Non-fiction book review - Birds of Prey

 

Science Comics: Birds of Prey by Joe Flood

 I'm a big fan of birds in general and raptors in particular so this book was right up my alley. And it is packed with information. We learn about every aspect of the behavior and biology of birds of prey. Unlike some of the books in the Science Comics series, Flood doesn't force the information into an awkward plot. There is a loose framework of a narrator explaining these birds to a squirrel. Essentially, the science is allowed to stand on it's own. It can be a bit dense in information but the illustrations and mild humor keep the reader engaged. It's a volume you could read several times and gain new insights each time.

More information: Birds of Prey releases May 17 

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic novel Spotlight - Tin Man

 

Tin Man by Justin Madson

The Wizard of Oz is a story that lends itself surprisingly well to retellings as authors make different characters central or create different settings for the tale. Madson's take is a far cry from the original. There are certainly parallels in the characters but the main thrust of the story is vastly different. Tin Man presents us with a far more meandering, introspective story. It's a reflection on what it means to be alive, what drives us forward even after loss or when barriers seem insurmountable. It really tells it's own story, though, and could be appreciated even if you weren't familiar with the original story.  

 Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic novel spotlight - Agents of SLAM

 

Agents of S.L.A.M. by Dave Scheidt

Of all the sports, wrestling is probably the most suited to the graphic novel format. It's already more action than planning and strategizing. And Scheidt doesn't rely only on wrestling action. He's taken a wrestling team and made it a team of international secret agents. So there is travel, exotic locales, and political intrigue. The plot keeps moving constantly but leaves room for reflection and emotional depth. It's solidly entertaining and empowers the young protagonist to become a vital part of the novel's resolution. It will entertain young readers and hold up to repeat reading. 

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Flamingo update

 You can find these lawn flamingos at Dollar Tree. They're pretty solid on their own but they are also perfect for customization. 

I've repainted flamingos before and had some colorshift paint on hand that I planned to use. Something about this particular bird, though, begged for something different. I decided to give it a base coat of black and spatter paint it with some neon paint.

Book review - Does My Body Offend You?

 

Title: Does My Body Offend You?

Author: Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardt

Genre: realistic fiction

Similar books: Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

                     Go With the Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann

Rating:

 

a good amount of complexity

Summary (provided by publisher): Malena Rosario is starting to believe that catastrophes come in threes. First, Hurricane María destroyed her home, taking her unbreakable spirit with it. Second, she and her mother are now stuck in Florida, which is nothing like her beloved Puerto Rico. And third, when she goes to school bra-less after a bad sunburn and is humiliated by the school administration into covering up, she feels like she has no choice but to comply.
Ruby McAllister has a reputation as her school's outspoken feminist rebel. But back in Seattle, she lived under her sister’s shadow. Now her sister is teaching in underprivileged communities, and she’s in a Florida high school, unsure of what to do with her future, or if she’s even capable making a difference in the world. So when Ruby notices the new girl is being forced to cover up her chest, she is not willing to keep quiet about it.
Neither Malena nor Ruby expected to be the leaders of the school's dress code rebellion. But the girls will have to face their own insecurities, biases, and privileges, and the ups and downs in their newfound friendship, if they want to stand up for their ideals and––ultimately––for themselves.

My opinion: Even if this were just a story of girls going up against their school's dress code, this would be a solid read. Dress codes have become the symbol for teens making measurable change in their worlds and the ways that systems can be inherently biased. If it were a straightforward dress code protest it would be ultimately forgettable. Cuevas and Marquardt have really elevated this story, though. In taking us through the growth of a grassroots movement we explore many kinds of bias, how we have a hard time seeing issues that don't directly affect us. Even more than that, they take on white saviorism,the importance of letting an affected population drive their own change. While the ultimate conclusions are predictable, the nuance in the journey makes this worth reading.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Upcycle bag

 We've been doing a clean-up recently. As a part of that effort, we were sorting through some old picture books. I came across a copy of Big Bird's Red Book. The cover was torn off and the rest of the book wasn't in much better shape. While the book was destined for the bin, I rescued the cover.

I started by protecting the cover with contact paper. Once it was sealed, I cut a piece of cardboard the same size and covered that with red duct tape. Then I made sides out of black duct tape. A strap from a worn-out water bottle sleeve finishes it off and turns this into a nice little bag.

Book review - A Duet for Home

 

Title: A Duet for Home

Author: Karina Yan Glaser

Genre: realistic fiction

Similar books: Hold Fast by Blue Balliett

                      Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Rating:

 

a more complex picture of life in a shelter

Summary (provided by publisher): It's June’s first day at Huey House, and as if losing her home weren’t enough, she also can’t bring her cherished viola inside. Before the accident last year, her dad saved tip money for a year to buy her viola, and she’s not about to give it up now. Tyrell has been at Huey House for three years and gives June a glimpse of the good things about living there: friendship, hot meals, and a classical musician next door. Can he and June work together to oppose the government, or will families be forced out of Huey House before they are ready?

My opinion: There is a growing trend of books that explore the reality of life for unhoused families. We see the sense of shame and helplessness, the downward spiral and the struggle to regain any ground once it begins. The point of these books, of course, is to put a face on the unhoused, on people in shelters. I like that this one shows us a couple of families at different points in their journey. We have long term families and new arrivals. We see how all of the residents together form a sort of loose extended family. Sure they don' t always get along and often antagonize each other but they also look out for one another and work together when they can. Glaser also points out how policy is often focused entirely on statistics and budgets, forgetting about the personal and emotional toll to the people involved. Some of these elements were cut short but that makes sense given that this is intended for a middle grade audience. A solid read.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley