Book review - It's Up to Charlie Hardin

Title: It's Up to Charlie Hardin
Author: Dean Ing
Genre: historical fiction
Similar books: The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald
                     Soup by Robert Newton Peck
Rating:

Charming

Summary: When Charlie and his pals get together it always seems to end in trouble. Whether they're playing war, scraping together money for a movie, exploring the forbidden culvert, or any number of other schemes, Jackie, Roy, and especially Aaron know that sometimes it's up to Charlie Hardin to get things done.

My opinion: Charlie's Austin Texas is delightfully described from the perspective of a young boy. Instead of the majesty of night skies and chirping birds we get trees that are perfectly positioned to serve as a pathway over away, pipes that echo with what might just be a ghost cat, and both the grossness and the promise of a pond. Styled after Tom Sawyer, It's Up to Charlie Hardin carries the same sort of tone and atmosphere. While that makes for a rather charming read, that slower pacing and the length may make it something of a hard sell for the average young reader.

More information: It's Up to Charlie Hardin releases February 3rd.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Picture books for everyone

A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea by Michael Ian Black

This book is filled with a sort of dry wit. I chuckle my way through it with every read. The concept is, of course, absurd but the narration takes on a faux-serious tone that just adds to the hilarity. Michael Ian Black is a master of using a few words to evoke a strong, ridiculous, image. Like pigs wearing majorette uniforms. You read that and you can't help but laugh at the mental image that results. And illustrator Kevin Hawkes provides excellent illustrations. Children and parents alike will enjoy the extremes of this picture book.

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?
Dinosaur Boy by Cory Oakes
Years ago, Sawyer's grandfather was infected with a virus containing dinosaur DNA. As a result, Grandpa became part stegosaurus. The summer before fifth grade, Sawyer sprouted a tail and spikes too. Being a fifth grader is hard enough. Being part dinosaur is bound to make him stick out, and not in a good way. When the kids that bully him start to disappear, it's up to Sawyer and the few friends he has left to figure out what is going on.

I've never read a concept like this one so I'm really looking forward to seeing how it plays out in the novel.

What did you recently finish reading?
Stinky Cecil in Operation Pond Rescue by Paige Braddock
Cecil and his friends are pretty happy with their simple lives. They have splash contests in the pond and visit with Jeff the free-range hamster. Their only worry, usually, is the local hawk who'd like to eat most of them. Things just got more complicated, though. The humans are building a highway that will go right through their pond. Can Cecil and his friends find a way to stop the highway?

This was a really cute graphic novel. It is simple enough to appeal to young readers.

What do you think you will read next?
Soulprint by Megan Miranda
A sci-fi thriller about souls and secrets, this one has a lot of promise.

Book Review - How (Not) to Fall in Love

Title: How (Not) to Fall in Love
Author: Lisa Brown Roberts
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan
                     The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle
Rating:

Better than I expected

Summary: Darcy has always lived a charmed life. Her father is a successful motivational speaker. Until he isn't. When his business falls apart, Darcy's father hits the road leaving his family to deal with the aftermath. Darcy needs some place to escape from the constant stress of her changed status among her friends and her mother's new drinking habit. Her uncle's thrift store may just be that place.

My Opinion: I am chagrined. I really thought that this was going to be your standard "rich kid turns poor and learns how to truly live" type story. I should not have judged it prematurely. Don't get me wrong. That element is certainly present. There is just a lot more going on too. There are issues of self-reliance, forgiveness, mental illness, and much more. There is so much more to this book than just falling in love with a "good guy." I could imagine giving this book even to teens who aren't fans of love stories.

More Information: How (Not) to Fall in Love releases February 3rd.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Assorted clay projects

There are always a handful of really small projects I end up making that don't seem to be enough to make up a post. Here are a few things I've made in the last couple of months, all out of polymer clay.

The Wizard of Oz ruby slippers bookmark
I've seen versions of this bookmark online, usually with a wire base. I find wire to be too thick, possibly enough to damage a book, so I used ribbon instead. 

Hobbit feet bookmark
This bookmark is made much like the other. I do enjoy the little toes and hair on this one.

 

Sting key chain
This little sword key chain is based on Frodo Baggins' sword, Sting. You can't tell from this photo but the blade is made from glow-in-the dark clay.

Puppets!

Yesterday was our monthly puppet class. As part of our ongoing effort to use mostly everyday materials (making every puppet easy replicated at home) we used paper cups as a puppet base. These are some of the puppets that the kids made.

This dude has a spectacular mustache.

This puppet maker said, "I was going for a sort of demented jester look."

Baby Abraham Lincoln, complete with beard and pacifier.

A pair of pirates

 

Book review - The Truth About Twinkie Pie

Title: The Truth About Twinkie Pie
Author: Kat Yeh
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
                     Steering Toward Normal by Rebecca Petruck
Rating:

Lovely. Simply lovely.

Summary: Her entire life, Gigi has been focused on studying instead of making friends. It's the plan laid out for her by her big sister Didi, her only living relative. Didi wants her to succeed, instead of having to be a hairdresser like Didi and their mother. Now that she's at a new school, though, Gigi wants to reinvent herself. She wants friends and fun instead of just achievement. She doesn't anticipate the conflict this will cause with Didi. Or the family secrets it will reveal.

My Opinion: It's hard to believe this is Yeh's first novel. So many positives. The characters, especially Didi and Gigi are so realistic: nuanced, flawed, and having distinctive voices. Even secondary and tertiary characters have depth and growth. The setting is wonderful as well. Yeh really provides a sense of place, perfectly described with little details like the creaking step and the overly perfect store fronts without bogging us down with description, so each reader can imagine the town for himself, making it his own. It's introspective without becoming 300 pages of navel-gazing. Then there's the recipes. These fantastic recipes for "real people" foods written in a friendly, conversational voice. Plus Gigi and Didi's story really takes us through an emotional wringer. Fabulous.

More information: The Truth About Twinkie Pie releases January 24th. 
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Books on screen

The Rescuers

To be quite blunt, this movie has very little in common with the book of the same name. Disney even acknowledges this. The exact wording in the opening credits is “Suggested by 'The Rescuers' and 'Miss Bianca' by Margery Sharp”. A little research reveals that the movie takes most of its plot from the sequel to The Rescuers, Miss Bianca (a book which I was not able to find). The book The Rescuers introduces us to the characters of Bernard and Miss Bianca and their work with the Prisoner’s Aid Society, sending them on a mission with a Norwegian mouse named Nils to rescue a prisoner from a foul dungeon. Disney’s film version slightly alters the characters (making Bernard an oafish and superstitious janitor rather than a gruff yet brave pantry mouse) and of course sets the tale in the United States rather than Europe, though I’m given to understand that many of the aspects of the plot remain, at heart, the same as the base plot of Miss Bianca. Basically, don’t expect any real crossover between the Rescuers novel and the movie. (And for my money, skip this first movie in favor of The Rescuers Down Under, my personal favorite)

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?
How (Not) to Fall in Love by Lisa Brown Roberts
Darcy has always lived a charmed life. Her father is a successful motivational speaker. Until he isn't. When his business falls apart, Darcy's father hits the road leaving his family to deal with the aftermath. Darcy needs some place to escape from the constant stress of her changed status among her friends and her mother's new drinking habit. Her uncle's thrift store may just be that place.
While it seems like this plot might be incredibly predictable, what I've read so far has a certain charm. 

What did you recently finish reading?
The Truth About Twinkie Pie by Kat Yeh
Her entire life, Gigi has been focused on studying instead of making friends. It's the plan laid out for her by her big sister Didi, her only living relative. Didi wants her to succeed, instead of having to be a hairdresser like Didi and their mother. Now that she's at a new school, though, Gigi wants to reinvent herself. She wants friends and fun instead of just achievement. She doesn't anticipate the conflict this will cause with Didi. Or the family secrets it will reveal.
This was an absolutely charming, wonderful story. Heartbreaking at times but gentle enough for youngish readers. Join me on Friday for my full review.

What do you think you will read next?
It's Up to Charlie Hardin by Dean Ing
This story of the adventures of a boy in his Texas town during WWII could be a blast. 

also

The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun David Hutchinson
I've been looking forward to this book for months now and my library just got a print copy in. I can't wait to start in on it.

Book review - Tear You Apart

Title: Tear You Apart
Author: Sarah Cross
Genre: fantasy
Similar books: Troll Bridge by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple
                     A Grimm Legacy by Janna Jennings
Rating:

frustrating

Summary: For years, Viv has known that she has a Snow White curse, that some day her stepmother will send a huntsman to kill her. She always expected that her best friend-turned-boy friend Henley would be there to protect her. No one expected that Henley would turn out to be the huntsman. When Prince Jasper, one of the princes of the Underworld, offers her a way out, Viv must decide if being around Henley is worth the risk.

My Opinion: There are some things I really like about this book: the idea of the fairy tale curses, the general rejection of the fated ending, and the blending of the fairy tales into a single world. It had all of the elements that I was looking for, which made the negatives that much more disappointing. Vivian is an incredibly selfish character. All of her concerns are about herself. When Henley is in danger, Vivian is worried because of how it will affect her. When she learns that Regina has been belittled and emotionally abused her entire life, she can't even raise a little sympathy. She's too angry at Regina to feel bad. Henley isn't really any better. He's terribly possessive, doing massive amounts of property damage if Vivian flirts with or pays attention to another guy, even when they are "broken up." Theirs is a textbook example of an unhealthy relationship. It's literally all the behaviors we warn young people to look out for. Take this line from a big "romantic" scene: "I don't want you to be happy if it means you're happy with someone else." Terrible, selfish, terrifying love. So, even though there were many things that I liked about this book, that relationship prevents me from giving it my endorsement.

More information: Tear You Apart releases January 27.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Small animals

While exploring ideas for Christmas presents to make, I came across the book Sewing Tiny Toys which has instructions for making small stuffed animals. While the animals in the book are made out of fleece or velvet, I figured they would translate well into felt. I picked out these two as being common animals in the world of Redwall, thus being well suited to my niece.

Mole

Otter

Teddy Bear Picnic!

For several years now my library has hosted and annual Teddy Bear Picnic. As they enter, kids make a craft and find a place to sit on the floor. After everyone has a chance to eat their lunch we read a story. Then we play The Teddy Bear Picnic song and have a chance to dance with our special guest, a volunteer dressed up in a teddy bear costume (thanks Zeke!). Many of the kids like to have their photo taken with the bear. After that, all that's left is a special snack. 

Bears have a snowball fight.

 

Our bear mask craft - photo by Nicholas Navarre

photo by Nicholas Navarre

Story time! - photo by Nicholas Navarre

Dancing with the bear - photo by Nicholas Navarre

Photo by Nicholas Navarre

Photo by Nicholas Navarre

Enjoying cupcakes - photo by Nicholas Navarre

Book review - Since You've Been Gone

Title: Since You've Been Gone
Author: Mary Jennifer Payne
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Throwaway Girl by Kristine Scarrow
                     15 Days Without a Head by Dave Cousins
Rating:

fails to connect

Summary: Edie and her mother have been on the run for years, moving at a moment's notice. This is their most drastic move yet: from Canada to London. Edie tries to make the best of things but it isn't easy when she doesn't fit in at her new school. Bullies take a back seat, though, when her mother fails to come home from her night shift. Edie fears the past has caught up with them at last.

My opinion: From a strictly plot perspective, this is a pretty solid book. Events follow a decent level of logic and order. As characters, Edie and Jermaine could use a little more fleshing out. They have only minimal definition and very little emotional depth. A book like this, about a girl's desperate search for her missing mother, should really connect with the reader on an emotional level. We should feel Edie's fear, loneliness, and desperation vicerally. This book simply doesn't do that. Edie's search is almost meandering and haphazard. The lack of engagement makes this something of a disappointment.

More information: Since You've Been Gone releases January 24th.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Graphic Novel Spotlight: Fairy Tale Comics

Fairy Tale Comics edited by Chris Duffy

This collection gathers 17 fairy tales retold and illustrated by 18 cartoonists. Both well known and more obscure tales are recounted. Selections include: The Magic Porridge Pot, 12 Dancing Princesses, Hansel and Gretel, Puss in Boots, Little Red Riding Hood, The Prince and the Tortoise, Snow White, The Boy Who Drew Cats, Rumpelstiltskin, Brer Rabbit, Rapunzel, The Small Tooth Dog, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Baba Yaga, The Bremen Town Musicians, Give Me the Shudders, and The King and His Storyteller. There are a variety of artistic styles so there really is something for everyone in this book.

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?
Tear You Apart by Sarah Cross
For years, Viv has known that she has a Snow White curse, that some day her stepmother will send a huntsman to kill her. She always expected that her best friend-turned-boy friend Henley would be there to protect her. No one expected that Henley would turn out to be the huntsman. When Prince Jasper, one of the princes of the Underworld, offers her a way out, Viv must decide if being around Henley is worth the risk.
I love pretty much any fairy tale retelling. While this isn't my favorite so far it has plenty of time left to turn out amazing.
 
What did you recently finish reading?
The Other Side of the Wall by Simon Schwartz
When Simon Schwartz was born in 1982, his parents lived in East Germany. Having applied to emigrate to the west, life was not easy for the Schwartz family. They lived under a constant cloud of suspicion and disapproval and struggled to find work. This short graphic memoir recounts the years leading up to their decision to leave and the three years they were detained in the East.
While this memoir lacks the emotional impact of Maus or Persepolis, Schwartz relates a pretty interesting period in his family's life. This might be a nice supplement to a history unit.

What do you think you will read next?
The Zodiac Legacy: Convergence by Stan Lee, Stuart Moore, and Andie Tong
A book about superpowers from Stan Lee? Yes please!

Book review - When

Title: When
Author: Victoria Laurie
Genre: mystery
Similar books: Numbers by Rachel Ward
                     Vision by Lisa Amowitz
Rating:

A pretty solid read

Summary: For as long as she can remember, Maddie has seen the numbers: a date that hovers over each person's forehead. The date of their death. In an effort to save a boy, she tells his mother of his approaching deathdate. When Tevon vanishes that same day, all eyes are on Maddie.

My Opinion: For the most part, this is a pretty entertaining book. Maddie, at least, is a relatively rounded character. The plot resolution does come as something of a surprise. In fact, I'd have liked a little more foreshadowing for the killer's identity. There were plenty of suspects but no real direction. Some of the evidence and "cop talk" was a little stiff, clinical, or just plain hard to believe. Still, a nice level of tension kept the pacing at a near ideal level.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Another Puppet

This fall I posted a puppet I had made with my nephew (it's here if you missed it). At the time that we made Burt the Cow, we talked about possibilities for Burt’s goat assistant Fred. We wanted his eyebrows to be the only part of him that moved. So, here he is. Fred, the detective assistant. As planned, his brows quirk up and relax back down. Fred is made out of craft foam (for flexibility and resilience), fuzzy fleece, pipe cleaners, and some small black decorative bits. His eyebrow mechanism is made from floral wire and a piece of a broken plastic hanger.

 

Book review - Rat Runners

Title: Rat Runners
Author: Oisin McGann
Genre: dystopia/sci-fi
Similar books: Data Runner by Sam Patel
                     The Walled City by Ryan Graudin
Rating:

Pretty captivating

Summary: Scope, Manikin, Nimmo, and FX have been given a task that should be simple for thieves like themselves - collect a black leather box belonging to a murdered scientist. It's not so simple when the streets are patrolled by agents with x-ray vision and several different groups are after the box. It will take all their skills, wits, and a lot of luck to complete their mission and escape alive.

My Opinion: This book has a great undercurrent of tension through the bulk of the plot. The action is pretty much non-stop. I did feel like the end was somewhat abrupt and we don't particularly connect with the story on an emotional level. It is a great source of entertainment, if not particularly deep or thought-provoking.
More Information: Rat Runners releases January 13th.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Pick 6 - comedies

Who doesn’t love a good laugh? Especially in winter with the weather kind of dreary. Here are 6 funny books published in the last 6 months, covering everything from beginning chapter books to teen novels.

6 new comedies
1. Frank Einstein and the Anti-Matter Motor by Jon Scieszka
2. LEGO Star Wars: Yoda’s Secret Missions by Ace Landers
3. The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents MacBeth by Ian Lendler
4. Playing with Matches by Suri Rosen
5. King Dork Approximately by Frank Portman
6. Hissy Fitz by Patrick Jennings

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?
When by Victoria Laurie
For as long as she can remember, Maddie has seen the numbers: a date that hovers over each person's forehead. The date of their death. In an effort to save a boy, she tells his mother of his approaching deathdate. When Tevon vanishes that same day, all eyes are on Maddie.
This isn’t the first novel I’ve read based on this same idea but what I’ve read so far holds a lot of promise.

What did you recently finish reading?
Rat Runners by Oisin McGann
Scope, Manikin, Nimmo, and FX have been given a task that should be simple for thieves like themselves - collect a black leather box belonging to a murdered scientist. It's not so simple when the streets are patrolled by agents with x-ray vision and several different groups are after the box. It will take all their skills, wits, and a lot of luck to complete their mission and escape alive.
Pretty much nonstop action, this one will keep you turning pages right up to the end.

What do you think you will read next?
Inked by Eric Smith
A tale of magic, fate, and rebellion. This one has potential.

Book review - The Ghosts of Heaven

Title: The Ghosts of Heaven
Author: Marcus Sedgwick
Genre: hard to define
Similar books: She is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick
                     Relativity by Cristin Bishara
Rating:

Can't say I loved it, can't say I hated it

Summary:  In four loosely linked stories, Sedgwick explores creation, betrayal, ambition, madness, obsession, grief, hope, and more. Journey though time with a young cave dweller, a girl accused of witchcraft in the wake of her mother’s death, a young doctor and the poet he is trying to help, and a space explorer carrying the hope of all mankind.
 
My opinion: When I recommended Sedgwick’s She is not Invisible, I heard complaints that it focused too much on math theory. While theoretical math plays a less direct role in the plot of this novel, spirals and their role in life are the center of the whole novel. The last two stories in particular take an in depth look at spirals and theoretical science. It’s not a particularly difficult book to read, though I personally found the last story rather trying. And it was interesting to read about the different time periods, especially when Sedgwick would include little nods to the previous stories. It’s just going to be a hard sell for most readers.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

As you wish

My sister is a big fan of The Princess Bride. So, this year for Christmas I  painted some her some peg dolls based on the main characters. I used basic acrylic paint and a seal coat of Mod Podge. 

My Batman Face

When we held our Batman program this fall, I was repeatedly asked why I chose to dress as the Joker rather than Batman himself. The answer is actually twofold. 1. I wanted to wear the purple blazer again so I could justify having purchased it. 2. This picture right here:

I'd already done a Batman costume for Halloween two years ago. It's a fun costume but I wanted to try something new this year.

Book review - Gone Too Far

Title: Gone Too Far
Author: Natalie D. Richards
Genre: realistic fiction/thriller
Similar books: Undone by Cat Clarke
                     Made of Stars by Kelley York
Rating:

A pretty solid, engrossing read

Summary: Ever since she was harassed in middle school, Piper hasn't thought much of the popular kids in her school. Even so, she feels terrible when she hears Stella, one of the most popular girls, being torn down after a sex tape goes viral. She feels even worse when Stella dies, potentially a suicide. She's at a loss for what to do until she receives an anonymous text. Someone wants to punish the guilty. All Piper has to do is send a name.

My Opinion: For the most part, the plot of this novel isn't particularly surprising. Guilt drives Piper to participate in some revenge. The fact that she is only observing, rather than perpetrating, said revenge allows her to justify her participation. Given that Piper is meant to be an intelligent, compassionate person (she's thinking of joining the Peace Corps) you'd think it wouldn't take so long to consider the full ramifications of what she's become involved in, especially as it was an act of public humiliation that inspired her involvement in the first place. That was probably my biggest problem with the book. Overall, though, it raises some important issues and is well worth a read.

More Information: Gone Too Far releases January 6.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Looking ahead

Originally I had intended to write a list of book/blog resolutions today but all of my attempts ended in just a few lines. I think I’ve concluded that I’m not really a resolution sort of person. Instead, I’ve looked ahead at some book news. Here are 10 books I’m looking forward too in the coming year.

10. Jack by Leisl Shurtliff publishing 4/14
    I read pretty much anything fairytale based. Somehow I’ve missed Shurtliff up to this point. This might be a good place to start.
9. Rutabaga the Adventure Chef by Eric Colossal publishing 3/24
    Sounds like a pretty funny concept for a graphic novel.
8. Because You’ll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas publishing 6/2
    A story of two friends who've never met. The complications sound like they could be really cool. Or really weird.
7. Black Dove White Raven by Elizabeth Wein publishing 3/31
    Wein is another author I’ve somehow missed so far. This one sounds right up my alley.
6. Painless by S. A. Harazin publishing 3/1
    I don't know. Medical issues are just fascinating to me, especially when paired with the process of discovering yourself and traveling towards adulthood.
5. Watch the Sky by Kirsten Hubbard publishing 4/7
    I'm also fascinated by controlling cults and attempts to escape them, which is the focus of this upcoming novel.
4. The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun David Hutchinson publishing 1/20
    A story of grief, this one sounds heartbreaking.
3. Dr. Critchlore’s School for Minions by Sheila Grau publishing 3/17
    We get books about training to be a hero and books about training to be a villain. Minions almost never get the focus. So this book could be a great deal of fun.
2. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson publishing 5/19
    I read this one when it was a web comic. It’s a great story and I was thrilled when I found out it was coming to print. Plus, Stevenson promises bonus content in the print edition.

And most excitingly

1. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell publishing 10/6
When I read the news about this one I literally flailed and started shouting “I don’t believe it.” And I might have slapped the sofa cushion. And maybe my sister, with whom I live, stared at me. When I read Fangirl I found myself very anxious to find out what was going to happen to Simon and Baz. Not knowing was one of my few disappointments at the end of the book. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS BOOK!