The Last Resort review

 

Twelve-year-old Lila has two goals: Win back the friends who ditched her for being "too dramatic" and stop being so dramatic. But then Lila's estranged Grandpa Clem dies, throwing a wrench in her plans. Now she'll have to spend the summer in Ohio while her parents decide what to do with Grandpa Clem's creepy Victorian Inn.(goodreads summary)

 

 

  

Lila is not having the best end to her sixth grade year.  Her two friends think she is a baby and is always over dramatic about everything.  She feels the girls are pushing her away because they don't answer her messages or face time as much anymore.  On top of this, her family tells her to "tone it down" when she reacts to certain things.  She wants to stop being so dramatic and is hoping to work on getting her friendships back and impulses of overreacting under control over the summer.  But then she learns her Grandfather Clem passes away and her family will be spending two weeks in Ohio at his creepy, eccentric Victorian Inn.  Once she is there she starts to see ghosts, including her Grandpa Clem, who has a message and needs her help.  The Inn is a portal between the living and the dead and someone or something is trying to take control of it.

 

If you are looking for a middle grade read for the upcoming spooky season this would be one to try.  It isn't overly scary but it does have a few tense moments.  Lila is having trouble in school with her friends maturing faster than she is and its making it harder to fit in with her group.  She is hoping to sort this out over summer break but things take a turn when she needs to spend time in Ohio after her grandfather's passing.  Once there, not only does she see and speak to her grandfather's ghost, but there are numerous other ghostly people that no one else in her family can see around her.  Lila feels her grandfather may have been murdered and she is determined to find the answer so he can pass over to the other side. She soon meets a neighbor boy named Teddy who seems to be a paranormal expert. He is the only one who believes her and doesn't think she is being dramatic when she tells him what she has learned.  The mystery keeps continuing as more ghosts dressed as circus figures appear leaving her with questions as to what they want.  Lila finds a secret portal on the fourth floor of the Victoria Inn that she learns is the key to everyone's haunting. This is the first book in the series with each one written by different authors but have the same characters and ghostly tale.  The pace was good for middle grade readers and the ending wrapped up quickly. Trust, complicated friendships of old and new and family ties are themes throughout. There are good character developments for Lila and she becomes a brave leader and protector.  Fans of paranormal stories and spooky vibes may enjoy this one.  I look forward to reading the next two in the series and compare how each story shares the same characters and setting but written by different authors.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 10-12.~

 

Title:  The Last Resort

Author: Erin Entrada Kelly

Pub date: September 2025, Scholastic

Genre: middle grade, paranormal

Hardcover, 240 pgs. 

  

 

 

 

 

Dear Math, We're Not Friends review

 

For kids who think they hate math, this math picture book uses humor to find the fun in the subject.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Nikhil is not fond of math and wants to avoid it as much as possible. It scares him and makes his tummy hurt.  He even wishes it wasn't there at all! So to help him find a better outlook, his teacher suggests letter writing to express those thoughts and feelings he has about math.  

 

This is a great book that kids will relate to when it comes to learning math or doing math homework.  Having butterflies and being nervous about numbers, equations and math tests are normal feelings. This book lets kids know they are not alone and will help them understand how math fits into our everyday lives. Through his letter writing, Nikhil shows readers some of the many different ways he uses math such as; astronauts and space, measuring with tools, folding and cutting paper snowflakes or in his 2D and 3D Art. He learns so much that he eventually looks forward to finding math while on his summer break attending camp.  I was one of those kids that dreaded math and got anxious during those timed tests. I wish this book was around to help me realize that math was not to be feared.  There is a wonderful note from the author in the end which also suggests strategies for overcoming math fears.  This would make a great library classroom addition or for parents helping their children overcome the math woes. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 6-10.~

 

Title: Dear Math, We're Not Friends

Author: Lina Chopra Haldar, illustrated by Teresa Martinez

Pub. date: August 2026, Beaming Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.  

Three Little Witches and the Spooky Old House review

 

A trio of witches needs a place to brew their magic, and the spooky old house down a dark road looks just right.(goodreads summary)

 

 

  

 

 

Here is a fun book to help you get ready for the spooky season! On the front cover, the three little witches look like they are up to something mysterious.  When they arrive at the old dark house, we wonder what kind of spell will they conjure up.  Swish! goes the broom, Split! goes the sack and Scatter! goes some magic into a big black pot.  The dark spooky house becomes a little brighter and cheerier as the witches prepare for a knock, knock, knock at the door and several guests arrive. There are many sound effect words that make this fun to read out loud and the monster characters are spooky but friendly.  This not so scary story with a magical surprise at the end will get kids into the Halloween spirit. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~ 

 

Title: Three Little witches and the Spooky Old House

Author: Peggy Archer, illustrated by Gaia Bordicchia

Pub. date:August 2026, Little Brown Books

Genre: picture book, Halloween

 Hardcover, 40 pgs.

 

How to Scare a Mouse and Bear review

 

 It is Halloween and Bear is determined to scare mouse.(jacket summary)

 

 

 

 

It's Halloween Day and Bear wants to give his friend Mouse a good Halloween scare!  He tries several different costume ideas but no matter what he tries, Mouse is just to brave and will not scare easily.  

 

This is a funny story to read to the little ones for the Halloween season. Bears homemade costumes are cute and Mouse's reaction about not being impressed was comical.  The rhyming text is quick and simple but there were some big words such as; specter, stench and cheese fondue that might have the little ones wondering the meanings of each word. The illustrations are entertaining and kids will giggle at the twist at the end when an unexpected trick-or-treater drops by and gives Mouse and Bear a big surprise.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title: How to Scare a Mouse and Bear

Author: Ross Collins

Pub. date: July 2026, Nosy Crow

Genre: picture book, Halloween

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

The Skeleton and the Cat review

 

A humorous and touching tale of the unexpected friendship that blossoms between a peaceful skeleton and a persistent cat.(goodreads)

 

 

 

 

Skeleton loved her simple and quiet life all by herself.  She could tend to her garden or drink tea without any interruption. Until one afternoon, a black cat came knocking on her door looking for a friend.  

 

This is a charming story that made me smile and I know it will be a favorite read for the Halloween season!  It has five short story like sections, starting with the first funny meeting of the Skeleton and the Cat by a knock on the door. It then progresses throughout their day together building an interesting and heartwarming relationship.  Together, they shared a sandwich, danced in the garden, selected a book to read and enjoy each other's company. The text is soothing if read aloud and varies in page length. The cute illustrations are in vibrant colors, expressive and so fun to look over again and again as kids will find little details each time.  It is a gentle story about an unlikely friendship and the joy of getting out of your comfort zone. The Cat teaches Skeleton that she can still like being alone but the rewards of companionship can be enjoyable as well.  I look forward to more books about these characters and hope the author has many ideas. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title: The Skeleton and the Cat

Author: Brandon James Scott 

Pub. date: July 2026, Harper Collins

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 64 pgs.  

Leroy has Something to Say review

 

Leroy the ghost loves his garden at Rosebud Manor. Every time a new family moves in, he greets them with a beautiful yellow rose, the flower of friendship. But no one understands what he's trying to say, and they always get scared away!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

Leroy was great at helping the plants flourish in the greenhouse of the Rosebud Manor.  When new families moved into the main house, Leroy wanted to welcome them with a big hello by offering them a yellow rose.  His unexpected  gesture would always frighten the new people away and leaving Leroy alone again.  But when a little girl named Tara moves in, Leroy hopes for a new friend when he sees that they have something in common.

 

This is a such a sweet story about friendship and a different way to communicate. Tara uses a program on a tablet called an AAC.  Augmentative and Alternate Communication helps someone communicate when speech is difficult for them.  At first Tara's family is frightened when they realize there is a ghost in the house.  But after Leroy's gesture of offering a yellow rose to show he is friendly, Tara's AAC becomes an opportunity for the two to communicate together.  This opens up a whole new world for Leroy and the two develop a special friendship.  This is a wonderful story showing that we can accept and overcome differences with a bit of empathy and patience.  The text is heartwarming and the soothing illustrations are so beautiful.  It has a very happy ending for Leroy! At the end pages, the author explains more about AAC to help readers understand there are different ways others can express themselves with their thoughts and voice.  I really enjoyed this special book and  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

 

Title: Leroy has Something to Say

Author: Emily Rosenthal, illustrated by Thai My Phuong

Pub. date: July 2026, Bloomsbury Children's Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

 

 

The Borrowed Puppy review

 

Jade adores dogs but she can’t have one because her father thinks her brother is too little. Then Jade’s dad sees an advert for local dog walkers and it seems like the perfect solution.(goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

 

 

Jade would love to have a dog of her own but her dad feels her four year old brother Toby might be too young for one. Her dad is also trying his best at juggling a home, two kids and work.  Adding a dog to this might be too much to handle at the current moment.  When they come across a local dog walkers website called Love My Pup, Jade wants to immediately sign up to be a helper.  It takes a while to get a match but soon they meet a golden retriever puppy named Milo. Things go great at first, taking him for walks to the park and beach, until Milo's owner Caroline tells them she will be relocating to Paris. To make matters worse, Milo cannot go along and may need to be placed in a shelter. Jade is heartbroken because she has fallen in love with adorable little Milo.  How can she convince her dad that Milo's forever home is with them?

 

The Pet Rescue Adventures series are short, heartwarming chapter books that are perfect for readers who love stories about puppies or kittens.   The text is easy and the illustrations throughout offer wonderful visuals to the story. At times, the narration switches from Jade's perspective to Milo's thoughts. I did find myself pausing for a few seconds to make sure what I was reading. Eventually, I realized it was Milo thinking and was able to continue on easily.  The nice thing about this series is that each book is a stand alone read. Every story has different characters and animals so kids can read one in any order.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 7-9.~

 

Title: The Borrowed Puppy

Author: Holly Webb, illustrated by Sophy Williams

Pub. date: January 2023, Tiger Tales

Genre: chapter book

Paperback, 128 pgs.