Wednesday, October 26, 2022

176. Odder


Odder. Katherine Applegate. Illustrated by Charles Santoso. 2022. 288 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: not (exactly) guilty
In their defense,
sharks
do not (as a rule) eat
otters.
True, sharks sometimes
taste them
by mistake, leaving
frowning bites
or the jagged clue
of a tooth or two.
But then,
in fairness,
nobody's perfect.

Premise/plot: Katherine Applegate's newest novel is an animal fantasy novel written in verse. Odder is an otter who has twice been rescued by humans--first as a pup and then a second time three years later. She has spent some time in the wild, but, ultimately her home may not be in the wild. 

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. I know my summary is on the weaker side. It is. I know it. You know it. But this one is SO GOOD. Trust me. Odder's voice is captured perfectly-perfectly. I loved her voice. The poems are so wonderful and compelling. I had all the feels for this one. I was definitely nervous in places--you may be too--but ultimately this is a grin from ear to ear read that is just incredibly satisfying. 


 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

175. Max Can Read


Max Can Read. Rosemary Wells. 2022. [October] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: One day the mail carrier brought a big package to Max and Ruby's house. It came all the way from Uncle Gyorgy in Bulgaria. Inside were two boxes. "Happy Valentine!" said Max. "No, Max," said Max's sister, Ruby. "The picture on the card says Happy Double Birthday, Macks and Rubi!" 

Premise/plot: Max's gift from his uncle doesn't have instructions written in English. For most of the book, he struggles with trying to read the instructions. Frustrated that Ruby is playing with her gift, he is persistent and stubborn. If Ruby is too busy to help, it's Grandma to the rescue!!! But Grandma can't read Bulgarian either! But then Max realizes something--he doesn't need to read the words. He can READ the pictures in the instructions and perfectly-perfectly put together his air-powered jet-pack space suit. 

My thoughts: I am just going to confess at the start that I absolutely love, love, love, crazy love Max and Ruby. The television show is one of my absolute favorites. The theme song is a masterpiece. (I'll leave it to you to determine if I'm in jest.) I crazy love and adore Max and Ruby (Ruby and Max). So when it comes to reading books about Max and Ruby, well, I might be biased. 

What I love about this one is that Max (once again) proves he's smart and clever. He also makes a good point, there are many ways to READ. And you might even argue that the life skills of being able to read instructional pictures can be just as difficult as learning to read. Both skills are needed. Mechanical skills are important too.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

174. A Very Mercy Christmas


A Very Mercy Christmas. Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. 2022. [September] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Stella Endicott felt joyful. She felt like something miraculous might happen. She wanted to sing.

Premise/plot: Kate DiCamillo's newest picture book stars beloved characters from previous series (Mercy Watson and Tales from Deckawoo Drive). It is a Christmas story. Stella Endicott, our heroine, is gathering together a group to go caroling. But, well, the animals seem more inclined than the humans. Still, there's much joy to be found...and miracles can happen.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! I love Kate DiCamillo. I do. I loved seeing all the animals "singing" and expressing joy. I thought the story was cute. Definitely a sweet, heart-warming holiday tale. I do think a previous knowledge of Mercy Watson (and friends) helps a bit. This may not be the absolute best introduction to these characters. But loved it cover to cover.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Monday, October 24, 2022

173. Creepy Crayon!


Creepy Crayon! Aaron Reynolds. Illustrated by Peter Brown. 2022. [August] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Jasper Rabbit was struggling in school. He was flunking math. He was failing spelling. The only subject he was passing was art. Jasper needed serious help. That's when he found...the crayon. It was purple. Pointy. And perfect. And somehow...it looked happy to see him.

Premise/plot: Creepy Crayon is a Twilight Zone-esque picture book. Jasper Rabbit, the protagonist, is about to enter the Twilight Zone. He's about to learn that some things are too good to be true. (Among other things). The purple crayon, at first, seems like the BEST, BEST, BEST thing that ever happened to him. But, he starts to change his mind over the next few days. His dream-come-true turns nightmarish!

My thoughts: I have not read the other titles in the series. There's also Creepy Carrots and Creepy Pair of Underwear. In fact I had never heard of this series until coming across this one. I am so glad I read this one. I loved the Twilight Zone vibes. It was so deliciously creepy.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Sunday, October 23, 2022

172. The Three Billy Goats Gruff


The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Mac Barnett. Illustrated by Jon Klassen. 2022. [October 18] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Once upon a time there was a bridge. And beneath that bridge, there lived a troll. 

Premise/plot: The troll who is "practically starving" narrates Klassen's adaptation of the folk tale The Three Billy Goats Gruff. It has many--if not most--of the traditional elements of this one, including all the clip, clop, clip, clops. But it adds a bit more as well--the troll's perspective for one. The goat LOVES to 'count the ways' he likes to prepare (and eat) goat. But it is the lengthier ending that allows for the most creative expression.

 My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! I'll have to recommend it to my sister who does a folk/fairy tale unit. I really liked that they kept the bare bones of this story. It isn't too 'out there' of an adaptation. But I also really love the originality in it! I love the ending. I think it works well. 


© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Saturday, October 22, 2022

171. Who Was A Daring Pioneer of the Skies? Amelia Earhart


Who Was A Daring Pioneer of the Skies? Amelia Earhart. Melanie Gillman. 2022. [August] 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Thank you all for joining me here! I am very pleased to finally announce what will be my newest venture. 

Premise/plot: Who Was A Daring Pioneer of the Skies? Amelia Earhart is a nonfiction graphic novel in the Who HQ series. Most of the story unfolds in comic panels. Occasionally there's a full page of text--an aside, if you will--that provides further background and context to the main narrative. The focus is almost exclusively on her last flight. The last third (pure guess on my part) are told from others' perspective: those on the waiting side. The last few pages focus on the aftermath.

My thoughts: I have read many books on Amelia Earhart through the past three decades. I thought the narrative in this graphic novel was a little judge-y. It almost seemed smug in an I-told-you-so way. I don't know why that would be the intention of the author. I really don't think it was. Perhaps I just misread the tone. (Totally possible.) There seemed to be some contempt for Amelia's husband, G.P. Putnam, throughout the book. Like he played a large part in why her venture failed and ultimately why she died. Again perhaps I just misread the tone. But I definitely got the feeling in the last few pages that Putnam was being held in contempt by the author. It isn't unusual in instances like this for books to genuinely ask what if questions or if only speculations. Usually authors make this clear what they are doing--asking what if or speculating if only. That isn't the case here.

There is some tension--a good thing in a book--as the story unfolds. It was definitely the right choice and ultimately the only choice to change perspectives for the last leg of her journey. We see those on the other end, the waiting, the increase worry as the wait lengthens past what it should be if all was smooth. There is the tense--she must have run out of fuel by now, where could she be, why couldn't we contact her,  why can't we contact her, did she go off course, did she crash, where did she crash, etc. The same questions that haunt us now. 

So I liked some things for sure. But the text seemed a bit bias against her husband and a tiny bit against Amelia herself. Like Amelia was too proud, too smug, too confident to take the time to actually prepare or learn what she needed to learn in order to attempt this. 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Thursday, October 20, 2022

170. Doggo and Pupper Save the World


Doggo and Pupper Save The World (Doggo and Pupper #2) Katherine Applegate. Illustrated by Charlie Alder. 2022. 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: In a sweet spot of sun, Doggo dozed. In a fine patch of dirt, Pupper dug. Life was good.

Premise/plot: Doggo and Pupper--a lovable duo--are back in their second book. Pupper wishes he could be a hero, but, fears that he's not hero-material. Together these two will end up being heroes to a baby bird. 

My thoughts: I LOVE these two dogs so much. The story is cute, adorable, sweet, playful, fun, and probably predictable. But when there's so much to love, do I mind a predictable book? Not at all. I hope these two star in many more books. If you have a young reader ready for early chapter books, this series is great. I love the illustrations and the text.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

169. Ballewiena


Ballewiena. Rebecca Bender. 2022. 32 pages. [Source: Library] 

First sentence: Dotty dreamed of being a ballet dancer. When told to sit, she would plie. When asked to stay, she would assemble. When commanded to roll over, she would pirouette.

Premise/plot: Dotty [a dachshund] loves, loves, loves to dance. However, her owner doesn't see a brilliant ballerina-dog in the making, she sees a dog in need of obedience training. The obedience school doesn't see a brilliant dancer either, just a disobedient dog who seems incapable of sitting, staying, or following basic commands. Will Dotty's dancing ever be praised and appreciated?

My thoughts: I absolutely love, love, love, love, love, crazy love the title of this one. The word play of ballerina and ballewiena was great fun. The narrative itself was enjoyable. I liked it well enough. I didn't love it, but I liked it. This dog loves to dance. And it's fun to imagine a dog dancing, but, the text gets a bit repetitive after a while. Almost becoming more of a lesson in all the dance terminology than a story-story. That being said, I am thankful there was a pronunciation guide provided on the end papers. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

168. Two-Headed Chicken


Two-Headed Chicken. Tom Angleberger. 2022. [September] 208 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Among the infinite universes in the multiverse...anything is possible! In one universe you are a famous rock star. In another universe you are a famous country star. And in a lot of universes you are really awesome but not famous...

Premise/plot: Two-Headed Chicken celebrates the absurd. Tom Angleberger's books have always leaned that way--whimsical, odd, absurd, unique. But this new book--a graphic novel--goes a step or two beyond that. Readers meet a two-headed chicken, a special two-headed chicken who a) has a special cap that allows them to travel through *all* the universes in the multiverse b) is being chased by a green moose named Kernel Antlers who wants to fry you. Readers hop--alongside the chicken--through many, many, many universes--all wacky and whimsical--trying to outrun Kernel Antlers. Will they ever find a universe free from this strife???

My thoughts: This book is incredibly silly. If you are looking for a super-serious, incredibly realistic, thought-provoking book, then you'll probably not enjoy this crazy, wacky, absurd trip through the multiverse. It makes use of several different types of humor. [So even if you don't laugh at one thing, you might at another. Also keep in mind that what makes a kid giggle won't necessarily make an adult laugh and vice versa.]

If your young reader enjoys Tom Angleberger, then this one is definitely worth looking for and adding to your library.

 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

167. Just Harriet


Just Harriet. Elana K. Arnold. 2022. 208 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: My name is Harriet Wermer. There are some things you should know about me before I tell you everything else. Let's start with the worst things first. Sometimes I lie. I don't know why I lie, and it's usually about dumb things that people figure out right away, or really soon. 

Premise/plot: Harriet's summer doesn't go according to her plan. [Well, her parents' plans either if you think about it]. Her mom--who is pregnant--is put on bed rest. Harriet [and her cat Matzo Ball] are sent to live with her grandmother [nanu] who owns a bed and breakfast [and a dog]. Harriet normally loves, loves, loves to spend time visiting her nanu on the island. But not for the whole summer, not in this way with her mother being sick and her father being worried. But sometimes what you DON'T WANT is exactly what you need. There is a light mystery in this coming of age novel starring a soon-to-be fourth grader.

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed Just Harriet. I loved Moneypenny [the dog] and Matzo Ball [the cat]. I enjoyed the special relationship between grandmother and granddaughter. I liked seeing Harriet explore the island and work on a little light mystery. Harriet is really taking the time to consider what her father's childhood on the island was like. [Which I appreciated.] It was a good read.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

166. Ruby Finley vs. The Interstellar Invasion


Ruby Finley vs. the Interstellar Invasion. K. Tempest Bradford. 2022. 208 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ruby loved bugs. She loved the cool-looking ones and the creepy ones and the pretty ones and the huge ones. The ones with six legs and eight legs and a thousand legs and no legs. She loved looking at them and talking about them and learning about them and picking them up. That last one was usually what got her in trouble.

Premise/plot: Ruby Finley, our protagonist, loves bugs and science. When her unidentifiable find--a bug, of course--brings the "G Men" (government men in suits) to her neighborhood, she doesn't quite know what to think. It's strange, strange, and super-strange. But, they leave claiming that the "assassin bug" has been found and collected. But in the weeks that follow, strange things keep occurring in her neighborhood/community. And Ruby and her friends soon start investigating these strange happenings. But this curiosity could lead to great danger....or great friendship....or maybe a bit of both.

My thoughts: The Interstellar Invasion of the title gives a bit of the plot away. Still the "alien" elements of this story are long in coming. Don't expect alien action from chapter two--or even chapter three. Most of the book is just Ruby living her life--loving science, loving her friends, struggling with rules and restrictions. If you come with the right expectations--a science-loving girl working on a science project and hanging out with friends--then this one is an enjoyable [enough] read. (Perhaps readers who share Ruby's interest in bugs will be even more excited.) 

I don't know if the book is setting up for a series or if it's a stand-alone.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Thursday, October 13, 2022

165. Race to Fire Mountain


Race to Fire Mountain (Future Hero #1) Remi Blackwood. 2022. [August] 144 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Jarell raced up the five flights of stairs to his apartment, but he couldn't escape the memory of his classmates' laughter. Or his teacher's very angry face.

Premise/plot: After a bad day at school, Jarell realizes he has lost his house key. While waiting for his older (and much annoyed brother) to come home to let him in, he decides to visit his cousin Omari in his barber shop. He meets his cousin's new business partner, and, well, his life won't be the same again. He's given the VIP treatment, and, well learns that he can access another realm through a magical mirror. He is in fact...wait for it, wait for it...the future hero. He travels through the mirror to a magical realm, Ulfrica, and action and adventure await....

My thoughts: I do enjoy the travel-to-another-realm-through-magic genre or sub-genre. This one is for younger readers--I'd say mid-to-upper elementary school. It is illustrated. But it is not an early chapter book or graphic novel. This first book sets the stage and establishes characters. Further books probably will hold even more action/adventure in a fantasy realm.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Monday, October 10, 2022

164. The Area 51 Files


The Area 51 Files. Julie Buxbaum. 2022. [September] 304 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "What happens in Area 51 stays in Area 51. Seriously, that's it. That's the most important rule here." This is what my Uncle Anish says when I meet him for the very first time. 

Premise/plot: Sky Patel-Baum, our protagonist, has moved to Area 51 to live with her Uncle Anish. (Her grandmother, who has raised her up to this point after her parents died, is moving into a retirement community.) Her life will never be the same...because there's a whole other way of living in Area 51. She might as well be on another planet...

This one is a mystery science fiction novel. Sky and her new friends (or, to be fair one new best friend and one frenemy) have to solve a BIG mystery in a limited amount of time. The characters lend to speculative fiction classifying, but it is more mystery than anything else.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this quick read. It is illustrated, but not too heavily. I think this one is definitely more mystery than anything else. There are definite suspects, definite clues, and it is all about the process of solving a crime. The premise and setting are interesting. (Plenty of aliens). The humor is a little childish (a fair amount of farting/burping jokes), but remember I am not the target audience.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Saturday, October 8, 2022

163. Haylee and Comet: Over the Moon


Haylee and Comet: Over the Moon (Haylee and Comet #3) Deborah Marcero. 2022. 72 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ahheee!! A letter! A letter! Yay! Yay! Yah! I don't believe it. Me neither! So...umm... what can't we believe?

Premise/plot: Haylee and Comet are starring in their third graphic-novel-early-chapter-book. In this installment, Haylee's old best friend, Jojo, is coming to visit. Comet is thrilled to be included in this reunion. The three of them will have so much fun. But this visit isn't all-joy-and-happiness. Jojo realizes that Haylee and Comet share special times and memories and Comet realizes that Haylee and Jojo share special times and memories. There's a wee bit of jealousy here and there. 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. This series isn't my absolute favorite and best early chapter book series. But it is solidly-good. Graphic novels continue to be popular with young readers. I'm glad early chapter books and early readers are expanding into the graphic novel format. Some wonderful characters have been introduced (and developed) in graphic novels. Definitely worth picking up at your library to see if this series is for you and your young readers.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

162. Hey, Bruce!


Hey, Bruce! An Interactive Book. Ryan T. Higgins. 2022. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Get ready, Thistle and Nibbs. We're making an interactive book. Hooray! I don't know what that means! Hooray! Me neither! Interactive means the reader will make things happen inside the book. I love readers! What's a reader? I have no idea. Sigh! The reader is who's looking at us right now. We're being looked at?! But we're not wearing pants! I can see up the reader's nose.

Ryan T. Higgins has a LOT of picture books (and some early readers) starring Bruce (the ever-grumpy bear) and his found-family. I do recommend reading at least a couple of the earlier books first. If this is your absolute first introduction to Bruce (and family) then you might find it more annoying than amusing. If these characters are already among your friends, then you'll enjoy (to some degree at least) this interactive book. 

Are interactive books for everyone? That's a fair question. The same could be said for interactive television shows like Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Blue's Clues, Super Why, Little Einsteins, Team Umizoomi, Dora the Explorer, etc. (I am sure I am missing a ton of shows that fall into this category.) 

But if you DO like to interact, then this one might be worth looking up.

I found this one fantastically silly, over-the-top silly. I didn't mind a bit because I love Bruce and his little found-family. I think the illustrations are always so expressive. Bruce is so relatable. Is it my favorite in the series? Definitely not. But I enjoyed it. 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Thursday, October 6, 2022

161. How Kind!

 

How Kind! (Board Book) Mary Murphy. 2022. 24 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hen gave Pig an egg. "How kind!" said Pig.

Premise/plot: This board book celebrates acts of kindness. One kind act leads to another and another and another and another. These barn animals are going to have a great day.

My thoughts: This was a cutesy, sweet, adorable board book starring farm/barn animals. I enjoyed it. I think it pairs nicely with just about any other farm board book out there. (There are so many great ones.) This would be a good book to share one on one with a little one on your lap.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

160. Even Robots Can Be Thankful


Even Robots Can Be Thankful. Jan Thomas. 2022. 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Wow! I'm thankful to have my cold, wet shoes off! And I'm really thankful I'm not rusting out in that storm anymore.

Premise/plot: Even Robots Can Be Thankful is the second book in Jan Thomas' new robot early reader series. There are three stories within this one: "Bump in the Night," "Sorting Bolts," and "The Train Trip." The two main characters are red robot and blue robot. 

My thoughts: It is enjoyably predictable and same-same. If you've read any early chapter book starring two characters in the past twenty years, then you've got some idea of what to expect. The humor is there--no doubt or question about that. It's just not particularly unique or original. I love, love, love, love, love Jan Thomas' series starring the farm animals. They are extremely funny and just a joy. 

 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

159. Snail's Silly Adventures


Snail's Silly Adventures. Mary Peterson. 2020. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Snail lived in a bucket.

Snail's Silly Adventures combines two previously published early chapter book graphic novels. (Snail Has Lunch; Snail Finds a Home). Snail loves, loves, loves, loves his bucket. And he loves his bucket-life. True, he never leaves his bucket, but that is just fine with him. Ladybug, his only visitor, keeps urging him--kindly, gently, firmly--to expand his horizons beyond the bucket. But it takes a little more nudging from fate to get Snail out of his bucket....

Once out of his bucket, Snail has two adventures. 

I loved this one. It was a recommendation from my sister. I thought this was a great read. It is something that I probably wouldn't have picked up on my own, but something I am so glad that I read. Definitely recommended.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

158. Ballet Bruce


Ballet Bruce (World of Reading, Level 1) Ryan T. Higgins. 2022. [July] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The geese want to do ballet today. But they need help. Will Bruce help them do ballet? The geese use sad geese eyes. 

I've lost count of how many Bruce books there are in the world, but, you should go out and read them one and all. 

In this early reader, Bruce is helping the geese "do ballet." It is very, very, very, very time consuming. Mostly it involves a lot of back and forth and back and forth as he buys everything they need. (I think my favorite part was when the store was out of fancy dance pants but had prancing dance pants on sale.) 

Bruce in all his grumpy glory has a heart of gold. I love and adore him so, so, so, so much. In this one--like so many--he is very relatable. I think parents will surely be able to relate to Bruce's ordeal! I do think the book offers plenty of giggles to younger readers as well.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

157. Violet and Jobie


Violet and Jobie In the Wild. Lynne Rae Perkins. 2022. [September] 240 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The SNAP! of the cheese game was frightening if you weren’t expecting it. Or even if you were. Violet and Jobie stuffed tissue into their ears. Together they lifted the snapping pole, then moved into their assigned places: Jobie crouching in front, Violet reaching up behind him.

Premise/plot: After Violet and Jobie are caught, these brother-sister mouse siblings are released in the wild. Before, nature was something that they watched on the television screen, not something that they actually experienced. But now that they are in the wild, they have to find a way to survive. Not just against the elements, but against predators as well. These two find a great friend in Zolian (I believe I have the name right; I didn't write it down in my notes). With a little help from an older--much older--and wiser--much wiser mouse, these two may be able to live out their lives. But being a mouse is always risky.

My thoughts: My favorite thing about Violet and Jobie was the narrative. I loved the writing. I enjoyed the characterization. It is--in my opinion--a bittersweet novel. But if you enjoy animal fantasy OR coming of age novels OR novels with a Kate DiCamillo touch, then this one should be one you consider. I absolutely loved, loved, loved parts of this one.

Quotes:

Let’s go toward the sun,” she said. “At least we’ll be going in a straight line.”
And so, they did.
They couldn’t always see the sun, but they could see the shadows, and then guess where the sun was. For quite a long time, they made their way silently. Sometimes they clambered over a boulder or skirted a puddle. After each obstacle, they checked to see where the light was, and where there was shadow. And then they continued on, as lost in their own thoughts as they were in this world. Violet’s thoughts bounced all around. She thought about cheese, and where and whether it could be found in this strange place. She thought about their mother and father and brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and cousins, who would be wondering where they were. 
 
“It’s not going to be a human house,” he said. “There are no human houses here.”
“I know that,” she said. “But—”
“But what?” asked Jobie.
The truth was, Violet didn’t know But what. She was going through a process. She was getting used to an idea. The idea that life was going to be different now.
The first hollow they looked at (that didn’t smell of fox) seemed unbearably primitive. Horrible. And they were all much the same after that. But she began to notice slight differences: how this one felt sort of cozy. How this other one had a good view. How the next one had an alcove, almost an extra room. She knew she was going to have to settle for something soon. They stopped to rest and get a drink of water at the edge of a pond. As she wiped her mouth with her paw, which was now muddy so of course she had to then rinse it off and wipe her face again, Violet surveyed the scene. Trees, trees, trees. And rocks. Mud and dirt. She glared at the trees. And the rocks, the mud, and the dirt.
 
And then he couldn’t remember what he was trying to remember. Oh, yes—the familiar flavor. But he couldn’t even taste it anymore. It had blended in with the rest of his mouth.
“Let it go,” he told himself as he drowsed off once more. “You’ll figure it out tomorrow.”
Which, in a way, was an answer to the question what does it taste like? Because if there was going to be a tomorrow, what it tasted like was hope.

And then another mouse, Bear (Because he was big and burly. For a mouse.), explained an even more complicated game where a mouse pretended to be another animal that was pretending to be even another animal, and they had to guess both. To demonstrate, Bear pretended to be a bee pretending to be a snake. It was almost impossible to act out, and even harder to guess, but they all laughed so hard they couldn’t see straight. Tears of laughter streamed down their cheeks.
 
“Jobie is right,” she murmured as she hurried down the tree and into the connecting burrow. “I will be fine. I will be fine. I will be fine.
“I will be alone and miserable, but fine.” She laughed. And when you hear yourself laugh, that’s when you know that you really will be fine. Eventually. Maybe even sooner.
Violet hummed a little as she searched the tunnels and chambers of Zolian’s abode. He didn’t seem to be in any of the usual spots, but with Zolian, this was not unusual. She called out his name and was impressed by the cheeriness of her own voice.
“Good job, Violet,” she said. She called out again and listened for a response, but heard nothing. She began to worry. Until she remembered that the day before, Zolian had told her about the migration of the sandhill cranes.
“It’s really something to see,” he had said. “I came upon it in my rambling days, and I still like to make the pilgrimage. They are very large birds, and thousands of them lift up and fly all at once. Really heart-stopping.

Her courage flagged. She had been quite brave, she thought.
“How many times do I have to be brave?” she asked. She knew the answer: At least one more time. Always one more time.
“I don’t want to,” she said.
It’s scary when you don’t know what to do. But if you can think of one or two things that you do know how to do, and then do them, that can help.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

156. Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie Thief


Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie Thief (Cookie Chronicles #4) Matthew Swanson. Illustrated by Robbi Behr. 2022. [September]  304 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ben Yokoyama scooted glumly down the sidewalk with a thump thump thump. He was mad enough that stubbing his toe would have taken him all the way to furious. But he wasn't quite mad enough to stop and kick an unsuspecting tree.

Premise/plot: Ben Yokoyama is still addicted to cookies, and his favorite may just be the fortune cookies in his daily lunch. (For the fortune, not the cookie). But when a school bully starts stealing his cookies...and his FORTUNES....something must be done. Justice for the playground is much needed...

My thoughts: This one reminded me of an episode of RECESS. Ben and his friends are being bullied into giving over their desserts (not just cookies) to the school bully. And they must team up to see that justice is served. But what is justice? Is it always so black and white? 

I have read all four books and enjoyed them. I would definitely recommend the series as a whole. Each fortune (from a cookie) allows for a different theme to be explored. The fortune in this one is the best things in life are free. 

Quotes:


Ben sighed in a way that was meant to be heard and admired. But no one was close enough
to appreciate it. He sighed louder. But the sidewalk remained empty. Not being able to share his mad feelings made Ben madder.

A lot of money seemed like less when it was gone.
 
His mad had turned to sad. Sad was for sitting down, so he sat on a bench and sighed again, daydreaming that a careless millionaire might wander by and drop a gold nugget at his feet.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Monday, October 3, 2022

155. Sometimes I Grumblesquinch


Sometimes I Grumblesquinch. Rachel Vail. Illustrated by Hyewon Yum. 2022. [August] 40 pages. [Source: Library]
 

First sentence: My name is Katie Honors and I'm a really nice kid. I always go along nicely.

Premise/plot: Katie, our protagonist, is super nice. But sometimes--only sometimes--her emotions overwhelm her and she grumblesquinches. Sometimes quietly, softly. Sometimes loudly and dramatically. In this picture book, Katie loses patience with her younger brother, her baby brother, Chuck. Will her parents still love her when isn't so super-incredibly nice and sweet?

My thoughts: Relatable. This book is definitely relatable. Not everyone would agree that this behavior/emotion is a grumblesquinch. (I found the word to be quite unique.) The message--and there is a moral to the story--is honestly sharing how you're feeling is always a good, healthy thing.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

154. How To Build An Orchestra


How To Build An Orchestra. Mary Auld. Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli. 2020. [October] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: This is Simon. Simon loves music. He loves to listen to it, and loves to make it. Sometimes Simon hums to himself, sometimes he sings and occasionally he whistles. But that really isn't enough for him--he wants to share music with everyone. That's why he is a conductor. A conductor is the person who leads an orchestra.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. The premise of this one is that Simon, the conductor, is holding auditions for the London Symphony Orchestra. The readers "listen in" on these auditions and subsequently have the opportunity to learn all about how to build an orchestra. 

My thoughts: Packed with facts--that's how I'd describe this one. The story is very loosely structured. The story holds up, I suppose, to a certain degree. But plenty will be able to guess this is just a "fun" way to teach young(er) readers to orchestra and orchestral music. I appreciate the layout and organization of this one. It is so structured. There are facts here, there, and everywhere. I'm definitely leaning towards this one being for older readers (upper elementary school).

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Sunday, October 2, 2022

153. The Unusual Suspects (Sisters Grimm #2)


The Sisters Grimm: The Unusual Suspects. Michael Buckley. Illustrated by Peter Ferguson. 2005. 292 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "Let's get this party started, already" Sabrina complained under her breath as she rubbed the charley horse in her leg. She and her seven-year-old sister, Daphne, had been crouching behind a stack of Diaper Rash Donna dolls for nearly three hours. She was tired, hungry, and more than a little irritated. For a week, they had been on this "stakeout" and it was beginning to look as if they had wasted another perfectly good night of sleep. Even Elvis, their two-hundred-pound Great Dane, had given up and was snoring on the floor next to them. Of course, how Sabrina wanted to spend her time wasn't really considered, she had learned, especially if there was a mystery afoot. 

Premise/plot: The Unusual Suspects is the second in this mystery-fantasy series by Michael Buckley. This line from the opening chapter sums up the series (and this title) quite nicely. "In most towns, the police do not rely on an old woman, two kids, and a sleepy dog to solve crimes, but Ferryport Landing was no ordinary town. More than half of its residents were part of a secret community known as the Everafters. Everafters were actually fairy-tale characters who had fled Europe to escape persecution. Settling in the little river town almost two hundred years ago, they now used magical disguises to live and work alongside their normal neighbors. Ogres worked at the post office, witches ran the twenty-four hour diner, and the town mayor was the legendary Prince Charming. The humans were none the wiser--except the Grimms. As fantastic and thrilling as it sounded to live among fairy-tale characters, it wasn't a dream come true for Sabrina Grimm. Being the last in a long line of Grimms (descended from the famous Brothers Grimm), she and her sister had had the family responsibility of keeping the peace between Everafters and humans thrust upon them no less than three weeks ago. And it wasn't an easy job."

Our story begins roughly three weeks after Fairy-Tale Detectives concluded, the two sisters are still adjusting to their new home. Still adjusting to living with 'the big, bad wolf' in his disguise as Mr. Canis. Still adjusting to their new stepbrother of sorts, the infamous Puck. But even more change is on the way: the two must begin attending school OR they'll be taken back into foster care and into the care of the dreaded Ms. Smirt. Changing schools is difficult for most kids, but it becomes even more challenging in Ferryport where some of the staff are Everafters...and some of the students are children of Everafters.

Sabrina had been to a lot of schools in the last year and a half, and they all had a few things in common. Every one of them had a couple of grouchy teachers, a bully, a bully's punching bag, a weird cafeteria lady, a bathroom that everyone was afraid to go into, and a librarian who worships something called the Dewey Decimal System. None of those schools, however, had a teacher-killing monster scurrying through its hallways. And they said New York City had everything. (90-91).
Even with all of the new adventures and mysteries to solve, Sabrina cannot and will not forget her most important mission: she's determined to find her missing parents and the Everafters responsible for their disappearance. But is her anger and frustration even more dangerous than she knows??? Find out in this second exciting installment of The Sisters Grimm.

My thoughts:  I am enjoying rereading this series. It has been over a decade (closer to fifteen years) since I first read this series. It is so enjoyable! I love the humor. I love the characters. This series started long before Once Upon A Time (the show) began. It is a super fun concept or premise. While it is highly unlikely the series would ever be adapted into a television show, I still think it would be fun.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers