Miles suddenly gets some new spider powers and Peter Parker has died. Now Miles must decide if he can continue the Spider-Man legacy or if he just wanMiles suddenly gets some new spider powers and Peter Parker has died. Now Miles must decide if he can continue the Spider-Man legacy or if he just wants to focus on being a kid. He just started at a new school after all and he's trying to figure out how he feels about being somewhere so ritzy. But he does have new great powers to consider as well, and we all know that with great power comes great responsibility.
Yay for new Spider-Man! This book was so good that I really couldn't put it down. Miles is funny in a way that I found to be more believable that Peter, but maybe it's because we watch all of these other things happening in his life during the origin of his powers. We also get to see a world when mutants and superheroes are normal, so Miles will have to figure out how to fit in with that as well. I would definitely recommend this one and I have fast plans to read the best installments.
Merged review:
Miles suddenly gets some new spider powers and Peter Parker has died. Now Miles must decide if he can continue the Spider-Man legacy or if he just wants to focus on being a kid. He just started at a new school after all and he's trying to figure out how he feels about being somewhere so ritzy. But he does have new great powers to consider as well, and we all know that with great power comes great responsibility.
Yay for new Spider-Man! This book was so good that I really couldn't put it down. Miles is funny in a way that I found to be more believable that Peter, but maybe it's because we watch all of these other things happening in his life during the origin of his powers. We also get to see a world when mutants and superheroes are normal, so Miles will have to figure out how to fit in with that as well. I would definitely recommend this one and I have fast plans to read the best installments....more
Oh my GOD, Brian Selznick just continues to slay me. We see the main character and James continue to meet again and again throughout different times aOh my GOD, Brian Selznick just continues to slay me. We see the main character and James continue to meet again and again throughout different times and places, always having a fierce companionship that destroys traditional confines. It is beautifully done, with Selznick's art interspersed for each short story. And I loved that each story has little ties to the others while still being their own. There's something for everyone here, with the genres ranging from fantasy to horror to realistic.
While the main character is never gendered here and we see all the narratives from first person, to me this book is simply a beautiful example of queer relationships. The relationship between the main character and James is SO strong, built of love and longing and nervousness and hope. And while we do not see an explicit statement that the main character is queer, I couldn't read it any other way. There just so much POWER here, and I really enjoyed seeing all the new ways that the main character and James found each other, and will continue to find each other, forever and for all time. It's just a beautiful book. Lovely and heartbreaking.
Possible red flags: death and grief throughout; sadness; isolation; being separated from parents and other loved ones; mysteries and fear; depression.
Heat rating: MILD—sweet romance; sex/sexual intimacy aren't present or aren't described on the page; Hallmark romance (very sweet--mentions of hand-holding and love, no sex)....more
I decided to go back to the beginning and try to read the Fear Street books in order. We shall see how that goes...
This book is a lot of fun. We see CI decided to go back to the beginning and try to read the Fear Street books in order. We shall see how that goes...
This book is a lot of fun. We see Cory get obsessed with the new girl and lose himself in the process. The new girl is beautiful, mysterious, and seems to have a lot of secrets that Cory just can't leave alone. I liked taking the journey with Cory, watching him fall deeper and deeper into the mystery and almost hitting his breaking point. It was convincing, gripping, and very suspenseful. I felt like the ending was a little rushed for me and I would like to know more about how everything was resolved. Maybe the characters appear in other books to tell us more. I know that Lisa makes an appearance in The Wrong Number (book #5), but these plots aren't mentioned.
Also, be advised that if you read the book with the girl in the little plaid shirt that this was an update/edited version. Some pop culture and technology is changed in this edition to rebrand the text. I did a side by side comparison of the 2 editions--such fun!
For: horror/murder mystery fans; R.L. Stine/Fear Street fans; readers looking for a quick thriller with '90s aesthetics.
Possible red flags: murder and attempted murder; dead and mutilated animal; high levels of suspense; characters in peril; domestic violence; being followed and threatened; obsession; some making out/smooching, but no detailed descriptions of sex or sexual desire; psychosis and depictions of madness....more
My library has been getting a lot more books on consent lately, and I am beyond happy about it. This book clearly discusses consent in an engaging wayMy library has been getting a lot more books on consent lately, and I am beyond happy about it. This book clearly discusses consent in an engaging way that is appealing to readers of many ages. The book isn't graphic and uses youth-safe examples to illustrate concepts (like how clothing is not consent--wearing a bathing suit doesn't mean you consent to being pushed into the pool). SUCH a good read. Highly recommended.
For: readers looking for a book on consent or a book to help the conversation.
Possible red flags: hurt, anger, and inappropriate actions (though nothing graphic shown)....more
I have taken the wonderful plunge back into Fear Street and I am so happy. I absolutely adored these books as a youth--I got cards from 4 different liI have taken the wonderful plunge back into Fear Street and I am so happy. I absolutely adored these books as a youth--I got cards from 4 different libraries to be able to check as many of them out as I could. I decided that what I really want in 2020 is to take this wonderful nostalgic journey (more reviews pending!)
This was such fun! The writing felt a little choppy at times, but it's a book from 1990 that is about 150 pages, so that's to be expected. The plot was fast paced and the writing was very compelling. What caught me off guard the most was the severity of the situation that the characters find themselves in. They make a bomb threat! They get wrapped up in a murder! They can't go to the police because of the previously mentioned bomb threat! There is jail time--and they are being tried as an adult! It was INTENSE! I didn't expect it to feel so suspenseful after all this time, but this stands up. Excellent.
The book is deliciously dated with it's colorful jumpsuits, frizz hair, and the excitement of a phone in one's bedroom. However, that didn't really bother me. I'm not sure how teens today would feel about it, but it works as a time capsule of sorts which is fascinating. I found the family dynamics to be the most confusing part. (Chuck is a senior and Deena's year is never stated, but they both go to high school. They have different mothers, Chuck has been living in the city, and Deena hasn't seen him since he was about 10. That's 8 years! Plus that shows that their father left Chuck and his mother to start a new family when Chuck was either very young or not yet born. Escandelo!)
This was fun, exciting, and my kind of nostalgic. I'm going to love this revisiting.
For: horror/murder mystery fans; R.L. Stine/Fear Street fans; readers looking for a quick thriller with '90s aesthetics.
Possible red flags: prank calls; murder; jail time; bomb threat (fake); dead animal; high levels of suspense; characters in peril; domestic violence; mentions of an affair; odd family dynamics--estranged brother; being followed and threatened....more
Lowry writes poems of her own personal history living in Hawaii and Japan surrounding WWII as well as vignettes showcasing others' experiences. The poLowry writes poems of her own personal history living in Hawaii and Japan surrounding WWII as well as vignettes showcasing others' experiences. The poems themselves were moving, putting faces to history and reminding the reader that these events didn't happen very long ago. Filled with heart and the message of hope.
For: poetry or history fans; readers looking for a quick, heartfelt read.
Possible red flags: war and war tactics; death/mass death/child death; prejudice and racism....more
This was so much fun to read. Filled with monologues, duets, and factual asides about medieval times, this collection is entertaining from start to fiThis was so much fun to read. Filled with monologues, duets, and factual asides about medieval times, this collection is entertaining from start to finish. I liked the range of social statuses and how the characters wove together. Very nice.
For: readers looking for a quick read; readers interested in medieval life.
Possible red flags: poverty; domestic violence; prejudice and racism; privilege; deception; fear....more
I remember reading this classic maybe in early high school, but it was fun to revisit as an adult. The story is sweet and shows that love is what’s imI remember reading this classic maybe in early high school, but it was fun to revisit as an adult. The story is sweet and shows that love is what’s important, even when you feel like you have nothing. This illustrated version added a good layer as well.
For: readers looking for a version with the classic full-text as well as beautiful illustrations that help the reader understand the story that takes place so long ago.
Possible red flags: feeling upset/inadequate; poverty; misunderstandings....more
I went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives and I found this! I thought it was a fair starter biography and the format was interestiI went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives and I found this! I thought it was a fair starter biography and the format was interesting. The comic starts at her very early days and covers much of her career, so there was a lot covered. I liked it more than the Gaga one--I felt it had more story to tell.
For: Britney fans and comics fans; readers looking for a short bio.
Possible red flags: topics of sexuality, substance abuse, mental health, and the fame spotlight....more
I went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives and I found this! I thought it was a fair starter biography and the format was interestiI went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives and I found this! I thought it was a fair starter biography and the format was interesting. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but considering that it was in such a collection I feel like it must be close. I like that it was informative enough for a casual fan like myself, though I'm sure that there were nods to superfans throughout. An entertaining way to spend some time.
For: Gaga and comics fans; readers looking for a short bio.
Possible red flags: topics of sexuality, gender, drugs, and the fame spotlight....more
Gabby is a daydreamer who's mind gets the better of her when she deals with her parents' separation. She has issues making friends at a new school andGabby is a daydreamer who's mind gets the better of her when she deals with her parents' separation. She has issues making friends at a new school and cannot seem to pay attention because her mind constantly wanders. The whole book is told in verse and is a very quick, pleasant read.
For: readers wanting a quick book or a book in verse; fans of realistic fiction; readers wanting a character who is dealing with similar issues.
Possible red flags: parent separation/ divorce and mentions of fighting; slight bullying; disconnect from parents. ...more
This is a helpful guide for super fans of the series like myself. I enjoyed every page and I learned a bit along the way. I worried that it would haveThis is a helpful guide for super fans of the series like myself. I enjoyed every page and I learned a bit along the way. I worried that it would have spoilers but it was published right after the first few books came out, so there aren't real spoilers. At least, it doesn't address the growing, lurking darkness that I have seen so far (I just finished book 6 in the regular series). That being said, this guide is informative and the illustrations are breathtaking. Enjoy!
For: fans of the series; readers wanting a closer look.
Possible red flags: mild spoilers if you haven't read any of the books. ...more
This book was a little disjointed for me because I took a break from reading it to get married, but it was still a lovely read. Cassie is a fabulous cThis book was a little disjointed for me because I took a break from reading it to get married, but it was still a lovely read. Cassie is a fabulous character to spend time with, especially since she keeps a few more things to herself and thus appears to be a different person through other characters' perspectives. We also wrap up one mystery only to bring up some more, and Cassie's intuition proves to be most helpful.
For: fans of the series; fans of boarding school/spy narratives; readers wanting a complication plot over numerous books; readers wanting books where girls are allowed to be however they are while still being strong.
Possible red flags: bullying; personality alteration/mild control; conspiracies. ...more
I'm a pretty big fan of this series, but my love for it grew exponentially with this installment. Here we see some answers beginning to appear and theI'm a pretty big fan of this series, but my love for it grew exponentially with this installment. Here we see some answers beginning to appear and there is a darker conspiracy forming. I also loved getting a Star Darling perspective that is introverted and antisocial, traits not many other Starlings share. It made for a nice change and gave it a new voice. This may be my favorite yet.
For: fans of the series; fans of boarding school narratives/science fiction/espionage.
Possible red flags: something sinister in the background; lying for the sake of their mission; sneaking. ...more
This book is absurdly enjoyable. Here we start to see the larger mysteries finally getting some attention and it is very satisfying. I found the conclThis book is absurdly enjoyable. Here we start to see the larger mysteries finally getting some attention and it is very satisfying. I found the conclusion of the wish a little unrealistic but where it didn't feel forced either. It's an odd combination. I enjoyed the greater conflicts in this installment and I am thoroughly impressed with the continuity of the series, especially considering that we switch to a new character's point of view in each book. It really promises for a startastic finale. I love this series!
For: fans of science fiction or boarding school settings; fans of spy and espionage; readers wanting a complex narrative that unfolds over the course of several books.
Possible red flags: arguing amongst friends; lying in the form of infiltration. ...more
Bill Harley was our visiting children's author this year so I just had to pick this up! I had a little bit of a hard time sympathizing with Charlie foBill Harley was our visiting children's author this year so I just had to pick this up! I had a little bit of a hard time sympathizing with Charlie for the first few chapters of the book--I really sided with the adults--but I was brought back to his side of things by the last two thirds. I found Charlie endearing and very likable overall and I think a lot of kids will relate to him. I also really liked that we see that not all the adults like each other completely and they have to work to get along too. It seemed very real too, what with Charlie's school and home dynamics. We have a lot of representation here, including different races and ethnicities as well as children on different behavioral levels (hyperactive, etc.). I will most likely read the rest of the books in the series, though I'll have to be in the mood for Charlie's shenanigans.
For: readers wanting a funny, honest realistic fiction for early tweens.
Possible red flags: behavioral problems (though many not intended); mentions of bullying; sibling pestering. ...more
Another captivating Star Darling book! This one started to feel quite episodic, with the first half of the book taking place with the Starland conflicAnother captivating Star Darling book! This one started to feel quite episodic, with the first half of the book taking place with the Starland conflicts and the second half being about the wish-granting mission. We still have several concerns from the second book that aren't resolved--which is annoying--though we are given a little bit more about them to add to the mystery. I didn't like being in Leona's head as much because she is very self-centered and headstrong which borders on selfishness, but she learns along the way. I'm intrigued to see where this goes.
For: fans of the series; readers wanting boarding school settings, spy/infiltration plots, or science fiction; readers wanting a book with deeper issues that is still fun and girly at times.
The second book in this series was just as engaging as the first! I love this series. The only reason that I'm giving it four stars instead of five isThe second book in this series was just as engaging as the first! I love this series. The only reason that I'm giving it four stars instead of five is because there were several mini plot points brought up in this installment that were never concluded. I'm sure we will see resolution in other installments of the series, probably the next one, but I found it frustrating as a reader. It was probably a ploy to get me to read the next one, but it really came off as unfinished. I'm still excited to read the next one and see where the Star Darlings go next!
For: fans of science fiction or boarding school settings; readers wanting books involving infiltration or books about school dramas.
Possible red flags: fighting among friends. ...more
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