Book review - Underdog City

 

Title: Underdog City

Author: Chris Negron

Genre: realistic fiction

Similar books: Iveliz Explains it All by Andrea Beatriz Arango

                      The Summer of June by Jamie Sumner

Rating:

 

nice emotional complexity

Summary (provided by publisher): Mortimer Bray is not okay.
It seems like everything in his life is changing for the worse. After his own much-loved dog dies, he can’t bring himself to carry on with his dog-walking business; there’s a strange new girl who’s moved into the house next door; and suddenly there’s a buzzing feeling of anxiety in his head and heart when he’s faced with something new.
His neighborhood, Townsend Heights, used to feel like the most comfortable place in the world. But lately, it seems like everyone is arguing, and there’s uncertainty around every corner.
The neighborhood's only vacant lot is somehow behind it all, Mortimer is sure of that much. If he can unearth the lot's secret history, he just might stop the Heights from unraveling completely.
Mortimer can’t save Townsend Heights on his own. But when it comes to community, you’re never truly on your own—not as long as you’re willing to learn from the past, in order to do better in the future.

My opinion: As we would expect from a middle grade novel, changing friendships is a central issue. We also take on gentrification, racism, and mental illness. That could easily be too much for any novel much less one for this age group but Negron handles it well. It helps that the characters are strong. They read like real kids, their relationships with their peers and with adults realistic and genuine. While the details aren't especially relatable (not a lot of kids have an interest in public policy) the overall thrust of the plot is engaging.

More information: Underdog City releases October 31

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - Sweetness All Around

 

Title: Sweetness All Around

Author: Suzanne Supplee

Genre: historical fiction

Similar books: Dawn Raid by Pauline Smith

                      Malcolm and Me by Robin Farmer

Rating: 

 

a pleasant read

Summary (provided by publisher): Almost-eleven-year-old Josephine is NOT pleased to be moving into the Happy World trailer park over the summer of 1974. She misses her beautiful bedroom with ballerinas on the wall and her pretty, well-dressed friends. Happy World isn’t happy. It’s dingy and depressing! Nothing like the world that headstrong Josephine wants for herself.
But when Josephine learns that her would-be next door neighbor in Happy World was kidnapped months ago, she develops a begrudging interest in her new home. A kidnapping is exciting—and all signs point to Josephine being meant to find ten-year-old Molly.
Despite her efforts to stay detached, Josephine investigates Molly’s disappearance with help from the eccentric cast of characters living in Happy World. It turns out the rough edges of her community are softer and sweeter than they first seemed. And the unexpected friendships she forms might be more precious than anything she's ever owned.

My opinion: The description of this book is going to make it sound like a mystery or a thriller. It's not, really. Yes, Josephine is looking into a kidnapping. But much more than that, this is a book about a girl learning to deal with changed circumstances. It's getting to know new people and adjusting to what life has put in your path. It's learning to be kind even when people are difficult. This is a character driven novel that takes Josephine from a not altogether likeable person to a more complex individual. While there are some less believable elements to the plot it is ultimately a well developed plot with a near timeless quality to the details.

More information: Sweetness All Around Releases October 24

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Listen with me

 

The Changing Man by Tomi Oyemakinde

This book starts with a solid premise - a girl out of her element at an elite prep school where something strange is happening. This is a set up we see surprisingly often in teen fiction but Oyemakinde uses it well. It's not just that Ife is one of only a few Black girls at the school. She's part of the "Urban Achievers" program, a system that allows the school to appear inclusive and generous while remaining overall classist and at times racist. The characters are decent if a little one-note. The setting is strong. The plot itself, though, wavers. The early chapters have strong spooky vibes and are reminiscent of "Get Out". Once the characters begin to uncover what is actually happening at the school, though, it begins to lose me. I won't get into the details here because I'm strictly anti-spoilers but the reveal barrels right past the boundaries of my willing suspension of disbelief. It's a plot that may work for some but which I ultimately found disappointing.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - Mehndi Boy

 

Title: Mehndi Boy

Author: Zain Bandali

Genre: realistic fiction

Similar books: Meet Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi

                      Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen by Debbie Michiko Florence

Rating:

 

a nice combination of elements

Summary (provided by publisher): Tehzeeb drew curvy clouds, grand galaxies, squirmy squiggles, and delicate dots. He made charming checkerboards and even perfected paisleys. His practice was finally paying off!
The first time Tehzeeb tries mehndi, his passion for the art form blossoms. Soon, he’s creating designs for all his friends and family, and dreams of becoming the most in-demand mehndi artist in town. So Tez is hurt and confused when his favorite uncle tells him mehndi isn’t for boys. His art brings people joy. How could it be wrong? Tehzeeb doesn’t want to disappoint his uncle. But when a crisis before his cousin’s wedding puts his talents to the test, Tehzeeb must find the courage to be his true creative self.

My opinion: Books for young readers tend to have a single focus, one internal message. This book manages to include two without becoming overly complicated. Bandali's tale emphasizes both the importance of practice to improve a skill (rather than relying on innate ability) and being true to oneself. The writing is quite simple and the characters aren't especially complex, but they are believable. Reading this book with youngsters allows for a chance to discuss cultural differences and expectations.

More information: Mehndi Boy releases October 24

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Peg doll tins

 We're in last-minute craft fair preparations, trying to top off our inventory as we have a couple of sales coming up. With that in mind, I made a couple of these peg doll tins: a little peg doll figure in a house made out of an Altoid tin. These are my favorites.

Book review - Nell of Gumbling

 

Title: Nell of Gumbling

Author: Emma Steinkellner

Genre: fantasy

Similar books: Unfamiliar by Haley Newsome

                      Spell Sweeper by Lee Edward Fodi

Rating:

 

magical but relatable

Summary (provided by publisher): To everyone else, the Magical Land of Gumbling is something out of fairy tales. But to Nell Starkeeper, it’s just home. Sure, the town community center might be a castle, her dads run a star farm, and her best friend Myra is a fairy, but Nell is much more interested in finding out if she’ll get the seventh grade apprenticeship of her dreams with world-famous artist Wiz Bravo.
She’s pretty sure her entire life has been RUINED when she’s instead matched with boring old Mrs. Birdneck in the town archives. And of course her perfect rival Leabelle gets to work with Wiz, and mean girl Viola won’t let Nell forget it. Meanwhile, suddenly Myra seems more into hanging out with Leabelle and saving the town from some weird strangers who keep talking about turning Gumbling into a fancy resort than being friends with Nell anymore. Can Nell find a way to save everything that makes her world magical, while figuring out where she belongs in it?

My opinion: Gumbling may be a magical place full of fairies, pixies, and other fantasy beings, but it's also surprisingly normal. Nell and her friends deal with bullies and unrealistic expectations. They have dreams for their futures and face challenges in the way of societal requirements. They are jealous and petty at times, say cruel things when they are upset. In other words, they are normal kids. They aren't perfect. They make bad choices. But they ultimately recognize where they've gone wrong and find their way towards fixing it. The plot here is inventive in the specifics but relatable in the broad strokes. There's enough humor to keep it from becoming heavy. A solid read for a middle grade audience.

 Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non-fiction book review: Plauge-Busters

 

Plague-Busters by Lindsey Fitzharris and Adrian Teal

If you're like me, you find plagues fascinating. A book that breaks down historical plagues teaches us about science, history, and sociology and this volume does all three of those things well. Fitzharris and Teal break down everything we know about each disease historically: when it first appeared or was identified; historical cures; it's deadly impact; what science learned at the time; it's general treatability; what we know now. This is perhaps a bit of a niche interest but if you have any interest in history or epidemiology this is a solid choice. 

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley