friendship – Page 5 – BookBunnies

Caramel reviews My Friend John by Arleen McCarthy

Today Caramel is talking to Sprinkles about a brand new book, My Friend John by Arleen McCarthy, which just came out on Friday November 8.

The book bunnies received this book from the publisher as a review copy.

Caramel reviews My Friend John by Arleen McCarthy. — Caramel reviews *My Friend John* by Arleen McCarthy.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, here we are again, this time to talk about this book about a boy named John. So maybe start by telling us a bit about it?

Caramel: Sure. In this book the main character is a girl.

S: Wait, the girl is named John?

C: No. Wait, I am getting there. The girl is in class one day when the teacher announces that there is going to be a new kid, named John. At lunch the main character invites John over to sit with her, and he says thank you. Later the kid John makes a noise and shakes, then goes back to normal.

S: What kind of noise?

C: i think that he says something like “tak”.

S: So maybe something that does not mean anything to the other people? Maybe something in a different language?

C: No, it is not quite that. Later John doesn’t come to school because in class this same kind of thing happens, too, and the rest of the class makes fun of him.

S: Oh, I see. He is not really in control when he is making the sounds and shaking, right?

C: Yes, in fact I was going to get to that. Later the teacher tells her that John has Tourette Syndrome, and that is why he made those noises and started to shake.

S: I see. Of course the other kids did not know about Tourette Syndrome so they just ended up making fun of him and making him feel bad.

C: Yes, but eventually the girl who is the main character understands this and later tells the class that the reason John did not come to school is because they made fun of him.

S: I see. I guess it is normal for most children not to know about this syndrome, but they did not need to make fun of someone just because they are behaving differently or unexpectedly.

C: Yeah, I agree.

Caramel is reading My Friend John by Arleen McCarthy. — Caramel is reading *My Friend John* by Arleen McCarthy.

S: Did you know about Tourette Syndrome before reading this book?

C: Yes, a little.

S: Same here. I knew of the syndrome but I do not think I have met someone with a severe case of it. I can imagine it can be surprising to children if they have never seen someone with it, but that is no reason to make fun of the person.

C: Yes, I suppose that is true; sometimes little bunnies can be cruel. But not me, right?

S: Right, not you. I know you are always trying to be kind, and you always want to help and include other bunnies. But I think it is in all of us to want to push away different people because we might be afraid. Many bunnies want to be with bunnies like themselves. It probably feels more comfortable. But we must choose to be kind whenever we can. And to know that many bunnies are different from one another, and differences do not have to separate us. I am happy that you consciously choose to be kind whenever you can. You only tease Marshmallow and me.

C: Yes, I do.

S: We usually can handle it! Anyways, so what did you think about this book overall? I feel like there is always room for a new book about being kind.

C: Yeah, agreed. This is a good book. And I learned about Tourette syndrome and you know I always like to learn new things.

S: I know! So maybe this is a good time to wrap things up. Can you give me a description of the book in three to five words?

C: Positive and full of color. That is exactly five words, right?

S: Yes, that is perfect, thank you! And now what would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel appreciated reading My Friend John by Arleen McCarthy and learning about ways we can support friends with differences. — Caramel appreciated reading *My Friend John* by Arleen McCarthy and learning about ways we can support friends with differences.

Marshmallow reviews The Hunger Games: The Illustrated Edition by Suzanne Collins and Nico Delort

Marshmallow has read and reviewed all three books making up the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. This week she was excited to get her paws on the new and illustrated edition of the first book: The Hunger Games: The Illustrated Edition. Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

[You can check out Marshmallow’s reviews of the three Hunger Games books here: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay.]

Marshmallow reviews The Hunger Games: The Illustrated Edition written by Suzanne Collins and illustrated by Nico Delort. — Marshmallow reviews *The Hunger Games: The Illustrated Edition* written by Suzanne Collins and illustrated by Nico Delort.

Sprinkles: So Marshmallow you read the original book and then watched the movie. How did this illustrated edition work for you?

Marshmallow: As far as I could tell, the text was the same as in the original book. But the illustrator added images every now and then, giving the book a fancy fairy tale feel.

S: I saw the illustrations. They look realistic but are all in black and white. I felt like maybe that matches the overall gloomy nature of the world the story is taking place in.

M: I think you might be right. The cover illustrations have other colors, too, but the illustrations inside the book are all in black and white, like you said. And the world of Katniss Everdeen is really gloomy.

S: Okay, maybe it makes sense for us to give our readers a quick recap of the main plot lines of the book. We cannot assume everyone has already read the original book or seen the movie version.

