Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time


A lovely story about a tough situation

Only for a Little While by Gabriela Orozco Beltg

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When I find a book about a subject I know little about, I always wonder, “Is there really a need for it?” And then I read the book. Sometimes I read it and think, no we didn’t need it. Or sometimes I think we do need it, but I feel other books have handled the theme better. But with Only for a Little While by Gabriela Orozco Belt. I figured, we do need it, as I was thinking I know there are books out there, […]

This is ONLY for Aunts, Uncle, and their nieces and nephews

Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles by Jake Gyllenhaal and Greta Caruso

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I am an Aunt of two or three dozen kids (three biological nephews and goodness knows how many have been “adopted” over the years). And I know two things: one the aunt must be cool, and  two, they must have a little discipline otherwise the two of us (or four when all the nephews were present) will just totally destroy the place! And in the picture book the Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles they know how to be a good aunt and/or uncle. But […]

Faith and fun

Zain’s Super Friday by Henna Khan

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While Zain’s Super Friday is not my all time favorite book, it is up there for two reasons. The first is that it has at least two layers and the second is that it deals with representation in a positive manner.   Zain is a young boy who is ready to go-go-go! on Friday morning. However, his father must work, and when he is done, it is time for prayers. We are exposed to the Muslim culture in a positive way. There is no racism, just […]

The non-swimmer in his crocodile family

Swim, Jim by Kaz Windness

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One day in the swamp, three crocodile siblings are born. Kim, Sim and Jim. Kim and Sim both jump right into the water to swim, but Jim? Well, he just puts his toe in. And like typical siblings, the others tease Jim. But though his parents reassure him he will swim when ready, he feels the swamp is too big and he must find a smaller swamp, and then everyone will realize that Jim can swim in, Swim, Jim by Kaz Windness. Okay, so the […]

Presenting Olive Chen!

Oh, Olive! by Lian Cho

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Want a funny, sweet story about being yourself? Or a book that reminds you of Olivia the Pig with paints and color? You need Oh, Olive! This book, by Lian Cho (author and illustrator) might be the one you want. The story itself is familiar, but the way the author has presented it is clever and new. The art is fresh and silly, but keeps things in perspective.  Our Olive cannot paint a shape. Not a square like her father, nor a triangle like her […]

In the Eye of the Storm

Alaskan Blackout by Joanne Rock

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When Quint goes to the Aleutian Islands in search of his estranged half-brother, the last person he expects to be drawn to is McKenna, Clayton’s step-sister – and the only person who knows where he’s hiding. This was a quick read about a pair of people who butt heads a-plenty even as they acknowledge how much they like each other. I liked the wild, windswept setting of the Aleutian Islands, and learning more about how people lived in such an isolated place. The central scene […]



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