Filled with repetitive phrases, wordplay, and ghoulish fun, this picture book would be a great Halloween read aloud. The father in the story really geFilled with repetitive phrases, wordplay, and ghoulish fun, this picture book would be a great Halloween read aloud. The father in the story really gets into the spirit of the holiday, cracking jokes and puns all the way through as the family prepares to head out into the streets for tricks or treats and then back home after a successful haul. Undoubtedly, there are plenty of youngsters who'd love to have a dad just like this. He doesn't just THINK he's a scream; he really is. Digital artwork featuring plentiful oranges and greens accompany the humorous outing. ...more
This graphic novel is perfect for those youngsters who dream of creating their own comics. Basically a primer for how to do just that, the examples, aThis graphic novel is perfect for those youngsters who dream of creating their own comics. Basically a primer for how to do just that, the examples, advice, and even terminology are nestled within a story of four youngsters (Makayla, Howard, Lynda, and Art), all of whom are creative and interested in visual storytelling. The school librarian, Ms. Fatima, serves as their guide along the way. Although the characters aren't particularly well developed, there's still something about them that is relatable for the book's intended audience. For instance, one character is so frozen by perfectionism that she can barely finish a sketch, and another one is brimming with ideas but doesn't know how to pull them all together. If nothing else, this book will make youngsters such as these feel seen and perhaps even inspire more Cartoonists Clubs throughout the land. ...more
The trio of wombats in this picture book [3.5 for me! are my kind of animals. Word-lovers, they share the joy of unique words with a duckling who happThe trio of wombats in this picture book [3.5 for me! are my kind of animals. Word-lovers, they share the joy of unique words with a duckling who happens to be in their path, changing her life. She's so enthused by their energy, intensity, and vocabulary, that she just has to share these new words with her family. Initially reluctant and definitely confused, they eventually succumb to the delights of these wonderful words, and the wombats head on their way, eager to spread word joy to the next animal they happen to meet. There are clever puns ["duck-tionary" and "verbivore" (for instance) that will entertain young readers. With its colorful illustrations filled with trees, water, and forest scenes, created with pen-and-ink, acrylic, watercolor, and digital techniques, this picture book would be a great resource and example, for budding writers, writers' workshop or a short lesson on word choice. ...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
This graphic novel for older teens is a 2.5 for me. My low rating won't have any effect on its popularity because I'm certain many adolescents will loThis graphic novel for older teens is a 2.5 for me. My low rating won't have any effect on its popularity because I'm certain many adolescents will love dipping their toes in the world that has been created here. Brielle, a book-loving college freshman and Bear, co-captain of the school's rugby team, meet by chance in the bookstore and begin a friendship that just might become something more (or something different). Since Brielle centers her life and expectations around various Fairy Tale rules, readers will have a strong inkling of how everything is going to turn out as the two characters share some of their secrets and support each other. I got lots of Beauty and the Beast vibes while reading this one, which covers the fall through the beginnings of winter, and I'd have enjoyed it more with a bit more transition between some of the scenes since sometimes the leaps were rather jarring. Then, too, it all seemed so predictable and having been done before. Even with the modern setting and diverse characters, it failed to charm me the way that I had expected it to. I couldn't help wondering what else could possibly happen to necessitate another installment in the story. ...more
This newest novel by the master writer, Joyce Carol Oates, is a 4.5 for me. I've read several of her previous books, and this one simply has to be couThis newest novel by the master writer, Joyce Carol Oates, is a 4.5 for me. I've read several of her previous books, and this one simply has to be counted among the best. It's intense, really intense, dark, insightful, and unforgettable. Others have compared the book's namesake, Francis Fox, to Tom Ripley, and that comparison seems apt to me in many respects since Mr. Fox, a newly hired English teacher at a prestigious boarding school, is just as devious in his own ways as Ripley. Somehow, he uses his charm and charisma and anyone that might be helpful to him to achieve his goals, whatever they might be. The way he strings along various adult women--his soul-mates--and middle-grade girls is just as fascinating as staring into the cold eyes of a predator in the wild. And yet, he often has the best intentions to turn over a new leaf, to be a better man, something he's never able to pull off because of the dark desires he simply cannot control. While this is quite the page-turner, with readers most likely unable to pull their eyes away from the tragedy unfolding in front of them, I didn't read it as a mystery since I was sure almost from the start who had killed this man. Instead, I read it with great appreciation for the descriptive powers of this author and her ability to see inside a sexual predator as well as her understanding of several complex characters whose emotions and vulnerable sides are revealed in all their rawness. Some of the passages about Fox's interactions with his students and how he uses grades as emotional leverages are simply brilliant, bringing to mind one of my all-time favorite YA novels, The Chocolate War, and the unforgettable Brother Leon. If there's a flaw to this one, it pertains to one character about whom little is revealed after Fox's death. This one will stick with me for a while as I consider what makes it so easy for some individuals to use and discard others so efficiently and what makes some individuals so easy to discard....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
Richly layered, filled with hope, humor, and introspection, this latest graphic novel [3.5 for me!] by the author of Fun Home will be devoured by her Richly layered, filled with hope, humor, and introspection, this latest graphic novel [3.5 for me!] by the author of Fun Home will be devoured by her fans. The plot concerns Bechdel and her partner, Holly, living in Vermont, where they care for pygmy goats. While Alison writes--or prepares to write or procrastinates writing, often spending writing time ordering stuff online--Holly is getting in touch with her do-it-yourself side, chopping wood, and offering advice about handling various machines. posting videos filmed by Alison. Alison also feels some envy over her sister's efforts to tell her story of their upbringing while growing increasingly dismayed about how her own memoir, now turned into a television series, is being handled. Watching this couple and their friends settle into middle age with some of its insecurities and some of its unexpected joys and comfortability is quite entertaining. While parts of the story are serious, other parts are amusing, and Alison's self-deprecating comments may make some readers uncomfortable, even if they contain a ring of truth. The subplots concerning the goats and the experimental nature of one couple's sexual antics add layers of humor to the story, and observant readers will be delighted to find cats to be an important part of the daily lives of Alison and Holly, present in several scenes and almost always curled up on the bed or some other inconvenient spot. The cover with its emulation of the classic painting, American Gothic, lets readers know exactly what they're in for, and the contents remind them that no matter how bad or confusing life can be, as the song says, we get by with a little help from our friends. ...more
While those around her, including her best friend, Rochelle, seem to have settled down and found their niches in life, Maggie Barnes, this book's protWhile those around her, including her best friend, Rochelle, seem to have settled down and found their niches in life, Maggie Barnes, this book's protagonist, is rudderless and feeling lost as she drifts from job to job. It often seems as though she becomes easily distracted and interested in the social nature of those jobs rather than their main tasks. In order to regroup, she moves temporarily to Bell River to work in her bookstore while Rochelle is pregnant. Maggie's not an avid reader, but she does know people and makes friends easily. When she concocts a plan to bring revenue into the store through an underground book club, she runs counter to its owner's rules that the store stock only classics and the books of Edward Bell. But it's only a matter of time before she gets caught. Bibliophiles will enjoy parts of this one, especially those special events Maggie plans in which authors write their own versions of some classic tales. There are several humorous moments as well as a dash of romance here, but as some other reviewers have noted, it's hard to like Maggie since she's so impulsive and frequently forgets about how her actions will affect others. Still, reading this one [3.5 for me!] was entertaining enough. ...more
In this picture book [3.5 for me!], Troy is eager to visit a bayou while staying with his grandparents in Vacherie, Louisiana. When the time finally cIn this picture book [3.5 for me!], Troy is eager to visit a bayou while staying with his grandparents in Vacherie, Louisiana. When the time finally comes, they drive to the bayou, board a pirogue, and head out on the water where Troy sees flora and fauna that are unique to that particular area. He also sees an abandoned plantation and an alligator that is accustomed to hotdogs from tour boats. Along the way, his grandfather and his friend Joe provide bits of history and information, some of which makes his grandfather pensive and emotional. The text includes poetic lines as well as sidebars explaining some of what they see. Having been on one of those bayou boat tours years ago, I can attest to the accuracy of the setting as described in the text and depicted through the illustrations, created with Adobe Photoshop using digital gouache brushes and ink pens, which lend texture and depth to each page. The focus on writing as a means of self-expression, for both Grandpa and Grandson, is a much-needed element in the story as is the more somber facts about human trafficking that are touched on during the trip through the bayou. ...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
This thriller with lots of twists, turns, and surprises, is a 3.5 for me. It starts off strongly, compellingly, and many readers will put themselves iThis thriller with lots of twists, turns, and surprises, is a 3.5 for me. It starts off strongly, compellingly, and many readers will put themselves in the shoes of the protagonist, Camilla Deschamps, a London literary agent whose life is changed unexpectedly when her husband, Luke, also a writer, goes rogue and kidnaps three hostages in a warehouse, prompting a police stakeout and much media attention. Luke disappears, and Cam simply can't wrap her mind around what she knows about her husband's character and the actions of this criminal. Seven years pass, life goes on, and still, Cam wonders about his whereabouts and what made him act as he did. Eventually, she--and Niall, the hostage negotiator who tried to persuade Luke to surrender--learns the truth--and it's a shocker. Although parts of the last portion of the book seemed unrealistic to me, what makes this book worth reading is how easily it is to relate to Cam and to Niall, both with lost loves and regrets and how compelling it is to ponder how each of us might react if we had been in Cam's situation. What would we have done? What would we have felt? While I didn't expect things to turn out quite the way they did, I had my suspicions all along about one of the characters. Fans of thrillers with realistic female characters will be particularly interested in this book. ...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
Add this memoir to a collection about grief, loss, and dying alongside Joan Didion's equally memorable The Year of Magical Thinking. Somehow, as she cAdd this memoir to a collection about grief, loss, and dying alongside Joan Didion's equally memorable The Year of Magical Thinking. Somehow, as she contemplates her own great loss--that of her husband, author Tony Horwitz, author Geraldine Brooks reminds readers that grief and joy can exist in the same space. Moving back and forth in time from the moment she learned about his death on May 27, 2019 and almost four years later, in February through August 2023, she travels to an island off Tasmania to deal with her loss. Immediately after Horwitz's death and during the next few months, Brooks was consumed with the necessary tasks associated with a death and the aftermath as well as the need to finish various commitments, leaving herself no room to grieve properly. The trip to Tasmania is the first chance she has to be alone and sift through her emotions and thoughts. As she does so, she considers the ways that different cultures mourn and decides to keep swimming and continue writing even while admitting that the grief process doesn't end. I was particularly struck by her awareness that while grieving the loss of Tony, she also was grieving the loss of the life she had expected to have with him. This intense, brief memoir may bring comfort to many readers in similar circumstances. Readers will surely feel honored that she shared so much of herself and her emotions, including anger, with them. ...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
Although most of this board book [2.5 for me!] insists fervently that a young Black girl's new friend is NOT a unicorn, it clearly is. But the denial Although most of this board book [2.5 for me!] insists fervently that a young Black girl's new friend is NOT a unicorn, it clearly is. But the denial allows room for plenty of humorous wordplay as the unicorn proves to be able to handle a boat, open doors with a key, flip pancakes, water the garden, and give great hugs. Reading this one aloud requires an agile tongue and plenty of energy, all intended to highlight the versatility of this impressive creature. The scenes depicting all the unicorn's talents will amuse youngsters as if simply being a magical unicorn isn't enough on its own merits. ...more
The daughter of two established writers, Macy Descanso sees herself as a writer even though she's never written anything and struggles with writer's bThe daughter of two established writers, Macy Descanso sees herself as a writer even though she's never written anything and struggles with writer's block. She's sure that the summer writing retreat to which she's been admitted will help her deal with that. Being paired for critique with Caleb Bernard, with whom her family has conflicts for unexplained reasons distracts her as does the literary mystery left behind by popular romance writer Betty Quinn. This teen romance covers quite a lot of territory, including grief, loss, self-esteem, and self-confidence, and many parts of it are quite relatable for its intended audience. But the build-up to the mystery with all its clues had me hoping for something special, and the solution was something of a letdown. For a book about a writing retreat, this one contains less than expected about the craft of writing. Still, the voice here is distinct, and the novel serves as something of a love letter to reading, writing, and romance. After all, what could be expected with such a pink cover?...more
So many times when we feel broken or hurt by events in life, there's a temptation to hide those broken parts or to feel as though we are irreparably dSo many times when we feel broken or hurt by events in life, there's a temptation to hide those broken parts or to feel as though we are irreparably damaged. And while those feelings are valid and might need time to be sorted through, there is also beauty in honoring those breaks or perceived flaws. I was already familiar with the Japanese art of kintsugi, the practice of repairing broken pottery with gold, something that felt fresh and empowering, but I have never read a children's book about this until now. In it, a young boy accidentally breaks a treasured vase in which his father places interesting words written on paper that he shares with his son. The father doesn't become upset about the damaged vase, simply gathering all the shards together. Later, the vase has been repaired, and the boy realizes that it is now "something unique and beautiful in its own way, wearing the signs of having a second chance after being broken" (unpaged), a lesson that resonates with the child and influences his future endeavors. This quiet, important story is accompanied by delicate watercolor and collage illustrations. Readers may want to sit with this one for a while to let the meaning and message soak in. ...more
Senior Noor Khan is less than thrilled when her mother uproots the family, moving them from Chicago to Bayberry, Illinois, after her father abandons tSenior Noor Khan is less than thrilled when her mother uproots the family, moving them from Chicago to Bayberry, Illinois, after her father abandons them. It's a quiet town, very white and conservative, and Noor plans to quietly sleepwalk through the rest of the year even while dealing with her feelings of loss, anger, and confusion over his betrayal. However, when her learns about the restrictive English curriculum and a new book challenge policy, she can't remain silent. Along with new friends Faiz and Juniper, who is queer, and with support from Ms. Clayton, the school librarian, she takes action and speaks out, even reading during outdoor lunch portions of some of the books that have been removed from the library shelves. She's not the first to realize that many of the books being purged are written by queer and BIPOC authors. Before she knows it, Noor is being villainized, by the principal, some classmates, including the best friends of Andrew, a boy that just might have stolen her heart, and members of the Liberty Moms and Dads. And they don't stop with words. The author inserts some of the familiar microaggressions that Muslims like Noor's family or anyone new or different has no doubt encountered, adding to the story's authenticity. There's so much to appreciate about this book--the town's name, a twist on the classic Mayberry RFD of Andy Griffith fame, the librarian's name, the explanation of what Critical Race Theory actually is, the firm reminder of what the First Amendment means and how book banning is actually ant-American as well as how some politicians manage to twist speaking up and speaking out or dissent as being problematic and those of a trouble-maker. But most impressive of all is that this is a YA title about teen activism with the adolescents leading the way when many of the adults around them fail them. Timely, eye-opening, and hopeful, Noor's story is one not to be missed. ...more
This one is a 4.5 for me. I loved every line. Like so many other admirers of Jason Reynolds's stories, I'm convinced that he could rewrite a phone booThis one is a 4.5 for me. I loved every line. Like so many other admirers of Jason Reynolds's stories, I'm convinced that he could rewrite a phone book and have me mesmerized. In this latest title, he reveals his romantic side, somehow making a familiar enough experience--a first love and a first time--seem fresh and new because of how he tells that story. At its start, readers see Neon Benton, 17, staring in the bathroom mirror at Aria, his girlfriend's house as they prepare to have sex for the first time. He's nervous as hell, somewhat uncertain, yet eager, and he reflects on what led to this moment. The narrative shifts from "Right Now" to "twenty-four seconds ago," reeling back in time to "twenty-four minutes ago," then to "twenty-four hours ago," then to "twenty-four days ago," followed by "twenty-four weeks ago," and finally, "twenty-four months ago" when the couple first met. It then returns to the present moment. While some pessimists may argue that no teenage boy could wait that long before his own first time, it's clear that Neon is a romantic and wants this first time to be special for Araia. The conversations Neon has with his various family members help readers understand his behavior, mindset, and respect for the girl he loves. It's so lovely to find a love story for a Black boy, one that is filled with positivity and possible paths for other parents to follow in discussing sex with their own offspring. There will be plenty of teen girls who will read this story and wish for a Neon in their own lives just as there will be teen boys who will read it and be made more aware of what sex between two loving, consenting adults should be about. Lest anyone think that this book is all serious, Reynolds fills it with several humorous moments and passages as well as wordplay regarding his classes and reading of The Canterbury Tales, and a troublesome but loveable dog with three names: Denzel Jeremy Washington. ...more