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Book Reviews

Youth Book Reviews:

Made for Me by Zack Bush Illustrated by, Gregorio De Lauretis

Just in time for Father’s Day! A sweet book written from a father’s perspective. This dad tells his child just how much he loves them from the very beginning. With wonderful illustrations that show Dad is larger than life, this book will be sure to bring a tear to your eye.

Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima

An adorable retelling of the “Ugly Ducking”! Kelp isn’t good at swimming and doesn’t like the same foods as his Narwhal friends and family. They don’t mind, but Kelp gets swept away and finds out he’s a UNICORN! He has to decide if he wants to be a Land Narwhal with the Unicorns or a Sea Unicorn with the Narwhals.

Kristy’s Great Idea: The Baby Sitter’s Club by Ann M. Martin Illustrated by, Raina Telgemeier

(From Amazon) Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey are best friends and founding members of The Baby-sitters Club. Whatever comes up -- cranky toddlers, huge dogs, scary neighbors, prank calls -- you can count on them to save the day. Baby-sitting isn't always easy, and neither is dealing with strict parents, new families, fashion emergencies, and mysterious secrets. But no matter what, the BSC have what they need most: friendship.

Raina Telgemeier, using the signature style featured in her acclaimed graphic novels Smile and Sisters, perfectly captures all the drama and humor of the original novel!

Adult Book Reviews:

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

(From Amazon) Charley sees dead people. That's right, she sees dead people. And it's her job to convince them to "go into the light." But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e., murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she's been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.
This is a thrilling debut novel from Darynda Jones, an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense

I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

(From Amazon) A breakneck race against time…and an implacable enemy.

An anonymous young woman murdered in a run-down hotel, all identifying characteristics dissolved by acid.

A father publicly beheaded in the blistering heat of a Saudi Arabian public square.

A notorious Syrian biotech expert found eyeless in a Damascus junkyard.

Smoldering human remains on a remote mountainside in Afghanistan.

A flawless plot to commit an appalling crime against humanity.

One path links them all, and only one man can make the journey.

Pilgrim.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard by Rick Riordan

(From Amazon) Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.

One day, he’s tracked down by an uncle he barely knows—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. Uncle Randolph tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .

Reading is an adventure at Utica Public Library!