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Review: Parkland Speaks: Survivors from Marjory Stoneman Douglas Share Their Stories by Sarah Lerner (Editor) – (Blog Tour)

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Parkland Speaks: Survivors from Marjory Stoneman Douglas Share Their Stories by Sarah Lerner (Editor) – (Blog Tour)Parkland Speaks: Survivors from Marjory Stoneman Douglas Share Their Stories by Sarah Lerner
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on January 22, 2019
Pages: 192
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
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Goodreads
five-stars

Featuring art and writing from the students of the Parkland tragedy, this is a raw look at the events of February 14, and a poignant representation of grief, healing, and hope.

The students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School share their emotional journeys that began on February 14, 2018, and continue today. This revealing and unfiltered look at teens living in the wake of tragedy is a poignant representation of grief, anger, determination, healing, and hope.

The intimate collection includes poetry, eyewitness accounts, letters, speeches, journal entries, drawings, and photographs from the events of February 14 and its aftermath. Full of heartbreaking loss, a rally cry for change, and hope for a safe future, these artistic pieces will inspire readers to reflect on their own lives and the importance of valuing and protecting the ones you love.

TRIGGER WARNING: This book is about a school shooting, and everything that entails – guns, death, PTSD, anciety, depression, etc. Please be cautious in reading this review if those things are a trigger for you.

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I’m not going to use my usual “Hey, everyone! I’m SO excited to be on the blog tour for….” intro for this post, because I can’t say I’m excited to be on a blog tour for a book about a school shooting. I don’t know if “humbled” is the right word, either. Honestly, I don’t know what word to use. But the minute I received the email asking if I’d like to participate, I knew I had to say yes. It’s too important a topic to say no to.

School shootings – mass shootings in general – are becoming far too commonplace. We as a nation are growing numb to them. We CAN’T grow numb. We have to stand up and demand stricter gun laws, among other things. The students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School refuse to be silent, and we should do as they do.

As for the book itself… Parkland Speaks is a gut-wrenching read. Children should never have to fear for their lives while trying to receive an education. Parents should never have to fear that they’ll never see their children again after sending them off to school in the morning. For the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, everything changed on February 14, 2018. Seventeen families lost loved ones, and those who survived the ordeal lost friends – and their innocence.

This book contains poems, stories, diary entries, essays and more – both from students and from faculty who were there that day. Some of the poems are students reflecting in the aftermath of the shooting; others are stories of those who were in the freshman building during the shooting.

The most chilling passage, in my opinion, was one entitled “Nothing Bad Ever Happens in Parkland.” It was a testimony before congress by Stacey Lippel, language arts instructor at MSD. She was right in the thick of the shooting. She saw the shooter. A bullet grazed her arm. Yet she risked her life to save others. She saved many lives by ushering students into her classroom.

One truly heartwarming part of this book? All the stories about the therapy dogs, and how they comforted the traumatized students.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to EVERYONE. It’s a really hard book to get through, but it has a powerful message. Like I said earlier, we as a nation are growing numb to mass shootings, and we can’t let that happen. This book should be required reading for all politicians – for everyone, really, but especially politicians. These stories are heartbreaking and gut-wrenching and IMPORTANT. The lesson learned from reading this book is obvious: we must stand strong against gun violence and demand stronger gun safety laws.

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I hate feeling like I have to say this, but if you don’t agree with my stance on gun safety, please don’t comment on this post. Don’t argue with me. Don’t try to start something, because I’ll just delete your comment and block you. Polite discussion is encouraged, but if you’re looking to pick a fight, you’re in the wrong place.

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Memorable Quotes:

Please Note: Some of these quotes are snippets of longer passages. The Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) I read did not have page numbers, so I can’t include them here. Instead, I will include the title of the passage the quote comes from.

“Watching my students find their voices after someone tried to silence them…” – ReWrite

“Tears begin to stroke my eyes when I realize one of my messages will remain unread forever.” – Inside a Fearful Mind

“The text read ‘I just want you to know I love you all and don’t worry, I will be okay.’” – Third Floor

“Rose petals and blood covered the floor.” – Third Floor

“That’s when I realized… I left them in that building.” – 2/14/18: The Day My Whole Life Changed

“I didn’t know who the teacher was… I remember her saying something along the lines of ‘I want you to know that if anyone comes through that door, they will have to go through me.’” – Journal Entry #1

“Remember me when I’m gone.” – Immortal Dreams

“Together we will all stand strong.” – Political Puppets

five-stars

Review: Reach Higher: An Inspiring Photo Celebration of First Lady Michelle Obama by Amanda Lucidon (Blog Tour)

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Reach Higher: An Inspiring Photo Celebration of First Lady Michelle Obama by Amanda Lucidon (Blog Tour)Reach Higher: An Inspiring Photo Celebration of First Lady Michelle Obama by Amanda Lucidon
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on October 23, 2018
Pages: 112
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

A collection of striking and intimate photographs of Michelle Obama, coupled with personal reflections and behind-the-scenes stories from official White House photographer and New York Times bestselling author of Chasing Light, Amanda Lucidon, presented in a deluxe format for young readers.

This stunning and revealing collection of seventy photographs captures and celebrates Mrs. Obama's White House years and her dedication to improving the lives of young people in the United States and around the world.

As a former official White House photographer, Amanda Lucidon shares an insider's view on the role of the First Lady by documenting life at the White House and sharing personal memories that reveal what makes Mrs. Obama so special.

Newly adapted in a deluxe format for young readers from the New York Times bestseller Chasing Light, the collection also includes:

* The role of the First Lady, past and present
* What a White House photographer does
* The history of the People's House and the people who lived there
* And much more!

These strikingly intimate and candid photographs through the lens of a White House photographer are a beautiful celebration and powerful reminder of the impact of a remarkable First Lady.

Hey, everyone! I’m SO excited to be on the blog tour for Reach Higher: An Inspiring Photo Celebration of First Lady Michelle Obama by Amanda Lucidon (October 23, 2018 by Crown Books for Young Readers)! Without further adieu, here’s my review!

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I’ve never reviewed a non-fiction book before – nor have I ever gotten political on here. But this book was absolutely amazing. It showcases Michelle Obama – a dignified, intelligent, kind woman who sacrificed her time and energy to make the world a better place.

The pictures are amazing. Amanda Lucidon did an incredible job ensuring that these pictures would go down in history. I especially loved the last one, with Michelle and the family dog. It’s so light and carefree, showing us a different side of the former First Lady.

I love the simple way this book broke down the job of the First Lady, the job of the official White House Photographer, and what the White House is – it makes it very easy for kids to understand. I also enjoyed the bits of historical facts – I learned things I never knew (or maybe once learned and had since forgotten), such as the fact that the White House wasn’t always called the White House, and that Dolley Madison was the first presidential spouse to be referred to as First Lady.

In today’s violent and volatile political climate, kids need this book. They need to know that there are good people out there; that people in power are not all corrupt, and often DO have our best interests at heart. Kids need to know that Michelle Obama is a beacon of kindness, and a person who values humanity – ALL humanity. Kids need to know what we’re fighting to get back, and that the journey will be worth the struggle and sacrifice.

I highly recommend this book to… basically everyone. But I especially think it will be great for teachers and librarians – a must-have book for classroom libraries and library collections. I recommend it to kids who need to understand where we came from and where we’re going, as well as for adults who need a reminder that their hard work will pay off – and that future generations will appreciate all they did.

five-stars

Guest Review: Summer of Supernovas by Darcy Woods

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Guest Review: Summer of Supernovas by Darcy WoodsSummer of Supernovas by Darcy Woods
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on May 10, 2016
Pages: 352
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

Fans of Jennifer E. Smith and Jenny Han will fall in love with this heartfelt and humor-laced debut following one girl’s race to find the guy of her cosmic dreams.

When zodiac-obsessed teen Wilamena Carlisle discovers a planetary alignment that won’t repeat for a decade, she’s forced to tackle her greatest astrological fear: The Fifth House—relationships and love.

But when Wil falls for a sensitive guitar player hailing from the wrong side of the astrology chart, she must decide whether a cosmically doomed love is worth rejecting her dead mother’s legacy and the very system she’s faithfully followed through a lifetime of unfailing belief.

A message from Meredith: Hey everyone! Today, I have Sarah Emery from Tune In To Books here with a guest review for Summer of Supernovas by Darcy Woods. Sarah couldn’t stop telling me how AMAZING this book is!!!

You can visit Sarah on her awesome blog and on Twitter!

Without further adieu, here’s Sarah’s review! Enjoy!

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When I found out that Meredith was looking for a home for her copy of SUMMER OF SUPERNOVAS, I leapt on my chance. I’ve developed a great instinct for picking out books I’m sure to love, and I knew I had to read this book.

Despite my TBR bookshelf (the real one in my house) of about seventy books, this one rocketed to the top immediately. I tried to read slowly and appreciate this book, but I tore through it, desperate to get through it and unravel all the little mysteries.

Wilamena (Wil to most people) is obsessed with astrology, thanks to her deceased mom’s obsession with it. She lives her life by the stars and their meanings, and hides all of this from her Grams, whom she lives with. When she decides that she has to take action and find love or risk another decade being single, she takes action with help from her friend, Irina.

Now, I could go on from there, but I live in fear of spoiling a single detail for anyone. I’ll just say that this is packed with voice, rife with fabulous romantic tension (here’s the obligatory triangle warning if you’re opposed to such things), and packed full of fun, interesting characters, as well as boys who play musical instruments and sing. Between voice-y Will, boys who play musical instruments, and the great romantic tension, I fell for this book FAST. If you like fluffy contemporary YA and don’t hate triangles, you need to give this book a try!

Now, on my blog I like to post a music video that fits with the book. My choice for this one was pretty easy. Check it out here!

five-stars