Books with Positive Female Relationship

Something I've become aware of within the last year or so is how many books have female characters pitted against one another.  Aren't there any books for young people that show great, positive friendships in which there isn't bickering or rivalry?  Yes, I know that this type of rivalry is real for many of our young girls in every day life.  Mean girls are a real problem, but where are the books that show it doesn't have to be that way?  Where are the books that show an alternative to the cliques?

I am a firm believer that books can change your life.  They can change your outlook and the way you interact with the real world around you.

So I've been paying attention and here are a few that I've read over the past few years that I think do a great job.  I've divided it up into middle grade books and YA books if you're looking for certain readers in your life.

Middle Grade Books

 Peppi doesn't always  make the best choices, but she's going to make it right.  There's definitely conflict within this book, but Peppi has found some solid friends who give her great advice.  And she helps out one of her friends when she really needs it.  There are cliques, but they are not focused around cool girls.

Check out my review here.

How could I have a post on female friendships without The Baby-Sitters Club?  The reason it made this list of books I've read in the past two years is because Raina Telgemeier has come out with the graphic novel versions of Ann M. Martin's stories.  And if you can get a kid interested in the graphic novels, that might lead to the rest of the series by Ann M. Martin.


Check out my review here.

Raymie meets three new friends the summer she decides to run for a beauty pageant.  You'd think that three very different girls, all entering the same contest would end up in some not so great relationships, but these girls rally together to help one another.

Check out my review here.

I chose this because it's a positive sister relationship.  Even though Catrina is sometimes annoyed by her little sister, Maya, she cares deeply for her.  They bond a lot throughout this books as well.

Check out my review here.

This book will be for your older middle grade reader.  6th, 7th, 8th grade.  It deals with the topic of sexting, in a more "innocent" way if that's possible (the pictures in question are of a girl in her underwear and no more than that).  It does have a trio of girls entering middle school and they are each finding themselves drifting in different directions, but still manage to maintain their solid friendship.  They also support one another in making positive choices, but are supportive when their friend makes a mistake and don't turn their back on her.

Check out my review here.

YA Books

Although Cath's relationship with her sister, Wren, is strained, and her mother is out of the picture, there are great examples of positive female relationships.  Her roommate, Raegan is the best.  At first you think it's going to be terrible, but Reagan is mature and understanding and doesn't really get sucked into the drama--so she doesn't allow Cath to sink into it with her.  Her relationship with Wren is where most of the drama comes from, but there are many reasons and it stems more from the fact that they're family and are struggling with some real issues than this being a mean girl situation.

This one is a romance, though.  So it's not all about the friendships.  But positive all around.  There are also some issues I had with Raegan and Cath judging other girls they see.  It's not a perfect book or a perfect representation of positive female relationships, but I did think they Rainbow Rowell gave Cath some positivity in her life to equal out the negative situations.

 This story takes place in an asylum (well two really).  Some of the women kept in the asylum were only there because their families put them there so they didn't have to deal with them. That was accepted during the time period because women were not valued.  But in the second asylum (the good one), Grace finds solid friendships with two other women who have been committed, a nurse, and the sister of a doctor.  Although this book isn't about friendships--it's very much about women's rights and the treatment of individuals with mental illness (all entwined with a murder mystery, of course)--these relationships are solid foundations for Grace.

Check out my review here.

 Amanda is new.  She had to leave her old life behind when someone found out that she is transgender.  Now she's living with her father, who doesn't quite accept her as she is now.  She finds some solid friendships within this book--and some not so solid.  But the friends she make stand by her, even when her worst nightmares come true and everyone finds out the truth.

This might a bit out of range, but I really love Vivian and Harp.  Vivian and her best friend Harp set out across the country in the wake of a "Rapture" that supposedly happened.  But Vivian is sure that she can find her parents because something just doesn't seem right to her.  Harp isn't so sure and is surly, drinks a lot, and isn't always the most dependable when it comes to making choices.  She is, though, always there.  With Harp on her side, I know she'll be okay.  Just as I know Harp will be okay because she has Vivian.

Check out my review here.

What about you?  Any good examples of strong, positive female friendships within MG or YA books?  

Review: House Arrest by K.A. Holt

House Arrest by K.A. Holt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*spoilers at end*

Timothy has been put on house arrest for a year and has to keep a journal to prove to a judge that he has learned from his mistake. What was his mistake? Stealing a wallet and using someone’s credit card to pay for his little brother’s monthly medication. Levi isn't even a year old and he has a trach to help him breathe, but it also means constant care. Nurses, medical supplies, dr visits—they all cost a lot. And ever since Timothy’s dad left, it's been up to his mom to do it all, so Timothy wanted to help. Now he's stuck in his house for twelve months and he's angry.

Through his journal, Timothy talks to his probation officer, James, and psychologist, Mrs. B. He relates, through verse, what he and his mom deal with on a daily basis. As a twelve year old, Timothy is often left in charge because his mom has to work and they don't have a nurse that day. So Timothy does things like suction Levi’s tube, change ties, teach his brother sign language, and generally keep him happy and alive.

Timothy works so hard to grow and learn and keep himself in control, and does an amazing job, despite the odds. Despite being a twelve year old boy who feels like it is his responsibility to make sure his brother has the medical care he needs. Despite seeing because his mother give every little part of herself to keep it all together as she breaks apart at the seams. Despite his father leaving their family without a word. Despite being responsible for his brother when there is no nurse that day and his mom HAS to go to work. The world is against this kid—that’s what it feels like.

Then things start to go up. His probation officer and his psychologist are amazing and helpful and caring. His neighbors jump in and help with food and clothing and comfort. They all help carry his family when they need it. So you start to believe that it's all going to be okay and things truly are looking great.


**SPOILERS HERE **
But when Timothy makes a choice between violating his parole and keeping his baby brother alive, he makes the right choice and gets Levi to the hospital—and also lands himself in juvie. No one evaluates the situation and sees that this kid was doing right and he had grown so much in the previous almost year. No one who is capable of making a decision sees this or tries to change it. And although he does save his brother, and his brother goes to get help, all the work Timothy did to make it happen doesn't even seem to count.

I'm angry at this book. I am so incredibly upset. Which is good because books should make you feel. And three days after finishing it, I’m still seething. I liked this book more than I expected and I felt cheated —not so much for myself, but for Timothy. He was cheated. And it's not fair. Which I realize is life. Usually I am okay with endings that aren't happily-ever-after. But this one rubbed me the wrong way. I had thought things would get better, not perfect, but improved. And they did, right before it was completely ripped away from him. And that was it.
**SPOILERS END HERE!**

I still recommend this book. I will share it with my book club this year because I think we’ll have a lot to discuss. It's completely appropriate in all ways, but still deals with heavy themes: divorce, very sick relatives, asking for help, growth, ideas of what is morally right vs what is technically right in the eyes of the law, family. There is a lot to discuss.

Book Review: Awkward

Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Awkward has been a favorite in my classroom all year and I'm just getting to it in preparation for book club next year. I'm so glad I read it. It has a cast of diverse characters as two clubs, Art Club and Science Club, battle it out for a spot at the school's club fair. Penelope (Peppi) is in Art Club and on her first day at school, she did the most terrible thing to this kid who tried to help her and she's trying to say she's sorry--still trying. As she finally begins to be friends with the boy, Jaime, she realizes he's in Science Club. How can they be friends if their friends hate one another?

Peppi isn't a flawless character, which I appreciate. She makes a lot of mistakes and her friends make a lot of mistakes. Luckily, they learn a lot from their mistakes and also how to save their club.

The teachers are also lovely. I loved the Science teacher. She's very strict, orderly, and possibly a ninja in a previous career? There are many rumors surrounding her and how terrifying she is--even though she isn't and helps out our main character multiple times.

A second book recently came out about another student in Art Club and it looks fabulous. I'd love to hear about all these characters eventually and hope this becomes a longer series.

Review: All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook

All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can't express how much I love Perry T. Cook! In All Rise For the Honorable Perry T. Cook, Perry is an eleven year old boy who has spent his entire life living in a prison. He was born there, and through the help of a progressive warden, has been allowed to stay with his mother who was incarcerated shortly before his birth. Perry goes to a regular school, has rules, completes chores, and has a family within the prison walls. When the DA discovers the set up at Blue River Prison, he doesn't like it and takes Perry out of there immediately--to live with him and his family. Although the DA, Tom, has promised to help Perry in any way he can, it doesn't take Perry long to figure out that if he wants to be back with his mom, he'll have to rely on himself.

The characters in this book are amazingly well written. Not only is Perry a thoughtful, inquisitive kid, but he's learning how to stand up for himself. He has many people who are on his side and willing to help. But he needs to learn how to speak out now, speak up for what is right.

We also get hear from his mother's perspective throughout. Her chapters are short and spread out. They allow us to see Blue River Prison from the inside, even when Perry isn't there anymore. We see the loving mother of a boy. A mother who does everything she possibly can to protect and fight for her boy.

One character who really intrigued me was the DA, Tom. Although he is painted as the villain, he's not truly one. He's a man who really believes that he is doing the right thing and trying to correct a wrong. Only he is very misguided in his attempts.

I strongly urge you to read this book. It has made its way onto my Book Club list for next year and will also be book talked!

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Review: The Girl Who Drank the Moon

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Girl Who Drank the Moon is told from multiple perspectives throughout the book. The omniscient quality of the narrator allows us to know the "secrets" right away--there isn't a whole lot to unravel. However there is still a question of how things will unfold and if the characters themselves will understand the truth and what that will mean for them--and if they'll figure it out in time.

Luna is our main character, sacrificed as the youngest baby in the Protectorate, and now being raised by Xan (a witch), Glerk (a swamp monster), and Fyrian (a tiny dragon, who is more of a sibling than a guardian). Every year Xan rescues a baby left in the bog and flies him or her to a town and a loving family. Only when she rescues Luna, she falls in love with her and accidently feeds her too much moon, enmagicking her. But Luna's magic is so intense that it becomes dangerous and Xan must encase the magic deep within her. And now, as she nears thirteen, Luna's magic is slowly returning.

During this time we also see both heroes and villains from the Protectorate as they try to make sense of all the terrible suffering that happens in their village. Over the course of thirteen years we witness the lives of the people of the Protectorate through Antain's eyes. Antain begins as an elder in training, but we can see right away that this won't go very well for him because he questions the decisions and traditions of the elders that lead to the misery surrounding his town.

One of the issues I had with The Girl Who Drank the Moon was the constant change of perspective. The omniscience meant that we knew a lot, but we knew a lot because we saw the same moments in time from different perspectives--and sometimes not just two. It made the story seem to stretch out instead of move forward. It also made it more difficult for me to really relate to Luna. We don't even really get anything from her perspective until we're a good ways into the book because it takes awhile for her to grow up.

And that's when the story really started. I felt like a lot of it was background building and it was long and arduous building. It could have been shorter.

I would only recommend this to middle grade readers who are already comfortable with fantasy books. I feel like even good readers who don't have much basis in fantasy might be thrown off by it. Overall, it was an okay book and once the story gets going, it's compelling--it just might take a while for that to kick in.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Camo Girl by Kekla Magoon

Camo Girl
Kekla Magoon
Aladdin, 2012
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Diverse Reads, Middle Grade, Being Yourself
Rating: 4 out of 5

Ella has been friend with Z forever.  He was there for her when she needed it the most and pulled her out of her darkness.  Even though being friends with Z is difficult, especially as he sinks more and more into his own dark world, Ella can't leave him behind.  So she endures.  They are a pair--a pair who get made fun of on a regular basis.  Ella gets made fun of because she is the only black girl at her school and her face is covered with patches of different colors.  Z is made of fun because he acts weird--very weird.  When a new boy arrives at school, Ella is ecstatic because he too is black.  She's finally going to have someone who is like her! Only now it seems like she has to make choice between Z, the friend who was always there for her and desperately needs her now, or Bailey, the friend who likes, really likes her. 

There were parts of Camo Girl that were difficult to read because my heart was just breaking.  It broke so much for Ella.  She is a lucky girl.  Although her father recently died from cancer, she lives with a grandmother who encourages her to stand up and be the strong girl she sees, and a mother who loves her so very much.  She has a friend in Z like none other--but she knows that something isn't right with him now.  And Ella's other friend has abandoned her because Z is too weird and all the other kids know it too, but she's trying so hard to help him, to keep things normal for him and for her.  Then, when she does try to do something without Z, it breaks both of them because Ella doesn't know how to explain it to him so he will understand--if he can understand.

Through all of this, Ella is trying so hard to accept who she is, but she can't.  She does her best to go through her day without looking the mirror.  She doesn't want to see herself and be reminded of the way she looks.  Every day she is reminded by the bullies in her school who call her "Camo Girl" and trip her while she walks by.  Every day she remembers what Z did for her on the day her father died and she cannot abandon him--not like everyone else has.

This book is about acceptance, not so much acceptance of others, although that is here.  It's about accepting oneself and accepting the truth.  It takes a lot of Ella to accept the truth about Z and take the steps needed to help him--but will it be too late?

I definitely recommend Camo Girl by Kekla Magoon.  It's in my classroom library and has already flown off the shelf!  Definitely a great read for middle schoolers as they try to find themselves in this world and accept who they are.  It's a clean read that deals with real life issues kids face in a realistic and authentic way.

The Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy's Great Idea

The Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy's Great Idea
Raina Telgemeier, Ann M. Martin
GRAPHIX, 2015
Genre: graphic novel, middle grade, friendship
Source: Borrowed from School Library
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Yes, ladies and gentleman who grew up in the 80's-90's, the Baby-Sitters are back and they are in graphic novel form.  One of my students came up to me at the start of the school year to ask if it was okay if she read this book and held up the graphic novel.  At first I didn't quite register what book she was holding up, but asked her why she thought she couldn't read it.  "It's all pictures," she told me and flipped through the pages.  I nodded and told her that they're called graphic novels.  She asked again if she could read it and I asked her if she enjoyed it.  When she finally realized that I would not be telling her that it didn't count and she had to find a "real" book she scampered away as if she was getting away with something. Little did she know that I was thrilled to see her reading this!

At some point during this discussion, I focused in on the title and on the inside was thinking, "I need to read this!"  Now, I'm not a huge graphic novel person.  I don't have anything against them, they're just not what I gravitate towards.  I do, however, gravitate towards Ann M. Martin and The Baby-Sitters Club so as soon as our school library's copy was returned, I snatched it up and sped through it, allowing all my students to see me reading a graphic novel in the process.

It was awesome!  Raina Telgemeier did a fantastic job depicting the story and translating it into graphic form.  It made me feel nostalgic for my old copies of The Baby-Sitters Club, which may be in my parents' basement still, or may not.  I have a modge podge of the novels in my classroom and ever since I read this book and pointed out that they're also in novel form, they've been flying off the shelves as well as the graphic novles.  I may need to invest in more...

So go check it out!

Currently Reading

I'm going to finish this book soon. It's a tough read, but important. I'll write more later. But you should check it out. 

 

Book Review: The Seventh Wish

The Seventh Wish

Kate Messner
Bloomsbury USA Children's, 2016
Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Family, Drug Abuse
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

All Charlie wants is a new Irish dance dress for her upcoming competition--and a little more attention from her parents.  This year is a little rough because her sister Abby just started college and Charlie is used to having her there.  With her next door neighbor and his grandma, she starts ice fishing in hopes of selling the fish to earn money for her dress.  When she catches her first fish it's small and calls out to her to release it in exchange for a wish.  Charlie wishes, not expecting anything to happen, but when her wish does come true it's not exactly the wish she had wanted.  Willing to try again, Charlie starts making wishes to help her friends, but they aren't exactly working.  Then her sister comes home from college and things are suddenly pulled out from under Charlie when she finds out that Abby is battling a drug addiction.  Can her wishes help cure her sister and make everything the way it used to be? 

I loved this book.  Charlie is your typical middle school student.  She is focused on school and dance and wants more of her parents' attention.  When her dance competition is pushed aside for her parents' work and personal commitments, she accepts it, but she's not happy about it.  She wants to be with her friends and do a good job on her science project.  When Charlie and her parents discover that Abby is addicted to heroin, life gets harder.  Now instead of spending Sundays working on her science project and going to dance class, Charlie is at Abby's rehab for visitors' day.  Instead of worrying about dance and homework, she's worrying about if her sister will get better.

This book is a great look at what it's like to have a family struggling with an addiction.  It's not just Abby struggling; her entire family is having a hard time as well.  Charlie is embarrassed to tell her friends what's going on and she's having problems getting her homework done on the weekends.  Another dance competition is coming up and she desperately wants to go, but she won't be able to if Abby is still in rehab.  Her parents are trying to get insurance to pay for the program that Abby is in and everyone is trying to understand how this happened.

Kate Messner has taken a very serious and difficult topic and woven it into Charlie's life.  Ultimately this book isn't about drug addiction, but about a girl who really wants a new dress for dance so she can move up to the next level.  It's about Charlie, who is trying to wish all the bad stuff away for her friends and herself and realizing that it doesn't really work that way.

Abby's addiction is presented in a way that is appropriate for middle grade readers and it's very likely that kids will relate to what Charlie experiences as they see family members who struggle with different addictions.  I think it's extremely important that kids see themselves in what they read, and these are, unfortunately, experiences that some kids have.  They need those reflections in literature.  It's definitely a book I'll be sharing with my 6th graders this year as I use it for a Read Aloud in the fall.

Book Review: Raymie Nightingale

Raymie Nightingale

Kate DiCamillo
Candlewick Press, 2016
Genre: middle grade, family, friendship
Source: purchased for my classroom
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Raymie's father ran off with a dental hygienist and she hasn't heard from him since.  Her mother has been quiet and seems lost.  But Raymie has a plan.  If she can win the Little Miss Central Florida tire competition then she'll get her father back.  Unfortunately, she has Louisiana Elefante, whose parents were performers, and Beverly Tapinski, who wants to sabotage the contest, in her way.  In addition, she has to learn to twirl a baton, but her teacher is crazy and she hasn't learned a thing yet.

Raymie is a thoughtful and bright young girl.  She's hurt and confused that her father left one day out of the blue and her mother just sits and stares now.  So now she has come up with a plan to fix everything.  She's managed to find an adult who will talk with her honestly in her father's secretary.  She's kind and gives Raymie advice, but for the most part Raymie is on her own with the help of her two friends.

Louisiana Elefante is wispy and beautiful, sings like an angel, and faints--a lot.  She's a bit kooky and claims Raymie and Beverly as her best friends almost immediately--much to Beverly's chagrin.  It's difficult to ignore her, because Louisiana seems to need friends who will help her.  Beverly Tapinski is sick and tired of pageants--and she's not afraid to say so.  She has a tough life and covers that up by putting up a tough front that no one will mess with.  Both Raymie and Louisiana annoy her, but she always seems to be helping them out since she's not afraid of anything and they are.

Told from Raymie's point of view, we learn about all three girls and watch as their friendship evolves.  It's a charming story and good read for middle grade readers.  There are funny parts--especially when Louisiana is in the picture--but there are also some sadder parts as the reader begins to realize more about each girl.

Kate DiCamillo writes great stories for young readers, introducing them to interesting characters who are true to life.  It's easy to believe we can meet them randomly on the street one day, or find them in our own best friends.  Definitely a great read for middle grade readers!

Book Review: Masterminds

Masterminds

Gordon Korman
Balzer & Bray, 2015
Genre: Mystery, Middle Grade, Action
Source: Purchased for my classroom library
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Eli and his friends live in Serenity, New Mexico.  It's the best place to live, with only 30 other kids there, no crime, no homelessness, no lying.  They're reminded on a regular basis how lucky they are to live there, when outside of their town it's not so great.  When Eli's best friend is sent away to his grandparents, though, things get weird, and they all try to figure out what it is that makes their town so "great."  Now they have to sneak around their parents, the "Purple People Eater" guards, and break into the plasticworks where almost every adult is employed.  In a town as great as theirs, there's no way that all the adults could be lying--right?

This is a really fun mystery/adventure story.  Gordon Korman knows how to build a story and to get kids interested.  Although there are about 30 kids in Serenity, this story focuses on Eli and four of his friends, switching between points of view each chapter.  As soon as they get wind of something not being quite right, all five go through their own reservations before they realize that they have to uncover the truth.

This is definitely a mystery and we're given a few clues here and there to unlock the truth, but it does come out pretty quickly.  When they finally come discover what exactly is going on in their town, they have to decide on a plan of action and that's where things get interesting.  Lots of action and fast paced adventure for readers who enjoy The 39 Clues and other adventures.

There is a second book that came out in February, 2016 and a third one is possibly being worked on.  I can't vouch for the future existence of a third book, though.

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Book Review: George

George
Alex Gino
Scholastic Press, 2015
Genre: Middle Grade, LGBTQ, Realistic
Source: Borrowed from public library
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

George feels like he's a girl, but all anyone sees is a boy.  They call her a boy, refer to how she'll be a man one day, and expect her to do things a boy would do--like use the boys' restroom.  It's hard and she has no one to confide in, to talk about how she feels.  So she hides the teen magazines in her closet and keeps her thoughts to herself.

When their teacher announces auditions for the class play of Charlotte's Web, George knows she has to have the part of Charlotte.  Her best friend Kelly helps her out, but how can George show everyone what she already knows--that she is a girl?

This is an important book about a transgender youth who is struggling.  You can see how miserable George is from the first pages when she's hiding magazines in the back of her closet, terrified that her brother or mom might find them.  She tries to make herself unseen by the bullies at school, but often fails at this.  She thinks that she's found the perfect solution to her problem--the play.

George has a great mom who works hard and does her best to make sure both of her children are happy, but she doesn't really see George for who she is.  Her older brother is a teenager who is more concerned with his life, but he's not a jerk.  He's actually pretty accepting.  Plus she has Kelly, her best friend.  WIthout Kelly, George would not have had the courage to do what she wanted.  I loved their relationship--especially because it wasn't a perfect friendship.  It was a real friendship.

I highly recommend this book, especially for middle schoolers.  It's a story about acceptance and understanding of someone who is different.  It may even be a book that helps someone feel more confident in being who they are, which is what George ultimately wants--to be who she is.  I also think this is a great book for anyone who works with youth.  It's a quick and easy read that can help remind you of your role in a child's life, even if it is for a short time.

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Book Review: Sky Raiders

The Sky Raiders (Five Kingdoms #1)

Brandon Mull

Aladdin, 2014

Genre: fantasy, adventure, middle grade

Source: Borrowed from a student

Rating 3 out of 5 stars

~What It's About~

When Cole follows his friends through a manhole in an attempt to save them from kidnappers, he doesn't expect to find himself in another world, but that's exactly what happens.  The Outskirts is a world of slaves and trading and of "shaping" whatever you could imagine.  There are dangers Cole could never think of, but also wonders that could only be a part of a dream.  When he's traded to the Sky Raiders, a group that jumps from flying boats onto moving clouds filled with castles, he's sure he'll be dead within a week.  Luckily he meets a new friend, Mira, who helps him find his way in this strange new world and he might just be able to help her out as well.

~The Good~

Sky Raiders is full of adventure!  Cole is not only in a new world trying to figure out how to navigate this place, but he's also trying to find a way to save his friends.  There are a lot of evil and cruel people in this world, but there are plenty of helpful people as well.  I loved the idea of "shaping."  In The Outskirts there are people called "shapers" who have the ability to create things--magnificent things--from their imagination.  They can easily fuse together or alter already existent objects to form some other object that can help or hinder.  This idea really comes to light when Cole travels through a land that a young child created from his imagination filled with skeleton armies and plastic dinosaurs that attack, but also a babysitter who can help keep you safe.  

~The Not-So-Good~

 I found it hard to get into this book for the first chunk of it.  The very beginning where Cole and his friends are kidnapped wasn't compelling and I can see kids being turned off by this right away.  It didn't really get better for me when he landed in The Outskirts and tried to save his friends.  I was glad when he was traded into the hands of The Sky Raiders because things finally started to pick up for me as a reader.  Luckily it didn't take too incredibly long to get to that point, but I am an adult reader.  

~Final Thoughts~

Cole's story is built well for an epic adventure that is compelling for fans of fast paced stories with danger around every corner.  Fans of adventures will definitely enjoy this one and if they make it through this 400+ pages long book they will probably find their way to the next one in order to see what kinds of adventures Cole gets himself into again.

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Book Review: The Inn Between

The Inn Between
Marina Cohen
Illustrations: Sarah Watts
Roaring Book Press, 2016 Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade
Source: ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

~What It's About~

Quinn has had a rough time and now her best friend is moving, but at least they have this one last trip.  She's traveling with Kara and her family as they head out west to move into their new home.  It's their last time to be inseparable.  On the way there, they find themselves at a strange inn that seems to appear out of nowhere and Quinn has her suspicions about its guests as well as the staff.  When Kara's parents disappear, Quinn knows she is right and is determined to find out what's going on in this strange place.  She's also slowly peeling back clues from her past that might help her understand herself as well as the Inn Between.

~The Good~

Quinn and Kara have a strong friendship that cannot be broken.  They are both trying not to think about being torn apart when they finally arrive in Kara's new town and Quinn will have to go back home alone.  They trust one another.  Even when Kara isn't so sure of what Quinn is trying to do in her search for the truth of this strange hotel, she trusts her.  This is a good and not so good thing, which we see throughout the book, but I like it because of their strong friendship.

~The Not-So-Good~

The story is set up to be a mystery, where there are only bits and pieces revealed at a time so that you can slowly figure out what's going on with this strange inn.  It's pretty obvious, though.  I realize this is written for middle grade readers, but it still seemed too obvious for them as well.  I was actually waiting for something unexpected to happen to challenge my idea, but it never came.  

There is almost constantly some kind of major crisis or event throughout the story.  After the opening where we're learning a little bit of the background of our characters, there isn't much actual story telling, as it relies heavily on action and a steady flow of conflicts and running around attempting to discover the truth.  I also found myself wanting to roll my eyes at the conclusion. 

~Final Thoughts~

I wasn't that thrilled with Inn Between.  With the carefully laid out clues, it made it obvious what was happening from well on in the beginning.  The story was trying too hard to be something else.  If you're truly looking for a mystery, this probably won't fulfill that desire.  However it may be good for young readers who would need something a little more predictable, but I'm doubtful many middle grade and up readers will fall for it.

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Book Review: The Thing About Jellyfish

The Thing About Jellyfish (Audiobook)
Ali Benjamin
Read by Sarah Franco
Little, Brown and Company, 2015
Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Grief
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

~What It's About~

Suzy has made a resolution not to speak after her best friend--former best friend--died in a tragic drowning accident over summer break.  She has been told that "sometimes these things just happen" but Suzy will not accept that and becomes obsessed with the idea that her friend, Franny, may have died from a jellyfish sting.  Delving into research on jellyfish and how to prove her theory is correct, Suzy is also tackling her first year in middle school while not speaking.  This story is about Suzy dealing with her grief, but also about changing friendships.

~The Good~

Ali Benjamin tells Suzy's story through the scientific process, introducing chapters as different parts in a science experiment because that's how she's able to deal with processing Franny's death.  She needs to have a reason that makes sense for why Franny died.  Woven throughout are flashbacks to the story of Suzy and Franny's friendship and how they grew together throughout the years and then eventually how they grew apart.  Not only is Suzy dealing with the grief of the actual death of her friend, but she's still not understanding how their friendship died before that moment.  The way Ali Benjamin deals with Suzy's grief is delicately, opening up one little piece of her heart at time. She allows not only the reader to fully understand what happened, but it allows Suzy to understand too.

Suzy has some great help along the way.  She finds kindred spirits in unexpected people who help her just by being there and allowing her to be silent.  That's also something I appreciated.  Suzy's choice to not speak is disturbing and upsetting to her parents, and although she knows they love her, Suzy really just wants them to understand.  Which they don't--not due to any fault of their own.  Without meaning too, though, she finds others who do understand--or at least accept.  They just accept her silence and still speak with her and interact with her.

Friendship and its complexities is at the heart of this novel, which is so important for a middle grade book.  Friendships become more complex when kids start moving up into middle school and it's a difficult path to wade through for kids.  Our journey with Suzy attempts to untangle and understand what went wrong and how to accept it.

Audio: Sarah Franco, brought Suzy to life.  Her performance of the novel and the voice of Suzy presented us with a girl who isn't sure of herself or anything really anymore.  She showed us a girl who is trying to understand the world, but just doesn't get it--and is hurt that it doesn't quite get her.  Her performance really made the audio.

~The Not-So-Good~

I can't find anything to be bothered with about this book.  I enjoyed it!  I really enjoyed it.  And it even forced me to go on a walk a few days when I didn't want to so that I could hear more from Suzy.

~Final Thoughts~

The Thing About Jellyfish is heartbreaking and beautiful.  If you have a 5th-8th grader I think they would very much enjoy and relate to this story.  Even if you don't have a child of that age, read it.  Remind yourself of what it's like to be different and to just want people to understand you, so you can understand the world.

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Book Review: Serafina and the Black Cloak

Serafina and the Black Cloak
Robert Beatty
Disney Hyperion, 2015
Source: purchased
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

In Serafina and the Black Cloak Robert Beatty introduces us to a young girl living secretly in the basement of a mansion with her father.  No one knows they live there, no one can know she exists, and whatever she does, Serafina is not to go into the forest--there's evil there.  But Serafina spends her evenings roaming the grounds of Biltmore estate, catching rats and spying on the owners and their guests.  One evening Serafina witnesses a little girl being dragged through the basement by a man in a black cloak who wraps her up and she disappears.  Serafina knows she can't just keep this to herself.  She has to help, but when she is accidentally discovered by the young master of the house, Serafina has no idea how she'll manage to help the little girl and keep her existence a secret from the rest of the world.

I really loved this book.  Serafina is wild, quick, and smart.  She can do things other kids her age cannot, and she doesn't look like other girls either.  She's very much aware that there are things about her that are different from the other girls and boys she watches.  She's also very brave.  Serafina sees this terrible man in a cloak dragging a little girl away and then wrapping her up in his cloak so she disappears into thin air, yet she doesn't hide herself away.  She responds.  Her father tries to stop her, to keep her safe with him--hidden away in the basement--but she can't sit back.  Through quick thinking and sharp senses, Serafina is able to save friends from mishaps and keep herself from being discovered by the owners of the Biltmore estate.

Serafina still doubts herself, though.  Unsure of who her mother is, and knowing she is so incredibly different, she's convinced her father is ashamed of how she looks and so that's why he keeps her hidden away.  She's not sure if her new friend truly likes her, or if he'll end up turning her in to his aunt and uncle for living in their basement.  I think it's a feeling many kids can relate to at one point or another in their lives: How do I fit in when I'm so different from everyone else?  These are themes that most middle grade students will relate to.

Kids will also love the fast-paced plot.  There are plenty of moments where you hold your breath as you turn the page to see what happens next.  While I was reading this at school, during our silent reading time, the timer went off, but I was in such a great spot that I groaned out loud and suggested that we read for another three minutes.  Almost everyone agreed. :)    It was difficult to put down and I definitely wanted to know what happened, but just as everything was building to a climax, it just kind of ended.  Everything was very neatly wrapped up.  There something a bit disappointing in that--and not just because it was suddenly over.

There will be a second book about Serafina.  Robert Beatty has mentioned on his Goodreads page that he believes there is more to Serafina's story that he would like to explore.  It has a page on Goodreads as well: Serafina and the Twisted Staff, scheduled publication date for August of next year. I will definitely go along for another adventure her!

Image Source: Goodreads

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Book Review: Pieces of Why

Pieces of Why

K. L. Going

Kathy Dawson Books, 2015

Source: borrowed 

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Pieces of Why, K.L. Going's story describing a young girl's discovery of her past, will cause you to take a moment and consider your own biases. Tia lives in a not so great area of New Orleans with her mom who is always too busy working to find time for Tia. Instead she has always found space in her best friend Keisha's house and in music. The two are members of the Rainbow Choir, a group of young singers from all walks of life meant to bring a neighborhood together. Tia soars when she sings, but one night there is a shooting right outside the church where the Rainbow Choir rehearses and it throws Tia's life into a spin. With memories of her father, who is now in prison, stirred up by this act of violence, Tia has lost her song. She struggles to understand the truth and her place in it while trying to make things right. 

We often look at the person who has committed a crime without thought of where they come from or who their family is. It's easy to assume that a person who commits a terrible crime must come from a terrible place and that anyone associated with him or her is also to blame. Pieces of Why asks readers to step back and reconsider that assumption. 

Tia's father is in jail for life and she and her mom are simply trying to live their lives. This book was suggested to me by a student and I can see why. Tia and Keisha's friendship is relatable and very secure. They are solid friends and support one another, but also have their arguments and have to work through them. They're also dealing with some pretty serious issues. 

As parents and teachers and adults we want to shield our kids from the terrible things that happen in the world, but this reminds us that we can't always do that. Our kids will have to deal with really difficult situations of all sorts, and probably well before we think they're ready to deal with them. Books like these can help teach empathy towards others. They can help our kids be a great best friend when their friend truly needs him or her. They can help our kids understand how important it is to consider all sides of a story before making a judgement. This is why reading and books are so important. 

Time to get off my soapbox.  

I appreciated how Tia's discovery of the truth was slowly revealed and how she was the one in charge of her knowledge. I did think there were some overly preachy parts and although it didn't get too religious, it started to sway that direction. In the end, though, it was about Tia finding her own outlet. She truly is the one in charge of her own destiny here. 

I would say Pieces of Why is a good one to share with your child and read with them--not because it's inappropriate or questionable, but because there is so much available to discuss. It's a quick and easy read for your middle schooler. 

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Sunday Status: The Water Knife and Pieces of Why

Sunday Status is a weekly (ish) post where I let you know what I'm reading and what I'm thinking about it as I go along.

It's been a month!  I've been out of commission for the past month or so as I struggled to get ahead of my school work and back on track.  I'm still not there, but I'm getting there.  So I have a couple of reviews that I need to write as I start to get back into my reading and writing routine.  

The Water Knife

by Paolo Bacigalupi

Publisher: Knopf, 2015

Source: purchased

I've been waiting to read this and started it a few weeks ago, but have had a difficult time really motivating myself to read much of anything, much less something so heavy.  However, I'm finally getting into it and it's terrifying.  Set in a future where water is like gold and the southwestern states are basically in war with one another over the rights to what water there is, I've met three characters who are all tied to this water war in their own way.  

I love post-apocalyptic books, but I'm afraid that this is just way too real!  I will finish it, but I'm terrified of what I will find when it's over.  I'm hoping that there will be some bit of hope at the end, but I'm not so sure that will happen and I'm only about 50 pages into a 400 page book!  

Pieces of Why

by K.L. Going

Publisher: Kathy Dawson Books, 2015

Source: student suggested

A student of mine wrote about this book in her responses recently and I responded that I was curious about the book and she let me borrow it.  So far I'm finding it really interesting as we following Tia who has just learned the truth about her father's incarceration, and she's reeling from it.  With her best friend by her side, though, she might be able to work her way through all these emotions and find out the real truth.

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Book Review: Circus Mirandus

Circus Mirandus
Cassie Beasley
Dial Books, 2015
Source: purchased
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Micah Tuttle has grown up hearing his grandfather's stories about the magical Circus Mirandus, but now that Grandpa Ephraim is very sick, Micah is relying on those stories to get him through.  With his unbelieving Great Aunt Gertrudis trying her best to squash out any thoughts of magic and preparing to take Micah in when Ephraim passes, he just needs to find Circus Mirandus and The Lightbender to set everything right.  He has to.  He owes Grandpa Ephraim a miracle.  Micah is determined to make sure he gets it.

There were many parallels to Harry Potter, with Aunt Gertrudis stomping around, trying to ruin Micah and Grandpa's fun.  She reminded me of the Dursleys and their distaste for the magical world.  She keeps Micah from seeing Ephraim because she doesn't want to upset Ephraim, but she also wants to start ridding Micah of all the fantastical and magical stories of Circus Mirandus.  Also, Micah makes a friend at school, Jenny, who is very much like Hermione.  She's regimented and precise and very intelligent.  The difference is that she's so logical that she cannot accept that magic is real and has a reason for every part of Grandpa Ephraim's story.  Even when Jenny sees and hears a magical, talking bird, she explains it away because it must be very well trained.  She is a good friend to Micah, though.  An extremely good friend.

I loved Grandpa Ephraim and Micah's relationship.  He has raised Micah since his parents died in a car accident when Micah was very little.  They have an understanding that allows for honesty between the two of them, but Grandpa Ephraim's illness is breaking Micah.  He's rarely allowed to see his grandpa and Micah is having a difficult time coming to terms with the fact that his grandpa is sick enough that he might die, very soon.  This is why he is so determined to find The Lightbender and make him give Grandpa Ephraim the miracle promised to him years before.

I also liked the jumps between Grandpa Ephraim's childhood and the present.  The two stories and time frames melded together well and helped add to the magic.

Despite the parallels to Harry Potter, Circus Mirandus is very much its own story, with very distinct characters.  It's a story that asks you to believe in magic.  To always believe. I definitely recommend it for the times when you need to add that element back into your life.

My favorite quote from the book came towards the end, but it doesn't really give anything away, so I'll share it with you.  I love it and I'll leave you with it.

 "Because it was a ridiculous, amazing thing to do, and once in a while, it's good to be ridiculous and amazing."

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Book Review: Scrap City

Scrap City
D.S. Thornton
Publisher: Capstone, 2015
Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Scheduled Pub Date: Oct 1, 2015
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

In this entertaining and fun novel by D.S. Thornton, our main character, Jerome, must save a secret underground city full a Scrappers from the new mall and neighborhood that's being built next door to its entrance.  When Jerome accidently stumbles upon this secret city, he's still dealing with the death of his mother and younger brother.  He finds a friend in a young Scrapper (people make of old pieces of junk that have come to life from the magical water that runs underneath the junkyard) named Arkie who introduces him to Smithytowne.  Jerome discovers that the new mall that is supposed to be built on top of the junk yard will prove detrimental to the lives of his new friends.  When the new mall will help the town, especially his dad, with jobs and money, how is Jerome supposed to help the Scrappers?

Much of Scrap City is spent in Smithytowne, which seems appropriate, but with the amount of time that Jerome spends with his new friends, I was constantly wondering why no one was missing him.  He dad was busy, yes, but he was attentive and expected his son home for dinner.  The timing never seemed right.  Jerome did so much underground and then still made it home before dark?  I kept expecting him to come out above ground and it would be the middle of the night.

Also, from the front cover, I expected his friend CiCi to be more involved.  Although she was important, she didn't really take on a big role until much later in the novel.

The adventure of finding this secret city  and curiosity about how it came about was what drove the novel. I thought the back story was well covered and not in a way that I felt like we just being given the history of Smithytowne for the sake of knowing it.  Part of the mystery and adventure was discovering the truth, which included the founding and growth of the Scrappers.

I think Scrap City is a book that kids would really enjoy.  Like I said it is adventurous, and even though there are some heavier moments while Jerome is processing and grieving his mother and brother's deaths, it isn't too heavy for most middle grade students. When it is released in October, I tend to have a copy of it for my students to read!

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