2026 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)
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Dragon Rambles' Law of Fives Bingo
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2017 Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge (retired challenge - doing old boards for fun)
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Showing posts with label Whitney Awards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Whitney Awards. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 03, 2026
Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2025
So, you know how Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means six more weeks of winter? Well, someone forgot to inform Arizona. We've barely had any cold weather at all. Instead, we're breaking winter heat records. It was 83 degrees today and it's supposed to be 86 on Wednesday! That's just insane. Ick. Why do I live here?
In other news, today is Tuesday, meaning we have a new TTT topic du jour: Top Ten Book Covers Featuring Cool/Pretty/Unique/etc. Typography. I enjoy a fun font as much as anyone, but since I didn't get a chance to do last week's prompt—Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2025—I'm going to do that one today instead. As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2025
1. Bluebird by Sharon Cameron—Okay, this one is a cheat. Not only is it a re-discovery, but I also experienced it last month. Ahem. ANYway, I first read (and loved) Bluebird when it was published in 2016. The story captivated me because it was such a gripping and moving read. Even though I have read tons of World War II fiction, it's one that has really stayed with me. I recommended it to my book club, which prompted a reread. Guess what? Although I remembered some of the twists, Bluebird still kept me riveted. My husband just finished it for the first time and loved it as well. My book club is meeting in a few hours to discuss the novel. I can't wait!
Here's the publisher's blurb: A historical novel, set in postwar New York City.
In 1946, Eva leaves behind the rubble of Berlin for the streets of New York City, stepping from the fiery aftermath of one war into another, far colder one, where power is more important than principles, and lies are more plentiful than the truth. Eva holds the key to a deadly secret: Project Bluebird -- a horrific experiment of the concentration camps, capable of tipping the balance of world power. Both the Americans and the Soviets want Bluebird, and it is something that neither should ever be allowed to possess.
But Eva hasn't come to America for secrets or power. She hasn't even come for a new life. She has come to America for one thing: justice. And the Nazi that has escaped its net.
Incidentally, you can't go wrong with Sharon Cameron. I've read all of her books but one and they're all excellent. I'm planning to read Rook this year as well as Up From the Ashes, which comes out on October 6.
3. Connie Berry—My favorite author discovery of 2025 is mystery writer Connie Berry. Last year, I enjoyed the first four books in her Kate Hamilton series, which stars an American antiquities dealer who solves mysteries in her adopted U.K. home. There are two more full-length novels and a novella in the series so far, and I'm planning to read all of them in 2026.
4. Audiobooks + cross-stitching = a winning combination—I've enjoyed cross-stitching since I was in my 20s, but I haven't always done it consistently. I rediscovered the hobby during the Covid lockdown when I got bored with just reading all the time (Right? I didn't know that could happen!). I would stitch for hours while watching t.v. with the kids. A few years later, I stopped stitching when I started having trouble with severe tendonitis in my hands. After having surgery in mid-2025, I am able to enjoy cross-stitching without pain again. Huzzah! However, I'm no longer much of a t.v. watcher. Enter audiobooks. Now, I can enjoy my two favorite hobbies at one time. With that discovery, I hope 2026 will be the year I finally finish the birth announcement I've been working on for my granddaughter, who turns three this year!
5. Celebrity memoirs on audio—Maybe it's because I'm not big on t.v. or maybe it's because I'm really old, but I don't care much about celebrities. Their dramatic, glamorous, disastrous lives are just not of much interest to me. Shockingly, I've actually listened to two celebrity memoirs over the last few months: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey and Not Dead Yet by Phil Collins. Both are narrated by the authors. Both are funny, poignant, interesting, and entertaining. The former is weirdly reverent and irreverent at the same time; for a book about spirituality, it's actually quite crude. The latter is better written and more engaging than I thought it would be. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed either book as much had I read them. Listening to the authors' own words in their own voices seems to be the key for me. I'm not saying I'll be listening to a lot of celebrity memoirs in the future (although I admit to being on the waitlist for Dick Van Dyke's 100 Rules for Living to 100 on Libby), but I did discover that I don't hate them. Who knew? P.S. My husband and I also enjoyed listening to Surrender by Bono a couple years ago.
6. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins—I read the original Hunger Games trilogy as the books came out, and I have never reread them, although I've definitely thought about doing so. Finally reading this much-anticipated prequel reintroduced me to the HG world, reminding me how engrossed I was by the books, and rekindling my desire for a reread of the original trilogy. Will it happen this year? May the odds be ever in my favor...
7. Barbara Ross—This cozy mystery author is another writer I discovered last year. I enjoyed the first book in her Maine Clambake Mystery series in 2025 and am currently reading the second installment. The story revolves around a New Yorker who returns to her Maine hometown to help save her family's long-running clambake business. Along with that, she gets to tangle with family drama, troubles with townspeople, a new boyfriend no one approves of, and, oh yeah, murder.
8. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt—When books are really hyped up, I tend to avoid them rather than snatch them up. And, you have to admit, the plot of this novel sounds a bit strange. An octopus narrator? Count me out. Then, it came up as an "Available Now" audiobook on Libby and I remembered how much Athena had been raving about the greatness of the audio version, so I caved. Spoiler alert: I loved Remarkably Bright Creatures. Spoiler alert #2: Athena was right—the book is excellent on audio.
9. The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman—As a member of the Whitney Academy, I'm invited every year to help judge the Whitney Awards, which is a program that celebrates fiction written by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This year, one of the finalists in the Middle Grade category is The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman. I enjoyed Hartman's first book, but I was still a little skeptical of her sophomore effort becuase its plot sounds a little...odd. Plus, animal narrators and I don't always get along. I read it anyway, and loved it for its uniqueness and heartwarming vibe. Guess who agrees with me about its awesomeness? The American Library Association. The book just received a well-deserved Newbery Honor Award. Congratulations!
10. Books read counter—Another bookish gift my husband got me for my birthday/Christmas was this cute counter for my desk. I enjoy tracking what I read on Goodreads, but it's also fun to count my books this way. My husband purchased this particular one on Amazon (he's addicted), but there are all kinds of cute ones on Etsy as well.
There you go, ten bookish discoveries I made in 2025 (and one re-discovery from this year). What did you discover last year? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. If you posted for last week's TTT, leave me a link so I can check out your 2025 discoveries.
Happy TTT!
Friday, March 19, 2021
Middle-Grade Dystopian/Survival Story Riveting and Thought-Provoking
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As the sons of an avid survivalist, 13-year-old John Lockwood and his younger brother, Stewart, know how to cope with any doomsday scenario. Not that they'll really need their father's advice about boiling toilet water and using yucca leaves to wash their clothes. After all, Dad has stocked their home with enough supplies to last for two apocalypses. The three of them can ride out any disaster in their isolated desert house, no problem.
Growing up with a Secret Service agent who was obsessed with emergency preparedness, J.L. Esplin was born to write this kind of debut novel. 96 Miles is infused with real survival strategies that will fascinate anyone who's ever wondered what to do in a disaster scenario. These tips add an intriguing element to the story, which is already taut, tense, and compelling. John is a sympathetic character who's brave and resolute, even while he struggles under the pressure of making decisions in a brutal situation where the consequences of every choice can be dire. He's determined to save his brother no matter what the cost, which makes him an appealing, root-worthy hero. Although 96 Miles is a pretty straightforward dystopian/survival novel, there is a story swerve toward the end that caught me by surprise (although it really shouldn't have, considering...) and upped the ante for the boys considerably. With an engrossing plot, likable characters, and skilled storytelling, 96 Miles is a riveting, immersive read. Not only is it entertaining, but it's also thought-provoking, asking intriguing questions like: How would I handle a crisis situation? How would I act as things became increasingly desperate? Would I keep my carefully-stocked supplies to myself or share them with others? What decisions would I be forced to make and would I be able to live with myself afterward? These discussion-worthy themes are just one more element that makes 96 Miles an excellent read.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, Alone by Megan E. Freeman, Dry by Neal Shusterman, and other middle-grade/YA dystopian/survival novels)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence, scary situations, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, March 12, 2021
Middle Grade #OwnVoices Novel Eye-Opening and Empowering
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Despite the endless hours she works, Mamá always comes home in the evenings to say goodnight to her girls. When she fails to appear one night, Minnie hopes Mamá has just been unable to get away. With no word from her, however, Minnie begins to fear the worst: she's been detained by ICE. Knowing she can't confide in anyone—not even a surprising new school friend—she carries on as best she knows how, trying to keep her sisters calm, fed, and entertained. Nothing seems to go her away, although somehow, the girls seem to be getting a bit of help from the Peques, the Argentine fairies Minnie's younger sisters still believe in.
Even the Peques can't help with Minnie's upcoming audition for Peter Pan. Minnie knows a penniless Latinx girl has no real hope of playing Wendy, but she's desperate to try for the part. Mamá knows how important the audition is to Minnie and promised to be there. Is she really going to miss it? If she could be there, Minnie knows she would be. What has happened to Mamá? She can't conceal her family's situation for much longer, but her mother has always insisted strangers can't be trusted. What is Minnie to do?
Let's be honest here, the cover of On These Magic Shores by Argentine-American Yamile Saied Méndez is...not great. Thank goodness it came to my attention because of The Whitney Awards. Had I seen the book in a library or bookstore, I never would have picked it up. And that would have been a shame because there's a lot to like about this #OwnVoices middle grade novel. It touches on a lot of tough issues—racism, poverty, fear of deportation, children with too much responsibility, etc.—in a way that is eye-opening but also approachable. As Minnie struggles, she learns the value of friendship, forgiveness, asking for help when you need it, and being grateful for what you have even if it's not a lot. Some of the lessons are more subtle than others, but they're all there. Although the plot of On These Magic Shores isn't always logical, the transitions between scenes not always smooth, and the prose a little rough in places, overall the story is engaging and compelling with enough going on to keep me turning pages. The magical realism isn't my favorite element of this novel, but it worked well enough. Character-wise, Minnie and her sisters are sympathetic heroines. Minnie's prickly personality makes her difficult to like, especially when she acts like a victim-y brat. She does grow and change because of her struggles, but she's still a bit hard to take. Others act inconsistently (Maverick, for instance), but they're still a likable lot overall. There are enough issues with On These Magic Shores that I didn't end up loving it. However, it is an eye-opening, empowering, empathy-inducing story. I liked it overall.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Land of the Cranes by Aida Salazar and Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for scary situations (absent parent, racism, fear of deportation/police, etc.)
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of On These Magic Shores from the generous folks at Lee & Low Books as part of an awards competition I am helping to judge. Thank you!
Monday, March 08, 2021
Middle Grade Grief Novel Sad, But Hopeful
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Everything has changed since Annie Lee Fitzgerald's father died two months ago. Not only did the 11-year-old and her mom have to move to a tiny apartment in a rundown neighborhood, but now that her mom is working full-time as a housekeeper, Annie Lee is on her own a lot more. Despite cutting costs in every possible way, they are still barely making ends meet. The constant struggle just adds to the overwhelming grief that already looms between them.
Despite her father's absence, there are things that haven't changed. The bathroom still smells like his aftershave, the radio plays his favorite music, there's stubble in the sink every morning, and the coffeemaker sometimes brews his preferred brand of coffee—even though no one buys it anymore. Annie Lee's getting used to these strange things, so she's not all that surprised when she notices more magic while she's listening to an old man playing the piano at the mall. It seems like a sign, maybe even from her dead father, that Annie Lee needs to go back to the lessons she abandoned long ago. When she learns about a piano competition that pays out a significant prize, she persuades the elderly pianist to teach her.
As Annie Lee attends her clandestine piano lessons, loses herself in books, and gets to know a new friend, she starts to process her grief and even feel a little bit of hope. When an emergency threatens to blow everything apart, however, she has to make a choice that could ruin everything.
Beginners Welcome, a new middle grade novel by Cindy Baldwin, covers a lot of territory, so it's tough to describe its plot. In fact, the story's more episodic than tightly told, which makes it seem unfocused at time. Nevertheless, it features warm, likable characters; an engaging storyline; and solid prose. While magical realism, even lightly sprinkled, isn't always my favorite, it worked for me in this case, giving the story an extra punch to make it more memorable. I also appreciate that although this novel deals with some tough subjects, it remains upbeat and hopeful throughout. While I didn't end up absolutely loving this heartfelt novel, I did enjoy it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Where the Watermelons Grow by Cindy Baldwin as well as other middle grade grief novels, although no specific titles are coming to mind.)
Grade:
for difficult subject matter and brief, mild language (no F-bombs)
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Beginners Welcome from the generous folks at HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Friday, April 13, 2018
Despite Appealing Vibe, LDS Rom-Com Fizzles
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Svetlana "Lana" Huish can't wait to spend the summer on Nantucket Island painting under the indulgent eyes of two of the most influential art patrons in the world. Being selected to participate in their exclusive mentoring program is a great honor and an unparalleled opportunity to make a name for herself as an artist. More than one successful career has been launched because of the program—the 22-year-old Yale grad wants hers to be one of them.
Upon arrival in Nantucket, Lana's shocked to discover she won't be studying on the East Coast at all. Instead, she finds herself in the tiny backwoods town of Bluegill, Idaho, where she'll spend six weeks being tutored by an elderly cowboy who specializes in Western art. Although Lana is immediately attracted to Walt, LeVan Hitchpost's handsome grandson, she's a little worried about the artist himself. It's clear LeVan is in the early stages of Alzheimer's. If her mentor can barely remember his own name, how is he supposed to teach her all he knows about art?
Despite her initial misgivings, Lana soon becomes charmed by LeVan, a mischievous old man whose mind is a lot sharper than he lets on. She's also completely smitten with Walt. Although the two appear to have little in common, Lana's drawn to the compassionate, hard-working farmer. He might not return her feelings, but she can't seem to control hers. As Lana tries to attract Walt's attention and works feverishly to help an ailing LeVan finish the masterpiece he's frantically trying to complete before Alzheimer's steals the rest of his mind, tension boils over in out-of-the-way Bluegill, Idaho. The tranquil summer Lana had envisioned has suddenly become anything but ...
Even though its premise is more than a little far-fetched, Brush With Love by Lisa McKendrick is a fun, captivating New Adult romance. Not only did I enjoy its rustic setting, but I liked the novel's upbeat voice and style. Yes, the story feels more YA than NA, but its bubbly, buoyant rom-com vibe definitely appeals. The characters are similarly likable, although LeVan's duplicitous actions seem cruel and inconsistent with his general nature. Plot is not this novel's strength as the story line meanders here, there, and everywhere, trying to cover too much territory, and getting more improbable as it chugs along. Chapter 23, in particular, threw me completely. It's so abrupt and unemotional and cheesy that I read it over a few times thinking it had to be a dream sequence! It isn't. Honestly, I couldn't feel any chemistry between Lana and Walt, so their romance seems insta-lovey and melodramatic. To top it all off, my copy of Brush With Love (which might possibly be an advanced reader version?) is chock-full of typos and other copy editing errors. In the end, then, I came away from this novel disappointed. The book has tons of potential; it just feels to me like this a draft of a novel, not the polished, complete story it should be.
(Readalikes: The style reminds me of LDS rom-com novels by Melanie Jacobson, Jenny Proctor, and Julie Wright)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for (non-graphic) references to sex and mild innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-copy of Brush With Love from the generous folks at Bonneville Books via those on The Whitney Awards Committee. Thank you!
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Cute Contemporary Romance Too Meh For Me
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As a raving Jane Austen fan with a major crush on Mr. Darcy, 26-year-old Emma Pierce can't wait to fall into the kind of swoony romance she finds between the covers of her favorite novels. Handsome and wealthy, her current beau certainly seems like a straight-out-of Austen hero—until he betrays her with a pretty co-worker. Realizing that real-life love simply can't compare to the fictional kind, Emma swears off romance altogether. Clearly, Jane Austen (who never married, by the by) hasn't the faintest idea what she's talking about.
Already a workaholic, Emma throws herself even more passionately into her job as the CMO of an up-and-coming gym company. When a consultant is brought on to help with scouting new locations, Emma's shocked to find herself partnered with Lucas Hampton, her ex-boyfriend's younger brother. Assuming Lucas to be as slimy as his sibling, she vows to keep her distance. It's not long, however, before she realizes one brother is not like the other—in fact, Lucas just happens to possess every fine quality a leading Austen man should. Hints of a troubled past aside, he might be the key to the Happily Ever After for which Emma's been searching. But if he's the man of her dreams, why is he trying so hard to help Emma and his brother get back together? As any Jane Austen groupie knows, love is never straightforward ...
As you can tell from its adorable cover and bubbly premise, Lies Jane Austen Told Me by Julie Wright is a cute contemporary romance. Not only is the novel clean, but it's also upbeat and lighthearted (although it does touch on some heavy topics). With its predictably happy ending, it's the kind of diversionary love story romance readers will probably dig. So, why didn't it work all that well for me? The characters aren't my favorite. Both brothers seem cliché and personality-less, while Emma's just victim-y and annoying. Although she has admirable qualities, they seem tacked-on, like the author is trying too hard to make her seem likable. The story also gets tedious and saggy in the middle, with tell-y prose and contrived plot devices. Overall, then, I didn't love Lies Jane Austen Told Me. I really wanted to, but for the most part I'm pretty meh about this one.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of My Ridiculous, Romantic Obsessions by Becca Wilhite)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for disturbing subject matter and mild innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-copy of Lies Jane Austen Told Me for judging purposes from the generous folks at Shadow Mountain Publishing via those at The Whitney Awards. Thank you!
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Series Review: Mark of the Thief Trilogy by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Do you have certain time periods or places that you avoid in your reading? Settings that, for whatever reason, just don't really appeal to you? I for sure do. Ancient Rome being one of them, I was naturally reluctant to give Jennifer A. Nielsen's middle grade Mark of the Thief series a go. If it hadn't been for a book award gig I'm involved in, I probably would not have bothered. In an effort to do a thorough judging job, however, I read not just the latest and greatest book in the trilogy, but also the first two. And you know what? Overall, I enjoyed them.
The first installment, Mark of the Thief, introduces Nicolas "Nic" Cava, a slave who works in the mines south of Rome. With his fevered desire for freedom, he's never been a favorite of the cruel overseer. Thus, Nic is chosen to risk his life by entering a cursed cavern in search of a vast treasure rumored to belong to Julius Caesar. What he discovers is wealth beyond his wildest imagination. Despite a warning not to remove anything, Nic takes a bulla—an amulet that's been infused with the power of the gods. With its magic thrumming through his veins, Nic finally has the power to free himself as well as his mother and sister.
Escape won't be that easy, however. The bulla's powers are so unimaginably strong that every Roman wants them for himself. With a rebellion brewing in the city, the amulet could be used to save Rome—or destroy it. With traitors and villains on both sides, Nic doesn't know who to trust. He only knows he must keep the bulla out of the wrong hands. The more destruction he causes while trying to harness the object's power, however, the more Nic wonders if his hands are the most wrong of all ...
With lots of action to keep readers immersed, Mark of the Thief offers an exciting story that moves along at a fast clip. Plot twists are fairly predictable as are the characters, who definitely need more development. Still, Nic is an admirable hero whose loyalty, honor, and compassion keep him root-worthy. While I didn't love the novel, I liked it enough to want to know what would happen in the next book.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
As in its predecessor, Rise of the Wolf races along with plenty of life-or-death action and adventure to keep readers turning pages. With non-stop derring-do, this installment is by far my favorite of the three. It still lacks in character development, but the story kept me enraptured. I cared about the race's outcome, even though I knew how it would end. By the end of the book, I wanted more and was more than ready to see what would happen in the series finale.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Rome's major players are salivating over three mystical objects—Julius Caesar's bulla, the Malice of Mars, and the Jupiter Stone. With only certain people able to harness the items' power, Nic continues to be a pawn, pulled this way and that by a host of dangerous enemies. Not all of which are human. Exhausted by the constant battle that has become his life, Nic wants only to end it. He'll do what he must to save the Empire, keep those he loves safe, and secure his own freedom. Even if it means sacrificing his own life.
After binge-reading the first two books in the series, I wanted to know what would happen in Wrath of the Storm, the final installment. Despite the story having lots of action, though, I found myself growing bored as the tale just seemed redundant with the same ole capture, escape, threats to loved ones, surrender patterns. With nothing really original happening, I just wanted to get to the end. Would I have felt this way if I hadn't read the series so fast? Maybe not. Still. 
Overall, I liked this trilogy more than I thought I would, but I didn't love it. It boasts lots of action, which will keep readers engrossed. While the characters are engaging enough, they definitely need more development as, in the end, they remain pretty cliché and personality-less. None of them experiences much growth. The story also felt repetitious toward the end, which made it seem dull when it should have been most exciting. In the end, I enjoyed the trilogy, but didn't find it overly rave-worthy.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Wrath of the Storm from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!
Thursday, March 08, 2018
Warm, Funny Mustaches An Uplifting Novel About Kindness, Compassion, and Comedy
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Sixth grade can be super awkward. Between trying to catch the cute boy's eye, attempting to convince the queen bee you're cool enough to hang out with her, and struggling to be yourself but not standing out too much, well, it's tough. Thank goodness for Maddie Bridger's stick-on mustaches. Pop one of those babies on and the discomfort melts away, replaced by hysterical fits of laughter. There's nothing the 12-year-old likes more than making someone giggle—and it's a well-known fact that everything is funnier with a mustache.
Everything except cancer. There's nothing humorous about the tumor lodged in Maddie's brain. The mass is causing her body to contort in weird ways. It's making her parents sad. And it's getting in the way of all the things Maddie wants to do—perform as Juliet in the upcoming class play, invent fun games with her friends, and make it out of junior high alive. Terrified of the silent monster growing inside her, Maddie uses her vivid imagination as a refuge. When reality intrudes, however, she'll have to rely on courage, compassion, and, yes, comedy to make it through. Is it possible that a mustache can make even cancer a little bit funnier?
Mustaches for Maddie, the newest offering from Chad Morris and Shelly Brown, is a middle grade novel based on the authors' daughter's experience battling a brain tumor. Despite its heavy subject matter, the book tells a sweet, uplifting story that's more stirring than scary. While Maddie seems a little immature for a 12-year-old girl, she's a likable heroine who's quirky, brave, and caring. Disease novels often get cheesy or saccharine; this one is touching without being at all syrupy. I've met Morris and Brown, even been in their home, and what strikes me about Mustaches for Maddie is that it exudes the genuine warmth that radiates from these kind, down-to-earth authors. I thoroughly enjoyed their book about kindness, compassion, and community and hope that everyone who reads it will wholeheartedly embrace its important message.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
although the cancer theme might be scary to younger children
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Mustaches for Maddie from the generous folks at Shadow Mountain. Thank you!
Thursday, March 01, 2018
MG Squirrel Girl Novel A Fun, Empowering Read for Kids
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Starting at a new school is always tough. Especially when you've got something to hide. Although 14-year-old Doreen Green prides herself on being friendly and upfront, she also knows she must keep a big part of her identity a secret. No one can know about the squirrel tail tucked inside her pants or the fact that she's endowed with special, squirrel-like abilities. She may look like a normal teen (minus the tail, of course), but her extra-sharp hearing, climbing prowess, ability to talk to woodland creatures, and quick reflexes are not generally found in your average adolescent.
Still, the thing Doreen most wants is a friend. A human one. Her quest, unfortunately, is not going well. No one wants to be her pal, but after Doreen-in-disguise fights off some troublemakers in her neighborhood, everyone longs to get close to Squirrel Girl. Doreen has never thought of herself as a superhero, but maybe she can be like her idols who fight bad guys and bask in the adoration of their fans. When a nefarious villain starts coming after her, though, the risk suddenly seems too great. Can she keep up the superhero gig? Or should she give up and go back to being just a regular (ish) kid?
I've never been into comics/superheroes, so when I heard about Shannon and Dean Hale's new book starring Squirrel Girl, I thought the character was their invention. Not so. Apparently, she's been around since the early 90s. Who knew? In the Hales' version, Squirrel Meets World, the heroine is a teenage girl trying to navigate life in a new town. Although she acts more 12 than 14, her enthusiasm for life and longing for friendship make her a sympathetic and endearing narrator. I found her annoying at times, true, but I think young readers will appreciate her more. And it is a good book to hand to middle graders—it's clean, upbeat, and bursting with girl power. Adults may find it too silly (I did), but for its target audience, Squirrel Meets World should make for a fun, empowering read.
(Readalikes: It actually reminds me a lot of the Hales' Princess in Black series)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
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