Book Review - A Is for Elizabeth by Rachel Vail + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Elizabeth is super excited for her big homework assignment. She has to create a poster with her name on it. Until she realizes her name has over a million letters and she will be doing more work than her classmates. To make matters worse, Anna's name begins with an A. That means she always gets to go first for everything. While Elizabeth works on her school project, she learns a few new life lessons along the way.

I was surprised I found this book very funny and entertaining. I like how the author combined a bit of humor while educating young readers about taking turns, being fair, and rules. Little Elizabeth is highly relatable and fun to read about by audiences of all ages.

 **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: A IS FOR ELIZABETH (Elizabeth Case #1)

Author: Rachel Vail, Paige Keiser (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: May 9, 2019

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 128

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

Elizabeth is in second grade. Class 2B! It's great! Friends, recess, homework!

Even a big project: Make a poster of your name.

Yayyy!

Hang on.

The name Elizabeth has a bajillion letters in it!

The name Anna has only four letters. Plus, Anna's first letter is A, which is also the first letter of Alphabetical Order. But Anna can't always be first! That's not fair!

In A is for Elizabeth, Elizabeth makes more than a poster. She also makes some important choices—about fairness, rules, speaking up, and glue. But the most important thing she makes is...a friend!

A new spin off from Vail's Justin Case series starring Justin's little sister.

About Rachel:

Rachel Vail is the award-winning author of more than 30 books.

Her newest novel for middle-schoolers is WELL, THAT WAS AWKWARD.

Her novels for teens and tweens also include UNFRIENDED, IF WE KISS, KISS ME AGAIN, LUCKY, GORGEOUS, BRILLIANT, and the Friendship Ring series.

For elementary school kids, there’s JUSTIN CASE: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters; JUSTIN CASE: Shells, Smells, and the Horrible Flip-Flops of Doom, and, JUSTIN CASE: Rules, Tools, and Maybe a Bully.

Her picture books include PIGGY BUNNY and SOMETIMES I’M BOMBALOO.

Rachel lives in New York City with her husband, their two sons, and a tortoise named Lightning.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 lucky winners will receive finished copies of THE ELIZABETH CASE Series, US Only.

Giveaway Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2943/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/10/2019- Twirling Book Princess- Excerpt

6/11/2019- BookHounds YA- Excerpt

6/12/2019- Nerdophiles- Review

6/13/2019- BookishRealmReviews- Review

6/14/2019- The Hermit Librarian- Excerpt

Week Two:

6/17/2019- BookishRealmReviews- Review

6/18/2019- The Suburban Lifestyle- Review

6/19/2019- Two Chicks on Books- Excerpt

6/20/2019- Book-o-Craze- Review

6/21/2019- Two points of interest- Review

Book Review - The Girl Who Sailed the Stars by Matilda Woods

Photo Credit - Amazon

Oona Britt is the youngest of seven daughters born in the magical town of Nordlor. The beautiful coastal town of Nordlor is built from wrecked whaling ships. Oona's father enlisted the advice of a soothsayer promising him a "bold and brave son". When Oona was born, she bought her great disappointment and angered her sea captain father who desperately wanted a son. Oona loves the ocean and wants to sail on a ship but, her father believes girls don't belong to them.

Because Oona craves adventure and knowledge, she is teased and considered an outsider from her family. When her family decides the girls will be sent down to the South to be married off, Oona resolves this isn't the life she wanted and decides to sneak aboard her father's ship. Oona realizes he is setting sail for his annual winter whale hunt and she is about to be a part of a great adventure. During her great adventure on the sea, Oona meets the different characters aboard her father's ship, including the ship's sea cat, Barnacles and the navigator named Haroyld. As much as Oona tries to show her father her worth and win his love, he is furious and continuously disappointed in her. Will Oona be able to prove to her father that she is the brave and bold child the soothsayer promised?

I loved this novel. I don't say this lightly because I have maybe a handful of books this year that elicited such emotions while reading. I love everything about this novel, except maybe some of the kooky illustrations that decorated each page. This glorious book teaches children and adults, that we cannot live to please others and being true to oneself if the best path. While reading this novel, I was reminded of Roald Dahl's brilliant masterpieces such as "The Witches", "Mathilda", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", and "James and the Giant Peach".  It had a bit of dark humor mixed in with a delightful story of bravery and following your heart. Best of all, it teaches young girl they have power to their voices heard and can conquer their dreams on their own. A definite read for any young adventurous soul!

 **Disclosure - I received a free unedited 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.**

THE GIRL WHO SAILED THE STARS

    When Oona Britt was born in the magical town of Nordlor, where all of the homes are built from wrecked ships, her parents never expected her to be a girl. Having listened to a faulty prediction from a washed-up soothsayer, they were promised a "bold and brave son," so as the youngest of seven sisters, Oona's birth became a disappointment -- especially to her sea captain father, who doesn't believe there's a place for girls aboard ships. 

     But Oona is different from the rest of her family. She longs for adventure and knowledge. So she steals aboard her father's ship just as he's about to set sail for his annual winter whale hunt, and suddenly finds herself in the midst of a grand adventure! The ship has its own sea cat, Barnacles, and a navigator named Haroyld, who show Oona how to follow the stars. But for all that, Oona's father is furious. Can she prove to him that she's worth his love and pride, even though she's not the bold and brave son he was promised? 

     This follow-up to The Boy, the Bird & the Coffin Maker carries just as much heart and charm as Matilda Woods's first novel. The characters, story, and illustrations will dazzle readers.

Author

Matilda Woods (www.matildawoods.com) grew up in the small town of Southern Tablelands, Australia. She graduated from Monash University with a Masters of Social Work. Matilda splits her time between writing middle grade fiction and working as a youth social worker. She is the author of The Boy, the Bird & the Coffin Maker, and she currently lives in the same small town where she grew up, with her four chickens, three dogs, two cats, and one bird.