Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Tesla's Attic - Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman

Summary: Tesla’s Attic is the first book in a brilliantly imagined and hilariously written trilogy that combines science, magic, intrigue, and just plain weirdness, about four kids who are caught up in a dangerous plan concocted by the eccentric inventor Nikola Tesla.

After their home burns down, fourteen-year-old Nick, his younger brother, and their father move into a ramshackle Victorian house they've inherited. When Nick opens the door to his attic room, he's hit in the head by a toaster. That's just the beginning of his weird experiences with the old junk stored up there. After getting rid of the odd antiques in a garage sale, Nick befriends some local kids-Mitch, Caitlin, and Vincent-and they discover that all of the objects have extraordinary properties. What's more, Nick figures out that the attic is a strange magnetic vortex, which attracts all sorts of trouble. It's as if the attic itself has an intelligence . . . and a purpose.

Ultimately Nick learns that the genius Nikola Tesla placed the items-his last inventions-in the attic as part of a larger plan that he mathematically predicted. Nick and his new friends must retrieve everything that was sold at the garage sale and keep it safe. But the task is fraught with peril-in addition to the dangers inherent in Tesla's mysterious and powerful creations, a secret society of physicists, the Accelerati, is determined to stop Nick and alter destiny to achieve its own devious ends. It's a lot for a guy to handle, especially when he'd much rather fly under the radar as the new kid in town.

Fans of intrigue, action, humor, and nonstop surprises are guaranteed a read unlike any other in Tesla's Attic, Book One of the Accelerati Trilogy. (Summary and image from goodreads.com.)

Review: Nick has had a rough year. His idyllic family home and life was destroyed in a minute when his home burned to the ground, taking his mother with it. His father is struggling. His brother is annoying. All Nick has is baseball, and a ramshackle old house they’re stuck living in. In an effort to get his life moving forward again, Nick cleans out the attic (the room he’s also claimed as his own), tries to make a little cash by holding a garage sale, and that’s when things start getting weird. People want his junk. They don't just mildly want it, they’re clamoring for it. It’s somehow calling to them.

The deeper Nick digs the more questions he uncovers. Before he knows it, he’s allying with kids from school he never expected, he's struggling to hunt down and retrieve all of that junk he stole, and can you please explain why his attic seems to have developed a gravitational force?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is the kind of book you can either hand to your Middle Zone readers and they’ll have it finished in a day or two, or the kind you can enjoy yourself in a few hours when your brain just needs a break. Schusterman’s style is engaging, quick, and intriguing. I enjoyed trying to puzzle out what was going to happen, how everything connected, and finding myself surprised more than once.

Of course, our villains are stereotypical. Characters aren’t as complex or as multifaceted as one would expect from an adult novel, but Middle Zone still feels like a very “White Hat/Black Hat” literary area. As long as you remember what you’re reading, I see no problem with that. If you’re looking for Victor Hugo levels of character development and backstory, you’re in the wrong genre. However, if you’re looking for a fun book with a few twists and turns that will keep you (or your kids) engaged, this is a great one to pick up.

Rating: Four stars


For the Sensitive Reader: There’s a kiss. It’s not exactly welcome — the girl kind of forces her hand. 

Monday, March 20, 2017

The Here and Now - Ann Brashares

Summary:  This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve.  Except Prenna didn't come from a different country.  She came from a different time -- a future where mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.  Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they're from, never interfere with history, and never be intimate with anyone outside their community.  Prenna does as she's told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth.  But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves.  Thrilling, exhilarating, haunting, and heartbreaking, The Here and Now is a twenty-first-century take on an impossible romance.  A girl from the future might be able to save us...if she lets go of the one thing she's found to hold on to.  (Summary from inside flap of book)

My Review:  When I picked up this book, I was looking for a little light reading to smooth over some stress in my life and this book seemed like it might fit the bill.  It was written by Ann Brashares, author of the Sister of the Traveling book series, and had a promising premise so I dove in without hesitation.  Big mistake. Huge.

At 246 pages, I should have been able to finish this book in an afternoon.  Unfortunately, it took almost a month for me to wade through.  I picked it up with high hopes that slowly tanked as the book fell flat at every turn.  The story line felt basic --  like the author had a good idea for a story and put it on paper so she wouldn't forget, but then she went out for coffee or something and her assistant found the manuscript and sent it to the publisher by accident.  As characters, I really wanted to like Prenna and Ethan, but they each felt void of any real depth, emotion, or convincing chemistry. In fact, all the characters felt that way.  Like paper dolls instead of people. The conflict within the story lacked any real sense of urgency (think, let's take two sentences to make a 'plan' and then go swim suit shopping and make out on the beach) and the subsequent resolution was all too easily reached. The final nail in the coffin? Ethan spent an inordinate amount of time trying to convince Prenna that their physical intimacy was more important than survival. Pardon me while I *eyeroll*.  I will give the book credit for not ending in a complete shower of butterflies, rainbows, and glittery unicorn poop, but even that couldn't save it.  Honestly, I expected so much more from the author who created Bridget, Lena, Carmen, and Tibby.  Lesson?  Light reading doesn't not always make good reading.  Time to make a 246-page donation to my local thrift store and move on.

My Rating: 2 Stars

For the sensitive reader:  Some adolescent groping, a murder, and a few instances of profanity. Possibly only one.

Sum it up:  A promising premise that fails to deliver.

Friday, March 17, 2017

Our States have Crazy Shapes - Lynn Garthwaite

Summary: A layman's version of the reasons for the odd shapes and sizes of the 50 United States. Interesting anecdotes about the reasons we ended up with panhandles and bootheels, and why the Upper Peninsula is a part of Michigan instead of Wisconsin. This is the source to find out how the discovery of gold convinced Congress to not divide California into three separate states and why slavery played a part in the size of Texas. Every state has a story. Bonus chapters about ongoing border disputes, Thomas Jefferson's ideal about the sizes of states, and some states that no longer exist.  (Summary and image from goodreads.com. I was provided a copy in exchange for an honest review.)

Review: Have you ever looked at our map and wondered why some of our states are so bizarrely shaped? Let’s be honest, when you look at a map of our nation, it’s easy to see which lines were designed with natural boundaries (like rivers) in place, but how come West Virginia juts so far north? What’s up with the itty-bitty corner carved out of some states? How come some are so uniform? And if we’re going to be all rigid with our lines, how come some don’t follow a river and are so fluid?

This is a fun book that gives a great overview of each state’s boundaries as approved by Congress. It’s interesting to hear of some of the back-door deals that went on as territorial lines were being decided, noteworthy to see how Jefferson’s ideal design for the nation influenced the sizes and uniformity of the states a century later, and would be a great introductory book for kids interested in geography.

However, there were some detractors that heavily influenced my opinion of the book. First, for a book so full of information, I was curious to see the bibliography. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the research seems to be done on Wikipedia. Don’t get me wrong, Wikipedia is awesome for quick fact checks, trying to find the plot lines of one of the characters on a Marvel or a DC Comics TV show, or a two-bit biography on whatever queen you’re binge watching at the moment. But as a research book? I’m not okay with a user-edited content site being the top-visited research tool. When I was taking Argument in college, that was rule NUMBER ONE — don’t use random websites as a main research reference. That hasn’t changed.

Second, and more painfully for me, there was too much anti-Mormon sentiment throughout this book. Now, I understand that when the research consists of “Hmm, what does wiki say?” that things can go south quickly, but it was very difficult for me, not only as a Mormon, but as one who has thoroughly researched the formation of many of the territories discussed, to have been subjected to the unnecessary, utterly untruthful, and baffling misrepresentations of a period of history. Unfortunately, it wasn’t just in the “Utah” chapter, but every and any chance the author had to bash Mormonism, it was taken.

I take umbrage at the fact that a children’s reference book about how our states’ boundaries were set was used in this manner, and it was frustrating to then not even have true research I could turn to in order to see where the information was coming from. Further, knowing that the information is false (because I did the research myself years ago for work) it called into question the honesty, the impartiality, and the reliability of the rest of the information in the book.

I really had high hopes for this book, wanted it to be one my kids would fight over for quite a while (they’re fascinated by stuff like this!), but I was too taken aback at the tone and lackadaisical attitude to comfortably let my kids read it.  This is a pass for me.

Rating: One star


Wednesday, March 15, 2017

The Inquisitor's Tale - Adam Gidwitz, Illustrated by Hatem Aly

Summary: An exciting and hilarious medieval adventure from the bestselling author of A Tale Dark and Grimm. You can read our review here. 

1242. On a dark night, travelers from across France cross paths at an inn and begin to tell stories of three children. Their adventures take them on a chase through France: they are taken captive by knights, sit alongside a king, and save the land from a farting dragon. On the run to escape prejudice and persecution and save precious and holy texts from being burned, their quest drives them forward to a final showdown at Mont Saint-Michel, where all will come to question if these children can perform the miracles of saints. 

Join William, an oblate on a mission from his monastery; Jacob, a Jewish boy who has fled his burning village; and Jeanne, a peasant girl who hides her prophetic visions. They are accompanied by Jeanne's loyal greyhound, Gwenforte . . . recently brought back from the dead. Told in multiple voices, in a style reminiscent of The Canterbury Tales, our narrator collects their stories and the saga of these three unlikely allies begins to come together. 

Beloved bestselling author Adam Gidwitz makes his long awaited return with his first new world since his hilarious and critically acclaimed Grimm series. Featuring manuscript illuminations throughout by illustrator Hatem Aly and filled with Adam’s trademark style and humor, The Inquisitor's Tale is bold storytelling that’s richly researched and adventure-packed.

Beautifully illustrated throughout! Includes a detailed historical note and bibliography. (Summary and pic from goodreads.com)

My Review: The March reading selection for my book club was a Newbery Honor book from 1969, and let me just say that things have certainly changed. This particular book, Across Five Aprils, was a decent read--better than some early Newberys I've read--but it just doesn't hold a candle to the Newbery winners and honor books that are coming out now. Maybe I'm partial to modern writing (which is certainly true), but I just think that the genre has become quite incredible. The writing is stellar, the stories are touching and poignant, and they have more meaning and depth than they ever have. While there have been improvements in other genres (and some downgrades, too, IMHO), I think that JFic has just soared. Some of the best authors come from the JFic genre, and I just love what is coming out of there.

The Inquisitor's Tale was amazing. Seriously, it was hilarious, well-written, a fun story, well-researched, and the pictures were awesome, too. I dare say that I liked this book even better than the winner, The Girl Who Drank the Moon, which I reviewed just a little while ago. I'm never sure what to expect from JFic, which is one of the things I like about it. Would it be a whimsical reality book about real issues that kids are facing like divorce or bullies or a sick/dying family member? Would it be fantastical and allegorical? Would it be a historical fiction piece with kids doing amazing things during Big Historical Times when the adults were otherwise engaged? Seriously, there's always something fun or amazing. I am happy to report that this book was a fun dive into some fairytale-esque historical goings on from real historical writings. There were several things that I really enjoyed about this book:

1. I loved the way it was told. Each chapter is told by a different narrator, although many of the narrators take more than one turn. The gig is that they're in a bar in the middle ages (NOT the dark ages, according to the author), and they're taking turns telling stories about these amazing children and their sainted dog. This way of storytelling is a very natural way of getting different viewpoints and different parts of the story, all joined together by a main narrator whose identity we don't find out until the end.

2. This book is funny. Like really funny. It's funny to adults and it's also funny to kids, including things like a dragon who has epic gas and stinky cheese and all sorts of things kids find hilarious.

3. I liked the artwork. I felt like it really added to the story and gave it a very middle ages feel. When I think about this book I think of the art work and the picture it painted for me.

4. I loved the relationships between the children and the dog and the people they encountered. I think Gidwitz did a great job of making these children seem like real kids while also preserving their remarkable abilities.

5. The book just had some really fun stories in it and I loved that they were based on real historical writings. The research had obviously been done, and it was fun to read Gidwitz's impression of what had happened in these somewhat strange and mystical writings.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book. It was well-written and a lot of fun and just a really good read. I think my kids will love it and I'm excited to share it with them. It is highly deserving of the Newbery Honor Award.

My Rating: 5 Stars

For the sensitive reader: There is some potty humor and mild language, but I will be fine showing it to my 11- and 9-year-old sons.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Dragonwatch - Brandon Mull

Summary: In the long-awaited sequel to Fablehaven, the dragons who have been kept at the dragon sanctuaries no longer consider them safe havens, but prisons and they want their freedom. The dragons are no longer our allies....

In the hidden dragon sanctuary of Wyrmroost, Celebrant the Just, King of the Dragons, plots his revenge. He has long seen the sanctuaries as prisons, and he wants nothing more than to overthrow his captors and return the world to the Age of Dragons, when he and his kind ruled and reigned without borders. The time has come to break free and reclaim his power.

No one person is capable of stopping Celebrant and his dragon horde. It will take the ancient order of Dragonwatch to gather again if there is any chance of saving the world from destruction. In ancient times, Dragonwatch was a group of wizards, enchantresses, dragon slayers, and others who originally confined the majority of dragons into sanctuaries. But nearly all of the original Dragonwatch members are gone, and so the wizard Agad reaches out to Grandpa Sorenson for help.

As Kendra and Seth confront this new danger, they must draw upon all their skills, talents, and knowledge as only they have the ability to function together as a powerful dragon tamer. Together they must battle against forces with superior supernatural powers and breathtaking magical abilities.

How will the epic dragon showdown end? Will dragons overthrow humans and change the world as we know it? (Summary and image from goodreads.com. I was provided a copy in exchange for an honest review.)

Review: I’ve been so excited for this series for years, I giddily stalked the mailman while I was waiting for my review copy (sorry, Mr. Mailman.), and I devoured it once I got the chance to read it. And now that it’s time to review it, I don’t even know what to say! How is this possible?

Let’s start from the beginning. It’s only been a few months since Kendra and Seth prevented the end of the world. There’s been a lot going on, but apparently during the battle, there were some events set into motion that may have an even more devastating impact than Zzyxx opening its gates and flooding the earth with demons. More specifically, the dragons are getting restless.

Kendra and Seth find themselves nominated and whisked off to Wyrmroost, not to help or to visit, but to assume the roles of the new caretakers. Not only do they have to contend with the disrespect and insolence of their joint caretaker, Celebrant, but remember him? He’s the King of the Dragons? If there’s anyone more likely to lead a breakout, it’s Celebrant.

I have always liked Brandon Mull’s writing. I appreciate the thought he puts into his stories, the detail and nuance that carries throughout the book, and his ability to create characters who are real and endearing. While I was beyond excited for a continuation of the Fablehaven series, I was concerned it wouldn’t live up to my expectation. It definitely surpassed them.

Kendra is still sweet, intelligent, self-conscious, and fairykind. Seth is still a pill, wily, kind-hearted, and more willing to get into trouble than he should. Some of the side characters I loved the most make an appearance, or promise to in the future, and the introduced characters are just as varied and as richly developed as you could hope for. 

As for the storyline, I’m pleased to say that Mull has surpassed himself here. I’m curious to see this series develop. While some of our villains in the first series were cunning, demons seemed more to be the “take it by force” type of villain. Dragons, however, totally could take it by force, but I got the feeling they’re more James Moriarty than Jean Claude Van Damme. And I’m not going to lie, I prefer my villains to be more of the professorial sort.

Rating: Four and a half stars

For the Sensitive Reader: While the action can get a little intense, it’s clean.

Friday, March 10, 2017

The Dogs of Babel - Carolyn Parkhurst

Summary: Paul Iverson's life changes in an instant. He returns home one day to find that his wife, Lexy, has died under strange circumstances. The only witness was their dog, Lorelei, whose anguished barking brought help to the scene - but too late. In the days and weeks that follow, Paul begins to notice strange "clues" in their home: books rearranged on their shelves, a mysterious phone call, and other suggestions that nothing about Lexy's last afternoon was quite what it seemed. Reeling from grief, Paul is determined to decipher this evidence and unlock the mystery of her death. But he can't do it alone; he needs Lorelei's help. A linguist by training, Paul embarks on an impossible endeavor: a series of experiments designed to teach Lorelei to communicate what she knows. Perhaps behind her wise and earnest eyes lies the key to what really happened to the woman he loved. As Paul's investigation leads him in unexpected and even perilous directions, he revisits the pivotal moments of his life with Lexy, the brilliant, enigmatic woman whose sparkling passion for life and dark, troubled past he embraced equally. (Summary from Goodreads.com)

My Review: The Dogs of Babel is a haunting tale of newfound love, earth shattering loss, and one man's desperate quest for answers. In alternating chapters, Paul and Lexy's history unfolds from their very first (adorable) meeting to their last day together, and explores the present day, in which Paul copes with his grief as he tries to uncover what might have led to her death.

The author managed to flit back and forth between past and present, weaving a story both beautiful and tragic that deftly propelled the reader forward to that fateful day when the truth about what really happened comes to light. Although I knew from the beginning how it was all going to end, I still loved hearing the narrator, Paul, tell the story of how they met, fell in love, and married. From the moment he stepped out of his car with square eggs I was hooked. However, as Paul continues to tell their story, it becomes clear that his wife is battling some fierce inner demons and from there the story takes a much darker turn. It felt like I was watching two people (and one dog) on a collision course with tragedy and could only sit there silently, helpless to stop it. Not a pleasant feeling, I assure you, but it makes for an interesting story. 

Paul's obsession with solving the mystery of his wife's death was understandable, but I was rather skeptical of his attempts to make her dog, the only witness to her death, speak. The absurdity of the idea, even in the face of overwhelming grief, seemed inconsistent with the grounded nature of the rest of the novel and I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep my disbelieving snorts in check. I did find his efforts with the dog quite painful to read, but ultimately, this book was far less about teaching a dog to talk and more an exploration of the intricacies of relationships, the cruelty of mental illness, the overwhelming nature of grief, and lengths a person will go to uncover the truth.

I probably won't read this book again, but I did think it was brilliantly written and would recommend it to those who don't mind reading about loss.

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

For the Sensitive Reader: If the summary doesn't make it clear, this book could hold triggers for those dealing with suicidal thoughts or the loss of a loved one. Otherwise, there are some cases of extreme animal cruelty, a handful of swear words (a few more if you count references to a female of the canine persuasion) and a few brief, non-graphic sexual situations.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Took - Mary Downing Hahn

Summary: “Folks say Old Auntie takes a girl and keeps her fifty years—then lets her go and takes another one.”  Thirteen-year-old Daniel Anderson doesn’t believe Brody Mason’s crazy stories about the ghost witch who lives up on Brewster’s Hill with Bloody Bones, her man-eating razorback hog. He figures Brody’s probably just trying to scare him since he’s the new kid . . . a “stuck-up snot” from Connecticut. But Daniel’s seven-year-old sister Erica has become more and more withdrawn, talking to her lookalike doll. When she disappears into the woods one day, he knows something is terribly wrong. Did the witch strike? Has Erica been “took”? (picture and summary from goodreads.com)

My Review: Mary Downing Hahn is masterful at telling a creepy story.  Heck, she delights in it.  Seriously.  This is the sweet-looking little old lady who, when I met her a few years ago and told her that her book Wait Till Helen Comes scared the crap out of me as a kid, she stopped signing my book, looked up at me, and with this mischievous little smile said, "Good."

That being said, I agree with her and love scary stories.  I like the mystery and intrigue and overall spookiness, and Hahn manages to do it again and again.  So I really, thoroughly enjoyed Took.  It felt like I'd been dropped into an old urban legend or folk tale, with the creepy Auntie and her pet, Bloody Bones.  I'm always a sucker for a creepy monster and a good ghost story.

The story itself is a quick read, but well done.  The tale and suspense are built up at a good pace, giving us insight into the town, its people, and their belief in this old folk legend that lurks in everyone's subconscious.  The main character's family are the outsiders from the city and can't/won't understand the deep-rooted fears that are commonplace to those who have grown up with the tales of Auntie, which adds to the terror when strange things start to happen and stuff just can't be explained away by logic anymore.

It was cleverly told in an alternating way, between Daniel's point of view and Auntie's doings, her bits in particular adding to the intrigue.  I also love Daniel's determination to right his wrong and save his sister, even after knowing the true terror of Auntie and Bloody Bones.  It's a good coming of age story, a sibling story, and a ghost story all wrapped up in one.

My Rating: 4 Stars

For the sensitive reader: trigger warning for anyone who's lost a kid, as the little sister goes missing and the family sort of falls apart over it.  There's also the creepy Auntie and her pet that are good and spooky--so not for easily scared types.  And I forgot to mention the doll.  Dolls are always terrifying.

Monday, March 6, 2017

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry - Gabrielle Zevrin

Summary: On the faded Island Books sign hanging over the porch of the Victorian cottage is the motto "No Man Is an Island; Every Book Is a World." A. J. Fikry, the irascible owner, is about to discover just what that truly means.

A. J. Fikry’s life is not at all what he expected it to be. His wife has died, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island—from Lambiase, the well-intentioned police officer who’s always felt kindly toward Fikry; from Ismay, his sister-in-law who is hell-bent on saving him from his dreary self; from Amelia, the lovely and idealistic (if eccentric) Knightley Press sales rep who keeps on taking the ferry over to Alice Island, refusing to be deterred by A.J.’s bad attitude. Even the books in his store have stopped holding pleasure for him. These days, A.J. can only see them as a sign of a world that is changing too rapidly.

And then a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. It’s a small package, but large in weight. It’s that unexpected arrival that gives A. J. Fikry the opportunity to make his life over, the ability to see everything anew. It doesn’t take long for the locals to notice the change overcoming A.J.; or for that determined sales rep, Amelia, to see her curmudgeonly client in a new light; or for the wisdom of all those books to become again the lifeblood of A.J.’s world; or for everything to twist again into a version of his life that he didn’t see coming. As surprising as it is moving, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry is an unforgettable tale of transformation and second chances, an irresistible affirmation of why we read, and why we love. (Summary and pic from goodreads.com)

My Review: I thought this book was a really good read for a couple reasons. First off, I loved the relationship between the main character—the librarian—and his adopted daughter. I don’t want to go into too much detail here because I think it was so fun to discover it (even though a good portion is written on the summary). I think the way they ended up together was fun and perfect for both of them. They deserved each other—and I say that in the best way possible. Secondly, I really loved the support characters in this book. A.J. Fikry is obviously a very troubled man, both with good reason and also just because he’s crabby, but the people around him really make his life better and also enrich the story. I find that often characters in books, as in real life, are surrounded by people that they don’t necessarily deserve (because of the way they treat them), but these people stay anyway and most of the time, in the end, it works out better for both of them. I so appreciate this about people, actually, that they’re willing to put up with someone and all their flaws and love them anyway.

If you have read anything about this book, one thing you will notice right away is that it has tons of quotes listed from it. A.J. Fikry is quite a wise man, and many of the excerpts in the book are the kind of quotes that you would put on a bookmark or write in your journal. One of my favorites was, “But me-also-thinks my latter-day reaction speaks to the necessity of encountering stores at precisely the right time in our lives. Remember, Maya: the things we respond to at twenty are not necessarily the same things we will respond to at forty and vice versa. This is true in books and also in life.”

Don’t you just love this quote? I think it is so true. The older I get, the more I can relate to this. For instance, I don’t know if you’ve ever gone back and re-read books that you LOVED as a child, but they don’t always strike you the same way. I used to tell everyone that A Wrinkle in Time was one of my favorite books. I went back and re-read it a few years ago and…I thought it was the weirdest thing ever. Seriously. I had no idea what was going on and I didn’t like the characters and I thought it was just dumb. Sorry, Ms. L’engle. It just wasn’t my thing. However, I remember being so touched by it when I was younger and found it really profound. I’m not sure why I thought that or what about it I really liked, but I loved it. To me, this is an obvious example of a book coming at just the right time and changing me in a way then that could never be replicated at another time in my life. And truly there is never a greater connection to a book or a story than when it comes at precisely the right time in our lives. Indeed this is why I find it hard to judge people about the books they love. Stories and books strike us in different ways at different times in our lives. Who am I to judge what story someone loves when I don’t know the truth about their situation right now in their life? And who knows what that story had in it that that person needed right at that time? Don’t worry, I do a fair amount of judging for those who read [what I consider to be] ridiculous. But really. I should be more tolerant.  

I think this is a very wise book about people trying to make the best of situations that varied from troublesome to downright tragic. There was happiness too, though, of course, and I think this book did a good job of addressing both the good and the bad and putting it into perspective.

My Rating: 4 Stars

For the sensitive reader: There is some language in this book, and I’m always a little shocked when the “F—“ word comes up at what I feel to be unnecessary times. 

Friday, March 3, 2017

The Wolf Wilder - Katherine Rundell

Summary: A girl and the wolves who love her embark on a rescue mission through Russian wilderness in this lyrical tale from the author of the acclaimed Rooftoppers and Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms.

Feo’s life is extraordinary. Her mother trains domesticated wolves to be able to fend for themselves in the snowy wilderness of Russia, and Feo is following in her footsteps to become a wolf wilder. She loves taking care of the wolves, especially the three who stay at the house because they refuse to leave Feo, even though they’ve already been wilded. But not everyone is enamored with the wolves, or with the fact that Feo and her mother are turning them wild. And when her mother is taken captive, Feo must travel through the cold, harsh woods to save her—and learn from her wolves how to survive.

From the author of Rooftoppers, which Booklist called “a glorious adventure,” and Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms, which VOYA called “a treasure of a book,” comes an enchanting novel about love and resilience. (Summary and picture from goodreads.com)


My Review"Once upon a time, there was a dark and stormy girl."

The Wolf Wilder was a fascinating story, a mythical Russia of ages ago where tame wolves needed to be taught how to be wild, and relied on those who did that (an idea so intriguing to me that I found myself thinking, 'can I have that job please?').  But woven within is a story of human nature, of people beaten and driven down who must reclaim their own identities against cruel tyrants who fight to smother it.

I loved Feo.  This girl is a fierce, feisty little ball of sinew and spit, raised with wolves and by a mother who wilds them.  Her relationship with these animals is the deepest kind of friendship, she respects them, knows they are not pets, even when they are not completely wild, but she is there for them even when they snap at her, and they are there for her when she most needs them.

Her friend Ilya is also a complex character, a boy who never wanted to be a soldier, who has deeper dreams but does all he can to help Feo rescue her mother and falls in love with the wolves.  I loved how basically all the main characters in this book were kids, how they were the ones starting the revolutions, they were the ones fighting for the world they had to live in.  And they are scared to do it, but they do it anyway.

This book was filled with beautiful writing.  The turns of phrases Rundell used were so unique and picturesque, evoking true feelings in a way I never would have thought to phrase it.

My Rating: 3.5 stars

For the sensitive reader: These characters are being hunted by a very merciless man and, such being the case, there are losses along the way, but it is dealt with in a gentle manner, even through the sorrow.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

The Girl Who Drank the Moon - Kelly Barnhill

Summary: Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian. Xan rescues the abandoned children and deliver them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey. 

One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this enmagicked girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. To keep young Luna safe from her own unwieldy power, Xan locks her magic deep inside her. When Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule--but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her--even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she’s always known.

The acclaimed author of The Witch’s Boy has created another epic coming-of-age fairy tale destined to become a modern classic. (Summary and pic from goodreads.com)

My Review: My kids’ elementary school librarian is awesome and also a book reviewer. Yes, they go together. Whenever I see her (which is quite often because she generously allows us to use her super cute library to hold PTA and parent meetings) she has some great suggestions for me, and great suggestions for my kids, too. Don’t you think it’s great when a librarian knows your kids enough to know what they would like? She is always in the know about new books coming out, and had read The Girl Who Drank the Moon before it was chosen for the Newbery Award this year. She kept telling me “They got it right” and then graciously lent me her copy, as well as copies of the Newbery Award Honor books, so watch for those reviews coming soon!

I think it’s so fun to see the variety that the Newbery Awards have. They really vary quite a bit, and the quality varies quite a bit, especially as you go further back. I’ve read lots of Newbery winners, as I’m sure you have, and I’d have to say that I personally believe that the quality has gotten better and better with time. Many of the first award winners couldn’t have held up to the competition of the winners nowadays, or even the honorable mentions. Competition has gotten really stiff in the JFic genre, and I, for one, have very much enjoyed what it has to offer.

I loved the fairytale nature of this book. I love a lot of the JFic books because of their ability to handle real life situations in a way that is honest and sensitive, but without the drama and heaviness of an adult novel. This book does that, but in more of a fairytale way. I loved the characters and their nuances. I also love JFic books because they often spell out their message, which I appreciate. I don’t always like to be guessing what’s supposed to be happening. Then again, I don’t like to be hit over the head with the message, either. Well-written JFic is able to strike a balance between letting the reader know what the message is while still not feeling heavy-handed or manipulative.

One thing that impressed me about The Girl Who Drank the Moon was the depth and nuance of the characters. They weren’t one-dimensional, and they weren’t all perfect. There were heroes and heroines who made wrong choices for the right reasons, and there were villains who also tried to do good things, even if they were not good in the end. Really, despite the fantastical nature of the story and the characters, they really were relatable. What genre allows you to appreciate and love a bog monster if not JFic? I loved that about it. Also, some of the characters are damaged and they aren’t made all better in the end, which I also appreciated. Not everyone is perfect and undamaged in real life and this book does a good job of addressing this.

I think this book’s strength was its allegorical nature. This is not a simply written book, and I would say that it probably demands quite a bit from its middle grade readers, but in a good way. It will challenge their reading skills because this isn’t a book with a few big words on each page, but it is interesting and captivating and they will enjoy and relate to the characters. There is some sadness and tragedy as children are stolen from families to be sacrificed to a witch, but I think this was taken to the edge and then stepped back when we find out about what happens to the children.

I highly recommend this book, not only if you’re collecting notches in your belt for Newbery Awards you’ve read, but also because it is an insightful book with strong characters and good writing.

My Rating: 5 Stars

For the sensitive reader: The children being taken from the families to be sacrificed is sad.

Monday, February 27, 2017

The Orphan Keeper - Camron Wright

Summary: Based on a remarkable true story.


Seven-year-old Chellamuthu’s life is forever changed when he is kidnapped from his village in India, sold to a Christian orphanage, and then adopted by an unsuspecting couple in the United States. It takes months before the boy can speak enough English to tell his parents that he already has a family back in India. Horrified, they try their best to track down his Indian family, but all avenues lead to dead ends.

Meanwhile, they simply love him, change his name to Taj, enroll him in school, make him part of their family—and his story might have ended there had it not been for the pestering questions in his head: Who am I? Why was I taken? How do I get home?

More than a decade later, Taj meets Priya, a girl from southern India with surprising ties to his past. Is she the key to unveil the secrets of his childhood or is it too late? And if he does make it back to India, how will he find his family with so few clues? 

From the best-selling author of The Rent Collector, this is a deeply moving and gripping journey of discovering one’s self and the unbreakable family bonds that connect us forever. (Summary and image from goodreads.com. I was provided a copy in exchange for an honest review.)

Review: Have you ever thought about how Joseph of Egypt (you know, with the amazing technicolor dream coat, that one) felt as he sat in the pit and listened as his brothers—his family—sold him to slavers? We all know it turned out just fine in the end, but think of his despair. Of the panic. What about anger? Now, we all know Joseph ended up being pretty darn awesome, but how do you think it impacted him for the rest of his life?

What if he had been a kid? Does that betrayal ever heal, ever fully go away?

Chellamuthu’s life in India was perhaps not ideal by a Westerner’s standards, but he was loved. He was constantly engaged. He was desperately missed when he was kidnapped at eight years of age and sold to an orphanage—and he was nearly destroyed when he was told by the director of the orphanage that his father was the one who had sold him. In a matter of weeks, he was ripped from his new normal in the orphanage, put on a plane, and deposited in a cold land with new and strange customs, surrounded by people who don’t speak his language and who are apparently named “Mom” and “Dad”, and told to adapt. 

I’ve never thought about the ramifications that adoptions could have on older kids. This novel — while based on a true story, this has some elements of fiction to move it along and make the narrative flow — explores exactly that question. How does an international adoption affect the adoptee throughout life? How does it impact the bonding with the adoptive family? There’s a scene, told from Chellamuthu’s adoptive mother’s point of view, when Chellamuthu arrives from India at the airport. She envisions a little boy who will run to her, thank her in halting English for rescuing him, and they’ll all live happily ever after. What she gets is a terrified little boy who is overwhelmed — probably way more common and much less talked about. Further, even though there’s a jump of ten years, it’s clear that the circumstances of Chellamuthu’s adoption affected every aspect of his life. HIs relationship with his adoptive parents and siblings suffers, his relationships with girls is tenuous because he always feels like they’re dating the novelty and not the guy, and how do you decide what to do with your life when you’ve had that kind of upheaval?

Chellamuthu’s journey from Indian child to americanized—and then rediscovered Indian heritage—Taj is an amazing read. I couldn’t put the book down. Literally, I was in the middle of another book and couldn’t get back to it, I was too worried about Taj. His two families, both incredible, both so loving are families I want to know. The circumstances, coincidences, and miracles that came together to reunite Taj are incredible, even if they’ve been slightly dramatized for a book, wow. Doesn’t matter. 

Because this is a story based on real life, there are some unanswered questions. Taj never found out whether his father really sold him, or whether that was creative storytelling on the part of the orphanage director — a truly Machiavellian character when it comes to “saving” the children he’s chosen to help. Oh! (That’s another character I want to sit down with. Someone who truly believes he knows best and is doing what is right, and whether that means stealing, bribing, kidnapping, and deception, it’s all good, right?! Interesting fellow.)

This is one of those books that makes me want to travel, to start a humanitarian fund, to volunteer to do more and help more, and to go find the real Taj and hear the whole story. And meet his wife, because their love story may be one of my favorites I’ve read this year.

Rating: Five stars

For the Sensitive Reader: There is one scene where Chellamuthu’s father brands his feet for running away — it’s difficult to read, but integral to the story. Also, there’s an allusion to sexual abuse of one of the characters, but it’s a very broad allusion.

Friday, February 24, 2017

Jurassic Classics: The Presidential Masters of Prehistory - Saskia Lacey

Summary: Using humorous dinosaur mashups as a creative way to introduce and explore history, The Presidential Masters of Prehistory explores the lives of six famous presidents.

The endearingly illustrated Jurassic Classic series uses humorous, prehistoric dinosaur mashups as a creative way to introduce and explore nonfiction and history. With a mix of "dino" puns and fun wordplay, The Presidential Masters of Prehistory features six famous presidents and explores their lives and contributions as dinosaurs, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, or Abraham Lincolnathus as the dinos might say. Each "prehistoric" president featured in the book includes a brief biographical history with a prehistoric twist, as well as a clever parody on each president's most famous contributions to our nation's history. Summary and image from goodreads.com. I was provided a copy in exchange for an honest review.)


Review: I'm so mad at myself I didn't get this up for Presidents Day! What a delightful way to spend the day - enjoying learning about the greatest presidents of our nation through the lens of Prehistory. 

Like the first book in this series, Lacey has let us peek into the Prehistoric era by viewing our presidents' dinosaur counterparts. She's included adapted factoids about each prehistoric leader, (like FDRex leading us through the Second Intercontinental War), a short biography of each dino-president, and a factual account of the presidents we learn about in history class. The illustrations are just fun, inviting the reader to find joy in the learning that is subtly taking place.

I found myself lately scrambling for books to read to an elementary school class. I never know where the average student's attention will land, because my kids are goofballs with really weird tastes. This is the kind of book that would be perfect for such an occasion -- funny, succinct, educational, and a good balance of silly and serious.

Rating: Five stars

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

1918: The Great Pandemic, A Novel - David Cornish

Summary: *FIRST PLACE, LITERARY FICTION -- Independent Publishers of New England Book Awards (IPNE.com). Written by a doctor of Internal Medicine, "1918" is a rigorously researched and accurate historical novel about the pandemic that killed up to 100 million people. The story is told through the eyes of Dr. Edward Noble, an army major and infectious disease sub-specialist, whose unique position in Boston allows him to detect an emerging influenza strain that is an unprecedented global threat. The actual medical literature and terminology of the time, plus real personal accounts of the pandemic, are used to put the reader in the mind of this early 20th century physician. KIRKUS REVIEWS said, ..". (Dr.) Noble is an appealing, knowledgeable focal point in this fictionalized rendering of the great pandemic. ...Affecting characters and dramatic storytelling..." BOOKIDEAS.com said, "5 Stars." "I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone... A great story that weaves the reader between a macro view of one of the most deadly pandemics in history, yet within the chapters there are precious, personal moments that humanize the hero that Dr. Noble unwittingly, yet humbly portrays to the rest of the world. A great read on all levels!" *AWARD WINNER, HISTORICAL FICTION, READERS' FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD - READERSFAVORITE.com said, "5 Stars." ..".1918 is a must read..." The meticulous narrative undeniably has the ability to transport readers back to the era..." (Summary and pic from goodreads.com)

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Review: One of the things I really love about historical fiction is how it not only brings to life the particular topic it is discussing, but also what is going on at the time. So many times I’ll be reading historical fiction and the author will mention other things going on that I had no idea about—inventions that were happening, famous people that were involved or around, and I just really love how a good historical fiction book will tie a whole lot of loose ends together and make sense of an era.

1918 is just such a book. Now, don’t get me wrong. 1918 has a subtitle, and it really lives up to its subtitle. Those parts of the book were quite frightening, actually. In case you are not well-versed in the great pandemic and this mother of all streams of influenza, right before people die they turn a shocking blue. Like legit blue. Also, the people dying would cough up tons of frothy pink phlegm, so much so that entire rooms would be covered with it, and that would just be from one person. Being the good little modern day gal that I am, I googled images of this, trying to find what this would actually look like. It’s not as easy as you might think to find images of people who have turned blue, and that is not in no small part due to the fact that photography was black and white back then. So I never actually found images of this horrific part of the end for some of these very unfortunate people, but it scared me enough that after I looked through lots of pictures I just couldn’t take it anymore and I abandoned my search and got back to reading about the horror instead of trying to Google Image the horror. Also, I spent a lot of time washing my hands while reading this book since the flu is particularly bad this year and I have a new baby.

This is one of those books whose horror is such that it’s just almost impossible to believe. So many people died in such horrific ways, and it basically crippled society for quite awhile. Although I wouldn’t say this is a book that is written with particular literary acumen, Cornish is an MD and obviously knows his stuff about the flu and the history of it and what it was like back then. A lot of research went into this book, and there is a lot of detail, all wrapped into a story that brought the era into light.

Although this book did have a lot of good things going for it, it had a few flaws as well. The writing was not amazing, and I would say that it was quite immature at times. There wasn’t potty humor or anything, but it was obviously written by a novice novel writer. Also, the book was long. Loooooooonnnnnnggggg. 767 pages long, and that doesn’t include an extensive list of sources cited or anything. I really think that this book could have been cut in half or in a third and it still would have retained the story and the impact. There were a lot of minute details (like every patient’s ever vital sign) that could have been taken out just to save space. Lastly, there were quite a few editorial errors—missing words, missing punctuation, etc. One or two of these is fine, and I’m kind of persnickety about this, but it was definitely noticeable.

All of these things being said, I have to say that I learned quite a bit about the pandemic and the era in which it took place. I am officially getting my flu shot religiously (which I have done for the past several years anyway) and am even more vigilant about hand washing and such. I appreciated understanding the magnitude of what was going on, and I feel like this book did a great job of getting its message across.

My Rating: 3 Stars


For the sensitive reader: This book is disturbing in its reality of discussing the 1918 influenza, but it is not gratuitously insensitive. Also, there is some veiled discussion of love and tender moments in between the two main characters, but this is very clean.                 

Monday, February 20, 2017

Rejected Princesses: Tales of History's Boldest Heroines, Hellions, & Heretics - Jason Porath

Summary: Blending the iconoclastic feminism of The Notorious RBG and the confident irreverence of Go the F**ck to Sleep, a brazen and empowering illustrated collection that celebrates inspirational badass women throughout history, based on the popular Tumblr blog.


Well-behaved women seldom make history. Good thing these women are far from well behaved . . .

Illustrated in a contemporary animation style, Rejected Princesses turns the ubiquitous "pretty pink princess" stereotype portrayed in movies, and on endless toys, books, and tutus on its head, paying homage instead to an awesome collection of strong, fierce, and yes, sometimes weird, women: warrior queens, soldiers, villains, spies, revolutionaries, and more who refused to behave and meekly accept their place.

An entertaining mix of biography, imagery, and humor written in a fresh, young, and riotous voice, this thoroughly researched exploration salutes these awesome women drawn from both historical and fantastical realms, including real life, literature, mythology, and folklore. Each profile features an eye-catching image of both heroic and villainous women in command from across history and around the world, from a princess-cum-pirate in fifth century Denmark, to a rebel preacher in 1630s Boston, to a bloodthirsty Hungarian countess, and a former prostitute who commanded a fleet of more than 70,000 men on China’s seas. Summary and image from goodreads.com

Review: It's no secret that women have been around for quite some time. You know, since the beginning of it, and all. But reading the history books and one might think we were either a relatively new addition to the globe, or that women in general were so rare, so secret, that that's why only a few get mentioned. Rejected Princesses aims to fix that by relaying many forgotten stories and legends over many cultures. 

I had so much fun losing myself in this book. Each illustration is beautifully detailed and holds so many clues and references to the original time of the legend, key elements of our heroine's story, and provides a tongue-in-cheek reference for the reader. Beneficially, most illustrations also have a short explanation pointing out many of the details that those unfamiliar with the time or setting would miss. But enough about the pretty pictures, I want to talk about the stories!

Porath has an affable, colloquial style of relaying the information he’s dug up. Sometimes such a style can backfire on the author, driving away the reader, but in Porath’s case, and with this subject matter, it serves to showcase how amazing, resilient, resourceful, and awesome these women were. Some of these stories are difficult. Some are stomach-turning. Some make you want to take up arms and jump through time to fight along some of these women, and some had me cheering out loud. 

The author has drawn inspiration from women all over the globe from every fathomable period of time. I loved reading about South American rebels, jumping to Chinese pirate queens, running over to Europe in the Middle Ages, and then flying down to Africa in the middle of the colonization of the continent. Even better, you know that “For the Sensitive Reader” section of our blog we feature? Porath has done the work for me, giving each story Maturity Rating 1-5, and then color coding what rates each — violence, self-harm, abuse, rape — so that the reader (or, in the case of my daughter), the reader’s mother knows which stories are acceptable for the maturity level of the partaker.

A note on that - since Porath has done the work for me as for labeling what’s appropriate, he doesn’t pull punches in the story. There’s no glossing over the unpleasantries, he respectfully and forthrightly states the  matter and moves forward. Please understand, this isn’t a gratuitous relay of salaciousness, since most of these biographies are only a page or two long, any information is pertinent to the narrative. 

I really loved this book. It infuriated me on some level (ahem, on the New Feminism level, cough, cough) that these women are so rarely heard of. If you’re looking for Amelia Earhart or Sacagawea, they won’t be in this book. This is for the princesses History books have chosen to leave out. It’s their ball this time.

Rating: Five stars

For the Sensitive Reader: Maturity levels 1-2 are safe. Higher than that, and pay attention to Porath’s ratings. He’s honest.

Friday, February 17, 2017

Hard to Die - Andra Watkins

Summary: No one knows what happened to Theodosia Burr, the fiery daughter Aaron Burr serenades in Hamilton: An American Musical. When she disappeared she fell into an in-between called Nowhere. For her soul to rest, she has one assignment: Help someone navigate a life-changing crossroad or be forgotten forever.

Theo is running out of time when she encounters Richard Cox, a West Point cadet who’s desperate. After someone from Richard’s past presents him with an impossible ultimatum, he has two choices: Return to spying on the Russians…or die.

As Theo and Richard battle adversaries, treachery collides with their growing passion. Can they trust each other enough to elude their enemies? Or are they pawns for a bigger foe determined to destroy them?

Hard to Die is the first book in the Nowhere Series, a speculative blend of riveting suspense, forgotten history, and a dash of paranormal fiction. If you like edge-of-your-seat action, compelling characters, and white-knuckle emotion, you’ll love the first installment in Andra Watkins’ page-turning series. (Summary and image from goodreads.com.  I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.)

Review: Theodosia Burr Alston was a woman out of time when she was alive. Educated as much as any man while she was alive, taught to ride, shoot, negotiate, pursue what she wants and get it, this isn't a woman who was the standard for the early 1800s. Even in death, she's not normal. Her death is a mystery -- either attacked by pirates, or lost at sea during a storm -- which has locked her in the Nowhere until she either helps guide someone through a life-changing decision, or until she has failed to do so thirteen times. But Theo, as she prefers to be called, has plans of her own. Revenge upon the man whom she blames for the death of her son and the political death of her father Aaron Burr.

Andra Watkins has certainly chosen interesting heroes and villains for her newest series. I loved the tidbits of real history scattered throughout her narrative, even when the paranormal aspects start to spiral a bit. Watkins has certainly done her research as to Burr Alston's life, personality, and her death. Kidnapped by pirates or lost at sea is actually the presumed theory for her death (which totally surprised me!). Her nemesis in the series, Gen. Wilkinson, is indeed the man responsible from Aaron Burr's fall from any grace he had after the whole Hamilton duel. However, it seems that Watkins chose to follow Burr Alston's relationship with Meriweather Lewis based on rumors and speculation.

The storyline itself was unfortunately quite convoluted.  I felt like it was a disservice to Burr Alston and how intelligent she is reported to have been. Her actions seemed to only have been driven by carnal desire and revenge, caring little for whatever mission she has been assigned and more interested in how to either seduce her charge or clumsily, foolhardily, and ridiculously trying to murder Gen. Wilkinson. Truly, the further along in the storyline we got, the worse her plots became. For a genius, the woman stinks as a spy.

Further, it felt like using Burr Alston as the heroine was really just a grab on the success of Hamilton as her purpose in the book was to blunder into trouble. Her charge, Richard Cox, is faced with either returning to the spy game by spying on the Russians for the same Gen. Wilkinson that Theodosia is after, or remaining at West Point. His story is compelling, although drawn out. Through the entire novel, I couldn't see any help or guidance that Watkins was trying to portray. There were too many instances of stupid decisions, self sabotage, and lust--too much lust. It disturbed me to have the "heroine" in the book, so celebrated for her intelligence, wit, strategy, and ability in life, reduced to nothing more than a sexual object. And unfortunately, that's exactly where the book went. 

Theodosia Burr Alston is a complicated and amazing woman in history and deserves to be studied. But not like this.

Rating: One and a half stars


For the Sensitive Reader: So much sex. So many pages skipped. Stay away.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Loser - Jerry Spinelli

Summary: Zinkoff is like all kids -- running, playing, riding his bike.  Hoping for snow days, wanting to be his dad when he grows up.  But he also raises his hand with all the wrong answers, trips over his own feet, falls down with laughter over a word like "Jabip." The kids have a name to describe him, but Zinkoff is too busy to hear it.

Once again, Newberry Medal-winning author Jerry Spinelli uses great wit and humor to create the unique story of Zinkoff as he travels from first through sixth grades. Loser is a touching book about the human spirit, the importance of failure, and how any name can someday be replaced with "hero." (Summary from back of book)

My Review: I received this book as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) back in 2001 when I was in college and working as assistant manager at an independent bookseller.  Since then it has sat on my shelf, overlooked and unread.  Honestly, I felt kind of bad for it.  Poor little book.  Well, no more.  It's time has come!

Donald Zinkoff, is a bit of an outcast.  He can't play sports to save his life, has the most atrocious handwriting, poor coordination, and a tendency to vomit, but is blessed with an innocent, indefatigable spirit.  Put simply, he's an underdog that doesn't know he's an underdog, and I couldn't help but root for him.  After all, who wouldn't fall head over heels for a first grader sporting a three-foot tall giraffe hat, I ask you?  Only the heartless.

Loser is filled with moments both heartwarming and heart-wrenching as you follow Donald from 1st to 6th grade, seeing the world from both his perspective and occasionally from those who don't really appreciate him.  Whether he is facing the Furnace Monster, mucking up Field day, playing mailman for the day, spying on Waiting Man, or collecting his own earwax, Donald Zinkoff is a character of unique dimension, and blissfully unaware of the world's opinion of him.  My "mama bear" roared when he was mistreated by bullies or misunderstood by teachers and my mama heart soared when he kept on laughing, kept on searching, kept on trying, kept on just being... Zinkoff.  I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a quick (218 pages), uplifting, occasionally snort-inducing read.

My Rating:  4.25 Stars

Sum it up:  Loser won me over in a matter of minutes.

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