Just South of Home by Karen Strong

Just South of Home by Karen Strong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book to my teen children. They both enjoyed it (and did NOT like Mrs. Greene though she did ultimately redeem herself). You can read their (short) reviews below.

R (13): It was really good and I want there to be a sequel. I liked the characters. The plot is very kid-friendly but still has a racial justice theme. My favorite character was Janie. 5 out of 5 stars.

J (17): I liked that it managed to be directed at children but still painted an effective picture of racial violence. Ellis is the best character. 4 out of 5 stars.

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Kids' Review: The Peanuts Movie Novelization by Charles M. Schulz

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The Peanuts Movie Novelization by Charles M. Schulz (adapted by Tracey West)
Publisher: Simon Spotlight
Publication date: September 22, 2015
My rating: 5 stars out of 5

Miss R's Review

Howdy, I’m Miss R. My mom writes book reviews, but she hasn’t done one in awhile. I’ll be reading books then I’ll review them and take pictures of the book (maybe me with the book).
I’ll help kids see what the book is all about! From time to time, I'll have crafts for a recently reviewed book.

I have a helper named Bubby. She’ll be starring in my photos. (She also might have something to say in my book reviews.) Bubby is an Easter bunny who got kicked out since she couldn’t stop eating all the chocolate eggs! I found her in the store one day. I brought her home and she’s made many friends.

The Peanuts Movie book was about a boy named Charlie Brown. He was around the age of ten. Charlie Brown liked the new girl in his school, but he thought she wouldn’t like him. Snoopy, Charlie Brown's dog, writes a love story book. Lucy, a girl at Charlie Brown’s school, is rather snobby. She and the rest of the kids in the school do not let Snoopy in the school.

My favorite part of the story was when the Little Red Haired Girl told Charlie Brown that he was the sweetest and kindest person in the school

The Peanuts book is a fiction comedy book. It is a twenty one chapter book. I’d suggest it to any age. If you're a kid (or if you are one yourself) that can’t read (but I am sure all of you reading this can read), then your parents could read to you.  If you can read, I'd suggest reading it yourself.

It was originally written by Charles M. Schulz and adapted here by Tracey West. This book was based on the 3D Peanuts Movie. It has a good story. It follows the movie very well. It's a great book for comedy loving kids (and adults).

I loved this book! It's funny and sad (mostly funny if you have watched the movie). They explain the book very well. It's almost like you are in the story. There are pictures in the middle.

Publisher's Description
The Peanuts gang is gearing up for a brand-new adventure in this charming retelling of the holiday season’s biggest animated movie event!

There’s a new kid in town, and she’s a smart, kind, beautiful Little Red-Haired Girl. And—good grief!—Charlie Brown finds himself instantly with a crush on her. Will he be able to impress her?

Meanwhile, Snoopy is heading out on a fantastical flight of the imagination as the Flying Ace! While on his adventure, Snoopy falls head over heels for Fifi, a spunky, high-flying poodle, in the skies over Paris. But when the dastardly Red Baron captures Fifi, it’s up to Snoopy and Woodstock to take down the Red Baron once and for all!

Relive the action, fun, and magic in this incredible retelling of the Peanuts movie that comes with an insert with images from the movie and is sure to be loved by fans young and old!

Crenshaw: A Heartfelt Tale for Young Readers

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Year read: 2017

My review

Oh! The feels! This book will get any parent right in the feels. It is told from the perspective of Jackson as his family is going through really hard times (again!). We all want to protect our children from the harsh realities of the world, especially if those harsh realities involve our own personal finances!

Jackson knows what's going on - he's a big kid and wishes his parents would just level with him instead of trying to pretend everything is happy-go-lucky all the time. And just as things are getting really bad, fact-loving, scientist-wannabe Jackson finds his old imaginary friend, Crenshaw, has shown back up in his life.

Crenshaw turns out to be Jackson's Jiminy Cricket, helping him through a really tough time. He is a big, funny cat who always has the right advice. Jackson wishes Crenshaw away - after all, he's too old for imaginary friends - but just like a real friend, Crenshaw isn't going anywhere as long as Jackson still needs him.

This book covers some pretty dark topics for a book aimed at elementary kids - homelessness, sick parents, and hunger. It would have been hard to pull off in an age-appropriate manner without the plot device of a funny, imaginary friend. For all of Crenshaw's necessity and likeability, I still think he wasn't as refined or as integral to the story as he could or should have been. Either go with the fantasy element of an imaginary friend or not. He felt underdeveloped. I still really liked the book, though, and would love to have my own big, fluffy Crenshaw following me around.

I would recommend this as a read-aloud with your kids. There are a lot of big topics in here that kids are likely going to have questions about and will need a parent's immediate and heartfelt answers. And it's pretty scary - the idea of losing your home and a sick parent. Common Sense Media has a few talking point questions you might want to discuss with your kids. This is not a light and fluffy read, but I recommend it. This is exactly the story that helps develop empathy for others, and we need more empathy in the world - now and always.

Miss R's review

It was a pretty cool book. I like that it's kind of sad and touching. In the end, it's not the happiest, but it's pretty nice. I don't want to spoil it.

Crenshaw is a cat. I liked to imagine him as a purple cat, but he was supposed to be black and white. He tries to help Jackson be safe. He doesn't really get to come and help Jackson that much. It's only when an imaginary friend's real friend needs help that they can come to help them. I think it was a really cute book. I loved Crenshaw.

It would be good for kids who don't mind a bit of sadness in their books. It might be too much for kids who are super sensitive to sad stuff.

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