I am participating in ChoosyBookworm.com’s Read and Review program. I have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of books I have read so far. The real bonus is that I get to help other authors and it costs me nothing. Here are reviews for the three I have read.

Love Edy by Shewanda Pugh

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was gifted this book from the author for review purposes. I had a long train ride ahead of me, and hoped it would be a good book to help me pass the time. It did not disappoint. I loved that her main characters were non-whites who were the most affluent and the most powerful persons in their community. Don’t get me wrong, however, Ms. Pugh does not focus on racial differences between her characters, in fact, except for Hassan’s family and her mother, it’s barely mentioned. I also really appreciated the tension between the characters in terms of relationship and even the sexual tension. Once I started Love Edy, I found it hard to put it down. It was the perfect book for my ride. I finished it just before “lights-out” on the train.

The Bully Barn: A Lesson For Bullies, Bystanders and Victims by Robert Gioia

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mr. Gioia did an excellent job creating a story that teaches about the different types of bullies and how their behavior can affect the victim (s). The story was well-written, the lesson powerful, the illustrations full of emotion. I really appreciated the lessons for the grown-ups at the end. There is a great resource. I would highly recommend this for elementary teachers, parents and support staff.
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, but would have been happy to have paid for it.

Murder in the World Below by Lara Nance

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Like others, I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Like at least one other, I wasn’t thrilled a first. It seemed a bit too slow, and a little weird. It didn’t take long, however, for me to become totally consumed with the characters and the world that was created. I loved how Awen felt so pulled to be a apart of both worlds, and I was thrilled with all the involved complexities. Ms Nance even succeeds at making the readers sympathize with the murderer at some level. Like others, I found myself thinking about the book long after I had completed it. I am hoping this will be the first in a series. I can think of so many different directions this could go.