WILLA AND THE WHALE by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

WILLA AND THE WHALE by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown. What a great way to show how different people deal with different emotions. Grief is an interesting animal and sometimes it does takes animals to help people through it. In Willa's case, it was Meg, a blue whale. I loved the relationship that Willa had with Meg. I love how Meg was able to help Willa through her grief and issues everyone seems to have at school. And I love how Meg really steps up and solves a whale sized problem with the help of loved ones around her. I would recommend this book to any and everyone, especially those who could use a different view point in how to deal with and how those around them may be dealing with different emotions.

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After losing her mom, Willa is grieving and having a hard time living with her dad and his new family on an island off the coast of Washington State. Her dad tries to cheer her up by taking her whale watching, something Willa's mom used to do.

While all the passengers are on one side of the boat, Willa encounters a humpback whale on the opposite side. Willa feels so lonely that she starts to talk to the whale—and the whale talks back!

The whale, named Meg, quickly becomes a trusted friend and confidante Willa can speak to whenever she's by the ocean.

Meg offers sound advice Willa needs about dealing with a nemesis at school and trying to figure out why her friend Marc is keeping secrets about his family life.

Before the story ends, it will take all of Willa's courage and connections to tackle a problem that's as big as a blue whale!

SQUINT by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

SQUINT by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown. This was an incredible story. It had me captivated till the end. The timid relationship between Flint and McKell is amazing to see develop. How they both help to push one another in their own struggles, and help build and support one another is a powerful lesson that we could all use more of in our lives. I would recommend this book to any and everyone. Absolutely amazing.

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The hero of my comic book can shoot lasers from his eyes when he squints. But it might not be enough to save the Empress. What he'll need most of all is a friend named Diamond Girl.

Flint loved to draw. In fact, he's furiously trying to finish his comic book so he can be the youngest winner of the "Find a Comic Star" contest. He's also rushing to finish because he has an eye disease that could eventually make him blind.

At school, Flint meets McKell. She's new and doesn't seem to have trouble making friends. She does have a problem with how some of her new friends treat this boy they call "Squint." He seems nice and really talented. He also seems like the kind of person who wouldn't laugh at you. That's important, because McKell has hidden talents of her own but is worried about what will happen is she shares them.

Squint is the inspiring story of two new friends dealing with their own challenges who learn to trust each other, believe in themselves, and begin to truly see what matters most.

MUSTACHES FOR MADDIE by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

MUSTACHES FOR MADDIE by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown. Wow. This book is amazing. It touches on things that are personal for the authors yet shares a very strong message on how to help kids deal with scary things. The humor had me laughing throughout and getting teary at the same time. Life has lots of scary things, though not everyone deals with a brain tumor, most kids deal with bullying of some type. There are many powerful lessons throughout. This is a must read to anyone who has children, associates with children, has influence with children, really everyone. I highly suggest this book for everyone of all ages. It is a great read for book clubs and to read with little ones. I cannot say enough good about this book. Please check it out.

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Twelve-year-old Maddie has a quirky sense of humor and loves making her classmates laugh by slapping on fake mustaches every chance she gets. Being funny gets her noticed by class queen Cassie, and things are looking up when Maddie is cast as Juliet in the school play. Maybe Juliet could wear a mustache?

When Maddie starts tripping when she walks and her hand starts curling up at her side, her mom takes her to the doctor, who confirms Maddie has a brain tumor. In an instant, her world is turned upside down.

Maddie doesn't want anyone else to know. Especially Cassie, whose jealousy has turned to bullying. What about Maddie's chance to play Juliet opposite the cutest boy in the sixth grade? What if the doctors can't get the ugly tumor monster out of her brain?

As Maddie's surgery approaches, she wonders if her illness is giving her super powers because her imagination is bigger than ever, her courage is stronger than ever, and her compassion is about to be felt by more people than she ever imagined.