Book Review - It's Almost Time for . . . Thanksgiving by Maisha Oso

 

It's Almost Time for . . . Thanksgiving by Maisha Oso is a picture book about one family's Thanksgiving traditions.

Thanksgiving is almost here, and everyone is excited. However, there is still plenty to do and prepare before the big day begins. The book highlights some of the fun things to look forward to, including a big feast, watching football, and spending time with family.

The book is beautifully illustrated and easy to follow. I liked the diversity of the characters and the inclusion of disability representation. The story follows one family throughout their Thanksgiving and shows how they spend the holiday together.

I thought the book was okay. I think it would have been a nice touch to include space for young readers to write about their own family traditions or Thanksgiving memories. That would have made the book feel more personal and turned it into a keepsake that families could revisit each year.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author.

Book Review – Spooky Scouts by Kimberly Shrack

 

 

Spooky Scouts by Kimberly Shrack follows a young wolf pup named Luna as she attends her annual Spooky Scouts camping trip during a full moon.

Luna is excited for the Spooky Scouts' annual camping adventure. However, when a full moon is forecasted, she is devastated. She has been keeping a secret from her fellow scouts: during a full moon, Luna transforms into an icky beast that she fears will terrify her troop.

Determined to keep her transformation hidden, Luna does everything she can to avoid being seen as strange or different. She puts all of her scouting skills to the test in hopes of preventing the transformation. But will she be able to stop it before it's too late?

This is a fun, charming read, especially for young readers who enjoy Halloween-themed stories. Beyond the spooky fun, the book explores themes of self-discovery, identity, and acceptance. It delivers a gentle message about embracing who you are and finding people who accept you for who you truly are, making it both entertaining and heartfelt.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author. 

Book Review – Dead Girls by Beck Kubrick

  

Dead Girls by Beck Kubrick is a graphic novel about a teenager named Ash who is determined to uncover who is behind a series of murders targeting young girls.

Clossdale has a dark history of teenage girls turning up dead. Recently, a fifth missing girl has been found murdered. Although the police have no suspects in custody, the court of public opinion has already decided that Ash is to blame. Ash is the seventeen-year-old orphaned daughter of the infamous serial killer known as "Evil Evelyn."

Ash is tired of hearing about another young woman being murdered while no one seems to be doing anything to stop it. When she receives a note warning that she is next, she decides to take matters into her own hands. Along with her foster sister, Cassie, and her best friend, Jamie, Ash begins investigating the murders, believing that if they don't do something, no one will.

As the trio digs deeper into the case, they discover that the town is hiding a dark secret. Will they be able to stop the killer before it's too late?

The graphic novel is beautifully illustrated and easy to follow. It has a good balance of humor and campy moments, but it also contains gore and explores heavy themes that are better suited for older teens. While I found the story mostly predictable, it was still an entertaining read. Readers who enjoy slasher horror, murder mysteries, and serial killer stories will likely have fun with this one.

 Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author. 

Book Review – Golden Gate (City Spies #2) by James Ponti

 

Golden Gate by James Ponti follows the City Spies as they head to San Francisco, California, to investigate the mysterious death of a spy.

The City Spies are a group of children working for MI6 who use their unique skills and abilities to get into places adults can’t. After stopping a villain during an eco-summit in Paris, the team is excited for their next adventure.

Fourteen-year-old Sydney, an avid surfer from Bondi Beach, Australia, serves as the team’s bomb specialist. She and Brooklyn are tasked with going undercover aboard a marine research vessel, the Sylvia Earle. Although things don’t go exactly according to plan, Sydney and Brooklyn manage to save the day. However, Sydney’s actions end up putting her in the spotlight, and she begins to worry about the consequences.

At the same time, the team receives intel that there may be a mole within the organization. Their investigation leads them to San Francisco, California, where they begin looking into the death of a former spy. As they dig deeper into the case, they realize someone may be targeting them as well. Will the City Spies be able to uncover the mole before it’s too late?

This is the second book in the series. While it can technically be read as a standalone, I would definitely recommend reading the books in order. I thought the book was a very entertaining read overall. It felt more emotional than the first book, and I liked that we got to learn more about Mother and his family, along with more backstory for some of the spies. If you enjoyed the first book in the series, I would definitely recommend giving this one a try.

Book Review – The Halifax Hellions by Alexandra Vasti

 

The Halifax Hellions by Alexandra Vasti is about twin sisters finding their own paths to love.

Since their debut, Matilda and Margo Halifax have always made names for themselves by turning their noses up at convention. Known for their bold behavior, the sisters are constantly making headlines in the newspapers for their scandalous antics. However, when Matilda runs off with the dangerous Marquess of Ashford, Margo becomes worried for her sister’s safety since the Marquess has never seemed particularly fond of either Halifax twin.

Desperate to stop the elopement before it is too late, Margo turns to their oldest friend, solicitor Henry Mortimer. She trusts that Henry can get them to Scotland in time because he is dependable, trustworthy, and always follows the rules. However, during their journey, long-buried secrets begin to surface.

The book is a combination of two novellas, with each sister getting her own story. I thought it was an interesting, quick, and fun read overall. It was enjoyable seeing how each sister viewed certain situations, along with learning more about their thoughts and feelings. The book has plenty of fun and raunchy moments that will definitely appeal to fans of the author’s work. However, if you are looking for a book with deep plot development or strong character growth, I would probably suggest looking elsewhere, because this is very much a fluffy and spicy read from beginning to end.