Kbook Reviews

This is the 4th book in the  American Girl Rebecca  series by Jacqueline Dembar Greene. (Book 1 has been reviewed here:  https://kbook-reviews.blogspot.com/2025/06/meet-rebecca-by-jacqueline-dembar-greene.html ) Age: 8+ Description:   On her tenth birthday, Rebecca can hardly believe it when cousin Max invites her to join him for a day at his movie studio to watch a movie being made! Although her parents don't approve of actors or movies, Mama relents and says Rebecca may go. At the studio, Rebecca meets the glamorous Lily, a real movie star. When the camera begins to roll, Rebecca knows she must sit quietly and watch. Suddenly, the director shouts "Cut!"-and Rebecca finds herself facing an opportunity she never imagined in her wildest dreams. Does she have the nerve for it? And what would  her parents say if they knew? My Rating: 5/5 This was a cute book! I love all of the history and educational information that the author included! Things to be aware of in “R...

This is the 3rd book in the  American Girl Rebecca  series by Jacqueline Dembar Greene. (Book 1 was reviewed here:  https://kbook-reviews.blogspot.com/2025/06/meet-rebecca-by-jacqueline-dembar-greene.html ) Age: 8+ Description:   Rebecca's teacher assigns the class to make Christmas decorations--but Rebecca's family is Jewish and doesn't celebrate Christmas. Her teacher tells her that Christmas is a national holiday, for all Americans to celebrate. Although her parents came from Russia, Rebecca knows she's as American as anyone else, even without celebrating Christmas. Could her teacher be wrong? If Rebecca does the project, her family is sure to be upset; if she doesn't, her teacher will be displeased. Then, on the first night of Hanukkah, Rebecca finds kindness in an unexpected place--and learns the real meaning of the holiday season. My Rating: 5/5 I really loved how the author explained Hanukkah in a way that kids would be able to understand.  I don’t like h...

This is the 2nd book in the American Girl Rebecca series by Jacqueline Dembar Greene. (Book 1 review here:  https://kbook-reviews.blogspot.com/2025/06/meet-rebecca-by-jacqueline-dembar-greene.html ) Age: 8+ Description:   At last, cousin Ana has arrived at Ellis Island, and Rebecca can't wait to meet her. She's sure they'll be just like sisters, doing everything together. It's crowded with two families in one small apartment, but Rebecca is happy to share everything with Ana, even her clothes! At school, Rebecca is determined to help her cousin learn English and keep up in class, in spite of the other kids' teasing. But when the teacher tells her to include Ana in a special performance, Rebecca panics--Ana's broken English will ruin the show! Rebecca realizes this is one thing she does not want to do with her cousin. But how can she explain this to Ana? My Rating: 5/5 I really liked this book, especially the last chapter. The author did an amazing job of getting...

 This is the first book in the American Girl  Rebecca series. Age: 8+ Description:   Rebecca Rubin longs to be the center of attention, but it's not easy in a family of five children! When mysterious cousin Max, the actor, tells her the secret to pleasing an audience, Rebecca can hardly wait to try it out. Then she learns that her young cousin Ana and her family are in danger--they must escape Russia and come to America. Rebecca decides to raise money for their passage by putting on a show right in her New York City neighborhood-until her disapproving grandmother steps in. Unexpectedly, Rebecca finds another way to earn money. But she knows that for her plan to work, she'll have to keep it a secret. My Rating 5/5 I love the Rebecca series! She is such a relatable character. I also love the Jewish representation and strong history! No other content to note. Links to the book: Amazon:   https://a.co/d/0pgIAJK Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6098121...

 PLEASE NOTE: this is the adapted version, not the unabridged book. Age: 8+ (though there are kidnappings and other mature events) Description:   This book is an adaptation of the classic novel Pinocchio. Mischievous, lazy, and full of tricks, the puppet Pinocchio causes trouble for his creator, Geppetto, almost as soon as he comes to life. Yet, more than anything, this naughty and playful creature wants to become a real boy. To make his dreams come true, he must prove himself worthy. Come along on Pinocchio s amazing journey as he learns the hard way what it means to be honest, kind, and, above all, human. This easy-to-read adaptation is guaranteed to hook beginning readers not yet ready to tackle the original. My Rating: 2/5 Personally, I found this book to be a really silly storyline (-3 stars) . I could see some good morals throughout, but I just thought the actual story was kind of dumb. Things to be aware of in “The Adventures of Pinocchio” Language: 2 “dumb” Links to th...

Age: 18+ (even though I do not recommend) Description:  This is the second volume of the complete collection of Baroness Orczy’s works, that we are publishing in their chronological order (the Scarlet Pimpernel collection is published separately). It has been divided in eight volumes, which include 17 novels & 7 short story collections. This volume features three novels: A Son of the People; Beau Brocade; The Nest of the Sparrowhawk. My Rating: 2/5   A Son of the People:   Okay, it took a little bit to get into, but by the end I was hooked!! Beau Brocade : I had a very hard time following the storyline. The Nest of the Sparrowhawk : It was okay. Not my favorite, but it wasn’t horrible either. Notable Quotes: “‘I would sooner never see the sun set again than cause you even one short moment’s anxiety.’” Page 280 “Throughout the whole range of suffering which humanity is called upon to endure, there is perhaps nothing so hard to bear as suspense.” Page 333 Things to be a...