Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Book Review: The Sunshine Sisters By Jane Green

THE SUNSHINE SISTERS

By: Jane Green

Published: June 6, 2017

Publisher: Berkley

Fiction/Women's Fiction



Jane Green is a leading author for those looking for laughter, a bit of drama, and a touch of romance. She is the Queen of women's fiction and has a loyal group of readers. I read her latest, FALLING, as well as her recent cookbook, GOOD TASTE, and enjoyed them both although I was a bit miffed by the ending in FALLING. I am always a sucker for sister stories since I am one of three and this one truly piqued my interest.

Three daughters have grown up under the neglected mothering of Ronni Sunshine, the narcissistic movie star who only had time for her children when she was wanting to show them off or when she was ill and needed them to cater to her needs. As the story flashes back to some of those awful situations of neglect and poor parenting, you begin to see the reasons why all three daughters, now in adulthood, rarely speak to their mother or each other.

Nell is the tomboy of the group and ends up running a farm not too far from home. Meredith ingested all of her mother's criticism as well as all the snack food in sight and ran off to London to get as far away from critical eyes as possible. Lizzy, the baby and most like her mother, is ambitious and famous in her own right as a chef, hosting New York City's popular supper clubs. All three have bitter feelings about their past and have avoided rehashing old wounds with their mom or sisters until they each receive a phone call demanding they come home immediately. As they learn of their mother's illness, each sister handles the news in different ways and begins to reconnect in pieces with each other.

The development of characters is one of Green's talents and she easily gets me wrapped up in the stories of each of these women. She creates these characters with identities we love to hate, then empathize with, and eventually understand their reasons behind the choices they made in life. But, unfortunately, the storyline doesn't offer much excitement for the reader due to its predictability. I didn't have the emotional attachment to any of the characters that I normally would in a story like this. I could find parts of each character to identify with and commiserate about my own poor choices from the past, but I never felt emotionally connected to them. As you move to the final third of the book you can see their "Aha" moments appear on the page while watching these women leave the shell that has been protecting them from hurt. Each of the daughters learns something about themselves through these final moments with their mom and you leave the novel feeling happy for them. Even though most of this novel is full of family drama and sadness, there is a bit of redemption of character when Ronni shares private conversations with each of her daughters. You may not ever like her or her daughters, but you will know, behind all the anger and sadness, there was still love.



Jane Green - source
Jane Green is a bestselling author of popular novels. She has been featured in People, Newsweek, USA Today, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan. She lives in Connecticut with her family. For more, visit her website, HERE

To purchase a copy of THE SUNSHINE SISTERS, click the photo below:





Thanks to the publisher for sending an ecopy of this book for the purpose of this review. If you choose to purchase this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com.


Friday, August 25, 2017

Children's Book Review: Two Toddler Nursery Rhyme Books

WOODWORKS NURSERY RHYMES: OLD MACDONALD HAD A FARM

Illustrated by: Elliot Kreloff

Published: June 13, 2017

Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books

Fiction/Board Book/Play Mat




WOODWORKS NURSERY RHYMES
THE WHEELS ON THE BUS

Illustrated by: Elliot Kreloff

Published: July 11, 2017

Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books

Fiction/Board Book/Play Mat


A great way to get toddlers excited about reading is to make reading books fun! These two nursery rhyme sets are the perfect start to their reading adventure. I know that I sang "The Wheels on the Bus" and "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" to our kids and we had books that went along with the nursery rhyme as well. In fact, those were probably the first two nursery rhymes they learned.

These two book sets include a mini board book, a wooden vehicle (bus or tractor) and a plastic play mat. While you are reading (or singing) the rhyme to your toddler, they can drive the tractor along the road visiting the animals on the mat or drive through town with the bus.



The set comes in a carrying case with a handle. So these would be perfect for traveling. The playmat is approximately 22 x 17 inches and folds up nicely into the carrying case.

 
As you can see in the photos the vehicles and the books are perfectly sized for toddler's little hands. They can hold the book by themselves and the vehicle without any difficulty. The words of the chorus are bolded in the books to make them stand out more. Children will have fun acting out the verses in the book with their very own playset.

If you have toddlers on your gift list, then I would recommend these reading playsets for them.
Elliot Kreloff - source
Elliot Kreloff has illustrated and designed a broad range of children’s books, including board books, early readers, and fiction and nonfiction picture books. He studied design and illustration at The Cooper Union in NYC, where he received a BFA and has an MA from Hunter College in theater directing. Elliot lives with his husband and daughter in New York City and Fire Island, NY. See more of Kreloff's books, HERE



I will be linking up this review on Booking Mama's regular Saturday feature, Kid Konnection. This is a place for bloggers to share posts related to children's and YA books. You will find spotlights, reviews, and sometimes even giveaways by clicking HERE, every Saturday.


Thanks to the publisher for providing copies of these books for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase these books through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com.

Monday, August 21, 2017

Book Review: How to Change A Life By Stacey Ballis

HOW TO CHANGE A LIFE 

By: Stacey Ballis

Published: August 15, 2017

Publisher: Berkley

Fiction




Three Chicago freshmen meet on the first day of school in English class and become the best of friends thanks to their beloved teacher, Mrs. O'Conner. But, now that they are adults, life has pulled them apart a bit. Lynne lives the glamorous, high-powered life in LA. Teresa still lives in Chicago and is married with kids. Eloise is living her dream as a personal chef in Chicago after living in Paris for several years. When all of them run into each other at the funeral for Mrs. O'Conner, they resolve to stay in touch and even complete a bucket list before they all turn forty.

The book mostly focuses on Eloise and her life with her clients that she cooks for, her mom and aunt, and her chef BFF, Marcy. I found all the characters current and relatable and could see this story playing out in real life. In the beginning, Eloise feels like she has a pretty good life. She is happy to live in her house with her state-of-the-art kitchen and sweet Corgi. She doesn't need a man in her life after what happened in Paris and is content to be a personal chef. Once she reconnects with her high-school friends and the bucket list bet is created, the reader sees Eloise step out of her comfort zone and start to make some changes in her life. I loved the bet and how each woman was challenged to try something different in their life. From spicing up a marriage to networking to being creative, it even inspired me a bit to find ways to add to my own life.

One of Eloise's challenges is to go on dates and she ends up meeting someone that she really connects with. When their relationship comes up on a hurdle that seems insurmountable, Eloise must decide what is really important in her life and how to manage the relationships that could be impacted. I found this development to the story interesting and how each of the people she trusts offered a piece of advice that was helpful to Eloise.

Since Eloise is a chef, the book includes many descriptions of amazing dishes and meals. At times my mouth was watering and at other times I felt the litany of food that was served to be excessive. The author is also a foodie and you can tell she has a passion for it in her writing. Recipes are included at the end of the book for food that was a major part of the story. I definitely want to try the Cornflake Cookies.

This is a very discussable book because the characters are so relatable and there are many situations to reflect upon. I could see book clubs reading this book and making the recipes to enjoy while discussing. This book is light-hearted, even though the topics are realistically heavy at times. But, you will find yourself laughing, maybe crying, and possibly wanting to adopt a Corgi.




Stacey Ballis - source
Stacey Ballis is the author of ten foodie novels. She has also authored a cookbook and is a contributing author to the several anthologies. Her non-fiction cooking pieces can be read at ExtraCrispy.com and Bake From Scratch Magazine. For more check out her website, HERE

To purchase a copy of HOW TO CHANGE A LIFE, click the photo below:



Thanks to the publisher for sending this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com.  

Friday, August 18, 2017

Children's Book Review: Duck and Hippo Lost and Found by Jonathan London

DUCK AND HIPPO LOST AND FOUND

By: Jonathan London

Illustrated by: Andrew Joyner

Published: August 15, 2017

Publisher: Two Lions

I am thrilled to introduce you to another adventure with Duck and Hippo. The first book, DUCK AND HIPPO IN THE RAINSTORM was a delightful story of an unlikely friendship and I've been anxiously waiting for the new adventure to arrive.

Hippo and Duck are the best of friends even though they may not be the most likely pair. They want to celebrate the end of summer and decide to have a picnic with all of their friends. Everyone arrives at the pond with their favorite goodies and just when they are about to eat, Hippo realizes he forgot to bring food to share. Not willing to partake without contributing, he sets off to find some berries in the woods. Unfortunately, as the title suggests, Hippo gets lost...or does he? It's another silly adventure with Duck, Hippo, and their friends that your child will get a kick out of reading.

I adore the colors, the expressions, and the large letters to help children identify the words to read on the pages. Elephant's surprised face or Hippo's joyful "Hello" is sure to engage the kids and get them excited to read the story along with their parents. I also appreciated how all of Hippo's friends wanted to wait to eat until he got back and then still put off their eating to go and find Hippo. The party wasn't going to happen without Hippo and teaches children about enduring friendships as well as manners.

I think these characters could get into lots of silly adventures and keep your children interested for years to come! There are also some fun activity pages to go along with the book. You can download those, HERE.

This Giveaway is now closed. Annette was the lucky winner! Thanks to all who entered! 

Two Lions is generously giving away a set of the Duck and Hippo books--DUCK AND HIPPO IN THE RAINSTORM and DUCK AND HIPPO LOST AND FOUND--to one lucky US resident. Check out the rules below and enter to win by completing the form below.




Jonathan London - source

Jonathan London has written more than one hundred children's books, including the bestselling Froggy series, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz. He is the author of the popular Duck and Hippo series, illustrated by Andrew Joyner. Many of his books explore nature, among them Flamingo Sunset, illustrated by Kristina Rodanas, and Little Penguin: The Emperor of Antarctica, illustrated by Julie Olson. He is also the author of the Aaron's Wilderness middle-grade series, illustrated by his son Sean London. Jonathan lives in Graton, California. Learn more online at www.jonathan-london.net.


Andrew Joyner - source
Andrew Joyner is an illustrator, author, and cartoonist based in South Australia. He has illustrated a number of picture books, and he wrote and illustrated a chapter book series about a warthog named Boris. He is the illustrator of the popular Duck and Hippo series, written by Jonathan London. He has also illustrated for newspapers and magazines, including the Wall Street Journal, Reader's Digest, and Rolling Stone magazine, among others. Learn more online at www.andrewjoyner.com.au.

To purchase a copy of DUCK AND HIPPO LOST AND FOUND, click the photo below:





I will be linking up this review on Booking Mama's regular Saturday feature, Kid Konnection. This is a place for bloggers to share posts related to children's and YA books. You will find spotlights, reviews, and sometimes even giveaways by clicking HERE, every Saturday.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Quick Lit: Mini Reviews of Some Recent Reads - August Edition



I'm trying to read more books that I choose for my own reading enjoyment. Not for review, but because I've been wanting to read them or they caught my attention. Most of them have been talked about ad nauseam or have been on my to-read list for a long time so they don't really need a full review. But, I'd still like to give them some space here on the blog.

I'll be linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy and her monthly Quick Lit link up. Be sure to head over to see others link up their Quick Lit posts. 

Right now audio books are a great way for me to read the books I've been wanting to read. I either get them through the Bridges account through my library or I purchase them on Audible. It's a great way to always have a book on hand!


By: Kelly Corrigan
Published: January 8, 2008
Publisher: Hachette Books
Format: Audio Book

I listened to this book on audio and it held my attention all the way through. The author doesn't read it, but I felt like she was. The narrator was sincere and easy to listen to. 

Corrigan shares stories of growing up as her dad's "Lovey". She is the quintessential "Daddy's Girl" even as an adult woman who lives all the way across the country. After becoming a mom to two delightful girls, the author finds out she has breast cancer. Even though this is a big part of the book, it doesn't overshadow the love she shares as a wife, mother, and especially a daughter. When her father is diagnosed, the third time, with cancer while she is going through her own cancer treatment, her view of life changes. But again, it is a lovely memoir of a daughter, wife, and mother going through the stages of life and all those lessons that appear more vivid as we look back on them. She's a great writer who is honest, witty, and real. Just when I was thinking, "I can't believe she said that!", the author would say, "I know I can't believe I said that either." Lots of Aha moments and life-altering events to identify with. 


By: Hope Jahren
Published: April 5, 2016
Publisher: Knopf
Format: Audio Book

This book kept popping up on my radar through book podcasts or on blogs that I regularly read. This told me I would probably like it. So, after purchasing a subscription to Audible due to a great deal, this book was my first purchase. 

I love nature and plants, even though I don't have the greenest thumb like my mom does. I still enjoy caring for my plants, trees, and flowers. I actually cried last summer when we had to cut down our beloved tree of 13 years. Thankfully, we have since planted a new one to replace it. Trees, plants, and flowers have always been a part of my life and I was hoping this book would stir up my love of plants and it did. Hope Jahren narrates her own book, sometimes with so much emotion, that I cried along with her. She went to college for literature, but her father was a scientist and had his own lab at the college. She was meant to have her own lab and through many toils and troubles and heartache, she did finally get her own lab. 

Her story is depressing at times and she admittedly has some issues with mental illness. But, her stories of becoming a mother and her research into a tiny seed and what she learned from it were emotional and fascinating. She is a slower narrator, so I listened at a faster speed which seemed to help me in the beginning. Pick this up if you love nature or personal stories of someone working hard to reach their goals. 


By: Faye Porter
Published: April 15, 2013
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Format: Hardcover

I purchased this book right when it came out and have skimmed it a few times since then. But this week I decided to actually dig in and read it and try out a recipe. I was attracted to this book because of the cover and the illusion of good ol' family recipes....handed down from generations. Our family has many such recipes, but I grew up watching my mom make these recipes, not my grandma as she passed away before I was born. This book made me wish I had known her.

Porter first wrote AT MY GRANDMOTHER'S KNEE and I'm thinking I have to check this one out too. Just reading through the recipes and stories take me back in time and make me want to just cook for my family all day long. I decided to try making Mammy's Southern Fried Chicken and Cream Gravy.  It took me 1 1/2 hours and I made it ahead in the afternoon and just kept the chicken warm in the crock pot til supper. It was more time and effort than I normally put into cooking a meal, but I enjoyed the process and of course, eating it. It was delicious and the best part was my husband said it tasted like his mom's. 

Other recipes that are tempting me include Babe's Sunday Morning Flapjacks, Banana Butterscotch Bread, Nana's Ham and Cheesies, Baked Beans A La Mimi, and Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie to name a few. There were also several recipes that are part of our family favorites as well and we aren't "Southern" but reminded me how much I love those simple family recipes. These Southern recipes are for anyone that loves home cooking no matter what part of the country you live in. Even though not every recipe includes a photo, I did love all the photos of Grandmas and their grandchildren as well as their stories.

   


These reviews are my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase a book through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Friday, August 11, 2017

Children's Book Review: Two Books to Get Your Child Ready for School

KISSES FOR KINDERGARTEN

By: Livingstone Crouse

Illustrated by: Macky Pamintuan

Published: June 13, 2017

Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books

Fiction/Picture Book

Stella Isabella Harden has decided she doesn't need to go to school. She can get everything that she would learn at Kindergarten by staying home and playing school with her dog Buster. Stella and Buster are the best of friends and do everything together. Until the end of the day when Stella wants to read a story to Buster but doesn't know how. Maybe going to Kindergarten wouldn't be so bad.

Stella and her dog, Buster, are adorable and their joy seeps off the pages. The words are written in a rhyming scheme and the kids will be able to notice them which is good for early literacy. In fact, some of them are quite clever.

"When snack time came, a little later
Stella thought her educator
would fancy sipping cups of tea.
Yet that was simply not to be."

The artist's illustrations are precise, vibrant, and show all the emotions whether it is coming from Stella or Buster. A non-reader would be able to understand the story just by looking at the pictures that fill the whole page. There is no doubt Stella is a happy child and has a lovable dog as a pet. 



The theme of the book is also perfect for calming a child's fear about the first day of Kindergarten. The best part of Stella's day are the kisses she gets from Buster when she gets home!


Silver Dolphin Books is offering a KISSES FOR KINDERGARTEN prize pack complete with a signed copy of the book, a plush golden retriever, and a playtime wand. 

To enter, you'll need to (1) like our Instagram account and (2) tag a friend. All entries must be submitted by August 16th, midnight PST. The prize pack winner will be announced on August 17th. AND as an added bonus, we'll select 5 additional winners to receive a signed copy of the book! One entry per person. US residents only.

Livingstone Crouse has spent the last 20 years either selling, editing, or writing books for children. He's even done all three at once! So recently he decided he'd focus entirely on writing the kinds of books he likes to read, books in verse that are filled with heart, word-play, and lots of laughs. Books like this one. Livingstone lives in a large, 200-year old farmhouse in New York's Hudson Valley with his husband and a dog named Kat. (And you can be fairly certain that Livingstone Crouse is not his real name. But don't tell anyone!)

Macky Pamintuan was born and raised in Davao, a city in the southern Philippines. As a young child, drawing was his favorite pastime and an activity that brought him delight and satisfaction. Early on, his parents discovered that giving him paper and pencil was a sure way to keep him busy, quiet, and out of trouble. He still remembers the day when he successfully drew Mickey Mouse and Superman, a huge breakthrough and a sweet triumph. He moved to San Francisco at age 21 and in 1998 enrolled at the Academy of Art College to pursue illustration. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in December 2003. When not illustrating, Macky enjoys playing basketball, his other true passion.
To purchase a copy of KISSES FOR KINDERGARTEN, click the photo below:
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS
WEIRD BUT TRUE DAILY PLANNER
365 Days to Fill with School, Sports, Friends, and Fun
Published: June 13, 2017
Publisher: National Geographic Kids
Non-Fiction/Planner

I am a planner geek! I love planners, making lists, and keeping track of my schedule. If I was 10 again, I would be ALL OVER THIS BOOK!
First of all, this planner is covered in a heavy cardboard, but the inside is spiral bound so it will lay flat and hold up to your child taking it in and out of his locker or school bag. Your child can fill in their class schedule in the beginning pages. Then at the start of each month, there is a space for planning out goals. In our school, students have to set goals with their teacher, whether it involves reading or math or behavior. This is a great spot to work on goals for home or school. Each page holds two days with plenty of space for your child to write down their assignments, practices, and reminders. 

The planner pages also have fun facts throughout the whole planner with many coinciding with the particular holiday or weird "national day". Many of these "weird but true" facts will give your child something to talk to his friends about at school. Did you know it's considered good luck to wear yellow underwear on New Year's Day? In England, black cats are considered good luck. Not bad luck like they are here in the US.


The planner runs August-July but can be adapted for any year since your child just circles the days of the week on the pages. So, this book can work through the summer to keep track of practices and camps and family vacation schedules too. At the end of the book, there are numerous pages considered "homework help". You'll find maps, tips on writing a report, and reminders on how to remember animal classifications. There are also charts for the metric system and multiplication.


Most upper elementary and middle school kids will benefit from the use of a daily planner. Our school requires each student to have one as it is a great way to communicate with parents about what your child has for homework or what papers need to be signed. The only flaw is that this planner doesn't have any pockets for bringing home those papers. But, it's a very minor detail and the rest of the planner is so great I can ignore that.
This would make a great gift for a child starting school. I'll be gifting my copy to a child that will love it!

To purchase a copy of WEIRD BUT TRUE DAILY PLANNER, click the photo below:


I will be linking up this review on Booking Mama's regular Saturday feature, Kid Konnection. This is a place for bloggers to share posts related to children's and YA books. You will find spotlights, reviews, and sometimes even giveaways by clicking HERE, every Saturday.



Thanks to the publishers for sending these books for the purpose of these reviews. These reviews are my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the books through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com.  

Monday, August 7, 2017

Book Review: Seven Threads By Jason Atkinson

SEVEN THREADS
A Book of Short Stories

By: Jason Atkinson

Published: July 4, 2017

Publisher: Mascot Books

Fiction/Short Story



Iowa City based author, Jason Atkinson, hasn't always been a reader. Hoping to identify both with those who love novels and those who maybe like reading shorter books, Atkinson has written a collection of seven short stories. Each of these stories involves someone dealing with a troubling situation and human compassion offered to give hope. Since these are short stories, you can read one in a less than an hour. The stories aren't connected so you can read one story at a time without worry of forgetting characters or situations. But, there is a recurring theme of not giving up and there can be a way out for those who are struggling.

These seven stories include a man accused of murdering his friend, a man who was once respected in his community has found himself homeless, a lonely man whose life is changed by a chance meeting in a coffee shop, a scientist who gets involved in a government conspiracy, and a brother who says his final goodbye. But my favorite two stories involved a runaway teenager on a train and a checkout clerk who brings joy to a family at Christmas. Both of these stories left me wanting to know more and elicited emotions from me while reading. Maybe it has to do with my own personal interests or maybe because these two stories felt real to me and the author was spot on in his descriptions.

Since these are all short stories, they are without the details I'm used to in reading longer novels. In these stories, the author gets right to the point without adding any extra information or time between situations. But, the stories still include depth and description to offer the reader emotion and visuals into the character's situation. Since most of these stories offer sadness, the author has to convey these emotions without being too wordy and he does so succinctly. The only story that I felt too rushed and contrived was the scientist story. It didn't seem to go with the rest of the collection and was a bit too unrealistic for me.

Overall, I enjoyed this short story collection because in each story there was a glimmer of hope that the character would recover from their situation. The encouragement and compassion in these stories reminded me to look for those situations in which I can offer empathy to another as I go about my day. 

Jason Atkinson
Jason Atkinson is 32 with a wife of over 10 years and one son, Ian of 17 months. Jason recently published his third book while living in Iowa City, Iowa where he has recently relocated. Originally, Jason was born and raised in the U.K. where he lived until he was 16 and then moved to the United States. 

Jason has written books to help others in their pursuit to become better individuals, both personally and professionally, and also wrote a workbook to help couples achieve a more enjoyable and well-rounded life together. His recent book, however, was written for those that love to read for fun. The book of short stories is full of twists and turns with a sense of inspirational awareness towards other human beings. 

You can always see more and contact Jason directly by going to his website. www.alifeofheart.com 

To purchase a copy of SEVEN THREADS, click the photo below:


Check out this short video of Jason Atkinson talking about his book:




Thanks to the author for sending a copy of his book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 



Friday, August 4, 2017

Children's Book Review: Time for Kids Big Book of Why Activity Book

THE BIG BOOK OF WHY ACTIVITY BOOK 

Published: July 18, 2017

Publisher: Time for Kids

Non-Fiction

Do your kids need more brain activity during the summer? In our area, we are down to three weeks until school starts. Getting them back in the mode of regular reading and brain work is important and your kids' teachers will thank you.

This activity book will be so fun, your kids won't even feel like it's brain work. They will find fun facts to talk about and then want to complete the puzzles on the pages to learn even more. For example, on one page they will learn about hair follicles and how many we might have on our heads and then on the next page, they will be challenged to draw a head of hair without ever lifting their pencil.

Are you fitting in one more road trip or plane ride this summer? Tuck this Activity book in their bag and know that your child will be kept busy for hours. Plus it is under $7 right now on Amazon! Your kids will learn about humans, space, earth, technology, science, and history and then can complete drawings, mazes, crosswords, unscramble words, do word puzzles, connect the dots, color, and so much more. All while doing these fun puzzles, they are soaking in facts that kids love learning about.

If I haven't convinced you yet, check out these downloadable pages to give you a good preview of the activities and facts packed into this book. Click this LINK. Also, don't worry if your kids (or you) get stumped on a puzzle, the answers are included in the back of the book.



I will be linking up this review on Booking Mama's regular Saturday feature, Kid Konnection. This is a place for bloggers to share posts related to children's and YA books. You will find spotlights, reviews, and sometimes even giveaways by clicking HERE, every Saturday.



Thanks to the publisher for sending this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com.