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

Book review by Aarene Storms: Drag Teen

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Drag Teen by Jeffery Self

18 year old JT is stuck in Clearwater, Florida where the water isn't clear. He dreams of life somewhere -- anywhere -- else, but his family is content running a roadside gas station and eating food from the dollar store, and they consider a few classes at Clearwater Tech School sufficient "higher education" for their vision of JT's future. No support there.

JT's boyfriend Seth proposes a solution: a drag queen competition for teens in New York City. The prize for first place is a four-year scholarship. Why would JT, a talented singer and drag-queen wannabe, not want to participate?

The answer to that, and some other stuff, is the guts of this book.

Part unlikely-road-trip adventure, part fish-out-of-water drama, part coming-of-age story, Drag Teen is a fun read. 

Sure, the plot relies too heavily on coincidence, and some of the characters were so two-dimensional that it's a wonder they could get Spanx to stay on, and clearly the narrator's personal arc was copied from some old "afterschool special" formula, and the ending was completely non-credible.

But for all the weaknesses, I enjoyed reading this book.

Recommended for readers ages 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 astorms@kcls.org



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Book review by Aarene Storms: Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World

Friday, July 5, 2019

Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake

Ivy is 12 years old (almost 13!), and feeling adrift following the birth of baby twins in the family. Her friends are just starting to think and talk about boys, but Ivy is starting to think about girls. Then, Ivy's world literally flies apart: a tornado flattens her house and leaves her family homeless.

Ivy is a smart, talented, and creative protagonist who finds more than a little help from friends--new friends and familiar friends.

This is a beautiful, sweet middle-grade book about Ivy and her family and friends, and their attempts to find their own places in the world. Highly recommended for readers ages 10 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 astorms@kcls.org




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Book review by Aarene Storms: What Goes Up

Saturday, June 29, 2019

What Goes Up by Katie Kennedy

200 teen scientists vie for two positions with NASA's Interworlds Agency. The tests cover math, science, problem-solving...and a lot more. Rosa Hayashi is an obvious choice. Eddie Toivonen is not.

Then gravity flutters, which it definitely should not do. Immediately after, alternate-dimension aliens show up, and they look human. In fact, the alternate-dimension aliens look just like the astronauts who just left Earth, only these astronauts are carrying a very dangerous cargo.

What could possibly go wrong?

Part Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, part Ender's Game and part literary roller coaster. Put it all together for a fast-moving, fun book with an intriguing premise and appealing characters who make nerdy the new cool. Highly recommended!

Ages 12 to adult. Some cussing, some kissing and some unbelievably corny knock-knock jokes.


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 astorms@kcls.org



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Book review by Aarene Storms: My Fairy Godmother is a Drag Queen

Saturday, June 22, 2019

My Fairy Godmother is a Drag Queen by David Clawson

17-year-old Chris is the undervalued stepson in the socially-prominent (but financially bereft) Fontaine family. He does all the cooking and cleaning, and keeps his step-siblings well-dressed and his step-mother comfortably numb. When J.J. Kennerly, "The Most Eligible Bachelor in America," publicly announces that he will be attending the prestigious Autumnal Ball, the household goes nuts--and Chris gets left behind.

Will Chris be cut off from happiness forever, or will his new friend Coco Chanel Jones work her fabulous fashion magic and bring about true love between Chris and J.J.?

This Cinderella-reboot has a lot of cute elements and some laugh-out-loud moments, but tries a little too hard to rock the gender boat. And then there's the ending, which involves a shoe and an unexpected coming-out that should have been satisfying but felt forced instead.

A quick and fun read 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   astorms@kcls.org



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Book review by Aarene Storms: Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda - and Leah on the Offbeat

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

16-year-old Simon Spier is in the closet, and he isn't sure how to get out. But he's been corresponding online with another local boy called "Blue," and Simon is pretty sure that Blue (or whatever his real name is) will be worth all the drama that will probably accompany coming out.

Then, Martin finds the emails and blackmails Simon.

Did somebody say "drama"?

The book features all of the heartache-y, up-and-down drama of a John Hughes "brat pack" movie, updated with modern characters and modern sensibilities.

It's fun, it's funny, it's surprising, and it's a feel-good book with a happy ending -- perfect summer beach reading.

And if you liked Simon, you'll love Leah:


Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

A year has passed since Simon learned Blue's true identity, and in that time, nobody has made much progress getting to know Leah better. She's smart, she's snarky, she's a damn good drummer and a good friend. But even though her mom has known for ages that Leah is bisexual, Leah hasn't told anybody else yet. Not even Simon.

Now senior year is almost over. Prom-drama is running high, with graduation and college coming soon, and Leah is torn when her rock-solid group of friends begins to fracture in ways she never dreamed.

Sweet, warm and funny, with all the melodrama that only 18-year-olds can muster. It makes me remember my high school days with a smile, even though I'd never want to re-live them.

Recommended for ages 12 to adult. Some cussing, lots of under-age drinking, and more sexual situations and angst than you might have thought possible. Gold stars for appropriate mentions of safe sexual practices.

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 astorms@kcls.org



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Book review by Aarene Storms: Be Prepared

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

Vera desperately wants to fit in with her American classmates, but she doesn't: her family is too poor, too Russian, too different.

Then, her mom sends her to summer camp: Russian summer camp. At Camp Orra, Vera will get to sleep in a tent, swim in a lake, and make friends who also speak Russian at home. Right?

Fitting in -- even at a camp for Russian kids -- still doesn't come easily for Vera, and she makes a lot of mistakes. She also does some stuff right, including befriending a belochki ("squirrel", a younger camper).

Loosely based on recollections of the author's own experience at Russian summer camp, the pictures are lively and fun, and the story is easy to relate to -- even for kids who don't speak Russian.

Highly recommended for ages 8 and up. After reading Be Prepared, you'll be ready to read Lumberjanes, a graphic novel series about girls at a fun -- and mysterious -- summer camp.


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 astorms@kcls.org



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Book review by Aarene Storms: Jane

Friday, May 17, 2019

Jane by Aline Brosh McKenna, 
illustrated by Ramon K. Perez

Jane grew up as an unloved orphan in her aunt's house. As soon as she is able, she leave the aunt behind and heads to New York to study art. Once there, she needs a job and finds one: as nanny to the under-loved daughter of Edward Rochester, Extremely Rich Guy.

This graphic novel retelling of the classic Jane Eyre transports the story across the pond and into the present day. Some elements totally work: the affection between Jane and young Adele, for example.

However, the romantic fascination between Mr. Rochester and Jane which was intriguing in the original story feels creepy in the modern days of the "Me Too" movement.

The artwork is beautiful, and admirers of the original will be beguiled by this interpretation, but I doubt that new readers will be drawn to Bronte by way of this book.

Recommended for Bronte fans, 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 astorms@kcls.org




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Book review by Aarene Storms: Bob

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Bob
By Wendy Maas and Rebecca Stead

When 10-year-old Livy visits her Gran in Australia for the first time in 5 years, she doesn't remember much about her last visit. 

There were...chickens? And...a staircase? And there was...a green zombie in a chicken costume?

Wait. What?

This gentle middle-grade novel shares the story of Livy and her NOT-imaginary-friend Bob with the narration split between them. 

Who-- and what--is Bob? And why does Livy forget about him whenever she gets too far away?

The answers to these questions and others will remind readers of adventures with a Psammead, and with the other children in books by E. Nesbit, Edward Eager, and C.S. Lewis.

Highly recommended for readers ages 8 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 astorms@kcls.org



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Book review by Aarene Storms: Geekerella

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Geekerella by Ashley Poston 

Elle is a nerdy girl with a mean stepmomster and stepsisters. She dreams of attending the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball in a beautiful outfit inspired by her favorite cult TV show, but there's no way she'll be allowed to attend.

With plenty of nods to geek culture and fandoms (especially Star Trek and Firefly) this quick little fractured fairy tale features alternating narration from Elle and from the insecure actor hired to captain a reboot space opera. 

Characters are shallowly built from a dubious combination of boilerplate and dilithium crystals, but the settings of a SciFi Con, the online fandoms, and the vegan food truck called "The Magic Pumpkin" are spot-on.

Some kissing, some bullying (RL and online), one overweight dachshund, a problematic chimichanga, no cussing or nekkidness.

Recommended for nerds, especially girls, 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 astorms@kcls.org



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Book review by Aarene Storms: The Prince and the Dressmaker

Sunday, April 21, 2019

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang (graphic novel)

Prince Sebastian has a secret.

Some days I look in the mirror and think, "That's me, Prince Sebastian! I wear boy clothes and look like my father. Other days it doesn't feel right at all. Those days I feel like I'm actually... a princess."

Although Sebastian is sure that his family would be ruined and his parents would disown him if the secret ever got out, he does share it -- and his dreams of being known in public as the glamorous Lady Crystallia -- with his dressmaker. Frances not only encourages Sebastian, she creates fabulous gowns for Lady Crystallia that are soon the talk of all Paris.

And then, things go wrong.

This beautifully illustrated graphic novel is a quick and compelling read with a sweet, satisfying ending. Reading it restored my faith in humans (and who doesn't need a bit of that?) and I plan to share it enthusiastically with teens, tweens... and parents.

Highly recommended, 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: Quiet Girl in a Noisy World

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: an introvert's story by Debbie Tung

Debbie is happiest by herself, or with one or two trusted friends or family members. Her ideal weekend includes a stack of books, many cups of tea, and very little talking.

Her problem? Convincing other people that being alone doesn't mean being sad.

Debbie explores her quiet world, and her (often unsuccessful) attempts to integrate herself into noisy environments using gentle humor and sweet cartoon illustrations. 

Less manic than Hyperbole and a Half, and prettier than Sarah Andersen's "Scribbles" series, this quiet girl touches on many of the same topics and issues, and shows the paths she takes when her social battery drains to 0%.

Recommended for all teen and adult readers (including extroverts!) who have ever felt overwhelmed.

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 astorms@kcls.org



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Book Review by Aarene Storms: Norse Myths

Saturday, February 2, 2019

Norse Myths: tales of Odin, Thor, and Loki 
by Kevin Crossley-Holland, 
illustrated by Jeffrey Alan Love

Odin, Thor and Loki are the three that everyone remembers.

But what about Frigg and her brother Freyr, Balder the bright, Sif of the golden hair, and Idun who kept the golden apples of youth?

What of the dwarf brothers Fjalar and Galar who brewed the mead of poetry?

And giants like beautiful Gerd and strong Hrungnir?

If you don't know those, here is a wonderful book of stories about them and many others, beautifully illustrated in striking woodcuts.



The stories are tellable, straight from the book, and they beg to be told aloud.

Highly recommended for readers (and listeners) 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: Orphan, Monster, Spy

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Orphan Monster Spy
by Matt Killeen

15 year old Sarah is blonde, blue-eyed, and (according to the Nazi reckoning) Jewish. She is a talented gymnast, she speaks several languages, she is adept at assimilating. In other words, she is perfectly suited to be a spy.

Assigned to infiltrate a school for the privileged daughters of high-ranking SS officers so she can discover the hidden location of a new kind of bomb, Sarah (now called "Ursula") sneaks, lies, snoops, and tricks her way into the top level of mean girls. She finds the bomb... and much more.

The author's buckets of research and attention to character-building elevate this story above the adventures of James Bond, but some elements strain credulity. The book is not quite as good as Code Name Verity, however, readers interested in the time period will be fascinated by the descriptions from inside Nazi Germany.

Although no sequel is specified, there is clearly more adventure in store for Sarah/Ursula.

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: Night of Cake and Puppets

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Night of Cake and Puppets
by Laini Taylor, illustrated by Jim DiBartolo

Zuzanna begins the narrative with the story of a gruesome little puppet her grandfather used to scare small children:  the head made from a real fox skull with black glass eyes, sharpened teeth, and Cossack garb (complete with fur hat).

Then she switches gears, and gushes a bit about this boy she is crazy to meet: Mik, the "violin boy" who is Zuzanna's boyfriend in this author's Daughter of Smoke and Bone books. This lovely, talented, beautiful boy... to whom Zuzanna is too shy to speak.

One night, she takes a handful of scuppies (tiny wishes) and crafts a little adventure for Mik: a treasure map, with a drawing of herself at the center of the page where "x-marks-the-spot."

And thus, the magic begins.

Small, quiet, and powerful, this novella should be uber-creepy, but becomes delightfully sweet instead. The illustrations are swirly, gothic, and delightful.

And now, I want cake.

Recommended for readers ages 12 to adult. Some scariness, no blood, some kissing (YES!!!) and thoughts of further intimacy but nothing on the page. 

You do not need to read the Smoke and Bones books to appreciate this. You only need to understand that magic is real, and that I love this book.


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: Otherworld

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Otherworld
by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

Simon is a poor-little-rich-boy whose only friend, Kat, is now ignoring him. In an effort to win her back, Simon sends Kat a virtual reality headset so they can reunite in the game "Otherworld," if not in real life.

Things go terribly wrong, and now Kat is in a coma, permanently jacked in to Otherworld... unless Simon can save her.

I wanted this to be as action-packed and imaginative as Ernest Cline's Ready Player One, but it isn't.

The characters are two-dimensional, the suspense is hard to believe, and the bad guys are cartoonish at best.

Some details in the virtual reality world are original, and perhaps book #2 will lean more heavily on those? Let me know, because I probably won't read it-- but readers who loved RP1 will definitely want to try this book, even if they don't finish it.

Minimal cussing, virtual bloodshed, and talk of a virtual orgy in the basement, but very little skin on the page. The audiobook is competently read by the author. For readers 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: Thunderhead

Saturday, January 5, 2019

Thunderhead by Neil Shusterman
Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman  (Scythe series #2)

Time has passed since the last page of book #1, and the characters have been busy: Cira is now a junior scythe, working with the kindly Scythe Curie and trying to change the flawed scythe society from within.

Rowan is now an outlaw, gleaning those scythes he deems to be the worst sources of corruption. And a new character, Greyson, is selected by the Thunderhead itself for an assignment nobody seems to comprehend.

Excellent world building and characters and an ending that you definitely will not see coming.

Minimal cussing, some bloodshed and death, no sex on the page.

This book does not stand alone: read Scythe first, then Thunderhead, then join the rest of us in waiting impatiently for the release of book #3 *The Toll* sometime next year.  Highly 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: Turtles All the Way Down

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Turtles All the Way Down
by John Green

16-year-old Aza has a problem. It's not school -- she gets good grades. It's not friends -- her best friend Daisy is the Best and Most Fearless Friend Ever. It isn't money --though Aza's family isn't rich, they have enough for food, housing, transportation, and relatively up-to-date technology. It's not even her mom -- though her mom doesn't always understand Aza, she definitely loves her daughter.

Aza's problem is her mind: sometimes she can control her anxieties, but sometimes the worries spiral in tighter and tighter until Aza is almost strangled by them.

When Aza and Daisy decide to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a friend's dad (who happens to be a billionaire), nothing goes according to plan. Aza wants to be involved closely with Davis, but every time they kiss, her anxiety kicks into high gear.

This is not a simple book to read. Aza's intrusive thoughts are nearly crippling at times, and those who love her aren't having much fun either.  But, as storyteller/author Elizabeth Ellis observed in her book Inviting the Wolf In:
"Perhaps that is the greatest disrespect we can pay anyone: 
to be unwilling to look at their pain.  
If they could live it, I could look at it.  
Perhaps it was the very least I could do."
Author John Green didn't just research obsessive compulsive disorder in order to write this book; rather, he lives with it. His expertise, painfully acquired, shines through. It's painful to read, but not nearly as painful as it is to live. The least we can do is to look, and learn.


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 Stars Beneath Our Feet

Saturday, December 29, 2018

The Stars Beneath Our Feet
by David Barclay Moore

12-year-old Wallace "Lolly" Rachpaul is at a tipping point. He's having a hard time coping without his older brother around. He misses his dad. He isn't a little kid anymore -- he's old enough now that the crews don't let him and his buddies trespass around gang territory. The only time that Lolly feels peaceful is when he builds things with LEGOs.

This is not a typical "inner city kid makes tough choices" novel, nor is it a "follow my lead and we'll live happily ever after" story. Lolly's narration explores the choices that he thinks are available to him ... and as the story advances, he begins to understand that being an artist is actually one of his choices. He also begins to understand that the people around him can help.

This is a lovely book with diverse characters, strong (but flawed) adults, and a bit of poetry. Recommended for readers ages 12 to adult.

Some very minor cussing, some bullying, a kiss or two, some references to off-page drug-running and gang violence. Plus Caribbean food, violin music, LEGOs, and poetry.


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 Girl in the Tower

Saturday, December 22, 2018

The Girl in the Tower
by Katherine Arden

Sequel to: The Bear and the Nightingale, this story takes up where the first book ended: Vasya has left her family and her village. Together, she and her marvelous horse (with some help from Morozko, the frost demon) journey towards Moscow, and (of course) things go terribly wrong along the way.

Familiarity with Russian folklore will definitely aid in understanding and enjoying this dense, dark tale. Vasilisa and Morozko figure in many traditional stories, as do...oh, but that would be a spoiler. If you know the stories, you may recognize characters along the way; otherwise, you will be as surprised as Vasya herself when true identities are revealed.

Some kissing, some bloodshed, some nekkidness, some demons and devils, and quite a lot of magic. This is second in a trilogy, but does not end on a cliffhanger.

Highly recommended reading for cold, blustery nights when the fire is ticking in the stove, and winter is just on the other side of the wall. 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: Phoebe and Her Unicorn

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Phoebe and Her Unicorn
by Dana Simpson  (graphic novel series)

One day Phoebe skipped a rock across a pond (four skips!!!) and hit a unicorn in the face. Instead of wishing for piles of gold or world peace, Phoebe's magical wish is that the unicorn Marigold Heavenly Nostrils will be her best friend.

If Calvin were a girl and Hobbes were a unicorn, they would be Phoebe and Marigold.

But Calvin isn't, and neither is Hobbes, so we're stuck with something even better: a series of fun (and funny, and snarky) adventures of two friends with great imaginations and a willingness to be silly in the name of friendship PLUS a special guest appearance from Todd, the candy dragon.

Phoebe and Marigold are my new cure for winter, and they make me smile.

*magic, wishes, imagination, no cussing, no kissing, some flirting with the class spelling champ, some animosity with a girl whose hair gets "accidentally" magicked off.


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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