Kelly's life is going fine, or at least fine-adjacent, until her 29th birthday. That's the night she ducks into a restroom and finds herself in a diffKelly's life is going fine, or at least fine-adjacent, until her 29th birthday. That's the night she ducks into a restroom and finds herself in a different life: married, living close to her hometown, having given up her art for the high-school sweetheart she never had. Memories of both lives compete in her head, sometimes with a third set like deja Vu. Who is this Kelly? Where did her old life go? And why is every duplicate memory stemming from the same moment when Eric asked her out in high school?
Compulsively-readable thriller with time-travel, sci-fi AI elements. I don't think tech will get to this point, but it's good to have the cautionary tales in case it does....more
I saw an exhibit of Jona Frank's photography a the Bowdoin College of Art, and it hit me in ways that really surprised me. I hadn't been prepared for I saw an exhibit of Jona Frank's photography a the Bowdoin College of Art, and it hit me in ways that really surprised me. I hadn't been prepared for the gut-punch that photos of a suburban childhood would deliver. In this book, which expands on Frank's exhibit, Frank talks about her childhood: her distant mother whom she always wanted to please; the complicated relationships with each of her brothers; her attempts to be what everyone else wanted and expected of her while questioning what--or if--she herself wants. ...more
An honest account of one person's journey with gender identity. I'll be passing this title along to a couple of my 8th grade students who I think coulAn honest account of one person's journey with gender identity. I'll be passing this title along to a couple of my 8th grade students who I think could benefit from it....more
Marjorie's been acting strangely, and her family has noticed. Her 8-year-old sister Merry tells the story of her sister's descent into either schizophMarjorie's been acting strangely, and her family has noticed. Her 8-year-old sister Merry tells the story of her sister's descent into either schizophrenia or demonic possession, and the reality show that was made about them. Present-day, adult-Merry narrates the story to a reporter who is writing a book about the family. But in some places, the memories don't line up with the filmed evidence, and we are left wondering what really happened vs what Merry believes happened vs what 8yo Merry believed happened.
I had expected this to be a suspenseful thriller, and it did keep me turning pages, but it was mostly sad to see a family in crisis, virtually powerless to stop it....more
Formula is a little played out by now (IMO) but the kids still love them and can't get enough. I know I'm not the target audience.Formula is a little played out by now (IMO) but the kids still love them and can't get enough. I know I'm not the target audience....more
Jesus, what a ride this was. The intersection of time and emotions (did you know they intersected?), where time can only be restarted by truly examiniJesus, what a ride this was. The intersection of time and emotions (did you know they intersected?), where time can only be restarted by truly examining one's feelings and listening to and caring about others. How do you sum up an AS King novel, anyway? This one didn't hit me quite as hard as The Year We Fell From Space but I do see this one playing a big role in future therapy sessions....more
Lucas lives and breaths video games. His parents aren't thrilled with that. But when he and his friends hear about an upcoming tournament for their faLucas lives and breaths video games. His parents aren't thrilled with that. But when he and his friends hear about an upcoming tournament for their favorite game, his parents relent a little. Only a little, though--Lucas still needs to commit to some volunteer work and balance his time. His volunteer job is visiting an elderly man (Isaac) and helping him with small tasks, like cleaning litterboxes and washing dishes. Isaac has had a fascinating life, and while he and Lucas don't have a lot of shared interests, they form a tight bond. Meanwhile, the Smashtown Frenzy tournament is drawing closer, and his team is fracturing.
A great, action-packed read for gamers, but also for readers who like to see more character growth and change. Lucas has a real character arc, changing for the better and growing up a lot. His friends are a little light on their own development--not Central Casting, but not as richly developed as Lucas or Isaac.
This will be in my middle school collection in the fall. (Assuming schools have reopened by then, sigh.) ...more
Moxie is back with a new dilemma! When her arch-enemy contracts Moxie's mystery-solving services, Moxie has no choice but the do the unthinkable: she Moxie is back with a new dilemma! When her arch-enemy contracts Moxie's mystery-solving services, Moxie has no choice but the do the unthinkable: she has to go undercover as a Wonder Scout, possibly the most insipid group of girls she could ever think of. Everything about the Wonder Scouts is awful! Even .... well, even the girl who seems pretty nice, who wants to help Moxie earn the badges she'll need to be a full-fledged Scout. But also, why is one scout trying to sabotage another? It's a darned good thing Moxie McCoy (and Milton!) are on the case!
My 9yo and I both really enjoyed this installment--funny, clever, some insightful personal growth and a stealthy Message about trying new things. (It is NOT an overt message. It may not have been intentional. But Moxie tried something new! That's really all that matters.)
Looking forward to Book 4. Get writing, Matthew! Get drawing, Robbi!...more
I was so eager for this book and now I've read it and it was everything I wanted and more.
Margot has always lived with her mom. No other family. And tI was so eager for this book and now I've read it and it was everything I wanted and more.
Margot has always lived with her mom. No other family. And that's been fine, but then she's trying to do a nice thing for her mom and discovers that she has a grandmother. More specifically, she has a name and a phone number for the grandmother she's never met. Margot finds a way to get there, and then ... that's where things get strange. There's a cornfield on fire, and in the fire there's a girl. By the time Margot and her new companions get the girl out of the fire, she's already dead, and that's not the weird part. The weird part is that the girl is identical to Margot in every way.
So ... who is she? Who is anyone in this town? Why does Gram stay when her farm is in ruins and the locals dislike her so much? What is it that nobody's telling Margot?
Mysterious and haunting with some creepiness that you can only get through exploration of small-town interpersonal politics and long memories. It's no Wilder Girls but it's still a great, compelling story that keeps the reader guessing even long after turning the last page. ...more
Excellent premise that mostly delivered. The ending was a little neat for the situation, but the book held my interest until 2am when I finished it.
AExcellent premise that mostly delivered. The ending was a little neat for the situation, but the book held my interest until 2am when I finished it.
As much as I'd never want to be in this situation (needing to kidnap a child in order for mine to be released), I was a little disappointed to never fall completely into the story--I was always aware that it was a book, that these weren't real people. I didn't get the sense of desperation I'd expected.
I haven't been reading much lately. It was good to engage with a book and enjoy it, even if the book itself was, in the end, unsatisfying....more
I'm a decade or from New Parenthood at this point, but damn if most of these comics weren't startlingly familiar. As usual for Knisley, honesty and huI'm a decade or from New Parenthood at this point, but damn if most of these comics weren't startlingly familiar. As usual for Knisley, honesty and humor blend into a lovely, heartfelt package....more
The third entry in Raina's autobiographical series, after Smile and Sisters. This one tackles anxiety and the resultant physical issues, which in her The third entry in Raina's autobiographical series, after Smile and Sisters. This one tackles anxiety and the resultant physical issues, which in her case center on her stomach.
Middle schoolers will eat this up (sorry) (not sorry), and showing anxiety in someone they admire will be super-positive....more
3.5. I've enjoyed this series, but this feels like more of the same, only.... Less. There are plenty of book references, but on the whole the library 3.5. I've enjoyed this series, but this feels like more of the same, only.... Less. There are plenty of book references, but on the whole the library doesn't play a big part, except that it's where the game is held. This installment focuses more on puzzles and games than books and related, which is fun but not what I was looking for.
I'm annoyed at the school librarian who takes her cues for punishment from a student ("they should get 5 detentions, not three!" "Huh, sure. Five!"), and that said librarian doesn't see through the most obsequious kid in the school. And really, it was their first offense; any detention, rather than a warning to keep the noise down, is ridiculous.
Kyle is still Kyle, Charles is still Charles. Charles finally gets a little backstory at the end, when Kyle gets a peek at what Charles's family is like. Useful for character development, but a little heavy-handed....more
Darius and his family take a sudden trip to Iran, finally meeting his grandparents in person. Darius is struggling in a lot of ways--his depression, fDarius and his family take a sudden trip to Iran, finally meeting his grandparents in person. Darius is struggling in a lot of ways--his depression, for one, but also his relationship with his father and his friendlessness. But Iran turns out to change him in a lot of ways: a new friend, new familial relationships, a new understanding of himself.
An honest look at a socially awkward, depressed teen working on (and through) his issues and gaining understanding of his family. ...more
A collection of essays on raising three boys. While it's not something that will stick in my head long-term, it was an enjoyable read and one I'm likeA collection of essays on raising three boys. While it's not something that will stick in my head long-term, it was an enjoyable read and one I'm likely to pass along to other parents. There is some gendering (raising BOYS, with all the implications and connotations that brings along) but mostly it's a pretty balanced collection. I laughed through many of them (some in horror, some in recognition... sigh) and I'd probably follow his blog if I could find one. I'd also pick up another collection from him.
Izzy is a terrible student but a brilliant performer, biding her time in school until the talent show. Brianna is bookish and science-minded, but her Izzy is a terrible student but a brilliant performer, biding her time in school until the talent show. Brianna is bookish and science-minded, but her mom needs her to fill in at the last minute for a school play.
Stories intersect, but only at the very last page.
I can see why my middle-schoolers like this, but I (an adult, not in the target demographic) found it wanting....more
Liberty is 12 years old and reeling from her parents' separation. She's outside working on a star I read this in one sitting.
And then I read it again.
Liberty is 12 years old and reeling from her parents' separation. She's outside working on a star map (on which she creates her own constellations, which help her to focus her mind and process things) when a meteorite comes from the sky. Liberty wants her parents to reconcile, and bargains with the night sky, with the meteorite, to make it happen. It doesn't. She can't find the constellations in the maps from the week her dad moved out. She knows that her dad has depression but doesn't fully get what that means, even though she's struggling with similar, nameless emotions herself. The constellations won't come. The meteorite's advice is a mixed bag.
This hit home for me, square in the chest. As is to be expected with King's books, there's not a single wasted word; the sentences flow smoothly with distinct voice and rhythm. The meteorite adds a surreal element to an otherwise straightforward story. Required reading for middle schoolers, especially the ones who are struggling to understand their emotions and those of their parents....more
Mollie knew she shouldn't say anything positive about her baby brother, lest the Kinde Folk hear and swap him for one of theirs. She knows that the loMollie knew she shouldn't say anything positive about her baby brother, lest the Kinde Folk hear and swap him for one of theirs. She knows that the locket around his neck is meant to protect him. But it won't hurt to wear the pretty necklace herself, just for a few minutes? He's such a good baby!
The changeling child--whom they call Guest, since he's NOT staying--is a hellion. Mollie's dad left and her mom is a mess, trying to care for this hated creature and distraught over her own boy. It's up to Mollie to go to the Kinde Folk and retrieve her real brother, but the queen won't give him up easily.
This is a different kind of story from what Hahn usually writes, and I think the story is stronger for it--the ideas and the writing sound fresher than they have in her other recent books.
The subtitle caught my eye while I browsed the bookshelves at the local recycling center.
The book mostly follows Jerry through his childhood, as he exThe subtitle caught my eye while I browsed the bookshelves at the local recycling center.
The book mostly follows Jerry through his childhood, as he experiences normal childhood things through a lens of strict religion. He is a devout child. He doesn't question the religious teachings that say the world will end in 1972, and then 1975, and then delayed again. It's not until his teenage years that he begins to see the religion as what it is--a cult run by a grifter--and even then he needs his older brother to point it out.
I'm a little disappointed with the scope of the book, given that neither the white supremacy nor the Doomsday aspects are all that present. I'm curious to know more about getting out of the church, both for Jerry and for the rest of his family. I want answers that just weren't here, despite the promise of the subtitle....more
I liked this one better than the first, but still didn't thrill me. The 9yo loved it, though.I liked this one better than the first, but still didn't thrill me. The 9yo loved it, though....more