Book Review: What Happens Next

"A total eclipse is a once in a lifetime thing." 

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT by Claire Swindarski seemed like a natural for me to like. It is set in the fictional town of Moose Junction, Wisconsin, a small tourist town made more popular because it is the perfect viewing spot for an upcoming total solar eclipse. 

In the days leading up to the big event, the renowned scientist Dr. Leo Lacamoire comes to town and enlists the help of 12-year-old Abby. 

Oh, and central to the story is a small local library that Abby loves. This library has one employee, Harriet, and her budget only allows her to purchase 10 books a year. As a librarian and lifelong lover of these magical places, this book was a win for me. 

Secrets are revealed, sisters are bonded, and there are tons of delightful space metaphors. 

The author is a Wisconsin native and a true friend to the libraries who presented at the 2020 Fox Cities Book Festival. 

This book was a win for me. 

Book Review: Words on Bathroom Walls

 Words on Bathroom Walls is a debut young adult fiction novel by Julia Walton. The book is structured as journal entries the main character, Adam, writes to his doctor. He is nonverbal in these sessions, but addresses whatever the doctor may have asked him, in detail, enough to make a whole novel. 

Before each entry is the dose of an experimental drug Adam is taking to control his schizophrenia. 

The model of storytelling is fresh, as is having a main character battling schizophrenia. Adam struggles with the label of "crazy" and interpreting reality because characters from his subconscious regularly populate his world. There is the ever-present Rebecca, who is always around. Then there are the mob guys who bust in and shoot the place up, except that only happens in Adam's head. His reaction though, is in front of everyone. 

His struggle is real, and heartbreaking, and comes to a satisfying crescendo that doesn't include a magical cure for mental illness. There is also a tie to the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut as the shooter, unfortunately named Adam, also suffered a mental illness. The people around Adam are afraid of him. He lost his best friend after his diagnosis. He even seems to fear himself. 

This is not a happy read, but it is a hopeful one. And Adam is a likable teen with snark and determination to not react to the hallucinations that plague him. Some of my favorite scenes are when he suspects his new girlfriend is a figment of his imagination and waits until other people react to her, and when his doctor visits and he asks, "Are you real?" 

I haven't seen the movie adaption yet, but can't imagine it being better than this book. We get so deliciously deep in Adam's thoughts. It makes me wonder how that plays out on the screen. 

Book Review: Echo Mountain

It's the Great Depression and times are hard, leading people to move to the mountain when they have nothing left. Then Ellie's dad has a tragic accident that leaves him in a coma and everyone in her family thinks it's her fault. 

ECHO MOUNTAIN, by Lauren Wolk, should be a sad, depressing tale, but the spirit of Ellie and what she finds on the mountain make this story more like an adventure. The reader roots for her as she finds and cares for "the hag" and tries her unusual remedies for waking her dad up. 

ECHO MOUNTAIN is beautiful, and sad, and a story like no other. I give it two thumbs up. 

Book Review: Planet Earth is Blue

 PLANET EARTH IS BLUE is a debut middle grade novel by Nicole Panteleakos set in January 1986  the week prior to the Challenger disaster. As a fan of all things 80s and especially David Bowie, there was much to love in this story. Not the least of which was the main character, Nova, who loves space and her sister Bridget. Nova also has autism and does not speak much. She writes letters to her sister that teachers call "scribbles." At every school she attended, she is labeled as "does not speak, severely retarded," which makes Nova and her sister Bridget mad. Nova is looking forward to two things, seeing the Challenger launch the first teacher into space and having Bridget come back to watch it with her. 

Knowing how the Challenger launch went in 1986, I found myself dreading living through it again in this story. Spoiler alert: the ending of this book is very, very sad in more ways than one.

The author has been an instructor at a school for autistic children and volunteered at an after school center.  This experience may have contributed to the fabulous character development of the non neurotypical Nova. Her perspective is refreshing and makes the story one of the best middle grade novels I've read in 2020. 

Book Review: I'm Not Dying with You Tonight

I'm Not Dying with You Tonight by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal is about two high school girls who don't really know each other. One is black. One is white and new to the neighborhood. They get caught up in a riot that may make you think differently about riots and race and neighborhoods. 

This was a quick read, and although not too deep, it was energetic and brought the reader into the center of a riot. I could relate to both of the voices and thought they were represented well. 

While this wasn't a favorite Young Adult novel. It was quick. It was topical. It felt important. 

Book Review: For Black Girls Like Me

Mariama J Lockington creates a sympathetic and relatable character in Makeda Kirkland in her middle grade novel For Black Girls Like Me. 

Keda is adopted into a white family she loves very much, but sometimes feels out of place. When her family moves from Maryland to New Mexico, leaving behind Keda's best friend, she finds it even harder to fit in.

What I loved about this book was Keda's voice and her straight talk about how even those with the best of intentions can say things that make their loved ones feel bad.  In a world where race relations are a hot topic, this is an excellent book for understanding. I felt for Keda when the mean girls said atrocious things to her, and maddened when it wasn't handled as it should have been. 

The story takes a serious turn about another subject entirely that seems unnecessary.  Keda's story was enough to keep me interested. 

Book Review: The Midnight War of Mateo Martinez

THE MIDNIGHT WAR OF MATEO MARTINEZ, by Robin Yardi, is an adorable tale for middle school readers and perhaps younger. The story draws you in right away in the first chapter when Mateo sees a couple of skunks steal his old tricycle, the one he is supposed to give up to his little sister. As a proper knight, he makes it his mission to bring the trike home.

This story has some bully drama, sibling rivalry, and skunk armor. It is full of fun nighttime adventures to places that delight the imagination. And, of course, the midnight war.

Lighthearted and fun, but with some real middle school issues. I highly recommend!

Book Club Discussion Questions: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins is the prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy and tells the story of President Snow. There is so much in this amazing book that I put together some discussion questions. Be warned that there may be some spoilers, so read on only if you have already read the book and are ready to discuss it with others. If you haven't read it, do so. Suzanne Collins does amazing things in young adult literature. 

Book Discussion Questions: 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

1)      What did you think about the title of this book before you read it? And after?

2)      This book is about Coriolanus Snow and his origins. Did he seem like the same character we’ve seen in the other Hunger Games books?

-          His family was poor and couldn’t even afford new shirts. Was that a surprise? What did you think about him wanting to hide his family’s poverty?

-          Tigris is his cousin! By Mockingjay, we know she is on the rebel’s side. What do you think of this?

3)      Let’s talk about Lucy Gray Baird.  What did you think of her character?

-          Her affinity for snakes

-          From District 12

-          Her singing – Lucy Gray is the writer of the lullabyes Katniss sings “Deep in the Meadow” and “The Hanging Tree”

4)      Much of the book centers on the romance between Coriolanus and Lucy Gray. What are your thoughts on their relationship?

5)      Coriolanus gets a break when he gets to feature Lucy Gray at the zoo. Quite a bit happens at the zoo. What are your thoughts on this?

-          What do you think is worse….letting tributes starve in cages, or fattening them up like Katniss and Peeta?

6)      Let’s talk about Sejanus, one of Corio’s peers. He is different than the others. Do you think that is because he is from District 2 and not the Capitol?

-          What do you think about the relationship between Coriolanus and Sejanus….and the Plinths?

7)      What are your thoughts on Casca Highbottom, the brains behind the Hunger Games?

8)      We are introduced to Dr. Volumnia Gaul, Head Gamemaker. Did she surprise you in any way?

-          What did you think of her neon colored snakes?

9)      Were you surprised when the girl from District 10 suddenly killed Arachne Crane? Did you think Arachne brought it on by teasing with the sandwich?

10)   Did the explosions at the arena surprise you? What are your thoughts on the arena?

11)   What do you think happened to Clemensia after the snake bite?

12)   Sejanus’ tribute, Marcus, was a classmate. Do you think that was unfair to Sejanus?

13)   By the time the Hunger Games begin, there are only 13 tributes left. What are your thoughts on that?

14)   As the games begin, Coriolanus and Lucy Gray kiss. How does this make you feel?

15)   They display Marcus’ body at the beginning of the games. What did you think of that?

16)   What about the Hunger Games in this book was familiar to you? What differences did you notice?

17)   Coriolanus has to go into the games to save Sejanus. What are your thoughts on that? What do you think about when he killed Bobbin….his first kill?

18)   Was Coriolanus cheating when he put the handkerchief in the snakes’ cage?

19)   What are your thoughts on the snakes in the arena?

20)   In part 3, Coriolanus is sent to District 12 to be a Peacekeeper.  What are your thoughts on this?

21)   Is Coriolanus responsible for what happens to Sejanus?

22)   There is a lot of talk about the mockingjays and their origins. What are your thoughts on this?  On jabberjays? What are your thoughts on how Coriolanus sees these birds?

23)   We find out that Coriolanus’ father is responsible for the creation of the Hunger Games. What are your thoughts on this?

24)   This book is about Coriolanus. Do you think he changes by the end of the story?

25)   What do you think happened to Lucy Gray?

Book Review: The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

This debut novel is a marvelous masterpiece and a love letter to math. There is a lot to love about Lucy Callahan. We love that a lightning strike (she would surely be able to tell you the remote probability of that), left Lucy with brain damage that makes her a genius at math. We love that her surviving being hit by lightning and her acquired savant syndrome are not what make her strange when she enters middle school for the first time.  Lucy has OCD and her ticks and habits that happen in threes can look odd to others. We also love that she doesn't like animals, because they are full of germs, but falls for one tragic pup with all her heart and soul. Lucy isn't like other middle school students, but in many ways, she is like every 12 year old.

Five stars to Stacy McAnulty and THE MISCALCULATIONS OF LIGHTNING GIRL.

Book Review: All the Bright Places

ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES by Jennifer Niven takes on a difficult subject that not everyone wants or knows how to talk about.

My lovely goddaughter told me it was her favorite book, so I had to read it.

Theodore Finch and Violet Markey meet during a dark period of both of their lives. Together they find adventure and beauty in "staying awake." I watched the Netflix version immediately afterwards, which was a good reliving of the novel, but lacked the depth, especially from Finch's POV.

Trigger warning: This book talks about suicide. Bring tissues.

Book Review: A Wolf Called Wander

Middle grade readers who love animals may enjoy this story about a wolf who loses his pack and struggles to survive injury, starvation, men with rifles, and fire, all on his own.

A WOLF CALLED WANDER by Rosanne Parry is a gripping tale of survival that is inspired by a true story. This book includes some illustrations for readers who like a visual context. While the story is not always happy, as things are in nature, this is a story I wanted to read from start to finish. I am particularly impressed by how the author gave enough details for the reader to understand the many wolves in the pack that were lost, the personality of each, and what they meant to Swift.

In spite of the obstacles, Swift is proud of the wolf he is and has hope to lead a pack like his father. Readers cannot help but root for this plucky wolf.

Book Review: Queen of the Sea

History is re-imagined in the graphic novel Queen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis.

Margaret is an orphan living in a nunnery on an island. Her life is about chores, prayer, and the twice annual arrival of the ship that brings supplies, news from the mainland, and sometimes new visitors. When a regal, cold stranger arrives, things start to change. Margaret learns who Eleanor is and why she is on the island, the sinister truth about the nunnery she calls home, and her own identity.

This is a story that stands out as unique, even among historical fiction, and a delight to read.