Review: Nnewts: Escape from the Lizzarks

Nnewts: Escape from the Lizzarks by Doug TenNapel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Once I got past my initial dislike of the double n in "nnewts," I really enjoyed this book. Hurk wants so badly to have strong legs and be able to be on land and water. His dad is a magician, who gets called away on a hunting raid. While he is gone, the lizzarks attack. Hurk escapes, but has no idea where to go. There's a lot of interesting points, some of which feel a bit expected to this avid fantasy/sci-fi reader but will surprise kids. I'm excited to see where this story goes.

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Review: Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon

Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon by Kate DiCamillo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another entry in the Deckawoo Drive series by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. This time it focuses on the animal control officer Francine Poulet, whose confidence is shaken by a screaming raccoon. I loved this story of her getting her confidence back, which I think will resonate with children.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in return for a review.

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Review: The Question of Miracles

The Question of Miracles by Elana K. Arnold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Heartbreaking. Iris has moved to Corvallis, Oregon after the death of her best friend Sarah. She's gone from sunny California to rainy Oregon, and she's not happy. She sits with Boris at lunch one day, and slowly begins to become friends with him. She discovers that he is a medical miracle, and starts to wonder if she too can get a miracle, or why some people get miracles and others don't. My heart broke for Iris, who was there when her friend died, and her struggle to let others in. I enjoyed that she did befriend Boris and tried some new things that he liked, before moving on to teaching him things. I think this one will stay with kids for a long time.

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Review: The Great Good Summer

The Great Good Summer by Liz Garton Scanlon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For some reason, I kept expecting this book to come down very hard on religion, but it didn't. I thought religion and science were presented as being able to coexist well in this book.

Ivy's mother is devastated when fires sweep across Texas, burning down the church where Ivy's grandfather preached. She finds a preacher that speaks to her and she runs off with him, leaving her family behind. Eventually Ivy and her new friend, Paul, decide to go off to find her.

I really liked this story. Some of the plot elements seemed a little too tame, but I think that's okay. Sometimes things happen and they aren't as horrible as you thought they might be. Or maybe you just don't need to know it yet.

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Review: The Invasion of the Tearling

The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Almost as good as the first one. I was still drawn along by the story, and I had some questions based on the initial premise. Still, I'll be anxiously waiting for the next one!

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Review: Reawakened

Reawakened by Colleen Houck
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Did I like this one? Yes! It's a story of Egyptian mythology, intrigue and a lot of romantic tension. I was pulled along on plot enough to keep reading, because I wanted to see how the story of Amon and his brothers work out. I wanted to know if they would make it, and how. I also liked seeing the Egyptian stories retold, and I appreciated the ending, which leaves me waiting for the next book.

However, I should note some things that may be issues for others:
-white rich protagonist, who of course doesn't care for the trappings of her penthouse life but lives by them anyway
-three brothers all seeming to care for the same girl, instantly upon meeting her.

I think it's worth giving a shot.

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Review: The Jumbies

The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oooh I loved this one! Corinne lives on an island with her father, hearing the stories about jumbies but not believing them. She follows an agouti in the forest one day, and senses something but can't see it. The jumbies are real...and they found her.

I was especially a fan of the alternating perspectives in this story. It's not always a device I enjoy, but I think it worked well here. I also appreciated learning more about what kinds of stories are native to the Caribbean, and enjoyed this fairy tale based on one.

It will pair well with Little Man for you Maine Student Book Award readers.

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Review: School for Sidekicks

School for Sidekicks by Kelly McCullough
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this one to be very slow starting, to the point where I almost gave up on it. However, once some weird things started happening to Evan Quick, I began getting into the story. With the introduction of Foxman, I was much more interested.

Two things I especially liked about this story: the view of a recovering alcoholic with Foxman, and the fact that the issue of consent is addressed, even with something as innocent seeming as a kiss. It doesn't turn out to be a big deal, but the kiss-ee stands up for their own bodily autonomy and the kisser realizes that it's not cool to do that. Amazing to see that in any novel, but especially a middle grade.

I received my copy as a galley from NetGalley in return for my honest review.

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Review: A Handful of Stars

A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cynthia Lord writes another beautiful story, this time set in the blueberry barrens of Maine. Growing up here, I had never really thought about how blueberries were picked, and only very recently learned that migrant workers often did the hard work of raking. Learning a bit about their lives, combined with a story about loving a dog and it's a winner for me!

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Review: Bayou Magic

Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I will always happily read anything Jewell Parker Rhodes writes. I have been in love since Ninth Ward. Bayou Magic continues the trend with Madison (or Maddy), the youngest daughter off to meet her grandmother for the first time in the bayou of Bon Temps, Louisiana. In this magical place, Maddy will discover things about herself and the world.

There was one section that I found to be more unbelievable than others, even in a magical realism story, about Bear and his pa. I don't want to say more for fear of spoilers, but it resolved too easily for me.

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