Count Down with Farmer Brown by Kevin White

Synopsis:
What do you do with dancing cows, high diving pigs, and a duck with a jet ski? Farmer Brown counts all these and more as he discovers his animals in whimsical settings and situations. Count Down with Farmer Brown is a highly interactive counting book of 390 words, with text and illustrations sure to capture and hold the attention of children and adults alike. Using age appropriate sight words and humorous illustrations, this book is perfect for Pre-K through Second Grade levels.

My Thoughts:

Count Down with Farmer Brown is a cute children’s book. The book teaches kids how to count up to ten. The discussion questions in the back are a great way for parents and children to interact. The children will learn all about animals. It also tests their thinking skills by seeing how quickly they can find things. The parents will have fun in helping their child and watching them learn. The children will also have fun with the maze in the back of the book. The illustrations are adorable. The illustration of the sheep being horrified at the lamb chops in the grocery store made me laugh. My favorite illustration was the one of the cat sleeping after staying up too late from a birthday party. I recommend this book for children three and older. 

I give Count Down with Farmer Brown: 5/5.

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

The Best Basketball Player Ever by Heather Payer-Smith

Synopsis:
Tommy is the best basketball player when playing his video games. He wins every time! However, when his mother tells him to go outside and play he finds that playing with the real basketball doesn't come so easy for him. He can't dribble, pass or even shoot! To make matters worse the neighborhood kids laugh at his attempts. He decides to give up and only play video games, until his mother challenges him to keep practicing. Before long, he finds himself improving and on his way to becoming the best basketball player ever!

My Thoughts:

The Best Basketball Player Ever is a good book for children who are learning to read. It has easy words and a lot of illustrations. The book teaches children several important lessons. The first lesson that the book teaches is that outdoor activity and exercise are important. Sure, playing video games is fun. However, playing outside can be just as fun. It also makes you feel like you are accomplishing something. The second lesson is to ask for help when you need it. Tommy didn’t understand basketball at first. When his mom showed him how to play, he became good at it. That brings us to the third lesson. Never give up. Tommy was ready to throw his basketball away. However, with a bit of practice he became great at basketball. The illustrations could use a bit of work but they were okay. I wish the author would have shown Tommy winning a game. 

I give The Best Basketball Player Ever: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.payersmithbooks.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PayerSmithBooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2884385.Heather_Payer_Smith

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Synopsis:
The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

My Thoughts:

Scarlet was an excellent sequel to Cinder. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the two different stories going on at once. However, I thought it added a lot to the story. The author wrote both sides of the story well. It wasn’t confusing at all. I wish that Emperor Kai’s story and how he was adjusting to being emperor would be shown more. I have a feeling that the reader will be seeing a lot more of him in book three, Cress. The Order of the Pack was an interesting development, especially towards the end of the book. There were a lot of new characters to process in Scarlet. I liked all of them except Ran. He was very cunning and manipulative. Out of all of the new characters, I don’t think I could pick a favorite. I liked all of them equally. Wolf seemed like a jerk at first, but was very loyal and protective of Scarlet. Thorne had a witty sense of humor. I loved how he and Cinder always picked on each other. Scarlet was brave. She would do anything for those that she loved. Even though her grandmother wasn’t in the book much, I liked her as well. She had a lot of mystery and wisdom surrounding her. The book left of as though it were staging an epic battle. I can’t wait for the next book to be released to find out what happens after Emperor Kai’s announcement. 

I give Scarlet: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.marissameyer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarissaMeyerAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/marissa_meyer
Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/marissameyer22/
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/marissameyer22
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4684322.Marissa_Meyer

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Surfacing by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Synopsis:
A lyrical and deeply moving portrait of grief, blame, and forgiveness, and of finding the courage to confront your ghosts — one truth at a time.

As soon as she was under, Maggie heard the quiet, though every sound was amplified in her ears and in her brain . . . Sound, like shame, travels four times faster under the water. 

Though only a sophomore, Maggie Paris is a star on the varsity swim team, but she also has an uncanny, almost magical ability to draw out people’s deepest truths, even when they don’t intend to share them. It’s reached a point where most of her classmates, all but her steadfast best friend, now avoid her, and she’s taken to giving herself away every chance she gets to an unavailable — and ungrateful — popular boy from the wrestling team, just to prove she still exists. Even Maggie’s parents, who are busy avoiding each other and the secret deep at the heart of their devastated family, seem wary of her. Is there such a thing as too much truth?

My Thoughts:

Surfacing was not one of my favorite books that I read this year. The story was very slow paced. At times, I would even say it was boring. I didn’t care for the way the book was setup. It would randomly go from the present to the past with no forewarning or breaks. It was confusing trying to figure out what was going on. Even though Maggie’s ability was talked about, it wasn’t the main focus of the book. I was hoping her ability would have played a bigger part in Surfacing. I didn’t like Maggie, the main character. She was very immature. She was dating Nathan, who very loving and sweet. He was the perfect boyfriend. However, Maggie was just using him to sleep with Matthew, who was a complete jerk. She had no respect for Nathan or his feelings. The only thing I did like about Surfacing was Leah. She was a great character that I enjoyed reading about. Maybe if the book had her point of view more often, I would have liked it better. 

I give Surfacing: 2/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.norabaskin.com/Home.html
Twitter: https://twitter.com/noraraleighb
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/280493.Nora_Raleigh_Baskin

I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Chasing Watermelons by Kevin White

Synopsis:
Duck wants to have a watermelon feast, but when they begin to roll, the chase is on! Duck invites his friends to join in with, "If you help, you can have some too". 
A delightful story about friendship and perseverance that ends in the most surprising place of all.

My Thoughts:

Chasing Watermelons is an adorable children’s book. The book teaches about the value of hard work. It also teaches about sharing. Duck's friends helped him catch the watermelons. As a reward for helping, Duck shared the watermelon with all of them. Hard work pays off. Some of the ideas and illustrations were a little silly. For example, the animals controlling the hot air balloon. However, I think the silliness will make the children like it even more. My favorite illustration is the one of all five animals on a single bike. It made me chuckle. This is a great book for parents and children to read together. 

I give Chasing Watermelons: 4/5.

Want to know where to buy this book?

• Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasing-watermelons-kevin-white/1112735281?ean=9780984712236&itm=1&usri=9780984712236
• Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Watermelons-Kevin-White/dp/0984712232/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368549658&sr=8-1&keywords=chasing+watermelons

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Wonderland by David Matthew Barnes

Synopsis:
After her mother loses her battle to cancer, fifteen-year-old Destiny Moore moves from Chicago to Avalon Cove, a mysterious island in South Carolina. There, she starts a new life working part-time as a magician’s assistant and living with her eccentric uncle Fred and his hottie husband, Clark. Destiny is soon befriended by two outcasts, Tasha Gordon and Topher McGentry. She accepts their invitation to accompany them to a place called Wonderland, a former boarding house owned by the enigmatic Adrianna Marveaux. It’s there that Destiny meets and falls in love with Dominic, Tasha becomes enamored with Juliet, and Topher gives his heart to Pablo. When Destiny uncovers the reason she and her friends have really been brought to Wonderland, she’s faced with the most crucial choice of her life.

My Thoughts:

Wonderland was interesting. I thought it was going to be a retelling of Alice in Wonderland but it wasn’t. I really liked the LGBT aspect of the book. Most of the characters were either gay or bisexual. I find it easier to identify with books about LGBT characters for some reason. The book is a YA book, but I think adults will enjoy it as well. The book teaches that even though the people we love may die, they never really leave us. Destiny loses her mom to cancer, but she still has good memories of her. I liked all of the characters. Even though Bettina was a pain in the ass, I liked her fashion sense. My favorite character was Topher. Even though he faced adversity every day, he never gave up. He could have stopped running and let the bullies catch him but he never did. I hope that the author writes a sequel. I would love to watch everyone’s relationships progress. I would also love to learn more about Bettina and whether or not she does have the gift of sight. 

I give Wonderland: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.davidmatthewbarnes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmatthewbarnes
Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/xoxodmb/
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/xoxodmb
Twitter: https://twitter.com/xoxodmb
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/570941.David_Matthew_Barnes

I received a copy of this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.