Open on my shelf today:
Turning by Joy L Smith
The Monster Society of Evil by Jeff Smith
Spell Sweeper by Lee Edward Fodi
Total read in March: 7
Saturday, March 5, 2022
Friday, March 4, 2022
Book review - Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?
Author: Leslie Connor
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Down to Earth by Betty Culley
Touch Blue by Cynthia Lord
Rating:
lovely and charming
Aurora is bouncy, loud and impulsive—“a big old blurter.” Making friends has never come easily. When Frenchie, who is autistic, silently chose Aurora as his person back in third grade, she chose him back. They make a good team, sharing their love of the natural world in coastal Maine.
In the woods, Aurora and Frenchie encounter a piebald deer, a rare creature with a coat like a patchwork quilt. Whenever it appears, Aurora feels compelled to follow.
At school, Aurora looks out for Frenchie, who has been her classmate until this year. One morning, Frenchie doesn’t make it to his classroom. Aurora feels she’s to blame. The entire town begins to search, and everyone wonders: how is it possible that nobody has seen Frenchie?
At the heart of this story is the friendship between hyper-talkative Aurora and nonvocal Frenchie. Conflict arises when Aurora is better able to expand her social abilities and finds new friends. When Frenchie goes missing, Aurora must figure out how to use her voice to help find him, and lift him up when he is found.
My opinion: Occasionally you read a book with a character that captures your attention almost right away. Aurora was that character for me. She is herself unapologetically. She recognizes that her energy and "blurting" habit make it hard for her to fit in with her peers but she's accepted these elements of herself. She tries to be more thoughtful but also doesn't want to change her essential nature. And she's imperfect. She makes decisions that the reader know she will come to regret. But when she makes mistakes she owns up to it and does her best to make it right. This book is more than the relationship between Aurora and Frenchie, though. Searching for Frenchie reveals the connections between the town's inhabitants. They come together for one of their own, even a kid who might be considered a natural outsider. Each scene helps people to notice things that help them appreciate each other more. A joy to read.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
March 4 check-in
Open on my shelf today:
The Lost Tide Warriors by Catherine Doyle
Teen Titans: Year One by Amy Wolfram, Karl KErschl, and Serge Lapointe
Spell Sweeper by Lee Edward Fodi
Total read in March: 5
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Picture books for everyone
People love books about traditionally "tough" or large animals dancing. And e expect them to follow a particular path in of the characters learning not to care what others think about them. Brian differs a little from that outline. He has a lot of shame about his dancing. He feels very strongly that he has to follow certain behaviors and to talk about certain topics, to followw the life of a traditional predator. He has to learn to overcome his perception of societal pressure and do the thing that brings him joy. There are enough unique elements in this story to help i stand out in the world of self-acceptance stories.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
March 3 check-in
Open on my shelf today:
The Lost Tide Warriors by Catherine Doyle
My Little Pony: Ponyville Mysteries by Christina Rice
Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D Richards
Total Read in March:3Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Non-fiction book review - Little Killers
When we think of aggression and predators in the animal world, we think big. We tend to forget that there are small, even microscopic predators. Collard walks us through the biology and behavior of half a dozen small predators, as well as a chapter on the important role these predators play in their environment and how we can help protect them. While the cover art goes overboard with the "killers" them, the text doesn't try too hard on that front, relying on pure science instead. The vocabulary is accessible to upper elementary aged readers.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
March 2 check-in
Open on my shelf today:
Honestly Elliott by Gillian McDunn
The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang
Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D Richards
Total Read in March:1
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