Book Review - Witchlight by Jessi Zabarsky

Photo Credit - Amazon

Lelek is a witch on a mission. As she makes her way through the city, she kidnaps a peasant girl, Sanja. As they continue to travel together, the pair becomes closer. The duo travel to different cities to find the missing half of Lelek's soul so, she can regain her magical powers. As they continue the journey together, they both search for ways to be whole again.

The graphic novel was beautifully illustrated.  I thought the storyline was interesting but, I felt like the writing was a bit choppy. I found myself lost a few times while I was reading. I wish the characters were a bit more developed.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Real McCoys by Matthew Swanson + Giveaway

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The highly opinionated Moxie McCoy has the biggest challenge of the century! Someone kidnapped their beloved school mascot Eddie the Owl and Moxie is on the case. However, Moxie has to fly solo on this case because her crime-solving best friend has moved away.  As Moxie interviews her classmates as possible suspects and potential best friends, she discovers a few new things about the people in her life. Will Moxie be able the solve the disappearance of Eddie?

The book was a cute read with fun illustrations. I love the relationship between Moxie and her brother, Milton.  The mystery behind Eddie's disappearance was an emotional rollercoaster as Moxie tried to figure out who the culprit was. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Title: THE REAL MCCOYS (The Real McCoys #1)

Author: Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: November 7, 2017

Publisher: Imprint

Formats: Hardcover, paperback, eBook

Pages: 336

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Her name's Moxie. Moxie McCoy.

Bold, opinionated, and haplessly self-confident, the world's greatest fourth-grade detective faces her biggest challenge! When someone kidnaps beloved school mascot Eddie the Owl, Moxie is on the case--but she's forced to fly solo now that her best friend (and crime-solving partner) has moved away.

Moxie must interview her classmates--both as potential new best friends and as possible suspects. She finds clues and points fingers but can't save the owl on her own. Enter Moxie's little brother, Milton. Quiet, cautious, and boring as a butter knife, he's a good listener.

Can the Real McCoys form an unlikely alliance and solve the crime of the century?

"A marvelous standalone sequel that will inspire random acts of kindness." —School Library Journal, starred review

"An outstanding, truly unique reading experience." —Booklist

Praise for The Real McCoys:

"Readers will breeze through this ingenious combination of text and art, eager for Moxie and Milton’s next case." —School Library Journal, starred review

"Swanson’s witty text is enhanced exponentially by Behr’s bold, original artwork to create a uniquely told whodunit with wide appeal ... An exceptional book." —Booklist, starred review

"Delightfully topsy-turvy...readers will hope to see more of both siblings soon." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"An exceptional middle-grade read packed with giggles for young sleuths who love to explore a little off the beaten path." —Kirkus Reviews

“An ingenious new series…an innovative reading experience that surprises and delights. Wordplay, witty descriptions and visual jokes abound.” —The Washington Post

"Swanson and Behr have created a gem with this hilarious elementary-level read with graphic novel tendencies." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"This clever, funny, delightful book is just what this crazy world needs. The surprising and inventive interaction between text and illustration shows that two brains are, indeed, better than one--especially when they belong to Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr." —Andrea Beaty, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ada Twist Scientist

A Junior Library Guild Selection

 

 

About Robbi & Matthew: 

WE ARE MATTHEW SWANSON AND ROBBI BEHR—

A WRITER/ILLUSTRATOR, HUSBAND/WIFE, TASKMASTER/LOAFER DUO

WE LIVE AND WORK AND MAKE STUFF TOGETHER IN THE HAYLOFT OF AN OLD BARN ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND.

Combining Robbi’s illustrations and Matthew’s words, we run two small presses— Idiots’Books (illustrated picture books for adults) and Bobbledy Books, (a picture book and music club for kids). Together, we have published more than 60 volumes, including titles with Macmillan, Chronicle Books and LB Kids. We speak, teach, and run workshops on collaboration and creative entrepreneurship (with appearances at TEDx, Mom 2.0,Alt Summit, and ICON7). And we blog about our ongoing adventures in creative mishap.

Website

ROBBI BEHR

is an illustrator/print maker/commercial salmon fisherwoman who earned a BA from Williams College and an MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design. When she is not drawing stuff or eating ice cream or watching sappy late-90s chick movies, she is, in all likelihood, fast asleep.

FOLLOW ROBBI:

 Twitter | Facebbok | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads 

MATTHEW SWANSON

is a writer/art director/blues harmonica player who has so far failed in every attempt to be swashbuckling. He managed to secure a BA from Williams but was summarily rejected from every MFA program to which he applied—thus emboldening Robbi to remind him almost daily that he is a master of nothing.

FOLLOW MATTHEW:

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads 

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE REAL MCCOYS SERIES, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21016/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/4/2019	Lifestyle Of Me	Review
11/4/2019	Life Within The Pages	Review
11/5/2019	Cuz I’m a Nerd	Review
11/5/2019	For the Love of KidLit	Excerpt
11/6/2019	Here's to Happy Endings	Review
11/6/2019	Bookhounds YA	Excerpt
11/7/2019	Inspired by Savannah	Review
11/7/2019	A Gingerly Review	Review
11/8/2019	A Dream Within A Dream	Review
11/8/2019	Little Red Reads	Review

Week Two:

11/11/2019	Reading Is My SuperPower	Review
11/11/2019	Hurn Publications	Review
11/12/2019	DWantsToRead	Review
11/12/2019	Jypsylynn	Review
11/13/2019	Savings in Seconds	Review
11/13/2019	Wonder Struck	Review
11/14/2019	Nerdophiles	Review
11/14/2019	Southern Girl Bookaholic	Review
11/15/2019	Two points of interest	Review
11/15/2019	BookishRealmReviews	Review

Book Review - The How and the Why by Cynthia Hand + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Cassandra McMurtrey has everything she could want. Her parents are kind and generous and she wouldn't trade them for anything. However, Cass is adopted and she has questions about who she is. She wants to know more about herself that her adoptive parents can't answer no matter how much they love her. 

Eighteen years ago, a sixteen-year-old girl becomes pregnant. She decides to give her daughter up for adoption and writes her unborn daughter a series of letters. The novel alternates between the expectant mother and Cass searching for answers.

I thought the novel to be a cute read. I am not adopted but, I have considered adoption and the novels give insight on how a child might feel about being adopted. For example, Cass and her best friend, Nyla has conflicting views on finding their birth parent.  I enjoyed reading the interactions with Cass and her friends. I love the supportive relationship Cass has with her friends and family. The author did a good job portraying that love and support can come from anywhere.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Imprint: HarperTeen (November 5, 2019)
On Sale: 11/05/2019
Pages: 464
List Price: 17.99 USD Age: 13+
ISBN: 9780062693167
ISBN 10: 0062693166

Praise for THE HOW & THE WHY

“The novel’s great strength is the emotional depth of its characters and the complexity of their relationships. A heartfelt and hopeful story about coming of age as an adoptee.” ―School Library Journal

“Hand explores adoption’s multiple dimensions with great insight and sensitivity. Inclusive and illustrative: an engaging lesson in timeless family values.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Cynthia Hand is the master of pulling at your heartstrings. The How & the Why tells both sides of an adoption story with love, compassion, and care. You’ll be reaching for your tissue box with this one -- if you can stop turning pages long enough, that is.” ―Brigid Kemmerer, New York Times Bestselling Author of Letters to the Lost

“Beautifully rendered and superbly shaped. Hand has crafted an absorbing novel that focuses on family, friendship, teen pregnancy, adoption, personal choices, and serious health issues. Give this exquisite novel to readers seeking an emotionally intricate story.” ―Booklist (starred review)

A poignant exploration of family and the ties that bind, perfect for fans of Far From the Tree, from New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand.

Today Melly had us writing letters to our babies…

Cassandra McMurtrey has the best parents a girl could ask for. They’ve given Cass a life she wouldn’t trade for the world. She has everything she needs—except maybe the one thing she wants. Like, to know who she is. Where she came from. Questions her adoptive parents can’t answer, no matter how much they love her.

But eighteen years ago, someone wrote Cass a series of letters. And they may just hold the answers Cass has been searching for.

Alternating between Cass’s search for answers and letters from the pregnant teen who gave her up for adoption, this voice-driven narrative is the perfect read for fans of Nina LaCour and Jandy Nelson.

You can purchase The How & the Why at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Cynthia Hand

Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for teens, including the UNEARTHLY trilogy, THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE, MY LADY JANE and MY PLAIN JANE (with fellow authors Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows), THE AFTERLIFE OF HOLLY CHASE, and the upcoming novel THE HOW AND THE WHY (Fall 2019). Before turning to writing for young adults, she studied literary fiction and earned both an M.F.A. and a Ph.D. in fiction writing. She currently resides in Boise, Idaho, with a husband who's addicted to typewriters, two kids, two cats, one crazy dog, and a entourage of imaginary friends.

        

WEEK ONE

NOVEMBER 4th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 5th TUESDAY A Court of Coffee and Books REVIEW
NOVEMBER 5th TUESDAY Life Within the Pages REVIEW

NOVEMBER 6th WEDNESDAY TTC Books and More EXCERPT

NOVEMBER 6th WEDNESDAY Book Queen Reviews REVIEW

NOVEMBER 7th THURSDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT 

NOVEMBER 7th THURSDAY Booknerdchelcie REVIEW

NOVEMBER 8th FRIDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW 

NOVEMBER 8th FRIDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

WEEK TWO

NOVEMBER 11th MONDAY Kait Plus Books REVIEW

NOVEMBER 11th MONDAY On My Bookshelf REVIEW & INTERVIEW 

NOVEMBER 12th TUESDAY BookHounds YA REVIEW & INTERVIEW 

NOVEMBER 13th WEDNESDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW 

NOVEMBER 13th WEDNESDAY Lenissahh Reads REVIEW

NOVEMBER 14th THURSDAY Wonder Struck REVIEW
NOVEMBER 14th THURSDAY Random Bookish Banter REVIEW

NOVEMBER 14th THURSDAY Little Bookish Thoughts REVIEW & INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 15th FRIDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW
NOVEMBER 15th FRIDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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Book Review - All the Bad Apples by Moïra Fowley-Doyle

Photo credit - Amazon

Deena refuses to believe her wilder older sister Mandy is dead when she goes missing.  When letters start arriving from Mandy, Deena believes that Mandy is asking Deena to find her. The letters detail their family's history of a curse that affects women from generation to generation. Mandy decides to go search for the root of the curse before it's too late for Deena. Deena travels cross country guided by Mandy's letters that appear out of nowhere. Will Deena be able to find Mandy before it's too late?

I am torn between loving and liking this book. The book had a powerful message about friendship, being yourself, and women's rights. I love how the characters were connected and how they preserved during their hardships. The magical story had me captivated from the beginning to the ending with the unique storyline. A definite read for anyone who likes books about witches/banshees, magic, and friendship.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**