Today on Hook of a Book, I review A Place at the Table, by Laura Shovan and Saadia Faruqi. When Sara and Elizabeth are paired together in an after school cooking class, they don’t exactly hit it off at first. At all. Elizabeth finds Sara serious and not fun, and Sara, who’s Muslim, finds Elizabeth confusing and hard to predict. However, when the two girls try to come up with a unique, cross-culture dish, they become friends. Sadly, friendship comes with a price. Can the girls withstand haters, r...
Jul 24, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Words can mean a lot. They can build you up or tear you down. The book Posted really makes you think about that! This book was a listener request, recommended by Claire. When Frost and his friends Wolf, Deedee, and Bench start leaving sticky notes around the school for each other when cell phones are banned, other students quickly catch on and start leaving notes of their own. However, the sticky notes soon become rude and mean, and Frost and his friends must put a stop to this before anyone is ...
Jul 17, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Today, I review Holly Goldberg Sloan’s Counting By 7s! This book was incredibly good. When genius Willow’s parents die in a car crash, she has to readjust to life in a new way, living with her friend Mai, Mai’s mother, Pattie, and Mai’s brother, Quang-ha. However, soon Willow will be forced to go into the foster care system, and she doesn’t want that. Willow, Mai, Pattie, Quang-ha, and Willow’s counselor, Dell, and a taxi driver named Jairo have to band together to keep Willow from going into th...
Jul 10, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 25
When you live in the White House, every day is sure to be an adventure! Sisters Winnie and Ingrid have lived in the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, for eight years. Inauguration Day is approaching, and they’re getting ready to say goodbye to the home forever. When their dad, the president, makes a surprising announcement, the girls find that their last weeks in the White House are sure to be memorable! If you have a book you want me to review on the show, email me at hookofabookpodcast@gm...
Jul 03, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Today, I’ll review a book I got 2 separate listener requests for. (Thank you, Winnie and Annaleigh!) The book is a New York Times bestseller, The Mysterious Benedict Society! If you have a book you want me to review on the show, email me at hookofabookpodcast@gmail.com.
Jun 26, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 23
On Hook of a Book today, I review The Magic Misfits, by Neil Patrick Harris. When street-magician Carter runs away, he never expects to find magic and mystery in the sleepy little town of Mineral Wells. Also, I turned 12 this week! *Yay!* If you have a book you want me to review on the show, email me at: hookofabookpodcast@gmail.com. Or you can send in a voice message!
Jun 19, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 22
On today’s episode of Hook of a Book, I review Tae Keller’s The Science of Breakable Things. Natalie’s mother has been struggling with depression, and when Natalie enters an egg-drop competition, she knows that the prize money will help her mother. Can she win? If you have a book you want me to review on the show, email me at hookofabookpodcast@gmail.com. You can also send in a voice message. Be sure to check out our Instagram page to stay up-to-date on upcoming episodes and giveaways! Have a wo...
Jun 12, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 21
In today’s episode, I review 365 Days to Alaska, a listener request sent in from Lucy. When Rigel has to leave her home in Alaska, she makes a pact with her dad: If she can stick it out for one year in Connecticut, he’ll bring her home. Can Rigel do it? If you have a listener request you want me to review, email me at hookofabookpodcast@gmail.com. You can also send in a voice message. To stay up-to-date on Hook of a Book’s latest reviews and giveaways, check out our Instagram!
Jun 05, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In today’s episode of Hook of a Book, I review a wonderful story by E.L. Shen—The Comeback! Maxine is a wonderful ice skater, but she isn’t so good at standing up to bullies. When a mean boy starts bullying Maxine about her Chinese heritage, Maxine has trouble standing up to him. She also wants to place at the regional ice skating competition, but a new girl, Hollie, is also trying to place, and Hollie is really good. If you have a book you want me to review on the show, email me at hookofabookp...
May 29, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In today’s episode of Hook of a Book, I review Katherine Applegate’s book, Wishtree, a listener request sent in from two sisters, Sophie and Olivia. Red is a tree that is very old. Red has witnessed many things in life, but when a new family moves into the neighborhood, Red finds that people aren’t kind to them. If you have a book you want me to review on the show, you can email me at hookofabookpodcast@gmail.com. You can also send in a voice message with your request on it.
May 22, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Hey, listeners! In today’s episode of Hook of a Book, I review Barbara Dee’s Halfway Normal. When Norah Levy completes her two-year treatment for leukemia, she can’t wait to get back to school. She soon realizes that it isn’t easy readjusting back into her normal life—and when she is moved to eighth grade math and science, she meets a cute boy who doesn’t know about her leukemia, but Norah finds that it isn’t easy to hide cancer from him. When something happens to upset Norah, hiding her cancer ...
May 15, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Today, I will be reviewing The List of Things That Will Not Change, by Rebecca Stead. When 10-year-old Bea hears that her dad is getting remarried, she is super excited. But, will anything go as planned? Bea’s future sister doesn’t seem to like her, and that makes Bea sad. Thank you to Maeve for requesting this book! If you have a book you want me to review on the show, email me at hookofabookpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks!
