Calvin and Hobbes

My first experience with fandom was reading the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes as a child. While I couldn't have articulated it at the time, there was something about that strip that really spoke to me. I remain a fan to this day. And since there is no official merchandise, I made my own.

And what are Calvin and Hobbes without their time machine/transmogrifier/duplicator. 

Book review - The Secret Science of Magic

Title: The Secret Science of Magic
Author: Melissa Keil
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
                      Not Now, Not Ever by Lily Anderson
Rating:

Like a John Green B-side

Summary (provided by publisher): Meet Sophia: former child prodigy and 17-year-old math mastermind. She's been having panic attacks since she learned that after high school, former prodigies either cure cancer or go crazy. It's a lot of pressure. So Sophia doesn't have the patience for games right now. She especially doesn't have the patience to figure out why all these mysterious playing cards keep turning up inside her textbooks. Meet Joshua: highly intelligent, cheerfully unambitious, and an amateur magician. He's Sophia's classmate, and he's admired her for as long as he can remember. He thinks the time is perfect to tell Sophia how he feels. He doesn't know how wrong he is ...

My opinion: I was fully prepared for this to be just another teen romance. The elements are all there: closed of genius has her world expanded by a charismatic outsider. And if that's all this was I'd quickly write it off as empty entertainment. It's so much more, the romantic element becomes something of a subplot. We have two outsiders trying to find their place in the world, their purpose, their people. We have an attempt to "fix" an anxious person which, importantly, fails. Secret keeping and self-centeredness that nearly destroys long term relationships. There's a lot going on in the background which can make the narrative a bit scattered. In all, though, it's an engaging read well worth your time.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic Novel Spotlight - Peter & Ernesto

Peter & Ernesto: a tale of Two Sloths by Graham Annable

Imagine Frog and Toad or Ernie and Bert were sloths and you have decent grasp of the thrust of this book. A pair of friends who are essentially quite different, yet their differences make their friendship stronger. Not only that, but their different perspectives mean that even though they travel to the same places they have different experiences. The story is easily understood with a clear plot and accessible vocabulary. It's transparent enough for very young readers to understand but with enough subtleties for older readers to appreciate. It's not a terribly complex book but a delight to read.

More information: Peter & Ernesto releases April 10.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non-fiction book review - Trash Revolution

Trash Revolution by Erica Fyvie


 Sound bites are a great way to inform young readers. You pass a great deal of information over a wide variety of subjects without becoming overwhelming. And Fyvie achieves this goal. She presents plenty of facts about foot garbage, recyclables, e-waste, and more. We see how various kinds of trash break down in landfills, ideal methods of disposal, social and political debates, and efforts to lower environmental impacts. It can easily be read section by section or picked at in small bites of factoids. The information is well supported by cartoon style illustrations that both inform and entertain.
advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Book review - Sci-Fu

Title: Sci-Fu
Author: Yehudi Mercado
Genre: science fiction/graphic novel
Similar books: Earthling! by Mark Fearing
                      Star Scouts by Mike Lawrence
Rating:

a little weird, mostly pretty cool

Summary(provided by publisher: Set in 1980s Brooklyn, a young DJ accidentally summons a UFO that transports his family, best friend, and current crush to the robot-dominated planet of Discopia.
Hip-hop, sci-fi and kung fu all hit the turntables for the mash-up mix of the year! Cartoonist/force of nature Yehudi Mercado (Pantalones, TX, Rocket Salvage) sets his sights on 1980s Brooklyn and Wax, a young mix-master who scratches the perfect beat and accidentally summons a UFO that transports his family, best friend, and current crush to the robot-dominated planet of Discopia. Now Wax and his crew must master the intergalactic musical martial art of Sci-Fu to fight the power and save Earth. Word to your mother.

My opinion: I grew up in the Midwest. Hip-hop and breakdancing were never really a part of my world. Luckily, you don't really need to be hyper-familiar with hip-hop culture to understand and enjoy this story. The plot is satisfyingly complex, with a sort of Scott Pilgrim vibe. The real selling point, here, is the art. Mercado has found the perfect balance between text and illustrations, allowing both elements to tell parts of the story. A great choice for readers looking for something off the beaten path.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Pick 6: humor

April Fool's Day is nearly upon us. How better to celebrate than with a funny read? Here are 6 funny books published in the last 6 months, covering everything from beginning chapter books to teen novels.

6 new comedies:
1.  Samantha Spinner and the Super Secret Plans by Russell Ginns

2. They Didn't Teach THIS in Worm School by Simone Cia

3. Wrapped Up by Dave Scheidt

4. Stuck in the Stone Age by Geoff Rodkey

5. Kim Reaper by Sarah Graley

6. Peanut Butter and Jelly by Ben Clanton

Non fiction book review - Better Together

Better Together by Nikki Tate

This is a book that could easily be used by both an upper elementary school child and a young teen. The vocabulary is accessible but the content isn't overly simplified. Concepts are explained simply but thoroughly. Readers will learn about all kinds of community: from the nuclear family to humans as a global community, following a series of concentric circles. While older readers will want to explore the concepts in more depth, this is a nice way to introduce a complex topic.

More information: Better Together releases April 3.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.