"Wonder" by R.J. Palacio

August Pullman, aka "Auggie," was born with severe facial deformities, but otherwise he was a normal young man. He had loving parents and sister, and a wonderful dog named Daisy. Due to numerous surgeries, August had been homes schooled. But, that was all going to change as he enters 5th grade!

Auggie can't understand why his parents are "making" him go to Beecher Prep. Why did he have to be around people all the time? People who would stare, make faces, make ugly comments. But, Auggie was likeable and did make some friends, the best of whom were Summer and Jack Will. But then, there were those others! Come along and learn about 5th grade with Auggie. Meet his Director, Mr. Pullman; his teacher, Mr. Brown, who teaches them Precepts during English; his parents, his sister "Via," and the other students in the school. This is a story that will touch even the toughest heart!

"You can't blend in when you were born to stand out." This is one of my favorite lines in the book. I agree with so many others that this should be required reading in middle school, and even for older students/parents. Kindness, courage, friendship, just some of the themes of this book. This book made me laugh, cry, feel anger, and feel joy. I highly recommend it to everyone!

"Law and Vengeance" by Mike Papantonio

Nicholas Deketomis is a lawyer who wins big, big cases. Living on the Florida coast provides a great life for him and his family. What would happen if something threatened this peaceful, luxurious life? In this new novel by Mike Papantonio, readers get to find out.

Nicholas wasn't always rich. He was born and raised in a poor neighborhood, and he vowed to get out. He succeeded and consistently wins lawsuits that get settlements in the billions. But, this new case, this case against a pharmaceutical company is making waves with the wrong people. He is set up for murder and his entire life is turned into a nightmare. Will Nicholas be able to prove his innocence and rebuild his life and practice? Will anyone stand with him? Will his fight lead to the conviction of the guilty? Pick up this exciting thriller and find out!

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Mr. Papantonio takes the time to set his scenes, build his characters, and tell his story. It is easy to tell that he does his research and knows his stuff. I can't wait to read more of his books.

http://www.lawanddisorderbook.com/

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Mike Papantonio’s Latest Novel Law And Vengeance, Sequel To Critically-Acclaimed Law And Disorder Coming This September

On September 26^th, Mike Papantonio, host of America’s Lawyer and the nationally-syndicated radio show Ring of Fire, will be releasing the follow up to his novel Law and Disorder. The new installment, titled Law and Vengeance, builds on characters introduced in the first novel, providing more depth and focus on other members of the Bergman Deketomis Law Firm.

The story follows trial lawyer Gina Romano who was first introduced in Law and Disorder. Gina is a partner at the Bergman, Deketomis firm, and the story follows her quest for both vengeance and justice after her law partner, Angus Moore, is murdered. Gina takes it upon herself to take over Angus’s whistleblower lawsuit against a weapons manufacturer who developed and sold a dangerously defective rifle scope. She soon finds herself taking on not just that company, but one of America’s largest police unions, lobbyists, and a corrupt and incompetent Department of Justice.

In a conversation with Mike Papantonio, he explained that the major driving forces behind the story were the past 17 years of complete inaction by the U.S. Department of Justice to hold corporations criminally accountable when they commit fraud or otherwise rip off consumers, and the fact that whistleblowers in the U.S. are often met with hostility. In fact, as Papantonio told me, we’re far more likely to throw a corporate whistleblower in prison than a corrupt corporate CEO. White collar criminals typically get away with a slap on the wrist or, at best, a fine that they are able to write off on their taxes.

Papantonio has built his story around real life events he has encountered as one of the top trial lawyers in America. The characters developed in Law and Vengeance pull in aspects from real trials and cover ups that Papantonio has encountered during his many years in the courtroom against some of the world’s largest and most corrupt corporations. At times you may begin to forget that the book is fiction as he reveals some of the most grotesque behavior of corporate America – stories that are popping up in the news media almost every day. 

Law and Vengeance will have a national release on September 26^th, 2017. You can pre-order at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Target.

Author Bio:

Mike Papantonio is a senior partner of Levin Papantonio, one of the largest plaintiffs law firms in America, that has handled thousands of cases throughout the nation involving pharmaceutical drug litigation, Florida tobacco litigation, litigation for asbestos-related health damage, securities fraud actions, and other mass tort cases. "Pap" has received dozens of multimillion dollar verdicts on behalf of victims of corporate corruption.
Mr. Papantonio is one of the youngest attorneys to have been inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. In 2012 Mr. Papantonio became President of the National Trial Lawyers Association, one of the largest trial lawyer organizations in America. For his trial work on behalf of consumers Papantonio has received some of the most prestigious awards reserved by the Public Justice Foundation, The American Association for Justice, and the National Trial Lawyers Association.
Mr. Papantonio is an author of four motivational books for lawyers. He is also co-author of Air America: The Playbook a New York Times Political Best Seller.
Mr. Papantonio is the host of the nationally syndicated radio show Ring of Fire along with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Sam Seder. In addition to the radio program, Mr. Papantonio also hosts Ring of Fire when it airs on the Free Speech TV network. Mr. Papantonio has conducted hundreds of recorded interviews with guests, including Dan Rather, Helen Thomas, Howard Zinn, Arianna Huffington, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bernie Sanders, David Crosby, Merle Haggard, Morgan Spurlock, John Edwards, Bill Moyers, Rickie Lee Jones, Alanis Morissette, Pete Seeger, Jackson Browne, Chuck D from Public Enemy, Henry Rollins, Ted Sorensen, and Elizabeth Kucinich. His role on Ring of Fire is featured in the movie, Jesus Camp, which was nominated for the 2007 Academy Award for Documentary Feature.
Mr. Papantonio is also a political commentator who frequently appears on MSNBC, Free Speech TV, RT America Network, and Fox News.

"Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter" by Lisa Patton

Leelee Satterfield was raised to be the perfect southern lady, which is why she followed her husband's dream of opening an Inn in Vermont intending to make the best of it. Packing up her daughters, Isabella and Sarah, along with her beloved Princess Grace Kelly, she was determined to stand with Baker. But, Tennessee and Vermont are two very different places, and the adjustment was going to be very difficult at times.

Pick up this book and you will be transported to Vermont for all of the best and worst of times. Nor'easters, black flies, "stick season," "mud season," etc. Watch how this southern belle learns to stand on her own amidst truly devastating times. Come meet the "families" - Virginia, Mary Jule, and Alice; along with Peter, Roberta, Jeb, and Pierre. 

I really enjoyed this book, so much so that I have the other two in the "Dixie Series" on hold at the library. The reading was easy and quick, the story filled with wonderful details about life in Vermont. I recommend this to readers of all types. You won't be disappointed!

"Imagine - The Great Flood" by Matt Koceich

Corey is a ten year-old boy who doesn't like the decision his parents have made. Why do they have to move to Florida? All of his friends and his school are here in Texas. He tries to think of anything he can to keep them where they are, but the decision is out of his control. His dads' new job is in Florida. How can his mother keep telling him that things may change but God never does? Can he really trust God to make this a good move?

Corey sees the storm coming and goes chasing his dog into the woods. Little does he know that an adventure awaits him! When Corey fell and hit his head, he was knocked out. He "awakens" in the world of Noah, a very different world from his own. As he is met by lions, he is also met by Shem. In the adventure to get the animals on the ark, many things happen at once. He meets good and evil in this land and learns first hand about the war for the soul. He even gets to ride on a rhinoceros! Come, imagine with Corey what it would have been like to live at the time of the flood.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone with children, and to everyone who enjoys reading YA and children's literature. You will find Bible truths and imagination woven together to tell the story of God's grace and love. Children will see that God is always the same and He will never fail us. Now, I can't wait for the next "Imagine" book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.