What are you currently reading?
We're Not Safe Here by Rin Chupeco - A vlogger tries to find out the truth about disappearances in his isolated town - ostensibly the only town left after the world was devastated by monster attacks.
What did you recently finish reading?
We Fell Apart by E Lockhart - On a trip to meet the artist father who abandoned her, a girl connects instead with her half brother and his friends.
What do you think you'll read next?
The Truth About White Lies by Olivia A Cole
Title: The Free State of Jax
Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Genre: Realistic fiction
Age Range: Middle grade
Similar book: What Goes Up by Wen Jane Baragrey
Summary (provided by publisher): Jaxon Averett has had some terrifically bad luck. Because only the worst luck in the world can account for the fact that he has to live with his Uncle Clive Grimmitz, Aunt Helga, and their six kids in dead-end Walkonby, Kansas. Life with Jax's cousins isn't easy -- they're all bullies, and his aunt and uncle can't even remember his name.
Which is why, on the night before his twelfth birthday, Jax sneaks over to the neighboring property, floats a raft out into the middle of the hot springs lake, and drops anchor.
Jax is now the president and sole citizen of his own micronation, the Free State of Jax.
With the help of new friends, a local lawyer, and the property owner Owen O'Keefe, Jax's micronation begins to flourish. But the Grimmitzes will do anything to get him back and they are not above sabotage. On top of that, Jax is quickly embroiled in the mystery of Owen's missing brother -- and a lost windfall of the town's money.
Investigating puts everything Jax has built at risk, and when long-buried family secrets are unearthed, he must find the courage to do what's right, even if it means losing his only chance at freedom.
What I liked: The tone here is nearly perfect. It balances humor and heart. The plot is arguably ridiculous but it remains charming in a way reminiscent of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. The characters strike a similar balance. They appear to be shallow, one note figures but largely reveal depth as the book progresses. It's a book that is fun to read and leaves us with something to think about at the end.
What I didn't like: I could point out the rather hard to swallow elements or the general predictability of the resolution but I actually don't mind those things so much. They remain in the "forgivable" level of offenses.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
I have loved Wallace and Gromit since I first saw the shorts in the early 2000's. And my absolute favorite character has always been Feathers McGraw. It should come as no surprise, then, that when I got a Wallace and Gromit amigurumi book for Christmas, Feathers was first on my list to make. And the reality is exactly what I would have hoped.
I have my doubts about this book. I find any boarding school narrative a bit of a stretch when it comes to believability and relatability. Gearing such a book to middle graders feels like a step too far but if anyone can pull it off it's Lauren Myracle. Let's give it a listen and see if there's enough adventure and heart in this tale to keep a reader engaged.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
What are you currently reading?
Hazelthorn by CG Drews - When his guardian suddenly dies under strange and suspicious circumstances, a young man with holes in his memory must unravel the truth about his past, the rules he has always had to follow, and the horrors lurking in the shadows of the estate where he lives.
What did you recently finish reading?
Rise of the G.E.M.S. by Marian Dealy - A team of lab mice are mutated by scientific testing and sent into space.
What do you think you'll read next?
The Witching Wind by Natalie Lloyd
At first glance this is a fairly expected book - a series of profiles of women and their contributions to science. What sets this one apart is depth. These are not quick overviews. We learn at least a little about each woman's background and the importance of their contributions. Even more than that, we learn why they are overlooked. With multiple fields of science represented there is a fair range of information here. If you have any interest in lesser-known history this book is probably worth a look.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
Brume is the tale of a foundling who is certain that not only is she a witch (despite not having any particular evidence of this notion) she is the one who will protect her village. Accompanied by her best friend and a pig she sets out to do just that. The bulk of the plot is playful and a bit silly but with the promise of much more. Most importantly, the art is fantastic. There are plenty of details and a super appealing bright style. The humor blends with a more serious plot to create a story with broad appeal. Originally written in French, this translation is clear and easily understood.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
