Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd

Hummingbird  by Natalie Lloyd  348 pages

Twelve-year-old homeschooled Olive is tired of being seen as "fragile" just because she has osteogenesis imperfecta (otherwise known as brittle bone disease) so she's thrilled when she finally convinces her parents to let her attend Macklemore Elementary. Olive can't wait to go to a traditional school and make the friends she's always longed for, until a disastrous first day dashes her hopes of ever fitting in. Then Olive hears whispers about a magical, wish-granting hummingbird that supposedly lives near Macklemore. It'll be the solution to all her problems! If she can find the bird and prove herself worthy, the creature will make her most desperate, secret wish come true. When it becomes clear that she can't solve the mystery on her own, Olive teams up with some unlikely allies who help her learn the truth about the bird. And on the way, she just might learn that our fragile places lead us to the most wonderful magic of all . . .

This is a juvenile fiction book, but very well written.  I loved the descriptive words that the author uses.  The audio version was fabulous with the author reading it in her Tennessee drawl.  I could picture the characters so well.  The whole story is about how a disabled girl is trying to fit in at middle school.  This is hard for any student, but especially one in a wheelchair.  Olive takes the world head on and doesn't seem afraid of anything except breaking her bones.  The ending was such a sweet surprise.  I recommend this to kids and adults alike. 
 

Wedgie and Gizmo by Suzanne Selfors

 

Wedgie and Gizmo  by Suzanne Selfors  168 pages

While his human Elliot adjusts to his new home and stepfamily, Gizmo, an evil genius guinea pig, searches for a new evil lair where he can plot to take over the world, but Gizmo is constantly thwarted by Elliot's little stepsister Jasmine (who likes to play dress-up), Abuela (who may or may not like to eat cavies), and Wedgie (a Corgi superhero and Gizmo's nemesis).

This book is told from the point of view of the Guinea Pig and the Corgi (dog), alternating chapters.  Such a cute story of the fight between the 2 pets and having to get used to living in the same space, but also a nice way to talk about blended families and the adjustments of those.  The guinea pig thinks he is an evil genius and the dog is a basket full of energy! 

Delicate Condition - Danielle Valetine

 

Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine, 460 pages, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Anna Alcott is desperate to be pregnant. But as she tries to balance her increasingly public life with a grueling IVF journey, she starts to suspect that someone is going to great lengths to make sure her pregnancy never happens. Crucial medicines are lost. Appointments get swapped without her knowledge. And even when she finally manages to get pregnant, not even her husband is willing to believe that someone's playing a twisted game with her.

When the increasingly cryptic threats drive her out of her Brooklyn brownstone and into hiding in the cold, gray ghost town that is the Hamptons in the depths of winter, Anna is almost at the end of her rope.

Then her doctor tells her she's had a miscarriage—except Anna's convinced she's still pregnant, despite everything the grave-faced men around her claim. Could it be that her mind is playing tricks on her? Or is something more sinister at play? As her symptoms become ever more horrifying and the sense of danger ever more present, Anna can't help but wonder what exactly she's carrying inside of her...and why no one will listen when she says something is horribly, painfully wrong.

The Christmas Note by Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Note by Donna VanLiere 208 pages Relocating to an apartment with her two children to be closer to her mother, Gretchen offers to help clear out the home of a reclusive neighbor's recently deceased mother and discovers that the neighbor, Melissa, has two siblings and an identity that she never suspected. It is always interesting to read a book with your own name in it. This was a Christmas story about finding lost family in an unusual way. Very cool to read.

Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

Invisible By Christina Diaz Gonzalez 195 pages Can five overlooked kids make one big difference? There's George: the brain Sara: the loner Dayara: the tough kid Nico: the rich kid and Miguel: the athlete. And they're stuck together when they're forced to complete their school's community service hours. Although they're sure they have nothing in common with one another, some people see them as all the same... just five Spanish-speaking kids. Then they meet someone who truly needs their help, and they must decide whether they are each willing to expose their own secrets to help... or if remaining invisible is the only way to survive middle school. This is a children's graphic novel and it was very intersting to read. The speech bubbles had the Spanish words they were saying, but also the translation into English so it was easy to read. It defintely made you think about how kids feel at a school where almost everyone speaks a different language than you. I enjoyed reading this graphic novel.

Raising Lumie by Joan Bauer

Raising Lumie by Joan Bauer 267 pages Olive Hudson desperately wants a dog. But that doesn't seem to be a possibility right now. Newly orphaned, she's moving in with the half sister she hardly knows and their life is too chaotic to include a dog. But then something wonderful happens: Olive gets a chance to raise Lumie, a guide dog puppy. Discipline. Rules. Lots of hugs. Only the best of the best puppies continue on to become guide dogs, and of course Olive wants Lumie to be chosen. But if she is, that means that Olive will lose her. Once again, the incomparable Joan Bauer tells a touching story that is full of heart and warmth and unabashed idealism"-- This is one of next year's Mark Twain nominees, and since it is about a dog it will be very popular. I liked this one because it told the story of the young girl who cared for the dog and the dog's are being raised to become guide dogs. Very touching story!

The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight (Classic Goosebumps #16, Goosebumps #20) by R. L. Stine

The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight (Classic Goosebumps #16, Goosebumps #20) by R. L. Stine-160 pages

I've enjoyed reading Goosebumps books for the monthly challenge, including this one. Jodie and Mark go to their grandparents' rural farm like they have every summer only to find that things are not as they remember. Grandma Miriam no longer makes chocolate chip pancakes like they remember. Instead, it's corn flakes cereal every morning. Stanley (and his son Sticks), the live-in farm hand, has recently gotten into an old book of superstition and has figured out how to make the farm's scarecrows come alive. In exchange for getting his wishes all the time he agreed to put all the scarecrows back to sleep. Did all the scarecrows get put back to sleep, though? Jodie and Mark swear they keep seeing scarecrows walk and they can't help but think about Stanley's warning when they first arrived. He warned them that "The scarecrow walks at midnight." Are there still scarecrows really alive? 

Night of the Ninth Dragon (Magic Tree House #55) by Mary Pope Osborne

 Night of the Ninth Dragon (Magic Tree House #55) by Mary Pope Osborne-144 pages

Jack and Annie receive an urgent note telling them to return to Camelot. It isn't from Morgan Le Fay per usual, however. It is from Queen Guinevere of Camelot. King Arthur has been gravely wounded by invaders and Morgan, Merlin, Teddy, and Kathleen are all in Avalon. Avalon is one of the nine mystical realms of Camelot. It is where King Arthur must go to be healed. However, the ninth dragon was stolen by the invaders because it is made of gold. Jack and Annie are asked to help find it so that King Arthur can travel to Avalon and so that Morgan and the others can return from Avalon. I enjoyed reading this one just as I have all the others.

Hour of The Olympics (Magic Tree House #16) by Mary Pope Osborne

 Hour of The Olympics (Magic Tree House #16) by Mary Pope Osborne-80 pages

Jack and Annie go back in time to Ancient Greece to find a story for Morgan Le Fay's library in Camelot. It is time for the Olympics which are being held in Olympia. However, as soon as Jack and Annie arrive they realize women and girls aren't considered citizens and, therefore, Annie is not allowed to watch the Olympics. It is illegal for non-citizens to watch the Olympics or do many things men/citizens are allowed to do. Jack and Annie meet the philosopher, Plato, who takes Jack to see the Olympics. Annie tries to attend the Olympics and is caught, so she and Jack must flee Ancient Greece and return home to Frog Creek, Pennsylvania. They return and deliver the story to Morgan Le Fay. I have always enjoyed reading the Magic Tree House series. I enjoyed this one just like all the others before.

Village of Scoundrels (Based on a true story of courage during WWII) by Margi Preus

 

Village of Scoundrels by Margi Preus. 295 pages. 

Margi Preus tells the incredible true story of a group of French teenagers who helped save refugees in WWII. Among them is a young, Jewish boy who learns to forge documents to save his mother and later goes on to save hundreds of lives with his forgery skills. There is also a girl who overcomes her fear to carry messages for the Resistance. And a boy who smuggles people into Switzerland. But there is always the threat that they will be caught: A policeman is sent to keep an eye on them, German soldiers reside in a local hotel, and eventually the Gestapo arrives, armed with guns and a list of names. As the knot tightens, the young people must race against time to bring their friends to safety. 

I love reading and learning about WWII, so this was a very interesting book to read. The story line was a little bit choppy because the story is told from each of the characters' points of view. However, the author kept my attention and interest throughout the novel. I would recommend this book to children 4th grade or older interested in history and WWII. 

The Elephant's Girl. By Celesta Rimington

The Elephant's Girl by Celesta Rimington 324 pages A magical adventure about a girl with a mysterious connection with the elephant who saved her life, for fans of Katherine Applegate and Jennifer Holm.An elephant never forgets, but Lexington Willow can't remember what happened before a tornado swept her away when she was a toddler. All she knows is that it landed her near an enclosure in a Nebraska zoo; and there an elephant named Nyah protected her from the storm. With no trace of her birth family, Lex grew up at the zoo with Nyah and her elephant family; her foster father, Roger; her best friend, Fisher; and the wind whispering in her ear.Now that she's twelve, Lex is finally old enough to help with the elephants. But during their first training session, Nyah sends her a telepathic image of the woods outside the zoo. Despite the wind's protests, Lex decides to investigate Nyah's message and gets wrapped up in an adventure involving ghosts, lost treasure, and a puzzle that might be the key to finding her family. As she hunts for answers, Lex must summon the courage to leave the secure borders of her zoo to discover who she really is--and why the tornado brought her here all those years ago. I love elephants and I love Zoos so this book was just right for me. The fantasy part of the story was a little bit out of my genre, but made the story very interesting. I would recommend this to girls or boys who enjoy animals and adventure.

The Haunted School (Goosebumps #59) by R.L. Stine

 The Haunted School (Goosebumps #59) by R.L. Stine-132 pages

This is one of the last original Goosebumps books. Tommy Frazier has just recently started middle school in a new town and made two new friends, Ben and Thalia. He is on the Dance Decorations Committee with them. Tommy starts hearing voices asking for help during art class. The very first class of this school from 1947 disappeared and has never been found since. Could the voices be the long lost kids from this class? On the night of the school dance the banner tears in two and Ben and Tommy have to go to the art room for supplies to fix it. They get lost in an unfamiliar dark room and meet kids their age who just might be the missing kids from the 1947 class. I like R.L. Stine's ending to most of these books and this one is no different. He nearly always ends with a (usually) unexpected twist. These are fun reads. 

Say Cheese and Die-Again! by R.L. Stine

 Say Cheese and Die-Again! by R.L. Stine-115 pages

Greg has an assignment to tell a true story that happened to him in his new English teacher's class. The teacher is Mr. Saur and everyone calls him "Sourball" because of his attitude and name. When Greg tells the story about the evil camera he and his friends found last summer Mr. Saur doesn't believe him and gives him an F. Greg can't have an F or he won't get to visit his cousins this summer. He reluctantly retrieves the evil camera to prove to Mr. Saur that it really is evil. However, things go awry (as one imagines would happen) and Greg and his friend Shari are in danger. Can Greg and Shari escape the danger and will he be able to prove to Mr. Saur that camera is truly evil? I enjoyed reading this. I plan to continue reading more Goosebumps for this month's blog challenge.

The Headless Ghost (Goosebumps #37) by R.L. Stine

 The Headless Ghost (Goosebumps #37) by R.L. Stine-113 pages

Duane and Stephanie love scaring other kids in the neighborhood. They also enjoy taking the Ghost tours at the Hill House in town, which is rumored to be haunted. One of the ghosts is Andrew, whose head was pulled off by a previous ghost. One night, Duane and Stephanie decide to look for Andrew's missing head. They encounter more than they bargained for. They end up encountering Andrew and don't go back on the tour for a while. When they finally decide to go back on the tour months later, they think everything is fine. However, after the tour is over they come to realize everything is not as it seems. I enjoyed reading this and continue to enjoy reading Goosebumps for this month's challenge. 

