Pretty cute comic from a pet dog's POV. He's fighting (literally) with his inner dog to find balance between his wolf instincts and his desire to be aPretty cute comic from a pet dog's POV. He's fighting (literally) with his inner dog to find balance between his wolf instincts and his desire to be a dog. In general, I don't really care about dogs, but those that do will really like this book....more
I loved Frindle as a kid. I loved every Andrew Clements books. His stories were a huge part of my journey to become a reader. When I started this bookI loved Frindle as a kid. I loved every Andrew Clements books. His stories were a huge part of my journey to become a reader. When I started this book, like 20 pages in, I was really upset. It felt like this was Andrew Clements' "Go Set a Watchman." But it isn't. It actually is pretty good. It captures what was so good about Frindle but also adapts the story for a different generation. I don't know if I would call this "long awaited" but it was a sweet treat to get one last good book from Andrew Clements....more
Fraternal twins Page and Turner Read have grown accustomed to feeling neglected by their parents lately. Their parents are often busy with meetings anFraternal twins Page and Turner Read have grown accustomed to feeling neglected by their parents lately. Their parents are often busy with meetings and work trips and leave the twins behind with a revolving door of nannies -- who are also often neglectful. So Page and Turner spend a lot of time at their favorite place -- the New York Public Library. On a whim, Page, the more reckless twin, steals her father's prized first-edition copy of Dracula and takes it to the library hoping to have it appraised, much to the chagrin of her more careful brother Turner. In a disastrous twist, the book goes missing before they get the information they need. In soliciting help from Ms. Literati, the Night Librarian, they have no idea that they'll be whisked to a secret room far under the stacks where the night librarians tend to the characters that like to pop out of books and try to prevent a "catastrophic KABLOOEY." With the help of cast of familiar characters, Page and Turner are fighting against time to return all the literary baddies to their correct books and save the day.
This bookish graphic novel is a delightful read for the bookworms in your life. Zany, madcap, and action-packed, this adventure is a quick and unputdownable read. For readers who are familiar with the "classics," appearances from Jim Hawkins, Alice, and Tinker Bell will be gratifying, but even modern classics get a nod. This book is so charming and creative. ...more
This book, an original story, really felt like an updated classic tale -- and that is the highest praise I think I can give it. It drew me in, feelingThis book, an original story, really felt like an updated classic tale -- and that is the highest praise I think I can give it. It drew me in, feeling completely traditional and completely modern at the same time. The art was expectedly lovely. I was really pleased with this book....more
My favorite thing about this book is that it's set in Southeast Asia -- because there are so few books set there. I also liked the first half of this My favorite thing about this book is that it's set in Southeast Asia -- because there are so few books set there. I also liked the first half of this book, but it felt a little disconnected to the second story. I wanted a little more integration, or maybe even more short stories about the makers club. I didn't like how it was basically just divided in half....more
I didn't read Goosebumps as a kid because I was a wimp and got nightmares from just the covers. That being said, I still feel a lot of nostalgia for tI didn't read Goosebumps as a kid because I was a wimp and got nightmares from just the covers. That being said, I still feel a lot of nostalgia for the books *existing* and I'm excited about this graphic novel reboot. Although, we don't need every book to become a graphic novel. I feel strongly about that. This book is creepy in a kid friendly way with retro artwork that looks a lot more updated than the nightmare-inducing covers of my childhood....more
For the most part, I liked this spooky story -- and it was fairly scary. Readers who read a lot of horror will see the ending coming a mile off, but gFor the most part, I liked this spooky story -- and it was fairly scary. Readers who read a lot of horror will see the ending coming a mile off, but getting there is still pretty fun. All told, the framing narrative felt really disconnected from the main storyline and I hope that future installments of this series will help to resolve that. ...more
I fell in love with the idea of this story, but the execution fell completely flat for me. I thought the pacing was really off -- it took too long to I fell in love with the idea of this story, but the execution fell completely flat for me. I thought the pacing was really off -- it took too long to get scary, and the ending felt rushed. Part of that might be the audiobook narrator, who I don't think was the right choice. I had to keep checking that this was really meant to be a horror story, because it was just lacking. There are better Southern horrors, including others by this author, and I would point readers to those first....more
A true "middle grade" coming of age story, this book seems right for middle school audiences. It reads a little old for my 0-12 library, but I think iA true "middle grade" coming of age story, this book seems right for middle school audiences. It reads a little old for my 0-12 library, but I think it would feel too babyish for high school. I hope this book finds its audience, though, because it is laugh out loud hilarious. The way that Tara thinks, worries, and speaks is so relatable and so humorous -- without trying hard. I loved this....more
I actually liked this book, but I suspect that a lot of parents won't. I love how Averil and Max finally reach a point where they can be honest with tI actually liked this book, but I suspect that a lot of parents won't. I love how Averil and Max finally reach a point where they can be honest with their parents and advocate for consent -- even from their adults. The light romance is one of my favorite parts in this far-fetched plot....more
An entertaining graphic novel about a young teen girl who, after a bad fall during a figure skating competition, is abducted and introduced to the worAn entertaining graphic novel about a young teen girl who, after a bad fall during a figure skating competition, is abducted and introduced to the world of Paranormal Roller Derby. As she meets her new vampire team, Mina discovers a new passion for a different kind of sport than she's always trained for. The illustrations are cute-spooky with lots of deep tones and bright neons. There are roller derby books I like more, vampire books I like more, and found family books I like more; but this one combines all three in a really nice way....more
Unbelievably cute graphic novel for young teens and middle grade readers. 12-year-old Lia has just moved from Romania to Montreal, and she's keeping uUnbelievably cute graphic novel for young teens and middle grade readers. 12-year-old Lia has just moved from Romania to Montreal, and she's keeping up with all the changes as best as she can. Her new home is different, she doesn't speak the language, and she's homesick. But, as the school year goes on, she starts to connect with a group of girl who have immigrated and have lots in common. The panel work is bright, fun, accessible. Readers will relate to Lia right away. ...more
I'm so disappointed that this book just didn't work for me. Kind of like if Studio Ghibli made Lord of the Rings, this fantasy adventure sets up a larI'm so disappointed that this book just didn't work for me. Kind of like if Studio Ghibli made Lord of the Rings, this fantasy adventure sets up a larger story, but explained nothing? I understand that this is the first part of a series, but this is essentially a really long first chapter. I need a little more world building, and a little more exposition because I just felt like things were vague to try to seem deep ... and it didn't work for me. I'd be reluctant to recommend this to young readers, at least until the rest of the series is out. There are other, similar, better comics; Lightfall is a good place to start....more
I always say that because I read so many books, the ones that are weird are the ones that stand out to me. That is certainly true for this one, becausI always say that because I read so many books, the ones that are weird are the ones that stand out to me. That is certainly true for this one, because it is pretty strange but it's also one I'm likely to remember. 12-year-old, 4 foot tall, boy-turned-rat Ratty is the latest victim of the Barclay Family Curse. For generations, members of the Barclay family have died in mysterious ways - due to the curse. But Ratty is the first member of the family cursed in a different way, when he was born he was transformed into a giant rat. His parents abandoned him to live with his uncle Max who has spent his life traveling from place to place hoping to keep Ratty from being discovered. Now, though, Max and Ratty are returning to their ancestral home, Barclay Manor, on Fairweather Island. The island has been rat free since Ratty's great-great-great-grandfather declared the island his and exterminated all the rats. Not a great place for a giant rat boy to live. Especially since the granddaughter of Barclay Manor's caretaker, Edweena Gup, is obsessed with trapping and killing rats. The premise is bonkers crazy, but the story is surprisingly sweet. A little reminiscent of the 2006 rom-com Penelope with Christina Ricci. The overall message of self-compassion, kindness, and friendship is delivered in a heartwarming and never too saccharine kind of way. This isn't a perfect book, though. There are a lot of details left unresolved, which seems to open up for a series, and I really wish this book was more of a complete story. The causes of the Barclay curse are pretty obvious throughout and I was kind of waiting for Ratty and Max to have an "aha!" moment and just say it -- it felt like it dragged on for too long. But this story of environmental stewardship and friendship is still utterly charming and would work really nicely as a read aloud. Way better than I expected a book about a giant rat to be....more
For some reason I can't understand, the publisher is not making it obvious that this is the sequel to a book that was released right before it. I'm noFor some reason I can't understand, the publisher is not making it obvious that this is the sequel to a book that was released right before it. I'm not sure why because the book frequently refers to things that obviously happened in book one. So, if you like me are thinking this is probably a stand alone series I would say you probably do want to recommend readers read in order -- it makes sense, just kind of annoying to read out of order. But regardless, this series is a lot of fun. A weird, wild, crazy horror series that won't keep readers up all night. Barker Mifflin is a humorous protagonist -- a self-proclaimed prepper, who is smarter than everyone around him, he is remiss that no one will listen to his excellent ideas. But when Barker finds himself up against a genetically modified, 40-foot-chicken, all of his skills will be needed to save the day and his strange home town. Super fun, quick read....more
This is a very charming novel about a girl and her dog, perfect for animal lovers. Set on an underperforming sheep farm in Australia, Annie Shearer stThis is a very charming novel about a girl and her dog, perfect for animal lovers. Set on an underperforming sheep farm in Australia, Annie Shearer struggles to fix things for her family. But on a whim, Annie and her dog Runt enter an agility contest where they are the surprise winners. The win sets in motion an unlikely path for the family as Annie and Runt travel to London to compete in an international agility contest, the only problem is that Runt only trusts Annie and freezes in front of a crowd. Witty and charming for young and old readers this is a classic sort of children's story and a popular import from Australia....more
I really enjoyed this emotional and honest story that explores terrible legacy of residential schools in Canada and America. The spiritual and magicalI really enjoyed this emotional and honest story that explores terrible legacy of residential schools in Canada and America. The spiritual and magical realistic elements worked really nicely in this story -- it provided a vehicle to learn about people who were forced to attend the residential schools while still keeping the focus on Summer as protagonist. A quick but essential read....more
12-year-old Morgan has always had a best friend in his 18-year-old sister. Despite their age gap, Morgan was Claire's confidant and favorite person. T12-year-old Morgan has always had a best friend in his 18-year-old sister. Despite their age gap, Morgan was Claire's confidant and favorite person. They would read stories and tell secrets and write comics together. But they haven't done that in a while. Claire has become increasingly rebellious and her fights with their well-intentioned but flawed mother are starting to affect the whole family, especially Morgan. Sometimes Claire will disappear for days at a time and Mom has basically given up on her. After one super big fight, Claire leaves to stay at her girlfriend's house for several days -- the longest she's ever left. Then, Claire shows up at Morgan's window wanting him to join her for a day out together. Morgan is excited to go and even more excited to convince Claire to come home and apologize. Only, Claire seems to have other plans for the day and only slowly does Morgan realize what's really going on.
This emotional book about growing up and growing apart really blew me away. Claire, Morgan, and the cast of side characters felt so realistic and so realistically motivated. But this book isn't all just feelings, it's humorous and adventurous and really feels like a wild, fun day between two best friend siblings. The powerful truth at the center of this novel is that sometimes parents aren't bad parents, they just struggle to connect with their children. It's a grown up lesson, but one that is told in a way that middle grade readers on the crux of adolescence will really understand.
I think this book is insightful and thoughtful and cinematic. It feels like one of those books on the cusp of something big -- just like how Morgan is feeling. An unflinching look at the realties of being a kid and growing up. Sometimes parents aren't terrible or amazing, they're just people who are making mistakes raising their children. ...more
This incredibly affirming graphic novel is a great reader for middle graders, especially those who are interested in music. After hearing nonbinary viThis incredibly affirming graphic novel is a great reader for middle graders, especially those who are interested in music. After hearing nonbinary viola prodigy Eli Violet play, Tate Seong is motivated to play the viola as well. It seems like fate when both kids find themselves at Camp Prodigy for the summer. Tate to sharpen their skills and Eli to overcome their stage fright. When Eli offers to help Tate, the two become fast friends -- connected by their love of music and Tate's realization they are also nonbinary. Centered around the development of the two main characters, this heartfelt comic is relatable....more
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