Review: Craig and Fred (Young Reader's Edition) by Craig Grossi

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website: 

A heartwarming story of a stray dog and a U.S. Marine who met under the unlikeliest circumstances in Afghanistan—and who changed each other’s lives forever.

As part of an elite team of Marines, Craig Grossi was sent on his most dangerous assignment to the Sangin District of Afghanistan. He expected to face harsh conditions and violence from Taliban fighters.

What he didn’t expect was to meet a stray dog, with a big goofy head and little legs—a dog all on his own, filthy and covered in bugs, in a bomb-ridden district, but who carried himself with confidence. And even though the Marines have a rule against approaching strays, Craig couldn’t help but offer some food and a pat—and was shocked when the dog wagged his tail.

From that moment on, they were inseparable; whether out on missions or back at the base, the dog named Fred went along. When the time came for Craig to leave Afghanistan, he knew that Fred had to leave with him no matter what. And as Craig tried to get acclimated to civilian life, Fred was there for him.

This book tells the inspiring story of two friends who ultimately rescued each other, and the stubborn positivity and love that continue to shape their world.

Review: 

When Craig and Fred first appeared on my doorstep I was a tad bit apprehensive. I don't read much non-fiction/memoirs; however, with a cute dog on the cover and an interesting tagline - "A marine, a stray dog, and how they rescued each other" - I was intrigued and willing to give it a try. 

As it turns out, I'm so incredibly happy I did! Craig and Fred is such a heartwarming (albeit slightly heartbreaking) story of friendship, loyalty, and finding a "home," no matter where you may be in life.  

One of my favorite parts about Craig and Fred was the casual way in which it was told. It often felt like Craig was talking to me, telling me his story as if we were two old friends sitting at a restaurant together. This characteristic made it easy to read as well as compelling. I was often telling myself, "okay, one more chapter and then I'll go to bed," but that never seemed to happen. 

Additionally, I enjoyed the way in which it was both personal and informational. I learned a lot about Afghanistan while reading this book, and it was incredibly eye-opening to say the least. I valued  that Craig included the bad as well as the good that Afghanistan brought. It was heartwarming and hopeful to read about his positive interactions with the Afghan people as well as to see how far the Afghan citizens would go to maintain some sort of normalcy in their lives. I also liked that the book didn't just end once Craig come home and was reunited with Fred; instead, it continued on, showing the challenges both Craig and Fred faced while trying to regain normalcy themselves. 

Last but not least: the bond between Craig and Fred. It brought so many smiles and even a few tears. Seriously, I love, love, loved it! 

In all, Craig and Fred is well worth a read! 

The copy I read was the young reader's edition, and I feel like it would be the perfect gift for any youngster in your life who is interested in the military and/or lovable dogs. 

Grade: A+ 

Craig and Fred is now out! 

Source: Hardcover provided by publicist for review - thanks Laura! 

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Buy Links: 

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Indiebound 

Author Links: 

Instagram | Website | Twitter | Facebook

Review: Shoebox Funeral: Stories from Wolf Creek by Elisabeth Voltz

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website: 

There is no shortage of struggle when you’re growing up on a farm. For Elisabeth Voltz and her large family, farm life meant early mornings, late nights and many hours in between spent tending to and caring for livestock and pets in rural Pennsylvania. The twist? This was no ordinary farm, but a hospice for the sick, dying, and undesirable animals in their local community. Wolf Creek Farm was the last hope for ill animals that had become a burden to their owners. Though, to Elisabeth and her family, it was much more. It was a place of love and compassion, filled with life lessons that shaped them all.

Review:

When I was first offered the chance to read and review Shoebox Funeral: Stories from Wolf Creek I was slightly hesitant. It was vastly different from my average read, and typically, I only read one to two nonfiction books a year. However, I was swayed by the beautiful cover as well as the raving reviews.

As it turns out, Shoebox Funeral: Stories from Wolf Creek by Elisabeth Voltz is the prime example of why you should occasionally step out of your preferred genres and take a chance on a book.  I absolutely loved this book - it's actually become one of my favorites of 2017! Containing not only stunning prose but also beautiful, drool worthy illustrations, Shoebox Funeral: Stories from Wolf Creek is much more than the typical nonfiction read.

Shoebox Funeral is told in a series of what I would call short stories. Elisabeth Voltz discusses the wide variety of animals that graced her family's farm over the years. I particularly loved the stories about Elisabeth's cats. Her writing made it so easy for me to picture what was going on, to feel as if I was right there with her when she was nurturing Monet & Pancake, two her lovable & unique cats, or being annoyed with her brother's rat Iago. This book was so easy to get lost in - I stayed up far past by bedtime, telling myself just one more chapter, just one more chapter. The illustrations also added a lot to the story itself. They were simply stunning. I also enjoyed the addition of a photo album at the end. It was fun and interesting to see the people and animals Elisabeth talked about in the duration of the book up close. Surprisingly enough, everything looked just as I had imagined it to - Elisabeth is just that great of a writer!

I don't really know what else to say besides READ THIS BOOK. It's unique, so different from anything I've read before. I think that's what makes it so incredibly special. It's definitely earned a place on my permeant bookshelf.

Grade: A+ 

Shoebox Funeral: Stories from Wolf Creek is now out! 

Source: finished copy provided by publicist/Publisher - thanks Brianne & Animal Media Group! 

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Buy Links: 

Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

Thanks to the Brianne & Animal Media Group, I also have the opportunity to share 
illustrations from the book. My four favorites are included below: 

Review and Giveaway: I'll Stand By You by Elissa Montanti with Jennifer Haupt

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

The inspiring true story of how one woman—who People dubbed "the saint of Staten Island"—is changing the world, one child at a time.

Fourteen years ago, Elissa Montanti was a lab technician in Staten Island. She had, in the span of only a few years, lost her beloved mother, grandmother, and high school sweetheart. Hoping to find a way past her own troubles and the depression and panic attacks that quietly crippled her, she decided to raise money for school supplies for the children of war-torn Bosnia. But at a meeting with the UN ambassador she learned that those children didn’t need pencils. He showed her a photo of a boy who had lost both arms and one leg to a land mine; these children needed a lot more.

Elissa went to Bosnia, brought the boy and his mother back to Staten Island, and arranged for free prosthetics and medical care. The Global Medical Relief Fund was born.

Working from the walk-in closet in her home, Elissa has since brought more than 150 children injured in war zones—Haiti, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and elsewhere—to the United States, where, with the help of the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia and a network of doctors, nurses, and community leaders, they receive free housing and ongoing care.

In I’ll Stand by You, Elissa tells the stories of these children and the soldiers, doctors, and ordinary Americans who have come to their aid; the resistance she has faced for helping non-Americans; and the heartwarming tale of how in helping these children, she healed herself.

Review:

When I was first offered the chance to read and review I'll Stand By You, I quickly said yes, as I've been on a kick to read more memoirs and non-fiction lately, and this book seemed like the perfect place to start. Thankfully, it was an inspirational and a heartwarming book that has left me in complete awe of what Elissa and her various friends have accomplished over the past few years.

I'll Stand By You offers the reader a look into The Global Medical Relief Found, Montani's charity to help children around the world get the medical attention they need, as well as Montani's life and what lead her on this journey. I really enjoyed how the first half of the book was mostly about Montani and her family and friends, as not only did it offer an unique and interesting view on Montani, but it also showed how strong of a woman Montani was from the get-go, even if she did fall down sometimes. The later part of the book showed most of the same but with the charity at the center point of her life. Over the course of the book, I was just blown away by how amazing and kind of a woman Montani was. Here's a woman who has faced tragedy after tragedy, yet she still manages to pick up the pieces as well as help others at the same time. I can only hope if I faced half the problems she did, I would be half as strong as she was. Plus I loved seeing the work she's done, and every time she talked about a struggle that came up in her life or work, I was continually hoping everything would work out for her.

I'll Stand By You was also well written, in my opinion. I thought Elissa (as well as her co-author Jennifer) did a great job of exploring various parts of Elissa's story as well as delivering it in a way that was fast paced and interesting to read about it.

In all, I'll Stand By You is a great memior, and I highly suggest it to readers looking for something different to add in to their reading. It's a fast read and quite intersting. But word of warning: it will make you want to get out there and start helping the world as well once you're done. :)

Grade: B+

I'll Stand By You (Amazon, BN, Goodreads) is now out!

Source: Publicist at Penguin- thanks Cassie!

Thanks to Cassie, I also have ONE copy of I'll Stand By You to giveaway. To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter giveaway form below.

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