Book review - Star Knights

 

Title: Star Knights

Author: Kay Davault

Genre: fantasy graphic novel 

Similar books:  Star Beasts by Stephanie Young

                      Cucumber Quest by Gigi D.G.

Rating:

 

good fun

Summary (provided by publisher): What makes a hero?
Brave Star Knights are heroes who go on adventures. But Tad is just a frog, and frogs can’t save the day. Can they? Determined to out-hop his mud-dweller fate and pursue his dream of being a knight, Tad finds himself on a quest with a surprise group of adventurers, including the Star King!
It’s a race against time as Tad searches for a way to take the Star King to the moon so that he can bring peace to the forest—and prove that anybody can be a hero.
Even a frog.

My opinion: I enjoyed this book far more than I expected. I'm not always a big fan of fantasy, especially when it involves witches and transformative magic, though I find it easy to digest in graphic novel form. This is built on a familiar premise - a team of highly magical heroes with unique abilities that they use to protect the innocent and make the world a better place. But Davault quickly moves us out of expected territory. We realize pretty early on that all is not as it seems with the Star Knights. We have a clear social hierarchy that is bound to be turned on it's ear by the story's resolution. While the ultimate reveals are fairly predictable, the characters are charming and the story is compelling. There is the perfect level of tension for middle grade readers. Just a touch of fear without ever becoming properly frightening and a fair dose of humor as well. This is a solid choice for most middle grade readers.

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Listen with me

 

Twice as Perfect by Louisa Onome

Let's start by establishing something: I am an adult, white, woman living in the United States. So a book about the teen daughter of Nigerian immigrants living in Canada is pretty far from my lived experience. And my initial response to not understand parts of this book was "okay, so this book is not intended for me". But on further reflection I realize: that's exactly why it is intended for me. A major theme of this book is how these teens struggle to fit into different cultures, how they feel expected to speak for an entire culture. They are weighed down by expectations from their parents and the world around them and it's desperately unfair that they have to act as a bridge. So, no I'm not an immigrant. I don't know Nigerian immigrants. But reading books like this one, books that delve deep into character and ask us to connect with these worlds on a personal level, can help members of the dominant culture understand the unfair ways that they treat people and help us be more sensitive. They endeavor to answer the impertinent questions and maybe prevent us from asking them of real people. And that is valuable. That makes this book absolutely for everyone, both those who will see themselves in it and those who don't know this world at all.

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Non-fiction book review - Why the People

 

Why the People by Beka Feathers

Government is complicated, probably far more complicated than most of us realize. Complicated enough that when we realize it is not as simple as we were taught in middle school most of us don't bother trying. That's certainly to our detriment and Feathers is certainly trying to correct that void in our understanding. This book systematically breaks down not only the different forms of government but different variations on those forms. We come to realize, through this book, that the "right" form of government can be dependent upon circumstance and culture, how even ideal forms can go horribly wrong if managed by the wrong people. It's dense and complicated information so it's certainly too much to absorb in a short period of time. But it would make an excellent supplement to government curriculum. 

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Book review - Spineless

 

Title: Spineless

Author: Samantha San Miguel

Genre: historical fiction/fantasy

Similar books: Otter Lagoon by Nancy Deas

                     Lemons by Melissa Savage

Rating:

 

interesting elements

Summary (provided by publisher): When his asthma lands him at a health resort in the wilds of Gilded Age South Florida, twelve-year-old Algie Emsworth is over the moon. The scientific treasure trove of unexplored swamps may launch his dream career as a naturalist. But even Algie is startled when he happens upon a brand-new species and her brood in the karst springs surrounding the resort. Algie quickly realizes he must keep his discovery a secret: a famous collector of exotic animals is also staying at the hotel, and the new species is threatened by his very presence. An apparent curse has also descended upon the hotel, bringing with it a deadly red tide. But when the pool starts filling with ink and guests start getting mysterious, sucker-shaped wounds, Algie must pluck up his courage to find the truth about the goings-on at the Grand Hotel—and save the new species from destruction.

My opinion: The strongest part of this book is it's focus on science and responsible exploration. Algie and his new friends want to make important discoveries. It's a vital part of their plans to become famous naturalists. At the same time they want to be sure of what they have found. Additionally, they decide to prioritize the safety of their discovery over their own desires. It's a book that values altruism and shames personal gain. The messaging is a bit blunt and heavy handed, the characters a bit thin in their exploration, especially the 'villain' types. Additionally there is more conflict than action, so it's not the most thrilling read. Still, a decent choice for kids who enjoy more of an historical setting.

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Necklace organizer

 Some crafts are born of necessity.

I don't wear necklaces very often but I have a few that I enjoy. I'm always frustrated when I go to put one on and find the chains all tangled up. That's what happened to me this weekend. Now, I could buy an organizer but I am...let's say frugal. Instead, I decided to fashion one myself out of cardboard and paper clips. I cut two end flaps from a box (so they would be the same size) and partially unfolded some paper clips.

It was a simple matter to hot glue the paper clips along the bottom edge of one piece of cardboard and layer the other piece on top. With a hole punched into the cardboard it was ready to hang.

It's a little bland, hanging on the wall, so I'll add some interest with duct tape or paint in future but since I was short on time this weekend this is enough for now.

Update:

I have not found my duct tape but I did find these little color-your-own Marvel posters. A little work with some markers and they make my necklace hanger much more interesting on the wall.

Book review - The Last Beekeeper

 

Title: The Last Beekeeper

Author: Pablo Cartaya

Genre: dystopia

Similar books: D-39: A Robodog's Journey by Irene Latham

                      The Last Wild by Piers Torday

Rating:

 

solid concept, scattered execution

Summary (provided by publisher): In a future shaken by climate disasters, Yolanda Cicerón knows that nature is something to be feared. While life in the Valley is brutal and harsh, Yoly dreams of leaving her farm to live in Silo—the most advanced town for miles around. But first, Yoly will need to prove she belongs in a place where only the smartest and most useful are welcomed.
Between her razor-sharp smarts and sheer determination, Yoly is well on her way until she discovers her family can no longer afford her schooling. When forced to take matters into her own hands, the closer she gets to securing her future, the more she uncovers the dangers lying inside Silo’s walls—ones that threaten the entire Valley.
As she cracks long-guarded secrets, Yoly, along with those closest to her, is put in grave peril and the only chance of surviving may lie in the rediscovery of a long-extinct species—the honeybee. Can the last surviving beehive be the key to pulling the Valley out from under Silo’s thumb, or will they destroy what remains of Yoly’s future?

My opinion: The set up here is strong. We have a world where people are increasingly struggling to get by on their own. The environment is failing them and there is little hope that things will get better. Even in the early chapters we get hints of increasing governmental controls, little stories of people banished for shadowy reasons. And as the title suggests, we're exploring the impact of pollinators on an environment. The ecological messaging is pretty much what we'd expect from a middle grade novel. The political aspects might be a bit of a reach but not too much for an engaged reader. The writing itself is a bit chaotic. It doesn't give us enough background into relationships and characters. Only a few have any depth, so there isn't the emotional connection. We have no basis for understanding how they will act and why. The big ideas behind this book are certainly worth discussing and it was an easy enough read. Just not one that will top my list.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic novel spotlight

 Cat's Cradle: The Golden Twine by Jo Rioux

Fantasy adventures are well suited to the graphic novel format and this one fits neatly into that niche. Rioux combines the wiley humor of Nimona with the contemplation of The Last Unicorn. Suri, our protagonist, is an independent girl determined to make her dreams come true regardless of what anyone else thinks. Through happenstance and a bit too much curiosity, she finds herself on a classic fantasy quest. She's a charming, likeable character and the plot has enough foreboding and promise of things to come to keep the reader engaged. It's not an especially deep read but is a solid example of graphic novel series well suited to the middle grade audience.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley