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I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Everyone has most likely heard the quote, "History is written by the victors." Although the quote is often attributed to Winston Churchill, it is not known who originally said it. However, the author does not matter, only the truth of the quote.
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Young Readers’ Edition Everything American History Textbooks Get Wrong by James W. Loewen is part of his campaign to correct mistakes that have been taught in schools for years. His most famous work, Lies My Teacher Told Me, was originally published in 1995.
This history book is geared toward "young readers". I, as an adult, found the information interesting and some was outright surprising to me. However, I think young readers would find it wordy. This was not a book to sit and read cover to cover. I needed time to reflect, discuss, and to research sections for more information.
Adding it to an advanced or higher level history course to complement a traditional history textbook would be an asset to the student's education. Allowing both books to be read at the same time would probably help encourage the reader's curiosity to not just accept what the textbooks offers as history as fact.
Everyone has most likely heard the quote, "History is written by the victors." Although the quote is often attributed to Winston Churchill, it is not known who originally said it. However, the author does not matter, only the truth of the quote.
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Young Readers’ Edition Everything American History Textbooks Get Wrong by James W. Loewen is part of his campaign to correct mistakes that have been taught in schools for years. His most famous work, Lies My Teacher Told Me, was originally published in 1995.
This history book is geared toward "young readers". I, as an adult, found the information interesting and some was outright surprising to me. However, I think young readers would find it wordy. This was not a book to sit and read cover to cover. I needed time to reflect, discuss, and to research sections for more information.
Adding it to an advanced or higher level history course to complement a traditional history textbook would be an asset to the student's education. Allowing both books to be read at the same time would probably help encourage the reader's curiosity to not just accept what the textbooks offers as history as fact.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Cats Aloft (Anton and Cecil #3) in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Anton and Cecil, Book 3, by Lisa Martin, and Valerie Martin is the third book in the Anton and Cecil historical fiction series. After traveling by ship and train in the first two books, they get an opportunity to travel in the air in this outing. Anton and Cecil hook up with a bloodhound, Ruby LaNez in Chicago, to try a solve the mystery of the stolen white puppies. After helping to capture a bank robber, they head off to the fair to track down half a dozen missing white puppies. When they think they know who the culprits are, Cecil accidentally ends up in a hot air balloon. After a disaster in the sky, he ends up at the circus where he locates the missing puppies. With the help of some of the circus animals and a group of overgrown rats, he comes up with a plan to free a Siberian tiger and rescue the puppies. Anton and Ruby follow their noses and also end up at the circus.
What an enjoyable adventure for a pair of adventurous cats. The illustrations are scattered throughout this early chapter book and add just enough visual appeal that children will enjoy. For readers who love animal adventurers this is a fun series. This is an early chapter book that would be great for those late primary, junior readers to enjoy.
I received an advanced copy this book via NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers. Thanks so much.
What an enjoyable adventure for a pair of adventurous cats. The illustrations are scattered throughout this early chapter book and add just enough visual appeal that children will enjoy. For readers who love animal adventurers this is a fun series. This is an early chapter book that would be great for those late primary, junior readers to enjoy.
I received an advanced copy this book via NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers. Thanks so much.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Save by Roy: Patrick Roy and the Return of the Colorado Avalanche in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I received [Save By Roy] as an advanced readers copy. I am a HUGE hockey fan and have the utmost respect for Patrick Roy(although as a New York Rangers fan I hate him with a passion.) I was really excited to read this book and I was not disappointed. It was well written and was almost like a written version of 24/7 on NHL network. It had insider points of view that regular fans don't get. The fact that Roy managed to bring this team to the playoffs after being almost last in the league the season before (only Florida was worse and they don't count) in the amazingly tough Western Conference was amazing. All hockey fans should read this book (even if Roy made you cry when you were younger).
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet in Books
Jun 18, 2018
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet by Dennis Denenberg & Lorrain Roscoe is absolutely amazing. I loved every part of this book. It covers a wide variety of American heroes. There are civil war heroes, turn of the century heroes, modern heroes and heroes from when this country was created. There are heroes that are well-known and no so well-known to those i've never hear of. The pictures of great and the fact are spot on. The facts that are given are interesting and relevant to kids and adults.
I would love to use this book in the classroom to teach my students about American heroes both present and past. Also, to teach them that ordinary citizen like you and me can do great things and make a big difference. One aspect I really appreciate as an educator are the activities for further learning.
I received this advanced readers copy from Lerner Publishing Group and Hillbrook Press via NetGalley for an honest review.
50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet by Dennis Denenberg & Lorrain Roscoe is absolutely amazing. I loved every part of this book. It covers a wide variety of American heroes. There are civil war heroes, turn of the century heroes, modern heroes and heroes from when this country was created. There are heroes that are well-known and no so well-known to those i've never hear of. The pictures of great and the fact are spot on. The facts that are given are interesting and relevant to kids and adults.
I would love to use this book in the classroom to teach my students about American heroes both present and past. Also, to teach them that ordinary citizen like you and me can do great things and make a big difference. One aspect I really appreciate as an educator are the activities for further learning.
I received this advanced readers copy from Lerner Publishing Group and Hillbrook Press via NetGalley for an honest review.
CKD (37 KP) rated Heads You Win in Books
Dec 7, 2018
WOW! If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I totally would.
First, thanks to St. Martins Press for sending me an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
Second, I loved, loved, loved this book! I first started reading Jeffrey Archer's book in the early 90s when my husband introduced me to the Kane and Abel series. After reading that series, I was hooked on his writing style and the stories. I've read pretty much every single one of them. This one was one of his best. If you read the Clifton Chronicles, you may remember that Harry Clifton is a writer and he "wrote" "Heads You Win". This book, like all of his others, get you hooked almost immediately and don't stop until the last word. This tells the story of Alex and his mother, Elena. They escape Leningrad by flipping a coin to determine whether they head to London or New York. Upon their arrival (I'm not divulging where they end up), the story continues playing out their lives in their new home.
Fabulous book....down to the last sentence.
First, thanks to St. Martins Press for sending me an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
Second, I loved, loved, loved this book! I first started reading Jeffrey Archer's book in the early 90s when my husband introduced me to the Kane and Abel series. After reading that series, I was hooked on his writing style and the stories. I've read pretty much every single one of them. This one was one of his best. If you read the Clifton Chronicles, you may remember that Harry Clifton is a writer and he "wrote" "Heads You Win". This book, like all of his others, get you hooked almost immediately and don't stop until the last word. This tells the story of Alex and his mother, Elena. They escape Leningrad by flipping a coin to determine whether they head to London or New York. Upon their arrival (I'm not divulging where they end up), the story continues playing out their lives in their new home.
Fabulous book....down to the last sentence.
Lindsay (1693 KP) rated Peggy Parsley and the Buzzy Bumbles of Honeycomb Cottage in Books
Aug 25, 2021
Are some parents looking for a book for their child or children to read about bees? Are your child or children in nature or bees. This book is for them, “Peggy Parsley and the Buzzy Bumbles of Honeycomb Cottage” by W.J. Bixby. It is also suitable for intermediate and advanced readers for children.
This story tells a story about the bubble family and also about their littlest bee. Her name is Bluebell. Children will learn about bees and how important they are. It’s a bit of a fantasy, but it tells us how to take care of bees and wildlife around us.
Do you know how important it keeps flowers and gardens around? They will keep bees happy and feed. How you take care of your gardens or flower gardens will keep bees around and healthy and safe. This book does it through the eyes of a little girl named Peggy.
Peggy seems to learn about bees and gardens through this book. I wonder what will happen next time. Will she make Bluebell her friend safe and better? She is spending the summer with her grandma and grandpa.
This story tells a story about the bubble family and also about their littlest bee. Her name is Bluebell. Children will learn about bees and how important they are. It’s a bit of a fantasy, but it tells us how to take care of bees and wildlife around us.
Do you know how important it keeps flowers and gardens around? They will keep bees happy and feed. How you take care of your gardens or flower gardens will keep bees around and healthy and safe. This book does it through the eyes of a little girl named Peggy.
Peggy seems to learn about bees and gardens through this book. I wonder what will happen next time. Will she make Bluebell her friend safe and better? She is spending the summer with her grandma and grandpa.
Lindsay (1693 KP) rated Robbie Robin in Books
Nov 22, 2021
Robbie Robin teaches children and others about birds. A little about taking care of young birds. Your child or children will learn the life lessons that birds or some animals imply, letting go and living where they happened to exist.
This book follows that journey. However, most of the children in the book did not do much to care for the bird. It mainly was their mother. All family members learn what it is like to raise a baby bird. I know that a true story inspires this.
This book is really for children that can read. The print is a bit small for children. I would think this book means more geared more advanced readers. Otherwise, the book signifies achieved well. The pictures are well-drawn. I did enjoy the images. Images were great to look at, and they could somewhat tell the story.
What will the family do when it is time for Robbie to go? What will Robbie do? Does the mother seem to feel heartfelt when Robbie leaves the nest? This book does teach some tough lessons about wildlife and letting go.
This book follows that journey. However, most of the children in the book did not do much to care for the bird. It mainly was their mother. All family members learn what it is like to raise a baby bird. I know that a true story inspires this.
This book is really for children that can read. The print is a bit small for children. I would think this book means more geared more advanced readers. Otherwise, the book signifies achieved well. The pictures are well-drawn. I did enjoy the images. Images were great to look at, and they could somewhat tell the story.
What will the family do when it is time for Robbie to go? What will Robbie do? Does the mother seem to feel heartfelt when Robbie leaves the nest? This book does teach some tough lessons about wildlife and letting go.
Olivia (102 KP) rated Infinite Blue in Books
Aug 13, 2018
I received an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
What I expected from Infinite Blue was a story about two teens trying to make love work and last. Instead, what I got was a contemporary, magical-realism book about life, love, passion and just how eternal they are.
Infinite Blue is a mystical read that I highly enjoyed. The relationship between our two main characters, Ash and Clayton, was incredibly sweet, the concept of this book felt highly original, and it was quick and easy to read. So, with all that praise, why have I given it a relatively low rating?
Infinite Blue left me wanting more. Unfortunately, not in the traditional "I loved this book and never want it to end! Give me twenty spin-offs of it!" way. The book is only 178 pages long. In that time a lot happens. But so much of it is skimmed over to an extreme extent where I felt I'd only read a third of a book. Yes, all the details a reader need to know are disclosed on paper, but there is practically no build up toward these events. That alone is why I don't feel I can give it a higher rating. The book feels incomplete.
With that being said, Orca Publishing specializes in publishing books for reluctant readers. This is a book I would recommend to reluctant readers ages 12-15. It's very straight to the point so it leaves little room to get distracted and the concept is extremely interesting.
But ultimately, as an avid reader, I found myself a bit let down by how incomplete the book felt as a whole.
What I expected from Infinite Blue was a story about two teens trying to make love work and last. Instead, what I got was a contemporary, magical-realism book about life, love, passion and just how eternal they are.
Infinite Blue is a mystical read that I highly enjoyed. The relationship between our two main characters, Ash and Clayton, was incredibly sweet, the concept of this book felt highly original, and it was quick and easy to read. So, with all that praise, why have I given it a relatively low rating?
Infinite Blue left me wanting more. Unfortunately, not in the traditional "I loved this book and never want it to end! Give me twenty spin-offs of it!" way. The book is only 178 pages long. In that time a lot happens. But so much of it is skimmed over to an extreme extent where I felt I'd only read a third of a book. Yes, all the details a reader need to know are disclosed on paper, but there is practically no build up toward these events. That alone is why I don't feel I can give it a higher rating. The book feels incomplete.
With that being said, Orca Publishing specializes in publishing books for reluctant readers. This is a book I would recommend to reluctant readers ages 12-15. It's very straight to the point so it leaves little room to get distracted and the concept is extremely interesting.
But ultimately, as an avid reader, I found myself a bit let down by how incomplete the book felt as a whole.
Tamara Wagner (3 KP) rated An Anonymous Girl in Books
Jan 3, 2022
Split Narration Format (1 more)
Engaging Plot
Yet Another Great Psychological Thriller
Contains spoilers, click to show
“An Anonymous Girl” is the newest book written by the authors of the prior bestseller “The Wife Between Us”, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. The book follows the stories of two people, a young woman named Jessica, a makeup artist, who enters a psychological study, and the prominent psychiatrist who runs the study, Dr Lydia Shields.
Written in a split narration format, the story unfolds from the perspectives of both characters simultaneously, allowing you to be immersed in the inner workings of both minds, pulling you into their world, and making you feel their emotions. It pulls you into the uncertainty and fear of a participant lured into a dangerous place unknowingly, and the rage, despair, and hope of a psychiatrist who has been betrayed and seeks retribution.
Guilt and fear can be powerful motivators, and “An Anonymous Girl” plays on that narrative quite well. A book full of twists and turns, it definitely lures you in. It is hard to put down, and leaves you wanting more. I would recommend picking it up and giving it a Good Read!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advanced readers copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Written in a split narration format, the story unfolds from the perspectives of both characters simultaneously, allowing you to be immersed in the inner workings of both minds, pulling you into their world, and making you feel their emotions. It pulls you into the uncertainty and fear of a participant lured into a dangerous place unknowingly, and the rage, despair, and hope of a psychiatrist who has been betrayed and seeks retribution.
