AWARENESS TOUR: Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality by Jennifer Nestor, Illustrated by Victoria Mikki - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hello, hello!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  Today, I'm pleased as punch to welcome an AWARENESS TOUR currently making the rounds through the blogosphere with The Children's Book Review.  It stars a lovely little lady exploring her world just as she was intended.  Ladies and gents, readers of all ages, let's get between the epages of today's book of choice...

Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

by

Jennifer Nestor

Illustrated by

Victoria Mikki

Ages 4-9 | 40 Pages

9798350953602

BookBaby

About the book...

 This heartfelt adventure follows a young girl named Jane as she tries to navigate the challenge of feeling different in her own skin while experiencing bullying at school. Though she is soft-spoken and quirky on the outside, she struggles on the inside—desperately wanting to belong. Escaping from an uncomfortable moment on the school bus, Jane has a vivid daydream where she enters the Jungle of Individuality: a place filled with animals who all have unique characteristics, just like herself. As she embarks on an incredible journey of self-discovery with some new friends, she quickly realizes her individuality is something she should embrace while also learning self-compassion and being brave when things get tough.

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop.org

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We've all had moments of self doubt, times when all we simply wanted to do was fit in and disappear into the masses.  It doesn't matter if we're five years old, or fifty-five years old, it can get to us just the same.  Here, our spritely little leading lady, Jane, is struggling with those same feelings, and her brilliant mother, who loves her dearly, kindly reminds her that she is STRONG, and her differences simply make her beautiful.  She encourages her to embrace what makes her stand out because, really, there's only one you, so why would you want to be anyone else?  On her bus ride to school, her imagination takes her into the Jungle of Individuality, where she gets a better look at what differences can be, and how wildly AMAZING they truly are.  Her animal friends once again bring to life this valuable lesson, in wonderfully illustrated splendor if I do say so myself, that is great for wee readers just getting started in life, as well as older readers that simply need a boost of confidence to be their own brilliantly beautiful and unique selves.  

So go ahead...fly your flag, do your dance, speak your peace, slay your day...as long as you do it your way, you can't go wrong!  Remember, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PERSON IN THE WORLD IS SOMEONE WHO IS TRULY THEMSELVES.  It's not about a certain standard, or a bar that must be hit, but about living your life as your truest self, and gathering those friends and family that accept you just the way you are (and vice versa!).  A fabulous addition to any classroom or home library, and a story that will be reached for time and time again.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Nestor’s passion for writing grew out of her love for penning poems, song lyrics, and short stories as a little girl. Now a marketing and communications professional, Jennifer draws on these experiences as an adult and considers writing one of the best parts of her career. She’s always enjoyed the creativity and emotion of storytelling and is truly thrilled to share new stories that encourage bravery in young readers. Her mission as an author is to create imaginative books that make a positive impact and promote diverse characters who acquire strength, courage, and a sense of individuality through their adventures.

Learn more about Jennifer and her work at www.jennestorauthor.com

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

TIKTOK

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~~~   GIVEAWAY   ~~~

Enter for a chance to win a Back-to-School prize pack, including a signed paperback copy of Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality.

Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality, by Jennifer Nestor: Book 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 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 post is sponsored by Jennifer Nestor. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, July 15, 2024

The Children’s Book Review

Book Review of Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Crafty Moms Share

Book Review of Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

The Momma Spot

Book Review of Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

Thursday, July 18, 2024

icefairy’s Treasure Chest

Book Review of Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

Friday, July 19, 2024

Deliciously Savvy

Guest Post about Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

Monday, July 22, 2024

Country Mamas With Kids

Book Review of Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

One More Exclamation

Book Review of Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Cover Lover Book Review

Author Interview with Jennifer Nestor

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Confessions of a Book Addict

Book Spotlight about Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

Friday, July 26, 2024

The Fairview Review

Book Review of Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

Monday, July 29, 2024

@Pagesforpaige

Instagram Post about Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Mommy Ramblings

Activity for Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

@StargirlsMagicalTale

Instagram Post about Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

Thursday, August 1, 2024

@GetOutsideAndRead

Instagram Post about Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

Friday, August 2, 2024

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Book Review of Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

Monday, August 5, 2024

A Blue Box Full of Books

Book Review of Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality

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

Rockstar Book Tours presents... Arden High: TWELFTH GRADE NIGHT by Molly Horton Booth, Stephanie Kate Strohm, and Jamie Green - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the TWELFTH GRADE NIGHT by Molly Horton Booth, Stephanie Kate Strohm, & Jamie Green BLOG TOUR hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. It's another Graphic Novel adventure, but this time, we're heading to a unique high school with a cast of characters you're bound to find yourself somewhere in.  Ladies and gents, check out my review post, make sure to enter the giveaway, and click on over to the other sites participating for more bookish fun!

 

Title: TWELFTH GRADE NIGHT (Arden High #1)

Author: Molly Horton Booth, Stephanie Kate Strohm, & Jamie Green (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: October 11, 2022

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 160

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

"Magical and full of queer joy―this book is such a dream!"―Alice Oseman, New York Times best-selling author of Heartstopper

The course of true love never did run smooth . . . and neither does high school in this new graphic novel series for fans of Heartstopper and The Prince and the Dressmaker.

Vi came to Arden High for a fresh start and a chance to wear beanies and button-ups instead of uniform skirts. And though doing it without her twin feels like being split in half, Vi finds her stride when she stumbles (literally!) into broody and beautiful poet-slash-influencer, Orsino. Soon Vi gets roped into helping plan the school’s Twelfth Grade Night dance, and she can’t stop dreaming about slow dancing with Orsino under the fairy lights in the gym.

The problem? All Vi’s new friends assume she’s not even into guys. And before Vi can ask Orsino to the dance, he recruits Vi to help woo his crush, Olivia. Who has a crush of her own . . . on Vi.

Star-crossed love abounds in this hilarious and romantic story of self-discovery, mistaken identities, and the magic that happens when we open our hearts to something new.

 

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The first book in the Arden High series, Twelfth Night takes the classic tale from the bard, and gives it a modern day-ish spin.  I use the "ish" because there is still MAGIC, still non-human beings, still love triangles to be solved, and feelings to be waded through, but it's all done with a story at its heart that the modern day reader can also relate to.  

Between the witty passages, and gorgeously colored panels, hiding in plain sight is the story of a young girl suffering the loss of family, while trying to navigate a new world, and establish her own identity.  We have the tale of a boy longing for a chance with a beautiful maiden...I mean, young lady, and while words don't normally fail him, his confidence seems to be taking a blow.  There's a story about a young girl who is the most beautiful in the land, both inside and out, and yet her confidence hides away when faced with the object of her desire.  There's family history to deal with, and new paths being forged that keep getting more treacherous.  There's friends to be made, and yet the stigma of being the new kid to face down.  As the story progresses, all the tales spin towards an eventual collision noteworthy in its own right, and yet everyone comes out better for it in the end.

I'm boring this up, but seriously, it was a remarkable tale.  I loved how it allowed the characters to just be themselves.  There was no shaming, or trying to change them; once clear lines were drawn, or curiosities made clear, misunderstandings turned into funny anecdotes, without a second thought.  Hey, high school (let alone life!) can be hard enough, especially starting it solo when you thought you'd have a "partner in crime", so the acceptance, the open mindedness that was displayed here was refreshing, endearing, and, quite frankly, beautiful.  We should all be lucky enough to have a circle of friends there for us like this...and we should all strive for the chance to be that friend for someone else.

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About Molly Horton Booth:

Molly Horton Booth (they/she) is a writer, editor, and author of Young Adult fiction. Their next book is the graphic novel TWELFTH GRADE NIGHT, coming October 11th, 2022, book 1 in the ARDEN HIGH series co-written by the amazing Stephanie Kate Strohm and illustrated by the incredible Jamie Green. Book 2 in the series, KING CHEER, will be published Fall 2023. Molly is currently a copywriter for Wayfair.com, where she describes bookcases in exquisite detail. 

Molly grew up homeschooled, earned their BA in English from Marlboro College, and earned their MA in English from UMass Boston. She lives in Baltimore, MD where she spends a lot of time with her partner, family, and friends, and the rest doting on her pets. ​​

​Literary agent: Alexander Slater at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Tumblr | YouTube | Goodreads

 

About Stephanie Kate Strohm:

STEPHANIE KATE STROHM is the author of It’s Not Me, It’s You; The Date to Save; The Taming of the Drew; Prince in Disguise; Love a la Mode; That’s Not What I Heard; Restless Hearts (Katy Keene #1) and Once Upon a Tide: A Mermaid’s Tale. After graduating with a joint major in theater and history from Middlebury College, she acted her way around the country, performing in more than 25 states.

