Non-fiction book review - Where Does My Poo Go?

 

Where Does My Poo Go? by Jo Lindley

Let's be completely honest - most kids are going to pick this book because they are giggling about the word "poo". That being said, this is probably the most comprehensive explanation of wastewater treatment that I've ever encountered. Usually we're just told that waste is filtered out and the water is treated. Lindley gives us at least the basics of every step of the process. There's even mention of fat burgs and other problems in sewer and waste water treatment. It's worth noting that the text has a British air about it, so the details may not be entirely accurate for an American audience. Even so, it's pretty cool. It demystifies something of a taboo subject. 

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - War and Millie McGonigle

 

Title: War and Millie McGonigle

Author: Karen Cushman

Genre: historical fiction

Similar books: The Summer We Found the Baby by Amy Hest

                     Blue Skies by Anne Bustard

Rating:

 

a unique take on a familiar topic

 

Summary (provided by publisher): Millie McGonigle lives in sunny California, where her days are filled with beach and surf. It should be perfect--but times are tough. Hitler is attacking Europe and it looks like the United States may be going to war. Food is rationed and money is tight. And Millie's sickly little sister gets all the attention and couldn't be more of a pain if she tried. It's all Millie can do to stay calm and feel in control.
Still--there's sand beneath her feet. A new neighbor from the city, who has a lot to teach Millie. And surfer boy Rocky to admire--even if she doesn't have the guts to talk to him.
It's a time of sunshine, siblings, and stress. Will Millie be able to find her way in her family, and keep her balance as the the world around her loses its own?

My opinion: Often times, heroines in historical fiction are best described as "plucky". Not Millie. She is a consummate pessimist. She sees the inevitability of war, death all around her. SHe is, at times, selfish and a pain. She can't explain her outlook but with her parents constantly busy she has space to work through her obsessions on her own. She learns to value others, to engage with her family and recognize the struggles of her siblings. As an historical novel it's a bit of a hard sell for many middle grade readers and being introspective doesn't raise it's standing with that same age group. Kids willing to work their way through it, though, will find a wonderful edifying tale.

More information: War and Millie McGonigle releases April 6.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Tiny house

 Sometime in the fall I ordered one of those miniature house kits on Amazon. This is one of those kits where you assemble furnishings out of paper and cardstock and a little bit of balsa wood. My final product didn't come out quite square but was still a lot of fun. And I might just have to add some more personalized decor in the future.

 

You're also supposed to glue it all shut, but how else am I supposed to move that toy goat around unless I leave the wall detached...

Graphic Novel Spotlight - Astronaut Academy Splashdown

 

Astronaut Academy Splashdown by Dave Roman

From the first volume, Astronaut Academy has played with a unique format. The stories are told from the perspectives of a wide variety of characters. Some get only one short section. Other contribute throughout the book. Some short sections tie directly into the larger book plot. Many are seemingly unrelated, a brief non-sequitor that tells us about the world or some small element that will inform the eventual resolution. Always, though, these sections tell us a lot about the character and give us an idea to contemplate as we read. In this third volume, Roman deviates slightly from that structure. We still get multiple perspectives. This one, though, has a lot few non-sequitors, a lot less random information. Instead, he's drawn in conflicts from the first two books, looking at motivations and old resentments. Fewer robots and explosions, more confrontation of grief and unresolved trauma. It's more contemplative than the previous books but ultimately a pleasant way to close out the trilogy.

 

More Information: Astronaut Academy Splashdown releases April 6.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non-fiction book review - Walking Toward Peace

 

Walking Toward Peace by Kathleen Krull

At first thought, walking doesn't seem like enough action to actually make a difference. Of course, Peace Pilgrim didn't just walk. Her plan was more about meeting people on their level, in every day situations and having genuine conversation. By walking for years and explaining herself to anyone who asked, Peace Pilgrim made every day change. She got people talking and thinking. Her story also shows young readers that most people are generally good, kind and generous. This is a great one to use in a classroom setting to engage in a conversation about peaceful protest and simple actions that make change.

AdvNced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Book review - The Spy Who Raised Me

 

Title: The Spy Who Raised Me

Author: Ted Anderson

Genre: thriller/graphic novel

Similar books: Girl from Nowhere by Tiffany Rosenhan

                     School for S.P.I.E.S by Bruce Hale

Rating:

 

won't hold up

Summary (provided by publisher): Some parents want their children to turn out just like them. Only a few secretly turn their kids into elite special operatives.
Josie Black can infiltrate any building, speak a dozen languages, and fight like a martial arts master. But no one told her that. After J.B. detects gaps in her memory, her mom reveals the truth: she works for a covert agency, and she's given J.B. the skills of a super spy. After J.B. freaks out, runs off, and tries to escape the weird world of espionage, she'll have to decide who she wants to be.

My opinion: We know a lot of what to expect from a book like this one. JB stumbles on the fact that she has been trained to be a spy. So of course she and her friend go on the run from shadowy forces and all of the skills she has been programmed with aid in her escape. This one is interesting in that it involves corporate espionage instead of governmental, but the plot elements remain largely the same. It's pretty simple entertainment but is predictable enough that it probably won't hold up to multiple reads.

More information: The Spy Who Raised Me releases April 6.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Sloths and llamas

 Today's craft is a quick one. I don't usually buy cardboard craft kits, but when I saw this one at the dollar store featuring two of my favorite animals I couldn't resist.

Rather than use the 4 included crayons, I pulled out my alcohol markers.