I'm always interested to see how novels treat sensitive topics. They explore an issue like grief from a number of perspectives. Here are six novels written in the last six months that have grief as a central issue.
Six new novels about grief:
Most of us don't put much thought into the science of sleep. We are told that it is vital to our physical and mental health but that's typically the extent of it. Woodgate goes much further, presenting us with a wide collection of facts about sleep in humans and in animals: the how, sh where, and even who. All of these facts are accompanied by explanatory illustrations featuring a charming cat. A fun book to flip through.
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Author: Cory Anderson
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Some Kind of Animal by Maria Romasco-Moore
Bad Call by Stephen Wallenfels
Rating:
Summary (provided by publisher): To understand the truth, you have to start at the beginning.
Winter in Idaho. The sky is dark. It is cold enough to crack bones.
Living in harsh poverty, Jack Dahl is holding his breath. He and his younger brother have nothing—except each other. And now Jack faces a stark choice: lose his brother to foster care or find the drug money that sent his father to prison.
He chooses the money.
Ava Bardem lives in isolation, a life of silence. For seventeen years her father, a merciless man, has controlled her fate. He has taught her to love no one. Now Victor Bardem is stalking the same money as Jack. When he picks up on Jack’s trail, Ava must make her own wrenching choice: remain silent or speak, and help the brothers survive.
Choices. They come at a price.
My opinion: This is a story largely reminiscent of The Lovely Bones, though this one is a bit more pedestrian. We have poverty, drugs, and the constant struggle for survival. Jack's struggle to keep himself and his brother alive and out of the system, his dilemma about the drug money, would be enough to make this compelling. But Anderson adds in romantic entanglement, constant action, and some needlessly graphic gore. While the story was initially interesting, I found it tiresome as the book progressed and the criminals played a larger role in the plot. Criminals who were more parodies than complex characters.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
I found this crewneck sweatshirt on clearance, so I figured why not give it some personality. Digging through my craft supplies, I found some iron-on gemstones that seemed perfect.
Interactive picture books are a great way to get kids of a wide variety of ages engaging with the text. This one encourages a great deal of silliness. Starting with a simple suggestion, thinking of elephants, each page takes it a step further with the scientist warning us not to think of a thing that would make it sillier. Careful readers will note how the scientist becomes visibly flustered with each change. The illustrations are in a muted color palate, further softened by the lack of black outlines.
More information: This Book Can Read Your Mind releases April 20.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
Let's be completely honest - most kids are going to pick this book because they are giggling about the word "poo". That being said, this is probably the most comprehensive explanation of wastewater treatment that I've ever encountered. Usually we're just told that waste is filtered out and the water is treated. Lindley gives us at least the basics of every step of the process. There's even mention of fat burgs and other problems in sewer and waste water treatment. It's worth noting that the text has a British air about it, so the details may not be entirely accurate for an American audience. Even so, it's pretty cool. It demystifies something of a taboo subject.
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Author: Karen Cushman
Genre: historical fiction
Similar books: The Summer We Found the Baby by Amy Hest
Blue Skies by Anne Bustard
Rating:
Summary (provided by publisher): Millie McGonigle lives in sunny California, where her days are filled with beach and surf. It should be perfect--but times are tough. Hitler is attacking Europe and it looks like the United States may be going to war. Food is rationed and money is tight. And Millie's sickly little sister gets all the attention and couldn't be more of a pain if she tried. It's all Millie can do to stay calm and feel in control.
Still--there's sand beneath her feet. A new neighbor from the city, who has a lot to teach Millie. And surfer boy Rocky to admire--even if she doesn't have the guts to talk to him.
It's a time of sunshine, siblings, and stress. Will Millie be able to find her way in her family, and keep her balance as the the world around her loses its own?
My opinion: Often times, heroines in historical fiction are best described as "plucky". Not Millie. She is a consummate pessimist. She sees the inevitability of war, death all around her. SHe is, at times, selfish and a pain. She can't explain her outlook but with her parents constantly busy she has space to work through her obsessions on her own. She learns to value others, to engage with her family and recognize the struggles of her siblings. As an historical novel it's a bit of a hard sell for many middle grade readers and being introspective doesn't raise it's standing with that same age group. Kids willing to work their way through it, though, will find a wonderful edifying tale.
More information: War and Millie McGonigle releases April 6.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
