Crafty Christmas Countdown: 20

 Today's addition to the Christmas market is a jewelry stand, a mainstay of craft fairs and markets. I really struggled with an addition to this stand. I have plenty of ideas for jewelry but one of the goals with this year's countdown was to reduce clutter. I already have a fair amount of jewelry and a job where I can't wear it. It would be wasteful to make something I'm never going to wear. Instead, I went through my existing jewelry and found some earrings that I don't wear. I bent the posts into loops so they can be repurposed as pendants or maybe charms for a charm bracelet.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 21

 Today in the Christmas market we have a stand selling nuts. Whether it's roasted chestnuts (which I've never actually seen - are they good?) or candied cinnamon nuts there's something festive about them and they feel like they belong in our little market. I suppose I could have made a batch of candied nuts but we have a collection of walnut shells floating around so I thought I'd made a decoration out of one. I decided to use some little scraps of yarn to make this mini knitting basket.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 22

 Today's addition to the Christmas market is a snow globe stand. Making a little snow globe to put inside the tube was an appealing but ultimately impractical idea. So I settled for adding a couple of glittery snow globe stickers that I found in my stash.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 23

 Today's market stall is the music stand. I had considered making a little drum or something to go with this one but when I got out my peg dolls I spotted Emmet Otter and I knew he was perfect. I suspect he's looking for a guitar.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 24

 I'm doing something a little different for my crafty countdown this year. Between work demands and the desire to reduce clutter and waste, 24 distinct crafts seemed a bit much. So I've decided to go a little simpler and do variations on the same thing for each day. I'm making a little Christmas market. Each stall is made from half a cardboard tube with details drawn on. I'll probably be adding some extra little surprises along the way. 

Today's stall is knitwear. If you've been to a holiday craft sale you've seen a couple of booths selling hats and mittens and things. There's nothing quite so cozy as a hand knit stocking cap. For extra fun I've made a little ball of some of my rabbit fur yarn that tucks inside.

Are everyone's chickens this weird?

 In addition to my rabbits I have 18 (currently) chickens. The most recent set I purchased were six Wyandottes. Since I had some experience with chickens already I figured I knew what to expect from these ladies, all of whom I named after hobbits. 

They let me know pretty early on that I shouldn't underestimate them.

When I attempted to move them between pens, one got out and managed to lodge herself in a cement block.

After I got them moved, I had a pair that escaped the pen regularly. Merry and Pippin were determined to wander, though they've always been happy to return to the hutch at night. It's been over a year and Pippin, in particular, regularly takes herself for walks.

Merry and Pippin, chilling near the bee hive

Pippin found a roost on this tree branch

Now, their hutch has a fairly nice egg box set up that they refuse to use. They never roost or lay eggs in the box. These girls prefer to nest under it. I've looked in the hutch and not seen any hens, just the lone rooster strutting around. All six hens crowd together under the boxes.

It's a little blurry but you can just about see a hen on the right

Non-fiction book review - Defeated

 

Defeated by Martin Gitlin

Let's be real - politics aren't a huge selling point for young readers. Most of us don't have a great deal of interest in modern politics, much less historical. And candidates who lost aren't especially compelling reading. For the average person this is going to be a brief curiosity. While the text is quite readable the interest level is low so it's best absorbed in short bursts - read a single profile and put it down for a while. If you have a particular interest in the political system and how it has changed this makes for a solid resource as we explore shifts in political parties and the particulars of how our voting system has shifted.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?

Dark Room Etiquette by Robin Roe - A privileged teen is kidnapped by a man who causes him to question the world as he knows it.

What did you recently finish reading?

Defeated by Martin Gitlin - Gitlin walks us through the candidates who lost each presidential election since our country's founding.

What do you think you'll read next?

Agent Cupcake by Mel Hilario

Book review - Scarlet Morning

 

Title: Scarlet Morning

Author: ND Stevenson

Genre: adventure

Age range: middle grade

Summary (provided by publisher): Viola and Wilmur have been waiting for their parents for fifteen boring years in the colorless town of Caveat. Their lives are a drudge of salt, trash, pirate stories, and what-ifs . . . until one very stormy night, when Captain Cadence Chase breaks down their door. They cut a deal with the captain: Chase can take their most prized possession, a mysterious book, but only if she takes them, too. After all, if their parents aren’t coming, Viola and Wilmur might as well have a grand adventure to find them.

Setting sail into the treacherous and beautiful world beyond Caveat, the two inseparable friends must uncover the facts behind legend—and the key to saving all of Dickerson’s Sea from obliteration—before the truth tears them apart.

What I liked: Stevenson's signature wry humor comes across nicely in this all text novel. We have a complex world with rules that we don't always understand but the intricacies are slowly laid out in a way that feels natural to the plot. The emotions are understated but realistic and the humor never gets in the way of the heart of the story.

What I didn't like: It's a bit slow to start. While the characters become more complex and complete as the book progresses, they are fairly basic in the early chapters. It feels like it takes a bit too long for the novel to find it's footing, like it doesn't initially take itself seriously enough.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Listen with me

 

Incredibly Penelope by Lauren Myracle

I somehow missed, in selecting this book, that it was a modern retelling of A Little Princess, a fact that will make the whole thing make a lot more sense while you're reading. In the modern landscape, the scenario is a pretty big stretch. While Myracle handles the material well it remains a rather unbelievable premise. And the resolution is a bit too neat and tidy. There is some solid reflection on the ways we treat people and how mistreatment can be a reflection of one's own biases and negative self-image. Characters are strong. If you like a bit of magical thinking and endless optimism, this is a solid read.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - We're Not Safe Here

 

Title: We're Not Safe Here

Author: Rin Chupeco

Genre: horror

Age Range: teen

Similar book: What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould

Summary (provided by publisher): Wispy Falls is safe. The town motto is even "You'll be safe here!" But you aren't safe in the woods that surround the town. In the woods there are monsters. People go missing in the woods. And sometimes the monsters don't stay in the woods…maybe you aren't that safe in Wispy Falls.
A seventeen-year-old vlogger known as Storymancer is determined to get to the bottom of what's wrong in his town. A few years ago, his little brother went missing in the woods and no one, not even his parents, seemed to care enough to try and find him.
But for the first time, an actual body has been found in the woods, and Storymancer is using the opportunity to uncover the rotten core at the heart of Wispy Falls. To investigate the monsters that lurk in the shadows, and the people in town who might just want the monsters there after all.

What I liked: Chupeco has found a careful balance between horror and humor, leaning into the absurdity of a horror scenario but allowing the creepy atmosphere to keep the reader on edge. The novel masters jump scares in a way reminiscent of a horror movie. The air of the book is akin to a Jordan Peele movie.

What I didn't like: While the mixed format approach allows this book to stand out from the crowd it doesn't allow for a deep connection with the characters. They never feel like real people so we care less about what happens to them. While the concept held a lot of promise it feels like it is never truly realized.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Shiny Happy People by Clay McLeod Chapman - When a new party drug seems to be changing the people around her, a girl pairs up with a new kid at school to find out the truth about what is going on.

What did you recently finish reading?

Dracula's Brunch Club by Brian Gonsar - When a new vampire tries to destroy the peace he's made with the human population of Transylvania and, even worse, all of the jelly goes missing, Dracula must hunt high and low for a solution to all of his woes and hopefully make the best jelly donuts ever.

What do you think you'll read next?

Orphanland by Lauren Fischer

My bunny crew

 I have previously mentioned my rabbits here and there, usually in the context of the fur I have collected for making yarn. But since I added a fourth rabbit to my crew this summer I thought now would be a good time to introduce them.

First we have the angoras. Opsy and Princess Angelina Contessa Louisa Francesca Banana Fanna Bo Besca the Third Junior are three year old English/French angoras. While they are littermates they are distinctly different personalities. Opsy loves to be held and to explore. Princess is a bit more hesitant but loves a good piece of fruit and to play outside.

Princess

Opsy

Galactus the Devourer of Worlds is a one and a half year old French Lop. She has a lot of attitude but loves to have her head scratched and adores treats. At over ten pounds she does justice to her name.

The newest rabbit is Mister Lighter Than Air, another French Lop. At six months old he's about the size of the angoras and is likely to surpass them soon. He's excitable, interested in everything, and still snuggles occasionally with his lovey.

Fence pumpkin

 We always grow pumpkins in our garden and if you know much about pumpkins you know they have a tendency to spread. And to climb everything. That's how this happened:

When I spotted the pumpkin growing through the fence I figured it would rot. The wire would cut into the skin and that would be that. Or the deer would find it and eat it. No way it would ripen. Turns out, I was wrong. That thing turned a nice bright orange. Freeing it from the fence turned out to be a simple matter of cutting a single wire. 

That is a pumpkin begging to be carved. At first I thought the crease would be a good brow line but it really wanted to be a mouth. The more I thought about it the more it reminded me of this lesser known muppet:

And here's my version:

Book review - The Witching Wind

 

Title: The Witching Wind

Author: Natalie Lloyd

Genre: magical realism

Age Range: middle grade

Similar book: Savvy by Ingrid Law

Summary (provided by publisher):Eleven-year-old Roxie was excited to start sixth grade... until a mortifying incident at a pool party turns her into a middle school laughingstock. Roxie can't imagine enduring a full year of bullying and body shaming, so when her country music star Granny invites Roxie to join her on tour, she jumps at the chance to leave her troubles behind. But then Granny--who's been struggling with memory loss--goes missing, leaving Roxie without an escape plan... and without her best friend.

Grayson doesn't mind being sent to yet another foster home. Her older sister, Beanie, is about to turn eighteen, which means she'll be able to become Grayson's guardian. It won't be long until they live in the same house again. It won't be long until they get to be a real family. But when Beanie's birthday finally arrives, she doesn't show up to collect Grayson. She doesn't respond to calls or texts. It's almost like she's just... vanished.

Roxie knows Granny would never leave without saying goodbye. And Grayson is certain Beanie would never abandon her. So when the new friends learn about the Witching Wind that "steals" what people love most, Roxie and Grayson are certain they've discovered the truth. Granny and Beanie didn't just disappear--they were taken. And it's up to Roxie and Grayson to outwit the Witching Wind before it's too late.

What I liked: The characters here are strong. Roxie is a fairly standard middle grade girl: once cheerful and believing in possibilities but now hurt and bewildered by the changes in her peers. Grayson is delightfully aggressive and grumpy. She's no Pollyanna, not a disabled kid who is simply too good. These are kids full of flaws and struggles that they are trying to muddle through on their own. 

What I didn't like: At first I wasn't fond of the magical elements in the book. The titular wind felt a step too far. If it had been the sole focus of the book it may not have held much appeal. Since Lloyd instead makes the characters and their relationships the center and the wind only a tool for exploring larger themes I became more comfortable with those elements. It may still be a stretch for some but it's worth the effort.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

We're Not Safe Here by Rin Chupeco - A vlogger tries to find out the truth about disappearances in his isolated town - ostensibly the only town left after the world was devastated by monster attacks.

What did you recently finish reading?

We Fell Apart by E Lockhart - On a trip to meet the artist father who abandoned her, a girl connects instead with her half brother and his friends.

What do you think you'll read next?

The Truth About White Lies by Olivia A Cole

Book review - The Free State of Jax

 

Title: The Free State of Jax

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Genre: Realistic fiction

Age Range: Middle grade

Similar book: What Goes Up by Wen Jane Baragrey

Summary (provided by publisher): Jaxon Averett has had some terrifically bad luck. Because only the worst luck in the world can account for the fact that he has to live with his Uncle Clive Grimmitz, Aunt Helga, and their six kids in dead-end Walkonby, Kansas. Life with Jax's cousins isn't easy -- they're all bullies, and his aunt and uncle can't even remember his name.
Which is why, on the night before his twelfth birthday, Jax sneaks over to the neighboring property, floats a raft out into the middle of the hot springs lake, and drops anchor.
Jax is now the president and sole citizen of his own micronation, the Free State of Jax.
With the help of new friends, a local lawyer, and the property owner Owen O'Keefe, Jax's micronation begins to flourish. But the Grimmitzes will do anything to get him back and they are not above sabotage. On top of that, Jax is quickly embroiled in the mystery of Owen's missing brother -- and a lost windfall of the town's money.
Investigating puts everything Jax has built at risk, and when long-buried family secrets are unearthed, he must find the courage to do what's right, even if it means losing his only chance at freedom.

What I liked: The tone here is nearly perfect. It balances humor and heart. The plot is arguably ridiculous but it remains charming in a way reminiscent of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. The characters strike a similar balance. They appear to be shallow, one note figures but largely reveal depth as the book progresses. It's a book that is fun to read and leaves us with something to think about at the end.

What I didn't like: I could point out the rather hard to swallow elements or the general predictability of the resolution but I actually don't mind those things so much. They remain in the "forgivable" level of offenses. 

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Good grief, it's you!

 I have loved Wallace and Gromit since I first saw the shorts in the early 2000's. And my absolute favorite character has always been Feathers McGraw. It should come as no surprise, then, that when I got a Wallace and Gromit amigurumi book for Christmas, Feathers was first on my list to make. And the reality is exactly what I would have hoped.

His rubber glove comb is supposed to be stitched to his head but I refuse. I love being able to remove it at will.

Listen with me

 

Incredibly Penelope by Lauren Myracle

I have my doubts about this book. I find any boarding school narrative a bit of a stretch when it comes to believability and relatability. Gearing such a book to middle graders feels like a step too far but if anyone can pull it off it's Lauren Myracle. Let's give it a listen and see if there's enough adventure and heart in this tale to keep a reader engaged.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Hazelthorn by CG Drews - When his guardian suddenly dies under strange and suspicious circumstances, a young man with holes in his memory must unravel the truth about his past, the rules he has always had to follow, and the horrors lurking in the shadows of the estate where he lives.

What did you recently finish reading?

Rise of the G.E.M.S. by Marian Dealy - A team of lab mice are mutated by scientific testing and sent into space.

What do you think you'll read next?

The Witching Wind by Natalie Lloyd

Non-fiction book review - The Lost Women of Science

 

The Lost Women of Science by Melina Gerosa Bellows and Katie Hafner

At first glance this is a fairly expected book - a series of profiles of women and their contributions to science. What sets this one apart is depth. These are not quick overviews. We learn at least a little about each woman's background and the importance of their contributions. Even more than that, we learn why they are overlooked. With multiple fields of science represented there is a fair range of information here. If you have any interest in lesser-known history this book is probably worth a look.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic Novel Spotlight - Brume

 

Brume: The Dragon Awakens by Jerome Pelisser

Brume is the tale of a foundling who is certain that not only is she a witch (despite not having any particular evidence of this notion) she is the one who will protect her village. Accompanied by her best friend and a pig she sets out to do just that. The bulk of the plot is playful and a bit silly but with the promise of much more. Most importantly, the art is fantastic. There are plenty of details and a super appealing bright style. The humor blends with a more serious plot to create a story with broad appeal. Originally written in French, this translation is clear and easily understood.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - Finding Lost

 

Title: Finding Lost

Author: Holly Goldberg Sloan

Genre: realistic fiction

Age range: middle grade

Similar book: Gooseberry by Robin Gow

Summary (provided by publisher): Cordy Jenkins is searching for something that will change her life, and for the safety that vanished when her father died. She is convinced that if she just tries hard enough, she will find part of what her family lost, which will stop her mom from wanting to leave the small town she and her little brother have always called home. What Cordy finds instead is a muddy, hungry little dog with bad breath. And he's the start of her family's new beginning.

What I liked: The characters here are strong and realistic. Cordy and her family aren't perfect. Each person has enough flaws to ring true as real people. Their emotions are complex. It's a relatable story with reasonable scope.

What I didn't like: The plot is a bit idealized and predictable. A kid going through a rough patch connecting with a dog is a familiar plot and we generally know where such plots are headed. While it doesn't stand out dramatically from the crowd it remains pleasant and readable.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

The Free State of Jax by Jennifer A Nielsen - Frustrated by the mistreatment he experiences at the hands of his guardians, Jax forms a micronation on a raft in his neighbor's pond.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Letters We Keep by Nisha Sharma - An ambitious young woman and a privileged young man find hidden letters that might hold the key to the truth behind a campus legend at their college.

What do you think you'll read next?

Jackson Bright in Spotlight by Eureka O'Hara

I have returned

 

Sort of fell off the earth there for a while, didn't I?

I started a new job in May and life sort of got away from me for a while. By the time I got my schedule figured out I was really behind on blogging and got super overwhelmed so I figured it was time for a break. But I'm back now and should be posting reviews again soon. 

If you stuck with me all this time, I truly appreciate it.

Graphic Novel Spotlight - Sib Squad

 

Sib Squad by Steve Breen   

This book is ideal for elementary readers who are ready for something beyond the most basic graphic novels. The vocabulary is still simple and accessible. The illustrations are easily understood and dynamic with a nice level of detail. The book is broken down into shorter stories so a kid who struggles with following a storyline for a long period will have an easier time with this one. The messaging is straightforward, addressing basic interpersonal issues. The characters are distinct visually and by personality. It may not be a book that a kid will turn to time and again but it's a solid read.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Suddenly I have a brand

 I made the decision to be a vendor at our local farmer's market this summer. I've been spending a lot of time this spring spinning my rabbit fur and I have a stock of yarn. I knew I needed a band telling people the basic information about the yarn. It could have been plain but I wanted a catchy name and a little picture. And this is what I came up with:

So hopefully you'll see some more updates from me soon telling you where you can find Hutch On The Hill Rabbit Fiber Yarns both online and in person.

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?

Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson - Two best friends on a mission to have the best night every in New York without their parent's knowledge.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Doughnut Club by Kristina Rahim - A girl who's always felt out of place in her family searches for connection to her sperm donor father.

What do you think you'll read next?

Astronautical! by Brooklin Stormie

Book review - Alice Eclair, Spy Extraordinaire

 

Title: Alice Eclair, Spy Extraordinaire - A Recipe for Trouble

Author: Sarah Todd Taylor

Genre: mystery

Age range: middle grade

Similar book: A Case of Grave Danger by Sophie Cleverly

Summary (provided by publisher): Baker by day, spy by night — Alice Éclair leads an exciting double life!
A mysterious message sends Alice on a mission aboard France's most glamorous train, the Sapphire Express . Alice must sneak on board posing as a pastry chef and discover which passenger is an enemy agent before they reach their final stop. But everyone on the train seems to be hiding something...
Armed with her whisk, her wits, and her will to succeed, Alice has a spy to catch.

What I liked: For a child spy, Alice is a suprisingly believable character. While she is exceptionally skilled, her reactions are appropriate for a child her age. She's not unflappable, unable to be manipulated. She's a kid, and a likeable one at that. The stakes are high without ever becoming too much for a young reader.

What I didn't like: The setting is war-time France. While that's interesting to me it might be a hard sell for a young reader. Still, Taylor handles it well and keeps us engaged.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non-fiction book review - Rebels, Robbers, and Radicals

 

Rebels, Robbers, and Radicals by Teri Kanefield

This book is more than just a simple break down of the contents of the Bill of Rights (as I had somewhat expected). Certainly each section presents us with the text of each amendment. More importantly, we are given examples of how each amendment has been interpreted throughout history. We see how Supreme Court cases and their decisions have influenced our understanding of our rights as they currently stand. This is a somewhat dense read but will go a long way to helping young readers understand their rights.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - Story Spinners

 

Title: Story Spinners    

Author: Cassandra Federman

Genre: realistic fiction

Age range: young middle grade

Similar book: Stella and Marigold by Annie Barrows

Summary (provided by publisher): Big sister Kennedy and little sister Devon couldn’t be more different. Their shared room has a clear divide down the middle. On one, musical theater–loving Kennedy keeps things tidy. On the other, heavy metal fan Devon looks like she lives in an exploded toy store. When baby sister Eve moves in, her contribution is crying. Constant. Ear-piercing. Crying.

The added stress pushes the older girls to their breaking point, and they get into their biggest fight yet. In response, Mom and Dad crack down, seizing all beloved electronics until Kennedy and Devon can find a way to get along. Now stuck together with no distractions except Eve’s screaming, the two land on a desperate solution: tell Eve a bedtime story so epic that it puts her to sleep and gets her big sisters out of trouble.

Pizza aside, the only thing the girls have in common is their love of stories. But Kennedy’s fairy tales make Devon want to barf, and Devon’s nonsensical adventure stories make Kennedy want to tear her hair out. So they try to mash-up a story of true love, adventure, princesses, pirates, pirate-princesses, dragons, spiders, and…garbage trucks?

That’s a lot of story to spin. Will their hilarious fairy tale remix solidify their sisterly bond or break it forever after?

What I liked: Kennedy and Devon are distinct characters. And anyone who's ever had to share a space with a vastly different sibling will relate to this plot. While the girls' reactions are a bit extreme, the plot is well paced and mostly playful.

What I didn't like: The resolution of the difference between the sisters is perhaps oversimplified but it makes for a quick read. It doesn't dig deep into the issues or introduce many complications.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

When We Go Missing by April Henry - When the police seem disinterested in the photo card she found of pictures of girls, it's up to Willow and her fellow animal shelter volunteer to find out what is going on.

What did you recently finish reading?

Roll for Initiative by Jaime Formato - Riley is struggling to live her life without her older brother helping her out until a new D&D crew helps her find her feet.

What do you think you'll read next?

Rebels Robbers and Radicals by Teri Kanefield

Book review - Billions to Burn

 

Title: Billions to Burn

Author: Taylor Banks

Genre: adventure

Age range: middle grade

Similar book: The Ambrose Deception by Emily Ecton

Summary (provided by publisher): Twelve-year-old Zeus Jones is just about the only person in the world who believes in his grandfather’s stories about the Harlem Renaissance. To be fair, they are a bit far-fetched. After all, what are the chances that there was a renowned magazine called Burn! whose headquarters literally burned down, destroying almost every single copy? And who would believe that a secret page was actually hidden amongst the ashes, said to be the key to unlocking a lost fortune? No one, that’s who. 

But when Zeus accidentally stumbles upon the secret page on the same day that his grandfather disappears without a trace, he finally has proof that his grandfather’s stories are more than just stories—they’re real. And now he knows that the secret page is more than just a secret page—it’s a treasure map, leading to a prize beyond all imagining. 

Follow the map, find the treasure, save his grandfather. Seems simple enough. But as Zeus and his friends work to solve the riddles of the map, long-buried secrets about the Harlem Renaissance, Black history, and Zeus’s own family are unraveled. And what’s more, they aren’t the only ones intent on seizing this prize. . .

What I liked: Banks deftly blends adventure and puzzle solving with elements of Black history, both positive and negative. As the characters work through the puzzles they discuss often overlooked people and events, moments of both tragedy and triumph. They address systemic racism and kinds of privilege in equal measure. This is not only an exciting story, it is an important one for discussion.

What I didn't like: The plot is often over the top, especially as regards the more villainous characters. And while the central characters are reasonably complex, many of the others are rather flat. If you're big into puzzle stories this is a decent choice but it won't suit everyone.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Listen with me

 

Return to Sender by Vera Brosgol

With a premise like this one - a kid finds a magic wishing mail slot in his new apartment - you're going to need to be prepared for some strangeness. I can't say as I was expecting this one to take quite the direction that it did. Without getting into spoiler territory I'll just say that you need to be prepared for some pretty unique plot points. For all it's strangeness, though, this is a pretty enjoyable read. The characters are strong, their desires understandable and compelling. Brosgol builds a world that we can relate to and get swallowed up by. 

As an audio, the narration is pleasant enough. The voice work can be a little irritating, but as long as you break it up in smaller chunks the squeaky voice never becomes overwhelming.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non-fiction book review - Everything You Know About Bugs (and Other Tiny Creatures) is Wrong

 

Everything You Know About Bugs (and Other Tiny Creatures) is Wrong by Dr. Nick Crumpton

Start with a super eye-catching cover/title combination and the inherent interest kids have in bugs and you're building on pretty strong footing. The writing bears up to that selling point as well. With lots of facts about insects that don't shy away from scientific detail (be prepared for scientific names) there's plenty here for young science lovers to enjoy. 

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Weird Sad and Silent by Alison McGhee - After escaping from her mom's violent ex-boyfriend, Daisy has gotten good at being invisible to bullies. But a new boy at school is shaking things up.

What did you recently finish reading?

Red and Me by Terry Lee Caruthers - Marlene wants nothing more than to own the abandoned dog wandering around her town.

What do you think you'll read next?

Billions to Burn by Taylor Banks

Third time is acceptable

 I learned to knit in college and spent a couple of years satisfied with small projects - hats and mittens, that sort of thing. And then I decided to try a sweater. After all, isn't that the pinacle of knitting? That experience taught me a couple of things: 1. I hate seaming a garment and especially setting in sleeves. 2. It's okay to enjoy small things. I resolved at that point to stick to small projects from that point.

Fast forward to now. I got this idea for a sweater, using a variegated yarn in a colorwork pattern. It was ridiculous and felt like a lot of work. And it would not leave me alone. Not only did I want to do a colorwork pattern, I wanted to invent my own chart. I started it right after Christmas. And when I got it done it was wrong. I had to take out the whole top and try again. When I had it nearly finished I discovered a major error and had to rip out the top for a second time. It's finally done. The fit isn't quite right but I refuse to redo it again. And this may well be the last sweater I ever make. Still, it matches my imagination pretty well.

Book review - Maeve Mulvaney Has Had Enough

 

Title: Maeve Mulvaney Has Had Enough

Author: Kelly Mangan

Genre: realistic fiction

Age range: middle grade

Similar book: Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution by Sherri Winston

Summary (provided by publisher): Fourteen-year-old Maeve feels more at home in the pages of her comics and sketchbook than she does in "Nowhereville" (her maybe-not-so-nice nickname for the small Florida town where her family just moved). In the comic-book version of her life, she's a brave superhero who always bests the bad guys. In reality? Not so much. 

When a bully at her new school makes her life miserable over her weight (and a sexist teacher defends him), Maeve isn’t sure what to do. Her mom thinks she should just cheer up, brush it off, and stay positive. But then Maeve hears from other misfit eighth graders who are also being picked on, and she decides that enough is enough.

Drawing inspiration from her comics, Maeve creates a feminist superhero club, hoping she and her new friends can inspire meaningful change in their community. But it turns out, fighting back without becoming the bully yourself is harder than it seems…

What I liked: Maeve's issues are complex. While she is largely victimized, she does bear some responsibility for things that happen to her. And the actions she takes aren't always admirable. Even when she makes the wrong choice, though, we can see what lead her to those actions. And the adults in her life are not blameless. There is the suggestion that empathy and social responsibility are lifelong processes.

What I didn't like: Some of the situations are a bit too extreme, the offenses so egregious as to be hard to believe. While these movements are few and far between, they don't go unnoticed.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?

The Trouble With Heroes by Kate Messner - A troubled boy must hike a series of mountains to make up for an act of vandalism.

What did you recently finish reading?

Everything You Know about Bugs (and Other Tiny Creatures) is Wrong by Dr Nick Crumpton - Myths about insects are debunked

What do you think you'll read next?

How to Talk to Your Succulent by Zoe Persica

Listen with me

 

Return to Sender by Vera Brosgol

I've enjoyed Brosgol's graphic novels, so when I found she had written a regular novel about a boy with a magic mail slot I figured that would be worth a listen. Let's give it a try.

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Our Big Table by Lisa Voisard - A simple exploration of 150 different foods.

What did you recently finish reading?

Tig by Heather Smith - After their mother abandoned them Tig and Peter lived alone for months. Now they're in the care of their uncle and are struggling to adjust.

What do you think you'll read next?

Maeve Mulvaney Has Had Enough by Kelly Mangan

Non-fiction book review - Jellyfish Scientist

 

Jellyfish Scientist by Michelle Cusolito

I love a picture book biography as a way of introducing a figure. This is probably all going to be new information for most readers. Personally, I had never heard of Maude Delap and she's now top of my list of people to learn more about. This book does more than just tell us about the scientist, though. Through a surprisingly brief text with accessible vocabulary we learn not just about Delap but the process she used for studying jellyfish. So we get history, biology, and a breakdown of the scientific method all in one charming book.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic novel spotlight - Ghost Town

 

Ghost Town by Eric Colossal

Plenty of graphic novels are just one thing - funny, exciting, heart-felt, scary. It's what we expect. With Ghost Town, though, Colossal had managed to combine all four of those elements into a single narrative in a way that feels natural and understandable. With a solid cast of characters and illustrations that convey complex emotions, this is a book that is fun to read and leaves the reader with some ideas to consider. While the plot certainly stretches the bounds of believability it never pushes the ideas too far and doesn't attempt to over-explain. While this won't be everyone's cup of tea, it's a fun experience if you're willing to give it a chance.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

An Impossible Thing to Say by Arya Shah - An Iranian American teen living in Arizona navigates relationships, family, and the immediate aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Center.

What did you recently finish reading?

Rainbow Fair by Diana Ma - Sophie's school holds a Rainbow Fair, celebrating the cultural backgrounds of the students. Sophie's always been in the Chinese booth but her teacher just found out she's Muslim and students can only work one booth. 

What do you think you'll read next?

Ghost Town by Eric Colossal

Book review - The Pecan Sheller

 

Title: The Pecan Sheller

Author: Lupe Ruiz-Flores

Genre: historical fiction

Age range: upper middle grade

Similar book: Rima's Rebellion by Margarita Engle

Summary (provided by publisher): In 1930s San Antonio, thirteen-year-old Petra dreams of going to college and becoming a writer.

But with her beloved father dead, two younger siblings to care for, and with a stepmother struggling to make ends meet, Petra has to drop out of school to shell pecans at a factory. Hoping it's only temporary, she tries not to despair over the grueling work conditions. But after the unhealthy environment leads to tragedy and workers' already low wages are cut, Petra knows things need to change. She and her coworkers go on strike for higher wages and safer conditions, risking everything they have for the hope of a better future.

What I liked: There's a clear progression of Petra's relationships both with her stepmother and with her job. We see how circumstance and the impetuous nature of youth drive her towards protest and also gain a clear understanding of the reluctance and situations that keep people in and unfair environment.

What I didn't like: The narrative is a bit too sparse at times, stating plainly what could be conveyed through "showing". We are never living the situation with the characters but are always quite aware that we are reading.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley