I mean... fast-paced and probably enjoyable for an 8-11 year old. Intriguing premise, though I found the characters really unbelievable (even more unbI mean... fast-paced and probably enjoyable for an 8-11 year old. Intriguing premise, though I found the characters really unbelievable (even more unbelievable than time-traveling babies, and that's saying something). ...more
First of all, I read this in 19 hours! So it's fast moving and action-packed (though to be fair, those were kid-free, airplane-riding, woke-up-and-canFirst of all, I read this in 19 hours! So it's fast moving and action-packed (though to be fair, those were kid-free, airplane-riding, woke-up-and-can't-get-back-to-sleep-so-I-guess-I'll-read hours... but still!). Second, and this is where I'm burying the lead, the closest comparison of what this book reminds me of is The Giver. Yes, my favorite book ever, and no, I've never come across anything that gave me such similar feels.
Both could be grouped under "sci-fi" label, though for different reasons-- where Giver is set in a utopian version of our current world, this is set in the future and space and with a Mexican-American female protagonist-- but both ask the questions of what makes us human, the importance of stories and learning from history, and the beauty of diversity of thought and identity and standing up for what's right even if it's unpopular or challenging. And the book's open-ended ending feels so reminiscent of that notorious ending of The Giver. The Mexican folk tales that weave through this are gorgeous, and I hope modern day kids will fall in love with Petra and this story as much as I fell in love with Jonas and The Giver back in the day. ...more
The strengths of this middle grade novel are that it frankly (but age-appropriately) discusses topics like gender identity and beginning to understandThe strengths of this middle grade novel are that it frankly (but age-appropriately) discusses topics like gender identity and beginning to understand sexual orientation, and also discussing topics like grief of losing a parent either to death or divorce/abandonment. So, as you can tell, there are a lot of heavy topics in this book... and what didn't work for me is that it felt like the heavy topics were wrapped in a sugary coating of a murder mystery (and the book is positioned/marketed as the latter). For me, the book would have worked better as a contemporary novel exploring these kids figuring all these things out, rather than a half-baked, plot-driven mystery with long interludes of heavy (and heavy-handed) exposition....more
This book was middle grade perfection. I loved these three siblings, who love and take care of each other so well, looking for a family who can love tThis book was middle grade perfection. I loved these three siblings, who love and take care of each other so well, looking for a family who can love them just as much. If you love the WWII storyline about children sent out of London for safety, like the beginning of Lion, Witch, Wardrobe (an inspiration for this), or the recent The War that Saved My Life (this has a lot of those feels), you will really enjoy this....more
This book excels at exploring the human face of poverty and homelessness from a kid's perspective and for a young audience. It skewed a little youngerThis book excels at exploring the human face of poverty and homelessness from a kid's perspective and for a young audience. It skewed a little younger than I was expecting, and I didn't find that the imaginary friend added much, but again, for a younger audience, it might resonate in a way it didn't for me. Listened as an audiobook, which was ok....more
I'd never read this Beverly Cleary Newbery award winner, and I can't say it's the type of book I probably would have been drawn to as a kid, but oh, iI'd never read this Beverly Cleary Newbery award winner, and I can't say it's the type of book I probably would have been drawn to as a kid, but oh, it got me as an adult. It's slow, and a bit quiet, but the way Cleary builds the character of Leigh and his backstory through his letters and diary entries makes you become so invested, wanting so much better for him. A really wonderful story. (I listened on audiobook and it was great there too)....more
3.5 stars. An imaginative, magical story perfect for fans of Nevermoor and Harry Potter. I grew to find it a bit formulaic, but I think mostly because3.5 stars. An imaginative, magical story perfect for fans of Nevermoor and Harry Potter. I grew to find it a bit formulaic, but I think mostly because I've spent a lot of time with these kinds of stories. The best part, and what sets this apart, is the Black protagonist and how her struggles to figure out her identity and how other people see and respond to her at home plays out in the magical setting as well, and watching as she finds her strength....more
This hit SO MANY best book of the year lists and... I don't get it. I found Badger tiresome, at best. But curmudgeonly characters aren't necessarily mThis hit SO MANY best book of the year lists and... I don't get it. I found Badger tiresome, at best. But curmudgeonly characters aren't necessarily my favorite, nor are "odd couple" stories, so maybe that's why. Who cares about his rocks? Why are there so many chickens? Rocket Potato was the best thing about this book. Oh, and the charming illustrations, of course, I do love Jon Klassen's work. Otherwise, it felt old-fashioned, and not necessarily in a good way....more
4.5 stars. This had the joy of feeling like a classic, Roald Dahl-like story but with a fresh, modern spin. I don't think I've read anything like it, 4.5 stars. This had the joy of feeling like a classic, Roald Dahl-like story but with a fresh, modern spin. I don't think I've read anything like it, and its message, if a teensy bit heavy-handed for the adult audience, was effective in reminding us how insidious prejudice can be and the importance of loving every person for who they are. I found the main character to be a bit tedious at times, but also was so moved by his growth arc and the ending that 4.5 rounded up to 5 it is!...more
This was a nearly perfect middle grade story. You are rooting so hard for Mia and her parents to make it as a newly immigrated family who is strugglinThis was a nearly perfect middle grade story. You are rooting so hard for Mia and her parents to make it as a newly immigrated family who is struggling to acclimate to life in a new and not always easy to navigate country. Mia is smart, resourceful, compassionate-- almost a little too good and mature for her 10 years of age-- but watching her learn about racism, classism, poverty, and what it means to live free, chase your dreams, and build meaningful community was so worth it. Every kid should read this book. Maybe every adult too!...more
3.5 stars. I think I probably would have loved this as an emotionally volatile early teenager-- there are *a lot* of raw emotions here! It feels very 3.5 stars. I think I probably would have loved this as an emotionally volatile early teenager-- there are *a lot* of raw emotions here! It feels very unlike the children's/YA books being written today, there's an elegance to the writing, a maturity of subject matter and way of dealing with it that made it feel more like an adult book than a book for children. Not exactly an enjoyable read (though not devastating like Bridge to Terebithia), but perhaps worthwhile for the young person trying to grapple with the confusing emotions and circumstances of growing up. ...more
A fun premise and the writing was good, but it felt more like a fan fiction mash up of a bunch of popular books than an original story. In many ways, A fun premise and the writing was good, but it felt more like a fan fiction mash up of a bunch of popular books than an original story. In many ways, the author is paying homage to how wonderful each of the original books and characters are, but it just didn't work for me....more
The premise and artwork are lovely, but the quest drags on for 200 pages too long, the main character was a bit too sugary sweet, and just grew tiresoThe premise and artwork are lovely, but the quest drags on for 200 pages too long, the main character was a bit too sugary sweet, and just grew tiresome. ...more
4.5 stars. I found all of the characters so endearing, especially the two protagonists. The story is witty, sweet, and a fantastic message about how o4.5 stars. I found all of the characters so endearing, especially the two protagonists. The story is witty, sweet, and a fantastic message about how our families are something we can be both born into *and* choose. And who doesn't love a good summer camp story?!...more
4.5 stars. I really did love this. Post WWI story, set in the English countryside, about a girl and her family reeling from the loss of her brother. T4.5 stars. I really did love this. Post WWI story, set in the English countryside, about a girl and her family reeling from the loss of her brother. The characters were fully realized, the main girl smart and empathetic and heroic, a fairy-tale framework, the grief so faithfully rendered. I docked half a star for a couple of the adult characters who consistently made irresponsible decisions that felt primarily like a vehicle to move the plot forward, rather than realistic choices. But still very enjoyable. Also, I listened to this on audiobook, and the author narrates it and is *excellent*. I felt transported to the English countryside. ...more
This book was just kind of boring, unfortunately. Lots of exposition, lots of feelings, lots of explaining feelings. It may, however, be just the righThis book was just kind of boring, unfortunately. Lots of exposition, lots of feelings, lots of explaining feelings. It may, however, be just the right book for a kid who is looking to try to make sense of their feelings, and especially loss and grief. ...more
While I think the author did a great job of imagining the world and characters, the story just fell flat for me. I also think it's a bit too high fantWhile I think the author did a great job of imagining the world and characters, the story just fell flat for me. I also think it's a bit too high fantasy for my taste. ...more
I love this sweet family, and it was enjoyable to return to them. The story was maybe not quite as engaging as the first book, but give me the siblingI love this sweet family, and it was enjoyable to return to them. The story was maybe not quite as engaging as the first book, but give me the sibling antics any day. ...more
I loved this *so* much. My only regret is that I didn't know it took place around Christmas, and I wish I would have saved it for the holidays! The chI loved this *so* much. My only regret is that I didn't know it took place around Christmas, and I wish I would have saved it for the holidays! The characters are well drawn, the whole family is so loving and supportive (which I feel like you don’t always get in MG or YA books where often the parents are out of the picture), and each of the kids has a distinct personality and passions. There’s a small bit of mystery surrounding the landlord, which kept my interest piqued as well, since there isn't a ton of plot. ...more
3.5 stars, rounding up because Applegate is a talented writer, and this is a well-executed story with wonderful characters, just not a perfect fit for3.5 stars, rounding up because Applegate is a talented writer, and this is a well-executed story with wonderful characters, just not a perfect fit for me. In the first few chapters, this felt reminiscent of Watership Down (one of my favorite books) but it soon shifted into more of a medieval fantasy/adventure story. The adventure is fast-paced, we have a great protagonist with lots of room for growth, and I enjoyed watching friendships develop between the rag-tag group of travelers. The themes are pretty heavy-handed, but it is a middle grade book, so I think it is appropriate for that audience. I'm not sure I will read the rest of the series. ...more
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