Two more quick reviews - one MG, one PB

Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega

From the publisher, Scholastic Press: available April 2022

A magical adventure for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers and Nevermoor, about three witchlings who must work together to do the impossible if they have any hope of earning their full powers.

Every year, in the magical town of Ravenskill, Witchlings who participate in the Black Moon Ceremony are placed into covens and come into their powers as full-fledged witches.

And twelve-year-old Seven Salazar can't wait to be placed in the most powerful coven with her best friend! But on the night of the ceremony, in front of the entire town, Seven isn't placed in one of the five covens. She's a Spare!

Spare covens have fewer witches, are less powerful, and are looked down on by everyone. Even worse, when Seven and the other two Spares perform the magic circle to seal their coven and cement themselves as sisters, it doesn't work! They're stuck as Witchlings—and will never be able to perform powerful magic.

Seven invokes her only option: the impossible task. The three Spares will be assigned an impossible task: If they work together and succeed at it, their coven will be sealed and they'll gain their full powers. If they fail... Well, the last coven to make the attempt ended up being turned into toads. Forever.

But maybe friendship can be the most powerful magic of all….

I am always a sucker for witch stories, fantasy, something that takes me away to another place. This did exactly that. Along with the books listed above, I’d add The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol.

All the witches have the areas they excel in and get sorted into covens. Three do not and are called the Spares. I liked how the three very different girls are thrown together and have to sink or swim together to do the impossible task. It’s more than an adventure, it’s a mystery with good witches and bad warlocks, nice families and not so nice families, rich and not rich. There was a small part at the end that felt a little preachy, but that might be an adult perspective. There is a very nice full circle moment when the girls find out what their names mean and why they got those specific names. And the names are all very unique.

I Color Myself Different by Colin Kaepernick

From the publisher Scholastic Inc: available April 2022:

When Colin Kaepernick was five years old, he was given a simple school assignment: draw a picture of yourself and your family. What young Colin does next with his brown crayon changes his whole world and worldview, providing a valuable lesson on embracing and celebrating his Black identity through the power of radical self-love and knowing your inherent worth.

I Color Myself Different is a joyful ode to Black and Brown lives based on real events in young Colin's life that is perfect for every reader's bookshelf. It's a story of self-discovery, staying true to one's self, and advocating for change... even when you're very little!

First a funny story – I read this book – it is an advanced reading copy and it wasn’t making sense and I felt like it was backwards. When I got to the end, I discovered it WAS backwards. LOL Not sure how it got printed that way, but it was an adventure and then really made sense when I read it the correct way. Even though it was from the back of the book forwards. Someone else got this ARC and theirs started at the beginning, so mine was just a fluke. Anyway… onto the story.

This felt like a very special book from the start. It was inspiring to see a child embrace being different, being adopted, being special. He loved his brown skin and he loved his family. He was proud of it and that made all the difference. It’s a profound story.

There is a spread with other people who inspired him and changed the world and gave him confidence to be himself, like Toni Morrison and Muhammad Ali They are listed in the back and with their accomplishments.

Reading Kaepernick's bio in the back was eye opening. Seeing the different ways he has made an impact and difference, just like his heroes, was touching to read.

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!

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.