Lia Anshar's Honest Pages

  Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Kimia filled the suitcase with toys and books, flowers and ribbons." A Suitcase Full by Maryam Kia tells the story of Kimia, a young girl who must leave her home in Iran with her parents due to the war. With only one suitcase allowed, she has to leave behind so many things she loves and say goodbye to her beloved grandmother, Nana-joon. What follows is a journey across the world, from London to Paris, and finally to the sunny city of Honolulu.  When she finally arrives at her new school, a class project provides her with the perfect opportunity to share her story. She opens her suitcase not just with objects, but with her history, helping her make new friends and realize that home isn't just one place, it's also the love and memories you carry with you.  The story is told with such warmth and wonder even though it touches on serious themes like leaving home and war. For kids who experience the same thing, it makes them feel understood and at the same ...

  Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "It was out here all alone, without a pack or a home. King knew exactly what that felt like. They were both outsiders, determined to survive but unsure how." In King Coyote by Rachael Meyers Jones, we meet King, a twelve-year-old boy from Boston whose world is turned upside down. With his parents going through a divorce, he is sent to spend the summer on the rural side of Vermont with his aunt, uncle, and cousin, Nat. To King, it feels like a punishment. There’s no Wi-Fi, barely any other people who look like him, and the townsfolk aren't very welcoming. He feels like an outsider. But things change when King meets a lonely young coyote. Seeing himself in the misunderstood animal, King decides he must protect it. When his uncle calls trappers to remove the coyote, King and Nat embark on a wild journey to find the animal a safe new home. Along the way, King learns about courage, history, and what it really means to find home. This isn't just an adventur...

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "To care for another person was frightening, vulnerable. It meant another loss for my heart. And now I'd gone and grown fond of someone challenging death itself."  Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai is a story about Kang Siying, a priestess, whose job is to guide the deceased to their final resting places. Unlike most people, she doesn’t fear death, it’s literally her line of work. But when her beloved father falls seriously ill, Siying is forced to face the harsh reality of mortality. Desperate to pay for his medical treatment, she accepts a high-risk, high-reward mission: travel to a dangerous territory to retrieve the body of a missing prince. However, things take an unexpected turn when her reanimation talisman not only moves the corpse, but also brings the prince back to life. Now, Prince Ren is alive but fading fast. To stay anchored to the world of the living, he needs to absorb qi (life force) by purifying evil spirits, and Siying agrees to help him. What ...

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ "'We're all heroes,' said Coby. 'Just like Mr. McKinley said.'"  If you’re looking for a fast, fun, and action-packed read for kids who love sports and humor, Operation Trick Shot by Dude Perfect with Allan Woodrow is a perfect read!  This book follows eight graders Cory, Coby, Tyler, Garrett, and Cody as they set out to save their neighborhood rec center by putting on an epic trick shot show. But it’s not all smooth sailing, the crew faces shooting slumps, twin rivalry, a profit-obsessed corporate villain, and even a missing Panda. Along the way, they’re racing to nail their shots, land a world record, and uncover what their furry friend has been up to behind the scenes.  What makes this book shine is its ability to balance action with heart. It’s fast-paced, hilarious, and packed with awesome illustrations that keep the energy high from start to finish. Beyond the cool stunts, the story really drives home important themes about friendship, ...