196. Dogtown

Dogtown (A Dogtown Book #1) Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko. 2023. [September] 352 pages. [Source: Review copy] [Animal fantasy; J Fiction; MG Fiction]

First sentence: I know what you're thinking: That poor dog only has three legs. But don't go there. It's not that bad, okay? So, I'm not American Kennel Club material. Big deal. My eyes are sharp, my nose is wet, my coat puppy soft, and the white patch over my eye? It's a charmer, I don't mind saying. My name is Chance. I'm pleased to meet you.

Premise/plot: Dogtown is an animal shelter (dog shelter). It features dog-dogs and robot-dogs. (Presumably, this animal fantasy is futuristic animal fantasy). It stars Chance, our LOVABLE, adorable, super-kind hero. He's long been a resident at Dogtown. This is the story of his friendships at Dogtown. In particular, how he made [close] friendships with two unlikely residents: a mouse (named Mouse) and a robot dog, Metal Head. The book contains their adventures/misadventures.  

My thoughts: Does this one feature a dog in peril? Yes and no. No, in that it isn't just one dog in peril. It is DOGS (plural) in peril. Though this one doesn't feature direct-direct sads, it features plenty of potential peril. Does it have heart and substance? A thousand times yes. I loved, loved, loved, loved this one so much. I LOVE the emotional journey of this one. Very feel-good. Very warm-and-cozy. Yet not instant. Do I see myself rereading it? YES. I already want to reread it. I could reread it a million times and still be moved by how awesome it is.

I loved the story. I loved the characters. I loved EVERYTHING. 

My favorite, favorite, favorite element of this one is the inclusion of the BOOK BUDDY program. Pairing school-age children with shelter-dogs for reading time. These scenes were HEART-MELTING. 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

12. Sincerely Sicily

Sincerely Sicily. Tamika Burgess. 2023. 304 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Demanding to see the email only shows me how real this all is. Pa's phone trembles in my hands as I read it for myself. I almost can't get past the words: Sicily Jordan is registered and has been placed in a sixth grade class.

Premise/plot: Sicily Jordan will be attending a different middle school than her (current) best friends. It is the absolute end of the world. There is no recovering from this trauma, this abuse. HOW dare the universe do this to her?!?! She can't even. 

Reyna Sado--her best friend from kindergarten that disappeared (moved away)--attends the same middle school now. These two have the potential to be friends, but, because they don't have 100% the same interests and personalities, there's some doubt whether these two will reconnect...permanently. 

Meanwhile, Sicily has decided to cancel Grandma (Abuela) after she--or whether her hairstyle [braids]--was critiqued. Her father is reluctant to cut all ties with his mother, after all she's grieving the loss of her husband, is physically in need of help, and is from a different generation, but possibly to avoid being canceled himself decides to give grandma an ultimatum. 

The only other plot thread to be found is Sicily's interest in writing for the school newspaper. She's discouraged by the super mean-girl-bossy-rich-girl eighth grader. But she's encouraged by others. 

My thoughts: Sincerely Sicily wasn't for me--personally. This middle grade "problem novel" is a two-note song. For those that love the two notes and want to support a new author, this one might be a fantastic fit. 

Race and racism is front and center on almost every single page of this one. Sicily is learning the distinctive differences and nuances between race and culture, culture and race. And she is personally becoming fascinated with the history of all her blended cultures from her family tree. Like researching these cultures, traditions, etc., is her favorite new hobby. She writes about it every day in her journal. And occasionally--here and there--there are brief moments where you could see, yes, race is coming into play, perhaps there's a smidge of prejudice and offense to be taken. The journal entries--and some of the conversations--to me seem a little more info-dump than I prefer. I'm sure this seems [extra] harsh.

For me, the weakest element of this one was the characterization or lack thereof. Sicily, our heroine, is the most developed. And her sole interests seem to be a) learning about her race and culture b) writing about her race and culture c) talking about her race and culture d) talking about writing about her race and culture e) finding offense when people misunderstand her race and/or culture. Based on her interactions with her family, friends, classmates, etc, she seems a little immature and slightly bratty. Her characterization may be 1000% correct for your typical sixth grader. I am not calling into question her authenticity. Sicily wasn't necessarily given opportunities to shine with strong, developed relationships with other characters. The next-best-developed character was her crush, Michael. The conversations between these two show potential. I felt that Sicily could have potential to be a good, solid heroine if she felt more dimensional. The relationships were also on the weak side, in my opinion.

 "Problem novels" aren't my favorite and best type of realistic fiction to read.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

9. A Boy Called Bat

 

A Boy Called Bat. Elana K. Arnold. 2017. 208 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Bixby Alexander Tam stared into the refrigerator, trying to decide what to eat. He knew that the longer he took, the more energy he was wasting, and Bixby Alexander Tam did not like to waste energy. But he also didn't like to eat leftovers, or cheese that had to be sliced, or any of the yogurt flavors in the fridge.

Premise/plot: Bat (Bixby Alexander Tam) is having a not-so-great day. In fact, he's on the verge of a meltdown. His day begins to improve when his mom--an animal rescuer presumably--brings home a newborn baby skunk. BAT is super-excited to take care of it. He loves animals and animal facts. As the days and weeks pass, Bat becomes bonded. Can they keep the baby skunk as their forever pet? Or will they have to let him go to another rescue/refuge center?

My thoughts: Bat is in an interesting character. I do believe he is on the spectrum. Everything about this one felt authentic--his relationships with his mom, his dad, his sister, his teacher, classmates, etc. I loved the ending. Nothing is tied neatly in a bow, but there is potential--great potential for Bat to be in a good, happy and healthy place. 

My sister recommended this one to me. She thought I would find Bat relatable. I did, I really did!!! So I'm very glad I checked this one out from the library. 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Little Brown

Little Brown. Marla Frazee. 2018. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Little Brown was cranky. Probably because no one ever played with him. Or maybe no one ever played with him because he was cranky. At this point, it was hard to know.

Premise/plot: Little Brown is the star of this picture book. When the book opens he is cranky and lonely. When the book closes he is cranky and lonely. In between Little Brown and the other dogs--whose names we learn on the end pages--wonder about life's complexities.

Why doesn't Little Brown have friends? Does his crankiness keep the other dogs from liking him, playing with him, being his friends? Or is it his loneliness--his lack of friends and playmates--making him cranky? If the other dogs were his friends--if they took the first step--would he stop being cranky? What if he took the first step--would they reject him? Wouldn't that make him even crankier to be rejected?

Here is a line that got to me, "But Little Brown did nothing and did it alone."

My thoughts: The first time I read this book I was frustrated. I didn't want to think about the complexities of friendship--of life--and the golden rule (do unto others as you would have them do unto you). I wanted a lesson tied up with a bow. I wanted Little Brown to return what he'd stolen. I wanted Little Brown to have been forgiven by the other dogs. I wanted Little Brown to have been accepted by the other dogs. I wanted him to make a friend. Or else I wanted another dog to step forward and make the first step of friendship. In short I wanted a happy ending--to be assured that even cranky, lonely people dogs are worthy of love and friendship. But that is not this story.

The second time I read this one I liked it better. I identified with it more. Who hasn't been Little Brown at some point? (Is Little Brown the dog version of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day?!) Who hasn't experienced cranky days? Who hasn't experienced loneliness? The truth is that it is almost always scary to take that first step. I don't know that kindness is ever super-super easy. But. It is true that it easier to be a kind to someone who is "nice" and "friendly" and "cheerful." It is more difficult to be kind to someone who is "cranky" or "mean" or "sad" or "angry" or "lonely" or "bitter." The people who need our kindness the most can be the most difficult to reach out to.

"First of all," he said, "if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--"
"Sir?"
"--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." (Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird, 30)

If there is a lesson in Little Brown, perhaps it's an interactive lesson in perception and empathy. When Little Brown is cranky what other emotions could he be feeling?

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Stinky

Stinky. Eleanor Davis. 2008. Toon Books 40 pages.

It's morning in Stinky's Cave...
Yawn!
Time to wake up, Wartbelly!

Stinky is a monster. He has a pet toad named Wartbelly. He loves everything smelly and slimy and muddy. He loves living in a swamp. His life would be oh-so-perfect if there wasn't a town on the other side of the swamp. Because as great as Stinky is, he isn't flawless. Stinky fears one thing. Kids. Why doesn't he like kids. Well, he doesn't like kids because kids like baths; kids like things like apples and cakes. Kids don't like gross things. But. One day Stinky notices a kid in his swamp. And this kid has built a treehouse. It looks like this kid is going to be in his territory for the duration. What's a stinky swamp monster to do?

Read and see in Stinky!

I really enjoyed this one! It was very funny.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Good Night, Tiptoe

Good Night, Tiptoe. By Polly Dunbar. 2009. [October 2009] Candlewick. 32 pages.

Hector yawned. Tilly yawned. Everybody yawned! Everybody except Tiptoe.

Doodle Bites and Good Night, Tiptoe conclude the six book series, Tilly and Friends. The series is by Polly Dunbar. And it's easily become one of my favorites since I discovered them last year. (You can read my reviews of the first four: Hello Tilly, Happy Hector, Where's Tumpty and Pretty Pru. I reviewed Doodle Bites just yesterday.) Tilly, our young heroine, lives with her five friends (all animals, by the way) in her yellow house. Each adventure has focused on one of the characters, one of the friends. And yes, while they are a series, and they all complement one another well, you can read them in any order.

In Good Night, Tiptoe, it's bedtime. Everyone but Tiptoe seems to get this. That the time has come to go to bed, to go to sleep. But Tiptoe doesn't want to go to bed. He's just not sleepy. As Tilly tries her best to put him to sleep, to get all of her friends ready for bed, she realizes that Tiptoe might have the right idea after all!

These books are so fun, so playful, so delightful, so charming, so sweet, so right. I have just love, love, loved reading them all. Tilly and her friends have become my friends. I think the characters have been done so well, so authentically. I definitely recommend the whole series!

© Becky Laney of Young Readers