Book Review: Ella Mae the Courageous Cheerleader

Ella Mae the Courageous Cheerleader

Stephanie Cameron
Tate Publishing- Children's Division
127 E. Trade Center Terrace, Mustang, Oklahoma 73064
ASIN: B00BJ8A3Z4, $7.99 Kindle, www.amazon.com

This is a perfect book for a child struggling with bullying issues. From the gorgeous illustrations to the well-integrated bible verses, Ella Mae was a delightful read. The story follows a young cheerleader named Ella Mae. She loved to cheer for her school, but had to face the daily teasing from her team mates. Even though it was difficult, Ella Mae made a choice to treat them with kindness rather than resorting to using the same tactics. Eventually, her kindness spread and she received a nice surprise.

At the end, we were greeted with a few questions and some bible verses that relates to the overall theme of "do to others what you would have them do to you". These questions help children take the concepts from the story and open up a dialogue with their family about bullying.

My daughter says, "It is hard to deal with bullies. Sometimes it is hard to know how to stand up to someone who is being mean. I like how she was able to be kind even though the girls were really mean to her. I think this book has a great message."

This book is a great complement to Christian upbringings. I believe that a reader who is not religious or does not believe in the Christian faith may have issues with the religious symbols, verses, and theme. And for that reason, I would not recommend this book for those readers. However, if the reader is looking for a great book about bullying, is Christian, religious, and/or curious about the faith, I feel this would be an excellent addition to their libraries.

Ella Mae can be found here on Amazon.

This review can also be found on The Midwest Book Review's Reviewer's Bookwatch Newsletter under Jaclyn's Bookshelf.

Visit Stephanie Cameron @ ellamaebooks.com

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Reviewed by Jaclyn M. Bartz and the Owlets

Jaclyn M Bartz
Author/Illustrator of The Retired Tooth Fairy
Volunteer Book Reviewer for Midwest Book Review
Founder of Green Owl Publications

Artist Website
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The Retired Tooth Fairy Fan Page

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The Adventures of Wally and Warren: Dinosaur Hunt by Lisé Chase

The Adventures of Wally and Warren: Dinosaur Hunt

Lisé Chase
Eve Innovations
9780692229224, Print $9.99 US, 42 pgs.
B00L3UL7R6, Kindle $2.99 US

Synopsis: Wally and Warren, the dynamic polar duo, are on a new, Jurassic adventure. With Warren as their guide, Wally learns about a variety of dinosaurs. But when he discovers some of these creatures eat meat, he worries one might come after him and Warren and their new baby Brontosaurus friend. He’s determined to protect them, but what will he do when he encounters the greatest predator of all…the Tyrannosaurus rex?

Dinosaur Hunt is the fourth installment in The Adventures of Wally and Warren children’s book series. The story is written in clever and adorable rhymes. It depicts Wally, Warren, and their friends playing pretend while reading a book about dinosaurs. Lisé Chase explains the purpose of her illustrations. She wants children to feel like they could draw those characters and create their own stories. It is a great concept which will surely inspire the future generation of authors and illustrators.

As a parent, I really enjoyed the interaction my children had with it. My son, the two year old, loved giving the baby dinosaur kisses. He took off down the hall to run away from the T-rex when the characters screamed “Run!” My youngest daughter loved learning about the different dinosaurs, and my oldest enjoyed recognizing terms she is learning in school. I like how Lisé Chase shows children how fun it is to read. I believe this book will light that fire in the hearts of many young children. It is a true gem!

What did the kids think?

My oldest daughter said, “I like that it teaches about dinosaurs in a fun way. I like that the characters are drawn as cartoons and real pics of the dinosaurs are shown in the back.”

“They are really cute!” stated my four year old, who wanted to read the story over and over again.

Author Bio: Lisé Chase is the author/illustrator of The Adventures of Wally and Warren children's picture book series. She's an adventurer, an explorer, an artist, a poet, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother who believes every day should be lived to its fullest and that our life is what we make of it.

Synopsis & Author Bio found on Amazon.

Purchase The Adventures of Wally and Warren: Dinosaur Hunt Here

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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Currently, I am only taking on short reads--Children's Books Only--since my chapter book schedule is full. Sorry for the inconvenience. No Spammers Please!

Jaclyn M. Bartz

Author/Illustrator of "The Retired Tooth Fairy"

Volunteer Book Reviewer for Midwest Book Review

email: theretiredtoothfairy (at) outlook (dot) com

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NaNoWriMo 2014

Wow, it is November already! It is hard to believe how fast this year is passing by. November to most people
means Thanksgiving, cooler temperatures, and additional layers of clothing. For me, it also is a month full of birthdays and, of course--writing.

I must admit. This is my first year participating in a NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I tried the Camp in July, and thought it was a fun challenge-- so when November approached, I figured I would try my hand at this challenge to see how I would fare. And not only am I stepping into a new challenge, I am also stepping into a different genre than I normally write for. I am stepping away from my roots of writing children's stories and making my first attempt at writing an adult supernatural horror novel. We shall see how this goes.

Of course, I like to keep my stories friendly. Therefore, I am trying to steer away from any foul language or intimate moments. So here is a quick synopsis of my novel:

Mock Cover

When a group of archeology students take on the ultimate assignment--finding the Fountain of Youth, they end up on a trip they wished they had never started. As their members disappear, the group's mission changes from searching for the mystic fountain to finding their friends. Will they find their friends and complete their assignment or will they

meet the same fate?

I have over six thousand words written. Some of you may think that is an impressive number on my sixth day. Right now though, I am a little behind. In order to meet my deadline I have to write at least 2,000 words per day. I will have to pull an All Nighter. Even with this slow start, I know I have plenty of time to catch up. And I am sure I will do my best to complete this challenge. If I don't, this is still a great learning experience that will help me grow as a writer.

A message for my fellow participants: Keep up the good work! Even one word written is one word closer to completing the first draft of your story. :)

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year? How are you doing with your challenge? What do you like/dislike? I would love to hear your story, please comment below and we can cheer for each other all the way to the finish line.

Find out more about NaNoWriMo: http://nanowrimo.org/

Food Run by Cindy Santos

Food Run
Cindy Santos
Amazon Digital Publishing
B00L8OHIU2, Kindle $0.99 US, www.amazon.com


Synopsis (From Amazon.com): It’s getting late. An out-of-work, divorced mother of two, makes a last-minute dash to the supermarket before it closes. Referencing her shopping list, she races through the store, compares prices and strives to stick to her limited budget as she buys groceries for her school-aged children and ailing mother. Her late-night shopping trip almost goes according to plan, until it’s time for her to pay. An unexpected encounter at the checkout stand forces her to consider all her choices – and their consequences.

Cindy Santos delivers an emotional, descriptive short-story that tackles important issues related to the suffering of some modern day people. Food Run is a story about a divorced mother's dreaded trip to the grocery store. This Stanford graduate is forced to accept receiving government assistance in order to feed her family. The story throws the reader into the inner thoughts, fears, and frustrations while dealing with the less than ideal situation the main character faces. Ms. Santos does a wonderful job showing the struggles of her character and the prejudice people display toward people who are down on their luck. Additionally, she highlights the human disconnect between big grocery stores and local shops as her character remembers the days when store owners treated people as though they were important instead of the ones that only are concerned with their "bottom line".

This story is relatable for people experiencing similar situations, and is an eye-opener for those who look down on people receiving welfare. In my opinion, the best aspect of this story is the message about not judging people because no one knows what the other person is going through. In this recession, college educated people have lost their jobs and have not been able to recover. Some had to go on welfare for temporary assistance, others are going back to change careers, and many were forced to take low-paying jobs to try to make ends meet. It is a sad truth, and Cindy Santos does an amazing job bringing humanity into this story.

Food Run is a story for people who are experiencing these issues and for those looking to understand the problems in our society. I would not recommend this for anyone who cannot empathize with people down on their luck or those who demonize others for accepting government assistance.


About the Author (Taken from Amazon):
Cindy Santos is a Cuban-American author and writer with a social conscious. Born and raised in Southern California, Cindy developed a passion for writing at an early age and dreamed of one day becoming a journalist. After attending three community colleges, she transferred to the University of Southern California in 2005 where she double majored in print journalism and contemporary American history. As an undergraduate student, she interned at a magazine and three newspapers to make her dream a reality. Upon her graduation from USC in 2008, she initially pursued a career in journalism, but later decided to devote herself to writing fiction based on current events. Known as a champion for Latino literature and multicultural realism, Cindy's stories capture the essence of everyday life in our troubled times. Her recently released short story, "Food Run," is her first published work of fiction. Cindy currently resides in the greater Los Angeles area where she is working on her debut novel.

Purchase Food Run by Cindy Santos here:
Food Run by Cindy Santos

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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Currently, I am only taking on short reads--Children's Books Only--since my chapter book schedule is full. Sorry for the inconvenience. No Spammers Please!

Jaclyn M. Bartz
Author/Illustrator of "The Retired Tooth Fairy"
Volunteer Book Reviewer for Midwest Book Review

email: theretiredtoothfairy (at) outlook (dot) com

Official Website
Amazon Author Page
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Tweet Me~ @JaclynMBartz
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Elliot's New Friends by Justin Lambert

Elliot's New Friends
Justin Lambert/John Langton
Privately Published
B00LBDMZAS, Kindle $1.99 US


Have you ever seen an elephant jump into a tree? If not, then you will in this adorable non-rhyming picture book. Elliot's New Friends by Justin Lambert will have you laughing out loud while reading this fun story about friendship and acceptance. Elliot is a not-so-little elephant who has dreams of exploring life outside of his waterhole. Since he has spent his entire life with other elephants, Elliot assumes the creatures he meets must also be some very strange looking elephants. He starts out by judging the other creatures based on their looks. Eventually, he realizes that he was wrong to judge them and searches throughout the land for new unique friends who all have something about them that makes them uniquely special.

The ideal audience for this book is for children in 1st grade to 4th--even though it is marketed to younger groups. The language is a little too hard for new readers to sit and try to read this without assistance. However, I do feel those younger audiences would love the adorable illustrations and the silly actions of Elliot and his friends.

While my oldest daughter enjoyed the message the author conveyed, my younger two enjoyed the dialogue and the pictures. They laughed when Elliot jumped into the tree and giggled at the conversations the characters had with one another. Elliot's New Friends is a great story with a powerful message behind it. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cute story about friendship.


Purchase Elliot's New Friends by Justin Lambert:
Elliot's New Friends

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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Currently, I am only taking on short reads--Children's Books Only--since my chapter book schedule is full. Sorry for the inconvenience. No Spammers Please!

Jaclyn M. Bartz
Author/Illustrator of "The Retired Tooth Fairy"
Volunteer Book Reviewer for Midwest Book Review

email: theretiredtoothfairy (at) outlook (dot) com

Official Website
Amazon Author Page
Facebook Author Page
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Tweet Me~ @JaclynMBartz
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Hi, My Name is Bobo.: (A Weekend in the Life of a 5th Grader) by James Gordon

Hi, My Name is Bobo.: (A Weekend in the Life of a 5th Grader)
James Gordon
CreateSpace
1497362210/B00J7QJPJ0

Print $10.99 US/Kindle $1.50 US

Hi, My Name is Bobo by James Gordon is a cute memoir. Each scene is written from the child's point of view and immediately draws the reader in by peppering the pages with references to famous pop culture figures and images of familiar family dynamics. He brings an innocence to his words by asking the questions we all wondered as children, such as why it is okay for adults to engage in behaviors they tell their children to refrain from doing. Additionally, the author shares his childhood pictures which helps the readers connect personally with the dialogue.

My children loved this story because they could picture themselves in the same scenarios, like hanging out with their siblings, going to church, and watching some of their favorite superhero characters. And they loved the interesting way James Gordon wrote each scene. 

This story was endearing, and it was great getting a glimpse into the author's life. It will leave the reader reminiscing about their own childhoods, sharing those memories with their children, and smiling for hours afterwards.

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If you would like your book reviewed for free, please shoot me an email with a Kindle Version or PDF. Currently, I am only taking on short reads--Children's Books Only--since my chapter book schedule is full. Sorry for the inconvenience. No Spammers Please!

Jaclyn M. Bartz
Author/Illustrator of "The Retired Tooth Fairy"
Volunteer Book Reviewer for Midwest Book Review

email: theretiredtoothfairy (at) outlook (dot) com

Official Website
Amazon Author Page
Facebook Author Page
"The Retired Tooth Fairy" Fan Page
Tweet Me~ @JaclynMBartz
Pinterest
Connect w/ me on LinkedIn

Welcome

Hello everyone,

It is my pleasure to share my journey with you. Currently, I am an aspiring author and illustrator. In this blog, you will be able to follow along with me as I travel through this new adventure. I will share any tips or information I come across. Hopefully, my story will inspire you on your own journey. Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog. Please stop by soon for new posts. Peace and love.