE NYC AREA...Barbara McClintock will also be celebrating the book’s publication at a public, in-store launch event at NYC’s Books of Wonder on May 5.

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

WHAT'S THE BUZZ?: The Sherlock Society by James Ponti - REVIEW!

Today's WHAT'S THE BUZZ is a Middle Grade Fiction title coming to you SEPTEMBER 3rd via Aladdin/Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing and it marks the next BIG THING from an author whose work you've probably adventured through before. James Ponti, the writer behind the CITY SPIES series, is at it again, but this time he's taken you're somewhat average run of the mill kids, tagged then with a well known name with some big history, and set them a quest for more than just an amazing summer. Curious? Well then, the game is afoot, and there's a mystery to uncover, so let's get between the pages of today's featured title and book of choice...

The Sherlock Society

Book #1 of The Sherlock Society

By

James Ponti

9781665932530

Aladdin

About the book...

Siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock take their last name as inspiration when choosing a summer job. After all, starting a detective agency has to be better than babysitting (boring), lawn mowing (sweaty), or cleaning out the attic (boring and sweaty). Their friends Lina, an avid bookworm, and Yadi, an aspiring cinematographer, join the enterprise, and Alex and Zoe’s retired reporter grandfather offers up his sweet aquamarine Cadillac convertible and storage unit full of cold cases.

The group’s first target is the long-lost treasure supposedly hidden near their hometown Miami. Their investigation into the local doings of famed gangster Al Capone leads them to a remote island in the middle of the Everglades where they find alarming evidence hinting at corporate corruption.

Together with Grandpa’s know-how and the kids’ intelligence—plus some really slick gadgets—can the Sherlock Society root out the conspiracy?

------------------------------------------

This book was AWESOME.

There, I said it. 

The main characters were easy to relate to and likeable. You can easily see yourself being friends with their group, taking up the mantle that seems to follow the name Sherlock, and getting all tangled up in a mystery that's way bigger than they ever imagined. Guess what? It doesn't matter that they are kids... with a 70 something grandfather in tow. It doesn't matter that the original draw was treasure with the goes of scoring a reward to get each of them what they were after. What matters is that when it came down to following through even though the shiny prize was no longer able to be put in a pocket, they followed. What matters is that their desire to do the greater good even if it wasn't the easy thing to do, kept having them take steps forward not back. What matters is the bond they created, the friendships they cultivated, the knowledge they built, and the skills they shared, because at day's end, they were there for each other come heck or high water. It didn't matter that a bunch of thugs carrying out crazy orders, or a secret service agent stood in their way... the pieces were in play, and they wouldn't be stopped until the truth was uncovered.

There is so much WONDERFUL going on here,I hardly know where to start. From the characters to the story, the lessons shared to the celebrations had for each of them being themselves, it preaches acceptance as much as it begs us to question the world around us and fight for what's right. It gives great insight into the world of amateur film making as well as sleuthing and reporter techniques. It reminds us that we're all capable of anything we set our minds to, things aren't always as they seem, and we can make the world a better place one moment at a time. A great pick for Middle Grade Fiction fans of all ages, and a fabulous start to what seems to be a promising series. 

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About the author...

James Ponti is the New York Times bestselling author of four middle grade book series: The Sherlock Society following a group of young detectives; City Spies, about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 Spy Team; the Edgar Award–winning Framed! series, about a pair of tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, DC; and the Dead City trilogy, about a secret society that polices the undead living beneath Manhattan. His books have appeared on more than fifteen different state award lists, and he is the founder of a writers group known as the Renegades of Middle Grade. James is also an Emmy–nominated television writer and producer who has worked for many networks including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, History, and Spike TV, as well as NBC Sports. He lives with his family in Orlando, Florida. Find out more at JamesPonti.com.

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Special thanks to Thad and Alex at Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for the copy 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 celebrates its BOOK BIRTHDAY September 3, 2024, so mark your calendar, or preorder your copy today! Catch the official book tour as it makes its way (hopefully) to a city near you...

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

WHAT'S THE BUZZ?: A Bite Above the Rest by Christine Virnig - REVIEW!

Today's WHAT'S THE BUZZ is a Middle Grade Fiction title coming to you TOMORROW via Aladdin/Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing and features a FANGtastic story that's just vaiting for you to sink your teeth into. 🧛 Sound like your cup of tea? Better be careful what you drink and from whom in this town, but prepare yourself as we dive between the pages of today's book of choice...

A Bite Above the Rest

by

Christine Virnig

9781665946575

Aladdin

Release Date:  August 6th, 2024

About the book...

When Caleb’s mom decides they are moving to her childhood home in Wisconsin, Caleb is not thrilled. Moving schools, states, and time zones would be bad enough, but Mom’s hometown is Samhain, a small and ridiculously kitschy place where every day is Halloween.

Caleb is not a fan of Halloween when it only happens once a year, so Halloween-obsessed Samhain is really not the place for him. How is he supposed to cope with kids wearing costumes to school every single day? And how about the fact that the mayor is so committed to the bit that City Hall is only open from sundown to sunup to accommodate his so-called vampirism? Sure enough, Caleb becomes an outcast at school for refusing to play along with the spooky tradition like the other sixth graders. Luckily, he manages to find a friend in fellow misfit Tai, and just in time, because things are getting weird in Samhain…or make that weirder.

But there’s no way the mayor is an actual vampire, and their teacher absolutely cannot really be a werewolf—right? Caleb discovers Samhain is so much stranger than he ever could have imagined. As one of the only people who realizes what’s happening, can he save a town that doesn’t want saving?

🧛   👻   👾   👸   🤠

This is a book that really gets under your skin.  It makes you really wonder about that seemingly innocent little old lady down the street that likes to garden and prefers pointy hats.  It makes you second guess that acquaintance that seems to have an affinity for nights versus days, and burns rather easily.  It makes you think about those friends or coworkers that don't get sick often, but just happen to about once a month...around the full moon.  This is a book that YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS!

Starting over is never easy, especially when prompted by a tragedy, but when you land in an unusual town where it's Halloween every day?  Yeah, that's something else.  I mean, you actually have to wear a costume every day...both children AND adults...because if you don't, THEN you're the odd one out!  Sound like fun?  Oh, I'm sure it could be...but then there are the oddities.  The strange teacher that disappears once a month around the full moon, the neighbor that knows more about you than they should considering you're never talked with her before, and even the city government officials keeping VERY odd office hours (as in only when the sun is down!).  Doesn't seem like a big deal, right?  I suppose everyone needs to have a place to call home, and Caleb and Tai have a great connection to be besties for life...but what about those that go against the grain?  What about those that don't agree with covering things up, letting missing person cases slide under the rug, and creepy SSS-ilencing business of anyone that asks the wrong questions?  Yeah, that's definitely making my moral compass swing towards no, so I don't blame these two for questioning things, and digging for answers. The only real problem is...what will happen if they discover what they think to be true to be ACTUALLY true?  And who can they trust so they don't become the next people to disappear?  *dun dun dunnn*

While it's release is perfectly timed for the start of the SPOOKY reading season, and the story definitely has all the fine attributes we look for when reaching for that seasonal read (come on, a town that is ALL about Halloween, all the time?!  With townspeople that make you second guess if it's a costume for them or every day life?), it also has A LOT of heart.  We have loss of a family member (trigger warning for those that need it...though it's not in detail, it is definitely an underlying vein in the story touched on several times.), new beginnings, finding friends and being one, the power of promises, and learning how to follow the truth while being your true self.  I loved the friendship Tai and Caleb built seemingly in a heartbeat.  I liked Caleb's devil-may-care approach to the costume "rule", and I'm sorry, but his were totally punny!  I enjoyed getting to know the town and the townspeople...well, MOST of them...and while the ending felt just right, I LOVE how it definitely left things open just in case the author wants to pay a visit to Samhain again (please, please, PLEASE!).

A great pick for Middle Grade Fiction fans of all ages, and a SPOOKTACULAR way to welcome the Halloween season that's fast approaching.  You never know, you may even get a costume idea or two of your own!

🧛   👻   👾   👸   🤠

About the author...

Christine Virnig is a fan of books, candy, spooky stories, poop jokes, and coffee…in no particular order. As a former physician, Christine now spends her days writing books, reading books, and working at a library where she is surrounded by books. Christine lives in southern Wisconsin with her husband, two daughters, a ridiculous number of dust bunnies, and one incredibly lazy cat. You can visit her on the web at ChristineVirnig.com

🧛   👻   👾   👸   🤠

Special thanks to Alex at Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for the chance to share this title with you and for the copy 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 celebrates its BOOK BIRTHDAY August 6th, 2024, so mark your calendar or pre order your copy today!

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

WHAT'S THE BUZZ?: A DOUBLE REVIEW featuring Author Rachel Lynn Solomon!

