213. Surely Surely Marisol Rainey

Surely Surely Marisol Rainey. Erin Entrada Kelly. 2022. 160 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Marisol Rainey keeps a list in her head. She calls it her List of Favorites. Her best friend, Jada George, has a list, too. Marisol and Jada like to compare their lists because it's interesting to see all the ways they are the same and all the ways they are different. 

Premise/plot: Surely Surely Marisol Rainey is the second in the series. Marisol is still Marisol. [I love her so much!] In this one, she's working on tolerating sports. I guess that might be how you could describe it. 

My thoughts: I really love, love, love Marisol, I do. She's a fabulous character. I'd also have added gym class to my list of least favorite things. But, for me, feeling the way I do about sports, I just couldn't really connect the way I wanted to with this book. It was too much sports. And even knowing that Marisol herself didn't naturally like let alone love sports didn't really help overall. I wanted to love this second book just as much. But I'd almost rather the author tackled Marisol's dislike of radishes instead.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

210. What Is The Story of Ebenezer Scrooge?

What is the Story of Ebenezer Scrooge? Sheila Keenan. Illustrated by Andrew Thomson. 2022. 112 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: There is a tidy row of nineteenth-century brick town houses on Doughty Street in London, England. Behind the cheery red door at number 48, the rooms are decorated for Christmas. Presents are piled under a tree lit with candles. The halls are decked with holly and ivy. There are evergreens on the mantel of each fireplace. Wreaths and red bows are hung throughout the four-story building, and there is Christmas sheet music on the piano. It's all very merry, until a tall professor in a green sweater reads aloud: "Once upon a time--of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve--old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house." Meet Ebenezer Scrooge, one of beloved British author Charles Dickens's most famous characters.

Premise/plot: As an adult reader, I see this as a dressed up Cliffs Notes of sorts for young(er) readers. (Upper elementary, lower middle grades) Readers get a little biographical information on Charles Dickens, a little context for the story, the basic plot of the story, and some light (or "lite") literary analysis. It gives you a more thorough understanding than say watching Mickey's Christmas Carol. 

My thoughts: I don't honestly know what to think of this one. I know it's part of a greater series. I am very familiar with Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol. I think it does a decent [even good] job in explaining everything in a simpl(er) way. I would recommend to those who struggle a bit--whether they want to admit it or not--with reading comprehension. One could get a sense of the story by watching adaptations, but not all adaptations are faithful to the book. This one includes details that some adaptations leave out.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

203. PAWS: Gabby Gets It Together

PAWS #1: Gabby Gets It Together. Nathan Fairbairn. Illustrated by Michele Assarasakorn. 2022. [March] 176 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Ah, Jeez...this is not good. Whoa! Come on, you guys! Quit pulling! Take it easy!!

Premise/plot: Gabby Jordan, Priya Gupta, and Mindy Kim are close friends who start a dog-walking business together. But can their friendship withstand the hardships of working together?

All three--Gabby, Priya, and Mindy--love animals. But none have pets of their own. They desperately want to have actual relationships with actual animals instead of just watching videos on the internet. But three kids walking five dogs five (or more) days a week...can they handle it???

My thoughts: My first thought was that this was just like BABYSITTER'S CLUB except with dogs. That isn't a fair summary. It isn't. They are walking dogs, not babysitting them. And almost all days have them working together as a duo or trio--not solo jobs. But essentially, it is a book where kids start a business together and learn the ups and downs of it. I thought the book did a great job in showing some of the possible consequences! 

Relationships can be hard even without the added strain of working a business together.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

202. Waffles and Pancake: Flight or Fright

Waffles and Pancake #2: Flight or Fright. Drew Brockington. 2022. 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Waffles, you need to see this!

Premise/plot: Waffles and Pancake are going on an airplane for the very first time [accompanied by Mom-Cat]. They are going to be visiting Gramps and Grammers. They are super-excited about seeing them, but, flying on the plane is causing some anxiety. How does an airplane fly?

My thoughts: This graphic novel explores some of the mechanics of flight while continuing the story of Waffles and Pancake. This is the second book in this prequel series. I have not read the other series--where Waffles is a CAT (not a kitten).

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

201. If You Believe In Me

If You Believe In Me. Rosemary Wells. 2022. 28 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I am just a little bear
Sitting in a great big tree,
Dreaming of Somehow-Someday Things
That might just happen to me.

Premise/plot: If You Believe In Me is a picture book written in verse. It is a life-affirming, "inspirational," picture book packed with a straight-forward message. Little Bear can do just about anything BECAUSE the parents believe.

My thoughts: I liked the illustrations. I'm not quite as sold on the syrup-y sweet text. Some lines--upon consideration--just don't make all that much sense. It is a sentimental text that may appeal to adults. Or some adults.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

199. Busy Betty

Busy Betty. Reese Witherspoon. Illustrated by Xindi Yan. 2022. [October 4] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hi! Hello! Howdy! I'm Betty! I like doing things and making things and playing all day long! Sweet cinnamon biscuits, I love being busy!

Premise/plot: Betty, our super-cute-and-adorable heroine, is busy, busy, busy. She's always got a dozen things going at once. She isn't always the best at getting the job done, finishing what she starts, follow through, but she gives it her all. With a little help from friends and family, Betty generally gets back on track.

My thoughts: I thought the illustrations were super adorable. I absolutely loved how expressive and precious they were. True, not every reader wants precious, adorable, sweet. But I really enjoyed the illustrations. The story itself is funny [slightly predictable] and enjoyable.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

198. Loud Mouse

Loud Mouse: How A Little Mouse Found Her Big Voice. Cara Mentzel and Idina Menzel. Illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett. 2022. [September] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Dee loved to sing. 

Premise/plot: Dee (the cute, adorable mouse heroine) loves, loves, loves to sing. It makes her so incredibly happy. When she sings for show and tell at school, however, she learns a little life lesson. There's a slight hiccup [aka conflict] in the story, but it's not a huge problem to overcome. [It reminded me of how quickly conflict enters and exits in a sitcom like Full House].

My thoughts: I liked it well enough. I did. It was cute, sweet, adorable. It was a little text-heavy, perhaps. And it is slightly longer than the typical picture book. The message itself while not unique--be the best you, you can be--is not horrible. 

I liked the beginning. I liked the ending. The middle is confusing. Her physically changing sizes is slightly weird.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

196. Too Many Pigs and One Big Bad Wolf

Too Many Pigs and One Big Bad Wolf: A Counting Story. Davide Calì. Illustrated by Marianna Balducci. 2022. [September] 36 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Once upon a time, there were three little pigs. Then the wolf ate them. THE END.
This story is too short! I want a longer one! Once upon a time, there were four little pigs. The wolf ate the first three. Then he ate the fourth, but it took longer because that pig was bigger. THE END. This story is STILL too short. There must be other things happening! Once upon a time, there were five little pigs. The wolf ate the first, then the second, then third, fourth, and fifth. Meanwhile, there was a carnival in the woods. THE END. The little pigs always get eaten too fast! And what does a carnival have to do with anything?

Premise/plot: The big, bad wolf gets to eat a LOT of pigs in this imaginative retelling of the traditional folk tale. The little pigs are bantering with the narrator about the story, about how it is unfolding, and they are not at all happy. However, the narrator seems to be #teamwolf. The narrator mainly seems focused on making sure the wolf is HAPPY and FULL. How many pigs can a wolf eat???

My thoughts: I thought this one was SO MUCH FUN. Fairy tale adaptations can be a hoot. Not always. It's not a guarantee. There have been adaptations and retellings that have not been all that great. But this one, well, it is just fun. (As long as you are not one of the pigs]. 

The book is written as a dialogue of sorts. The text in red represents the pigs. The text in black is the narrator. Two people [adult and child] could easily read this one together. Of course, it doesn't have to be read that way. It would also, I imagine, be great to read aloud in a classroom or library setting. The story is VERY predictable which can be a great thing for this age group.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

194. Pete the Cat Plays Hide-and-Seek

Pete the Cat Plays Hide and Seek. James and Kimberly Dean. 2022. [September] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Pete and the gang love to play hide-and-seek! And who's the fastest seeker? Cool Cate Pete. 

Premise/plot: Pete the Cat wants to have an absolutely groovy time playing hide-and-seek with his friends. But Pete the Cat is having a horrible time finding his friends! Every time he thinks he's found a friend, it turns out NOT to be that friend. What's a groovy cat to do? 

My thoughts: I wanted to love this one. I did. But Pete the Cat is just not the same being written by James and Kimberly Dean. It's like the difference between a floating-high helium balloon (like at a birthday party) and the next day fallen flat balloon. It's not that it's completely and totally lifeless. You can find some enjoyment to be sure. But the same it is not. I wanted this book--whether fair of me or not--to have the same vibes as Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons. I wanted to have a groovy message delivered in a memorable, catchy predictable way. Instead, we just get the message to breathe in and out and not be in a rush. Which I guess is okay???

So the ending of this one is that even though Pete has looked just about everywhere for his friends, when he closes his eyes and breathes in and out, then poof they are right before his eyes. Are we supposed to believe that they were a) there all along and Pete was just too blind to see what was right in front of him, the super-obvious. OR b) all his friends had pity on him and moved while his eyes were closed so that they could be found??? Either way, I'm more meh than excited.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

193. Bravo, Bucket Head!

Bravo, Bucket Head! Helen Lester. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. 2022. [September] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mousetta always walked backward. Ever since she was a week field mouse, she had felt terribly shy, and by walking backward, she didn't have to worry about meeting anyone. She often hit beneath her mother's skirt. This made her mother appear to have four hind legs. When Mousetta was with her father, she hid inside his jacket, giving him an embarrassing Big Tummy Appearance. 

Premise/plot: Mousetta admires the "regular," popular mouse children....from a very safe distance. When she sees Dr. Gladpaw's advertisement in the paper, she decides to see if his tips can help her out. She wears a BUCKET on her head to this workshop. To her surprise, she's not the only one. Someone is wearing a lampshade! Someone is wearing a wastebasket! Someone is wearing a blanket on [his] head! She is super surprised to find out the identities of all her fellow "shy" mice. 

During this workshop, a potential terrifying "trauma" appears...and it is Mousetta herself who is the bravest. Hence the bravo.

My thoughts: Helen Lester's books tend to the didactic. I don't mean that necessarily in a negative way. The difference between "didactic" and "great message" is all in the mind[s] of the reader[s]. All of her stories have morals or messages. The plot/story is driven by this moral/message. All are predictable to a certain extent. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

188. Kind LIke Fred

The Good Guys Agency #1: Kind Like Fred. 2022. [July] 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was a Saturday morning, and Lucky was on his soapbox...again. "We are no average agency, and our name can't be average either. We are role models, not rascals. Nice guys, not knuckleheads. We are exceptional, remarkable, extraordinary!" Rudy yawned. "I'm pretty sure all those words mean the same thing. What about just good?" 

Premise/plot: Lucky, Rudy, and Red are the kids in the Good Guys Agency. The info dump about the agency is interrupted when the 'good guys' are alerted to an emergency to which they'll need to respond. SIBLINGS ARE DISAGREEING. I repeat, SIBLINGS ARE DISAGREEING. Two siblings--Charlie and Teddy--are fighting. Charlie was building a fort and his little brother wanted to help. But, the fort, well, is and may ever be a rubble pile. How can the good guys help???

Well, it seems Lucky, Red and Charlie are going to zoom the kid cruiser into the land of imagination. Rudy has chosen for these three to "visit" Fred Rogers throughout various moments in his life. Rudy is hoping that Fred Rogers' kindness will rub off on Charlie and he will realize the importance of kindness. 

The book shares a couple of scenes from Fred Rogers' life--at various ages/stages of his life. Readers have the opportunity to "learn" the importance of kindness as well as a little information about Mr. Rogers.

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love Mr. Rogers. That was what initially interested me in this new series. The book is cheese-full. But I think it embraces the cheesiness. It is very reminiscent of shows like Paw Patrol, Team Umizoomi, Little Einsteins, etc. They even have a "kid cruiser" to help take them to the case. 

The text is a blend of an early chapter book [written in prose, with illustrations] and a graphic novel. There are panels on *some* of the pages. There are speech bubbles, etc. It blends the two.  Likewise, it uses a fictional text--and fictional scenario--to present facts about a real person.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

185. Away with Words!

Away with Words! Wise and Witty Poems for Language Lovers. Mary Ann Hoberman. 2022. 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Today the thought occurred to me
That every book's an ABC
And every word you've ever met
Is made out of the alphabet.

But alphabets must stay in line.
A BCA would not be fine.
A letter cannot change its place
And sneak into another space.

In words the letters try new blends,
They meet new neighbors, make new friends.
They move around. They go on trips.
They rearrange relationships.

Every time you change a letter
Alphabet gets alphabetter!

Butter is better
    If you change a letter
Butter is button
    If you change two
Butter is utter
    If you remove one
Utter means "speak"
    And that's what we do!

Change a word or
Change a letter,
Alphabet gets
Alphabetter!

Turn the page and we'll get going
Starting with the letter A
Poems and pictures mixed together
Turn the page
We're on our way!

Premise/plot: These 'wise and witty' poems are arranged alphabetically in this collection. Many--if not most--involve word play. Some poems teach. Like one of the first poems in the collection Assonance/Alliteration. This poem teaches the difference between these two. [Sample alliteration: Pa put peppers on Pat's plate. Sample assonance: Pa wants almonds for Ma's aunt.] Or Lay/Lie. This poem teaches the difference between these two words! [Something I hope I can remember from this day forward.]  Some poems are long. Some are very, very short. Quite a few poems leave an impression--at least on me.

Vast

A tiny word
that encompasses
the universe.

I thought that poem was tiny but fierce.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. Like in ALL poetry collections. I have a handful of favorites that I do like. Poems like Just Think:

Just Think

Locked inside the alphabet
Is every word
That ever was
And every book
that never was

But will be.

I absolutely loved some of these poems. Other poems were so-so. They didn't leave a big impression on me. More of a meh response. But the poems I loved I really loved. So I do recommend this one for sure. Just don't expect MAGIC with every single poem.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

183. Click, Clack, Rainy Day

Click, Clack Rainy Day. Doreen Cronin. Illustrated by Betsy Lewin. 2022. [May] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It is raining on the farm. The rain rolls off the roof of the house. The rain rolls off the roof of the barn. The rain rolls off the roof of the tractor shed. Farmer Brown stays in the house. Farmer Brown does not like to be wet. The rain makes a drip sound. The rain makes a drop sound. The rain makes a drip-drop sound on the window. 

Premise/plot: Level two reader in a popular children's book series. For young readers who are already familiar with these famous--or infamous--cows and their farmer [Farmer Brown] there is much to love. The cows are super contrary. While Farmer Brown and all the others HATE getting wet in the rain, these cows--the very same cows who wanted electric blankets to stay warm--love, love, love the wet, rainy weather.

My thoughts: The more you love the original series, the more I think you will probably appreciate this installment. I haven't read each and every book in the series, but there are certainly books in this series that I absolutely love, love, love and adore. I liked this one very much. I liked how contrary the cows were! The book was definitely on the silly side. I liked the rhythmic repetition.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

182. Hairy, Hairy Poodle

Hairy, Hairy Poodle. Marilyn Singer. Illustrated by Abigail Tompkins. 2022. [May] 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: There is a dog
that you might meet
in the country,
on the street.
Her coat can simply not be beat.
No other canine
can compete.

Premise/plot: What you see is EXACTLY what you get. If you want to read a book about a HAIRY, HAIRY POODLE look no further than Marilyn Singer's Ready-to-Read early reader. This one stars a poodle whose hair keeps growing and growing and growing and growing and growing. The whole story is told in rhyme and written in verse.

My thoughts: Early readers don't get a lot of coverage on my blog. I tend to forget about this in-between. I love picture books and early chapter books so much that I almost forget about this important go-between stage in reading of being read aloud to and reading on one's own. This is a good early reader. I found it enjoyable, or enjoyable enough. I liked the repetition.

Poodle coming,
Poodle going.
Poodle's curly hair
is growing.
In sunlight, rain, or
big wind blowing,
Poodle's hair
is always growing.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

179. Farmhouse

Farmhouse. Sophie Blackall. 2022. [September] 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Over a hill,
at the end of a road,
by a glittering stream
that twists and turns,
stands a house
where twelve children
were born and raised,
where they learned to crawl
in the short front hall,
where they posed, arranged
on the wooden stairs,
and were measured with marks
over the years,
where they carved potatoes
and dipped them in paint
to pattern the walls
with flowers and leaves,
and painted the cat,
about which they lied,
for which they were scolded
and maybe they cried
and then were enfolded
in forgiving arms
in the serious room
(where the organ was played
and speeches were made),
but if they weren't
even sorry at all,
they were sent to their rooms,

Premise/plot: Is Farmhouse the world's LONGEST run-on sentence???? Perhaps. I gave up on trying to find proper ending punctuation for my first sentence. (A question mark, a period, an exclamation point). The book was inspired by the author buying an OLD dilapidated farmhouse. She was thinking about the kinds of stories the house could tell about its former inhabitants. 

My thoughts: I may not love the run-on sentence. [It might be slightly above my maturity level]. But, I enjoyed thinking about this one. The illustrations are super-detailed. There is a lot to unpack if you take the time to look closely at each spread of this picture book. The illustrations really do invite you in. [In my opinion.] The text had some lovely imagery. I'm just not sure why it had to be to be one long sentence. One does get the idea of the house being lived in. But when you break down the lines, to me at least, it got a bit messy.

I mentioned that the author bought property with an old farmhouse. The farmhouse could not be salvaged (saved, rescued) but the stories--informed both by descendants of the original owners, photos, and scrapbooks AND the author's imagination--could be.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

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

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

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

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