Non-fiction book review - Programming the Raspberry Pi

Programming the Raspberry Pi by Simon Monk

Having recently purchased my first Raspberry Pi, I did what any self-respecting reader would do: I looked for a book on the subject. Programming the Raspberry Pi is a great choice if you've done absolutely no programming with Python. Probably 2/3 to 3/4 of the book is focused on the basics of Python. There isn't much in the way of projects in this book. For those, look to the internet. I would not hesitate to give this book to a middle grade reader, though. While too complex for the very young, a 5th to 8th grader could easily manage the concepts presented. Be aware though: the first section of the book walks the reader through setting up your Pi board. The model it references is the Pi 2. Both the Pi 3 and Zero differ in significant ways from the Pi 2.

Book review - Finding Mighty

Title: Finding Mighty
Author: Sheela Chari
Genre: realistic fiction/mystery
Similar books: The Wolf Keepers by Elise Broach
                      The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart
Rating:

a unique perspective

Summary (provided by publisher): Along the train lines north of New York City, twelve-year-old neighbors Myla and Peter search for the link between Myla’s necklace and the disappearance of Peter’s brother, Randall. Thrown into a world of parkour, graffiti, and diamond-smuggling, Myla and Peter encounter a band of thugs who are after the same thing as Randall. Can Myla and Peter find Randall before it’s too late, and their shared family secrets threaten to destroy them all? Drawing on urban art forms and local history, Finding Mighty is a mystery that explores the nature of art and the unbreakable bonds of family.

My opinion: Previous books that I have read which feature graffiti have talked only about artists and activists, people using graffiti to spread a strong message. They almost entirely dismiss the typical tagger, those who look to put their names in bold places. Chari takls about moth: those trying to say something and those who are out to deface. She acknowledges that you can't have one without the other. At heart though, this isn't about tagging or even parkour. It's really about family secrets and discovering true strength. Its an interseting exploration, though not my first choice for the average reader.

More information: Finding Mighty releases May 30.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

If your name is Keli, don't read this post

Seriously, Keli, skip this one.

Book review - Wallace and Grace Take the Case

Title: Wallace and Grace Take the Case
Author: Heather Alexander
Genre: beginning chapter book
Similar books: Inspector Flytrap by Tom Angleberger
                      Good Crooks by Mary Amato
Rating:

a great beginner mystery

Summary (provided by publisher): In this charming series, perfect for newly independent readers, kids will be treated to simple whodunit mysteries as an utterly delightful owl duo put their heads together. In their first adventure, Wallace and Grace meet a rabbit who is sure he saw a ghost! But the clues lead them in a different direction. Something is spooking the garden . . . can Wallace and Grace solve this case?

My opinion: As a beginning reader, this book is by nature pretty basic. Even so, its a pretty solid mystery. Clues are easy to follow but not completely obvious. Characters have clear personality differences and distinct voices. And the illustrations cleanly support the text. A solid choice for young readers.

More Information: Wallace and Grace Take the Case releases May 23.
Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Reflections on Free Comic Book Day

Saturday was Free Comic Book day, an event I attended with my brother, sister, cousin, and my cousin's two small children. Its an event that we look forward to and plan for months in advance.

For those unfamiliar, the first Saturday in May the big comic book publishers provide an assortment of specially produced titles for comic book shops to give away. Our particular store allows each customer to pick 3 comics. It's a wonderful thing. Except...There were 50 titles  available this year. Of those titles, the official list counts 20 of them appropriate for all ages. Personally, I'd put that count closer to 15 and at least a half of those are based on either a television show or video game. This means that by the time we arrived at the store mid-afternoon, my cousin's boys were able to pick 1 title from the current list (both rejected DC's Superhero Girls, no matter how much I tried to convince them that it isn't a 'girl' book). They were able to find a couple of titles left over from last year but it was pretty slim pickings. Even we adults had some trouble as we don't prefer graphic violence and heavy swearing.

On the car ride home, while the boys happily ready Angry Birds and Sonic in the back of the car, we lamented the state of super hero comics. The early comics were aimed at children. While the heroes were all adults and fought villains, found themselves in peril, the content was perfectly acceptable for young readers. Now the only super hero comics that are aimed at children feature young heroes and tend to be more humorous.  As soon as the plot takes a serious tone, the content becomes more violent and psychologically dark. 

How did we get from these:

to these:

Consider this our open letter to comic book publishers: we need good superhero comics for kids. Adventure and daring-do without sex, gore, abuse, and copious cursing. 

 

Book review - Spill Zone

Title: Spill Zone
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Genre: dystopia/graphic novel
Similar books: The Castoffs by M.K. Reed
                      Brain Jack by Brian Falkner
Rating:

an intriguing, if mysterious, beginning

Summary (provided by publisher): Three years ago an event destroyed the small city of Poughkeepsie, forever changing reality within its borders. Uncanny manifestations and lethal dangers now await anyone who enters the Spill Zone.
The Spill claimed Addison’s parents and scarred her little sister, Lexa, who hasn’t spoken since. Addison provides for her sister by photographing the Zone's twisted attractions on illicit midnight rides. Art collectors pay top dollar for these bizarre images, but getting close enough for the perfect shot can mean death—or worse.
When an eccentric collector makes a million-dollar offer, Addison breaks her own hard-learned rules of survival and ventures farther than she has ever dared. Within the Spill Zone, Hell awaits—and it seems to be calling Addison's name.

My opinion: It was only a matter of time before someone wrote about what amounts to technology zombies. And if someone had to do it I'm glad it was Scott Westerfeld. He stands the best chance of doing the subject justice. This is a compelling first volume, but it is little more than the barest of introductions. At the end of the book we don't really have a clearer picture of what is going on than we did at the very beginning. All this book really achieves is to introduce us to the characters. Personally, I'll need at least one more volume before I can say for certain exactly how I feel about the series.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

I'm just a touch late for Star Wars Day

Last year, for Star Wars Day, I posted drawings of a Wookie and a young Yoda. This year, I went with Admiral Ackbar.