Half a World Away Review

Book talk: Jaden's parents wanted a baby, but by the time they brought him home he was already a toddler. The orphanage he was in often didn't give him enough food to eat let alone care and attention. Now he's eleven, but he can't stop hoarding food or lighting fires. He know's he's not what his parents wanted, which is why they're going to Kazakhstan to finally adopt a baby. When they get there though, the baby they'd thought they were adopting is already gone. They have to stay there and choose a new one. Meanwhile Jaden gets to know some of the toddlers there and forms a special bond with one.

Rave: This book breaks your heart then stitches it back together again. It is such a honest portrayal of the lingering effects of trauma and some of the possible complications of international adoption. I loved reading about all this from Jaden's perspective, and watching as he formed a bond with a toddler at the orphanage. There's a lot of harsh truths, but through it all there's good people who may make mistakes but are nevertheless trying hard to do the right thing. It's a quiet but important novel.

Every book its reader: I'd give this to kids looking for a tear-jerker 4th grade and up.

Topics and Trends: international adoption, mental health, pyromania, orphanages,

Extras:

I made this image from one of my favorite quotes from the novel and a cool model of a heart I saw in a museum.

Source: public library

Half a World Away by Cynthia Kadohata

If I Ever Get Out of Here Review

Book talk: There's a lot that Lewis loves about his life on the Tuscarora Indian reservation: the games of fire ball, his friends and family, and the ease and familiarity that comes from being with your own people. Life outside of the reservation isn't always easy. He's the only kid from the reservation in his advanced class at school, and the other kids never let him forget it. He's never had a friend in his class until George moves to the nearby military base with his family. They hit it off right away and connect over their love of music. But the base and the reservation are very different worlds. Lewis doesn't think George will understand and George can tell Lewis is keeping secrets. Maybe will a little help from his friends, Lewis will learn to let it be.

Rave: This book, set in 1975, has a lot of great musical references that fans of The Beatles and Wings will definitely appreciate. Most of the book feels like it could easily happen today though. Native Americans still face discrimination, vets still have difficulty getting the help they need, military families still move a lot, poverty is still widespread. All this means that even though the novel is set in the past, it has a lot to say about current events and issues.

The characters in this novel are well fleshed out. They are a mix of good traits and bad, they make mistakes while trying to do the right thing, and they help each other out when they're down. I grew to care for all of them and became completely absorbed in their lives even though there's not a fast-paced plot.

Every book its reader: Highly recommended for 8th grade and up looking for a realistic fiction story with strong characterization.

Topics & Trends: the Tuscarora Indians, the 70's, music, The Beatles, poverty, military families, bullying, friendship, #ownvoices, #weneeddiversebooks

Extras: 
This is the song that inspired the title:




Source: school library

If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth: buy it or check it out today!

Phoebe and Her Unicorn Review

Book talk: If a unicorn granted you one wish, what would you ask for? Phoebe wishes for infinity wishes, then infinity dollars, then super powers. When the unicorn refuses to grant her any of those, she aims for something more realistic: for the unicorn to become her best friend. But becoming friends with a unicorn is more  than Phoebe bargained for. The unicorn, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, is incredibly vain and clearly not used to close contact with humans. But on the other hand, she's a freakin' unicorn! Having a magical creature as your best friend can't be all bad...

Rave: This comic reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes, and I don't make that comparison lightly. The "Shield of Boringness" means that most of Phoebe's classmates can't see her unicorn. That doesn't stop them from having hilarious adventures on their own though. The sweeping imagination and spot-on humor mixed with the daily trials and tribulations of childhood make this comic a delight for all ages. I eagerly read each new volume as it arrives then pass it on to a colleague of mine who loves them too. The students make sure they rarely stay on the shelf for long.

Every book its reader: I wasn't kidding when I said all ages. The appeal and humor of this comic are universal.

Topics & Trends: humor, unicorns, comics

Extras:



Source: school library

Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Heavenly Nostrils Chronicle by Dana Simpson: buy it or check it out today!

Clover's Luck Review

Book talk: When Clover's friends get accepted into a horse camp and leave her behind, she knows she's fallen victim to her bad luck yet again. Then she stumbles upon a magical animal adoption agency in the woods by her house. She learns how to take care of fairy horses, unicorns left behind by spoiled princesses, and even a baby dragon. It seems her luck is turning around, until the owner of the agency disappears on a trip and leaves her to take care of the animals by herself. Will she be up to the challenge? Is there more bad luck lurking around the corner? Clover's summer is going to be either the best or worst of her life, but it certainly won't be boring!

Rave: I would have been all over this when I was a kid! Employee at a magical animal adoption agency would have immediately become my dream job, and I would have spent hours playing imaginary games where I was Clover. Even as an adult I couldn't resist the charm of this novel as Clover slowly gained confidence and learned how to take care of herself by taking care of others. Plus, fairy horses! They're tiny horses for fairies! Why has no one told me about these before?

Every book its reader: I'd give this to animal lovers and fans of fantasy looking for a sweet early chapter book. The reading level is 2nd & up but there's nothing in it that younger kids couldn't handle as a read aloud or if they're strong readers themselves.

Topics and trends: mythical animals, unicorns, dragons, pets, animal rescue

Extras: 


Source: school library

Magical Animal Adoption Agency: Clover's Luck by Kallie George, Illustrated by Alexandra Bolger: buy it or check it out today!

Ellie's Story Review

Book talk: Ellie has always been smart. That's why she was chosen for a special purpose. She was trained as a puppy how to track and find people. At first, it was just a game to make her human happy. But as she grew up, she could sense that her work was important. Whether it was finding injured humans in disaster zones or comforting people when they were sad, she helped people when they most needed it. But what would happen if she couldn't do her job any more? Would she still have a purpose? Would she still have a human who loves her?

Rave: I was completely fascinated by the training process for a search and rescue dog from the dog's perspective. Cameron does a great job describing what it's like and imagining how a dog would puzzle out what humans want it to do. The story goes along at a pretty fast clip through Ellie's life with a lot of tear-jerker moments but things always work out in the end.

Every book its reader: Because the main character is a dog, I could see a wide range of kids from 3rd grade up enjoying this title.

Topics and Trends: dogs, search and rescue, disasters, tear-jerkers

Extras:


Source: school library

Ellie's Story: A Dog's Purpose Novel by W. Bruce Cameron: buy it or check it out today!

The Girl at Midnight Review

Book talk: “Not the truth, but close enough. Maybe she ought to make that her life motto”  Echo is a runaway and a thief. She lives in a secret room in a library and survives on the edges of two societies: the one we know, and the society of the Avicen. The Avicen are a proud and ancient race of people who grow feathers instead of hair. Some might find this disconcerting, but they're the only family Echo has ever known. So when a threat to the Avicen emerges, Echo is determined to risk everything to help.

Rave: What's not to love: a girl who lives in a library, an alternate world full of magic and strange creatures hidden behind the one we know, a thief with a sarcastic wit but a strong moral compass. This book is firing on all cylinders. I'll even admit to enjoying the love triangle, as cliched as it may be. It's not the most original book I've read, but it was certainly a fun ride!

Every book its reader: I'd give this to fans of Daughter of Smoke and Bone  and other fantasy romances 8th grade and up.

Topics and Trends: urban fantasy, moral thieves, fantasy creatures, romance

Extras:

Bonus Quotes:

“The young always think they’re invincible, right until the moment they learn otherwise. Usually, the hard way”


“If war had taught him anything, it was that it took the people who deserved long and happy lives and gave them short, brutal ones instead.”

“The was something about churches that she found unsettling. Everything seemed overly concerned with death, as if someone had forgotten that the basis of the religion for which they'd been built was a rebirth.”

Source: school library

The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey: buy it or check it out today!

The Fixer Review

Book talk: Hardwicke Academy: the school of choice for the children of the DC elite. It's exclusive, it's secure, and it's about to be completely rocked by its newest student. Tess Kendrick is the younger sister of infamous political fixer Ivy Kendrick. Caught in a messy affair? Need to make a story disappear? If you're lucky, and you can afford it, you'll hire Ivy to take care of all your needs and keep your secrets. Tess grew up on a farm with her grandfather, about as far away from political intrigue as you can get. But her sister's reputation has preceded her and it isn't long before Tess is fixing problems for students on campus. Their parents are major power players, and their problems go beyond school drama. Soon, Tess has uncovered a major scandal that even her sister might not be able to fix. With her life on the line and her world turned upside, she needs to decide where her loyalties lie and what she's willing to risk.

Rave: This fast-paced political thriller for a YA audience delivers House of Cards style drama to a younger set. The plot is relentless and full of betrayals, twists, and high stakes. Tess is a very sympathetic character as she's thrust into a world she's completely unprepared for and tries to do her best.

Every book its reader: I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a good thriller. 8th grade and up.

Topics & Trends: fast-paced, political intrigue, private schools, school dramas

Extras:

You can learn more about the book in this interview with the author:


Source: school library

The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: buy it or check it out today!