57. This is Christmas

57. This is Christmas: Song by Song: The Stories Behind 100 Holiday Hits. 2023. 224 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, Christmas, music appreciation]

First sentence: When you think of Christmas music, what comes to mind?

Premise/plot: This is Christmas: Song by Song is a nonfiction book bordering on a novelty book. Is this a good match for you? Maybe. Maybe not. With the right expectations you might find yourself lightly entertained. OR if you have an incredibly short attention span and are looking for a light, fluffy, unsubstantial read. OR if you are vaguely curious and want a light, shallow answer to satisfy your curiosity.

The book offers the story (or "story") of 100 holiday hits. Perhaps the clue is in the word HOLIDAY HITS. This isn't a book about the songs themselves. Not really. Which is perhaps fair enough. After all, look at ANY Christmas album and there's a good chance 75 to 90% of the songs are covers of Christmas classics. Whether it's a traditional Christmas hymn/carol--think Silent Night, O Holy Night, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, or a traditional Christmas song--think Sleigh Ride, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bells--they've been covered thousands of times if not tens of thousands of times. This book has selected particular covers when it comes to some of these. So it isn't the history of the SONG but trivial, light stories of one particular cover that you may or may not have ever heard of...or liked...or wanted to hear again. There are a handful of songs that are highlighted by their original artist. This is for better or worse. IF you've heard of the song and liked it--and it's been part of your Christmases long, long ago--then it's interesting enough. If you've never heard the song, never heard the artist, then it's just dull and meaningless. Often I found myself wishing that the artist chosen to be highlighted was different.

Essentially everything about this book is subjective.

My thoughts: I think this one--which is arranged chronologically by the particular song (song cover) being released--has the potential to frustrate readers of all ages. For example, I was annoyed by all this "new" music that I'd never heard of and don't care to hear. I can easily, easily, easily imagine a younger reader being annoyed by all the "old" and "ancient" music that he/she had never heard of and don't care to hear. The book covers so many styles and genres that if there was a playlist with these particular versions of songs would be extremely disjointed and not much "fun" for any listener.

I would have personally loved if the book was the HISTORY of Christmas music. WHO introduced the song to the world first? OR which artist(s) made it a HIT in the first year or two of being written. WHICH artist(s) have made it his/her own. WHAT makes a particular rendition resonate with listeners? Even if it meant covering certain songs two or three times.

I also felt that this isn't the 100 "greatest" Christmas songs. Many of the songs were 'original' songs that may or may not be timeless and still played today. No one can denied that Last Christmas is played incessantly every Christmas. BUT some of these songs are VERY taste-specific.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

41. Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews

41. Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews. Julie Hedlund. Illustrated by Ilaria Urbinati. 2023. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, biography, music appreciation]

First sentence: Julia Elizabeth Wells was born into a melody--her childhood attuned to the timbre of her tiny English village where she heard music in the rhythm of the river, in the whistle of the wind, in the symphony of songbirds.

Premise/plot: Julie Hedlund has written a picture book biography of Julie Andrews. It focuses mainly on her childhood and her early start in music, in show business. It is only the last few pages that explores her life's work.

My thoughts: I have grown up loving Julie Andrews. Not just her work in the musicals I watched again and again and again and again, but also her work as an author. MANDY which she published under the name Julie Edwards is one of my all time favorite, favorite, favorite, favorite, favorite books.

This picture book is bittersweet in many ways. On the one hand, Julie discovers a great love of music. But on the other hand, there is a lot of sadness and confusion in her home life. It was sad that she was torn away from her father. That her mother forced her to call her stepdad, dad. That her mom forced a change of last name upon her. Music allowed her to express herself, but, still, my heart is sad for her childhood.




© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

112. Mrs. Porter Calling

112. Mrs. Porter Calling. AJ Pearce. 2023. 313 pages. [Source: Review copy] [adult historical fiction, world war II, 3 stars]

First sentence: Margaret and I had been tap-dancing in the garden for nearly twenty minutes, and I was beginning to feel the strain. It was a Sunday afternoon in April and we were celebrating my twenty-fifth birthday. On current performance I was beginning to show my age.

Premise/plot: Mrs. Porter Calling is the third novel in the Emmy Lake Chronicles by AJ Pearce. All the books in the series are set during the Second World War in London, England. The books are as follows: Dear Mrs. Bird, Yours Cheerfully, Mrs. Porter Calling, and Dear Miss Lake. (Dear Miss Lake is the fourth book; I haven't started reading it yet!)

Emmy Lake, our heroine is a journalist doing her part for the war effort. Her role for the woman's magazine is being its advice columnist. Mrs. Porter the new publisher of the magazine--she inherited it from her uncle, I believe, wants to remake the magazine in her own image with no regard for what the readers want or if there is an audience for her own vision of the magazine. After failing and getting frustrated, Mrs. Porter is determined to sell the magazine. Can the magazine be saved? Can Emmy and her friends save it?

My thoughts: I do like this one more than the second novel in the series. I am looking forward to reading the fourth book in the series. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I'd read the novels closer together. It's been YEARS since I read the first two books in the series.


© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

32. HappyHead

 

32. HappyHead. Josh Silver. 2023. 383 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, YA dystopia, YA fiction]

First sentence: "I think it's down there," Mum says.

Premise/plot: Is HappyHead 'like Hunger Games' but better'? Maybe. So essentially this is a [queer] dystopian thriller with a strong emphasis on mental health. That is, to rephrase it, what if the 'mental health treatment center' was at the [horrific] core of the dystopia. What if the people entrusted with caring for society's most vulnerable, most at risk, were evil monsters. Sebastian, the narrator, is a young gay teen who is struggling with balancing pleasing himself [being true to himself] and wanting to please others. This isn't only about sexual orientation or identity. This is about him being a people-pleaser even when it is making him deeply unhappy. I think it is an also universal struggle in that age-old question: do I really want to be the person my parents want me to be?

So Sebastian (Seb) is one of many [a hundred I think????] chosen to take part in a mental health retreat. 'At risk' and 'troubled' teens applied for experimental therapy treatment 'HappyHeads.' They'll be put into teams and face challenges--literal at time: physical challenges, mental and emotional as well. What wasn't quite advertised is that this is a competition. Each participant has a ranking. To what extent 'rankings' matter remains to be seen....for most of the novel. 

Readers meet the other participants....notably Eleanor and Finn. Finn is the 'bad boy' of his dreams. Eleanor is his 'partner' in pretense but also for tactical reasons. She's ranked HIGHLY and she seems to have an instinct for knowing what the powers that be want from the participants. Because Seb wants to please the powers that be, he finds it easier to go along with her. 

Obviously there are secrets and twists and turns....

My thoughts: I found this to be a compelling read. Not at all my normal 'cup of tea' if you will. But unlike Hunger Games, there is no love triangle. AND it is not really focused on being a love story. It is much more in the 'dystopia' and 'coming of age' and 'thriller' camp than being a romance.

Unlike Hunger Games, the characters ARE IN THE DARK. The mysteries are true mysteries. The suspense feels more authentic that way. Hunger Games is very this-is-the-way-things-are. There is something rigid and strict about Hunger Games. The Games may be twisted, however, there's order and structure and HISTORY. This leads to plenty of info-dump possibilities. HappyHead is different in that Seb truly has no idea what is going on and what may be coming. None of the characters do.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

76. Dogtown

76. Dogtown (A Dogtown Book #1) Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko. 2023. [September] 352 pages. [Source: Library] [Animal fantasy; J Fiction; MG Fiction] [5 stars]

First sentence: I know what you're thinking: That poor dog only has three legs. But don't go there. It's not that bad, okay? So, I'm not American Kennel Club material. Big deal. My eyes are sharp, my nose is wet, my coat puppy soft, and the white patch over my eye? It's a charmer, I don't mind saying. My name is Chance. I'm pleased to meet you.

 ETA to the ETA: This is my third time reading Dogtown. I love it so much. Definitely one of my favorite books of all times. 

ETA: I first reviewed Dogtown in July 2023. Yes, it's only been a few months. Barely two months. But I loved it so much. The first time I read a review copy. The second time I checked it out from the library. I loved it just as much--if not more. 

Premise/plot: Dogtown is an animal shelter (dog shelter). It features dog-dogs and robot-dogs. (Presumably, this animal fantasy is futuristic animal fantasy). It stars Chance, our LOVABLE, adorable, super-kind hero. He's long been a resident at Dogtown. This is the story of his friendships at Dogtown. In particular, how he made [close] friendships with two unlikely residents: a mouse (named Mouse) and a robot dog, Metal Head. The book contains their adventures/misadventures.  

My thoughts: Does this one feature a dog in peril? Yes and no. No, in that it isn't just one dog in peril. It is DOGS (plural) in peril. Though this one doesn't feature direct-direct sads, it features plenty of potential peril. Does it have heart and substance? A thousand times yes. I loved, loved, loved, loved this one so much. I LOVE the emotional journey of this one. Very feel-good. Very warm-and-cozy. Yet not instant. Do I see myself rereading it? YES. I already want to reread it. I could reread it a million times and still be moved by how awesome it is.

I loved the story. I loved the characters. I loved EVERYTHING. 

My favorite, favorite, favorite element of this one is the inclusion of the BOOK BUDDY program. Pairing school-age children with shelter-dogs for reading time. These scenes were HEART-MELTING. 

 Quotes: 

I learned something important that day: Never say something about a dog that you wouldn't want him to hear. "I like the moniker," Metel Head said. I didn't know if he'd burned out his bulbs or somebody had adjusted his settings, but the blue flashing had stopped. I could look at him without getting a headache. "Why do you want to escape?" I asked. "I want to go home," he said.

Here's another thing humans are sadly misguided about: Luck is not a winnin ghand of cards. Luck is making a new friend.

It wasn't the way it was supposed to be, with the kid reading and the dog listening. But one look at Metal Head and Quinn, scooted up close to each other, and  it was pretty clear something had happened. Something big.

"What about your humans, Chance? Don't you want to go home?" This was not the kind of question Dogtown dogs asked each other. If a dog wanted to talk about how she ended up at Dogtown, that was fine. But you didn't ask a question that broke a dog's heart to answer. How do you explain kindness to a a machine with a hunk of metal where his heart should've been? I really didn't know.

"Your heart is a muscle," I told Mouse at dinner that night. "It grows stronger the more you use it." 

I can't say that Metal Head was a friend, then,. He was more of a friend of a friend. Quinn liked him and I liked Quinn. But yeah, I did want to see if everything worked out for him. But wasn't the real reason I said yes. The real reason was something I didn't want to admit...there were a lot of phone poles up ahead. And maybe they had signs, too.

The smell of cheese is simply divine. The taste of it is even better.

Once hope gets inside you, you want your wishes to come true so badly, you just can't imagine that they won't.

 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

35. The Light That Shines Forever

The Light That Shines Forever: The True Story and Remarkable Rescue of 669 Children on the Eve of World War II. David T. Warner. 2023. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: In the final months of 1938, the shadow of war was spreading across Europe. HItler's armies had marched into the borderlands of Czechoslovakia, forcing Jewish families, among others, to flee their homes and seek refuge inland.

Premise/plot: This is a picture book for older readers--mid to upper elementary aged students through adults. This is the story of Nicholas Winton and his rescue of six hundred plus Jewish children. While he couldn't rescue or save whole families, he could get hundreds of Jewish children out of the country and living with host families. He did what he could in the months that he could. 

My thoughts: The story has been told in other books about the war (and holocaust). It certainly is a story worth sharing in this new format. The illustrations are beautiful. I definitely found both narrative and illustrations engaging. I would definitely recommend this one to readers of most ages. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

30. Everyone On This Train is a Suspect

Everyone On This Train is A Suspect. Benjamin Stevenson. 2023. 335 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: 
Hi <Redacted>,
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.

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. 

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???)

Most all of the characters are new in this one--with the exception of his love interest. 

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.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

28. What was the Children's Blizzard of 1888?

What was the Children's Blizzard of 1888? Steve Korte. 2023. [November] 112 pages. [Source: Library]

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.

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. 

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. 

IF kids enjoy the I Survived series--which are mostly historical--then I see this one could having great appeal to the same audience. 

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.)  

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

27. Who Is Nathan Chen?

Who is Nathan Chen? (Who Was? Series) Joseph Liu. 2023. 56 pages. [Source: Library]

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

26. The Beatles Couldn't Read Music?

Wait! What? The Beatles Couldn't Read Music? Dan Gutman. 2023. 144 pages. [Source: Library] 

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.

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.  

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. 

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. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

24. Nothing Else But Miracles

Nothing Else But Miracles. Kate Albus. 2023. 288 pages. [Source: Library]

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.

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...]

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.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

21. Making It So

Making It So. Patrick Stewart. 2023. 469 pages. [Source: Library]

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. 

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. 

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.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

19. The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn

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]

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.

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?

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. 

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. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

17. The Frozen River

The Frozen River. Ariel Lawhon. 2023. [December] 432 pages. [Source: Library] [adult historical fiction]

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. 

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. 

The novel chronicles about a year of time, I believe. Much happens within the community. 

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. 

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.

 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

14. Mexikid

Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir. Pedro Martin. 2023. 320 pages. [Source: Library] [Nonfiction Graphic Novel; MG Graphic Novel; Newbery Honor]

First sentence: They call me Peter...but my real name is Pedro.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

13. Elf Dog & Owl Head

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]

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.

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?

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. 

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.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

11. Big

Big. Vashti Harrison. 2023. 60 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence: Once there was a girl with a big laugh and a big heart and very big dreams. 

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.

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.

This book makes a statement. A statement without shame. Big. Is. Beautiful. End. Of. Story.

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.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

10. There Was a Party for Langston

There Was a Party for Langston. Jason Reynolds. Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey. 2023. 56 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence: There was a party for Langston at the library. A jam in Harlem to celebrate the word-making man--Langston, the king of letters whose ABC's became drums, bumping jumping thumping like a heart the size of the whole wide world.

Premise/plot: This party for Langston Hughes was held in February 1991. The author, Jason Reynolds, was inspired to write about this party after seeing a photograph of two authors dancing--Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka. The book celebrates Langston Hughes AND his continuing legacy. There are word-makers and word-breakers. Word-breakers being those who would ban books and limit freedom. 

My thoughts: This picture book earned a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. 

I loved the text of this one--very rhythmic. Definitely fitting, I think, to celebrating a poet. 

I loved the illustrations--very vibrant, joyful, jumping off the page. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

9. The Blood Years

The Blood Years. Elana K. Arnold. 2023. 400 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: When we were very young, Astra and I made a pact. I was six; Astra, not quite ten. It was a sultry, miserable summer day. Father was missing--again--and Mama was in bed--still. Whenever Father disappeared, Mama disappeared, too. Not physically, but in every way that mattered.

Trigger warnings: I don't always give these. This one is HAUNTING. And not for the reasons you might think. I think sensitive readers should be warned. This one does describe--directly and indirectly--sexual abuse/assault. It also indirectly features ANIMAL ABUSE.  Also plenty of death--murder and suicide.

Premise/plot: The Blood Years is historical fiction--young adult--set in Romania (what would be) during the Second World War. It provides a glimpse--vignette???--into Jewish life in Romania. How one didn't have to experience the full extent of Nazi hideousness to experience trauma and devastation. Though to be fair, Rieke (the protagonist) would probably have had a tough adolescence regardless of the Nazis and Soviets. I say this because her family is super-super dysfunctional. Also because I'm not sure you can blame the Nazis for her having tuberculosis.

Rieke and Astra live with their mother, Anna, (she is ever-absent mentally and emotionally) and grandfather (Opa). Anna has loved foolishly and recklessly. She is unable to live without her horrible, hideous, no-good, very bad husband. Astra, well, she seems to be mentally unstable as well. Very hot-cold. Very volatile and temperamental. One never knows what mood/temper she'll be in. If she'll be a fierce opponent and your number one enemy or your best friend. Opa is Opa is Opa. He's solid as a rock--except that he's older and not always in the best of health. Still he seems to have the most sense in the family.

The book chronicles the family's increasing misfortunes as their city experiences turmoil of falling under the control of Nazis, Soviets, Nazis, Soviets, etc. I may have the order wrong. The family suffered under all. 

My thoughts: The book is based loosely on the author's grandmother. It is historical fiction. She was influenced by her grandmother's story, of course, but she was also influenced more compositely by many other stories. She wanted to be true to the time period and represent many experiences/voices. 

This one is a TOUGH, haunting read. Astra and Rieke both experience trauma and abuse. Rieke is four years younger and is put into a GROOMING situation where abuse/assault happens. She is forced to make a HUGE decision. 

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What keeps me from recommending this one--personally recommending it--is the animal abuse. The family takes in a stray cat. They care for the cat as much as they can. The cat fends for itself, for the most part, but they have a loving relationship with this cat. When Rieke gets sick, the family feeds her a meaty soup, she then asks where the cat went. If it hadn't been so late in the book, I would have refused to finish it. Obviously, tough decisions would have been being made every single day during this time. I do think unless you are in the same place, it is not fair to be dogmatically critical and judgmental. Yet, at the same time, the book doesn't have to be that direct. It could have left a small unanswered question. It does in other places. For example, when Rieke goes to the hospital and the doctors deflate her lung, and, then she leaves the hospital in the middle of the night--despite her being on bed rest--because they've been tipped off that the Nazis will raid the hospital and kill all the patients--we never get closure on what happens to her lung. Does it ever get re-inflated? What about her tuberculosis? What happens next? She was so close to dying from the disease and the book ends, but, yet apparently lives long enough to have children and grandchildren. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

7. Make Way

Make Way: The Story of Robert McCloskey, Nancy Schön, and Some Very Famous Ducklings. Angela Burke Kunkel. Illustrated by Claire Keane. 2023. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book for older readers; biography; art appreciation]

First sentence of 'prologue': In the beginning, a duck is an egg. A drawing is a blank page. A sculpture is a lump of clay.

First sentence of book: In the beginning, a boy named Bob lives in a place called Hamilton. He wanders the Ohio town with his dog, playing a harmonica, notes trailing behind them. Bob's mind whirs like a motor and his hands move constantly.

Premise/plot: Make Way is a nonfiction picture book for slightly older readers. I do think it is one that adults will be drawn to. It is the a) a mini-biography of Robert McCloskey, children's author and illustrator b) a mini-biography of Nancy Schön, an artist who was inspired by Make Way for Ducklings, c) the story of the impact of ONE children's book, the book being Make Way for Ducklings.

MY thoughts: I can't think about Make Way for Ducklings without thinking about my Mom. This is one that she regularly read to us (my sister and I). After reading this one, I immediately had to go put Robert McCloskey's book on hold. (In fact, I put on hold ALL of his books that my library had in their collection). I think that's a good reaction or response. I hope the author would approve! This picture book is like a love letter.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews