The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson

I've been looking forward to today's read. Not only was it nominated for the Goodreads Choice awards last year, but the cover is amazingly pink! Add that I'm always ready for a grabbing thriller, and this one seems like a winner to me. While it is sold as a YA read...and I'm hitting it with that attitude...it takes place in college with a freshman. So, I'm going to be seeing if this hits the category okay or not.

So, let's dive in!

(Note: This one plays right on the YA border, not only due to the setting, but the themes are heavy as are the situations and problems the MC faces and has happening around her. It doesn't hold anything too over-board, but I'd definitely recommend it more for the mature end of the YA audience and slide it up to NA as well)

THE SCAMMER

by Tiffany D. Jackson

Quill Tree Books

YA Thriller

368 pages

A ripped-from-the-headlines thriller, following a freshman girl whose college life is turned upside down when her roommate’s ex-convict brother moves into their dorm and starts controlling their every move.

Out from under her overprotective parents, Jordyn is ready to kill it in prelaw at a prestigious, historically Black university in Washington DC. When her new roommate’s brother is released from prison, the last thing Jordyn expects is to come home and find the ex-convict on their dorm room sofa. But Devonte needs a place to stay while he gets back on his feet—and how could she say no to one of her new best friends?

Devonte is older, as charming as he is intelligent, pushing every student he meets to make better choices about their young lives. But Jordyn senses something sinister beneath his friendly advice and growing group of followers. When one of Jordyn’s roommates goes missing, she must enlist the help of the university’s lone white student to uncover the mystery—or become trapped at the center of a web of lies more tangled than she can imagine.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Tension mounts with every page as a dark web comes to light and danger sharpens.

Jordyn is nervous but feeling free as she heads to Washington DC to dive into her prelaw dreams. She's glad to put some space between her parents, has secretly turned down her Yale entrance for a Black university in DC, and is determined...despite inner uncertainty...to make her way forward. While the first shocks of meeting dorm friends, experiencing fraternity guys, and college expectations hit, a new challenge shows up in the form of her roommates brother, who needs to crash in their room since he has no place to go after being released from prison. Mix in an ideology she's suddenly determined to hold and the grip of a forming cult-like group, which drags her in deeper and deeper, and the hope of independence warps into a battle with something far more sinister.

Just some quick notes here: this is sold as a young adult read but definitely slides along that upper border with the theme, characters' problems, and other aspects. Also, this author embraces societal issues and other themes while weaving the thriller and crime aspects...so it packs more than the usual thriller. The themes in this novel are very timely and revolve around members of the Black community scheming and abusing others within the community. 

This is a thrilling novel, which keeps the pacing high, the surprises edgy, and the reader at the edge of their seat. From the moment Jordyn hits those college doors, her life shoots into new territory and throws her off-balance. Understandably. She begins with a rebellious attitude (lying to her parents in a huge way) and a bit of underlying depression because of it, and this mix creates a wonderful foundation for the rest of the plot as she's drawn into a dangerous and deadly situation. Her struggles hit with rawness, and its easy to fear for her and wonder if she'll make it through. The characters carry secrets, some more obvious while others remain in the grays, which adds thickness and depth to the moments. On the same hand, the quick-pacing gives a small sense of frustration as some believability is sacrificed in the details and gullible decisions seem off. The cult-like influence hits a bit quickly, and it's not always clear why Jordyn (or others) just accept or don't work against the obvious growing problem (even outsiders see and ignore). The ending holds surprises and leaves openings for food for thought...but this read does that anyway...as well as a few loose ends, which might leave some readers wondering. But all in all, it's a grabbing read, which weaves in more than danger, thrilling moments, and dark secrets at every turn. 

Bunnies in a Rocket by Philip Ardagh

BUNNIES IN A ROCKET

A Sunny Town Bunnies Tale

by Philip Ardagh

Illustrated by Ben Mantle

Candlewick

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING APRIL 4th!!!

Climb aboard for a zany, out-of-this-world ride from the team who brought us Bunnies on a Bus, Bunnies in a Boat, and Bunnies in a Sleigh.

They have traveled in a bus, in a boat, on Santa's sleigh and now, in their most epic adventure of all, the Sunny Town Bunnies are going to the moon! They've snuck their way onto a rocket ready to launch, and in no time at all they are streaking across the sky, through the atmosphere, and into outer space. What happens when they reach the moon? And how will they ever get back home again? It’s one small step for a human but one giant leap for Bunnykind in this fantastic cosmic adventure brimming over goofy, lively fun.

GOODREADS   /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Everywhere these bunnies go, fun and giggles are sure to follow.

The bunnies are underway again, and it just so happens to be the same day that the panda-astronauts are launching into space. Excitement runs high as the pandas head to the rocket, give their interviews, and board...well, almost board the rocket. The bunnies have arrived and beat the pandas to the ladder and rocket's hatch. Before anyone realizes what's happening, the bunnies press the launch button, and it's off to space they go. With these bunnies, that means chaos and adventure pure with a big dose of silliness, too.

These bunch of bunnies always put a smile on the face, and this latest adventure isn't any different. It's the artwork which carries this read with tons of details to make gazing at each scene a delight. The bunnies are hyper-active, curious, adventurous, and full of ideas. This causes all sorts of activity with quite a bit to explore. While the bunnies handle everything with over-active-enthusiasm, this latest adventure takes a little scifi twist with adorable fantasy, and this invites to a little dreaming and imagination. 

The text is kept short and lets the adventure flow forwards at a nice pace. It's written in rhyme, which flows better some times than others. It fits the age group and creates a nice read-aloud, but listeners will be captivated more by the illustrations than story. After all, that's where the humor and action is.

It's another fun book for patient and reluctant listeners alike.

Winnie's Pile of Pillows by Dana K. White

WINNIE'S PILE OF PILLOWS

Making Room for the Things You Love Most

by Dana K White

Illustrated by Sarah Jennings

Tommy Nelson

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING FEBRUARY 17th!!!

Waddle with Winnie the Walrus through this tale of delightful decluttering! Organizing expert and bestselling author Dana K. White makes tidying easier to do and easier for parents to talk about with their kids.

When Winnie discovers she really loves pillows, she can't seem to get enough! But as the pillows pile up, her bedroom becomes a mess. Winnie loves her pillows, but she also loves the other items in her room she can no longer see or use. So what's a walrus to do? Discover the importance of making room for the things you love most in this laugh-out-loud story the whole family can relate to.

This picture book

is for ages 4 to 8;is a great conversation starter about decluttering, tidying, and donating that parents will appreciate; andis a great gift for any parent who is struggling with too much stuff in their child's room.Winnie's Pile of Pillows will open your child's world—and room—to managing possessions, making space for the things that really matter, and understanding the value of not owning more than what you can contain.

GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Not only pillow fans will want to cuddle up with this read and join Winnie in collecting favorite things.

Winnie loves her bedroom. She has a pretty purple carpet, a secret stash to hide her treasures from her brother, and so much more. When she visits her aunt, she takes her favorite book from her stash with her. Her aunt also loves to collect treasures, which makes her house interesting. On this visit, her aunt stuffs comfy pillows around Winnie before reading the book...and Winnie can't believe how comfortable it is! Better yet, her aunt gifts her the pillows, so that Winnie can enjoy them at home. Then, something amazing happens; Winnie discovers more pillows at a yard sale. But this might also be the beginning of an unexpected problem.

This is a brightly illustrated read with scenes, which will have readers wishing they could jump in and join Winnie in her little adventure. She is a bubbly walrus and has a wonderful personality which shines. Her appreciation for even little things makes her adorable, and her desire to enjoy them is warming. When the true problem slides in, it carries a dash of humor to keep the messaging from growing preachy. Instead, the tale flows along to create an enjoyable read.

While this one makes a lovely read-aloud, it would also work nicely for beginning readers, who are pretty sure of their words. The text is a tiny bit heavier than some picture books and highlights more difficult terms, which might need explanation. As a read-aloud, it's lovely for calmer hours...especially ones which involve pillows, and will work better with patient listeners rather than reluctant ones. It is a heart-filled tale which promises smiles as well as some food for thought. 

Our Prehistoric Planet: Dinosaurs and Other Creatures of the Past by Sue Lowell Gallion

Since we're on the topic of dinosaurs, I thought we'd just stay in the past and hit another, hopefully, fantastic read. This one is a board book...and what a board book it is! I'm always won over by superficial things in the book realm, and this book is right down my first-impression alley. The book flips open to form a standing globe. There are even magnets in the very front and back to help keep it in place and together. So, I'm already showing thumbs-up for this one.

Now, let's see if the inside of the book is as wonderful as the physical concept...I hope so!

OUR PREHISTORIC PLANET

Dinosaurs and Other Creatures of the Past

by Sue Lowell Gallion

Illustrated by Lisk Feng

Phaidon Press

Board Book

26 pages

ages 2 to 5

COMING MARCH 4th!!!

A rhyming, read-aloud introduction to dinosaurs and early life on our planet that, when opened up and folded back, creates a free-standing globe

This exciting addition to the bestselling Our World collection invites children to explore life on our prehistoric planet through rhyming verse and stunning illustrations.

Beginning with the origins of early life in the oceans billions of years ago, Our Prehistoric Planet travels chronologically through the development of giant crocodile-like lizards, the reign of the dinosaurs, mass extinction events, and the rise of early mammals. Along the way, readers will meet incredible creatures from across the globe, from familiar favorites like Stegosaurus to the bizarre Brontothere, an enormous, rhino-like mammal with giant horns over 3 feet long.

Additional text throughout offers more detailed information and friendly interactive questions, encouraging readers to learn about the amazing creatures that, millions of years ago, stomped or swam where we live today.

Inspiring, informative, and one-of-a-kind, this artful homage to our prehistoric world is both an invitation to travel back in time and an object to be treasured for years to come.

GOODREADS      /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With a clever format, this sturdy book takes a look at prehistoric times, how the Earth might have been during those eras, and a few of the amazing creatures that roamed the planet during that time.

This is a long, stabile board book, which can be opened up to create a globe. Thanks to the shape and a few magnets in the outer cover, it stands firm and works especially well for classroom displays or on a cabinet in a child's room. Unlike many dinosaur books, the concentration isn't only on the creatures but rather looks at the environment they lived in. It begins with a dinosaur display in a museum before shifting to the first life under the sea. From there, it expands to the influence the volcanoes might have had, various dinosaurs and creatures, and finally, looks at the ruling theory as to why they disappeared. So, this book takes a broader view of the dinosaur time period.

The globe section of each page holds a colorful and detailed scene to help readers/listeners picture what the landscape might have looked like. These invite to gazing. On the base section is the text. The left side holds a 3-4 lined rhyme, which gives a quick description of the scene. This works well for the younger listeners and flows nicely. Sometimes, playful words are used, while other pages hold a few vocabulary building terms...but nothing overly difficult. Then, on the right side of the page (on the base) is a more detailed description with heavier explanations. This works especially well for the adults/caretakers to either read directly to slightly older children or use as a basis to explain more to very curious, younger listeners. This is also written in a playful tone, keeping the young audience in mind. 

This book is lovely for gifting but also is a nice addition to displays or simply for dino-fans to enjoy. 

Call of the Parasaurolophus by Rex Stone

Dinosaur books belong to kidlit like hearts belong to Valentine's Day...or something like that?

Today's read heads into the world of dinosaurs and takes beginning readers on an adventure while teaching dino facts. There are already more than a few books in this series, but this is the first time that I'm diving in. I'm assuming that these don't need to be read in any specific order; at least, that's the impression I'm getting. I'm already intrigued by a series, which takes a peek at specific dinosaurs while adding a tale with it, and hope this is well done. 

So, put on those jungle hats because we're going to go exploring!

CALL OF THE PARASAUROLOPHUS

Dinosaur Club

by Rex Stone

DK Flip

Children's Fiction

96 pages

ages 5 to 7

COMING FEBRUARY 17th!!!

Travel back in time to the Cretaceous period to help a herd of Parasaurolophus with the Dinosaur Club.

Dive into an exciting Jurassic world and travel back in time with the Dinosaur Club. These character-driven dinosaur books explore different dinosaur species through a thrilling adventure story for kids aged 5-7.

Meet Jamie, a member of the Dinosaur Club. They are a network of kids around the world who love to share dinosaur knowledge, help identify fossils, post dino discoveries, and chat about all things prehistoric. Jamie is exploring Ammonite Bay when he meets Tess, another member. Tess shows Jamie her favourite place – a secret cave with fossils all over the walls.

Suddenly, the two new friends find themselves back in the amazing yet dangerous Cretaceous period, where they encounter a herd of Parasaurolophus that need their help.

This Dinosaur Club story features:

• An introduction to core non-fiction for children aged 5-7 who prefer stories, but are packed with exciting dinosaur facts.
• Beautifully illustrated line art accompanied by expertly written text.
• Reference pages to build upon all dinosaur fans’ knowledge about these fascinating prehistoric creatures.
• All the latest dinosaur information and up-to-date discoveries.
• Engaging material that reinforces the narrative, including timelines, quizzes, fact files, and glossaries.

Dinosaur Club: Call of the Parasaurolophus will take your child on an action-packed Cretaceous adventure as they learn about the Parasaurolophus dinosaur species through fun facts, timelines and quizzes.

More in the series

At DK, we believe in the power of discovery.
So why stop there?

If you like Dinosaur Club: Call of the Parasaurolophus, then you’ll love other titles in the series. Why not try Dinosaur Club: The T.Rex Attack, Saving the Stegosaurus, Avoiding the Allosaurus, and The Compsognathus Chase, and embark on a Jurassic adventure whilst learning about different dinosaur species!

PUBLISHER      /      GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

A little adventure, friendship goodness, and dinosaur facts meld to form an entertaining and informative read.

Jamie's at his mother's side as she uncrates several fossils to add to the sandbox table when he and Tess discover an odd looking bone: the crest of a Parasaurolophus. They've never seen anything like it and wonder what purpose it had for the dinosaur. No one seems to be able to answer their questions, which means they'll have to head outside to Ammonite Bay and climb to the Smuggler's cave to find out. With a small ammonite from the same time period in hand, they enter the cave and find themselves back in time. While they discover a cute Wannansaurus  right away, they also cross paths with a dangerous T-Rex. Soon, their adventure involves much more than just learning the secret behind the parasaurolophus' crest.

This is a well-done book, which holds enough tension to draw in while teaching readers about dinosaurs along the way. It's just right for those readers, who are sure of their words and happily diving into shorter books. The font and spacing are on the larger side for easy reading, and there are enjoyable illustrations on almost every page. Those pages without illustrations hold speech bubbles with media text messages. So, there's an enjoyable change-up to keep things interesting. There's also a glossary at the end of the read to help with more difficult words, a dinosaur/period timeline, a map of their dino-world, illustrated facts about the main dinosaurs in the story, and a short quiz to help the information sit (and check reading skills). It's a book packed with goodness.

The story flows very smoothly and draws in. Not only are there constant twists and turns as the two characters search Dino World for their answers, but both characters are enjoyable to follow. They are cheerful, curious, and hold exactly the right emotions at the right times. They are friendly and just enjoyable to go on an adventure with. 

It's a lovely tale and not only for dinosaur fans.

And here they are...

Rex Stone is the pseudonym used by Working Partners, the creators of Beast Quest, Warrior Cats, and other successful series like Animal Ark.