100. Let It Glow

Let It Glow. Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy. 2024. 292 pages. [Source: Library] [mg fiction, winter holidays, 3 stars, friendship, family]

First sentence: "You're getting to be such a pro with those chop-sticks," my grandmother said. 

Premise/plot; Aviva and Holly are identical twins [both adopted] who have never met....until one day at a retirement/assisted living center. Aviva's grandmother (Bubbe) and Holly's grandfather (Gramps) are [or soon will be] residents there. The senior center is having a "Christmas pageant." Aviva is excited to participate though not sure if she'll feel comfortable being the only Jewish kid participating. Holly has no intentions of participating--though behind the scenes work might not be horrible. But when these two meet, they know what has to be done: a hair cut and the old switcheroo. Holly will learn all about Hanukkah from Aviva's family and Aviva will learn all about Christmas from Holly's family. The problem? Well, Aviva has spent almost half the book firmly criticizing her family for NOT being Jewish enough, for never celebrating Hanukkah, for never observing anything at all. When the family finally concedes and says YES, YES, YES we will do that this year, Aviva jumps ship to go celebrate Christmas. The logic is missing. Aviva goes from being highly critical of all things Christmas--she's OFFENDED by a plate of Christmas cookies, for example...to jumping at the opportunity to celebrate Christmas. It also doesn't make sense that Holly would abandon her mom and Gramps when he is not in the best of health. 

My thoughts: As an adult reader, I am overthinking most of the plot of this one. It just seems to be lacking in logic. I wish the twins could have gotten to know each other without switching places. The song the girls write may pass as good fun for younger readers, but, not necessarily for me. 

I liked this one well enough. I think the "flaws" that I see, the intended audience probably wouldn't think twice about.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

57. Beezus and Ramona

Beezus and Ramona. Beverly Cleary. 1955. HarperCollins. 208 pages. [Source: Library] [Star rating: 5/5]

First sentence: Beezus felt that the biggest trouble with four-year-old Ramona was that she was just plain exasperating. If Ramona drank lemonade through a straw, she blew into the straw as hard as she could to see what would happen.

Unlike other books in the Ramona series, this one is narrated by Beezus. Like all other books in the Ramona series, it has a just-right feel about it. Beverly Cleary's greatest talent may be in her capturing what it feels like to be a kid.

Beezus, as you probably know, is Ramona's big sister. Ramona does steal the show in almost every book in which she appears. There's something unforgettable about her. But though the focus is on Ramona, this is still very much Beezus' book. It captures how she feels about her family, about Ramona.

"Beezus and Her Little Sister." Ramona LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to have The Littlest Steam Shovel read to her. Her parents are unwilling to read it to her--they have come to have no tolerance for it. But Beezus, well, she'll read it to Ramona, not that she likes it, but, she'll give in now and then. She gets the idea to take Ramona to the library to get a brand new book--for two weeks. Ramona picks a new book, but, it is still about steam shovels. She likes it so much, that she does something NAUGHTY so she can keep it for always. What will Beezus do since it was checked out on her card? Just how sympathetic will the librarian be?

"Beezus and Her Imagination" Beezus is in an art class. Ramona isn't supposed to be in the class with her, she's supposed to be playing outside in the sandbox. But on this occasion, Beezus finds Ramona in class with her. Could she get inspired by her sister's imaginary pet?! Could she earn her teacher's attention?!

"Ramona and Ribsy" Beezus invites Henry Huggins (and his dog, Ribsy) to her house to play checkers. It doesn't go well. Both Ribsy and Ramona have fits of sorts. And Ribsy ends up locked in the bathroom?! Beezus wishes Ramona was more like other people's sisters.

"Ramona and the Apples" Beezus is supposed to be watching Ramona while their mother does the grocery shopping. But. Ramona proves too much to handle. She sneaks into the basement and has her way with all the apples...taking one bite and just one bite from each apple. Will Beezus get in trouble? Can anything good come from all those ruined apples?

"A Party at the Quimbys" Ramona decides to have a party and invite other kids over to the house--without permission of course. What will Beezus and their mother do? This one ends in a parade. Among the guests, Howie and Willa Jean.

"Beezus's Birthday" Will Beezus have a cake for her tenth birthday?! It might not be as easy as you might think. Not with Ramona around. But with a little help from Aunt Beatrice, all might be well after all. Hint: If you have a sister like Ramona, don't read the story of Hansel and Gretel to her when your cake is in the oven!

I love the Ramona series. I do. I love, love, love the Ramona books. I think I read them dozens of more times than the Little House books. (I've recently reread these too.) I'm not sure Beezus and Ramona is my favorite of the series, but, it's a great start to a great series.

 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

119. Someplace to Call Home

Someplace to Call Home. Sandra Dallas. 2019. 240 pages. [Source: Library] [Middle Grade Historical]

First sentence: The battered old Model T Ford sputtered and stalled. With a sigh, sixteen-year-old Tom Turner guided it to the side of the dirt road. He slid out of the worn seat on the driver's side and stood next to the vehicle, stopping a moment as he heard a hissing sound. He shook his head. "The transmission's bad, and it looks like we blew a tire, too."

