Jaclyn M. Bartz: Journey of an Author: Jaclyn's Bookshelf

Showing posts with label Jaclyn's Bookshelf. Show all posts

Monday, March 2, 2015

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
Green Owl Publications
The Retired Tooth Fairy Fan Page

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Tuesday, October 28, 2014

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
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Monday, September 22, 2014

Book Review: A Filly for Laura--Ashley Hotter

A Filly for Laura
Ashley Hotter
Tate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC
127 E. Trade Center Terrace
Mustang, Oklahoma 73064
www.tatepublishing.com
1628542683/B00I51XD5K
Print Edition $8.99 US/Kindle $7.99

A Filly for Laura follows a young eight year old girl who lost her parents and now lives in a foster home with her brother. Having a hard time dealing with the loss of her parents, Laura is withdrawn and unhappy. When her foster Dad gives her the responsibility to take care of a pregnant mustang named Mae, Laura begins to change.

As a debut title for Ashley Hotter, A Filly for Laura showcases this young author's talents. The story is well-crafted, skillfully illustrated, and delightful. It is written from Laura's point of view, and Hotter did a wonderful job evoking emotion through her carefully planned words. The story is short, only 24 pages total; therefore, the pace is fast, making this a quick read for a child.

This book is great for all elementary-aged children. Additionally, it would make a great gift for a child dealing with loss and depression because the theme is about finding happiness after a tragedy. Overall, I enjoyed reading this story with my children and I would highly recommend it to other parents looking for a children's book with deeper meanings.

You can purchase A Filly for Laura by Ashley Hotter Below:

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