Guilt and fear can be powerful motivators, and “An Anonymous Girl” plays on that narrative quite well. A book full of twists and turns, it definitely lures you in. It is hard to put down, and leaves you wanting more. I would recommend picking it up and giving it a Good Read!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advanced readers copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Night Reader Reviews (683 KP) rated Ten Minutes On Mars in Books
Jan 10, 2020
Honest Review for Free Copy of Book
Ten Minutes on Mars by Jonathan Fisher is a small collection of eighteen short stories. Some, or rather, most of these stories are a bit on the twisted side so reader be warned. On a deeper level this book appears to explore the darker side of humanity and how we are monsters to each other and to animals.
Keeping with more of a horror theme this book starts off with a ghost in a graveyard although the ghost doesn't make another appearance until the end of the book. Readers are then taken on a hunting trip through the eyes of the prey. A truly scary experience. During the course of this book, the people who live in the cracks in the pavement or as it seemed to be the down and out or homeless are brought to light as well. Basically these are the people that the majority of society pretends don’t exist.
This journey takes readers to the far reaches of space abroad The Ascension. It is on The Ascension where tattoos can be used to control people and others are able to shapeshift. In our technologically advanced society, many wonder about what will happen when AI becomes so advanced that it sees itself as human or tries to take over. That is what happens in another one of the stories to a worker on another planet. Finally, readers see the lengths that a mother will go to in order to avenge a close friend and protect her own child. So sit back and relax as you are taken on a creepy trip deep into the monstrous world that we call humanity, in a town where monsters are normal.
What I liked best was that many of the stories overlapped with one another in some way. While they all take place in the same town the connections go deeper than just that. This book could almost read as each story being just a chapter instead of a stand-alone story. What I did not like was how often this book was confusing to me. I had to reread areas to clear up and be sure what I just read was correct. Some of the confusing points were just because of me misunderstanding the wording. On the other hand, some areas such as when it talks about a decapitated dolphin head being sentient and a vampire still confuse me.
The target readers for this book are adults and young adults. Specifically, those who like fantasy and horror should enjoy this book the most. There is cussing, murder, and the overall tone was not for children to read, even if it wasn’t that long. A high school student should be able to handle this book if they wanted to read it. I rate this book 2 out of 4. After reading this book a second time I might increase my score but for now, this is the best I can offer it. I found this book to be enjoyable yet at the same time, I did not really like it. On the surface I found some of the stories to be confusing or even pointless. When I looked deeper I found it had more depth about the nature of humans than I previously thought, although I do not know if this was the author’s intention.
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Keeping with more of a horror theme this book starts off with a ghost in a graveyard although the ghost doesn't make another appearance until the end of the book. Readers are then taken on a hunting trip through the eyes of the prey. A truly scary experience. During the course of this book, the people who live in the cracks in the pavement or as it seemed to be the down and out or homeless are brought to light as well. Basically these are the people that the majority of society pretends don’t exist.
This journey takes readers to the far reaches of space abroad The Ascension. It is on The Ascension where tattoos can be used to control people and others are able to shapeshift. In our technologically advanced society, many wonder about what will happen when AI becomes so advanced that it sees itself as human or tries to take over. That is what happens in another one of the stories to a worker on another planet. Finally, readers see the lengths that a mother will go to in order to avenge a close friend and protect her own child. So sit back and relax as you are taken on a creepy trip deep into the monstrous world that we call humanity, in a town where monsters are normal.
What I liked best was that many of the stories overlapped with one another in some way. While they all take place in the same town the connections go deeper than just that. This book could almost read as each story being just a chapter instead of a stand-alone story. What I did not like was how often this book was confusing to me. I had to reread areas to clear up and be sure what I just read was correct. Some of the confusing points were just because of me misunderstanding the wording. On the other hand, some areas such as when it talks about a decapitated dolphin head being sentient and a vampire still confuse me.
The target readers for this book are adults and young adults. Specifically, those who like fantasy and horror should enjoy this book the most. There is cussing, murder, and the overall tone was not for children to read, even if it wasn’t that long. A high school student should be able to handle this book if they wanted to read it. I rate this book 2 out of 4. After reading this book a second time I might increase my score but for now, this is the best I can offer it. I found this book to be enjoyable yet at the same time, I did not really like it. On the surface I found some of the stories to be confusing or even pointless. When I looked deeper I found it had more depth about the nature of humans than I previously thought, although I do not know if this was the author’s intention.
https://www.facebook.com/nightreaderreviews
Erika (17788 KP) May 24, 2019