Jennifer Barnes is one of my favorite YA authors. Good characters. Good dialogue. Good plot. Good twists. There’s usually something to figure out and Jennifer Barnes is one of my favorite YA authors. Good characters. Good dialogue. Good plot. Good twists. There’s usually something to figure out and she keeps you guessing.
Sawyer has grown up without a dad and any contact with her mother’s extended family. She’s 18, works as an auto mechanic, and gets along fine with her bartender mom. Then, out of nowhere, her estranged grandmother arrives with a proposition. If Sawyer will do the whole debutante thing for a year, her grandmother will give her $500,000 for college.
Since her mom is galavanting around with her new beau, Sawyer decides she has nothing to lose. She might even be able to figure out which of the dads of the current debutante and squire class, might be her dad also. There’s a whole slew of cousins who are going to show her the social ropes while she does her detective work. There’s a subplot involving two of the cousins which adds layers to the complexity but all ties in by the end.
For cousin books, I prefer E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars. It has a more impressive range of personalities, a setting that enhances the mystery, and a feeling of truly holding back. But you can never go wrong with Barnes. I liked this one enough that I could be convinced to read the sequel....more
This is a sweet book. I always appreciate authors who write about characters who grow up attending church. Church going kids want to see themselves inThis is a sweet book. I always appreciate authors who write about characters who grow up attending church. Church going kids want to see themselves in books too. However, that plays no part in whether the book is actually compelling. I didn’t find this story to be all that exciting. The characters, especially the pastor/father, don’t have much depth.
Grace and her father have been very close, since her mother died. She’s perfectly happy for it to remain just the two of them. But some older women in her father’s congregation think otherwise. And just like that the book goes south. Pastor Davey, acting like he has no brain of his own, begins dating. Grace ropes in her friend Bea to help sabotage the dates. Again, the pastor acts clueless about what’s going on. Then, on a dime, Grace changes her mind and begins helping her dad. Sort of. Because through all of this, she realizes it’s her history teacher, Miss O’Connor, who would be the perfect mom/wife. Her father resists this pairing because he already knows Miss O’Connor quite well and thinks it would be awkward. So he resists the obvious through the entire book, then sees the light.
This book would have faired much better as a shorter book for younger children. Lower elementary, not upper. The characters just don’t have enough personality, and believability to keep the target audience interested. And the depiction of church with these older women advising the pastor and coordinating silly church functions is quite outdated. You have to go back to the 1980s for this to be the norm and be somewhat relatable. ...more
The author is quite clever, shrouding her main point in a cutesy murder mystery, kicking things off by explaining that all members of the Swift familyThe author is quite clever, shrouding her main point in a cutesy murder mystery, kicking things off by explaining that all members of the Swift family are named at birth with a randomly chosen word from the dictionary. Case in point, Shenanigans, the narrator. Her personality, much to her chagrin, is a foregone conclusion, because we all know names appallingly influence personality. All Swift family personalities are a product of their names, except nonbinary cousin Erf, who renamed him/her theirself.
In many ways I was happily entertained by this eccentric family and its Agatha Christie like murder investigation, until I realized that I was actually being duped into supporting the moronic gender identity ideology that’s wreaking havoc on kids’ mental health. And besides, don’t we love books that make kids think about things way beyond their understanding? Shame to the books that just seek to entertain without some sort of ideological conclusion. Even better, this book gives suggestions for naming kids, which is to say, just don’t name them. Burden’s off. We can just call them “Thing 1” and “Thing 2” until they figure out their genders so they can choose for themselves.
Solid advice I never expected from a quirky kids murder mystery. Not....more
Lockhart has my attention. She's loaded with talent. This is not your standard YA writing. In fact, I could almost be convinced that I was reading an Lockhart has my attention. She's loaded with talent. This is not your standard YA writing. In fact, I could almost be convinced that I was reading an adult novel. For me, getting into the head of main character Carrie, was like eating my favorite dessert on a roller coaster. Which I've never done, so I'm guessing. It's like I'm right there, strapped in, can't get out, don't want to get out, savoring every delicious bite, deliciously familiar and at the same time new, inching my way up to the top of the incline, and then BAM! I lose the cookie, or whatever it is, descending fast, not thinking, just hoping this thing stays on the track. I pretty much read the whole thing in one sitting.
This book is the prequel to We Were Liars, about the youngest generation of a very wealthy family. So wealthy that they own a tiny private island near Martha's Vineyard, Mass. This book is about their parents and one particular summer in the 80s where something so bad happened, the only way out was to lie. Preserving the family name at all costs was drilled into them at a young age.
The plot is hard to describe in one paragraph because the characters personalities contribute so much to it. Lockhart is a master at character description. These characters are 3D...and so different. Maybe it's because they're rich and I'm not, that makes them so darn interesting. I was totally fascinated by these unfamiliar, quirky personalities.
The main character is 17-year-old Carrie. She is the eldest of three sisters (the youngest one died). Her dad has another brother who is co-owner of the island. Both families have their own houses on the island, plus a guest house. Lockhart provides an island map which I flipped back to a lot. Carrie's family is all settled in, enjoying their summer, when her cousin Yardley's family arrives unannounced to the island with three boys. One she's dating. One is gay. And one is a player. The player is Pfeff. Carrie can't figure him out. One minute he seems to like her, then he's playing for someone else. One of them is her sister, Penny, the sister who always gets the guy. Then one night it all goes to hell and Carrie makes the decision to "fix it."
There's so much to this story. I loved how Lockhart was able to place me there, a fly on the wall, experiencing what it would be like to be rich, spending summers at the beach house, with a mother who always prepared awesome meals, entertained guests, and planned fun family activities. And being allowed to drive the boat an hour away to the main island to go shopping. What a cool life. But there's so much darkness to this family stirring under the surface. Carrie's addiction. Her mother's mistake. Her sister's ghost. Her other sister's secret. Can't say enough about this book. Creative writing, which unfortunately, many YA readers are going to hate. Oh and if you love 80s pop culture, you're in for a pleasant surprise....more
Rereading a book from my youth. I have to say, it's a thousand times better than Forever.... The plot, the characters, the dialogue...all better.
The Rereading a book from my youth. I have to say, it's a thousand times better than Forever.... The plot, the characters, the dialogue...all better.
The story opens with Davey (a girl) attending a funeral. Blume has a nuanced style in this book where she keeps information hidden until the last sentence of the chapter. In this way, we learn it's her father's funeral. He was gunned down in his Atlantic City convenience store and Davey was the first on the scene. Her family is having a difficult time, so her mother decides a short stay in Los Alamos, New Mexico with her aunt and uncle might help. But the short visit turns into weeks and it's clear her mother isn't ready to return to New Jersey. Davey meets a mysterious guy, Wolf, while out hiking, enrolls in high school, makes a new friend who's coping with her own challenges, and becomes a hospital volunteer. It's a quick, realistic read about the every day world of a girl coping with grief and a world turned upside down.
Content advisory for younger teens: Brief profanity (ass, bitchy), a couple makes out in the back seat of a car, a girl struggles with drinking....more
This story is 100% about family dynamics. Fern (7th grade) is the narrator. She has a 9th grade brother dealing with his attraction to boys, a recentlThis story is 100% about family dynamics. Fern (7th grade) is the narrator. She has a 9th grade brother dealing with his attraction to boys, a recently graduated sister taking a gap year while working at the family restaurant, and a typical 3-year-old brother who's both cute and annoying at the same time.
It all begins with a great opening line. "The very best day of my life, I threw up four times and had a fever of 103 degrees." It sets the story up by describing the origin of her friendship with an interesting character named Ransom and the unexpected addition to their family, baby Charlie. Knowles is a good storyteller. We get great descriptions of her father who good-naturedly forces his kids to do ads for the restaurant and her mother, a naturalist who strives to keep the peace. I easily felt like a fly on the wall-in this family. The dialogue, the squabbles, the irritations with each other, the parents trying to do their best, the much younger sibling vying for everyone's attention, the bullies on the bus...it all felt real and natural. You can't help but root for Fern as she deals with the challenges life throws her way.
The biggest challenge will be (view spoiler)[ the death of her baby brother. There's a web of what-ifs that get thrown around by the entire family. Fern, her sister, and her mother, especially, feel guilt for not appreciating Charlie's 3-year-old antics and paying attention enough. Knowles accurately describes the anguish, sadness, and loss that families face in the aftermath of a life cut short. (hide spoiler)]. In addition to that, Fern feels sadness for her brother who faces bullying for being gay. She wants to help him but doesn't know how.
All in all, I would say this book is well-written. It's a surprisingly quick read, perhaps because so much of it is repetitive. Fern's thoughts and even her day to day experiences are pretty much the same over the course of the book. But that's how life is. Our lives are mostly a daily repeat, but Knowles is able to capture that day-in/day-out reality and make it a compelling read. However, be warned. This book is depressing. Might even make you a little teary....more
Reviewing a Dan Gemeinhart book always comes with a certain amount of dread. That's because I know there's zero chance I'll be able to say what needs Reviewing a Dan Gemeinhart book always comes with a certain amount of dread. That's because I know there's zero chance I'll be able to say what needs to be said for such an amazing work of art. Maybe calling it a masterpiece will do. No. That just sounds pretentious. Ok, let me just say, this is my 5th Gemeinhart book. I've reviewed lots of authors. I haven't read 5 books from too many authors, because once they let you down it's hard to get excited to read another. Gemeinhart is the ONLY author that's NEVER received anything less than 5 stars from me. And that's saying something. I don't give 5 stars easily. Pretentious or not, his books are masterpieces.
So this is Coyote part 2. It's what happens after the famous cross-country bus ride in The Remarkable Journey. Coyote and her dad have settled down in a house, but Coyote still likes to hang out in the bus. It's a good thing, because her hanging out in the bus is the reason the box containing her mother's ashes is discovered. But to her dismay, she's also the reason the book that says what to do with those ashes will NOT be discovered. It's not on the bus. It's somewhere between Washington and Maine. In a thrift store. Where Coyote accidentally left it. And she's going to find it.
Only Coyote would hatch the bizarre plan that follows, and only her father, Rodeo, would fall for it. She's going to backtrack across the country, revisiting thrift stores, to find that book, without anyone suspecting what she's doing. Of course a whole slew of interesting characters are going to be invited along for the ride and a ton of valuable lessons are going to be learned. It's all done with Coyote's adorable, smart, funny, pragmatic voice. There's no one like her in all of children's literature. The only criticism someone could possibly give is that the plot follows too closely to that of book one. Another road trip in a bus named Yager. Another menagerie of characters with lessons to bestow. Another amazing scene in a gas station.
I, for one, will take it, if that's what I have to do to spend a little more time with an endearing girl, named Coyote....more
Given that this book is part of a planned series, I assume more are to come. I'm glad others liked the book and will stick around to support the authoGiven that this book is part of a planned series, I assume more are to come. I'm glad others liked the book and will stick around to support the author because this is the end of the line for me. If you are one who expects well-fleshed out characters and a somewhat original plot, I'd suggest you look elsewhere.
After Katie and her friend set a shed on fire while sneaking a smoke, Katie's police officer dad sends her off to live with her uncle. We are led to believe it's because of Katie's behavior, but later we learn her dad has cancer. Katie doesn't settle in well in her new home. Her uncle and cousins are too straight-laced in an old-fashioned kind of way and she makes enemies with the son of the wealthiest man in town. So, rather than pull herself together and fly straight, she decides to be a problem kid at school, despite the fact that she did so well on the entrance test she got to skip a grade. Now that she has a bad reputation with everyone, no one believes her when she's falsely accused of stealing test answers. So. She retaliates on the kids who set her up. Gets caught. Then those kids retaliate on her. But the icing on the cake is Katie getting kidnapped by kids only to find herself stranded in the woods, overnight, helping a bear escape a trap and getting bitten by a venomous snake. Please.
It's been a long time since I've read a plot this loose and meandering. It's classic "throwing stuff at a wall to see what sticks." The dad's cancer was almost an afterthought. The rich guy's animosity toward Katie's family goes nowhere. The large chunk of plot devoted to a town festival is wasted time. How Katie breaks into a school after hours is not explained. How Katie has any survival skills is unknown. It goes on and on. Nothing is developed so we have no understanding of why things go the way they do. The characters are no better. Katie and Sarah's personalities changed constantly, sometimes on the same page. One minute Katie seems ok with her situation and the next she's in full-on rebellion mode. One minute Sarah is sweet and syrupy and the next she's a viper. We are talking Jekyll and Hyde with both characters. When an author really knows their characters, this doesn't happen.
Two stars for those who don't analyze what they read. How I wish that were me sometimes....more
Cute story based on the opening of the first Famous Amos cookie store in the seedy section of Sunset Boulevard in the 1970s.
Ellis is bummed when his fCute story based on the opening of the first Famous Amos cookie store in the seedy section of Sunset Boulevard in the 1970s.
Ellis is bummed when his father buys a rundown building on Sunset Boulevard and elicits his help to renovate it into a cookie store. Much happens in this book. Ellis becomes more acquainted with his black heritage, hangs out with a DJ at the local radio station, meets some of the more interesting residents in the area, and figures out how to get dozens of bags of chocolate chips from the grocery store to the cookie shop.
Always a good sign when there's a sequel in the works....more
I've read so many books that I've become stingy with my 5 star ratings. I don't hand them out easily. Kate Albus's 2nd novel for kids is every bit as I've read so many books that I've become stingy with my 5 star ratings. I don't hand them out easily. Kate Albus's 2nd novel for kids is every bit as good as her first. She is now on my favorite authors list which means I will buy everything she writes.
It's approaching the summer of 1944. Doris (Dory) and her two brothers have just learned that their father has been drafted into the war. Since their mother is deceased, their father agrees to let their 17-year-old brother, Fish, step up to become the man of the house. Technically, it's illegal, so they must fool the landlord into thinking their father is still home. It doesn't take long before the landlord's onto them and reporting them to the authorities.
Fortunately, Dory paid attention when restaurant owner, Mr. Caputo, mentioned the dumbwaiter elevator that no one's used in decades. She hatches a plan to sneak into the restaurant after it's closed to investigate the abandoned upper floors of the building. What she finds is the solution to her siblings problems. A secret place to live until their father returns. Albus' descriptions of their Manhattan neighborhood excursions in those months following D-day read like something entirely new.
It's hard to capture the richness of Albus' characters in a way that does it justice. Her characters are simply captivating, just as they were in her first book. There's no big mystery, no puzzle, no disaster, no epic adventure, driving the plot. That's what makes it so impressive. It's just three siblings, navigating the ups and downs of everyday life in 1940s New York City. Instead of grandiosity, these kids are just trying to keep their life as close to normal as possible. Dozens of tiny, seemingly insignificant interactions, meld together into one great story. So much detail goes into describing Dory's night in the abandoned hotel that even that seems like a completely normal thing to do.
The war in Bosnia is an event that mostly went under the radar in the 1990s (in America) so it's no surprise that today's youth have practically no knThe war in Bosnia is an event that mostly went under the radar in the 1990s (in America) so it's no surprise that today's youth have practically no knowledge. The fall of the Berlin Wall, while huge at the time, is also an event that most American youth know little about. Thanks to authors like Jennifer Nielsen and Jenni Walsh, post World War II history is taking middle grade readers by storm. But a literary gap still exists over Bosnia. That's why I'm excited about this book.
Three Summers is an autobiographical, coming-of-age story about a teen girl named Amra (the author). When the story begins, Amra is coming to terms with the death of her older brother. Since he was her best friend, she spends the following year in a low grade depression. She is rescued from her sadness by Zana, her happy, fun, sophisticated cousin. In their short first summer, they spend their days swimming at the river, talking fashion, trying out makeup, and dreaming about boys. Amra loves that Zana is honest, rather than putting on airs. They have so much fun, they vow to write often and spend the entire summer together the following year.
Summer 2 happens just as planned. A little older, they continue to obsess over boys (especially Zana) and discover the fun of being out at night with other teens. They both agree it's the best summer ever and plan for summer 3. Unfortunately, things are heating up politically. Muslims are being targeted by the Serbians as racially inferior people. Summer 3 is not shaping up as the girls hope. While Zana's mother is a Bosnian Muslim like Amra, her father is a Serbian. Zana is allowed to visit with some conditions in place. Still, the girls manage to have fun going to the discotheques with their many cousins and friends. Because of the racial divide, this is Zana's last visit.
This was a likable story, but flat from a descriptive and emotional standpoint. As much as I wanted to relive this experience through the author, I just couldn't get there. I've often heard reviewers criticize authors for telling rather than showing, I would say that applies here. I was fascinated by all the family connections. Aunts, uncles and cousins kept coming out of the woodwork. I was also fascinated by the concept of image surrounding hospitality. They'll go to the poorhouse to provide a good meal, but turn on their own family members just as quickly. From my experience living in a Communist country, it's a Communist thing.
My last comment relates to the Bosnian conflict, which was only on the periphery of the story. Amra goes to great links to give a timeline and facts about the war in the Afterword sections. Since the story ends before any of this happens, it's confusing and honestly doesn't serve it's purpose. I am interested to know what that war was all about and what it was like to live through, but I need that in a story, not a rushed followup.
A good read, but not gripping, and therefore not likely to be the big winner it could have been....more
Really? Who is reading this series and loving it so much? Imagine my surprise, after having slogged through book 1, back when there only was a book 1,Really? Who is reading this series and loving it so much? Imagine my surprise, after having slogged through book 1, back when there only was a book 1, to find that multiple sequels have been written since then. I figured I needed to re-evaluate my opinion and give the series another try. Nope. My original opinion was spot on. Nothing has changed in the blandness of the writing style. Still a bunch of kids I couldn't keep straight, still with little in the way of personalities, still living through an unrealistic existence. Thankfully, I did not get very far into book 2, before letting it go. Once and for all....more
Fun summer vacation story about only child, Ryanna, who learns she has a whole passel of cousins on her deceased mother's side of the family. When sheFun summer vacation story about only child, Ryanna, who learns she has a whole passel of cousins on her deceased mother's side of the family. When she receives a letter from her grandparents inviting her to their old summer camp property in Pennsylvania, she accepts, hoping to get answers to all the questions she has about her mother. Day 1 is a disaster. Her cousins have been visiting every summer for years, building traditions, and Ryanna feels like an outsider. She's ready to bail when her grandmother convinces her to give it a chance. Before long, she's one of the gang, having the best summer of her life.
But there's a threat on the horizon. The guy across the lake claims to own their land and he's itching to develop condos. Since her grandpa can't find the deed, Ryanna's hopes for many future summers at Camp Van Camp looks unlikely. But there's a glimmer of hope in the treasure hunt left by her mother. If they can just figure out the clues, maybe they can get what they need to save the camp.
Definitely a fun read. Nothing beats summer camp and vacations with cousins. I did find the whole mystery a little hokey. Mysteries at camp are great, but to think Ryanna's mother would have the foreknowledge to save her parent's lake property far into the future is too far-fetched for me. I get that she liked mysteries and treasure hunts, but come on, this just isn't realistic. The ending is too nicely wrapped up in a pink bow. Therefore, I have to deduct some stars....more
No one writes about segregation in the south and the fight for civil rights like Mildred Taylor. She holds nothing back and tells it exactly like it wNo one writes about segregation in the south and the fight for civil rights like Mildred Taylor. She holds nothing back and tells it exactly like it was. She uses the n-word a lot, which makes the book historically accurate, because it WAS spoken frequently in the south back then. But it's so offensive today that some parents might not want their kids reading it until they're a little older. This book also talks about white men forcing themselves on black girls. And there's a scene where a black man who married a white women finds himself accosted and degraded by some white men.
My favorite of the Logan books are Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and The Road to Memphis. I didn't care for this one quite as much because it focused a lot on the government control of farming during the Great Depression. It was a bit confusing at times and I found myself tuning it out. Stuff about taxes and unions. My favorite part of the book centered around a trial of a black boy accused of killing a white store owner. Despite an excellent defense by a white attorney, he is found guilty and sentenced to death. The Defense's questioning of several white witnesses, one who most likely did the killing, is an excellent portrayal of how it most likely would have been for a black man wrongly accused.
If you are interested in black history, by all means read this book. You'll learn a lot and won't be disappointed. ...more
I just love this author. His characters do everything but jump off the page. The coach in this story is one for the hall of fame. Cooler than cool, wiI just love this author. His characters do everything but jump off the page. The coach in this story is one for the hall of fame. Cooler than cool, with a head full of wisdom to boot. Everyone needs a person like him in his life.
Malcolm is one of those kids that's a bit on the fringe. Nothing glaringly wrong with him. He just doesn't have much in common with most kids. This is a contributing factor to the tension between his parents. Both of his parents had lots of friends when they were kids and both were very good at something. His dad was a top athlete, so it's hard for him to see his son fail miserably at baseball. On the day he gives Malcolm the option of quitting the team, they go play a game of miniature golf. Low and behold, Malcolm is better than his dad. Ding. Ding. Ding. His dad goes all in for miniature golf, getting Malcolm a coach and signing him up for a tournament.
The story is well-rounded as life is, full of good moments and bad moments. On the dark side, you have Malcolm dealing with his social shortcomings and his parent's frequent fights, but on the light side you have a hilarious, wise coach and a new friend who is very much like him. Anderson brings it all together masterfully. There's no way around it. He's a talented writer. The dialogue, thoughts, interactions of the characters are down right spot-on. His parent's arguments. His coach's hilarious banter. His new friend's originality. All so fun to read.
Malcolm goes through a major overhaul over the course of the book. He goes from being a kid who thinks he's not worth much, to being a kid who realizes he's got it better than the junior miniature golf champion. He also learns (along with the reader) that everyone has something they're good at. They just need to keep searching and they'll find it.
My only negative comment, which in no way affects the rating, is that I'm going to have a difficult time finding a reader. Sad face....more
There's an old worn copy of this book in my library that must be discarded. The consideration is whether to buy a new copy. Although the latest updateThere's an old worn copy of this book in my library that must be discarded. The consideration is whether to buy a new copy. Although the latest updated paperback cover is very cute, the answer is no. I will not be replacing this book. It's not that the book is poorly written. It's just that it doesn't have that special sauce that is needed to capture youth today. And honestly, I can't tell you what special sauce is, but I know it when I see it.
May Amelia is the only daughter in her tiny outpost in Washington State. When I say outpost, I mean a small gathering of farms on a small river owned by families mostly of Finnish descent. It's hard to tell by the writing, but I get the impression that May's family all speak Finnish rather than English. The book describes the day to day life of a girl growing up with 7 brothers, basically out in the country. Besides playing with dolls, she doesn't have much use for girly things. She tends the farm right along with her brothers and when chores are done, her leisure activities involve doing what boys do. And that's fine with her. But since her mama is pregnant again, it would be nice to have a baby sister.
Thank goodness for books on the early homesteading days in America so we can know what it was like. Unfortunately, I wasn't pulled into this story like I wanted to be and so I know kids won't be either. They are a much harder sell than I am. It's hard to put my finger on exactly what the problem is here. Either the characters weren't drawn out enough or the plot didn't go deep enough. Probably a little of both. I wanted the author to dig down deep in the mud to drag out every detail of May spending the night in a tree to avoid being eaten by a bear, seeing a "dead man" hanging on the porch, being the sole caretaker for her newborn baby sister, but I only got surface details. Kids won't read this type of book without those details. Not kids today anyway.
I love Rachel Vail's books. They're perfect for the 12-15 year old crowd. All the issues experienced by teens without all the profanity and sex. TheseI love Rachel Vail's books. They're perfect for the 12-15 year old crowd. All the issues experienced by teens without all the profanity and sex. These books used to be easy to find but it's getting harder and harder.
The book opens with 8th grader Niki's gym teacher telling everyone to choose his/her best friend. Niki's been best friends with Ava for a long time, so she thought this was a no brainer. But Ava chooses a girl from the popular group, leaving Niki with unpopular Holly. And that's the issue that's masterfully dissected to pieces in this book. The in and outs of popularity and changing friendships. Intertwined in the plot are issues relating to boys, first kisses, an autistic brother, socially conscious mother, sleepover invites, party invites, texting, etc. Vail is able to take the ordinary and fill in tons of detail. She doesn't miss a beat. I'm well beyond this age, but she brought it all back. The social struggles of the teen years don't change much from generation to generation.
Vail is also very good at crafting characters. Holly is unpopular, but genuine, smart and kind. She's the girl who comes back even when she's been dissed. Ava is the girl who becomes aware of social status and decides to make a go at the "in" crowd, even if that means ending a long standing friendship. There's a couple of boys who make appearances, but mostly to add another layer to the growing divide between the girls.
All in all a good read. I'm surprised there aren't more reviews. Only thing I can figure is a nondescript, rather unexciting cover, similar to Vail's other covers. Maybe fix that?...more
Fin's abuelo lives in the Florida Keys. He taught Fin to dive and now they love searching for a treasure chest his great abuelo says sunk in a train dFin's abuelo lives in the Florida Keys. He taught Fin to dive and now they love searching for a treasure chest his great abuelo says sunk in a train derailment in the hurricane of 1935. When the book opens, Fin and his abuelo must cut their diving trip short as Hurricane Irma (2017) begins to gain strength. They finally make it back to Fin's parents in Miami where they wait out the hurricane.
Once the storm has passed, Fin and Abuelo are right back in the Keys heading out to dive, but tragedy strikes and Abuelo must be airlifted back to Miami. Fin is not going to let that stop him, so his dad agrees to help him resume his diving expeditions. To Fin's dismay, his dad will only go for it if they have a certified diver on board. Fin is frustrated because he considers himself an excellent diver and more importantly, he doesn't want anyone discovering what he's looking for. After weeks of diving, Fin gets the break he's been looking for and the "hired babysitter" proves to be just what he feared.
There's a lot to like about this story. I've been along the highway to Key West and seen the remaining skeleton of the old Flagler railway, so I love all the historical mentions. Most kids have never been scuba diving, but probably have a romantic notion about it and think it would be cool to have Fin's life.
There were some character issues which are probably minor in the mind of a kid, but I'll mention. I didn't understand the animosity between Fin's dad and abuelo. Fin's dad didn't strike me as the type who would take Fin out diving since he himself didn't have an interest in it. I didn't understand where Fin's jerky attitude toward his dad came from, especially when he was going out of his way to help him.
As for the plot, it's fun. Full of adventure, with a little mystery and history mixed in. Kids will love the ending. I thought it was completely unrealistic. But who am I to spoil the fun?...more
Another fun read from Janae Marks. In book 1, Zoe learns that her birth dad, Marcus, is in prison for a crime he didn't commit. With the help of an orAnother fun read from Janae Marks. In book 1, Zoe learns that her birth dad, Marcus, is in prison for a crime he didn't commit. With the help of an organization called the Innocence Project, his conviction is overturned. Book 2 opens with Zoe and Marcus working together in a bakery. Both have dreams of one day opening a restaurant. Zoe wants that to happen sooner rather than later, but since Marcus has been in prison, he hasn't been able to establish credit to get a loan.
Zoe decides to create her own podcast to interview people who have been wrongly imprisoned and start a fundraiser through kickstarter. When she realizes she won't generate the necessary funds by the deadline, she decides to organize a live panel event at the Boston bandshell amphitheater to get the word out about the fundraiser. All works out in the end.
Lots of baking going on. Any kid who loves baking will be an instant fan. The story also takes a look at the challenges former inmates face when released from prison. Zoe's dad had no problem getting a job because his conviction was overturned, but for everyone else who served time, it's very difficult to find employment. Marcus wants his restaurant to employee former inmates.
The main story is augmented with two friend storylines, one between Zoe and her two best friends who begin dating, and one with a new friend who has a mom in prison. All the characters are extremely positive. It's nice, while also unrealistic. Everything works out a little too neatly. Zoe accomplishes far more than a girl her age would be able to. Securing a live event at the Boston bandshell is pretty far fetched. As an adult, these things bothered me, but not likely to cause any concern for the target audience. If you read book 1 and liked it, then certainly read book 2. ...more
Cici is a Taiwanese born immigrant to America. Fitting into a new culture isn't easy. Cici misses Taiwan,Not bad, but a little slow in the beginning.
Cici is a Taiwanese born immigrant to America. Fitting into a new culture isn't easy. Cici misses Taiwan, especially her grandmother. What she wants more than anything is for her grandmother to visit, but her parents can't afford the plane ticket. Then Cici sees a poster for a cooking contest with a grand prize of $1000. She enters, one of 12 contestants, which will be whittled down to one. Think Kids Baking Championship. Cici must really up her cooking game, while maintaining her perfect grades at school.
Besides being a book for kids who love cooking contests, it's a great book for understanding cultural differences. Stereotypes are a hard thing to live down. Cici has a hard time believing that her two best friends may actually support her and be open to her differences.
Not one of my top graphic novel choices, but worth it for the right reader....more
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