Book review - Night of the Living Head

 

Title: Night of the Living Head

Author: Hanna Alkaf

Genre: horror

Similar books: The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste

                      Brick Dust and Bones by M.R. Fournet

Rating:

kid-friendly creepy

Summary (provided by publisher): Twelve-year-old Alia has always had the worst luck. Whether it’s her parents moving her all the way from Kuala Lumpur to a tiny village or her shoes constantly coming untied, Alia can’t help but feel as if the universe has it out for her.

To top it all off, her estranged older sister, Ayu, has just reappeared in their lives after years away. Alia’s parents are delighted, but Alia is not so sure. She remembers the fights, the tears, the pain her sister caused and knows this is just another case of bad luck following her around.

Then Alia’s school fills with rumors of a horrifying creature spotted flying in the night sky. And Alia realizes that perhaps it’s not just her bad luck this time—but something more sinister is lying just under the surface of her town…and it’s up to Alia to put an end to it for once and for all.

My opinion: There are plenty of scary stories in English language books about familiar monsters - vampires, werewolves, goblins, etc. So it's fascinating to get stries about monsters from other cultures. This book handles it well. We are told that Alia isn't very well-versed in the folk traditions of her culture. Thus, when she encounters a traditional monster she needs to learn about the lore and the reader shares in her research. The result is a story that is just the right level of spooky. It's a touch gross, so be forewarned of that, but overall this is exactly the sort of book I would have loved in my early middle grade years when I was deeply in my Goosebumps phase.

More information: Night of the Living Head is part of the Tales From Cabin 23 series, a collection of linked novels by assorted authors.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non-fiction book review - We Shall Not Be Denied

 We Shall Not Be Denied by Cayla Bellanger DeGroat and Cicely Lewis

There are other books that explore voting rights and suppression, of course, but this is a solid one. In clear understandable language DeGroat and Lewis lay out the time line of voting rights. For each time period we learn who was allowed to vote and under what circumstances. Not only that, but also how people in power suppressed dissenting opinions and unpopular groups. Through these examples young readers gain a clear understanding of why voting rights should matter to them and the importance of casting your vote when you are able.

More information: We Shall Not Be Denied releases September 10.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Listen with me

 

Nightmare in the Backyard by Jeff Strand

It doesn't take long for this book to jump into the spooks and jump scares. Mysterious things moving under a tent. Scratching sounds and menacing shapes. Vines that act like tentacles and grab hold of people. Yeah, not only does it get spooky, it gets weird. The strangeness of the threat does not work in the book's favor. Neither does the bickering interplay between the characters. What starts as realistic interactions looses the sense of reality as the danger grows. While there are some interesting elements at play, ultimately the book was a little too far from reality for my tastes.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

How to Find a Missing Girl by Victoria Wlosok - Iris's sister disappeared a year ago and her life has fallen apart. She lost friends in the weeks immediately after and now she's barely holding it together. When another girl vanishes, Iris gets pulled into the investigation

What did you recently finish reading?

The Frindle Files by Andrew Clements - Josh loves coding and everything to do with computers. So it frustrates him that his English class is a no-technology zone. Then he discovers a secret about his teacher that will change everything he thought he knew.

What do you think you'll read next?

All the Ways to Go by Jessie Janowitz

Graphic novel spotlight - We Are Big Time

 

We Are Big Time by Hena Khan

If you're looking for a sports story that transcends the typical narrative about teamwork, give We Are Big Time a look. This book combines the typical new-kid story with a conversation about girls in sports. And more specifically, about being a Muslim girl in sports. We see a team that simply wants to play basketball without having to explain themselves but unexpectedly becoming ambassadors for the Muslim community. A sweet story that addresses racism and Islamaphobia without ever becoming threatening or violent. The athletics are nicely balanced with interpersonal issues so there's something here for most readers, sports fan or no.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Weeping angel redux

 Early in this blog's history I posted about a Weeping Angel I'd made from a Barbie doll. It was a bit of decor that I loved but had to give away when I moved. I've wanted to make another one since but never found a Barbie. Then I came across this in a box of junk my dad brought home.

While I've never understood the desire to have a fancy dressed doll in your bathroom hiding a roll of tp or an air freshener, I did see her potential on the Weeping Angel front. After a little razor knife and hot glue surgery, a new hair style, cardboard wings, and a fabric scrap dress, all she needed was some paint to make her a Doctor Who monster.

Non-fiction book review - All Consuming

 

All Consuming by Erin Silver

There has been a great deal of talk about the damaging effects of consumer culture in general and the fast fashion industry in particular. This book examines the subject in a way that is accessible for young readers. And it does more than look at the psychology and ecological impacts. We examine the history and racism that often impact consumer culture and the effects of consumption in every arena of our lives - fashion, technology, and food especially. Illustrations support the text and make this easily understood.

More information: All Consuming releases September 17

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley