Tag: book review

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

“Wind Kissed” : A Saturday Self-Published Book Review

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review, courtesy of bookishjessp:

wind kissed by lynn ann migdal

Wind Kissed

by Dr. Lynn Ann Migdal

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 978-1478753773

Synopsis*:

The Silver family is wealthy, but their money can’t fix the dysfunction that tears at eleven-year-old Rebecca, who endures her parents’ emotional battles and the physical and verbal abuse of her older sister. In response, Rebecca hunches over, tightening and over-contracting the muscles on the right side of her body. Over time, this has caused her spine to curve in unhealthy directions, creating pressure on her nervous system and wreaking havoc on her immune system. She also turns to the comfort of food. Rebecca’s life changes dramatically when she encounters the nature spirits of the sky, who help humans find peace and health. With their help, Rebecca learns how to heal herself from verbal, food, and techno abuse. She empowers her mind, body, spirit, and nervous system with healthy foods, thoughts, breaths, and postures, and she becomes healthier and happier-allowing her to take on her mission: saving the children and the planet. Wind Kissed is an entertaining and educational fantasy novel that will empower young readers to look up at life, look up from technology, and make healthy, peaceful choices.

Critique:

Wind Kissed by Dr. Lynn Ann Migdal, isn’t the kind of book that I would pick up, but since I had the opportunity to receive a free copy of it and review it, I decided to give it a shot. I was actually quite surprised by how much I liked it. Wind Kissed is juvenile fiction, that is trying to spread the message of a healthier and happier life. Now, I do personally believe that Migdal tried to push some of her messages a little bit too much onto the children who read Wind Kissed. I personally feel that she shouldn’t be pushing the ideas of children changing their diets, and if she wanted to get that message across, she should be writing for the parents. Honestly, I think that was my biggest issue with the book.

Overall, Migdal did a great job with spreading the message of a healthier and happier life. I feel that children who read Wind Kissed will definitely take something from the story, whether it is to remember to stay positive, improve their posture, or trying their best to make other people feel better about themselves. I could see Elementary School teachers having a copy of this book in their classrooms and reading it to their classes, and the students enjoying it.

Migdal did a great job with taking the realistic aspects of everyday life, and mixing it with this magical world up in the sky that she had created. By using both of these aspects in Wind Kissed she is able to grab the attention of the readers, and keep it for the whole story. Kids, will love it, but as someone who is 23 years old I at times did find it a bit silly as it seemed a bit over the top.

I am giving Wind Kissed by Dr. Lynn Migdal 3/5 stars.

[ reviewed by Houston-based blogger Jesse at bookishjessp ]

Here’s what other reviewers are saying:

This is a very different book in a way, but yet quite amazing. We meet the Silver family who are very well off as far as money goes, but broken as far as relationships go. Our main character is eleven year old Rebecca who has lived in abuse both physical and verbal from her older sister. She does not fight back but cowers in the corner both in mind and body. Because of this she has serious physical issues. Who will help her.
This is where the story goes into the supernatural as you travel with Rebecca as she meets the nature spirits of the sky. Ones that help humans to find health and peace. Rebecca learns how to change her mind, body, spirit and even her nervous system and literally change her life and change her family.

To me this was a amazing book because our author used the supernatural, something that brings interest, to show how even a child can change her life and the life of her family. Children will learn and I feel listen to what Rebecca went though and her journey to victory. I believe they will realize they too can come out from under the bad circumstances they are in. Adults can also learn a lot from this read I know I did. Very well done. I think this is a great book for parents to share with their children.

– Amazon Reviewer Shirley Priscilla Johnson

Wind Kissed is about a girl named Rebecca who is rich but poor in the sense that her family doesn’t care for her. As her family takes everything out on Rebecca, it causes her to be hunch over and not worthy of anyone until one day when the nature spirits of the sky start speaking with her. With their help, Rebecca learns to stand up taller and speak out and discover herself and with a little help, her family and friends start being there for her. It ends on a high note that I wish would truly happen in real life!

I found this book to be great in the sense that it teaches kids to love themselves and stand up to all that abuses them. With a strong message of saving the planet before it’s too late, if we just love each other rather than hate, great things will happen!

Thank You to Dr. Lynn Ann Migdal for writing a good story that teaches kids to love themselves before anything else!

– Amazon Reviewer Country Girl Bookaholic

Book Trailer:

* = courtesy of Goodreads reviewer Sally Kruger.

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Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

“Skinny Little Tree” : A Saturday Self-Published Book Review

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review, courtesy of Between the Pages:

skinny little tree by jayme martin

Skinny Little Tree

by Jayme Martin

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 978-1478708131

Synopsis*:

Author Jayme Martin has created a pretty picture book describing the seasons through the eyes of a skinny little tree. Through questions asked by a curious little boy, skinny little tree shares answers that highlight the passing of the seasons. There is the happiness of summer, the fading of fall, the loss during winter, and finally renewal as spring returns.

Colorful drawings correspond with the text to illustrate the tree’s answers. Martin adds a unique touch by including occasional blank pages offering the reader a chance to try his/her own hand drawing things referenced in the story such as a blue bird, little leaves, and the moon.

The simple story and friendly image of the skinny little tree make reading and sharing Martin’s book a pleasure. Young children can look back at their own additions created in response to the drawing prompts and perhaps imagine further images as the seasons change.

Critique:

I really enjoyed this interactive children’s book. First I want to comment on how special it is that this book allows children to draw on some of the pages, this helps to keep them intrigued. The story was short and simple which is perfect when reading it with young children. I enjoy sharing this book with my daughters because the author takes something familiar to children and creates a simple story which is essential in keeping their interest. My favorite part was the illustrations. I felt as though the artist did a great job conveying the emotions the tree was feeling in the story. This is a great addition to any young child’s library.

[ reviewed by Lynda Coker at Between the Pages ]

Here’s what other reviewers are saying:

At twenty-eight unnumbered pages, this letter-sized paperback is targeted toward preschool aged children and beginner readers, especially those who enjoy interacting with books by drawing as they follow along with the story line. With no profanity or scary scenes except perhaps a few dark-looking trees at night, it is an ideal book to read and use right before nap time or bed time. Artist Clark Andrews Jr. uses full page, colorful illustrations with enough engaging details to keep readers interested.

After fill-the-blank ownership and acknowledgement pages, this imaginative tome is about a little boy who speaks to a tall, green tree that looks happy and contented on the front cover. The boy asks the tree lots of questions such as why it is smiling at him, why is it weeping or worried, why does it dance with glee at night, and why is it smiling again. Promoted as a book discussing all the seasons of life, it is more about emotions like being happy, sad, worried, or cheerful.

With each question the boy asks, the tree responds with reasons such as being tickled by wiggly worms, having a friendly blue bird fly away, shedding little leaves who would rather play with the ground, listening to the moon sing, or having all its friends back, surrounding it.

Also with each answer there is a blank page to have the reader create and draw his or her own wiggle worm, blue bird, leaves, moon, smile, and even a skinny little tree. By engaging readers through artistic interaction, they learn not only how to imagine and draw their own designs, they are educated about a few emotions, what insects and animals are near trees, and that trees shed their leaves.

Although the book is very short in length and there are only six drawing applications for readers, the concept of interacting with the story is helpful and fun. Due to the word repetition, beginner readers can focus on specific word groups and learn new, more complicated words and their meanings.

– Amazon Reviewer Conny

Learning that all seasons of life are worth living is the focus of author Jayme Martin’s delightful tale, SKINNY LITTLE TREE.

A youngster finds a skinny little tree smiling and ask why. It says Wiggly Worms are tickling its toes. Then the tree cries because its friend the Blue Bird leaves.

Next the tree becomes worried when its leaves begin to fall. But then the tree dances with glee under the moon. Finally the tree is happy again when all things return.

With each new find, Martin has left a page for readers to draw what the tree is discussing. This enables the reader to participate in the story in their own way. This enchanting story follows the seasons of the tree with great detail and insight. Martin has a delightful way of showing how life changes giving parents and children a fun way to talk about it.

The beautiful illustrations by Clark Andrews Jr. enhance the fun story. The vivid drawings will capture readers attention as they follow the tree’s story.

Youngsters will learn as they enjoy this entertaining story. It’s a fun read for all ages.

– Amazon Reviewer Mason Canyon

Book Trailer:

* = courtesy of Goodreads reviewer Sally Kruger.

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Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

“A Dog Named Cat” : A Saturday Self-Published Book Review

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review, courtesy of Charles Ashbacher Reviews:

a dog named cat by anne toole

A Dog Named Cat

by Anne Toole

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 978-1478773450

Synopsis*:

A little dog named Cat decides he doesn’t want to be named that. What does he do to change his name to something new? A little dog named Cat Wondered how he got a name like that! From other animals, he had found That cats weren’t very nice to be around. Another name he wished he had, Because being named Cat made him mad! What did the little dog do To change his name to something new?

Critique:

Five out of five stars

It began as a joke, when a family went to a shelter in order to acquire a dog, the boy Tad picked out one with a brown, gray and white coat. When the time came for a name to be given, the baby pointed at the dog and said, “Cat.” The human members of the family though this was cute and non-traditional and decided to use that name.

However, over time when Cat was repeatedly told by other animals that he was not a cat, he began feeling bad. Cat tried barking a lot and other things in an attempt to show his displeasure, but nothing ever worked. Finally, when he steps in and “saves” Tad from a snake, Tad refers to Cat as “Lucky.” The new name sticks and the source of unhappiness in the life of the family dog is removed.

The structure of the story is in the form of two or four line sections where the alternate lines rhyme and the level of difficulty is approximately that of the second grade. The illustrations are very well-colored with a great deal of detail. Light shadows and even reflections off the tiled floor can be seen.

This is a book that children will find fun to read, for they like stories that are formed from simple rhymes as well as about animals that communicate. I would have read this book to my daughter when she was young and she would have loved it.

[ reviewed by Charles at Charles Ashbacher Reviews ]

Here’s what other reviewers are saying:

This is an excellent story with rhyming verses about a dog named Cat. Upon meeting several creatures (mouse, bird, goldfish), the little dog is confused as to why he was named Cat since he does not look like a cat or acts like a cat. He takes steps to try to get his name changed that prove unsuccessful. He is finally successful in getting his name changed following an event involving a snake.

The illustrations are very good and the rhyming is excellent. Children from kindergarten to 2nd grade would find this book enjoyable.

I also enjoyed Ms. Toole’s other books that include rhyming verses and that also teach valuable lessons (Mean Mike, The Bird That Didn’t Want to be a Bird, and The Frog that Lost His Croak.)

– Amazon Reviewer BL

In A Dog Named Cat, a little dog with an unfortunate name learns that 1) he is not a cat, and 2) some cats are not very nice, so why would he want to be named after one? Cat is determined to change his name. But how?

A little dog named Cat 

Wondered how he got a name like that!

From other animals he had found

That cats weren’t very nice to be around.

Another name he wished he had,

Because being named Cat made him mad!

What did the little dog do

To change his name to something new?

Author Anne Toole was a first grade teacher and ESOL instructor before she began writing children’s books, and understands the issues children deal with on a daily basis—making friends, what makes them special, fitting in, etc.

“When I became a teacher, I used nursery rhymes and simple poems to enhance the regular Language Arts curriculum. As a child, I loved to listen to nursery rhymes, and so most of my stories are written in verse.”

– Yahgottareadthis blogger Chelsea

* = courtesy of the book’s Amazon book page.

saturday self-published book review

Thanks for reading!  Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space every Saturday!

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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

“50 Things Your Kids DON’T Want to Tell You” : A Saturday Self-Published Book Review

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review, courtesy of Ginae Says:

50 things your kids don't want to tell you shelly campbell-harley

50 Things Your Kids DON’T Want to Tell You

by Shelly Campbell-Harley, M.A.ED

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 978-1478773627

Synopsis*:

Shelly Campbell-Harley has a Master’s in Education and has had dozens of articles published online and offline, including The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, where one of her articles was included in TOS magazine’s Best of the Best 2013 special publication. Shelly has been involved with young people in many different facets over the past two decades, including that of teaching, educational consultant, youth group leader/director, and working with youth in a rehabilitation environment. She is currently teaching at-risk youth in an innovative charter school program in southern California.

50 Things Your Kids DON’T Want To Tell You is a compilation of valuable insights gleaned from young people aged 10-19 whom Shelly has encountered and wanted to share with parents and other adults who work with young people. It is an eye-opening experience for many who are curious as to what is going on in the lives and minds of our youth today. It was written with the purpose of opening the lines of communication between adults and young people, as well as promoting more positive relationships. 50 Things Your Kids DON’T Want To Tell You is a fascinating, scary, and realistic read that will awaken your mind and shake up your impression of how well you think the youth of today are living. With the rise of teenage suicide rates and school shootings, this book may be the beginning of an important connection needed to bridge that gap of communication while helping our young people see that they are being heard and understood.

Critique:

50 THINGS YOUR KIDS DON’T WANT TO TELL YOU

50 Things Your Kids Don’t Want to Tell You (50 Things) is comprised of five chapters;

  1. Family Relationships
  2. Personal Choices
  3. School: The Stage
  4. Legal: Crossing Lines
  5. S_x: No Plan

After each chapter, Campbell-Harley has a, “Reflection Page.”  This is where you may list your thoughts about what you’ve read.  Here, you may use free thought, mind mapping, or whatever method you deem necessary to lead to possible truths.

There isn’t any commentary on the 50 Things and it’s supposed to be that way.  The book was meant to help you to think critically (deeply, not negatively) about whether or not your offspring is struggling with some of the mentioned issues.  If 50 Things brings you and your young to a point where a non-judgmental conversation can be broached, then, the book will have well-earned your bucks.

Perhaps, a resource section would have been good though.

[ reviewed by Ginae McDonald at Ginae Says ]

Here’s what other reviewers are saying:

Shelly Campbell Harley understands the most important thing about getting your teen to open up and talk to you, the parent, about what’s going on with their lives. And that is listening. Not interrogating, but rather inviting your child to share with you, and responding in a way that allows for them to feel safe in their sharing. The key to get them to take you up on this invitation could be unlocked in this simple book. Forever grateful to Shelly Campbell Harley.

– Amazon Reviewer S. Brown

This book has such a great mission: to inform parents and to help empower them to have conversations! I can’t wait to share this book with my friends who have kids so they too can learn how to ask those sensitive questions.

– Amazon Reviewer Kristan

* = courtesy of the book’s Amazon book page.

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Thanks for reading!  Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space every Saturday!

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Book Reviews, Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week, Uncategorized, weekly self published book review

“Still Marching On” : A Saturday Self-Published Book Review

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review, courtesy of Observations From a Simple Life:

Still Marching On by Lynda Stephenson

Still Marching On

by Lynda Stephenson

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN: 978-1478771982

Synopsis*:

Frankilee Baxter is back! And she is as sassy and resolute as ever. In Still Marching On, Miss Baxter aspires to participate in the Civil Rights Movement, become editor of the Athena College newspaper, and marry Calvin Morris–and odds are, she’ll make her dreams come true with sheer force of personality. A witty young woman with nerve and verve, Frankilee is in no way the traditional Southern sorority girl, which brings disappointment and alarm to her family, as well as shock and dismay to Calvin’s parents. With humor and heart, this highly anticipated third novel by award-winning author Lynda Stephenson depicts the triumphs and the failures of a plucky girl determined not only to stand against the Southern customs she loathes but also to marry the man she loves.

“Here is the story of the irrepressible Frankilee Baxter, who, while she may be a disappointment to the 1960s down-south establishment, will fight to the end for life and liberty, and all that she believes in. I loved it.”

-Carolyn Wall, author of Sweeping Up Glass and Playing with Matches

Critique:

Still Marching On by Lynda Stephenson is the story of a young college girl at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. She must fight against the injustice of the Jim Crow laws and as well as social practices which could keep her from following her dreams.

Frankilee Baxter is a young white college student at Athena College where her roommate, Eleanor, is African American. Together, they join the Civil Rights Movement when racial tensions are very explosive. Frankilee is the type of girl who likes to shock people and study their reactions. She begins to conduct social experiments and writing about her experiences. She is able to sell a few of her stories to the New York Times. She joins sit-ins at a local department store who refused to serve African Americans. She joins Freedom Rides which leads to time in jail. While she fights for social change, she must deal with the everyday issues at home. Her mom is sick. Her dad is having trouble with the bank. Her aunt is trying to bully everyone to follow her plan for the grandfather’s ranch land. And she falls in love with Calvin Morris, a law student who seeks the social change she does. Will Frankilee succeed in her dreams of journalism? Will she be able to forge the social change she seeks to see in the world? Will her dream of marrying Calvin come true?

I enjoyed Still Marching On. It is an interesting book with a passionate retelling of the Civil Rights Movement from a participant who seems so unlikely. The details the author put into the events are graphic but very real. You shiver as you know that person suffered injustices and cruelties as they fought for civil rights. Frankilee is passionate, rash, impulsive and ready to take on the social injustices. The debates between Frankilee and those on the other side and the opinions expressed are dealt with realistically. I highly recommend Still Marching On.

[ reviewed by Jennifer Lara at Observations From a Simple Life ]

Here’s what other reviewers are saying:

Another outstanding book by Lynda Stephenson. Great character development, and very authentic to the period. If you were a college student during the 1960’s you can really identify with the subjects dealt with in this book. The civil rights movement, the freedom riders, the limited professional opportunities for women college graduates, and the predetermined expectations of parents for their children, especially girls. Frankilee, the main character, takes on all these issues with wit, humor, passion, and, yes, her rebellious ways. Ms. Stephenson’s previous book in the Frankilee Baxter series focuses on Frankilee’s freshman and sophomore year; in this book the focus is her junior and senior year. She is more mature, more thoughtful, and more concerned about social inequality. She truly grows into adulthood. Obviously, this is a great book for anyone that was a young adult in the 1960’s, but if you have parents or grandparents that lived through that period and you want to know what they experienced and what life was like, then this book is for you. FINALLY, THE BOOK HAS A GREAT ENDING!

– Amazon Reviewer AdaBill

In Marching On, Frankilee Baxter is fundamentally the same wonderful, perplexing, and often perplexed character that we came to know and love in Dancing With Elvis and The Southern Chapter of the Big Girl Panties Club. In this third novel of the series, author Lynda Stephenson expands upon the theme of integration as it developed in the 50’s and early 60’s. The struggle for civil rights in the South becomes the central factor in Frankilee’s personal struggle to establish her worth and purpose in life. More than ever, she is an idealist who pays dearly for pursuing social and moral goals that clash with purveyors of deeply entrenched bigotry. Though tempered by her comical girlhood blunders, Frankilee at the same time leads the patient reader down (or up) a primrose path seriously darkened by physical and emotional pain.

Looking for structure, Frankilee attempts to summarize her life in literary terms: as classical comedy, which ends with a wedding, rather than as tragedy, which ends in death. Yet more specifically one might say that her willful suffering bespeaks a more complicated persona than one finds in Jane Austin or Emily Dickinson, two of Frankilee’s heroines.

Nor is Frankilee’s journey deeply tragic in the Shakespearian sense of an uber-complicated Hamlet. Her sacrificial cause is rooted in the powerful utopian dream of idealists such as John Lewis and Martin Luther King, Jr. Buttressed by the somewhat enlightened progressives among her friends and family, her optimistic belief in a more just world seems realistically achievable.

Marching On is the story of a small town girl in the throes of becoming a world class woman. She entertains us with an overlay of buffoonery, but she is defined by her capacity for love, including love for her friends, for her family (no matter how obtuse or obnoxious); for her man, and, most importantly, for the unvarnished Truth, however awkward or undignified that makes her feel. In her own personable way, Frankilee Baxter embodies the correct side of our unfolding history.

– Amazon Reviewer James A. Moore

Book Trailer:

* = courtesy of the book’s Amazon book page.

saturday self-published book review

Thanks for reading!  Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space every Saturday!

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