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

Book Review by Aarene Storms: Dress codes for small towns

Monday, December 10, 2018

Dress Codes for Small Towns
by Courtney Stevens

*Dress Codes for Small Towns* starts with the night that Billie McCaffrey and her best friends accidentally burn down the church youth room. That sentence leads you to think some things about Billie and her friends, and those thoughts would probably be inaccurate. Preacher's kid Billie has a good relationship with God, a strained relationship with her dad, a rocky relationship with the church people, and a confusing relationship with her friends.

Billie's friend Janie Lee might be in love with their other friend Woods, which is confusing because Billie might also be in love with Woods...or with Janie Lee. Or maybe Davey? She really isn't sure. But she's pretty sure what the church people think of her.

She might be wrong.

All the stereotypes of small-town Kentucky that you've ever seen in books are not in this book -- at least, not the way you've seen them before. The characters are dimensional and lovely, and almost nobody does what you think they might do. And yet, the story makes sense, beautifully, from beginning to end.  I was especially pleased that, in this book, "church" and "belief" and "religion" are not weapons used to clobber non-conforming kids. May it be ever so in the real world.

This may be the best book I read in 2017. Highly recommended for readers ages 12 to adult. Some kissing and cussing on the page. Also some praying, some square dancing, a broken bone, and Batman.


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: Wintersong

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

Liesl's grandmother makes sure that all the children in the family know the stories of the Goblin King: of his changelings, his love for bright human things, and the danger of letting the fae folk too close. And yet, when Liesl's sister is taken away Underground, she doesn't hesitate to offer herself as a hostage instead.

Gradually, the grim existence of life under the fairy mound begins to wear down even the toughest of humans -- they lose their sense of song, of taste, and gradually fade away as the goblins drain them of their humanity. But Liesl is different ... isn't she?

Some reviewers have compared this to the 1986 movie "Labyrinth" but of course the story of humans taken away underground by supernatural forces is older than Persephone herself. Students of folklore will detect faint traces of Thomas the Rhymer, Tam Lin, and even Rip Van Winkle, and each portion of the story is preceded with stanzas from Rossetti's "Goblin Market." 

The pacing is steady, with excellent character development for Liesl and her family, and also a nice amount of detail developing the various fae folk, especially the Goblin King -- who, despite his grounding in world folklore, probably looks a lot like David Bowie.

Minor cussing, some blood, violence, some sexual situations. Recommended for readers ages 14 to adult. This is first in a series but stands alone.

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 Backstagers

Saturday, November 17, 2018

The Backstagers: Rebels Without Applause  (graphic novel)
by James Tynion IV

Jory is the new kid at St Genesius Prepatory High School, and he is dubious about finding new friends. He contemplates joining the Drama Club, but is sent away to find a prop ... which is where he discovers the weird, wild, and wonderful world of the Backstage. Behind the scenes, the people are diverse, the demands are fast, and the tool rats are ... actual rats that sometimes glow in the dark.... 

And, of course, there are the rumors of monsters and missing people in the rooms behind the stage.

What could possibly go wrong?

Anyone who has spent time in theater -- on stage or behind the scenes -- will love the wild adventures, the bright colors, and the over-the-top characters. Highly recommended, I can't wait to read Volume 2.

No sex, no drugs, no blood. Some bullying, some monsters, some psychedelic paint and some very unusual stage props.

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: Are You Ready to Hatch an Unusual Chicken?

Monday, November 5, 2018

Shoreline author Kelly Jones will appear at Third Place Books on Wednesday, November 7 at 7pm. 

Upper level Town Center, intersection Bothell and Ballinger Way, Lake Forest Park.

For more information call the bookstore 206-366-3333.


Are You Ready to Hatch an Unusual Chicken? by Kelly Jones

Sophie Brown is back, with even more unusual chickens coming soon to her flock: she is going to to hatch out unusual eggs!

Sophie, her cousin Lupe, and lots of friends and neighbors come together again to build a safe place for young and unusual chicks to grow. But not everyone welcomes Sophie. Will the project succeed?

This epistolary sequel to the wildly-popular Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer is just as charming as the first book, and possibly a bit more thought-provoking. Katie Kath's illustrations are a terrific accompaniment.

Highly recommended for readers (both rural and urban) ages 8 to adult. Read it to a friend... or to a special chicken.


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: Diamond Willow

Friday, October 26, 2018

Diamond Willow by Helen Frost

12 year old Willow lives with her family in a small Alaskan bush village. The only way to get there is via plane, boat, snow machine, and dog sled. Willow doesn't have many friends... unless you count the dogs in her dad's sled team.

She loves caring for the dogs, and loves taking them out into the cold snow. One day, Willow convinces her parents that she's old enough to drive the dogs out to her grandparents' cabin in the bush. She knows the trail, and she's good with the dogs. But then, something goes wrong.

The story is told in diamond-shaped poems with a "hidden" extra message printed in darker print at the center of each one. Willow narrates most of the story, with occasional portions told by the animals around her-- who may be closer to her than she knows.

Sweet, lilting prose, and a girl's quest for identity. Recommended for readers ages 10 to adult. No cussing, nekkidness, or drugs. There are secrets, and there are ghosts.

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: An Enchantment of Ravens

Sunday, October 21, 2018

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

17-year-old Isobel is an artistic prodigy, a master of paint and brush. Her clients are the fae, magical immortal creatures who are incapable of creating any Craft of their own. They cannot compose music, or write poetry, or paint portraits or even cook breakfast. The fair folk will pay with riches, or with tricks, and it takes great cleverness to outwit them.

The Good Law forbids fae and human folk to fall in love, but of course it happens. Isobel has outwitted fair folk in the past, but how can she and her Autumn Prince escape the wrath of the fairy court?

A quick, sweet romance, with lots of magic and a talented, quick-witted young woman at the center of it all. No cussing, some kissing, some awkward nekkidness, a bit of blood, some monsters, and lots of magic.

Recommended for readers 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: Klaus

Monday, October 1, 2018


Klaus by Grant Morrison & Dan Mora

It's Yuletide, but there is no holiday for the working people, and no toys for the children. What they want is a superhero. What they get is... Klaus.

Here at last is the origin story of (buff barbarian superhero) Santa Claus!

A fabulous action adventure story utilizing traditional Santa story elements combined with Viking-esque myth elements and lots of magic. Klaus flies through the air on a sled pulled by a magical Arctic wolf, and fights the evil forces of a Krampus-esque demon; in his leisure time, he creates and distributes fabulous magical toys to the children of the beleagered City of Grimsvig, entering homes secretly via the unguarded chimneys.

DC Comic author/artist Grant Morrison has created a fast-moving epic story that appeals to children and adults, ages 12 and up. No nekkidness (it's COLD in all that snow!); some blood and violence.


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 Bear and the Nightingale

Thursday, September 20, 2018


The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Vasilisa (Vasya) is a both a child listening to Russian fairy tales and a young woman destined to become one of the greatest central characters in northern folklore.

This is the story of Vasya's childhood and transition to adulthood: hearing and telling the tales of her elderly nurse, living with the cold and unloving stepmother who sends her out into snow on foolish errands, meeting the Frost King and surviving his challenges, taming a magical steed called Solovey ("Nightingale") and confronting the tyranny of Chernobog ("Bear"), the dark, cursed god.

Densely written, the atmosphere of the Rus' is perfect reading for a sn*wy day.

Some violence and bloodshed, minimal cussing, no nekkidness. Russian politics and linguistics are complex, priests are not always good guys, and all horses talk to those who know how to listen.

Highly recommended for lovers of folklore and fairy tales, ages 12 to adult.

Book #2 of the series, The Girl in the Tower, was released December 5, 2017.

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: Spinning

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Spinning by Tillie Walden

Tillie Walden was a competitive figure and synchronized ice skater for twelve years, but she says that although an ice rink will always be a familiar place, it will also always make her cringe.

With skating as the backdrop, the author conducts readers through a tour of the changes in her young life:  a family move from New Jersey to Texas, making (and losing) friends, learning new skills on the ice, falling in love with another girl, coming out to her friends and family, and always prepping for the next competition.

Tillie worked hard. She was good, and successful... and she hated the whole thing.

Using a comic/graphic novel format, Tillie tells the story of her early life -- not just the skating, but other parts as well: her friends, her family, and always, her loneliness. The illustrations are simple, thoughtful and compelling.

Recommended for readers 12 to adult. Sexual situations are discussed tactfully, and there are no nekkid bodies on the page.

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 Authentics

Saturday, September 1, 2018

The Authentics by Abdi Nazemian

15-year-old Daria Esfandyar has always been proud of her Iranian-American heritage. So proud, in fact, that she is no longer friends with Heidi (aka one of the "Nose Jobs") and now hangs out with a group of friends who pride themselves on keeping things real.

But, what is real?

While researching her family tree for a school project, Daria learns that she isn't exactly "pure" Iranian. And this discovery leads to other revelations, which lead to disclosures that nobody saw coming.

If you're looking for ethnic and cultural diversity, here's your book: characters include a gay couple (Daria's brother and his husband), another gay couple (Caroline has been "out" since age 13, her girlfriend is still closeted) immigrant families (Iranian, Mexican, Chinese), religious variety (Muslim, Catholic, agnostic) ... the list goes on.

With all that, Daria shouldn't have to work so hard to figure out what she really, authentically is.

But, she does.

This is a quick, heavy-handed read without much depth. Many plot points depend on coincidence and contrivance, and Daria's selfishness was not endearing. If readers missed any of the Points About Being Authentic™, fear not: Daria sums up the entire Message of the Book™while presenting her school project in the penultimate chapter.

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 Black Witch

Sunday, August 26, 2018

The Black Witch by Laurie Forest

Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter -- and the perfect likeness -- of the original Black Witch, who drove back enemy forces and saved her people during the Realm War. Because of the power of the Black Witch, Elloren's people are undisputed rulers now.

Long after the death of her famous grandmother, Elloren was raised by her uncle in a small village, surrounded by people very much like her and her family. Now it is time for her to travel to the big city, to attend University there, and possibly to meet someone to marry.

Unlike those in the village, the people in the city are very diverse. And, because this is a fantasy book, these diverse people don't simply have differently-colored skin and hair; instead, some of them have wings, some turn into wolves, and others have types of magic that Elloren has never seen before. Elloren has always been told that people who are different are also inferior, or even evil. Why should she question this?

If you have ever read a book before, you will probably be able to predict what happens to Elloren when she actually gets to know a werewolf, a selkie, and some people with wings. In The Black Witch, as is common in literature, the main character evolves and grows from a state of ignorance to a state of enlightenment (or at least, less ignorance).

However, YA blogger Shauna Sinyard didn't think that the change happened fast enough or convincingly enough. In a very long and damning book review, she condemned both the book and those who enjoyed reading the book. She calls the book "the most dangerous, offensive book I have ever read. It's racist, ableist, homophobic, and is written with no marginalized people in mind."

Ms Sinyard is welcome to her opinion, of course. However, by urging Twitter and Tumblr followers to boost the signal by posting 1-star reviews on Goodreads and elsewhere without actually reading the book, a line is crossed.

I do not always write glowing reviews. 

(Here's my review of a book that was originally well-received and later banned, which I consider a 3-star ho-hum of a read. Here's another review of a book that just wasn't very well-written.)

I do, however, always read an entire book before reviewing it.

So, what was my verdict?

First off, I read this book in about a day and a half, skipping meals and ignoring bedtime to finish it.

It's a quick, engaging story with magic, family drama, and several star-crossed romances. There was minimal cussing, some nekkidness, discussions of mating rituals with no sex on the page, and mentions of off-page sexual abuse. The story did not explore new ground, philosophically speaking. From Huckleberry Finn to Harry Potter, literature is filled with characters who overcome ignorance by getting to know an individual. The Black Witch follows absolutely in those footsteps.

Ms Sinyard also seems unaware that "The Black Witch Chronicles" will be a series. Her complaint that the character changes happen too slowly over hundreds of pages would be valid if the entire tale were told in a single volume. However, the advertisement for book #2 The Iron Flower (due for release in May 2018) included at the back of my book served as an important clue: the story is not yet finished.

And as soon as I finished The Black Witch, I put myself in the library's hold queue for book #2.

Read it, and decide for yourself. I thought it was a great book, and entirely appropriate and recommended for ages 14 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: Girl Mans Up

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard

Pen doesn't want to be a boy. And she isn't. So why does everybody have these weird ideas about her?

Pen likes to dress in baggy jeans and her brother Jimmy's t-shirts. She doesn't want to be her mom's "princesa." She doesn't want to get married to some guy and go to nursing school. She wants to hang out with her buddies -- guys like Colby, who plays first-person shooter video games almost as well as Pen, and who totally has her back.

Or ... does he?

Readers will see that Colby lacks the loyalty and respect Pen craves long before Pen catches on. But when Colby tries to sexually assault her, even Pen can see what a ratbag her "friend" really is. At that point, Pen has to make some changes. And none of the choices she might make will be easy.

This book features some fabulous allies, including an older brother and (to Pen's surprise) a couple of girls.

Three cheers for a strong gender-fluid protagonist, a teen romance that does not fly apart at the seams by the end of the book, and a sibling who is friend, brother, and parent to Pen. Recommended for readers 12 and up.

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: Aftercare Instructions

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Aftercare Instructions by Bonnie Pipkin

17-year-old Genesis Johnson walks out into the waiting room at the Planned Parenthood clinic and discovers that Peter, her boyfriend and one true love, is gone. Cramping and bleeding after the abortion she has just endured, Gen can't believe he has abandoned her. But he isn't waiting for her, and he won't answer her calls or texts. What else could it mean?

Events are revealed in alternating formats: the present day episodes are a straightforward narration, but flashbacks to the past are written as a stage play starring Gen, Peter, and a few important supporting characters. The details revealed build a story that will surprise readers almost as much as it surprises Genesis herself.

The chapters are titled with excerpts from the aftercare instructions booklet provided by the abortion clinic, which serves as an anchor point for the story and also offers insight into events as they unfold.

Recommended for readers ages 14 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: The Evil Wizard Smallbone

Saturday, June 23, 2018

The Evil Wizard Smallbone by Delia Sherman

When 12-year-old Nick runs away from his abusive Uncle Gabe and his mean cousin Jerry for the third time, he ends up on the doorstep of Evil Wizard Bookstore. The evil wizard Smallbone takes him in as an apprentice and teaches him to milk goats and cook eggs, but doesn't teach him any magic. Fortunately, the bookstore does!

Tricks, transformation, and magic. Recommended for readers who enjoy the quirky magic of the "Chrestomanci" books (Diana Wynne Jones), or the opinionated cat in Plain Kate (Erin Bow).

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: Tomboy

Sunday, June 10, 2018


Tomboy: a graphic memoir by Liz Prince

Liz was a kid who knew what she liked: boy stuff. Boy clothing, boy toys and games, boy sports, boys as friends. She also knew what she didn't like: girl stuff.

Her road to adulthood was bumpy and full of uncertainty. Was she a lesbian? Transgender? A complete freakazoidal weirdo that nobody would ever like (except her mom, because that's her mom's, like, job)?

Would Liz ever conform to gender norms? And more importantly: would Liz ever want to comform?

This quick-paced graphic memoir is full of angst, but it's also funny. Liz may not be much like other people, but she's got a handle on that now. And her story is worth reading--and sharing.

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 Unicorn Training

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Pip Bartlett's Guide to Unicorn Training by Jackson Pearce and Maggie Stiefvater

Pip Bartlett, the girl who understands the speech of magical creatures, is back in another silly adventure. This time, Pip and her friend Tomas visit the Triple Trident, a fabulous show for magical animals. She's hoping to cheer for Regent Maximus, the overly timid Unicorn, but when somebody mysteriously starts cutting off Unicorn tails, the kids must add sleuthing to their skill set.

As in Pip's first adventure, the narrative is interspersed with pages from Jeffrey Higgleston's Guide to Magical Creatures, which offers interesting, but not always accurate, information about creatures such as Unicorns (bulletproof skin), Rockshines (invisible when nervous), and Greater Rainbow Mink (always weighs 17 pounds, nobody knows why). The story is quick moving, not entirely predictable, and lots of fun.

Recommended for readers who love animals (magical or otherwise) and anyone else who enjoys a lightweight, playful tale. Ages 8 and up.

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: Once and For All

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

Louna is a high school senior set to graduate in a few weeks. Her summer job is (as always) helping with her mom's wedding planning business. Her college plans are set, her best friend is in place, and there is no romance for Louna on the horizon -- which is just as well. She has survived being in love with the perfect boy, but recovering from that wasn't easy and she's not eager to do it again.

Then Louna meets Ambrose: trouble-making brother of the bride, always late, always fidgeting, always irreverent, always flirting with every girl he meets. Louna wants nothing to do with Ambrose.

Because this is a Sarah Dessen novel, readers totally know where the story is going and where all the characters will end up. The journey is familiar and relatively predictable, but it's still kinda fun. Behind-the-scenes details of wedding planning are amusing, the banter between characters is catchy and cute. There are some poignant details scattered gently into the story, but this is essentially a rom-com that should have starred Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks when they were both 17 years old.

Gold star for the appropriate mention of a condom, but no body parts on the page.

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: Illuminae

Sunday, April 29, 2018

lluminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Breaking up was hard enough for Kady and Ezra. Then their planet got bombed by a hostile corporation.

Rescued by separate ships, Kady and Ezra stay in touch, kinda. But when one of the other rescue ships is destroyed by the rescue ship Ezra is on, there is clearly a problem, and it's possible that only Kady can solve it.

A crazed artificial intelligence that makes HAL 9000 look like a Teletubby. A virus infection that is turning some of the survivors (and some of the crew) into zombies. And that hostile corporation ship still in pursuit.

What could possibly go wrong?

This isn't the greatest book I've read this year, but it's certainly the don't-put-downablest book I've read in a long time. The audiobook is produced with a full cast, and perfectly captures the suspense.

No sex (a few vague references to "the time we..." but no details).  LOTS of violence and blood and gore (zombies!). All the swear words are bleeped, even in the audiobook. As the introduction to the book says, "...the story kicks off with the deaths of thousands of people, but god forbid there be cussing in it..."

Recommended for ages 12 to adult. The story may be too intense for young or sensitive 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: The Time Museum

Sunday, April 15, 2018

The Time Museum by Matthew Loux

Delia Bean is a science geek. Her friends at school think she's interesting... mostly.

Then Delia's uncle Lyndon invites her to audition as an intern for the Earth Time Museum- - a chance to travel through time to study plants, animals, and people. Who could say no? Certainly not Delia!

Teamed up with kids from around the world and around the centuries, Delia works hard to be chosen as the Earth Time Museum intern ... and also tries not to get eaten by dinosaurs or burnt up in the fire at the Library of Alexandria, or annihilated in the future destruction of London...

Action, friendship, adventure, history, dinosaurs. And robot library pages shaped like kittens!

Fun for graphic novel readers who enjoy Lumberjanes, Zita the Spacegirl, and Mighty Jack. No sex, no drugs, no blood. Some explosions. Some dinosaurs. Some rebellious robots. Some devious scientists.

(and thanks to Kalee for sharing this book with me, it's a new favorite!!!)

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: Wrinkles

Sunday, April 8, 2018

Wrinkles by Paco Roca (graphic novel)
Translated from Spanish by Erica Mena

Emilio doesn't understand what readers will quickly grasp: that he has been taken to a retirement home by his family because he has Alzheimer's disease.

Emilio meets the residents of the ground floor, including Miguel, his mischievous and conniving roommate, Mrs. Sol, a woman who always wants to find a telephone but forgets who she was planning to call, the married couple Dolores and Modesto, and others.

Life on the ground floor is boring, featuring endless naps interrupted by bland meals. Still, the ground floor is preferable to the second floor, which is where the incompetents live. Emilio dreads the inexorable progression of his disease, and dreads even more a transfer up to the second floor.

The story is gentle, but the reality is difficult. Anyone who has experienced the sadness of dementia may wish to read this book, or share it with others.

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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