Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Some cheer

The Old Sleigh by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey

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As another companion to the stories The Old Truck and The Old Boat, (which I do not believe I have read) the book The Old Sleigh is added to the clever creators Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey stories. A horse-drawn sleigh against a snowy background is loaded with the firewood a boy and father cut and deliver to a small village. As the village grows and the sleigh starts to fall about as it ages, we see how the changes happen and though things have […]

I am grateful for good books

Gather Grateful by Megan Litwin

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I was not going to write up a review for Gather Grateful. In fact I was not going to read it. I figured it was going to be like all the other thanksgiving books (and I don’t mean with a capital T, but a thankfulness, mindfulness, gratitude story). It was not until after the fourth or fifth time I saw pop up places that I said, “OK! Universe! I get it! I’ll read the book!!!” And as usually happens, I enjoyed it. However, Megan Litwin’s […]

What army base is off limits on Passover? (Fort Leavenworth) but seriously, this is a serious (but fun) story

The Passover Pet Surprise by Ana Maria Shua

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When I am not sure how to start a review I look up punisher descriptions and/or other peoples reviews. Part of the publisher’s description has this mentioning how it is about freedom for the Jewish people-and their pets, and that is a good way to start my review for The Passover Pet Surprise by Ana Maria Shua. The characters in the story are visiting family for the holiday. The children are either having their first one or are old hats. But when they decide that freedom […]

One December night

The Birds of Christmas by Olivia Armstrong

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The Birds of Christmas by Olivia Armstrong and illustrated by Mira Miroslavova is a delightful spiritual story with a folktale approach. The colors and images are rich and move the story along. We follow the birds during the birth of the Christ child and the gifts they give to him. Yet, even though it Christian based (the birth of Christ) it is less religious and more wanting to give the spirit of the season. I loved how Miroslavova’s illustrations are rich, pretty and show how […]

Cool drink of love

Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj by Razeena Omar Gutta

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I was going to cut back on the number of reviews I did this year, but then well, books happened! Books like Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj by Razeena Omar Gutta and illustrated by Bassent Dawoud (due January 2026, read via an online reader copy). There are several books on the Islamic faith for the younger crowd. However, they are mostly repetitive and hit the “big events” and there is nothing wrong with that, but I needed something different and I found it […]

The fact I don’t always like a book is why I love books: something for us all

Vampire Jam Sandwich by Casey Lyall and Nici Gregory

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I am sorry Casey Lyall and Nici Gregory but your story, Vampire Jam Sandwich (which I read via an online reader copy and is due July 2025) did not hit the spot for me. Now I appreciate the ingredients you put into the illustrations, such as the red colors, the pointy teeth sandwich runny and running around (even if it is a bit messy and I am feeling the sticky getting all over) and the flapping capes that hide the surprise ending. Which was written […]



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