Sojourner Truth

I'm playing with an idea for peg dolls to sell at craft fairs. I'd love to do a series of famous historical figures with a special focus on women. For a test case, I made Sojourner Truth.

Graphic novel spotlight - Yasmina and the Potato Eaters

Yasmina and the Potato Eaters by Wauter Mannaert

A little girl encounters mutant potatoes. This sounds like a strange concept for a graphic novel. It is translated from French. That likely raises red flags for a potential reader. In spite of those things, it's a charming story. The sci-fi elements are fairly minimal, to be honest, and take on more the flavor of a classic B-movie. Yasmina is more a story of appreciating food. This is a story of a little girl who loves to cook, who enjoys the process of putting fresh foods together in unique and appealing ways. She appreciates the way that a good meal brings people together. Mannaert brings up organics, processed foods, GMOs, and general ecology. I should note, too, that while the genetic manipulation in this book goes bad, Mannaert doesn't out and out vilify GMOs. Rather, he seems to urge caution and thoughtfulness.
Artistically, it's very stylized. There's a heavy use of contrast more common in European comics. And there are many near wordless passages, so the illustrations are used to their proper effect.
I was frustrated to find that Part 1 cuts off rather suddenly, with no resolution of any sort. Certainly give this series a read but do yourself a favor and wait until you can get both volumes at once.

More information: Part 1 is available now. Part 2 releases April 17.
Advanced Reader copy provided by NetGalley.

Non-fiction book review - Killer Style

Killer Style by Serah-Marie McMahon and Alison Matthews David

With every industry there is value in examining the dark side. Sure, fashion has value. It tells us about culture, can be a vehicle for change. It can also be incredibly dangerous. McMahon and David take us through several examples of the dangers. We see the physical dangers of wearing fashions like restricted movement and fire hazards; dangers in production like industrial poisons and factory conditions; social dangers like sweat shops. The cases span a range of history and are careful to point out any myths connected to each story. It's a fascinating read and would be a good choice for teens and tweens with an interest in fashion or social justice.

More information: Killer Style releases April 15.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Book review - The Next Great Paulie Fink

Title: The Next Great Paulie Fink
Author: Ali Benjamin
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie Tolan
                      Operation Frog Effect by Sarah Sheerger
Rating:

A pleasant read

Summary (provided by publisher): When Caitlyn Breen begins her disorienting new life at the rural Mitchell School--where the students take care of real live goats and study long-dead philosophers, and where there are only ten other students in the entire seventh grade--it seems like nobody can stop talking about some kid named Paulie Fink.
Depending on whom you ask, Paulie was either a hilarious class clown, a relentless troublemaker, a hapless klutz, or an evil genius. One thing's for sure, though: The kid was totally legendary. Now he's disappeared, and Caitlyn finds herself leading a reality-show-style competition to find the school's next great Paulie Fink. With each challenge, Caitlyn struggles to understand a person she never met...but it's what she discovers about herself that most surprises her.
Told in multiple voices, interviews, and documents, this funny, thought-provoking novel from the bestselling author of The Thing About Jellyfish is a memorable exploration of what makes a hero--and if anyone, or anything, is truly what it seems.

My opinion: Initially, I wasn't a fan of this book. I found Caitlyn frustrating. She constantly judges everyone and everything around her. Admittedly her new school is atypical but she seem determined to be unhappy there, unwilling to try out anything new. The constant negativity is grating. Things start to turn a corner when her classmates call her out on her attitude. And it was around this time that I realized I had become emotionally engaged in the plot. I cared about these characters and their school, their growing understanding of bullying and the difference between a person's true self and their public front. These are largely standard topics for middle grade fiction but are masterfully handled by Benjamin in a story enjoyable to read and re-read.

More information: The Next Great Paulie Fink releases April 16.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book 7 complete - Speechless

Speechless by Adam P. Schmitt

Grief is a complicated thing. Especially when you didn't particularly like the deceased person. Schmitt takes the reader through those complex emotions in a darkly humorous, often uncomfortable, but ultimately edifying way.

Book 6 complete - Doctor Who

Doctor Who Archives Volume 3 by Tony Lee

Doctor Who is always a solid read and perfect for the late night hours (when I actually read this, before falling asleep for a couple of hours - whoops!). Adventure and humor without a lot of complex though. This collection introduces a number of new characters, a couple of complete story arcs, and contains the conclusion of a larger arc as well.

Book 5 complete - An Assassin's Guide to Love and Treason

An Assassin's Guide to Love and Treason by Virginia Boecker

I think my favorite part about this book is the insanity it paints around the original productions of Shakespeare plays. Constant changes to the text during rehearsal. Men dressed as women and, at times, playing up that reality. The historical context of the plot to assassinate the queen was certainly interesting but it couldn't hold a candle to the image of Shakespeare wandering around like a madman, needlessly inventing words.