M: Well, I could just repeat what I said earlier: The book is set in a dystopian future, in North America. There are twelve districts and a Capitol city that make up a country named Panem. Katniss Everdeen, the main character, lives in District 12 with her mother and younger sister Prim. Everyone is very poor, except for the people of the Capitol, which hosts the Hunger Games every year. The Hunger Games are a big spectacle: Two children ages 12 to 18 are selected from each district. And they are brought to the Capitol and are to fight to the death in these Hunger Games. Katniss ends up being the girl representing her district in that year’s Games, along with a boy named Peeta. The book is about their trip to the Capitol and their time during the Games.

Marshmallow is reading The Hunger Games: The Illustrated Edition written by Suzanne Collins and illustrated by Nico Delort. — Marshmallow is reading *The Hunger Games: The Illustrated Edition* written by Suzanne Collins and illustrated by Nico Delort.

S: Okay, so the book is basically the same but there are illustrations in this version, right?

M: Yes. The format of the book is also bigger and the paper the pages are made of is much heavier, thicker paper. And there are a lot more words on a page. I think.

S: How many pages is it overall?

M: 357.

S: Comparing with the original paperback edition you read, which is 374 pages, do you think it is abridged?

M: I don’t think so. It seems that the large format allows more words on each page.

S: I see. So if the text is the same, then one could simply read this one instead of the original paperback you read.

M: Yes, and that could be a different kind of experience, I am sure. I mean, when you read the book, especially if you read it before having seen the movie, you completely are free when you are imagining Katniss and visualizing Panem. The illustrations would change that experience a bit. But I do not think it would be in a bad way.

S: So did you think the imagery was consistent with the book and how you imagined things to look like?

M: Yes. They match the movie images too. I mean Katniss is not Jennifer Lawrence in the illustrations, but the world and how every scene looks really resemble the movie images. But I am not saying the illustrations sort of simply copy the images form the movie. I thought the movie imagery was very faithful to the book, and only made the world seem richer and crisper. The illustrator of this book is very faithful to the book too, and the images just fit the mood of the book very well. Even, like you say, the fact that the illustrations are all in black and white adds to the general heaviness of the story.

S: Okay, that sounds like the illustrator did a really good job then.

M: Yes. I think if you want to read The Hunger Games series, this illustrated edition could be a good book to start your journey with.

S: So I am guessing you would rate this book rather highly?

M: Yes. Great story as before and very evocative imagery, so I’d rate it 100% for sure.

S: Thanks Marshmallow, this is all good to know. So maybe this would be a good time to wrap up this review. What would you like to tell our readers?

M: Stay tuned for more amazing reviews from the book bunnies!

Marshmallow rates The Hunger Games: The Illustrated Edition written by Suzanne Collins and illustrated by Nico Delort 100%. — Marshmallow rates *The Hunger Games: The Illustrated Edition* written by Suzanne Collins and illustrated by Nico Delort 100%.

Caramel reviews Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian by Eoin Colfer

Caramel has been going through the Artemis Fowl books one by one. He has already read and reviewed the first seven books: Artemis Fowl, Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident, Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code, Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception, Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony, Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox, and Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex. Today he is finally ready to talk about book eight: Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian, originally published in 2012. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: Okay, Sprinkles, we are finally talking about the last book in the series. And it is perhaps coincidentally called The Last Guardian.

Caramel: Why do you think it is coincidental?

S: Well, I thought it was a coincidence that the title of the last book has the word “last” in it. But are you implying that this is not at all a coincidence? Like this is also the end of Artemis Fowl and the last we will see of him?

C: Well, that is kind of what I am implying. Artemis Fowl does die-

S: What, really?

C: Yes, really. But of course he comes back!

S: Hmm, you got me worried for a bit there.

C: Yay! Mission accomplished!

S: Hmm, I am not terribly happy you got me worried intentionally there. But okay, let us get back to the book. Who is the last guardian? What is happening in this book? And how does Artemis Fowl die and then come back?

C: I am not sure, but I think it might be Artemis because he sacrifices himself, to defend the fairies and their world as well as the human world. The evil character Opal Koboi is once again the villain and causes both the fairy and the human worlds to lose most of their technological tools and systems. And Artemis does come back but he forgets everything. Almost everything, and then the book ends in a strange way.

S: I feel like we are approaching serious spoiler territory here.

C: Yes. I guess I should stop.

Caramel is reading Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian by Eoin Colfer. — Caramel is reading *Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian* by Eoin Colfer.

S: Okay, so the book is done, and the series with it, too. Tell me, what is your overall opinion of the series?

C: Can I give a percent rating like Marshmallow does?

S: Okay, let us see.

C: Yay! I would rate the series 99%!

S: Hmm, so you love the series but you are still holding on to that one percent.

C: Yes, remember you told me that when you were in high school, your English teacher would never assign a grade of 10 out of 10 for anybody.

S: Well, yes, she said 10 was reserved for Shakespeare only.

C: So I am reserving 100% for a new Wings of Fire book. If it is good.

S: So out of all the series you have read till now, Wings of Fire is still your favorite?

C: Yes. But Artemis Fowl is a close second. The main character is pretty cool. And the books are always action-packed and fast-paced and have all sorts of weird things, like magic, time travel, and a no-longer-evil boy genius! What is not to like!

S: So would you recommend that I read them too then?

C: Yes, I think you would like them, Sprinkles.

S: Hmm, I think I will give them a go then. While we are at it, I wanted to check. You know there are more Artemis Fowl mysteries, right? They have his twin brothers as the central characters. Are you interested in checking those books out too?

C: Yes, of course. That’s kind of a silly question, Sprinkles. Kind of like you are asking me if I want more ice cream.

S: I get it, okay. Maybe we will find those books then. So let us wrap up this review then. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian by Eoin Colfer and is now a bit sad that the series is all over. So he will probably go back to the beginning and reread it all over again. — Caramel loved reading *Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian* by Eoin Colfer and is now a bit sad that the series is all over. So he will probably go back to the beginning and reread it all over again.

Marshmallow reviews Murder by Milkshake: A Sweet Dreams Mystery by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo

Today Marshmallow reviews a brand new book, Murder by Milkshake: A Sweet Dreams Mystery , written by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo and published in 2024.

The book bunnies are delighted to be reviewing this book as part of a Blog Tour for Murder by Milkshake organized by WOW! Women On Writing.

Marshmallow reviews Murder by Milkshake: A Sweet Dreams Mystery by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo. — Marshmallow reviews *Murder by Milkshake: A Sweet Dreams Mystery* by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like mystery books about unexpected detectives and murders, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Genevieve Winterland’s passion is bringing joy to others through her job working at her father’s Sweet Dreams Ice Cream Parlour in Pinewood, Arizona. As a high school senior approaching graduation, she already knows that she wants to spend her life as a business owner (getting a business degree through online courses), continuing the shop her father created. However, her father doesn’t want her to make any hasty decisions, especially since he worries he has influenced them too much. Wishing that she explores the world outside of Pinewood, he convinces her to apply to colleges that require her to leave her hometown. But before any of this can come to fruition, there is plenty of learning to do before graduation.

At school (before Genevieve’s shift starts), drama about a teaching position unfolds. The economy teacher Mr. Garcia is fired for violence against a student, and popular substitute teacher Miss Love is hired to fill in. However (through methods of borderline espionage), Genevieve learns that Miss Love is receiving death threats. Soon after this discovery, Miss Love goes missing and is replaced by the extremely unpopular substitute, Ms. Pierce. Ms. Pierce says a couple suspicious things that raise Genevieve’s interest, and after some investigation, Genevieve becomes convinced that Ms. Pierce must have been the one sending the death threats.

Meanwhile, a string of robberies have been shaking Pinewood residents’ sense of security and safety in this small town. So to protect Genevieve while she works, her father hires a second worker during her shift. This worker, Tyler, is moody, quick to anger, and clearly doesn’t want to work at Sweet Dreams. After a bizarre reaction to a comment, Tyler becomes a object of suspicion for Genevieve.

With her best friend Brandon (whose family owns the Hidden Treasures Bookshop across the street from Sweet Dreams) and Butterscotch (an abandoned dog whom Brandon’s family has temporarily taken in), Genevieve is determined to find out why and where Miss Love is and why Ms. Pierce is (supposedly) sending the death threats. However, soon a shocking death shakes up her deconstruction of the whole mystery and the town of Pinewood. Genevieve must uncover the truth before it’s too late. (Dun dun dun!!!)

Marshmallow is reading Murder by Milkshake: A Sweet Dreams Mystery by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo. — Marshmallow is reading *Murder by Milkshake: A Sweet Dreams Mystery* by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo.

Marshmallow’s Review: This book is difficult to place in terms of mystery genre. Some might say it is a cozy mystery (which I just learned is a genre), and it does have most of the elements of that type. As far as I understand, this genre is supposed to be soft and sweet. However, I wouldn’t let this book’s soft and sweet setting fool you into thinking that it is not a serious mystery. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book and I definitely didn’t see most of them coming. The characters are all deeply developed, and the cutesy aspects of the book (which I really liked) should not make you underestimate the complexity of the full plot. I originally thought the murder would be pretty open-and-shut and was surprised that there was a ton of pages afterwards. However, the twists kept coming, and I am quite satisfied with the ending. While I originally may have thought this was a simpler story, the “softness” of the story setting and other aspects made the mystery much more startling and intriguing. I look forward to reading the next book of this series!

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.

Marshmallow rates Murder by Milkshake: A Sweet Dreams Mystery by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Murder by Milkshake: A Sweet Dreams Mystery* by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo 100%.