WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?
Rock War by Robert Muchamore
Three teens in find themselves preparing for a Battle of the Bands. Jay dreams of being a rock star but he's held back by his large family and less than dedicated band mates. Summer's life has always been focused on school and taking care of her Nan. She joins a band just to give herself something more, but fear holds her back. Dylan would rather hang out and smoke than anything else but he'd rather be in a band than play rugby.
I'm pretty interested to see how these three stories develop and intertwine.
 
What did you recently finish reading?
Paper or Plastic by Vivi Barnes
When she's caught shoplifting, Lex has just one chance to avoid a criminal record: work at the Smart Mart where she committed her crime. She expects it to be the worst summer of her life, surrounded by losers and weirdos. Smart Mart turns out not to be so bad, especially when she gets to know shy but fascinating Noah. If only Noah hadn't betrayed her best friend Bryce, making any crossover between her two worlds virtually impossible.
Certainly not my favorite read of the year. Paper or Plastic is a pretty standard teen romance. Useful for entertainment with a solid "awww" factor.
 
What do you think you will read next?
Blues for Zoey by Robert Paul Weston
Music and teens with big secrets. Could be fantastic. 

Book review - Clover's Luck

Title: Clover's Luck
Author: Kallie George
Genre: fantasy
Similar books: Operation Bunny by Sally Gardner
                     Stranger Things by David Lubar
Rating:

good fun

Summary: Clover has always had bad luck, especially when it comes to pets. While trying to track down her escaped pet bird, Clover happens upon a sign for an animal adoption agency looking for a volunteer. When she checks it out, Clover is delighted to find the pets are unlike any she's ever seen. these pets are magic. Her new job will take all of Clover's wisdom, courage, and a little luck.

My opinion: This new series will be a great choice for magic lovers just beginning to read chapter books independently. Populated by wizards, witches, fairy horses, dragons, and even a magical toad, Clover's Luck has a rather enchanting atmosphere. With a clear plot and easily understood vocabulary, it is likely to go over well with young kids.

More information: Clover's Luck is the first book in the Magical Animal Adoption Agency series.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Custom bags

While shopping at Dollar Tree this fall, I came across some nylon cinch bags. I'd been wanting to personalize some bags for a while and these seemed to fit the bill nicely. I did up some quick sketches and copied them onto the bags with fabric marker. I'm pretty happy with the result.

Samurai Sloth

My attempt at a pun. If you can't read it it says "A prime cut of beef"

A fancy lady giraffe

 

Book review - It's Up to Charlie Hardin

Title: It's Up to Charlie Hardin
Author: Dean Ing
Genre: historical fiction
Similar books: The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald
                     Soup by Robert Newton Peck
Rating:

Charming

Summary: When Charlie and his pals get together it always seems to end in trouble. Whether they're playing war, scraping together money for a movie, exploring the forbidden culvert, or any number of other schemes, Jackie, Roy, and especially Aaron know that sometimes it's up to Charlie Hardin to get things done.

My opinion: Charlie's Austin Texas is delightfully described from the perspective of a young boy. Instead of the majesty of night skies and chirping birds we get trees that are perfectly positioned to serve as a pathway over away, pipes that echo with what might just be a ghost cat, and both the grossness and the promise of a pond. Styled after Tom Sawyer, It's Up to Charlie Hardin carries the same sort of tone and atmosphere. While that makes for a rather charming read, that slower pacing and the length may make it something of a hard sell for the average young reader.

More information: It's Up to Charlie Hardin releases February 3rd.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Picture books for everyone

A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea by Michael Ian Black

This book is filled with a sort of dry wit. I chuckle my way through it with every read. The concept is, of course, absurd but the narration takes on a faux-serious tone that just adds to the hilarity. Michael Ian Black is a master of using a few words to evoke a strong, ridiculous, image. Like pigs wearing majorette uniforms. You read that and you can't help but laugh at the mental image that results. And illustrator Kevin Hawkes provides excellent illustrations. Children and parents alike will enjoy the extremes of this picture book.

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?
Dinosaur Boy by Cory Oakes
Years ago, Sawyer's grandfather was infected with a virus containing dinosaur DNA. As a result, Grandpa became part stegosaurus. The summer before fifth grade, Sawyer sprouted a tail and spikes too. Being a fifth grader is hard enough. Being part dinosaur is bound to make him stick out, and not in a good way. When the kids that bully him start to disappear, it's up to Sawyer and the few friends he has left to figure out what is going on.

I've never read a concept like this one so I'm really looking forward to seeing how it plays out in the novel.

What did you recently finish reading?
Stinky Cecil in Operation Pond Rescue by Paige Braddock
Cecil and his friends are pretty happy with their simple lives. They have splash contests in the pond and visit with Jeff the free-range hamster. Their only worry, usually, is the local hawk who'd like to eat most of them. Things just got more complicated, though. The humans are building a highway that will go right through their pond. Can Cecil and his friends find a way to stop the highway?

This was a really cute graphic novel. It is simple enough to appeal to young readers.

What do you think you will read next?
Soulprint by Megan Miranda
A sci-fi thriller about souls and secrets, this one has a lot of promise.

Book Review - How (Not) to Fall in Love

Title: How (Not) to Fall in Love
Author: Lisa Brown Roberts
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan
                     The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle
Rating:

Better than I expected

Summary: Darcy has always lived a charmed life. Her father is a successful motivational speaker. Until he isn't. When his business falls apart, Darcy's father hits the road leaving his family to deal with the aftermath. Darcy needs some place to escape from the constant stress of her changed status among her friends and her mother's new drinking habit. Her uncle's thrift store may just be that place.

My Opinion: I am chagrined. I really thought that this was going to be your standard "rich kid turns poor and learns how to truly live" type story. I should not have judged it prematurely. Don't get me wrong. That element is certainly present. There is just a lot more going on too. There are issues of self-reliance, forgiveness, mental illness, and much more. There is so much more to this book than just falling in love with a "good guy." I could imagine giving this book even to teens who aren't fans of love stories.

More Information: How (Not) to Fall in Love releases February 3rd.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.