Brenna M's Book Blog

HAT

written by Renee Paule 

illustrated by G R Hewitt

Paperback, 36 pages

099350986X (ISBN13: 9780993509865)

The colors that G R Hewitt used in the illustrations is great. A lot of colors, more muted rather than overly stimulating bright.

Paule describes each hat with shorter and longer words, which makes it a wonderful book to help young readers to learn some "big" vocabulary words, without making it feel like work. I really enjoyed the book, and the little comprehension test that she includes at the end.

***This book was won in a Booklikes giveaway held by the auther, in exchange for a fair review. ***

THE LIBRARY AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

Felicity Hayes-McCoy

Paperback, 368 pages

Published November 14th 2017 by Harper Perennial

ISBN:  0062663720 (ISBN13: 9780062663726)

also available kindle and audiobook.

Things start a quiet confusion while Hannah tries to figure out her life after divorce and moving back to her small, rural hometown. Then chaos when she starts renovations on her house and the community finds out they are losing governmental support for the library and seniors.
I am a library lover to begin with. Set that in Ireland, I am in heaven. This was a fun read. Some of the crotchety characters and the description of the landscape were great. Hayes-McCoy usually writes non-fiction about the Dingle Peninsula where this book is set, so she knows the area well. Her words bring out the beauty of the area wonderfully. Hannah's character was a little too stubborn for me, at first. But as I continued with the story, I soon realized why.

BEYOND LILA

TRACY FONTAINE

ISBN:  1491073381 (ISBN13: 9781491073384)

THE SLAVE PLAYERS

Megan Allen

What would happen if roles were reversed for white Americans and black Americans in history? Megan Allen takes on this thought and places it in modern day Alabama. While the town's sheriff tries to cover up what really happens to 12 black girls on a bus trip to a camp, the medical examiner sees something different. He and his daughter take it all the way up to the governor, then the President. And chaos starts when the truth comes out in the press. The daughter of the medical examiner I didn't like. She was well written, like all the main characters. I felt she came off as a little bratty. Allen's writing moved along quickly, holding my attention, and making me think. This may be a book that some will either like it or hate it. Will what happened in the book become a reality at some point? I don't know. But the writing does bring out questions, some reality in how the different cultures think (both good and bad), and is very thought provoking.


***I won this paperback copy through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for a fair review.***

THE LION AND THE LAMB

Charles Causey

Paperback, Pages 288

Published November 17th 2016 by WestBow Press

ISBN: 1512761095 (ISBN13: 9781512761092)

THE HOUSE ON FOSTER HILL

Jaime Jo Wright

A parallel story following Ivy in 1905 and Kaine now. Ivy, the great great grandmother of Kaine, is a strong woman who makes it through some tragedy. Kaine has her own tragedies, and starts looking to find her own strength to move on. Wright tells the story in alternating chapters. Her main characters are well writing. The Kaine story is a little more predictable but overall, I enjoyed the book. Wright kept the plot moving along well. The small town setting, the house, and those that become fast friends with Kaine give the story some personality.

CITY OF HOPE

Kate Kerrigan

An Irish immigrant, Ellie, returns to New York city after her husband dies. Kerrigan gives Ellie some depth with Ellie's strength, independence, and entrepreneurship in the 1930s. I did find some parts slow moving but overall, the story is good. Following Ellie through her trials and tribulations was enough to keep my interest. Kerrigan does describe small town Ireland and depression era New York City well.

Cast Two Shadows: The American Revolution in the South

Ann Rinaldi

I was browsing the shelves when I found this book. Usually, an author sticks with the big events of the American Revolution, but Rinaldi sets this book in the south.  Caroline, the main character, is 14 years old and sees how the war has separated her family's loyalty, as well as how it has affected her friends. The British have taken over her family's plantation; her father is thrown in jail for supporting the patriots; the brother is fighting for the British. She sees some horrors on both sides and learns some secrets about herself as well. At some points, the reading is a little dry. Overall, a good book, though, YA readers who like historical fiction.