Book Review: Remember Her Name! Debbie Allen's Rise to Fame by Tami Charles

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Remember Her Name! Debbie Allen's Rise To Fame by Tami Charles is a children's non-fiction book about how Debbie Allen became a dancer during the Civil Rights Movement and rose to fame. I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book for free from NetGalley and Charlesbridge in exchange for my honest review. I grew up watching Fame , so I've always known of Debbie Allen. However, I realized I didn't know much about her other than she's sisters with Phylicia Rashad. This children's picture book gives kids a look into Debbie Allen's life in a friendly, easy to understand format. Additionally, the story teaches children about the Civil Rights Movement since that is part of the dancers story. It's extremely well written, and the illustrations are phenomenal. Both parents and children will enjoy this read. A few things I learned as an adult from this book is that Debbie Allen was denied admittance into the dance school because of the color of her ski...
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Book Review: Take It From The Top by Claire Swinarski

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YA NetGalley ARC Book Review of Take It From The Top by Claire Swinarski
Take It From The Top by Claire Swinarski is about best friends Eowyn and Jules attending their sixth summer of Broadway Camp at Lamplighter Lake Summer Camp. However, when Eowyn arrives, everything seems to go wrong, including her friendship with Jules. Told from the perspective of both girls, things aren't always what they seem.

I'd like to thank NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy ARC of this Young Adult (YA) novel, which I received for free in exchange for my honest review. Not having read any of the author's previous works, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I have to say I am impressed.

The story switches back and forth between the present and past as well as switching from Eowyn's and Jules' perspectives giving the reader an insight to how each girl feels. I loved being able to see the perspective of each girl because they both had very valid points. One of the biggest lessons in Take It From The Top is that the grass isn't always greener on the other side . . . each girl was envious of the others family and life. Additionally, it taught that people from different backgrounds could be friends.

I never went away to a sleepaway camp as a kid, and this story made me wish I had that experience. However, if I had, I'd probably would have been too homesick to enjoy it.

Take It From The Top by Claire Swinarski is a great coming of age story perfect for kids between the ages of 8 and 12, especially those who are fans of broadway plays, singing, and acting. Five out of five stars is what I gave this book.

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