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.

Book Review: We're Not From Here

We're Not From Here, by Geoff Rodkey, is a middle grade novel that is outside the box. Even out of this world.

This novel takes place after Earth has been destroyed and a small fraction of humans are living on Mars. Food and resources are running out, and humans are at a disagreement as to what to do next. Our main character, Lan, and her family choose to live on the planet Choom that is populated by giant insects.

The problem is, it takes 20 years to get there, and when they do, the government of the planet Choom changed their mind. Now Lan and her family have to convince the hostile inhabitants of that planet that humans are not violent.

This book was completely different and fun to read, and probably has a lesson in there on accepting people of different cultures. The ending was a bit predictable, but very satisfying.

Book Review: All of Me

The middle grade novel, All of Me, by Chris Baron is a sweet, summery tale of self acceptance.  It is written in verse with short, free-verse poems.

Ari is uncomfortable with his body. He hates that his belly spills over his shorts. He doesn't like his love handles. Other kids tease him because of how he looks.

His mother suggests he starts a diet, and it seems to be working. But a diet can't fix everything. Over the course of one summer, Ari finds a way to accept his parents' divorce, his first crush, and himself, just the way he is.

Book Review: Over the Moon

Over the Moon, the newest middle grade novel by Natalie Lloyd, is a magical adventure with Pegasus horses they call starbirds.

Mallie is brave, doing anything she can to save her little brother from being sent to work in the mines. She joins a dangerous mission to earn extra feathersworth to buy his freedom. What she discovers is a thicket of lies, and the determination to bring the stars back again.

"You don't have to believe the story you are given!"

Book Review: Shouting at the Rain

Shouting at the Rain is the newest middle grade novel by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, author of Fish in a Tree and One for the Murphys. Set in a fishing town in Cape Cod, this is a delightful summer read about how people can look at the same situation and see different things.

It's summer, and Delsie is looking forward to seeing her friend Brandy come back to town. But Brandy has changed, and starts hanging out with Tressa, who is downright mean. She also meets Ronan, a new kid in town people don't quite trust.

This book is great for any kid who lost a friendship or feels left out. Another neat fact about it is the author included anagrams in the book. Be sure to read the author's note at the end.

"The sun is always in the sky, it just gets hidden sometimes."