A first for me to read--a fantasy novel told entirely through verse. Initially, I was skeptical about how that would work, but was won over by the lovA first for me to read--a fantasy novel told entirely through verse. Initially, I was skeptical about how that would work, but was won over by the lovely language and the variety of poetic forms telling the stories of Lyrianna, Zave, and Brob, two human children and a giant child who all find Orphan's Garden, a place of peace and plenty that calls to the souls of orphans. The three overcome centuries of human-giant hostility to create peace through the realization that Spring is the outcome of humans and giants coexisting and Winter Spirits are called by war. It takes both humans and giants to create gardens that sustain life....more
Danilo is a boy who doesn't realize he is suffering from PTSD after the American invasion of his neighborhood in Panama during Operation Just Cause inDanilo is a boy who doesn't realize he is suffering from PTSD after the American invasion of his neighborhood in Panama during Operation Just Cause in 1989. His father seems to have abandoned him, his mother, and his little sister for life in America and his home is destroyed. His family move to a refugee camp. He no longer enjoys playing baseball the way he did when he played with his father, but one day, he catches the eye of a recruiter who offers him the chance to play in California for the summer to hone his skills. Danilo feels wrong leaving his mother and sister behind, but takes the chance so he can find and confront his father. Focused on finding his father and sorting through his own problems as well as trying to fit in with his wealthy host family, Danilo almost misses the chance to make friends and improve his baseball skills. An honest discussion with his difficult coach brings him to a crossroad and makes him realize he needs to make some decisions about who he will be and how he will move through the world. ...more
Sage's mother is gone and her father, Declan, moved them away from Philadelphia to the Blue Ridge Mountains to get away. Only gradually do readers leaSage's mother is gone and her father, Declan, moved them away from Philadelphia to the Blue Ridge Mountains to get away. Only gradually do readers learn the reason for the move. All of Sage's pent up feelings about her mother's accident come to a head when she receives an invitation to the 50th wedding anniversary party for her mother's parents, whom she has never met. Sage decides to attend the party in Ohio against her father's wishes, hoping she can find something of her mother's and find out why the family experienced a huge split. In the end, not only does the family begin to heal, but the stray dog that helped bring them together also becomes family....more
Based on personal experience on the part of the author, this novel in verse explores the escape of a mother and her two daughters from domestic abuse Based on personal experience on the part of the author, this novel in verse explores the escape of a mother and her two daughters from domestic abuse and their road to recovery. Lacey has never known a time when she didn't have to be very careful around her father who could be charming when he wanted, but was emotionally, verbally, and even physically abusive. Although her sister Jenna is four years old, she has never spoken a word. One day, Lacey's mother orchestrates their escape and Lacey and her mother and sister begin the 'road to after' as they seek to understand what their lives could be without Lacey's father. Each begins to heal in her own way and at different paces, and sometimes Lacey is impatient with her mother. She thinks to herself, "I can't go back to before when I know we can have after." Lacey's feelings and her connection to nature as one means of healing are chronicled in lovely verse. ...more
Drawn from memories and interviews with family and friends, Nelson's novel in verse explores a year in the life of a black 5th grade girl growing up iDrawn from memories and interviews with family and friends, Nelson's novel in verse explores a year in the life of a black 5th grade girl growing up in 1963. Cooper Dale works through her thoughts about school, teachers, race, friendship, and faith, as well as the nature of forgiveness as she comes to understand the events in the life of a class bully. Woven throughout are snippets of history such as the bombing of a church in Birmingham and the rise of the Beatles as Cooper struggles to understand what it means to 'shine' as a person in her education and in herself and comes to a better understanding of who she is....more
Three of my four favorite mystery authors help solve the murder of a wealthy industrialist. Christie, Marsh, Sayers, and Allingham had all lent their Three of my four favorite mystery authors help solve the murder of a wealthy industrialist. Christie, Marsh, Sayers, and Allingham had all lent their names to a fundraiser with an eye to being more prepared for the coming of the next war--unfortunately, their host was murdered while they were staying overnight at his residence. While the main character is a female detective with Scotland Yard, the four contribute information to the background of the case, most of which at first seems to be red herrings, but in the end is pertinent to the solution. Sadly, although the four did not guess the identity of the murderer, I did....more
This ranks among my favorites of the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes books to date. The knave of the title is Russell's long-lost, and believed (by RThis ranks among my favorites of the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes books to date. The knave of the title is Russell's long-lost, and believed (by Russell anyway) to be dead Uncle Jack, her father's younger brother. Apparently, Holmes has known, or at least suspected, that Jack was not dead. Jack is a scamp, a confidence man, a thief, and a trickster, and now he embroils Russell, and through Russell, Holmes in an escapade to find the long-lost so-called Irish Crown Jewels. In this story, we see Russell and Holmes at their most human and most united, even with the potential for family to split them. As always, King delivers a fast-paced yet well-developed story with lots of twists....more
This is the first of the Moonwind Mysteries that I have read. This book is difficult to read as an entry book to the series because of all the prior kThis is the first of the Moonwind Mysteries that I have read. This book is difficult to read as an entry book to the series because of all the prior knowledge of characters needed; nevertheless, it was enjoyable. The subject matter is quite dark as is the cliffhanger that will lead to the next book. I thought the author did a good job of providing enough clues to help the reader along in solving the mystery, yet not revealing too much....more
Prue is desperately trying to stay close to her sister Lina who has left. She tries to continue the tradition of the Tub Show, a show that Prue and hePrue is desperately trying to stay close to her sister Lina who has left. She tries to continue the tradition of the Tub Show, a show that Prue and her sisters used to put on in the bathroom using the still-connected landline, sending out a weather report, jokes, and news to their "audience." Only gradually does the reader come to understand that Lina didn't just leave the house, she died, killed crossing the street by a drunk driver at midnight. Prue firmly believes that the best place to keep Lina's memory alive is in their apartment at the Oldenburgh, and then, the apartment building is sold and everyone given a month to move out. Prue concocts a scheme to save the Oldenburgh, a scheme with which the Oldenburgh itself heartily agrees, and which the building itself tries to carry out. A boy from across the street offers to help also. In the end, Prue forges a larger community, and when her family moves, takes pieces of Lina and the Oldenburgh, along with all her former neighbors, with her. This book tracks the path of one family's grief at the loss of a family member. ...more
This may be the first time since her apprenticeship that Mary Russell disagrees with her husband, Sherlock Holmes. Nevertheless, they work together toThis may be the first time since her apprenticeship that Mary Russell disagrees with her husband, Sherlock Holmes. Nevertheless, they work together to solve the mystery surrounding the death of one of Mrs. Hudson's acquaintances in her new home in Monte Carlo. With another war looming on the horizon, Holmes and Russell take on an international arms dealer and a small-time smuggler with ties to White Russia. I enjoyed being in on Mary's private thoughts and the secrets she shared as well as those she kept....more
Sage's 13th birthday was marked by grief instead of celebration. Sage attends a grief group after school and feels closer to a couple of the girls thaSage's 13th birthday was marked by grief instead of celebration. Sage attends a grief group after school and feels closer to a couple of the girls than the others because she thinks they understand her better, but she feels guilty at feeling that maybe she is moving on from her friendship with Angel who was hit by a car on her way to spend Sage's birthday with her. Sage's journey to begin healing from her grief and guilt at her best friend's death are chronicled through verse and prose. This book may help children who read it understand one person's process of grief....more
Pineda Matlage knows what it is like to be different in 1950s rural Texas since his white father married his Cuban mother--some people in town look riPineda Matlage knows what it is like to be different in 1950s rural Texas since his white father married his Cuban mother--some people in town look right through him. So, when the Aggressor Nation Army invades his small town during a military exercise, he knows right away when someone different shows up. However, Pineda accepts the girl for who she is, and amid the chaos of the invasion exercise, when the real Army wants his friend "Luisa" and her parents, Pineda persuades the entire town to help him get his new friend and her family home. The story, told through many voices, explores the idea of 'other' and how we treat those who are 'other.' Although set during true historic events, the story's premise of solidarity among sentient beings, is both timely and an interesting twist on a (mostly) historical event....more
Bea, named for Beatrix Potter, the room at the hospital where she was baby number 42, and Max, the nurse who adopted her, are the two X's. Together, tBea, named for Beatrix Potter, the room at the hospital where she was baby number 42, and Max, the nurse who adopted her, are the two X's. Together, they can take on the world. However, that world is shaken one day when a shooter comes to school. Bea freezes, unable to drop to the ground or hide because of her wheelchair. How Bea and Max deal with the aftermath of the shooting and how Bea works to feel safe again are the subject of this sometimes heart-wrenching story written by an author whose life was also changed by a school shooting. ...more
Scilla was abandoned by her mother at the workhouse when she was very young. Now, her friend Dora who helped her leave the workhouse has died, leavingScilla was abandoned by her mother at the workhouse when she was very young. Now, her friend Dora who helped her leave the workhouse has died, leaving Scilla alone in the world. Desperate for food, Scilla climbs the wall of a garden, a marvelous garden, and steals a peach. Naturally, she is caught, but being dressed in boys' clothes, she is allowed to work off her debt, masquerading as Seth Brown. Over time, Scilla is given more and more responsibility, but she will have to decide whether to do what is right, or keep her friendship with Phin, a boy whom she admires, but turns out to be one of the bruised fruits of the orchard. Although the descriptions of gardening on a large scale for an earl were fascinating, I found the story somewhat unconvincing in its treatment of wrongdoing in the early Victorian years as well as Scilla's willingness to trust people given her prior experience in the workhouse....more
Ivo was a boy who lived in a moon snail shell and wrote stories that were like poems. Some of his stories were sad, some were happy, and some were angIvo was a boy who lived in a moon snail shell and wrote stories that were like poems. Some of his stories were sad, some were happy, and some were angry, but eventually, the individual stories return again and again until they are finished. Readers who enjoy quirky will enjoy this book....more
Raven Gallows is fascinated by forensic science. Just look at the collection of animal skulls she has soaking in bleach water in the bathtub, or her rRaven Gallows is fascinated by forensic science. Just look at the collection of animal skulls she has soaking in bleach water in the bathtub, or her roadkill experiments that she has buried and digs up every month so she can check on their decomposition rates. Her best friend, Cosmina, firmly believes in her ability to communicate with spirits, but Raven takes a more scientific approach--after all, if spirits could communicate, why hasn't her mother communicated with Raven since her death six years before. Raven's number one goal in life is to solve the mystery of her mother's murder, but she is sidetracked by finding a mummified body in the wall of a local tourist attraction, the haunted hotel Moonrise Manor. Working with her friend Cosmina, her computer nerd friend Eric Wong, and new-to-town Miles Farnsworth, she discovers that her mother's murder is somehow connected to the body and to an art theft six years prior. This fast-paced and intriguing novel is a great set up for more books to come, and I look forward to reading them....more
This book takes up exactly where Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm leaves off. Zhi Ging learns more about her back story and strengthens fThis book takes up exactly where Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm leaves off. Zhi Ging learns more about her back story and strengthens friendships while continuing to deal with the bullying of her nemesis, Iridill. Zhi Ging helps the Cyo B'Ahon deal with a new threat to the world of Wengyuen. I really hope there is a third book, although this series was billed from the beginning as only two adventures. ...more
Mason in New York City and Talia in western Pennsylvania are united in their support for each other while responding to school bullying. The big diffeMason in New York City and Talia in western Pennsylvania are united in their support for each other while responding to school bullying. The big difference, though, is that Mason lives in 2023 and Talia lives in 1987. Their letter correspondence began when Mason wrote a letter to Albert Einstein, an assignment from his new therapist to help him make sense of his father's departure for Atlanta, while his mother and he stayed behind in New York. When he printed the letter and put it in his closet, somehow it ended up in Talia's closet. She wrote back. Once they actually believed in each other's existence and time period, they gave each other some pretty good advice and encouraged each other to actually take that advice for themselves! This storyline was interesting as it was told in two voices and dealt with both the differences in time as well as the similarities of bullying....more
O'Connelll and her husband take a tour behind the scenes at the Atlanta Zoo over the course of several days. This book is packed with interesting infoO'Connelll and her husband take a tour behind the scenes at the Atlanta Zoo over the course of several days. This book is packed with interesting information that the author hopes will bridge the gap in readers from seeing animals to knowing and caring about animals and then, to care about their environments....more