jennifersnapshot

“People call me the Freeway Gorilla. The Ape at Exit 8. The One and Only Ivan, Mighty Silverback. The names are mine, but they’re not me. I am Ivan, just Ivan, only Ivan.” As evidenced by the above paragraph on the 2nd page, The One and Only Ivan is a lovely book by Katherine Applegate. I was unexpectedly and completely drawn right into this gorilla’s thoughts and life. I felt for the gorilla, but I also immediately thought of any sort of name-calling or assumptions that cause people to... Read Full Story

When Conor Grennan decided to start a year-long trip round the world with a 3 month stint at an orphanage in Nepal, he openly admits it was a good way to meet women. His main motive was adventure. When he arrived in Nepal and noticed the soldiers with guns, he was shocked. Shouldn’t the brochure have emphasized the fact of civil war in a little bolder print? You can’t help liking Grennan immediately because he’s so down-to-earth. I loved his description of his arrival at the Little Princes... Read Full Story

Ally Green has spent most of her life traveling the world as a flight attendant. When her father passes away, Ally must return to face her past and Vesey Washington, the man who was once her best friend. As Ally returns to her South Carolina home, she revisits the racial tensions from her childhood and the feelings for Vesey that have never left her mind completely. On the other side of the world, a young woman named Sunila escapes a life of slavery in Nepal in search of answers. Although... Read Full Story

Well, it’s Valentine’s Day, and I’m not showing the love. I still have our old Kids’ Picks schedule in my mind, so since we moved it to the 2nd Tuesday, I sometimes forget. This is your chance to share what your kids are reading. It’s also a great time to get feedback from others. Oftentimes, someone will suggest a book similar to something that I’ve posted that my kids like. I love that! See, it’s all about the love, even if it’s a forgetful love. Thanks to Nancy for reminding me! I... Read Full Story

Dramatic tension, laughter, good friends, lovely writing — all of these elements made me enjoy every single page of Marisa de los Santos’ Falling Together . I don’t know why I waited so long to read Marisa de los Santos, but I thoroughly enjoyed this, my first of her books, and I’m sure that this won’t be my last. The whole blogosphere raves about Belong to Me , and I love those cute colorful boots lined up on the cover. I wasn’t pulled in by the first paragraph of Falling Together as... Read Full Story

Chronicle Books has several new releases that appeal to readers at various stages. Trains Go by Steve Light is a sturdy board book that will thrill the younger set. Filled with eight noisy trains that chugga chugga, clang clang, toot toot, and huff and puff, toddlers will enjoy exploring the onomatopoeia (I just love that word) and the lively text. If you have a fan of trains, Trains Go is sure to be a hit. Ivy and Bean No News Is Good News by Annie Barrows is perfect for children reading... Read Full Story

Jenna Lucado Bishop has written a wonderful book for teen girls. From Blah to Awe: Shaking Up a Boring Faith speaks right on their level, using examples of real teens who are living a vibrant faith, her own experiences, and things in our current culture that can cause them to lose their passion for God. This book particularly caught my eye, because I happen to live with a lovely 13-year-old girl. My daughter Amanda takes her faith very seriously, and it’s been sweet to watch her take... Read Full Story

With growing concern that today’s children are becoming more disconnected than ever to the natural world, books that bring their attention to the nature all around them are valuable and encouraging. Lisa Morlock, a retired educator, has written such a picture book, with a topic that may make us giggle but actually has real application in our outdoor experiences. Track that Scat! brings readers for a walk in the woods with an adventurous young girl Finn and her dog, who soon come upon telltale... Read Full Story

I’ve always loved my Kindle*. I never used it as much as I wanted to, since much of my reading was done on paperback ARCs sent to my door, but lately I’ve received more e-galleys that I can read on my Kindle, and I’ve also been making an effort to do more personal-choice reading. After losing my ipod touch , I decided to replace it with the much-cheaper nano. However, that meant that I wouldn’t be able to use it for email or game apps. I survived, but when the Kindle Fire came out, I wanted... Read Full Story

Lovesick by Spencer Seidel is a thoroughly gripping tale that begins with teenager Paul Ducharme being found kneeling over the dead body of his friend, Lee Janis. Initially, Paul cannot remember how he got there, and no one seems to know where Wendy Trower, Lee’s girlfriend and Paul’s friend and love interest, has disappeared to. The truth of what really happened between Paul and Lee and Wendy is told primarily through a series of interviews between Paul and Dr. Lisa Boyers, a forensic... Read Full Story