Middle Grade Graphic Novel

Apologies for missing a couple of months! You know when life takes over? And then nothing else gets done? That's been my life. I think that's been many people's lives. My mother-in-law fell, was in the hospital, had surgery, is in rehab now and we're waiting to transfer her to a care home. Then throw on the pandemic, stress, depression - keeps motivation at a very low level. Plus, I've been reading so slowly! Yikes. But I'm here now. She's up, she's waving, she's okay. (It's a racing term, I think, I got it from my husband.)

Now onto more exciting things: the book! MONDAY INTO THE CAVE OF THIEVES (TOTAL MAYHEM #1) "created by Ralph Lazar & lovingly pummeled into shape by Lisa Swerling" - I swear that's what it says. 😃 

From the Publisher: Scholastic

For Dash Candoo, every day is... DANGEROUS!

There is no such thing as a boring day for Dash Candoo.

On Monday, before he can even enjoy his cereal and wombat juice, he is attacked by a squad of combat-ready scallywags and the two-tailed Devil Cat.

And that is just before breakfast. The adventure explodes when Dash gets to school and must deal with a number of Total Mayhem Situations, including a missing Wobble-Ball trophy and the disappearance of one of the most expensive bottles of perfume in the world.

This is a lower middle grade book. Very imaginative, lots of fun made up words and characters. The beginning has, things you need to know before you read this book, and the ending has, everything you need to know, in a glossary. In between these two things is a jam-packed action story with a secret tunnel, Drones, Grobsnots, Wrestle-Scallywags, and a Devil-Cat. Do I even need to say anymore?! 😊

TWO PICTURE BOOK BLURBS!

I feel so fortunate to have received some incredible Scholastic books to read and review. Most are coming out this fall, but I need to get a jump on reviewing and posting to make sure I get to them all. 

Up first are two AMAZEBALLS picture books. I love how they may seem simple but are complex and layered and, well, amazeballs. 😊

WE SHALL OVERCOME by Bryan Collier

From the publisher:

A celebration of the gospel anthem and Civil Rights protest song "We Shall Overcome," masterfully brought to life by Caldecott Honor recipient and a nine-time Coretta Scott King Award winner Bryan Collier.

"We Shall Overcome" is one of the most recognizable anthems of the Civil Rights movement, widely performed at protests and rallies to promote nonviolent civil rights activism. Now, these inspirational, empowering, legendary lyrics are brought to life with the stirring, evocative, and breathtaking illustrations from multi-award-winning talent Bryan Collier. Powerfully imagined for the present moment, Collier's illustrations meld the most emblematic moments of the twentieth-century Civil Rights movement with the present day, depicting the movements, protests, and demonstrations -- big and small -- as the fight for justice continues. With illustrations full of depth, tenderness, and expression, and offering historical context while remaining powerfully relevant to the present-day, this impactful picture book is a must-have for every home, classroom, and bookshelf.

Absolutely stunning. So much history weaved throughout the book as it follows the main character and her friends walking to school. The back-matter illuminates everything you might have missed while enthralled with the illustrations. I love books like this where there’s meaning and depth everywhere. I truly want to go over every page right here! You’ll definitely want this in your collection.

OUR TABLE by Peter H. Reynolds

From the publisher:

Celebrated, bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds brings his signature touch of love and kindness to this special, timely picture book, as families now, more than ever, are rediscovering and reevaluating what means the most: time together with one another.

Violet longs for the time when her family was connected: before life, distractions, and technology pulled them all away from each other. They used to gather at the table, with food and love, to make memories, share their lives, and revel in time spent together. But now her family has been drifting apart, and with nobody to gather around it, the table grows smaller and smaller.

Can Violet remind her family of the warmth of time spent together, and gather around the table once more?

A mystical fable that feels at once timeless and utterly of the present moment, Our Table is renowned, bestselling creator Peter H. Reynolds at his best. Exquisite, expressive watercolor tells a tender story, growing from monochrome into luscious, joyful color as Violet's family is reunited around the beloved table. An ode to traditions that unite families, Our Table brings readers together with a universal message of gratitude.

This sweet story shows the determination and imagination of one girl to bring her family together again. Color and lack thereof, play a large part on the pages. The end papers are purple at the beginning and end with lots of color. The story shows you how Violet’s life used to be and it’s full color and how it changes to being only one color, which is the purple (Violet), and how alone she feels, and then how she creatively gets her family back together, with a new, stronger table. Metaphor. Lovely. Another one you’ll want to collect.

 

Book Review - A VOW SO BOLD AND DEADLY

I have just finished A VOW SO BOLD AND DEADLY and it was SOOOOO good. This is the third book in the Cursebreakers series: A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY (Book 1); A HEART SO FIERCE AND BROKEN (Book 2). And I’m hoping there will be more in this series. It sounds like it from the ending, but you never know. Her latest series may take priority. I can still hope! You can see my previous fan girl gush here for the first book, as well as more gushing on her other books.

From the publisher: Bloomsbury YA

Face your fears, fight the battle.

Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone—even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace. 

Fight the battle, save the kingdom.

Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and a magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.

As the two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and a dangerous enemy returns, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker series.

There aren’t a lot of books I reread, but this series I blew through a second time in preparation for the third book! Brigid Kemmerer’s writing draws you in and never lets you go. Which is exactly how I like to read. I really want to put exclamation marks after everything, but I will refrain.

I love these characters and the story and the writing. The first book was perfect. The second one was good, too. There were only a couple of things that took me out of this one, but otherwise, I got swept up. It’s hard for me to read critically with writing like this. Just love it. And then I bought my niece the series for her birthday. I love to share good books! 😊 

Tiny tiny writing exercise

I'm not sure where the time goes but it has gone two months now. Sheesh. And this may be the shortest blog/exercise ever. I didn't even intend it to happen this way. When I got the random word finder to pick four words and then ended up writing one sentence, well, that was it. Guess I should probably do two next time! 😀

Anyway - here are the words and the tiny tiny writing exercise. What did you come up with?

Bold, ceiling, bell, brain

Could you be so bold as to break the glass ceiling so hard that bells will ring and our brains will burst with inspiration, raising us all.

I think it could also be written this way:

Could we be so bold as to break the glass ceiling so hard that bells will ring and our brains will burst with inspiration, raising us all.

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.

Fun, new middle grade!

The Beast and the Bethany by Jack Meggitt-Phillips, Illustrated by Isabelle Follath

The book this month was a lot of fun to read. Reminiscent of Lemony Snicket, this story takes us on a journey with selfish, awful people who do rotten things. How is that fun, you ask? We all reveled in A Series of Unfortunate Events – that’s how. It feels fresh and original and that’s something to celebrate and read!

From the publisher:

The debut middle grade novel, which has been described as “Lemony Snicket meets Dorian Gray,” is slated for spring 2021. The publisher said the book is about a shallow man named Ebenezer Tweezer “and his friendship with an incredibly naughty girl named Bethany, and the prospect of at least one of them getting eaten by the beast in the attic.”

Beauty comes at a price. And no one knows that better than Ebenezer Tweezer, who has stayed beautiful for 511 years. How, you may wonder? Ebenezer simply has to feed the beast in the attic of his mansion. In return for meals of performing monkeys, statues of Winston Churchill, and the occasional cactus, Ebenezer gets potions that keep him young and beautiful, as well as other presents.

But the beast grows ever greedier with each meal, and one day he announces that he’d like to eat a nice, juicy child next. Ebenezer has never done anything quite this terrible to hold onto his wonderful life. Still, he finds the absolutely snottiest, naughtiest, and most frankly unpleasant child he can and prepares to feed her to the beast.

The child, Bethany, may just be more than Ebenezer bargained for. She’s certainly a really rather rude houseguest, but Ebenezer still finds himself wishing she didn’t have to be gobbled up after all. Could it be Bethany is less meal-worthy and more…friend-worthy?

All of the above description is true: the beast gets fed unique and rare things as Ebenezer stays young, beautiful and rich.

Bethany is entirely unpleasant and absolutely fits in with the appalling pair.

As Ebenezer fattens up Bethany, he grows older and weaker. The two spend more time together and a friendship develops that changes them in ways they never thought possible. Could these two awful people actually not be so awful? Is there a way to destroy the beast and save Bethany?

Definitely worth a read. You’re welcome. LOL

PB + MG Book Blurbs!

We're finally close to 2021. 2020 has been quite a year and it'll be good to start a new one. Sometimes it's hard to get into the new year, but I don't think I'll have that issue this time. It's been hard to be creative sometimes, whether writing or reading. I definitely want to do more reading, but the motivation is often missing. With books like these two below though, they definitely motivate me to read more. I hope they will for you as well. Happy Everything and see you in the New Year!

Woodland Dreams by Karen Jameson & Marc Boutavant

From the publisher: Chronicle Books

Wander into the woods for a lyrical celebration of forest animals settling in for the night.  As nature walk turns to moonlight stroll, each and every creature finds its own way home. Pairing poetic verse and a gorgeous, painterly art style, WOODLAND DREAMS promises a sweet and cozy goodnight.

You will fall in love with this book. The words are magic in your mouth; delicious to speak and a treat to hear. The illustrations are gorgeous; warm and inviting, comforting and familiar. I look at this book and just smile. I guess I’m describing more of how it makes me feel. It’s a joy to read and gaze at all the details. A perfect gift for anyone. Beautifully produced.

Saucy by Cynthia Kadohata, Marianna Raskin (Illustrations)

From the publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Being a quadruplet can make it hard to stand out from the crowd. Becca’s three brothers all have something that makes them...them. Jake has his music and dancing, Jammer plays hockey, and K.C. thinks they’re all living in a simulation and doesn’t see the point of doing much of anything. Becca is the only one with nothing to make her special.

But when she finds a tiny, sick piglet on the side of the road, Becca knows this is it. This is her thing. She names the piglet Saucy and between her own pleading and Saucy’s sweet, pink face, Becca convinces her family to take her in. Soon, Saucy is as big a part of the family as anyone else—and getting bigger. With each pound Saucy gains, the more capable she becomes of destroying the house and landing Becca in trouble.

Some tough decisions need to be made about Becca’s pet, and her search for solutions brings to light exactly where Saucy came from. Turns out, there are a lot more scared piglets out there, and saving them may take Becca and her brothers finally doing something together.

This is quite a story. Unique with quadruplets and each one is fascinating with their own interests and quirks. They are separate but come together to help each other out. It’s touching when they sleep on the kitchen floor with Saucy. The whole family is realistic, including Grandma.

There was a part where I stopped reading because I knew what they had to do. And I didn’t want them to because I didn’t want to see it. I’m trying not to give anything away, so this is cryptic, I know. And I grew up on the prairies, I’ve seen pigs and cows and horses. But I never had one or raised one. And never had to see what these kids in the story saw. All the pigs I knew belonged to one family and lived in a nice barn.

I enjoy reading Cynthia Kadohata’s books, the writing is always wonderful.