Yoshi and the Ocean : A Sea Turtle's Incredible Journey Home by Lindsay Moore

Yoshi and the Ocean: A Sea Turtle's Journey Home by Lindsay Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Moore's nonfiction children's picture book with beautiful paintings of Yoshi's life as a sea turtle with a damaged shell was filled with facts and heart. The story and all the important back of the book facts, and details of Yoshi's journey, a loggerhead compendium filled with pictures and facts on 4 pages, and sea turtle facts and resources will mesmerize all readers! A must read!

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Honor by Thrity Umrigar

Honor by Thrity Umrigar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG what a great book! I wanted to stop listening ( narration was spectacular by Sneha Mathan) to the horror that was Meena's life before and after she marries Abdul who is Muslim to her Hindu. She is attacked by her own brothers, her husband is murdered and burned and Meena is burned and beaten. Smita is a journalist who thinks she is going to help and stay with her journalist friend, Shannon, while she recuperates from surgery. Instead what she learns is that her friend wants her to take over the story of Meena, interview the brothers and village elder, and any witnesses. Smita is accompanied by Mohan as she navigates the story and as she hides a secret Mohan makes her question many things she believed in her life. I loved/hated this story because Thrity Umrigar speaks the truth about what is still continuing to happen in India in small villages that believe tradition dictates burnings, buying off officials and villagers. I was riveted and will continue to be haunted by this book- it is a MUST READ!

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Honeybee Rescue: A Backyard Drama by Loree Griffin Burns & Photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz

Honeybee Rescue: A Backyard Drama by Loree Griffin Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great book- my granddaughter and I read this nonfiction children's picture book and loved the story, the authentic, beautiful photographs about how important honeybees are and the 2 men who rescue a colony of honeybees and relocate them with a soft vaccuum!!! We were captivated by this "drama" story, we learned so much about honeybees and their honeycomb from one day where they made a new home in a rickety old barn. When the owner realizes this he calls an expert and explains his problem. The reader will love and learn so much about this story as well as the resources at the end of the book "An Interview With Mr. Jon Nelson, Bee Rescuer", Glossary, Author's Note, Sources, Further Reading & Acknowledgments.

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Odder by Katherine Applegate

Odder by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Odder is a sea otter who is attacked and injured by a shark landing her in the arms of humans in the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Based on a true story of a program that helps injured sea otters become prepared for their life back in the wild ocean. I loved this novel in verse which beautifully tells a story while giving facts the reader will remember forever --the shark - "he's even lost a few teeth, not that it matters. They pop anew unbidden." The reader meets Odder and falls in love with her friends like Kairi, and the humans who help her; the reader feels the water, the food, life in the ocean and the aquarium in the spare, realistic words. I highly recommend this book to all readers!

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A Light in the Flame (Flesh and Fire, #2) by Jennifer L Armentrout

A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This 2nd in the Flesh and Fire series was scorching hot! I fell in love with Nyktos & Sera AGAIN as they navigate their friendship, their passion (Nyktos can't love) and their staunch support of each other and their kingdom(s) as this fantasy unfolds. As always, the characters, the plot, and the setting had me turning those pages, I can't wait for the 3rd book! Highly recommended!

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All My Rage by Sabaa

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a haunting must read! I could not stop listening to narrators Deepti Gupta, Kamran R. Khan, and Kausar Mohammed as the tale of 2 teens who have grown up together and life comes crashing down when Misbah, Sal's mother dies, his father is drinking, and secrets Sal is keeping from Noor break them apart. The racism, the abuse, and secrecy were so profound and sinister, that the regret the characters suffer is just so sad. A must read for all!

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Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Marlene and her aunt Tia and friend Camila; together they all help Marlene break the news to her mother that she detests going to the hair salon and having her her straightened (and everything else involved in the hours she spends there 1 day a week). This graphic novel will surely inspire girls that have problems expressing to their parents their misery over "hair" which is either good or bad and must be conquered! I cheered for Marlene and you will too!

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