It was pointed out to me that this months 10 years that I've been on this 10 platform. 10 years of reviewing books, making crafts, and finding my voice. 10 years during which I was a librarian, an IT technician, and now a freelance consultant and homesteader.
Here are a few of my favorite posts from the past 10 years:
Here's to 10 more years
Wildful is a story of the healing power of nature, how wonder and beauty draw people together. There is a plot here, though a very simple one. And it hardly matters. We're not caught up in these characters and their interactions with one another. It's all about the visuals. Kurimoto's art captures both facial expressions and the details of the natural world with equal detail. The color is sparse but used to great effect. This is a book you can read very quickly but don't. Do yourself a favor and linger over each page, each panel, and experience the wonder along with the characters.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.
Author: Ann E Burg
Genre: creative non-fiction/verse novel
Similar books: Beauty Mark by Carole Boston Weatherford
Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round by Kathlyn Kirkwood
Rating:
.JPG)
Summary (provided by publisher):
Rachel was a girl who loved
science and the sea,
books and writing
and all the creatures of the world.
Rachel was quiet,
a listener by nature.
But when she saw problems,
she could not remain silent.
Some people thought girls
shouldn’t be scientists.
They thought girls
shouldn’t use their voices
to question or challenge,
even to protect
all the creatures of the world.
Luckily Rachel didn’t listen
to them.
My opinion: I think all that I knew about Rachel Carson before this book was that she wrote Silent Spring. So I learned a lot from this novel, stripped down as it was to the barest impressions. I hadn't realized her importance in the development of science communication as a field, more than just the importance of ecology. This is a quick read. Being a verse novel, it's more about impressions than details. Still, it's a solid way to supplement more factual education.
More information: Force of Nature releases March 5
For a while now I've wanted to make a peculiar plushie. The idea was to make a plush version of some food item that could wear little outfits, mostly doll clothes and accessories. Something about that struck me a hilarious. I'd thought about a pickle but couldn't quite work out how to construct it. Sorting through some t-shirt scraps I found the perfect shade of light yellow and knew I needed to make a cheese. I cut a few pieces of foam mattress pad and covered them with the t-shirt, then sewed the whole mess together.
Author: Sherri Winston
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Looking for True by Tricia Springstubb
The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden
Rating:
Summary (provided by publisher): Sharkita “Kita” Hayes is always waiting.
Waiting for her mama to mess up.
Waiting for social services to be called again.
Waiting for her and her siblings to be separated.
Waiting for her worst fear to come true.
But Mama promises things are different now. She's got a good job, she's stopped drinking, stopped going out every night-it's almost enough to make Kita believe her this time. But even as Kita's life is going good, she can't shake the feeling that everything could go up in flames at any moment. When her assistant principal and trusted dance coach starts asking questions about her home life, Kita is more determined than ever to keep up appearances and make sure her family stays together-even if it means falling apart herself.
As the threat of her family being separated again circles like a shark in the water, the pressure starts to get to Kita. But could it be that Kita's worst fear is actually the best thing that could happen to her family . . . and to her?
My opinion: We know, from the start, that things are not going to end the way that Kita want them to. Her situation is too unstable. So we can largely predict where this book is headed. That's okay. It's more about the path than the end point. We have a plot with strong characters who are realistically portrayed. They make mistakes, keep secrets. While the ending has some idealized moments, it isn't too unrealistic for a middle grade audience. While the scenario may be too intense for some kids, for most this will be a solid read.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
Author: Saadia Faruqi
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Wishing Upon the Same Star by Jacquetta Nammar Feldman
Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee
Rating:
Summary (provided by publisher): When her grandmother comes off the airplane in Houston from Pakistan, Mahnoor knows that having Dadi move in is going to disrupt everything about her life. She doesn’t have time to be Dadi’s unofficial babysitter—her journalism teacher has announced that their big assignment will be to film a documentary, which feels more like storytelling than what Maha would call “journalism.”
As Dadi starts to settle into life in Houston and Maha scrambles for a subject for her documentary, the two of them start talking. About Dadi’s childhood in northern India—and about the Partition that forced her to leave her home and relocate to the newly created Pakistan.
As details of Dadi’s life are revealed, Dadi’s personal story feels a lot more like the breaking news that Maha loves so much. And before she knows it, she has the subject of her documentary.
My opinion: Partition was something I hadn't even heard of until fairly recently, so I was riveted by this story. I like that it does more than just reveal a lesser known part of history. It really digs into the importance of cultural history and includes some messaging about responsible and sensitive journalism. With complex, relatable characters, this is a book well worth reading for young and old alike.
More information: The Partition Project releases February 27.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
Author: Sarah Mughal Rana
Genre: realistic fiction/magical realism
Similar books: House of Yesterday by Deeba Zargarpur
Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed
Rating:
.JPG)
Summary (provided by publisher): Nida has always been known as Mamou Abdul-Hafeedh’s niece - the poet who will fill her uncle’s shoes after he was wrongfully incarcerated during the war on terror. But for Nida, her poetry letters are her heart and sharing so much of herself with a world that stereotypes her faith and her hijab is not an option.
When Nida is illegally frisked at a Democratic Senatorial candidate’s political rally, she writes a scathing poem about the politician, never expecting the letter to go viral weeks before Election Day. Nida discovers her poem has won first place in a national contest, a contest she never entered, and her quiet life is toppled. But worst of all, Nida loses her ability to write poetry. In the aftermath of her win, Nida struggles to balance the expectations of her mother, her uncle, and her vibrant Muslim community with the person she truly wants to be.
My opinion: We expect this book to be about rights violations. The inciting incident is an illegal frisking, after all. But it's much more than that. The question of rights is almost incidental. Instead Nida's story is a question of voices. When we speak up. Who influences and controls when we speak. And the dilemma of standing up versus fitting in. These are complex questions with no clear answers which can make for a challenging read. If you're someone who likes a clear-cut plot, maybe look elsewhere. But if you want to weigh opinions and discuss choices, give this one a read.
More information: Hope Ablaze releases February 27.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.
A girl and her father living on a school bus is a unique set-up. This road trip journey holds a lot of promise, provided the characters are compelling. Let's listen and find out together.
Author: Rebecca Roque
Genre: thriller
Similar books: The Good Girls by Claire Eliza Bartlett
Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Rating:
.JPG)
Summary (provided by publisher): Seventeen-year-old Cia lived in a house of secrets until she was five, when her father literally burned it all down. The price of his clandestine operation? Cia’s entire family, and her leg. So, when her best friend Alice says she has a secret too, Cia wants nothing to do with it—even if it could shed light on her family’s dark past. But Alice doesn’t let go so easily, especially when her search for answers might help find Noah, the boy who broke her heart before going missing two months ago.
But then the police find Alice’s body floating in the quarry.
Now Cia would give anything to know Alice’s secrets. Because Alice would never have jumped, no matter what the cops think. Desperate to figure out what happened to her friend, Cia picks up the threads of Alice’s investigation, plunging deep into a shadow world of augmented reality. As she untangles one web of lies after another, Cia finds herself pursued by an enemy that will pay any price to keep their secrets buried. But the girl who already lost everything isn’t about to back down now. Her only chance to avenge Alice lies in exposing an underground society preying on those they think no one will miss—but danger lies closer to home than she imagined.
My opinion: The set up here is a solid one. A girl rescued from a dark past finds that her history is tied up in a larger town secret. We've got murdered teens and a company involved with street kids. Cia is a strong character surrounded by interesting figures. We're never quite sure who can be trusted as evidence continually points in myriad directions. With a plot that is constantly twisting it's a compelling read. That plot, though, goes is some awfully strange directions and ultimately stretches the bounds of believability perhaps beyond the breaking point.
More information: Till Human Voices Wake Us releases February 27.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
Author: Amalie Howard
Genre: fantasy
Similar books: Curse of the Night Witch by Alex Aster
The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste
Rating:
.JPG)
Summary (provided by publisher): Darika “Rika” Lovelace is in trouble. The kind of trouble that sends her to her grandmother’s estate in Trinidad for the whole summer. But something about the island feels…different. As soon as she steps off the plane, strange things start happening!
Rika meets a group of kids called Minders, who seem to have elemental powers. Even worse, she can sense jumbies lurking in the shadows. Needless to say, she wants a ticket home. But when the Minders let slip that her long-lost mom is in danger, she knows she can’t leave.
Thrust into a magical adventure involving bloodcurdling monsters, a supernatural silk cotton tree, and an endless maze, Rika must defeat the fearsome jumbie king to save her family and new friends. But unless she learns to believe in herself, she’ll never beat him or escape his twisted maze.
My opinion: Its a familiar construct - a girl gets caught up in magic and has to save the world. And maybe if you read a lot of these books this one will fail to thrill. But if you judge it on it's own merits, it's a solid read. It captures the setting and folk lore well. The characters are decently complex for a middle grade audience. It's action oriented with just a hint of spookiness for horror fans.
More information: Bumps in the Night releases February 20.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
You might not think that making a batch of hummus would make an interesting topic for a book but this one works surprisingly well. It's pretty basic - the characters stand at a counter and make hummus, detailing each step. There's a heavy dose of humor and the illustrations are quite expressive. It's a book that will be appealing for kids just starting to read independently.
Rumi is a relatively new figure to me. While I was familiar with the name and could perhaps have told you he was a poet, I didn't know much beyond that so this was an excellent introduction. While the text is aimed at a young audience, it remains informative. With charming illustrations reflecting the text, filled with patterns and details, its as lovely to look at as it is to read. It stands well on it's own but could also be used as a lead-in to reading some of the poetry in a group setting.
More information: Rumi Poet of Joy and Love releases March 5.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.
This book is going to be visually appealing to a certain kind of young reader. You look at the cover and it exudes "gross". This is no collection of stomach turning factoids, though. Montgomery digs into the details of animal diseases, how they affect humans, and what scientists have learned from them. The tone and vocabulary remain accessible for kids while not shying away from science. Parents and kids alike will learn from this text.
More information: Sick! releases February 20.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
Author: Jennifer Killick
Genre: horror
Similar books: Scarewaves by Trevor Henderson
Finch House by Ciera Burch
Rating:
.JPG)
Summary (provided by publisher): When classmates Hallie, Angelo, Gustav and Naira are forced to come to school on a Saturday, they think things can’t get much worse. But they’re wrong. Things are about to get seriously scary.
What has dragged their teacher underground? Why do the creepy caretakers keep humming the tune to Itsy Bitsy Spider? And what horrors lurk in the shadows, getting stronger and meaner every minute . . .? Cut off from help and in danger each time they touch the ground, the gang’s only hope is to work together. But it’s no coincidence that they're all there on detention. Someone has been watching and plotting and is out for revenge . . .
My opinion: Giant spiders are, of course, a bit of a believability stretch. Killick does a good job of explaining their existence without over-doing it. We get just enough to accept their existence and to keep the plot moving. There's a decent balance between action and character development for a middle grade novel. None of it goes very deep but it maintains the reader's interest. It's exciting and creepy without going over the top, so it's well suited to the average middle grade reader.
More information: Dread Detention releases February 13
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
Author: Amie Darnell Specht and Shannon Hitchcock
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Hidden Truths by Elly Swartz
Fight & Flight by Jules Machias
Rating:
.JPG)
Summary (provided by publisher): Kate’s life in Baton Rouge, full of friends and family, gymnastics and Girl Scouts, is just plain great. But then, at the age of twelve, she suddenly develops a mysterious shoulder pain that won’t go away . . . and that will change her life forever. It turns out that Kate has one of the rarest genetic disorders in the world, Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. FOP causes bone to form in places in the body where it shouldn’t, and there’s no cure yet. Kate will need to learn how to live with this difficult new reality, helped by those close to her and by a new pen pal named Amie, who has been living with FOP for years.
My opinion: I think this book is well-intentioned. Not only is it informing the reader about a rare disorder, it also digs into reality for a disabled kid. It looks at how a diagnosis changes everything. Kate's friendships and relationships with her family are changed. She has to learn to advocate for herself. All good things to look at and discuss. The problem is it's a bit stiff and unnatural. Kate doesn't read like a real kid. She's a bit too perfect, too well balanced. She doesn't have flaws, doesn't make mistakes. It walks us through her journey but there's no real conflict.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
I am a big fan of pockets. I have to really like a pair of pants to buy it if it is lacking in functional pockets. And when you get a pocket-free pair, you still need a place to put your things. Sure, you can carry a bag but sometimes you need your hands free. So I crocheted myself a pocket out of some soft cotton yarn. It's big enough to hold my phone and a few other things and attaches to a belt And since it was a little plain, I attached a couple of buttons.
Title: Lost Kites and Other Treasures
Author: Cathy Carr
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: The Lost Whale by Hannah Gold
When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunn
Rating:
Summary (provided by publisher): Twelve-year-old Franny Petroski never lets anyone know how often she thinks of the charismatic, troubled mom who left her years ago—any more than she talks about the unaccountable things Mom did while she was still in the picture. Life with Nana is safe and secure, and Franny’s innovative art projects fill in any lonesome times.
But when Nana has an accident and Franny’s estranged uncle comes home to help out for a while, some long-guarded family secrets come to light. Franny has to use all of her courage, as well as all of her creativity, to come to terms with the discoveries she makes about her mother—and herself.
My opinion: We sometimes get the idea that for a kid in an unstable home, putting them in a different home will fix all of their problems. They get out of the chaos and everything is good. This book calls that into question. There's no denying that life with her Nana is better for Franny than life with her mom. But she still has questions and her family is full of secrets. The plot becomes about Franny expressing what she needs, finding her truth and becoming a complete person. It tells us a story of a family with all kinds of troubles, all of the fall out from mental illness. While the cast of characters is more adult than child, they are realistic and complex and make for compelling reading.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
This is just to say that I've finally got my act together and made an Etsy shop. I'm still building my inventory but I'd love if you took a look.
While I’m not a fan of most things athletic myself, I must admit sports and the personalities that come along with athletics 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 books with strong athletic elements published in the last six months.
6 new sports stories:
Don't let the title fool you. This is no drippy romance. Really, the book explores the concept of love more than the love between a particular pair. It utilizes a construction we've seen from Gene Luen Yang before in the Boxers and Saints duology - spirits that only individual characters can see. It is unclear whether these are actual spirits, hallucinations, or simply constructs of an over active imagination but that ambiguity works in the book's favor. Simply put, the spirits don't really matter. They are a device for the characters to come to terms with their families and past traumas. There's complexity to the plot that is worth dwelling on and picking through. The illustrations are complex as well, inviting us to sit on a single page for a while and appreciate everything that is going on. This slows the reading and allows us to fully grasp the plot. This is a prime example of how literary a graphic novel can truly be.
