#IMWAYR (It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?) – Jan 24/22

January 24, 2022January 23, 2022 / Kathie MacIsaac / Leave a comment

by Kathie

Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where each week I share my thoughts about what I’m reading.

Last week, I was looking for a nonfiction book to discuss tomorrow night for the Village Page Turners Twitter chat (feel free to join in at 9PM EST) so I read both a YA and MG nonfiction title (I decided to go with A Face for Picasso). I also read two eARCs that were on my 15 anticipated 2022 titles list, and another title from my #mustreadin2022 list. I created a reading challenge for February called #FebruReads, which I’ll tell you about later this week, and prepared for a couple of author interviews coming up in the next week, including this Thursday night’s MG Lit Online Book Club chat with Colleen Nelson.

What I Read Last Week

The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Eugene Yelchin (Oct 5/21) (3 stars). This memoir appeared on several of the year-end middle-grade nonfiction lists and I was intrigued to read about the experiences of a boy growing up in Russia during the Cold War in the early 1970s. Highly illustrated with text that sometimes changed its structure to fit around the artwork, the author spends time drawing under the dining room table where he sleeps due to the cramped quarters in their shared apartment. He faces the expectations of his parents to become talented at something and tries to figure out how he fits into his family while facing the restrictions of communism.

I researched some of the information which led to the fascinating discovery that Vladmir Lenin’s body has been on display for almost 100 years and has a team of scientists who preserve it! You can read more about that here.

Valhamster by Angela Misri (May 14/22) (4 stars). This is the third book in the Tails from the Apocalyse series by Canadian author Angelia Misri and features my favourite character, Emmy. This battle-obsessed warrior hamster has a mission to fight and eradicate the zombies that continue to hunt her friends and their human pets, but when new arrivals are told they can join the group, Emmy’s decides to strike out on her own. We finally see Emmy’s badass persona start to crumble as she realizes heroes don’t always have to work alone. This book doesn’t come out until May, but if you’re not familiar with the series, I recommend you check out Pickles vs. the Zombies and Trip of the Dead.

A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome by Ariel Henley (Nov 2/21) (5 stars). This five-star young adult memoir caught my attention on Twitter when it was recommended that every teacher who uses Wonder by R.J. Palacio in the classroom should read it. It delves into the impact of numerous facial reconstruction surgeries on the author and her twin sister as a result of Crouzon Syndrome, which is a condition where the bones in the head don’t grow. The trauma, pain, and physical recovery from these procedures combined with bullying and mockery resulted in complex issues related to self-esteem and the idea of beauty as the girls grew up. Although it was difficult to process the full extent of the harm caused both mentally and physically, I am so glad I saw this important perspective from someone who experienced it firsthand.

Golden Girl by Reem Faruqi (Feb 22/22) (4 stars). My full review of this book will be out on Wednesday, but it’s definitely one I think you should have on your TBR list.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo (Jan 19/21) (3.5 stars) This young adult historical fiction romance was on my #mustreadin2022 list. Two teenage girls fall in love in the 1950s in San Francisco and connect to the LGBTQIA+ community through a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. When their secret relationship is exposed, the girls are confronted with the consequences of their choices, especially Lily, whose Chinese father is at risk of deportation for alleged communist connections. Although this story was too long for my liking, I thought it was well written and understand why it received so many accolades.

Driven: The Secret Lives of Taxi Drivers by Marcello Di Cintio (Sept 15/20) (3 stars). I picked up this book because I saw it was on the Canada Reads longlist and it sounded really interesting. The author said he looked for Candian taxi drivers who didn’t fit the stereotype of highly trained immigrants who became cab drivers after arriving in Canada. Although he interviewed some very colourful characters with fascinating backstories, I felt it was a bit sensationalist in how the story was told. I was also appalled at the stories from my hometown and how Winnipeg has a reputation for racist and misogynist taxi drivers. I did enjoy the look at the negative impact of Uber and COVID on drivers, though.

What I’m Reading This Week

I’m currently reading Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee, and have Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms by Jamar J. Perry on my Kindle to read this week.

What are you reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? has changed from becoming a meme for adults to the sharing of childrens’ lit. This idea to include #kidlit came from Unleashing Reader blogger Kellee Moye and Jen Vincent, from the Teach Mentor Texts, blog. They thought there should be a children’s lit focus too and hence a version for #kidlit began! So every Monday join in on the fun, by sharing what you just finished reading, currently are reading, or are anticipating reading. Use the hashtag #IMWAYR on your social media sites to share, follow what others are reading and to show support for #kidlit bloggers by reading and commenting.

#IMWAYR (It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?) – Jan 17th

January 17, 2022January 15, 2022 / Kathie MacIsaac / Leave a comment

by Kathie

Happy Monday!

Last week, I jumped all over the map in terms of what I read. There’s an adult nonfiction title, an upcoming YA and MG title, and a couple of books published in 2021 that I hadn’t had a chance to read yet. Work was quieter as remote learning started up again so I wasn’t quite as tired in the evenings. I wrote a mid-month reading reflection post (which you can read here) and I played catch up with some reviews and interviews for MG Book Village on which I’d fallen behind. It was a very productive week!

What I Read Last Week

Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space by Amanda Leduc (Mar 3/20) (3 stars). I picked up this adult nonfiction book after reading Disability Visibility last week. I wanted to learn more about disability tropes in fiction and I learned a lot from this book. The author explores how disability shows up in fairytales, such as how villains often have a disfigurement, or the main goal of a person with any physical shortcoming is to be “healed” from it.

I realized how nonchalantly we use ableist language. Something that disappoints us is said to be “lame”. People who are ignorant about an issue are said to be “blind”. If someone isn’t paying attention to the insensitivity of their language we call them “tone-deaf”. There are many ways we (unconsciously or consciously) associate disability with weakness, or someone being “less than”. I will be more aware of the words I use, and how disability is portrayed in the books I read.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh (Feb 22/22) (4 stars). I wrote a review about this book last Wednesday, and you can check out my thoughts here.

Fifty-Four Things Wrong With Gwendolyn Rogers by Caela Carter (Oct 19/21) (4.5 stars). I LOVED How To Be A Girl in the World and thought it was one of the most underrated middle-grade books of 2020. I cannot believe I didn’t have this book on my radar until Laurie mentioned finishing it last week, and I immediately bought it on my Kindle. What a terrific read about neurodiversity with a young main character who feels like there are so many things wrong with her. As the mom of a daughter with ADHD, we underestimate how much girls internalize a brain that processes things differently as broken or needing to be fixed. I really loved that we follow Gwendolyn and her mom through the process of figuring out how to help Gwendolyn, and that sometimes there is no simple diagnosis or plan for management. This book reminded me a lot of Focused by Alyson Gerber, and I highly recommend both books, especially for girls who are navigating the system to find support for behaviour that feels out of their control.

Sofia Acosta Makes A Scene by Emma Otheguy (Jan 25/22) (4.5 stars). I’m going to post my review of this book on Wednesday, but it’s one you don’t want to miss.

Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland (May 18/21) (4.5 stars). This is one of my #mustreadin2022 titles, and I’m SO glad I made the time to read it. It’s historical fiction set in the early 1920s about a girl who can see ghosts and wants to solve the murder of one of the former residents of the manor where she works. It’s an engaging mystery and delves into how Black people were mistreated during this period. It deserves the buzz that landed it on many 2021 year-end lists.

What I’m Reading This Week

I’m thrilled to have an eARC of Valhamster by Angela Misri! It’s one of my highly anticipated titles of 2022, so it’s up next. I’m also reading A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome by Ariel Henley for the Village Page Turners Book Club on January 25th.

What are you reading?

#IMWAYR (It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?) – Jan 10/22

January 10, 2022January 8, 2022 / Kathie MacIsaac / 2 Comments

by Kathie

I had a very productive reading week despite returning to work after the holidays and falling asleep early most nights. I read two adult nonfiction titles, which I don’t enjoy as much as middle-grade fiction, I did like seeing some new perspectives. My Kindle is loaded with lots of eARCs to read, but I’m mixing them in with some library books. I have three books on the go at the moment, and it’s been fun to pick up whatever appeals to me and mix up my genres.

Last Week

Cog by Greg Van Eekhout (Oct 1/19) (4 stars). As I mentioned last week, I picked this book up on a whim on National Science Fiction Day, and I’m so glad I did. I laughed out loud at several points as this group of robots decide to escape the company controlling them and travel across the country to rescue the person who can help them. The story is told in first-person from the perspective of Cog, a robot who has the appearance of a 12-year-old boy, and is what I think a cross between WALL-E and Amelia Bedelia might look like. I’d recommend this book for fans of Jarrett Lerner and the EngiNerds series who are ready to try a slightly longer read.

Revery: A Year of Bees by Jenna Butler (Oct 20/20) (3 stars)

This year I’m participating in The FOLD Reading Challenge. These are twelve monthly prompts (and one bonus) to help readers diversify their reading. I’m hoping to choose some MG or YA books, but January’s prompt was “a book about climate change by a BIPOC and/or disabled author” and I couldn’t find a title that worked in those age categories.

I chose to read one of The FOLD’s recommendations by a Canadian farmer and beekeeper, and what’s she learned about herself, bees, community, and the environment in the process.

One very cool thing I learned is there is a medicinal treatment called beehive air inhalation therapy. Apparently inhaling the warm air from bees working in a hive can be useful for respiratory issues. In case you need a bee therapy day, here’s a link to The Bee Garden in Savannah, GA to learn more about it.

Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories From the Twenty-First Century (edited by Alice Wong) (June 30/2020) (3 stars). The young adult version of this book was a 2021 Nerdy Book Club Long Form Nonfiction winner, but my library didn’t have that edition available. This adult nonfiction book is a series of essays from disabled authors who share their thoughts and experiences of living in an ableist society. I wish I’d had a physical copy of this book as I needed a more pronounced break between each author’s stories, but I was introduced to perspectives that were new to me and made me think more deeply about things I take for granted.

One of the essays that had the biggest impact on me was “The Isolation of Being Deaf in Prison” by Jeremy Woody (told to Christie Thompson). You can read some of that essay here. I was appalled at the ableism in the prison system, and the disregard with which Jeremy was treated. As difficult as some of these stories were to read. I’m grateful for what I learned from reading this book.

Playing the Cards You’re Dealt by Varian Johnson (Oct 5/21) (4 stars). I wasn’t a fan of this book’s cover which put me off reading it for a while, but it appeared on several year-end lists so I added it to my #mustreadin2022 list. In this contemporary realistic fiction story, Ant comes from a family of card sharks. He desperately wants to redeem himself at this year’s annual spades tournament and make his dad proud. But life gets complicated by his dad’s suspicious behaviour and his friendship is tested when a new girl arrives on the scene. What I liked most about this story is it didn’t take me where I expected, and it reminded me of Torrey Maldonado’s Tight where the main character is straddling that line between childhood and being a teenager. It’s a great middle-great story with a male protagonist learning to make difficult choices.

Currently Reading

I’m currently reading Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space by Amanda Leduc (adult nonfiction), A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome by Ariel Henley (YA memoir and one of my #mustreadin2022 titles), and The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh (YA fantasy and one of my 15 highly-anticipated titles of 2022).

What are you reading this week?

#IMWAYR (It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?) – Jan 3/22

January 3, 2022January 2, 2022 / Kathie MacIsaac / Leave a comment

by Kathie

Welcome to a brand new reading year! I wish you a pile of excellent books and many happy hours of reading in the months ahead.

I spent the first few days of 2022 setting up my reading journal, researching review writing, and solidifying the Google Form to track my reading. I love feeling organized, and I really enjoyed the week off to relax. I head back to work tomorrow and have some writing tasks to attend to this week, so I’m glad I have my journal set up and ready to go.

I don’t have any reading goals for this year (yet!) though I know I want to read more books by authors writing from their own experiences, as well as Canadian and 2022 debut authors. I have a post coming on Wednesday about the 12 #mustreadin2022 titles I chose to read this year, and my 15 highly-anticipated titles of 2022 post will come out on Friday. I also made some blogging plans so we’ll see how that goes as January unfolds.

Last Week

I decided to start #IMWAYR fresh for 2022. I finished one book on Saturday.

The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown (releases Jan 4/21) (3 stars). I haven’t had a chance to read The Forgotten Girl, the author’s debut novel that came out in 2021, but I heard several people mention how scary it was. I thought I’d start 2022 with her stand-alone horror novel inspired by the segregation of swimming pools and how lack of access to swimming lessons resulted in many Black people not learning how to swim. Celeste and her three cousins spend a week at their grandparent’s haunted lakehouse during summer vacation and investigate the mystery behind the ghostly occurrences. The impact of racism on their family (past and present) gives this story a unique feel, and there are themes of facing fears and expressing yourself. Although I enjoyed the storyline and watching the cousins connect, I had difficulty attaching to the supporting characters or their motives.

I think the fast pace of the story, its 224-page length, and the haunting cover will prompt many kids to pick up this book. I recommend it for scary book lovers who enjoyed Lindsay Currie’s What Lives in the Woods or Small Spaces by Katherine Arden. I read an eARC of this book from Edelweiss+ but it releases tomorrow.

Currently Reading

When I found out that January 2nd was National Science Fiction Day, I went looking for a middle-grade sci-fi read by a BIPOC author that I hadn’t read. Cog by Greg Van Eekhout has been on my TBR list for a while, so it was the perfect day to start it. I’m really enjoying it so far, and look forward to seeing what’s going to happen to these characters.

What are you reading this week?

#IMWAYR (It’s Monday What Are You Reading?) July 12/21

July 12, 2021July 12, 2021 / Laurie / Leave a comment

I cannot believe that we are approaching mid-July already. Its been a busy two weeks in the Hnatiuk household hence my rationale for not posting. Two weeks ago, I was surprised by the arrival of my son, where my reading came to a screeching halt to soak in the moments with him. Then, last weekend my sister came in from Calgary to celebrate my youngest sister’s retirement. It has been a busy two weeks and extremely hot (for us, I know my friends in Texas may be thinking that’s nothing). High 90’s for us is unusual, and that has sapped my energy as I try to keep Kaizer, the black dog, cool.

So four books later, here is what I read last week.

Digital and Print

Code Blue by Marissa Slaven.

Set in the not too distant future, readers quickly learn about the religious and political wars and decisions that led to Planet Earth being in “Code Blue” due to global warming and climate change. Atlantic (Tic) Brewer and her mother live on The Edge – the constantly receding coastline due to rising sea levels. Tic loves science and received news of her acceptance into the North-East Science Academy (NESA), following in her father’s footsteps studying glacier melting, despite never meeting him, having drowned in the North Atlantic before she was born. Discovering that the photo of her parents has a cryptic message on the back, Tic realizes there is something suspicious regarding her father’s death and his research. Now along with trying to save the world from rising sea levels, Tic wants to figure out what happened to her father.

Marissa Slaven introduced the chapters by using questions on Tic’s entrance exam. These questions provide the necessary background information and history of global warming, which I thought was clever, and one can anticipate potential discussions from these questions.

Code Blue checks off all the boxes for young adult readers – acceptance at school, friends, relationships, sexuality, pushing boundaries and self-identity.

Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz

Jamila Waheed wants to play basketball at the local rec center, but her mom wants her to enrol in science camp. Shirley Jones has a similar issue in its dance camp instead of playing detective solving the problems of the local neighbourhood kids. The two strike a deal to convince their moms to spend time together rather than the camps. Shirley Jones has a case to solve about a stolen gecko at the swimming pool. Jamila becomes Shirley’s Dr. Watson as the two not only learn to work and support one another, but also solve the case.

I love mysteries, so I enjoyed seeing the Sherlock Holmes references from the play on Shirley’s Jone’s name to her deductive reasoning that I think kids will enjoy reading. Gillian Goer reminds readers your new friend could be someone you think you have nothing in common as the two characters appear to be more different than alike. I also love that we have two diverse characters, and it’s not about that – it’s just real life – we need more books like this. Also, I love that the sports focus with Jamila sharing her passion for basketball again, more books like this please for readers to access. The comparisons to Raina Telegmeier and Victoria Jamieson are spot on, in my opinion, and I look forward to the second in the series in November.

Audiobooks

Dan Unmasked by Chris Negron

Dan and Nate are best friends who love baseball and the George Sanderson comic series Captain Nexus. After being hit in the head at baseball practice, Nate is in a coma; Dan thinks he is responsible for the accident. Convinced that if Dan completes a comic about Captian Nexus with Ollie (Nate’s younger brother) and his friend Courtney, Nate will find his way out of the coma. All the while, the baseball team is falling apart, Ollie, Dan, and Courtney are squabbling over the theme of the comic and Dan’s dad is never around, leaving Dan feeling frustrated and worried. With everything riding on this comic and entering Ollie’s artwork to meet George Sanderson, Dan must redefine what it means to be a hero and a friend.

Chris Negron respects middle-grade readers – he creates real-life scenarios that may or may not have a happy ending – and he keeps that tension and unknown resolution right to the bitter end. Readers will be turning the pages to find out what happens to Nate. The camaraderie of the baseball team is well-developed from the ups and downs the team goes through to the pizza suppers and the antics that play out with the coach’s pizza – kids will be engaged and relate to the different relationships portrayed. The role comics play in the story. Not only is the engagement factor there, but how brilliant it is to have the comic deliver the main message. Strong characters, lots of story facets, and a great message make Dan Unmasked a great addition to your collection.

Josephine Against the Sea by Shakira Bourne

Eleven-year-old Josephine lives with her father in Barbados, and the two are still grieving the loss of her mom. Josephine is a great bowler and wants to break the gender barrier by trying out for the cricket team to give her and her daddy something to bring them joy. When the tryouts do not go well, Josephine cuts into a cotton tree, unknowingly unleashing a mythical spell in the form of a woman called Mariss. When Mariss suddenly comes into their lives and slowly changes things, Josephine is suspicious that she is not who she seems but who would believe her? Josephine will have to use all of her wits, friends and cricket skills to keep her dad to herself and out of harm’s way.

I appreciated and enjoyed the fact that Josephine played cricket, introducing readers to a sport they may not be familiar with and also the fact that she was breaking the gender barrier. Josephine Against the Sea allows readers to experience the love between Josephine and her father; it is great to see another book highlighting that father-daughter bond. Josephine is mischievous and grows a lot in the story, from wanting to keep her dad to herself at all costs to accepting that change can be okay as well in a humorous manner. Set in Barbados, readers have a window into another culture, providing details about the food, the mythology and the Bajan language that is not common in middle-grade books. Josephine Against the Sea has something for many readers, relationships, magical mythology, a new culture, all mixed with just the right amount of scariness and humour.

UP NEXT:

I still did not get to Mile Morales, so I am looking forward to that graphic novel since I enjoyed the first one. I am also listening to one of my Christina Li’s Closer to the Universe for my #mustreadin21 July book. I also have two print books from my library that I have heard great things about, Leslie Gentile’s Elvis, Me and the Lemonade Stand and J.D. and the Great Barber Battle by J. Dillard, illustrated by Akeem S. Roberts.

What are you looking forward to reading this week?

Laurie

I want to acknowledge the two that started this all. It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? changed from becoming a meme for adults but also to including children’s lit. This idea came from Unleashing Reader blogger Kellee Moye and Jen Vincent from the Teach Mentor Texts blog. They thought there should be a children’s lit focus too, and hence a version for #kidlit began! So join in on the fun every Monday by sharing what you just finished reading, currently are reading, or are anticipating reading. Use the hashtag #IMWAYR on your social media sites to share, follow what others are reading, and show support for #kidlit bloggers by reading and commenting.

Laurie

#IMWAYR (It’s Monday What Are You Reading?) July 19/21

July 12, 2021July 19, 2021 / Laurie / 2 Comments

I am pleased with my new review format 5-4-3-2-1 and am finding it more efficient for writing my reviews. If you missed that post, then you can find it here. Do you have a set format for writing posts? I’d love to hear your ideas on review writing in the comments.

So here’s what I read last week.

Digital and Print

J.D. and the Great Barber Battle by J Dillard and Akeem S Roberts (Illustrations). The first is what I hope to be a long series, J.D. and the Great Barber Battle is another engaging chapter book for our early readers. J.D., a young black boy, is about to start third grade, the grade where appearances begin to matter, and J.D.’s mother just cut his hair, and to his horror, it’s so bad that J.D. knows the teasing is about to come his way on the bus and at school. When the teasing continues, he decides to take matters into his own hands with his mother’s clippers. J.D. practices on his younger brother first, then looking ok, he fixes his hair. It turns out, J.D. has a talent for not only cutting hair but also putting his artistic skills into haircuts J.D. sets up a barbershop and is making money because all the kids want J.D. to cut their hair, except the local barbershop is not happy because they have lost business. After Henry Jr. from the local barbershop sends the health inspector to shut down J.D., J.D. issues a haircut challenge to Henry Jr. where the entire town shows up to figure out who will give them their next cut.

I loved learning about the different cuts, and J.D. and the Great Barber Battle will be a great bridge from the picture book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes. A book to allow some to see themselves and a window for others (myself included) always are vital additions to collections. This short chapter book would be a terrific read-aloud, and kids will love the illustrations that captured the humour of the story. A creative spin-off of the lemonade stand, keep the clippers and scissors in a safe place.

Elvis, Me and the Lemonade Stand Summer by Leslie Gentile. Truly lives with her hard-drinking mother Clarice in a trailer park on a Salish Reserve, but the owner, Andy El acts more like her parent. Andy El convinces Truly to run a lemonade stand for the summer to give her something to do, knowing Clarice will be absent more than present. Truly agrees and tells Andy El she will save to buy one of the puppies from the strawberry farm but secretly plans to use the money to take the ferry to Vancouver to find her dad. As the summer progresses, the community (including one that suspiciously looks like Elvis Presley) becomes regular customers and contributors purchasing and donating items to support Truly.

A short and powerful read, this had me in tears in some parts and full of joy at others – don’t miss this stunning debut. More to come on Thursday!

Audiobooks

Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood is a memoir about author Gary Paulsen and different periods of his life. The beginning is a dark and neglectful time where his alcoholic mother brings him to bars to sing for his meals and act as an attraction to draw men to her. When extended family intervenes, Gary goes to spend time with his aunt and uncle in the woods, where readers familiar with Paulsen’s work will see where many of his stories are derived and a time of happiness. Happiness is short-lived when Paulsen and his mother to Manilla are off to Manilla when summoned by his soldier father based there. Here, Gary witnesses the horrors of a war-torn country and the toxic alcoholic relationship between his parents, leaving him to fend for himself. Despite the horrific environment, it is here where he finds hope in the library and a librarian who sets him off on a path of reading and writing until he eventually realizes the army is his way out of despair and poverty.

Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood is appropriately named considering the neglect and abuse Gray Paulsen suffered growing up. For fans of the Hatchet series, readers will discover a deeper insight into those survivor stories, but at the cost of the details of neglect and dysfunctional relationships shared. Some readers may not be emotionally ready to experience some of these details, and for others, it may act as a trigger. Once again, the library provides a safe space, and the librarian acts as a mentor and a caregiver. It often is the most vulnerable that are the most affected by the loss of these places and roles. I loved the narrative being the boy and in the third person and that ending, perfection.

Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood is a phenomenal read and a testament to Mr. Paulsen’s resilience and skills as a storyteller. Narrator Dan Bittner has the tough task of sharing the harrowing lows without making the story too depressing and does a remarkable job. Another narrator to add to my growing list.

Clues to the Universe, by Christina Li, narrated by Mimi Chang and Josh Hurley. Ro loves rockets while Benjamin loves the comic Spacebound; both are grieving for their fathers. Ro lost her dad to a drunk driver while Benjamin’s father just left. When the two accidentally mix up their purple school folders, Ro now has Benji’s comic folder with all of his drawings, and Benji has Ro and her father’s plans for the rocket they were going to build, their lives intertwine. Now Ro is helping Benji find his dad, and he is helping her construct the rocket and entering the science fair. A story of friendship, overcoming loss and self-identity.

It was a pleasant surprise to see a male-female friendship and appreciated the gender reversal with Ro being the scientist logistic character and Benjamin being the creative artist. The alternating voice format is also another great idea and will be engaging for readers. Both Mimi Chang and Josh Hurley provided great expression and fit the personalities of Ro and Benjamin, bringing them both to life, and I would recommend the audiobook.

UP NEXT:

I am busy filling in books and activities for our Bit About Books Summer Reading Challenge. My sister recommended an adult mystery book, so I will listen to The Thursday Murder Club to finish the adult book section since I already completed a recommended book. Today was National Ice Cream Day, and I hoped to get a Coconut dipped soft cone at a local ice cream shop but didn’t make it, so looking forward to that. I also started listening to Trenton Lee Stewart’s Mysterious Benedict Society before binging the tv adaptation. In print, I am getting ahead reading a #MustReadin2021 Pepper’s Guide to Secret Sleuthing.

What are you looking forward to reading this week?

Laurie

Laurie

#IMWAYR (It’s Monday What Are You Reading?) June 28/21

June 28, 2021 / Laurie / Leave a comment

I cannot believe that the first half of 2021 is winding down this week! It has been a busy week with my educator friends wrapping up what many will say was their most challenging year. My youngest sister also retired this year after teaching French Immersion for thirty years and shocked me a bit when I realized that two years have flown by since I retired.

We also launched the Bit About Books Summer Reading Challenge on June 21st. I am again going back to what I did with our winter challenge and have a slower pace, which is the intention. I did begin reading some books that would fit into the challenge and highlighted below. I hope you will join us and do what works for you, and the details for the challenge are here.

So four books later, here is what I read.

Digital and Print

Summer of Brave by Amy Noelle Parks. Lilla is the child of two academic parents who recently divorced; her father is all about the arts and works in a museum, while her mom is an entomologist and all about girls in science. Lilla’s two best friends Knox and Vivi are similar; Knox loves the arts, especially music, while Vivi likes coding and the sciences. Lilla enjoys both the arts and the sciences, not one over the other. After Vivi wins their annual summer dandelion blowing contest for a summer wish; Vivi decides this summer they will tell the truth. For Lilla, it will mean speaking up rather than appeasing others and sharing her true thoughts and emotions rather than remaining silent. Lilla will have to be honest and tell her parents she does not want to go to the magnet school, where she has to choose between the arts and the sciences. It means questioning a dress code where girls must be careful about what they wear so that boys are not distracted. It means standing up for herself when one of the counsellors makes inappropriate comments and the director of the camp blows it off, and it means being honest with herself about her feelings for Knox.

Summer of Brave is a powerful read for our older middle-grade readers, dealing with parental pressure to be high achievers, friendships, crushes, and sexual harassment. Fans who enjoyed Laurie Morrison’s Saint Ivy: Kind at all Cost and Carrie Firestone’s Dress Coded will enjoy this similar read.

Franklin Endicott and the Third Key by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. Although the sixth book of the Deckawoo Drive series, this is the first one I have read. Franklin Endicott worries a lot. So much so that he has a journal where he lists the various worries he has. Franklin worries so much that sometimes he has nightmares that his younger sister will find his book and is up in the middle of the night. On one of these occasions, Franklin visits his neighbour Eugenia Lincoln who also is up. After sharing a cup of warm milk, he ends up making plans to help Eugenia get a key made the next day. Buddy Lane’s thrift store is not what Franklin expects, and he will be adding new items to worry about in his book. After Franklin finishes the errand and opens the envelope, there is a mysterious third key. Eugenia knows it is not hers and insists that Franklin return it the next day to Buddy Lane. Buddy insists the key does not belong to him, and when Franklin begins to worry about it, Buddy makes hot chocolate, tells him a story and gives him a book to take home. Thus begins Franklin’s new journey and the brilliance of this story. I loved the eccentric characters and know that kids will relate to Franklin’s worries and be riveted by how Eugenie and Buddy quietly remove Fanklin’s worries, replacing them with a love of story. Now I need to go back and read the other five. I strongly recommend it as a read-aloud and mentor text in the primary grades with its many possibilities.

Audio

Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and narrated by Christie Moreau. I listened to this book again when I discovered the second in the series The Hawthorne Legacy release date is in September. Avery is an orphaned teen with both intelligence and empathy. Living with her sister and her less than desirable boyfriend, Avery plans to get through high school, get a scholarship and get out. Suddenly summoned to a will reading of billionaire Tobias Hawthorne, she discovers he has left her his entire fortune with one condition – she must live in the Hawthorne estate with the family he denied of his wealth. The family is upset, but the four grandsons realize this is just another puzzle from their grandfather for them to figure out. Why would their grandfather leave his entire fortune to someone who claims never met him? Avery also wants to know the answer to this, and so the race is on to see who will solve Tobia’s puzzle first.

I enjoyed the strong character of Avery and her love of chess and things related to puzzles. There are puzzles that fans of Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, Book Scavenger and the older Chasing Vermeer will enjoy. It is great to see more versions of these books for these readers as they grow into YA.

Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty Readers follow Dara McAnulty’s life the year he is fourteen, turning fifteen over the four seasons in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Dara McAnulty also happens to be autistic, along with his two siblings and his mom. His close-knit family chooses to embrace and explore the nature surrounding them in a true inquiry fashion. The result is a glimpse into the passion, concern, and despair that Dara feels about the environment. His use of language to describe the flora, fauna and wildlife provide such intimate details made me pause and reflect if I ever really noticed the true beauty of where I walk.

Dara also shares his vulnerability regarding the bullying and the anxiety he feels speaking and sharing his ideas and observations. He is a role model as he lets readers experience his struggles to step outside his comfort zones by speaking at public events and starting an Eco Group at his school.

Diary of a Young Naturalist is gorgeous and poetic and reminds us about the beauty of nature and the exquisite way we can have with words. I always love when an author narrates their book as we listen to how the author wanted us to hear their words. His Irish accent with the incredible depth of the details added another level to the experience and made it all the more enjoyable. It is a book that I will need to read to see the words that provided vivid images in my mind. Dara McAnulty has given me and those who love nature a tremendous gift, and I cannot wait to read his Wild Child: A Journey Through Nature out in July.

UP NEXT

I am still in my mystery phase and reading a backlist title, Under the Egg, and then will read debut author Shakirah Bourne’s Josephine Against the Sea. I just downloaded the audiobook, Last Gate of the Emperor by Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen and am looking forward to starting this book.

Picture book highlights this week are:

Laurie

#IMWAYR (It’s Monday What Are You Reading?) June 21/21

June 21, 2021June 21, 2021 / Laurie / Leave a comment

Welcome to summer and the longest day of the year! I hope that today and the days ahead have plenty of sunshine and the ability to begin gathering with your family and friends. I know things will change as many of us are getting our second vaccinations or already have them. I had another good week of reading, with the majority being audiobooks. I am officially starting the Bit About Books Reading Challenge today and hope you will join Kathie and me. If you missed the updated post, with all the details, it is here.

So six books later, here is what I read.

Digital and Print

One Small Hop by Madelyn Rosenberg. Set in the future, One Small Hop paints a somewhat bleak future. The planet is in a climate crisis, but most species are either extinct or on a list, that if spotted, report it immediately to the Environmental Police Force (EPF). The water is regulated and closely monitored, and no one ventures into the water due to the contaminants and algae blooms. Vehicles driven in our present time are prohibited. When Ahab and his friends discover a bullfrog on what appears to be an untouched island, they decide to save it rather than turn it over to the EPF, who have a terrible record for aiding animals. Instead, the group of friends decide to bring it to Canada in an attempt that it may mate with a female found through the dark internet.

This story reminded me of Stephen King’s The Body (Stand By Me movie) as a coming-of-age story or the Netflix version of Stanger Things. There is humour and hope from this group, who all have unique qualities that help them be successful as a whole. It is the first book with an environmental theme set in the future, and that will be appealing to readers. Again I need to write a longer post but put this one on your radar – science and STEM enthusiasts will thank you.

The Deepest Breath by Meg Grehan This is a beautiful novel told in verse. Eleven-year-old Stevie lives with her mom and constantly learning about all things – even things that scare her. Stevie figures if she knows about the things that frighten and scare her, she will not feel so anxious. When things are particularly bad, they show up in her dreams. Her mom has always been able to help her, but now her biggest fear is the feeling she gets when she is around her classmate Chloe. A fizzling kind of feeling in her stomach and wonders if it’s a crush. There are many things to love about this book, and I will write a separate post later.

Audio

From the Mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg read by Jill Clayburgh. Claudia and her brother Jaimie run away from their home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. Claudia, the planner, figures out how to remain undetected, while Jaimie has the cash and will look after their finances. Once there, they discover a mystery about the authenticity of an angel statue that may or may not be Michelangelo’s work. The two decide to solve the mystery, eventually taking them to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, who originally sold the statue to the museum. I love to read mysteries, and since I had not read this classic, I knew this was the time to change that. I wondered how it would stand up being a book published in the sixties, and surprisingly other than the cost of items, this is a clever mystery. I can see why it was a Newberry winner and is a favourite among readers. Actress Jill Clayburn does a magnificent job portraying the personality of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. It stands the test of time and would recommend if you have not already enjoyed it.

Hidden Figures Young Readers’ Edition by Margot Lee Shetterly read by Bahni Turpin. This version of the adult book provides readers with the back story of the many African American women who played key roles in America’s space race. We learn of the many challenges they had not just as women in a male-dominated world but also as minorities during the civil rights movement. Once again, Bahni Turpin uses her talented skills to bring their stories to life. Although the plot does jump around in time, it is a useful resource, providing information that will be new to many readers. One could pair Hidden Figures Young Readers’ Edition with many of the informational picture book biographies and Rebecca Siegel’s To Fly Among the Stars: A True Story of the Women and Men Who Tested to Become America’s First Astronauts. One could compare and contrast Hidden Figures Young Readers’ Edition to the movie.

Coop Knows the Scoop by Taryn Souders and narrated by Stephanie Einstein. Oh, this was a well-narrated and well-written mystery complete with the southern drawl of Georgia. After Cooper’s father, a marine, dies, he and his mom to Windy Bottom, a small town in Georgia, to live with his grandfather. Coop helps out at his mother’s cafe and bookstore, he spends time with his grandfather, and he hangs out with his best friends, twins Liberty and Justice. All seems well in the small town until a body is uncovered at the merry-go-round. When his grandfather becomes the number one suspect, Coop and the twins decide to investigate to clear his grandfather.

I appreciated the sophistication of the mystery in this story; there were lots of twists and turns that readers will enjoy. Stephanie’s narration made me feel that I was Windy Bottom, and I could picture the people and the setting of where all the events took place; sitting in the barbershop or washing the dishes at the cafe. Again the intergenerational relationship between Coop and his grandfather was authentic – not everything was roses, and think again makes this story all the more relatable. Coop Knows the Scoop could be a mentor text for developing that sense of place and character development that will offer many connections to its intended audience. I enjoyed this novel so much that I put a hold on another one of Taryn Souder’s books, How to (Almost) Ruin Your Summer, and waiting to read An appealing read for your mystery middle graders.

The Mysterious Disappearance of Aidan S. (as told to his brother) by David Levithan and read by Everette Plen. David Levithan’s books are always unique and make me think. The Mysterious Disappearance of Aidan S. (as told to his brother) was no different than previous books I have read by him. Twelve-year-old Aidan disappears for six days. Everyone in the community looks for him, and his parents and younger brother Lucas are, as one would expect, devasted. There is no trace of him anywhere. His phone and belongings are all exactly as he left them when he went to bed. And as suddenly as he disappeared without a trace, his brother Lucas finds him in the attic. Now the questions begin. Where was he? Did someone take him? How did he get back into the house? Now, his family must deal with the aftermath of where he has been and how Aiden has changed.

The relationship between Aiden and his brother is what makes this book work. The two brothers, despite their differences, do genuinely care for each other and Lucas, comes to Aiden’s aid on several occasions. The thinking comes in why David Levithan wrote the book and what he hopes readers will take away after reading it. I enjoyed this book, and it will be for a particular reader and why readers need access to it in classrooms and libraries.

UP NEXT

I am also getting set for our Summer Reading Challenge. I have two books that I just took out from my public library. One of the library techs from my old school shared Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnuktry, which I will listen to as an audiobook. I also stumbled across Summer of Brave by Amy Noelle Parks through my emails, which made me think of Laurie Morrison’s Saint Ivy: Kind at All Costs. I will see if there are some connections, and those are the two books that I will start this week. The plan is to enjoy the summer, the reading challenge and the days as they come and hope you will do the same.

Picture book highlights this week are:

Laurie

#IMWAYR (It’s Monday What Are You Reading?) June 14/21

June 14, 2021June 15, 2021 / Laurie / Leave a comment

It appears I am going through a boom or bust reading phase. After a slower week last week, this week was very productive. I have read seven middle-grade books and stacks of picture books. I managed to read four audiobooks, and I am three-quarters the way through the fifth book, Margot Lee Shetterly’s Hidden Figures Young Reader’s Edition. I was also pleased to play some catch-up for my #mustreadin21 books as I had fallen behind my one book per month.

#mustreadin21 books

No Vacancy by Tziporah Cohen and narrated by Rachel Botchan is a Canadian title that could be a companion book to Kelly Yang’s Front Desk series. When eleven-year-old Miriam Brockman’s father loses his job, the family purchases a motel and relocates from New York to a small town in upstate New York. The problem is the Brockman’s had the impression that the motel was doing well, when in fact, it is not that busy. Miriam is also struggling to adjust and expected to help out the family, whether looking after her younger brother Sam or the motel itself. It is not close to any attractions, and the synagogue is a twenty-minute drive for the family making attendance irregular for her family. That said, Miriam is making her way, befriending the grandaughter of the diner next door, Kate and even helps peel grapes for the famous grape pie her grandmother bakes. Her Uncle Mordy is spending the summer helping out, and through his character, we learn more about the Jewish culture. When Miriam overhears the motel is not doing well financially, Miriam wants to do something to save the motel. The two girls devise a plan to secretly let someone find and share an image they think looks like the Virgin Mary. Soon the town is busy with people wanting to see the image, thus making the motel filled for weeks. There are additional side stories as well; Miriam cannot swim, the religious aspect of the town predominantly Christian, and now a Jewish family also is part of the community, along with Miriam’s relationship with Maria, the housekeeper, who is teaching her Spanish. I enjoyed learning more about the Jewish culture and that religion also was a dominant part of the story, perhaps because it has not played such a pivotal role in the books I have read.

What Happens Next by Claire Swinarski and narrated by Lisa Cordileone tackle what happens to not just the individual suffering from the disease anorexia but how it affects the entire family. Told from two time periods, readers see the unravelling of what happens when Abby’s older sister Blair is diagnosed with anorexia. Blair is the aspiring ballerina talent and the “it” girl of the small town where they live. When she faints at the Joffery Ballet School, her life spirals downward until she finds herself in rehab for the summer. At the same time, the town is preparing for the solar eclipse hoping for lots of tourists to boost the flailing economy. Abby and her dad love astronomy and have been eagerly awaiting this event. While all this is happening, Abby befriends Dr. Leo Lacamoire, an astronomer renting one of the summer cabins their family owns. Not only is Dr. Leo Lacamoire there to work, but he and his assistant are there to retrieve his prized telescopes stolen years ago. The telescope is part of the town’s time capsule buried by the library, and the two convince Abby to help them get it back during the eclipse.

I liked how Claire Swinarski had Abby create a person out of the disease. Anna Rexi came into their family’s lives and created havoc. Readers will connect with this analogy and see how different family members reacted to this “new person” living with them, perhaps seeing themselves. When Abby decides not to go and see Blair, despite being close, readers again see the anger Abby feels, and her parents support her decision. Again, I think readers will connect to this or be shocked and thought this stayed true to Abby’s personality.

Lisa Cordileone did a good job narrating, so listeners could distinguish between the several female characters. Another good listen to place in the hands of readers.

My Name Is Konisola by Alisa Siegel packs an emotional ride in 152 pages. Konisola is whisked away from her Nigerian school ground by her mother, Abimbola and board a plane for Canada. After Konisola’s father dies, Konisola and her mother go to live with her father’s brother. Her uncle is abusive, and her mother knows that they must get away. Upon arrival in Canada, the two rely on the kindness of strangers to help them. Things get worse when Abimbola falls ill and must be hospitalized. A nurse that befriends Abimbola in the hospital reaches out to Konisola, and she is sent to another friend to stay until her mother recovers. Her mother will not recover as she has stage four colon cancer, and so again, steps need to be in place so Konisola will not have to return to Nigeria. The process is not an easy one, and again shows the kindness of strangers who aid both Abimbola and Konisola for her to stay.

Based on the true story, it was gut-wrenching and hopeful all at the same time. This short but powerful novel help readers gain an understanding of the fear and constant unknowns and upheavals that many refugees experience.

Released this week

Both of these books are out tomorrow, and I will review them in a separate post because they are that good and should be on your Options/TBR pile. Both are magical, have elements of baseball and multicultural – what’s not to love? Stay tuned for further details.

The Magical Imperfect by Chris Baron

Much Ado About Baseball by Rajani LaRocca

Additional Audiobooks

The In-Between by Rebecca, by Rebecca K.S. Ansari, and narrated by Andrew Elden, was not quite what I thought it would be. Drawn in by the cover and seeing that it was a mystery, but missed the twist that happens later in the story. Cooper is bitter and lost when his father abandons his mother and his younger sister Jess and himself for a new life and family. Cooper is also not feeling in sync with his friends and feels isolated. On top of all that, Jess has diabetes, and with his mom taking on another job to help with their finances, Cooper is left looking after his sister and making sure her blood sugar is where it needs to be. When Jess shares a 100-year-old mystery revolving around a train crash and an unidentified young boy, Cooper agrees to help Jess look into it. From here, the mystery evolves into discovering more incidents with the same unique crest. Then there is the girl who lives in the house next door and continuously watching him. There is some positive news, as a new boy, Gus has befriended him. As I said earlier, I did not expect the twist that occurred in the story, and I do not want to spoil it for others. The story does have a satisfying ending, and although maybe a slower start than other books, I can see this being a book passed from one reader to the next.

How To Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby and narrated by Rachel Jacobs was a tough book for me, in the beginning, due to the subject matter. Pluto lives with her mom in New Jersey, running a pizzeria on the boardwalk. Her father lives in New York, and Pluto likes her life with her mom sharing her passion for all things astronomy. Then comes change. A month before summer, Pluto’s mom is breaking down her door, and things are not the same. The trip to the planetarium with her mom celebrating her birthday, hanging out with her best friend Meridith, and going to the arcade all seem so out of reach now. After the diagnosis. The label. Now Pluto’s dad thinks she should come to New York where he has the finances to provide a therapist and the other things she needs. Pluto believes if she can do those things she enjoyed in the past, she will be back to the way things used to be, only it isn’t, and with the help from a new friend, a tutor and many others, Pluto finds a new list to complete.

Rachel Jacobs does an excellent job conveying the emotions felt by the different characters, in particular Pluto and her mom. The pacing also stood out to me because of the subject matter and there is so much dialogue, it never felt slow. I look forward to listening to other books read by her.

Like many, I have a connection with family and friends who suffer from depression and anxiety. I can only speak from the point of view of someone who has lived with an individual who has depression and high anxiety. From my perspective, Nicole Melleby provides a very startling but real picture of how depression manifests in someone. I also thought Pluto’s mom was very accurately portrayed, being overwhelmed, frustrated and scared – the whole gambit one experiences. One to share and discuss, I hope this book finds itself in the hands of readers.

UP NEXT

I just started Madelyn Rosenberg’s One Small Hop, and so that will be my main focus this week. Today I finished Hidden Figures while walking Kaizer, and then it’s a book that has been on my TBR pile far too long, Coop Knows the Scoop by Taryn Souders and narrated by Stephanie Einstein. I am feeling another mystery binge coming on and looking forward to starting with Coop Knows the Scoop.

Picture book highlights this week are:

Laurie

#IMWAYR (It’s Monday What Are You Reading?) June 7/21

June 7, 2021June 7, 2021 / Laurie / Leave a comment

Last week was slower than usual for two reasons. The first was the decision to reexperience Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge series by listening to the books. This decision came about after discovering the prequel, listening to it and then deciding to continue. So yes, I spent a lot of time listening to the first book, Pillars of the Earth, the audiobook version, which clocks in just under 41 hours. And yes, I just finished it yesterday, and although I have the second book ready to go, I will put that on pause for a week for a break. It reminded me a little of the Game of Thrones upon relistening to it, especially the antagonistic characters, another reason to take a breather.

The second reason was my father-in-law. He has Alzheimer’s and is in an Alzheimer’s home. Pre COVID, I spent time with him every other day, and I cannot remember the last time I saw him inside. Finally, the restrictions regarding visitations changed so two can visit, so I spent time there, resulting in a slower reading week but a much fuller heart.

So other than my marathon Pillars of the Earth book, I did read two books, started a third and again numerous picture books.

Not All Heroes by Josephine Cameron had an original idea based on groups existing today in communities whose goal is to help their communities, known as RLSH (Real Life Super Heroes). In this story, Zinnia and her parents moved away from their home in an attempt to start over after Zinnia’s brother Wally dies. When Zinnia and her visiting Aunt Willow accidentally discover that the tenants that live above her call themselves Real Life Super Heroes because they are semi-secretly doing good deeds, the two want to help. Stay tuned for a more in-depth review late this week.

Wednesday Wilson Gets Down to Business, by Bree Galbraith and illustrated by Morgan Goble, is a new Canadian chapter book series with a fun and original character. Wednesday lives with her two moms, and her younger brother Mister and has a best friend named Charlie. Wednesday is quite the character wanting to become an entrepreneur bursting with ideas for her future businesses. Convinced she has an idea that will give her a start and hopefully solve her problem with her nemesis, Emma, she convinces Charlie and Mister to help her. The only problem is that her idea and plan land her in more trouble. Readers will identify with the characters, in particular, Wednesday, with her matter-of-fact personality knowing what she wants in her future. The illustrations (although I only had black and white) are engaging and will be appealing.

I started the companion book to Midsummer’s Mayhem, Much Ado About Baseball by Rajani LaRocca, released on June 15. I am reliving my baseball days reading about Trish, the only girl on a boy’s baseball team. Ben is on the team as a result of losing a bet and is not pleased to be there. Trish and Ben have an earlier connection having competed in a Math Puzzlers Championship where Trish beat Ben. There is more to what happened at that competition, so now I need to get reading to find out!

In addition to Much Ado About Baseball, I have One Small Hop by Madelyn Rosenberg and am going back to listening to a mystery I came across in Overdrive, The In-Between by Rebecca Ansari.

Picture book highlights for me this week were: