A Journey To UltraDimensions

A Journey to UltraDimensions is a decidedly odd beast. Billed as a science fiction/adventure novel featuring romance and a touch of humor, it actually reads more like a treatment for a television series or as the preface or first story in a space opera collection. At under twenty pages in length, the story offers only a whistle-stop tour of the author’s many interesting ideas, although the overall plot and some characters do show promise.

The backdrop to the story is a war raging between humanity and the diabolical Xinterrians. Fearful that humanity are preparing to deliver a knock-out blow to his planet, Zieman Khan, the leader of the Xinterr, hatches a plot to disrupt humanity’s plan: he kidnaps Delaram, the beautiful fiancée of Earth hero Captain Houshmand. This prompts Houshmand, accompanied by his loyal crew and his robot sidekick Ryaneh, to venture into space in search of Delaram. Unfortunately, Houshmand is unaware of the existence of ultra-dimensions and of the powerful alliance that Zieman Khan has forged.

This brief outline will likely seem familiar to science fiction fans, and that’s no bad thing. Intergalactic warfare, deadly rivalries, thwarted romance, and the coexistence of multiple dimensions are all interesting and popular aspects of the genre. The issue with A Journey to UltraDimensions, however, is one of execution rather than of concept. The story is simply far too short to do justice to the many ideas the author tries to pack in. For instance, the background to the war needs to be made clearer if readers are to really care about it.

More importantly, the existence of ultra-dimensions and the potential to travel between them, which really should be central to the story, are not considered in sufficient detail. The concept of ultra-dimensions could be the novel idea that differentiates this story/universe from the rest of the genre, but only if the author expands on it considerably. If this was combined with a change in the structure of the story and in the way it is told (i.e., if readers get to witness the action rather than just hearing about it as one character informs another), it would really enhance the reading experience.

Captain Houshmand has the potential to be an interesting character, but again, more background detail and real-time action sequences are required to make readers care about him. Ryaneh seems to be the author’s favorite character, and he’s certainly the best developed of the book’s cast, but most of the attempts to use him to add humor to the story fall rather flat. Less explanation of why the robot should be considered funny would help here. To use the dreaded phrase: show, don’t tell. There are numerous supporting characters, but unfortunately, none have the opportunity to shine. This is another issue that could be resolved by lengthening the story.

A Journey to UltraDimensions is based on an intriguing concept and packed with many potentially interesting ideas, but it doesn’t quite work as an entertaining story in its current form.


A Journey To UltraDimensions

I began this book with high hopes. I’ve been in love with science fiction since I was a kid, watching Star Trek and playing with blocks on commercial breaks. A book dealing with other dimensions (or, as this book calls them, ultradimensions) sounded very promising, especially when I read the author had a background in studying electronics. Surely such a combination could only lead to an intriguing look at dimensional travel.

Unfortunately, at eighteen pages, the book reads more like a poorly translated synopsis than a novel. It’s even begun with a synopsis; all the action that follows is screamed at the end of the first paragraph by a robot named Ryaneh. Captain Houshmand’s fiancée, Delaram, is kidnapped by the Xinterrians; he leads a specular battle against them; and in the end, they lose and surrender to Earth. It’s a similar story to many other space operas, but those tend to be much longer than eighteen pages (sixteen, if you remove the introduction and preface). They delve into the action, introducing subplots and complications, and have a vast array of memorable characters. While this book does have many characters, most are mentioned once, and their defining characteristic tends to be their nationality rather than any aspect of their personality. The action, too, is lacking. While there is a climactic battle just outside of Earth’s atmosphere, most of the action is told to us rather than shown through the narration. Overall, the book left me not so much wanting more as wondering where everything was.

Even the comedy was lackluster. In theory, the most comedic moments come from Ryaneh, but most of those are physical comedy, which would translate much better to a TV show than to a book. The rest is made up of comments on the accents of various minor characters, a type of humor which is, at best, hit-or-miss.

By the end, the book reminded me of nothing so much as the episodic science fiction shows of the 1970s. It has action, characters who are larger than life, and a robotic sidekick who shows up only for comic relief or to make the protagonist look good. However, there is a reason those were TV shows rather than books. They’re two completely different mediums, and it’s all but impossible to capture the energy from a show and bring it to a book. In the end, I think this is where the book failed.

(Oh, and those ultradimensions? They hardly show up at all, even as set dressing.)


The Time of Your Life: Poems

This book is a collection of about eighty poems. Most are short, and most are written in verse (although always strict verse). They typically read as musings written carelessly without a second thought.  However, the structure reveals the toils of the travails. Most poems focus on the mundane aspects of like (such as counting lilies in the garden), or the minutia of living. Focusing on the very mundane has its perils as readers may appreciate the novel aspect, or discard the musings as simply blathering.  Indeed, the poems here are likely to strike readers as going from end to another (depending on the reader’s point of view).

Overall, the author does try to present mundane aspects in a new light, but some insights are more opaque than others. Most though, are a fun read – especially when one is tired at the end of the day and is looking for something that is simultaneously erudite and relaxing.


Stepping Stones

Jen, a girl who moves from the city, never wanted to move to a farm with her mom, her mom’s new boyfriend, Walter, and her new stepsisters, Andy and Reese. She never wanted those things. In the city, she would always read comics and eat Chinese food and draw. At the farm, she has to deal with counting the change at the farmers market, an annoying stepsister and stepdad, and some mischievous baby chicks. Life is hard for Jen right now, but eventually, things might just change her relationship with her new sisters.This book is really good! It is a very funny, heartwarming, and sweet graphic novel with great art, and a fun and clever story about Jen’s relationship with Andy and Reese. I also like how they run a stand at the farmers market in the book. I think Walter is mean to Jen because he calls her “Jenny” all the time even though Jen hates that he calls her that. its amazing how its based on a true story about the author. I highly recommend Stepping Stones to anyone who likes farm and/or relationship stories.


Witchlight

Sanja meets Lelek, who is a witch, at the marketplace where she was selling what looks like turnips. A customer accuses Lelek of cheating by selling a fake amulet to him. Bumping into Sanja, Lelek kidnaps Sanja to force her to teach her how to fight with a sword. A friendship forms between Lelek and Sanja. The two decide to go on a journey to find Lelek's witch teacher so she can collect the other half of her spirit. While on their journey, they come across some problems that can be dangerous. Will Lelek be able to find her teacher? Will Sanja be willing to help Lelek? Witchlight is a fantasy graphic novel about love and friendship. The illustrations have a darker mood which is very fitting for the magical setting. But, I could not figure out what witch power Lelek has. It looks like maybe Lelek can blow flames. Some parts of the story was a little confusing--especially the parts of the past. Fans of magic and witches will enjoy this graphic novel.


Space Maps: Your Tour of the Universe

Space Maps: Your Tour of the Universe by Lara Albanese is a picture book about space, universe, planets, and history of space explorations. The book is full of interesting facts, short information paragraphs, and lots of pictures. It is a large book with excellent illustrations. The lunar exploration page was my favorite. I also learned about Ceres being a dwarf planet (which I did not know). Did you know that if Betelgeuse turned into a supernova, we would see the explosion six hundred years later? This book is very well done with just enough information to keep your attention but includes everything you want to know about, from constellations to planets to moon phases to deep space. Anyone who is interested in space would enjoy this book, especially kids. I loved reading this book because of the pictures and new facts I learned about space!


Weird But Normal: Essays

Those of us seeking to escape through laughter have a gift in this wonderful book. The author has written this book to make herself and the reader laugh at life’s follies. The joke is often at her expense, but the incidents are very relatable. The author muses about what it feels to be normal. What is normal about her musing is that we all muse about the same thing. Unusual in this bi-coastal literary world, the author lives and writes in the Midwest. While recognizing that most people choose to “fly over” these states, she wittily shares the best reasons why she lives there. She manages to be both laudatory and sarcastic. Also, the author shares what it is to be bi-racial in an ignorant and blunt world and gives the rules for inquiring about race. Quick answer: don’t. She also gives her attention to what it means to be a woman, given that the rituals of womanhood are patently absurd.

For the mostly female readers who are seeking a laugh-out-loud book from a talented writer, look no further. Weird But Normal will give you an enjoyable time escaping into a world of wit.


Historically Inaccurate

Historically Inaccurate is about a girl who boards the roller coaster ride that is life and, by the end of her journey, finally finds out who she is. I love how Shay Bravo went into detail about the characters; you get to know each of them. Although the people weren’t my favorites, I really admire the main character's strength. The book was well written, everything flowed nicely, and I loved the inclusion of Spanish throughout the dialogue.

The story is about Soledad Gutierrez, whose life has been quite unpleasant since her mother’s deportation. To keep from thinking about everything, she joins her college’s history club. This comes with a questionable initiation process involving doing whatever dare the club assigns you. While doing her dare, Sol meets someone who changes her life, Ethan. They develop a trusting relationship that’s shattered when Sol discovers Ethan was part of the group who called the police about the initiations. This could ruin any chance her mother has to get back to America.

The storyline was interesting, even though it did seem a bit flat at times. I think the message Shay Bravo wanted everyone to hear from this book is to be yourself and follow your conscience. I think this is great for anyone interested in social justice mixed with a bit of teen drama. It was not my favorite read, although it shows a different perspective, which could be helpful to many people.


A Journey To UltraDimensions

Journey to UltraDimensions is a self-published book (via ReadersMagnet) by Kourosh Naziri. It has a preface and four chapters and is about eighteen pages long. The author is a former electronics lecturer who also worked for the World Bank as a data network support specialist. He has a passion for concepts like ultra-dimensions.

Characters in this story include Captain Houshmand, his kidnapped fiancé Delarem, a robot, a leader of the monsters named Zieman Khan, a chief engineer named Carolyn Sanchez, Lieutenant Chang, and others. The plot deals with ideas like an imminent attack on Earth, hidden bombs on Earth, and a love story. It covers many dimensions and references to some historical figures back in time. It’s a multicultural story, as it includes references to the Punjabi language and features both male and female leads.

I’m sure that the author spent a lot of time thinking of these ideas and writing this story. I would recommend that he spend some time developing it further. He could try fan-fiction and other writing websites to workshop his ideas and to get feedback. The story has a confusing array of concepts. It has a ton of grammar issues like sentence fragments, spelling errors, and other errors throughout. The concepts are rushed, and the characters are not developed. The author can improve on all of this by editing and writing and furthering the story.


Grandpa Nick's Bump

The children love their Grandpa Nick, who spends special time with each of them, tending to their own unique interests and personalities. Joseph, the gentle one, who is the youngest of the four, loves for Grandpa to tease him, threatening to drop him upside down into the metal trash can. Grandpa knows that if he does, he will simply roll out, pleading for just one more time. Joseph’s brother, Sean, has a tricycle with a broken petal. Grandpa Nick performs his magic and it’s all fixed. With Margaret, Grandpa draws endearing pictures of hearts, trains, and bridges. Then, he takes her outside and puts her in a nearby tree before engaging her in a game of “Catch Me.” With Emma, the oldest of the four, he is cautious to not upset her need for order and cleanliness. Together, they read stories and giggle all the while. The siblings have such memorable moments with Grandpa Nick, but one day, their lives change unexpectedly. They notice an unusual bump on the side of Grandpa’s head. Before they know it, he is headed to the hospital to have it removed. Mom and Dad soon share with them that he has sadly passed but has Jesus beside him up in heaven. The tears trickle down their solemn faces. Later, Sean informs his siblings that in heaven everyone has a castle of their own and that Grandpa Nick’s must be a glorious rainbow one. They all color an array of rainbow pictures and design a card for their beloved, realizing he’s at peace now.

In Grandpa Nick’s Bump, Lynda M. Daniele tells a story that parallels the experiences of countless children across the globe. It is one so many can relate to in some way or another. A tremendous number of lives have been lost to cancer, leaving doting grandchildren behind with only memories to carry forward into the future. Literature from which young ones can glean hope, understanding, and comfort is paramount in helping them deal with loss, grief, and healing. Ani’s Light by Tana Shree Singh, A Stopwatch from Grandpa by Loretta Garbutt, and Dear Moon by Stephen Wunderli are all beautifully written children’s books about such matters. They’re filled with touching, heartfelt stories of great loss and impact, yet are brilliantly brought alive by gorgeous, compelling illustrations and words of hope. While Grandpa Nick’s Bump has a poignant message of faith, and the endearment of his grandchildren shines bright, it’s overall quality falls short of the others. The illustrations lack the ascetic nature and vibrancy young children desire. Additionally, throughout the text, some lines rhyme; while others do not, interrupting the flow of the words. The conclusion is abrupt as well, making closure feel unattainable, which holds great importance for young ones.


Grandpa Nick's Bump

We always need a reminder that God is with us in all situations, because too often we forget; Grandpa Nick's Bump is a useful reminder of that. Written as a children's book, it tells the story of a family of four siblings and their energetic and lovable Grandpa Nick. It is heartwarming to read about the interactions that Grandpa Nick has with each of his four grandchildren, who each have unique personalities but are equally captivated by their time with Grandpa Nick. As the story title implies, Grandpa Nick develops a bump on his head that needs removing. Through prayer and pleasant thoughts of their time spent together, the family gets through this time. The family can reflect on their knowledge of God to turn a sad situation into a bearable one. Through creativity, the family can discover ways of keeping his memory alive for now and always.

For such a big and potentially life-altering subject for kids, Lynda Daniele created a children's book that is appropriate and contains the correct message that needs conveying in a time like in the book, as well as in our current situations. At the beginning of the book, the author gives the reader the challenge of finding the Holy Spirit active in the illustrations; when searching through the pictures, the Holy Spirit makes its appearance in the appropriate ones. I found that on some of the pages, it took an extra second to find the Holy Spirit. I found this comparable to our everyday lives and how we should know that the Holy Spirit is always with us, as is the rest of the Triune God and our guardian angel, but that doesn't take away from the fact that we get so involved in earthly matters that we forget. Loving and caring for our family members seems crucial to us here on earth, but our overall focus should stay on God and on our eventual eternal lives centered on love and caring.

I felt that the illustrations were appropriate for the amount of text given in the story, and they played a role in telling the story themselves through the emotions shown on the characters. The pictures of the real-life Grandpa Nick and his grandkids at the beginning of the story are heartwarming and help the reader visualize the story characters. This book is appropriate for any child, but especially for one who has dealt with the worry associated with a relative having a "bump." It would be a bonus for everyone if they already had the faith shown in this story, but it would also be miraculous if they developed their faith because of this book.


Grandpa Nick's Bump

Here's a story about fun-loving Grandpa Nick who loves to spend time with his four grandchildren. Grandpa Nick makes it a point to spend individual time with each of his grandchildren, doing the things that they each love. He spends time goofing off with Joseph, fixing Sean's bike, drawing with Margaret, and being attentive with Emma. Unfortunately, Grandpa Nick eventually develops a bump on his head and goes to the hospital for treatment. The children try to cheer him up with games and laughter. Tragically, Grandpa Nick does not survive. The children are sad, but they are comforted by the fact that he is living in a castle with Jesus.

This seems to be a biographical story about love, family, loss, and faith. I suspect there is a real Grandpa Nick since, at the beginning of the story, there is a photo of (presumably) a grandfather and his grandchildren. I wish the author had included a blurb about the real Nick in the back of the book or in a notes section. The idea of the story is very sweet. Grandpa Nick is obviously a loving and devoted grandfather to his grandchildren. I love how Grandpa Nick spends time doing what each of his grandchildren wants to do. It just shows you how selfless and loving he is, and how much he loves his grandchildren.

The writing and the flow of the story was a little choppy. I was confused by some parts of the story because the beginning of the story did not rhyme. Then, all of a sudden, some parts of the story started to rhyme. It was a little confusing, and I wish the author had decided between rhyming or not. The story also felt very abrupt at times. I think it's because the story is very short. Standard children's picture books are typically thirty-two pages, and this story is only twenty-eight pages from cover to end, with only fourteen pages of actual text. The author spent a lot of time showing Grandpa Nick's relationship with each of his grandchild. Then suddenly, a bump shows up and he dies. It just felt very sudden, and I wish the story spent more time discussing the loss and the emotions that kids go through. The illustration of the four grandchildren saying "Grandpa Nick died?" felt odd and out of place, and it dominated the page. The reader learns about Grandpa Nick's death through the illustration before even reading about it.

This is a religious book, published by a Christian publishing company. Children dealing with the loss of a loved one might appreciate this book. While this book does not deal with the many emotions of a child when dealing with grief and loss, I think a religious family facing a potential loss would enjoy this book. I recommend this book to religious families looking for a book to help them talk about faith, loss, and death.


Beyond Barriers

Beyond Barriers is the biography of humanitarian and disability rights activist David “Dave” M. Davey, as related by his wife, Anne Davey Koomans. It is the inspirational story of a man who had absolute faith that God had a plan for him and who never wavered in his desire to help others.

A polio epidemic swept the United States during the 1940s and 1950s, with outbreaks causing more than 15,000 cases of paralysis every year. Davey was just twelve years old when he was struck down with the disease. Despite being rushed straight to hospital, he had to spend more than five months in an iron lung and then another four months undergoing rehabilitation therapy. When he was finally able to leave hospital, he did so in a wheelchair. At this point, it seemed that the medical profession and much of wider society had given up on him.

Fortunately, Davey was blessed with an abundance of grit and positivity and this, coupled with the immense support he received from his family, meant that he wasn’t ready to give up on himself. He worked extremely hard at his home study program and then at a special school. Eventually, the principal of the local high school agreed that Davey could complete his junior and senior years there. It was the fact that Davey did so well at school that persuaded education officials to change the policy that prohibited children who used wheelchairs from attending public school in the Detroit area. He was already helping people simply by living his best life.

Davey went on to attend Wayne State University. His roommate, Dick Wooten, also used a wheelchair, and the two of them spent many hours discussing the fact that God must have had a plan for them and strategizing about the training, knowledge, and equipment that would help disabled people to achieve their full potential. After college, Davey worked for Goodwill Industries, where he helped both the company and its clients. He also dedicated his time to raising awareness of the barriers faced by disabled people and to identifying ways of overcoming those barriers. This led to him working on a number of nationally important projects, including serving on the National Architectural Barrier and Transportation Board alongside Senator Bob Dole. Davey really helped to change the world for the better.

As noted in the introduction to Beyond Barriers, Davey “was concerned for anyone whose life circumstances are a barrier to work and a normal life.” He recognized his purpose very early on in life and then never wavered in pursuing it. It’s clear from reading the book that innumerable people’s lives were improved by Davey’s work, and further, that his personality impressed and inspired nearly everyone he met. His achievements were certainly remarkable, but it is his character that comes across most memorably in the book. It seems that he was just a really great guy who had time for everyone and who really wanted to help people. He also had a super sense of humor, which comes across both in the chapters written by him and in people’s recollections of him.

Beyond Barriers is a moving, inspirational, and informative book, and it is a marvelous tribute to Dave Davey, a truly remarkable man. It’s written in a very engaging and accessible style, and Anne Davey Koomans’ love for her husband shines through on every page. Davey’s story might prove particularly inspiring for people with physical disabilities and for those with a strong Christian faith, but Beyond Barriers would be a great read for anyone seeking to learn about a truly exceptional life well lived.

Page Publishing, Inc.; Anne Koomans 8984 ed. edition


Beyond Barriers

Beyond Barriers details the life of David (Dave) Davey, a remarkable man who, in 1948, at the age of twelve, was diagnosed with polio. After spending nine months in hospital, he was able to return home, albeit in a wheelchair. But he didn't let that stand in his way. He believed God had a plan for his life. With the help of a very supportive family, he was able to finish high school and attend Wayne State University. Along with his college roommate Dick Wooten, who was also in a wheelchair, Dave dreamed of helping others with disabilities to live fuller lives. Later, Dave worked at Goodwill Industries, where he was able to use his skills to create the kinds of programs that he and Dick had thought so much about.

This book was an interesting look at Dave's life, as presented by his loving wife, Anne. It was peppered with so many amusing and memorable details that I felt like I knew them both personally by the end of the book. It's clear that being in a wheelchair did not stop Dave from pursuing his dreams of helping others and traveling to Hawaii and Alaska. I loved the details included from these family trips, especially the episode where Anne decided to use reverse psychology on the bus driver in Denali. My mother was a wheelchair user while battling cancer, so I know that travel is not an easy task, especially if you are not sure there will be easy or barrier-free access available.

I gather from this account that Dave didn't let such things stop him. In fact, he seemed to enjoy life to the fullest, making the most of its many challenges. Plus, his work at Goodwill and being invited to serve with Senator Bob Dole on the National Architectural Barrier and Transportation Board helped lead to the Americans with Disabilities Act. I think this is one of his best legacies. Anyone who has ever had to negotiate a wheelchair on a sidewalk curb where there is no easement knows how challenging this can be. We have Dave to thank for pressing for the changes that may seem small to some but mean a world of access to others.

I loved the fact that the book included many family photos. It made the story seem more vivid and personal. I wish the author had mentioned a bit more about the history of polio and the spread of this disease. Some of us are too young to remember that time and the fear that must have existed before a vaccine was widely available. I also wish there had been a little bit more information at the beginning about the mission and structure of Goodwill Industries. I am aware of Goodwill stores and the fact that they employ people with disabilities, but that is the extent of my knowledge. I was unaware that each state has a separate chapter and that they seemingly act independently.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book, and Dave's story will undoubtedly be an inspiration to those who want to continue his work breaking down barriers.


Beyond Barriers

Beyond Barriers is the heart-warming story of the late David Davey by his loving wife, Anne Davey. When Davey was a young boy, polio struck him and he found himself in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Always the optimist, he and his family made the best of his circumstances and relied heavily on their Heavenly Father to provide. Beyond Barriers shows how Davey grew up to change the world for everyone previously labeled as "handicapped" because of their wheelchair or disability. While growing up, Davey noticed that businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, restrooms, churches, etc., were not built to accommodate the extra width or challenges that come with a wheelchair, thus causing this population to be unwelcome there. Shortly after college, Davey became involved with the notorious Goodwill company; he was able to keep it afloat, help it improve, and allow it to give back to the community in a variety of ways. Through Davey's determination and ingenuity, he sat on many boards in his community to improve the environment for the "handicapped," received many grants, and made things thought impossible, possible. Anne talks Davey up into a loveable, likable, and overall great guy. His love for the Lord is something that she stresses in many of their stories.

One of my favorite places to shop at is Goodwill; there are many things to enjoy about these stores, the variety of merchandise is pleasing, and the prices are great as well. I had heard about the help that Goodwill provides for others, but didn't know much about it all. It is astounding that one human man had such an impact on a variety of areas. The stories of every time he improved a human's life are heartwarming; all of the other stories of his life with Anne are incredible as well, he lived a life that was loved by so many. The people that he knew who also had a connection to Goodwill are surprising and are sure to be envied by the reader.

I like how this story shows that anyone and everyone has the potential to make a difference, no matter their physical strength. The Lord sure had a plan in mind when David Davey was born. I appreciated the attention that Anne brought to this. However, for a non-believer who is reading this, it is not overpowering. Overall, this is a lovely story to read and will find enjoyment by readers who like learning about influential people and their personal lives; you will be surprised at both the public and personal facts presented!


When Lions Roar

Maggie loves her child Hannah and husband David, but drinking has consumed her life to help her stay in a loveless marriage. Her husband is becoming more occupied with his work than with her or their daughter unless there is something he wants to control. David has an opportunity to go photograph the funeral procession of Nelson Mandela as well as other places in Africa. He jumps at the chance but insists that Maggie and Hannah come along for the month. Maggie doesn’t understand the logic, but to keep the status quo she agrees to go.

While at a campsite, Hannah is enjoying getting to know the African people and the daily safaris they take to see the wildlife. She seems to have a presence with the animals that their guide has never seen before. Then things go crazy and Hannah disappears. Will she ever be seen again?

The story shifts to a tale in the Maasakai Kingdom about lions Prince Numbalo and Prince Loki. They are trying to win the heart of Princess Kazi. Before one can truly be king, there must be a fight to determine who is the strongest. Kazi falls in love with Numbalo before the final challenge. Loki wanting Kazi for himself makes a deal with YOLO the snake to make sure Numbalo will not be able to fight.

Loki’s plan succeeds and he is declared the winner. The land becomes dry and desolate so Kazi and Loki flee to make their kingdom in another land. Unfortunately for Kazi her beautiful secret she wished to tell Numbalo is now a curse. She is pregnant with Numbalo’s child and must hide it from Loki or she fears she or the cub will be killed. Will the land be desolate forever? What has become of Numbalo?

The writing is excellent. I truly felt every feeling along with Maggie and Princess Kazi. Descriptions are amazing. I knew exactly where I was in each scene. It truly showed the problems alcoholism and the abuse that a totally in control spouse can cause.
The only issue I had was the switch from Maggie’s perspective to the story about Princess Kazi. I would have liked to see a separation such as Part One and Part Two because the switch was very jarring. I was lost in trying to figure out why we had switch to something totally different. I loved the intertwining of stories once I caught on to how they were related.

Maggie is an excellent character. I really enjoyed seeing her going from wishing what could have been to facing reality and making a change. I think she will speak to women who feel they are being controlled and that it is their fault that emotional and physical abuse happened to them. Sweet Hannah is a jewel. Controlling David and how he escalates to the ultimate abuse was hard to read but excellently written. I loved the character of Akilah being a true friend and showing Maggie she has worth.


Selling the Farm: Descants from a Recollected Past

Childhood is both heaven and hellish in this poetic memoir by Debra Di Blasi, who uses her grief and memory to reconstruct the eight hundred and eighty acres she grew up on. Her book, Selling the Farm: Descants from a Recollected past, is an ode to her grief at the loss of that childhood home, a farm in Missouri, and the twin losses of her sister and father. Part memoir, part poem, the two meet in a lyrical explosion of words and emotion that touches the heart and satisfies the word-palate. Not only does Di Blasi explore grief, but also the slippery nature of memory, examining it as she and her siblings examined rocks and birds and insects—inspected and decimated. This long lyric essay reads quickly and is beautifully rendered, at once gorgeous and heartbreaking. She examines nature and love and loss, never sentimental but always real. These mediations bring that placetime she speaks of to life, bringing the reader into this “place [she] happened to,” and helps us understand ourselves, our places, in different ways.


The Split: A Novel

An outstanding, intricate story with excellent characters, the description of this book does not do it justice. The Split is the story of a glaciologist named Felicity Lloyd. It starts off with her on an island with her crew in the Antarctic. The author gives us character names, but it is not until the story is backtracked that we realize how crucial each and every person on the island is. Back in Cambridge, Felicity is asked to see a therapist in order to make sure she is fit to go on the trek to the island. What the therapist uncovers is so surreal that even he gets confused at the whos and whats that are happening around him. His new patient, Felicity, has been having blackout episodes that prove to not only be dangerous for her, but possibly to him as well.

The book's chapters alternate points of view between Felicity, Joe, and another character named Freddie. Things are not what they seem. People are not whom they seem. And until the reader knows what the missing pieces are, the verdict is out on a newly discovered serial killer.

Having read The Split, I am excited to check out the author's other books. This is the perfect thriller, complete with action and tons of suspense. It'll keep you guessing until the end!


The World Eats Here: Amazing Food and the Inspiring People Who Make It at New York's Queens Night Market

LOCAL AUTHOR

Since 2015, Queens Night Market has hosted independent vendors who sell food, art, and merchandise from all over the world. This book showcases some of these vendors' foods and stories. It is as much a cookbook as it is a collection of migration stories and the hardships migrants face as they settle in a new country.

The book’s forty-three chapters are divided by geographic region. Each chapter is only a couple of pages long and features a vendor along with one or two recipes.  Their stories tell about their experiences, mostly about the challenges they faced while initially making America their new home, and about their foods. While a lot of the recipes have been inspired from street foods, some of them hark back to family traditions. The accompanying color pictures and clipart enhance the narrative. Some of the recipes are easier to prepare, but there are others that require more than a couple trials to look and taste as the book describes.

While the experiences are unique, a common thread is the dedication each vendor has to family and food’s role in cementing familial bonds. It is heartwarming to realize that all these vendors are in Queens and that they willingly share their culture, weaving it into the American tapestry.


Poems from the Wilderness

When poems are seductive, they can conceal more than they reveal. Jack Mayer’s Poems from the Wilderness is a memoir culled from twenty-five years of creativity at first straightforward:

When I was twelven

I mailed a comic book coupon,

hoping against hope

that I would be the kid

to win an electric Ford Thunderbird.

Mayer’s son returns from summer camp bringing more memories: fingernail dirt lines, grime encrusted socks, clothing stiff from sweat, and an over-used high school gym locker scent.

And then…. and then …. the lyricism of his poetry reaches out, the secular becomes spiritual as the wilderness embraces, evolving from the prosaic details of his world view, he catches

…a glimpse.

of the ineffable, the ephemeral, the everlasting,

trying to reckon which is which.’

The forests and the mountainsides provide a sanctuary, not an escape, for although reluctant to hear hikers’ tales he is too courteous to ignore them as he seeks solitude. Nature has carried him from youth to age yet he feels himself part of a greater scheme:

I am a God to the birds

flocking to my feeder in winter.

A forgiving God.

The birds are foremost until the poem’s ending,

I revel in the mystery, the prayer that a God

behind the window loves me enough

To feed my soul.

The poems explore, sometimes delight or comfort. But I was fearful all along that Poems from the Wilderness was not exaltation, but a lament.


The True West: Real Stories About...

The True West by Mifflin Lowe is a historical book about the  Wild West cowboys, cowgirls, sharpshooters, and more. My favorite part was the story about Annie Oakley, a woman sharp shooter. She was able to hit dimes thrown in the air. Then there is William Cody, known by Buffalo Bill. He was the best entertainer in the wild west. There are twenty-four Wild West short stories about heroes in the book, and each has a page of the story and a great full-page picture. Every biography also comes with quick facts, quote, and “did you know?” facts. I think ten-year-olds and older would enjoy this book if they like the history of the Wild West. This hasn’t been just a good book, it’s been great!


Fun and Games: Everyday Play

Fun and Games is all about what different kids do for fun. You can play dominoes or maybe a hoop-rolling game, and there are many other ideas, most of which you probably haven’t heard of before. The illustrations in this book are clear enough that you know what’s happening, but they’re not exactly detailed. The author did an excellent job of finding different games to put into the book to give kids good ideas about fun games they can play.

This book is great for kids of all ages; no specific age will like it more than another because all ages of kids can play the included games together. It’s kind of a like a trivia book because you’re learning about different games while reading a story with the games woven into it. It’s clever, creative, and so different from any other books I’ve read. It does remind me of a deck of cards called Global Kids, which also has great ideas for playing.


The Bread Pet: A Sourdough Story

Cora is excited when her Uncle JB comes for a visit. He is on his way west and needs Cora to take care of his fish and his bread pet. He explains that his bread pet is a sourdough starter that must be fed twice every day because it is a living organism. But Uncle JB forgets to tell Cora a couple of very important things: how much the bread pet will grow and that keeping it in the refrigerator could help to control that growth. But Cora, her mom, and her mama all learn a good deal about the bread pet, baking bread, and how sometimes it really does take a village.

Author Kate DePalma has written a fun text that will not only engage youngsters but also teach them some important science as well. Illustrator Nelleke Verhoeff has a fun and very original cartoony style that conveys a lot of movement and activity. It’s the perfect complement to DePalma’s story. The bread-baking lesson and recipe at the end make this book more of an experience than just a story. Kids will love it.


Behind the Red Door

Twenty years ago, Astrid, a teenage girl, was kidnapped and then returned under mysterious circumstances. Now Astrid has disappeared again. Fern is an anxious wife who had a less than ideal childhood. Although both parents were detached, her father often used Fern as a subject for his theories about fear, gauging her reactions to his cruel “tests.” While Fern does not remember anything about Astrid’s first disappearance, she is convinced that she knows more than she can recall. When Fern returns home to help her father pack for a move to Florida, she attempts to find out not only what happened two decades ago, but also how she is connected to Astrid.

It is evident that Behind the Red Door author Megan Collins did her homework when researching memories and the impact of trauma. She sets the stage for what should be a truly creepy story. Unfortunately, while the plot is intriguing, the book fails to deliver the much anticipated thrills. While it was interesting to see Fern’s growth as the book progressed, many of the elements in the story were a little too far-fetched, and the somewhat predictable ending made this one just an okay read. Behind the Red Door would be a quick read for someone who enjoys mysteries involving messy family relationships.


The Snow Raven

Detective Josie Corsino working the streets of Hollywood during the 1980s. When one of the narcotics team informants ends up dead, she and her partner need to solve the crime and try and save the reputation of their Hollywood division. The facts that point to a dirty cop as a possible suspect make their job even tougher.

This book reads like a gritty episode of a TV police drama. Although set in the 1980s there really is nothing in the book that sets it apart from a current novel. A good stand-alone novel, I didn’t feel I was missing anything not reading the rest of the series. I liked the characters but felt the cadence of the book was a bit choppy. There was a lot of build-up, but not much surprise when it came to the climax. Josie’s struggle to balance work and home life did not make it easy to like her character but did give it an air of realism. The police procedural descriptions and information in this book were realistic but dry. Overall this was a good book. If you are a fan of PI mysteries or police mysteries I would recommend it.


When Lions Roar

Karen Leigh Gruber’s When Lions Roar opens with a mother’s worst nightmare. Set in the United States and South Africa, the story begins in Johannesburg at the moment Maggie’s child goes missing.

Maggie has a privileged life and a perfect marriage to the handsome and successful David, a famed photojournalist. Her eight-year-old daughter, Hannah, is a sweet and charming girl who attends an expensive private school. On the outside, Maggie’s life is like a fairy tale, and yet, she spends most of her days drinking. Through Maggie’s flashbacks, readers learn about her whirlwind romance with David and the birth of their daughter. David seems like a wonderful man, but his angry demeanor and constant criticisms eventually drive Maggie to drink in order to calm her nerves. David is as critical of Hannah, too. When David announces the trip to South Africa, Maggie has reservations about it, but he insists that she and Hannah join him.

The family travels to Johannesburg during Nelson Mandela’s funeral. Maggie and Hannah are left to their own devices while David photographs the funeral and the events held during the ten-day mourning period. Maggie and Hannah spend precious time together, just the two of them. Johannesburg is a different world from what Maggie has ever seen before, and she experiences it through her daughter’s eyes. Hannah is very special. She has a bond with the animals they see on safari, and Maggie isn’t the only one who notices. Their safari guide, Christiaan, also sees it. There is an African woman named Akilah who works at the hotel. Her daughter befriends Hannah and sees something special, too. What starts as a simple acquaintance between the two mothers, Akilah and Maggie, inevitably evolves into a deeper friendship after Hannah goes missing. During a night of heavy drinking, Maggie passes out in her hotel room. She awakens the next morning to Akilah pounding on her door, shouting, “Little Miss is gone!”

When Lions Roar is more than a mother’s emotional ride to find her lost daughter. She must also reclaim herself. Gruber weaves a larger a story about all women finding empowerment in their struggle, and includes a parable at the end of the book that is a part of this magical journey. It is told from a different perspective, and is a little jarring at first, but captures the beauty of the savannah as well as the heartache it evokes, adding a different dimension to the story.


Fulcrum, Lever, Sport: A Handbook of Biomechanics for Improved Performance and Injury Prevention

Fulcrum-Lever-Sport is the perfect handbook for anyone working in the health and fitness industry. Written with easy-to-understand explanations, Michael Ross, DC, CSCS, DACRB does an excellent job of describing the main fulcrums and levers of the human body and how one affects the other and vice versa. He explains the biomechanical systems that make the human body stable and mobile, with drawn diagrams to help illustrate these principles. The book is written in a way that one explanation leads to another. For example, the first part of the book describes what fulcrums and levers are, and illustrates their presence in the human body. Ross then explains how an imbalance in the body results from an imbalance in these fulcrums and levers. He then explains the pattern of stable and mobile joints in the human body and why it is so important for our stable joints to maintain stability. In the book, he states, "In order to move and function properly, our biomechanical system needs to first be stable, then mobile, then functional." Dysfunctional movement occurs when our bodies need to compensate for instability, so the body must be made stable in order to perform safely and optimally.

As a personal trainer, I really loved the detailed explanations of the foot, lower back, and shoulder fulcrums, how they work, how to assess instability, and how to improve stability. Hip, lower back, and shoulder dysfunction are things I see with clients on a daily basis, and being able to help my clients gain more stability by using the exercises included in the book will be extremely helpful.

Overall, this book did exactly what it was intended to do. The condensed format makes it easy to refer to again and again. Being able to prevent injury and keep the human body functioning at its optimal levels is something that is important on a daily basis. The research the author did to create this book is immense, as shown by all of the books and reviews he has included in the reference section of the book. As I said before, anyone working in the health or fitness industries would most definitely benefit from this book, however, anyone who is interested in the human body and how to have optimal performance should also pick up a copy. Whether you're an athlete, a bodybuilder, a part-time gym-goer, or a coach or trainer, this book will greatly improve your understanding of the biomechanics of the human body.


B*Witch

Iris Gooding didn’t expect to find other witches like her at Sorrow Point High, but shortly after arriving, she meets Greta, Ridley, and Binx. All are secret witches too.

For Iris, everything is fine until a sinister threat emerges from the shadows. The threat is a group called Antima, and their goal is to exterminate the witch population forever. Faced with this new horror, the girls have to do something about it, but what? They turn to the other coven in town for help, the Triad. The Triad and Greta’s coven have been enemies since junior high, but they must find a way to work together and defeat the malicious Antima group.

This was an awesome book, and I recommend it to everyone! It has a great mystery element and plenty of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to keep reading. There are a cast of endearing characters that I really connected with, and I could not put it down. I highly recommend this book to any fan of mystery/suspense stories!


The End of White Politics

By 2045, a majority of the U.S. population will be people of color. This will change the electoral makeup and enable people of color to have a transformative political impact.

In Zerlina Maxwell’s, The End of White Politics - How to Heal Our Liberal Divide, the former staffer for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign explains this is not a movement, it’s not a theory, it’s a demographic fact. To take advantage of this shift, the Democratic Party has to listen to the people of color and diverse groups, promote them to positions of power within the party, and let them lead the way. According to Maxwell, when you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression,  and that applies to all white males, including those in the Democratic Party. Maxwell takes aim at the Bernie Bros, calling them  “a manifestation of white male privilege,” and the “same as Trump supporters responding to the same perceived loss of privileges.” She claims whitelash, increased racial solidarity among white people with the shared perception that they were losing status, rights, and privileges they had traditionally enjoyed, was the reason for the Trump win.

Maxwell endorses identity-based politics explaining, in reality, it is politics saying there is more than one experience to consider. That means embracing identities other than those that are white, male, and heteronormative and accordingly running political campaigns based on the needs and experiences of African Americans, Latinx, and the LGBTQ+ communities and women. Though women currently are a majority of the U.S. population, their numbers don’t reflect that in elected officials.

Critical of Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, she suggests he has a “long history of telling the black constituency he can be trusted, while simultaneously authoring and implementing policies that would hurt them.” This includes supporting Bill Clinton’s 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act that has resulted in the current crisis of mass incarceration.

Maxwell identifies with The Squad—four young women of color recently elected to Congress, saying “there is no group more representative of how the next generation of leadership will look than The Squad.” She’s a supporter of their outspoken candor on public policy, saying that lived experiences make better-informed policymaking. To Maxwell, the impulse of most Democrats to be moderate “feels like a manifestation of the white privilege that has plagued us for so long. Moderation does not pull us toward progress.”

The book is dense with facts and then some because Maxwell has a tendency to repeat the same arguments in different contexts. She’s also fond of political jargon and memes, ostensibly to enhance her insider credibility, but which frequently sent me on an internet search to understand what she was talking about. As an analysis of the current state of America’s political system, The End of White Politics - How to Heal Our Liberal Divide is an important book that reads like the future, like an awakening, like common sense. Written with passion and commitment, Zerlina Maxwell presents her argument persuasively and unapologetically, and with enough anecdotes to lift it above the political thesis.


Dot Con: The Art of Scamming a Scammer

Summed up in a single word, Dot.Con is hilarious! James Veitch does everything that I'd never think to do when it comes to spam emails. I would think that something bad would happen, but in reality, I would probably have an enjoyable time. Readers should recognize these emails; they are sent to us asking for money and sometimes to invest in an amazing deal, one that seems too good to be true. Rather than delete these emails, Veitch decides to see what happens if he were to reply. The responses he receives are humorous; it is a fun read to see where Veitch takes the scammers in their conversations. He messes with the scammer's emotions with his witty replies and sees how far he can get them to go with their charade before they give up on him.

Dot.Con brings to light the potentially life-changing repercussions that these scammers can have on an innocent person's life due to their insistence for the responder to stay on task with sending their money. English teachers will probably hate this book because of the misuse of the English language by these scammers. This book is educational, as well as humorous, which adds up to a great read.


The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

A prequel to the popular Hunger Game trilogy,  The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakestells the story of Coriolanus Snow as a young man and his rise to power in Panem. Born into a wealthy family, Snow's family suffered and lost their wealth during the rebel war, but he is determined to get a scholarship and a good education to secure a promising future for himself. During the reaping, he is assigned Lucy Gray Baird from District Twelve (Katniss' district), the "joke district" with the weakest tributes. Snow will stop at nothing to ensure that Lucy is the winner of the tenth Hunger Games. While I loved the Hunger Games series and devoured the books, I really struggled with this book. It is told from the third-person point of view which is a shift from the Hunger Games trilogy. This story is way too long with over five hundred pages, and I thought the same story could be told in a much shorter fashion. I still recommend this book to Hunger Games fans because it was nice to see what was the catalyst that turned Snow into who he is.


Piranesi

Susanna Clarke took the literary world by storm with her immensely successful and decidedly lengthy debut Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, and since then she has released a short but very entertaining book in The Ladies of Grace Adieu, which is now followed up with her next short but still delightful book, Piranesi.

We begin the story with our main character, Piranesi, who is a man who has always lived in the House. He spends his days traveling the many hundreds of halls and documenting what he finds in each one. There are halls where it is cold as well as halls where the tide rises and it becomes very wet and dangerous. But Piranesi knows only of the House and how to keep himself safe, how to get food, and where it is safe to rest. There are skeletal remains of others in the House, which Piranesi pays homage to, talks to, and leaves food. There is also The Other within the House, who Piranesi meets once a week to discuss plans to find the Great and Secret Knowledge.

Piranesi is a book that draws you in with its complexity and curiosity and then keeps you hooked until the very end.


Beyond Barriers

Like countless others of his generation, David Davey’s body was ravaged by polio at a young age, but the footprints he left behind are of unquestionable value. He was a pioneer in his own right, laying some of the early foundations of awareness and equality for the disabled. His loving wife, Anne Davey, pays tribute to his life and legacy in her book, Beyond Barriers. She shares the details of his boyhood and the devastating diagnosis that changed his life immeasurably. She writes of their courtship and the marriage that bound them. Their travels were vast, from the Hawaiian islands to Washington D.C., Alaska, and a variety of other intriguing destinations. She highlights the role these places played in their lives.

The couple embraced life to its fullest, savoring every moment God granted them. Their faith permeated every caveat of their lives, including their professional ones. Anne outlines many of her late husband’s greatest successes. She describes the determination and passion that propelled him. He spent 40 years serving Goodwill Industries of America, holding an array of leadership positions in cities across the Midwest. He served on nearly every board imaginable, helped to write state and national accessibility laws, and aided Fred Meijer, the owner of a reputable grocery store chain, in identifying ways to make his stores more wheelchair accessible. Davey retired in 2000 and died from respiratory failure associated with pneumonia just five short years later. However, his powerful story is kept alive through the words etched in this heartfelt account.

Anne Davey paints a beautiful portrait of her late husband. Her writing style is simple and engaging, allowing this biographical piece to be absorbed with ease despite its length. Additionally, a plethora of pictures of family, friends, and colleagues are dispersed throughout the pages. They nicely compliment the text and provide readers with a more intimate view of the Daveys. Some of the love letters her dearest friend and soulmate wrote are included as well as a serene goodbye letter to his loved ones, written just before his passing. David’s words express the intensity of his adoration for his wife and are deeply touching to read, as is his final message of closure.

The optimism Anne and David showed for life and living, in addition to their unwavering faith and belief in a better world, are both refreshing and inspiring. Despite the difficulties that exist for those living with disabilities as well as those close to them, neither one of them expressed a semblance of pity for themselves or their circumstances. They faced life with gratitude and acceptance. In a world in which blame is so often cast and negativity frequently conveyed, their story is a welcome addition. May it serve as a springboard to action for those who also wish to make a difference in the world.


What a Way to Live! A Professional Environmentalist Lives at a Breakneck Pace

Michael J. McCloskey has made important strides in environmental and conservation movements throughout his long career. In this, his second memoir, he set out to detail the moments that shaped him. And detail them he does. The book contains accounts of crucial events in his career and personal life, ranging from his time in the army to finding good real estate in San Francisco.

The problem with this book is that at times it reads like a resume, listing the author’s accomplishments and travels rather than really painting the picture of a life lived, as the subtitle goes, “At a Breakneck Pace”. Stylistically, McCloskey’s career as a lawyer and his upbringing as the son of an English professor who impressed on him the importance of ‘speaking properly’ makes the prose rather dry.

Further, the organization is not quite chronological, nor is it very well divided in terms of theme or topic. A section on “wildlife” is in reality just a list of animals the author has seen. This does little to engender environmental passion in a reader. In other sections, he catalogs trees, flowers, monarchs, and birds. While these may be of interest to some readers, they would do better to read books with various flora and fauna as their subject rather than this autobiography.

There is also perhaps an excess of sections that list the author's accomplishments both big and small. Unfortunately, impressive accomplishments do not always make for the most riveting reading. That said, McCloskey has immense experience as a professional environmentalist that could help readers who aspire to pursue a similar career. For those readers, I recommend chapter nine, and a few other sections that offer good advice on organizing, lobbying, giving speeches, and changing public opinion and policy.

They’d do best to skip over sections like “Searching for the Best Ice Cream” and “Credit Card Mix-Up," to name just a few, which would have done well to be cut. McCloskey’s focus on quotidian aspects of life makes for a lovely journal, but unfortunately fails to capture and keep a reader’s attention.

McCloskey has created a memoir that will be a great resource for environmental historians doing research on early conservation efforts. But for a fast-paced or moving book of nature writing, readers should look elsewhere.


Clan

Atlatl lives with his Clan at the end of the Ice Age. He broke his leg when very young and walks with a bad limp. He will never be a great hunter, but he can tell stories, and the children love listening to them. Atlatl’s father, who hates having a crippled son, is head of the Clan, his uncle is the shaman, and his cousin, Powaw, is mean as a snake to Atlatl. When Atlatl takes in an orphaned saber-toothed cub, the Clan is not happy, and Powaw finds a way to use Cub against Atlatl, getting him banished from the Clan. Atlatl, on his own in a harsh environment, sees a flood wash through the valley, and he thinks everyone is dead. Now, it seems, he is truly alone. Can he survive?

Not many middle-grade novels are set in prehistoric times. This coming-of-age, survival story is a great one that middle-graders will love. Author Sigmund Brouwer’s writing is terrific. The story is compelling, the characters are well-rounded and believable, and the problems the characters face are relatable to that audience. One can only hope there are more like this coming from Brouwer.


The Midnight Circus

If stories are a circus, then Jane Yolen is the ringmaster to rule them all. In her latest story collection, The Midnight Circus, readers are treated to a showcase of the strange, the obscure, and the dark musings of the author’s mind. This collection of short stories and poems is pleasing and greatly entertaining. From haunting angels to origin stories of unforgettable characters, and plenty of ocean and sea life, The Midnight Circus has something for everyone. Yolen is her descriptive and wild self, taking the reader on an experience they won’t soon forget. In these sixteen stories, we see the author at her unnerving best, with a polar explorer with a dark secret, a boy stripped of all he loves by a hated father, a wife who will face the depths of the ocean for her man, and much, much more. These are the fairy tales we know or think we know, told in ways that will surprise, amaze, and, ultimately, entertain us. Always beautiful, dark, and imaginative, but never sentimental, these are fairy tales for a new age.


Dino Dana: Dino Field Guide

J.J. Johnson, Christin Simms, Colleen Russo Johnson

This is the perfect book for avid dinosaur fans. Dino Dana's Field Guide is packed with facts and statistics about dinosaurs. Each dinosaur's name is listed as well as what it's name means; also included is the type of dinosaur it is called. This book is so full of information like where the dinosaur used to live, what era the dinosaur lived in, what they ate, and colorful pictures. This fun book also includes Dino Dana's Dinosaur experiments. Each experiment has a question Dana has asked; she is eager to research and test different hypotheses to find the answers to her questions. This guide is great for readers to follow along and have their own dinosaur adventures just like Dino Dana. I really like the colorful pictures of the dinosaurs. My favorite part of the book is the dinosaur experiments. Each dinosaur experiment is different, but each has steps to help set up a trap to capture dinosaurs or to collect information on how to investigate and find out more about what dinosaurs might have been like by studying their relatives, like birds and lizards.


I'm Sticking with You

Bear and Squirrel stick together through the good and the bad. Or so Bear thinks. Bear vows to be there for Squirrel. “Even if sometimes it goes a bit wrong.” And does it ever. Bear sincerely tells young readers that he and Squirrel fit, “Like peas in a pod.” But the illustrations tell a different tale than the text. Squirrel scowls after Bear cracks his favorite cup. Bear squishes Squirrel whenever they share a space. Do they fit? Squirrel believes, “There’s bearly any room.” Squirrel reaches his breaking point in an igloo and finally tells bear, “I think I need to be on my own.”

I’m Sticking with You, written by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and illustrated by Steven Small, is a funny and poignant story about the ups and downs of friendship. In fantastic rhyme, Bear’s sentiment is sweet and also painful as readers realize it is one-sided. Small’s illustrations convey Squirrel’s frustrations and regret in an hilarious manner. Squirrel’s dark night of the soul quite literally arrives on a black background as he chases Bear down and admits, “Me without you? It just doesn’t work. Me without you? I’d just go berserk.” Because who is Squirrel kidding, where would he be without Bear?


The Purpose Playbook: Design Your Life Around What Matters Most

This book sets out to help readers find their purpose, and then help them develop a lifestyle that will keep them “on purpose” (i.e. live their lives in line with their individual purposes). It acknowledges that we are all different, and hence our purposes will be different. The chapters are divided into three main parts: the first tries to define “purpose”, the second focuses on finding one’s purpose, and the third explores living on purpose.  The narrative is easy to read, and some chapters have exercises that are supposed to help readers discover their own purpose.

Like other books of this genre, this one draws primarily from anecdotal evidence.  In this case, most of the examples come from the author’s life experiences.  The narrative acknowledges that all of our purposes are different, but does not adequately show that following the path outlined will work for all readers. The introduction states that the methodology used in this book has been adopted from that used to help organizations articulate their purposes. Individual and organization purposes have several differences.  An overall methodology that works for organizations may not work for individuals (who change more frequently and have a richer array of qualities and ambitions than do organizations).  While the book is an easy and interesting read, it does not adequately make the case that its methodology will work for all readers.


Valuing Nature: A Handbook for Impact Investing

There has been an increasing awareness that to help solve the climate issue, it is going to take the deep pockets of investors who are willing to invest in projects rather than just pure philanthropy or government regulation. In his new book, William Ginn looks at how The Nature Conservancy developed investing models, its own investment fund, and other ways of investing to solve some of the biggest environmental issues that the planet is facing, while at the same time delivering returns to investors. While it might be harder for smaller groups to follow the same model, since The Nature Conservancy is a behemoth, Ginn provides some suggestions for investors who wish to make a difference and might struggle to know how.

The book is not perfect. It really just focuses on The Nature Conservancy, specifically the projects that Ginn worked on. There is really no talk of how this could work through individual investors, whether they buy individual stocks or mutual funds, though pension funds and other national funds could invest in these projects. It often feels to much like a press release for The Nature Conservancy and not too much digging beneath the surface.


The White Man Who Stayed: A Biography Remembered

Back in the decades following WW2, Doug Autry’s championing of the African American community where he lived in Benton, Mississippi, was rare. He recognized improvement could come only with better education opportunities. His dedication was not a reflection of his family’s attitude. Indeed, racial discrimination was not a topic of family conversation and a favorite uncle was a member of the Klan.

James Autry, his cousin, a retired Fortune 500 executive and author of several books, has chronicled the portrait of the man whose tenacity spelled a legacy of achievement.

Douglas Autry was raised long before the 1954 law mandated the racial integration of schools and he became involved in pursuing his mission. Ten years later he was appointed County Director of the Neighborhood Youth Corps, a wing of the Community Action Program,
But something went wrong. He was accused of embezzling $630 from the Corps funds and served eighteen months of a seven-year sentence before receiving a full pardon then struggling to restore acceptance and respect in his community. Eventually, he became Superintendent of the Benton County Schools, a position he held for many years.

The book is short, the writing spare, appropriate for the tale Autry tells. The White Man Who Stayed is both enlightening and humbling, a reminder of a past that regrettably is still with us.


The Creation of an Artist: Grant Wood's Boyhood Story

This is an American story, birthed from the toil demanding earth in the agricultural centered mid-west. It is a tale of the growth of one of our iconic artists, Grant Wood, whose name reflexly brings to mind the image of the long admired and often parodied painting "American Gothic." Recalling the words of a youthful Grant (named after the civil war general) with the memories of those who knew him, Barbara Feller knits together the account of how the early childhood influences of poverty, farming chores, and an encouraging mother served to mold the views and outlooks of this art-loving Quaker child. Recognizing his talents, teachers encouraged his drawing aptitude through grade school and college. Even while studying in Europe and picking up skills from European artworks, he identified with the American mid-west and his home in Iowa. He often stated that his best ideas came while he was milking cows and that his most comfortable attire was just a plain pair of overalls. Fitting for both younger and older readers, the viewer is returned to a bygone American era in this simple yet uplifting story of how background and character shaped this mature regional artist.


Grandpa Nick's Bump

No one lives forever. This is troubling enough for adults bombarded with rising death tolls during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s even more unsettling for those encountering death for the first time. More than ever, children need age-appropriate content that portrays death as part of the human experience, and Lynda Daniele targets this need with Grandpa Nick’s Bump. She addresses children who have lost a grandparent to cancer, but her book could also inspire broader discussions about death, grief, and even the afterlife.

Daniele lightens her book’s weighty subject with an endearing cast of characters. Grandpa Nick is a jovial do-gooder who is a match for everything from broken bikes to (literally) spilled milk. Young readers may also identify with one of his grandchildren, even if their genders are a bit stereotyped: Joseph is gentle, Margaret is quiet, Emma is ladylike, and Sean is the troublemaker. They enjoy playing with Grandpa Nick each time they visit – until one day they spot a bump on his head.

The children make Grandpa Nick cards. He prays for the bump to disappear, then he disappears on mysterious trips to the hospital. Grown-ups tell them that “he’s doing well,” until one day they come home from school to learn that Grandpa Nick has passed away. The children aren’t sure how to respond, but they’re told “it’s okay to be sad” and that he’s with “Jesus and His Dad.” They finally decide that drawing pictures will help them feel better and the book ends on a happy note.

While Christian families will appreciate Daniele's depiction of Heaven, the book under-delivers on its more universal content: coping with grief. “It’s okay to be sad” is an important message, but children should learn that different people feel sad in different ways. Even more importantly, they need to understand that grieving is a unique process without a time limit. Drawing pictures may help some people, but others might want to do something else. Some people may feel better soon, but others might be sad for a very long time.

Nevertheless, these thematic weaknesses don’t necessarily preclude Grandpa Nick's Bump from educating children about death. Adults who prefer a more universal Heaven and aren’t comfortable leading additional conversations about grief might favor different options, but others will appreciate Lynda Daniele’s optimistic exploration of loss. What’s undeniable is that we should be equipping children to face our changing world, now more than ever.


The Secret of Rosalita Flats

Cal Batten receives the news of his father’s passing and heads down to Blacktip Island. His relationship with his father was estranged from an early age. His father’s death was untimely, and his wish was for Cal to assume ownership of the house. Cal views this as more akin to an imposition, as his life on the mainland is problematic. Cal’s business is flailing, the ink on the divorce papers still fresh, and bills are piling up. His hopes are pinned to a quick sale of the home, the last tie to his relationship with his later father severed. Yet, things don’t always go as planned.

The homestead of his late father resembles a slipshod puzzle, organization not being a priority. He makes the acquaintance of Rosie, his father’s maid/lover. She refuses to vacate the premises, as she has been compensated for her services for the immediate future. Cal is troubled by the desolate location of the home. If he needs to get any supplies, he must hitch a ride into town. His father’s car, nicknamed “The Thing,” needs repairs and still remains capable of falling apart under normal conditions. The demise of Cal’s father has perked up the heads of many denizens of Blacktip Island. Curiosity about Cal’s intentions towards the property abound.

Cal’s father, Rhodes, was viewed as an eccentric figure. What was he doing at his estate? A few suspect that he was working on an elixir for eternal youth. Others suspect his home was utilized as a CIA base. Untangling the varied remnants and detritus of his father’s world proves problematic as the house becomes a target for break-ins. Sleep proves near impossible for Cal as strange noises rouse him every night, in addition to a proliferation of mosquitoes. What has Cal gotten himself into?

As Cal seeks out the least corrupt individual to straighten out his father’s intentions, he runs into his friend Marina. After getting off to a stumbling start, their friendship rekindles. However, complications at home and the intrigue around his father’s actions threaten to destroy Cal. Will he ever get to sell the house and the problems that come with it?

The Secret of Rosalita Flats is a humorous, slow-burn mystery that will consume the reader with its opening chapters. Cal is a hard-luck but amiable guy attempting to reconcile past wounds while staying afloat financially. His troubles are relatable yet occasionally absurd. The dialogue is sharp and clever, the action intermittent but timely. The supporting characters are eclectic but add much to the overall flow of the story. The Secret of Rosalita Flats makes for an excellent, enjoyable time unraveling a mystery.


The Torch of Hope and Inspirations

"A beautiful collection of personal poems and quotes, <em>The Torch of Hope and Inspirations </em> illustrates many different scenarios in the author’s life. Descriptive and spiritual, these poems range from love to despair to hope to happiness. Also included are many uplifting inspirational quotes from some of the world’s most respected people. A book that you will come back to time and time again when your heart needs a little pick-me-up." — Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review


Mundunur: A Mountain Village Under the Spell of South Italy

Montenero is a village in the mountains of South Italy. It lies about 90 miles east of Rome and is the homeland of the author’s family. Yet it is not until at least two-thirds of the way through the book that the reader is invited to visit the village. Before these pages, the whole history and pre-history of Italy are unrolled. This is a bonus, an unexpected chance to read about a country seen from a perspective beyond the customary highlights of magnificent age-old cities, Renaissance art, fine wine, and opera rather than life in an ancient, simple village.

The author expresses disappointment that when starting to explore his heritage, local leaders appeared to show little interest in is research, a situation likely similar in any place where an outsider, unknowingly, seems intrusive.

Mundunur, as the village is known, has attractions depicted in both words and visual images. The book displays glorious color images sharing space with all manner of information, and numerous family photos supporting the author’s unvoiced contention that the past should be re-introduced in the present. This present offers attractive features to visitors, a modern overlay to a lengthy, varied past.


When We Vanished

At first he was in frequent contact, but as time goes on he stops responding, and Andi overhears details about harmful research her dad is involved in. She begins to worry. With unlikely new friends, Andi sets out to uncover the truth. But everything goes wrong when they’re caught. Their search takes them to a confidential research facility where they learn that there’s more to the truth then they could have imagined.

When We Vanished is a search for the truth, not just in a fictional world, but ours as well. The characters are each unique with their own voices. Eight-year-old Roya gets her own time to tell the story in a way that’s believable because she’s telling it from the point-of-view of a child. The three siblings are Middle Eastern, and Andi is part Taiwanese; we’re given little glances into their cultures and how other people treat them. I love the crows, except it felt like they were a lazy way out of some things, but because of the way it’s written, it’s hard to imagine it differently. There is heavy cussing throughout.


More Than Marmalade: Michael Bond and the Story of Paddington Bear

Michael Bond wasn’t much of a student. In fact, he stopped going to school when he was only fourteen. But he wasn’t lazy. He simply wasn’t interested in what was being taught. He was much more fascinated with mechanical things and spent time fixing radio transmitters before joining the army. It was in the army he began writing, and one thing he’d learned from his grandfather was to never give up. Michael began collecting rejection slips, as most writers do, but he kept on. One Christmas, he bought a lonely-looking stuffed bear for his wife, and this became the inspiration for a new book. Michael and his wife named the bear Paddington, and that little bear changed Michael’s life. He built an extremely successful writing career on that character.

Author Roseanne Tolin started her writing career as a journalist, and that training in research and fact-finding is apparent in her work here. Her writing is lively and age-appropriate for middle-graders without talking down to them. Youngsters will find it interesting to see a writer develop through perseverance and dedication to his craft with the help of a healthy imagination. This is an excellent biography.


The S.S Officer's Armchair: Uncovering the Hidden Life of a Nazi

Historians have been working at digging deeper into World War II Germany, trying to move away from the major figures and trying to look at how the more average person interacted, lived, and worked in Nazi Germany. This book takes a look at one such person; while a member of the SS, he was not well known and never really advanced his career before his death at the end of the war. Historian Daniel Lee was told the story of Nazi German records found in the lining of a chair. Wanting to know more, he started to research who was this person, how did his family react to him being in the SS, and whether he was a die-hard believer or someone who mostly wanted to maintain a steady life, family, and paycheck. What follows is an interesting look into how people remember the past, how countries remember the past, and if it is at all possible to take a look at the average person. It is hard to reconstruct the lives of average people even in modern day, let alone after a country destroys most of its records. This is a welcome addition to German Twentieth Century history.


Cat Person and Other Stories

Cat Person and Other Stories, by Kristen Roupenian, is a republication of twelve stories previously published as You Know You Want This. It also includes one new story. This collection’s stories are packed with tension. Cat Person is the most famous short story in the collection. I was dismayed to discover the controversy regarding it, as I thought it was extremely well written. The insights in that particular story are unlike others that I’ve read, Roupenian captures something that people (women especially, I think) find very hard to explain in relationships. The first story, Bad Boy, is disturbing. The weirdness of sexual relationships and power/control dynamics is developed in that story. The Good Guy left me a little empty. I wasn’t sure if Roupenian meant for the protagonist to have a skewed vision of himself and the way others perceive him, or not.  Sardines has an element of magical realism and some observations about being a preteen. While some of the stories are dark and depressing, they all take a hard look at a piece of the human condition that only a writer of a certain self-consciousness can describe.  Roupenian's insights have real value, but that doesn't make the collection enjoyable, at least for me. The collection is uneven.. But it is never boring.


On the Horizon: World War II Reflections

On the Horizon is a reflection of Lois Lowry’s experience living in Hawaii and Japan during and after World War II. She combines this with research and experience from others and putting them in poem form. I love the care she took in not only talking about Pearl Harbor, but also how the atomic bomb and the war affected Japan.

The writing is phenomenal. Lowry writes poetry with the beauty and flow that she has in her novels. The poems cover a variety of topics from her spending time as a child on the beach, to the band on the ship, to the soldiers. It also covers people that saw the atomic bomb from far away, a child that dies, and how the life of the people were drastically changed.

The illustrations in this book are amazing. They are black and white paintings. They help set the mood for each poem and present the main idea. My favorites are the sailors and the planes.

I think it gives the reader a good perspective that terrible things happened both in Pearl Harbor and in Hiroshima. People made mistakes and hurt and killed a lot of people. It’s also important to remember these mistakes so we don’t repeat them again.

I would recommend this for middle school and up because of the content being difficult to process.


Poppy (American Dog)

Hannah recently moved to California from Michigan. She has a giant birthmark down the side of her face. People assume that there is something wrong with her just because she has a visible birthmark. She knows exactly how it feels to be judged before someone knows her.

Poppy is a pit bull. Just because of Poppy’s breed, everyone assumes she is a vicious dog. Hannah’s neighbor, Mrs. Gilly, owns Poppy, and Poppy has way too much energy and needs to be trained. Otherwise, she will have to be returned to the animal shelter. Mrs. Gilly is a senior citizen and doesn’t have the energy to keep up with Poppy, so Hannah decides she will take on the task. Hannah wants to show everyone that Poppy can be a sweet girl, even though she is a pit bull.

I liked this book because it was so sweet how Poppy came to adore Hannah, who saw the good in her before anyone else did. I think this book encourages people to see the good in animals and other people, too, no matter what their outward appearance is.


Brave (American Dog)

When Dylan finds a lost puppy, he knows they are meant to be. He names the dog Brave. His mom says Dylan must train Brave before they can keep him. The agreement is that Brave can stay for two weeks, and then he will be taken to the shelter so his owner might reclaim him. If the owner does not come forward, Dylan might be able to adopt Brave.

Dylan asks his classmate Grace to help train Brave. She agrees, but only if Dylan helps her clear the ranch she lives on of debris from the recent hurricane. He agrees; after all, who cares about a little debris cleaning if it means he might get to keep Brave? The training starts, and Brave responds magnificently. Except for one thing: the kids just cannot help Brave get over his fear of sounds. As soon as he hears a loud noise, he goes into full panic mode. Dylan really wants to keep Brave, but can he train the dog in time?

I liked this book because it was entertaining and sweet. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves books about dogs and friendship.


Don't Stop

Christine McVie, with illustrations by Nusha Ashjaee

Don’t Stop is a pretty cool book. I read it, and it was pretty cool. It’s even based on a song! (My mom says it’s by a band called Fleetwood Mac.) There’s a rabbit in the story who is sad, but he sees a flower and knows that spring is coming. But it’s still windy and cold outside of his cozy little house in a tree. There are other animals in the forest where the rabbit lives. The other animals help the rabbit when he’s having a rough time and getting blown around. Together, their tomorrow will be better than before.

I think it’s really cool that this book is based on song lyrics. We listened to it afterward, and I really liked it. I like the rabbit too. He doesn’t give up and knows that things will get better. Overall, this book is pretty cool and I liked reading it. The song lyrics are by Christine McVie, and the illustrations were done by Nusha Ashjaee. She drew a really good bunny.


We're Not Gonna Take It

You know the song; now We’re Not Gonna Take It is a hilarious book following three toddlers trying to outwit their parents who are attempting to have some adult conversation during a play date. From trying to steal cookies, to sneaking outside, to climbing out of their crib, these kids aren’t wanting to do anything their parents say. Will the toddlers win or be outwitted by their parents who aren’t going to take it anymore?

I love the song, and I really loved the way that the illustrator took the words and made it into a hilarious book that parents and kids will enjoy. Each delightful page shows what trouble the kids will get into next. It’s a battle to see who is going to get their way. I loved seeing the things the kids get into because I remember my kids doing similar things when they were little too. My six-year-old and three-year-old have asked to read this book no less than five times since we read it a few days ago. It’s hilarious and fun because you can sing it. The repetition of the song had my kids singing right along with me. My three-year-old loved the words to the song; she thought it was hilarious that they dumped their food and went for the cookies. My six-year-old loved that the kids were mowing the lawn outside because they weren’t supposed to, and he loves to sing the song over and over again.


Patriotic Dissent: America in the Age of Endless War

The idea of patriotic dissent in American history has had a long and tangled past. Oftentimes people who have dissented against the majority, especially during a time of conflict, were seen as traitors, fifth columnists, and worse. They were often treated harshly, and many sacrificed careers to believe in their opinion. Daniel Sjursen takes us through his story about a model solider that is now considered a dissenter against the military and the seemingly endless wars that the United States is facing. This slim book is part history of dissent across America’s history from the Revolutionary War to modern times and part memoir as Sjursten grapples with the decisions that he made and the ramifications. I would not consider this a true history book, but more of a memoir that also offers a call to arms for those who speak out against the endless wars and who are willing to raise a voice against the increasingly conservative jingoism in the United States and groupthink, which is often threatening to tear apart small communities.


Miss Iceland: A Novel

In 1960s Iceland, poets are revered. They squeeze into cafes and are treated as celebrities--and they are almost exclusively men. Women are not meant to be writers, and those who do insist on writing are excluded from the cafes and other elements of the writing community. For Hekla, moving to Reykjavik is how she attempts to find a place for herself as a woman writer. Yet she meets obstacles right and left. Her roommate Jon, a gay man struggling to define the shape of his own life, ultimately moves away to work on a fishing boat. Her old friend Isey is swiftly building an absolutely conventional life with her husband and children, though she can’t ignore her own creative urges. And Hekla’s boyfriend, an ambitious writer named Starkadur, had no idea she’s a writer--and reacts outrageously when he finds out.

As Hekla endures her coworkers’ insistence that she enter the Miss Iceland competition, she tries to stay focused on her writing, shutting out the noise of a society not ready for a woman like her. She may not be welcome among the male poets in the cafes, but Hekla trusts she has something worthwhile to say. Her workaround to the era’s sexism may be frustrating, but her determination and commitment are to be admired.


Act (A Click Graphic Novel)

Olive Branche, a sixth-grader, finds out that there's a school policy that makes it so some students in the school can't go to the school field trips. Olive decides to run for the student council to make things right for her friends. But it's hard for Olive to run against her two friends, Trent and Sawyer. Trent and Sawyer are both running for student council to bring back chocolate pudding from their old elementary school instead of apple slices in a bag at lunchtime. Olive is very busy and it's tough because she’s interested in doing a protest and a bake sale for the school. Will Olive Branche win the vote for the student council and make things right?

The book plot is really good. I like how it’s about protests and elections and voting. I liked the drawings very much and my favorite character is Olive. I like the name Olive Branche because it's a cute name that fits. I would definitely vote for her because she would make the school a better place. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in activism and voting.


You Talkin' to Me? How to Write Great Dialogue

Dialogue takes on a lot of jobs in all kinds of writing — screenplays, novels, short stories, plays, and more. It can help define characters, advance the story, express themes, and explore conflict. In order to do so many jobs, dialogue must be lean and very specific. Dialogue in writing can’t be like everyday conversation. It has to not just carry what is spoken, but it must carry subtext as well. Word choice, to indicate that subtext, is incredibly important. This book, written by a successful screenwriter and a script consultant, gives writers ways to look at dialogue for the different jobs it has to do through the use of excellent examples with suggested rewrites. This structure is highly instructive and useful for writers of any genre and at any level of experience. The writing is accessible and lively, as one would expect, making this not only a necessity for writers to add to their libraries but something of a joy as well. It is a fun book to read. Studying the lessons laid out in this book can take writers to the next level and help them make their writing polished and professional.


Band Together

A ukulele-playing duck is sometimes overwhelmed when making new friends. He is used to being by himself. One day, he comes across a band stranded on the beach. Bear, Fox, and Seagull’s van has broken down, and they ask him to “lend a wing.” Duck takes a risk and helps the band fix their van. He also has fun playing music with them. They invite Duck to their concert the next evening, and when Seagull gets sick, Bear and Fox ask Duck to play with them instead. Duck wants to, but he has doubts. Why would anyone want to be friends with a duck like him? If Duck can’t find the courage to join the band, the concert will be cancelled.

Chloe Douglass’s Band Together is a story about navigating the challenges of making new friends and finding self-confidence. The sparse text and emotive illustrations help young readers to see themselves in Duck and his social-emotional struggles when wanting to belong. For children who struggle with shyness, it is especially helpful to see Duck confront his fears and overcome them. Douglass also tackles this serious subject with humor. She includes endpaper illustrations of rock albums with an animal twist: “Kitty Perry” and “Justin Beaver,” to name but a few.


The Friendship List

The Friendship List is the wonderful story about two best friends since childhood, Ellen and Unity, who have gone through life ups and downs with each other by their sides. Now in their mid-thirties, Ellen’s son, Coop, is ready to go off to college, and Ellen overhears him worrying about leaving her. As a single mom who had Coop when she was only seventeen, this makes Ellen sad since she doesn’t want to hold him back. Unity, on the other hand, is childless, mainly because she the love of her life,  Stuart, was killed in the line of duty three years ago, and she has never let go. The best friends decide to make a list of things they would like to accomplish and call it the friendship list.

I absolutely loved the story in its entirety. It was not lost on me, however, that halfway through the book there really wasn’t too much mention of the so-called list and both friends were up to their knees in emotional drama. The characters in this book are all very lovable including the Coach, the gorgeous Thaddeus, Coop, Coach’s daughter Lissa, and Thaddeus’ meddling but oh-so-wonderful aunt Dagmar. I also loved the creativity when it came to the names. Overall, this book had many life lessons we could all learn from. A beautiful story with a bit of laughter, a pinch of sorrow, and a squeeze of uneasiness as the characters all work together.


The Suicide House

Two prep school students are brutally murdered during a secret ritual but the case is considered closed when the suspected killer, a faculty member, is left in a vegetative state after attempting suicide. Since that time, three students have committed suicide and now a podcast is not only revisiting the deaths but also hoping to unearth new details. In need of an expert’s knowledge, the podcast hires psychologist Lane Phillips, who entices his partner Rory Moore, a forensic reconstructionist specializing in solving cold cases, to help figure out what really happened.

Let’s start this review by saying that there is a lot going on in The Suicide House, with various timelines to follow, a lot of characters to keep track of, and plenty of secrets to uncover, but it all works and all the loose ends and questions are answered. This is the second book in the series but, while the reader would benefit from reading Some Choose Darkness first, The Suicide House reads well as a stand-alone novel. Author Charlie Donlea is a superb psychological suspense writer, and the book has a fast-paced plot and main characters unlike any typically found in this genre.


The Orphan Collector

This is the story of a 13-year-old girl as she navigates her way through the 1918 pandemic and faces loss, discrimination, and life in an orphanage all the while longing to find her missing twin baby brothers. At the same time a bitter, miserable, grief stricken woman takes it upon herself to rid the city of immigrant children and “save” babies by kidnapping them.

The description for this book was misleading and does not do this book justice.  I was expecting more of a cat and mouse game with suspense as the main character tried to find her missing twin brothers. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author masterfully conveys empathy for the characters. I cried, I laughed, and it was an emotional roller coaster that was eerily similar to today’s events. I felt Pia’s strength, courage, guilt, and grief come through the pages clear as day. At first I was sympathetic to Bernice Groves, but then realized she was just evil and full of hate. I felt the ending was a bit rushed, but overall I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical dramas. Although this could be a trigger for anyone currently experiencing grief and loss.


The Mockingbird's Song: Amish Greenhouse Mystery - book 2 (Amish Greenhouse Mysteries)

In the second book of the Amish Greenhouse Mystery series, the King family is where we left them after the first book. Belinda, Sylvia, Amy, and Henry are still coping with the loss of their loved ones from a sudden and tragic accident, but each family member is dealing with it in their own way. The Mockingbird's Song focuses on Sylvia and how she is coping with the loss of her husband while she is also trying to raise two boppli amidst constant reminders of her past life. The identity of the one who was vandalizing the greenhouse isn't known, but when further acts of vandalism happen, the Kings learn more. A mysterious man also shows up in Sylvia's life; is he to be trusted, or should the Kings go with their gut feeling?

Again, I loved reading this book as much as the first one. Brunstetter stayed true to all of the characters, and it felt like nothing more than a continuation in the storyline. I am happy with how things ended up turning out at the end of this book, and I can't wait for the third and final installment!