Beautiful symbolism and artistic execution. The use of yarn and knitting needles in combination with drawings is stellar. The unraveling and re-knittiBeautiful symbolism and artistic execution. The use of yarn and knitting needles in combination with drawings is stellar. The unraveling and re-knitting of a life, also stellar.
Unfortunately, I was not very focused when I was listening to this. The narrator's voice was lovely, and the language was fantastic, but I was so distUnfortunately, I was not very focused when I was listening to this. The narrator's voice was lovely, and the language was fantastic, but I was so distracted and my mind was so adrift that I did not follow the story at all.
It was definitely a me problem, and I really enjoyed the listening experience despite being unable to talk much about it. ...more
Reviewed from an ARC. I can’t remember where it came from, though.
A fast paced teen thriller with a seasoning of romance. The high school rivalry andReviewed from an ARC. I can’t remember where it came from, though.
A fast paced teen thriller with a seasoning of romance. The high school rivalry and Freddie’s fast track to popularity are a bit exaggerated, but there was enough silliness to make it work.
The first scene with the fog made it seem like this was going to be a supernatural read, but the immediate follow up chapter with Freddie’s police phone call and sweeping out the bell tower sets a more realistic tone. It’s not until almost the very end that this reader really knew which way the mystery was going to break. The fog, founding myths and curses, and an old poem full of supernatural imagery added to the otherworldly vibe. There’s a bit of gory description, some archival research, and hints of a serial killer. I didn’t care for the prank subplot—I’m not a prank person—but that did set up several situations where the students weren’t believed.
Overall a fun thriller with some nods to the late last century that reads a bit like Hocus Pocus crossed with X-Files set in a high school romcom with an Agatha Christie-inspired main character. ...more
There’s a revealing moment after FDR has agreed to end racial discrimination in the military. Other Black leaders tell Mary Mcleod Bethune that it wasThere’s a revealing moment after FDR has agreed to end racial discrimination in the military. Other Black leaders tell Mary Mcleod Bethune that it was down to her work with Eleanor Roosevelt that persuaded the president to issue the order. But there was a wildly missed opportunity here to show clearly how progress frequently occurs between two pincers: it wasn’t JUST Mary and Eleanor’s pressure that moved the president. It was the threat of a massive March on Washington combine with consistent and persistent pressure over time.
And that’s my gripe with this book. On one hand it does a lovely job at showcasing the imagined relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune, but on the other there are moments of stilted language and missing context that are easy enough to read through, but that definitely give the reader pause.
Connects to American Wings and other books about Dovey Roundtree....more
In many ways this is a typical outsider friendship story. Bertie feels a bit meh about his current situation within the Society of Distinguished LemmiIn many ways this is a typical outsider friendship story. Bertie feels a bit meh about his current situation within the Society of Distinguished Lemmings. So he wanders off a bit and meets a bear. The bear couldn't be more different from those Distinguished lemmings. Bertie and the Society and the bear interact a bit, and Bertie and the bear get left out in the cold, but then the Society ends up in a dire situation.
Beautifully rendered illustrations, especially the part when the lemmings' hair (fur) is all went and curly; a lot of silly asides; and Bertie and the bear shine as ordinary heroes who use information from a book to help stage a rescue....more
A contrast between busy and quiet, between zooming and still. The spare text works well for storytime and the first half of the book offers opportunitA contrast between busy and quiet, between zooming and still. The spare text works well for storytime and the first half of the book offers opportunities for movement while the second half encourages quiet. Even the pictures have a characteristic dePaola serenity to them....more
Every time I pick up a Corey Tabor book I think to myself, "I hope this isn't the moment I'm deeply disappointed." And so far, I remain entertained, dEvery time I pick up a Corey Tabor book I think to myself, "I hope this isn't the moment I'm deeply disappointed." And so far, I remain entertained, delighted, and surprised.
This one should absolutely be read with no preconceived expectations. It begins with a typically crabby titular character, who unceremoniously chases off everyone who tries to engage. But as soon as the reader decides that this is just the same old cranky trope, things take a turn....more
A story about coming to terms with perfectionism and re-thinking what it means for something to be perfect. Uses the art technique of kintsugi to e3.5
A story about coming to terms with perfectionism and re-thinking what it means for something to be perfect. Uses the art technique of kintsugi to explore this concept, and includes an author's note about that technique....more