Wonder Featured
Book Review, Children's Fiction, Family Relationships, NetGalley, Random House, YA Fiction

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

I know I’m not an ordinary ten-year-old kid…I know ordinary kids don’t make other kids run away screaming in playgrounds.  I know ordinary kids don’t get scared at wherever they go.  My name is August, by the way, I won’t describe what I look like.  Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse. August may not look… Continue reading Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Sidikiba's Kora Lesson Featured
Africa, Book Review, Children's Fiction, Music

Sidikiba’s Kora Lesson by Ryan Thomas Skinner

This is the story of a young boy named Sidikiba who lives in a small town in West Africa.  He is the descendant of Jeli Mady Wuleng who, as Maude legend says, was a bard and storyteller who discovered the kora.  The kora is a harp played by the Maude people of West Africa. When… Continue reading Sidikiba’s Kora Lesson by Ryan Thomas Skinner

Viva Cisco
Book Review, Children's Fiction

Viva Cisco by Patrick Shannon

The imaginary town of Topopootl lies in a hidden valley of a faraway mountain, deep in the heart of Mexico.  This town is filled with animals of all shapes and sizes who live together in harmony away from their human enemy.  The story is about Cisco the Parrot , the Answer Man at the Topopootl… Continue reading Viva Cisco by Patrick Shannon