Non fiction book review - Operation Cupcake

 

Operation Cupcake by Bambi Edlund

This book is a fun object lesson in the functions of simple machines. We learn about the mechanics of each type of machine and how they make work easier. Edlund also goes beyond the very basics, showing how modifications allow us to do more complicated work. There is a simple plot with a two-fold payout: first the mice get their cupcake and then there is a humorous reveal as the humans discover the fallout of the titular operation. The text is well supported by cartoon illustrations. This is a great way to supplement your kid's science lesson.

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Books on screen - Nimona

 

Nimona by ND Stevenson

I haven't done one of these in a while but I finally watched Nimona this weekend and we have to talk about it. Because here's the thing: I love Nimona. I read it as a webcomic. When it was released as a print book I badgered my manager until she promised me we would buy a copy for the library. And when it was first announced that there was going to be a movie I was immediately ecstatic, immediately followed by apprehensive. I love the book so much that I was terrified that the movie would ruin it. That's why it took me four months to actually watch the thing.

Let's start by admitting that the movie makes some big changes. I could make a post much longer than this one pointing out all of the differences in characters, plot elements, even messaging between the book and the movie. But that's not why I wanted to talk about it today. I will very quickly say that I still like the book better. I think the humor is sharper and Ballister is a stronger character in the original form. There is one thing the movie does better, though: it asks better questions. When you read the book you can tell it started life as a web comic. It meanders around, making nonsense jokes and cackling at its own cleverness before it finds focus and tells a coherent story. The movie cuts all of that extraneous information (no matter how much I love it) and focuses the conflict. Most importantly instead of just being about a corrupt system it asks two important questions: once you've been judged is it possible to change perceptions; and why does society vilify things just for being different. The central emotion, then, isn't righteous indignation but weary desperation which lends the movie a maturity that the book lacks, even as it has been modified to be appropriate for a younger audience. It makes this a rare case where both forms are worth consuming though for entirely different reasons.

Book review - Swarm

 

Title: Swarm

Author: Jennifer D. Lyle

Genre: horror/survival

Similar books: The Rain by Virginia Bergin

                      How We Became Wicked by Alexander Yates

Rating:

 

surprisingly reflective

Summary (provided by publisher): On a sunny September morning, the creatures first appear. Shur sees one of them hovering outside the window in history class: it looks like a giant butterfly, at first too beautiful and strange to seem like a threat. But when emergency alerts light up everyone's phones around her, she realizes something very, very wrong is happening outside. These… things are everywhere.
By the time Shur makes it back to her house with her brother, Keene, and their two best friends, it's clear they must face whatever comes next on their own. A terrifying species the world's never seen before has suddenly emerged, and few living things are safe. As the creatures swarm and attack outside, life for Shur and her friends becomes a survival game. They board the windows, stockpile supplies, and try to make sense of the news reports for as long as the power stays on.
Yet nothing can prepare them for what follows. The butterflies are only the beginning. The next onslaught will be deadlier, and even closer to home.

My opinion: It sounds like a pretty ridiculous concept for a book, monstrous butterflies attacking people. And if it had put more focus on attacks by the creatures it would likely have been laughable. But Lyle is smarter than that. There are a few attack scenes but they are brief and intense. The bulk of the book is about dealing with the fallout of the scenario. It's a group of teens trying to figure out survival on their own, especially when they are responsible for a small child. It's characters reflecting on who they are at their core, what things matter to them, and what sacrifices they are willing to make. As a result it's not an especially thrilling or intense book but it introduces ideas worth considering and discussing.

More information: Swarm releases November 7

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Book review - With or Without You

 

Title: With or Without You

Author: Eric Smith

Genre: realistic fiction

Similar books: If it Makes You Happy by Claire Kann

                      Donuts and Other Proclamations of Love by Jared Reck

Rating:

 

a cute take on a standard dynamic

Summary (provided by publisher): All’s fair in love and (food truck) war.
Everyone knows Jordan Plazas and Cindy Ortiz hate each other.
According to many viral videos of their public shouting matches, the Plazas and Ortiz families have a well-known food truck rivalry. Jordan and Cindy have spent all of high school making cheesesteaks and slinging insults at each other across their shared Philadelphia street.
But the truth? They’re in love, and it’s all just an act for the tourists.
When the fake feud lands them a reality tv show pilot, Jordan and Cindy find themselves having to lie on a much bigger scale. Trapped between pursuing their dreams or their love, can they find a way to have their cheesesteak and eat it too?

My opinion: We've all read the star-crossed lovers plot. This is especially common in teen fiction when cooking and restaurants are involved. This book looks at that plot from a new angle, giving us feuding families as a marketing ploy and how that tactic can backfire when it becomes all consuming. It asks us to consider how far a person can and should go to make a family business successful. As is also standard in teen fiction we're looking at family pressures, the drive to succeed and the definitions of success. While it's not a deep read, it is an entertaining one. A solid choice for a cozy weekend when the weather is unpleasant.

More information: With or Without You releases November  

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Picture books for everyone

 

How This Book Got Red by Margaret Chiu Greanias

Much has been written about the importance of seeing yourself in books but this is the first time I've seen that idea as the premise of a picture book. And it does more than point out the importance - it offers a solution. The plot is simple. Books about pandas only ever talk about Giant Pandas, so Red Panda sets out to write her own. The plot takes us through the whole author journey: initial excitement for the project, frustrations and set backs, even fear that no one will care about your book. The final pages emphasize the importance of encouragement as well as diversity in books. This is a sweet story that encourages children to seek out different narratives and to contribute to change in the world.

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Book review - Super Magic Boy

 

Title: I Am a Dinosaur

Author: Jarod Rosello

Genre: graphic novel/humor

Similar books: Pizza and Taco by Stephen Shaskan

                      Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang

Rating:

 

silly, lighthearted fun

Summary (provided by publisher): Hugo can do whatever he wants! He can climb a mountain! Smash a table! He can even transform into a dinosaur like his best friend, Dino. When Hugo and Dino are together, they can use their imagination to do anything...even clean up the mess afterward!

My opinion: In a plot reminiscent of The Cat in the Hat, Hugo and his friend engage in chaos. Once he discovers he can transform into a dinosaur, he feels free to behave however he likes. After all, who can stop a dinosaur. So the first section of this book will be a bit of wish fulfillment for young readers as Hugo indulges in all of the activities that his parents have forbidden. But it doesn't fully promote recklessness. While Dino continues to create chaos, Hugo begins to have concerns, recognizing the destruction they are causing. So there is an element of personal responsibility as well. Mostly, though, this is just a silly romp that is easily read and understood by kids beginning to read independently.

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Flower treats - a crafting collaboration

 Since I left traditional employment in favor of freelancing and gig-work, I've had more time to experiment and collaborate. 

My mother decorated some flower pots a while ago for craft fairs but they haven't been selling well and she was looking for a way to draw more interest in them, especially for late fall/winter sales where people aren't thinking as much about flowers. Together we came up with this idea:

We made some rice crispy treats into rounds on sticks, giving them a flower sort of look. Packaged in the flower pots we thought they might make a nice gift basket.

Book review - Underdog City

 

Title: Underdog City

Author: Chris Negron

Genre: realistic fiction

Similar books: Iveliz Explains it All by Andrea Beatriz Arango

                      The Summer of June by Jamie Sumner

Rating:

 

nice emotional complexity

Summary (provided by publisher): Mortimer Bray is not okay.
It seems like everything in his life is changing for the worse. After his own much-loved dog dies, he can’t bring himself to carry on with his dog-walking business; there’s a strange new girl who’s moved into the house next door; and suddenly there’s a buzzing feeling of anxiety in his head and heart when he’s faced with something new.
His neighborhood, Townsend Heights, used to feel like the most comfortable place in the world. But lately, it seems like everyone is arguing, and there’s uncertainty around every corner.
The neighborhood's only vacant lot is somehow behind it all, Mortimer is sure of that much. If he can unearth the lot's secret history, he just might stop the Heights from unraveling completely.
Mortimer can’t save Townsend Heights on his own. But when it comes to community, you’re never truly on your own—not as long as you’re willing to learn from the past, in order to do better in the future.

My opinion: As we would expect from a middle grade novel, changing friendships is a central issue. We also take on gentrification, racism, and mental illness. That could easily be too much for any novel much less one for this age group but Negron handles it well. It helps that the characters are strong. They read like real kids, their relationships with their peers and with adults realistic and genuine. While the details aren't especially relatable (not a lot of kids have an interest in public policy) the overall thrust of the plot is engaging.

More information: Underdog City releases October 31

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Book review - Sweetness All Around

 

Title: Sweetness All Around

Author: Suzanne Supplee

Genre: historical fiction

Similar books: Dawn Raid by Pauline Smith

                      Malcolm and Me by Robin Farmer

Rating: 

 

a pleasant read

Summary (provided by publisher): Almost-eleven-year-old Josephine is NOT pleased to be moving into the Happy World trailer park over the summer of 1974. She misses her beautiful bedroom with ballerinas on the wall and her pretty, well-dressed friends. Happy World isn’t happy. It’s dingy and depressing! Nothing like the world that headstrong Josephine wants for herself.
But when Josephine learns that her would-be next door neighbor in Happy World was kidnapped months ago, she develops a begrudging interest in her new home. A kidnapping is exciting—and all signs point to Josephine being meant to find ten-year-old Molly.
Despite her efforts to stay detached, Josephine investigates Molly’s disappearance with help from the eccentric cast of characters living in Happy World. It turns out the rough edges of her community are softer and sweeter than they first seemed. And the unexpected friendships she forms might be more precious than anything she's ever owned.

My opinion: The description of this book is going to make it sound like a mystery or a thriller. It's not, really. Yes, Josephine is looking into a kidnapping. But much more than that, this is a book about a girl learning to deal with changed circumstances. It's getting to know new people and adjusting to what life has put in your path. It's learning to be kind even when people are difficult. This is a character driven novel that takes Josephine from a not altogether likeable person to a more complex individual. While there are some less believable elements to the plot it is ultimately a well developed plot with a near timeless quality to the details.

More information: Sweetness All Around Releases October 24

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Listen with me

 

The Changing Man by Tomi Oyemakinde

This book starts with a solid premise - a girl out of her element at an elite prep school where something strange is happening. This is a set up we see surprisingly often in teen fiction but Oyemakinde uses it well. It's not just that Ife is one of only a few Black girls at the school. She's part of the "Urban Achievers" program, a system that allows the school to appear inclusive and generous while remaining overall classist and at times racist. The characters are decent if a little one-note. The setting is strong. The plot itself, though, wavers. The early chapters have strong spooky vibes and are reminiscent of "Get Out". Once the characters begin to uncover what is actually happening at the school, though, it begins to lose me. I won't get into the details here because I'm strictly anti-spoilers but the reveal barrels right past the boundaries of my willing suspension of disbelief. It's a plot that may work for some but which I ultimately found disappointing.

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Book review - Mehndi Boy

 

Title: Mehndi Boy

Author: Zain Bandali

Genre: realistic fiction

Similar books: Meet Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi

                      Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen by Debbie Michiko Florence

Rating:

 

a nice combination of elements

Summary (provided by publisher): Tehzeeb drew curvy clouds, grand galaxies, squirmy squiggles, and delicate dots. He made charming checkerboards and even perfected paisleys. His practice was finally paying off!
The first time Tehzeeb tries mehndi, his passion for the art form blossoms. Soon, he’s creating designs for all his friends and family, and dreams of becoming the most in-demand mehndi artist in town. So Tez is hurt and confused when his favorite uncle tells him mehndi isn’t for boys. His art brings people joy. How could it be wrong? Tehzeeb doesn’t want to disappoint his uncle. But when a crisis before his cousin’s wedding puts his talents to the test, Tehzeeb must find the courage to be his true creative self.

My opinion: Books for young readers tend to have a single focus, one internal message. This book manages to include two without becoming overly complicated. Bandali's tale emphasizes both the importance of practice to improve a skill (rather than relying on innate ability) and being true to oneself. The writing is quite simple and the characters aren't especially complex, but they are believable. Reading this book with youngsters allows for a chance to discuss cultural differences and expectations.

More information: Mehndi Boy releases October 24

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Peg doll tins

 We're in last-minute craft fair preparations, trying to top off our inventory as we have a couple of sales coming up. With that in mind, I made a couple of these peg doll tins: a little peg doll figure in a house made out of an Altoid tin. These are my favorites.

Book review - Nell of Gumbling

 

Title: Nell of Gumbling

Author: Emma Steinkellner

Genre: fantasy

Similar books: Unfamiliar by Haley Newsome

                      Spell Sweeper by Lee Edward Fodi

Rating:

 

magical but relatable

Summary (provided by publisher): To everyone else, the Magical Land of Gumbling is something out of fairy tales. But to Nell Starkeeper, it’s just home. Sure, the town community center might be a castle, her dads run a star farm, and her best friend Myra is a fairy, but Nell is much more interested in finding out if she’ll get the seventh grade apprenticeship of her dreams with world-famous artist Wiz Bravo.
She’s pretty sure her entire life has been RUINED when she’s instead matched with boring old Mrs. Birdneck in the town archives. And of course her perfect rival Leabelle gets to work with Wiz, and mean girl Viola won’t let Nell forget it. Meanwhile, suddenly Myra seems more into hanging out with Leabelle and saving the town from some weird strangers who keep talking about turning Gumbling into a fancy resort than being friends with Nell anymore. Can Nell find a way to save everything that makes her world magical, while figuring out where she belongs in it?

My opinion: Gumbling may be a magical place full of fairies, pixies, and other fantasy beings, but it's also surprisingly normal. Nell and her friends deal with bullies and unrealistic expectations. They have dreams for their futures and face challenges in the way of societal requirements. They are jealous and petty at times, say cruel things when they are upset. In other words, they are normal kids. They aren't perfect. They make bad choices. But they ultimately recognize where they've gone wrong and find their way towards fixing it. The plot here is inventive in the specifics but relatable in the broad strokes. There's enough humor to keep it from becoming heavy. A solid read for a middle grade audience.

 Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non-fiction book review: Plauge-Busters

 

Plague-Busters by Lindsey Fitzharris and Adrian Teal

If you're like me, you find plagues fascinating. A book that breaks down historical plagues teaches us about science, history, and sociology and this volume does all three of those things well. Fitzharris and Teal break down everything we know about each disease historically: when it first appeared or was identified; historical cures; it's deadly impact; what science learned at the time; it's general treatability; what we know now. This is perhaps a bit of a niche interest but if you have any interest in history or epidemiology this is a solid choice. 

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Book review - Project F

 

Title: Project F

Author: Jeanne DuPrau

Genre: dystopia

Similar books: Please Return to the Lands of Luxury by Jon Tilton

                      Falling Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Rating:

 

not DuPrau's best

Summary (provided by publisher): WELCOME TO THE FUTURE.
There are no cars, planes, television, or smart phones. Climate change wreaked havoc on Earth hundreds of years ago, and now people live a simpler life.
Then thirteen-year-old Keith uncovers a secret. It’s a mysterious mission known only as Project F. It’s advanced, it’s scientific, and it’s going to change the world. It’s exactly the kind of adventure Keith has always longed to be a part of.
And what is adventure without a little danger, right? But how much danger is Keith willing to risk? For himself? For his family? For his community? For the entire world…?

My opinion: There is no denying that this book asks important questions. It wants the reader to look at sacrifice for the greater good. The problem is, it's too blunt about it. It doesn't lead the reader to conclusions; it shoves them in our face. It tells us what we should think about the world of the book. We aren't experiencing the plot with Keith. We're viewing it through a lens, through emotional distance. While middle grade readers may need some guidance in interpreting what they read this doesn't mean that the messaging needs to be a blunt instrument. With characters that are generally unrealistic and one-dimensional, there isn't much driving the reader forward.

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Book review - Hatchet Girls

 

Title: Hatchet Girls

Author: Diana Rodriguez Wallach

Genre: horror

Similar books: It Will End Like This by Kyra Leigh

                     The Violent Season by Sara Walters

Rating:

 

not quite what I wanted

Summary (provided by publisher): When Mariella Morse accuses her boyfriend, Vik Gomez, of murdering her wealthy parents with an axe, the town is quick to believe her. It doesn’t help that Vik is caught standing over her parents’ bodies with blood on his hands, unable to remember anything about the night in question.
But Vik’s sister, Tessa, knows that Vik would never be capable of such a gruesome crime. Haunted by the mistakes she made that led her family to move to Fall River, MA in the first place, she sets out to prove her brother’s innocence.
Tessa’s search for answers will lead her into a sprawling, notoriously cursed forest, where she and Mariella must face a darkness that has lurked within their town since before the days of Lizzie Borden—the original axe murderess of Fall River.

My opinion: The Lizzie Borden case has been subject of plenty of speculation, so it's ripe for a re-imagining. Rodriguez certainly takes an interesting tactic, exploring motivations and influences, asking us to consider guilt and responsibility. The book makes overtures towards questions of racism and classism but these concepts are not explored in any true depth. Vik, as we meet him, is too sympathetic. Mariella is too manipulative. There's no nuance to the plot that has us wondering.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Listen with me

 

The Changing Man by Tomi Oyemakinde

Let's be frank - this book suffers a bit from a bland title. But with a description that promises missing teen, drastic personality shifts, and the stratified world of elite prep schools and a solidly creepy cover image I'm ready to give it a shot. Let's listen together and hopefully have a couple of scares for spooky season.

Pick 6: horror

October means it's time for my annual list of horror stories. Who doesn't love a good scare in October? It's almost required to prepare for Halloween by scaring yourself silly. Here are six horror books published in the last six months.

Six new horror stories:

1. Eerie Tales from the School of Screams by Graham Annable
2. Who Haunts You by Mark Wheaton
   
3. Holly Horror by Michelle Jabes Corpora
4. Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt
5. The Cursed Moon by Angela Cervantes
6. Scare Waves by Trevor Henderson

Graphic novel spotlight - Enlighten Me

 

Enlighten Me by Minh Le

 If you've ever wanted to read some Buddhist stories, this might be the book for you. It's framed as a kid dealing with racism and anger issues then presented with meditation and reflection. The stories take these concepts from a frustration and difficult endeavor to something is attainable and worth attempting. There isn't much plot but that isn't really the point. It's a way of making philosophy accessible to a young audience and helps a kids see the way of peace.

 

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Book review - The Cursed Moon

 

Title: The Cursed Moon

Author: Angela Cervantes

Genre: horror

Similar books: The Ojja-Wojja by Magdalene Visaggio

                     The Clackity by Lora Senf

Rating:

 

age appropriate scares

Summary (provided by publisher): One two, the Caretaker’s coming for you. Three-four, you’ll breathe no more. Five-six, you’ll float like sticks. Seven, eight, you’ll meet your fate.
Rafael Fuentes isn’t easily scared. He loves writing ghost stories, reading scary books, and entertaining his friends with terrifying tales he creates on the spot. Rafa has come up against enough real-life scary situations that fictional hauntings seem like no big deal. Rafa’s incarcerated mom is being released from jail soon, and will be coming to live with him, his sister, and their grandparents. For the first time in a while, Rafa feels a pit of fear growing in his stomach.
To take his mind off his mom’s return, Rafa spends an evening crafting the scariest ghost story he’s ever told. As an eerie blood moon hangs in the sky, Rafa tells a group of friends about The Caretaker. The Caretaker is an evil ghost who lures unsuspecting kids into the neighborhood pond. . . and they don’t ever come out. Rafa is really proud of his latest creation, until strange things start to happen around him. With a sinking feeling, Rafa realizes the Caretaker is real. Rafa has brought the ghost to life—and only he can stop him.

My opinion: Cervantes does a clever thing here by routing the haunting through Rafa's story-telling. Since we learn what happened to the affected kids through the story he tells, we don't experience it in the moment. This creates emotional distance that keeps the narrative from becoming too scary for a young reader. With the addition of Rafa's personal, familial conflict the plot is well fleshed out and the characters are believable. For an adult reader this won't be an edge-of-your-seat read but it should go over well with horror enthusiast youngsters.

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Creepy audio

 I am not easily frightened by books. I will read a horror story any time without difficulty. So when I started listening to audio books I did not change my habits in any way. Typically, this has not been a problem. I can recall two cases where I found an audio book genuinely creepy and in both cases it's more about production than content.

The Diviners by Libba Bray

The Diviners is a wonderfully atmospheric, dark story. It deals with ancient evils and struggles for power. Even just read traditionally it's a spooky story. But the audio-book is downright unsettling. There are tones, discordance, sound effects that had me uneasy. Since the tone of the narrative is already unsettling the careful use of background sound can make for a nervous listen, especially if you're awake in the wee hours in a dark house like I was. This is one best heard in the bright light of day.

Who Haunts You by Mark Wheaton

Unlike Bray's book, this audio has rather sparse production. It's just Annalee Scott reading in a rather even tone. It is almost entirely calm. Until the whispers. I mostly listen to audio-books when I run so I'm typically wearing earbuds. Having that raspy whisper "You found me" hissing in my ear was creepily intimate. The first time it happened I was a bit unsettled. The second time the sun was setting and I was in shadow and it had me flinching at every movement. I had to turn the book off and finish my run in silence. That is production used to remarkable effect, for something so simple to have such a strong impact.

So remember, if you want a truly frightening audio experience it takes more than just a scary story. It needs to use the audio medium to it's best effect.