Juvenile Review - The Train by Jodie Callaghan

Ashley is walking home from school one day when she discovers her uncle by the weathered tracks of the old train station.  He sits her down and tells her how children from Reserves all over Canada were taken from their families and placed in Residential Schools, where they were not allowed to speak their language or follow their customs.  Ashley's uncle stresses not only the importance of remembering this part of their history so that it does not happen again, but also to remember what these children and their families lost through that experience.

This book is beautifully written and illustrated.  The author's physical and emotional descriptions make you feel as though you are there with Ashley's uncle as he tells his story.  The perfect book to teach elementary children about this dark side of our Canadian history.

I would like to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
#TheTrain  #NetGalley

Juvenile Review - The Slug Queen Chronicles: Season One by S.O. Thomas

On her 12th birthday, Cricket is given a gift that shows her unusual abilities were shared by someone close to her.  However, when Cricket and her best friend start to experiment with her gift, the people around her start behaving very oddly, there is black dust everywhere, and her baby brother has been replaced by some "thing."  A talking cat tells Cricket she is the only one who can save her brother and stop the dust from spreading.  However, Cricket must follow him into a strange land where Santa, fairies, and other magical creatures are real.  Can Cricket find her baby brother and stop the dust before it's too late?

I loved the imagination and detail that went into this book.  It reminded me, at times, of the movie Labyrinth that I loved as a teenager.  I loved how Cricket constantly found the courage to step outside her comfort zone even though it was not easy to know who to trust.  I also liked how people with different abilities were championed in this book. I look forward to reading future installments in this series. 

I would like to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.  #TheSlugQueenChronicles #NetGalley

Juvenile Review - Do Animals Believe in God by Carl Solomon Sr.

Daniel decides to ask various animals if they believe in God.  When he had gathered a number of responses, he returns home and asks his parents the same question.

I thought the whole concept behind this book was brilliant.  It explores not only a child's natural curiosity, but his curiosity about God and his spiritual growth.  The answers he receives from the animals help to secure his faith.  I've always told my children that robins sing praises to God morning and night, but this book makes all readers take notice that humans are not the only ones who can glorify God and appreciate the gifts they've been given. I would like to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. #DoAnimalsBelieveInGod  #NetGalley

Juvenile Review - The Story Web by Megan Frazer Blakemore

Everyone has a story. In The Story Web, by Megan Frazer Blakemore, Alice's father has left but we don't know where he's gone or why.. Now Alice is questioning everything he ever told her. When Alice found an enormous web in the woods as a child, her Dad told her it was woven with everyone's stories and kept the world together. This now seems ridiculous...until animals start coming to Alice from the woods, and the strange girl from school tells her that unless Alice fixes the story web the world will end.

I loved how everyone's story took time to spin and reveal their truths and connections to other people's stories. I feel the author did a good job fleshing out Alice, Lewis, and Melanie's characters. I also liked the essential role animals played in the book. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review. I rated this book 5 stars. #NetGalley #TheStoryWeb

Juvenile Review - The Star Shepherd by Dan Haring and MarcyKate Connolly

What a unique, original, and interesting story about the stars!  Eleven year old Kyro helps his Star Shepherd father retrieve stars that have fallen so they can return them to the sky.  The stars were originally put there by the Elders of their civilization, to keep the dark creatures away.  When more and more stars begin falling, and glimpses of the dark creatures begin to occur, Kyro's father goes to investigate and disappears. Kyro is now left with the responsibilities of shepherding the stars back to the sky, finding out what happened to his father, and saving his world before the dark creatures take over.

Kyro is a likeable and sympathetic hero that readers will root for.  His friend Andra is a loyal and true friend who does not allow the prejudices of her elders stop her from doing the right thing.  The author does a good job showing the effect grief and loss can have on both the young and old, and how important it is to share and communicate.  I feel like there could be a sequel to this story in the future, and I look forward to reading it.  4 stars.

Juvenile Review - This is not a picture book! by Sergio Ruzzier

A cute picture book that says it is not a picture book.  This beautifully illustrated book shows the power of words and different feelings you can get from reading a book.  At one point, however, the duck kicks the book away and calls it "stupid." My kids were not allowed to say this "s" word growing up, and I would substitute it for a different word if I read this to a classroom. 4 stars.

Juvenile Review - DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOK! by Michaela Muntean

This book really reminded me of Sesame Street's The Monster at the End of This Book (starring Grover of course). It's funny, really draws the reader into turning the pages (even though they are told repeatedly not to) while teaching them the importance of words and putting words together to mean something. The illustrations add to the learning and humour, and two little spiders have their own interactions as the story goes along. I can't wait to read this to a classroom - the children will love it! 4 stars.