Thursday, September 30, 2021
Me and Banksy by Tanya Lloyd Kyi - ADVISABLE
How to Be a Person by Catherine Newman - OPTIONAL
How to Be a Person by Catherine Newman, 159 pages. NONFICTION. Storey Publishing, 2020. $17.
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Figuring out what you need to know before you need to know it is hard. Newman gives readers simple instructions for 65 important skills, including how to make a bed, how to calculate a tip, and how to use a swiss army knife!
Newman is witty in her step-by-step directions and pop quizzes, keeping readers engaged in reading pages of instructions. I love that she breaks down tasks that can seem daunting into simple steps -- and then encourages readers to ask for help to learn and to make cheat sheets for themselves as reminders. Young readers will be empowered as they find they can do things like make spaghetti for dinner or write a condolence note.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
What Adults Don’t Know About Architecture by The School of Life - OPTIONAL
What Adults Don’t Know About Architecture by The School of Life, 183 pages. NONFICTION. The School of Life, 2020. $20.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
You might not think much about architecture, but architecture shapes our world -- literally. Is your city boring or beautiful, and what makes it that way? By understanding what buildings are saying to us, we can work to build a better world together.
The School of Life has an agenda, and I felt pushed to agree with their opinions on what makes a place beautiful. While the later sections helped me understand their whys, I didn’t appreciate being told what to think. I still like some of the ideas this book offers on how to look at buildings in a way I never have, but the pushy language was a huge disappointment to me after I loved their other book, “What Adults Don’t Know About Art.”
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
Plants on the Move by Emilie Vast - OPTIONAL
Plants on the Move by Emilie Vast. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2021. $19. 9781623541484
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado - HIGH
Under the Milky Way by Vanessa Barneveld - OPTIONAL
Under the Milky Way by Vanessa Barneveld, 400 pages. Entangled Teen (Entangled Publishing), 2021. $10.
Language: R (109 swears, 12 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Cassidy is a senior in high school, intern for her father’s firm, and self-appointed successor of her mother’s work -- she does not have time to be abducted by aliens. As she struggles to remember the abduction and how to stop it from happening again, Cassidy discovers that she isn’t the only one who’s been taken. And she’s not the only one ready to do something about it.
Buying into the ideas of alien abductions and aliens living among us was difficult for me, so I allowed the pages to drag and took long breaks from reading Cassidy’s story. As the story got more complicated, I struggled with the alien conspiracies. Barneveld’s conclusion was unsatisfactory in how the antagonist was dealt with, but I found that I am content with her interpretation of aliens now that I have the whole picture. I’m still not a huge fan of alien stories, but this one isn’t bad. The mature content rating is for underage drinking and mention of drugs; the violence rating is for murder and mention of suicide.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
So Many Beginnings by Bethany C. Morrow - ADVISABLE
How to Apologize by David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka - ESSENTIAL
How to Apologize by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2021. $17. 9781536209440
Kind of Sort of Fine by Spencer Hall - AVERAGE
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Wild Girl by Helen Skelton - OPTIONAL
Wild Girl: How to Have Incredible Outdoor Adventures by Helen Skelton, 163 pages. NONFICTION. Candlewick Press, 2020. $20.
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Helen Skelton has run 78 miles in the desert, biked to the South Pole, high-wire walked between towers, and more! Through six wild experiences, Skelton shares her preparation and execution of her personal adventures to show readers that anything is possible. Each experience concludes with small and large adventures readers can try and descriptions of other women who have accomplished similar things.
I have started to plan a couple adventures for myself based on her recommendations, but my favorite part of Skelton’s book is that she shares her weaknesses as well as her victories. Skelton allows herself to be vulnerable with her readers by being honest about her insecurities and regrets. Go have an adventure and remember that the bad parts do not outweigh the successes.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
Redemption by Traci Hunter Abramson - ADVISABLE
Redemption (Saint Squad #11) by Traci Hunter Abramson, 314 pages. Covenant Communications, 2021. $17.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Five years ago, Gage was a confused sophomore in high school who threatened classmates with a gun; now he wants to put all that behind him and build a new life for himself. Riley sees value in him and hires Gage despite her knowledge of his past, but others are not as happy to see Gage around. When a mass shooting occurs, will Gage be a hero or a villain?
While this is technically the eleventh in a series, readers don’t have to read all of them to enjoy this story. I’ve read a couple of the other books in this series, and I don’t feel like knowing any or all of the backstories to the related characters impacts much beyond a couple scenes. Abramson balances explaining enough for new readers while being conscious of not boring fans of the series. Reading Gage’s story was hard for me to put down because Abramson is able to set up conflicts without overdramatizing the situation to be unrealistic. Watching the believable conflicts build in conjunction with coming to dread bad things for the main characters made the waiting more suspenseful.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
The Thief of Worlds by Bruce Coville - ADVISABLE
The Thief of Worlds by Bruce Coville, 275 pages. Random House, 2021. $17.
When the World Was Ours by Liz Kessler - ADVISABLE
Monday, September 27, 2021
A Pho Love Story by Loan Le - ADVISABLE
Killing Time by Brenna Ehrlich - OPTIONAL
Idol Gossip by Alexandra Leigh Young - AVERAGE
Sunday, September 26, 2021
Spy School at Sea (#9) by Stuart Gibbs - ESSENTIAL
Bear Bottom (#7) by Stuart Gibbs - ESSENTIAL
Bear Bottom (#7) by Stuart Gibbs, 308 pages. Simon, 2021. $17
Linked by Gordon Korman - ESSENTIAL
Saturday, September 25, 2021
The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook by Ashley Craft - HIGH
Friday, September 24, 2021
The Edge of the Ocean by L.D. Lapinski - HIGH
The Edge of the Ocean (Strangeworlds Travel Agency #2) by L.D. Lapinski, 356 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2021. $18
GraveMaidens by Kelly Coon - OPTIONAL
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Dark Skies by Danielle L. Jensen - OPTIONAL
Loveless by Alice Oseman - NO
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel by Sheela Chari - OPTIONAL
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel by Sheela Chari, 284 pages. Walker Books, 2020. $18.
Language: PG (9 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
“Something BIG is happening soon.” When Mars’s idol says it, Mars believes it -- especially when Aurora goes missing. And then Jonas. Maybe the big thing made them disappear. Maybe the big thing is whatever Mars has to do to get them back.
The mystery of finding the kids who had gone missing was exciting until it became confusing. In the ending climax scenes, pieces are revealed as if they will explain everything, but I felt like the pieces didn’t all go to the puzzle I was trying to put together. Furthermore, Mars is loyal to a fault and is portrayed as a hero by making poor choices that readers shouldn’t emulate. Maybe the story would be more fun for me if I was familiar with the podcast it’s based on, but, at this point, I am not interested in the original story or this book’s sequel.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
What Adults Don’t Know About Art by The School of Life - ADVISABLE
What Adults Don’t Know About Art by The School of Life, 147 pages. NONFICTION. The School of Life, 2020. $20.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Most books about art talk about pieces of art or artists, listing a bunch of facts you don’t really care about. That is not this book. The School of Life wants to help you answer the real question: why art is important?
I have a minor in art history, and I learned so much reading this book. The School of Life articulates the importance of art in a simple way that helps readers understand how and why they make connections with works of art. Of course there is a little bit of discussion about pieces of art and artists, but these facts are part of a conversation and not a boring textbook lecture. This is a non-fiction book that I will actually want to reread because I like it, not because I forgot all the information. The mature content rating is for some nude figures in art shown.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
Monday, September 20, 2021
Destination Anywhere by Sara Barnard - OPTIONAL
Destination Anywhere by Sara Barnard, 312 pages. Macmillan Children’s Books (Simon & Schuster), 2021. $20.
Language: R (121 swears, 50 “f”); Mature Content: R; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Canada is a long way from England, which is exactly what Peyton wanted. This is where she will prove to the world that she can be independent. When reality turns out to be different from her expectations, Peyton must adjust the way she views other people -- and herself.
While I was initially impatient with the jumps between the present and “before,” Barnard crafted Peyton’s story so well that I was brought to tears with her at the most vulnerable part of her journey. Fear, loneliness, and discovering the meaning of friendship are talked about so sincerely that simple statements feel profound; that rawness was not what I expected from an adventure story. Also, Peyton’s story is punctuated with the occasional illustration from her sketchbook, which was a fun addition. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, drug use, innuendo, groping, partial nudity, crude language, manual sex (descriptive in a more explanatory way and not a graphic way), and vaginal sex (also not graphic).
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough by Kilpack, Walker, and McConkie - OPTIONAL
Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough by Josi S. Kilpack, Anneka R. Walker, and Sarah L. McConkie, 268 pages. Covenant Communications, 2021. $16.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Love has been lost and relationships hurt. In these three short stories, the main characters take advantage of the Christmas spirit to heal their hearts and give gifts of forgiveness.
Through the words of these authors, readers will be warmed and have their spirits lifted. Whether or not it’s Christmas time when these stories are read, seeing the fruits of honesty, kindness, and forgiveness will light your Christmas spirit. However, Kilpack’s story in this collection is about a widow, which might not be as relatable and interesting for high schoolers. Fun fact: Walker’s story is a companion to the short story she wrote for A Hopeful Christmas.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
The Great Stink: ... London’s Poop Pollution Problem by Colleen Paeff and Nancy Carpenter - ADVISABLE
The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solves London’s Poop Pollution Problem by Colleen Paeff, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2021. $18. 9781534449299
North & South: a tale of two hemispheres by Sandra Morris - ADVISABLE
North & South: a tale of two hemispheres by Sandra Morris. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2021. $18. 9781536204599
Monday, September 13, 2021
In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens - HIGH
Misfit in Love (Saints and Misfits #2) by S.K. Ali - ADVISABLE
Sunday, September 12, 2021
The Story of the Olympic Games by The Olympic Museum - ADVISABLE
The Story of the Olympic Games by The Olympic Museum, 93 pages. NONFICTION. Welbeck, 2020. $23.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
The Olympics brings athletes and spectators together from around the world -- and has been doing so since 1896! How did this world tradition start? Who are some of the great Olympians that have competed? Let’s find out!
The variety of pictures and facts keeps readers interested as this book talks about how the Olympics have developed over time into the games we know today. Readers get to learn about the host countries, how world events have impacted the Olympics, and the examples set before us by competitors -- whether or not they have won gold medals. I loved reading through the facts, especially as some athletes became familiar to me across several Olympics which made it feel more like a story than I expected from a nonfiction book. The mature content rating is for the use of nearly nude figures used in examples of past Olympic posters and medals.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life by Cheryl Blackford - ESSENTIAL
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Out of My Heart by Sharon Draper - ADVISABLE
Monday, September 6, 2021
Prehistoric Pets by Dr. Dean Lomax, Illustrated by Mike Love - ESSENTIAL
Prehistoric Pets by Dr. Dean Lomax, Illustrated by Mike Love NON-FICTION, INTERACTIVE PICTURE BOOK Templar Books (Candlewick Press), 2021. $18. 9781536217148
Sunday, September 5, 2021
13 Ways to Eat a Fly by Sue Heavenrich and David Clark - HIGH
Thursday, September 2, 2021
It’s All Love by Jenna Ortega - OPTIONAL
It’s All Love by Jenna Ortega, 221 pages. NONFICTION. Random House Children’s Books, 2020. $17.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Jenna Ortega is a young Latina working for balance between school, family, acting, and finding herself. She shares her personal experiences and lessons learned to encourage other teenagers to do the same.
Ortega’s book is half fortune cookie sayings and half personal thoughts. Her uplifting and encouraging words relating to a variety of subjects are nice to read one bite at a time. When I tried to sit down to read big chunks, Ortega’s positivity all ran together. The mature content rating is for mentions of sex.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen