Impressive debut! No wonder it's a Morris Finalist! Beautifully written, gorgeous sense of place and Darius is just a beautifully wrought character. IImpressive debut! No wonder it's a Morris Finalist! Beautifully written, gorgeous sense of place and Darius is just a beautifully wrought character. It's an introspective and quiet and so illuminating culturally. Again, I am glad I read with my eyes in order to hear the proper pronunciation of Darius and all the Farsi words sprinkled throughout the story. ...more
This was a fun read. Engaging narrator. Quirky setting and characters. The only false note for me was the fact that Tris and his sister couldn't startThis was a fun read. Engaging narrator. Quirky setting and characters. The only false note for me was the fact that Tris and his sister couldn't start public school until the January semester. We have kids starting at our school all year long, usually within a day of moving in....more
I hadn't expected to like this as much as I did. Belief needs to be suspended but Cricket's voice is engaging and heartbreaking. Read it in one sittinI hadn't expected to like this as much as I did. Belief needs to be suspended but Cricket's voice is engaging and heartbreaking. Read it in one sitting....more
Impressive debut. Loved nearly everything about this - the voice, the characters. It wrapped up a little too neatly at the end but all-in-all an engagImpressive debut. Loved nearly everything about this - the voice, the characters. It wrapped up a little too neatly at the end but all-in-all an engaging, poignant read. ...more
Sad little book about a sad little girl. The reader learns slowly why. It's layered and often a bit confusing. Interesting characters.Sad little book about a sad little girl. The reader learns slowly why. It's layered and often a bit confusing. Interesting characters....more
When Natalie's exuberant and strange science teacher assigns the class to keep a "wonder" notebook and also suggests that Natalie enter a science compWhen Natalie's exuberant and strange science teacher assigns the class to keep a "wonder" notebook and also suggests that Natalie enter a science competition, she's dubious. She knows what she wants to study - where her botanist mom went even though she's right there - but can't find the words.
This is a unique depiction of severe depression and how it affects a family, especially its youngest members. Realistic and heartfelt, this should have appeal to your gentle readers who love sad....more
Spectacular debut! Spectacular narration. Fascinating characters and smart dialogue. Couldn't put the book down. Spectacular debut! Spectacular narration. Fascinating characters and smart dialogue. Couldn't put the book down. ...more
This exuberant debut is sure to be a favorite read aloud. It's sort of a reverse Stone Soup in that Omu gives and gives and gives until she has no dinThis exuberant debut is sure to be a favorite read aloud. It's sort of a reverse Stone Soup in that Omu gives and gives and gives until she has no dinner for herself. The crisp collages help propel the story of a generous soul. ...more
Three forest bffs look to expand their social circle with little success until they decide to throw a "splendid" surprise party for city folk out campThree forest bffs look to expand their social circle with little success until they decide to throw a "splendid" surprise party for city folk out camping. Hilarity ensues. Fun read aloud. ...more
This was an impressive debut, featuring an engaging narrator and a heartbreaking peek into the use and abuse of immigrants and marginalized people in This was an impressive debut, featuring an engaging narrator and a heartbreaking peek into the use and abuse of immigrants and marginalized people in the work place. ...more
When I started this, I purposely left it be a "bedside" book. The last thing I did each night and I parceled the pages out sparingly, savoring the wriWhen I started this, I purposely left it be a "bedside" book. The last thing I did each night and I parceled the pages out sparingly, savoring the writing though I quickly longed to swallow the 600 pages whole. For some odd reason, I was unaware of the hype when this landed in my mailbox. I fell in love with the cover and premise immediately. Children of Blood and Bone lives up to the hype. The world-building is lush and the characters are memorable, flawed and complex. There were times I clutched the book with white knuckles, the action was that intense. Of course, I cried too. The next book cannot come too soon. Impressive debut!...more
Short version: kick-ass heroine + epic world-building + hilarious and snarky dialogue = one memorable ride. More, please!
Long version: Kiranmala is juShort version: kick-ass heroine + epic world-building + hilarious and snarky dialogue = one memorable ride. More, please!
Long version: Kiranmala is just a regular sixth grader attending a regular middle school in Parsippany, New Jersey. Sure, her parents embarrass her on a regular basis, especially when they proclaim loudly about her fiber intake and the fact that she's really an Indian princess. Jeez! All that changes on the Halloween that happens to be her twelfth birthday. Turns out, she really is an Indian princess and she's got to deal with a snot-spewing rokkosh post-haste. She does get some help in the form of two uber-cute Indian princes but when one of them is swallowed by another rokkosh and turned into a sphere which just might morph into a black hole -eventually - well, suffice it to say, Kiranmala has her hands full.
This debut and series starter is a rollicking adventure perfect for fans of PJ. Encourage those PJ fans to branch out and embrace other mythologies....more