Fence pumpkin

 We always grow pumpkins in our garden and if you know much about pumpkins you know they have a tendency to spread. And to climb everything. That's how this happened:

When I spotted the pumpkin growing through the fence I figured it would rot. The wire would cut into the skin and that would be that. Or the deer would find it and eat it. No way it would ripen. Turns out, I was wrong. That thing turned a nice bright orange. Freeing it from the fence turned out to be a simple matter of cutting a single wire. 

That is a pumpkin begging to be carved. At first I thought the crease would be a good brow line but it really wanted to be a mouth. The more I thought about it the more it reminded me of this lesser known muppet:

And here's my version:

Book review - The Witching Wind

 

Title: The Witching Wind

Author: Natalie Lloyd

Genre: magical realism

Age Range: middle grade

Similar book: Savvy by Ingrid Law

Summary (provided by publisher):Eleven-year-old Roxie was excited to start sixth grade... until a mortifying incident at a pool party turns her into a middle school laughingstock. Roxie can't imagine enduring a full year of bullying and body shaming, so when her country music star Granny invites Roxie to join her on tour, she jumps at the chance to leave her troubles behind. But then Granny--who's been struggling with memory loss--goes missing, leaving Roxie without an escape plan... and without her best friend.

Grayson doesn't mind being sent to yet another foster home. Her older sister, Beanie, is about to turn eighteen, which means she'll be able to become Grayson's guardian. It won't be long until they live in the same house again. It won't be long until they get to be a real family. But when Beanie's birthday finally arrives, she doesn't show up to collect Grayson. She doesn't respond to calls or texts. It's almost like she's just... vanished.

Roxie knows Granny would never leave without saying goodbye. And Grayson is certain Beanie would never abandon her. So when the new friends learn about the Witching Wind that "steals" what people love most, Roxie and Grayson are certain they've discovered the truth. Granny and Beanie didn't just disappear--they were taken. And it's up to Roxie and Grayson to outwit the Witching Wind before it's too late.

What I liked: The characters here are strong. Roxie is a fairly standard middle grade girl: once cheerful and believing in possibilities but now hurt and bewildered by the changes in her peers. Grayson is delightfully aggressive and grumpy. She's no Pollyanna, not a disabled kid who is simply too good. These are kids full of flaws and struggles that they are trying to muddle through on their own. 

What I didn't like: At first I wasn't fond of the magical elements in the book. The titular wind felt a step too far. If it had been the sole focus of the book it may not have held much appeal. Since Lloyd instead makes the characters and their relationships the center and the wind only a tool for exploring larger themes I became more comfortable with those elements. It may still be a stretch for some but it's worth the effort.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

We're Not Safe Here by Rin Chupeco - A vlogger tries to find out the truth about disappearances in his isolated town - ostensibly the only town left after the world was devastated by monster attacks.

What did you recently finish reading?

We Fell Apart by E Lockhart - On a trip to meet the artist father who abandoned her, a girl connects instead with her half brother and his friends.

What do you think you'll read next?

The Truth About White Lies by Olivia A Cole

Book review - The Free State of Jax

 

Title: The Free State of Jax

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Genre: Realistic fiction

Age Range: Middle grade

Similar book: What Goes Up by Wen Jane Baragrey

Summary (provided by publisher): Jaxon Averett has had some terrifically bad luck. Because only the worst luck in the world can account for the fact that he has to live with his Uncle Clive Grimmitz, Aunt Helga, and their six kids in dead-end Walkonby, Kansas. Life with Jax's cousins isn't easy -- they're all bullies, and his aunt and uncle can't even remember his name.
Which is why, on the night before his twelfth birthday, Jax sneaks over to the neighboring property, floats a raft out into the middle of the hot springs lake, and drops anchor.
Jax is now the president and sole citizen of his own micronation, the Free State of Jax.
With the help of new friends, a local lawyer, and the property owner Owen O'Keefe, Jax's micronation begins to flourish. But the Grimmitzes will do anything to get him back and they are not above sabotage. On top of that, Jax is quickly embroiled in the mystery of Owen's missing brother -- and a lost windfall of the town's money.
Investigating puts everything Jax has built at risk, and when long-buried family secrets are unearthed, he must find the courage to do what's right, even if it means losing his only chance at freedom.

What I liked: The tone here is nearly perfect. It balances humor and heart. The plot is arguably ridiculous but it remains charming in a way reminiscent of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. The characters strike a similar balance. They appear to be shallow, one note figures but largely reveal depth as the book progresses. It's a book that is fun to read and leaves us with something to think about at the end.

What I didn't like: I could point out the rather hard to swallow elements or the general predictability of the resolution but I actually don't mind those things so much. They remain in the "forgivable" level of offenses. 

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Good grief, it's you!

 I have loved Wallace and Gromit since I first saw the shorts in the early 2000's. And my absolute favorite character has always been Feathers McGraw. It should come as no surprise, then, that when I got a Wallace and Gromit amigurumi book for Christmas, Feathers was first on my list to make. And the reality is exactly what I would have hoped.

His rubber glove comb is supposed to be stitched to his head but I refuse. I love being able to remove it at will.

Listen with me

 

Incredibly Penelope by Lauren Myracle

I have my doubts about this book. I find any boarding school narrative a bit of a stretch when it comes to believability and relatability. Gearing such a book to middle graders feels like a step too far but if anyone can pull it off it's Lauren Myracle. Let's give it a listen and see if there's enough adventure and heart in this tale to keep a reader engaged.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Hazelthorn by CG Drews - When his guardian suddenly dies under strange and suspicious circumstances, a young man with holes in his memory must unravel the truth about his past, the rules he has always had to follow, and the horrors lurking in the shadows of the estate where he lives.

What did you recently finish reading?

Rise of the G.E.M.S. by Marian Dealy - A team of lab mice are mutated by scientific testing and sent into space.

What do you think you'll read next?

The Witching Wind by Natalie Lloyd

Non-fiction book review - The Lost Women of Science

 

The Lost Women of Science by Melina Gerosa Bellows and Katie Hafner

At first glance this is a fairly expected book - a series of profiles of women and their contributions to science. What sets this one apart is depth. These are not quick overviews. We learn at least a little about each woman's background and the importance of their contributions. Even more than that, we learn why they are overlooked. With multiple fields of science represented there is a fair range of information here. If you have any interest in lesser-known history this book is probably worth a look.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic Novel Spotlight - Brume

 

Brume: The Dragon Awakens by Jerome Pelisser

Brume is the tale of a foundling who is certain that not only is she a witch (despite not having any particular evidence of this notion) she is the one who will protect her village. Accompanied by her best friend and a pig she sets out to do just that. The bulk of the plot is playful and a bit silly but with the promise of much more. Most importantly, the art is fantastic. There are plenty of details and a super appealing bright style. The humor blends with a more serious plot to create a story with broad appeal. Originally written in French, this translation is clear and easily understood.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - Finding Lost

 

Title: Finding Lost

Author: Holly Goldberg Sloan

Genre: realistic fiction

Age range: middle grade

Similar book: Gooseberry by Robin Gow

Summary (provided by publisher): Cordy Jenkins is searching for something that will change her life, and for the safety that vanished when her father died. She is convinced that if she just tries hard enough, she will find part of what her family lost, which will stop her mom from wanting to leave the small town she and her little brother have always called home. What Cordy finds instead is a muddy, hungry little dog with bad breath. And he's the start of her family's new beginning.

What I liked: The characters here are strong and realistic. Cordy and her family aren't perfect. Each person has enough flaws to ring true as real people. Their emotions are complex. It's a relatable story with reasonable scope.

What I didn't like: The plot is a bit idealized and predictable. A kid going through a rough patch connecting with a dog is a familiar plot and we generally know where such plots are headed. While it doesn't stand out dramatically from the crowd it remains pleasant and readable.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

The Free State of Jax by Jennifer A Nielsen - Frustrated by the mistreatment he experiences at the hands of his guardians, Jax forms a micronation on a raft in his neighbor's pond.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Letters We Keep by Nisha Sharma - An ambitious young woman and a privileged young man find hidden letters that might hold the key to the truth behind a campus legend at their college.

What do you think you'll read next?

Jackson Bright in Spotlight by Eureka O'Hara

I have returned

 

Sort of fell off the earth there for a while, didn't I?

I started a new job in May and life sort of got away from me for a while. By the time I got my schedule figured out I was really behind on blogging and got super overwhelmed so I figured it was time for a break. But I'm back now and should be posting reviews again soon. 

If you stuck with me all this time, I truly appreciate it.