This book crosses over two solid points of interest for young readers: animals and inventors. It's a very cool cross section because we can learn a lot about engineering from nature. Some of the inspirations are obvious. Others took a lot more creativity to discover and apply. This is quite a short book but all of the examples it provides are quite fascinating.
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Author: Betty Culley
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Quintessence by Jess Redman
Tips for Magicians by Celesta Rimington
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Summary (provided by publisher): Henry has always been fascinated by rocks. As a homeschooler, he pours through the R volume of the encyclopedia (to help him identify the rocks he finds). So, when a meteorite falls in his family's field, who better to investigate than this rock enthusiast--with his best friend, James, and his little sister, Birdie, in tow, of course.
But soon after the meteorite's arrival, the water in Henry's small Maine town starts drying up. It's not long before news spreads that the space rock and Henry's family might be to blame. Henry is determined to defend his newest discovery, but his knowledge of geology could not have prepared him for how much this stone from the sky would change his community, his family, and even himself.
My opinion: I had ideas of where this book was headed from the very start. I was pleased to see that it defied my expectations. The eventual plot points were telegraphed early on, but it follows it's own path. The theme of the novel is more subtle than we typically see in middle grade fiction, an exploration of the way life changes whether we want it or not. The things that influence the person we will become. It's not exactly magical realism, more supernatural realism I suppose. Because the features of the meteorite defy explanation. And yet much of the plot is firmly based in science. Henry explores topics in a scientific manner, digging into every question that occurs to him. The characters are charming and all have at least a little depth. Thought-provoking and compelling without being overly complex.
More information: Down to Earth releases August 24.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
I have a sizeable stash of Altoid tins from a friend who used to eat a lot of them, so they've become one of my favorite craft supplies. In the past I've sold little fishing games and dinosaur playsets in tins. This year I've decided to try dice games. I found directions for a couple of simple games online and painted the tins to match the theme of the game.
Author: Erin A. Craig
Genre: fantasy/horror
Similar books: Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power
House of Ash by Hope Cook
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Summary (provided by publisher): Ellerie Downing is waiting for something to happen. Life in isolated Amity Falls, surrounded by an impenetrable forest, has a predictable sameness. Her days are filled with tending to her family's beehives, chasing after her sisters, and dreaming of bigger things while her twin, Samuel, is free to roam as he wishes.
Early town settlers fought off monstrous creatures in the woods, and whispers that the creatures still exist keep the Downings and their neighbors from venturing too far. When some townsfolk go missing on a trip to fetch supplies, a heavy unease settles over the Falls.
Strange activities begin to plague the town, and as the seasons change, it's clear that something is terribly wrong. The creatures are real, and they're offering to fulfill the residents' deepest desires, however grand, for just a small favor. These seemingly trifling demands, however, hide sinister intentions. Soon Ellerie finds herself in a race against time to stop Amity Falls, her family, and the boy she loves from going up in flames.
My opinion: The idea that this was a re-imagining of Rumpelstiltskin (a fairy tale I've often thought needed more explanation) was certainly what drew me in. But that is really only a vague framework, a distant influence. Craig's tale stands well on it's own. We have a complex world of mythological beings. More than magic and monsters, though, this is a story of small towns and the secrets hidden by civilization. We're playing with the idea that "polite society" and the rules we all agree to follow hiding resentments and jealousies that will inevitably boil over and cause destruction. While the late chapters fall into a gruesome level of detail the slow grind of the town's decline makes for surprisingly compelling reading.
More information: Small Favors releases July 27
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
Romance is definitely not my favorite genre. I try to read them occasionally just be aware of what's out there and occasionally one stands out. Here are 6 love stories published in the last 6 months.
6 new love stories:
Gifford isn't joking when he calls this a quick history. In under 70 pages we explore assorted political systems; cultural influences; voting laws; political parties, and more. While none of these topics are explored in any real depth, we get a solid overview of each, including strengths and weaknesses. Each topic has accompanying illustrations though these do little to reinforce the information. It's a solid choice to introduce political education to and upper elementary or early middle school aged kid.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
Author: Joseph Fink
Genre: horror
Similar books: The Sisters of Straygarden Place by Hayley Chewins
Spell & Spindle by Michelle Shusterman
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Summary (provided by publisher): Esther Gold loves Halloween more than anything in the world. So she is determined to go trick-or-treating again this year despite the fact that her parents think she is officially too old. Esther has it all planned out, from her costume to her candy-collecting strategy. But when the night rolls around, something feels . . . off.
No one is answering their door. The moon is an unnatural shade of orange. Strange children wander the streets, wearing creepy costumes that might not be costumes at all. And it seems like the only people besides Esther who are awake to see it all are her best friend, her school bully, and her grown-up next-door neighbor.
Together, this unlikely crew must find a way to lift the curse that has been placed upon their small town before it’s too late. Because someone is out to make sure Halloween never comes to an end. And even Esther doesn’t want to be trapped in this night forever.
My opinion: Most horror stories are truly only scary once. A truly frightening tale needs atmosphere, a constant sense of dread and wrong in the world. That's certainly a strength in this book. Early on we see creepy ice cream trucks, kids in tattered costumes. We are set up with a once in a lifetime Halloween, the perfect time for something scary to happen. Unfortunately, that's where things start to go off the rails. What begins as a world just a little bit off quickly veers into increasing unreality. Add in a cliche cast of characters and oft repeated details and this book becomes tiresome. It's a shame, since the overall plot was interesting. I could have accepted the unreality of the plot, this complex tale of other dimensions and magic, if only the characters had felt more realistic.
More information: The Halloween Moon releases July 27.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
