Seeing stars for Standoff!

What a wonderful book birthday present from School Library Journal. Not just such quotable quotes like these:

“brilliantly written”
“sensitive portrayal of the reality facing innocent children and families in a war zone”
“historically accurate quotes and events interwoven”
“VERDICT Purchase for all middle grade shelves.”

But a STAR. Full review here.

Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival

What an amazing Festival! It was so nice to see so many old friends and present books one and two of my Kidnapped from Ukraine trilogy at the Speakers’ Corner.

Loved having kids from Act & Shine Kids’ Acting Studio read the opening pages of Under Attack, book #1 of my Kidnapped from Ukraine trilogy today at the BWV Toronto Ukrainian Festival.
I read and spoke, but unlike these talented kids, I neither sang nor danced!
t was nice to see Valentina Kuryliw today at the BWV Toronto Ukrainian Festival. I had the honour of working with Valentina’s Holodomor Research and Education Consortium – HREC in 2022/2023 when my Holodomor novel, Winterkill was brand new. In addition to my directly booked presentations. HREC funded 30 extra virtual visits with underfunded schools, meaning I was able to educate thousands more students who otherwise might not have known about this genocide, which in many ways is a precursor to what Putin is doing now in Ukraine. 

Sheryl Azzam’s Red Flags and Butterflies

Sheryl’s book will be released on October 18, 2025. Five out of five stars from me!

“A tender, heartfelt, and intelligent coming-of-age story that celebrates quiet strength and trusting your instincts.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Straight A student, talented artist, swim team star — tenth-grader Lexie Moore is a shoo-in for Sunridge High’s prestigious fine art program, if only she can find the right words to tell her dad she wants to apply.

Lexie’s dad doesn’t see the point of some overpriced art school. He wants Lexie and her brother at home to help him launch his new renovation business. He says he can’t do this without her, so Lexie agrees to pitch in, just for a little while. If she supports his plan, then he’ll have to support hers, right? It’s only fair.
But Lexie’s dad has a very different definition of “fair,” and as his demands increase, his means of getting his way become more and more suffocating.

Red Flags and Butterflies is an engrossing story about a young person facing the realities of emotional abuse.