Just a little info about me: I’ve been blogging for three years now, reviewing books for approximately 13 years. My favorite genres include thriller, mystery, crime fiction, horror & contemporary fiction.

I’m a full-time working mom of two boys: John (11) and Justin (5). John is a “formerly” reluctant reader. Every once in a while John does a review of a book he’s particularly enjoyed as part of his Tales of a “Formerly” Reluctant Reader feature.

Following are a few of my posts/reviews so you can get a sampling of my reading tastes:

Reviews:
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
A Drop of the Hard Stuff by Lawrence Block
Faith by Jennifer Haigh

Random Posts:
Comparing Apples to Oranges: Not all Books are Equal

Following are links to a few of the “features” popular here at Jenn’s Bookshelves:

• Frightful Friday-Each Friday I feature a book that I found particularly chilling or frightening (in a good way!)
• Tales of A Formerly Reluctant Reader-This is the feature I’m most proud of!  My son, a formerly reluctant reader, reads and reviews middle-grade books.  He specifically explains why the book engages him, as  formerly reluctant reader.
• Literary Road Trip- a project in which bloggers volunteer to showcase local authors. This showcase can be anything the blogger wants to make of it – book reviews, author interviews, giveaways – as long as they are  working with an author local to them.
• October/Halloween Horror Month: Started last year, I spend the entire month of October spotlighting some of my favorite horror/thriller books.  It’s a month-long appreciation of things that go bump in the night, including guest posts, giveaways & more.  Stay tuned for more details about this year’s celebration!

Well, I think that about sums it up!  If you have any questions or would like to learn more about me, please do not hesitate to email me at jennsbookshelfATgmailDOTcom!

Welcome BEA Attendees! is a post from: Jenn's Bookshelves. Reproduction of this content is forbidden unless approved through prior written consent.

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Schwartz & Wade; 1 edition (July 27, 2010)
• ISBN-10: 0375858997
• Source: Library

Rocket is an adorable little puppy who loves to do little puppy things, like chase leaves and chew sticks.  At the end of a day, he would plop down in his favorite spot under his favorite tree. One day, he happens upon a little yellow bird.  This little bird is a teacher, so Rocket must be his student!

When the little bird discovers that Rocket can’t read, teaching him to read becomes the little bird’s mission.  Rocket is very reluctant to read; he’d much rather take a nap. This doesn’t dissuade the little bird.  She picks up a book and begins to read anyway.

At first Rocket was annoyed by the book. But in no time at all he become absorbed in the story.  He pictures it in his head.  The anticipation builds up and he must know the end of the story.

Every day Rocket returned to the little bird’s classroom.  She teaches him the alphabet, how to sound out each letter, and soon they were spelling entire words!

But soon the spring turned to fall and the bird flew away, promising to return in the winter. Despite the cold winter, Rocket couldn’t stop thinking about reading!  He continued to practice his letters and sound out words, and before long it was spring again!

This time, Rocket and the little bird began to read together

I read How Rocket Learned to Read to my youngest son, who will be starting kindergarten this fall.  Since his brother has reviewed for me, as well as his father, he wanted a turn at reviewing.  So, here are Justin’s brief comments:

Why did you like this book?

I liked Rocket.  I like dogs!

Other than Rocket, was there anything else you liked about this book?

YES MOM!  Rocket was learning to read.  I am learning to read! Rocket spelled out letters in the snow! Mom, can I do that when it snows!?

Yes, Justin.  It’s 90 degrees out now so we might be waiting a little while.  Was there anything you didn’t like about this book?

Yes! It was over!! Oh, and when the teacher bird left in the winter, I was sad.

So there you have it…Justin’s reviewing debut!

Personally, I loved How Rocket Learned to Read because it describes the steps to learning how to read in a fun and exciting way.  The illustrations are vivid and interesting.  It grabs the reader’s attention, just as all books should. As I explained to Justin as we read, if he follows the steps that Rocket took, with time and practice he, too, would be reading before he knew it.

How Rocket Learned to Read is the perfect book for a preschooler or a child just about to enter kindergarten.

Since we’re about to start kindergarten here, Justin & I have been reading a lot of books about school and kindergarten. Check back each week as we feature our favorite back to school/kindergarten books!

Is there a book about going back to school or starting kindergarten that you’d like to recommend?

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Review: How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills is a post from: Jenn's Bookshelves. Reproduction of this content is forbidden unless approved through prior written consent.

This post is specifically geared toward those individuals who have discovered this blog after meeting me at BEA in NY, or for those new to this blog. Here’s a quick summary of some of the projects featured on this blog:

• Tales of A Formerly Reluctant Reader-This is the feature I’m most proud of!  My son, a formerly reluctant reader, reads and reviews middle-grade books.  He specifically explains why the book engages him, as  formerly reluctant reader.  He recently wrote about a visit to his school by author Eric Wight and his most recent review was for Tighty Whitey Spider by Kenn Nesbit
• Literary Road Trip- a project in which bloggers volunteer to showcase local authors. This showcase can be anything the blogger wants to make of it – book reviews, author interviews, giveaways – as long as they are  working with an author local to them.

Following are some of my most recent reviews:

• On Folly Beach by Karen White
• Dismantled by Jennifer McMahon
• The Enemy by Lee Child
• Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth
• The Prophecy by Dawn Miller

Upcoming Project:

I know it’s still a few months away, but I’m already planning for a horror/thriller themed October!  If you would like me to feature your book, please feel free to email me at jennsbookshelfATgmailDOTcom or fill out my Review Request Form.  If you are a reader of my blog and would simply like to recommend a book to be featured, please feel free to email me as well!

I am currently accepting books for review for the months of July and beyond.  Please read my review policy before submitting a review request.  Any questions? Please feel free to email me at jennsbookshelfATgmailDOTcom or fill out my Contact Me form.

Welcome BEA Attendees! is a post from: Jenn's Bookshelves. Reproduction of this content is forbidden unless approved through prior written consent.