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Monday, July 29, 2024

The Horse Who Carries the Stars by Darby Karchut


The Horse Who Carries The Stars by Darby Karchut
Format:  Paperback-ARC
Publisher:  Owl Hollow Press
Number of pages:  246
Publishing:  August 6th, 2024
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review. 
Opening Lines:  "It was almost time.  Sundown, and heels-to-heaven.  Her time."

Thirteen-year-old Reece Harding is helping her grandparents on the family's ranch in Valencia, Colorado.  She loves the quiet the ranch provides and the responsibility of tending to the horses.  Although she's still a little bitter over the sale of her beloved horse, Rio, to pay for her older sister Ashley's college education.  Reece's spirits lift when her Poppy surprises her with a black Appaloosa mare named Kip.  The mare is everything Reece had hoped for, provided they can manage to train Kip to listen to their commands.  When an approaching wildfire threatens the ranch, Reece jumps into action in order to bring all the horses to safety can she mange to get Kip to finally follow her lead?

I've been an avid reader and fan of Darby Karchut's books for several years, enjoying her Del Toro Moon series and her latest book, On a Good Horse.  The aspect I've grown to love most about these books is the southwestern feel, and in particular that they're set in Colorado.  It stirs a bit of homesickness in me, but I adore her depictions of Colorado's rugged landscape, the experience of horseback riding across the plains, and navigating its streams.  Throw in a prickly pear cactus and some local wildlife and I can vividly picture it all, right down to Reece hauling bags of feed from Poppy's truck.  Who couldn't love all the cowboy/regional expressions like, "Earn your keep," "Sure as spit," and my favorite, "Big hat, no cattle."      

I enjoy the dual points of view of Reece and internal dialogue from Kip.  It's interesting to see both of their perspectives about why Kip doesn't exactly follow all of her directions.    Alex and Reece also make such a great duo; his ability to keep a level head and remain calm complements Reece's stubbornness and impulsiveness.  He somehow manages to persuade her to take a moment and reflect before acting.  I really enjoy these two together.  

Reece is quite the character.  Early on in the story, she overhears her grandparents talking about something serious, and she suspects that her parents might be getting a divorce.  She's frustrated that no one will listen to her about being able to manage Kip and takes huge risks to try to prove that she can ride her.  I would definitely pair The Horse Who Carries the Stars with On A Good Horse, as it features Alex's story, and the two stories are so interconnected that they really should be read together.  Once again, a heartfelt thanks to Darby for the opportunity to read this in advance of its release.  I enjoyed all the action and most of all observing the development of Reece's relationship with her grandparents.  I would highly recommend this to middle grade readers who enjoy horseback riding and southwestern settings.           

Monday, July 22, 2024

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with a review of Meesh the Bad Demon: The Secret of the Fang #2 by Michelle Lam



Meesh the Bad Demon:  The Secret of the Fang #2 by Michelle Lam

Publisher:  Alfred A Knopf Books for Young Readers
Format:   E-ARC
Number of pages:  304
Source:  Banholzer PR
Publishing: July 23rd, 2024


Opening Line:  "Wow, can you believe we've been here for six months already?"

The Secret of the Fang is the second book in the Meesh the Bad Demon series. In the first book, Meesh turned out not to be your ordinary demon, she didn't behave or act in the ways a demon should.  Well at least in ways that bad demons do.  In the latest book, Meesh is learning how to be a Guardian from her grandmother.  While also honing her skills.  Meanwhile, her new friend Chai and her werewolf pack were forced out of their temporary home in the forest of Ponderosa by a bulldozer.  Unable to return to their home as it was demolished, they're once again displaced.   Meesh, Nouna, the Fairy Princess and Xavier, a demon offer to help Chai and her family.  Hoping to discover the perpetrator behind all of destruction in the forest, Meesh and Nouna disguise themselves and infiltrate the camp of the masked villain in an attempt to discover her plans.

I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic novel's blend of fairies, demons, and fairy-demon hybrids.  The artwork is really well done and conveys a lot of emotion.  There are strong messages on the harm and injustices of discrimination.  Past injustices were revealed, and amends were finally able to be made.  Each realm (Plumeria City, Magma City and Ponderosa) finally found a benefit of working together.  

Meesh is such a sweet character, her empathy for her realm having been a part of the wrongs done and her desire to make things better were truly commendable.  Additionally, I loved that she extended kindness, even to those who caused harm.  The story illustrates that we all can make mistakes, and through forgiveness and collaboration great things can happen.  Included at the back of the book is a section on the making of the graphic novel, including pictures of brainstorming ideas, outlines, and a few of the authors rough sketches.  I would recommend beginning with the first book to have a better understanding of the characters and overall plot. 

**A huge thank you to Banholzer PR for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review**

 **I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE   **              

Monday, July 8, 2024

Happy MMGM with a review of Wicked Marigold by Caroline Carlson



Wicked Marigold by Caroline Carlson

Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Format:  Paperback ARC
Number of pages:   256 pages
Publishing:   July 16th, 2024
Source:  Publisher

Opening Line: "Once upon a time, in the Kingdom of Imbervale there lived a princess who was perfectly good."  

On her third birthday, Princess Rosalind was kidnapped by Wizard Torville.  The whole kingdom mourned her disappearance.  A few years went by, and then the King and Queen had another daughter, Marigold.  Marigold grew up in her "perfect" older sister's shadow, never able to compare to her beauty and grace.  Then just as Marigold entered her eleventh year, Rosalind escaped her captor and returned to the castle.  Upon her return, there were celebrations, royal holidays and parties.  Poor Marigold once again took a back seat to her older sister.  Even her best friend, Collin was too busy in the kitchen preparing the feasts for Rosalind's balls and luncheons.  

Exasperated with all of the attention Rosalind's been receiving, Marigold confides to Collin that she wishes the wizard would come and steal her back.  Collin instead suggests that she talk to Rosalind, try to get to know each other more.  But Rosalind too responds that she's busy with all her royal duties.  When Marigold finds her bathtub filled with songbirds singing praises to Rosalind, she throws them all out along with a bucket of water, which lands on Rosalind's head and spoils the party, angers the Queen and King and leads her to run off feeling like the wicked child that the royal steward claimed her to be.  

Eventually Marigold finds herself at the doorstep of Wizard Torville's fortress and she tries to convince him to take her in.  But Torville isn't convinced that she is as wicked as she says and instead proposes to put Marigold to a test.  If she can prove her wickedness in seven days to Petti fog, Torville's imp, she can stay.  Life in the evil wizard's fortress is more difficult than Marigold thought and proving her wickedness proves to be a challenge.  Torville attempts to tutor her in casting a curse, which only leads to a mishap with the spell causing disastrous results.  Soon Marigold is teaming up with Collin and Petti fog to prevent the Wizard's Council from enacting Big Magic against the ten kingdoms and their attempts to develop a harmonious pact.

I always enjoy a twist on a fairytale, or characters that don't behave as you thought that they might.  In this case we have one sister who is perfect in every way, and another who is determined to be wicked and learn to cast curses.  She's very angry that she can't compare to her sister and feels mistreated by the comparisons.  This slightly reminded me of The Dark Lord Clementine by Sarah Jean Horwitz.  They both have lots of humor and play with this twist nicely.  

Marigold made me laugh a time or two, especially when she's trying to get Torville to tutor her in casting curses.   It's even more amusing when Torville thinks that she can't do much harm and he ends up as a yellow blob of glop.  There are subtle messages about a person's intent and that even if a person is considered wicked it doesn't mean that they can't do good if they choose to.  Marigold is inquisitive, adventurous and crafty and I think she wants to be considered "good enough."  A truly sweet girl, if a bit insecure.  I also quite enjoyed Torville's siblings, the Miseries who really fit their name, and it isn't a wonder that most of the wizards on the council despised them too.  Overall, a very enjoyable story that can be read as a standalone, but I truly hope to see more adventures for Marigold in the future.   

 **I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE   **                 

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Blog Tour for THE LEGENDARY MO SETO by A.Y. Chan with An Excerpt, Review & Giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE LEGENDARY MO SETO by A.Y. Chan Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

       About The Book:

Title: THE LEGENDARY MO SETO
Author: A.Y. Chan
Pub. Date: June 4, 2024
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats:  Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 320

Find it:  Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/THE-LEGENDARY-MO-SETO

A fast-paced, high-kicking debut that’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon meets Stand Up, Yumi Chung as a young taekwondo artist uses an ancient book to help
save her dreams—and her father.


Twelve-year-old Modesty “Mo” Seto dreams of being a taekwondo champion. Even though her mom disapproves, Mo can always count on her dad, who is her number one fan and biggest supporter. Lately, Mo has been on a losing streak, and it doesn’t help that she keeps losing to her archnemesis, Dax, who’s much bigger than her. If only she were faster, stronger, not so petite. Mo can’t even lean on her dad like usual with how distracted he’s been lately.

When Mo learns about the chance to audition to star alongside her idol and legendary martial artist and movie star Cody Kwok, she knows this her chance to prove to her dad, to the world, and to herself that she can compete with anyone, no matter her size. Unfortunately, Dax is auditioning, too. As Mo and her nemesis progress to callbacks, someone attempts to sabotage the movie set and Mo’s dad disappears—and both events seem linked to a mysterious book, the Book of Joy.

The book contains information on Xiaoxi Fu, a secret dance-like martial art developed by Mo’s ancestral grandmother. Armed with these secret moves and an unexpected ally, Mo embarks on a high-octane adventure to rescue her father, save the movie, and discover an unexpected joy in being small.

Reviews:

"Action-packed prose mimics the cinematic high-intensity atmosphere of a classic martial arts film, while Mo’s desire to connect with her father acts as a driving force in this adrenaline pumping series opener." ― Publishers Weekly

"Chan has created a brave, athletic girl whose realistic struggles with her identity and what she’s capable of will resonate. Readers will find themselves rooting for Mo’s success and enthralled with the relatable characterization that fills the pages. An exciting mystery-adventure story that packs a punch." ― 
Kirkus Reviews



Excerpt from The Legendary Mo Seto:

Chapter 1

I Am Fierce

 

I may be small, but I am fierce. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. Over and over
again. Fierce.
“Charyeot,” the taekwondo tournament referee says in Korean. Attention.
I snap my arms to my sides.
“Kyeong-nae,” the ref says. Bow.
I turn to face my opponent, Dax Washington. His dark skin glistens with sweat. We dip our
heads.
I look up to see Dax towering over me, his eyes stormy.
It suddenly occurs to me how much “fierce” sounds like “fears.” Not that I’m scared or
anything. I’m not.
“Sijak!” The ref throws up his hand. Begin! Immediately Dax’s large fists hammer down like a
hailstorm.
Well, maybe I’m a little worried.
Dax lunges. I block his front kick with my forearm. I flinch and reel back. The ref blows his
whistle, but Dax doesn’t stop. I barely have time to move before—oof—another kick nails me in
the elbow.
Okay, fine. I’m totally panicking.
What would Cody Kwok do? My martial arts hero would never show any sign of weakness. And
neither will I.
I quickly rearrange my face to neutral.
I kick and punch, and strike and shift. We volley back and forth, each landing some blows,
blocking others. Dax’s heel smashes into my elbow, and I let out an involuntary shriek.
The whistle blows, twice this time. Finally Dax falls back. If I were refereeing, I’d give him a
penalty. But all this ref says is, “Excessive force warning, Mr. Washington. Remember to use
control.”
At least he gives Dax a You should know better look.
And Dax should know better. He’s been in my tae kwon do class twice a week, every week,
since we were five. And now that we’re twelve and junior black belts, he really has no excuse.
“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” Dax smiles at the ref and bows his apology. He sounds sincere, but I know
his phony voice.
And when the ref looks down to reset his scoring box, Dax pulls a Jekyll-and-Hyde, his smile
turning into a sneer.
“You’re so gonna lose,” he says, low enough that only I can hear. “’Cause . . .”
He bends his knees so he’s several inches shorter—though even in this position, he towers over
me.

I feel a tiny rip in my chest, like when a balloon is pinched but doesn’t pop, that slow leak of
air—hisss.
Dax knows how to hit where it hurts. Junior-level sparring is based on age and belt level, not on
size. Even after vitamins, and broccoli, and jumping jacks for a year, I’m still only four-foot-six-
and-a-half. Mom says the women in her family are late bloomers, but she’s barely four-foot-
nine, so I’m not holding my breath.
Why do I have to be so small? The familiar thought bursts through like a weed after a
rainstorm. I used to destroy Dax all the time, but ever since his growth spurt at the end of last
summer, he’s beat me in the fall, winter, and spring tournaments.
That’s three. Three tourneys.
Silver is great too. Variety is the spice of life, Dad would say, as if losing gold isn’t a big deal. But
in the days and weeks after, he’d be more subdued and make me train twice as long every
day. Kick harder, Mouse. You must beat him next time, Mouse. Because being the best really
does matter to him. A lot.
It matters to me, too. Today’s tourney, the Dost Valley Cali-wide Mid-Year Taekwondo
Championship, takes place right at the start of summer, and it is the biggest one of the year. I’ll
show Dax.
And—I glance at the bleachers—I’ll show Dad.
“Get him, Mouse.” Dad’s ringing voice reaches my ears. There he is in the front row, as usual,
standing out in his bright red polo shirt, dancing his embarrassing dad-dance shuffle thing,
hollering his nickname for me. Mouse. Short for “Mousey,” which is what I called myself back
when pronouncing my name, Modesty, was impossible for a toddler. He’s been traveling a lot
for work the past few months, but he promised he’d be here for my big tournament, and he is.
“Bop,” Dad yells. “Pow.” He throws what looks like an awkward boxer’s jab and nearly topples
over onto my mom, sitting, prim and proper, in her flowery dress, clutching my squirming two-
year-old brother, Justis. I wince, but I also can’t help smiling.
Dad’s a jokester. With his thick hair and round, clean-shaven face, he looks much younger than
thirty-nine. He’s not a tall guy, but he’s broad shouldered with a bit of a belly, and he has a
boomingly loud voice, so he tends to stand out.
He’s also my greatest fan.
The ref calls us to attention. “Score is tied. Next point wins. Clean strikes.” He looks pointedly at
Dax. Dax scowls, but nods.
The spectators, the sounds, everything around me fades away. It’s just me and my opponent. I
pound my gloves softly together like I’m giving them fist bumps. The leather is torn and
indented from years of heavy use, but I would never dream of replacing them. Don’t let me
down, old friends.
I need to attack first, attack fast, attack with everything I’ve got.
I’m fierce.
The ref drops his hand. Dax lunges at me straightaway, an eclipse blotting out the sun.
I leap to the side, avoiding a flurry of fists. My heart pounds into my rib cage. I launch a
roundhouse combination kick, but Dax brushes it away. No points.

Dax advances slowly and steadily, a snake stalking its prey. I stare into his eyes. A flicker to
the left could give away a left axe kick a moment before it’s launched. Or a bead of sweat falling
into his eye might divert attention long enough for me to attack.
And there it is! Dax glances at something to his side.
I’m just about to spring, when I hear it.
Frenzied music punctuated by a series of doggy yelps. I recognize it instantly. The theme song
to my favorite Cody Kwok movie, Shih Tzu Ninjutsu. (What happens when the most feared ninja
assassins in the world are actually a group of shih tzu puppies, and the only warrior skilled
enough to outsmart them is severely allergic to dogs?)
Dad’s ringtone.
My foot freezes, and it all rushes back to me. The hundreds of people packed into the
bleachers. The kiyahs from fighters in other matches. The sharp scent of sweat.
I turn slightly. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dad, phone against his ear. He says something
to Mom before striding quickly to the nearest exit.
“Yaaaaaah,” Dax hollers, leaping into a push kick. The force sends me stumbling. I try to step
around him, but he’s too big, too wide. He corners me, forcing me to the very edge of the ring. I
have nowhere to go.
Fears.
My eyes flicker to Dad just as he walks through the gym door. He doesn’t look back.
What was that old Chinese proverb he used to say whenever I felt scared?
When backed against a wall, a tiger learns to fly.
Is Dad backed against a wall like I am now? Is that why he’s leaving? He promised he’d watch
my fight. . . . Under my toes I feel the plastic tape outlining the ring.
Fly, Mo!
But my feet remain rooted to the ground.
The next thing I see is Dax’s fist tearing toward my face.

 My Review:


The Legendary Mo Seto intertwines a hidden martial arts style, a father's mysterious disappearance, a secret society, and familial expectations, all set on the backdrop of creating a movie.   Mo at first is very focused on what she's not, that she's not tall or strong enough, or that she hasn't won first place in any of her previous taekwondo competitions.  Certainly, many kids can relate to that feeling of wanting to come in first place and wanting to make your parents proud of you.  

The story emphasizes that size doesn't matter, that being smarter and believing in yourself are more valuable skills.  Mo's confidence grew as she studied Xiaoxi Fu, and she gained valuable insights into her family's history and the origins for the martial arts style.  I also enjoyed the numerous action scenes of Mo punching, kicking, jumping and performing acrobatic moves designed to thrill and excite the reader while also illustrating that she had the skills to be a great martial artist.  Mo's interaction with Nacho were really sweet and I'm happy that Dax and Mo were able to get closer by confiding in each other.  

The story's conclusion sets the stage for a sequel, and I would be very interested in reading about Mo's adventures in Hong Kong while filming alongside Dax.  And especially want to know how this will impact her friendship with Nacho.  

About A.Y. Chan:

A. Y. Chan grew up in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area reading all the middle grade and young adult books she could get her hands on. To this day, those remain her favorite genres. After achieving her black belt in Taekwondo, she explored other martial arts, such as Wing Chun, Hapkido, and Muay Thai. These days, she continues her martial arts training some mornings, writes in the afternoons, takes long walks to muddle out plot points, and falls asleep reading.

Subscribe to A.Y. Chan's Newsletter! Scroll to the bottom of the page.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads |  Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE LEGENDARY MO SETO, US Only.

Ends July 23rd, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/24/2024

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

6/25/2024

The Literary London Life

Excerpt

6/26/2024

Lady Hawkeye

Excerpt/IG Post

6/27/2024

Country Mamas With Kids

Excerpt/IG Post

6/28/2024

Little Red Reads

Excerpt/IG Post

 Week Two: 

7/1/2024

@_snarkysharky

IG Post

7/2/2024

Log Cabin Library

Excerpt

7/3/2024

@katemageau

Review/IG Post/TikTok Post

7/4/2024

@blueeez_away

IG Review

7/5/2024

heyashleyyreads

IG Review/TikTok Post

 Week Three: 

7/8/2024

MissReidReads

Review

7/9/2024

onemused

IG Post

7/10/2024

avainbookland

IG Review

7/11/2024

The Story Sanctuary

Review

7/12/2024

@stargirls.magical.tale

IG Review

 




Monday, July 1, 2024

It's MMGM with a review of Invisible Isabel by Sally J. Pla pictures by Tania de Regil



Invisible Isabel by Sally J. Pla, pictures by Tania de Regil 
Publisher:  Quill Tree Books
Format:   E-ARC
Number of pages:  208
Source:  Blue Slip Media
Publishing: July 9th, 2024


Opening Line:  "Isabel Beane was a small, quiet girl who lived in a little gray house on Maple Lane." 

Isabel is one of the six Beane children.  Her siblings can be loud, rowdy, squabble, and generally are full of hullabaloo.  Ian, who was once patient and helpful to Isabel when she felt overwhelmed or struggled to find her words, has since started junior high and grown preoccupied with his new friends.  Feeling increasingly left behind and invisible both at home and school, Isabel's "worry-moths" have multiplied. She worries about the upcoming testing that Mrs. Pickel is preparing them for.  She worries about trying to please Monica, so she'll be friends with her.  When Isabel confides in her mother about feeling disliked at school and her constant stomachaches, her mother dismisses her by saying not to be so sensitive.

Monica is the new girl, smart, popular, and confident.  She likes to tell everyone else what to do.  But Mrs. Pickel doesn't like how chatty she is so now she has to sit in the back of the room next to Isabel.  Monica thinks that Isabel is just too different and is reluctant to spend time with her, even going so far as to exclude her from her birthday sleepover.   But Monica's father is one to notice things, and he notices Isabel's absence from the guest list.  Despite Monica promising to invite Isabel, she persuades her that a noisy party wouldn't suit her anyway.  

Isabel interprets Monica's concern for her dislike of loud noises and shyness as a sign that Monica now wants to be friends with her.  Isabel decides to reciprocate with a kind gesture.  She dedicates herself to drawing a picture of them as friends, putting all of her effort into making it just right.  Wanting no one to feel left out, she even makes one for all the other girls in her class.  However, her pictures don't quite receive the reception that she had planned, and Isabel then discovers that she was deliberately excluded from Monica's party.

On the dreaded testing day, Isabel's stomachache takes a terrible turn for the worse, leading to her sudden hospitalization.  The surgeon performing the operation is none other than Monica's father, who after chatting with Isabel's parents finds out that Monica was untruthful about inviting Isabel to her party.  While in the hospital, Isabel fully opens up to her mother about her worry-moths, difficulties with the girls at school and how sometimes everything can be too much.  With Isabel's issues now out in the open, and everyone receptive to listening they can begin to be resolved.

I like how the story focuses on two girls who initially seem to be complete opposites.  Isabel is quiet, timid and anxious, while Monica is outgoing, dislikes the silence of her house now that her mom passed away, and feels isolated.  Additionally, it's heartwarming that Isabel's concerns and stomach pains were finally acknowledged by her mother and that she came to understand that she needs to listen to her daughter more, that there were valid reasons for her worries and stomachaches.  

I appreciated the transformation that Isabel's classmates made, specifically how the girls in her class regretted excluding Isabel from the party, and how Monica began to realize that she'd been pretty mean.  The story includes multiple strategies and tangible, practical tips to help with anxiety, like implementing a quiet time hour at home, and particular actions Isabel could take to prevent her from feeling overwhelmed at school. 

Creating the get-well card, was a special moment in the book.  Isabel's classmates realized that they didn't really know much about her and that they should because they've been together since kindergarden.  As they started to talk about her more and more, they discovered her interests and preferences and began to see that she's an important part of their class.  Isabel's teacher even makes a change by throwing a winter party and making an effort to smile more.  This is a wonderful story told in verse, featuring beautiful illustrations and a powerful message about the importance of self-advocacy, truly not to be overlooked. The book concludes with valuable resources on anxiety and autism, including specific links to organizations' websites.

**A huge thank you to Blue Slip Media for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review**    

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE