Monday, April 8, 2019

Review: Other Words for Home

Other Words for Home Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read several wonderful books over the past two years featuring Syrian refugees: Refugee, Nowhere Boy, and Illegal come to mind, but all of those books have focused on Syrians who are immigrating to countries in Europe. Those books all made me question why I had not paid more attention to the Syrians' plight, but Other Words for Home is the first book that gave me a deeper look into what being an Arab immigrant in America is like.

Many of Jude's thoughts about Americans made me feel self-conscious like someone was looking deep into my soul. I felt extremely convicted when Jude says "Americans love labels, they help them know what to expect. Sometimes though, I think labels stop them from thinking." How many times have I caught myself labeling someone based on their appearance, education, or dress. I even label my children: the smart one, the athletic one; the easy one, the difficult one. What am I missing about people when all I see is the label I gave them? I recently purchased a shirt in honor of Autism Awareness month that says "See the Able, not the label." What a great thing for me to remember whenever I meet someone new. Thank you, Jasmine Warga, for this beautiful book.



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Sunday, April 7, 2019

Review: Midsummer's Mayhem

Midsummer's Mayhem Midsummer's Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The back of this book describes it as "a contemporary fantasy retelling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream, and that scared me a little bit. I've never read that play, so I have minimal background knowledge of the story. As I began reading, I felt like my lack of experience with the play was impeding my ability to appreciate this retelling; however, the farther I got into the story, the more I was able to appreciate this MG novel all on its own. I think younger students might struggle with reading some of the names: Peaseblossom, Titiana, etc, but if they can get over that hump, I'm sure they will appreciate this fun fantasy.

My daughter and I love to watch baking competitions with each other, and LaRocca's debut put me right in the middle of a baking competition for kids. MiMi's creative desserts had my mouth watering and wishing that I was a little more brave with my ingredients. Readers who feel like the black sheep of their family will connect with Mimi who often feels unseen as the youngest of her siblings who are all extremely gifted. Mimi wants nothing more than to succeed at something, and she is hopeful that she can be successful at something she truly loves. I think anyone can appreciate that sentiment. This book will be a delightful summer read.

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Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Review: Caterpillar Summer

Caterpillar Summer Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cat's summer plans get turned upside down when her best friend ends up in India visiting his sick grandmother. Instead of spending time with her friend, her mom dumps Cat and her brother Chicken off with her grandparents. The thing is, Cat has never even met her grandparents. She isn't sure why, but she knows that there is a riff between her mom and her grandparents, and now she is spending three weeks on a North Carolina island with them.

Cat normally spends most of her time looking after her little brother. Chicken is different from other kids his age. While we never get an actual diagnosis, Chicken reminds me of my son with autism. He's a runner; he doesn't like loud noises; he has very fixated interests (this kid loves sharks), and Cat is one of the only people who knows how to take care of him. Since their father died, Cat has really had to grow up, and she is starting to resent the fact that her mother just expects her to be a second parent to Chicken.

Cat's time on the island with her grandparents makes her realize how much she has been missing: not just a relationship with her extending family but also the chance to be a kid herself. She needs time without having to worry about Chicken so she can enjoy her own childhood, and her grandparents step up for her in a way that her mom hasn't been able to do.

I absolutely loved Gillian McDunn's writing and the way she accurately portrayed the life of a child with a special needs sibling. My husband and I constantly worry about our daughter. She is five, and her seven-year-old brother has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Instead of being treated like the baby of the family, she is often forced to act like a "big sister." Her brother needs her in ways that I cannot begin to explain to her, and I know that he will always need her. What I fear is that she will one day resent him and even us for all the times that she has had to put his needs first. When she is old enough to read to this book, I will definitely share it with her because I think she will need to be reminded that she is lucky to have a brother who loves her so fiercely, even if it isn't always easy to be his little sister.



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