What a week! I’ve been working really hard to clean up my eARCS and catch up on reviews, and I’m ALMOST there. I managed to finish 7 (!) books this week with the long weekend, but that was my final big push and I anticipate slowing down for the next while. I copied over my reviews for the first five books, but I didn’t have a chance to write the last two which is why there’s no description for them.

WHAT I READ THIS WEEK

The Shadow Prince by David Anthony Durham (Sept 28/21) (5 stars). Wow. I’m shocked there are only two Goodreads ratings for this book because it’s one of the best books I’ve read this year. Set for release on September 28th, I think readers who enjoy high-action, fast-paced fantasies will LOVE it. Ash grew up in a small village in the desert, but the night before his twelfth birthday, he discovers that his guardian, Tazen, has been training him for the opportunity to become Prince Khufu’s shadow. It’s a position given to someone born on the same day as the prince who will become the life-long bodyguard and confidant to the future pharaoh. Ash must compete in five days of deadly competitions led by Egyptian gods and be the last one standing to earn the honour. The contestants have no idea that one of the gods is determined to see them all fail and secretly sabotages the competitions. Some of the contestants are willing to do whatever it takes to win, including cheating and lying. But Ash finds two contestants that become his friends, and the trio is determined to find a way to make it to the end together.

I’m not a big fan of long books (this one is 400 pages), but I was sucked in from the beginning and raced through it. It’s promoted as a “solarpunk novel set in an alternate Egyptian universe,” and it felt a little bit like a middle-grade version of The Hunger Games at times.

The Nightsilver Promise by Annaliese Avery (Dec 7/21) (4.5 stars). Annaliese Avery’s MG debut, THE NIGHTSILVER PROMISE, will be released in Canada on December 7th (it’s available now to request on Edelweiss+), but I was thrilled when the author sent me a copy of the book currently available in the UK. As many of you know, Annaliese is the person responsible for #MGBooktober and the force behind the creation of MG Book Village, so it’s an absolute pleasure to see her publishing dreams come to reality after she’s given so much to the MG community. Paisley has been not-so-patiently waiting to find out her destiny. Each person gets a mark on their wrist that maps out their life, and Paisley has waited 13 years to get hers. But when the day finally arrives, she discovers that it foretells her death in the next year. Paisley is determined to find a way to determine her own track, but as her mother, Violetta, is proving that the Celestial Physicists who govern their world are wrong, she goes missing and is presumed dead. Paisley and her brother, Dax, must figure out what knowledge their mother has that makes her such a threat while keeping a family secret that could make the siblings even bigger targets. But the Dark Dragon cares nothing for science and is convinced that Violetta’s research will give her the power to return the dragons to their world and avenge past wrongs. Paisley must outrun her own fate and save her family (and the world) before the Dark Dragon fulfills her destiny.

There is some fantastic world-building in this book, and it felt like each page had some detail that kept us immersed in a place so different from our own. I loved Paisley and her determination to chart her course despite the odds against her. I also loved her fierce and protective devotion to her brother, her intelligence, and her resilience as she endures overwhelming circumstances and betrayal. The story moved quickly, and I had a hard time putting it down. It has a science-fiction feel even though it’s considered a fantasy, and I enjoyed how it explored both aspects and how they could impact each other.

Taking The Ice by Lorna Schultz Nicholson (Sept 7/21) (4 stars). Hockey books are so popular in my library that I sat down to read this one right away. It comes out today (happy book birthday, Lorna!) from Scholastic, so I suggest you order a copy for your classroom or library before hockey pucks start to fly. Aiden Mallory is the son of a well-known NHL player. After his dad dies in a car accident, rumours swirl about what really caused the crash, and Aiden has to deal with the funny looks and lies he hears from people around him. To make matters worse, Aiden and his mom move from Florida back to his parent’s hometown in Canada so they can help care for his grandpa. Aiden loves to play hockey, but he faces the ghost of his dad’s legacy everywhere he turns. He tries to follow in his dad’s footsteps as a leader both on and off the ice, but the drama caused by a certain toxic teammate challenges him every step of the way. Aiden has to figure out how to stay true to himself, make some new friends, and manage the anxiety that comes along with it.

Relationships are key for me in any story, and my favourite one in this book is the bond that grows between Aiden and his dad’s former mentor, Ned. It’s difficult for Aiden to talk about his dad, but he finds comfort in the stories that Ned has to share. Aiden’s kindness toward Ned (who has a brain injury and is often ridiculed by others) also endeared me to him. Although Aiden’s grandpa has memory issues, he coached his dad as a kid, and it’s heartwarming to watch the two connect over hockey. I also enjoyed watching the hockey team develop and how the camaraderie grew outside the arena. Aiden’s anxiety is an important element of the story, and I like how the author included it without making it the story’s focus.

Violets are Blue by Barbara Dee (Sept 28/21) (4.5 stars). I really enjoy this author’s books, and this one is no exception. She has a gift for writing about tough topics in a very middle-grade appropriate way and bringing light to issues from a unique angle with sensitivity and insight. This book is a realistic fiction story about Wren, who develops a passion for special effects makeup by watching Youtube videos. Her new step-mom encourages her by purchasing expensive products for her, but Wren hides them from her mom so she doesn’t feel guilty that she can’t afford to buy them for Wren, too. Wren’s mom threatens to take away her computer if she doesn’t get involved in some social activity at her new school, so Wren auditions to do the makeup for the school play. Her artistic skills impress her new friend, but they also attract an admirer Wren doesn’t want. Wren also notices changes in her mom, who locks her bedroom door and keeps an erratic work schedule that she sometimes forgets to communicate to Wren. Wren doesn’t say anything because she doesn’t want her mom to think she’s talking to her dad behind her back, but when her mom’s secrets become too big to hide, Wren has to find a way to accept the imperfections in herself and her two families.

I enjoyed reading about a character interested in special effects makeup and watching her technique and interest grow throughout the novel. Wren’s struggle to find her place in two very different families felt authentic, as did her mom’s reaction and Wren’s desire to tread carefully for fear of upsetting her. The reader saw the narcotics addiction through the eyes of a young person who didn’t understand what was happening and fostered empathy for the guilt that Wren experienced. I found the story flowed very well and kept me engaged.

A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser (Apr 15/22) (4.5 stars). I am a HUGE fan of the Vanderbeekers series, so I was thrilled to hear that the author has a standalone novel scheduled for April 2022. I requested an eARC from Edelweiss+ as soon as it was available and read it immediately. This wonderful story takes a look at the issue of homelessness in New York City while also focusing on family, community, and advocacy for social justice. The story is told from the perspectives of June and Tyrell, two teens who live at Huey House, which is a family homeless shelter. June, her younger sister Maybelle, and their mom arrive at Huey House, unsure about their circumstances after being evicted from their apartment. Their mom is uncommunicative, so June has taken on caring for Maybelle, and she’s distraught when she learns she can’t bring her beloved viola into the shelter as instruments aren’t allowed. Tyrell and his mom have spent almost three years there, and he’s best friends with Jeremiah, who also lives there with his mom, and they attend the same nearby school. Tyrell’s mom has trouble keeping a job, and he’s content to stay at the shelter where he has a network of people who care about him. After a rocky start, June and Tyrell become friends and bond over a shared love of music. But the government is trying to force families out of Huey House and into different (and often unsafe) accommodations to get more homeless people off the street. The pair come up with an idea to draw attention to the government proposal but will anyone listen?

What I love most about the author’s books is how community plays such a huge role, and this story is no different. The residents and staff of Huey House support each other, and there are very tight bonds between several of them. The family support worker, Ms. G., is one of my favourite characters as she genuinely cares about the families who live there and wants to see them succeed. Although each family has serious challenges, hope also lives in Huey House, and the government’s plans threaten to destroy it. I love that readers will understand some of the politics behind homelessness, and these characters will also challenge the misconceptions many may have about homeless people. It’s a heartwarming story about a serious topic, where harsh realities aren’t sugar-coated but handled sensitively for a middle-grade audience.

Golden Gate by James Ponti (Mar 9/21) (4.5 stars)

Forbidden City by James Ponti (Feb 1/22) (4 stars)

WHAT I’M READING THIS WEEKEND

I’m currently reading The School Between Winter and Fairyland by Heather Fawcett, and I bought Born Between Bars by Padma Venkatraman this week (both released on Sept 7th) so it will be next.

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WHAT POPPED UP ON MY RADAR

• Here are a few books that weren’t on my radar before this week, but that I’d really like to read:

• Obie is Many Enough by Schuyler Bailar (Sept 7/21)

• Sunny Days Inside by Caroline Adderson (Aug 3/21)

• Impyrium by Henry H. Neff (Oct 11/16)

• The MG Book Village 2022 Release Calendar is already well populated with upcoming titles for next year.

MG LIT ONLINE BOOK CLUB

In case you missed our fall line-up, here’s everything you need to know to join us. You don’t need to read the book to attend and everyone is welcome.

FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” – William James

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

August is kicking my butt! I can’t remember the last time I’ve been so ready for a month to be over, and I know we’re not even halfway through it yet. Since our family is now fully vaccinated and there is a lull in COVID here in Manitoba, we’re making doctor and dentist appointments, getting the fireplace fixed, catching up with family that we haven’t seen in many months…and it’s exhausting. Many nights I sit down with a book and end up falling asleep while reading. I’ve only read 5 books so far this month, which is way below average for me, and I have at least 11 eARCs that come out in September that need to be read (how I ended up with that many to read when I planned to step away from reviewing is a whole other blog post). Hopefully I can make up for some lost time in the second half of the month.

WHAT I READ THIS WEEK

I only finished one book this week, Escape to Witch City by E. Latimer. I think my reading mood affected my enjoyment of it, so it doesn’t feel fair to review it here. You can check out the summary on Goodreads and read the reviews for more information about it.

WHAT I’M READING THIS WEEKEND

I’m working Saturdays for the month of August, so my reading time is reduced on the weekends. I’m planning to read Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker (illustrated by Jon Klassen) as I doing an interview with the author for an upcoming post at MG Book Village.

WHAT POPPED UP ON MY RADAR

• Did you see that Forbidden City, the third book in the City Spies series by James Ponti, has a cover and a release date
• Mr. Schu also revealed the cover for Ernesto Cisneros’s upcoming book Falling Short.
• Karina Yan Glaser has a standalone novel coming out in Spring 2022, and here’s the cover reveal for A Duet For Home

BIT ABOUT BOOKS SUMMER 2021 READING CHALLENGE UPDATE

I recently finished the challenge, and I really loved the mix of books and summer-themed activities.

#30BOOKSIN3MONTHS

I also finished the #30Booksin3Months challenge where I was keeping track of the middle-grade books I read.

FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Your opinions and feelings about my life are your responsibility, not mine” by Dr. Rebecca Ray

What a month! July saw a bit of a return to normalcy for our family with haircuts, out-of-town work travel, hanging out with friends, and getting together with family. Our library reopened to the public, so the days have been busier and it’s wonderful to reconnect with patrons. I’m also finishing Week 3 of Jess Keating’s Epic Authors Academy course which has really been transformational for me.

In terms of reading, I finished 16 books this month, but somehow found my Kindle loaded with eARCs to read in August. I’m having trouble keeping up with the unreasonable expectations I place on myself every summer to read more even though it’s my busiest time at the library. I’m hoping to take some pressure off myself in August to read at a more leisurely pace and incorporate more writing time into my life.

STATS

I read a number of great books this month, most of which were physical books I either purchased or borrowed from the library.

BIT ABOUT BOOKS SUMMER 2021 READING CHALLENGE UPDATE

I finished the challenge this week, and I really loved the mix of books and summer-themed activities.

#30BOOKSIN3MONTHS

I also finished the #30Booksin3Months challenge where I was keeping track of the middle-grade books I read.

Next Month

I have 14 eARCs and physical ARCs to read so I’m hoping to focus on those. I completed two months of the #bookpostaday challenge on Instagram and though I’d love to make it until the end of August, we’ll see where this month takes me.

Jess Keating’s Epic Author’s Academy course is fantastic, and I’ve been spending a lot of time examining “should” statements. This has overflowed into my reading life. I gave up the schedule for #bookpostaday that caused me stress because I couldn’t keep up. I picked up books I wanted to read instead of ones I felt I should discuss. And most importantly, I feel like it’s time for me to share more openly what I feel about what I’m reading. I know the feedback I most enjoy helps me think about what I’m reading in a new way. You’ll see a bit more “real” talk in my comments, and I hope it helps you think more about what you’re reading, too.

WHAT I READ THIS WEEK

Battle Dragons: City of Thieves by Alex London (Sept 21/21) (4 stars). I’m surprised there isn’t more buzz surrounding this book because I think it will be extremely popular with young readers (I will be adding it to my library’s collection as soon as possible). It reminded me a lot of Jinxed by Amy McCulloch. Abel lives in a Drakopolis, a city where dragons are used for transport and are as common as buses and taxi. Dragons also like to fight, though, and there is an underground world of dragon fighting that happens between the different gangs that control the city and its neighborhoods. Abel has always wanted to fly a dragon but he failed his failed his rider exam and that dream went out the window…until the night his sister swears him to secrecy and leaves him with clues that lead him to a stolen dragon. Abel finds himself in the middle of a turf war, with family secrets and loyalties that come into question, and a dragon that only wants him to be its rider despite his lack of training and the danger involved. It’s an excellent start to a new upper middle-grade series, and I will definitely be anticipating the next book in the series.

The Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg Sloan (Mar 2/21).

I heard so many people rave about this book, and I understand why. I also loved this story about a girl missing her mom who befriends a lonely older man and how an elephant helps draw them out of their sadness and reconnects them to the bigger world around them. Watching young and old characters find a way to help each other and develop relationships are some of my favourite elements of a story, and I felt like this one did that beautifully. I spent a lot of time wondering about the autistic representation of the main character’s friend. When an author doesn’t belong to the community of one of their main characters, and there’s no mention of a sensitivity reader or research they did to help write the character, red flags go up for me. That question kept me from really connecting to the story. I also didn’t enjoy a couple of chapters included from the perspective of the animals in the story.

Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse (Jan 14/20) I put off reading this book for a long time because I know the author has come under fire from a well-respected children’s book advocate, but I decided to read it because I enjoyed other books by this publisher, and the storyline intrigued me. It’s about a young girl who can see monsters and has to save her family from a creature who wants to take advantage of her brother’s powers. It’s a story about family, connection to heritage (the children’s mother is Navajo), and a quest to obtain the weapons needed to destroy the monsters. I found the story a bit busy; I love books with quests and scavenger hunts, but this felt like too many things being sought rather than developing 2-3 items of significance. I look forward to hearing feedback from young readers as it’s on the shorter side of books from this publisher, and many appeal to more readers.

Sorry for Your Loss by Joanne Levy (Oct 12/21) (4.5 stars). I remember reading the adult nonfiction book Curtains: Adventures of an Undertaker-In-Training by Tom Jokinen and being fascinated by the hidden world of funeral homes and what happens behind the scenes. I love the way this book starts off with the author’s letter to readers about how she wanted to provide some of that information for kids because what happens after we die is a valid question that many kids want to know. In this story, Evie works in her family’s funeral home, and want to become the funeral director when she gets older. She helps her parents with jobs like making sure there’s enough Kleenex and cleaning before services, but she hasn’t seen a body or been part of the Jewish rituals that take place prior to a funeral. When a boy whose lost both of his parents in a car accident comes in with his uncle to make arrangements, Evie is asked to sit with Oren while the adults make some of the details. Oren hasn’t spoken since the accident, but Evie desperately wants to help comfort him. As the pair are brought together by the grownups during the summer, Evie and Oren discover they can communicate by text. Oren wants to see what happens behind the scenes at the funeral home to understand what happened to his parents, but Evie is afraid she’ll get in trouble if they get caught. This is such an informative story but I didn’t feel that it went too far in any way. I will absolutely be adding it to my collection as there’s nothing like it that I’ve come across for middle-grade readers.

WHAT I’M READING THIS WEEKEND

I was so lucky to get a copy of Colleen Nelson’s upcoming book The Undercover Book List, so I’ll be reading that first this weekend. I’m also anxious to get to When the World Was Ours by Liz Kessler as I’ve heard lots of people raving about it lately.

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Bit About Books Summer 2021 Reading Challenge Update

I’m SO close! I have two more prompts left to finish, and I hope to have them done before the end of the weekend.

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK

So much internal work going on this week; I have pages and pages in my journal as I work through Jess’s course. My focus this week has been on my idea of what a successful author looks like, and how that archetype didn’t match up with who I am. I’m reworking those beliefs and changing my definitions of success on at a time, and its exhausting but rewarding work.

I’m also reading A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD: Embrace Neurodiversity, Live Boldly, and Break Through Barriers by Sari Solden and Michelle Frank in an attempt to understand more about my daughter’s recent diagnosis and how I can support her at home. It’s been so helpful to see how certain things I say in an effort to help are actually problematic. It’s a time of a lot of new knowledge and understanding, and I’m trying to focus on the fact there’s always room for me to grow as a mom.

FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“What a liberation to realize that the ‘voice in my head’ is not who I am. Who am I then? The one who sees that.” by Eckhart Tolle

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

I didn’t get a post done in time for July 9th, so I decided I would do two weeks in this edition of The Friday Night Dish. There are a wide variety of titles mentioned below so I hope you find something that appeals to you to add to your TBR list.

WHAT I READ IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS

Elvis, Me, and the Lemonade Stand by Leslie Gentile (Mar 27/21) ( (5 stars). I can tell you right now that this will likely be my favourite book of the summer, and it will make my list of top favourites for 2021. It’s 1978, and Truly and her mom live in a trailer park on an Indigenous reserve on Vancouver Island. Andy El, the Salish trailer park owner, convinces Truly to start a lemonade stand to give her something to do for the summer. When Truly discovers that her mom’s friend knows where her real father is, she makes a secret plan to use the profits from her lemonade stand to find him and bring him back to the trailer park. As a cover, she tells everyone she’s saving for one of their neighbour’s new puppies, and the community helps Truly by buying her lemonade and donating items to sell at her stand. Excitement builds for Truly when a person she’s sure is Elvis Presley moves into the trailer park. But Truly’s mom is spending less time at home and hasn’t told her new boyfriend that she has a kid. As Truly spends more time with Andy El, she discovers the family she desperately seeks might be right in front of her. I wanted to hug Truly so many times for the tough life she had with a mom who didn’t want to be a mom. The community support for Truly and the strong relationship between her and Andy El challenge stereotypes about trailer parks and Indigenous people. This is a must-read book, and at 200 pages, it’s perfect for a wide range of readers.

Chunky by Yehudi Mercado (June 22/21) (4 stars) This graphic novel is based on the author’s experiences as a Mexican Jewish kid whose parents and doctors want him to lose weight. They are concerned about his health after having a lung removed as a child and want him to find a sport to play. Hudi meets Chunky, an imaginary friend and cheerleader who decide to try baseball. When baseball fails, Hudi attempts to find another sport that works for him while his heart really lies with comedy. Hudi and Chunky (who represents not fitting in) run into issues when Hudi tries to be someone he’s not and attempts to conform in ways that aren’t true to himself. I think this story does a good job of exploring what it means to follow your path.

Maya and The Rising Dark by Rena Barron (Sept 20/20) (4 stars). I’m glad I finally made time to read this book as its cover drew my attention several times, and I really enjoyed it. Maya knows her dad has an important job, but it’s an accident that she discovers he’s the guardian of the veil between the human world and The Dark. The veil is growing weak, and evil is creeping into Maya’s world. She and her friends learn they are godlings, children half human and half orisha, and Maya desperately hopes her magic will appear like it did in her friends. When the Lord of Shadows kidnaps Maya’s father, she is determined to find a way into The Dark to rescue her father and save the human world, but she has no idea the awaits her on the other side of the veil. I look forward to reading Maya and the Return of the Godlings out on September 21^st.

Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh (May 4/21) (5 stars). This was not an easy book for me to read. I missed trigger warnings for suicidal ideation, and Junie’s experience hit me hard. I put it down for a while, then found Doha’s story tough to read as well. It’s a 5 star read because it’s powerful, an excellent blend of contemporary and historical fiction, and deals with racism in a way that respects young readers to handle the realities of it. I would highly recommend this book, but it’s important to realize it’s not right for all readers.

City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda (Jan 12/21) (4 stars). Here’s a great story based on Mesopotamian mythology, which I don’t think I’ve ever read about before. Its storyline involves Nergal, the ancient god of disease, and a plague he brings to Sik’s parents and the city of NYC while hunting for a treasure he thinks Sik’s brother sent him from Iraq. I thought it might be difficult to read a book which features a plague right now, but there were enough monsters and demons to keep me in a fantasy setting. I love Sik’s devotion to his family, and how he wants to care for his immigrant parents and their deli which is part of their dream for a better life in America. I especially like what Sik learns from him brother, Mo, both before and after his death. This book just came out in January but I would love to read a sequel to it.

Malamander by Thomas Taylor (Sept 10/19) (4.5 stars). I hadn’t heard of this book until a friend recently recommended it to me, and I’m so glad she did! It takes place around midwinter at Eerie-On-Sea, where strange things are heard and seen in the mist and stories about sea monsters are legendary. Herbert Lemon works as the Lost-And-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, and it’s his job to try and reunite lost items left behind at the hotel with their owners. But when a girl shows up looking for the parents who left her at the hotel 12 years ago and who are still missing, Herbie has his biggest challenge yet. Herbie and Violet try to solve the mystery behind her parent’s disappearance, but they also discover the research her father was doing on the malamander, a sea beast from the area, might be more fact than fiction and put both of their lives at risk. I love the setting of this small town on the sea surrounded by mist, snow and damp weather (it was delightful to read in the middle of a summer heatwave), and I was caught up in the mystery of the connection between the characters. I plan to visit my indie today to pick up the second book in the series because I want to read more about this town’s secrets.

Valley of the Rats by Mahtab Narsimham (Sept 18/21) (3 stars). I love some of the author’s previous books, so even though I strongly dislike rats, I decided to give this eARC a try. This unique story finds Krish and his dad lost in the woods during a camping trip. Despite Krish’s anxiety about rats and the germs they carry, they decide to follow a group of rats in hopes of finding a settlement. They do not receive a warm welcome, but they are given shelter for the night with their radio broken. But Krish’s dad wants to stay and take some exclusive pictures to share back home, and the longer they stay, the more secrets they learn about the community. When Krish and his dad break the community’s rules and trust, their lives are at stake, and their only chance at survival is a daring escape. I know some readers will enjoy this book, and I was hooked on the storyline, but the rat details were too much for my taste.

Winning with ADHD: A Playbook for Teens & Young Adults With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder by Grace Friedman and Sarah Cheyette (Apr 1/19) (4 stars). I was curious about this book because it’s written by a young woman with ADHD in conjunction with a medical doctor. I found it really inspiring, with lots of support, empathy, encouragement, and practical advice for teens managing ADHD. The most useful piece of knowledge was that ADHD is more difficult to manage at home than in school because of the lack of structure and extra distractions at home. This is also the first time I heard medication likened to soccer cleats; you can play the game without it but it makes things more challenging and you won’t play at your best. I will likely buy a copy of this book for my daughter to use for its study skills, organizational tips, and useful advice.

WHAT I’M READING THIS WEEKEND

I’m really enjoying an eARC of Sorry for Your Loss by Joanne Levy so I plan to finish that book first. I think the next book on my list will be be an eARC of Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee

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WHAT POPPED UP ON MY RADAR

• Did you catch the cover reveal for NEW FROM HERE, Kelly Yang’s upcoming contemporary middle grade story?

WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS WEEK

• what information do I want to include in my book posts?
• how is #bookpostaday working for me and am I expecting too much of myself?
• what do I hope to accomplish using social media to talk about books?

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK

I started Jess Keating’s Epic Authors Academy course this week, and I can’t begin to tell you how much I’m learning about myself! The words are pouring out of me, I have pages of stories I’ve told myself that I’m rewriting and reframing, and I’m reconnecting to my intuition and l learning to listen to it. I also signed up for Kate Messner’s upcoming Out-Of-The-Box Biographies class, so I feel like I’m gaining some really valuable knowledge this summer.

FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The relationship with yourself is the one you’re carrying around all day, every day. It needs to work.” by Dr. Glenn Doyle

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

It’s been so hot this past week that I haven’t been outside much. Although I’m expressing my creativity in other ways, I do miss being (comfortably!) outside so I hope there will be a break in the heat and drought soon.

Happy Friday! I had a bit of a slow reading week; my second vaccination left me feeling crummy, so I wasn’t feeling up to reading as much as I usually do. It was also my daughter’s high school graduation so there were other priorities at home.

WHAT I READ THIS WEEK

The Serpent’s Fury by Kelley Armstrong (June 8/21) (4 stars). This is the third book in the excellent Royal Guide to Monster Slaying series. When Rowan and her entourage travel back into the Dunnian Woods, they discover something is driving the monsters out of their homes. They mount an expedition to find the root of the disruption and come across a nest of one of the deadliest monsters around. While their goal is to protect the monsters in the forest, not everyone has the same mission, and the group are in danger from beasts and human. While I found this book a bit slower than the first two in the series, I still enjoyed another adventure with Rowan and her companions.

Summer of Brave by Amy Noelle Parks (Mar 1/21) (5 stars). I’m so glad I selected this book to read for the “book with a summer setting” prompt, as it was a great way to kick off summer. Lilla’s parents are divorced, but the family practices “bird-nesting” where they live in a duplex, and Lilla moves back and forth between their places. Her parents believe they’re doing what’s easiest for her, but Lilla finds it extremely hard, especially when both her parents start keeping secrets and Lilla doesn’t know what’s going on in either of their lives. But Lilla’s friend, Vivi, decides to make this the “Summer of Brave” and challenges Lilla and their other friend, Knox, to tell the total truth and try new and scary things. Lilli isn’t sure she likes this idea, especially speaking up to her parents about their living situation, telling Vivi she got the camp counsellor job that Vivi wanted or standing up to sexual harassment from one of the senior camp counsellors. It’s so inspiring to watch Lilli grow in confidence and learn to speak her truths despite the consequences. This book reminded me of Saint Ivy by Laurie Morrison and Chirp by Kate Messner, but I’d recommend it for readers who like stories where characters learn to find their voices and speak up for what they need.

Pawcasso by Remy Lai (May 25/21) (4.5 stars). I LOVED Remy Lai’s first graphic novel. It’s a story of a basket-carrying dog who goes shopping in the market by himself every Saturday morning. Jo decides to follow him one day and is mistaken for his owner. Jo is afraid to admit the truth because she’s meeting new kids at the art club at the library and enjoying the attention, so she calls the dog Pawcasso and meets him every Saturday. But trouble brews when Pawcasso becomes famous, and the dog catcher threatens to send him to the pound without a leash. Jo’s little fib turns into a gigantic disaster, and she’s stuck figuring out how to clean up her mess.

WHAT I’M READING THIS WEEKEND

I started The Stone Girl’s Story by Sarah Beth Durst on audio, but I didn’t enjoy the format so I’ll be switching to the physical book to finish it. I’m also reading Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh. I have quite a few library holds that came in this week so I hope to work on those next week.

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Summer 2021 Reading Challeng Update

I have a habit of racing through these challenges, so I’m trying to do about 2-3 prompts per week so I don’t finish it too far in advance. This week, I took a sunset picture on the longest day of the year, and I completed a book with a summer setting

WHAT POPPED UP ON MY RADAR

• I signed up to take Kate Messner’s Teachers Write 2021 starting on June 28th

WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS WEEK

Here are a few of the things I explored in my reading journal this week:

• weekly reading reflection questions, and when is the best time to do them
• what makes a good series? it is the reader or writer who changes as the story continues from one book to the next?
• is the time and effort I put into bookstagram really worth it?
• what is it about writing a book summary that I find so challenging?
• what do I want this summer of reading to look like?
• why do I enjoy reading books with female main characters?

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK

I watched an excellent video this week at MindValley.com by Nir Eyal about learning to become “indistractable”. It was a free 70 minute class that just made so much sense to me. For example, our internal triggers are uncomfortable emotional states (eg. boredom, loneliness, fatigue, anxiety, etc.) that we seek to escape from, and to solve the discomfort we distract ourselves. If we want to become indistractable, we need to learn how to learn techniques to deal with the discomfort instead of distracting ourselves. I’m going to purchase the book today based on what I heard (the reviews are mixed so the message might be different in this format that what I listened to) but if you’re looking for help with lack of focus and overwhelm, you might want to look into getting a copy to read.

FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“She was never quite ready. But she was brave. And the universe listens to brave” – Dr. Rebecca Ray

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Happy Friday! This week I read six middle-grade books, five of which were released in 2020. I went through a reading slump for a while last spring when the pandemic first hit, and I missed titles that I’m now able to enjoy. Also, I got my second vaccination yesterday, so I’m counting down the two weeks until I can visit my local indie, McNally Robinson, and browse in-store without anxiety!

WHAT I READ THIS WEEK

Chirp by Kate Messner (Feb 4/20) (4.5 stars). I’m so glad I decided to read some backlist books this summer because this is one story I missed and thoroughly enjoyed. It’s part mystery, part female empowerment, part STEM-focused, and it all ties together into a powerful story. The story begins when Mia moves to Vermont with her family. Her grandma owns a cricket farm there, and although Mia’s family expects her to retire, her grandma has other plans. But Gram thinks someone is trying to sabotage her farm with all the unexpected “accidents” that are happening. So Mia and her new friends from a summer day camp for young entrepreneurs decide to help Gram grow her business while also solving the mystery of who wants the cricket farm to fail. Mia learns to find her voice in the process of assisting Gram and also gains the confidence to speak up about a secret she’s been hiding. A lot is going on in this story, but it blends well and has important messages to share with readers.

Coop Knows The Scoop by Taryn Souders (July 7/20) (4 stars). Here’s another backlist book from 2020 that I’m so glad I made the time to read. In this middle-grade mystery, the town of Windy Bottom is thrown into a tizzy when a skeleton is discovered under the town’s playground. Rumours abound, but when Coop’s grandpa becomes a suspect, he and his friends decided to help the police investigation along. The more research the kids do, the more they discover long-held secrets that point in unexpected directions. This was a story that was hard to put down, and I will definitely be recommending it more frequently in the library now that I’ve read it.

Time Villains by Victor Piñeiro (July 6/21) (3 stars). This book will appeal to the right audience, but it just isn’t me. I’m not a big fan of humorous fantasy stories, but if that something you enjoy, then you might want to add this book to your TBR. As part of a school project, Javi Santiago and his friend, Wiki, must decide which three people in history they would like to invite to dinner. The friends, and Javi’s sister, Brady, were not expecting their new antique table that purred would actually bring these characters to the meal. When one of the famous historical figures escapes and plans to invite reinforcements to help him in the modern-day, the kids uncover a secret about their teachers and must find a way to put everyone back where they belong. Although the story was a bit far-fetched for me, many kids will love that Blackbeard is the rebellious guest that wants to bring his pirates to this world and avoid his fate in his own time. There are several other characters from history that shake things up and add to the mayhem. I did enjoy seeing the Puerto Rican representation in a fantasy story, though.

Girl Giant and the Monkey King – Van Hoang (Dec 1/20) (3.5 stars). There were a lot of things I enjoyed about this story. It’s based on Vietnamese mythology and is a book I would recommend to readers who enjoy the Rick Riordan Presents stories. I really enjoyed the last 25%bas Thom helps the Monkey King retrieve his magical staff in exchange for taking away the super-strength that’s been a burden to her. The first part of the story was too slow for my liking, but I’ve thought about this book a few times since I finished it and might consider trying the sequel GIRL GIANT AND THE JADE WAR, which comes out in December.

BenBee and the Teacher Griefer by K.A. Holt (Sept 20/20) (4.5 stars). This is a unique story told from the perspective of four students who are in summer school because they failed the FART (actually known as the Florida Rigorous Academic Assessment Test, or FRAAT, but what do a few rearranged letters matter?) The kids are divergent thinkers, and traditional test-taking and learning strategies don’t work well, but their teacher, Ms. J, wants them to teach her how they best learn. They come up with a deal that they will get 10 minutes to play their favourite video game, Sandbox, for each ten-minute block they read aloud. Unfortunately, the unusual teaching method results in the kids working together save Ms. J.’s job when her assessment is a disaster. I loved the unique format of the story with text messages, verse, prose, and illustrations emphasizing how the different students think.

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia (Aug 4/20) (4 stars). Paola is a science-loving girl who thinks her mom’s obsession with ghosts and superstitions is ridiculous. But when one of her best friends goes missing near the river, and it looks like there might be something otherworldly responsible for her disappearance, Pao begins to wonder if there’s some truth to her mom’s stories. She and Dante question everything they know as they slip into a world filled with dangerous encounters, monsters, and a veil between worlds in an attempt to find Emma. I loved learning more about La Llorona and the unique way in which the author tells the story while also addressing racism aimed at Pao and Dante because they’re Latinx.

WHAT I’M READING THIS WEEKEND

I’m currently hooked on THE SERPENT’S FURY which is the third book in the Royal Guide to Monster Hunting series by Kelley Armstrong, and my Instagram followers chose FINDING JUNIE KIM by Ellen Oh for me to read this weekend.

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WHAT POPPED UP ON MY RADAR

• Author David A. Robertson curated a list of 48 books by Indigenous writers to help understand residential schools
• The Bit About Books Summer 2021 Reading Challenge starts on June 21st. Are you joining us?
• Do you follow the MG Lit Online Book Club? Our summer schedule of Zoom chats can be found here

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK

Did you know that you could search for a gif by an illustrator’s name? I love Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s art, and this week on Twitter she posted a link to instruction about finding them. You can find the youtube video here and check out the rest of her videos while you’re at it.

FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy” by Nightbird

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

It’s time for another helping of middle grade, and this week, I read four books (three of which were fantasy) that I enjoyed. I’ve been posting every day on Instagram as part of #bookpostaday, and I realize that I’m not reading as many Canadian and BIPOC authors as I’d like, so my goal is to start requesting more titles to share.

WHAT I READ THIS WEEK

The Accidental Apprentice by Amanda Foody (March 31/21) (5 stars).

It was the cover of this book that originally grabbed my attention, but the synopsis also drew me in, and I was not disappointed. This is a story about Barclay, an orphan who is an apprentice to a mushroom farmer. Barclay has trouble following all the rules in Dullshire, and one day he breaks the biggest rule of all and ventures into the Woods. The Woods are full of beasts and Lore Keepers, the people who bond with them, and the townspeople want nothing to do with them. When Barclay accidentally bonds with a Beast, he is forced to flee Dullshire and searches for a way to have the Beast and its mark removed from him. To get the knowledge he seeks, he will have to undergo several challenges and place first in the apprentice exhibition. But not everyone is happy to have Barclay in this competition, and he will have to beat some of the most talented and well-connected Lore Keepers. He will have to make a decision about what he matters most to him, and accept the consequences of that choice. I love the creative Beasts found in these pages, and the way that Barclay struggles to come to terms with his undesirable status as a Lore Keeper. There’s a lot of adventure that takes places in these Woods, and many ways that Barclay and his new friends must fight to stay alive. I really look forward to the next book in this series, and would recommend it for Gr. 4-7.

We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly (May 5/20) (4 stars). I’ve read a few books set in the 80s, but there’s something about this particular story that made me feel like I was back in that time. It’s the story of three siblings, Bird, Fitch and Cash, set in the month building up to the Challenger space shuttle launch which ended in tragic disaster. I love that young readers get a chance to learn about this important moment in history through the eyes the siblings who were studying it in science class. There’s a great deal of character growth, and my heart especially went out to Bird who wanted to be the first woman space shuttle commander and was deeply affected by the explosion. I’m very glad I finally make the time to read this book.

Royal Blood by Arthur Slade (June 1/21) (4 stars). DRAGON ASSASSIN, which is the first omnibus (a collection of novels previously published separately) in this series by Arthur Slade, was one of my favorite reads of 2020. In this book (which is made up of Bitterwaters, Elder Magic, and Royal Blood), Carmen is fulfilling her oath to Brax to assassinate someone for him, but Brax isn’t forthcoming with any details about what he expects from her. Together they travel into Drachia, which is the dragon kingdom from which Brax originates. We start to get some answers about Brax’s past and discover that several dragons would like to see him dead. Carmen has to protect herself in a world where humans are no more than slaves, and where danger and betrayal lie around every corner. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Carmen and Brax deepen, and spending time with the dragons and the power struggles that were part of their world.

Tristan Strong Punches A Hole In The Sky by Kwame Mbalia (Oct 15/19) (4 stars). I love that the Rick Riordan Presents books are based on traditional myths or stories from different cultures with a modern twist. In this story, Tristan chases after a thief stealing the journal of his friend who recently died. Tristan chases her into the forest, and accidentally rips a hole in the ground and falls through into MidPass and a world that’s in turmoil from iron fetterlings, poisonous brand flies, and other dangerous creatures. Tristan tries to help restore order while also trying to find a way to fix the sky so he can return home again. I enjoyed meeting Gum Baby (she was my favourite character), as well as John Henry, Brer Rabbit and other Black American gods that I had heard about but only through a white lens. The land of Alke is battered over and over again, yet hope and humour run throughout this story. Watching Tristan step into his role as an Anansesem, or a storyteller is powerfully inspiring. At 480 pages, it’s a very long read, but readers who stick with it will be in for a treat.

WHAT I’M READING THIS WEEKEND

I have an interview coming up at MG Book Village with debut author Victor Piñeiro about Time Villains (out July 6th), so I’m reading an eARC this weekend. I also asked my Instagram followers to vote on my weekend read, and they chose Chirp by Kate Messner so I’m diving into that one next.

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WHAT POPPED UP ON MY RADAR

• Curious to learn more about the Instagram algorithm? Here’s a post that explains it in more detail.
• There’s graphic novel adaptation of Aru Shah and the End of Time coming next spring.
• Here’s a link to the book scholar dragon my husband just bought me for my birthday (I LOVE IT!)
• MYRCA (Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award) just announced their 2021 winner and honour books.

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK

I spent some time researching the Instagram algorithm this week as I’ve had some followers say they aren’t seeing my posts. What I found is that engagement matters, but likes have become less important that saving posts, sharing them, and leaving comments. I’ve experimented a bit with posting at different times of the day, but I prefer to post early in the morning. My goal isn’t to reach everyone, it’s to reach “my people” who enjoy middle grade fiction, but I thought I’d share what I learned in case some of you are trying to grow your account.

FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Well, all memories serve a purpose….What are memories except stories we tell yourselves, right?” from Tristan Strong Punches The World by Kwame Mbalia

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

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