BLOG TOUR: Rock, Scissors, Paperbag by Elizabeth Godley, Illustrated by Akanksha Tyagi - REVIEW!

It's almost turkey day!  Are you ready?

Whether you have a family meal with people crossing the country to make it to the dinner table, or a small celebration with a few friends and family you hold dear, the US of A is presently going made for the upcoming holiday.  I should know...I work retail...hence the slightly more sporadic posts at the moment, but that doesn't mean reading isn't happening, or that there isn't anything to recommend because there most certainly is, and today's featured Blog Tour guest might just be the book you're looking for!  

Today on the menu, we've got a Chapter Book filled with imagination, lessons to be learned, and some good old fashioned fun.  Sound like your cup of tea?  Well then, ladies and gents, I give you today's ebook of choice...

Rock, Scissors, Paperbag

by

Elizabeth Godley

Illustrated by

Akanksha Tyagi

9788989108800

Nobody's Banana Publishing

About the book...

Rock, Scissors, and Paperbag are the bestest of friends! Paperbag is afraid of everything, Rock is a talented musician, and Scissors is an excellent Orange Ball player. After the school bullies, The Bucket Kids, steal Scissors’ fake orange-ball, the kids decide to get back at the bullies. What if they could get a real orange-ball from The Great Orange Tree? That would show The Bucket Kids!

Recalling the local legend, they embark on a fantastic adventure to find The Great Orange Tree. However, while solving the riddle within the ancient map, they encounter a cave monster, a tornado of rapping cooties, and the horrid Land of Smells. How will they face each challenge? Will they end up back home with a real orange-ball? And if they do, will they share it?

AMAZON  |  GOODREADS

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Rock, Scissors, and Paperbag were the best of friends.  There wasn't one among them that was perfect in every way, but they complimented each other, aiming to be their best and bring out the best in their friends, and isn't that what having a true friend is all about?

The story itself takes us into a imagined land filled with animated, living objects that are no longer content to simply lie about, but have lives, dreams, and aspirations. Rock wants to be a rockstar.  Scissors wants to be a world famous Orange Ball player.  Paperbag wants...to simply be a bit less scared, and a bit more content, but he's working on it.  When bullies come a calling, they lost something precious to them, but end up on a mission to get something even better.  No, not a real Orange Ball, although technically that is there initial mission, but the missions BEHIND the mission it to cement their friendship, have a good time, overcome the bullies, and share their wealth with the world...or at least their classmates.  The ups and downs they experience, the curious trail they are lead on, and even the strange portions of their world they encounter will spark imagination, if not turn a stomach because hello, THE LAND OF SMELL?  With a few described smells?  Eww...no thanks...but at least it was made bearable with friends, such is the lesson of life!  It can get stinky sometimes and make us want to walk away, but it moves on, and, with the help of a few good friends, it's that much easier to trudge on through.

In the end, this was a curious beginning to a magic infused Chapter Book series that has a lot of potential, a few hidden humorous moments, and a whole lot of love.  Life in Orange Orange may have started out rather boring and humdrum, but how can anything stay that way with good friends by your side?  A great read for the kiddos, whether on their own or with a friend, and a fun way to spark imagination while instilling the importance of kindness, sharing, and supporting one another.

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About the author...

Elizabeth is a writer, actress, and elementary school teacher living in Los Angeles. The bulk of her work and training is in classical theatre & Shakespeare, balanced with clown, voice over, TV & Film experience. She grew up on a farm in Louisiana and graduated from LSU. A world traveler, always up for an adventure, Elizabeth is a joyous observer of the beautiful, a collector of tiny things, a caretaker, mentor, fairy, clown, friend, and kid magnet. Seriously, she cannot go into a park without at least 3 kids around her wanting to join in on the fun. Her favorite children’s authors are J.M. Barrie and A.A. Milne

INSTAGRAM  |  FACEBOOK

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Special thanks to author Elizabeth Godley for the ecopy for review and the chance to bring this tour to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, or the author, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Nobody's Banana Publishing, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today!

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

Happy BOOK BIRTHDAY wishes to... FINALLY SEEN by Kelly Yang - REVIEW!

A GINORMOUS HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY to this WONDERFUL Middle Grade book release, hitting shelves today via Simon & SchusterChildren'sPublishing!

From the mind, heart, and pen of author Kelly Yang ... FINALLY SEEN ...is a heartfelt story that will speak to SO MANY, allow readers to both see themselves, and through the eyes of another, with a gentle touch, but with the crystal clear force of reality.

Prejudice is a thing. Racism is a thing. Small minded people is a thing. There are so many THINGS that we're fighting against, sometimes those caught in the crossfire are forgotten about... even when it's a little girl, coming to a new country to play catch up with the family that left her behind for all the reasons she doesn't know yet, in order to reach for a brighter future for them all. Even when it's words written on a space so small, but felt so largely. Even when it's not giving others the time and space to be themselves, and not expecting them to confirm to our way of thinking, acting, or living. Freedom (and fREADom!) is a beautiful thing, but only if it's used for all.

So go ahead. Grab your copy of this wonderful story, and just try to tell me you aren't moved by it. Whether it's Lina's courage, Lao Lao's shock at a boy being a friend, Millie's contagious energy, or the amazing teachers that share their strength and knowledge... you can't walk away from this one without feeling...FINALLY SEEN. ❤

Many thanks to the Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing team for the ARC for review. This title is available now, wherever books are sold. 

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

RRR presents... UNDER THE MISTLETOE by Sue Moorcroft - REVIEW!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're got not one, but TWO tours making their way to the blog, so hang on to your bookish socks, it's gonna get busy! First on the block, a Christmas infused title that begs us to remember that anytime is a great time for love, but tis the season for forgiveness as well. Ready or not, fair readers, here comes today's first blog tour guest and ebook of choice...

Under the Mistletoe

by

Sue Moorcroft

About the book...

Christmas. A time for family, friends – and rekindling old flames…

When Laurel returns to the village of Middledip, she’s looking for a quiet life. Adjusting to her recent divorce, she’s ready to spend some time getting back on her feet amidst the glorious snow-dusted countryside.

Yet, life in Middledip is far from straightforward. Coming to the aid of her sister, Rea, as she navigates her own troubles, Laurel barely has a moment to think about where her own life is going.

However, time stands still when she sees her old flame, Grady Cassidy – and it’s soon as if they’ve never been apart. But through her happiness, Laurel remembers why she left the village all those years ago, as she recalls a dark night and Grady’s once-wayward brother, Mac…

Can Laurel learn to forgive and forget? Or will her chances of Christmas under the mistletoe with Grady remain a dream?

An enchanting, festive read, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Carole Matthews.

Bookshop  |  Amazon UK  |  WH Smith

Kobo  |  Apple Books  |  Audible

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First things first, for those readers that prefer trigger warnings, this book has a fairly big issue that happened in our leading lady's past, but holds very tightly to her psyche in the here and now. It was an act of bullying, but sexual in nature, and seeing how it casts a rather large shadow on the overall story, I thought it best to share. Moving forward...

Laurel is a strong woman, in more ways than one. From the moment we meet her and her niece on a darkened road, stopping to help two people they thought were strangers, and yet turn out to be something much more difficult, i.e. a blast from the best forgotten past, you just know, she's the type of person to grin and bare it. She's had experience doing that, unfortunately brought on by something that should never happen to anyone, and she took what she needed from the lesson as she sought out her new life. Coming home to her small hometown wasn't for herself, but to help her family, yet in the end, she'll find love in places she wasn't even looking, the chance to let go of long held anger, and maybe even grant the ultimate Christmas wish...forgiveness. I can't blame her if she decides everything just simply isn't worth it, but the pull of family, the pull of love can be hard to resist. Only time will tell if what she's made of is stronger than a past she'd like to forget, and if the people in her life now can help her pull through the darkness once and for all.

Honestly, I enjoyed the main storyline, and seeing the characters grow spiritually, emotionally, and physically closer, but the situation that happened then played such a vital role in all things occurring now, and with the constant reminders thanks to small town residencies, it colored my overall experience. It was less rose colored glasses for me, and more cracked lenses. I appreciated it being dealt with openly, and the realistic portrayal of how impacting things done in stupidity, and jealously can be, but I guess I was anticipating something different story wise when I first started, so it didn't sit quite as well. I think that knowing a bit more going into it might have had me in the right mindset, but nevertheless...I can't say it wasn't good, because it was...just know there are moments of mistletoe magic, and with the oh-so-good, you also have the just-not-so.

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About the author...

Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author and has reached the coveted #1 spot on Amazon Kindle UK as well as top 100 in the US. She’s won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award, Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award and the Katie Fforde Bursary. Sue’s emotionally compelling, feel-good novels are currently released by publishing giant HarperCollins in the UK, US and Canada and by other publishers around the world. She’s also well known for short stories, serials, columns, writing ‘how to’ and courses.

Born in Germany into an army family, Sue spent much of her childhood in Cyprus and Malta but settled in Northamptonshire, England aged ten. She loves reading, Formula 1, travel, time spent with friends, dance exercise and yoga.

Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook

Facebook author page  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  LinkedIn

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the ebook for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today! Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun.

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

TCBR AWARENESS TOUR: Greta Grace by Joanna Quinn - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

HI friends!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we welcome The Children's Book Review as we help shine the book spotlight on a Children's Fiction title well rooted in reality, sad as that is to say, but with a message of hope, resilience, and brighter tomorrows.  So, gather round and listen close, because not everyone speaks with great conviction and loudness of voice when they are being tested, but the kindness of their hearts, and the actions they take ring loud and clear.  Ladies and gents, today's title in the spotlight and ebook of choice is...

Greta Grace

A Greta Grace Gibson Story About Bullying and Self-Esteem

by

Joanna Quinn

9781945847448

Emerald Lake Books

About the book...

What’s worse than being invisible? Being noticed by the school bully.

Greta Grace likes her life. She isn’t the most popular girl in school-some days she even feels invisible-but she gets good grades and stays out of trouble.

She has a best friend in Samantha and a grandmotherly neighbor who is never too busy for a chat. Her mom can be a bit overprotective, but Greta Grace doesn’t blame her. Being a single parent probably isn’t the easiest job in the world.

When her longtime crush finally starts noticing her, Greta Grace thinks her life might even be perfect.

But when a merciless bully takes aim at Greta Grace, her carefree existence suddenly ends.

Who ever knew that school could be so hard?

AMAZON  |  BOOKSHOP

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Greta Grace is a young lady going through the trials and tribulations of middle school with a few extra helpings of why-of-why-does-it-have-to-be-me thrown in for good measure.  You remember those days, don't you?  Heck, truth be told, I had one yesterday and I'm far removed from those school years, but life is just that way sometimes, and it's all in how you look at it, how you deal with it, that makes it better or worse, and you...well, YOU.

This young lady has a great support team built in.  Grant it, she doesn't always let them in, but it doesn't mean they're not there, and when push comes to shove, they've got her back.  Even when the "culprit" is someone she trusted, the lessons learned far outweigh the embarrassments she suffered.  Now, I'm not saying in the moment it wasn't you-know-what, but with hindsight and some distance like her dear old mom and best grandma-like-friend told her, forgiveness will come.  We deal with a variety of topics ranging from bullying to first crushes to loss, and none are cast aside as lesser than another.  I mean, think about...everything felt SO IMPORTANT at that age.  It was a first time for everything type of time and we seem to feel things THAT much more.  So yeah, the bully was a problem, the crush was intense, the secrets revealed were like the end of the world, the chance that we may lose someone we care for no matter how remote was life changing, but the author handles each long enough to help readers understand what is within our own power and what we sometimes need to let a higher power help us with.

All in all, a great start to what sounds like a promising series to promote positivity in life with a healthy  look at emotions, and beliefs.

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About the author...

Joanna O’Reilly Quinn can usually be found learning something new to teach teens. As a former middle school teacher, founder of Super Empowered One, and life coach, it is no surprise that her middle-grade fiction book, Greta Grace, weaves some teachable moments into her character’s very relatable experiences. Think, middle school… Ahhh!  Through her company, Super Empowered One, Joanna teaches kids how to access their confidence, happiness and power, so they can live their best life. Joanna loves writing, the ocean, a good run, and living in Fairfield, Connecticut, with her husband and two kids. Visit her at superempoweredone.com to learn more about her coaching services and Greta Grace.

If you’re interested in having Joanna conduct a program for your group or come speak to your students, you can contact her at emeraldlakebooks.com/quinn and superempoweredone.com/.

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Enter for a chance to win a copy of Greta Grace, along with a 1-hr coaching session for a parent on how to raise a super-empowered teen!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

A copy of Greta Grace

A 1-hr parenting coaching session with Joanna Quinn

Four (4) winners receive:

A copy of Greta Grace

The giveaway begins September 20, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends October 20, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

Greta Grace Giveaway

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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review 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. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

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

Monster Like Me by Wendy S. Swore

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're taking a closer look at a title that released earlier this month via Shadow Mountain.  It's a Children's Fiction title, sat squarely in the center of the Middle Grade arena, and while it is Fiction, it was inspired by the author's life.  Sounds wonderful, right?  Well, the moment that inspired it...absolutely not...but what she did with that moment, how she turned it into something relatable for readers of all ages, and made it a message of positivity instead of ignorance?  Now THAT'S what is truly MAGNIFICENT.  Ladies and gents, allow me to introduce today's book of choice...

Monster Like Me

by

Wendy S. Swore

9781629725550

Shadow Mountain

About the book...

There are trolls, goblins, and witches. Which kind of monster is Sophie?

Sophie is a monster expert. Thanks to her Big Book of Monsters and her vivid imagination, Sophie can identify the monsters in her school and neighborhood. Clearly, the bullies are trolls and goblins. Her nice neighbor must be a good witch, and Sophie’s new best friend is obviously a fairy. But what about Sophie? She’s convinced she is definitely a monster because of the “monster mark” on her face. At least that’s what she calls it. The doctors call it a blood tumor. Sophie tries to hide it but it covers almost half her face. And if she’s a monster on the outside, then she must be a monster on the inside, too.

Being the new kid at school is hard. Being called a monster is even harder. Sophie knows that it’s only a matter of time before the other kids, the doctors, and even her mom figure it out. And then her mom will probably leave—just like her dad did.

Because who would want to live with a real monster?

INDIEBOUND  |  BAM  |  B&N  |  AMAZON

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When we first met our little "monster", I just wanted to hug her. No one, especially a child, should feel like that about themselves...and what happened in the grocery store? I would have smacked the teeth right out of that woman's mouth. No lie.  I mean the audacity of some people is just beyond me!  Where did she think she had the right to say something like that to a anyone, let alone a child?!?!  I just...ugh!  *deep breath*  Anywho, moving forward...

Sophie is a special girl, and I'm not talking about her looks in the least.  She has a BIG HEART, a VIVID IMAGINATION, high level of INTELLIGENCE, and while she may depend on her 'Book of Monsters' a bit too much to get through life, there are worse things.  The biggest thing Sophie needed to learn wasn't just to let others think what they wanted and to be herself, but to SHARE her true self.  She needed to find her inner strength to say world, this is me...accept me as I am, or step aside.  She had those in her life to help her with that confidence boost, but she was so drawn into herself, so worried that even her mother would reject her, that she didn't open up...not truly...and while I'm not blaming the parent, at some point that conversation HAS to happen.  You can't just shy away from it on either side...you have to face it, own it, get down to the nitty gritty of it all, and decide just who you want to be.  Sophie was never the hemangioma on her face...she was a sweet girl that just happened to have a hemangioma.  BIG difference, but one only understood when things reached a crucial breaking point...

All in all, it was a wonderfully uplifting story with heartfelt messages to boot. I can't say I didn't cry a time or two...out of anguish (ignorant people befuddle me), and love (OMG...the wish...my heart!)...but still, Sophie is quite a remarkable, MAGNIFICENT young lady, and she can always be certain that the friendships she's made are genuine, true, and filled with love...just like her.  A great read for the kiddos just navigating the sometimes treacherous waters of growing up, as well as for older readers that need a reminder of how things are, could be, and should be, if only they had a little help from those with well placed intentions.

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About the author...

Wendy S. Swore and her family are farmers. She writes part-time, particularly in winter when her farming chores give her time to plant seeds in her imagination. She is a member of SCBWI. This is her debut novel.

SITE  |  TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM  |  FACEBOOK

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Special thanks to Jill at Shadow Mountain 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 is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

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

Hallo-READS Round-up with Disney Hyperion, HarperCollins, and Simon Pulse!

HI there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

~~ HAPPY HALLOWEEN ~~

Here's hoping your day is filled with delightful scares, horribly memorable decorations, and truly gruesome costumes to write home about.  Perhaps your plans for the evening include throwing a party, attending one, or (like me) merely giving out treats in your neck of the woods...but whatever your poison, there's bound to be some down time when you need SOMETHING to do, ANYTHING to take your mind off things, or are practically BEGGING to be entertained.  Never fear, the Insatiable Reader is HERE and I've got a few last minute solutions that'll fit the bill rather nicely.

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For all ages...

Art of Coloring:

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

9781484789742

Disney Hyperion

A title that easily straddles the current holiday and the next (if you skip turkey day, that is) without even breaking a sweat...or a leg...this crafty coloring book may be aimed at adult level talents, but with the familiar images of Jack, Sally, and his pals, it easily invites the whole family to put their own personal artistic stamp on things.  

Think the trio of trouble should exchange colors?  

Go for it!  

Prefer orange, yellow, and green cats as opposed to black?

Be my guest!  

Between the full page images of your favorite characters to the mind-boggling patterns, there's a little something for everyone to enjoy, to indulge, and otherwise get their Halloween creative juices flowing!  So go ahead, pull up a chair, grab your favorite coloring medium (I used colored pencils, markers, and glitter pens!), and satisfy your inner artist this season!

For the Middle Grade set....

Monsters Unleashed

Monsters Unleashed, Book 1

by

John Kloepfer

Illustrated by

Mark Oliver

9780062290304

HarperCollins

Picture it...

...Middle School art class and you're stuck with all the people you never really want to see face to face because, well...let's face it, they're bullies.  You've got the hotshot jock, the runaway at the mouth princess, the evil nerd genius (not official, but might be soon)...and then there's you, or in this case, Freddie and Manny.  One of you is an artistically inclined "giant", while the other is a tad lacking in the height department, less than super genius in the smarts department, but an all around good friend.  Yep...they balance each other out, and that balance is gonna serve them well when all MONSTER breaks loose.  Oh, right...we skipped that part, did we?  You see, Manny and Freddie were planning on making a monster MOVIE and were REALLY excited about utilizing the teacher's 3D printer to make Freddie's illustrations COME TO LIFE.  Thing is they didn't actually expect it to breath life into them, and yet...it did.  Yep...and that's only the beginning because once MONSTERS are UNLEASHED there's no telling what they'll do next.  

I loved the quick nature of the story and how it took you on a fantastical type adventure with bigger meaning undertones.  I mean, the monsters were Freddie's way of dealing with the bullying tactics of the aforementioned trio of non-friends...non-violent (at least in reality) and a way to build on his artistic abilities...but when push comes to shove, he's forced to deal with their version of "evil" head on...as are the bullies themselves.  It sounds awful but it was great to see them get a taste of their own medicine...I mean, what better way to out a bully than to make them face themselves at gargantuan levels?  Am I right?  

A great read for Middle Grade Fiction fans and beyond filled with adventure, danger, monsters (both cute and decidedly not), and a dose of reality you weren't expecting.  Though excited about the sequel (coming April 2018), I might have to read it with only one eye open as it's gonna have a serious pest problem....

For the Young Adult set....

Trapped

Fear Street, Book 51

by

R.L. Stine

9780671015008

Simon Pulse

...and you thought your high school was scary...

This story brings to mind The Breakfast Club with a twist...YOU actually risk BECOMING the breakfast.  There are the obligatory HS stereotypes, the new principal cracking down on shenanigans, the Saturday in-school detention with the threat of more to come is EVERYONE doesn't behave.  HahahahahahahahahahahaHA!  Like THAT could ever happen with this bunch.  *smirk*  Needless to say, one thing leads to another and another and another and...then suddenly, there's no more leading as they are trapped (eureka, the title!) where they shouldn't be, in a place that's been long forgotten, with something that SHOULD NOT EXIST.  That last thing?  Yeah, it's out for blood too...and it's none too picky about who it comes from.

In typical R.L. Stine fashion, the book goes from zero to sixty in a heartbeat, good thing too considering the length of the story, and nothing is held back.  NO, really...nothing, as in when rats get in our leading lady's hair, you hear all the squeaky details, or when the mysterious red cloud decides to wring the life from one of our happy bunch, you hear all the bone crunching moments until none are left.  Did I mention this was my pick for the Young Adult set and beyond?  Yeah, definitely...and yet I enjoyed it, which was surprising to me because my previous exploration into his work yielded different results.  Did the author's game change over the years?  Who's to say...this title is back from 1997...but I CAN say that you won't forget this short and non-sweet tale ANYTIME soon.

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Special thanks to the folks at Disney Hyperion and HarperCollins for the copies of the first two titles for review.  The third came from the used bookstore at my local library, so my thanks to whomever donated it.  (THANKS!)  For more information on the titles featured above or the publishers, feel free to click through the links provided.

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