Review: The Woods

The Woods by R.L. Toalson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After suffering an unimaginable loss, Lenora is forced to move in with her uncle Richard, a man she has never even met. Lenora's father never told her about his brother or their childhood home, which happens to be a mansion, so imagine her shock when she sees her new home for the first time. All uncle Richard asks of Lenora is that she not enter the east wing of his home where he does his work, and she must never go into the woods. The woods behind his home are a dangerous place, but he won't explain why. Lenora only knows that her uncle's son disappeared in those woods many years ago.

When Lenora hears a familiar voice calling her name, she is lured into the woods by the hope of reuniting with her family. Once there, she meets a magical creature named Bela. Bela promises her that the woods will do her no harm if she has no ill intent, but the deeper she ventures into the woods, the more uncertain Lenora is about Bela's promise. Lenora desperately wants to reunite her uncle with his son, and she thinks that she can find him and bring him home with Bela's help. In trying to save her cousin, Lenora is putting her own life at risk. Can she save her cousin without dooming herself? Is her cousin even still alive? This novel will have you begging for answers to these questions and so many more.

I was a big fan of R.L.Toalson's debut novel, The Colors of the Rain. For some reason, I was fully expecting her second novel to be written in verse as well. I was shocked to see that it was 465 pages of prose. The size of this novel may be daunting for reluctant readers, but I think after reading the first two chapters, anyone would be hooked on this book. I would be sure to tell readers intimidated by the length of the novel that the chapters are very short and high-interest. I read 100 pages in no time. The publisher recommends this book for ages 12 and up, and I agree with that age range. Younger readers may be disturbed by what happens to Lenora's family, and while I wouldn't necessarily call this book scary, it could certainly freak out elementary students. I would definitely add this book to my library if I were in a middle school.


View all my reviews

Review: Give and Take

Give and Take by Elly Swartz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maggie keeps things that are sentimental to her and stores them in boxes in her room. She doesn't want to forget anyone or any experience like her grandmother forgot her. Everybody keeps mementos, but Maggie keeps items that most people throw away: gum wrappers, sticks, and empty milk cartons to name a few. If anyone in her family dares to get close to her boxes and find out her secret, she gets enraged. Maggie wants to hold onto everything and everyone she loves, so she is having an especially hard time with the fact that her baby foster sister, Izzie, is about to leave her home to live with her forever family. How can she let go of someone that she already loves so much?

Elly Swartz has tackled a topic that I've never seen in children's literature before: childhood hoarding. This book hit close to home for me because someone I love very much could be considered a hoarder. This person cannot throw anything away, and I've never understood why. It infuriates her if someone suggests that she throw her "junk" away. After reading this novel, I feel like I understand her a little better now. Maggie's hoarding stems from her anxiety about loss, and sometimes her anxiety causes big anger to bubble up and explode. I have seen my own child struggle with anxiety, and I'm sure it is way more common in children than we realize. Children who personally struggle with anxiety or live with someone who does will feel seen and heard after reading this book. Give and Take is a must-add to your MG collection.

View all my reviews

Review: All of Me

All of Me by Chris Baron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ari is overweight, and it seems like that is the only thing most people notice about him. He is extremely conscious of his body and how it fits and looks in clothes. His dad is mostly absent, and while his mom is around, she's not exactly present with him. He has dealt with some major bullying, and he just needs a break from his everyday life. He finds an escape with his friends, Lisa and Pick, at the beach. During their summer break, Ari and Lisa become extremely close, and he begins to notice that he feels like he is on fire around her, which just complicates his life a little more. It's hard "being in love" with your best friend when you think there is no possible way she could ever like you back because or your size. Ari goes on a weight loss journey with the support of his friends, and as he loses weight, he finds himself. Finally, he realizes that he likes who he is, but he has been the same person all along.

This verse novel deals with some heavy topics: self-harm, alcoholism, bullying, and crumbling marriages. While all these topics are handled well by the author, I would recommend it for middle school and up, rather than the younger audience suggested by the publisher (grades 3 - 7). At one point Ari's mom talks to him about his father's "lovemaking." Ari and Lisa down a bottle of champagne and Ari hurts himself. As a school librarian, I think it is much more appropriate for the upper MG sect. That being said, this novel should be added to all middle school libraries as it tackles a topic not often discussed in children's literature: male body image.

View all my reviews

Review: Because of the Rabbit

Because of the Rabbit by Cynthia Lord
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a fellow autism mom, I'm a big fan of Cynthia Lord's books, and her latest book lived up to all my expectations. It is a sweet tale of discovering oneself and what it means to be a friend.

View all my reviews

Review: Frankly in Love

Frankly in Love by David Yoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am frankly in love with Frankly in Love, and that is no lie. This book is the perfect YA romance; it has first love, first heart break, dysfunctional family dynamics, all while helping the reader understand the Korean culture. I know very little about the Korean culture, so I loved getting a glimpse into the family life and cultural perspectives. I feel certain that this book will end up nominated for plenty of young adult awards; I wouldn't be surprised if it gets optioned as a movie. I know I would pay to go see it!

View all my reviews

Review: Birdie

Birdie by Eileen Spinelli
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For someone who struggles with change, I completely understood Birdie's emotions in this novel. Seeing your best friend start dating your other friend is difficult no matter what your age. Even if you want both those people to be happy, it's hard to see them being happy without you. Imagine that emotion times three. Not only does Birdie feel left behind by her best friend, but her mom and grandmother start dating people as well. All of a sudden, it feels like Birdie is the only one who is still mourning the death of her father. This novel-in-verse will tug at your heartstrings.

View all my reviews

Review: Far Away

Far Away by Lisa Graff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A psychic medium communicates with a parent who has passed away. Sounds fun & sad all at the same time, right? It is both those things, but it is also heart-felt, a little twisted, and full of mystery. CJ Ames can only communicate with her deceased mother through her aunt who makes her living as a medium, but according to her aunt, her mom's spirit has gone to the Far Away, which means she can no longer reach her. CJ is determined to pull her mom’s spirit back from Far Away no matter what it takes, even if it means destroying her relationship with her aunt, the only mother she has ever known.

This story takes a deeper look at what it means to be a family. It shows that sometimes doing something "wrong," might be the best thing you can do to help someone. Recommended for 4th -8th grade.

View all my reviews

Review: Hair Love

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a wonderful picture book showing how far fathers will go outside their comfort zone to make their daughters feel beautiful.

View all my reviews

Review: My Papi Has a Motorcycle

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this lyrical picture book, a father shows his love for his daughter by taking her on motorcycle rides around their hometown. The words and illustrations are beautiful. Feels like an award winner to me.

View all my reviews

Review: 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.



View all my reviews

Review: 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.

View all my reviews

Review: 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.



View all my reviews

Review: Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus

Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you enjoyed Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, you have probably been highly anticipating this sequel. When we rejoin Aven, she is on the cusp of starting ninth grade, and she is scared out of her mind. Her best friend Connor has moved across town and won't be beside Aven to help her navigate high school. Her llama Spaghetti is in declining health; Henry's memory is getting worse and worse, and Josephine is as grumpy as ever. When Aven attracts the attention of Joseph, a cute football player, her friend Zion warns her to stay away from him. Zion has been bullied by Joseph in the past and doesn't think it is possible for him to have changed; however, Aven always sees the good in people and believes in second chances. Despite Zion's warnings, Aven is crushing on Joseph. Sadly, Aven finds herself as the target of a mean prank by Joseph and his friends. Aven finds herself questioning everything she has ever believed. She no longer believes in second chances and that most people are good; but worst of all, she no longer believes in herself.

This book definitely feels more like it is more appropriate for middle school than upper elementary; there isn't any bad language or questionable content, but it does feel pretty angsty. I'm not sure that my third or fourth graders will appreciate the stress of high school and first crushes, but I'm certain some of my fifth graders will relate. If you know a student who needs to care a little less about what others think, put this book in his or her hands. While adults and friends are trying to convince Aven that she is good enough and can do whatever she wants, self-doubt keeps creeping back in her head. Adolescents will certainly connect with Aven's struggles.

View all my reviews