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

42. Before Nightfall

Before Nightfall. Silvia Vecchini. 2024. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The sea is all light.

 Premise/plot: Emma loves, loves, loves her brother, Carlo, who is hearing and vision impaired. The two communicate through sign language [though not American sign language]. His one 'good' eye is failing and he will soon undergo a surgery with a chance to save what remains of his vision. The book follows their uncertain yet hopeful story as it unfolds. Emma has met a boy--whose name I can't recall and who isn't 'important' enough to get a mention in any blurb--and he also befriends the family. The story is told in a blend of poetry and prose.

My thoughts: Middle grade realistic fiction. This one is in some ways difficult emotionally because of the content. Yet to avoid it strictly because it might be hard, uncomfortable, or sad doesn't seem fair. (Especially if you're an adult.) Some young readers DO seek out stories that are bittersweet or with the potential for sadness. Life can be unfair, a bit unjust. Real life does not promise tidy tied in a bow happy endings. The love Emma has for her family is so strong and it was lovely to spend time with her.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

33. Ferris

Ferris. Kate DiCamillo. 2024. 240 pages. [Source: Library] [MG Fiction, J Fiction, Realistic, Historical]

First sentence: It was the summer before Emma Phineas Wilkey (who everyone called Ferris) went into fifth grade. It was the summer that the ghost appeared to Charisse, the summer that Ferris's sister, Pinky Wilkey, devoted herself to becoming an outlaw, and the summer that Uncle Ted left Aunt Shirley and moved into the Wilkey basement to paint a history of the world. It was the summer that Ferris's best friend, Billy Jackson, played a song called "Mysterious Barricades" over and over again on the piano. Billy Jackson loved music. The very first sentence he had ever spoken to Ferris, was, "I hear piano music in my head all the time, and, I wonder, would it be all right if I held on to your hand?"

Premise/plot: Ferris is Kate DiCamillo's newest children's book. I would say the book is timeless, but, what I truly mean is that the book exists out of time. It could almost be any and every time period. So what is it about? The recurring theme or message is that every story is a love story, or, every good story is a love story. It is very much a story celebrating family and friends and community. Ferris isn't particularly "troubled;" she isn't facing an extraordinary problem that she has to overcome. There are no gigantic, looming conflicts. And THAT is a trend I'd love to see in children's books now and then. 

Ferris' grandmother is seeing a ghost, AND has recently been diagnosed with [congestive] heart failure. When she learns from her grandmother that the ghost wants to see the chandelier lighted so that her husband can find her, Ferris sets about doing just that. It isn't so much fulfilling a ghost's wish as it is fulfilling her grandmother's wish too. This is, I suppose, the "big" plot point of the book, but the book has scores of LOVELY quiet moments, ordinary moments, lovely moments where Ferris is just living life. They aren't always calm, peaceful, relaxed moments. But they are the little moments that make up a life. 

ETA: I could see Pinky, Ferris' sister, stealing the show much like Ramona did in Beezus and Ramona. Now that I think of that comparison, I can't not see it. This book is, in some ways, the answer to the question how on earth can I get along with my sister story.

My thoughts: The writing was solidly good. I do tend to love and adore her writing. I enjoyed the characters. I LOVED the relationships. I think the highlight, for me, are the many, many relationships we get to explore in this one. Do I love the ghost aspect? Not really. Is it a big enough subtraction that I dislike the book? No.

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews