Author: Michelle

Middle Grade Fiction

Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Michelle

Grades 3-6

short

Julia is short for her age, and she sees that as a negative thing until she gets cast as a munchkin in the local production of The Wizard of Oz. She is also inspired when her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Chang, gets involved with the play by making costumes for the cast, and even offers to play a flying monkey. Julia realizes that she should embrace her stature, and herself, the way she is, and begins to have a more positive outlook.

Thanks to Penguin Random House for an advanced copy of this book.

Memoirs

Forever Liesl by Charmian Carr

Michelle

Ages 14+forever-liesl

With the recent passing of Charmian Carr, I felt the need to check this one out of the library. She was the actress known for playing the role of Liesl Von Trapp in 1965’s The Sound of Music. The book tells of how Carr got the part in the famous musical, romances in her life, and her relationships with the actors while working together, and life after The Sound of Music. Though she was supposedly “sixteen going on seventeen,” in real life she was actually 21, a legal adult, which set her apart from the other children she was acting with. Despite all that, however, she still maintained close relationships with each of them. In this memoir, Carr explains why she left acting, and her experience of meeting the real Von Trapp children. She also includes stories from people whose lives were affected by the film. A must read for all Sound of Music fans!

Adult Fiction, Blogging For Books, Romance

This Too Shall Pass by Milena Busquets

Michelle

Ages 18+thistooshallpass

Blanca finds comfort in her friends and family after the passing of her mother, her best friend in the whole world. She returns to Cadaques after being settled in Barcelona for so long, on a journey to find herself again. This includes continuing her affair with her married lover, and traveling with her closest friends and two sons. The novel is honest, funny and impossible to put down!

Thanks to Bloggingforbooks.com for a review copy of this book.

Memoirs

Pancakes In Paris by Craig Carlson

Michelle

Ages 14+

pancakes

The author and owner of Breakfast In America, an American diner in France, details the struggles he faced while trying to realize his dream of opening a diner in Paris. He ran into many snares and jumped through hoops before and after he opened his restaurant, but in the end it was worth it. Highly recommended!

Thanks to Sourcebooks for a review copy of this book.

Middle Grade Fiction, Netgalley Reviews

The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase by Wendy Mass

Michelle

Grades 3-6

candymakers

The company Harmonicandy was chosen as the winner of the nationwide candy making contest. As soon as Logan, Miles, Philip, and Daisy have returned to their everyday lives, they find out that they have a chance to promote the candy and the company and go on tour. They each jump at the chance for different reasons, but not before a very old secret is revealed.

Thanks to Netgalley.com for a review copy of this book.