Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time


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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 […]

“Love is sharing your popcorn.” —Charles Schultz

A Salwar Kameez for Ambika by Arti Pandey

Samina Goes to a Wedding: Celebrations from a Bangladeshi Marriage by Farida Zaman

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Somedays I think I must be one of the top 100 romantic skeptics. I mean, I love a good happily ever after, but I’m also the person who, when I see a public proposal, I’m the one saying, “Just say no! But if you do, get a good prenup!”  So when I recently found two picture books about weddings as online reader copies, I almost passed them by. I mean, I’m all for a wedding (I mean let me eat cake) but reading about them? […]

Dance like your ancestors are watching

I Am a Bon Dancer by Brandi-Ann Uyemura

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Recently I noticed that I have been reading a lot of titles that are similar to each other, be it the theme or the way it is presented. Therefore, I was hoping to find a few new themes or at least new ways of presenting them. In I Am a Bon Dancer, by Brandi-Ann Uyemura and Amy Matsushita-Beal (the lovely illustrations creator) the dance itself is a new way of presenting an old theme, but the idea of family and trying your best has been […]

Misfortunes is an understatement

The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang  by Stan Yan 

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TITLE:  The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang AUTHOR / ILLUSTROR Stan Yan Read via an advanced reader copy DUE September/late October 2025    Review: This is an interesting coming of age story with a potential supernatural element. I mean potential because is a ghost really talking to Eugenia, or is it just a normal fear manifesting itself? There are modern pieces that are mixed with the tradition of a Chinese family. And as Eugenia starts to become a teenager, she questions some of her mothers […]

Ching Ming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day

Clear and Bright: A Ching Ming Festival Story by Teresa Robeson and William Low

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Clear and Bright: A Ching Ming Festival Story by Teresa Robeson and illustrated by William Low is currently available, but I read via an online reader copy. This book is a nice book on diversity. It is a fun read, not a WOOW BEST BOOK EVER (or WBBE) but it has a lot of great points. We learn about the Ching Ming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day. We see how a family passes down their traditions to the next generation. As the publisher’s description says, our […]

“nisãohkisinãan (We are strong)”

The Heartbeat Drum: The Story of Carol Powder, Cree Drummer and Activist (A Picture Book) by Deidre Havrelock

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The highlights of Carol Powder’s life were fun to read about, however, the artwork was a bit “cartoonish” for my personal tastes. I do like the colors and the details are well done; giving you the story and complimenting the text, however, they just didn’t “do it” for me personally. I can see how they would be the favorite part of everything for other readers. Despite any issues I have, I recommend The Heartbeat Drum: The Story of Carol Powder, Cree Drummer and Activist (A […]



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