 Summer Reading no. 18: Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Perfection by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr. Another worthy sequel. In this one, Ben must reconcile with the fact that perfection, like the perfect batting average, is always just out of reach.
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 Summer Reading no. 17: The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat. Beautifully written book. A little darker / more intense than I was expecting in parts (could’ve done without the description of the whalers in the middle), but all in all, a great high seas adventure.
 Summer Reading no. 16 / SSYRA no. 11: Secondhand Dogs by Carolyn Crimi. Last year there were a few cat- centric SSYRA titles. I suppose this year is the year of the dog. Here’s Gus chatting with the elusive Ghost the mostly under the bed cat.
 Summer Reading no. 15: Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Endless Waiting by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr. Worthy sequel to one of last year’s SSYRA titles. This time, Ben’s fortune cookie advises him to wait, and he learns some things about friendships, that it’s much easier to tell how they begin than when or how they end.
 Summer Reading no. 14: Egg Marks the Spot by Amy Timberlake. I didn’t love it quite as much as I loved the first in the series, Skunk and Badger, but it is still very charming to spend time with the grumpy Badger and effervescent Skunk. Skunk reminds me more than a little bit of Gonzo from the Muppets. (He really loves chickens.) A little like Frog and Toad, but for early MG readers.
 Experimented with a different brush on this one - Summer Reading no 13. Elf Dog and Owl Head by M.T. Anderson. It took me a chapter or two to get into it, but I loved it once the story got going. A boy named Clay lives at the edge of woods that have secret paths between worlds. Soon he’s adopted Elf hound Elsinore, and having adventures with Owl-head friend Amos. Great fantasy with gentle influences from the pandemic. Hard to believe this is the same author who wrote Feed.
 Summer reading no. 12, SSYRA title no. 10: Stuck by Jennifer Swender. I think this book should really be called “Unstuck.” A boy who struggles with reading finally makes a friend and feels a sense of belonging at his welcoming new school. Sweet and quick read.
 Summer Reading no. 11 / SSYRA title no. 9 (six to go!) The Haunted Mustache by Joe McGee. Quick read - Early chapter book with a good mix of spooky and funny. Reminded me a little bit of a less wacky Tom Angleberger’s Fake Mustache.
 Summer Reading no. 10: Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse. I do love a good witch story.
 Summer reading no. 9 / SSYRA title no. 8. The Area 51 files by Julie Buxbaum. Quirky story about a girl who goes to live with her uncle in Area 51. Should appeal to fans of Strangeville School.
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Melissa TisonI'm an aspiring author / illustrator. Archives
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