When the Ocean Came to Town

A love letter to the ocean, and to adapting to climate change, the newest picture book by award-winning creators Sal Sawler and Emma FitzGerald will inspire young readers to build better solutions, and communities.

A great storm is coming.

Gretchen loves the ocean. She dreams of going to the beach on her own, with no one to make her leave before she’s ready. But between whispers of oil, plastic, and a rising sea, her parents warn her not to underestimate the strength of the water. A great storm is coming and everyone, big and small, must prepare to meet it when it does.

Gretchen soon sees the ocean’s power firsthand when the tides rise high enough to threaten her home. Can she help her neighbours rebuild after the storm is over, or is the damage too great?

With a strong message of community-building and climate activism, this charming debut children’s picture book from celebrated author Sal Sawler and award-winning illustrator Emma FitzGerald will inspire young readers to rebuild better, together.

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average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, book lovers sharing their thoughts

100% would recommend

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Julia

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average rating is 5 out of 5

Time Published

Book: Maple Sugar Pie
Author: Susan White
Published by Acorn Press

Maple Sugar Pie is a book that I will continue to think about! It follows our main character Hazel Whitford and her family’s past as we see the events that led to her family being divided and how she fixes it again. This book is told to use in black and white pictures which I really loved!

Personally, I really connected to this book because I understand that life isn’t always fair and I strongly believe that this book further illustrates that statement.

I really appreciated the pictures which added an extra interesting layer to the book!

Overall, I really liked this book and would love to read it again for the first time if I could!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars

I recommend this book.

Julia

Location:

average rating is 5 out of 5

Time Published

Awesome book

I recommend this book.

Jorja Walker

Location:

Dartmouth NS

average rating is 4 out of 5

Time Published

The Great Lunenburglary

I recommend this book.

Violet

Location:

average rating is 5 out of 5

Time Published

How to Kidnap a Mermaid

"How to Kidnap a Mermaid" by Andy Tolson is a fun and imaginative fantasy novel about adventure, friendship, and courage. The story follows Tiny Wilde, a twelve-year-old giant who struggles to live up to his father’s heroic reputation. When his mermaid friend Nalia asks for his help on an important quest, Tiny sets out on a dangerous journey to restore magic to the world of mythical creatures. Along the way, Tiny and his companions encounter magical beings such as pixies, witches, and dragons. The adventure is full of challenges that test Tiny’s bravery and determination. Throughout the story, he begins to realize that being a hero is not just about strength, but also about loyalty, kindness, and perseverance.

One of the strengths of "How to Kidnap a Mermaid" is its creative world and humorous tone. The character development and the fast-paced plot keeps the reader engaged. Overall, it is an enjoyable fantasy novel that encourages readers to believe in themselves and the power of friendship.

I recommend this book.

Devangana

Location:

Fredericton, NB

average rating is 5 out of 5

Time Published

Refreshing and Relevant

High school breakups are basically a sport...
but what happens when someone decides to profit from it?

The Goodbye Girls by Lisa Harrington is a YA novel, published by Nimbus Publishing that explores the story of Lizzie and Willa.

Lizzie, who is in desperate need to come up with funds for her band trip to New York, decides to partner up with her best friend Willa to start a breakup-basket business for their fellow students at Halifax West High.

I absolutely love the teen-owned business aspect of this story. Harrington developed quite an impressive plot that is equally clever and chaotic.

The concept of two savvy high schoolers moonlighting themselves as breakup realtors is nothing short of genius. There is a wonderful irony that comes from profiting off of a breakup and Harrington uses all ounces of drama and tension from it.

What makes the story stand out even more is the fact that Harrington does not neatly wrap up all the relationships at the end of the novel like a Hallmark movie does. In reality, all actions have consequences, and that was exactly the case for the novel as well. Some things do greater damage, that take more than a monologue to repair.

If you couldn’t guess it, I give The Goodbye Girls 5/5 stars because it’s witty, sharp, funny, and everything that a reader wants in a book to take an entertaining break from real life. If high school had a social media manager for heartbreak, it would be Lisa Harrington.

I recommend this book to:
anyone who is breathing
anyone who enjoys a good teen drama
anyone with a penchant for YA novels
anyone who has an entrepreneurial spirit.
and anyone who is going through a heartbreak.

I recommend this book.