Heads Up

I've signed up for a craft fair this coming weekend. As it's sort of last minute, I won't be posting this week. Expect to see me back on my normal posting schedule the first full week of June.

See you soon, friends

 

Pick 6: sports

While I’m not a fan of most things athletic myself, I must admit sports have great natural drama for stories. Competition reads well on the page and can provide other natural lessons on teamwork and fair play. Here are six sports themed books published in the last six months.

6 New Sports Stories

1. Sadia by Colleen Nelson
2. Love, Penelope by Joanne Rockling
3. Gracie Laroo by Marsha Qualey
4. Knockout by K.A. Holt
5. Peasprout Chen by Henry Lien
6. Boy Bites Bug by Rebecca Petruck

Book review - Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe

Title: Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe
Author: Preston Norton
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Grendel's Guide to Love and War by A.E. Kaplan
                      Losers Take All by David Klass
Rating:

So much to discuss

Summary (provided by publisher): Cliff Hubbard is a huge loser. Literally. His nickname at Happy Valley High School is Neanderthal because he's so enormous-6'6" and 250 pounds to be exact. He has nobody at school, and life in his trailer-park home has gone from bad to worse ever since his older brother's suicide.
There's no one Cliff hates more than the nauseatingly cool quarterback, Aaron Zimmerman. Then Aaron returns to school after a near-death experience with a bizarre claim: while he was unconscious he saw God, who gave him a list of things to do to make Happy Valley High suck less. And God said there's only one person who can help: Neanderthal.
To his own surprise, Cliff says he's in. As he and Aaron make their way through the List, which involves a vindictive English teacher, a mysterious computer hacker, a decidedly unchristian cult of Jesus Teens, the local drug dealers, and the meanest bully at HVHS, Cliff feels like he's part of something for the first time since losing his brother. But fixing a broken school isn't as simple as it seems, and just when Cliff thinks they've completed the List, he realizes their mission hits closer to home than he ever imagined.
Razor sharp, moving, and outrageously funny, Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe is an unforgettable story of finding your place in an imperfect world. 

My opinion: This is a book I'd love to discuss with a group. I want to talk about the mission, the goals and the vagueness of their language, the steps that Cliff and Aaron take. I want to discuss forms of awakening and dealing with grief, of brokenness , our portrayal and perception. THere's a great deal one can unpack from this relatively straightforward novel. While the plot is somewhat predictable and the characters are not terribly complex, it's very readable and has plenty one can consider.

More information: Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe releases June 5.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Woodland wooden spoons

To my mind, wooden spoons are among the most perfect craft supplies. Low cost and a great canvas for customization. These beasts will be featured at my next craft fair.
 

Book review - Anger is a Gift

Title: Anger is a Gift
Author: Mark Oshiro
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
                      The August 5 by Jenna Helland
Rating:

a lot to consider

Summary (provided by publisher): Moss Jeffries is many things—considerate student, devoted son, loyal friend and affectionate boyfriend, enthusiastic nerd.
But sometimes Moss still wishes he could be someone else—someone without panic attacks, someone whose father was still alive, someone who hadn’t become a rallying point for a community because of one horrible night.
And most of all, he wishes he didn’t feel so stuck.
Moss can’t even escape at school—he and his friends are subject to the lack of funds and crumbling infrastructure at West Oakland High, as well as constant intimidation by the resource officer stationed in their halls. That was even before the new regulations—it seems sometimes that the students are treated more like criminals.
Something will have to change—but who will listen to a group of teens?
When tensions hit a fever pitch and tragedy strikes again, Moss must face a difficult choice: give in to fear and hate or realize that anger can actually be a gift.

My opinion: My first reaction to this book was that it was unrealistic. The range of events, and especially the quick escalation, didn't ring true to me. When reading this book it's really important to set aside your own experience, your privilege, and acknowledge that you can't really know another person's reality. This narrative shines a light on what life is like for teens of color, harassed by police and attending vastly underfunded schools. We see the growing realization that neighborhood affects your experience, that until you've lived a person's reality you can't speak to their protest. While the narrative is not without problems, not without that pervasive sense of unreality, the issues it raises make it worth reading and discussing.
More information: Anger is a Gift releases May 22.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non fiction book review - Walking in the City With Jane

Walking in the City with Jane by Susan Hughes

I have to admit, prior to this book I had not heard of Jane Jacobs. I find her platform fascinating, though: cities are for people, not companies. I enjoyed learning about her efforts to make cities more pedestrian friendly. The journey was intriguing. I might have liked to have seen more detail about her platform, though. The focus is largely on events in her life. I'd have liked to see some detail of what people-centric city planning looks like: green spaces, public transport, pedestrian lanes, etc.  
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - A Possibility of Whales

Title: A Possibility of Whales
Author: Karen Rivers
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Isabella for Real by Margie Palatini
                      Krista Kim-Bap by Angela Ahn
Rating:

doesn't live up to possibility

Summary (provided by publisher): The story of a girl who—thanks to her friends, her famous dad, and a chance encounter with a whale—learns the true meaning of family.
Twelve-year-old Natalia Rose Baleine Gallagher loves possibilities: the possibility that she’ll see whales on the beach near her new home, that the boy she just met will be her new best friend, that the photographers chasing her actor father won’t force Nat and her dad to move again. Most of all, Nat dreams of the possibility that her faraway mother misses and loves Nat—and is waiting for Nat to find her.
The thing is, Nat doesn’t even know who her mother is. She left Nat as a baby, and Nat’s dad refuses to talk about it. Nat knows she shouldn’t need a mom, but she still feels like something is missing.
In this heartfelt story about family, friendship, and growing up, Nat’s questions lead her on a journey of self-discovery that will change her life forever.

My opinion: The narrative is somewhat scattered. This lack of cohesion means that it can be hard to pin down what we're meant to take away from the plot. While there are a number of interesting events and elements nothing takes center stage. We see the pressures of fame, changing friendships and puberty, and the importance of identity. It's just never presented in a cohesive package. And the finals scenes are almost entirely divorced from reality.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Bird cards

I recently signed up for a summer craft fair. Given that most of my inventory is more Christmas themed, I find I need to add some new items. Given the success of the winter cards at my last craft fair, I thought I'd make some new nature-themed cards for this one.

 

Graphic novel spotlight - Cucumber Quest

Cucumber Quest series by Gigi D.G.

Let's get something clear from the start: Cucumber Quest is a rather odd concept for a series and it's a bit slow to start. Most of the first volume is taken up with introducing characters and setting up the way the world works. As such, it doesn't have much plot on it's own. This makes for something of a slow and head-scratching read. Book 2 builds on the ideas introduced in the first, adding complexity to both plot and characters. Book 3, The Melody Kingdom, is where it really finds its feet. By book 3 the weirdness of the world has become the norm and the focus has turned to the complexity of the adventure, of fated conflicts and systemic troubles. While this series is not for everyone, the adventurous reader will appreciate the creativity of this idea.

Books 1 and 2 are available now. Book 3 releases May 29 and book 4 releases October 9.
Advanced Reader Copies provided by NetGalley.

Book review - Captain Superlative

Title: Captain Superlative
Author: J.S. Puller
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Sidetracked by Diana Harmon Asher
                      Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Rating:

a solidly inspiring tale of real life heroes

Summary (provided by publisher): "Have no fear, citizens! Captain Superlative is here to make all troubles disappear!"
Red mask, blue wig, silver swimsuit, rubber gloves, torn tights, high top sneakers and . . . a cape? Who would run through the halls of Deerwood Park Middle School dressed like this? And why?
Janey-quick to stay in the shadows-can't resist the urge to uncover the truth behind the mask. The answer pulls invisible Janey into the spotlight and leads her to an unexpected friendship with a superhero like no other. Fearless even in the face of school bully extraordinaire, Dagmar Hagen, no good deed is too small for the incomparable Captain Superlative and her new sidekick, Janey.
But superheroes hold secrets and Captain Superlative is no exception. When Janey unearths what's truly at stake, she's forced to face her own dark secrets and discover what it truly means to be a hero . . . and a friend.
Debut author J.S. Puller delivers an inspirational story full of heart, humor, and breathtaking revelations.

My opinion: I went into this book somewhat dismissive. How quickly I was corrected. It's funny because I can point to specific elements that would normally annoy me: making excuses for bullies, ill children living freely, the bullied kids coming together to defy the bully. I would normally be rolling my eyes at such moments. Instead I enjoyed most of it, because it's so much more. It's an exploration of putting kindness into the world even when it has been treating you unfairly. It's determining your legacy. It's being fearlessly weird. It's pain and joy. Dynamic, appealing characters in a halfway believable plot.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Squirrel Girl

Free Comic Book day has been on my mind lately. In preparation for the event, I made a Squirrel Girl peg doll to add to my collection of superhero pegs.

And then, when I had an opportunity to have an artist draw a character for me at FCBD, I got another Squirrel Girl.

Did you attend any FCBD events?

May the Fourth be with you!

I sort of inadvertently created a tradition for myself two years ago when I drew young version of a Wookie for Star Wars day. Last year I added Admiral Ackbar. This year, after a couple of false starts, I went with Greedo.

Happy Star Wars Day, my friends.