You Need to Read This Book

When I read this book, I thought, if you read only one book this year, read this one. It’s one of the best books of the year. So many incredible elements and depth.

Attack of the Black Rectangles by Amy Sarig King

From the publisher, Scholastic: available September 2022

Award-winning author Amy Sarig King takes on censorship and intolerance in a novel she was born to write.

When Mac first opens his classroom copy of Jane Yolen's The Devil’s Arithmetic and finds some words blacked out, he thinks it must be a mistake. But then when he and his friends discover what the missing words are, he's outraged.

Someone in his school is trying to prevent kids from reading the full story.

But who?

Even though his unreliable dad tells him to not get so emotional about a book (or anything else), Mac has been raised by his mom and grandad to call out things that are wrong. He and his friends head to the principal's office to protest the censorship... but her response doesn't take them seriously.

So many adults want Mac to keep his words to himself.

Mac's about to see the power of letting them out.

In Attack of the Black Rectangles, acclaimed author Amy Sarig King shows all the ways truth can be hard... but still worth fighting for.

 

It’s not just about censorship. Friendship, first crush, a father who isn’t who you’d like him to be, doing what’s right, finding courage, protesting, and truth. How very important truth is. And who wouldn't want Jane Yolen their book?!

Now, Amy Sarig King does not need my help selling books. She’s a force on her own with each book being unique and uniquely hers. But this is still one of the best books of the year. And that’s the truth.

Here’s another review of this book from Lynn Becker's blog. She always has awesome reviews.

LynnBecker Books Blog: August's Book of the Month--Attack of the Black Rectangles

 

Middle Grade Madness! Three Reviews

I'm so happy to be reading such great books. It's fun to post about them. I always appreciate a good recommendation. Yes, not all books are for everyone. That's the beauty of books, something for everyone. Same with films, art, music. It's awesome. 

The Callers by Kiah Thomas

From the publisher Chronicle Books: available April 5, 2022:

In the world of Elipsom, the ability to Call, or summon objects, is a coveted, crucial skill, revered among its people as both a powerful tool and an essential way to sustain life. But despite an elite family history, a phenom for an older sister, a best friend who is set to join the Council of Callers, and his mother's steely insistence that he learn to Call, Quin doesn't have the gift—an embarrassment made worse when his mother gets his sister to cheat for him on his Calling exam. But everything changes in a moment of frustration when Quin, instead of summoning an object, makes something disappear. And what's more, he quickly discovers that the objects Callers bring into their world aren't conjured at all but are whisked away from another world and a people who for years have had their lives slowly stolen from them. Now Quin must team up with Allie, a girl who's determined to stop this unfair practice, and decide whether he should remain loyal to his family or betray them—and save the world.

In a story that explores some of the most crucial topics of our time—our relationship to consumerism, the exploitation of natural resources, colonialism, and the consequences of wanting more than we need—magic is sought, and truth is found.

This was a fascinating read. How calling one thing takes it from another person/place. And the depletion of the earth/wares/crops. It’s a very satisfying circle how the story is intertwined. A great new perspective on resources and standing up for yourself when you feel you have no choice. The truth is what’s important. 

Freestyle: A Graphic Novel by Gale Galligan

This book was a fun read. Not knowing anything about Celtic mythology, it’s a pretty cool introduction to it.

From the publisher, Scholastic: Graphix: available October 18, 2022

Cory's dance crew is getting ready for a major competition. It's the last one before they graduate eighth grade and go their separate ways to high schools all over New York City, so they have to make it count! The group starts to have problems as their crew captain gets increasingly intense about nailing the routine, and things go from bad to worse when Cory's parents ground him for not taking his grades seriously. He gets stuck with a new tutor, Sunna, who he dismisses as a boring nerd… until he catches her secretly practicing cool yo-yo tricks. Cory wants to learn the art of yo-yo, and as his friendship with Sunna grows, he ends up missing practice and bailing on his crew -- and they are not happy about it. With mounting pressure coming from all sides, how is Cory supposed to balance the expectations of his parents, school, dance, and his new friend?

This has a very diverse and complex cast of characters. They all have a lot going on: friendship, dance competition, family expectations, school, yo-yo competition, not judging a book by its cover, standing up for yourself and what you really want. That might sound overwhelming but it’s not. It all fits perfectly in this graphic novel. The relatability factor is high – I could relate to all of them even if I haven’t been in that situation. The feelings were exactly right.

The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat & Joanna Cacao

From the publisher Scholastic Graphix: available September 6, 2022:

Trying out for middle school cheerleader means: performing in the giant school gym, with the whole school watching, and risking total humiliation. If Christina can make it through this, she can make it through anything. ​​​​​​​ As one of the only Asian American kids in her small Texas town, Christina just wants to fit in. Luckily, her best friend, Megan, who is Iranian American, can totally relate. The two girls have always been inseparable and relish creating elaborate fantasy worlds together.

But middle school is a reality-check, and suddenly popularity is way more important than playing pretend. ​​​​​​​ When cheerleading tryouts are announced, Christina and Megan literally jump at the chance to join the squad. But does fitting in actually equal belonging? Will they survive the terrifying tryouts? And most importantly, will their friendship withstand the pressures of heated competition and rivalry? ​​​​​​​

Hilarious and heartfelt, The Tryout is Christina Soontornvat's personal story, sure to make you laugh, cry, and cheer!

This story is about friendship, racism, family generations, working hard and wanting something so badly, and what do you do if you don’t get it. How you deal with that – grieving it, figuring out what’s next. And just maybe, it turns out better than the original plan. It’s something we all go through, whether in a big or small way. That pain and hurt and coming to terms with what happens in life.

I finally read a book! Actually two!

I could have sworn I had posted in December, but alas, I did not. Nor February or March. I wanted to. Unfortunately, there was too much going on and some things end up taking a back seat. My mother-in-law passed away in January, and that's been a lot to deal with on many levels. Then my husband got laid off. So, I've taken the liberty of calling this year, the year of big life events. Lots of changes, processing and adjusting. But I'm so happy I'm back to reading. I couldn't read anything close to real life. Luckily, my very good friend, Lynn Becker (her book comes out soon!!!) sent me a fantasy middle grade to help me get back on track. And it worked! 

Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts by Erika Lewis

This book was a fun read. Not knowing anything about Celtic mythology, it’s a pretty cool introduction to it.

From the publisher, Starscape: available March 1, 2022

Brimming with Celtic mythology, action, and danger, Erika Lewis's Kelcie Murphy and The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts introduces readers to a new kind of magical school and a warrior who must choose with which side of an epic battle her destiny will lie.

The Otherworld is at war. The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts trains warriors. And Kelcie Murphy―a foster child raised in the human world―is dying to attend.

A place at AUA means meeting Scáthach, the legendary trainer of Celtic heroes. It means learning to fight with a sword. It means harnessing her hidden powers and―most importantly―finding out who her parents are, and why they abandoned her in Boston Harbor eight years ago.

When Kelcie tests into the school, she learns that she’s a Saiga, one of the most ancient beings in the Otherworld. Secretive, shunned, and possessed of imposing elemental powers, the Saiga are also kin to the Otherworld's most infamous traitor.

But Kelcie is a survivor, and she’ll do whatever it takes to find her parents and her place in their world. Even if that means making a few enemies.

All the characters are unique with different gifts/powers. They have their own fiannas, which is like being sorted into a house in school. All the regular high school drama is there along with Kelcie figuring out how to control her newfound powers. Themes of family, friends and belonging are strong throughout. There is a very nice full circle moment as well.

The definitions at the back of the book gives the definitions of all the terms and pronunciations for some, which is super helpful.

 

Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo

Graphic Novels are always a quick read, and I really enjoyed this one a lot.

From the publisher, Scholastic Graphix: available April 5, 2022

Rising star Kat Fajardo's debut middle-grade graphic novel about a girl who would rather do anything other than celebrate her quinceañera! A funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story about navigating the expectations of family and cultural tradition.

Sue just wants to spend the summer reading and making comics at sleepaway camp with her friends, but instead she gets stuck going to Honduras to visit relatives with her parents and two sisters. They live way out in the country, which means no texting, no cable, and no Internet! The trip takes a turn for the worse when Sue's mother announces that they'll be having a surprise quinceañera for Sue, which is the last thing she wants. She can't imagine wearing a big, floofy, colorful dress! What is Sue going to do? And how will she survive all this "quality" time with her rambunctious family?

Miss Quinces is the first graphic novel published by Scholastic/Graphix to be simultaneously released in English and Spanish editions.

I loved the characters and the settings. The cast is diverse and well developed. The story is a great twist on the quinceañera tradition. There are great family moments included and Kat Fajardo nailed the teen tug of war between spending time with family or friends. Fajardo show the compromise possible and the positive outcome that can be reached.

I also learned so much about quinces and the words and symbolism. Well done!

Book Review: Wilderlore – The Accidental Apprentice by Amanda Foody

Another fun MG Fantasy!

From the publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books / Simon & Schuster, releases March 30, 2021

A boy who accidentally bonds with a magical Beast must set off on an adventure in the mysterious Woods in this whimsical and cheeky middle grade fantasy debut—perfect for fans of Nevermoor and How to Train Your Dragon.

The last thing Barclay Thorne ever wanted was an adventure.

Thankfully, as an apprentice to the town’s mushroom farmer, Barclay need only work hard and follow the rules to one day become the head mushroom farmer himself. No danger required. But then Barclay accidentally breaks his town’s most sacred rule: never ever EVER stray into the Woods, for within the Woods lurk vicious magical Beasts.

To Barclay’s horror, he faces a fate far worse than being eaten: he unwittingly bonds with a Beast and is run out of town by an angry mob. Determined to break this bond and return home, Barclay journeys to find the mysterious town of Lore Keepers, people who have also bonded with Beasts and share their powers.

The build and climax in this story are well done. And what you think of the characters may not be true. That was a fun twist. I loved the beasts, and it was very clever how they bonded with their chosen humans. There are different levels of beasts, too, which give the Lore Keepers different levels of powers.

I did have a hard time thinking they were 11 years old. The characters sounded and felt older to me. It didn’t prevent me from reading or bother me, but it did pop into my head.

Barclay’s emotional journal is also well done with a very satisfying ending.

I enjoyed the book very much and will definitely read the series as it comes out.

Two Middle Grade Book Blurbs

As I navigate the new surreal abnormal normal, I’ve finally felt like reading and have gotten through two books recently. Both are easy reads and couldn’t be more opposite in subjects. And I just got a few more in the mail, so I’m ready to tackle them!

First up: Pippa Park Raises Her Game by Erin Yun

Fabled Films Press. Age range 8-12. Pub date: February 2, 2020.

From the website: A Contemporary Reimagining of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens for Middle Graders

Life is full of great expectations for Korean American Pippa Park. It seems like everyone, from her family to the other kids at school, has a plan for how her life should look. So when Pippa gets a surprising basketball scholarship to Lakeview Private, she jumps at the chance to reinvent herself.

Pippa struggles with popularity and the pressure to perform academically and athletically while keeping her past and family’s laundromat a secret from her elite new classmates. Juggling jealous Queen Bees, old and new friends, and an unrequited crush is hard enough. But when Pippa begins to receive a string of hateful, anonymous messages via social media things begin to spiral out of control.

If you like basketball, friendships, crushes, secrets, and Korean American culture, you’ll like Pippa Park. It has all things familiar: the popular clique, the cute, rich boy, the girl from the poorer side of town. Pretending to be something you’re not doesn’t usually work out, especially in middle school, but sometimes you just gotta try. And Pippa does. Eventually, she starts to figure out who she is and who she wants to be, and that’s when her true friends are found. There are a couple of twists that show Pippa’s heart. Her voice is also perfectly middle school.

Second Book: Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abe

Little, Brown Young Readers: August 2020

From the publisher (I’ve shortened this first paragraph from the original):

Eva Evergreen is determined to earn the rank of Novice Witch before she turns thirteen years old. If she doesn't, she'll lose her magic forever. The only problem? Eva only has a pinch of magic.

When she lands on the tranquil coastal town of Auteri, the residents expect a powerful witch, not a semi-magical girl. So Eva comes up with a plan: set up a magical repair shop to aid Auteri and prove she's worthy. She may have more blood than magic, but her "semi-magical fixes" repair the lives of the townspeople in ways they never could have imagined. Only, Eva's bit of magic may not be enough when the biggest magical storm in history threatens the town she's grown to love. Eva must conjure up all of the magic, bravery, and cleverness she can muster or Auteri and her dreams of becoming a witch will wash away with the storm.

I have a total soft spot for MG witch books. They are always fun, fantastical, magical and you know what? Witches go through the same things we all go through. Figuring out friendships, not disappointing anyone, learning about themselves and their strengths and weaknesses. Maybe this book isn’t so different from the other one – just fantasy vs contemporary.

I know many people have compared this story to Kiki's Delivery Service, but I found it reminded me of The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol.

There are lots of subplots, layers, and obstacles. This is a long book for MG and there is some repetition, but when you arrive at the end, you are rooting for Eva and her friends and family. And the setting of Auteri is a place you’d like to visit. Lots of wonderful characters make this story enjoyable.