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A fourth-grade girl whose family recently immigrated from China to Canada makes a friend, then stands up for that friend when she comes under suspicioA fourth-grade girl whose family recently immigrated from China to Canada makes a friend, then stands up for that friend when she comes under suspicion for stealing money from a school charity fund. Story feels slight and reads more like a short story than a fully fleshed out chapter book. Recipes from the school bake sale are included in the back of the book. ...more
I absolutely adore this children's chapter book series that incorporates the principles of Zen Buddhism. Isabel is simultaneously a wise old soul and I absolutely adore this children's chapter book series that incorporates the principles of Zen Buddhism. Isabel is simultaneously a wise old soul and a child learning life lessons. This book is a collection of short stories, rather than a novel, and that format fits the subject matter especially well. The simple, iconic illustration style with a limited color palette of black, white, and orange emphasizes the themes and extends the text. Highly recommend. ...more
I absolutely adore this children's chapter book series that incorporates the principles of Zen Buddhism. Isabel is simultaneously a wise old soul and I absolutely adore this children's chapter book series that incorporates the principles of Zen Buddhism. Isabel is simultaneously a wise old soul and a child learning life lessons. This book is a collection of short stories, rather than a novel, and that format fits the subject matter especially well. The simple, iconic illustration style with a limited color palette of black, white, and orange emphasizes the themes and extends the text. Highly recommend. ...more
On moving day, a set of twins imagine themselves as rocket pilots on a space mission. Though there are two boys playing together, this story is mostlyOn moving day, a set of twins imagine themselves as rocket pilots on a space mission. Though there are two boys playing together, this story is mostly written in first-person singular POV ("I") rather than first-person plural POV ("we"), so I guess only one of the boys is narrating. Based on both the illustrations and the text, it feels as if it should be "we" narrating and, in fact, the text does meander back and forth. The ending is also a bit unclear; when the narrator says he "now has two best friends," I assume he means his twin and the new girl who came over to play with the twins, but there's also a dog, a set of parents, and another adult. Bold, fun illustrations.
An under-the-sea re-telling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, featuring a mermaid (as Goldilocks) and an octopus family (instead of the bear family).An under-the-sea re-telling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, featuring a mermaid (as Goldilocks) and an octopus family (instead of the bear family). Love the Asian rendering to the story, which makes it more distinctive. Lovely, detailed illustrations characteristic of Jan Brett are especially well-suited to this story. Goldilocks is one of my least favorite fairy tales, but this is probably my favorite version of that tale. ...more
Wonderful example of a story cycle novel for young adults, though adults can enjoy it as well. In an economically-challenged Cleveland neighborhood, aWonderful example of a story cycle novel for young adults, though adults can enjoy it as well. In an economically-challenged Cleveland neighborhood, a racially and ethnically diverse group of neighbors turn a trash-filled vacant lot into a community garden. Each short chapter introduces a new POV character, ranging in age from pre-teen to elderly. These people portraits fill in the plot, but it's really a character-driven story. Just like the neighborhood garden, the novel weaves a mosaic of strangers into a community. Through learning about each of the characters' unique situations, for their brief time in the spotlight, the story builds empathy and understanding. Plot-wise, it ends where it starts, bringing it full-circle back to another beginning. ...more
Good introduction to the Chinese zodiac. This picture book relates the legend of how the Chinese zodiac originated.Text: 3 stars Illustrations: 3 stars
Good introduction to the Chinese zodiac. This picture book relates the legend of how the Chinese zodiac originated. Striking linoleum print illustrations of black, white, and red lend a modern but distinctively Asian feel to the book. Last double-page spread contains a timeline for readers to identify under which animal sign they are born. A large image of the Chinese zodiac wheel appears on the double-page spread before that. ...more
Rather ambitious and intriguing braided historical fantasy, in the vein of Echo but it doesn't hold together quite as well. One story strand (the begiRather ambitious and intriguing braided historical fantasy, in the vein of Echo but it doesn't hold together quite as well. One story strand (the beginning through pg 140) is about a colony started by slave ancestors and the other strand (pg 141 through pg 230) focuses on Vietnamese boat people. Both of these are based on true historical events. A few of the characters have magical abilities that help them and others to survive. There are a couple of mythical kraken (misplaced in warm waters) that also assist the humans to survive.
Unfortunately, this complex novel struggles with some structural issues. The two stories do come together in the end, but it takes a long time to get back to the original story line, and by then readers are invested in a whole new set of characters. The writing is superb, especially in the first two-thirds of the novel. But the last third of the book (pg 267 through the end) is anti-climactic and disappointing, mainly because the Raft King, originally portrayed as a villain in the first third of the book, turns out to be a confused, spoiled brat who wants his way, but then suddenly and without sufficient motivation decides to behave in everyone's best interests. The novel loses its spellbinding drama when the two stories finally come together. So while the ending is a happy one, I closed the cover without being fully satisfied. Still, it's worth the read for the middle section alone, but also for the honest portrayal of slavery and of refugees. ...more
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