Book Spotlight - The Penderwicks at Last by Jeanne Birdsall + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

About the Book:

Title: THE PENDERWICKS AT LAST

Author: Jeanne Birdsall

Pub. Date: May 15, 2018

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 256

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

The finale you've all been waiting for: The Penderwicks at Last is the final, flawless installment in the modern classic series from National Book Award winner and New York Times bestselling author Jeanne Birdsall!

Nine years, five older siblings, a few beloved dogs, and an endless array of adventures--these are the things that have shaped Lydia's journey since readers first met her in The Penderwicks in Spring.

Now it's summertime, and eleven-year-old Lydia is dancing at the bus stop, waiting for big sister Batty to get home from college. 

This is a very important dance and a very important wait because the two youngest sisters are about to arrive home to find out that the Penderwicks will all be returning to Arundel this summer, the place where it all began. And better still is the occasion: a good old-fashioned, homemade-by-Penderwicks wedding.

Bursting with heart and brimming with charm, this is a joyful, hilarious ode to the family we love best. And oh my MOPS--Meeting of Penderwick Siblings--does Jeanne Birdsall's The Penderwicks at Last crescendo to one perfect Penderwick finale.

About Jeanne:

Jeanne Birdsall grew up in the suburbs west of Philadelphia, where she attended wonderful public schools. Jeanne had lots of great teachers, but her favorites were: Mrs. Corkhill, sixth grade, who encouraged her intellectual curiosity; Mr. Tremonte, eighth grade algebra, who taught Jeanne to love and respect math; and Miss Basehore, second and fourth year Latin, to whom Jeanne (and Mr. Penderwick) will be forever grateful.

Although she first decided to become a writer when she was ten years old, it took Jeanne until she was forty-one to get started. In the years in between, Jeanne had many strange jobs to support herself, and also worked hard as a photographer, the kind that makes art. Some of Jeanne's photographs are included in the permanent collections of museums, including the Smithsonian and the Philadelphia Art Museum. Her work can be seen in several galleries, including the R. Michelson Galleries in western Massachusetts. 

Jeanne's home now is with her husband in Northampton, Massachusetts. Their house is old and comfortable, full of unruly animals, and surrounded by gardens.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of THE PENDERWICKS AT LAST, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2744/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

5/14/2018- Little Red Reads- Review

5/15/2018- Buttons Book Reviews- Review

5/16/2018- Will Read Anything- Review

5/17/2018- Two Points of Interest- Review

5/18/2018- The Desert Bibliophile- Review

Book Spotlight - Mayfly by Jeff Sweat + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Title: MAYFLY

Author: Jeff Sweat

Pub. Date: May 8, 2018

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 320

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

Jemma has spent her life scavenging tools and supplies for her tribe in the their small enclave outside what used to be a big city. Now she’s a teen, and old enough to become a Mama. Making babies is how her people survive—in Jemma’s world, life ends at age seventeen.

Survival has eclipsed love ever since the Parents died of a mysterious plague. But Jemma’s connection to a boy named Apple is stronger than her duty as a Mama. Forced to leave, Jemma and Apple are joined in exile by a mysterious boy who claims to know what is causing them to die. The world is crumbling around them, and their time is running out. Is this truly the End?

About Jeff:

Jeff Sweat has made a living from words his entire career, starting out as an award-winning tech journalist for InformationWeek magazine and moving into marketing.

He led the content marketing team for Yahoo and pioneered its use of social media. He directed PR for two of the top advertising agencies in the country, Deutsch LA and 72andSunny. He now runs his own Los Angeles–based PR and marketing agency, Mister Sweat.

He grew up in Idaho as the middle of eight children—seven boys and one girl—and attended Columbia University in New York. Jeff lives in a big blue house in Los Angeles with his wife Sunny and their three kids, two cats, and a racing greyhound.

He loves to travel and writes everywhere he goes, even when there's not a desk. He likes karaoke, motorcycles and carpentry. He was once shot in the head with a nail gun, which was not a big of a deal as it sounds. But it still hurt like crazy.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive MAYFLY prize pack which includes buttons, custom art and maps, and a t-shirt, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2740/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Three:

5/14/2018- Daily Waffle - Excerpt

5/15/2018- F A N N A- Review

5/16/2018-Book-Keeping- Review

5/17/2018-Two Points of Interest- Review

5/18/2018- The Underground- Interview

Book Review - Sleep Train by Jonathan London and Lauren Eldridge

Photo Credit - Amazon

All on board! While on a train, a small boy is struggling to fall asleep. He decides to count the train cars to help him fall asleep. As he counts the trains, he feels himself drifting slowly into dreamland.

The tots I volunteer with enjoyed learning about the different train cars. They loved counting along with the child in the story. We enjoyed the gorgeously detailed 3D illustrations in this book as well. It was fun and entertaining read especially the rhyming parts.

Engagement Activities -
1. How many rhyme pairs can you come up with in one minute? 
2. If you can go anywhere in the world by train, where would you go? And why?  
3. What is your favorite part of a train?  
4.  What is your bedtime ritual?

5. Where do you think the train is going?

6. What do you do when you can't fall asleep?

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

Book Review - The Simple Soul of Susan by Noel Branham + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Susan Combs lives the simple life. She doesn't want to leave her small town. She prefers staying at home to take care of her sick father. Susan is also in love with the boy next door. However, Calder Hurtz has big aspirations and dreams. He wants more than the simple life. When Susan accidentally hears a conservation between Calder and another boy, and her life is changed forever.

The summary of the book was interesting but I had a hard time getting into the book. I found the story a bit slow. I also had a bit of trouble understanding some of Susan's personality.  I didn't like that Susan actually had an inheritance but kind of used the Hurtzez' generosity. I also found her to be stubborn and expected people to help her. For example, she wanted Calder to help with her ailing father but he doesn't get a say on anything. She also likes Calder but when he showed her that he liked her, she started crying and made him apologize. And when he finally told her straight out, she said she couldn't trust him while she has been keeping secrets herself. Personally speaking, I didn't really like Susan and I felt like that made me enjoy the book a little less.

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

About the Book

Title: The Simple Soul of Susan
Author: Noel Branham
Genre: Romance, YA, Coming-of-Age, Contemporary
Release Date: October 11, 2017
Susan Combs had long ago found the love of her life. The only problem was the other party still didn’t know he had been found. Every day Susan saw Calder Hurtz, her next door neighbor and childhood best friend. They always enjoyed the short drive to school down the dusty streets of their small Texas town. She was happy in those perfect moments, for her life at home was most imperfect. The challenging homestead she inhabited was also the favorite subject of local gossip. But one autumn day she overhears Calder and another boy having a conversation. This occasion of accidental audience sets Susan’s life on an unforeseen path. In the seasons to come, her future will be changed by two hospitalizations, two confessions of love, and one betrayal. Compulsively readable, The Simple Soul of Susan is an engaging, soul-endearing romance and a mesmerizing debut.

About the Author

 

Born and raised in a small Texas town, Noel Branham started her career in digital communications after graduating with a degree in English. An award-winning communicator, she now writes from her residence in Florida about things closest to the heart: home, family, and love.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Noel giving away

Grand Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card
First & Second Place Prize: eBook copy of the Simple Soul of Susan!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cee4/the-simple-soul-of-susan-celebration-tour-giveaway