Queen of Shadows

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas | 689 pages | 2015

Celaena Sardothien has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

Everyone Aelin loves has been taken from her. Everything she holds dear is in danger. But she has the heart of a queen-and that heart beats for vengeance.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #5)

The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene 

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #5, 160 pages

⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Nancy Drew is in Arizona. She's been invited to spend a short vacation at Shadow Ranch which is outside Phoenix. She soon discovers that it's having problems. A phantom horse has been seen racing through the nearby meadows, and there's been malicious damage to the buildings and fences. Could it all relate to a treasure hidden somewhere on the ranch by that 19th century outlaw, Dirk Valentine?

Find It! Explore It! Ocean by National Geographic Kids

 Find It! Explore It! Ocean by National Geographic Kids - 48 pages

Goodreads:

This unique search-and-find adventure lets kids explore and learn about the objects and creatures they find and their habitats with fun facts and awesome photographs.

This fact-filled, search-and-find adventure activity book takes kids under the sea in search of more than 250 hidden pictures of narwhals, sharks, sea turtles, sunken treasures, and more.

Kids will dive into incredible ocean scenes, from tropical coral reefs to Antarctic penguin colonies to the deep, dark bottom of the sea. Each location is illustrated with lush, jam-packed art, with plenty of marine animals and fascinating objects to spot.

But that's not Turn the page, and find stunning, full-color photographs of the creatures and habitats just spotted, as well as awesome information and fun facts about them.

The perfect boredom-buster for curious kids and animal lovers, this interactive book will keep young readers entertained as they learn!

If I Run by Terri Blackstock

 

If I Run  by Terri Blackstock  305 pages

Casey Cox has blood on the bottom of her shoes, in her car, on her clothes. But there's no point in trying to defend herself. She just has to run. Casey didn't kill her friend Brent. She discovered his body, but she'd never try to hurt him. He's the only person she's ever trusted enough to tell the truth about what happened to her father and there's no doubt in her mind that Brent was killed trying to help her prove it. She has to run before they get to her too. Dylan Roberts was hired to find Casey and bring her back so that justice can be served. As a former Criminal Investigator for the Army, he can't imagine that tracking down one girl will be that difficult. But the more elusive Casey turns out to be, the more Dylan digs into her past to try to determine what she might be thinking. What he finds there doesn't fit the profile of a killer at all. She's unlike any other fugitive he's ever seen. The police refuse to discuss any other possibilities. There's something more going on here. Something more to this fugitive who has captured his attention. Now he just has to figure out what it is and Casey just has to stay one step ahead of everyone who's after her

This book was recommended by a friend, but my daughter read it first.  She kept telling me about it so I had to read it myself.  It is the first in a series, so now I must finish the series. Very much a page turner.  A mystery, but Christian based. Very much recommend to anyone.

Find It! Explore It! Animals by National Geographic Kids

 Find It! Explore It! Animals by National Geographic Kids - 48 pages

Goodreads:

This unique search-and-find adventure lets kids explore and learn about the objects and creatures they find and their habitats with fun facts and awesome photographs.

This fact-filled search-and-find adventure activity book takes kids around the world in search of more than 250 hidden pictures of animals.

Kids will crisscross the planet to explore some of Earth's most unique animal habitats, from the Amazon rainforest to the African savanna to the Australian bush. Each location is illustrated with lush, jam-packed art, with plenty of animals to spot.

But that's not Turn the page, and find stunning, full-color photographs of the animals just spotted, as well as awesome information and fun facts about them.

The perfect boredom-buster for curious kids and animal lovers, this interactive book will keep young readers entertained as they learn!

Is This Normal? More Girls' Questions, Answered by the Editors of The Care & Keeping of You

 
Is This Normal? More Girls' Questions, Answered by the Editors of The Care & Keeping of You by Darcie Johnston - 119 pages

Goodreads:

This helpful resource book is filled with over 100 letters from real girls like you with questions about their changing bodies, and expert answers to each one. Plus, the back of the book features tips on how to talk to your parents about puberty and other touchy topics.

My Hairiest Adventure (Goosebumps #26) by R.L. Stine

 My Hairiest Adventure (Goosebumps #26) by R.L. Stine-122 pages

⭐⭐⭐

Larry Boyd just found the coolest thing in the trash. It's an old bottle of INSTA-TAN. "Rub on a dark suntan in minutes"- that's what the label says. So Larry and his friends do. But nothing much happens.

Until Larry notices the hair. Dark spiky hair growing on his hands and face. Really gross shiny hair.

Hair that keeps growing back even after he shaves it off....

Thoughts: This wasn't one of my favorites in this series, but it was still a fun read. The reveal at the end was interesting and a bit surprising (although it probably shouldn't have been). Overall, I continue to enjoy reading Goosebumps books for the monthly challenge.