Stunning Picture Books
The Garden of Abdul Gasazi | Chris van Allsburg Summary: When the dog he is caring for runs away from […]
Cinda Recommends
Beach Reads
A Princess of Mars | Edgar Rice Burroughs Summary: In the spring of 1866, John Carter, a former Confederate captain
Strength of Character
Cyrano |2021 Summary: This is a romantic historical musical version of the same classic story made completely attainable by Steve
Fantastical Adventures
The Disasters | M. K. England Summary: Like many science fiction stories, this one has the main character facing an
Reinventing the Past
Etiquette & Espionage | Gail Carriger Summary: Sophronia is 14, a member of the gentry, and “a cracking bother” as
Nonstandard female leads:
Ava (2020) Summary: I tend to like well-done spy and espionage movies, but can get bored with the heavy politics
Traditional female roles who rocked:
The Help (2011) Summary: Skeeter just graduated college and is hoping to find a worthy job as a journalist or
Little Kids, Big Emotions
The Spy Kid franchise (2001) -or- Little Nikita (1988) Note/Summary: I wanted to review Little Nikita, the story of an
Winning Anthologies
Old Venus | by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois (eds.) Summary: This collection of short stories visits Venus
Love for the Library
Dear Librarian | Lydia M. Sigwarth Summary: Many children don’t gain the experience of knowing a ‘library home’ – having
Favorite Family Movies:
From Cinda: The holidays are on their way! I associate holidays with family coming together. Do you have a favorite
Story-heavy graphic novels for kids:
The Great Chicago Fire: Rising from the Ashes | Kate Hannigan & Alex Graudins Summary: A fictionalized account of what
Children’s Lighter Graphic Novels:
The Bad Guys (#1) | Aaron Blabey Summary: Hosted by The Wolf, readers meet a gang of bad guys who
Modern zombie/infection movies:
Blood Quantum – 2019 Summary: This amazing story is told in two large parts: before the discovery of immunity and
Banned, Burned, and Challenged stories I happen to love:
The Hate U Give (listing the movie only because I have yet to read the source material, 2018) , book
May in September – Asian-American reads
We Are Not Free | Traci Chee Summary: This is a novel written by a single author; yet, like a
Audiobooks from this summer:
When No One Is Watching | Alyssa Cole Summary: Enamored with her hometown neighborhood, Sydney pays attention to the changes
Movies vs. Books – is the book always better?
Movies/Books by the same name: AtonementThe Bridge Over the River KwaiThe Call of the WildThe Color PurpleCrazy Rich AsiansDivergentThe Fellowship
Trouble comes in genders:
The Last Thing He Told Me | Laura Dave Male: This husband and father takes off in a suspect manner
Unique superpower movies:
Birds of Prey | 2020, starring Margot Robbie Summary: If only criminals were more trustworthy… ehh! Harley Quinn is finally