Book review - Izzy in the Doghouse

Title: Izzy in the Doghouse

Author: Caroline Adderson

Genre: realistic fiction/early chapter book

Similar books: Meet Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi

                     Mi Vida Loca by Jacqueline Jules

Rating:

 

cute

Summary (provided by publisher):From the author of the Jasper John Dooley series comes a new lovable character: Isabel! The first title in this early chapter book series tells us why Isabel just has, has, has to get a dog! Isabel and Zoë are favorite friends --- most of the time. They have side-by-side cubbies at school. They never take off their friendship bracelets. And they make each other laugh like nobody else. But some of the time, Isabel isn't Zoë's favorite friend at all. Because some of the time, the fun things they do end in a no-fun way. Like how they've been sent to the principal's office because of Isabel's shenanigans with some kindergartners. Now Zoë is mad at Isabel, and Isabel is miserable. Isabel is trying everything to win her friend back. Will getting a new puppy help Isabel mend her friendship with Zoë? 

My opinion: Izzy is an irrepressible, entertaining hero in the vein of Junie B Jones or Clementine. She has too much energy and often doesn't think before she acts, leading to trouble that she seldom sees coming. Getting a dog, as we might expect, teaches her to think ahead and pay attention. It forces her to be more responsible. While the plot is fairly predictable, it's easy for young readers to follow and the vocabulary is accessible.
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Picture books for everyone

 Julia's House Moves On by Ben Hatke

Julia's House for Lost Creatures taught readers that there is a place for everyone. In this follow-up volume, Hatke tackles a more subtle lesson: change. The beginning of this book finds the house and it's inhabitants preparing to move. The resourceful Julia has a plan. Of course, that plan is immediately disrupted. The house moves before Julia is ready and she has to change her plans. But each of her plans fails. Eventually, Julia has to accept that you cannot plan for everything, that you just have to let things happen and trust that it will work out. It's something of a melancholy, yet hopeful story. The messaging may not land with a very young audience but the illustrations are so active and charming  that it probably won't matter. It's a joy just to leaf through the pictures. But for older kids, especially those going through a major life change, the message will be affirming.

 Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non-fiction book review - Cryptocurrencies and the Blockchain Revolution

Cryptocurrencies and the Blockchain Revolution by Brendan January

Cryptocurrency and blockchain are terms that we hear fairly often but that most of us don't really understand. Personally, I had only a vague notion of how a cryptocurrency works. Thus, my reading of this book. This is a fairly technical read, so some understanding of computers and of programming helps, especially as there is only limited explanation of technical terms. If you can wade through that language, this is a fairly comprehensive explanation of the concepts. We learn about how cryptocurrency and blockchain intersect but also as separate entities. Most notably, there is a significant exploration of other uses of blockchain. I learned a lot from a quick read through and feel like I would glean even more from a second, more focused read. A solid addition to a tech-focused collection

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Book review - Premeditated Myrtle

Title: Premeditated Myrtle

Author: Elizabeth C. Bunce

Genre: historical fiction/mystery

Similar books: The Body Under the Piano by Marthe Jocelyn

                      The Lost Twin by Sophie Cleverly

Rating:

 

solidly entertaining

Summary (provided by publisher): Twelve-year-old Myrtle Hardcastle has a passion for justice and a Highly Unconventional obsession with criminal science. Armed with her father’s law books and her mum’s microscope, Myrtle studies toxicology, keeps abreast of the latest developments in crime scene analysis, and Observes her neighbors in the quiet village of Swinburne, England.
When her next-door neighbor, a wealthy spinster and eccentric breeder of rare flowers, dies under Mysterious Circumstances, Myrtle seizes her chance. With her unflappable governess, Miss Ada Judson, by her side, Myrtle takes it upon herself to prove Miss Wodehouse was murdered and find the killer, even if nobody else believes her — not even her father, the town prosecutor.

My opinion: My first reaction to this book is to judge it harshly because of it's pun-based title. Too many mysteries rely on a pun. Knowing that I had that bias, it is noteworthy how much I enjoyed reading this book. Myrtle is a compelling protagonist. Flawed but well meaning. She jumps to a few conclusions but largely relies on facts and logic. She doesn't let others refusal to listen hold her back. She follows clues to their inevitable conclusion. And she's not the only complex character. Even the tertiary characters have a reasonable amount of complexity and development. The historical setting may be a barrier for some readers, but it's worth working through that. It's a mystery that mostly takes itself seriously but has it's share of light-hearted moments as well, little sparks of humor to keep it from becoming too dark. A solid read for budding detectives and historians alike.

More information: Both Premeditated Myrtle and it's sequel, How to Get Away with Myrtle, release today. 

 Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

More pegs

 When I feel the need for a little inspiration, I make more famous women peg dolls. Learning about these women is thrilling and I love the idea of kids having them as heroes. This grouping includes Julia Child, Victoria Woodhall, Marian Anderson, and Isabelle Eberhart.

Book review - Tristan Strong Destroys the World

Title: Tristan Strong Destroys the World

Author: Kwame Mbalia

Genre: fantasy

Similar books: Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

                     The Lost Wonderland Diaries by J Scott Savage

Rating:

 

a pretty excellent sequel

 

Summary (provided by publisher): Tristan Strong, just back from a victorious but exhausting adventure in Alke, the land of African American folk heroes and African gods, is suffering from PTSD. But there's no rest for the weary when his grandmother is abducted by a mysterious villain out for revenge.
Tristan must return to Alke--and reunite with his loud-mouthed sidekick, Gum Baby--in order to rescue Nana and stop the culprit from creating further devastation. Anansi, now a "web developer" in Tristan's phone, is close at hand to offer advice, and several new folk heroes will aid Tristan in his quest, but he will only succeed if he can figure out a way to sew broken souls back together.

My opinion: The best thing about the Tristan Strong series is that it's more than just mythology in the real world. It's an exploration of culture and cultural memory. It thrills me to see an author take that on for a middle grade audience. Mbalia doesn't underestimate his audience but rather challenges them with ideas and allows them to rise to the occasion. This volume not only continues to address grief and PTSD, as in the first one, but adds in the nature of story and culture and how they inform one another. We see how grief and shame can twist the soul, break people down perhaps beyond repair. There are fun and heroic characters, of course, but even the silliest have depth. There's enough action to keep the plot moving and the reader engaged but doesn't skim on messaging and depth. 

More information: Tristan Strong Destroys the World releases October 6.
Find my review of the first book, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky here.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic novel spotlight - Frankie and the Creepy Cute Critters

 

Frankie and the Creepy Cute Critters by Caitlin Rose Boyle

Most of the time, fairies in books are sweet and delicate creatures clad in pastels. We don't get many like Frankie with bat wings, fangs, and a fondness for insects. Now, at heart this is a fairly standard fish out of water story. Frankie is judged by her new classmates by their first impression of her. Feeling lonely, she explores the creatures surrounding her new town. She judges many of them "creepy" at first glance but learns lots of fascinating positive traits about them. By observing nature, she learns not to judge by first glance and to appreciate or respect things that frighten her. While the message is a bit heavy handed, it's a quick appealing read well supported by charming illustrations. A great choice for upper elementary readers.

 More information: Frankie and the Creepy Cute Critters releases October 13.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.