Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Ostriches

I always appreciate a beautifully illustrated chapter book, and that’s exactly what I’m sharing with you today. I also value stories with strong messages for kids, and The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa, Book 6: The Ostriches by Jennifer Ussi delivers just that. 

The Ostriches is perfect for readers who love wildlife, adventure, and books that spark meaningful discussion. The book reminds readers that even the smallest voice matters and that we can all make a difference.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa, Book 6: The Ostriches

Written by Jennifer Ussi

Illustrated by Lekshmi Bose

Ages: 6-10 | 82 Pages

Publisher: Little Boola Books (2026) | ISBN: 978-1923356269

Publisher’s Book Summary: "What happens when the fastest birds on Earth would rather hide than face the truth—and a tiny lost cat refuses to look away?

In The Ostriches, Casper’s journey east leads her into the wide-open savannah, where danger is approaching fast…and no one wants to admit it. The ostriches have perfected the art of avoidance—heads down, problems ignored—but when real threats close in, Casper must help them discover that bravery isn’t about speed or strength, but about choosing to see what matters.

Packed with laugh-out-loud moments, sharp dialogue, and heartfelt wisdom, this story tackles big ideas—fear, denial, courage, and responsibility—in a way that feels playful, empowering, and deeply relatable for young readers. As always, Casper’s kindness, quick thinking, and gentle leadership prove that even the smallest voice can inspire change.

Beautifully illustrated and seamlessly blending adventure, humour, and wildlife education, The Ostriches is a standout chapter in the series—perfect for readers aged 6–10, classroom discussions, and families who love stories with both heart and substance.

A fast-paced, funny, and meaningful read that sparks conversations long after the last page. Ideal for reviewers who love spotlighting children’s books with depth, charm, and purpose."

 

You can purchase your own copy of The Ostriches at Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. Readers can learn more about Jennifer Ussi by visiting her website  and connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.  

 

 The Giveaway:

I've partnered with Jennifer Ussi to host a giveaway to celebrate the publication of The Ostriches. Enter for the chance to win one of ten paperback copies of The Ostriches. One grand prize winner will receive paperback copies of the first six books in The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa series. Good luck! 

 

The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa, Book 6: The Ostriches: Book Giveaway

 

10 Books to Read in March

 

March is here, and that means spring is on the horizon. I can’t wait for warmer days, clear sidewalks (if you know, you know!), sunshine, flowers in bloom, and everything else that comes with the season. There are also some fantastic books coming out this month—here are the ones I have my eye on:

 

1. Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict (3/24)

"A sweeping tale of a young woman who unearths the truth about a forgotten Pharaoh—rewriting both of their legacies forever."

 

 

2. It Girl by Allison Pataki (3/10)

"A sweeping, sensational novel of America’s first “It Girl,” whose dramatic journey to center stage echoes through the decades."

 

 

3. The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez (3/24)

"A beautiful, compelling novel that revels in laughter, friendship, and the messy choices life can throw our way. In everyone's life, there's a split-second decision that can change everything..."

 

 

4. Once and Again by Rebecca Serle (3/10)

"An unforgettable tale of a family of women with an astonishing gift: the ability to redo one moment in their lives."

 

 

5. Served Him Right by Lisa Unger (3/10)

A new psychological thriller about when a "woman's brunch with friends quickly turns dark in this gripping thriller." 

 

 

6. Killing Me Softly by Sandie Jones (3/31)

 "What do you do when love turns deadly? A wickedly twisty tale of obsession, and the deadly consequences of loving someone too much."

 

 

7. Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (3/3)

"A wry and tender portrait of two families forever changed by one lovestruck decision that will reverberate for decades."

 

 

8. A Far-Flung Life by M.K. Stedman (3/3)

"A breathtaking and epic novel set in the vast outback of Australia—about tragedy, family secrets, and the enduring power of love."

 

 

9. Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser (3/3)

"A sinister stepmother or misunderstood matriarch? This retelling of Cinderella brings a new side to a familiar fairy tale for a bold examination of a mother’s love and resilience." 

 

 

10. This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews (3/31)

"The page-turning politics of Game of Thrones meets the worlds-spanning romance of Outlander in this blockbuster new epic fantasy series."

 

Let me know in the comments which books have caught your eye this month. 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

You all know by now that middle grade fiction is one of my favorite genres. There’s just something about a good coming-of-age story that tugs at my heartstrings—and if it includes a dog, I’m sold.

That’s exactly the case with the new novel I’m featuring today, Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom by Claudia Mills. The story follows Calliope, a “difficult” student who joins a philosophy club in hopes of finding answers for how to handle her even more “difficult” dog. This heartfelt novel by acclaimed children’s author Claudia Mills has already received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews and is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection. It’s one you won’t want to miss!

 

About the Novel:

 

Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom

Written by Claudia Mills

Ages: 9+ | 272 Pages

Publisher: Holiday House (2026) | ISBN-13: 978-0-8234-6050-2

Publisher’s Book Summary: “Difficult” student Callie joins a philosophy club seeking the wisdom she needs to keep her beloved but equally difficult dog in this hilarious, heartfelt middle-grade novel for underdogs and dog-lovers alike!

Once Callie (Calliope Callisto Clark) starts saying something, it’s hard for her to stop. The opinion gets bigger and bigger, her voice gets louder and louder—and she gets in more and more trouble. She’s in trouble with her teacher, who likes order and not Callie. She’s in bigger trouble with her Grampy, who blames Callie and her dog (a.k.a. Best Ever Friend) Archie for his ever-rising blood pressure. Then there’s the biggest trouble of all… just one more strike, and Callie could lose her beloved Archie forever.

When she turns to Greek philosophy for answers on how to solve her problems, she only gets more questions: What is justice? What is fairness? And as her problems get bigger, so do her questions: Is it Callie’s fault when Grampy has a stroke?

Told in Callie’s endearing, energetic voice, Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom is sure to speak to any student who’s ever been called “disruptive.” Acclaimed children’s book author and retired philosophy professor Claudia Mills delivers a heartfelt middle-grade novel for misunderstood readers who feel like they’re living their own Greek tragedies. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection."

Readers can purchase their own copy of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop and Amazon. To learn more about Claudia Mills, visit her website and connect with her at Instagram, Facebook, and Blue Sky.  

 

The Giveaway: 

I've partnered with Claudia Mills to host a giveaway for Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom. Enter for the chance to win one of 10 signed hardcover copies of Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom. One grand-prize winner will receive two additional signed books by Claudia Mills, plus an unforgettable one-hour Zoom visit with the author!  

Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom: Book Giveaway  

 

Good luck,

Book Review: More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen

Pages: 256

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: February 24, 2026

Publisher: Random House

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "High school English teacher Polly Goodman can talk about everything and anything with the women in her book club, which is why they’ve become her closest friends and, along with the support of her veterinarian husband, the bedrock of her life. Her private school students, her fraught relationship with mother, her struggles with IVF—Polly’s book club friends have heard it all.

But when they give Polly an ancestry test kit as a joke, the results match her with a stranger. Despite it seeming clear that this match is a mistake, Polly cannot help combing through her own family history for answers. Then, when it seems that the book club circle of four will become three, Polly learns how friendships can change your life in the most profound ways.

Written with Quindlen’s trademark warmth, humor, and insight into the power of love and hope, More Than Enough explores how we find ourselves again and again through the relationships that define us."

 

Polly Goodman is living a seemingly average life in New York; she is an English teacher at a private school and is longing to have a baby with her husband. Things have been difficult on that end, though, and she worries her difficulties around conceiving a baby are from bad "genes." So, her good friends decide to gift her a DNA test, partly as a joke, but also to put her mind at ease. Not long after she submits her DNA, she is matched with a relative she has never heard of, Talia Burton. She is a sixteen-year-old in Vermont, and they are closely related. So, Polly agrees to meet with Talia, who is desperate to connect with family, and from this a mystery unfolds. How is Polly related to Talia? Talia is a young black girl, and at first glance, they shouldn't have much in common. As Polly tries to figure out their connection, secrets unfold. Anna Quindlen's More Than Enough is a smart and reflective novel that's perfect for readers seeking a character-driven story, complete with ample self-reflection.
 
I feel like Quindlen has a knack for creating relatable characters and depicting everyday life, including its ups and downs, very well, to the point where people can relate to her stories, much like Catherine Newman's novels. Polly's struggle to conceive and her dealings with IVF, I imagine, many people can relate to and appreciate the all consuming struggle in More Than Enough. Once she encounters Talia, this also puts a big question mark over her family, and she tries to put the puzzle pieces together. What results is that Polly addresses family secrets with her father, who not only suffers from dementia, but also her mother, who has always appeared to have it together as a former judge. 
 
What I appreciate about Quindlen so much is her writing. It's just fantastic and reminds me of Catherine Newman, Elizabeth Strout, and Anne Tyler in the best way possible. While More Than Enough examines some heavier issues, such as cancer, infertility, infidelity, dementia, and more, she keeps it reflective, relatable, and not too morose.  
 
In the comments below, let me know if you are a fan of Anna Quindlen, and let me know if you plan to read More Than Enough, which is now a Katie Couric Book Club pick.   

 

Book Review: The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

Pages: 304

Genre: Adult Fantasy

Pub. Date: February 17, 2026

Publisher: William Morrow

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Alice Network,

The Phoenix Crown, and The Rose Code 

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives...inside their favorite books.

The Librarian takes a dazzled Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?"

 

 

Alix Watson has some baggage, and to escape her past and her current disappointments, she has always found respite at the Boston Public Library, specifically the Reading Room. While there, she encounters a different realm, The Astral Library; it's a world where she can travel between books. This sounds like a book lover's dream, am I right? At the Astral Library, Alix meets the Librarian, who is desperate to put lives into books and change their future for the better; however, things do not pan out as planned. Insert the villain, the Library Board. They are unhappy with how the Astral Library is being run and create a lot of problems. The Astral Library by Kate Quinn is a love letter to libraries and books; it had so much potential, but ultimately fell flat for me.
 
I was rooting for Alex from the start of The Astral Library; who doesn't love the idea of jumping into their favorite novel and living within its pages? She gets to brush elbows with Jane Austen in Regency England, wander the shabby alleyways of Sherlock Holmes's London, and hang out with the glamorous Jay Gatsby, among others. It’s a book lover's dream, right? However, an enemy is lurking, and Alex needs to determine whether this threat is coming for her, the library, or both. Once this element of the plot developed, it became challenging for me because the messaging shifted from feeling organic to more heavy-handed. While I agree with the political themes in The Astral Library, particularly regarding book banning, it felt forced rather than a natural part of the story.
 
The Astral Library is a departure from Quinn's usual historical novels, and I enjoyed the magical realism aspect; however, I felt the world-building could have been better. It felt busy and all over the place at times--so much was going on. I prefer Quinn's historical novels overall.
 
Unfortunately, The Astral Library had so much promise, as I am obviously someone who values libraries and books, but overall, it felt disappointing. Have you read The Astral Library? Are you a fan of Kate Quinn? Let me know in the comments below.