The Enchantress Returns (The Land of Stories #2) (Audiobook)

by Chris Colfer 3 stars Another fun dive into the Land of Stories. Alex and Conner are back in the real world after their first adventure in their father’s homeland. This comes with its own ups and downs, including a new dog, getting used to school again, and their mother’s changing relationship with her coworker,…

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My New Life as a Cat Vol. 1 by Konomi Wagata

Translated by Molly Rabbitt 3 stars After a near-death experience, Nao wakes up… as a cat. His human body is in a coma and he has no idea how he wound up in his new form. While he tries to figure it out, he’s taken in by a high school classmate, Chika, and renamed Nyao….

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We Are a Song by Lorian Tu

4 stars A touching tale of all the individual pieces that come together to make a family. Arturo and Emilyn visit their family members to pick up supplies for a party. Along the way, they cherish the different elements of their Chinese and Cuban heritage and find inspiration for a poem. Such a sweet story….

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Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 1 by Kamome Shirahama

Translated by Stephen Kohler 5 stars A breathtaking read full of mystery, magic, and secrets. Coco has always been fascinated by magic. When she discovers the secret to casting spells, she tries to teach herself. But her attempts result in a devastating mistake. To set things right, she becomes a witch’s apprentice and dives headfirst…

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Once Upon a Zombie: Tales for Brave Readers by Deborah Underwood

Illustrated by Kaley McCabe 5 stars A hilarious early reader perfect for those looking for spooky stories with more humor than scares. Features three zombie-themed fairy tales: “Little Red Zombie”, “Hansel and Gretel Zombie”, and “Three Little Zombies”, perfect for zombie bedtime stories. Cute, spooky artwork featuring eyeballs, brains, and fairy tale characters fed with…

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Nate’s Lucky Day (Yo-Kai Watch #1) by Noriyuki Konishi

Translated by Tetsuichiro Miyaki 3 stars A fun manga with plenty of humor. I enjoyed watching the show so thought I’d give the manga a try. In the first volume, we’re introduced to Nate, shown how he meets his yokai butler, Whisper, and how he befriends various yokai including the ever-popular Jibanyan. As with the…

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Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel

Written by Jason Reynolds Art by Danica Novgorodoff 5 stars I loved Reynolds’ original novel-in-verse and was a little nervous about this graphic adaptation. But it really delivered. Reynolds’ words and messages shine through accompanied by Novgorodoff’s haunting artwork and stunning visuals. The watercolors perfectly capture the essence of Reynolds’ words. Absolutely stunning. A fantastic…

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The Icy Hand (Something Wickedly Weird #2)

by Chris Mould 3 stars Another exciting and creepy entry in the Something Wickedly Weird series. In this one, Stanley crosses the Wooden Mile once more for a winter visit, thinking his troubles are over. But a headless ghost informs him that his run-ins with pirates are just getting started. This book continues the story…

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Dragonbreath (Dragonbreath #1) by Ursula Vernon

2.5 stars A fun story that takes readers to the ocean depths to learn about life under the sea. After getting an F on a paper, Danny does some field research with the help of his best friend, Wendell, and his cousin, Edward. Together, they explore the Sargasso Sea, search for treasure in a sunken…

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Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld

by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale Illustrated by Asiah Fulmore 4 stars I wasn’t sure about this one going into it. The DC reboots have been hit or miss for me. But I ended up really enjoying it. Princess Amaya is always up to something. But when her magical pranks go too far, her parents…

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