52. Scarlet

52. Scarlet. A.C. Gaughen. 2012. 287 pages. [Source: Library] [YA Fiction, YA Historical, YA Romance, 5 stars]

First sentence: No one really know 'bout me. I'm Rob's secret, I'm his informant, I'm his shadow in dark places. No one ever takes me for more than a knockabout lad, a whip of a boy. They never really see. And I don't mind that they don't see. Like, when you walk through a room full of big men drunk off their skulls, it ain't so bad to be ignored.

Premise/plot: Scarlet is a young adult twist on Robin Hood. It is narrated by 'Scar' [aka 'Will Scarlet' or 'Scarlet'). Only Robin's gang know her secret--that she's a young woman in disguise. To the rest of the world she's just a thief, one of Robin's gang. If you're familiar with Robin Hood--and who isn't--you can fill in the blanks. Robin Hood is trying to help the poor and save them from the injustices of the powers that be [local sheriffs and such as well as 'King' John]. Readers get to know Rob, Scarlet, John Little, Much, etc. as they try to stop the thief-hunter Gisbourne from destroying everything. Gisbourne has a strong dislike for Scarlet whom he knew before...under her real name. He is the one who in fact gave her her scar.

My thoughts: It's been over ten years since I visited this series. But I've always intended to reread this series. Scarlet is far from perfect. I know this. But I enjoyed spending time with her and all the others. I think the characters have some depth. The story is somewhat familiar, to be sure, but I have always liked it.

Quotes:

• Rob's head pressed harder against mine. "I know what it's like to look into your past and see nothing but your mistakes," he said. My fingers crushed tight into his skin, clawing him like if I could break the skin we'd be connected by blood, and I could comfort him and he could see into me without me having to speak out loud. "They were your orders, Rob. You were a soldier for the King's Crusade. It can't be a mistake if you didn't have a choice."
• "More people care about you than you know, Scarlet. No matter how you got your scars. Not just those scars. The ones that make you think you're unlovable."

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

130. Wool Omnibus (Silo #1)

Wool Omnibus (Silo #1) Hugh Howey. 2012. 509 pages. [Source: Bought] [Adult science fiction, adult horror, adult mystery, dystopia]

First sentence: The children were playing while Holston climbed to his death; he could hear them squealing as only happy children do. While they thundered about frantically above, Holston took his time, each step methodical and ponderous, as he wound his way around and around the spiral staircase, old boots ringing out on metal treads.

My thoughts: I first read this one in 2013. I loved it so, so, so much. I never went back to reread it, however, until now. I saw that it was being adapted into a show/series. I may never see the adaptation, but I am so glad that I took this chance to reread it. It's been long enough that it was like reading it for the first time--which was glorious for the horror-mystery bits. I love the tension of this one.

Premise/plot: Set in the future. What remains of humanity is living underground in a silo--or silos, as the case may be. Generations have come and gone, hundreds of years have passed, those that live in the silo have only ever known the silo. It functions or malfunctions, as the case may be, by following or "following" rules and guidelines put into place. But what happens when little things trigger chain reactions? 

So this one is titled, "Wool." Those trouble-makers, those "law-breakers," if you will, are "punished" by being sent OUT. And one of their last responsibilities is cleaning. Cleaning cameras, viewers, windows? But one woman sentenced to this fate refuses to clean....and subsequently....well life in Silo 18 will never be the same.

Further thoughts: I definitely recommend this book. It's a little bit of everything--dystopia, mystery, suspense, horror, science fiction. It alternates points of view. But this is an instance where that is a great thing--used for building suspense.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

148. Making Bombs for Hitler

Making Bombs for Hitler. Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch. 2012/2017. 191 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: The room smelled of soap and the light was so white that it made my eyes ache. I held Larissa's hand in a tight grip. I was her older sister, after all, and she was my responsibility. It would be easy to lose her in this sea of children, and we had both lost far too much already.

Premise/plot: Lida, our protagonist, is a Ukrainian child sent to a work labor camp [concentration camp]. Having been warned that [younger] children are at greater risk, she ages herself by several years. Hoping that if she is perceived as old enough to work, to be useful, the greater the chance that she'll survive the Nazis. Most of the book describes her experiences with various jobs in that Nazi concentration camp. The book ends with her dealing with the aftermath of the war. It would be a mistake to think that survivors get a "happily ever after" starting the moment the camps are liberated. 

My thoughts: I am not doing justice to this compelling coming of age war novel. It was such an intense read. It was interesting--to me at least--to get an Ukrainian perspective. It is more common to see a Jewish perspective of the concentration camps perhaps. The novel opens in 1943. But don't expect a lot of dates. This one is a little vague on specific details. For example, while we spend almost all of the book with the characters in a work camp [concentration camp], readers never learn which camp. This isn't a deal breaker for me. It isn't. But I was curious. [Probably more curious than the intended original audience]. 

I would recommend this one. It is intense. But sometimes you just a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, a book a little bit outside your comfort zone.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

106. The Mark of Athena

The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus #3). Rick Riordan. 2012. 586 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Until she met the exploding statue, Annabeth thought she was prepared for anything.

Premise/plot: At last all seven of the demigods are united and gathering to face all odds and do ultimate battle. Percy, Jason, Piper, Hazel, Annabeth, Frank, Leo. We spent the first two books in the series getting to know these characters--three at a time. These seven are heading to the ancient homelands--ancient Rome/ancient Greece. The odds are not in their favor. And along the way, they'll have to win approval of some gods at least if they are to stand a chance. For it is only when heroes and gods work together that victory is even possible. 

My thoughts: So much going on. So many characters. All of them claiming to be "ultimate." The book, to me, felt wearisome. I did not feel as invested in all seven of the heroes as I should have been. I think it's not that I don't care at all. I do. It's just hard to care about all seven at the same time. And there comes a time when quests--even super-ultimate-this-is-really-it quests--are just tiresome to get invested in. This is book three out of five. You know wherever, however this one ends...it's not really close to "the end."

That being said, this is perhaps the first chance that Annabeth gets to truly shine on her own. Not as part of a group or duo, but on her own. This book had interesting/intriguing moments/scenes. I just had a hard time staying that way cover to cover. 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

69. Summer of the Gypsy Moths

Summer of the Gypsy Moths. Sara Pennypacker. 2012. 275 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The earth spins at a thousand miles an hour. Sometimes when I remember this, it's all I can do to stay upright--the urge to flatten myself to the ground and clutch hold is that strong. 

Premise/plot: I hope YOU do not judge books by their covers. Sometimes covers lie. They don't truly capture the truth, the whole truth, of a book. (Probably rarely do cover the whole truth). But I do think books should capture the tone/essence of a book. This book looks whimsical, sweet, wholesome, adorable, light-hearted, feel-good, delightful. It is anything but. 

Stella lives with her great-aunt Louise. Louise has not only taken in her great-niece, Stella, but has also taken another foster child into her home. Angel and Stella don't always see things eye to eye, but, they will through the course of this book when circumstances change.

Stella is hoping that her mother (who abandoned her) will return by the end of the summer. Stella (and Angel) just have to hold on until the end of summer, right? How hard can it be???

My thoughts: Summer of the Gypsy Moths probably is in my top five books of MOST DISTURBING BOOKS WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED FOR CHILDREN list. Emphasis, MY list. I am sure there are PLENTY of books that I have yet to discover that could make this list. I don't seek out disturbing books. Well, I guess that could be debated. I do read some books with heavy, weighty subjects. 

What makes Summer of Gypsy Moths disturbing???? Well. Let's just say their guardian, Louise, doesn't survive the first few chapters. (Perhaps even dying in chapter one? maybe, maybe chapter two?) Plenty of children's books deal with death and dying. But not many go the direction this one does....

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Angel and Stella (two eleven year olds) decide NOT to report Louise's death. And it takes them a while (perhaps days, maybe even a week? a little longer?) to decide WHAT to do with her body. In the meanwhile, as they are debating betwixt themselves, just grab the Febreze and spray, spray, spray. Eventually, they agree to bury her in the garden--by themselves--still not alerting anyone about her death. The girls will go on living in their home and tending to themselves. If adults should ask questions about Louise (and they do), just lie, lie, lie, lie, lie. 

It isn't until Stella comes to the hard realization that her mother may not return anytime soon--at the end of summer--that she thoughtfully considers putting an end to this game.And I do think the girls almost think of it as a game--playing grown-up and seeing how long they can go on without getting caught. So MONTHS go by essentially.

Eventually, the girls will need to face consequences, BUT, those consequences are essentially non-existent. Angel finds an aunt to take her in. And Stella enters the foster care system. But no adult or community of adults--not police officers, not social workers, not mental health professionals, not journalists--seem to care at all--even a little bit--about what the girls have done. Covering up a death, burying a body, and telling hundreds of lies. Maybe you think the girls haven't done anything criminal exactly--maybe you do--but let's take a moment or two to think MENTAL HEALTH. Don't these girls need some help or intervention???? Even if it is just to work through the trauma of it all??? But NOPE, everything is 100% okay. 

I had some issues with George. George seems to be the only human being in this town that even ventures forth to ask the occasional question about Louise. And he even admits later that the girls lies shouldn't have been convincing, that he was a fool to believe them for a second. Yet this man, this man who essentially believed those lies--no matter how silly and stupid--is capable of taking Stella in as a foster child????? I have questions.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

1. The False Prince

The False Prince (Ascendance #1) Jennifer A. Nielsen. 2012. 342 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: If I had it to do all over again, I would not have chosen this life. Then again, I'm not sure I ever had a choice. These were my thoughts as I raced away from the market, with a stolen roast tucked under my arm.

Sage, our young mischievous hero, is about to become closely entangled with a dangerous scheme. Not of his own choosing, mind you, but his escapades with the roast lead to some unexpected consequences. He finds himself one of four (soon to be one of three) young orphans being trained to impersonate the dead Prince Jaron. Prince Jaron was murdered by pirates--so everyone says--though it was never proven. Conveniently never proven since actual evidence would have probably led to war. But there is an opportunity for the brave, reckless, scheming sort to grab the throne...

Sage has a choice to make...go along with this scheme and do whatever it takes to "win" this competition to become the PRINCE or resist and rebel and ultimately die for his failure. There can only be one PRINCE after all. Does he have what it takes to become prince (and ultimately KING).

This is my third time to read The False Prince. Looking back at earlier reviews, it seems I have loved, loved, loved, LOVED it each time. I'm still good with that reaction. I am. I had forgotten just how much I love this series. But, yes, I do LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. I love the characters. I love the setting and world-building. I love the relationships.

 I do have my own copies of these books. But I found it more convenient to read the library copies.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

104. Drama

Drama. Raina Telgemeier. 2012. 238 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Do you think Mr. Madera will let me operate the spotlight again?

Premise/plot: Drama chronicles the misadventures of stage hand, Callie, as she navigates middle school--notably her falling in and out of love with unavailable guys. So the book focuses in almost exclusively on the middle school stage crew as they get ready to produce the play, "Moon Over Mississippi." Callie works on set design and her "baby" of the project is a cannon that shoots confetti--if she can get it to work and keep it working. But everyone IN the play and working ON the play have super-super-melodramatic lives...the book depicts how hard it is for love to actually be requited... Callie herself seems to almost always be crushing on guys crushing on other guys.

My thoughts: One of my favorite things about Raina Telgemeier's previous graphic novels (her graphic memoirs) were how super-relatable they were. That wasn't the case with Drama. For me, I just couldn't relate to any of the characters. It wasn't just that I couldn't see myself in any of the characters and relate to any of the situations. It's that I just didn't connect with any of the characters. I felt it was all drama and little substance. As opposed to her other graphic (memoirs) novels that were all substance.

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2. Death's Door

Death's Door. (Billy Boyle #7) James R. Benn. 2012. Soho Crime. 358 pages. [Source: Library] [Genres: Historical Fiction; Mystery]

First sentence: They must be in love, I thought, watching the couple as they danced to a scratchy tune on the Victrola.

Premise/plot: Billy Boyle stars in his seventh mystery. Death’s Door provides a satisfying end to the super cliffhanger that was A Mortal Terror. In that one, Billy discovers in the last few pages that Diana, a SOE agent and possible love of his life, has been captured by Nazis. Is she dead? Is she alive? Is she facing torture? But Boyle’s mission—at least his official mission cannot be to find and rescue her. No, his mission is to go to Vatican City and investigate the murder of a priest, Father Corrigan. As always he is to be super discreet. Can he stay focused on the task at hand and solve the crime before the murderer strikes again? Will he be able to find Diana and save her?

My thoughts: I was so pleased that this one is not a cliffhanger!!! It ties up the messy ending of A Mortal Terror and offers a substantive new mystery as well. The series continues to thrill. I am so glad that I discovered the series and was able to hook my mom as well. She is several books ahead of me now! I don’t doubt for a second she’ll be all caught up by the end of the year.

© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? Mo Willems. 2012. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence:  Hello! May I have a cookie, please? Oh! Thanks! That was very nice of you! Oh! Look at all those nuts.

Premise/plot: The Duckling has a cookie--with nuts--and Pigeon is having a jealous fit. He's having a fit like only he can. This is Pigeon at his most flustered. (Probably).

My thoughts: I like this one. For the longest time it was my favorite book in Mo Willems' Pigeon series. I'm not sure it still is--though it comes close. I do recommend all of the Pigeon books. Pigeon is the kind of character that grows on you. You may not instantly love him. You may not quite "get" him. For me it was a sneaky love. One day I realized that I did in fact love him.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Wonder

Wonder. R. J. Palacio. 2012. Random House. 320 pages.

First sentence: I know I'm not an ordinary ten-year-old kid. I mean, sure, I do ordinary things. I eat ice cream. I ride my bike. I play ball. I have an Xbox. Stuff like that makes me ordinary. I guess. And I feel ordinary. Inside. But I know ordinary kids don't make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds. I know ordinary kids don't get stared at wherever they go. If I found a magic lamp and I could have one wish, I would wish that I had a normal face that no one ever noticed at all. I would wish that I could walk down the street without people seeing me and then doing that look-away thing. Here's what I think: the only reason I'm not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way.

Premise/plot: Wonder has many narrators but one central focus: August Pullman. Auggie is a wonder-ful kid but is he ordinary or extraordinary? Does looking different from everyone else make you abnormal and less human?

The book opens with August about to begin fifth grade at a new school. He's been home-schooled previously. Both for practical--medical--reasons and for personal--more emotional--reasons. But. The time has come. He is as ready as he'll ever be to enter the 'real' world and face the best and worst of human nature.

Before the school year begins, he meets the middle school principal, Mr. Tushman, and three of his future classmates: Julian, Jack Will, and Charlotte. But Auggie's first friend isn't a "buddy" assigned from the principal. It is a girl named Summer who joins him at the lunch table that first difficult day of school.

Via, August's older sister, has her own terrible first day of school. She's lost her best friend, Miranda, to an edgy "popular" crowd. Both Via and Auggie struggle to find that just-right "belonging" place in the wild and crazy jungle of school. Her story, in a small way, goes to show that looking normal, being pretty, isn't a guarantee of a problem-free life.

In fact, if the book has a message, it is that every single person struggles and faces challenges.

My thoughts: It is surprising that I'm just now rereading Wonder considering how much I loved, loved, loved it. Looking back, I see I reviewed it one month after its release. (Perhaps that was the best time of all to read it. Before the hype. Before the movie. I'm speaking generally.)

I loved the story, the writing, the characterization, the happy ending. What I didn't quite love was the not-so-happy ending for the dog. Don't get attached.

Favorite quotes:

When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind. (48)

"Why do I have to be so ugly, Mommy?" I whispered.
"No, baby, you're not..."
"I know I am."
She kissed me all over my face. She kissed my eyes that came down too far. She kissed my cheeks that looked punched in. She kissed my tortoise mouth. She said soft words that I know were meant to help me, but words can't change my face. (60)

August is the Sun. Me and Mom and Dad are planets orbiting the Sun. The rest of our family and friends are asteroids and comets floating around the planets orbiting the Sun. The only celestial body that doesn't orbit August the Sun is Daisy the dog, and that's only because to her little doggy eyes, August's face doesn't look very different from any other human's face. (82)

"Dad, I loved that helmet! It meant a lot to me! I was bummed beyond belief when it got lost--don't you remember?"
"Of course, I remember, Auggie," he said softly. "Ohh, Auggie, don't be mad. I'm sorry. I just couldn't stand seeing you wear that thing on your head anymore, you know? I didn't think it was good for you." He was trying to look me in the eye, but I wouldn't look at him. "Come on, Auggie, please try to understand," he continued, putting his hand under my chin and tilting my face toward him. "You were wearing that helmet all the time. And the real, real, real, real truth is: I missed seeing your face, Auggie. I know you don't always love it, but you have to understand...I love it. I love this face of yours, Auggie, completely and passionately. And it kind of broke my heart that you were always covering it up." (291)

© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Light Keeper's Legacy

Light Keeper's Legacy. (Chloe Ellefson Mystery #3) Kathleen Ernst. 2012. 360 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: "This trip of yours is a very bad idea," Roelke said soberly. Chloe Ellefson sighed. "You sound as if I'm disappearing into some trackless wilderness. Rock Island is a state park, for God's sake."

Premise/plot: Chloe Ellefson is taking a few weeks off from her regular job as a museum curator at Old World Wisconsin; she will spend a few weeks working as a consultant on a historic lighthouse project. Things are off to a rocky start, however, for it isn't long before she discovers a dead body (or two). She finds herself in a very isolated, often dangerous location.

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this third novel more. I really got swept up in the secondary story: the one set on the island in the late nineteenth century. I found myself racing through the contemporary (1982) story so I could get back to the other. By the end, I was invested in both stories. I still think this series would make a great television series.
© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

How To Babysit a Grandpa

How to Babysit a Grandpa. Jean Reagan. Illustrated by Lee Wildish. 2012. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Babysitting a grandpa is fun--if you know how.

Premise/plot: A grandson shares all his personal how-to tips for babysitting his grandpa. Some of his tips include what to feed a Grandpa, what to play with Grandpa, how to entertain a Grandpa, how to get a Grandpa to take a nap, etc.

My thoughts: I liked it okay. I did. I have a feeling that there are millions of ways to babysit a Grandpa, and that each grandchild has their own unique way of doing so. This book is universal by no means. (Though hopefully LOVING to spend time with your Grandpa is universal.) I love, love, love the end papers of this picture book. I love the kid drawings.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10
© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Matilda's Cat

Matilda's Cat. Emily Gravett. 2012. 26 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Matilda's cat likes playing with wool, playing with wool, boxes, playing with wool, boxes and riding bikes!

Premise/plot: In this delightful picture book readers meet Matilda and her cat. Matilda, the heroine, is dressed as a cat. She is trying to play WITH her cat. She's brainstorming constantly. What should we do now? How can we have fun together? How about this? How about that? The truth is most of what Matilda tries to get her cat to do, most of what Matilda says her cat likes...is not really true. But all is not lost. Matilda's cat does love something very much: MATILDA.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. It's very expressive and creative. I loved the spread, "Matilda's cat likes drawing." Readers see Matilda sprawled out on the floor, surrounded by colored pencils, happily drawing. She's drawing a cat of course. But it's the expression on the cat's face that is almost priceless. It's also super-super cute to see all the kid-drawn art. Like there's one of Matilda's drawings that take THREE pieces of paper. The cat is knitting a sweater for Matilda. One of the sleeves covers three pieces of paper. If you look closely, Matilda's art reveals how the earlier activities should have gone. You see Matilda and the cat HAPPILY playing in boxes side by side. You see the cat bravely fighting a dragon. (Just the page before the text reads, "and fighting foes!") The picture of the tea party is adorable. As is the bicycle riding picture. And it is NOT easy to draw a bicycle. I think the book perfectly illustrates that our own interests sometimes dictate a little too much what we like to do with friends. Of course, the more obvious conclusion is that cats will be cats will be cats. And that you can't make a cat do something a cat doesn't want to do.

Another spread I really love is when Matilda tries to read a bedtime story to her cat. Her choice: Emily Gravett's DOGS. The cat REALLY, REALLY, REALLY doesn't want to do that!!!

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10


© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller

Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller. Joseph Lambert. 2012. 96 pages. [Source: Library]

Premise/plot: Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller is a nonfiction graphic novel; it is a biography of Helen Keller's teacher, Annie Sullivan. The first scene in the book is a wordless sequence that continues for several pages: Helen Keller trying to eat off her teacher's plate and being made to eat off her own plate and to eat with a spoon. It's a contest of wills between the two, for sure. The first third of the book--at least--this struggle continues. Annie trying to have a break through with Helen Keller. How do you teach the concept of language, of ideas, of words to someone who can neither hear or see? If there is someone as stubborn as Helen, it is Annie. Together these two will have an impact on the world. The water scene occurs about thirty pages into this one. Instead of using this as the end of the story, Lambert uses this as the beginning of the story. The focus in this graphic novel is truly the EDUCATION of Helen Keller. I found this to be FASCINATING. The climax of this one surrounds the 'trial' of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan. Sullivan has been writing to her teacher/mentor. She shared a story that Helen Keller wrote, The Frost King. He was so impressed with this story that he tried to get it published in a magazine, only to be humiliated when he was told that the story was 'plagiarized.' Keller and Sullivan stand 'trial' before him and the school board. Were either guilty of knowingly copying a story and passing it off as original?

My thoughts: I really LOVED this one. It wasn't perfect. I would have loved it if the panels of this graphic novel had been larger, and if the font size had been larger. It was hard on the eyes. Especially since you're reading CURSIVE in a tiny print. Cursive and finger spelling. I didn't struggle with the finger spelling. (As a kid, I was so fascinated by The Miracle Worker that I learned the manual alphabet. And that's something I kept in my memory with the exception of x and z.) I read in the author's note that the cursive bits were taken from Sullivan's actual letters. So this isn't a flimsy biography, but a serious one.


© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Suppose You Meet a Dinosaur

Suppose You Meet a Dinosaur: A First Book of Manners. Judy Sierra. Illustrated by Tim Bowers. 2012. Random House. 40 pages [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: You're shopping at the grocery store. Surprise! You see a dinosaur. This doesn't happen every day. So, what are you supposed to say? Hello, I'm pleased to meet you.

Premise/plot: How well do you know your manners? This book supposes that you--the reader--are meeting a dinosaur at the grocery store. Each page reveals a new scenario. Rhyming clues may prompt readers to the right answer for each scenario.

Favorite quotes:

You want to buy some butter brickle. Yikes! You need another nickel. The dinosaur says, "Here's a dime." What are the magic words this time? Thank you. Here's your change. Would you like some butter brickle? The dinosaur is worried that a brickle snack would make her fat. She does not want it even slightly. How does she let you know politely?

My thoughts: This is a favorite of mine. It is definitely my favorite concept book for teaching manners. Also it is my favorite book starring a dinosaur. And while it might be a stretch to say it is my favorite rhyming book ever, it is my favorite rhyming book by Judy Sierra. In fact her other books tend to disappoint me. Still this is one I love, love, love to read! "Even slightly" is a great phrase to work into your conversations.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Helen's Big World

Helen's Big World. Doreen Rappaport. Illustrated by Matt Tavares. 2012. 48 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Helen gurgled and giggled in her crib. At six months, she crawled and said, "How-d'ye," and "wah-wah," for water. When she was one, she ran after a ray of sunshine. she loved the mockingbird's song and the sweet smell of climbing roses. But best of all was being on her father's laps and in her mother's arms.

Premise/plot: Helen's Big World is a picture book biography of Helen Keller. Nearly every spread in this picture book includes a quote from Helen Keller herself. The narrative moves swiftly and is just beautiful.

My thoughts: Oh how I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one!!!! I grew up LOVING the movie The Miracle Worker. And I've always been interested in Helen and Annie's lives. This one was a PERFECT match for me. The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING. The quotes almost leave me speechless. This one was my favorite:

I have the advantage of a mind trained to think, and that is the difference between myself and most people, not my blindness and their sight.

I also love this one:

I do not like the world as it is; so I am trying to make it a little more as I would like it.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10
© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Off Balance

Off Balance. Dominique Moceanu. 2012. 256 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: When you have traveled the world, won Olympic gold, and gone through a very public court battle against your parents all by the age of seventeen, surprises don't come easy.

Premise/plot: Off Balance is the autobiography of gymnast Dominique Moceanu. The focus is not just on gymnastics. It is on her many aspects of her life, then and now. For example, here are a few things this one is about: forging a relationship with a sister she was clueless existed, her extremely tense relationship with the Karolyis, her love-hate-love-hate-love-hate relationship with an abusive father, her love-hate relationship with gymnastics, her love-hate relationship with her body, with weight, with food, exposing the harsher side of gymnastics.

My thoughts: I enjoyed reading this one. The chapters alternate, most of the time, between then and now. Readers learn about her parents arranged marriage, her parents coming to the United States, her parents struggle to make ends meet, her early years, her initial interest in gymnastics, the first coach she really, truly loved, loved, loved (in Florida), the move to Texas and the Karolyis gym, her first competitions as a junior and as an elite gymnast, her mistreatment at the hands of the Karolyis and her father, her journey to the Olympics, going on tour with other Olympian gymnasts, finding a new coach, injuries and setbacks, her failed comebacks, the court battle with her parents, her wild years, her settling down with a husband years, etc.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Message to Adolf #2

Message to Adolf, part 2. Osamu Tezuka. 1983/2012. Translated by Kumar Sivasubramanian. Vertical. 608 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Mama, today I killed people.

Premise/plot: The second half of Message to Adolf begins with a letter of 'confession' from Adolf Kaufman to his Japanese mother. This book sees us through World War II and beyond. If there is a main character, it is Sohei Toge. But really there are dozens of characters. All falling somewhere between extremes. Good and evil. Sane and insane. Smart and stupid.

My thoughts: This will cover my thoughts on both books. I can understand that it would be really difficult to read a graphic novel that was 1200+ pages, so it had to be broken up into parts. But there is one story, not two.

Did I like the characters? Not really. I think perhaps with the exception of one or two characters--mainly the women characters--every character made big mistakes. It feels wrong to call these ethical slips, "big mistakes" when we're talking about things like rape, beating up women, and murder. It's not just the "bad guys" that are committing these crimes. But the good guys too. Even the main character--in the first book. My favorite characters were probably Mrs. Kaufman and Mrs. Kamil. One woman ended up running a restaurant and marrying the 'hero' Sehei Toge. The other was a Jewish baker.

Did I like the story or the action? Again the answer is not really. The story is very brutal and violent. This is expected in part. Japan and Germany were at war with the world. I did not expect the Nazis to be portrayed as "nice." The book depicts the casualness, the nothingness, of murder felt by the Nazis. What I wasn't really expecting to see depicted in both books was rape. Two main characters (Adolf Kaufman and Sohei Toge) essentially RAPE women and get away with it for the most part. They never once think, hey, what I did was wrong. While Kaufman really never recovers his boyish innocence--once he joins the Hitler Youth, it's over for him--Toge essentially is depicted as a great guy, the hero we all should be cheering for.

As I mentioned, murder is all too commonly depicted in these books. Because of the brutal violence (scenes of torture, rape, murder, physical abuse) and the sex scenes (some consensual, some definitely NOT) this is definitely an ADULT book.

What was the message of the book? I'm not sure. During the war, the tension (in the plot) came from people wanting to reveal "secrets" that could destroy Hitler and "end the war" and those wanting to protect Hitler and destroy the secret documents and kill anyone who had seen them.

I am sure there is some significance to the book being titled Message to Adolf, but, I'm not quite sure I can guess the author's intent fully. It's easy--for me--to conclude that WAR IS UGLY AND BRUTAL AND MAKES YOU DO HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE THINGS TO OTHER HUMAN BEINGS. But was that the author's message?

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Message to Adolf #1

Message to Adolf. Osamu Tezuka. Translated by Kumar Sivasubramanian. 1983/2012. Vertical. 648 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: This is the story of three men named Adolf.

Premise/plot: Message to Adolf is a massive two volume graphic novel set for the most part in Japan (and Germany) during the 1930's and 40's. The 'hero' is a Japanese reporter named Sohei Toge. After his brother is murdered by Nazis during the 1936 Olympic Games, he vows vengeance, to find the murderers and finish his brother's work. A political secret led to his brother's death, will it lead to his own?

My thoughts: This one was originally serialized in the early 80's. It has been newly translated into English and in book format. I found it very dramatic--a cliffhanger every chapter at least, dozens of close calls. The action follows several families connected in some way to Kobe, Japan. That is where two of the three Adolf's enter in. One Adolf (Kaufman ) has a German father and Japanese mother. He's best fiends with another boy, another Adolf. His family disapproves because Adolf Kamil is Jewish. There are several stories throughout, but essentially it is about the war and the choices one is forced to make.

I'm not sure how I feel about part one. Honestly, it kept me reading, but, it doesn't really have a proper ending. Will seek out the other volume.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Dog Loves Drawing

Dog Loves Drawing. Louise Yates. 2012. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Dog loved books. He loved books so much that he opened his own bookshop.

Premise/plot: Dog receives a package from his Aunt Dora. It is a blank sketch book. Dog knows just what to do: he grabs his drawing supplies and draws a door. Not wanting to be alone, he draws some friends: a stick man and a duck. His drawings soon start drawing too. Soon they are joined by an owl and a crab. It is Owl's idea to go on an outing--and it is with the outing that the ADVENTURE begins. (They start out on a train...) Soon Dog's sketchbook is FULL.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one very much. I thought it was fun, playful, creative, charming. I really enjoyed all the drawing adventures. It is, of course, a bit like Harold and the Purple Crayon. I really enjoyed the characterization and the action. For example, "While the duck was arguing with the others about who should drive, the stickman drew himself a driver's hat, scribbled some steam, and...they were off!" I love seeing Dog and Duck argue! The expressions on the crab and owl are pretty priceless as well.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10

© 2016 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews