Book Review: Set on You by Amy Lea

Set on You by Amy Lea is a contemporary romance. Curvy fitness influencer Crystal Chen built her career shattering gym stereotypes and mostly ignoring the trolls. After her recent breakup, she has little stamina left for men, instead finding solace in the gym – her place of power and positivity. Enter firefighter Scott Ritchie, the smug new gym patron who routinely steals her favorite squat rack. Sparks fly as these ultra-competitive foes battle for gym domination. But after a series of escalating jabs, the last thing they expect is to run into each other at their grandparents' engagement party. In the lead up to their grandparents' wedding, Crystal discovers there’s a soft heart under Scott’s muscled exterior. Bonding over family, fitness, and cheesy pick-up lines, they just might have found her swolemate. But when a photo of them goes viral, savage internet trolls put their budding relationship to the ultimate test of strength.

Set on You is a read that does a great job about unpacking some of the self esteem and image issues that run rampant in some of our lives. I liked Crystal and her circle of friends, family, and clients. I thin the variety of approaches to liking and caring about yourself was very well done and will resonate with a variety of readers. I think the situation and aspects around social media and reactions of other people was on point, sadly. I enjoyed the journey with Crystal, and I think that many of us, including those that never got comfortable in the gym, can relate to many of her experiences and thoughts. I will say that as much as I understood and empathized with her I also had moments when I just wanted to shake her and give her some tough love- but I am also a person that tends to turn pain in to manic cleaning or side projects rather than cocooning. I also find Scott to be a little flat and maybe too close to perfect. Yes he had his own issues from the past, but I did not feel like I got as much growth and insight into him as Crystal- and the dual growth and change is something I really enjoy in a story. All of this is my personal preference, and nothing that is actually wrong with the book.. I van think of many people that would connect to this read more closely and deeply than I, and I have a few I will be recommending it to.

Set on You is an engaging and entertaining read. 

Book Review: Being Fitz by J.D. Walker

Being Fitz by J.D. Walker is a novella. Lysander "Fitz" Fitzgibbon used to teach at a university, but quit when his father grew ill and needed someone to take care of him. Years later, after his dad's death, Fitz has given up on his dreams, drives a bus route, and endures twice monthly visits from Jerry, who can't really be called a friend, and barely a benefit. Fitz is lonely, overweight, and figures life won't be getting any better. Then Jerry falls for Fitz's neighbor, Henry, and Fitz stumbles over a dead body in the park. As if life couldn't get any worse, he has a run-in with Detective Holland Simms, whose infuriating arrogance and brash behavior provokes Fitz to punch him. But strangely enough, Fitz feels more alive around Simms than he has in a long time, though Fitz finds it hard to believe that the confident Simms would want anything to do with him.

Being Fitz is a short romance. It was a quick. enjoyable read with some serious feels. My biggest issue is that I wanted more. Fitz has plenty of angst in the beginning, and the initial courtship between Simms and Fitz was pretty great. However, then we just kind of cut ahead to Fitz getting his life together, and it felt like the heart of the matter was glossed over. I loved seeing Fitz find happiness, but I feel like This could have easily been fleshed out to a full length novel, with more relationship development, and more of Fitz finding his value in tangible ways rather than because Simms and his coworker telling him that his is more than he thinks. I liked the read, but really wanted more, I wanted to see Fitz grow not just have it glossed over and be told that things work out. I wanted to see him move towards it and grab his future with both hands rather than just reacting to things that come his way.

Early Book Review: Petra by Marianna Coppo

Petra is a picture book by Marianna Coppo which is currently scheduled for release on February 6 2018. Petra is a little rock who believes she is a mighty mountain, until a dog fetches her for its owner, and she is tossed into a bird's nest. A mountain? No, Petra is now an egg! An egg of the world in a world of possibility. Until she's flung into a pond, and becomes an amazing island and, eventually, a little girl's pet rock. What will she be tomorrow? Who knows? But she's a rock, and this is how she rolls!

Petra is a cute picturebook about a rock with grand ideas about herself. She thinks highly of herself, and even when she is proven wrong by circumstance she continues to adjust and adapt, making the best of every situation. This is a great reminder for kids and adults alike, that even if thing do not go the way you want or your self perception changes there is still good and possibilities ahead. I loved Petra's good nature, and thought the illustrations were fun and charming. I enjoyed the picturebook greatly, and think it will be a favorite for many.  

Book Review: Freckle Stars by Jackie Leduc

Freckle Stars by Jackie Leduc is a children's book about Clementine, who hated her freckles and that they made her different.  Other children poked fun at her in school, and she didn't want to be different. But one day, her mother teaches her an important life lesson she will never forget.

Freckle Stars is a cute story about a girl dealing with being bullied about looking different. She has red hair, fair skin, and freckles. Honestly, while I know some kids will tease others about anything- she is described to match exactly what I wanted to look like at that age, but I digress. I love that Clementine spoke her her mother about her bullying issue, and her concerns about being different. This is awesome and something we need to encourage our kids to do, share their problems and concerns with the adults in their lives. However, it is in the conversation she has with her mother that the book went sharply downhill for me. Instead of supporting her daughter's body image, how different is beautiful, or that everyone has a different version of beauty her mom goes to magic. Freckles are really stars, so you are special and your skin magic is her answer rather than addressing the bullies or her daughter's self esteem in a healthy way. Yes, it is a sweety, fun idea and young children would love the idea of stars hanging out on their skin. I just wish that the validated Clementines individual beauty rather than telling her she is special in a fairy tale way. 

Book Review: Bug Girl (Bug Girl, #1) by Benjamin Harper, Sarah Hines-Stephens, Anoosha Syed

Bug Girl is the first book in a series by the same title by Benjamin Harper, Sarah Hines-Stephens, and Anoosha Syed. Amanda Price adores all things bug-related—from spiders to mantises. Unfortunately, most of her fellow sixth-graders do not share her invertebrate obsession. They’re grossed out by it. Especially Amanda’s ex-best friend, Emily, who thinks Amanda is creepy weird. But when mysterious invaders menace the town of Oyster Cove and take both Amanda and Emily’s mothers captive, Amanda unexpectedly develops amazing insect powers! Newly equipped with antennae and a glistening exoskeleton she uncovers a secret that changes everything. Now Amanda has to act fast or her town and her mom are doomed! There’s just one complication, she needs Emily’s help. Suddenly Amanda’s worst enemy becomes her best ally, but working together may be even harder than saving their town.

Bug Girl is a story that is not just about gaining superpowers and saving your home town. The real heart of the story is about Amanda being true to herself, and finding her way through the changes of middle school, and becoming a superheroes of course. I liked that Amanda faces bullying and social issues, but remains true to her interests and self rather than falling in line with the rest. The fact that her former best friend Emily has falling into step with the rest of the school makes that harder, but she finds her own way despite the loss of her best friend and the teasing that co,mes with having a passion about something that is not approved of by the popular crowd in middle school. Then when the super powers and conflict arise, she just continues to grow as a person, not just focusing on the powers. I really liked the coming of age tale, and the message of being true to yourself. The knowledge that we are all stronger than we know is a strong thread through the story as well. Readers that feel like they are on the outside, different, or bullied (which I think every one feels at some point) will definitely enjoy the read and connect with the characters.

Bug Girl is a charming story with a great deal of heart, and some serious action. I liked the blend of facts about insects and the fun adventure and growth that Amanda faces. I think this will be a win with elementary and middle school readers.

Early Book Review: Minnie and Max are OK!: A Story to Help Children Develop a Positive Body Image by Chris Calland, Nicky Hutchinson, Emmi Smid

Minnie and Max are OK!: A Story to Help Children Develop a Positive Body Image by Chris Calland, Nicky Hutchinson, Emmi Smid is a children's book that is currently scheduled for release on May 18 2017. Minnie has had a bad day at school. Some children made fun of her looks, and she wishes she was more like them. Max, Minnie's dog, wishes he looked different too. And he doesn't understand why Grandma doesn't like his singing! When Grandma sees that Minnie and Max aren't OK, she takes them to the park. There, they see lots of children and dogs - all with different shapes, sizes, colors and special traits. If they all looked the same, would it be better or worse?

Minnie and Max are OK! is a charming read for children dealing with any self esteem issues. While the official blurb for the book focuses on body image, I think any child that feels like they are different- via physical, emotional, economical, or any difference really- can benefit from the book. I think readers that might join in on mocking or commenting negatively on others might also benefit from the read, since it would help them understand how hurtful their words and actions can be. This would be a good book to share with preschool and early elementary school students- either through class  or one on one reading. It would be a great discussion starter on diversity, kindness, and bullying. Best of all there are questions for parents or other adults to share with children to further enhance the lessons of the story.

Early Book Review: Okay Kevin: A Story to Help Children Discover How Everyone Learns Differently by James Dillon

Okay Kevin: A Story to Help Children Discover How Everyone Learns Differently by James Dillon is currently scheduled for release on April 21 2017. Kevin never smiles at school, but he is different at home. He jumps up and down when his favorite football team scores a touchdown, and screams "CANNONBALL!" when he jumps into the swimming pool. But at school he feels that he isn't 'okay.' Other kids in his class are much quicker at putting their hands up and answering the teacher's questions, and Kevin feels that he will never catch up. One day, his reading teacher asks him to help out with the school store, and Kevin slowly begins to realize that he had really been 'a okay' all along.

Okay Kevin is a story that offers a look into the mind and emotions of one student that does not learn the same way as his classmates. He cannot keep up with the pace of reading skills as his classmates. This goes on through several grades in school, leaving Kevin feel like he is not okay, that he is different in a bad way. His mother and reading teacher do thier best to help him understand that there is nothing wrong with him, but Kevin still feels bad about himself. It is only when he is offered the change to work in the school store, and shows off his math skills, that Kevin gets the reinforcement and confidence in himself that he needs. He starts to see that he is okay, and might not learn the same way as his classmates, but he has his own skills and talents that make him smart in his own way.

Okay Kevin is a story that can help those struggling in school see that they are not alone, and that other people understand how they feel. It can also help those that have no problems academically understand and have some empathy for those that might. This is an important book for children of all abilities to be exposed to, in the interest of empathy and self confidence. 

Through providing an insight into Kevin's thoughts, feelings and coping strategies, this picture book for ages 5-8 is a source of support for children who, like Kevin, find school difficult and feel that they are 'behind' their peers. The book, which draws on the author's experiences as the principal of an elementary school, is also the perfect springboard for discussion around difficulties at school, academic ability, self-esteem, confidence and recognizing strengths.