Listen with me

 

Something's About to Blow Up by Sam Blake

When you start a book with an explosion at a school and introduce the idea that the teen characters are investigating, the reader is going to expect a mystery/thriller. But that's not exactly what this book is. Instead, we get more of a slow exploration of the secrets that these kids are keeping. As the girls dig into their memories, find photos, and talk to peripheral characters, they discover just how much about what is going on they don't understand. While that means there aren't car chases or tense stand-offs, it makes for surprisingly compelling reading. Each character brings a different perspective into the mystery and the tight time frame keeps the plot moving even as most of the action takes place elsewhere. It may not be a thrilling book, but it is interesting and well worth the time to read.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Picture books for everyone - Barefoot Skateboarders

 

Barefoot Skateboarders by Rina Singh

At face value this is a very simple story of kids learning to skateboard and a sport opening up opportunities for a disadvantaged community. That is certainly an element at play here. An older child could read this book and prompt a discussion about cultural barriers and children leading the way for change. Or about not letting pride get in the way of a good experience. Being open to learning from others. The art and vocabulary are simple enough to be understood by young readers with little help and for older readers it may prompt some deeper exploration of topics.

More information: Barefoot Skateboarders releases September 17
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - All the Ways to Go

 

Title: All the Ways to Go

Author: Jessie Janowitz

Genre: realistic fiction

Similar books: Word Nerd by Susin Nielsen

                      Giant Pumpkin Suite by Melanie Heuiser Hill

Rating:

compelling and unique

Summary (provided by publisher): Milo Bloom, chess prodigy, has a secret: he doesn't want to play chess anymore. If only he had the courage to tell someone. Instead, he blows a major chess tournament on purpose. If no one knows he wants to quit, no one can be disappointed in him.  

The problem is, winning that tournament was a ticket to chess camp, and the loss means his summer plans are shot. Enter Roxie, a girl he's never met, who shows up at his door uninvited to tell him all about how he and his mom will be spending the whole summer with her and her mom in the "cat room" in their New Jersey home…what?  

Surprise! Before Milo knows what's hit him, he's living at Roxie's house, where creepy cats rule, meat products are banned, and Roxie, who doesn't seem to understand the concept of personal space, won't give him a second alone.  

But when Milo and Roxie stumble across two people playing a fascinating game they've never seen before, they become determined to learn the ancient game of Go. Between late-night library adventures and creating a Go club at their summer camp, Milo and Roxie form an unexpected friendship, realizing they have a lot more to learn from each other than just the game of Go. That is, if Milo can face his fears and tell his mom how he really feels about chess so he can stop living a lie. 

My opinion: A story about a chess prodigy feels like it should have a narrow audience but that isn't the case here. Janowitz had captured a sort of universality in this narrative. Milo's story isn't one about excelling at something and losing how you define yourself. It's about losing your passion and feeling directionless. It's about fearing what people will think of you and being confronted by things that you hate on principle. Even as Milo makes choices that we know will turn out badly we root for him to find his way and we cheer as he slowly opens up to new experiences. With a small but compelling cast of characters this is a strong read for any kid who has ever felt lost and like an outsider.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non-fiction book review - Oh No They Didn't: Presidents

 

Oh No They Didn't: Presidents by Eric Huang

The construction here is a clear one - we are presented with an often repeated "fact" about a president and then the truth of the matter. Many of these corrections will be familiar but several were new to me. We don't get much beyond the correction in terms of historical context but as a quick entertainment it's a solid choice.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?

This Book Kills by Ravena Kaur Guron - Jess is trying her best to survive as one of just a few scholarship students at an elite boarding school. Then a powerful student is killed using a story that Jess wrote as inspiration and her carefully constructed world falls apart.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Sherlock Society by James Ponti - A pair of siblings hunts for Al Capone's missing millions with their grandfather and friends and turn up a much bigger mystery.

What do you think you'll read next?

Not Another Banned Book by Dana Alison Levy

Book review - Mysterious Ways

 

Title: Mysterious Ways

Author: Wendy Wunder

Genre: realistic (?) fiction

Similar books: Zenn Diagram by Wendy Brant

                     Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

Rating: 

Well done

Summary (provided by publisher): Seventeen-year-old Maya knows everything. When she looks at someone, she instantly knows their history, their private thoughts, their secret desires, their most tragic failures. Combine these private miseries with the general state of the world, and it's easy to see why Maya's power starts to get her down…

Which is why she was sent to the Whispering Pines Psychiatric Facility, and also why starting at a new school is going to be such a challenge. Now, faced with Tyler, a cute guy she actually wants to know everything about, Maya realizes that maybe her power isn't so horrible after all. Maybe she can use it for good. Maybe she can even get the guy. Or maybe there really is such a thing as knowing too much.

My opinion: There is a sort of emotional distance in this narrative that normally would be a negative but which works surprisingly well in this case. It parallels the overall unreality of the narrative and keeps the tone fairly light. But don't take that to mean that this is a silly story. The light tone keeps it from becoming maudlin but allows it to address serious issues. Through her efforts to save people and the world, Maya explores ideas of responsibility. Reading this once is surprisingly fun. Reading it a second time is more reflective and digs deep into the ideas. A strong novvel well worth your time.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic novel spotlight - Ash's Cabin

 

Ash's Cabin by Jen Wang

If you are the sort of reader who loved Hatchet or My Side of the Mountain, then Ash's Cabin is the book for you. The resemblance to the latter book is stronger since Ash chooses to go off the grid and live a spare existence rather than being thrust into a survival situation. We walk through Ash's whole journey - what motivates them to leave, the preparations they make, and the difficulties they encounter. This is a deeply introspective story and that nature is reflected in the delicate illustrations and muted color palette. As a whole, it balances text and images well to tell a complete story.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley