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
Hans Christian Andersen's own story seems just as fantastic and magical as the ones he wrote and shared with others. It's safe to say that ours would Hans Christian Andersen's own story seems just as fantastic and magical as the ones he wrote and shared with others. It's safe to say that ours would be a much less delightful world without stories such as "The Ugly Duckling" or "The Snow Queen." And to think that he had very little formal education and that he never found the love he was searching for! This elegant tribute to the man whose fairy tales have been published around the world is a must-read for anyone who enjoys underdog stories or wants to know a little more about Andersen. Young readers might appreciate having some of this background about his formative years and his later ones. Created with watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink, the dreamy, softly colored illustrations evoke a feeling of the past and could easily have been used to complement one of Andersen's fairy tales. The entire book took me back to my own childhood when I was enchanted by these tales, reading them over and over again. ...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 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
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
As other reviewers have said, I will read anything written by Nic Stone. Her books raise important questions and don't provide easy answers, and her cAs other reviewers have said, I will read anything written by Nic Stone. Her books raise important questions and don't provide easy answers, and her characters are complex and relatable. If you haven't read the previous books in this series [Dear Martin and Dear Justyce], definitely check them out first, and of course, if you have read them, you won't want to miss this one since it features some of the characters in the previous books. The protagonist, Jared Christensen, a privileged college white boy who considers himself to be woke although that doesn't stop him from enjoying the advantages his skin color and family wealth afford him, decides to run for Junior Class Council President on a platform calling for equity and inclusion. He has two opponents--John Preston who is vocal in his disgust with representation and quotas and Dylan Coleman, a Black transfer student with a similar agenda to Jared's. Dylan's involvement in the election prompts much soul-searching on the part of Jared, who questions his own commitment to equity and the causes he says he supports even while feeling attracted to Dylan. As an outlet and way of being honest with himself, he writes letters to his friend Manny, who died two years ago. What makes Jared's story so special and worth reading is how his emotions and actions will feel familiar to many readers just like him whose hearts are in the right place but who don't always follow up their intentions with actions. Realizing this will make some of them/us feel quite uncomfortable and guilty, but the book encourages honest, healthy dialogue about his behavior and that of others while also examining the influence of family on the values of their offspring. It's also worth pondering how important winning is and what each of us might do if we had explosive, damaging material in our hands that could help us win an election. While some parts of the book didn't ring true and I wondered about that Constitutional Law class as well as how challenging it must have been for Stone to write about a white character, I also had to confront some of my biases and remind myself that white authors have been writing Black characters for quite some time. Don't hesitate to read this book and then be sure to discuss it with others in and even outside of your circle and comfort zone. ...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
Parents and caregivers might like this picture book even more than youngsters, but it's relatable whether one is a parent or a child. Gabe doesn't uttParents and caregivers might like this picture book even more than youngsters, but it's relatable whether one is a parent or a child. Gabe doesn't utter a word as a newborn, but once he learns to speak after some coaxing from his parents, he becomes quite loquacious, barely taking a breath between each word. All this word vomit becomes annoying quickly, and when everyone around him starts wishing that he'd become quiet, they get their wish. But as with most wishes, they regret this one since the silence is almost unbearable. Desperate to hear his voice again, they muster up their energy for yet another wish. It's clear that the moral here is to be careful what you wish for. The different pieces of spot art and the very large close-ups of Gabe with his mouth wide open, expressing his thoughts, add even more humor to the story. Anyone who has ever been told to be quiet, simmer down, or that they talk too much will find their soulmate in Gabe--if he pauses for a moment to get to let them talk and get to know them, that is. ...more
As is the case with many other readers, I find novels in verse quite appealing since they tend to be deceptively short because of how the lines are prAs is the case with many other readers, I find novels in verse quite appealing since they tend to be deceptively short because of how the lines are presented but they also pack an emotional wallop and often necessitate reading and pondering between the lines. In this one, the author reaches back in time to plumb his memories of his high school graduation in Spring 1999 while he's living in Prince George through Fall 2000 when he transfers from one college to another. The first person in his family to attend college, he deals with racism, homophobia, and economic issues during that period but also during his formative years. He copes with each of these with supportive friends and through his creative expression--poetry. There are actual handwritten copies of the poems he wrote during this period included in the book. Because of his small size and lack of athletic prowess, he's also dealt with bullying. Additionally, he starts feeling as though he's reading from someone else's script or expectations for him, which causes tension in his long-time relationship with Blu, his girlfriend. Part of the problem is that he starts questioning his sexuality and finds a connection in a chatroom. This is one of the most honest memoirs I've read, filled with references to popular music and emerging technology as well as Tony's growing awareness of the inequities around him and how his own dishonesty about his identity may protect him from the judgment of others, but it also mutes his voice. Add this to your to-read pile or move it to the top. ...more
Set in Maine in 1930 during the Great Depression and after WWI, this was one of the best middle-grade historical fiction titles I've read in a long tiSet in Maine in 1930 during the Great Depression and after WWI, this was one of the best middle-grade historical fiction titles I've read in a long time. The author captures the feelings and personality of the book's eleven-year-old protagonist, Hurricane McAdams Pierce, who is quiet but finds her voice after her older sister Bronte's tuberculosis forces her to move in with her maternal aunt who lives in a large city. She's heartbroken to leave the only home she's ever known and her beloved dog, Brody-Bear. Although Aunt Claire grew up by the ocean in the house where Hurricane and Bronte live, she's left all that far behind her after marrying into the wealthy Butterfield family. Just like Miss Witherspoon, the teacher who constantly belittled her and tried to get her to speak up more in class, Aunt Claire tries to change Hurricane. Hurricane finds it hard to rebel, but eventually, with quiet but stolid support from her aunt's gentle, tender-hearted chauffeur, Mr. Keats, she does--partly out of a need to survive but also to adopt a stray cat and welcome a boy who sells fish along the city streets. Readers will enjoy watching Hurricane change and come into her own, finally learning to advocate for herself, but they will also love seeing the changes in Aunt Claire. As it turns out, the two of them have far more in common that Hurricane ever dreamed. Every word in this story has been carefully considered, and the author even includes passages about bread lines, bank failures, and PTSD as well as recipes and books by Charles Dickens that Hurricane, herself a budding writer who jots her observations and feelings in her "Words of Encouragement Journal," falls in love with. This was one of those books with well-fleshed characters who slip into a reader's heart, making her sad to see the story end. ...more
As some other reviewers have noted, librarians will adore this book [3.5 for me!], yet another tribute to those important keepers of the literacy flamAs some other reviewers have noted, librarians will adore this book [3.5 for me!], yet another tribute to those important keepers of the literacy flame, but it's somewhat questionable whether its intended audience will appreciate it in the same way. Perhaps they will be curious to learn more or to explore the times in which its subject, Augusta Baker, lived. Perhaps not. While I can appreciate the fact that Baker was a groundbreaker, the first Black person to receive a degree in library studies from SUNY Albany and the first Black person to serve as coordinator for Children's Services for the New York Public Library system, making her something of a pioneer in her field, I wanted to know more about her storytelling gifts, her determination to make available books depicting Blacks in a positive light, and how her efforts influenced the authors mentioned in the story. A picture book biography for children can only do so much, of course, and these areas could have been clarified in the text or as part of the back matter. I ended up liking the striking illustrations, created with mixed media collage, acrylics, and pens, with memorable images and words and expressive faces and proud posture, large hands, a paintbrush, more than the story itself although I'm glad to see Baker receiving the attention she is due. Oddly, the note on the copyright page stating that "This is a work of nonfiction. Some names and identifying details have been changed" struck me as problematic and leaving me with some unanswered questions. ...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
Based on her experiences as a young Hmong refugee in the United States, this picture book [3.5 for me!] traces the author's decision not to speak whenBased on her experiences as a young Hmong refugee in the United States, this picture book [3.5 for me!] traces the author's decision not to speak when she's in school. Her selective mutism isolates her from her classmates, but it also protects her from ridicule. She's witnessed the condescension others have toward her mother when she tries to speak English and words come out all wrong. The text and the moody digital artwork draw readers into the narrator's story, effectively depicting her immense loneliness, her silence, and the rock in her throat that "grows heavier by the day" (unpaged). The opening double-page spread makes her loneliness clear as she is portrayed off to the side, all alone, while her classmates are playing in the distance. To compensate for having no one with whom to play, she connects with nature, observing closely a feather, a stone, and the leaves on the trees. The only times she smiles are when she is at home, surrounded by love and the sound of her mother tongue--Hmong. Her pain and how hearing English spoken constantly takes a toll on her are clear on every page, and many youngsters for whom English is not their first language will relate to these moving lines that could only have been written by someone who has experienced this: "I am exhausted when I get home. I am exhausted every day after that. I am exhausted every time I go to school. I am exhausted every time we are in the world that speaks English" (unpaged). Although the ending is a bit abrupt, leaving readers hanging, the book is so impactful that it's easy to overlook that possible flaw. Reading this picture book and the moving Author's Note may make teachers and classmates more patient with other youngsters like Kalia since language acquisition doesn't happen overnight. It also will surely make others like her feel seen and as though they are not alone in their struggles. ...more
I'd seen this title [4.5 for me!] in my feed several times, and after watching the Netflix movie, which is quite a bit different from the book, I knewI'd seen this title [4.5 for me!] in my feed several times, and after watching the Netflix movie, which is quite a bit different from the book, I knew I needed to read it. I finished it feeling blown away by the writing and fascinated by its subject, Robert Peace, and am continuing to mull over several questions about poverty, potential, the environment, choices--and it can certainly be argued that while Peace made several poor choices, it can also be argued that these were forced choices and that his options were narrower than they might have been, given his circumstances. How does someone navigate two very different worlds like the poor New Jersey neighborhood into which he was born and the privileged, decidedly white world of Yale into which he was granted access? What is lost and gained by trying to live in both worlds? Is that even possible? What responsibilities does a place like Yale in its Ivy League splendor and glittering possibility have to students like Rob? How could he have been saved from his early death? Relying on 300 hours of interviews recorded with those who knew Rob as well as his own memories from their time as Yale roommates, the author paints Rob as brilliant, troubled, entertaining, and caring, and yet, at times, lost. It's impossible to read this story and not mourn his loss and shake one's head over all that brilliance and potential and consider what might have been as well as what our own lives might have been like had we been dealt the cards Robert Peace was handed. What would we have done? How would we have coped? Even though Rob died in 2011, almost a decade and a half ago, his loss still hurts, and Hobbs's book reminds us that this life mattered. This is a book that necessitates sitting quietly for a few moments of reflection after reading it. ...more
Uber achiever Giddy Barber has had it. With a tummy that constantly rumbles unhappily, constant late arrivals at school due to home responsibilities, Uber achiever Giddy Barber has had it. With a tummy that constantly rumbles unhappily, constant late arrivals at school due to home responsibilities, an untrustworthy friend group, and a bullying classmate in her history class, she knows that something has to change. After learning about something called opposition therapy online, she decides to act in unexpected ways for 10 days. For Giddy, this means leaving her younger siblings to fend for themselves, choosing strange foods for her meals, and mentally checking out of her favorite math and science classes. Needless to say, her new behaviors cause concern among teachers, family and friends, eventually leading to several conflicts. And Giddy isn't even sure what the point of any of this even is. There can never be enough YA books featuring characters who seem to have it all together but are secretly falling apart or on the verge of exploding. This one is, by turns, humorous and heartbreaking, well written with a distinct narrative voice, and a protagonist who makes readers want to wrap in their arms or in a soft comforter while offering a soothing cup of warm tea and a moment to rest. This novel is a 3.5 for me. ...more
Fans of the previous graphic novel, Huda F Are You? will love this further glimpse into the lives of the Fahmy family as they embark on a road trip toFans of the previous graphic novel, Huda F Are You? will love this further glimpse into the lives of the Fahmy family as they embark on a road trip to Disney World. Huda and three of her sisters are thrilled to visit the theme park, but the trip there is less than ideal since they are crowded together in the back seat and stop along the way to eat the food their mother has prepared for them. Since the family is visibly Muslim with their garb, including hijabs, Huda feels that they stick out like sore thumbs everywhere they go, including the theme park where most of the visitors are dressed scantily and no one except her family is praying in public. There's so much to unpack in this humorous graphic novel, including her parents' purpose behind the road trip, Huda's new appreciation for her siblings, and her feelings about her identity as well as how she learns to stand up for herself. As was the case with its predecessor, this one was a delight from start to finish. It's a 3.5 for me. ...more
Don't be fooled by the book's cover or the dog's name--Gather--into thinking that this is yet another sweet book about a boy and his dog. While it is,Don't be fooled by the book's cover or the dog's name--Gather--into thinking that this is yet another sweet book about a boy and his dog. While it is, to some extent, that, it is so much more than that. At its heart it's a story of survival and determination, a treatise against systems that keep individuals and struggling families trapped, of the wide-sweeping effects of addiction on families, but also, about those individuals who gather together to lend a hand to someone who is drowning. It examines bullying, social class, and the dwindling of family farms as well as home and the importance of having a place to call one's one. The narrator, Ian Henry, who is managing to keep things afloat on his family's Vermont farm until the worst possible thing happens, has the most distinctive narrative voice that I've encountered in a YA novel in a long time. I was moved by his journey, one that is both figurative and literal, but also one that resembles the lives of many teens today. This one would have been my pick for the 2024 Printz Award. The way the author builds suspense and hints of tragedy ahead is effective and holds readers' interest all the way to the end. ...more
**spoiler alert** Unlike some readers, I liked The Plot, this novel's predecessor, more than this one [3.5 for me!]. This one started too slowly for m**spoiler alert** Unlike some readers, I liked The Plot, this novel's predecessor, more than this one [3.5 for me!]. This one started too slowly for me, but it gained steam as I moved through its pages. There are plenty of twists, turns, and surprises, and as the protagonist, Anna Williams-Bonner, the widow of a deceased writer, goes to great lengths to hide her past and put to rest any ghosts who might possibly haunt her. The ghosts, of course, aren't actual supernatural beings, but excerpts of a manuscript written by her brother, the contents of which bear a striking resemblance to her husband's novel and to her past. All this is interesting on its own merits, providing glimpses into the world of publishing and book tours as Anna travels around the country in support of her own book, but what makes the story even more interesting for me is how Anna justifies her actions, almost as though she's simply clearing the road of unnecessary traffic or removing leftovers that have started to mold. Don't read this one before The Plot, but once you've read that one, definitely dive into this one with its totally amoral protagonist. (Well, maybe not completely amoral--after all, she does save the cat!)...more
Interestingly vibrant illustrations, created with watercolor and digital techniques, and strong, reflective text, showcase the possibilities art and cInterestingly vibrant illustrations, created with watercolor and digital techniques, and strong, reflective text, showcase the possibilities art and creativity have to change the world. Focusing on the efforts of Corita Kent, a Catholic nun whose work consisted of a combination of words and images and who encouraged her art students to break the rules, this picture book biography [3.5 for me!] profiles someone not often, if ever, mentioned in history books. And yet, this artist was quite influential. Since she was working during a historical period when the Catholic church and mainstream society was changing, she became a part of the revolution. Although she eventually left the church, she continued to use her own art to highlight issues, encourage change, and offer hope to others. It's impossible to read her story, examine the illustrations, and consider her impact without feeling inspired and energized to carry on her work. The book's title fits its contents perfectly since it's abundantly clear that Corita Kent put her whole heart into her work. Add this title to a collection of artists' biographies as well as one devoted to activists or individuals who have made a difference....more