Pick 6 - books about books

 Normally I use my pick 6 posts to feature a list of recently published books. But it's March and that means reading month so I thought I'd do something a little different. I want to share with you some books where books are vital to the plot. Some are focused on book banning and the power of reading to change a person's life. Others have books that are magic or clues to a mystery. Most of these books were published more than six months ago but maybe don't get as much attention as they deserve

Six books about books

1. Answers in the Pages by David Levithan
2. Property of the Rebel Librarian by Allison Varnes
3. Here Comes Mr. Flat by Jaume Copons
4. Ban This Book by Alan Gratz
5. Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley
6. The Most Frightening Story Ever Told by Philip Kerr 

Bonus - my favorite picture book - We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems 

 

happy reading

Non-fiction book review - The Brilliant Calculator

 

The Brilliant Calculator by Jan Lower

I certainly had never heard of Edith Clarke before this book. I had also never considered the high level math that is involved in running electrical wires. At picture book length this book clearly doesn't get into the math or theory involved in what Clarke accomplished. We are simply given the sense that it was very complicated and that Clarke sat down to use her passion for math to simplify that task and reduce the risk of arithmetic errors. What results is a book not so much about math and engineering as it is about perseverance and following your passions in the face of disapproval. If you're looking for a new face to introduce to your young readers for women's history month, consider Edith Clarke.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - You Are Here

 

Title: You Are Here: Connecting Flights

Edited by: Ellen Oh

Genre: realistic fiction/linked short stories

Similar books: The Kids of Cattywampus Street by Lisa Jahn-Clough

                      Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds

Rating:

 

a great experience

Summary (provided by publisher): An incident at a TSA security check point sows chaos and rumors, creating a chain of events that impacts twelve young Asian Americans in a crowded and restless airport. As their disrupted journeys crisscross and collide, they encounter fellow travelers—some helpful, some hostile—as they discover the challenges of friendship, the power of courage, the importance of the right word at the right time, and the unexpected significance of a blue Stratocaster electric guitar. 
Twelve powerhouse Asian American authors explore themes of identity and belonging in the entwined experiences of young people whose family roots may extend to East and Southeast Asia, but who are themselves distinctly American.

My opinion: An airport is a place of transition, a place where hundreds of people cross paths daily, so it's a great setting for a collection of short stories. Here we see a dozen Asian characters traveling to a variety of different places. Some are excited, others resentful. They have complex relationships with their families and with their racial identity. And all of them face some degree of racism. They respond in assorted ways. And all of them cross paths in some small way, each story contributing a small element to the next. Since they're short stories none of them are especially complex. Still, they are a solid read and contribute to a reflective conversation about assumptions and race relations.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Bookmarks

 While I'm working on a couple of larger projects, one of which I hope to have ready to share with you soon, I made a couple of quick bookmarks. I had a square of this nice creamy tan colored cardstock in my stash that made me think of a well blended latte. So of course I made one of these bookmarks coffee themed.

Book review - What Stays Buried

 

Title: What Stays Buried

Author: Suzanne Young

Genre: light horror

Similar books: Spirit's Key by Edith Cohn

                      The Mesmerist by Ronald L. Smith

Rating:

 

well balanced

Summary (provided by publisher): Twelve-year-old Calista Wynn will lose her ability to speak with the dead on her thirteenth birthday.
And with only a few weeks left, children have started going missing.
When Calista meets The Tall Lady—an angry spirit with a grudge against Calista, her family, and the entire town—she knows she’s found the ghost responsible for the disappearances.
It’s up to Calista, the only one who can see The Tall Lady, to stop her. If she doesn’t, Calista won’t just lose her powers… she’ll lose everyone she has left.

My opinion: Young has given us a solid read here. There are rules provided from the start for the psychics - who can interact with ghosts and when. Their other "gifts" are a bit more nebulous and undefined which would be my primary criticism. Now, those rules are so solid that it makes the plot a bit predictable. Or to put it more positively, the ending is inevitable. We might hope for things to work out differently but we accept the resolution because it's fair. It follows the rules. There aren't a lot of complex child characters but the ones we get are solid. It's a compelling read and a solid example of the genre.

More information: What Stays Buried releases March 7.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic novel spotlight: The Snowcat Prince

 

The Snowcat Prince by Dina Norlund

If ever there was a book that you should judge by the cover, it's this one. There's a lot going on in that cover image alone. We see two worlds, red toned and blue; a glowing eyed, long fanged beast; a crown that glows with power; and most importantly, a cute, large-eyed cat that radiates innocence.  All of these elements play an important role in this plot about power, family, history, and duty. The plot is strong and the art is even stronger. Even better, this is a book that you can read several times and take something different away with each read.

 

More information: The Snowcat Prince releases March 7.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non-fiction book review - Total Garbage

 

Total Garbage by Rebecca Donnelly

If I had to guess, I'd say most of us have only the barest idea of what happens to our garbage. We know that it goes to a landfill but do we really know what that means? Well, if we read this book we do. Donnelly presents the full picture of waste disposal in a clear and concise way with accessible vocabulary. None of this goes into a great deal of depth but each part of the process is presented along with benefits and concerns, both immediate and long term. And it doesn't stop with landfills. We also learn about waste water treatment and recycling. And the impacts explored are environmental, political, racial, and economical. I'd call this a must read for a family trying to better understand their individual impact on the world and the environment.

More information: Total Garbage releases March 7.

Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley