Category: Friendship - Blazer Tales

Blazer Tales

There are 4 ways to use this blog: 1) Scroll through to see a variety of books; 2) Click on the 3 lines at the top left to get a drop down menu of books broken down by grade levels; 3) Go to the search box and for title, genre, or subject; and 4) Go to Categories and search by subject matter.

***These reading levels are just a guide to help if needed. Please, please, please do not let any of these numbers deter you from reading whatever you want!!!***

Reviews Published

Professional Reader

10 Book Reviews

Circle by Mac Barnett

3/5/2019

Interest Level: K-3; Reading Level: 1.8

What is better than a triangle and a square? A circle of course! When Circle, Triangle, and Square decide to play hide-and-seek, circle only has one rule - no hiding behind the waterfall because it is dark. Square was fine with that, but Triangle wasn't afraid. When Circle finished counting and opened her eyes, Square quickly pointed out that Triangle had gone behind the waterfall. Circle was very brave and said she would go find him. When Circle gets behind the waterfall in the dark, does she find Triangle? What happens when Circle sees more that one pair of eyes in the dark? Read this precious story to find out what happens!

I absolutely love Mac Barnett's Shapes Trilogy, and so do my kids! I love the dry sense of humor throughout these books! I know that this is supposed to be the final book of this trilogy, but in my opinion Mac Barnett needs to get rid of the word "trilogy" and continue writing these amazingly funny books! What shape would you want next??

The Astonishing Maybe by Shaunta Grimes

2/23/2019

Interest Level: 5-8; Reading Level: 5.3

Have you ever met someone who seems a little odd? Well that is an understatement when it come to Roona. When Gideon and his family pull up to their new house the first thing he sees is this odd girl on roller skates, wearing a bathing suit over her clothes, rainbow-striped socks, and a blanket around her neck like a cape. Gideon soon finds out that you can't judge a book by its cover. He and Roona become fast friends even though they are completely opposite. Even though Gideon is about to go into the seventh grade, he is not allowed to even walk across the street by himself. Roona on the other hand, is very adventurous and believe is magic. Gideon's conservative self does not believe this until he actually sees it for himself. Roona's mom has been so sad since her dad has been gone with the military, every time she bakes something her feelings go into whatever she is making. When Roona and Gideon race to the nursing home to keep anyone from eating a birthday cake, they are too late. Everyone is sad and crying and Gideon can not believe his eyes. Next, she makes cookies for his sister's kindergarten orientation and everyone went crazy. So when Roona said that she was going to Las Vegas to find her dad and bring him home, Gideon knows his parents would ground him for life if he went on a public bus to Las Vegas, but how can he let her go alone. When they get there they find out that Roona's dad is actually in prison, not the military. Roona is shocked and doesn't know how to process this information. As Roona's mom's mental health is declining, Roona is scared because the last time her mom was put in the hospital, she had to go live with her aunt who beat her. Gideon knows he has to help his friend but his parents do not want to get involved. Can Gideon find a way to help his friend get through this tough time in her life? Will Roona be shipped off to her abusive aunt? Can Roona help her mom get better? To find out these answers, read this incredible book!

I have to give a warning on this book - it will tug at your heartstrings! It is sad what Roona has gone through in her short life. It is also amazing what she is willing to do to save her mom and herself. Also, it is heartwarming what Gideon is willing to do for a friend that he has only known a short time. This is a must read story about family, friendship, and breaking the rules for the greater good.

Maybe a Mermaid by Josephine Cameron

2/9/2019

Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 6.3

Have you ever had a good thing right in front of your face and you didn't realize it? Anthoni Gillis is in this exact situation. She has a plan to get a True Blue Friend, one that will always be with you through thick and thin, but so far in her eleven year old life, she has not found one. Her mom sells Beauty & Bee cosmetics and she is working her way up the company; however because of her success they have always moved around and Anthoni has never been able to make a true blue friend. When her mom surprises her with a summer trip to Thunder Lake and the Showboat Resort, where her mom grew up, Anthoni assumes it is because her mom is about to advance in the company. She soon finds out that it is completely the opposite. Her mom has not been following their plan and is slowly loosing control of her business. Antoni is furious with her mom but she meets Maddy, Juile, Kurt and DJ and instantly knows that Maddy is going to be her True Blue Friend. Little does she know that things are not always as they seem - when it comes to her friends and when it comes to the crazy lady, Charlotte, who runs the Showboat Resort. Will Antoni work her plan and make Maddy her True Blue Friend? What about DJ? He has been by her side the whole summer, but when he is pushed aside by Antoni's plan to make Maddy her True Blue Friend, will he be able to overcome his hurt feelings? Can Antoni's mom get her business plan back on track or will they be forced to come up with another plan? Don't miss this endearing story of family, friendship, and the persistence to get what you want out of life!

This is such a precious story of a girl who just wants a friend and then doesn't realize it when one is right in front of her face. It's also a story of a girl with a concrete plan and finding out that not all plans work out like you think. I love Antoni's work passion and her passion to find a friend. I also love that when her plan doesn't go the way she expects it to, she doesn't give up on her plan, she just reevaluates it. This is a must read book for 2019!

Firegirl by Tony Abbott

1/20/2019

Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 4.1

Have you ever done the right thing even if it cost you a friend? Tom is a seventh grade kid in a Catholic school. His best friend, Jeff, is not the nicest kid around but it's his only friend. Tom has a huge crush on a girl in his class but he doesn't have the nerve to even talk to her. One day their teacher announces that a new student will join their class and she gives them a warning about her appearance. Jessica has been badly burned and the students have a very hard time accepting her. The students in the class do a very good job of ignoring her yet at the same time rumors fly about how she was burned. One day during their daily prayer Jeff refused to hold Jessica's hand because he is so repulsed by her. Jeff doesn't think anything about it but Tom feels sorry for Jessica. Since Tom lives a few houses away from Jessica, Mrs. Tracy asks him to take her homework to her after an extended absence. Tom learns a lot about Jessica that day and actually wants to consider her a friend. This does not go over well with Jeff and their friendship disintegrates. Will Tom really choose Jessica over Jeff? Will this cause problems with the other kids in the class? To save face, should Tom go back to ignoring Jessica like all the other? Read this incredible story about compassion, friendship, and the decision to do what is right no matter what it costs.

This book was published in 2006 and I missed it so many years ago. It was not until Tony Abbot send me his new book, The Great Jeff, that I read Firegirl. Since The Great Jeff is the story of Tom's friend, Jeff, I wanted to read Firegirl so that I would know what was going on. I am so glad that I didn't go one day longer without reading this book. In a time when kids who are different seemed to be picked on and bullied, this is a refreshing story of a kid who realizes that it is wrong, especially when Tom is a shy kid himself. Run out today to get this book so you will be ready for The Great Jeff!!

Ruby in the Sky by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo

1/6/2019

Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 4.7

Imagine that your mom moves you around from place to place to place and each one is going to be your "forever home". Ruby wants her forever home to be back in the home where she last shared with her dad, but her mom has brought Ruby back to her own home town. She once again promises Ruby that this will be their forever home but within a week of being there her mom gets arrested and things are not looking good. Ruby knows there is no point in making friends because they will not be there for long, however she didn't expect to meet Abigail. Abigail is the old, crazy lady that lives in the shed next to her house and feeds the birds. Rumor around town is that she killed her husband and daughter many years ago. Ruby sees a different side of her but she can't deal with it because she has her own problems. She is trying to avoid a huge biography project since she knows that they will be moving soon and won't be there to present it. Her teacher, Mr. Andrews, and the kid trying to be her friend, Ahmad, think otherwise. Will this home actually be their forever home? Will Ruby expose Abigail for who she truly is or will Abigail's pain be more than she can bear? What happens with Ruby's mom's arrest and will she ever take Ruby back to the only home that she knew? Read this incredible book to find out what happens with Ruby and those around her!

Ruby in the Sky is a phenomenal book about love, loss, friendship, and overcoming when all the odds are against you. Ruby shows us all that even though we may be lonely and in pain ourselves, there can be others that need our help. No matter what kind of walls we put up around ourselves, those walls can be broken down for a new beginning. This book has such an amazing message and does not need to be missed!!!

Hope in the Holler by Lisa Lewis Tyre

12/24/2018

Interest Level: 5-8; Reading Level: 6.2

Imagine that you are twelve-years-old, your mother has just passed away, you have never known your father, and you have absolutely no family. You know that foster care is in your future. Sad, right? This is what Wavie is facing. The mother that she loves more than anything in the world has just passed away from cancer. She has no where to go, or at least that what she thought until her aunt shows up out of the blue to claim her. Samantha Rose is a loud, obnoxious, leopard-print legging wearing lady who professes to be her aunt. She takes her back to Conley Holler to the house that her mom grew up in. The problem is, Samantha Rose is anything but the nice, motherly person and the house is falling apart around them. They are poorer than poor and Wavie soon realizes the real reason that Samantha Rose offered to take her. The only good thing that happens in Wavie's life is that she makes two new best friends - Gilbert and Camille. The longer she is in Conley Holler the more she begins to unravel the secrets of her life and her mother's life. Can Wavie and her friends uncover the secrets before Samantha Rose takes legal custody? Can she find a way out of Conley Holler or is she destined to live a dead-beat life in a place that her mother fought hard to get her out of? Read this incredible book to find out what happens to Wavie!

I absolutely loved this story. From the first page you are friends with Wavie and you are cheering for her until the last page. You feel her pain and throughout the whole book you are pulling for her to overcome the life she has been thrown into. You also cannot help but love Gilbert and Camille. They are amazing friends to Wavie and they are the kind of kids that you would love to have as a friend also. Do not miss this heartwarming story of family and friendship, love and loss, and overcoming incredible odds.

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez

12/18/2018

Interest Level: 5-8; Reading Level: 5.2

Have you ever felt a little different from the people around you, including your family? This is exactly how Malú feels, especially around her "SuperMexican" mom. Malú (short for Maria Luisa) loves punk rock, wearing t-shirts and shorts, and skateboarding; she absolutely hates cilantro (what person of Mexican descent hates cilantro??). Malú's parents are divorced and she feels more comfortable with her dad who owns a record store than her mom who is a college professor. The huge problem facing Malú right now is that her mom is moving them away for a new job. She will lose her dad and her friends. Starting over at a new school is hard enough, but when you look and dress different than everyone else, it is a bazillion times harder. Malú has decided that she will not be happy with this move, no matter what. Malú is very unhappy, and to make matters worse, on the first day of school, she offends the the school's queen bee and gets in trouble for violating the dress code. Little does she know, but by violating the dress code, she finds some of her very best friends in the process. Will Malú ever be happy in her new home? Does her dream of being in a punk rock band die with the move, or is it just the beginning? Read this incredible story of family, friendship, and overcoming all odds to find yourself.

I absolutely loved this story! Malú teaches the reader how to continue to be yourself even when the majority is against you. This book also teaches you that true friendship can be bent, but not broken and that family is always there for you no matter what. Do not miss this amazing story!!

Good Enough: A Novel by Jen Petro-Roy

12/18/2018

Interest Level: 5-8; Reading Level: 5.9

Have you ever felt like you weren't good enough? Not pretty enough? Not skinny enough? Clothes not nice enough? These are some of the issues that twelve-year-old Riley are going through. She used to have a "normal" life with her friends, her family, and her art. One day all of that changed when a mean girl in her school made fun of her weight. Riley vowed then and there that she would lose all the weight that she could and become a fierce competitor in track and field. Because of her extreme desire, Riley developed an eating disorder called anorexia. She began to alienate her friends, her family, and even food to achieve her goal. Her parents began to fear for her health so they admitted her to a hospital to receive treatment for this disorder. She is so not happy at first, but as she begins to delve deeper into herself through the help of the therapist, Riley learns that she has so much more to overcome that just eating food. Does Riley have the strength to fight the chaos that is living inside her? Can her new friends at the hospital help her or are the battles they are fighting going to bring her down? Will Riley's relationships with her family and friends ever be the same again? Read this incredible story of one girl's journey to finding herself and possibly her freedom!

This book is absolutely amazing! From page one you begin the journey with Riley and it doesn't stop at the last page. Riley's story grabs hold of you and doesn't let go. I found myself crying with her, laughing with her, and cheering for her. I have never dealt with this disorder in my life but I know there are so many people, including children, who are going through this right now, even in my own school. It is so great to have a book that they can read to know that they are not alone and that there is help out there. Jen Petro-Roy has now had two knock-out books and I expect many, many more from her. Do not miss this incredible story of family, friendship, and finding the strength in yourself to overcome even the darkest of days!

A Monster Like Me by Wendy S. Swore

12/9/2018

Interest Level: 5-8; Reading Level: 5.3
Do you believe that monsters are real? Do you ever believe that you are a monster? Sophie is starting a new school and it's very hard to do that, especially when you have a blood tumor that covers half of your face. Sophie calls it her "monster mark". Sophie believes that when she was a baby she was cursed by a witch and turned into a monster. How in the world could her mother or anyone else love a monster? She carries around The Big Book of Monsters everywhere she goes and she can just look at someone and tell if they are good or bad. Sophie actually makes a new friend, Autumn, at school who is a fairy and her grandmother is s good witch. Sophie is convinced that if she can gather some magic objects then she can use magic to make the monster in her go away. But what happens when this "magic" world and the real world collides? Will Sophie's mom not want her when she finds out what she really is? Will her friendship with Autumn be crushed into pieces? Will Sophie get her magical objects and turn herself into a normal human again? Read this incredible book to find out what happens to Sophie, her family, and her friends.

I absolutely loved this book! So many of us have some type of something wrong with us that we are ashamed of. For me, it psoriasis. I have lived with this and been ashamed of this my whole life. This books brings to light that what we look like on the outside does not define us on our inside. Kindness, compassion, love, friendship, and family are just a few of the things that matter, not our outward appearance. Please do not miss this book!! It is incredible!!

Marsh & Me by Martine Murray

11/25/2018

Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 5.1

Have you ever felt like you didn't belong, even in your own family? Have you ever had something so devastating happen to you that you just want to shut out the real world and make up your own? The first question can be answered "yes" by Joey. He only goes to three places - home, school, and his hill- and he only fits in in one of those places. At home he doesn't fit in because he's not a sports jock, at school he doesn't fit in because he is so quiet, but on his hill he can be who he really wants to be. Joey loves the isolation of his hill because he can play his guitar and no one will hear him. However, one day he notices that a treehouse has been built in a tree on his hill. Joey is not happy that his special hill has been invaded by a spaceship looking treehouse. The funny thing is, the girl who built the treehouse is not too happy that her hidden house has been found by someone either. She makes it very clear that she doesn't want him around and Joey is not even sure she is human so he calls her "Marsh", short for Martian. When these two finally make peace and Joey goes into the treehouse, he discovers more questions than answers about this very strange girl. Where is her home? Why doesn't she go to school? What is the deal with all of these strange objects she has lying around? Why does she talk about being from another place? Joey doesn't know any of these answers but he is determined to find out. This is a must read 2019 book!

This book is absolutely incredible. I honestly thought it was a little strange at first, but as the book began to unfold I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The friendship in this books is so heartwarming, standing up for what you believe in and finding the courage to be who you really are, not what other people think you should be is so touching, and finding the courage to step out of the shadows is so inspirational. This story of friendship, family, and love is a must read. Do not miss this one!!