Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

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Shaping our shape of self

Unretouchable by Sofia Szamosi

March 11, 2026 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

While looking at online reader copies that were new to the site I use, I found Bad Kid (a Graphic Memoir): My Life as a Troubled Teen by Sofia Szamosi. It said it was a companion to Unretouchable. Which, of course, meant that if I wanted to read Bad Kid, my brain said, you need Unretouchable. Therefore, off to the library I went to pick up a copy via interlibrary loan. Szamosi discusses the beauty industry and how she is both part of and wants […]

Filed Under: Featured, Fiction, Graphic Novels/Comic Books, Non-Fiction, Young Adult Tagged With: body image, Careers, coming-of-age, digital manipulation, fashion, fashion design, internships, Self-acceptance, Social Themes, Sofia Szamosi

BlackRaven's CBR18 Review No:73 · Genres: Featured, Fiction, Graphic Novels/Comic Books, Non-Fiction, Young Adult · Tags: body image, Careers, coming-of-age, digital manipulation, fashion, fashion design, internships, Self-acceptance, Social Themes, Sofia Szamosi ·
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Riff in the Reef

Search for the Silver Shell: A Branches Book (Coral Keepers #1) by Robin Yardi and Paul Kellam

March 11, 2026 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The young chapter book, Search for the Silver Shell: A Branches Book (Coral Keepers #1) by Robin Yardi and Paul Kellam (illustrator) fell a little short for me as an adult reader. But the aged 6 to 9 reader will find the fantasy and friendship elements exciting and fun.  It is a part fantasy, part mystery, and (mostly) adventure. This is a new series that feels both “old school” and modern with the diverse characters, the type of freedom the children have and keeps the […]

Filed Under: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery Tagged With: action, adventure, Chapter Books, family, friendship, magic, mermaids and men, ocean life, Paul Kellam, Robin Yardi, Robin Yardi and Paul Kellam, sharks, Social Themes

BlackRaven's CBR18 Review No:84 · Genres: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery · Tags: action, adventure, Chapter Books, family, friendship, magic, mermaids and men, ocean life, Paul Kellam, Robin Yardi, Robin Yardi and Paul Kellam, sharks, Social Themes ·
Rating:
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One of the books from the “nope, not going to read, well maybe I will…” list

Ride / Đạp Xe by Bao Phi and Thi Bui

March 11, 2026 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Most of the time if I decide to read a book after thinking I won’t read it, I end up liking it. Usually a lot, too. And that is the case with Ride / Đạp Xe by Bao Phi and illustrator Thi Bui. It turned out to be more fun, interesting and more enjoyably clever than I had imagined.  The overall theme is learning to ride a bike. Of course, that means falls and frustration, but the father and mother of the story keep patient […]

Filed Under: Children's Books, Fiction, History, Poetry, Sports Tagged With: Asian American & Pacific Islander, Bao Phi, Bao Phi and Thi Bui, Emigration, family, generations, Immigration, Social Themes, Thi Bui, Vietnam, Vietnamese

BlackRaven's CBR18 Review No:83 · Genres: Children's Books, Fiction, History, Poetry, Sports · Tags: Asian American & Pacific Islander, Bao Phi, Bao Phi and Thi Bui, Emigration, family, generations, Immigration, Social Themes, Thi Bui, Vietnam, Vietnamese ·
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Round up at the O-K-bookstore

It Started with a Book Ban by Linda Ravin Lodding 

Tic-errific Me: A book about Tourette syndrome (Disability Books for Kids) by Alicia Meyers and Cait Brennan

The Kimchi Fridge by Tina Cho and Cindy Kang

March 6, 2026 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Round up time for my beloved picture books. All titles were read via an online reader copy.   BOOK ONE It Started with a Book Ban by Linda Ravin Lodding A fun and silly way to talk about the seriousness of the idea of Book Banning. And while I don’t promote banning things, I must admit sometimes the color green is annoying to me, too. (And pink, pink can be too cheerful).  Obviously Lodding uses humor to get the message across and goes into extreme […]

Filed Under: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Cooking/Food, Fantasy, Fiction, Health, Non-Fiction Tagged With: activism, Alicia Meyers, Alicia Meyers and Cait Brennan, Asian American & Pacific Islander, Books, Cait Brennan, Cindy Kang, Concepts, Disability, family, libraries, Linda Ravin Lodding, Multigenerational, self-esteem, sensation, senses, Social Themes, Tina Cho, Tina Cho and Cindy Kang, tourette syndrome

BlackRaven's CBR18 Review No:82 · Genres: Children's Books, Comedy/Humor, Cooking/Food, Fantasy, Fiction, Health, Non-Fiction · Tags: activism, Alicia Meyers, Alicia Meyers and Cait Brennan, Asian American & Pacific Islander, Books, Cait Brennan, Cindy Kang, Concepts, Disability, family, libraries, Linda Ravin Lodding, Multigenerational, self-esteem, sensation, senses, Social Themes, Tina Cho, Tina Cho and Cindy Kang, tourette syndrome ·
Rating:
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Sharing the message No Limits

No Legs, No Limits (An Empowering Picture Book for Kids) by Kanya Sesser, Nisha Lamsam Ligon, and Lenny Wen

February 27, 2026 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Sometimes I still fall. But I try again, and I never give up. I make things work. Because I’m strong. Because I’m free. Because I have no limits.   The book, No Legs, No Limits (An Empowering Picture Book for Kids) by Kanya Sesser, Nisha Lamsam Ligon, and Lenny Wen (illustrator) is one big wow! The presentation of Sesser’s issues with people making assumptions, her finding her voice and then how she shows how “normal” she really is, is a great way to show and […]

Filed Under: Children's Books, Health, Non-Fiction, Sports Tagged With: Asian American & Pacific Islander, Disability, Kanya Sesser, Kanya Sesser, Nisha Lamsam Ligon, and Lenny Wen, Lenny Wen, Nisha Lamsam Ligon, skateboarding, Social Themes

BlackRaven's CBR18 Review No:76 · Genres: Children's Books, Health, Non-Fiction, Sports · Tags: Asian American & Pacific Islander, Disability, Kanya Sesser, Kanya Sesser, Nisha Lamsam Ligon, and Lenny Wen, Lenny Wen, Nisha Lamsam Ligon, skateboarding, Social Themes ·
Rating:
· 0 Comments

just like a leaf

 I Am a Leaf by Angelo Mozzillo and Marianna Balducci

February 27, 2026 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The year 2026 is going to be a good year for new titles. The mid-summer months are also looking to be strong with such titles as August’s  I Am a Leaf by Angelo Mozzillo and illustrated by Marianna Balducci.  Artistic and poetic, the book conjures a great “creating the feelings” story. For adults as much (if not more so) as kids due to the airy qualities of the child seemingly floating along the pages. If you are a solo reading child, you will be able […]

Filed Under: Children's Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Health, Poetry Tagged With: Angelo Mozzillo, Angelo Mozzillo and Marianna Balducci, emotions, Feelings, Marianna Balducci, self-esteem, Social Themes

BlackRaven's CBR18 Review No:75 · Genres: Children's Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Health, Poetry · Tags: Angelo Mozzillo, Angelo Mozzillo and Marianna Balducci, emotions, Feelings, Marianna Balducci, self-esteem, Social Themes ·
Rating:
· 0 Comments
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