“Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.”
Thanks to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for the opportunity to read and review Oh, Ick!: 114 Science Experiments Guaranteed to Gross You Out! by Joy Masoff! This book is interesting, humorous and educational for all ages! Includes hands-on activities, tasty but disgusting snack recipes and cartoons detailing the what’s, why’s and how’s of science in the world around us – 5 stars!
“Received an advance reader copy for a fair review.”
Thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the opportunity to read and review Bleed, Blister, Puke, and Purge by J. Marin Younker! I am not a medical person and I don’t enjoy seeing or hearing about injuries and this book is extremely detailed enough that it made me physically sick in the introduction. I had a difficult time reading this book and had to take several breaks because of the details being so graphic. This is a wonderful, factual book for anyone interested in medicine and its transformation throughout history. It contains horrific medical mistakes that made patients suffer and this suffering is described in specific detail. These mistakes led to learning and the creation of new and helpful medical technology and knowledge. Bleed, Blister, Puke, and Purge contains all of the sordid history of medicine including: medical pioneers, sexually transmitted diseases and experiments. A great non-fiction read for anyone interested in medicine and its history. 4 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry Books for the arc of Irena’s Children (Young Reader’s Edition) by Tilar Mazzeo and adapter Mary Cronk Farrell! This true account of Irena Sendler and her friends in Poland warmed my heart and I was astounded by their bravery! Irena and her friends helped save Jewish families during World War II by placing themselves in grave danger, hiding and sneaking children to safety. This is a magnificent story of heroism that affected thousands of Jewish children and has since affected generations of families. This book needs to be read to get the full extent of what true courage Irena Sendler embodies and the bravery it took to save innocent children during the Holocaust! 4 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the arc of Irena’s Children by Tilar Mazzeo! This true account of Irena Sendler and her friends in Poland warmed my heart and I was astounded by their bravery! Irena and her friends helped save Jewish families during World War II by placing themselves in grave danger, hiding and sneaking children to safety. This is a magnificent story of heroism that affected thousands of Jewish children and has since affected generations of families. This book needs to be read to get the full extent of what true courage Irena Sendler embodies! 4 stars.
Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for the book of Saving My Assassin by Virginia Prodan. This memoir introduces Virginia Prodan in immediate danger in 1984, when her life was threatened. Chapter one takes us back to 1961, during Virginia’s childhood. Virginia grew up with abuse from her mother and taunting from her siblings. She is a real life Cinderella. Her upbringing was not to be the end of her struggles, though. With tremendous strength, Virginia shows us what she went through for her individual freedom and what she is willing to do for other’s freedom also. Learning about different cultures and symbolism is always interesting to me, even if I don’t agree or completely understand them. Communism feels confining, nerve-wracking and demoralizing. I appreciate the notes at the end of the book that clarify several questions that arose while I was reading Saving My Assassin. Courageous and inspiring – 4 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for the arc of Plant Craft: 30 Projects that Add Natural Style to Your Home by Caitlin Atkinson! The first project shown right off the start is a fun succulent planter!
The book contains facts, such as epiphytes are air plants (I didn’t know that), detailed plant care and maintenance for outdoor and indoor plants, charts for troubleshooting, suggested plants for projects and the care required for each one. Projects include color photos, materials and tools needed, step by step instructions with photos, watering, care and maintenance requirements and plenty of creativity – 4 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Portable Press for the digital download of Strange History by Bathroom Readers Institute! This incredible book kept me reading from beginning to end and I finished it in one sitting because of its entertainment value! Strange History is a fact driven world history of slang, fads, quotes that stand the test of time, boring parts of history, historical food facts, styles and trends by decades, almost assassinations, misconceptions, freaky facts, made-up languages, obsolete words, real life Frankensteins and a bunch of other historical fact categories. I want to use this book for a jigsaw lesson to teach what facts can be found in the 000’s section of the DEWEY Decimal System. Great entertainment!
Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for the arc of The Bold Dry Garden by Johanna Silver! This book is a story of one woman’s beautiful gardens and her impressive talent with plants. Ruth Bancroft’s story is told from when she was a young girl up to the age of over 100. The book breaks down the plants into different species and types and contains gorgeous photographs of Ruth’s gardens and different plant examples.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Capstone for the arc of Orphan Trains: Taking the Rails to a New Life by Rebecca Langston-George! This book tells the true story of the origin of orphanages, the Children’s Aid Society and orphan trains. The opening of the New York Foundling Hospital, founded by Sister Irene and her order, the Sisters of Charity is described. Individual stories are shared, an orphan train timeline is included, as well as a glossary, additional resources and discussion questions. Bibliography and source notes will help anyone wanting to find more information on the topic of orphan trains and their origins. Definitely for younger readers with simple information and photographs.
Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for the arc of Garden Revolution by Larry Weaner! The Evolving Landscape: Creating Beautiful Gardens in Harmony with Nature focuses on natural landscapes in large areas, such as meadows. The book contains beautiful photographs, and tips for naturalization, weeding, soil, maintenance and the evolution of plant spaces. I do not have huge areas for gardening as in this book, but the tips are very helpful for any gardener.
The Thought Spot 