Very good take on consent with the combination of what is going on at school with boys harassing her and the parallel at home where the mother's boyfrVery good take on consent with the combination of what is going on at school with boys harassing her and the parallel at home where the mother's boyfriend is seeking contact that is just on the wrong side of creepy. Deals with the complexity of speaking out (or not) and what would prevent girls from saying when they're uncomfortable and how they could be groomed. Complex family dynamics (divorce; niece living with them) but caring parents who put their child above their differences. Great for Middle Graders - a good text for those who liked "Maybe he just likes you" by Barbara Dee....more
This is one awesome book - it gradually sucks you in until you can't put it down to find out what happens at the end. I liked the amazingly strong proThis is one awesome book - it gradually sucks you in until you can't put it down to find out what happens at the end. I liked the amazingly strong protagonist - the sports (ice hockey) with tough girl players. the insight into a different culture.
My only beef is that (like all YA at the moment) it could have done with a bit of editing for length and repetition....more
The hype around this book is totally worth while! Funny, wry, sad, outrageous and all those again and again! Such a refreshing voice and also a remindThe hype around this book is totally worth while! Funny, wry, sad, outrageous and all those again and again! Such a refreshing voice and also a reminder of how far women have come so that we don't lose it all. Read it, make the male species in your life read it, make your sons read it....more
A beautifully written book that takes you from despair to hope and back again as you read of the greed and folly of mankind only to find those who tryA beautifully written book that takes you from despair to hope and back again as you read of the greed and folly of mankind only to find those who try to redeem things. Key takeaways - take only 50% and teach our children restraint - diversity of views, backgrounds and context in our education and scientific endeavours is critical to our survival...more
I loved everything about this book - from the very cheeky title to the way she deals with identity issues in a new school, to the relationship with heI loved everything about this book - from the very cheeky title to the way she deals with identity issues in a new school, to the relationship with her mother and sisters. At first the title made me think it may be a little more mature than it actually is - but it's totally suitable for students from middle grade up with a very clever sense of humour - love the mother's constant "are you on drugs?" every time her grades slip but then totally goes to battle for her when she divulges it's the result of teacher racism. ...more
Furthering my inquiry into chemistry / radioactivity etc. I finally read Radioactive as a follow up text to "Marie Curie and her daughters" the latterFurthering my inquiry into chemistry / radioactivity etc. I finally read Radioactive as a follow up text to "Marie Curie and her daughters" the latter is much more accessible in art and text to middle schoolers than Radioactive, which I think is written for a more mature audience. The author / illustrator made some very conscious decisions on the design and typography and explained this at the end, however many times I think those choices got in the way of legibility and readability which is a pity. In particular the type-face was on the small and light side making it difficult to read particularly on some of the backgrounds where the contrast was not sufficient.
The story in itself is fascinating - underlying the idea the power of collaboration and unrelenting passion in the pursuit of knowledge. I also really liked how the author weaved in historical information both related to the time in which Marie & Pierre were working and the impact of their work up to the present day. ...more
It's always a pleasure to read such an accessible and well designed biography in a picture book format. In a short period of time you understand both It's always a pleasure to read such an accessible and well designed biography in a picture book format. In a short period of time you understand both the historical and societal context as well as the background and family dynamics of such a remarkable woman. I would recommend it for upper primary as well as for Middle school. Well laid out - interesting facts and just the right amount of information. ...more
Continuing in the best-selling format - here are the smaller specialist books - this one focusing on Women protecting the earth - including some youngContinuing in the best-selling format - here are the smaller specialist books - this one focusing on Women protecting the earth - including some younger girls as well.
As always impeccably illustrated with just enough information to keep your interest and provide an overview on the topic.
A new feature is the "scan me" for some of the stories which leads to a downloadable "Rebel Girls" app with snippets of the stories - in order to get the full stories you need to pay which is a little deceptive.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the arc #RebelGirlsClimateWarriors #NetGalley ...more
I sometimes wish I was back in ES surrounded by picture books, reading aloud to students multiple times a day - particularly when I read books like thI sometimes wish I was back in ES surrounded by picture books, reading aloud to students multiple times a day - particularly when I read books like this one! We have a pretty robust picture book collection in Middle School and I spent some time this morning picking books with a fellow picture book fan and took a few minutes to read this - and realised it fits perfectly with our G7 unit on consumption and production. Sometimes a beautifully illustrated picture book can say more than all the statistics and infographics on very weighty topics. I need to spend more time reading picture books....more
There is no end to the fabulousness that the "Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls" movement has created. Each time they surpass the last with the gorgeThere is no end to the fabulousness that the "Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls" movement has created. Each time they surpass the last with the gorgeous images, great design and ability to encapsulate the life of someone in just one page.
This book (and series) is such a great starting point for my students when they're looking at biographies, as they can quickly understand the role someone has played and then later read a more in depth biography once they've oriented themselves on the person.
Very American - but really what did I expect. Quite a bit of self-& country glorification and not a lot of empathy for the "other" in particular the sVery American - but really what did I expect. Quite a bit of self-& country glorification and not a lot of empathy for the "other" in particular the security agencies of other countries come in for a lambasting. Since a lot is "redacted" it's not always easy to follow which countries / incidents she's referring to. The extreme sexism and racism in the FBI is dealt with as well in contrast to what appears to be more equality in the CIA. ...more
Another great book on the contributions of “forgotten” women - the code-breaking appears to be on par with that of Alan Turing and yet she was unknownAnother great book on the contributions of “forgotten” women - the code-breaking appears to be on par with that of Alan Turing and yet she was unknown until 2015.
I listened to the audiobook courtesy of Libro.fm- which was interesting & well narrative- based on other reviews I think the physical book also sounds well laid out & illustrated ...more
A powerful story of a single mother running a samgangi farm as seen through the eyes of her son. It highlights the stigma against intelligent people gA powerful story of a single mother running a samgangi farm as seen through the eyes of her son. It highlights the stigma against intelligent people going into agriculture and the prejudice of women farmers. This is a positive perspective on the ability of someone to regain land and turn-around the usual story of debt and land-grabbing. ...more
Following in the tradition of the other "Good Night Stories" this focuses on the contributions that Immigrant Women have made to their adoptive countrFollowing in the tradition of the other "Good Night Stories" this focuses on the contributions that Immigrant Women have made to their adoptive countries. As always the tales are accompanied by the most spectacular of illustrations to be seen in children's mixed biography books. Of particular note is the combination of lesser known and more widely known women, and the wide range of contributions these women made.
I found the text explaining where the women were from and where they migrated to, to be a little small and understated compared to the other text (i.e. it's the same size as the page number just underneath it) and while it had a glossary of terms and list of illustrators, the inclusion of a world map perhaps even with lines of the migrations would have been a useful addition (i.e. where did most women go to? It seems USA is very high on the list) and could provoke some interesting class / home discussion on the current mood around immigration in the traditional "magnet" countries. Preview based on an ARC provided by NetGalley...more
Definitely one of the “must reads” for this year. Slow but lovely pacing where the unconventional is encased in the everyday routines while the world Definitely one of the “must reads” for this year. Slow but lovely pacing where the unconventional is encased in the everyday routines while the world undergoes significant shifts. ...more
And so I learn the name of a new genre “participatory journalism “. A fascinating foray into the (male) world of poker with some wry observations on thAnd so I learn the name of a new genre “participatory journalism “. A fascinating foray into the (male) world of poker with some wry observations on the participants & game and insightful learning on attention....more
A lovely clear and loud voice of a 14 year old girl growing up in poverty, married off as the 3rd wife, escaping only to be an indentured servant at tA lovely clear and loud voice of a 14 year old girl growing up in poverty, married off as the 3rd wife, escaping only to be an indentured servant at the risk of the unwelcome advances of the "madam's" husband. throughout she shows her humour and resilience. Great for upper middle school / YA...more
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