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)