Hairpins

 After making my bowtie hairpins, I was inspired to come up with another new design. I settled on these little balls of "yarn" made from narrow strips of t-shirt and little pieces of vintage ribbon.

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Our Fair Share by Sarah Marie Jette - Four kids, years long friends from their shared history at the fair, confront new challenges and face their secrets.

What did you recently finish reading?

A Fishboy Named Sashimi by Dan Santat - A fishboy tries to fit in at school while looking for other fishpeople like him.

What do you think you'll read next?

The Chismosas Only Book Club by Laekan Zea Kamp

Book review - Song of the Saltings

 

Title: Song of the Saltings

Author: Rachael King

Genre: fantasy

Age range: teen

Similar book: The Lamplighter by Crystal J Bell

Summary (provided by publisher): On the isolated island of Brack, the people live by an ancient bargain: every year, a sacrifice must be made to the Glimm, the creature that haunts the salt marshes. Once, it demanded children. Eight years ago, it should have taken Lotta. Instead, the monster spared her and claimed her pony, shattering tradition and anointing her both folk hero and object of suspicion.

Now sixteen, Lotta tends the Council’s sacrificial horses, keeping her distance from the islanders who whisper about her fate. But something is stirring. The island hums beneath her feet, and a song threads through her dreams. Is the Glimm calling Lotta back?

When she crosses paths with Moss—a boy once hidden from sacrifice—a daring bog rescue sparks a chain of events that forces them both to question the Council’s rule and the lore that binds their people. As crops and animals are blighted and uncanny weather plagues the community, Lotta and Moss must decide whether to obey the Council or risk everything to uncover the island’s deepest secrets.

Because on Brack, monsters come in many forms.

What I liked: King takes a concept that could be difficult to appreciate or engage with and makes it compelling. There's a fair amount of world building that flows naturally through the narrative rather than being dropped all in one glut of exposition.

What I didn't like: The writing here is rather dense, so it's a slow and almost plodding read. It takes a fair amount of dedication to read through this one and for some the payoff won't be satisfying enough to be worth the effort.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Never Leave Me Alone by Crissa-Jean Chappell - Birdie had a kindred spirit in Micah until he died in a stunt gone wrong and Birdie wants to know why he would have taken such a risk.

What did you recently finish reading?

Most Likely to Murder by Lish McBride - Rick and Martina are happy to fly under the radar at school until someone targets them in a vicious prank and people start to die.

What do you think you'll read next?

No Way Home by Joy Feldman

Non-fiction book review - Diamond Fever

 

Diamond Fever! by Steve Sheinkin

Sheinkin has made a name for himself in the historical space, presenting young readers with off-beat moments in history. This book is a solid entry into that field, telling the tale of a little known but important scam. As the story unspools, we learn important aspects of the people involved and societal elements that contributed to the success of the scam. With key points illustrated by comic strip pages the text is engaging and entertaining. This is a book that might resonate with fans of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non-fiction book review - Systematic Theology for Teens in 21 Days

 

Systematic Theology for Teens in 21 Days by KJ Sanders

This is no simple devotional. It doesn't take a short look at a problem and provide a simplistic reassurance. Instead this is a book that encourages deep thinking and introspection. Starting with the very idea of belief and moving through elements of Christian faith, each entry is short and easily read in around 15 minutes. But it encourages a lot of reflection. The illustrations given for concepts are relatable and at times profound. With language that is accessible without talking down, this is an excellent choice for a teen beginning to question religious systems who is open to real consideration of their own beliefs.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Listen with me

 

Styx and Stones by Gary D Schmidt and Ron Koertge

Styx and Stones is no Percy Jackson clone. Yes, it is deeply rooted in Greek mythology. But it is also firmly present in the modern world. As such the conflicts are largely relatable to modern audiences. We have bullies, grief, loneliness, trauma, and much more. With so many issues feeding into the plot none of it is explored in a great deal of depth but the result is still satisfying. As we often see in Schmidt's books, there is a strong emphasis on characters deciding what kind of person they want to be, choosing kindness and empathy and strong morals even when it is difficult. We see characters struggling with jealousy and finding a way out of misery. And instead of clear villains and heroes we find that each character is complex and relatable even if they aren't always likeable. Well narrated, this is an audio book that is compelling and easy to absorb. It's also a book that will likely improve with multiple readings as each reading allows us to pick up on new aspects.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley