Kellee – Unleashing Readers

Werewolf Hamlet by Kerry Madden-Lunsford

March 25, 2025 by Kellee

Werewolf Hamlet
Author: Kerry Madden-Lunsford
Published February 18th, 2025 by Charlesbridge Moves

Summary: Humor, heart, and Shakespeare abound in this middle-grade novel about Angus, a 10-year-old theater fanatic, his struggling family, and his changing relationship with big brother Liam.

Perfect for fans of books that handle difficult subjects and family dynamics in a sensitive way, like Better Nate Than Ever and Rule of Threes.

10-year-old Angus is unique. He quotes Shakespeare and wants to stage a Werewolf Hamlet play for his 5th grade legacy project. Angus’s 17-year-old brother, Liam, is like a werewolf now—Angus never knows if he’ll be nice or mean or when he’ll sneak out to get drunk or worse.

Meanwhile, tension continues to build for Liam’s family in Los Angeles. Mom and Dad are going to default on the mortgage. Older sister Hannah is fed up and ready to move herself to Maine, and little sister Sidney doesn’t really get what’s happening. Then Liam goes missing, and Angus decides he has to find him.

A realistic, heartfelt look at the complexities of family relationships and struggles. Along with Angus’s loveable charm, sense of humor, and desire to stage his original play, Werewolf Hamlet is sure to win its audience—on and off the page—over.

★“A story that is rich in wise insights.”—Booklist (starred)

About the Author: Kerry Madden-Lunsford has been a regular contributor to the LA Times OpEd page. For several years, she directed the creative writing program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she is still a professor, and she taught in Antioch University’s MFA program in Los Angeles for a decade. She is the author of the picture book Ernestine’s Milky Way. She also wrote the Maggie Valley Trilogy, which includes Gentle’s Holler, Louisiana’s Song, and Jessie’s Mountain. Her book, Up Close Harper Lee, was one Booklist’s Ten Top Biographies for Youth. Her first novel, Offsides, was a New York Public Library Pick for the Teen Age. Kerry is the mother of three adult children, and she now lives full-time in Birmingham, Alabama. Visit her at kerrymadden.com.

Check out Kerry Madden-Lunsford on social!
Bluesky
Threads
Substack

Review: As an educator, I have over the years sadly heard about so many different tough situations that my students were dealing with: being unhoused, divorce, death in the family, mental health struggles, etc. Too often, middle grade books stay away from tough topics because they are “too mature,” but anyone who has worked with middle graders has wished at different times that there was the perfect book to give to students at a certain moment of time but couldn’t find it–this book is going to be the perfect book at one of those times.

What an interesting mix within this book: Shakespeare, classic movies & movie stars, Los Angeles, growing up, foreclosure, runaway, pet wellness, friendship, and more. It seems like a lot, but it just works in this book because all of it is what makes Angus and his story come to life. Parts were hard to read, such as descriptions of Angus’s brother spiraling into addiction; Angus and his friends making more choices to find his brother; Angus’s families financial struggles and eviction; Angus’s dogs illness; and Angus’s struggles at school, but the author does a great job with including enough for emotional response and plot/character development and keeping the story developmentally relevant.

Educators’ Tools for Navigation: The publisher has created an amazing supplemental page for Werewolf Hamlet which will be perfect to use if teaching the book as a whole or if students are reading it in groups or independently! Visit https://www.charlesbridge.com/pages/werewolf-hamlet for resources about:

Insulting like Shakespeare
Geography and landmarks around Los Angeles
Classic films
Heroes of the silver screen
Hamlet

I also think that the book could be a great introduction to one-man plays, and students could take a story and transform it like Angus did with Hamlet.

Discussion Questions:

There is a Reader’s Group Guide found on the publisher’s resource page, too!

Flagged Passages/Spreads:

The Tar Feeling

Anybody can forget to wear shoes to school. Well, almost anybody. It’s an innocent mistake. And I didn’t forget my trumpet. Why doesn’t that count?

“Mom,” I say as she needles her way through crazy Los Angeles traffic to make it to the bus stop on time with all four of us kids in the car.

“People, I’m trying to sleep,” says my brother, Liam, who is seventeen and always sleeps on the way to school. That’s because he sneaks out at night. I’m not supposed to tell, and I’m going to make him quit doing it.

“We’re going to be late,” Hannah warns. She’s sixteen and thinks life would be perfect if only she’d been born in a hippie commune in the 1960s in Maine, the farthest state from California. She also loves sunflowers and paints them on her ceiling and makes us tiedye shirts. Mom and Dad call her a sunflower girl. She also loves an old-time singer, Joni Mitchell, and she plays her music loud to drown us out sometimes.

Sidney and I are who get dropped off at the bus stop first because we go to a magnet school far away. Sometimes we miss it, making Mom and Liam and Hannah late, and that means Mom grits her teeth and races to the next bus stop in hopes of still catching our bus. Those are not good mornings. After she drops us off, Mom drives to the high school where Liam and Hannah go, where she is the assistant girls’ volleyball coach and PE teacher. Their mascot is a tiger, so they are the Lady Tigers. Roar!

“Mom!” I yell again.

“What, Angus?” She blasts through a yellow light, eyes on the prize of the bus.

“I forgot my shoes at home.”

“We’re not turning around!” yells Hannah. “I have a test first period.”

Liam says, “Show some respect. I need to sleep. Geez.”

“Did you hear me, Mom?” I ask her.

Stony silence. From the look on her face in the rearview mirror, flaring nostrils like a bull and her fingers gripping the steering wheel, she hears me all right. But instead of turning around, she pulls up to the bus stop and says in a low voice, “Out. Now. Have a good day.”

“But Mom! I’m wearing only socks!” I stick a foot in the air.

Mom growls. Maybe more wolf than Lady Tiger, but for sure a growl.

My little sister, Sidney, tugs my arm. “Better forget it, Angus.”

“Fine! I’ll go shoeless! Who cares?” I climb out of the van, and then it happens. Mom yanks off her tennis shoes and hurls them out the window at my head while I’m standing in my socks on the curb with Sidney.

BAM! BAM!

Good thing I duck. Isn’t it against the law to throw shoes at your own children?

Read This If You Love: Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. & Matthew Holm, The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Blue Slip Media for providing a copy for review!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 3/24/25

March 24, 2025 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop we host which focuses on sharing what we’re reading. This Kid Lit version of IMWAYR focuses primarily on books marketed for kids and teens, but books for readers of all ages are shared. We love this community and how it offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. The Kid Lit IMWAYR was co-created by Kellee & Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

Thursday: Ben’s Kids’ Corner: Imagine Nation by Matt Myklusch

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Kellee

Because of Spring Break followed by the Florida Future Problem Solvers Competition, I was not able to get my IMWAYR post done–I’m sorry! However, you can learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

It is my week off–see you next week!

Tuesday: Werewolf Hamlet by Kerry Madden-Lunsford

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

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(Submissions close in 4d 2h 35m)

Author Guest Post: “Me, Myself, and My Five Senses” by Sarah Suk, Author of Meet Me at Blue Hour

March 16, 2025 by Kellee

“Me, Myself, and My Five Senses”

I spend a lot of time inside my head. This is something that’s always been true about me. As a kid, one of my favourite pastimes was playing pretend, letting my imagination run loose and turning my ideas into dramatic plays for my stuffed animals to star in or for my friends and I to adopt for the afternoon. Today we are princesses and Pokémon trainers—both, at the same time. Tomorrow we’ll be spies, detectives, dragons on a mission. I could spend hours outside with a bouncy ball, just bouncing it up and down the street while I spun stories inside my head.

Now as an author, many of my days are much of the same, though the rhythm of the bouncy ball has turned into the tapping of keys on my computer. And while I can say that letting my imagination run loose and turning my ideas into dramatic scenarios for my characters to star in is still one of my favourite things to do, there are times when being in my head feels more tumultuous than not. When the feeling of stuckness seeps in and spirals into a state of overthinking and then overthinking the overthinking (as one does), I begin to feel more like I’m in the passenger seat of my own mind than the one behind the wheel.

Something I’ve been trying to do lately is to spend a little less time in my head and a little more time in my body. One of the ways I’ve been doing this is pausing to make note of my five senses in real time. I’ll ask myself, what do I see? A chunky mug, red spines on the bookshelf. Hear? Construction outside my window. Smell? Leeks in the pan, my daughter’s baby scent. Taste? Water, cold and refreshing. Feel? The couch beneath me, holding me up. It brings me back to the moment in a tangible way that reminds me that I’m not actually falling no matter how far my mental spiral seems to go. I’m simply right here.

Curiously, the senses have made an appearance as key details in my most recent young adult novels. The Space between Here & Now follows the story of a teenage girl who has a rare condition that causes her to travel back in time to her memories when she smells a scent linked to them. And in my upcoming book Meet Me at Blue Hour, memories are erased through sounds collected on a mix tape.

While I didn’t necessarily or purposefully plan to write these novels centering the senses, I found that’s where my ideas naturally took me. And in writing these stories, I found something else: leaning into the senses is great for worldbuilding! There’s nothing that makes a setting feel more alive than being able to vividly see what your characters see, hear what they hear, taste what they taste. I recall receiving this writing tip from an author friend of mine years ago, but as someone who often gravitates toward scenes with two talking heads in a description-less room, I feel like I needed to write these stories with the senses as a focal point to truly grasp my own style with it.

Now, no matter what I write, I find this exercise helps ground me in the reality of the story, just like how it grounds me in the reality of my own life. So whenever I’m feeling stuck in my head or stuck in the words, I go back to the senses. I take a breath. I plant my feet on the ground. And I remember that I’m here.

Publishing April 1st, 2025 by Quill Tree Books

About the Book: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets Past Lives in this gripping, emotional story of two childhood friends navigating the fallout of one erasing their memory of the other, from acclaimed author Sarah Suk.

Seventeen-year-old Yena Bae is spending the summer in Busan, South Korea, working at her mom’s memory-erasing clinic. She feels lost and disconnected from people, something she’s felt ever since her best friend, Lucas, moved away four years ago without a word, leaving her in limbo.

Eighteen-year-old Lucas Pak is also in Busan for the summer, visiting his grandpa, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. But he isn’t just here for a regular visit—he’s determined to get his beloved grandpa into the new study running at the clinic, a trial program seeking to restore lost memories.

When Yena runs into Lucas again, she’s shocked to see him and even more shocked to discover that he doesn’t remember a thing about her. He’s completely erased her from his memories, and she has no idea why.

As the two reconnect, they unravel the mystery and heartache of what happened between them all those years ago—and must now reckon with whether they can forge a new beginning together.

Sarah Suk profile image

About the Author: Sarah Suk (pronounced like soup with a K) lives in Vancouver, Canada, where she writes stories and admires mountains. She is the author of young adult novels Made in Korea and The Space between Here & Now, as well as the co-writer of John Cho’s middle grade novel Troublemaker. When she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the water, taking film photos, or eating a bowl of bingsu. You can visit Sarah online at sarahsuk.com and on Twitter and Instagram @_sarahsuk.

Thank you, Sarah, for this writing exercise to bring our writing to life!

Giant Rays of Hope: Protecting Manta Rays to Safeguard the Sea by Patricia Newman

March 11, 2025 by Kellee

Giant Rays of Hope: Protecting Manta Rays to Safeguard the Sea
Author: Patricia Newman
Published October 1st, 2024 by Lerner Publishing Group

Summary: Off the coast of Perú, gentle giants swim beneath the waves. Thanks to the work of Kerstin Forsberg, giant manta rays have become a symbol of hope for ocean conservation in the region. Mantas are a flagship species, and when they’re protected, the whole ocean ecosystem benefits.

Kerstin, who founded the organization Planeta Océano, has taken a new approach to ocean conservation. Previous conservation projects were often led by scientists from other places who didn’t work with the local people. When Kerstin decided to help manta rays, she sought the opinions of local fishers and educated them about the dangers of overfishing, bycatch, and poaching—things that affect both manta rays and fishers. She also involved local schools and teachers.

With the help of teachers, students, and fishers, Kerstin launched a project to identify and track manta rays and protect them, making the ocean a better place for all creatures. Dive in with author Patricia Newman and explore how taking care of the ocean can benefit everyone!

About the Author: Patricia Newman wants us all to know we are part of nature. As a Robert F. Sibert Honor recipient, she shows us how our actions ripple around the world, empowers us to find our own connections to nature, and encourages us to use our imaginations to act on behalf of our communities. Her nonfiction titles have received multiple starred reviews, Orbis Pictus Recommended Awards (NCTE), Green Earth Book Awards, and several Eureka! Awards. She is based in California.

Review: I love learning new things, and Patricia Newman always delves into topics in such interesting ways that will make any reader want to not only read the entire book but also want to investigate further to learn as much as possible about it.

In this book, I dove (pun intended) into the world of manta rays: their uncertain future, their truly phenomenal elegance and uniqueness, and lots of information about environmental factors. I also learned about how much difference one person can make. This book is a call to future activists, a call for all animal lovers, and a call for all humans to see more than what we normally see.

I am also impressed how Newman wrote an entire book about manta rays but by the end, the reader has thought about so much include flagship species, collaboration, negotiation, activism, the ocean in many different ways, cause and effect, and so much more.

Once again a truly fascinating and informative book has been gifted to us readers by Patricia Newman.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation and Discussion Questions:

In the standards-aligned guide provided by Lerner, educators can find lessons about manta ray anatomy, bycatch simulation, the challenge of overfishing, plotting manta sightings, civic role models, and exploring plankton.

The guide’s objectives are:

To help students understand our unbreakable connection to the ocean and we affect it.
To encourage and empower students to become a voice for the ocean in their homes, schools, and communities.
To help students become better science communicators

The guide focuses on Ocean Literacy Standards & Principles as well as United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals

You can also access the educators’ guide here.

Book Trailer:

Flagged Spreads:

Read This If You Love: Nonfiction books about animals, environmental issues, and/or conservation efforts

Recommended For:

**Thank you to the author for providing a copy for review!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 3/10/25

March 10, 2025 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages

Happy reading!

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “The Best Advice is Free” by David A. Anderson, Author of The Drowners

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

Middle Grade

Olympians series, Odin and Thor by George O’Connor: Our annual author visit was with the amazing George O’Connor, so I reread/read all of his graphic novels in preparation. They are just such brilliant works of mythological storytelling. I have loved watching my students jump into the Greek and Asgardian mythology pool with these books. (And I will be sharing about his visit soon!)
Amari and the Despicable Wonders by B.B. Alston: I thought this was a finale of the series, but B.B. Alston announced that there is actually going to be a 4th book! I cannot wait to see what Amari and her friends take on in the last book! (I sadly cannot share much about this story, other than how it was just as good as the other two, because it would include spoilers for the first two books.)
The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle by Taryn Souders: What a fun mystery, and I did not see the conclusion coming which is always so unexpected in a middle grade who-dun-it. I also loved the cast of characters in Grady’s town–they added such amusement to the book. I really liked reading this one and can see why it is on our Sunshine State Young Reader Award list.

Young Adult

Graceling by Kristin Cashore: I am rereading this series with my friend, and I was worried that it wasn’t going to live up to the love I had the first time I read it, but I am happy to say it does. Cashore does a beautiful job world building and Katsa is just a force to be reckoned with–it was such a wonderful read! (And this is coming from someone who can struggle with high fantasy.)
The Davenports: More Than This by Krystal Marquis: I loved this finale of The Davenports. My review for it was “YAY!” because I was so happy with the conclusion of these amazing women’s stories.
Dig Two Graves by Gretchen McNeil: McNeil truly is talented at writing thrillers that are unpredictable and unique. This book was not what I was expecting, and its twists and turns made it so I couldn’t put it down.

And you can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is my week off of IMWAYR. I will update you on my reading next week.

Kellee

Reading: Fire by Kristin Cashore
Listening: All Better Now by Neal Shusterman

Tuesday: Giant Rays of Hope: Protecting Manta Rays to Safeguard the Sea by Patricia Newman

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Me, Myself, and My Five Senses” by Sarah Suk, Author of Meet Me at Blue Hour

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Author Guest Post: “The Best Advice is Free” by David A. Anderson, Author of The Drowners

March 9, 2025 by Kellee

“The Best Advice is Free”

The digital revolution has irrevocably changed the world. It has given a voice to those who once suffered in silence. And even the poorest among us now have access to a wealth of information. It seems the Silicon Valley pioneers have made John Lennon’s dream a reality by giving power to the people.

Unfortunately, as history has long proved, power corrupts. According to the Pew Research Centre, fake news, misinformation, and propaganda account for 71% of online content. And every snake-oil salesman and extremist now has a platform from which to spread their lies and hate speech.

We now have a generation that receives news from social media feeds and guidance from internet celebrities. Influencers rake in millions from product endorsements, while self-proclaimed gurus sell ‘life-changing’ courses.

We’re all familiar with the proverb ‘You get what you pay for,’ which assumes a relationship between price and quality. In most cases, this idiom rings true. Except, when it comes to advice.

How many people who bought ‘How to write a bestseller?’ have gone on to accomplish this feat? If self-help worked we wouldn’t require psychiatry and the educational system. Or, the self-improvement industry! In today’s world, most guidance you pay for through clicks and credit card details is at best unhelpful. At worst, it’s downright dangerous.

The best advice you get in this life doesn’t cost a dime. Why? Because it comes from people who care. Family. Friends. Teachers. The people who are invested in your well-being. The people who sense when something is not right and want to help. The people who know you.

But how can teachers and parents hope to compete with perma-tanned influencers and their photo-shopped perfection? Is it possible to impart wisdom without hi-tech visual stimuli and ambient mood music? How do you lead pliable young minds away from the enticing mirage of misinformation?

Long before the internet turned the globe into an online community, hell, long before the printing press brought mass-produced wisdom to the public, humanity had a tried and tested way of getting their message across. Myths. Legends. Parables. Fables. Novels. From Aesop to Hemingway, those who seek to enlighten minds do so through the medium of story.

Our way of life may have radically changed with time, but the human condition remains unaltered. Holden Caulfield’s alienation and battle with mental illness still resonates with teenagers 74 years later. And, while nobody makes mix-tapes anymore, Charlie’s struggle to fit in is universal. Unfortunately, Starr Carter’s experience is all too familiar to millions of Americans.

But stories do more than teach, they offer solace. They let readers know they are not alone. Others have felt the same emotions and had similar thoughts. Moreover, books provide hope. Life can be unfair. Justice only exists in comics and superhero movies. The universe doesn’t operate on moral principles. But that doesn’t mean we can’t fight to improve society. That we can’t find meaning and fulfilment in our existence. The billions that went before us did and we can too. It’s all in the stories.

So how do you upstage a bling-dripping influencer sat poolside selling the impossible dream? Recommend a good book. How do you communicate with a kid who has shut themselves off from everyone? Leave a book on their desk.

Will they thank you? Does it matter; The best advice is given without expecting anything in return.

Publishing March 17th, 2025

About the Book: For Aaron, this world is an unfathomable puzzle. Haunted by disturbing dreams, he drifts through empty days, shielding himself behind sarcasm and cynical wit. After being expelled, he sees an opportunity to rewrite his future at a new school. Connecting over a shared love for De Niro films with Robbie, an aspiring actor of Jamaican descent, he unexpectedly finds his companion piece, one person who truly understands him. Together, they navigate the chaotic waters of adolescence, from dramatic first dates to sociopathic bullies, iconic concerts, and a dead body.

With adulthood fast approaching, the crushing weight of societal pressures and devastating revelations threaten to shatter their unique bond. Confronted by the ghosts of his past, Aaron must choose whether to blaze bright or fade away.

A funny and poignant meditation on the forces that shape us, The Drowners is an ode to that time when your tolerance for hypocrisy was zero and life seemed infinite.

About the Author: Hailing from the cold, wet streets of Dublin, David Anderson is the author of The Drowners.

Like a Hummingbird, after college, he migrated south to warmer climes. Namely, sunny Spain, where he teaches English to students who are confused by his Irish brogue. In his early thirties, he caught the writing bug.

He has written several articles for the GMS website about his other obsession in life, football. In 2021, he won a YA Watty award for his novel The Art of Breathing Underwater.

Follow David on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Goodreads!

Thank you, David, for this great advice, also free!

Trent’s Favorite Books He Read When He Was 10

February 25, 2025February 25, 2025 by Kellee

I read 169 books while I was 10. Here are 15 of my favorites (in no particular order):

Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate & Michael Grant, Adapted by Chris Grine

This series was amazing because once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. It is a beautiful graphic novel series that is adventurous and unique; I’m so glad there is a graphic novel version. The books make me feel so much. For example, in the first one it was sad Tobias is changed into a hawk forever but it is also helpful because they can have a watch person.

Aquanaut: A Graphic Novel by Dan Santat

Ooooo, I like Aquanaut! It is one of the best graphic novels! It is beautiful, sad, fun, and happy all at the same time. And the art was aesthetically pleasing. That one scene when Aquanaut swam down to the giant squid is one of my favorite spreads; it was so ominous. And it is amazing how Sophia is able to help all the animals, including Aquanaut.

Big Jim Begins by Dav Pilkey

I’ve always loved Dog Man, and I loved this one, too, even though this one is different from the other Dog Man books because it is about Big Jim and him making a life as a super hero. It was funny how Jim dragged Petey along with him, making Petey even grumpier than normal.

The Big Sting by Rachelle Delaney

I love The Big Sting because grandpa is funny and Leo and Lizzie are adventurous. I also love it because I like mystery books. I couldn’t stop listening to it when my teacher read it to us.

Bone series by Jeff Smith

I read this entire series, and I just couldn’t stop. At first, I thought it was just going to be a funny comic, which it was, but it was so much more, too: adventurous and a beautiful story. My favorite Bone character was Happy because he made me laugh.

Curveball by Pablo Cartaya, Illustrated by Miguel Díaz Rivas

I liked Curveball because it’s quirky, and it taught me a lesson about not judging a person on first impressions. One night, I read it, and I couldn’t stop reading.

Drama by Raina Telgemeier

It is very stupid that this book gets banned. I don’t think that a book should ever be banned just because there are people who may be gay in it. The book is about that but also much more, like loving something and working together to make it happen.

Emmie and Friends series by Terri Libenson

I’ve read 3 from this series, Becoming Brianna, Truly Tyler, and Always Anthony, and I am determined to read them all because the ones I’ve read are so relatable since it talks about friendship and school. I can’t wait to read more of them.

Huda F Cares by Huda Fahmy

Huda tells her story in such a funny way. It is hilarious how her sisters bug her all the way from Michigan to Florida. The book was extra entertaining for me because I love Disney world. I do hate that Huda gets judged just because she’s Muslim and prays. Oh, and I was lucky to meet Huda Fahmy this year, too!

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

I think this is books is one of the best books because it is sad but then it get hopeful because Jake works on overcoming his eating disorder. Since John Schu experienced what Jake experienced, the book was a carousel of feelings. Also, John Schu is one of the nicest, most amazing people I’ve ever met.

Marcus Makes a Movie by Kevin Hart with Geoff Rodkey, Illustrated by David Cooper

This book is all about creativeness and talks about teamwork making the dream work. The audiobook for it was amazing because Kevin Hart does a great job. The book, and the audio, are hilarious.

One Wrong Step by Jennifer A. Nielsen

This book is worth the read! It is full of adventure, and it was so cool to learn the history of Mt. Everest and the time period. I liked reading about how they survived back then while climbing. I liked the main characters, Atlas and Maddie, because they were problem solvers and always found a way. After seeing Jennifer Nielsen speak about the book, I was instantly tempted to read it, and I am glad I did.

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Like Louder Than Hunger, I felt this story was better because she experienced it. Smile was a lot: it causes a lot of feelings. It was sad sometimes, happy sometimes, funny sometimes. All of it added up to a great book. Also, I was so lucky to meet Raina and tell her how much I love her books.

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

I like that this book takes place in Florida, where I live. And grandpa is so funny. The message is also so important—taking drugs affects your life and those around you. But I do think it is good that Sunny went to go see her grandpa because it gave her time away and she made friends.

Wild Robot series by Peter Brown

I’m sure most of you reading this have seen the movie for The Wild Robot, which was good, but I can tell you the books are definitely better and has extended story. It almost made me cry when Roz had to say bye to Brightbill. In my opinion, the first one was my favorite because it is the start of a new story and you get to see Brightbill grow and learn how to fly.