She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, her son, and a dog named Lorelei Lee.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Goodreads | Bookbub

 

 

About Jamie Green:

Jamie Green is a maker and professional curious person living in Greenville (funny, right?), South Carolina. They graduated in 2020 from Ringling College of Art and Design with a BFA in Illustration. In 2019, they was recognized by the Society of Illustrators as the Zankel Scholar. Much like her hobbies, their work can be described as the feeling of being bundled up around a campfire or hiking through the autumn woods. It is a goal of theirs to both intrigue and educate, combining nature and whimsy and creating a space for curiosity (as well as a bit of magic). Jamie strives to create picture books, illustrated educational books, magazine covers, interactive materials, and chapter book covers/interiors. 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Goodreads  

 

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~~~ GIVEAWAY ~~~

1 winner will receive a finished copy of TWELFTH GRADE NIGHT, US Only.

Ends November 5th, 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 soon, so mark your calendar or pre order your copy today! Catch the rest of the tour for more!

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/1/2022

Kait Plus Books

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

10/2/2022	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt/IG Post
10/3/2022	travelersguidetobooks	IG Review
10/4/2022	The Caffeinated Reader	Review/IG Post
10/5/2022	Unconventional Quirky Bibliophile	Review/IG Post
10/6/2022	A Backwards Story	Review/IG Post
10/7/2022	Just Another Teen Reading Books	Review/IG Post
10/8/2022	See Sadie Read	Review/IG Post

Week Three:

10/9/2022	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
10/10/2022	@booksrn_rashi	IG Review
10/11/2022	Wanderingwitchreads	TikTok Review/IG Post
10/12/2022	MandaTheBiblio	Review/IG Post
10/13/2022	booksaremagictoo	Review/IG Post
10/14/2022	Novel Novice	IG Spotlight
10/15/2022	Nonbinary Knight Reads	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

10/16/2022	The Book View	Review/IG Post
10/17/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
10/18/2022	onemused	IG Spotlight
10/19/2022	Nerdophiles	Review
10/20/2022	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review
10/21/2022	A Bookish Dream	Review/IG Post
10/22/2022	@jacleomik33	IG Review

Week Five:

10/23/2022	Celia's Reads	Review/IG Post
10/24/2022	Ohyouread	IG Review
10/25/2022	@thebookishfoxwitch	IG Review
10/26/2022	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
10/27/2022	Eli to the nth	Review/IG Post
10/28/2022	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
10/29/2022	PopTheButterfly Reads	Review/IG Post

Week Six:

10/30/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
10/31/2022	Brandi Danielle Davis	IG Review

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

Peace is found within...: KARINA by E.B. Mann

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're burning the midnight (okay, so heading towards midnight) oil as we cram as much as possible into our one day off.  No seriously...a little sleep, a bit of shopping, a stop off for some lunch, READING (of course!), and now some blogging.  Whew! I'm tired just typing it and I lived through it so, you know...definitely tired, but still, I had my fun along the way.  Speaking of which, back to that last checklist item of blogging...

GET READY because here comes a late breaking review!  Why?  Well because, frankly, I'm low on time and sometimes a review without a specific due date gets shuffled here, there, and everywhere, including the actual post time.  Gotta love flexibility and with that being said, I'm asking you to keep an open mind as we dive into today's chosen title.  It calls home Middle Grade, but with the topics of discussion, I'd gauge it as the older end of that group or even Young Adult, but any way you classify it, you're in for an interesting read.  Ready or not, here comes today's book of choice...

Karina

by

E.B. Mann

About the book...

For Karina Morgan, every day is another chance to be bullied by the pretty girls at school–all because of an accident when she was just a baby that left her horribly scarred. Her life seems hopeless, until she stumbles upon a mysterious cave near her home. What she learns from the cave's extraordinary inhabitants will change her perspective–and her life–forever.