Premise/plot: Hallie, Tom, and Benny are orphans traveling the road during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. When their car breaks down in Kansas, they have no choice but to camp out until they can fix it. The farmer whose land they are on talks with them. It isn't instant friendship or kinship. But he offers Tom a chance, an opportunity. That's what Tom wants--all of them want--opportunities to work, to earn money, to survive. The family soon becomes neighborly. Benny befriends their daughter--both have similar mental/developmental differences. They bring out the best in each other. They bless one another with friendship. Hallie and the mother take turns teaching the children since the school system refuses to educate them because of their disability. Hallie does go to school sometimes. She loves learning and sees it as a great opportunity. Are the children accepted? Not really. Not at first. They are seen as "squatters" and "vagrants" and "thieves." The fact that Tom--who is very skilled mechanically--is taking away a job from an unskilled person is offensive to some. 

The book is set in the 1930s, of course, and in Kansas. 

My thoughts: Ultimately this one is such a feel-good read. I absolutely loved, loved, loved it. I thought everything about it was wonderful. I loved the relationships that developed. I loved the unfolding of the story. I highly recommend this one!

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

139. Black Bird, Blue Road

Black Bird, Blue Road. Sofiya Pasternack. 2022. [September] 320 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Hello! Come in. Sit down. Don't be scared. This is a very important story, after all, and you shouldn't be afraid to hear it. It's from a very long time ago. A thousand years! In thos days, they used to begin their stories like this: There was one, there was no one. So that's how I'll begin, too. There was one. A girl. Ziva bat Leah, the daughter of a judge and the sister of a prophet. There was no one. No one to believe that Ziva could do the things she set out to do--like find a cure for her brother's illness, or master a demon, or sway the Angel of Death, whom she called malach ha-mavet. Ziva did two of those things, dear listener. Which two? Well. 

Premise/plot: Historical fantasy starring Jewish characters [and community]. Ziva, our heroine, loves, loves, loves her twin brother, Pesah. Everytime someone tells her that her brother is dying, she reacts. NO. No. No. A thousand times no. She is not ready to give up on her brother. He may have leprosy. He may have a gurgling, hagging-nagging cough, but she is not ready to give up on him. She will stand by his side fighting for a cure, clinging to any and every hope for a cure. This ultimately leads her to run away from home--with her brother--in search of a cure. It is an incredible journey. I will refrain from going into specifics of that journey. BUT MY OH MY this book was good.

My thoughts: The first few pages of the prologue grabbed my attention. The first part of the novel (proper) were much slower, in my opinion. But once these two start on their [runaway] journey, this one really takes off. Once these two encounter the half-demon (there was a Jewish name but I don't have a copy of the book in front of me and I didn't take actual notes), Almas, and these three set off in search of a city [Luz] where they can find immortality, the book becomes impossible--absolutely impossible--to put down. They are on a flight to out-run the Angel of Death.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

127. We Own the Sky

We Own the Sky. Rodman Philbrick. 2022. [September] 208 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Aside from the priest and the gravediggers, me and my sister, Jo, are the only ones to witness our dear mother, Eva Morin Michaud, being lowered into her grave. Papa having perished in a mill accident some years previously, the hard, hard loss of our mama makes us orphans. When I begin to cuss the lung ailment that so cruelly took her from us, Jo hushes me. "Wait until the priest is out of earshot," she says, hugging me tight. "Then I shall join you and we'll cuss like pirates. We'll turn the air blue, Davy, I promise." I won't put down what we said, exactly, for fear it'll set this page on fire.

Premise/plot: Jo and Davy (Davy is our narrator) are taken in by their Aunt Ruth, an aviatrix, after their mother's death. Their aunt is part of a flying circus, a daredevil touring group. Both will be working at the circus. (Davy, for example, sells bags of popcorn before finding an act (on the ground) to make his own.) The historical setting for this one is 1924 Maine. The KKK has recently increased its presence there and has become quite popular. They are targeting immigrants. (Think French-Canadian, Irish, Polish, Italian, Jews, etc.) Readers get a behind the scenes look at early aviation, traveling circuses, and the harsh realities of the hateful KKK. 

My thoughts: What a read! I've read a few books with a circus setting, but, never a book featuring daredevil plane stunts. (Jo even trains to DANCE the Charleston on the wings of a plane. You might have heard of wing-walkers, but I'd never heard of anyone dancing.) Life on the road is always interesting. I thought the characterization was solid. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters; it reads almost as a found-family. The book is intense in places, but, everything is well-balanced. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

126. How To Find What You're Not Looking For

How To Find What You're Not Looking For. Veera Hiranandani. 2021. [September] 384 pages. [Source: Library] 

First sentence: How to be the lazy one. It's harder than you think. First, lie on your messy bed wearing your Wonder Woman pajamas that are too small because you’ve had them since you were nine. Then, watch your older sister, Leah, pin up her hair for dance class. She sits in her black leotard at the small white vanity, her back straight as a board, a magazine cutout of Paul Newman taped to the corner of her mirror. She uses at least fifteen bobby pins for her bun. Count in your head while she sticks the pins in. One, two, three. She’s rushing because she has to be on the #4 bus by 9:00 a.m. for pointe class at Madame Duchon’s Dance Academy. She dances there every day except Sunday. You’re not even sure how she spends so much time at dance and still does well in school. Leah seems to do well at everything. Not you. You’re the lazy one. You’re just trying to keep up, but along with all the other things Leah does, she helps you keep up.

Premise/plot: Ariel Goldberg stars in Veera Hiranandani's How To Find What You're Not Looking For. The theme of 'how-to' continues beyond the title. Each chapter begins with a 'how-to' title. The first chapter being titled, "How to Be the Lazy One." The book is written in second person present tense, to "you." Ariel and Leah are sisters, and perhaps surprisingly close considering the seven years age difference. But when Leah falls in love with an Indian boy--as opposed to a JEWISH boy--bonds of all sorts are tested.

The novel is set circa 1967/68. It focuses on home and school, and all the DRAMA that occurs.

My thoughts: I really loved, loved, loved this one. Despite the second person present tense! I thought the characterization was great--very lovely. I thought the details were good. It was well-paced; it kept me reading. I love the writing. Very quotable. I also love the fact that writing poetry helps Ariel make sense of life. 

One of Ariel's poems:

The Ways of the World

The world has many ways

of spinning.

Many I don’t understand.

But love

is not that hard

to understand.

Doesn’t it just spin one way,

one person toward another,

without stopping?

Quotes:

Keeping a secret is not your favorite thing to do. Secrets make your stomach hurt. You can count on one hand the secrets you’ve kept. You once took a report card out of the mailbox and hid it in your schoolbag for a week. But you got caught. Sometimes when you hang out with your friend Jane, you make it seem like you have other friends. But you don’t. Occasionally you steal cookies from Gertie’s and keep them in a coffee can in your room. You’ve never had to keep a really big secret before, and certainly not forever.

Leah’s cheeks get blotchy, and her eyes start to fill again with tears. “Oh please,” she says. “I have to tell someone, and I need it to be you.” Leah saying she needs you—is there anything more special than that? Maybe if you know her secret, some of her specialness will spill over onto you. She bites her lip and grabs your hand.

You read the title on the album: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. You wonder what it means. Were the Beatles changing their name? Your hands feel sticky with ice cream. You press your thumb and forefinger together, and they stay stuck that way.

“I’m just so happy. I don’t want anything to ruin it. I feel guilty about being so happy.”

“Why would you feel guilty about being happy?” you ask.

“Because there’s so much wrong with the world,” she says and starts walking again.

There is, according to the newspapers. But you look around your town. You see someone driving by in a blue Chevy convertible. You see people walking down the block in sunglasses, sipping soda pop, riding their bikes, happy to be out on such a nice Saturday. This world seems okay.

“Do you know what happened at Rocky’s last week? A guy came in and heard Raj talking. Then he asked John, the manager, why he had foreigners working there and not Americans. He asked Raj if he was here legally. Raj said he was a US citizen, and the fellow demanded to see proof and wouldn’t leave! John had to threaten to call the cops until he finally left.”

“Gosh, that’s terrible,” you say. Now she’s walking so quickly, you can barely keep up.

“But our love is stronger than the racist establishment.”

“ ‘The racist establishment,’ ” you say, trying out her words.

How’s my muffin?” he asks.

“I’m all right,” you say and stuff the rest of the bread in your mouth. “Same as always.”

Daddy nods. “Me too, Muffin,” he says. “Same old, same old.”

This is what you and Daddy always say to each other after school. And every day, you know that you are not the same and neither is he. When you and Ma get back to the apartment, you go into your bedroom and take a sniff of the Chanel No. 5 perfume on the dresser, a sixteenth birthday gift that Ma gave Leah. The apartment used to smell of it when Leah was still here, along with her Breck shampoo, but you didn’t notice until she was gone and the smell faded away.

A little part of you still hopes you’ll find her sitting on her yellow-and-white bedspread, playing the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. Or maybe even the Doors real quiet because Ma hates the Doors.

 

Ma does get headaches a lot. She calls them migraines and says she even sees flashes of color before they start. That sounds sort of magical to you rather than painful, but Ma sure does seem like she’s in a lot of pain when she gets them. Since Leah left, it’s been happening more often.

“Sorry, I mean your mom,” you say.

“It’s all right,” she says and is quiet for another few seconds. “He left my mom when he found out she was pregnant. They weren’t even married. And he never came back. My mom always tells people he’s dead.”

Now it’s your turn to be quiet.

“I was always afraid to ask. I didn’t mean to make you sad,” you say after a moment.

Jane shakes her head. “It’s okay. I don’t think about it that much. I never knew him, but I also don’t think my mom would care if I married someone Jewish. I guess most people aren’t like Peggy, though.”

Suddenly you feel the shape of your friendship with Jane changing, in a good way, like chocolate chips melting into a cookie as it bakes.

“The words I wrote might mean something different to you.”

Miss Field sits back in her chair and crosses her arms.

“They might,” she says.

“I don’t want them to. I want them to mean to you exactly what they mean to me.”

“That makes sense,” she says and pauses for a moment. “But that’s art, Ariel. It’s your gift to the world. People will see what they need to see. Sometimes it will mean to them exactly what it meant to you. Those people are your soul mates.”

© 2021 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

82. That Thing About Bollywood

That Thing About Bollywood. Supriya Kelkar. 2021. [May] 352 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: You know how in Bollywood movies, people sing and dance on mountaintops when they're in love? I wonder if they do the same when they're splitting up?

Premise/plot: Sonali, our heroine, loves, loves, loves watching Bollywood--something she especially treasured doing with her grandfather (before he died). Every Sunday the family gathers together and watches vintage Bollywood--on VHS tape. But things at home are far from ideal. Her parents fight and argue all the time--over matters big and small and everything in between. She hates it. She hates it that she's not allowed to be honest about anything going on at home and in the family--even with her friends. But her dad has a strict rule that NO ONE should know the family's private business. So no matter what she's feeling--and how intense she's feeling it--she has to keep the mask on that everything is just fine....

But one day that all changes...one day she finds that suddenly EVERYONE has a soundtrack and can burst out into SONG and DANCE expressing everything they're feeling. These big musical numbers come straight from Bollywood--and include a few makeovers. (Like her room is suddenly painted YELLOW and has tons of posters of herself on the walls. Like the cars her parents drive.)

Sonali's solos can't be contained--and she hates it, fights it. Yet glimpses of how she is really truly feeling keep coming...showing her true self to her teachers, classmates, family, friends, and strangers. To the world everything is 100% normal--the way it's ALWAYS been. Only Sonali remembers what life was like before...

Can Sonali find a way to return the world to normal?

My thoughts: I definitely liked this one. I liked the focus on family and friends. She's struggling with both. I believe she's in sixth grade? possibly seventh grade? And she's struggling with her relationship with her best friend. Everything keeps changing too fast and she's worried about losing her best friend. I think this is so relatable. And she's also, of course, struggling with her home life. Her parents are separating and she has so many mixed feelings. On the one hand, she wants a divorce and not a separation--and on the other hand she wants her family to be happy together. But she knows that her parents just don't know how to live with each other and get along. She hates that each parent seems to want her to pick a side. (I think they do this by accident without realizing it).

There are some humorous scenes--like when she disrupts a math class before a test--by singing a huge solo number. But there are plenty of scenes with DEPTH and substance.

Quotes:

Mom patted my shoulder. "I hope to get to hear you sing more. It reminded me of the gold old days."
"When I sang about grape popsicles and thermal underwear," I muttered.
Mom laughed. "They were silly, nonsensical songs, but they were an expression of who you were. That's important. Expressing yourself." She gave me a knowing look.

Why was I feeling so angry? It felt like a bubble of crabbiness was starting to grow bigger and bigger and rise to the surface. Was this the Bollywooditis? Or was this the real me, and the magic was tearing away at the mask I always put on?

"Divorce is like spinach stuck in someone's teeth," I said. "It makes you uncomfortable, but you ignore it and eventually you forget about it and no one is bothered."
Ronak just looked at me.
"What? You're kidding right?" he asked.
"About spinach?"
"You don't ignore it. You bring it up. You talk about it. It doesn't make you weak to express yourself. It's as brave as it gets, like Mom always says. I mean, what kind of person wouldn't tell a friend they have food stuck in their teeth?"

If the whole world, including me, got taken over by filmi magic, I'd lose all those moments--the bad, but also the good. Despite all the Bollywood tremors I'd been experiencing, I definitely wasn't prepared for that.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Rule of One

The Rule of One. Ashley and Leslie Saunders. 2018. 258 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I am falling. The dark is claustrophobic, like I’m buried underground.

Premise/plot: The Rule of One is a YA dystopian novel set for the most part in Texas—a Texas in the future. The premise that drives the book is that a strict one-child policy is in force. Ava and Mira are identical twins living a lie. Both are living as Ava Goodwin. But only one has the required microchip; only one is legal. The father is a high up political somebody; he too is part of the lie. But their family is worth any and every risk, right? So early on in the novel the lie is uncovered. The girls are forced to flee. Their first stop is Amarillo by morning. They hope to find the first of several safe houses. But life on the one is anything but easy. Resources are few, prejudices are many. The haves have spent decades learning not to care about the have-nots. Did they really need to be taught? Can Ava and Mira survive long enough to take a stand. And have a political impact?!

My thoughts: I found this premise driven novel to have plenty of action. Their on the go route is a familiar one minus Montana and Canada. I could almost imagine the sights they would see. But it is also important to keep in mind this is a dark and troubled future. Cities and towns have been abandoned because they cannot afford to rebuild after devastating storms and fires. No government assistance for rebuilding or resettling. In fact very little government assistance at all for those impoverished for any reason.

I liked it enough to read in one day. I am not sure it is love in terms of characters and writing. But the plot kept me reading.

There is a sequel. I will probably read it.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Eventown

Eventown. Corey Ann Haydu. 2019. 328 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Jenny Horowitz likes horses and the color pink and asking lots of questions about things I don’t want to talk about.

Premise/plot: Elodee, our heroine, is a twin; her sister is Naomi. Both are in the fifth grade. Both are struggling with their emotions and feelings. Both are trying to support the other. The Lively family as a whole is struggling actually. The parents decide that what is best for them all is a move, a move to the oh-so-perfect town of Eventown. Every one is always happy, friendly, comfortable in Eventown. They live in identical houses, have similar yards, have similar interests and traditions. There is a right way to do community.

Elodee has trouble truly fitting in. Naomi blossoms and shines in this even environment. But Elodee, well, she has questions—dozens of them. Why is there only one song sung in Eventown?! Why is the no television, no internet, no music, no movies?! Why are all the books in the library beautifully bound but blank?!

The school also seems to have its own priorities in the curriculum. Readers can clearly discern that something is afoot. What makes Eventown unique? Why would anyone choose to move there?

My thoughts: I found this to be a compelling, suspenseful read. Suspenseful in a Twilight Zone way. A not-so-subtle creepiness that closes in around you as you turn the pages. At one point, for example, vines surround their house blocking out the light and making it difficult to open the door.

I really enjoyed the characters and relationships. I loved Elodee’s friendship with Veena and her Mom. I also liked her relationship with her dad.

This one reminded me of Lois Lowry’s The Giver. (Also of Orson Scott Card's under-appreciated Worthing Saga). I would not be disappointed if it won an award or two.

I used to think feelings were part of a person, but lately I’ve been thinking they are separate beings, that they come like aliens and invade people’s bodies and cause destruction.

S
P
O
I
L
E
R

This one hints of darkness. The family has a reason—right or wrong—for wanting a new start or beginning. But this beginning comes at a huge price. Do we truly want to forget completely everything that has hurt and challenged us?


© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette. Jeanne Birdsall. 2011. 295 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: The Penderwick family was being torn apart. The tearing wouldn't last long--only two weeks--but still it was uncomfortable.

The first book in the series: The Penderwicks.
The second book in the series: The Penderwicks on Gardam Street.  

Premise/plot: Mr. Penderwick and his his new bride are off on their honeymoon; the oldest Penderwick daughter, Rosalind, is vacationing with a friend; the remaining Penderwicks (Skye, Jane, and Batty) will be vacationing with Aunt Claire and their friend, Jeffrey. It will be a summer they never forget--for many reasons. For example, Jane, the writer of the family, is determined that her newest Sabrina Starr novel will feature LOVE. So she's asking just about anyone and everyone personal questions about love. But it may be Jane--not Sabrina--that has her first taste of "love" this summer. Skye, let's be honest, is a bit nervous about being the oldest available Penderwick sister. Especially when Aunt Claire has a bit of an accident. But she is stronger and braver then she believes herself to be. Batty--lovely Batty--discovers a new love: MUSIC.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! I loved meeting Alec, a new musically inclined neighbor. I loved how he fits in with their group in a natural way. It was also fun to meet Mercedes--even if she does have a brother who's TROUBLE with a capital T. It was just a joy to spend time with all of Birdsall's characters.

This was a perfect book to read while recovering from having my wisdom teeth out.



© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Bridge Home

The Bridge Home. Padma Venkatraman. 2019. 208 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Talking to you was always easy, Rukku. But writing's hard. "Write her a letter," Celina Aunty said, laying a sheet of paper on the desk.

Premise/plot: The Bridge Home is a coming of age children's novel set in India. Viji, our heroine, is writing to her sister, Rukku, recounting the past few months. It's written in second person past tense. (That's a bit unusual, but oddly enough it works for the most part.) Their adventures begin when Viji and Rukku run away from home--their father is abusive, and their mother can't stop him. They have very little, but Viji is confident that she'll be able to find some kind of work in the big city. But will she? Can she find a way to support her little sister?

In the big city, the two are homeless. They become family with two boys--Arul and Muthi.  These four may be homeless and living day to day but they've found something special in each other.

My thoughts: The Bridge Home isn't for the faint of heart. It's a SAD, SAD, SAD book. And not because there's a dog on the cover. It addresses big issues--poverty, hunger, homelessness, etc. It is beautifully written.

I took the orange and turned it around, just as you had. It glowed like a small, pale sun. I felt its weight, its perfect ripeness--not too soft, not too firm. I breathed in its citrus scent. I started to peel it, noticing things I'd never noticed before: how the leathery peel isn't colored the same all the way through, how the papery sections inside feel like leafy veins, how the pulp is shaped like raindrops. When, at last, I placed a section in my mouth, I could hear it burst as my teeth met the flesh, squeezing the juice out onto my tongue, tart at first and then sweet. Everything else melted away except for the taste, the smell, the feel of the fruit on my tongue. I ate the fruit slowly. The way you liked to do things. Until then, I'd thought it was a sad thing that you were sometimes slower than the rest of us. But that day, I realized that slow can be better than fast. Like magic, you could stretch time out when we needed it, so that a moment felt endless. So the taste of half an orange could last and last. (45)

© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

World at War: Crossing Stones

Crossing Stones. Helen Frost. 2009. FSG. 184 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: You'd better straighten out your mind, Young Lady.

Premise/plot: Crossing Stones is a historical verse novel set during World War I in a small community. Two families are super-super close: the Jorgensens and the Normans. Everyone expects Muriel Jorgensen to one day marry Frank Norman. Ollie Jorgensen is definitely hoping to one day marry Emma Norman. But plans and expectations have little place in a world turned upside down by war.

Frank isn't at home. He's a soldier getting ready to be shipped overseas when the novel opens. Ollie is a few years younger but his mind is filled with the war too. He wants to be a part of it with Frank. Where Frank goes he wants to follow. That's the familiar way of things.

Muriel wants nothing to do with the war and not because she's like Scarlett O'Hara. Muriel is an opinionated young woman not at all convinced of the merits of this war--or any war. She has little interest in becoming a wife and mother. She may follow in the footsteps of her suffragette aunt.

As for Emma...she's got a brother and an almost sweetheart in the war.

My thoughts: I first read Crossing Stones in October 2009. At the time I loved it. Did I love it just as much the second time around? Not really. Oh, I still liked it. I enjoyed spending time with the characters. My favorite characters are by far Emma and Ollie. I need them to get a happily ever after. Or at least a semi-realistic version of that. After all, if these two do marry they'd likely have children just the right age for being drafted into the second world war. And then there's the Depression to consider. There lives wouldn't be challenge-free by any extent. But. I think Ollie and Emma could handle what life gives them and find a way together.

 But I didn't like Muriel nearly so much this time around. I found her opinionated voice to be pessimistic and at times unfeeling. Muriel is well on her way to an unconventional life. Perhaps she'll become a 'wild' girl in the big city.

War disrupts lives, changing everything. This is very much an anti-war novel. I don't have a problem with the message in general. It just left me sadder this time around.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Night Diary

The Night Diary. Veera Hiranandani. 2018. 272 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: 

July 14, 1947
Dear Mama,
I know you know what happened today at 6:00 a.m., twelve years ago. How could you not? It was the day we came and you left, but I don't want to be sad today. I want to be happy and tell you everything.

Premise/plot:The Night Diary is a Newbery Honor book for 2019. It is set in India/Pakistan in the summer of 1947--the year that India broke free from British rule and was divided into two countries. It is not a time of peace and harmony. Far from it.

Nisha, our heroine, has just received a diary for her birthday. She lives with her twin brother, Amil, her father, and her grandmother. All her diary entries are written to her mother. Her family finds themselves living on the Pakistan side of the border--but it's not safe for them to stay since they are Hindu. Can they get across the border to India safely?

My thoughts: I loved, loved, LOVED this one. It is beautifully written. The story is compelling. I really felt a strong connection to Nisha and Amil. It was packed with suspense.

Quotes:

• It feels scary to talk, because once the words are out, you can't put them back in. But if you write words and they don't come out the way you want them to, you can erase them and start over. (12)
• I took in Kazi's words, let them dance and twirl in my head, replayed them over and over like a beautiful piece of music. I can't stop thinking about it, Papa having secrets with you. Papa cooking before Kazi came. You and Papa marrying against everyone's wishes in secret. What would it have been like if you lived, Mama? These things Kazi tells me are the memories I was supposed to have. They explode in my mind like firecrackers. (26)
• It's one thing to understand facts and another thing to understand why those facts are facts. (86)
• Sometimes I like to hold on to my upsets, like if I let them go I'm admitting that they weren't that important. (104)

© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Al Capone Does My Shirts

Al Capone Does My Shirts. Gennifer Choldenko. 2004. 225 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: Today I moved to a twelve-acre rock covered with cement, topped with bird turd and surrounded by water. Alcatraz sits smack in the middle of the bay--so close to the city of San Francisco, I can hear them call the score on a baseball game on Marina Green. Okay, not that close. But still.

Premise/plot: Moose Flanagan, our narrator, has just moved with his family to Alcatraz. His father is an electrician and part-time prison guard. The year is 1935, and there is a certain trendiness or "coolness" about big crime bosses. Al Capone is the most famous resident at the time. Other kids from the island--notably Piper--try to cash in on the situation.

As for Moose, he's more concerned about his sister, Natalie, and BASEBALL. Natalie IS a concern for the whole family because she's autistic at a time when no one knew what it was and everyone was clueless as to how to best help. Moose's mother spends 98% of her time deep in worry about Natalie. There is nothing she won't try in an effort to fix her daughter. Moose's father spends his time working, working, working trying to support the family. Moose has a complex relationship with Natalie. His big sister has become his litter sister. And instead of her watching over him, her bossing him around, he is the one who is on Natalie duty when he's not at school. He hates that this responsibility seems to be falling completely on him. (His mother has started working too.) His island friends seem to be okay with Natalie tagging along--most of the time. On a few occasions, they are even more patient with her than Moose. But it's a huge responsibility and one that he cannot manage on his own.

Baseball. Moose is a kid at heart. He loves, loves, loves playing--and playing baseball tops his list. He would love nothing more than to be involved in a good baseball game a couple of times a week. His dream friends may all be boys his own age, boys equally obsessed with baseball. But his actual friends that he makes on the island--the children of those who work for the prison--turn out to be good friends indeed.

My thoughts: Al Capone Does My Shirts is a great read. It is a perfect blend of light and dark. It can be laugh out loud funny. But it can also be intense and serious. I love, love, love the characters. I do. I can't believe it took me nine years to reread this one. I'm hoping to reread the whole series this year because there is a new book!


© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Little Brothers and Little Sisters

Little Brothers & Little Sisters. Monica Arnaldo. 2018. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: In nearly every neighborhood of almost every town, you will find little brothers and little sisters, all longing for the same few things...

Premise/plot: What do little brothers and little sisters want?! Arnaldo's new picture book explores just that in a fun and sweet way.

My thoughts: I love, love, love, LOVE this sweet and funny picture book. It is VERY true to life. The first half looks at some of the negatives of being a little brother or sister. The second half looks at some of the positives of being a little brother or sister. So much of the human story is communicated in just a few words.

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

© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Penderwicks

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy. Jeanne Birdsall. 2005. Random House. 262 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: For a long time after that summer, the four Penderwick sisters still talked of Arundel. Fate drove us there, Jane would say. No, it was the greedy landlord who sold our vacation house on Cape Cod, someone else would say, probably Skye. Who knew which was right?

Premise/plot: Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty are the four Penderwick sisters. They along with their widower father have come to stay in a small cottage for the summer. The cottage is part of a larger estate--Arundel. They become friends with the gardener, the two pet rabbits, the housekeeper, and perhaps most importantly with Jeffrey, the SON. But with Mrs. Tifton they cannot--will not--make friends. Or rather, she despises them.

Jeffrey becomes part of their family even if they don't become a part of his. They have marvelous adventures and misadventures together during their summer vacation. But. Of course it is a vacation. And it's just a matter of time for all of them. Jeffrey doesn't want the end to come any more than they do. Even more so really since he might have to go to military school.

This novel celebrates being yourself and finding people who like you for being you. It also celebrates the ups and downs of FAMILY.

My thoughts: I liked this one very much when I first read it. But upon second reading, I think I really love it. It has an old-fashioned, feel-good quality about it.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Far From the Tree

Far from the Tree. Robin Benway. 2017. HarperCollins. 384 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Grace hadn't really thought too much about homecoming.

Premise/plot: Far from the Tree is YA fiction at its best. I'm not the only one who thinks so. It won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature this year. The novel opens with Grace, one of the heroines, giving birth to 'Peach.' She decided to give her baby up for adoption early on in the pregnancy. And she carefully picked out the adoptive parents. But giving up the baby wasn't easy. It was the hardest thing she's ever done. It is as she's on this emotional roller coaster that her parents bring up the fact that she has two siblings, an older brother and a younger sister. Would she like to get to know them? They all live close by. They share a birth mom. Maya is fifteen; Joaquin is seventeen. (Grace is sixteen). Far From The Tree is narrated by all three teens. Each teen is experiencing some drama and hardship. Three main characters, three sets of parents, three sets of friends. This novel has the potential to either be awesome or a HUGE mess.

My thoughts: I loved this one. I didn't expect to love it. It is YA; I'm more a middle grade fan. It uses the f-word quite a bit; this usually keeps me from 'liking' a book let alone loving it. But. The characterization is so good; and characterization is for me the MOST important thing in a book. There's depth and substance to this one. Not just with the three main characters, but with all the characters. In fact, one of my favorite characters was a side character, Rafe. There are certainly romantic elements to this one, but by far it is about family. I loved the story and the storytelling. The dialogue was great.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The War That I Finally Won

The War I Finally Won. (The War That Saved My Life #2) Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. 2017. 400 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: You can know things all you like, but that doesn't mean you believe them.

Premise/plot: The War I Finally Won is the sequel to The War That Saved My Life. The novel opens with Ada, the heroine, in the hospital. She is about to have surgery that will correct her club foot. Susan, her guardian for the war, is by her side. Susan has learned some news--for better or worse. Ada's mother is dead. She and Jamie are orphans. Susan, of course, has plans to adopt them forever and ever. But Ada isn't the trusting, optimistic sort. She has valid reasons; after all, her mother did lock her up and not let her out of the house, and did take out ALL her anger on her. Can Ada learn to love and be loved? Will Ada and Jamie make a new life together with Susan? Who else will join their family?

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved both of these books. Even though there is a super-strong horse emphasis. Ada still loves Butter and finds riding her the best medicine in the world to heal her mentally, physically, emotionally. This is a fabulous coming-of-age story. And a great story about what makes a family. Ada's friendship with Maggie continues. And readers also meet a young Jewish girl named Ruth.

Definitely recommend both books to anyone and everyone who loves historical fiction.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street. Karina Yan Glaser. 2017. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 297 pages. [Source:

First sentence: In the middle of a quiet block on 141st Street, inside a brownstone made of deep red shale, the Vanderbeeker family gathered in the living room for a family meeting.

Premise/plot: Meet the Vanderbeeker children: Isa and Jessie, Oliver, and last but not least Hyacinth and Laney. These siblings will team up (mostly) to work for the common good of the family: to change their landlord's mind and to 'save' their home. The novel opens five days before Christmas. The family meeting is about their lease not being renewed. They have to be out of their apartment in the brownstone by January 1. Their landlord is "the Beiderman." He never leaves his apartment, yet without knowing him or his story, the children have judged him a mean, old grouch. They've never gone out of their way to be kind to him before, but, with new motivation they're willing to try anything and everything to get on his good side. (Does he even have a good side they wonder!) The family does not want to leave Harlem.

My thoughts: I really loved this one. What I really enjoyed about this one was the family itself. I loved meeting all the siblings. If I had to pick a favorite it would be OLIVER. But I'm glad I don't have to pick. How much did I love this fictional family? I wouldn't mind a five book series--or more! There is an old-fashioned feel to this one that I also enjoyed. The story itself is more predictable than not. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Would I have wanted an unhappy ending? Would I have wanted the Beiderman to stay the GRUMP? Even though I knew exactly where this story was heading, I didn't see the how right away. (I love that the how involves a cute and adorable KITTEN.) I also loved the message of this one. I think Atticus Finch would approve.
© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Giant Pumpkin Suite

Giant Pumpkin Suite. Melanie Heuiser Hill. 2017. Candlewick Press. 448 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Rose's bow zinged off the cello strings. Thomas hit the button on his stopwatch and grinned.

Premise/plot: Rose and Thomas are fraternal twins, though you'd never be able to guess. She's very tall for her age; he is very short. She can't seem to stop growing; he can't seem to start. She's several grades ahead of him as well. What do you need to know about Rose? She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES playing the cello, loves and adores Bach especially. She also is EXTREMELY fond of Charlotte's Web. In fact, she reads it at least once a month, and has for years. She hates her height and her curly hair. We know a little less about Thomas, but what we do know is easy to love. He's kind, compassionate, curious, eager to help, excited about life, optimistic.

The book opens in May, I believe, Rose and Thomas come to the aid of their friend and neighbor, Mr. Pickering. He's fallen down the basement stairs. Fortunately, Thomas finds him soon after, and Rose calls 911. Mr. Pickering asks them to take care of a precious seed and get it planted for him. This seed is for a GIGANTIC pumpkin.

The good news: Pickering's life is never in danger. The bad news: The summer doesn't quite go as planned. It ends up being the best-worst summer ever.

Thomas is beyond excited about the pumpkin project. Rose is a little more hesitant to commit ALL her free time to a plant. Even if her music teacher asks her to practice less, practice outside, and to play Bach for the plant. There is a big Bach competition coming up and Rose is nervous and feeling the pressure.

The competition never happens--not for Rose. What will Rose gain by losing?

My thoughts: I really loved this one. I loved the focus on family. Rose's family is close. Rose and Thomas are being raised by their mom and grandma. I loved how supportive they are of one another. I also loved the focus on friendship. Mr. Pickering and Mrs. Kiyo are two elderly neighbors that also love having Rose and Thomas in their lives.

There is a family in the neighborhood as well--the Jacobis. Rose doesn't "like" any of the kids. Jesse and James are identical twins. Jane is a girl near her own age. Rose calls her CALAMITY Jane, but the nickname is a bit unearned. Jane and Rose both want to have the library's copy of Charlotte's Web checked out ALL THE TIME. So much so that the librarian has a system: one week Rose, one week Jane, one week on the shelf to have available for another patron. Speaking of the librarian, she LOVES musicals. As in SINGS at the library on the job. This librarian is like a second mother to Jane. But over the course of this best-worst summer, Rose is invited into the group.

The book has a community theme to it. And friendship. It encourages dreams, but also asks what are you willing to do badly out of sheer love for it?!

It is a long book. But it was a good long book. So I personally, as an adult, didn't mind that!

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews