Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle by Nina LaCour

April 29, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle by Nina LaCour
Publisher: Candlewick
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), LGBTQ, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A little girl stays home with Mama when Mommy goes off on a work trip in this tender, inviting story that will resonate with every child who has missed a parent.

For one little girl, there’s no place she’d rather be than sitting between Mama and Mommy. So when Mommy goes away on a work trip, it’s tricky to find a good place at the table. As the days go by, Mama brings her to the library, they watch movies, and all of them talk on the phone, but she still misses Mommy as deep as the ocean and as high as an astronaut up in the stars. As they pass by a beautiful garden, the girl gets an idea . . . but when Mommy finally comes home, it takes a minute to shake off the empty feeling she felt all week before leaning in for a kiss. Michael L. Printz Award winner Nina LaCour thoughtfully renders a familiar, touching story of a child who misses a parent, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita, whose distinctive style brings charm and playfulness to this delightful family of three.

It’s never fun to be left behind.

One of my favorite scenes happened early on when the main character was in a classroom setting and mentioned missing her Mommy. The details might differ a little from one family to the next, but everyone misses someone they love at one point or another. Seeing how the teacher and her classmates responded to her was heartwarming. I couldn’t have imagined a better response to her admission that she was having a hard time.

The only thing I wish had been written differently in this tale was the ending. There were so many touching scenes earlier on in the plot that I was a bit surprised by how quickly it was all wrapped up. It would have been nice to have an extra scene or two at the end where the girl talked about her week at home with Mama and heard what Mommy had been up to during her business trip as well.

This was a gentle, honest exploration of how a young girl dealt with going through her normal daily routines while her Mommy was away. It’s hard for a little one to be separated from a parent even if it’s temporary and for a good reason. I thought it was lovely that she felt comfortable sharing her feelings with her Mama, her teacher, and the many other supportive people in her life. That is an excellent way to deal with difficult feelings, and it made me eager to recommend this.

Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle was a wonderful read.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Magicians of Ysavar by Z.B. Lee

April 29, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Magicians of Ysavar by Z.B. Lee
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Johan Finley dreams of being a warrior for his home, Center City, but he is devastated when his own arrogance costs him his dream. When all seems lost, a cheery little fellow comes knocking on his door. Johan could never expect the fantastic journey that awaits.

There is one problem: Blazer, an enchanted sword, has fallen into the wrong hands. A shadowy enemy seeks to use this powerful weapon to turn the tides in a greater war of good versus evil. Johan must find the strength to face down this sinister foe and take back the sword before it’s too late.

Under the tutelage of a wise magician and a battle-tested knight, along with the friendship of a courageous halfling, Johan is going to learn what it means to be a true hero in the Order of Ysavar. But when the fate of the world rests on his shoulders, will he crack under the pressure? Or will he rise to the occasion?

Sometimes adventure sneaks up on you when you least expect it to.

The world building in this novella was fantastic. It explained everything the reader needed to know clearly while still leaving ample room for a sequel to dive much more deeply into the history of Articus and what the various races in this world thought of each other. These were complex topics that Johan and the audience were just beginning to understand. The author did such a good job of explaining them and showing what life was like for the members of the Order of Ysavar that I felt as though I were walking alongside the characters every step of the way.

I would have liked to see more attention paid to character development, especially when it came to Johan. Other characters mentioned his faults a few times, but there weren’t enough opportunities for the audience to see whether their opinions of Johan were correct or how he grew as a result of his experiences in my opinion. Even a few extra scenes showing this would have been sufficient. This was the only thing holding me back from selecting a five-star rating.

The plot was fast-paced and exciting. I was intrigued by how it explored what happens after someone failed to accomplish a goal in one of the very first scenes. That wasn’t something I’ve seen discussed in quite the same way in most of the fantasy I’ve read, so it immediately piqued my attention. It’s always nice when authors play around with the audience’s expectations and keep us guessing like that. This is all I can say on that topic without sharing spoilers, but do pay close attention if or when the storyline veers away from what you assumed might happen next.

The Magicians of Ysavar made me yearn for more.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Melissa by Alex Gino

April 19, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Melissa by Alex Gino
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre: YA, Middle Grade, Contemporary, LGBTQ
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

BE WHO YOU ARE.

When people look at Melissa, they think they see a boy named George. But she knows she’s not a boy. She knows she’s a girl.

Melissa thinks she’ll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte’s Web. Melissa really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can’t even try out for the part… because she’s a boy.

With the help of her best friend, Kelly, Melissa comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte — but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.

You have to be who you are, no matter what.

I loved this story. I did. I loved reading about Melissa coming into her own and finding who she was always meant to be. The writing was authentic and empathetic, too. I read this in one day and recommend it strongly.

Melissa was born George but she’s never felt like a boy. She feels like a girl. This is her story of coming into her own and being the girl she was always meant to be. This book won’t be for everyone, but it would definitely help a young person understand that the feelings they have—wanting to wear a dress or be a tomboy—isn’t bad. This is a young person’s story. It’s told like a young person would tell it. There are moments where things are awkward, where there’s acceptance and where Melissa shines. I loved the portrayal of Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web. That was the best.

If you’re looking for a book that explains how a young person sees themselves and how one young person born one way can feel another, then this is the book for you. I recommend it highly.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

How to Grow Happiness by Kelly DiPucchio

April 18, 2022 By Leave a Comment


How to Grow Happiness by Kelly DiPucchio
Publisher: Rodale Kids
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Jerome the Gnome takes young readers on whimsical adventures through his garden, celebrating discovery and sowing the imagination as he introduces topics such as science, environmental awareness, and agriculture.

In How to Grow Happiness, Jerome and his fellow Garden of Wonder dwellers—including Oakie, his pet acorn; Nutilda, a hyperactive squirrel; and Warble, a fast-talking bird—learn what it takes to make a happiness seed blossom. Through patience, asking for help, and teamwork, Jerome and his friends take a little black seed left on a windowsill and find ways to help it grow. They soon find that as it flourishes, their own happiness does too.

Jerome the Gnome teaches young readers and listeners how a garden grows, as well as how a community comes together to make the experience more rewarding—and fun!

Nurturing a seed is harder than it looks.

When I first met Jerome the Gnome, I was impressed by how hopeful he was that his little black seed would turn into something marvelous. When his first few ideas for encouraging it to grow didn’t work out, his sadness made me like him even more. No one can be cheerful all of the time, so it made perfect sense for his disappointment to dampen his mood. With that being said, one of the reasons why I gave this a perfect rating had to do with how he behaved after he acknowledged his frustration and disappointment. It couldn’t have been a better reaction to those completely understandable emotions.

Writing metaphorical stories for preschoolers definitely isn’t easy, but Ms. DiPucchio sure made it seem like it is. She struck the perfect balance between telling an engaging tale about a gnome who just wanted his seed to wake up and encouraging her audience to think of ways we could act like Jerome in our own lives when our best efforts don’t seem to be paying off. Honestly, this was something I’d be just as eager to share with adults as I would with the audience it was written for due to how much effort the author put into developing her message.

I smiled my way through the last couple of scenes as the characters took note of everything a seed needs in order to start growing. There was an addition to this list that was beautiful and poetic. It was also a great deal of fun to guess what seed might turn into when it grew up. No, I won’t be giving out any hints there. This is something that each reader definitely needs to discover for themselves.

How to Grow Happiness was utterly delightful.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

*Pink and Country by Emmanuelle Snow

April 14, 2022 By Leave a Comment


*Pink and Country by Emmanuelle Snow
Publisher: Smart Lily Publishing, Inc.
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

A Broody Musician
Carter Hills is my moody and hot-as-hell country music star new neighbor.
How I didn’t recognize him when I rented the cabin next to his for a month is still a mystery. Yeah, I bet he had a great time messing with me on purpose. And disrupting all my plans.

The guy is not only Nashville’s most eligible bachelor, but he’s a pain in my a**. Worse, he’s acting like he knows better. But he is about to discover I can master that game too. I’m not some innocent damsel in distress. I can definitely take care of myself.

The Sassy Colorful Girl Next Door
My heart rate picks up every time we’re together, but it doesn’t matter, his attitude should be enough to ward me off him. But still, the more I get to know him, the closer I want to get.

Despite our banter, Carter is always coming back for more, and my month-long retreat isn’t going as expected.

Should I push him away, or should I indulge in the fire searing between us and risk being burned?

Fall in love with Nashville’s hottest bachelor.

Emmanuelle Snow writes an intoxicating story about a famous country singer and a writer. This is a slow burn story with two main characters who are not looking for love, but find it when they are least expecting it.

Carter and April meet when they are both staying at separate cabins in the woods trying to get away from everything. They both have different reasons for wanting to get away, but when they meet, they seem to forget everything else.

I love reading stories about country stars, so I was excited to read this story. It is entertaining to watch Carter and April banter back and forth and fall in love. They have sizzling chemistry and I enjoyed all of their encounters.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

Cruz Finds His Way by Anne van Gessel

April 11, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Cruz Finds His Way by Anne van Gessel
Publisher: Balboa Press
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Cruz the Crow is about to embark on the single most important journey of his whole life: his solo-flight! But there is just one problem! All those letters and numbers that the other crows can read: well he can’t. How will he ever find his way? A charming and inspiring tale that tells kids it is ok to be different, and that we all have our strengths.

Everyone struggles with something, and those difficulties aren’t always obvious at first glance.

I liked Cruz as soon as I met him. Not only was he brave, he was persistent as well. It can be hard for anyone to keep trying at a skill they know they struggle with, and this is even more true for young crows or humans. He was a good example of how to acknowledge the frustration that happens in these circumstances without using it as an excuse to give up.

There were times when I wondered whether this picture book was meant to be read by or to children who have dyslexia or other conditions that make reading difficult. Some of the vocabulary words seemed like they’d be difficult for a child who was already struggling to read, but the storyline itself was geared to this age group. If the intended audience had been made clearer, I would have happily gone with a five-star rating.

My favorite part of it by far was the ending because of its realistic messages about living with dyslexia and dealing with hard topics in general. The message it sent about alternative ways to think about this disorder or anything else someone might find difficult to do with was perfect. All of us have things we wish we could be better at, and nobody excels at everything. The way the narrator used these facts to speak to the audience made this a book I’ll be recommending to anyone who is looking for reassurance.

Cruz Finds His Way was a wonderfully empathetic tale.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

Redlocks and the Three Bears by Claudia Rueda

April 7, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Redlocks and the Three Bears by Claudia Rueda
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

KNOCK! KNOCK! When the Three Bears answer the door, it’s not Goldilocks they meet, but a stranger from a different story. It’s Little Red Riding Hood—and the Big Bad Wolf is close behind her! Still, much unfolds as expected: porridge is eaten, a chair is broken, and there is a girl asleep in Baby Bear’s bed. Does Little Red fit in this book after all? Perhaps it’s the Wolf who will surprise us. With a bit of courage and much compassion, the Bears and Little Red learn that characters, just like the stories we tell, can change over time.

In this quirky combination of familiar fairy tales, Claudia Rueda tells a new story about what happens when we open our minds, hearts, and homes to the utterly unexpected.

Living happily ever after can look a little different for everyone, especially if you’re a talking bear who simply wants to finish their porridge in peace.

Ms. Rueda had a wonderful imagination that she put to full use in this tale. Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that pushed the boundaries of the children’s and fantasy genres so much that I grinned when I realized where the author was leading everyone. She certainly knew how to keep her audience guessing.

I would have liked to see a little more time spent resolving the conflict between Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. She was so worried about him in the beginning that I was surprised by how quickly that was all sorted out. As much as I loved the references to other fairy tales, it would have made more sense to me as a reader for this to be given extra space to be worked out between those two characters.

With that being said, this was an adorable retelling and mashup of two classic fairy tales. I appreciated the fact that the narrator assumed everyone reading it already knew how those stories traditionally played out and immediately moved on to showing how everything was different in this version. Writing it this way meant that my interest levels remained high, and I was eager to see what happened next. There were plenty of opportunities to pause and explain certain plot twists to little ones who might have questions about certain plot twists, too.

Redlocks and the Three Bears was imaginative and fun.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Stormcaller by Christine King

April 6, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Stormcaller by Christine King
The Murmuration #1
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Chamomile

Raised in fear of her elemental power, Seren has spent her life protecting her exiled people and trying to live up to their legends. When that responsibility is brutally taken from her, she and her shapeshifting friend Atomi must enter a divided world where their very existence is treason. Axys is a land of peace and prosperity for those in the Eternal Lady’s favour, but her benevolence comes at a cost that Seren and Atomi are unwilling to bear.

A storm wind stirs the long dormant ashes of rebellion.

Their legend is only just beginning.

It is an intriguing story of shapeshifters and elemental magic weirders. Stormcaller is somewhat more geared toward YA readers, but in an interesting take on magic and how the elements and nature around us affects us.

In the start we meet a pair of best friends, one a magic wielder, the other a shapeshifter, both types of magic commonly found among the Daggi people. It’s set in a unique tribal setting, and I loved the world building and setting in this one!

I do wish the story had been just a little more polished, as the POVs sometimes changed mid-chapter and some of the scenes were a little rushed, it made reading a tad choppier than I’d prefer, but overall wasn’t hard to follow and kept my attention. I’d also have liked it better if the character relationships had been a little deeper and more developed, but Stormcaller makes for an interesting debut, and I’d love to see more of this series and more from this author in the future!

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

April 5, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen
Publisher: Yearling
Genre: Contemporary, YA, Childrens (Grades 3-7)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

One day I was 12 years old and broke. Then Grandma gave me Grandpa’s old riding lawnmower. I set out to mow some lawns. More people wanted me to mow their lawns. And more and more. . . . One client was Arnold the stockbroker, who offered to teach me about “the beauty of capitalism. Supply and Demand. Diversify labor. Distribute the wealth.” “Wealth?” I said. “It’s groovy, man,” said Arnold.

If I’d known what was coming, I might have climbed on my mower and putted all the way home to hide in my room. But the lawn business grew and grew. So did my profits, which Arnold invested in many things. And one of them was Joey Pow the prizefighter. That’s when my 12th summer got really interesting.

A lawnmower leading to a fantastical situation? No way!

This is a fun little read. I dearly loved Hatchet by Paulsen, so when I saw this one, I had to pick it up. I’m glad I did. It was cute, funny and relatable.

The young man doesn’t think he’s all that special and he’s surrounded by characters, but when he’s given a lawnmower, he thinks he has no idea what do to with it. Then he decides to use it. His world opens up.

I liked that the young man realizes his power – he can help people and make a little money to get a new inner tube for his bike tire – with the help of the lawnmower. I liked that he came into his own and all because he found something that made him special. Kids do have super powers – they’re ingenious and caring.

The cast of characters around him and the situations he ends up in are fantastical, but sure to appeal to younger readers. How could one kid manage all this? That’s what makes it great.

If you’re looking for a book that features a kid, a lawnmower and even a prize fighter (don’t believe me? You’ll have to read it for yourself!), then this might be the book for you.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Carson Crosses Canada by Linda Bailey

April 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Carson Crosses Canada by Linda Bailey
Publisher: Tundra Books
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Feisty Annie Magruder and her dog, Carson, live in British Columbia, Canada, and they’re setting out to visit her sister, Elsie, in Newfoundland. In their little rattlebang car, packed with Carson’s favorite toy, Squeaky Chicken, and plenty of baloney sandwiches, Annie and Carson hit the road! They travel province by province, taking in each unique landscape and experiencing something special to that particular part of this vast, grand country. For example, they marvel at the beauty of the big, open sky — and grasshoppers! — in Saskatchewan and discover the gorgeous red earth and delicious lobster rolls in PEI, before finally being greeted by Elsie — and a surprise for Carson!

Who wouldn’t love a summer road trip?

I was excited to read a picture book about a Canadian woman who was a senior citizen. There are precious few main characters out there who fit all of those labels in this genre, so it was a thrill to finally meet one. Annie was such an adventurous person, too. She planned out her cross-country trip carefully and genuinely seemed to enjoy every new experience she had as she drove from British Columbia to Newfoundland. I also appreciated learning about her reason for making this drive. While I can’t share what it was without giving away spoilers, it made me smile to see how she made the best of a sad piece of news. That is definitely a skill that everyone should learn, kids and adults alike!

Carson brought a wonderful dollop of humor to Annie’s plans. He was a curious little dog who had no idea what to expect when his human decided to travel. Some of the funniest scenes were the ones where Annie interpreted Carson’s dog noises in ways that made it seem as though they spoke the same language and he genuinely understood the questions she was asking him. It showed off their close and loving relationship nicely, and it also made me giggle.

This tale did a wonderful job of sharing some of the most picturesque parts of Canada in kid-friendly ways. Anyone who is familiar with Canadian geography will probably be able to guess at least some of them, but the plot works just as well for readers who wouldn’t have the foggiest notion of where to find Saskatchewan on a map. I adored the fact that it left ample room for readers of all ages and backgrounds to bond with the characters and enjoy their trip.

Carson Crosses Canada was a gentle and marvelous adventure.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,
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