Book review - Eb & Flow

 

Title: Eb & Flow

Author: Kelly J. Baptist

Genre: realistic fiction/verse novel

Similar books: Hazard by Frances O'Roark Dowell

                      Hidden by Helen Frost

Rating:

 

compelling reading

Summary (provided by publisher): Two kids. One fight. No one thinks they’re wrong.
Flow
I don’t even hit girls . . . is what I’m thinking.
I roll my eyes, turn them to my shoes.
Shoes I’ma wear every day till they fall off my feet.
Eb
It was all just an accident!
Nobody was trying to mess up
his Stupid Ugly Shoes.
Now I’ve got my third suspension of seventh grade.
Ebony and De’Kari (aka Flow) do not get along. How could they when their cafeteria scuffle ended with De'Kari's ruined shoes, Ebony on the ground, and both of them with ten days of at-home suspension? Now Eb and Flow have two weeks to think about and explain their behavior—to their families, to each other, and ultimately to themselves.

My opinion: Like all good verse novels, this one sets a fast pace. Yes, we're spending a fair amount of time reflecting on the characters feelings. But Baptist also paints a solid picture of the lives of these kids. We see how they interact with their families, the weight of expectations and disapproval, of responsibilities. They are also, in many ways, standard middle grade kids. They make snap decisions, react emotionally, without fully considering what might happen as a result. This leads to the fight that starts the narrative, of course, but has larger consequences later in the book as well. The messaging is easily grasped and the plot easily followed. A solid choice for most middle grade readers.

More information: Eb & Flow releases March 14.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

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