Book Review - Orphan Eleven by Gennifer Choldenko + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Four orphans eagerly wait for an opportunity to escape from the Home for Friendless Children. Lucy, one of the orphans, used to love to talk and sing. Now, she no longer speaks as she believes silence is the only way to protect herself.

After a tumultuous journey, the orphans find work and new friends aboard a traveling circus. Lucy loves being able to take care of the elephants but, for her to secure the job of the elephant handler, she will need to speak to the elephants and warn others of danger. If Lucy doesn't cope with her fear of speaking, she will lose her chance to join the circus. Meanwhile, the matrons of the orphanage are eager to get Lucy back at the orphanage.

The book was a fun and cute read. It was nerve-wracking following the orphans' journey for a home and a place to belong. I liked that the author included a section about notes on the book. It was shocking to find out how much of Lucy's story was based on horrifying events. The novel was a heartwarming and enjoyable read and perfect for fans of the author.

**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.**

 

 

About the Book:

Title: ORPHAN ELEVEN

Author: Gennifer Choldenko

Pub. Date: May 26, 2020

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 320

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

Four orphans have escaped from the Home for Friendless Children. One is Lucy, who used to talk and sing. No one knows why she doesn't speak anymore; silence is her protection.

The orphans find work and new friends at a traveling circus. Lucy loves caring for the elephants, but she must be able to speak to them, and to warn others of danger. If Lucy doesn't find her voice, she'll be left behind when the circus goes on the rails. Meanwhile, people are searching for Lucy, and her puzzling past is about to catch up with her.

About Gennifer:

With more than 2 and a half million books sold, Choldenko’s best known Tales from Alcatraz series, has been called “A cornerstone series in contemporary children’s literature.” Al Capone Does My Shirts—the first book in the series—was a Newbery Honor Book and the recipient of twenty other awards. All four books in the series were Junior Library Guild selections and garnered many starred reviews. Gennifer’s newest novel: Orphan Eleven will be out May 26. Publisher’s Weekly has said this about Orphan Eleven: “This uplifting tale of hope, survival and belonging has all the ingredients to become a beloved middle grade book.” Gennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her loyal husband and naughty dog.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of ORPHAN ELEVEN, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21120/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/13/2020	Twirling Book Princess	Excerpt
7/13/2020	Forever Lost in Literature	Excerpt
7/14/2020	For the Love of KidLit	Excerpt
7/14/2020	Trapped Inside Stories	Excerpt
7/15/2020	Little Red Reads	Review
7/15/2020	Jazzy Book Reviews	Excerpt
7/16/2020	JaimeRockstarBookTours	Instagram Stop
7/16/2020	Jaime's World	Excerpt
7/17/2020	TheReadingCornerforAll	Review
7/17/2020	Two Chicks on Books	Interview

Week Two:

7/20/2020	Lifestyle of Me	Review
7/20/2020	popthebutterfly	Review
7/21/2020	Do You Dog-ear?	Review
7/21/2020	Krisha's cosy corner	Review
7/22/2020	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
7/22/2020	BookHounds YA	Interview
7/23/2020	Two Points of Interest	Review
7/23/2020	Log Cabin Library	Excerpt
7/24/2020	Books and Zebras @jypsylynn	Review
7/24/2020	Hurn Publications	Excerpt

 

Book Review - One-Third Nerd by Gennifer Choldenko and Églantine Ceulemans + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Liam knows that fifth grade is not for beginners and being more than one-third nerd is not cool. Liam and his family live in the Bay area in San Franciso with his mom and two sisters. Dakota has a big personality and loves science but, has a hard time making friends. Izzy has Down syndrome, loves giving hugs and can make friends easily. Their dad works in insurance and lives across town but, stops by with food often. And Cupcake is their lovable German shepherd that guards their apartment.

Lately, Cupcake has a problem. She has been peeing all over the apartment. The family wants to take her to the vet before their landlord can find out. Their parents have said if Cupcake doesn't stop, they will have to find her a new home. However, the kids can't give their beloved pet away. Will they be able to save Cupcake in time?

The novel was a fun and quick read. I like how each of the characters had their own well developed and distinct personality. Liam being the caring, protective older brother, Izzy being the intuitive friendly sister and Dakota was caring but a bit brash. I am disheartened to say, that I found Dakota to be a bit too much and I felt her character was a bit over the top, even if she meant well. Overall, it was a fun read.

 **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 any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**   

Title: ONE-THIRD NERD

Author: Gennifer Choldenko, Églantine Ceulemans (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: January 29, 2019

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 224

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Audible, B&N, iBooks, TBD

A funny, fast-paced, and heartfelt story from the Newbery Honor-winning author of the Al Capone series.

Fifth grade is not for amateurs, according to Liam. Luckily, he knows that being more than one-third nerd is not cool. Liam lives in the Bay area near San Francisco with his mom and two younger sisters. Dakota is fascinated by science and has a big personality but struggles to make friends; Izzy, a child with Down syndrome, makes friends easily and notices things that go past everyone else. Dad lives across town, but he's over a lot. And then there's Cupcake, their lovable German shepherd, who guards their basement apartment.

Recently, Cupcake has a problem--she's peeing in the house. The kids need to make enough money to take her to the vet before their landlord upstairs finds out. And Mom and Dad have said if Cupcake doesn't stop, they will find her a new home. But the kids will never let Cupcake go. Can they save her? 

About Gennifer:

Choldenko is best known for her Tales from Alcatraz series, which has sold more than 2 million copies. Book #1: Al Capone Does My Shirts was a Newbery Honor Book and the recipient of twenty other awards. Book #4: Al Capone Throws Me a Curve is due out in 2018. BookPage said of her most recent novel, Chasing Secrets: “Choldenko’s ability to research obscure yet intriguing topics is uncanny, and as she did with the popular Al Capone trilogy she turns a tough topic into a high interest read … a compelling work of historical fiction.” Gennifer lives with her loyal husband and naughty dog in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of ONE-THIRD NERD, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2883/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

1/28/2019- BookHounds YA- Review

1/28/2019- Ogitchida Kwe's Book Blog- Excerpt

1/29/2019- Feed Your Fiction Addiction- Review

1/29/2019- Wonder Struck- Review

1/30/2019- Nerdophiles- Review

1/30/2019- Texan Holly Reads- Review

1/31/2019- Such A Novel Idea- Review

1/31/2019- For the Love of KidLit- Interview

2/1/2019- Owl Always Be Reading- Excerpt

2/1/2019- Two Points of Interest- Review