Book Thoughts by Rachelle

This is a fun read with engaging illustrations and facts about Mizzou that fans will enjoy. I like the way the author weaves in the history of Truman the Tiger in a way that makes this book appeal to kids and adults. If you have a Mizzou fan in your midst, you might want to check out this book. It would make a perfect gift for alumni, as well as future University of Missouri students.

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It’s football season once again and young Tiger fans are excited to see their favorite mascot Truman. Join Hayden and Aubrey on game day as they learn all about the history of Truman the Tiger from their Grandpa Johnson. From discovering the “Fightin Tigers” in the Civil War to enjoying Truman’s famous tail spin today, this book is sure to be a treasure for Mizzou fans of all ages.

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

This middle-grade book is a gem! Meet True North Vincent, a girl who is obsessed with maps because her mother works in map-making. Set during the pandemic, True and her family struggle with being separated from their mother because she is quarantined while traveling for work. Then her father, who works at the hospital, has to quarantine himself as well. That leaves Grandma to take care of the kids.

True bends the rules and gets into a little trouble when she sneaks into a barn and finds baby kittens, but her trouble eventually helps save a life.

I enjoyed the unique ways that True worked to help her younger brother. The family dynamics were authentic and brought up some good things to consider.

I’m a farm girl and I love cats so I did notice the author portrayed cats and kittens incorrectly, but that didn’t detract from the story as a whole.

Overall an excellent book with creativity, curiosity, and friendship thriving during the pandemic.

Here’s more about the book:

True North Vincent is struggling after spending months in lockdown because of a virus. With her mom struck across the border in Canada and her dad working long hours as a nurse at the hospital, True feels responsible for making sure her family stays safe, especially her grandma and her younger brother, Georgie, whose asthma makes him more vulnerable to the virus. She also wishes her older sister, Rose, would be friends with her again instead of texting on her phone.

True finds escape and comfort in working on her maps, a skill she learned from her mother. To keep Georgie entertained, True creates an elaborate treasure map for him to follow that spans the forest beyond her backyard. While exploring, they find a litter of newborn kittens in an old barn. The smallest kitten looks sickly and has been abandoned by the mama cat. True names her Teacup; she knows exactly how it feels to not have a mom around when you need her the most.

True also meets Kyler, who wants to care for the kittens, and True realizes he might not be the bully everyone thinks he is. But when both Teacup and Kyler get sick, True is afraid she won’t be able to help everyone all by herself. Running out of her own fixes and remedies, True reaches out and realizes that her family does care about he and wants to offer support and guidance to help her find her way through the unexpected challenges the virus and life bring.

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon was a fun and silly read for kids. I read this to my three boys for homeschool. They laughed at the funny descriptions, names, and interesting dreams and occupation of Francine Poulet. We love Mercy Watson and all things related! The storyline of this one dragged a bit in the middle, but it picked back up with a nicely wrapped ending.

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Deckawoo Drive’s intrepid animal control officer meets her match—or does she? A funny, heartfelt, and fast-paced romp from Kate DiCamillo.

Francine Poulet is the greatest animal control officer in Gizzford County. She hails from a long line of animal control officers. She’s battled snakes, outwitted squirrels, and stared down a bear. “The genuine article,” Francine’s dad always called her. She is never scared – until, that is, she’s faced with a screaming raccoon that may or may not be a ghost. Maybe Francine isn’t cut out to be an animal control officer after all! But the raccoon is still on the loose, and the folks on Deckawoo Drive need Francine back. Can she face her fears, round up the raccoon, and return to the ranks of animal control? Join a cast of familiar characters – Frank, Stella, Mrs. Watson, and Mercy the porcine wonder – for some riotous raccoon wrangling on Deckawoo Drive.

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