43. The School for Whatnots

The School for Whatnots. Margaret Peterson Haddix. 2022. 304 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: When Maximilian J. Sterling was born, his family celebrated by throwing a party for the whole city, complete with the biggest fireworks display anyone had ever seen.

Premise/plot: I do not want to give too much away. Yet, I want to give enough of a tease that YOU want to read this book. What to do???? Max, our hero, is best, best, best, best friends with a girl in his class, Josie. But on their last day of fifth grade, she leaves him a cryptic note: no matter what anyone tells you, I am real. He's puzzled. Of course, she's real. Why wouldn't she be real? What else could she possibly be? So begins his journey to find his best friend despite all odds. For his parents, sure enough, do come in with the, well, we've been keeping something BIG from you your whole life... and Max, well, Max doesn't handle it well. (Which is good for us! Plenty of tension, conflict, rising action!)

My thoughts: I loved this one. I loved, loved, loved it. I always talk big about how I go into "every" book with super low expectations. Nope, not Margaret Peterson Haddix. I always go in with HIGH expectations each and every time. I am rarely--if ever--disappointed. She's just that good.

I loved meeting Max and Josie. The unnamed (for most of the novel) narrator is interesting as well. I could see myself rereading this one at some point. I'd probably appreciate the narrator even more upon a second read. Perhaps be faster at picking up all the clues. This one was just a FUN puzzle to piece together. Great premise. Great carry through. (This isn't always the case with books. Sometimes there's an awesome premise but it just doesn't work all that great in execution.) I do think it's one that I will remember and want to come back to.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

42. The Sheep, the Rooster, and the Duck

The Sheep, the Rooster, and The Duck. Matt Phelan. 2022. 240 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: A carriage drawn by a single horse sped down a forest road. 

Premise/plot: The Sheep, the Rooster, and the Duck is historical fantasy set in nineteenth century France. (The prologue is set in 1783, the main action occurs two years later.) In some ways, it can best be described as animal fantasy. It does star a talking sheep, rooster, and duck after all. But it is so much more than that. The animals enlist two young children--a boy and a girl--to help them battle evil, if you will. The plot centers around protecting Benjamin Franklin (who is still in France) and to some extent saving the world. So it's animal fantasy, but it's more than animal fantasy if that makes any kind of sense.

My thoughts: I wanted to love this one. I did. I thought it sounded outlandish yet perfectly delightful. Yet it remains an almost for me. I almost fell head over heels in love with the characters. I almost fell in with the logic of this one. But for whatever reason it left me puzzled and confused here and there. Not a lot. Just a tad bit here, a tiny bit there. Enough that it started to add up slowly but surely. Perhaps a second reading would help. OR perhaps if the book included a list of characters and the tiniest clues to help me keep every person well placed in my mind. I understand the book is supposed to be about possible spies and definite deceptions and possible betrayals and such. So perhaps readers are supposed to be left guessing???

I still enjoyed this one more than not. Just not wholeheartedly.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

41. Once Upon a Tim

Once Upon a Tim. Stuart Gibbs. 2022. 160 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: There was a prince who was revered throughout the land for being exceptionally brave who was known far and wide for his cool and calm presence in the face of grave danger...and who was beloved and adored by all the people of his kingdom. This is not his story. It's mine. I'm Tim.

Premise/plot: Once Upon a Tim is set in the distant past. So distant that calendars and dates--not even days of the week--have been invented yet. Tim, our hero, is sharing directly with readers (breaking the fourth wall) his adventures and misadventures. 

My thoughts: This one was not my favorite or best. I do enjoy fairy-tale-esque stories. I can appreciate humor. But don't intermingle the real world with this "historical" long, long, long, long ago past. Don't talk about the internet, for example. The narration just bothered me. I never got past it.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

40. Cornbread and Poppy

Cornbread and Poppy. Matthew Cordell. 2022. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was winter.

Premise/plot: Cornbread and Poppy is the first in a new early reader series by Matthew Cordell. This first book introduces the characters Cornbread and Poppy--two mice who are as different as different can be. The three stories are all set in the winter season. The three stories are "The First Snow," "Holler Mountain," and "The Food Problem." The stories are linked together--build upon one another. 

Essentially, long story short, Cornbread is WELL prepared for winter; Poppy is ill-prepared for winter. The three stories are about these two working together to help Poppy out of a situation.

My thoughts: The moment I saw the cover, I knew I needed to read this one! The cover just says READ ME, READ ME! Mice in fiction are always a thousand times cuter (and more appealing) than mice in real life. So reading about these mice friends sounded like a treat.

I wasn't disappointed. I'm not sure that I loved, loved, loved it so completely that I push it (literally) into the hands of every single person I know. But I did push it into my mom's hands. (And I'll recommend it to my sister as well.) I definitely liked it well enough that I want MORE in the series.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

39. The Story of a Story

The Story of a Story. Deborah Hopkinson. 2021. [November] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: This is the story of a story. You arrive with a pencil or two, a big eraser, your favorite pencil sharpener, and a snack (a healthy one).

Premise/plot: This picture book celebrates WRITING STORIES. It is written in the second person. The protagonist 'you' is a young child who experiences a bit of writer's block... but inspiration comes at the end of the picture book.

My thoughts: Lovely illustrations, interesting premise. I can't say that I love, love, love the second person narration. I think it probably works better here than in most other cases. I can see this one being used as a read aloud in an elementary classroom. I think the text lends itself well to a read aloud. The book concludes with writing prompts for the beginning, middle, and end of "your" stories about bird "you" spot outside the window.

My favorite quote is "But other people's stories aren't exactly yours."

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

38. Even Robots Aren't Perfect

Even Robots Aren't Perfect. Jan Thomas. 2022. 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I sure do like to paint with you, Red Robot!

Premise/plot: Even Robots Aren't Perfect is a new early reader by Jan Thomas. There are three stories: "Magnificent Paintings," "Nobody Likes to Rust," "The Perfect Plan." Each story celebrates friendship all the while acknowledging that "even robots aren't perfect." In "Magnificent Paintings" Red and Blue Robot unintentionally hurt each other's feelings while complimenting each other's artwork. In "Nobody Likes to Rust," a present has unintentional side effects! In "The Perfect Plan," well, things don't go exactly according to plan.

My thoughts: I really love Jan Thomas. I do. I really LOVED the first two stories. I found both stories relatable AND funny. Especially the first story, "Magnificent Paintings." Some days are just like that! You find yourself in a situation where the more you say--no matter your intentions OR your phrasing--the other person keeps getting more upset and accusatory. This story explores how feelings are hurt and stresses the importance of reconciliation. "Nobody Likes to Rust" was perhaps a little less relatable, but, I found it funny. While it is the thought that counts when giving a gift, a little common sense can go a long way!
The third story I just found weird.

I definitely would recommend to fans of Jan Thomas.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

37. Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet

Planet Omar #1: Accidental Trouble Magnet. Zanib Mian. Illustrated by Nasaya Mafaridik. 2019. 224 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Khaa Toooo! There was a big puddle of spit on my little brother's forehead. It was mine. But, phew, he was still sleeping.

Premise/plot: This middle grade coming of age novel is heavily illustrated. Omar, the protagonist, is adjusting to life in a new house and a new school. Life at home and school isn't always easy...especially at school where there's a bully. At home, well, there's always SIBLINGS. Still despite some strife and tension, Omar's family is DELIGHTFUL.

My thoughts: Not every book "needs" a ton of conflict. This is one of those easy-going ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF THE JOURNEY type book. It isn't that the book lacks all conflict--remember there is a school bully that must be dealt with one way or another. (Also a slightly mean neighbor that must be tamed.) But mainly this is just an enjoying-life-as-it-comes read. Part of that is just a simple unpacking of his Muslim faith/culture. Sharing the ins and outs of his and his family's faith in action.

Omar and his family are good company.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

36. Tiny Cedric

Tiny Cedric. Sally Lloyd-Jones. Illustrated by Rowboat Watkins. 2021. [November] 44 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:  Once upon a time on the shortest street with the longest name in the highest palace with the hugest throne sat the tiniest king. His name was Cedric, King Me the First. And he didn't like being small. At all.

Premise/plot: Tiny Cedric learns a lesson...the hard way. Tired of being the small one, he decides, one day, to "banish" everyone who is taller....leaving a kingdom of BABIES.

My thoughts: This one was a hoot! I really enjoyed this one. It was just a silly, joyous book. I loved seeing Cedric interact with the babies! I loved seeing what the babies (and the king) would do next. Yes, there's a lesson to be learned. But it's also packed with humor.

Definitely recommended.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

35. David Dixon's Day as a Dachshund

David Dixon's Day as a Dachshund. (Class Critters #2) Kathryn Holmes. Illustrated by Ariel Landy. 2022. [April] 128 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: David Dixon's backpack wouldn't stop wiggling.

Premise/plot: Magical things happen in Mrs. Norrell's classroom. But to keep the magic going, well, students have to keep it hush hush. David Dixon may have a super adventurous day, but, it's not like he can talk about it the next day with his classmates!

So the hush, hush secret is that Mrs. Norrell's students--one at a time, obviously--can transform into an animal to spend a day. In the first book, Tally Tuttle transforms into a turtle. David Dixon transforms into a dachshund. Which is interesting considering the fact that he brought his dog--a dachshund--for show and tell (without permission). So not only does he get to experience life through the eyes of a dog, he gets to play with his own dog as a dog.

But he also realizes throughout the book--slowly but surely--that maybe he isn't being the most responsible.

David lives for fun...but dog ownership requires a bit of maturity and responsibility. T

My thoughts: I like this series. This is the second book in the new series. I think it is appropriate for early elementary grades (first through third, perhaps). The age of the characters probably don't sync up perfectly with the reading level of the book. (This is fairly typical.)

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers