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Book List

1. I Love My New Toy! by Mo Willems

Genre: Early Reader 

2. Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr and Illustrated by Ronald Himler

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

3. Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses by James Dean and Kimberly Dean

Genre: Picture Book

4. Love, and you by Gretchen Gomez

Genre: Poetry 

5. Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin and Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

Genre: Picture Book

6. Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges

Genre: Autobiography 

7. Pinkalicious By Victoria Kann & Elizabeth Kann

Genre: Picture Book

8. What Do You Do With an Idea? By Kobi Yamada and Illustrated by Mae Besom

Genre: Informational 

9. Girl, Stolen by April Henry

Genre Mystery 

10. Flying Lessons & Other Stories Edited by Ellen Oh

Genre: Poetry

11. When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner Illustrated by David Catrow

Genre: Christian 

12. A Long Walk To Water by Linda Sue Park 

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

13. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew by C.S Lewis

Genre: Fantasy 

14.  A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket

Genre: Mystery 

15. The Plastic Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

Genre: Fantasy 

16. El Deafo by Cece Bell

Genre: Autobiography / Realistic Fiction 

17. Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Genre: Realistic Fiction

18. City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

Genre: Horror 

19. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Genre: Historical Fiction

20. Lon Po Po by Ed Young

Genre: Picture book 

21. Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez Neal

Genre: Picture book

22. The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani

Genre: Historical Fiction 

23. The Giver by Lois Lowry

Genre: SciFi

24. Wolf In The Snow by Matthew Cordell

Genre: Picture Book

25. Julián Is A Mermaid by Jessica Love

Genre: Picture Book

26. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena & Illustrated by Christian Robinson

Genre: Picture book

27. Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

Genre: Autobiography

28. We’ve Got the Whole World in our hands / Temenos el mundo en las manos by Rafeal Lopez

Genre: Picture Book

29. The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Genre: Graphic novel 

30. Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Genre: Horror 

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Book Review # 30 Coraline

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Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Introduction

Coraline by Neil Gaiman is a children’s horror story that takes reader’s on suspenseful adventure in which a young girl must travel to the ‘other’ world to retrieve her parents from the clutches of her ‘other’ mother. Whose only intentions are to take Coraline for herself. Coraline’s adventure unfolds through with the help of wonderful creepy characters, gripping style of language, and eerie dark illustrations.

Evaluation

The characters in the book are quirky, odd, and downright creepy. Coraline comes across quite a few creatures that would leave any individual rooted in fright. One creature that Coraline must face is a spider-like creature that houses one of the soul marbles she must retrieve. Described in a very gruesome manner: “…she saw that it was some kind of a sac, like a spider’s egg case. It twitched in the light beam. Inside the sac was something that looked like a person, but a person with two heads, with twice as many arms and legs as it should have,” pp. 120-121). That is quite a descriptive image of a terrible monster to face, especially a young child. Though Coraline remains brave and faces the monster. It is these moments and characters that give the book it’s horror genre. The main antagonist is finally seen for her real appearance “The other mother was huge—her head almost brushed the ceiling—and very pale, the color of a spider’s belly. Her hair writhed and twined about her head, and her teeth were sharp as knives,” (p. 155). It is these characters that bring this book to life, that give readers that chilling creep factor that comes with reading a horror book.

While the characters are amazing and creepy, the language of the book captures that eerie, bone-chilling vibe of a horror book. There is one scene, where the character is given a box of supposed chocolates by the ‘other’ mother only for her to realize it’s not chocolate. “Expecting it to be a toffee or a butterscotch ball, Coraline looked down. The bag was half filled with large shiny black beetles, crawling over each other in their efforts to get out of the bag,” (p. 93). That is quite a revolting scene to picture, but it captures the essence of being creepy and scary. No-one wants to open a box of chocolate and find creepy crawlies in their place. Though the author does a wonderful job in using descriptive language to match the vibe of the book. Small descriptions such as “There was a tiny doubt inside her, like a maggot in an apple core,” (p. 75). The author knows what words to evoke to match the feelings of the book, and it shows throughout the book.

There a few illustrations spread out throughout the book help set the mood of the book and reinforce the text. The style of the illustrations is done without color, just black and white. They have this inky quality that make them creepy to look at. One of them is a picture of the ‘other’ mother who is drawn as reaching to pull this large key off her tongue. The tongue is long, and it shows her long rows of sharp teeth. Another picture shows the ‘other’ mother with her button eyes. There is a big black beetle coming out of her mouth. She has long, sharp fingers that look that can easily hurt someone. It is just a very eerie, creepy picture to look. There’s a few other images spread throughout the story that have the same effect. It serves to hook the reader more into the story. They certainly do.

Response

This book was pretty good, I enjoyed it. I thought once Coraline escaped from the ‘other’ world with her parents and friends, the book would end. It was surprising to see how the author continued the story afterward. The ‘other’ mother was not defeated, some part of her escaped into her world and was seeking to steal her key. It was a great of events for the story. In addition, the way the hand was described made me a think it was a spider. I think the author did a great job in coming up with such an ugly, twisted characters. This is a book I would recommend for others to read. It has many great elements that people can enjoy.

Conclusion

Coraline is a wonderfully written horror story for children. Though I believe the book can be enjoyed by people of any age. It has wonderful characters that ugly and creepy, language that easily paints these horror scenes in the reader’s mind, and illustrations that are creepy and eerie through and through. This a great short book that will have readers turning the next page with eager anticipation.

Reference:

Gaiman, Neil & McKean, Dave. (2002). Coraline. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publisher.

Mckean, D & Zarycky H. (2002, February 24). Front cover of coraline [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Coraline-Neil-Gaiman/dp/0380807343

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Book Review # 29 The Prince and the Dressmaker

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The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Introduction

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang is a wonderful graphic novel that explores gender standards, nurtures beautiful relationships and develops rich and deep characters. Told through illustrations they serve to create an engaging plot, develop sweet relatable characters, and provide interesting aides that sweeten the reading experience.

Evaluation

Illustrations in the graphic novels are responsible to create and show the story the reader, in this graphic novel the drawings do just that. Each of the comic panels keep the plot moving forward. Not all them have dialogue to let the reader know what is going on, but they are not needed. The drawings reveal what the characters are feeling from the expressions on their faces and their body language. There various scenes throughout the novel that show what the characters refuse to say. One example is when Sebastian and Frances sneak back to their rooms after a night of fun together. Before they retreat to their bedrooms they are drawn together as they prepare to say goodnight. The drawings reveal what they have yet to admit to themselves, they are falling for each other. It shows in how their eyes are drawn, an almost hypnotic gleam to their eyes, cheeks flushed from their night and their closeness. Then the following scene shows them sprawled out on their own beds. Again, there is no text or dialogue. The illustrations say what isn’t being said. Both characters are caught up in their own thoughts, it shows in how they’re both staring at the ceiling, lost in thought with their eyes wide as they think about what just happened. It’s so well-done how the author captures these expressions and makes it easy for readers to relate and decipher them.  

Just like how the illustrations develop the plot, they also developed the characters. Readers watch as Sebastian and Frances grow and develop. Their support for each other as friends helps them grow confidence. For Frances this confidence this allows her to take her designs to the next level, lets her grow ambitious to become discovered one day. Sebastian, thanks to Frances easy acceptance of his love of dresses, allows him to enjoy being himself. You see his surprise when they first meet, and she doesn’t really question his passion. It’s a beautiful scene, the surprise that shows on Sebastian’s face can’t be expressed into words, but the illustrations show how much her acceptance means to him. To have someone that won’t ridicule him or expose him. Another wonderful development that is shown through the illustrations is when Sebastian’s father accepts his passion. All that matters to him is that his son is okay, he loves him and his liking to wear dresses won’t stop him from loving him. An unconditional love between father and son. His father even goes on to wear a dress and struts across the runaway of the fashion show that is going on. It’s a wonderful scene that shows great character growth, and there are many more of these scenes.

The graphic novel is titled The Prince and the Dressmaker, so it goes without saying that the dresses drawn must take the show. The author does a great job in creating beautiful dresses for Frances to create for Sebastian. All of the dresses Frances make are unique and different. The first dress that Frances creates is a beautiful peach dress that takes the show at the beauty pageant event they attend. Sebastian is named ‘Lady Marmalade’, for she wins the contest. Readers watch all the different dresses and events that Sebastian attends under the name Lady Crystallia. One of my favorites is the red dress lace dress he where he’s playing a game of cards. Each dress says something different, but they are beautiful and dramatic.

Response

I loved this graphic novel. It was a beautiful story about unconditional love and acceptance. Sebastian’s love for dresses isn’t treated as something that makes him any less of boy or more a girl. It’s just a passion he loves and enjoys, just like how an artist loves to draw and create. This story definitely challenges the gender norms that hammered into our society. It makes readers think about the gender associations that are assigned in our society. Playing with dolls is for girls, playing with cars is for boys. Why do they need to be separated like that? It’s a difficult topic, some might feel offended, but I think the author handles the issue with respect to the topic and her readers. I would recommend this book without hesitation. It is a graphic novel that gets reader to think about their own gender assumptions I believe. We need novels like that. Novels that get people to think and explore their own thoughts.

Conclusion

This graphic novel is a treasure with its wonderful illustrations. The plot keeps readers hooked, the development of the character is plausible and believable, and the dresses are pretty and interesting to look at. This book is great read for any age. It captures the attention from the very first page.

References:

Wang, Jen. (2018). The prince and the dressmaker. New York, NY: First Second.

Wang J & Andrew, A. (2018, February 03). Front cover of the prince and the dressmaker[digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Dressmaker-Jen-Wang/dp/162672363X

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Book Review # 28 We’ve Got the Whole World in our hands / Temenos el mundo en las manos

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We’ve Got the Whole World in our hands / Temenos el mundo en las manos by Rafeal Lopez

Introduction

We’ve Got the Wold World in our hands by Rafeal Lopez is a sing-a-along that tells children they have world in their hands.  To make it more interesting it is a bilingual book that translates the words into Spanish. It takes them across the globe to show them how they have the world in their hands. The book shows kids from different races and ethnicity all coming together to show they have the world in their hands. The illustrations of the book are full of colors and different textures that make them very pleasing to look at. With these wonderful illustrations the readers are given interesting aides and establish a positive, happy mood. Meanwhile the language of text has something to be desired when it comes to Spanish translation.

Evaluation

This book provides beautiful illustrations that give readers many delightful sights to look at. Throughout the various pages, the drawings show children of different backgrounds coming together to show each other how they carry the world in their hands. All happy and willing to help each other out. They love the idea of coming together, from the expressions drawn on their features. The author made sure to keep them all different. Each child has different hair color, skin tones, hair types and styles. This beautiful diversity in the book rich and engaging as we watch the children capture the world in their small hands. The author did a great job in making this book different by including so many children from around the world.

The mood of this book is set to be happy and cheerful. The pictures in the book definitely help in bringing that to life. All the colors used in the pictures are bright and vibrant. Oranges, reds, purples, and greens and so many more! The manner the author uses the color makes them pop out of the pictures to grab the reader and wrap them in their happy embrace. In one scene we have the kids walking along a hill, in the picture there a few animals along the page all drawn with happy expressions. The sun in the scene has a face, the sun has a large grin and large rosy cheeks. All these little details add the mood and experience of the book. As one follows along with the words, it just adds to this overall happy mood.

Now while the illustrations of the book are amazing, the text has a few traits to be desired. Now this book is meant to be sung along, the English lyrics do give off that musical rhythm. However, when it comes to Spanish translation, a lot of that flow is lost. When switching to read the Spanish translation the entire mood is gone because of how awkward it sounds to read that section of the book. It does not mix well with the English translation. I think that is a lost opportunity. Perhaps instead of having it be a direct translation, it could be text that moves the story along while keeping that singing rhythm the book is aiming for. I’m sure a happy balance could have been met. Otherwise the book does not give much in language because it repeats itself throughout the entire book. A few words are changed here and there, but for the most part it stays the same since it is meant to be sang.

I’m not sure I enjoyed this book too much. It was okay, the trouble with the Spanish translation really did put me off from liking this book more. I just felt more could be done mixing the two languages, at least so it wouldn’t come off so awkward. If one was reading to this to an audience of kids, the Spanish translation would just throw off the entire flow of the reading. Though beyond that I did like the diversity the illustrations offered in the book. All the children that were dressed and designed different, making none the same. That was great work on the author’s part. Overall I don’t think I would recommend this book, just because of how the Spanish translation came out.

We’ve Got the Whole World in our hands / Temenos el mundo en las manos by Rafeal Lopez is cute story of children from all the over world coming together to show how they have the world in their hands. The illustrations of the book come together beautiful, showing gorgeous diverse characters. At the same time these illustrations are put together with bright colors that pop out at the reader and try to make them as happy as they are known to be. The text of the book could use some work, the Spanish element in particular. Overall this book was okay and very pretty to look at.

References:

Lopez, Rafeal. (2018). We’ve got the whole world in our hands / Temenos el mundo en las manos. New York, NY: Orchard Books.

Lopez, R. ( 2018, January 12). Front cover of we’ve got the whole world in our hands/ temenos el mundo entero en las manos [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Weve-Got-Whole-World-Hands/dp/1338177362

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Book Review # 27 Dreamers

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Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

Introduction

Dreamers by Yiyu Morales is an autobiographical account of her experience of migrating to the United States. She expresses the whirlwind of emotions she felt as she arrived the United States, wondering if it ever would become home. Told through powerful illustrations that develop the story, the illustration provides beautiful aides that add to the richness of the story. The language of the story is told a very poetic voice, it captures the emotions the story is trying to portray to the readers.

Evaluation

The illustrations tell the story as much as the words in the book. They show the characters leaving home and arriving to the United States. The art style is mix of different mediums. Not everything is the same design. In the scene where the character is preparing to leave, packing her belongings the pictures reveal all the different items she is taking. Each item has its own unique style. The guitar is drawn in more cartoon fashion, while the floors take on a more realistic approach. The stars and clouds are illustrated in more texture-based fashion. The mix of all these styles gives the illustrations a hook, keeping the reader’s attention. The vibrant colors of the illustrations bring a sense of the culture the author comes from. Another scene that portrays the plot of the story is when the author finds the library. The pictures show how her and her child are taken with library. The expressions drawn on their faces show how engrossed they are in the books. The scenes behind them show the various the topics they are reading about in the books such sharks, fish, baseball, and firetrucks. They have found somewhere to belong, each illustration following reveals how important and influential the library becomes for them. Each picture in this illustration is different and vibrant, but each serves its purpose in developing the plot of the story.

These illustrations do a wonderful job in developing the plot, but also provide a lot of interesting aides. One of the most notable aids is all the individual books the author took the time to draw out. All these books that have visible titles can be assumed to have had an impact on the author. We see titles such as ‘Lon Po Po’ ‘Stevie’ ‘Too Many Tamales’ and many more titles that are seen throughout the pages. That was a wonderful way to show how the books impacted her life. Usually when books show a library, the titles are just scribbles. Another beautiful aid is how the author carries her backpack, showing pieces important to her. Items that are from her homeland. In her backpack we get a reoccurring image of a guitar, a decorated skeleton, and a heart with an eye sown in the middle, a butterfly that follows the character in all the pages. The importance of them is shown by how many times they revealed in the pictures, how the main character always carries them in her backpack. I believe they represent that she is always carrying pieces of home of with her, despite being in another country.

This story is told in a poetic voice, that complements the story in a unique way. The poetic rhythm adds an extra punch of emotions. It captures the feelings she is trying to give to the reader, so they understand what she went through while migrating to the United States. One instance is “And when we made it to the other side, thirsty, in awe, unable to go back, we became immigrants,” (Morales, 2018). In some pages there are only a few words, while in others there’s a few lines of text. Each of the pauses the commas have the reader take, give them a moment let each line sink in. This way readers can let the emotions resonate with them. The author did a great job in choosing precise words to express the story. Mixing them well with the pictures, they struck a great balance between the two.

Response

This book is very well-done! I enjoyed it. Reading books by people who share my background resonate with me. It’s like seeing a part of myself in them. While I was born in the United States, my parents were immigrants who came into the States in search of a better life. My father came when he was sixteen on his own. These stories touched memories of him telling me of his experiences when first arriving. Not knowing the language, feeling like an outsider. It’s a topic that is still very important in the present day. People are coming into the country every day, seeking that chance of a better life. This story captures that hope and dream very well. Another favorite aspect of the story is how pieces of our culture are reflected in the pictures, and the colors as well. It all comes together to create a wholesome story. We need more stories written by people of different backgrounds, to give a voice to the many and to show they are not the only ones.

Conclusion

I would recommend this book to any person, of any age. The topic it explores is very relevant to the present, and the message it holds is positive and hopeful. The illustrations do a wonderful job in presenting the plot and providing interesting aides readers can catch on to. The poetic voice of the text captures the feelings of insecurity and hope in careful wording. This was a wonderful book to read!

Reference:

Morales, Yuyu. (2018). Dreamers.New York, NY: Neal Porter Books.

Morales, Y. (2018, September 04). Front cover of dreamers [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Dreamers-Yuyi-Morales/dp/0823440559

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Book Review # 26 Last Stop on Market Street

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Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena & Illustrated by Christian Robinson

Introduction

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson is a story about a young boy learning to appreciate what he. He learns to look past the surface details to see the beauty in his neighborhood and the people around him. This story flourishes through the story’s pictures which reinforce the text and set up the setting. The language of the book is a little choppy, but still carries that rhythm has the reader flow from one page to the next.

Evaluation

The illustrations of the story do a beautiful job in reinforcing the text of the story. The two elements of the book do complement each other nicely. One instance is when a blind man comes onto the bus, he’s shown with dark sunglasses, a can, and service dog. In the text of that same scene the reader is told “A man climbed aboard with a spotted dog. CJ gave up his seat. ‘How come the that man can’t see?’” (De La Pena & Robinson, 2015). There’s another scene where CJ is listening to the music being played by the man with the guitar. In the scene the text says: “He saw sunset colors swirling over crashing waves. Saw a family of hawks slicing through the sky. Saw the old woman’s butterflies dancing free in the light of the moon” (De La Pena & Robinson, 2015). In that same scene we see exactly what the text depicts. The background is blue representing the ocean waves, the butterflies are fluttering across the page, and the family of hawks is seen flying around the sunset.

Another wonderful purpose the illustrations served was setting up the settings for the story. Without the illustrations the reader would not be able to appreciate the experiences CJ is learning to treasure on his to his destination. The illustrations show us many of the places that CJ is visiting. We see the neighborhood his church is located. After that the readers see the bus CJ gets on to take him to the last stop on Market street. We see the rundown neighborhood they get off on, but CJ’s grandmother reminds him to see beyond the grit. The buildings are boarded up, there is graffiti on the walls. That makes it easier to find something beautiful. The settings do a great job in supporting the story.

The language of the story is a bit choppy at times, but it still carries a rhtym that carries the reader from page to page. There was on instance where the text left me a little confused: “’When he spotted them their familiar faces in the window,’ he said, ‘I’m glad we came’” (De La Pena & Robinson, 2015). For a moment I could not understand what CJ was talking about, who were these familiar faces he was talking about. There was no introduction to them. It wasn’t until I remembered earlier in the story that he mentions three people he usually sees on their last stop on Market street. That a part of the text was a little jarring, but the rest of it is easy to follow along. It is simple and concise, nothing too flowery that leaves readers confused.

Response:

I liked this book, but it did not stand out to me too much. It didn’t leave me wanting for more. The book was more of a simple read to pass the time, nothing I became too engrossed in. The messages woven into the book are important, I liked them. The grandma always getting CJ to see his situation with a new perspective, a positive one. To see beyond the surface details and appreciate the beauty of his community. It is a great story in that regard, plus all the different characters shown in the book give a wholesome feel. The illustrations of the book were very nice to look at too. Simple in that they were straightforward in what images they wanted to show you, but still pleasing to the eye with all the vibrant colors used. Overall this was a great book that I would recommend for others to read.

Conclusion

The Last Stop on Market Street by Matthew De La Pena and illustrated by Christian Robinson is a great read for any age. It shows the beauty of appreciating life in the present. The images of the book convey a wonderful story that also create a vibrant, plausible setting. Despite a few hiccups in the language, it is great overall. The flow of the story doesn’t suffer. This book is a great treat for anyone who decides to pick it up!

Reference:

De La Pena, Matthew and Robinson, Christian. (2015). The last stop on Market street. New York, NY: Penguin Group.

Thomann, R. (2015, January 8). Front cover of last stop on market street. [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Last-Stop-Market-Street-Matt/dp/0399257748

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Book Review # 25 Julián Is A Mermaid

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Julián Is A Mermaid by Jessica Love

Introduction

Julián Is A Mermaid by Jessica Love is a sweet story about a boy named Julian who has a great love for mermaids. When he sees three women dressed as mermaids on the bus, he’s taken with the idea of wanting to become one. Though there is one factor holding him back from jumping head first into this idea. Whether or not his abuelita will approve of his choices. Julián adventure are told through rich illustrations that develop the plot and provide beautiful interesting aides that enhance the experience of the story. The language and style of the story is short and concise that supports the story.

Evaluation

The plot of the story is told best through the illustrations. The language is more of a support element, because it is through the pictures of the story that the story unfolds. It begins with Julián riding the subway with his abuelita, there he spots a trio of woman who he says are mermaids. Taken with them and how they look, the pages show how he gets lost in his own thoughts. Julián becomes to picture himself as mermaid. The pages show how he get lost in his imagination. The setting of the background begins to change from the tan color to a blue ocean color. Julián begins to change, shedding his clothes and his hair grows out. The next page the readers get to see Julián surrounded by fishes under the ocean as he imagines himself as a mermaid. All of this is shown, not told. It provides a refreshing experience to just take in the images and let them speak to the reader. Once Julián arrives home, we get another scene of him taking the chance and dressing up as mermaid. He sheds his clothes and takes a few items from the house to decorate himself. Caught up in his thoughts again, he doesn’t realize his abuelita has returned from her bath. It’s at this point that Julián stops with a fear, unsure how his grandmother will react. The illustrations do a wonderful job in capturing the fear, the suspense, and all other emotions in this poignant scene. Showing the readers, the plot unfolding before them.

The illustrations in this story serve to unfold the plot, but they also show readers interesting aides that enhance the reading experience. These aides provide the reader with scenes of the people that live in Julián neighborhood, his abuela’s house, and the event he attends with his grandmother at the end. The illustrations that show Julián neighborhood reveal it’s a diverse neighborhood with people of different backgrounds. Adults of all different sizes are incorporated, showing the dedication on the author’s part to be inclusive of people that are different. That’s an important detail to include in novels, because in our daily lives we come into contact with people that are from different backgrounds and look different from us. To show everyone looking the same in the illustrations is a disserve. This book does not fall into that pitfall.

The language in the story is pretty simple. Some pages do not even contain text. Most of it is dialogue. Though despite how little it is, it is very precise and purposeful. The mix of Spanish in the book is a nice touch to revealing who the characters are. It is not difficult Spanish that a reader cannot figure out what it means. It is basic and simple, for instance like when Julián refers to his grandmother as ‘abeulita’ and not grandma or any other term. In return his grandmother calls him ‘mijo’, which is a use of natural language. That’s an affectionate term of endearment for a young boy. It means son, but the connotation behind it, the emotional meaning behind the word shows how much the grandmother cares for Julián. The author does really good job of weaving the languages together. It does not feel forced or condescending, so used the words in correct form and contexts. That kind of trait does enhance the experience of the story, makes it more different and memorable.

Response

I really loved this book. It’s a sweet story that touches on a few important topics, without really mentioning them. Wanting to become something you’re not sure your loved ones would approve of, do you do it or not. We see Julián struggle with this concept, but in the end his worrying is for not, because his grandmother doesn’t mind that he wishes to be mermaid. She loves him no matter what he wants to be. That’s a great message to share with readers, it resonates with people of all ages. Beyond that the story is really sweet and touching. The illustrations are beautiful, all the colors used are delightful and vibrant. They shine brightly which is needed to represent the mermaids Julián loves so much. I would recommend this story for others to read.

Conclusion

Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love is a great, heartwarming tale about a boy who wishes to become a mermaid. Only he doesn’t want to gain his grandmother’s disapproval. Through the wonderful illustrations we watch as Julián’s story unfolds. Readers gain insights through the extra details provided in the drawings. Lastly the text while it is short and concise, each word is chosen with a specific purpose. This a great book that has many amazing elements.

Reference:

Love, Jessica. (2018). Julián is a mermaid. Somerville, MA: CandleWick Press.

Love, J. ( 2018, April 23). Front cover of julian is a mermaid. [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Juli%C3%A1n-Mermaid-Jessica-Love/dp/0763690457

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Book Review # 24 Wolf In the Snow

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Wolf In The Snow by Matthew Cordell

Introduction

Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell tells the story of a young girl and young wolf pup who come together after getting lost due to a powerful snowstorm.  The weather is only becoming worse leaving them with little time to find their way back home. It takes readers on a suspenseful journey flipping the pages to find out whether if the young girl and pup make it to their destination. This story is told without words, for it is the illustrations that tell the story. These wonderful illustrations develop the characters, create the plot, and reveal a suspenseful setting that leaves readers eagerly turning the pages.

Evaluation

The characters of this book are two young children. The little girl in red and the young wolf pup. It is without the use of words that the author manages to convey many important details about these two through the use of his drawings. In one scene we see how the young girl shows her compassion toward the young pup by wishing to help him. She takes him in his arms and begins to travel through the snowstorm in hopes of finding his pack. Ignoring her own urgency to get home and out the weather, she seeks to make sure this young pup makes it back to his family in one piece. She crosses rivers, treks through the building snow, until finally she meets up with the pup’s parent. After the pup is reunited with his parent, we see his own development in wanting to help the girl in return. He enlists the help of his entire back to help her by bringing her own family to where she is. All of this is shown through the illustrations, no words necessary to express the longing to help one another and make sure the other gets home safe.

The plot of the story is pretty simple, but the illustrations add a complexity of suspense. The pictures keep the reader in suspense as to how the two characters will help each other out of this snow storm. With easy illustrations to follow, the author guides the reader along through the journey the young girl and pup take to find each other’s families. There pages where the illustrations portray large landscapes full of snow, the footprints of the young girl signal to the reader how far she has traveled. It’s small details such as the footprints and noticing the different landscapes that move the plot along, showing the distance the characters are traveling through this harsh snowstorm. There is a final climatic scene where the reader is shown an illustration of when the young girl has fallen, unable to go on. It leaves the reader in suspense as to whether or not she will get back up and keep going. Will she remain there and be lost to the snowstorm? All of this told through the illustrations which are straightforward and direct in telling the reader what is happening.

The different settings of the book is shown beautifully through the pictures. It if wasn’t for the setting the pictures illustrate there would be a not plot the book. They are a foundation to the book. Without getting too detailed the author reveals with his illustrations the setting is in a rural area. There is no sign of cars and city buildings, but instead there is forest and large plains. The pictures of the book show these large landscapes of white, revealing how strong the snowstorm is. In the beginning the pictures reveal clear landscapes, with the grass still visible. Though as the story progresses the landscapes lose their color the white of the snow. Signaling to readers the snow storm is getting worse and the characters need to hurry before it becomes too difficult to move through the snow.

Response

This story was really cute. I enjoyed the designs of the young pup and the little girl. The girl dressed in red reminds me of the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. Though instead of being chased by the wolf, she’s helping the wolf out. Later the wolf helps her in return. I would not say this book is a classical piece, but the story is wonderful. Two strangers helping each other out in a time of need. The message of showing kindness to another and receiving it back, is a wonderful theme for children to read. We need more kindness in the world. I would recommend this book to people. The story is sweet and positive, the illustrations are easy to decipher and read. The reader doesn’t really miss the words that usually accompany a story.

Conclusion

Wolf in the Snow is a wonderful read for a child of any age. The message it carries is a timeless one about kindness and helping each other out in tough situations. The illustrations do a wonderful child in building the characters, telling a compelling story, and showing beautiful illustrations of landscapes. This is a book that can be enjoyed by many!

Reference:

Cordell, Matthew. (2017). Wolf in the snow. New York, NY: Feiwel and Friends Book

Gilshian, E. (2017, January 03). Front cover of wolf in the snow [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Snow-Matthew-Cordell/dp/1250076366

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Book Review # 23 The Giver

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The Giver by Lois Lowry

Introduction

The Giver by Lois Lowry is a dystopian novel that takes place in a setting we only know as the community. Jonas is the protagonist who is selected to be the new ‘Giver’ in this story. The story takes us through his training. As he learns what it takes to be the ‘Giver’ which holds some dark secrets that could unravel the community if it were found out. This story grips the reader with a compelling plot and setting, and its technical language.

Evaluation

The setting of this book is one of the main sources of interest for the book. The community is a dystopian society that forces its citizen follows a set of strict rules. One example from the book is about how many children allowed to have per family: “Two children—one male, one female—to each family unit. It was written very clearly in the rules,”(p. 5). There are most rules that follow this kind of control. Individuals seeking to marry, must file an application and then a spouse is chosen for them. Jobs are chosen for them as well. Citizens are observed as kids then the decision is made for them at their aging ceremonies. The officials of this community do not allow the people decide anything for themselves. Everything is chosen for them. That’s such an interesting way to set up the society. It’s unnerving to see how everyone is forced into this box of approved standards.

The plot of the book is simple, yet it is shrouded in enough mystery to keep the reader hooked. Jonas, the main character, of the book lives in this community structured by strict rules. Reading this, one wonders what keeps this community together, how do they keep everyone following the rules. How did the community reach this stage? Little by little information is revealed as to why the community shaped itself into what it is. For example in this quote, “We relinquished color when we relinquished sunshine and did away with differences,”(p. 51). The reader learns the community does not want anyone to be different, but it costs them the ability to see color. Towards the end of the book the reader has a good sense of the community and what’s it been through. The dark little secrets become revealed showing just the lengths the community goes to keep everyone on the narrow path. Jonas because of his new positions learns all these secrets and finds himself unable to accept them. Him and the ‘Giver’ create a plan for Jonas to escape the community.

The viewpoint this story is told from gives the readers an intimate look of just how conditioned it has its citizens. Told through the point of view from Jonas, his thoughts are all very concise and straightforward. There is no flowery prose to his thoughts. It doesn’t make the reading give a vibe of magic and fantasy. Instead he is very robotic, but that is how the community has conditioned the people. Since this is told through the point of view of Jonas, you see how the rules impact his thinking and decisions. The reader sees his struggle to accept the memories the ‘Giver’ is transmitted to him, the ones that filled with pain and sorrow for instance. The reader gets to witness how he digests these new emotions that he has never felt before: “They have never known pain, he thought. The realization made him feel desperately lonely, and he rubbed his throbbing leg,” (p. 59).

Response

I’ve always been a fan of dystopian novels. It is always interesting to see how authors create these new societies and the impacts it’s had on the people. The Giver did not disappoint in how the community was put together. I enjoyed finding out about all the rules and constraints it placed in society. The society and its standards for being the same made think it was a reflection of our own society. People strive to meet the standards set by the media, in which people give up their freedom to choose how they want to be. In the story we witness when Jonas develops the desire to want to decide for himself: “If everything’s the same, then there aren’t any choices! I want to wake up in the morning and decide things,” (p. 52). I thought that was a brilliant show of character development and one of my favorite moments. I would recommend this book to others. It’s not a long read either, but it doesn’t feel to short. The author kept a good pace throughout the entire book.

Conclusion:

Overall ‘The Giver’ is a great story for people any of age to read. There is a great setting built up by the author, the plot keeps the reader turning to the next page, and the viewpoint the story is told from gives reader an intimate look into the impacts of the community. This is a book people should put on their reading list.

Reference:

Lowry, Lois. (1993). The giver. Boston, NY: MH Books for Young Readers

Brock, C & Faceout Studio. (1993). Front cover of the giver. [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Giver-Quartet-Lois-Lowry/dp/0544336267

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Book Review # 22 The Night Dairy

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The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani

Introduction

The Night Diary is about the journey of twelve-year-old Nisha, who is living through the historic event of India becoming free of British rule. Though despite this newfound freedom, Nisha finds out her country is wishing to split into two countries. India is to become two separate states where one side the Muslims will live, and the other side is for the Hindus. Told through an honest voice, Nisha tells her story in the form of diary entries that are written to her mother. This tale of hardship is told in a very honest tone, with wonderful developed characters, while adhering to many cultural aspects of the setting.

Evaluation:

Throughout the book, there is never a doubt of the setting of this book. The author’s work reflects the dedication and time put into researching the culture and country. All the little details interwoven into the story make it seem much more realistic. Preparing dinner is always a rich description of the spices used in Indian cooking. All the dishes and ingredients are particular to the culture and country. “The rice, the dal, the chapatis exploded with flavor. I could taste the rich ghee, each grain of rice, each speck of cumin, the tang of ginger, garlic, onion, “(p. 183). Other instances that wrap the reader in the culture and setting of this novel is the jewelry and clothing described in the book. It is all weaved into the story with naturalness that doesn’t feel out of place. There are books that try to inform the reader about these aspects of cultures, but it doesn’t feel like it’s part of the story. Hiranandani does a wonderful job of avoiding that pitfall.

The voice of the story is very honest, it reflects the voice of a young child who view of the world is changing. Nisha begins as an innocent child who happily describes the gifts she receives for her birthday, talks to her mother about wishing to become friends with other girls, about her brother and their adventures. “I like turning twelve so much already. It’s the biggest number I’ve ever been, but it’s an easy number—easy to say, easy to count, easy to split in half,” (p. 1). As one progresses through the story, the themes in Nisha’s journal entries become heavier and more introspective. The events she’s experiencing making her question previous beliefs and assumptions she once held. This passage, even Nisha admits to herself that she is changing: “It has changed me. I used to think people were mostly good, but now I wonder if anyone could be a murderer, “(p. 238). It’s a good example that traumatic events impact everyone. It changes the young and old in different and similar ways. This story definitely captures the voice of a child struggling to make sense of changing world.

Lastly the characters of this novel are so wonderful in their creation, full of depth and flaws. Each of the main characters Nisha mentions all have their own stories that are captured in her diary entries. Nisha and her brother are different like night a day, despite being twins. She is the introverted one, who enjoys going to school and keeping to herself. Meanwhile her brother is outgoing, a restless spirit that cannot keep still. In the story Nisha’s remarks about his struggles in school point to that he suffers from a learning disability: “He says letters to him are like bugs and grass waving in the wind. They are not flat. They move and change in his mind. He says he writes what he sees in the moment,” (p. 47). In the story her father doesn’t understand that his son struggles because of this learning disability.  Her father is a man that is carrying a lot and doesn’t always handles the situations with his children in the best manner. Though it shows that not all parents are perfect, they make mistakes. They don’t know everything like children assume, and they are always learning just like their kids. Sometimes that learning process pushes them to make mistakes and wrong assumptions. The rich characters of this story create a connection with reader, pushes the reader to keep reading to see how where they will end up at the end.

Response:

I enjoyed this book. It is a piece of fiction that touches on a lot of important themes that resonate with readers. It touches on the bonds of family, learning disabilities and the negative stigma associated with them, cultural clashes and the violence it creates. A lot of these are topics that still very relevant in today’s world. The author presented these topics in a manner that still made it feel like a story rather than a lecture or classroom lesson. I’m not too familiar with the history of India and the struggles it’s gone through. This book however helped me become more curious about it. I think that is a great response for a historical fiction novel. This book is one I would recommend to readers with full confidence. There are many powerful quotes in the book that have one pause and think. One I really liked was this one: “All that suffering, all that death, for nothing. I will never understand, as long as I live, how a country could change overnight from only a line drawn,” (p. 250). The whole quote is so powerful because the violence that occurs in this world, can sometimes be whittled down these little details that just leave people wondering. How did this little detail or event create this chaos?

Conclusion

This book receives my full support. It is a great work that touches on many important ideas and themes. The characters are rich and deep. The voice of the novel is honest and dynamic, but also simple that it is not difficult to understand. Lastly the setting of the novel is written with authenticity that makes it all the more realistic and plausible.

Reference

Hiranandani, Veera. (2018). The night diary.New York, NY: Kokila.

Kelly, J. (2018, March 06). Front cover of the night diary. [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Night-Diary-Veera-Hiranandani/dp/0735228515

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Book Review # 21 Alma and How She Got Her Name

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Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez Neal

Introduction:

In this cute little tale, we discover how Alma’s long name of Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela came to be. Alma seeks her answers from her father, who begins to tell where each of the names came from, showing Alma all the wonderful individuals, she is named after. Juana Martinez tells her story through illustrations that provide wonderful aides that enrich the story and support the text. The language of the story is short and sweet, with the quality of natural language that makes the story flow from page to page.

Evaluation

Reading through this book, the illustrations provide additional information to the story. It makes the entire story richer and whole. Right in the first page we’re given an illustration of Alma’s full name on a piece of paper, though at the very end another paper had to be attached. Showing the readers how long Alma’s name is. The manner the name is written shows it to be the writing of child, still learning how to write because the names are uneven, and the letters are not all the same sizes. Another example of the illustrations showing the reader more than what the text gives is when Alma shares, she wants to travel like her great-grandmother wanted to. There’s a large map showing all the places Alma wants to visit, in addition there is a toy chest that is surrounded with toys from different places in the world. These little tidbits of information give the reader more to experience and enjoy.

The illustrations do a wonderful job of supporting the text of the book. There are no illustrations that leave the reader wondering why this illustration was selected for this page. The pictures are straightforward in convey the story alongside the text. When Alma is being told why she is named Jose, her father talks about how he was an artist and loved to draw scenery and people. In the illustrations the pages show her father adjusting a picture of her grandfather, while the other page shows Alma watching her grandfather work on a painting. In the following pages we are shown Alma’s works of art, as she exclaims that she too enjoys drawing just like grandfather. In another scene we’re shown why Alma is named Pura after a great-aunt who believed in the afterlife. In those pages we’re shown her aunt, lightning some candles in honor of ancestors that have passed, showing her belief in the afterlife. The illustrations follow this same pattern throughout the entire story, giving visual images to attach to the text of the story.

The language of the story is very natural, it guides readers with a smooth flow as they move from page to page. The text of the book isn’t necessarily long, many of the words are short and concise, but still enough to give the reader enough information about the characters and to move the story along. The language of the text was natural, it didn’t feel short or choppy, there was a natural flow to it. One note about how the text is printed, is that each name is given a different font. It attracts the eye to it, but it shows how each person with the name was an individual, someone different. Overall the language of the story was very engaging, not too long that it would bore the reader. The author found the right balance.

Response

This book is more for enjoyment; however, I do feel some children could find some comfort in this book. It addresses the custom of a different culture, in how people are given very long names. I believe this is done through Hispanic cultures, but if more cultures do this than the wider audience it will reach. This book spreads a positive message to not find shame in these longer names, but to embrace the uniqueness of them. That’s important, so children become comfortable with who they are and where they come from. I also liked how in the illustration it added some Spanish words, I thought it was a cute addition to the text. The ending of the story is very satisfying, which I won’t spoil for readers that are interested. It is wrapped up nicely and provides another positive message that readers will appreciate. I would recommend this story to another person, without hesitation. It is a great read that spreads a positive message.

Conclusion

This story ‘Alma and How She Got Her Name’ by Juana Martinez-Neal is a great reader for any reader. Its message is sweet and can be related to by people of all ages. The illustrations of the book are sweet and well-done, they support the text and provide interesting aides that enrich the reading experience. The language of the story is natural, not short and condensed for young readers. Overall this is a great read for anyone looking for a sweet reading experience.

Reference:

Neal-Martinez, Juana. (2018). Alma and how she got her name. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Martinez-Neal, J. (2018, April 10). Front cover of alma and how she got her name [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Alma-How-She-Got-Name/dp/0763693553

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Book Review # 20 Lon Po Po

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Lon Po Po by Ed Young

Introduction

Lon Po Po is the red-riding hood story but the Chinese version. The story still has the big bad wolf who tries to impersonate the children’s grandmother. He manages to slip inside the house of the, as he seeks to eat the three kids inside. Only their wits and cleverness manage to get them out of the tough situation. This story is told through very eerie illustrations that reinforce the text, help establish the mood, and provide interesting aides.

Evaluation

The illustrations of this book do a great job in setting the mood for the book. It looks like they were done through the use of watercolors. The colors used in the first page when the mother is leaving give are very warm and welcoming, setting a rather comforting mood. There is no worry to be held as the mother is simply going off to visit the grandmother. Though the scene that follows after is the wolf knocking on the door, the children on the other side. A drastic change in color is noted. You have reds and blacks used in the background, signaling the approach of danger. The wolf holds a bright blue blanket over him, so the reader can determine who it is. As interaction between the wolf and the children continue, the colors remain dark and gray, keeping that dangerous dark mood for the book. Towards the very end, as the children outwit the wolf, the colors change. They become warm colors again. All together the colors chosen to set the mood were well selected, it definitely is an important aspect to the story.

It is always nice when the illustrations provide interesting aides to the story. Within the story we don’t get told where the children live, but the illustrations provide that information. The reader gets to see the family lives off in the country ride, in a small little cottage house. There aren’t any neighbors nearby either. It is just them, when one stops to consider the story it makes scarier. There is no-one nearby the children can run to. That kind of information only adds to the eerie tale of red-riding hood. Another interesting aide that is interesting is when the children allow the wolf inside, we’re instead shown his shadow spanning across both pages. He looks to be taking a giant leap inside the home. There are more instances of these aides, but they certainly do add to the story.

The text and illustrations work in tandem together, the illustrations work to reinforce the text of the book. The pictures reflect what is being read, like when the children are speaking to the wolf through the closed door. The illustrations show the children on one end of the door and the wolf on the other. Another instance is when the children are pulling the wolf up into the tree, the text clearly draws out the pictures with the words. There is no discord between the text and the pictures.

Response

This book is enjoyed more as entertainment than a classical piece of literature. It is the classic red-riding hood tale, told through a different culture. That in itself is interesting when one compares it the American version. One difference is that the mother is the one going off to visit grandmother, not the granddaughter. There are three children involved in this tale, rather than just one. There are other differences, but it is was interesting to see the Chinese version of this tale. How it embeds their culture into the story and makes it their own. I would recommend this title for others to read, just to gain knowledge on how other cultures tell their tales. It be a great way to spread some culture awareness I believe.

Conclusion

Lon Po Po by Ed Young provides beautiful visuals while telling the Chinese version of red-riding hood. The illustrations support the text by reflecting what is being said, but beyond they set the mood and provide interesting aides. These aides give a little more information to give the reader a richer experience of the text. This is a book I would recommend for children to read.

Reference:

Young, Ed. (1989) Lon Po Po. New York, NY: Philomel Books.

Young, E & Stevens, J. (1989, November). Front cover of lon po po [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Lon-Po-Red-Riding-Story-China/dp/0698113829

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Book Review # 19 Between Shades of Gray

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Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Introduction

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys takes place during WWII, it details the tragic past of individuals who had to endure the communist regime of Stalin in Russia. Individuals were pulled from their homes and sent to camps to work on farms without proper water and meals. Treated as a criminal, no worse. They were not human in the eyes of the Stalin and his regime. This story details the harsh, traumatic journey of one family and how the actions and beliefs of this one leader ends the lives of many. Ruta Sepetys tells this tale through powerful characters, language, and deeply moving plot.

Evaluation

The characters in this book are written with so much depth that the reader can’t help but form a connection with them. Each of them was written with a lot of thought and care, that it reflects in the writing. Lina, our main character is a headstrong, courageous young woman who struggles to process the events taking place in her life. She had a warm home, a rich happy family, and dreams to becoming a great artist. All of that was taken away in the span of a few hours. Forced to ride on packed train cart, with only a bucket of water and food she watches people come apart, death take people every single night, and the life before this feel like a surreal dream. She watches as her sweet, younger brother Jonas is forced to grow up under these harsh realities. Lina’s mother endures trying to stay positive, not letting the cruelties being brought upon turn her cruel and cold. Throughout the entire novel these characters try to remain true to themselves, but like any person put under these extreme circumstances they fall, break, but some don’t rise up again. Others do and keep hoping.

The plot of this book doesn’t hold back in showing the harsh conditions and realities these innocent individuals had to face. Scenes of cruelty and abuse are no stranger to these novels, as the soldiers abused, humiliated, and killed these people without a blink of an eye. In one scene, a new born mother who just lost her new born baby is shot dead by the soldiers because she won’t calm down. In another scene, the introduction serves as powerful quote to prepare readers for what they what are about to experience: “Have you ever wondered what a human life is worth? That morning, my brother’s was worth a pocket watch,” (p. 26).  Readers are taken through the harsh camps these people had to work in: “Blisters wept on my hands. Our fingers were caked with dirt. They wouldn’t give us a ladle or cup. We bent like dogs, each taking turns lapping out of the bucket…” (p. 124).  They would work like this only to receive a small ration of bread as their payment. A piece of bread that fit in the palm of their hands. If that wasn’t enough, diseases such as scurvy, dysentery and many other terrible illnesses would plague people. Though they were not given any medical attention or treatment, left to deal with them until the disease killed them. This plot tackles the many harsh issues and does not shy from showing the consequences that they wrought upon these people.

Ruta Sepety rich powerful language left no detail in this story without purpose. Every word and sentence in this book came off strong and poignant, making the reader pay all the more attention. “I planted a seed of hatred in my heart. I swore it would grow to be a massive tree whose roots would strangle them all,” (p. 54) is one of the many powerful quotes throughout this entire novel that will leave readers with so many afterthoughts. Another quote to show the wonderful writing within this book “But how can they just decide that we’re animals? They even know us...” (p. 66). Her language holds a certain elegance, despite the cruel conditions she is writing about. When writing about Lina’s past, the language does an amazing job in expressing Lina’s emotions of happiness, excitement, and ambition. The language and style in the novel does not disappoint, in fact it goes beyond expectations and surpasses them.

Response

This novel is a great a piece of work, as enjoyment or as an informative read, readers will gain insights into a past not heard about much. There is so much I love about this book that it is difficult to express into words. For certain the novel has made me aware of about this part of Russia’s history that I never knew about. Some cruelties are just not given the same amount of voice and attention as others, they get forgotten about. That is so tragic. It is why need novels such as this one, to begin a small wave, to inform others about history and the realities these people have endured. I would recommend this book to others without a second thought. It is a great novel for readers.

Conclusion

Overall Between of Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys is a wonderful book that readers high school and above should become acquainted with. It has beautiful characters that filled with so much life and emotions, a wonderful plot that does not shy away from the cruel situations that people had to witness and endure. Lastly the language supports the book with its powerful words and thoughts. Readers will not be disappointed by this novel!

Reference:

Sepetys, Ruta. (2011). Between shade of gray. New York, NY: Philomel Books.

(2011, March 22). Front cover of between shades of gray [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Between-Shades-Gray-Ruta-Sepetys/dp/014242059X

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Book Review # 18: City of Ghosts

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City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

Introduction

When many people think of the paranormal, like ghosts and spirits most roll their eyes in disbelief. Cassidy, the protagonist of this story, would not correct these assumption but her experiences in this story would prove those individuals wrong. Not born with the ability to see ghosts, this power came to her after a near-death experience. This story is about a girl struggling to figure out what these new abilities are. Victoria Schwab takes us through this tale through with the use of a mediocre plot, quirky characters, and a good concise style of language.

Evalutation

The plot of City of Ghosts did not have me turning the pages with anticipation or hanging to the edge of my seat. Most of the events in the story felt predictable. As a fan of Victoria Schwab, I was disappointed at the plot. She has written books with more substance to the plot. In this book her excellent plot development did not show through. When Cassidy spots the woman in red, the reader already know she’s going to be the antagonist to the story. Eventually this does happen, Cassidy gets caught by her and then it’s a race to retrieve what is taken by the woman in red. There is no unique twist or turn to this story. A few details about the ghosts were interesting, such as they get dazed when looking into a mirror. Overall the plot did not grab my attention as much as I expected.  

The characters within this book are quirky and cute, but not very deep. Cassidy for instance proves to be a little boring in the beginning. Nothing really sticks out about her character, except she can see ghosts and has a ghost for a best friend. Her ghost best friend Jacob draws more of a reaction than she does. There is more mystery to him, more allure. He’s not very upfront about details regarding his own position as a ghost. The relationship between the two though feels somewhat lackluster. There is never much depth shown to them, just the once instance when Cassidy feels betrayed by Jacob for his lack of trust in her. The overall sense to the characters feels very generic. Even the relationship with her parents felt distant, perhaps that was intentional given how busy they are with their work. Though in the end Cassidy did not feel like a memorable character in the book.

Language and style I believe is Victoria Schwab’s stronger traits in her writing. This book reflected it. The manner she described the second world where ghost reside, called the Veil, was described in a very relatable manner. For instance, here is a small example of when Cassidy crosses into the Veil, “A chill washes over my skin. For a second I’m not backstage but underwater, the icy current close over my head, the light vanishing as something heavy pulls me down…” (Schwab, 2018). There were a few quotes sprinkled throughout the story that resonated with me, the ideas and beliefs behind them coming through to touch the reader. “But Dad once told me that the living hold on to the dead, that “ghosts” are just our way of keeping people with us” (2018, Schwab). Lastly the way she described Edinberg through her use of language was done well. It never went into too much detail, there was a good balance found in describing the setting. Overall the style and language of the story was on point for the most part.

Response

This book is geared toward entertainment purpose, but I did not find this book as good as her other works. Perhaps because it is aimed toward a younger audience, the author is testing the waters? Whatever the reason, this did not grab me like her adult and young adult novels. There was small annoyance, in that she started pulling a Lemony Snicket move by defining the words for the readers. I don’t feel that was necessary to add to the book. Beyond that the book was okay, good at best. It did not leave me with a desire to read more. I may give the second book a try just to see if there is any improvements. This book didn’t really challenge anything or play with the concept too much. Though to remind myself it is just the first book, perhaps the plot will grow more layered and interesting the latter books.

Conclusion

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab is receiving a general okay. It doesn’t do much to wow readers with the predictive plot, okay characters, and good use of language. This book would be a suggestion to readers looking for a paranormal book, but it would not be at the top of the list.

Reference:

Schwab, Victoria. (2018). City of ghosts. New York, NY: Scholastic Press

Crawford, B. (2018, August 28). Front cover of city of ghosts [digital image].Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/City-Ghosts-Victoria-Schwab/dp/1338111000/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=city+of+ghosts&qid=1557085963&s=books&sr=1-1

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Book Review # 17: Smile

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Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Introduction

Smile is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeir. It is cute quirky autobiography on growing up and how an accident that knocked out the author’s two front teeth made being a teenager just a little more interesting. Through the use of her cartoon illustrations readers are grabbed by the plot of her going through middle school while dealing with fixing her two front teeth. The characters are shown to grow with the use of the illustrations, and lastly the text of the story provides support to the drawings that help readers enjoy the story all the more.

Evaluation

The plot of the graphic novel is moved forward by the wonderful cartoon illustrations. It is in the first few pages of the novel that we witness this. We watch as Raina and her friends shoot out the car and race to her front door, only Raina doesn’t make it. She ends up tripping over her feet and falls flat on her face. She knocks out her two front teeth. All of this shown through the illustrations of the novel, no text or dialogue present. Though it is not needed as the readers understand what is occurring. Another instance is when Raina’s friends decide to pull a mean prank on her. There is no text to say what they are going to do. Readers follow the illustrations as the friends are shown rushing toward Raina, who is standing in line for the vending machine. Then the readers watch as they grab her skirt and pull it down in front of everyone in the courtyard. It is scenes like this that help develop the plot and this graphic novel provides plenty of other scenes throughout the book that moved the plot forward.

The development of the characters is shown many times through the illustrations within the graphic novel. It never has to be said that they enjoy a particular hobby or food, just observing the drawn expressions and behaviors shows the reader little tidbits about their personalities. For instance, Raina has a Bart Simpson t-shirt, which she gets made fun of by her friends. The manner her reaction is drawn lets the reader know she’s upset by the remark. Her frown, the way her shoulders pull forward together. The author really knows which body movements to draw that accompany the emotion she is trying to convey. Then you have the more comical reactions, like when she is at the dentist. In one scene you watch as Raina’s eyes grow large as saucers as the dentist uses a machine to polish her teeth. In the drawing it even shows her moving with the machine, to mimic the feeling an individual feel when having a drill pressed against their teeth. It is all these details and scenes that help develop the character and let the reader form a bond with.

The last trait that really helped pull this graphic novel together was the text. The dialogue of the characters felt pretty natural. They were conversations that readers could picture having on a school day or with their own family. That naturalness of language was present in the text. I believe that is an important factor because many young children want to hear their voices when reading characters that are supposed to reflect their behaviors. The text also did match the moods of the characters as well. In some scenes when Raina would get angry, the text would be larger and capitalize to emphasize the intensity of her emotion. Overall the text did a good job in supporting the story and illustrations.

Response

This book was very enjoyable! It certainly was very entertaining; I would not call it a classical piece of literature. Despite that this book got quite a few smiles and laughs out of me! It is a work made to enjoy and savor. It didn’t challenge any assumptions or notions on my part, but it was still a good read overall. Though this book is very well drawn, it also contains meaningful message for people of all ages.  Friendship and self-acceptance are two themes that are touched on and many readers can relate. Many people have been in the stage of life Raina drew about. We have all had our situations when our thoughts about what other people make of us have preoccupied us. This book definitely sends a positive message to be proud and comfortable of who you are.

Conclusion

Smile is a great graphic novel that I would recommend to a variety of individuals. If they are looking for a sweet, enjoyable read this is one novel I would suggest to them. The illustrations are clear and pleasing, but also serve their purpose in supporting the characters and plot. The text and dialogue of the novel are a great addition that help round off the book. This book is great read for any reader, for there are many aspects that can be related to!

Reference:

Telgemeir, Raina. (2010)Smile.New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. 

Falco, P & Green, J. (2010, February 01 ). Front cover of Smile [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Smile-Raina-Telgemeier/dp/0545132061

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Book Review # 16: El Deafo

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El Deafo by Cece Bell

Introduction

‘El Deafo’ by Cece Bell is an insightful memoir written about her childhood. At age four she suffered from a terrible case of meningitis that left her deaf. This graphic novel takes us through her personal experience of growing up deaf. Told through the comic illustrations, these drawings support the development the characters and the plot. The dialogue of the text supports the illustrations by providing aids to gain a little more insight of what is happening in the story.

Evaluation

The characters in the graphic novel are developed through the comic illustrations. One instance of this is that no two rabbits are the same. The author took great care in designing different rabbits, to represent that no two people are the same. Another great factor of the illustrations was the how the characters were drawn as rabbits, that definitely added to the appeal of the story. While the details of the entire graphic novel were kept simple, it wasn’t lacking in giving information. The expressions on the characters, for instance, never left a reader guessing what was being felt. Overall the character designs were very cute, yet realistic in the author didn’t shy from showing the adult rabbits smoking. When Cece hurts her eye, there is blood drawn, and when she throws up is another example of the author willing to draw those less than appealing sights.

The illustrations of the graphic novel are the basis for the developing the plot of the story. Without the pictures, there would be no book. This entire memoir is told through these cute, cartoon illustrations. One instance of plot development through the use of the images is when Cece begins to notice her declining vision. The pictures mimic what the character is feeling by becoming blurry or fuzzy. When she finally gets glasses, the pictures clear up again. There’s a short scene where Cece flips through putting on and removing the glasses, the pictures reflect the quality of her sight by either being clear or fuzzy. It is instances like these that help move the story along. Another example is when Cece can’t hear, the text in the dialogue bubbles no longer appear. I thought this was a very creative manner in showing when the character can’t hear.

The dialogue of the book is kept simple yet authentic. It still reflects the voice of a child. When Cece calls for her parents, she calls them Mama and Papa. Which is what a child of her age would refer to her parents as. The conversations are never too long either, kept concise to get the general idea and feeling of the characters. It is not the text that readers should focus on, as it is the drawings that take center stage in this story. In addition, the dialogue also is used to represent how Cece hears others, which I thought was a very creative method of showing rather than telling. When Cece can’t understand what others are saying to her, the dialogue reflects that by showing jumbled up letters for instance.

Response

I really enjoyed this graphic novel for entertainment purposes. It was a very touching and insightful. There were moments where I laughed aloud, such as when Cece realized she could hear her teachers using the restroom. That was something I did not expect. I believe this book addresses the issue of having more diversity of books. This book’s protagonist is a deaf character, which is not an everyday character you see in books. I think the issues it touches on are handled well, given that the author is deaf themselves. They pick up on details other authors might not catch on. It taught me a few things as well, to consider how people who are deaf interact with the world. Their struggles to read lips, how hearing aids can only help so much. This graphic novel did put some of my previous assumptions to the test. Though in a good way, by correcting them or prompting me to reconsider them.

Conclusion

Overall this is a novel I would recommend to others. The illustrations do a great job in developing both the character and plot. The dialogue is a great addition that adds even more flair to the story. This is graphic novel that will leave one thinking once they put it down, for it touches on many themes that young children go through while growing up.

Reference:

Bell, Cece. (2014). El deafo. New York, NY: Amulet Books.

Bell, C & Fitch, K. (2014, September 02). Book cover of El Deafo [digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/El-Deafo-Cece-Bell/dp/1419712179

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Book Review # 15: The Plastic Magician

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Evaluation of Book 

The Plastic Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg

Have you ever heard of plastic magic? The ability to manipulate plastic with magic. Upon first thought that doesn’t strike much potential. What’s so great about plastic and magic? Well in The Plastic Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg we follow a young upcoming magician named Alive who chosen discipline is plastic. Odd right? Well as we come to find out, plastic is much more versatile when you add magic and ambitious young woman brimming with curiosity and talent. Holmberg’s story readers can find themselves warmed by an endearing protagonist, good world building, and a steady plot.

Alive, the main heroine of this story, is an upcoming magician who is starting her apprenticeship to become a full-fledged magician. Under the guidance of her mentor Marion Praff, a famous magician in her field of study, Alive begins to equip the skills necessary to become a magician herself. It is with the help of her mentor who turns out be a very genuine individual. Many times he encourages her to be ambitious, guides her, and teachers her, that is so different from the usual mentors that are seen in fantasy novels. Often bitter, closed-off, and rude Marion Praff is a fresh of breath air. Alive is a great character herself. She relies on all her skills and talents to get out the dangerous situations she finds herself in. Not once does she give up, nor does she fall back to rely on someone else. Alive is a character who can stand on her two feet. She retains all her smarts and wits throughout the story, never once seeing herself a damsel in distress which was another refreshing trait to see in this story.

The magic within the world is credible. It is not the best I’ve seen so far, but the reasoning behind how magic is involved in the world is decent. The author seems to weave the magic within the normal world seamlessly. One interesting point that I liked about the story was how the countries have their own laws and regulations regarding magic. It seems in the United States individuals can travel through mirrors, which is a much faster transportation. In the United Kingdom, that kind of travel if prohibited and individuals use normal means of transportation such as trains, cars, and ships. Those kinds of small details always make the world sound a little more credible. The magic in this world wasn’t very prioritized in the world either. There was never a distinction made as to whether you were a magician or not. It was treated almost like going to a college to get your degree. That was another interesting manner to handle magic in the world. It could be said Alive was a very invested in her college major if one were to compare it to the read world. Overall the magic wasn’t regarded too highly it seems among everything else in the world.

The plot of the story did nothing out of the ordinary. It was a sweet romantic plot with a touch of mystery and action. There were no major plot points or big mystery reveals in the story, at least not something the reader couldn’t figure out themselves. The author did leave some rather large clues to lead readers. Maybe the author could have used that as advantage to string the reader in other direction to make it feel more like big surprise. Otherwise the plot was quite tame. Nothing extraordinary to comment about, other than one could see it coming from the long-run.

Response:

This book for being a very short, sweet read held a few poignant quotes for me. One of them centers about enduring after a tragic event. One of the characters loses her hand in an accident and she talks about how she has dreams about her missing hand. In this scene she reflects that no-one can stop her dreams, but “I suppose I’ll just have to make a lot of new memories so I can dream about those instead” (p. 97). I thought that was a very positive way to look at her situation and for how people can move on from terrible situations.  Another quote that I really liked from the book was from Alive who says “ My papa said that the world can take all it wants from a man, but he has to give up his integrity freely” (p. 112). It just reflects the notion that in the end we make our choices. It’s not always about bad circumstances, but how we handle them. I felt that was a rather strong point to make in the book. I enjoyed this book, I didn’t expect the sweet romance that was woven into the plot. It didn’t overshadow the rest of the story, was kept very subtle and sweet. You see the chemistry simmer between the two characters, making the romance even more enjoyable. I would like to continue this series, as I saw there are other books related to this world. The book was very enjoyable as an entertainment piece, there was one cute quote in the book that was just adorable, it goes “Alvie smiled. “My papa said God gave me bad eyes so I wouldn’t be too perfect” (p. 150). That is such a cute way to describe another person. This book was more for enjoyment purposes.

Conclusion

Overall this is a book I would recommend for someone that wants a quick, light read. It has a dash of everything from romance, to magic, and a little adventure. With it’s credible worldbuilding, memorable characters, and straightforward plotline the book is okay. It is nothing spectacular, but it is something to enjoy in between some more intense books. I would recommend this book to a friend.

Reference

Holmberg, Charlie N. (2018). The Plastic Magician. Seattle, WA: 47North.