Rachel Reads & Reviews

Do you ever wonder?

Do you ever wonder what happens to authors who somewhat drop off the Earth? For example, Fiona Dunbar who wrote the Lulu Baker series and several other children’s books pretty much finished output 12 years ago. While she’s still active enough on twitter so people know she’s alive, I still wonder about other authors. Like…

rachelbeerwoman

September 18, 2022

Uncategorized

#fionadunbar, #hachettebookgroup, #lulubakertrilogy, #rachelreads&reviews, #randommusings, #rhondastapleton, #stupidcupidtrilogy

Book Highlight: Every Body Looking

This has some commonalities with Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X following a girl’s coming of age story featuring first gen problems in verse form. However, Ada’s story takes a different track. Her name in Igbo means “first child” befitting how she shoulders the expectations and pressures of everyone else, trying to be a good Catholic…

rachelbeerwoman

September 17, 2022

Book/Author Highlight

#candiceiloh, #comingofage, #everybodylooking, #penguinrandomhouse, #rachelreads&reviews, #YA

Celeb-inspired mysteries

Now I’m not talking about books written by celebrities but books where these celebrities solve mysteries in their every-day lives. Like these below.

rachelbeerwoman

September 16, 2022

Book Suggestions

#adventuresofmarykateandashley, #alyandajsrocknrollmysteries, #bindiwildlifeadventures, #mysteries, #rachelreads&reviews

My Bonny Light Horseman Review

Jacky Faber is back on the continent gaining glory, admirers and enemies by the dozens. We last left Jacky in a state of contentment, reunited with her Jaimy with plans to marry, and crossing the seas trading coal and ballasts for Faber Shipping Worldwide but good things never last for our favorite adventuress. Finally she’s…

rachelbeerwoman

September 15, 2022

Reviews

#bloodyjackadventures, #harcourtchildrensbooks, #historicalfiction, #lameyer, #mybonnylighthorseman, #nautical, #rachelreads&reviews

Cynthia Leitich Smith Interview

1. While there’s a call for diversity in literature these days and an audience for these stories, what was it like in the beginning for you to break into this industry to share your stories focusing on your heritage? My first book manuscript, JINGLE DANCER, sold in the late 1990s and was published…

rachelbeerwoman

September 14, 2022

Interview

#cynthialeitichsmith, #fiction, #heartsunbroken, #indianshoes, #indigenousliterature, #jingledancer, #rachelreads&reviews, #rainisnotmyindianname, #representation

Mississippi Jack Review

I last left Jacky Faber free from the vicious slaveship Bloodhound only to be taken into British custody just as she was about to reunite with Jaimy Fletcher. Luckily, a masterful performance by the faithful Higgins gets her out of that bind. Unfortunately, she can’t hide out in her beloved Boston with all the authorities…

rachelbeerwoman

September 13, 2022

Reviews

#bloodyjackadventure, #harcourtchildrensbooks, #historicalfiction, #lameyer, #mississippijack, #nautical, #rachelreads&reviews

In the Belly of the Bloodhound

At last I return to sea-faring adventures of one impulsive Jacky Faber. Last seen fleeing the Great Battle at Traflgar with a pricy bounty on her head, Jacky escapes back to Boston, leaving her beloved Jaimy Fletcher behind. While she intially plans to be a girl and continue her learning at the Lawson Peabody School…

rachelbeerwoman

September 12, 2022

Reviews

#adventure, #bloodyjack, #harcourtchildrensbooks, #historicalfiction, #inthebellyofthebloodhound, #lameyer, #nauticalfiction

Art Books

Aren’t art books great. You get more insight to some of your favorite shows or movies, see background art in full lush color, creator commentary, insight to production ideas and unseen art. It’s amazing to see how much thought and detail that goes into production. Obviously art books are objective since they usually cater to…

rachelbeerwoman

September 9, 2022

Book Suggestions

#artbooks, #artoftheanimatedseries, #avatarthelastairbender, #bryankonietzko, #darkhorsecomics, #disney, #disneyhyperion, #disneyvillains:delightfullyevil, #jendarcy, #kennethplume, #michaeldimartino, #rachelreads&reviews, #theartofducktales

The Mad Girls of New York Review

Since interviewing Maya Rodale, I’ve been eager to get my hands on her historical fiction novel on one of the U.S.’s most famous roving reporter in one of her most famous pieces-“Ten Days in a Madhouse” and finally the library has come through! And you can see the heart of the story in the dedication…

rachelbeerwoman

September 8, 2022

Reviews

#historicalfiction, #mayarodale, #nelliebly, #penguinrandomhouse, #rachelreads&reviews, #themadgirlsofnewyork

Princess Academy Review

I am on a roll here with yet another childhood staple (and Newbery Honor winner) I missed when I was young. I’ll admit I skipped it because I thought it was yet another Cinderella adaptation. Those are everywhere! But I was wrong and I’m glad I finally did read this. Hale’s wholly original tale takes…

rachelbeerwoman

September 7, 2022

Reviews

#bloomsbury, #fantasy, #middlegrade, #princessacademy, #rachelreads&reviews, #shannonhale