22. A World without Summer

22. A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, a Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out. Nicholas Day. 2025. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, nonfiction, middle grade nonfiction, history]

First sentence: The only way to understand is to have been there. The world loud isn't loud enough. The word hot isn't hot enough. The word-- None of the words are enough. The only way to understand is to have been there. But if you had been there, you would be--well, you would be dead. So we will do the best we can.

Premise/plot: Nonfiction. History. Nature. Science. This is the story of the eruption of a the volcano Tambora in April 1815 and how it impacted the world for several years. YES, years. The book's title might mislead you into thinking it was a short span of time the world's global climate was changed by this volcanic eruption--and all its aftermath. But it was in fact several years before things began to stabilize and 'return' to 'normal.' Of course, that's not quite the whole truth. For that generation there would always be some effect. (For example, the malnutrition--starving or nearly so--of those growing up would leave a forever impact on their bodies whose growth and development would remain stunted.) 

The book is equally fascinating and bleak. It is impactful. For sure.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved much about this one. What I didn't love--well--I hated. The book doesn't allow much for subtly messaging the reader, allowing the reader to connect dots between the past and present. (IF in fact there are any dots to be connected between the past and the future.) The author is all about hitting readers over the head with a hammer. Perhaps with both hands holding a hammer. While I would say most of the book can be read and enjoyed, the agenda is so heavy-handed and extremely not subtle that it becomes obnoxious. There's a right way and a wrong way to get your message across. Sometimes less is more. Sometimes being subtle is more effective. Let readers reach their own conclusion and trust them a bit more.

 

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

21. Bittersweet

21. Bittersweet: Based on the True Tale of the Berlin Candy Bombers. Christy Mandin. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, nonfiction picture book, history, world war II aftermath]

First sentence: A bitter war was over. But for Hilda, the war didn't end when the bombs stopped falling. The war raged on in her belly, a rumbling hunger that never seemed to go away. Her too-tight shoes pinched her toes. Rubble piled up where buildings once stood. Neighbors waited in long lines for little bits of food. Hilda's country was broken into chunks like a wheel of old cheese, each part controlled by a different military.

Premise/plot: This picture book tells of the Berlin Candy Bombers and how one man's act of kindness started it all. It is set in Berlin after the Second World War. While it uses Hilda as a main character, the story is true, or true enough. I believe it is classified as narrative nonfiction.

My thoughts: What a great story! I'd read a little about the Berlin Candy Bombers but not in such a kid-friendly format. I thought it was a great story. Nonfiction that reads as easily as fiction. I would definitely recommend this one for elementary ages.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #7

This week I read eight books.

The Belle of Chatham by Laura Frantz is Christian historical romance set during the American Revolution.

Searching for Mr. Johnson's Song by Ariel Vanece is a children's picture book about a young boy seeking to comfort and encourage his neighbor, Mr. Johnson, by helping him remember the lyrics to a song he forgot.

All the Blue Skies by Renee Watson won the Newbery Medal, but did it win my heart???? Not so much. But if you are looking for a book weighted down by ultimate sadness do seek it out.

Jella Lepman and Her Library of Dreams by Katherine Paterson was a bit overwhelming but extremely fascinating. I felt each page was SO packed with information I'm still processing it all.

If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon by Ellen Levine was a thrift find I loved.

Through the Telescope by Charles R. Smith, Snowshoe Kate and the Hospital Built for Pennies by Margi Preus, and That Swingin' Sound: The Musical Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong by Rekha S. Rajan are all picture book biographies.

Century of Viewing #7

1950s

• 1953 Call Me Madam. This was my first time seeing the musical Call Me Madam. It has both Vera-Ellen AND Donald O'Connor. Though neither in the lead roles. Mrs. Sally Adams is appointed ambassador to a foreign country--her only qualifications being connections in D.C. and her 'charms.' (Her charms must include singing and dancing). She takes her attache (played by Donald O'Connor) with her. They fall in love with some higher-ups in the foreign country, but, things are complicated overseas. Can she sing and dance her way out of trouble?
• 1959/1960 "There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call The Twilight Zone."
  I love, love, love, love the Twilight Zone. There were thirty-six episodes in the first season.

  My favorite episodes this season were:

  "Time Enough at Last"

  "One for the Angels"

  "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"

  "The Fever"

  "Perchance to Dream"

  "Judgment Night"

  "The After Hours"

1990s

• 1995. A quirky comedy (period drama) with an extremely flimsy romance. But the soundtrack is fabulous. The accents are fun. I liked it. So a Welsh "mountain" is judged to be a mere "hill" and the villagers come together to make their hill a mountain....and Hugh Grant falls in insta love with one of the villagers. Or maybe she falls in insta love with him. Not the best plotted romance for sure. And while listed as a comedy, it's the premise that is comedic AND not the story itself. It has more drama than comedy.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

20. All The Blues in the Sky

20. All the Blues in the Sky. Renee Watson. 2025. 208 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, Newbery, verse novel, grief, problem novel]

First sentence: I didn't know
best friends could die.

Premise/plot: After Sage's best friend, Angel, dies, Sage begins attending a grief counseling group with those her own age. She feels that some understand because the people they lost died suddenly, but she's angry that others in the group are included because the people they lost didn't die suddenly. Her logic is that losing someone through hospice isn't the same, couldn't ever be the same. Or losing a grandmother is one thing but losing a best friend another. She rolls her eyes when others share knowing that her pain is greater, better. That's her logic at any account. By the end of the novel--after Sage rages a bit--Sage will have an opportunity to rethink her logic when she learns that her great-aunt is dying.

My thoughts: All the Blues in the Sky was the Newbery this year. It is a verse novel. It was a quick read. It is an emotional read. It checks a lot of the boxes for award winners. It just does. But that doesn't always mean it's a great fit for kids. Not that there's anything objectionable or inappropriate. I just mean kid-appeal. The greater the number of tears shed the better the chances for adults to LOVE it and want to give it all the awards. I'm not sure kid logic works quite like that. THOUGH again if this one is read and loved by kids, that's great.

I personally didn't love Sage's logic. It felt slightly obnoxious. BUT it might be extremely authentic. I do wish that the book focused more on Sage's whole life--and not just her attendance of grief counseling. But again, it's never, never fair to review the book you want instead of the book that is.

Note: I'm not sure if this is a children's book or lower middle grade. But there is a boyfriend and kissing. Which I'm not sure many Newbery medals feature a romantic element.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

19. Jella Lepman and Her Library of Dreams

19. Jella Lepman and Her Library of Dreams. Katherine Paterson. Illustrated by Sally Deng. 2025. 112 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, middle grade nonfiction, books about books, aftermath of world war II, biography]

First sentence: Everything about the flight was miserable. Of course, it wasn't meant to be comfortable. The man and the woman were on a military transport build during World War II to ferry troops and armaments to the front.

Premise/plot: Katherine Paterson has written a biography of Jella Lepman.

My thoughts: I am not often speechless about the books I read. Though nonfiction sometimes isn't the easiest to review. What can I say about this book? It is oversized. Don't be fooled by its picture book appearance or the fact that it is illustrated. It is for children. If I had to guess I'd say ages eight or nine plus. That might be a little young. The subject matter perhaps is best matched with older readers. The format presents a bit younger.  It doesn't feature chapters like many nonfiction books for older readers.

I found it a fascinating read. It covers decades but roughly begins in 1945 after the end of the Second World War. Jella Lepman is being sent to Europe, to countries still overwhelmed and struggling with the aftermath of war. Her 'job description' if you will is to 'repair' or 're-educate' the women and children of those countries. To repair or mend the lives of the most vulnerable--women and children--from the long-term damages of war. She seeks to do this through books. YES, books. She wants to create a large--extremely very large--collection of books written in many, many, many, many languages to bring together the children of the world. She imagines a space of safety where children can thrive--books are a part of her message, but creativity is also encouraged--think art: drawing, painting and the like. It won't be an easy sell, but, Jella Lepman is determined.

One thing I think the book desperately, desperately needs IS a timeline.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews