The Goodbye Girls

The Goodbye Girls by Lisa Harrington
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Goodbye Girls was one of those books where I was sure I knew how it would end from the beginning. When some things started happening, I just nodded to myself, having seen the signs from the beginning. If the whole book had been like that, I would have had a chard time finding any enjoyment out of reading it. As it stands, the biggest plot twist, I did not see coming at all. The characters were developed and complex enough that you didn't know right away what they were going to do.

I will say, my one major issue with this book is the fact that Lizzie is a little too self-centered, okay, a lot. Even the internal dialog she has going when something is happening makes it hard to like her as a character. I know she is a teenager, but she is on the extreme side. At least, coming from someone who is past the teenage years, that's how it seems to me. Teenagers will probably be able to relate to her more than I am able to.

Overall, I found this book an entertaining read and one that I feel teenagers would enjoy.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Lisa Harrington
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing
Publication Date: 26 Apr 2018

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Class Dismissed

Class Dismissed by Allan Woodrow
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is one of those books that seems out there. How does an adult not notice things are going on? Kids can be sneaky, but not to the point of making a whole school believe that they still have a teacher. I know, I know, it's just a book and for fun, but it's a sore spot for me. I did like the fact that without the teacher there the students realized just how much she had done.

I also liked their solution for a substitute teacher. He was my favorite character in the book.

All in all, it was an enjoyable story, I just question the adults.

Author: Allan Woodrow
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: October 27th 2015

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The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place

The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

There was so much going on in this book that I don't even know what to write. There was nothing inherently wrong with the book, there was just too much going on for my liking. So many characters and little stories. It was hard for me to keep everyone and everything straight.

Even though it was funny to see how the girls managed to keep their secret, it was just too out there. Didn't anyone question what was going on to really look into it? It was a huge secret and they kept it for a while, even with everyone coming over and asking them questions.

Just too much for me.

Author: Julie Berry
Publisher: Square Fish
Publication Date: 2014

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The Mysterious Howling

The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the delightful series. I haven't finished reading the whole series yet, but I am excited to do so.

The Incorrigible Children were found in the woods having been raised by wolves. They don't talk and have to learn how to act in the human world. Miss Penelope Lumley is called in to be their governess and teach them everything they need to know to become proper children. Along the way, questions are asked and answered. But the main question, where did the children come from, is not.

This is a great series for children.

Author: Maryrose Wood
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication Date: 2009

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Babar Visits Another Planet

Babar Visits Another Planet by Laurent de Brunhoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This Babar book was really cute. When Babar and his family get a chance to visit creatures on another planet, things don't go to plan. The interactions between the two different beings. Babar's family shows throughout the book that you can find commonalities with others even in the strangest of circumstances. Highly recommended.

Author: Laurent de Brunhoff
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Publication Date: 1972

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The Gospel at 30,000 Feet

The Gospel at 30,000 Feet by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Gospel at 30,000 Feet uses plane analogies to explain spiritual messages. These analogies help make things a little easier to understand. I especially enjoyed the pictures. It's always fun to see the apostles in their younger years.

Author: Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Publisher: Desert Book
Publication Date: 2017

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City of Glass

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This one was pretty good. I liked the fact that everyone came together to fight an enemy that they realized was more important to deal with than their issues with each other. I feel like the series could have ended with this book and have been fine.

Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: March 24th 2009

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Man vs Baby

Man vs. Baby: The Chaos and Comedy of Real-Life Parenting by Matt Coyne
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

There seem to be a lot of books out there anymore where someone has a blog that becomes a book. This means that the books is a bunch of random moments in time, and not really a cohesive piece. Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of funny moments, I'm just kind of over the format by this point. If you haven't read a lot of books that are based off blog posts, and don't care about profanity, then you might like this book.

This book is a definite no-holds-bar approach to a man's view on his first child. He doesn't sugar coat anything that goes on, from the birth to diaper changes. It makes it interesting, but also at times, graphic. If you have a child, you might be able to relate to his writing.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: MattCoyne
Publisher: Scribner
Publication Date: April 17th 2018

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Babar Goes to School

Babar Goes to School by Laurent de Brunhoff
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Honestly, I think that there are plenty of kids that would like to do what the kids to in this book. Trade places with their parents. I also think that parents would probably not want to go back to school. It is fun to read this book and see how Babar struggles with going back to school and following the rules that the kids have to follow every day.

I will always recommend a Babar book for little kids. I grew up on them, and they are still great.

Author: Laurent de Brunhoff
Publisher: ABRAMS
Publication Date: 2003

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The 766 Stupidest Things Ever Said

The 776 Stupidest Things Ever Said by Ross Petras
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Reading books like this is a good way to make you feel smarter. I have to say though, I feel like there could have been a lot more Dan Quayle quotes. He could have his own collection of quotes. All in all, enjoyable. It is one of those books that is hard to read over and over, because it is a book of quotes, and not a story.

Author: Ross Petras
Publisher: Main Street Books
Publication Date: 1993

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Dad Jokes? I Think You Mean Rad Jokes!

Dad Jokes? I Think You Mean Rad Jokes! by Elias Hill
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

You know those books of jokes they sell for kids? This is like that, but cheesier, because, dads. Great collection of possibly the best dad jokes ever. Something to give to really any male figure in your life for any occasion at all, or just because. Be warned, if you give this to someone, you may be drowning in dad jokes for a while.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Elias Hill
Publisher: Tiny Camel Books
Publication Date: February 2nd 2018

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Trolls in the Attic

Trolls in the Attic: and other tales of the supernatural by Joanie K. Findle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Growing up, I never read any of the Goosebumps books or any scary stories. I think this one makes up for that. Trolls in the Attic is a collection of short stories that may be scary for small children. There were some that I found more suspenseful than scary, and some that I was glad I read during the day.

This book is one that I would recommend for kids that like Goosebumps and scary stories.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Joanie K. Findle
Publisher: Year of the Book
Publication Date: June 20th 2017

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Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is one of those books that's funny and sad at the same time. Greg and Earl make movies, bad ones, ones that no one should ever see. Rachel is dying, and Greg is forced by his parents to spend time with her. Of course, teenage boy trying to figure out how to act when forced to spend time with a dying teenage girl creates tons of hilarious moments. Once Earl gets involved, all bets are off, and the movies come out.

This is a great book on friendship and finding out what kind of person you can really become.

Author: Jesse Andrews
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Publication Date: March 1st 2012

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Island of Shipwrecks

Island of Shipwrecks by Lisa McMann
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was a little slow for me. It's hard for there to be a lot of action when have the characters are on an island that is dealing with storms for most of the day. I'm glad they got off the island and there were some great moments, but I'm ready for the next book.

Author: Lisa McMann
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication Date: February 3rd 2015

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Skavenger's Hunt

Skavenger's Hunt by Mike Rich
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Skavenger's Hunt is an enjoyable adventure set back in the 1800s when Hunter S. Skavenger gives everyone the first clue to the largest scavenger hunt ever. There is one boy in the crowd that was magically transported there from the future, and while he wants to participate in the hunt, he also wants a chance to speak with Skavenger in hopes that he will be able to find a way back to his family.

There were times in the book where I wasn't sure if the kids that Henry Babbitt, the kid from the future, joins up with were going to be safe. There are nefarious villains wanting the prize for themselves, and the kids don't know what they might do to get what they want.

The ending for me was a shock. It wasn't too out there for me, but just out there enough that it wasn't something I had thought of while I was reading.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Mike Rich
Publisher: Inkshares
Publication Date: November 14th 2017

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