I was lucky enough to be at Yamile's house the day she opened up her box of ARCs, and I immediately sidled over and offered her one of my children in I was lucky enough to be at Yamile's house the day she opened up her box of ARCs, and I immediately sidled over and offered her one of my children in exchange. She declined a child- though she did say they were very nice- and let me have an ARC for FREE!
I've been doing Irish dance for ten years now, and it's one of my favorite things. I'm always so happy when I find a book about my sport (if you don't think it's a sport, you've clearly never tried it). I was very excited to hear that Yamile was doing a book about Irish dance, loosely based on her own daughter's experience switching from ballet to Irish as a teenager- so she knows the lingo, the form, the wigs, and the sparkles! But there was so much more going on in this book, behind the lip gloss and the ringlets!
It was equal parts charming and bittersweet, as we follow Florencia on a rocky journey, from being a ballet star to an Irish dance beginner, from being secure in her place in her family, secure in her friendships, secure in herself, to struggling with anxiety, with friendships, bullying, family stress.
Yamile has always had such a wonderful way with her characters. From the first introduction you fee like you know them, and even if you don't like them, even hate them, you can understand their motivation and you can even feel a little bit of sympathy for them. Some more than others, of course. But her main characters, her vibrant and beautiful girls, I just always love them so much! I was absolutely cheering my heart out for Flor from the first page! This is such a great book for middle grade readers- and older readers, too. Flor's passion for dancing, how she deals with anxiety, and her rocky path through middle school friendships make this not just an enjoyable book, but an important one, too!...more
I love the introduction of Grammasaurus, the fun grandma who has new suggestions for helping Marvin deal with trouble he's having from taking on too mI love the introduction of Grammasaurus, the fun grandma who has new suggestions for helping Marvin deal with trouble he's having from taking on too much in the new school year.
This is such a fun series with excellent tips for dealing with things like ADHD, Self-Esteem, and the like. i'm actually going to take some copies to a therapist I know. ...more
This is a very fun new magical adventure for middle grade readers featuring a wonderful cast of characters both human and otherwise. There are familiaThis is a very fun new magical adventure for middle grade readers featuring a wonderful cast of characters both human and otherwise. There are familiar creatures like dragons and unicorns, and unfamiliar ones like trigers and a Leaping (teleporting) Lemur, plus a ton of action and a very solid mystery at its heart. I loved the worldbuilding: both Majestica itself and the hints of the larger world around it. I hope there's more books!...more
I really like how this was all pulled together at the end! The blend of current social issues, the past, and the mythological world was really well doI really like how this was all pulled together at the end! The blend of current social issues, the past, and the mythological world was really well done, and I thoroughly, THOROUGHLY enjoyed the epilogue. ...more
A bright little jewel of a book. I feel like Lowry has transitioned from writing "a year in the life" books like Anastasia Krupnik or Taking Care of TA bright little jewel of a book. I feel like Lowry has transitioned from writing "a year in the life" books like Anastasia Krupnik or Taking Care of Terrific, which did always have one big event they were building to, but did it slowly, to these sort of hyper-focused single event books.
Here we have Sophie, a bright young girl, who is facing an immediate challenge with her best friend Sophie, an elderly woman. That weekend Sophie the Elder's son is coming to take her to a doctor for a dementia assessment. Sophie needs to help Sophie pass the test, so things can stay just as they are. In trying to coach Sophie the Elder, Sophie the Younger tries to get her to remember three simple words, which the older woman does, but only by telling three beautiful, heartbreaking stories about her childhood in Poland, on the eve of World War Two.
This slender book packs so much in! History! Friendship! Contemporary issues! Aging relatives! Popularity! So, you know, classic Lowry!
I was just sort of aware of this book's existence, but didn't realize until a couple of weeks ago when I listened to Dear Mr. Henshaw that it was a seI was just sort of aware of this book's existence, but didn't realize until a couple of weeks ago when I listened to Dear Mr. Henshaw that it was a sequel! I love Leigh, and I love Dear Mr. Henshaw! And I love listening to Pedro Pascal read these books! This was fun, but I also really like getting see Leigh a little more grown, finding himself, working through his complicated feelings with his dad. Cleary is such a wonder at capturing exactly the way children look at the world and interact with it. ...more
I've been waiting for this story since Nate did a series of blog posts called "Pinniped Party" on his old Spacestation Nathan website. I freaking loveI've been waiting for this story since Nate did a series of blog posts called "Pinniped Party" on his old Spacestation Nathan website. I freaking love those little a-hole pinnipeds, and the characters of the Trilobite crew are really starting to come together! ...more
Man, my handful of Welsh lessons on Duolingo were NOT up to the task of this! No one asked anyone if they liked celery, or offered them a cup of tea (Man, my handful of Welsh lessons on Duolingo were NOT up to the task of this! No one asked anyone if they liked celery, or offered them a cup of tea (at least not in Welsh). And Duo did NOT talk about the "lake in the pleasant place" or deep Arthurian lore. ...more
Fascinating look at medicine in the Middle Ages. It's been twenty years (more than!) since I read it but I remember it so clearly! Fascinating look at medicine in the Middle Ages. It's been twenty years (more than!) since I read it but I remember it so clearly! ...more
Adorable! This cute chapter book for young readers about a Viking girl who hates wearing skirts and eating fish was just precious and funny, and the iAdorable! This cute chapter book for young readers about a Viking girl who hates wearing skirts and eating fish was just precious and funny, and the illustrations are darling! ...more
So cute! Lots of elements of Kiki's Delivery Service, but it had more magical world-building and some very distinctive magical elements, as well as toSo cute! Lots of elements of Kiki's Delivery Service, but it had more magical world-building and some very distinctive magical elements, as well as tons of very different creatures and plants. The food had my mouth watering! Also, I want a flame fox so bad! SO BAD.
I was a little startled by how mean so many of the people were to her! SHE'S A CHILD, and there were grown adults treating her really badly! Sir, you are picking a fight with a child, you need therapy!
And seriously, need to get the second one, because WHAT was up with that ending?! ...more
This was fascinating! I'd heard about this book for years, notably because it's one of the rare children's books that doesn't have any children in it This was fascinating! I'd heard about this book for years, notably because it's one of the rare children's books that doesn't have any children in it and yet is still widely used in classrooms and is still relevant today. And, yeah, actually. It's set in 2036, or after 2036, really, and written like a nonfiction book about the Pushcart War, an event every schoolchild should know about. This story about corrupt politicians, greedy business owners, and the "little guys" who struggled to right the wrongs that are being done to themselves and their friends is truly timeless, and it's written in a way that is engaging for younger readers, even though they're reading about older characters. Is this a classic that I think every child MUST read? Not necessarily. But is it a book that could really spark some great classroom discussion? Absolutely. ...more
A beautiful legend brought to life. I highly recommend the audiobook, narrated by Disney princess Irene Bedard, which really made it feel like I was lA beautiful legend brought to life. I highly recommend the audiobook, narrated by Disney princess Irene Bedard, which really made it feel like I was listening to someone tell me a story by a fire. This story of a boy being educated by eagle spirits so that he can return to his family and make everyone's life better was just so lovely. I don't really know what else to say about it, other than that I think this would be excellent in the classroom as well. ...more
A strange and beautiful story. And . . . yeah. Not sure what else to say. Except that I'm baffled that I hadn't heard of this until it won the NewberyA strange and beautiful story. And . . . yeah. Not sure what else to say. Except that I'm baffled that I hadn't heard of this until it won the Newbery Award. A book, with full color illustrations, written by a very famous author, and with an audiobook narrated by Ethan Hawke . . . how was this not a bigger deal when it first came out? But at any rate: I'm glad it won the Newbery because I'm very glad that I was made aware of it so that I could read it to my kids. ...more
So this book starts off all spooky, but then you get some other drama, and some mysterious (but kind of normal) stuff, and you get so involved in thatSo this book starts off all spooky, but then you get some other drama, and some mysterious (but kind of normal) stuff, and you get so involved in that you forget that this book is called Not Quite a Ghost, and you turn a page and something happens that makes you nearly drop a full glass of ice water on the sofa, because DAAAAANG. Then you take the book downstairs to read so that your husband is at least nearby so you won't just die of fright. ...more
I had forgotten how cute these books are! And the focus on elaborate fashion and fun witch life (going for delicious cakes or frothy drinks with frienI had forgotten how cute these books are! And the focus on elaborate fashion and fun witch life (going for delicious cakes or frothy drinks with friends, etc.) is so charming! ...more
Super cute to read (listen) to Mia and Michael's wedding from Olivia's point of view. And yes, it's true, boys do like boogers, swords, and lizards waSuper cute to read (listen) to Mia and Michael's wedding from Olivia's point of view. And yes, it's true, boys do like boogers, swords, and lizards way too much! ...more
Absolutely charming story of a clever family trying to save their beloved home after their reclusive landlord tells them they have to be out . . . at Absolutely charming story of a clever family trying to save their beloved home after their reclusive landlord tells them they have to be out . . . at Christmas! I can see why this captured hearts when it came out, these kids and their parents and pets and friends are truly endearing. ...more
Super cute story about a girl who dreams of being a chef, and finds a magic recipe book. Along with her two besties, she forms a cooking club and usesSuper cute story about a girl who dreams of being a chef, and finds a magic recipe book. Along with her two besties, she forms a cooking club and uses some of the recipes with mixed results, mainly because most of the recipes they try are for causing your enemies harm, and karma is a total witch with a b!
I thought that the girls all talked/acted a lot younger than they were supposed to be, and that the younger brother and mean neighbor were almost cartoonishly awful, but I can definitely see a younger reader who wants to read "up" about middle schoolers doing more teenager-type things in a very PG way loving this. And the food all sounded divine, though I would hate to accidentally eat anything with the secret magical ingredient in it! ...more