Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

More Ash Than Fire, But Still Warm

Ash by Malinda Lo

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Bingo Update – This is for my Rainbow Flag square. Malinda Lo is out and proud. As an added bonus, this is also a queer retelling of Cinderella, so it’s a queer writer telling a queer story! I love a good fairy tale re-telling. Contemporary literature is rife with reimaginings, updates, and new spins on old tales told around the fire…but not all of them are good. I’m glad to say that Ash by Melinda Lo *is* good, but it doesn’t quite rise to the ranks […]

One Zombie Goldfish vs. One Vampire Cat: Round One

The Fintastic Fishsitter (My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish) by Mo O’Hara

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As previously stated, I am not always a remake fan. And while The Fintastic Fishsitter (My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish) is not a remake per say, it is a retelling of the story. First it is the timeless Tweety vs. Sylvester. Cat vs Dog. It is the “good vs evil” story. Only told as a Vampire Cat and Zombie Goldfish. Different, but done before. Also, Mo O’Hara’s Zombie Goldfish is in a picture book format this time (part of the remake). Not having read O’Hara’s […]

“Real” Princesses can be too sensitive!

The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas by Tony Wilson

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To be perfect honest I am not always a fan of remakes. Yet, when a remake is good, I am the first in line to promote it. In the good remake corner, we have The Princess and the Packet of Frozen Peas. No need to tell you (but will) that this is a spoof on the Princess and the Pea story. Prince Henrik is Tony Wilson’s prince (obviously) and he is not your everyday, going to a party prince. He likes camping, hockey and other […]

A biting review

Shark Out of Water! (Hungry Shark Chapter Book #1) by Ace Landers

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December 2019 will see not one, not two, but three sharks out of water. Or at least, the book Shark Out of Water! (Hungry Shark Chapter Book #1) by Ace Landers will be out. First, there are a lot of rough spots and sharp edges (and not just the points on the shark’s teeth). The first issue is this is written for the strong first to lower/mid-third grade reader. However, the kids are in middle school (aged 12-13). And while the issues presented could be […]

You are invited to a Tea Party for Mr. Pumpkin and his friends

Mr. Pumpkin’s Tea Party by Erin Barker

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I am sorry to say I was disappointed in the story of Mr. Pumpkin’s Tea Party. A child will probably enjoy the counting aspect and enjoy seeing all the goodies and people that are coming to the tea party, but this story has been done before. This is not to say Erin Barker’s book is bad. Far from it. It is a delightful Autumn story. It is great for Halloween without being SPOOKY. But not really spooky-spooky, you know? It is a cozy book. It […]

One one-legged dog, one-possessed motorcycle, a witch named Jacks and a girl name Snapdragon

Snapdragon by Kat Leyh

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One: This is a First Second Graphic Novel. Which meant I HAD to read. Regardless of the seemingly obviously crazy, off the wall, fantasy look to it. Second: This is not an obviously crazy, off the wall, fantasy. It is a not so obviously crazy, off the wall realistic fantasy. (See the difference?) Finally: Witches are real, and Snapdragon by Kat Leyh proves it. While there a few bumps to the storyline, it is a neat story about being yourself as well as about friends […]



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