City Spies

by James Ponti

Maud Hart Lovelace 2022-23 award nominee

Libby eBook (pages depends on device and size of font!)

Published: 2020

Genre: YA spy fiction

 

This was a delightful read. Sara Martinez is in family court because her plan to expose her foster parents' fraud has backfired on her. She is rescued by "Mother," the man who leads the special spy group of kids as part of MI6. Each kid is renamed based on their city of origin, so Sara becomes Brooklyn. She joins Paris, Rio, Sydney, and Kat (Kathmandu).  

 

Not sure which chapter, but I highlighted this:

"'You're amazing, Kat,' Paris said. 'Absolutely amazing.'

'Maths is amazing, ' Kat said. 'I just know how to use it.'"

The book is lively, action-oriented, and like most kid spy stories, completely unrealistic! But it is a delightful story of talented youngsters working together and appreciating one another's strengths. Also, the back story of Mother trying to find his children after being double-crossed by his wife . . . that is a very interesting story that will certainly need to be revisited in future books. I love that she is the one who came to the rescue at a critical juncture. 

In chapter 34, I highlighted an inconsequential line because it made me smile. "He loved to bake, and his specialty was a type of fruit pastry called a kolach, which he made from a recipe passed down from his grandmother."

Kolache! I remember my first few experiences with them. And the delicious ones Gretchen Anderson made for me from her grandmother's recipe! And I had never heard of them before I started working in New Prague.

Not sure when I'll get around to reading the other books in the series, but this was fun.

Hummingbird

by Natalie Lloyd

Libby audiobook 8 hours

Read by: the author

Published: 2022

Genre: YA - realistic and fantasy . . . 

The realistic part - brittle bone disease, adolescence, middle school relationships, family, . . . 

The fantasy - magic is woven throughout the book

There were times the author's voice was irritating and times it was perfect for the characters.

There were places that Olive was incredibly mature and places where she was a very typical tween. 

This was an engaging story and the ending actually surprised me a bit. The characters were mostly delightful (I think Olive's dad Jupiter and her new friend Grace were my favorites).

Emily Dickinson, homeschooler goes to Macklemore Middle School, a banjo playing old lady, a fantastical library, a magic hummingbird that appears very sporadically (like every 30-60 years) and grants wishes, Hatch Malone turning out to be a very different person than Olive anticipated, . . . 

But I just can't see a librarian being okay with dozens of "support animals" like opossums, llama, birds, etc. being loose in a library! Birds can't really control their sphincter area . . . yuk.

(Two weeks after initial post, I found a scrap of paper with notes. Also, I had used the word "immature" instead of "mature." I really should proofread these before posting!)

Miss Pigeon is *awful*! (So were a few other adults at the school.)

"Fact: I like theatre people." - Olive

Me, too, Olive. Me too.

Mr. Watson :-) Wonderful character. Too bad he was almost exclusively in Olive's first day of school scene and then . . . background.

"joy kabooms" - I love this way of describing the feeling from a wonderful experience.

The "Maddies" - Maddy 1, Maddy 2, and Maddy 3 (who would prefer to be called Madeline).

Birds in the library? No!

The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly

Maud Hart Lovelace award nominee 2022-23

by Rebecca K.S. Ansari

Libby eBook

Published: 2019

Genre: YA fantasy, mystery

I confess that I did not enjoy this book. In fact, I had to force myself to read it.

 

Charlie has been insisting that his little brother Liam is missing for a year. Everyone else has forgotten that Liam ever existed. Charlie's friend Ana doesn't remember Liam, but she tries to help Charlie figure out what happened.

 

Strange dreams of a woman named Brona and a house fire in Ireland. Charlie's mom struggling with depression. Baseball assistant coach Jonathan. The mysterious wreck of the old orphanage that burned down.

 

This book was hard for me to get through. Ironically, I had marked some passages but returned the book before making note of them. I think the author tried too hard to make this profound. It didn't work for me, but I'm sure there are readers who will love it. Especially if they've ever thought they wished they'd never been born or think the world would be better without them in it.

 

Add in charmed necklaces that cannot be removed, creepy salt mines with undead 18-year-olds, and a theme of regrets tying you to your own past . . . and you have this book.

 

I think what I liked was the idea that this "utopia" that Brona tried to create meant that injuries faded away, food had no taste, etc. In trying to protect the children from unpleasantness, she made a meaningless "home."

 

Ansari is a first-time author with this book.

 

Wretched Waterpark

The Sinister Summer Series (#1)

By: Kiersten White

Libby audiobook 4.5 hours

Read by: Keylor Leigh

Published: 2022

Genre: YA mystery

 

From Goodreads:

 "From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes her middle grade series debut! Part Scooby Doo, part A Series of Unfortunate Events, and entirely genius! Meet the Sinister-Winterbottom twins, who solve mysteries at increasingly bizarre summer vacation destinations in the hopes of being reunited with their parents—or at the very least finally finding a good churro.

Twelve-year-old twins Theodora and Alexander and their older sister Wilhelmina Sinister-Winterbottom don’t know how they ended up with their Aunt Saffronia for an entire summer. She’s not exactly well equipped to handle children. The twins are determined to make it a good vacation, though, so when Aunt Saffronia suggests a waterpark, they hastily agree.

But Fathoms of Fun is not your typical waterpark. Instead of cabanas, guests rent mausoleums. The waterslides are gray tongues extending from horrible gargoyle faces. The few people they encounter are very, very odd. And the owner disappeared under bizarre circumstances, lost to the Cold, Unknowable Sea—the wave pool.

When Wil goes missing, rule following, cautious Alexander and competitive, brave Theo will have to work together to solve the mystery of Fathoms of Fun. But are they out of their depth?"

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this odd book! It was very engaging, weird and funny. I will definitely read the next one!

 

I am super curious about Aunt Saffronia . . . what is her deal? 

 

 

96 Miles

2022-23 Maud Hart Lovelace nominee

by J.L. Esplin

Libby 245 pages (tablet) 457 pages (phone)

Published: 2020

Genre: realistic suspense, survival

 

Wow! This book was so good! Set in the near future, the protagonist's father has gone out of town for work. When the power goes out (everywhere), John and his brother Stew are well prepared. Their father is a strong believer in preparedness and self-reliance. But when thieves come and steal their water, food, generator, and everything else of value, the two boys must find a way to survive.  

I'm too distracted to blog well, but this is Esplin's first novel. I look forward to reading more of her work! The epilog, author's note, and acknowledgements just made this book all the more rewarding. I love the themes of siblings, survival, what would you do? and more. 

I confess that I would love to know more about HOW the power went out. Was it world-wide? What's the bigger geopolitical story? But for your average middle schooler, there's enough here to keep one turning pages!

Laika

by Nick Abadzis

Scott County Library paperback 200 pages

Published: 2007

Genre: graphic novel 

Based on the true story of Laika, the Russian dog who was the first living being in orbit around Earth, this book is fictionalized and made more touching by giving her a back story.

I think I've read this book in the past, but I didn't find a blog entry. Reading it made me sad, not just because Laika was sent into space without hope of return, but for the Cold War posturing, the "training" the dogs went through, and the poignancy of the humans getting emotionally attached to animals who were being used this way.

I don't care for Abadzis' art style, but I do appreciate his storytelling ability. I got this after listening to the audiobook I had checked out to share with Joshua. He's not ready for this graphic novel, though!

When God Winks: How the Power of Coincidence Guides Your Life

by SQuire Rushnell

Scott County Library hardcover 164 pages

Published: 2001

Genre: Christian . . . theology?

 

When I read my first "God Winks" book three years ago, I remember thinking that it was pretty cheesy, but also very impactful to hear stories of God working in people's lives in unexpected ways. I've since seen a few clips on YouTube of Rushnell sharing "GodWink" stories. I wasn't super impressed, but curious.

 

Then I got this book and finally read it. It's just too gimmicky to me. It's as though he's trying to help people try to get as much out of God as possible by looking for his activity in their lives. It just felt wrong to me. The "power of  coincidence" is his shtick and glorifying God (or actually seeking out God's will for one's life) seem to fall by the wayside. 

 

I had considered buying the first book because the stories truly were impacting. Now I think I'm done with SQuire Rushnell . . . though I am a bit curious about why he capitalizes the Q in his name. 

Betsy-Tacy

by Maud Hart Lovelace

Libby audiobook 2 hours

Read by Sutton Foster

Published: 1940 (this version 2007)

Genre: children's realistic fiction

I realized while listening to this that I typically use "YA (Young Adult)" for things that are actually intended for younger children. This is most definitely a children's book! I have read it before, but not for a long time.

Betsy is five years old and over the moon excited when a new family moves into the neighborhood with a little girl her age. After an initial misunderstanding, Betsy and Tacy become best of friends. They use their imaginations and play games. At the end of the story, they meet Tib.

My favorite part is when Tacy leaves the playground on the first day of school and Betsy follows her. They end up on the shopkeeper's doorstep, crying. They are afraid of getting in trouble and not being allowed back in school. 

The scene where Betsy comforts Tacy after her baby sister dies is sensitive.

The Rent Collector

by Camron Wright

*Young Readers Edition*

Libby audiobook 7 hours

Read by: Emily Woo Zeller

Published: 2012 (this version 2022)

Genre: realistic fiction (Based on a true story!)

 

Oh my! Too bad this was an audiobook, because there were many, many, many places that I would have put down post-it notes if it were print! This book is amazing and definitely worth a re-read.

 

Sang Ly, her husband, and their ill toddler live in the garbage dump called Stung Meachey in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Right away, it reminded me of the YA book Trash by Andy Mulligan.  Sometimes I need to get out of my comfort zone. People around the globe live in garbage dumps because they need to!

This entry will be short, because I didn't jot notes while I drove. The themes of literacy, hope, kindness, community . . . there's so much here! 

One note I jotted is that "Hope died at the dump." It struck me that hope is more crucial for life than food or shelter. Hope makes all the difference!

Oh! The Khmer Rouge and the cultural revolution . . . there are too many parts of human history that I need to learn more about. This book is amazing.

<The above was written on 10.5.22. I just finished reading the print book on 2.22.23 . . . and when I checked my blog, I realized I had already read the print book in 2015! And blogged about it then.>

Furthermore, I was going to highly recommend this book to Ann for her book club. Funny! When I read it in 2015, it was a book had obtained from the library FOR Ann for her book club. I really, really, really like this book. I thought about putting it on my wish list so I could own a copy, but I'm working hard at decreasing my possessions, so that doesn't really make sense.

I put sixteen different post-it notes in the book this time around. Based on what I just read in that 2015 blog entry, I may work on being a bit more concise. 

Page 3 - "'Remember, Sang Ly. When you find your purpose - and you will find your purpose - never let go. Peace is a product of both patience and persistence.'"

Grandfather is a huge part of Sang Ly's life and thought processes. I liked this line.

Page 47 - "In Cambodia, when parents get old, they move in with their children, who offer shelter, food, and happy grandchildren. It's the perfect retirement plan - as long as your children don't live at the city's municipal dump."

As I think about retirement and options, I sincerely hope to not be a burden to our children. It's interesting that in other cultures, it's an expectation that younger generations will care for their elders. I don't know what the future will bring, but I hope that my children don't have to take care of me.

Page 53 - The scene where Sang Ly is looking for letters on wrappers and such at the dump, then sounds out her first word ("samnang" = "luck") makes me smile. Her triumphant joy at realizing she has read her first word all by herself is exhilarating.

Page 67 - This is where Sang Ly hears her cousin Narin's recitation of the night time poem her mother used to say to her. Beautiful. And I love when Narin asks her to write down a copy that she can keep, even though she cannot read. So sweet!

Page 78 - "As the boy's words sink in, I comprehend the trembling, the fear, the child's tears. This stunningly innocent and beautiful girl of no more than twelve is going to be taken by her brother to the city's red-light district and be sold to a brothel as a child prostitute."

The fact that this is fiction, but also painfully true bothers me. I live in a world where young girls are sold and bought for sex. For some men, the younger the better. That disgusts me. And it makes me so sad for the girls whose lives are permanently affected by the greed and lust of others. I'm so glad that in this story, Maly is rescued by Lucky Fat, Sang Ly, her mother Lena, Sopeap Sin, and others.

Page 93 - "'Education is almost always good, especially when it brings us to an understanding of our place in the world."

Sopeap Sin is a very good teacher, even if there were some rough spots in their relationship.

Page 107 - "Words provide a voice to our deepest feelings. I tell you, words have started and stopped wars. Words have built and lost fortunes. Words have saved and taken lives. Words have won and lost great kingdoms."

Yes! Words are powerful. There are some great Scriptures about that, too.

Page 125 - As in my 2015 blog entry, I noted the variety of Cinderella story versions throughout the world. I love this! It fascinates me to see the similarities and differences in these stories. The story of Sarann is told in chapter 15 (pages 110-124 for the actual story). Sang Ly and Sopeap Sin talk about hope and the meaning of the story. "I believe the message of the story that we have just read anchors deeper than our doubts." Sopeap responds when Sang Ly asks if she still has hope. Their conversation after this gets even deeper. On page 127, Sopeap says, "We all want to be Sarann, to have hope for our future. While I also want to have my story end happily, there's a problem that keeps getting in my way - I wake up most days to find I'm just another ugly stepsister."

Page 130 - The leech. This whole scene. I'm 100% with Sang Ly on the reaction to a leech that she cannot pull off her ankle. I, too, would have freaked out and screamed bloody murder. She makes the observation, "In this life we all have our own phobias and fears." Yep. Spiders don't really bother me. But leeches? Cringe!

Page 161 - "'Besides,' she adds, 'I can't die yet. I'm just starting to like you.'" 

Even though it's sad, it made me laugh. The transformation of Sopeap Sin and her occasional humor are delightful aspects of this story!

 

Page 174 - "Because I distance myself from heaven and then complain that heaven is distant."

 

Most people who are contradictory do not seem to recognize this, but Sopeap Sin is perfectly aware of what is holding her back. Sang Ly has asked her about what will happen when she dies and if she believes the ancestors are waiting for her.

 

Chapter 25 includes "The Epilogue" by Sopeap Sin. This tells her story during the revolution and how she became Sopeap Sin. It is beautiful and painful and powerful.

 

Page 220 - "Only later would I realize that there are no words harsh enough, no paragraphs wide enough, no books deep enough to convey the weight of true human sorrow."

 

I know I quoted this in my 2015 entry, but those words carry so much impact. For those of us who love words, to acknowledge that something is beyond expression is saying a lot. She mentions the horrors of the Holocaust and genocide during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, but her experiences during the Khmer Rouge brought home the horrors of suffering personally.

 

Page 260 - "As I near the base of the steps, adjacent to the front door, I find Ki asleep in a chair, still waiting. Of all the stories I have read about heroes, and all that I could ever read, of one thing I'm now certain - he is mine."

 

I love that she sees him as her hero! I love that she worked through her thoughts about Moby Dick, good and evil, right and wrong, throughout the story.

 

I enjoyed this story so much (again!) that I'm requesting other Camron Wright books from the library. Amazing author!

By Way of the Moonlight

by: Elizabeth Musser

Carver County Library paperback 377 pages

Published: 2022

Genre: Christian historical fiction

 

Horses, WWII, polio, mother / daughter relationships, German U-boats on the Atlantic Coast, Tommy . . . I'm surprised that I have so many post-it notes in a book that I enjoyed but was not crazy about.  Nana Dale's WWII story was significantly more interesting than her granddaughter Allie's modern day story. We had a good book club discussion on Monday (even though I had 60 pages left to read).

Page 17: "'Horseshoes are for good luck, Allie . . . I don't like to call it luck, though. I call it faith.'" (Nana Dale)

This made me think of a recent conversation when I was expressing appreciation for my sons' wonderful in-laws. The person I was talking with referred to being "lucky." I was surprised. This doesn't feel like random chance to me . . . 

Page 49: "According to her mother, the chances of this prayer being answered were non-existent. But then again, her mother was only human, and Dale was not praying to her."

I don't like that Dale's mom was discouraging her, but I love Dale's response! God can do the impossible.

Page 58 and page 128: ". . . what I read in Nana Dale's eyes was pure ove." (sic) and "What awful i

rony!" (sic - the "i" was at the end of a line of text and the "rony" was at the start of the next line!!!)

 

PET PEEVE!!! Do editors and proofreaders not exist any more??? At book club, another person had noticed this and one checked their Kindle. Yep. "Ove" instead of "Love." Sigh. And for the word "irony" to be split (with no dash or hyphen in sight . . . ) Okay. I feel better now.

Page 68/69 and other chapter transitions: I love love love that Musser flowed from one story to the next! In this instance, Allie "stopped, turned my face upward, and gave a small gasp. A full rainbow towered above the trees, weaving in and out of the clouds." The next chapter (Dale) starts with "She'd always remember how the rainbow announced his arrival. . . . " It worked beautifully! I definitely liked Dale's story line better, but the two were interwoven so well!

Page 120: "'It will never be enough, Dale, until you decide that you already have it all. You settle in your mind a grateful heart, a content spirit, and everything else will be gravy, girl.'"

Husy (Mrs. Hughes) was more than a nursemaid to Dale! She parented her and guided her in ways her parents were either unable or unwilling to do.

Page 137: "'Don't forget your prayers,' Husy used to say. 'Practice gratitude, Barbara Dale.' Her nursemaid's simple wisdom often drifted into her thoughts."

Gratitude. Prayers. Simple wisdom. Beautiful.

Page 149 just made me cringe. It's the breakup between Allie and Austin. I completely understand her being upset, but I'd be fighting mad. Her grandmother was clearly taken advantage of and the will should be contested in court. You don't roll over and play dead and chase off your amazing fiancé because you're so upset!

Page 203: "The kiss blossomed like daffodils in February, like primroses peeking from under the snow, like the crepe myrtle exploding in fluorescent pink outside her bedroom window, like that giddy feeling in the pit of her stomach when they called her name in first place at a horse show."

I just really liked the descriptive language here!

Page 234: "It could lose almost ninety percent of its water and survive, while most plants could only lose ten percent before they died. . . . Today, I longed for some sort of resurrection too, for it seemed I had lost at least ninety percent of whatever I needed to move forward in my life."

I had never heard of a resurrection fern before, so I found this really interesting. I also liked how the author connected that idea to Allie as a character. I liked her better in the last third of the book.

Page 286: "'It's like learning to ride a horse, Allie. Praying, trusting God - the more you practice, the better you get at understanding how He wants you to live. It doesn't happen overnight."

What Nana Dale learned from Husy, she tried to pass on to Allie. I want to set a good example for Joshua and Benjamin!

Page 352: "'Life ain't fair. It's brutal, sometimes, Miss Dale. And faith don't stop the horrible things. But faith helps you walk through those things, whipped and angry and screaming on the inside. Lord don't mind our screaming and raging. He's done shown us how to do it in those psalms of His that King David wrote.'"

Husy giving good advice as usual!

Page 357: I don't want to leave any spoilers, but I'm relieved that Dale finally told her husband the truth about her past (after ten years of marriage!) "Somehow, it had restored hope in their marriage and given Daniel permission to share his own secrets. And there had been healing."

Horseshoes and diamonds. Hmm. Not sure how I feel about how everything turned out. I still think Allie should have taken Hightower to court.

War and Millie McGonigle

by Karen Cushman

Libby audiobook 6 hours

Read by: Emma Galvin

Published: 2021

Genre: YA historical fiction

Set during WWII, this story is by one of my favorite YA authors. Millie is dealing with the death of her beloved grandmother, scarcity, and war fears. Cushman mixes humor (especially cousin Edna) with gravity. Millie's fears and frustrations are palpable. 

Her grandmother left Millie a book for recording memories. Millie believes she is supposed to record "dead things" in it to ward off the bad things that can happen in life. She draws dead animals she finds on the beach and records names of people who die. 

Her little sister Lily is extremely sickly and thinks Millie would like her better if she were dead, too.

The relationships and the growth in Millie make this book another winner for Cushman. It was odd to listen to this as I was reading our book club book which was also set during WWII at the coast!

The Race to Space: Countdown to Liftoff

part of a series (#2) called "Epic Fails"

By: Ben Thompson and Erik Slader

Libby audiobook 2 hours

read by ? Ben Thompson?

Published: 2018 (this version 2019)

Genre: YA Non-fiction

 

I got this so Joshua could enjoy listening in the car, but I think it was a little too boring for him. It was interesting to me, though.  I wanted to learn more about Werner Von Braun, Los Alamos, NM, Laika, what else was going on in 1957, various astronauts, and Gemini.

I had recently talked about Apollo 11 and the name of the third astronaut. I remembered Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. Louie said the third was John Glenn. I was confident that it was NOT John Glenn, but couldn't come up with the correct answer: Michael Collins.

Also, I wondered about Gus Grissom and what he did. I wanted to re-watch Apollo 13 and figure out the Hollywood vs. reality differences. 

Enjoyable. Joshua is *very* into rockets right now.

Call Us What We Carry

by Amanda Gorman

Hennepin County Library hardcover 228

Published: 2021

Genre: Poetry

 

This book is so beautiful! I may need to buy a copy. I had been on the library waiting list for many months. It was due two days ago and I'm not done, but there's still a long list, so I need to return it!

 

Poetry needs to be read slowly and savored. This book asks to be  pondered and re-read. Here are a few of my favorites so far (and I will need to add to this post later!)

Her dedication page says "For all of us both hurting & healing who choose to carry on" and this is such a lovely way to dedicate a book!

 

Page 25 the poem "& So" starts with "It is easy to harp, / Harder to hope." It made me think of a conversation I had recently had with my sister Ann. Complaining is easy, but there is enough negativity in the world. 

Her poem "Good Grief" is one I tagged to share with my brother whose wife died in April. This line especially made me think of him as he works through his grief.

We are built up again 

By what we

Build/find/see/say/remember/know.

What we carry means we survive, 

It is what survives us

I have put this book in my Amazon cart! I don't read poetry often, but this woman is talented! Her work should be read aloud, thought about, and shared. She uses words powerfully and effectively.

Murder of Crows

 by K. Ancrum

"Lethal Lit: A Tig Torres Mystery"

Libby audiobook 6 hours

Read by: Rebecca Soler

Published: 2022

Genre: YA detective, murder mystery

Hmmm. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Here are my notes and added commentary:

• sound effects - unnecessary and irritating
• It this book 2? Lit Killer, Ollie, serial killer teacher . . . (According to Goodreads, this is book #1 but it is between two seasons of an actual podcast which I haven't listened to. LOTS of references to the previous year and the capture of a serial killer. I was sure I had missed the first book in a series!)
• Tig Torres, Max, Ella, Wynn - four friends on the school newspaper staff
• Lesbian relationships . . . Tig and Wynn? Abuela and what's her face? (Goodreads - this author writes lesbian romance. Makes sense.)
• like a "1970s Willy Wonka creepy" . . . made me laugh! This book is definitely geared to modern young readers. I'm not the target audience and so some of the characters' attitudes or words were irritating to me. 

 

Loved: the artifacts, the hunt for the mystery and the treasure.

Hated: the violence and murders.

 

Hated most of all: Tig's stupidity in confronting the intruder who was much bigger than her. Seriously? I know you've not had great success with 911 and the Hollow Falls police, but at least clunk the guy on the head with a frying pan or something. What a stupid move to just walk in and talk to him.

Dragonsinger

by Anne McCaffrey

Libby audiobook 9+ hours

Read by: Sally Darling

Published: 1977 (this version 1992)

Genre: YA fantasy

 

I'm surprised I don't already have an entry for this book. I've read the paperback numerous times. I had requested this audiobook earlier in the summer to listen to while working at Mackin, but started it on the way home from the lake with my sisters. I had to finish the story, of course! 

 

Menolly is in the Harper Hall now, but still doesn't really know her role. The snooty girls in Dunca's cabin are nasty. Piemur is a blessing! I love how Menolly befriends Camo and Piemur and holds her own with the teachers. This is a favorite of mine from my middle school years. 

I listened to this in September 2022 and again in September 2023! :-)

Better Place

 by Duane Murray and Shawn Daley

personal paperback 159 pages

Published: 2021

Genre: YA graphic novel, grief, parenting, aging

This book jumped out at me (and I love graphic novels). It has layers of depth to it that make it a re-read, share, talk about book. Young Dylan loves to hang out with his grandpa. They dress as superheroes Red Rocket and Kid Comet and go on missions. Dylan's mom is stressed with work, parenting, and watching out for her elderly dad. When tragedy strikes, lives get upended. This book is beautiful. (It is not a Christian book, but raises some of the questions that a Christian could answer!)

Postcards from Summer

 by Cynthia Platt

Libby audiobook 20 hours

Read by: Jean Ann Douglass and Bailey Carr (Emma and Lexi)

Published: 2022

Genre: Realistic fiction, YA?

Read a summary online to get a sense of the story. This entry will be full of SPOILERS and it is not a positive review. If Cynthia Platt or one of her fans reads this, I apologize. It was just not the right book for me . . . but I listened to the entire thing anyhow. 

Since it was an audiobook, I have lots of little scraps of notes that I jotted as I was able. I was interested in the story at first. In modern times, Lexi wants to learn more about her mom Emma (who died when she was a little girl). Her dad (Matthew) isn't very forthcoming. When her maternal grandmother dies and leaves a box of Emma's keepsakes to Lexi, she goes on a search to learn more. Most of the story is told from the perspective of Emma "then" (early 2000s, by my reckoning). 

I was approximately halfway through (TEN Hours of listening!) when the story started to bug me. But halfway through . . . means push through. Ugh. This book had some wonderful scenes and characters, but should have been more intentionally edited. Here are my notes and the commentary I added later:

• OARS in "slots" in a CANOE?! ROWING a CANOE? What?!?!? Canoes have paddles. Just saying.
  
• "Cynic" (JR) / "Perky Princess" (Emma) / Island art - / Ryan and sis Linda / Then and Now
• Mackinaw Island - I'm curious to go online and see more. (Okay, I'm not losing my mind. This is "Mackinac Island" and there's a story behind the name. Looks like an amazing place to visit!)
  
• Angry / disappointed dads (Emma, Ryan, Lexi, JR, . . . )
• Irritating similarities / young Emma & Lexi / over and over and over . . . repetitive! I get that they are mother and daughter and similarities are expected, but the same words were used to describe so many things! Anxiety attacks, worries about disappointing parents, self-doubt, etc.
  
• Positive: I love how others describe Emma. She sounds like an optimistic, sweet, creative, ray of sunshine person. But then she agonizes as though she is the center of the universe - hurting Ryan, disappointing her parents, trapped into a life she doesn't want, . . . 
• "Then" = 2004? (Emma's storyline)
  
• Duh! Both guys like you. Idiot.
• 1/2way thru . . . won't ditch it, but getting irritated
• Lexi's bio dad - Ryan or JR? (wink emoji)
• WHY wouldn't she look thru ALL the stuff in her mom's box right away?!?! I get that it gives the author a way to move the story forward, but it doesn't make sense. If I were desperate to learn about my mother's life, why would I hold this treasure chest of notes, date book, etc. and find something I hadn't "noticed" before? UGh! This dragged on way too long! 
• Emma is such an idiot! Stop being such a drama queen!
• Will RJ show up in the end of the story? What happened to him? (Yes.)
  
• Emma born in 1986. . . has a 17 yo in 2022? Do the math! If Lexi is 17 in 2022, she was born in 2005 or earlier. Her mom would have been 19 or younger.
• Definitely preferred Lexi's POV to Emma's. Liked Miss Van Hill, Caleb the Librarian, and others.
  
•  Melodramatic. Overwrought. Romance is the point? Too whiny to be attractive in any way.
• Lexi - box to hold important memories (heart) 
• Why was this called "PostcardS from Summer"???? There was only one postcard. And Lexi mailed it. And Linda came to find her and talk with her. Which bugged me so much! Why didn't Lexi take a brand new postcard and send it to the address rather than mailing the one her mom had written out? Perhaps Linda wouldn't have come if she hadn't recognized Emma's writing, but the panic Lexi had after sending away that "piece" of her mother . . . dude, how are you going to survive college if you can't problem solve better than just "I either hang on to this postcard or I mail it" and you don't think of any other possible ways to communicate with this address? (After 15+ years of sitting in a box . . . ) Ugh!
• Vocal work was solid. I like that they used two different people. Especially since the text was so similar in places!
  

Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors

by Piers Paul Read

Libby eBook 528 pages

Published: 1973 (this edition 2016)

Genre: Non-fiction survival

I was curious enough after finishing the Parrado book to want to know more. Read (author) interviewed many different people before writing this account - survivors, their family members, searchers, etc. I don't necessarily think it's a well-written book, but it was interesting. He focused a bit too much on the cannibalism, but there were other aspects of the story (like all the search efforts) that were absent from Parrado's account. I was six years old when this plane crashed into the Andes in 1972. It's amazing that as many people survived as did.

Chapter 7 / page 72: "Since every seat contained such a rectangle of aluminium (sic), there were soon several water-makers at work." 

I think I highlighted this because I liked the "teamwork" aspect of survival and also the ingenuity to figure out how to more efficiently get drinking water for all survivors.

Chapter 1 / page 361 (not sure which part it was chapter 1 OF. . . ): " . . . he now took the same tone with his Creator. 'You can make it tough, God,' he prayed, 'but don't make it impossible.'"

Canessa was not the most faithful of young men in the group, but he was clearly also not the most skeptical. I like his conversation with God. Many of them saw life and mortality in a whole new way which drew them to deeper faith.

Author's Note: "When I returned in October 1973 to show them the manuscript of this book, some of the survivors were disappointed by my presentation of their story. They felt that the faith and friendship which inspired them in the cordillera do not emerge from these pages. It was never my intention to underestimate these qualities, but perhaps it would be beyond the skill of any writer to express their own appreciation of what they lived through."

I like that he added this. It seems very honest and heartfelt.

Count Me In

by Varsha Bajaj

Libby eBook 192 pages

Published: 2019

Genre: YA realistic fiction

2022-23 Maud Hart Lovelace nominee

I enjoyed this book for the most part. It focuses on Karina and her neighbor Chris. Karina's grandfather is Indian and the three of them are walking together after school one day when they are attacked by a racist. The incident shakes up the two youngsters and lands grandpa in the hospital. Karina's love of photography and online posts quickly go viral. #CountMeIn, #WeBelong, #IAmAmerican, and other hashtags catch on in her community.

"I typically have my nose in a book, because I have a genetic flaw that does not allow me to catch, throw, or whack a round object. Also, I don't want to be laughed at." (Chapter 1)

I could so relate to Karina's observations at that stage of life!

"It's cool to think about stuff bigger than ourselves." (Chapter 8)

As Karina and Chris develop an actual friendship, it's nice that they can get past stereotypes and talk about things that are more significant. I love this about kids' transition in middle school - they're stretching their thinking.

"Are we (safe), though?We thought we were safe a few hours ago, when we were innocently walking to our car, reciting rhymes from an old picture book. I hear the hurtful words that were flung at us. That man is still out there in the world. How can we be safe?" (Chapter 11)

It is heartbreaking when a terrible incident robs someone (especially a young person) of their feelings of security. 

"I remind myself that all brown people are not terrorists and that all people with blue eyes are not mean haters." (Chapter 11)

"Like Mr. C says, you have to be able to imagine a better world to make it a reality."

Chris' relationship with Karina's grandpa (Mr. C) was one of my favorite parts of the book. The math tutoring was good for both of them!

"Dear Karina, You may not know who G.K. Chesterton was, but he said, 'We are all in the same boat upon a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.' I am here for you, Amelia Trotter." (Chapter 18)

I love her teacher's words and actions! 

"It means that I cannot be quiet anymore. Count on me to speak up." (Chapter 25)

 

The social media / going viral / hashtags part was anticlimactic for me. I shouldn't have waited so long between finishing it and blogging this. I enjoyed it but it wasn't one that really stuck with me. This book would be a really fantastic discussion book. I'd be curious to hear a group of students talk about it.

The Record Keeper

by Charles Martin

A Murphy Shepherd Novel

Scott County Library hardcover 288 pages

Published: 2022

Genre: Christian realistic fiction

 

This trilogy is action-packed and intense, dealing with commando-style rescuers going for the victims of sexual trafficking. We had a good book club discussion on Monday night. And some different opinions about the meaning of the ending! 

 

Page 9 - "I, as much as anyone, knew that hope is what feeds us. It's the currency of mankind. The fuel of the soul. Without it, we wither and die."

 

This is something I agree with wholeheartedly! Hope is so powerful and necessary. One of my favorite t-shirts from Feed My Starving Children has a nautical theme and the saying "Hope is an anchor for the soul."

 

Page 62 - "We didn't know who we were, and more importantly, we didn't know whose we were - forever proving that identity precedes purpose. You can't know who you are until you've settled whose you are."

 

Identity is a strong theme in this book. Knowing "whose" you are - the power of knowing I am a child of God has made all the difference in my life!

 

Page 137 - "From the first page, I knew you were the one. Maybe the only one. I would have given anything to publish you, and yet you were so easy on me. In all my professional life, I have loved nothing more than giving your beautiful, innocent, powerful words to the world. To this day I don't know how you do it. How you string them together and suck us all in."

 

In this scene, David Bishop / Murph Shepherd's agent is gushing over him. It made me giggle, thinking of Charles Martin having a conversation with his editor about this. 

 

Page 171 - "'Round here, you don't think about it much when you're young, but as you age, you start to thinking that the end is closer than the beginning, and one thing all us old guys think about a good bit is who's going to lay us to rest. A friend, or just some guy sent to dig a hole?'"

Oh my! This scene with Clay and Murph at the prison cemetery is so powerful. Life and death, aging and eternity . . . big things to think about.

Page 208 - "Of course. I'm a woman. You're a man. I swear, sometimes you're dumb as a bag of hammers."

Angel is such a great character! Her "bag of hammers" comment made me laugh.

Page 219 - "'Your training is officially over. Congratulations. You've graduated.'"

I don't want to put a spoiler here, but this conversation between Bones and Murphy . . . ah.

Page 229 - "A sow can reproduce three times a year and birth eight or more piglets each time, proving to me that they're just overgrown rats."

Again, a little levity helped balance the incredibly intense content and action. He has just described the violence the pigs wreak on the island. 

"Then Bones." - I am curious about what Martin is writing next.