Listen with me

 

One Night in a Thousand Years by Craig Cunningham

I selected this one on the strength of the comparison to Dead Poets Society, but I had my doubts from the start. A story about young men finding a mentor and discovering truths about themselves and the world can be inspiring. It can also be a bit pretentious and self-aggrandizing. And I'm afraid this one leans in the latter direction. I'm all for teaching people to think for themselves, to ask questions and find their own path. There's just something about scenes of teenagers smoking pipes and writing inspirational quotes under an overpass that feels forced. And when you have white guys passing out samurai swords it's a bit cringy. I certainly understand what this book was trying to say. And it says it. There's no masking the intent of the novel. Perhaps that's part of what I don't like about it. There's no interpretation, no art to it. While Van Der Beek's narration suits the narrative, I can't say that I'd recommend the book on the whole.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Picture books for everyone

 

Not My Circus by Janet Sumner Johnson

A picture book is a great way to explore the meaning of an idiom with a group of kids, especially when you can do so with humor. While this book is built on a phrase that is a bit less common, it serves it's purpose well. Not to mention, it's quite entertaining. The tone falls somewhere between Imogene's Antlers and Click Clack Moo. Of course the scenario is silly (a little girl buys a collection of circus animals) and chaos ensues. But Olivia's systematic approach to problem solving serves as a good example to young readers. The messaging will work better with older kids than the very young.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Non-fiction book review - Ancient Ice

 

Ancient Ice by Golriz Golkar

If you've ever wondered why glaciers matter, this is the book to read. It gives a succinct introduction to the roles of glaciers in our world and the ways that scientists are studying them. The text is quite accessible, with a kid friendly vocabulary. Pages emphasize photographs more than text, so it's a quick read that provides a quick introduction to the concepts. This is a good choice for elementary age readers.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Stash buster hat

 I've been working to use up some of my extra yarn this winter. I had a variegated skein that I bought somewhere on sale but didn't have a plan to use. So I made this hat with attached scarf from a pattern I found in an old magazine. The last section (dark blue) came from another skein after the first ran out to make the scarf long enough to be usable.

Non-fiction book review - Freedom Summer 1964

 

Freedom Summer 1964 by Ngeri Nnachi

Early education about the Civil Rights Movement tends to focus on MLK, Rosa Parks, and school integration. Voting rights are mentioned but typically only in passing. This book sets out to give young readers more information. While the text is simple and succinct, it gives a clear picture of the state of voting before Freedom Summer, the dangers and methods faced, and why voting matters. While none of the topics are explored in much depth, it does lay out the facts in a way that is easily understood.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Listen with me

 

One Night in a Thousand Years by Craig Cunningham

No joke, I was one of those kids who found the experience of watching "Dead Poets Society" deep and transformative, so when a book is billed as the modern version of that film I'm going to be there reading it. So let's give this one a listen and see if the story of a teenage boy finding a college mentor lives up to the hype.

Graphic novel spotlight: Brobots

 

BroBots by J. Torres and Sean Dove

First, a word of warning: if you find excessive use of the word "bro" annoying, this is not the book for you. Expect a "bro" in most every panel. That minor annoyance aside, this is a fun collection of stories. It's not deep but if you like quirky team adventures (think Fry Guys, Narwhal and Jelly, Rutabaga the Adventure Chef) then give BroBots a read. The stories are simple and easy to follow with a dose of accessible humor. They can be enjoyed by both small children and adult companions. And since it is a collection of stories, it can be read in small doses.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley