The Blue Umbrella Review: A Timeless Tale of Simplicity and Heart The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond is a gem of Indian literature that captures the beauty of small moments. Set in a quiet Himalayan village, it follows Binya, a young girl who trades her lucky leopard’s claw pendant for a vibrant blue umbrella. Her … Read more
A Kind of Spark #1 A Kind of Spark Elle McNicoll When a neurodivergent teenager finds out that her little Scottish village used to kill witches because they were different, she becomes involved in a memorial effort. I’ve been wondering about the witch trials that took place in Juniper centuries ago ever since Ms. Murphy told … Read more
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Review: A Magical Hogwarts Triumph Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the third book in J.K. Rowling’s iconic series, is a YA fantasy masterpiece that deepens the magic of Hogwarts. Harry, now 13, learns of Sirius Black, a dangerous fugitive who’s escaped Azkaban prison and is hunting … Read more
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Review: A Spellbinding Hogwarts Journey J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is a YA fantasy classic that ignites the magic of the wizarding world. Eleven-year-old Harry Potter, trapped in a loveless life with his cruel relatives, learns he’s a wizard destined for greatness. At Hogwarts School of … Read more
The Lightning Thief Review: A Mythical, Action-Packed Adventure The Lightning Thief, the first book in Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, is a YA fantasy that bursts with Greek mythology and wit. Percy Jackson, a 12-year-old troublemaker, discovers he’s a demigod—son of Poseidon—when monsters attack. Accused of stealing Zeus’s lightning bolt, he embarks … Read more