Open on my shelf today:
Howl by Shaun David Hutchinson
Squirrel, You Really Got Me Now by Ryan North
The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Tiffany Brooks
Total read in March: 37
Saturday, March 26, 2022
March 26 check-in
Friday, March 25, 2022
Book review - The Best Liars in Riverview
Author: Lin Thompson
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: The Paris Project by Donna Gephart
Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake
Rating:
.JPG)
a solid, age appropriate reflection on pain and identity
Summary (provided by publisher): Aubrey and Joel are like two tomato vines that grew along the same crooked fence—weird, yet the same kind of weird. But lately, even their shared weirdness seems weird. Then Joel disappears. Vanishes. Poof. The whole town is looking for him, and Aubrey was the last person to see Joel. Aubrey can’t say much, but since lies of omission are still lies, here’s what they know for sure: For the last two weeks of the school year, when sixth grade became too much, Aubrey and Joel have been building a raft in the woods.The raft was supposed to be just another part of their running away game.The raft is gone now, too.Aubrey doesn’t know where Joel is, but they might know how to find him. As Aubrey, their friend Mari, and sister Teagan search along the river, Aubrey has to fess up to who they really are, all the things they never said, and the word that bully Rudy Thomas used that set all this into motion.
My opinion: It has become a widely accepted truth that middle school is difficult for kids socially, especially for kids who are in any way different. We aren't surprised to find that this is the scenario in this book - bullied kids who are keeping big, essential secrets for fear of worse bullying. It's more than just peer difficulties, though. It's societal disapproval, feeling like you are a disappointment to your parents. These are huge questions to consider in a middle grade novel but Thompson handles them well, never making Aubrey out to be a perfect kid. Aubrey is pushing everyone away, keeping secrets they know to wrong or dangerous. While this is not a book for everyone, if a kid is struggling reading a book like this one could help.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
March 25 check-in
Open on my shelf today:
Boy Underwater by Adam Baron
Squirrel, You Really Got Me Now by Ryan North
The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Tiffany Brooks
Total read in March: 36
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Listen with me
A mystery featuring a kid detective is a hard thing to pull off effectively. You don't want to have them investigating a "real" crime as that would put them in unreasonable danger. With only kid level mysteries, though, the stakes are often lacking. That's something this book does well. The missing mascot is upsetting to many of the children at the school and has consequences in their day. The investigation is solid as well. The clues are clear enough for a kid to understand but provide enough misdirection as to not be completely obvious. The motivation is a little weak but that's forgivable. The characters are amusing and believable.
From a purely audio standpoint, this one is well narrated. Moxie's voice is dynamic and excitable without going too far and becoming obnoxious. This was a fun listen that can be enjoyed by kids and their parents.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
March 24 check-in
Open on my shelf today:
Boy Underwater by Adam Baron
Squirrel, You Really Got Me Now by Ryan North
The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Tiffany Brooks
Total read in March: 36
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Non-fiction book review - Flowers are Pretty...Weird!
This is one of those books that straddles the line between picture book and non-fiction. It's more conversational than we typically see in straight non-fiction. The bee narrator starts with the standard idea of a flower and then gives us examples of flowers that don't fit into that standard. Flowers that grow or appear in ways and places that we wouldn't expect. We start with small variations and are introduced to gradually more extreme versions of weirdness. There isn't a lot of information about each flower though there is a basic exploration of how each variation works to the flower's advantage. Interesting and accessible for even young readers.
More information: Flowers are Pretty Weird releases March 29
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
March 23 check-in
Open on my shelf today:
Thursday's Child by Noel Streatfeild
Squirrel, You Really Got Me Now by Ryan North
The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Tiffany Brooks
Total read in March: 35
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