The Last Summer Of The Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork


I liked this story. It was sad ... but it was hopeful. I'll go with hopeful any time.



The audiobook was very well done. Will have to check on the performer and see what else he has done.







The ending. Was a bit ... more open-ended than I usually prefer.



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Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Fun read for a spring break morning.

Three sisters (and three brothers, but you don't hear nearly as much from them) must apologize to their "Almighty" grandmother for an offense she will not name or the entire family will be cut out of her will.

And so they open their hearts to her.



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Trash by Andy Mulligan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An interesting and sadly believable too close to possibly realistic fiction story about some kids making a living sorting trash from a landfill. They find something they were not supposed to and some bad people find out they found that thing and come after them.

I hope that made sense. I need to work on my review writing. Always go for the super short so that I can keep reading ... but super short doesn't necessarily make for the best review.


Loved the ending. Really it was most fitting.



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Fandango Stew by David Davis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Of the two cowboy ones I read today I liked this one the best.


It's a western retelling of Stone Soup.


And it is just begging to be read aloud.



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Swim! Swim! by Lerch

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


How fun to find this at the bookfair!



Really quite funny with very simple and colorful illustrations.



A poor little goldfish is lonely and looking for a friend. Will he find one?





PS Lerch is the name of the fish.



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You're Finally Here! by Melánie Watt

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Melanie Watt can do just about as much with a few tweaks of an eyebrow or ear as the other "MW" in the kids' book world.

Love the bunny and his enthusiasm!



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It's Raining Cupcakes by Lisa Schroeder

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was a nice enough story about a girl dealing with an ... I guess she would be emotionally disturbed mother? Either bipolar or at least depressed. Anyway. It really was a nice story about how the family is able to come together and help the mom, while not making the girl give up on all the things she wants to do, either.


Plus there was a recipe for s'mores cupcakes in the back. Wish I hadn't joined Weight Watchers two weeks before I read this book.

I so would have tried it. And I'm not even cupcake crazy.



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Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Oh. How fun.


For both the story (Make a difference! It doesn't matter if you are small!) to even the science tie-in possibilities. 'Cause come on. How much more fun would this book be than a dry water cycle volume with lots of labeled diagrams.


Both have their place, I guess. But you know which one I'D pick.



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Larry Gets Lost in Texas by John Skewes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


ACK! The pressure of being the first/only review.



I can totally see the first grade (actually ... make that fourth grade in some instances, too) teachers enjoying this one as a tie-in to lessons on regions of Texas, natural resources, industry, etc.



And for that it's cute enough. Is it my favorite story ever? No. But it doesn't have to be to make it worthwhile.



The illustrations are what make it for me. I do like those. Not quite 60s/70s retro but not totally modern, either. The little dog and his "master" looking for each other all over Texas.



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Well.

Haven't done anything but copy and paste Goodreads reviews for a while now, have I?


Friday we did a Dress Like a Wimpy Kid Day at school. It was a smashing success. Well. Except for the kids that didn't "win." Had several that felt bad. I'm sorry. I can't give everyone $10 to spend at the bookfair. I wish I could.

Yay! My principal approved my request to go to our state library conference. Who knows why he was so weird about it last year when it was IN MY TOWN. Will have to pay my own hotel/food but I can use bookfair profits for registration. I am very excited to go and learn.

Very sad to report that my district has decided Skyping with authors is too scary and they might come back and ask for money. I can't very well ask the authors to fill out a ridiculously complicated legal packet for the freebie Q&As they are willing to do as PR. Lame.

Orphan of Destiny by Michael P. Spradlin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really liked it. Lots of great action.









Is it perfect? No. I got tired of the way Robard and Maryam always look to Tristan to answer any question. And the pacing doesn't seen quite even (the resolution seems very quick compared to the rest of the series).





But I would totally still recommend this book/series to any fan of adventure or fantasy. It's the grand hero cycle.



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