The Last Rhino by Deborah Stevenson is a children's animal book that seeks to educate young readers on the horrific effects that poaching has had on rhinos. The story features a young rhino, Ayubu, as he struggles to survive in the unforgiving African jungle. Grazing...

Beautiful Imperfections is a literary fiction novel written by Marjorie Vernelle. Some might think that the Survey of Art History class that Keith James took to fulfill the Religious Knowledge class in her first year at the University of Toronto was the defining moment in...

Puppy: 12 Months of Rhymes and Smiles is a dog lover’s delight. Written by Patricia Furstenberg, Puppy deals with the many reasons people bring a puppy into their lives. Not only does it deal with a puppy’s initial reaction to its new home, but this...

An Alien's Guide to the Human Species by Deb McEwan introduces readers to the aliens of the planet Largo. The Terries love watching TV, and especially reality shows are a huge hit. When planet Earth is discovered, the species which regards itself as the most...

Ghost of the Forbidden City - China by Sumita Mukherjee takes readers to China with Keiko, Kenzo, and Eji. They are on a school trip with their friends, and Tyra, their history teacher who was also known as Miss Tyrant. Eji has been given special...

I really enjoyed reading Predictable Violence by Gillean Campbell. Detective Mackenzie (Mack) Anderson has a very tragic past. It is the reason she became a homicide detective. When a triple homicide occurs, along with a confession, it seems as if it will be an open...

The Launch Book: Motivational Stories to Launch Your Idea, Business or Next Career (Concise Advice Lab) is a nonfiction motivational self-help book written by Sanyin Siang. Siang is a CEO coach, an educator and a startup advisor. She is also a co-founder and the leader...

It’s almost hard to believe that Too Many Secrets by EB Corbin is a first novel. It’s that good. It’s also pleasing to know that Too Many Secrets is the first book in a trilogy, based on Roxanne Boudreaux, who, when we meet her in...

Peregrine Island: A Novel by Diane B. Saxton is a snapshot of three generations; Winter, her daughter, Elsie, and granddaughter, Peda. Each has very different ideas and feelings and Diane B. Saxton has written a comprehensive description of them. Winter is the family matriarch, while...

Compose Your Soul: How to Turn Your Daily Chaos into Calm Control by Angela Nuttle is an uplifting and insightful read about composing one's soul, which requires deep reflection, brutal honesty, and the willingness to accept that we have unique DNA. It works differently for...

Shepherds always had partners. Then again there was an exception to the rule; Nakio Atana. Her partners either died or found her incompatible, and so Command allowed her to work alone; she was one of their best anyway. That was why they called upon her...

Fear of the Tide: The Untold Story of a Cuban Rebel by Analise M. Oliver is a riveting biography that follows the life of one of Cuba’s rebels, David Fuentes Martinez. When he bought a train ticket from his native, underdeveloped rural Las Matinas to...

The Trumpets of Jericho: A Novel by J. Michael Dolan is a historical novel that explores one of the horrible moments of history — the horrors of Auschwitz. Taking the reader through the daring 1944 Jewish uprising at the Nazi death camp of Auschwitz, the...

“The task ahead of you is never as great as the power behind you.” Nigel Seed's 160 Degrees East: A Fight For Survival And The Need To Right A Terrible Wrong is an engaging military novel. Major Jim Wilson and his team are given an...

There is so much to like about Oy, Elephants! by Deborah Stevenson and Morgan Spicer. Begin with the book’s concept. A pair of retired circus elephants, Martha and Lou, move in as next-door neighbors to young Joel’s grandparents, Morris and Gussie, with whom he is...

Khalan & Jane: Arrival at Ahalla by Barrington Zane follows the journey of three teenagers that must band together to stop the Spider Lord. Khalan and his foster sister, Jane, have always stood out on their planet. Jane is known for her Earth heritage, while...

Sergeant to CEO: A Foster Kid's Lessons in Family, Fidelity, and Financial Success by Sean P Jensen is an inspiring and motivating book that encapsulates the author’s life story. The emphasis of the book is on family, on loyalty, and on persistence which, according to...

The Elephant and the Sheep by Patricia Furstenberg is a fun little book. The story is about an elephant and a sheep that become friends. Each day they meet at the water puddle, but somehow the elephant always arrives first. The sheep tries to beat...

Soferton takes one last look at the little bottle and throws it into the ocean as far as she can. She hopes her friend Doonsey will get the message in Doonsey's Return: The Great Rescue: Part 2 by Rhonda Paglia. Doonsey has just returned from...

Young adult fiction isn’t my usual genre of choice, but the description of The Hypnotist's Daughter by Brittany Raschdorf was tantalizing. It hinted at something sinister: “In the movie industry, you don't get something for nothing”, and in light of the latest Hollywood scandal surrounding...