After her father's death, Lucretia Sanderson and her move to the small town of Candle Island, Maine, in order to heal and build their lives again. TheAfter her father's death, Lucretia Sanderson and her move to the small town of Candle Island, Maine, in order to heal and build their lives again. The small tourist town has appeal for them for many reasons, partly because of its beauty and isolation, but also because Lucretia has a secret, one that isn't revealed right away. While she and her mother paint, she also tends to a young osprey and forms a friendship with Bastian, one of the locals. He, too, has a secret that she accidentally discovers. As Lucretia deals with the animosity of Murdock, another local, she also lands in the midst of a conflict between the locals and the tourists, a conflict that builds inexorably across the book's pages. As with all books by this author, this one has an interesting setting and plot, characters that are richly drawn, and questions about grief, loss, voice, and being true to oneself. In many respects it's also an homage to art, writing and music (all means of self-expression) and the power they have to help us find our way and heal....more
Fans of Southern historical fiction and book clubs in search of a title worth reading and discussing are sure to enjoy this one [3.5 for me!], set durFans of Southern historical fiction and book clubs in search of a title worth reading and discussing are sure to enjoy this one [3.5 for me!], set during the 1930s and 1940s. The two protagonists, Del and Rae Lynn, haven't had easy lives, and readers may be shocked at the events that open their separate stories. While the slow burn of their relationship and the redemption they eventually find in each other is appealing, what sets this story apart from many others is how the author weaves in details about the turpentine camps and pine forests where their paths cross. Swallow Hill, which is one of those camps, is not the easiest or safest of places, and racism and sexism run rampant there. Amid the natural beauty of the setting, there is evil, anger, and violence, and kindness is often regarded as weakness. The descriptions are lush, sometimes raw, and the emotions and sentiments expressed are honest and just as appealing as the book's characters. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling back in time to learn more about longleaf pines and turpentine and considering what the land must have been like before so many of those pines were carelessly destroyed. ...more
I don't quite know how he does it, but this author always, always manages to tell stories in a way that makes me care about his characters, even thougI don't quite know how he does it, but this author always, always manages to tell stories in a way that makes me care about his characters, even though they are nothing like me, and prompts me to see the world as being a little brighter and humans as better than I have before. In his most recent title, he explores the power of friendship and artistic expression through the stories of four teens who spend a splendid summer together in a town by the sea. Their homes are not exactly sanctuaries as there is violence in some, death and dying in others, and carelessness in still others. But none of that matters when they're together. Their stories are told through the eyes of Ted, one of the boys, 25 years later, as he and Louisa, an 18-year-old artist, deal with loss and their connection to a recently deceased artist who has given her, a homeless girl, his most famous and most valuable painting. As usual with this particular writer, there are moments of immense pain and heartbreak, but there are also moments of joy and humor, and readers can't help but feel uplifted by his words and the time they have spent with these characters. ...more
This one is a 3,5 for me. Although this is yet another one of this must-have books for canine lovers, it also functions as a great example for youngstThis one is a 3,5 for me. Although this is yet another one of this must-have books for canine lovers, it also functions as a great example for youngsters about how to deal with problems and misunderstandings. The watercolor illustrations clearly have been rendered someone who knows and loves dogs and appreciates their quirks and personalities. The story follows Toby, who is in the new kid in town. Judging from the opening pages, he and his family have recently moved to a new neighborhood. Of course, to make friends, Toby needs to introduce himself to others, which he does by peeing on just about every spot within his reach. But none of the other pooches seem inclined to give him a glance or to read his wet messages. They communicate via a brick wall. When he sees a message about a gathering, he excitedly shows up, but no one notices. Feeling sad and lonely, he is grateful to find a ball in the grass, which he takes home. But the ball belongs to another dog, Pancake. Even though Toby leaves a message letting her know that he has the ball and will return it, part of the message is erased, and the other dogs think he's a bully. When he shows up again with the ball, the tension is thick, and it's uncertain what will happen--until he and Pancake find a way to work things out. Several excellent double-page spreads make this story particularly visually appealing as readers can see just how nervous Toby is and how easily misunderstandings can occur. After all the dramatic tension, the ending seemed a bit abrupt for me although I appreciate how the author/illustrator resolved the conflict. This picture book is sure to be a hit with the younger set and probably a read aloud that will be requested repeatedly. ...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
All that twelve-year-old Queenie Jean Anderson wants is a home of her own. She and her mother have loved renting the little house she calls Peachy, buAll that twelve-year-old Queenie Jean Anderson wants is a home of her own. She and her mother have loved renting the little house she calls Peachy, but when their landlord sells her property, they have to move. And just like a chess piece on a board, they bounce from place to place, first, temporarily in a vacant room at a senior center where Queenie's mother works, but then somewhere else, and again, somewhere else. Queenie makes friends at each of the new places, but all this moving makes her anxious and uncertain about what will come next. She's also writing songs and hoping that she can summon the courage to actually perform before an audience. Set in Australia during the immediate aftermath of the recent pandemic, this middle-grade novel [3.5 for me!] is full of heart, hope, and resilience. The constant moving around is also related to Queenie's desperate need to fit in somewhere and her mixed feelings about her former best friend and now rival. The book's clever title with its double meaning will surely attract readers who will fall in love with Queenie and relate to her feelings, even when some of them are misdirected. ...more
The protagonist and plot of this book [3.5 for me and a fast and engrossing read!] are great examples of how one shouldn't let outer appearances deceiThe protagonist and plot of this book [3.5 for me and a fast and engrossing read!] are great examples of how one shouldn't let outer appearances deceive them. After all, even the quietest of mild-mannered individuals--in this case, a middle-aged sweater-wearing librarian named Hana Babic--have stories and sometimes a dark past. For three decades Hana has lived in Minnesota, tending books and her farm as well as her memories of the Bosnian war for independence when Serbs and Bosnians fought. The story moves back in forth in time from the 1990s, mostly 1995, in rural Bosnia, and then years later, in Minnesota. Hana's quiet life is interrupted by the news of a friend's violent death. Naturally, this puts Hana on high alert as she tries to discover who knows her secrets. As she seeks to avenge her friend's death and protect the small life entrusted to her, Hana takes increasingly dangerous steps. Most readers in this country (the United States) probably know very little about the Bosnian war and some of the war crimes that occurred against Muslims during that time, making the sections entitled "Bosnia" in which Hana's experiences during the war are revealed in shocking detail eye-opening and disturbing. While there are some false notes sounded in the narrative, overall, this was a solid read, engaging, thoughtful, and fully rendering the long-term effects of trauma on teens like Hana. I can see why it's been garnering rave reviews, but it certainly isn't an easy read. ...more
The idea behind this colorful picture book is rather cool, presenting a different take on moving to a new house. A young mapmaker painstakingly createThe idea behind this colorful picture book is rather cool, presenting a different take on moving to a new house. A young mapmaker painstakingly creates maps of the town, the neighborhood, various points of interest, including the school, the park, and the house in which he/she/they have lived. For fun, the cartographer has included drawings of a maze and a pirate map. There's even a suggestion about where to place the bed. This amazing, time-consuming, and lovingly drawn effort results in A Book of Maps for You, placed right by the front door alongside a carton of eggs. What a thoughtful way to welcome someone to their new home. The title page shows the house, almost empty, while the artist works on those maps, and the last double-page spread shows the new young resident looking at the map book while unemptied moving boxes wait to be unpacked. As usual with this picture book artist, the illustrations are easy on the eye, created with a dip pen, fountain pen, watercolor, and colored pencil, a lovely homage to home and caring, even when the artist doesn't know who will be seeing the map or this book, for that matter. Perhaps some young readers who are getting ready to move from one house to another will follow in the protagonist's footsteps. ...more
These graphic novel versions of the classic and beloved series are really solid, perfect for middle-grade readers. The artwork depicts the twins, JessThese graphic novel versions of the classic and beloved series are really solid, perfect for middle-grade readers. The artwork depicts the twins, Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, perfectly, and readers will feel as though they, too, are dealing with the issues faced by the siblings. In this case, in the sixth book [3.5 for me!], the girls try to be welcoming to a new classmate, Brooke Dennis, but she's so negative and superior that even Liz becomes annoyed by her behavior. As often happens in these books Jessica plots revenge, but Liz realizes too late that there are good reasons for Brooke's behavior. This story serves as a good reminder to readers that there's often more to others that meets the eye and that assumptions are dangerous....more
Moving can be challenging, even for a house that is over a century old. Based on actual events and narrated by a Victorian house, this picture book foMoving can be challenging, even for a house that is over a century old. Based on actual events and narrated by a Victorian house, this picture book follows the building as its family leaves. The house is reluctant to move and leave all that's familiar behind. Streets are closed off, and all the action draws a crowd as the house is lifted off its foundation for transportation. It's not an easy ride as there are steep hills and tree limbs to deal with. Eventually, though, the house reaches just the right spot where its family is waiting. It will take a little while, but soon this spot will feel just like home. The creative artwork, rendered with watercolor and ink, is filled with rich details, abundant color and humorous images, including the house clutching two large red and green floral purses or carpetbags and its tiny feet and shoes beneath the structure as it's transported along the street. Not only is this story unique because of the perspective and personification, but it might bring comfort to youngsters who are having to move. After all, if a house can adjust to being moved, surely, they can. ...more
Eye-catching artwork, created with paper collage, gouache pastel, and pencil, ably complements every move that Octopus makes in this easy reader, partEye-catching artwork, created with paper collage, gouache pastel, and pencil, ably complements every move that Octopus makes in this easy reader, part of the I Like to Read series. The double-page spreads show how unhappy Octopus is with his current surroundings and his failed attempts to find just the right home as well as how some unexpected help from marine-dwelling friends assists him in his move. He has a lot more stuff to move than most readers would have imagined. There's a nifty message about helping hands and friendship nestled within this charming little story, ideal for the younger set. ...more
Based on a true story by the granddaughter of Elsa, the protagonist, this picture book is a lovely slice of history with a feminist flavor. As many chBased on a true story by the granddaughter of Elsa, the protagonist, this picture book is a lovely slice of history with a feminist flavor. As many chess players know, girls and women haven't always been welcomed into the chess fold since it's typically a game played by boys and men. Growing up in Austria, Elsa learns the game by watching her brothers and then being taught by one of the three boys. She even receives her own chessboard and meets her future husband through their shared interest in chess. Fleeing the Nazis and WWII, her new family immigrates to San Francisco, carrying only their essentials, which in Elsa's case, includes that cherished chessboard. She even uses it to make friends in her new job at a dress factory. But she quit playing chess after the board and pieces were lost during a move, only to be found decades later by her great-grandson, to whom she teaches the game. Poignant and impressive in many respects, this picture book shows the value of a shared interest that can bridge the language and cultural gap as well as a passion that can be shared across generations and genders. With endpapers showing how the chessboard should be set up and handsome artwork, rendered with watercolor and colored pencils, and capturing the mood of those times, and a Note from the Author with photos and background to the story, it's yet another refugee and Holocaust story that merits a place on classroom library shelves. ...more
Serendipitously I was reading another book about the Hall-Mills double murder in the fall of 1922 while also reading this one, which focuses on F. ScoSerendipitously I was reading another book about the Hall-Mills double murder in the fall of 1922 while also reading this one, which focuses on F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, but also features that very same crime as Sarah Churchwell, the author, examines the influence of that murder on Fitzgerald and his masterpiece, The Great Gatsby. Her research takes Churchwell and her readers to some interesting places as she relies on letters, notes, published columns, and newspaper articles as well as her own reading of Gatsby to offer a different perspective on the novel. While she doesn't completely succeed in her endeavors since the murder, which remains unsolved, doesn't offer enough material to fully flesh out each chapter, her take on this event is fascinating, provocative, and intellectually titillating. The inclusion of passages from Gatsby and from Fitzgerald's calendar and letters opens up new ways of reading his work, and any fans of his writing--myself included--will be drawn into the book, which is fascinating in its portrayal of Fitzgerald and those around him as well as those particular times while also offering insight into his writing life. The book's title comes from one of my own favorite passages in The Great Gatsby. ...more
Anyone who's read one of this author's previous books will know that she is particularly skilled at immersing readers in her setting through vivid desAnyone who's read one of this author's previous books will know that she is particularly skilled at immersing readers in her setting through vivid description and the use of vocabulary that fits the time period. In this case, it's the summer of 1894 in the Northwest. Having lost her job at a mineral springs hotel in central Oregon, Sally O'Malley, an orphan whose life has contained few moments of joy, decides to head west. Her aim is to see the sea, something she's heard about but never seen. Along the way, she meets Major, who delivers goods to various stores, and is accompanied by her faithful dog, Sarge, and a donkey, Mabel. Seeing something in Sally, 13, that may remind her of herself, she offers a ride to Sally. Along the way, they pick up an unusual package--a standoffish, priggish boy named Lafayette--who needs to be taken to yet another relative after other of his kin washed their hands of him. Sally is as rough around the edges as Lafayette is refined, but slowly, a friendship builds, and just as slowly, Sally realizes that there are individuals who are trustworthy, kind, and those who won't break her heart or take advantage of her. She also starts to see that she, too, is worthy and resilient. An ideal choice for a classroom read aloud, this well-written historical fiction might be predictable in many respects, but Sally's journey [to her best self and to the sea] will speak to middle-grade readers, some of whom will see themselves in her tough as nails exterior that hides a tender interior that emerges by fits and starts. ...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
I liked this historical fiction title even more than the author's previous one, The Secret Life of Sunflowers. Just as the other one follows the life I liked this historical fiction title even more than the author's previous one, The Secret Life of Sunflowers. Just as the other one follows the life paths of two different female characters, so does this one, making the plots quite similar. But that's perfectly okay since we can never have enough stories about strong females with dreams and the determination to succeed and thrive against all odds. Plus, the fact that one of the protagonists is Suzanne Valadon, a half-forgotten artist who grew up in the poor section of Paris in the 1870s, eventually hobnobbing with all the famous artists of her time, including Renoir, van Gogh, and Degas, and even musician Eric Satie. Self-taught, she was a trapeze performer, a wreathe-maker, and a model, becoming the first woman to be named to the Societie Nationale des Beaux-Arts, all fascinating elements that tick all the buttons for what I look for in a book. Ellie, the other protagonist, is interesting in her own respect too since she's in mourning over the loss of her husband, Chris, and the life that they thought they'd have, when unexpected events change everything for her. The loss of her job is disappointing, but she pulls herself together and finds a way forward, finding inspiration in Valadon's life and example. There is plenty of detail about the art world and painting as well as interesting historical tidbits sprinkled throughout the narrative, making readers feel as though they have traveled back in time. It's a fast read, but it's also deeply involving. ...more
This one is a 3.5 for me. Weaving in her own family's history and economic ups and downs with a shocking murder in the Mississippi Delta in 1948, authThis one is a 3.5 for me. Weaving in her own family's history and economic ups and downs with a shocking murder in the Mississippi Delta in 1948, author Beverly Lowry relies on archival information and interviews to try to solve the crime. While Ruth Dickins, daughter of the wealthy white victim, is charged, convicted, and incarcerated for the murder despite her insistence that she saw an unfamiliar Black man in her mother's house, she serves only a handful of her sentence before being released. While the crime itself is shocking, given that the murder weapon was a pair of garden shears, what elevates this particular story is how the author delves into white and economic privilege, racial assumptions, and social status as well as the historical backdrop of the time period as the Jim Crow era was coming to an end. Law enforcement officials' initial willingness to believe Ruth's story of a Black culprit as well as the ways that her husband worked to persuade the state's governors to pardon are add to readers' understanding that justice isn't always particularly just. While I appreciated the book's structure and the parallels with her own family, there were parts of the book that seemed to be unnecessarily long, especially when there is no clear resolution about who killed Idella Thompson. ...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
For most of my life, I've been intrigued by true crime murder stories, partly because of their shocking nature but also because I enjoy trying to undeFor most of my life, I've been intrigued by true crime murder stories, partly because of their shocking nature but also because I enjoy trying to understand the thinking behind the perpetrators. Having read If You Tell by this same author, I thought this one would be worth a read. And while it is since it tells the story of two deaths by cyanide poisoning, one of which seemed more calculated and unnecessary than the other one, which presumably was motivated by insurance money, I ended up not being particularly taken with how the story is told. There are several direct quotes from the trial itself, which is something I usually enjoy, but I felt hurled around in different directions due to the shifts in time, place, and circumstance. Maybe that was the nature of the investigation as well as the court proceedings, but I wish it had been written in a more linear fashion with a deeper dive into the main characters and even into the convicted killer, Stella Nickell. Eventually, it felt as though I still didn't know her even after reaching the last pages. Since this was an updated version of an earlier publication, I expected some shocking new revelations, but other than what Stella's niece discovered among her possessions while sorting through them, there's not a lot new about this case that took place in Auburn, Washington. Perhaps that's the way of life and crime; sometimes we don't get much resolution. I'm pretty sure justice was done in this case, but there are still questions about the possible involvement of others that linger with me. ...more
Small-town Uz, Nebraska during the Dust Bowl era might seem to be an unlikely place and time for much literary excavation, but in the hands of this skSmall-town Uz, Nebraska during the Dust Bowl era might seem to be an unlikely place and time for much literary excavation, but in the hands of this skilled storyteller, it produces much richness and complexity in its five main characters, including a scarecrow, as well as raising questions about the convenient lies we as individuals--and as a nation--tell ourselves. While the past may be in the past, it always affects the present and the future. The historical events at the heart of the story--the Black Sunday dust storm in 1935 and the Republican River's flooding due to 24 inches of rainfall in 24 hours--actually happened, just as true as the existence of boarding schools for Native Americans, draconian treatment of unwed mothers, and the notion of Manifest Destiny. The dashes of fantastical, magical realism and the power of photographs to reveal the truth add to this book's complexity. It's truly a page-turner, and as others have noted, it's like nothing I've ever read. This one is a 4.5 for me, and it's left me thinking about what we can do to atone for the wrongs done to previous generations. ...more