NetGalley Reviews In A Flash

NetGalley Reviews In A Flash

I have been really behind on my reviews, both here and on NetGalley, so I thought I would do one post highlighting the books I have read and what I loved about them. Short and sweet, but giving them the attention they deserve!

Alright, ready for this? Let’s go!

The Derby Daredevils: Kenzie Kickstarts a Team

(The Derby Daredevils Book #1) by Kit Rosewater; Sophie Escabasse

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Thank you Abrams Kids/Amulet Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. One of my favorite graphic novels is by Victoria Jamison and it is called Roller Girl. This is what started my fascination with Roller Derby (although I do remember watching some as a kid) and when I saw this cover pop up all over my Twitter, I knew I had to grab a copy! I feel so lucky that I got one too.

I gave this book 4 stars and already have it ready to order in the fall when I get back to my classroom. This book is a perfect fit for 6th graders because of it’s accessibility to a wide-range of readers and the perfect themes for middle schoolers-those of friendship, identity, and perseverance.

I can’t wait for the next book! I love that it is a series.

My Life as a Potato

by Arianne Costner

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Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s for an eARC of this book. I gave this book 4 stars. It was laugh out loud funny, but also real and heartfelt. I was a new kid, in middle school, and I love books that touch on this topic. It is a hard thing to do, moving, and when you move to a small school where everyone already knows each other, that makes it even harder. I love that Ben, the main character, is trying to fit in, yet keeps messing it up! What a great book with strong themes and just so funny. It will be a favorite in my classroom.

When You Were Everything

by Ashley Woodfolk

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Thank you Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press and NetGalley for an eARC of this gutwrenching book. I gave it 4 stars and related to it so much. I think we have all lost friends along the way in our life and it is a tough path to navigate. When Cleo realizes her and Layla’s friendship is over, she tries to erase all of her memories of her. Following her journey of acceptance and growth was great and I will keep thinking about this book for quite some time.

Surprise Under the Stars (Creature Campers Book 2)

by Joe McGee

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Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an eARC of this hilarious and fun illustrated novel. I chose this book because my students LOVE reading on Epic and thought I should try out one of the “originals.” I have not read the first of this series, but I was still able to enjoy this adventurous story. The characters were fun and the bad guy was really awesome. I will definitely be recommending to my students.

The Queen Bee and Me

by Gillian McDunn

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Thank you Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. A lot of middle grade books that center on friendship are usually from the perspective of a friend being left behind. It was nice reading a book that came from a different side-one where a friend wants to expand her friend circle, but her BFF clings to her and begins showing her some negative sides of herself. I gave this book 3 stars and look forward to sharing with my students.

We, the Wildflowers

by L.B. Simmons

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Thank you NetGalley and Spencer Hill Press for sharing an eARC of this book. It is a Young Adult book, so a little too mature for my sixth grade students. This book was eye-opening into the world of the foster system, suicide, and rehab for teens. I loved how the focus was on the friendship forged by the “Wildflowers” and the twists that kept me coming back to read more. I gave this book 3 stars.

Diana: Princess of the Amazons

by Shannon Hale; Dean Hale

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Thank you NetGalley and DC Entertainment for sharing an eARC of Shannon Hale’s newest book. I am a huge fan of Wonder Woman and so that is why I knew I had to read this book. It was a fun and engaging take on the classic story and one that my sixth graders will be drawn to. I gave this book 5 stars and will definitely be buying for my classroom.

Roll with It

by Jamie Sumner

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Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing/ Atheneum Books for Young Readers for granting me an eARC of this middle grade novel. The cover is what grabbed me at the start and made me want to read it-I mean, a girl in a wheelchair spinning a pie on her finger? Yes please! I gave this book 5 stars because of Ellie, the main character, and her straight-forward, strong attitude. She is such a fighter and is independent and I enjoy reading about those kinds of characters. She lifted others up and I will definitely be sharing this book with my sixth graders to lift them up and give them confidence.

Beverly, Right Here

by Kate DiCamillo

Thank you NetGalley and Candlewick Press for the eARC of Kate DiCamillo’s newest book. I remember reading Raymie Nightingale, maybe as a suggestion from a student or the librarian, but I know that I loved the friendship story. When I saw that DiCamillo was going to continue writing other novels featuring the other girls, I was ecstatic. Beverly, Right Here might be my favorite of the three. They are all ones to tug at your heart, but for some reason Beverly tugged at my heart and won’t let go. I think everyone needs to read these books.

The List of Things That Will Not Change

by Rebecca Stead

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Thank you Random House Children’s and NetGalley for this eARC. I am a Rebecca Stead fan and knew I would need this book. I could not put this book down. Going through a parent’s divorce, whether it was amicable or not, is not easy and it definitely is not any easier when one gets remarried. I felt so bad for Bea and just wanted her to be okay when it was all said and done. I won’t give it away, but I will say that this book is perfect for those who have experienced divorce or would like a window to see into the world of divorced families. There is so much more to it and so many emotions and Rebecca Stead captured it all.

Once Upon an Eid

Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices

by S. K. Ali, and Aisha Saeed

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Thank you NetGalley and ABRAMS Kids/Amulet Books for sharing this collection of eye-opening and inspiring stories of celebration. I have not read many books about Muslim culture and I was curious about Eid and the importance this time is for those that practice the Muslim religion. I am not one to read collections or short stories, I am not sure why, but I did enjoy this one. It was nice to have different celebrations and to read different perspectives. I feel like it gave me a great view of Eid and this religion. I gave it 5 stars and look forward to having a copy in my classroom.

Thank you readers for sticking with me during these reviews! I hope you found a new book to read. If so, or if you have also read one, please leave me a comment!

Happy reading and take care.

I am a middle school teacher who loves to read. I am part of the ARC-sharing group LitReviewCrew and a creator for the YouTube Channel Legit KidLit.

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