Reviews written by Ashley Sickora

Ellen Swallow Richards wasn’t just curious, she was unstoppable. In a time when women weren’t even welcome in science labs, Ellen pushed her way into MIT and used her brain to make life cleaner and safer for everyone. This gorgeously illustrated picture book tells the...

David is back and once again up to some mischief! This is the sixth David book and each one is an excellent read and of course the illustrations are great and really add to the story! David is such a fun and relatable character for the kids! So if you...

This book is a unique mix of historical fiction and spiritual coming-of-age story. The story follows Nahia, the strong-willed daughter of a tribal leader, who’s exiled after clashing with her mother. As she trains under a wise shaman, she begins to uncover her inner power and purpose. Jones, an archaeologist,...

Jake is a kid after my own heart if it can be dinosaur-themed, he wants it. Dino games, dino cake, dino balloons, probably dino-shaped napkins. He’s READY. But when all his friends come down with the flu? Instant heartbreak. I felt that in my soul. ...

This was an interesting read! It's a new look at the classic fairy tale the Little Mermaid with original storytelling filled with courage, and the journey to find one's place in the world. The story follows Celeste who breaks her people's laws to save a human prince, Raiden. The relationship...

What a great read! The characters are complex and interesting, parallel worlds, and interesting magic! The pace was a little slow in the beginning, and it was a little confusing, but once it got going, it was full of action, and so many twists and turns it really does grab...

This was a fast-paced story with a few unexpected twists! Adlai is a wonderful character! She doesn't always have it easy but her problems feel real and realistic for the book and I really enjoyed learning her relationships with the other characters! The plot is complex and engaging and the...

The Lost Queen is a multi-layered novel that explores themes of identity, and family legacy. The story is told from multiple points of views and timelines and that really helps bring everything together. Phan’s characters are flawed, real, and each carrying burdens. Phan also does not shy away from the...

The Take-Over Friend is a book about the struggles we all faced at one point in time in high school, making friends and when to draw the line.I found all of the characters in this book to be interesting and stand out for one reason or another. I really enjoyed...

The Shadow of the World-Famous Nine continues the adventures of Zander and Natasha. Together they are facing a new threat! The friendship between Zander and Natasha is wonderful. The story combines mystery, magic, and puzzles to create an engaging and entertaining read. This really was a great read! The friendship...

This book is an absolute blast! A kid detective in disguise, a murder at a museum, and loads of laugh-out-loud moments Murder at the Museum is smart, silly, and so much fun. The mystery is clever, the humor is spot on, and Montgomery Bonbon is a total delight. Perfect for...

This book is a heartfelt, touching, and absolutely wonderful exploration of family dynamics, addiction, hope, and the journey of forgiving both others and ourselves. Sage is such a lovable character, and as with glimpses of her memories, you really start to connect with her and cheer her on. It tackles...

Ben Ripley is back and in BIG trouble his arch-nemesis puts a bounty on his head, and suddenly everyone thinks he’s behind a crazy conspiracy. Now he’s on the run from assassins and internet conspiracy nuts. This one’s packed with laughs, wild spy action, and...

Top Heavy by Rhonda DeChambeau is about 15 year old Esme, a dedicated dancer, and thanks to a sudden growth spurt feeling way too top heavy. Between the back pain, unwanted stares, and costumes that no longer fit, her once-confident self is starting to unravel. And when a public groping...

Willow has never felt like she belonged anywhere and is convinced that the only way to find a true home is to travel the world. But her plans to act on her dream are put on hold when her absent mother drags Willow to Salem, to wrap up the affairs...