Middle Grade Review: REW-Q Tyler Stop and Giveaway!

Res-Q Tyler Stop

By: June McCrary Jacobs
Published by: JMJ Story Stitcher Books
Release Date: April 22, 2019

Synopsis:

It's the summer of 1968 in Sonoma County, California, and eleven-year-old Weston Gregg and his nine-year-old sister, Wendy, are looking for fun things to do during their summer break from school. When they discover some abandoned rabbits, they hatch an idea to make a positive difference for animals and people in their small town of Tyler Stop.

They decide to form 'Rescue Each Species-Quickly', or RES-Q Tyler Stop.

There are challenges to face as they move forward into their new venture, including standing up to someone who is targeting Weston's friends for being different and a painfully bad decision.

Will Weston have to handle these issues on his own or will he learn to accept the advice and wisdom shared by some important people in his life? Join Weston and his family and friends as they share some adventures and learn and grow together in RES-Q Tyler Stop.

My Take: 

I don’t read a lot of middle-grade novels but when I came across RES-Q Tyler Stop by June McCrary Jacobs, it was a book that caught my attention, given that my 11-year-old son loves animals just as much as the main characters do.  So, I wanted to give this middle grade animal loving book a chance to see if it would be something my son would enjoy.

I thoroughly enjoyed the historical elements in this book and feel that it is a bonus when I pass it on to my son.  I do think the main characters are very “goody goody” and that might prohibit my son from being able to relate to them as much.  Though some of the real-life issues like the bullying were still spot on for today’s generation.

The most important element of this book for was the love for animals our main characters have and I think that makes this well-paced story a must read for our young middle-grade students.  In a world full of digital technology, our young people need more books like this to bring them back to what matters most. Friendship, love and our furry friends!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Tours.  All opinions are my own.

About the Author:

'RES-Q Tyler Stop' is June McCrary Jacobs's first middle-grade book. June is a retired elementary school teacher and literacy mentor who is fond of California history and children's literature. She especially loves to write, read, and blog about middle-grade fiction and non-fiction on her 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic' blog.

In addition to writing inspirational romance books and stories for adults {A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom, 2013; Robin's Reward, 2015; Handmade Hearts, 2019}, June's original sewing, quilting, and stitchery designs have been published in over one hundred books, magazines, and on sewing industry blogs in the past decade.

When she's not writing, reading, blogging, or sewing, June enjoys cooking, walking, visiting art and history museums, and touring historic homes and gardens.

One of her most memorable and thrilling childhood adventures was her ride in the Goodyear blimp as it floated over Long Beach, California. She can still remember the people on the beach waving to her as she zoomed past them.

●       Purchase Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

●       JustRead tour launch page 

●       Author links:  Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Goodreads Blog | Amazon

(1) winner will win

• $20 Amazon gift card (US/International)
• Signed Paperback Copy of RES-Q Tyler Stop (US only) or Digital Copy (International)

RAFFLECOPTER:

·        http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2b09c62e446/?

Giveaway will begin at midnight April 22, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 29, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Follow the Tour: 

JustRead Landing Page

Review: Call it What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer

By Brigid Kemmerer

Hardcover, 384 pages

Expected publication: June 25th 2019 by Bloomsbury YA

I am still thinking about these characters and their stories!  Call it What You Want was a delightful young adult contemporary that drew me in from the first page.  Brigid has this way of writing a story that completely captivates you and makes it terrifically painful to put her books down.  Like, legit I was cringing with a tightened chest because I NEEDED to know what was going to happen!

The two main characters, Maegan and Rob each have their own secrets to bare throughout this book and, of course, each secret unravels slowly and deliciously **Insert bite of cake here**.  The word delicious always makes me hungry for sweets. Regardless of my sweet tooth, the way these characters stand on their own and have their own voices, but also connect on so many different levels and become entangled in each other's lives, is mind blowing.  A story weaver, Brigid Kemmerer is... Was that Yoda like?  I really adored Maeagan's character because I related to her so much.  In fact, I felt like I was reading about my past high school self multiple times.  But Rob was my favorite by far.  His voice was powerful and raw and he had emotional layers of a character that I have never before experienced. 

My most favorite thing about this book?  Lesson, after lesson, after lesson.  Life shattering, world altering, eye opening lessons! Just when I thought one real life issue was tackled and overcome, she would come up with another one!  Leaving me in awe of how authentic this author is in her writing.  In all honesty, I don't read a lot of contemporaries.  I've read a handful and now I don't know if that's a good thing or not because I think Brigid has set the bar so remarkably high, that I'm not sure if I will like anyone else's contemporaries compared to hers.  A far stretch?  Hmmm... I think not.  You'll just have to read this and find out for yourself!

I really didn't know what to expect going into this story after just finishing A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Brigid's fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast because that literally became my most favorite book of 2019 and yes, I know I'm only in April but I couldn't have imagined anything else coming close to how much I loved that story and those characters.  Well, this one has.  This "So real it hurts" contemporary of Maegan and Rob and their individual journey's along with some very well developed side characters, I mean, I just wanted to jump through the pages so many times and bear hug or arm punch Owen (He has that affect on you), is a must read for 2019!  Kemmerer is an auto buy author for me indefinitely!

Though I usually don't add purchase links to all of the reviews I write, I wanted to share these below because one, I think you all should read this book.  There is something in here for everyone. Also, I know there is an amazing pre-order campaign and with a copy of your receipt you will receive a signed bookplate, bonus content featuring Matthew, set in the world of Letters to the Lost and More Than We Can Tell and also.... A chance in having a character named after you in a future book! Whaaaat?!?!  Ok, I wonder if I buy 100 copies, if I would have a hundred chances of winning? Hehe (Insert evil grin here).  In closing, I don't know if any of this even made sense to you guys, but I couldn't put it in words any differently.  My heart still aches for these characters in both good and bad ways.  Oh! and the librarian <3 You will find so much love for each and every one of these characters, well, except for one of them which I hoped would get hit by a mac truck but alas, that hasn't happened yet....

Pre-order Here:
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Call-What-Want-Brigid-Kemmerer/dp/1681198096/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Call+it+what+you+want&qid=1554682717&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/call-it-what-you-want-brigid-kemmerer/1128956987;jsessionid=A317F5F9AE7225D40C92EDA17CE2F48C.prodny_store01-atgap08?ean=9781681198095#/

Book Depository - https://www.bookdepository.com/Call-It-What-You-Want-Brigid-Kemmerer/9781681198095?ref=grid-view&qid=1554682378707&sr=1-2

Brigid Kemmerer is the author of dark, contemporary Young Adult romances like MORE THAN WE CAN TELL and LETTERS TO THE LOST (Bloomsbury), as well as paranormal YA novels like THE ELEMENTAL SERIES and THICKER THAN WATER (Kensington). Her next book will be her first foray into YA Fantasy, with A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY, available January 2019 wherever books are sold. Brigid lives in the Baltimore area with her husband and four sons.

Review - Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa

I was immediately immersed into an exquisite story of Japanese mythology with well-developed characters and with my more recent experiences of reading from multiple POV’s I was ready and excited to see the story develop from different perspectives. 

With a setting in Japan I had high hopes for the world building and of course it was fantastic; I was not disappointed.  The description of the landscapes and architecture were descriptive and true and I could see everything clearly in my mind. 

What I liked most though was the blending of the characters and each of their individual personalities.  They complimented and contrasted each other so well which made every dialogue interesting and engaging.  I didn’t want to miss a thing!

This fantasy has it all with mythical creatures, demons, kami-touched humans and samurai.  This quest and its companions offer a magical story that discovers new friends and reveals secrets all the way to the ending… that you will not be expecting!  I loved this and can’t wait for the sequel!

                      Julie Kagawa: Author of Iron Fey series, Blood of Eden series and Talon Saga

Review - Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

            How can I start this review other than saying that this story of survival was completely addictive!  Just knowing that this fictional drought is not that farfetched from our reality grabbed my attention and shook me to the core and I live on the east coast.  This story shows you that even while resources are dwindling and people become acclimated, the thought of completely depleted resources will send anyone and everyone into a panic, and they what do you do? 

            What do you do when you’re faced with dehydration?  What do you do when you’re forced to watch your family and friends slowly dry up into nothing?  You pull every ounce of energy you possibly can (though without water, energy is hardly there) and try to make it to the end.

This action packed science fiction/dystopian novel will take any reader for an exhilarating ride! As the story follow Alyssa a teenager that is forced to make life or death decisions in order to survive, but we also follow her neighbors, and each one of them have a voice in this horrific turn of events.  It’s engaging and exciting and heart wrenching to hear how they think in these situations, and all the while you wonder, would I think these things too if this happened to me?

            There are well developed characters, a seemingly climate induced apocalypse and awe-inspiring ending!  I highly recommend this read to lovers of dystopian, adventure, young adult contemporary and science fiction fans.

Please note there are quite a few scenes of violence, death, murder.