May 08, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Sideways Stories from Wayside School is a book that is funny, sweet, and it has been read for decades. I love this series for younger kids, and I still reread it! These books tell the story of Mrs. Jewel’s class, and their school that was built the opposite way it should have been. I enjoy the humor, the creative chapters, and the unique writing voice Louis Sachar gives the books. Have a great week! If you have a book you want me to review on the show, email me at: hookofabookpodcast@gmail.com.
May 01, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Hello, and welcome back to Hook of a Book! Today, I’ll be reviewing an anonymous listener request: Tune it Out! It’s about a girl named Lou. I LOVED this book, and I hope that you enjoy it, too! If you have a book you want me to review on the show, email me at: hookofabookpodcast@gmail.com. See you next week!
Apr 24, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 14
What would you do if you just learned that you had to be the governess to children who were raised by....wait for it....wait for it....wolves! Today, I will be reviewing The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place with my cousins, Nora and Malen. This series follows Miss Penelope Lumely, a 15-year-old girl in the 1800s who has just graduated from Swanburne Academy. She soon learns that she will be governess to children raised by wolves! However, at Ashton Place, where Penelope now works, she notic...
Apr 17, 2021•14 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Hello, folks! In today’s episode, I review From the Desk of Zoe Washington, a listener request sent in from Norah. I love this book a lot! When Zoe Washington finds out that her dad was sent to prison wrongly, she decides to try to free him, all while trying to get on the Food Network’s baking show, Kids Bake Challenge. Can she do both? This book is super interesting, and again, thank you Norah for requesting it! If you have a book you want me to review, email me at: hookofabookpodcast@gmail.com...
Apr 10, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this novel, told in verse, readers get a peek into the eyes of Jude, a young Syrian refuge coming to America for the first time. As Jude starts a new school, takes ESL classes, and tries to explain to people that she wears a hijab by choice, she learns that not everyone is as accepting as she had thought. Is America really the place that Jude had thought it was? If you like acting, you’ll enjoy reading about Jude’s quest to be in the school’s production of Beauty and the Beast. As always, if ...
Apr 03, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In today’s episode, I review the book Blended, by Sharon M. Draper. I have received two separate listener requests for this book—one from a listener named Chelsey, one from a listener named Claire. I also have a guest review today—I invited my friends Anne, Audrey, and Mackenzie to review this book with me. As always, if you have a book request, email me at: hookofabookpodcast@gmail.com. Have a great day!
Mar 27, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Today, I’ll be reviewing From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E.L. Konigsburg. When Claudia runs away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she and her younger brother, Jamie, find themselves stuck in a mystery that they absolutely have to solve! If you have a book you want me to review on the show, email me at hookofabookpodcast@gmail.com. Until next week, stay safe, stay healthy, and keep on reading!
Mar 20, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In this book, Aven Green, age 13, shares her life’s story after being born without arms. When her parents take a job at Stagecoach Pass, a rundown amusement park, her life changes forever. I loved this book, and I got two listener requests, one from a girl named Caroline and one from a girl named Sienna. Thanks, Caroline and Sienna! Remember, if you have a book you want me to review on the show, email me at: hookofabookpodcast@gmail.com. Stay safe, stay healthy, and keep on reading!
Mar 13, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 8
This is a trailer episode, to give you a gist of what my podcast, Hook of a Book, is about!
Mar 12, 2021•54 sec•Ep. 1
Out of My Mind, by Sharon M. Draper, is a book about a girl with cerebral palsy. Melody is starting fifth grade, and when she finds a device that allows her to speak, she learns that not everyone is ready to hear her voice. Some kids are mean, and Melody has to overcome her unique challenges. Again, if you have a book that you want me to review on the show, email me at hookofabookpodcast@gmail.com. See you next week!
Mar 06, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Hey guys! This is a double episode, and a listener request from a girl named Julia. The Front Desk series is about a girl named Mia, who immigrated from China a few years ago. Now she helps her parents out at the Calivista Motel, where she manages the front desk. But, it’s hard work, and can Mia keep up with the customers? Again, thank you Julia for requesting this episode, and I am so excited for you all to hear it! Again, if you want to email a request, email me at: hookofabookpodcast@gmail.co...
Feb 27, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Hello, guys! By the way, I’m not tricking you with the title of this episode. That really is the title! Anyways, in this episode of Hook of a Book, I review Pseudonymous Bosch’s mystery, The Name of This Book is Secret. I hope you enjoy!
Feb 20, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode of Hook of a Book, I review Wonder, a book about a boy with extreme facial differences. This book is very moving, and I hope you feel inclined to read it!
Feb 15, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Today, I’ll be reviewing my favorite book of all time...The Thing About Jellyfish, by Ali Benjamin. When Suzy’s best friend drowns, Suzy sets out to find out if it really was a natural drowning...or did it have something to do with jellyfish? I hope you enjoy!
Jan 30, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 3
This time, on Hook of a Book, I review the book The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, with my two oldest cousins, Nora and Malen Mano. Enjoy!
Jan 11, 2021•12 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In the first episode of Hook of a Book, I will be reviewing Kristen Levine’s Lions of Little Rock!
Jan 02, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 1
