I bought a bunch of books for my nieflings (who all have birthdays in September) and decided to read them as well before sending them off. My bf and II bought a bunch of books for my nieflings (who all have birthdays in September) and decided to read them as well before sending them off. My bf and I both had a chuckle over this one....more
This book tempers grief with gentle humor, something any child (or pet parent) can use after losing a beloved pet. I keep returning to this book toThis book tempers grief with gentle humor, something any child (or pet parent) can use after losing a beloved pet. I keep returning to this book to look with appreciation at the illustrations and have taken to calling my two cats my Something Wonderfuls (except when they're causing mayhem, then they're my Something Awfuls).
Well worth a read and a buy for your bookshelves. ...more
4.5 stars, rounded up. Not usually a fan of journal-style stories, but this was a readable depiction of India's independence from Britain and4.5 stars, rounded up. Not usually a fan of journal-style stories, but this was a readable depiction of India's independence from Britain and subsequent partition, told from the perspective of a child whose father is Hindu and mother Muslim. ...more
I realize this is a relatively new release, but I'm kind of surprised it doesn't have more reviews. I picked this one up for a4.5 stars, rounded up.
I realize this is a relatively new release, but I'm kind of surprised it doesn't have more reviews. I picked this one up for a contest Hattemer's agent was offering (preorder two books his clients wrote, be entered into a drawing for a query critique). Didn't win, but I got two new books out of it, so in a way, everyone who entered was a winner.
I was immediately drawn to the teaser on this one, since I'm a former Minnesotan myself. There's something wonderfully wholesome about the culture, especially in small towns. Minnesotans are welcoming, hardy people (kind of have to be, given how gosh-durn cold it gets for half the year). Add in a culture clash of a hipster Brooklynite sixth grader, and I would've requested this from my library anyway, most likely.
There's a lot to like about Hattemer's writing. The characters are fully realized, and main character Soren's arc felt genuine. I think kids will really respond to the prankster aspect (not my thing, personally, but it is a cute trait, and the cast of secondary characters more than maintained my interest). Although there isn't any actual hint in the text of this, I got a 'budding queer boy' vibe from Soren's visiting cousin, Flynn (sequel from his perspective as a tween, maybe, please?). That may be more due to Soren's reactions than anything. The way Soren treats Flynn is in line with a pouty tween upset about having to deal with someone whose interests completely differ from his own. But outcomes associated with Soren's actions (and Flynn's behaviors in response to them) reminded me starkly of my own childhood, bullied for being different growing up. Whether or not anyone else interprets that storyline in the same light, it certainly struck a chord on my end.
The only thing that had me lowering my rating a bit was the narrative voice. Although it is humorous, it reads a bit older than a sixth grader to me. That was something I couldn't shake throughout the first three-quarters of the story. I'm not sure if I acclimated by the end, or the narrative shifted in some subtle way (maybe it was the ample talk of cockroaches that did it). Either way, this initially was difficult to get into because I kept analyzing Soren's voice rather than getting into the story (obviously not that difficult though, considering I finished this in the span of 24 hours).
Anyway, that's a minor quibble. HERE COMES TROUBLE is a fun, fast read that I suspect kids will appreciate. Bless Twitter and the agents on it who tip me off to books I wouldn't otherwise have heard about....more
I feel like half the MG/YA books I've read of late focus on school plays or theatre groups. This one does it best, imo. It hit me in the feels andI feel like half the MG/YA books I've read of late focus on school plays or theatre groups. This one does it best, imo. It hit me in the feels and tackles gender identity in a way that's realistic and digestible. The added subtext of parental animosity when an LGBT teacher stands up for main character Grayson added to the realism (and emotional devastation, imo)....more
3.5. There was nothing wrong with this book, per se. I had a hard time maintaining interest and I suspect that's because I was hoping it'd be less3.5. There was nothing wrong with this book, per se. I had a hard time maintaining interest and I suspect that's because I was hoping it'd be less pig, more gymnastics (it came up on a list of sports-themed MG stories). There were a lot of characters to juggle too, between several siblings to a half a dozen friends who didn't particularly stand out to me (even best friend Lucy was a bit player, imo).
There's a lot going on in this story, but I appreciate the attempt at portraying a family that's socioeconomically disadvantaged....more
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