Today's WHAT'S THE BUZZ features a DUO of titles from author Rachel Lynn Solomon. It's a Young Adult set that screams Coming-of-Age trope as it tackles life and love in high school days and beyond! That's right. We don't simply end things when the tassel is switched to the other side of the hat. Summer happens, and then...the sequel is released. *first pump* So, grab your cap and gown, or maybe the sweatshirt you confiscated from your significant other that may have belonged to them, but most assuredly is now yours, as we take a look between the pages of your next must reads...

Today Tonight Tomorrow

9781534440258

Here, we meet Rowan and Neil in the hallowed battle ground that is also known as high school.  Yes, I said battle ground because these two have been at each other academically for the last four years.  Competitive much?  OH yeah, and they drive each other crazy along the way, but it's definitely a case of the lady (or gent) doth protest too much because while they think they've merely been sparring all this time, friends and those that surround are catching a glimpse of feelings they may not have even admitted to themselves.  Well, so maybe one of them has, and the other has been ignoring them since the first week they met, but that's beside the point...at least for now.  The end of school scavenger hunt and sniper-ish game is a bout to prove how the line between enemy and something far more endearing is very easily blurred.  There are moments of self discovery, situations that aid in them having those AH-HA instances, and a HEA waiting for them that is uniquely their own.  You'll catch all the feels as things seriously heat up, and really get behind the dreams they are reaching for all while supporting each other in ways even they never realized.  It's all drawn to a conclusion both satisfying and tantalizing as the future awaits them beyond the days of summer.

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Past Present Future

9781665901956

Release Date: June 4th, 2024

About the book...

When longtime rivals Rowan Roth and Neil McNair confessed their feelings on the last day of senior year, they knew they’d only have a couple months together before they left for college. Now summer is over, and they’re determined to make their relationship work as they begin school in different places.

In Boston, Rowan is eager to be among other aspiring novelists, learning from a creative writing professor she adores. She’s just not sure why she suddenly can’t seem to find her voice.

In New York, Neil embraces the chaos of the city, clicking with a new friend group more easily than he anticipated. But when his past refuses to leave him alone, he doesn’t know how to handle his rapidly changing mental health—or how to talk about it with the girl he loves.

Over a year of late-night phone calls, weekend visits, and East Coast adventures, Rowan and Neil fall for each other again and again as they grapple with the uncertainty of their new lives. They’ve spent so many years at odds with each other—now that they’re finally on the same team, what does the future hold for them?

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Summer is over and college has begun.  What looked like a dream on the horizon is actually shaping up to be...part dream, part torture, part big fat unknown.  Funny how the best laid plans can fall by the wayside.  People change as they grow, and dreams can be altered as well, but that doesn't mean we have to say goodbye to everything we hold dear.  It's about learning what we need to hold close, letting go of what we don't, and making room for new experiences, likes, desires, and realizations.  Rowan and Neil have some tough times ahead, both on their own and with each other, but if they put faith in their connection, if they trust in the love they share, there is no obstacle they can't handle, no challenge they can't face, no change in circumstances or desires that they can't handle.  I know, I know, it sounds detrimental to our golden couple, but trust me, it's well worth the read.  Everything they go through will make that potential for a HEA that much sweeter, that much more satisfying if reached...and really, while I won't spoil the surprise, when have either of them cracked from the pressure?

The beauty in this one isn't in the finding, but the understanding, the ability to relate to the characters and what they're going through.  The situations are realistic, the feelings intense, and the hard moments...seriously tough... but it doesn't make them any less valid.  They both have things to work through in this chapter of their lives, and while they've always been up to a challenge on their own, sometimes a problem shared is in fact a problem halved, allowing them to grow stronger together as they find those solutions.  I was rooting for them the whole time, and delighted with the final outcome, as I think you will be too.  A great pick for Young Adult readers that will pull you in and never let go.

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About the author...

Photograph by Sabreen Lakhani

Rachel Lynn Solomon is the New York Times bestselling author of Today Tonight Tomorrow, The Ex Talk, and other romantic comedies for teens and adults. Originally from Seattle, she’s currently navigating expat life in Amsterdam, where she’s on a mission to try as many Dutch sweets as possible. Learn more at RachelSolomonBooks.com.

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Special thanks to Lindsey at Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for the chance to share these titles with you and for the copies for review! (THANKS!) For more information on this set, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. The second title celebrates its BOOK BIRTHDAY June 4th, 2024, so mark your calendar or pre order your copy today!

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