The posse shoots to kill, but Ben survives. Too bad it’s all downhill from here. As the tale unwinds, Chief McClelland and the posse suspect that Ben may not be telling them the whole truth. And they might be right. Good thing Ben has a hard head. If at first you don’t succeed, die, die, die again.
My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars
This was a comic novel about Night of the Living Dead, the movie. The characters and scenes are the same, but Ben doesn’t seem like he dies like he does in the movie. He keeps repeating different scenarios of him dying. I liked how the authors added information about life in the sixties compared to life today. It brings some history to the reader. The illustrations were very good. This was a very thought of book.
When Thor and the Avengers battle a group of enchantedbeasts that mysteriously appear at a Long Island Mall, they call the best inthe magic business to help them out-Doctor Strange. But the good doctor isoverworked and underpaid. These days he’s become the go-to hero for all thingsmagic and he’s exhausted. He’d really prefer to work alone since it’s not likejust anyone can understand his Mastery of the Mystic Arts. More bizarre attacks occur around New YorkCity and Strange finds himself seeking guidance from a number of mysticalallies despite his desire to remain solitary. And when the threats grow wildlybeyond his control, he may have no choice but to accept the counsel of hissuper hero comrades in order save his best friend and the world. This 128 pagechapter book, focusing on Dr. Strange will feature full-color interactiveillustrations throughout. And just in time for his new film!
My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars
It’s totally a fun book for everyone to enjoy. Doctor Strange is a fascinating character. He loves to be on his own and doesn’t like to seek help from others who don’t know anything about magic. The world was turning upside down with magical creatures attacking humans. He had to seek advice from Marvel characters in order to help humankind. I loved the illustrations very colorful. Brandon did a lovely job of writing a story that brings a superhero to the rescue.
We’re so excited for our first Book Club of the year next Wednesday, January 29th, at 6 pm! We will be discussing our 2024 Book of the Year, James by Percival Everett. We will also have introductions, learn more about what everyone enjoys reading, and anything else you’d like to discuss! Sign ups are not required. Just stop by!
Dead and/or alive. LBJ orders the Secret Service to bring him back a zombie. This should be easy.
My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars
It is a comic novel that brings the living dead to a new light. The secret service fights against the zombies in hopes of keeping everyone safe. The illustrations were perfect for the story. Perfect book to read for this spooky month of October.
Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere is jam-packed with fun: vibrant illustrations, word bubbles, quirky humor, olgamus facts, and plenty of excitement for readers who love making discoveries and meeting new friends. Olga is a charming combination of independent, curious, and smart—making her the coolest girl scientist around—perfect for fans of Dork Diaries and Captain Underpants.
When Olga crosses paths with a weird creature and becomes the first kid to discover the species olgamusridiculus, she is ecstatic! What does an olgamus eat? How does it poop? Why does its burp sound like the word rubber? With her trusty observation notebook and the help of a librarian, a shopkeeper, and some friends, Olga sets out to do science—learning the facts about her smelly, almost-furry pal and searching for him when he goes missing. The scientific method is the best way to discover anything!
My Review: Rated 5 out of 6 stars
Olga wants to be an animal scientist who finds an animal who she can’t identify. The book has funny illustrations that go through her observation lab. It was such a fun book for young children, especially if they love science and animals. Olga is hilarious and very smart. The author did a great job to bring a book that will teach kids about science and the love of animals. If you need a laugh, you will want to read this quirky book.
This gleefully illustrated space adventure is a laugh on every page. That’s a lot of laughs!
Kelvin Klosmo isn’t just the new kid at school — he’s the new kid in the galaxy! Welcome to Sci-Fi Junior an inter-galactic space station with students of all shapes, sizes, smells, and . . . slime content.
As the son of Earth’s two most famous geniuses, Kelvin isn’t just the smartest kid in the world . . . he’s the smartest kid in the Universe . At least, that’s what everybody at Sci-Fi Junior High thinks. So, maybe Kelvin lied a little about being a genius to fit in. And maybe a mad scientist is about to take over the universe unless Kelvin can stop him. Maybe everyone is doomed.
Well, at least Kelvin won’t have to worry about math homework anymore. Sci-Fi Junior High is an out-of-this-world story about friendship, accepting our differences, and the fight against evil . . . bunnies. Yes, evil bunnies — don’t ask.
My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars
It’s such a fun book. I enjoyed the illustrations. It made the book come to life. Kelvin has a super genius mom and dad. Everyone at his new school in space thinks that he is brilliant, while in reality, he is average. His new school has creatures from all over space. He and his family are the only ones from Earth. It was great to have an evil villain trying to conquer a world. The plot for the book was thought out very well. It is funny and interesting. All readers of all ages will love it.
I just love Madeline. The books take place in Paris, the city of lights. The illustrations are so spectacular that it makes me think I am there. It is truly a great book for all children to read.
Author Biography
Ludwig Bemelmans was an Austrian author, an internationally known gourmand, and a writer and illustrator of children’s books. He is most noted today for his Madeline books, six of which were published from 1939-1961. A seventh was discovered after his death and published posthumously in 1999.
Clara Humble may seem like your average fourth-grader who doesn’t look before she leaps, but she has a secret: she thinks she might have superpowers. Which is convenient, because things aren’t going so well for Clara. Students from rival R. R. Reginald are moving into her school for the term, and Clara’s favorite neighbor, Momo, is moving to a faraway retirement home.
Together with her best friend, Bradley, the winsome and overconfident Clara becomes convinced that her knack for making liquids spill, overhearing her parents’ conversations, communicating with her pet chinchilla, and maybe even mind-controlling teachers could be used to put a stop to these injustices.
Told in Clara’s clever, funny, and strikingly authentic voice, this novel kicks off a new series by inviting readers into this memorable character’s inventive mind to share in her misadventures. Annotated with Clara’s comic sketches, it’s a fast-paced read with a spot-on perspective of life as a 10-year-old that kids will surely relate to.
My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Sometimes, superpowers aren’t always real. Clara has been dealing with students from another school who bully her and her friends all the time. Sometimes, trying to fix what the bullies have done to you doesn’t always lead to a right. Clara thought she had superpowers just like her make-believe @Cat, who is a superhero cat that she draws, and all her thoughts and courage are shown through the cartoon. Her life at school and at home have become extremely difficult, so she tries to make everything change with her superpower. It is a great book for children to learn about bulling and that, at times, we as the victim can make things even worse. I enjoyed Clara’s adventures and @cat.
Author Biography
Anna Humphrey is the author of Rhymes with Cupid (HarperTeen, 2010), Mission (Un)Popular (Disney/Hyperion Books for Children, 2011), Ruby Goldberg’s Bright Idea (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2014) and Clara Humble & the Not-So-Super Powers (OwlKids Books, 2016)—all books for young readers. She lives in Kitchener, Ontario with her husband and kids.
Daunted by the singular sexual tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house. But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven, and demanding Fifty Shades. While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront her anger and envy of the women who came before her and make the most important decision of her life. Erotic, sparkling and suspenseful, Fifty Shades Darker is the irresistibly addictive second part of the Fifty Shades trilogy.
My Review: Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Love can change even the darkest man. I was not as happy with this second book. I felt like it dragged for a long time. It started to get very interesting halfway through the book. I was very happy with the outcome but could only imagine that the third book would have some sad moments. Christian and Anastasia were able to rekindle their love for each other. Christian worked very hard to forget the whole contract and try to make it a loving relationship. Cheers to a life full of happiness.
After years spent living on the run, Samuel Hawley moves with his teenage daughter, Loo, to Olympus, Massachusetts. There, in his late wife’s hometown, Hawley finds work as a fisherman, while Loo struggles to fit in at school and grows curious about her mother’s mysterious death. Haunting them both are twelve scars Hawley carries on his body, from twelve bullets in his criminal past; a past that eventually spills over into his daughter’s present, until together they must face a reckoning yet to come. This father-daughter epic weaves back and forth through time and across America, from Alaska to the Adirondacks.
Both a coming-of-age novel and a literary thriller, The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley explores what it means to be a hero, and the cost we pay to protect the people we love most.
My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars
This book brings together violence and love in a way we could not imagine. Just imagine first aid kits being part of your everyday needs! This book could never have enough first aid kits. That kit was a building block for Hawley. Without it, he would not have survived his first shot. Hannah split this book into all twelve shots that Hawley lived through without a complaint while coming to the present and showing us the life he lived with his daughter. Hawley is a man that from a very early age, met a friend who got him into stealing and killing in order to survive. It’s a book in which he is a villain but has a soft spot for his wife and daughter. He did everything in hopes of making a better life for them. Loo is Hawley’s daughter, who is constantly bullied at school until she takes matters to her own hands. Violence is what she learned from her father, and that violence made them both survive in their environment. As much as he didn’t want Loo involved, she was from the very beginning. Once you start this book, you won’t be able to put it down. Each bullet was a scar that we were part of as we read this book. Enjoy the thrilling story.
Author Biography
Hannah Tinti grew up in Salem, Massachusetts, and is co-founder and executive edtior of One Story magazine. Her short story collection, ANIMAL CRACKERS, has sold in sixteen countries and was a runner-up for the PEN/Hemingway award. Her first novel, THE GOOD THIEF, was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, recipient of the American Library Association’s Alex Award, and winner of the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. Hannah’s most recent novel, THE TWELVE LIVES OF SAMUEL HAWLEY was a national bestseller and is in development for television with Netflix.
FabulousReader4Ever 