tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-335530282024-03-17T22:03:44.767-05:00Becky's Book ReviewsBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.comBlogger9001125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-71061288717467627792024-03-14T15:56:00.002-05:002024-03-14T16:03:49.227-05:0033. Ferris<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuyU9uykGCpkmXVpBcaQQs5EaMkXD4AsXj9zk8ucVt78Y_v5619fVNOW8sFktxma5_tuZSyAQC874LUzMiODE_qT1OrysPzzjCshVkHZ1UzA-wYuZUo1un4UnJPP9kxxRNs1klcvdwa1KwiAQ3nySDYsouAo8I1ynWxlL56g09MuNJnCaLdgluw/s323/5star201kb.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="323" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuyU9uykGCpkmXVpBcaQQs5EaMkXD4AsXj9zk8ucVt78Y_v5619fVNOW8sFktxma5_tuZSyAQC874LUzMiODE_qT1OrysPzzjCshVkHZ1UzA-wYuZUo1un4UnJPP9kxxRNs1klcvdwa1KwiAQ3nySDYsouAo8I1ynWxlL56g09MuNJnCaLdgluw/s320/5star201kb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Ferris. Kate DiCamillo. 2024. 240 pages. [Source: Library] [MG Fiction, J Fiction, Realistic, Historical]<p></p><p>First sentence: It was the summer before Emma Phineas Wilkey (who everyone called Ferris) went into fifth grade. It was the summer that the ghost appeared to Charisse, the summer that Ferris's sister, Pinky Wilkey, devoted herself to becoming an outlaw, and the summer that Uncle Ted left Aunt Shirley and moved into the Wilkey basement to paint a history of the world. It was the summer that Ferris's best friend, Billy Jackson, played a song called "Mysterious Barricades" over and over again on the piano. Billy Jackson loved music. The very first sentence he had ever spoken to Ferris, was, "I hear piano music in my head all the time, and, I wonder, would it be all right if I held on to your hand?"</p><p>Premise/plot: Ferris is Kate DiCamillo's newest children's book. I would say the book is timeless, but, what I truly mean is that the book exists out of time. It could almost be any and every time period. So what is it about? The recurring theme or message is that every story is a love story, or, every good story is a love story. It is very much a story celebrating family and friends and community. Ferris isn't particularly "troubled;" she isn't facing an extraordinary problem that she has to overcome. There are no gigantic, looming conflicts. And THAT is a trend I'd love to see in children's books now and then. </p><p>Ferris' grandmother is seeing a ghost, AND has recently been diagnosed with [congestive] heart failure. When she learns from her grandmother that the ghost wants to see the chandelier lighted so that her husband can find her, Ferris sets about doing just that. It isn't so much fulfilling a ghost's wish as it is fulfilling her grandmother's wish too. This is, I suppose, the "big" plot point of the book, but the book has scores of LOVELY quiet moments, ordinary moments, lovely moments where Ferris is just living life. They aren't always calm, peaceful, relaxed moments. But they are the little moments that make up a life. </p><p><br /></p><p>ETA: I could see Pinky, Ferris' sister, stealing the show much like
Ramona did in Beezus and Ramona. Now that I think of that comparison, I
can't not see it. This book is, in some ways, the answer to the question
how on earth can I get along with my sister story.</p><p>My thoughts: The writing was solidly good. I do tend to love and adore her writing. I enjoyed the characters. I LOVED the relationships. I think the highlight, for me, are the many, many relationships we get to explore in this one. Do I love the ghost aspect? Not really. Is it a big enough subtraction that I dislike the book? No. <br /></p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-62250926437681307572024-03-08T16:36:00.004-06:002024-03-08T16:36:54.286-06:0032. The Girl Who Sang<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrttUqU7q7W7oJfYQVAIMBkUsDgRcsW2iKueEqoMxfetw-FlEY8qweXLYEGzyMWIw28uDjxmRRbXKsGGfGRb5aBuxFm89DiQs4TFRD3cSPx7aTTeCGuuKYhfpEAl2Vp1e7imx5IdABzu3WUwuAHxzeqrUM1T7wNyRBubgAxncY3uSAmwPJ_afhQ/s323/5star201kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="323" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrttUqU7q7W7oJfYQVAIMBkUsDgRcsW2iKueEqoMxfetw-FlEY8qweXLYEGzyMWIw28uDjxmRRbXKsGGfGRb5aBuxFm89DiQs4TFRD3cSPx7aTTeCGuuKYhfpEAl2Vp1e7imx5IdABzu3WUwuAHxzeqrUM1T7wNyRBubgAxncY3uSAmwPJ_afhQ/s320/5star201kb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival. Estelle Nadel. Illustrated by Sammy Savos. 2024. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [graphic novel; graphic memoir; Jewish/Holocaust]<p></p><p>First sentence: Will I ever be free?</p><p>Premise/plot: The Girl Who Sang is a MEMOIR [nonfiction autobiography] in graphic novel format. It is set primarily during the Second World War, but the memoir continues through some turbulent aftermath years. After the war, the family of siblings emigrate to the United States. But there is no magical, warm and fuzzy happily ever after story. Love sometimes isn't enough to keep a family of siblings together. </p><p>My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved this one. I don't read many graphic novels--fiction or nonfiction. But this one is a MUST. I found it compelling and haunting. It was SO well done. I have read plenty of books about the Holocaust and the Second World War. I've read fewer graphic novels, however, this is a powerful format for storytelling. Perhaps the story will impact readers more by being in this format. <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-78784227897279468892024-03-08T16:22:00.001-06:002024-03-08T16:22:09.879-06:0031. Across So Many Seas<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrttUqU7q7W7oJfYQVAIMBkUsDgRcsW2iKueEqoMxfetw-FlEY8qweXLYEGzyMWIw28uDjxmRRbXKsGGfGRb5aBuxFm89DiQs4TFRD3cSPx7aTTeCGuuKYhfpEAl2Vp1e7imx5IdABzu3WUwuAHxzeqrUM1T7wNyRBubgAxncY3uSAmwPJ_afhQ/s323/5star201kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="323" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrttUqU7q7W7oJfYQVAIMBkUsDgRcsW2iKueEqoMxfetw-FlEY8qweXLYEGzyMWIw28uDjxmRRbXKsGGfGRb5aBuxFm89DiQs4TFRD3cSPx7aTTeCGuuKYhfpEAl2Vp1e7imx5IdABzu3WUwuAHxzeqrUM1T7wNyRBubgAxncY3uSAmwPJ_afhQ/s320/5star201kb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Across So Many Seas. Ruth Behar. 2024. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [interconnected stories; novellas; historical fiction; mg]<p></p><p>First sentence: The sound of trumpets coming from the direction of our town gates tears me from sleep, my dreams forgotten as I jolt out of bed.</p><p>Premise/plot: Across So Many Seas contains four interconnected (three super-connected) historical stories or novellas. The time periods are 1492 (Spain), 1923 (Turkey), 1961 (Cuba), and 2003 (Miami, Florida). </p><p>The novel opens with Benvenida, our twelve-year-old narrator, learning of a new decree. ALL Jews must either a) convert to Christianity b) leave the country [Spain] or c) disobey by staying and risk being hanged. Some of the community--including some of her extended family--do choose to convert. They do not want to leave their homes, businesses, etc. The story chronicles their exodus as they flee their country and seek a new homeland. It's a tough, demanding journey. <br /></p><p>The three following stories follow three generations of the same family. Reina, Alegra, and Paloma star in compelling stories of their own. The stories examine coming of age from a Jewish perspective. Though that isn't really doing any of the stories justice. There is great turmoil in the first three stories. In the first, the Jewish population is being persecuted. In the second, the family is living in a newly independent Turkey. In the third, she is coming of age in the midst of Cuba's revolution. The fourth story "closes the circle" or "bridges the gap" the narrator is traveling with her family to Spain to learn more about their cultural history. </p><p>My thoughts: I found this a great read. I really was invested with ALL of the stories. I sped through it. I used to speed through books all the time. As I get older, as my vision worsens, as reading becomes more physically demanding, I don't always give in to "page-turners." But I absolutely loved this one. <br /></p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-6885200884890303242024-03-04T15:20:00.001-06:002024-03-04T15:20:08.066-06:0030. Everyone On This Train is a Suspect<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYfpMvrQRZcFI3SG7jeEHmvhh7bKW4hBNL7SXNVXFvf4i8rqOpEYrOchyphenhyphenq2IRW_RnYBIhJX3r5gnfSkuBfdhNaWWYWby7ltKknkEDy0_dvPN1Hdw89O9AEVV0UNWh5hDGRvXkDC2Ngd5BQYepHv1WA3xxajjiR3gxqjZ9g1sF2Gjz6aY9vxWG8w/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYfpMvrQRZcFI3SG7jeEHmvhh7bKW4hBNL7SXNVXFvf4i8rqOpEYrOchyphenhyphenq2IRW_RnYBIhJX3r5gnfSkuBfdhNaWWYWby7ltKknkEDy0_dvPN1Hdw89O9AEVV0UNWh5hDGRvXkDC2Ngd5BQYepHv1WA3xxajjiR3gxqjZ9g1sF2Gjz6aY9vxWG8w/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />Everyone On This Train is A Suspect. Benjamin Stevenson. 2023. 335 pages. [Source: Library]<p></p><p>First sentence: <br />Hi <Redacted>,<br />It's a hard no on the prologue, I'm afraid. I know it's the done thing in crime novels, to hook the reader in and all that, but it just feels a bit cheap here. I know how to do it, of course, the scene you want me to write.</p><p>Premise/plot: A handful of mystery writers board a train on their way to the Australian Mystery Writers' Festival. But not everyone who boards the train exits the train....still breathing. Hence, everyone on this train is a suspect. </p><p>Ernest Cunningham is the main character "author" who wrote the book Everyone In My Family Killed Someone based on a horrific family reunion. He's working on a second novel, hopefully a book not based on his personal life, but events of the train are proving challenging. If he survives the trip, then a second book has conveniently unfolded right when he needs it. (Though is that a motive for crime???)</p><p>Most all of the characters are new in this one--with the exception of his love interest. </p><p>My thoughts: I absolutely loved Everyone In My Family Killed Someone. I thought Ernest Cunningham was a delightful narrator. I liked the gimmick of it, the premise of it. In theory, I like the premise of this one as well. In theory. I didn't quite love this one. I'm not sure if I just wasn't in the right mood for it, or, if the first book was just better. I still like the main character, and, sometimes with detective novels, each mystery has a little bit of hit or miss to it. Some you just enjoy more than others all the while loving the detective character at the center of the novel. <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-49333103572773641602024-03-04T15:05:00.004-06:002024-03-04T15:05:38.764-06:0029. A Murder in Hollywood<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYfpMvrQRZcFI3SG7jeEHmvhh7bKW4hBNL7SXNVXFvf4i8rqOpEYrOchyphenhyphenq2IRW_RnYBIhJX3r5gnfSkuBfdhNaWWYWby7ltKknkEDy0_dvPN1Hdw89O9AEVV0UNWh5hDGRvXkDC2Ngd5BQYepHv1WA3xxajjiR3gxqjZ9g1sF2Gjz6aY9vxWG8w/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYfpMvrQRZcFI3SG7jeEHmvhh7bKW4hBNL7SXNVXFvf4i8rqOpEYrOchyphenhyphenq2IRW_RnYBIhJX3r5gnfSkuBfdhNaWWYWby7ltKknkEDy0_dvPN1Hdw89O9AEVV0UNWh5hDGRvXkDC2Ngd5BQYepHv1WA3xxajjiR3gxqjZ9g1sF2Gjz6aY9vxWG8w/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />A Murder in Hollywood: The Untold Story of Tinseltown's Most Shocking Crime. Casey Sherman. 2024. 304 pages. [Source: Library]<p></p><p>First sentence: Lana Turner paced the pink carpeted floor with a cigarette gripped tightly between her fingers. She took a deep drag into her lungs and blew out a cloud of smoke toward the ceiling of her spacious bedroom. Her fourteen-year-old daughter, Cheryl, was in her own bedroom, sobbing hysterically. </p><p>Premise/plot: Nonfiction with a gossipy twist--that is how I would describe this one. It gives brief biographies of Lana Turner and her immediate family (her parents, her husbands, her daughter) and brief biographies of a series of crime bosses (mob bosses) including Johnny Stompanato. The stories cross paths when Lana Turner entangles herself with Johnny Stompanato. This is a combustive relationship--for sure--leading to murder and scandal. Casey Sherman argues that it was not Lana's fourteen-year-old daughter but Lana herself who killed Johnny. </p><p>My thoughts: This book is troubling and disturbing both in content and narrative style. I'll try to explain. This one goes into great detail--graphic detail--of horrific crimes. Many of these crimes are of the SA of a minor child variety. Of course there are plenty of other crimes as well that do not involve children. But still. This is a HEAVY read that is treated perhaps a little lighter than I would personally like. The book's approach--in my personal opinion--is like gossip, gossip, give me all the gossip, spill all the tea, tell me everything. It doesn't necessarily--to me--seem respectful. The content IS shocking and NOT shocking at the same time. Hollywood is presented as an absolute nightmare. The more power and influence, the more guilty you are of horrendous crimes. Nothing glamorous or glitzy--just very horrific crimes going on and kept hush-hush by the powers that be. </p><p>This one is definitely more graphic than I like to read. <br /></p><p> <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-31422834059692275662024-02-28T14:58:00.003-06:002024-02-28T14:58:53.499-06:00February Reflections<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPV_jLZ9TDqOnJ7UNt6ghg60-tbL1ImjUvQhhXsbT1k-eWboeizIZaAVGWOuxHIN9PE7CPt1oorAwd8AK7hghU1NF0UpSFyNhjgZD6gugHy80SOZuklbTtg8i_KOerqFzbQb8OKGRzbaKx32P42RRL3Lx_yzEQQ8wI2iLEoNvx8rL-HGTc5E1-tQ/s469/Screen%20Shot%202019-11-20%20at%2011.29.49%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="469" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPV_jLZ9TDqOnJ7UNt6ghg60-tbL1ImjUvQhhXsbT1k-eWboeizIZaAVGWOuxHIN9PE7CPt1oorAwd8AK7hghU1NF0UpSFyNhjgZD6gugHy80SOZuklbTtg8i_KOerqFzbQb8OKGRzbaKx32P42RRL3Lx_yzEQQ8wI2iLEoNvx8rL-HGTc5E1-tQ/s320/Screen%20Shot%202019-11-20%20at%2011.29.49%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />In February, I read thirty-eight books. <p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Books reviewed at Becky's Book Reviews</span></p><p>14. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/14-mexikid.html" target="_blank">Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir</a>. Pedro Martin. 2023. 320 pages. [Source:
Library] [Nonfiction Graphic Novel; MG Graphic Novel; Newbery Honor]</p><p>15. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/15-little-house-on-prairie.html" target="_blank">Little House on the Prairie</a>. Laura Ingalls Wilder. 1935. 335 pages. [Source: Bought] [children's classic] </p><p>16. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/16-not-quite-ghost.html" target="_blank">Not Quite a Ghost</a>. Anne Ursu. 2024. [January] 288 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p>17. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/17-frozen-river.html" target="_blank">The Frozen River</a>. Ariel Lawhon. 2023. [December] 432 pages. [Source: Library] [adult historical fiction] </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>18. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/18-fighting-with-love.html" target="_blank">Fighting With Love: The Legacy of John Lewis</a>. Lesa Cline-Ransome.
Illustrated by James E. Ransome. 2024. [January] 48 pages. [Source:
Library] [nonfiction picture book; picture book biography; civil rights
movement] </p><p>19. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/19-fire-water-and-maudie-mcginn.html" target="_blank">The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn</a>. Sally J. Pla. 2023. [July] 336
pages. [Source: Library] [J Fiction; J Realistic Fiction; MG Fiction, MG
Realistic Fiction; dysfunctional families] </p><p>20. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/20-danny-dunn-and-anti-gravity-paint.html" target="_blank">Danny Dunn and the Anti-Gravity Paint</a>. (Danny Dunn #1) Jay Williams.
Illustrated by Raymond Abrashkin. 1956. 154 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p>21. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/21-making-it-so.html" target="_blank">Making It So</a>. Patrick Stewart. 2023. 469 pages. [Source: Library]</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>22. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/22-mrs-quinns-rise-to-fame.html" target="_blank">Mrs. Quinn's Rise To Fame</a>. Olivia Ford. 2024. 384 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>23. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/23-all-of-kind-family.html" target="_blank">All-of-A-Kind-Family</a>. Sydney Taylor. 1951. 192 pages. [Source: Library]</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>24. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/24-nothing-else-but-miracles.html" target="_blank">Nothing Else But Miracles</a>. Kate Albus. 2023. 288 pages. [Source: Library]</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>25. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/25-heroes.html" target="_blank">Heroes</a>. Alan Gratz. 2024. 272 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p>26. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/26-beatles-couldnt-read-music.html" target="_blank">Wait! What? The Beatles Couldn't Read Music?</a> Dan Gutman. 2023. 144 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p>27. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/27-who-is-nathan-chen.html" target="_blank">Who is Nathan Chen?</a> (Who Was? Series) Joseph Liu. 2023. 56 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p>28. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/02/28-what-was-childrens-blizzard-of-1888.html" target="_blank">What was the Children's Blizzard of 1888?</a> Steve Korte. 2023. [November] 112 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Books reviewed at Young Readers</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a><a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/02/12-my-dog-and-i.html" target="_blank">My Dog and I</a>. Luca Tortolini. Illustrated by Felicita Sala. 2023.
[November] 48 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book, Humor, Pets,
Animals] </p><p>13. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/02/13-20-board-book-parade.html" target="_blank">[Board book] Teeny Tiny Turkey</a>. Rachel Matson. Illustrated by Joey Chou. 2023. 16 pages. [Source: Library]</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>14. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/02/13-20-board-book-parade.html" target="_blank">[Board book] If Mama Sings</a>. Laura Wittner. Illustrated by Maricel R. Clark. 2023. 16 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p>15. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/02/13-20-board-book-parade.html" target="_blank">[Board Book] The Bedtime Book</a>. Katy Hedley. Illustrated by Paola
Camma. 2023. [October 17, cybils eligible] 20 pages. [Source: Library]</p><p>16. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/02/13-20-board-book-parade.html" target="_blank">[Board book] Lion, Lion Peekaboo</a>. Grace Habib. 2023. 8 pages. [Source: Library]</p><p>17. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/02/13-20-board-book-parade.html" target="_blank">[Board book] Baby On Board Train With Tabs to Push and Pull</a>. Sebastien Braun. 2023. 8 pages. [Source: Library]</p><p>18. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/02/13-20-board-book-parade.html" target="_blank">[Board book] You're the Apple of My Pie</a>. Rose Rossner. Illustrated by Jill Howarth. 2023. 24 pages. [Source: Library]</p><p>19.<a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/02/13-20-board-book-parade.html" target="_blank"> [Board book] Winter with Hedgehog</a>. Elena Ulyeva. Illustrated by Daria Parkhaeva. 2023. 20 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p>20. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/02/13-20-board-book-parade.html" target="_blank">[Board book] Bundle up, Little Pup</a>. Dori Elys. Illustrated by Elena Comte. 2023. 20 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>21. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/02/21-fabulous-fannie-farmer.html" target="_blank">The Fabulous Fannie Farmer: Kitchen Scientist and America's Cook</a>. Emma
Bland Smith. Illustrated by Susan Reagan. 2024. 40 pages. [Source:
Library]</p><p>22. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/02/22-apple-vs-pumpkin.html" target="_blank">Board book: Apple vs. Pumpkin</a>. Jeffrey Burton. Illustrated by Lydia Jean. 2023. 22 pages. [Source: Library]</p><p>23. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/02/23-some-cats.html" target="_blank">Board book: Some Cats</a>. Illustrated by Lydia Nichols. 2023. 12 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p>24. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/02/24-kitty-and-cat-bent-out-of-shape.html" target="_blank">Kitty and Cat: Bent Out of Shape</a>. Mirka Hokkanen. 2023. [November] 40 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Books reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible</span></p><br />12.<a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/02/12-simplify-your-spiritual-life.html"> </a><a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/02/12-simplify-your-spiritual-life.html">Simplify Your Spiritual Life</a>. Donald S. Whitney. 2003. 208 pages. [Source: Library] [Christian nonfiction; theology; Christian living]<br /><br />13. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/02/13-season-of-harvest.html">A Season of Harvest (Leah's Garden #4)</a> Lauraine Snelling. 2024. 336 pages. [Source: Review copy]<br /><br />14. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/02/14-just-once.html">Just Once</a>. Karen Kingsbury. 2023. 336 pages. [Source: Library]<br /><br />15. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/02/15-my-jesus.html">My Jesus: From Heartache to Hope</a>. Anne Wilson. 2022. 196 pages. [Source: Library] [Memoir, Biography, Music Industry]<br /><br />16. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/02/16-god-is-kind.html">God Is Kind</a>. Jamie Calloway-Hanauer. Illustrations by Patrick Brooks. 2023. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [Board book, children's book]<br /><br />17. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/02/17-watchmakers-daughter.html">The Watchmaker's Daughter</a>. Larry Loftis. 2023. 384 pages. [Source: Library]<br /><br />18. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/02/18-if-boot-fits.html">If the Boot Fits</a>. Karen Witemeyer. 2024. 368 pages. [Source: Review copy]<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s118/heart_5.gif"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s1600/heart_5.gif" /></a>19. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/02/19-bookends-of-christian-life.html">The Bookends of the Christian Life</a>. Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington. 2009. March 2009. Crossway Publishers. 160 pages. [Source: Review copy]<span style="color: #0c0501; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(12, 5, 1); font-size: 15.84000015258789px;"><br /></span></span><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bibles reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s118/heart_5.gif"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s1600/heart_5.gif" /></a>1. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/02/1-nkjv-sovereign-wide-margin.html">WHOLE BIBLE. </a><a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/02/1-nkjv-sovereign-wide-margin.html">New King James Version, Sovereign Collection, Wide Margin</a>. God. (Thomas Nelson Publisher). 2022. 1696 pages. [Source: Bought] [Bible]<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s118/heart_5.gif"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s1600/heart_5.gif" /></a>2. WHOLE BIBLE. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/02/2-new-american-standard-bible-1973.html">New American Standard Reference Edition. 1973</a>. God. 1899 pages. [Source: Bought]</p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> 2024 Reading Totals</span><br /></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" data-sheets-root="1" dir="ltr" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; table-layout: fixed; width: 0px;"><colgroup><col width="152"></col><col width="100"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Books Read in 2024"}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Books Read in 2024</td><td data-sheets-formula="=sum(R[-1]C[-16]:R[999]C[-16])" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":74}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">74</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pages Read in 2024"}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Pages Read in 2024</td><td data-sheets-formula="=sum(R[-1]C[-12]:R[998]C[-12])" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":16606}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">16606</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"January "}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">January </td><td style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Books read in January"}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Books read in January</td><td data-sheets-formula="=sum(R[-3]C[-16]:R[32]C[-16])" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":36}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">36</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pages read in January"}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Pages read in January</td><td data-sheets-formula="=sum(R[-4]C[-12]:R[31]C[-12])" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":6875}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">6875</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"February"}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">February</td><td style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Books read in February "}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Books read in February </td><td data-sheets-formula="=sum(R[30]C[-16]:R[67]C[-16])" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":38}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">38</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pages read in February"}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Pages read in February</td><td data-sheets-formula="=sum(R[29]C[-12]:R[66]C[-12])" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9731}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9731</td></tr></tbody></table><p><style type="text/css">td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}</style></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-68865110541794582442024-02-28T10:37:00.002-06:002024-02-28T10:37:36.202-06:0028. What was the Children's Blizzard of 1888?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXiiATEShEL7pSO4-ycCsGAgHHXzALn0jegonHoZefDgBJJy5zHVkt86G47cy5y6r-q74gFqotXQtXWvwFkml4dlh2BCVajHZv6Auu0dMBo-BBNLjMGnbd_27OjUDSNO6vjeptncYt8k8dtPe1pAFudSIpagkiOAj5XriMGP6xkmMm-X-PT3vvA/s315/4star197kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="315" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXiiATEShEL7pSO4-ycCsGAgHHXzALn0jegonHoZefDgBJJy5zHVkt86G47cy5y6r-q74gFqotXQtXWvwFkml4dlh2BCVajHZv6Auu0dMBo-BBNLjMGnbd_27OjUDSNO6vjeptncYt8k8dtPe1pAFudSIpagkiOAj5XriMGP6xkmMm-X-PT3vvA/s1600/4star197kb.png" width="315" /></a></div><br />What was the Children's Blizzard of 1888? Steve Korte. 2023. [November] 112 pages. [Source: Library]<p></p><p>First sentence: January 12, 1888, started out as an unusually warm and sunny winter day in much of the central and midwestern parts of the United States. This area was known as the Great Plains.</p><p>Premise/plot: This nonfiction book for young readers answers the question, What was the Children's Blizzard of 1888. It is part of the WhoHQ series of books. This book focuses--though not narrowly--on an event. It provides different "snapshots" of what happened. There are small stories--vignettes--from many different people chronicling their experiences. This was a big-interest news story back in the day, and these stories were captured in newspapers--many, many from all across the country. There are happier stories and sadder stories. </p><p>My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed reading this one. I always have had a big interest in history. This is a good introduction to the Children's Blizzard of 1888. There are plenty of books on this event/subject. (Though many are for adult readers.) Some nonfiction. Some fiction. Many if not most are fascinating and haunting. </p><p>IF kids enjoy the I Survived series--which are mostly historical--then I see this one could having great appeal to the same audience. </p><p>I mentioned earlier that the focus wasn't narrow. I haven't decided if that's good or bad. This one pulls in a LOT of what might pass as "context" if you are kind or "filler" if you are mean. I have to remember that it is written for young kids and it assumes no previous knowledge of American history. This makes sense when talking about weather forecasts especially. I'm going to guess that most kids haven't wondered HOW weather was forecast/predicted a 140+ years ago. It is so ordinary, so common place, to have MANY ways to get alerts about bad weather. The book could have perhaps gone into more when it comes to early meteorology. But some places felt a little history-dumping of more general knowledge that didn't really directly connect to the story. (Indirectly yes.) <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-40635394330133916402024-02-28T10:16:00.004-06:002024-02-28T10:16:45.314-06:0027. Who Is Nathan Chen?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvVUdMaVLrwilNy1YKxkElvzXm93bU2zMupKFqcNwTwxhdq9lWIkaK1Tn0vjQb_Ygd6LK3tcTZYLUZdBY3LMFvw32rd6ic3O3zHqdV_HT-KRDhEEE6FN7t3tRMFV1N5aNi9v4VXn2osB0apYjHIbgwgZ8q5kt-R0X6ge1MO6VijbhrhxBgzrPIg/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvVUdMaVLrwilNy1YKxkElvzXm93bU2zMupKFqcNwTwxhdq9lWIkaK1Tn0vjQb_Ygd6LK3tcTZYLUZdBY3LMFvw32rd6ic3O3zHqdV_HT-KRDhEEE6FN7t3tRMFV1N5aNi9v4VXn2osB0apYjHIbgwgZ8q5kt-R0X6ge1MO6VijbhrhxBgzrPIg/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />Who is Nathan Chen? (Who Was? Series) Joseph Liu. 2023. 56 pages. [Source: Library]<p></p><p>First sentence: During the 2022 Winter Olympics, Nathan Chen stood alone in the middle of the ice rink in Beijing (say: BAY-jing), China. His legs were spread apart and his arms were relaxed at his side. He was dressed in black pants and a red shirt covered in stars. The stars were not like those you see on a flag. These were more like stars you see in space.</p><p>Premise/plot: Who is Nathan Chen? is a biography for young readers--think elementary aged. It is part of the Who HQ series. Who is Nathan Chen? A figure skater--from the United States--who, for a time, dominated the sport and many competitions. The sport is an ever-constant in its changing. Skaters come. Skaters go. Legacies can be formed, for sure. But there's always "new" and "better." I use quotes because there's SO much room for subjective speculation in the sport. There are a million and one factors involved in judging. One person's "better" is another person's flop. Fans can and do disagree with judges. Fans can and do disagree with other fans. The book is a basic, straightforward biography of an athlete, an Olympian.</p><p>My thoughts: I just remember so much RAGE of the 2022 Olympics when it comes to figure skating. Though not particularly the men's competition. (I was bitter/am bitter at the LACK OF DECENT coverage on television. But that's another story not for another day). The writing of this one was serviceable and decent. It works okay. I thought the writing was a little lacking, but it was far from horrible. <br /><br />Do kids watch figure skating? Maybe. Maybe not. Do kids get assignments like read a biography? Yes. Probably. Are athletes a more interesting choice for such assignments? For some, sure. Are living subjects infinitely more exciting than dead ones? Probably. Maybe. This one will have an audience. <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-45087641260531485302024-02-23T16:01:00.003-06:002024-02-23T16:01:26.277-06:0026. The Beatles Couldn't Read Music?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-EclCigXqAZV82P1aIni77KW9N7byNr7r_RpbNEXfb2h2zt-TpP1lWv8bUPSx_Os6ctF_FytBZ6E9G48s3Gzs0_sOpvgA34cfVw1j9AOiyttb0DiFJzRDNXJxt0IEKQhPUYc-v1Fj8LHGANOFsNfdb9eU0gpQujCqLibbzvmPS9B0ecQaTDcNg/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-EclCigXqAZV82P1aIni77KW9N7byNr7r_RpbNEXfb2h2zt-TpP1lWv8bUPSx_Os6ctF_FytBZ6E9G48s3Gzs0_sOpvgA34cfVw1j9AOiyttb0DiFJzRDNXJxt0IEKQhPUYc-v1Fj8LHGANOFsNfdb9eU0gpQujCqLibbzvmPS9B0ecQaTDcNg/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />Wait! What? The Beatles Couldn't Read Music? Dan Gutman. 2023. 144 pages. [Source: Library] <p></p><p>First sentence: Most teachers don't really want you to know anything about the Beatles! They want you to know about Abraham Lincoln and educational stuff like that. <br /></p><p>Premise/plot: This is a "nonfiction" book. The framework is fiction, a fictional brother and sister duo battle it out to see who knows more about the Beatles. The information they're sharing is factual and nonfiction. </p><p>The book talks about the band, The Beatles. It talks about the four members of the band, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Each Beatle gets his own personal biographical chapter. Other chapters talk more about the band as a whole--chronicling the timeline of the band. </p><p>My thoughts: Did I learn anything new? No. Is that surprising? Not really if you KNOW me. I liked this one. I did. I was slightly annoyed by the fictional framework. However, I do appreciate that this one focused on the band AND the individuals within the band. I do think the Beatles are best introduced by their music. I know this is impossible to do in a book. Or perhaps not impossible, challenging enough, but the best way to get to know the Beatles is by....listening to the Beatles. Without that immediate connection to the music itself, I'm not sure how memorable or impactful or interesting or entertaining the book is. </p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-16627481389097541732024-02-20T15:54:00.006-06:002024-02-20T15:57:39.680-06:0025. Heroes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20oUoDhHSiT8RWOsQkE3LuUtf1jJwP13B2GeBGYNq6GtDXm_A_WxKbNH1em8ntQE48h_LkbpAqCVl1c1Vg_Dui2Lg5vaU-Oib3l4Mv5oaF13Dnf8GDTQ9NIQZPXOAGe9tnEWOMHS4o7SfTSC97ZNAwdY_ulcCsLX6-pj58hhPlo2ba7RcXc5gqQ/s323/5star201kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="323" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20oUoDhHSiT8RWOsQkE3LuUtf1jJwP13B2GeBGYNq6GtDXm_A_WxKbNH1em8ntQE48h_LkbpAqCVl1c1Vg_Dui2Lg5vaU-Oib3l4Mv5oaF13Dnf8GDTQ9NIQZPXOAGe9tnEWOMHS4o7SfTSC97ZNAwdY_ulcCsLX6-pj58hhPlo2ba7RcXc5gqQ/s320/5star201kb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Heroes. Alan Gratz. 2024. 272 pages. [Source: Library]<p></p><p>First sentence: "It's an attack!" Stanley cried. "Enemy airplanes--dozens of them. Coming in low over the water!" </p><p>Premise/plot: Frank and Stanley are best friends living on [one of the islands] of Hawaii in December 1941. When the novel opens, these two are bonding over comic book superheroes. In fact, these two want to write and illustrate their own comic book series. So many ideas. So much potential. But that near-perfect day is soured when bullies enter the scene. Stanley stands up to the bullies, and Frank, well, Frank is too scared to stand up for what's right and just. The next day, December 7, will be a big day. Frank must find a way to repair his relationship with Stanley. The two will be going on a tour of a battleship. But Frank's confession of a deep, dark secret takes second place to the drama-trauma of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Can Frank and Stanley be heroes when it counts the most? </p><p>My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, crazy-loved this historical novel for children and middle grade. Definitely my best read of the year--granted it is February. I loved Frank. I loved Stanley. I loved all the talk of superheroes and origin stories and comic books. I loved the creativity. I loved the HEART and substance of this one. I thought the book was great at SHOWING and not telling. Of course, that is my perspective. I loved the narrative. The writing was outstanding. <br /></p><p> I already want to reread this one.<br /></p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-77091144669171672012024-02-20T15:36:00.001-06:002024-02-20T15:36:10.757-06:0024. Nothing Else But Miracles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20oUoDhHSiT8RWOsQkE3LuUtf1jJwP13B2GeBGYNq6GtDXm_A_WxKbNH1em8ntQE48h_LkbpAqCVl1c1Vg_Dui2Lg5vaU-Oib3l4Mv5oaF13Dnf8GDTQ9NIQZPXOAGe9tnEWOMHS4o7SfTSC97ZNAwdY_ulcCsLX6-pj58hhPlo2ba7RcXc5gqQ/s323/5star201kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="323" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20oUoDhHSiT8RWOsQkE3LuUtf1jJwP13B2GeBGYNq6GtDXm_A_WxKbNH1em8ntQE48h_LkbpAqCVl1c1Vg_Dui2Lg5vaU-Oib3l4Mv5oaF13Dnf8GDTQ9NIQZPXOAGe9tnEWOMHS4o7SfTSC97ZNAwdY_ulcCsLX6-pj58hhPlo2ba7RcXc5gqQ/s320/5star201kb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Nothing Else But Miracles. Kate Albus. 2023. 288 pages. [Source: Library]<p></p><p>First sentence: If you were looking for Dory Byrne--not that there's any reason you would be--you'd most likely find her at the Castle. Which makes it sound as if this is a story about a princess. It isn't. Castle Clinton, as it was known to most people, wasn't actually a castle at all. It was--or had been--at various points in its history: 1) a fort, 2) a restaurant and opera house, 3) an immigration processing center, 4) an aquarium, 5) a ruin. Which is what it was now. An empty place, half-demolished. Derelict. Dangerous, even. But a place whose remaining ramparts, if you were a slightly underfed girl of twelve who wasn't afraid to climb over a little rubble, provided an excellent view of the Statue of Liberty. So now you know.</p><p>Premise/plot: Dory and her family--siblings--are on their own...mostly. Their father is away fighting in the war (World WAR II) and the three siblings are relying heavily on each other AND on their neighbors AND on their community. But a difficult, uncompromising landlord changes their more relaxed approach to surviving. Can Dory brainstorm a way to keep their family together and safe while they wait for news of their father? [And the funds he sends...]</p><p>My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It is set in the Lower East Side of New York City during the Second World War. I loved the setting, the story, the characters. <br /></p><p> <br /></p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-23885704566361290522024-02-20T15:16:00.003-06:002024-02-20T15:16:37.633-06:0023. All-of-a-Kind Family<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUITlcta6gLpFrcvw1MruHGucJmL_q1osATIMc5xUJBNXsJwHOXDRun2iG9mAxyJV8kcSToDQFk8ajuDeQnTWmpouv1lBa3kQ201jKi-YpmBrZRcv6Hwgg2-WLR_J-wXBm2x_vvBelJ8Icnvg34TKB2YveEr9nVe4Qp5PZ1OH8VacWqQArwpXnVA/s323/5star201kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="323" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUITlcta6gLpFrcvw1MruHGucJmL_q1osATIMc5xUJBNXsJwHOXDRun2iG9mAxyJV8kcSToDQFk8ajuDeQnTWmpouv1lBa3kQ201jKi-YpmBrZRcv6Hwgg2-WLR_J-wXBm2x_vvBelJ8Icnvg34TKB2YveEr9nVe4Qp5PZ1OH8VacWqQArwpXnVA/s320/5star201kb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />All-of-A-Kind-Family. Sydney Taylor. 1951. 192 pages. [Source: Library]<p></p><p>First sentence: "That slowpoke Sarah1" Henny cried. "She's making us late!" Mama's girls were going to the library, and Henny was impatient.</p><p>Premise/plot: Ella (12), Henny (10), Sarah (8), Charlotte (6) and Gertie (4) are sisters that make up [part of] an "all-of-a-kind family." The book is set in the Lower East Side of New York City at the turn of the twentieth century. It chronicles the adventures of a Jewish family in the course of a year (or most of a year). The book opens with a bittersweet library visit and ends with the birth of a new sibling! There are highs and lows. <br /></p><p>My thoughts: I love this book. I'm excited to read all the sequels. I remember reading this one a few times as a kid. This is my second time, I believe, to read it as an adult. (I first blogged about it in 2008). I enjoy the storytelling and characterization. I love the old-fashioned, traditional feel. I think it has acquired that through the decades. It wasn't particularly 'traditional' at the time it was published. I was reading the introduction to the one of the sequels and it was pointing out all the ways this book was 'novel' aka "new" and unconventional. <br /></p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-22310238557256439352024-02-15T15:10:00.003-06:002024-02-15T15:10:34.697-06:0022. Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnPkbU3UsrefWmnlVaxAbb4pflPYGj-x5QPylR19VYiR6uSABdQ5wX0r5UH3wqt0HvoYGp0oZyUMoBlzVOKZ5Z021MZGrP1nIel4PHd8y4p6nCudAdynBuyvtLVa9ZaoqhdFmOQ_pfUPaRQJZGqvQeowYq_W_WVRUDzLPuH6DA8bsMUIAnA2URg/s323/5star201kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="323" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnPkbU3UsrefWmnlVaxAbb4pflPYGj-x5QPylR19VYiR6uSABdQ5wX0r5UH3wqt0HvoYGp0oZyUMoBlzVOKZ5Z021MZGrP1nIel4PHd8y4p6nCudAdynBuyvtLVa9ZaoqhdFmOQ_pfUPaRQJZGqvQeowYq_W_WVRUDzLPuH6DA8bsMUIAnA2URg/s320/5star201kb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Mrs. Quinn's Rise To Fame. Olivia Ford. 2024. 384 pages. [Source: Library]<p></p><p>First sentence: It was a December night, the sort which usually makes being inside feel wonderfully cozy, but tonight it didn't. </p><p>Premise/plot: Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame is a "coming-of-old-age" story. (To be clear, "coming of old age" is on the publisher description of the book. I didn't come up with the phrase). Jenny Quinn loves, loves, loves, LOVES to bake. But as much as baking has saved her--in a way--she can't help feeling a little out of sorts and empty. She decides somewhat impulsively that it's time to do something "risky," and apply to a television show--Britain Bakes. She keeps her application and audition secret from her husband, Bernard. The two have been married almost sixty years, but, there are a few things he doesn't know about her. And it is one very big secret that is eating away at her one bite at a time. </p><p>My thoughts: I mostly enjoy Great British Bake-Off. I don't always love the un-funny, often crude jokes. Some of the hosts have been absolutely awful. But the contestants and the baking are very enjoyable to follow. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Call the Midwife. Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame was a good fit for me. <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-35085551404236166392024-02-15T14:55:00.003-06:002024-02-15T14:55:54.467-06:0021. Making It So<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRWzTWkiFlJbtJFpA6ITMQBKw9KdG24RzlH6CO1lxdGwE0eOVBSm6L7IQCNgXh02AtWH89g6re1Be87wPnDRVBdjBiwD-e_NWmgRgBfyDlNCN3Z82aLb7uC0gAVoYhpJUX-NVLWUfIMNJiBsgXN0RR57PLM6ztOZOpY7J7eeSR3QaWvAS0dxyIA/s315/4star197kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="315" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRWzTWkiFlJbtJFpA6ITMQBKw9KdG24RzlH6CO1lxdGwE0eOVBSm6L7IQCNgXh02AtWH89g6re1Be87wPnDRVBdjBiwD-e_NWmgRgBfyDlNCN3Z82aLb7uC0gAVoYhpJUX-NVLWUfIMNJiBsgXN0RR57PLM6ztOZOpY7J7eeSR3QaWvAS0dxyIA/s1600/4star197kb.png" width="315" /></a></div><br />Making It So. Patrick Stewart. 2023. 469 pages. [Source: Library]<p></p><p>First sentence: We called it t'bottom field, never wondering where, in relation to "t'bottom," t'middle field and t'top field might be. </p><p>Premise/plot: Making It So is Patrick Stewart's memoir. It doesn't get more straight-forward than that. He writes of his family, growing up, friendships and romantic relationships, and his career on stage and on screen. He has spent more time, I believe, on stage--doing live theatre productions--than on screen. But only because there have been decades where he was able to do both. <br /></p><p>My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. Not all chapters are equally enthralling or fascinating. But all chapters were well written. The book covers so much more than just his years playing Jean-Luc Picard or Charles Xavier. He does mention that he watched the WHOLE Star Trek The Next Generation series before starting his memoir. He does talk about THE INNER LIGHT the absolute best episode of TNG. I think I will like it even more now--and I didn't think that was possible. <br /></p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-46023516698669929152024-02-13T10:38:00.004-06:002024-02-13T10:38:50.625-06:0020. Danny Dunn and the Anti-Gravity Paint<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga38ir3Vixkq9SRaLwd5GmPN2d3p6TjH6wW7fBbXZW4wASh76m9AA_mOqq6rGGH2xM71sDgf4mTl-5oI2ooqZSR8MKfIBE-OxyvkHTsuhPInt6JrbouUSqkeZIVgO-ds0f57cVNmfI0x7T-nefMdWvx_TNBwNqxhEykDmc2iv8dfz8qvTDpdhxgA/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga38ir3Vixkq9SRaLwd5GmPN2d3p6TjH6wW7fBbXZW4wASh76m9AA_mOqq6rGGH2xM71sDgf4mTl-5oI2ooqZSR8MKfIBE-OxyvkHTsuhPInt6JrbouUSqkeZIVgO-ds0f57cVNmfI0x7T-nefMdWvx_TNBwNqxhEykDmc2iv8dfz8qvTDpdhxgA/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />Danny Dunn and the Anti-Gravity Paint. (Danny Dunn #1) Jay Williams. Illustrated by Raymond Abrashkin. 1956. 154 pages. [Source: Library]<p></p><p>First sentence: Space Captain Daniel Dunn stood on the bridge of the Revenge with his eyes on the viewer screens. He could see the fiery trails that were the rocket ships from Jupiter. Adjutant Dan Dunn ran up to report. "Sir," he cried, "They've got us surrounded!" </p><p>Premise/plot: Danny Dunn is a daydreamer. His current obsession is space [the final frontier]. Should he be spending class time daydreaming about exploring space? Probably not. Is he punished by his observant teacher? Yes. Does that lead to a real adventure in space? Perhaps. Danny's mom is a housekeeper who works for a scientist professor, Professor Bullfinch. Danny finds the Professor fascinating. Danny "accidentally" helps the Professor invent something unexpected and unintended--anti-gravity paint. This discovery will lead them [and two others, I believe] into space in a ship of their own, a ship not powered by rockets but by anti-gravity paint. Will they arrive on earth in time for Danny to turn in his homework??? Will they return at all????</p><p>My thoughts: It's silly, but it's vintage silly. Vintage science fiction can be a hoot. This is the start of a long series. I'm not sure I'm up to reading them all. But I definitely enjoyed this one. Does it deserve to be widely read today? Probably not. Though I don't recall anything particularly offensive or inappropriate. Though to be fair, it has been over a week since I've read it. I enjoyed it because of the glimpses into the imagination. It captures a time and place where ANYTHING was possible in terms of space exploration. It isn't grounded in science but in fantasy. I do imagine that there were a LOT of young children [boys and girls] who were interested in space in the 1950s and 1960s. This children's book isn't set in the future. It doesn't star adults, it's an ADVENTURE story starring a young child that probably many original readers could relate to. <br /></p><p> <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-47608754467693948822024-02-07T14:56:00.003-06:002024-02-07T14:56:49.827-06:0019. The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66s5-AzkIfhga-l0C6GXHDx_SBUdA_ra9_imbp-iXb8qxSYqd5al1nP8bWVACbvEsMS1iFlvZAm_D4apXWpxlZ9Q1e9Kx7pKSSsi4HvfqA3F-S-aM8jrcFGH60NmVYgDkY5CQZwMj-gQ7bnXrE5d6DqUz5DmovpcSN8eDN6kvxl0Euuu3AD6QFg/s315/4star197kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="315" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66s5-AzkIfhga-l0C6GXHDx_SBUdA_ra9_imbp-iXb8qxSYqd5al1nP8bWVACbvEsMS1iFlvZAm_D4apXWpxlZ9Q1e9Kx7pKSSsi4HvfqA3F-S-aM8jrcFGH60NmVYgDkY5CQZwMj-gQ7bnXrE5d6DqUz5DmovpcSN8eDN6kvxl0Euuu3AD6QFg/s1600/4star197kb.png" width="315" /></a></div><br />The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn. Sally J. Pla. 2023. [July] 336 pages. [Source: Library] [J Fiction; J Realistic Fiction; MG Fiction, MG Realistic Fiction; dysfunctional families]<p></p><p>First sentence: I learned this great calm-down trick recently. It was the end-of-the-year seventh-grade dance, back in Houston, which is where I live during the school year with my mom and stepdad.</p><p>Premise/plot: Maudie McGinn looks forward to spending summers with her dad in California, but a wildfire destroys "plan A" and the two quickly come up with a "plan B." Maudie didn't plan on spending her summer learning to surf while her father hunts for a job. But ANYTHING is better than having to spend the summer with her mother and stepfather instead. Will Maudie share her deepest, darkest secret by the time the summer is over?</p><p>My thoughts: Maudie has autism but that is not the whole story; that is not what the whole book revolves around. I love seeing Maudie begin to live life more fully and freely. The book does have a happily-ever-after, rosy ending, BUT, only after much worry and angst. Maudie does deserve some happiness after living with her stepfather for several years and enduring much cruelty. </p><p>I do think most of the characters fall into two categories--either perfectly perfect saints or dastardly villains. But overall I enjoyed this one very much. <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-33223581202538367462024-02-06T16:33:00.004-06:002024-02-06T16:43:33.314-06:0018. Fighting With Love<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnL6sH1sKQffiTgqucUEMeiOZc5tD5omshpmyOIX4bcb_xu3DbK9MFwoqOCPqsTKvHTzPuDsa6hmfPXP3QSnrZk1epj019DxHjubvWHXD4oBmgiZRPyCCLe3ZNzFAQHSM9UFLnxamemlMtfWyjoTbHaOewYq74iIdHfRFx2pR_ekGEztmME-FDkw/s323/5star201kb.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="323" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnL6sH1sKQffiTgqucUEMeiOZc5tD5omshpmyOIX4bcb_xu3DbK9MFwoqOCPqsTKvHTzPuDsa6hmfPXP3QSnrZk1epj019DxHjubvWHXD4oBmgiZRPyCCLe3ZNzFAQHSM9UFLnxamemlMtfWyjoTbHaOewYq74iIdHfRFx2pR_ekGEztmME-FDkw/s320/5star201kb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Fighting With Love: The Legacy of John Lewis. Lesa Cline-Ransome. Illustrated by James E. Ransome. 2024. [January] 48 pages. [Source: Library] [nonfiction picture book; picture book biography; civil rights movement]<p></p><p>First sentence: Before John Robert Lewis was old enough to read the word "love" in his Bible, he could feel it all around him. </p><p>Premise/plot: Fighting with Love is a nonfiction picture book biography of civil rights activist [and politician], John Lewis. </p><p>My thoughts: There are a handful of picture book biographies of John Lewis. In fact, I think there are biographies of John Lewis for just about every age reader--children, middle grade, young adult, adult. I have read a few of these in the past. I wasn't expecting to learn something new. [Be reminded of previous facts, yes, yes, always yes. My memory doesn't hold onto all the details from every book.] What struck me with this picture book is the spread about how the activists [college students mainly] PRACTICED nonviolent protests. </p><p></p><blockquote>Quote: They took turns playing the part of the angry whites they would face, and acted out standing silently while being shouted and cursed at. They practiced how to curl in tight on the ground to protect themselves from kicks and punches that would beat down on them. They remembered to look into the eyes of their attackers, reminding them that a child of God was looking back. After hearing the words and feeling the fists, some never finished their training at Highlander, leaving as fast as they'd come, asking what kind of love means you've got to be beaten up outside and in. But John knew. "It is love that accepts and embraces the hateful and the hurtful." And so, John stayed and practiced some more. </blockquote><br /><p></p><p>The illustrations are quite engaging--bright, bold, colorful. <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-77108355076478555012024-02-06T15:03:00.002-06:002024-02-06T15:03:35.865-06:0017. The Frozen River<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1-B5sW9Ed-meNHADQVBlvIz5urlMSdyKnmcpPT0n5Fd_pYjIj_14CCWbyHa4nsu22JOvlmIIjnZQJVmcN37zdJeRUL94lsHab85-0w_v3kCeeXXuJ3v8NfR7m0WlAkWdlOf92Rkq0YKW6IHHx9cVCZMF7fPd4NCD_EzNzMq4YdjLBOqt4Sx7dA/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1-B5sW9Ed-meNHADQVBlvIz5urlMSdyKnmcpPT0n5Fd_pYjIj_14CCWbyHa4nsu22JOvlmIIjnZQJVmcN37zdJeRUL94lsHab85-0w_v3kCeeXXuJ3v8NfR7m0WlAkWdlOf92Rkq0YKW6IHHx9cVCZMF7fPd4NCD_EzNzMq4YdjLBOqt4Sx7dA/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />The Frozen River. Ariel Lawhon. 2023. [December] 432 pages. [Source: Library] [adult historical fiction]<p></p><p>First sentence: The body floats downstream. But it is late November, and the Kennebec River is starting to freeze, large chunks of ice swirling and tumbling through the water, collecting in mounds while clear, cold fingers of ice stretch out from either bank, reaching into the current, grabbing hold of all that passes by. </p><p>Premise/plot: Martha Ballard, a midwife, witnesses much in her community. She often ends up testifying in court sharing her observations and notes. IN The Frozen River, she is struggling with the injustice of it all. A local woman has been gang-assaulted while her husband was away; she's identified the men involved. Martha visited her days later and can testify to her physical and emotional state. But despite both being willing to testify in court--despite the horrendous nature of the crimes--justice seems unlikely within the system at least. One of the perpetrators is the dead man found in the frozen river. The second, well, he holds a position of power. </p><p>The novel chronicles about a year of time, I believe. Much happens within the community. </p><p>My thoughts: The novel is loosely based on a historical figure. This is not the first book about Martha Ballard, a real midwife in early America. The author details how much she changed, rearranged, condensed, and reimagined for her novel. </p><p>This one was LONG. It is definitely more of a journey than a destination, in my opinion. In other words, IF you start the novel and are drawn into the story by the characters, keep reading you'll likely enjoy the book as a whole. I personally would have preferred fewer flashbacks. Flashing back to Martha's past did nothing for me. None of the flashbacks seemed to move the present story forward. <br /></p><p> <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-10067061158621706102024-02-05T15:14:00.002-06:002024-02-05T15:14:16.916-06:0016. Not Quite a Ghost<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjJyf7HgaVkpyS9XFUW4PkOo5gRYf7dW5oY8xsuB-ENwIRZofdcxuaRVk7DI_uh2T7HY9KPd2tOsAkyGfq31NkXhXcliQGIgZUKKBXOPICUhFC_u40iRhWT1KESkYvoDtipFWxr-8g0pAtd8T6tpb8MZN6wVS0jmy4ceoAg9Kz4TH0OyWzAInDQ/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjJyf7HgaVkpyS9XFUW4PkOo5gRYf7dW5oY8xsuB-ENwIRZofdcxuaRVk7DI_uh2T7HY9KPd2tOsAkyGfq31NkXhXcliQGIgZUKKBXOPICUhFC_u40iRhWT1KESkYvoDtipFWxr-8g0pAtd8T6tpb8MZN6wVS0jmy4ceoAg9Kz4TH0OyWzAInDQ/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />Not Quite a Ghost. Anne Ursu. 2024. [January] 288 pages. [Source: Library]<p></p><p>First sentence: The house stood a little apart from the rest of the block, as if it did not quite fit in. Perhaps it was wary of the other houses, or perhaps it was the other houses that wished to keep their distance from it. If only houses could talk, then one of them could tell us which it was. Of course, if houses could talk, they could also lie.<br /></p><p>Premise/plot: Violet Hart is struggling--struggling with her health, with her friend group, with starting middle school, with getting along with her older [oh-so-moody] sister, with her new house, with her new attic bedroom. It seems the world is out to get her--no lucky breaks. But is the world truly out to get her? Or is it merely her YELLOW WALLPAPER out to get her?</p><p>My thoughts: Not my cup of tea. Oh how I WANTED this one to be my cup of tea. Definitely has Twilight Zone vibes. A blend of super-creepy and supernatural WITH your typical angsty coming of age novel. It's this back and forth between the supernatural AND the super realistic that is conflicting me. On the one hand, it doesn't embrace the haunted-ness and pure creepiness of the house. On the other hand, the slightly supernatural elements are at odds with the very real struggles of her invisible illness. At least to me. The author shares how she struggled (struggles) with her invisible diseases, and as a kid/teen it was impossible (or nearly so) for doctors to validate her symptoms, take her seriously, and diagnose her. This could have been compelling--alongside her friends not understanding why she's so tired and unable to join in on their daily activities--on its own. But the direction is an adaptation of the short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper." YET the conclusion isn't really the same if my memory is accurate. (Which to be honest it's been a LONG time since I last read it.) </p><p>I think like the wallpaper itself this one is a little too busy/chaotic for my own personal liking. BUT I could see how this might be a good fit for another reader. <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-4926898118830913222024-02-04T11:04:00.002-06:002024-02-04T11:04:44.445-06:0015. Little House on the Prairie<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sDJI5SkevcEmWOjOmu56D9BFhBQH5ykBjgQKLThL8qGJ-TvqADapjzD2pc9M8gNwqww5sgq_7viDTuPr_3TduVESzFX4K9tqvCx34IXN1ZDut04rWuQ3vgImVR1DfNk1OswoND5PsXsCN_UzNPHK5LgurLryk1F7cn4av8vCejCz3xK1LW-IEA/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sDJI5SkevcEmWOjOmu56D9BFhBQH5ykBjgQKLThL8qGJ-TvqADapjzD2pc9M8gNwqww5sgq_7viDTuPr_3TduVESzFX4K9tqvCx34IXN1ZDut04rWuQ3vgImVR1DfNk1OswoND5PsXsCN_UzNPHK5LgurLryk1F7cn4av8vCejCz3xK1LW-IEA/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />Little House on the Prairie. Laura Ingalls Wilder. 1935. 335 pages. [Source: Bought] [children's classic]<p></p><p>First sentence: <em>A long time ago, when all the grandfathers and grandmothers of today
were little boys and little girls or very small babies, or perhaps not
even born, Pa and Ma and Mary and Laura and Baby Carrie left their
little house in the Big Woods of Wisconsin. They drove away and left it
lonely and empty in the clearing among the big trees, and they never saw
that little house again. They were going to the Indian country.</em><br /> </p><p> Premise/plot: Laura Ingalls travels with her family to Indian Territory [aka Kansas], but alas the family must move again by the end of the novel when the government forces them out. </p><p>My thoughts: Though Little House on the Prairie is the name of the television show and seems to represent the "brand" of the "Little House" books because of that, this one--Little House on the Prairie--is not my favorite or best. I'm not sure if it's because the plot is ultimately pointless OR if it's because the content is the most problematic of the whole series. Perhaps a bit of both.</p><p>First, I don't hate Little House on the Prairie--this specific book, the series as a whole, or the television series. I am NOT part of the cancel culture that has arisen surrounding this author and series. </p><p>Second, NEWSFLASH, Laura Ingalls Wilder is recalling and chronicling a mindset from sixty to seventy years prior. It was not her job as an author in 1935 to course-correct the "Manifest Destiny" mindset. The "go west, young man" philosophy that would colonize the entirety of the United States--from "sea to shining sea." NEWSFLASH if you were a pioneer settling in the WEST chances are you felt entitled and 'in the right' to settle and 'claim' your property with the government. </p><p>Third, while the book has half-a-dozen (perhaps a few more) scenes that are problematic, the scenes could have been worse. That's not to justify anything. It's not. (The scenes that are there are cringe at best and extremely offensive at worst.) Laura and Pa seem more curious than hateful. That is not justification. Again, that's not my goal. It would be an uphill battle that is ultimately doomed. The fact that Laura is so curious and interested is in part because of her innocence (a small part) and a larger part in that she views the Indians as "other." She is a product of her upbringing. But she would not have been alone. It wasn't that the Ingalls were above and beyond the ultimate propagators of this mindset. They were just one of many. It is a whole culture that contemporary readers are at war with. I think the books and author are often the target. People seem to single her out as if she is solely to blame. </p><p>Fourth, Laura usually depicts Pa as practically perfect in every way. She idealizes him in her books. This one is no different. I, as a reader, don't see Pa as perfect. I see his MUST GO WEST AT ALL COSTS and drag my family around and make their lives as difficult as humanly possible philosophy off-putting. Life can be hard no matter where you live. But Pa's "the grass is always greener on the other side" wanderlust is annoying. <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-36664991075444300062024-02-01T15:11:00.002-06:002024-02-01T15:11:13.641-06:0014. Mexikid<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuxOWr5QVMjMs-Lv-495x6zM4tDvxcawgIlOP9dmMg15guZSV6D0Z301ga4styqykBZRFkgG1iyiN4XzFUZPNskEmOghMvIK0dd9amMk5duh29UUs753uPKm6w5yjRBsCUUoaaa7raxf_DSkxvgJytbR0ANwRlO4lnrIURkrUXDxKoVwWbFqnEQ/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuxOWr5QVMjMs-Lv-495x6zM4tDvxcawgIlOP9dmMg15guZSV6D0Z301ga4styqykBZRFkgG1iyiN4XzFUZPNskEmOghMvIK0dd9amMk5duh29UUs753uPKm6w5yjRBsCUUoaaa7raxf_DSkxvgJytbR0ANwRlO4lnrIURkrUXDxKoVwWbFqnEQ/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir. Pedro Martin. 2023. 320 pages. [Source: Library] [Nonfiction Graphic Novel; MG Graphic Novel; Newbery Honor]<p></p><p>First sentence: They call me Peter...but my real name is Pedro.</p><p>Premise/plot: This one is a graphic novel MEMOIR. It is set in the summer of 1977. Pedro Martin is recalling/chronicling the adventures/misadventures of a family (round trip) road trip from California to Mexico (and Mexico to California). Being the seventh in a family of nine kids, he's got plenty of stories to share. Long story short, his family is going to Mexico to spend time with the grandfather and make preparations for his return with them to the United States. </p><p>My thoughts: This one is great when it comes to details. I'll try to explain what I mean. His details help put you right there in the scene. The sights, sounds, smells, tastes, etc. He is especially good at grounding the book in TIME and presumably in culture. </p><p>I enjoyed this one much more than I thought I would. I am not usually a graphic novel reader. It's not my usual type of book to read. </p><p>I will say that this one might not be for super-sensitive readers. Namely, his grandfather's "mission" to accomplish before they leave for the United States might make some readers squeamish. <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-8172342793373601972024-01-30T16:47:00.001-06:002024-01-30T16:48:38.516-06:00January Reflections<p>In January, I read thirty-six books. </p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Books reviewed at Becky's Book Reviews</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a></div>1. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/1-courage-to-dream.html" target="_blank">Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust</a>. Neal Shusterman.
Illustrated by Andres Vera Martinez. 2023. [October] 256 pages. [Source:
Library]<p></p><p>2. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/2-facing-enemy.html" target="_blank">Facing the Enemy: How a Nazi Youth Camp in America Tested a Friendship</a>.
Barbara Krasner. 2023. [December] 359 pages. [Source: Library]</p><p>3. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/3-coretta-autobiography-of-mrs-coretta.html" target="_blank">Coretta: The Autobiography of Coretta Scott King</a>. Coretta Scott King.
Illustrated by Ekua Holmes. 2024. [January] 40 pages. [Source: Library]
[nonfiction picture book, biography, autobiography, children's
nonfiction]</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>4. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/4-little-house-in-big-woods.html" target="_blank"> Little House in the Big Woods</a>. Laura Ingalls Wilder. 1932. 238 pages. [Source: Bought]</p><p> 5. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/5-bear-called-paddington.html" target="_blank">A Bear Called Paddington</a>. Michael Bond. 1958. 159 pages. [Source: Bought] [Children's classic; animal fantasy]</p><p>6. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/6-something-rotten.html" target="_blank">Something Rotten. (Horatio Wilkes Mystery #1)</a> Alan Gratz. 2007. 208
pages. [Source: Library] [YA Mystery; YA Suspense; dysfunctional
families; adaptation of William Shakespeare] </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>7. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/7-make-way.html" target="_blank">Make Way: The Story of Robert McCloskey, Nancy <span class="Formatted">Schön</span>,
and Some Very Famous Ducklings</a>. Angela Burke Kunkel. Illustrated by
Claire Keane. 2023. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book for older
readers; biography; art appreciation] </p><p>8. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/8-light-and-air.html" target="_blank">Light and Air.</a> Mindy Nichols Wendell. 2024. [January] 218 pages.
[Source: Library] [J Historical; MG Historical; 1930s; tuberculosis;
coming of age] </p><p>9. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/9-blood-years.html" target="_blank">The Blood Years</a>. Elana K. Arnold. 2023. 400 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>10. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/10-there-was-party-for-langston.html" target="_blank">There Was a Party for Langston</a>. Jason Reynolds. Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey. 2023. 56 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>11. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/11-big.html" target="_blank">Big</a>. Vashti Harrison. 2023. 60 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book] </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvuQyd_KOh7wcdkpOA8rJndV7imL0RlHNxNJbHAJY6LwiFKuhUJNPqFpfEGoLny_XVFbOF9Mbt7yfKAIWuayNi3E4QeNdjXzk71QsjJmjcYvfxwBTsMAxsDJwhdvNBVR0iTiEldMPBr9hHTUD7IVBk_Quqwzo6R4ffYYUZh4lc0RP-PZZQGlejw/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>12. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/12-agatha-christie-autobiography.html" target="_blank">An Autobiography</a>. Agatha Christie. 1977/1996. Berkley. 635 pages. [Source: Bought] </p><p>13. <a href="https://blbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/13-elf-dog-owl-head.html" target="_blank">Elf Dog and Owl Head</a>. M.T. Anderson. Illustrated by Junyi Wu. 2023. 240
pages. [Source: Library] [MG Fiction; MG Fantasy; J Fantasy; J Fiction; Newbery Honor]</p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Books reviewed at Young Readers</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a></div>1. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/01/1-happy-cats.html" target="_blank">Happy Cats</a>. Catherine Amari and Anouk Han. Illustrated by Emi Lenox. 2021. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]<p></p><p>2. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/01/2-pizza-and-taco-wrestling-mania.html" target="_blank">Pizza and Taco: Wrestling Mania (Pizza and Taco #7)</a> 2024. [January] 72
pages. [Source: Library] [graphic novel; early reader/chapter book]</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>3. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/01/3-homegrown.html" target="_blank">Homegrown</a>. Deann Wiley. 2024. [January] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]</p><p>4. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/01/4-ploof.html" target="_blank">Ploof</a>. Ben Clanton and Andy Chou Musser. 2023. [September] 51 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, not quite board book] </p><p>5. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/01/5-100-chapatis.html" target="_blank">100 Chapatis</a>. Derek Mascarenhas. Illustrated by Shantala Robinson. 2023. [October 17] 32 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p>6. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/01/6-knight-snacker.html" target="_blank">The Knight Snacker</a>. Valeria Wicker. 2023. 40 pages. [Source: Library] </p><p>7.<a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/01/7-flat-cat.html" target="_blank"> Flat Cat</a>. Tara Lazar. Illustrated by Pete Oswald. 2023. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book] </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>8. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/01/8-hornbeam-all-in.html" target="_blank">Hornbeam All In</a>. Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. 2023.
[December] 48 pages. [Source: Library] [early chapter books; animal
fantasy] </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>9. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/01/9-kitty-feral-and-case-of-marshmellow.html" target="_blank">Kitty Feral and the Case of the Marshmallow Monkey</a>. Eddie Muller and
Jessica Schmidt. Illustrated by Forrest Burdett. 2023. 32 pages.
[Source: Library] [picture book; mystery] </p><p>10. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/01/10-mine.html" target="_blank">Mine! A Story of Not Sharing</a>. Klara Persson. Translated by Nichola
Smalley. Illustrated by Charlotte Ramel. 2023. 32 pages. [Source:
Library] [Picture book]</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s118/heart_5.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="15" data-original-width="118" height="15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcH9IPAQ-EEdtXHbQUDF5rDmloIGEamqkrjU3knctJ0NI2yhsr1dOpvVEmLADLLbM_egjnSO3NKc7blOrMJ_AweaU4mb4yj20KKp0HORMjR1RWGV5jD3uhe9LFm_XkTGptAKzdbeDFIiivw53jwceV1RUU32e4bneOCQX9RQ8qRm_3pXUVnDXGk02XbK/s1600/heart_5.gif" width="118" /></a>11. <a href="https://zero-to-eight.blogspot.com/2024/01/11-i-am-stuck.html" target="_blank">I Am Stuck</a>. Julia Mills. 2023. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book] </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Books reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s118/heart_5.gif"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s1600/heart_5.gif" /></a>1. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/01/1-winter-by-sea.html">A Winter by The Sea (On Devonshire Shore #2)</a> Julie Klassen. 2023. [December] 448 pages. [Source: Library]<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s118/heart_5.gif"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s1600/heart_5.gif" /></a>2. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/01/2-mortimers-christmas-manger.html">Mortimer's Christmas Manger</a>. Karma Wilson. Illustrated by Jane Chapman. 2005. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book, holiday, animal fantasy]<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s118/heart_5.gif"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s1600/heart_5.gif" /></a>3. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/01/3-busy-nativity.html">Busy Nativity</a>. Campbell Books. Illustrated by Emily Bolam. 2023. [September] 10 pages. [Source: Library] [Board book, children's book, Christmas, holiday]<br /><br />4. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/01/4-calling-on-matchmaker.html">Calling On the Matchmaker</a>. Jody Hedlund. 2023. [December] 352 pages. [Source: Library] [historical romance, historical fiction]<br /><br />5. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/01/5-tailor-made-bride.html">A Tailor-Made Bride</a>. Karen Witemeyer. 2010. 348 pages. [Source: Library] [Historical fiction; historical romance, christian fiction, reread]<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s118/heart_5.gif"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s1600/heart_5.gif" /></a>6. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/01/6-short-straw-bride.html">Short-Straw Bride</a>. Karen Witemeyer. 2012. Bethany House. 368 pages. [Source: Library]<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s118/heart_5.gif"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s1600/heart_5.gif" /></a> 7. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/01/7-letter-tree.html">The Letter Tree</a>. Rachel Fordham. 2023. [October] 352 pages. [Source: Library] <br /><br />8. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/01/8-how-to-get-mommy-to-sleep.html">How To Get a Mommy To Sleep</a>. Amy Parker. Illustrated by Natalia Moore. 2020. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [Children's book, picture book]<br /><br />9. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/01/9-devil-shall-not-prevail.html">The Devil Shall Not Prevail</a>. A.W. Tozer (with James L. Snyder) 2023. 160 pages. [Source: Library]<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s118/heart_5.gif"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s1600/heart_5.gif" /></a>10. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/01/10-god-is-here.html">God Is Here</a>. Lisa Tawn Bergren. Illustrated by Greg Stobbs. 2023. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book; children's book]<br /><br />11. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/01/11-after-shadows.html">After the Shadows (Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing #1)</a> Amanda Cabot. 2023. 352 pages. [Source: Library] [historical fiction, Texas fiction, historical romance, mystery and suspense]<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bibles reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s118/heart_5.gif"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9t5W2ylFEDuGI3RTeJTNQR_VwNqdL-VCDVamHZtph3hm4AKhElsnhd7WTbd0i8Lmp4lndK53gEFpLd7r8_14luCAlabsCv8zdnn4Yw1E675FWX0HF53CqEXfSzf2gxkz7uUst147OD6MFLEfJ5HLGxL6nMd9iwd7mzmI-UNbVLEKEEeUkKNP_cxygMU/s1600/heart_5.gif" /></a>1. <a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/01/1-new-testament-only.html">NEW TESTAMENT ONLY </a><a href="https://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2024/01/1-new-testament-only.html">The Amplified New Testament</a>. Lockman Foundation. God. 1958. 989 pages. [Source: Bought]</p><p> </p><p>Monthly and Yearly Totals</p><p> </p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" data-sheets-root="1" dir="ltr" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium none; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; table-layout: fixed; width: 0px;"><colgroup><col width="152"></col><col width="100"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Books Read in 2024"}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Books Read in 2024</td><td data-sheets-formula="=sum(R[-1]C[-16]:R[999]C[-16])" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":36}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">36</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pages Read in 2024"}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Pages Read in 2024</td><td data-sheets-formula="=sum(R[-1]C[-12]:R[998]C[-12])" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":6875}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">6875</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"January "}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">January </td><td style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;"><br /></td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Books read in January"}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Books read in January</td><td data-sheets-formula="=sum(R[-3]C[-16]:R[32]C[-16])" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":36}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">36</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pages read in January"}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Pages read in January</td><td data-sheets-formula="=sum(R[-4]C[-12]:R[31]C[-12])" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":6875}" style="background-color: #f8f3e4; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">6875</td></tr></tbody></table><p><style type="text/css">td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}</style></p><p> <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-78676237294062213312024-01-30T10:28:00.002-06:002024-01-30T10:28:40.328-06:0013. Elf Dog & Owl Head<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzomIxHeoYh4B7xNYsYO4dtjIf615fEkUJSQOeju9jUC0H1pDmnrVBTUlo5dVcPY68_v8LrpwGqzvcxKrbHJegPKyr1pkhLe4VD_c8JX9rghAZ2N0RqHWvvr62cOhMHRhBqrITHqQRogWesMsQg6QEK_-tAp8gZCexuC99rbvfqIWlFHimrxviQ/s310/3star168kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="281" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzomIxHeoYh4B7xNYsYO4dtjIf615fEkUJSQOeju9jUC0H1pDmnrVBTUlo5dVcPY68_v8LrpwGqzvcxKrbHJegPKyr1pkhLe4VD_c8JX9rghAZ2N0RqHWvvr62cOhMHRhBqrITHqQRogWesMsQg6QEK_-tAp8gZCexuC99rbvfqIWlFHimrxviQ/s1600/3star168kb.png" width="281" /></a></div><br />Elf Dog and Owl Head. M.T. Anderson. Illustrated by Junyi Wu. 2023. 240 pages. [Source: Library] [MG Fiction; MG Fantasy; J Fantasy; J Fiction]<p></p><p>First sentence: It was Monday, so they were hunting wyrms in the petrified forest. That's what the Queen Under the Mountain always scheduled for Monday. The pack of elf-hounds bounded past stone trees, barking and howling. They poured through the wood like a tide. Behind them rode dukes and duchesses, lords and ladies, servants and sorcerers. Huntsmen blew huge, curling horns.</p><p>Premise/plot: Would I have read Elf Dog and Owl Head if it had not been named a Newbery Honor last week? Probably not. So what is it about? What should YOU expect? Elf Dog and Owl Head is set during the late spring/early summer of 2020. Clay, our main character, is struggling. His parents are worried about COVID, finances, and supplies. Clay and his two sisters are struggling with a) getting along with each other b) missing their social lives (no school, no seeing friends in person), c) monotony of their lives. Clay comes across a stray dog (an elf hound) whom he brings home. He subsequently has adventures (and misadventures) with his new dog in the nearby woods. The magical dog can travel between worlds and so long as Clay is following behind her, he can too. He sees much, hears much, gets into some trouble. One of the worlds he visits has OWL PEOPLE. People with human bodies and OWL HEADS. Almost all the worlds have super-strict rules about NOT interacting with humans and harming those that do stumble into their world. So Clay's adventures are not without consequences--or potential consequences. But he does make a few friends. His sister even joins him once or twice in these adventures. But traveling worlds isn't exactly safe...will Clay live to explore another day?</p><p>My thoughts: This book would be a good fit for young readers who enjoy visiting OTHER worlds. Some fantasy novels are set exclusively in one fantasy world. This one features the "real world" (of 2020) and a handful of other worlds. These worlds are, I believe, "layered" upon one another. All exist in the same woods, but travel between worlds is rare--except for Midsummer. The fantasy world(s) to me were odd. This is something completely subjective. Other readers may greatly enjoy these other worlds. </p><p>Because this one is "about Covid" in a way, it is interesting that this will be a lasting legacy. I'll try to explain what I mean. Newbery winners and honor books tend to stay in print longer and be kept in libraries longer. They have a longer shelf-life. Not indefinite. Books can fall out of favor even if they win awards or are named honor books. But this one will be read by children decades from now who did not live through 2020. This may be their "exposure" to this time in history. This one is not the first book about this time--nor will it be the last. But I do *think* (and correct me if I'm wrong) it is the first book about Covid to get attention from the Newberys. <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-53960194080105166302024-01-26T17:38:00.001-06:002024-01-26T17:38:49.030-06:0012. Agatha Christie: An Autobiography<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsk5cqSpAxPExb0nj_-p7Q-E8w8ZkfkTxyM3-TyYXAg9m56owB-2QkNkICZBwnohogvXXzTO3MpdRHO7J-hA9wIFHWknG5ezhNT1YijgfoQgMesiV5p0xgvZeELs8OIl3pEtXiu1axNsWh48LJkJ5deG5vUJRsN1PGUXYojXp_POtRn4-aQ5BKA/s323/5star201kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="323" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsk5cqSpAxPExb0nj_-p7Q-E8w8ZkfkTxyM3-TyYXAg9m56owB-2QkNkICZBwnohogvXXzTO3MpdRHO7J-hA9wIFHWknG5ezhNT1YijgfoQgMesiV5p0xgvZeELs8OIl3pEtXiu1axNsWh48LJkJ5deG5vUJRsN1PGUXYojXp_POtRn4-aQ5BKA/s320/5star201kb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />An Autobiography. Agatha Christie. 1977/1996. Berkley. 635 pages. [Source: Bought] <p></p><p></p><p>ETA: I reread this one in January 2024. It had been years since I first read this one. I have so many dog-eared pages from both readings. If I was to quote everything I marked to "remember" to come back to, it would be so long. Definitely glad I reread this one. <br />
<br />
Agatha Christie's autobiography has been on my tbr pile for years now. I
have looked forward to reading it for so long! I must admit the length
had me a little intimidated. But once I started reading this one, I
found myself completely absorbed in it. It is truly a fascinating read
cover to cover. I think this one could prove appealing to a variety of
readers.<br />
<br />
Do you love history? I found Agatha Christie's Autobiography to be
fascinating. This book is rich in details. Readers learn in great detail
about her family and her growing up years. What Christie is describing
is a way of life, and the way she saw the world around her. Her thoughts
on her parents, grandparents, siblings, the family servants--the cook
and the maids and nannies. You get a real sense of what it was to be a
child (and teen) growing up in England in the 1890s and 1900s. She was
"out" (ready to date) a year or two (or even three) before World War I
began. <br />
<br />
Are you interested in World War I? in World War II? Christie details
what life was like during the war years. She was a nurse for a great
part of World War I. She also assisted in dispensing drugs. She fell in
love and got married during this time. During World War II she again did
her part in the war effort. I believe volunteering in a hospital. She
was in and around London during the War. She recalls how she rarely (if
ever) took shelter during the raids because she was afraid of being
buried alive under all the rubble. She had a grown daughter by that
point. A daughter who fell in love, got married, and had a child during
this time.<br />
</p><blockquote class="tr_bq">
England was at war. It had come. I can hardly express the difference
between our feelings then and now. Now we might be horrified, perhaps
surprised, but not really astonished that war should come, because we
are all conscious that war does come; that it has come in the past and
that, at any moment, it might come again. But in 1914 there had been no
war for--how long? Fifty years--more? True, there had been the "Great
Boer War," and skirmishes on the Northwest frontier, but those had not
been wars involving one's own country--they had been large army
exercises, as it were; the maintenance of power in far places. This was
different--we were at war with Germany. (257) </blockquote>
Are you interested in archaeology? in world-traveling? She spends a good
deal of time recalling her travels around the world. She accompanied
her first husband on an extended trip--covering several continents. (She
left her (quite young) daughter with her mother and sister.) After her
divorce--he fell in love with another woman and blamed her for it--she
traveled on her own. On one of her trips to the Middle East, she met the
man who would become her second husband. He was an archaeologist. While
she did not stay with him the duration of all of his digs, she
accompanied him on some, and visited on others. Readers learn that
Christie LOVED, LOVED, LOVED to travel.<br />
<br />
Are you a rehab addict? Christie loved looking at houses, buying houses
in need of repair, fixing them up, renting them out, and selling them.
She owned many properties at various points in her life. I believe the
book said she owned eight during World War II. The book talks about her
remodeling and redesigning houses.<br />
<br />
Are you interested in writing, in her writing life? You'll find plenty
to delight you within her autobiography. She talks about different sides
of her writing life. Her novels. Her mystery novels. Her plays. Her
short stories. Her poems. She talks about her mistakes and successes.
Readers learn about which books she liked best and which book she
really, really hated!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It was while I was working in the dispensary that I first conceived the idea of writing a detective story. (289)</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
People never stop writing to me nowadays to suggest that Miss Marple and
Hercule Poirot should meet--but why should they? I am sure the would
not enjoy it at all. Hercule Poirot, the complete egoist, would not like
being taught his business by an elderly spinster lady. He was a
professional sleuth, he would not be at home all in Miss Marple's world.
No, they are both stars, and they are stars in their own right. (502) </blockquote>
Do you love to read? Christie shares her thoughts on her favorite writers and books!<br />
<br />
I want to emphasize the fact that you do not have to love mysteries in
order to find this autobiography of a mystery writer fascinating! I
marked so many passages that I wanted to share with you. Too many to
actually share. It would overwhelm any post. So just trust me, read this
one!<br />
<br />
I will choose a quote which happens to bring to mind a certain song from Frozen.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
One of the first things that happens when you are attracted to a man and
he is to you is that extraordinary illusion that you think exactly
alike about everything, that you each say the things the other has been
thinking. (228)</blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33553028.post-20429054164228529162024-01-25T15:25:00.000-06:002024-01-25T15:25:01.650-06:0011. Big<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0swgJUgPcOKI0F-AXMx_Hj2Xk_mFz_uFqko1x2jqksE0fQlWa_i-V-70OCKkdRrwoLsro6T2ml3TZu6_crKPVq8tcso1_iJXygCT-EmBgbNsBdajxi4ENehOU4X1qJsMuRFUxfxTnZa5g3M8Lo0kp9YN4FNBAVYHV0VpSU1hRLlpBng42T985Sg/s323/5star201kb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="323" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0swgJUgPcOKI0F-AXMx_Hj2Xk_mFz_uFqko1x2jqksE0fQlWa_i-V-70OCKkdRrwoLsro6T2ml3TZu6_crKPVq8tcso1_iJXygCT-EmBgbNsBdajxi4ENehOU4X1qJsMuRFUxfxTnZa5g3M8Lo0kp9YN4FNBAVYHV0VpSU1hRLlpBng42T985Sg/s320/5star201kb.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Big. Vashti Harrison. 2023. 60 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]<p></p><p>First sentence: Once there was a girl with a big laugh and a big heart and very big dreams. </p><p>Premise/plot: Big is a picture book about self-love and body-positivity. It is a book that embraces all the wonderful things that BIG can be. It examines the confusing, blurry, contradictory messages humans believe [and at times convey]. Is big good? Is big bad? Why is it great to be big when you're a baby/toddler but not as a second grader? (To get into specifics of this particular picture book.) The star of this one is a second grader who loves dancing ballet, but, who increasingly feels belittled and invisible as others--kids and adults--make a big deal out of her "bigness." She is hurt by words and actions.The book chronicles her journey to feeling beautiful AND being big.</p><p>My thoughts: I mostly loved this one. The illustrations are amazing--beyond amazing. I am not at all surprised this one won the Caldecott MEDAL [which is for illustrations.] It also earned a Coretta Scott King HONOR in illustrations and for author. Both text and illustrations are wonderful.</p><p>This book makes a statement. A statement without shame. Big. Is. Beautiful. End. Of. Story.</p><p>I said mostly, I meant mostly. I am ALL for body-positivity. I would not want any person to feel ashamed or embarrassed because of their size. I would not want any one to be made to feel "less than" or "not good enough" or "unworthy."At the same time, I am not prepared to throw health and nutrition away [completely] for some warm and cozy feelings. There are a million and one reasons why a person--of any age--might be "big." There is not a one-size-fits-all cure. For example, IF a person is eating because they are eating their feelings. If they are eating because of anger, rebellion, fear, loneliness, anxiety, boredom, whatever possible emotion, wouldn't it be better to get better coping skills--and other supports in place--than to just continue eating. Isn't it better to catch it early than to live with it for decades? NOT because a person is unworthy if big, but because there are better ways to deal with life's hardships and difficulties than turning to food. Again, there are a million and one reasons why a person might be big. You can't look at a "big" person and say this is why and judge them for it. I am not advocating for judgment or criticism. But the book specifically says that anyone who offers help or support is just as harmful and dangerous as those who are bullies. Big is beautiful. Bigger is beautiful. Biggest is beautiful. To infinity and beyond, keep celebrating being big. Again, I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, HATE diet culture. I am not advocating "cookie cutter" ideals for what is beautiful. I think cultural beauty standards can be super problematic. <br /></p><p> </p><p>© 2024 Becky Laney of <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com">Becky's Book Reviews</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you're reading this on a site (other than <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/">Becky's Book Reviews</a> or <a href="http://blbooks.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">Becky's feed</a>, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.</div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00793618692608823102noreply@blogger.com0