What are you currently reading?
Olivia Gray Will Not Fade Away by Ciera Burch - While her peers become obsessed with crushes and her once close brother grows distant, Olivia feels increasingly invisible
What did you recently finish reading?
Breakout by Christina Wyman - A girl navigates her problem skin, changing friendships, school pressure, and her parents.
What do you think you'll read next?
Most Likely to Murder by Lish McBride
I love a bowtie.
Normally, I'm more of a fan of the sort you have to tie but when I spotted this one, I was inspired.
Did you ever make a latch hook kit? I had a couple as a kid and remember them fondly. So when I came across one in our craft supplies I decided to finish it. There were a few problems. The paper chart was missing so I had to interpret what was printed on the fabric best as I could (sometimes the printing is crooked). And the yarn we had wasn't sufficient. There wasn't enough orange and the brown and yellow were entirely missing (though weirdly there was a whole package of gray which never appears in the image). So I had to scavenge some other yarn from my stash to complete the project. And here's how it looks finished:
At first, this book is pretty much exactly what I expected. We have three kids from different backgrounds, kids who either never interact or don't get along, thrown together by a natural disaster. Each kid comes into the situation with fears and motivations, aspects of their life that no one else knows about. Unsurprisingly, their journey to safety brings their secrets into the light and forces them to confront their fears. There's a point late in the novel where this has happened, where each kid has faced their fear and the group has reached safety. A lesser author would wrap up the novel there. Not Faruqi. Instead we get several more chapters as the characters continue to confront their pasts and deal with the way their lives have changed. It doesn't rest in simple solutions but shows us characters continuing to struggle and work towards change. This is no simple survival story. Absolutely a book worth reading, sharing, and discussing.
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Author: Susie Nadler
Genre: realistic fiction
age range: teen
Similar books: Looking For Alaska by John Green
Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley
Summary (provided by publisher): Celeste Muldoon is alone when the Big One finally hits, because, for the first time ever, her best friend stood her up after school. Nicky and Celeste share a birthday, matching tattoos, an obsession with the upcoming Mars mission, and pretty much everything else. So why did he ghost her on the day she needed him most?
As the quake’s death toll rises and days pass, Nicky and Celeste’s parents fear the worst. But Celeste doesn’t buy it. He couldn’t be dead. Nicky’d spent their senior year selling essays to rich kids and was about to get caught. He’d told Celeste about his plan to vanish, to reinvent himself and escape the disaster he’d created. The quake would be perfect cover.
But she can’t convince anyone that he could still be alive. Only Meo, a mysterious stranger who was somehow mixed up with Nicky, seems to believe, but Celeste has every reason to distrust him—even if her heart races whenever Meo shows up.
When Celeste finds Nicky’s notebook, it sends her and Meo on a quest across the broken city, up the coast through towns sheltering quake refugees, and eventually all the way to Florida, where the mission to Mars is about to lift off.
What I liked: This is more than just a book about the hunt for a missing person. In many ways, looking for Nicky is secondary to the plot of Celeste's avoidance of pretty much everything in her life. So this isn't a quest novel in the traditional sense. It is very much a tale of internal growth. As such, Celeste is a strong, dynamic character. She's quite often not likeable but she's relatable.
What I didn't like: The plot takes some slightly fantastic turns, points that stretch the bounds of believability a bit. It never goes too far though. And there is an element of privilege that the book briefly recognizes but never fully comes to terms with.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
This tale of kids surviving in Houston during the floods of Hurricane Harvey promises both physical and emotional turmoil.
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Author: Michelle Lee
Genre: realistic fiction/magical realism
Age range: middle grade
Similar book: The Stars of Whistling Ridge by Cindy Baldwin
Summary (provided by publisher): Zoe longs to one day put down roots. Since her dad’s death, twelve-year-old Zoe September has drifted from place to place with her artist mother, the Up-cycle Magician. Then a new art project for her mom brings them to Maravel, Florida—her dad’s hometown. In Maravel, she discovers a delicious, enchanting secret among the sweet brews of her grandmother’s tea shop. But how will Zoe ever leave when her mom wants to get back on the road?
Teddy dreams of the day she can save her past. Twelve-year-old Teddy Martin has a mission: restore her great-grandparents’ legacy, Fossil Gardens, a theme park of artistic recreations of prehistoric animals. Desperate to rescue the last remaining sculptures, Teddy enlists the Up-cycle Magician’s help before they disappear forever. But with sinkholes threatening to swallow the decaying fossils, is Teddy in over her head?
Never underestimate the magic of someday soon. Things bubble and steam between Zoe and Teddy when they team up. But in working together to save Fossil Gardens, the girls discover something even more special—the possibility of your deepest wishes coming true in unexpected ways and a friendship that feels like home.
What I liked: Both Zoe and Teddy are strong characters, outside of the typical depiction of young girls. There's no boy-crazy or image obsessed characters here. These are girls struggling with their place in the world, with figuring out who they are. And their emotions are strong enough to make for quite compelling reading
What I didn't like: There's not much I don't like about this book. There are perhaps uncomfortable moments in the plot but they are never without purpose. Each moment is chosen to further the plot and it's emotional impact.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
What are you currently reading?
Lies We Tell About the Stars by Susie Nadler - A teen searches for her missing best friend who disappeared during an earthquake.
What did you recently finish reading?
The Magic of Someday Soon by Michelle Lee - A girl always on the move with her artist mother and one desperate to hold onto the world as she knows it work together to save a pair of crumbling statues.
What do you think you'll read next?
Here for a Good Time by Kim Spencer
I spotted this image while scrolling one day and was immediately inspired. I really wanted to make a plush Godzilla of my own. As luck would have it, I also had some fleece pajama pants that were wearing out that begged to be turned into something fun. I love the combination of the monstrous Godzilla with the playfulness of the reindeer fleece. And I was able to make the arms and legs jointed.
Author: Tae Keller
Genre: realistic fiction
Age range: middle grade
Similar book: The Witching Wind by Natalie Lloyd
Summary (provided by publisher): Once there was a tree. For two hundred years, there was a tree. There was a tree. There was a tree. Until the tree fell in a forest--and then there was a book.
When best friends Nomi, Vi, and Arthur were younger, they discovered a book of prophecies. It was so very comforting to know what was coming. But as the kids grew older, they forgot about the book.
Until the final prophecy started coming true.
Now, as seventh grade tests their friendship and wildfires threaten Seattle, the final prophecy promises fire and destruction. Nomi tries everything to prevent calamity. The only problem? She needs help...but Vi's acting strange and Arthur stopped talking to her.
Vi can't tell Nomi, but she's been texting the coolest boy in school, and it's going well--until that boy makes an unexpected request, and she must decide who she wants to be.
Meanwhile, Arthur joined the cross-country team, but he can't outrun the real reason he ended his friendship with Nomi. The best he can do is try to hide it.
As the prophecy escalates, past and present intersect, fate and friendship collide, and secrets spread like wildfire. Together, Nomi, Vi, and Arthur must face the future...even, and especially when it's so uncertain.
What I liked: We're dealing with an excellent cast of characters here. The primary characters, of course, but secondary characters as well. Each one has a distinct, often complex, motivation and approach. While not always likeable, they are realistic. And while this isn't always a comfortable read, the messaging is important without being heavy-handed.
What I didn't like: There are brief scenes from the past that introduce the perspective of trees. While these moments add to the whole narrative, they break up the pacing in a way that can become tiresome.
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What are you currently reading?
When Tomorrow Burns by Tae Keller - Three kids hunt for a book of prophecy in hopes of stopping what could be the end of the world.
What did you recently finish reading?
Paradise Coast by Suzanne Young - In the wake of a storm and increasing unrest, a deeply stratified resort town must confront the secrets of it's past.
What do you think you'll read next?
The Magic of Someday Soon by Michelle Lee
I set out to make a companion for my last puppet. I'm not sure that this one fits the bill but I do love it. I was going for a goblin sort of creature. The ears have a wire that feeds inside of the head so they can move around independently. Since the arms are tiny and purely decorative, the ears can wave and even "grip" things instead.
Author: Huda Al-Marashi
Genre: realistic fiction
age range: middle grade
Similar book: Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte
Summary (provided by publisher): Sixth grade wasn’t supposed to be this complicated.
Iraqi American Mariam Hassan transfers to a local Catholic school and before her first day her parents remind her that she might be the first Muslim her classmates have ever met. No big deal, right? Just represent an entire religion while making new friends, keeping up with schoolwork, and figuring out who she is.
When Mariam’s younger sister, Salma, is diagnosed with a serious lung condition, her family faces endless doctor visits and sleepless nights. Mariam tries to lighten their burden and keep her own problems to herself—including the fact that she’s just been cast as Mary in the school’s Christmas nativity play.
Mariam wants to honor her faith and her new community, but she’s terrified of crossing a religious line. Can a Muslim girl be the lead in a Christian story? What will her family think? And why does she feel like every decision she makes represents all Muslims?
Mariam discovers that faith, much like friendships, isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. As she leans on her family, friends, and school community, she begins to see the power of interfaith cooperation and learns she doesn’t have to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders.
What I didn't like: Salma is a more one-note character. She falls victim to the role of a lot of younger siblings in books - she's cute and innocent and has no complexity of her own. She is only there to create conflict and complication for Mariam. While I like the conversation this book introduces about religion and culture, the depth is lacking.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
Author: Ashley Granillo
Genre: realistic fiction
Age range: middle grade
Similar book: Sofia Acosta Makes a Scene by Emma Otheguy
Summary (provided by publisher): Thirteen-year-old Alondra was born into a musical family.
Her dad, the former frontman of a famous alt-rock band, expects her and her sisters to follow in his footsteps. The girls have formed their own band, which will open for their dad during his comeback tour.
Despite secretly liking quieter music, Alondra is committed to preparing for the tour. She’ll do whatever it takes: Change the sound of her voice. Suppress her discomfort with some fans’ behavior. Act the part of a hardcore riot grrrl.
But when a classmate invites her to join a choir club, Alondra discovers a new way of making music. Choir lets her express herself in ways that the band doesn’t.
Afraid to upset the delicate balance in her family, Alondra secretly practices with the choir between shows with her sisters’ band―until her secrets are exposed. Will she be forced to choose between her two voices, or can she bring the different parts of her life into harmony?
What I liked: Typically when we have a book about a character with secret interests it's a sharp dichotomy. The parents want one thing for their kid who wants something completely different. I like that this book isn't so sharply defined. It's not that Alondra hates the music she performs with her sisters and only wants to do choir. This is a book that wants to reject rigidity and expectations and give kids space to explore themselves and their identity.
What I didn't like: This was an uncomfortable read for me since I struggle with characters lying and keeping secrets, knowing it's going to blow up in some dramatic way. Still, Granillo allows the mess to build in a natural way and similarly allows plenty of space for reconciliation. This can mean pacing is a bit slow but ultimately the strong characters make up for it.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
What are you currently reading?
Hail Mariam by Huda Al-Marashi - When her parents send her to a Catholic school, Mariam struggles with schoolwork, her sister's illness, and what it means to be the only Muslim in her school.
What did you recently finish reading?
Choir Grrl by Ashley Granillo - Alondra joins a choir club at school, keeping it a secret from her family who expect her to give her full attention to the alt-rock band she is in with her sisters, following in their father's footsteps.
What do you think you'll read next?
Paradise Coast by Suzanne Young
I'm not Catholic. I've never observed Lent. But I love Pancake Tuesday. Who doesn't love an excuse to eat pancakes? This year I had the day off so I decided to make it an extreme Pancake Tuesday by having some form of pancakes at every meal.
Breakfast was mixed berry peanut butter pancakes.
Lunch was stir-fried vegetables with these Xi'an tofu and cabbage stuffed pancakes.
Is the title of this book a bit extreme? Sure. It's certainly designed to play on a kid's fondness for the macabre. But the information it contains is solid. The actual text is informative without hyperbole. With photos and charts throughout there's plenty on each page to engage a reluctant reader.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
What are you currently reading?
Goodbye, French Fry by Rin-rin Yu - A Chinese-American girl navigates difficult classmates, what it means to be Chinese, and the possibility of having to move.
What did you recently finish reading?
Postscript by Cory McCarthy - Some of the last humans figure out how to live when the world is falling apart.
What do you think you'll read next?
Choir Grrl by Ashley Granillo
Author: Rie Neal
Age range: middle grade
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar book: Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee
Summary (provided by publisher): Curious ten-year-old Saffron Speiser-Green loves science—unfortunately, her “experiments” tend to end in more messes than actual answers. (Just ask the broken alarm clock that’s still at the bottom of her backpack.) Saffron has a plan, though—a blue ribbon in her school’s Project Showcase will show the world she means business.
But when Saffron’s beloved volcano project ruins the walls at Mama’s job and gets her fired, Saffron will do anything to make things right—including helping Mama convince her other mom, Mimi, that they should move to the Silicon Valley to run Gran’s coffee shop. Mama’s dream job is worth giving up the blue ribbon. Right?
Luckily for Saffron, her new friends in the Silicon Valley are busy preparing for a STEM Expo, and Saffron is determined to find a project “smart” enough to show everyone she belongs there. But the coffee shop? No customers, no vision, and…tons of debt. And if it closes, Saffron’s family will have to move again. After a class trip to the STEAMology Museum in San Francisco, though, Saffron knows how to save the café—and what to do for her STEM Expo project. But she’s going to need a lot of help.
What I liked: Saffron is sort of the modern Ramona or Clementine. She's clever and creative but also impulsive to a degree that often gets her into trouble. She is, in short, realistic. And while Saffron is disabled, her hearing issues are not central to the plot. They inform some of her behavior but that's all. It's inclusive without being a capital I issue. It's a relatively quick and engaging read.
What I didn't like: The focus of the plot can be a bit scattered. And it lacks the humor that we often see in impulsive characters. There's not a lot of depth to the plot but it's accessible.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
Author: Lance Rubin
Age range: teen
Genre: light magical realism
Similar book: Noggin by John Corey Whaley
Summary (provided by publisher): It’s the morning of Carter Cohen’s 16th birthday, and everything’s going his way.
He’s psyched and ready to get his driver’s license, his little brother’s not hogging the bathroom, and, man, something smells good for breakfast…
But when Carter bounds downstairs, Mom bursts into tears. It happened again. It’s Carter’s 16th birthday—for the sixth time. Every time he’s supposed to turn 17, he loops back a year. His memory gets wiped clean, his body ages backward—the rest of the world moves on, just not him.
Maggie Spear, on the other hand, has been dreading this day ever since she and Carter started dating. When she spies him in the halls and he doesn’t seem to know her at all, it’s obvious that it’s over between them. She can’t be in a relationship with someone who is just going to forget her again and again. Since Carter doesn’t remember that they’re together, then it’s probably better if she just pretends that they never were.
Except Carter senses that there’s more to their story than Maggie’s letting on, and Maggie’s keeping secrets of her own—but in the process of trying to let the other go, they find themselves falling in love all over again.
With Maggie soon leaving for college and Carter’s birthday quickly coming around again, will they be able to find a forever that isn’t stuck at 16?
What I liked: Essentially, this is a time loop story. While the details of this book are a little different the heart of the plot is the same - Carter must figure out what caused him to loop and correct it, leading him to self-discovery. At least, that's what we think we're getting. The set up certainly suggests that course. But Rubin allows this plot to become much more. Certainly we explore the choices that might have lead to Carter looping. The plot transcends the simple self-discovery though. There's a broader exploration of the importance of communication and the complexities of relationships that allows the plot to move beyond the expected. This is more than simple entertainment.
What I didn't like: Some of the issues in this book are over-simplified. Characters are not especially deeply explored. Really, though, those are minor annoyances. Overall this is a solid read.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
Every year we plant a big garden, a bulk of the vegetables we will eat. Since some of the things I like are a bit more obscure I order some of my seeds which has to be done in December or January. It's a bright spot in the depths of winter, receiving seed packets and making plans for the garden.
It can also be a problem. Once you have the seeds in hand there's this itch to plant things, to watch things grow and to eat fresh vegetables. The solution - microgreens. Buy some cheap lettuce, spinach, radish, and other edible greens seeds and plant them in a shallow tray of potting soil in a window. The greens won't get very big but you can eat them. And it's a constant reminder that Spring is, in fact, coming.
Author: Lisa Graff
Genre: realistic fiction
Age range: middle grade
Similar book: Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston
Summary (provided by publisher): Fallon Little has a secret—and it’s not how she got the enormous scar that divides her face in two.
Thirteen-year-old Fallon has only ever told one person what really happened on the day she got her scar. Why would she? The truth is dark, and Fallon has much brighter things to focus on, like being cast as the lead in the school play, and hanging out with her two best friends, Trent and Kaia. But when Fallon's uncle Geebie dies, his funeral ignites a wildfire of events that Fallon can't manage to tamp down. The school play is spiraling out of control, Fallon's impossible Aunt Lune comes to live with them, and Trent and Kaia might just be so into each other that there isn't room for Fallon in their friend group any more. And when secrets even worse than the one about Fallon's scar threaten to come to light, Fallon might not have the strength to keep them buried for much longer.
What I didn't like: This isn't so much a thing that I didn't like as something to bear in mind when recommending this book. It talks frankly and plainly about abuse. While this is never graphic and doesn't dwell on details, it also doesn't hide what happened to a character behind metaphor or leave us to fill in blanks. It depicts the abuse and the emotional fallout plainly. So be prepared to discuss and help young readers process the events of this novel.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
What are you currently reading?
The Mighty Macy by Kwame Alexander - A verse novel about an anxious girl finding her voice and speaking up for things that matter to her.
What did you recently finish reading?
A Scar Like a River by Lisa Graff - Fallon has three big secrets that she's kept since the day she got her scar. Her uncle Geebie's funeral starts Fallon on a path of confronting her secrets and the changes in her life.
What do you think you'll read next?
Space for Saffron by Rie Neal
Author: Annie Cardi
Genre: realistic fiction
Age range: teen
Similar book: Dust by Alison Stine
Summary (provided by publisher): Pia and her brother, Max, live on an isolated farm in rural Maine, and it’s the only life they remember. Their father says the only way for them to stay protected is to stay on the farm. Pia doesn’t question it. Pia’s entire world turns upside down when her father breaks his leg, and she must be the one to venture into town to make farm deliveries. And then she sees him. Felix, a boy who is both a stranger and somehow familiar, makes her question everything she thought she knew about herself, her past, and her family. But no matter how she feels about Felix, she must always obey her father, above all else.
But Pia's feelings are too big to ignore, and the more she engages with Felix, the more she begins to see that there’s promise for her beyond the isolated world to which she’s grown accustomed. And the more she dreams about a better life, the more she wonders if her father is telling the truth about their family’s past. Pia knows her father and his friend Anthony are hiding something, and soon Pia must reckon with the damage her father is doing to their community and the damage he has done to their own lives.
What I didn't like: While the plot is mostly strong, there are a few points that suffer from having to fit into the framework of the original play. If you don't have the familiarity with the original plot these plot points feel strange and unnecessary. Additionally, the climax of the book is somewhat over the top in it's theatrics. So while it's an interesting exercise and a fun read, I don't know that this book would top my list of recommendations.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
I've been making catnip toys from upcycled t-shirt scraps for several years now and occasionally I like to introduce a new design. Here are a few I've been working on lately.
The premise here is a familiar one: a cursed royal and a peasant must break the curse and return the royal to her rightful place. Along the way they learn about each other and gain a greater understanding of their diverse experiences. We can guess a lot of the events from the set-up but that doesn't especially matter. The characters are strong and the art is even stronger. We have a lot of fun details feeding into the plot and the goats are fantastic. Plus we have female characters who are learning about different kinds of strength and who defend themselves. This is a solid choice for the average middle grade reader.
Several years ago, I made a sketch of a puppet that I wanted to make.
Suddenly this month it just clicked. I unfortunately don't have process photos for you because I finished it in the course of about two hours in a fit of productivity. The base of the puppet is a foam mattress pad covered in thin fleece. The hair is formed from scraps of a worn out t-shirt. The shirt is made from an old thermal. You'll notice the sleeves are actually inside out. I realized my error after I had them sewn in and haven't decided yet whether it bothers me enough to fix it. I might yet add some embellishments since I think he was maybe meant to be a space explorer in which case that should be a uniform top with some badges and maybe a zipper.
I also can't remember if I had named this character so if you have any suggestions feel free to leave them in the comments.
As I suspected, there was a lot of second-hand embarrassment in this book. When you have a character who starts out the plot lying to basically everyone, we know things are going to blow up spectacularly. If that had been the entire point of the plot then I would say pass on this one. Instead, Kang is using the situation to have a real conversation about culture and assimilation. As a Korean-American, what are Jane's responsibilities to culture? Should she aspire to be all-American or should she be embracing every aspect of Korean culture? And who defines what it means to be authentically Korean? The book grapples constantly with these issues. I had thought perhaps it would also address appreciation versus fetishization and there were moments that brushed against those topics but it never truly gets into it. Even so, this is more than just a light-hearted romp of a character pretending to be something she's not. On the whole, I enjoyed this book even though it made me squirm at times. Well worth the read.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
What are you currently reading?
Lost Girls of Hollow Lake by Rebekah Faubion - Eight girls went missing at Hollow Lake. Five returned. Now girls are starting to die and something wants the truth about what happened to be revealed.
What did you recently finish reading?
Winter White by Annie Cardi - Pia has lived an isolated life on a Maine farm with her father and brother since she was six. When she starts interacting secretly with people in town, she starts to question everything her father has ever told her.
What do you think you'll read next?
Sundown Girls by L S Stratton
Author: Patricia Ward
Genre: mystery
Age range: teen
Similar book: Starlings by Amanda Linsmeyer
Summary (provided by publisher): Mercy was named for her mother’s hopes.
Mercy, in the hope that the Sorrowing—the curse that Mercy and her family had lived with for generations—might take pity on them.
But Mercy’s name never did her any good, and it certainly didn’t save her mother.
The Sorrowing ensures that Mercy, her family, and the core families in Arbor Falls aren’t able to grow, dream, or prosper. It makes sure they stay exactly as they are—mired in the mud. Mercy has learned to live with the truth: the only way to escape the Sorrowing is to accept it.
Until the Bowens move back to town.
The Bowens are a cursed family, too, and they should know better than to test the Sorrowing. Instead, their ignorance sets off a wave of fury that promises to destroy everything.
Now, Mercy will have to unearth the horrors that unfolded that terrible night the Sorrowing was born—to face the despicable secrets of her town and break the curse before it breaks everything she has left.
What I liked: Mercy is a strong character. Her history explains her approach to her reality, creating a believable world. The realities of the curse are carefully balanced with the mystery elements, creating a rich atmosphere and enough questions to make for compelling reading and a spooky air. The truth behind the curse leaves some elements that are applicable and worth discussing for a modern reader.
What I didn't like: The pacing is a bit unbalanced, with some points dragging. Secondary characters are okay, thin at first but largely gaining a little depth as the book reaches it's climax.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
You might think that a book about Pi would be a math text. And certainly math plays a mjor role in in this text but it is also much more than that. We learn a fair amount of history in learning about pi. This is a very readable book, easy to consume both in small bites and in large chunks. It's a book one might return to many times with lots of illustrations supporting the text.
The Big Book of Pi releases February 3.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
Every Christmas I receive at least one craft kit as a gift. This year I got a little plaster highland cow to paint.
This story of a Korean-American girl who sets out to make herself an expert in Korean culture to "save" her baby brother and impress the boy of her dreams gives me some hesitation. It has the potential for a lot of second-hand embarrassment, something I can't always handle. At the same time, it could really dig into some issues of culture and identity so I'm willing to give it a shot. Let's give it a listen and see what we think.
What are you currently reading?
I Don't Wish You Well by Jumata Emill - Everyone thought that they knew the truth about the murders that happened in Moss Pointe but five years later new evidence is coming to light and Pryce is determined to find out the truth.
What did you recently finish reading?
The Big Bad Wolf Murder by P.G. Bell - When her rival in a game of Tooth and Claw dies suddenly on the field and Ruby is framed for his murder, it's a race against time to find out what really happened before the police catch up with her.
What do you think you'll read next?
Winter White by Annie Cardi
I don't know about your family, but in mine craft kits are a standard Christmas gift. I got this squirrel punch needle kit this year. He's simple but pretty cute. Right now I'm using him as a wall hanging but he might get repurposed later as a decoration on a bag or a pillow.
What are you currently reading?
Hattie Mae Begins Again by Sharon G Flake - A girl from a humble background is given an opportunity to attend an elite boarding school.
What did you recently finish reading?
Gaslit by Megan Davidhizar - When her aunt dies in a gas leak, a teen suspects there's more to the story.
What do you think you'll read next?
Evergreen by Buck Turner
I've been known to occasionally do some painting. I'm not especially skilled, but when I'm inspired it's kind of fun. I had a small canvas in my supplies and some acrylic paints that I used to make this little close-up of Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon.
This book combines the adventure and playful nature of The Wind in the Willows with the more serious societal themes of Watership Down. Add in an element of mystery and that could easily become too much to follow. Lloyd handles it well. We have a complex society of different kinds of dogs. There is no big info dump, just a slow meting out of information as it is necessary for the plot. The art is a bit rustic but it works well with this plot.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
Like most people I took a chemistry class. But it never meant much to me. While I could understand in broad strokes that chemistry helps us understand the world, it didn't seem particularly applicable. Maybe I'd have felt differently if I'd had books like this one. Duckhwan and Wonkyung break down the science behind everyday things. We learn the chemistry of receptors and hormones, of how different chemicals interact with our bodies. The text is easily understood and can be read in big chunks or in small doses.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
