Look for these two new great books. The adult book releases in May and the one for middle-grade readers is available now. Both are wonderful! These books were provided by the publishers, but the opinions are my own.

5 STARS

Reeling from her mother’s death, Mari Starwood finds a scrap of paper with a reclusive artist’s address. Anxious to find out more about her family, she books a painting lesson with Elizabeth Devereaux at her home on Martha’s Vineyard. Ms. Devereaux turns out to be nothing like Mari imagined. The old farm where she lives tops a hill overlooking the ocean, seeping peace and tranquility. When Elizabeth asks Mari to forego her evening flight home and stay another day, she begins to unfurl the story of the Smith girls who owned and worked the farm in the 1940’s.

Details are initially doled out slowly, then more rapidly, as an amazing story snowballs toward its conclusion. Filled with excitement, humor, and romance, this novel will appeal with a wide range of strong women characters and yes, it will make the perfect Book Club selection!

4 STARS

Sixth graders, Pineda, Ernesto, and Patsy are attending school in Soledad, Texas when soldiers parachute into town. Rounded up by the paratroopers, everyone is instructed in the rules they must obey while the Aggressors hold the town captive. With school canceled, Pineda and his friends wander home. While doing his chores, Pineda finds a strange humanoid in his barn. Could she be who the soldiers are really looking for?

This is a book about belonging, compassion, and diversity. Pineda has also been ignored and avoided because his mother is Mexican. He understands what it is like to be different like Luisa, the alien he finds in his barn. Using an alphabet book, he bridges the language gap between races: C is for Caring, F is for friend. Pineda rallies his friends and their families to save Luisa, and they prove that messing with Texans means you lose – badly.

I reviewed the audiobook, and the numerous narrators make it a joy to listen to. If you have a reluctant reader, I highly recommend it. The voices bring the characters to life

The historical background that sparked the author’s book is described here:

How One Texas Town Fell To Communist Rule In The 1950s | Texas Standard

On April 3,1952 the U.S. military staged a “communist take-over” in Lampasas, Texas. Named the Aggressor Nation, the group took over the schools, courthouse, and places of worship. Residents were under Martial Law until “freed” by the U.S. Army two weeks later. The action left the residents resentful of the Army and the government.