Book Review - The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien

 

The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien is about a young girl named Bailee who decides to play a game with her classmates, but things expectedly start going wrong. The residents of Fall Hollow know that the town is haunted, especially after Abigail Snook went into the woods in 1982, and was never seen again. People assume that Abigail is the one haunting the town and its residents, at least according to the legend.

It’s been tradition since Abigail's disappearance for the sixth graders at Beckett Elementary to play the Bellwoods Game on Halloween Night. On this current year’s fateful night, three players are picked to go into the woods. To win, one of the players would need to ring the bell before they all get caught by Abigail. If the players win, the town is saved for another year. If the spirit catches you, you will need a “gift” to guarantee safe passage out of the woods and the spirit is given free reign to cause havoc on the town if no one rings the bell. No one knows for sure if the tale is true, as previous players are sworn to secrecy about the game.

Bailee is excited that it is finally her year to play the game. Bailee loves reading and writing horror stories and is obsessed with finding out the truth. Legend has it that the winner of the game is granted one wish. Bailee is determined to win because she wants things to go back to the way they were before her grandmother got sick and her friends started hating her. Her friends believed that she ratted them out to the principal about a dangerous stunt, causing the entire class to get detention. She once was surrounded by so many friends but now with most of her friends ignoring her, she feels lonely. As the game participants get ready to play the game, strange things start to happen. Is the local legend true or is someone playing a prank on them?

The book is geared towards young readers and has fun illustrations that added to my enjoyment of the novel. It was a quick read that had some scary and spooky elements that might be scary to some young readers, but I thought it was okay as an adult reader. It reminded me of the works of R.L Stine, with the creepy and scary factor but nothing that I was terrified or lost sleep over. The plot moved at the perfect pace to set the creepy mood and move the story along. I was a bit confused by the ending, I believe the author left it a bit open for more books and I would be open to reading more. If you or your young reader love mild horror books, then you will enjoy this book!

Book Review - A History of Burning by Janika Oza

A History of Burning by Janika Oza is an epic saga that shows the influence of how one event can affect generations to come.  In 1898, Pirbhai was a young impoverished teenage boy who was desperately looking for work to provide for his family.  He came across a merchant that promises him work that will help feed his family.  Little did Pirbhai know that would be working for the British on the East African Railway and that it would be years before he could see his family again. Pirbhai arrives in Africa and realizes that he has to put his morals aside if he wants to survive. He commits a brutal act in the name of survival that will haunt him and his loved ones for years to come.

Pirbhai meets a young woman, Sonal, while looking for work after leaving the railway company. Sonal’s family decides that Sonal and Pirbhai should marry and leave so they can find work somewhere else to send money back home to help provide for her family. Pirbhai and his wife move to Uganda to start a new life together. Their children are born during the tumultuous days of the waning British colonial rule. The country is moving towards independence from the British along with the countrymen pushing out the Asian people that the British brought.

Pirbhai’s daughters come of age during the time when the nation is divided. His eldest daughter, Latika is an aspiring journalist. She is willing to stop at nothing to defend what she believes in even if it puts her loved ones in danger. His middle daughter, Mayuri, has left Uganda to pursue becoming a medical doctor in India. She was hesitant to put her ambitions before her family and leave the country. His youngest fearless daughter, Kiya, is burdened by keeping her and her family’s secrets.

In 1972, Idi Amin’s military dictatorship passed a mandate that required all Asian families to leave the country or face dire consequences. The entire family is forced to flee and ends up in different parts of the world from each other. Will they be able to find their way to each other?

The book is told from across multiple perspectives and generations throughout the twentieth century. We are able to see how one decision made by Pirbhai shaped the lives of his kin. I thought the book was an interesting and spell binding read. As it was told from multiple perspectives, it was hard trying to keep track of the different narratives and how they related to the story.

There were times that I felt that the story dragged and then there were times I wish more details were given. We learn how Pirbhai ends up in Africa and commits a sinful act but then some time passes before he crosses paths with Sonal. I wish they mentioned why he left and why he lost a part of his finger.  It seems that he became a shell of a person between the two events occurring. The ending was a bit ambiguous and I wish they told us if the two characters did connect in the end.

The books had themes of forgiveness, finding a place to call home, how far someone would go for something they believe in and starting over. It was interesting seeing the role “fire” played in each character’s life and how they had their own moment of reckoning.

Book Review - Lolo Weaver Swims Upstream by Polly Farquhar + Giveaway

 

 

 

 

Lolo Weaver Swims Upstream by Polly Farquhar is about a young girl trying to come to terms with the death of her beloved grandfather. Lolo Weaver is a young strong willed girl. When she gets an idea, she tries to execute it without thinking it through. 

Her grandfather used to foster dogs and it brought great joy to the family. When he passed away, Lolo’s grandmother decided to give away the family’s dog, Hank. The entire family including Hank, was in despair over this death. Lolo is desperate to get Hank back and knows that it will cheer up her grandmother. She also feels that it was her fault that they gave the dog away.

Lolo is stuck in summer school with a teacher who doesn’t seem to like her. Lolo feels that the teacher is out to get her. She will need to find a way to get back Hank without alerting her teacher or her parents of her disappearance or plans. 

She decides to take her grandfather’s canoe and paddle across the lake to retrieve Hank. However, she didn’t take into account that Hank’s new owner, Noah, wouldn't want to give him up. After convincing Noah that her grandmother would need Hank more, Noah gives up his ownership of the dog on the condition that he joins her on the trip back to her grandmother’s. What started off as a simple plan ended up turning messy when Lolo was unsure if her plan to take Hank from Noah was the best course of action. Will Lolo give back Hank to Noah or will she keep Hank?

The book was an okay read. I didn’t really care for Lolo as she was a bit temperamental at times. However, she did have a heart of gold. She cared about other people’s feelings and tried to help them even if it was detrimental to her own well being. It was interesting seeing her work through her different emotions and trying to understand her feelings.

The novel was filled with characters who were trying to do best with what they had. Lolo’s parents and the community were struggling after the draining of the lake. Many of the residents were struggling to stay afloat. I thought it was interesting that the author decided to include this tidbit into the story as it lends how the characters might be feeling with their current circumstances. Even though Lolo seems to think that her teacher had it out for her and that her family deserved to have Hank more, it was nice seeing her learn and accept that things aren’t always as we assume. The book is a heartwarming read about a young girl learning compassion and  dealing with her grief. 

  **Disclosure - I received a free unedited version of this book in exchange for an honest opinion** 

 

 

About The Book:

Title: LOLO WEAVER SWIMS UPSTREAM

Author: Polly Farquhar

Pub. Date: April 25, 2023

Publisher: Holiday House

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 240

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/LOLO-WEAVER-SWIMS-UPSTREAM

"Not since Ramona Quimby has a character marched right out of a book with so much bravado, humor, and heart."--Barbara O'Connor, New York Times bestselling author of Wish

A headstrong girl’s quest to steal back her family’s dog goes awry in this humorous and compassionate novel.

Lolo is stuck in summer school with a teacher who is out to get her while her family is still reeling from her grandfather’s death. Even his dog is mourning, howling outside all night and every night. Finally, lovable old Hank is sent to a farm across the lake that takes foster dogs.

And it’s all Lolo’s fault. 

Lolo knows she has to get Hank back. In a tippy canoe, Lolo crosses the almost-dried-out lake to steal her dog back. But she runs into Noah, a student in her summer school class and Hank's new owner—and he loves Hank as much as she does.

As Lolo’s plan unravels and her uneasy alliance with Noah grows into a friendship, the question of what’s best for Hank becomes muddier. Can Lolo manage to do the right thing—for once? 

Itch author Polly Farquhar returns to Ohio with a tale of a big-hearted girl searching for answers to tough questions in all the wrong places. Fans of Gary Schmidt will love Farquhar’s blend of honesty, humor, and heart.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

 

About Polly Farquhar:

Polly Farquhar is the author of Itch. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from Ohio State University, and her short stories for grown-ups have been published in literary magazines. She is also the recipient of multiple Individual Artist Grants from the Ohio Arts Council. She resides with her husband and daughters in the Columbus, Ohio area. Originally from upstate New York, her favorite place to canoe is the Adirondacks.

 

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of  LOLO WEAVER SWIMS UPSTREAM, US Only.

Ends June 13^th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

5/29/2023	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt/IG Post
5/29/2023	Log Cabin Library	Excerpt
5/30/2023	YA Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
5/30/2023	The Momma Spot	Excerpt
5/31/2023	The Chirpy Bookaholic	Excerpt/IG Post
5/31/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post
6/1/2023	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
6/1/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
6/2/2023	@froggyreadteach	IG Review
6/2/2023	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post

Week Two:

6/5/2023	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post
6/5/2023	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
6/6/2023	Nerdophiles	Review
6/6/2023	@evergirl200	IG Review
6/7/2023	Jenguerdy	Review/IG Post
6/7/2023	@get.outside.and.read	IG Review
6/8/2023	Author Z. Knight’s Guild	Review/IG Post
6/8/2023	Two Points of Interest	Review
6/9/2023	Not In Jersey	Review/IG Post
6/9/2023	pluvioreads	Review/IG Post

Book Review - Black Girls Must Have It All by Jayne Allen

 

 

 

Black Girls Must Have It All by Jayne Allen is the final book in the Black Girls Must Die Exhausted trilogy. Tabitha Brown gives birth to a beautiful baby girl after being told in the previous book that she might not be able to have biological children. She is trying to juggle the demands of being a new parent, the needs of a newborn baby, her friends, her job, and her love life.

After experiencing a stressful year, Tabitha decides that this would be her year to achieve her goals and obtain the life she had always wanted. She plans on getting her career, home, and love life in order. Except, the demands of motherhood are draining and Tabitha feels that she barely has time nor energy to do anything.

Tabitha loves her daughter and finds motherhood fulfilling but she wants more from her life. When her beloved coworker mentions that she is planning to retire from the news studio, Tabitha is worried that she might return from maternity leave to a hostile work environment. Just before Tabitha takes her leave, she basically sets all of her ships on fire by going against the wishes of her producer. When she hears news that the station is planning to hire an outside candidate to fill her friend’s role, Tabby is afraid that she might lose her chance to the weekday anchor position that she has worked so hard for.  Tabitha is worried that she might also lose or not maintain her current position of the weekend anchor.  

She normally turns to her friends for support but they seem to be having their own issues to deal with and her relationship with her friends have been frayed since she became a mother. Alexis, her best friend, is still struggling with her marriage with her cheating husband, Rob. Her other friend, Laila, is trying to launch her own business after being fired from her last job.

Her relationship with Marc has also hit a standstill. She isn’t sure what she wants from their relationship anymore. In the previous books, she wanted to get married and settle down with him and start a family. After Marc gives her an ultimatum about their current relationship, she isn’t sure what she wants to do. To make matters worse, his overbearing and controlling mother comes to visit and has something to say about everything, including her ability to mother her daughter.

Tabitha is trying to navigate her life but finds herself failing in every aspect. She feels lonely and isolated from her family especially right now when she needs them the most. Tabitha knows that her friends and family will help her if she asks for it, but will Tabitha finally put herself first and ask for help?

I read the second book in the series and I was able to follow along with the story. However, I feel that the books should be read in order as it will help illuminate character nuances, relationships, and side story lines. This book addresses the cliffhangers that were left hanging from the previous book and wraps up most of the pending problems in the end.

I felt that the book didn’t flow as smoothly as the previous book in the series and was choppy in some places. I felt that this book was missing something, like the spark the previous book had.  The ending made me feel that Tabby still doesn’t know what she wants from Marc and her relationship with him.  The ending of the series felt underwhelming as I was expecting a lot more to happen but it didn’t. If you liked the other two books in the series then you might enjoy this book.

 

Book Review - The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

 

Gabe and Pippa has bought their dream home in a small coastal town. Their house is right near a cliff. The cliff is infamous for people who go there to kill themselves. Gabe is famous for talking people off the ledge until one day, he fails and someone falls to their death. When it is discovered that Gabe knew the victim, Pippa questions how much she really knows Gabe.

The book started off interesting and it kept me hook until the half way point. The constant point of view switching became boring and dull because there was barely any movement to the story. I felt like the story dragged and dragged with nothing keeping the readers hooked. I can't say that I really liked any of the characters and I found Pippa annoying. She kept sticking up for Gabe when it was hard to see what he bought to the table other than him being good looking and charismatic. While this book was a bit disappointing, I will still continue reading other books by the author.

Book Review - Closer Than You Know by Brad Parks

 

Melanie Barrick has grown up in the constant upheaval as a child in foster care. As an adult, Melanie has a loving husband, a steady job, and a beautiful baby, Alex. She thought she left her past behind her.

One Tuesday evening, Melanie goes to pick up Alex from childcare only to be told that he was removed by Social Services. Melanie is terrified and she is unable to get any answers. The situation is upsetting but for Melanie it's bringing back back memories of the horror of Social Services. When Melanie arrives home, she finds out that the sheriff has raided her house and found enough cocaine to send Melanie to prison away for years. An overwhelming amount of evidence is against her and if Melanie can't prove her innocence, she will lose her son.

Assistant commonwealth’s attorney Amy Kaye has been assigned to Melanie's case. She is working on a cold case that her boss wants her to keep quiet to avoid public scrutiny.  There is a serial rapist who wears a mask and whispers to his victims. He has victimized dozens of women and has avoided detection by the police for years.

I thought the book was an okay read. The book had a few twists and turns that I didn't expect or see coming. I felt like some of the plot and the twists were a bit far-fetched. The police took the word of a tip and without even having proof of Melanie committing a crime. When the drugs were found in the couple's home, only Melanie got in trouble  for the drugs and for  the social services case. It The novel was an okay read but, nothing really kept me interested in it.

Book Review - Amy & Lan by Sadie Jones

 

Amy Connell and Lan Honey are childhood friends and spend most of their time together. They live together with their families on a 78 acre farm in the South West of England. Three sets of parents who are best friends decide to buy the farm in Frith. They decide to learn how to farm the land and raise their families together. As Amy and Lan explore the farmland and play together, there is a hidden danger they are not aware of.

The book is told from alternating point of views from Amy and Lan. I found that the story to move very slowly while the "mystery" was fairly obvious. While it was interesting to read the story from Amy's and Lan's point of view, I felt that the kids missed a lot of nuances because they didn't want to get involved with adult stuff or were more interested in playing. I wish we also got to hear the sides of the adults as well because they felt like projections and not like real people because we only knew how the kids felt about them.All in all, I felt like the novel was a rather pointless read to me but, I can see how some readers might enjoy this coming of age novel.

Book Review - Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega

 

Marlene likes her cool aunt Ruby and her best friend, Camila. However, according to her mother, Paola, Marlene needs to focus on school and growing up. A part of growing up means that Marlene must spend every weekend straightening her hair so, she can look presentable and look like she has "good hair".

Marlene despises being in the salon for such an extended period of time. She doesn't understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. Marlene is determined to love her hair and herself as exactly as how she is.

I thought the graphic novel was a lovely and endearing read. I wish people would be a bit more understanding how their words and actions can affect children. I also wish people would stop using the phrase "good hair", no one has good hair and any hair can be good hair. For example, Marlene's curls were big and beautiful but, because she didn't know how to properly take care of her hair, it looked unkempt. Overall, I thought the book was a lovely read.

Book Review - The Secrets We Share by Edwin Hill

 

Natalie Cavanaugh and Glenn Abbott do not look like sisters. Natalie is a Boston cop and acts like a cop off duty too. She prefers to shy away from the spotlight and wear unassuming clothing. Her younger sister, Glenn, lives for the attention. She likes to be dressed to the nines and camera ready. Glenn has spent many years cultivating her baking blog and the publication of her new book. She feels that her hard work is finally going to  pay off.

Twenty years ago, their father's body was found in the words behind their house. They believed their mother might be guilty of the crime but, someone else takes blame for it. Glenn prefers to move forward and ignore her darker past. However, someone who is reading her blog seems to know something and have been leaving anonymous ominous messages. A few unsettling coincidences occur that involve Glenn and her family and it that throws them in the cross hairs of the police and someone from their past.

As Natalie digs into the murders, she wonders about the people close to Glenn and how much she knows. Natalie believes that her father was murdered by their neighbor, with who he was having an affair with.  However, if the current events are connected with the past, there might be things that Natalie needs to uncover before it's too late.

This is my second book by the author and I enjoyed this book more than the other one. The book was suspenseful and had a few twists that I wasn't able to guess. The characters were well developed and each had secrets that were waiting to be discovered. At times, the novel was a bit overwhelming when I was trying to keep track of all the different characters and how they overlap. I also liked that Hester made a guest appearance in this book. I would be interested in reading other books by the author.

Book Review - The Hair Book by LaTonya Yvette

 

The board book had cute bright and colorful illustrations. The book illustrates different and diverse types of hair and leaves room for discussion. It was short and had only a few words that will keep the attention of young toddlers/babies. Personally, I wish it had more words and I found the book to be pointless. However, I am way out of the targeted reading group for this book and it will most likely be appreciated the most for children under 3 who are still learning and identifying new things.

Book Review - Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting by Roseanne A. Brown + Giveaway

 

Twelve year old Serwa Boateng catches fireflies. Unlike, the usually harmless summer activity, for Serwa it can be life or death. The fireflies she hunts are really shapeshifting vampires that prey on the innocent. They drain their victim's blood and possess their minds. Serwa and her parents have been protecting people from these threats for years in silence and secrecy.

Serwa is the best slayer for her age and she knows more about combat than things "normal" children do. However, everything changes when a witch destroys her home while searching for a drum that can bring about mass destruction. Instead of taking Serwa with them, her parents decide to leave her with her extended family for her own safety, while they search for the witch. Serwa is disappointed that she won't be joining her parents in the hunt. Serwa finds herself out of her element dealing with going to school and managing friendships.

When Serwa adjusts to her new norm, she realizes a vampire has infiltrated her school. After Serwa was unsuccessful at removing the vampire on her own, she decides to recruit a few friends to help. Will Serwa be able to fight the vampire with the help of her new friends?

I thought the book was an interesting read. I enjoyed reading about mythology and customs from Ghana. I loved that the author included an in depth informational guide about her culture. The beginning was a bit slow but, it gradually got better. I enjoyed reading how Serwa grew into her own independent person and adapted to her new surroundings. I liked how the book showed different sides of  "good and evil" and none was portrayed as just good or bad but, shades of grey. I look forward to seeing how the series progresses. 

**Disclosure - I received a free book in exchange for an honest opinion**

 About The Book:

Title: SERWA BOATENG'S GUIDE TO VAMPIRE HUNTING (Serwa Boateng #1)

Author: Roseanne A. Brown

Pub. Date: September 6, 2022

Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 400

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

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents best-selling YA author Roseanne A. Brown's middle grade debut about a pre-teen vampire slayer with a strong helping of Ghanaian folklore.

For most kids, catching fireflies is a fun summer activity. For twelve-year-old Serwa Boateng, it's a matter of life and death.

That's because Serwa knows that some fireflies are really adze, shapeshifting vampires from the forests of Southeastern Ghana. Adze prey on the blood of innocents, possessing their minds and turning them into hulking monsters, and for generations, slayers like Serwa and her parents have protected an unknowing public from their threats.

Serwa is the best adze slayer her age, and she knew how to use a crossbow before she could even ride a bike. But when an obayifo (witch) destroys her childhood home while searching for a drum, do Serwa's parents take her with them on their quest to defeat her? No. Instead, they dump Serwa with her hippie aunt and cryptic-obsessed cousin in the middle of Nowheresville, Maryland "for her own safety." Now, instead of crossbows and battle armor, she's dealing with mean girls and algebra, and for the first time in her life she doesn't have to carry a staff everywhere she goes, which is . . . kind of nice, actually.

Just as Serwa starts to get the hang of this whole normal girl who doesn't punch vampires every day thing, an adze infiltrates her school. It's up to her to whip some of her classmates into monster-fighting shape before all of them become firefly food. And when she uncovers a secret that upends everything she thought she knew about her family's role in the slayer vs. adze war, Serwa will have to decide which side of herself--normal girl or slayer--is the right one.

After all, seventh grade is hard enough without adding vampires to the mix.

 

About Roseanne A. Brown:

Roseanne “Rosie” A. Brown was born in Kumasi, Ghana and immigrated to the wild jungles of central Maryland as a child. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor’s in Journalism and was also a teaching assistant for the school’s Jiménez-Porter Writers’ House program. Her debut novel A Song of Wraiths and Ruin was an instant New York Times Bestseller, an Indie Bestseller, and received six starred reviews. She has worked with Marvel, Star Wars, and Disney among other publishers.

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

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of SERWA BOATENG'S GUIDE TO VAMPIRE HUNTING, US Only.

Ends October 7^th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/1/2022	booksaremagictoo	Review/IG Post
9/2/2022	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Post
9/3/2022	xbookwormcafe	Review/IG Post

Week Two:

9/4/2022	BookHounds YA	Excerpt/IG Post
9/5/2022	wiltedpages	Review/IG Post
9/6/2022	The Real World According to Sam	Review/IG Post
9/7/2022	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review
9/8/2022	Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog	Review/IG Post
9/9/2022	Feed Your Fiction Addiction	Review/IG Post
9/10/2022	hodophile_z	IG Review

Week Three:

9/11/2022	Wanderingwitchreads	TikTok Review/IG Post
9/12/2022	Log Cabin Library	Review
9/13/2022	Lifestyle of Me	Review
9/14/2022	@lexijava	Review/IG Post
9/15/2022	A Backwards Story	Review/IG Post
9/16/2022	Confessions of a YA Reader	Review
9/17/2022	@meetcuteromancebooks	IG Review

Week Four:

9/18/2022	Nerdophiles	Review
9/19/2022	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
9/20/2022	hauntedbybooks	Review/IG Post
9/21/2022	onemused	IG Spotlight
9/22/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
9/23/2022	@thebookishfoxwitch	IG Review
9/24/2022	@jacleomik33	IG Review

Week Five:

9/25/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
9/26/2022	PopTheButterfly Reads	Review/IG Post
9/27/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review
9/28/2022	@ReadsReaders	YouTube Review/IG Post
9/29/2022	@drew_ambitious_reading	IG Review/TikTok Post
9/30/2022	The Clever Reader	Review/IG Post