MG Realistic Fiction Review: Dead Possums Are Fair Game by Taryn Souders

Dead Possums Are Fair Game by Taryn Souders

Format:  Ebook
Publisher: Sky Pony Press

Number of Pages: 92
Published:  November 3rd 2015
Source:  Library

Genre:  MG Realistic Fiction

I checked out Dead Possums Are Fair Game thinking this  might be a humorous book, I mean look at the cover and title, kinda interesting right?  So, my expectations were a little off going in, but I still enjoyed this quite a bit.  Ella is staring down the possibility of summer tutoring for her difficulties in math.  If she doesn't do well on the last two tests, then it will be a reality.  As the end of school year approaches, the math teachers realize that there just isn't enough time to get the lessons in that they planned, instead they decide upon a math fair team project that will count for two test grades.  Ella is devastated when she hears the news.  How will she ever bring her grade up now?  Lucky for Ella this is a group project and her best friends, Jolina and Lucille are assigned to her team.  New kid Jonathan also joins and comes up with a winning idea, to show the life expectancy of various animals broken down into years, months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds.  Everything with the project is going along swimmingly until her Aunt Willa comes for a visit and brings her dog Chewy along.  Now Ella has to share her room, which for someone with "control issues" is a lot harder than it looks.  Just when it looks like the math fair might actually be the answer to her summer tutoring problems after all, everything gets ruined by Aunt Willa's dog Chewy.  Will Ella and her friends be able to sort everything out and turn in a winning project? Or will she be destined to summer school after all.  

I enjoyed how  this book was about Ella and her problems with math, as well as her need for control over all aspects of her life.   Ella is enthusiastic about science and photography, like her Aunt Willa, but like some kids didn't realize how much math is used in daily life.  I could see where someone struggling with a subject in school could identify with Ella's anxiety.   At first her parents approach to her math problem was to encourage her to learn to like math, feeling by extension she would then get better at it.   It isn't until her mother suggests viewing math through the eyes of a scientist that she begins to appreciate doing the age conversions for her project. Ella also receives lots of support from her friends, who recognize her struggles and encourage along the way.   From her Aunt Willa she learns that being a photographer is more than taking a picture, it involves things like lens lengths and measuring chemicals, and that it's important to not think of doing something "math-related as a test every time." At first she thinks this puts a damper on her wanting to be a photographer, and although Ella doesn't come to love math, she does come to appreciate that it's necessary.    

YA Realistic Fiction Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Format:  Hardcover
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Number of Pages: 230
Published:  January 1st 2007
Source:  Library

Genre:  YA Realistic Fiction

Arnold "Junior" Spirit lives on the "rez,"  an Indian reservation in Spokane, Washington.  While sitting in class one day, Junior happens to look at the inside cover of the book they are reading.  He finds a name scrawled across it, the name happens to be his mothers.  What makes him really angry is that if this is his mothers book, the school has been using the same book for the past thirty years.  So Junior throws the book across the room, inadvertently hitting his teacher in the face.  When that same teacher shows up at his house, Junior thinks this is it, he's going to get beaten up for like the hundred and eleventh time or something.   He never expected his teacher to plead with him to leave the reservation, but Junior begins to think his teacher is right, what he needs is "hope."  Or at least a place that can offer hope, and Reardan, a farm town twenty-two miles away, might be just the place he needs.  

 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian chronicles Junior's life on an Indian reservation in Spokane and his decision to go to a nearby town to school.  A decision that at first is met with resistance by his own community, and the teenagers in his new school.   Most hurtful is his best friend Rowdy's reaction.  However,  Junior has lots of heart and is determined to go and work toward a better future for himself, eventually winning everyone over.  Alexie writes a story that is honest in its portrayal of life as Junior sees it on the reservation as well as the thoughts and feeling of a teenager.  Things felt hopeless at times, with Junior being surrounded by alcoholics and the death of family members closest to him, yet there are also lighter moments and humor with cartoon drawings by Ellen Forney.   A coming of age story that shows that great friendships may ebb for awhile, but they are also resilient and strong when you need them the most.   

Ten Books On My Spring TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish  This week's Top Ten Tuesday is Ten Books On My Spring TBR List

So this is a mixture of books that I am on hold for at the library, one's that I've ordered and haven't arrived yet, and one's that I just can't wait to read.  

Middle Grade 

1.  Rise of the Wolf by Jennifer Nielsen (Mark of the Thief #2) Published 1/26/16

Set in Rome, chariot races.  One of my child's favorite books last year.  Can't wait for the library copy to become available.  

2.  The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd   Published 2/23/16

I've been excited to read this ever since I heard about its upcoming release.  I so enjoyed Snicker of Magic.  It's still listed as on order at my library for the audiobook.  Might have to purchase it instead,

                                        audiobooks are a hit or miss for me sometimes.  

3.  Waiting for Augusta by Jessica Lawson Publishing 5/10/16

author of Nooks & Crannies, The Actual Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher.  Realistic fiction, which I'm always trying to read more of.  

4.  Time Stoppers by Carrie Jones Publishing 5/3/16  I love that cover, plus magical world, and a dwarf on a hovercraft. 

5.  Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard by Jonathan Auxier Publishing 4/5/2016

 This is the continuation of the series, but also from the author of Night Gardener.  

6.  Playing from the Heart by Peter H Reynolds Publishing 4/12/16 

This one is a picture book and I love Reynolds illustrations.

Young Adult

7.  Dreamers Often Lie by Jacqueline West  Publishing 4/5/16 I've had this one on pre-order forever.  One of my favorite authors to read.  I love Booklist's review "Utterly beguiling...Jaye is a fiercely headstrong force and West's writing is lyrical, lilting, spectral, and opulent."   

8.  A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab This published in February, but I'm still on hold.  Gives you an idea how popular this series is.   

 9.  The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine Also published in February, I'm still doing my catch-up.  This is a Snow White retelling that sounded intriguing.   

10.  The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge Publishing 4/19/16 Those two apples were not on purpose, but how cool.  I enjoyed Frances Hardinge's book Cuckoo Song, she seems to write creepy well.  The Lie Tree also seems like part mystery which I'm in the mood for.  

 What made it on to your Spring TBR, did we pick any of the same books?  Feel free to leave a comment and link to your TTT post.  Thanks for stopping by!

Non-Fiction Review: The Boys Who Challenged Hitler by Phillip Hoose

The Boys Who Challenged Hitler:  Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club by Phillip Hoose

Format:  Hardcover
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Number of Pages: 208
Published:  May 12th 2015
Source:  Library

Genre:  Non-Fiction, Historical, WWII

So back in January I came up with ten bookish resolutions, things like to read more diverse books, classics, YA and nonfiction.   The Boys Who Challenged Hitler sounded like a very interesting nonfiction book based on true events that happened in Denmark during WWII, and luckily my library had a copy.  

During WWII, Denmark became very valuable to the Germans, they were a buffer to other countries,  and they had the materials and easy transport routes that Germany needed for the war.  Denmark had decided that rather than fight  and lose so many people like Norway had during their resistance, they would allow Germany to occupy them or become a "protectorate."  This didn't sit well with Knud Pedersen and his brother Jans.  They were very upset with Denmark for allowing Germany to simply invade them, and this is Knud's story of how they challenged the occupation.   Each chapter alternates between Hoose setting up the historical scene or event and then Knud Pedersen giving his first person account of the events.  Interspersed between Hoose and Pedersen's accounts are actual photographs, historical details, even letters and documents that provide much of the historical context for the story. This is the actual person who was there and participated in the resistance as a teenager.  The beginning of the book is full of action as Knud and Jans destroy telephone lines and the road signs that lead to the German camps.  They start out as a small club of boys who idolized Winston Churchill, even naming the club after him.  Slowly as they get more recruits, the group escalates to sabotage,  stealing weapons, ruining vehicles and then destroying rail-cars.  The details that Knud recalls about the war, mixed with the danger and potential for getting caught, really held my interest.  All of their resistance eventually draws the attention of the German soldiers and leads to a large reward for their arrest.  Which happens sometime around 1942.  The heart-wrenching moments happen as the boys are convicted  and then sent to jail.  Pedersen doesn't hold back on describing how the two years of incarceration affected him and his friends.  Everyone, including his family are changed.  Most of all, these teenagers changed their nation, they began a resistance that was picked up and continued by other teenagers, adults throughout Denmark as the news of their arrest spread.  Pretty cool and defiantly a book a history buff or someone who particularly enjoys reading first person accounts of WWII would enjoy.     

YA Contemporary Review: This Raging Light by Estelle Laure

This Raging Light by Estelle Laure
Format:  Hardcover
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Number of Pages: 288
Published:  December 22nd 2015
Source:  Review Copy provided by publisher as a part of a  Giveaway from Rock Star Book Tours

Genre:  YA Contemporary 

Opening Lines:  "Mom was supposed to come home yesterday after her two-week vacation.  Fourteen days.  Said she needed a break from everything (See also: Us) and that she would be back before the first day of school."  

 This Raging Light begins fourteen days after Lucille's mother has left her in charge of her little sister, Wren.  Their mother has decided that she needs a "break from parenting" and leaves them with a hundred dollar bill and no way to contact her.  Their Dad is also absent because he was taken into custody for attacking their mother, and has refused all contact with the family since.  His lack of interest is part of the reason that Lucille's mother leaves.  It isn't until much later in the story that we find out he is in a mental institution, where he is trying to "find himself" and hopefully reconnect with them.   These are two of the most dysfunctional parents I think I've ever seen.  I must commend Lucille for standing in for her mother, she pays the bills, cooks the meals, and provides emotional support to her sister.  All while trying to finish high school and  hiding that their mother abandoned them from the school, neighbors and even her friends parents.  This is not a story about Lucille trying to play house, but one that shows her desperation to keep her and her sister together. Their story is very heart-wrenching, especially when money starts to run out and Wren exhibits problems at school leading her teacher to request counseling and a meeting with their mother.  Somehow, Lucille seems to be able to figure out a solution.   Lucille isn't completely left alone, she does have her best friend Eden, and Eden's twin brother Digby helping her out.   They help with babysitting of Wren while Lucille is working and are her emotional comfort, with Digby turning into her romantic interest part way through the book.  This is where the story started to loose me a little bit.  I really liked Eden and felt Lucille was being unfair toward her in getting mad when Eden said she couldn't babysit Wren anymore.  Eden was losing time away from her passion, ballet, to watch Wren and it didn't seem like Lucille appreciated her. Having the story told from Lucille's point of view also made it difficult to get behind her and Digby's relationship.  It's pretty obvious how she feels about him, "we're steak and mashed potatoes with a side of gravy, and chocolate molten lava cake with whipped cream and raspberry sauce. We are decadent," but not so with Digby, who has a girlfriend.  And I couldn't get behind all of their sneaking around behind his girlfriends back, I just wanted there to be a more clear cut decision on their relationship.  And that ending, still so many unresolved things, which I'm guessing will be resolved in the next book These Mighty Forces.   I guess what I'm saying is that I liked This Raging Light, but if Lucille's and Digby's relationship would have been better defined and the ending would have not ended unresolved, I could have loved this so much more.  

MG Mystery Review: The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow by Jessica Haight & Stephanie Robinson

The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow by Jessica Haight & Stephanie Robinson
Format:  Hardcover
Publisher: Delacorte
Number of Pages: 272
Published:  December 1st 2015
Source:  Purchased

Genre:  MG Mystery/Paranormal

The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow begins with Thurston Begonia taking a 30 foot fall from the third floor balcony of Begonia House.  The details of his death, according to the news article at the beginning of the book, are still a mystery.  Then things move forward to Fairday and her family moving into the Begonia House, which they have purchased and plan to make into a bed and breakfast.  Ok, I'm hooked.  I  love old houses, the kind with a porch, attic, spiraling staircase, bay windows, a couple of towers or turrets.   I envision a parlor with a fireplace that is cozy and inviting.  But, I also want a house to hold some mysteries, have some hidden panels or walkways, rooms that require a special key to open.   Check, check and check. Begonia House seems to have all of these things, it's creepy and mysterious, but not scary.    I really liked the way that the authors introduce the reader to Begonia House, and exploring each of the rooms as Fairday is seeing them.  There is some mystery as to whether the house is haunted or not, mysterious sounds of bagpipes coming from one of the rooms and padlocks on one of the doors.  It just adds to the suspense and eeriness of the house.    As a child I would have really enjoyed the DMS (Detective Mystery Squad), and the cool DMS pack they use to solve their mysteries, containing a headlamp, binoculars, camera and note book to catalog clues.  I always wanted to be an amateur sleuth like Nancy Drew.  There is also a really great relationship between Fairday and Lizzy (founding members of DMS), but I liked that they choose to include Marcus, he seems to round out the team, plus his dad being an FBI agent might come in handy. Even Mr. Lovell and Fairday's parents are wonderful additions to the story.   However, Fairday really shines in this book, she has a perfect response to standing up to a bully and just love the friendships that develop, it's something that I see carrying over into the next book, which I hope there is one.  

Favorite line "Time spent with others is more valuable than an eternity alone."

Ten Books To Read If You Are In The Mood For a School or Academy Setting

Top Ten Tuesday is a Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish  This week's Top Ten Tuesday is Ten Books To Read if You're In the Mood for X .  

I actually enjoy reading books that are set around an academy or school, even if it isn't the only place that the action takes place.  But school's that have special classes or interesting teachers are some of my favorites.  This is a sample of some of the one's that I've read, in no particular order.  I just wish I could remember all the clever names for the classes that they offered.   

1.  The Magisterium (The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare)  A magical school that trains young apprentices in identifying their inner talents (fire, earth, chaos, air, or water).   2. The School for Good and Evil  (The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani) It's actually two academies one for the good and one for the evil  with classes in henchmen training, uglification, curses and deathtraps or princess etiquette, animal communication and good deeds.   3.Thwodin's Guild  (The Dungeoneers by John David Anderson)  While technically called a Guild, it's a school that teaches the art of pick-pocketing, treasure retrieval, sword play, trap disarmament, etc. 

4.  Deepdean School for Girls (Murder  is Bad Manners by Robin Stevens)  A Boarding School where Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong attend and solve some of their best mysteries. 

 5.  Dr. Critchlore’s School for Minions  (Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions by Sheila Grau)  A boarding school with training in the art of  being the best henchmen to an overlord.  Secret labs, spooky teachers. 

 6.   Foxfire  (Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger)  Foxfire is a prestigious elf school with classes in alchemy, agriculture, elementalism, metaphysics and multispeciesial studies, to name a few. 

7.  Cragbridge Hall (Cragbridge Hall series by Chad Morris)  A futuristic academy for super smart kids with technological gadgets. " Imagine a school in the year 2074 where students don't read history, but watch it happen around them; where running in gym class isn't around a track, but up a virtual mountain; and where learning about animals means becoming one through an avatar."   8.  Academy for Metahuman Operatives  (School for Sidekicks by Kelly McCullough) A school where you learn how to be a sidekick to a superhero.  The only class I seem to be able to recall involved fending off bad guys with a fork.  

9.Fairy Tale Reform School  (Flunked by Jen Calonita)  A school who's mission is to "turn wicked delinquents and former villains into future heroes." Interestingly enough the school is run by reformed villains themselves like Flora (Cinderella's evil stepmother), Xavier Wolfington (Red Riding Hood's wolf), Madame Cleo (Ariel's Sea Witch) and Professor Harlow (Snow White's evil queen.). 

10.  Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry  (Harry Potter series by J.K.  Rowling)  Probably one of the most famous schools.  Who hasn't wanted an acceptance letter to be delivered by owl?   

Did I miss any other Schools/Academies?  Feel Free to leave a link to your Top Ten Tuesday or a comment.