Humor All The Way

It is rare a book can make me laugh aloud, but Humor all the Way by Renee Servello did. A delightful read on aging and retirement, I loved hearing about Renee’s personal thoughts and feelings on growing old. She discusses everything from doctors’ visits, wrinkles, grandkids, and the pandemic, in such a way that you have to smile.

Although I myself am not a senior, I have heard many of the same thoughts Renee discusses from my parents and grandparents. For example, in her entry “Are you Popular?”, she discusses how every day she is offered remarkable deals for her age. From burial plots on sale, hair and belly fat supplements, vitamins and pills guaranteed to make her feel better, and even things such as deals on time shares off the coast of India, Renee proves her point that she is constantly bombarded. I loved how she ended her thoughts with the line, “So many companies worried about me and to think we’ve never even met!” You can tell Renee is spunky, and good-humored in all of her entries, but the way she handles these proposals especially made me smile.

I also really appreciated Renee and her collaborators' humorous takes on the pandemic. The phrase, “Never in a million years would I have thought my hands would consume more alcohol than my mouth,” could not ring truer for anyone, as our lives were controlled by hand sanitizer and disinfectants. I laughed out loud when Renee discussed her quarantine couch habits with her husband, discussing how their movie preferences differ. A daily movie, sometimes two, was their reality for a year, and every day Renee wanted to watch a comedy movie, and everyday her husband put on a war movie. Claiming that she now suffers from “battle fatigue” as she’s watched war from Germany, to North Africa, to Japan, to the Philippines, I could not help but imagine her annoyance with her husband for this and laugh at their daily exchange. I also had to laugh at her husbands attempt to get them covid tests at their local high school. Rushing home to Renee to tell her that he saw a line outside the school for testing, they immediately drive there to realize that they were giving out free cat and dog food, not Covid tests.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and all of Renee’s reminders that humor is the Rx for life. I would recommend this book as a great read for those who are retired, or anyone who fears aging as Renee’s anecdotes will ease your consciousness.


Cleopatra's Vendetta

"Get ready to travel across the world through Italy, Greece, and Egypt with Special Ops leader Tim Stryker as he finds himself in the middle of another race-against-time, action-packed adventure. As Stryker tries to find his wife and daughter who have gone missing, he follows the scent of cobra/apple tattoos, deepfakes, and the descendants of Octavian's Sons of Adam. This is a thriller that will captivate its audience from the first page with twists and turns to come." --Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review


The Newlyweds' Window

The Newlywed’s Window offers readers a unique collage of short stories through which to journey. They are authored by a variety of different African writers and range considerably from narratives about giving birth in a poor, ill-equip facility in which incompetence and disregard reign and labor pains are ever-present to a young girl searching for independence via social media under a fictitious identity that leads her to a real-life encounter in which she’s victimized and is left feeling compromised and angry. Other works involve unorthodox characters shunned by mainstream society. Their confounding behavior results in a variety of unpleasant and sometimes unfair outcomes like physical violence or being ostracized from others. In some cases they fight back, lashing out at others and even killing them in some circumstances. In an entry titled "Gasping for Air", a disenchanted and sociopathic miscreant murders women he deems unworthy of Mother Earth. After taking their lives, often by suffocation, he extracts their eyeballs and stores them in a refrigerator for later admiration. Another thread woven through the fabric of several of the included selections is discontentment. Happiness and complacency are rarely held sentiments. Passion and lust are thematic throughout as well.

This is an eclectic publication whose audience may be somewhat limited. Some of the references and content as well as the profanity - that’s arguably unnecessary -may be offensive to some. For example, in a bar scene, a customer distastefully says to a female, “Did I not clear the cobwebs between your legs just last week?…” Statements such as this as well as other more vulgar ones lessen the quality of the overall content.

A number of those chosen for inclusion leave one yearning for more, for some sort of resolution or closure. They’re open-ended with no identifiable conclusion, which in some ways is a positive, making way for intrigue and wonderment. Additionally, there is some beautiful figurative language used throughout like “she learned to draw flowers around the stains in her life” and …”like an image from a half-forgotten dream.”

People who feel mistreated by the norm as well as those who tend to view themselves as somehow different from the rest may find commonalities with the characters depicted in The Newlywed’s Window. As a result, they may take comfort in these similarities and really appreciate their reading experience. Conversely, as stated previously, this pick may be judged less favorably by others. In either case, it’s one that’s worthy of noting for its originality and heterogeneity.


The Newlyweds' Window

The Newlywed's Window is a beautiful compilation of short stories from Africa's most promising writers. The writers do a wonderful job of describing the setting and characters of their stories and although each story is fairly short, I found myself engaged in each and every one of them. Mukana Press has done a fabulous job of collecting and publishing these short stories. There are twelve stories in all.

I found each story to be so unique. In "Border Control", a young woman delivers her baby in a private hospital, however, the nurses treat her so roughly and violently that she finds herself in the most unimaginable pain ever. My heart went out to this young woman and the ending is quite shocking. In "Gasping for Air", the main character is a man who steals eyes. Although this was gruesome to think of, the author wrote with such beautiful prose that it was easy to want to keep reading. "Mareba's Tavern" is about a woman who is a single mother by choice as she does not want to be owned by a man. Mareba runs a tavern that is already on the same compound as her house and is a very independent woman who can hold her own. I loved the strength she held even when the drunk men would heckle her. In "Black Paw Paw", a fifteen-year-old girl struggles to find a life outside of the poverty she knows. She takes care of a baby for a woman she calls Madam and when proposed with the unthinkable, makes a life decision that will lead to the rest of her life. I think my favorite story in the book was "Our Girl Bimpe" which is about a girl who ends up putting something that happened at a party on social media and finding herself being ostracized for the world to see. This is proof that it is not only in America that social media can be a dangerous tool that can affect one's life and the lives around them. Although I was rooting for Bimpe, she kept making stupid choices.

Although the stories are written in English, I enjoyed learning African words as many of the stories included some African dialogue. I also loved the unique names of the characters. These are names that are not heard very often in the States and it was nice to learn about the African culture outside of the war and poverty we often associate with the country.

Overall, The Newlywed's Window is a book that any adult would enjoy. The stories are creative and come from some brilliant minds.


The Newlyweds' Window

The Newlywed’s Window by Mukana Press contained some of the best short stories I have ever read. Not one of these tales failed to capture my rapt attention over what would happen next. If you enjoy short stories, or stories full of drama, suspense, mystery, and excitement, this book is for you.

Although none of these narratives lack a wonderful plot, I think my favorite had to be “The Daya Zimu”, simply because the ending was one I would never have guessed. Told from the portrayal of a young girl, the story is set in a boisterous classroom with Mrs. Bwalya telling her students about traditional myths. Naturally, many of the twelve-year olds in the classroom have strong feelings on the verity of ghosts, spirits, and witches. As many students relay their own experiences of family members taken by various African spirits, our narrator listens quietly, chilled, but suspicious of the conversation. Mrs. Bwalya even tells her of her own experiences, saying she had watched her mother be taken by a sort of half man, half bull spirit. Encouraging her young students to not laugh at these stories but take them seriously, her goal of the conversation is not to harbor false tales but have them protected, as ignorance makes them targetable. Eventually, Beth, the new girl, speaks up on the Daya Zimu, a terrifying spirit creature, she claims to have been haunting her father. Our narrator, who deeply admires Beth, is captivated, and even more captivated when Beth invites her over to her house the next day. Little does our young friend know there is much in store for her by agreeing to this proposal. An ending that was memorable to say the least, this story stood out to me in shock factor and creativity.

My favorite thing about this novel is how it portrays Africa in a new way, not as an impoverished and war struck country as the media often encapsulates it as. Rather, it shows a country full of human beings with similar problems and struggles as Western countries. I love how this collection brings characters who voice their opinions on misogyny, religion, cultural practices, and so much more in a different light. Overall, I would specifically recommend this novel to older Gen-z and Millennial age readers as it does a great job of giving various relevant topics of interest to this age group.


The Newlyweds' Window

The Newlywed’s Window, which is published by Mukana Press, is an absolutely stunning collection of short stories from up-and-coming African authors. Usually, collections like this one tend to follow a single theme that’s woven throughout each story to create a cohesive sense of genre continuity, like weaving a beautiful tartan or dying a colorful batik print that the reader can comfortably wrap themselves up in as they go to create an immersive storytelling experience. Not so with this gorgeous collection!

This book features a dozen stories in total, and each one serves as its own unique window through which the reader may view a perfectly crystalline vision of some of the most masterful storytelling I’ve read in an anthology in a very long time. Each new author offers up a different lens through which the reader views a distinct slice of life that showcases wildly different perspectives on life on the African continent, creating a range of tones and themes that together create a vibrant kaleidoscopic image that dazzles the senses and stimulates the mind.

Some of the stories are entrenched in an almost philosophical realism, like Atline Jojo’s “Border Control,” Gladwell Pamba’s “Mareba’s Tavern,” “This Is For My Aunt Penzi, Who-” by Idza Luhumyo, and Husnah Mad-hy’s “The Newlywed’s Window.” Each of these stories is deeply rooted in exploring issues surrounding women’s autonomy, identity, and inherent value in a landscape of slowly shifting social structures that is experiencing growing pains initiated by the spread of Western feminist ideals.

Other stories, such as “How Are You?” by Cynthia Nnadi, “Our Girl Bimpe” by Olankule Ologunro, and “Black Paw Paw” by Obinna Ezeodili, center on the seemingly impossible choices young women face as they come of age in a world that is so often hostile to their needs and dreams, the importance of a supportive social and family structure, and the potential emotional and physical danger involved in having those relationships ripped away by either choice or circumstance.

And lastly, we’re given “Gasping For Air” by Ogechukwu Emmanuel Samuel, “Rain” by Muuka Gwaba, “The Daya Zimu” by Vanessa Nakayange, “A Letter From Ireland” by Victor Ehikhamenor, and “Old Photographs” by Hannah Onoguwe, all of which either revolve around old cultural traditions steeped in mysticism balanced with modern social contrivances and newly evolving traditions or are mired in wildly engrossing and oftentimes disturbing aspects of the supernatural.

Each story offers something brilliantly new and wholly irresistible, meaning that the book, when taken as a whole, presents a cohesive collection of tales that render the reader incapable of tearing their eyes away, like a curious neighbor caught in the act of peering out their window onto a world that both dazzles the mind and delights the soul.


Babouc's Vision

Glenn Searfoss’s Babouc’s Vision is set in a dystopian near-future city where not even the extraordinary technological and medical advancements are enough to mask the lack of humanity that characterizes the general population. And while the inhabitants of the city are well aware that their present is bleak, they have no idea what horrors the future might have in store for them.

Harl Babouc, laconic proprietor of Babouc’s Appliance Repair, is trudging through another day fixing the near unfixable and striking decidedly non-lucrative deals with desperate customers and seedy scavengers when he’s overcome with a kind of uncanny weariness and forced to close the shop early to rest. He’s briefly been able to enjoy a restful nap, but there’s nothing relaxing about the sight that greets him when he wakes: an intruder who he initially believes to be an ICA agent there to audit the business but who is actually an angel (or a genie, a higher level of consciousness, or even an extraterrestrial, whatever is preferred) named Ithuriel.

Ithuriel explains that Babouc has been chosen as an envoy of the gods, whose mission it is to go about the city, investigate allegations of its degeneration, and report on the nature of its citizens. Based on Babouc’s report, the gods will decide the fate of the city. While it’s clear from the outset that Babouc’s task is nothing to envy, the reason for him being picked to perform it is surprisingly sad. From Babouc’s perspective, he can’t serve as a disinterested outsider in judging the city because he lives there, but in the gods’ view, he inherited the repair shop following his father’s death fifteen years ago and has never since ventured out of it except to buy necessary supplies—he does not live in the city, he merely exists there.

During the course of his investigation, Babouc moves about the city like a wraith, undetachable and invisible, which is not that different from his day-to-day existence. However, he does at last truly see his fellow citizens, from a host of lowlife criminals to a dodgy doctor to an elderly guy lost in memories of the past and a young couple hoping that genetic screening proves them to be suitable candidates to have a baby. In weaving the stories of these and other disparate folks together, Searfoss highlights the monotony and despair of their lives, but also the small signs of hope, rebellion, and resilience that they all display. Life in the city might be bad, but it’s not all bad.

Through impressive world-building and snippets of a detailed backstory, Searfoss allows Babouc to discover how the city came to be in its present decaying state, which causes both him and the reader to reflect on what other choices could have been made. Given this examination of how easily society can crumble, at the heart of Babouc’s Vision is an age-old moral dilemma: “Which is better, a good action that harms or a bad action that benefits?” Not even the gods have the ability to address this issue straightforwardly, as their omnipotence has left them with the inability to grasp the subtleties of life, which is not dissimilar to how humanity’s advancements have distanced people from the both planet and its other inhabitants.

Babouc’s Vision is an entertaining and thought-provoking science fiction story that presents an all-too-feasible future and asks readers to question what could be done differently.


The Puzzler: One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life

Jigsaw puzzles are insanely popular recently, but there are many other types of puzzles: crosswords, Rubik's cubes, mazes, and more, with endless variations. Author A.J. Jacobs takes you along on his quest to discover the most difficult, interesting, intriguing, historical, and infuriating puzzles of all kinds. He tracks down puzzle creators and puzzle solvers and tries his hand at being both. The journey is fun and often illuminating. Most people enjoy puzzles of one type or another; in fact, we seem genetically drawn to them. Puzzles, after all, are just little problems, and what's life but a large set of problems to solve? Maybe that's oversimplifying; at any rate, solving puzzles rewards you with a strong hit of dopamine, with stakes that are fairly small (although Jacobs recounts a story of someone who almost died during a tournament chess match). It's enjoyable reading about the different types of puzzles, and especially about Jacob's adventures trying them out. His writing is full of interviews and anecdotes and stays light even while pondering a puzzling profundity. For the adventurous, he includes several representative puzzles to try (with solutions). You're sure to find something new and surprising and lots to enjoy.


Never Say P*g: The Book of Sailors’ Superstitions

Sailors might commonly be thought of in storybooks or fairytales (i.e. Peter Pan). Actually, this career choice is genuine and contains a history that affects water dwellers and land lovers alike. Within their history lies an abundance of superstition that could be spread across the alphabet; in fact, R. Bruce Macdonald has done just that. Superstitions are generally numerous and deeply rooted, with these ones keeping a sailor on their toes and a land lover at risk of bringing unknown doom to a voyage or individual. The information is interesting enough for a non-sailor to find enjoyable and crucial for a sailor to know and respect.

Never Say P*g is a page-turner; the superstitions both caught me off guard and made complete sense. An interesting note is that sailors take many stories and ideas from the Bible to heart but also intermix them with gods of other religions whom they must appease for the sake of a safe and prosperous voyage. I found the tellings of how common phrases originated with sailors interesting and informative. Nearly everything under the sun is included in this book; you won't finish still wondering about the language and beliefs of sailors.


I Miss You: Exercises for yearning hearts

You Can Do It!

It’s near impossible to make it through life without a little help and guidance along the way, although it can be tricky to determine who and what can help in particular situations. Fortunately, the five inspirational works included in this roundup all focus on assisting readers with developing the mindsets and practical skills necessary to tackle pretty much anything that life might throw at them.

A Brown Girl's Epiphany by Aurelia Dávila Pratt

With A Brown Girl’s Epiphany, Aurelia Dávila Pratt aims to equip readers with all the tools, techniques, and moral support they require to harness their self-belief, resilience, and determination in order to live a more healthy, prosperous, and fulfilling life. Everyone needs inspiration and a helping hand along the way, and Pratt provides copious amounts of guidance and motivation through her friendly, engaging, and insightful reflections and recommendations. She explains the methods and reasoning whereby BIPOC girls can overcome discrimination, prejudice, and scarcity on their journey toward success, achievement, and fulfilment. It’s a brave approach to creating a better world.

Becoming a Changemaker by Alex Budak

Alex Budak has written Becoming a Changemaker to serve as a manifesto for positive change in the lives of all readers. Starting from the perspective that people of every race, gender, age, class, and pretty much every other demographic characteristic going can act as changemakers, thereby working collaboratively and creatively to solve social problems and so heal the world, Budak provides research-based guidance on how to develop the mindset, skills, and motivation necessary to drive change in all spheres of life. Although particularly geared toward Millennials and members of Generation Z who have newly joined the workforce, Budak’s tips and techniques have applicability for anyone seeking to make a positive difference.

I Miss You: Exercises for Yearning Hearts by Gioia Guerzoni

Gioia Guerzoni seeks to alleviate the burden and heal the broken hearts of all those who are troubled by longing for lost people, places, and things through the wisdom she imparts in I Miss You: Exercises for Yearning Hearts. Covering a wide range of scenarios in which people might be left feeling bereft and alone, and providing a series of practical and believable activities that can be tackled by pretty much anyone, Guerzoni aims to help readers recognize and address the myriad feelings they are likely to experience in the aftermath of a loss, whatever it might entail. By their very nature poignant and emotive, the included activities serve to carefully guide troubled souls through the process of acceptance and recovery.

Thinking 101 by Woo-kyoung Ahn

As a specialist in the thought process—that is, the whys and wherefores that inform people’s decisions to do or not do things—Woo-kyoung Ahn is almost uniquely placed to help readers recognize and overcome the many biases that influence, both positively and negatively, the way they live their life. Thinking 101 distills the key insights that she has learned in this regard over the decades she has spent teaching and writing about thought and thinking. While it is widely acknowledged that people can be their own worst enemy, tripping themselves up and holding themselves back through faulty and inaccurate thought processes, such knowledge is not sufficient to prevent people from making related mistakes. Fortunately, this book sets out clear and practical steps that people can take to actually change the way they think.

You're Gonna Make It: Unlocking Resilience When Life Is a Mess by Daniel Fusco

During times of stress, anxiety, and trauma, it can prove difficult enough to make sensible decisions in the here and now, let along to plan ahead for a happy, healthy, and successful future life. In recognition of this, Daniel Fusco has written You're Gonna Make It: Unlocking Resilience When Life Is a Mess as a guidebook to finding a positive path through all of life’s troubles that is informed by the teachings of Jesus. Having worked through numerous struggles of his own while being inspired and buoyed by his faith, Fusco is well placed to explain how a belief in Jesus can help to foster resilience and perseverance at the same time as enhancing understanding and acceptance. Those looking to draw on their Christian faith in practical ways will particularly benefit from Fusco’s experiences.


Take My Hand

Civil Townsend is a women’s health nurse in rural Alabama in 1973. Fresh from nursing school, she is tasked with attending to eleven and thirteen-year-old India and Erica. After she injects them with the Depo-Provera shot per her supervisor’s orders, Civil questions why such young girls are receiving birth control. In the weeks following, she becomes involved in a harrowing health scandal and is compelled to protect the girls and their families from further harm.

In Take My Hand, author Dolen Perkins-Valdez depicts the plight of the poor African American community and how the health system and the federal government took advantage of them. Civil is a well-off Black woman who makes it her duty to help the less fortunate Williams family. The contrast between Civil’s privilege to the Williams’ impoverishment is evident throughout the book. Parts of the story are hard to read, especially the poor treatment of Erica and India. It is astounding that the key issue of sterilization and health experiments within this fictional novel is based on fact. This story was an important one to read, and though, at times, Civil tried too hard to fix the Williams family, their bond was quite touching.


Target: Terror

This book brings together three books into a single volume when the entire Target: Terror series is together for the first time. This series is definitely for the military aficionados, as it follows snipers as they work to take down any number of targets that threaten the United States.

The books themselves are very rah-rah and highlight the good aspects of being in the military and not the often bureaucratic sledge that can happen and the like. How you feel about military fiction that borders on propaganda will determine how well you will enjoy these books as after a while it does become a bit repetitive.

In the first book, veteran Kyle Monroe is partnered with newbie Wade Curtis to take down terrorists in Pakistan, but he is pulled into a private war being waged by local tribes. In the second book, the scene shifts to urban Romania, where terrorists are transporting explosives through tunnels. The final book is set in Indonesia and they must survive being hunted and in the open when a mission in the jungle goes wrong.


These Are Not the Words

New in Children’s Lit

From picture books featuring amazing and amusing creatures to a fictional account of a difficult yet ultimately hopeful childhood and an inspiring biography of a great artist, the five books featured in this roundup have something to offer children of all ages.

Room for More by Michelle Kadarusman and Maggie Zeng

As a wildfire devastates the Australian bush, wombat duo Dig and Scratch feel glad that they have a safe, cool burrow to hide in. However, when Dig notices that other animals are not so lucky, he starts inviting them into the burrow, which draws complaints from Scratch. Dig first invites a pair of wallabies into their home, followed by a koala and then a tiger snake, with Scratch getting increasingly angry as each new arrival moves in. While Dig is convinced that there is still room for more, Scratch doesn’t want any other animals making use of their home, but when the burrow is flooded by a sudden rain burst, Scratch comes to realize that having a bunch of fellow creatures around could prove very helpful. In Room for More, Michelle Kadarusman uses the humorous story of an eclectic group of animals sheltering in a small burrow to explore the serious issues of environmental catastrophes and  displaced refugees with young readers, while Maggie Zeng’s delightful illustrations really bring the different animals’ personalities to life.

These Are Not the Words by Amanda West Lewis

Based on events from her own childhood in New York City during the 1960s, Amanda West Lewis’s These Are Not the Words is a powerful account of a young girl realizing that her parents are both flawed individuals with problems that she cannot solve, no matter how much she wants to help them. Missy’s mother has gone back to school to pursue her dream of becoming an artist, while her father spends his days working in advertising and his nights listening to jazz in Harlem and the Village. Missy shares his love of jazz and often accompanies him to clubs and bars, and the two of them both enjoy writing poetry about their experiences. Yet, it becomes clear through his poems that her father is struggling with alcohol and drug problems, which eventually prompts Missy’s mother to decide that she and Missy need a fresh start. Missy has to leave everything she cares about behind and adapt to a new life as a latchkey kid while her mother works to support them. Although Missy is reluctant to give up on getting her family back together, she eventually comes to learn that change is sometimes necessary.

The Whale Who Swam Through Time by Alex Boersma and Nick Pyenson

Around two hundred years ago, a bowhead whale was born. As a member of the longest-living mammal species in the world, the bowhead whale was destined to have a lengthy and interesting existence. Indeed, over the course of a long life spent in the Arctic, the whale witnessed many dramatic changes, most notably the shift from her habitat being one characterized by peace and solitude to the arrival of humans and their ships and oil rigs. With The Whale Who Swam Through Time, Alex Boersma has written a non-fiction picture book that beautifully captures the majesty of the natural world and vividly portrays the changes that are taking place in the environment, highlighting the need for humans to alter their ways and take action to protect their fellow creatures. The illustrations by Nick Pyenson are clear and detailed, revealing the beauty and wonder of the bowhead whale and showing just how important the preservation of the environment really is.

Bottle Tops by Alison Goldberg and Elizabeth Zunon

In Bottle Tops, Alison Goldberg tells the remarkable life story of Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui, whose work made from discarded bottle tops is prized and displayed around the world. While studying art at the University of Ghana, El noted that much of the artists and art being discussed clearly fitted within the European tradition, with traditional Ghanaian art being largely ignored. Seeking to expand his perspective, El explored the stories and approaches of his fellow Ghanaians, which often involved the use of recycled and upcycled materials. After honing his skills by experimenting with different mediums, El discovered a bag of bright bottle caps and decided to tell their story by stitching the caps together into a series of flowing tapestries that capture the history, culture, and people of Ghana. From there, the popularity of his bottle top sculptures grew until his work was world renowned. The words by Goldberg provide a fascinating introduction to the life and art of El Anatsui, while the illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon nicely capture the intricacy and beauty of his work.

Oceans of Love by Janet Lawler and Holly Clifton-Brown

The ocean is home to myriad magnificent creatures, ranging from majestic whales and clever dolphins to fascinating hermit crabs and perplexing jellyfish. Janet Lawler’s Oceans of Love takes young readers on a fantastical underwater adventure as they learn about how mother sea creatures care for and rear their little ones. From a mother manta ray teaching her baby to skim and slide through the sea to a mother hermit crab fitting her youngling for a new shell and a mother minnow enrolling her offspring in minnow school, a fun-filled variety of mother and child relationships are featured. Using clever, gentle rhymes that are perfect for reading out loud, the story explains a universal truth for humans, animals, and sea creatures: mothers always want to care for their babies in their own special way. Holly Clifton-Brown’s exquisite watercolor illustrations really bring the heartwarming story to life, showcasing a broad range of mothers and babies in their natural undersea environment.


Bite Sized Archie Vol. 1

As someone who grew up reading Archie comics and the Archie Digest, I was so excited to receive a copy of Bite Sized Archie Vol. 1. Archie and his Riverdale friends are back in this collection of webcomics by Ron Cacace and Vincent Lovallo. These comics are from 2020 and 2021 and are in full color. Also included in this digest are the "Behind the Scenes" sketches which show what the comic looked like when they were in the beginning stages of planning. I really enjoyed learning interesting little facts about each comic strip as well. This Archie is the Archie of today including tech and pop culture. It was fun to see that the illustrators really had a lot of fun planning and bringing to life Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and all of their friends. This is not only a collection of comics but a collection of historical facts for a series that is over eighty years old. This book is perfect for all ages, from young children to adults. Archie and the Gang are ageless!


The Patron Thief of Bread

The Patron Thief of Bread is a slightly slow-starting book that quickly gets faster. There are some chapters that get repetitive, but overall it is a really good book.

The book is about two gangs: the Crowns and the Red Swords. The Crowns are threatened by the Red Swords, so the Crowns send their youngest member to become an apprentice baker. Her name is Duck and the Crowns’ leader does not think she is anything more than garbage. She gets them small amounts of food and coins, but in the end they try to make a more major plan for thievery.

I don't really like the pace of the book. It also has some chapters that are told from the point of view of a gargoyle, while most chapters are from Duck’s point of view. The gargoyle chapters aren't as interesting, but the book is generally really good. The highly developed characters and interesting plot make it an awesome book for reading for pleasure. I would recommend The Patron Thief of Bread for ages eight to twelve years.


Human Kindness: True Stories of Compassion and Generosity that Changed the World

Do you ever wonder when humans started being kind or why it is so important to continue today? This book is filled with intriguing stories of compassion and empathy throughout history, starting with the caring cavemen and ending with present times. It also includes scientific information involving kindness (describing serotonin, the ahoy hormone, and how kindness can improve our mental and physical health).

Author John Francis has packed a wealth of information into each page of this book. During these sixty pages, readers will learn about kind inventions, peaceful protests, acts of service in wartime, and how to be kind to our planet, family, peers, and community.

The colorful and creative illustrations created by Josy Bloggs are detailed, thoughtful, and beautiful. She represents diversity by including people of all colors as well as differently-abled individuals. The story is designed for older readers of picture books from ages eight to twelve. I believe this book would be best enjoyed in small sections as opposed to reading it all in one sitting. This would be a great selection for older readers who are interested in history and science and excited to learn.


Animals Illustrated: Ringed Seal (Animals Illustrated, 9)

Animals Illustrated: Ringed Seal is a book of facts about a particular animal: the ringed seal. The book begins with where they live and how big they are. Then there is information about their habitat and things about them, like their skeleton, claws, and blubber. Next is about the food they eat, their babies, the animals that hunt them, and how smart they are. Last, there are the ways that people will use them if they hunt them, such as eating their meat in stews, making tents and clothes from their fur, and games they will make from their bones.

The book is all information and has no story, but if you wanted to know anything about the ringed seal, this book would help you know more about them. The pictures are well done and every page is colorful with something on it.


Sneaky Shadows

Sneaky Shadows is similar to other shadow books like Guess Again, where you will see the shadow on the first page, and then on the next page, you'll find out what was making the shadow; sometimes your guess is right, and other times the book tries to trick you. Sneaky Shadows is a little of both - letting you guess correctly and tricking you while also telling a short story about each shadow. There are eight shadows to guess that start out easy and get harder as you go.

I used to get frustrated with these types of books, but now that I've read a few of them, I understand what is happening better now. Sneaky Shadows was a fun book to read and guess what was making the shadows, both alone and with my family, but there were some uncomfortable things making shadows, like two animals kissing. I liked that there was a story with each shadow and one that went through the whole book, but according to my parents, the last page isn't the best.


Saving the Butterfly: A story about refugees

Two children, a brother and a sister, are rescued at sea, the only survivors. They’re welcomed as refugees and given a place to stay, a dilapidated building among a village of them. The little boy adapts easily, blending in with the others, playing and laughing, carrying on with his life. His older sister, though, is tortured by memories of the dark sea and the tumultuous tides that changed everything. She hides away inside, not able to find the courage to venture out into the world again. One day, the younger child brings her a butterfly. Despite her trepidation, she knows what she must do to set the creature free and begin to heal.

This is a beautiful story of loss, hope, and restoration. The author portrays the lives of child refugees with heartfelt sensitivity. The brother’s love is palpable, and readers will cheer when his sibling takes her first steps into the light. Details like the quilted blanket that’s always by the sister’s side and the stuffed rabbit that remains with the siblings throughout add depth and sweetness to the narrative. Those ages six to ten will walk away from this book with a new-found sense of gratitude and compassion.


Unpredictable Winds

"Chin has crafted a beautiful book in this story of friendship, love, and longing set against a backdrop of war in China. Even though the shadow of the war touches every character in some way, the focus is always on individual people living through it, which makes for a touching, intimate tale that I will not soon forget. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a touch of a different theater of World War II!" --Jo Niederhoff, Manhattan Book Review


Creep

January 2023 Young Adult Roundup-YA Books to Fall in Love With

These new young adult books with a romantic undertone are perfect for adults as well. Wonderful stories with heartwarming relationships, these books are sure to become favorites.

Afterlove
Tanya Byrne
Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
ISBN: 9781250865618

Ash and Poppy meet one day and are inseparable, only to have Ash’s life cut short on one New Year’s Eve. As the last person to die before midnight, Ash becomes a reaper, and only those who are close to death can see her. When Poppy recognizes her one night, the two women aren’t sure what to think of it. Romance with some science fiction thrown in the mix, this book will have readers intrigued and engaged in its plot and invested in the futures of the characters.

Made 4 You
Eric Walters
Cormorant Books
ISBN: 9781770866614

Who doesn’t love a story with a twist? When Becky is asked to show a new student, Gene, around the high school, it seems like Gene is good at everything Becky is interested in. Gene has been homeschooled his whole life, and Becky doubts he has ever played the saxophone or basketball, but somehow he is good at both of them. When Gene confides in Becky that he has a secret worth killing for, Becky must decide her fate. Thrilling and original, this book will have readers on the edge of their seats.

Creep
Lygia Day Penaflor
HarperCollins
ISBN: 9780358692928

When Rafi becomes obsessed with the perfect couple at her school, Laney and Nico, she will stop at nothing to become their friend. When tragedy strikes the couple, Rafi becomes increasingly obsessed and will do anything to keep the couple together. How far will Rafi go? This book will give readers that creepy stalker vibe as they find out what happens next in Creep.

The Last Words We Said
Leah Scheier
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9781534469402

Ellie, Rae, Deenie, and Danny are the closest of friends. Then one day, Danny disappears. Danny’s girlfriend, Ellie, does not believe he is dead because she sees him. And each girl holds a clue as to what happened to Danny. This book unfolds the relationships in the book, including that of Danny and Ellie’s perfect relationship. Beautifully written and heartwrenching to its core, this book will have readers holding on to every page one at a time.

Eternally Yours
Patrice Caldwell
Penguin Young Readers Group
ISBN: 9781534469402

This anthology of paranormal romance short stories will have readers dreamy-eyed as they encounter a shipwrecked sailor, a conjuring piano melody, and mystical creatures from beyond. A compilation of stories written by authors such as Melissa de la Cruz, Kat Cho, and Julian Winters that is sure to please.


What We Saw: A Thriller

Abbi and Skylar decide to bike to the edge of their town, just to see what’s there. On the way they are sidetracked by a dead-end street in a rough part of town where they find a secret treehouse, perfectly hidden in the trees. When they see a small gray car arrive, their interest is piqued. They watch the pretty woman get into a large black SUV and their minds start racing. Maybe it’s a mystery they can solve, like Nancy Drew.

They take notes, noticing that the visits are on Thursdays, and take pictures of the cars and license plates. When a favorite teacher goes missing, Abbi thinks she might have information, but telling the police will mean revealing to her mother that she and Skylar have been hanging out in scary places. Can Abbi help her teacher and bravely face the consequences?

Hahn has taken a detour from supernatural horror and created a murder mystery perfect for middle grade readers who love April Henry and Ally Carter. Abbi’s reservations about telling and fear of what may happen are realistic and true. A sluggish start building up Abbi’s character leads to a nail-biting mystery that can’t be put down.


The Lipstick Bureau: A Novel Inspired by a Real-Life Female Spy

There are many historical novels that go back and forth between past and present. Gable could have made her book one of those, showing Niki’s daughter uncovering her mother’s work for the OSS and alternating with showing Niki’s work in the moment, so to speak. Instead, the “present” of the novel is a dinner in 1989, before some of Gable’s readers were even alive, and we get to see Niki’s thoughts as her daughter learns there is much more to her life than she ever dreamed.

(Things are complicated further by first-person interludes from an Italian prostitute named Paloma. I found this a fascinating inclusion, and it made me even more eager to see where the story would go.)

World War II novels, especially about women doing intelligence or subterfuge work in the European theater, seem to be a dime a dozen. Some are truly phenomenal. More wind up being dull and uninspired. The Lipstick Bureau falls in the middle. I enjoyed it a lot, but there were a few times where it felt rough and unpolished, even rushed. What mattered to me most, however, was that the story was an exciting one and the characters were fascinating.


Shot Clock

The Sabres, two-time AAU National Champions, led by basketball phenom Dante Jones, are holding their annual tryouts. Recently, Dante was shot by a police officer in Oasis Springs, leaving the community to mourn. Tony aims to make the Sabres in the hope of carrying on his best friend's legacy. Unfortunately, Tony doesn’t make the team. Instead, he accepts the coach's offer to join as the team statistician after noticing many flaws in the Sabres' first game. The Sabres have a shaky start to the season, but with Tony pointing out the team's weaknesses and helping them improve, the Sabres win the AAU National Championship. On their journey to winning the championship, the Sabres and the Oasis Springs community rally together and fight for justice. The plot of the book was entertaining and kept the reader engaged. The author wrote intriguingly about the Sabres games with several nail-biting moments. The author placed the reader in the characters’ shoes, allowing them to experience the character’s emotions. The characters were realistic, and the dialogue was dramatic and powerful. This book is perfect for teens who have an interest in basketball. I would recommend this book, as it left me turning the pages for hours.


Glitterland (Spires, 1)

Glitterland is hands down one of the best romances I’ve read this year. I don’t know how I went so long without reading any of Alexis Hall’s books! The story follows Ash Winters, a rising literary star who suffered a mental breakdown and now writes crime fiction to get by.

Diagnosed with bipolar depression and having fully given in to hopelessness, Ash is just trying to get through the day, until he meets Darian Taylor at a bachelor party. Darian is sweet and looks at the world through a perfect spray tan and a head full of hair product. The opposites attract tension is thick enough to cut with a knife from the beginning, and the vulnerability and tenderness of their interactions are the perfect counterparts to the incredibly steamy scenes strewn throughout.

Unlike a few other romances I’ve delved into lately (looking at you, Booked on a Feeling) Glitterland does an exceptional job of pulling the reader into the life of someone actually struggling with mental illness instead of using it as a diversity tag and never really delving into the ups and downs of what it’s like to struggle with your mental health while also pursuing a romantic partner.


Act of Oblivion: A Novel

In 1660, Cromwell and his protectorate have fallen and Charles II is on the throne. The men who overthrew Charles I are now wanted for regicide, traitors rather than heroes of the faith. Two of them, Ned Whalley and William Goffe, managed to flee to the American colonies in hopes of escaping with their lives.

However, they are pursued by Richard Nayler, who will stop at nothing to bring them to justice.

Overall, I enjoyed the book as a fascinating look at a part of history I’m already a little familiar with. Those who have more knowledge about the Restoration may well beg more out of it, but even those who only know the basic facts (or who want to do a quick Wikipedia skim for a little background) will enjoy it. My one complaint was that it did not feel as urgent as I had hoped. There was high tension, but the quiet moments dulled it more than they provided a respite. In addition, I had some trouble remembering who was who.

My final thoughts, though, are that Act of Oblivion was a very interesting read, and I’m glad I picked it up.


Rust in the Root

Laura has a dream: to use her talents in the mystical arts to create the most amazing desserts at the best bakery ever, serving the likes of Shirley Temple and Clark Gable. She leaves the safety of home for New York City with high hopes. However, four months and so many naysayers later, she joins the Bureau of the Arcane as a last effort.

The Bureau is taxed with helping to end the Blight that is spreading across the land and repairing the Dynamism so that Mechomancy (basically science and technology) can continue to grow. Though Skylark is reluctant to take Laura on, the Bureau is desperate for those who can work the mystical arts (usually colored folk). When Laura is sent on her first mission, she realizes there is so much more to the mystical arts, including a darkness at its core.

The division between the races and their abilities is the basis of this tale set in 1937. The world building is phenomenal, the queer mage is spunky, and the dialogue witty and quick. This is easily as incredible as Dread Nation and its sequel. If there is no sequel to this one, it will be a literary travesty.


Bit Flip: A Novel

Bit Flip is a fascinating look into the dark side of Silicon Valley tech companies. And although this book is a work of fiction, it is easy to see many of the things that happen to the main character, Sam could be taken from true events. Sam Hughes works for a company called Ainetu and is second in command as COO under Founder and CEO Rohan Sharma. Tired of doing "all the work", Sam finally loses it. He finds himself as part of a panel that Rohan was supposed to be on in front of a live audience. His co-panelists are all arrogant one-uppers and finally when it is time for Sam to speak he gives them a piece of his mind ending with "...some days it seems like the only thing we're 'crushing' is ourselves.". This does not bode well with the audience or with Rohan and Sam is fired from his job. It is after he is fired that Sam finds some disturbing undertakings at Ainetu. He doesn't think twice before deciding he wants to blow the roof off of some very fraudulent "mistakes" made by the company.

Bit Flip is a fantastic page-turner from start to finish. Readers will be rooting for Sam as every decision he makes pushes him down further into the rabbit hole. After one of his co-workers is let go and commits suicide, Sam must really think about what it means to work for a company like Ainetu. This is a game of manipulation and power struggles that are never-ending. With themes of suicide, sexual harassment and assault, fixing the books, and the secrets behind Silicon Valley tech startups, Bit Flip is not your ordinary piece of fiction.

Author Mike Trigg does an amazing job describing in detail, the situations that Sam finds himself in, and the conversations he has with other people including co-workers and his own wife. He also describes many Bay Area landmarks and the changes the Bay Area has undergone in the past twenty-plus years. This book is very realistic and as someone who lives in the heart of Silicon Valley, I can attest to the "barely big enough" eighteen hundred square foot, three-million-dollar homes and the thought that Sam's own "kids' sense of reality was permanently distorted from life in the Bay Area". I mean, how DO you explain that "not having a gate code and full-time house staff makes you normal, not poor?" Welcome to Silicon Valley, and prepare to have your definition of entitled tech millennials redefined.


Tomboy: A Jane Benjamin Novel

Two years ago, I picked up Copy Boy by Shelley Blanton-Stroud. I fell in love with Jane, the scrappy Oklahoma girl who reinvented herself as a copy boy and cub reporter for the Prospect in San Francisco during the Great Depression. The book was so well-contained that it took me by surprise to find Blanton-Stroud had written a sequel. As soon as I was over that surprise, I knew I had to get my hands on Tomboy.

Though it’s set after Copy Boy, Tomboy stands on its own well enough that it can be read as a standalone novel. All the necessary backstory is provided in a way that doesn’t feel like a heavy dump of exposition but a useful way of filling readers in on a potentially new character. At times it’s hard to believe this is only Blanton-Stroud’s second novel. She writes as though she has years of practice behind her.

In Tomboy, Jane has established herself at the newspaper, but it’s still not enough, and not just because of her burning ambition. She struggles to pay her half of the rent for the apartment she shares with a Czech immigrant, and watching her toddler sister Elsie takes up more energy than she had expected. When a chance comes for her to get a better post as a gossip columnist, she leaps at it. Finally, perhaps she won’t be overlooked. Finally, perhaps she’ll be paid what she’s worth, or at least enough to make her way.

A trip to report on a female tennis star at Wimbledon proves to be more than Jane bargained for when the tennis star’s coach drops dead at the game. On the trip back across the Atlantic, more questions arise, and Jane soon finds herself knee-deep in another mystery.

I loved Tomboy just as much as I did Copy Boy. Shelley Blanton-Stroud has a knack for capturing character voices and giving her characters enough small details to make them deep without making them obvious choices. Characters who would have been caricatures and cliches in another’s hand are made human by hers. The end of the 1930s was part of an extended transition in American life. A complex time requires complex characters.

I don’t know what Ms. Blanton-Stroud has planned next, but I do hope she continues writing. Whether she makes another Jane Benjamin novel or branches out to explore new characters, I know I will eagerly read it.


Crippled Jack

As I read Crippled Jack, I told one of my friends it was written for those whose strongest memory of One Hundred Years of Solitude was the banana workers’ strike. The two books, however, have little in common. Crippled Jack is a western, as gritty as a summer on the plains, with hardly a taste of magic in it. Rather than spanning generations of a family, it focuses tightly on a boy left for dead by his parents and his desperate struggle to survive.

Though the book is focused, it still has a strong thematic coloring. Every chapter is a reminder of the abuses of the capitalism of the late 1800s. Men with money and power ruled even the west, and they often used their power for their own ends, rather than for the good of others.

It’s a message that still resonates strongly today. It will be a useful reminder in any age.

Crippled Jack is not an easy read, both due to subject matter and to the author’s writing style, which will not suit everyone. It took me a few chapters to really settle into it, but once I had, I found that this was a book I simply could not put down.


Holmes Coming

In the Spirit of Famous Mystery Icons Roundup

Classic mystery icons never die as authors keep their spirits alive with new works written in a similar style. These books are a roundup of new books that honor Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes. Experience the wonderful mystery-solving techniques of these two once again.

A Trace of Poison
Colleen Cambridge
Kensington
ISBN: 9781496732477

Readers will reveal in this delightful mystery set in the world of Agatha Christie. Entrants of a writing conference gather together for an evening of cocktails when one of the attendees drinks a lethal cocktail meant for Alastair Whittlesby, the man who is a shoo-in for the top prize. Agatha’s housekeeper, Phyllida Bright, is the sleuth in this story about jealousy, murder, and danger. With cameos from history's most famous writers, readers will love the twists and turns.

A Murder at Balmoral
Chris McGeorge
Penguin Publishing Group
ISBN: 9780593544136

The royal family has gathered at Balmoral Castle for their annual Christmas retreat. As King Eric is about to name his successor, he drops dead. The chef, Jonathan, plays the detective in this Agatha Christie-style locked-room mystery. Everyone in the family has a means, and a motive, and readers will guess one family member after the other. As secrets unfold, will Jonathan find out whodunnit before he himself becomes the victim? Clever and full of surprises, A Murder at Balmoral is like the game of Clue in book form.

What Child is This?
Bonnie MacBird, Frank Cho
HarperCollins Publishers
9780008521288

Sherlock Holmes takes on two cases in this book that masters the style and characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. With detailed illustrations by illustrator Frank Cho, fans of the Baker Street detective and his trusty sidekick Watson will enjoy these stories set during Christmas time. The stories both involve missing persons—one, a three-year-old of a wealthy couple who has been kidnapped, and two, an aristocrat’s son who has gone missing from his London pied à terre. This page-turner is perfect for fans of Holmes and Watson.

The Body Falls (5) (An Inishowen Mystery)
Andrea Carter
Oceanview Publishing
9781608094301

Set in Glendara, Inishowen, Ireland, Lawyer Benedicta (Ben) O'Keeffe and Police Sergeant Tom Malloy set out to solve a mystery. After a torrential downpour, a body falls onto a passing vehicle after being dislodged. The victim is a well-known charities boss and a snakebite is found. Being in an area where there are no native snakes, Ben and Tom investigate whether or not this could actually be a homicide. This is the fifth novel in this series and is written much like that of an Agatha Christie mystery.

Holmes Coming
Kenneth Johnson
Blackstone Publishing
9798200706884

When Dr. Amy Winslow finds a half-mummified man who calls himself Holmes and claims he was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s muse, Amy thinks the guy is out of his mind. After reviving him, she realizes this man really is the real Holmes (his first name is NOT Sherlock, however) and sets out to help him solve cases, including one that is very close to her. The San Francisco Police Chief died on her table after being attacked by a Bengal tiger. In this Holmes revival, readers will experience the time-traveled detective as he would be in modern times. Cleverly written and perfect for fans of the brash genius detective.


Jigsaw: Mystery in the Mail

A mysterious package is delivered to the Kelly family. It is covered with exotic stamps and has clearly come from a long way away. When they open it they find a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle of a scene in Africa along with an unsigned note that simply says, “Good luck to you all.” Mom, Kitty, and Katie want to do it. Dad says he has time on his hands, so he sets his watch to late autumn and they begin. But as they unwrap the puzzle, they don’t notice that one piece falls onto the dog’s back. The piece falls onto the floor, where it is vacuumed up and put into the garbage and carried away. It isn’t until much later the family discovers there's a missing piece. Can they ever finish the puzzle?

Bob Graham has created a funny family and given them a silly problem. It certainly will intrigue young listeners and give them plenty to wonder about as they are totally engaged. The illustrations are delightful and filled with lots of fun details to help keep youngsters’ eyes on the pages as they search the drawings. Kids will love this one and so will adults reading it.


The Spear Cuts Through Water: A Novel

Beautifully well written, The Spear Cuts Through Water is a unique novel. Centered on a young man in the USA during the war with Korea, it takes him to a gods’ theater and there the plot plays out in the form of a play. The play, which was a “true” legend from the character’s past, is a story of the overthrow of an evil government, human nature, and love.

With flashbacks and loads of emotional input, The Spear Cuts Through Water expertly uses stream-of-consciousness narration to tell an epic story. Because it often uses bad language, is regularly explicit, dark, and centered on three adult men, I must say that it is best for high schoolers and teens. Libraries and high school libraries should have a copy, and teachers might want to use a section to illustrate stream-of-consciousness narration. The book is that good. It is worth re-reading, so this is a good novel to purchase.

If you are an epic fantasy kind of teen, The Spear Cuts Through Water is for you!


Trusting True North

True is missing her mom, who is stuck in Canada due to the border being closed during the pandemic. Sure, True has the rest of her family, but True feels it’s up to her to keep everyone safe, especially Grandma Jo, who recently had cancer treatments, which is a lot of responsibility for a young girl. When True makes a treasure map for Georgie, they find themselves in the old barn, where they find a family of kittens and a misunderstood boy from school, Kyler, who is trying to save the kittens. True and Kyler become friends. As people around town start to get sick, True has to make some hard decisions.

Gina Linko has written a sweet story from True’s point of view as she faces the problems of schooling, family, friends, a missing parent, and more during a lockdown. Many of the youngsters reading this book will relate to the problems True has to face. The pandemic, though, does not seem to be treated as seriously as it should have been. No one gets really sick and it skirts many of the issues of this cataclysmic event. Still, for the middle-grade set, this is a good story well told.


A Touch of Moonlight: A Novel

Every full moon, Larimar Cintrón’s naturally curly hair straightens itself out. Her ankles twist themselves around until her feet face backward. She can run so fast that she’s flying and invisible.

The women of older generations in her family are in ciguapa form year-round. Larimar lives the life of a normal early-thirties woman in New York. She’s content living with her hidden secret until her best friend sets her up with a cute boy that also loves being in the crowd at punk shows and runs his own bakery. Romance may make her come to terms with more parts of her life than she ever would have expected.

The Dominican myth sprinkles a fun folklore twist into this familiar romance recipe. Since this is the big selling point, more background and exploration of the ciguapa would have made this book more interesting. It makes for an intriguing beginning to the story and a distinctive personality trait for the main character. The concept leads to a rather predictable romantic plot. That being said, it’s a good romantic drama for fans of the genre who welcome familiar recipes as comfort food.


This Time Tomorrow

This Time Tomorrow is one of my favorite books of the year so far. Beautifully written with love, compassion, and wonder, author Emma Straub captures the raw emotions of her main character Alice on each page. It's Alice's fortieth birthday. She goes to dinner with her best friend since childhood, Sam, and then proceeds to get drunk at a bar. Her father, Leonard, is in the hospital nearing hospice. Alice is unmarried, has no children, and works at the private school she attended as a child. But something happens to Alice that night. She stumbles upon something beyond her wildest dreams. When she wakes up, it is her sixteenth birthday.

I absolutely loved the time travel aspect of this book because it gave Alice a chance to see what things would be like if she had done certain things differently. The relationship between Alice and Sam is wonderful and trusting. And the painful feelings that Alice experiences as her father is dying really tore at my heartstrings. This is a wonderfully written book with so many vivid scenes and feelings. I finished this book in one day and was thinking about it long after I read the last page.


American Desi

American Desi is a cute book about a little girl who lives in two cultures at once. You kind of get the whole idea on the first page and then it just repeats in different examples, but the pictures are appealing and the story is engaging enough to keep you flipping the pages.

This book would be appealing for children growing up in America with Indian heritage, but it’s probably more interesting for those not familiar with Indian culture who want to get a glimpse of some of the various ways that lifestyles are very different in the two countries.

You definitely get a few new words that aren’t really explained but make sense in context. The story is short, sweet, and upbeat, so it would draw in even the youngest readers. The book’s end sheets are especially pretty.


MEATPACKING

Meatpackers tells the story of a woman named Max and her daughter Salome as they navigate life throughout the various decades. Living in a small loft of a hardware store in the meatpacking district of New York, Max and Salome make do with what they have which is not much. The loft, however, has character and is covered with de Kooning and other impressionist paintings. A very drunk Jackson Pollock also makes an appearance in this book and decides to paint one of the loft walls. Mr. Zwerling, the owner of the hardware store, and his mute helper Emmett do their best to help Max and Salome. They help fix up the loft and do odd jobs for the girls including babysitting Salome when she is little.

The book chronicles historical events such as World War I and the dilapidation of the neighborhood Max and Salome live in. Max skips from job to job working in a department store, a restaurant, and a club where she is a cigarette girl. Max's true aspiration is to be a writer, however, and she ends up writing some articles for the New York Post. Unfortunately, Salome does not do well in school and ends up not finishing as she is deemed slow. This is to her detriment as her skill set is very limited as an adult and it is difficult for her to keep a job. Her repeated mistakes at her job make it so her coworkers do not like her and Salome can do nothing but go home and be sad about it.

I really enjoyed Max and Salome's story as it was both sad and humbling to hear about two women who never really had a chance in life. The book skipped years and is not in chronological order. This made the story a bit hard to follow and to really know the age of the characters because it covers so many decades from the 1930s to 2005. The characters in this book were colorful and likable. The gentleness of Emmett and his sad ending broke my heart and Mr. Zwerling was such a kind-hearted man. The simplicity of life back then was so different from the busy lives of today. The descriptions of the neighborhoods, the small shops and restaurants, and the quality of life of the people during the 40s and 50s are well-written and I felt as if I was sharing Max and Salome's experiences with them. This is a beautiful story perfect for fans of historical fiction.


Exiles' Escape: Book Two of Old Men and Infidels

Over a hundred years in the future, America as we know it has split into two and become all but unrecognizable. Along the east coast, the Democratic Unity is seemingly a haven for youth and innovation, but its core is, unsurprisingly, rotten. The rest of America has grown just as strange, filled with carnivorous plants, some of which are very nearly human.

Between these two worlds, Malila Chiu is doing her best to escape the former for the latter. It may be dangerous, but at least there she will have people she can rely on. At least there, she has a chance to survive.

Exiles’ Escape is the second in a series, and while I was for the most part able to follow the story, I would recommend reading Outland Exile first. Boutwell provides a brief synopsis and has the characters reflect on what led them to their current circumstances, which I found very helpful. All the same, I couldn’t help but think there were some details I was missing that kept me from understanding the plot as well as I would like. Because of this, I erred on the side of caution and gave the book four stars rather than three. Some of my confusion may have come from trying to jump into the middle of a story and naturally missing some elements.

I don’t think all of it was due to my having missed the first book, though, especially as the story went on. Characters would drop out of the narrative only to suddenly pop up when their story intersected with someone else’s, and any explanation for how they got there came after the fact. Sometimes this can work, but in my opinion, Boutwell was not able to pull it off very well. It felt too coincidental, as though they appeared only because that was where they were supposed to come back into the story, rather than because they would have come there naturally. It shook my suspension of disbelief and kept me from giving the book a full five stars.

Even with my suspension of disbelief shaken, Exiles’ Escape is a very interesting book. Boutwell has created an intriguing world, and I wish he could have delved more deeply into exploring it. I intend to look for Outland Exile to see whether it has more information on the setting, which I found more intriguing than the characters. That doesn’t always bode well in science fiction, but in this case, I only minded because I wanted to see more.


In 2129, the United States of America is no longer a proud nation. The country has been ripped apart by domestic discord. Major cities have been overrun by revolutionaries, power snatched from the politicians in Washington and taken by dissident hordes. The Democratic Unity is now running things. Malila Chiu, seventeen years old, is a fugitive from the Unity and its soldiers of repression. Malila wants to cross the enemy barrier known as the “Rampart” and head for an area undetectable by the encroaching surveillance state.

Jesse Johnstone is a living breathing legend. He is not only a renowned soldier, but at seventy-six years old, he is the oldest man around. Jesse is also a symbol of the resistance to the growing new world order and a target for assassination. Jesse and Malila had found shelter with one another, but the peril involved with them staying together proved too grave. Jesse is highly sought after for his counsel.

William Yeats Butler hailed from Searcy, Arkansas. His youth was marked by slow development and sheltered existence. As he grew, he learned to fight the bullies by utilizing his smarts. William is particularly adept with a computer. He is approached by the government to serve and is utilized in an experiment for super soldiers. Once trained, William is hunting rebels of the Unity.

Hecate is an exile who is assumed dead from an alleged suicide. In reality, she has unplugged from the surveillance state and is determined to stay gone. While on the run, she encounters a scavenger of human misery intent on making her his captive. Her battle for survival has taken on new dimensions.

The landscape Malila, Jesse, William, and Hecate share is grim and getting more so daily.

Exiles’ Escape is the second book in author W. Clark’s Boutwell’s planned trilogy (Of Old Men and Infidels), and it doesn’t disappoint for a second. The parallels between the current political divide and the not-too-distant future illustrated are alarming. A stark portrait of a dystopian misery where paranoia is warranted, friends are few, and death offers sweet release.

The narrative shifts between the perspectives of the heroines, anti-heroes, and antagonists in a seamless fashion, the action developing and delivered with efficiency. The need for survival in an unfriendly world is essential, but not guaranteed. The specter of a fractionalized nation, where order is only a step removed from chaos, is frightening. However, the upside lies in the resistance and the resolve of those who compose it.

Exiles Escape wows as an intense science fiction drama that will leave the reader waiting for the next installment with bated breath.


Outland Exile, the first book in W. Clark Boutwell’s Old Men and Infidels series, introduced Second Lieutenant Malila Chiu, a seventeen-year-old veteran military officer in a post-apocalyptic world where the all-powerful Democratic Unity enforces a youth-focused regime centered on technological innovation. After a period of exile in the supposedly lawless and barren Outlands caused Malila to question everything she had been told, she became a potential threat to Eustace Jourdaine, would-be leader of the Unity, and so was scheduled for either death or psychological reprogramming. Fortunately, the skills that Malila learned during her exile allowed her to escape that fate, and after faking her death, to also escape from the Unity.

In Exiles’ Escape, the reality of her precarious situation quickly catches up with Malila. She may have temporarily escaped the clutches of Jourdaine and the forces of the Unity, but she’s now alone in “the fetid chaos of EastFiladelfya,” without the clothes and technology she has become accustomed to, her only hope being to find a way back to Jesse and the allies she made in the Outlands. She’s also without the help of Edie—her personal on-board/brain computer—for the first time since she was ten years old, which means she’s really going to have to do her thinking for herself. Meanwhile, Malila’s friend Hecate has also faked her death and is now embarking on her own difficult journey toward freedom, while Jesse is on his way to confront both his former comrades and his feelings for Malila. As all this unfolds, Jourdaine is plotting to consolidate his power and finally vanquish his enemies, including Malila.

Exiles’ Escape is set in a dystopian near-future in which civilization has collapsed, war is raging, political corruption is rife, and ordinary people seem to suffer whatever they do. A significant amount of world-building took place in Outland Exile, which means that Boutwell makes reference to various concepts, situations, and technologies in this second volume in the saga that could prove confusing for new readers, although he does also provide a brief recap and a timeline of earlier events. Ultimately, while Exiles’ Escape could be read as a stand-alone story, starting with the first volume is recommended.

The story itself is told from the differing perspectives of various main characters, including Malila, Jesse, Hecate, Jourdaine, and Edie, which allows Boutwell to further develop their individual storylines and extend the overall plot in different directions. However, although much of Exiles’ Escape is told through dialogue, he doesn’t quite manage to give the characters distinct voices, which detracts from the story somewhat. This lack of convincing voices also means that some of the relationships between the characters don’t quite ring true. In fact, it unfortunately seems like Boutwell dedicated more thought and effort to constructing a convincing environment for his story than to ensuring it is populated by engaging characters.


Exiles' Escape: Book Two of Old Men and Infidels picks up where Outland Exile ends, with Malila Chiu on the run, following her faked suicide and her escape from Jourdaine—whose "loyalty exercise" could have killed her. Broken in rank for her crimes, seventeen-year-old former DUFS officer, Malila, endures several daunting challenges on her way to freedom. Since her body did not surface within three days, Jourdaine considers that she faked her own suicide. Consequently, he ponders the need to "take the charm out of" her charmed life and punish the girl that has become a liability to his rule. Follow Malila Chiu on her mission to remain free in a world plagued by mind-controlling drugs, inhumane leadership, sensation-poor babies, zombie armies, and various atrocities.

Walter Clark Boutwell creates a seriously creative fictional world that appears incredibly real, as it is highly intricate and well-developed. I liked that the book explores different interesting things that could develop if people had forty years to live, like age becoming part of names and "people being introduced with their age class". That people are tricked into believing a simulation is the real world in the story makes me wonder how much of my values and goal were inherited from hidden agendas. I also loved the characters. Hecate's determination to keep going, despite the challenges she faces, is quite inspiring. Her calculated coldness and ability to strike when it's least expected sent a chill down my spine. And I liked that Malila displays some comical nonchalance and boldness in some situations, like when she decided to eat a sausage at gunpoint.

Though the book fascinated me in some aspects, it failed to impress me in some other areas. First, the story seemed to focus too much on the world, and it did not follow a clear, engrossing direction. Too much politicking, power moves, and scientific work are going on; emotional, relatable elements, like deep friendship and sacrifice, are minor. Secondly, the details and directions are overwhelming, and a big part of the time I spent on the book was consumed by memorizing and recalling information about the various characters, goals, and governmental practices, instead of enjoying the flow of the narrative.

Exiles' Escape is one of those books that make you contemplate some possibilities you have never imagined before, which forces you to reexamine your own reality and how society is structured. The book is best suited for fans of futuristic, sci-fi, and dystopian narratives. It might not keep you up at night, but it will definitely engage your mind.


Dark Money and Private Spies

My jaw dropped more than once reading Everett Stern’s story, Dark Money and Private Spies. Telling the tale of how he became the HSBC whistleblower, I was blown away by the cards Stern was thrown and the unwavering courage he possessed. If you like true stories about fraud, money laundering, surveillance, and espionage, you will really enjoy this book.

Stern had a complex childhood. Although riddled with much good, he still faced quite a few life-changing circumstances. Between the burning down of his home, being bullied for his stutter, and losing his best friend in a car accident, Stern went through a lot before he became an adult. Undeniably, the hardest circumstance he went through at this time was losing his best friend. Stern writes that at sixteen he hit rock bottom, refusing to even get out of bed and sleeping for days on end. Fortunately, through this horrific tragedy, he finds his purpose - to stop injustice and fight for what’s right.

This purpose is what fuels Stern’s determination to take down HSBC later on in his life. After working as an intern on Wall Street, Stern decides that kind of lifestyle is not one he can sustain. Therefore, he moves on to college, and eventually in search of his first, full-time job. Although unqualified, he applies at HSBC to be an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and gets the phone call to interview just minutes later. Ignoring obvious red flags, Stern takes the position and soon realizes that HSBC is beyond corrupt. Both his colleagues and supervisors do not actually file SARS (Suspicious Activity Reports) about activity that is clearly suspicious. No one actually looked into the alerts they were getting, rather just blindly pressed the “clear” button. Stern is quick to notice that it seems HSBC purposefully hires people who have no idea what they are doing to fund terrorism, drug cartels, and other highly illegal organizations. With HSBC’s international presence, officers like Stern were funding enemies all over the world. Needless to say, after realizing the gravity of this, Stern questions his supervisors who basically tell him to be quiet and just do his job. However, with a “why” of fighting injustice, Stern rightly refuses to go down that easily. From this moment, he takes drastic action to take down HSBC, including contacting the CIA and becoming the HSBC whistleblower. Stern continues to fight HSBC to this day (an organization somehow still running) in addition to many other personal accomplishments. An absolutely incredible story, I highly encourage you to dive into Stern’s story riddled with secrets, mystery, and surprises.


My Imaginary Mary

Mary Godwin has basically one option in nineteenth-century Europe, and that’s to get married. Percy Shelley seems like a likely candidate, but she dreams of writing and doing her own thing with literature. Ada Lovelace is in a similar predicament, but she yearns for time and space to manipulate math and create automatons with her mentor, Mr. Babbage. When the girls learn they are fae, it seems like a great time to combine their fae skills to build the ultimate automaton, creating something even more amazing than Mr. Babbage has done with Ada’s work. However, their fae magic goes farther than they expect when combined with the power of lightning. The two girls create something beyond a mere machine and must run away to the continent to keep their creation safe.

Suffice it to say that no one in history is immune to these alternate history romps. While not historically accurate, the story is delightful in its references to contemporary pop culture (though some readers may miss the mark for the younger intended audience) and to beloved classic stories. A sweet, slowly simmering romance and strong feminism undercurrents make this a worthy addition to the authors’ alternate timeline tales.


Fenris & Mott

A wonderful adventure rooted in Norse mythology, Fenris & Mott is an amazing novel. It begins with Mott attempting to record a video about root beer, when she discovers a small, white puppy. She brings it to a vet to check for microchips and the vet informs her that the puppy is, in fact, a wolf. The wolf escapes the vet, and Mott has a strange encounter with a man who calls the wolf Fenris, devourer of gods.

This kicks off her adventure, during which she encounters numerous beings found in Norse myth, ranging from gods to a giant. With help from a Valkyrie, Mott does everything in her power to stop Ragnarok and save Fenris from a fate he doesn't deserve.

This was an awesome book. It was very fun to read and took an interesting approach to Norse mythology. The character Thrundi was one of my favorites, she helped Mott in her quest while learning the ways of Midgard. I would recommend this book to kids from sixth to eighth grade, especially those interested in mythology and adventure.


The Animal Toolkit: How Animals Use Tools

We know animals are all special in their own way, but many animals have one-of-a-kind adaptations to help them survive the wild. Like, did you know some birds' beaks are different from others depending on what they eat? Did you know monkeys use tools to help them survive in the wild and find food? This book is full of fun facts about animals and their adaptations that set them apart from others.

This book has really cute and colorful illustrations of each animal. I like that the text is a bite-sized amount of information and helps readers to stay focused. My favorite part of the book is how smart the Octopus is and how he makes himself a mobile home in the ocean. This is a really fun book to help readers learn about animal adaptations.


Night on the Sand

A tumultuous storm rolls in, leaving two siblings homeless and afraid. Their parents are nowhere in sight; all that remains is each other, a single blanket, and a small orange. Together, they walk until their feet reach the sand. As the Moon looks down on them, they slumber on the beach. Others are among them, facing their same fate. In the morning, they each do their part, knowing it’s the only way to survive. One casts his pole, while another gathers firewood. Soon, in the far distance, a boat comes into view. As it pulls up to the seashore, the refugees’ fears transform into aspirations.

This is a beautifully woven story of hope, love, community, and resilience. It’s unique in that the author gives voice to the youngest child, allowing readers to see the experience through his eyes. The pages are sprinkled with imagery and symbolism: from the soft, delicate sand along the seashore to the tiny, round orange the brothers grasp so tightly. The illustrations emanate warmth and feature gorgeous color schemes. They bring the narrative to life. Children will feel the brothers’ hunger as the hours of their journey wear on, and they will celebrate their joy when the tides turn in their direction.


Frances and the Monster

Frances and the Monster is a thrilling tale of adventure and suspense. In this novel, Frances Stenzel, daughter of two talented inventors, is left behind on a trip to a convention at Brussels. Instead of getting to see cool inventions, she is stuck at home in her family's mansion, which she hasn't left in over seven years.

She is left in the care of H.O.B.B.E.S., a new robotic tutor programmed specifically to care for her. In an effort to get rid of her tutor, she awakens a terrifying monster, which escapes and heads toward the nearby town. With the still functioning head of H.O.B.B.E.S., she embarks on a journey to recapture the monster before it can do any harm. Along the way, she makes a new friend and new enemies, and she even starts to understand H.O.B.B.E.S. better.

This book was extremely well written. The world building and story were amazing, and the characters were dynamic and relatable. I would recommend this book to kids from sixth grade to tenth grade, especially if they like adventure novels.


Sweetwater and the Witch

January 2023 Romance Roundup-Fall Head Over Heels

Sweetwater and the Witch
Jayne Castle
Penguin Publishing Group
ISBN: 9780593440254

When matchmaker Ravenna and her client Ethan Sweetwater find that they can help one another out by being each other’s dates, they end up falling in love. Add in some action and espionage, and you have yourself a romantic thriller. Part romance, and suspense, with a little science fiction thrown in, this one is a pageturner.

Where We End & Begin
Jane Igharo
Berkley
ISBN: 9780593440230

When Dunni goes back to her home country of Nigeria for a wedding, she finds herself falling in love again with her high school sweetheart, Obinna. But will their present situation and past collide? When secrets are revealed, will she and Obinna end up together or will it tear them apart? This romantic novel will have readers clutching their hearts and hoping for the best.

Vanessa Jared's Got a Man
LaQuette
St. Martin's Publishing Group
ISBN: 9781250773395

Vanessa Jared is getting back on her feet and focusing on taking care of herself. That is until a sexy sheriff asks her to help him. The sheriff’s little sister is about to marry Vanessa’s ex. When Vanessa finds out she has Vanessa’s grandmother’s ring she knows she has to help the sheriff. This book will have readers cheering for Vanessa as she finds love and gets a little revenge on her ex at the same time.

Something in the Heir
Suzanne Enoch
St. Martin's Publishing Group
ISBN: 9781250842527

Heiress Emmeline Pershing and her husband William lead very satisfying lives. But when her grandfather, the Duke of Welshire, summons Emmeline and William, and their two made-up children to his birthday, they end up bringing two orphans to the celebration. What pursues is chaos, a bit of madness, and even a little rekindled romance. Readers will love this creative romance novel.

The Viper
J R Ward
Gallery Books
ISBN: 9781982179908

Kane is in prison after he is framed for murder. An empathetic nurse named Nadya takes to him. When Kane makes a life changing decision, he goes to see Nadya even though doing so collides with his past and possibly his future. Can Kane’s soul be saved with true love? This prison camp romance is dark and action-filled.


Little Blue Truck Makes a Friend

Little Blue Truck is driving on the farm when he and Toad hear that there is a new animal to meet. As Little Blue Truck drives through the farm, each farm animal wonders if the new animal friend will make a sound like they do. Duck also wonders if the new friend will be able to swim or float. The animals keep following Little Blue Truck to the countryside when suddenly they see a home unlike their homes on the farm. This house is a hole in the hill.

Read this book to find out what animal lives in the side of the hill. This is a really cute book. It has very colorful illustrations. I really like this book for young readers like my sister because it helps them to learn about farm animals and the sounds they make.


Little Good Wolf

We have all heard of the Big Bad Wolf, but has anyone heard of the Little Good Wolf? In the Big Bad Forest there lives a family of wolves, but the baby wolf is unlike his dad, Big Bad Wolf. Little Good Wolf wants to be good, so his family sends him to Bad School to learn from other bad creatures how to be bad. On his way home from Bad School, Little Wolf gets lost in the forest. His parents miss him so much they decide to try to make some better choices for their son, and not make him be bad.

This was an incredible spin on a classic story. I really like this book. The illustrations of the baddies are amazing. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a new take on an old favorite.


A Participatory Economy

There are many complaints about capitalism and the impact it has on individuals and society, yet many times efforts by socialists and leftists to describe an economic system that would replace capitalism and not just become a state dictatorship often fall flat or leave out many pertinent details. This book is a step in the direction of working out in detail what a participatory economy would look like and how it would be much better for the individual and the environment, though there are still many details to work out. One issue that keeps cropping up is having workers' councils run the show at companies or plants, but the question becomes how do you stop them from becoming dictatorships and an individual gaining complete control. Also, while it is a nice idea, I am not sure it will be something that happens in my lifetime, as there would need to be a radical change that generally occurs at the same time across the entire world. Getting people to agree locally is one thing; getting people to agree across countries is something else. I think the change will continue to be small and piecemeal for the time being. But a good start at filling in the details.


The Icarus Plot

Timothy Zahn is a mainstay in the field of science fiction, putting out new novels at a prodigious and steady clip, oftentimes in the Star Wars/em> universe and other times original works. This book falls into the latter category. This book will not be a barn burner or one that might stick with you for a long time, but it is a fun read with a fast moving plot that keeps the action going right through to the end, even if the ending is a little bit predictable.

Greogry Roarke leads a ragtag group taking jobs in exploring worlds as potential colonization locations, even if it is slightly dangerous and does not pay much. But a job comes along that promises to be a big payday and provide enough funds for the crew to do something else other than scrounge for money when the Icarus project returns six years after it disappeared. The Icarus project is something everyone is after and serves as the McGuffin of the work, as people often talk about it but is not seen very much itself. Overall, a fast-paced, quick, and enjoyable read.


Hello, Moon

A little boy and his mother see the moon outside their window. They decide to go out into the cold winter night and say hello to the moon. After they visit with the moon a while, they say good night and promise to come another night. When they next see the moon, the little boy says some of it has disappeared, but his mom explains that the moon is just hiding a bit of his face and that as time goes on, the moon will hide more and more of his face until they will have a night with no moon they can see. The stars seem to shine brighter and the boy and his mother can see many, many more. That night is called the new moon.

Evan Turk has written and illustrated a sweet story that will help children to learn about the phases of the moon as it waxes and wanes. The dark, rich colors of the illustrations perfectly mimic winter nights, drawing youngsters into the story, and the spare, lyrical language will settle them down for the night. This is a lovely bedtime book.


Peg and Rose Solve a Murder: A Charming and Humorous Cozy Mystery (A Senior Sleuths Mystery)

Peg and Rose are sisters-in-law. But they have never seen eye to eye. In fact, they can't stand one another. So it comes as a big surprise when Rose asks Peg to become her bridge partner at a local community center. Even more surprising, while they are trying to repair their decades-long frayed relationship, a member of their bridge club is murdered. What better way for Rose and Peg to overcome their differences than by trying to find out what really happened to Stan and flush out a killer at the same time. If only they could stay out of harm's way while nosing about in everyone's affairs. And time will tell whether or not these sisters-in-law will finally be able to bury the hatchet and ultimately become friends.

This is a fun novel with strong female characters and lots of canine fun. Local shenanigans keep this story moving toward an exciting end that I hadn't anticipated. Anyone who loves dogs, especially poodles, dog shows, and silver-haired sleuths, will enjoy this new cozy mystery series by Lauren Berenson.


Annette Feels Free: The True Story of Annette Kellerman, World-Class Swimmer, Fashion Pioneer, and Real-Life Mermaid

Annette Feels Free is a heart-warming story based on the real-life events of “The Original Mermaid”, Annette Kellerman. Growing up in a musical household, Annette loved to dance. However, at 6 years old her legs suddenly became weak and she was fitted for braces. Since she was unable to dance, her father encouraged her to move freely in the water. Annette practiced everyday until she was one of the fastest swimmers in Australia! She performed creative water ballets and audiences were astounded by her talents.

This book will inspire children to preserve through challenges to achieve success. Annette was also a pioneer for the women’s rights movement. She thought it was unfair that men could swim in sleek suits while she was forced to swim in bulky clothes. She fought for the right to wear an equal amount of clothing and achieved victory! Her invention of the women’s bathing suit was quickly popularized and worn by women all over the world. She also continued to teach women to dive and swim, leading to the creation of synchronized swimming. The author of this story, Katie Mazeika drew inspiration from Annette’s perseverence  when she encountered physical obstacles of her own. The end of the book recounts the author’s personal journey as well as a more detailed history of Annette’s accomplishments.  I highly recommend this story for all children ages four through ten.


Alice Nizzy Nazzy

The author has transported the Russian folklore figure Baba Yaga to the Southwestern United States and renamed her Alice Nizzy Nazzy. Like the folklore witch, Alice likes to eat children. Imagine the danger when little Manuela’s sheep ventures into her realm. Even Alice’s house is dangerous; it is surrounded by cactus, which follows the fleet-footed house through the desert. The nasty villain has a horned lizard for a pet. The author does a good job in updating this story and creating such a brave heroine, but I have a partiality to the illustrations of Tomie dePaola, which add so much to the tale. The pictures are desert beautiful, with reds, blues, and oranges staging the scenes. There are classic illustrators of children’s literature, and dePaola is paramount among them. The author has written over one hundred other books. Even though we know that poor Manuela will end up in the cooking pot, she is sure to overcome this unfortunate obstacle. This tale is sure to be scary enough to delight and charm any child, regardless of their age.


Becoming Blue

Becoming Blue is the story of a blue-colored square who wants to be just like the red-colored circle; it seems like Red has more fun than Blue. Red can make people do things, like stop, but when Blue tries, no one listens to him. Red tells good jokes, but Blue doesn't do so well. Red gets upset with Blue for trying to copy him, which makes Blue have to figure out what he's good at and how to be himself. By the end, Red and Blue figure out how to be their best together.

Becoming Blue is about not comparing yourself to other people and finding what makes you happy or what you are best at doing. All people are different from each other, so we can't be exactly like anyone else. I like that Blue and Red figure out how they can be better friends by being "together" and blending their talents. I felt bad for Blue during the story, but then I felt bad for Red, who didn't like Blue copying him, and then I felt happy for them both.