The Barking Ghost (Goosebumps #32) by R.L. Stine

 The Barking Ghost (Goosebumps #32) by R.L. Stine-131 pages 

Cooper is easily spooked and his brother, Mickey, loves scaring him. Cooper and his family move from Boston to rural Maine. The nearby woods are spooky and haunted by ghost dogs. No one believes Cooper or his new friend, Fergie when they tell them, though. What do the ghost dogs want with Cooper and Fergie?

A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat

A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat 375 pages All light in Chattana is created by one man--the Governor, who appeared after the Great Fire to bring peace and order to the city. Pong, who was born in Namwon Prison, dreams of the day he will be able to walk among the magical lights. But when Pong escapes from prison, he realizes that the world outside is just as unfair as the one behind bars. As Nok, the prison warden's perfect daughter, hunts Pong through the alleys and canals of Chattana, she too uncovers secrets that make her question the truths she has always held dear. I read this because it is a Mark Twain nominee for next school year. I enjoyed the suspense in the book and liked it even though it is considered science fiction. I do think some of the concepts might be too much for 4th graders. This is also a Newbery Honor Book. I loved the story of family and how you can find family at unique places.

Monster Blood II (Goosebumps #18) by R.L. Stine

 Monster Blood II (Goosebumps #18) by R.L. Stine-121 pages

I enjoyed reading this. Monster Blood is back and so are Evan and Andy. This time the science teacher's hamster eats some and grows huge. It tries to eat Conan, the class bully. Will Evan, Andy, and their classmates survive? 

Be Careful What You Wish for... (Goosebumps #12) by R.L. Stine

 Be Careful What You Wish for... (Goosebumps #12) by R.L. Stine-121 pages

Samantha "Sam" Byrd is a clumsy 12 year old who is the tallest girl in her class. Judith and Anne and most of her classmates laugh at her and bully her for her clumsiness. One day, she runs into a gypsy named Clarissa and shows her kindness. In exchange for Sam's kindness, Clarissa offers to grant her three wishes. Sam could never have predicted the results of her wishes, however! The ending is somewhat unexpected. I enjoyed reading this. 

Who Was? (Author Biographies)

Who Was Roald Dahl? by True Kelley - 102 pages
Who Is Jeff Kinney? by Patrick Kinney - 103 pages
Who Is J.K. Rowling? by Pam Pollack & Meg Belviso - 105 pages
Who Was Maurice Sendak? by Janet B. Pascal - 105 pages
Who Was Dr. Seuss? by Janet B. Pascal - 112 pages
Who Was Laura Ingalls Wilder? by Patricia Brennan Demuth - 106 pages

Since I am driving a little more again I've decided to start listening to audio books again.  I decided to start with children's book as they are shorter and it wouldn't take me an entire month to listen to one book.  

These books were interesting.  As they are for children, it wasn't surprising that they didn't address any of the controversies with the various authors.  What truly surprised me is that the book about the newest author with the least books -- Jeff Kinney -- was just as long as those whose lives covered much more time and events.  I can see why kids enjoy these books though.

The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout, 628 p.
 

"Casteel Da’Neer knows all too well that very few are as cunning or vicious as the Blood Queen, but no one, not even him, could’ve prepared for the staggering revelations. The magnitude of what the Blood Queen has done is almost unthinkable.

Nothing will stop Poppy from freeing her King and destroying everything the Blood Crown stands for. With the strength of the Primal of Life’s guards behind her, and the support of the wolven, Poppy must convince the Atlantian generals to make war her way—because there can be no retreat this time. Not if she has any hope of building a future where both kingdoms can reside in peace.

Together, Poppy and Casteel must embrace traditions old and new to safeguard those they hold dear—to protect those who cannot defend themselves. But war is only the beginning. Ancient primal powers have already stirred, revealing the horror of what began eons ago. To end what the Blood Queen has begun, Poppy might have to become what she has been prophesied to be—what she fears the most."--Goodreads blurb

This latest installment of the series starts right where it left off. There is a lot of genealogical backstory revealed in this book, a lot of magics revealed in this book, and a lot of self-realization in this book. This series is typical Armentrout, which isn't a bad thing. "Spice" warning for this one, for sure.