Non-fiction book review - Rebels, Robbers, and Radicals

 

Rebels, Robbers, and Radicals by Teri Kanefield

This book is more than just a simple break down of the contents of the Bill of Rights (as I had somewhat expected). Certainly each section presents us with the text of each amendment. More importantly, we are given examples of how each amendment has been interpreted throughout history. We see how Supreme Court cases and their decisions have influenced our understanding of our rights as they currently stand. This is a somewhat dense read but will go a long way to helping young readers understand their rights.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - Story Spinners

 

Title: Story Spinners    

Author: Cassandra Federman

Genre: realistic fiction

Age range: young middle grade

Similar book: Stella and Marigold by Annie Barrows

Summary (provided by publisher): Big sister Kennedy and little sister Devon couldn’t be more different. Their shared room has a clear divide down the middle. On one, musical theater–loving Kennedy keeps things tidy. On the other, heavy metal fan Devon looks like she lives in an exploded toy store. When baby sister Eve moves in, her contribution is crying. Constant. Ear-piercing. Crying.

The added stress pushes the older girls to their breaking point, and they get into their biggest fight yet. In response, Mom and Dad crack down, seizing all beloved electronics until Kennedy and Devon can find a way to get along. Now stuck together with no distractions except Eve’s screaming, the two land on a desperate solution: tell Eve a bedtime story so epic that it puts her to sleep and gets her big sisters out of trouble.

Pizza aside, the only thing the girls have in common is their love of stories. But Kennedy’s fairy tales make Devon want to barf, and Devon’s nonsensical adventure stories make Kennedy want to tear her hair out. So they try to mash-up a story of true love, adventure, princesses, pirates, pirate-princesses, dragons, spiders, and…garbage trucks?

That’s a lot of story to spin. Will their hilarious fairy tale remix solidify their sisterly bond or break it forever after?

What I liked: Kennedy and Devon are distinct characters. And anyone who's ever had to share a space with a vastly different sibling will relate to this plot. While the girls' reactions are a bit extreme, the plot is well paced and mostly playful.

What I didn't like: The resolution of the difference between the sisters is perhaps oversimplified but it makes for a quick read. It doesn't dig deep into the issues or introduce many complications.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

When We Go Missing by April Henry - When the police seem disinterested in the photo card she found of pictures of girls, it's up to Willow and her fellow animal shelter volunteer to find out what is going on.

What did you recently finish reading?

Roll for Initiative by Jaime Formato - Riley is struggling to live her life without her older brother helping her out until a new D&D crew helps her find her feet.

What do you think you'll read next?

Rebels Robbers and Radicals by Teri Kanefield

Book review - Billions to Burn

 

Title: Billions to Burn

Author: Taylor Banks

Genre: adventure

Age range: middle grade

Similar book: The Ambrose Deception by Emily Ecton

Summary (provided by publisher): Twelve-year-old Zeus Jones is just about the only person in the world who believes in his grandfather’s stories about the Harlem Renaissance. To be fair, they are a bit far-fetched. After all, what are the chances that there was a renowned magazine called Burn! whose headquarters literally burned down, destroying almost every single copy? And who would believe that a secret page was actually hidden amongst the ashes, said to be the key to unlocking a lost fortune? No one, that’s who. 

But when Zeus accidentally stumbles upon the secret page on the same day that his grandfather disappears without a trace, he finally has proof that his grandfather’s stories are more than just stories—they’re real. And now he knows that the secret page is more than just a secret page—it’s a treasure map, leading to a prize beyond all imagining. 

Follow the map, find the treasure, save his grandfather. Seems simple enough. But as Zeus and his friends work to solve the riddles of the map, long-buried secrets about the Harlem Renaissance, Black history, and Zeus’s own family are unraveled. And what’s more, they aren’t the only ones intent on seizing this prize. . .

What I liked: Banks deftly blends adventure and puzzle solving with elements of Black history, both positive and negative. As the characters work through the puzzles they discuss often overlooked people and events, moments of both tragedy and triumph. They address systemic racism and kinds of privilege in equal measure. This is not only an exciting story, it is an important one for discussion.

What I didn't like: The plot is often over the top, especially as regards the more villainous characters. And while the central characters are reasonably complex, many of the others are rather flat. If you're big into puzzle stories this is a decent choice but it won't suit everyone.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Listen with me

 

Return to Sender by Vera Brosgol

With a premise like this one - a kid finds a magic wishing mail slot in his new apartment - you're going to need to be prepared for some strangeness. I can't say as I was expecting this one to take quite the direction that it did. Without getting into spoiler territory I'll just say that you need to be prepared for some pretty unique plot points. For all it's strangeness, though, this is a pretty enjoyable read. The characters are strong, their desires understandable and compelling. Brosgol builds a world that we can relate to and get swallowed up by. 

As an audio, the narration is pleasant enough. The voice work can be a little irritating, but as long as you break it up in smaller chunks the squeaky voice never becomes overwhelming.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non-fiction book review - Everything You Know About Bugs (and Other Tiny Creatures) is Wrong

 

Everything You Know About Bugs (and Other Tiny Creatures) is Wrong by Dr. Nick Crumpton

Start with a super eye-catching cover/title combination and the inherent interest kids have in bugs and you're building on pretty strong footing. The writing bears up to that selling point as well. With lots of facts about insects that don't shy away from scientific detail (be prepared for scientific names) there's plenty here for young science lovers to enjoy. 

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Weird Sad and Silent by Alison McGhee - After escaping from her mom's violent ex-boyfriend, Daisy has gotten good at being invisible to bullies. But a new boy at school is shaking things up.

What did you recently finish reading?

Red and Me by Terry Lee Caruthers - Marlene wants nothing more than to own the abandoned dog wandering around her town.

What do you think you'll read next?

Billions to Burn by Taylor Banks