24. Undefeated

Undefeated. Kwame Alexander. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. 2019. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [poetry; picture book; Newbery honor; caldecott medal]

First sentence: This is for the unforgettable. The swift and sweet ones who hurdled history and opened a world of possible.

Premise/plot: Undefeated is an illustrated poem written by Kwame Alexander and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. The poem celebrates black lives and black history. To get the most of this one, it is essential, in my opinion, to read the back matter, specifically historical figures and events featured in The Undefeated.

My thoughts: If I had to describe this one in just a couple of words, I’d choose stunning for the illustrations and compelling for the text. The poem is masterfully written even when you haven’t taken the time to read the back matter and considered the context. The narrative style is just excellent. The illustrations are definitely have the wow factor. When you reread the book and examine the illustrations in light of the back matter, they are even more impressive. Together the text and illustrations are worthy of acclaim and the many awards and honors.

Text: 5/5
Illustrations:5/5
Total: 10/10

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

23. Scary Stories for Young Foxes

Scary Stories for Young Foxes. Christian McKay Heidicker. Illustrated by Junyi Wu. 2019. 320 pages. [Source: Library] [Newbery Honor; J Fantasy; MG Fantasy; J Fiction; J Fantasy; Animal Fantasy]

First sentence: The haunted season had arrived in the Antler Wood.

Premise/plot: Seven kits sneak off for story time in Heidicker’s new animal fantasy. The stories aren’t for the timid, these are SCARY stories (for foxes). The storyteller, an old fox, tells a series of stories—seven or eight. The stories star other fox kits...and as the book progresses, readers realize the stories are related to each other and tell one big story.

Mia and Uly are the two stars of the stories...

My thoughts: Scary Stories for Young Foxes was named a Newbery Honor book in 2020. It is definitely an action-packed, character-driven fantasy novel that is intense. I loved the perspective; for whatever reason I had never seen Beatrix Potter as a super scary villain. This is just one example.

Overall it was a satisfying read. That being said it is as grim and gruesome as watching a nature special. If the thought of some kits (and some foxes and vixens) not making it disturbs you, this might not be the best choice for you.

I am definitely glad that I read it in one sitting. 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

22. Pippi Longstocking

Pippi Longstocking. Astrid Lindgren. 1945. 160 pages. [Source: Library] [Children's Classic; J Fantasy]

First sentence: Way out at the end of a tiny little town was an old overgrown garden, and in the garden was an old house, and in the house lived Pippi Longstocking.

Premise/plot: Pippi Longstocking is a hoot of a book. This orphaned nine year old has enough adventures for the whole town. So Pippi, our heroine, lives on her own and by her own rules. Sometimes—okay most of the time—she tells taradiddles. Her two best friends, Tommy and Annika, can tell the difference, mostly.

My thoughts: I can’t believe it took me so long to reread this one. I just loved, loved, loved it. Pippi is like the exact opposite of Anne Shirley. Both are charming and delightful characters. But Pippi needs no one and can’t be bested. She’s way over the top. The two can’t really be compared though; it’s like comparing chocolate and roller coasters.

My favorite scene? Would it be Pippi attending school or playing tag with the police officers? Probably the school incident.

“You ought to know about the schools in Argentina,” said Pippi, looking down at the children. “That’s where you should go. Easter vacation begins three days after Christmas vacation ends, and when Easter vacation is over there are three days and then it’s summer vacation. Summer vacation ends on the first of November, and then you have a tough time until Christmas vacation begins on November 11. But you can stand that because there are at least no lessons.” (59-60)

Other favorite quotes:

“I am a Thing-Finder, and when you’re a Thing-Finder you don’t have a minute to spare.” (26)

“Why do you have a horse on the porch?” asked Tommy. All horses he knew lived in stables. “Well,” said Pippi thoughtfully, “he’d be in the way in the kitchen and he doesn’t like the parlor.” (19)

“I have got along fine without any pluttifikation tables for nine years,” said Pippi “and I guess I’ll get along without it from now on, too.” (41)

“He says that anybody who can lick that big man will get a hundred dollars,” answered Tommy. “I can,” said Pippi, “But I think it would be too bad to, because he looks nice.” “Oh, no, you couldn’t,” said Annika, “he’s the strongest man in the world.” “Man, yes,” said Pippi, “But I am the strongest girl in the world, remember that.” (99)

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

21. Remarkables

Remarkables. Margaret Peterson Haddix. 2019. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [Speculative Fiction; Realistic Fiction; J Fiction; MG Fiction]

First sentence: Marin stared at the towering wall of cardboard boxes that ran down the middle of her family’s new living room.

Premise/plot: Marin, our heroine, is nervous about making new friends in her new school in her new town in her new state. She left her old town, old school far behind her...and her old friends, well, she’s not sure they’re even friends now. Friendship is super complicated at this age—she is eleven. Owen, her brand new brother, is awesome. Her parents are incredibly awesome. No conflicts in the home—as far as she’s concerned. All she really needs for life to be perfectly perfect are friends her own age.

Something strange is going on in her neighborhood, near her yard, there are teens that appear and disappear. She watches them come and go on a fairly regular basis. The only other one who sees these Remarkables is her next door neighbor, Charley. Charley, unlike Marin, has a less than perfect life. He can’t decide if Marin is a bad intrusion or a good one. Charley shares with her his theory that these teens are time travelers from the past.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I thought it was weird and thought-provoking. Weird because of the teens that appear and disappear and are only visible to Charley and Marin. If you’re looking for this whatever it is to actually be explained in a satisfying way to an adult, you’ll be disappointed. If you’ve read a description that makes it sound like a time travel adventure, you’ll really be disappointed. It is a coming of age novel that touches briefly on serious topics like bullying and drug addiction.

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Thought-provoking because this novel asks the question...would it help to be able to see yourself happy and well seven years in the future. Would that take away the stress and anxiety of your current worries?! 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

20. A Bear Called Paddington

A Bear Called Paddington. Michael Bond. 1958. 159 pages. [Source: Library] [Children's classic; animal fantasy]

First sentence: Mr and Mrs Brown first met Paddington on a railway platform.

Premise/plot: Paddington Bear has travelled all the way from darkest Peru (with the blessing of his Aunt Lucy) as a stowaway. This adorable, homeless bear is adopted by the Brown family. Judy and Jonathan are the Brown children; Mrs Bird is the housekeeper. Adventures and misadventures are had: all the time, everywhere he goes. I would say he’s less mischievous than Curious George.

My thoughts: This one was first published in 1958. It easily could have been a part of my mom’s childhood—and its sequels. Mom recently rediscovered this first book at the library. She said I HAD to read it because it’s awesome. She regretted never reading it aloud to us when we were kids. It is a great book. Perhaps not quite as quotable as Pooh, but still quotable. I will definitely be recommending this one.

“It wasn’t so much that he didn’t like baths; he really didn’t mind being covered with jam and cream. It seemed a pity to wash it all off quite so soon.” (27)

“After a few seconds he decided quite definitely that he preferred riding on an escalator. They were nice and smooth. But lifts! To start with, it was full of people carrying parcels and all so busy they had not time to notice a small bear—one woman even rested her shopping bag on his head and seemed quite surprised when Paddington pushed it off. Then suddenly half of him seemed to fall away while the other half stayed where it was. Just as he had got used to that feeling the second half of him caught up again and even overtook the first half before the doors opened. It did that four times on the way down and Paddington was glad when the man in charge said it was the ground floor and Mrs Brown led him out.” (67-8)

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers