Summer's Opus

Title: The Colonel and The Bee Author: Patrick Canning Genre: Young Adult Action Adventure Fiction Rating: Five Stars! Have you ever started a book expecting one thing, but then you get a little ways into it and you suddenly realize that it’s an entirely different thing—but in a completely awesome way? Well that’s exactly what happened to me when I started The Colonel and The Bee. That isn’t to say that the book synopsis isn’t right on point—I mean, it’s a pretty accurate description of the plot, but it somehow didn’t prepare me for all of the fun and adventure that was in store. But, before I dive into how great the book is, here’s the actual book blurb . . . “The Colonel and the Bee” Book Synopsis A peculiar explorer and downtrodden acrobat span the globe on a building-sized hot air balloon, in search of a precious artifact and the murderous treasure hunter who seeks it. Beatrix, a spirited but abused acrobat in a traveling circus, seeks more than her...

Title: Kat and Meg Conquer the World Author: Anna Priemaza Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Rating: Five Stars! Kat and Meg couldn’t be more different, but together, they create a bond that is both warm and genuine. In this heartwarming novel about navigating the murky waters of adolescence and mental illness, Kat and Meg may not necessarily conquer the world, but they do capture our hearts in a friendship reminiscent of Lucy and Ethel. We meet them individually, from a dueling first-person point of view that is refreshing and so well executed that we’re able to seamlessly read along as we get to know them. Kat has a pretty severe anxiety disorder, so she often resorts to cool, witty, and realistic techniques to get through the day. Meg has ADHD; her ever-shifting train of thought lending a view into her daily struggle to just focus. With Kat’s OCD compulsions and Meg’s scatterbrained tendencies, they seem an unlikely pair, but together they create a beautiful friend...