Drawing from her own childhood in Puerto Rico, the author of this picture book [3.5 for me!] celebrates her wonderful abuela and women like her who seDrawing from her own childhood in Puerto Rico, the author of this picture book [3.5 for me!] celebrates her wonderful abuela and women like her who seem able to transform the ordinary into something magical. How do they do this? Through cooking, through gardening, through dancing, even through bedtime rituals. Vivid words and memorable description such as flan that "tastes like sugary kisses and caramel dreams" (unpaged) and equally impressive mixed media illustrations capture effectively the love and admiration shared by granddaughter and grandmother. ...more
Most of us probably consider Thanksgiving to be a thoroughly American holiday, and while to some extent, that's true, this picture book depicts ChuseoMost of us probably consider Thanksgiving to be a thoroughly American holiday, and while to some extent, that's true, this picture book depicts Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving, through the ideas of a young girl who wants to learn more about the holiday and share it with her best friends. Su-Jin, the granddaughter, is thoughtful enough to realize that her grandmother may be feeling homesick and missing her cultural traditions since this is her first year away from Korea. By embracing her grandmother's knowledge and being open to what she has to share, Su-Jin helps the woman feel valued. The text and colorful illustrations depict the foods, crafts, and the lunar calendar to count down the days until the arrival of the harvest moon. All of this is presented in a warm, inviting fashion, making this picture book a possible choice for a collection consisting of books about cultures or holidays as well as one with a gentle reminder that it's possible (and even desirable) to blend cultural traditions. ...more
Oh, how easy it is to be blinded by the fame and celebrity of someone else, especially when that person seems to be a friend. In the latest installmenOh, how easy it is to be blinded by the fame and celebrity of someone else, especially when that person seems to be a friend. In the latest installment of a blended Black family living in New York City, Sunday Saunders, who has far too many great ideas but who suffers from a lack of self-confidence, is determined to host a community musical with auditions and performances from various neighbors. But she doesn't know how to pull everything together, especially since she refuses the help of her sisters, Bo, Lil, and Lee, in favor of the promised assistance of television star Talitha Thomas, who has just moved into the neighborhood. Sunday's not the best at planning and organizing although she's creative and innovative, and readers will recognize early on that Talitha is more talk than action and that she's into the project for her own purposes. Even the book's title gives away what is essentially happening. Reading this humorous book with its realistic characters felt like pulling a warm blanket around me on a cold summer night. There's plenty of Black girl magic and familial and community love sprinkled throughout its pages. ...more
Narrated by Doctor Blob, a loyal Bernese Mountain dog, this charming novel is sure to prompt plenty of joy amid some tears as the canine tries to put Narrated by Doctor Blob, a loyal Bernese Mountain dog, this charming novel is sure to prompt plenty of joy amid some tears as the canine tries to put his family back together again. Ideal for fourth and fifth graders but with appeal for older ones, the book follows Blob's efforts to heal his people after Mom, the center of their world, dies in an accident. Nothing he does works, and when Mom sends some help, it's not in the form Blob expects. In fact, Blob positively hates this new arrival and does a very, very bad thing. The book's clever title rings true, especially when readers reach the final pages, and Blob's voice is endearingly authentic throughout the narrative, including how he addresses his favorite human, Good Boy, refuses to hear his real name because it contains a cat sound, and fears the Animal Control officer. Although the book covers tough topics of loss and grief, it also contains tender tidbits of humor and hope. Readers will be convinced by the end of the book that dogs really can make it all better. ...more
Not only is this unique novel sweeping in its scope, moving back and forth in time and leaping from one character to another while also returning to tNot only is this unique novel sweeping in its scope, moving back and forth in time and leaping from one character to another while also returning to the night when one character disappears while walking along the beach with his daughter, but it's just as sweeping and massive in its writing. The author uses complex sentences, vivid descriptions, and small moments that capture the essence of her characters, and just when it seems that readers feel as though they know all about someone, that knowledge turns out to be untrue or incomplete. Since I knew nothing about how several individuals had been kidnapped and imprisoned in North Korea, much of the political aspect of this story was revelatory for me. There is so much to consider while pondering the slippery nature of memory and emotions here as well as family dynamics and how we choose to cope or simply continue on after great losses. It's a fascinating mystery that requires some patience on the part of readers, and the omission of great swaths of time may be problematic for some. But ultimately, everything fits together rather neatly, possibly prompting a reread to appreciate even more the author's storytelling and plotting abilities. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when starting this book, but I wasn't disappointed. As I reached the last pages, I found myself thinking about how little of what happens to us is actually in our control, something that the author makes quite clear. ...more
I've loved everything that this author has written, especially Plan A, which just knocked it out of the park. In this one, her latest, she explores soI've loved everything that this author has written, especially Plan A, which just knocked it out of the park. In this one, her latest, she explores some of the negative aspects of Artificial Intelligence while also examining the importance of families, both birth and found, and the importance of being seen and heard. Through the lens of the protagonist, Eleanor Diamond, whose father, tech god Hugo Harrison, has never acknowledged her or her older sister Rosalind, readers watch as Eleanor learns some hard truths about her father and his ethics. For years she's lived in awe of him, longing for his love and recognition while also feeling ignored by her mother and sister. When she has the chance to be a nanny to Arlo, Hugo's young son, and work with Aurora, his famous and beautiful wife and stay in their Seattle mansion, she leaps at the opportunity, changing only her last name. The more time she spends with this family, the more confused she becomes, growing increasingly uncomfortable with how carefully curated everyone's life is and Hugo's ambitious project intended to replace mothers. As alluring as Hugo's world is, not all of it is real or meaningful, and it's clear that both he and Aurora fail to realize that there's a difference between paid help and real friends. For some, the references to comic books and a comic heroine, Miss Fury, may be confusing, but she serves as Eleanor's alter ego, and is important to include as is the back story about her creator and other comics. I also loved the Soggy Pages Book Club and would wish for such a support system for myself if I were still a teen. Readers will probably finish this one with an inclination to do some soul-searching and thinking about what is real and what isn't and why the distinction matters. I read some of the more negative reviews about this book, and while I respect the fact the everyone has different reactions to books, I didn't agree with their comments. The book isn't perfect, but its positive points far outweigh any flaws. ...more
Dealing with loss and grief, whatever the form, is never easy. It's important that youngsters come to understand that death and/or loss are a part of Dealing with loss and grief, whatever the form, is never easy. It's important that youngsters come to understand that death and/or loss are a part of life, and even adults struggle with the emotions surrounding loss. In this moving picture book, Giselle, the protagonist, is quite observant and can tell that her father is feeling particularly sad on this day. While it could be that her mother is simply missing or has left the family behind for an adventure, it seems clear that she's dead, judging by the items that are on her dressed--earrings, perfume, and rings, all carefully dusted by Giselle. As Giselle thinks about happier times, she remembers how her mother used her imagination to dream and pretend that all the things they planned to do were happening now. Inspired, she drags her father into a series of imaginative adventures, including flying on a plane, attending a concert on the moon, and time traveling through a book, in this case, a scrapbook filled with family photos and mementos. Despite its subject matter, the story is hopeful, offering one path to healing. The luminous, color-drenched, surreal illustrations, including a much larger-than-life turkey sandwich, were created with textures that were painted and then scanned with Photoshop and Procreate. Giselle's shining example offers a way forward for others in similar circumstances. ...more
Sixteen-year-old Ros Demir, who is half Turkish, is one of those protagonist readers will love to hate, even while seeing parts of themselves in her. Sixteen-year-old Ros Demir, who is half Turkish, is one of those protagonist readers will love to hate, even while seeing parts of themselves in her. She makes plenty of mistakes and might be one of the most self-absorbed characters since Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind. Uncertain about her future college plans, conflicted about her Turkish heritage, and nursing a grudge or two, she offers plenty of humor and life lessons to teen readers. Still stinging from rumors about her reputation and the loss of her best friend, Lydia, from years ago, she's on the hunt for a handsome boyfriend, who will basically be a prop in her pursuit of a spot on the high school homecoming court. As she stumbles from betrayal after betrayal, she leaves behind plenty of messes, only realizing at a late hour just what she's done and owning responsibility for her actions. As I read this YA title, I couldn't help wondering what might have happened if she'd put all that energy toward something more worthwhile than a crown. Gosh! I thought homecoming courts and all that hoopla had gone out of style. Some teen readers will gobble this one up, perhaps rooting for Ros to get the boy, while other readers may hope that she has learned her lesson and will be a kinder, more thoughtful person. ...more
With colorful, child-appropriate artwork, this board book introduces youngsters to words associated with mealtime. The phrases and sentences are shortWith colorful, child-appropriate artwork, this board book introduces youngsters to words associated with mealtime. The phrases and sentences are short, and some are vivid: "Slurp. Munch. Chew. Crunch," for instance. The book takes readers through the preparation, consumption, and finishing of a meal in an engaging fashion, which will help with language development and object recognition. It's part of the Toddler Talk series. Having a mirror on the last page into which to look guarantees multiple readings....more
Oh, this historical fiction, set in rural Iowa during the summer and fall of 1941, is so good, so emotionally rich, and well written. Not only does itOh, this historical fiction, set in rural Iowa during the summer and fall of 1941, is so good, so emotionally rich, and well written. Not only does it cover a little-known part of WWII history--the existence of a Quaker hostel for Jewish refugees--but it also tackles hard, almost unanswerable questions with respect, honoring their complexity. The plot focuses on Peggy Mott, 12 and 13 during the six months of the story, a math whiz who is convinced that all problems can be solved. But as she eventually learns, that may be true when it comes to numbers and math problems, but not when it comes to life, death, love, and even some choices that seem forced on us. When Peggy learns that her literary, poetry-loving cousin, Delia, has leukemia, she tries to force her rational approach to life on finding a cure. Her frustrating journey also reveals much about herself to Peggy, who experiences emotions she never imagined she would, including a crush, and makes plenty of mistakes along the way. Humor is deftly blended into the narrative, with one passage in which Peggy tries to explain a poem to Delia through a mathematics lens being particularly absurd but also offering clues to her own worldview. The characters in this book are just as complicated as life itself. And while the setting may seem, on the surface, to be dated, the emotions and questions are particularly relevant in today's political climate when it often seems that there is little that is within our control. ...more
Cheerful rhyming lines and bright artwork in this board book offer an accessible introduction to eggs as might be guessed from its title. What makes tCheerful rhyming lines and bright artwork in this board book offer an accessible introduction to eggs as might be guessed from its title. What makes this one different from the typical book is its peek-through pages and its focus on the delights of eating an egg, whether soft-boiled or fried, and the gratitude owed to that nesting chicken who just might provide another egg for tomorrow's meals. ...more
This middle grade novel set in 1850 Lancashire, England, kept me engaged during the entire time I was reading it. Although there are several passages This middle grade novel set in 1850 Lancashire, England, kept me engaged during the entire time I was reading it. Although there are several passages about fruits, vegetables, and gardening that some might find distracting, those elements only served to enhance my pleasure in reading this book. It covers territory not often written about in modern books for this age group, including its time and place, as well as featuring an imperfect protagonist in Scilla Brown, 11, who has spent most of her life in a workhouse, having been abandoned by her mother. After losing her older protector, Dora, who seems to have used her to distract others while she steals food, Scilla climbs into the Earl of Havermore's garden [You have to love these names!] to eat a peach. Of course, she's caught, mistaken for a boy, and then continues the pretense so that she has a temporary place to stay and something to eat. Although she's aware of the distinction between right and wrong, her poverty and life on the streets often prompt her to blame others or to be dishonest. But the trust of the head gardener, Mr. Layton, and the sense of purpose she feels when working with the plants, slowly change her. Her growth can be compared to that of the plants she tends, and she begins dreaming of a hopeful future. Still, there's Phin, an apprentice who befriends her and urges her to take risks. Despite her attraction to him, Scilla slowly starts wondering if her trust in him is misplaced. Every word in this story has been carefully chosen, fitting the time period as well as adding suspense and intensity to even the seemingly smallest moments. There are so many aspects of Scilla's story that bear considering and discussing, including her thoughts on nobility, which, in the end, has nothing to do with one's class or social status but more to do with one's character and behavior. Bravo to the author for this wonderful story, her first one. Its literary quality is high, and while its setting may be unfamiliar to young readers, its themes and ethical dilemmas will resonate with them....more
No single article or book can do justice to a place like South Bronx, and anyone who reads this book and comes away with the notion that everyone liviNo single article or book can do justice to a place like South Bronx, and anyone who reads this book and comes away with the notion that everyone living there has the same chaotic lives as Jessica and Coco, who are its focus, is incredibly naive. Yes, there are others just like these two Latina women, who are caught up in cycles of abuse, unhealthy relationships, and poverty. Some of them turn to crime, but that isn't always the case. While I had many unanswered questions upon finishing the book and felt curious about what happened to all the members of this sprawling random family. I also wondered about how the author gained access to these particular individuals and how her presence affected their behavior. Nevertheless, she provides fascinating insight into poverty and the institutional maze through which many individuals must travel in order to receive some of the services they need to survive, much less thrive. making this a rich, substantive slice of its place and times. By the time I finished this book, I felt as though I knew quite a lot about Cesar, Boy George, Lourdes, Serena, and Mercedes, but never enough, never enough. If nothing else, reading it serves as a cautionary tale about getting rich through illegal means since the fall is often faster than the rise, a plea for understanding, and possibly a call for welfare reform. As other reviewers have noted, the book puts faces behind the concept of poverty. It bears considering how difficult it is to get out of the endless loop of poverty as even when someone moved from the Bronx to Troy, New York, some of the same problems seem to go with them. ...more
This gossipy but respectful work of historical fiction sheds light on the career of famed opera singer, Maria Callas, and her relationship with AristoThis gossipy but respectful work of historical fiction sheds light on the career of famed opera singer, Maria Callas, and her relationship with Aristotle Onassis. Organized just like a play or opera with a prologue and acts, the book immerses readers into the diva's performances as well as bits of her formative years, including her desire for her mother's love and acceptance, something she seems to have felt that she never received. The rich details of her rehearsals, singing and acting, her clothing, her jewelry, and the famous individuals around her elevate this story over others written during the same time period. Enormously talented, Callas seems to have bad luck with men, giving her heart to someone who collected shiny things, as the author puts it, and singing her heart out for someone who never really was able to hear her or appreciate her on her own merits. In the end readers realize that even a glamorous woman with so much going for her can be just like the rest of us, vulnerable, longing for acceptance and applause, and never quite satisfied. Small but important scenes describing how Maria, who once weighed over 200 pounds, denies herself more than a morsel of sweets or most foods in order to maintain her slender figure are heartbreaking but also telling. ...more
Set primarily on the imaginary Scottish island of Amberly, this thriller starts strongly and doesn't let up. Author Grady Green has his triumph over oSet primarily on the imaginary Scottish island of Amberly, this thriller starts strongly and doesn't let up. Author Grady Green has his triumph over one of his books making the New York Times Best Seller list overshadowed when his wife, Abby, disappears under mysterious circumstances. He spirals into a deep depression, unable to concentrate or write. As his money dwindles and things get really rough for him, he eagerly accepts his agent's offer of a writing cabin on remote Amberly, reachable only through a ferry that runs sporadically. Although the island's inhabitants seem strange and its rules off-putting, Grady conquers his writer's block while staying there. But how he does so is problematic. Readers may feel some sympathy for Grady initially, but as the plot thickens, they may start to question his ethics, his motivation, and his actions. By the time everything unravels, readers may be just as emotionally exhausted as Grady. The ending is a shocker, proving once again that revenge is, indeed, a dish best served cold. Although parts of this yarn are quite improbable, it's still a page-turner, filled with lovely descriptions of the physical and emotional terrain. ...more
Life is messy, and relationships are often not very easy. In her latest offering for adults, Renee Watson examines both through the lens of Lena, a biLife is messy, and relationships are often not very easy. In her latest offering for adults, Renee Watson examines both through the lens of Lena, a big Black woman edging toward 40 in Portland, Oregon, where she's lived all of her life. When her plans to marry Malcolm are disrupted by his unexpected confession on the day of their wedding, Lena is sent reeling and feels uncertain about her next steps, especially since she has her beloved daughter, Aaliyah, to consider. As she tries to affirm Aaliyah and surround her with love, she also realizes that she, herself, has much work to do since she still struggles with body image issues and the prejudices and racism associated with her size and her skin color. She's deeply involved in a project to reclaim and celebrate the history and legacy of Black Portland and Oregon whose contributions have been ignored. Cleverly, Watson includes tidbits about these individuals in various sections sprinkled throughout the book, offering a small bit of breathing space from the rest of the narrative. There's so much to appreciate about this book--the writing, the honesty, the community, the friendships, the characters, all of whom are multifaceted, and the family dynamics described here. There are aspects of the story that will make readers uncomfortable, but those moments are also so raw and so authentic that removing them would detract from the book's power. As Watson reminds us, there is still prejudice about women who are considered too large, plus, heavy, or fat. I winced several times in self-recognition. I almost chose to skip this one so that I could read some other books, but I'm glad that I didn't. The reminder that we're all works in progress, no matter our ages or life situations is supportive and empowering...more
Unfortunately, in the schools in New Orleans and Tallulah, Louisiana, where I taught, almost all of the students were on free or reduced lunch. While Unfortunately, in the schools in New Orleans and Tallulah, Louisiana, where I taught, almost all of the students were on free or reduced lunch. While this was problematic and indicative of the economic struggles of their families, one positive byproduct of this situation was that no one seemed bothered or embarrassed by receiving free lunch. That's not the case for sixth grader Rex Ogle, who receives free lunch at his new school in Birmingham, Texas. While the meal may be free, it takes a heavy emotional toll on Rex, who must constantly remind the lunch lady that he's on the free lunch roll while also taking steps to ensure that his friends don't know about his status, something about which he's embarrassed. Rex is dealing with a heavy load since he also faces verbal, physical, and emotional abuse from his mother and her boyfriend whose economic statuses are less than stable, and he feels responsible for his little brother, Ford. This is one of the rare books that tackles hard topics such as poverty and abuse honestly and empathetically, at some points even offering grace to the narrator's mother when he realizes that she's also unhappy because of the life she's leading and the lack of a way out. There are moments of happiness and glimmers of hope amid some of the darker moments. This book should be required reading for educators and for this nation's policymakers so that they can associate the issue of poverty and homelessness with real individuals and understand the complexity of poverty. This memoir certainly offers much to consider and discuss. ...more
I didn't enjoy this novel [3.5 for me!] as much as I expected to. Its characters--Cam, TJ and Kai--are well drawn, and readers will certainly come to I didn't enjoy this novel [3.5 for me!] as much as I expected to. Its characters--Cam, TJ and Kai--are well drawn, and readers will certainly come to care about them over the course of the book. Cam and TJ reunite in Houston, TJ's hometown, where his parents ran a bakery, Cam is on a downward spiral, grieving the death of his lost love, Kai, and trying to make sense of the world, while engaging in various self-destructive forms of behavior. While both TJ and Cam have families of origin, they seem to have the strongest bonds with their chosen family and support each other even when they make choices that aren't necessarily going to lead to happiness. As other reviewers have noted, this one is filled with food and lots and lots of sex as well as the awareness that those we love the most often have the ability to hurt us more than anyone else. But they also have the ability to nurture us and help us heal. I'd probably have enjoyed the book more if it didn't bounce around in place and time so much. While I usually enjoy nonlinear narratives, some of these transitions in time were so jarring as to disrupt my appreciation of the book. And what about Cam's eating disorder? At first, there were hints about his not eating much, but then this part of the book or this part of his journey seemed to no longer matter. Surely, there'd be more pages devoted to that as well as his time in rehab. The abrupt ending also left me wanting more and feeling quite unsatisfied. ...more
With a realistic, relatable plot about cultural identity and characters who don't always make the right choices, this middle-grade graphic novel will With a realistic, relatable plot about cultural identity and characters who don't always make the right choices, this middle-grade graphic novel will be a hit with its intended audience, many of whom will see themselves in its protagonist, Santiago. New Yorker Santi is spending the summer in Hillside Valley with his grandmother, who is originally from Columbia but lived in NYC when his father was born. Since his father is Columbian and speaks Spanish fluently and his mother is European, Santi plans to immerse himself in Spanish in order to improve the language skills he has acquired in Spanish class, and in order to get to know his abuela better. He's understandably anxious about the whole experience, but when he's befriended by fellow soccer players, he begins to feel that he might be okay. That is until he messes everything up after overhearing his grandmother's friends and abuela making fun of his accent and Spanish. This graphic novel certainly adds to the existing literature about this very topic--being judged harshly for not knowing a language that is part of one's culture. Even the book's title has significance. The important themes in the book are supported beautifully by the colorful, intense artwork in each panel. The illustrator and colorist take great pains to portray the characters with different types of hair and different skin tones and personalities. It should be interesting to follow the characters in future books. ...more
As much a love song to music as to relationships, this novel is a 3.5 for me. Honestly, this romance reminded me more of Dexter and Emma from Netflix'As much a love song to music as to relationships, this novel is a 3.5 for me. Honestly, this romance reminded me more of Dexter and Emma from Netflix's One Day than it did Daisy Jones and the Six, which several reviewers have compared it to. I knew from the start that Percy Marks, the protagonist, would eventually, maybe on the book's final pages, end up with Joe Morrow even as the years after college passed and they drifted in and out of each other's lives. Neither one made me want to embrace them or add them to my collection of friends since in their own way, each was so self-indulgent as to become rather annoying. Drawn together by a love for indie music and words, it made sense that they'd want to make music together, and I kept expecting Percy to speak up for herself and make it happen. What did compel me to keep reading was the delightful musical references embedded within the narrative and in the chapter titles. Some were songs with which I was familiar, which interrupted my reading since I had to go search online to listen to them again, and others were new to me, and I'm grateful for the introduction. But reading parts of the story simply made me feel tired, old, and hopelessly out of date and unhip. Maybe if the author had provided more of the back story for both Percy and Joe, I would have felt more engaged in their journey instead of feeling detached and viewing all this from a very, very far way off. ...more