A Volcano Beneath the Snow

Book talk: John Brown is a controversial figure: depending on your perspective he could be seen as an inspiration who stopped at nothing to fight for what he thought was right or as one of the earliest domestic terrorists. The truth lies somewhere in the murky area between these two extremes. Read this book to uncover the bloody and complicated history of slavery, the civil war, and John Brown.

Rave: I really enjoyed the nuanced approach Marrin took towards John Brown but my favorite parts were when he pulled back to provide further context. His section on the history of slavery was excellent and contained a lot of information that was new to me and I wish I had earlier. Marrin doesn't pull any punches and he doesn't come down on any one side but allows the reader to explore the complexities of history and see multiple perspectives.

Rant: He hinted a lot about its connections to modern-day terrorism but I wish he had gone into this even further. Perhaps that will be a future book?

Every book its reader: I'd give this to history enthusiasts 7th grade and up or those looking for an excellent narrative nonfiction.

Topics & trends: slavery, history, terrorism, narrative nonfiction, civil war

Source: school library

A Volcano Beneath the Snow: John Brown's War Against Slavery by Albert Marrin: buy it or check it out today!

Family Romanov Review

Book talk: The Romanov family reigned over Russia in a time when unrest was growing and trouble was on the horizon. As the world outside changed, they grew increasingly out of touch as their isolation both protected and endangered them. Then, on one infamous day, the whole family was murdered to end the imperial line. Rumors of the survival of the young Anastasia spread, but the fate of the family was sealed. What led to this event and what was it like to grow up in Russia's last royal family? Find out in The Family Romanov!

Rave: This nonfiction book reads like a novel as the characters are developed and the plot races towards its inevitable tragic end. Fleming did an excellent job taking a really complicated era and making it understandable. This is everything I didn't learn about Russian history in school, but probably should have. Additional excerpts about lives of the peasants at the time helps to provide a wider context and make sense of what happened. An excellent read!

Every book its reader: I'd give this to students looking for a biography or narrative nonfiction 7th grade and up.

Topics and Trends: nonfiction, history, Russia, royalty

Source: public library

The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming: buy it or check it out today!

Crossover Review

Book talk: Twins Josh and Jordan were raised with a ball in their hands by their father, a retired professional basketball player. On court they dominate and make an unbeatable team. Off court, things aren't going as well. When an off-court argument leads to an on-court lash out Josh gets kicked off the team. Then, just when everything in his life seems to be coming apart at the seams, things take a turn for the worse.

Rave: I absolutely adored this novel even if it did rip my heart out and dribble it around for a while. I know next to nothing about basketball but the language of the poetry kept me completely enthralled even when describing games. The main draw of the story though is the family relationships at play which are slowly revealed through the first person verse narrative.

Every book its reader: I'd give it to fans of basketball or poetry or just those looking for a good story with a strong emotional impact. I'd say it's 5th grade and up.

Topics and Trends: basketball, award winners, family, twins, poetry, hip hop, school stories, illness

Extras:






Source: school library

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander: buy it or check it out today!

Madman of Piney Woods review

Book talk: Benji and Red don't know each other. Benji wants to be a star reporter while Red has his sights set on being a scientist. Benji is in an ongoing war with his younger siblings involving a series of over-the-top pranks while Red is an only child who has to watch out for his grandmother's wrath. They have very little in common, but soon the woods that separates their two towns will bring them together. Adults warn children not to stray in Piney Woods, they say that a madman lives there. Both Benji and Red grew up hearing fantastic stories about the madman, but when they finally encounter him and learn the truth, it tests their strength in ways they never expected.

Rave: Christopher Paul Curtis has a special knack for keeping me in stitches laughing for a whole book and then hitting me with a punch to the gut in the climax that leaves me a sobbing wreck. All the characters are so well drawn. They are flawed but they come together in such a moving way. Curtis tackles multiple issues from slavery to alcoholism to abuse but the novel is still uplifting and at points downright hilarious. I don't know how he does it.

Every book its reader: I'd give this to students looking for a funny book, historical fiction, or a touching book about family and friendship. 4th grade and up.

Topics and Trends: diverse fiction, Canada, slavery, the Civil War, the Irish Potato Famine, journalism, abuse

Extras:

Christopher Paul Curtis has his own site

You can find a discussion guide on the publisher's website

Source: ebook from public library

The Madman of Piney Woods by Christopher Paul Curtis: buy it or check it out today!

Story of Owen Review

Book talk: Have you ever seen a dragon attack up close? Felt the heat from their flame on your skin and smelled the sulfur in the air? Most people run for cover as soon as one is spotted. It takes a special type of person to run toward that kind of danger. You need bravery, training, agility, skill, and a touch of madness. But slayers aren't the only ones crazy enough to seek out a dragon. Their trusty bards are always close behind. Everyone in Trondheim has great hopes for Owen, the youngest in a long line of dragonslayers. But before he can fulfill his destiny, he and his bard must face a more fearsome foe: his algebra test.

Rave: So many things to love about this novel: the way dragon slaying was woven into a whole alternate history, the way the adult characters are actually good for something while allowing the teens to shine, Owen's awesome dragonslaying and blacksmithing aunts who raise him, the platonic male/female friendship that drives the plot, not to mention the lost art of being a bard. The story is actually told from the perspective of the girl who becomes Owen's bard and it reminded me of Seraphina in that it goes into fascinating detail about music and how her knowledge of it colors her view of the world.

Every book its reader: I'd give this to fans of school and adventure stories. Or anyone that enjoys reading about dragons, so basically everyone. The characters are in 11th grade and the book could certainly be enjoyed by high schoolers (or adults) but there's nothing in it that would be inappropriate for younger readers. I'd say 6th grade and up.

Topics and Trends: dragons, LGTBQ, friendship, music and musicians, Canada, dragons, dragons, and dragons.

Source: school library

The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim by E.K. Johnston: buy it or check it out today!

Otherbound Review

Book talk: Everyone thinks that Nolan suffers from seizures, but the truth is much stranger. When he closes his eyes, he sees out of the eyes of a girl who lives in a world filled with danger and magic. He is powerless to do anything and she seems unaware of his presence. Until the day Nolan realizes he can control her and sends a message. At first she is terrified, then she is furious, but soon she realizes that they must work together if either of them want to survive.

Rave: The premise of the novel is wholly unique. Their connection raises a lot of interesting possibilities and moral questions to consider. I couldn't help but imagine what I would do if something like that happened to me. The girl's story, full of magic, assassins, and princesses in disguise is a great adventure. My favorite part of the book though is how seamlessly the author integrates characters that are diverse in ability, race, and sexuality without turning any of those things into issues that draw focus from the plot.

Rant: I was more invested in the girl's story set in a fantasy world than the boy's in a more mundane reality. They took a while to sync up and it created a bit of an uneven pace. This meant that it took a while for me to read the book even though I really enjoyed it.

Every book its reader: I'd give it to students 7th and up looking for a fantasy adventure.

Topics and Trends: diversity, disability, race, LGBTQ, magic, assassins, princesses

Extras:

The author has a website with more information about the book.

Source: kobo ebook

Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis: buy it or check it out today!

Winner's Curse Review

Book talk: Kestrel lives a pampered life as the daughter of the Valorian General, but even she cannot avoid society's imperative to either get married and give birth to soldiers or become a soldier herself by the age of 20. She wants nothing more than to be left to play the piano, but in a militaristic society where arts are seen as a weakness that is not an option. Still, she's a keen strategist and excellent at games of chance, which is why she makes a gamble one day and purchases a slave for an exorbitant fee from the auctions in the city. Her new slave is headstrong and rude, but he opens her eyes to see her society in a whole new light. Just when they grow close, something throws them farther apart and turns Kesterel's entire world upside down. She must start asking herself difficult questions: Who can you trust when any action you take will betray someone you love? What would you sacrifice for freedom? What is the difference between revolution and revenge? What are you willing to do to survive?

Rave: I was completely swept away by the world of this novel. The society is loosely based on ancient Greco-Roman civilization but has its own unique geography, history, and culture. There's no magic or fantastical elements but it's not historical fiction either. There's no real heroes or villains in the novel and everyone populates a morally grey area as the plot twists and turns and power dynamics change. This leads not only to complex characterization and plotting but some really interesting questions for the reader to ponder about morality and good and evil. Part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much is because there are no clear choices or answers given. It's not trying to teach the reader a lesson or to think in a certain way. It presents life with all of its mess and complications and leaves the reader to make of it what she will. Plus, who am I kidding--I was completely absorbed by the relationship between Kestrel and Arin.

Rant: Parts of Kestrel and Arin's relationship sat a bit uneasy with me. Especially the fact that he started as her slave. I'm still not sure how I feel about it but I read the second as soon as it came out and I'll do the same with the third.

Every book its reader: I'd give this to fans of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance grades 8 and up.

Topics and Trends: Ancient civilizations, romance, layered characters, world-building, military & war, father-daughter relationships, colonization, slavery

Extras:

Both the author and the series have their own websites.




Source: kobo ebook

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski: buy it or check it out today!