Reviews written by Ashley Sickora

I had such a great time reading this book! I honestly couldn't put it down! I had to know what the monster was and why it was doing what it was doing! Ethan is a great main character and the kids will have no problem connecting with him and his...

Kenetria’s dead and not thrilled about it. But instead of moving on, she ends up in a secret ghost club for kids with unfinished business like, say, solving her own murder. Spooky, funny, and full of heart, this one’s got ghostly twists, creepy clues, and...

The Secret Library is full of adventure, mystery, time travel and a magical library! It was fun getting to know Dally and learning what makes Dally Dally! There are plenty of interesting twists, there one that I definitely wasn't expecting! This story covers many subjects, identity, friendship, racism, family, LGBTQ+...

When Lena’s big brother Kay-Kay disappears on a train ride from summer camp, the police write it off as a runaway. But Lena knows her brother better than anyone and she’s not buying it. So, what does she do? Launches her own investigation, of course! Think Nancy Drew, but with...

This was a wonderful read! It's a story full of heart, hope and meaning! Following along as Kareem finds a voice for himself, his friends and his family and community was great! It's an emotional story that touches on so many difficult topics but one that should definitely be in...

This is a wonderful and charming story! This story is full of magic, mystery, hope and friendship, bonds and the many different kinds of bonds and connections! The story is told from Shadow Fox's point of view and it really does give the readers a chance to see the world...

El Niño is a beautiful mix of poetry and science that makes learning about weather really interesting. Pam Muñoz Ryan’s writing is full of feeling and paints a vivid picture of how nature affects our world. It’s a great read for kids who love stories that teach and inspire at...

A ship gets torpedoed. A girl lands in a lifeboat. And suddenly, 13-year-old Beth is in a real-life survival story. Told in fast, emotional verse, Lifeboat 5 is gripping, gut-punching, and based on a true WWII event. Think high seas, big courage, and zero time...

In Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows, I was right there with Charlie when his life went from mostly normal kid to surprise, you’re a morphling and also monsters are real good luck! The mix of folklore, humor, and absolute chaos had me hooked. His encyclopedic brain plus Violet...

This was a great read and perfect for our young readers this time of year! Many of them will be able to relate to Charlie and find each ghost's background story interesting and then you have the mystery of lifting the Curse. The story has alternate points of view, fast...

This is a fun and inspiring graphic novel perfect for kids who love to draw or tell stories. With colorful art and relatable characters, this book teaches kids how to make comics while telling a heartwarming story about friendship, creativity, and believing in yourself. A great pick for young artists...

This is a heartwarming and adventurous middle-grade fantasy about friendship, identity, and standing up for yourself. The story follows Ash, a disabled princess returning to a kingdom that barely accepts her, and Splinter, a bold squire who doesn’t fit into traditional gender roles. When a plot against the crown threatens...

This book is pure story-lover magic! Set in 1930s France, it follows Gwen and Hugo, an art kid and a bookworm who stumble into a secret world where fairy tales are vanishing, and imagination is under threat. Throw in a grumpy talking cat, enchanted libraries, and a dash of adventure,...

I absolutely love this series! The characters are adorable, it's full of magic and many great lessons! House of Elephants gives us more history of the Twelve Towns and gives more depth to the characters and after the last book's cliffhanger I couldn't wait to read this one and it...

Book one was a great read and this one was no different. It was nice to catch up with the characters! It's full of action and great twists! This one we were able to get to know all of the characters a lot better! It's a story full of suspense,...