Once upon an Eid

My niece recommended Once upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed. The book includes 15 fictional stories about Eid written about various Muslim authors. The book description reads, "Eid! The short, single syllable word conjures up a variety of feelings and memories for Muslims. Maybe it’s waking up to the sound of frying samosas or the comfort of bean pie, maybe it’s the pleasure of putting on a new outfit for Eid prayers, or maybe it’s the gift giving and the holiday parties, or carnival rides to come that day. Whatever it may be, for those who cherish this day of celebration, the emotional responses may be summed up in another short and sweet word: joy." 

This was a nice read. At times it was a little slow, and the format (separate stories rather than a novel) made it take longer for me to get through than I would have otherwise expected. But I really loved learning about Eid since somehow I knew pretty much nothing about it! It is such a meaningful, special, important celebration for Muslims, so I feel so grateful that I am more educated and have a greater understanding on this. I really loved some of the stories (like I handed the book over to my daughter Emmeline to have her read "Kareem Means Generous") and enjoyed just reading all the different, unique Eid experiences among all the different stories and characters.

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

Hold On to Your Kids

I read Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Mate for the book club I'm in with friends at church. The Amazon book description says,  "International authority on child development Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D., joins forces with New York Times bestselling co-author of Myth of Normal, Gabor Maté, M.D., to tackle one of the most disturbing trends of our time: Children today looking to their peers for direction—their values, identity, and codes of behavior. This 'peer orientation' undermines family cohesion, interferes with healthy development, and fosters a hostile and sexualized youth culture. Children end up becoming overly conformist, desensitized, and alienated, and being 'cool' matters more to them than anything else. Hold On to Your Kids explains the causes of this crucial breakdown of parental influence—and demonstrates ways to 'reattach' to sons and daughters, establish the proper hierarchy in the home, make kids feel safe and understood, and earn back your children’s loyalty and love."

This was an interesting read. I wasn't a fan at the beginning because it seemed to be super anti-public school, and I felt like the book made some unfair assumptions about lots of things. However, as the book went on, I started to find more things that made a lot of sense. For example, it pointed out how peer oriented children no longer look to adults for a sense of self-valuation and thus when they experience bullying from peers, those things cut to the core because they don't have the protection they had when they were more oriented to their parents. This book helped me realize that a lot of the things I didn't quite understand about Emmeline (but that made her seem younger than her age at times) are actually her being healthily attached to her parents and not peer oriented. I think this book helped me appreciate Emmeline more in this realm and see the value of the way she is. The book also taught the importance of "collecting" our kids each day--holding onto our kids so they then can hold onto themselves (quite deep if you think about it). I really liked those lessons even though there were also lots of things in the book that kinda annoyed me or that I disagreed with. I think this is a book where you can pick and choose what works for you and your parenting.

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

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

I read The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton for my book club with friends at church. The book description says, "Aiden Bishop knows the rules. Evelyn Hardcastle will die every day until he can identify her killer and break the cycle. But every time the day begins again, Aiden wakes up in the body of a different guest at Blackheath Manor. And some of his hosts are more helpful than others."

This was a really unique book. It's one of those books that I probably would have given up on at the beginning if I weren't reading it for book club because I was just kinda confused at the beginning and couldn't quite put things together. (But I think that is kinda the point of the book.) By the end, I was super engaged and had so many questions, which made it a fun book club book. I liked the explanations that came at the end of the book that helped me finally pull things together. I also thought the author was a very talented writer with amazingly-written descriptions throughout the book. I would give more details on that, but it's been a couple months since I read this, so I've forgotten much more than what I've written here.

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

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer for the book club I'm in with friends at church. I read it years ago but didn't remember a lot of it, so it was a fun re-read. The book description reads, "January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb. . . . As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all. Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever."

This is such a great book. Juliet is just a delightful character whose descriptions and thoughts would just make me laugh out loud throughout the book. So many of the other characters were just so fun and likable, and the author just created such distinct, real people. I also loved that the book is based on real things that happened during this time in history in England and on Guernsey. This is a great read--highly recommended. Now I need to watch the movie!

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

The 13th Day of Christmas

I read The 13th Day of Christmas by Jason F. Wright for the book club I'm in with friends at church. The book description reads, "For Marva Ferguson, Christmas is a whirlwind season of joyous activity, and this season, she has a special bit of holiday magic in her apron pocket especially for her youngest neighbor, Charlee. They appear to be unlikely friends--an eighty-year-old widow and a nine-year-old girl--but these two souls find friendship together as they both face obstacles too insurmountable to survive alone. As Christmas draws closer, Marva chooses the person she would like to carry on her special tradition of 'The 13th Day of Christmas.' And she knows just the person for the job. She just hopes her message comes in time to change--or save--a life."

This was a sweet read and a good one to read during the Christmas season. It's kind of a feel-good, Hallmarky type book that has some preachiness at the end about remembering the true spirit of Christmas, but I don't mind those kind of reminders in the Christmas season. :) The book had a nice story with likable characters who faced situations that were sad (but bearable for the reader).

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

The Christmas Pig

I signed up to lead in December the virtual YA book club I'm in, so I needed to pick a Christmas book. While searching for ideas, I found The Christmas Pig by JK Rowling and decided to go for it since I'm a huge Harry Potter fan but haven't read anything else by JK Rowling. The book description reads, "Jack loves his childhood toy, Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve something terrible happens -- DP is lost. But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life... even toys. And Jack’s newest toy--the Christmas Pig (DP’s replacement)--has a daring plan: Together they’ll embark on a magical journey to seek something lost, and to save the best friend Jack has ever known."

This was such a good book. It got more and more engaging as the book went on, and by the end, I was crying (holding it together while a spectator at Emmeline's swim meet). I just loved the story and the overall feeling in the book of bravery and hope and love. The ending was just this perfect combination of heartbreaking and beautiful. Soon after finishing this book, I listened to a podcast by Kate DiCamillo that referenced this article she wrote about why children's books should be a little sad. I think this book is a great example of what she teaches in that article. Give The Christmas Pig a read this season!

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

Odder

I saw Katherine Applegate had written a new book called Odder about a sea otter, so I got it from the library. Here's the book description: "Odder spends her days off the coast of central California, practicing her underwater acrobatics and spinning the quirky stories for which she’s known. She’s a fearless daredevil, curious to a fault. But when Odder comes face-to-face with a hungry great white shark, her life takes a dramatic turn, one that will challenge everything she believes about herself―and about the humans who hope to save her. Inspired by the true story of a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers, this poignant and humorous tale told in free verse examines bravery and healing through the eyes of one of nature’s most beloved and charming animals."

This was a nice read. Even though it was a little slow for me at first, by the end I was definitely engaged and anxious to see what would happen with Odder. I thought it was a sweet book, and the author's note at the end motivated me to pick up from the library a nonfiction book about otters (Return of the Sea Otter: The Story of the Animal That Evaded Extinction on the Pacific Coast by Todd McLeish), so I have that in my to-read pile now.

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

Destiny of the Republic

I borrowed Destiny of the Republic:A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard from my mom for my adult book club. The book description says, "James Abram Garfield was one of the most extraordinary men ever elected president. Born into abject poverty, he rose to become a wunderkind scholar, a Civil War hero, a renowned congressman, and a reluctant presidential candidate who took on the nation's corrupt political establishment. But four months after Garfield's inauguration in 1881, he was shot in the back by a deranged office-seeker named Charles Guiteau. Garfield survived the attack, but become the object of bitter, behind-the-scenes struggles for power—over his administration, over the nation's future, and, hauntingly, over his medical care."

This book was fascinating! I loved reading about this story because I knew pretty much nothing about Garfield beforehand, and there was so much interesting stuff. The author portrayed the characters so well--I loved Garfield, hated Guiteau, etc. I forgot to blog about this book when I finished it a couple months ago, so I don't have as much to add here as I would have if I wrote about it right after. But great book! My mom loves this author and recommends more of her books, so I'll probably read another one soon.

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

The Curse of the Mummy

I got The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun's Tomb by Candace Fleming from the library before we went on vacation to Egypt. It tells the story of the archaeologists and financers who found King Tut's tomb as well as the stories behind the curse surrounding it.

This was a fun read, especially since I read it after we visited Egypt and saw King Tut's mask and sarcophaguses. I liked following Howard Carter and the other individuals involved in the discovery of the tomb.

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

Across the Desert

I really like the author Dusti Bowling and saw she had a newish book I hadn't read yet, so I got it on my Kindle: Across the Desert. In this book, "Twelve-year-old Jolene spends every day she can at the library watching her favorite livestream: The Desert Aviator, where twelve-year-old 'Addie Earhart' shares her adventures flying an ultralight plane over the desert. While watching this daring girl fly through the sky, Jolene can dream of what it would be like to fly with her, far away from her own troubled home life where her mother struggles with a narcotic addiction. And Addie, who is grieving the loss of her father, finds solace in her online conversations with Jolene, her biggest—and only—fan. Then, one day, it all goes wrong: Addie's engine abruptly stops, and Jolene watches in helpless horror as the ultralight plummets to the ground and the video goes dark. Jolene knows that Addie won’t survive long in the extreme summer desert heat. With no one to turn to for help and armed with only a hand-drawn map and a stolen cell phone, it's up to Jolene to find a way to save the Desert Aviator."

This was a wonderful book. I loved Jolene's determination even when no one understands her, and I loved the character Marty who came in to the story and made a difference right from the start. The characters were wonderful, and it was an engaging story that I wasn't sure how would pan out. I really like how the author pulled things together in the end and was inspired to hear that some experiences in the story (an addicted parent) are based on the author's childhood.

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

A Thousand Questions

I read A Thousand Questions by Saadia Faruqi while traveling. It had been on my to-read list because I have enjoyed other books by the author. This book is about Mimi and Sakina: "Mimi is not thrilled to be spending her summer in Karachi, Pakistan, with grandparents she’s never met. Secretly, she wishes to find her long-absent father, and plans to write to him in her beautiful new journal. The cook’s daughter, Sakina, still hasn’t told her parents that she’ll be accepted to school only if she can improve her English test score—but then, how could her family possibly afford to lose the money she earns working with her Abba in a rich family’s kitchen? Although the girls seem totally incompatible at first, as the summer goes on, Sakina and Mimi realize that they have plenty in common—and that they each need the other to get what they want most."

This was a great book. I really liked both main characters and seeing the dynamics and interactions between them and seeing their unique life situations. I think the book really opened my eyes to a different culture. I really enjoyed it and should have written about this right when I finished because then I'd probably have more specifics to share. :)

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

The Radium Girls

I read The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore while traveling after having it on my to-read list for awhile. The book description reads, "The Curies’ newly discovered element of radium makes gleaming headlines across the nation as the fresh face of beauty, and wonder drug of the medical community. From body lotion to tonic water, the popular new element shines bright in the otherwise dark years of the First World War. Meanwhile, hundreds of girls toil amidst the glowing dust of the radium-dial factories. The glittering chemical covers their bodies from head to toe; they light up the night like industrious fireflies. With such a coveted job, these 'shining girls' are the luckiest alive — until they begin to fall mysteriously ill. But the factories that once offered golden opportunities are now ignoring all claims of the gruesome side effects, and the women’s cries of corruption. And as the fatal poison of the radium takes hold, the brave shining girls find themselves embroiled in one of the biggest scandals of America’s early 20th century, and in a groundbreaking battle for workers’ rights that will echo for centuries to come."

This book was AMAZING. Sometimes nonfiction books can be slow reads, but this one was fascinating and engaging and easy to get through. I knew very little about radium and so was very interested in reading about what was understood about it at that time. It was heartbreaking to read about the girls' medical problems and how they could not find help and support--and yet so inspiring when they found people willing to put in the work to find them justice. I really enjoyed this read and would highly recommend it.

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

We Are Displaced

I had We Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World by Malala Yousafzai on my to-read list for awhile and finally got to it on a recent flight. The book description says, "After her father was murdered, Maria escaped in the middle of the night with her mother.
Zaynab was out of school for two years as she fled war before landing in America. Her sister, Sabreen, survived a harrowing journey to Italy. Ajida escaped horrific violence, but then found herself battling the elements to keep her family safe. Malala's experiences visiting refugee camps caused her to reconsider her own displacement -- first as an Internally Displaced Person when she was a young child in Pakistan, and then as an international activist who could travel anywhere in the world except to the home she loved. In We Are Displaced, Malala not only explores her own story, but she also shares the personal stories of some of the incredible girls she has met on her journeys -- girls who have lost their community, relatives, and often the only world they've ever known."

This was a great read. I was inspired by the many different girls whose stories were shared and all that they have gone through to find safety and peace. The book begins with a quote that says, "No one leave home unless home is the mouth of a shark. You only run for the border when you see the whole city running as well." And then Malala explained her purpose in writing the book--that too many people don't understand that refugees are ordinary people who just found themselves in a situation where they had no choice but to leave home. I think the book did that beautifully--helping us see these girls as normal, everyday people who faced the unthinkable.

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

The Scarlet Pimpernel

I read The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy for my (adult) book club. The book description says, "The year is 1792. The French Revolution, driven to excess by its own triumph, has turned into a reign of terror. Daily, tumbrels bearing new victims to the guillotine roll over the cobbled streets of Paris.… Thus the stage is set for one of the most enthralling novels of historical adventure ever written.
The mysterious figure known as the Scarlet Pimpernel, sworn to rescue helpless men, women, and children from their doom; his implacable foe, the French agent Chauvelin, relentlessly hunting him down; and lovely Marguerite Blakeney, a beautiful French exile married to an English lord and caught in a terrible conflict of loyalties—all play their parts in a suspenseful tale that ranges from the squalid slums of Paris to the aristocratic salons of London, from intrigue on a great English country estate to the final denouement on the cliffs of the French coast."

I ended up liking this book, but boy was it hard for me to get into it at the beginning! I had the book for more than a month and only read like 30 pages. Finally I was down to the wire in terms of the book club meeting coming up, so I forced myself to read more--and finally got into it and finished the rest of the book in just a few days. The old fashioned language was just hard for me to follow, and I just wasn't pulled into the story at first. But I ended up enjoying it and finding it very adventurous at the end. I'm proud of myself for getting through it. :) I also found on this blog that I read this book like 10 years ago (which I hardly remembered) and felt pretty much the same about it. :)

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

Emmy in the Key of Code

I read Emmy in the Key of Code by Aimee Lucido for my girls' book club. The book description reads, "In a new city, at a new school, twelve-year-old Emmy has never felt more out of tune. Things start to look up when she takes her first coding class, unexpectedly connecting with the material—and Abigail, a new friend—through a shared language: music. But when Emmy gets bad news about their computer teacher, and finds out Abigail isn’t being entirely honest about their friendship, she feels like her new life is screeching to a halt. Despite these obstacles, Emmy is determined to prove one thing: that, for the first time ever, she isn’t a wrong note, but a musician in the world’s most beautiful symphony."

This was a nice read. It was written in verse and so pretty quick to get through, and I thought the author wrote it in a fun way (involving coding language/format in how she wrote some parts). The book was engaging with characters I rooted for. Not much else to say since it's been a couple months since I read it. :) I made a virtual escape room for the girls in the book club here: https://sites.google.com/view/emmyinthekeyofcode/home

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

Signs of Survival

I somehow heard of Signs of Survival: A Memoir of the Holocaust by Renee Hartman and Joshua M. Greene and got it from the library. The book description reads, "As Jews living in 1940s Czechoslovakia, Renee, Herta, and their parents were in immediate danger when the Holocaust came to their door. As the only hearing person in her family, Renee had to alert her parents and sister whenever the sound of Nazi boots approached their home so they could hide. But soon their parents were tragically taken away, and the two sisters went on the run, desperate to find a safe place to hide. Eventually they, too, would be captured and taken to the concentration camp Bergen-Belsen. Communicating in sign language and relying on each other for strength in the midst of illness, death, and starvation, Renee and Herta would have to fight to survive the darkest of times."

This was a great read. The accounts of Renee and Herta are from oral histories they recorded about their experiences in the Holocaust. Because of that format, it was different than a novel is written and so not quite as engaging, but it was a very quick read and a powerful story. It was also an approachable story that showed the horrors of the Holocaust without it being too much for children. I think my sensitive 11-year-old could handle this read just fine. Renee and Herta are pretty incredible people who endured so much, and I'm glad I read their story.

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

The War I Finally Won

Emmeline and I recently read The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley for the girls' book club I run. (I had read it previously, but she hadn't.) She read the sequel afterward, so I decided to re-read it too: The War I Finally Won. Here's the book description: "When Ada’s clubfoot is surgically fixed at last, she knows for certain that she’s not what her mother said she was—damaged, deranged, crippled mentally as well as physically. She’s not a daughter anymore, either. Who is she now? World War II rages on, and Ada and her brother, Jamie, move with their guardian, Susan, into a cottage with the iron-faced Lady Thorton and her daughter, Maggie. Life in the crowded home is tense. Then Ruth moves in. Ruth, a Jewish girl, from Germany. A German? Could Ruth be a spy? As the fallout from war intensifies, calamity creeps closer, and life during wartime grows even more complicated. Who will Ada decide to be? How can she keep fighting? And who will she struggle to save?"

This is such a beautiful read. I didn't remember all the details from the last time I read it, so it was fun to re-read. I loved the return of all the characters from book one, and I love how the author creates such well-developed characters. The book was full of difficult things that Ada and the other characters had to face, but I loved watching Ada grow and change. I also loved the ending so much. Such a good read.

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

Christy

I read Christy by Catherine Marshall for book club. It is a historical fiction book originally published back in the 60s, and I'd heard of it for years but was excited to finally take the time to read this classic. Here's the book description from Amazon: "In 1912, and against the wishes of her parents, nineteen-year-old Christy Huddleston leaves her life of privilege and ease to become a missionary teacher in an impoverished and isolated valley in the Smoky Mountains. The job turns out to be more difficult--and rewarding--than she had anticipated, as she comes to know and care for the wild mountain people with their fierce pride, terrible poverty, dark superstitions, and their yearning for beauty and truth.Her faith is severely tested--by her students and by the suffering of the people she comes to love. When her dearest friend is taken by a typhoid epidemic, Christy questions the sovereignty and power of God.And when two remarkable young men fall in love with her--the pastor who is drawn to her courage and independence, and the non-Christian doctor who is drawn to the light of Christ shining through her--her heart is torn between love and desire."

I loved this book! It made me so glad to be in this book club because it's a book I probably would never have read otherwise. The story was super engaging (and even more fascinating because it was based on the real experiences of the author's mother). The author made the characters feel so real. I also loved the Christian/spiritual side of things--so many deep thoughts and meaningful experiences scattered throughout the book. Such a great read.

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

A Bird Will Soar

I learned about A Bird Will Soar by Alison Green Myers because it won the Schneider Family Book Award (for children's books with a character with a disability). The book description reads, "Axel loves everything about birds, especially eagles. No one worries that an eagle will fly too far and not come home—a fact Axel wishes his mother understood. Deep down, Axel knows that his mother is like an osprey—the best of all bird mothers—but it’s hard to remember that when she worries and keeps secrets about important things. His dad is more like a wild turkey, coming and going as he pleases. His dad’s latest disappearance is the biggest mystery of all. Despite all this, Axel loves his life—especially the time he spends with his friends observing the eagles’ nest in the woods near his home. But when a tornado damages not only Axel’s home but the eagles’ nest, Axel’s life is thrown into chaos. Suddenly his dad is back to help repair the damage, and Axel has to manage his dad’s presence and his beloved birds’ absence. Plus, his mom seems to be keeping even more secrets. But Axel knows another important fact: an eagle’s instincts let it soar. Axel must trust his own instincts to help heal his family and the nest he loves."

This was a nice story. I really liked Axel and his relationship with the animal rescue doctor, his friend Daniel, and his neighbors. I also liked seeing how Axel managed having autism and all the abilities he had despite having that diagnosis. The book was a little slow for me, and it took me awhile to get through it--but I liked it enough that I wanted to finish it. The book taught some valuable lessons to adults about how kids want to have important things explained to them rather than being left in the dark.

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

Hope Springs

I saw Hope Springs on the new book shelf at the library and thought it looked like a book I would enjoy. Here is the book description: "Eleven-year-old Jubilee Johnson is an expert at three things: crafting, moving, and avoiding goodbyes. On the search for the "perfect place," she and her Nan live by their Number One Relocation Rule—just the two of them is all they need. But Jubilee's starting to feel like just two is a little too close to alone. Desperate to settle down, Jubilee plans their next move, Hope Springs, Texas—home of her TV crafting idol, Arletta Paisley. Here she meets a girl set on winning the local fishing tournament and a boy who says exactly the right thing by hardly speaking at all. Soon, Jubilee wonders if Hope Springs might just be the place to call home. But when the town is threatened by a mega-chain superstore fronted by Arletta Paisley, Jubilee is faced with skipping town yet again or standing up to her biggest bully yet. With the help of her new friends and the one person she never thought she'd need—her Momma—will Jubilee find a way to save the town she's come to love and convince Nan that it's finally time to settle down?"

This was a good read. I enjoyed the story and liked the characters and how things turned out. The book was a little bit cliche and at times seemed to "tell" too much rather than just letting the situations speak for themselves.

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

Ada Blackjack: A True Story of Survival in the Arctic

I read Ada Blackjack: A True Story of Survival in the Arctic by Jennifer Niven for the first book in a new book club a friend started. Here's the book description from Amazon: "In September 1921, four young men and Ada Blackjack, a diminutive 25-year-old Eskimo woman, ventured deep into the Arctic in a secret attempt to colonize desolate Wrangel Island for Great Britain. Two years later, Ada Blackjack emerged as the sole survivor of this ambitious polar expedition. This young, unskilled woman--who had headed to the Arctic in search of money and a husband--conquered the seemingly unconquerable north and survived all alone after her male companions had perished. Following her triumphant return to civilization, the international press proclaimed her the female Robinson Crusoe. But whatever stories the press turned out came from the imaginations of reporters: Ada Blackjack refused to speak to anyone about her horrific two years in the Arctic. Only on one occasion--after charges were published falsely accusing her of causing the death of one her companions--did she speak up for herself."

This was a really interesting book. It was long, but I was able to finish it pretty quickly because the story was engaging, and I wanted to see how things panned out. The author did a great job portraying the various people involved, though I did consider that this is just one side of the story so I was definitely swayed in favor of some people (Ada) and against others (Stefansson). It was interesting to hear about the way they lived in the Arctic and how they tried to survive, and it was fun to discuss with friends at book club. Good read.

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

Red, White, and Whole

I got Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca from the library after seeing it was one of the Newbery honor books for this year. The book description reads, "Reha feels torn between two worlds: school, where she’s the only Indian American student, and home, with her family’s traditions and holidays. But Reha’s parents don’t understand why she’s conflicted—they only notice when Reha doesn’t meet their strict expectations. Reha feels disconnected from her mother, or Amma, although their names are linked—Reha means 'star' and Punam means 'moon'—but they are a universe apart. Then Reha finds out that her Amma is sick. Really sick. Reha, who dreams of becoming a doctor even though she can’t stomach the sight of blood, is determined to make her Amma well again. She’ll be the perfect daughter, if it means saving her Amma’s life."

This book was so good! It was written in verse and was a quick, engaging read. At the beginning, I was just like, Oh, this is a nice read, but wasn't really sure if the book was super special or meaningful--but once I hit the climax of the book, I was hooked. The book was pretty heart-wrenching and had me full-on sobbing and repeating, "This is a terrible book" (even though it wasn't actually terrible). It was a beautiful read and definitely one I'd recommend to others. I loved the various characters and thought they were well-developed even for a short book, and I also thought the book taught some meaningful lessons.

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

Golden Girl

I saw Golden Girl by Reem Faruqi on the new books shelf at the library and recognized the author from a great picture book called Lailah's Lunchbox. Here's the book description: "Seventh grader Aafiyah loves playing tennis, reading Weird but True facts, and hanging out with her best friend, Zaina. However, Aafiyah has a bad habit that troubles her—she’s drawn to pretty things and can’t help but occasionally 'borrow' them. But when her father is falsely accused of a crime he hasn’t committed and gets taken in by authorities, Aafiyah knows she needs to do something to help. When she brainstorms a way to bring her father back, she turns to her Weird but True facts and devises the perfect plan. But what if her plan means giving in to her bad habit, the one she’s been trying to stop? Aafiyah wants to reunite her family but finds that maybe her plan isn’t so perfect after all. . ."

This was a nice read. It was written in verse, so it was quick to get through, and I enjoyed the story. I always like books that open my eyes to different perspectives and experiences, which this book definitely did in several ways.

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

Home Is Not A Country

I saw Home Is Not A Country by Safia Elhillo on a list of the Coretta Scott King author honor books for 2022 and got it from the library. The book description says, "Nima wishes she were someone else. She doesn’t feel understood by her mother, who grew up in a different land. She doesn’t feel accepted in her suburban town; yet somehow, she isn't different enough to belong elsewhere. Her best friend, Haitham, is the only person with whom she can truly be herself. Until she can't, and suddenly her only refuge is gone. As the ground is pulled out from under her, Nima must grapple with the phantom of a life not chosen—the name her parents meant to give her at birth—Yasmeen. But that other name, that other girl, might be more real than Nima knows. And the life Nima wishes were someone else's. . . is one she will need to fight for with a fierceness she never knew she possessed."

Wow. This book was so good. It's kind of funny to me because at first, I wasn't super into it, and I was having trouble following the story. The book is written in verse (which I usually love), but it was a different format than I'm used to with big spaces separating thoughts within one line. It made it tricky for me to read at first, and I just wasn't sure on the book. BUT, things changed partway through, and suddenly I was hooked. I ached for Nima and all she was carrying and just loved how the story took a twist into fantasy that allowed Nima to understand so much more about her life. I think this was a powerful read, and I just loved the message of the story.

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

Set Me Free

After enjoying Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte, I got the sequel from the library: Set Me Free. The description of the book says, "Three years after being kidnapped as a 'live specimen' in a cruel experiment to determine the cause of her deafness, Mary Lambert has grown weary of domestic life on Martha's Vineyard, and even of her once beloved writing. So when an old acquaintance summons her to an isolated manor house outside Boston to teach a young deaf girl to communicate, Mary agrees. But can a child of eight with no prior language be taught? And is Mary up to the task? With newfound purpose, Mary arrives only to discover that there is much more to the girl's story--and the circumstances of her confinement--than she ever could have imagined. Suddenly, teaching her and freeing her from the prison of her isolation, takes on much greater meaning, and peril."

This was a great read. It's always fun to read sequels of books where you enjoyed the characters and setting because you get to re-join the world. I enjoyed following Mary's adventure and seeing how she navigated the people and situations she came across. I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first book, but I still was glad I read it.

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

The Last Cuentista

I put The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera on hold at the library after seeing it won this year's Newbery Medal. The book takes place in 2061 when Earth is about to be destroyed by a comet. A few hundred scientists and their children--incuding 12-year-old Petra and her family--have been chosen to journey to a new planet to carry on the human race.

This book was so good! I had it in a pile of several other to-read books and kept putting it off and putting it off until it was the last one left--but once I got into it, I was super engaged and anxious to finish it to see how things would turn out. I hadn't read a futuristic/science fiction type book in FOREVER, so it was kinda creepy for me at first. It gave me vibes of House of the Scorpion and Hunger Games (but I think only because I don't read a lot of books that take place in a future time and those are ones I have read). I thought the story was super exciting with lovable characters and fun twists. There were some stressful and sad parts of the book, but I came away satisfied with how the author concluded things.

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

The House That Wasn't There

I can't even remember how I came across this book, but I recently got The House That Wasn't There by Elana K. Arnold from the library. Here's the book description: "Alder has always lived in his cozy little house in Southern California. And for as long as he can remember, the old, reliable, comforting walnut tree has stood between his house and the one next door. That is, until a new family—with a particularly annoying girl his age—moves into the neighboring house and, without warning, cuts it down. Oak doesn’t understand why her family had to move to Southern California. She has to attend a new school, find new friends, and live in a new house that isn’t even ready—her mother had to cut down a tree on their property line in order to make room for a second floor. And now a strange boy next door won’t stop staring at her, like she did something wrong moving here in the first place. As Oak and Alder start school together, they can’t imagine ever becoming friends. But the two of them soon discover a series of connections between them—mysterious, possibly even magical puzzles they can’t put together. At least not without each other’s help."

This was a super odd book. I LOVED the realistic fiction part of it--the relationship between the kids and how it changed, friendship dynamics, etc. But the book also had a small part of fantasy in there that was just so odd and random that it just seemed off to me. I would have liked the book fine without that.

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

All He Knew

All He Knew by Helen Frost has been on my to-read list for awhile--I'm not sure how I originally heard about it, but I finally got it from the library. The book is about Henry: "Henry has been deaf from an early age―he is intelligent and aware of langauge, but by age six, he has decided it's not safe to speak to strangers. When the time comes for him to start school, he is labeled "unteachable." Because his family has very little money, his parents and older sister, Molly, feel powerless to help him. Henry is sent to Riverview, a bleak institution where he is misunderstood, underestimated, and harshly treated. Victor, a conscientious objector to World War II, is part of a Civilian Public Service program offered as an alternative to the draft. In 1942, he arrives at Riverview to serve as an attendant and quickly sees that Henry is far from unteachable―he is brave, clever, and sometimes mischievous. In Victor's care, Henry begins to see how things can change for the better."

This book was SO GOOD. It had me full-out sobbing in the middle because it was so heart-wrenching, but it came together beautifully, and I just loved it. I loved the story and characters, and it had me so engaged that once I finished, I had to give my husband a summary of the entire book over dinner. This book gave me a glimpse to some aspects of history I knew very little about (like conscientious objectors) as well as helping me see how few resources there were in the past for children with special needs. I really loved this book and highly recommend it. It's a quick read (partially because it is written in verse and partially because it's just so good that you have to keep reading) that I finished in a day.

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

Under a Painted Sky

I read Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee for a young adult book club I recently joined. (My mom started it, and everyone meets on Zoom.) Here is the book description:"Missouri, 1849: Samantha dreams of moving back to New York to be aprofessional musician--not an easy thing if you're a girl, and harder still if you're Chinese. But a tragic accident dashes any hopes of fulfilling her dream, and instead, leaves her fearing for her life. With the help of a runaway slave named Annamae, Samantha flees town for the unknown frontier. But life on the Oregon Trail is unsafe for two girls, so they disguise themselves as Sammy and Andy, two boys headed for the California gold rush. Sammy and Andy forge a powerful bond as they each search for a link to their past, and struggle to avoid any unwanted attention. But when they cross paths with a band of cowboys, the light-hearted troupe turn out to be unexpected allies. With the law closing in on them and new setbacks coming each day, the girls quickly learn that there are not many places to hide on the open trail."

This was a great read. One of my favorite things about book clubs is when I read books I would have never found or picked up on my own, and this is a perfect example of that. I started the book with only a week till book club, and I was worried I would have trouble finishing it in time--but it was no problem AT ALL. I sped through the book because the story was so engaging. The characters were amazing, the story was exciting and adventurous and tender, and there was a good balance of hard and happy. I really enjoyed this one and plan to look at other books written by the author.

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

Words on Fire

I saw Words on Fire by Jennifer Nielsen on a list of books my sister was putting together for her library. The book description reads, "Danger is never far from Audra's family farm in Lithuania. She always avoids the occupying Russian Cossack soldiers, who insist that everyone must become Russian -- they have banned Lithuanian books, religion, culture, and even the language. But Audra knows her parents are involved in something secret and perilous. In June 1893, when Cossacks arrive abruptly at their door, Audra's parents insist that she flee, taking with her an important package and instructions for where to deliver it. But escape means abandoning her parents to a terrible fate. As Audra embarks on a journey to deliver the mysterious package, she faces unimaginable risks, and soon she becomes caught up in a growing resistance movement. Can joining the underground network of book smugglers give Audra a chance to rescue her parents?"

This was a great book. I thought it was really interesting to learn about this pocket of history that I knew pretty much nothing about, and I liked how the story emphasized the power of books. There were some clever twists in the story and endearing characters. The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it was pretty heavy with lots of bad stuff happening that couldn't balance out with good things. Books like that get a little heavy for me, so this was a slower book for me to get through. But it was definitely a good read.

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

Show Me a Sign

Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte has been on my to-read list for awhile since it won the Schneider Family book award. Here is the descriptino from the book jacket: "Mary Lambert has always felt safe and protected on her beloved island of Martha's Vineyard. Her great-great-grandfather was an early English settler and the first deaf islander. Now, over a hundred years later, many people there -- including Mary -- are deaf, and nearly everyone can communicate in sign language. Mary has never felt isolated. She is proud of her lineage. But recent events have delivered winds of change. Mary's brother died, leaving her family shattered. Tensions over land disputes are mounting between English settlers and the Wampanoag people. And a cunning young scientist has arrived, hoping to discover the origin of the island's prevalent deafness. His maniacal drive to find answers soon renders Mary a "live specimen" in a cruel experiment. Her struggle to save herself is at the core of this penetrating and poignant novel that probes our perceptions of ability and disability."

This was such a great book! It engaged me right away, and I was able to finish it super quickly because I was anxious to see how things turned out. I liked the characters, the special community and culture where Mary lives, the adventure in the story, etc. I took ASL in high school, so I also enjoyed reading a book since I have a background in sign language. The author of the book is also deaf, which is cool. This was a great read, and I just saw a sequel just came out so I excitedly put it on hold at the library.

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

Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen!

I saw Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen! by Sarah Kapit on a list for the Schneider Family Book Award. I had forgotten about it until I was looking at something my sister was working on for her library--so I decided to check it out. This book is about Vivy, who has autism and loves baseball. She is an expert at the knuckleball pitch, and when she gets invited to join an all-boys Little League team, she is thrilled when her mom reluctantly agrees. The book is written as a series of letters Vivy writes with her major league baseball player pen pal VJ.

I loved this book! I finished it in like 24 hours because it was just an engaging story, and I wanted to see how things would pan out. I liked the letter format and thought Vivy was a really wonderful character. I found out afterward that the author has autism, which makes the story even cooler that it's written from an authentic perspective.

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

Ghost Squad

I read Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega for my girls' book club. It's the story of Lucely, who can interact with the ghosts of her ancestors who are fireflies. When something bad happens to the spirit of her grandmother, Lucely and her best friend Syd are desperate to help. They find a magic spell book and end up unintentionally awakening malicious spirits in their town.

This was a fun read. When I started out, it was the type of book I maybe wouldn't have stuck with because fantasty/ghosts isn't usually my preferred genre. But I'm glad I stuck with it because I enjoyed the book. I liked the characters, especially Syd's grandma Babette, and thought the story was clever and fun.

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