Tuesday, January 21, 2025

NetGalley's Book Advocate Toolkit--Updated!

 


NetGalley is a marvelous digital space where authors can share advance reader copies of their books enabling reviewers to help promote and get the word out about new books. NetGalley has created a guide to help new (or seasoned) reviewers improve their performance.

For anyone new to the world of book reviewing (or to NetGalley specifically), I highly recommend requesting this toolkit. The first section offers a helpful orientation to all things pertaining to NetGalley and its website. This section serves as a tutorial for getting the most out of the website and for becoming familiar with its various sections and features. 

The second section pertains to the nuts and bolts of writing reviews including general tips for writing, an explanation of DNF ("Did Not Finish"), an example of a review for reference, and some general helps on how best to use social media. 

The third section gives more tips, tricks, and tools for taking your reviews to the next level. I appreciate how much NetGalley does in the way of support and education to help reviewers be the best they can be. I've been reviewing on NetGalley since 2017 and I learned a few things myself! 

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of "NetGalley's Book Advocate Toolkit" for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.



Thursday, December 26, 2024

Flamin-Go Bob by Cheryl Waugh

 


Flamin-Go Bob is no ordinary flamingo. He looks a little different, acts a little different and can't seem to fit in with the flock. Young readers will be entertained by Bob's quirky ways and may see themselves in the story. It's not until a surprising turn of events introduces Bob to a new friend that he learns to view his uniqueness in a new and positive light.  

Young people will be drawn into the story with its lavishly illustrated pages awash with bright colors and patterns!  Each page is a visual feast for the eyes as Bob's uniqueness shines on every page and serves as a reminder that our differences are what make the world an interesting place.

Flamin-Go Bob offers parents and teachers a gentle way to talk about peer pressure, conformity, and learning to celebrate the traits that make us unique. Included in the back are fun facts about flamingos.  Flamin-Go Bob would make a great addition to any home or school library. 

Check out the book trailer for Flamin-Go Bob! A highly entertaining book with an important lesson for any age!

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Flamin-Go Bob from Reedsy Discovery for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received and the opinions expressed are entirely my own. 

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Mr. Lemoncello's Fantabulous Finale by Chris Grabenstein


The King of Fun & Games (Mr. Lemoncello) is approaching retirement and he has devised a penultimate challenge with 13 contestants, all aged 13 competing to become his successor. What teenager would pass up wealth and fame?  

Readers will feel like they are right in the midst of the final game as the lucky contestants solve riddles, rebuses, treasure hunts and more. As the book proceeds, some of the contestants accept consolation offers more in line with their interests which slowly narrows down the pool. 

Readers of previous books within the series will already be familiar with many of the characters but the book is enjoyable on its own and I was drawn into the story without knowing much about Mr. Lemoncello (other than what my own children--ardent fans of the series--had told me). 

I loved the range of teens with varying interests working through the creative challenges that Mr. Lemoncello created. I think young people of all ages will identify with aspects of at least one character and will have a favorite one they secretly hope will win. Lots of fun and games from start to finish along with lots of great life wisdom that Mr. Lemoncello dispenses along the way. I highly recommend this wholesome, engaging series!   

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Mr. Lemoncello's Fantabulous Finale through NetGalley for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

 

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell


Fans of Andrew Peterson's Wingfeather series will find another fascinating world of strange and magical creatures within the pages of Katherine Rundell's Impossible Creatures. Mixing adventure, mystery, and fantasy, readers will be drawn into the stories of Mal and her new friend Christopher as they try to understand odd events taking place in their worlds. The creatures considered mythical in Christopher's world, are entirely real in Mal's. 

To escape someone intent on killing Mal, the two young people persuade the captain of a ship to not only take them on as passengers but to help them on their quest. Of course, it's fraught with danger--and ferocious creatures looking for an excuse to eat humans. 

Mal and Christopher (and their adult helpers/mentors) are on a quest to save a world where magic is fading. Will they find the answers they need before creatures become extinct? Can they keep a step ahead of the man who is trying to kill Mal? Readers will fly through the pages to discover how the story ends.  

I liked that the author included a guide to all the creatures within the world which was very helpful for better understanding (and visualizing) the beasts. One note of caution, however, was the reference to a queen marrying her maidservant within the guide to beasts; really an unnecessary detail to add. Aside from that, the book was an engaging adventure that will surely spark the imagination of readers of all ages. Rundell is a master at storytelling and world-building and the book offers great insight into making new friends, doing hard things, and working together to solve problems. 

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Impossible Creatures from Random House through NetGalley for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.



 

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys & Steve Sheinkin

 


Jakob and Lizzie are siblings separated by WWII. With their parents either dead or presumed dead, Lizzie has been sent to live with her American grandmother. The problem was that Lizzie's chaperone on the voyage was not aware of the lengths she would go to stay in Britain. Being a resourceful teen, she figures out where her older brother is staying and makes a surprise appearance. She wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms but anything was better than living with a controlling grandparent. 

Lizzie quickly weaves herself into Jakob's life and tags along to his place of employment, Bletchley Park. She is soon hired as a messenger and spends her days running among makeshift "huts" used for top secret work. Jakob can't even tell her what he's working on because he signed the Secrets Act forbidding him from sharing what he works on. 

Thankfully, the reader is privy to those secrets--as well as some of Lizzie's--through their alternating narratives.  Lizzie keeps her eyes and ears open and manages to piece together much of what is going on at Bletchley. But she's also got her eyes and ears open to figure out whether their mother may still be alive. When she finds something of her mother's hidden beneath the floor, it bolsters her search.

The Bletchley Riddle was a fascinating read that gives a great introduction to the history of Britain's code-breaking efforts in WWII. I like that the authors also give credit to Poland's inaugural work in the area that helped Britain get off the ground. With historical events mixed in with real historical figures, the book offers educational content alongside the siblings' exciting (and sometimes harrowing) adventures during the war. Lots of interesting characters fill in the backdrop of this middle-grade book. Readers are introduced to mysterious characters and curmudgeonly ones; the thrill of new friendships, and the hint of romance; mentors, and those acting "in loco parentis." But best of all, I loved the growing understanding between Jakob and Lizzie and how they learned to help one another at work and in their search for answers about their parents.

I highly recommend this book for upper elementary and middle grades. It would make an outstanding classroom read-aloud that could encourage rabbit trails of research and exploration regarding the war in general or codebreaking in particular. Readers may be surprised to learn that teens as young as 14 were utilized in codebreaking during the war--very cool to imagine! Hats off to the brave and determined teams that helped shorten the war by intercepting enemy messages! 

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of The Bletchley Riddle from NetGalley for review. No other compensation was received and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Friday, July 26, 2024

The NOLO: Danger in the Hills by Liz Fahey


NOLO is short for Nolomus, a mythical creature of the forest. Danger in the Hills introduces young readers first to Jake the Nolo and his mundane daily rituals. Readers are then introduced to a group of children lost in the woods. After being scared by a wild animal and now lost in the woods, it was agreed that two should head to higher ground and try to signal for help. Heather & Colleen carried out their duty and were on their way back when Heather slipped and hurt her ankle. In the midst of her despair, she remembered her uncle telling about the Nolo and that if she were to call out, they would hear her. She faintly whispered "Nolo."

Jake's ears perked up and he set off on a trot. What the reader doesn't know is whether he is friend or foe to humans. When Heather and Colleen first encounter the huge Nolo, they aren't too sure either! There is a bit of mild peril and some humor mixed in as the children and Jake try to find a way to communicate with one another. Will the girls be able to get Jake's help to save the rest of the kids?  The book offers just the right amount of suspense without being too scary for youngsters. This would make a great read aloud, but keep in mind that if you read at bedtime, kids will be begging for extra chapters to know how it turns out!

The end of the book explains the origin story for the Nolo. But there isn't much explanation of how the children came to be stranded alone in the woods. Perhaps the author wanted to leave that up the imagination of readers. The Nolo stories were first imagined by the author's father (known as "Uncle Jerry" and Ms. Fahey wanted to share his stories with new generations. It would make a great exercise for children to try their hand at creating their own Nolo story! In the back the author also includes illustrations of the various subspecies of Nolo (which will hopefully factor into future stories). 

I loved the illustrations and they really help draw the readers attention to the exciting parts of the story. Artistic children could be encouraged to draw some Nolo characters of their own. Ms. Fahey's book offers an exciting story with just a hint of suspense and a whole lot of entertainment for elementary readers. Keep an eye out for future adventures!  

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of The NOLO: Danger in the Hills through Reedsy Discovery for the purpose of review. The opinions expressed are my own.    


Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Violin of Hope by Ella Schwartz

 



Memories are made by a young family when their Papa plays his violin at night. And on Fridays, he plays before Shabbos dinner. Music filled their home with laughter and closeness. Father patiently showed his son how to hold the bow and encouraged him to keep trying. All that changed one night when soldiers pounded on the door, burst in, and grabbed the violin, tossing it on a heap of gathered items and carted away.

Left in a damp cellar for years, the violin became cracked and warped. Years later a luthier (maker and repairer of stringed instruments), found the abandoned violin in the damp cellar and began restoring it. I love how the book describes the process of bringing the instrument back to life and the steps it took. When completed, the instrument was displayed in the luthier's shop until a father came into the shop looking for a violin for his son.

The luthier encouraged the boy to practice telling him that one day he would play as well as the luthier's grandfather. After years of practice, the boy grew into a man who brought hope to people through his music. 

The author included an end note about a father-son luthier team that have made it their mission to find as many confiscated instruments as possible and bring them back to their former glory. They are keeping alive the memory of those who lost their instruments in the war. Their project is called Violins of Hope; check out their website for more information about their program.

I loved the portrayal of music as a connector of people as well as a connector of generations with young and old enjoying music together. The information about Violins of Hope was fascinating and an important project that helps young people better understand history.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Violin of Hope from NetGalley for review. No other compensation was received and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

NetGalley's Book Advocate Toolkit--Updated!

  NetGalley is a marvelous digital space where authors can share advance reader copies of their books enabling reviewers to help promote and...