Jennie’s Book Review
I am so pleased to bring the Book Reviews back to Lake Life Okoboji! My name is Jennie Stevenson. My husband and I live in Spencer where I am an academic interventionist for the schools.
We have two children who are in all the activities that keep us busy. I’ve been an avid reader since watching Reading Rainbow while growing up in the 90’s! I’d walk to the library after school to go pick up the books they recommended on the show.
Now, I always turn to my family, friends, and colleagues for book recommendations when I am in need of a new title. My hope is that this space can give you some books that you enjoy and are able to recommend to others.
Happy reading!
Frank and Red
by Matt Coyne
There is something about this book that completely won me over from the first page! Remember Dennis the Menace and his neighbor George Wilson? Or perhaps you’re more in the era of the Pixar film, Up, with Carl and Russell. Unlikely friendships spanned across generations come together with humor, emotion, and entertainment.
Red, a fiery and spunky six-year old boy, moves in next door to Frank, a widowed curmudgeon who refuses to go past the front gate. From the moment Frank sets his eyes on his new neighbor, his annoyance level is high. Meanwhile, Red is learning how to be in a newly separated family while trying to fit into his new school. An incident at Red’s school brings Red and Frank together for a week of companionship, adventures, and life lessons.
My favorite read of 2026 thus far!
Theo of Golden
by Allen Levi
I am always hesitant about books that are wildly popular and everyone seems to be reading them. I went into this book cautiously optimistic and came out thoroughly impressed!
Theo arrives in the town of Golden in the later part of his life. When he visits the local coffee shop, he is enamored with the 92 portraits hanging on the wall. It is then that he decides to buy all 92 portraits to return to the original “owner.” I had so many questions brewing as I read trying to figure out Theo’s purpose in this enchanting story. This book restores every ounce of humanity back into your soul.
This is a must-read!
