Book review - Dogtown

 

Title: Dogtown

Authors: Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

Genre: fantasy (ish)

Similar books: Duet by Elise Broach

                      Horace and Bunwinkle by P J Gardner

Rating:

 

solid plot

Summary (provided by publisher): Dogtown is a shelter for stray dogs, misbehaving dogs, and discarded robot dogs, whose owners have outgrown them.
Chance, a real dog, has been in Dogtown since her owners unwittingly left her with irresponsible dog-sitters who skipped town.
Metal Head is a robot dog who dreams of being back in a real home.
And Mouse is a mouse who has the run of Dogtown, pilfering kibble, and performing clever feats to protect the dogs he loves.
When Chance and Metal Head embark on an adventure to find their forever homes, there is danger, cheese sandwiches, a charging station, and some unexpected kindnesses along the way.

My opinion: Applegate's sensitive portrayal of animals and Choldenko's layered approach to atypical characters merge well in this story. Their styles work well together, telling a frank but sensitive tale. This is a shelter dog story, so there is straightforward talk of abandonment, longing, and ultimately of dogs being put down. The characters are strong and the plot is clear. It is a strong example of the dog narrative.

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Book review - Between Monsters and Marvels

 

Title: Between Monsters and Marvels

Author: Alysa WIshingrad

Genre: fantasy

Similar books: Orphans of the Tide by Struan Murray

                      The Vanquishers by Kalynn Bayron

Rating:

 

a solid blend of magic and morality

Summary (provided by publisher): Monsters are still lurking on Barrow’s Bay.
Dare Coates is sure of it. No drifter or ruffian could have killed her father, the Captain of the Guard, while he was on patrol. But everyone insists that monsters have been gone for years now. Dare’s mother. Her classmates. Even the governor, who swiftly marries her mother just months after her father’s death.
Dare’s suspicions grow even stronger when the governor suddenly ships her off to the mainland, away from any hope of uncovering the truth about her father’s death.
Or so she thinks. Soon Dare finds solid proof that monsters still exist and she starts to question everything she’s always known. Was her father who she thought he was? Who can she trust? Where is the line between good and evil?
The truth hides behind danger and deception. But with the help of an unlikely crew of cohorts and a stray beastie, nothing can stop Dare from finding out what happened to her father and exposing who the real monsters are.

My opinion: It's certainly not unheard of to have a middle grade story where characters discover that the world is not what they have been lead to believe. And when we're talking about monsters, we won't be surprised to find an exploration of the idea of "monster". Is a wild beast monstrous because it attacks? Who defines monster instead of just creature? And why would someone be covering up the existence of monsters? These are the questions that Dare finds herself picking apart and bringing the reader along with her. The messaging is a bit heavy handed but the exploration of morals is thorough and complex enough to make it worth a read.

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Graphic novel spotlight - Club Kick Out: Into the Ring

 

Club Kick Out: Into the Ring by Steph Mided

This is a scenario we see in books periodically - a school cuts funding to the arts and clubs in order to maintain the budget for sports. Our heroines, after a chance encounter with professional wrestling recognize it's potential: it's artistic, creative, dramatic, and most importantly, athletic. The set-up strains the willing suspension of disbelief and the characters are fairly one-note. Even so, this book is a fun read. It emphasizes communication, honesty, and safety about all else. It empowers young readers and encourages creative problem solving.

 

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Non-fiction book review - Mysterious Glowing Mammals

 Mysterious Glowing Mammals by Maria Parrott-Ryan

That cover alone is going to be enough to grab the attention of a young reader. Honestly, you want to know more about this book without any title or other information. Once you open this book you'll find a step by step exploration of a scientific study - from the first discovery of a question through the steps and limitations of the study that followed. It's accessible and compelling, and might encourage a young reader to look at their own environment through a lens of curiosity.

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Book review - Bee Bakshi and the Gingerbread Sisters

 

Title: Bee Bakshi and the Gingerbread Sisters

Author: Emi Pinto

Genre: magical realism

Similar books: Ravenous Things by Derrick Chow

                      Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Rating:

 

a unique take on a familiar tale

Summary (provided by publisher): Bee wanted to spend the summer reading Betsy Chillers books and exploring the new spooky theme park with her best friend. Instead, she’s spending the summer trapped at Storm Lake with her too loud, too thrifty, and too Indian family.
Luckily, Bee finds a place to escape her embarrassment—a magical house across the lake that transforms her into the cool girl she always wanted to be. Maybe cottage life isn’t so bad after all! But strange dreams are haunting Bee, and there’s a chill in her bones she just can’t shake.
Bee follows her hunch—and the scent of gingerbread—to Lucas, the dorky boy next door. He thinks there are ghosts in the forest, but new friend Alina tells her what Bee has feared all along: There’s a witch at Storm Lake. And she’s coming for Bee.

My opinion: This books takes Hansel and Gretel as it's central premise but does a lot to make it unique. There are many elements here unique to this story. Yes, there is a witch who takes children. But there's also social pressure, magical loons, an abandoned house on an island, ghosts, and lots of magic. It's far more complex magic than we see in the original story. And it does a lot more to explore interpersonal relationships and motivations. It's perhaps a bit odd, a bit reliant on some peculiar details, but remains worth reading.

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Listen with me

 

Dust by Dusti Bowling

Take a real situation and insert a hint of the supernatural. If done right, it's a formula that can be amazing. If you've read Ingrid Law's Savvy you've seen it done right. And the same can be said of Dust. The key here is that the central problems are based in the world as we know it. Avalyn is an outsider in middle school, coping with chronic medical issues and constant bullying. These are standard, relatable issues. So, unfortunately, is abuse. That's a tough topic to introduce in a middle grade book but Bowling does not shy away from the difficult. While the discussion is not explicit it is certainly present. More important than the specifics of the abuse, though, are the emotions associated. We see the trauma of the abused child, of course, but also how the knowledge and sense of helplessness affects Avalyn. This is a cast of characters with complex emotions and depth that serves the plot well.

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Non fiction book review - The Mona Lisa Vanishes

 

The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nicholas Day

This is a moment in history that I had heard about, though I suspect it is not something most will find familiar. Even with some familiarity, though, this book was a delight to read. Firstly, it talks about far more than the theft itself. We learn a great deal about Da Vinci, the history of the Louvre, art theft in general, news media, and the general social implications of the painting and it's theft throughout history. And the writing itself is charming. The tone is conversational with a solid dose of humor. It's easily digested and compelling.

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