Not a bad start to a new series. I’m really interested in the revenge plot. The main character is out to slowly take back what she lost to a3.5 Stars…
Not a bad start to a new series. I’m really interested in the revenge plot. The main character is out to slowly take back what she lost to a woman who was jealous of her mother and caused her immeasurable stress. Honestly, I’m more interested in what this woman’s sons think of her. Clearly they think she’s responsible for the fire, but they don’t directly say anything to her. I also wasn’t extremely impressed by the artwork. It was something about the necks that threw me off ...more
I'm hoping and praying that this at least receives a Newberry Honor. This is one of the BEST and most EMOTIONAL books that I've read in 2023. I don't I'm hoping and praying that this at least receives a Newberry Honor. This is one of the BEST and most EMOTIONAL books that I've read in 2023. I don't cry very often when I read, but this one did it. CW: school shooting, PTSD, anxiety, and grief
Simon Sort of Says follows Simon and his family as they journey to a new town after Simon's mother receives a new job. Simon is most excited about this new journey because it is located in the middle of nowhere where the residents don't watch TV, use microwaves, cellphones, or computers. It's a perfect situation because it means that Simon can escape the possibility of anyone finding out that he was the sole survivor of a school shooting at his previous elementary school. While in this new town, Simon is forced to confront a host of different things including his struggles with anxiety, grief, and survivors guilt. However, he also realizes his power to be able to move forward, his ability to love and be loved, and the importance of enjoying life without forgetting or disregarding the pain of the past.
What Worked: EVERYTHING. EVERY SINGLE THING. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book, but it did a number on my emotions. Erin Bow crafted this book in a way that made me reflect on the number of children who have lost their lives to senseless gun violence, but also the other children who have lived with the impact of witnessing the loss of their fellow peers and friends. It's important to have those conversations where we're thinking about the relentless trauma, anxiety, and survivors guilt that inflicts the individuals and their families. Not only did Bow showcase the impact on Simon, but also his parents who anxiously awaited the news of whether their son was alive or dead. As a parent, I find myself praying that I never experience those feelings. One thing that I find myself wanting to point out is this idea that Bow was able to create a balance throughout the entirety of the story. Yes, she address the struggles that Simon and his family face, but she also weaves in hope. That even in this great tragedy Simon is able to find friendship, joy, creativity. He has two amazing friends with who he experiences some pretty tough things, but the company, energy, courage, and love that they give to Simon and he gives in return is the ultimate proof that we can continue on. We never forget, a part of us will always hurt, but life can be lived after. Bow also gives us humor. There were moments where I would cry during one chapter and laugh in the next. It's the perfect illustration of the ups and downs of life. No moment whether good or bad lasts forever, but it is the culmination of these moments that make life worth living. I don't think I've ever read a novel this. It's been a while since I've read a book and then immediately had to the urge to read it again. This will easily be one of my favorite books of all time. From the tears I cried when Simon was at his lowest to the laughs I shared when his mother's funeral home accidentally lost a body, this is a book that will stay with me for an incredibly long time. Beautifully written with such vital, important messages. This is not a book that you want to miss....more
I’ve been looking forward to this one and it didn’t disappoint. With gorgeous illustrations and a heartwarming narratWhat a cute foodie picture book!!
I’ve been looking forward to this one and it didn’t disappoint. With gorgeous illustrations and a heartwarming narrative, readers will experience a beautiful relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter. I thought this was going to be sad, but thank goodness it didn’t end that way! Definitely give this a read. ...more
Beautiful! Loved the showcasing of the interconnectedness of nature through mnoomin. I loved the authors note at the end that states that mnoomin shouBeautiful! Loved the showcasing of the interconnectedness of nature through mnoomin. I loved the authors note at the end that states that mnoomin shouldn’t be referred to as wild rice due to its cultural significance. I had no idea that the term is inaccurate. This just goes to show you that picture books even teach adults new things. Beautiful, tranquil artwork is accompanied by both English and Nishnaabemwin text as it is spoken in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island. ...more
Would not be surprised if this ending up getting a Cadelcott or a nominee.
I’m not sure I knew what to expect going into this. This is one of those boWould not be surprised if this ending up getting a Cadelcott or a nominee.
I’m not sure I knew what to expect going into this. This is one of those books that allows the reader to come up with their own interpretations. It’s wordless and shows the rise and fall of human civilization as well as the environment around them as it happens. I’m not sure if this is Beckers commentary on human impact on the environment, the ability of nature to heal itself, or an illustration of how nature witnesses the triumph and destruction of mankind. Either way, this book is POWERFUL and contains not a single word. Goodness. I haven’t been this blown away by a picture book in a while. Definitely one of my top picture book reads of 2023....more
Some of the adults reviewing this book need to chill.
This is meant to be hilarious and as a parent I completely understood where the author and the paSome of the adults reviewing this book need to chill.
This is meant to be hilarious and as a parent I completely understood where the author and the parents were coming from. Should a child get what they want every time they cry? No. But some days as a tried overwhelmed parent, you will do anything to stop a temper tantrum. The ending is particularly hilarious because I can’t tell you how many times my behind has wanted to cry because I’m so overwhelmed and frustrated with the temper tantrums. Great read and a great reminder that we all have rough, emotional days even our littlest ones. ...more
Loved this play on Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day. I know that kids will get this book on a surface level, but as an adult reading this myLoved this play on Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day. I know that kids will get this book on a surface level, but as an adult reading this my heart was warmed in a different way. As the author stated, there is curiosity about the lives of Black men and not all of the curiosity is with good intentions. This book illustrates the day to day activities of Black men and reinforces that they are unlike any other racial group in spite of stereotypes and what society teachers. While I wasn’t a fan of the art style, this simplistic text and warm feelings of this book were phenomenal. ...more
I’m so excited that kids are getting more books that feature Gullah/Geechee representation. As someone who grew up and was raised in the lYes yes yes!
I’m so excited that kids are getting more books that feature Gullah/Geechee representation. As someone who grew up and was raised in the lowcountry of SC and on Gullah Gullah island this book means a lot. It’s such a beautiful ode to culture, family, and tradition. I’m not a fan of okra stew (don’t like the texture) but man on man did this book take me down memory lane. My only warning is to stay away from this book while you’re hungry. My daughter and I read this as her bedtime story and I wanted some cornbread and rice right after. Such a great picture book with wonderful backmatter. I highly recommend checking this out!...more
Whew…I love when these two get together and create magic. I picked this up after it was featured in a NYT article about the experience of African AmerWhew…I love when these two get together and create magic. I picked this up after it was featured in a NYT article about the experience of African Americans competing in the National spelling bee. I competed in spelling bees as a kid and absolutely enjoyed them. I never made it far, but I remember loving hanging out with other kids from different places. I wasn’t familiar with MacNolia Cox so this was a great introduction. Frank Morrison shows out with amazing artwork and Carole Boston Weatherford provides great historical information. I wasn’t a huge fan of the cadence of the text, but I enjoyed the fact that Weatherford included the spelling of words throughout the book with the premise of “how do you spell?” It’s engaging and fun. If you’re looking for more insight to an interesting part of Black history I would definitely recommend checking this out. ...more
A cute coming of age graphic novel about the struggles of trying to fit in and the nature of social media. Picture Day follows Viv as she decides to mA cute coming of age graphic novel about the struggles of trying to fit in and the nature of social media. Picture Day follows Viv as she decides to make a drastic change with her hair. As her decision garners attention, Viv finds that more people come to her for advice. She must learn to find the balance between being a good friend and doing whatever it takes to fit in.
This wasn't the best middle grade graphic novel that I've read this year. I think that middle grade readers will get a lot out of it. Unfortunately, I wasn't a huge fan of Viv and didn't really like the dynamics between her and her mom. I know that this is a difficult period for a lot kids this age and their parents; however, I just felt there were moments where Viv took things too far. I also wasn't a fan of how she treated her friends. Granted, things do come full circle, but the journey to get there was rough.
Overall, this was a solid read. I'll probably end up continuing the series. ...more
Whewwwww this was GOOD! It was Newberry/Caldecott good!
I've been hearing so much about Mexikid and I meant to read it sooner than December, but betterWhewwwww this was GOOD! It was Newberry/Caldecott good!
I've been hearing so much about Mexikid and I meant to read it sooner than December, but better late than never because this book was beyond AMAZING. It's a memoir that details a summer that Pedro Martin and his family traveled to Mexico to assist his grandfather in coming to the United States. The story itself is told in short vignettes and details the funny and wild adventures they had while on the road and those that occurred while they were in Mexico. It's been a while since I've laughed this much while reading a graphic novel. Every story was filled with rich details about his family, his Mexican heritage, and the ways in which he was able to learn more about his family. The illustrations were detailed and fun and made me feel like Pedro was openly sharing so much about himself and his family. This is easily one of my favorite books of the year. I can't wait to see what we get from this amazing creator in the future....more
I expected so much more from this one. I was excited to finally delve into a romantasy that featured queer pirateOh Katee...this was a major let down.
I expected so much more from this one. I was excited to finally delve into a romantasy that featured queer pirates. Unfortunately, this didn't deliver. Robert had everything to make a great story. The idea of the world was unique and I appreciated the undertone of the message Robert was attempting to convey with Evelyn pushing Bowen to question authority. Nevertheless, the world was never truly fleshed out and Evelyn was beyond annoying. I felt more at ease with Bowen. The pacing wasn't consistent. There were moments when the story was fast paced and there were moments where it dragged. The romance wasn't realistic. Evelyn and Bowen felt as though they randomly fell in love. I wasn't really clear or sure when things changed. Overall, there were missed opportunities with this book. Robert could have delved more into the world building and created better clarity on the romantic dynamics between Evelyn and Bowen. While I was interested in Lizzie as a character and how she will continue to develop in future books, I don't think I'll be picking up the second book in the series. ...more
I really hope that we get a sequel to this one because it was fun, exciting, and really highlighted the power of both the press and community.
This couI really hope that we get a sequel to this one because it was fun, exciting, and really highlighted the power of both the press and community.
This could be me reading too much into this graphic novel, but Ink Girls is perfect for conversations that the global community has been having about the power of media. It follows Cinzia who is a printer's apprentice. After her Mestra is arrested for making allegations against the ruling family, Cinzia seeks out the help of others to prove that Mestra Aronne was simply telling the truth. With the help of a fun cast of characters, Cinzia is able to help uplift the voices of her community to demand change from those in power. This is such a vital message for younger readers to see to help them understand the power that they have in making effective change. I know that even as an adult there have been moments where I've felt helpless, but with the power of trustworthy and truthful press as well as the unification of community, things can change. Nijkamp outdid themselves with this graphic novel. The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous, rich in color, and vibrant and showcased the Italian inspirations behind the story. Sylvia Bi was able to perfectly capture the words that Nijkamp put to page. Ink Girls is not a graphic novel that you want to miss! ...more
Oh my friends! This was absolutely beautiful and charming and fun to read. I’ve heard so many good things about this, but I couldn’t appreciate it untOh my friends! This was absolutely beautiful and charming and fun to read. I’ve heard so many good things about this, but I couldn’t appreciate it until I read it for myself. I’m familiar with Dan’s works, but this reminded me of why I find him so brilliant. This is an ode to all the middle school kids. It was one of the most difficult periods of my life and I know that so many others struggle/struggled with it as well.
The story follows Dan as he deals with the ups and downs of middle school. He is bullied, faces insecurities, and struggles with finding his place in his community. Some of this begins to change as Dan’s mother encourages him to take a trip to Europe with other classmates the summer before his freshman year of high school. While traveling Dan experiences the first of many things. He awakens in so many different ways and slowly begins to realize that his town is just a small portion of the world at large.
Overall, this was such a beautiful read and one that made me think about my own experiences in middle school. The artwork was GORGEOUS! I’m definitely looking forward to reading more by Dan. ...more
Ooo this was a super eerie, yet intriguing look at the harsh societal expectations associated with the K-Pop community as well as the implications of Ooo this was a super eerie, yet intriguing look at the harsh societal expectations associated with the K-Pop community as well as the implications of forced rigid beauty standards and femininity. Interesting concept and delivery. CW: gory scenes, self-harm, suicide
Gorgeous Gruesome Faces was not originally on my list of anticipated reads; however, after hearing a little more about the description, I became intrigued. The story follows main character Sunny Lee after her fall from grace in the K-Pop world. Not only has she lost her stardom, but she also has a fractured relationship with her former bandmate and best friend Candie. When a local workshop is hosted in their hometown, Sunny seeks out admission to the program to finally handle the traumatic incidents of her past with Candie. What ensues is more than anything Sunny Lee could have bargained for.
What Worked:Oh man, this book is creepy and atmospheric and I appreciated the tone that Linda Cheng set for the book. There were also these amazing discussions about fame and imposed femininity as well as stringent and detrimental beauty standards. Cheng had a very unique way of keeping readers engaged in the more spooky and horrific elements of the novel while also pushing back on societal standards and expectations. The inclusion of myths/lore was not something that I was anticipating, but I think that it worked well in the context of this narrative. While I can't say much about the way in which the story unravels (too many spoilers), I appreciate the way readers are able to explore the relationship dynamics between Sunny and Candie. It's not what it appears to be.
What Didn't Work: I think that this suffered from inconsistent pacing. The first half of the novel is extremely slow while the second half is fast paced in engaging. This could potentially lead to a lot of readers becoming disengaged with the text. Although the first half of the book sets the stage for the ultimate face off in the second half of the book, it was hard to feel a connection to and appreciate the slow burn at first.
Overall, this was a solid read. If you're looking for a disturbing, horrific, sapphic tale with a k-pop twist, I would recommend checking this out!...more
This was dark and so dang good. I never thought I was going to be this invested in the series, but it continues to blow me away. My heart is brOh my….
This was dark and so dang good. I never thought I was going to be this invested in the series, but it continues to blow me away. My heart is breaking for Bravelands as they attempt to get things back to normal. I’m not sure what’s wrong with Titan, but he’s not like a regular lion anymore and I’m not sure what’s possessing him. Overall, I can’t say too much about this one because it’s a sequel but if you’ve ever considered picking up this series, I highly recommend that you go for it. It’s worth a read!...more