Title: An Extra-Ordinary Girl
Author: Gina Bellisario
Genre: superhero
Similar books: Kung Pow Chicken by Cyndi Marko
The Gumazing Gum Girl!: Chews Your Destiny by Rhode Montijo
Rating:
 |
| Super cute |
Summary (provided by publisher): Ellie is super excited for first day at Winkopolis Elementary School. After spending her whole life being homeschooled by super-genius inventor parents, she can't wait to hang out with normal kids and learn normal things. But Ellie soon learns that her super powers make her stand out in a not-so-super way. Can she save the world and fit in with her new friends? Or is blending in the one thing this superhero can't do?
For ages 6-8. From the new Ellie Ultra series.
My opinion: This is a cute story with substance behind it. Ellie goes through the full cycle of fitting in with her peers: liking everything about herself, realizing that things she saw as positives may be viewed as negatives by others, changing herself in order to be accepted, and eventually fully embracing herself once more. It's a simple story, given the target age group, but the writing is strong. The plot and limited illustrations are appealing.
More Information: Ellie Ultra: An Extra-Ordinary Girl releases September 1.
Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.
It's still August and temperatures around here are still topping out in the 80s but craft fair season is just weeks away. So I find myself working on Christmas ornaments lately. Here are a few new designs I've been trying out.
Title: The Changelings
Author: Christina Soontornvat
Genre: fantasy
Similar books: The Wrong Side of Magic by Janette Rallison
The Peddler's Road by Matthew Cody
Rating:
 |
| entertaining |
Summary(provided by publisher): Izzy’s family has just moved to the most boring town in the country. But as time goes on, strange things start to happen; odd piles of stones appear around Izzy’s house, and her little sister Hen comes home full of stories about the witch next door.
Then, Hen disappears into the woods. She’s been whisked away to the land of Faerie, and it’s up to Izzy to save her. Joined there by a band of outlaw Changelings, Izzy and her new friends set out on a joint search-and-rescue mission across this foreign land which is at turns alluringly magical and utterly terrifying.
My opinion: I'm not entirely sure this book has enough world-building. Fantasy novels depend on the reader's ability to understand a fictional location. We get a simple explanation here but nothing with any depth. I'd have liked a better understanding of the world of Avahlon, it's intricacies and the way humans and faeries relate to one another.
On the positive side, characters have a decent level of depth. The grow in small ways, begin to understand one another better.
I'd say its a good choice for budding fantasy fans, less so for those who already read the genre intensively.
More information: The Changelings releases September 1.
Advanced reader copy provided by NetGalley.
I'm a
fan of historical fiction for all ages, but especially for middle grade
readers. I've always found historical fiction to be a good way to make a
personal connection with a history lesson. It personalizes dry facts.
Here are six historical fiction books, mostly for middle grade readers,
published in the last six months.
6 New Historical novels
1. Tru and Nelle by G Neri
2. Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter by Beth Fantaskey
3. The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry
4. Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse
5. The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyce
6. Lucky Strikes by Louis Bayard
Title: Seven Riddles to Nowhere
Author: A.J.Cattapan
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: The Hunt for the Missing Spy by Penny Warner
Leap of Faith by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Rating:
 |
| A nice, gentle story |
Summary(provided by publisher): For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Because of a tragic event that took place when he was five-years-old, seventh grader Kameron Boyd can't make himself speak to adults when he steps outside his home. Kam's mom hopes his new school will cure his talking issues, but just as he starts to feel comfortable, financial problems threaten the school’s existence.
Then a letter arrives with the opportunity to change everything. Kam learns that he and several others have been selected as potential heirs to a fortune. He just has to solve a series of seven riddles to find the treasure before the other students. If he succeeds, he’ll become heir to a fortune that could save his school.
The riddles send Kam on a scavenger hunt through the churches of Chicago. But solving them won’t be easy. With the school’s bully as one of the other potential heirs, Kam and his friends must decipher the hidden meanings in artwork and avoid the mysterious men following them in a quest to not only keep the school open, but keep Kam’s hopes for recovering his voice alive.
My Opinion: There are a lot of positives in this book. It has religious overtones without being forceful about it, telling the reader what to believe. The central core of characters is clearly, if not particularly deeply, defined. The plot is largely clear and logical. And I like the idea of seeing your town, even areas you know, through a new perspective. While some understanding of Catholicism is helpful to fully appreciate this novel it isn't absolutely necessary. Its a simple story without a great deal of depth but a solid read for young middle graders.
More Information: Seven Riddles to Nowhere releases August 31.
Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.
I was messing around with polymer clay and made these little charms. Not really sure what I'm going to do with them but I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out.
The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin
This is a picture book unlike any other you'll experience. The pages are all black with a few lines of white text each. The illustrations are texture based instead of visual. It explores colors with the other senses, describing tastes, smells, and textures that one might associate with each color. Young kids will enjoy simply running their fingers over the braille text and textured illustrations. Use it with older kids to spark a discussion of perspectives and alternate ways of experiencing the world.
