Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time


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Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene don’t stop helping the bees, hunny!

Green Jolene and the Backyard Bees by Wendy Mass

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Green Jolene and the Backyard Bees is written by an author I have enjoyed reading over the years. This author is Wendy Mass. And while they have had a few different ages and have written a few different genres, their more realistic stories are fun. And when Mass collaborates with illustrator Billy Yong you get an interesting combination of realistic story, art and modern feelings. Yet, there is also a classical, family friendly feeling as well. This mixture works for today’s readers aged at least […]

Beloved rain boots and a lesson

Green Jolene: Green Jolene and the Neighborhood Swap (Disney Planet Possible) by Wendy Mass and Billy Yong

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Reader copies come and they go, and one that came into my life was Green Jolene: Green Jolene and the Neighborhood Swap (Disney Planet Possible) by Wendy Mass and illustrator Billy Yong. Currently available, I plan on finding a copy as I need to see the final images. This is a short story that mixes a bit Junie B. Jones, Eloise, and a lot of modern sentiments to get this generation’s spunky bossy pants who loves her friends, family, dog and saving the world. Jolene […]

Feeling lost after loss

The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass

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When you’ve been a children’s librarian for years, it is easy to get burnt out on the material. For me, that also meant I got cocky. Can any kids book really hook me anymore as a bitter adult who has READ IT ALL? Are there any GOOD STORIES LEFT? Yes, of course, to both of those things. THE LOST LIBRARY by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass proved just that. The last day of fifth grade is approaching, and Evan is pretty nervous about moving up […]

A game of reality

Lo and Behold by Wendy Mass

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CBR16SweetChallenge #Cozy (has a feeling of cozy, and deals with themes in a less intense manner) The graphic novel Lo and Behold by Wendy Mass and illustrated by Gabi Mendez is a sweet story about Addy, a young girl who must learn to have empathy, sympathy and forgiveness for her father, mother, and most importantly, herself. There is a lot about VR technology and its real world applications. Adults can enjoy it as well as kids (strong 8/9 to 12-13). There is a little about […]

Sweet Mystery #2

The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase by Wendy Mass

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“Some days you control life; other days life controls you.” -Wendy Mass, The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase by Wendy Mass is the sequel to The Candymakers (see my review of The Candymakers here). It’s a good sequel that seamlessly blends the perspectives of Logan, Miles, Philip, and Daisy. WARNING – THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS TO THE CANDYMAKERS. It’s been a few months since the nationwide New Candy Contest, and everything is back to normal. The first Harmonicandy is […]

Very Sweet (pun intended) Mystery

The Candymakers by Wendy Mass

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The Candymakers by Wendy Mass is a mystery set at Life Is Sweet candy factory. This book is set in 4 different perspectives,  that of Logan (the candymaker’s son), Philip (the rude boy in a suit and tie who is always scribbling in his notebook),  Miles (the strange but sweet boy with a lot of strange allergies) and Daisy (the cheerful girl who can lift a fifty-pound lump of taffy without even breaking a sweat). With each new chapter and perspective, you discover new information […]



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