Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts

Book Review by Aarene Storms: Carry On

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

  • A boy magician, identified at age 11 as "the Chosen One" and taken away to a magical British school
  • A series of books about the boy and his friends as they battle the enemy of all Wizard-kind
  • Lots of magic, magical creatures, action, adventure, mystery, and good vs evil

You know the boy I'm talking about, right? Yes! It's Simon Snow!

Wait. What?

Simon Snow's evil roommate Baz says that Simon is probably the worst Chosen One ever chosen, and he's probably right. Most of the time Simon doesn't know what his magic is going to do ... if it does anything. His magic wand is a hand-me-down, his spell casting is capricious, and although the Sword of Mages comes to his hand sometimes when he needs it, it's never reliable.

And then there's Baz: rich. pale. mysterious. wicked. and a vampire.

Wait. What?

The reader joins Simon and Baz mid-story, after they have already survived adventures in six other books fighting chimeras, goblins, bone-teeth hunters ... and each other. Unlike that other series of books about a boy magician in a magical school, this series has never been written. And Carry On isn't the series itself either, it's a fan-fiction novel.

Keep up, will you?

Only Rainbow Rowell could write a fanfic salute to a series that she invented as a "prop" for a different novel ... and only Rainbow Rowell would start by writing the end of the story but not the beginning!

And just wait until you get to the romance between Simon and XXXXXXXX ....oops. Sorry, no spoilers here.

Fast-paced adventure and a flawed hero with flawed friends, awesome love story and terrific world-building.

Highly recommended.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Last Leaves Falling

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell

18-year-old Abe Sora lives in modern-day Kyoto with his mom ... and with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). He is dying, and he's scared.

Sora derives some comfort from a book of haiku poems written by ancient samurai warriors, but is helped even more by the love of his mom, his grandparents, and new friends Mai and Kaito, whom he met online.

As Sora's body fails him, he must face the knowledge that, as much as he longs to face his future with dignity, soon he will have no control over his life or death. He makes a plan, and he asks Mai and Kaito to help.

The sparse language of the story is perfectly suited to the character of Sora and his love of both haiku poetry and Hayao Miyazaki's animated movies.

Neither of these forms wastes time or syllables to explain a situation, but rather depends on the intuition of the reader / viewer. So it is with Last Leaves, in which characters meet online and form a strong friendship (and possibly a romance between Mai and Kaito!) without a bunch of exposition from the author.

Sora's end-of-life choices may be distressing to some readers and objectionable to others. However, the grace of the telling is undeniable. This is an excellent book for discussion.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: The Nightingale

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

WWII is on, the Nazis have invaded, and France is occupied. Elder sister Vianne is committed to surviving and to keeping her daughter safe. Younger sister Isabelle is outraged, and determined to join the Résistance and beat the Germans. The siblings rarely agree and are separated by time and politics for almost the entire duration of the conflict.

The point is made several times during the story that "war stories" are almost always about (and told by) men, and that the Nazis often overlooked the role of women in warfare, sometimes to the tremendous detriment of the Third Reich.

Not everything goes well, of course. Some of the wrong people are taken away, some of the characters that readers attach to come to grievous harm. Very few of the characters would be objectively considered "good people" ...and yet, the details of their lives are so compelling that the book is difficult to put down.

Written for adult audiences but with plenty of teen appeal, especially for readers of Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire. Sexual situations are mostly off-page, but some of the violence (and torture) is not.

Rating:
Highly recommended for readers ages 14 to adult, and especially for book discussion groups.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Fantastic Beasts and where to find them

Monday, January 2, 2017

Fantastic Beasts and where to find them - the original screenplay
by J.K. Rowling

The year is 1926, and British magiczoologist Newt Scamander has arrived in New York with a quest and a briefcase full of unusual magical creatures.

Also: Grindelwold, the bad guy idolized by Voldemort.

Also: Mary Lou Barebone, a sort of Carrie Nation against the magical world.

Also: some children, who may or may not have secrets.

Also:  two pretty ladies, see above re: secrets

And finally: Jacob, a regular guy who wants to be a pastry baker.  He has no secrets.

When a few beasts escape, Newt must locate them all before something dire happens. What could possibly go wrong?

The long-awaited return to the magical universe of Harry Potter does not disappoint: the magic is there, the mystery, and the threat to peaceful people everywhere. The story is written in screenplay format, which appears to be close to the final version used in the movie.

If you've seen the film, the book will offer no surprises. If you haven't seen the movie yet, you'll want to see it, if only to view the fantastic beasts described in the book.

Magical (non-gory) violence, no cussing. Some romance and kissing. No nekkidness.
Recommended for fans of the series, ages 10 to adult.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Mechanica

Friday, December 23, 2016

Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell

Nicolette is an inventor of amazing tools and toys, just like her mother before her.

Oppressed by her selfish "Steps," she spends days cooking, cleaning and sewing, and spends her evenings in the magical hidden workshop left behind by her mother, where she builds gadgets to help her with the daily tasks.

But when the king announces a spectacular Exposition and Gala (with accompanying ball to seek a prospective wife for the Prince), Nicolette emerges from her sooty basement to grasp at the opportunity.

This recasting of the traditional Cinderella story is delightfully constructed, with nods to a fairy godmother, a magical coach, and the essential glass slipper...but with an unexpected twist. And perhaps a sequel? We can hope!

Fans of Cinder will demand this similar but unique tale. And they will join us in demanding a second book.

Rating:
Recommended for ages 12 to adult.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: George

Monday, December 19, 2016

George
by Alex Gino

Fourth-grader George is a girl.

But when everybody -- including her mom, who changed her diapers as a baby -- looks at George, they see a boy. It's a problem for George. She knows that there are other girls out there in the world like her, but she doesn't know how she will ever join them.

When her teacher reads Charlotte's Web aloud to the class, George wants more than anything to play the role of Charlotte in the school play, but she isn't even allowed to audition for the part ... because she's a boy.

Inspired by the literary character of Charlotte, George and her best friend Kelly take action that will change George's life forever ... hopefully, for better.

Publishing this book as a middle-grade story that clearly skews towards a young readership allows it forgiveness for the unrealistically large number of unreasonably reasonable people portrayed in it. Writers and storytellers know that younger audiences practically require a Very Happy Ending; however, very good writers and storytellers can provide that ending while simultaneously providing the seeds of knowledge about difficulties the characters may face after the last page. Alex Gino pulls off the trick very nicely.

George is a sweet book, and readers will rejoice at the end of the story, even though they know that the main character's struggles are not nearly over.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Nimona

Friday, December 16, 2016

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Ballister Blackheart is a supervillain with vengeance in his heart.

Nimona is his shapeshifting sidekick.


Together, they hope to prove that Sir Ambrosious Goldenloin and his ilk aren't the goody-goodies that everybody thinks they are.

There are explosions involved. Also dragons. And science.

But then, things go wrong.

Which makes for more explosions, dragons and science.

And sharks.

Highly recommended for readers with a snarky, sharky sense of humor. Fun illustrations, excellent dialog, and an awesome ending. Ages 12 to adult. .

Magic, friendship, betrayal, blood and redemption. And sharks. No sex, no cussing, no nekkidness.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula

Friday, November 25, 2016

Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula
by Andi Watson (graphic novel)

Princess Decomposia of the Undead is overwhelmed with work. Ghost papers to sign, alien reports to read, werewolf dignitaries to entertain ... and her father the King is no help at all.

But when a vampire with a sweet tooth joins the Royal Staff, some changes are on the wing ... and so is a bit of romance.

A cute love story with plenty of unexpected twists. I've never considered Chocolate Monster Cake as a possible defense strategy for zombies ... but maybe I should.

Recommended for ages 10 to adult. No cussing or sex, but lots of fun (un-) dead stuff.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion

Friday, November 18, 2016

The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion
by Chris McCoy

Bennett has always loved Sophie from a distance, but he never really talked to her until the night her motorcycle broke down and they ended up walking together in the New Mexico desert. Minutes after he gathers the courage to ask her to the prom -- and she accepts -- Sophie is abducted by aliens.

Following the close encounter, Bennett does the logical thing: he goes for a burger at the local In-N-Out. But the restaurant has just sold all the food in the building to a psychedelic band bus, and in short order, Bennett is on board the bus with the Perfectly Reasonable, the one-billion sixteenth most popular band in the universe.

Will Sophie ever escape from the Ecological Center for the Preservation of Lesser Species?
Will the teens ever return to earth?
Will bandleader Skark Zelirium ever write a new song?

Will somebody please hand me a Babelfish?

This is the book that Douglas Adams would have written if he were writing for a teen audience. (And if he was an American. And if he had ever been sober sometimes.)

It's cute, funny, quirky, and strange. It's not nearly as funny as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but since nothing in the Universe is as funny as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, it's not unkind to say so. There's the sweet romance between two kids who are dying to get out of Gordo, New Mexico, and what happens after.

Also, there's a ram in the closet. Just in case you wondered.
Action, cussing (mild), dancing, drinking, guys, high school, humor, kissing, longing, music, no sex, rock and roll, science fiction


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Exquisite Corpse

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Exquisite Corpse
by Penelope Bagieu

translation by Alexis Siegel

Twenty-something Zoe is stuck in a dead-end job, with a deadbeat boyfriend and no prospects for a better future. She doesn't read much, either, which is the reason she doesn't recognize the oddly reclusive writer she meets by chance.

It's also the reason that she doesn't know that the author she meets is supposed to be dead.

Sexy, poignant, and silly in spots. The ending made me laugh.

Recommended as a quick read for mature teens and adults.

adult, alcohol, bi-sexual issues, body parts, cussing, graphic novel, humor, nekkidness


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Baba Yaga's Assistant

Thursday, September 29, 2016


Baba Yaga's Assistant
by Marika McCoola

illustrated by Emily Carroll

Masha knows all kinds of stuff about Baba Yaga:

*  She lives in a house that walks around on chicken legs.

*  She flies around at night in a mortar and pestle.

and most of all

*  She eats naughty children (or turns them into goldfish).

But the stories also say that a girl who works hard to complete all the chores she assigns will earn a fine (and probably magical) reward.

So when Masha's dad brings home a new wife and stepdaughter, Masha doesn't hesitate: she heads for the woods, and seeks out the walking house. Baba Yaga doesn't hand out easy tasks. Masha needs all of her courage and ingenuity to avoid being eaten. And at the end of the story...

Well.

You didn't really expect me to tell you how it ends, did you?



The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Beautiful Music for Ugly Children

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Beautiful Music for Ugly Children
by Kirstin Cronn-Mills

Gabe was born Elizabeth, but he has always known that (physical characteristics to the contrary) he's a guy.

While still in high school, he came out to his family and to his best friend Paige. Now, he's ready to graduate and get on with his life: leave town, move to the city where nobody knows "Liz," get a job in the music industry, and leave all his problems behind him.

Funny how that doesn't quite work out.

This is one of those Important Issue Books(™): Gabe is still in transition, and not everyone accepts that. His parents say they do, but they still call him "Liz" and pretend he's a girl. Some of the faithful fans of his radio show "Beautiful Music for Ugly Children" turn against him when they find out he was born female. And a few people in town have violent intentions.

Will this book be informative, comforting and helpful to transgender teens and their friends and family? Yes, definitely.

Is this a great book that will stand the test of time? No, probably not. The plot was contrived, and several of the characters (mostly the haters) were two-dimensional and moved without motive. Paige and Gabe's musical mentor John were well-developed, although credibility is stretched by the coincidence of having the first DJ to ever play an Elvis Presley single on the radio (who also happens to own Elvis' very first guitar) living right next door to a kid who loves Elvis.

Do I recommend this as a first purchase for library collections? Yes, I do. Mostly because there isn't much like it available right now, and the kids (and adults) who need it do not need to wait several years while the genre matures and improves.

Buy it in paperback, recommend it to teens, and keep your eyes open for more books on this topic.

Because surely there will be more.
bullying, cussing (mild), fighting, friendship, guys, high school, kissing, LGBTQ, parents, rock and roll, some blood, straight friends, transgender, yearning


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Not If I See You First

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Not If I See You First
by Eric Lindstrom

Parker Grant may be blind, but she's not dumb. She has Rules (Chapter 3 lists them all) that she requires everybody to follow to ensure that she is as independent, smart, and capable of running her own life as possible.

She navigates the physical world pretty well, but her emotional life is a mess. And, despite being part of a genius team of girls handing out advice to lovelorn teens in the courtyard at school, her love life is pretty pathetic.

Even her friendships with Sarah, Faith and Molly, which Parker considers to be essential to her life, have major flaws ... flaws that Parker herself doesn't recognize until halfway through the book.

And what is she going to do about Jason, who is pretty cool, and Scott, whom she blames for betraying her when they were 13 years old?

The book is a compelling read that kept me up long past bedtime. It's not perfect; there are some flaws (is there a reason that all the Dad-characters are dead and / or run out of town? Also, the "gay kid" is kinda added-on) but the dialogue is awesome, and the insight into life as a modern blind teen was well-done.

This review is based on an ARC provided by the publisher.  
Cover art not final (I hope...it's pretty ugly). 


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Eden West

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Eden West
by Pete Hautman

Jacob is a member of the Grace living in Nodd, a 12 square mile religious compound located in Montana between a Native reservation and the Rockin' K cattle ranch.

He does not remember life in the World, and thinks himself lucky to be among the few who have rejected all Worldly things so that he will be pure for the coming of the Ark and the archangel Zerachiel.

But Jacob is 17 years old, and inevitably, his body responds to hormonal demands -- he is attracted to a young woman in the compound and also to the pretty blond daughter on the neighboring ranch.

The Grace maintain their faith while beset by hardship: a bitterly cold winter, a disease among the chickens, a wolf among the sheep. But then other tragedies strike, and Jacob finds that he must choose between the life he knows, and the World he does not know.

There are few surprises in the story, but the narrating voice of Jacob is strong, and worthy of consideration. Often in literature, religious extremists are portrayed as simple (or crazy), and some of that is present here. But there is a bit more.

For readers 14 to adult. Some cussing, some kissing, and quite a few lustful thoughts.

alcohol, blood, bullying, cussing (mild), guys, kissing, longing, parents, religion, religious beliefs, suicide, yearning,


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Circus Mirandus

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Book review of Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley


Micah has listened to Grandpa Ephraim's stories about the magical Circus Mirandus all his life, and all his life, Micah has dreamed that someday he would be able to meet Big Jean the intelligent elephant, to taste the astonishing candies that light up when you bite down, and most of all, to see a performance of the amazing Man Who Bends Light.

But now, Grandpa Ephraim is dying and nasty Aunt Gertrudis has come to stay. She has nothing good to say about Micah or about Grandpa Ephraim, and certainly nothing good to say about magic. The Lightbender promised Grandpa Ephraim a miracle, but will a miracle be enough?

Kids who want more stories like Peter and the Starcatchers and James and the Giant Peach will be thrilled to find this title. Adults who love The Night Circus and Big Fish will be delighted to learn that they have still not outgrown the magic.

Highly recommended for readers and listeners of all ages.  

This book does NOT feature:
sex, drugs, rocknroll, violence, cussing, wild animals harmed in the enjoyment of this book

This book DOES feature:
talking birds, friends who don't always believe you but still stay friends, trustworthy people, magic, and at least one miracle


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: The Honest Truth

Saturday, July 9, 2016

The Honest Truth
by Dan Gemeinhart

Mark is tired of being "the sick kid," and "the kid with cancer." He has fought the illness so many times ... and won. At least that's what the doctors always said.

Until the time they told him that the cancer was back again.

And that's the time that Mark decided that he'd had enough. No more hospitals, no more doctors, no more chemo.

Mark decided to leave.

He packed up some gear, and a notebook to write haiku poetry in, and a duffel bag that his beloved dog Beau can hide inside. And he left.

His parents are frantic. The media goes crazy.

And his best friend Jessie knows where he's headed ... and why.

Short. Sweet. Unexpectedly gritty.

Recommended.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book review by Aarene Storms: Falling From Horses

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Falling From Horses
by Molly Gloss

In 1938, 19-year-old Bud Frazer leaves behind his parents and the Oregon ranch life he has always known, climbs on a southbound Greyhound bus bound for Hollywood, and meets Lily Shaw, who will be his friend for life.

Bud is determined to be movie stunt rider, and quickly learns that horses and stunt riders are considered cheap and disposable by movie folks.

There are always more horses that can be chased off a cliff or tripped up by wires, or ridden to exhaustion, and there are always more movie-cowboy-wannabees dumb enough to carry out the deeds for a few bucks and a chance to be seen on the silver screen.

Meanwhile, Lily experiences another side of the Hollywood scene:  the seedy side of screen writing. Lily is determined to write, and write well ... and for many reasons, she doesn't fit in with the mostly-male writers of the time.

Bud's narrative voice is strong, calm, and believable. His account of his year in Hollywood -- and the time before that, back in Oregon -- reads like a memoir. Although the story is fiction, the characters and situations are carefully researched. The accounts of horrific abuse of horses for the amusement of moviegoers are based on true events, and these abuses continued until 1940.

Bud, however, leaves the action much sooner.

The story is quietly told, despite the hair-raising stunts performed by human and animal actors. Bud's grief (which precedes the first page, and is revealed in flashback chapters) carries the narrative without dragging it down. Bud's naive encounters with women add flashes of humor, but it is his fondness for Lily that keeps the sometimes-grim story from becoming overwhelmingly dismal.

Falling From Horses was the 2015 "Everyone READS" choice for Shoreline, Richmond Beach, and Lake Forest Park WA. The book lends itself to discussion, and is recommended for teen and adult readers.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: All Our Yesterdays

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

All Our Yesterdays
by Cristin Terrill

Em awakens (again) in a prison cell, and can't stop thinking about the tiny drain in the floor. She makes a tool from a stolen spoon, and pries up the drain cover ... and finds, hidden inside, a list of fourteen items. Thirteen have already been crossed off.

At the bottom, in her own handwriting, Em reads the final line: You have to kill him.

In another place, in another time, Marina is quietly in love with her next-door-neighbor, James. James is gorgeous, brilliant ... and about to make a discovery that will change everything.

And everything is just about to become much, much worse.

All the loops and potential paradoxes of time travel, plus suspenseful chasing around in the dark, romance, betrayal, torture, and a very thin hope for redemption. This fast-moving narrative kept me up way past my bedtime.

Recommended for ages 12 to adult.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures
by Jackson Pearce and Maggie Stiefvater

Pip Bartlett didn't intend to start a riot at her school Career Day. It was totally an accident ... well, a series of accidents ... and some miscommunications ....

Anyhow, she didn't plan to ride the unicorn, and she really didn't mean for the entire herd of magical creatures to destroy three cellos, forty turkey burgers, a geode collection and her teacher's glasses.

But the Unicorn Incident is the reason that Pip got to spend the summer in Cloverton, Georgia, helping out at the Cloverton Clinic for Magical Creatures. A nice, quiet summer ... right?

Except that suddenly, the town is infested with cute little magical creatures that like to nest in underwear drawers and sometimes spontaneously combust.

Suddenly, Cloverton isn't very quiet at all.

This is a fun, silly, playful, story copiously illustrated with pictures of magical creatures such as the Miniature Silky Griffin ("hooves smell like erasers"), Emerald Dunking Duck ("many prefer multigrain and rye bread"), and most of all Fuzzles ("pests").

Highly recommended for readers ages 8 to adult (and beyond).


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS


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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Poisoned Apples : poems for you, my pretty

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Poisoned Apples : 
poems for you, my pretty
by Christine Heppermann

After the kiss and the trip to the castle, Sleeping Beauty's day consists of showering, shaving, shampooing, conditioning .... and so much more.

Little Miss Muffet signs up for a drastic diet to try to assuage decades of dairy-fed weight. A "house of bricks" girl gradually starves herself down to mere straw.

In this poetry collection, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, the Miller's Daughter, and many other folkloric ladies are besieged by modern body image issues including eating disorders, social pressure, verbal and physical abuse, and sexual situations.

The collection is uneven and repetitive. Some poems are deftly created, merging a traditional tale with modern sensibilities, offering insight to both.

Other pieces clunk when they roll, with messages about fat girls, mean boys, and relentless striving to conquer societal expectations, delivered via a merciless hammer fist and no reference to any external story.

Teachers and lovers of poetry will find useful bits of brilliance here, but the verses may be best enjoyed in small tastes, rather than large gulps.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS


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