Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment by Chris Grabenstein and James Patterson This book is about Max Einstein, a twelve year old orphan. She’s homeless, but still works out ways to get an education. One day, she’s recruited by an organization to participate in a competition. Max would love to win, but she disagrees with the tests and what is considered important. All the time, there is an evil company trying to get her…….What happens is so fun and I got taken on an amazing ride with this book. I loved it!
The Last Bear by Hannah Gold April is a young girl who lives with her dad. She tries to have a normal life, but it’s hard when her dad has changed a lot. Then, one day, her dad gets a notice, saying that he has a new job on Bear Island. April is thrilled, hoping that she’ll get to have fun with her dad. But, nothing has changed. April is bored again, until she meets a polar bear which isn’t supposed to be there. I loved this book and what it talks about so much. It’s an amazing book!
Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi Rea is a twelve year old girl whose brother has just been kidnapped. Her mother and grandmother seem to take it that he’s gone, but Rea knows she can save him. So she visits Mishti Daadi, an old fortune teller with her sort-of friend, Leela. Mishti Daadi gives her riddles and with these riddles and her dreams, she realizes that it is possible to save her brother. As the story progresses, there are twists and turns around every corner. I loved this book so, so much and I totally recommend it to you!
Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi This is the second book in the Aru Shah series. Aru is a pandava. She’s been accused of stealing the god of love’s (Kamadeva) bow and arrow, but she knows it wasn’t her. Now she has until the next full moon to go on a quest with her two “soul-sisters” Mini and Brynne and her other friend, Aiden. I love the Indian mythology in this book and how everything is so descriptive. I loved this book!
The Dragon Warrior by Katie Zhao Faryn Liu is a twelve year old girl who has dreams of defeating monsters and honoring her family and the gods, but how can she do that when her family is shunned by almost everyone else? One day, she helps to kill a nian, a mythical beast. From then on, she is proclaimed the Heaven Breaker and has to get on several tasks to prove it. I loved this book so much and all the twists and turns that came with it. It’s so amazing!
The Mysterious Benedict Society: The Prisoner’s Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart In the third book of the Mr. Benedict series, the stakes are higher than ever. Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance are in big trouble when one day, a blackout engulfs Stontown. Constance is missing and they almost find her and are safe, but of course the enemies are one step ahead of them. I loved the thrilling twists and turns and all the puzzles in the book. It’s so fun and I enjoyed it so much!
I recently received a copy of A Girl’s Bill of Rights by Amy B Mucha to read and review. This book talks about all the rights a girl has and it has fun illustrations to go along with it.
What I enjoyed about this book:
I loved how educative it was. Young girls can learn a lot from this book about who they are and who they can be.
It’s a perfect book for young girls in the 1st to 4th grade.
I can see it being read aloud in classrooms across the country. I can see creative teachers adding in fun discussions and activities to supplement the book.
I also loved the vivid and vibrant illustrations by Addy Rivera Sonda. They conveyed the image well and I thought they were perfect to go along with the book.
This year for Valentine’s Day, I made two things, a strawberry ombre cake and a wreath. Both were very simple, but I loved making them and had a lot of fun.
This is a new feature which I’m introducing on my blog. At the end of every month, I’ll write a list of around 5-7 books which I really enjoyed reading the month. Hope you enjoy!
Best Books I read in January 2021
The Magnus Chase Series by Rick Riordan This series is about Magnus Chase, a 16 year old boy who lives in Boston. He’s homeless and has two good friends, Hearth and Blitz. But when he accidentally dies, he opens up a whole new world of Norse myths and legends. These books are really amazing and they’re definitely one of my top.
The Giver by Lois Lowry This is the first book in a quartet. Jonas, a 11 year old boy, lives in a “perfect” world where there is no poverty, war, or overpopulation. But good things, such as music and color have also disappeared from their lives. When he meets the Giver, he finally learns what his life is, and what it could be. I really enjoyed reading the series, with all of the suspense and twists. It’s an amazing book.
Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk This book tells the story of 12 year old Crow, a girl who was abandoned and now lives off the coast of Massachusetts. She wants answers about her past, almost desperately and her two guardians support her, though a bit reluctantly. I loved following Crow in this journey to learn about who she really is. It’s a great book!
Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories by Agatha Christie This book contains mysteries, some of which have almost never been solved. Miss Marple is a old lady, who has seen and learnt more than anybody could guess. I loved reading about all of these puzzles and how Miss Marple outwits everyone else every time. This is one of those books my parents have also read and enjoyed. It is fun talking to them about it.
Aster’s Good Right Things by Kate Gordon Aster is a young girl who doesn’t feel special at all, but she goes to a school for gifted kids. The only way she copes is by doing her “good, right things”. As a young girl with an anxiety disorder, she believes that the world will fall apart if she stops. Then she meets Xavier and she starts having fun. I really enjoyed the book about finding friends and support.
The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price by Jennifer Maschari I loved this amazing book about dealing with grief. Charlie has been noticing that his sister’s been acting unusual. He follows her to another world, one where his mom is still alive. He’s happy….at first. He realizes that something is wrong though. With the help of his friends, he comes up with a plan to escape the other world for good. I really loved this book and the magical element to it.
I was gifted a copy of The Last Cherry Blossom by Kathleen Burkinshaw as a part of Multicultural Children’s Book Day. This book is about the nuclear bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima during World War II in the eyes of a 12 year old girl named Yuriko.
Yuriko lives a normal life with her Papa, aunt, and annoying cousin. She goes to school everyday and is, for the most part, happy. Some things are changing though. While they aren’t big changes at first, she knows that there is war, even if it doesn’t directly affect her life. That is, until a bomb is dropped on a town neighboring hers. She is forced to leave her home, but a series of events lead her back to Hiroshima. She is there when the bomb is dropped. The effects are devastating. Her best friend and her papa both died in it and her step mother also dies, though her death is later on. She also has some side effects, including a bloated face and she’s lost both her eyebrows. Yuriko’s life has changed drastically, while she question her true family and her new life after the bomb is dropped.
I interviewed the author, Kathleen Burkinshaw, and here are my questions and her answers.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT THIS WAS THE RIGHT TOPIC TO WRITE YOUR BOOK ABOUT?
“It actually had to do with my daughter when she was in 7th grade. She had overheard kids talking about the cool mushroom cloud picture in the history books and this upset her greatly. She asked if I would talk to her class about people under the cloud that day-like her Grandma. So I actually started by speaking with students for a year or so and then a teacher asked if I might be thinking of doing a book. I had been writing my mother’s story for my daughter to have someday, so with my mother’s blessing, I wrote The Last Cherry Blossom. I also realized that students didn’t really know how children in Japan lived during the war. Two paragraphs and a picture in a textbook is not enough. I wanted to show that just because they were in Japan, the children still loved their family, worried what might happen to their loved ones, and wished for peace-all the same thoughts that the Allied children had. I really wanted to show that the ones we may think are “our enemy” are not always so different from ourselves. I think that same message is needed today more than ever before.”
WAS THERE ANYONE THAT INSPIRED YOUR CHARACTERS?
“The characters are inspired mostly by real people. Obviously my Mom, as well as how she described her Papa, stepmother, her “aunt”, and her friend.”
IF YOU COULD GIVE ANY ADVICE TO OTHERS WHO WANT TO WRITE SOMEDAY, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM?
“First I would say that they should read as many books in the genre they wish to write. Also, that there is no “perfect” time to write, write as much as you can (like a blog, perhaps? Definitely a good start!) ..And not focus on how good it has to be- Just start that first sentence, first paragraph and if you write from your heart you can never go wrong.”
WERE THERE ANY OTHER BOOKS THAT INSPIRED YOUR WRITING?
“Yes, Japanese American author Cynthia Kadohata is a favorite of mine. Her book Weedflower is the first historical fiction book I ever read that had a character like myself in it.(I was in my 30’s) I never had one when I was your age.”
WHAT WERE YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS GROWING UP?
“I loved reading as many Nancy Drew Mysteries I could get my hands on! I also loved Little Women. Also any books that were written by Judy Blume.”
ARE YOU CURRENTLY WRITING ANY OTHER BOOKS? IF SO, CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT IT/THEM?
“I am working on the sequel to The Last Cherry Blossom. It takes place 4 years later and deals a lot with the PTSD symptoms and survivor guilt that my mom experienced. Also, how she deals with a new family-her birth father and his wife as well as trying to open her heart to another friend. I’m doing a lot of research on the American Occupation in Japan after the war ended so I can write about how she dealt with it.”
Thank you Kathleen Burkinshaw for giving me a copy of this book and answering my questions!
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2021 (1/29/21) is in its 8th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.
Eight years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues. Read about our Mission & History HERE.
MCBD 2021 is honored to be Supported by these Medallion Sponsors!
Join us on Friday, Jan 29, 2021, at 9 pm EST for the 8th annual Multicultural Children’s Book Day Twitter Party!
This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.
We will be giving away an 8-Book Bundle every 5 minutes plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants welcome. **
Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. See you all very soon on Twitter!
Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.
Merry Christmas everyone! I decided to share a winter recipe to start off the holiday season, so here is how you make white chocolate and cranberry cookies!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup softened butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ cup white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line the cookie sheets.
In a bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar.
Beat in the egg and vanilla.
Combine the flour and baking soda in a different bowl, then stir into the first mixture.
Mix in the white chocolate chips and cranberries.
Roll into small balls and place them on the cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 minutes in the oven. Allow cookies to cool on wire racks.
Enjoy!
These cookies are really delicious and I loved making and eating them. I gifted these homemade cookies to our neighbors. It’s a perfect treat for the holidays. I hope you like them!
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a great series by Rick Riordan. There are ups and down, laughter and tears. It’s full of mythology, but also has an added touch which you’ll discover if you read the books. Each book leads into the next, and I can guarantee you won’t be able to put it down.
1. The Characters
I love learning about the characters ups and downs and how they have progressed through the story. It’s so fun to see how much they’ve matured and changed throughout the course of 5 books. (In which the main characters age from 12-16). I especially love the realism and how the characters seem to come to life in my head. It’s a crazy ride, starting from barely knowing someone to crying when they die.
2. The Plot
What would a good book be without a good plot? This series has funny moments and tearful moments, moments of extreme joy, and times where you hope for the best. With unexpected twists at every page, what you expect is never what’s going to happen. The plot always makes me want to go back and dive deep into the book. Rick Riordan writes in so much detail that it’s always a great read.
3. The Mythology
Rick Riordan takes Greek mythology, then twists it to come up with the most marvelous things. These books include heroes like the Greek gods and goddesses and monsters like the minotaurs or empousas. I’ve definitely learned a lot from this series. While it might not be totally accurate, I definitely know a lot more than I did 2 years ago.
4. The Other Series
There are so many other series born out of this one. Currently, the Percy Jackson universe has come to a close, with 5 series, but you never know. Maybe we’ll get another one. Everything starts falling into place as you read the other series, especially the Heroes of Olympus. It’s so amazing to keep seeing these characters growing and changing in front of my eyes, through, and I am really excited to read the other series.
I’ve had so much fun while reading this series. I really enjoy these books and I totally encourage you to check out all of them!
This Diwali, I learned how to make a simple and quick payasam. It was delicious and I really enjoyed the making of it, so I decided to share the recipe with you! By the way, this is a shortcut payasam which takes only about 15-20 minutes.
Ingredients
3 tbsp warm milk
1/4 tsp cardamom seeds
pinch of saffron
1 tbsp ghee
3 tbsp chopped nuts (you can also add raisins)
1/2 cup roasted seemiya
2 1/2 cup warm whole milk
1/2 cup condensed milk
Directions
Soak the saffron and cardamom in the 3 tbsp warm milk and set to side.
In a non-stick pan, heat ghee, and fry nuts.
Once the nuts are golden brown, remove and put on a plate.
In the same pan, add the seemiya.
Add the 2 1/2 cup whole milk to the seemiya.
Let it cook for 7 minutes.
Now add the condensed milk.
Add the nuts and the saffron/cardamom/milk mixture.
Last month, I participated in #mgbooktober on Instagram. #Mgbooktober is a fun book challenge which requires you to post something every day. I decided to share a few of my favorite posts on my blog as well. You can check out my other posts on Instagram and hopefully follow me!
Halloween is a great time to explore some spooky reads. That’s why I have put together a list of 3 great Halloween reads.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman This spooky book talks about family, friendship, and courage. This book is perfect if you want to have a bit of a scare, but not that much. The whole idea of the book is fantastical and I love it. This has definitely been one of my favorite books this year and I definitely recommend it to you.
Ghost Squad by Claribel Ortega This book talks about friendship and family. I got immersed in the story of the 2 friends, Syd and Lucely and their crazy adventure with ghosts. The magical element in this book was perfect and I know that I definitely loved it. I totally recommend this. It was such a great book!
Nightbooks by J. A White This book is a modern day Scheherazade story, just woven a bit differently. It talks about friendship and trust and how you can overcome someone with love. The idea of the magical witch, Natasha, is enough to give anyone shivers down their spines, but as you continue reading and get a closer look at her life, you start to realize what has happened leading to her. An amazing and spooky read, perfect for Halloween.
These are some of my favorite Halloween reads! What are your favorites?
