Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time


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Don’t debate, celebrate reading!

The Secret Society of the Willbrook Witches by Camille Perron-Cormier

Chickenpox by Remy Lai

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Lately, I’ve been debating a lot about whether I should write a review about some books I read. I like writing reviews for books. I love sharing my finds with others. Especially my children, middle readers and young adult reading, as it has been my experience that sometimes they are “shoved to the side” as afterthoughts, or dismissed as “just kids books,” or “not as good as adult reads.” I could go on. But back to debating on if I should review The Secret Society […]

Please, DON’T send in the clown

Hamlet is Not OK by R.A. Spratt

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As a teen (at least 13 and up), Hamlet is Not OK by R.A. Spratt and I would have been friends. This is because I, too, would have had some of the naive ideas about violence and mental health our main character has. Now, I still am not keen on violence as the solution and I understand the difficulties of mental health, but if you change Hamlet (and SPOILER, they do) you have changed practically everything that has come after that was inspired by it, […]

Talking over a cup

Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang and Hyewon Yum 

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Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang and illustrated by Hyewon Yum   Available July 2026 for paper, hardcover avialalbe read via an online reader Once upon a time there was a little girl named Luli. She did not know a lot of English, and neither did the other children who are in the free care center they are at when their parents go to an English as a Second Language class. This made her sad as she is a friendly girl and likes […]

The journey of words

A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbott

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Recently I learned that author (of such titles as The Lost Colony of Roanoke and It’s All about Me-Ow: A Young Cat’s Guide to the Good Life) and illustrator (such works as Into the Woods by James Lapine and Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson) Hudson Talbott, had passed away. I was, of course, saddened to hear of the news, but was basically unaware (with a few exceptions) of his work. And, yes, I was sorry that it took his death to put him on my […]

She just wanted to be a doctor

Carlotta's Special Dress: How a Walk to School Changed Civil Rights History by Carlotta Walls Lanier, Lisa Frazier Page and Vanessa Brantley-Newton

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Carlotta’s Special Dress: How a Walk to School Changed Civil Rights History by Carlotta Walls Lanier, Lisa Frazier Page, and illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton   Read  via online reader, the book is actually out and about for purchase and reading. This book seemed like it would be “okay” or a nice book on a person I knew a little about, what a nice way to introduce them to kids, but would not be anything “wow.” Don’t judge a book by its cover and don’t assume because […]

Adult literacy

My Kentucky Moonlight School by Kim Michele Richardson

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My Kentucky Moonlight School is another book (read via an online reader) due in August 2026 but is a must to talk about now. Kim Michele Richardson’s story is about a family, their community and how they learn to read during “Moonlight sessions” of schooling. It is sweet, educational and even a little humorous at times.  This is enhanced by Chloe M. Giroux who illustrates the adventures of this family with earthy tones, bright shading and light use, and just the right amount of details. […]



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