Elsa and the others were left behind and betrayed when Leo went off with his brother Aris and the edit book. While Elsa’s heart hurts, she is determined to regain control of the editbook; if Aris learns how to use it, he and Garibaldi could destroy all the worlds. As she leaves on the hunt, she doesn’t realize that she is leaving the children in danger – something is wrong with Casa, too.
Things get a bit more complicated in the second book of the series. Not unexpected, of course. Elsa spends her whole time trying to thwart Aris and Garibaldi and she unearths more complications. I am wondering about the purpose of Casa going off the rails – hopefully that will weave in during the 3rd book.
Elsa and the others were left behind and betrayed when Leo went off with his brother Aris and the edit book. While Elsa’s heart hurts, she is determined to regain control of the editbook; if Aris learns how to use it, he and Garibaldi could destroy all the worlds. As she leaves on the hunt, she doesn’t realize that she is leaving the children in danger – something is wrong with Casa, too.
Things get a bit more complicated in the second book of the series. Not unexpected, of course. Elsa spends her whole time trying to thwart Aris and Garibaldi and she unearths more complications. I am wondering about the purpose of Casa going off the rails – hopefully that will weave in during the 3rd book.
The Insomniacs by Marit Weisenberg, 336 pgs. Flatiron Books, 2020. $19.
Language: R (53 swears, 13 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (drug and alcohol use, dThe Insomniacs by Marit Weisenberg, 336 pgs. Flatiron Books, 2020. $19.
Language: R (53 swears, 13 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (drug and alcohol use, drug overdose (victim recovers), affair between student and coach (off page)), Violence: PG-13 (diving accident is described).
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS—ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL—HIGH
Ingrid is a high school star diver on her way to national acclaim and scholarships when in a moment of distraction, she falters and suffers a major injury. Recovering from her injury, Ingrid has turned into an insomniac and begins to watch the abandoned house next door, convinced something is going on. When her neighbor and crush, who is also fighting insomnia, joins her in her nightly vigils, secrets will be discovered and futures will be changed forever.
A fast paced read that has all the elements to thrill. Romance, mystery, and secrets to uncover will keep the reader intrigued and allow some of the shortcomings in the plot to be forgiven. The main character has an incredible amount to deal with and is realistically portrayed in her downward spiral as her perfectly organized world begins to crumble. As with most YA novels, the adults are withdrawn or conveniently out of the way allowing for many of the antics of the teens to occur, which otherwise would have been impossible to pull off. Readers will be satisfied with an ending that brings all of the plot threads to a close; however, more could have been said about the benefits and absolute need for many of the characters to seek and receive therapy. Serious situations with long-term consequences, which many readers may themselves have experienced, should be acknowledged to have no easy answers and a healing process that could take more than a few weeks.
The Insomniacs by Marit Weisenberg, 336 pgs. Flatiron Books, 2020. $19.
Language: R (53 swears, 13 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (drug and alcohol use, drug overdose (victim recovers), affair between student and coach (off page)), Violence: PG-13 (diving accident is described).
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS—ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL—HIGH
Ingrid is a high school star diver on her way to national acclaim and scholarships when in a moment of distraction, she falters and suffers a major injury. Recovering from her injury, Ingrid has turned into an insomniac and begins to watch the abandoned house next door, convinced something is going on. When her neighbor and crush, who is also fighting insomnia, joins her in her nightly vigils, secrets will be discovered and futures will be changed forever.
A fast paced read that has all the elements to thrill. Romance, mystery, and secrets to uncover will keep the reader intrigued and allow some of the shortcomings in the plot to be forgiven. The main character has an incredible amount to deal with and is realistically portrayed in her downward spiral as her perfectly organized world begins to crumble. As with most YA novels, the adults are withdrawn or conveniently out of the way allowing for many of the antics of the teens to occur, which otherwise would have been impossible to pull off. Readers will be satisfied with an ending that brings all of the plot threads to a close; however, more could have been said about the benefits and absolute need for many of the characters to seek and receive therapy. Serious situations with long-term consequences, which many readers may themselves have experienced, should be acknowledged to have no easy answers and a healing process that could take more than a few weeks.
Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj, 171 pages. Nancy Paulsen (Penguin), 2019. $17
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Karina, Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj, 171 pages. Nancy Paulsen (Penguin), 2019. $17
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Karina, Indian, and Chris, white, are neighbors and 7th graders at the same middle school. Other than seeing each other in class and riding the same school bus and they have no desire to be friends. It isn't until Papa, Karina's grandfather, come to live with them and Papa strikes up a friendship with Chris that the 7th graders begin to bond. One day, outside the school, Papa, Karina and Chris are walking to the car when they are attacked by a man with a knife. Papa is knocked to the ground and violently kicked. Their lives change and the way they see themselves and their world changes.
I loved the book and I could not put it down. The story is well written, heartwarming and heart wrenching. It is written with deep feelings and a touch of humor. Varsha Bajaj has written two seventh grade students so well. I liked how well she describes being an immigrant, working for the "American Dream," making your dreams come true and being the victim of hate crime. It also shows how good people come together and bond together and help each other overcome the hate. I salute Karina, Chris and Papa for standing up for what is good and right in their community and in the world. There are a lot of good surprises in this book and I highly recommend reading it. This would also be a good read-aloud book because it has so many good discussion points in it - so many things to talk about.
Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj, 171 pages. Nancy Paulsen (Penguin), 2019. $17
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Karina, Indian, and Chris, white, are neighbors and 7th graders at the same middle school. Other than seeing each other in class and riding the same school bus and they have no desire to be friends. It isn't until Papa, Karina's grandfather, come to live with them and Papa strikes up a friendship with Chris that the 7th graders begin to bond. One day, outside the school, Papa, Karina and Chris are walking to the car when they are attacked by a man with a knife. Papa is knocked to the ground and violently kicked. Their lives change and the way they see themselves and their world changes.
I loved the book and I could not put it down. The story is well written, heartwarming and heart wrenching. It is written with deep feelings and a touch of humor. Varsha Bajaj has written two seventh grade students so well. I liked how well she describes being an immigrant, working for the "American Dream," making your dreams come true and being the victim of hate crime. It also shows how good people come together and bond together and help each other overcome the hate. I salute Karina, Chris and Papa for standing up for what is good and right in their community and in the world. There are a lot of good surprises in this book and I highly recommend reading it. This would also be a good read-aloud book because it has so many good discussion points in it - so many things to talk about.
Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe (Sal and Gabi #2) by Carlos Hernandez, 432 pages. Rick Riordan Presents (Disney Hyperion), 2020. $17.
Language: G (0 sweaSal and Gabi Fix the Universe (Sal and Gabi #2) by Carlos Hernandez, 432 pages. Rick Riordan Presents (Disney Hyperion), 2020. $17.
Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
13yo Sal Vidon and his best friend Gabi are in a race against time and Sal's Papi. Remember the wormholes Sal created in book 1? Well, his Papi a calamity physicist, has created a machine to shut them down and fix the wormholes. But it isn't working because a Rogue Gabi from another Universe keeps popping in, trying to stop him - her world has been destroyed and it's all Papi's fault! Now, Sal and Gabi are trying to keep everything under control, but multiple Sals and Gabis (especially Rogue Gabi) are quite a handful - plus, there's the regular drama of being in middle school.
My favorite characters were all the AIs - especially the Artificial Intellligence Toilet. I laughed out loud so many times! Still lots of Cuban culture - the extended description of empanadas was perfect. Lot's of pop culture references - I appreciated the literary ones make this series so much fun. Fast paced with a ton of characters - it matters that you read Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, so start there first. Note: Some of the characters are gender creative.
Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe (Sal and Gabi #2) by Carlos Hernandez, 432 pages. Rick Riordan Presents (Disney Hyperion), 2020. $17.
Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
13yo Sal Vidon and his best friend Gabi are in a race against time and Sal's Papi. Remember the wormholes Sal created in book 1? Well, his Papi a calamity physicist, has created a machine to shut them down and fix the wormholes. But it isn't working because a Rogue Gabi from another Universe keeps popping in, trying to stop him - her world has been destroyed and it's all Papi's fault! Now, Sal and Gabi are trying to keep everything under control, but multiple Sals and Gabis (especially Rogue Gabi) are quite a handful - plus, there's the regular drama of being in middle school.
My favorite characters were all the AIs - especially the Artificial Intellligence Toilet. I laughed out loud so many times! Still lots of Cuban culture - the extended description of empanadas was perfect. Lot's of pop culture references - I appreciated the literary ones make this series so much fun. Fast paced with a ton of characters - it matters that you read Sal and Gabi Break the Universe, so start there first. Note: Some of the characters are gender creative.
Searching for Lottie by Susan L. Ross. 170 pages. Holiday House, 2019. $18.
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
12yo CSearching for Lottie by Susan L. Ross. 170 pages. Holiday House, 2019. $18.
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
12yo Charlie has a social studies assignment, a family research project, to complete. She chooses Lottie as her subject. Lottie is her nana’s sister who died in the Holocaust and her namesake, Charlotte. No one is sure what happened to Lottie. Her family searched for her after the war, but never found her. As Charlie begins her own search, she uncovers long ago secrets and discovers that she is more like Lottie than anyone realizes.
Searching for Lottie is a great read about family history. We all belong to a family and have desires to learn about who we are, where we came from, and why we do certain things. Enjoy the story of Charlie and how she discovers her family.
The Oracle Code by Marieke Nijkamp, 198 pages, GRAPHIC NOVEL, DC Comics, 2020, $17.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISThe Oracle Code by Marieke Nijkamp, 198 pages, GRAPHIC NOVEL, DC Comics, 2020, $17.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Barbara Gordon is a high school master hacker, but her life changes after a gunshot leaves her paralyzed. She is sent to the Arkham Center for Independence for physical and mental therapy. Barbara is less than thrilled by this, but she begins to notice that things are not all they seem at Arkham. Strange noises and missing patients force Barbara to reach outside her limitations to figure out what’s going on.
If you like a graphic novel a bit on the dark side, this is for you. I could not put it down. Barbara Gordon is a great character. Her frustration at being in a wheelchair and a sudden switch of circumstances and friends mixed with a creepy mystery makes for an engaging read. The illustrations add to the feel of the book. I’m hoping for book two.
Creeped out by her sister Libby’s boyfriend, 17yo Avery Kylie Grambs has moved back into living in her car. That is until the stranger appears at her school and tells she is mentioned in the will of a very rich man, Tobias Hawthorne – a man Avery has never met. The reading of the will leaves more questions than it gives answers, especially because Tobias left very little to his actual heirs and the bulk of his $46 billion dollar estate to Avery. And Avery soon finds out that Tobias has also left Avery and his four handsome grandsons a game of riddles and puzzles – the kind the boys have grown up playing. Thankfully Avery is smart enough to hold her own, to help peel back the layers of mystery Tobias let behind, and kind enough to help heal the wounds that each of the boys carry – if she can survive long enough to see the game to the end.
I originally thought this might be similar to The Westing Game, but it so completely not. Dangerous in parts and very intense, but instead it hits more at the heart. Barnes has woven an intense mystery that holds your attention all the way through. And while some questions will be answered, other questions will arise – so I deeply hope that book #2 is on schedule to be released next year! Sooner, rather than later. I will be rereading this one – probably more than once!
Born to Run (Last Pick #2) by Jason Walz, 236 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. First Second (Macmillan), 2019. $18. 9781626728929
Language: G (1 swear); Mature CoBorn to Run (Last Pick #2) by Jason Walz, 236 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. First Second (Macmillan), 2019. $18. 9781626728929
Language: G (1 swear); Mature Content PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: MS – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Twins Sam and Wyatt are separated by aliens. Sam is kidnapped and taken to a distant galaxy, while her brother Wyatt is left with those whom the aliens thought worthless: the old, too young, and disabled. Wyatt is working on a rebellion on earth, while Sam is caught up in an alien civil war where she is threatened from both sides.
Last Pick’s strength is its diversity. There is a deaf character who signs, crippled people, old people, different ethnicities and Sam and her friend Mia share a kiss. The artwork is colorful and fun and the story dives right in. However the storyline jumps back and forth from earth and Wyatt, to space and Sam pretty quickly so sometimes it’s a little confusing. The storyline didn’t advance the story as much as I’d hoped, but that is the peril of middle books in a trilogy. If you’ve always been pulling for geeks to triumph, this could be your book.
Twist by Sarah Cannon, 293 pages. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2020. $17.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: MS Twist by Sarah Cannon, 293 pages. Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan), 2020. $17.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: MS – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Three gifted middle school students are thrown together when their combined skills create a doorway from a magical world into their own. Eli the writer, Neha the artist, and Court the tough problem solver, must protect 1983 Oklahoma from terrifying monsters that follow magical creatures through the gateway and still manage to complete a group presentation for school.
Though the premise was fun, after almost 300 pages, it was too drawn out. If magical creatures were constantly making a mess in my house and eating my donuts, I’d be for getting rid of them, especially if no adults can see them. There are so many weird creatures and monsters it’s as hard to keep track of them as it is Eli’s little sister Lisa. But at least in Oklahoma you can blame devastating monster destruction on the weather.
12yo Mia has moved back to Vermont with her parents so they will be closer to her aging grandma. Mia has recently recovered from a broken arm and has spent the last several months watching television, so she is not thrilled that her parents are making her enroll in 2 different summer camps. Mia is excited to help her grandma at her cricket farm, but it seems that someone may be sabotaging? Can Mia and her new friend Clover (who is in both of her summer camps) solve the mystery and save the farm. Mia is healing both physically and emotionally; while she hasn't shared what happened, Mia was subjected to a gymnastics coach's inappropriate touching and contact and is living with the secret.
I loved the #metoo aspect - not only was Mia's story there, so were the stories of other women - framed for a middle school reader. The content is perfectly appropriate - the harassment in gymastics as well as an experience of her friend Clover are related sensitively. I also appreciated the mystery - it was fun to try to spot the clues and red herrings. Some fun cultural references to books and Broadway show tunes makes this so easy to recommend to 7th grade girls.
More Than a Game: Race, Gender, and Politics in Sports by Matt Doeden, 64 pages. NON-FICTION. Millbrook, 2020. $26.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLEMore Than a Game: Race, Gender, and Politics in Sports by Matt Doeden, 64 pages. NON-FICTION. Millbrook, 2020. $26.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Divided into three chapters as suggested by the subtitle, this book introduces the reader to some historical and current events that illustrate how sports in the U.S. intersect with race, gender, and politics. The first chapter moves from the Great White Hope to Black Lives Matter, and includes some American Indian and Muslim stories too. The second chapter covers the fight for equality for women athletes, and also touches upon fights for equality for gay and transgender athletes, and issues related to the MeToo movement. The last chapter includes examples of sports being used as a platform both to protest against war as well as to express patriotism.
Current events can be challenging to understand. By using the lens of sports, a subject that many kids are familiar with and interested in, this author encourages readers to reflect on some complicated issues in our society. Though this volume is relatively thin, and thus only lightly touches upon some very complicated issues, it provides a place for students to begin. Some of the book’s topics may make it more appropriate for a middle-school setting. Interspersed among the text are many engaging full-page photos, and the back matter includes source notes, glossary, selected bibliography, and index.
Posted by John David Anderson 384 pages. Walden Pond Press, (Harper Collins), 2017 $17.00
Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: APosted by John David Anderson 384 pages. Walden Pond Press, (Harper Collins), 2017 $17.00
Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
At Branton Middle School cell phones are banned. This is no problem for Frost, he doesn't have a cell phone. He usually communicates with his buddies Bench, DeeDee, and Wolf with post it notes. These four boys are their own tribe - each quirky enough that as a group they are generally left alone - except for a couple of bullies - boys on Bench's football team who can be pretty cruel. Rose, a new girl suddenly joins their lunch table and she fits right in - she's a gamer like DeeDee, gets along great with Wolf and even Frost finds her a great person to talk to. When a teacher turns an assignment into posting affirmations on lockers, it's a lot of fun, until the affirmation turn into mean notes and this too, gets completely out of hand.
It took a while to get to the story. There's a lot of family drama with Frost whose parents are divorced, and background about his nickname (he's a poet). I liked Anderson's use of nicknames - the boys each had one, Rose did not, but Rose is always talking about the names she'd been called in school, most of them mean. Posted is a story about the power of words and the value of friendship. I can recommend this to the students who like "Wonder."
The Other Half of Happy by Rebecca Balcárcel, 332 pages. Chronicle Books, 2019. $17.
Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGThe Other Half of Happy by Rebecca Balcárcel, 332 pages. Chronicle Books, 2019. $17.
Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Quijana is in 7th grade, and starting in a new school. She immediately connects with Jayden and Zuri and the three become fast friends. There's a lot going on in Quijana's family - she has a three-year-old brother who is experiencing some sensory challenges; her grandmother Miller, who lives in Florida has recently been diagnosed with cancer; and the family is planning a Christmas trip to Guatemala to visit Quijana's Abuela. Quijana does not want to go - she doesn't speak Spanish and feels like an outsider with her Guatemalan cousins in Texas - what will it be like when she's the only one who doesn't speak Spanish? Even her American mother speaks fluent Spanish. She makes plans to run away to her Grandma in Florida just before the rest of the family goes to Guatemala, so they will have to leave without her.
There were so many pieces of this plot, it felt a bit much: the grandmother's illness, the little brother's problems, the troubles at school and the conflict with her father - who suddenly wanted her to embrace her Guatemalan culture - the music the clothes and the language. I would have appreciated Balcárcel picking 1 or maybe 2 and going into them deeper. I liked her portrayal of 7th graders - they acted like 12-13yo kids. I also appreciated the appendix, with Grandma Miller's advice and science notebook, and the quotes from Don Quixote.
Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt, 217 pages. Clarion Books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), 2019. $17.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature ContentPay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidt, 217 pages. Clarion Books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), 2019. $17.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Carter Jones is a young man who has lost a lot, but in the midst of his despair a traditional English butler shows up at his door. The Butler, Mr. Bowles-Fitzpatrick, starts by putting the household in order and then teaches Carter Jones how to play cricket (among other significant lessons), and ultimately helps the family heal.
I love the formal language in this book used by The Butler and even if young readers don’t understand it all I think they will also find it delightful. It is hard not to compare this to Mary Poppins and consider it a gendered twist tale that works very well. The only complaint I have is that the descriptions of cricket at the beginning of each chapter are too long and hard to follow.
Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley 224 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House Graphic, 2020. $13.
Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAStepping Stones by Lucy Knisley 224 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House Graphic, 2020. $13.
Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
11yo Jen has moved out to a farm in the country with her mom and her mom's boyfriend Walter. Jen is in charge of the chickens and helping with their booth at the Farmers Market, but her math skills aren't great and making change is hard for her. Every weekend, Walter's daughters come. Andy is Jen's age, but she's a know-it-all and bossy. Jen didn't want to move from the city in the first place, Andy is stressing her out and Walter doesn't make the situation any easier.
My favorite illustrations were Jen's drawings! The reader gets backstory through Jen's comics, and Jen's illustrations at the beginning and end of each chapter were sweet. Jen is talented. I didn't love that Walter wasn't called on being such a jerk - it would have been nice to have that resolved, I don't love that his behavior is excused because "that's just the way he is." I'm sure lots of kids will relate to this story, I'm grabbing a copy for my library.
She was sent to kill a man, something she had been trained her whole life to do, but, at the last moment, she couldn’t do it. Knowing she couldn’t return, she wandered through Gotham City, making a new home for herself. As she learns the differences between what her life was and what it is now, she will have to decide who she wants to be.
Kuhn captures the feelings of being lost and uncertain through the main character, Cassandra, who can’t even speak when we meet her. As the story unfolds before readers visually, readers get to experience the inner commotion with Cassandra until the triumph comes from self-discovery -- with the help of her friends. I love how easy it was to put myself in Cassandra’s shoes through that process, which helped me end the book feeling that I, too, can figure out my life. The violence rating for fighting, blood, and murder.
The Children of Odin: The Book of Northern Myths by Padraic Colum, 271 pages. Aladdin (Simon & Schuster), 2011. $19.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature CoThe Children of Odin: The Book of Northern Myths by Padraic Colum, 271 pages. Aladdin (Simon & Schuster), 2011. $19.
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Jumping right into the plot rich stories of Norse mythology, the author skips the basics and simply orients the reader to the characters and places as needed. Stories about the gods of Asgard encompass the first section, with a heavy focus on Loki. Each story is linked to the next through at least one character, but all of the stories also work as stand alones.
I am inclined to say that the dated language style of these stories will lose a lot of readers, but this was the first full length book that my son has read cover to cover and stayed engaged the entire time. Norse mythology has that effect, but the short length of these chapters and the way the author connects one story to the next and provides some chronological sequencing to a complicated timeline was helpful. Worth noting is that one of the illustrations at the beginning of a chapter does have a woman with her breasts exposed.
Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk, 368 pages. Dutton Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2020. $18.
Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABEcho Mountain by Lauren Wolk, 368 pages. Dutton Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2020. $18.
Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
12yo Ellie moved from the city to the mountains of Maine in 1934 when the depression hit and her father's business - a tailor's shop - went under. Now they are living on the land, but several months ago, her father was hurt in an accident. Now in a coma in the bedroom of their cabin, Ellie is desperate to get him to wake up. Her older sister Esther and her mother are irritated by her crazy attempts, hoping she isn't hurting her father. Grounded to the outside for putting a snake in his room, Ellie follows a dog up the mountain and she discovers "the hag" hoping she can help, but she is injured as well, and certainly not what Ellie expected. Maybe she knows how to wake up father, but first she'll need Ellie's help.
Well written, urgent, nostalgic - Lauren Wolk is a brilliant story teller. I could hardly put it down. Wolk examines who we are, who were were, and who we may be, it's about finding yourself. Not as anxious as Wolf Hollow, but just as engaging. There's a great friendship with a mountain boy that I'm hoping shows up in a sequel sometime. Some cringe worthy descriptions of wounds and treatments; necessary for authenticity and reading enjoyment.
Brown (My Alter Ego is a Super Hero book 1) by Håkon Øvreås and Øyvind Torseter 128 pages. Enchanted Lion Books, 2019. $17.
Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY:Brown (My Alter Ego is a Super Hero book 1) by Håkon Øvreås and Øyvind Torseter 128 pages. Enchanted Lion Books, 2019. $17.
Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Rusty is staying with his Aunt when his grandfather dies. She lets him take home a can of brown paint for the fort he and his friend Jack are building. But when they go to their fort in the woods, 3 bullies - the minister's son included - are pulling down their fort and chase Jack and Rusty away. That night, Rusty has an idea - dressed in brown with a brown cape, he becomes Brown - a super hero avenging wrongs - and he paints one of the bullies bikes with the brown paint. Rusty joins him the next night with Black paint, and eventually their other friend, Lou, become Blue. But when the minister notices paint on Rusty's hand at Grandpa's funeral, the super heroes may be in trouble.
This Batchelder award winner from Norway is an interesting character study. I loved the illustrations, simple but emotional. I love Rusty and his friends, but as an adult I wonder if they are just getting themselves into more trouble than they think. Rusty has the guidance and support of his dead grandfather, who is sitting on a large rock in the woods, waiting for, well, whatever happens after one dies. Probably not for every reader, but Brown is quirky enough that I think I know some kids who would really enjoy it. It's book 1 in a series - I wonder where it's headed?
Trapped in Hitler’s Web by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, 240 pages. Scholastic, OCT 2020. $18
Violence: PG (Nazi casual cruelty)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADTrapped in Hitler’s Web by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, 240 pages. Scholastic, OCT 2020. $18
Violence: PG (Nazi casual cruelty)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Maria, 11yo, and her friend Nathan are escaping their village in Ukraine by accepting jobs through the Reich Employment Office. A kind clerk sends them all the way to Austria as guest workers on Austrian farms, harvesting for the Nazi war machine. Nathan, however, is ordered off at Innsbruck – forced to work on a bridge building project. Maria continues on alone. She may be on a farm, but as a foreigner, she the least of the workers. It is a tightrope walk – not only do the Nazis keep a close eye to make sure she doesn’t receive any special treatment, but the daughter of the farmer is a member of the local Hitler Youth – her eagle eyes could cost Maria her life.
Skrypuch has finished the fourth book in her series about little-known parts of World War II. Each book of the quartet is lightly joined with the others. In this case Maria is the younger sister of Krystia, whom we met in Don’t Tell the Nazis.