My Book Reviews

Category: Middle Grade

This category contains any posts published in reference to books of middle grade genre.

When the World Turned Upside Down by K. Ibura

When the World Turned Upside Down by K. Ibura

Release: February 1, 2022
Format: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

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What do you do when the world shuts down? A heartwarming story of friendship and overcoming adversity in a time of COVID, When the World Turns Upside Down is about community, giving back, and understanding the world around us through the power of generosity from debut middle grade author K. Ibura.

Nobody expected a tiny little virus to change the whole world in such a big way, especially not Shayla, Liam, Ai, and Ben. But when school closes to keep everyone safe, their lives turn upside down. It is one thing to learn that the outside world isn’t safe, but why does it seem that the virus is causing trouble inside their homes too?

As they each struggle to adjust to life in quarantine, they discover they are not alone: their apartment building is full of people who need their help. Working together, they begin to see that there is power in numbers. When they cooperate, they can ease each other’s challenges and help their neighbors through tough times. It’s a lesson they’ll need when protests explode in the streets. Soon, each friend has to decide what it means to be part of a community—and how much they’re willing to do to make this world safer for everyone.

Set against the onset of COVID, When the World Turned Upside Down navigates issues of race and social justice in a heartwarming story of generosity, friendship, and the power of youth.

About the Author:

K. IBURA is an essayist, science fiction and fantasy short story writer, and painter from New Orleans, Louisiana. The middle child of five in a family of human rights activists, she grew up in a hardscrabble neighborhood with oak and fig trees, locusts and mosquitoes, cousins and neighbors. Her short story collection Ancient, Ancient won the James Tiptree, Jr. Award for 2012. Ibura’s debut YA novel will be coming out with Alloy and Harper Teen in spring 2022.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

When the World Turned Upside Down Review:

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“When the World Turned Upside Down” is the first middle-grade book I have read that is relevant to the current pandemic we are facing, and I thought the author executed it beautifully.

This book is one that I feel a reader of any age would relate to in the present time. The pandemic did not prepare anyone for their life to come to a standstill when it hit. The entire world went under lockdown, and people had to deal with the paranoia and uncertainty. The author touches upon what it is like for our four leads with different personalities to encounter the situation, and I loved reading how differently they all responded to it. The author gets personal with the characters, and you find yourself connecting to at least one of them closely because you would have reacted the same way.

Moreover, what’s lovely about the story is how the author gives equal importance to each character. My heart went out to Liam because of the panic attacks he usually faces. I also loved the dynamics between Shayla and Ai as they tried to adjust to the new environment. Shayla also goes through a lot, especially when the incident of George Floyd happens. Even Ai is interesting as she starts cooking due to her mother’s condition. My favorite scenes are what happens to Daisy or Ben reacts to his parents. Yet, the story is not all doom and gloom. The author beautifully spins the tale into a story of courage and hope that makes you optimistic about humanity and helping each other during tough times.

Overall, I thought “When the World Turned Upside Down” is a beautiful middle-grade novel where the author tackled the subject matter beautifully.

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of WHEN THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the When the World Turned Upside Down by K. Ibura Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours.

Book Tour Schedule

Week One:
YA Books Central-Excerpt-1-17-2022
Kait Plus Books-Excerpt-1-17-2022
For the Love of KidLit-Excerpt-1-18-2022
The Reading Wordsmith-Review-1-18-2022
Bibliosini-Review-1-19-2022
Rajiv’s Reviews-Review-1-19-2022
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers -Review-1-20-2022
Nerdophiles -Review-1-20-2022
Books Are Magic Too-Review-1-21-2022
Pick a good book-Review-1-21-2022

Week Two:
Two Points of Interest-Review-1-24-2022
Not In Jersey-Review-1-24-2022
Hauntedbybooks-Review-1-25-2022
The Book Review Crew-Review-1-25-2022
The Momma Spot-Review-1-26-2022
Bookhounds YA-Review-1-26-2022
Lifestyle of Me-Review-1-27-2022
Perusewithcoffee-Review-1-27-2022
PopTheButterfly Reads-Review-1-28-2022
Cindy’s Love of Books-Review-1-28-2022

January 26, 2022
Just Right Jillian by Nicole D. Collier

Just Right Jillian by Nicole D. Collier

Release: February 1st 2022
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Versify
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N

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In this heartfelt middle-grade novel from debut author Nicole D. Collier, fifth-grader Jillian must learn to speak and break free of her shell to enter her school’s academic competition and keep her promise to her grandmother.

Fifth-grader Jillian will do just about anything to blend in, including staying quiet even when she has the right answer. After she loses a classroom competition because she won’t speak up, she sets her mind on winning her school’s biggest competition. But breaking out of her shell is easier said than done, and Jillian has only a month to keep her promise to her grandmother and prove to herself that she can speak up and show everyone her true self.

A warm and relatable middle-grade debut novel about family, friendship, and finding the confidence to break free from the crowd and be who you truly are.

About the Author

Nicole D. Collier Ph.D., was born and raised just south of Atlanta, Georgia. After a short stint in journalism, she has spent the past two decades in education. First as an elementary school teacher, and now as a partner in an executive training, coaching and consulting firm.

Nicole writes for all ages, but her first love is middle grade contemporary fiction. Young people are trying to discern who they are vs. who they want to be, and how to bridge the gap between the two. Nicole’s stories are in that gap. In particular, she writes about the interior lives of Black girls as they seek their authentic selves.

A self-proclaimed ever-victorious woman, Nicole has been known to run, dance, and turn cartwheels on sunny days.

Just Right Jillian is her debut novel.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Just Right Jillian Review:

“Just Right Jillian” is a fantastic realistic middle-grade fiction, and I am so happy that it is the first middle-grade book I read in 2022.

I liked Jillian right from the get-go and could connect with her. As I was timid while growing up, I also have people like Rashida who always took the spotlight even though I knew I was just as innovative as them but didn’t know how to speak up. The author beautifully depicts Jillian as she discovers who she is and how she needs to be herself and f9t in at the same time.

Similarly, I loved the supporting characters. Marquez is hilarious and adds humor to the storyline. Likewise, I also loved Jillian’s bond with her dad. The way he makes her feel special and lifts her mood warmed my heart. Moreover, I also like Jillian’s relationship with Rashida and how the two of them interact over the story. Even Shelby was adorable. What’s lovely is also how the author adds layers to the supporting cast, highlighting Marquez’s family issues.

There is never a boring part in the tale. The author makes the story creative, like the concept of Mind Benders. Also, I loved the theme of the class taking care of the eggs. The author provides many details, like how the eggs stay inside the incubator, the temperature and candling day, etc. Additionally, the author realistically portrays the storylines, where things sometimes don’t turn out the way you expect, but you are still hopeful and see the positive side of things.

Overall, “Just Right Jillian” is a beautiful middle-grade book to read, and if you are shy in real life and ever have self-doubts, you will love Jillian.

January 13, 2022
Honest June by Tina Wells

Honest June by Tina Wells

Release: December 28th, 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Source: TBR and BeyondTours
Find it at: Goodreads , Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Book Depository , Indigo , IndieBound

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For June Jackson, middle school is hard enough–but it’s even harder when a fairy godmother grants her the ability to only tell the truth ALL THE TIME! Is it a blessing… or a major curse? June’s charming story will inspire big laughs and even bigger love for a new heroine for our times.

June Jackson is an expert at exceeding people’s expectations. She can’t help it; she’s a people-pleaser! She’ll do everything she can to be the perfect student, daughter, and friend, even if it means ignoring her own feelings sometimes. Cue Victoria, June’s secret fairy godmother, who blesses June with the ability to never tell a lie in the hopes that June will finally be honest with her loved ones. Instead of telling them the truth to their faces, June turns to a secret online blog–the only place she can write out her true feelings without hurting people.

When all of her responsibilities start to pile on–field hockey, the school paper, family responsibility, her friends–June begins feeling so overwhelmed that sometimes it feels hard to breathe. Not to mention June is desperately trying to figure out how to overthrow the spell at the same time! When the pressures reach new heights, will Honest June finally be able to break free and tell whole truth and nothing but?

About the Author:

Tina Wells is the founder of RLVNT Media, a multimedia content venture serving entrepreneurs, tweens, and culturists with authentic representation. Tina has been recognized by Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business, Essence’s 40 Under 40, Cosmopolitan’s Fun Fearless Phenom, and more. She is the author of nine books, including the best-selling tween fiction series Mackenzie Blue, its 2020 spinoff series, The Zee Files, and the marketing handbook, Chasing Youth Culture and Getting It Right.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Facebook | LinkedIn

Honest June Review:

“Honest June” is a creative middle-grade novel about honesty and being yourself that would resonate even with adults.

Firstly, I admire how creatively the author told the book. While the story talks about an important theme, the author entertains us light-heartedly she narrates the tale. Halfway into the plot, June finds herself in deep trouble, yet, the author adds moments of humor that I felt added a nice touch. Similarly, the illustrations by Brittney Bond are also beautiful and complement the book very nicely.

Secondly, I enjoyed the story’s theme. What happens if you find yourself in a situation where you have to tell the truth. It reminded me of the Jim Carrey movie “Liar Liar,” with a charming middle-grade twist involving a fairy God Mother. The story made me think of my situations where I have told white lies to be polite to people and wonder how different the case had been if I were honest.

Thirdly, the characters are also down to Earth that connects with you. June is outstanding in the lead as she tries to balance meeting her parent’s expectations while also maintaining the relationship with her friends. I enjoyed how June tackled her relationship with Nia, especially when Blake entered the picture. Similarly, it was fun to see her parents’ dynamics and how telling the truth lands her in a heap of trouble.

However, I felt some moments and characters did not add much value to the tale. For instance, although I liked June’s friendship with Lee, I thought Lee was unnecessary and did not impact the story. Instead, the author could have more on June’s relationship with Blake and Nia.

Overall, “Honest June” is a fun middle-grade novel that will entertain you and is worth checking out.

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Honest June by Tina Wells Blog Tour hosted by TBR and BeyondTours.

December 27th
Stuck in Fiction-Promotional Post
Cindy’s Love of Books-Review

December 28th
Mocha Girls Read-Promotional Post
Kait Plus Books-Journal Spread
Rajiv’s Reviews-Review

December 29th
Confessions of a YA Reader-Promotional Post
PopTheButterfly Reads-Review

December 30th
Whispering Stories-Review & Favorite Quotes
Peruse With Coffee-Review & Top 5 Reasons to Read Honest June

December 31st
The Book Dutchesses-Promotional Post
The Bookish Coven-Review & Favorite Quotes

January 1st
Nine Bookish Lives-Promotional Post
Jill’s Book Blog-Review
Phannie the Ginger Bookworm-Review, Playlist & Favorite Quotes

January 2nd
Fictionologyst-Review
The Nutty Bookworm Reads Alot-Review

December 30, 2021
Stella by McCall Hoyle

Stella by McCall Hoyle

Release: March 2nd 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, Kobo

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Even dogs deserve a second chance.

Ever since she was a puppy, Stella was trained to use her powerful beagle nose to sniff out dangerous chemicals and help her handler keep people safe. But during a routine security inspection, Stella misses the scent of an explosive. The sound of the blast is loud and scary. Unable to go back to work because of her anxiety, Stella is retired as a working dog.

When a young girl named Cloe wants to adopt Stella, the beagle knows this is her last chance to prove her worth. But how? When the puppy smells a strange chemical inside Cloe’s body, a scent that surges just before the girl has a seizure, Stella’s nose makes the connection. But how can Stella warn her new family without them thinking she’s having an anxiety attack? How can she convince others that she can be a new kind of service dog and hopefully save Cloe’s life?

Told from Stella’s perspective, this story is about a special dog who must find the courage to overcome her fears in order to help save a young girl with epilepsy.

About the Author:

McCall Hoyle is the award-winning author and an ALA Schneider Family Book Award finalist. McCall is a sixth-grade language arts teacher in one of the largest school systems in Georgia. She has a wide circle of influencers in the middle grades, including teachers and librarians. In addition to teaching middle grade readers, she presents regularly at local schools.

McCall has also presented at the National Council of Teachers of English, The American Library Association, and BookCon. She enjoys meeting teachers, librarians, parents, and readers and interacts with them regularly on social media. You can learn more about her at mccallhoyle.com.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Stella Review:

“Stella” is a beautiful middle-grade novel that talks about friendship, fear, and building trust and courage, and I enjoyed reading it a lot.

Firstly, I admire the way the author told the story from Stella’s point of view. Stella is a beagle and misses Connie. My heart went out to her right from the beginning as she adjusted to her new life with Diana and then Esperanza. The author portrays so many emotions in Stella, where at times she feels guilty for being a bad dog and thinks that’s why Connie left her. You empathize with Stella immediately because we have also gone through times when we feel uncomfortable in a new environment. She is scared initially, but you see how she slowly eases up to people. Stella also has an impeccable sense of smell, and I liked how the author incorporated this into the thrilling scenes.

I had mixed feelings about Esperanza. Initially, I thought she would help Stella, but I felt her priorities changed in the middle. On the other hand, I adored Cloe’s relationship with Stella. Cloe never doubts Stella even though Esperanza doesn’t feel like they are a good fit. I loved how protective Stella became towards Cloe.
Similarly, I thought Stella’s relation with Nando was also interesting. While the two of them do not always get along, it was nice to see how they work together for the greater good. Some memorable moments were the incident with the sheep and when they encountered mean boys like Beau. On a side note, I also thought the author tackled the subject of epilepsy nicely.

Moreover, the illustrations had a beautiful touch to the book, and I love how detailed they were. Overall, “Stella” is a lovely middle-grade novel worth reading!

December 8, 2021
Shelter by Christie Matheson

Shelter by Christie Matheson

Release: October 12, 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Source: TBR and Beyond Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Indiebound,

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Perfect for fans of One for the Murphys and Paper Things, this heart-wrenching middle grade debut considers homelessness from one girl’s perspective and explores deep truths about the resounding impact of empathy.

Fifth grade can be tough for anyone. There are cliques and mean kids and homework and surprise math tests. But after tragedy strikes her family, almost-eleven-year-old Maya has a painful secret that makes many days feel nearly impossible.

And today might be Maya’s toughest yet. Her family is on edge, she needs to travel alone across the city, a bully is out to get her, and Maya has to face this winter’s biggest rainstorm without a coat or an umbrella.

But even on the rainiest days, there’s hope that the sun will come out soon.

Emotional and compassionate, Shelter looks at homelessness through one girl’s eyes and explores the power of empathy, friendship, and love.

About the Author:

Christie Matheson is the author and illustrator of many picture books, including Tap the Magic Tree, Touch the Brightest Star, and Bird Watch. Shelter is her first novel.

She lives in San Francisco with her family. Find her on Instagram at @christiematheson.

Instagram | Goodreads

Shelter Review:

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“Shelter” is a rare middle-grade novel that had me in tears because of the instances that happened to Maya, the main character.

Firstly, kudos to the author for talking about a topic that we don’t read much in middle-grade stories, mainly homeless. What happens when your life turns upside down and you have to move out of your house? The author portrayed the characters and events realistically where you immediately want to get into the pages to protect them.

Maya is a strong character, and I immediately adored her from the first page. She does her best to stay hopeful, irrespective of the challenging situations that she encounters. She uplifts her mom and Gabby and prays for her father. I also loved her friendship with Abby. While Abby also has her faults, I liked how she comes through for Maya when needed. Moreover, Maya also has to deal with school drama and bullies like Sloane and Madison (who I detested for their horrid behavior).

However, there are also more reasons to love this story. The author references other childhood classics that Maya leans towards, like “Anne of Green Gable” and “Ramona,” which I cherished. Similarly, the author also writes the story in the form of timeline logs which I thought was unique.

Some moving moments were when she passed through her old neighborhood and reminiscence of her old life or the incident with the backpack that broke my heart. You would need to have a box of tissues next to you when reading this book, as it will make you appreciate life and move you.

Overall, “Shelter” is a beautiful middle-grade novel that I think everyone should read to be more empathetic towards others.

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Shelter by Christie Matheson Blog Tour hosted by TBR and Beyond Tours

November 29th
Confessions of a YA Reader-Promotional Post
Rajiv’s Reviews-Review
November 30th
Stuck in Fiction-Promotional Post
Paiges of book-Review
December 1st
Kait Plus Books-Promotional Post & Mood Board
A Bronx Latina Reads-Review
December 2nd
Sheaf & Ink-Review
PopTheButterfly Reads-Review
December 3rd
The Reader’s Game-Top 5 Reasons to Read Shelter, Favorite Quotes & Mood Board
The Momma Spot-Review
December 4th
The Book Dutchesses-Promotional Post
Nine Bookish Lives-Promotional Post
December 5th
The Nutty Bookworm Reads Alot-Review
Balancing Books and Beauties-Journal Spread
Books Are Magic Too-Review

December 5, 2021
Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper

Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper

Release: November 9, 2021
Format: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

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Melody faces her fears to follow her passion in this stunning sequel to the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling middle grade novel Out of My Mind.

Melody, the huge-hearted heroine of Out of My Mind, is a year older, and a year braver. And now with her Medi-talker, she feels nothing’s out of her reach, not even summer camp. There have to be camps for differently-abled kids like her, and she’s going to sleuth one out. A place where she can trek through a forest, fly on a zip line, and even ride on a horse! A place where maybe she really can finally make a real friend, make her own decisions, and even do things on her own—the dream!

By the light of flickering campfires and the power of thunderstorms, through the terror of unexpected creatures in cabins and the first sparkle of a crush, Melody’s about to discover how brave and strong she really is.

About the Author:

Sharon M. Draper is a three-time New York Times bestselling author and a recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. She has received the Coretta Scott King Award for both Copper Sun and Forged by Fire, and was awarded the Charlotte Huck Award for Stella by Starlight. Her novel Out of My Mind has won multiple awards and was a New York Times bestseller for over three years, and Blended has also been a New York Times bestseller. She taught high school English for twenty-five years and was named National Teacher of the Year. She now lives in Florida. Visit her at SharonDraper.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Out of My Heart Review:

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While you can read this as a standalone, I highly encourage you to read “Out of my mind” first to read Melody’s history.

I was excited about this book because I thought the author took it to another level, where it felt different than the first. In the previous book, Melody had the support of her family to overcome her challenges. However, here we see her in a completely new environment where she has to face the difficulties by herself.

Even the supporting characters like Noah, Jeremiah, Devin, Santiago, and Malik were memorable. It was fun to see how Melody gets a crush on Noah. You can see her mature as a person as she overcomes her fears and learns to make friends. I loved how the author added many adventurous activities for Melody to experience, like horseback riding and zip-lining. One of my other favorite characters was camp counselor Trinity, as she encouraged her to participate in new activities. Once you finish reading this book, you feel like the people of Camp Green Glades are your close friends, and you miss them. The tale highlights were when Karyn gets stuck in the mud or when the teams play the Balloon game.

So the bottom line is, is this book as good as the first? In my opinion, probably not. If the author had released the sequel a few years back, I would have thought so. But, in recent years, there have been so many more powerful books about disabilities and fighting challenges. Nevertheless, I do feel that Melody and the series in itself are a must-read.

Overall, I thought “Out of My Heart ” was a lovely addition to the series, and I would encourage readers to read the previous book before this one.

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will win a finished copy of OUT OF MY HEART, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Book Tour Schedule

Week One:
Kait Plus Books-Excerpt-11-8/-2021
Rajiv’s Reviews-Review-11-8-2021
bookblogarama -Excerpt-11-9-2021
Little Red Reads-Review-11-9-2021
Locks, Hooks and Books-Review-11-10-2021
Lifestyle of Me-Review-11-10-2021
Bri’s Book Nook -Review-11-11-2021
Sparetimereader -Review-11-11-2021
More Books Please blog-Review-11-12-2021
OneMoreExclamation-Review-11-12-2021

Week Two:
Wilted pages-Review-11-15-2021
Don’t Judge, Read-Excerpt-11-15-2021
For the Love of KidLit-Excerpt-11-16-2021
BookHounds YA -Review-11-16-2021
Eli to the nth-Review-11-17-2021
Two Points of Interest-Review-11-17-2021
Not In Jersey-Review-11-18-2021
@bookshelfmomma -Review-11-18-2021
Once Upon a Twilight -Review-11-19-2021
The Momma Spot -Review-11-19-2021

November 13, 2021
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Release: March 9th 2010
Format: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

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From award-winning author Sharon Draper comes a story that will forever change how we all look at anyone with a disability, perfect for fans of RJ Palacio’s Wonder.

Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory. And she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom – the very same classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged because she cannot tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses her definition of cerebral palsy. And she has the determination to let everyone know it – somehow.

About the Author:

Sharon M. Draper is a three-time New York Times bestselling author and a recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. She has received the Coretta Scott King Award for both Copper Sun and Forged by Fire, and was awarded the Charlotte Huck Award for Stella by Starlight. Her novel Out of My Mind has won multiple awards and was a New York Times bestseller for over three years, and Blended has also been a New York Times bestseller. She taught high school English for twenty-five years and was named National Teacher of the Year. She now lives in Florida. Visit her at SharonDraper.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Out of My Mind Review:

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“Out of My Mind” is one of the best middle-grade novels I have read, and I recommend it to a reader of any age!

The synopsis of the book immediately drew me in. Honestly, I have never met a character like Melody in any middle-grade novel that I have read, and I adored her from the get-go. She is intelligent, ambitious, and full of life. But, because of her predicament, she cannot show it to the world and gets frustrated from it. My heart went out to her from the beginning when she got placed with the other disabled children. As the story progresses, you see how Melody’s life changes. I loved Melody because even though she faces so many challenges (that others take for granted), she never lets it stagger her hope and determination. The story is not all sunshine and roses, and you see Melody facing many hurdles, and I admire how the author realistically wrote her with pride.

Moreover, I also adored the way the author narrated the story. The author progresses the story so well, and the second half of the book is so exciting. You will go on a whirlwind of emotions, from anger and heartbreak to hope and move on. Some memorable moments are when Penny comes into their lives or when Melody uses the Medi-talker for the first time (which got tears in my eyes). Moreover, I loved her connection with Mrs. V. There are also some despicable characters in the story who tries to bring Melody down. Even characters like Rose and Rodney were annoying. You get personally invested in Melody’s life as you read the tale, and the entire book is memorable!

Overall, “Out of My Mind” is a heartwarming and heartbreaking middle-grade novel that you should indeed read!

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will win a finished copy of OUT OF MY HEART, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Book Tour Schedule

Week One:
Kait Plus Books-Excerpt-11-8/-2021
Rajiv’s Reviews-Review-11-8-2021
bookblogarama -Excerpt-11-9-2021
Little Red Reads-Review-11-9-2021
Locks, Hooks and Books-Review-11-10-2021
Lifestyle of Me-Review-11-10-2021
Bri’s Book Nook -Review-11-11-2021
Sparetimereader -Review-11-11-2021
More Books Please blog-Review-11-12-2021
OneMoreExclamation-Review-11-12-2021

Week Two:
Wilted pages-Review-11-15-2021
Don’t Judge, Read-Excerpt-11-15-2021
For the Love of KidLit-Excerpt-11-16-2021
BookHounds YA -Review-11-16-2021
Eli to the nth-Review-11-17-2021
Two Points of Interest-Review-11-17-2021
Not In Jersey-Review-11-18-2021
@bookshelfmomma -Review-11-18-2021
Once Upon a Twilight -Review-11-19-2021
The Momma Spot -Review-11-19-2021

November 13, 2021
African Icons by Tracey Baptiste

African Icons: Ten People Who Built a Continent by Tracey Baptiste

Release: October 19th 2021
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Source: Algonquin Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon ,Barnes & Noble ,Books-A-Million ,Bookshop ,IndieBound

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“In African Icons, Baptiste engages in the hard work of unveiling the myths about the African continent to young readers .This is a great beginner’s guide to pre-colonial Africa.”
—Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist

Meet ten real-life kings, queens, inventors, scholars, and visionaries who lived in Africa thousands of years ago and changed the world.

Black history began long ago with the many cultures and people of the African continent.

Through portraits of ten heroic figures, author Tracey Baptiste takes readers on a journey across Africa to meet some of the great leaders and thinkers. Their vision built a continent and shaped the world.

Illustrator Hillary D. Wilson’s brilliant portraits accompany each profile, along with vivid, information. There are filled landscapes, maps, and graphics for readers to pore over and return to again and again.

Author Bio:

I have always loved books. My favorite, was an oversized complete Grimm’s Fairy Tales with beautiful illustrations. I lost them when my family moved to the United States. My fascination for the stories of the tailor who went up against a giant, and clever Hans, who wasn’t so clever. Also I liked well stories of the traditional princess stories.

When I was about thirteen, after spending a summer in the library reading Paul Zindel and Judy Blume , I decided o be a writer. I didn’t decide what I wanted to write until I read “The Friends” by Rosa Guy.

I had recently moved to Brooklyn, NY, and the book spoke to my situation precisely. It remains one of my favorite books. I started writing for children then, and never stopped. I had early interest from publishers from the moment I began submitting stories at the age of 21, but I didn’t put in the work necessary for publishing until my late twenties. “Angel’s Grace” was while I was on maternity leave with my first child. The inspiration came from my mother (the redhead) and my husband. Because I have very young children, I work when they sleep, which, sadly, is very little.

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African Icons Review:

“African Icons” is a wonderful and must-read for anyone who wants to know more about African culture and history and was an eye-opener for me.

As the other mentions in the introduction, when people think of Black History, it is often limited to enslavement, Civil War, and Civil Rights. This book is like a beautiful encyclopedia where we learn more about the land, culture, and dynasties spanned over centuries. As someone who loves reading about civilizations, I was immersed in the book entirely and found it fascinating.

I had no idea about so many tidbits of information until I read this book. For instance, even though I love reading Egyptian Civilization and the Pharoah, I was unaware of many details about Imhotep and Aesop. Similarly, I did not even know that Menes was Egypt’s first Pharoah until I read this book. The author details each Icon in a simple manner that would attract the attention of a reader of any age. Some sections that stood out for me were the reading of Terence, Mansa Musa, and Tin Hinan.

But the author doesn’t talk of just civilizations. We get many more exciting details about places like Timbuktu and how it became a stop for trade and how the grandeur of these dynasties came to an end. Reading this book was bittersweet because you feel the African culture is vibrant yet sad that history got lost over time.

Also, I must credit the breathtaking illustrations that complement the book. Hillary D. Wilson did a fantastic job of bringing the book to life with the powerful images of the Icons.

Overall, if you love reading about civilizations, you must add “African Icons” to your collection.

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the African Icons: Ten People Who Built a Continent by Tracey Baptiste Blog Tour hosted by Algonquin Tours.

November 13, 2021
When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie by Erin Soderberg Downing

Release: April 6th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Pixel+Ink
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, Kobo

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Mix together a used food truck, a road trip that doesn’t exactly go as planned, and a lot of pie, and you have the recipe for this sweet middle grade series starter brimming with humor, heart, and a family you’ll fall in love with. Perfect for readers who gobbled down The Penderwicks and The Vanderbeeks of 141st Street.

Sweet summer has taken a rotten turn . . .

After a tough year, Lucy, Freddy, and Herb Peach are ready for vacation. Lucy wants to read all of the books on the summer reading list. Freddy wants to work on his art projects (when he isn’t stuck in summer school). Herb wants to swim every day.

Then their dad makes a big announcement: one of the inventions their mom came up with before she passed away has sold, and now they’re millionaires!

But Dad has bigger plans than blowing the cash on fun stuff or investing it. He’s bought a used food truck. The Peaches are going to spend the summer traveling the country selling pies. It will be the Great Peach Experiment—a summer of bonding while living out one of Mom’s dreams. Summer plans, sunk. And there’s one more issue Dad’s neglected: none of them knows how to bake. . . .

A perfect blend of humor, heart, and family antics, When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie is a delectable treat to be gobbled down or savored slowly. (Slice of pie on the side, optional, but highly recommended.)

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

About the Author:

Erin Soderberg Downing has written more than seventy-five books for kids, tweens, and teens (many as Erin Soderberg; others as Erin Downing). Some of her most popular titles include the middle-grade novel Moon Shadow, as well as four fun books in the QUIRKS series, ten PUPPY PIRATES adventures (a chapter book series that stars her dog, Wally!), and Disney’s DARING DREAMERS CLUB series.

Her new series – THE GREAT PEACH EXPERIMENT – was selected as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, and rolls into stores in April 2021. Erin loves writing about the silliness of family, the magic of friendship, and has fun finding humor in everyday things. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, three fun kids, and two very fluffy dogs.

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When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie Review:

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If you want to read a book that encourages you to make the best of a bad situation and live your life to the fullest, this is the book to read!

“When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie” is an adorable middle-grade novel that will sure to capture the young reader’s attention for its superb execution. The author adds fun, quirky illustrations like Lucy’s did if she became a millionaire or her postcards to Great Aunt Lucinda. Some moments had me laughing out loud, like when she describes Chicago’s various types of people.

Moreover, I loved how the author took us on a road trip as the Peaches stopped by various places on their way to the Food Truck Festival. From Minneapolis and Midwest’s Premier Blues Music Festival to Chicago, Michigan, and North Carolina, I felt like I was with the family as they went on their adventure with Peach Power! The author spices up the story with the various glitches the family encounter that affects their inventory of items to cook or problems with the air conditioner.

I also adored how the author told the story. Even the tiny moments had me smiling. For instance, when we read the beautiful selection of Lucy’s reading list (some of which I want to add to my own), or how to go about things with a scientific approach, from research and hypothesis to experimenting and data analysis.

Lucy is excellent in the lead! Frankly, I loved all the characters, including Freddy and Herb, and found it hard to dislike anyone. The story has such a feel-good, humorous factor that you would not notice the time fly by once you start reading. Overall, I enjoyed reading “When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie” and found it uplifting.

November 13, 2021
An Occasionally Happy Family by Cliff Burke

An Occasionally Happy Family by Cliff Burke

Release: May 18th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Clarion Books
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, Kobo

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Gordon Korman meets The Great Outdoors in this funny and moving debut about a boy who goes on a disastrous family vacation (sweltering heat! bear chases!) that ends with a terrible surprise: his dad’s new girlfriend.

There are zero reasons for Theo Ripley to look forward to his family vacation. Not only are he, sister Laura, and nature-obsessed Dad going to Big Bend, the least popular National Park, but once there, the family will be camping. And Theo is an indoor animal. It doesn’t help that this will be the first vacation they’re taking since Mom passed away.

Once there, the family contends with 110 degree days, wild bears, and an annoying amateur ornithologist and his awful teenage vlogger son. Then, Theo’s dad hits him with a whopper of a surprise: the whole trip is just a trick to introduce his secret new girlfriend.

Theo tries to squash down the pain in his chest. But when it becomes clear that this is an auditioning-to-be-his-stepmom girlfriend, Theo must find a way to face his grief and talk to his dad before his family is forever changed.

About the Author:

Cliff Burke grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. He worked as a house painter, a parking lot attendant, and a sign-twirling dancing banana before graduating from the College of William and Mary. For the past ten years, he has taught reading and writing in China, Hong Kong, and Texas.

Currently, he teaches writing and humanities at a middle school in the San Francisco Bay Area. An Occasionally Happy Family is his first novel.

Cliff is represented by Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

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An Occasionally Happy Family Review:

“An Occasionally Happy Family” turned out to be a very entertaining middle-grade realistic fiction, and I loved reading it!

Firstly, kudos to the author for writing such a fun debut novel. What stood out in the tale was how the author balances humor with the emotional aspect. Theo, our main character, doesn’t have the best time, as he goes on a trip with his family to Big Bend National Park. Theo encounters various zany situations that made me chuckle as to what would happen next. However, the second half of the tale also gets emotional, and you see a different side to Theo that makes you emphasize with him.

Secondly, the author also takes the plot in such a unique manner. Theo encounters a birdwatcher and his son, gets close to a bear attack, and meets a hilarious nudist French Couple named Sylvie and Bernard. As though this is not enough, his dad also surprises him to meet his new girlfriend, Lucrecia. The story surprises you in that you don’t know what will happen next.

Thirdly, I adored Theo. The author wrote his feelings so accurately that I felt I might have reacted the same way if I were in his shoes. The author also describes his sense of missing his mom and adjusting to the changes nicely. Moreover, the author also describes the beauty and the harshness of nature as the story progresses. Theo also has to bear the small tents to lousy air conditioning in the lodge in scorching weather. On a side note, I also liked the conversations he had with his friend Angel P. about the situation.

Overall, “An Occasionally Happy Family” is a lovely middle-grade novel that will make you laugh and entertain you.

November 13, 2021