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A much headier tale than I initially imagined, but filled with the positive message of "reader, heal thyself".  Karina was hurt by the world, once upon a time, but that hurt, that accident, created a rift in how she approached life. The world was no longer her oyster, but an oyster farm, out to get her when she least suspected. One day, she stumbles upon the door to her inner voice (stay with me) and after this initial discovery, she is changed. She no longer sees simply the ugliness of the world, but the hidden battle between our true selves and that which we present to the world. Visit after visit, she comes to understand that while her skills for "seeing" are unique, that inner realm exists for each person, if only they'd look deep enough within to find it, trust that little voice to guide them in the right direction. She finds it's something she can help others with, but not simply show them, as the journey to that level of understanding is very personal, and the path to get there varied. By book's end, she's covered much ground within, allowing her to better accept the coming changes in her life as beloved people say goodbye and her future looms on the horizon...and although it does have its sad moments, it also has times of great joy and happiness, making it not something to dread but to look forward to. Word to the wise, you have to go into this one with an open mind because if you don't believe in the concepts presented (reincarnation, the circle of life, the power of positive thinking), or at the very least accept that others do, it won't reveal its true colors, because although it is fiction, it deals with something "real world" enough that completely suspending your beliefs can be a challenge. Despite the heavy concepts covered, I did rather enjoy my time between the pages. Exploring Karina's "world" was breathtaking, making you take a moment to bask in its otherworldly beauty while it also made you stop and think, contemplating just how it could possibly be.  Overall, a curious read from start to finish, but it had enough heart to bring all the feels of the moments presented a dozen times over.

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About author E.B. Mann...

Hi! I'm a novelist and mom of one, who thinks the world would be a fascinating--and possibly much better--place if girls were in charge. I'm interested in anything that can help explain why we're all here on this planet or bring a tear to my eye.

SITE

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Special thanks to author E.B. Mann for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, or the author, 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!

The SECOND Post of BOOKMAS!

Season's greetings...

...and welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!

It's time for POST TWO of the TWELVE DAYS OF BOOKMAS.

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 all in one place at one time (sorta) and ready to help you get out from under the yuletide stress, and get back to enjoying the season...one page at a time.  

Just why is it the "Twelve Posts" and not the twelve books?  Simple...I have WAY TOO MANY titles for you to consider, peruse, and read all about to limit it to twelve titles.  These posts are intended to highlight some great titles, give you ideas for your gifting this year, and help me clear up my "read-it-but-need-to-review-it" teetering stack.  Triple focus...yes siree!  So, ready or not, let's get this sled on the road as we unwrap today's featured titles....

Code 7:

Cracking the Code for an Epic Life

by

Bryan R. Johnson

9781940556000

Candy Wrapper Inc

A short but sweet collection showcasing the life and times of several youngsters striving to be the change they wish to see in the world...they just don't know it yet. From well-intentioned money-making schemes gone wrong to artistic challenges grown larger than life, and a little bit of everything in between, these kiddos remind us that taking the easy way out has its own set of consequences, and that the big picture really and truly is bigger than us all. While imparting their messages to us, they also learn the power of many versus one to solve a problem, to be selfless with their time to reap the best rewards, and to never back down from a challenge because without those willing to fight the good fight, nothing would ever change.  An inspiring pick for readers of all ages.

The Tiny Hero of Ferny Creek Library

by

Linda Bailey

Illustrated by

Victoria Jamieson

9780062440952

Greenwillow Books

How can you NOT love a book reading/writing little bug out to save the school library? Exactly. Eddie is a bug living the life, or rather trying to rescue Aunt Min, stop his bitty buggy brother from being squished, and experience the wonders of the library before its too late. The new librarian, if one could even call her that, is nothing short of an enemy of the written word. Good thing there's a ghost of a chance of putting her in her place before it's too late. I mean, who else would the mysterious stickies have been left/written by? Certainly not anyone so small and easy to overlook as a bright green little bug with a penchant for the classics....certainly not indeed.

A great reminder that "a person's a person, no matter how small"...well said, Stuart Little...and very applicable here as we see the might and power of one teeny tiny voice against the forces that be.

Brave Red, Smart Frog:

A New Book of Old Tales

by

Emily Jenkins

Illustrated by

Rohan Daniel Eason

9780763665586

Candlewick Press

A collection of tales we know and love through new eyes...and with the interconnecting piece added, it certainly makes you wonder why ANYONE would EVER venture into or near a frozen forest at ANY time.  Seriously...NOTHING GOOD EVER HAPPENS THERE...well, for the most part anyway.  Think about it...Snow White meeting her untimely end (temporarily)...a prince being cursed to life as an amphibian...a woodcutter turning his wife's nose into a sausage...need I go on?

A great pick for Children's Fiction fans of the middle grade set and beyond...the beyond will especially enjoy the frankness in the telling of the stories as well as the snark that is imparted.

Special thanks to Candy Wrapper Inc, Greenwillow Books, Candlewick Press, and FSB Associates for the copies for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on these titles, the authors, or the publishers, feel free to click through the links provided above.  Be sure to check back for the next BOOKMAS post tomorrow for more bookish fun!

Happy holidays and happy reading!