Lalani of the Distant Sea

I read Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly for my girls' book club. Here's the description from the book jacket: "Life is difficult on the island of Sanlagita. To the west looms a vengeful mountain, one that threatens to collapse and bury the village at any moment. To the north, a dangerous fog swallows sailors who dare to venture out, looking for a more hospitable land. And what does the future hold for young girls? Chores and more chores. When Lalani Sarita’s mother falls gravely ill, twelve-year-old Lalani faces an impossible task—she must leave Sanlagita and find the riches of the legendary Mount Isa, which towers on an island to the north. But generations of men and boys have died on the same quest—how can an ordinary girl survive the epic tests of the archipelago? And how will she manage without Veyda, her best friend?"

This was a fun read. I liked the setting and the way the author set up the story and enjoyed following Lalani's journey to find solutions to her problems. The book did take a long time to build up and then seemed to resolve really quickly at the end, but I didn't mind the happy conclusion. I also enjoyed the clever way the characters got rid of the villains of the story (though my sensitive 11-year-old thought that part was a little harsh). We enjoyed the book!

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Midsummer's Mayhem

I read Midsummer's Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca for my girls' book club. This book tells the story of 11-year-old Mimi, who loves to bake. When a new bakery in town announces a baking contest, Mimi knows she has to enter. Unfortunately, her dad--a renowned food writer who is her best taste tester--comes home from a business trip and begins acting strange and distant. Then Mimi meets a new friend named Vik and with his help begins baking using exotic ingredients she finds in the woods in her search to pin down the perfect submission for the baking contest. But when weird things start happening to her siblings, Mimi begins to wonder if her new ingredients are the culprit.

This was a fun read. I definitely liked it more than I expected to. The story was interesting with fun characters and twists.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle

I came across The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor when shelving books at the library where I volunteer, and it caught my eye--so I decided to read it. This story is best described by the description on the book jacket: "Mason Buttle is the biggest, sweatiest kid in his grade, and everyone knows he can barely read or write. Mason’s learning disabilities are compounded by grief. Fifteen months ago, Mason’s best friend, Benny Kilmartin, turned up dead in the Buttle family’s orchard. An investigation drags on, and Mason, honest as the day is long, can’t understand why Lieutenant Baird won’t believe the story Mason has told about that day. Both Mason and his new friend, tiny Calvin Chumsky, are relentlessly bullied by the other boys in their neighborhood, so they create an underground haven for themselves. When Calvin goes missing, Mason finds himself in trouble again. He’s desperate to figure out what happened to Calvin and, eventually, Benny. But will anyone believe him?"

This book was SO GOOD. It engaged me from the beginning while I tried to figure out what had happened with Benny, and Mason was just such a lovable character that I was rooting for the entire book. I also loved the school counselor Ms. Blinny, who makes her room a refuge for all the kids who need a safe place. It just touched my heart to read any part where she was in the story because she had created such a beautiful home within the school. Anyway, I just loved this book and highly recommend it. Even though there is some heavy content in there with death, I think it would be ok for my 11-year-old, so I'll recommend it to her next time she needs a book.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Rez Dogs

The other day when I was at hotel library, I saw Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac. It caught my eye since I am  familiar with the author from a couple of his other books I've read, and I know he's a well-known Native author. Then when I read what the book was about, I had to grab it--it is about a girl who is visiting her grandparents on their reservation when the COVID-19 lockdown occurs, so she has to stay there (without her parents) until things settle down. I was super interested that there was already a fiction story written that took place during COVID since it is still so present-day. :) But anyway, this book follows Malian as she lives with her grandparents, learns from their stories, and spends time with a dog on the reservation who has "chosen" her.

This was a quick, sweet read. I enjoyed the relatable modern-day setting and learning more about the Wabanaki culture in the context of the story.

Rating: * (1/3 = It was okay)

Stargirl

I saw on Disney+ that there was a movie called Stargirl, and I knew it was based on a book that I had never read. So, I got it from the library! Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli is about a boy named Leo who attends Mica High School. One day a new girl arrives at the school--her name is Stargirl, and she is completely unique and doesn't seem to care what anyone else thinks. At first the student body is enchanted by her, but after they decide they don't like some of her unique ways, she is instead shunned. Leo has fallen for her and is desperate for her to just be normal.

This was a great read. It engaged me from the start, and I think it teaches some valuable lessons about the teenage years and the need to feel accepted. The book had me chuckling at times or just super awkwarded out or just smiling at the sweetness of the characters. I enjoyed the read and will recommend it to my 11-year-old.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

The Strangers

I read Greystone Secrets: The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix for my Girls' Book Club. In this book, Chess, Emma, and Finn Greystone live a happy, uneventful life with their mom until one day there's something strange in the news: Three children in a different state have been kidnapped, and the children have the exact same first and middle names and birthdates as the Greystone kids. This seems extremely strange, and the next day, the kids' mom leaves on an unexpected business trip. Things get stranger when the kids find their mom's phone left behind, a hidden room in the basement, and a coded message from their mom.

This was SUCH a good book! I started reading it in the evening one day and finished it by the next afternoon because it was so addicting. (Even stranger, I read the whole thing on my phone, which I've never done before. I got it on my phone as an ebook to just start looking at while I waited for the hard copy on hold. I just had no idea I'd be that into it and finish it so quickly.) The story was fast-paced, exciting, scary, and interesting, and the characters were fun and distinct. I really enjoyed the book and will definitely plan to read the sequels. I created a virtual escape room for this book for the book club, so I'll add a link to that here once it's finalized. Or if you're reading this and you've read the book already, comment here so I can have you try out the escape room for me as a test. :)

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

11 Birthdays

I read 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass for my Girls' Book Club. Here's the description from Amazon: "It's Amanda's 11th birthday and she is super excited---after all, 11 is so different from 10. But from the start, everything goes wrong. The worst part of it all is that she and her best friend, Leo, with whom she's shared every birthday, are on the outs and this will be the first birthday they haven't shared together. When Amanda turns in for the night, glad to have her birthday behind her, she wakes up happy for a new day. Or is it? Her birthday seems to be repeating iself. What is going on?! And how can she fix it? Only time, friendship, and a little luck will tell..."

This was a fun read. It was quick and engaging, and I enjoyed reading it, trying to see how things would turn out for Amanda. There were some fun twists throughout, and I thought it was a creative, fun story.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

They Called Us Enemy

I read They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker for my graphic novel class. It tells the true story of actor and activist George Takei's childhood in the 1940s when he and his family were put in internment camps for being Japanese Americans. The book follows the difficult choices his parents had to make, his father's leadership and compassion during trying times, and the family's strength in enduring injustice.

I loved this book so much! Telling this story in a graphic novel format made the book so much more powerful than it would have been if written any other way. The story was powerful and engaging and helps readers better understand this period of US history. The illustrations depicted the emotions of the characters very well, and I so admired the strength of this family.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Maus I

I read Maus I: A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman for my graphic novel class. It shares the experiences of the author's father, Vladek, a Jew who endured hiding and concentration camps during the Holocaust. The book begins with Vladek’s experiences before the war, including how he met his wife, and then follows his experiences as his life became in danger.

This was a great read and powerful story. This book was written in 1986--I didn't even know graphic novels were a thing back then. (I had a misconception that graphic novels were new but learned differently during my class this semester.) The illustrations are black and white but symbolic in that the Jews are portrayed as mice and Nazis as cats. This book had me engaged, though I struggled with telling characters apart at times since I'm realizing that I'm not super observant with illustrations. This book did have some bad language, so take note that it's an adult book. As a side note, this book won the Pulitzer Prize in 1992, which is pretty amazing. (It's the first and only graphic novel to win that award.)

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

March: Book One

I read March: Book One by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell for my graphic novel class. It tells of Congressman John Lewis and the true story of his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. The story begins in the modern day, with Congressman Lewis speaking to two young boys who come visit his office. The stories of his past are introduced as stories he tells the boys.

This was a pretty amazing book! I loved the way the book was written and reading the stories and experiences shared. It really made the Civil Rights Movement seem more real to see someone living in our day and age who had such a central role in the events in the 60s. I think this makes it a powerful book for children and young adults who are learning about this time of history. This will be a good one for my daughter Emmeline in a couple years.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Arrival

I read The Arrival by Shaun Tan for my graphic novel class. Written entirely in pictures (no words), this book shows a man leaving his wife and daughter to immigrate to a new country. As he repeatedly faces the unfamiliar, he meets helpful people along the way who each faced difficult times in their pasts as well and share their experiences. With the use of an invented alphabet and unfamiliar locations and animals, the author/illustrator portrays settings that could represent any location.

This was such a great book! At the beginning, I was kind of confused and worried I was missing something because I kept seeing fantastical creatures and settings and didn't really understand. But as I kept reading, I understood what the author was trying to portray. The illustrations really articulated the feelings of immigrants and showed the goodness of people in taking care of each other. I really related to this book because it brought out the feelings I felt when we lived in Japan--just the feeling of being in a new, unfamiliar place where everything is different and confusing. Even though this is listed as a young adult book, I think it's one my 10-year-old daughter could read and understand.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Green River Killer

I read Green River Killer by Jeff Jensen and Jonathan Case for the graphic novel course I'm taking this semester (for my MLIS). This book follows Tom Jensen (the father of the author), the lead detective on the case of the Green River Killer, a serial killer in Seattle in the 1980s. When the killer, Gary Leon Ridgway, was eventually caught, Detective Jensen spent time with him doing interviews before Ridgway was convicted of killing 48 women and girls.

I picked this book from the list provided by the professor because I have always been interested in true crime and thought I'd enjoy the story. It did end up being very fascinating, and it made me interested in learning more about the case afterward. The book is definitely adult content because this guy was a creepy murderer and rapist, and there are lots of pictures of dead bodies and gruesome things. There were two things I didn't love about the book--1) It jumped back and forth in time (originally when killings happening and then once they caught the killer), and I sometimes got confused. 2) I sometimes had trouble telling certain characters apart because their appearances were similar, which led to me having to do lots of double takes. But overall I enjoyed the read.

* * (2/3 = Liked it)

Only Child Booklist

Here's my PBS booklist for kids who are an only child.

https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/childrens-books-about-being-an-only-child

Women's History Month Booklist

Here's my booklist for PBS for Women's History Month back in March.

https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/childrens-books-to-celebrate-womens-history-month

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team

I saw All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat on the list of Newbery Honor books for this year and was immediately intrigued because I had been fascinated by that news story back in 2018. I had to wait on hold for the book at the library for several months but just got it--and finished it in one day! This is a nonfiction account (written for a children/young adult audience) of the 13 Thai boys (ages 11-16) and their soccer coach who went on a fun outing through a cave and ended up getting trapped deep inside when the cave flooded. Miraculously, they were found after 9 days and then all rescued 8 days later.

This book was AMAZING. The author told the story so well--it was engaging, well organized, fascinating, etc. I came away from the book just amazed at the miracle of the rescue and so touched by how much a human life matters. So many experts from around the world came and dedicated their time and skills (and some even risking their own lives) to save these boys. The book really showed how many people put their efforts into this rescue and how much work it truly required to make the miracle happen. This book was interesting and inspiring, and I highly recommend it.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

I read From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks aloud to Emmeline for our Girls' Book Club in May. It is the story of Zoe, who has never met her birth father because he's in prison for a terrible crime. However, when she receives a letter from him on her 12th birthday and starts corresponding with him, she finds out he claims to be innocent. Zoe works to uncover the truth--while trying to keep her family from knowing what's going on.

This was a great read. Emmeline and I both enjoyed it, and all the girls in the book club gave it a thumbs up (meaning they loved it or really liked it). The author had a good balance of hard stuff (father in prison, accused of murder, etc.) with fun stuff (Zoe creating a cupcake recipe of her own and trying to be on a kids' cooking show). The story was engaging (almost too stressful for me at times!) with likable characters. The book does have Zoe lying a lot to her parents and grandma, which is tricky because I don't think that's a great example to kids--and yet all her lying paid off in the end. Tricky. :) I liked that this book is Own Voices (black author writing about a black character) and that it addresses the issue of parental incarceration because I always think it's good to expand kids' experiences and understanding.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Orbiting Jupiter

My mom recommended Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt, so I got it from the library. The dust jacket reads, "When Jack meets his new foster brother, he already knows three things about him: Joseph almost killed a teacher. He was incarcerated at a place called Stone Mountain. He has a daughter. Her name is Jupiter. And he has never seen her." This book follows 13-year-old Joseph as he tries to find peace in his new foster home.

This was an engaging story that had me rooting for Joseph throughout the story. It was a really sad book all the way through, but it was pretty much unbearably sad at the end. For that reason, I don't know if I'd actually recommend it to others unless you enjoy super sad books. The author did a great job developing the characters, and I loved watching the actions of the amazing foster parents. When I talked to my mom after I finished the book, my mom said she thought this would be a great book for teens to read and then do a writing exercise afterward where they write their own ending. I completely agree because I would have chosen to end the book much differently. (Aka happily.)

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

A Good Kind of Trouble

I got Lisa Moore Ramee's book A Good Kind of Trouble from the library after enjoying her book Something to Say. This book is about Shayla, who starts junior high and struggles with drama related to friends and boys. Shayla's sister Hana supports the Black Lives Matter movement, but Shayla isn't sure she wants to get involved--until an unfair trial ruling makes her realize she has to stand up.

This was a good read. The story was engaging, and I thought the book did a great job portraying the perspective of one young black girl and her experiences while also addressing things like friendship issues that can affect everyone. I really liked how Shayla--who is a good girl and doesn't like to get in trouble--finds that there are times where you have to stand up for what's right, even if you might get in trouble for it. The book was filled with characters to love (Isabella) and ones to really not love (the principal), and I think this is a really important book. This one wasn't quite as good as Something to Say to me, and I also felt like there was a lot of bad stuff going on that she never told her parents about--which made it a hard read for me at times. But I still enjoyed it overall and finished it fairly quickly.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Something to Say

I saw Something to Say by Lisa Moore Ramee on the new book shelf at the library, and it caught my eye. It is about 11-year-old Jenae who is content with her life of being invisible at school and having no friends. However, the new school year changes things for her when 1) her English teacher announces that everyone will be giving speeches in class (major phobia of Jenae's) and 2) a new boy named Aubrey seems insistent on being her friend, despite her best efforts to push him away.

This was such a great read! I finished it in just a couple days because I kept wanting to read and see how things would turn out. I sometimes was frustrated by Jenae's inner struggles and her inability to just speak up, but I think that was kind of the whole point of the book (note the title). I liked following the various side issues in the story (her brother, her grandfather, her school's name) and really loved the character Aubrey. This was a great read, and I'm so glad I accidentally came across it. I'll recommend this to Emmeline next. It also looks like the author has written another book, so I'm going to get that from the library next.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Theodore Boone: The Accomplice

I also got from the library Theodoore Boone: The Accomplice by Theodore Boone, the last book in the series. This book is about Theo's friend Woody who gets arrested after being caught up in a bad situation. Theo becomes aware of the inequalities in the justice system as he desperately tries to find justice for Woody.

This was another engaging read. I didn't like this one quite as much as some of the others because it was just a lot of stressful stuff without resolution until the end. However, I enjoyed the story and was relieved with how the book concluded.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Theodore Boone: The Scandal

When I was at the library the other day, I saw Theodoore Boone: The Scandal by John Grisham and excitedly realized that there were new books in this series that I started years ago. The series is about 13-year-old Theo who is super interested in the judicial system thanks to his two lawyer parents, and in each book he gets involved in something related to the law. :) This book follows Theo and his friend April when she discovers information about a cheating scandal at a neighboring middle school.

This was a fun read. I've had trouble getting into a book lately (started several and ended up just returning them to the library), but I had no problem finishing this book. It was engaging and kept me reading. I kind of like how Theo always turns to his parents for help in this series rather than just hiding things from them and dealing with big problems on his own. (It's less stressful for me haha.) I do feel like this book wasn't completely realistic in how much people valued Theo's opinion about things and such, but it's fun anyway. I enjoy these books.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Lety Out Loud

I saw Lety Out Loud by Angela Cervantes on the list of Pura Belpre award winners and presented it to Emmeline's book club as one of the possible books to read--and they voted to read it for this month! It's the story of Lety--an English Language Learner--who attends a summer day camp at an animal shelter. She decides to try to be one of the shelter scribes who writes profiles about the animals to help them get adopted. Unfortunately, grumpy Hunter wants to be shelter scribe too--so their friends make it into a contest to see whose profiles get the animals adopted quicker.

This was such a fun read. I'm not really an animal person, so I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy the book that much, but of course I was tearing up at the end as I was reading aloud to Emmeline and had to have her read to me for one page. I loved that the book shared the perspective of families who come to the United States and are learning English. I loved all the characters, and Emmeline always wanted me to keep reading extra chapters so we could see what happened. I also was happy with how things came together at the end. I'm glad we read this one.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess

I saw Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Shari Green on the book award list for the Schneider Family Book Award (for books with a disability experience) and got it from the library. Here's the book description:  "Sixth grade is coming to an end, and so is life as Macy McMillan knows it. Already a “For Sale” sign mars the front lawn of her beloved house. Soon her mother will upend their perfect little family, adding a stepfather and six-year-old twin stepsisters. To add insult to injury, what is Macy’s final sixth grade assignment? A genealogy project. Well, she’ll put it off—just like those wedding centerpieces she’s supposed to be making. Just when Macy’s mother ought to be understanding, she sends Macy next door to help eighty six-year-old Iris Gillan, who is also getting ready to move—in her case into an assisted living facility. Iris can’t pack a single box on her own and, worse, she doesn’t know sign language. How is Macy supposed to understand her? But Iris has stories to tell, and she isn’t going to let Macy’s deafness stop her. Soon, through notes and books and cookies, a friendship grows. And this friendship, odd and unexpected, may be just what Macy needs to face the changes in her life."

This was a great book! It was written in verse (which I always love), so it was a quick read. I loved the characters and following Macy as she sorted through everything she was dealing with. I also enjoyed reading a book with a deaf character since I have some ASL background. I added this to a list of books I'd like Emmeline to read.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Amina's Song

I recently re-read Amina's Voice by Hena Khan, this time with Emmeline for our book club. After finishing, I saw there is now a sequel and so got Amina's Song from the library. This book follows Amina on a life-changing trip to Pakistan where she gets to know Thaya Jaan's family and then her return home. The book description reads, "After she’s home, though, her friends don’t seem overly interested in her trip. And when she decides to do a presentation on Pakistani hero Malala Yousafzai, her classmates focus on the worst parts of the story. How can Amina share the beauty of Pakistan when no one wants to listen?"

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun to continue on the story of Amina, and I think Emmeline would enjoy reading this book as well. The book was engaging with a realistic, relatable storyline.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

When You Trap a Tiger

I got When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller from the library after seeing it won the Newbery medal this year. I'm getting lazy with writing my own summaries, so here's the description from Amazon: "When Lily and her family move in with her sick grandmother, a magical tiger straight out of her halmoni's Korean folktales arrives, prompting Lily to unravel a secret family history. Long, long ago, Halmoni stole something from the tigers. Now they want it back. And when one of the tigers approaches Lily with a deal--return what her grandmother stole in exchange for Halmoni's health--Lily is tempted to agree. But deals with tigers are never what they seem! With the help of her sister and her new friend Ricky, Lily must find her voice...and the courage to face a tiger."

This was a great read. I was sobbing by the end and was also left with a lot of questions about what was real and what wasn't--which maybe was left unclear on purpose. I loved the main character, Lily, and worried about what was going to happen as she tried to navigate the cirumstances she was facing. It was a unique book, but it definitely caught my interest and made me want to keep reading. It was also kind of deep at the end, and I probably need to do some pondering to really understand all of the lessons the book teaches in the end.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Fighting Words

I got Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley from the library after hearing it was one of the newly announced Newbery Honor books. Here's a description of the book from the publisher: "Ten-tear-old Della has always had her older sister, Suki: When their mom went to prison, Della had Suki. When their mom’s boyfriend took them in, Della had Suki. When that same boyfriend did something so awful they had to run fast, Della had Suki. Suki is Della’s own wolf–her protector. But who has been protecting Suki? Della might get told off for swearing at school, but she has always known how to keep quiet where it counts. Then Suki tries to kill herself, and Della’s world turns so far upside down, it feels like it’s shaking her by the ankles. Maybe she’s been quiet about the wrong things. Maybe it’s time to be loud."

This was an incredible book. It is a book that addresses things like sexual abuse and suicide but is meant for younger readers than a typical young adult book. (My sensitive 10-year-old with anxiety wouldn't be quite ready for this book, but I think it would be a meaningful read for her in a few years. Other children her age probably could handle this, but I think it'd be good to have an adult in their life reading it too so it can be discussed.) The book was engaging and hard to put down, and the characters were just so well developed. I was rooting for Della and Suki the whole book and so grateful for the good people in their lives. The book also opened my eyes to the many children who go through childhoods that are completely unfair. I really love that this book was written because I think it will give children who have been through difficult things the courage to speak up and the ability to find hope for a better future.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Shine

I heard about Shine by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein in my Children & Libraries journal where I read an article about couples who collaborate. Chris Grabenstein is a well-known author, and for this book, he wrote with his wife, J.J., an actress/singer. Shine is about 12-year-old Piper who has to transfer schools when her dad accepts a new job as the music director at Chumley Prep, a private school for rich kids--which seems like a place where Piper will never fit in. The book follows Piper as she makes friends, navigates a bully, and figures out what things like friendship and excellence really mean.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great, and I liked following the problems Piper faced and how she tried to work through them. The book was a little predictable for me, but I don't think a kid would catch onto everything quite like I did. I think this would be a great book for my 10-year-old and one that she'd really enjoy, but it does have a spoiler for something she still believes in, so I'll give it a year. :)

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Illegal

I was looking for new graphic novels for my daughter to read and saw on a list Illegal by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, and Giovanni Rigano and got it from the library. It follows Ebo and his brother Kwame who leave Ghana as refugees, looking to get to Europe to reunite with their sister.

This was a powerful book that gave a glimpse into the terribly unfair and difficult circumstances faced by refugees. I think it would be a little too much for my 10-year-old right now since she's pretty sensitive, and this book had some hard deaths. But I think it's a great book for teens and helps readers remember the real issues faced by people around the world every day.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Ways To Make Sunshine

I saw Ways To Make Sunshine by Renee Watson on some kind of list somewhere and decided to get it from the library since I am a fan of the author (loved her book Piecing Me Together). This book follows Ryan and her family when her dad loses his job and they have to move to a new house. As Ryan adjusts to some changes in her family's life, she learns to find the good in rough situations.

This was a quick, sweet read. There wasn't much of a big conflict or major plot but just a simple story, realistic fiction story. I can't remember much more because I read this a few weeks ago, and that's about how my memory is. ;) I do like that Renee Watson is telling the everyday story of a girl who is black since that is definitely an underrepresented population in children's books.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Educated

I've had Educated by Tara Westover on my to-read list for forever, and this time when I got it from the library, I actually read it. It's a memoir about a woman who was raised by survivalist parents in Idaho, living a life without medicine, doctor's visits, and any kind of real education. As a teenager, she decides to leave and attend college and begins to realize that there is a new kind of life out there.

This was a fascinating book and incredibly engaging. (It was quite long, but I finished it in just a couple days.) I could not believe the kind of experiences she had as a child and the crazy views her parents had on certain things. (For example, several times, people in the family got seriously injured, and they did not go to the doctor and get the help they really should have gotten.) As a sidenote, Tara was raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is my religion too, but our life experiences do not match AT ALL. Her parents had a lot of beliefs that are outside the normal LDS religion, and I think Tara does a good job observing that the things she experienced are not representative of a religion but rather her family's experience. Anyway, this was a really interesting and empowering read.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)