Book review - The Chismosas Only Book Club

 

Title: The Chismosas Only Book Club

Author: Laekan Zea Kemp

Genre: realistic fiction

Age range: upper middle grade

Similar book: The Mother Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick

Summary (provided by publisher): Cat, Sofia, Ana, and Mari are best friends. Nothing, nada, can break their bond. When Cat’s mom scolds them for their loud cackling at the bookstore, calling them a bunch of chismosas, the name sticks. Cat creates the The Chismosas Only Book Club, giving the girls a way to stay connected as they begin high school.

But ninth grade is hard, and it seems like no amount of conchas y libros y risas at Milagro’s Books, founded generations ago by Cat’s great-great-great-grandmother, can repair the ever-growing cracks in their friendship. But maybe the spirit of Milagro herself can . . .

What I liked: The characters here are realistic and deeply flawed. For all of their close connection they are also distinctive and have wide ranging problems. None of them are portrayed as innocent victims, pure hearts. These are kids actively making choices that the outsider can recognize will go wrong even as we understand the choice they make. The pacing is solid and has enough going on to keep us engaged.

What I didn't like: The transition between perspectives can be a bit jarring as we jump between narratives. It isn't always a comfortable read but it is a reasonable one.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - Our Fair Share

 

Title: Our Fair Share

Author: Sarah Marie Jette

Genre: realistic fiction

Age range: middle grade

Similar book: Family Week by Sarah Moon

Summary (provided by publisher): Seasonal work at the fairgrounds for most summers means Serafina, James, Avory, and Cassi are all experienced in fair life. Beloved traditions keep the best friends plenty busy. For them, this is more than just a summer vacation in Knox County, Maine. These are the best months of the year. This is their fair.

But it seems like everyone is distracted. James is having trouble at his new school. Avory is feeling smaller than ever. Cassi just wants to be left alone, but that's hard when your dad is caught in a scandal that leads to more eyes on her that she's never dreamed of. And Serafina is afraid she'll never get over the accident no one knows about. To make matters worse, there's a new fair manager - a community outsider - who seems determined to take away what is special about their fair. This summer is feeling a little too different. With two months ahead of them, the four friends need to find a way not just to survive their own inner turmoil, but to help their fair community thrive.

What I liked: This is a book populated by realistic, complex characters. Their problems are unique and never minimized. We never get the sense that a character could fix their life if they would only make one small change. We see how long term relationships change as we age without it becoming a simple issue of "outgrowing" a person. 

What I didn't like: Balancing four separate narratives can be challenging and often means that one doesn't get the space it deserves. The pacing is a bit slow and we don't always get enough depth on an individual issue.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Hairpins

 After making my bowtie hairpins, I was inspired to come up with another new design. I settled on these little balls of "yarn" made from narrow strips of t-shirt and little pieces of vintage ribbon.

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Our Fair Share by Sarah Marie Jette - Four kids, years long friends from their shared history at the fair, confront new challenges and face their secrets.

What did you recently finish reading?

A Fishboy Named Sashimi by Dan Santat - A fishboy tries to fit in at school while looking for other fishpeople like him.

What do you think you'll read next?

The Chismosas Only Book Club by Laekan Zea Kamp

Book review - Song of the Saltings

 

Title: Song of the Saltings

Author: Rachael King

Genre: fantasy

Age range: teen

Similar book: The Lamplighter by Crystal J Bell

Summary (provided by publisher): On the isolated island of Brack, the people live by an ancient bargain: every year, a sacrifice must be made to the Glimm, the creature that haunts the salt marshes. Once, it demanded children. Eight years ago, it should have taken Lotta. Instead, the monster spared her and claimed her pony, shattering tradition and anointing her both folk hero and object of suspicion.

Now sixteen, Lotta tends the Council’s sacrificial horses, keeping her distance from the islanders who whisper about her fate. But something is stirring. The island hums beneath her feet, and a song threads through her dreams. Is the Glimm calling Lotta back?

When she crosses paths with Moss—a boy once hidden from sacrifice—a daring bog rescue sparks a chain of events that forces them both to question the Council’s rule and the lore that binds their people. As crops and animals are blighted and uncanny weather plagues the community, Lotta and Moss must decide whether to obey the Council or risk everything to uncover the island’s deepest secrets.

Because on Brack, monsters come in many forms.

What I liked: King takes a concept that could be difficult to appreciate or engage with and makes it compelling. There's a fair amount of world building that flows naturally through the narrative rather than being dropped all in one glut of exposition.

What I didn't like: The writing here is rather dense, so it's a slow and almost plodding read. It takes a fair amount of dedication to read through this one and for some the payoff won't be satisfying enough to be worth the effort.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Never Leave Me Alone by Crissa-Jean Chappell - Birdie had a kindred spirit in Micah until he died in a stunt gone wrong and Birdie wants to know why he would have taken such a risk.

What did you recently finish reading?

Most Likely to Murder by Lish McBride - Rick and Martina are happy to fly under the radar at school until someone targets them in a vicious prank and people start to die.

What do you think you'll read next?

No Way Home by Joy Feldman

Non-fiction book review - Diamond Fever

 

Diamond Fever! by Steve Sheinkin

Sheinkin has made a name for himself in the historical space, presenting young readers with off-beat moments in history. This book is a solid entry into that field, telling the tale of a little known but important scam. As the story unspools, we learn important aspects of the people involved and societal elements that contributed to the success of the scam. With key points illustrated by comic strip pages the text is engaging and entertaining. This is a book that might resonate with fans of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley