Book review - Jasmine Green Rescues a Piglet Called Truffle

Title: Jasmine Green Rescues a Piglet Called Truffle
Author: Helen Peters
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker by Shelley Johannes
                      Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet by Jaqueline Kelly
Rating:

hmmmm

Summary (provided by publisher): Meet Jasmine Green — an aspiring veterinarian who adores animals! Can her kindness and know-how save a piglet in trouble in this delightful series debut?
Jasmine Green loves animals. Her mother is a veterinarian. Her father is a farmer. And her brother and sister are . . . well, they’re mostly annoying. But being in the Green family means seeing and taking care of animals all the time. While helping her mom on a house call, Jasmine visits a new litter of piglets and discovers a forgotten runt hidden underneath its brothers and sisters. Poor little piglet. It is so tiny that it can’t even drink! Its owner refuses to rescue it. So it is up to Jasmine to save the pig . . . secretly. What will happen if anyone finds out? Author Helen Peters and illustrator Ellie Snowdon introduce the irresistible pair of clever, caring Jasmine and lovable Truffle, while capturing the beauty and bustle of a family farm. A kind of James Herriot for a new generation, this first book in the Jasmine Green series is for anyone who loves helping animals.

My opinion: There's a fair amount of factual information in this book. The reader learns about pigs, animal husbandry, the realities of farm living, and sanitation. A wealth of information relayed in a manner fairly natural to the plot. Jasmine's actions give me pause, though. She lies, steals, and manipulates and ends up with exactly what she wanted. Even after being told repeatedly that she could not have a pig. She is essentially  rewarded for this behavior. THe writing itself is a bit sterile, utterly lacking in flourishes or artistry.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

What am I reading today?

Meet Me at Midnight by Jessica Pennington

Total read in March thus far: 67

Radish man

Occasionally I'm struck by a random craft idea that won't leave me alone until I see it out. Sometimes that works out well, like when I made my K-9 shelf. Other times, it leads me to make a radish man out of the end of an old sock.

Not sure what else to say about that.
 

What am I reading today?

Crossing the Farak River by Michelle Aung Thin

Total read in March thus far: 65

What am I reading today?

Saltwater Secrets by Cindy Callaghan

Total read in March thus far: 60

What am I reading today?

Survival Tips by Clive Johnson

Total read in March thus far: 57

Book review - The Vinyl Underground

Title: The Vinyl Underground
Author: Rob Rufus
Genre: historical fiction
Similar books: Revolution by Deborah Wiles
                      Freedom's Just Another Word by Caroline Stellings
Rating:

more complex than it initially appears

Summary (provided by publisher): Dig it.
During the tumultuous year of 1968, four teens are drawn together: Ronnie Bingham, who is grieving his brother’s death in Vietnam; Milo, Ronnie’s bookish best friend; “Ramrod,” a star athlete who is secretly avoiding the draft; and Hana, the new girl, a half-Japanese badass rock-n-roller whose presence doesn’t sit well with their segregated high school.
The four outcasts find sanctuary in “The Vinyl Underground,” a record club where they spin music, joke, debate, and escape the stifling norms of their small southern town. But Ronnie’s eighteenth birthday is looming. Together, they hatch a plan to keep Ronnie from being drafted. But when a horrific act of racial-charged violence rocks the gang to their core, they decide it’s time for an epic act of rebellion.

My opinion: I'm definitely a fan of music as a metaphor for dealing with social change. It's use in a book set during the Vietnam War era is an obvious choice, with so much music of the time being protest music. The plot doesn't take big risks thematically. It talks about racism, anti-draft sentiments, and gender roles. It lays out a pretty simple good and bad dichotomy. If it stopped there it would be pretty forgettable. But Rufus allows for some gray area, points out the fallacy of most absolutes. There's this idea that no one has the right to make decisions on everyone's behalf. Ronnie engages in this big protest and then realizes that's he's hurt people. That while he was morally right he can't claim absolute right. While the general plot treads very familiar ground it takes some unique views. Most of the explorations are fairly simple and conflicts are perhaps too easily resolved, but I'm a fan of anything that opens up a discussion, that asks us to explore our opinions more deeply and this book certainly does that.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

What am I reading today?

We are Power by Todd Hasak-Lowy

Total read in March thus far: 55

Graphic novel spotlight - The Fox & the Tanuki

The Fox and Little Tanuki by Mi Tagawa

If you have any interest in Japanese folk tales, in magic and mythological beings, then this is the manga you're looking for. Largely a humorous tale, this book is also fully rooted in a complex mythology of spirits, yokai, and old gods. The fox is a spirit who is being punished for cruelty and self-centered behavior. He's presented as a villain but as in many Japanese stories he's not truly evil. He makes bad choices, may even have evil inclinations, but he remains redeemable. He can learn to consider the welfare of others, even while he continues to cause mischief. There's a lot of humor present, making it a lot of fun to read. And as is typical in manga, the art has a heavily cartoony style with a lot going on with facial expressions.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

What am I reading today?

The Green Children of Woolpit by J. Anderson Coats

Total read in March thus far: 54

Non-fiction book review - Bringing Back the Wolves

Bringing Back the Wolves by Jude Isabella

There is certainly no shortage of books about endangered animals or efforts to restore populations. This one stands out from the crowd because it gives us the whole picture. We see first how the wolf population was destroyed and the effect that had on the entire park. We see how losing a key species nearly destroyed the ecosystem. Then, with their reintroduction, Isabella walks us step by step through how the wolves affected various animals and plants. This book functions as a palpable object lesson in the food chain and keystone species. A very cool, very easily understood book.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

What am I reading today?

What I like About Me by Jenna Guillaume

Total read in March thus far: 52

Book review - Zatanna and the House of Secrets

Title: Zatanna and the House of Secrets
Author: Matthew Cody
Genre: fantasy graphic novel/superhero
Similar books: The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner
                      Haphaven by Norm Harper
Rating:

good fun

Summary (provided by publisher): Zatanna and her stage magician father live in a special house, the House of Secrets, which is full of magic, puzzles, mysterious doors, and storybook creatures--it's the house everyone in the neighborhood talks about but avoids.
At school one day, Zatanna stands up to a bully and everything changes--including her friends. Suddenly, Zatanna isn't so sure about her place in the world, and when she returns home to tell her father, he's gone missing, lost within their own home.
With thrilling twists from writer Matthew Cody and dazzling artwork by Yoshi Yoshitani, Zatanna and the House of Secrets will delight readers at the turn of every page--and the opening of every door!

My opinion: DC Comics does it again with this kid's book. Zatanna is not an especially well known character but she sure gets her due in this exploration. And there's no foreknowledge required to understand this plot. Cody introduces the characters and their world in an easily understood way. It's not an especially complex plot and there's certainly room to dig deeper into the relationship between Zatanna's family and the rest of the magical world. It's not a book that will lead the reader to a deep conversation but it's solidly entertaining.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

What am I reading today?

The Sasquatch and the Lumberjack Family by Crix Sheridan

Total read in March thus far: 49

Fitness band

I've been wearing a fitness band for over a year now. I love the convenience of it but it has one major downside: it has never fit correctly. I have narrow wrists and I've yet to find a wrist band narrow enough to achieve the snug fit you're supposed to have. Until now, I've allowed my too loose band to flop around on my arm. Recently, though, the band has started to come apart and the sides pop free and random times. While I'll probably replace it eventually, I needed something to keep the band usable for now. So I've improvised a pocket for it out of a scrap of t-shirt and a little plastic clip.

If you look closely, you can see one side of the band has broken in half. And I'm holding the remainder together with electrical tape.

Super stylish, right?

What am I reading today?

We are the Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian

Total read in March thus far: 49

What am I reading today?

The Not Bad Animals by Sophie Corrigan

Total read in March thus far: 44

What am I reading today?

Forever Glimmer Creek by Stacy Hackney

Total read in March thus far: 40

What am I reading today?

A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat

Total read in March thus far: 40

Spring!

Since it's officially spring and we all need a little cheering up, I made a quick embroidered decoration. I can't wait for the flowers and bees to make their return.

What am I reading today?

My Life as a Potato by Arianne Costner

Total read in March thus far: 39

Non fiction book review - Votes of Confidence

Votes of Confidence by Jeff Fleischer

I've never been much of a political person and my understanding of our government was pretty limited, informed as much by School House Rock as it was by actual school lessons. I'm prone to avoiding anything with a political slant. So for me to work my way through this book with any degree of interest or comprehension should be considered a feat and a measure of praise for the author. The first section lays out the basics of our system of government, it's history, and simple functions. This is the part we likely learn in school. It also points out nuance that is typically ignored in school, things that are actually just tradition rather than strict rules. The remainder focuses more on election rules - the different times and types of elections, voter rules, and the ways various groups attempt to manipulate voters and rules for their own ends. I highly recommend this one to any reader, teen or adult, who wants to better understand our political system.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

What am I reading today?

The Edge of Anything by Nora Shalaway Carpenter

Total read in March thus far:  38

Book review - The Queen Bee and Me

Title: The Queen Bee and Me
Author: Gillian McDunn
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Captain Superlative by J.S. Puller
                      If This Were a Story by Beth Turley
Rating:

a bit more complex than the standard

Summary (provided by publisher): Meg has always found comfort in her best friend Beatrix's shadow. Self-assured Beatrix is the one who makes decisions, and the girls have been a pair since kindergarten. But middle school has brought some changes in Beatrix, especially when Meg tries to step outside her role as sidekick.
A special science elective is Meg's first step away, but when she's paired with quirky new girl Hazel, Beatrix steps in to stake her claim on Meg. Meg is taken aback at how mean Beatrix can be--and how difficult it is to stand up to her friend. But as Meg gets to know Hazel while working on their backyard beehive project, she starts to wonder: Is being Beatrix's friend worth turning down the possibility of finding her own voice?
This pitch-perfect exploration of middle-school friendship dynamics brims with heart and hope, and will resonate with readers of all ages.

My opinion: We get a fair number of books about friendship trouble in the middle school years, especially between girls. McDunn takes a hard look at social dynamics among these girls. We see the manipulative "queen bee', the subservient friend who goes along and spreads gossip to appease the leader, and the outsider who lies to avoid things she doesn't want to talk about, who doesn't really know who to fit en even though she wants to. That's the difference with this book. The outsider wants friends but doesn't really know how to conform. She isn't Stargirl, a determined outsider, just a socially awkward kid. We see each girl learning to stand up for herself and the things she believes in. Each girl has lessons to learn, none of them completely villain or completely victim. It's socially complex and more reflective of real life than we typically see. A solid choice.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

What am I reading today?

Superluminous by Ian De Haes

Total read in March thus far: 35

Listen with me

I had some concerns going into Mortal Engines, primarily regarding genre. I was concerned that it would be hard to follow or maddeningly complex. Those concerns were quickly dismissed by the characters that fill this universe. While the plot wasn't especially innovative, I was blown away by these characters. There are no simple villains or heroes. The villains all have complex motivations and prove to have redeeming values. The heroes realize that they aren't always right, that even "good guys" can find themselves making decisions that hurt other people. I'm especially admiring of Hester. Seldom do we see female characters with heavy scars, driven solely by revenge. These are elements given almost exclusively to male characters.

As far as narration is concerned, Barnaby Edwards does distinct voices for major characters and lends emotional emphasis to the lines. He successfully blends into the story, so it becomes entirely about the plot and not at all about his voice.

If you have any fondness for sci-fi, especially books with a dystopian vibe, give this one a listen.

What am I reading today?

Silverworld by Diana Abu-Jaber

Total read in March thus far: 34

What am I reading today?

Alien Nate by Dave Whamond

Total read in March thus far: 29

What am I reading today?

Micah McKinney and the Boys of Summer by Nina Chapman

Total read in March thus far: 25

Book review - Pop Flies, Robo-Pets and Other Disasters

Title: Pop Flies, Robo-Pets, and Other Disasters
Author: Suzanne Kamata
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: A Talent for Trouble by Natasha Farrant
                      Skateboard Sibby by Clare O'Connor
Rating:

interesting

Summary (provided by publisher): Thirteen-year-old Satoshi Matsumoto spent the last three years living in Atlanta where he was the star of his middle-school baseball team—a slugger with pro potential, according to his coach. Now that his father's work in the US has come to an end, he's moved back to his hometown in rural Japan. Living abroad has changed him, and now his old friends in Japan are suspicious of his new foreign ways. Even worse, his childhood foe Shintaro, whose dad has ties to gangsters, is in his homeroom. After he joins his new school's baseball team, Satoshi has a chance to be a hero until he makes a major-league error.

My opinion: I like that this isn't your standard story of culture clash. This isn't a spoiled American kid learning about Japanese culture. This is a kid who lived in Japan, moved to the US for a while, and now has returned. He's a kid who doesn't fit in anywhere. He was out of place in the US but began to assimilate. So when the book begins and he is reintegrating his sense of coming home is disrupted by these changes he experienced. It takes that typical middle grade dilemma of trying to work out your place among your peers and ramps it up a couple of notches. I do feel like it leaves out some information, especially regarding the grandfather and the sister. There are elements related to Satoshi's feelings about them and their place in society that are hinted at but never really addressed. I would have liked to have seen more exploration of those issues instead of just his finding his place at school and on the baseball team.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

What am I reading today?

All the Pretty things by Emily Arsenault

Total read in March thus far: 25

Pick 6: super powers

Most kids have a fascination with superheroes. The promise of powers beyond our peers, unsurprisingly, captures the imagination. Here are six books published in the last six months that explore what it means to have super powers.

6 new superhero novels

1. Black Canary: Ignite by Meg Cabot
2. Captainz by Texier
3. Diana Princess of the Amazons by Shannon Hale
4. Drew and Jot Dueling Doodles by Art Baltazar
5.  Wonder Woman Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo
6. Green Lantern Legacy by Minh Lee

What am I reading today?

Jasmine Green Rescues a Piglet Called Truffle by Helen Peters

Total read in March thus far: 23

Non-fiction book review - Apollo 13

Apollo 13 by Laura B Edge

Like most people, I had a passing understanding of what had happened with the Apollo 13 mission due to references in other books about space exploration. This was the first text I'd read dedicated to the subject and it was enlightening. Edge takes us through an abridged history of the space program and how those previous missions influenced the approach and goals of Apollo 13. A fair portion is dedicated to the disaster itself and the complications it presented to the astronauts. The final portion of the book is focused on what we learned from the mission. Not only about what cause the explosion but about improvising solutions, having disaster plans, and the efficiency of the teams in Houston and aboard the craft itself in making calculations and running simulations. Its a fascinating, multi-faceted event well conveyed by this book.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

What am I reading today?

Sparrow by Mary Cecilia Jackson

Total read in March thus far: 22

Blog Tour book review - Don't Check Out This Book

Title: Don't Check Out This Book
Author: Kate Klise
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Operation Frog Effect by Sarah Lynn Scheeger
                      Friendship Over by Julie Sternberg
Rating:

easy to follow

Summary (provided by publisher): Is the sweet town of Appleton ripe for scandal?
Consider the facts:        
Appleton Elementary School has a new librarian named Rita B. Danjerous. (Say it fast.)       
Principal Noah Memree barely remembers hiring her.      
Ten-year-old Reid Durr is staying up way too late reading a book from Ms. Danjerous's controversial "green dot" collection.       
The new school board president has mandated a student dress code that includes white gloves and bow ties available only at her shop.  
Sound strange? Fret not. Appleton's fifth-grade sleuths are following the money, embracing the punny, and determined to the get to the funniest, most rotten core of their town's juiciest scandal. Don't miss this seedy saga!

My opinion: Censorship, especially in schools, is a popular topic for middle grade fiction these days. Interestingly, this book is just as much about corruption in local government as it is about censorship. It focuses a lot of attention on the school board president's abuse of her position for financial gain and to push her moral agenda. The pun based names and the novelty of the format are amusing. My biggest criticism of this book is that it casts adults as both the protagonist and antagonist. While it is the children who reveal the truth behind what is happening at their school, the librarian and school board president hold these key roles. I'd have preferred to see the kids in more prominent roles. Use this book to start a conversation with young readers about censorship, responsible leadership, and effective protests.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

What am I reading today?

Who Got Game? Baseball by Derrick Barnes

Total read in March thus far:20

He's a happy little tree

I bought some landscape prints at a thrift shop, intending to add monsters to them. Someone had pasted cheap floral prints to the back of them and I thought they might make for good practice paintings. And then I had no idea what to put on them.

Finally, this weekend inspiration struck. I added a baby Groot to this one.

 
 

What am I reading today?

The Vinyl Underground by Rob Rufus

Total read in March thus far: 16

What am I reading today?

How I Broke Up with My Colon by Nick Seluk


Total read in March thus far: 13

What am I reading today?

Trending by Kira Vermond

Total read in March thus far: 9

Book review - Wicked as You Wish

Title: Wicked as You Wish
Author: Rin Chupeco
Genre: fantasy
Similar books: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
                      A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah Maas
Rating:

an impressive feat

Summary (provided by publisher): Many years ago, the magical Kingdom of Avalon was left desolate and encased in ice when the evil Snow Queen waged war on the powerful country. Its former citizens are now refugees in a world mostly devoid of magic. Which is why the crown prince and his protectors are stuck in…Arizona.
Prince Alexei, the sole survivor of the Avalon royal family, is in hiding in a town so boring, magic doesn’t even work there. Few know his secret identity, but his friend Tala is one of them. Tala doesn’t mind—she has secrets of her own. Namely, that she’s a spellbreaker, someone who negates magic.
Then hope for their abandoned homeland reignites when a famous creature of legend, and Avalon’s most powerful weapon, the Firebird, appears for the first time in decades. Alex and Tala unite with a ragtag group of new friends to journey back to Avalon for a showdown that will change the world as they know it.

My opinion: The story of the Snow Queen has been increasingly explored in recent years, though is probably one of the more unique takes that I've read. It certainly includes an impressive number of classic tales into the world. Magic combining with technology along with racial and social issues. All of the magic has rules that must be followed; spells that exact costs with few exceptions (and those exceptions seem t o hint more of secrets to be revealed than of genuine rule breaking). There's a vast cast of characters, each with at least a small degree of complexity. It's almost too much, too big and complex. With curses and prophecies all over the place it's easy to lose track of the details. This is not a series to tackle when you're looking to relax, but rather when you have time to mull and absorb and consider.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley