Throwback Thursday: Ship of Souls

Ship of Souls by Zetta Elliott (2011, ARC) 

Amazon Publishing

Rating: 3.5/5

IQ "Kids on my block called 'reject'. Grown folks at church called me an 'old soul'. One girl at school told me I talked like a whiteboy. But when I ask Mom about it she just said, 'you are black. And nothing you say, or do, or pretend to be will ever change that fact. So just be yourself, Dmitri. Be who you are." pg. 3

Dmitri, known as D, is living with a foster family after his mother dies of breast cancer. D is used to having his foster mom all to himself, when she takes in Mercy, a crack-addicted baby he finds himself unable to cope. He is at a new school and while tutoring he becomes friend with Hakeem, a basketball star who needs extra math help and Nyla, a military brat both boys have crushes on. Sometimes after school D bird watches in Prospect Park and he discovers a mysterious bird, Nuru that can communicate with him. He enlists Hakeem and Nyla to help him help Nuru (who is injured) escape evil forces, the ghosts of soldiers that died during the Revolutionary War. They journey from Brooklyn to the African Burial Ground in Manhattan to assist Nuru in freeing the souls that reside there.

I wish some of the fantasy elements had been developed a bit further, such as Nuru's role, his dialogue also came across sounding a little ridiculous and heavy on the 'wise mentor' scale. The characters did come across as having a message. It is made very clear that Hakeem is Muslim and Nyla is 'different from the stereotype. I wish the individuality of the characters had come off in a more subtle way (for example when Hakeem describes how his older sister listed all Muslim basketball players to convince his dad to let him play. And then Hakim lists them all and weaves in tidbits about the hijab. It came across as stilted for middle school dialogue). But then again this book is intended for a younger audience who need it hammered in that it's dangerous to define people and put them in boxes. I also wish the book had been longer just by a few chapters, selfishly because I wanted more historical tidbits but also because I felt that the fantasy elements happened so fast as did the sudden strong friendship with Hakeem and Nyla. And the love triangle made me sad but that's not the author's fault! Although I would have been happy without it.

Yet again Zetta Elliott seamlessly blends together history and fantasy, Black American history that is often ignored in textbooks. Unlike the descriptions of the characters I found the historical tidbits woven in artfully. There are so many goodies in here about the importance of working with other people, that heroes need not go it alone. This is especially vital because the author makes it explicitly clear that D is unbearably lonely but he keeps himself isolated from other people because he doesn't want to be abandoned or disappointed or lose them in a tragic way as happened with his mother. The author does a great job of making you truly feel and understand D's loneliness and your heart aches for him. Also while I didn't think the friendship had enough time to really grow into the strong bonds that developed so quickly, it was a very genuine friendship (once you suspend your disbelief) in terms of doing anything and everything for your friends and believing the seemingly improbable. It is also clear that the author has a strong appreciation of nature and that makes the fantasy elements more interesting while also making it appear more realistic.

Ship of Souls is a great story that focuses on a portion and population of the American Revolution that is completely ignored by most history outlets. The fantasy world is well-thought out, I only wish the book had been longer to explain more about the world D and his friends get involved in as well as more time to believably develop their friendship. The characters are strong, but they were written with a heavy hand that tries hard to point out how they defy stereotypes.  I devoured the story not just because of the length but because it is so different from anything else out there and it's a lovely addition to the YA/MG fantasy world. I can't wait to see what the author does next and again I adored her first YA novel A Wish After Midnight. I recommend both books.

Disclosure: Received from the author, who I do consider a wonderful friend and mentor. Many thanks Zetta!

Male Monday: What You Wish For

What You Wish For: Your favorite authors write to honor Darfur 2011
Edited by Stacey Barney, Foreword by Mia Farrow, stories & poems by Alexander McCall Smith, Meg Cabot, Jeanne DuPrau,  Cornelia Funke, Nikki Giovanni, John Green, Karen Hesse, Ann M. Martin, Marilyn Nelson, Naomi Shihab Nye, Joyce Carol Oates, Nate Powell, Sofia Quintero, R. L. Stine, Gary Soto, Francisco X. Stork, Cynthia Voight & Jane Yolen

Ratings: 3/5

IQ "Do you think wishes just happen?" she demanded. "Stars are busy. They can't sit around all day, making every single one of our wishes come true all by themselves. They need a little help from us. I know if I really want a pony, I need to be like you and go out and earn the money to buy one, like you did with your bike." Jenny to her brother, Dave pgs. 55-56

 This is an anthology of short stories about wishes, the proceeds go to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR.

 I liked Jane Yolen's poem "Wishes" and the stories "Reasons" by John Green and "The Rules For Wishing" by Francisco Stork are the best. "Reasons" contains lists after lists and its about Micah, who happens to be in love with Aisha Hussain. Aisha lives in the disputed region of Kashmir, Micah's mother is sponsoring her through For the Children. Its a slightly amusing but really sweet story. There are also photographs throughout the book that may serve as an introduction to the lives of refugee children.

But none of these stories truly stuck with me, I read this anthology awhile ago sometime in the summer and remember few of the stories. I wish there had been a few stories about actual Darfur refugees and the people who work to assist the refugees. Most of the characters in the stories were two-dimensional and very plot-driven. Its perfectly fine for a book to be plot driven but only when the characters are strongly represented and I did not find that to be the case in all the stories.

 What You Wish For is worth buying because a few of the stories are excellent and the proceeds go to a worthy charity. Younger readers especially may enjoy these stories.

Another one of my favorite quotes comes from one of my favorites stories, "Reasons"
"I cannot be held responsible for the fact that Aisha Hussain has truly asserting eyes,, and it's important when sitting at my desk doing homework occasionally to be reminded that there are people for whom going to school is not an unbearable burden, but instead an exciting opportunity." Micah, pg. 115

Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu 2011 (ARC)
Walden Pond Press/HarperCollins

Rating: 4.5/5

IQ "She was so busy thinking about the one she needed to rescue she didn't think at all about the one she was leaving behind." Hazel pg. 249

Once upon a time Hazel and Jack were best friends. They live in Minneapolis and while Hazel hates her fifth grade class she is able to bear it because Jack is in the classroom next door. But then Jack abruptly stops talking to her and disappears into a forest with a mystery Snow Queen. Hazel knows Jack has a rough life at home but how could he just live her like that? Hazel decides to go after hm, she assumes she will be prepared from all her readings of fairy tales. She soon realizes that fairy tales are not as beautiful and simple as they seem and that the Woods can really change a person, even when you want to stay the same. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen."

There is just no way Hazel is a fifth grader. I don't doubt that she read fairytales, The Wizard of Oz, Narnia books, Harry Potter, etc. but I do have very strong doubts that she would have been able to articulate her thoughts so well. She analyzes literature and people's motives in a way that I'm fairly certain most fifth graders do not do. There are several loose ends in this book. I don't mind most of the loose ends in this book because I enjoyed tying them up but I did want to know the meaning behind the wolves. I am not very familiar with fairytales (most of the ones I know are from TV and those of course are not always accurate) so I'm sure I missed many subtle references, but I did grasp tidbits from other beloved children's books that the author weaves into the story. I really liked how the author made a nod to both classic children's books and more modern children's stories. It is interesting how the author places an emphasis on remembering the people and places we leave behind as we go off on adventures and begin growing up. I chose the Incredible Quote because in most quest-novels the hero rarely considers who they are leaving behind, they may consider WHAT but not the loved ones who have to pick up the pieces and that little sentence captures one aspect of the uniqueness of this book.

I was most surprised by how melancholy the story was but that's not a bad thing, but it is something that should be noted. Growing up is rough but especially for Hazel who is one of the most creative children I've ever read about and who has no interest in becoming friends with children who aren't avid readers and 100% as imaginative as she is. In fact Hazel is far from the perfect protagonist. She doesn't want to take responsibility for her actions and her dependence on fantasy colors her view of reality in some detrimental ways, but it also helps her get through some tough situations as she searches for Jack. At one point Hazel's annoyance with facts is clearly shown "Nobody could accept that she did not want to hear about gaseous balls and layers of atmosphere and refracted light and tiny building blocks of life. The truth of things was always much more mundane than what she could imagine, and she did not understand why people always wanted to replace the marvelous things in her head with this miserable heap of you're-a-fifth-grader-now facts" (pg. 3), when Hazel suppresses her creativity and starts to simply go through the motions of attending school my heart actually broke. This book is depressing because both Hazel and Jack come from unhappy homes, Hazel is adopted from India and that feeds into her isolation at school (being the only Indian girl) but her adopted parents recently divorced and her father has had little contact with her. Jack's mother is mentally ill and his father is also mostly absent. Neither Hazel nor Jack fully understand the problems at home, nor do they want to and so they create fantasy worlds together and go on grand adventures. Until Jack starts hanging out more with other boys his age, he wants to be friends with Hazel too but not spend as much time with her. Hazel and Jack's new friends both feel that he has to make a choice. When Jack decides to leave (after something very mysterious and magical and utterly random occurs) the book successfully keeps readers guessing about the world he (And later Hazel) disappear into. Is it an alternate world? Or is it all in Hazel's imagination? I loved that the author kept me guessing.

The author's writing in Breadcrumbs is absolutely mesmerizing, the very definition of enchanting as she describes the new world Hazel and Jack enter, the eccentric people they meet, the harsh reality of growing up. She fully explores her characters and the scenes she creates, one of the most chilling scenes I thought was the one involving the parents and the flowers. I shudder even thinking about it. I don't think the author tries to gently submerse her readers in the strange new world and she surprised me at how bluntly she shows (I think) that you do need to grow up. Hazel can of course continue to be full of imagination but she also needs to be more open to learning about the world she actually lives in. Hazel's resilience is astonishing and while intellectually she didn't seem to be a fifth grader, her spirit fit her age. Hazel is determined, lively and while she isn't prone to giving up, the thought does cross her mind a few times. Also she goes after Jack based on a somewhat selfish motive. Jack is the only thing that anchors her to the real world and without him she feels lost, she needs him, she needs him to be strong at home both for himself and for her. There were many things I liked about this book but I especially like that the author expects A LOT of her readers. And I think readers will meet her expectations, the story is not very happy or even fun, there are underlying literary references and there are some ice-truths that young readers will either first uncover through reading this book or have already begun to recognize and realize in their own lives.

Disclosure: Received from author for review. Thank you so much!!

PS I am very sad however that since I had an ARC copy the drawings were not all in the book yet. I will have to find a hardcover copy!

PPSS I've decided to donate this book (along with some others) to my local food pantry's 'bookstore' (it's free like a library but the kids/adults keep the books) because this is a story that begs to be passed on.

Male Monday: We Could Be Brothers

We Could Be Brothers by Derrick Barnes 2010
Scholastic Press

Rating: 1.5/5

IQ "I didn't care anymore if he thought I was tough enough or hard enough or cool enough. All I knew was that when it mattered most, I was friend enough. " pg. 145

Robeson Battlefield and Pacino Clapton come from two very different homes. Robeson (nicknamed Crease by Pacino because of his iron-pressed pants) lives in, as Pacino calls it "a nice chunk of the suburbs slammed right down in the middle of the hood" (pg. 25). Pacino lives in "the hood" and helps his mother pays the bills and watches over his younger siblings after school. Pacino and Robeson wouldn't have met if it weren't for Tariq, a kid who get them both in PSS (Post-School Suspension).

Short summary I know but the book the jacket describes must belong to some other book. And I can't write a more thorough summary because it would give too much away. First, based on the cover, I thought the book involve a variety of narrations from Pacino, Robeson and Tariq. It does not. First, Pacino acts all "hard" and then decides to be friends with Robeson. It happens completely out of the blue in my opinion. Robeson has zero personality, he preaches and preaches and preaches but he's believable because I definitely knew annoying know0it-all kids like him when I was in junior high. I'm not so sure the author intended to make him sound so insufferable though but like Pacino, I was irritated at how he always quoted his father's life lessons at random moments. Robeson's only flaw was that he wasn't a straight-A student which isn't that serious since he's not in high school yet anyway. Pacino's flaw might be that he uses the m-word or likes to fight but neither of those is detrimental or explored in a way to make the reader see why it's so bad.The most annoying aspect of this book was that fact that Robeson explained EVERYTHING in too much detail, the author explained things that a reader should be smart enough to gather based on the text. For example, "You're no guest. You come over so much now it's like you're one of my big-headed boys,' Dad responded to Pacino, calling him one of his sons in a roundabout way" (pg. 162). The author should have faith that the reader will be able to infer that the father is calling Pacino one of his sons based on what the father says, the extra text is unnecessary and it drives me crazy. The extra explanations continue throughout the duration of the book.

I HATED how Robeson talked about Rosilyn, the one girl in PSS with Pacino and Robeson. For a supposedly educated "brotha" he acted extremely ignorant. Again, I think if the author did this on purpose a worthwhile lesson could have been subtly taught but the issue of how Robeson treats Rosilyn is never addressed. Only how Pacino treats her which isn't entirely respectful but sometimes he acted a lot nicer than Robeson. At one point Robeson thinks to himself "[s]he looked like a lady today" (pg. 101) He's in EIGHTH GRADE. I may be naive but I'm fairly certain the guys in my eighth grade class did not care one bit if a girl looked like a lady. Then he goes on to insult her further by thinking that "[s]he had on a pretty silk blouse and some kind of gold necklace that she must have borrowed (pgs. 101-102, emphasis mine). You know what people say about assumptions....why would he even think that she borrowed the necklace? It was just rude and incredibly ignorant and made me mad to no end. True I was already annoyed by the talking down to readers but the Rosilyn incidents didn't help. Furthermore the continuous use of "brotha" was ridiculous. Back in the day I think teenagers used that expression a lot more but I have NEVER heard a teenage Black guy my age say "brotha." Maybe "wassup bro" but usually it's "dude" or "man" or even "n-" or something of that ilk. My father and his friends would be more inclined to say "brotha" and they usually say it as a joke. Therefore I found it hard to believe that Crease and Pacino would walk around saying "brotha" instead of the n-word.

We Could Be Brothers was a book I was waiting on eagerly. I loved the author's first book, a YA novel that was authentic and managed to talk about the importance of teaching Black boys particular lessons in a humorous, subtle manner. Unfortunately this book does not deliver. I felt as though the author talked down to his readers, constantly explaining what was going on in a particular scene with unnecessary dialogue and explanations when the reader could easily understand the situation. The book is preachy and dull. I wish the main characters had included Tariq and that the author had further delved into the heads of all three boys. Instead they remain flat characters that the author uses to make certain points. Initially I was going to give this book a 2 but then I couldn't think of a single reason as to why I would recommend someone read it. The Making of Dr. Truelove was absolutely hysterical. I'm inclined to think that maybe the author should stick to funny YA novels or write nonfiction books about raising Black boys because THIS is just not working.

Disclosure: Received as a gift from Zetta Elliott. Thank you Zetta :)

Throwback Thursday: Angel's Grace

Angel's Grace by Tracey Baptiste 2005
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Rating: 2.5/5

Incredible Quote "I realized that not all secrets are the kind that turns your whole world upside down. Some of them are sweet little things that are simply too delicious to let slip." pg. 165

Grace has unruly red hair and a birthmark on her shoulder that no one else in her family shares. Her little sister Sally resembles her father and while Grace shares some physical and emotional characteristics with her mother, there are some unique parts of her that she would like to figure out who in the family she resembles. Grace's mother tells her that an angel left the mark on her shoulder as a sign of constant protection. She sends Grace and Sally from Brooklyn to Trinidad in order for them to spend time with their grandmother. As Grace flips through old family photo albums with Ma (her grandmother) and Aunt Jackie she discovers a blurred photo of a man with the exact same birthmark she has. Aunt Jackie can't identify him and neither can anyone else (or they simply aren't willing to) which leaves Grace with many questions. Grace is determined to figure out who the man in the photo is and if he might be her father.

Alright so the premise of this book is a cliche so I shouldn't complain....but I'm going to go ahead. The story crawls along at a snail's pace which is especially unsatisfactory when the book is so short and about a cliche topic. When there are 165 pages of large print the story cannot afford to move s-l-o-w-l-y unless it spends pages and pages describing the new (well new-to-readers) location. This book does not do that which was really disappointing because I've never gone to Trinidad and I'm not so sure if I ever will. The author only talks about the sunsets, beaches and makes a few mentions of the market. But there are very few details aside from the above and I would have at least liked to get more detail on the markets. Even better if the details were presented in an interesting manner or described in lush terms. And I was also annoyed at how long it took the main character to reach the conclusion that she was not living with her biological father. To make matters worse she describes her biological father in less-than-endearing terms (nothing too serious but he didn't seem like the gentlest father either) *spoiler: highlight to read* and yet by the end he's acting like he could win the Father-of-the-Year award or something. The change was too abrupt. *End of spoiler*

As much as the plot was a cliche, I did like reading about how Grace went about searching for her father. Trying to find the man in the photo wasn't the most original concept but the backstory was intriguing. The author used one of my favorite techniques by sprinkling words in Creole English and not explaining what all of them meant. The story has an emotional appeal to it, one that didn't affect me but could affect other readers (in a good way). I think the book would have been stronger if it continued into the next summer. The character of Raj was interesting enough but the author barely scratched the surface of his potential.

Angel's Grace had no effect on me which was disappointing, in fact I would probably say it bored me. I didn't fall in love with the setting of Trinidad (which is both good and bad. Good because I was starting to worry that if an author set the book in a 'foreign'-to-me country I would automatically adore it but that is clearly not the case. Bad because I want to love Trinidad through books since I can't travel to see it!). The other cliche in addition to finding a biological parent was instantly befriending a local boy. Their friendship was odd especially because the author left out some of their conversations so I was left wondering how her new friend (Raj) knew certain things that had just happened. Grace was a much better sister than I because Sally drove me insane! All in all this book fell flat for me and wasn't particularly 'quirky' except for the location.

Disclosure: From the libraryyy :)

Meme hosted by Take Me Away

Where the Streets Had A Name

Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah 2010 (2008-Australia, 2009-UK)
Scholastic

Rating: 3/5

IQ "I suddenly understand that there is dignity in being able to claim heritage, in being able to derive identity from a rocky hill, a winding mountain road. Sitti Zeynab's village has never stopped calling her, beckoning her to return home. Her soul is stamped into these hills, and I feel her presence as strongly as if she were standing on the peak of one of the mountains." Hayaat pg. 181

Hayaat is thirteen years old but she has a clear mission: to bring back some soil from her grandmother's (Sitti Zeynab) ancestral home in Jerusalem. Samy, her best friend, will accompany her. Their journey is hindered however, by the fact that they live with their families in Bethlehem and there are curfews and checkpoints to deal with. Not to mention, the Wall that divides the West Bank and the fact that they can't travel wherever they like since they are not Israeli citizens. Samy is loyal and has a good heart, but he's obstinate and trouble follows him and his lack of respect for authority. He may put the trip in jeopardy on his own or the security checkpoints could stop them. The journey starts off on a high-note since they have a curfew-free day to travel, but it's just a start....

This is going to sound so silly to people but I was quite bothered by all the mentions of 'farting' in the book. I know I'm persnickety but I just didn't think it continually needed to be mentioned. And I'm pretty sure someone farts and another character takes note of it in every single chapter. On a more serious note, this story moves at a snail's pace. Hayaat doesn't form the idea for heading for Jerusalem until we are more than a few chapters in which I thought was frustrating. What made it more irksome was that the 'grand finale' so to speak felt rushed and the book ended on a happy but anti-climatic note. The ending just seemed odd and after the climax, I didn't understand why the book just didn't end (with a simple epilogue in place of all the details in the ending). Also, Hayaat recalls certain memories at various points in the story but they appear out-of-the-blue and it's not quite clear when her memory fades and it's back to the present.

The descriptions of life in Bethlehem are what makes this book so impressive. It's impressive because the descriptions are so simple but suddenly seemingly-mundane tasks (such as going to the grocery store) become a big deal when there is a curfew to contend with. Friends may end up as overnight guests if a curfew is ordered (sometimes random, sometimes due to protests as a form of punishment) and big celebrations could end up becoming small celebrations if travel restrictions are imposed, thereby limiting the mobility of guests. It's a ridiculous and frustrating situation especially when it limits people's abilities to get to the hospital, or attend a family wedding, etc. It's even more unbearable to read about the destruction of Palestinian homes and/or the possession of Palestinian homes by Israeli families who believe they have a claim to the land. There's a lot of Arabic food for thought, imagine being forced to leave your home (much like a refugee I think) and then essentially imprisoned in your new home. The story never becomes depressing, there are moments of levity (and no for me they did not come from farting references) especially concerning Hayaat and her beloved grandmother, Sitti Zeynab (sitti means my grandmother). The author describes people in a plain manner but with a little spark/unique touch such as when describing Sitti Zeynab's eyes "bright and untouched, having never caught up with the wrinkling, shrinking curse of the clock" (pg. 233).

One thing I am absolutely positive about is that when you finish Where the Streets Had a Name you will question (if you hadn't already) the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians as well as America's policy towards Palestine. That's not to say there aren't sympathetic Israeli characters, as in real life, the characters are all human and Hayaat realizes that the Israeli soldiers have families, and that not all Israelis hate Palestinians. I think the author should have included an afterword explaining the situation because I was still curious/confused about quite a bit (for example: who orders curfews, the military or the government?). And obviously you can't make up your mind about such a complex issue after reading one or two or three books on the subject, after all this has been an issue since the '50s. Samy is an interesting best friend, I admired his spirit and obstinacy while at the same time it made me wince. I was glad that Hayaat had him at her side. A more concise ending, smoother transitions, and fewer mentions of bodily odors would have been nice. Hayaat's family is entertaining but mysterious since they aren't on the journey to Jerusalem with her, the reader learns little about them. Hayaat is a likable, genuine, brave main character but she wasn't particularly memorable in my mind. Furthermore, the glossary was strange to me because it didn't list definitions of every word mentioned (such as the 'curse' words or expressions). A good story with uncomplicated descriptions but complicated characters who needed to be more fleshed out, it moves slowly and while it took me some time to remember to go back to the story, I always remembered eventually. My favorite book by the author (and one I would recommend starting with if you want a hysterically funny read) is still Does My Head Look Big in This?

Disclosure: From the library

PS I really liked this quote from Sitti Zeynab "We Arabs say that the wound that bleeds inwardly is the most dangerous" (pg. 54). What an eloquent, interesting and accurate way of describing how hate can eat at your insides (so to speak).

Out of My Mind

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper 2010
Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster

Rating: 5/5

IQ "Fifth grade is probably pretty rocky for lots of kids. Homework/ Never being quite sure if you're cool enough. [...] I guess I have all that, plus about a million different layers of other stuff to deal with. Making people understand what I want. Worrying about what I look like. Fitting in. Will a boy ever like me? Maybe I'm not so different from everyone else after all. It's like somebody gave me a puzzle, but I don't have the box with the picture on it. So I don't know what the final thing is supposed to look like. I'm not even sure if I have all the pieces. That's probably not a good comparison, since I couldn't put a puzzle together if I wanted to." Melody pgs. 293-294

Melody is 11 years old, in 5th grade, and has both a photographic memory and cerebral palsy. Melody has a very advanced/severe case of cerebral palsy in which she can't speak and can barely move. She sits in a wheelchair and must be fed, bathed, taken to the bathroom and assisted with putting on her clothes. Melody is most likely the smartest kid in her school but no one knows it, many teachers don't think she's capable of learning and neither do doctors. She spends her days in classes with other children who have special needs learning preschool-level lessons, and it's driving her crazy. All Melody wants is to be able to speak, to tell her parents that she loves them and ask to be put in classes with children her age, on her intellectual level (or close to it because Melody is freakin brilliant). One day Melody learns that there may be something that will give her a voice, the problem is not everyone is ready to hear her.

I loved every page of this book and I cried through most of it because I could not fathom how cruel Melody's classmates were. I can't imagine being so mean to someone with special needs, especially not in fifth grade. It's like that expression about picking on someone your own size. I think it's fine to tease kids with special needs as long as they know you ARE KIDDING because kids do tease each other, but that's something friends do. Friends don't make fun of other friends' disabilities. What is that? Oh man I was so so angry while reading this book (it was a mix between tears of anger and tears of sadness). I didn't feel pity for Melody but I was enraged on her behalf. Melody has a wonderful voice, sometimes she's plagued by self-doubt (who isn't?), other times she is confident and she tells it like it is, not really worried about sparing people's feelings. Plus she has a wry sense of humor and she says things that made me crack a smile but I bet my eyes remained sad (if that makes. Basically the jokes were funny but what prompted the jokes wasn't funny). She has spunk, in fact I think she is the epitome of spunky. "When people look at me, I guess they see a girl with short, dark, curly hair strapped into a pink wheelchair. By the way, there is nothing cute about a pink wheelchair. Pink doesn't change a thing" (pg.3).

One of the most powerful moments in the book is when it hits Melody that children around the world have CP. "I stop for a minute and stare at the board. It has never occurred to me that there are kids like me in Germany and China and France who need a machine to help them talk" (pg. 137), how many of us consider that children/people around the world suffer from the same diseases/disabilities we do in the U.S. and many of them probably receive even less help? There were some inconsistencies in the book, for example the character of Rose was simply bizarre. One minute she was cool, the next I wanted to shout at her. I still don't fully understand her character, the other characters were one-dimensional except for Melody's family and Mrs. V. I never really understood how tough it is to care for someone with a disability but after reading this book I have a better idea and appreciation for the work of caregivers. Mrs. V was unimaginably sweet and my heart was warmed knowing that there really are people like her, only a few, but they exist. Melody's parents were wonderfully genuine, they adored Melody but Melody also witnessed the strain caring for her caused them. Especially once her mother had another child, the author acutely describes the loneliness and even resentment Melody feels as well as the guilt for not being able to do basic tasks for herself. Her parents argue fiercely but not all the time and they always make-up, they frustrate Melody and each other but that's realistic.

Out of My Mind left me a bit like Melody, speechless. The only difference being that I had tears running down my cheeks and Melody rarely cries. I admit I overlooked the one-dimensional characters and rather confusing ending along with the choppy pace because the emotional factor was so high. This book left me feeling drained and absolutely terrified (and in awe) of how cruel children can act. I honestly can't imagine anyone in my sixth grade class making fun of a kid with cerebral palsy (but I could see a kid in my fifth grade class doing that which is upsetting). Melody is one of the best main characters I've come across in a while (especially in middle grade) and even though she's fictional, I want her to succeed in life. Shoot, I could read a whole series of books about her. I was hesitant to read this book right away because I knew it would make me cry. I was right but it's the best kind of cry, and this is a great book. A book that leaves you with a deeper sense of comprehension and compassion.

Disclosure: Received this book about a year ago from Lyn. Thank you and I'm sorry I just now reviewed it!

Male Monday: Coram Boy

Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin 2000
Egmont UK Unlimited

Rating: 3.5/5

IQ "Sometimes it was if Mercy had eyes everywhere that could see except the two in her head." pg. 231

Two cities, four main characters. The story takes place in both Gloucester and London, detailing the lives of Alexander, Toby, Aaron and Thomas. Toby was saved from an African slave ship, but his salvation comes at a price. Aaron is the illegitimate son of the heir to a wealthy estate. Both boys were saved by Otis, a man who accepts money for children and sells them into slavery (girls are usually sent to the harems of Turkey and North Africa), apprentices them to people around London, or sends them to America to become servants. Otis 'kindly' takes unwanted children off the hands of their parents, especially wealthy young mothers who have had illegitimate children. He tells these young mothers that he will take their children to the Coram Hospital. The Coram Hospital was started by Captain Thomas Coram, a place for unwanted children to be fed and educated and to be in a loving environment. Every mother who couldn't care for her own child wanted their child to end up there, Otis promised they would but his word was not always bond. Alexander is the heir of Ashbrook a wealthy estate, disinherited because he wants to pursue a career in music which his father doesn't understand and will not support. Thomas is Alexander's devoted friend since their childhood days in the cathedral choir.

Ok long summary I know but I wish I had had more information going into reading this book. The summary was too vague for my taste. But that's not really all that important, something that did really bother me about the book was how slow the plot dragged and how simplistic the plot was. It does not end 100% happily which was realistic but most characters were seen clearly in black or white. The few who had some 'gray' areas remained an unsatisfactory mystery, the reason as to why characters acted the way they did sometimes out of the blue, was never explained through dialogue or observation. *Spoiler: highlight to read* For example: why did Otis never get rid of Meshak? Was Otis a false 'Coram man' while his wife was still alive? If so, did she approve? If not, why did he start doing that? *End Spoiler* I think there needs to be a whole 'nother book on Otis, although that would be hard to stomach. There's SO MUCH going on this novel and unfortunately I didn't think the author was able to juggle everything. In the end while it may not have been happy, it was still very neat and convenient. Speaking of convenient, the magical/religious/fairy tale/what-have-you aspect of it made certain events more convenient but added nothing to the story. In fact I was confused more than anything. Oh and the AGES of the CHILDREN. I may be showing some ignorance/naivete but I had a really hard time believing two fourteen year olds as innocent as Melissa and Alexander could have sex. I would have believed it if they showed maturity. And I had a hard time picturing such daring eight year olds as Toby and Aaron....

I lapped up so much knowledge from this book about London in the 1750s, specifically concerning children's welfare. They were treated TERRIBLY especially the poor orphans. Even the wealthier children were still beaten or punished in some way into submission and they had little say in their future. Instead of parents being motivated by their terrible childhoods to change the way they raised their children, they continued the same awful traditions, sending them to the horrible Eton College or other harsh boarding schools (for boys). Girls were doomed to a life of monotony, if they were fortunate enough to be born welathy they could attend parties and art events, working class girls' lives were filled with work, work and more work. I couldn't believe it took so long for a Captain Coram to come along and try and start to change the way children were treated. He wanted to nurture them and make them self-sufficient. Furthermore, the way young Black children were treated! Toby is 'given' as a servant for life to the man who sponsored his stay at the Coram Hospital. This man, Mr. Gaddarn, dresses Toby up "like a miniature prince, in silk trousers and embroidered jacket with curling slippers and a bejewelled turban on his head. He would be given a silver platter laden with sweetmeats which he had to hand round to all the guests. The ladies adored him, and loved to bounce him on their knees, feed him sweets, and push their fingers under his turban to feel his extraordinarily crinkly hair" (pgs. 213-214). While I knew Black people were treated like animals back then, I had no idea that young boys (no mention was made of how young Black girls were treated but I can imagine *shudder*) were treated as 'pets' or 'playthings.' It was appalling to say the least.

Coram Boy received a high rating for me because I love history so I found all the historical details enthralling to read about. The author covers a diverse aspect of perspectives in 18th century London, from the mentally ill Meshak to the former-slave Toby, each portrayal is respectful and eye-opening. At times the tales are gruesome, after all, Otis and Meshak bury BABIES ALIVE and the author describes their pitiful cries in great detail. It's tough to read about but it is rewarding to truly see how far we've come concerning children's welfare and yet, how far we still have to go. The plot and characters could have been more complex, the various story lines more deftly handled with a messier, authentic ending. The children acted more mature than their actual age in some regards but in others they were so naive (14 year olds having sex, the 14 year old girl freaking out about 'getting fat'). A most excellent read for delving into (and comparing) life in London and an English hamlet and how people dressed, spoke, acted and were treated. An interesting tidbit: the book was adapted into a play.


*I am currently in D.C. on a one week women in high school political leadership conference! I will be back July 24

Disclosure: Received with many thanks from Tricia!

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin 2011
Little, Brown and Company/Hachette Book Group

Rating: 4.5/5

IQ "Moonlight misted over the rough floors and made the sparse room glow silver, the goldfish bowl looking like a second moon. The shabby walls and worn stones seemed to shimmer as if a translucent silk veil covered them, muting any flaws and transforming the house into a dwelling of luminous light and delicate shadows. Minli had never seen her home look so beautiful." pg. 265 Isn't that just such a....lush description?

Minli lives in the Valley of Fruitless Mountain with her parents, they spend their days hard at work in the fields. her father is never too tired to tell Minli stories, especially about the Old Man of the Moon who knows the answer to everything. Minli sets out on a journey to find the Old Man of the Moon so that she can discover how to bring fortune to her family. On her quest to help her family she meets a talking fish, dragons, a powerful king and some mischievous twins.

There is nothing wrong with this book and yet I didn't LOVE it. I would say it's because I'm too old and while I'm not the intended audience I know of many reviewers/older (than MG) readers who adore this book. I'm not sure what my problem with the book is exactly, which is most unhelpful, a reviewer not being able to explain why they didn't like the book. I do think though that maybe this book should have been made a picture book. The illustrations were superb and I think this book was made for being big enough that you can flip whole pages and simply admire the lovely pictures. I liked that not only were there colorful illustrations in each chapter, but each chapter had a simple and small drawing that was relevant to the story within each chapter. I think my main problem was that I was hoping for some elaborate plot twist that would have shocked me, and there wasn't and so I became bored. What is elaborate are the tiny details in the pictures and in describing people and objects (like Minli's house in the Incredible Quote). I wanted Minli to succeed so I was emotionally invested in her story, but I was also bored with her story.

I loved the descriptions of people, places and objects "The goldfish man looked a third time at Ma and Ba, and this time they felt it. Under his gaze, Ma and Ba suddenly felt like freshly peeled oranges, and their words fell away from them. Inexplicably, they felt ashamed" (pg. 61). The author has an eye for making seemingly subtle situations and low-key people become alive with superb detail. I was pleased that the parents weren't just left at home to sit and twiddle their thumbs. The mother is demanding but not cruel, the father is a dreamer who aims to please his wife and daughter and when Minli leaves their home, they both set out to look for her. The mother goes through character development which is wonderful because how often do parents even get mentioned?

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon definitely has that timeless air about it, reads like a fairytale, a good ol quest that involves making lots of new friends and using your wits. The dragon Minli meets can't fly which is cute and while the story isn't all that hard to figure out (especially the end bit concerning the dragon) I really appreciated the stories within the story. Some of the stories within the stories are real myths, others are myths that the author embellishes, adding her own touch (not that I would have been able to tell but this is helpfully explained in the author's note). Minli is a sweet girl that it will be easy to relate to, she craves independence and she wants to help her family (and the adventurous aspect of finding the Old Man in the Moon certainly doesn't hurt). Minli is also quite clever and clever main characters always make for fun reads. This book overall is absolutely majestic from the beautiful cover to the creamy pages, enchanting illustrations and the meticulous attention to detail within the story.

Disclosure: Received from the publisher for review. Thank you!

Male Monday: Bird in a Box

Bird in a Box by Andrea Davis Pinkney 2011
Little, Brown & Company/Hachette Book Group

Rating: 2.5/5

IQ "I rush past everybody else who's waiting. I pretend to have lost my mama which is really not faking anything, because even though my mama is nowhere near this coldest ever, I truly don't know where my mother is. That makes it true. I've lost my mama." Hibernia pg. 145

It's the late 1930s and the Great Depression is in full force, the pain felt by all. It's also the golden age of radio and Hibernia wants to be a famous singer at the Savoy Ballroom, just like her mother. Or at least she imagines that her mother is a famous singer at the Savoy, since her mother left her to sing at the Savoy when she was a newborn. Now Hibernia lives with her preacher father and hasn't heard from her mother since she left. She listens to radio programs that bring the sound of jazz into her home. Otis is living at The Mercy Home for Negro Orphans and he only has the Philco (type of radio) and gum wrappers from his father and an embroidered handkerchief of his mother's. Willie also lives at The Mercy Home for Negro Orphans but he is much more close-lipped about his family. They each have hopes and dreams and they find themselves drawn to Joe Louis, their hopes seemingly tied inexplicably to his fate.

I chose that particular incredible quote because it's both amusing and annoying, just like Hibernia. While Hibernia is annoying, she has a distinctive voice, in contrast to Otis and Willie, whom I kept mixing up. The voices of Otis and Willie blended together. I knew that one of them had scarred hands and that the other was an actual orphan but I could rarely remember who was who. Furthermore there was no character development, no growth in maturity and Otis was a saint. As it was Otis and Willie had to grow up fast, but then their growth stagnated. I'm not even sure why Hibernia was in the story to be perfectly honest. She wasn't living at the orphanage and I think her character would have been more interesting if she was actually an orphan and set off to pursue her dreams. I wasn't thrilled by the dialogue and descriptions either. Phrases such as "[i]t's as if a mighty hand is yanking the room to its feet." (pg. 253) and "Carmen turns her voice in popcorn blips. I backflip the melody into flatted riffs." (pg. 228) made the book seem like it was trying to hard to be creative with words. I don't even know what a 'flatted riff' is. The flashbacks were stiff and I didn't understand why the story couldn't just start at the beginning instead of a year later, as a teaser it was rather ineffective. Finally the narrative would abruptly end at points and never be revisited such as when *SPOILER, highlight to read*: The boys get the radio back from the bleach man. I refuse to believe the bleach man wouldn't know it was them, so why was no mention made of their punishment?*End spoiler*

Occasionally the creative wording/descriptions worked well such as when Hibernia "put pepper on that tune." (pg. 227). I loved the details about the radio though. I really did get the impression that this was the "Golden Age of Radio" the commentators had personality and it was easy to see through the author's words how the radio programs affected the listeners. The variety of programs was shown ranging from jazz music, to of course, the Joe Louis fights. The other historical tidbits gel quite well with the fictional characters, places and events, there is a real sense of time and place. The illustrations were lovely, simple but expressive. The only character who became fully fleshed out (in my opinion) was Lila, the orphanage worker. She was a doll, tough when needed but always ready to give the children a hug, she has a tough past but doesn't wallow in depression. Although I would like to know why she randomly showed up at Hibernia's church...

Bird in a Box left more questions in my mind than answers except when it came to the importance of radio during the 1930s. Storylines were abruptly ended and the three children had interesting backgrounds but remained flat with no development. I don't much about the 1930s but all the facts seemed to be in order to me, the town of Elmira, New York came to life. A town that was filled with people who wanted to work but couldn't find jobs and yet still mustered up the cheer to DRESS UP (I mean that in the best of ways) for church. Personally, I wish the story had actually taken place in the more exciting New York City but at least Elmira developed a presence in my mind (and I could understand Hibernia's frustration with the town). A hit or miss read I think.

Disclosure: Received for review from publisher. Thank you L&B!

Finding Family

Finding Family by Tonya Bolden 2010
Bloomsbury Books for Young Readers

Rating: 3/5

IQ "'People like to talk about how the truth set you free. Truth can come with burdens.' [Grandpa]

'But Grandpa, is a burden worse than mystery?'" Delana pg. 106

Twelve year old Delana has been raised by her quiet Grandpa and her talkative Aunt Tilley. Her mother died giving birth to her and she knows little about her father. And while Aunt Tilley talks plenty, she has nothing to say on the subject of Delana's father. Aunt Tilley has a Book of Bewares, detailing all the things Delana must avoid (boys, fairs, peeling a potato, certain kinds of clothes etc). Aunt Tilley does teach Delana about her family ancestors, they look at photos everyday. However when Aunt Tilley dies, Delana learns that Aunt Tilley may have mixed up family history and that everything is not as simple as it appears. Delana finally feels free enough to start slowly enquiring about her parents...

The ending was unsatisfactory. Delana sends a postcard to a certain family member but the book ends before she gets a response. I didn't think I had enough of a grasp on the personality of that family member to be able to decide how they would have responded. As a lover of historical fiction I wanted to know the exact time period the story was set but it's not clear, only that it's the early 20th century. The biggest problem I had with the book is that there is no plot and the problem is exacerbated by the lack of development of the characters (except for the main character). The book starts off slowly and there's a bit of mystery about halfway through the book, but if I wasn't the type of reader who has to finish every book (and who loves historical fiction) I probably wouldn't have finished it. It's too short of a book for there to be no plot or development of the other characters (for example the story between Grandpa and Miss Ida is predictable but so little mention is made of Miss Ida that it came off seeming random).

The most appealing part of this book is the concept behind it. The author collects photographs and gradually decided to write a story based on the photos she found. Delana is drawn to the photos and she imagines their stories and personalities based on how they appear in the picture. Delana has a voice. As the main character, I was relieved that she at least had some significant character development. At first, Delana accepts everything her Aunt Tilley tells her, once she dies, Delana feels lost. "Why didn't Ambertine just lay everything out for me, like Aunt Tilley and now Miss Ida laid out my clothes. What did Ambertine want me to decide-and want me to want?" (pg. 94) Delana feels lost without her Aunt Tilley not just because Aunt Tilley was fiercely protective of her and had lots of rules for her to floow but also because Delana's grandfather basically ignored her. Once Aunt Tilley has passed away, Delana is essentially all alone since her grandfather rarely talks to her. It's rewarding to see Delana growing more confident in herself. She works up the courage to talk to her grandfather along with other adults in her secret-filled family.

Finding Family suffers from little plot (and the little there is develops very slowly) and second dimensional characters but Delana as the main character avoids being presumptuous, instead she is refreshingly average if not a little timid. Her timidity/naivete are understandable since she's been reared by a domineering woman and once Aunt Tilley is gone, both her grandfather and herself are rather stupefied. Delana's growth is shown and that makes the book much more interactive. Plus learning about the members of Delana's family through the photos included makes this book unique and kept me turning the pages. Through the stories of Delana's family, more unusual (or at least less-well-known_ aspects of the Black experience are presented, reaffirming that there is no one universal Black experience. However, my guess would be that if you don't like historical fiction, you wouldn't be particularly drawn to this book. I wish though that we could have delved deeper into the stories of Delana's relatives (especially Ambertine, Emma and Grandpa).

Disclosure: Received from Lyn. Thank you <3

Male Monday: Shooting Kabul

Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai 2010 (ARC version) Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Rating: 4/5

IQ "Relieved the elderly couple stood up from the bench. In the process Abay's scarf got caught in the rosebushes. Dada ]grandfather] grinned, revealing a strong set of white teeth. With gnarled hands stricken with arthritis he gently unhooked her scarf and broke off a large yellow bloom and handed it to her. Abay [grandmother] giggled like a young girl and took a sniff of the rose." pgs. 205-206

I chose the above line because I thought it was really sweet and very well described. I can see the image in my mind, and it makes me smile. Picture perfect :) Fadi and his family left Afghanistan for America. In the process, his six-year-old sister, Mariam is lost. Somehow (no one is quite sure what happens and so they all blame themselves) Mariam got lost in the melee caused by the Taliban trying to prevent the group of people Fadi's family was with from being smuggled out of the country. Fadi and his family arrive shortly before September 11th and they notice how much things change after 9/11, specifically for anyone with brown skin. It's also harder to find Mariam. Fadi's art teacher informs him about a photography competition, the grand prize is a trip to India. Fadi loves taking pictures, but India is next to Pakistan and he's hoping to locate Mariam at a refugee camp on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. A long shot to be sure, but it might be his only chance to bring Mariam home.

I was surprisingly displeased with the ending. I could tell it was coming as the amount of pages got shorter but I kept thinking, no it can't be! The ending felt rushed and I wasn't a fan of the epilogue. Ugh. I was really looking forward to the ending because of course I wanted everything to turn out happily but it was too convenient and too sudden. I also felt at times that there was no plot, which works for some books, but not so much for this particular book. Part of it might also be that I'm starting to lose patience with stories about assimilation, and this book spends a lot of time on that topic. Which is understandable but I was more concerned about Mariam and the bullying/violence as a result of 9/11.

I loved how the author explained the Afghanistan situation in such a concise way. I've never paid much attention to the situation in Afghanistan, I know the basics (i.e. we're fighting to keep the Taliban from taking over again) but I feel much more interested in not only the history of Afghanistan, but also what is currently going on over there. I think that today Americans (and Westerners in general) dismiss the Taliban as extremists, without realizing (I say this as someone who thought the former) that the Taliban did a lot of good at first. They brought peace to a country that was warring internally and that is why they had a lot of Aghan support, especially amongst the Pukhtuns (largest ethnic group in Afghanistan). I learned all that and much more from this book. The emotional scenes are very well-written. I don't think it's possible for someone to read the scene where Mariam is left behind without feeling as though your heart is breaking. Especially since Fadi blames himself and ok, I sort of blamed him too BUT only for about 5 minutes. Really he couldn't have done anything. The cover image is a great visual of what the scene must have been like and the writing really puts a human face on the terror the Taliban inflicted in the hearts of the Afghan people.

Shooting Kabul is noteworthy, to me, because the information about relatively current events in Afghanistan (a country we learn very little about in school) is presented in such an accessible way. Even if you don't like politics and/or following current events, how can you not be interested in other cultures? This book gives a great introduction to the various tribes in Afghanistan and how the Taliban came to power. I also really liked how this book was quite technical in talking about photography, it wasn't vague 'Fadi took pictures in black and white' instead it described how to set up a darkroom and what goes on in there and what exactly it takes to set up shots in different lighting settings. I enjoyed the information immensely since I know very little about photography. While the book seemed to lose its focus around the middle and the end came about too quickly, the story is stirring with a delightful cast of characters. From twelve year old Fadi to his older sister Noor, to his parents and his extended family, each character is described in great detail. The parents are active, in fact the storyline with Fadi's parents was both sad and engrossing (his father feels he has lost his honor by losing Mariam, Fadi's mother becomes depressed). Also while the ending came about quickly, the result of the photo competition was quite a surprise. *SPOILER* highlight to read: I thought he would at least place in the top 4. But to only get an honorable mention? That was cold on the author's part. And a very good twist ;) *End of spoiler*

Disclosure: Received from Lyn. Thank you!

The Other Half of My Heart

The Other Half of My Heart by Sundee Frazier 2010
Delacorte Press/Random House for Children

Rating: 3.5/5

IQ "'You need to remember that these bodies we're in are just vehicles. They're part of who we are, sure. An important part. But what's riding around inside is a whole lot more important.' Mama had told them this before. Keira liked to say that if their bodies were vehicles then hers was most definitely a Jaguar. Minni had decided on a hybrid-because she was mixed, of course but also because hybrids were environmentally friendly." pgs. 219-220

Minerva and Keira King made the news when they were born. Not just because they were born in an airplane, but also due to Keira being born Black like their Mama and Minni being born white like their Daddy. The twins are now eleven and still very close and even though they receive lots of stares (they tend to look like a chessboard walking down the street), it doesn't matter because they have each other. Until Mama's mother, Grandmother Johnson demands that the twins enter the Miss Black Pearl Preteen of America program (not pageant!), Keira is gung-ho but the idea of standing in front of so many people (let alone showcasing some kind of talent) makes Minni want to hide. Minni reluctantly agrees when Keira assures her that they will get through the program together. They'll need each other since Grandmother Johnson is so strict. It soon becomes clear however that Grandmother Johnson favors Minni and Keira retreats into herself, the twins aren't each other's rocks anymore and this throws Minni into confusion. How can she do well in the pageant if Keira is mad at her? Shouldn't Keira realize by now that Minni's too shy to stand up for herself, let alone anyone else?

What really disappointed me was that the story was told entirely from Minni's perspective. I was expecting to hear from Minni and Keira, but instead we only receive Minni's side of the story. Sympathy can be roused for both characters and it's both painful and rewarding to see Minni finally get 'it', understand what it's like to be the ONLY ONE. However I felt that the book could have been much stronger if Keira also got to tell her part of the story, what was it like for her being in the majority? I was surprised at how quickly the pageant/program (a running joke in the story) was over. Minni spends all this time worrying about it and then it's over in about a chapter. I was hoping to read more about preparations for the pageant and to learn about the other participants, instead they were just used to exclude Minni and befriend Keira. I also thought the writing could be heavy-handed, especially concerning Martin Luther King Jr. Minni's initials are MLK, which was intentional. That's cute but Minni talks about him all the time which is great, but so do all the other characters and I wanted to learn about other civil rights heroes (or at least I wanted someone to remind Minni that their are other civil rights leaders. No disrespect to MLK, he's one of the most inspiring figures in the history of the world). I did learn something new, Martin's first name was actually Michael. His father changed it after a trip to Germany during which he learned about Martin Luther. Maybe I just have lesser patience when it comes to stories that emphasis civil rights leaders over and over again because growing up that's what my parents talked about, we watched movies, read books, etc. Not to mention MLK is probably one of the few Black Americans we study for a long period of time in most schools and so now I'm more impatient with the BIG NAMES of the civil rights movement.

I did like Minni's narration even though I also wanted to hear from Keira. I think the author did a great job fleshing Minni out. She has a rather dry sense of humor but she can really let loose, she's insecure, doesn't always stand up for what's right and she dearly loves her sister. These components make her seem very realistic. At one point when it's starting to become clear that Grandmother Payine-in-the-Butt Johnson isn't too fond of Keira, Minni decides that "Grandmother Johnson was no small woman, but if she tried to nab Keira, Minni would jump her. It was still two against one, and Grandmother Johnson was old." (pg. 96). I found it amusing that she and Keira didn't have the stereotypical 'twin thing' of finishing each other's sentences. Dyslexia is brought up and the topic is addressed with both humor and sensitivity, it's frustrating to see how teachers just gave up instead of really working to diagnose the disability and then work with Keira to overcome/cope with the disability. Grandmother Johnson is both a nuisance and entertaining, set in her ways, hardened by life, the twins come up with some creative schemes to get back at her. I was happy to see that Grandmother Johnson is not demonized throughout the book, she's human and not evil just to be evil (I wouldn't even go so far as to say she's evil).

The Other Half of My Heart is brimming with emotions and sentimentality. The story is slow, but that allows for Minni and Grandmother Johnson to truly develop as characters. I only wish the same could be said for Keira. Keira develops into a character, but always seemed to be a secondary character and I felt that she was simply 'Minni's twin' but that contradicts with this story which seems to be trying to show that each of the twins are individuals. I would have better appreciated all the sun and moon references if they were more slyly woven in (I never would have figured out what Keira meant though) but they work well with the story and enhance the telling. I loved how Keira and Minni's parents weren't abstract, absent parents. I got a real feel for their personalities and you can draw your own conclusions on who the twins most closely resemble. I would have liked more pageant details but it isn't meant to be a pageant expose, but I do think the Miss Black Pearl PreTeen preparations could have been made more interesting instead of rushed through. In a way this book airs out our dirty laundry. Even though it's the 21st century, Black people are still silly enough to try and bring each other down. There is still a very subtle message that being dark is bad, but light is alright. There's enough prejudice in this world as it is, I don't understand why we still have so much inter-cultural prejudice. A strong story about the bond between sisters (specifically twins), being color struck and growing up.

Disclosure: Received from the author for review. Thank you so much Sundee!

Male Monday: How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy

How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen (ARC)
Balzar + Bray/HarperCollins

Release Date: March 1, 2011

Rating: 4.5/5

IQ "But around two o'clock those curls droop and dangle as if Sergio's growing black noodles on his forehead and girls love that too. Once I tried some of that mousse stuff in my afro. I squirted a pile of that extra hold foam in my hand and rubbed it through my hair. For ten minutes, I waited for black noodles to dangle on my forehead. Instead my afro held an old-school slant as if me and Frederick Douglass had the same barber." Lamar pg. 24

Don't ask me why but the Incredible Quote tickled me pink, I actually burst out laughing. well ok, I know why. I've always been amused by Frederick Douglas's' hair, extraordinary guy, but oh man, that hair. *shakes head* Reminds me of Cornel West too. Anyway this book is about Lamar who is the baddest, maddest bowler at Striker's Bowling Paradise. He is King of Strikers. Sure Lamar is one of the best bowlers around, but he's not so great with girls, in fact he's constantly striking out with them. While Lamar is doing all his bowling, he also has to deal with his older brother, Xavier the Basketball Savior. Xavier is revered in their hometown of Coffin, Indiana and Lamar's father is quick to go to Xavier's basketball games and go over strategy with him, but it's been years since he bowled with Lamar. Lamar's tired of being ignored so when bad boy Billy Jenks invites him to take part in his bowling hustle, he accepts. Here's a way to make enough money doing something Lamar loves in order to buy a Pro Thunder (expensive pro ball) and maybe even impress his hero, famous bowler, Bubba Sparks. Oh and Lamar just may get the girl.

Some of the 'lingo' is rather cheesy in this book. In fact, at times it seemed outdated. On the very first page Lamar is listening to his best friend Sergio 'bump his gums'. I've never heard that expression before so I asked my dad who knows a lot of slang. He said that expression was older than he was (he grew up in the '80s), but hey, maybe it's popular in Indiana? There are a few other examples of really cheesy dialogue/comebacks but in the end, I think it all adds to Lamar's charm. I was amazed at Lamar's confidence, but being totally honest, it's not at all surprising. I think (for some reason) it's a lot less surprising to see a young and confident main character. In middle school, I think many guys think they are invincible, whereas many girls are a bit shyer. Regardless, Lamar reminded me of my brother and all the other young guys I know who love to trash talk. Although I did think Lamar's constant strutting was a bit much. The author juggles a lot of storylines and I do think the ball was dropped a few times. Each storyline is interesting and starts off well developed, but a couple were quickly wrapped up, much of the action occurring off the page (*cough* Sergio and Tasha *cough*). Lamar and his father clearly have issues they need to work out and everything seemed to get really happy really fast, but Lamar is just so gosh-darn adorable that you can't help but want him to have a cheesy ol' neat ending.

As you can probably tell, I love Lamar. I want to meet Lamar (actually I've already met Lamar and been annoyed by him but guys like Lamar seem less annoying in books). Lamar is one of the most well rounded characters I've come across. He has seriously debilitating asthma and he managed to tug at my heartstrings when he wanted to play soccer to impress a girl (Makeeda), but his doctor said that based on his health that was just not possible. I love soccer so I was able to sympathize with wanting to play (just not for the same reason) and I would be crushed too if I was told I couldn't play because of asthma. Lamar has two personalities, at home he is quiet, afraid of his brother, trying to help out his dad anyway he can since money is tight. Xavier borders on only being a jerk, with no shot at redemption, but there are enough minor details given to make Xavier slightly more well rounded. Lamar lives in absolute terror of X and it's not unjust, X has anger management and refuses to take his medication. But X's anger management is not used as an excuse for his meanness towards his brother and I appreciated that X does not get off easy. A person can only take so much before they snap and Lamar's breaking point is realistic and frustrating. Readers will be covering their eyes hoping that Lamar will not actually go through with his plan (encouraged by Billy Jenks), but unable to look away.

How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy is a jolly, globful of laugh-loud (as Lamar would say) read that still manages to effectively portray more serious topics. Lamar's mother has died and his father has not exactly been a comforting presence to either of his boys. It was refreshing to see a contemporary book where the father wasn't outwardly cruel, instead Lamar's father is drowning. He's so busy working not just to keep food on the table, but to pay for a few luxuries. Lamar is working class/middle class, he's not going to go hungry, but his dad works a lot to make sure Lamar can bowl and Xavier can continue to play basketball. Unfortunately, he doesn't help Lamar with much else. There are underlying class issues as well. Lamar's best friend, Sergio is rich and he can't understand why Lamar joins in Billy's bowling hustle. But many readers can understand it. Sergio gets a lot of extra things, pocket money, nice clothes, two loving parents, etc. Lamar has his bowling pass and the same old clothes, who wouldn't get tired of always being around someone who has so much more? I had feared that Lamar would fall into a pity me trap since he seems relatively innocent but he gets himself into some severe (well severe for a thirteen year old) scraps and he is held accountable. The consequences kind of stink, even though they are realistic. In addition to Lamar's trash talking about his bowling skills (he's so proud of his bowling, awww), his falling in-like with Makeeda is great (it's so wrong but I almost cried when he saw Makeeda who has apparently changed significantly since he last saw her and he called her 'Fivehead' to her face. After he tried to step to her. Oh Lamar :) I want more books like this. Funny with a more unusual sport played and a diverse cast. Sergio is Latino, Lamar is Black, but their story is universal. In fact, there are only slight hints that Lamar is Black and I love that.

Disclosure: Received from Zetta, thank you!

Male Monday: Operation Redwood

Operation Redwood by S. Terrell French 2009
Amulet Books/Harry N. Abrams

Rating: 5/5

IQ "Robin's mom always says, 'A way will open.' [Julian]

'And do you believe this?' [strange lady ;)]

Did he? He chose his words carefully. 'Maybe not on its own. But maybe, if you keep trying to really think about how to make something happen, it could happen. Not always. But if you're lucky.'" Julian pg. 326

Julian Carter-Li opens an angry email message that is intended for his uncle, Sidley Carter, a CEO of a very important company (IPX). His uncle's company has bought a grove of redwood trees that are hundreds of years old and the company intends on tearing them all down. Julian doesn't intend to get involved at first, but the sender of that email turns out to be Robin, a girl close to Julian's age (twelve). He's intrigued by someone his own age brave enough to call his uncle a jerk and stand up for what she believes in. Julian knows very little about this robin, but with the help of his best friend, Danny he is going to break into an office, live in a tree and maybe, just maybe, save the redwoods.

There is not a single thing I didn't like about this book. Some might complain that it started off rather slow but I live for slow contemporary starts, I like getting to know every little detail about the main character and their friends. Sure some things are a little too convenient (Danny speaks Spanish but Julian doesn't speak Spanish so naturally Danny must translate often. also Julian's Chinese grandmother writes for a sizable newspaper), but who cares? This story is too fun to get wrapped up in such minor things. I'm a sucker for kids and teens engaging in social justice because I think too many books only show us as selfish brats who don't care about the future of our world. That's simply not true and this author gets that. At the core of this book (or the trunk of this book, and yes there will be more annoying tree metaphors) is a message of environmentalism. Here we have three kids who don't have an extraordinary amount of resources available to them and yet they manage to come up with a plan, a plan that has the potential to work. They aren't hackers or geniuses or super wealthy, instead they have lots of heart and pool together their respective brain power to find a solution. These qualities make the book an interesting read and one that is authentic. I could easily see myself and other kids in middle school coming up with a similar plan (instead of those outrageous plots that you know would never work out in real life. Not that those can't be fun). The core has different branches that all lead back to the plan to save the redwoods but they divert (in the best of ways) to stories dealing with racism, family abandonment, strong friendships and the actual application of what we learn in school.

In addition to the save-the-trees message that rocked, I also adored the subtle displays of racism. In today's world, rarely do we see outright prejudice and Operation Redwood perfectly reflects that fact. Julian's mother travels a lot and his father died when he was seven, so when Julian's mother leaves for China for several months, he has to go live with his uncle Sibley. Sibley is his father's brother and while Sibley's young son, Preston, adores Julian, Sibley and his wife do not. Sibley's wife, Daphne, goes out of his way to make sure Julian knows he is not welcome (she has a point system. A POINTS system, but that's actually not a totally implausible situation). Of course since she never spells it out, you can't be sure that part of that dislike is race-based, but it probably doesn't help that Julian's Chinese (his mother is Chinese, his father is white) heritage 'ruins' her image of the perfect all-American blonde family. Like when Julian says '[s]omething about the way his aunt said 'half-Chinese' always made it sound vaguely like an insult-or not an insult exactly, but something that made him less than Preston, who at least in her view, wasn't half anything." (pg. 51) I had such a YES moment when I read that, I totally get what Julian's describing and I think many people from different cultural backgrounds may have a similar moment. Julian doesn't spend the entire book talking about the hardships of being a biracial kid, he mentions it, but he also talks about the joys of being biracial and how funny it can be to think about "how strange it was that he should be descended from two such different people, how weird and improbable that their DNA would end up mixed together in his own body." (pg.341). I would be remiss not to rave about Danny. I LOVE Danny, I want him to be my best friend. He is a mess, always hamming it up and yet his silly ways often help him to come up with the most outrageous-but-they-just-might-work stunts. But he can also be very practical (he's quite handy with computer basics such as sending emails in which Julian is hopelessly defunct). One of my favorite exchanges between Danny and Julian is below

"Am I good or what?' he [Danny] said with a broad smile.

'You have a real talent for lying. And you've ruined my reputation too. Congratulations!' [Julian]

'We all have our gifts,' Danny said humbly." (pg. 79) What a great kid.

Operation Redwood has many different branches that all lead back to the importance of speaking up when a wrong is being committed and the value of nature. Julian lives in San Francisco which can be a bit polluted, and he ends up going to see the Big Grove of redwood trees and is in awe of nature. I probably would be too. I don't live in the heart of the city, but I can relate to not spending much time relaxing and pondering nature, especially as we kids become older. I love that Julian has such a diverse group of friends, as the 21st century pushes on, we are going to see more diverse friendships, even now, people are rarely friends with only white people, and it's soo nice to see a book that reflects this. In fact this is the kind of contemporary middle grade I want to see more of, pretty please publishers? The ending certainly surprised me and it's realistic. Robin is resourceful, Danny is imaginative and Julian has the quiet strength that only unveils itself when push comes to shove. I could go on and on and on, but I'll stop. Ultimately this is a prime example of a book where it's the LITTLE THINGS that make it such a phenomenal read. The plot is not complex but it is revolutionary in that it so accurately depicts our world through the eyes of middle school students. A definite favorite of 2011 already.

Disclosure: Bought. One of the best purchases ever :D Printed on recycled paper for the win!

PS This is a tiny thing but it made me happen Julian is thinking about how his teacher taught them about the Miwok Indians (pg. 82). It's a brief sentence, blink and you miss, but it meant something to me that the author didn't just say Indians or even Native Americans. She specifies the tribe. Cool

The Great Wall of Lucy Wu

The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang 2011 (ARC)

Scholastic

Rating: 5/5

IQ "For the longest time, China had seemed like a separate place, the hyphenated place in my life. Chinese-American. But now China was close, because that's where Yi Pao was from." pg. 258

Lucy Wu is all set to have the perfect year; she's a sixth grader which means she and her friends will rule the school, her older sister (Regina) is going off to college so she will have her own room and she intends on trying out for the spot of captain of her sixth grade basketball team. Then her father drops the bombshell, her grandmother's sister (Yi Pao) is coming to stay with the family for a few months and she will have to share a room with Lucy. To make matters worse, Talent Chang tells Lucy's mother about a new Chinese school that meets every Saturday morning. At the same time as basketball practice. Lucy's parents force her to go Chinese school, but it doesn't matter anyway because snobby Sloane will bully Lucy out of her spot on the basketball team.

Through blogging I've fallen in love with some middle grade books (8th Grade Superzero, Ninth Ward, One Crazy Summer, to name a few) but while I dearly love all those books I never felt that any of them were so close to my personality. I was either entirely envious of how self confident they were (Lanesha! Ruthie!) or shaking my head in amusement at how far they had to go before they reached maturity. Usually I just settle for saying 'I would totally be his/her friend' but The Great Wall of Lucy Wu is different. Lucy isn't on either extreme and I love her dearly for it. Lucy is generally pretty confident and she's not a social pariah or completely oblivious to the world around her. She's a great basketball player, friendly and occasionally a whiner. Lucy would not have been my friend, she would have been me (or I would have been her?) when I was her age (not that sixth grade was that long ago!). She's not a precocious sixth grade, amazingly intelligent. Instead she has friends, is devoted to a sport and gets good grades (without much pressure from her parents mind you). It was SO refreshing to read a middle grade book where the main character was so..so...normal, in the middle (although in the book she is the youngest), flawed but seriously lovable. Furthermore, it was a bit of relief to find a book where the Chinese parents weren't so strict, they had rules but they weren't trying to stop their kids from having a social life. The family life is realistic and heartwarming. I love reading about connections with older adults/older family members.

And surprise there are mentions of the Chinese Communist Cultural Revolution which I happen to be studying in my comparative government class (this is why we should read more MG/YA in school ;). I didn't feel overwhelmed with facts about the Cultural Revolution, the author reveals bits and pieces of the atrocities committed but the book never loses its cheerful tone even when discussing the horrid Cultural Revolution (which you may recall I also learned about in another great book Girl Overboard). As embarrassing as it is to admit, I could completely relate to Lucy not wanting to deal with her Chinese great-aunt because I've felt the same way about my Spanish-speaking relatives. Both Lucy and I are sure that they will never understand our lives so why bother trying to talk to them? Well we're both wrong and I've never been so happy to have been proven wrong :) More importantly, I think anyone who is a hyphenated American can relate to Lucy whether you're American-Irish, Black American, Chinese American, etc. There are certain moments in our lives where we feel really connected with our culture and our ancestors, whether we get this connection from relatives, visits to our ancestral lands or books, we all feel it at some point.

The Great Wall of Lucy Wu is darn near perfect. Lucy is a girl after my own heart (student athlete, holla!), but I loved that I could see a little bit of myself in every character. Like Kenny (Lucy's older brother) I love history. Like Regina, I can be a little bossy (my sister was convinced Regina was modeled after me but I am NOT THAT bad, although Regina redeems herself so I guess it's all good). There is a particular incident involving Lucy's crush (ah first crush and I was very happy that he was half Chinese but that fact is not made out to be some Big Deal. It is what it is) that would have left me absolutely mortified (SPOILER, highlight to read. Accidentally pushing Harrison down the stairs? If I had pushed my crush down the stairs I would have died, of embarrassment. haha).In addition to the impromptu history lesson, prejudice also plays a role. A certain someone writes derogatory things about Lucy on the bathroom wall having to do with her being Chinese and Lucy has to figure out how to deal with that. It's yet another affirmation that racism still exists and the people who honestly think we live in a post-racial society need to wake up. It's books like this one that will help open people's eyes in the most entertaining of ways, whether by introducing them to a Chinese-American girl who plays basketball and loves to hang out with friends or showing them that kids can be really mean and they know racial slurs so we need to teach them tolerance early. Definitely one of my favorite debuts of the year, one of my favorites of the year, period.

Disclosure: Received from publisher. Thank you so much Scholastic!

PS You MUST read my interview with the author

From the Abuela's Window

From the Abuela's Window by Nancy Toomey 2005

Rating: 2/5

IQ "both mother and daughter contemplated the unknown path to freedom, knowing they could do everything right but still danger might find them." pg. 170

Maribel's Papa has disappeared. It's Chile, 1974 and many people are starting to disappear after General Pinochet seized power. At first Mama told Maribel and her two younger sisters Fabia and Sarita that Papa was visiting Argentina but Maribel learns the truth first. Marta, Wilfreda and Marta are the abuelas who live next door and they watch over Maribel's family. They convince Mama to tell Maribel's sisters the truth about Papa. The abuelas also give the girls a magical bicycle and plot how they are going to rid their small town of Anunciata of the soldiers.

I know this may seem petty but I wish that Maribel not the abuelas had come up with the plan to get rid of the soldiers. I just felt that as a middle grade book, it would be nice for the twelve year old protagonist to come up with a rather simple (but magical) solution. I understood why Maribel would not have thought of the solution due to the magical realism but still. However that is not a serious issue. I actually wish the magical realism had been left out because I feel like it gave the author of the book an easy way out of some tricky situations and I would rather see the main characters use the spirit of invention! The story is slow moving and could use some whittling down. The dialogue is used to provide long explanations to the reader which can be annoying. I appreciated all the information but I would have liked it to be presented in a more interesting/entertaining manner.

I had begun to give up hope on self published novels but this book has a strong plot and what's even better, relatively few typos (pg. 27 and pg. 75 are oddly similar) or contradicting information. What gives this book such potential is that it is a unique middle grade novel with a good plot. I can't think of many middle grade novels set in the '70s in another country, let alone one set in Chile in 1974. The plot is an engaging one between wondering if Papa will make it back to be with the family and learning about how Mama and Maribel help people imprisoned at the local jail (used to be a school before Pinochet took over). The author does a good job of describing daily life in a small Chilean village, I could imagine the mysterious door, the local general store, the beautiful but simple church, etc.

From the Abuela's Window gives me hope for self-published books. With some finer editing this book could be quite good. The dialogue needs to be improved to sound more natural and the constant switching back and forth of multiple character narratives could use some clearing up. Also the information about life in Chile under Pinochet needs to be shown (or even told) in a smoother kind of dialogue or in the actions of the characters. Maribel is a fine main character, resilient but prone to worrying and not doing what her mother says (which I appreciated!), she also fears strangers. These characters all make her a genuine twelve year old living during a scary time. Life in mostly idyllic small Chilean town is described vividly and helps bring this time period and country to life. And of course, once your child is older, I recommend Gringolandia.

Disclosure: Received from author. Thank you!