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Debbie’s Reading Journal

Posts about books I’m reading, book recommendations, illustrated book posts. Also see my Bookstagram!

#BookADay: THE BLACKTHORN KEY by Kevin Sands (Aladdin/Simon & Schuster)

One of my favourite recent reads is THE BLACKTHORN KEY, a debut novel from Kevin Sands, coming out from Aladdin/Simon & Schuster this September. Wow. Really, REALLY loved this. When people ask me for recommendations for good, new middle grade novels, I will not hesitate to list this book. It’s a . . .



#BookADay: CITY OF SAVAGES by Lee Kelly (Saga Press, 2015)

#BookADay: CITY OF SAVAGES by Lee Kelly (Saga Press/Simon & Schuster, 2015). I just finished this strong debut from YA author Lee Kelly; I *loved* the focus and development of the sister relationship throughout, and the dual-narrative works really well. Add a suspenseful plot with some unexpected twists, and it’s a book that . . .



#BookADay: This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki (Groundwood/House Of Anansi)

#BookADay: THIS ONE SUMMER written by Mariko Tamaki​, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki​ (Groundwood Books​/House Of Anansi, 2014). Bought this at The Beguiling Books & Art​ a while back after hearing it won the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Illustration. I found that the book perfectly captured the feeling of summer in both the text and . . .



#BookADay: SHADOW CHASERS by Elly McKay (Running Press)

‪#‎BookADay‬: SHADOW CHASERS by Elly McKay ( Theater Clouds on FB), published by Running Press. I love Elly’s absolutely gorgeous paper-theater lightbox illustrations. Synopsis: “Once evening paints the summer sky, shadows will come out to play. You must move fast, because as quickly as the wind blows, the shadows will . . .



#BookADay: WON TON AND CHOPSTICK by Lee Wardlaw and Eugene Yelchin (Henry Holt).

Today’s #BookADay: WON TON AND CHOPSTICK, written by Lee Wardlaw​, illustrated by Eugene Yelchin​ (Henry Holt). Synopsis: “Won Ton cat’s purrfect life with his boy is changed forever when the family adopts a (gasp!) puppy.” More about the book, including a Teacher’s Guide & Activity Kit. Lee was kind enough to answer Three Questions for me . . .






#BookADay: NOW THAT YOU’RE HERE (Duplexity, part 1) by Amy K. Nichols

Donalyn Miller has announced her 7th Annual #BookADay Challenge! See this great post about Summer Reading as well more details about the challenge. I just finished reading Amy Nichols’s NOW THAT YOU’RE HERE (Knopf Books For Young Readers) and loved it. Amy and I met back in 2010 (I think it . . .